USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Norton > History of the town of Norton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, from 1669 to 1859 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
Mr. Avery, still smarting under the wounds he had received by, as he thought, and as we think, his unjust dismissal from the pastoral office, probably declined to deliver up the covenant and records thus demanded. Hence, after some months' waiting, on the second day of October, 1749, at a church-meeting, -
" 2ly, The Church voted that Dea. Benjamin Hodges and Benja. Cobb be a committee to go to Mr. Joseph Avery, and demand the Church-Covenant that this Church entered into when thay were first settled; as also all the Church- records : and, in case he delivers them up to sd. Commit- tee, thay to give a proper receipt for them. And, in case sd. Mr. Avery refuse or delay to deliver sd. Covenant and records, that the sd. Committee are impowred, in the name and behalf of the Church, to Commence an action, or as many actions as they shall think needful, for the recovering sd. Covenant and records out of his hands; and to Prosecute sd. action or actions in the law, from Court to Court, untill they have got them; and to appeal, in the name and stead of this Church, in any Court or Courts; to carry on sd. action, and to appeall from any Judgment that shall be made up against this church in that affayre."
How the matter was adjusted we have no informa- tion. All we know is, that, at an earlier or later day, the church came into the possession of the documents alluded to. The supply of the pulpit now became a matter of importance to both church and parish. Hence the church - which was always expected, I believe, to take the lead in these matters - met April 17, 1749 ; and, " 3ly, They voted that Coll. George Leonard, Samuel Deane, Benjamin Cope- land, shall be a committee, to join with a committee that shall be chose by the precint, to provide mini- sters to supply the pulpit."
On the same day, the parish add Capt. William Stone, John Wild, and Deacon Benjamin Hodges, to this com- mittee of the church. A candidate is procured. He
12
134
ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
came and preached a few Sundays ; was acceptable to a portion of the parish and church.
They are now about to choose a gospel teacher. It is with them a momentous affair, a solemn event ; and they would not undertake such a work without due preparation. The special interposition of the Almighty must be invoked; and hence, June 12, 1749, the church " voted that thirsday, the twenti-second of this instant June, should be held as a day of fasting and praier to God for his direction in the settling a pastor over them."
On the same day, June 12, Joshua Pomroy, Ebene- zer Eddy, John Briggs, 2d, Benjamin Cobb, Josiah Newland, Benjamin Copeland, Benjamin Newcomb, Bartholemew Burt, John Briggs, 3d, Daniel Braman, Jonathan Knap, Samuel Dean, Sylvanus Braman, Seth Smith, and Benjamin Hodges, petition the Precinct Committee to call a precinct-meeting "To make choice of some man that is a Learned ortherdox man to settel in ye worke of ye Gospell minestry amongst us of sd. Precent."
The fast is, no doubt, observed with becoming so- lemnities. They are now ready to take action. July 3, 1749, at a church-meeting, -
"3ly, The church voted, whereas this church was setled a congregational church, and have voted the church-platforme for their Rule of discipline, they do now make choice of Mr. Eliakim Willis to setell with them in the minestry, and to be their paster ; and this church to be governed acording to the rule of discipline as sett fourth in sd. Church-platforme."
On the same day, the parish concurred in the choice of Mr. Willis as their minister, and -
" Made choice of George Leonard, Esqr., Capt. Simeon Wetherell, and Mr. Benjamin Cobb, to be a Committee to Present a copy of the sd. church and precint's votes in makeing choice of him for theyr minister, and do theyr Endeavor to obtain him to come and Preach with us; and also to treet with sd. Mr. Willis about his settling with us, and make Re- port at the next Precint-meeting; and to obtain some minister to supply the Pulpit untill Mr. Willis can come."
135
ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
There is a minority who are opposed.
" Capt. Wm. Stone appeared, and protested against the chusing Mr. Willis to be our minister. John Wild, Natha- niell Dunham, Ebenezer Burt, Eliphalet Hodges, Edmund Hodges, Nehemiah Fisher, and James Godfrey, protested against chusing Mr. Willis or any other minister at this time. Samuell Clapp, Junior, protests against chusing Mr. Willis, or any other, without further tryall. Thomas morey protests against chusing any that we have heard already."
But the majority, having chosen a minister, seem determined to settle him, if possible. They call a parish-meeting, Aug. 21, 1749, and " Voted that they would give to Mr. Eliakim Willis 400 pounds, old Tenner, for a settlement." They voted to give him three hundred pounds, in bills of credit of the old tenor or other money, a year for his salary, to be as good as bills of credit of this Province of the old tenor now are, in proportion to silver at fifty-five shillings an ounce, provided he settled with them in the work of the ministry.
