History of the town of Milford, Worcester county, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1881, Part 10

Author: Ballou, Adin, 1803-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Boston : Rand, Avery, & co.
Number of Pages: 1328

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > History of the town of Milford, Worcester county, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1881 > Part 10

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Down to 1750 the following names appear : Daniel Lovett, Nathan Tyler, Nathl. Nelson, Jona. Hayward, Jr., John Jones, Jr., Thos. Wiswall, John Rockwood, Jona. Whitney, Thos. Tenney, Daniel Corbett, John Chapin, Daniel Sumner, Ichabod Robinson, Joseph Sumner, Thos. White, Jona. Bond, Habijah French, Samuel Howard, alias Hayward, Saml. Wheelock, Wm. Cheney, Jr., Ichabod Thayer, Obadiah Wheelock, Jonas Parkhurst, Jasper Daniell, Joseph Jones, and Jacob Thayer. From 1750 to 1760, besides some of the fore- going, we find the following : Thos. Bond, Jr., Daniel Wedge, Thos. Beard, Abraham Jones, James Sumner, Nehemiah Nelson, Josiah Chapin, Benj. Howard, Jr., Thos. Chapin, Nathaniel Rawson, Isaac Tenney, Gideon Albee, Ebenr. Wheelock, Ezra Thompson, Josiah Wheelock, David Howard, Wm. Legg, Samuel Warren, Seth Thayer, Jno. Chapin, Jr., Reuben Rockwood, Ephraim Twitchell, Isaac Park- hurst, Jno. Hill, Isaac Kent, Eli Partridge. Between 1760 and 1770 the following new names are recorded : David Penniman, Daniel Hayward, Josiah Nelson, David Cutler, James Hayward, Saml. Torrey, Azariah Newton, Eleazer Wight, Stephen Thompson, Jno. Howard, Moses Chapin, Ebenr. Sumner, Caleb Cheney, Saml. Thayer, Joseph Penniman, Saml. Scammell, Benj. Vickery, Jno. Sprague, Gershom Legg, James Albee, Obadiah Wood, Joseph Jones, Jr., Seth Nelson, Jona. Jones, Elihn Warfield, Wm. Jennison, Josiah Kilburn, Jno. Ellis, Jesse Penniman, Benj. Beal, Ebenr. Read. From 1770 to 1780 we find the following new names : Elias Whit- ney, Warfield Hayward, Saml. Chapin, Stephen Albee, Abraham Jones, Jr., Joseph Gibbs, Ichabod Newton, Moses Gage, Jr., Jno. Jones, Nathl. Parkhurst, James Battle, Oliver Daniell, Michael Madden, Mordecai Day, Saml. French, Ephraim Chapin, Jesse Hayward, Adams Chapin, Jno. Robinson, Elijah Thayer, Ebenr. Parkhurst, Acron Merrifield, David Hill, Ephraim Parkhurst, Ichabod Thayer, Jr., Jonas Parkhurst, Jr., Amariah Frost, Jr.

I omit specification of assessors, collectors, etc., as unnecessary.

PRECINCT OFFICERS-CHURCH AFFAIRS.

Many of the forenamed served in these offices with others not men- tioned. Two or three of the persons named resided in what was called "the standing part of Mendon," - Nathan Tyler, Josiah Adams, etc. Those gentlemen with their families and estates did not continue their connection with the easterly precinct more than eight or ten years, being released on their own request to re-connect them- selves with the old parish. It seems proper to add a list of the

TREASURERS.

These were the following named : Jona. Hayward, Jr., to 1744; Nathaniel Nelson from 1744 to 1753 ; Ichabod Robinson from 1753 to 1756 ; Daniel Sumner from 1756 to 1760; Nathl. Nelson again from 1760 to 1772; then Wm. Jennison down to 1775 ; next Jonas Parkhurst for the year 1776 ; and finally Jona. Jones onward to 1780.

CHURCH AFFAIRS.

