USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Abington > History of the town of Abington, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement > Part 19
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Mr. Hewitt had been laboring with the society nearly three years as its pastor, but had not resided in town, nor been formally installed. But when the question of building a meeting-house was decided, he was induced to remove here, and it was thought meet to observe the installing rite.
A Sunday school has been in operation in connection with the society for several years, and has been attended with a good degree of prosperity. It is now in excellent condition, having something more than one hundred children connected with it.
No formal church organization existed till a little more than two years ago, when several of the members of the congrega- tion, impressed with the importance and duty of a more positive and personal consecration, and the observance of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, united in church relations.
This church was publicly recognized by special religions services, February 11, 1862. It now numbers twenty-six members, having lost two by death since its organization.
225
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Its " Declaration of Faith " is that adopted by the Universalist Churches generally, viz. :- that " God is one, a Being infinite in wisdom, power and goodness, and in every possible per- fection. That Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the promised Messiah and Saviour of the world. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God, com- municating teachings and principles for the direction of human conduct in all the relations and circumstances of life-showing the character and government of God, the rewards of virtue, the punishments of vice, and revealing the final purpose of Infinite Wisdom in the reconciliation of all things to God, so that He at last shall be All in All."
CHAPTER XXVII.
The Catholic Church.
THE Catholic congregation of Abington is of very modern origin ; it dates back only to the completion of the Old Colony Railroad, though before that there were a few Irish settlers scattered about the town. Yet it was only in 1846 that a number of those who had been employed on the works of the railroad became permanent residents of the town, and formed the nucleus of the present large organization.
The Catholics of Abington were occasionally attended from Quincy, where the Rev. Mr. Caraher resided, and who then had spiritual charge of all the members of his denomination from South Boston to Bridgewater.
In 1848, the Rev. J. T. Roddan was appointed by the Bishop of Boston to the pastoral charge of Quincy, and mis- sions. Under his ministration, both from emigration and the natural increase of population, coupled with enlarged demands for labor and the growing prosperity of the town, the Catholic
226
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
population of Abington made rapid strides to its present large proportions.
The first attempt towards a permanent organization of this society was in 1854, when Rev. Mr. Roddan, aided by his people, purchased of Washington Reed, of East Abington, seven acres of land, six of which were reserved for the Cem- etery, and the remaining one, adjoining the road between East and Centre Abington, was intended as the location of the new church as soon as Providence should enable them to collect funds towards its erection.
In 1856, Rev. Mr. Roddan was moved to Boston, and the Rev. A. L. Roche, the present incumbent, was appointed as his successor. The Catholies of Abington were regularly at- tended twice a month ; services were held in the Town Hall. The first permanent effort towards the building of the church edifice was made in April, 1862, when Mr. Roche purchased the estate formerly owned by Jesse Dunham, corner of Ply- mouth and Central streets, - the lot at the Cemetery being considered unsuitable.
Several meetings of the congregation were held for the pur- pose of raising funds, which were given very liberally by the members, who are all working men; and on the 30th day of September, 1862, the first work was commeneed in digging out the foundations and building the cellar. The plans for the church were furnished by Mr. James Murphy, of Providence, architeet. The lumber was deposited on the ground the 12th of June, 1863 ; and the work was pushed forward to its com-
The pletion. Mr. Gannon, of Roxbury, built the cellar. contraet for the carpenters' work was taken by Mr. P. E. Reed, of Boston. The plastering was executed by Mr. Thomas Parker, of Roxbury. The painting by Mr. Thomas Nixon, of Taunton ; and the stained glass windows were manufactured by Messrs. Morgan Brothers, of New York ; and on Thanksgiving Day, November 25th, 1863, the church was consecrated to the service of Almighty God by the Right Rev. Bishop McFarland, of Hartford, under the invocation of St. Bridget, Patroness of Ireland.
[Communicated by Rev. Mr. Roche.]
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Proceedings at the Semi-Centennial Celebration, June 10, 1862.
ON the 10th day of June, 1862, the town of Abington cele- brated the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its incorpo- ration, by an oration, poem, and other exercises, at " Island Grove." A full account of the celebration was published at the time in pamphlet form, by the committee of arrangements ; but as the occasion was of rare interest, I have deemed it advisable to incorporate into my Historical Reminiscences a single chapter, embracing the more important facts of that interesting historical event. I shall offer no apology for copying entire the record of the proceedings attending the celebration, especially as I shall thereby embody in this work the names of many of my respected fellow-townsmen, and of others who participated in the duties and honors of that day. The following is the record : -
" In the warrant for a town-meeting, to be held at the Town Hall in Abington, on the 28th of April, 1862, the following article was inserted, viz. :
" To see if the town will take measures to celebrate the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Abington."