They also voted that George Leonard, Esq., Capt. William Stone, and Mr. Benjamin Cobb, should be a committee to present these votes to Mr. Eliakim Willis for his acceptance.
Mr. Willis declined settling in the following note :- "To the first chh. of christ in norton, and the society usually meeting with them : grace, mercy, and Peace.
" Honr'd and Beloved, -
" Whereas you gave me an Invitation (some time since) to settle with you in the work of the gospel ministry, with proposals inconsiderable and insufficient for a subsistance therein, - These, therefore, are to inform you, that I am convinced it is not my duty to comply with your Invitation. that the great Head of the church would, in due time, be pleased to Favour you with a wise and faithful Pastor, is the desire and Prayer of your Friend and Brother in the Faith and Fellowship of the gospel,
" ELIAKIM WILLIS.
" DARTMOUTH, Sepr. 16th, 1749.
"To Deacon Briggs, to be communicated to ye chh. and society of ye South Precinct in Norton."
136
ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
Of Mr. Willis I have been able to obtain but little in- formation. He is supposed to have been born in Dart- mouth, in this county, Jan. 9, 1714. He came from there when he entered college; and that place seems to have been his home when he preached at Norton. He entered Harvard College at the age of eighteen, and graduated from that institution'in 1735. He was ordained pastor over the second parish in Malden (which has since been united with the first), Oct. 25, 1752; and died March 14, 1801, aged eighty-seven. 1
From receipts now in my possession, - one dated May 22, the other Dec. 28, 1849, - it appears that Mr. Willis preached seventeen sabbaths in Norton during that year.
The declination of the call to settle by Mr. Willis, no doubt, was a source of gratification to one party, and a disappointment to the other. A new candidate must now be procured to run the gauntlet between the opposing factions of church and parish.
The curtain of oblivion happily hides from our view most of their private bickerings; and we have no desire to uplift it. It withdraws itself, however, suf- ficiently often to enable us to understand the actual state of affairs.
Though without a minister, the parish are deter- mined to maintain the stated worship of God.
Feb. 5, 1749-50, it was "voted to raise four hundred pounds, old tenor, to Pay for supplying ye pulpit in sd. Precint ; " and, at the same time, Lieut. Benjamin Cobb, John Briggs, 2d, and Jonathan Lincoln, were chosen a committee to join with a committee of the church in supplying the pulpit. But, still, bitter- ness and discord reign in the parish. A movement was made by the disaffected ones to divide the precinct. In the mean time, a candidate had been preaching, and his friends desired to settle him. On the 5th of March, 1749-50, the church chose Joseph Roberts for their minister. A parish-meeting is warned to meet
1 Interleaved Triennial Catalogues of John L. Sibley, and Rev. J. Pierce, D.D.
137
ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
March 20, to act upon the above vote of the church ; and also to act upon the petition of the east part of the south precinct, that said precinct be divided into two precincts, or parishes.
At the meeting, March 20, "after a long debate on the Petition of some of the inhabitants of ye Easterly Part of this Precint, there was a vote called for to know whether they would act any further on sd. Petition; and it Passed in the negative."
At this meeting, the parish concur with the church in inviting Mr. Roberts to be their minister. They offer him as a settlement one hundred pounds, lawful money ; half to be paid the first, and half the second year after his ordination.
" And also the sum of sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings, and fourpence, Lawful silver money, or other money or Bills of Credit, Equal in value thareto, that Pass current in Pay- ments between man and man, at the Respective times of Payments; which he shall have each and every year, so long as he Continues with us in the work and office of the ministry."
George Leonard, Esq., Capt. Simeon Wetherell, and Deacon Benjamin Hodges, were appointed a committee " to waight on Mr. Joseph Roberts, and Present him a copy of the abovesd. Precint's vote, and to treet with him about his settling," &c.
Mr. Roberts takes time to consider upon the matter ; and, in a letter, declines in these words : -
" To the Church of Christ here in Norton; wishing grace, mercy, and Peace.
