USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Goshen > History of the town of Goshen, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement in 1761 to 1881, with family sketches > Part 3
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1814.
Gov. Strong declined to raise troops to be placed at the command of the President, but issued a call for troops in the autumn of 1814, to be used in case of emergency within the commonwealth. Thir- teen men from this town were drafted and went to Boston for the defence of the seaboard against the anticipated attacks of the British.
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
They met in Chesterfield and started on their march Sabbath morn- ing, September 11, 1814. They formed a part of a regiment of infantry made up from the militia companies in the northern portion of old Hampshire County. Col. Thomas Longley of Hawley was in command of the regiment. The names of the soldiers that belonged to this town were: Timothy Lyman, Asahel Billings, Enoch James, William Tilton, John Fuller, Stephen Parsons, Arad Hosford, Ezra Stearns, Abishai Williams, William Abell, Oliver T. Cathcart, Samuel Wing and Robert Barrows. They were joined with detachments of companies from other towns, in sufficient number to make up a com- pany. Timothy Lyman was detailed from the regiment to serve as the captain, and Asahel Billings as orderly sergeant. They were sta- tioned at Commercial Point, Dorchester, where they saw little of the hardships and sufferings incident to war beyond the daily routine of camp life, but nothing of the expected foe. One of their number, Ezra Stearns, sickened and died at the hospital in Boston, at the very hour the Governor was reviewing the troops on the Common, prelim- inary to their discharge. He was buried at Dorchester with military honors. The troops were dismissed in October, having been in camp about forty days; and thus ended what was known at that day as "Governor Strong's War." The Goshen company were in uniform, and received in consequence, before leaving camp, a gratuity from the state. A military company in uniform was a spectacle of so rare occurrence at that time, that on their way home they were induced to march two or three miles out of a village and accept the hospitalities of a gentleman who was anxious to have his family enjoy so novel a sight.
1816.
This year was remarkable for its cold summer. Severe frosts oc- curred in every month. June 7 and 8 snow fell, and it was too cold for comfort even in winter clothing, and frosts cut the corn down to the roots, but it was replanted. September 25, corn was still in the milk and so thoroughly frozen by three wintry nights, that it never ripened and was scarcely worth gathering. Breadstuffs were scarce and prices high, and the poorer class of people were often in straits for want of food.
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
1817.
The winter of 1817-8 was called very mild, but it was said to be the coldest February since 1780.
1819.
The present school house in the northwest district probably built this year. The first school in it was taught by Levi Williams in 1820.
1822.
The season for planting and sowing was quite early. Peas were planted April 2, and gathered for the table June 28, which was often referred to as an unusual occurrence.
The Baptist meetinghouse was built during this year. The frame was partially raised Independence day, but on account of rain was not completed till the next day.
1827.
The winter of 1827-8 is said to have been one of the mildest known, the mean temperature being 34°,-the average temperature be- tween 1786 and 1828 being about 28º.
The people turned their attention in 1827-8 to improving the prin- cipal lines of travel through the town. The old stage road from Northampton to Albany passed over the hill by the burying ground -the highest land in that part of the town.
It was voted to raise the sum of $500 for the purpose of procuring an alteration in the road from John Williams' to Cummington line by Luther Stone's factory. Col. Timothy Lyman, Benjamin White, Jared Hawks, Jr., were chosen a committee "to appropriate" this money, and Capt. Malachi James was chosen to collect it.
The County Commissioners laid the road on condition the town would pay all the costs of building, beyond $650 which the County would pay. The road was built, but some of the tax payers took the ground that the tax was illegal and refused to pay. Mr. Willard Par- sons, who built the road, sued the town to compel payment. The case was carried to the Supreme Court, which decided that "a town has no authority to aid in the construction of a road, which by law is to be made at the expense of the County." It decided, that the tax
30
HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
was illegal and void, and that the contract for building the road was not binding upon the town. The decision in this case furnished a precedent, which is often quoted and followed by the courts to the present day. The principle is quite frequently stated in this way :- "A town has no right to raise money to give away."
The laying of the "Potash Brook" road, and another from the North West school house northward towards Cyrus Stearns', soon fol- lowed, and then came the discontinuance of the unnecessary old roads over the hills to the village.
1830.
