History of the town of Milford, Worcester county, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1881, Part 31

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 31

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To the foregoing from Rev. Mr. Robinson, I will add from other sources the names of three former Deacons, J. G. Lowe, Wm. P. Burbank, and Wm. G. Wilmot ; Standing Committee-men of the soci- ety, C. F. Cushman, Jarvis White, F. L. Smith, Geo. Whittemore, Wm. H. Gile, G. W. Blake, W. P. Miller, and J. Stimpson ; Treas- urers, Wm. G. Wilmot, Wm. P. Burbank, and Randall B. Green ; Clerks, Franklin L. Smith and Edson R. White. Present number of Sunday school, about 117; Superintendent, W. H. Gile ; num- ber of vols. in library, 270; Librarian, Jarvis White. Average number of Sunday audiences, about 100 to 125.

The Baptist church and society sustain a highly respectable moral and social standing among us. The peculiarities of their faith and order are well known, or readily ascertainable by all interested in- quirers.

Since the foregoing was written, a new pastor has been settled. On the afternoon of Sept. 19, 1879, -

"Mr. E. A. Woodsum was duly ordained to the pastoral office. The Council met at ten o'clock to examine the candidate. At 1.30 the ordina- tion services proper commenced, and were as follows : -

" Selection by choir; invocation, G. E. Leeson, Framingham ; reading scripture, H. S. Gay, Woodville ; prayer, Dr. Bronson, Putnam, Conn. ; sermon, O. S. Stearns, D.D., Newton Theological Institution ; ordaining prayer, Rev. A. E. Reynolds, Natick ; hand of fellowship, Rev. J. E. Burr, W. Medway; charge to candidate, A. K. P. Small, D.D., Fall River ; charge

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THE EPISCOPALIANS.

to church, Rev. H. G. Safford, So. Framingham ; doxology ; benediction by the pastor.

"There was a large attendance." (Milford Journal.)

V. THE EPISCOPALIAN SOCIETY.

Though the Protestant Episcopal Church is comparatively ancient, its representative parish in this town is of recent date. Religious services of the denomination were first held here in Irving Hall, on Sunday, May 17, 1863, commencing at 4.30 P.M., conducted by Rev. Reese F. Alsop, of St. John's Church, Framingham. Trinity parish was organized in April, 1864, and was incorporated by act of the Legislature, in May the same year. Its membership consisted of about twenty persons, who signed the parish constitution. Its officers, past and present, without material change, are: Wardens, Charles Dove and George G. Parker ; Vestrymen, William H. Chamberlain, Charles A. Dewey, James I. C. Cook, William Kelley, Charles J. Thompson, William Nichols, William J. Ferguson, Thomas J. Wales, and Thomas J. Bostock ; Treasurer and Collector, Charles Dove ; Clerk, C. J. Thompson. Its present number of communicants is about 80. Its Sunday-school numbers about 55 teachers and schol- ars, under the superintendency of Charles Dove, with a library of 300 vols.

After organization the church maintained regular religious services in Washington Hall until the erection of its sanctuary, situated on Congress Street, corner of Exchange. The land and edifice were paid for by subscription from members of the parish and congrega- tion and outside friends, in sums of from $5 to $300, - costing about $9,000. It was consecrated, with the customary solemnities, March 21, 1871. The services on that occasion were as follows : -

"Entrance of the Bishop [Rev. Manton Eastburn, D.D. ] and clergy, repeating the 24th Psalm, -' The earth is the Lord's, and all that therein is,' etc .; reading of the Instrument of Donation ; exhortation ; prayer ; sentence of consecration; morning service; proper Psalms 84, 122, 132, - ' Oh, how amiable are thy dwellings, thon Lord of hosts,' etc .; proper les- sons, -first, 1 Kings, chap. 8, v. 22 to v. 63; second, Hebrews, chap. 10, v. 10 to v. 26; singing of Psalm 21 in metre, vs. 2 and 3; ante-cominnnion service; the hundredth Psalm; sermon by the Bishop; prayer; benediction."

More recently a new tower has been erected, and various interior improvements made, at a further cost of $1,500. Still more recently, the parish has provided itself with an admirable organ, costing com- plete about $1,400. The average Sunday audience numbers 100 or more.

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HISTORY OF MILFORD.

