USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > History of the town of Middleboro, Massachusetts > Part 36
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[1745
with a place for a bell. Large doors opened from the porch into the body of the church, and from either side of the house were folding-doors opening directly into the audience-room. In this vestibule were posted notices of marriage intentions, town meetings, sales, and any other matters relating to the church and town. On the west side was a large window, in front of which was the high pulpit ; the inside of the church was surrounded with deep galleries upon three sides, while opposite the pulpit was a second higher gallery, occupied by the Indians and slaves. It is said that these galleries were always well filled. They were supported by pillars painted in rough imitation of marble sculpture by Cephas Thompson, the celebrated portrait painter of the town. The pulpit was ascended by a flight of steps, and the minister's desk was hung with velvet tapestry, while above the pulpit was hung the large sounding-board of panel work, circular in shape, supported by a rod from the roof.1 The pews (sometimes spelled pues) were square, about five feet high, the upper part lattice work, through which the occupants could look into adjoining pews. They were on the sides of the house, with narrow, uncomfortable seats on three sides. These seats were hung on hinges, and were raised during the time of prayer, when the congregation stood. Oftentimes, at the close of the prayer, they were let down with a noise to be heard all over the house, and in some towns there was an ordinance to pre- vent unnecessary noise in the slamming of the seats in the pews. The space in the centre was filled with benches with- out backs for people who could not afford to own pews, and was so irregular that it was difficult sometimes to find one's way to the seats desired. In front of the pulpit was a large inclosure called the "deef " seats, where sat2 members of the
1 The old sounding-board over the pulpit was to the children a most marvel- lous piece of work, as the supporting rods were out of sight. They were one day wondering what held it up, when one boy said, " Why, don't you know? God holds it up, just as He does the world ; and that is why it does not fall down and break the minister's head."
2 Mr. Wood in an address gives the following amusing incident : In the meet- ing-house, it was no uncommon thing for the snow to drift in at the pulpit win-
453
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1770]
congregation who were hard of hearing. Next came an ele- vated seat for the deacons, and before this was the communion table, the leaves of which were raised on hinges whenever that service was observed in church.
Judge Oliver owned one of the pews, which his family always occupied ; with him frequently came the distinguished guests who, during the summer, were constantly at Oliver Hall. He was known to give up the head of his pew but once, and then to Governor Hutchinson, his guest, who came to church with his scarlet coat and sword. There was also the minister's pew, occupied by his family and such guests as were stopping with him. It was customary for members of the congregation to rise during the sermon when fatigued, and stand until they were rested, when they would resume their seats. In the gal- lery a seat was reserved for the tithing-man, always an impor- tant officer in every church.
This was one of the churches where the great Whitefield preached during his visit to America. The church was then so crowded that his only way of reaching the pulpit was by a ladder to the window in the rear. Governor Bowdoin, while living in town, worshipped here, as well as Samuel Prince, father of the pastor of the Old South Church in Boston, and Benjamin Franklin on his visit to Middleboro.1 It was cus- tomary to have a morning service, and then an intermission of an hour and a half or two hours. All of the families brought their lunches, and lingered in the meeting-house, at the tavern, or about the sheds in the rear of the church for conversation and the gossip of the day.
As there were no means of heating the old meeting-house, the worshippers were obliged to sit during the long services wrapped in their overcoats and shawls. Some of them carried dow. One Sunday, the minister found the pulpit desk covered. He stood up, and with his right hand brushed off a portion of the snow, not noticing where it went till he observed that his congregation smiled. He looked over, and saw that he had sent a cold shower on the head of the solitary individual occupying the deaf seats. He then brushed the remainder off in the other direction with his left hand, only to find that the poor man, who had moved after the first fall of snow, was again a victim.
1 See chapter concerning Social Customs.
454
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1778
foot-stoves, - small, square tin boxes filled with live coals, the heat of which served to keep the feet warm. During the nooning, those fortunate enough to possess a foot-stove were accustomed to repair to the Sproat Tavern to replenish the coals for the afternoon service.1
The introduction of musical instruments met with great opposition on the part of many of the older members of the church and society. Several animated church meetings were held to consider the matter.2 The violin was admitted if it could be played upside down as a viol, not as a "fiddle." As early as 1732 we find a vote, in regard to singing, that the pastor, Mr. Thacher, should "set the tunes of the psalms in the time of public worship as long as he could find it for the peace and satisfaction of the church and congregation." An- other innovation, which did not meet with approval, was the singing by a choir in the old meeting-house.3
This, as well as the former churches, was used for the town meetings until the erection of the town house, which was raised in 1796, and soon after completed.
