History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 47

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 47

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Mr. Strickland was married, October 29, 1767, to Patty Stone, daughter of Captain Isaac Stone, of

Oakham. After his dismission he was settled in Hudson, N. H., July 13, 1774, and dismissed from that place October 24, 1792. He was settled again in Turner and Andover, Me., where he dicd, October 4, 1823, aged eighty-four.

James Dean and Thomas White were the deacons of the Presbyterian Church.

Congregational .- December 24, 1772, it was voted " by the supporters of the Gospel and the town to be under the Congregational government or constitu- tion, agreeably to the government of the neighboring churches." A council was called, which was to meet on the second Wednesday in January, 1773, but, for some reasons it was deferred till Wednesday, June 23, 1773, when the present Congregational Church was organized.

The council convened, consisting of pastors and delegates from four churches, viz .: First Church in Sutton, Rev. Mr. Hall, pastor; First Church in Barre, Rev. Josiah Dana, pastor; First Church in Rutland, Rev. Joseph Buckminster; Second Church in Shrewsbury.

Rev. Mr. Hall was chosen moderator of the coun- cil and Rev. J. Dana scribe and standing moderator of the church, which position he continued to occupy till May, 1779. An "Incorporating Covenant " was brought before the council, signed by sixteen men (afterwards by fifteen more), which was accepted, and after suitable examination of the applicants the church was incorporated with little other ceremony. No names of women are appended to this document, though they must afterwards have become members of the new church, and if, in the usual proportion of two females to one male, the early church must have numbered between eighty and ninety members. The following are the names of the first signers to the covenant : James Craige, Isaac Stone, Asa Partridge, Edward Partridge, Asahel Clapp, James Brown, Ben- jamin Joslyn, Jonathan Bullard, Jesse Allen, Alex- ander Willson, Jabez Fuller, Ebenezer Woodis, Isaiah Parmenter, Samuel Metcalf, Lemuel Ashley, John Brown, sixteen.

The following signed soon after : Joseph Felton, Edward Partridge, Jr., Ichabod Packard, Jonathan Fitts, Isaac Stone, Jr., Joseph Chaddock, James Hunter, James Blair, Asa Briggs, Eleazer Spooner, John Bellknap, Isaac Tower, Samuel Davis, Joseph Osborn, Jolın Stratten,-total, thirty-one.

Two deacons were elected the next month after the formation of the church-Jonathan Bullard and Jesse Allen.

They did not signify their acceptance of the of- fice at once, but at a meeting of the church, three years afterward, Mr. Bullard declined to accept the position, and Jonathan Fitts was chosen in his place. Mr. Allen accepted, and continued in office to the time of his death, forty-three years afterward. The church had no settled pastor for thirteen years after its organization.

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OAKHAM.

The times were very unsettled. The trying days of the "Revolution " were upon them. Everything was in a troubled state, ever unfavorable to religion. But they had preaching most of the time, and the committee were instructed to hire such men as would be likely to settle. The currency was very variable. July 3, 1778, Rev. Baruch Beckwith received a call to settle over the church. The town offered him £150 for a settlement, £50 to be the annual salary for three years, and ever after £66 13s. 4d. annually, this latter sum to vary more or less in proportion, as good merchantable Indian corn brings 38. per bushel ; rye, 4s .; best quality of pork, 4d. per pound; and best grass fed beef, 3d. per pound. Mr. Beckwith declined to accept the call. The following year a controversy arose in the town, respecting the baptism of children, whose parents were not members of the church. A meeting of the town was called to con- sider the matter. Finally, after much discussion, it was " voted that the town is willing to settle a min- ister if they can find one that is suitable. Also that they will settle a minister although he does not bap- tize for those who do not belong to the church. 37 for settling in that way, 24 against." The church bad invited the Rev. John Davenport, who was de- cidedly opposed to " The Half-way Covenant," to set- tle with them. July 13, 1779, the town " voted to concur with the church in settling him. 26 in favor, 24 against." This meeting was adjourned to August 10th, when it was " voted to reconsider the vote of the last meeting, respecting the settling of the Rev. Mr. John Davenport." Immediately another vote was taken, and it was "voted to concur with the church in settling of the Rev. Mr. Davenport as a gospel minister. 35 in favor, 28 against." Mr. Davenport very wisely declined the invitation.

