USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Norton > History of the town of Norton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, from 1669 to 1859 > Part 18
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In his diary he goes on to say, -
" But my keeping closely to the doctrines revealed did not satisfy the leaders of the opposition. They chose to
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DEATH OF REV. PITT CLARKE.
separate, and form themselves into a new society. Five male members of my chh., and six females, asked a dismission ; and, tho' the chh. did not grant it, they formed themselves into another chh., and attended public worship with a new society which they and others organized. This drew me into a critical situation, and very much increased my trials and burdens. But, under all these trials, I endeavored to keep a conscience void of offence toward God and man. Having this witness, I can go down the hill of life with satisfaction, and fear not to meet my opposers at the bar of my Maker. Were they now perfectly acquainted with my motives of action towards them, and my earnest desire to promote the cause of righteousness and truth, I am sure they would acquit me of any designed fault. My heart's desire and prayer to God is, that they may all come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved. The days of my years teach me that the solemn test of my character is near at hand ; that eternity is at my door ; that there is but a step between me and death."
And that step was shorter even than he expected. Though then apparently hale and hearty for a man of his years, yet, in about six weeks, all that was mortal of him was consigned to the tomb. He was " born of the spirit," Feb. 13, 1835, at the age of threescore and twelve years, after a ministry of forty-one years, seven months, and ten days.
On Sunday, Feb. 15, the funeral services took place at the meeting-house, where, for so many years, he had ministered at the altar of God. The sermon was preached by Rev. Andrew Bigelow, of Taunton; which was printed, together with some extracts from the diary of the deceased. Dr. Bigelow, who was with him in his last sickness, in his "Funeral Sermon," p. 15, says, -
" Never have I beheld a death-bed scene more sublimely edifying - more Christianly serene, sustained, and consoling - than that of the aged servant of Christ who sleeps in death . before us. Truly his latter end was PEACE. He knew in whom he believed, and 'endured as seeing Him who is in- visible.' The Being whom he served shed down into his soul the gladsome tokens of his presence. Supports he expe- rienced which the world could not give; which flesh and
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF REV. PITT CLARKE. 185
sense were incapable of administering; but which death itself could not take away. 'My heart is fixed,' he exultingly ex- claimed, 'my heart is fixed, -- trusting, O Lord ! in thee. I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.' And he sunk from life, to rest in peace and sleep in the 'blessed hope.'"
It is pleasant to linger in the atmosphere of so Chris- tian a man. With much reluctance does our pen cease to do homage to his virtue, his unaffected, Christ-like character. We can well understand why his name is so fondly cherished and revered by those whose envia- ble privilege it was to partake of the heavenly manna that fell from his lips. It remains for us, in this chapter, to say that the number of admissions into the church during his ministry was one hundred and fifty- four : the number of children baptized was two hun- dred and eighty-four.1
CHAPTER XIV.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND OBITUARY NOTICES OF REV. PITT CLARKE.
" I venerate the man whose heart is warm ; Whose hands are pure; whose doctrines and whose life, Coincident, exhibit lucid proof That he is honest in the sacred cause." - COWPER.
WE shall in this chapter introduce the autobiography of Mr. Clarke, written about three years before his
1 During his lifetime, several of his sermons were printed. Among his publications, we will name a Thanksgiving Sermon, preached in 1795; a Sermon at the ordination of Sylvester F. Bucklin at Marlborough, Nov. 2, 1808; a Discourse before the Norton Female Christian Association, June 3, 1818; a Sermon at Mansfield, on the Sunday following the interment of Mr. Ebenezer Warren, who died Jan. 1, 1824; a Sermon on the formation of a new heart, printed in L. C. Bowles's Monthly Publications of Sermons, May, 1830; a Sermon in Exposition of John i. 1, in 1832; and the Right Hand of Fellowship at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Pipon at Taunton, in 1800.
16*
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF REV. PITT CLARKE.
death ; also some obituary notices of him, &c .; which will serve to illustrate his character, and show the es- timation in which he was held by the community where he was best known.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
" I was born in Medfield, Jan. 15, 1763.1 My father's name was Jacob. He had nothing to recommend him beyond the reputation of being an honest man, an industrious farmer, and practical Christian. He was one of three brothers, whose grandfather came from England, and settled in the north of Wrentham, which was then comparatively a wilderness. My grandfather came to Medfield, and purchased a farm in the south part of that town by his own industry.
