USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. I > Part 17
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for the best. Againe If it may be pleaded that it is injury to them if it be not placed for their Advantage, because they have built, and bestowed much cost : it inay (we conceive with Submis- sion) much more be pleaded that it is an injury to the Towne, if it be not placed for the most Generall advantage of Trad- ing, seing they have built, and run many hazards in the hope of subsistance by trading : And that great inconvenience of heat in summer will much more un- comfortably be susteyned when it might so seasonably have been prevented. We Yeild it may be some seeming present in- conveniencye to tradesmen. But not from any Act of injustice if it be set upon the greene : we shall be too Tedious. There- fore omitting many things that might be alleadged against that place of Mr. Hard- ings, concerning the swamp on the back- side, demolishing of a sufficient, and chargeable /Edifice, too much nearenesse to the prison, to the ordinary, to greater danger of fyre by much than in the other place : We committ the things we have sayd to your thoughts, we know we speake to wiser men then our selves, and yet to such as will not slight us: we doe profess (though some of us were not present when it was committed to your worship, and our Reverend brether- en, to determine, nor had any knowledge of so great, and weyghty an Occasion) yet we shall by the Lords helpe sit downe silent, and contented, if the Lord moove your harts to agree in the matter, and shall looke at it as an hand of God: yet we acknowledge it is our farre greater desire, for generall satisfaction, that it might be put to the providence of our wise God in a lott (in case it be not agreed to stand upon the greene) where- by all contentions (we are perswaded)
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HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
so heartily to perswade, and entreat that to the same end it may be improoved: for as we conceive it to be of God that your Worship should offer the Towne this favour : so we conceive it to be accord- ing unto God, that so great a benefitt unto the Towne, and Country might be embraced, which we earnestly Desire, and Assure our selves, that your worship will not lightly esteeme the requests of
Your ever Bounden,
It was at this time that the governor was overtaken by the financial embarrassments of which we have already spoken. The foregoing address certainly conveys the idea that he had offered his land to the First Church as a free gift, and this he must have done before the receipt of the bad news from Eng- land, which made it impossible for him to carry out his purpose. The address delicately assumes that his liberal offer was still open. It was intended, no doubt, under the changed conditions, to pay him for the land, if it should be taken; and when the church decided not to take it, it generously presented him with two hundred pounds, the equivalent of what the purchase-money would have been, so that he was not allowed to suffer by the decision. In his journal, he gives the reasons why Mr. Hard- ing's land was chosen in preference to his own : -
Their old meeting-house being decayed, and too small, they sold it away, and agreed to build another. ... But there grew a great difference among the brethren where this new one should stand. Some were for the green, (which was the governour's first lot, and he had yeilded it to the church, etc); others, viz. the tradesmen espe- cially, who dwell about the market place, desired it might stand still near the market, lest in time it should divert the chief trade from thence. The church referred it to the judginent and determination of five of the brethren, who agreed that the fittest place (all things con- sidered) would be near the market ; but, understanding that many of the brethren were unsatisfied, and desired rather it might be put to a lot, they declared only their opinions in writing, and respited the full determination to another general meeting, thinking it very unsafe to
will be made to cease, and many heart burnings prevented which otherwise may arise and we shall magnify the wisedome of God in condemning our owne folly. We have spoken freely, knowing your easinesse to be entreated and by how much the more we shall have experience of your hearkening to us in this matter,
and covering our failings in matter, or manner towards you by so much the more shall you bind us with cords of Love to remaine
The Lords will be done. Yours to our utmost
d. m. in Jesus Christ.
This 17-10. 1639.
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THE NEW MEETING-HOUSE.
