USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Abington > History of the town of Abington, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement > Part 8
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ton, or East Bridgewater, I gave my voice to have them at Bridgewater.
The distribution of premiums is of very little consequence to most of the towns in the county, as they are principally received in the town where the exhibitions are held, and a few of the adjoining towns. To show this, we need only to refer to their distribution for one or two years past. In 1854, the whole amount awarded in premiums by the Plymouth County Agricultural Society, was seven hundred and seventy-five dollars and twenty-five cents ; of this sum, Bridgewater re- ceived nearly one-half-three hundred and nineteen dollars- which, with what the three other Bridgewaters received, amounted to four hundred and ninety-eight dollars and fifty cents, which left for all the other towns in the county two hundred and seventy-seven dollars and twenty-five cents. Taking out Middleborough, another adjoining town, (one hun- dred and four dollars,) and there was left for all the other towns in the county, one hundred and seventy-three dollars and twenty- five cents. Abington received five dollars and seventy-five cents ; nine other towns received, on an average, less than five dollars each, and six other towns, the remainder, a little over one hundred dollars. Another example may be stated: In 1856, the premiums awarded amounted to one thousand two hundred and fifty-eight dollars (omitting cents) ; Bridgewater received four hundred and twenty dollars, over one-third ; East Bridgewater, one hundred and sixty-two dollars; North Bridgewater, one hundred and seventy-three dollars ; West Bridgewater, one hundred and seventeen dollars ; Middle- borough, one hundred and twenty-four dollars. Thus, Bridge- water, with four adjoining towns, received nine hundred and ninety-six dollars-leaving for all the other towns in the county, two hundred and sixty-two dollars. Abington received, that year, ninety-two dollars (about half of it for equestrian display by ladies). Exclusive of this, one hundred and seventy dollars was left for all the rest of the towns in the county, and this was divided among fifteen othier towns ; for eight of them, about three dollars each, and seven, twenty
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dollars each ; and several towns received nothing. These are fair specimens of the distribution of the awards of premiums generally.
There was an effort made in 1854 and 1855 to give Abing- ton a more full connection with the county society. Nearly fifty persons from this town joined the society in these years, to aid in the accomplishment of the good objects for the sake of which it was established. The effort appears to have proved a failure ; and unless a better spirit should come to prevail in the county society, the town must depend mainly upon an agricultural society of its own. The towns of Hanover and Hanson might be united with us for their advantage, but Abington is able alone to form and sustain such a society ; and I hope, as I have observed before, that efforts will be made to that effect, and that a town agricultural society will be formed.
CHAPTER IX.
Statistics of the First Religious Society .- Two First Ministers, Rev. Samuel Brown and Rev. Ezekiel Dodge.
THE statistical account of the first religious society in Abing- ton, prepared according to request, and handed to me by JJolin N. Noyes, Esq., bearing his signature, is as follows :-
MARCH, 1860 .- " The records of the First Church in Abing- ton were commenced in 1724 ; and but little can now be learned of its previous history.
" In answer to a unanimous call, the Rev. Samuel Brown came to Abington to preach, December 8, 1711; but was not ordained until November 17, 1714. The precise date when the church was organized is not now known, but was probably about the time of ordination.
" The names of the male members in 1724, were as follows : Rev. Samuel Brown, William Hersey, Andrew Ford, William
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, CENTRE ABINGTON.
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Tirrell, Ebenezer Whitmarsh, Joseph Josselyn, William Reed, Joseph Lincoln, Edmund Jackson, Samuel Porter, William Tirrell, jr., Samuel Pool, Micah Pratt, Samuel French, Daniel Pettingale, Andrew Ford, jr., John Reed, Edward Bates, Nicholas Shaw, Samuel Noyes, Joshua Shaw : twenty-one. These signed the covenant with their own hand. The first eight were members at the founding of the church. There were also at this date (1724) twenty-five female members,- making forty-six.
" The number of church members December, 1777, was one hundred and forty-five, - seventy-six males and sixty-nine females. From 1785 to 1812, I have not been able to find the number. In 1812, there were one hundred and fourteen : forty-nine males and sixty-nine females. This was after the formation of the church at South Abington.
