USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > History of the town of Middleboro, Massachusetts > Part 38
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The church was not formed until August 19, 1800, when the organiza- tion took the name of the United Brethren, wor- shipping in the house which had been erected three years before. From the completion of the place of worship until the organization of the church, service was con- ducted by various cler- gymen of the Baptist denomination. During the first seven years of its organization there were thirty-three com- REV. EBENEZER BRIGGS municants. In 1804 the church voted to change the name to the Fourth Baptist Church in Middleboro. The Rev. Samuel Abbott, the first preacher, remained over this church for a short time. Afterwards the pulpit was supplied at intervals by various clergymen, until about 1809 or 1810, when Elder Eb- enezer Briggs was chosen. He continued as the pastor of the church until 1846, and was widely known in this and the adjoin-
482
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1828
ing towns as an able minister, genial and thoroughly devoted to his work, having the confidence and love of all.
A fund was left to the deacons of this church under the wills of Asa King and Andrew Cole, which upon the dissolution of the church and society was transferred to the deacons of the Central Baptist Church of Middleboro and the Baptist Church of Raynham, to be held by them in trust to carry out the wishes of the donors.
CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH
In the early part of the last century Major Levi Peirce, then an influential member of the Pond (Assawampsett) Church, thought it desirable that religious services should be conducted under the auspices of the Baptist denomination at the Four Corners. He made arrangements for the erection of a building, the lower part of which was to be used for educational pur- poses, the upper part to contain a hall where religious services could be held.1 On the 26th day of April, 1828, a meeting was held in the Academy Hall to organize a religious society of the Baptist denomination. Proper officers were chosen, a declara- tion of their faith was drawn up, and a covenant entered into similar to the one now in use in the church. Prominent cler- gymen and laymen from the adjoining churches were present, and at a council, August 13, unanimously voted to recognize the brethren and sisters so organized as a distinct church, to be designated the Central Baptist Church of Middleboro.
Major Peirce erected at his own expense, at a cost of about four thousand dollars, the meeting-house for the church and society adjoining the academy grounds. He also erected a par- sonage and established a fund of one thousand dollars, which he soon after gave to the church. Upon its complete organ- ization the church property was deeded to trustees, to be held by them and their successors for the maintenance of religious worship.
On August 9, 1828, eight persons were received from the 1 See chapter containing an account of Peirce Academy.
483
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1828-32]
CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH
Pond Baptist Church, namely, Levi Peirce, Elisha Tucker, Molly Leonard, Prudence Holmes, Anna Hines, Sally Peirce, Sally B. Tucker, Thankful Miller, with Patience Barden and Priscilla Tinkham from the Rock Church.
After the organization of the church, they called Elder Briggs, September 5, 1828, to become their pastor. This invi- tation was, however, declined.
MINISTRY OF NICHOLAS MEDBERRY, 1828-32
October 4 of the same year a call was extended to Nicholas Medberry of Seekonk, which was accepted, and he was or- dained November 12, 1828. During Mr. Medberry's pastorate more than one hundred united with this church. He resigned July 15, 1832.
484
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1832-36
MINISTRY OF REV. HERVEY FITZ, 1832-36
Upon the resignation of Mr. Medberry, on the 31st of August, 1832, a call was given to the Rev. Hervey Fitz, who continued as pastor of the church until May 15, 1836, when he resigned. He was born in Charlton, Mass., November 23, 1792, and was graduated at Am- herst College in 1826, and Newton Theological Sem- inary in 1829; in 1843 he was state missionary of the Baptist convention. He was a warm friend of Peirce Academy, and did much for it during his lifetime. During his min- istry fifty - seven people were added to the church, REV. HERVEY FITZ and William S. Peirce and Joseph T. Wood were elected deacons. He died in Middleboro June 10, 1878.
MINISTRY OF REV. EBENEZER NELSON, 1837-51
Ebenezer Nelson was born in Lakeville, November 19, 1787 ; he completed his theological studies at Waterville, Maine; in 1818 he was approved as a minister of Christ by his church, and two years after accepted a call from the Baptist Church in Lynn. On account of ill health, he soon after resigned his pastorate in that church, and was employed for some time as special agent for the Newton Theological Seminary. Having regained his health, he accepted a call to West Cambridge and remained there a few years, but at the earnest solicitation of the Northern Baptist Education Society, in 1834, he became their secretary. After two years' employment in that capa-
485
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1837-98]
city, he accepted a call to the Central Baptist Church in Middleboro, where he commenced his work as minister in January, 1837. He continued as pastor of this church for a period of fourteen years. His relation with the venerable Dr. Putnam, pastor of the First Church, was so cordial that they seemed like brothers. During his residence in Middleboro he did much for Peirce Academy, not only as president of its Board of Trustees, but he assisted by every means in his power the able and efficient principal who so long stood at the head of that institution.
