History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 7

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town
Number of Pages: 916

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oxford > History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates > Part 7

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HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1717-31

On 29 Jan., 1717, it was voted that the selectmen should "take care to get a minister," and at the same date it was decided to build a meeting-house. Neither minister or the means of supporting one, however, was then settled upon, as on 19 Aug. a meeting was called to be held at 7 o'clock in the morning, to agree upon some way to raise money and " to take care to obtain a minister." At this meet- ing it was voted to raise 30 pounds for the support of the Gospel, and Richard Moore, Ebenezer Learned and Daniel Eliott were chosen to obtain a minister.1

Non-residents taxed. On 14 June, 1718, John Town, as select- man, petitioned the General Court for leave to tax the lands of non- residents in Oxford for aid in supporting the ministry and building a new meeting-house. On which it was ordered that authority be given to tax 20 shillings on 1,000 acres five years. On 21 July, 1720, Richard Moore renewed this petition, on which it was again ordered that the town authorities be empowered to lay a tax of 20 shillings per annum per 1,000 acres during three years. The next year Richard Moore, being the town representative, submitted to the Court that the tax had been assessed as authorized but some of the proprie- tors refused to pay. By permission he presented a bill which was referred to the next session. On 22 March, 1722, an act was passed enabling the town to recover a tax on non-resident proprietors' lands towards building a new meeting-house, etc. On 16 May, 1726, Capt. Ebenezer Learned was chosen " to go to General Court with a peti- tion for leave to tax non-residents' land toward the support of the gospel." On 7 June it was ordered that the town of Oxford be authorized to assess, levy and collect 20 shillings on each 1,000 acres on non-resident land for three years, and "said land is made liable for the payment of said taxes." On 4 Sept., 1729, on Isaac Larned's petition, " ordered that the town of Oxford be authorized to assess and collect one farthing per acre on non-residents' land for five years for the support of the ministry." On 2 July, 1731, a petition of Rev. John Campbell was presented to the General Court, setting forth that former laws made to meet the needs of the town had in them no pro- vision to enforce the collection of the taxes on non-resident lands, by which the petitioner had been much straitened and had not the sup- port designed for him, and praying that provision be made for the collecting of said taxes. Upon which it was enacted as follows :

" Whereas there have been several assessments of taxes heretofore ordered . and directed by the General Court of this Province on the lands of the non- resident proprietors within the township of Oxford . . . as well for the building a meeting house as supporting the ministry in the said town, and whereas a considerable part thereof still remains due and unpaid by reason of the methods heretofore used for collecting the same being insufficient . . .

1 From the first recorded tax list in the town, Sept., 1717, we learn that the sum voted at this meeting was raised by a tax on the inhabitants, without the aid of non-resident proprietors, with

the single exception of Gabriel Bernon, who was taxed both for the current expenses of religious worship and for the building of the meeting- house.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

1719-20

Ordered that John Chandler Jr. Samuel Dudley of Sutton, and Benjamin Flagg of Worcester be a committee to collect said taxes, and pay the same to the Treasurer of Oxford."

They were authorized to sell lands and give deeds when necessary for the purpose.

On 14 Sept., 1734, Isaac Larned represented to the Court the difficulty of supporting the gospel since Dudley was set off, and asked leave to tax non-residents one-half penny an acre for five years, which was granted, and also ordered that the farm belonging to Hon. William Dudley, called Manchaug farm, be, and is hereby annexed to Oxford. On 26 Dec., 1739, permission was continued for five years to tax one farthing per acre, all lands without a legal fence included.

Mr. Mckinstry. The third clerical name recorded is that of John McKinstry, who preached several months. On 7 Oct., 1718, Benoni Twichell was sent by the town "to fetch up the minister." On 2 March, 1719, a call was voted him which he de- clined. And on 9 Nov., 1720, he was settled as first minister of Sutton.

Mr. Andrew. In 1719 Rev. Samuel Andrew was preacher for a time. He was son of Samuel of Cambridge, b. in 1656, and was at this time 64 years of age. An attempt to settle him failed.