At the meeting thus called, the following resolves were offered by IIon. Levi Reed, and adopted : -
" Resolved, That as the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of this town occurs on the tenth day of June next, it is expedient that the occasion be noticed by a public celebration, which shall commemorate an event so im- portant in our history.
· " Resolved, That the selectmen, with nine others, to be nominated by them, be a committee to make all necessary
(227)
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SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
arrangements for such a celebration, with full power to procure an orator and music; and to make such provisions for the accommodation of the public as they shall judge best."
In accordance with the foregoing resolves, the following named persons were chosen to act with the selectmen : - Levi Reed, Isaac Hersey, Nahum Reed, Abner Curtis, John N. Noyes, James Ford, Sumner Shaw, Meritt Nash, and I. J. Howland .*
The committee of arrangements held their first meeting April 30, and organized by the choice of Hon. Levi Reed as chairman, and Isaac Hersey, Esq., as secretary.
It was decided to have the celebration at "Island Grove ; " and a committee, consisting of S. B. Thaxter, John N. Noyes, and Meritt Nash, was chosen to make all necessary arrange- ments with Messrs. Reed and Noyes respecting the Grove.
Rev. E. Porter Dyer, of Hingham, a native of the town, was invited to deliver the oration, and James Wilson Ward, jr., Esq., of Guilford, Conn., also a native of the town, was invited to deliver a poem.
An invitation to be present on the occasion was extended to His Excellency Governor Andrew, together with his staff, and the Executive Council.
The following were chosen officers of the day : -
President - Levi Reed. Vice-Presidents - Isaac Hersey, Benjamin Hobart, James Ford, Josiah Shaw, Asaplı Dunbar, Marcus Reed, Joseph Hunt, Zenas Jenkins, Jenkins Lane, Jared Whitman. Treasurer-Samuel B. Thaxter. Chief Marshal-Samuel B. Thaxter. Assistant Marshals-Jason Hersey, Daniel Gloyd, Charles Bearce, Horace Reed, Gridley T. Nash, Leander Curtis, Jonathan Arnold, jr., Joshua Cur- tis, jr., Samuel H. MeKenney, Josiah Soule, jr., William E. Pool, Charles W. Howland. Toast-Master-Samuel N. Cox. Committee of Finance-Zenas Jenkins, Nahum Reed, Meritt
* Subsequently, at a meeting of the " Committee of Arrangements," Mr. Howland declined serving, and Mr. S. N. Cox was chosen to fill the vacancy.
229
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Nash, James Ford. Committee on Music-Nahum Reed, Meritt Nash, Zenas Jenkins. Committee of Correspondence- Isaac Hersey, John N. Noyes, Samuel B. Thaxter. Commit- tee to print the Oration, Poem, and Proceedings-Isaac Hersey, Samuel N. Cox, John N. Noyes.
The citizens of Abington never won for themselves more credit than on Tuesday, the 10th day of June, on the occasion of the celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town. The day was all that one could wish, bright, cool, and airy ; and was just one of those days when everything looks pleasant and lovely. The Natal Day was announced by the ringing of all the bells in town. At an early hour the people were alive to the requirements of the occasion, and began their preparations for the public exer- cises of the day. Many of the sons and daughters of old Abing- ton, from far and near, were at home to share in the festivities of the day, and worthily to remember their mother-town. The citizens of the town, forgetting their usual avocations, turned out en masse to honor the day ; and large delegations from the neighboring towns were present to participate in the exercises of the occasion.
At half-past nine, A.M., on the arrival of the morning train from Boston, the escort, consisting of the South Abington In- fantry (Co. E, Fourth Regiment, M. V. M.), accompanied by the South Abington Band, received His Excellency Governor Andrew, the members of the Executive Council, the invited guests, and the Committee of Arrangements, at the depot at the Centre, and proceeded at once to " Hatherly Hall," where, after waiting a few minutes, the Procession was formed in the following order :-
Chief Marshal and Aids.
Aid.
Music. Military Escort. President of the Day and His Excellency Governor Andrew. The Executive Council.
Aid.
20
230
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Aid. Aid.
Members of the State Department. Orator of the Day and Chaplain. Aid.
Poet of the Day and invited Speakers. Soldiers of 1812. Aid.
