USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > History of the town of Middleboro, Massachusetts > Part 37
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465
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1787-1851]
given him. Another vote on the 6th of September, 1784, was the petition "to the Great and General Court for a lottery to raise a fund in order to support a minister in this parish." There are in the library of the Pilgrim Society a few of his manuscript sermons. Mr. Reed died May 7, 1785.
MINISTRY OF REV. DAVID GURNEY, 1787-1815
Mr. Gurney was called to this church September 27, 1787, was ordained December 5, the same year, and served until his death, July 30, 1815. Sev- David Gurney enty persons were admitted to the church during his pastorate. In 1808 the parish built a new meeting-house, the second in its history. This had a tower and bell, and its location was the subject of much discussion at the time. In 1812 permission was granted to erect sheds on the common near the meeting-house, under the direction of the parish committee.
MINISTRY OF REV. PHILIP COLBY, 1816-51
Rev. Philip Colby was born July 30, 1779, and was ordained January 1,1 1817. He continued as minister here until his death, February 27, 1851. In the year 1817, certain individ- uals having agreed to build a house for the use of their min- ister, land was leased to them by the parish for the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, and here the parsonage was erected.
During his ministry one hundred and seventy-eight persons were admitted to the church. The church edifice was burned February 28, 1852, but with great sacrifice the parish erected another house, which was also burned in 1898, and the pre- sent house of worship was then built.
1 In the records we find the following, showing the temperance movement had not arisen : "Voted to allow for spirits for ordination, $8.90," and again, "for spirits, $2.39," and next year, " for spirits not bro't into former bills, $2.50."
466
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1793
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, NORTH MIDDLEBORO
The pastors of this church since 1850 have been : Thomas E. Bliss, 1852-55. Charles Packard, 1855-57. E. G. Little, 1859-67. Henry L. Edwards, 1868-73. Samuel Hopkins Emery, 1874-76. Ephraim W. Allen, 1877-83. Dwight W. Prentice, 1884-86. Clarence Eddy, 1886-90. Herbert Keight- ley Job, 1891-98. Charles L. Tomblen, 1899 -.
In 1808 Nicholas Roach left a legacy of $2000 to the church, Deacon and Mrs. Elijah E. Perkins gave $3000, Mrs. Seth Fuller $500, and Enoch Pratt $5000. The interest of this fund is used for the support of the gospel here.
NORTH ROCHESTER PARISH
In 1793 part of Middleboro was set off to form the town of North Rochester. A church had been formed there, prob- ably during the ministry of Mr. Weld. The records have been lost, but from the diary of Mr. Bennett, one of the mem- bers, it is learned that Rev. Calvin Chaddock was the first pastor.
467
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1847]
BEECH WOODS
A Separatist Church was formed in Beech Woods as a result of Whitefield's preaching, but it was never in a flourishing con- dition. James Mead was ordained its pastor October 3, 1751. He died in 1756, and its members joined the church over which Ebenezer Hinds presided. Their church edifice was purchased and removed by them from East Freetown, and, upon the dis- solution of the church, was occupied by the Second Baptist Church. It was destroyed by fire, May 19, 1798.
INDEPENDENT CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCH
In 1879 about twenty persons at the Rock covenanted to- gether under the name of the Independent Congregational Church, one of the chief objects being to teach the doctrine of holiness or entire sanctification. A commodious chapel was erected in 1880, and dedicated in June. This church was organized in 1882 and incorporated in 1901. W. Clarkson Ryder, who was ordained in 1886, died in 1905. The present membership is thirty-nine. An annual camp-meeting has been held under the auspices of this church in a beautiful oak grove about a mile from the Rock station.
