USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Roxbury > History of the First Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts, 1630-1904 > Part 13
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No public meetings were held in the meeting house be- tween March 29, 1775, and April 8, 1776.
No religious meetings could be held here while the siege of Boston lasted, and the building was used as a signal station for the army. A constant and conspicuous target for the British cannon, the meeting house was pierced through in many places, one ball passing through the belfry. The pews and the bell had been taken out by the parish com- mittee, and the communion plate carried by Rev. Mr. Adams to Medfield.
April 8, 1776, it was Voted the sum of Two hundred pounds Like money be Granted and raised in usual manner
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the year ensueing to Defrey the Charge of repareing the meeting house and to make Good former Deficiences and to Defrey the Charge of the funeral of our late Rev. pastor Mr. Amos Adams Deceased and all other necessary Charges in the Prect. ye year ensuing.
There are no entries in the records between April 8, 1776, and March 24, 1777, on which latter date the precinct voted to pay Mr. Croxford, the sexton, his bill for twelve shillings for services at the funeral of Mr. Amos Adams.
The members of the parish were scattered, and until 1782 there was no settled minister.
In 1780 Mr. James How and others requested "for liberty to Ring ye Bell at ye hour of one of ye Clock and Nine at night in case a suteable number will subscribe to Defrey ye charge thereof. Voted they may have Liberty to employ the Sexton for the Purposes afforesd and provided they will Defrey ye Charges and Take Due care that ye meeting house and Bell are not Damnified.
August 20, 1781 it was voted That our three Deacons be added unto the Committee for supplying the Pulpit &c. At a parish meeting held March 25, 1782, Doctor Jonathan Davis and Robert Pierpont presented a petition in which they begged leave to Represent that the Long seats in the body of the meeting house were not generally filled, that they apprehended four pews might be built on the back seats without the least inconvenience to any person what- ever and the committee reported that they found it expedi- ent to build the four pews and to sell the same at vendue.
At a meeting held July 5, 1782, the church having voted unanimously to call Mr. Eliphalet Porter, the congregation voted 61 to 1 to call him, that one vote says "not Disposed to concur" and a committee was appointed to wait on Mr. Porter.
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At a meeting held Aug. 30, 1782 it was announced that four of the new pews were owned by
No. 1. Nehemiah Munroe cost $105. --
No. 2. Increase Sumner 235. -
No. 3. Mr. David Wait 205. - No. 4. John Read
135. - $680. -
At this same meeting the Precinct received the answer of Mr. Eliphalet Porter wherein he manifested his acceptance of the call Given him to the Pastoral Care of this Church and Congregation which is as followeth viz:
ROXBURY, Aug. ye 24th 1782.
Friends Bretheren & Fathers
The Invitation which you have been Pleased to Give me to Settle with you in the Gospel ministry I have endeavoured to consider with That Seriousness and attention which its importance requires, I have looked to The fountain of wisdom for Direction, and have not failed to ask Councel of those my friends, & fathers in the ministry whom I have had the oppor- tunity of consulting - as the result of my Deliberations, and the advice which I have Received, I Now accept your Invitation with cherfulness, & Desire to Return my unfeigned thanks for that Testimony, which you have Given me of your affection & Esteem. Nothing could have had Greator influence on my mind in this Determination, or have afforded me more pleasure on the Present Ocation, than the union which you have manifested in your choice, unless your unanimity had been perfect. I thank you for the support which you have offered me, and have the fullest confidence in your Gen- erossity shod the State of things be such as to Render it insufficient to answer the Designe proposed. I am senceable that my undertakeing is Great and arduous & I desire to make my Dependance on the Divine aid & assistance may & at all times have that wisdom which is proffitable to Direct, and obtain mercy of the lord to be found faithfull, may my Services among you be usefull and acceptable and may there never be Reason for the com- plaint that I have laboured in vain. Permit me to assure you of that affec- tion & attachment which I feel Towards you & to express my earnest desire Ever to Enjoye a place in the Kind and Effectionate regards of you all and in your Remembrance of me at the throne of Grace -- may the Shepherd
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of Iseral he that leadeth Joseph like a flock take you & me by the hand & lead us on in the way of Duty & in the paths of Peace & love til we shall Joyne the redeemed Company and Church of the first Born in heaven. I am with sinsear affection & Regard your friend & Servt.
