USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > History of the churches and ministers, and of Franklin association, in Franklin County, Mass., and an appendix respecting the county > Part 23
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UNITARIANS. The Unitarian church was organized Nov. 4, 1828, with twelve members. Among the preachers who have supplied this church are Revs. Timothy F. Rogers, Joseph Field, Rodolphus Dickinson, Luther Wilson, John A. Williams, William H. Hadley, Nathaniel O. Chaffee, Davis Smith. Hermon Snow and Davis Smith in 1852, and Clau- dius Bradford in 1853.
SUMMARY of preachers originating from Montague : Con- gregationalists, 3 ; Baptists, 4. Total, 7.
NEW SALEM.
The township was granted to individuals living in Salem, Dec. 31, 1734, and began to be settled about 1737, and was incorporated, June 15, 1753. The population of the town in 1850 was 1253. Five churches have been organized in this place, viz., three Congregational, one of which has be- come Unitarian, one Baptist, and one Methodist.
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OF NEW SALEM.
ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONALISTS.
FIRST CHURCH. The first Congregational church in the town was probably organized about the time of the settle- ment of its first pastor, Dec. 15, 1742. But as the early records of the church are lost, the definite date of its forma- tion cannot with certainty be ascertained. This church became Unitarian in the fore part of the present century. It was voted to build the first Meeting-house, June 8, 1738. The second house of worship was built in 1793; and was rebuilt in 1837. In 1807, this society likewise built another house of worship, about four miles northeasterly from the centre, for the accommodation of those who lived in that part of the town, and had preaching in it fifteen Sabbaths in the year. This last named meeting-house was sold to the new Congregational society that was formed in 1824. In the sixty-two years since the probable period of the organization of this church till the settlement of its first Unitarian pastor, it has had a settled ministry about fifty-six years, and has been destitute of the same about six years. During this period the church has had two pastors.
PASTORS. 1 .* REV. SAMUEL KENDALL Was settled as the first pastor of this church, Dec. 15, 1742, and after a ministry of about thirty-three years was dismissed in March, 1776, and continued to live in the town till his death. His dis- mission, which occurred near the commencement of the revolutionary war, is said to have been effected by political causes. Mr. Kendall was born in Woburn, in 1707, and graduated at Harvard in 1731. He died in New Salem, Jan. 31, 1792, aged 85, and his remains lie interred in the Cen- tral burying ground. The following epitaph is inscribed on his tombstone, viz. :-
" Equal in dust we all must lie, And no distinction we can make ; But faith forbids the rising sigh, And sees my sleeping dust awake."
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2 .* REV. JOEL FOSTER was settled as the second pastor of this church, June 9, 1779, and, after a ministry of about twenty-two years and a half, was dismissed, Jan. 21, 1802. Mr. Foster was born April 8, 1755 ; and it is supposed his birth place was Stafford, Ct., and that he early removed to Western, (now Warren) ; graduated at Dartmouth in 1777 ; and, after his dismission from New Salem, was installed as pastor in East Sudbury, (now Wayland, ) Sept. 7, 1803, and his brother, Rev. Dr. John Foster of Brighton, preached on the occasion ; and died while pastor in East Sudbury, Sept. 24, 1812, aged 57.
The following obituary notice of him, from the pen of Dr. John Foster, was published in a Boston paper : "Mr. Foster was a man of good natural abilities, a cultivated mind, and a correct taste. As a scholar, he was esteemed ; and as a friend loved." " During three or four of the last years he was frequently taken from his labors by sickness. His disease indicated to him his approaching dissolution. When the hour drew near, he looked into the future world with a lively hope, and in the full possession of his reason gave his surrounding friends the most comforting evidence that he was prepared for his change, and that for him to die would be gain. As a man and a christian, Mr. Foster was much respected by those who knew him best. As a preacher, he was sensible, serious and practical ; as a son, dutiful ; as a husband, kind ; as a father, tender ; and as a brother, affec- tionate."
