USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > History of the town of Douglas, (Massachusetts,) from the earliest period to the close of 1878 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
Mr. David Holman, a native of Sutton and a graduate of Brown University, was ordained pastor by a council that met Oct. 18, 1808, continuing in session two days. He studied theology with Rev. Dr. Emmons, of Franklin. Dr. Emmons was modera- tor of the installing council, and addressed the charge to the can- didate. On account of the causes just referred to, the Church had become much reduced, so that there were only twenty-seven mem- bers when Mr. Holman became pastor. His pastorate continued thirty-four years, during which 226 were added to the Church, and there were 360 baptisms. These facts are stated in his farewell sermon. There were seven seasons of marked revival interest, besides many tokens of the renewing presence of the Divine Spirit in intervening times. Yet many changes occurred, among them the formation of the Church in the East Village in 1834, which greatly reduced the old First Church, so that when Rev. Mr. Holman closed his pastorate the number of members was reduced to 102, and one-third of these were non-resident. The present house of worship was erected in 1834. During this long pastorate there were many years in which this Church was one of the largest and most influential in the conference. But the Church was now de- clining in material strength. The population were continually leaving for the manufacturing districts around, to the depression of those who remained, and there was unhappiness in the society connected with the dismission of Rev. Mr. Holman.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, DOUGLAS CENTER.
101
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS.
In 1843 Rev. John W. Salter became pastor. During his pas- torate the present parsonage was erected. Becoming discouraged, he continued only three years. The council that dismissed him bore witness to their " undiminished estimation of his Christian and ministerial character," and commended him to the Churches.
Rev. Mr. Holman continued to reside in the parish, and for a long time labored as pastor when the Church was destitute. He was revered in the community, retained an active interest in the Church to the close of life, and had a wide influence in the Churches of the conference. He died at his home, Nov. 16, 1866, at the age of eighty-nine years, and rests among his people.
Rev. Gilbert B. Richardson became pastor in 1857, and contin- ued in office only three years. He was much esteemed by the peo- ple, and the council that dismissed him expressed deep regret that causes should exist to make his labors so brief.
In recent years Rev. John D. Smith, Rev. Francis Dyer, Rev. Amos Holbrook, Rev. J. W. C. Pike and others have labored with the people for brief periods. But by the frequent changes and removals of the population the society has been much reduced. Yet there have been many tokens of good during these years, and individual additions to the Church. The present pastor is Rev. W. W. Dow. The society has shown a good degree of persever- ance, although it has had to give up much of its choicest strength to build up other communities elsewhere.
THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN EAST DOUGLAS.
This Church is an outgrowth of the First Church in Douglas. Increase of business and population in this village made it a neces- sity. For years the village population worshipped in the old church, and not until the daughter had fairly outgrown the mother was she willing to acknowledge her independence through a sepa- rate organization. On the 12th of June, 1834, an ecclesiastical council was convened to consider the expediency of this, and the council unanimously gave the measure their approval. A com- mittee of three was appointed, consisting of Rev. Dr. Dow of Thompson, Ct., Rev. Messrs. Maltby of Sutton, and Grosvenor of Uxbridge, under whose direction the petitioners, twenty-nine in number, were organized into a Congregational Church.
102
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
The names of the twenty-nine original members are as follows :
Micah Hill,
Oliver Hunt, Jr.,
Phebe Hunt,
Warren Hunt,
Leander B. Hunt,
Judson Balcome,
Zelik Darling, Jr.,
Lydia Hill,
Betsy Hunt,
Inther Stone,
Aaron M. Hill,
Sophronia Stone,
Sally Hill,
Sally Stone,
Betsey Reynolds,
Sarah Ann Darling,
Philinda Whipple,
John B. Hunt,
Diadema Stone,
Emeline Sprague,
Nabby Lee,
Moses Hill,
Mary Hill,
Louisa Lec,
Otis W. Hunt,
Azubah Craggin,
Royal Keith.
Anderson Hunt,
Harriet N. Hunt,
The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was first administered in the new church on the 3d of August following, by Rev. Luke Wood, a temporary supply.