ELIPHALET PORTER.
The following letter was also sent to the Churches under the Pastoral Care of
The Revd Mr. Porter of Bridgwater
The Revd Mr. Haven of Dedham
The Revd Dr. Cooper of Boston
The Revd Mr. Jackson of Brockton
The Rev. Mr. Payson of Chelsea
The Rev. Mr. Abbot of Roxbury
The Rev. Mr. Elliott of Boston
The first Church of Christ in Roxbury to the first Church of Christ in Boston under the Pastoral Care of the Revd. Doctr Charles Chauncy and the Revd John Clark sends Greeting -
It having pleased God in his holy providence to lead the Church of Christ in this place together with the Congregation to the Choice of Mr. Eliphalet Porter to the Pastoral Office among us, and to incline him to accept of our Call & invitation thereunto, We have thought fit to appoint Wednesday the 2d day of October next for his Solemn Separation to that important Office according to the directions of the Gospel.
We earnestly request the presence & assistance of your Revd Pastors & such Delegates as you shall think fit to send with them to unite with the Revd Pastors & Messengers of several other Churches in such Acts & Offices as the Solemnities of the Day may require.
We ask your Prayers to Almighty God for his blessing on our important undertaking, and that the Gospel of the blessed Jesus may have its proper Effect among us. We wish Grace, mercy & peace from God the Father and , our Lord Jesus Christ may be multiplied unto you and subscribe our Selves your Brethren in the faith & fellowship of the Gospel.
WM. GRIDLEY INC. SUMNER JOS. RUGGLES RALPH SMITH DAVID WAIT JOHN J. SPOONER THOS. CLARKE
Committee of the Church & Congregation
ROXBURY, Sept. 16, 1782.
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THE FOURTH MEETING HOUSE
The Council were desired to meet at the House of I. Sum- ner Esq. at 10 o'clock A M. & from thence to proceed to the Meeting House & begin the Solemnity there exactly at two o'clock in the afternoon.
Mr. Porter was ordained Oct. 2, 1782, the Charge being given by Rev. Dr. Cooper of Boston, and the Rev. Mr. Abbot of the Second Parish in Roxbury presented the Right Hand of Fellowship. The total cost of the ordination was £51. Mr. Porter's salary was fixed at £240 lawfull money, £120 the first year of his ministry with us, £120 the second year of his ministry among us, and £120 granted annually as a sallery, also 20 cords of wood for him after he shall have a family annually.
The Names of the Male members of the First Church of Christ in Roxbury when the Rev. Mr. Porter was ordained were -
Doct. Thomas Williams
Mr. Nathaniel Patten
Mr. Moses Davis
Mr. Samuel Bowen
Mr. Ebenezer Bugbee
Mr. Joseph Ruggles
Mr. Stephen Williams
Mr. Thomas Clark
Mr. Nathaniel Felton
Mr. Ralph Smith
Mr. Joshua Felton
Mr. John Pierpont
Mr. John Curtis
Mr. Robert Pierpont
Mr. Thaddeus Partrige
Dea. Ebenezer Craft
Dea. Samuel Sumner
Mr. Simeon Pratt
Col. John Greaton
Mr. John Ward
Mr. Charles Belknap
Mr. Jonª Craft
Mr. Edmund Weld Mr. James Mears
Mr. Peleg Heath
Mr. Aaron White
Mr. Samuel Heath
Mr. John Williams
Col. Joseph Williams
Mr. John Williams, Jr.
