History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 9

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 9

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1813-16

through the town for aid to sustain the pastor. But the effort was unsuccessful, and on 29 March, a vote was passed both by Church and Society that it was expedient that the Church join with the pastor in calling a council for his dismission, which council was called for 6 April, 1813.

Moulton dismissed. This council embracing pastor and dele- gates from the following Churches : Sutton, Ward, Worcester, Sutton Second and Dudley, met at the proposed date and advised the termina- tion of Mr. Moulton's pastorate. In the result it deprecated the condi- tion of affairs which led to this action, distinctly conveyed censure of the people, and commended highly Mr. Moulton, saying, " no charge whatever is brought against him," but that while the majority have been faithful in sustaining him, individuals havevery unjustly and dishonorably abandoned the obligation of their contract, and have discouraged the pastor in his labors.1

On 19 May, 1814, is recorded the receipt by the Church of thirty dollars as a donation from the Religious Charitable Society for Worcester County.

On 8 May, 1815, an instrument was drawn up, and signed by cer- tain individuals whereby they were bound under a forfeiture of five hundred dollars, to raise in the aggregate the sum of five hundred dollars per annum for ten years for the support of the Gospel in the Congregational Society in Oxford, the assessment to begin at the set- tlement of a minister. The signers were :-

Samuel Hartwell, Jonathan Harris, William T. Fisk, Peter Shumway, Samuel Coburn, Martha Kingsbury, Joseph Brown, William Cargel, Peter Butler, Nathan Hall, Joshua Turner, Thomas Russell, Joseph Stone, Abigail Plummer, Jonas Eddy, Amos Shumway, Jr., Jonas Eddy, Jr., Elias Pratt, Sylvanus Pratt, Elias Pratt, Jr., Archibald Campbell, Stearns Witt, Jeremiah Dana, Parley Eddy, Rufus Harris, Isaac Harris, Joseph Hurd, John Hurd, Russell Clark, Ebenezer Humphrey, John Dana, Samuel Smith, Charles P. Nichols, Benjamin F. Town, Delano Pierce, Peleg Foster, Charles Town, James Moulton, Alpheus Eddy, Lewis Shumway, William Hudson, Bradford Hudson, John Waite, John Hudson, Lemuel Crane, Ebenezer Dana, Benjamin Eddy, Jotham Eddy, Sylvanus Coburn, Sylvanus Town, Naomi Wolcott, Martin Sigournay, Jason Coller, Richard Gleason, Baxter Pratt.

This was a well advised and important movement and, as it were, placed the Society upon its feet financially, giving it an impetus which was felt for many succeeding years.

Mr. Batcheller. The next settled minister was REV. DAVID BATCHELLER. The first mention of him in the records is of date 11 Sept., 1815, when the Society instructed a committee to hire him "for two months more." On 4 Dec., 1815, the Church passed a unanimous vote inviting him to the pastorate in which the Society concurred, tendering him a salary of 375 dollars per annum, which he accepted. The council for installation met 13 Feb., 1816, for his examination, and on the 14th the public services were held. The churches repre-

1 See Moulton; Genealogical Department.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

1816-20

sented were Sutton, Millbury, Dudley, Sturbridge, Charlton, and Ward. Rev. Mr. Whipple of Charlton preached the sermon. The new minister, by his earnestness, sympathetic temperament and social manners, gained rapidly in favor with the people and as affairs were unsettled in the Universalist Society and public services were held irregularly, many, who had been attendants came to the "North meeting," and several who had been supporters of that Society now gave their aid and influence to Mr. Batcheller. A list of 18 names not previously members of the Society appears in the records, of those who agreed to be taxed "during Mr. Batcheller's settlement," among whom were: Richard Olney, Jonathan Sibley, Charles J. Stratford, Elihu Harwood, Jr., John Tyson, Andrew W. Porter, and Dexter Tiffany.

