USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > History of Worcester, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to September, 1836 : with various notices relating to the history of Worcester County > Part 24
USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > History of Worcester, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to September, 1836 : with various notices relating to the history of Worcester County > Part 24
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Regular worship was commenced, on the first Sabbath of April, 1822, in the Court House. The pulpit was supplied by Rev. Thom- as J. Murdock, then late of Portland ; Mr. Washington Smith of Hadley, since ordained in St. Albans, Vt; Mr. Elam Clark, after-
1 Full narrative of the proceedings, elaborate discussion of their regularity, and am- ple exposition of the views of the contending parties, are contained in the series of pub- lications enumerated on page 189. The whole are contained in an octavo volume in the Library of the American Antiquarian Society.
215
REV. LOAMMI IVES HOADLEY.
1822.]
wards settled in Providence, R. I ; Mr. Joseph Torrey of Salem, sub- sequently minister of Royalston, Vt. and thence called to be Profes- sor of Languages in the University of Vermont.
The Rev. Loammi Ives Hoadley preached his first sermon to the congregation, Oct. 20, 1822, under an engagement for two or three sabbaths. He was afterwards induced to remain, reserving liberty to retire at pleasure. In March, 1823, he was invited to Taunton. The church immediately requested his permanent settlement as their pastor. 'The concurrence of the society was given to this call, on the 14th of April following. The stated salary was ยง 800 : and pro- vision was made, that pastor or parish might dissolve the contract, af- ter one year's previous notice of desire to separate. The ordination services took place October 15, 1823. The introductory prayer was offered by Rev. Joel Hawes of Hartford, Conn : the sermon preach- ed by Rev. Lyman Beecher of Litchfield, Conn : ordaining prayer made by Rev. Edmund Mills of Sutton, moderator of the council : the charge delivered by Rev. Elisha Fiske of Wrentham : the right hand of fellowship presented by Rev. Baxter Dickinson of Long Mea- dow : the address to the people was by Rev. William B. Sprague of West Springfield : and the concluding prayer by Rev. Benjamin Wood of Upton.
A committee of the first church had appeared before the council, instructed to object to proceedings conforming to the request of ' those persons styling themselves the Calvinist Church.' Most of them, it was stated, in a protest offered by the chairman, held such attitude, that they could not, with propriety, be recognized as a reg- ular church of Christ : they were considered as under censure : having rejected proposals of settling controversy by the intervention of mutual council, they could not, consistently with the objects of discipline, be held in fellowship, collectively or individually, until proofs of penitence for the fault of separation, or the judgment by which they had been sent forth should be overruled by a competent tribunal. The council determined, that the official result constitut- ing the Calvinist church, was evidence of its regular existence ; disclaimed authority to reverse the acts of the ecclesiastical body for its organization ; and declined receiving the remonstrance.
A meeting house had been erected by the Hon. Daniel Waldo, at the cost of about $ 14,000, on Main street. The dedication was had on the same day with the ordination, and the society removed from the Court House, to their permanent place of worship. Selec- tions from the Scriptures were read by Rev. Benjamin B. Wisner of
216
CALVINIST SOCIETY. 11825.
the Old South church in Boston ; prayer offered by Rev. Samuel Green of the Essex street church in Boston; and the sermon deliv- ered by Rev. Dr. Samuel Austin, then of Newport, R. I.
The house, and the land upon which it was built, were conveyed, July 9, 1825, by Mr. Waldo, for the use and benefit of the church and society. A donation of five thousand dollars was added to this great benefaction. The income and interest were secured to be ap- propriated towards the payment of the salary of such pastor as should have been elected, ordained, and settled, conformably to the rules. and usages of congregational calvinistic churches and societies in this Commonwealth. 'The Trustees of the Parochial Funds of the Calvinist society in Worcester,' were incorporated, Feb. 2, 1827, by an act of the legislature, to hold the property upon the trusts declar- ed in the instruments of conveyance. Vacancies in the corporation are filled by the votes of owners of pews.
On the 28th of June, 1828, several of the most honored among the calvinistic clergymen of Massachusetts, visitants of the town on oc- casion of special devotional exercises, in view of the difficulties so . long existing, and of their unhappy consequences to the parties and the cause of religion, by letter of advice, expressed the opinion, that the controversies should, without delay, be adjusted. Although they considered the doings of the First church, in the discipline of the persons organized as the Calvinist church, and those of the latter association, in rejecting proposals for a mutual council, as errone- ous, and not, in all respects, in accordance with strict ecclesiastical rule, yet, they considered, that each might, consistently with duty, acknowledge the other as a church of Christ. In compliance with their earnest recommendation, on the following day, the members of both churches united in participating the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, as a public testimonial of intention to reestablish and main- tain christian fellowship.
