USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > History of the early settlement of Newton, county of Middlesex, Massachusetts, from 1639-1800. With a genealogical register of its inhabitants, prior to 1800 > Part 10
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135
FOURTH MINISTER, JONAS MERIAM.
advice of those who have the Churches at heart, I judge it my duty to comply with your invitation, and accordingly, under a sense of duty hereof, I accept your call and offer.
" And as, on the one hand, I desire no more for my sup- port than will enable me to live comfortably, and to discharge the duties of my station without too much worldly incumbrance; so, on the other, I doubt not that I may depend on your liberality, in case of need, for such further assistance as you shall judge necessary for my comfort. But my greatest concern is, that I may be made an instru- ment of turning many to righteousness, that so both you and I may have abundant reason to rejoice together in mutual edification here, and everlasting fellowship here- after.
" And that Divine glory may be advanced, by all your proceedings, that mutual charity, benevolence, and good order may flourish among you, and that the love of God may be shed abroad in your hearts, by the Holy Ghost, is the sincere wish of him who subscribes himself,
Yours, in all Christian services,
JONAS MERIAM."
March, 1758. " Chose Joseph Ward, Abraham Fuller, John Clark, Josiah Greenwood, and Thomas Clark, a committee for the ordination of Mr. Meriam, and appro- priated £13, 6s. 8d., to defray the expenses of the ordi- nation. A committee of fifteen was chosen to seat the Meeting-house, according to rates and age, but not to degrade any. Voted, to have one tier of pews erected in the hind seats, and in the body seats, both on the men's side and on the women's side."
March 22, 1758. Jonas Meriam was ordained as the successor of the Rev. Mr. Cotton, he being the fourth and last Minister settled by the whole town.
136
EARLY HISTORY OF NEWTON.
1763. Joseph Bartlett presented a certificate of his having joined the Baptist Church in Leicester.
1764. "Voted, that trees be set out to shade the Meet- ing-house, if any persons will be so generously minded to do it."
1767. Jonathan Williams and others, requested that a sum of money be granted to support preaching in the Meet- ing-house, in the westerly part of the town, during the Winter season. Not granted.
March 18, 1770. Rev. Mr. Meriam's dwelling house was burnt, and the Church records were also burnt. His people afforded him liberal aid in rebuilding, and his house was raised again, in June, 1770.
Mr. Meriam commenced new Church records same year ; and Deacon Stone, - Stowell, - Miller, Capt. Wood- ward, Joshua Murdock, John Rogers, Joseph Jackson, Capt. Hammond, Joseph Ward, Joshua Hammond and Josiah Fuller, be a committee to inquire and report who were Church members, to be put on record. This committee reported as perfect a list as they were able, in 1773, and Mr. Meriam entered upon the new Church records the names of the Church members, to the number of two hun- dred and seven; also, the number of children baptised, as given in by the parents and others, to the number of eight hundred and sixty-four.
November, 1770. A committee was chosen to consider a petition, requesting the introduction of Tate and Brady's version of the Psalms, with the Hymns thereto annexed. They submitted a report in favor of their introduction, which was adopted.
" Voted, that a medium be observed between old and new tunes. If any uneasiness arise with regard to that medium, that will be hereafter considered ; for the present, the chorister is to be the judge."
137
FOURTH MINISTER, JONAS MERIAM.
1773. A committee was chosen to examine the Church stocks. *
1778. The Town was divided into two Parishes, east and west. The Act of the General Court, to establish the West Parish, was passed in October, 1778, " beginning at the bank of Charles river, at the south-east corner of a farm possessed by Samuel Woodward, thence by a direct line to the south-east part of land improved by Daniel Fuller, and to continue the same straight course to Water- town line.
" The inhabitants on either side of the line, may choose to belong to either Parish, provided they make their elec- tion, and give in their names to the office of the Secretary of State, within six months after the passage of this Act."
