USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > History of the First Religious Society in Newburyport, Massachusetts > Part 4
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST RELIGIOUS SOCIETY
on a solid rock foundation seemed a hopeful augury for its long and strong continuance. There was much discussion to decide whether its walls should be of brick or wood; but eventually wood was chosen. The lot was purchased of Miss Elizabeth Greenleaf by a committee whose instructions were that the "price was not to exceed six pounds, fifteen shillings c'rry. per rod." Its size was "nine rods in front and nine rods and thirteen links in depth."
It was noted by Mr. Nathan N. Withington, in his oration commemorating the centenary of the building, that this is the last time in the church records that English currency is designated.
A prolonged discussion with the authorities of the town was held the next spring. The church land was wanted for a public square, and it was offered the town for $8,000. This was more than the town could raise. It appointed a committee to present a petition to the legislature asking permission to run a lottery to raise money to purchase the church land, but the legislature frowned upon the project and gave the committee permission to withdraw its petition. Through more creditable ways the town raised $4,400 and interested and generous citizens contributed the remaining $3,600.
In voting to sell their property the proprietors reserved from the sale "the Cellar Wall and Underpinning of the said House, the Materials of which the Pews are built, the Bell, Clocks, Organ, Electrical Rod and Weathercock." The sale of land was at length arranged, the proprietors reserving the right to keep "said house on said land for the purpose of Public Worship therein until the first day of November, 1801, and shall be allowed a reasonable time there- after to remove the same with the cellar wall &c."
A building committee of four men, Hon. Theophilus Bradbury, Esq., Captain James Kettell, John Greenleaf and Leonard Smith, was ordered to build a house "with a cellar, a Portico, or piazza and a handsome Belfry or Spire." Apparently at this time the plans for the new building were on hand, but the architect's name was not on them, nor has it ever been found on bills, records or memoranda connected with the building of this church which is now the archi- tectural pride and treasure of Newburyport. It is believed that he may have been Timothy Palmer, a brother of the senior member of the contracting firm, Palmer and Spofford, who built the church. Timothy Palmer was widely known for his taste and mechanical
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THE NEW MEETING HOUSE
skill. He was the designer of the first Essex-Merrimack bridge, a notable structure, built on a new principle for which he secured a United States patent, and which was used for the construction of many important bridges in New England and elsewhere.
"The record goes on: 'In pursuance of the laudable practice of our pious predecessors, and in imitation of their wise and virtuous attachment to the best Interests of man Illustrated by the foundation of this Parish, by the erecting a house for the public worship of God, and by their honorable support of the teachers of piety, religion and morality-It is
'Voted, That this propriety will erect a new Meeting House as a Place of Public worship for the First Religious Society of Newbury- port on some suitable Plot of ground to be hereafter purchased for that purpose, and it is further
'Voted, that Messrs. Ebenezer Stocker, Nathan Hoyt and Joshua Carter be a committee for providing said place of Public Worship, and for this purpose they and the major part of them are hereby authorized and empowered at the cost of this Propriety to purchase such parcel of land as this Propriety may hereafter direct, and thereupon to build, finish and complete a Meeting House of such materials and of such form, in such manner and of such dimentions as this propriety may direct'."
The committee thus officially empowered were to secure the best contracts they could, to work in the materials reserved from the old house and to permit purchasers of pews to contribute labor, or materials in part payment for them.
The legal business connected with the sale of the old property, the purchase of land and the erection of a new building was competently and minutely executed. With two of the most eminent lawyers of the state, Theophilus Parsons and Theophilus Bradbury, interested in the project, this was to be expected. It was the former who secured an act of the General Court which declared that "the sale of the old meeting house and land shall not in any manner affect the existence of the First Religious Society of Newburyport as a corporation, nor its powers, rights or duties; but the same corporation shall be deemed and holden in the law to have the same existence and
*Oration of Nathan N. Withington at observance of centenary of the building.
