USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Marlborough > History of the town of Marlborough, Middlesex county, Massachusetts, from its first settlement in 1657 to 1861; with a brief sketch of the town of Northborough, a genealogy of the families in Marlborough to 1800 > Part 11
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The growth of the new town, and the fact that a portion of the inhabitants resided at a considerable distance northerly from their meeting-honse, suggested the idea of a separation. After a controversy somewhat protracted, and accompanied with that ill-feeling usually attendant upon the division of a town, on the 20th of October, 1744, Westborough was divided into two pre- cincts, the northern portion taking the name of Northborough. Westborough, at the time of the division of her territory, con- tained one hundred and twenty-five families ; thirty-eight of which were included in the northern precinct. But small as was the population thus taken from the parent town, in 1745 they erected a meeting-house, and in 1746 they organized a church, and settled Rev. John Martin as their minister. In 1766, this precinct was incorporated into a District ; and from that beginning has grown up the flourishing town of North- borough, whose growth was undoubtedly facilitated by the water-power within her borders .*
* For a further account of Northborough, see Dr. Allen's Sketch, added to this history.
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But the loss which Marlborough experienced by the setting off of the western portion of her territory, was in a degree compensated for by the annexation of other tracts of land. In 1718, the " Farm," formerly the land granted to John Alcocke, consisting of several hundred acres, was annexed to Marl- borough, and the year following, the Indian plantation, con- taining nearly six thousand acres, was added to the town. These two acquisitions amounted to more than half of the number of acres cut off to form the town of Westborough.
But the old town of Marlborough was destined to a further dismemberment. The people of " Stony Brook," as the south part of Marlborough was familiarly called, applied to the town to be set off as a distinct municipality. After some delay, the town agreed upon a line, and joined in a petition " with the Stony Brook men for a confirmation of said township." The territory thus set off was incorporated in 1727, by the name of Southborough-a name suggested by its geographical position with reference to Marlborough.
The records furnish no accurate information as to the num- ber of persons thus set off ; but it must have been a serious loss to the old township to have a valuable portion of her territory taken from her, and especially as the dividing line approached within about a mile and a half of the principal village, cutting off the Newtons, the Fays, and several of the prominent fam- ilies. But this dismemberment, like the former, created but little animosity, and was in fact a " peaceable secession," the old town not choosing to employ " coercion " to bind them to her bosom.
Thus has the original township been carved into four distinct and now flourishing towns ; so that old Marlborough may justly claim to be not only the mother of emigrants, but the mother of townships. Though Westborough, Southborough, and Northborough, were formerly included in Marlborough, and their early history is a portion of that of the parent town, we shall not pursue their respective histories after their separation ; for, like the child who has left the old homestead, and set up for himself, they have a history of their own, worthy of being laid before the public. Marlborough still regards them with maternal affection ; but is fully conscious, from their successful experiment, that they are amply able to provide for themselves.
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She rejoices in their prosperity ; she glories in the distinguished men they have produced ; and if she were called upon to pre- sent her richest treasure, she would, like the Roman matron, point to her offspring and say, " These are my jewels."
The people of Marlborough had been prosperous and happy under the ministry of Mr. Breck ; and being ardently attached to him, they had anticipated his wants and ministered to his comfort. When, by the depreciation of the currency, his salary became insufficient for his support, they readily raised it from sixty to one hundred pounds. But earthly happiness is of short duration. On the 6th of January, 1731, they were called to experience a severe affliction in the death of their beloved pastor. Mr. Breck had for a considerable time been unable to supply the pulpit, and the town had generously paid for the supply. And when he was taken away, they manifested their regard for his memory, by appropriating fifty pounds to defray the expenses of his burial.
Before Mr. Breck's settlement in Marlborough, he preached for a time on Long Island, in the Province of New York, during the government of Lord Cranbury, where he had the courage, though young at that time, to assert and adhere to the cause and principles of the Non-Conformists, notwithstanding the threatenings and ill treatment he there met with.