MINISTRY OF REV. JOSEPH BARKER, 1781-1815
Upon the death of the Rev. Mr. Conant, Mr. Abram Camp, a graduate of Yale in 1773, was invited to supply the pulpit during the winter of 1778, and later, in December of the same year, the church voted to give him a call on probation, and in the February following, unanimously invited him to become
1 There was much opposition to the introduction of stoves. One woman was carried out fainting from " the effects of the heat," but when assured that the stove had not been lighted, she was somewhat surprised.
2 Among the most zealous opponents of the innovation was one who had been accused by his neighbor of trespassing upon his wood-lot and cutting and selling large quantities of wood for the market. In one of the discussions this gentleman said that " if such an innovation as introducing musical instruments into the church is permitted, I will never again attend the church meeting." His neighbor replied, "I wish those musical instruments could be carried up into my wood-lot."
8 One of the venerable dames, in expressing her disapprobation of the whole proceeding, wrote to a friend, " Even the judge of the land was in the gallery bawling with the boys."
455
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1815]
their pastor. In his reply to the invitation, he requested that the vote of the sisters might be taken, a decided innovation in church action. In November, 1780, there were five votes against him, due to his request ; he afterwards declined the call on account of this opposition. Upon the suggestion of that very eminent man in the denomination, Rev. Dr. Em- mons, Mr. Barker was recommended as a suitable pastor for the church. He was a graduate of Yale in 1771, and on the 9th of August, 1781, the church unanimously invited him to the pastorate ; he was ordained on the 5th of December of that year. His ministry, although strongly contrasted in many re- spects with that of Mr. Conant, was acceptable. He was of the Hopkinson school of theology, then prominent in most of the Congregational churches of the state, and it was undoubtedly through his influence that this church was kept from chang- ing its faith to that of the Unitarian denomination, as did the church of the pilgrims in Plymouth and a large majority of the churches in the Old Colony. How successful his ministry was may be judged from the fact that two hundred and forty- seven were admitted to the church during his pastorate. In 1807 and 1808 there seems to have been a general revival in town, during which over eighty persons united with the church. In 1794, at the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the church, Mr. Barker preached an anniversary sermon, which was published at the time, and from which we learn much relating to its history. He died July 25, 1815, deeply lamented, not only by his parish and congregation, but by the whole town.1
During his absence in Congress, 1805-08, his pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Azel Washburn, Rev. Simeon Doggett, afterwards the principal of Bristol Academy in Taunton, Rev. Mr. Robinson of Westboro, and Rev. James Davis.
MINISTRY OF REV. EMERSON PAINE, 1816-22
Mr. Paine, a graduate of Brown University, 1813, was settled over this church with some opposition, which so in-
1 For a further sketch of his life, see chapter on The Green.
456
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1828
creased that, at his own request, he was dismissed by a council. Notwithstanding the embarrassment under which he labored, fifteen people united with the church.
During the two years the pulpit was vacant, seventy-two joined the church.
MINISTRY OF REV. WILLIAM EATON, 1824-34
Rev. William Eaton, a graduate of Williams College and Andover Theological Seminary, was installed March 10, 1824. Some laxity in reference to intemperance and Sabbath-break- ing, with un-christian con- duct on the part of a few members, made it necessary for Mr. Eaton, during his pastorate, to make them the subject of discipline, which occasioned much adverse criti- cism. He, however, was con- scientious in what he did, and his course seems to have been generally approved by the church. He was dismissed by council, at his own request, March 3, 1834. During his PULPIT OF FIRST CHURCH1 ministry sixty-three persons were added to the church.
The most important event at this time was the erection of the present meeting-house of the First Church in 1828, at a
1 The curtain back of the pulpit was placed there immediately after the edifice was completed. It was the occasion of much opposition on the part of the older members of the church and society. The leader of this opposition was Captain Joshua Eddy, then one of the deacons of the church. On the Sab- bath after it was put up he was in church, but said nothing about it until he returned home, when he called his oldest son, Zachariah, to his house, and said, "Zach, how about that curtain ? " He replied, " It is for glory and beauty, like Aaron's robe." There was a moment's silence, then the conversation turned upon other subjects, and no further opposition was heard in regard to the cur- tain.