The illness of Mr. Hoadley, requiring temporary relinquishment of labor, his request for dismission was granted, June 5, 1829, and the sum of $ 500 voted, to aid him in defraying unavoidable expenses while seeking means of support in some mode less detrimental to health than ministerial duties.
The Rev. Mr. Hoadley, a native of Northford, New Haven coun- ty, Conn. graduated at Yale College in 1818, and studied at the The- ological Seminary, in Andover, with which he was connected after his removal from Worcester. He now resides in Charlestown, Mass.
On the 9th of December, 1829, the Rev. J. S. C. Abbott accept-
217
REV. JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.
1812.]
ed the unanimous invitation to become successor to Mr. Hoadley, with a salary of $ 900. The churches of Millbury, Paxton, Leices- ter, Hartford, Shrewsbury, Holden, West Boylston, Sutton, Boyls- ton, Ward, Cambridge, Cambridgeport, Grafton, the church in the Theological Seminary at Andover, the Old South and Union church- es in Boston, the Presbyterian church in Millbury, and the First church in Worcester, were represented in the ordaining council, January 28, 1830. These were the exercises : prayer by Rev. John Nelson of Leicester ; sermon by Rev. Joel Hawes, of Hartford, Conn .; ordaining prayer by Rev. Samuel Green, of the Union church, Boston ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Nehemiah Ad- ams, of Cambridge ; concluding prayer by Rev. John Boardman, of West Boylston.
The articles of faith, originally adopted in 1820,were copied from those of the first church. In 1831, a confession, more brief in form and simpler in language, expressing, substantially, the same views of Christian doctrine, was adopted.
' 1. We believe that there is one God, the Creator, and rightful disposer of all things, existing as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and that to these three persons, as the one God, all divine perfections are to be equally ascribed.
' 2. That the Bible was given by inspiration of God, as the only unerring rule of faith and practise.
'3 That mankind are fallen from their original rectitude and are, while in a state of nature, wholly destitute of that holiness which is required by the divine law.
' 4. That Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word, became man, and by his obedience, sufferings, and death, made an atonement for the sins of the world.
'5. That they, and they only, will be saved in consequence of the merits of Christ, who repent of sin and believe in him.
' 6. That although the invitations of the gospel are such that all who will may come, and take of the waters of life freely : yet the wickedness of the human heart is such, that none will come, unless drawn by the special influence of the Holy Spirit.
' 7. That the sacraments of the New Testament are Baptism and the Lord's Supper : baptism to be administered only to believers and their households, and the supper only to believers in regular church standing.
'8. That God has appointed a day in which he will judge the 28
218
CALVINIST SOCIETY.
[1835.
world, when there will be a resurrection of the dead, and when the righteous will enter on eternal happiness and the wicked will be sen- tenced to eternal misery.'
In consequence of the earnest exertions of philanthropists to pro- mote temperance, the church, Feb. 28, 1833, by resolutions, de- clared, that dealing in ardent spirits was considered an immorality ; and that it was the duty of the members to abstain totally from the use and traffic, except in case of necessity and as medicine.
The health of Mr. Abbott declined, and he was compelled to so- licit dismission, January 17, 1835. The records bear testimony of the reluctance with which both church and parish acquiesced in the dissolution of a connection of uninterrupted harmony, and to their deep sense of the merits of their pastor.
The Rev. John Stevens Cabot Abbott, second son of Mr. Jacob Abbott, was born in Brunswick, Maine. Having resided with his father's family in Hallowell, he entered Bowdoin College 1821, and they returned to dwell in the place of his nativity. He graduated in 1825, and was assistant teacher in the Academy at Amherst, Mass. during the succeeding year. The regular course of studies was pursued at the Theological Seminary in Andover, and soon af- ter leaving that institution, he was invited, in 1830, to Worcester. His fidelity, social, moral, and religious worth, talents, and use- fulness, secured affection as they commanded respect. Impaired health rendered it necessary to ask dismission, to the great regret of his people. Having partially recovered, he was installed pastor of the Eliot church, in Roxbury, Nov. 25, 1835, where he now resides.
