History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 75

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 75

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

not pass the limits of our own nation for sad instances of this. Whether or how far it has been exemplified in any of the American colonies, whose government in general are nearly copies of the happy British original, by the operation of ministerial unconstitutional meas- urcs, or the public conduct of some among ourselves, is not for me to determine. It is, however, certain that the people mourn."

The article referred to above says, " It was prepared with the expectation that the Governor would not be present, and when it was found he would be there to hear it, Dr. Hitchcock was advised by his friends to be cautious in his expressions, but he replied, ' My sermon is written, and it will not be altered.'"

This is said to have created quite a disturbance and filled Governor Gage with rage, but it pleased Samuel Adams and others like him so much that a suit of clothes was presented Mr. Hitcheoek as a mark of their appreciation.

Mr. Hitchcock married Dorothy Angier, of Cam- bridge, a descendant of Edmund Angier, who was in Cambridge in 1636. She inherited the blood of Rev. William Ames, D.D., Rev. Urian Oakes, a president of Harvard College, Dr. William Avery, and the Sparhawks, all old Cambridge families.

An aged lady, now living, remembers Dr. Hiteh- cock as a venerable-looking old man, who wore a wig white as snow, and to whom every one who met him was attracted. This lady relates from memory an in- cident which occurred one Sunday when Dr. Hitch- coek had exchanged pulpits with Rev. Perez Forbes, and shows the attention that was required to the sermon in those days, though they were long and prosy. The old men, whose seats were directly below the pulpit in front of the body pews, had bc- come sleepy and fallen into slumber, while the younger portion of the congregation were amusing themselves to the disregard of the sermon, when Mr. Forbes suddenly stopped his discourse and said, " Boys, stop that noise, or you will wake up these old men," and proceeded with his sermon. As will be imagined, the effeet was twofold.

Dr. Hitchcock proved himself a man of talent, sociable, friendly, hospitable, though somewhat ec- centric, and very witty. "Be merry and wise" was his advice to the young on occasions of joy. In be- lief he was a high Arian and liberal. His funeral services consisted of only a prayer, by his request. His pastorate extended over a period of fifty-five years. He died Aug. 8, 1803, after an indisposition of four years, when the parish honored his memory by the following vote: "That the parisli procure a pair of Tombstones for the Rev. Gad Hitchcock."

A few months before the death of Mr. Hitchcock a call was given Rev. George Barstow to settle as col- league pastor, which he at first declined, but on a re- newal of their wish he aeeepted in a letter dated Dec. 20, 1802, in which he bespeaks their eneouragement in various ways, and particularly their attendance at the Sabbath services, and was ordained January, 1803. An order was passed to provide entertainment for the Council and Mr. Barstow's near friends, and the ex- pense proved eighty dollars. A committee of six was ordered " to shore up the meeting-house, to keep the body seats and front seats in the gallery elear, and also to keep the green or yard around the meet- ing-house clear of earts and sellers of liquor on said day."

Mr. Barstow was son of James Barstow and Rhoda House, born 1775, graduated at Brown University, 1801, and studied for the ministry with Rev. Perez Forbes, of Raynham. He married Sarah, daughter of Gideon Barstow, Nov. 26, 1801. After his settle- ment with the church he built the house at the junc- tion of the roads near the almshouse, where he lived, and died suddenly Feb. 11, 1826.

Some time during Mr. Barstow's pastorate the so- ciety made quite extensive repairs to their meeting- house, which cost them about two hundred dollars, and much improved its appearance. Soon after Rev. Dr. Storrs, of Braintree, came to preach on missions, and made a strong appeal for immediately forming a society to raise funds for that object. Some one sug- gested that it be postponed to some other day, but Dr. Storrs said, " Now or never !" and they set about the work, and to their great satisfaction raised thirty dollars. This was not equal to Dr. Storrs' antieipa- tion, and feeling that their eovetousness should be rebuked, he published an article in the Recorder, of which he was editor, portraying them in a very un- generous style,-said their meeting-house (which had so recently been repaired) " wasn't fit to worship God in or for the comfort of man." It was thought best to vindieate themselves from such an array, and accordingly one of the society wrote an article for Dr. Storrs to publish, which he refused to do, and then it was sent to Thomas Whittemore, editor of the Trumpet, who gladly blew it with a shrill blast.

