History of the town of Plymouth, from its first settlement in 1620, to the present time : with a concise history of the aborigines of New England, and their wars with the English, &c., Part 29

Author: Thacher, James, 1754-1844
Publication date: 1835
Publisher: Boston : Marsh, Capen & Lyon
Number of Pages: 424


USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > History of the town of Plymouth, from its first settlement in 1620, to the present time : with a concise history of the aborigines of New England, and their wars with the English, &c. > Part 29


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40


274


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.


[1667


constantly attended for many years, and much good resulted from that exercise, being on Saturday afternoon previous to the sacramental communion. The number admitted to full commun- ion during the first year of Mr. Cotton's ministry, was twenty- seven. In 1670, fourteen; the next year, seventeen. In 1672, six, and during the 30 years of his ministry, there were 178 members admitted. Mr. Cotton remained in the ministry at Ply- mouth until 1697; during that whole period he was indefatigable in his exertions to convert the heathen, and no less so in gain- ing members to his own church. He requested all such members of his church as were heads of families, to attend once in two months, and receive from him sundry questions, which they were to answer from the scriptures. Having read their answers, he gave his own, and preached on the subject. It had been the practice in the Plymouth church for candidates for admission to fellowship, to present an open relation of the experiences of a work of grace in the heart; but in 1688, some alteration in this respect was made, and it was agreed that such as were bashful and of low voice, and not able to speak in public to the edifica- tion of the congregation, the elders might bring before the church in private, but voting their admission should be before the con- gregation; they. having been examined and heard before by the elders in private, and they stood propounded in public for two weeks. The relations of the women, being written in private from their mouths, were read in public by the pastor, and the elders gave testimony of the competency of their knowledge.


In town-meeting, October 29th, 1668, it was agreed to allow to Mr. Cotton the sum of £80 for the following year, one third part in wheat, or butter, one third part in rye, barley or peas, and the other third in Indian corn at stipulated prices. In 1677, the same sum was allowed him, and to continue till God in his providence shall so impoverish the town that they shall be neces- sitated to abridge that sum. In November, 1680, it was voted to convey to Mr. Cotton the minister's house and homestead, and to his heirs forever, except the lot given to the church by Bridgett Fuller and Samuel Fuller, which reserve is the parson- age at the present time. The homestead given to Mr. Cotton was adjoining the present parsonage, on the east side. August 4th, 1687, it was proposed in town-meeting to allow Mr. Cotton £90 for that year, but it was opposed by a large majority, as ex- ceeding their ability, and it was then agreed that the minister's salary should be paid by voluntary subscription. In 1694, Mr. Isaac Cushman was invited to settle as a religious teacher with a church and society formed in that part of Plymouth which is now Plympton. The acceptance of Mr. Cushman laid the foun-


275


ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.


1667]


dation of an unhappy and lasting division between Mr. Cotton, he pastor, and his church; the pastor strenuously contended hat Mr. Cushman ought not to settle before being designated o the office of ruling elder by the church. This controversy continued about three years with considerable warmth, and oc- casioned the withdrawal of some of the members of the church. At length, many ill reports were propagated, injurious to the reputation and feelings of Mr. Cotton; and a mutual council was called, with a strong desire of a permanent reconciliation of difficulties. But this proving unsuccessful, it was deemed advisable that the pastor ask a dismission, and that the church grant it, ' with such expressions of their love and charity as he rule called for.' Mr. Cotton accordingly resigned his of- ice, and, at his request, was dismissed October 5th, 1697, to he great grief of a large number in the church and town, who earnestly desired his continuance. After this he tarried more han a year in Plymouth, in which time he preached some sab- aths in Yarmouth; and then having a call to Charleston, South Carolina, he accepted the same, and having made up all differ- nces with the Plymouth church and received a recommenda- ion from several ministers, set sail for Carolina, November 5th, 1698, where he gathered a church, and was very abun- lant and successful in his labors, as appears from a daily jour- al, under his hand, which is yet extant.


