USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Bernardston > History of the town of Bernardston, Franklin county, Massachusetts, 1736-1900, with genealogies > Part 13
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To Rev. Mr. Rogers must also be given the honor of founding the Sunday School library. He originated the idea and gave five dollars as a nucleus of the library fund, and asked the society to contribute the sum of ten dollars, which they did. In 1847, Snow, Col. Ferry, I. K. Brown, J. F. Hale and Zenas Cutler were appointed a committee to investigate and report whatever repairs were needful, and a second committee consisting of Dalton New- comb, J. F. Hale, Jason Brown, John Sanderson and Daniel Slate was chosen to make all such repairs as the judgment of the first named committee might deem advisable.
On the second committee Mr. Sanderson declined to serve and the Hon. Henry W. Cushman was chosen in his stead.
The interior of the building was essentially altered by the re- moval of the circular gallery, the high pulpit and the division of the large room into two, the upper one being fitted for an audito- rium, while the lower one was to be sometime finished as a vestry, at this time it was left very plain. The building was re-dedicated, Oct. 31, 1850, with a sermon by Rev. John F. Moors-then of Deer- field-text, John xvii-3. This dedicatory sermon, also that preached by Rev. Mr. Rogers, is in print. In 1852, a reed organ was purchased, . which did good service for a number of years. In 1871 it was re- placed by a double bank pipe organ of sweet tone.
In 1879, the building underwent another season of change ac- cording to the plans of Messrs. Almon Newcomb, P. L. Cushman and N. S. Cutler, this time more especially in the interior. An ad- dition was placed upon the south end, making room for the or. gan and choir behind the pulpit, while the vestry downstairs gave way to the pleasant Sunday School rooms, parlor, kitchen, etc. Could the original builders of the church view it to-day with its
127
GIFTS TO THE SOCIETY.
modern conveniences and comforts, great would be their astonish- ment, and with their strict puritanical ideas, it would be doubtful if they would consider some of our modern places of worship as justifying the end sought. When we consider that in former times such a thing as heating the House of God was unheard of, the dif- ference between past and present, is the more striking. The near- est neighbors were expected to furnish coals for the foot stoves at noon during the moderately cold weather, while in midwinter, when the cold was too intense, services were held at private dwell- ings, and at the annual town meetings, places were appointed for that purpose. Many such obvious comparisons might be depicted would space permit.
The next record of any gift to this society, aside from Mr. Rogers' contribution to the library fund, is dated Nov. 21. 1828, when the society voted to "accept of the Present made by Miss Rachael C. Pur- ple, which was a note held by her father, John Purple, against this parish at his decease, valued at $87.10."
In 1850, at the time of the re-dedication of the church, the society was most generously remembered by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Perkins of Hartford with a large and beautiful bible for their desk, and by Hon. Edward Epps Powers of Columbus, Ga., with a silver com- munion service. Upon the acquisition of the latter, the old service was donated to their Methodist brethren, and is used by them at the present time. How this first service was procured the records' are silent.
In July, 1880, Rev. J. B. Green, a former pastor, caused to be placed upon the walls of the parlor a handsomely framed portrait of Channing, the Eminent Unitarian Divine. Other portraits now ornament the walls, being gifts of different friends interested in the welfare of the society.
In Lt. Gov. Cushman's death the church lost one of its most able supports. His interest in his church he demonstrated by his bountiful remembrance of her needs. In his will he bequeathed his residence, valued at $4000, to the society for a parsonage, also fifty shares in the Franklin County National Bank, valued at $5000 par, and $500 to be called the Cushman Library Fund. The Bank shares were to be called the Cushman Religious Fund, the income
128
EARLY CHURCH RECORDS.
to be used for the support of an able pastor, provided the society shall annually raise not less than $200. Thus the church as well as the town has good reason to hold in grateful remembrance one of her illustrious sons.
In Mr. J. P. Hale, late of New York, is recognized another of the benefactors, not only of this society, but in some degree of all in town. April 2, 1871, he gave to the Sunday school the sum of $100 to be used to replenish its library. Several years ago he gave the income of $1000, to be devoted to the maintenance of an annual "union picnic," and at his decease it was found that to the society with which he was wont to worship in former days, he had be- queathed the sum of $10,000. From such examples ought not all to learn "To crowd the narrow span of life with wise designs and virtuous deeds."