proceed with the discontent of any considerable part of the church. When the church met, the matter was debated to and fro, and grew at length to some earnestness, etc .; but, after Mr. Cotton had cleared it up to them. that the removing it to the green would be a damage to such as dwelt by the market, who had there purchased and built at great charge, but it would be no damage to the rest to have it by the market, because it would be no less, but rather more convenient for them than where the former stood, they all yeilded to have it set by the market place; and, though some remained still in their opinion that the green were the fitter place, yet, for peace sake, they yeilded to the rest by keeping silence while it passed.1
One of Governor Winthrop's descendants in the present generation 2 - the accomplished scholar and the large-hearted Christian gentleman - has thus written of his distinguished ancestor, and the sacred uses to which his estate was to be set apart : -
But though he could not have been indifferent to the judgment which should be pronounced upon him by posterity, it may safely be said that, above all honors which could be paid to his memory, above monuments or statues or memorials of any sort, he would have ap- preciated the casual coincidence that on the very site of his residence, or certainly within the inclosure of his garden, should stand a conse- crated edifice, in which, through a long succession of generations, should be gathered one of the chosen churches of Christ, worshipping God according to the faith and the forms which had been dearest to his own heart in his mature New England life. The Old South Church in Boston, as it is called, has many hallowed and many patri- otic associations ; but it may be doubted whether any of them are more congenial with its sacred uses, or will be more cherished here- after by its devout frequenters, than that it marks the Boston home of John Winthrop, -its foundations resting upon the spot on which he dwelt in life, its steeple pointing to the brighter abode to which he ever aspired in the skies.3
John Hull records in his diary, November, 1669, "a third meeting-house erected in Boston." It was first occupied on the 19th of December. Dr. Wisner says that it was built of cedar, "with a steeple, galleries, square pews, and the pulpit in the side as in the present building " (1830).4 In a deed of trust
1 Winthrop's Hist. of N. Eng., vol. i. PP. 382, 383.
2 The Hon. Robert C. Winthrop.
& Life and Letters of John Winthrop, vol. ii. pp. 409, 410.
4 Pemberton, in his Description of Bos- ton, printed in 1794, speaks of this build- ing as "the old cedar meeting-house," and he says that the brick building of 1730 was erected on the same ground.
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HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
executed by Edward Rawson, Joshua Scottow, and Jacob Eliot in 1687, it is said that they and their associates built and erected "a large, spacious and faire meeting house, with three large porches, every way compleately fitted, and covered with sheete lead, the house and said porches, which stood them and their associates neere if not above two thousand pounds." From the situation of its meeting-house, at what was then the south end of the town, the new church was called the South Church, and it continued to be so called until 1717, when a congregation was gathered and located in Summer Street, and took the name of the New South. After this the Third or South Church began to be known as the Old South, and this name it still retains, al- though its present house of worship is in another part of the city.
We come back now to the Third Church Narrative, which we have anticipated in some particulars :-
MRS. NORTONS GIFT OF LAND TO THE 3D CHURCH FOR MEETING HOUSE.
Whereas that Pious and worthy Matron Mrs. Mary Norton, Relict of the late Reverend Mr. John Norton Teacher to the first 1559
Church of Boston, did of her owne free mind, and pious desire to promote the blessed work of the Gospell, for the providing a meet place for the 3d Church of Christ in Boston, to erect a meeting house. did give and grant unto T : S : H U. W. D. J. S.3 &c a certaine part and parcell of land out of her orchard and allso for the building of one or more Elders houses [with her dwell-house] &c as in the deed bearing date more amply appeareth : and the said T. S. H. U. W. D. &c as feoffees in trust for the society did enter on the said land and seperated the same from her Orchard for that end on the 27 June and on the 6th July 1669 by severall labour- ers digging a trench for the foundation of that structure which they intended to erect, wherupon a warrant signed by the Governour and two Magistrates of Boston was sent by Constable ffreegrace Bendall to Captaine Peter Oliver Mr. Jos. Rock, and Benj: Gibbs who had the ordering of the workmen, the said Constable with his staff of officers and some Persons he had commanded to assist him came to the same ground, and read his warrant to said Rock and Gibs in the hearing of the workemen, and forbad them to proceed, being by them demanded a Coppy of that warrant he denyed it, though the other Constables with him present, affirmed it was the Governors order that a coppy of it should be given, on which refusall the said Rock and Gibs required
From an old memorandum in our pos- session, we learn that the first meeting- house had a bell which cost £18.
1 [These grantees were Thomas Savage, Hezekiah Usher, William Davis, Joshua Scottow.]
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THE COUNCIL ASKED TO INTERFERE.
the workmen to goe on, whereupon the said Rock and some of the workmen were carryed by said Bendall before the Governour and Mr. Tyng, who committed the said Rock to prison with Am : Dawes 1 one of the workmen, and bound them over to the County Court with some others to answer the same. the warrant followeth.
