USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Leicester > History of the Second Congregational church and society in Leicester, Massachusetts > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
IN. B. All for whom I voted were found to be chosen by very large majorities.
1
.
84
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
some good farmer and his wife or daughter had come to the Ordination. * * * *
They proved to be the Rev. Mr. Colman, "Minister, Farmer and Politician, of Deerfield," who had driven with Miss Russell over from Greenfield, where she was visiting her sister Mrs. George T. Davis.
The services were interesting; Mr. Colman's sermon too severe in its reflections upon the Orthodox ; but powerful, and very forcibly expressed. Mr. Harding, of New Salem, made the introductory prayer; Mr. Noyes, of Petersham, read the psalms; Mr. Wellington, of Templeton, the ordain- ing prayer; Mr. Thompson, of Barre, gave the charge ; Samuel May, of Leicester, the Right hand of Fellowship; Mr. Robinson, of Hubbardston, Address to the People ; Mr. Hosmer, of Northfield, the concluding prayer. I was very glad to make the acquaintance of this latter gentleman, who ranks high as a Unitarian minister, and is respected and loved to an unusual degree.
Other clergymen on the council were Mr. Smith, of War- wick ; Mr. Wilson preaching at Brookfield ; Mr. Cutler, of Gardiner. These I believe are all. After dinner the Bos- ton and Greenfield stage came along; we took our seats in it, and at eight o'clock found ourselves at the house of Mr. and Mrs. George T. Davis.
Saturday, 15. Left Greenfield in the morning; the weather suddenly changed to severe cold, and I had an un- comfortable ride to Rutland, where according to agreement I found Mr. Lyman Waite. It was late when we reached Leicester.
Tuesday, 18. This evening Mrs. Clapp gave a party. A
85
LEICESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
large number assembled notwithstanding the storm. The house looked very brilliant, and the party was very pleasant.
Tuesday, 25. Miss Mary Chapman and Miss Sarah Ward came up to pass Thanksgiving at Mrs. Southgate's.
Thursday, 27. Thanksgiving Day. It passed pleasantly. We had a dinner party at Capt. Southgate's. Besides the family and two ladies above mentioned, were Mrs. Beers and two daughters. We passed the evening at Mrs. Waldo Flint's, and there I heard some of the best music, which for a long time it has been my happiness to hear :- Mrs. Flint and Mrs. Stephen Salisbury on the piano, and Mr. Edward Denny on the flute, which he played most exquisitely. Miss Susan Flint played and sang, as usual sweetly.
Saturday, 29. In the evening Mr. Wilson arrived with whom I exchange. I do not go to Brookfield until Sunday morning, after an early breakfast.
Sunday, 30. The intermission between the services was shortened on account of the Eclipse which took place early in the Afternoon, beginning at about half past one. We had an excellent view of it from Brookfield. The obscuration was about 5 of the Sun's disc, but the darkness was not so great as I had anticipated.
I stayed at the house of Mr. Stebbins, a pleasant man, worthy, of excellent sense, and engaged in good and philan- thropic measures. His wife is an agreeable lady, and their children well behaved and very clever. Influenza is prevalent, and attacks nearly every individual. This Sunday I found myself almost unable to preach. Capt. Southgate had a severe attack; his mother also.
86
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
December 1834.
Monday, 1. Father came up from Boston and made me a visit of less than twenty-four hours, on business relating to the building of my house. The next day I carried Father to Worcester on his way home.
Monday, 8. Took the stage to Worcester, from thence to Boston, (to attend a family wedding.)
Saturday, 13. Went to Worcester, and on Sunday preached there in exchange with Rev. Mr. Hill. A bitterly cold day. John R. Buzzell, one of the principal of the Rioters who destroyed the Ursuline Convent at Charlestown, was acquitted. The Jury thought there was not sufficient evidence to convict.
Thursday, 18. Seven out of twelve Spanish Pirates were sentenced to death in Boston. Time of execution is in March.
Christmas Day. I went to Clappville and heard a sermon from Rev. Mr. Blackaller, the Episcopal clergyman, and partook of the Communion.
Sunday, 28. Preached a sermon on Peace.
Wednesday, 31. The last night of the year. I had religious services in our own Church. My purpose is to have such a Lecture on the last night of each year while I continue here.
January 1835.
Sunday, 4. Coldest day we have yet had. The mercury fell to 5° below ; in Worcester, in Main Street 22° below ; in Keene, N. H. more than 30° below. At Washington, D. C. it is stated to have been 12° to 15° below ; in South Carolina and Georgia 10° to 12° below.
