USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. II > Part 28
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I fancy I see new cities rise, on the banks of rivers, now untrodden except by beasts of prey. Where the forest is unexplored, the well cultivated field presents itself to view, and commerce and agriculture vie ... and display their united charms. In the anticipated pros- pect, I behold the millions of inhabitants which the western world is capable of containing, statesmen and politicians, philanthropists and divines rising innumerable among them, improving them in manners, and exalting them in mind.
Fast Day 29th March 1792.
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation were desired to stay after the public service of the day.
The Accounts of the Annual Committee were exhibited and ac- cepted. It was then voted to proceed to the choice of an annual Committee of Nine for the Year ensuing, to take the care and direc- tion of the temporal affairs of the Society as usual. The written votes were counted, and it appeared Gentlemen were chosen Samuel
254
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Whitwell, Samuel Salisbury, John Sweetser, Andrew Oliver, John Dem- ing, William Phillips Junr. Nehemiah Somes, William Scollay, and Josiah Waters. JOSEPH ECKLEY.
Mr. Eckley preached the annual sermon before the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company on the 4th of June. His parishioner, Colonel Josiah Waters,1 commanded the corps, and another parishioner, Brigadier-General John Winslow,2 received his commission in the afternoon, for the ensuing year.
Mr. Eckley's text was Psalm lxxxv. II, and the subject of his discourse was the latter-day glory, or the establishment of the kingdom of truth and righteousness on the earth, when all oppression shall cease, and the universal prevalence of religion shall commence. We quote a single paragraph, in which allu- sion is made to the planet Uranus, discovered in 1781 :-
I must take occasion here to congratulate my respected hearers, not only on the present political state of their country, but on the circum- stance of their having lived in an age, when, as among the heavenly bodies, a newly discovered planet, through the penetration of an Her- schel, was added to the system of which the earth is part, so the United States of America, by a weighty movement in the great order of human things, were at the same time brought forward to the admir- ing gaze of all the sons of freedom, and, amidst their acclamations, took rank among the nations of the world.
There were several cases of small-pox in Boston this autumn, and the inhabitants were much alarmed. Town meetings were held in Faneuil Hall to consider methods of prevention, and at one of them, October 9, the concourse of citizens was so great that it was found necessary, as in the early Revolutionary days, to adjourn to the Old South.
Sabbath Day 17 March 1793
A letter was read from the third Church in Roxbury requesting the presence and assistance of this Church at the Ordination of Mr.
1 " My friend and neighbour, Waters, has given me a memorandum for a book of military exercises, which he wishes you would get for him as soon as possible, and let him know the price. He is an ardent lover of military matters; and I suppose wants to introduce something new into the Ancient and Honourable Artillery Company before he goes out of office, which will be the first Monday in June." -- Belknap to Hazard, May 15, 1788.
Col. Waters lived in Newbury Street, between Summer Street and Rowe's Lane. He was chosen lieutenant of the artillery company in 1787, and captain in 1791. He was the treasurer of the com- pany for several years.
2 For John Winslow as a young man, see ante, vol. ii. p. 190, note. As late as 1789, he was a partner with his uncle, Deacon Jonathan Mason, at No. 12 Cornhill.
.
255
THE REV. THOMAS GRAY.
Thomas Gray on the 27 instant to succeed the Rev. Dr. William Gor- don, its last Pastor.
The Deacons, his Honor Lieut: Governor Samuel Adams, Mr. Samuel Whitwell and Mr. Samuel Salisbury were chosen to attend, with the Pastor, on the occasion.
JOSEPH ECKLEY.