Just who were the original members of this church it is difficult to determine. The earliest records now extant are embodied in the first town records, and there being at that time but the one so- ciety, all were taxed alike for its support. The earliest church record comes down to us in the call for a council to settle Rev. T. F. Rogers, Sept. 19, 1809. The church being called the Church of Christ. The treasurer's book of accounts commences March, 1817, at the time of the separation of church and town affairs. The first record of the first clerk, Elijah A. Gould, Jan. 29, 1817, is for a call for a meeting of the "Congregational Society to assemble at S. Perrins' Inn." The first mention in the society records of the word Unitarian is in a call June 1, 1835, for a meeting of the proprietors of the pews in the Unitarian church. That name was retained until 1842, when the name of the First Congregational society again appears. In the warrant for the meeting in 1850, the name is Unitarian Congregational society. Afterwards, for some years it is given as the Unitarian society. The name Congregational Unitarian society appears in 1855, for that year only. From that time the name First Congregational, or Unitarian society, was used up to the time of the final settlement of the name as "Congrega- tional Unitarian Society" by act of the Legislature, Feb. 19, 1891.
At the first parish meeting held March 3, 1817, Job Goodale, Caleb Chapin and Major Samuel Root were chosen a committee to select
IP Hale
ONE OF BERNARDSTON'S BENEFACTORS.
129
CONGREGATIONAL UNITARIAN SOCIETY.
those papers relative to the concerns of the first parish, now in the hands of the town treasurer, Ralph Cushman, and transfer them to Z. C. Newcomb, the parish treasurer. In a warrant for the March meeting held that year is found an article to see if the so- ciety would examine the expediency of holding parish meetings separately from the town meetings, but the minutes of the meeting state that it was voted to pass over this article. If the early rec- ords were kept apart from the town records it is to be deeply re- gretted that they were not more carefully preserved. The first. existing record upon the parish register bears the date of Jan. 29, 1817, at which time the society had had an existence of 75 years.
In 1783, the vote for Rev. Mr. Cook is on file as follows :
Yeas.
Remembrance Sheldon.
Capt. Cushman.
Capt. Moses Scott.
Daniel Loomis.
James Couch.
Aaron Field.
Capt. Joseph Slate.
Capt. Caleb Chapin.
Hezekiah Chapin.
Samuel Connable, Jr.
Benjamin Green, Jr.
Daniel Slate.
Joseph Denio.
Lt. Joel Chapin.
Jesse Field.
John Foster.
Thomas Edwards.
John Pinks.
Joseph Hale.
Joseph Allen.
Moses Scott, Jr.
Elisha B. Sheldon.
Samuel Hastings.
Lt. Jona. Slate.
Reuben Ingram.
William Newcomb.
Elias Parmenter.
Ebenezer Slate.
Ensign John Connable.
Lt. Michael Frizzell.
Stephen Webster, Jr.
Joseph Atherton.
John Burke, Jr.
William Hawes.
Prince Snow.
Lt. Ezekiel Foster. Calvin Bliss.
Willianı Fox. Seba Allen.
Reuben Frizzell. William Orris.
Israel Bagg.
Doctor Cushman.
Hezekiah Newcomb.
David Rider, Jr.
Lt. Nehemiah Andros. John Burk.
Lt. Jona. Severance.
Jona. Hurlbert.
Asaph Allen. Nays.
Zebulon Allen. Jonathan Sheldon.
Elijah Sheldon.
Caleb Sheldon.
Capt. Amasa Sheldon. Elijah Kingsley.
In all, fifty for and six against the vote.
If the above were not all actually church members, they were probably so connected with the parish as to be considered as hav- ing a legal voice in the government.
In February, 1891, by act of the Legislature, the name of the so- ciety was changed to "Congregational Unitarian Society of Ber- nardston," thus legalizing all bequests as well as proving itself an incorporated society.
.
I30
REV. JOHN NORTON.
Rev. John Norton, born November 16, 1715, in the parish of Ken- sington, then a part of Farmington, now within the present town of Berlin, Ct., was the fourth son and child of John and Anna (Thomp- son) Norton of Kensington, grandson of John and Ruth (Moore) Norton of Farmington, and great grandson of John and Elizabeth Norton of Branford, Ct. The family is of Norman descent, and the first of the name La Seur Norville (afterward changed to Nor- ton), came to England from Normandy with William the Conqueror in 1066, as his constable, then a military office of high rank. The family in England settled in Sharpenhow, a hamlet of Bedfordshire.