The following epitaph is inscribed on his gravestone :-
" Weep not for me, ye mourning friends ; But think how near the day, Which all your earthly comforts ends, And bears your souls away. By timely care and heavenly art Improve the hours you have ;
That you may act the wiser part, And live beyond the grave."
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OF NEW SALEM.
Mr. Foster's father's name was Nathan ; he had brothers, whose names were Jude, John, Daniel, and Asa ; he married Priscilla, the youngest daughter of Rev. Isaac Foster of Staf- ford, Ct., and she died, Feb. 5, 1803, aged 46. She had several brothers, viz., Isaac, Daniel, Emerson, Dan and John, the most of whom were preachers. One of the Rev. Joel Foster's daughters married Rev. Ezekiel L. Bascom ; and the only surviving member of his family is Mr. N. Lanesford Foster of Philadelphia, who thus speaks of his father, in a letter to the author, viz. : "Many of his occasional sermons were published ; and, in 1798, was published 'A Literary Correspondence ' between him and Hosea Ballou of Hard- wick, a preacher of the sect called Universalists ; in which the question concerning future punishment, and the reasons for and against it, are considered, comprised in a pamphlet of 68 pages. He had, a short time before his death, pre- pared for the press, and issued proposals for publishing, a volume of sermons strictly occasional, and had obtained several hundred subscribers thereto. But the summons of death frustrated his design."
The next pastor of this church was Rev. Warren Pierce. As this church and. its ministry now became Unitarian, a further notice of Mr. Pierce and his successors may be found in the account of the Unitarian denomination in New Salem.
The two ministers, who were pastors of this church during the time it continued Orthodox, were both dis- missed ; are both dead ; and the average length of their ministry in New Salem was about twenty-seven years and a half.
SECOND CHURCH. The second Congregational church in New Salem was organized in North New Salem, Nov. 10, 1824, with forty members. Its first and only Meeting-house was purchased of the first Congregational society, about 1824, and in 1836 it was removed to its present location and was remodeled. This church began to receive mission-
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ary aid to support the gospel in 1825, and has received $1,550. During two years it united with the Evangelical church at the centre of the town, and received aid in con- nection with that church. This church, of late years, has almost ceased to maintain even a form of organization. It has had no settled pastor for about twelve years, and no preaching of its own denomination for several years, and few or no meetings, no ordinances administered, and no deacons for sometime past. It has ceased to be reported in the "Minutes of the Massachusetts General Association." In 1852, it was reported in the "Minutes," as consisting of 19 members. One of its members writes, " The little flock is scattered." Rev. Mr. Bullock, a Wesleyan Methodist, preached in their meeting-house a part of the time in 1853. In the twenty-nine years since the organization of this church, it has had settled pastors twelve years, and has been destitute of a settled ministry seventeen years. This church has had two pastors.
PASTORS. 1. REV. LEVI FRENCH was settled as the first pastor of this church, July 6, 1825, and after a ministry of about four years was dismissed, Oct. 22, 1829. Mr. French was born in Berkley, Nov. 4, 1784; never graduated at any college, but received the honorary degree of A. M. from Brown University in 1825; studied theology with Rev. Thomas Andros of Berkley; after leaving New Salem, preached at Dennis a short time; then had charge of an academy in North Carolina for many years until 1846; then removed to Berkley and engaged in agricultural pursuits, where he still remains.
2. REV. ERASTUS CURTIS was settled as the second pastor of this church, Oct. 23, 1834, and after a ministry of about eight years ceased to officiate as a pastor, Aug. 1, 1842, but was never dismissed by a council. Mr. Curtis was born in Meriden, Ct., May 19, 1805 ; graduated at Union in 1829; studied theology at New Haven ; was licensed by the New Haven East Association, Ct., in 1831; preached in the West-
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OF NEW SALEM.
ern Reserve, Ohio, a year or two ; in Marlboro', N. H., one year ; was ordained as an Evangelist at Winchester, N. H., Oct. 22, 1833, and Rev. Mr. Arnold of Alstead, N. H., preached on the occasion. At Mr. Curtis' installation at New Salem, Rev. Sumner G. Clapp preached the sermon. Mr. Curtis continued to live in New Salem till 1851, and preached some at Irvingsville in Orange, and since then has been on a farm in Greenwich.
