History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 8

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 8

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On 12 November, 1764, the Church-" voted that we will take the word of God for our rule of Church government and where the form of Church government is not particularly pointed out in Scripture, we

1 This declaration was undoubtedly forwarded

to Sutton Church.

2 See William Davidson, Genealogical Depart- ment.

3 Mr. Grosvenor was minister at Harvard from 1782 to his death in 1788.

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1764-79

will have reference to the Cambridge Platform . . Lay elders and Lay ordination excepted."

Mr. Bowman was installed on 14 Nov., 1764. Sermon by his pas- tor, Rev. Ebenezer Parkman of Westboro. Sept. 26, 1771, " voted- that Thursday, 24 Oct., next ye Church will meet at ye meeting-house to discourse on ye affairs of singing a new version of ye Psalms," etc. No record of this meeting appears. Dec. 31, 1775, William Phips, Esq., and wife, Lieut. Thomas Gleason, Capt. Samuel Eddy and wife, William Parker and wife, Levi Eddy and wife were dismissed from the Church to form a new Church at Ward. May 24, 1776, Lieut. Abijah Harris, Richard Coburn and Amasa Kingsbury were chosen Choristers. "June 8, 1780, It was proposed to choose some one to assist Mr. Richard Coburn, in setting or tuning the Psalm on ye Sab- bath, and chose Levi Davis, John Pratt, and Allen Hancock for this purpose."

During Mr. Bowman's ministry the additions to the Church were as follows :- admitted to full communion 64; covenanted [brought under the watch of the Church, and had children baptized]-25 ; dismissions 27. The baptisms between the date of Mr. Camp- bell's death and Mr. Bowman's installation were 87, and during Mr. Bowman's ministry 366.

Bowman embarrassed. Fourteen eventful years succeeded Mr. Bowman's installation and he felt very seriously the pressure of the times brought by the Revolutionary War. On 18 March, 1779, he " laid before the Church some matters of difficulty respecting his sup- port, and difficulties in the town and church, and asked a dismission," upon which the Church chose as a committee Edward Davis, Esq., Dr. Alex. Campbell, Dea. Samuel Harris, Gen. Ebenezer Learned and Mr. Amos Shumway, "to wait on the pastor to see if there can be no method of an accommodation." At the same meeting " voted, that the same committee inquire of delinquent members the reasons of their absenting themselves from the worship and ordinances."

This committee reported 22 April, 1779, " that they had conferred with the pastor and had found his circumstances very difficult and necessitous, and that something further ought to be done for his sup- port, which they assured him of the willingness of the people to do, so far as they could learn . . . on which he had consented to tarry for the present." The town had previously moved in the matter and had on 1 March, 1779, voted an increase of salary of £230 making £300 for 1778. But this does not appear to have been satisfactory to Mr. Bowman, as the town on account of war expenses was not fulfilling its previous obligations. It was evident that a large majority of the people were very reluctant to part with their minister, and early in 1780 a committee of the town was sent to him to attempt an adjust- ment of affairs so that he could be retained. In reply he says :

ECCLESIASTICAL.

1780

" To Adjutant EZRA BOWMAN, Mr. AMOS SHUMWAY, Deacon JOHN DAVIS and Mr EPHRAIM RUSSELL.

GENTLEMEN :

Whereas, you as a Commit-

tee from ye town of Oxford, waited upon me yesterday, to know what would be satisfactory to me for my support, to continue with ye town as their minis- ter; & did then desire me to give my answer in writing-therefore in compli- ance to your Request, I would make ye following proposals : viz

1. If ye town will make good to me in Real value, or produce all ye arrear- ages yt are due since ye times thro ye depreciation of ye paper currency, allow- ing me ye advantage of all ye private donations which I have Received within this two years past, as a Compensation for being kept out of my due & will make my Sallery good for ye future, & pay it punctually, at ye time it becomes due, every year; & will generally, & constantly attend publick worship; regu- late ye disorders in town & Church; & yt ye Laws for ye observation of ye Sabbath, ye regulating of public Houses, & for ye suppression of profanity, & all other vices, be put in strict execution, yt we might have order & govern- ment; when these things are done, I shall be content to stay, & not Else-

2. If the town shall not think proper to comply with ye above Request, if they will grant me a dismission from my pastoral Relation to them; the town shall have Credit for all that I have Received either in a publick or private way, & I will allow my full proportion in all extraordinary Charges since ye timnes, according to what I possess, providing ye town will make good to me the remainder of the Rereges y' will then be due me, but if neither of the above proposals are agreeable, I will submit ye matter to be determined by indifferent Judges, who shall say what terms we shall part upon, from, Gentlemen, your most obedient, & humble servant,

JOSEPH BOWMAN."