The remainder of this chapter must be given to a brief narrative of transactions, experiences, and events pertaining to the church. This was the religions heart of the precinct. It was entitled "the Second Church of Christ in Mendon." We brought down its history to the close of Rev. Mr. Frost's ordination services. It then had, including the pastor, twenty-seven male members. Down to 1780 the whole number of male and female admissions was two hundred and forty- eight. A considerable portion of these came in by letters of dismis- sion and commendation from other churches, and not a few from the mother church in Mendon ; but the larger portion were the home- products of Mr. Frost's ministry. What the diminutions were, from death, dismission to other churches, etc., during this period, I cannot accurately state ; but they were probably small. The whole number of baptisms under its auspices, for the nearly thirty-nine years of this period, if I have not miscounted, was seven hundred and four- teen, of which all but about twenty were infants and comparatively young persons sponsorially covenanted for. The covenant, confes- sion of faith, ordinances, and discipline of the church were in close accordance with the old Cambridge Platform, and what were then considered the highest standards of Congregational order in New England. They were stringent observers of the sabbath, of the Lord's Supper once in two months, of special seasons for fasting and prayer, and of infant baptism within their membership. Their records of admonition, suspension, and excommunication, show that they held a stiff rein for the suppression of intemperance, unchastity, profanity, evil speaking, and all the vices to which the carnal mind is prone,

HISTORY OF MILFORD.

even in professedly regenerate people; nor were they disposed to license insubordination and self-willed independence against the authority of their church. Its rules, regulations, and requirements must be respected. To enforce these they sometimes found a difficult task. I have heretofore stated that their first two ruling elders were elected and solemnly ordained previously to the ordination of Rev. Mr. Frost. Those were the venerable John Jones of the Dale, and Josiah Adams, whose residence was in "the standing part of the Town," where George W. Crombe lately dwelt, or near there. Both these had been made ruling elders some years before in the mother- church. Their first chosen deacon, Nathaniel Nelson, had also held that office in the ancient Mendon church ; but for their second dea- con they elected a younger and fresher man, viz., Abraham Jones, a son of Elder John. These officers were also formally ordained, but not till they had been proved according to apostolic injunction ; for in those days no laxity of church order must be winked at, as is shown by the following entry : "Feb. 24, 1748: Then, the Church being present, and after a serious examination of our elected Deacons into their Doctrinal and Experimental knowledge of the Christian Religion, and into their qualifications requisite for their sustaining the office of a Deacon, and being found blameless ; after the delivery of a sermon from 1 Tim. 3: 10, ' Let these also be first proved, then let them use the office of a Deacon -being found blameless ; ' - the Church renewed their election and invitation of Nathaniel Nelson and Abraham Jones to the office of Deaconship in this 2 Chh. of Xt. in Mendon, and an agreeable answer being returned by them, mani- festing their renewed acceptance of the call and invitation to the office of a Deacon in serving Tables ; then proceeded and ordained them respectively to the office of a Deacon, by giving them a Charge suitable to the occasion, together with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery." We can but admire the nicety, precision, and for- mality of this whole proceeding, though perhaps not the rhetoric in which it stands recorded. This last, I suppose, was Mr. Frost's, as he was made the standing scribe of the church, and appears to have officiated in that capacity throughout his long pastorate. It is re- markable, however, that this punctilious formality in respect to the ordination of ruling elders and deacons was never repeated. Unless it has escaped my eye in examining the church records, such was the fact. It was proposed, and probably intended, in several in- stances, but postponed from time to time for various reasons, till finally omitted altogether ; and at length the election of ruling elders was silently relinquished. The deaconship was perpetuated ; but the

THE COME-OUTER SCHISM.

ceremony of ordination in Congregational churches seems to have got reduced to great simplicity.