South Meeting-house. At a Society meeting, 6 July, 1816, a proposition was received from the Second Religious Society, that Mr. Batcheller preach a part of the time in the South Meeting-house, on which a committee was chosen which, 10 Aug., reported that a com- mittee of the Second Society had "consulted with the owners of the house and found no objections, but rather a wish that the experiment might be tried for the present." . . . they offering the use of "said house one or two Sabbaths in each month." So far as comfort and convenience were concerned a change was desirable, as the North Meeting-house had then become old and almost unfit for use. But for some reason the plan was not immediately acted upon. At a society meeting, 14 Sept., 1818, Mr. Batcheller made a request that he be permitted to preach twelve Sabbaths in a year at the South house, to which the meeting assented. Peter Butler, Bela Tiffany and John Merriam were chosen a committee to carry out the proposition, who reported 26 Oct., 1818, that the request for the use of the South house had been unanimously granted, on which it was voted that meet- ings commence there in November next, the third Sunday, and continue through the year the third Sunday in each month. On 27 Sept., 1819, a vote was passed to hold meetings in the South house two Sabbaths in each month through the year. In Sept., 1820, the Society voted "to adopt the same plan for five years, "providing the house be free of rent, and the subscriptions the same they now are, during said term." This plan was adopted and continued until 1829, the date of the building of the new house on the south common.

On 7 Sept., 1820, the following persons not members of the Congre- gational Society, signed an agreement to pay a certain sum annually, for the support of public worship while Mr. Batcheller remained as minister provided he should preach half of the time in the South Meeting-house :

Jonathan Davis, Stephen Davis, Jonathan Davis, Jr., Calvin Aldrich, Calvin Phipps, Nehemiah Davis, Alice Fisk, Samuel Kingsbury, Jeremiah Kingsbury, William Moore, Charles Davis, Samuel Mayo, John Mayo, Abisha Learned, John B. Blanchard, William Sigourney, William Hurd, West Pope, Chester 10

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1821-27

Boyden, Joseph Lamb, Pope & Warner, Thomas Davis, Jr., Ebenezer Rich, Samuel Dowse, Solomon Harwood, Hopestill Harris, Samuel Merriam. The following agreed to be taxed for the same purpose-Richard Olney, Jonathan Sibley, Lucy Stratford, Charles J. Stratford, Abijah Nichols, Elihu Harwood, Jr., Henry Puffer, Reuel Moffit, Jesse Bigelow, Calvin Tucker, John Tyson, Andrew W. Porter, William Clark, Alexander Campbell, Stephen Webster, Samuel Harris, Dexter Tiffany, Roger Jewett, Hiram Moffit, Lyman Tiffany.

The ministry of Mr. Batcheller was very successful. The Society was much enlarged and strengthened, large numbers including people from other towns attended public worship, and the number of mem- bers added to the Church was over one hundred.1 He did not, how- ever, escape the trials and discouragements of his predecessors. At a Society meeting on 10 Dec., 1821, he communicated the following :

"Painful necessity compels me to inform you that unless there are more effective measures taken for my support and a greater promptitude in fulfilling your engagements to me, I shall hold myself at liberty to close my ministry in Oxford in six months from this date."

On this a committee was chosen to hold consultation and report- constituted as follows : Abijah Davis, Esq., Richard Olney, Peter Butler, Dr. Delano Pierce, Jonathan Davis, Esq., which recommended "considering the critical standing of religious institutions in this place," a subscription for four years, "binding to each and every individual." A committee was chosen to carry the plan into effect, but the records furnish no information as to the definite result. It was, however, in a measure successful and the spring and summer of 1822, was marked by a revival which brought in July an accession of 39 new members to the Church, a larger number than had before been admitted at one time.

