USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Roxbury > History of the First Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts, 1630-1904 > Part 18
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Dr. Putnam was interested largely in public affairs, outside of his professional duties. He was a member of the con- stitutional convention in 1853; one of the presidential electors in 1864, and with Edward Everett, Ex-Governor Lincoln,
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and John G. Whittier, voted for Abraham Lincoln. In 1869 he was elected a member of the Massachusetts legislature, and served two years with great efficiency. The ability he showed in the discussion of financial questions and kindred subjects clearly indicated the practical character of his mind.
In educational affairs he manifested a deep interest. He was chairman of the school committee of Roxbury, and for many years President of the Board of Trustees of the Rox- bury Latin School, President of the Trustees of the Fellowes Athenæum, Chairman of the Trustees of the Boston Young Men's Christian Union, and one of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library.
During his whole ministry the character of his preaching was eminently practical, and some of his most effective sermons were those addressed to young business men. Every day topics, those that touched nearest the lives of his people, he chose most frequently. For controversial sermons he had no taste, or belief in their usefulness, and in this he resembled his venerable predecessor, the Rev. Dr. Porter. To the good sense and Christian spirit of both may be attributed the harmony which has always subsisted among our Roxbury ministers of all denominations.
In the spring of 1871, a long vacation having been granted for health and recreation, he spent six months in Europe. The acquaintances he formed there, and the interesting places he visited, were ever after among his most pleasant memories.
On the 23rd of December, 1872, he attended a meeting of the Corporation of Harvard College. The weather was intensely cold. On his return home he was stricken by paralysis. The Society took immediate measures to relieve him from all anxiety in regard to pastoral duties and expressed in many ways their sympathy for him in his invalid state.
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On the 6th of October, 1873, a letter was received from him in which he resigned his pastoral office. The Society unanimously passed a series of resolutions expressive of the strong attachment of the people, their high appreciation of his past services, and their unwillingness to accept his resignation.
In view of the impaired health of Dr. Putnam, measures were immediately taken for the election of an associate pastor. The Society united in giving a call to Rev. John Graham Brooks, which call was accepted.
During the succeeding year the senior pastor appeared often in the pulpit, but rarely took part in the services beyond the reading of a hymn. If he ventured upon a sermon his people listened with increased interest to the words which fell from his lips, for they were conscious how soon that voice, which had so charmed them by its utterances in the past, might cease forever.
The last time he was heard in his pulpit he spoke with his usual impressiveness, but it was painfully evident from the feebleness of his voice that no progress had been made in the recovery of his health. By the advice of his friends he did not preach again, though occasionally taking some part in the Sunday services.
He died at his home on Highland Street, April 11, 1878.
REV. JOHN GRAHAM BROOKS, a Divinity student of the class of 1875, Harvard University, was ordained Pastor of this church Oct. 10, 1875. His work in the church will be found elsewhere, in the Parish report of 1880, the Sunday School and the Young Men's Union. He resigned as Pastor in 1882 to study Sociology in Europe, and has since been distinguished as a Lecturer on Economics.
REV. JAMES DE NORMANDIE, D.D. our Present Pastor.
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DEACONS
SAMUEL SUMNER, see Fourth Meeting House. JOSHUA FELTON, see Fourth Meeting House. NEHEMIAH MUNROE, see Fourth Meeting House.
WILLIAM DAVIS, son of Moses and Hannah (Pierpont) Davis, was born Nov.18, 1770, and died Feb. 4, 1850. He married (1) Polly Smith and (2) her half sister Sally Smith, both being daughters of Captain Ralph Smith, a prominent resident of Roxbury. In early life he was engaged in the West India goods business, which was not successful, and later followed his natural inclination and was made Principal of the Grammar School, now known as the Roxbury Latin School, a position he held for many years. He was after- wards a Trustee. He was ordained Deacon of this church in 1819 and held the office until his death. He was Town Clerk for many years and Parish Clerk for one year. His home was situated on Lambert Ave., on the hill, and here he cultivated a beautiful garden of flowers and various kinds of fruit trees, being extremely fond of horticulture.