" He had three sons and three daughters. He gave his sons the names of Nathan, Jacob, and David, from a kind of veneration for those scriptural characters. They all bore the name of being honest, industrious, and devout. There ever appeared to me to be a perfect harmony and endearing inter- course between them. My mother's name was originally Meletiah Hammant; which, rightly spelt, is Hammond. Her predecessors bore the same reputation with my father's. She was my father's second wife.
" My mother was of a different texture from my father. He was naturally cheerful and social. She was of a feeble, gloomy, nervous make, and pious almost to superstition. At times, she was so fearful of not living up to that profession of religion which she early made, as to sink almost into despair. This was owing to a great diffidence of herself, united with her nervous affections. She was not only pious in mind, but devout in practice.
" She always set a good example before her children, who were three sons and four daughters. She instilled into their minds, when very young, the first principles of religion ; and expressed the greatest concern in giving them pious feelings. I feel much indebted to my parents for my early dedication to God in baptism, and my early habits of attention to religious institutions. Especially I feel many obligations to my mother for the many early religious impressions I received from her
1 On his gravestone, it is stated that he was born Jan. 5. This is doubt- less an error; for, in his diary, he always speaks of Jan. 15 as his birth- day. .
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF REV. PITT CLARKE.
pious example. I often witnessed, when a small child, her secret prayers ; and, when unobserved by her, would sink [down] in the spirit of mental and private devotion. This led me into early habits of calling upon God, morning and evening; and of committing to memory a variety of prayers to assist my devotions. This habit of secret prayer never entirely forsook me; tho', I acknowledge with shame, I have not always practised it so constantly and fervently as I ought.
" My grandfather had an exalted opinion of the great Pitt in his mother country, on account of his distinguished pleas for American liberty. Out of regard to this eloquent friend of America, my grandfather would tell me he gave me my name, and flatter me with the idea of going to college. How far this operated to raise my ambition for study, when a child, I cannot say. I early felt a desire to learn, and was am- bitious to excel my classmates. When very young, my master told me I must study the Latin, and go to college. I obtained the consent of my father to begin the first book in Latin when between ten and eleven years old. But I did not continue the study of the language longer than the town- school continued. This was owing to two causes. One was the deranged state of the academies and colleges, on account of the Revolutionary war: the other was the embarrassed condition of my father. In the first of the Revolution, Bos- ton was besieged, and the college entirely broken up. Then there was not the least encouragement of obtaining a public education. I gave up my studies, went to work on the farm at home, and occasionally abroad on wages; laying aside what I could against a time of need for an education. When old enough to be enrolled in the Militia Bill, I was called to go as a soldier on a sudden expedition to Rhode Island. The British had taken possession of the island, and were directing their devastations towards Massachusetts. The alarm came, and the militia were called upon to meet their attacks, and drive them from the island. In this expedition, I was every day expecting to meet the enemy in the hottest battle; but, just before it came to our turn to fight, the British were driven from their stronghold, and evacuated the island. I returned home to my father's farm. As soon as the war ter- minated, and the college was restored to its regular state, I again entertained the hope of resuming my studies. But another circumstance occurred to disappoint me. My father's house unfortunately took fire, and was consumed, together
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF REV. PITT CLARKE.
with nearly all the furniture and fall provisions. It was in November, 1779.
" All the little that I had laid aside was destroyed. I felt myself stript and naked. But from the calamity I learned some of the best lessons. My father, however, was thrown into such immediate embarrassment, that I dismissed all thoughts of pursuing my studies, and was under the necessity of returning to hard labor for a few years. When I arrived at the age of twenty-one, and felt the liberty of acting for myself, I resumed the courage of setting out for an education. I had procured a little to begin with by working at common wages, which my father gave me: and he promised to assist me some more, if he should be able; tho' it could be but little. I studied partly at home, and partly with Miss Hannah Adams, who lived near by, and to whom I recited my lessons. Under her tuition principally, I fitted for college, and was ad- mitted into Cambridge University about a year after I com- menced my studies, - July 22, 1786.
