USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Norton > History of the town of Norton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, from 1669 to 1859 > Part 20
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Hon. Cromwell Leonard, Hon. John Crane, and Ben- jamin S. Hall, were chosen a committee to inform the candidate of the votes just passed. They forthwith attended to their duty; and, through them, Mr. Clark returned an affirmative answer in these words: -
G.F. Clark
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" NORTON, June 26th, 1852.
"To the members of the Congregational Parish.
" GENTLEMEN, - I have, through your Committee, re- ceived a copy of the votes this day passed, inviting me to settle with you as your Pastor, and offering me a salary of six hundred dollars per year.
" The unanimity with which the invitation has been ex- tended is very grateful to me; and I do not feel in my heart to decline it. I therefore cordially accept it, and will enter upon the discharge of the duties as Pastor at such time as we may be able hereafter to determine upon.
" Most sincerely and truly yours, &c., " G. F. CLARK."
It was then voted, that all the arrangements relating to the installation " be referred to the standing Parish Committee." Mr. Clark continued the supply of the pulpit. The installation took place Wednesday, Aug. 11, 1852. No " council " was called ; but eight churches were invited by their pastor and delegates to be present, and assist in the installation services, which were in the order given below : -
Anthem. Introductory Prayer, and Reading of the Scrip- tures, by Rev. William A. Whitwell, of Eastor Hymn, by Rev. J. Pierpont : -
Thou who pitiest the heart-broken, And dost save their souls from death; Who hast words of comfort spoken By the Man of Nazareth; -
Hath thy Spirit clean departed, That of old, by Jesus, gave Healing to the broken-hearted, And deliverance to the slave; -
Brought to life a sleeping maiden By the hand of death oppressed ; And, to laborers heavy-laden, Promised that their souls should rest ?
Let that Spirit on thy servant Be, as erst it was on Him; Then his lips shall be as fervent As are those of seraphim; -
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And the gospel that he preacheth Shall his Master's gospel be ; And the doctrine that he teacheth With the Saviour's shall agree; --
And the hearer that believeth That old gospel shall be blest: He that doeth it receiveth "Peace on earth," and heavenly rest.
Sermon by Rev. S. F. Clark, of Athol, -brother of the Pas- tor elect; Prayer of Installation by Rev. L. W. Leonard, D.D., of Dublin, N.H .; Charge by Rev. William P. Tilden, of Walpole, N.H .; Right Hand by Rev. D. W. Stevens, of Mansfield ; Hymn 764th of " Christian Hymns ; "1 Address to the Society, and Concluding Prayer, by Rev. C. H. Brig- ham, of Taunton ; Anthem; Benediction by the Pastor.
The connection between the pastor and people, com- menced under such favorable auspices, still continues.
On the first Sunday of November, 1857, and at the morning services of six successive Sundays, the pas- tor set forth some of his views in relation to "the Church," and the need of making it a more simple, democratic, and evangelical institution than it has been for centuries past ; and closed with the presenta- tion of a Declaration of Principles that should form the basis of a true, broad, liberal Christian church ; which should unite in its embrace all the moral and religious life of the community, in opposition to the shocking inhumanities, monstrous wrongs, and un- christian practices, that are perpetrated by the strong upon the weak and defenceless sons and daughters of earth. After having been discussed at several public meetings, and considered by the church on two separate occasions, they were unanimously adopted as a substi- tute for the covenant which we have recorded on page 201. We here give them to our readers, with the hope that this little lump of leaven will lead to a wide- spread movement of raising all true and sincere fol- lowers of Jesus to the broad platform of thinking differently in love, - to the unity of the spirit in the
1 The Collection of Hymns used by the society.
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bonds of peace. And may God hasten the day! Un- til it comes, may all -
" Learn to labor and to wait."
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES,
Unanimously adopted by the First Congregational Church in Norton, Feb. 5, 1858.
Wishing to be no longer strangers, and feeling ourselves heirs of the covenant confirmed before of God to the fathers, we the undersigned, pastor and people, parents and children, constituting the First Church in Norton, of the liberal church of Massachusetts, of the church universal, -of which God is the founder, and Christ the head, - hereby express our faith in God, the Father; in the religion taught and exemplified by his Son, Jesus Christ; and in the truths of the Bible.
We recognize the church, co-ordinately with the family and the state, as a divine and permanent form of human society.
Believing that it is the sacred privilege of all to judge for themselves what is right, we leave all our members per- fectly free to go directly to the Scriptures, and all other sources of divine truth, to learn of God and Christ and duty.