" Oxford, April 5th, 1780."

Debt and Credit. He adds,

" The following is what I have Received for four years service viz, in 1777 £35, in 1778 £31, 13s. 1d .- in 1779 £27, 6s .- in 1780, nothing- making a total of £93, 19s. 1d. including presents.

" four years Sallery is £280, subtract 93, 19, 1. remains due, 186. 0. 11. " of the above £12. 5s. was received by subscription 28. 9s. 5d. presents from individuals

total, 40. 14. 5.

" which subtract from £93, 19s. leaves £52, 4s. 8d. to [be paid by] ye town."

People divided. Upon this, three town meetings were holden in quick succession. At the first, the first proposition of Mr. Bowman was acceded to and a sum sufficient to pay all arrearages in full was voted. . At the second this action was rescinded, at the third the friends of the pastor rallied and the first vote was re-affirmed, and for the time Mr. Bowman consented to remain. The opposition how- ever persisted, and at a fourth meeting called to see if the town would clear from responsibility " those who thought it not right to pay the minister by a tax," a vote was passed not to release such persons.

Little appears to indicate the state of affairs afterward for a year or more, but we know the town did not redeem its pledges. 9

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1782-3

Council. On 10 Jan., 1782, " there appearing no prospect of sufficient relief," Mr. Bowman renewed his request for a dismission, and asked for a mutual council. The Church demurred and asked time to consider. The request was later twice renewed, and on 3 Feb., was refused, on which " the pastor declared that he should call a council himself, and that with the leave of Providence it would meet at his house on Tuesday the 12th inst. and notified the Church to meet at the Meeting-house on said day. The council did not however convene, but a meeting of the Church was held, and strong efforts were made to induce the members to exert themselves to give relief to the pastor, and in case sufficient means could not be raised for the purpose, to consent to a mutual council for his dismis- sion. Meantime an unsuccessful effort was made to raise needed funds by a voluntary tax. At a Church meeting, 1 Aug., it was voted ;- " considering the circumstances of the Church and town," both being "in a broken and divided state, it is best that the relation between the pastor and this people be dissolved." Arrangements were made for a council which met at the house of James Butler 28 Aug., 1782, at which were present, David Hall, D.D., of Sutton, Rev. Charles Gleason of Dudley, Rev. Benjamin Conklin, Rev. Noadiah Russell of Thompson, with delegates. The result recognized " the sufferings of the pastor for several years-no prospect of improve- ment, and that affairs were growing worse," and advised that the pastoral relation of Mr. Bowman to the Church be dissolved.

Opposition organized. Before Nov., 1782, the opposition had, in some form of which there is no record, become organized. An article in a town warrant of that date was as follows :

" To see if the Society that have dissented from the Congregational 1 Church shall enjoy the free and uninterrupted liberties and priveleges equal with their fellow townsmen, in particular that they should have free liberty to provide preaching for themselves and be under no obligations to pay any thing towards hiring or settling a minister of any denomination whatever, except it is their free voluntary act and choice : also that they shall have the privelege of the free use of the meeting house so much of the time as is adequate to the proportion they pay in taxes in common with the rest of the town (at set times) and upon a full compliance with the above said request, said society will give as much money as is their full proportion of the arrearages now due to Rev. Mr. Bowman . .. and will be assessed for the same in common with the town.

" If the town shall not vote to improve the meeting house mutually accord- ing to the above proposal-to see if the town will vote that the standing party or society shall appraise the house, that the dissenting Society may have liberty to sell their rights, or buy the other part as they may choose."

These articles the town refused to consider.

Lawsuit. Mr. Bowman had been dismissed, five years' salary was due him, and a suit at law impending. The great question was, who shall meet the issue? The records of 1783 contain but

1 This is the first use of this word we find in the records.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

1784

little concerning ecclesiastical affairs. In the March town warrant was an article " For the Congregational society to choose a committee to supply the pulpit," which was dismissed. In May, Amos Shum- way, John Davis and John Dana were chosen by the town a supply committee. In November a town meeting was called to see what should be done "in respect to a large sum of money Mr. Bowman has sued the town for," and the selectmen were authorized to defend the action. The case came on at the March term, 1784. A few days after notification the town chose Gen. Ebenezer Learned and Dr. Daniel Fisk to go to Worcester with Mr. Bowman for the purpose of effecting a settlement if possible, but the effort failed. The follow- ing document is in the town archives :

" Oxford Mar. 25, 1784-This Day Waited on the Revd. Mr. Bowman And have as far as was in our power investigated the matter Respecting his Demand on the town and find that he must have £287. 18s. principal and interest & Cost this being his Demand which if he is not paid he Choses to have the matter tryed in Law that It may be Decided in that way.