Mr. Campbell. Very soon after REV. JOHN CAMPBELL entered upon the scene of his life work. On 30 May, 1720, in expectation of his arrival, it was voted that Israel Town should entertain him, and Ens. Ebenezer Learned " should treat with him and agree with him as reasonably as he could with discretion, to obtain him for one or two months." Propositions for a settlement were voted him on 15 July with an offer of 60 pounds a year salary-the lot originally laid out for the minister, with the rights belonging to it-and 100 pounds settlement, " provided he shall be willing to live and die our minis- ter," and John Town, Isaac Larned, John Comins, Abial Lamb and Abraham Skinner were chosen a committee to "treat with him." They reported as follows :

" We laid before Rev. Mr. Campbell the above voted particulars and left them with him under the following circumstances-In the name and by virtue of the power given us by the inhabitants of Oxford, we called the Reverend John Campbell to be our minister. Second, we promised the said Mr. Camp- bell Sixty pounds salary. Third, that the said Mr. Campbell have freely given him the lot laid out already for the first minister of Oxford, with the rights thereunto belonging, or one hundred acres to be laid out . . . where it can conveniently be had. Fourth, that we will give the said Mr. Campbell one hundred pounds settlement in work as reasonably as others have work for their money in Oxford-provided he shall be willing to live and die with us in the work of the ministry."

Mr. Campbell's reply, dated 12 Aug., 1720, is as follows :

" GENTLEMEN, I have had your call and proposals before me and upon mature deliberation I accept of your call and proposals to me as propounded,

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1720

and hereby promise to be willing to continue with you in the work of the ministry as the Lord shall enable me, provided you continue a ministerial people.

" JOHN CAMPBELL."

As Mr. Campbell became known, the people evidently recognized in him a fit man to continue their life-long minister, they having given a call and received his answer before a reply was returned from the association of ministers to which the selectmen had applied for an opinion concerning him. This reply, dated Woodstock, 7 Sept., 1720, was commendatory, and on the 12 Sept. the town chose a committee to oversee the work to be done in the settlement.

Church formed. The ordination did not, however, take place until several months later. Meantime the Church was organized. Mr. Campbell was chosen clerk and thus chronicles its initiation and progress :

" The Methode taken aud pursued in laying a foundation for and gathering a Chh. of Christ in Oxford in New England was as follows viz-four meu viz 1.t. John Town, Abiel Lamb, Samuel Barton. Joseph Wiley, being already members of other Chhs meeting together sometime in September 1720; and having considered the obligations which they themselves were under, to pro- mote the Kingdom of their Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ, (after social prayer and conference together) they declared each one to the other that they were desirous to lye in the foundation and build up a Chh. of Christ in Oxford : they also made known their Religious purpose in this matter to Capt. Richard Moore, another Chh. member, Inviting him and others .. . whose minds were disposed to advance the Religion of Jesus and his Interest, and thereby the special advantage of themselves and Posterity : to join with them in so good a work: Agreeing also to meet together at the house of Israel Town ou thursday the 27th of October next following, at four of the clock post meridian."

" Tlie Society " met on said day and had prayers and a sermon, and decided to apply to the " Rev. Elders of Marlborough Associa- tion" who were to meet at Framingham, 2 Nov., following, asking " their Advice and Directions how to proceed in gathering a Chh. of Christ at said Oxford." The reply was as follows :

" Dear Brethren, we highly approve of your Religious design to gather a church of Christ in Oxford and advise you that there be public notification thereof given in the Town, and that such as are already members lead in that atfair, and that others who offer to join in the foundation of the said Church meet together with the said chh. members and give satisfaction to one another and to the said members of the saving work of grace in their hearts. either by verbal conference, or written Relation, after which hath been done & social prayer duly performed from time to time, by the said Religious Society we advise them to procure a Chh Covenant which they can all freely subscribe unto, and then to set apart a day of fasting and prayer, calling to them the Rev. Pastor of Woodstock, and the Rev. pastor of Mendon Chh. to assist on the said fast day in forming a church of Christ in Oxford.

" Sic Subscribitur JOSEPH BAXTER in the name of the Association."

ECCLESIASTICAL.

1720-1

At a Society meeting held 29 Dec., 1720, "after prayers and a sermon," chose Lt. John Town moderator and " appointed the third Wednesday in Jan. 1720-1 to be the day of fasting and prayer previ- ous to the gathering a church of Christ in Oxford : and also desired Mr. John Campbell to write letters to the ministers [designated] to request their presence and assistance on the above said day."

" The Revd. ministers sent to for our assistance came at the time appointed, viz. January 18th, 1720-1 and the day was observed by fasting, prayers and sermons : and towards the close of the day . . . the following Church Cove- nant in which all the brethren were agreed was read, approved and accepted by the men whose names are underwritten and likewise by their wives re- spectively."

Covenant.