Mr. Batcheller's death. A few weeks afterward the much loved pastor was stricken down and a short illness brought his decease on 25 Oct., 1822. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Wood of Upton. The Church erected a headstone at his grave, for which Rev. Enoch Pond furnished the inscription.2

In 1823, Rev. Amzi Benedict preached several weeks during the early part of the year and on 2 June the Church voted him a unani- mous call, which he declined.

Mr. Newhall. On 23 Oct., 1823, EBENEZER NEWHALL received a unanimous invitation to the pastorate, the Society concurring, pro- posing a salary of $500 and a subscription settlement of $150 addi- tional. He was installed 17 Dec., 1823, Rev. John Nelson of Leices- ter preaching the sermon.

Temperance. In the autumn of 1827 the evils of the use of ardent spirits were publicly recognized in a Church meeting, and on 7 Oct. the following preamble and resolutions were adopted :

"As it is obvious to every observer that the evils of the prevalent use of

1 The following memorandum made soon after his decease, occurs in the church records-"there were 111 taken into the church during his minis-

try ... the present residing members are 142 . . . 46 males, and 96 females."

2 See " Batcheller."

ECCLESIASTICAL.

1832

strong drink are immense, that the importance of temperance is vastly great, and that new customs must be introduced by the concurrent effort of num- bers, the Church of Oxford pass the following resolutions :

" 1. It is the sense of this Church that no benefit is derived from the use of strong drink, not even from a moderate use of it.

"2. It is the sense of this Church that the prevailing use of strong drink is productive of great evils.

"3. Resolved that expediency and Christian duty now require all the members and communicants of this Church to abstain from all common use of strong drink in family, in company, at labor; that it be not used except in uncommon infrequent cases where it is decidedly advisable.

"4. Resolved that expediency and Christian duty require that in all ordi- nary cases strong drink be not used at funerals."

In 1831 dissatisfaction with the pastor began to appear, and in the warning for a meeting, 14 April, 1832, was an article "To Choose a committee to consider the subject of the future employment and sup- port of a minister and report." This committee reported it expedient to communicate with Mr. Newhall as follows :

" That he continue his services until the expiration of the current half year, 17th of June next, and in consideration of his services and the respect the society bears toward him, they recommend that his salary be paid for six additional months, he to render such services during said time as may suit his convenience."

This report was accepted, and Mr. Newhall signified his acqui- escence in a letter to the Society 5 May, 1832.

Newhall's Dismission. In a Church meeting, 17 May, it was voted to call a council for the dismission of Mr. Newhall on the ground of the action of the Society on this subject, which council was held 19 June, and the pastoral relation dissolved. During his minis- try there was harmony and steady growth. Manufacturing had become fairly established at North Oxford, the Oxford Woolen Mill and the Thread Village, now Buffum's, the result of which was a general thrift in the town, and a valuable accession of members to the congregation and Church, and the building of the new meeting- house upon the Plain in 1829.

Union proposed. Immediately after the dismissal of Mr. New- hall the Second Religious Society unanimously, through a committee, made to the First Society a proposition for a union of the two bodies, in a communication setting forth the evils of divisions in the town and the multiplication of sects, and suggesting the settling of a minister over the united body, " orthodox in sentiment, but liberal in inter- course with other ministers, of proper qualifications and character." A committee of the First Society composed of Ira Barton, Peter Butler, Peter Shumway, Stephen Davis and Alexander DeWitt re- ported 6 Oct., 1832, upon the said proposition as follows :

"Resolved, that the members of this society cordially reciprocate the friend- ly sentiments expressed in said communication,-that we regard the division and multiplication of religious societies as an evil and that in order to correct it, it is the duty of ministers and all members of a Christian community to

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1832-6

exercise great forbearance towards each other in all their religious concern- ments,-that an able administration of the Gospel in one Church and Society in this town would be adequate to the wants of the people provided they can walk together in harmony and Christian concord .- that in establishing such an administration of the Gospel, this society invites the co-operation of the members of the Second Society .- that a transfer of membership from one religious society to another must be individual, and not a corporate act, and that hence a vote of one Society to unite with another would in no wise bind the individual members of the Society so voting,-that the entire independence of each Church and Society with their minister, of every other religious or ecclesiastical body is a principle essential to civil and religious liberty,-that it is the sense of this Society that the minister should be ' liberal in his inter -. course with other ministers of proper qualifications and character,' leaving it however to the ministers to regulate such intercourse according to his own discretion and that in case such discretion should be abused by the minister, the people would have an ample and rightful remedy in dismissing him."