£287 .. 18 .. 0.

EBENEZER LEARNED 7 JOHN DANA

DANIEL FISK

SAMel DAVIS

Com."

JOHN MAYO EPHRAIM RUSSELL

Town defaulted. The case went to court and when called the town did not respond and was defaulted. An execution in favor of Mr. Bowman was issued 24 April, 1784. On 27 April, three days later, a warrant was drawn for a town meeting "to see if the town will come into any measure to settle the dispute who shall pay the money due to Mr. Bowman." On 11 May the meeting was held and John Dana, Elias Pratt, John Ballard, Samuel Davis, Jr., Marvin Moore and Daniel Fisk were chosen to consider the subject and " bring in proposals " to settle the case, who reported as follows :

Plan of Settlement.

" 1st Every person shall pay monies already assessed for the purpose. 2nd The whole town shall be assessed for the additional sum of £90 .- the re- mainder [no sum named] shall be assessed on the town excepting the follow- ing, John Barton Jr, Ezra Conant, Solomon Cook, Samuel Davis Jr, Elijah Davis, Learned Davis, Joseph Davis, Craft Davis, Charles Dabney, Samuel Davidson, Abijah Harris, Samuel Kingsbury, John Mayo, Collins Moore, David Mellen, Marvin Moore, Ephraim Russell, Jacob Shumway Jr., Andrew Walker, Abiel Atwood, Thomas Clark, Daniel Fisk, Jeremiah Learned, Ben- jamin Learned, Ebenezer Redding, Abner Town.1 [26.] 3ª After this settle- ment, every man to be governed by the present Constitution."

This report was accepted and was the basis of a settlement. On 2 June, 1784, Mr. Bowman received satisfaction in cash and notes of hand for £292. 16s. 12d., and receipted in full of all demands.

Dark Days. Eight years passed after Mr. Bowman's dismissal before the settlement of another minister. This was the darkest

1 These it may be presumed constituted the

tional Church," most of them were later mem- "society " of "dissenters from the Congrega-

bers of the Universalist Society.

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1784-5

period of the Church's history. Dea. Samuel Harris was its modera- tor, and Dea. John Davis scribe. No entry by him, however, appears excepting the noting of a few baptisms and a memorandum 1784, 1785, as follows :

" The Churches in Sutton, Sutton parish, Sturbridge, Killingly, Dudley, Douglas, Woodstock, Leicester, Charlton, Northbridge each gave one sab- bath's preaching by their respective pastors."

The effects of the Revolutionary struggle were not only to reduce the resources of the people and their ability to sustain religious institutions, but the prevailing liberal ideas concerning civil matters extended themselves into ecclesiastical affairs, and many left the " standing order" and transferred their support to other denomina- tions, leaving on an impoverished Church a burden which the strength of the town had scarcely been able to carry.1 This was a crisis in the town's history and a new order of things based on the provisions of the new State constitution ensued. Socially the results in the community were deplorable. Members of the same family became alienated, heated discussions were common and many personal enmi- ties engendered, which continued many years.2

Candidating. In Sept., 1784, it was voted in town meeting to contribute each Sabbath after service to pay expenses of public wor- ship, and on 22 Dec. voted "to hear Mr. Avery further on proba- tion." 3 At the same meeting it was voted that " those who do not intend to join with those that attend public worship at the meeting house, send in their names to the town clerk, by next March meeting," probably that they might be exempted from the ministerial tax.