" We do under a soul humbling and abasing sense of our utter unworthiness of so high & great a privelege as God is graciously putting into our hands Own and Accept of God the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit for our God in Cove- nant with us, and do accordingly give up ourselves and our seed according to the terms of the Everlasting Covenant to him to be his under most sacred & inviolable Bonds, promising by the help & strength of his grace, without which we can do nothing that we will walk as becomes saints according to the rules of God's holy word. Submitting ourselves and seed to the govern- ment of the Lord Jesus Christ, as King of his Chh. and to the watch and dis- cipline of this Chh. managing ourselves towards God and man all in civil & sacred authority as becomes those who are under the teachings of God's holy Word & Spirit : Alike declaring it to be our Resolution that in all things wherein we may fall short of duty we will wait upon God for his pardoning mercy and Grace in and through our Dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever.

" The persons names who then assented to this Instrument are subjoined, viz

JOHN CAMPBELL, soon after ordained ABIEL LAMB & wife pastor of this Church ISRAEL TOWN & Wife

JOHN TOWN & wife

BENONY TWITCHEL & wife

BENJAMIN CHAMBERLAIN & wife

JOSEPH WILEY & wife

ISAAC LARNED & wife

SAMUEL BARTON & wife

JOHN COMINS & wife

DAVID TOWN & wife

ABRAHAM SKINNER

NATHANIEL CHAMBERLAIN

EBENEZER LEARNED & wife

THOMAS GLEASON & wife

PHILIP AMIDOWN & wife

COLLINS MOORE & wife

"These were the persons who lay in the foundation of a Gospel Chh. in Oxford, New England Janury 18th 1720-1 in the presence and with the appro- bation of the Rev. Mr. Josiah Dwight pastor of Woodstock and the Rev. Mr. Joseph Dorr pastor of Mendon Chh."

The first meeting of the Church was at the house of John Comins near the old mill, at the south end of the Plain, " after prayers and a sermon, John Town was chosen Moderator, and then after a long and serious conference, the Chh unanimously chose Mr. John Campbell to be their pastor. To which choice Mr. Campbell . . . signified his Consent." It was also voted to request the selectmen to call a town meeting to act on the subject.

Campbell's Ordination. On 31 Jan., 1721, the Church met and voted to ask the aid of pastors and delegates to ordain Mr.

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1721-31

Campbell from the churches in Woodstock, Medfield, Framingham, Marlborough, Lancaster and Mendon; chose a committee to give invitations ; voted that every member of the Church should pay six shillings to defray expenses of the council, " besides what other inhabitants of the town shall please to give," and chose Isaac Larned, John Comins and Abraham Skinner to provide for said council.

At a town meeting, the same day, an account being read of what the Church had done as to the choice of Mr. Campbell, and the time appointed for ordination, it was voted to concur. The following is Mr. Campbell's record of the ordination services :

" Wednesday March 1st 1720/1

" The ordination of the Rev. Mr. John Campbell to the pastoral office & Charge of the Chh. of Christ in Oxford was conducted with good order & decency. the several parts of the publick Service were performed by the fol- lowing gentlemen, viz the Revd. Mr. John Prentice pastor of the Chh. in Lan- caster preached the Ordination Sermon from Ephs. 6, 18, 19. the prayer before the charge was made by the Revd. Mr. Josiah Dwight pastor of the Chh in Woodstock, the charge was given by the Revd. Mr. Joseph Baxter pastor of the Chh. in Medfield, the prayer after the charge was made by the Revd. Mr. Robert Breck of Marlborough. The Right hand of fellowship was given by the Revd. Mr. John Swift pastor of the Chh in Framingham. The introductory prayer to all the publick service was made by the Revd Mr Joseph Dor pastor of the Chh in Mendon. The thanksgiving psalm or song was proposed, viz. Psal. 118 from the 24th verse to the end of the Psalm, and the blessing pronounced by the Rev'd. Mr John Campbell the then ordained pastor of the Chh. of Christ in Oxford."

The first celebration of the Lord's Supper was 14 May, 1721. In 1723 Richard Waters was by vote "desired" to unite with the Church by letter of recommendation, "in order to his being elected deacon," but did not comply. The Church Records under Mr. Camp- bell's ministry give little of the detail of affairs. With one or two exceptions they contain no entries of accessions, dismissals or bap- tisms. The particulars of a few cases of discipline are recorded and the election of officers, but more frequently than on any other subject occur entries concerning the " Hagburn Fund."