The infant Church grew and waxed strong. Born with much prayer, the sacrifices incident to its early growthi were cheerfully made by those without whose deep interest the enterprise could hardly have been a success. Soon after the Church was organized a new house of worship was completed and dedicated, and subse- quently. on the 14th of January, 1835, the Church extended a unan- imous call to the Rev. John Boardman, late of West Boylston, to become their pastor. Mr. Boardman accepted the call, and was installed over the Church on the 25th of the following month. He continued in office till Nov. 8th, 1841, when he rested from his labors.
Mr. Boardman was a man of large heart and strong social feelings, whose intercourse with his people was both pleasant and profitable. He was noted for insisting upon exact order and decorum, and was well fitted to mould his people to the best habits in these respects. Strongly evangelical, if he was not a close student, or what might be called an eloquent preacher, his sermons, as a ministerial father once said, contained so much of goodness that it was good to hear them. Beloved as a pastor, his death in the strength of his manhood was long and sincerely mourned by his people.
During his ministry of six years and eight months there was no general revival, and yet he did not fail to see additions to his little band of Church-members, fourteen being admitted to the Church by profession and thirty-seven by letter. His last utter- ance was an earnest prayer for his people. That prayer was
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, EAST DOUGLAS.
104
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
answered. A general and powerful revival of religion followed his death almost immediately. Neighboring ministers lent their aid, of whom special mention should be made of Rev. Mr. Tracy of Sutton. As the fruit of this revival, seventy-five were added to the Church by profession.
While this work was in progress Rev. Chauncey D. Rice com- menced his labors, and was installed as pastor on the 7th of the following December. It was the privilege of Mr. Rice, and a privilege greatly prized by him, to labor here during part of the revival, and gather and enjoy the abundant harvest. At the close of the ingathering the Church numbered one hundred and fifty members - about twice its number previous to the revival. Mr. Rice continued pastor of the Church until December 7th, 1851, when, owing to impaired health, he was dismissed. Although there was no general revival of religion during his ministry here, there were seasons of limited quickening, some conversions, and additions to the Church.
On the 6th of April, 1852, the Church unanimously invited Rev. Joshua L. Maynard of Cornwall, Conn., to become its pastor, and he was installed the 7th of July following. At that time the Church had suffered considerable depletion by deaths and removals, having but little more than one hundred and twenty members. From that date, though externally prosperous, the Church received few additions until 1854, when in one year there was a net in- crease of twenty. From this time until 1858 the accessions were very few, although there were seasons of some awakening, and the house of worship was enlarged and improved. The spring of 1858 was the commencement of a revival of considerable power. As the fruit of it, more than fifty were received into the Church on profession.
Mr. Maynard was dismissed March 8, 1864, after a pastorate of more than eleven years, having received a call from the Con- gregational Church in Plainfield, Conn. Laboring in this place until November, 1864, he went to Williston, Vt., remaining there nearly nine years - a portion of the time pastor of two Churches, when he was called suddenly to his reward. His more than thirty years of ministerial life have been no small contribution to the cause which lay near his heart. He loved his work, and devoted himself to it with rare singleness of aim, taking a deep interest in all mat-
105
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS.
ters of public concern, especially those relating to temperance and education. Careful in his preparations for the pulpit, laborious and faithful, his ininisterial life could hardly be otherwise than successful. He died with the harness of Christian service on, in the midst of usefulness, and is affectionately remembered.
Succeeding him, Rev. S. M. Plympton was engaged for one year as acting pastor, devoting himself with rare zeal to the interests of Christ and the Church, and gaining many friends by his genial spirit. He, too, laid aside the armor in the midst of his days, in the midst of usefulness summoned to the higher work and service of heaven.
March 21, 1866, Rev. William T. Briggs was installed, the Church and society having extended an unanimous invitation to him to become their pastor. During this pastorate of more than twelve years, and still unbroken, one hundred and fifty-three have been added to the Church, and one hundred and sixteen by profes- sion - an average of nearly thirteen each year. At the present time the Church numbers two hundred and thirty-two members. The two years of largest accessions were in 1866 (when forty-one united with the Church - thirty-six by profession, five by letter) and in 1877 (when thirty-six united - twenty-nine by profession and seven by letter). In 1872 the meeting-house was partially remodeled - an alcove opened in the rear of the pulpit, and a fine organ purchased and placed therein, making it one of the most attractive houses of worship in the vicinity. During this pastorate of twelve years every Church composing the conference has been deprived of its pastor, in more than half a change has twice occurred, and in a few instances three times.