In September, 1850, he desired a vacation from his pastoral duties on account of ill health, and again accepted an agency for the Newton Theo- logical Seminary. His health, however, was so poor that he was obliged to give up this employ- ment, and realizing from the nature of his dis- ease that he had not long to live, he desired to pass the closing days of his life in Lynn, among the people of his first settlement. He died on the 6th of April, 1852. One hun- dred and forty-one were added to the church during his ministry. REV. EBENEZER NELSON
The pastors of this church since 1852 have been : Jonathan Aldrich, 1852-53. John B. Burke, 1854-55. John F. Bigelow, D. D., 1855-59. Alexander M. Averill, 1859-62. Levi A. Abbott, 1863-68. George G. Fairbanks, 1869-83. William H. Bowen, 1884-88. M. F. Johnson, 1889-98. J. H. Foshay, 1898. Elmer S. Williams, 1898 -.
486
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1842
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Many years ago there was a small church of this denomina- tion in Lakeville, of which Rev. Daniel Hicks was the first pastor, and where afterwards the Rev. George Peirce preached for a little time. Abiel Nelson was the deacon and clerk of the church. It has, however, long since become extinct, and no records of the church organization are known to exist.
-
THE CHRISTIAN SOCIETY OF MIDDLEBORO, NOW LAKEVILLE
This church was organized February 19, 1842, by sixteen of the members of the Second Baptist Church, who seceded to form this organization under the leadership of Elder William Shurtleff. About the time of its organization it erected a church edifice, which is known as the Mullein Hill meeting- house. The following are the names of the pastors of this church : William Shurtleff, William M. Bryant, Bartlett Cush- man, George Tyler, E. W. Barrows, Theophilus Brown, M. S. Chadwick, and Elijah W. Barrows.
Occasional preaching services are held by neighboring cler- gymen.
CENTRAL METHODIST CHURCH
A meeting was held on the 15th of September, 1823, to form this church, and the usual Articles of Association of the denomination were entered into by the following persons, who were its original members : Edward Winslow, Deborah Winslow, Martha Thomas, Mercy Barden, Susan S. Clark, Augusta Clark, Nathan Savory, Alanson Gammons, and Nathan Perkins. They obtained permission to worship in the town hall, with Rev. Asa Kent as their first pastor.
In October, 1830, a site was chosen for this society at Fall Brook, as the most central, and it was voted to build a house of worship, which was completed and dedicated early in 1831. Worship was continued in this chapel until the death of Rev.
1823-72]
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 487
Israel Washburn in 1861 ; after this, services were held here, with various intermissions, until the latter part of 1889, when the chapel was closed and afterwards sold. During this time the following clergymen officiated : John Q. Adams, Theophi- lus Brown, Mr. Pierson, William Packard (Baptist preacher), Roland Gammons, and John Hull.
In 1863 regular preaching service was again commenced at the Four Corners, and has been conducted by different clergymen settled over the church a few years, in accordance with the usual custom. A hall was secured over the furniture store of Mr. George Soule, and in 1865 the chapel formerly occupied by the Central Baptist Society was leased for three years, and dedicated in March of that year. From generous contributions the present church, costing $12,500, was com- pleted February 9, 1869. The membership has rapidly in- creased, and in the years 1876 to 1879 an extensive revival brought the number from one hundred and thirty to two hun- dred and eighty. Many improvements have been made in the church edifice, and a handsome parsonage on the corner of School and Peirce streets was given to the society by Mr. Abner L. Westgate, one of its most prominent members.1
The pastors of this church and their terms of service have been as follows : Asa Kent, 1823-24. Isaac Stoddard, 1825. Lemuel Tompkins, 1826-27. Elias C. Scott, 1828. David Culver, 1829-30. Amos Binney, 1831-32. Lemuel Harlow, 1833-34. Thomas G. Brown, 1835-36. Josiah Litch, 1837- 38. Proctor Marsh, 1839-40. Otis Wilder, 1841-42. George H. Winchester, Sr., 1843-44. Elijah Willard, 1845-46. Eben- ezer Ewer, 1847-48. William Tamplin, 1849-50. Edmund A. Standish, 1851-52. George Macomber, 1853-54. George H. Winchester, Jr., 1855-56. Philip Crandon, 1857-58. Asa N. Bodfish, 1859-60. Israel Washburn, 1861-62. John Q. Adams, 1863. Jason Gill, 1864. Samuel Whidden, 1864-65. F. C. Newell, 1866-67. Freeman Ryder, 1868-69. S. T. Patterson, 1870-71. J. S. Carroll, 1872-74. Charles A. Mac-
1 For a further history of this church, see History of the New England South- ern Methodist Conference, pp. 108-110.
.