Members of the Legislature. Town Officers. Invited Guests. Vice-Presidents.
Aid. Committee of Arrangements. Aid.
Aid. Pilgrim Royal Arch Chapter. Aid.
John Cutler Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.
Aid. Organization of Sons of Temperance. Aid.
School Committee, Teachers, and Children of the Public Schools.
Aid. Citizens Generally. Aid.
Aid. Cavalcade. Aid.
Passing through Washington Street, Centre Avenue, and Plymouth Street, the Procession proceeded to "Island Grove," where the exercises of the day were to take place, arriving at precisely the hour (11 o'clock) which had been fixed upon by the Chief Marshal.
Forming, as it did, one of the essential features of the occa- sion, the procession deserves something more than a passing notiee.
The South Abington Band furnished good evidence that the reputation of the town, for proficiency in music, would receive no detriment at their hands.
The military escort for the occasion, (South Abington Infantry,) appearing with full ranks, gained great credit by their fine appearance and soldierly bearing, and showed that they were proficient in whatever pertained to their duties as citizen soldiers.
The veterans of 1812 attracted, as they well deserved, con- siderable attention. They had gathered, after the lapse of half a century, a goodly number, although their ranks had been sadly thinned by time, to recall the scenes through which
231
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
they had passed, and, by their presence, to add to the enjoy- ment of the hour.
The Masonic Fraternity, numbering some seventy, came out in full regalia. They were accompanied by the Wey- mouth Band, and formed a very attractive part of the procession. They carried a beautiful banner, with mottoes and devices peculiar to the order.
The "Sons of Temperance " were represented by delega- tions from the various Divisions in town. They numbered nearly one hundred, and carried the banner of "Home" Division, with the motto-" We Live to Conquer."
The School Committee and teachers of the public schools had made every exertion to render that interesting part of the procession-the schools-as attractive as possible, and their success was evident, from the encomiums awarded to it by observers.
First came the Centre High School. Mr. L. P. Martin, Teacher, fifty pupils, with a banner adorned with a neatly executed lettering of evergreen, giving the name of the school, the date of the celebration, and the motto - "Virtus in Actione."
The South Abington High School followed, with a banner inscribed with the name of the school, and the motto- "Fortiter, Fideliter, Feliciter." Mr. D. H. Brown, Teacher ; forty-two pupils.
Next came the North Abington High School. Mr. J. F. Frye, Teacher ; seventy pupils. On their banner was the motto-" Suaviter in modo, Fortiter in re." On the reverse was inscribed-" The Love of Country Prevails," with the date of the celebration.
These were followed by the intermediate schools, as fol- lows :-
Adams Street Intermediate. Miss Maria J. Wales, Teacher ; fifty pupils. Motto-"Workers Together."
Plymouth Street, Intermediate. Miss Mary E. Reed, Teacher ; thirty-eight pupils. Motto-" Strive for the Right."
Washington Street Intermediate. Miss Elizabeth B. Nash,
232
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Teacher ; fifty-six pupils. Motto-" Excelsior," with a paint- ing of the aspiring standard-bearer.
School Street Intermediate. Miss Ellen Dyer, Teacher ; forty-eight pupils. Motto-" Still Achieving, Still Pursuing."
Hancock Street Intermediate. Miss Abby D. Sewall, Teacher ; forty pupils. Motto-"Onward, Right Onward."
Ashland Street School. Miss Alice M. Raymond, Teacher ; twenty pupils. Motto-" Much in Little," with the date.
When the procession reached the field adjoining the grove, they were joined by the East Abington Schools, as follows :---
The High School. Mr. B. Fullerton, Teacher ; fifty pupils. Motto -- " Mens Agitat Molem;" on the reverse, a painting, the rising sun.
The three Intermediate Schools - Market Street, Union Street, and Webster Street-came next, with a banner with the motto-" We are Coming," followed by one hundred and sixty-five pupils.
The North Union Street Intermediate. Miss Fidelia A. Hunt, Teacher, with forty-nine pupils ; and a banner with the motto-" The Future is Ours," brought up the rear.
After music by the South Abington Band, Hon. Levi Reed, President of the Day, delivered a very appropriate introduc- tory address, setting forth the character and results of the event to be commemorated, the principles cherished by our fathers, and the rich heritage bequeathed to us through their undying attachment to those principles.