Having thus seen how completely the Second Church in Mendon was organized, officered, and started on its career, the story of that career down to 1780 next interests us. It had its trials, perplexities, and adversities, as do even the best of human communities and individu- als. One of the most notable of these was a sort of secession, or come-outer insurrection, of certain dissatisfied members. This dis- turbance commenced as early as 1748, and lasted some ten years. The origin of the agitation is wrapped in obscurity. It may have been one of the stray outgrowths of the great revivals under Rev. George Whitefield, and other preachers who caught his inspirations. These had awakened a wide-spread religious interest, and excited a great deal of thinking as well as zeal in susceptible minds, both cleri- cal and lay. Many of the laity became dissatisfied with the old cus- tomary style of preaching and church routine. It seemed to them too cold and lifeless. Meantime, the Baptists were breaking ground here and there, and assailing what they deemed the errors of the " Stand- ing Order." Unlearned ministers, lay preachers, and self-authorized exhorters had begun to hold religions meetings wherever they could find an opening, without permission or countenance from the settled Congregational pastors and church dignitaries. Herein was mischief and vexation to the old ecclesiastical rulers. A touch of this conta- gion disturbed " the 2d Church of Christ in Mendon." Meetings of a secessive character were held in the easterly precinct, chiefly in the North Purchase and contiguous neighborhoods, for several years, which greatly annoyed Mr. Frost and his conservative brethren. For a while the movement seemed to threaten serions consequences ; but the pastor and his coadjutors carried themselves with so much moderation, firmness, and prudence, that they finally triumphed. The leading spirit and troubler of Israel was one Samuel Hovey. I had to take considerable pains to learn definitely who he was, and for a long time failed. Whether he was the " William Hovey " named in the Incorporating Act of the Precinct, or some family relative, or a stranger of the same surname, I got no information. My only starting clew was one solitary sentence in the church records, viz., " Voted. to send a letter to our seceding brethren and to those that should attempt to set up one Hovey, a lay Teacher, over them, on May the 31, 1749, containing objections against their proceeding in that affair." At length, in searching our Worcester Registry of Deeds, I found certain conveyances of land in the No. Purchase to and from Samuel Hovey. He had a small homestead in the Corbett

HISTORY OF MILFORD.

neighborhood, at the time of the secession difficulties, which he sold to Robert Corbett in 1769, having then removed to Newtown, N.H. This could have been no other than the "one Hovey" of the ch. records. He seems to have been a man of considerable influence.

Among the members of the church who came under discipline for their secessionism were the following named : Samuel Warren, Daniel Corbett, Jr., Eunice Lathome, Mercy Thompson, Azariah Newton and wife, Jona. Hayward and wife, Benj. Hayward, Jr., Nathl. Jones, Jr., Barnabas Rawson, David Cutler, Isaac Tenney, Mary Rawson, James Sumner, Lydia Whitney, Rachel Jones, etc. These persons were summoned to give their reasons for what was styled their " with- draw," " separation," "absconding or absenting from our Commun- ion," and the like. They were visited by special committees, written to, remonstrated with, and admonished " with all long suffering and doctrine," but not harshly treated. Most of them were at length won back into the fold. Some of them, however, were blunt and stubborn come-onters until mollified. This will appear by the follow- ing extracts from the church records : -

" JAN. 24th, 1748-9. Met according to adjournment, and heard the Rea- sons of Samuel Warren, Daniel Corbett, Jr. and Eunice Lathome for their withdraw from us. Which are as follows, viz. -

1. Because we do not find that food for our souls by the word that was preached here which we have found in the word of God and elsewhere.

2. Reason is That we think that the doctrines which Christ taught when on earth are not taught here; we mean that the truth is held in unrighteous- ness, by not being delivered out of love and good will for these two years past; and because some of the truths of God's word are denied; viz. 1. You deny the knowledge of the brethren any further than by their lives and con- versation, contrary to John 15: 2. 2, Because you preach works and press it harder than you do faith, according to our conception; that is, you direct sinners to seek the Lord before faith.

3. Reason of our Withdraw is, because we don't look upon this Church to be a visible chh. of Xt. - we mean, to be built up according to his Word and Spirit, as in 1 Cor. 12: 12, 13, 14; Matt. 16: 14-19 vs. ; 1 John 1: 2, &c.

