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Committee Topsfield May 9th 1833. Billy Emerson Samuel Gould for above purpose
Among those who preached to the Congregational Society in Topsfield were Rev. Charles C. Sewall, minister of the Unitar- ian Society in Danvers; Rev. Jesse Chickering of Boston, who came several times; Rev. Joshua Chandler of Boston preached seven Sundays in the winter of 1833-4; and Rev. A. Dumont Jones of Salem also preached several Sundays in the fall of 1833. It was a struggle to collect money enough to pay the expenses of the organization. Mr. Sewall of Danvers was try- ing in 1835 to collect for preaching done three years before. He had addressed the Society on Thanksgiving Day in 1833 and several times earlier in the year and also had supplied the Society with hymn books at a cost of $12.50. Mr. Whitman, the general agent of the Unitarian Association, preached in Topsfield in 1835 and his expenses were unpaid months after- ward. The year 1836 seems to have been fatal to the Society as nothing has been learned concerning its later existence.
CHAPTER XV THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
In that part of Topsfield long known as "The City," was the beginning of Methodism in this town.1 "The City" was then known as "Hobbs City" from the fact that there were many families by the name of Hobbs living there. In May 1830, Charles Dodge and Ezra Glazier, both of Ipswich, at the in- vitation of Mrs. Olive Clarke came to Topsfield and held meet- ings. The first meeting was held in the North schoolhouse in May, 1830. The building was then located in the field at the corner of Ipswich road and the Bonny's Featherbed road so-called, perhaps a hundred feet from the corner. Later meetings were held in Capt. Adams' barn which stood across the street. Rev. Jacob Sanborn of Ipswich came and preached occasionally during that summer. The converts were put on six months' probation and in August thirteen were baptized in the Ipswich river back of Capt. Adams' barn. In September William Nanscawen was appointed to this charge by the pre- siding elder. He remained only a few weeks and was followed by Rev. Isaac U. Swinerton, who remained until the following session of the Conference.
On Oct. 20, 1830 the society was organized into a Methodist Episcopal Church, called a branch of the Ipswich church, and began with fifteen members. In May 1831 Rev. R. D. Ester- brook was appointed to this charge. He advocated the immed- iate erection of a church building and the members and friends entered heartily upon the work. Timothy Monroe of Lynn was engaged to build the house. He prepared the lumber and had it brought to Topsfield all ready to be put together. Land on the Newburyport turnpike was given by Aaron Kneeland. The frame of the building was raised Oct. 19, 1831 without the use of ardent spirits, which is very significant for it was customary at that time for the builders to be "strengthened" for their work. The building was forty feet square with a
1 This account of Methodism in Topsfield is condensed from a paper by Mrs. Clarissa Glazier in Topsfield Hist. Coll., Vol. III.
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plain pitch roof and a chimney in the rear end. There were two doors at the front opening directly into the audience room and located between them, high against the wall, was the pulpit built in the form of a semi-circle. At the rear were three raised pews or slips used by the singers. Two stoves, on either side and in front of the pulpit, were used for heat.
It was customary at that time, with Methodist churches to hold in the Fall what was called "four day's meeting," and in September, the presiding elder appointed a camp-meeting here. A maple grove, on the old Ipswich road, belonging to John P. Peabody, was hired for four days for forty dollars. The underbrush was cleared away and large trees felled for seats. A preacher's stand was erected and the different soci- eties set up their tents about it in a circle. Societies came from Boston, Salem, Lynn, Newburyport and from many small towns in the district. They brought their tents, cooking uten- sils and other similar necessaries in large baggage wagons. The meetings were conducted by presiding elder Lamber, assisted by the ministers in the district. Father Merrill and Father Taylor were two of the most important. A feature of the meetings was the enthusiastic singing of the congregation ; the meetings went on for four days and many persons were converted. They were largely attended by visitors from all the adjoining towns, for an open air meeting had never before been held in this vicinity. Notwithstanding the great success of the meetings it was a number of years before another camp meeting was held and then at Asbury Grove, Hamilton.