In the spring of 1833, Mr. Abbott published 'The Mother at Home,' and in November of the same year, 'The Child at Home.' Both these works have been republished in England, and have pas- sed through numerous editions here. In September, 1836, ' The Path of Peace' was issued from the press. He has also printed two or three smaller works without his name.1
In May 1835, Rev. David Peabody, the present clergyman, was elected pastor, and a salary of $ 1000 annually granted. At the installation, July 15, the exercises were these : record of the proceed- ings of the council read by the scribe, Rev. William P. Paine of Hol- den ; introductory prayer by Rev. David Perry of Hollis, N. H ;
1 Mr. Abboll married Jane Williams Bourne, daughter of Abner Bourne, Esq. of Bos- ion, Aug. 17, 1830. Four of the brothers of Mr. Abbott are in the ministry, or nearly closing their preparatory studies.
219
CATIIOLIC SOCIETY.
1834.]
sermon by Rev. Dr. Thomas II. Skinner, of the Theological Insti- tution at Andover ; installation prayer by Rev. John Nelson of Lei- cester ; fellowship of the churches by Rev. William P. Paine of Hol- den ; charge by Rev. Osgood Herrick of Millbury ; address to the people by Rev. John Wilde of Grafton ; concluding prayer by Rev. Elijah Paine of West Boylston.
Rev. David Peabody, born in Topsfield, Essex county, Mass. graduated at Dartmouth College, 1828: commenced his theological studies in the institution at Andover, Mass. which were completed at the Union Seminary, Va: and was first settled over the First Con- gregational church in Lynn, Mass. Nov. 15, 1832.1
Nineteen members of the church, considering the rapid increase of the population of the town and the necessity of providing greater facilities for public worship, asked to be dismissed, for the purpose of forming a third orthodox congregational society. Consent to their request, Jan. 8, 1836, was accompanied with the expression of chris- tian sympathies, and of an earnest desire that the Great Head of the Church would bless and prosper them, and the enterprise in which they were engaged.
ROMAN CATHOLIC SOCIETY.
When the Blackstone Canal was commenced, many catholic em- igrants were brought into the vicinity. Religious exercises were oc- casionally held during the construction of that work. In 1834, the Rev. James Fitton commenced visiting the town, once each month. In April of that year, the catholics in Worcester, were four families and about twenty unmarried persons. To afford them the means of assembling for divine worship, he laid the foundations of a small church on Temple Street, July 7, 1834. The execution of great undertakings of public improvement, and other causes, have since greatly increased the number. Accessions of individuals, uniting themselves to the society, and coming from other places, rendered it necessary to enlarge the church. Those who attend its services from Worcester and its vicinity are nearly three hundred.
The Rev. James Fitton, is a native of Boston. His early studies were pursued in that city until 1812, when he visited Canada,to ac-
1 Mr. Peabody married Maria Brigham of Cambridgeport, Sept. 11, 1834. His father, John Peabody, deseended in the fourth generation from Francis Peabody, who derived family ancestry from Wales, emigrated about 1680 from England, and became a land holder in Topsfield. The name was anciently written Pabodie.
220
METHODIST SOCIETY.
[1834.
quire the languages and other branches of education, under private tuition. Returning to Boston, he studied theology with the Rt. Rev. Bishop Fenwick. In December 1827, he was ordained, and appoint- ed to official duty in the church of the Holy Cross. In 1828, he held the twofold office of pastor and teacher to the Indians of Maine. Ile was, in 1830, designated as pastor of Trinity Church in Hart- ford, Conn. and employed in that city, and on missionary circuits through the neighboring country for the distance of an hundred miles, till a church and resident minister were obtained in New Ha- ven, and an assistant in Hartford. Soon after, his monthly visits to Worcester began, and, in May 1836, he removed to this town.
Since his residence here, Mr. Fitton has established two schools, one in the basement of the church for children, the other for high- er branches of education, for boys exclusively, called Mount Saint James Seminary, on the ancient Pakachoag hill.1
METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETI.
The Methodist Episcopal church in Worcester was commenced in the winter of 1834. Eight or ten persons who had become inhab- itants of the town, attached to the Methodist institutions, formed a class, according to the regulations of that denomination. In the spring of the same year, with their associates, they organized a re- ligious society for the purpose of supporting public worship.
The use of the Town Hall was obtained for meetings. The Rev. J. A. Merrill preached for the first three months. At the June ses- sion of the New England Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church for 1834, Rev. George Pickering was stationed in Worcester, and continued in the pastoral charge of the society for one year. Ile was succeeded by Rev. John T. Burrill, who still continues to officiate as the regular minister.2
] The works translated and compiled by Rev. Mr. Fillon, beside a number of pam- phlets, are: Youths directory : Boston. 18mo. pp. 250: Triumph of religion : Bal- timore. 2 vols : ISmo: Ilistory of Palestine : Baltimore. 2 vols. 18mo: Compan- jon to the Sanctuary : Hartford. 18mo. pp. 220.