THE CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Towards the middle of the last century the village at the Four Corners had so increased in population that it was by far the largest in town, and more than one hundred were in the habit of worshipping every Sabbath with the First Church at the Green, a distance of more than two miles. They had built a chapel for the purpose of holding evening and mid-week ser- vices, which were usually conducted by the pastor of the First Church, and here, on the 25th day of March, 1847, the Central Congregational Church was formed. An ecclesiastical council had been called, in which the organization of the church was heartily approved. The society then formed was not like the
468
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1849
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
First Church by metes and bounds, but formed under the provisions of the statutes as existing at the time, the members who lived in this immediate vicinity being taken from the bounds of the old society. The First Church cheerfully, but not without regret, dismissed thirty-three of their members, recom- mending them to join the new church. Their names were as follows : Cornelius Burgess, Mrs. Melissa Burgess, Mrs. Betsey T. Burgess, Horatio G. Wood, Consider Robbins, Mrs. Ruth Reed, James D. Wilder, Mrs. Bathsheba Wilder, James Warren, Mrs. Margaret Warren, Nathan Perkins, Jr., John Perkins, Mrs. Ann S. Perkins, Ebenezer Pickens, Mrs. Mary B. Pick- ens, Mrs. Abigail S. Pickens, Miss Caroline M. Pickens, Mrs. Abigail W. Wood, Miss Emily T. Wood, Adoniram J. Cushman,
469
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1849-1902]
Mrs. Ann S. Cushman, Nathan King, Mrs. Elizabeth H. Wash- burn, Mrs. Olivia A. Hitchcock, Mrs. Freelove P. Rounseville, Mrs. Betsey Thomas, Mrs. Elizabeth Wood, Miss Eleanor B. Wood, Mrs. Almira Goddard, Miss Sarah Jackson, Mrs. Zilpha M. Clark, Miss Hope Writhington, Mrs. Mary Dunham.
In 1849 they built their present house of worship, which was enlarged in 1891.
MINISTRY OF REV. ISAIAH C. THATCHER, 1849-52
After the organization of the church and parish, a unanimous call was extended to the Rev. Isaiah C. Thatcher, a graduate of Union College in 1841. He was installed by coun- cil, August 16, 1849.
During his min- istry sixty - seven members were add- ed to the church. The pastors of this church since 1854 have been : Wil- liam C. Dickinson, 1854-56. Isaiah C. Thatcher, 1856-60 (a second pastor- ate). Harvey M. REV. I. C. THATCHER Stone, 1860-63. Stephen G. Dodd, 1866-70. Ellis R. Drake, 1871-76. Henry M. Grant, 1878-88. John B. Lawrence, 1888-93. Richard G. Woodbridge, 1893-1901. Samuel M. Cathcart, 1902 -.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
From the scanty materials which we have, and the conflict- ing statements relating to the two churches in Titicut, it is
470
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1756
difficult to give an accurate account of the early history of either. Mr. Backus, in his unabridged History of the Baptist Church, states that this church was organized in Titicut on the 4th of Febru- ary, 1749, consisting of six- OLD BAPTIST CHURCH, NORTH MIDDLEBORO teen members, and was after- wards dissolved. Mr. Emery, in his history of the Congre- gational Church, says, " If this be so, we can easily understand how this Baptist Church, organized about a year later than the New Light Church, and with the same number of members, has been confounded with it, and its dissolution been made to apply to the wrong church." Without attempting to recon- cile these conflicting and scanty records, it is sufficient to say that the present Baptist Church was organized on the 16th of January, 1756, Mr. Backus acting as pastor and preacher; and at that time the following individuals entered into cove- nant as a Baptist Church ; namely, Isaac Backus, Timothy Bry- ant, John Heywood,
Susanna Backus, Mary Caswell, and Esther Fobes.
The covenant en- tered into on the for- mation of the church is still in existence in the handwriting of Mr. Backus. This was one of the first Baptist Churches or- ganized in this part of the country, and attracted widespread attention in the call-
REV. ISAAC BACKUS
47I
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1806]
ing of various councils and in the discussing of the subject- matter set forth in the teachings of the leader. He says, in reference to his ordination, that a "number of brethren being convinced that thorough freedom towards all men ought to be shown as far as it can be in truth, yet truth limits true com- munion to believers baptized upon a confession of their faith." He was installed July 23, 1756, assisted by pastors from Boston and Rehoboth.