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continuance with the same rights, powers and duties it now has, whether the members whereof attend the public worship of God in the old meeting house afore said, or in the new meeting house as afore said."
The construction of the new house took somewhat over a year. As it neared completion it became the wonder and pride of the town. On the occasion of its centenary celebration in 1901 Herbert D. Hale, son of Edward Everett Hale, and an architect, paid it a high tribute. He said: "There is something quaint and old fashioned about this church interior. Somehow it takes us completely away from the mad rush of today and from modern improvements of every kind that we have left behind us this morning in the city. Certain it is that architectural effect has combined to give quiet and repose in this excellent example of Colonial work ...... The outside of the church shows careful and thorough study of the old Classical orders. The three large doors give ample access to the congregation coming in and going out, the use of the Doric pilasters is very effective and is charmingly placed. Large Corinthian pilasters reach up from the base of the building toward the roof and above rises the spire, one of the most perfect I have ever seen. Rows of Ionic columns rise upon Ionic columns to the spire which tapers off grace- fully to the sky. The sense of proportion is manifest everywhere in this design and this should always be so in good architectural design."
The first entry in the expense account for the new building was dated July 2nd, 1800. It reads: "To cash paid, liquor for people getting out stone."
*"Shortly after work was begun the assessors of the parish were directed to make out a list of pews of floor and galleries in the old house as a basis for estimating the claim of each proprietor to the proceeds of the sale." At the same time a committee was appointed to §"estimate the cost of their new house of public worship now in building and the lot it stands on, and to apportion the same upon all pews therein excepting such as may be reserved for the use of the minister, according to their relative situation on the lower Floor and
*§Oration of Nathan N. Withington, Centenary Observance of the Building.
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THE NEW MEETING HOUSE
in the Galleries respectively, which apportionment shall be con- sidered as their prime cost, and they shall lodge such estimates and apportionments with the proprietors' clerk to be filed in his office and to be recorded in the Proprietors' Book of Records, and all taxes hereafter to be raised on said pews by said Proprietors or by said Religious Society shall be assessed thereon agreeably to said appor- tionments."
It is shown by the records that all of the pews in the old house, save that of the minister, were private property. They are described as "handsomely balustraded," so it seems that some elegancies did invade the old meeting house. In both houses the pews were num- bered to 106. In the old house there were six classes of pews valued at $30, $24, $23, $22, $21 and $20 respectively. All but one of the gallery pews were owned. These were valued at $7, save one valued at $10 and one at $6.
In the new meeting house the pews were divided into five classes, and the estimated cost of these was $165, $145, $130, $120 and $100 respectively. * "Those of the lower class mostly brought their apprised value, though Henry Rolfe paid $116 for one. The pews of the first class sold well, the highest price, $230, having been paid by John Greenleaf for pew No. 12 and he also paid $221 for pew No. 11. All of the pews on the floor, except the minister's pew and one other, were sold at the valuation or more and all in the gallery except three."
The whole cost of the building was $26,750.10, according to the accounts kept and audited and accepted.
In the Newburyport Herald and County Gazette of the Septem- ber 29th, 1801 issue, is the following item: "On Sunday last a crowded audience assembled in the old Congregational Meeting House for the last time, where, after an appropriate discourse in the forenoon by the Rev. John Andrews, the senior pastor (the Rev. Thomas Cary) delivered a closing discourse from the 2nd verse of the 63rd psalm-'To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.' His conversation was impressive and affect- ing, replete with sound doctrine and christian precept-the scene
* All of the information in regard to the pews is taken from the oration of Mr. Nathan N. Withington, delivered at the centenary celebration of the building.
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was solemn and interesting and peculiarly so to the elders of the church who met to take their last farewell of the 'venerable mansion' where they have weekly assembled for a long succession of years to meet and offer up their devotion to that Being 'in whom there are no variableness or the least shadow of change'."
Miss Sarah Emery gathered her knowledge of the last service in the old meeting house from her mother's remembrance of it. She wrote : * "As the old and invalid pastor and his young colleague entered, the deacons and tithingmen were in their places; the house filled and grew quiet.