Our object is to labor together for the promotion of Chris- tian righteousness in our hearts and the world. Hence, as members of the church universal, we extend our fellowship to all Christian believers, invite their sympathy and aid, and will joyfully co-operate with them in the work of the gospel.
We aim at the highest Christian culture, spiritual birth and growth, and the perfection of our natures ;
To seek a true knowledge, and the pure practice of Chris- tianity ;
To make our homes the abodes of Christian virtue and truth ;
To bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ;
To cultivate an affectionate and Christian interest in each other's welfare ;
To be temperate in all things ;
To do good as we have opportunity ;
To break the yoke of civil and religious tyranny, and let the oppressed everywhere go free;
To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God;
And, as far as in us lies, to live peaceably with all men.
18*
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To aid in the work for which we are associated, there shall be chosen annually, on the first Tuesday of January, -
1. A PASTORAL COMMITTEE, consisting of the minister, and five brothers and five sisters, whose duty it shall be to consult together for the general religious interests of the church ; the lay-members aiding the minister in his pastoral intercourse with the people, in becoming acquainted with their spiritual wants, in promoting a Christian spirit of bro- therly love, and in building up a true church of Christ.
2. A PHILANTHROPIC COMMITTEE, consisting of the mini- ster, and three brothers and three sisters, whose duty it shall be to devise plans of philanthropic action, and superintend the execution of them.
3. A COMMITTEE ON THE SUNDAY SCHOOL, consisting of the minister, the superintendent, and two brothers and three sisters, whose duty it shall be to look after the interests of the children and youth; to encourage their attendance at the church and the Sunday school; and consult together for their moral and religious interests.
Any person wishing to unite with us in this purpose of re- ligious worship, education, fellowship, and philanthropy, can do so by affixing his or her name to this Declaration of Prin- ciples.
Rev. George Faber Clark was the twelfth child and eighth son of Jonas and Mary (Twitchel) Clark, of Dublin, N.H .; and was born Feb. 24, 1817. He was the grandson of William and Sarah (Locke) Clark, of Townsend, Mass .; great-grandson of William and Eunice (Taylor) Clark, of Townsend; and the great- great-grandson of Samuel Clark (whose wife was Re- becca Nichols ?), who settled at Concord, Mass., about the year 1680, and who was probably born in Lon- don, and came to America, with his father, about 1660, when a small boy.
The mother of Rev. G. F. Clark was the daughter of Abel Twitchel, of Dublin, N.H .; who was the son of Joseph and Deborah (Fairbanks) Twitchel, of Sher- born, Mass. ; grandson of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hol- brook) Twitchel, of Sherborn ; great-grandson of Joseph and Lydia Twitchel, of Sherborn ; great-great- grandson of Benjamin and Mary Twitchel, of Sherborn
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and Lancaster ; and great-great-great-grandson of Jo- seph Twitchel, who probably came from Dorsetshire, England, about 1633, and settled at Dorchester, Mass., and was admitted to the freeman's oath, May 14, 1634:1
Jonas Clark, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a clothier by trade; and built the first clothier's shop or fulling-mill in Dublin, N.H.
In the excellent and somewhat celebrated common schools of that town, Rev. Mr. Clark was educated till his fifteenth year. He was also, for some years, a constant member of the Sunday school connected with the Congregational society under the pastoral care of Rev. Levi W. Leonard; who, by his untiring zeal and labors in the cause of popular education and sound morality, has won for himself the enviable appellation of " the Oberlin of Cheshire County."
On the 17th of October, 1831, Mr. Clark was ap- prenticed to Andrews Emery, of Jaffrey, N.H., to learn the art and mystery of shoemaking. His term of ser- vice was to extend till he was twenty-one years old, with the privilege of attending the short school of two months in the winter of each year.
Having served about half his term of apprenticeship, he became interested in religion, and was impressed with an ardent desire to labor for the cause of truth and humanity ; and, therefore, determined that he would " quit the bench for the pulpit."
Accordingly, having matured his plans, when nine- teen years of age, with the consent of his father, and not without some misgivings on his part, he pur- chased his time of his employer; and in September, 1836, with only fifteen dollars in his pocket, and en- tirely dependent upon his own resources, he entered Melville Academy, at Jaffrey, N.H., and commenced preparing for college.
The coming winter, he taught a school of six weeks' duration ; and in February, 1837, entered Phillips
1 For more particulars of the Twitchels, see history of the family, by Rev. Abner Morse, of Sherborn.
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Exeter Academy, at Exeter, N.H., with the hope of obtaining assistance from the beneficiary fund of that institution.