Dr. Gordon returned to England in 1786, and the pulpit at Jamaica Plain was vacant for several years.1 Mr. Belknap sup- plied it for a time, before his settlement at Federal Street, and Dr. Gordon would have been glad to have him for a successor. Mr. Gray graduated at Harvard College in 1790, in the same class with Josiah Quincy, Josiah Waters, Benjamin Whitwell, and Samuel Welles. He joined the Old South in 1792, and took a letter of dismission to the Jamaica Plain church, at the time of his settlement there. The ordination sermon was preached by Mr. Eckley from 2 Cor. i. 24: " Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy." Mr. Jackson, of Brookline, gave the charge, and Mr. Bradford, of Roxbury, the right hand of fellowship. Mr. Gray's ministry was a long and successful one.2
Fast Day April 11. 1793
The Brethren of the Society were desired to stay after service of the Afternoon. The accounts of the Annual Committee were read and accepted. Voted to proceed to the choice of an annual Commit- tee of nine for the usual purpose. The written votes were counted, and the following Gentlemen were found to be elected, John Deming, Samuel Whitwell, Samuel Salisbury, John Sweetser, Andrew Oliver, William Phillips Junr. Nehemiah Somes, Josiah Waters and William Scollay.
JOSEPH ECKLEY.
Mr. Eckley received the Doctor's degree in 1793 from the College of New Jersey. Mr. Lathrop had received the same honor from Edinburgh in 1785, and Mr. Thacher in 1791.
Lords Day 17 November 1793
A letter was communicated from the Hon William Phillips Esq. senior deacon of the Church and Treasurer of the Society, requesting
1 Mr. Gordon came from England in 1770, and in 1772 was installed first pastor of the church at Jamaica Plain.
2 When the division took place in the Congregational body, Mr. Gray went
with the liberal party. A sermon preached by him, September 23, 1821, from I Cor. iii. 4, 22, is an exposition, in
very fair and moderate terms, of the dif- ferences between Calvinists and Armin- ians, and between Trinitarians and Uni- tarians.
Mr. Gray married Deborah, daughter of the Rev. Samuel Stillman, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Boston. He survived until 1847.
256
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
the acceptance of his resignation of both those offices on account of his intention to remove for the present and reside at Andover.
Voted to accept the resignation for the reason assigned.
Voted unanimously that the Pastor and Deacon Mason and Deacon Dawes be a Committee to write a letter in behalf of the Church to the Hon. Mr. Phillips now at Andover, informing [him] of the compliance of the brethren with his request, and returning him their thanks for his faithful and good services in both of the offices which he has for a course of years so honorably sustained. JOSEPH ECKLEY.
(A letter was written.)
Mr. Phillips lived until 1804.
On the death of John Hancock, October 8, 1793, Samuel Adams became acting-governor, and in the month of January following was elected to the chief magistracy of the common- wealth, which office he held for three years. He lived in a large old-fashioned frame-house on the south side of Winter Street. It was "a substantial-looking structure, built early in the last century, and was perhaps older than its proprietor. It was of three stories, and had been painted yellow; but, according to some of the family, its clapboarded sides looked dingy and weather-worn. From the front door, which was of oaken panels and ornamented with a brass knocker, there was but a single step into the street ; and the windows of the lower story de- scended to within two feet of the ground. Over the arch of the front entrance, and almost touching it, was a large bow-window. The windows, with this exception, were small. The dwellings above and below on that side of the street were of the same style, saving two or three small shops, one of which, a baker's, stood next, west of Mr. Adams's house. In the rear of the residence was a paved court-yard and a garden adorned with flowers and shrubbery." 1 A neighbor, Dr. Waterhouse, says :-
The then salary of the Governor of Massachusetts, if our memory serves, was a thousand pounds currency, or three thousand, three hun- dred and thirty three dollars - but a very small sum towards enabling the incumbent of the gubernatorial chair to follow the example in style and hospitality set by Mr. Hancock, who lived and entertained like a prince. Mr. Adams possessed neither carriage nor horses, but he had been elected Governor only a few weeks, when some gentlemen of
1 Wells's Life, vol. iii. pp. 332, 333.
The house was taken down about the year 1820, and upon its site was erected the residence of John Randall, M. D., who married Elizabeth Wells, a grand-
daughter of Samuel Adams. The only son of the patriot, Samuel Adams, (Harv. Coll. 1700), M. D., died unmarried, January 17, 1788, at the age of thirty- seven.