EBENEZER CRAFTS, son of Daniel and Abigail (Kent) Crafts, was born Jan. 12, 1779, in Roxbury, and died there Jan. 10, 1864. He married Sarah Heath, daughter of Major John Jones and Sarah (Heath) Spooner. He cultivated the farm inherited from his grandfather, Deacon Ebenezer Craft, containing about fifty acres. He served in the state militia as Brigade Quartermaster with the rank of Major and was always known in after life as Major Ebenezer Crafts, rather than Deacon Ebenezer Crafts. He was ordained Deacon July 19, 1827, and was a friend and helper wherever help was needed. He was for many years engaged in mercantile pursuits, but in consequence of losses in the crisis of 1837 withdrew to the old farm, moving back into the house in which he was born.
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JOHN CLAP, son of Noah and Ann (Clap) Clap, was born in Dorchester, Sept. 11, 1764, and died Sept. 23, 1840, in Roxbury. He married (1) Susanna Robinson; (2) Priscilla Holden; (3) Ann Hawes Pierce, who gave a communion cup to the church in 1830. He served his time as a cabinet-maker with Deacon Munro, and settled in Roxbury, carrying on his business in a shop which stood on the main street of the town. He was ordained Deacon July 19, 1827, and was a truly honest man, affable and remarkably courteous to all. His death was noticed in a funeral sermon by his Pastor, Rev. George Putnam, D.D., who called him, "the last of the Puritans," "one who embodied in himself all that was respectable and lovely in the primitive worthies of New England." "A plain, downright man, yet affable and cour- teous, who never did a thing for show, had none of the restless pride of life, and gave the world the spectacle of a calm, cheerful, blameless, contented old age." He ever felt a deep interest in all that concerned his church and his native town of Dorchester.
JONATHAN AVERY RICHARDS was born April 6, 1797, and died April 19, 1845. He married Nancy D. Gore in 1820. He was ordained Deacon, June 3, 1838, and resigned in 1841. He was a book-keeper in Boston.
RUFUS WYMAN, son of Zebediah and Eunice Wyman, was born July 16, 1778, and died June 22, 1842. He married Anne Morrill of Boston. He fitted for college at Westford Academy and entered Harvard in 1795 and was graduated in 1799. For one year he taught in Worcester. In 1800 he was entered as a student of medicine with Dr. Samuel Brown of Boston, but owing to the illness of his instructor he finished his course with Dr. John Jeffries. He stayed in Boston and then moved to Chelmsford thinking a country life might be of benefit to his health. In 1817 he was appointed first
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Physician and Superintendent of the McLean Asylum for the Insane at Charlestown, which position he resigned in 1834, soon after which he removed to Roxbury. He was ordained Deacon of this church in 1840. Rev. Dr. George Putnam, D.D., in a sermon preached after his death, said in part, "I cannot now, I could not in his life time, gather any words concerning him, but words of commendation and respect. He was not one of those who are prized after death only. His character was of that positive sort, so obviously and constantly ruled by high principle that men noticed it while he lived, as they only note those who are really above the level of common excellence, who live not by exponents but by principle, not to appearances but to fulfil righteousness for righteousness' sake." He was appointed to various offices of trust and was a member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences and for two years was President of Massachu- setts Medical Society.
BENJAMIN KENT, son of Samuel and Rhoda (Hill) Kent, was born May 25,1794, in Somerville, and died Aug. 7, 1859, . in Roxbury. He married Eleanor Bradford. „He was grad- uated at Harvard College in 1820 and from the Divinity School in 1824. Before his settlement he supplied the pulpit for three months at Washington, D.C., at a period when the journey there and back was performed mostly by stage. He was ordained as Colleague Pastor to Dr. Allyn in Duxbury, June 7, 1826. After a short but trying and very laborious ministry, he resigned his office of Pastor, June 7, 1833. He was chiefly instrumental in establishing a High School in that town which was first under the charge of Rev. George Putnam, who afterwards became our Pastor. R. W. Emer- son in answer to an invitation to be the Phi Beta Kappa poet thus speaks of him: "May I take the liberty to ask whether Mr. Kent of Duxbury has ever been requested to write a
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poem for the Society? He was much the most successful poet who appeared on the college stage for many years." After leaving Duxbury he opened a young ladies' school in Roxbury in connection with which he gave courses of lectures on scientific subjects not confined to his pupils. He was ordained Deacon of this church in 1841 which office he held until his death. He was a trustee of the Roxbury Latin School and also for many years Librarian of the Roxbury Atheneum. He was a great lover of antiquity. He ran- sacked garrets, collected many autographs and literary docu- ments of the Pilgrims, and made several discoveries of interest.