December 14, 1778. First Parish meeting of the first precinct in Newton ; Abraham Fuller, Esq., Moderator, - Captain John Woodward was chosen Clerk and Treasurer, and held those offices, by annual choice, until March, 1795, when his son Ebenezer succeeded him in those offices.
Dr. John King, Aaron Richardson, John Stone, Col. Benj. Hammond, and John Woodward, Standing Committee.
John Woodward, Alexander Shepard, and Deacon David Stone, Assessors. William Hammond, Collector of Taxes. "Voted, a tax of £160 for Mr. Meriam's salary, and £100 to support the Gospel, and other necessary charges."
* Some of our readers may mistake the duty of this committee. The Church owned no stocks,- neither fancy nor football,- such as modern brokers hawk about State st. Those Church stocks did not rise or fall, but were stationary. They rested upon the solid earth, about ten rods from the Church, and were made of two pieces of white oak timber, about eight feet long, clamped together with bar iron, at each end, through which holes were made of various sizes, to fit human legs, for misbe- havior during what was called " divine service." At least disorderly persons were liable to have their legs made fast between that oak and iron, by way of punish- ment. We have often eyed that remnant of the inquisition, when a boy, with a shudder.
Those Church stocks, like all human contrivances, often needed repairs, and that, no doubt, was the duty of the committee.
12*
138
EARLY HISTORY OF NEWTON.
1779. "Voted, that six pews be built, and seats be removed for that purpose." These new pews were leased at vendue, annually, at every March meeting; the rent to be paid in Indian Corn, not less than half a peck of corn to constitute a bid. The first year they brought twenty-two bushels altogether. At the next and every succeeding March meeting, down to 1797, the Corn was sold at vendue, in lots to suit purchasers, at the following prices :
In 1780, it sold from thirty-one and a half to thirty-three dollars per bushel ; and in 1781, for sixty-two dollars per bushel, depreciated currency.
In 1782, it sold for 4s. 6d. to 4s. 8d.
“ 1783, 66 6s. 6d. “ 7s. 3d.
" 1784, 66 3s. " 3s. 3d.
" 1785, 66 3s. 3d. " 3s. 6d.
" 1786, 66 4s. 4d. " 4s. 8d.
" 1787,
3s. 4d. “ 3s. 5d.
" 1788, 66 3s. 6d. " 3s. 9d.
" 1789,
3s. 7d. " 3s. 11d.
" 1790,
3s. " 3s. 2d.
" 1792,
2s. 7d. " 2s. 9d.
" 1793, 66 4s. " 4s. 6d.
" 1794,
4s.
" 1795, 66 4s. 2d. " 4s. 4d.
" 1796, 66 $1.03 " $1.14.
1797. The corn currency was discontinued, and dollars and cents substituted.
August 13, 1780. Rev. Jonas Meriam died, aged fifty, having preached in Newton twenty-two years, four months, and twenty-two days. The last year of Mr. Meriam's life, he was unable to preach much. During this time, and that between his death and Mr. Homer's settlement, the pulpit was supplied with various preachers, viz. : Ebenezer Chap- lain, B. Bentley, David Daniels, John Prince, - Gannett,
139
FIFTH MINISTER, JONATHAN HOMER.
Richard R. Eliot, Edw. Sprague, - Guild, - Mellen, Waters, Jacob Coggin, Aaron Smith, - Parsons, Moses Damon, Dr. Langdon, Eliphalet Porter, Jonathan Homer, William Greenough, and others.
October 8, 1781. Meeting for the choice of a Gospel Minister; Jonathan Homer had sixty-eight votes, and was chosen ; eight others signified that they were not ready to vote.
Two hundred pounds was voted, to encourage Mr. Homer to settle in the ministry ; voted one hundred pounds for his yearly salary, and sixteen cords of wood, annually ; and a committee was chosen to confer with him about salary. His reply : -
" Newton, January 4, 1782.
"To the Church of Christ, and Society of the East Parish in Newton :
" Brethren beloved, we all stand related to an unalterable eternity ; and the grand end of our existence on earth, is to prepare for it.