"The beloved old pastor rose after the opening exercises and with much of his youthful eloquence, preached from the 63rd psalm, 2nd verse . . He spoke of our dependence upon the Creator, of our social duties and privileges, of the delight and profit of thus assembling together for worship and expressed the hope that, though the house was soon to be levelled with the dust, it should not be finally lost to any but remain in the happy effect of an attendance there. His concluding sentences were: 'I may not finish without observing, that according to the service and thoughtful disposition with which you leave the old house, you may hope, through Christ, for acceptance into the new one, and I pray God that he may beautify his temple, far beyond those decorations of art which give it so splendid an external appearance, and which attract our notice with so very sensible a pleasure.
" 'May we bear in mind that it is not long that any of us can wor- ship in the sanctuary below; but, blessed be our God, "there is a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." There may we carry our views; for that estate be ripening. God of his infinite mercy, grant that we all meet at last in the heavenly mansions and be of that happy number who shall stand at the right hand of Christ, and spend a blissful eternity together.' These grave words from a stricken pastor, heard in the doomed building, are said to have saddened the congregation so that they left the building in tearful silence."
So, on that late Sunday afternoon in September, as the people walked in subdued groups to their homes, probably many stopped
*Reminiscences of a Nonagenarian.
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TEARING DOWN THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
for a last look at the shabby house, whose meetings had been not only an elevating influence but for some the unfailing break in the monotony of an otherwise eventless week. For some days before this Sunday an advertisement had appeared in successive issues of the Newburyport Herald and County Gazette. It announced :
"FOR SALE AT PUBLIC AUCTION On Tuesday, 29th inst. The old Meeting House of the First Religious Society in Newburyport in such lots as will suit purchasers. Sale at XI o'clock when conditions will be made known. James Kettell, Auct."
The land had been sold. * "The next day the steeple was taken down, the pulpit and pews removed, and a few days later the heavy timbers supporting the roof were cut away and the whole structure fell to the ground."
Miss Emery tells a more dramatic story. She says that all the morning of that day people were hurrying to the market place to see the demolition of the meeting house. At length §"the supports were removed, save at one corner of the building, a hawser was placed around that post and a band of sailors with 'a long pull a strong pull and a pull altogether' brought the large building to the ground amidst a cloud of dust and the huzzahs of the multitude."
So passed the old meeting house. The purchasers carted away such parts of its materials as they had chosen. No building has ever been raised on its site. It had been the scene of weddings, funerals and baptisms that touched the lives of most of the town's people. For seventy-six years it had overlooked the waterfront where New- buryport's epic industry, ship building, was developing. It had been built and almost wholly maintained by profits of this and allied in- dustries. It had been a familiar and welcome sight for returning sail- ors. Around it had grown up a market place. Facing its spire, says +Miss Emery, "was an irregular line of butchers shambles" while on its north side had been nailed a row of wooden troughs for oats. In
*History of Newburyport by John J. Currier.
§t Reminiscences of a Nonagenarian.
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these, horses of out-of-town farmers fed while produce was being sold from the wagons behind them. Men had marched by this old building to war; patriotic meetings had been held within it, its bell not only called the people to Sunday services, but it had sounded alarms and curfews; it had pealed for liberty and had rung for the visit of Gov. John Hancock. It had announced the coming of George Washington to the town. The weather cock, 140 feet high, had veered in the winds that sent well equipped ships from the ship yards it overlooked, to many ports, even around the world, and brought them home again, sometimes laden with good fortune, some- times with bad news of deaths at sea, failure of business venture or tales of the great hazzards of violent storms. For all these, and for the vessels that never came back there was rejoicing, or sym- pathy and comfort in the words that fell from the high pulpit beneath the sounding board. From the lips of the three who had been ordained and installed there, never had any but liberal, kindly and generous words been heard. The never flagging spirits of these men, save when illness overtook Mr. Gary, had been equal to two long sermons on each Sunday, while on Thanksgiving and Fast days the congregation was instructed on the great public questions of the day.