At this date the Church is well-nigh a unit on the temperance. question, nearly every member having signed the total abstinence pledge. For twelve years it has been free from debt, and intends. to remain so, believing it wiser not to incur a debt than to lift one. Within three years the Church has prepared and published a new manual, retaining the old confession for substance, and adding to the essential articles of faith an elaborate statement of evangelical doctrine.
Although time has wrought great changes, and many pillars in Church and society have fallen, yet it may be no exaggeration to state that neither Church nor society were ever more united and
106
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
prosperous than at present. We see not why the future of both may not be as the past - yea, and much more abundant.
REFORMED METHODIST CHURCH - SOUTH DOUGLAS.
In the year 1808 a Methodist Episcopal Church was formed at South Douglas, and the Church edifice now standing was built. Elder Pliney Brett, the first pastor, continued until 1815, when he
INTERIOR OF OLD REFORMED METHODIST CHURCH - SOUTH DOUGLAS.
withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church, and effected a new organization, under the name of Reformed Methodists. Twenty- five members of his Church united with him in the formation of the new organization, of which Mrs. Nancy Yates, wife of Elder Yates, is the last surviving member. Others shortly followed Mr. Brett, who continued but a short time in the pastorate after the formation of the new Church. Having placed himself at the head of the new movement, he went about preaching and forming new societies. He was quite successful in securing followers. Several local preachers and others united with him in the formation of
REFORMED METHODIST CHURCH, EAST DOUGLAS.
108
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
Churches under the new name, until on Cape Cod and through the State of Vermont the membership reached abont 2,000.
Elder Yates was his successor, and continued for many years its devoted pastor, until unable to continue his labors longer on ac- count of the infirmities of age. Since that time there has been no settled minister. Elder Pierce supplied for a few years. Since about the year 1850 the meetings have been conducted by Ekler Harvey Wakefield, Elder Parley Brown, and others. The meet- ing-house becoming old and unfit for use, meetings were held in the hall at the Wm. Jefferson honse, so-called. These were kept up for five years, and were discontinued in 1870. During this time Elder Wakefield officiated. It was afterwards considered as a kind of out-station to the Church at Donglas Center.
REFORMED METHODIST CHURCH IN EAST DOUGLAS.
This Church was organized about the year 1844, with a small membership, and a house of worship was built in 1845, on land donated by Nahum Legg. Solomon P. Snow was in that year ordained as the first pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Wm. C. Clark, and in turn was followed by Rev. Mr. Greeley, who sup- plied the pulpit for several months. W. D. Jones then became the pastor, and was followed by David Mason, S. E. Pike, Geo. G. Perkins, and S. Leader. During Mr. L.'s ministry the parson- age was built. S. E. Pike and Deacon White then supplied the pulpit for several months, until R. S. Cobb came. Rev. W. Wil- kie was their last minister.
Prior to the formation of this Church quite a number of persons in Douglas belonged to the Reformed Methodist Church in Mill- ville, forming what was termed a "class." Meetings were held by them at the school-house in District No. 3, Parley Brown, Amos Yates, Harvey Wakefield, William Stone and others conducting. the services.
On the 10th of March, 1866, it was voted to change the name of the Church to that of Wesleyan Methodist, by the Discipline of which Church the members were governed (as we believe they had been) until they were merged in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. Mr. Wilkie, alluded to above, had been the regularly ap- pointed Wesleyan pastor in East Douglas since April 2, 1864. Though the Church at this time was nominally of the Reformed Methodist denomination, it had been virtually a Wesleyan body
NIGS BLOCK
METHODIST CHURCH, EAST DOUGLAS.