These resolutions were transmitted to the clerk of the Second Society, but the records of neither body show further action on the subject.

Mr. Robbins. On 25 Sept., 1832, a call was extended to REV. LOREN ROBBINS, the Society concurring 6 Oct. and proposing a salary of $600 per annum, which was accepted, and on 26 Dec., 1832, he was installed, sermon by Rev. Prof. Fitch of New Haven. Until the spring of 1835 Mr. Robbins officiated with general satis- faction, but the additions to the Church were few. He being unmar- ried was unsettled in his home and study arrangements, and on the Sabbath preceding Fast Day, 1835, gave notice there would be no services on that occasion. Such an innovation on time-honored cus- tom was a surprise to the people, a Society meeting was held to con- sider the matter and a committee chosen to confer with the pastor on the subject, which reported in effect that Mr. Robbins' reasons for his course were unsatisfactory, and on 2 May the Society voted it expedient that the pastoral relation should be dissolved. He was formally dismissed by the council which met to install his successor, Rev. Horatio Bardwell, 8 June, 1836.

In the autumn of 1835 Rev. Almon Underwood, an evangelist, preached for several weeks, Mr. Robbins, nominal pastor, taking little part in the work. Extra meetings were held and a great inter- est awakened throughout the town, resulting in the greatest revival work the Church has ever witnessed. As the fruits thereof, in December 89 persons, several of them leading and influential citi- zens, were received to the Church on confession.1

On 15 Dec., 1835, a unanimous call was voted to Rev. Barnabas Phinney, the Society concurring. Mr. Phinney at about the same time received a call to settle at Westboro', which he accepted.

Mr. Bardwell. On 10 March, 1836, REV. HORATIO BARDWELL was invited to a settlement by a unanimous vote, in which the Society

1 Mr. Underwood was a very energetic and years in various parts of the country, living dur- ing his later years at Irvington, N. J., where he died 10 June, 1887.

fervent preacher, but not extreme in method or doctrine. He labored very successfully for many

ECCLESIASTICAL.

1836-63

concurred, proposing a salary of $750 per annum, which was accepted, and the installation took place on 8 June, 1836, Rev. John Nelson of Leicester preaching the sermon.

"Vestry" built. On 1 Dec., 1836, it was voted to appropriate the "Hagburn Fund," or the sum of $300, toward the building of a " vestry," on condition "enough can be made up by subscription to complete such building." Seth Daniels, Alexander DeWitt and Samuel Dowse were chosen to solicit subscriptions, procure a site, and contract for the completion of the same. This building was erected opposite the northeast corner of the cemetery and was used as a chapel until the removal of the meeting-house to its present location in the autumn of 1853.

Temperance. At a Church meeting, 2 July, 1836, it was voted :

"That in the present enlightened state of the public mind in regard to the evils and the remedy of intemperance, we feel ourselves bound by the spirit of the gospel to refrain entirely from the manufacture, sale and use of ardent spirits except as an article of medicine and that hereafter no person be con- sidered as a candidate for admission to this church who does not act on this principle."