During the pastorates of Dr. Hitchcock and Mr. Barstow the society belonged to the Conference of Unitarian Churches, but for several years before Mr. Barstow's death there were some who had embraced orthodox sentiments and freely avowed them, some- times attending church service out of town. An elderly woman, who was a member of the church, and had expressed great anxiety for its welfare, was

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heard to pray as she knelt before the fire alone in her home. " Lord, change Parson Barstow's heart, or take him from the ministry."

A man threatened his minor son that he would take away his new suit of clothes if he persisted in attend- ing meeting there. This shows the division of senti- ment and belief which manifested itself in various ways, and by many the death of Mr. Barstow was deemed providential, not from want of personal re- spect, but the result of change of faith. When the business of procuring a new minister came before them the church decided to have one of orthodox profession, which resulted in a call to Rev. Freeman P. Howland, who was ordained Sept. 25, 1826. Since then the church has been associated with the Ortho- dox Congregationalists. Mr. Howland retained his office of pastor little more than seven years, when he resigned on account of feeble health. He was a val- uable citizen, and was highly esteemed by the church and community for his kind and courteous character.

The next settled minister was Rev. John Shaw, from November, 1834. to March, 1838, followed by Rev. Abel Patten in June, who remained one year. During Mr. Shaw's pastorate a new church was built on the site of the old, though there were persistent efforts to change the location. This was dedicated Dec. 14, 1836.

The successor of Mr. Patten was Rev. Samuel L. Rockwood, who twice held the pastorate, the first time from March 11, 1840, to February, 1858, a period of eighteen years; the second from 1871 to 1877. The interim was filled by Rev. Benjamin South- worth, who died in South Abington (1883), where he had taken up his abode.

Mr. Rockwood was interested in the prosperity of the town, and particularly its early history, collecting much that is worthy of publication. He took an active part in all movements for the promotion of the temperance cause, and served the town a number of years as one of the school committee. Mr. Rock- wood removed to Weymouth, where he died.

Rev. Joshua S. Gay was the next pastor, and remained five years from May, 1878, succeeded, in August, 1883, by Rev. George Benedict, the present minister.

Not much is known in regard to the church music of the earliest years, but records show that " March 12, 1749, Daniel Hayford was chosen deacon, and on the following Thursday chose John Bisbe, Jr., for a deacon." " Nov. 4, 1753, chose William Phillips and Gideon Bisbe to set the psalms in the absence of Dea. Bisbe. William Phillips declined, and Daniel Crooker was chosen in his place." In 1760, " Voted

by the congregation to sing Tate and Brady's version, together with Dr. Watts' Hymns, bound with it for the future, in room of the New England version." "Sept. 25, 1769, chose Eleazer Hamlin for chorister, and Zebulon Simmons for the same purpose in his absence.'

The earliest mention of instrumental music or any- thing pertaining is a vote taken March 14, 1812, that Nathaniel Collamore's bill of four dollars and eighteen cents for repairing the bass-viol be allowed. Doubt- less it had been purchased some time before by the parish, and was kept in the church, as there was a chest built in the front gallery for the purpose, as some who are still living remember it. On March 22, 1817, " Voted, Capt. N. Collamore for bass-viol strings, $2.68."

No other instrument is mentioned in the records until the time of dedication of the new church, but it is remembered that about 1820, Dr. Cartier, who was a physician in town, played a violin, and later, Ezra Phillips, Jr., the clarionet. When the new church was built, Deacon George F. Stetson loaned the society a pipe-organ, which he had built, to remain until he should finish one for them, and he was voted "the sum of ten dollars for his trouble in re- moving and setting up the organ." The one built for the church remained until 1867, when a new one, costing one thousand dollars, was purchased by sub- scription.

Universalist Society .- The law which imposed taxation upon individuals for church support was con- sidered by a growing number to be unjust, and a feel- ing of resistance in some way led a few of the parish to propose holding meetings and supporting them by voluntary contributions, and a receipt for such pay- ment answered the demands of the law. Accordingly a society was organized, which held meetings at the houses of some of its members. Prominent among them were Dr. Samuel Barker, Cornelius Cobb, Dr. Calvin Tilden, Charles Josselyn, Jabez Josselyn, Oren Josselyn, Henry Monroe, Bridgewater ; Capt. Abishai Stetson, East Bridgewater; and Timothy Robbins, Hanover.