110
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
for some time. Having been organized under the general stat- utes, however, the legal distinction between the Church and so- ciety had been kept up. In the year 1866, under Mr. Wilkie's labors, quite an extensive revival of religion occurred, resulting in the conversion of more than sixty persons, over thirty of whom united with the Church. Mr. Wilkie had formerly been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, having left that body in 1843, on account of its connection with slavery. But, now that slavery was no longer in the Church or nation, he felt that he ought- to return to his old home, the Church of his carly choice. This he finally determined to do, and most of the members of his Church in East Douglas followed him. They met with some opposition from a few of the old members, who went so far as to close the door of the meeting-house against him. They opened it by force, however, and occupied it on the Sabbath, and then in due form appealed to the courts for protection ; and at the ensuing session of the Supreme Judicial Court an injunction was obtained for a few days, until the merits of the case could be reached, when the injunction was made perpetual. The case is fully detailed in the Massachusetts Reports, vol. 95, p. 349.
On the 5th of November, 1866, Rev. D. Dorchester, Presiding Elder of the Worcester District of the New England Annual Con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, by request, came to East Douglas and organized the members of the Wesleyan Church into a Methodist Episcopal Church, which constituted at this time a membership of eighty-four persons, seventy-seven of them being from the Wesleyan Church, thus after the lapse of sixty-three years reviving the Church which Elder Brett carried into the Reformed Methodist ranks. Since April, 1867, the Church has been regu- larly supplied with ministers from the New England Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Rev. Mr. Wilkie was followed by Revs. William P. Blackmer, William Silverthorn and Daniel P. Atkins, and under the admin- istration of the latter a new and commodious Church edifice was. erected in the center of the village. This was accomplished in 1872, and the work it involved was done under Mr. Atkins' per- sonal supervision, and mainly through his active labors. He was. succeeded by Rev. William M. Hubbard, who was followed by Rev. William D. Bridge, Rev. J. J. Woodbury, the present pastor,. following him.
CATHOLIC CHURCH, EAST DOUGLAS.
112
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
QUAKER CHURCH, SOUTH DOUGLAS.
No records of the formation of the old Quaker Church society of Douglas can be found. Either its members did not care to have their doings inspected by succeeding generations, or the minutes of them have been lost. The meeting-house was long ago removed from its original site, near the Quaker burying-ground, and used for other purposes. It occasioned the dwellers around about some uneasiness for a considerable while before it was re- moved. At various times it was reported, by persons who hap- pened to pass the building under the influence of spirits within, that the old church was haunted by spirits from without - occu- pants of the adjoining grave-yard. Believers in ghosts came from all parts of the country for twenty miles around, and - found it even so. Sometimes a hundred half-frightened people would congregate there to watch the dim forms flitting by the windows, and to listen to the sepulchral conversation. It turned out, however, that during a certain part of the day the light, falling upon the imperfect window-panes, was the author of the mystic forms, and that human imaginations originated the ghostly talk. Thus was one more good story spoiled, but not before a nation of fools had been born in a day.
CATHOLIC CHURCH, EAST DOUGLAS.
In the spring of 1865 the Catholic residents of Douglas and Manchaug purchased the neat and commodious building on Manchaug street, which they now occupy as a place of worship. For more than twenty years previous to that time their meet- ings were held in the Whitin Tavern Hall, and were presided over by Father Sheridan, whose field of labor also included Uxbridge, Blackstone and Rockdale. His successor, Rev. Dennis A. O'Keefe (since deceased), was active in securing the present place of wor- ship, and remained some time after its dedication. At first the meetings were held but once in three months, afterwards once a month, and still later once a week or oftener. Rev. Dennis C. Moran was the next priest, and was followed by Father Gagnier, who purchased the Emory Thayer place, opposite the Church, and fitted it up as a parsonage. His successor, Rev. J. B. Coullard, also took an interest in improvements about the place. During the summer and fall of 1878, Rev. A. Delphos, acted as assistant, Mr. Coullard being in failing health.
CHAPTER XI.
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
N three of the preceding chapters. beginning with the sixth, we have endeavored, in the spirit of a scru- pulous adherence to the truthful but honorable facts in the case, to set forth how thoroughly loyal and val- uable were the efforts of the fathers of our town in the achievement of the country's independence of Brit- RM 0 ish domination. Viewing this as a CRAND PUBLIC stupendous experiment of popular 861- government by and for the people, 866 HAN in contrast with the haughty claims of hereditary power, backed by the wealthy orders of nobility, against which it had to contend, the unparalleled success attending their efforts through almost a hundred years of testing would seem to augur the success of the descendants of these fathers in suppressing any remaining relics of those days of baronial arrogance.