" As you, the first Church of Christ, and the Congregation appertaining unto you, Some time since gave me, the sub- scriber, an Invitation to settle with you in the work of the Gospell ministry, as your Pastor and minister, - these may signify unto you, that I have deliberated upon this Important affayer, and advised both with Relations and others; and from some things in this Place, as well as a disinclination to settle here, under some circumstances, among you, I am in- clined, and think it best, to determine in the Negative. And
12*
138
ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
although I have not been able to let you know this before now, is because I have been Greatly Perplexed in. my mind about you and the other place, where I have a call to settle, whereby I have been at the greatest nonplus what to do. I hope none of the People of this Place will either be offended or Grieved with me in not giving my answer sooner, since Providence prevented by sickness, and my being perplexed with two calls at one and the same time. I conclude this Reply to your Invitation in the words of the apostle : ' Finally, brethren, farewell ! be perfect; be of Good com- fort ; be of one mind; live in Peace; and the God of love and Peace shall be with you.'
"I am yours, &c., "JOSEPH ROBERTS.
" NORTON, September 29th, 1750."
The internal dissensions to which he alluded had, no doubt, a great influence in causing him to give a negative answer. We hope the people profited by his apostolic exhortation at the close of his letter.
Mr. Roberts was from Boston, where he was born Jan. 8, 1718. He graduated at Harvard, 1741 ; and was ordained at Leicester, Oct. 23, 1754; being the third minister settled in that place. But, ere eight years had elapsed, difficulties arose between him and his people, " which were referred to an Eccl. Council, who recommended a dissolution of the Pastoral Con- nection." He was accordingly dismissed Dec. 15, 1762. After his dismissal, he removed to Weston ; and died there April 30, 1811, aged ninety-three (?). " His mental powers were of a high order; and, for many years, he was a useful man in civil life."-" He took an active part in the American Revolution, as one of the committee of the town to enlist and provide for the soldiers. He was a member of the Convention that formed the Constitution of Massachusetts ; and, after his death, there was found among his papers a draught, in his own handwriting, of a form of govern- ment, many of the provisions of which have been incorporated into our present State Constitution. He represented the town of Weston several years in the General Court. He lived and died a bachelor. His
139
ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
usefulness and respectability were much diminished by being connected with a speculation in business, by which he became involved in lawsuits, and lost much of his property. His temper was soured, and he be- came disgusted with the world; so that he retired, and spent the remainder of his days, as a hermit, in obscurity." 1
From a receipt given March 21, 1749-50, it is in- ferred that he had then preached in Norton thirteen Sundays. From the parish-records, we conclude that he preached more than thirteen sabbaths.
Again the parish must go forth in quest of a candi- date.
Aug. 15, 1751, the parish "Voted that no person shall preach in the meeting-house in sd. Precint but such as shall be procured by the Committee of sd. Pre- cint and Church, till the further order of this Precint;" and, to make the matter doubly sure, they vote " that the key shall be delivered to sd. Comtee." This shows that harmony was not yet restored to the parish.
On the 30th of August, 1751, the church gave a call to Mr. Elijah Lathrop to settle as their minister ; and, on the 30th of September following, the parish concur in the choice, and offer Mr. Lathrop, as a settlement, £133. 6s. 8d. lawful money, and £66. 13s. 4d. yearly salary. George Leonard, Esq., Mr. Benjamin Cobb, and Deacon Benjamin Hodges, were " chosen a com- mittee to present a coppy of ye above-written votes to ye abovesaid Mr. Lathrop, and to treet with him about settling with them as abovesd." Mr. Lathrop did not accept the call. No written answer to the invitation has been found. He was born in Windham, Conn., about the year 1724. He was educated at Yale Col- lege, and graduated from that institution in 1749. In 1752, he was settled over the "Gilead Society" in Hebron, Conn., as a Congregational minister.
" He performed the duties of a priest, to the acceptance of his people, until 1797; when he died, aged seventy-three.
1 American Quarterly Register, vol. x. pp. 60, 61.
140
ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
His moral character was good ; his talents, an average of country clergymen, whose services were purchased for life for a small farm, a house, $250, and twenty cords of wood, per year, during life." 1
Other candidates now entered the field : none, how- ever, are invited till the willing candidate is found of whom we shall speak in the succeeding chapter.
