USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1832; and of the adjoining towns, Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle; containing various notices of county and state history not before published. > Part 19
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1832 : and of the adjoining towns, Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle > Part 19
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188
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1776.
· which his character is delineated as " enthusiastic, eloquent, af- fectionate, and pious ; he loved his family, his people, his God, and his country. And to this last he yielded the cheerful sacri- fice of his life."
Mr. Emerson married Phebe, daughter of the Rev. Daniel Bliss, August 21, 1766, by whom he had William (noticed among the college graduates), Hannah Bliss, Phebe, Mary Moody, and Rebecca. His widow married the Rev. Ezra Ripley, November 16, 1780, and died, February 16, 1825, aged 83, having had by him two sons and a daughter.1
Deacon Simon Hunt was moderator of the church, from the death of Mr. Emerson to the ordination of his successor. Com- mittees of the church and town were chosen to supply the pulpit, as had been the case at similar times before ; and a day of fasting and prayer was kept, September 14, 1777, in commemoration of the death of their late pastor, and preparatory to the choice of another. On the 11th of May, 1778, Mr. Ezra Ripley was unanimously chosen pastor on the part of the church, in which the town concurred on the 1st of June following, 94 to 1. He was ordained, November 11, 1778. In the religious services on the occasion, the Rev. Josiah Bridge of E. Sudbury made the first prayer ; the Rev. Jason Haven of Dedham preached from 2 Timothy ii. 2; the Rev. Josiah Dana of Barre " prayed after sermon "; the Rev. Ebenezer Bridge of Chelmsford " prayed before and gave the charge "; and the Rev. Jonas Clark of Lexington gave the right hand of fellowship. The council was composed of these gentlemen, and delegates from their respective churches ; and also the churches of the Rev. Eli Forbes of Glou- cester, the Rev. Peter Thacher of Malden, the Rev. Jonathan Newell of Stow, and the Rev. Moses Adams of Acton.
The town agreed to give Mr. Ripley £550 currency as a set- tlement, and £100 as an annual salary, founded on the prices
1 The Rev. Ralph Waldo Emerson of Boston kindly loaned me a concise private journal, kept by his grandfather, from January, 1775, to August, 1776; and several letters to his wife written at Cambridge and at the Northward ; which, beside detailing some important historical facts, are remarkable for their easy, sprightly style. The Rev. Mr. Roots addressed a letter to the church, giving an account of his last sickness. A notice of his character appeared in the Boston Gazette, November 4, 1776.
189
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1795.]
of articles of produce, -rye at 4s. per bushel, corn at 3s., beef at 21d. per pound, and pork at 4d. ; the salary to rise and fall according to the variation in the prices of these articles. He was also to enjoy all the ministerial perquisites, and to be provided with 30 cords of firewood. A salary thus established was found to be attended with much uncertainty ; and some years to fall short of £100. This was the occasion of mnuch embarrassment. The town ascertained that the real value of the £550, when paid, was but £40, and the first year's salary £41; and in 1785, £200 were specially granted to make up the deficiency. In 1793, £100 were also granted. In 1812 the contract was very properly altered; and instead of this uncertain income it was agreed to give him $750 as his permanent salary, which, with his firewood, estimated at $100, and the perquisites $15, gave him the annual salary of $865. At the ordination of his colleague, in 1830, he relinquished $250 of his salary and 10 cords of wood.
From time immemorial it has been the custom of the church to administer the ordinance of baptism to such adults and their children, as " owned the covenant," without joining the church in full communion. This covenant was the same as that which admitted to full communion, with the exception of the clause which referred to the communion, and was used for both cases till 1795, when the following was adopted to be subscribed by the individuals who " own it." Three hundred and two have signed it since 1795.
" I do now seriously profess my belief in one God, who is over all and blessed for ever more.
" I believe the Holy Scriptures were given by inspiration of God, and are able to make wise unto salvation, through faith, which is in Christ Jesus ; and I will endeavour to observe them as the rule of my life in faith and practice.
