USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Topsfield > History of Topsfield Massachusetts > Part 25
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Mr. Thomas Perkins
Mr. Theofelous Fisk
Mr. Ephram Towne
Mr. Jacob Dwinel
Mr. Zecaers Gould
Mr. Elezer Lake
Mr. Jeremiah Averell
Mr. Solomon Dodge
Mr. John Bradstreet
Mr. Joshua Towne
Mr. Joseph Andrews
Mr. John Rea
Mr. David Towne
Mr. Nathan Wildes
Mr. John Perkins, Jun.
Mr. Elisha Wildes
Mr. Joseph Gould
THE MENS THIRD SEAT BELOW
Mr. Jacob Towne Mr. Stephen Adams
Mr. Joseph Towne
Mr. Bartholomu Dwinel
Mr. Phillip Neeland
Mr. Daniel Bixbey
Mr. Stephen Perkins
Mr. Samuel Bradstreet
Mr. Benjemin Eierland
Mr. Samuel Commings
Mr. John Cree Mr. David Perkins
Mr. Nathaniel Low
Mr. Enoch Knighth
Mr. John Baker
Mr. Roberd Perkins
Doct. Joseph Bradstreet
Mr. Amoses Wildes
THE MENS FORTH SEAT BELOW
Mr. Daniel Averell
Mr. Thomas Gould
Mr. Jacob Averell, Jun.
Mr. Symond Bradstreet
Mr. Thomas Wood
Mr. William Gallop
Mr. John Hood
Mr. Enoch Perkins
Mr. Johen Lefaver
THE MENS FIFTH SEAT BELOW
Mr. William Perkins
Mr. Nathanell Dean
Mr. Samuell Cree
THE MENS FIRST SEAT IN THE FRUNT GALLERY
Mr. John Peobedey Mr. Amoses Perkins
Mr. Moses Perkins Mr. John Baltch
Mr. Joseph Perkins Mr. Jacob Peobeadey
Mr. Daveid Baltch Mr. Samuel Smith, Jun.
Mr. Nathaniel Dormon
Mr. Zebulan Perkins
Mr. Jacob Kimbel
Mr. Abraham Hobbs, Jun.
Mr. Samuel Perkins
Mr. Henrey Bradstreet
Mr. Daniel Cleark
Mr. John Baker, Jun.
Mr. Daniel Towne
Mr. Thomas Moores
Mr. Thomas Emerson
261
THE MEETING HOUSES
THE MENS SECOND SEAT IN FRUNT GALLERY
Mr. David Towne
Mr. Elisha Perkins
Mr. Solomon Dodge
Mr. Richerd Hood
Mr. William Estey
Mr. Amoses Averell
Mr. Nathaniel Averell, Jun.
Mr. Stephen Perkins, Jun.
Mr. Joseph Towne
Mr. Isaac Peobedey
Mr. Ebenezer Knight
Mr. Moses Perkins, Jun.
Mr. John Gould, third
Mr. John Rea, Jun.
Mr. John Lefaver
THE THIRD SEAT IN THE FRUNT GALLERY
Daniel Gould
John Baker the 3d
Ruben Page
Joshua Towne
Symond Gould
David Perkins
Robert Lake
John Perkins ye 4
Elijah Perkins
Amos Dwinel
Dudley Bixbey
John Rea
Roger Baltch
Nathaniel Goot
Ezriel Baltch
THE MENS FRUNT BACK PUE IN THE GALLERY
Jacob Symonds
Daniel Dodge
Daniel Perkins
Jonathan Baker
Daniel Bordman
Samuel Fisk
Elezir Lake, Jun.
Thomas Porter
Cornelous Baltch
Olever Towne John Perkins the 3
Benjaman Hobbs Zeacch Gould
John Dwinel
William Perkins, Jun.