Mr. Thomas Dana
Doct. Samuel Cheeney
Mr. Joseph Smith
Mr. John Brewer
Mr. Daniel Monroe
Mr. Noah Perrin
Mr. Nehemiah Monroe
Mr. Thomas Macarty
Mr. John Bowen
Dea. William Gridley
Mr. Joshua Bowen
Gen. William Heath
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Capt. Joseph Williams
Mr. Jona. Williams
Mr. Jona Parker
Mr. --- Corey
Mr. John Davis Williams
Mr. Thomas Nolen
Mr. Samuel Wittemore, Jr.
Mr. Nathaniel Sparhawk
Mr. Samuel Williams
Hon. Increase Sumner
Capt. William Heath
Mr. William Dudley
Whole number 54.
In 1787 a number of gentlemen living in the vicinity of the meeting house presented the precinct with a clock which was placed on the Bell tower.
At a meeting held Wednesday April 23, 1788 a letter from Joseph Williams Esq. (who has been Parish Clerk for Forty seven years past) being laid before the Parish wherein he signified his resignation of the Office of Clerk and Assessor on a motion made and seconded Voted unanimously that the resignation of the said Joseph Williams Esquire be accepted, and that the thanks of the Parish be, and hereby are given to the said Joseph Williams Esquire for his long and faithful services in the offices aforesaid.
At this meeting the titles of all the officers were changed from Precinct to Parish.
At this meeting it was voted that the Committee provide a suitable seat for the Sexton and direct him to hand the box round the Meeting House on every Lords Day in the after- noon after sermon is ended in order that the People may have an opportunity of contributing towards the Parish tax as may be convenient to them. And that all the loose monies that may be contributed be for the Rev. Mr. Porter over and above his Salery.
At a meeting held April 28, 1790, Deacon Joshua Felton, Capt. Joseph Williams and Deacon Nehemiah Munroe were appointed a Committee to repair forthwith to the Singers Seats, view the same, and report what repairs in their opinion
MEETING HOUSE HILL IN 1790.
0
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are necessary to be made thereon; who reported "that several Doors are wanting, and that several parts thereof require some repair," whereupon, Voted that the Parish Committee cause such repairs to be made on said seats as they shall think expedient. Whereas on the 29th day of March 1775 the Parish Voted, that the Young men's seats scituate at the South Westerly part of the Galery, fronting the Pulpit, should be granted to Thomas Clarke, and others on the conditions in the said vote mentioned; and Whereas, by reason of the com- mencement of the War immediately after, the said conditions were never complied with, whereby the said seat still remains the property of the Parish. Therefore Voted, that the Parish Committee be and hereby are directed to cause the said seat to be put in decent repair, and to sell the same for the most they will fetch for the benefit of the Parish. At this meeting the sexton was desired to occupy the seat made for him on the top of the Pulpit stairs. In 1792 setting up Stoves in the Meeting House was refused.
Among the few sermons of this century which have been handed down to the present day is one delivered in this Meet- ing House Nov. 16, 1794, by Samuel Kendall, A.M., Pastor of the Congregational Church in Weston entitled "Love an essential Attribute of Deity."
May 1st 1795, the parish committee let thirteen seats in the back pew in the Gallery to Mr. Samuel Langley at two shillings each for one year.
May 9, 1796, Messrs Aaron Davis, Ralph Smith, John Swift, Ebenezer Brewer and James Howe were appointed a committee to ascertain the expense of a room, candles and fewel necessary to accommodate the Singers for one year and to open a subscription for the probable amount. At this meeting it was voted that the rent already due for the Parish pew below and the thirteen seats in the long pew in the Gallery
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belonging to the Parish be appropriated towards said expenses of the singers.
The Parish received at various times the following legacies : From Joshua Lamb of £13 6s. 8d. for the poor widdows of the First Church, Roxbury.
From Lieut. Caleb Stedman of £4 for the poor of the First Church, Roxbury.
From Ebenezer Warren of £6 13s. 4d. for poor widdows of the First Church, Roxbury.