1829]
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
457
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT THE GREEN
cost of from twelve to thirteen thousand dollars, which was paid by the sale of the pews. The vestry connected with the church was built the following year. Four acres of land were purchased of Zenas Cushman for the site of the new meeting- house and common in 1827. The parsonage was built in the year 1832, upon land purchased of Hercules Cushman. The architect of the church was James Sproat. The dedication sermon was preached January 1, 1829, by the most celebrated clergyman of his day, the Rev. Lyman Beecher, the father of Henry Ward Beecher. Daniel Webster, seeing it soon after its dedication, remarked that it was one of the finest church edifices in the country.
For more than twenty years after its erection every pew was occupied. The early prejudice against musical instruments had so far abated that, in addition to the choir, there were for many years two double bass viols, two 'cellos, three violins, and two bassoons. The choir was led by Deacon Horatio G. Wood, and the double bass viols were played by Colonel Southworth Ellis and James M. Pickens.
458
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1835-65
MINISTRY OF REV. ISRAEL W. PUTNAM, D. D., 1835-65
Rev. Dr. Putnam was born in Danvers, Mass., on the 24th of November, 1786. He spent two years at Harvard College, and was graduated at Dartmouth in 1809. After reading law two and a half years in the office of Judge Samuel Putnam in Salem, Mass., he be- came impressed with the idea that it was his duty to become a min- ister of the gospel. He entered Ando- ver Theological Semi- nary, and was gradu- ated in September, 1814. After a settle- ment as pastor in the North Church in Portsmouth, N. H., for twenty years, he REV. ISRAEL W. PUTNAM, D. D. was installed pastor over this church Octo- ber 28, 1835. He received a degree of D. D. from Dartmouth in 1853.
Dr. Putnam was an accomplished scholar, always dignified in his bearing, a gentleman of the old school, courteous and large-hearted, the warm personal friend of every member of his church and society. He was sound in his denominational belief, yet charitable to those who differed from him. It was during his ministry that the First Church had its largest mem- bership. Among the congregation might be numbered twelve merchants, two or three physicians, and a number of law- yers ; a notable congregation. Worshippers would come from distant parts of the town, many of them travelling from three to five miles. The row of sheds bordered the parish com-
459
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1866-1905]
mon, and at the close of the afternoon service it was interest- ing to see the line of carriages which left the church to wend their way along the five different roads radiating from the Green.
The parish extended almost ten miles, and it was the cus- tom of the pastor, in addition to the Sabbath service, to have evening meetings in the different neighborhoods alternately. This, in addition to the pastoral work, made the duties of Dr. Putnam very laborious.
The most important event which occurred during his minis- try was the colonization of the Central Congregational Church at the Four Corners. In 1847 thirty-three of the members of the church were dismissed to form the new congregation, which was increased by most of the worshippers who lived at the Four Corners. This materially diminished the former large attendance. No pastor was ever more honored and beloved than Dr. Putnam. In 1865 he resigned, on account of the weight of years and failing health, and died May 3, 1868, at the age of eighty-one years. Two hundred and thirteen united with the church during his ministry.
The parish at one time had a fund of nine thousand dollars. The house formerly owned by James Sparrow was built by the Rev. Sylvanus Conant, whose heirs sold it to the parish ; afterwards Mr. Barker bought it, and the proceeds were given as a fund for the support of the church. Samuel Tinkham, a member of this church, who died March 28, 1796, left his farm in the little precinct to the parish, and the incomes of these two estates were used in part payment of the minister's salary until after the dismissal of the Rev. Mr. Eaton. During the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Putnam some of this fund was lost, so that there is but a small portion of it left, the income of which con- tinues to be appropriated for its original purpose.
The pastors of this church since 1866 have been : Rufus M. Sawyer, 1866-69. Ephraim M. Hidden, 1869-74. Theophilus Parsons Sawin, 1875-78. Nathan Tirrell Dyer, 1878-85. Howard Alcott Hanaford, 1885-88. Josiah Weare Kingsbury, 1889-91. George Warren Stearns, 1891-1905.