Thus the old meeting house had been woven inextricably into the every day life of the town as the new one never could be, for the times had changed. Once merchants had advertised their places of business as "near the Rev. Mr. Lowell's meeting house." A grammar school was established "not far from the Rev. Mr. Lowell's Meeting House." "Broadcloths and Beavers" were sold "just to the north- ward of Rev. Mr. Cary's meeting house." A tavern "near Rev. Mr. Cary's meeting house" was famous for "Apple and Mince Pies in the neatest and best manner." The town voted, May 15th, 1787, "that the name of the street leading from High street to the Revd Mr. Cary's meeting house be altered from Fish street to State street."
*"In the old meeting house it is probable that the town meetings and all other public meetings of general interest were held, but a
*Oration of Henry Bailey Little, June 26th, 1925. Two hundredth anniver- sary of the founding of the Society.
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TEARING DOWN THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
town house had been erected before the building of this (the new) edifice."
It was a building not too fine for common uses, a land mark that had withstood the fierce northeast gales that often ravaged the coast, earthquake shocks and a lightning stroke. It had seen its congregation change from English subjects to American citizens ; but it was literally worn out. It had never been fine enough for the new prosperity of new times.
The dedication of the new house took place on the second of October which was the Friday following the demolition of the old house. The Newburyport Herald and County Gazette of the next day reports that: "Yesterday the new meeting house of the first religious society of this town was formally dedicated to the honor and worship of God. The ceremonies on this occasion were peculiarly solemn and interesting. A procession of the proprietors preceded by an assemblage of vocal and instrumental performers was formed near the spot of the old house, and proceeded to the new building where the Reverend pastors were introduced by the committee of the parish into the pulpit, as the future scene of their public labors.
"The exercises began with music. The Rev. Jesse Appleton of Hampton, addressed the throne of grace in an animated, fervent and pathetic manner. The Rev. John Andrews, junior pastor of the church, delivered a discourse from Psalm 100, 4th verse. On all occasions his public performances have been replete with rational doctrine and real religion. This occasion called for more than com- mon exertion, and his hearers were not disappointed in their expectations. He warmly manifested his attachment to his God, and his ability in his service, by the energy of his manner and the beauty and sublimity of his discourse. It was perfectly appropriate to the season and perfectly congenial with the sentiments of the friends of real religion. His language was like the course he was advocating, noble and interesting. His opinions were founded on the gospel of Christ and like that, decisive and candid. We will spare a further eulogy, in the hope that the public at large may soon judge of its intrinsic merit. The music on this occasion was composed by Samuel Holyoke, A. M., and performed under his particular direction. His taste was applauded by the most able amateurs; and his judgment has been too long established to need
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST RELIGIOUS SOCIETY
our comment. We have only to lament that a country like this can never bestow so ample a reward as his uncommon abilities deserve.
"In the afternoon there was a concert. The powers of music were never directed with a more general effect, and never produced a more judicious tribute of applause."
Miss Sarah Ann Emery has caught and handed down to us some of the excitement of that day. She says that people were astir early ; out-of-town folk were driving in; new wearing apparel was paraded ; the streets were scenes of animation and it was necessary to go early to the meeting house in order to secure a seat.
The Newburyport Herald and County Gazette has further information regarding the event. "In the Herald of Friday last we noticed the proceedings at the Dedication of the New Meeting house. We cannot forbear publishing the following excellent toasts which were drunk at a dinner given to attending clergymen, by the proprietors of that house, and which were unintentionally omitted in our last.
'The United States-May their magistrates, by precept and example, recommend that righteousness which alone exalteth a nation.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts-May its churches ever enjoy a succession of Clergy whose doctrines and lives coincide with the religion they profess.
The Inhabitants of Newburyport-May they ever continue to be distinguished for genuine patriotism and a warm attachment to religious institutions.