From an unknown hand of £13 6s. 8d. for the poor widdows of the First Church, Roxbury.
From Judge Dudley of £7 12s. for the poor widdows of the First Church, Roxbury.
Contributions in the First Parish in Roxbury for the sufferers by Fire were
Apr. 20, 1787 70 dwelling houses in South part of Boston £23 18s.
Mch. 9, 1788 home of Capt. Sam'l Langley of Warwick £15 18s.
Nov. 13, 1793 house of Nathan Shed £12.
July 30, 1794 45 houses South end Boston £70 7s.
May 22, 1796 house of David Ockington, Needham $48.58. Jan. 30, 1797 furniture James Tolman of Dorchester $36.00. Apr. 2, 1797 Eben. Fox of Roxbury part of Building $79.16.
Saturday Aug. 4, 1798 the New Bell was suspended in the Balcony of the Meeting House the committee having pre- viously bought it of Paul Revere, being one made at his bell foundry. Bell weighed 862 lbs. cost $371.13 less old bell $130.17 making net cost as $240.96.
May 27, 1799, Voted not to build a new meeting house.
July 4, 1800 at the Request of the inhabitants of the Town of Roxbury an Oration was pronounced in this House in commemoration of American Independence by Luther Richardson.
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In 1801 a committee was chosen to endeavour to revive the singing in the congregation.
April 29, 1802, it was voted to take measures for building a new meeting house. The Parish committee was directed to procure a room and to furnish candles to accomodate the Singers one night in a week to practise.
May 4, 1802, three different plans were exhibited and it appeared to the committee that the Plan of the Newburyport meeting house is the most elligible for Roxbury with a few alterations and Messrs. William Blaney, John Sawen, and Humphrey Bicknell were appointed a sub-committee to draught a plan for our meeting house similar to Newburyport meeting house with alterations, as expressed by the committee, and report estimate of the cost with brick and the cost with wood.
May 31, 1802, it was agreed that the amount to be assessed on the pews in this meeting house should be $2160, being $30.00 per pew on floor and $15.00 per pew in gallery, show- ing that there were 68 pews on floor and 8 square pews in gallery. In June the parish voted to build a new meeting house of wood but with a long spire.
Aug. 5, 1802, the Committee chosen to build the new meet- ing house were Mr. Ralph Smith, Joseph Ruggles, Esq., Capt. Joseph Williams, Mr. William Blaney & Nathaniel Ruggles, Esq.
At a meeting held April 7, 1803, it was voted that the old meeting house be put up at auction and voted that the thanks of this parish be given to the middle parish in Rox- bury for their kind offer to accomodate our congregation in their meeting house during the time that ours is building and that the parish committee be directed to express the same to the Rev. Mr. Gray.
-
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April 14, 1803, the parish committee reported that they had procured Capt. Stoddards new brick building oposite the meeting house, unfinished, for the congregation to meet in, for devine service, until the 20 of October next for the sum of one hundred & twenty dollars. They then adjourned for one hour to give time for the sale of the old meeting house. The conditions of sale were - The highest bidder to be the purchaser. Any dispute arising between two or more bidders the premises to be put up again. The building to be taken away and the ground around the same to be cleared by the first of May next. The purchaser to carefully take down the Bell and frame thereof with the two clocks & apparatus. The house to be sold as it now stands, excepting the moveables, the bell & frame, Cloeks and apparatus. The underpinning stones & steps to be left. The Building, as now mentioned, to be sold on a credit of two years with satisfactory security on interest from the first of May next.
The Honble John Read Esq. was the highest bidder and it was struck off to him for the sum of Six hundred dollars $600. Then after the sale, Voted that the parish committee have a plan taken of the pews & their situation in the old meeting house before it be removed, and that they advertise in the parish, for the pewholders in the old meeting house, to exhibit their claims to pews and parts of pews, clearly designated, to the parish committee before the first of Octo- ber next in order that the compensation voted by the parish may be awarded to the proper owners.