257
THE REV. J. T. KIRKLAND.
Boston presented the venerable patriot with a new and handsome chariot and a pair of as handsome horses as there were in the city. The first use he made of his equipage shows the man in a point of view too rare not to be admired. Seating himself beside his venerable lady, they drove to Constable Hewes's, where the Governor alighted, and, handing Mrs. Hewes into the seat, the two old ladies drove off together, while he stayed and talked with his old friend.1
On retiring from public life in 1797, Mr. Adams returned the carriage and horses to the donors.
Lords Day 26 January 1794
A letter was read from the New South Church requesting the pres- ence and assistance of this Church at the Ordination of John Thornton Kirkland on the 5 of February next.
The Pastor and Deacons, Mr. John Deming, Mr. Samuel Whitwell, and Mr. John Sweetser were chosen to attend on the occasion.
JOSEPH ECKLEY.
Mr. Kirkland was a son of the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, a mis- sionary among the Indians in Central New York. He was educated at Phillips Academy, Andover, where the Hon. Samuel Phillips was his patron, and at Harvard College, where he gradu- ated in 1789. He taught for a time at Phillips Academy, and then at Cambridge, studying theology at the same time, until he was called to the New South Church. Dr. Tappan preached his ordination sermon, and his father gave the charge. Dr. Belknap gave the right hand of fellowship.
Lords Day 16 March 1794.
The Brethren of the Church were desired to stay after the assembly was dismissed in the afternoon.
It was proposed and Voted that the Church would elect two new Deacons, to serve with the two Gentlemen now in the same office. Also a Treasurer in the room of the Hon: William Phillips Esqr lately resigned.
Voted that Monday the 24 instant be assigned for this business ; of which the Pastor is requested to give publick notice on the Sabbath preceeding. JOSEPH ECKLEY.
Monday 24 March. 1794.
The Brethren of the Church met according to appointment for the purpose of coming to the choice of two Deacons and a Treasurer.
After prayer had been offered by the Pastor, written ballots were given in. On counting the same, it was found that Samuel Salisbury Esqr. and William Phillips Jun. Esqr. were chosen as Deacons; and
1 [Wells's Life, vol. iii. p. 331.]
258
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Jonathan Mason Esqr. the present senior Deacon, was chosen as Treasurer - the whole by a great majority of Votes.
Voted that the Treasurer now elected be authorised, on the settle- ment of the Accounts of the last Treasurer agreably to his desire ex- pressed at the time of his resignation, to receive the money in his hands belonging to the Church and Congregation, with the Notes, Bonds, and other Securities, being the property of the Society.
JOSEPH ECKLEY.
It is worthy of mention that the two newly elected deacons, as well as the two already in office, were baptized children of the church.1 Samuel Salisbury, son of Nicholas and Martha (Saunders) Salisbury,2 mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of Deacon Samuel Sewall, and granddaughter of the Rev. Dr. Sewall. He and his brother Stephen were part- ners, and were among the largest wholesale importers in the town. Stephen re- moved to Worcester, where he was very successful and was much respected. Sam- uel continued in Boston, but during the Revolutionary War he resided with his family at Worcester. He re- turned to Boston in 1783, and became a member of the Old South in 1790. William Phillips, son of the late deacon of the same name, was one of the pillars of the church for a third of a century. Twenty-three years passed before there was another election of a deacon or deacons, and then the choice fell upon Josiah Salisbury and Edward Phillips, sons of the two deacons chosen in 1794.
1 " 1725. May 16. Jonathan, of Benja- min and Elisabeth Mason."
"1731. Aug. S. Thomas, of Thomas and Elisabeth Dawes."
" 1739. Nov. 25. Samuel, of Nicholas and Martha Salisbury."
" 1750. April I. William, of William and Abigail Phillips."