" I had the good fortune of being a member of a large and respectable class, many of whom were of the first talent, and much the greater part of good characters. Another cir- cumstance was much in my favor. The most distinguished scholars in my class were, like myself, in limited circum- stances, and the most popular. On this account, the best part of the class set the example of prudence in expenses ; and there was no disparagement in it. By receiving help from the charitable funds, and teaching schools, I made my way thro' college without much assistance from my father. I received the honors of the University, July 21, 1790.
" Being in debt for my college expenses, I engaged the town-school in Cambridge, and continued in it two years ; at the same time, pursuing my theological studies. These studies had been my predilection before I entered college, and were a leading object of attention through my college-life. Be- fore I left the school, I was examined by the Cambridge Association of Ministers, and approbated to preach April 17, 1792. I preached occasionally in neighboring towns while I continued in the school ; and, before I closed it, received an application to supply the vacant parish in Norton. I com- menced preaching in this place as soon as I left the school, - the following August. It was the first place of my preaching on probation.
" Having preached here only four sabbaths, the church in Norton gave me an invitation to settle among them as their
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF REV. PITT CLARKE.
gospel minister. The invitation was so sudden and unex- pected, that I at first felt ready to reject it. It being, how- ever, of such a serious nature, I took it into consideration ; and consented to supply the pulpit myself, or by proxy, till I gave my answer. I found the people much divided. They had heard many candidates, and could not unite on any one. The opposition to me, at first, was formidable. I could not satisfy the minds of those called orthodox. On this account, the society postponed their meeting, to concur with the church, for several months, on condition I would continue to preach with them longer. It being winter, and bad moving about, I consented to tarry with them till spring. This gave us an opportunity to become acquainted with each other: and, upon this farther acquaintance, the opposition in a great measure subsided ; and there was nearly a unanimous invitation from church and society for me to become their pastor.1 The union was so great, I could not feel it my duty to give a negative answer; altho' the pecuniary encouragement ap- peared too small. I was ordained July 3, 1793, - a solemn day to me. My deepest impression was, that I was insuffi- cient for these things. I felt the force of that passage, 1 Kings iii. 7, ' I know not how to go out or come in before the people.' This was the subject of my first discourse after ordination.
" Having been ordained about two years, I found the cur- rency so much depreciated, that my salary was inadequate to my support. This was intimated to individuals, who circu- lated the report, that I could not continue with them much longer, unless some more pecuniary encouragement should be given. In consequence of this alarm, a universal disposition was shown to afford me voluntary assistance. From this en- couragement I purchased a building spot, and about twenty acres of land entirely uncleared and unfenced. By the assistance of my parishioners, part of it was cleared up, and a house built, tho' unfinished.2 On Feb. 1, 1798, I was mar- ried to Rebecca Jones, the youngest daughter of John Jones,
1 This was not probably formally, but rather informally, expressed; for I can find no allusion to any invitation to settle, after the one given Oct. 12, 1792, by the church, and concurred in by the parish on the 19th of Novem- ber following, as mentioned in a preceding chapter.
2 From memoranda which he kept in Larkin's Pocket Register and Al- manack for 1796, it appears that he "made a purchase of some land for a settlement," on the 6th of September of that year; and, in the " P.M., 34 persons came to clear it up." Sept. 22, " 32 of my parishioners voluntarily
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF REV. PITT CLARKE.