Whereas we have certaine information that severall in the Towne of Boston, have an intendment and resolution to erect a house of publique worship, nigh the house where Mrs. Norton liveth, upon part of the land appertaining to the said house, in a way contrary to what hath bin the practise and orderly custome used in the said Governours war- towne formerly, which is to the great greif and offence of rant to hinder the meeting house. many sober and discreet Persons, whereby we perceive that peace and love is like to be hinderd, as well as former good order according to Custome is likely to be invaded.
These are therfore in his Majesties name to require you to acquaint such as are concerned therein, especially Captaine Pet. Oliver, Joseph Rock, and Benj : Gibs whome we understand have the ordering and the oversight of that work, that they desist from erecting any such publique house in that place, and if they shall yet persist to prosecute the same : you are to forwarne any that shall be actors therein, and if any shall disobey you, and proceed therein, you are to bring such Person or Persons before Authority that they may be dealt with all according to their demerit
RICH : BELLINGHAM Governor. JOHN LEVERIT Assistant. EDW : TYNG Assistant.
Dated 25. June 1669
THE GOVERNOURS CALL FOR A COUNCILL OF MAGISTRATES. Gentlemen
There doth appeare to myself and some others on the place need of convening the Councill, for settling some matters of dif- ference, among the Inhabitants of this Towne of Boston 1669
which if not timely healed, there are many feares of a sudden tumult to the great dishonour of God and of our profession, the present oc- casion of contest being the action of some private persons who doe attempt the setting up of an Edifice, for Publique use, which by the authority of the place is apprehended to be sundry wayes, detri- mentall to the publique peace, and wellfare of the place, And not withstanding the prohibition made them by Authority doe violently proceed, therein, for this end you are desired to Assemble in Councill on the 14th day of this instant at Boston by eight of the clocke in the
1 [Ambrose Dawes, son of William and Susanna Dawes. He joined the Third Church September 7, 1670.]
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HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
morning, not doubting of your readynes to afford your presence at time and place
Gentlemen I am your freind and Servant RICH : BELLINGHAM Governour.
Boston : 6: July 1669
Att a Councill held at Boston 14th July 1669.
The Councill being Assembled to consider of some meet expedient for issuing of some uncomfortable differences that have arisen in Bos- ton, about the erecting of a new meeting house for the publique worship of God, having spent some time to examine the matter, And considered the grounds of these debates, and contests that have arisen doe judge meet, that such persons as have in any kinde tumultuously or contemptiously acted ; whereof cogniscance hath bin taken by the Authority on the place, and the persons accused stand bound over to the Court of that County, that they be proceeded against according to law, and their owne demerits, And for the setling the place of the meeting house, finding that sundry alligations are presented by both parties which seem to be of weight. The Councill doe judge meet to declare that it is the duty of those that are about to erect the meeting house as it is above expressed to observe the lawes and orders of the Generall Court, for the regulating of the prudentiall affaires of the place, And in case they or any others shall proceed contrarily there unto it will be upon their owne perill, nor must they expect the Countenance or allowance of Authority therein.
By the Councill EDW : RAWSON Secretary.
Att the meeting of the whole Towne this Instruction was put to vote, that was drawen up by the committee chosen by the Towne to draw up instructions for the Selectmen : viz :
That you will neither Countenance or suffer any Edifice of publique Conc[ern] to be erected in the Towne by any person or persons, be- fore the publique Authority in the Towne be made acquainted there with And consent there unto voted in the negative by a cloud of witt- nesses.
Att a metting of Captain James Oliver, mr. John Richards, Heze- kiah Usher mr. Edw Raynsford Captain Petter Oliver 26 (5) 69
and John Jollife. Select men.
It is a greed that there is need of another Meetinge house to be erected in the Towne of Boston
Upon the motion of Captaine Wm. Davis, Mr. John
26: (5) 1669. Hull and Mr. Tho: Brattle for the concurrence of the Selectmen
143
PETITION TO THE MAGISTRATES.