" He was a man of strong natural powers, clear-headed, and of sound judgment, and by his unwearied diligence and study, he obtained great skill in the learned Languages, (uncommon in the Hebrew ; using to read out of the Hebrew Bible to his family,) as also in Philosophy, the Mathematics, and History, as well as in Divinity, in which he was sound and orthodox, a good Casuist, a strong Disputant, a methodical and close Preacher."
The highest testimonials of his worth appeared in the peri- odicals of the day, and his brethren in the ministry paid a just tribute to his memory. Three funeral sermons, preached at Marlborough on the occasion of his death-one by Rev. Mr. Swift of Framingham, another by Rev. Mr. Prentice of Lan- caster, and the third by Rev. Mr. Loring of Sudbury-were published and are now extant. The following description, by a cotemporary, gives a view of the man. "His temper was
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grave and thoughtful, and yet cheerful at times, especially with his friends and acquaintances, and his conversation entertaining and agreeable. In conduct he was prudent and careful of his character, both as a minister and a Christian ; rather sparing of speech, and more inclined to hear and learn from others. His house was open to strangers, and his heart to his friends; and he took great delight in entertaining such as he might in any way improve by, and treated them with good manners. The languishment and pain he went through before his death, were very great ; but God enabled him to bear the affliction with patience and submission."
Mr. Breck was a faithful and devoted minister, and was highly respected and esteemed ; and his abilities were well known and acknowledged. He preached the Election Sermon in 1728, which was published. His text was the well known passage : "Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." In the discourse he labored to show that fear, or trust in God, was not only " the beginning of wisdom," but the source of safety and happiness, for indi- viduals and for communities ; and after reminding our rulers that the obligation to comply with the requisition of the text, was increased by their exalted stations, on the true democratic principle he appeals to the fountain of power, the people, in the following manner :
" I shall conclude when I have briefly addressed myself to the peo- ple of this land, that they would lay these things to heart, and strenu- ously apply themselves to seek their own and posterity's welfare and happiness, in the way and method in our text prescribed. Without you, all that our rulers in civil and sacred orders can do, will not avail. Though our Legislature enact never so many good laws for the regu- lation of the morals of the people, unless you do your part, and im- prove the power and liberty you are invested with, in your several towns, to make choice of such for your Grand Jurors, Tythingmen, &c., as are men fearing God, men of truth and fidelity, men of wis- dom equal to the trust committed to them, and have the interest of religion at heart-who will carefully inspect the manners of the peo- ple, and bring the transgressors to open shame and punishment : I say, unless you are careful and conscientious in this, all our laws for the reforming of the manners and morals of a corrupt people are insufficient, and our law-makers labor in vain.
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" Oh, that there were such an heart in this people to fear God and keep his commandments ; and to exert themselves in their several capacities so to promote the peace and prosperity of our Church and State ; to put up cries to our fathers' God, that he would pour out his spirit of repentance and reformation on their degenerate offspring. Then the Lord our God will be with us, as he was with our fathers. and never leave us nor forsake us."
In 1720 he delivered the first sermon ever preached in Shrewsbury.
During his ministry " The Marlborough Association " was formed, consisting of six or eight of the neighboring clergymen. Of this Association Mr. Breck was a leading member, and his house was the usual place of their meetings.
The best proof of his fidelity is found in his works. In the course of his ministry of twenty-seven years, there were two hundred and eighty-six persons admitted to his church, and one thousand and seventy-seven received the rite of baptism. And what furnished better evidence of his wisdom and prudence than any thing else, is the fact, that in 1727 and 1728, when many churches were rent in twain by what was denominated Newlightism, he continued to keep every thing quiet in his parish. He knew enough of human nature, and of the order of Providence, to be sensible that there would be times in which the human mind would be specially called and awakened to subjects of a religious nature ; and instead of opposing this gen- eral spirit of inquiry, or of calling in others to increase the flame, he wisely took the whole matter into his own hands, and guided the inquirers in his own town; and, without any con- vulsion, during these two years, added one hundred and two to his church. If ministers would learn not to oppose any spirit of awakening, when the minds of their people are alive to the subject of religion, but would guide and lead it in its true chan- nel ; if, instead of calling in foreign aid to awaken an interest in religion by artificial means, they would preach with earnest- ness the simple doctrines of the meek and lowly Jesus, they would do more towards placing their churches on the firm basis of the Rock of Ages.