" August, 1813, the church at East Abington was formed, and several were set off from this church. At the commence- ment of Mr. Spring's ministry, January, 1822, the church numbered eighty-one : thirty-two males and fifty females. In 1827, one hundred and twenty-four : thirty-seven males and eighty-seven females. In 1834, when Mr. Ward was settled, one hundred and forty-two : fifty-two males and ninety females. In 1839, about fifty members left this church and formed the church at North Abington. In 1842, there were ninety-six members : thirty-five males and sixty-one females. In 1850, one hundred and eighteen : forty-eight males and seventy females. In 1855, one hundred and twenty-five: forty-nine males and seventy-six females ; and now, in 1860, one hun- dred and seventy-three : sixty-one males and one hundred and twelve females.
" The first meeting-house stood in front of the old burying- ground, near where Mr. Samuel Brown formerly lived. It was a small house, without steeple, bell, or pews ; benches being used for seats. This house was taken down in 1751, and a new one, seventy feet long, fifty wide, and twenty-six feet posts, was built some four or five rods south-westerly from where Hatherly Hall now stands. The third house, 8*
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(now Hatherly Hall,) was built in 1819, and was used until the present house was dedicated, August 31, 1849. The first house was used nearly forty years, the second sixty-cight, the third thirty, and the fourth since 1849.
" Rev. Samuel Brown was pastor of the First Church until 1749. He died September 19, the same year. Rev. Ezekicl Dodge, the next minister, was ordained May 23, 1750, and died suddenly June 5, 1770. Rev. Samuel Niles was ordained September 25, 1771, and died January 16, 1814. He was prostrated by a paralytic affection in November, 1811, from which time he was not able to attend to pastoral duties. Rev. Holland Weeks was installed August 9, 1815, and was dis- missed July 27, 1820. Rev. Samuel Spring, jr., was ordained January 2, 1822, and his connection was dissolved December 20, 1826. Rev. William Shedd was installed July 1, 1829, and his connection was dissolved April 8, 1830. Rev. Melancthon G. Wheeler was installed October 13, 1831, and was pastor until September, 1833. Rev. James W. Ward was ordained May 21, 1834, and continued pastor until No- vember 23, 1856. Rev. F. R. Abbe was ordained September 3, 1857, and is now pastor. Six of these were settled here for the first time, and three were installed.
" Of the six ordained ministers, Mr. Brown was pastor thirty- eight years ; Mr. Dodge twenty ; Mr. Niles forty-two ; Mr. Spring five ; Mr. Ward twenty-two and a half; Mr. Abbe is now pastor, and has been so for about three years. Of the installed, Mr. Weeks was pastor five years ; Mr. Shedd one ; Mr. Wheeler two.
" In one hundred and forty-eight years, there was no pastor for ten and a half years.
" The first deacon was Ebenezer Whitmarsh, chosen Decem- ber 18, 1714, and died April 8, 1718. Joseph Lincoln was chosen February 17, 1716-17, and was voted out of office January 3, 1722-23. Samuel French was chosen in 1722; Edward Bates, March 25, 1727 ; Joshua Shaw, December 30, 1735. Samuel Pool and John Noyes were chosen August 16, 1750. Daniel Shaw and Eleazer Whitman were chosen
HATHERLY HALLT
MILLBURN & MELLONE
ILATHERLY HALL, CENTRE ABINGTON.
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some time between 1777 and 1779. Jacob Pool, Isaac Tirrell and David Torrey, some time previous to 1820; but at what dates I have not ascertained, the records being very defective. Edward Cobb and Richard Vining were chosen November 25, 1823 ; Joshua King, Jacob Cobb and Joseph Cleverly, April 1, 1840 ; Zadok Nash, June 1, 1855 ; John A. King, and J. L. Nash, assistant deacons, March 9, 1858. The four last named are now living.
"The church records have been kept, so far as now ascer- tained, as follows : From 1724 to 1729, by Rev. Samuel Brown; from 1750 to 1769, by Rev. E. Dodge ; some of these records are lost. From this time (1769) until 1822, the records are very much broken. There are some fragments from 1771 to 1774, and from 1778 to 1785. From 1804 to 1807, there were some records respecting the singing diffi- culties, supposed to be by Rev. Samuel Niles. From 1812 to 1815, records were kept by Deacon Torrey, Moderator, assisted by Luke Bicknell and Samuel Norton. During Rev. II. Weeks' ministry, there are no records until the commencement of the difficulties which resulted in his dismission. From this time in 1820 to 1822, Samuel Norton was Scribe ; then Mr. Spring to December, 1826 ; then Zibeon Packard to July, 1829 ; then Mr. Shedd to July, 1831 ; then Zibeon Packard to October, 1831 ; then Mr. Wheeler to September, 1833; then Zibeon Packard to May, 1834; then Mr. Ward to September, 1837 ; then Zibeon Packard to January, 1841; then Mr. Ward to April, 1856 ; then Mr. Howland to January, 1858; and since then Rev. F. R. Abbe.