" We, who enjoy the light of revelation, are favored with distinguishing means for the advancement of our immortal welfare. The great Head of the Church has not only given us the written Word, but has provided Ministers to explain and enforce it; to proclaim the terrors of the law against the ungodly, and the grace, the surprising grace of His gospel to the chief of sinners.
"Impressed, I trust, with the sense of the importance of the means of grace, you have seen fit, in God's holy provi- dence, to choose me as your Pastor, to watch over your souls, to feed, as far and as long as Heaven may enable me, the sheep and the lambs pertaining to this flock of the Divine Shepherd.
"I have long and deeply weighed in my own breast the invitation you have given me. I have repeatedly laid my
140
EARLY HISTORY OF NEWTON.
case, and that of this people, at the throne of grace, for direction. I have attentively considered the apparent lan- guage of Providence, and have felt a constant desire to act, as this should finally dictate. I have asked the advice of the reverend fathers and brethren in the ministry, and appealed to the judgment of the serious and judicious, among the private christians of my acquaintance; at length, I feel myself bound to accept of the invitation of taking the pastoral charge of this Church.
" Your peculiar unanimity in electing me, the great cor- diality of sentiment in doctrine and discipline between us, the diligent and solemn attention of this people to the pub- lic services of religion, especially of the youth, in which I have seldom, if ever, found them equalled elsewhere, and who (on account of the temptations to reject seriousness of thought and conduct, peculiarly incident to their age of life) might not so naturally be expected to manifest a regard for eternity, are circumstances of my call which I cannot resist, and would prefer to every other possible consideration. I only wish an increase of ministerial qualifications, that may render me a blessing to this people, and capacitate me to discharge the important duties of my office, to the honor of religion.
"I accept your offer for my temporal support, as volun- tarily made by the worthy freeholders and other inhabitants of the first precinct in Newton, and hope that Heaven will excite and enable you and me, uniformly and faithfully, to fulfil our various mutual duties.
"I desire the prayers of God's people, that I may have grace given me, to prove a burning and shining light in this branch of the golden candlestick, and that I may have many, as the seals of my ministry, and crown of rejoicing, in the day of my Lord and Master's appearance. To His benediction, I commend this Church and people, resting assured that if we are interested in Him, as our almighty
141
FIFTH MINISTER, JONATHAN HOMER.
friend, you will be happy, and I shall be successful in my ministry. May the great Head of the Church keep us humbly dependent on himself for a blessing, consequent upon the solemn relation of a Pastor and his flock, and may death only perfect and consummate our union to the Lamb and each other, in the city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God. Commending you and myself to the favor of our divine and holy Sovereign, through the all sufficient merits of Jesus, his son,
"I remain, dear brethren, your obliged Pastor elect, and well wisher of your souls,
JONATHAN HOMER."
A committee was chosen to confer with Mr. Homer, rel- ative to his solemn ordination, &c. Also, that the commit- tee inform him that there are a number dissatisfied with his principles, and desire him to visit them.
February 13, 1782. Jonathan Homer was ordained as the Pastor of the East Church and congregation ; Rev. Mr. Eliot, of Watertown, and Eckley, of Boston, prayed ; the Rev. Joseph Jackson, of Brookline, preached the sermon ; Rev. Mr. Greenough presented the right hand of fellow- ship, and the Rev. Mr. Woodward, of Weston, gave the charge.
July 14, 1783. " Mr. Homer began to read and expound the Holy Scriptures.
November, 1790. Tate and Brady's version of the Psalms was superseded by that of Dr. Watts.
1792. The Standing Committee were directed to settle the line between the south ministerial wood lot, and land of Dr. Aspinwall.
March, 1793. The Baptist Society claimed a portion of
* Murdock's MS.
142
EARLY HISTORY OF NEWTON.
the wood in the ministerial wood lots, which was debated, and the question was put : " Will this Parish grant them any part ?" Negatived.
1794. Mr. Homer was voted a settlement of two hun- dred pounds, at the time of the call, but he generously relinquished fifty pounds of the same, for which the Parish voted him thanks.