Hagburn Legacy. Under date of 1724 is entered a copy of the clause in the will of Mr. Samuel Hagburn giving 50 pounds " for the use and benefit of the church as they shall think fit to lay out or dispose of for any pious use." On 4 July, 1726, it was voted to put the said bequest out at interest, and Dea. John Town, Isaac Larned and Philip Amidown were chosen to take charge of it. In 1728 the town raised Mr. Campbell's salary to 80 pounds, as the currency was depreciating. In 1729 the town " voted to tax unimproved lands one farthing per acre towards paying our minister." 1731, Sept. 10, voted to expend the interest on the Hagburn Fund " for vessels for use of the church," and allowed £3 to pay expenses of pastor and delegate to an ecclesiastical council at Boston, £5 for a "mort-cloth " and a basin for baptismal use. 1731, Sept. 20, the town voted ten

ECCLESIASTICAL.

1734-43

pounds additional for firewood for Mr. Campbell. 1734, Aug. 27, voted £90 and firewood to Mr. Campbell. As the currency depre- ciated the town increased the salary as follows : In 1735 to £100, in 1736 £120, in 1739 £130, in 1741 £150. On 18 May, 1743, the town heard the report of a committee chosen to compute the " odds " be- tween the currency and silver, " so that Justice be done Mr. Camp- bell," and on it voted him £180. In 1745 £200 was voted, 1747 £225, in 1748 £250, in 1749 £400, " to make up deficiences in years past and the present year." In May, 1750, the currency had been brought to a specie basis and £50 was voted. Under date, 12 June, 1741, is recorded " the distressing circumstances of some poor fami- lies amongst us occasioned by the scarcity of bread corn," on which it was voted that the interest then due on the Fund " be given to the most necessitous families in this congregation."

In Dec., 1741, a movement led by Ebenezer Lock began among the people of the N. Gore and the north part of Oxford to be set off as a new parish, and a petition to the town therefor was signed by Caleb Barton, Samuel Call, Uriah Gleason, Joseph Phillips, Samuel Town, Richard Gleason and Jonas Coller.' But the project was given · up, perhaps on account of the proposal to build the new meeting- house at a location north of the Plain.

The Awakening. The years 1741-2 witnessed the " Great Awakening," with which Mr. Campbell had no sympathy. There was great excitement and much heated controversy, and the lines between the adherents to the old methods and the "New Scheme " were closely drawn. Rev. David Hall of Sutton was a strenuous adherent of Edwards and Whitefield, and as a result a coolness arose between the two neighboring pastors. In his diary, 9 March, 1746, Dr. Hall says " I have of late been to Oxford, where I have not been to visit before scarce these seven years. I find there has been reports carried to my disadvantage. A shyness among ministers is attended with many mischiefs and disadvantages."

Campbell's Treatise. In 1743 Mr. Campbell, "at the desire of his constant hearers and others," published his "Treatise on Con- version," etc., a 12mo. volume of 215 pages, being extracts of sermons preached under the pressure of this movement. Near the close he says :

" Suffer me, I beseech you, who am the weakest and most unworthy in the Sacred Order of the Ministry, to intreat both Ministers and People of the NEW SCHEME to desist from invading the Provinces and Districts of their Fellow Laborers and Brethren : And thereby disturbing the Peace, and Spoil- ing the good Order of the Churches upon Pretence of little differences between you and them and so exclude yourselves their Communion. Such a practice was early condemned in the Christian Church, III. John, 10.

" The Ordinances of God are understood by some Interpreters to be the Hedge and Wall of a People : when God takes away the Hedge and Wall, the Breach is made wide for every wild Beast to enter and tread it down. There are two or three things it would be well if the Exhorters and their Followers

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1748-54

could be persuaded to refrain, viz: 1 To keep each of them in their proper Business .- 'Ne sutor ultra crepidam,' that is blind Folks should not judge of colors .- 2. That they no longer traduce the sacred Scriptures, that is laying aside some Parts of them . . . and esteeming others necessary, as they agree with the peculiar sentiments .- 3. Using humane Compositions in the Public Worship of God, in Room of sacred Scriptures : I mean their using Hymns, so as almost to have superseded the Psalms of David and other spiritual Songs. This is a manifest Violation and Reproach of the Wisdom and Law of God . .. I am far from thinking that the good Gentleman [Dr Watts] whose hymns are mostly used by our giddy Zealots ever intended that Com- posure of his should ever supersede the Psalms of David . .. Singing of Hymns composed by men uninspired by God in his Worship was no part of our Forefather's Religion . .. No, this smells a little of that industrious source of all Religious Forgeries, viz-the Church of Rome which hath im- pudently introduced their Te Deums, Anthems, and Ave Marias. These Cocka- trices1 do not consider what they do and the guilt they are bringing upon themselves."