William Towne
Joseph Hood
David Hobbs
Benjm Gould
Benjaman Hood
Androw Gould
Elnathan Hobberd
THE MENS FIRST SEAT IN THE WEST GALLERY
Mr. Epheram Dorman
Mr. Daniel Estey
Mr. Isaac Hobbs
Mr. Nemiah Herick
Mr. John Batcheller
Mr. John Gould
Mr. Moses Wildes
Mr. Olever Perkins
Mr. Asa Gould
Mr. Roberd Baltch Mr. Daniel Reddington Mr. Jacob Dwinel
Mr. Daniel Hood
Isaac Averell
Mr. Nathaniel Fisk
Mr. Benjamen Kimbel
Mr. Stephen Foster, Jun.
Thomas Wilds
Mr. Ephraham Wildes
Mr. Elijah Towne
Jeremiah Towne
262
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
THE NORTH HIND PUE IN THE WEST GALLERY
David Baltch ye 3
Joseph Cree
Jacob Towne, Jun.
Ezra Perkins
Ephram Towne
Thomas Hovey
Archalous Towne
Earon Hovey
Nathaniel Gould
Earon Neeland
Daniel Gould
Selvenous Wilds
Jonathan Hobbs
THE SOUTH HIND PUE IN THE WEST GALLERY
Eivery Hovey Asa Cree
Samuel Symonds Samuel Baltch, Jun.
Elisha Gould
John Perkins ye 5
Archulous Dwinel
Amos Low
Free Parker
Joseph Symonds
Archulous Perkins
John Greenno
Thomas Perkins, Jun.
THE WEMEN FIRST SEAT BELOW
the wid. Mary Towne the widow Mary Dweniel
the widow Rebecca Peabodey the widow Abigail Porter
the widow Anna Hovey the widow Mary Lake
the wid. Elisabath Bradstreet the widow Hannah Edwards the widow Mary Perkins
the widow Hannah Towne Cap. Tobijah Perkins wife Mr. Aaron Esteys wife
the widow Elisabath Pirkins Mr. Jacob Averell wife Mr. William Perkins wife
the widow Abigail Dormon the widow Martha Clark
Cap. Nathaniel Averell wife
the widow Hannah Becheller
Dcon. Gorges Bixbey wife
THE WEMENS SECEND SEAT BELOW
the widow hepsebath Wildes Mr. Stephen Foster wife Mrs. Sarah Averell
Mr. Thomas Symonds wife Cap. Saml Smith wife Dcon. John Gould wife Mr. Abraham Hobbs wife Mr. Mathew Peobedys wife
Mr. John Baltch wife
Mr. Thopels Fisk wife
Mr. Jeremiah Towne wife
Mrs. Sarah Towne
the widow Ester Baltch
THE WEMEN THIRD SEAT BELOW
the widow Mary Towne Mr. John Cree wife Mr. Phillip Neeland wife Mrs. Cathiriene Wildes
the widow Sarah Hovey the widow Martha Dweniel Mr. Phillip Towne wife Mr. Solomon Dodge wife Mr. Elezer Lake wife Mr. Symonds Bradstreets wife Mr. Amoses Wildes wife Mr. John Rea wife
Mr. Stephen Towne wife the widow Ester Loynes the widow Mary Clark
Mr. Benjaman Eierland wife
263
THE MEETING HOUSES
THE WEMEN FORTH SEAT BELOW
Mr. Thomas Perkins wife Mrs. Catharine Perkins
Mr. Ephram Towne wife
Mrs. Sarah Gould
Mr. John Baker wife
the widow Dorothy Pricherd
Mr. Joseph Towne wife the widow Sarah How
Mr. Jacob Towne wife
Mr. John Lefavers wife
Mr. Stephen Adams wife
Mr. Betholomue Dweniel wife
Mrs. Elisabeth Perkins
THE WEMENS FIFTH SEAT BELOW
Mr. William Gallop wife
the widow hannah Ramsdiel
Mr. Daniel Averell wife Mr. Enoch Perkins wife