The public have long been accustomed to regard the Episcopalians as an eminently respectable Christian denomination, even though ques- tioning some of their ecclesiastical claims to apostolical descent ; and the members of our Trinity Church take honorable rank among the religious people of Milford in all the relations of life. I suppose there is no need of my presenting any statement of their doctrinal or cere- monial peculiarities ; all inquirers having ample access to their pub- lished expositions of faith, order, and observances. I am indebted to their first warden, Mr. Charles Dove, for most of the foregoing par- ticulars, and also for the following succession of their rectors : -

Rev. Henry Adams, commencing Jan. | Rev. John M. Benedict, till June, 1,1864.

Rev. George G. Jones, commencing May, 1865, and continning to '68. Rev. E. B. Allen, till June, 1870.

Rev. Reginald H. Howe, till Jan., 1872.

1874. Rev. William F. Lloyd, till April, 1877. Rev. George R. Wheelock, till 1879. Rev. Wm. James Alger, commencing Jan. 1, 1881.

Should I be fortunate enough to obtain any genealogical and bio- graphical knowledge of these Rev. gentlemen, it shall appear in Part II. of this work.

VI. ST. MARY'S CHURCH (ROMAN CATHOLIC).

Although this is now numerically our largest religious organization, with an average attendance on its Sunday services probably equalling that of all our other congregations togetlier, it is of comparatively recent date. Down to 1840 Roman Catholics were "strangers and pilgrims " in Milford. Now and then an Irishman strayed into town after its incorporation, previous to 1830; but they were few and far between, and, if Catholics at all, said nothing of their religion. In 1834 Dominic McDevitt, one of the earliest forerunners of St. Mary's Church, came into town as a sub-contractor and builder of the then new Upton road (West Street). He brought his family with him, and perhaps a few hired laborers of Irish nativity. Not long after- wards came Edward McGovern, a currier by occupation, with his family ; then two or three other families. Soon after the Milford branch of the Boston and Worcester Railroad was let out to build, the contractors hired large numbers of Irish laborers ; so that before the road was opened to travel, in 1848, swarms of Catholic people had come to dwell among us. The great Irish famine, which soon after followed, sent hither numerous additional immigrants. While Mr. McDevitt was at work on the new road to Medway, in 1835, two

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THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.

of his employés, being dangerously sick, received consolation from Rev. James Fitton, since of East Boston. Soon after this, Rev. Mr. Fitton said the first mass ever solemnized in Milford. He did so in the humble home of Edward McGovern, now some years deceased. Rev. Father Fitton has become venerable in his priesthood, having been ordained over half a century ago. How many times he min- istered in this town, is not remembered. The aforesaid mass was probably administered during the year 1836. Thenceforth occasional sacred services were held with more or less frequency in the dwelling- houses of McDevitt, McGovern, and others, all the way down to 1846.

As early as 1847 Rev. John Boyce, of Worcester, commenced holding regular priestly ministrations here, and to gather the people into church order. He was assisted by Rev. Henry Gibson in gather- ing funds for a church edifice. A site was purchased in the neighbor- hood sometimes called " The Plains," on the south side of the road to Holliston, now East Main Street, in what used to be the Noah Wiswall pasture ; there the first St. Mary's sanctuary was soon erected. It stood on the rising rocky ground, and covered the very spot for- merly occupied by Wiswall's tomb. That tomb was a small stone structure, built on a flat ledge wholly above ground. When I came into town, in 1824, it was still standing in a dilapidated condition, ex- posing the patriarch's dried bones to view in a forlorn state. Pearley Hunt, Esq., who had become owner of the Wiswall farm, soon after removed the remains to his own family tomb ; and the stones of the crumbling mausoleum were also presently taken away. On that spot stood the first Catholic church edifice. It was built of wood, and of unpretentious architectural display. It was dedieated in 1848 by Rt. Rev. Bishop Fitzpatrick ; and the celebrated Father Mathew, of temperance fame, preached a sermon on the occasion.

Rev. George A. Hamilton became the first regular pastor of St. Mary's, March 1, 1850 ; he was succeeded by Rev. Michael Caroher, in 1853 ; he by Rev. Edward Farrelly, in 1854, who died of con- sumption, Aug. 13, 1857; and he immediately by the present able incumbent, Rev. Father Patrick Cuddihy. He is a man of command- ing talents, learning, energy, and pastoral authority. He projected, and triumphantly prosecuted to completion (excepting an intended massive lateral stone tower), the second stately and capacious edifice in which St. Mary's people now worship. Its first stone was laid by the Rt. Rev. J. J. Williams, with due prelatical solemnities, June 1, 1866 ; and it was opened for public worship Dec. 25, 1870. It stands on Granite Street, corner of Sumner, one hundred and sixty-five feet long by seventy-two in width, besides the porches and provisional