Under Mr. Bardwell's wise and able ministry for ten years there was was steady growth and prosperity. On 23 May, 1847, he requested a dismission for the following reasons : that the Church had failed to act on the apostolic injunction to " bear one another's burdens." He had, as he stated, been endeavoring for years to remove this · evil, which he considered serious and one which if suffered to continue would effectually prevent the prosperity of the Church and Society. But as he had failed to induce the members to act on this true basis of Christian equity, he asked to be excused from further service "in the hope that some other man [might] have the wisdom and influence to bring all the members of the Church to this rule of duty." The effect of this action was to remove in the main the difficulty, and the resignation was withdrawn. On 29 June, 1857, there was a reor- ganization of the Society in accordance with the State laws, which continued until 1887, at which date its corporate existence was relinquished and the Church assumed all its responsibilities.

In the autumn of 1857 Rev. Almon Underwood came for the second time ; a revival followed, and in March, 1858, 40 new mem- bers were received into the Church.

Bardwell dismissed. On 20 July, 1862, Dr. Bardwell, feeling the infirmities of his years, asked a dismission, which, on 14 Aug., the Church granted, expressing a desire that he remain as nominal or senior pastor.1

On 22 Nov., 1862, a call was voted to Rev. Tryon Edwards, D.D., in which, on 7 Feb., 1863, the Society concurred; the call was

1 See Bardwell in Genealogical Department.

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1864-86

accepted, but there being a lack of unanimity among the people was withdrawn. On 31 March, 1864, a unanimous call was voted to Rev. Robert G. Hutchins which was declined.

On 29 April, 1864, the Church extended an invitation to REV. SAMUEL J. AUSTIN of Gardner, in which the Society concurred 4 May, proposing a salary of $1,000. Rev. John D. Potter had for several weeks been preaching, and there was during the winter of 1863-4 an unusual religious interest. On 1 May, 1864, 21 members were added to the Church. On 8 June, 1864, Rev. Mr. Austin was installed ; the same council having at his own request dissolved the pastoral relation between Dr. Bardwell and the Church. The sermon was by Rev. Ebenezer Cutler, D. D., of Worcester. Mr. Austin resigned 26 Oct., 1868, and a council for his dismission met 9 Nov., following.1 From the spring of 1869 to 1 May, 1870, Rev. William W. Belden preached as stated supply. On 13 Sept., 1870, a unani- mous call was voted by the Church to Rev. E. W. Allen, which he declined.

On 29 Jan., 1871, the Church celebrated with appropriate cere- monies the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its formation. A historic address was given by Rev. Wilbur Johnson.

On 4 April, 1871, both Church and Society voted a unanimous call to Rev. THOMAS E. BABB of Eastport, Me., which was accepted, the salary being $1,400. He was installed on 20 September ; sermon by Rev. A. H. Plumb of Chelsea. He resigned 18 Feb., 1877, the council for his dismission convening 1 May.2 Shortly after Mr. Babb's dismissal REV. AMZI B. EMMONS of Jamaica, Vt., occupied the pulpit, and in August was engaged as stated supply for a year at a salary of $1,000 and parsonage. On 16 Oct., 1878, he was installed as pastor ; sermon by Rev. C. M. Lamson of Worcester. His pastor- ate continued until the close of 1881, when his health failed, and he died suddenly 18 Jan., 1882. On 16 Nov., 1882, Rev. B. A. Robie of Groton, later of Grafton, was voted a call in which the Society concurred, which was declined. On 22 Feb., 1883, Rev. Rufus B. Tobey received a unanimous invitation to the pastorate, the Society concurring, which was accepted. Ill health, however, obliged him to withdraw his acceptance.