July, 1781, the town conenrred with the church in calling Rev. Solomou Walcott,-34 affirmative, 13 nega- tive. The invitation was not accepted. February 6, 1783, Rev. Daniel Farrington also received a call, which he declined to accept-50 in favor, none against. On the 3d of April, 1786, the town and church concurred in calling the Rev. Daniel Tom- linson to be the minister of the town and pastor of the church. He was offered £200 for a settlement and a salary of £60 the first year, £70 the second and £80 annually thereafter. Mr. Tomlinson ac- cepted the call. On the 18th of May a meeting of the town was held, to make arragements necessary for his ordination. June 22d was fixed upon as the date.

In these early days, when it was generally expected that a minister would spend his days with the people of his first charge, an ordination and installation of a new minister was an occasion of very great interest to all the town. Necessary committees were chosen by the town, one "to provide for ye Council," one "to secure ye meeting-house from being in danger of being damaged on ye day of ordination," another "to

keep order in ye meeting-house on said day of ordina- tion, and provide seats for ye Council," and still another "to seat ye singers." Fifteen pounds were voted to defray the necessary expenses.

The following were among the council, if not the whole number : Rev. Charles Backus, Somers, Conn. ; Rev. Josiah Dana, of Barre; Deacons Rice and Bar- ber (delegates) ; Rev. Joseph Appleton, of North Brookfield ; Deacons Adams and Haskell (delegates) ; Rev. Joseph Pope, of Spencer ; Deacon Watson (dele- gate; Rev. Joseph Buckminister, of Rutland ; Dea- con Reed (delegate) ; Rev. David Bronson; Captain Woodruff (delegate); Rev. Mr. Sparhawk, Rev. Mr. Judd.

The examination of the candidate and the other exercises occupied a part of three days. Great num- bers gathered from this and adjoining towns. The public exercises, were held in the open air, on the green, south of the meeting-house. It may be of interest to know what were some of the necessary expenses for which the town had provided by their appropriation of fifteen pounds. Captain Isaac Stone presented a bill, which was paid by the town for en- tertaining the council :

85 meals at 1s. 4d., " Licker " included 13

30 nights' horse-keeping at 7d. 18

16 lodgings at 42. 5

= 10 8

Also voted to accept of Dea. Jesse Allin's accts for Wine, Lemons and so forth for the ordination of Mr. Tomlinson, £2 5s. 6d.

Some of the above items indicate the drinking cus- toms of the times, but several members of the conn- cil and the young minister lived to see a reform of those customs, and theniselves became, both by ex- ample and precept, the earnest advocates of total abstinence.

There is very little record of the early part of Mr. Tomlinson's ministry ; many additions were made to the church membership, but very few names were recorded till after 1815. In the mean time the meet- ing-house was fast becoming old and dilapidated. The corner clap-boards were pulled off by the boys to keep tally on while playing ball. The floor-boards had become shrunken with age. With no stoves, and the cold air pouring in at many points, we cannot wonder that in winter, as the second hour of the sermon was reached, the men and boys were almost compelled to stamp their feet to keep from freezing. But the sermon went on without cessation, so long that the sun was nearly set ere the people could reach their homes. Not long after the settle- ment of Mr. Tomlinson the matter of building a new church began to be agitated, and in 1804 a vote was passed to erect such a building, but a disagreement arose as to where it should stand, one party wishing it on or near thesiteof the old building, while many others insisted that it should be built on the top of the hill, just to the west of where the parsonage now stands. Owing to this division of feeling, it was ten years

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

before it was built. The old house was taken down and the new one erected on the same spot. Including the porch, it was sixty feet in length by forty-five in width, and faced the south. The entire expense of the building amounted to $6589.19; it was finished and dedicated early in 1815. In April, 1818, a bell weighing seven hundred pounds was purchased at an expense of five hundred dollars. This building, withont material change, remained till 1845. In April of that year the control of the building, under certain conditions, was relinquished to fourteen men, who proceeded to remodel it. By permission of the town it was moved several rods to the west, and turned so as to face the west. The front was built out even with the porch, making the whole building sixty feet by forty-five ; the posts were cut down somewhat, and the building raised, so that a hall for the use of the town, and a vestry and selectmen's-room were con- structed underneath. The expense of remodeling amounted to nearly $5,000, fifteen hundred of which was paid by the town. This building, with ordinary repairs, remains in good condition to the present time, 1889.