Esq., of Hopkinton. ... After a long and distressing pul- monic consumption, she died March 2, 1811. She continued in the full exercise of her strong mental powers to the very last moment of life. I was married the second time, Nov. 12, 1812 [to Mary Jones Stimson]. She was the daughter of Doctor Jeremy Stimson [of Hopkinton], who married an elder sister of my former wife." 1
This autobiography was written in 1832, under the date of Jan. 15, - the day he entered upon his seven- tieth year. Mr. Clarke gives the following as the reason for writing it :-
" As I have arrived so near threescore years and ten, - the common age of man fixed by my Maker, - I am moved
worked on my land to prepare it for ploughing." Sept. 29, it appears that twenty-two persons, with twenty-four cattle, were engaged in "ploughing part of what they had before cleared," and in " digging stone." Oct. 6, " 26 oxen and 11 hands ploughing, and drawing stone." Oct. 12, " 40 oxen and 18 hands " at work; "only two yoke and three hands at my expense." Oct. 17, " 13 men, with 30 oxen, ploughed again for me, and harrowed in two acres of rye." Nov. 8, " 4 of my parish laid up wall for me, and two cut up brush." Nov. 10, " commenced the digging of my well." Dec. 16, " A number of hands cut down a greater part of ye timber for my house, and brought some of it to a place for building." "Dec. 24, " Concluded ye digging of my well." Dec. 22, "moved to Judge Leonard's." In December of 1796, Mr. Clarke bought more land, bordering upon what he purchased in September; for which he paid $627.50. His house was built about a fourth of a mile from the meeting-house, on the Mansfield road, during the year 1797. It is now owned by Nathaniel Freeman. The amount he received in 1796, " from individuals, towards clearing up land, plowing, &c.," was $131.82. In 1797, it appears that he received, "in materials for building, labor, team-work, provisions, &c.," $255.61; and, in nine subsequent years, he received, "in provisions, labor, wood, &c.," $196.37. I am told, that, at one time during the ministry of Mr. Clarke, Judge Leonard agreed to give him as much wood as the people of his parish would cut and draw in one day. The people entered into the matter with great earnestness; and, as soon as the day dawned, Mr. Leonard's wood-lot was filled with men and teams; and, before night, wood enough was drawn to Mr. Clarke's door to last him some three or four years. Mr. Clarke, after purchasing his farm, and up to the time of his death, labored personally upon it with untiring dili- gence (thus keeping his health good and his constitution vigorous); and, by his industry and frugality, saved quite a little property for a country minister. It was valued, at his death, at $10,000. During his whole mi- nistry, he was seldom absent from his pulpit on Sunday from any cause. He was also very punctual in the fulfilment of any engagements, - never being behind the appointed hour.
1 By his first wife, Mr. Clarke had five children: viz., Abigail Morton, now the wife of J. J. Stimson, Esq., of Providence, R.I .; William Pitt, who resides at Ashland; John Jones, who resides at Roxbury; Caroline, who died in infancy ; George Leonard, who died in infancy. By his second wife, he had four: viz., George Leonard, who resides at Providence, R.I .; Harriet, who died, aged one day; Manlius Stimson, who resided in Boston, where he died a few years since; Edward Hammond, who resides at Boston.
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to leave behind me a short memoir of my life. I dare not neglect it any longer, for fear. of death, - I am so near the boundary of human existence. I am not led to do this from the impression that any thing in my life will be worthy of notice, but from a desire to bequeathe to my children a brief memorial of their humble origin."
It would be an excellent idea for all parents to leave a similar legacy to their children. What child would not prize such an AUTOBIOGRAPHY of a father ?
We will now introduce extracts from one or two obituary notices published soon after his death : -
" He has, besides his faithful labors as a minister of the gospel, fitted many young men for college; and had the charge and instruction of a number of students of the Uni- versity, who have at different times been suspended from that institution, and directed to pursue their studies under his care. Mr. Clarke was remarkable for his habits of industry and order. He was uniformly an early riser ; and thus ac- complished much which many others leave undone, or but poorly performed. He was greatly respected for his sound judgment and wise counsel in all affairs of importance, and particularly in such as related to ecclesiastical affairs, and to the interests of literature, morals, and religion. His whole character as a minister was not only entirely without re- proach, but in all respects most exemplary. His preaching was always serious, impressive, and evangelical. It is worthy of remark, that though there were, from the beginning of his ministry, some of his parishioners who did not fully approve of his doctrinal views, yet by the seriousness and earnestness of his ministrations, together with his attentive, affectionate, and truly Christian deportment as a minister, he commanded their esteem and confidence, and preserved uniform har- mony among his people till near the close of his ministry ; when the spirit of division, so generally prevalent through the country, seizing on some unfortunate local occurrences (but in no respect touching his character as a man or a mini- ster), caused a schism in his parish, such as had before taken place in almost all of the parishes in the Common- wealth. The large body of his people, however, remained with him, and rallied the more earnestly around him. By witnessing the meek and truly Christian temper with which he endured the trial, and his untiring activity and zeal in the
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF REV. PITT CLARKE.
discharge of all his duties, they felt the obligation to give renewed tokens of their attachment and confidence. Among these, one of great importance, and which was in a high degree gratifying to him, was the preparations that were in forwardness at the time of his decease for the erection of a new and more commodious place of worship.