" I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God ; and that God so loved the world as to give his only Son to die, the just for the unjust, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish, but have everlasting life.
" I believe that repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ are the gospel conditions of salvation, and therefore, peni- tently confessing all my sins to God, I look for salvation through Christ alone.
190
HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1795.
" I believe that baptism is a Christian ordinance, a sign of visible discipleship to Christ, and an act of dedication to God, and that the proper subjects of it are believers in the Christian religion, and their offspring and charge. And I now promise that I will endeavour, by the grace of God assisting, to educate my children and charge according to the Christian religion.
" In testimony of this my belief and promise I hereunto sub- scribe my name."
The covenant for admission into full communion, used by Mr. Emerson, was taken with him into the army and lost, no copy being in the records. In 1779 a new one was prepared, and used till 1795, when the following, now in use, was substituted.
" Professing a firm belief of revealed religion, and that the Holy Scriptures, which contain it, are given by inspiration of God, and resolving to take them for your rule of faith and practice, you do now, as far as you know your own heart, sincerely avouch and choose the one only living and true God to be your God and portion ; the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Mediator and Saviour ; the Holy Ghost to be your sanctifier and guide ; giving up your- self unto God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to be his and his only for ever.1
" Sensible that in many things you have offended, and that your sufficiency is of God, you do now, with penitence for your sins, humbly implore the divine aid to enable you henceforth to walk before God in love, and in all holy conversation and godli- ness.
" Convinced of the importance of early instruction in virtue and piety, you now promise, that you will conscientiously en- deavour to educate all such as are, or may be, committed to your care, agreeably to the prescriptions of God's holy word.
" You do also covenant with this church of Christ and promise, that you will walk with us as a member of our body ; that you will attend on the administration of the word and ordinances among us, and submit to the Christian watch, discipline, and regulations of this church, so long as God shall continue your life and abode with us.
The expression, " the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," was stricken out in 1826.
191
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1795.]
" All this you profess and promise in the presence of the all- seeing God, and by the help of his spirit and grace will live agreeably to the same.
" I do, therefore, as a minister of Jesus Christ, and as pastor of this churchi, acknowledge you a member, and receive you into fellowship ; and we declare, that we do and will look upon you as a member of the same body with ourselves, and will treat you with that affection and watchfulness which your relation to us now calls for; watching over you not for your halting, but for your edification ; praying God, now and ever, to build up you, and us, and all his saints, a spiritual building, an holy house, a living temple unto himself the Lord our God. Amen."
At the adoption of this covenant, some alterations in the customs of the church were made. The practice of giving rela- tions of religious exercises of mind before admission to the com- munion, of " making public confession of particular crimes com- mitted previously to any voluntary engagement and profession of religion," and of calling for a vote on the admission of members, was discontinued. Members are now admitted before the church on examination of the pastor only, after having been publicly propounded, and no objection appearing. Since 1828, they have remained in their pews when the covenant is read to them.
During the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Ripley, to the ordination of his colleague, 383 persons were admitted to the church in full communion, 449 owned the covenant, 1541 were baptized, 101 were regularly dismissed, and one was excommunicated. At the death of Mr. Emerson the number of communicants was esti- mated at 150. January 1, 1815, the church contained 156, - 54 males and 102 females. The number now is about 138.
The funds of the church amount to $350. John Cuming, Esq. gave $111 for the benefit of poor communicants. The " Minott Fund," of $132, was begun in 1778, by Mrs. Bulah Minott and other members of the church, for the purchase of the elements and other purposes, at the discretion of the minister and deacons. Miss Abigail Dudley, in 1813, bequeathed a legacy to the church, which was set apart for a singing fund. One of the communion vessels was given by Margaret Bridges, of Ireland, April 6, 1676 ; another by Thomas Brown, Sen. (the town clerk several years from 1689) ; another by the wife of
192
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1830.