" The first parish was composed of the whole town until 1808, and all parish business was done at town meetings with other town business. The first meeting, as a separate parish, was called March 22, 1808, by a warrant from Luke Bicknell, Esq., Justice of the Peace, and was notified by John King. Since that time the parish records have been kept separate. The number of members it would be difficult to ascertain, on account of the law which made all members who had not joined other parishes, or withdrawn from this previous to
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1834. The present number, taking those who have joined with those under the old law, who act with us, is about seventy.
" It was formerly the custom when a minister was called, to grant something as a settlement, or jointure, in addition to the salary.
"Mr. Brown had for a settlement a farm of sixty acres, which cost £112. His salary was £48 the first year, to which £2 per year was to be added until it reached £60, and then £1 until it reached £70, where it was then to remain.
" Mr. Dodge had £111 2s. 2d. as salary and settlement for three years, after which he was to have £73 6s. 8d. per annum.
"Mr. Niles had £133 6s. Sd. as a settlement, and £93 6s. 8d. (equal to $311.12) salary. This was afterwards increased ; so that when the parish was separated from the town in 1808, he was paid $450, and, in 1810, $500.
" In 1813, a call was extended to Rev. Sylvanus Holmes, of New Bedford, to settle as colleague with Mr. Niles. The call was concurred in by the parish, and a settlement of $500 voted him, and $500 per year salary. Why he was not settled does not appear from the records.
.
"Mr. Weeks was settled with a salary of $500 per year. Mr. Spring had $600 and house-rent ; Mr. Shedd and Mr. Wheeler each $600; Mr. Ward, $700; and Mr. Abbe has $800 and parsonage.
"JOHN N. NOYES."
The foregoing account of the First Church and Society in this town seems to be very deficient, owing to the very great irregularity in keeping the records. As to the two first min- isters, there is but very partial information respecting them. As to all the rest, I have been cotemporary with them (with Mr. Niles, however, only about eighteen years after being old enough to attend to his ministry). In addition to the state- ment of Mr. Noyes, as far as it goes, I will make some collateral statements respecting the four first ministers, and
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this I shall do principally by quotations from the writings of their friends and from public documents, especially from Hobart's Sketch of Abington, and something may be added from tradition and recollection. As to those ministers who succeeded the four first, they are all, as far as I know, with one exception, living characters, and are known to the present generation.
Mr. Brown was born at Newbury, in the County of Essex, September 5, 1687. He took his first degree at Cambridge in 1709, and came to Abington to preach, as before stated, December 8, 1711. Little is known of his private character, but by tradition. That represents him to have been a man of benevolent, though quick temper ; of respectable intellectual endowments, and, in literary attainments, upon a level with the clergymen in general of his day. In his religious senti- ments he might be considered a moderate Calvinist, with an inclination to Arminianism. From some of his sermons in manuscript, he seems to have thought it a more important concern how we live than what we believe. His style of writing was plain and strong, though sometimes coarse and inelegant. During the first and greater part of his connection with his people, Mr. Brown's labors appear to have been use- ful and acceptable.
About five years before the end of his ministry and life, serious difficulties arose between him and a portion of his church and society. June 11, 1744, there was a church- meeting to consider certain charges against the pastor, re- specting doctrines delivered by him in public and private. Mr. Brown explained to the satisfaction of a great majority of the church. At a church-meeting, August 31, 1744, an- other set of charges was preferred against Mr. Brown, and he and the church desired to join in calling a council to decide upon them. The request was acceded to, and a council finally agreed on, to consist of delegates from two of the three follow- ing churches, probably selected by Mr. Brown, viz. : Second Church in Scituate, First in Hingham, and First in Wey- mouth ; and two from the three following, selected by the
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dissatisfied brethren : First Church in Attleborough, Second in Wrentham, and the church in Halifax. Which four of these churches were agreed upon, does not appear. The charges were, errors in doctrine ;- admitting into his pulpit clergymen not friendly to the great and soul-humbling doctrines of the Gospel-arbitrariness in church meetings and church govern- ment-and lying. At the appointed time the council met, and cleared the pastor of all said matters of charge.