Sunday, 11. Boston-Attended Dr. Lowell's Church in
87
LEICESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
the morning. In the afternoon I preached for Charles Barnard.
Thursday, 22. A letter from Father, and Charles Barnard. Father wrote that he has purchased the Otis Everett house, 1 Washington Street, for Uncle May,2 and that a fine Willard clock which it contains he intends shall adorn my country house.
Friday, 23. Attended the funeral of Knight Sprague, a Veteran of ninety five years. A soldier of the old French War, and of the Revolution.
Sunday, 25. After meeting in the afternoon, I requested those who subscribed to our little Book Society to remain. They chose Mr. Dwight Bisco, Agent; Voted to take the Christian Examiner, Boston Observer and Moral Reformer, and to leave the selection of Books to the Pastor.
Wednesday, 28. Received an invitation from the Execu- tive Committee of the Leicester Temperance Society to deliver an Address at the Annual Simultaneous Meeting, the last Tuesday in February. I accepted. February 1835.
Thursday, 5. Mr. and Mrs. Clapp came up to Leicester with their children to stay a few days ; not in good health. Received from Hon. Levi Lincoln, our Representative in
1 Corner of Oak Street, built by Otis Everett, Esq., more recently occupied by Moses Kimball, Esq.
2 Col. Joseph May. See Memoir of, by Rev. Samuel May, Jr. Col. May received his fitting for mercantile life with Mr. Stephen Salisbury, in Worcester, and Mr. Samuel Salisbury, in Boston, from 1776 to about 1780 .- Vide Memoir.
88
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Congress, a copy of Mr. Adams' Oration on the Life and Character of Lafayette.
Friday, 6. There was found near Henshaw Pond the. dead body of a man who had evidently frozen to death. He was probably insane. No clue has been discovered to his true name and place of abode. The body was kept unburied for several weeks.
Saturday, 7. Went to Brookfield on an exchange, and passed the evening and Sunday very pleasantly indeed at Mr. Stebbins. I returned to Leicester Sunday evening, the wind blowing terrifically from the N. West. (It is a year ago to-day since I smoked a cigar.)
Monday, 9. Went to Boston ; very pleasantly too. At Worcester Mr. Clapp took a special coach, and we went on most comfortably, reaching Boston at } past 6 P. M. Re- mained there until the 13th. Father has had his miniature taken by Harvey. It is generally esteemed an excellent likeness.
February 24. This evening I delivered in our Church an Address before the Leicester Temperance Society, it being the day of Simultaneous Temperance Meetings.
February 27. The silver plated ware purchased for the use of our Church in Communion, arrived to-day. It is very neat ; consists of a flagon, two plates and two cups, with a christening basin. A Singing School has been got up for our young folks ; Mr. Swan to be the Instructor.
March, 1835. 2. At the Town-Meeting to-day I was chosen one of the School Committee for the ensuing year. The Committee consists of the four clergymen of the town ; - Messrs. Nelson, Green, Blackaller and May ; and Mr. Waldo
-
-
1
RESIDENCE OF HON. S. E. WINSLOW FORMERLY RESIDENCE OF JOSHUA CLAPP, ESQ.
1
89
LEICESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
Flint. The centre and west schools were placed under my particular charge for the year. There are nine district schools in the town. There are also the Academy, the Mul- berry Grove School, and a private school for young children, kept by Mrs. Rebecca Sprague.
According to an Abstract of School Returns made to the Secretary of the Commonwealth for the year 1834, there are in the District Schools of Leicester :
209 male, and 215 female children from 4 to 16 years of age, in attendance. There are none over sixteen, and under twenty-one years of age, unable to read and write. 141 is the average number of scholars attending the Academy and private schools.
Books in use in the District Schools :
Worcester's Primer, Cumming's Spelling Book,
Child's Guide,
Introduction to National Reader,
National Reader,
American First Class Book,
New Testament,
Smith's Arithmetic,
Pond's Murray's Grammar, Boston School Atlas,
Olney's Geography, Peter Parley's Geography,
Goodrich's History of the United States.
(At a meeting of the School Committee held some weeks after their election, I moved that Sullivan's Political Class Book be introduced into use in the schools, and after conver- sation it was substituted for Goodrich's History.)
March, 30. Father came on business with Mr. Fitch. He arrived to dine, and returned to Boston the next day.
March, 31. We heard this morning the pleasant news that Mrs. Stephen Salisbury, of Worcester, has given birth to a son, and that all is right and well. Evening-Mr. and
1
90
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Mrs. Clapp arrived from Boston to take up their residence with us once more.