John Norton graduated at Yale college, class of 1737, probably studied theology in Springfield, settled as pastor in Fall Town, at Deerfield, November 25, 1741, O. S., at which time a church for that town was also founded. Owing to the condition of the coun- try and the French and Indian wars his ministry here was of short duration. After his dismissal from the ministry in this town he passed his time among the cordon of forts extending through Franklin County, having been appointed chaplain of them in Feb- ruary, 1746. His wife and three small children resided in Fort Shirley in the town of Heath, which fort he seems to have made his headquarters. In August, 1746, he was taken captive at Fort Massachusetts and with the rest of the garrison carried to Quebec, where he remained about a year, was then exchanged and returned to Boston. In January, 1748, he appears again as a resident of Spring- field, at which time he petitioned and received from the General Court 37£ Ios. for his services and sufferings while in captivity. November 30, 1748, he was installed as the first pastor of the Con- gregational church at East Hampton, Ct. Here he remained until his death with the exception of a few months in 1755-56, during which time he was chaplain of the forces raised by the colony to go to Crown Point. In 1760 he served as chaplain of the third reg- iment raised for the expedition against Canada; the length of this time of service is unknown, but it was doubtless a short one. Mr. Norton died of small-pox March 24, 1778. In the inventory of his estate was included a library of 29 volumes and 96 pamphlets.
He married Eunice, daughter of Luke and Elizabeth (Walker) Hitchcock of Springfield. She was born March 2, 1712-13, died
I31
REV. JOHN NORTON'S FAMILY.
May 27, 1796. A great-great grand-daughter of Rev. John Norton is now living in Bernardston in the person of Mrs. Jonathan Field Cushman. So far as can be learned, Mr. Norton was a man of fair abilities, pious and devoted to his calling.
CHILDREN.
Asenath, b. in Springfield, October 13, 1738; in. July 13, 1758, James Bill of Lebanon, Ct .; She d. January 2, 1810; eleven children.
Elizabeth, b. in Springfield, December 19, 1740; m. November 6, 1766, Nathaniel Clark; She d. May 18, 1770, leaving a dau. Eunice.
John, Jr., b. 1743, probably in Fall Town; m. September 19, 1765, Ede, dau. Jabez Clark; d. May 11, 1808; had nine children. His widow m. a second time.
Anna, b. Fall Town, September 22, 1745; d. at Fort Shirley, August 26, I747.
Jacob, b. December 15, 1748; d. in a prison ship in New York during the Revolution.
Elias; b. October 21, 1750; d. November 5, 1750.
Anne, b. March 29, 1752; no positive further record.
Eunice, b. October 23, 1754; d. unm. October 12, 1845.
Elias, b. also October 23, 1754; eventually became a loyalist and for a time lived in the provinces. Returned and d. in Addison, Me., about 1846; left a widow but no other known family.
Rev. Job. Wright, second minister of 'Fall Town, was born at Easthampton, Mass., October 13, 1737, graduated at Yale college in 1757, and was ordained as minister of this town the first day of July, 1761. He continued in the ministry nearly 21 years-to March 13, 1782,- when he was, at his own request, dismissed on ac- count of the financial troubles of the times, and perhaps, also, from some disrelish of parochial duties. The council for his dismission consisted of Rev. John Hubbard and Deacon Samuel Root of North- field, Rev. Judah Nash and Joseph Root, Esq., of Montague, and Rev. Roger Newton and Deacon Ebenezer Graves of Greenfield. The terms of his dismissal were "that he shall be freed from pub- lic taxes, both poll and land tax for five years from the date hereof, and longer in case arrears due to him from the town for services are not paid up by that time, and furthermore, that he shall enjoy all the other civil privileges during his residence in town, that be- long to settled ministers of the Gospel."
132
REV. JOB WRIGHT.
As an example of the difficulty of procuring money, the follow- ing vote, passed in 1781, will serve: "To raise sixty six pounds, thir- teen shillings and four pence silver money, to pay Mr. Wright's sallery and to be paid in silver, wheat, rye, indian corn or flax at silver money price-or paper money at the common exchange."
After Mr. Wright left the ministry at the age of 45 years, he was engaged in the cultivation of his farm and in public duties. He was for three years one of the selectmen and assessors of Ber- nardston, five years town clerk, and two years town treasurer, and was frequently appointed to fill other public offices. He was sev- eral times a candidate (but not elected) for the office of Senator in the Legislature. He also received a commission as justice of the peace.
As a preacher of the Gospel his sermons were chaste and in- structive. As a man he was kind and affectionate and as a Chris- tian he exemplified the doctrines of the Bible in a high degree. His piety was ardent and exemplary, and his qualities in the circle of domestic and social life, endearing. His mind was quick and his judgment rapid in the attainment of its object. He was seldom engaged in polemic theology, was no dogmatist, believing as many others do, that but little good can result from religious controver- sies; that a good life is the best preparation for death and the fu- ture world, and that Christians should devote their whole attention to the practice of the religion they profess.