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HISTORY OF MILFORD.

foundation for lateral tower. It was built of granite, found in the Rocky Woods, a mile from the village, on the property of Rev. Father Cuddihy. It is in the Early English style of architecture, and seats over fourteen hundred persons. It has a rich plenitude of Catholic symbols, paintings, and statuary. Attached to it is a tract, com- prising two acres of land, for priest's honse and garden ; also under three-fourths of it is a commodious chapel for daily service, and mass for the children on Sundays. More recently a wooden bell-tower (somewhat temporary, of course) has been constructed, and a charm- ing toned bell from Ireland mounted, weighing four thousand pounds ; and during 1878, the organ of the "Old South " Church in Boston was purchased, to give majesty to the music of the choir. The entire cost of this really splendid sanctuary and its furnishings is stated to be $100,000, and the pastoral residence $25,000.

The hours of regular Sunday services are, 8 A.M., mass ; 9 A.M., mass and Sunday school ; 10: 30 A.M., high mass and preaching ; 3.30 P.M., vespers. The other stated services and ceremonials through the year are legion. The pastor has always at least one assistant, and both are laden with official duties. They also hold services on Sundays, 10.30 A.M., alternately at North Purchase and in Mendon. Among the assistant pastors have been Rev. Jeremiah Toomey, some years ago ; and now, for several years, Rev. James T. Canavan, - a man much respected for talent, worth, and usefulness, - not only by his own people, but by our citizens generally. There have been others, more temporary and transient, concerning whom I am not sufficiently informed to write intelligently.

The first house of worship was disposed of soon after the consecra- tion of the present one, and the site thereof resumed its old-time nakedness. The number of present Catholic parishioners is three thousand five hundred. These are nearly all of Irish extraction, with a few of Canadian-French origin and other national descent. Probably there is a small sprinkling of Protestant-born proselytes, but it must be quite small. The whole number of baptisms in this church, since its organization, has not been ascertained, but must exceed four thousand. The Sunday audiences are estimated to average, at first mass, four hundred ; second, eight hundred ; high, one thousand. The Sunday school was reported, in 1878, to number nearly one thonsand. It now counts about eight hundred. Its Superintendent, for many years, has been Stephen Bergin ; Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. George Brown. No other officers of the congregation, except- ing Sexton, appear in our published Directories. Michael J. Burke has long held this office.

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THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.

Those who wish to make themselves intelligently acquainted with the faith, order, and ecclesiasticism of the Roman-Catholic Church will consult the published works which contain expositions of the same. These are explicit and abundant. The Catholics of Milford, as elsewhere, seem to have an auspicious future before them. They are already numerous, and waxing respectable in temporal as well as spiritual affairs. They multiply rapidly in their families. They are industrious and frugal, and so increasing in property. They are gradually becoming sensible of the evils of intemperance, and in considerable numbers pledging themselves against it. They are becoming educated in our public schools, better and better. They are growing more Americanized continually in civil, political, and social relationships. They are gaining prominence, year after year, at the polls, and as municipal office-holders. Meantime, they are generally persistent adherents to their own mother Church, devoted attendants on its time-hallowed ritual services, and free-handed con- tributors, in the way of money, to its support. Almost all of them are liberal tributaries to its treasury. And, above all, they are under the most reverent control of the most effective clerical organization in Christendom. The world has no great standing army better officered and disciplined than the Roman-Catholic Church in its ecclesiasticism. Some Protestants have flattered themselves that education, free institutions, and the progress of science, would break down this ecclesiasticism. But these influences are not strong enough for that. They may multiply free-thinkers and sceptics in the external bosom of the Catholic Church, as they have done in Europe; but these unbelievers nearly all find it politic, for many reasons, to remain nominal adherents to their holy Mother, and generous pecuniary contributors to its revenues. Nothing will ever greatly affect its character and stability but the development of a far higher Christian Church than Christendom has yet seen, founded on the practical exemplification of that Christ-like truth and righteousness which far transcends the long-established standard, so long fatally compromised with mammonism, worldly power, and war. Above this compromising standard of righteousness neither the Catholic nor Protestant Churches are likely to rise. They must, therefore, accomplish and enjoy the good that lies within their constitutional sphere, which, happily, notwithstanding all chronic limitations, is vast and manifold. If nothing higher comes, they have the field of the world to share and improve among themselves, according to their respective zeal, skill, and perseverance. And in this division, the prospective, as well as the retrospective, share of the Catholics will be the double portion of

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HISTORY OF MILFORD.

the eldest son. If the Christ-like church above hinted at shall ever be inaugurated, it will undoubtedly vindicate itself, and in its fulness triumph over all competitors. Let us be just to what is, and hope for something as much better as God may have purposed in his immutable counsels.