488
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO [1875-1904
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, FOUR CORNERS
reading, 1875. E. D. Towle, 1876-77. A. W. Kingsbury, 1878- 79. George W. Hunt, 1882-83. Edward L. Hyde, 1884-86. Samuel McBurney, 1887-88. Thomas J. Everett, 1889-91. William F. Davis, 1892-95. George A. Grant, 1896-1900. Eben Tirrell, 1901-03. Oscar E. Johnson, 1904 -.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH MIDDLEBORO
The Third Baptist Church had built their first house of wor- ship here, which they occupied from 1761 to 1795. There is no continuous history of any religious organization from 1795 to 1868, although the Reformed Methodist Church occupied this building. Among those who preached during this period were Messrs. Johnson, McLish, Todd, Wallen, Clark, Mayall,
1827-1904]
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
489
and Barrows. Not all of these, however, were Methodists or clergymen. During the preaching of Elder Pliny Brett, in 1827, there was a revival of religion ; Rev. Uriah Minor preached from 1830 to 1835, and Theophilus Brown from 1841 to 1858. The present building was erected in 1841 upon the site of the old meeting-house of the Third Baptist Church, and the
.......
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH MIDDLEBORO
church was reorganized in 1847, but there seems to be no his- tory of it until 1868.
The following-named pastors have been settled over this church : John G. Gammons, 1868. Isaac B. Forbes, 1869. Benjamin L. Sayer, 1870-74. John W. Price, 1874. Philip Crandon, 1874-76. Charles Stokes, 1876-77. Isaac Sherman, 1878-81. O. R. Higgins, 1881. S. P. Snow, 1882-84. J. Livesey, 1885. E. A. Hunt, 1886-90. J. A. Wood, 1891-92. J. S. Thomas, 1893-95. C. A. Purdy, 1896. Charles N. Hinck- ley, 1897-98. B. F. Raynor, 1899-1901. J. S. Bell, 1902-03. C. E. Jenney, 1904 -.
490
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1842-88
UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY
The first organization of the Universalists was made in 1842, although twenty years before, several people had filed certificates of membership in the Universalist Society in Hali- fax and other towns. In this year the Rev. E. H. Lake organ- ized a society, and for a number of years meetings were held fortnightly, alternating between Peirce Hall at the village and the Purchade schoolhouse. Later, meetings were held at the School Street schoolhouse and in Hinckley Hall ; regu- lar resident ministers were employed, Rev. E. R. Crocker and Rev. Joseph Hemphill each serving for a term of years.
In 1854 a lot on Oak Street was purchased for a meeting- house and conveyed to the First Universalist Samaritan sewing-circle ; a fund of money was accumulated and placed on deposit. The society gradually declined, the meetings ceased, and in 1872 the remaining members of the sewing- circle sold the lot to Jonathan T. Washburn and divided the proceeds.
An effort was made a few years later to revive this society, but the project was finally abandoned, and the members united with the Unitarians.
FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY
In September, 1888, largely through the instrumentality of Rev. C. Y. DeNormandie of Kingston, services of this de- nomination were first held in Middleboro. Rev. C. H. McDou- gall of Rockland preached here Sunday evenings in connec- tion with his charge as secretary of the Plymouth and Bay Unitarian Conference. During his ministry a permanent organ- ization was made, March 5, 1889, of twenty-two individuals, under the name of the First Unitarian Society. "Its object shall be to provide for public religious worship and instruction and for such charitable and benevolent activities as belong to a religious society." Encouraged by the gift of a lot from Enoch Pratt of Baltimore, and of a thousand dollars from an
491
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1889-1902]
unknown friend, the society, during the ministry of Rev. Wil- liam H. Ramsey, built a church on Pearl Street at a cost of ten thousand dollars, which was dedicated September 2, 1891.
At the first meeting of the society Mr. Eugene P. LeBaron was elected president, and held that position until the time of his death, December 1, 1893. He was an able business man
UNITARIAN CHURCH
and an earnest supporter of this church, and perhaps the so- ciety owes more to his business and executive ability and generous contributions than to any one else. Since its first organization the church and society have always been in a prosperous condition.