Town chose the following committee to take charge of funerals: Col. Luther Stone in North West district; Asahel Billings in North district; Silas Burgess in East district; Capt. Wm. Abell in South district; Capt. M. James in West district.
1833.
July 4, the citizens celebrated the day by giving an ovation to the surviving soldiers of the Revolution. Forty-two of their number from this and adjoining towns were present, and listened with interest to the address of Rev. Benjamin Holmes of Chesterfield, a native of England. The veterans were men of athletic frame, and even then retained somewhat of their youthful strength and bearing. The ad- dress was the eloquent tribute of an Englishman to the patriot heroes of America. One sentence is remembered :- "These men were raised up by Providence, stalwart, vigorous, brave, to achieve the indepen- dence of the nation " The services were held in the old church, and the choir under the lead of F. P. Stone, contributed to the interest of the occasion by singing those inspiring pieces, "Bruce's Address," "America," and the "Ode on Science." The Declaration of Inde- pendence was read by Col. Kinney of Chesterfield, chief marshal of the day.
After the benediction the roll prepared for the occasion was called by Nehemiah Richards, Esq., of Cummington, the old soldiers re- spønding and forming in line as their names were called. Col. Patrick Bryant of Chesterfield, another veteran, took command of the out of-door exercises. The veterans marched off in fine order, led, it is said, by F. P. Stone and John White, drummers, and Levi
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
Barrus, fifer. After partaking of an excellent dinner at the hotel then kept by Israel B. Thompson, they again met in "martial array" and went through the manual exercise, to the no small delight of a crowd of spectators. It was a pleasant occasion, and nons enjoyed it more than did " the old pensioners," as they were usually called in their later years. It was the last gathering of >> many of their num- ber in this vicinity, and many of the old heroes probably never met again. Major Ambrose Stone, who died in 185 ) at the age of 93. and Zebulon Willcutt, who died at the same age m 1852, were the last of that heroic band who resided in this town.
November 13, occurred one of the most remarkable meteoric dis- plays ever witnessed in this country. It took place about 4 o'clock in the morning, and very few had the pleasure of seeing it. Mr. Levi Barrus saw the display, and described it as one of the most magnifi- cent sights he ever beheld. The air seemed to be full of shooting stars ; all left brilliant trails behind them, and often one larger than the others would shoot across the heavens with a flash like lightning. They extended from Nova Scotia to Mexico. A gentleman in South Carolina said, " The scene was truly awful, for never did rain fall much thicker than the meteors fell towards the earth : east, west, north and south, it was the same."
There is usually a slight display of meteors at the same date, every year. Once in 33 of 34 years the exhibition is on a grand scale. In 1799, November 12 or 13. it was witnessed in different parts of Amer- ica. Humboldt was in South America, and said that for four hours every space in the heavens of three diameters of the moon was filled with the falling stars. In 1866 the display was not so brilliant here as in some other places, but sufficient to confirm the belief of its return every 33 or 34 years. The people of 1899 or 19oo may expect to witness another first class meteoric shower.
1837.
'This year was noted for the general suspension of the banks, ex- tensive financial distress, and many failures among business men.
The "Surplus Revenue " was distributed by the United States government among the states, and by this state to the towns. This town voted, May 15, to receive its proportion, and to comply with the conditions. Col. Luther Stone was appointed agent to receive the
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
money, and sign certificate of deposit, binding the town for repay- ment when required. The total amount received was $1,255.78.
January 25. One of the most remarkable exhibitions of Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis ever witnessed in this latitude occurred in the evening of this day. The whole northern hemisphere was cov- ered with most beautiful and ever-varying coruscations of auroreal light. A deep tinge of red prevailing for several hours was however the most striking feature. The snow reflecting the color, seemed as if stained with blood. The beams of the aurora would frequently pass into the southern hemisphere, shooting up and converging at that point below the zenith to which the dipping needle directs itself. The compass needle was singularly agitated during the display. The night was severely cold.
1840.
Town consents to William Jones being set off to Chesterfield.
This year marked a new era in political campaigns,-log cabins, hard cider and political songs, playing an important part in the elec- tion of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too."
1844.
The potato disease commenced here quite generally this year. It was first observed about the 20th of September, the potato vines changing in two or three days from a healthy appearance to an almost black. The tubers decayed to such an extent that some fields would hardly pay for harvesting.