2 Martha was a daughter of Josiah
and Rebecca (Elbridge) Saunders. Tra- dition says that Nicholas Salisbury fell in love with her at sight at the Old South. They were married October I, 1724. We are indebted to Professor Edward E. Salisbury for a copy of the original portrait of his grandfather, Samuel Salisbury, by Gilbert Stuart (18II), from which our cut is taken.
259
FIRE NEAR FORT HILL.
Fast Day the 17th April 1794.
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation stayed after the public services of the Day. The Accounts of the Annual Committee were read and accepted. It was then Voted to proceed to the choice of a Committee for the year ensuing to take the direction and care of the temporal affairs of the Society as usual. On counting the written Votes it appeared that the following Gentlemen were elected Vizt. John Deming,1 Samuel Whitwell, Samuel Salisbury, John Sweetser, Andrew Oliver, William Phillips Junr. Nehemiah Somes, Josiah Waters, William Scollay. Jos. ECKLEY.
Lords Day 3d August 1794.
The Brethren of the Society were desired to stay after the Service in the Afternoon to consider what measures should be taken to assist the needy and distressed sufferers by the great fire which happened on the preceeding Thursday [? Wednesday] commencing at the Rope Walks near Fort Hill. It was voted that a Committee of the Old South Society should be chosen to join the Committees expected to be chosen by the other religious Societies in the Town, and consult with them concerning the most speedy and effectual measures requisite to be adopted on the present occasion ; and if thought proper imme- diately prepare and hand round subscription papers to be signed by all those who were charitably disposed. The Deacons were appointed to be of this Committee together with John Sweetser Benjamin Clark and Capt. Bradley. JOSEPH ECKLEY.
Remarks. On the present occasion the members of the Society did not subscribe by themselves as before ; but the papers were carried by the several Committees to the inhabitants of the Town in their respective Wards. As much money was collected by this method as by the former. On Sabbath afternoon the 10th August at the request of the Committee, there was a collection to give an opportunity to those who had not signed the subscription paper, to add their mite in the general donation.
The burning of seven rope-walks and other adjacent property, July 30, 1794, was one of the memorable events in the history of the town of Boston. These walks occupied the whole west side of Pearl Street, between Milk and High streets, and were owned respectively by Messrs. Howe, Richardson, Emmons, Codman, McNiell, Davis, and Torrey. The weather had been warm and dry, and the hemp, cordage, and tar on storage made a furious fire. A large number of shops and dwellings were burned, a hundred families were turned out of house and home,
1 [November 24, 1775. " In the after- [Stoughton,] in his way to Col. Grid- noon, uncle John Deming called here, ley's." Price's diary during the siege.]
260
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
and a hundred or more mechanics were deprived of daily em- ployment. The newspaper of the day following stated the loss at £100,000, but this may have been an overestimate. To prevent future disaster of a similar nature, the townspeople granted the flats at the bottom of the Common -"the old Round Marsh " - for the erection of new rope factories in place of those destroyed, on condition that no more should be built upon the old site. Thirty years later, under the mayoralty of Josiah Quincy, this property was bought back by the citizens, and is now the Public Garden, of which their descendants are so proud.1
Monday the 11th Jany 1795.
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation met agreeable to notification on the preceeding day. The Brethren taking into con- sideration the high price of all kinds of provision the Year past -
Voted unanimously that their Treasurer be directed to present their Revd Pastor Doctor Joseph Eckley with the sum of Fifty pounds Law- full Money, out of the monies in his hands belonging to the Society.2
1 See Ind. Chron., July 31, 1794; Bow- Mr. Breed, 10/. A Guinea and pair ditch's Gleaner Articles, Nos. 16 and 17; and Shurtleff's Topographical De- scription of Boston, pp. 355, 356. In 1793 there were fourteen rope factories in Boston.