Mrs. Anna Whittinggam
Mr. Thomas Wood wife
Mrs. Jemime Towne
Mr. Samuel Cree wife
THE SIXTH SEAT BELOW
Mrs. Anna Wallas Mrs. Keziah Perkins
THE WEMEN FIRST SEAT IN THE FRUNT GALLERY
Mr. John Peobeadeys wife Mr. John Betcheller wife
Mr. Moses Perkins wife Mr. David Baltch wife
Mr. Joseph Perkins wife Mr. Jacob Peobedey wife
Mr. John Baker wife
Mr. Jacob Dweniel wife
Mr. Daniel Townes wife
Mr. Nathaniel Dormon wife
THE SECEND SEAT IN WOMENS FRUNT GALLERY
Abigail Abbout Hulday Hovey
Hannah Ramsdail John Rea Wife
THE WEMENS FRUNT BACK PUE IN THE GALLERY
Mr. Robord Baltch wife
Mrs. Ruth Symonds
Mrs. Lydia Lake Mrs. Anna Estee Mrs. Tabatha Fisk Mr. Olever Towns wife
Mrs. Ruth Dweniel
Mr. Cornelous Baltch wife Mr. Elnathan Hoberds wife
Mrs. Prissilla Averell Mr. Joseph Hoods wife Mr. Stephen Perkins wife Mrs. Lydia Neeland
Mr. Nemiah Towns wife
Mr. John Dweniels wife
Mrs. Rebacca Perkins
264
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
THE WEMENS FURST SEAT IN THE SIDE GALLERY
Mr. Samuel Perkins wife
Mrs. Elisabath Peobeday 7
Mr. John Baltch wife
Mrs. Mary Averell 7
Mr. Samuel Smiths wife
Mr. Benjaman Kimbals wife
Mr. Zebulon Perkins wife
Mr. Abraham Hobbs wife
Mr. Stephen Foster wife
Mr. Samuel Fisk wife
Isaac Averell wife
Mr. Jeremiah Towns wife
Mr. Daniel Reddington wife
Mr. Isaac Hobbs wife
Mr. Daniel Porter wife
Mr. Daniel Estey wife
Mr. Davied Townes wife
Mr. Solomon Dodges wife
THE WEMONS BACK PEU THE NORTH SIDE OF THE DORE IN THE GALLERY
Anna Symond
Sarah Lake
Heapsabath Wilds
Rebaca Gould
Mary Towne
Hepzebath Symond
Darkis Towne
Ester Gould
Mary Wildes
Hannah Averell
Jemimę Fisk
Hannah Wildes
Phebe Dweniel
Susanna Gallop
THE WEMONS BACK PEU THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE DORE IN THE GALLERY
Loses Wildes
Hannah Clark
Salla Peobedey
Lydia Wildes
Hannah Peobedey
Elisabeth Ramsdill
Susanna Towne
Elisabeth Gould
Prissilla Baker
Rebaca Gallup
Anna Towne
Elisabath Rea
Hannah Dweniel
Rebaca Baltch
Elisabath Dodge
Note :- Mrs. here means Mistress, an unmarried woman.
In 1817 a bell, the first in town, weighing 9381/2 pounds and inscribed "Revere & Company, Boston, 1817," was purchased for $400. In June of that year "the spire of the steeple was taken down and the lantern raised." The town voted to "erect a cap tower resembling the present steeple of the late Doctor Barnard's meeting house in Salem." On the 26th of June the bell was placed in position in the belfry and on July
7 Name crossed out in ink.
Mr. Daniel Hoods wife
the widow Mary Hood
Mr. Oliver Perkins wife
Mr. Nathanel Fisk wife
the widow Lydia Hearick
265
THE MEETING HOUSES
6th, was "first rung on the Sabbath." The town voted "that it be rung on all public days and tolled for funerals."