This result did not prove satisfactory to the opposition, or restore harmony. The minority of the church, consisting of the dissatisfied brethren, and constituting over one-third of the members, absented themselves from church meetings and the communion, and finally, at an organized meeting of their own, voted the pastor out of his office. This course of proceedings was thought so irregular and disorderly, as to require animad- version. Accordingly the church and pastor proceeded to call a council to meet August 22, 1749. This council probably met, and possibly another called by the minority ; but the records are defective, and the result is not known. Whether anything done by them, or any proceedings or occurrences con- nected with their meeting, had any influence with Mr. Brown, is uncertain. He seems, however, to have perceived a wide and impassable gulf between himself and a portion of his people, which must put an end to his future usefulness as their minister ; and therefore proposed to ask a dismission on the following terms, viz. :- That the town should pay him, annually, during life, $100, old tenor, besides exempting him and his estate from taxation, and join him in choosing arbi- trators to decide what was due him on account of arrears of salary.
Mr. Brown therefore asked a dismission in the following words :-
" BRETHREN OF THE TOWN :- In consideration of the difficul- tics which attend my continuance in the work of the ministry among you, I desire you would grant me a dismission there- from.
" SAMUEL BROWN."
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Mr. Brown's death took place in nineteen days after his agreement with the town to ask a dismission, August 31, 1749. He died, as before stated, September 19, 1749, at the age of sixty-two. The triumph of the opposition, if it was such, seems to have been very short. The opposition to him was unworthy of the objectors, and was persevered in un- reasonably, and characterized by violence and disorder.
It is greatly to the credit of Mr. Brown that nothing appears to have occurred in his long difficulties with a portion of his church, to impair, in any important degree, his moral aud religious character.
Mr. Brown, like many other clergymen of his day, was in quite extensive practice as a physician, both in town and out. He was also extensively employed in drawing wills, deeds, aud other writings.
For his first wife, he married Dorothy Woodbridge, October 24, 1712, by whom he had a son, named Woodbridge, born in 1714. She died in April, 1718 ; and the next February he married Mary, the daughter of Matthew Pratt, of Weymouth. By her he had several children, but they all died young. After his deathı, his widow married Josiah Torrey, Esq. His son, Woodbridge Brown, was for many years a popular and leading man in town. He represented the town in the Legis- lature for fifteen years. He was a delegate to the First Pro- vincial Congress at Salem, October 5, 1764. To the Second at Cambridge, February 1, 1775. He was also one of the delegates of this town for a Plymouth County Congress, which met at Plymouth, September 27, 1774.
During Mr. Brown's ministry of thirty-eight years as above, there were added to the church, consisting at its foundation of eight male members, two hundred and seven persons-of whom ninety-three were males, and one hundred and fourteen females. In 1742, there were forty-one admissions. The whole number of baptisms was five hundred and twelve.
The posterity of Mr. Brown is quite numerous in this town and vicinity, and in many other towns at a distance. His son Woodbridge was the only child of his who ever lived to grow
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up. He died in 1783, in his seventieth year. He had four sons-Samuel, Josiah, John, and Joseph. Samuel lived on the old homestead, near which the first meeting-house stood. John (Brown) lived in East Bridgewater; the other two in Abington ; he had two daughters, Abigail and Dorothy. Abigail married Deacon Eleazer Whitman, of Abington. He died in 1807, aged ninety-one. His wife died in 1814, also aged ninety-one years. Dorothy married Eleazer Bates, and left one son-Josiah. They have all long since deceased. The sons of Samuel Brown, the grandson of the minister, were four-Woodbridge, Samnel, Daniel, and Enoch ; and his daughters were four-Mchitable, Sarah, Dorothy and Mary. Mehitable married the late Ephraim Whitman, father of Jared Whitman, Esq. Sarah married James Nash. Doro- thy, John Reed. Mary, the only one now living, married John Pool, Esq., of Easton. She is now about eighty years old, and her husband, still living, is about ninety. The de- scendants of Minister Brown probably exceed one hundred. A memorial of the genealogy of the Brown family would be quite interesting. I have only named a few of them, most of whom I knew. If a memorial was prepared, it might appear hereafter, with others, if they are furnished.
Mr. Ezekiel Dodge, the second minister of the town, re- ceived a call February 23, 1750, to settle over the church and society, and accepted the same, his salary and settlement to be as stated above. His ordination took place May 23, 1750. On that occasion the Introductory Prayer was made by Rev. John Angier, of East Bridgewater; Sermon, by Rev. Mr. Cushing, (supposed,) of Shrewsbury ; Charge, by Rev. Mr. Eells, of Scituate ; and the Right Hand of Fellowship, by the Rev. Mr. Baily, of Weymouth.