Rev. Daniel Tomlinson was the son of Mr. John Tomlinson, who, with two brothers, came from Derby- shire, England, and settled in Connecticut. He was born in Derby, Conn., May 20, 1759, and graduated from Yale College, and studied theology with the eminent Rev. Dr. Backus, of Somers, Conn. A small farm was bought by him just south of the church, which is still owned and occupied by two of his grand- children. He was licensed by the New Haven Asso- ciation at Bethany, September 30, 1783. Settled over the Congregational Church in Oakham June 22, 1786. His first and only pastorate. Married, Novem- ber, 1786, to Miss Lucy Beard. Seven children were born to them.

He remained as sole pastor here until 1828, and as senior pastor until his death, fourteen years later, making a pastorate of fifty-six years, during which the church increased in numbers and strength. There were several powerful revivals during his ministry, in one of which ninety-five were added to the church, Of him his successor truly said : " He was a sound theologian-a man of great faith and prayer, and mighty in the Scriptures." " Father Tomlinson," as every one came to call him, lived to the good old age of eighty-three years, and, universally loved and respected, closed a life of great usefulness October 29, 1842, and was buried within the shadow of the church, which for more than fifty-six years he had faithfully served.

In 1828 the church building went into the hands of the Unitarians, they having become a majority in town, and ministers of that faith were employed to preach. The orthodox element held service for two Sabbaths in the hall of the tavern, then for about a year in the upper part of the house now owned by Mr. S. M. Sargeant.

March 5, 1829. "At a meeting of a respectable number of the inhabitants of the town of Oakham, held for the purpose at the house of Hosea W. Craw- ford, a society was formed under the name of " The Evangelical Congregational Society of Oakham." Seventy-four persons became members at this time. They chose a committee to select a spot of ground for a meeting-house, and to ascertain the probable ex- pense. A spot was selected (where Deacon Jesse Allen's house now stands) and the same committee em- powered to make purchases and contracts for building. But it soon becoming evident that the Unitarians would not care long to retain control of the meeting- house, the building of the new house was deferred for a time, and in December, 1830, the house afterward owned by Rev. James Kimball (and now by the church, and used as a parsonage) was built, fitted up with seats and used for worship for three years, when the old church was rented to them at a nominal rate, and finally passed into their hands with one or two restrictions.

Rev. Asa Hixon was ordained associate pastor October 7, 1829, but after preaching eleven Sabbaths his health failed, and he was obliged to discontinue his labors, though he was not formally dismissed from the pastorate till December 26, 1832. He was born in Medway, March 6, 1800; graduated at Brown Uni- versity September, 1825; studied theology at Auburn, N. Y. ; was licensed to preach by the Franklin Asso- ciation in 1828 ; came to Oakham in May, 1829; was installed October 7th of the same year, but his health failing, soon after, he was granted a leave of absence for the purpose of recuperating. But a secret disease, which baffled the skill of many physicians, was prey- ing upon him, and he was compelled to resign his charge. But the people of Oakham, by whom he was greatly beloved, hoping that he might, after a time, regain his health and strength, did not accept of his resignation until December 26, 1832.

Although he lived many years, yet he was never able to perform much labor. After leaving Oakham he spent many years in Medway, and one year in the South. He died in Medway November 16, 1862, aged sixty-two years.

Those who knew him best say that he lived a bean- tiful, Christian life. He was a very clear thinker and effective preacher. His successor, the Rev. James Kimball, preached his first sermon in Oakham Octo- ber 5, 1832. A call was extended to him December 15th, and he was installed over the church December 26, 1832. His salary was to be five hundred dollars, payable April 1st of each year. Rev. Josiah Clark, of Rutland, preached the installation sermon.

The controversy between the Unitarian and the orthodox societies was at this time at its height, but Mr. Kimball was eminently a " peace-maker," and full of the spirit of love, and was truly the "right man in the right place." He succeeded in gathering all par- ties into one, so that, in a very few years, scarcely a

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OAKHAM.

sign or hint remained to show that such a division ever existed in the town. Mr. Kimball was born in Bradford, Mass., October 5, 1797, united with the church at the age of thirteen, graduated at Middle- bury College and Andover Theological Seminary. He labored five years as pastor of the Congregational Church in Townshend, Vt. ; also two years as a city missionary in Boston. He continued pastor of the church in Oakham precisely twenty-eight years, being dismissed December 26, 1860, on account of failure of health.