Of the two "pastors of this church, both were dismissed ; both are now farmers ; and the average length of their min- istry in New Salem was about six years.
THIRD CHURCH. The third Congregational church in this town was organized at the centre of the town, Aug. 15, 1845, with nine members. This church and people have held their meetings in the academy and town-hall, and are now build- ing their first Meeting-house. This church began to receive missionary aid to support the gospel in 1846, and has re- ceived $725. During two years it was associated with the North New Salem Church in receiving charitable aid. The amount contributed by this people to the cause of benevo- lence, in 1853, was $19. The number of members in the Sabbath School, in 1852, was 50. The number in the church, in 1853, was 24. In the eight years since the or- ganization of this church, it has had a settled pastor five years, and been destitute of a settled ministry three years. This church has had but one pastor.
PASTOR. REV. WILLIAM H. HAYWARD was settled as the first pastor of this church, Aug. 13, 1848, and Rev. Noadiah S. Dickinson, then of Wendell, preached on the occasion. Mr. Hayward is now in the sixth year of his ministry at New Salem. He was born in Boston in 1805; never grad- uated at any college ; finished the theological course at the Gilmanton Seminary, with the first class that studied at the institution in 1838; was licensed by the Deerfield Associa- tion, N. H., in 1839; was settled as pastor at the village of Hebron in the towns of Attleboro' and Seekonk, Sept. 30,
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1840, and Rev. S. S. Smith preached on the occasion ; was dismissed from there, June 22, 1842; then supplied in Sa- lem, N. H., from 1843 to 1847; and then supplied in New Salem till installed there.
CONGREGATIONAL MINISTERS ORIGINATING FROM NEW SALEM.
1. Rev. Josiah L. Armes was born in New Salem, Jan. 22, 1811; at sixteen years of age removed to Randolph ; commenced collegiate studies at Amherst College in 1836, and studied at Hamilton College, but did not graduate ; studied theology with Rev. M. Blake of Mansfield ; taught academies in South Dennis, Belchertown, and Mansfield ; was licensed by the Mendon Association, Aug. 12, 1845; or- dained pastor of the Manomet Church, Plymouth, June 25, 1846, and Rev. M. Blake preached the sermon ; dismissed from there, July 31, 1850; settled as pastor in Mason, N. H., and as colleague with Rev. Ebenezer Hill, Oct. 30, 1850. He married Miss Marcia, daughter of Mr. Arza Keith of N. Bridgewater, and has five children, daughters. He still re- mains a pastor in Mason, N. H.
2. Rev. Caleb Clark was born in New Salem, Nov. 28, 1790; graduated at Middlebury in 1814; studied theology with Rev. Dr. Packard of Shelburne ; preached in various places in New York State ; was settled as pastor in Trux- ton, N. Y., June 5, 1822, and Rev. Dr. John Brown preached the sermon on the occasion; was dismissed from his pastoral charge in that place, April 15, 1830; since then he has re- sided for the most part in that place, and preached there and in other neighboring places, as his health would allow. He still lives there. Mr. Clark has no family.
3. Rev. John Taylor was born in New Salem, Aug. 6, 1781, and having been a settled pastor in Shutesbury, a further notice of him may be found in the account of the pastors in Shutesbury.
Rev. Robert Crossett was born in that part of New Salem, which, with other territory, has since been incorporated as
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OF NEW SALEM.
Prescott, in the county of Hampshire, and consequently he is not reckoned as a son of Franklin County.