It cannot be disguised that, from the beginning of our national history, the elements of a most intolerant aristocracy have found constant nutriment in the system of slavery, which, permitted to exist in our midst merely by sufferance at the outset, continually grew by what it fed upon, until it ripened into an open menace of our very existence as a government. And it is much to the credit of the sons of these brave men, who met with such signal success on the untried field of a separate national existence, amid difficul-
8
. 114
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
ties and obstacles unprecedented in the formidableness of their array, that they proved themselves their worthy successors when re- bellion sounded the call to arms again. As then, so now, Douglas was among the foremost in rallying for the defense of the country.
As the most reliable criteria on this point, we append the action of the town in reference to all the important questions demanding attention at the breaking out of this fratricidal war, by which it will be seen that the town furnished about two hundred and fifty men during the continuance of the war, and at its close was found to have sent to the scene of conflict quite a surplus. Five of its quota were enrolled among the commissioned officers of the army. In proportion to the number of its inhabitants, the town was represented by more men than any other town in Worcester county, and also contributed the most money, on the basis of its valuation, for the same purpose. It was simply a repetition of the old spirit of '76. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on the war account, exclusive of State aid, was $30,734.36. The amount paid by the town for State aid and to soldiers' families during the war, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $661.70; in 1862, $3,472.47 ; in 1863, $4,222.80 ; in 1864, $2,600 ; in 1865, $1,100. Total amount, $12,056.97.
The first legal town meeting to act on questions relating to the war was held May 7, 1861, at which the town voted to raise by taxation $4,000 for the enlistment and equipment of a company of volunteers, and to provide for the families of those who enlist.
On the 11th of September of the same year, at another legal meeting of the citizens, $2,000 were appropriated for the aid of soldiers' families, thus assuring the husbands and fathers at the front that their wives and little ones should be cared for.
In the month of July of the following year the town voted unanimously to pay a bounty of $100 to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years' military service, and who should be mustered in to the credit of the town, in addition to the bounty offered by the government. And on the 21st of August following in town- meeting $50 were added to the bounty " of each of the last eleven volunteers." The bounty to volunteers for nine months' service was fixed at $100, which was on September 4th raised to $150.
December 11, 1863, Parley Gould and Charles W. Moore were
115
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
chosen to confer with committees of Northbridge and Uxbridge in relation to filling the quota of the town.
July 7,1864, the Selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of $125 to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years' service, and be credited to the town, " under any call of the President be- fore the 1st of March, 1865 ; and any unappropriated money used to reimburse individuals who had contributed of their private means to pay bounties may be used for this purpose."
August 20, 1864, it was voted that the bounties offered by the town should all be paid in gold. And in 1865, after the conflict had been ended, in the spirit of honor and consistency with all its previous action, the town voted to raise $6,500 to reimburse citizens who had voluntarily contributed of their private means to pay bounties and encourage re-enlisting. It is, however, a fact worthy of record that some who had been active in securing en- listments and making liberal contributions for that purpose, refused to accept their share of the money thus voted by the town, choos- ing rather to have it remain as it was intended, a free contribution. Among this number we find the names of Dea. Albert Butler, who, under the call of 1861 offered to pay two dollars and fifty cents to every soldier enlisting for three years' service on the quota of Douglas. Also Mr. Daniel Phillipps, who, in 1863 made an offer of two dollars to every soldier enlisting for nine months. These promises were fulfilled to the letter and the money tendered each soldier personally while they were in camp at Worcester. These acts fully justify all that we have claimed on the score of the patri- otism of the citizens.
The taking of such a firm and uncompromising stand at the outset, and maintaining it so cordially from time to time, and witlı such increasing evidence of the sincerity with which the citizens of all classes were striving to sustain the men they had called into the service of the country, could have no other effect than that shown by the records cited at the commencement of these extracts.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.