CHARLES KNAPP DILLAWAY, son of Samuel and Mary (Knapp) Dillaway, was born Oct. 19, 1804, in Roxbury, and died there May 2, 1889. He married Martha Ruggles Porter, daughter of Rev. Huntington Porter and niece of Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D.D. He entered Harvard College in 1822 in the sophomore year and was graduated in 1825. He received the degree of A.M. in 1829. After graduation he was for a time assistant teacher in the Hancock School. In 1827 he became sub-master of the Boston Latin School, and in 1831 he became master. Holding this position for five years, he, in 1836, resigned on account of ill health. He was through his life interested in educational matters and for many years was regarded as a standard authority in the classics. Some of his publications were, "Roman Antiquities and Ancient Mythology," "The Classical Speaker," "Latin Classics with English Notes," in 12 volumes, "Colloquies of Erasmus," with glossary, beside many minor classical works and fugitive writings. He wrote and published in 1860 "A History of the Grammar School," or "The Free Schoole of 1645 in Roxburie." He was the author, also, of the valuable chapter upon education in the Memorial History of
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Boston. He was secretary of his college class, a trustee of the Roxbury Latin School for 50 years, and the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the school for many years. He was ordained Deacon of this church in 1842, which office he held until his death; Member of the Standing Committee 1857 to 1863; Treasurer of this church from Jan. 27, 1862, until 1886; Superintendent of the Sunday School for 25 years. A member of the Board of Trustees of the Fellowes Athenæum and after the death of Dr. Putnam, its President.
SUPPLY CLAP THWING, son of Samuel and Sarah (Homans) Thwing, was born Oct. 27, 1798, in Boston, and died June 4, 1877, in Roxbury; married (1) Elsey Fellowes Davis; (2) Anne Shapley Haven; (3) Anna Haven. His name descended to him from his ancestor Roger Clap of Dorchester, who, during a famine in the town, had a son born on the day supplies were received from England, and showed his gratitude by naming this son Supply Clap. He (Supply Clap Thwing) was educated at Phillips Exeter Academy, and early placed in the counting room of James and Thomas H. Perkins, where he received the necessary instruction to qualify him for his future career. He began business on his own account in 1826, and for fifty years was actively engaged in mercantile pursuits, doing an extensive business with New Orleans and the East Indies. He was also a part owner of vessels and later in life was engaged in the coal trade. He removed to Roxbury about 1824 and here he passed the remainder of his life, and it was among his neighbors and fellow citizens that his truly honorable character was seen to the best advan- tage. In 1831 he joined this church and ever after took the deepest interest in its affairs and was foremost in anything pertaining to it. He had more intimate relations with Dr. Putnam than anyone else in the parish and was frequently consulted by him in important matters. He was a member
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of the Standing Committee in 1831 and 1832 and ordained Deacon June 29, 1851, which office he held until his death. He was Treasurer of the Communion Table from March 24, 1858, until his death. Trustee of the Grammar School in the Easterly Part of the Town of Roxbury, now known as the Roxbury Latin School, being elected in place of Deacon Kent, in 1859, and on Oct. 29, 1862, elected its Treasurer, which office he held until his death. A trustee of the Rox- bury Athenæum, A Vice President and a Trustee of the Institution for Savings in Roxbury and Vicinity. He was one of the original trustees of the Fellowes Athenæum and his connection with it may best be told in the words of Mr. William C. Collar at the Dedication Services, July 9, 1873.