Notwithstanding the earnest, devout piety of Mr. Backus and his great ability as a scholar and preacher, the church seemed to be small for many years, and it was not until a revival in 1779 Isaac Backus. and 1780 that it had increased from fifty-nine members to one hundred and thirty-eight. At this time about two thirds of the members of his church were residents of Bridgewater, and the remainder were from Titicut.
He continued his ministry over this church until his death, November 20, 1806.1 The records, under date of November 3, 1804, contain the following : " As the infirmities of old age have so far overtaken our pastor, Elder Backus, we chose Elder Kendall as our pastor with him." It is said that he never desired to leave Middleboro for another church.
He is buried in the cemetery at North Middleboro, the stone marking his grave bearing this inscription : -
HERE LIE DEPOSITED THE REMAINS OF THE REV. ISAAC BACKUS, A. M., WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE NOVEMBER 20, 1806, AGED 82 YEARS AND IO MONTHS, IN THE SIXTY-FIRST YEAR OF HIS MINISTRY.
As a Christian and Minister the character of this man was truly conspicuous. As pastor of a church in this town, for fifty- eight years, he was eminently useful and beloved. His domestic and relative duties, as a husband and parent, were discharged with fidelity, tenderness, and affection. His zeal and persever- ing industry in the cause of civil and religious liberty, through a long, laborious life is still manifest in his writings as an His- torian of the Baptist denomination, and defender of the truths of the doctrine of Christ. Having uniformly borne testimony
1 For further account of Mr. Backus, see chapter on Titicut.
472
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1804-26
in his life, conversation, and ministry, of his ardent love to his Divine Master and the doctrine of the Cross, in an advanced age he was called from his beloved charge, and numerous Chris- tian friends and brethren, to sleep in Jesus, and his spirit into the garner of his heavenly Father, as a shock of corn fully ripe.
God was his portion and his guide through this dark wilder- ness.
And now his flesh is laid aside, his soul has endless Rest.
MINISTRY OF REV. EZRA KENDALL, 1804-07
Rev. Mr. Kendall served as an assistant pastor with Mr. Backus until the time of his death. Some dissension having arisen, a little after the death of Dr. Backus, he resigned his ministry in 1807, and was succeeded by Elder Samuel Abbott.
MINISTRY OF SAMUEL ABBOTT, 1807-17
Elder Samuel Abbott was ordained August 29, 1804, and filled the ministry here from July 29, 1807, to March 21, 1817. He had before served as minister in the Fourth Baptist Church at Lakeville.
From 1817 to 1819, there was occasional preaching.
MINISTRY OF SILAS HALL, 1819-26
Rev. Silas Hall was born in Raynham, January 16, 1789, and prepared for Brown University under the Rev. David Gurney of Middleboro. After his graduation in 1809 and theological course, he was pastor in several places. He was settled in North Middleboro at three different periods.
He was a man of intellectual gifts, recognized as a scholar, . and was especially proficient in Greek and Latin. After he was seventy-five he preached but little, spending his last years with his son in Whitman. He died December 26, 1876, aged eighty-seven. From 1826 the pulpit was supplied by several men for a short time.
MINISTRY OF SHUBAEL LOVELL, 1826 1
Mr. Lovell had been a physician, but gave up that profession
1 It is to be regretted that but few brief facts could be ascertained with regard to these ministers.
473
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1829-47]
BAPTIST CHURCH, NORTH MIDDLEBORO
for the ministry, preaching in Rowley and Taunton before supplying here.
MINISTRY OF JEREMIAH KELLY, 1829-31
After leaving Titicut, Mr. Kelly preached in Hanson, Carver, and Halifax.
MINISTRY OF ASA NILES, 1832-33
Asa Niles was born in North Middleboro, February 10, 1777, and died April 15, 1849. He preached to this church from September 23, 1832, to March 5, 1833.
MINISTRY OF PROFESSOR AVERY BRIGGS, 1834-38
Avery Briggs was born in East Stoughton, July 5, 1795, and was a graduate of Brown. He was for eight years principal of Peirce Academy, and supplied this pulpit for a few years. He died October 26, 1883.
