USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lexington > History of the town of Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1868, with a genealogical register of Lexington families > Part 30
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As. our fathers came to this country to establish a religious commonwealth, and to set up institutions founded on the great principle of accountability to God, no history of their settlement can be perfect or complete, which does not treat of their ecclesi- astical affairs. These are so intimately connected with their civil and political history, that it is difficult in some cases to say where the one ends and the other begins. By the early laws of this Province, every tract of territory which was erected into a town, was by the same act constituted a parish. Standing in this double relation, most of the parochial business was trans- acted in town meetings. It was generally in the town meetings that votes were passed for building meeting-houses, settling min- isters, and providing for their support. These measures are so nearly associated with the municipal affairs of the towns, and the same individuals being voters both in the town and the parish, that we shall not attempt to draw any distinct line of separation between the parochial and the municipal. Under the head of " ecclesiastical history," we shall not treat of those pub- lic acts performed in town meetings, such as building and repair- ing houses of worship, but rather present the spiritual condition of the people, the character of their religious teachers, and the acts pertaining to the church, as an organization distinct from that of the parish.
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For about forty years after the first settlements were made in what now constitutes Lexington, the people were destitute of a minister, whom they could call their own. The territory belonging to Cambridge, and most of the settlers being from that town, and many of them being members of the church in that place, they would naturally adhere to the old society, until the demand for a separate organization should become pressing. It appears also that the people of Cambridge proper were anxious that those who had removed to the " Farms," should continue their relationship with the parent church. But as the inconvenience to the settlers was great, they desired to establish a ministry of their own, and to manage their own affairs as they pleased. As early as 1682, James Cutler, Matthew Bridge, Jr., David Fiske, Sen., Samuel Stone, Sen., Francis Whitmore, John Tidd, Ephraim Winship, and John Winter, some of the leading and responsible citizens of the Farms, petitioned the General Court for an Act constituting them a distinct parish. This step was taken, not from any hostility to the old society or church, but from the great inconvenience of going from five to ten miles to attend public worship. The great unwillingness on the part of Cambridge to have this secession from their church, defeated, or rather postponed the measure for about ten years. In 1691, it was ordered by the General Court " That the peti- tioners be permitted and allowed to invite and settle an able and orthodox minister for the dispensing of the Gospel among them."
Immediately after obtaining an Act of incorporation as a pre- cinct, measures were adopted to carry into effect the object they had in view. A subscription was at once started for the erection of a house of worship; and early in the season of 1692, the edifice was erected. On the 22d of April, 1692, Mr. Benjamin Estabrook, who had probably preached for them some portion of the preceding year, was invited to continue his labors with them till May, 1693, and provision was made for his support. Small as were their numbers, and limited as were their means, they resolved to place themselves in a position, where they should be able in future to give a liberal support to those who should become their spiritual guides. In April, 1693, they pur- chased of the town of Cambridge, for this purpose, "twelve
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acres of common land on the east side of the causeway, and the rest of the common land on the other side, and on the south side of Vine Brook Meadow." This land was subsequently surveyed, and was found to contain one hundred and forty-eight acres. Though this purchase cost the parish at first but eighteen pounds, it laid the foundation for a ministerial fund, which has proved amply sufficient to support a minister. This land was purchased by the parish, and paid for by a tax upon all within the precinct.
When Mr. Estabrook's year expired, the people gladly reen- gaged him ; and such was their attachment to him that in the summer of 1694, they built and gave him a house on condition of his becoming their pastor and continuing with them.1 Their pecuniary embarrassments however were such that they made but slow progress in preparation for his permanent settlement. In April, 1696, they made their final proposition ; and on the third of June following, Mr. Estabrook gave an affirmative answer to their call. His answer is recorded with so much sim- plicity, that we will transcribe it. " Mr. Estabrook was sent for to declare to the people, whether he did accept of the call of the inhabitants of this place, and whether he would abide with us to be our settled minister. His answer was, ' Yes, he would.' It was asked him how long. He answered, that so far as he knew, so long as he lived, it should not be his fault if he did not; he had no intent to leave us ; and if he did leave us, he would repay the money expended for the building of his house.".
The call being accepted, and the day for the ordination fixed, it was agreed that a church should be organized at the same time. A committee was appointed to make arrangements for the ordination, and to " provide what is necessary for the enter- tainment of the magistral ministers and messengers of the church that day."