460
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1725-53
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY OF LAKEVILLE
Up to the 19th of July, 1719, Lakeville was included in the parish of the First Church. At that time the town was divided into two precincts, known as the East and West ; the dividing line was from a point near the mouth of Fall Brook and run- ning westerly by the trout brook to the line of Taunton. The East contained the meeting-house of the First Church, and was by far the larger part of the town; with the West was included a portion of Taunton. There was no stated preach- ing until July, 1723, and the next year the first meeting-house was erected a short distance to the east of the present house of worship.
October 12, 1725, the church was first formed, partly from the First Church in Middleboro and partly from the adjoining towns. The early records were lost, as is the case with so many other churches. The number of women who first joined is unknown ; the number of men, so far as can be ascertained, was twelve : John Thrasher, Ebenezer Richmond, James Reed, Richard Waste, Samuel Hoar, Thomas Pickens, William Hos- kins, John Hackett, James Sproat, 'Electious Reynolds, Ed- ward Richmond, and William Strowbridge.
MINISTRY OF BENJAMIN RUGGLES, 1725-53
Rev. Benjamin Ruggles, the first pastor, was ordained No- vember 17, 1725, and continued his ministrations there until his dismissal, December, 1753. He was graduated from Yale College in 1721.
Soon after the ordination of Mr. Ruggles, Edward Rich- mond and John Hackett were chosen deacons of the church.
From the death of Mr. Ruggles, for nearly eight years, the pulpit was supplied by seven different clergymen, in the absence of any settled pastor. Notwithstanding this, the old meeting-house was abandoned in 1759, and a large, and for those days an expensive church was erected. This was built in the usual form of the times, with galleries upon its three sides,
461
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1761-1851]
a high pulpit, and a sounding-board. There seems to have been no steeple upon the church, and the outside was never painted.
MINISTRY OF CALEB TURNER, 1761-1801
Rev. Caleb Turner was ordained April 16, 1761. He was a graduate of Yale College, and continued as pastor of the church until 1801, when he was dismissed upon his own request at an advanced age.
During this period John Macomber, Seth Richmond, John Leonard, Benjamin Deane, and George Staples served as deacons.
MINISTRY OF THOMAS CRAFTS, 1801-19
November 18, 1801, Rev. Thomas Crafts, a graduate of Harvard College, was installed as the third pastor, and re- mained eighteen years, until his death at the age of sixty-one. At the commencement of his labors the church numbered only twelve, but at its close had increased to forty resident members.
MINISTRY OF JOHN SHAW, 1819-34
The fourth pastor was Rev. John Shaw, a graduate of Brown University, who was installed July 21, 1819, and continued as pastor until 1834.
After his dismissal, the church was without a pastor for two years. In 1835 they erected their present house of worship.
MINISTRY OF HOMER BARROWS, 1836-42
The fifth pastor was Homer Barrows, who was ordained in 1836. He was a graduate of Amherst College, and continued as pastor of the church until June 1, 1842, when he was dis- missed.
MINISTRY OF JESSE K. BRAGG, 1842-51
The Rev. Jesse K. Bragg was ordained the sixth pastor Oc- tober 19, 1842. He was a graduate of Amherst College, and his pastorate continued until June 30, 1851. At that time the church numbered one hundred and fifty resident members.
462
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1744
MINISTRY OF CALVIN CHAPMAN, 1851-57 1
Calvin Chapman was ordained October 22, 1851. In 1808 the church and society received from Nicholas Roach a fund of $4000, and later from Hugh Montgomery $3000, the income of which is appropriated for the support of the church.
MIDDLEBORO AND HALIFAX
Halifax was incorporated in 1734, and on October 13 the fol- lowing were dismissed from the First Church to form a church there : Hannah Fuller, Phoebe Standish, Ichabod Standish, Abigail Tinkham, Elizabeth Fuller, Mary Wood, Elizabeth Thompson, Mary Thompson, Sr., Mary Thompson, Lidea Cobb, Sarah Drew, Elizabeth Drew, Isaac Tinkham, Ebenezer Fuller, John Fuller, Timothy Wood, Thomas Thompson, Eben- ezer Cobb, and John Drew, Jr.
The first pastor was John Cotton, who attained eminence in the colony and church.