Duncan Ingraham, Esq .; four were purchased by the treasurer of the church in 1714 ; eight with a donation from John Cuming, Esq. of $222.22 for that purpose ; and the baptismal basin from a part of the Minott fund.
The version of Psalms and Hymns, by Sternhold and Hopkins, was used in the church prior to 1766, each line of which was read separately by the deacons when sung. On the 18th of February of that year, it was voted " to sing Tate and Brady's version three months on trial." In June following, Watts's ver- sion was introduced, and used till June 1, 1828, when the Cam- bridge collection was substituted. Singers were first seated about 1774, when the custom of giving out the line by the deacons was discontinued ; and the church then voted, that Deacon Wheeler should lead in singing one half of the time, and the singers in the congregation the other half. In 1779 it took into considera- tion " the melancholy decay of singing in public worship, and chose 20 persons, who should sit together in the body seats below, and take the lead in singing." The women to sit sepa- rate from the men. They removed into the gallery soon after the repair of the house in 1792. Under various leaders the church music has improved conformably to the spirit of the times.
The Rev. EZRA RIPLEY, D. D., was born at Woodstock, Connecticut, May 1, 1751. He was graduated at Harvard Col- lege in 1776, and has received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from the same institution. He was invited early in the spring to Concord, and was ordained November 7, 1778. During a long and useful ministry few things have occurred to interrupt the uncommon harmony which prevailed in the church and town at his ordination. In one instance only has the advice of neigh- bouring ministers been called to settle difficulties, and this did not relate to the pastor. It was in 1784, and terminated happily. It is a remarkable fact, that, for 40 years of his ministry, not a single individual paid a ministerial tax to any other society, and that for 190 years, till 1825, excepting in Mr. Bliss's day as already noticed, the whole town were united in one society. The 11th of November, 1828, was the 50th anniversary of his ordination, and on that occasion he delivered his half-century sermon, which was published. In this he informs us he had written more than 2500 sermons. By perseverance in a constant and systematic exercise
193
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. .
1830.]
of his corporeal and mental powers, his great natural energy of character has been preserved, his life and usefulness lengthened, and he is now (June, 1833) able to perform with remarkable ease the duties of the ministerial office.
In August, 1829, the Rev. Dr. Ripley made a formal request to his people for assistance in his ministerial labors. A committee was chosen, a town meeting was called, and other preliminary measures were taken to effect this object. Mr. Goodwin, after having preached several Sabbaths, was invited by the town, Janua- ry 3, 1830, (the church having voted not to act on the subject in a separate capacity,) to settle as his colleague, with an annual salary of $700 during the life of Dr. Ripley, and $900 afterwards, and 25 cords of wood. He accepted the invitation, and was ordained February 17, 1830. The introductory prayer, on the occasion, was made by the Rev. Convers Francis of Watertown ; reading of the Scriptures by the Rev. Jonathan Cole of Kingston ; sermon by the Rev. James Kendall, D. D., of Plymouth, (which was printed) ; consecrating prayer by the Rev. Samuel Ripley of Waltham ; charge by the Rev. Joseph Field of Weston ; fellow- ship of the churches by the Rev. Ralph Waldo Emerson of Bos- ton ; address to the people by the Rev. John White of Dedham ; and concluding prayer by the Rev. Nathaniel Whitman of Bille- rica. These and the Rev. Messrs. George Ripley of Boston, John B. Wight of East Sudbury, William H. White of Littleton, Thomas B. Gannet of Cambridge Port, Caleb Stetson of Medford, Frederick H. Hedge of West Cambridge, Daniel Austin of Brigh- ton, Wilkes Allen of Chelmsford, and delegates from their respec- tive churches, composed the council, of which the Rev. Dr. Kendall was moderator, and Thomas B. Gannett scribe. The church in Harvard College, the Twelfth church in Boston, the Second in Waltham, the First in Cambridge, and the churches in Stow and Sudbury, were also represented in the council by a delegate, the pastors being engaged at the same time in an ordination at Natick.