He failed, however, to receive any aid. But still he pursued his studies ; teaching school in winter, and sometimes returning for a few months to his trade of shoemaking, in order to acquire the " material aid " necessary to prosecute his plans. In the spring of 1840, - a few weeks before he was to leave the acade- my for the college, - his health gave away ; and, for about eighteen months, he was unable to study ; during which time, he relinquished the idea of a collegiate education, but afterwards pursued his studies, at Exeter and elsewhere, till August, 1843, when he en- tered the Theological School connected with Harvard College, Cambridge; from which, having completed the course of study prescribed, he graduated in July, 1846 ; being about two hundred dollars in debt for his education. He immediately went to Leverett, Mass., where he preached about three months. In February, 1847, he preached a few Sundays at Charlemont, Mass. ; and, in March following, he was invited to take the charge of the remnant of a society there. His eyes having become very weak before completing his theological studies, so as to disallow their con- tinuous use, and some encouragement having been given him that his services would be acceptable, a part of the time, in the neighboring town of Shelburne, - where there was a small band of liberal Christians, - he decided to labor in that " hill country " for a season ; and went thither the 1st of April, and preached for thirteen months to the two societies of Charlemont and Shelburne, - about one-third of the time at the latter place. Aug. 11, 1847, he was ordained at Charle- mont as an evangelist.
On the 23d of April, 1848, he was invited to take charge of the society at Warwick. He accepted the in- vitation, and was installed there Sunday, P.M., May 14, 1848. After a ministry of four years, he dissolved his connection with that society on the first Sunday of
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April, 1852 ; and, in two weeks from that day, preached his first sermon at Norton.
He married, April 1, 1847, Miss Harriet Emery, born Dec. 28, 1817. She was the daughter of Daniel, jun., and Polly (Felt) Emery, of Jaffrey, N.H.
For many years after the organization of the religious society in this town, there were no hymn-books for the choir or the worshippers generally. It was customary for one of the deacons, in his official seat, to read two lines of a hymn, which the choir would sing ; he would then repeat two more, which were sung; and so on to the close of the hymn. An edition of Watts's "Psalms and Hymns" was used till after the death of Rev. P. Clarke. When this book was introduced is unknown. On the erection of a new house, and the settlement of Rev. Mr. Bridge, Hon. Samuel Crocker, George A. Crocker, and S. O. Dunbar, of Taunton, presented a sufficient number of hymn-books for their use to the society ; for which a vote of thanks was returned March 28, 1836. These books were generally known as the "New-York Collection ;" first published, we believe, in 1820. In 1850, the parish, by a vote, agreed to change their hymn-books; and adopted the book entitled " Christian Hymns," known as the " Cheshire Collection," compiled, by a committee of the Cheshire Pastoral Association of New Hampshire, in 1844. A sufficient number were purchased by the parish for the choir, and one for each pew in the meeting-house.
On the 1st of May, 1850, the ladies of the parish held a tea-party and fair, the proceeds of which were to be used to purchase an organ for the meeting-house. They were successful in their efforts : and the organ was bought, Aug. 28, 1850, of George Stevens, of Cam- bridge, at a cost of five hundred dollars; and was immediately placed in the gallery, back of the singing- seats. By good judges, it is said to be a very fine in- strument for the price at which it was bought.
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CHAPTER XVI.
DEACONS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
" The deacons must be grave; not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre." - PAUL.
THE exact number of deacons that have officiated in the Congregational church, and the time when all of them were chosen, &c., I have been unable to ascer- tain.
During Mr. Palmer's ministry, with the exception of baptisms and admissions, the church-records are quite incomplete. We believe, however, that the list of deacons we give below comprises about all who have been chosen to that office by the Congregational church since its organization. Probably, for about sixteen years after the church was established, there was but one deacon. Between the pulpit and the congregation, in the first and second meeting-house, was what was called the " deacons' seat ; " because it was always occupied by them on Sunday during divine service, if present at meeting. There are those living who well recollect when the deacons' seat was occupied by Deacon Seth Smith and Deacon Daniel Dean; and, still later, by Deacon Asa Copeland and Deacon Lysander Make- peace.
Dec. 9, 1714, Nicholas White was chosen the first deacon ; and he officiated, without doubt, till 1737, when he was dismissed, with others, for the purpose of forming a new church in the North Precinct. He took a conspicuous part in establishing the North Precinct of Norton, and the formation of the church there ; of which he was also the first deacon. (See early settlers, p. 92.)
July 6, 1730, John Briggs, " the eldest," was chosen deacon ; and probably held the office till he died, June 29, 1750. (See early settlers, p. 77.)