1796. " Voted, to have a stove to warm the Meeting- house."
" Voted, that the Deacons have liberty to sit out of the Deacons' seat, if they choose."
1797. " Voted, that the Church funds, which amounted to thirty-five pounds, one shilling, seven pence, be put out at interest, to accumulate for the purposes of charity, or the promotion of the interests of religion, in any way the Church shall order."
The West Parish petitioned the General Court, relative to the dividing line between the Parishes, which was mutually settled in 1799.
March, 1800. A committee was appointed to consider the expediency of erecting a new Meeting-house.
" Voted, to disannul the ancient mode of seating parish- ioners in the Meeting-house."
This ancient custom of seating and reseating the wor- shippers in the New England Churches, was originally intended to be founded in equality. The first settlers meant that all should be equal before the law, and before the altar also. It was democratic in theory, but aristocratic in practice, as the rich men always got the best seats. In parishes where the population increased rapidly, the con- gregations were reseated annually; where the increase was slow, this operation was performed about every third or fourth year. All the men and women, of twenty-one years of age and upwards, had seats assigned them by committees
143
FIFTH MINISTER, JONATHAN HOMER.
of influential persons, chosen by the Parish for that pur- pose. Our ancient Meeting-houses had long seats ; occa- sionally, special permission was given to noted persons, to build a pew at their own cost. Males were seated sepa- rately from females. The instructions to the seating com- mittees were, first, rank, or as they expressed it, dignity,- meaning the Ministers and Magistrates, or all in authority,- second, those who paid the largest Parish tax,- or the rich men,- third, the most aged persons, and, fourth, they were not to degrade any. Married women took the same rank that belonged to their husbands. The last item, "not to degrade any," was impossible, since some must occupy the lowest seats.
The office of committee-man was no sinecure; its exer- cise frequently brought upon him charges of partiality and injustice.
This operation of reseating, was rarely if ever accom- plished, without giving offence to more or less of the con- gregation ; such, however, was the attachment to the ancient customs in the Churches, that it took about a century and a half, notwithstanding its bitter fruits, to discontinue it.
June 6, 1803. Voted, to erect a new Meeting-house, and chose a committee to make plans and estimates.
1804. Authorized the building committee to borrow money.
October, 1805. Voted, that the committee proportion the cost of the house upon the pews, at their discretion, and bid for choice, at auction.
The old Church clock, formerly given by John Rogers, Senior, not being of modern style for the new Meeting- house, was given back to its original donor, with the thanks of the Society for its many years' use.
November, 21. The new Meeting-house (being the fourth) was dedicated. The right of choice among the
144
EARLY HISTORY OF NEWTON.
pews, was set up at auction; the highest bidder had the right to select, paying therefor the amount of appraisement, and the amount bid for choice. Sixty-five pews were sold, and the choice money amounted to four hundred and sixty dollars. The prime cost of the house was a little more than eight thousand and one hundred dollars. The sixty-five pews sold for about eight thousand dollars; and the wood upon the ministerial wood lot was sold for one hundred dollars, towards paying for the new Meeting-house.
CHURCH COVENANT.
"Renewed publicly, by the brethren and sisters of the Church, standing, while the Covenant was read by the Pastor, and giving their assent at the close, by the motion of the body, being the same which was entered into by the brethren, and signed in their behalf by their late Pastor, Jonas Meriam, April 9th, 1770.
" We do, under an absolute sense of our unworthiness of such a favor, and unfitness for such a business, yet appre- hending we have been called of God to put ourselves, and to keep in a way of Church communion, and to seek the settlement and continuance of all the gospel institutions among us ; and knowing how prone we are to err, abjuring all confidence in ourselves, and relying on the Lord Jesus for help -
COVENANT AS FOLLOWETII :
"1. Having perused, or heard, the Confession of Faith put forth by the synod of Churches, held in Boston, New Eng- land, 1680, we do heartily close in with it, for the substance of it, and promise to stand by, maintain, and (if need be) contend for the faith therein delivered to the people of God,
145
FIFTH MINISTER, JONATHAN HOMER.
and if any among us should go about to undermine it, we will bear a due testimony against them.