Davidson Case. As early as 1748 a controversy arose in Sutton Church and William Davidson and wife were excommunicated or sus- pended. In Dec., 1748, he brought his case before an ex parte council in Oxford at the house of Elisha Davis, from which we infer that he here found encouragement and sympathy. Dr. Hall in his diary says, " 26 Dec., to morrow am to go to a Council at Oxford called by an offending brother. 27, went to Davidson's Council, was, I think poorly treated. 28, grievously exercised to day, ye council's Result appearing most injurious, I became angry and spoke indecently. 21, discoursed with Parkman [Westboro'] he admired [wondered] at the result of Council." This result was against the action of Sutton Church. The diary continues, "12 July 1749, a time in which we need ye greatest wisdom and courage. The Chh. beset on ye right hand and left, by Davidson Council and ye separatists. 15, have been carried through the Church meeting with- out any jarring in regard to Davidson's affair." [Adhering to for- mer action.] An entry 31 Oct., 1749, indicates that another Council had been held on the case " which wholly approved of our conduct."

On 15 Sept., 1750, Davidson and wife " desired occasional com- munion " with Oxford Church, which by a vote with but one dissent- ing voice was granted. This action placed the Church in the posi- tion of a defender of Davidson and implied censure was cast upon Sutton. The result was a long period of estrangement and ill feeling between . the two bodies. Thomas Gleason, Jr., of Oxford, who opposed the church action, was disciplined and suspended, but in July, 1745, confessed his fault and was restored. The record of this matter by Mr. Campbell, being the last of his entries, is of special interest. He says :

" At a meeting of the Chh. in Oxford, March 8th, 1754, Thomas Gleason Junr personally notified and then present being asked the question if he was

1 The name given them by Gilbert Tennant.

On 7 March, 1746, £10 interest money was voted

for 20 of Mr. Campbell's books to be given to those unable to purchase them.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

1754-64

now sensible of the evil of his continued neglect of attending on his duty with this Chh. in sealing ordinances : expressed no repentance, but pretended to justifie his contumacious omission, and base conduct : and then being meekly discoursed with, and earnestly exhorted to return to his duty, but without success, and the least token of Relenting.

"1. The question being put to the brethren whether any of them objected against pronouncing the due Ecclesiastical censure against the said Thomas Gleason : there appeared a profound and universal silence-then the question being put in the following form, viz. 2. Brethren if it be your minds that Thomas Gleason Junr by his unlawful and sinful separation from this chh. for many years together from communion in sealing Ordinances, hath ren- dered himself unworthy of such special priveleges as heretofore he has had with us, and is accordingly Suspended from Communion in Sealing Ordi- nances with this Chh. until he shew repentance for his multiplied enormities, and make Gospel Satisfaction : manifest it by the usual sign of uplifted hands : Voted in the affirmative unanimously. 3. The case of William Davison being mentioned, and some discourse had thereon, it was left as it stood before without any alteration or emendation. 4. A letter being read, Directed to be Communicated, by Rev. David Hall pastor of the first church in Sutton after brief observations made thereon, it was rejected . . . as it seemed to be stuffed with many fallacies and inconsistencies."

Church Action. On 29 June, 1762, the Church voted :

" Whereas there has been a difficulty and uneasiness for some time Subsist- ing between us and the first chh. of Christ in Sutton, and the Pastors of said churches for their parts have made up their own differences, before the death of our Revd. Pastor, we desire that all uneasiness between us and you may be removed, and that we may live in Peace, Unity and Harmony as sister Chhs ought to do. And by a vote at the same meeting Abigail Davison the wife of William Davison is debarred of communion with us in special ordinances till she has made her peace with you, according as was proposed at Uxbridge October 22d 1751."1

A plain inference from this record is that a third council had decided in effect against the Oxford action of Sept., 1750.2

Rev. John Campbell died 25 May, 1761. On 3 July, 1761, Dea. Jonathan Town was chosen moderator of the Church. On 1 Feb., 1762, a call was voted, 58 to 8, to Rev. Ebenezer Grosvenor which he declined. On 24 Aug., a second unsuccessful effort was made to settle him.3

Mr. Bowman. On 2 March, 1764, REV. JOSEPH BOWMAN of Westboro' was called by the Church by a "great majority vote." On 20 March the town concurred, and voted a "settlement" of £133. 6s. 8d. and a salary of £70. At a town meeting 24 Sept., the " settlement " grant was raised to £200 and on 15 Oct., the salary was raised to £100.

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History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 7

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897 Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town Number of Pages: 916

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town
Number of Pages: 916