Society formed. At April meeting, 1785, the town granted money for the support of preaching, and dissenters numbering 21 protested, " being of a different denomination and persuasion of Christians than those that meet in said meeting-house." A few months later the Universalist Society was formed, and shortly after- ward requested the use of the meeting-house " to have a lecture preached . . . when it is known to stand empty and out of use by the Congregational Society," which the town refused. On 19 Oct., 1785, the majority memorialized the Legislature as follows :

" TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

" We the subscribers in Behalf of the town of Oxford humbly shew-That whereas the said Town now labors under Great Disadvantage with respect to the Support of the Gospel among us by reason of a large number that have separated from us called Universalists, who have opposed the raising of

1 Abijah Davis, Esq., an actor in these affairs, whose judgment and integrity cannot be ques- tioned, affirmed that in a large majority of cases the main motive for leaving the standing order was to avoid pecuniary obligations.

2 Rev. David Batcheller in his sermon at the funeral of Maj. Archibald Campbell, in 1818, in allusion to this subject, after speaking of the beneficent influence of the grandfather of the

deceased, the first minister, said "Since that period a sad reverse has been experienced. But for some time past the demon of discord has been losing ground. Deep rooted prejudices in the aged are wearing away, while the most active members of society and the younger part of the community wish to be a united people."

3 Mr. Avery was not settled.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

1785-91

Money for the Support of the Gospel in the usual way-And by means of which our late minister has asked a Dismistion and has left us for upwards of three years past By which means we have been destitute of Public Wor- ship for much of the time, and have had recourse to Subscription and Contri- butions which although burdensome to some yet does by no means answer the purpose of supporting the Gospel among us. And your Petitioners observe in the Constitution that the Legislature shall authorize and require the several Towns Parishes and other Bodies Politic, or Religious Societies to make pro- visions for the Public Worship of God at their own expense.

" And one Other Clause that no subordination of any one sect or denomina- tion to another shall ever be established by law, which has caused doubts to arise among us whether the Universalists are a sect known in the Constitution.

" To prevent Expensive Lawsuits under the former laws, and confutions among us to the detriment of Civil and Religious Society Your Petitioners humbly Pray that this Honorable Court would be pleased to take our Unhappy Circumstances into your wise and prudent Consideration and grant us such Redress or Direction as you in your Great Wisdom shall think Propper

"As in Duty bound will ever Pray " Signed JOSIAH WOLCOTT SAMUEL .HARRIS SAMUEL JENNISON AMOS SHUMWAY ELIAS PRATT." 1

Leave to withdraw was reported on this petition.

Candidates. In Jan., 1787, the town voted £80 for preaching, and in July of that year concurred with the Church in a call to Rev. Daniel Farrington, proposing a salary of £85 money and 30 cords of wood, which offer was declined.2 In Aug., 1789, the town united with the Church in a call to Rev. Caleb Blake, later of Westford, proposing a salary of £70 and parsonage "to the value of £200." This offer, although strongly pressed, was also declined.

Mr. Dudley. In 1790 a young man of good ability came as a candidate, and under date, 26 Nov., occurs the following :

" The Church met, and proceeded to give Mr. Elias Dudley a call to settle with them in the Gospel ministry by a unanimous vote."

The town concurred, offering a salary of £75 and £150 settlement, one-half cash and one-half neat stock, to be paid in three years. This call was accepted and the ordination council met 13 April, 1791 ; sermon by Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, with whom the new pastor had studied his profession.

Mr. Dudley's ministry began with a reduced Church and congrega- tion. He was a man of progressive ideas, and under him the Church formulated and adopted its first creed, and also a new covenant. Through his influence, doubtless, £30 of the Hagburn fund was appropriated in Jan., 1792, toward founding a library, which became a prized and useful institution. July 10, 1791, it was voted that Mr. Daniel Kingsbury, Mr. William Stone and Mr. Ambrose Stone be desired to assist as choristers. According to tradition Mr.

1 Mass. Archives.

2 Mr. Farrington was paid 17 Sept. for 18 Sabbaths' preaching.

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1797-9

Dudley's ministrations were highly appreciated by his people, and were attended by a good measure of success. Twenty persons, most of them on confession, were admitted to the Church during his ministry. His health, however, gradually failed, and at a church meeting on 23 Nov., 1797, he offered his resignation on the ground, first, that study and speaking were injurious to his health and that his feebleness caused him personal discouragement; and second, his salary was insufficient to meet the needs of his family, which fact had called him " to labors, cares and fatigues more and greater than he had strength and constitution to bear." The meeting adjourned without decisive action. At a meeting, 3 Jan., 1798, the Church desired the pastor to withdraw his resignation, and deferred the matter until spring, at which time, so far as appears, no action was taken on the subject. On 30 Aug. the Church met and voted to hire a supply-if the town concurred-the pastor's ill health continuing. Under the date, 12 Nov., 1798, occurs " the health of the pastor was such there was no preaching since August," and as there was no prospect of his preach- ing at present it was voted that the churches in the vicinity be requested "to consider them and give a sabbath preaching of their respective pastors."