4. Reason; We think that the Religion of Jesus Christ is not maintained and upheld in its purity here; we mean that that Religion can't be the Religion of Jesus Christ that binds men's estates and Consciences to main- tain it; and that is your case with relation to the salary - depending more upon the Civil Law to support it than the power of God; obliging every one to pay a certain proportion with them for the support of the Ministry, and binding our consciences to attend in your way of worship.

5. Reason is; that the Lord hath made us see that this Church is Baby- lon and a synagogue of Satan; we mean that ye hold faith in certain doc- trines, such as an uncertainty about the Estates of the Converted, and

STRATEGY TOWARDS THE BAPTISTS.

denying a possibility by a particular faith to be certain that any Elect ves- sel as to the particular person who shall be bro't home to Christ.

6. Lastly; because the Lord hath made us to see that this Church are thieves and robbers, because they come not in by the door; we mean, by Christ, by love to God and one towards another, and according to the Scrip- tures; we mean by faith."

Several other more or less similar statements of reasons were at dif- ferent times sent in by the seceders. I need copy no more of them. Doubtless they seemed clear, profound, and conclusive to their sub- scribers : but they were all voted unsatisfactory by the church, and treated accordingly ; and I must say, for myself, that I cannot extract much edification from them. I give the foregoing sample as a curi- osity. As to the Baptists, especially in Bellingham, they occasioned Mr. Frost and his people some embarrassment. They were not only unwelcome intruders on the Congregational domain as competitors, but offensive as deniers that sprinkling was Christian baptism, how- ever solemnly administered. They drew away several proselytes, first and last, which is never pleasant to the losing party. Still there were some kindly feelings on both sides ; but the difficulty lay in being friendly without breach of ecclesiastical consistency. In 1750 the Baptist Church in Bellingham elected Rev. Elnathan Wight as their pastor. He was not only an intelligent and exemplary Christian man, but remarkably liberal for his times, and disposed to be on terms of free communion with the established churches. So, probably by his advice, a letter missive was sent to Mr. Frost and his church to assist in the ordination of Mr. Wight. It was a puzzler to the invitees. Some were for accepting, and all desired to be courteous ; but there were points of order, usage, and consistency which could not be got over. Finally the ruling elders settled the proposition in the nega- tive. Thirty-two years later we find the following ingenious evasion in a dismissory commendation of a sister who wished to transfer her relationship to the Baptist church in Bellingham : -

" To be sent to the Baptist Church in Bellingham, under the Pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Alden; viz. Whereas our sister Jemima, wife of Jona. Thomp- son of Bellingham, hath manifested a desire that her Relation with us might orderly be transferred from us to you: This may signify that on Aug. 5, 1759, she publicly owned her Baptismal covenant, and joined in full com- munion with us in all the special ordinances of the Gospel - and (as far as our knowledge is) has conducted agreeable to her profession: and accord- ingly we dismiss and recommend her to your Communion and fellowship, as a person Baptized and in good standing in the visible Church of Christ in this place: and if you receive her as such, she is hereby dismissed; other- wise, she is not.

AMARIAH FROST, Pastor."

HISTORY OF MILFORD.

The wit of this lies in the obvious fact that the Baptists must acknowledge a merely sprinkled person as truly baptized, and thus belie their own solemn convictions to the contrary : otherwise Mrs. Thompson was not dismissed to them at all; but the Congregational- ists were not to be swerved from their integrity and consistency, whatever action the Baptists might take.

ANOTHER PERPLEXITY RELIEVED.

In the year 1767, Dr. William Jennison, an influential member of the church, with the best of intentions, presented a large Bible for the pulpit, from which the pastor might read and expound at his discre- tion ; but such were the lingering prejudices in some minds against the old Church-of-England usages, that a serious commotion arose among the people against the use of that Bible in their pulpit. How the matter was compromised will appear from the following docu- ments : -

" MEMORANDUM. - In Aug. 26, 1767, the Church received the donation of a large Bible, given to them and the Congregation, to be read and expounded publicly, by and at the discretion of the Pastor: and voted the thanks of the Chh. be given to Dr. William Jennison, the donor, by Messrs. Dea. French and Albee; but after the use of said Bible some time, there arose some dispute among some members of our Society, as tho' it was too much of a conformity to the Practice of the Chh. of England -and for peace sake (rather than break the peace of the Society) it was omitted for the present; viz. the reading of said Bible in public. Whereupon the Dr., May 13, 1776, sent us this message; viz., --