As the rule is circumstanced for erecting of another meeting house we judge it doth not belong to us, as Prudentiall men to determine the placing of it :1 And by the Major part of the Select- men before mentioned it was agreed that the place allotted
The meeting house not built upon Towne by the Towne for erecting a meeting house nigh the wind- charge. mill was no way judged Convenient for reasons then given :
the County Court held at Boston, where Jos: Rock and Benj : Gibs were called, Mr. Rock and Benj : Gibs sentenced to pay 5 { money [ ] and fees of the Court and to stand 27: committed till it was Performed, both appealed from the sentence to the Court of Assistants and were bound with sureties to present their appeales to effect
Both these appellants prosecuting their appeales upon the hearing of their pleahs, they were acquitted by Jury and Bench upon the reasons they gave in, and their fines taken of 15 : (7) ber
and the sentence declared null, the warrant brought by the Con- stable was not in Court, but Lieut : Cooke and Mr. Wiswell 2 pretend- ing they came from the Governour [whome as it appeared afterwards they had traduced] went in a surreptitious manner to perswade the foreman of the Jury to take it of them, but he refused, and upon Complaint to the Court they were called forth, confessed the fact, and were sentenced by the Court to receive an Admonition :
The Brethren of the 3d Church petitioned the Court of Assistants as followeth
To the Honoured Governour, Deputy Governour and the rest of the Honoured Magistrates now Assembled.
Your humble Petitioners not having acted on our owne leads, but led by Councill (as we stedfastly beleive) according to the institutions of the Gospell, and being constituted into a Church body with the Consent of Magistrates Elders and Churches, whereby the name of God is soe solemnly called upon us, and having by the favour of God, and pious bounty of the relict of that Reverend and blessed man of God Mr. Jo : Norton, a place freely given us for to erect an house for God and his publique worship which unto us is most convenient : and we hope will not prove unto any really prejudiciall, And yet haveing met with some matter of greivance in our proceedure therein, doe humbly intreat of this Honourable Councill the benigne influence of their favourable aspect, And that they would be pleased to interceed
1 [" Upon the motion of Captain Wm. Davis, Mr. John Hull, and Mr. Thomas Brattle for the concurrance of the select men for erectinge of a meetinge howse ; as the case is circomstanced. Wee judge it doth not belonge to us as prudentiall
men to determine the placeing of it." - Boston Town Records, 1669.]
2 [John Wiswell was chosen ruling elder of the First Church, April 2, 1670. In the MS. the word " deacon," preceding Mr. Wiswell's name, is erased.]
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HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
for us, with our Honoured Governour Major Generall and mr. Ting : That all humaine frailties past by and buried in the oblivion of true Charity and Brotherly love, we may peaceably prosecute that worke which we have in hand, trusting that through his grace we shall obtaine helpe soe to walke with the rest of the Churches and people of this Collony That this Honourable Councill shall have no after cause of greife of heart, that they have managed the Councills of peace for us ; at such a time But have by their ffatherly influence bin an incouragement to the worke of the Lord in the hands of your un- worthy petitioners who with continuall prayers for you - Subscribe ourselves
Your humble Servants in the Lord
THOMAS SAVAGE
JOHN WING BENJ : GIBBS
THOMAS BRATTLE
JOHN TAPPING
THEOP : FFRAREY
EDW : RAINSFORD
EDW: RAWSON
WM. DAWES
JOSEPH DAVIS
JOSEPH ROCKE
JOSEPH BELKNAPE
HEZ : USHER
JACOB ELLIOT
THEODORE ATKINSON
JOHN HULL
JOHN SANFORD PETTER OLIVER
WM. SALTER
SETH : PERRY ROBERT WALKER
JOSHUA SCOTTOW
WVM: DAVIS
BENJ : THIRSTON
PETTER BRACKETT
JOSEPH BELCHER
Read in open Court the 16th of September 1669.
Upon consideration of this petition the Honoured Councill was pleased to write the letter ensuing -
To the Honoured Gouvernor, Major Generall John Leveritt and mr. Edward Ting: Esquires.
HONOURED SIRS. A petition being presented to us by the Brethren of the New Church of Boston, who being about to erect a meeting- house for the worship of God, upon a peice of ground given them for that purpose, And have mett with some matter of greivance in their proceedings, Doe therefore desire our mediation with the magistrats that live in Boston, Upon many considerations we have thought requisite to intreat, and allsoe to advise the Governour and other magistrates upon the place, not to suffer any interruption in the said worke, but permit it may be carryed on peaceably without disturb- ance.
Your Humble Servants. FFRANCIS WILLOUGHBY SYMON BRADSTREET DAN : GOOKIN DAN : DENNISON BOSTON September 17 : 1669.
SYMON WILLARD RICH RUSSELL THO DANFORTH
145
A LETTER FROM THE MAGISTRATES.