2 [Dr. Eckley was very methodical in his own affairs, as well as in keeping the records of the church. In one of his memorandum books we have an account of the presents which he received at this period, from which we quote : -
" 1788. A large Cheese from Col. Ward, 12/. A dozen Madaira Wine, Mr. Wells, I. 10/. A dozen Madaira Wine, Mr. Salisbury, I. 10/. Given by Deacon Phillips at Convention time, 3. o. o. Given by Jona. Mason Junr. at baptism of his child, 1. 4/. Two bottles of Capers, two of Sallad oil, by Mr. Dan'l Oliver, at baptism of his child 8/. A dozen Claret Wine, Mr. Wells, 18/. Two loafs Sugar, 20lb, Mr. Arnold Wells, I. o. o. A loaf Sugar, and a Cheese, Mr. Whitwell, 19/. A sparib of Pork, Mr. Breed, 4/. A pair Worstead Gloves, Mr. Pierce, 2/6. A dozen Ma- daira Wine, Mr. Salisbury, I. 10/. Total in 1788, £12. 17. 6."
"1790. A sparib and bag Biscuit,
Silk Gloves by Mr. Phillips Junr. at bap- tism of child, I. 15/. Pair fine Silk Gloves, Mr. Dowse, at wedding, 7/6. A 100 dol. bank note, presented me by Deacon Phillips in his own behalf, 30. 0. 0. A ring at Col. Jackson's funeral, 12/. A Cheese from Col. Ward, 8/6. A ham of Venison, Mr. Coverly, 4/. Two pair Silk Stockings, Mrs. Sweetser, I. 10/. From Deacon Mason, after Miss Betsy's death, 3. o. o. A pair Cotton Velvet Small Cloaths, Mr. Archibald, 3. o. o. A pair worsted ribbed Gloves, Mr. Pierce, 3/. Total in 1790, £41. 10. 0." "1791. A bag of Biscuit and Sparib, Mr. Breed, 9/. A fine Cloth Cloak, a Hat, two pair of Silk Stockings, and one, worstead, being presented by a number of ladies, towards which was given by Mrs. Whitwell, 4 dollars, Mrs. Sweetser, 6, Mrs. Quincy, 8, Mrs. Mason, 10, Mrs. Phillips, 10, and Mrs. Powell, Io, in all 48 dollars, 14. 8. o. A piece of Linen to Mrs. E. from Miss Bromfield, 3. 121. Half Johannes, from Miss Foxcroft, 2. 8. o. Two Guineas from Mr. Phillips Junr. at baptism of his child, 2. 16/. Half Barrel Flower, Mr. Hyslop, 16/. Total in 1791, {24. 9. 0."
261
CONCERTED PRAYER.
Voted, That the Deacons be impowered to employ some suitable person to collect the arrears of contribution due on the several Pews in the meeting House. JONA. MASON, Moderator.
Fast Day 2d Augt. [sic] 1795.
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation were desired to stay after the service of the afternoon. The Accounts of the Annual Com- mittee were exhibited and accepted. No new Committee was chosen at this time.
Jos : ECKLEY.
Sabbath Day 6th Septr. 1795.
The Brethren of the Society stayed after the Blessing was given. The resignation of Jesse Houghton of the Office of Sexton was made and accepted.
Voted, That the Deacons be desired to make enquiry for another person as Sexton and that Jesse Houghton be requested to continue to perform the business of the Office until the Society be otherways provided for.1
Voted, That the Treasurer Deacon Jonathan Mason, be requested, untill further directions, to pay Mr. George Trott annually the sum of Fifty Dollars for his weekly services in conducting the Musick of the Society. Jos : ECKLEY.
Lords Day 27 September 1795.