The following have been the pastors of the church : William H. Ramsey, from August, 1889, to May, 1892. William C. Litchfield, from September, 1892, to April, 1895. J. Foster Tucker, from September, 1895, to September, 1896. Frederic C. Brown, from October, 1896, to May, 1898. Fred R. Lewis, from September, 1898, to May, 1902. George E. MacIlwain, from September, 1902 -.
492
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1898
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
This church was established in Middleboro in 1889, with an organization of eleven members. In the fall of that year the Rev. Mr. Cressey of Bridgewater assumed charge of the Sabbath evening service, and in November of the same year the first confirmation service was solemnized in the Central
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Congregational Church, and the Church of Our Saviour was duly formed. For a while they worshipped in the hall of the Academy building, but in 1898 the new church was dedi- cated. This was built at a cost of about forty thousand dol- lars, largely through the munificent contribution of James E. Peirce, the treasurer of the parish from its organization to his death.
The rectors of the church have been William Bayard Hale, 1889-99. Gilbert W. Laidlaw, 1899-01. Charles J. Ketchum, 1901-05.
493
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1880]
CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART
In 1850 about thirty members of the Roman Catholic Church had become residents of Middleboro, and for many years they were obliged to go to Taunton to attend mass. As their numbers increased, service was occasionally held at different residences, then at the old town house, until the hall over the store of the late Colonel Peter H. Peirce was engaged as the place of worship, a priest from some of the neighboring towns officiating. This hall was occupied for about ten years, but in 1880 the present church edifice was erected at a cost of nearly five thousand dollars, and dedicated in June, Arch- bishop Williams officiating, assisted by priests from churches in the neighboring towns. In May, 1885, the society was
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
made a separate parish, and since that time has had a resident priest. For about eighteen years during the early history of the church, Father Conlin, who was pastor of the church in Bridgewater as well as that of Middleboro, came here monthly.
494
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1883
In 1885 Father Oliver Boucher officiated for a few months, and was succeeded by Father P. J. Sheedy, and in 1890 by Father J. H. O'Neil. During his ministry the present rectory was built, the lot of land on the corner of Center and Oak streets was purchased, and the St. Mary's Cemetery was pur- chased in 1891. In 1896 he was succeeded by Father Murphy, and in 1900 the present priest, Father D. C. Riordan, took his place.
ADVENT CHURCH
There has been an organization of an Advent Church in this town for many years. They have no church building nor set- tled pastor, but worship in a hall on Jackson Street.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The Young Men's Christian Association was organized in the early seventies, with Professor J. W. P. Jenks as its presi- dent. In 1883 it was reorganized, and continued with varied success until March 19, 1892, when it was incorporated. Since then it has steadily grown in numbers and influence, until it now has a membership of over two hundred and fifty. The work of the association in its various departments is in a prosperous condition, and it has its rooms and gymnasium at present in the Academy building.
SQUARE PEWS OF THE OLDEN TIME
CHAPTER XXVII
TOWN MEETINGS, HERRING FISHERIES, INDIAN PATHS, ROADS AND HIGHWAYS, FIRE DISTRICT
HE provisions of the colonial laws 1 in reference to the government of the towns and the election of officers were very generally observed in Middleboro from its first incorporation until the commencement of King Philip's War. The early settlers then abandoned the town for two or three years, and did not return in sufficient numbers to warrant the reestablishment of town affairs until about 1678. The town meetings were held in different dwelling-houses, and frequently at the house of Isaac Howland.
There was a provision in the colonial law, as early as 1675, that there should be a "publicke house erected in every Towne " where the people could meet and worship God, " and in case any Town shall apparently neglect or refuse to build the said house it shalbe in the power of the Govr and Majes- trate to appoint and authorise a pson or psons to build the said house according to the abillitie and nesessitie of the people and the charge thereof to be defrayed by all the Inhabitants or propriators of the Towne." This provision was reaffirmed with some slight changes in the year 1678. The meeting-houses in the colony were used for the transaction of business of the towns. The records show that the First Church was so used as early as August, 1679, when the town meeting was held at the "town house." On the 18th of May, 1675, a few weeks before the outbreak of King Philip's War, a committee had been appointed to take measures for the erection of a "meeting house," which the war prevented; but plans were made, and the work was begun soon after their return. Mr. Fuller came to preach in the year 1679, and it is generally be- 1 Laws of Colony of New Plymouth, p. 175.