The following " Hymn of Welcome," written for the occa- sion by Rev. Horace D. Walker, was then sung by the children of the public schools, to the tune of "Red, White and Blue " :-
Hail ! Abington's sons and her daughters From all the new homes you have found; Say, is there a spot in those quarters Dearer now than your own native ground Where we of the new generation, As we come the old days to review,
And learn to stand true to the Nation, Now ring out our welcome to you.
233
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Welcome back to the home of your childhood, Ye who've wandered o'er land and o'er sea ; To our voice now let meadow and wildwood Echo back the loud notes full and free ; As to God, who can cheer all in sadness, To God, who will clase every fear, We lift now the song of our gladness This Hundred and Fiftieth Year. '
Welcome, all who have staid in your places, And been true to your holiest trust ; Who've taught us to mark well the traces Of the Wise, and the Pure, and the Just : O! be sure that in gladness we greet you, Friends, relatives, gathered around ; Your joy may we be as we meet you Through another half-century's bound.
Welcome, all of each age and each station, And welcome our Governor true ! Three cheers for the State and the Nation ! Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue ! Our hearts will in gladness repeat it, Our pulses all bounding in glee ; With welcome, thrice welcome, we greet it, Our Abington's third Jubilee !
Rev. Asahel Cobb, of New Bedford, a native of the town, and chaplain of the day, offered prayer.
The following Hymn, contributed by Mrs. Elizabeth L. Cummings, of Medford, a native of the town, was then sung, to the tune " America " :-
God of our buried sires, Guard of their altar fires, Guide of their way ; Our grateful hearts and tongues Praise Thee in thankful songs, To whom all praise belongs I Bless us to-day. 20*
234
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
While to the golden urn Of hist'ry's page we turn, Her garnered store Shows the brave Pilgrim band,
Sifted from Fatherland, Wafted by heavenly hand, To plant our shore.
Now o'er our Fathers' dust, Firm in their faith and trust, From us arise Blessings for Gospel light, For Halls of Learning bright,
For Freedom, Truth and Right, Gifts from the skies.
Guard Thou our native town ; Here shed rich blessings down ; 'Mid danger's night, 'Mid war's fierce, fiery breath, Shield her young sons from death ; Preserve her ancient faith ; God speed the right.
The President then introduced, as the Orator of the Day, Rev. E. Porter Dyer, of Hingham.
Glancing briefly at the characters of the first settlers, and the motives which impelled them to forsake their father-land for this, the Speaker began with the first grant of land in this town in 1642, and sketched a brief outline of its early history ; -the character of its soil, its progress in population and improvements, its incorporation, its first meeting-houses and ministers, and schools, its manufactures and agricultural pro- dnets, its early poverty and remarkable growth. A single extract from the oration will show the poverty of Abington while the town was yet in its infancy.
" More than a century after the Mayflower discharged her precious cargo on Plymouth Rock, and fourteen years after the incorporation of this town, I find a record, which states that on application of Scituate, and eight families of Abington,
235
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
to be set off to that town, the inhabitants of this town, in their dissent, give the following reasons: First, that there were but fifty-three families in town, five of whom were lately married, and lived under the roofs of others; six of them were widows, and of the rest, some of them were so poor that they were not rated, but had need of support from the town ; and second, that only the easterly part of the town was then fit for settlement.
" At this time, 1726, Abington was altogether the poorest town in Plymouth County. In the list of the Province taxes for that year, the tax of Abington was only £35 4s. 8d., while that of Scituate (then including Hanover) was £317 6s. At that time there was not a town in the whole county which was not taxed considerably more than twice as much as Abington.
"In 1751, twenty-five years later, out of fourteen towns in the county, Abington was the ninth in point of wealth. In 1800, Abington was the eighth town. In 1830, the sixth. In 1851, the fourth. In 1861, the valuation of Abington, by the State, greatly exceeded that of any other town in the county ; and while the whole State taxes of Scituate, South Scituate, and Hanover, were only $5,958, those of Abington alone were $7,578."
The Speaker also glanced at a few of the prominent citizens of former years, and at the patriotic and military ardor of the town. But further extracts from the oration would transcend the limits of this article ; and it must suffice to barely notice the remaining exercises of the grand occasion.
The oration was followed by music from the South Abing- ton Band. The procession was re-formed, and marched to a large tent near the entrance to the grove, where dinner had been provided by Messrs. Reed & Noyes, for seven linndred and fifty persons. Many were unable to procure tickets, as the supply was limited to the accommodations.