At this same time, the building was painted, the weather vane changed and lightning rods added. The feelings of some, who did not approve of the changes, are expressed in an article that appeared in the Salem Gazette ten years later (1827) :--
"The more sober and inventive ones of this notable town of steady habits, thinking that they were behind the age, in the style of church architecture, collected en masse and with ruth- less hand brought down from its elevated resting place, the weather cock which had faced the storms of half a century. The towering spire fell to the earth amidst the huzzas of the multitude and added another melancholy instance of the triumph of enthusiasm for innovation over the venerable works of generations gone by. The old church that was piously framed by the hands of the pilgrims, and which imaged their characteristic simplicity, assumed in a few weeks an entirely new appearance. The steeple was modernized, and instead of the gallant cock, that had seen the forest, above which he originally towered, fall away before the hand of improvement, was raised on a less elevated spot, a gilded fish. A bell too sent out its unearthly sounds of modern harmony, and it only remained to complete this specimen of human perfection by the addition of an electrical conductor. It was resolved, after various wise deliberations, to fashion this rod after the models of the innovating age . .. and accordingly they procured three silver tipped points, and presented them to the admira- tion of all concerned in this work of amelioration. But here their zeal became suddenly quenched, and as it was utterly impossible to excite the people to more than one united effort in the accomplishment of any purpose it was thought on the whole that there was no substantial reason for having a rod to connect the points with the earth, and the only obstacle to putting the finishing article to the edifice, was the want of courage to mount the fish. At this interesting crisis, the master-workman, the most aspiring man of their number, put his hand to this deed of daring. He was successful in his enterprize and placed securely upon the dorsal vertabrae of the fish these brilliant attracters of the fires of the heavens; and there they are, inviting the destruction they were orig- inally intended to avert; and there they will be, until rifted by the lightning."
The following description of the fourth meeting house was given by Nehemiah Cleaveland at the two hundredth anni-
266
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
versary of the town of Topsfield in 1850. This was eight years after the building had been taken down and preserves a clear picture of the edifice.
"To many of us, the image of that old house, where, for eighty years, the Gospel was proclaimed, and its ordinances dispensed, must be ever dear. Venerable edifice! we see thee still, thy towering spire, thy glittering and ever-restless weather cock. There was thy pulpit - revered and awful rostrum, where, raised high in air, stood the holy man; there thy sounding-board, projecting, seemingly unsupported, like an impending avalanche, there, too, thy velvet cushion - soft as feathers could make it, and sending up, when pounded by a vigorous eloquence, clouds of sacred dust. There was thy lofty and spacious gallery - grand receptacle of all ages and both sexes, with its foremost seat, -venerable with wrinkled brows and snowy hair, and, the denser masses in the rear, where sober middle age, and sprightly youth, were seen, dis- tinct in their ascending ranks. There, too, in one of the angles, marked by his staff of office, sat the terrific tything- man. In front of the pulpit, rose, like some well-manned battery, the singers' seats. What volleys of sound did we not receive, unshrinkingly, from that noisy spot! How anxious was the pause, - relieved only by a slight shuffing and by half- stifled hems, - which succeeded the reading of the psalm ! How like a small thunder-clap, burst upon the ear that prelud- ing note, which brought every voice to the right pitch ! And then, who can recount the musical glories which hung cluster- ing round Thanksgiving Day, - when the results of a month's preparation broke upon our heads in a perfect storm of sound ? How fearful the strife when flute and clarionet, and viols, great and small, entered the lists with bass, and counter, and tenor, and treble! And oh ! how our hearts beat, - let me use another's words - 'at the turning of a fugue, - when the bass moved forward first, like the opening fire of artillery, - and the tenor advanced next, like a corps of grenadiers, - and the treble followed with the brilliant execution of infantry, and the trumpet counter shot by the whole, with the speed of darting cavalry : and then, when all mingled in that battle of harmony and melody, and mysteriously fought their way through, with a well-ordered perplexity, that made us wonder how they came out exactly together !' Will the pictured mem- ory ever fade of those square pews, with their little banisters, so convenient to twirl - so pleasant to peep through; their uncushioned seats, which were hung on hinges, and raised in prayer time, and which followed up the amen, with a loud
267
THE MEETING HOUSES
rattling, running report, like an old-fashioned militia fire; and the flag-seated chairs, that stood in the centre, for mother, or grand-ma'am, or spinster aunt ? There were the long, free seats - there was the Elder's pew, with iron stand for hour- glass and christening basin - and there the Deacons' straight, snug box, where those good men were wont to sit, with their faces to the people and their backs to the minister - the ob- served of all observers, and examples of the highest edification, when they happened to be dozy."