1835. April 1. This is my brother John's day of sail- ing from New York ; as fine a day as he could desire, with the wind N. West. He sails in the Orpheus, Capt. Bursley, for Liverpool.
Saturday, 4. Disagreeable, stormy weather again. I hope my brother is beyond its reach.
Tuesday, 7. Evening. We had a very pleasant meeting of the Leicester Unitarian Association. Voted : to make the Wednesday after first Sunday in May the time of the Annual Meeting, and also to hold Quarterly meetings.
Wednesday, 8. Received to-day via Boston, a letter which John wrote me just before embarking.
April, 9. Fast Day. In the afternoon I preached upon Slavery. Later went up to Mr. Zolva Green's, three miles N. West, over the worst road I have ever seen, made by the frost leaving the ground. My errand was to marry James Robinson and Mary Green.
In the evening I attended Annual Meeting of the Leices- ter Temperance Society ; and by previous request of Rev. Mr. Nelson I made the prayer. He gave a very good Ad- dress. At the business meeting I made some remarks upon the irregularity with which the business of the Society has of late been conducted. At the appointment of officers I was chosen Vice-President.
April 11. This day tells me that I have lived a quarter of a century.
Wednesday, 15. The first meeting this year of our Minis- terial Association was held to-day at Worcester, at the Rev.
-
91
LEICESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
Mr. Hill's. Mr. Hill read us a very good Dissertation on
Prophecy. Rev. Jason Whitman was present and added much to the interest. At the public meeting in the evening, Mr. Lincoln of Fitchburg preached from the words " Ye are all one in Christ Jesus." He was followed by Mr. Whitman in an extempore Address.
April 25. Went to West Bridgewater on an exchange with Rev. Mr. Stone.
Had been in Boston for several days previous. Went with Miss Sarah Russell to Medford where we dined with her Grandmother Tidd; to Cambridge; called on Miss Sarah Hubbard who has lately become engaged to James Gilchrist, and to Brookline to Uncle Benjamin Goddard's. At W. Bridgewater I stopped with a family of the name of Ames, whose two sons were upon the point of starting to Michigan City, Indiana, with a view to settle there. Toward evening on Sunday I rode down to S. Bridgewater in hopes to see my friend Doggett, but he had made a distant exchange for that day.
April 30. This evening I gave the first of a course of lectures explanatory of the New Testament. The meetings are held in our church.
May 1835.
May 1. Cool and disagreeable. Our Spring is very backward. Nothing like blossoms, or buds even, to be seen yet. Mr. Russell and Sam R. passed through town on their way from Greenfield to Boston.
May 3. Our Communion, which is always a most happy occasion to me. Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Clapp joined our Church.
-
1
92
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
May 5. Received to-day an invitation from Mr. Clapp to make one of a little party he is getting up to go through New Hampshire and Vermont, to Saratoga Springs, the North River and New York. I was delighted with the proposal, but gave no definite answer then. The party are to be Mr. and Mrs. Clapp, Mr. and Mrs. N. P. Denny, Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Flint, Miss Laura Flint and myself.
Thursday 7. This evening Rev. Edward Hall of Provi- dence called. He is on his way to Northampton on horse- back, to recruit his strength. He passed the night with us. These days are very much consumed with visiting schools.
Saturday, 9. Boston papers of to-day give us the intelli- gence that the Orpheus, the ship in which John sailed, was spoken at sea April 17th, but her whereabouts they do not tell. I was rejoiced to see it, after looking carefully every day since he sailed.
The pleasant, the very pleasant news of Cousin Henrietta Goddard's engagement to Edward Wigglesworth. A worthier couple not often found ;- nor a better match.
Wednesday, 20. I took a bright and early start for Har- vard, 28 miles distant, to attend an Association Meeting. The day was very warm; oppressively so. That night came back to Worcester, and there met, as I had expected, Mr. and Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Hammond, Mrs. Palfrey, Mr. Francis Bacon and his Niece, on a Southern tour. A part of . them will probably stop in Baltimore. Possibly all will go on to the Virginia White Sulphur Springs.
Friday, 22. This evening a very pleasant tea party at Capt. Southgate 's. The Clapps, Flints, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Upham and daughter, Mrs. Bertody, Mrs. James Smith, Miss Sprague, Jos. Sargent &c. &c.
93
LEICESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
Sunday, 24. A very fine day. More persons present than I have before seen on a Sunday in our meeting-house.
Monday, 25. I am on the point of moving toward Boston. Ministers' Week and Convention.
There are many entries in the Minister's Book written by Mr. May, for which this slender volume affords no space, the nature of which will appear from a few selections.