In his politics (and he devoted considerable attention to that sub- ject) he was ever a firm friend to liberty and equal rights for all men. During the Revolutionary war he was a Whig in heart and deed.
One of his contemporaries, the late Hon. Samuel C. Allen of Northfield, thus spoke of him: "I loved Mr. Wright for the sim- plicity of his manners and his highly intellectual attainments, combined in so great a degree with the Christian character and conduct. It always afforded me a feast to hear that good old man converse. He was very sociable and his mind was well stored with correct and useful ideas of men and things which he communicated to others with a great deal of ease and pleasure. The talents and usefulness of Mr. Wright were much underated by his parishoners and the people of Bernardston."
I33
REV. AMASA COOK.
He died in the town January 24, 1823. aged 85 years. Of him we may truly say in the language of Holy Writ, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; yea saith the Spirit for their works do follow them."
Rev. Amasa Cook, the third minister of Bernardston, was born in Hadley, Mass., in June, 1750, graduated at Brown University, Providence, R. I., in 1776, studied theology with Rev. Dr. Hopkins of Hadley, Mass., was licensed to preach August 2, 1780, by the Hampshire Association, and preached for a time at Rowe. In Au- gust, 1783, he "was hired to preach on probation of settlement in the work of the ministry" in Bernardston, and in September of the same year it was voted to "settle him and give a salary of sixty pounds ($200), and to raise three pounds every year until it should amount to 75 pounds per annum. Also to give him 140£ settle- ment money ($466.66)." Mr. Cook accepted these propositions and was ordained November, 1783. According to Governor Cushman the Rev. Dr. Hopkins of Hadley preached the sermon, but refer- ence to a paper prepared by A. H. Washburn, Esq., of Vernon, Vt., and by him read before the P. V. M. A. in 1872, shows that the ministers assembling the evening before the ordination was to oc- cur, it was discovered that the one who had been selected to preach the ordination sermon was absent. This duty was placed upon the Rev. Bunker Gay. Said he, " I have made no preparation for this occasion." As it was voted not to excuse him, he accepted. From his previous acquaintance with Cook, he selected for his text, "There is death in the pot," found in ii Kings, 4th Chap. 40.
For several years previous to 1805, disaffection had arisen in the society of which Mr. Cook was pastor, principally because of his growing intemperate habits, and some had left and joined the Bap- tist. In March of that year, a committee was chosen to "settle the difficulty with Mr. Cook." They reported that they were unable to settle with him. But the objectionable conduct of Mr. Cook and the consequent dissatisfaction of his society were both increasing. Mr. Cook wrote a letter to the selectmen, in which he stated that he had understood that there was a dissatisfaction in town and that he would agree to the calling of a mutual council and abide by its decisions. Previous to that time, Mr. Cook having been set- tled for life agreeable to the usage of that period, had objected to
134
REV. AMASA COOK'S DISMISSION.
the calling of a council. The council to which Mr. Cook finally, with great reluctance, agreed, which was to decide all questions both civil and ecclesiastical, consisted of Rev. Roger Newton of Greenfield, Rev. Thomas Mason of Northfield, and Rev. John Tay- lor of Deerfield. After a protracted hearing in which both Mr. Cook and the society were represented by able lawyers, Hon. R. E. Newcomb of Greenfield for the society, and Hon. George Bliss of Springfield for Mr. Cook, the council finally advised that Mr. Cook be dismissed and it was accordingly done in May, 1805.
The former pastor, Mr. Wright, and some of his ministerial col- leagues were present at this council, although not members of it. Of Mr. Wright some of his friends inquired, at that time, if, " in their opinion, he, ought, with other members of his church and congregation to clothe himself in sackcloth and sprinkle dust on his head in mourning at the prospect of their being left destitute of a minister, or whether he was not entitled to a song of exulta- tion over his neighbors in remembrance of the circumstances of his separation from them." Rev. Bunker Gay replied, "Sing! Sing!" Mr. Wright observed that he was no singer, but only spoke meta- phorically, and had no song prepared for the occasion. Said Mr. Gay, "Then sing this, and we will assist you:"
"Reduced to want, with lantern jaws,
My people I forsook; And to avenge my righteous cause, God sent them Parson Cook."
The objections to Mr. Cook were on account of his moral char- acter and conduct. He had strong intellectual and logical powers and considerable ability as a preacher. In the early part of his ministry of 22 years, he was successful and acceptable to the peo- ple. But one of the besetting sins of the times overcame him. "The wine when it is red " was a temptation which sensitive na- tures and a character broken by suffering and disease, impelled by the common habits of the people of that day, could not resist. The unfortunate close of his ministry had many palliating circumstancs which would not be admissible at this age of the world. He died in Bernardston, June 11, 1816, in his 66th year. The following is the epitaph on his gravestone in the north burial ground of the town:
"If all my life I tried in vain to save, Hear, O hear me speaking from the grave."