Mr. Cotton died at Charleston, much lamented, on the 18th of September, 1699, aged about 66. In the short space of his continuance among that people, there were about 25 members added to the church and many baptized. He was treated with he highest honor and respect, and the church manifested their affection for his memory by taking the charge of his funeral, und erecting a handsome monument over his grave. The church n Plymouth erected a stone to his memory also, in the burial ground, with a suitable inscription. From a diary kept by Jo- siah Cotton, Esq., I have copied the following sketch of the life of his father: 'John Cotton, son of the minister in Boston, was born March 15th, 1639-40, graduated in 1657, and oreached at various places in Connecticut, and afterwards in Old Town, on the Vineyard, where he learnt the Indian lan- guage. He had a vast and strong memory, and was a living index to the Bible; if some of the words of almost any place of scripture were named, he could tell the chapter and verse; and if chapter and verse were named, he could tell the words. He sometimes preached in the Indian language, and he corrected the second and last edition of the Indian bible. He prayed in Indian, in his Indian lectures. His method of preaching was


276


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.


[1676-86


without notes. He had a good gift in prayer, in which he greatly enlarged on particular occasions. He was a competent scholar, but divinity was his favorite study. He discharged the work of the ministry to good acceptance, both in public and in private, and was very desirous of the conversion of souls. He ruled his house like a tender parent; was a hearty friend, helpful to the needy, kind to strangers, and doubtless a good man. And yet, what man is there without his failings? He was somewhat hasty, and, perhaps, severe, in his censure: upon some persons and things, which he thought deserved it and that possibly might occasion some hardships he met with and the violence of some people against him. But the bright ness of the celestial world will effectually dispel the blacknes: of this.' Mr. Cotton strenuously opposed ' the sabbath being called Sunday, as it originated with some heathen nations whe were worshippers of the sun, that planet being the object o their idolatry.' *


In July, 1676, the church, and all the churches in the colony (at the motion of the general court,) solemnly renewed covenan with God and one another, on a day of humiliation appointed fo the purpose; wherein, after confession of the prevailing evil of the times, they entered into strict engagements, through th assistance of divine grace, for personal and family reforma tion. The children of the church bore a part in this transac tion. The church also renewed covenant in the like methoc in April, 1692; which transactions were attended with muc solemnity, and were, according to the account of the church i Plymouth, of great service to the interest of vital piety. Bt a few months after the first renewal of the covenant in 1676, was ascertained that some of the brethren walked disorderly in sitting too long together in public houses with vain company and drinking. The church unanimously consented that a reaso


* The following were the children of the Rev. John Cotton an Joanna his wife. Those marked t died young.


John, born in Guilford, Connecticut, August 3d, 1661. Elizabeth, do. do. August 6th, 1663. Sarah, born at Martha's Vineyard, January 17th, 1665. f Roland, born at Plymouth, Sarah,


Maria, -


-


A Son, - - Josiah, -


- - Samuel, - -


December 27th, 1667. April 5th, 1670. January 14th, 1672. September 28th, 1674. + September 10th, 1675. + February 10th, 1677. +


Josialı,


- -


- January 8th, 1679.


Theophilus, -


- May 5th, 1682.


277


ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.


1686]


should be demanded of the party thus offending, and if any did not give satisfactory reason, it should be accounted just mat- ter of offence. The elders then propounded that due care might be taken of the children of the church, that they might not transgress.


In 1683, a new house for public worship was erected on the same spot occupied by the other, 45 feet by 40, and in the walls 16 feet, unceiled, gothic roof, diamond glass, with a small cu- pola and bell.


1686 .- Deacon Finney being disabled by infirmities and old age from going abroad, Mr. Thomas Faunce was unanimously chosen deacon in his stead, and was ordained December 26th, as follows:


Brother Thomas Faunce was ordained deacon of this church, the pastor and elder laid on hands, the pastor then prayed and gave the charge, and then the elder prayed; the charge was given in the following words:


' Since the Lord and this his church have chosen you, our brother, Thomas Faunce, to the office of Deacon in his house, we do, therefore, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church, whom God the father hath established to be his king in Zion, ordain and set you apart to the special of- fice and employment of a deacon in this church of God, and, as from the Lord, we charge you to use the office of deacon well, and that you give diligent heed to all those rules in the Holy word of God which set before you the nature and bounds of this your office and work; and, in particular, the Lord requireth of you that you receive the offerings of the church and congrega- tion, and that you therewith conscionably serve all the tables of the church, distributing the offerings made to the Lord with gospel simplicity, not only the ministry of this church, but also with cheerfulness, showing mercy to the Lord's poor among us, as they may need thereof, according to what you are betrust- ed withal, for such ends and purposes; we charge you in the name of the Lord to be faithful herein, that you may stand in the great day of the appearing of the Lord Jesus, who will then, before angels and men, call you to give an account of this your stewardship. And we do further, from the Lord, charge you, that you labor the growth and exercise of all those graces that are requisite to furnish you with ability for a regular discharge of this weighty work, which God now calls you unto, namely, wis- dom, gravity, sincerity, freedom from guile, sobriety, spiritual and heavenly mindedness, not inordinately reaching after the things of the world; and that, in your whole conversation, you endeavor to be found blameless, exercising yourself to have a