2 'The Catholic, Methodist, and Episcopal Societies, embracing the distinctive gener- al tenets of the denominations to which they severally belong, have no articles of faith peculiar to the individual local churches.
A summary of the doctrines and discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, will be found in the appendix to Kay's edition of Bnek's Theological Dic- tionary.
As the Methodist ministers cannot retain the particular stations assigned, for a longer period than two years, the connection of those gentlemen who have visited the society here, has not been considered sufficiently permanent to justify biographical notice.
221
EPISCOPAL SOCIETY.
1835.]
During this period, the society has increased with rapidity. They have now about one hundred church members, and a numerous con- gregation. In September, 1836, a house for worship was erected on the street called Columbian Avenue.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL SOCIETY.
The establishment of an Episcopal Society in Worcester, had been frequently subject of consideration with those directing the domestic missionary organization of the church, in Massachusetts. No dis- tinet effort for its accomplishment was made, until the close of 1835. The first regular services according to the liturgy of the Protestant Episcopal church, were performed by Rev. Thomas H. Vail, on the 13th of December of that year. Since that time, they have been continued in the South Hall of the Town House. At the commence- ment, only two families were known to be attached to the society. Twelve were connected with it, in September 1836 : the communi- cants were about sixteen. The rite of baptism had been adminis- tered, once privately, twice publicly, and there had been one confir- mation.
Wardens and vestry, officers corresponding to the deacons and trustees of congregational societies, have not yet been elected. A subscription of $ 6000 was raised in Worcester for the erection of a church, in March and April, 1836. The execution of the work was suspended, on account of disappointment in obtaining aid from abroad, but measures are in progress to procure the construction of an edifice for worship during 1837.
The Rev. Mr. Vail was born in Richmond, Va. where he resided until 1822. Subsequently, his home was in Norwich, Conn. until his removal to Worcester. He graduated at Washington College Hartford, Conn. in 1831 : was afterwards connected with the Gener- al Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in the city of New York, four years : was ordained deacon by Bishop Brownell, in New Canaan, Conn. in July 1835 : and officiated a short time, in Phila- delphia and Boston, under temporary arrangements.
UNION SOCIETY.
In the Autumn of 1834, meetings were held, preparatory to the formation of a third orthodox society. In December, it was resolved to take measures to erect a building for worship, and subscriptions for that purpose were obtained. On the 11th of March, 1835, the
UNION SOCIETY.
[1835.
Proprietors of the Union Meeting House were incorporated. Pro- ceedings for the organization of a church, commenced, Dec. 25, 1835. Members of the First and Calvinist Churches united in ad- opting the following confession of faith.
' 1. We believe in one God, who possesses in an infinite degree, all natural and moral perfections : who is the creator, upholder, and governor of the universe, who is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
' 2. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ments, were written under the inspiration of God, and clothed with divine authority, and are a perfect rule of faith and practice.
' 3. We believe that mankind are fallen from a state of rectitude, and are, while in a state of nature, wholly destitute of that holiness, which is required by the divine law.
'4. We believe that all who are saved, will be saved by the sov- ereign mercy of God, through the atonement, which was effected by the obedience, sufferings, and death of Christ.
'5. We believe in the necessity of regeneration, through the Holy Spirit.
' 6. We believe there are properly belonging to the Christian re- ligion two, and only two, sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Sup- per.
' 7. We believe that God has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, when the dead shall arise from their graves, and, together with the living, shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and be adjudged, the righteous to everlast- ing life, and the wicked to shame and everlasting contempt.'
An ecclesiastical council convened, agreeably to the letters missive of Alfred D. Foster and others, a committee of invitation, Feb. 3, 1836, from the churches in Hubbardston, Leicester, Rutland, Shrewsbury, East Douglas, Holden, Paxton, Boylston, West Boyl- ston, Oxford, Eliot church in Roxbury, and the First and Calvin- ist churches in Worcester.
Twenty seven individuals had been dismissed and recommended from the First church, and nineteen from the Calvinist Church. Sixty three persons in all, were constituted the Union Church. The public exercises were thus assigned : introductory prayer by Rev. John Boardman of East Douglas : sermon by Rev Josiah Clark of Rutland : constituting of the church by Rev. Samuel Gay of Hub-
223
UNION SOCIETY.