I35
SETTLEMENT OF REV. TIMOTHY ROGERS.
His wife was Mary Dorothea, daughter of Captain Obed Foote of Gill. She was born in Waterbury, now Plymouth, Ct., June II, 1764, married Mr. Cook at Gill, in 1783. Mr. Cook was born June, 1750. Their children were
Amasa, b. February 6, 1788.
Amanda, b. March 3, 1790; d. October 25, 1794.
Payton Randolph, b. January 1, 1792.
Mrs. Cook m. (2) a Mr. McCloud, and died at Persia, Erie Co., N. Y., April 17, 1835, ae. 71.
From 1805 to 1809, several persons supplied the pulpit of that society, among whom were Revs. Caleb Atwater and Elihu Rock- wood.
Rev. Timothy Foster Rogers was the fourth Congregational min- ister of Bernardston, born in Tewksbury, Mass., March, 1791. “It was his happiness to be the son of pious parents whose example and prayers had a powerful influence upon him in childhood and in after life. His mother was endowed with the most excellent qual- ities of mind and heart." He was prepared for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, and graduated at Harvard university in 1802. A classmate thus spoke of him while in college: "During the whole of his college life, it was his firmly fixed purpose to make theology his future profession. He had been bred upin the Ortho- dox faith, in the most rigid form, and brought within the walls of the university his attachment to its principles and his earnest zeal in their advocacy and defense. Yet on further inquiry into, and a closer investigation of religious subjects, he was led gradually to abandon the doctrines of his early adopted creed, for those of a more liberal and heart cheering faith."
Mr. Rogers pursued his theological studies with Rev. Asa Pack- ard of Marlboro, Mass., and completed them with Rev. Dr. Lothrop of West Springfield. He commenced preaching in 1806, and deliv- ered his first sermon in Bernardston, February 26, 1809. The so- ciety invited him to become their pastor on the 27th of April fol- lowing, and he was ordained the 20th of September, 1809. The ordaining council consisted of Rev. William Wells, D. D., of Brattle- boro, Vt., Rev. Asa Packard of . Marlboro, Mass., Rev. John Foster
136
DIVISION OF THE SOCIETY.
of Brighton, Rev. Jacob Coggin of Tewksbury, Rev. Samuel Wil- lard, D. D., of Deerfield, and Rev. Jason Chamberlain of Guilford, Vt. The sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Foster.
May 29, 1810, Mr. Rogers married Mary, daughter of Jacob Pierce of Woburn, Mass. For about thirty years she was afflicted with a very painful insanity, which continued until her death, July 5, 1846, at the age of 60 years. Their children were
Mary, b. December 17, 1812; m. John Mowry of Leyden, resided in Ber- nardston. She died May 3, 1872, aged 59; he died August 26, 1878, ae. 76.
Timothy Pierce, b. November 18, 1814.
William, b. August 6, 1823; removed to Canada.
For about 12 years after his ordination, Mr. Rogers lived in great harmony with his people. But that was a period of theological controversy, and it could not be expected that his society should be exempt from the spirit of division then so common, especially in the Congregational denomination. The ablest minds among the clergy of New England were, in the early part of this century, engaged in discussing the great doctrines of the Trinity, the atone- ment, Total Depravity, Election, Regeneration by the special influ- ence of the Holy Spirit and kindred tenets of the Calvinistic faith ; and the result was a division of the Congregationalists into parties · or denominations called the "Unitarians," and the "Orthodox." In 1882 Mr. Rogers and his society being of the Unitarian faith, nine of his church members left and formed the "Orthodox Congrega tional Society." Others also left and joined a newly formed Uni- versalist society. As a consequence, his society became much weakened. But such trials of his faith and patience only made him firmer and truer to his conviction of duty. He would not leave his people in the days of their adversity. For several years he sup- plied other pulpits one-half of the time, being employed by the "Massachusetts Evangelical Society " and also by the "Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North America " in that service, preaching the other half of the time to his own people. The Rev. Dr. Parkman of Boston, secretary of the latter society, in his report of Mr. Rogers' services, remarked of him that "he fulfilled his work with characteristic fidelity, godly simplicity and in a spirit of faith unfeigned, commending himself
137
REV. A. M. BRIDGE.
wherever he went, as a good steward of the manifold grace of God." Thus Mr. Rogers sacrificed much for the support of the Gospel as he understood it, in the town of his adoption and among a people he greatly loved. The result in after times showed the wisdom of his course.
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