Neither the church nor the parish records give us any inform- ation concerning the council, or the services on the occasion. But Judge Sewall, who was then present as one of the honored magistrates to take cognizance of the establishment of a new church, has the following in his manuscript Journal .- " October
! This house was 42 feet by 18. It stood a few rods east of Vine Brook.
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21, 1696. A church is gathered at Cambridge, North Farms ; no relations made, but a Covt. signed and voted by 10 brethren dismissed from ye churches of Cambridge, Watertown, Woo- burn, and Concord, for the work. Being declared to be a church, they chose Mr. Benjamin Estabrook yr Pastor, who had made a good Sermon from Jer. 3. 15. Mr. Estabrook the Father managed this, having prayed excellently : Mr. Willard gave ye Charge ; Mr. Fox the Right Hand of Fellowship. Sung part of ye 48th from ye 9th v. to the end, - O God, our thoughts. - Mr. Stone and Mr. Fiske thanked me for my assistance there. Cambridge was sent to; they had no Teach- ing officer ; they sent Elder Clark, Hastings, Remington." 1
The church which was gathered on that occasion, adopted a covenant founded on the broad principles of the Gospel, and avoiding those controverted doctrines which have often divided the churches.
This covenant was signed by the pastor elect, and by David Fiske, Sen., Samuel Stone, Sen., John Russell, Israel Mead, Thomas Cutler, Sen., David Fiske, Jr., Samuel Whitmore, William Reed, John Merriam, Samuel Stone, Jr., and Thomas Merriam.
The church was further organized by electing John Merriam and Samuel Stone deacons. There was also added to the church during the nine months of Mr. Estabrook's ministry, by recommendations from other churches, the following persons : Seaborn Fiske, wife of David Fiske, Sen., Sarah Stone, wife of Samuel Stone, Sen., Elizabeth Russell, wife of John Russell, Elizabeth Winship, wife of Ephraim Winship, severally from the church of Cambridge ; Sarah Merriam widow, Sarah Fiske, wife of David Fiske, Jr., Dorcas Stone, wife of Samuel Stone, Jr., Mary Merriam, wife of John Merriam, severally from the church of Concord ; and Abigail Reed, wife of Capt. William Reed from the church of Woburn. There were also admitted on their own profession during Mr. Estabrook's labors, Joseph Simonds and his wife Mary, Matthew Bridge and his wife Abi- gail, Jonathan Poulter and his wife Elizabeth, Philip Russell, Joseph Stone, Mary Winship, Abigail Cutler, wife of Lieut.
1 For this, and several other important facts connected with the history of the church, we are indebted to Rev. Samuell Sewall of Burlington.
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Thomas Cutler, Mary Johnson, wife of John Johnson, and Ruth Locke, wife of Samuel Locke.
Thus a church of thirty-three members was gathered in about nine months from the settlement of their first minister. This of itself shows the success with which his labors were blessed. The relation between Mr. Estabrook and his people was a happy one, and promised to be productive of much good. He had been with them several years before his settlement, and hence knew them well, and was known of them. The relation of pastor and people, at all times solemn and endearing, had in this case a peculiar interest, having all the ardor of the first love. Ile was their first pastor, and they his first flock. It was the union of kindred hearts, given in early life; and the happy fruits of this union show that the attachment had been mutual, and that the confidence on either hand had not been misplaced. Both parties were undoubtedly congratulating themselves on this new relation, and anticipating years of happiness and prosperity. But how delusive sometimes are human hopes ! He whose wisdom is unsearchable, and whose ways are past finding out, saw fit to sunder these ties. On the 22d of July, 1697, when he had completed only nine months of his ministry, he was called from his earthly labors. Thus was a young and confiding parish deprived of their first minister, and a young, devoted minister, torn from the people of his choice !