The affairs of the church were in charge of the town from its incorporation in 1650 until the creation of the parish by Act of the Legislature in 1823. After the parish took title to the church property the physical condition of the building was frequently the subject of animated discussion and many votes for repairs taken.
At a meeting held February 2, 1842, a resolution was passed that "the time has come when the interest of the Congrega- tional Society and the comfort of its worshipers require that something should be done whereby the house in which they worship shall be rendered more acceptable and inviting." William Munday, Cornelius B. Bradstreet and John Gould Hood were appointed a committee to investigate the matter and make a report of their doings at the annual meeting in March next. The committee presented an exhaustive report, discussing repairs and alterations of the old building and even considering the advisability of a new edifice. It said in part, "Your Committee considered it to be their first duty to ex- amine with a suitable mechanic the state or condition of the old house. This they have done in a thorough manner - and have found the frame of the House, with few exceptions, in a sound condition - and those being the sills and floor timbers and upper part of the Steple, which are partly or wholly gone to decay; also the back roof now wants shingling with some other small repairs. The next inquiry was to consider the expediency of altering it into more modern style - the wish and desire of many to put in a second floor so as to make a vestry in the lower and a Church in the upper part, has been carefully examined and however pleasing or flattering the theory may seem, it is, upon a careful examination and measurment found to be wholly inadequate and inexpedient, & the idea of a vestry must be wholly abandoned - as the height of the Posts is no more now than is wanted for a Church."
April 27, 1842, John Gould Hood (chairman), William Munday, Benjamin P. Adams, Joel R. Peabody, Augustine
268
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
S. Peabody, and Cornelius B. Bradstreet and Samuel Todd were chosen to contract for building of the new meeting house, and authorized to dispose of the old meeting house as they think proper.
To enable the new house of warship to be erected on the site of its two predecessors, agreeable to the vote of the town, the old building was taken down during July and August, 1842, and sold in portions to suit the convenience of prospective purchasers, and the sum of $222.82 was received from sales.
Capt. Perley Tapley of Danvers, the famous building mover of Essex County, purchased at private sale a part of the frame and boards, which were hauled to Salem by oxen and used in the construction of a large building on Boston Street, which structure was used later as a currier's shop. On the evening of August 11, 1906, the building was totally destroyed by fire.
The committee invited proposals for the construction of the edifice according to plans and specifications and several bids were received. The contract was awarded to Mark R. Jewett of Rowley, for the sum of $4300.
In the agreement, signed July 4, 1842, Mr. Jewett was "within the space of Five months, in a good and workmanlike manner, to well and substantially erect, build, set up, and finish one meetinghouse for said Parish according to the draughts, references and specifications."
It was further agreed that if the inclemency of the weather or unfavorable rains should intervene or bodily inability of the contractor should render it necessary, that the contract could be extended indefinitely.
Payment was to be made in four equal amounts, one when the frame was raised, the second when the outside was finished, the third when the inside was ceiled and plastered, and the last when the building was completed and accepted.
A list of the owners of the pews in the present meeting house is preserved in a paper without date :
PEWS ON LEFT OF PULPIT
1. J. B. Lamson
33.50
7.00
2. E. Peabody
65.00
3. Martha Towne
80.00
12.00
4. J. Sawyer
80.00
12.00
5. D. Lake
75.00
269
THE MEETING HOUSES
PEWS ON RIGHT OF PULPIT
66. J. C. Batchelder
75.00
16.00
67. A. S. Peabody
20.00
2.00
68. B. P. Adams
80.00
12.00
69. J. S. Peabody
65.00
11.00
70. C. Webster
33.50
PEWS ON NORTH SIDE
6. J. Lamson
50.00
1.00
8. Nathl. Perkins
75.00
6.25
10. R. Phillips
82.00
12.00
12 Dudley Perkins
85.00
12.00
14. R. A.Merriam
100.00
5.00
16
R. D. Perkins
100.00
1.00
18
T. L. Lane
100.00
20.