Preaching was supplied by Benjamin Whittemore, Joshua Flagg, Rev. Hosea Ballou, and others. In 1829 a church was built at the junction of roads, now Willow and Short Streets, and in the same year Elmer Hewitt was installed as preacher, and remained in the office about ten years. After him came John Allen, for two years, followed by Robert L. Killam, H. W. Morse, and William Whiting. Isaac O. Stet- son and Willard Poole, both of Pembroke, were the deacons. As the old members died and numbers de-

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

creased, the society ceased to hold meetings. For a time the church was used by the Spiritualists for meetings. In 1866 the building was remodeled for hall purposes, and called Unity Hall, and remained as such until March, 1876, when it was burned.

Baptist Church .- The following is taken from a sketch published some time ago, which was con- densed from the church records :

" In the summer of 1811, Elder Thomas Conant, then a licensed preacher of the Baptist denomination, began holding meetings in certain dwelling-houses in Pembroke, about half-way between the East and West (Congregational) Parishes of the town. The good seed sown was attended by the blessing of God, and in the following winter the neighborhood enjoyed the weekly preaching of the Word, -at first on week-days, afterward a fourth of the time on the Sabbath. Aaron Perkins, then a recent convert from Mansfield, aided Mr. Conant in his missionary labors during the winter. As a result of their labors an interest was awakencd, and on the 17th of May, 1812, eleven persons made public profession of their faith in baptism. These, with nineteen others who brought letters from neigh- boring Baptist Churches, were, on the 21st of the same month, regularly constituted a church by the name of 'The First Baptist Church in Pembroke,' and was recognized as such by a council of ministers and laymen assembled for that purpose. The right hand of fellowship was given by Joel Briggs, of Randolph. In the afternoon of the same day, Mr. Conant, having been recommended and introduced by the church to the same council as a candidate for the gospel ministry, was ordained. Sermon by Samuel Glover, charge by Joel Briggs, and right hand of fellowship by Lewis Leonard. These exercises occurred at the house of Luther Howland, afterwards a deacon of the church."

In the following September the church united with the Warren Baptist Association, of which it formed a part until the formation of the Old Colony Associ- ation, to which it now belongs. In the second year of its existence the church built a small meeting- house in the neighborhood where the interest had commenced, and in this house Mr. Joseph Torrey, the first settled pastor, was ordained, Nov. 9, 1814. This house, afterwards sold, was remodeled into a dwelling, and stands on the original site, nearly oppo- site the Methodist Church in Bryantville. Nov. 16, 1820, a new and commodious house of worship, the one still occupied by the church, was opened. James Davis, John Butler, Thomas Conant, and Joseph Torrey, the pastor, participated in the dedicatory services.

Mr. Torrey having filled the pastoral office for

about eleven years, with a brief intermission in 1824, resigned the charge, and was dismissed in January, 1826. During the next eight years the church had three successive pastors,-Charles L. Cook, J. B. Gibson (who died while pastor, in December, 1830), and Jeremiah Kelley. After the departure of Mr. Kelley, in August, 1834, the church remained for nearly two years without a pastor, but continued to sustain its weekly meetings of conference and public worship. In April, 1835, Joseph Torrey, having been absent a few years, returned, and again con- nected himself with the church, but the third day after death closed his earthly labors. In September, 1836, Flavel Shurtleff became pastor, and remained one year. After an interval of about nineteen months, during eight of which John Holbrook was preacher, Mr. Shurtleff was recalled, and continued his labors until April, 1845.

In August, 1844, the church made a clear and de- cided declaration of anti-slavery sentiments by adopt- ing a series of resolutions, in which they expressed their abhorrence of the system of American slavery, and declared their determination never to admit into their membership or their pulpit any slaveholder or advocate of slavery. Samuel Carr held the minis- terial office from June, 1845, to December, 1848; Asa C. Bronson, from July, 1849, to March, 1851 (ordained in December, 1849), and William Leach, from September, 1851, to April, 1855. Under the ministry of Mr. Bronson the meeting-house under- went considerable repairs ; a tower was built and a bell hung. Leander P. Gurncy was called to the pastorate in June, 1855, ordained in the following December, and closed his labors in September, 1856. Samuel Hill was pastor from October, 1857, to July, 1858. During the summer months of 1861 the pulpit was regularly supplied by Charles K. Colver. In September the church invited Elder Seth Ewer to preach to them, and in October to become their pastor, he remaining till April, 1863. The remainder of the year the supply was by Rev. Mason Ball, when the house undergoing extensive repairs, preaching was suspended until May 23, 1864. The house was then reopened, Rev. Rollin H. Neale, D.D., preaching the sermon on the occasion. On June 1, 1864, Aaron Perkins began preaching, but in little more than a year failing health compelled him to tender his resignation, June 27, 1865. Rev. W. H. Watson followed in December, 1865, remaining until May, 1867.