"' These may Certify all persons whom it may concern, that, whereas some of the Chh. and Congregation were uneasy at having the Bible read publicly which the subscriber gave to the Chh. and Congregation in the 2d Precinct in Mendon, of which the Rev. Mr. Frost is Pastor, to be used in public, by reason of which uneasiness the said Pastor has desisted from reading and expounding the same; Therefore the donor doth, by these Presents, give unto the said Mr. Frost and his heirs the use and improve- ment of said Bible until the said Chh. and Congregation incline to use it according to the design of the donor, and on the terms on which said Chh. accepted the donation: and whenever, i. e. the Church, do incline to have it used publicly, the said Chh. and Congn. are to be the sole proprietors of said Bible.' "

The foregoing was formally assented to and sanctioned by Mr. Frost and the church ; and thus the agitated waters were soothed into quietude.

Just after the town was incorporated, at a public church fast held May 25, 1780, the original covenant was read and renewed, and a

ELDERS AND DEACONS.

vote passed, that what had been called the Second Church of Christ in Mendon should thenceforth be " called the Church of Christ in Milford." Down to that date the elders and deacons of the church had been elected and served as follows : -

Elder John Jones, elected April 15, 1741 ; served till superannuated, and died March 28, 1753. Elder Josiah Adams, elected April 15, 1741 ; served till his death in March, 1749. Elder Nathaniel Nelson, elected Sept. 7, 1749 ; and served till his death in 1783. Elder Daniel Corbett, in place of Elder John Jones superannuated, elected Sept. 7, 1749 ; and served till prob. his death, 1753. Elder Abraham Jones, son of Elder John, elected Nov. 29, 1753; and served till death, Feb. 25, 1792.

Dea. Nathaniel Nelson, elected April 15, 1741 ; and served till his promotion to eldership, Sept. 7, 1749. Dea. Abraham Jones, elected Nov. 14, 1743 ; and served till his promotion to eldership, Nov. 29, 1753. Dea. John Chapin, elected Nov. 9, 1749; and served till excused on account of age and infirmities, 1763. Dea. Habijah French, elected Nov. 9, 1749 ; and served till superannuation, in 1774. Dea. Gideon Albee, elected Aug. 11, 1763 ; and served till excused on account of age and infirmities, 1785. Dea. John Chapin, son of the former Dea. John, elected Dec. 1, 1774 ; and served till promoted to eldership, 1785.

Here this chapter must terminate. The specialties of precinct action in relation to incorporation as a town, will properly appear in the next chapter. The subsequent history of the Congregational par- ish and church will have its orderly place, along with that of the more recent religious societies, in an appropriate chapter of this volume.

HISTORY OF MILFORD.

CHAPTER VI.

INDUCTION, INCORPORATION, AND ORGANIZATION OF MILFORD.

Inception and Consummation of the Town's Incorporation. - How the Old Ambition for a Separate Town never died out, but slept and awoke at Intervals, till it gained its Object. - The Repeated Struggles from 1753 down to 1779, as shown by the Records. - The Contending Parties come to an Amicable Agreement May 3, 1779; which is given in Full. - Ratified May 19, ensuing - The Act of Incorporation dated April 11, 1780. - The Town legally organized May 1, 1780. - First Officers elected.

General Status of Affairs and Responsibilities assumed. - The Population at the Time of Incorporation. - Probable Number of Families, Legal Voters, Dwellings, Public Buildings. - Means of Subsistence, and Employments of the Inhabit- ants. - Small Mechanical Industries, and no Manufactures now so termed. - Settlements made with Mother Mendon. - Relations to Other Towns, the Com- monwealth, and Nation. - Shay's Rebellion. - Religious Matters, Meeting- House, etc. - Pauperphobia, Financial Difficulties, etc. - Minor Items down to the Year 1800.