Rev. Benjamin Estabrook was son of Rev. Joseph Estabrook, of Concord, who came to this country in 1660, and entered Harvard College, where he was graduated in 1664. He settled in Concord in 1667, where he remained till his death, in 1711, which was in the seventy-first year of his age and the forty- fourth of his ministry. Benjamin Estabrook was born February 24, 1671,1 was graduated at Harvard, 1690, and commenced preaching in Lexington in 1692. In November, 1693, he married Abigail Willard, daughter of Rev. Samuel Willard, then of the Old South Church in Boston. Mr. Estabrook was highly esteemed by his people, and left the reputation of a pious and devoted servant of the Lord. Though he was only twenty- six years of age, when called hence, he had already established
1 For a more full account of the Estabrook family, see Genealogical Register in another part of this volume.
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a reputation which gave promise of distinction in his profession. He was buried in Lexington, and his tombstone bears this inscription :
HERE LIES INTERRED THE REMAINS OF MR. BENJAMIN ESTABROOK, LATE AND FIRST PASTOR OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THIS PLACE ; SON TO THE REV. MR. JOSEPH ESTABROOK, PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN CONCORD; WHO DEPARTED FROM US TO CHRIST, JULY 22, A. D. 1697,
1 AGED 26 YEARS AND 5 MONTHS. VIRTUS ANTEIT ANNOS.
Immediately on the death of Mr. Estabrook, measures were adopted to obtain a candidate for settlement. A meeting was called November 27th, " to consider the procuring of some help in the ministry : Then there was made choyce of Mr. John Hancock to preach with us till May followinge, in order to further settlement. It was also agreed that Mr. Hancock should have eighteen shillings a weeke, and bare his own charges till May."
Mr. Hancock commenced preaching at Cambridge Farms, December 12, 1697, and in February following, "It was voted by the majore part of ye people that were present, that Mr. Hancock should bee further invited to continue with us for a settlement, and Dea. Samuel Stone and Lt. David Fiske were made choyce of by ye companye to traatte with Mr. Hancock about his settelling with us."
It seems that the committee chosen to "traatte" with Mr. Hancock, were successful in their preliminaries at least ; for in March, 1698, says the record, "The sallerrye that was formerlye granted to ye Reverend Mr. Benjamin Estabrook, was a second time granted and confermed to Rev. Mr. John Hancock."
" It was alsoe voted that they will give the Rev. Mr. John Hancock four score pounds in moneye towards his settlement, ye one-half in ye yeare 1698, and ye other half in yeare 1699."
The preliminaries being settled, the church by " a unanimuse votte " proposed " to prosede to the ordination of Mr. Hancock, in convenient time," and the congregation on the 6th of Septem-
41
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ber, 1698, "votted without the church on the affirmative, - very fully - at a full mettinge."
The second day of November, 1698, was agreed upon for the ordination, and provision was made by the parish for the enter- tainment of the council. The further proceedings on the occa- sion we will give in the language of the church records, written by Mr. Hancock himself.
" Five churches were sent unto to carry on the work of said day, viz : the South Church of Christ in Boston, the churches of Christ in Cambridge, Newtown, Concord and Woburn, - the elders and messengers appeared, and in the morning, Mr. Willard being moderator, they proceded, having made way for it, and earnestly emploring Heaven's blessing on the affairs of the day, unto ordination. Rev. Mr. Willard giving the charge, and Rev. Mr. Joseph Estabrook, the right hand of fellowship ; - the elders of the other churches assisted by laying on of hands."
Mr. Hancock being thus settled over the church and society at Cambridge North Precinct, continued their pastor till his death in 1752, having had a peaceful and prosperous ministry of fifty- four years. Rev. John Hancock was son of Nathaniel Hancock of Cambridge, (now Newton.) He was born December, 1671, entered Harvard College in 1685, where he was graduated in 1689. He was ordained, as we have already stated, November 2, 1698. He married Elizabeth Clark, daughter of Rev. Thomas Clark, of Chelmsford, by whom he had five children - three sons and two daughters.
Ebenezer, son of Rev. John Hancock, of Lexington, was born December 7, 1710. He was graduated at Harvard, 1728, and prepared himself for the ministry. He was a young man of great promise ; and received a unanimous invitation to settle at Sherborn, as successor to Rev. Mr. Baker. But the people of Lexington, fully impressed with his meek, unostentatious piety, and pleased with his easy manners and popular eloquence, gave him an carnest invitation to settle with them, as colleague with his father. Ebenezer did not long hesitate between these calls. The desire to aid his father in his declining years, induced him to accept the invitation of Lexington. The 2d day of January, 1734, was fixed upon by the parties, and on that day Rev. Ebenezer Hancock was solemnly set apart as a co-laborer with
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his father in the ministry of Christ. Seven churches were invited to take part in the ordination, viz : the church of Christ in Weston, the two churches of Watertown, and the churches of Newton, Cambridge, Medford and Bedford. Rev. Mr. Hancock, the father, preached the sermon, and gave the charge, and the Rev. Mr. Williams, of Weston, the right hand of fellowship.