On 9 April, 1883, REV. GEORGE B. FROST was voted a unanimous call, the Society concurring and proposing a salary of $1,000 with parsonage, which was accepted. He was ordained and installed 7 June, 1883 ; sermon by Prof. Wm. J. Tucker of Andover. Three years later his health being precarious, and an urgent call having been extended to him to remove to Dakota, he resigned, and was dismissed 15 Sept., 1886.3

1 See Austin, in Genealogical Department.

2 See Babb, Ibid.

3 See Frost, Ibid.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

REV. WILLIAM N. T. DEAN began his labor as supply in Jan., 1887, and was installed as pastor on 16 Nov. of that year, sermon by Rev. W. V. W. Davis, D.D., of Worcester, and continues, 1890.1

Deacons. The following is a list of deacons, with the date of their election :

John Town, 18 March, 1721, d. 1740; Daniel Hovey, 31 Jan., 1729, d. 1742; Samuel Davis, 26 Nov., 1735, d. 1760; Jonathan Town, 29 June, 1739, d. 1771; John Willson, 24 June, 1743, d. 1778; Thomas Davis, 26 Sept., 1760, d. 1778; Samuel Harris, 26 Sept., 1771, d. 1798; John Davis, 19 March, 1778, d. 1800; Ebenezer Humphrey (d. 1836) and John Dana (d. 1816), 24 Nov., 1798; Luke R. Stone (d. 1862) and John Hurd (d. 1866), 27 April, 1819; Seth Daniels (d. 1878) and Washburn Lumbard (d. 1872), 1835; Alvan G. Underwood, 2 Jan., 1852, d. 1885; Moses Stone, 2 Sept., 1858, d. 1882; Edward S. Pease, 1 Sept., 1865 ; Samuel Boyden, 5 Jan., 1866, d. 1884; Samuel C. Paine, 7 May, 1878, d. 1888; Daniel M. Howe, 2 May, 1882; George F. Daniels, 1 May, 1883; John E. Kimball, 10 Dec., 1888.

Membership. The number of members of the Church in May, 1886, was 183; males, 48 ; females, 135; non-residents, 20.

De Witt Legacy. The following is an extract from the will of Col. Alexander DeWitt, dated 17 Jan., 1877 :

"I give and bequeath to the first Congregational Church in Oxford the sum of two thousand dollars, to be held in trust by the said church for the following purposes, to wit : First, to furnish in each successive year after my decease, to all the inmates of the poor-house on the 4th of July and on Christmas day with a fine dinner, to furnish everything necessary for the accomplishment of this object, aside from the products of the farm, such meats as they may think proper, oranges, lemons, pies, &c., and at Christmas fine turkey with all its fixings.

" Second, the residue or remainder of the income of the said legacy of two thousand dollars, I direct first, to be paid to feeble indigent women, members of the church aforesaid, to prevent if possible their ever becoming inmates of the poor-house, Second, should said women not need all of said income the remainder to be disposed of as said church may think proper.

"To the first Congregational Society in Oxford [I give] One thousand dollars to be held by said Society in trust, as follows, to wit: First, to keep the same at all times hereafter invested in safe and profitable securities . . . Second to devote so much of the income of said legacy as may be necessary to the care, keeping and proper adornment of my cemetery lot . .. for all time, hereafter. Third the balance of such income as may remain unex- pended after care of my cemetery lot as aforesaid, shall be devoted to the purchase of books for the library of the Sabbath School connected with the said society.

"To the American Tract Society of New York I give the sum of one thousand dollars . .. upon the express condition that if at any time here- after any union shall be effected between said society and the Tract society at Boston, then, and in that case this bequest shall revert to the first Con- gregational Society in Oxford aforesaid."

The New York and Boston Tract Societies united and this bequest came to the Oxford Congregational Society.

1 See Dean, in Genealogical Department.

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

Dea. Stone Legacy. The following is from the will of Moses Stone, dated 4 Sept., 1882 :

" I give, devise and bequeath the rest and residue of my estate . . . to the First Congregational Church in Oxford of which I have been a member for fifty years, to be safely invested ... and kept as a permanent fund, only the income of which is to be used and as follows : so much as may be necessary to keep my cemetery lot . . . in good order, for all coming time; one half of what remains of said income, and more if it be thought best by the Pastor and deacons of said church to be given for the same objects for which the benevolent offerings from the boxes in the said church are given : the remain- der of said income to be used as the church may think proper."

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 9

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