On leaving Oakham he went to reside with his daughter in St. Louis, Mo., where he died March 16, 1861, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. His ministry, like that of Mr. Tomlinson, was very successful, four hundred and thirty-three being added to the church during his pastorate, and the church numbering, at the time of his resignation, two hundred and twenty- seven members.

As a Christian, he was remarkable for his consist- ency of character, and child-like trust in God. He did not attempt to write "great " sermons, although he was a very acceptable preacher. But as a pastor his influence cannot be over-estimated.

There were no homes in town where he was not cordially welcomed in his pastoral calls. Ilaving been present at the formation of the " American Board of Missions," and being personally and inti- mately acquainted with many of the early mission- aries, he early came to love the cause, and very soon imparted much of his zeal in this work to the church in Oakham, which ever since has given liberally to the support of home and foreign missions.

Being always a member of the "School Board," no child escaped his individual notice ; all looked up to him as to a loving father. His influence for good over the children and youth of the town was truly remark- able.

When the news of his death reached Oakham many, even of those outside of the church, were moved to tears.

His memory will ever be cherished with the most affectionate regard by all who ever knew him.

He married, January 19, 1825, Emily, daughter of William Parker, of Dunbarton, N. H. Six children were born to them, only one of whom, Captain Wm. B. Kimball, of Enfield, is now living. Mrs. Kimball was truly a "help-meet " to her husband, aiding him in every possible way in his pastoral work, and was greatly beloved by all who knew her. After her husband's death she made her home with her son, Rev. James P. Kimball, where she died at Haydenville, Mass., October 18, 1874, aged seventy-four years.

Rev. Francis N. Peloubet, the successor of Mr. Kimball, was installed over the church December 26, 1860. Sermon by the Rev. Horace James, of Wor- cester.

Me. Theological Seminary in 1857 ; labored one year with the Congregational Church in Lanesville, Mass. After a very successful pastorate of five and one-half years, having received a call to Attleboro', he resigned his work in this place, and was dismissed May 28, 1866. Mr. Peloubet is a man of great industry. His pastorate in Oakham included all the trying years of the Civil War. The value of his work in this town as a pastor, teacher in High School, also in compiling and improv- ing the records of the church, cannot be over-estimated. He has now a national reputation as a Sunday-school worker.

Rev. Joseph C. Halliday was installed over the church October 24, 1866, remaining nearly five years. He was succeeded by Rev. Alpha Morton, of West Auburn, Me., who remained until October 12, 1880. At the age of seventy-six he is still doing good work as pastor of the Congregational Church in Paxton.

March 6, 1881, Rev. A. M. Shaw, of Clinton, N. Y., became pastor of the church, remaining one year. He was succeeded April 12, 1883, by Rev. H. A. Lor- ing, who was acting pastor of the church about two and one-half years.

The present pastor of the church, Rev. Hartford P. Leonard, commenced his labors in this place August I, 1886, who, with James Packard, Horace W. Lin- coln and Jesse Allen, deacons, are the present officers of the church. This church, in its Presbyterian and Congregational form, is the only one that has ever existed in town, excepting a

Methodist Church, which was supported for a few years. Previous to 1842 various ministers of this de- nomination held meetings from time to time in differ- ent parts of the town. In 1842 Rev. James Shepherd, of North Brookfield, held meetings in the south part of the town and, after a time, in the centre. Quite an interest was awakened. In January, 1843, Rev. Rufus Frost moved into town from Webster, and devoted himself wholly to the work.

The first class was gathered in March of that year, some of " the chiefest of sinners," as it is recorded, having become converted. A house of worship, standing in the edge of Barre, one mile north of the village of Coldbrook Springs, was purchased by Cap- tain James Conant and Mr. Isaac D. Rice,, taken down and removed to the centre of the town, and there rebuilt. It was dedicated October 1, 1843, the sermon on the occasion being delivered by Rev. Dr. Raymond, then of Boston. The whole expense of the house and Jand was one thousand nine hundred and seventy-five dollars,

Rev. William Gordon was stationed here in 1843-44, the church numbering at this date sixty-one members. Rev. Joseph W. Lewis succeeded in 1845, remaining two years. Rev. John Goodwin followed in 1847 and remained two years. His successor, Rev. Benjamin King, preached here one year. Rev. Asa Barnes, of New Braintree, supplied the church in 1850, and Rev.