1845.
New road built from near the house of Levi Barrus to Ashfield line near Ranney's mills.
1846.
A geographical division was made of the town into school dis- tricts, the previous division by families not being considered legal.
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
1848.
Voted to build a town house, using as much of the Surplus Revenue as needed for that purpose. Luther Stone, Edward Bridgman, West Tilton, H. Washburn, Jr., and Daniel Williams were chosen building committee.
1853.
Benjamin White, Esq., committee on the " James Fund," reported that Capt. Malachi James had always been a member of the commit- tee on the fund left by his father, John James, till his decease in 1849, and had the principal care of it, holding the notes and receiving and loaning the money. The notes received from the executor of Capt. James amounted to $1,228.84.
1854.
New road built from Levi Barrus's to Col. Stone's " Red House."
1861.
May 6. Voted to raise $200 for the purpose of prepaying volunteers for service in the present war, to be assessed and expended under direction of the following committee :- Calvin A. Packard, Henry Tilton, Hiram Packard, Daniel Williams, and Francis Jepson.
October 7. Voted to furnish aid to those citizens of the town who have already volunteered their services to the government, and the selectmen are authorized to hire money for that purpose.
1862.
August 16. Benjamin White, Esq., appointed Town Clerk in place of Alvan Barrus, enlisted as a soldier.
September 10. Town voted that those citizens who have enlisted for three years, be paid $100 bounty, and that the same be paid those who may voluntarily enlist for nine months.
1863.
January 19. Voted to pay $100 bounty for four volunteers, being the town's quota under recent orders.
Voted to raise $1, 140 for payment of bounties.
April 6. Selectmen authorized to borrow $300 to pay State Aid.
1864.
April 4. Voted to raise $125 for each volunteer required to fill quota under call of October 17, 1863, and February 1, 1864.
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
1865.
May 22. Voted to reimburse all moneys paid by drafted men during the present war for substitutes or commutation. (Rescinded in IS66).
1871.
March 6. The James Fund was transferred to the care of the Selectmen.
1873.
March 3. Alvan Barrus chosen agent for taking care of " James Fund."
1874.
Burying ground enlarged by an addition upon the west side of 141 rods, 125 feet of land. Alvan Barrus, Hiram Packard and John H. Godfrey chosen Cemetery committee.
1879.
March 3. Voted to accept the donation of $750 under the will of Whiting Street.
The terms of the will are : To pay certain sums of money to cer- tain towns named,* in trust for the relief and comfort of the worthy poor of said towns, who shall not be in the almshouse, nor be town paupers. The towns are to agree to forever keep the principal good and spend the income, annually, for this and no other purpose, on penalty of forfeiture.
* The other towns named are: Northampton and Holyoke each $25,000; Chicopee, Amherst, Easthampton, each $6,000; S. Hadley and W. Springfield, each $5,000; Belcher- town, Williamsburgh and Agawam, each $4,000; Conway and Southampton, $2,000; Granby, $1,750; Ashfield, Cummington and Worthington, each $1,500: Chesterfield, Westhampton, Huntington and Enfield each, $1,000: Plainfield, $750.
1880. -
March I. Geo. Dresser, Moderator; Fred S. Billings, Clerk; Alvan Barrus, . Hiram Packard, Alonzo Shaw, Selectmen. School Committee for 3 years, Geo. C. Dresser. Raised for support of Schools $300.
Voted to build new school house in West District.
Voted to appoint a committee to make arrangements for celebrating, in 1881, the
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town. Chose Alvan Barrus, Geo. Dresser, Hiram Packard, T. P. Lyman, J. II. Godfrey, T. L. Barrus, Alonzo Shaw.
Voted to raise $150 for payment of expenses on that occasion.
1127797
CHAPTER IV.
Town and County Officers. de.
Town Clerks.
The first Town Clerk, Thomas Weeks, served two years. William White, Esq., was next chosen and served for thirty years. Joseph White, his son, succeeded him and served fourteen years. Benj White, Esq., another son, twin brother of Joseph, continued in the office fifteen years. Elijah Billings then served seven years ; and Hattil Washburn, Jr., three years Benj. White was agam called to the office in 1853 and declined a re-election in 1862, when Alvan Barrus was chosen, but he resigning the same year, Mr. White was again re-elected, and completed the seventieth year of service by members of the same family-father and sons. The refusal of Mr. White to be longer a candidate prevented his re-election. Joshua Knowlton served 1864 to 1867. Elijah Billings 1867 to his decease, December 12 1879, when Charles Barrus was appointed. He served till the next annual meeting, March, 1880, when Frederick S. Bil- lings was chosen.