SECOND MINISTRY OF SILAS HALL, 1839-47
474
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO [1847-1903
MINISTRY OF JAMES ANDEM, 1847-49
Mr. Andem had been a business man before entering the ministry. He preached here from January I, 1847, to Novem- ber 18, 1849, when he went to North Bridgewater, and then moved to the West.
The pastors of this church since 1850 have been: Silas Hall, 1850-51. Lorenzo Tandy, 1852-56. Samuel Richardson, 1856- 62. Alexander McLearn, 1862-65. Joseph Hutchinson, 1865- 75. George L. Ruberg, 1875-79. S. T. Livermore, 1879-80. Henry C. Coombs, 1880-86. Benjamin Francis Turner, 1886- 87. (For two years after this, he was a missionary in Burma.) James W. Tingley, 1887-88. Isaac W. Coombs, 1889-90. James W. Tingley, 1890-92. (Second pastorate here.) Doug- lass Hazard Simpson, 1892-94. Otis Osgood Ordway, 1895-97. George Fletcher Beecher, 1897-1900. Frank S. Cann, 1900- OI. Alfred S. Hill, 1901-03. J. R. Lawrence, 1903 -.
This church, aside from being prominent in this denomi- nation and from the extended reputation for scholarship and piety of its first pastor, has earned an enviable name as the mother church of its denomination, and as the church from which some seventeen ministers have gone forth.1
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH, LAKEVILLE
Although the records of this church are probably lost, and it has been extinct for more than fifty years, its history is im- portant in the ecclesiastical annals of the town. Its first mem- bers were probably among those who were dissatisfied with the teachings of the Congregational Church, and who, owing to the great influence exerted throughout the colony by the preach- ing of Whitefield, assumed the name of Separatists, New Lights, or Come-Outers, as they were often called. This church was formed through the influence of Thomas Nelson, who had
1 James Mellen, Asa Hunt, Abner Lewis, Elijah Codding, Job Macomber, Samuel Nelson, Stephen S. Nelson, David Leonard, Zenas L. Leonard, Lewis Leonard, George Leonard, Samuel Tainter, Thomas Conant, Silas Hall, William Harrison Alden, David Weston, Joshua F. Packard.
475
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1841]
joined the church at Swansea; but in 1753 he and his sons, with several others who sympathized with him in his religious views, commenced worship in their house in Assawampsett, and secured the services of Ebenezer Hinds to preach for them.
Two years before this, a Separatist Church had been organ- ized four miles southeast of this, with James Mead as the pastor and William Smith as deacon. Mr. Mead had been em- ployed in adjacent towns as a schoolmaster, and we find in the records of Freetown, under date of December 17, 1744, the fol- lowing quotation : "James Mead was dismissed from serving longer as a schoolmaster." He had previously worshipped at the Congregational Church at North Middleboro, and in 1751, with William Smith, resigned, "to embody together into a church where they lived at Beech Woods in one edge of Mid- dleboro." At his death, in 1756, the majority of the church became Baptists, those who had worshipped in the house of Mr. Nelson uniting with them to form a church in the meet- ing-house at Beech Woods, November 16, 1757, with the Rev. Ebenezer Hinds as pastor, who was ordained January 26, 1758. On May 19, 1798, the church was accidentally destroyed by fire, together with the parsonage standing near. New buildings were erected a few years later near the site of the old ones ; the meeting-house was used until about the year 1843; the parsonage is now occupied by Dennis Tinkham.
In 1840 Elder William Shurtleff, known as a "Christian " Baptist, became pastor, and as a result of his preaching this became a "Christian " Church. Although an extensive revi- val followed as a result of Mr. Shurtleff's preaching, in 1841 the church was divided, a large part following Elder Shurtleff, while others formed a Free-Will Baptist Church, and the re- mainder adhered to the Calvinistic faith of that denomination. As a result of this division, three church buildings representing these different denominations were commenced ; the Baptist was never completed, and its church organization, with that of the Free-Will, soon became extinct. These churches were located on the County Road, a short distance to the west from Canedy's Corner.