24


278


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.


[1694


conscience void of offence towards God and man, providing for honest things not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men, that you rule your own family well in the fear of God, and that you hold the mystery of the faith of the gos- pel in a pure conscience. All which, if in the uprightness of your heart you labor in and for, you will then purchase unto yourself a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus; which the Lord grant unto you for his mercy sake in Christ, who is our Lord and life. And for which great and gracious blessings let us further call upon the holy name of God.'*


Deacon Finney died January 7th, 1687, at 80 years of age. His colleague, Deacon Morton, survived until October 7th, 1693. On the 11th of December, 1691, died Mr. Thomas Cushman, the elder, aged 84 years, having officiated in that office near 43 years. December 16th was kept as a day of hu- miliation, on account of his death; and a liberal contribution was made for his widow, as an acknowledgment of his great services to the church.


In October, 1681, was introduced the practice of reading the psalms line by line, when singing in meeting; it being proposed by a brother, who, as is supposed, could not read. The elder performed this service, after the pastor had first propounded the psalm. In the spring of 1694, the pastor introduced a new method of catechising, attending it on sabbath day noons, at the meeting-house, the males and females alternately, and preaching on each head of divinity as they lie in order in the catechism. This course was constantly attended through the summer, communion days excepted, and many of the con- gregation attended. Our present Sunday Schools appear to be a revival of this practice, and reflect honor on our an- cestors.


In March, 1694, the church chose George Morton, Nathaniel Wood, and Thomas Clark, to be deacons, and nominated Dea- con Faunce and Isaac Cushman, for elders. In the same year Jonathan Dunham and Samuel Fuller received calls, and were ordained to the work of the ministry; the former to Edgartown, (Martha's Vineyard,) the latter at Middleborough, where a church was at the same time gathered, consisting partly of


* ' Anno 1687. Mary Carpenter, (sister of Mrs. Alice Bradford, the wife of Governor Bradford,) a member of the church at Duxbury, died in Plymouth, March 19-20, being newly entered into the 91st year of her age. She was a Godly old maid, never married.' Plym. chh. records.


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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.


1699-1716]


members from Plymouth church. Mr. Fuller died about


eight months after, aged 66 years. This was a great public loss, as he was a pious christian, and a useful preacher. *


The same month that Mr. Cotton received his dimission, the church engaged Mr. Ephraim Little to officiate in the pastoral duties; and, after about two years probation, he was ordained their pastor, October 4th, 1699. The churches assisting were those of Weymouth, Marshfield, Duxbury, and the second in Plymouth. The second church in the town had been formed about a year before, and Mr. Isaac Cushman was their ordained pastor. This was the fourth church derived from the Plymouth church, and was seated at a place since called Plympton. In April, 1699, the church chose Deacon Thomas Faunce their ruling elder, to assist Mr. Little in church affairs; and he was ordained to that office by Mr. Little and Mr. Cushman, October 25th, 1699. He was a man of considerable knowledge, emi- nent piety, and great usefulness, always full of religious dis- course. In May, 1706, this church and all the churches in the province, had a contribution for the Island of St. Christophers, which had been insulted and ravaged by the French.


February 6th, 1707, at a church meeting, the pastor proposed to the church the setting up private family meetings, in the re- spective neighborhoods in the towns, for family and other spirit- ual exercises, which was approved and agreed upon. On the 3d of June, 1715, the meeting-house built in 1683 was struck by lightning, and very much shattered. In June, 1715, a day of fasting and prayer was observed on account of the great sick- ness and mortality prevailing in the town, ' about 40 dying in a little time; and behold! a gracious God so farheard the cries of his people that the sickness abated, and there was no death for many weeks after.' In the spring of the year 1716, the church unanimously chose Mr. Thomas Foster and Mr. John Atwood to the office of deacons; but the pastor, questioning the lawfulness and expediency of ordination in such cases, declined it for a time; at which the majority of the church, being much


* Mr. Fuller was the son of Dr. Fuller, who came over in the first ship, and was so useful as a physician and surgeon, and a deacon in the church.