Baptized by Mr. May, October 19, 1834.
Charlotte Emerson,
1 Children of
Sally,
Dr. Edward and Harriet Flint.
John Sydenham,
George Brown,
Amelia Davis, 1 Children of
Caroline Rebecca, George and Julia Ann Whiting.
Maria-æt 3 yrs .- Only child of Isaac and Maria, Webb, Southgate.
November 4, 1836. Friday Evening. A meeting of the Church was held at the house of the pastor. Opened with prayer. By request of that brother, the Pastor made known Mr. Dwight Bisco's acceptance of the office of Deacon.
On the application of Mrs. Mindwell Sargent to become a member of this Church, it was Voted unanimously that her request be granted.
The remainder of the evening was occupied by a statement from the pastor relative to the present condition of the Church, and by conversation thereupon.
The meeting was closed by singing a Hymn.
SAM'L MAY, Pastor.
-
1
94
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Sunday, October 1, 1837.
The brethren of the Church remained in their seats after Benediction, at the request of the Pastor, who proceeded to read a letter missive from the Unitarian Church and Society in Greenfield, requesting the presence of this Church by its Pastor and a Delegate at the Ordination of Mr. John Park- man, Jr. as their pastor, on the 11th instant.
Voted. To accept the invitation of the Church and Society in Greenfield.
Voted. That Deacon Dwight Bisco be the delegate from this Church on that occasion.
SAM'L MAY, Pastor.
P. S. In the public exercises of Ordination, the Introduc- tory prayer was made, and the Selections from Scriptures read by the Pastor of this Church. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Parkman; Charge by Rev. George Ripley, both of Boston. Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. O. E. Everett, of Northfield.
Sunday, Dec. 3d, 1840. The brethren of the Church re- maining after the close of the services in the afternoon, the Pastor submitted a letter missive from the First Congrega- tional Church and Society in Lancaster, requesting our presence by the Pastor and a Delegate at the Installation of Rev. Edmund II. Sears, on the 23d instant.
On motion of Brother H. E. Warren,
Voted. To accept the invitation of the Church and Soci- ety in Lancaster.
Voted. That Brother John Clapp be the Delegate on said occasion.
95
LEICESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
Voted. That Brother Artemas Barnes be a Delegate from this Church on the same occasion.
SAM'L MAY, Pastor.
P. S. Said Ordination was attended accordingly by the Pastor and both Delegates. The pastor of this Church acted as Scribe of Council.
Memo. "The Pastor was absent for a period of six months, from the latter part of May. He crossed the At- lantic, and visited England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, the Rhine, Switzerland and France. The improve- ment of his health was the object of his journey, which appeared to be in a good degree effected."
Leicester, December, 1843.
Sunday, June 7, 1846. The members of the Church hav- ing been requested to remain in their seats after the afternoon service, the Pastor read a letter missive from the Society and Church of Christ in Southington, Conn., asking our presence by Pastor and Delegate at the Ordination of Rev. James Richardson, Jr., on Wednesday, the 10th instant.
On motion of Brother Firth,
Voted. That the invitation be accepted.
On motion of Deacon Bisco,
Voted. That Brother Abram Firth, Jr., be the Delegate from this Church of that occasion.
CHAPTER V. THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY IN LEICESTER.
A careful abridgment of relevant documentary material gathered in the main from the Church Records and the Min- ister's Book, and transcribed verbatim and intact where practicable, will best set forth the successive steps in the upbuilding of the Second Congregational Church and Society after separation from the First Church was established.
The local sentiment at this juncture is admirably indicated in a preceding chapter, through the wise and temperate statements made by the Rev. A. H. Coolidge, minister of the First Church, and in the Rev. Mr. May's letter of ac- ceptance of pastoral charge of the Church in process of organization.
The day had long since gone by in Massachusetts when studied and persistent opposition was either desirable or pos- sible, save perhaps in certain unlooked for and distressing details.
The new order came out from the old, according to fre- quent precedent, with becoming dignity and with empty hands. How must Dr. Bancroft, whose influence is dis- tinctly recognizable in the work projected, have rejoiced with execeding joy at the contrast afforded to his own stormy ex- perience nearly half a century before ! In the early years of his ministry attendance upon Church service was made obli-
97
LEICESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
gatory by law in Worcester, and until the year 1791 an able-bodied citizen who absented himself from meeting for three consecutive months incurred a fine of ten shillings, or the risk of more serious consequences.