He was born in New York City December 2, 1831'; graduated at Williams College 1853, and at Bangor, David Culver in 1851 and a part of the following

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

year, when he removed from town. From 1852 to 1859 the church was connected in appointment with North Brookfield. Meetings were held in 1859 by Rev. J. Coolidge, and a new interest awakened Rev. Rufus Gould then ministered to the people for a time. Rev. P. M. Vinton was appointed to supply in I860, and Rev. J. L. Estey in 1861, for two years.

The last pastor of the Methodist Church, Rev. Mr. Jordan, was stationed here. in 1863, for one year, at which time, the society having become greatly re- duced in numbers and financial resources, was ad- vised by the Conference to disband, which it did the following year, many of its members joining the Congregational Church.

A Sabbath-school, which has proved to be a great power for good, was organized in connection with the Congregational Church in 1818. The first superin- tendent, Deacon James Allen, filled that office for more than forty years. He was succeeded by Deacon James Packard for eighteen years, and he, in 1878, by Deacon Jesse Allen, the present incumbent.

EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS .- From the earliest his- tory of the town the citizens of Oakham have pro- vided liberally, according to their means, for the edu- cation of their children. In 1762, the year in which the town was incorporated, ten pounds was raised for "Schooling." In 1767 the town was divided into five " school-plots," which were known as the " Centre,' "Southeast," "South," "Southwest " and "North- west," and each plot was required to build a " decent school-house." The same year the town raised thirty pounds for schooling. William Oliver was paid £5 148. in 1780 for teaching school two months in the "Senter Plot ; " also £3 168. 8d. was paid to Molly Osborn, for teaching school ten weeks in "Captain Crawford's Plot." The teachers usually "boarded around."

In 1787 Rev. Daniel Tomlinson was chosen inspec- tor of schools, and in 1797 Dr. Spencer Field, Isaac Stone and Alpheus Stone were chosen a committee to assist the Rev. Daniel Tomlinson in "Examining School Masters and Inspecting Schools." The first school-houses were built of logs. A huge fire-place occupied nearly all of one side of the school-room, the seats and benches were of the rudest description. The school-house in use in the " Centre Plot " in the early part of this century is still remembered by per- sons now living. It occupied the spot where the dwelling-house of Mr. James F. Robinson stood, which was burned in January, 1886. Ou one side of the school-room, in the centre, was a fire-place, large enough to burn wood four feet in length. To the right of the fire-place was the entry-way, to the left was a small, dark room, with no window, known as the "dungeon," which answered the double purpose of a room for the clothes and books of the scholars ; also a very convenient place of confinement, greatly dreaded, for "naughty boys and girls." The " Mas- ter's " table and chair were movable, and, on account of the " roaring fires" often built by the boys, he was

obliged, frequently, to change his position. On the side of the room opposite the fire-place were seated the scholars, the floor slanting from the back seats to the opposite side. Discipline was of the severest kind. The master, from his chair, with his long stick, could rap the heads of the little ones when out of order, while a roguish boy in the back seat was often sur- prised by a heavy ruler or stick whizzing unpleas- antly near his head.

If these gentle measures did not suffice, a severe flogging or thrashing generally would reclaim the offender.

This school-house gave place in 1826 to a brick building, which in after-years was converted into a dwelling-house and is now occupied by Deacon Jas. Packard.

At this date two terms of twelve weeks each were taught.

In the winter term the school was graded, all under the age of ten years being instructed by an assistant teacher in a separate room. Ten years later, in 1836, the number of scholars in this school had become so large it was thought best to build two school-houses, one about a half-mile to the west, the other about the sanie distance to the south of the Centre and known as the West and East Centre School Districts, and make two schools out of the Centre. From this date to 1874 eight schools were maintained in town, two other districts having been formed, known as the North and Coldbrook Districts. In 1874 the town, aided by " The Soldiers' Union " and the very gener- ous contributious of her citizens, erected the building in the Centre known as Memorial Hall, of which the people are justly proud. It is two stories in height. In the first story are two large and very pleasant school-rooms, fitted up and furnished in the most approved style. The East and West Centre, together with the North and Southwest schools, hav- ing become greatly reduced in numbers, it was thought best to unite them in the Centre, using these new rooms, thus doing away with two schools, and providing for her children the advantages of a "Graded School." Since 1883 the town has main- tained thirty weeks of school yearly throughout the town. Great interest is generally shown by the pat- rons of the several schools in their success, and, as a rule, those attending them prize their opportunities and acquire a good, practical education.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 47

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464