Rev. H. F. H. Miller assumed the pastoral charge December, 1867, resigning November, 1869, and was succecded by Rev. J. W. Horton, who closed his

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labors March, 1872. In the following June, Rev. Joseph B. Read accepted a call to become pastor, and continued his relations eleven years. the longest pas- torate of this society. In May, 1883, Rev. William | teachers remembered were Elizabeth Torrey (after- K. Davey was given a call, and accepted, remaining a wards Mrs. I. B. Barker), Peddy Howland, Bathsheba Whitman, and Dolly Whitman in summers, and Oliver Whitten, Stephen Crooker, Noah Whitman, Samuel Briggs, and Welcome Young in winters, followed by the sons and daughters of the first-named lady, eight in number, all of whom taught school in town. But few months, when he relinquished his charge for a position in the University for Colored Students, in Nashville. Tenn., his place being supplied on his re- tirement by Rev. Ephraim Hapgood, April, 1884, who is the present pastor.

Micah Foster and Luther Howland, elected June 19, 1812; Paul Clapp, in 1826; Joseph Boylston, in 1831; Levi Thomas, September. 1832; Josiah Bar- ker, in June, 1843; Jonathan R. Gurney, in June, 1854 ; Charles W. Bourne, March, 1872; and Levi Z. Thomas, in January, 1878. The last two are the only survivors. In the summer of 1875 a large and convenient vestry was erected, adjoining the rear of the church, which serves for society and conference purposes. During the earlier years of the church the music was singing without instruments, but soon after the new church was built the bass-viol was intro- duced and played by E. B. K. Gurney, and followed after a time by other instruments.

Schools .- The earliest record relating to schools is Sept. 9, 1754, Edward Thomas, clerk : " Voted that the school should be kept in two places in said precinct, riz., one place near the country road, near Mr. Hitchcock's, and the other near Faxon's fence, between him and Bisbe; then the vote was called whether they would build one school-house or more, and it passed in the negative, and then voted the school- house should be built by subscription, and dissolved said meeting." The one built at the first-named place was probably used more than forty years, as the record, dated 1795, shows that Dr. Hitchcock bought the old school-house. The site of the second house mentioned above is on the Bridgewater road, opposite the grammar school-house, a little to the west.

In 1755 " voted the school should be kept accord- ing to last year's vote." In July, 1761, Elijah Cush- ing, moderator, voted to raise in the next year's rate towards defraying the charge of the new " cushin," then voted to build one school-house in said precinct, and to " set the same upon the road as near the meet- ing-house as the ground will admit of." These must have served for some years, as the records are silent in regard to any others. The oldest persons now living (ninety years of age) remember five school- houses in the time of their childhood, situated in the following parts: one each in Cox Street, in the Cush- ing District, Louden District, another in Parson Bar-

stow's (near the site of the present Primary No. 2), and one in 'Squire Barker's district. Nothing is found to show who were the earliest teachers. The earliest

The following have served the church as deacons: few text-books are remembered by the oldest persons, and girls were taught to sew and knit to improve the hours allotted for school. There is no mention made in the earliest records of a school committee or any one to superintend, and it is probable there were none, unless district agents. As the population increased the districts were divided until there were nine. In 1867 the district system was abolished, when a new division was made and two grammar schools were instituted, one each in the north and south parts of the town. The present number of schools is seven, two grammar and five primary.

In 1851 there was a private school in Elijah Da- mon's hall, taught by L. E. Shepard, followed by B. F. Willard the two succeeding years. This school was well patronized, and attended with success and profit to those who were pupils. In 1879 a school was held in the same place, taught by William F. Nichols, continuing two years. Though this school was not large in numbers, it well repaid those who had the advantage of the thorough teaching and dis- cipline of Mr. Nichols.