Though the son engaged ardently in the work of the ministry, for the two-fold purpose of promoting the cause of his divine Master, and of lightening the burden of his devoted and pious father, then upon the shady side of sixty-three, he did not live long to sustain his hoary hairs. Rev. Ebenezer Hancock died January 28, 1740, when he had just completed the sixth year of his ministry. He died greatly beloved and universally lamented, in the thirty-first year of his age. He was never married.
Of the two daughters of Rev. John Hancock, we will simply say that Eliza, born February 5, 1705, married Rev. Jonathan Bowman, of Dorchester ; and Lucy, born April 20, 1713, married Rev. Nicholas Barnes, of Bedford.1
Though Mr. Hancock was distinguished in his family, he was more distinguished for his own personal merit. He was very eminent in his day for wisdom, piety, and fidelity in the cause of his divine Master ; and for a happy talent at preventing discord, and healing animosities among his people. And from a great respect for his age, services, gravity and dignified deportment, he was long honored with the appellation of Bishop. For nearly thirty years he was the senior minister in this part of the county of Middlesex ; had for many years presided in most of the councils for ordination within its bounds ; and had given the solemn charge to twenty-one ministers, the last of whom was the late Dr. Cushing of Waltham, at their induction into office. He had the reputation of being a peace-maker ; and his advice and fatherly counsel were frequently sought by the neighboring churches, and to them his decision was generally the end of strife.
He was remarkable for his industry and devotion to his pro-
" For a more particular account of the Hancock family, see Genealogical Reg- ister connected herewith.
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fession. He was early in the morning in his study, and early in the week at his preparations for the Sabbath. In this way he was always apparently at leisure, and ready to receive and enter- tain all those whom his social habits called to his house. By being systematic and studious, he was always master of his own time ; and by being always industrious, he was apparently always at leisure. His success in his profession is evidence of his fidelity. During his ministry, there were four hundred and forty-five added to the church by profession, and thirty-two by letters of dismission and recommendation from other churches ; one hundred and eighty owned the covenant, and one thousand six hundred and thirty-seven were baptized.
Mr. Hancock was what might be denominated Calvinistic in his theology ; and yet his grasp of mind and acquaintance with the world, and his great good sense, made him liberal and chari- table to others. While his own mind was made up, and his own opinions formed, he was willing that others should adopt the same manly course, and judge for themselves.
In his sermon at the ordination of his son at Braintree, he says, " Where there is so much work to be done, and work of such importance, it calls for diligence and fidelity. It is God's work, and must not be done negligently ; it is the soul's work, and must not be done slightly ; it is a great work, and of eternal consequences, and must be done faithfully. Unfaithfulness in the minister is more unpardonable than in another man, for hereby the cause of Christ, and the souls of men are betrayed. Who would make an unfaithful person a ruler over his goods ? Let ministers learn their dependence both for assistance and success. The power that can furnish you unto this work, and give you success, is from above. 'Tis not from men, but from God. Men may pray over you, and put their hands upon you, and bless you in the name of the Lord ; but they cannot bestow the gift of the Holy Spirit upon you. They can confer orders, but they cannot convey grace."
This extract shows the tone and spirit of his preaching, when young men are set apart for the ministry. We will give a specimen of his bold and manly preaching before the rulers of the Colony. It is from a public lecture delivered before the authorities. "I will speak unto great men, about what? Not
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about matters of state, but of religion. Not about their farms or their merchandise, but about their souls. Not about such things as are merely temporal, but about things which are spiritual and eternal. Great men are a part of a minister's charge, and must be addressed at proper seasons, and on proper occasions. The ministers of Christ are to take heed to all their flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers ; and the great men in some congregations, make up a consider- able part of the flock. It is the greatest pride and vanity that can be, for any to think themselves too great to be spoken to, about the duties they are to perform, or about their sins and their faults, that they may amend them. However, ministers must speak to them in the name of the Lord, whether they will hear or forbear." "Great men are not always good ; it would be well, it would be happy for all states and governments, if they were. Indeed, they ought to be good, yea, to be the best of men ; yet many times they are the worst - scourges of the world, and plagues of mankind."