Selectmen.
1781-William White,
Lemuel Lyon. Christ. Bannister.
1831-Timothy Lyman, John Grant. Luther Stone.
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
1782-William White, Chris. Banister, Oliver Taylor. 1783-William White, Reu. Dresser, Oliver Taylor. 1784-William White, Reu. Dresser, Eben'r Parsons.
1785-William White, Reu. Dresser, Eben'r Parsons. 1786-Benj. Burgess, Thos. Brown, Chris'r Banister. 1787-Benj. Burgess, Oliver Taylor, Thomas Brown. 1788-William White, Thomas Brown, Oliver Taylor. 1789-William White, Thomas Brown, Oliver Taylor. 1790-Reuben Dresser, Oliver Taylor, Benj. Burgess. 1791-Reuben Dresser, Lem. Banister, Barz. Banister. 1792-Reuben Dresser, Benj. Burgess, Oliver Taylor. 1793-Oliver Taylor, Thomas Brown, Nehemiah May. 1794-Oliver Taylor, Ambrose Stone, Nehemiah May.
1832-John Grant, Asahel Billings, Horace Packard.
1833-Luther Stone, Asahel Billings, Horace Packard. 1834-Luther Stone, Asahet Billings, Frank. Naramore. 1835-Asahel Billings, Moses Dresser, Horace Packard. · 1836-Asahel Billings, Barney Prentiss, Wm. Tilton. 1837-Emmons Putney, Francis Lyman, S. Bardwell. 1838-Luther Stone, Asahel Billings, Moses Dresser. 1839-Luther Stone, Moses Dresser, William Abell. 1840-William Abell, F. Naramore, Horace Packard.
1841-Luther Stone, Asahel Billings, F. Naramore. 1842-Benj. White, West. Tilton, Daniel Williams.
1843-F. Naramore, Luther Stone, Francis Dresser.
1844-F. Naramore, Luther Stone, Francis Dresser.
37
HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
1795-Nehemiah May, Eben Parsons, Jos. Naramore. 1796-Reuben Dresser, Eben Putney, Ambrose Stone. 1797- Nehemiah May, Josh. Abell, Jr., Geo. Salmon. 1798-Oliver Taylor, Ambrose Stone, George Salmon. 1799-Oliver Taylor, Ambrose Stone, Justin Parsons. 1800-Justin Parsons, Geo. Salmon, Alph. Naramore. 1801-Oliver Taylor, Geo. Salmon, Alpheus Naramore. 1802-Oliver Taylor, John Williams, Sol. Parsons. 1803-Reuben Dresser,
John Williams, Jos. Naramore. 1804-Justin Parsons, Ambrose Stone, Geo. Salmon. 1805-Justin Parsons, Ambrose Stone, Geo. Salmon. 1806-Reuben Dresser, Dr. E. Coney, John Williams. 1807-Reuben Dresser, Ambrose Stone, John Grant.
1845-F. Naramore, Ralph Utley, Freeman Sears.
IS46-Ambrose Stone, Jr., F. Sears, West Tilton. 1847-Freeman Sears, F. Dresser, West T'ilton.
1848-Freeman Sears, F. Dresser, West Tilton. . 1849-Freeman Sears, F. Dresser, West Tilton. 1850-Freeman Sears, Frank Naramore, West Tilton. 1851-F. Naramore, Asahel Billings, George Abell. 1852-J. Milton Smith, Asahel Billings, George Abell. 1853-Asa White, Franklin Naramore, Ralph Utley.
1854-Franklin Naramore, Asa White. Ralph Utley. 1855-F. Sears, Asahel Billings, Reuben Gardner. 1856-F. Sears. Hiram Barrus, Calvin A. Packard.
1857-F. Sears, Hiram Packard, Henry White.
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
1808-John Graut, Giles Lyman, Gershom Cathcart.
1809-John Grant, G. Cathcart, Timothy Lyman, Jr.