476
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO [1753-1805.
MINISTRY OF REV. EBENEZER HINDS, 1753-93
Ebenezer Hinds was born in Bridgewater, July 29, 1719, and was at one time a member of the Second Baptist Church in Boston. During his min- istry a revival of religion occurred, whereby this church was increased to one hundred and four per- sons. During the French and Indian War he served as chaplain in Captain Benjamin Pratt's com- pany, and was with them in their march to Sara- toga, where he often preached. He was a man of unusual ability, and an earnest and devout chris- tian pastor, who did much to build up his church REV. EBENEZER HINDS and increase the spiritu- ality of its members dur- ing his forty years of service. He was remarkable for his bodily health and activity, and it is stated that at the age of eighty years he would spring upon his horse unaided and take long rides to visit his parishioners. Probably on account of his great age, he gave up his pastorate about the year 1793, and until the year 1805 there seems to have been no regular pastor, Mr. Hinds preaching occasionally as his strength would allow. At his death, April 29, 1812, he conveyed to the church the par- sonage which he had built and the land upon which it stands.
MINISTRY OF REV. SIMEON COOMBS, 1805-15
The Rev. Mr. Coombs was a member of the Third Baptist Church in Middleboro, and at one time served as pastor of the Calvinistic Baptist Church in Montague, Mass., and in Wards-
477
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1761 ]
boro, Vt., from which he moved to Lakeville to accept the pas- torate of this church. From 1815 to 1840 there was no regular service, but during this time Elders Loring, Handy, Culver, and Whittemore occasionally preached.
MINISTRY OF ELDER WILLIAM SHURTLEFF, 1840-41
But little is known of Elder William Shurtleff ; he was said to be an able preacher, although not in sympathy with the creed of this church. After the close of his ministry, a num- ber of his church and society followed him in the formation of a Christian Church. See Christian Church.
THIRD CALVINISTIC BAPTIST CHURCH
At the close of the Rev. Peter Thacher's ministry in the First Church, the dissension growing out of the New and the Old Lights extended throughout the town, and the families living in South Middleboro and the adjoining towns of Carver, Rochester, and Wareham called a Baptist minister to preach to them from time to time. In 1761 ten persons united in forming a Baptist Church under the name of the Third Cal- vinistic Church, with Rev. Ebenezer Jones as their pastor. At first the meetings were held in a private dwelling, but afterwards a house of worship was erected on the site of the meeting-house in South Middleboro, now occupied by the Methodists, and known in the last century as the Spruce meeting-house. At the close of the ministry of Rev. Asa Hunt, in 1789, so much dissension was caused by the removal of some of the members to Beaver Dam (now Rock), that it resulted in the church and society being moved there, and later the church edifice came into the hands of the Methodists, as mentioned above.
Services were first held by the Baptist Church near the first parsonage on Miller Street, upon a ledge of rock from which the place took its name. After the removal of this church to Rock, the Rev. Samuel Nelson became the pastor, and from him for many generations the meeting-house, built in
-
478
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1761
BAPTIST CHURCH, ROCK
1795, was known as "Mr. Nelson's meeting-house." It was a house with sixty-eight pews. It had three alcoves, one at the end and one upon each side, and was built substantially like the meeting-house of the First Church at the Green. Since the removal of the church from South Middleboro to Rock, it has been small but prosperous. It was of this church that Deborah Sampson of Revolutionary fame was a member, and here she was disciplined for " unseemly conduct " in tak- ing male attire and serving as a private soldier. The church edifice was torn down in 1852, and the present one erected.
MINISTRY OF REV. EBENEZER JONES, 1761-69
Ebenezer Jones had preached to them before his ordination, which occurred October 28, 1761. During the first year the
479
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1771-1830]
church enjoyed a revival, which spread throughout the com- munity, and many united with the church. Mr. Jones died in Albany in 1791.