Two days after the Parish committee gave notice that they have a plan of the situation of the pews in the old meeting house, but this plan cannot be found.
April 17, 1803, was held the last Meeting of the Congrega- tion in the old Meeting House for Public Worship and on
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the next sabbath the 24th the first meeting in Capt. Stoddard's New house for public worship.
The plan of rebuilding encountered opposition. Heath's manuscript journal under date of April 18, 1803, says: "This day the meeting house in the First Parish of this town was begun to be pulled down. It was not half worn out, and might have been repaired with a saving of $10,000 to the parish. It has been sold for $600. Whether every genera- tion grows wiser or not, it is evident they grow more fashion- able and extravagant."
1
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THE FOURTH MEETING HOUSE
REV. MR. NEHEMIAH WALTER
Sketch of his life under Second Meeting House.
REV. OLIVER PEABODY
Oliver Peabody, son of Rev. Oliver and Hannah (Baxter) Peabody of Natick, was born Jan. 15, 1725/6, and a graduate of Harvard College in 1745. At a Precinct meeting held May 28, 1750, it was voted to call Mr. Peabody, who had been settled over the little missionary church in Natick, as colleague pastor with Rev. Mr. Walter by a vote of 42 yeas against 23 blanks. He was ordained Pastor Nov. 7, 1750, nearly two months after the death of Mr. Walter. He was a preacher of acknowledged ability, but his ministry and his life were brief, as he died May 29, 1752, about a year and a half from the time of his settlement. He was never married. He built the house situated on the north side of Eliot Square, standing well back from the road and commanding a fine view of Boston in the rear, which has since been tenanted by his successors Rev. Amos Adams and Rev. Dr. Porter (Rev. George Putnam boarded there until his marriage) and afterwards owned and occupied by Deacon Charles Knapp Dillaway until his death. At the time of the siege of Boston it was the headquarters of General Thomas.
THE PARSONAGE.
--
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REV. AMOS ADAMS
REV. AMOS ADAMS
Amos Adams, the eldest of eleven children of Henry and Jemima (Morse) Adams, was born in Medfield, Mass., Sept. 1, 1728, and a graduate of Harvard College in 1752. He married (1) Elizabeth Prentiss, Oct. 18, 1753, in Cambridge, who died in Aug. 1769; (2) Mrs. Abigail Mears, Feb. 15, 1770, in Roxbury, who died the next year; (3) Sarah, daughter of Dr. Charles Chauncy of the First Church of Boston, July 16, 1771, in Boston.
He was ordained Pastor of this church Sept. 12, 1753. He was a very popular preacher. His delivery is said to have been animated and energetic, his voice musical and of great power. He was praised in other churches as a very accom- plished preacher, but many were disgusted with his plainness of speech, the length of his discourses, and his very desultory observations. All allowed him to discover some knowledge of human nature, in the addresses he made to his hearers. His preaching was calculated to prick the consciences of sinners, though they wanted correct discrimination and smoothness of period. His memory was tenacious and his reading very extensive. He was an ardent patriot from the first, earnestly co-operating in the efforts of the people to stop importation from the mother country and to encourage domestic manufactures. An instance of the spirit that per- vaded all classes at that time is found in the fact that one day in September, 1768, nearly sixty young women of Roxbury met together at the minister's house and gave Mrs. Adams the materials for and the spinning of about one hundred score of linen yard. "Such an unusual and beautiful appearance," says the chronicler, "drew a great number of spectators from town and country, who expressed the highest
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satisfaction at such an example of industry." He was scribe of the convention of ministers at Watertown, which in May, 1775, recommended to the people to take up arms.