The following is recorded in the Old Colony Book of Records :


' Bridgett Fuller and Samuel Fuller, both of Plymouth, for sever- al reasons moving us thereunto, do by these presents freely give un- to the church of Plymouth, now in being, for the use of a minister, a certain garden plat, being half an acre more or less, to the only proper use of the church of Plymouth for the ends abovesaid, to said church successively forever.' Dated March Jst, 1664.


1


280


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.


[1718-31


dissatisfied, he at last conceded to give them a solemn charge, but without the imposition of hands, which was done accord- ingly, the pastor beginning with prayer, and the elders conclud- ing. July 19th, 1718, Ephraim, the son of Eleazer Holmes, was baptized on a Saturday at his house, he being at the point of death, and died about six hours after. This being the first instance of that nature in the town, viz., of baptising privately, the pastor sets down the grounds of the proceeding, as follows: ' 1. The child was undeniably a proper subject of baptism, the mother being in full communion. 2. I never could find that baptism, (viz., the administration of it,) is any where in the scripture limited to the sabbath, or a public assembly, and I al- ways had a greater regard to the scripture than the custom or practice of any minister, or church,' &c. In 1717, the inhab- itants of the north part of the town were set off from Plymouth, and called Jones's River Parish. They organized a church, which was the fifth springing from the Plymouth church. Their first minister was. Rev. Joseph Stacy, who was ordained No- vember 3d, 1720.


The Rev. Ephraim Little died November 23d, 1723, aged 47 years. His remains lie in Plymouth burial place, being the first minister buried there, after one hundred and three years settlement. He left no children, and his widow was supported by annual grants from the town, during her life. 'He was a gentleman more inclined to the active, than the studious life; but should be remembered for his useful services as a minister, and for his exemplary life and conversation, being one of good memory, a quick invention, having an excellent gift in prayer, and in occasional performances also excelling. But what can never be sufficiently commended, was the generosity of his spirit, and his readiness to help all that were in distress.' After Mr. Little's decease, and the ministers of the neighborhood had taken their turns in supplying the pulpit, Mr. Nathaniel Leonard was chosen to succeed him, on the 13th of February, 1724. and was solemnly ordained on the 29th of July following. The churches sent to were those of Taunton, Cambridge, Scituate, south church, Pembroke, Middleborough, Bridgwater, north and south churches, and Sandwich. January 22d, 1727, the church elected Mr. Haviland Torrey and Mr. Thomas Clark to the office of deacons. March 18th, Deacon Clark died; on the 29th of December, Deacon Torrey was ordained, with prayer and imposition of hands.


A precinct was made at Manomet Ponds in 1731, but not in- corporated. On the 8th of November, 1747, a church was em- bodied there, consisting of 25 members from the parent church


281


ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.


1731]


and Jonathan Ellis was ordained the pastor. This was the sixth derived from the ancient church, and the second of Plymouth. Mr. Ellis was enthusiastic; he participated in all the extravagan- ces and fanatic irregularities introduced by Andrew Croswell, a few years after his settlement, and proceeded to such excesses of religious frenzy, that his people thought proper to dismiss him, preferring, they said, to travel from 7 to 9 miles to meeting, rather than countenance his conduct. A council was convened, and by its advice Mr. Ellis was dismissed, October 31st, 1749. He soon after however, received a call from the church at Little Compton, where he was installed December 5th, 1749 .- December 26th, 1753, Elijah Packard, of Bridgewater, was ordained at Manomet Ponds; sermon by Rev. Mr. Perkins, Mr. Leonard, Mr. Angier, and Mr. Bacon assisting. Mr. Packard continued their minister till 1757, after which the society con- tinued destitute thirteen years. In 1770, April 18th, Rev. Ivory Hovey was installed over the church at Manomet Ponds, where, to use his own words, he ' lived peaceably and comfort- ably.' This pious and venerable man died greatly lamented, November 4th, 1803, four months advanced in his 90th year. Mr. Hovey graduated at Harvard in 1735, and in October, 1740, he was ordained at Rochester south parish, whence, at his own request, he was dismissed in 1769, in consequence of sectarian influence. He kept a diary, comprised in nine octavo volumes of almost 7000 pages. 'How uniform and how tran- quil must have been the tenor of his way.' Blessed are the meek. Mr. Hovey was an exemplary christian, and mutual at- tachment and love subsisted between him and his people. The successor of Mr. Hovey was Rev. Seth Stetson, who was or- dained July 18th, 1804; the sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Barker, of Middleborough, Mr. Niles and Mr. Judson, assisting in the solemnities. Mr. Stetson commenced his ministry reput- edly a devotee to Hopkinsian doctrines; after a few years he adopted unitarian principles, and again wavering his faith, he became a convert to the universal sentiments, when the con- nexion was dissolved.