496
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1795
lieved that before he accepted the invitation, the meeting-house in which the First Church worshipped had been built. As early as 1681, the town agreed that if any neglected or re- fused to attend the town meetings, being legally warned, they should be liable to pay a fine of two shillings, six pence for the town's use. After the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Fuller, the town meetings were usually held in the meeting-house of the First Church, until the latter part of the eighteenth cen- tury, when the centre of population had so changed that an- other location was desirable.
The erection of a town house for the transaction of public business met with much opposition. The first article appeared in the warrant, September 8, 1788, and was voted down ; again, on March 1, 1790, the town voted to take no action. The matter came up on March 16, 1795, and a committee was ap- pointed to take into consideration the expediency of building and the location of a new town house. The committee were Captain Joshua Eddy, Isaac Thompson, Esq., Dr. Joseph Clark, David Richmond, Captain Job Peirce, Colonel John Nelson, Captain William Canedy, Nehemiah Bennett, Esq., and Deacon Benjamin Thomas. They were to report at the April meet- ing. At that time they voted to postpone any action upon the report of the committee until the May meeting ; they then voted not to accept the report of the committee, but to build in accordance with the eleventh article of the warrant for the annual meeting, and agreed that a town house should be built on the hill opposite the dwelling-house of Widow Sarah Mor- ton. A committee was appointed to draw a plan and report at an adjourned meeting.
According to the plan which this committee submitted, the building was to be forty feet long, thirty-five feet wide, to- gether with a back room twenty feet in length, fourteen feet in width, and twelve feet in the stud, four windows in front, three in each end, and three at the back, with a hip roof ; but at a meeting held February 1, 1796, the town voted "to reconsider all former votes passed in said town heretofore relative to the building of a town house." At the same meeting the question
497
TOWN MEETINGS
1798]
OLD TOWN HOUSE
was put "whether the town will build a town house or not," to be determined by count, those opposing the measure to pass out of the house ; four were chosen to stand at the doors of the meeting-house and count the number. It was found that a majority of ninety-three opposed the building, but at the annual meeting, March 21, 1796, the measure was carried. The opposition continued, although somewhat weaker, there being one hundred and forty-six votes for and one hundred and six opposed.
In regard to the location there was a division of sentiment, one hundred and forty-eight voting for the site near the dwell- ing-house of Dr. Joseph Clark as against one hundred and thirty-four opposed to it. They then voted to raise one thou- sand dollars for the building, and a committee of three were appointed to agree with Levi Wood for the land. This commit- tee consisted of Captain Joshua Eddy, Mr. Simeon Doggett, and Captain Joseph Richmond. At the next meeting in April, the town voted "to omit the building of a selectmen's room in the town house and directed that the building of said house be put up at public vendue and strike the building of the same off to the lowest bidder." The house was completed and accepted by the town January 2, 1798, but there were disputes in refer-
498
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1700
ence to various matters connected with the house which were not settled for some time. The house thus built served as the town house until 1872, when it was sold and a new one built, much of the material being used for a dwelling-house next to that of Mr. Job Braley on North Street.
Negotiations for the new town house were made in the early part of 1872. The building committee consisted of Horatio Barrows, Albert Alden, Zebulon Pratt, and I. H. Harlow, who were empowered to transact all necessary business. Solomon K. Eaton of Mattapoisett, the architect and contractor, died before it was completed, and it was finished by Mr. Horatio Barrows, chairman of the building committee. It was dedi- cated in December, 1873, by a public celebration, at which appropriate remarks were made on the part of the building committee and representatives of the town, and a public ad- dress was given to commemorate the event. The cost of the building was $48,984.36.
HERRING FISHERIES
When Governor Winslow stopped at Nemasket upon his visit to Massasoit, Indians were found fishing at a weir built across the river near the present dam. The herring fishery furnished much of their food ; they were familiar with smoking and drying the fish for a ready supply during the fall and winter. In the spring they used herring as a fertilizer in their corn gardens, which enabled them with little labor to produce abundant crops of maize or Indian corn. In the early part of the last century, during the fishing season, herring were so abundant that a person wading into the river, with a bushel basket, could in some seasons dip up a basket half full of these fish. Every spring, the last of March sometimes, but usually the first week in April, the herring leave the deep sea and as- cend the rivers all along the New England coast, to cast their spawn in the lakes, ponds, or head-waters of the rivers. " All the records of the early settlers, and the traditions of Indian lore, testify to the abundant yield of edible fish." At Titicut
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