From receipts by them signed for services rendered, it is certain that six other individuals preached in Norton during the time the church was destitute of a pastor. Whether all preached as candidates is un- certain : probably all did not. I have been able to ascertain a few items, in the history of these indi- viduals, which may not be altogether uninteresting to the reader; and therefore take the liberty to record them in this connection. Mr. Edward Bass preached at Norton " four sabbaths and one Fast Day " previous to July 8, 1749. He was born in Dorchester, Nov. 23, 1726. He entered Harvard College before he was fourteen years old, and graduated from that college in 1744. After graduating, he taught school till he took the degree of A.M. In 1752, by invitation of the Episcopal society of Newburyport, he went to England ; and, on the 24th of May of that year, " was ordained by the excellent Dr. Thomas Sherlock, then Bishop of London." He returned, and took charge of the society in Newbury, the same year. In 1796, he was unani- mously elected, by the Episcopal churches of Massa- chusetts, to the office of bishop; and was consecrated in Christ's Church, May 7, 1797. He was afterwards elected Bishop of Rhode Island; and the churches in New Hampshire put themselves under his jurisdiction. He died September, 1803, after an illness of two days, aged almost seventy-seven. "He was a sound divine, a critical scholar, an accomplished gentleman, and an exemplary Christian." 2
1 Letter of Hon. John S. Peters, M.D.
2 See Sibley's Interleaved Triennial; Massachusetts Historical Collec- tions, vol. ix .; and Rev. James Morss's Sermon at Newburyport, Jan. 6, 1811.
141
ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
Previous to Oct. 8, 1749, Mr. Thomas Jones preached in Norton "three sabbaths and the Thanksgiving." He was from Dorchester, and was born April 20, 1721 ; graduated at Harvard, 1741. He was invited by the church to settle in Stoughton; but " the precinct, being equally divided, were unable to obtain a vote of con- currence.1 He was ordained at Woburn, Jan. 2, 1751; and died suddenly, on sabbath-day, March 13, 1774, of apoplexy, with which he was seized in the pulpit, at the close of the prayer in the morning service." 2
Mr. Naphtali Daggett preached four Sundays before Oct. 29, 1750. He was born in Attleborough, Sept. 8, 1727; and was the second of eight children. His father died when he was quite young. In 1748, he graduated from Yale College; and, in 1751, was ordained at Smithton, L.I. In September, 1755, he was chosen Professor of Divinity at Yale; and from Sept. 10, 1766, to April 1, 1777, he was the acting president of the college. When the British attacked New Haven, in July, 1779, he took an active part in the defence of the town ; and died (in consequence of wounds received on that occasion) Nov. 25, 1780, aged fifty-three. He is reported to have been " a good clas- sical scholar, well versed in moral philosophy, and a learned divine." 3
Jonathan Dorby preached at Norton, "April 14th and 21st," 1751. He was the son of Capt. Eleazer and Mary (Cushing) Dorby, of Boston ; and was born Sept. 13, 1726; graduated at Harvard, 1747; was settled over the Second Church in Scituate, Nov. 13, 1751. He went to Hingham to exchange with Rev. Mr. Gay, and was there taken with a fever at the house of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln's father; and died after an illness of five days, April 22, 1754, aged twenty-eight. He is described as " a man of moderate stature, fair complexion, round features, and blue eyes ;
1 E. Richmond's Sermon on leaving the Old Church in Stoughton, May 22, 1808.
2 See Interleaved Triennials at Harvard-College Library ; and American Quarterly Register, vol. xi.
8 See Daggett's History of Attleborough.
142
SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND
in his manners, graceful and winning; using much familiarity. in his intercourse with his people, without disgusting ; and entering their dwellings like a son and a brother. As a preacher, he was lively and in- teresting." 1
Joseph Green, jun., supplied the pulpit in Norton " nine days, in the year 1751." . He was born in Barnstable, Sept. 12, 1727 ; and was the son of Rev. Joseph Green, of that town. He graduated at Har- vard, 1746; was ordained at Marshfield, Feb. 21, 1753; and resigned his pastoral office, Jan. 9, 1759. He was subsequently installed over the First Church in Yarmouth, Sept. 15, 1762; and died Nov. 5, 1768.2
Mr. Samuel Angier preached at Norton before Feb. 3, 1752, - probably not as a candidate. He was born at Cambridge, July 15, 1722; and was the son of Edmund Angier. He graduated at Har- vard, 1748; and was probably never ordained as a minister. He taught school for a time at Medford ; and died Aug. 23, 1775.2 Whether other unsuccess- ful candidates preached during the vacancy of the pulpit is unknown.
CHAPTER XI.
THE SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND DEATH OF REV. JOSEPH PALMER.
" He tried each art, reproved each dull delay ; Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way."
GOLDSMITH.