The influence of Mr. Breck over his people was highly salu- tary. When he came to the place, he found them in a state of
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distraction ; but under his ministry these animosities were for- gotten, and his flock seemed desirous of dwelling together in unity. Thus, with the characteristics of a good citizen and a good minister, he administered to their temporal and spiritual welfare ; and, by precept and example, impressed upon them a truth too often overlooked or forgotten, that he who loves God must love his brother also. He was sincerely beloved by his people, who, during his last sickness set apart a day for fasting and prayer for his recovery ; several of the neighboring minis- ters being present and assisting in that solemn service. But their prayers did not prevail. He died January 6, 1751, in the twenty-eighth year of his ministry, in the midst of his days and usefulness, being forty-nine years of age.
A handsome Monument was erected to his memory, near that of his predecessor, containing a somewhat lengthy inscription in Latin, which has been thus translated into English. As it appears to contain a just representation of his character, we give it entire.
" Beneath this stone are deposited the mortal remains of the truly Reverend ROBERT BRECK. His immortal part hath ascended to heaven, to join the innumerable company of angels, and the spirits of the just made perfect.
" He was by nature a man of acute intellect, capacious mind and sound judgment, together with singular mental resolution. As to his attainments, he was eminently skilled in the learned languages, famil- iar beyond the common measure with polite literature ; and what to others was difficult, he by the power of his mind and close application to study, accomplished with ease. Thoroughly versed in every depart- ment of theology, and truly orthodox in sentiment, he was a Scribe in every respect instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven.
" The duties of the pastoral office in the church at Marlborough, over which the Holy Ghost made him overseer, he discharged faith- fully and assiduously, in peace and with great reputation for twenty- seven years.
" He was a skillful and able asserter of the doctrines of Revelation, and of the worship and discipline of the New England churches. He was a counsellor in cases of difficulty, both public and private, of dis- tinguished uprightness and consummate prudence. He was a sincere lover of his friends, his country, and the whole church of Christ.
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" In a word, he was a model of piety, and every social virtue, and of moderation in regard to earthly things.
" In the severe pains of his last sickness, his patience had its per- fect work ; and his departure, if not in triumph, was full of hope and peace.
" Born December 7, 1682-Died January 6, 1731.
" Even the prophets do not live forever."
CHAPTER V.
ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS, &c.
Several Gentlemen invited to become their Minister, and declined - Mr. Kent settled - Charged with Heresy - Leaves the Place - His subsequent His- tory and Character - Difficulty in agreeing upon a Successor - Two Fasts appointed - A Young Men's Association - Rev. Mr. Smith settled - Peti- tion to set off the Indian Plantation as a Town - The East part desire to be made a Town - Marlborough remonstrates, and the Petitioners defeated - Great Drought - Ecclesiastical Matters an important part of Town His- tories.
AFTER the death of Rev. Mr. Breck, the people seemed destined to trouble and disappointment in their ecclesiastical affairs. The choice of a successor kept the town in a state of excitement for two years. They found it difficult to agree upon a candidate, and more difficult to find one who would accept their call. Mr. Stephen Sewall, Mr. John Blunt, Mr. William Hobby, Mr. Philemon Robbins, and Mr. Samuel Rogers, were successively invited to become their pastor, and declined. At length, on the 21st of August, 1733, Mr. Ben- jamin Kent was, by a vote of the church and town acting together, invited to settle with them on a salary of one hun- dred and eighty pounds per annum, in bills of public credit, to rise or fall, according to their value in silver, which was then twenty shillings per ounce. They also voted him a settlement of four hundred pounds, two hundred to be paid within six months from the day of his ordination, and the other two hun- dred within one year from the time of the first payment.