He spent his time and strength with pleasure in the service of a grateful people, till by the distress of the times, they were dispersed and he himself obliged to leave his habitation and pulpit, from which time his labors were increased, but through an affection to the people of his charge, he went through them with cheerfulness, attending the small remainder of his flock every Sunday, though his family was removed to a distance among his friends. He not only visited his own flock but the soldiers who were stationed among the people of his parochial charge. He died Oct. 5, 1775, in Dorchester. At the time he was seized with his last sickness, the result of preaching in the open air to the soldiers, he was engaged as chaplain to Col. David Brewer's Ninth Continental Regiment of 900 men, who paid the funeral honors to his remains on the Saturday following his death. The Boston Gazette in the notice of his death says, "His family as well as his church and people now driven into various parts of the country, refuse to be comforted."
His publications never appeared to satisfy the expectations of those who heard them from the pulpit; they needed his animated delivery. Among his published sermons are the following: - On the Death of Madam Lucy Dudley, 1756; Artillery Election, 1759; Thanksgiving for the Reduction of Quebec, 1759; at the Ordination of S. Kingsbury, 1761, and of John Wyeth, 1766; The Only Hope and Refuge of Sinners, 1767; Dudleian Lecture entitled Diocesan Episcopacy at Harvard College, 1770; the manuscript of this last is now in the library of the college; it bcars testimony to the learning of the writer. The discourses which gave him the most reputation were two upon religious liberty, 1767, and two on
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REV. AMOS ADAMS
the general fast, April 6, 1769, in which he gave "A Concise Historical View of the Difficulties, Hardships and Perils which Attended the Planting and Progressive Improvement in New England, with a Particular Account of its Long and Destructive Wars, Expensive Expeditions, etc." These were reprinted in England in 1770, not as sermons, but with the title of a "Concise History of New England." The evan- gelical sentiments are curtailed. We see little more than the dry bones of a skeleton not well hung together. All his printed discourses are bound in two volumes, 8vo, which he presented to the College Library.
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REV. ELIPHALET PORTER, D.D.
Eliphalet Porter, son of John and Mary (Huntington) Porter, was born June 11, 1758, in Abington, now North Bridgewater, Mass.
He was beneath the common stature, straight and well proportioned. His hair, which was of chestnut color, was little if any changed at his death. Neither he nor his father ever used spectacles.
He entered Harvard College in 1773 and was graduated in 1777, the youngest of three brothers in the same class.
He held a highly respectable rank as a scholar, and was distinguished by the sobriety and correctness of his habits. His theological studies he prosecuted under the direction of his father.
The pulpit of the First Church of Roxbury had been vacant since the death of the Rev. Amos Adams in 1775, and, having heard various candidates, the precinct finally, in 1782, extended a nearly unanimous call (61 to 1; that one vote says "not Disposed to concur") to Mr. Porter, of which in due time he signified his acceptance. He was ordained Pastor of this church Oct. 2, 1782, the sermon being preached by his venerable father, the charge delivered by Dr. Samuel Cooper of Boston, and the Rev. Mr. Abbot of the second parish in Roxbury presented the Right Hand of Fellowship.
His ordination created considerable opposition from some of the first families of Roxbury. Dr. Williams joined the Episcopal Church. He showed a decided opposition to Dr. Porter till on arriving at the age of 70 he gave a dinner and invited Dr. Porter for the first time to his house. Captain Joseph Williams, another principal opposer, was converted into a firm friend by a funeral sermon delivered by Dr. Porter
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REV. ELIPHALET PORTER, D.D.
on the death of two sons of Captain Williams, and when the Doctor shortly after went to see him, he greeted him most cordially.
Although in the pulpit he exhibited few, if any, of the characteristics of a popular preacher of the present day, few modern preachers are listened to more attentively or regarded with more reverence than he was. The effect he produced was not that of excitement; he was not excitable himself, and was therefore not likely to produce excitement in others. There was a calmness and solemnity in his manner which gave to his discourses a peculiar impressiveness. He was never dogmatical or bigoted. He had clear and settled opinions on the controverted points of theology, and was always ready to sustain them; but he had no taste for con- troversy, and therefore rarely preached on subjects which occasioned it.
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