Of the three Congregational ministers who originated from New Salem, all were natives of the town ; two were gradu- ate ; all have been pastors ; and all are now living.
OTHER DENOMINATIONS.
BAPTISTS. A Baptist church was organized in this place, Jan. 24, 1772, and was called the "New Salem Baptist Church." Since then, this church and people have erected a meeting-house on the line between New Salem and Pres- cott, where they now worship, and the church is now called the "New Salem and Prescott Baptist Church." This people have been supplied by the following preachers, viz. : Elders Ebenezer Smith, Samuel Bigelow ordained pastor, May 21, 1772; Joel Butler, Josiah Orcutt ordained pastor, Oct. 30, 1794; Paul Davis ordained pastor, Sept. 3, 1805 ; Calvin Orcutt ordained pastor, Oct. 16, 1818; Asa Niles be- came pastor July 5, 1821; Stephen S. Nelson, Thomas Rand, Mr. Dwyer, George Daland became pastor, February, 1843; John Shepardson, Alden B. Eggleston became pastor, April 8, 1849. The following Baptist ministers originated from New Salem, viz .: Revs. Tristam Aldrich, George D. Felton, N. F. Hunt, and Thomas Rand, Jr.
METHODISTS. The Methodist people in this town worship with those living in Prescott, and their meeting-house is within the borders of New Salem. The church was formed in 1829. The following preachers have supplied them, viz. : Revs. Henry Woolley, Ezra Sprague, Humphrey Harris, Salmon Hull, Elias P. Stevens, Ziba Loveland, Otis Wilder, Philo Hawks, Philetus Green, Erastus Otis, Royal Smith, Thomas Marcy, Samuel Heath, Merritt P. Alderman, George W. Green, H. B. Collar, Joseph W. Lewis, Charles Hay- wood, Thomas G. Brown, Rufus P. Buffington, Harrison Morgan, R. D. Estabrook, John S. Day, William A. Clapp, Rodney Gage, Leonard P. Frost, Proctor Marsh, Asa Barnes,
36
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J. W. P. Jordan, and C. N. Merrifield in 1853. Two Meth- odist preachers originated from New Salem, viz., Revs. A. W. Paige and Joseph J. Woodbury.
UNITARIANS. The Unitarian church was originally Ortho- dox, and was organized probably about 1742. In the fore- part of the present century it passed into the Unitarian de- nomination. Rev. Warren Pierce was settled as pastor over this church, Sept. 5, 1804, and was dismissed, Aug. 20, 1807, and died in Boston, May 10, 1822, aged 46. Rev. Alpheus Harding was ordained as pastor of this church, Dec. 2, 1807, and was dismissed, Jan. S, 1845. Rev. Claudius Bradford was settled as pastor over this church, Nov. 9, 1851. Rev. Warren Pierce, one of the pastors of this church, originated from New Salem.
UNIVERSALISTS. Rev. Nathaniel Stacy, and Rev. B. F. Whitaker, of the order of Restorationists, originated from New Salem.
SUMMARY of preachers originating from New Salem : Or- thodox Congregationalists, 3. Baptists, 4. Methodists, 2. Unitarians, 1. Universalists, 2. Total, 12.
NORTHFIELD.
" This town, the Indian Squeakeag, was first settled in 1673. Perhaps no town in the State suffered more from Indian depredations than this. A few years after its settle- ment the town was laid waste. The inhabitants returned in 1685, and in a few years it was again destroyed. It lay waste many years, when in 1713, after the erection of Fort Dummer in its vicinity, the inhabitants returned and rebuilt the town." "The planters built small huts and covered them with thatch ; made a place for public worship; and built a stockade and fort." " One elder Jones was first em- ployed to preach in this place, soon after its settlement." The town was incorporated, Feb. 22, 1714. The popula- tion of the place in 1850 was 1772. Five churches have
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OF NORTHFIELD.
been organized in this town, viz., two Orthodox Congre- gational, one of which became Unitarian, one originally Unitarian, one Baptist, and one Methodist. The church which was originally Unitarian has become united with the other Unitarian church, and the Baptist church has been dis- banded, and only three churches now exist in Northfield.
ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONALISTS.
FIRST CHURCH. The first Congregational church estab- lished in the place was of the Orthodox character. As its records previous to 1750 are lost, the exact date of its organi- zation cannot with certainty be ascertained. There is some probability, that it was formed about the time of the settle- ment of the first pastor ; and it is supposed he was settled in August, 1718. This church became Unitarian about a half a century since. It cannot be ascertained, when this church and people built their first Meeting-house. Their last house of worship, previous to the one they now occupy, was built probably about 1763, and stood 70 years, when their present house was erected. Difficulties existed between this church and its first pastor, so that the advice of the Association was sought, and it was recommended to them to call a council, if the disaffection towards the pastor was not healed in half a year. Difficulties also existed between the church and its second pastor, and a council was called to settle the same, Nov. 17, 1779. In the eighty-one years since the organiza- tion, probably, of this church till the settlement of the first Unitarian pastor over it, Nov. 6, 1799, the church had a settled ministry about seventy-six years, and has been desti- tute of the same about five years. A notice of the pastors of this church after it became Unitarian, may be found in the account of the Unitarian denomination in Northfield. This church while Orthodox had three pastors.
PASTORS. 1 .* REV. BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE was settled as the first pastor of this church in 1718; and as he accepted the proposals of the people, Aug. 12, 1718, he was probably
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settled soon after this date. According to Doolittle's Sketches of Belchertown, Rev. Mr. Doolittle's grandfather, " Abraham Doolittle, supposed to be the progenitor of all by the name of Doolittle in this country, came from England and settled in New Haven, Conn., about the year 1640, or 1642. In 1644 he took the oath of fidelity in the Colony, and acted as Executive County Officer in New Haven. He was one of the three appointed by the New Haven Committee to superintend the affairs of the New Settlement. This 'New Settlement ' was afterwards, in 1670, incorporated into a town by the name of Wallingford. He was one of the first settlers in that town, and before its incorporation. He was one of the village Vigilance Committee in the time of King Philip's war; his house was protected by a picket fort against attacks by the Indians." Rev. B. Doolittle was born in Wallingford, Conn., July 10, 1695 ; graduated at Yale in 1716 ; and was never settled except in Northfield. In con- nection with his ministerial labors he practised as a Physician ; and as a medical adviser and practitioner his field of service extended from Charlestown, N. H., to Springfield.
Mrs. Lydia Everett, his great-grand-daughter, says of him : " He had the care of a French officer, who was wounded in the French war by Capt. Alexander, and after taking care of him for three or four months, he was carried to Canada and exchanged for the prisoners who had been taken from us. It was said, the poor officer wandered some days without any food except cranberries ; he then came and gave himself up, much weakened by fasting and loss of blood ; and as the poor creature appeared in sight of our people's dwellings, they were about to shoot him, but. he opened his bosom and showed his wounds and bowed himself several times, and made signs of distress, and they spared him."
An intelligent correspondent, who was formerly a resident in Northfield, says of Mr. Doolittle : " He was a man of ami- able spirit, and of good intellect. Several of the church were dissatisfied with him on account of his being Armin-
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OF NORTHFIELD.