Mr. Kent accepted the invitation, and was ordained October 23, 1733. He was a graduate of Harvard College in 1727. Soon after his settlement, strong doubts arose respecting his orthodoxy. Benjamin Woods, one of the leading members of the society, charged him with being " a professed Arminian," and said that his want of orthodoxy had made " a great noise
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almost over all the Province." This opposition increased, and on the 4th of February, 1735, a Council was convened, which found him unsound in the faith. They set forth that he held " dangerous opinions with respect to the great and important Scripture doctrine of the Trinity ; " that he " denied an abso- Inte Election, and asserted a conditional one on the foresight of good works ; that infants came into the world free and clear of original · guilt." It also appeared that "he had said in his preaching that the fundamentals of religion were plain and easy ; were not, never were, and never could be disputed ; because they were of a moral nature ; " which declarations the Council pronounce to be " false, and to have a dangerons ten- dency to lessen our regard for revealed religion." They also find that he had said " that there were several answers in the Assembly's Catechism which had not a word of Scripture to support them." They further charge him with using " profane and filthy expressions." The Council therefore adjudge that Rev. Benjamin Kent be suspended from preaching the word, or administering the holy sacraments, until the 27th of May next ensuing.
Whatever may be thought of these charges of heresy at the present day, they were at that period deemed all-important. To deny the doctrines of the Trinity and unconditional Elec- tion, was regarded by our forefathers as a " damnable heresy," and to dissent from the Assembly's Catechism was an offence scarcely less than that of rejecting the Bible itself. Professors at that day did not seem to realize that charity was greater than faith or hope ; nor had they fallen into the modern error, that one system of faith was just as good as another; and that morality was all that the gospel required. While, therefore, we dissent from the rigid notions of our ancestors, it becomes us to guard against the other extreme, into which many at this day are prone to run.
Mr. Kent probably closed his ministry with this decision of the Council, and left the church in a divided state. He brought an action against the town for the £400 voted him as a settle- ment ; and the case, after a protracted litigation, was decided in his favor. He afterwards removed to Boston, where he com- menced the practice of law, and became celebrated for his eccentricity and wit. He was a man of active mind, ardent
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and impulsive, and somewhat reckless, especially in his declara- tions. He was far from being ministerial, either in word or deportment ; though Dr. Franklin, who knew him well, bore testimony to his benevolence and honesty, and said of him : " If he had any hypocrisy, it was of that inverted kind, with which a man is not so bad as he seems to be."
John Adams said of him : " Kent is for fun, drollery, humor, flaunts, jeers, contempt. He has an irregular, immethodical head, but his thoughts are often good, and his expressions happy."
At the breaking out of the controversy with Great Britain, Mr. Kent was an ardent whig, and a fellow-laborer with Otis, Hancock, Samuel and John Adams, Quincy, Cushing, Warren, and other patriots. In 1776, he wrote a letter to John Adams, then a member of the Continental Congress, which is so char- acteristic of the man, and so expressive of his feelings, that I will give the following extract, which contains all but a per- sonal apology for writing :
" Boston, 24th of April, 1776.
" BROTIIER ADAMS :
" What in the name of common sense are you gentlemen of the Continental Congress about ? A few words and spiteful is my maxim, that is, what is so called. St. Paul, though sometimes a little inclined to toryism, was a very sensible gentleman, and he expressly damns the fearful as well as the unbelieving. And though I know all your counsels are overruled by the Wonderful Counsellor, and our chicane, (I allude to the last pitiful Address to the King,) nay, our downright blunders, are and have most happily been overruled for the good of our most righteous cause, and I have no doubt the same happy Gov- ernment will continue ; but that same overruling Providence orders that I should write this, I wont say (though you may) insignificant letter. It appears to me, from a hundred things which I have no need to mention to you, that it is as certain that the Colonies will be wholly divorced from that accursed kingdom, called Great Britain, as that there will be any eclipses of the sun or moon this year.
" Pray tell the fearful of your members, if you have any such, and prove to them, that a separation, first or last, must be the necessary consequence of a hundred facts that have turned up already ; then you will have nothing to do but to convince them that the present time to make a final Declaration of Independence, is the best. But as I know you must come to it, I think the same of yon as I should of a sinner
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who I knew would repent of his sins before he dies. So that I am perfectly resigned to whatever your great little gods shall do. Foras- much as the Lord reigns, I will rejoice. One thing I would rely upon, that is, that Congress will tolerate all religions, both natural and re- vealed, and establish none ; and I have infallible proof that it is your duty, viz., that the Lord of lords and God of gods doth the same thing. Farewell."