The Brethren of the Church having been desired to stay after the assembly was dismissed, a printed Proposal, properly authenticated, from a great number of Churches, particularly in the State of Con- necticut, was communicated by the Pastor - inviting the concurrence of other Churches in this and other parts of the United States, in a Concert of Prayer, accompanied with other religious exercises, every Quarter of a year, in the afternoons of the first Tuesdays in January,
" 1793. Fifty Dollars in bank bills, pre -- Turnips at 1 /., Mr. Whitwell, 10/. Pre- sented to me by a particular friend, Mr. sented to the Children by Mrs. Flinn, 2. 18. o. A piece of linnen, and two pair Silk Stockings, presented by Mrs. Sweet- ser, 6. o. o. A barrel Apples, Governor Adams, 10/. Two Barrels Flower, Mr. Phillips Junr. at 54/. p bar. flower being very dear, 5. 8/. Twenty five dollars, Deacon Mason, 7. 10/. Total in 1794, £25. 3.0. Wm. Hyslop, 15. o. o. A dozen Taun- ton Ale, Mr. Salisbury, 14/. Three half Johannes, presented to me by Mrs. McKean, late Mrs. Crane, for the chil- dren, 7. 4. o. A Tea Carry and Tea, Mrs. Dowse, 1. 10/. A Hat, from Mr. Phillips, Junr. 2. 8/. Two barrels Cyder, Col. Ward, I. 10/. A barrel Flower, Mr. Phillips Junr. 2. o. o. Total in 1793, £30. 6. 0."
" 1794. A dozen Taunton Ale, Mr. Salisbury, 14/. A sparib and bag bis- cuit, Mr. Breed, 6/. A small Ham, Mr. Sweetser, 6/. 17 Bush. Potatoes at 1 /2}, Mr. Whitwell, 1. 1. 0, 10 Bush.
" N. B. Owing to the high price of all the commodities for living, {25 this year is not of more value than £14 or £15 in a few preceding."]
1 [Jesse Houghton and his wife, Eliza- beth, joined the church February 27, 1785.]
262
. HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
April, July and October -for the revival of Religion, and the out- pouring of Gods Spirit on the People of America, as well as other places of the World.
It appeared by attested documents, that a great part of the Churches in America South of Massachusetts, as well as a number of Churches in England and Scotland, had come into the measure.
Voted that this Church approves of and will unite in the same.
Voted that the Old South Church shall be opened for publick ser- vice, on such of the proposed Quarterly days as may hereafter be judged expedient ; when the Members of this Church with the Min- ister, will join with the Members and Ministers of the other Churches in the Town, who may agree to meet together for worship on these stated days, and on this same interesting occasion.1
Voted that there be publick Worship in this Church on the first Tuesday of October next at 6 o'Clock P. M.
JOSEPH ECKLEY.
Monday Jan. 18. 1796
At a meeting of the Brethren of the Old South Society - Voted, That the Treasurer be desired to pay the Rev. Doctor Eckley One Hundred pounds L. M. on Account of the high price of produce the year past, out of the Monies in his hands belonging to the Society.
Voted, That one of the Brethren be chosen to collect the arrearages due the Society from the Pews, and Brother Deming was chosen for that purpose. JONA. MASON Moderator.
Lords Day IIth Dec. 1796.
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation stayed after the ser- vice in the morning and Voted, That there should be a collection on the Thanksgiving Day the 15th instant for the benefit of the poor of the Society. Also, Voted, That a meeting of the Church and Con- gregation should be on Monday the 19th instant at II oclock A. M. to consider of other matters relating to the Society.
JOSEPH ECKLEY.
Monday 26th Decr 1796.
At a Meeting of the Old South Society held by adjournment from the 19th instant, few members having then attended on account of badness of weather -
1 [Dr. Wisner says that a Concert of Prayer had been extensively observed in Great Britain and in this country for a series of years, in consequence of a pro- posal from a number of ministers in Scotland, in 1744, for "united extraordi- nary prayer to God, that he would de- liver the nations from their miseries, and fill the earth with his glory." The pro- posal was seconded by the publication,
in 1746, of a work by the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, designed to promote "explicit agreement and visible union among God's people in extraordinary prayer." The custom prevailed in many churches for more than half a century, and was only discontinued on the establishment of the more frequent Monthly Concerts for the same purpose, first proposed by a Baptist association in England in 1784.]
263
FIRE IN SAVANNAH.
Voted, To present One Hundred pounds L. M. to the Rev. Doctor Eckley as a compensation for the high price of produce.1
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