1810-John Grant, J. Abell, Jr.,
Timothy Lyman, Jr.
1811-John Grant, J. Abell, Jr., Timothy Lyman, Jr.
1812-John C. Lyman, J. Packard, Jr., Oliver Taylor. 1813-Oliver Taylor, Ambrose Stone, John C. Lyman. 1814-Ambrose Stone, John C. Lyman, Benj. White. 1815-John C. Lyman, Josh. Packard, Jr., Benj. White. 1816-John C. Lyman, Josh. Packard, Jr., Benj. White.
1817-Ambrose Stone, Tim. Lyman, Reuben Dresser. 1818-Timothy Lyman, Benj. White, Joseph Putney. 1819-Timothy Lyman, Benj. White, Robert Webster.
1820-Timothy Lyman, Robert Webster, Luther Stone.
1858-Hiram Barrus, Calvin A. Packard, C. C. Dresser. 1
1859-Hiram Barrus, Calvin A. Packard, C. C. Dresser. 1860-F. Sears, Hiram Packard, Ralph E. Smith.
1861-Hiram Barrus, Calvin A. Packard, C. C. Dresser.
1862-Calvin A. Packard, C. C. Dresser, Alonzo Shaw. 1 1863-Calvin A. Packard, C. C. Dresser, Geo. Dresser. 1864-Calvin A. Packard, Geo. Presser, Alonzo Shaw. 1865-Calvin A. Packard, Alvan Barrus, J. Knowlton. 1866-Calvin A. Packard, Alvan Barrus, Joshua Knowlton. 1867-Freeman Sears, Daniel Williams, Tim'y D. Pierce. 1868-Freeman Sears, , Daniel Williams, Tim'y D. Pierce. 1869-C. A. Packard, Geo. Dresser,. Alvan Barrus. 1870-Alvan Barrus, Timothy P. Lyman, John H. Godfrey.
5
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
1821-Timothy Lyman, Robert Webster, Luther Stone. IS22-Timothy Lyman,
IS71-Alvan Barrus,
John H. Godfrey. Joseph Beals.
1872-AAlvan Barius,
Robert Webster,
John H. Godfrey,
Luther Stone. Joseph Beals.
1823 -- Timothy Lyman, Robert Webster, .
Luther Stone.
1$73-Win. S. Packard, Geo. Mayor, Elisha H. Hayden.
1824-Benj. White,
1874-Wm. S. Packard,
John Grant,
E. H. Hayden, Lorin Barrus.
1825-Benj. White,
1 75-Wm. S. Packard, Lorin Barrus,
Asahel Billings, Francis Lyman.
J. H. Godfrey,
1826-Benj. White,
1576-Wm. S. Packard,
Luther Stone,
Lorin Barrus, J. H. Godfrey.
1827-Benj. White,
18.7-Alvan Barros, Hiram Packard,
Joshua Simmons, Asahel Billings.
J. H. Godfrey.
IS28-Timothy Lyman.
IS7-Alvan Barrus,
John Grant,
Hiram Packard,
Samuel Luce.
J. H. Godfrey.
1829-Timothy Lyman,
John Grant,
1879-Alvan Barrus, Hiram Packard, Alonzo Shaw.
Luther Stone.
1830-Timothy Lyman,
ISSO-Alvan Barrus,
John Grant, Luther Stone.
Hiram Packard.
Alonzo Shaw.
Representatives to General Court.
1805, Justin Parsons; 1806, Nehemiah May; 1808, Rev. S. Whit- man; 1839, WVm. White; 1819-11-12-14, Oliver Taylor; 1813, Nehe- miah May; 1815, Ambrose Stone; 1816, Timothy Lyman; and he was also chosen delegate to the Constutional Convention in 1820; 1827, Ambrose Stone; 1829, Joshua Simmons; 1834, Asahel Billings;
-
Joshua Packard.
Joshua Simmons.
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
1835-6-7, Rev. Wm. Hubbard; 1838, Benjamin White; 1839, Luther Stone; 1840, Asahel Billings; 1841, Frederick P. Stone; 1842, Frank- lin Naramore; 1843, Benjamin White; 1849, Luther Stone; 1851, William Tilton; 1852, Asahel Billings; 1853, Franklin Naramore; 1853, Benjamin White, delegate to Constitutional Convention; 1862, Rev. John C. Thompson, elected from the district comprising Goshen, Plainfield, Cummington, Worthington, and Middlefield, without an opposing vote; 1867, Calvin A. Packard; 1873, Hiram Packard; 1879, Alvan Barrus.