Occupations and Industries .- Nothing definite can be ascertained of the occupations of the first men who settled here, more than that they were generally tillers of the soil, and sought situations favorable to it. There seems to have been a decided change in opinion as regards the value of land since this town first had white inhabitants, as then nearly all held large tracts, hundreds of acres, as old deeds prove, while now, by the majority, it is considered that to be a large land- holder is to be impoverished in equal degree.

John Bisbe, on the Bridgewater road, was a farmer, and his sons settled on his lands to carry on the same business.

Josiah Bourne, of whom mention has been made, cultivated a large area, and one field, which is now covered with wood, has always been known as " the ten-acre lot," and was planted with corn. This was only a small part of his cultivated land. Some time in the last century there was a blight of some kind to vegetation all the country round, and farmers suffered the loss of their crops. Singular to say, this Bourne

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

was so fortunate as to have his crops uninjured. During the following season people came from long distances to buy corn, which he sold sparingly to all, and "Going to Egypt to buy corn," caine to be a proverb with them. One of his sons, born 1720, was a surveyor, and the compass supposed to have been used by him is in possession of one of the family descendants of the fifth generation.

Quite a number of later residents are known to have made shingles by hand, and were known as shingle-weavers. These would go into the woods and swamps, where they procured their lumber, and remain there, cutting trees and making shingles on the same ground.

In different parts of the town were coopers. Gama- liel Bisbe, Jedediah Beal, and Thomas Maeomber worked at the business, making buckets and tubs of various kinds. Ebenezer B. Keene made nails in the last eentury, near his father's house. Enos Cox made hammered nails, and quite a number made tacks by hand early in the present century, among them Thomas Gurney, Ephraim and Whitcomb Cox. Three successive generations by the name of Bonney, the last, Noah, born 1781, were carpenters. Several blacksmiths were in town before 1800. Nathaniel Thomas had a shop near the saw-mill at the foot of Almshouse Hill, and another in town, by the name of Stetson, was assured of his future bride when the stroke of his hammer on the anvil rang out, " Rizpah Bisbe ! Rizpah Bisbe !" A century ago and later many worked in iron foundrics, and found work in East Bridgewater, Easton, Kingston, and other places at greater distances. On the gravestone of Lemuel Bonney, who died in 1803, is inseribed, "One of the greatest iron founders in America." There was a tannery near where Soper's Hall now stands, carried on by Gershom Orcutt. John Cook was a hatter near by.

Stores and Taverns .- The first store of which there is any knowledge was kept by Ebenezer Bonney, at his place near Indian Head River bridge. People came a long distance to buy. An aged lady remem- bers hearing her grandmother relate her going there with her husband in the fall to buy sufficient for the eoming winter. Mr. Bonney also kept tavern. Henry Monroe is named in 1759 as an innholder.

Alexander Soper had a store and kept tavern during the Revolutionary war at the Keene place, at the junction of the Bonney Hill and main roads.

About 1798, Cornelius Cobb came from Plymouth and commenced trade in a small building, now a dwelling-house, at Cobb's Corner. At that time Na- thaniel Jones had a small store on the opposite corner.

A few years afterwards Mr. Cobb built a large store near his house, where he continued trade until his death, in 1833, and was succeeded by his son, Theo- dore.

In 1823, Samuel Briggs built a store a few rods east of the Baptist Church, in which he traded for two years, then moved it half a mile east on the same road, and continued business until he sold to Martin Bryant in 1830. About the same time Lemucl Hatch had a store in Hobart's building, near where the town hall now stands, which was afterward burned.

Twenty-five or more years ago the principal occu- pation was shoemaking by hand The work was taken from manufactories in neighboring towns, and nearly every house had its shoe-shop ; but the business has changed so that work is seldom taken from the place of manufacture, and the shops are closed or appro- priated to other uses.

Post-Offices .- About the time of incorporation the first post-office in town was established and located at the store of Cornelius Cobb, with Capt. Nathaniel Collamore as postmaster, who was succeeded by Mr. Cobb, he having been Mr. Collamore's deputy. Mails were delivered four times each week, coming by stage to Hanover and East Bridgewater each twice a week. Ephraim Cox was mail-carrier for fourteen years, at a salary of eighty dollars per year. Six years he rode on horseback. This office has been continued ever sinee, with few changes of postmasters.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 75

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