VII. THE HOPEDALE COMMUNITY.

This is among the younger religious societies of our town. It was organized in Mendon, Jan. 28, 1841, and originally entitled "Fraternal Community, No. 1." It was then expected to be the first of a confederated series, and hence designated as "No. 1." Some years later the title was changed to the more local one, - The Hopedale Community. The Community purchased, during 1841, the Jones farm, in what had long been called " The Dale," and, in high hope of a prosperous future, named their chosen locality Hopedale. About the first of April, 1842, they commenced their settlement and operations there, as a joint-stock, practical Christian association, with a united industrial arrangement. They did so with very insufficient means, and under extreme disadvantages. But, by self-sacrificing zeal and perseverance, they succeeded in building up a village of fifty dwellings, beside mills, shops, and other conveniences ; multi- plied their population to three hundred, and enlarged their domain to an area of about six hundred acres. This was accomplished in the space of fourteen years. Notwithstanding this external success, such a deficiency of spiritual and moral stamina had developed itself in the too hastily gathered membership, that the leading joint-stockholders became dissatisfied, and declared their unwillingness to allow their invested capital to remain longer under Community control. . As the minor proprietors, though a large numerical majority, would be utterly unable to sustain operations, for want of capital to surmount the exigency, a crisis was precipitated. In the spring of 1856 it was decided, by common consent, to dissolve the joint-stock proprietor- ship, disband the industrial organization, settle up all pecuniary matters, and. resolve the Community into a mere religious society, with only a few social guaranties against ignorance, poverty, and vice. All this was done with my consent and advice, under the pressure of necessity, but to my profound disappointment, mortification, and grief. There was no serious pecuniary failure, but a sad moral one, in view of solemnly declared objects, principles, and professions. Yet, considering all the causes and circumstances, the result was inevitable, and, providentially, for the best. There were sufficient reasons why any other was really undesirable.

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THE HOPEDALE COMMUNITY.

Property and business now returned to the customary channels of general society, subject to the popular laws of trade, "supply and demand," and the inhabitancy of the village changed accordingly. The Community organization, in its emasculated form, still continued ; and their meeting-house was built, by general concurrence, in 1860. Its membership naturally dwindled from year to year, till a mere handful now remain resident in Hopedale. These no longer deem it expedient to hold even an annual meeting. In 1867 the Hopedale Liberal Christian Parish was organized, and the Community was virtually merged therein. Meantime the property, corporations, and business enterprise of the village became remarkably prosperous, till now it is one of the neatest in New England, still retaining some desirable vestiges of its original moral and social character.

I have written a full history of the Hopedale Community, from its in- ception to its submergence in the Hopedale Parish, which I hope will, at no very distant day, be published. But, as its publication must be deferred for some years, it may gratify the laudable curiosity of many readers of this volume to have a statement, under my hand, setting forth the distinguishing peculiarities of that community, its origin, and the reasous of its failure. I feel abundantly competent to present such a statement; having been its principal projector, constitution- maker, and executive director. Perhaps it is also due to my own reputation, to make such a statement ; and I am reluctant only through fear of seeming to obtrude matters unsuitable for this work, and of not writing clearly without prolixity. I will, however, venture the attempt. What, then, were the peculiar

OBJECTS OF THE COMMUNITY?

These were thus proclaimed in the preamble to their original con- stitution : -

" Know all Men, That, in order more effectually to illustrate the virtues and promote the ends of pure religion, morality, and philanthropy; to with- stand the vices and reform the disorders of the present social state; to secure to our posterity the blessings of a more salutary physical, intellectual, and moral education; to establish a more attractive, economical, and pro- ductive system of industry; and to facilitate the honest acquisition of property for laudable purposes: We, whose names are hereunto annexed, do unite in a voluntary association, to be called," etc.

DECLARATION OF FAITH, PRINCIPLES, AND DUTIES.

" No person shall be a member of this Community who does not deliber- ately and cordially assent to the annexed Declaration, viz .: -

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HISTORY OF MILFORD.