There is another trait in Mr. Hancock's character, which must not be passed over without notice. He was highly social ; not merely fond of society, but had a vein of humor or wit in which he would often indulge. This pleasant, facetious disposition, rendered his society interesting to the young, and so gave him a hold upon their affections, which few ministers ever enjoyed.
Many anecdotes are related of Mr. Hancock, showing his face- tiousness, and the great control he had over his people even in temporal affairs. Two neighbors could not agree upon the division line between their lands - each claimed more land than the other would yield. The dispute rose high, and a law suit was threatened. Mr. Hancock, hearing of the dispute, called the parties together, took them upon the ground, and asked them to make their statements. When they had concluded, he took a stake and stuck it into the ground, and said, "there, neighbor A., your land comes to this stake; and neighbor B., don't you encroach upon your neighbor beyond that point." It is only necessary to say that this was the end of the strife. Such was the confidence reposed in him, and such the influence which he exerted over them, that his decisions were acquieseed in, though sometimes made without invitation or all the forms of law.
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It was customary in some of the early churches to have elders, as assistants to their pastors, in some of their duties, and some- times they officiated as teachers. There happened to be two members of Mr. Hancock's church who had an inclination to fill such an office, and called upon Mr. Hancock to confer with him upon the subject. They stated to him that his labors were ardu- ous, and he somewhat in years, and they thought it might be some relief to him to have two elders chosen. Mr. Hancock told them that he thought well of the subject; but expressed some doubt whether any persons could be found who would accept the position. To relieve his mind on that point, they modestly hinted that they might be induced to accept the place to relieve him. " Well," said Mr. Hancock, "I should be very glad to have elders chosen, and should rejoice to have such gen- tlemen as you are fill those positions. I suppose you know the duty of such officers ?" "No," replied one of the gentlemen, " we do not ; but we know that you understand the whole matter, and could easily inform us." "Well," said Mr. Hancock, "the duties of elders have never heretofore been very well defined in the church, but latterly they have settled down to this-the younger elder is to brush down, and harness the pastor's horse, when he wishes to ride out ; and the elder elder is to accompany the pastor, when he goes out of town, and pay his expenses. I should like very well to have such officers chosen." The gentle- men being taken somewhat by surprise, let the subject subside, and made no further effort for the choice of elders.
One of his brethren in the ministry, who knew him well, thus speaks of this turn of mind.1
" That facetious temper and turn of wit which were natural to him, and which some people of a different make might think abounded, he made a very good use of in general, and it served to scatter the clouds of melan- choly that hung upon some people's spirits, and to stir up a pleasant cheer- fulness within them. He did thereby soften men's tempers, and correct their ill humors, and bring the fretful, the angry, and the revengeful, into a calm, peaceable, and forgiving frame. As you have had the reputation of being a peaceable people, I believe you will readily grant that it has been very much owing to the pleasant, prudent, and pacific counsels of your deceased pastor."
1 Discourses delivered at Lexington the Sabbath after the death of Mr. Hancock, by Mr. Appleton of Cambridge.
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Mr. Hancock had great wisdom and sagacity in managing the affairs of his parish. Though he was a close student, and a good biblical scholar, he did not confine his study to books alone. He mingled with his people, and so learned not only their wants, but their habits and turn of mind -the secret springs of action by which they were moved, and so was enabled to guide, and in a manner control them. Mr. Appleton bears testimony to this in the following passage :
" He was eminently fitted for this place in its infant state, when you were few in numbers, and needed a man of such wisdom and prudence to advise and assist you in your outward and civil, as well as spiritual con- cerns. And I believe it will be allowed that but few people have had so great help, benefit and comfort of a minister in all respects, as this people have had in Mr. Hancock. Few ministers have been so much concerned in the various affairs of their people, as he was in yours ; and yet I never heard him taxed of being in the least a faulty busybody in other men's matters ; for you yourselves were so sensible of his wisdom, and the good- ness of his capacity, and readiness to direct and advise you, that as I have understood, you seldom or never engaged in any important or difficult affair without consulting him upon it."
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