The dedication of the new meeting house took place Dec. 28, 1831. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Enoch Mudge of Lynn and the house was crowded. Rev. R. D. Easterbrook remained here one year. He was followed by Thomas Stetson, who removed from his appointment in June 1832. In 1833, Rev. David Culver was appointed to this charge. He was the first married minister who was sent here and lived in the house owned by Jacob Towne and later owned by Miss Hattie Porter. The rent was twenty dollars a year. Mr. Culver remained one year and was followed by Rev. Benj- amin King, a licensed preacher from Lynn, who supplied a few weeks, when he asked to be removed. Mr. King was paid his expenses to and from Lynn but received nothing for his services as preacher. Rev. Charles S. McReading of Boston supplied until November. His family consisted of a wife and one child and they occupied the house where Mr. Culver had lived. The society furnished their housekeeping goods, they being the first who were supplied with furniture by the society,
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and they regularly received their Sunday morning breakfast of baked beans and brown bread hot from the brick oven of Mrs. Eunice Wildes.
In November, Rev. Henry Skinner was sent here by the presiding elder; he remained until July, 1835. During his pastorate many were converted. At this time the number of church members, including probationers, was twenty-three with a Sunday school of between thirty and forty scholars. The society was then without a pastor till Jan. 1836 when the presiding elder appointed Rev. John E. Risley who remained till April. He was followed by Rev. S. E. Pike who remained till December. From December to July, Rev. G. T. Poole, a Lynn preacher, supplied so acceptably that he was stationed here by the Conference for the following year. During his ministry eleven persons joined the church. In July 1838 Rev. G. W. Bates, was appointed here. During the first part of his ministry he decided to have a "Four Day's Revival Meeting," beginning Sept. 26th, and such interest was manifested that the meetings were continued until mid-winter. About one hundred souls were converted, of whom twenty-six united with the church, others joining the Congregational church here, at Linebrook and at Hamilton.
At the close of Mr. Bates' ministry in July 1839, Rev. Ches- ter Field was stationed here. As the congregation had come to be composed mainly of people from the village, it was de- cided to move the meeting house to that part of the town. It was started Jan. 9, 1840, Perley Tapley of Danvers moving the building with fifty yoke of oxen. It followed a route through Aaron Kneeland's field, across the road over Simonds' plain, later owned by Mr. Henderson, across the field between Board- man's and Simonds', over the meadow back of Mr. Batchel- der's house, later owned by Mr. Cram, and through the field into the main road, then back of the houses of Abram Welch and Gilbert Balch. While it was going across the meadow back of Abram Welch's house the cable broke three times so that it was likely to have to stay there. However it got along all right and was placed on land west of Main street near the road in front of the house now owned by Charles E. Wilkins. The use of this land was donated by Richard Phillips. After moving the church it was repaired and painted for the first time at a cost of about two hundred dollars.
Rev. Mr. Field remaining here one year was followed by Rev. L. B. Griffin who held special revival services, as a result of which twenty-five persons joined the church on trial. In July, 1841, Rev. Amos Walton was appointed to this charge.
TOPSFIELD COMMON. LOOKING NORTH
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THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The next minister was Rev. H. C. Dunham, who was followed by Rev. I. J. P. Collyer. He remained two years, being the first minister to remain that length of time. He lived in the stone house at the top of Pingree's hill, which was torn down in 1885. He carried on revival services. His successor, Rev. Moses Webster, was stationed here in May, 1845. He was followed by Rev. John Paulson, who remained one year. His successor was Rev. William R. Stone, who remained two years.
In May, 1849, Rev. Kinsman Atkinson was appointed, and entered upon his pastorate with a determination to build a parsonage. He bought land of Thomas Lane and commenced to erect a building at his own expense. Soon the trustees assumed the task but the work went on so slowly that the build- ing was not completed until the close of Mr. Atkinson's second year. While stationed in town he hired the Topsfield Academy building and taught one term of eleven weeks. During his pastorate he also taught a winter term of school at Linebrook parish and at the East school in Topsfield.
Rev. John G. Carey, who was appointed here in April 1851, was the first minister to occupy the parsonage. He remained two years and took some steps toward erecting a more com- modious church building. A building committee was appoint- ed consisting of Andrew Gould, William Ray and Alfred Towne. The site selected was that upon which the meeting house now stands. The land was bought of Humphrey Balch for four hundred dollars. The architect was H. Graves of Boston, who, being a Methodist, gave his services. Rev. Mr. Carey remained two years and was followed by Rev. A. F. Bailey who remained one year during which time the work of building continued. In May 1854, Rev. J. W. Bemis was stationed here. The church structure was dedicated June 14, 1854. Through Andrew Gould's efforts a bell had been pro- cured and placed in position. William Ray donated the pulpit. John Cary gave the Bible and hymn book, and Stephen Bart- lett gave the communion service. The Ladies' Society fur- nished the house. The pulpit in the old building was given to Stephen Bartlett and in time came into the possession of James Manning, who gave it to Hon. George B. Loring of Salem. The old church building was sold to Isaiah M. Small, who removed it to the rear of his house long known as "High Rock Cottage," from the fact it was modeled after singer John W. Hutchinson's house at High Rock, Lynn. It is standing today, the double window in one end having occupied the place of honor behind the pulpit in the old days.