The Assembly having taken their places at the tables, a blessing was invoked by the Chaplain. The President of the
236
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Day then introduced as Toast-Master, Mr. Samuel N. Cox, who announced the regular sentiments :-
1. The President of the United States-The Weymouth Band responded by playing " Hail to the Chief."
2. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts-Responded to by His Excellency Governor Andrew, who concluded his glowing tribute to the worth of Massachusetts soldiers with this senti- ment,-" The brave and honest heart." Three cheers for Governor Andrew followed, and music by the South Abington Band.
3. The Natural Productions of Abington-James Wilson Ward, jr., Esq., of Guilford, Conn., responded at length in a humorons and witty poem to the praise of St. Crispin, the tutelary saint of Abington.
The closing portion of the poem, a prayer for the Union, was especially fine. A few stanzas are here inserted.
*
* * * *
" Let success attend our banner, Write thy name on every fold !
Still maintain its sacred honor, Still preserve its stars of gold ! While through ages yet unending History writes the deeds of men, Give us dignity, transcending Patriot's hope or prophet's ken !
And when Time its march has finished And its mighty cycles cease, Still with honor undiminished, May our nation's end be Peace. When archangel trumpet pealing Sounds the knell of hoary time, May it bring the full revealing Of an heritage sublime !
*
O thou God of our salvation, All our hope is in thy hand ; Make us thine, a chosen nation- Make us thine, Immanuel's land ! "
237
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
4. Our Fellow-Townsman, Hon. Benjamin Hobart-Vener- able for his years, and respected by all for the deep interest which he has taken in the affairs of this his native town. This sentiment was responded to by a statement of numerous facts concerning the growth and progress of Abington. The response closed with this sentiment :-
The Town of Abington-Its population, valuation and indus- try, is greater than that of any other town in the County of Plymouth ; and stands, in point of population, exclusive of cities, the sixth town in the State.
5. The Early Ministers of the Town-Responded to by Rev. F. R. Abbe, Pastor of the First Church.
A hymn, written for the occasion by Rev. H. D. Walker, was then sung, to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne."
6. The Common Schools of New England-Responded to by Rev. H. D. Walker, Chairman of the School Committee.
7. The Press-Responded to by Charles F. Dunbar, Esq., of the "Boston Daily Advertiser," himself a native of the town.
8. The Clergy-Responded to by Rev. Isaac C. White, of Plymouth, also a native of Abington.
9. The Orator of the Day-Responded to by Rev. E. Porter Dyer.
10. Masonry-William D. Coolidge, Esq., of Newton, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, responded.
11. Our Temperance Organizations-Responded to by Rev. Joseph Crehore.
12. Our Volunteers-By Rev. Henry L. Edwards.
13. The Volunteer Militia-Response by Serj. B. F. Peter- son, Company E, (South Abington Infantry,) Fourth Regiment M. V. M.
Several volunteer sentiments followed, and music by the Weymouth Band concluded the exercises of that deeply inter- esting historical occasion.
Letters were received from Seth Hobart White, Esq., of Delhi, New York, Rev. Joseph Pettee, of Abington, Ellis Ames, Esq., of Canton, and Rev. Jacob White, of West
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SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Bridgewater, all of which were published with the proceed- ings of that day.
A valuable Appendix was added, including historical facts of interest, votes of the town, " The Famous Resolves," * and a list of the names of surviving soldiers of the War of 1812, with their respective ages, and a tabular view of the population and valuation of Abington, through a series of decades.
The following is a list of the soldiers of 1812, living at the time of the celebration. The list contains the names of a few persons who were not living in Abington in 1812, but who have since become residents of the town. The ages are as near as could be ascertained :-
Names.
Ages.
Names.
Ages.
Daniel Alden
74
Samuel Norton
66
Ezra Alden
72
Alvah Noyes
63
Daniel Alger
76
Benjamin Noyes
65
Jonathan Arnold .
68
Jacob Noyes
67
Thomas Blanchard
77
James Noyes
72
Samuel N. Brown
64
Moses Noyes
71
Daniel Burrill
68
Zibeon Packard
66
John Curtis
66
Samuel Porter +
81
Joshua Curtis .
71
Noah Pratt .
71
Rufus Curtis
69
Martin Ramsdell t
70
Joseph Damon
70
Abel R. Reed t
71
James Dyer t .
80
Abiah Reed
70
Daniel A. Ford
71
David Reed
72
Saunders Gardner
69
Goddard Reed +
74
Jonas Gilson
73
Jonathan L. Reed
71
Chandler R. Gurney
70
Brackley Shaw
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