"Mr. Fellowes not unnaturally thought of the city where he had found a happy home for almost twenty years; and being in his later life a great reader, he designed to found there an institution which should be to many the means of that enjoy- ment and culture which he had himself derived from the best literature. But fortunately, before he was fully resolved, he asked the advice of a friend with whom he had lived in Roxbury in the most intimate relations. That friend sur- vives him in a vigorous old age, and he is present with us to-day. You all know him well,- the faithful steward of his friend's legacy to you, your friend and neighbor, and mine, the friend of everybody, - Supply Clap Thwing. He said to Mr. Fellowes - I give his own words - 'My friend, your mother was born in Roxbury, and there, you say your- self, you passed some of the happiest years of your life. We want an Athenæum, and you could not leave your property, outside of your own family, to a better object.' Few words but fit and effective. For the following year, on reading the will of his friend, Mr. Thwing had the satisfaction of finding that his appeal was successful. But I have omitted one
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circumstance without which my account would be incomplete and yet I know not if I have a right to disclose what was told me, perhaps in confidence, months ago, and what I dared not ask permission to make known, when I saw that the public interests demanded that the whole truth should be told. I say 'the public interest,' for it does concern the public to know of every noble and unselfish act which makes nobleness and unselfishness easier for all. And it is due to Mr. Thwing, though I may offend him by this disclosure, that you should know that the planting of this institution among you is due not less to his disinterestedness than to his timely and prudent counsel. You will already have sur- mised something of what I had to tell you, namely, that a large part of the sum which, together with the accumulated interest, has been devoted to the establishment of this library, was by Mr. Fellowes's first will bequeathed to Mr. Thwing; and that it was at his urgent request, when this became known to him, that his friend cancelled the legacy and increased by so much his bequest to you. Thus happily what the splendid generosity of the one conceived and begun, the rare unsel- fishness of the other completed and , crowned; and hence, while we shall always hold him in grateful remembrance to whom we owe this noble benefaction, we shall honor in our hearts the not less noble self-sacrifice of him who refused wealth proffered in the name of friendship that he might bestow enduring riches on us, and on those who shall come after us; or, still better, that he might put it in the power of each and all of us to enrich ourselves."
JOHN HUNT, son of Elisha and Lucy (Calef) Hunt, was born June 26, 1799, in Boston, and died May 16, 1873, in Medford. He married (1) Nabby Williams Esty; (2) Eliza- beth Gardner Whitin; (3) Sarah Jane Symmes. He was a morocco dresser, having served an apprenticeship with Mr.
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Isaac Mead of Charlestown, Mass., afterwards having a factory of his own there. About 1840 he removed to Roxbury and had a factory which stood beside the old Eustis Street Burying Ground, with a sale store in Boston. He was an Alderman of Roxbury in 1852. Also a member of the Mass. Charitable Mechanics Association. It was his custom to have his family sit around him on Sunday evenings at home and to read from the Bible and sing some of the old hymns. He was very fond of singing. He was brought up in the Old South Church, his father being a Deacon there. In his younger days, when other boys were walking the streets, he spent his time in his room improving his mind reading. In that way he made up his mind, no doubt, to take up the Unita- rian belief. He was a member of the Sagamore Club which began meeting at each others houses in 1850 for simple enjoyment and a clam chowder supper. Among its members were Rev. George Putnam, D.D., Samuel Walker, Benj. Kent, John J. Clarke, Edwin Lemist, Manlius Clark, Thomas Adams, F. D. Huntington, Daniel Leach. He was ordained Deacon of this Church June 29, 1851, and resigned May 11, 1856, on account of his removal to Southboro where he became interested in farming. He attended church in Framingham where he also was a Deacon. About 1866 he moved to Medford.
ADAMS AYER, son of John and Susannah (Emerson) Ayer, was born June 18, 1823, in Haverhill, and died March 22, 1882. Married Martha Augusta Hinkley. He attended the district school and taught for a time in the district schools. He was graduated from Harvard in 1848 and from the Divinity School in 1851. He held pastorates in Chelsea, Mass., Newport, R. I., and in Charlestown, N. H. He resigned this last pastorate to come to Boston to assist Mr. Holmes Hinkley, his father-in-law, who was then presi-
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dent of the Hinkley Locomotive Works. After the death of Mr. Hinkley he was chosen to fill his place. He made his home in Roxbury and was ordained Deacon of this church July 1, 1877. He was a member of the Standing Committee in 1872 and 1878. He was a member of the Christian Register Association and established a scholarship at Har- vard. Member of the Common Council of Boston in 1870 and 1871. He was a man of kind heart and generous hand.
JOSEPH WARREN TUCKER, son of Elijah and Rebecca (Weatherly) Tucker, was born Dec. 1, 1800, in Dorchester, and died April 21, 1885, in Roxbury. Married Mary Porter. Until the age of 21 he worked upon his father's farm in Roxbury, having no advantages for education, except such as were afforded by the district schools of that period, which were of an inferior grade. However, by special studies after he had come of age, he prepared himself for school teaching, and for some years taught district schools in the winter. Then he began to serve as clerk in stores until 1827 when he went into the grocery business for himself. In 1827 he was chosen chorister in charge of the choir of this church and even advanced money for its support. From 1837 to 1843 he represented the town of Roxbury in the Legislature. He was also upon the board of assessors, over- seers of the poor, and surveyors of highways. In 1840 he was elected a selectman, serving until Roxbury was made a city, in 1846, when he was elected city clerk, and held the office during the whole period that Roxbury remained a separate city. He was elected clerk of this Parish Jan. 7, 1850, and served until his death. He was a member of the music committee in 1836 and from 1849 to 1865. He was ordained Deacon of this Society Jan. 1, 1882, and held this office until his death. He was a justice of the peace, notary public, and held many other offices of trust.