When the present meeting house was built, there was no
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THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
public hall in town of more than very moderate seating capa- city, so the lower story of the building was fitted up for public use and known as "Union Hall." A platform was built and here for many years the annual town meeting was held and public gatherings of whatever nature. The outbreak of the Civil War saw many stirring meetings and when the project of erecting a Town Hall was canvassed, one town meeting was adjourned from Union Hall, to the wide expanse of the com- mon, until the constables could line up the yeas and nays and duly count them.
Rev. Mr. Bemis remained till September. Mr. Huyler, a local preacher, supplied till the next Conference. He was succeeded by Rev. John Smith, Rev. Franklin Furber and Abraham Osgood. The next minister was Rev. George Suther- land. Soon after his arrival he learned that a debt of $3300. was resting upon the church. Through his efforts he was able to raise sufficient money by subscription and church aid to cancel the debt. The Sunday when he preached his last ser- mon was long remembered in town. At its close he publicly announced that the services of the choir would be no longer needed. This was a dismissal of Samuel S. Mckenzie, who had served as chorister for many years. In the old church he had introduced the use of instruments in connection with the singing and his brass clarinet, the product of his ingenuity, shrill in tone and ever the object of much interest is now on exhibition at the Essex Institute. Other players were John Peabody on the clarinet, Benjamin F. Adams on the bass viol, and sometimes Frederick Stiles, who was very proficient on the double bass.
Rev. J. W. Lewis was appointed in April, 1860, and was succeeded by Rev. A. D. Merrill, Rev. E. S. Snow and Rev. F. G. Morris. In 1866, Rev. George Chapman was stationed here. During the first half of his first year the average atten- dance at mid-week meetings was five, but in the winter, revival services were held and eighty-five persons joined the church on probation. Near the close of his first year an organ of English make, costing nine hundred dollars, was purchased, and the pastor's salary raised to one thousand dollars. His successor, Rev. C. F. Chase, remained one year. During that time the church was painted.
The next minister, Rev. J. F. Mears, was liked by every one. During his pastorate one hundred and fifty dollars' worth of books were added to the Sunday school library, and new furnaces were installed.
In 1872 Rev. S. A. Fuller received his appointment. He
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was followed by Rev. G. W. Buzzell, Rev. W. H. Meredith, Rev. S. L. Rodgers, and Rev. George H. Clarke. During this the first three year pastorate of the Church, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the dedication of the meeting house (June 14, 1879) and the semi-centennial of the organization of the Church (beginning Oct. 19, 1880 and continuing for a week) were observed with elaborate programs. Extensive improve- ments were made in the vestry, and the organ was moved from the gallery to the right of the pulpit in the audience room. He prepared a comprehensive history of the church, a copy of which is entered in the church records and is the earliest permanent record of the important church events now avail- able. Beginning on Dec. 14, 1881, an eight page paper, "The Topsfield Herald," was edited and published by him on alternate Fridays until April 7, 1882. One hundred and five dollars were realized from its sale. His ministry closed with the Church free of debt.
In 1887, Rev. C. H. Curnick was appointed, remaining two years. During his pastorate the steeple of the meeting house was found to be unsafe and was cut down and remodeled.
From 1893 to 1896, the pulpit was supplied by students from the Theological School, Rev. Joseph Simpson being the first. The longest pastorate of the Church was that of Rev. I. Murray Mellish from 1896 to 1900. During the pastorate of Rev. H. William Hook the vestry was remodeled and on Oct. 20, 1904, the Daughters of Industry were organized.
In 1924 plans were made to unite the two Protestant churches in order to conserve their resources and "better ful- fill their common mission to the community." On March 3, 1925 it was voted at an official board meeting of the Methodist Society, that the Congregational Church be asked to federate with them as it seemed "the religious interests of Topsfield will be served best by having only one Protestant Church in town."
On March 16th the Congregational Church voted to accept the articles of agreement which had been drawn up, and the Federated Church of Topsfield was formed "to act as one congregation for all purposes of work and worship." Paul H. Doney, who was then pastor of the Congregational Church, continued as minister of the Federated Church. Each church retained its relation to the denominational body to which it belonged, holding its annual meeting and electing officers. Each church also chose each year five persons who constituted the Joint Committee to have charge of the Federated Church. Most of the religious services were held in the Congregational
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THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
Church but occasionally the members met for worship in the Methodist Church. On the other hand many of the social functions and meetings of the various organizations of the Church were carried on in the vestry of the Methodist Church which has a well-equipped kitchen.