P. G. Hood
85.00
5.00
22.
Perley Balch
85.00
1.00
24.
J. S. Peabody
75.00
3.00
26. F. Stiles
70.00
28. J. B. Lake
60.00
30. Jacob Towne
45.00
.50
32. R. F. Adams
35.00
34. Free
PEWS ON NORTH CENTER SIDE
7. B. Pike
48.00
9.00
9. Daniel Perkins
75.00
11.00
11. R. Phillips Jr.
88.00
12.00
13. B. Kimball
100.00
8.00
15. Moses Wildes
100.00
11.00
17. W. H. Balch
100.00
10.00
19. Benj. Perkins
92.00
21.
W. Bradstreet
85.00
1.50
23.
J. Dwinell
78.00
7.25
25.
R. S. Perkins
68.00
1.00
27
R. Phillips Jr.
58.00
29 W. Lake
45.00
5.00
31. W. G, Lake
35.00
3.00
33.
W. G. Lake
30.00
35. Free
270
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
PEWS ON SOUTH SIDE
64. B. P. Adams
50.00
10.25
62. Elijah Perkins
75.00
12.00
60. B. C. Perkins
82.00
11.00
58. J. Lamson
85.00
11.00
56. W. Munday
100.00
17.00
54.
J. Bradstreet
100.00
22.00
52. Mary Towne
100.00
11.00
50. J. R. Peabody
85.00
11.50
48.
C. B. Bradstreet
85.00
7.50
46. Nehemiah Perkins
75.00
4.75
44.
Amos Fisk
70.00
1.00
42. M. P. Horne
60.00
40.
Samuel Todd
45.00
36.
Free
PEWS ON SOUTH CENTER SIDE
65.
Mary Tanine
48.00
10.50
63. Minister's Pew
75.00
61. W. G. Lake
88.00
10.00
59. I. Rea
100.00
12.00
57.
W. N. Cleveland
100.00
10.00
55. H. A. Merriman
100.00
12.00
53. J. C. Balch
92.00
51.
S. L. Tanine
85.00
.50
49.
Daniel Towne Jr.
78.00
1.00
47.
Nathl. Perkins Jr.
68.00
1.00
45.
I. N. Averill
58.00
43.
J. B. Lamson
45.00
.75
41.
Willard Smith
35.00
2.75
39.
Willard Smith
30.25
.25
38. R. C. Orne
35.00
37. Free
In 1853 a vestry and organ loft was built on to the western end of the church and in 1891 the interior was repaired and redecorated at a cost of $1200 and memorial windows added.
CHAPTER XIV THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
From the beginning of the settlement of New Meadows, about 1639, provision was made for "the publicke worship of God," and its first minister of the gospel of which evidence now exists, was William Knight, who "dispenced the word in 1641." Having had serious differences with the Ecclesiastical Courts in England, he emigrated to New England and arrived at Salem in 1636-7. His term of service covered only a few years. About 1643 he returned to England. Whether or not the settlement was without preaching during the interim be- tween the departure of Mr. Knight and the arrival of William Perkins in 1655, is an unsettled question. Mr. Perkins con- tinued his labors until the organization of the church in 1663, with Rev. Thomas Gilbert as minister. The existence of a church within the territory at this date is shown by the follow- ing entry in the Roxbury Church Records: "Nov. 4, 1663. A church is gathered at Topsfield with Mr. Thomas Gilbert over it." 1
The records of the Congregational Church in Topsfield begin with the ordination of Rev. Joseph Capen in 1684. Undoubtedly his predecessors, Rev. Thomas Gilbert and Rev. Jeremiah Hobart, kept some record of the church proceedings during their pastorates, but it has not come down to us. The un- pleasant feelings existing between pastor and people at the times of their dismissal probably resulted in the destruction of any memoranda that these two ministers may have kept. Reverend Thomas Gilbert remained in Topsfield until 1671 when he was tried for intemperance and as there was no doubt of his guilt his connection with the church was severed, the minister manifesting as much grief as anyone. The charge was not on account of his use of wine, but, because of his coming intoxicated to the Lord's table.