1836.]
bardston : consecrating prayer by Rev. John S. C. Abbott of Rox- bury : right hand of fellowship by Rev. John Nelson of Leicester : the Rev. Rodney A. Miller of Worcester, and Rev. George Allen of Shrewsbury, administered the Lord's Supper.
The first meeting of the Union Society, in its parochial capacity, was convened, on the warrant of Emory Washburn, Esq. March 5, 1836.
The dedication of the meeting house took place July 6, 1836: the invocation of the Divine Presence was by Rev. Jonathan Aldrich of the first Baptist church : lessons from the Scriptures were read by Rev. David Peabody, of the Calvinist church : the dedicatory pray- er was offered by Rev. George Allen of Shrewsbury : a sermon preached by Rev. John Nelson of Leicester ; and the exercises con- cluded with prayer by Rev. John T. Burrill of the Methodist church.
The Rev. Jonathan Edwards Woodbridge was invited to settle as pastor, August, 1836.
The following list shows the succession of Deacons of the Churches. The dates pre- fixed indicate the time of election to office.
FIRST CHURCH.
1716. Daniel Heywood.
1791. Nov. 15. John Chamberlain.
1716. Nathaniel Moore.
1797. Oct. 19. Leonard Worcester.
1748. Jan. 14. Jonas Rice, jun. 1801. Nov. 23. David Richards.
1748. Thomas Wheeler.
1807. June 18. Moses Perry.
1751. Dec. 16. Jacob Chamberlain.
1812. April 16. John Nelson.
1751. Samuel Miller.
1833. Jan. 30. Lewis Chapin.
1783. Nov. 5. Nathan Perry.
1833.
Moses Brigham.
1783. < 4 Thomas Wheeler.
SECOND CHURCH.
1786. May 17. Samuel Bridge.
1817. Ocl. 3: Jeremiah Robinson.
1786. " David Bigelow.
1827. Ocl. 29. Benjamin Butman.
1799. Sept. 7. Nathan Heard.
1817. Alpheus Merrifield.
1607. June 29. William Trowbridge.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
1812. Dec. 4, James Wilson.
1892. March. Daniel Goddard.
1822. March. Nathaniel Stowell. 1836. May. Zebina E. Berry.
CALVINIST CHURCH.
1824. June 11. Samuel Taylor.
1830. Nov. 10. Jehn Coc.
UNION CHURCH.
1836. Feb. 23.
Moses Perry. 1836. Feb. 23, Ichabod Washburn.
1836. Alfred D. Foster.
The numbers of communicants, September, 1836, as they are stated by the Clerks, are as follows:
First church, about 350
Baptist church, 434
Methodist church, about 100
Second church, about 150
Calvinist church, about 200 Union church, 63
224
BIOGRAPLICAL NOTICES.
-
CHAPTER XIII.
Professional Men.1 Biographical notices of the Practitioners, Counsellors and Attor- neys at Law, and Physicians, before and since the Revolution.
The professional gentlemen who have been or are resident in Worcester, have been arranged, in the following pages, as nearly as possible, in the order in which they commenced business here, with- out regard to age, standing, or other principle of priority. 'Those in practise in September, 1836, are distinguished by italics.
'The capital letters following the names, are the initials of HIar- vard and Brown Universities, Yale, Dartmouth, Williams, Union, Bowdoin, and Amherst Colleges.
LAWYERS.2
JOSHUA EATON was the first lawyer of Worcester, in point of time. He was born in that part of Watertown, now Waltham, Dec. 15, 1714. The only son of honest and well respected parents, who be- stowed upon him a liberal education, with the sole view to prepara- tion for the ministry, after graduating at Harvard University, in 1735, he disappointed their hopes and wishes, by preference of the legal to the clerical profession. The novicate was short in early times. Hav- ing spent two years with Judge Trowbridge, in the study of the law, Mr. Eaton commenced the practise in Worcester, in 1737, not long after the establishment of the county. Simplicity and sincerity uni- ted in his character with ardor and zeal : at the foundation was a
1 Notices of the clergymen of the town should properly be inserted in the division of biography. 'The connection of the lives of the pastors with the history of their parishes is so intimate, that it has been decmed most convenient to place the brief memoirs of the ministers with those of the societies of their settlement.
2 In compiling the sketches of lawyers, much has been derived from the excellent address to the Bar of Worcester County, Oct. 2, 1829, by Joseph Willard, Esq. some- time of Lancaster, now of Boston. Higher authority could not be desired, than the antiquarian accuracy and fidelity of the author of that production. The reader will find occasion lo regret, that the classic elegance of his composition could not be adopted, as easily as the materials gathered by his diligence have been appropriated.
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