" Mr. Clarke's last illness, which was a lung fever, was of short duration. But one Sunday intervened between his last public ministrations and the day of his burial.
" He retained his faculties to the last, and was fully aware of his approaching end. Though he had much to attach him to life, he was still resigned, calm, and happy in the view of his approaching death.
" The principles of the religion he preached, and so fully exemplified in his life, sustained him, and filled him with joyful hope in the hour of death." 1
" This excellent man, whose loss will be long and sin- cerely mourned, continued in the active discharge of his pastoral duties till the week previous to his decease. He preached to his congregation on the first sabbath of the present month ; and officiated, on the day following, at the interment of a parishioner. In the evening subsequently, he was seized with the symptoms of his fatal malady. His illness he bore with exemplary fortitude. He early foresaw its inevitable issue, yet calmly resigned himself to the will of his Maker. Relying upon the promises of the gospel, his hope of im- mortality was bright.
" Having lived the life of the righteous, his 'latter end' was peace. The usefulness of this good man was felt and appreciated beyond the bounds of his parish. He has left a large circle of friends, who loved and honored him while living, and who will embalm in fond remembrance the many estimable traits of his character and life." 2
" He was tenderly interested in the welfare of the young. The cause of education could not fail to be an object dear to his heart. At the time of his demise, he was enrolled with various associations, - literary and philanthropic, as well as religious, - in several of which he was a prominent officer, and in all of them a diligent and valued co-adjutor.
1 Christian Register of Feb. 21, 1835.
2 Taunton Whig and Reporter of Feb. 18, 1835.
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THE CONGREGATIONAL PARISH.
" As Vice-President of the County Bible Society, he lent it an efficient and cordial support. Filling the same relation to the Board of Trustees at Bristol Academy, - at whose de- liberations he oftened assisted, - he contributed essentially to the prosperity of the institution, and anxiously watched the progress and improvement of the minds and morals of its pupils. In ecclesiastical councils, at which he frequently presided, his opinions were regarded with uncommon defer- ence, as the counsels of a sound, sage, candid, and discrimi- nating mind." 1
Here we must take leave of him who was -
" Bound to no sect, to no one party tied; To sons of God in every clime allied."
CHAPTER XV.
RECENT MINISTRY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL PARISH.
" For modes of faith, let graceless zealots fight : His can't be wrong whose life is in the right."
POPE.
BY the death of Mr. Clarke, the pulpit, for the third time in more than a hundred and twenty years, is made vacant; and the maintenance of the Christian ministry and ordinances becomes a question of anxious solicitude to the parish. At the annual meeting, March 30, 1835, - a little more than a month after the death of their late revered pastor, - the society voted that the Standing Committee should supply the pulpit. From receipts and other papers in my possession, it appears that A. Davis preached two Sundays ; Daniel C. Sanders, three ; Nathaniel Whitman, four; Mr. Lakeman, two; and Mr. Richardson, one, - up to the close of the following July.
1 Dr. Bigelow's Funeral Sermon.
17
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RECENT MINISTRY OF
On the 2d of August, 1835, Asarelah Morse Bridge commenced preaching as a candidate. His services were acceptable to the congregation; and, on the 28th1 of December following, he was unanimously invited by the society " to settle with them as their Pastor in the Gospel Ministry," and a yearly salary of five hun- dred dollars was voted to him ; and, when either party wished to dissolve the connection, three months' notice was to be given.
A committee of three was chosen to inform Mr. Bridge of the doings of the parish. They performed their duty; and he forthwith returned the following answer : -
" NORTON, Dec. 28th, 1835.
"To Dr. Richard F. Sweet, Dea. Stillman Smith, Mr. Thomas Braman, Committee of the Congregational Parish in Nor- ton.
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