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Sept. 5, 1734, John Briggs, 2d, was chosen. He was dismissed Dec. 18, 1745, at his own request, for being " disguised with strong drink." He was select- man two years, and assessor five. (See early settlers.) Dec. 9. 1736, Joseph Hodges was elected deacon. He was born about the year 1689, and was the son of Elder Henry and Esther (Gallup) Hodges, of Taunton, and grandson of William Hodges, the common ancestor of all the Hodges' families in this vicinity ; who " probably came to America " as early as 1633, and was at Taunton in 1643. Deacon Joseph Hodges married, March 11, 1712, Bethiah Williams ; and soon afterwards settled in the south- erly part of this town, at what was called the "Crooked Meadow," on the farm now owned and occupied by Ezra Perry. He had eight children.1 He was the " Major Joseph Hodges" who went on an expedition to Cape Breton in 1745 ; and is supposed to have died while absent on that expedition, aged about fifty-seven. In civil as well as in military affairs, he was a man of some note ; having been six years one of the selectmen, and four years an assessor, and one year a representa- tive to the General Court. We here give his auto- graph, written in 1729.
Joseph Hodges
May 1, 1746, John Andrews and Benjamin Hodges were chosen deacons. Mr. Andrews was eight years one of the assessors, one year a selectman, and two years town-treasurer (see early settlers, p. 75). Mr. Hodges was the son of Elder Henry Hodges; and, of course, brother of Deacon Joseph Hodges, already mentioned. He lived at the southerly part of the town, near " Crooked Meadow," where Ephraim Allen now (1858) resides. His wife's name was Abiah. He had seven (?) children, and probably died in the
1 See Hodges' Family Record, by Almond D. Hodges, Esq., p. 14.
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autumn of 1754; for, on the 9th of December of that year, William Stone is chosen "a precent Comittee- man, in the Room of Benjamin Hodges, deceased." He was frequently moderator of the church-meetings between the ministry of Mr. Avery and that of Mr. Palmer. His autograph was written in 1749.
Benjamin forges
Benjamin Copeland and Samuel Dean were chosen deacons, Oct. 2, 1754. Mr. Copeland was the seventh child of William and Mary (Bass) (Webb) Copeland, of Braintree, and the grandson of Lawrence and Lydia Copeland, of Braintree; and was born in that town, Oct. 5, 1708.1 He married, Nov. 21, 1734, Sarah Allen ; and removed to Norton with his family about 1739, where he carried on the business of a tanner and currier, at the place now (1858) owned by his grand- son, Capt. Thomas Copeland. He had eight or nine children ; and died at the good old age of eighty-two, Oct. 20, 1790. His autograph was written in 1752.
Bong Copeland
Mr. Dean - the son of Deacon Samuel Dean, of Taunton, grandson of John, and great-grandson of John who settled at Taunton about 1638 - was born Oct. 17, 1700. He married, first, Mary Avery ; second, Rachel Dwight; third, Widow Margaret King.2 He settled in Norton as early as 1727, and lived here for a few years; and then removed to Dedham, where he kept a public-house for a time. He returned to Norton in 1747 (?), and lived at the place owned, and probably built the house now (1858) occupied, by
1 See Family Memorial.
2 See Dean Family, Genealogical Register, vol. iii. p. 385.
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Elkanah Wood, sen. He died March 30, 1775. We give his autograph, written in 1752.
Sam - Deany
" Deacon Benjamin Pearson's" name appears on the valuation-list of 1777; but when he was chosen is un- known. He married Sarah Stone, Aug. 19, 1741; and he was then said to be " of Mortlone," but probably soon afterwards settled in Norton. His second wife was Abiah Shaw; married May 26, 1784. He died March 2, 1799, supposed to be " more than 80 years old."
In March, 1779, " Dea. Daniel Dean " was chosen one of the selectmen. When he was chosen deacon is unknown ; but probably it was either in 1778 or the winter of 1779. He was the son of Deacon Samuel Dean, already mentioned ; and was born about 1745, probably at Dedham. He married, Sept. 27, 1770, Lydia Whitman, of Bridgewater, and had two chil- dren. He was selectman seven years, assessor two, and representative one; lived on the homestead of his father ; and died Feb. 7, 1805, in the sixtieth year of his age.