A single village Church of Christ, which should meet the spiritual need of every resident, were indeed the ideal condi- tion, toward which we believe our faces to be set; the Church Universal, which fancy delights to picture, and for which we hope and devoutly pray.
To Austin Flint, Esquire, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Worcester.
Respectfully represent the undersigned, your Petitioners, that they are members and legal voters of a Religious Society in the town of Leicester, in said County of Worcester, called "The Second Congregational Society in Leicester," that said Society has never been organized according to the pro- visions of an Act entitled, " An Act regulating Parishes and Precincts and the Officers thereof," and of the several Acts in addition thereto ; and that they are desirous that said Society should be organized agreeably to the provisions of the Acts aforesaid.
Wherefore your petitioners hereby make application to you and pray you to issue your warrant in due form of law, for calling the first meeting of said Society, directed to some suitable member thereof, requiring him to notify and warn the members of said Society, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at such time and place as you shall in your warrant appoint, then and there to choose all such officers, and trans- act all such business as Parishes are by law authorized to 7
98
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
choose and transact in the months of March and April annu- ally, And as in duty bound will ever pray.
LEICESTER, April 1, 1833.
WALDO FLINT.
John A. Smith
Jos. D. Sargent
Isaac Southgate
George Bowen
Sam'l Newhall
John Sargent
William Hatch
Geo. Whiting
Silas Gleason
Cyrus Chamberlain
John Whittemore
Edward Flint
Dwight Bisco
Emory Drury
Lyman Waite
WORCESTER, SS. To Lyman Waite of Leicester in the County of Worcester, one of the members of the Second Congregational Society in Leicester,
Greeting.
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the members of the Second Congregational Society in Leicester to meet at the Town Hall in said Lei- cester, on Saturday, the thirteenth day of April current, at three o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to act on the following articles, to wit :
1. To determine whether it is the pleasure of the mem- bers of said Society that the same should be organized agreeably to the laws in such case made and provided, and proceed to the choice of the usual Parish officers.
2. To choose a clerk of said Society.
3. To choose a Prudential Committee of said Society.
4. To choose, if they see fit, such other officers as Par- ishes are by law authorized to choose annually, in the months of March and April.
--
99
LEICESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
5. To determine the mode of calling future meetings of the Society.
And you are directed to serve the warrant by posting up attested copies thereof in two public places in said town of Leicester, seven days, at least, before the time herein before appointed for holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon, unto myself, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under my hand and seal this second day of April, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty-three.
AUSTIN FLINT, Justice of the Peace.
WORCESTER, SS. Leicester, April 13, 1833.
Pursuant to the foregoing Warrant, I have notified and warned the members of the Second Congregational Society in Leicester to meet at the time and place in said Warrant speci- fied for the purpose therein mentioned by posting up attested copies thereof in two public places in said town of Leicester, to wit : one at the Hotel kept by Daniel P. Haynes, and one at the Post-Office in the Centre Village of said town seven days before the date hereof.
LYMAN WAITE,
One of the Members of said Society.
WORCESTER, SS. Leicester, April 13, 1833.
At a meeting of the Members of a Religious Society in the town of Leicester, called " The Second Congregational So-
-
100
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
ciety in Leicester," holden in pursuance of the foregoing Warrant by me issued at the Town Hall in said Leicester, on Saturday, the thirteenth day of April instant, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, it was then and there voted by a majority of the members then and there assembled : -
That it is expedient to organize said Society agreeably to the laws in such case made and provided, and to proceed to the choice of officers. The members of said Society being called upon for that purpose then proceeded to bring in their votes for a Clerk of said Society, when it appeared on count- ing the same that Lyman Waite was chosen Clerk of said Society, and the oath qualifying him to discharge the duties of said office according to law was then and there taken by said Waite,
Before me,
AUSTIN FLINT, Justice of the Peace.
At a meeting of the Second Congregational Society holden this thirteenth day of April, A. D. 1833, at the Town Hall in Leicester, in obedience to the foregoing Warrant, after having Chosen a Clerk as appears by the records heretobefore written:
Chose Waldo Flint, Moderator.
Voted, to choose a Prudential Committee.
Voted, that the Prudential Committee consist of three.
Chose Edward Flint,
John A. Smith,
George Whiting.
1
Dwight Bisco
101
LEICESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
Chose Dwight Bisco, Treasurer and Collector.
Voted, that the Presidential Committee call future meet- ings of the Society by posting up written notices, seven days before a meeting, at two public places.
Voted, that the Prudential Committee call the Annual Meeting of the Society for choice of officers on the second Monday in April.
Voted, to choose a Committee to procure preaching, and to consist of nine.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.