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JEREMIAH PLIMPTON, son of Ziba and Olive (Smith) Plimpton, was born May 10, 1810, in Sharon, and died Nov. 28, 1892. Married Sarah Davenport Bradlee. He was for twenty-five years a school-teacher, and master of the Dudley School for girls in Roxbury from 1839 to 1855, when, finding his health somewhat impaired, he withdrew from the business of teaching. From 1862 to 1868 he held the office of U. S. Assistant Assessor for 3d Collection District of Mass. He was ordained Deacon of this Society, June 7, 1885.
JOHN JOSEPH MAY, son of Samuel and Mary (Goddard) May, was born in Boston, Oct. 15, 1813, died there May 25, 1903. Married Caroline S. Danforth of Norton, Mass. He was a graduate of the Boston High and Latin Schools. Mr. May's eldest brother, Samuel, having been educated for the ministry, his father decided that he should be educated for commercial life. After serving his apprenticeship, he became a partner in his father's firm, Samuel May and Company, importers of hardware and metals, established in 1797. He. made his first trip to Europe in 1835 and several subsequent trips, the last being in 1896. He also made several trips to San Francisco, where his firm had a branch establishment. He moved to Dorchester in 1845, where he bought a large estate which he called "Mayfield," after the village in Sussex, England. He was one of the earliest members, and in some instances, a charter member, of the Museum of Fine Arts, The Boston Athenæum, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Bostonian Society, etc. He was one of the wealthiest and most prominent landed proprietors in Dorchester. Though he was offered many offices of trust, having often been urged to become a member of Congress, he declined all such positions with the single exception of a membership of the school board, which at that time needed an active and intelligent worker. He contributed largely to the town's improvements and
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institutions, giving money with great liberality for the benefit of the community. Although a merchant, he was by nature and preference a student, especially of the domestic history of New England, which was one of his great pleasures during his maturer years. He was a very large buyer of books and accumulated a library which became celebrated for its size and extent. While a resident of Boston he was a member of John Pierpont's Society. On moving to Dorchester he joined this church, of which he was a member for nearly sixty years, and ordained Deacon June 7, 1885. By virtue of this office he became a Trustee of the Roxbury Latin School, member of the music committee of this Society from 1849 to 1864. He left a record of fidelity to the interests of the city of his birth, of the town of his adoption.
HENRY DAN WILMARTH, son of Daniel and Sarah (Luke) Wilmarth, was born Oct. 4, 1826, in Taunton, died May 4, 1896, in Roxbury. Married Matilda Reynolds. When only fourteen years of age his father died and he was obliged to leave home to seek his fortune. He came to Boston and entered the employ of Kendal Whitwell & Co., importers of woolens, remaining with them through successive changes of partnership, finally becoming a partner under the style of Talbot, Wilmarth & Co. He was ordained Deacon June 7, 1885.
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COMMUNION TABLE
The first mention, in the Deacon's Book, of anything relating to the table was "At a Curch Meting Held at the Revern'd Mr. Porter's Lodgings, April, 1789, Voted the Deacons Sell Some of the Church plate two vessels that was Worn out and purches With the Same a New tankard, the old plate asayed that was sold twenty Nine ounces & Some peny wait & sold for 9. 6. 4."
1789
May 27, the tankard Bought wt twenty three owences
& thirnteen peeny wt at Seven Shillings pr ownce . 8. 5. 6 May 1789. Cash Expended to purchase This Book for the church 10.
Cash for a Small kegg for the use of Carying the wine on Communion Days . 1. 8 8. 17. 2
Ballence Carr'd over 9.2
(The following is in the handwriting of Deacon Supply Clap Thwing.)
"part of This old plate sold was that from which the Apostle Eliot had administered the Communion."
"how short sighted !!! "
A Memorandum of the Plates, the Property of the First Church of Christ in Roxbury, Taken on the 26 Day of Dec. 1803 is as follows:
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