" I believe in the religion of Jesus Christ, as he taught and exemplified it, according to the Scriptures of the New Testament. I acknowledge my- self a bounden subject of all its moral obligations. Especially do I hold myself bound by all its holy requirements, never, under any pretext what- soever, to kill, assault, beat, torture, enslave, rob, oppress, persecute, defraud, corrupt, slander, revile, injure, envy, or hate any human being -- even my worst enemy; never, in any manner, to violate the dictates of pure chastity; never to take or administer an oath ; never to manufacture, buy, sell, deal out, or use any intoxicating liquor as a beverage; never to serve in the army, navy, or militia of any nation, state, or chieftain; never to bring an action at law, hold office, vote, join a legal posse, petition a legislature, or ask governmental interposition, in any case involving a final authorized resort to physical violence ; never to indulge self-will, bigotry, love of pre-eminence, covetousness, deceit, profanity, idleness, or an unruly tongue; never to par- ticipate in lotteries, games of chance, betting, or pernicious amusements; never to resent reproof, or justify myself in a known wrong; never to aid, abet, or approve others in any thing sinful; but, through divine assistance, always to recommend and promote, with my entire influence, the holiness and happiness of all mankind."

REMARKS ON THE PREAMBLE, ETC.

The chief peculiarities noticeable in this preamble are the follow- ing : -

1. Dissatisfaction with the righteousness of so-called Christian civilization, in respect to the virtues and ends of pure religion, morality, and philanthropy, and an aim to illustrate a much higher righteousness.

2. Deprecation of prevalent vices and disorders in the present social state, or order of general society, and a desire to withstand and reform them.

3. Aspiration to secure the blessings of a more salutary physical, intellectual, and moral education for their posterity.

4. The aim to establish a more attractive, economical, and produc- tive system of industry.

5. A conviction, that, in the established order of society, property is often dishonestly acquired and perniciously used, and a purpose to facilitate its honest acquisition and laudable use.

6. All these objects were to be sought and promoted by voluntary association; not by political action, legislative enactments, legal penalties, and military compulsion. The supreme intention was, not to get possession of civil government, and compel the multitude to accept their proposed reforms, but by hearty, voluntary, practical, Christian efforts on their own social platform to show " a more ex- cellent way " for general adoption. Their mission was not to destroy

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PECULIARITIES OF THE COMMUNITY.

or impair the good already extant in civilized society of the estab- lished order, but peaceably to transcend and correct its radical defects. It was the very opposite of red revolutionism, governmental socialism, and compulsory communism, - a strictly beneficent move- ment, to be prosecuted by strictly beneficent means, and in a strictly Christ-like spirit. This more fully appears in their declaration of faith, principles, and duties. What are the prominent peculiarities of that declaration ?

1. Every member must deliberately and cordially profess to believe in the religion of Jesus Christ, as he taught and exemplified it, ac- cording to the Scriptures of the New Testament.

2. Every member must deliberately and cordially acknowledge him or her self bound by the holy requirements of that religion, never, under any pretext whatsoever, to kill, enslave, oppress, injure, harm, or hate any human being, even the worst of enemies ;

Never to violate the dictates of pure chastity ;

Never to take or administer an oath ;

Never to use, or aid others in using, any intoxicating liquor as a beverage ;

Never to serve, aid in, or encourage war, or preparations for war ;

Never to bring an action at law, hold office, vote, join a legal posse, petition a legislature, or ask governmental interposition, in any case involving a final authorized resort to physical violence;

But, through divine assistance, always to recommend and promote the holiness and happiness of all mankind.

I refrain from further specification, because many of the duties acknowledged would not be questioned by religionists and moralists generally. Perhaps one or two duties that I have specified may be considered too common to be called distinguishing peculiarities. The others must be recognized as such; i.e., with respect to what is held justifiable by the masses of people in Church and State. Primi- tive Christians, of the first and second centuries, held substantially the same views of duty. And so have some individuals, classes, and sects in succeeding ages. I except all such from the vast majority. The multitude of thinkers, both common and professional, must naturally regard the code of righteousness embodied in the above declaration, especially the obligation to love even the worst of enemies, and to abstain from all dernier-ressorts to physical violence even in self-defence, not only as utterly impracticable, but radically false and absurd. And those who feel some respect for me, as a man of decent common-sense and intelligence, may perhaps inquire : How could you arrive at such conclusions, and propose such a moral code for subscription ? I will try to explain.

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History of the town of Milford, Worcester county, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1881, Part 31

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