Justices of the Peace, with dates of Commission.
William White, 1785, 1792, 1799, 1806, 1813, 1819. Died. 1821. Benjamin Burgess, 1786.
Oliver Taylor, 1810, 1817, 1824. Died 1826.
John Williams, 1811, 1817, 1824, 1832 *.
Timothy Lyman, 1822, 1829. Died 1831.
Joseph White, 1827, (removed from the county).
Benjamin White, 1832, 1839, 1846, 1853, 1860*, 1867 *. Asahel Billings, 1834*, 1841 *.
Luther Stone, 1837, 1845, 1852, 1859, 1866 *.
Hiram Barrus, 1856, 1861, (removed from the county).
Calvin A. Packard, 1861*, 1867, 1774 *.
Alvan Barrus, 1874.
Coroner.
Ambrose Stone, 1803 to 1850.
Special County Commissioner.
Benjamin White, 1838 to 1842.
Deputy Sheriff.
Solomon Parsons served under Sheriff Mattoon.
*Did not qualify.
Albertype-Forbes Co., Boston
REV. J. C. THOMPSON.
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
CHAPTER V.
The Congregational Church.
True to the Pilgrim idea, the church and the school-the heart and the head of true prosperity-received early attention'and have always been cherished institutions among the people here. This, church, the first in the place, was organized December 21, 1780, nearly five months before the incorporation of the town. It is a fact, not without interest, that its organization, whether intended or not, occurred on "Forefather's Day."-160 years from the day on which the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock.
The earliest record of the church is the following :-
Chesterfield Gore, December 21, 1780.
A church was gathered in this place and properly incorporated [organized] by the Reverend Mr. Josiah Kilburn, pastor of the church in Chesterfield. At the same time the church made choice of one of the brethren, viz: Thomas Weeks for their clerk. Also at the same time, said church agreed to the following confession of Faith, Covenant, and Rules of Church Discipline-that is to say :
We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, the brethren of the Church of Christ in Chesterfield Gore, have mutually agreed, and unanimously Consented, to the fol- lowing Confession of Faith, Covenant, and Rules of Church Discipline as the Rule of our Faith and Practice in this church.
(Signed) THOMAS WEEKS, LFMUFL LYON, THOMAS BROWN, DANIEL BROWN, JOHN SMITH.
The Confession, Covenant and Rules follow, but it seems unneces . sary to reproduce them here.
The records do not distinctly indicate the names of all who joined the church at its organization, but the following are given without date as members previous to 1783:
Thomas Weeks, Mary Weeks, *Lemuel Lyon, *John Smith,
Nehemiah May, Jeremiah Hallock, Alse Hallock, Mary Grimes,
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
*Sarah Smith,
*Justin Parsons,
*Thomas Brown,
Hannah Parsons, Ebenezer Putney,
*Judith Brown,
*Daniel Brown,
Farnum White,
*Dorcas Brown, Artemas Stone,
¡Marcy White, Christopher Grant, Elizabeth Grant,
Jerusha Stone, Joseph Banister,
Abiel Banister,
*Deborah Banister,
Margaret May,
Christopher Banister,
*David Stearns,
Mary Banister, Lemuel Banister-30.
The first meeting of the church for business was held one week later, when choice was made of Rev. Josiah Kilburn of Chesterfield, as moderator in case of emergency while they continued destitute of a pastor. Voted, that brother Thomas Weeks read the Psalm in this church when they assemble for religious worship. Voted, that broth- er John Smith lead in singing.
March 26, 1781, it was voted to call to the pastorate, Rev. Joseph Barker, who had been preaching here for nearly a year. The "cove- nanters" and others in the vicinity, were invited to join with the church in calling Mr. Barker and in making proposals for his support. Thomas Weeks, Thomas Brown, and Lemuel Lyon were a committee to wait on the candidate with the call. He did not accept, but in the same year became pastor of the church in Middleboro, where he died in 1815. He appears to have been an able man, and was member of Congress 1805 to 1808.
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