TITICUT CHURCH AND PARISH
For more than three fourths of a century after the first settlement of the town, the residents of Titicut were in the habit of attending worship at the First Church, a distance of more than five miles. After the Great Awakening of 1740, Mr. Byram commenced preaching in this neighborhood, and in 1744 it was made a distinct parish. This extended to the West Precinct line on the Purchade Brook, with the excep- tion of certain estates which continued to belong to the old parish. It included a part of Bridgewater to the Four Mile line.
The first parish meeting under this law was held at the house of Nehemiah Washburn on the 21st of March, 1744. The Indians gave land for a meeting-house.2 The citizens of
1 The subsequent history of this church does not belong in this volume.
2 See chapter on Praying Indians.
463
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1748]
the place had been collecting materials, and had voted, as early as January 25, 1744, " to raise fifteen pounds old tenor for the support of their minister," but it was not until March 29, 1747, at a parish meeting held in the house of James Keith, that they voted " to provide materials to enclose and cover the meet- ing-house." This was a plain structure, with doors on three sides and the high pulpit on the north. The windows were small, with diamond-shaped glass set in lead ; it had no spire or bell upon it. It was situated in a pine forest, and was after- wards moved to a position near the site of the present Congre- gational Church. During these years a dissension existed, and for nearly four years after the incorporation of the parish there was no church organization. At this time, however, the Rev. Joseph Snow, pastor of a " New Light" Church in Providence, R. I., and Isaac Backus, a young man from Nor- wich, Conn., were preaching here. Both of these men were in sympathy with the Great Awakening, and the Rev. Mr. Backus was invited to remain with them for some time.
The meeting-house, which had been raised and covered in 1747, was not completed, and in 1748 a tax was levied upon the whole parish for that purpose, which gave great offence to those who styled themselves " New Lights," and who had not worshipped there.
February 16, 1748, the Congregational Church was formed, with the articles of faith and covenant similar to those of the First Church, which were signed and entered into by sixteen persons : Jonathan Woods, Joseph Harvey, William Hooper, Ephraim Leach, Onesimus Campbell, Samuel Alden, Joseph Phinney, Israel Washburn, James Hooper, Joseph Harvey, Jr., Leah Washburn, Ruth Leach, Sarah Leach, Esther Fobes, Abigail Fobes, and Abigail Fobes, Jr. During this year the membership was increased to forty-four ; then followed in the succeeding years dissensions upon the subject of baptism, so that the church was much divided, and five ecclesiastical coun- cils were held.
Mr. Backus, having preached in the new house for a short time, turned it over to the "New Lights," and was taxed and
464
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1756-79
restrained for it, which he declares was all that he got for his preaching. Owing to the differences of opinion concerning baptism, Mr. Backus left this church on January 16, 1756, and organized a church in accordance with his views. Although the building had been partially completed in 1749, measures were taken to finish it, as seen in the account of the precinct meeting June 4, 1756, when it was voted "to sell the pew ground and appropriate the money toward finishing the meet- ing-house." Ephraim Keith, David Alden, and Abiezer Edson were appointed a committee to sell "pew spotts." The bids were made October 21, 1756, "in furnace credit, to be paid the next blast, and security given."
"No I on ye west side of the pulpit, being 7 feet long and 52 feet deep was sold to Mr. James Keith, at IIO old tenor, furnace credit ; " " No. 5 " was " under the men's stairs," No. 8 was " under the women's stairs." The men and women were separated ; the records mention the men's side and the women's side. On the same day, Rev. Solomon Reed was called as pastor at an annual salary of " sixty pounds law- ful money."
MINISTRY OF REV. SOLOMON REED, 1756-85
Mr. Reed, a graduate of Harvard College in 1739, lived on Pleasant Street, nearly opposite the old Hathaway place, in a house which was characteristic of that age, the roof coming nearly to the ground in the rear. During the term of his min- istry thirty persons were received into the church, and three of its members were dismissed to other churches.
The first deacons were a Mr. Fobes, whose full name is not given, Samuel Keith, Zephaniah Wills, and Daniel Leach. Among other votes passed by the church, we learn that they should sing Dr. Watts's version of the psalms for the present, and Isaac Perkins was "to take care of the young people on Sabbath days."
To show how Continental money had depreciated at this time, in 1779 there was voted to Rev. Solomon Reed " one thousand pounds for his salary for the year passed, the one thousand pounds being considered equal to the sixty pounds heretofore "
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