" 2. We do also combine to walk together as a particular Church of Christ, according to all those holy rules of the Gospel prescribed to such a society, so far as God hath revealed, or shall reveal his mind to us, in this respect.
"3. We do, accordingly, recognize the covenant of grace, in which we do professedly acknowledge ourselves devoted to the fear and service of the only true God, our supreme Lord, and to the Lord Jesus Christ, the High Priest, Prophet, and King of His Church, unto the conduct of whose spirit we submit ourselves, and on whom alone we rely for pardon, grace, and glory ; to whom we bind our- selves in an everlasting Covenant, never to be broken.
"4. We likewise give up to ourselves, one unto another, in the Lord, resolving, by his help, to cleave to each other, as fellow members of one body, in brotherly love and holy watchfulness over one another, for mutual edification, and to submit ourselves to all the holy administrations appointed by Him, who is the head of the Church, dispensed accord- ing to the rules of the Gospel, and to give our constant attendance on all the public ordinances of Christ's institu- tion, walking orderly as becometh saints.
"5. We who sustain the parental relation, do also acknowledge our posterity to be included with us in the Covenant of the Gospel, and blessing God for such a favor, do promise to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, with the greatest care.
"6. We further promise, to be careful to the utmost, to procure the settlement and continuance among us, of all the offices and officers, appointed by Christ, the chief shepherd, for the edification of His Church, and accordingly to do our duty faithfully for their maintenance and encouragement, and to carry it towards them as becomes us.
13
146
EARLY HISTORY OF NEWTON.
"7. Finally, we do acknowledge and promise to preserve communion with the faithful Churches of Christ, for the giving and receiving mutual counsel and assistance, in all cases wherein it shall be needful.
"Now the good Lord be merciful to us, and as He hath put it into our hearts thus to devote ourselves to Him, let Him pity and pardon all our frailties, humble us out of all carnal confidence, and keep it evermore upon our hearts to be faithful to Himself, and to one another, for His praise and our eternal comfort, for Christ's sake, to whom be glory forever. Amen."
From the ordination of Mr. Homer, in February, 1782, to the ordination of his colleague, James Bates, in Novem- ber, 1827, a period of about forty-six years, about three hundred and twenty members were admitted to the Church.
The number of children baptised by Mr. Homer, from his ordination, in February, 1782, to, and including the year 1800, a period of nineteen years, was about one hundred and sixty-seven, and two adults.
James Bates (Colleague of Dr. Homer) was ordained November 14, 1827. He resigned April 7, 1839.
Wm. Bushnell (Colleague of Dr. Homer) was ordained in May, 1842, and resigned December 13, 1846.
Dr. Homer died August 11, 1843, aged eighty-four, having preached in Newton sixty-one and a half years.
Daniel L. Furber was ordained December 1, 1847.
RECAPITULATION.
1. John Eliot, Jr., ordained July 20, 1664; died Oct. 11, 1668 ; time, 4 years, 2 months, 21 days.
Death of Eliot to ordination of Hobart, 6 years, 2 months, 12 days.
2. Nehemiah Hobart, ordained December 23, 1774; died August 25, 1712 ; time, 37 years, 8 months, 2 days.
147
DEACONS OF THE FIRST CHURCH.
Death of Hobart to ordination of Cotton, 2 years, 2 months, 9 days.
3. John Cotton, ordained November 3, 1714; died May 17, 1757 ; time, 42 years, 6 months, 14 days.
.
Death of Cotton to ordination of Meriam, 10 months, 5 days.
4. Jonas Meriam, ordained March 22, 1758; died August 13, 1780; time, 22 years, 4 months, 22 days.
Death of Meriam to ordination of Homer, 1 year, 6 months.