INCEPTION AND CONSUMMATION OF THE TOWN'S INCORPORA- TION.

THE ambition and design to have a town separate from mother Mendon was never abandoned by the leading citizens east of Neck Hill. But they contented themselves with their precinct immunities for about twelve years. Then the smothered flame was rekindled. Certain individuals brought the matter before the town, and we have the following record : " Mendon, May 14, 1753 : being a Town Meet- ing held by adjournment from March 4, 1753 ; at said Meeting it was proposed to the Town, whether they would set off the East Precinct to be a distinct Town, and passed in the Negative." This put a quietus on the project for over twelve years more. Then the embers were opened again, and fresh fuel supplied. "Mendon, Dec. 24, 1766 ; being a public Town Meeting. Then it was put to Vote To see if the Town would vote off the Easterly Precinct, according to the bounds thereof, to be a separate Town by themselves, and there was but one hand held up. Then it was put to Vote To see if the Town would set off the Easterly Precinct, according to the bounds thereof, agreeable to the Petition of the Inhabitants, into a separate District by themselves ; and the vote passed in the Negative by ten votes [majority]." The struggle now was for a district corporation, - a something less than a town. But this was strenuously resisted.

CONFLICT ABOUT SEPARATION.

An appeal was next made to the Legislature by petition to incorpo- rate the precinct as a district. This movement was vigorously second- ed by the precinct as such. "February 16, 1767. At a meeting of the Easterly Precinct in Mendon legally assembled, Left. Josiah Chapin was chosen moderator to regulate said meeting. Then chose Eld. Nathaniel Nelson, Thomas Wiswall [and] James Sumner a Committee to head and support a Petition of the Inhabitants of said Precinct, already carried in and had a hearing at the Great and Gene- ral Court, in order to be a separate District from the Town of Men- don, agreeable to the boundaries of said Precinct. Then Voted to give the said Committee the following Instructions ; viz., that they use their best endeavor, that the prayer of said petitioners be granted before the time commences for the annual meeting in March next; and, as the Meeting House in said Precinct is built to accommodate the Inhabitants of said Precinct, agreeable to the boundaries of said Precinct, that said Committee would not, by any agreement, consent to any other than the former boundaries of said Precinct, - excepting Nathan Tyler, Esq., Adjt. John Tyler and their land lying on the west side of the Eight-Rod Road so called." Mendon firmly remon- strated. At their town-meeting held on the very same day, Feb. 16, 1767, they " unanimously Voted to send reasons unto the Great and General Court, to show cause why the prayer of the petition of the Inhabitants of the Easterly Precinct should not be granted. Then Voted to choose six men for a Committee to draw up the Town's rea- sons ; . . . viz., Messrs. Edmund Morse, Edward Rawson, John French, Joseph Benson, George Aldrich, William Sheffield, and Peter Penniman. Then the Town by a Vote chose Edward Rawson, Samuel Green, and William Sheffield for a Committee, or Agents, . . . to carry in the Town's reasons unto the Gt. and Gen. Ct., and make answer to a petition of a number of the Inhabitants of the Easterly Precinct, etc." The Legislature deferred the matter. But the Precinct peti- tioned the same year again, asking to be set off as a town or district, "together with their proportionable part of the Ministry land and money, School money, armory and ammunition." Again Mendon repulsed them, on this wise : "Sept. 27, 1767; being a public Town Meeting, in pursuance of the following article in the Warrant : To see if the Town will, by their Vote, set off the Easterly Precinct in said Town into a separate Township or District, with their equal part of the Town's stores, agreeable to the request of a number of the Inhabit- ants of said Precinct. It was put to vote, . . . and it passed in the Negative. Then the Vote was scrupled, and the Moderator ordered the House to be divided, and there were 57 in the Affirmative and 64

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History of the town of Milford, Worcester county, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1881, Part 10

Author: Ballou, Adin, 1803-1890 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Boston : Rand, Avery, & co. Number of Pages: 1328

Author: Ballou, Adin, 1803-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Boston : Rand, Avery, & co.
Number of Pages: 1328