On June 21, 1938, at a meeting of the Quarterly Conference it was voted that the local Methodist Episcopal Society be dissolved ; to take effect at an adjourned meeting of the Quar- terly Conference at which a report will be made that all funds have been transferred in accordance with the foregoing votes. At the final adjourned meeting on June 30th, all disciplinary and financial matters having been properly attended to, it was voted to dissolve the Methodist Episcopal Society in Topsfield.
THE PASTORAL SUCCESSION
William Nanscawen
1830
Asa U. Swinerton
1830 - 1831
Robert D. Estabrook
1831 - 1832
Thomas Stetson
1832 - 1833
David Culver
1833 - 1834
Benjamin King
1834
Charles S. Macreading
1834
Henry B. Skinner
1834 - 1836
John E. Risley
1836
Simon E. Pike
1836
George F. Pool
1836 - 1838
George W. Bates
1838 - 1839
Chester Field, Jr.
1839 - 1840
Leonard B. Griffin
1840 - 1841
Amos Walton
1841 - 1842
Ziba B. C. Dunham
1842 - 1843
Isaac J. P. Collyer
1843 - 1845
Moses P. Webster
1845 - 1846
John Paulson
1846 - 1847
William R. Stone
1847 - 1849
Kinsman Atkinson
1849 - 1851
John G. Cary
1851 - 1853
Augustus F. Bailey
1853 - 1854
Jeremiah W. Bemis
1854
Stephen G. Huyler, Jr.
1854 - 1855
John C. Smith
1855 - 1856
Franklin Furber
1856 - 1857
Abraham M. Osgood
1857 - 1858
George Sutherland
1858 - 1860
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
293
Joseph W. Lewis
1860 - 1861
Abraham D. Merrill
1861 - 1863
Edwin S. Snow
1863 - 1864
Franklin G. Morris
1864 - 1866
George E. Chapman
1866 - 1867
William D. Bridge
1867 - 1869
Stephen F. Chase
1869 - 1870
James F. Mears
1870 - 1872
Samuel A. Fuller
1872 - 1873
George W. Buzzell
1873 - 1875
William H. Meredith
1875 - 1877
Stephen L. Rodgers
1877 - 1879
George H. Clarke
1879 - 1882
Albert C. Manson
1882 - 1883
Nathaniel H. Martin
1883 - 1886
James T. Docking
1886 - 1887
Paul C. Curnick
1887 - 1889
Theodore W. Haven
1889 - 1890
Charles H. Fuller
1890 - 1892
Samuel Reid
1892 - 1893
Joseph Simpson
1893 - 1894
Lewis J. Reader
1894 - 1895
John B. Gough
1895 - 1896
I. Murray Mellish
1896 - 1900
William N. Roberts
1900 - 1902
Edwin C. Dixon
1902 - 1903
H. William Hook
1903 - 1905
Herbert S. Dow
1905 - 1907
John G. Benson
1907 - 1909
Ottis Tevis Martin
1909 - 1911
William H. McLean
1911
William R. Ward
1911 - 1912
George M. Boicourt
1919 - 1914
Phillipp Deschner
1914
Edwin A. Brown
1915 - 1917
Horace F. Patton
1917 - 1918
Frank A. Everett
1918
Harry E. Gardner
1919 - 1921
Julian S. Rea
1921 - 1924
Reginald B. Nichols
1924 - 1925
Newman S. Jeffrey
1925 Apr. June
James Bowker
1925 June July
For an account of the ministers of the Methodist Church, see Topsfield Hist. Coll., Vol. XIX.
CHAPTER XVI ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Two of the first Catholic families who came to Topsfield were those of Thomas Cass who bought what is known today as the Cass farm and occupied by members of his family for many years, and John Leary. They settled here about 1855. These families were obliged to travel to Salem on Sunday mornings to attend Mass for the nearest Catholic church was located in that city. Teams were about the only means of transportation at that time. The next families to come to Topsfield were those of John Lynch, James Manning, Michael Collins, Richard Collins, Barney Mulligan who lived on what was later the Lawrence farm, Mr. O'Leary at the Ray farm, George Ellard and Edward Morris. There were also maids, coachmen and other help who were employed here.