March 15, 1784, I find the name of "Dea. Seth Smith " on the parish-records ; but when he was chosen deacon is unknown. He was the son of Seth and Elizabeth (Allen) Smith, who were married at Weston, Sept. 30, 1725; and might have been the grandson of Nicholas Smith, one of the first settlers of the town; for he had a son Seth. Deacon Smith was born Sept. 13, 1734. He had four wives. First, Sarah Cobb, 2d, married Oct. 10, 1754; by whom he had six children. She died May 13, 1768. Se- cond, Esther Dean, 2d ; married Sept. 19, 1769. Had by her two children. She died Dec. 8, 1787. Third, Lois Fisher, of Taunton ; married 1788 (?). She died Aug. 18, 1794. Fourth, Mrs. (?) Anna Hodges, of Taunton. He died Sept. 9, 1813. He
19
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was selectman four years, and assessor one. His auto- graph was written in 1752.
South Smith
April 1, 1803, Asa Copeland and Lysander Make- peace were chosen deacons. Deacon Copeland was the son of Deacon Benjamin Copeland, already men- tioned ; was born May 8, 1752, and lived on the old homestead of his father. He married Rachel Briggs, about 1781, and had eight children. For second wife, he married, Sept. 3, 1801, Abigail New- comb. He probably resigned Dec. 2, 1824; for, at that time, "It was voted that the thanks of the church be presented to Dea. Asa Copeland, for the long and useful services he has afforded the church in his «office." He died Dec. 14, 1829. Deacon Makepeace remained in office till the spring of 1832; when he and others withdrew from the church, and organized the Trinitarian society. For further account of him, see history of that society.
Dec. 2, 1824, Daniel Lane was elected deacon in the place of Asa Copeland, resigned. He was born April 22, 1771; and was the fourth son of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Copeland) Lane, the grandson of Ephraim and Mehitable (Stone) Lane, great-grandson of Ephraim and Ruth (" Shepperson ") Lane, and the great-great-grandson of John Lane, one of the first settlers of this town. Like most of the young of his time, Deacon Lane enjoyed but few advantages for obtaining an education ; yet, by observation and ex- perience, he succeeded in storing his mind with much practical wisdom and good sense ; so that his counsel was often sought for, and valued by his friends and townsmen. He served the town four years as select- man ; and was also chosen once or twice more to that office, but declined to accept it. Subsequently, he was four years one of the assessors of the town. He was more than thirty-eight years a member of the
L. Grozehier Lith. Boston
Daniel Sani
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church ; and held the office of deacon about twelve years, when he resigned. On the 30th of September, 1836, when his successor was chosen, it was " voted that the thanks of the church be presented to Dea. Daniel Lane, for the long and useful services he has afforded the church in his office." As an officer of the church, his many virtues, his practical good sense, his love of peace, his unostentatious life, rendered his advice of great value ; and especially was it so to his venerable pastor in the trying scene through which he passed two or three years before his death. In all the positions of life he occupied, he was faithful and re- liable. He married, Nov. 12, 1794, Eunice Danforth ; and they had ten children. He died Nov. 1, 1857, aged eighty-six years, six months, and nine days; and all feel that a " good old man " has gone from us. He retained his faculties, in a remarkable degree, to the last. Seldom was he absent from church on Sun- day. He was able to labor, and did labor, up to within forty-eight hours of his death ; which was caused by taking a sudden cold.
April 4, 1833, Stillman Smith was chosen in place of Deacon Makepeace, who had previously withdrawn from the church. He was the son of Araunah and Eleanor (Leonard) Smith, grandson of David and Abigail (Gilbert) Smith, and great-grandson of Seth and Elizabeth (Allen) Smith ; and was born Oct. 27, 1793. He married Eunice Wetherell, 2d, Nov. 28, 1816, by whom he had six children. His wife died Oct. 21, 1856.
Sept. 30, 1836, Almond Tucker was elected deacon .. He was born June 15, 1804 ; and is the son of Benajah and Lydia (Hunt) Tucker, grandson of Benajah and Mehitable (Allen) Tucker, great-grandson of Cornelius and Waitstill (Eddy ) Tucker, and great-great-grandson of Robert Tucker, one of the first settlers of the town. Deacon Tucker married Betsy Hathaway, of Dighton, in 1829, and had eight children by her. She died July 27, 1843. In 1845, he married, for second wife, Nancy C. White, and has had one child by her. He
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resigned his office, Jan. 29, 1854; and, in 1856, removed to Attleborough, where he now (1858) re- sides.
Dec. 3, 1854, Adolphus Day Hunt was chosen the successor of Deacon Tucker. He was born July 13, 1808. He is the son of Josiah and Fanny (Lincoln) Hunt, and the grandson of Samuel and Abigail (Day) Hunt. He married, in 1835, Emily J. Drown, of Attleborough ; and has had by her two children.
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