Thus did the ardent and active mind of Mr. Kent lead him to foresee the final separation of these Colonies from the parent country, even before most of the leading men were prepared to make such a declaration. But the most inexplicable portion of his history is, that he left the State subsequently, with the loyalists, and went to Halifax, where he died, 1788, at an advanced age.
It is difficult to reconcile the fact of his going off with the tories, with his previous professions and conduct. The most rational explanation is this. One of his daughters had married Samson Slater Blowers, who joined the loyalists, and retired to Halifax. Mr. Kent had become advanced in life, and probably went to Halifax to enjoy the society of his daughter, rather than to aid or comfort the enemy, whom he formerly professed to despise. But the conduct of men of his character and tempera- ment cannot always be explained on any rational principles. Impulsive and erratic, he was liable to do at one time what he would condemn at another ; and as such men rarely succeed in life, they are apt to become morose, and sometimes desperate. The history of the world shows that political sins are the most difficult, not only to deal with, but to explain.
After Mr. Kent left Marlborough, a succession of troubles ensued. In order to harmonize the views and feelings of the people, the town voted, June 26, 1735, to set apart a day for fasting and prayer to guide them in the choice of a minister ; and Rev. Mr. Prentice of Lancaster, Rev. Mr. Cotton of New- ton, Rev. Mr. Cook of Sudbury, and Rev. Mr. Parkman of Westborough, were chosen "to carry on the Fast aforesaid." After this day of humiliation and prayer, several attempts were made to agree upon a minister ; but no one could be found who would suit both the church and the town. Failing in all their efforts at agreement, the town was called together to devise
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some measure to heal their unhappy differences. At this meeting, held May 18, 1737, the following vote was passed : " Voted, That Thursday, the ninth day of June next, be kept as a day of fasting and prayer by the town, to humble themselves before God, under the present frowns of Divine Providence in the disappointments we have met with, in our endeavor for the settlement of a gospel minister among us ; and to seek direction of Heaven in that great and weighty affair ; and voted that Rev. Mr. Williams of Weston, Rev. Mr. Webb and Rev. Mr. Cooper of Boston, and Rev. Mr. Cook of Sudbury, be desired to come and assist in carrying on the solemnities of said day, and to give their advice in our present difficulties, respecting the settlement of a gospel minister among us.17
After the observance of this day, an invitation was extended to Mr. Daniel Bliss, and two invitations to Mr. Samuel Cook,- all of which were declined. Warned by the past, the people resolved not to settle a man of doubtful orthodoxy ; and for that purpose they qualified their respective calls by a proviso, " that he be sound in the faith upon examination, and shall give us a confession of his faith before ordination, and continue to be our minister as long as he prove steady in the belief of the doctrines contained in his confession, and of good conversa- tion." Several unsuccessful efforts were made to come into some arrangement in the choice of a minister. The church and town acting separately, like the two branches of a legisla- ture, the wishes of the one were frequently negatived by the vote of the other. In this way they were kept in a state of hostility to each other. In fact, in all such cases the church was pretty sure to defeat the wishes of the town. The church exercising the prerogative of moving first, could bring before the town such a candidate as they pleased ; and after voting, as a church, in the selection of a candidate, they being voters in the town, could vote with their fellow-townsmen in ratifying their own doings. But the town being the more numerous, could defeat the candidate brought forward by the church, though they could not coerce the church in the nomination of a candidate. This ecclesiastical usage, to which our fathers so strictly adhered, was in some cases a source of great contention in many of the towns.
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But while the older portion of the people were at variance about selecting a minister, and consequently were destitute of a settled pastor, it is gratifying to know that the young men of the place, feeling the need of more religious instruction, edifica- tion, and spiritual guidance than they then enjoyed, associated together, and entered into a covenant, the leading objects of which are thus set forth in the covenant itself.
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