From the incorporation of the town in 1650 until the crea- tion of the parish in 1823, the maintenance of the minister was
1 Much of this material found in the Manual and records of Congregational Church of Topsfield.
(271)
272
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
a regular charge levied upon the inhabitants and he was chosen in open town meeting. A year after Mr. Gilbert was dis- missed, Reverend Jeremiah Hobart was ordained as minister. Finding it difficult to collect his salary of £60 per annum, he obtained an order from the County Court for the town of Topsfield to pay him this sum.
On April 29, 1679, at the town meeting, it was decided that "hauing heard an order Rad that was made by the Counte Corte at Ipswich Conserning oure being Required to pay a som of 60 pound to mr Jarimiah hobart which as the said order seemes to express was promised for his Incorigment to Com to tops- feeld wee being in the darke about it and not knoing of ani towne act that euer past nor ani towne Record that houldes forth ani such thing we doe Conceue it needfull to suspend vntil thare be a forder opertuniti to be batter satsefied by making inquire at the naxt Connte Court vpon whot groundes mr ier hobard petision was made and also how the towne Comes to be 60 pounds in his deat." No payment was made on the minister's salary that year and the matter was still unsettled when at a meeting a year later, a vote was passed stating, "thay ware not Willing mr Hubbord should Continiae in ye Worke of ye ministrey here at Topsfeeld without mr Hubbord and ye Town Can agree in a more Christan way than thay bee in at present." Not being able to reach an amicable agreement, Mr. Hobart resigned and was dismissed Sept. 21, 1680. The last payment for his services was not made until nearly two years after his dismissal.
Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Hobart resided in the first parsonage of which there is any mention. It was situated in the pasture since known as the "parsonage pasture." The house stood west of the residence of the late Albert A. Conant and was built in 1663. The cellar hole is still discernible. Following the dismissal of Mr. Hobart, an attempt was made to secure the services of John Danforth or Daniel Epes. Apparently neither of these gentlemen were willing to take up the work.
Then the people of Topsfield, learning of the ability of Joseph Capen, a young man in Dorchester, sought to secure him for their minister. July 29, 1681, Thomas Perkins, jr., and Joseph Bixby, jr., were sent to Cambridge "to pilot mr Capen to Topsfeild to Liut pebodyes house." There he was interviewed to see if he would "stay and preach with us at Topsfeild a while." Two months later a New Haven church tried to persuade Mr. Capen to settle there. In fear lest they lose their talented young pastor, the town voted "sargen Red- ington Jacob towne senr and John how or ani two of them ar
2/73
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Chosen to acompeni mr Capen to dorchester when hee goes to viset his frendes and to bring him agane if tha Can with his frendes Consent to Contene with vs in the ministri."
In 1682 Mr. Capen agreed to take up "ye worke of ye ministery" and was ordained on June 11, 1684 as successor to Mr. Hobart. It was voted that Mr. Capen might have the use of the parsonage house and land and his choice of a salary of £75 in country pay, as corn, pork and beef, or £65, £20 in silver and £45 in country pay. He chose the latter. "The parsonage house", the use of which was tendered Mr. Capen in 1681, would seem to have been not a suitable shelter for the beloved scholar and pastor. Twelve acres of land were granted him by the town and upon this he erected the house which still bears his name, and is now owned by the Topsfield Historical Society. In 1701, the town voted to dispose of the old parson- age. No minister of those early days left a deeper impression upon the town than Reverend Joseph Capen who wisely led the minds of the people along the varied paths of knowledge until his death in 1725.
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