Mr. Dodge's ministry furnishes but few materials for re- marks. From beginning to end great harmony prevailed between him and his charge. There were no important differences, and therefore no controversy between them about doctrines, nor were there any councils ever called to settle differences in church affairs.
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In 1751, the practice began, which still continues to some exteut, of requiring of persons propounded for admission to the church a relation of their religious experience. The vote of the church was that it be expected of those who offer them- selves to our communion, that they give some account of their faith, and the reason of their hope.
Mr. Dodge, the son of Jabez Dodge, was born April 21, 1723, in that part of Ipswich now the town of Manchester. His father removed to Shrewsbury, in the County of Wor- cester, from whence the son entered college at Cambridge, where he graduated July, 1749.
Mr. Dodge was much beloved and respected by his people, and deservedly so, as he possessed, in an eminent degree, all those qualities of head and heart, which merit confidence and esteem. He was mild, amiable, and conciliatory in his temper and manners : prudent and circumspect in his conduct as a man, and especially so in discharging the various, and often delicate and embarrassing, duties of the ministerial office. If he had enemies, they were few, and tradition has not told us who they were.
As a divine, he was learned, pious and exemplary. His religious tenets were the Calvinism of his day. To these he adhered with the zeal and firmness of a sincere believer in their truth. At the same time he was tolerant of the opinions of others, who, after diligent and honest inquiry for the truth, would not see as he saw, or believe as he believed. Knowing that mankind were to be judged by their works, he was more disposed to regard and value the fruits of morality and piety, manifesting themselves in the lives and conversation of his people, than their professions and declarations.
He was diligent in his calling. Besides performing all the other duties of his office with punctuality in a large parish, he composed, in the course of twenty years, over one thousand sermons. Many of them are still extant; but owing to his peculiar manner of abbreviation, and inattention to chirog- raphy, they are mostly illegible. He also wrote an interesting 9
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Journal, extending through the whole period of his ministry. Only a small part of it has been preserved.
Mr. Dodge died suddenly of apoplexy, June 5, 1770, as stated above, iu the forty-eighth year of his age. His wife was Mary Goddard, of Sutton, by whom he had (beside several children who died young) Mary, born Feb. 7, 1754, who married Rev. Samuel Niles ; Mehitable, born Feb. 13, 1763, who married Nathaniel Cushing, Esq., of Pembroke, now Hanson. Several of her children are now living : Elijah Cushing, a son of hers, still lives on the old homestead where she lived and died. He also left a son, Ezekiel Goddard, born April 18, 1765. He settled at Thomaston, Maine, where he practised medicine. Before Massachusetts and Maine separated, he often represented that town in the Legislature.
In another chapter some further remarks and extracts may appear, respecting the other ministers of the first society, par- ticularly Mr. Niles, and Mr. Weeks. And some further items may be added respecting that long standing and very respec- table society, where many of our ancestors, relatives and acquaintances, and some now belonging to other societies in town, used to meet and attend public worship.
CHAPTER X.
Rev. Samuel Niles, the Third Minister of the First Religious Society.
IN addition to what was said in the last chapter respecting the Rev. Samuel Niles, a more extended notice of him seems to be required. Mr. Niles' ancestors were highly distinguished for their talents, professions, and longevity. He descended in the third degree from Captain Nathaniel Niles, who died in Braintree, in 1727, aged eighty-seven. His grandfather, the
CRY
FORMER RESIDENCE OF REV. E. DODGE AND REV. S. NILES. (Now occupied by Laura, daughter of Samuel Niles.)
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Rev. Samuel Niles, was born on Block Island, R.I., May 7, 1673 ; graduated at Cambridge in 1699, and was ordained at Braintree in 1711. IIe continued in the ministry over fifty years. He was married three times ; by his first wife, who was the daughter of Rev. Peter Thacher, of Milton, he had, among others, Samuel, the father of the Samuel of whom we are now speaking. He was the author of quite a number of works. In 1745 he composed and published " A Brief and Sorrowful Account of the present State of the Churches in New England." In 1747, "God's wonder-working Provi- dence for New England in the reduction of Louisburg (poetry) : 1752, " A Vindication of divers Gospel Doctrines, and the Teachers and Professors of them :" 1757, " The True Doctrine of Original Sin stated and defined, in Answer to a Treatise on this Subject. By John Taylor, of Milton." 320 pages, 8vo. Besides these, Mr. Niles (the grandfather) composed a History of Indian Wars, which has been published in one of the volumes of the collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society. He died May 5, 1762, aged eighty-nine years.
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