Upon information to the Honourd Councill of a Pernitious letter sent by Major Bourne to the first Church in Boston which the Elders saw meet to publish in their Church and upon occasion of the no- toriously scandalous fame of Concealing the originall letter sent from Newhaven and their framing another. seven magistrates were pleased to write this letter ensuing.
To the Reverend Elders of the first Church of Christ in Boston, Mr. John Davenport, Mr. Games Allen and Mr. James Pen.
REVEREND SIRS we have bin informed that you have published a letter to the Church of Boston (from Major Bourne) reflecting much upon this Government and their procedings against some Anabap- tists, It would have asswaged our griefe, had we heard you had given any worde of caution to the Auditory that the dangerous insinuations, and tendencies of the doctrines therein delivered might thereby in some measure have bin prevented, but thereof we have had no ac- count, (we cannot also) but take notice of the publique and notorious fame or infamy, of a fact charged upon you, for concealing the origi- nall letter from New haven in answer to a letter from the Church of Boston for mr. Davenport's dismission, and in stead thereof framing a letter yourselves, and declaring the same to be the dismission of mr. Davenport from the Church of Newhaven to the Church of Boston These things as they are matter of greife and affliction to us, soe we can not but owne it, as our Duty to inquier into the matter, Not that we doe now undertake to Judge you faulty, though ; as to the last particular we understand many of the Elders have laboured to Con- vince you, But only to acquaint you that we (as in duty are bound) Expect your answer to the premises at the next Generall Court in october being necessitated att present to inquier &c: by reason of the absence of the Governour and Deputy And in the meane time shall pray God to guide your hearts and wayes, that peace and truth may be continued in the Churches and Common wealth.
SYM : BRADSTREET DAN : GOOKIN
DAN : DENNISON SYM : WILLARD
RICH : RUSSELL THO: DANFORTH JOHN PINCHON
September 17th : 1669.
Upon the 13 (7) ber Instant the love of many Brethren in Neigh- bouring Townes is not to be for gotten who then freely brought in 27 Carte loads of the meeting house timber, and upon the 27. (7) ber brought in 43 Cartes laden with the same timber, from the place where
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HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
it was framed, being 14 miles distant from the Towne, besides 13 Cartes from Muddy river with timber all layed in place, Which occa- sioned the Governour and mr. Ting to direct this letter insueing to Captain Savage Captain Davis and the rest of the late petitioners
We haveing many times manifested our Desire in way of Authority
29 concerning your proceeding in that place, as tending to
the Governor's
and MIr. Tings perpetuate the differences among us, And though we are letter to im- pede the meet- still of the same minde, yet for peace sake and respect to ing house. others ; we now advise and desire you to desist any further proceeding, in building in the ground neere mrs. Norton's house till the Generall Courte where the case may have a legall and finall Issue, And such in which we shall acquiesce, you may therefore prevent further trouble to yourselves and us, And manifest your willingnes, to avoyd offence to your Brethren, And to be well wishers to the Au- thority and peace of this Collony - this is the desire of your loveing friends
RICH : BELLINGHAM Governour
EDW : TING :
BOSTON 29 (7) mo 1669
Upon the Communicating of this letter Captain Savage, and Cap- tain Davis being sent by the Brethren to returne answer to the fore- going letter, came to the Governours house where they found mr. Stoder and Mr. Wiswall, Captain Savage told the Governour and mr. Ting they had received their letter and desired to speak with their worships alone, The Governour replyed, speak on, Captain Savage againe exprest, we desire to speake with your worships in private, mr. Ting answered, he did not know whether it was safe to trust the Gov- ernour and himselfe with them alone, Captain Savage replyed, That he was very much unsatisfied with his speech, and in case they could not have speech with them alone they should take their leaves of them The Governour further said they expected their answer in writing, to which was answered, We are not to leave any thing in writing but to deliver what we are to declare by word of mouth, and in case we can not have liberty to express our Brethrens minde in private we shall take our leave and soe departed.
The frame being in place on the I : of October helpe came in to 1 (8) 69 raise it, and soe the worke was carried along gradually, to
the Compleating thereof, without the least dammage of any one person that was there imployed, which is highly to be acknowl- edged to the praise of Allmighty God, whoe preserved both life and limbs of all persons concerned therein.
The 19th of the 4 mo. last - Application had bin made to mr. Thatcher to signify to him the firmnes and constancy of our hearty
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CHURCH OFFICERS CHOSEN.
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