MINISTRY OF REV. ASA HUNT, 1771-89
Asa Hunt was born in July, 1744, and was ordained pastor here October 30, 1771. During his ministry the meeting-house was built, and in 1780 a great revival began among his people, and one hundred and thirteen were added to the church. In 1782 the church membership consisted of one hundred and ninety-four members. He died in Providence, September 20, 1791.
MINISTRY OF REV. SAMUEL NELSON, 1794-1822
At the close of the ministry of Mr. Hunt the church was without a pastor for some time, and a dissension arose owing to the removal of ten members to Rock. They were fortunate in securing the services of Rev. Samuel Nelson, who was born April 6, 1748; he was a grandson of Thomas Nelson, one of the first settlers of Lakeville. Fifteen of the members still remained at South Middleboro, and for some time he con- ducted preaching services in both places, but soon the services at South Middleboro were discontinued. It was during his ministry that the first meeting-house was erected at Rock. Mr. Nelson was an able man ; during his first year thirty new members were added. He continued as pastor of this church, but on account of the failure of his eyesight and his feebleness in body, in 1818 Mr. Isaac Kimball was chosen his assistant. Mr. Nelson died September 9, 1822, at the age of seventy- seven years, four months. He was a man small in stature, of sandy complexion, and very mild in his disposition.
MINISTRY 1 OF REV. ISAAC KIMBALL, 1822-24
MINISTRY OF REV. WILLIAM HUBBARD, 1825-30
From 1830 to 1833 the church was without a settled pastor, but was supplied most of the time by the Rev. Mr. Ball.
1 But few facts could be obtained concerning these ministers.
480
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO [1833-1900
MINISTRY OF E. C. MESSENGER, 1833-37
MINISTRY OF REV. R. B. DICKEY, 1837-40
Thirty-one were added to the church during his pastorate.
MINISTRY OF REV. ALEXANDER MILNE, 1841-43
Rev. Alexander Milne's ministry was marked by an exten- sive revival, which brought many members into the church.
The pastors of this church since 1844 have been : Mr. - Holbrook, 1844-45. George Daland, 1846-48. T. M. Symons and H. C. Coombs supplied the pulpit. J. W. Horton, 1852-57. P. R. Russell, 1857-60. A. E. Battell, 1860-63. George Car- penter, 1864. E. S. Hill, 1864-68. J. E. Wood, 1868-71. I. J. Burgess, 1871-75. C. D. Swett, 1876-82. William M. Weeks, 1883-84. J. W. Merrill, 1884-85. Philander Perry, 1886-88. Joseph Barbour, 1888-93. Ward Fisher, 1894-95. Archibald Kerr, 1897-1900. Charles W. Allen, 1900 -.
.
FOURTH BAPTIST CHURCH IN LAKEVILLE - UNITED BRETHREN
This church was commonly known as the Pond Church. A number of members of the Second Baptist Church, probably desiring a nearer place of worship, met on the 30th day of November, 1795, for the purpose of building a meeting-house more convenient than that at Beech Woods. They organized a new society under the name of the United Brethren, and in the records we find the " old meeting-house is now very much decayed and quite out of centre, we find it necessary to build a new one. We therefore severally agree to contribute our assistance upon the following conditions." Here follow various items, and among others they " should have the liberty occa- sionally to invite ministers of good character of any denomina- tion to preach in said house and that the minister who statedly supplies the pulpit shall be in full fellowship with the Warren Association."
At first it was voted that the church should be built upon
1800]
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
481
Shockley Hill, but the site was afterwards changed to the narrow strip of land between the highway and Assawampsett Pond. Major Peter Hoar seems to have been a prominent mem- ber of the society, and it was largely through his influence that the church edifice was erected and completed in 1797. It is said to have been a very fine structure, and was occupied as a place of worship until about the year 1861, when public worship was discontinued, and it was sold by the proprietors, a portion being made into a public hall, called Sassamon Hall, a portion into a grocery store, and the remaining part used as a tene- ment. It was burned in the early part of 1870.
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