The precinct at Manomet Ponds was incorporated in 1810, when its boundaries were enlarged, including Halfway Ponds. Rev. Harvey Bushnell succeeded Mr. Stetson, and was ordain- ed November 21, 1821. He continued his connexion but a short time, and was succeeded by Rev. Moses Partridge, in 1824, who died, greatly lamented, September 25th, of the same year, aged 36 years. Rev. Joshua Barret, was ordained in 1826. The present pastor is the Rev. Gaius Conant.


After several years consideration, the Plymouth church voted 24*


282


HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.


[1733-43


their consent to the synod's propositions, in 1662, relating to the subject of baptism; it being ever their practice, before, to admit only the children of communicants to baptism.


January 31, 1733-4 .- At the motion of the pastor, the first church unanimously voted to desire the deacons to catechise the children between meetings on the sabbath, as soon as the days were sufficiently lengthened; to ask them four or five questions at a time, till they had learnt through the catechism.


In February, 1743, Mr. Andrew Croswell, a famous itinerant preacher, came to this town, and commenced preaching and exhorting in such a wild manner as to throw the whole town into the utmost confusion. On a sacrament day he publicly de- clared that he had reason to think that three quarters of the communicants of that day were unconverted. Curiosity in- duced many people to attend his preaching, and his audience soon became very numerous. His meetings were sometimes continued the whole twenty-four hours, with little intermission, allowing the people no time for serious, calm reflection. At length the disorder became so great that it appeared as though the people were affected with a religious delirium. Croswell was so lost to all sense of propriety and decorum, that he actu- ally pressed negroes and children into the pulpit to exhort the people, and having their own passions excited, noise and outcry filled the assemblies. Those friends to religion and order who opposed these irregularities, or would not go the whole length with Croswell, were called enemies to religion and God. The Rev. Mr. Leonard, the pastor of the first church, gave coun- tenance and encouragement to these extravagant proceedings, and additions were made to his church. This strange infatu- ation continued several weeks, and an alteration was observable among the people, but a change from open profaneness and ir- religion to a boisterous extravagance of enthusiasm and rash judging of others is not to be deemed a proper reformation. Many serious people were offended, some absented themselves from the communion, some went to other meetings, or stayed at home. The friends of rational sober religion deprecated the system of itinerant preaching, as calculated to subvert the influ- ence and counteract the labors and exertions of settled pastors, destructive to church order and decency, and having a direct tendency to unsettle faithful ministers of churches, and cause discord among the brethren.


Josiah Cotton, Esq., a member of the first church, being alarmed for the honor of religion and the prosperity of the church, made a written request, that the pastor would assemble the church to consider the following things :-


283


ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.


1743]


' 1. Whether a sudden and short distress, and as sudden joy, amounts to the repentance described and required. (2 Corin. vii. 9-11.)


' 2. Whether the judging and censuring others as unconvert- ed against whose lives and conversation nothing is objected, be not too pharisaical, and contrary to the rule of charity prescrib- ed in the Word, and a bold intrusion into the divine preroga- tive.


' 3. . Whether that spirit which leads us off from the scrip- tures, or comparatively to undervalue them, be a good spirit ; as, for instance, the disorder and confusion in our public meet- ings, contrary to the scripture rule, (1 Cor. xiv.) the breaking in upon the order and religion of families, by frequent, unsea- sonable evening lectures, without scripture precept or exam- ple, (except one extraordinary case.)




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