Governor Strong-May he long enjoy that approbation of the wise and good to which his piety and virtue entitle him.
Peace on earth, and good will to all men.'
We are likewise happy in acknowledging even at this period the general pleasure received from the masterly performance of P. A. Von Hegen on the organ and sincerely regret the omission of this deserved panegyric in our last."
Mr. Cary was unable to be present at this dedication.
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CHAPTER VII IN THE NEW MEETING HOUSE
*"It would seem that the numbers of the church and society culminated with the removal to Pleasant street. But the new meet- ing house was well filled for seven years at least, every pew being taken and even the gallery pews being sold at an advance on the cost. ... .. It is impossible to be accurate as to the numbers of the society, but if the deaths annually recorded are a full statement, the people who belonged to the society in 1788 were about 2,000, and their number very slowly diminished so that even in 1808 there were as many as 1800 of young and old who belonged to it."
The society was still the leading one in the town as it was the oldest. What happened in it was of general interest. Miss Emery tells us that §"Col. Greenleaf caused a deal of talk by cushioning his pew with red velvet, edged with fringe."
The Rev. Thomas Cary died in November, 1808. He had been held in high esteem in the town; and the Newburyport Herald and County Gazette published the following, it would seem adequate, appreciation of him :
"Died in this town on the morning of the 24th inst. the Rev. Thomas Cary, A. M., Senior Pastor of the First Religious Society in Newburyport; in the 64th year of his age and the 41st of his Pastoral Relation. He was the son of Samuel Cary, Esqr. of Charlestown, in this state, where he was born on the 15th of October, 1745. He received the honors of Harvard College in the year 1761; and was ordained May 11th, 1768. The Author of Nature and grace had con- ferred on him talents active and solid, affections warm and tender, sentiments devout and enlightened, charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. His early promise and maturity were followed up with a steady progress in faith and fruitful labors, like the rising light, which flames more and more into the perfect day. His fidelity and affection were met by the people of his charge with reciprocal attention and attachment. He was their sincere instructor, their compassionate comforter and their social delight. To his brethren in the ministry he was a generous
*Oration of Amos Noyes, 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Society. § Reminiscences of a Nonagenarian.
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friend, a wise counsellor and a most pleasant and improving associate. He excelled in the charms of conversation, springing from benevolence, enlivened by genius, elevated by knowledge, enriched by experience, directed by virtue and sanctified by piety. He was esteemed very highly in love for his public works, for fond and fervent devotion, for judicious, impressive, pathetic and edifying discourses. But in the meridian of life, while his friends rejoiced in his light, a holy Providence, whose ways are unsearchable, but perfect, brought a dark cloud over him, and suddenly arrested the genial influence of his beams. A paralytic disorder reduced him to the verge of the grave. Twenty years he had served in the Gospel in this place and twenty years he walked through life oppressed with great infirmity. But his afflictions were relieved by mercies and consolations. Most of the time he was able to attempt the public office of religion and occasionally he was able to appear in the pastorate station. The brightness of his mind often broke through the cloud in which it was involved; and still gave delight to his friends, a delight softened by his griefs and their tender sympathy.
"The transactions which passed between him and his people, on resigning his active duties, prove their mutual love and esteem. When they settled a colleague, who, as a son with a father, walked with him, and served in the Gospel, he remained their senior pastor, and was among them as a Father, entering into their concerns, watching over their welfare and enjoying the expression of their kind respect.
"His heart was warmly engaged in the interests, the happiness and the sorrows of his friends; and all within his acquaintance appeared to have their share of his enlarged and benevolent attention. The religion which he preached was his support and solace. During his long debility he was able to give much of his time to reading, and the ecclesiastical history of his country was a favorite study; and the fruits of his studies were conspicuous in his conversation. In his later days he gradually decayed; the oppression of his disorder increased till his life subsided into a state of insensibility and apparently without a painful struggle of nature his spirit returned unto the God who gave it."
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