The Rev. HERSEY BRADFORD GOODWIN was born at Plymouth, August 18, 1805, graduated at Harvard College in 1826, and at the Theological School in Cambridge in 1829. The first child he baptized bears his name. He married Lucretia, daughter of Benjamin M. Watson, Esq. of Plymouth, June 1, 1830. She died greatly lamented, November 11, 1831, aged 23, leaving one son.
25
194
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1830.
SUCCESSSION OF THE DEACONS.
Names.
Time of Birth.
Election.
Decease. Age.
1. Richard Griffin.
About 1636.
April 5, 1661. -
2. Robert Merriam.
Feb. 15, 1681. 72
3. Luke Potter.
Oct. 13, 1697. -
4. James Blood.
Nov. 26, 1692. 1
5. Humphrey Barrett.
Jan. 3, 1716. -
6. John Heywood. April 8, 1662.
Jan. 2, 1719. 57
7. John Wheeler.
About 1717.
Dec. 1, 1736. -
8. Edward Wheeler.
July 17, 1669.
Feb. 17, 1734. 65
9. Joseph Dakin.
About 1717.
March 13, 1744. 75
10. Samuel Heywood.
About 1719.
Oct. 28, 1750. 63
11. Samuel Merriam.
July 25, 1681.
About 1736.
June 1, 1764. 83
13. Samuel Minott.
March 25, 1706. May 30, 1744. March 17, 1766. 60
14. Ephraim Brown.
Nov. 7, 1710.
May 30, 1744. Oct. 9, 1788.
78
15. Amos Heald.2
May 23, 1708. Oct. 2, 1707.
June 16, 1766. March 24, 1784. 77
18. Simon Hunt.
Sept. 3, 1704.
June 16, 1766. Dec. 13, 1790.
87
19. George Minott.
Oct. 22, 1741.
Aug. 3, 1779. April 13, 1808.
65
20. John White.3 Aug. 23, 1749.
Dec. 6, 1784. Jan. 9, 1830. .
80
21. William Parkman.4
Dec. 20, 1788. Feb. 5, 1832.
91
22. Joseph Chandler.5 May 5, 1748.
June 30, 1791. Jan. 19, 1813. 64
23. Thomas Hubbard.
April 30, 1812.
24. Francis Jarvis.
April 30, 1812.
-
25. Reuben Brown, Jr.
May 3, 1827.
-
26. Cyrus Hosmer.
May 3, 1827.
The TRINITARIAN CHURCH, then consisting of 16 members, - 5 male and 11 female, was organized, June 5, 1826, by a coun- cil, consisting of the Rev. Dr. Beecher, moderator, Messrs. Samuel Green and Asa Rand of Boston, Paul Litchfield of Car- lisle, Samuel Stearns of Bedford, Warren Fay of Charlestown,
1 He seceded from the church under Mr. Bliss, and was deacon of the West Church.
2 He was dismissed from the church in Lincoln, September 27, 1772, and removed to Townsend, where he died. He is said to have been a deacon in three churches, - Concord, Lincoln, and Townsend.
3 He was dismissed at his request, January 7, 1827, and united with the Trinitarian Church.
4 He was excused from active services on account of age and infirmi- ties, January 1, 1826.
5 He resigned on account of ill health, December 4, 1811.
Oct. 11, 1758. 77
12. Samuel Miles.1 March 14, 1681. About 1734.
Oct. 24, 1751. Jan. 4, 1775. 67
16. Thomas Barrett.
17. David Wheeler.
Dec. 27, 1707.
Feb. 18, 1666. June 20, 1779. 72
195
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1830.]