5. Jonathan Homer, ordained February 13, 1782; died August 11, 1843 ; time, 61 years, 5 months, 29 days. 6. James Bates, (Colleague,) ordained November 14, 1827 ; resigned April 7, 1839 ; time, 11 years, 4 months, 24 days.
7. William Bushnell, ordained May, 1842; resigned Dec. 13, 1846 ; time, 4 years, 7 months.
8. Daniel L. Furber, ordained December 1, 1847.
DEACONS OF THE FIRST CHURCH.
Name.
When Chosen.
Died.
Age.
Thomas Wiswall, Ruling Elder, 1664
1683
John Jackson, Senior,
1664
1674
Samuel Hyde, Senior,
1664
1689
79
Isaac Williams,
1707
69
James Trowbridge,
1717
S1
Edward Jackson, Junior,
1707
1727
75
Thomas Oliver,
1707
1715
70
Richard Ward,
1739
73
John Staples,
1740
*82
William Trowbridge,
1744
60
Ebenezer Stone,
1754
92
John Stone,
1769
76
148
EARLY HISTORY OF NEWTON.
Name.
Died.
Age.
John Clark,
1773
Ephraim Ward,
1772
69
Thomas Greenwood,
1774
78
John Woodward,
1801
76
David Stone,
1802
74
Jonas Stone,
1804
82
Ebenezer Woodward,
1806
49
Samuel Murdock,
1814
62
Jeremiah Wiswall,
1836
76
Ebenezer White,
1853
87
Elijah F. Woodward,
1846
60
William Jackson.
Luther Paul.
Asa Cook.
EARLY BAPTISTS.
Jonathan Willard, the pioneer of the Baptists in Newton, joined a Baptist Church in Boston, in 1729, and his daugh- ter Esther soon after joined the same Church.
1749. Noah Parker joined a Baptist Church in Bos- ton, and his wife Sarah, and daughter Esther, became mem- bers of the same Church soon after. Willard was one of the earliest settlers of the Lower Falls, and was for many years the principal man connected with the iron works and the water-power, in that place; and Parker was the owner of the mills and water-power, at the Upper Falls.
These two substantial men petitioned the Town, in 1749, to be released from paying ministerial taxes in Newton, on the ground that they had become members of the Baptist Church in Boston, and paid for the support of the Gospel there. Their request was refused.
1753. John Hammond, Noah Wiswall, and Thomas
149
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
Parker, became members of the Baptist Church in Leices- ter, in 1753, and David Richardson soon after ; they also made a like request of the Town, and were refused.
1756. John Hammond and others, Baptists, petitioned the Town again, to be excused from paying ministerial taxes in Newton. After discussion, the Town voted - no.
1763. Joseph Bartlett made a like request, and received the same answer.
August, 1774. John Dana, John Kenrick, Caleb Whit- ney, Thomas Parker, Ebenezer Bartlett, Joseph Hyde, Nathaniel Parker, Thomas Tollman, widow Abigail Rich- ardson, and Elisha Bartlett, produced to the Town their certificate stating " that they were chosen a committee, by the Society of the people called Anti-pedo Baptists, who meet together for religious worship on the Lord's day, in Newton, and they do verily believe are, with respect to the ordinances of baptism, of the same religious sentiments with us," and asked to be excused from paying ministerial taxes in Newton. Their request was refused.
1776. James Richards and Edward Hall made a like request, which was granted ! Toleration, which always travels by a very slow coach, came at last, hurried along somewhat, it may have been, by the fears or the policy of those who had so long and often rejected it.
Elhanan Winchester, an eloquent and impressive Baptist preacher, who was born in Brookline, very near the bounds of Newton, often preached in the vicinity of his native place, and in the Spring of 1780, he visited and preached in Newton, and baptised many. His converts increased and became numerous, and were advised to organize them- selves into a Church. On the 6th of June a meeting of his converts and others, was held at the house of Elisha Fuller, to know each other's minds, relative to forming a new Baptist Church. Elder Blood, of Weston, was chosen
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