THUS far, in their attempts to settle a pastor, disappoint- ments have met the church and parish at every turn. But, though defeated in their laudable and repeated efforts to establish a permanent ministry among them,
1 See Interleaved Triennials at Harvard-College Library, and Deane's History of Scituate.
2 Sibley's and Winthrop's Interleaved Triennials.
143
DEATH OF REV. JOSEPH PALMER.
they were by no means discouraged. With praiseworthy zeal and energy, they pressed on towards the goal of their desire ; and, as a reward of their faithfulness, suc- cess is about to crown with rejoicing the unwearied endeavors to secure a shepherd for the flock.
A candidate has been preaching to them for some weeks. He is acceptable to a large part of the church and parish. The church, agreeably to a long-esta- blished custom, take the initiatory steps to secure his permanent services as a teacher of righteousness. A meeting is duly warned and held. Deacon Benjamin Hodges, who seems, after the dismission of Mr. Avery, to have been a sort of standing moderator of all the church-meetings, was called to preside over the solemn deliberations of the assembled church ; and, no doubt, offered an earnest prayer to God for direction in the important business immediately before them, and for the spirit of union and harmony in the selection of a gospel teacher about to be made. We now quote the record : -
" At a meeting of the first church of Christ in Norton, held at Norton South precint meeting-house on ye 20th day of Aprill, 1752, the said church made choice of Mr. Joseph Palmer to be their minister, and to settle with them in the work of the ministry (this church being a Congregational church) ; And they made choice of Capt. William Stone, John Briggs, and Jonathan Hodges, 2d, a committee to present the above- sd. vote to the first precint or parish in sd. Norton for their concurrence."
On the 11th of May following, at a meeting held for that purpose, the parish ---
" Voted and concurred [in] the before-written vote of sd. church in chuseing Mr. Joseph Palmer for their minister, Provided he settle with them for one hundred and thirty-three pounds, six shillings, and eightpence, Lawful money, as a set- tlement ; one-half thereof to be paid in a year after he shall settle with them, and the other half in two years.
" 3dly, Voted to give the sd. Mr. Palmer the sum of sixty- six pounds, thirteen shillings, and fourpence, Lawful money,
144
SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND
for a salary, yearly and every year, so long as he shall con- tinue and remain their Minister, provided he settle with them as aforesd.
" 4thly, They made choice of George Leonard, Esq., Capts. William Stone, and Simeon Wetherell, and Mr. Benjamin Hodges & Samuel Dean, a committee to present ye abovesd. vote to the Mr. Palmer, and to use their interest with him to settle with them as aforesd."
Mr. Palmer returned the following answer : -
" To the First chh. of Christ in, and Inhabitants of, the first Parish of Norton.
" Dearly Beloved in the Lord, - Inasmuch as it has pleased almighty God, the wise govenour of the world, to per- mit a seperation between you and your late Rev. Pastor ; and, since this seperation, to incline you so far to pursue your own best interest as to be desirous of resettling the Gospel Mini- stry amongst you ; and since he from whom every man's Judg- ment proceeds, who has the Hearts of all men in his Hands, has inclined you to choose me for your minister (unworthy as I am), as appears by a Copy of your Votes some Time since presented to me; and having, as I trust, with a serious Con- cern to promote God's glory & holy kingdom, both in my- self and you, taken into consideration your Invitation of me to settle among you in the work of the gospel ministry, and have been importunate with God for Direction, and asked advice of men, - [I] am determined to accept of your Invita- tion, with only asking that you would please to make an ad- dition to the offers you made me for my support : and that is, viz., to supply me with a sufficiency of firewood; It being no more than what is of late common with Towns and Parishes to do. and, by your granting this, I do accept of your Invita- tion; Trusting in the great Head of the church for assistance in the important service, and in your Goodness for a comfort- able support, if what you have already proposed, and may now farther add for that Purpose, should prove insufficient. Desiring your earnest prayers to God for me,
Joseph Palmer
" CAMBRIDGE, Sept. ye 15th, 1752."
145
DEATH OF REV. JOSEPH PALMER.
This letter was read at a parish-meeting held Sept. 27; and then -
" The sd. Precint voted, that they Look upon what they have already voted to Mr. Joseph Palmer for his support amongst us, in case he should settle with us in the work of a Gospell minister, to be sufficient for his support ; and as much, as we cannot think it our duty at present to give any more : therefore vote not to add any more to it towards Providing of firewood for him; and desire him to accept of what we have already offered."
It is uncertain how the matter was settled : but Mr. Palmer undoubtedly withdrew his request about fire- wood ; for, a few days subsequent to the vote of the precinct, he communicated his final answer. As he was then at Norton, possibly some verbal arrangement rela- tive to firewood might have been made ; but probably not.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.