Sewall Harding of Waltham, George Fisher of Harvard, and dele- gates from their respective churches. Mr. Green made the first prayer, and gave the fellowship of the churches ; Dr. Beecher preached ; Mr. Fay read the confession of faith and covenant (which has since been published with collateral references to Scripture for proof) ; and Mr. Fisher made the concluding prayer. A corner-stone of a meeting-house had been laid on the 22d of May previous, which was completed and dedicated on the 6th of December following. On this occasion, the Rev. Samuel Green preached a sermon, which was printed. During this time the pulpit was principally supplied by the Rev. Mr. Rand. Mr. Southmayd preached his first sermon here January 21, 1827, and on the 19th of February received the unanimous invitation of the church to become their pastor, with an annual salary of $600, to which he gave an affirmative answer on the 30th of March. He was ordained April 25th. The Rev. Edward Beecher of Bos- ton made the first prayer ; James Murdock, D. D., of Andover preached ; the Rev. Samuel Stearns made the consecrating prayer ; the Rev. Lyman Beecher gave the charge ; the Rev. John Todd of Groton presented the right hand of fellowship ; the Rev. Ben- jamin B. Wisner of Boston addressed' the church and people ; and the Rev. George Fisher made the concluding prayer. These gentlemen and the Rev. Messrs. Paul Litchfield, Sewall Harding, and Asa Rand were members of the council, of which the Rev. Dr. Murdock was moderator.
The Rev. DANIEL S. SOUTHMAYD was born at Castleton, Ver- mont, February 11, 1802, graduated at Middlebury College in 1822, and at the Theological Seminary at Andover in 1826. After sustaining the pastoral office a little over five years, he asked for a dismission, June 8, 1832, which was granted by the church, and confirmed by a council on the 15th, consisting of the Rev. Samuel Stearns of Bedford, moderator, the Rev. Elijah Demond of Lincoln, scribe, the Rev. Sewall Harding of Wal- tham, the Rev. Leonard Luce of Westford, and delegates from their respective churches. From the time the church was organ- ized to Mr. Southmayd's ordination, 6 members were added to the church, and during his ministry 77, (53 by original pro- fession, and 30 by letter from other churches,) and 30 were males and 53 females ; 4 have been dismissed, 2 excommuni-
196
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
- cated, and 5 have died ; present number of members 88, of whom 30 are males. Several, however, have removed from town. Mr. Southmayd administered 46 baptisms, and married 26 couples. He now lives at Lowell.
John Vose, chosen Deacon June 1, 1827; excused from active duty, March, 1832, and died in 1833.
Moses Davis, chosen June 1, 1827 ; removed to Lowell, Sep- tember, 1831.
Francis Hunt and Samuel A. Thurston, chosen March 30, 1832.
Deacon John White bequeathed to this church $700, and Miss Sarah Thoreau $50, which has been vested as a fund for its use.
CHAPTER XII.
NATURAL HISTORY.
Climate. - Geology. - Botany. - Ponds .. - Rivers. - Brooks. - Fish. - Quad- rupeds. - Birds.
IN several of its divisions the Natural History of Concord does not essentially differ from that of the surrounding county and state. Situated but sixteen miles from Boston, and nearly in the same latitude, in its climate it does not vary essentially from that city. It was said by Mr. John Josselyn, who visited this country in 1673, that " this place [Concord] is subject to bitter storms." 1 Though it is not easy to see how the remark is particularly applicable to Concord, yet local circumstances have been supposed to have some influence in the changes of its atmosphere. The evaporation from a sluggish river and extensive meadows sometimes produces here, at night, a damp atmosphere ; but the waters are pure ; and the sun's rays, reflected from a loose soil, soon dry and purify it. Few places are more healthy, or exhibit a higher average term of human life. The extremes of heat and cold are, however, probably greater than in many places, though the average tempe- rature may not be so low. Two instances are recorded, one in 1755,2 and the other in July, 1825, when the heat was so great
1 Voyages, p. 170.
2 Minott's Continuation, Vol. I. p. 107.
197
NATURAL HISTORY.
that fish died in the river. Probably others have occurred. At the latter period the thermometer rose to 105 degrees of Faliren- heit in the shade, and continued nearly as high for several days. Snow does not usually fall quite so deep here as in the adjoining towns, and frequently goes off earlier. The cold is, however, some- times felt in great intensity ; and the thermometer often sinks to 8, 10, and sometimes 12 degrees below zero. It stood at this last point on Tuesday, February 1, 1814, noted as the cold Tuesday.