1798, May 3, Capt. Kingsbury was dismissed with a vote of thanks for his long services, and Peter Spaulding, Elias Pratt, Jeremiah Dana and James Coller were chosen as choristers to lead the singing.

Dudley's Letter. On 12 Dec., 1798, at a church meeting, Mr. Dudley communicated the following :

"My Christian Brethren and Friends : As you now are and have been a long time acquainted with the low estate of my health and the great improba- bility of my being able again to preach the Gospel, I think it incumbent upon you and upon me, to take into serious consideration the contract and connection subsisting between us. As I have full evidence that study and public preaching have been very injurious to me and, as I fully believe have been the principal cause in divine providence of reducing me to the low and uncomfortable state I have been so long in I think it my duty to inform you that after serious con- sideration and as I trust humble and fervent prayer to God for direction I have come to the determination it can no longer be my duty to preach the gospel . . . Your hope of my future labors in the ministry should entirely cease . . . as there has been always a good understanding between us . . . and as the times since my residence with you have been greatly to my tempo- ral disadvantage, and much in your favor, while I have lost my health in your service, I request my salary do not cease till the year be up in April."

The meeting adjourned without action to 2 Jan., 1799, at which time it was voted unanimously to defer a decision on the subject until conference could be had with the town, indicating an extreme reluctance to meet fairly the issue. On 9 Jan., 1799, the town voted that under existing circumstances a separation might take place " in an amicable manner," and at an adjourned meeting, 4 Feb., the day of the church meeting, voted to concur with the Church in its action concerning the dismissal of Mr. Dudley.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

1799-1813

Dismission voted. On 4 Feb., 1799, the Church "took into consideration the proposals laid before them at a former meeting by the pastor," and voted that they agree to a separation of the pastoral relation, and fixed on the first Wednesday in March as the day for the meeting of a council for the purpose, which council, consisting of Mr. Bailey of Ward, Mr. Mills of Sutton, Mr. Learned of Charlton and delegates, met on 6 March, 1799, and unanimously advised that Mr. Dudley's relation to Oxford Church should be dissolved.

On 12 Sept., 1799, a call was voted-the town proposing a salary of $300-to Rev. James Davis, to which he gave a negative response. On 17 Sept., 1800, the town voted "to hire Mr. Underwood for one month longer." This was Rev. Almon, later settled at West Wood- stock. On 30 July, 1801, a unanimous call was given to Rev. Samuel Brown, which he declined in a letter, dated "Oxford 28 Nov. 1801," from which we learn he had for several months preached here and had become much attached to the people. A meeting of the Church was held 28 Dec., 1802, and a unanimous call voted to Rev. Hubbell Loomis, the town concurring, which was declined.

Mr. Moulton. Other candidates were heard but no pastor invited until 2 Jan., 1805, when REV. JOSIAH MOULTON of Upton received a unanimous call. He was installed 27 March, 1805, his pastor, Rev. Benjamin Wood, preaching the sermon. During his ministry there was a revival of interest in the Church and a steady accession of worthy members, about 60 having been added in the eight years of his service. He was the first minister of the town to hold social meetings in private houses and school-houses. Votes were passed by the Church soon after his settlement as follows : To hold a conference immediately after each sacramental lecture, and to choose a committee of three to assist the pastor in the examination of candidates for church membership. For this committee were chosen Ebenezer Humphrey, Dea. John Dana, and Jonathan Harris.

The matter of calling to account those members of the Church who withdrew during the pastorate of Mr. Bowman was brought up, discussed, and deferred from time to time and abandoned without action. Thanksgiving Day, Dec. 1, 1808, Mr. Andrew Sigourney presented the Church and Society with a Bible and Psalm-book for the desk of the North Meeting-house and received a vote of thanks there- for.

Moulton embarrassed. About 1812 dissatisfaction with Mr. Moulton sprang up, and to some extent the experiences of former years were repeated. So many withdrew from his support that his friends were unable to sustain him and appealed to the town for aid, which was refused.

Society formed. In this exigency on 15 March, 1813, the First Congregational Society of Oxford was organized at the house of Mr. Moulton, and he was one of its first board of officers. Its first action was to choose a committee to circulate subscription papers

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History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 8

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