So many people of the Catholic faith had come to Danvers to make their homes between 1850 and 1855 that it seemed best to have regular services in that town. These people had also attended the Salem church previous to that time. The Univer- salist church sold them their land and meeting house on High Street in Danvers in 1859. The Annunciation Church, as it was called, included members from Topsfield and Middleton. People from these towns attended Mass there on Sundays and Holy days. There were some who had no vehicles for trans- portation and were forced to walk to Danvers and back. There was seldom a train on Sunday after the railroad was built.
Rev. Francis W. Maley became Pastor of the Danvers church in 1914. One of the things that troubled him was the depriva- tion of many Topsfield Catholics of a service on Sunday. He believed there were members enough to hold Sunday services in that town. During his first year's pastorate he was in- strumental in having the first services in the town held in Grange Hall. Then, as now, Topsfield did not have its own parish Priest but the three or four Priests in Danvers would take turns coming to Topsfield to say Mass. Therefore in
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ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
reality Topsfield is a mission. Until 1922 Sunday morning Mass and Holy day services were held in the Grange Hall.
It was through Father Maley's efforts that the present site of the chapel was obtained. When he announced that he was looking for a site for a chapel Mr. and Mrs. Edward Prest of Topsfield made a donation of $500. towards the purchase of the land and the present location was bought from Mrs. Kimball for $600. Father Maley had plans all made for the church when he was transferred in 1915. He was followed by Rev. Daniel F. Horgan. The Bishop at that time entrusted Father Horgan with the construction of a chapel in Topsfield. In 1920 a committee of five was formed. They were Patrick Collins, John Larkin, John Murphy, Ovide Bouchard, and the Priest who was saying Mass in Topsfield on the Sunday the committee held its meeting. To them was left the task of making plans for the construction of a chapel which would be a delight and comfort to the parishioners. Most of the money was raised before the work on the chapel was started (approximately $3,300.) and it was paid for in full by the time it was finished. The plans were drawn up by Ovide Bouchard and he was made building constructor.
In November, 1921 the first shovel full of dirt was turned by Mrs. Ellen Welch. In May 1922, Father Horgan laid the corner stone and named it St. Rose's Chapel. Before the chapel was completed Father Horgan was succeeded by Father Henry Lyons in whose term the pews and vestment cabinet in the vestry were constructed and the lighting system installed. Father James D. Canarie was the next pastor of the Annun- ciation Church of Danvers. It was through him that the stained glass windows were inserted and the organ installed.
Most of the money was raised by the contributions of par- ishioners and friends. Besides those from numerous Catholics, many gifts were received from non-Catholics. Among those who contributed were Thomas E. Proctor, John L. Saltonstall, Miss Margaret Cummings, Miss Gilmar, and Mrs. Richard Wheatland of Topsfield, and Mrs. William C. Endicott and Ward Thoron of Danvers.
The year round parishioners in Topsfield number about seventy-five while in summer, due to the inflow of summer residents, the attendance is more' than two hundred each Sunday.
CHAPTER XVII SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLHOUSES
A school had been kept in town certainly as early as 1694 when, according to the town records, Goodman Lovewell was allowed to live in the parsonage house left unoccupied because Parson Capen lived in his own house. He was "to kepe schole and swepe ye meeting house" and served as schoolmaster at least two years longer for he was given "liberty to live in ye Parsonage house" in 1695-6.
The next mention of a schoolmaster in the records was August 28, 1700 when "Sargt. Samuell Standly is Chosen a school master as ye law directs." When his appointment was confirmed in town meeting in 1701, it was voted "for ye better incorridgement of him in ye place The Towne have agreed to give him five pounds in silver for this next year ensewing be- sides every one alowing for thare childrens learning." He was later paid twenty shillings a year for his services. He served the town for several years until 1718.
Thomas Goodale succeeded Mr. Stanley, serving one year. He was followed by Lieut. Thomas Baker from 1719-21, John Curtis in 1722 and John Hovey in 1723. Ensign Amos Dor- man was selected to keep school in 1724, Simon Bradstreet, 1725 and 1726; William Porter, 1727; Richard Towne, 1728. All received twenty shillings a year. William Redington was the next master and served three years until 1731. Thomas Hicks kept school the next year.
While the town had apparently selected a schoolmaster in town for thirty years, it had not fully complied with the law requiring every town with one hundred or more families to establish a grammar school. At a town meeting held Dec. 15, 1723, Deacon John Howlett and Mr. Nathaniel Porter were chosen agents of the town to appear at the Inferior Court in Salem to answer to the town's presentment for not being pro- vided with a grammar schoolmaster.
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