GEOLOGY. - The geology of Concord, though it has not been very thoroughly explored, exhibits considerable variety and some peculiarity. The situation is low and the surface generally level, not giving to the streams of water sufficient current to afford many sites for manufacturing purposes. A few small hills only appear to beautify the scene and relieve the eye from a uniform pros- pect. Among these may be mentioned Ponkawtassett, or Bar- rett's, in the northeast ; Annursnuck, in the northwest ; Naws- hawtuct, or Lee's, near the centre ; Fairhaven, in the south ; and Rocky Hills, near Walden Pond, partly in Lincoln. There is also a sandy hill, apparently of secondary formation, extending about a mile in length, easterly of the village. The uneven soil at the north and northeastern, and the south and southwestern parts of the town, appears to be of primary formation, and is com- posed chiefly of a thin, gravelly loam, mixed with various com- binations of sand, clay, decayed vegetable matter, and rocks. Though not uniformly well calculated for agricultural purposes, it contains some highly productive farms. A large section, lying on the borders of the rivers, and extending from the southwest to the northeastern parts of the town, and through the centre, appears to be principally either secondary formation or alluvial deposits, and free from stones. The meadows and some parts of the up- land contain a dark, rich, fruitful soil ; and others a loose, sandy one, easily affected by drought, and hardly worth cultivation.1
Clay is rare. It is sometimes found in its usual beds, and sometimes in peculiar strata between others of sand. It has been wrought into bricks in several places. Marl is found, though not abundantly. Peat, fibrous and compact, is found in great abun- dance, composing extensive meadows, and affording an inexhaust-
1 The chapter on the Statistical History gives the number of acres of each kind.
198
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
ible supply of fuel and manure, for which purposes it is used by the inhabitants. It is formed of the vegetables which have grown or been deposited where it exists. In some instances it seems to rest on the surface of water, and when cut in sections for roads or other purposes, the included parts, if heavily loaded, have been known to sink.
Geologists divide all rocks into three classes, - primary, sec- ondary, and trap. The rocks in Concord are principally of the primary class, and varieties of granite, sienite, and mica-slate. Granite, suitable for building material, is not very common in Concord, but is found in abundance in Acton, Carlisle, and Lincoln.
The following minerals, some of which are rare, are found in Concord : Several species of lime-stone in the north part of the town ; formerly manufactured into lime. Calcareous Spar, a sub- species of the carbonate of lime, composed of lime and carbonic acid, is common. Garnet in beautiful crystals. Cinnamon-stone, a very rare mineral, is found in the north part of the town. Sev- eral varieties of quartz generally distributed. Mica, in large laminæ and in several varieties. The lamellar hornblende, actyn- olite, and pargasite, sub-species and varieties of hornblende, fre- quent. Feldspar is found in great variety ; the cream-colored is the most beautiful. Also, argillite, or clay-slate, novaculite, and scapolite. Sahlite, a variety of augite, or pyroxene of a greenish grey, occurs massive and crystallized.1 Sulphate of iron, or cop- peras, occurs with a vein of sulphuret of iron, or pyrites in green stone. Sulphate of iron is also disseminated in clay-slate. (Rob- inson.) Lead ore has been found in various places. Iron ore is found in several places disseminated in rocks and other minerals. Bog iron ore is found in abundance. As early as 1660, it was smelted and wrought in bars for the customary purposes of life, by a company at the present site of the cotton-factory. The works were, however, abandoned after about 50 years, the pro-
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