ian in doctrine. Some sold their possessions and left town on that account, particularly Ebenezer Mattoon and Mr. Holton. Mr. Doolittle died, Jan. 9, 1748, aged 54, and in the 30th year of his ministry. Mr. Ashley of Deerfield preached the funeral sermon-a sermon highly judicious, and well adapted to the occasion-rich in thought and dis- criminatingly orthodox. Scarcely anything was said directly of the character of the deceased, except that 'he was a tender husband and an affectionate father.' His ministry in Northfield was about thirty years. He died in that place while pastor of the church." The following epitaph was in- scribed on his gravestone :-
"Blessed with good intellectual parts, Well skilled in two important arts, Nobly he filled the double station Both of a preacher and physician. To cure man's sicknesses and sins, He took unwearied care and pains ; And strove to make his patient whole Throughout, in body and in soul. He loved his God, loved to do good ; To all his friends vast kindness showed ; Nor could his enemies exclaim, And say, he was not kind to them. His labors met a sudden close ; Now he enjoys a sweet repose ; And when the just to life shall rise, Among the first he'll mount the skies."
2 .* REV. JOHN HUBBARD Was settled as the second pastor of this church, May 30, 1750, and after a ministry of forty- four years and a half died while pastor in Northfield, Nov. 28, 1794, aged 68. The American Quarterly Register says of him : " Mr. Hubbard is remembered as having been of truly Orthodox principles, and of devoted piety. He was a son of Deacon John and Mrs. Anne Hubbard, Hatfield, born Nov. 5, 1726, married Miss Anna Hunt, daughter of Capt. Samuel Hunt, Northfield, Dec. 26, 1753. He had ten chil-
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dren, six living at his death. His parents were distinguished for a blameless, holy and christian life. Rev. Dr. Joseph Lyman preached his funeral sermon, Dec. 2, 1794. A very good character is given of Mr. H. by Dr. Lyman." Mr. Hubbard graduated at Yale in 1747. Some difficulties arose between Mr. Hubbard and a part of his people, during the revolutionary war, from their difference of opinion in regard to the American cause and the British cause. A council of eight churches was called to settle it. The council sat from Nov. 17th to the 20th, 1779. During the session the parties adopted a document for mutual reconciliation. The council approved it, and made no other result. The difficulties were healed.
A former citizen of Northfield thus writes respecting Mr. Hubbard : " Though not equal to his predecessor in talents, he had in an eminent degree the confidence and affections of his people. His ministry was one of almost uninterrupted harmony, if we except the excitement consequent on his praying for the success of the 'King's arms,' in the early days of the Revolution. On that occasion, the assembly, with Deacon Smith as their leader, rose against him on the Sabbath and forbid his offering the public prayers, but al- lowed him to preach. An ecclesiastical council was called, and the matter amicably adjusted by Mr. Hubbard's consent- ing to omit the obnoxious petition. As a preacher, his labors were directed more to the promotion of christian character than to producing excitement, consequently the church were steady and uniform in their feelings, and the work of grace in its general progress was of a similar character. He often noticed particular events of Providence by an appropriate sermon. The additions to the church during his ministry were gradual ; seldom more than two or three at a time. There was one occasion of special interest. A prayer meet- ing was held by a couple of young lads privately in a barn, where they were discovered by a sister of one of them, who reported it to her parents, and they informed their minister.
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OF NORTHFIELD.
He immediately instituted prayer or conference meetings, that were well attended for a time. Six or eight persons cherished hope during this time. The people were then much in the habit of visiting their pastor for religious in- struction. During the first thirty-four years of his ministry about ninety persons were received on the 'half-way cove- nant,' which gave their children the privilege of baptism. It would seem that this course began to be regarded as in- consistent about this time, for there is no record of any such admissions during the last ten years of his ministry. After- wards, during the ministry of Rev. T. Mason, those who had joined by the ' half-way covenant,' were virtually recog- nized as members of the church in full communion, by a general vote of the church. About two hundred on profes- sion, and about fifty by letter, were received to the church during the ministry of Mr. Hubbard. Those of Arminian sentiments who united with the church under Mr. Hubbard, ever spake in strong terms of his christian character and his fervor in devotions. On sacramental occasions he was pe- culiarly solemn and impressive, and often manifested deep emotion ; he was particular in exhibiting the design of the sufferings of Christ, as the only ground of pardon and accep- tance with God."
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