USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Princeton > History of the town of Princeton in the county of Worcester and commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1759-1915, Volume I > Part 10
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1 From Introduction to Cat. of Prince Library, pub. by City of Boston in 1870.
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History of Princeton
The large collection of books, maps and plans which he left by will to the Old South Church was sadly depleted during the days of the Revolution, when the British soldiers occupied the meeting house where the collections were stored, many of them in the steeple chamber. Fortunately some were saved and are now in the Boston Public Library. A catalogue of these has been published and is interesting to examine, while the books themselves cause one to feel that he is in the very presence of Mr. Prince. Other valuable historical material is held by the Massachusetts Historical Society.
Prof. Tyler says of him: - " He had prepared himself for the public service by diligent study at home, and by eight years of observation abroad; he was a man of most tolerant and brotherly spirit; his days were filled by gentle and gracious and laborious deeds; he was a great scholar; he magnified his office and edified the brethren by publishing a large number of judicious and nutritious sermons; . . . he took a special interest in physical science, and formed quite definite opinions about earthquakes, comets, ' the electrical substance,' and so forth.
" For all these things he was deeply honored in his own time, and would have been deeply forgotten in ours had he not added to them very unique performances as a historian. No American writer before Thomas Prince qualified himself for the service of history by so much conscientious and specific preparation; and though others did more work in that service, none did better work than he."
Lord's Day, Nov. 12, 1758.
The Church stay'd and voted,
That the Pastor and Deacons with the Hon. Andrew Oliver, Esq. (then the secretary of the province) be a committee to receive the Books, &c. bequeathed to this Church by our late Pastor, the Rev'd Mr. Thomas Prince, in his last Will.
Joseph Sewall.
119
The Reverend Thomas Prince
This will was dated Oct. 2, twenty days before his death. He provides for the manufacture of a sacramental cup for the Church, and he gives his Hebrew Bible in two volumes, and his Greek Testament to his colleague. He then disposes of his library in two parts, his books in Latin, Greek, and the Oriental languages to be kept for the use of the ministers of the church; and the collection which he designates as the New England Library to be preserved apart and intact as a reference library, under the control of the pastors and deacons of the Church. This collection was in the " steeple Chamber " which he had probably used as his study, and here it remained for many years. The vicissitudes through which it has passed are too painful to contemplate. It undoubtedly suffered severely during the British occupation of the town and desecration of the meeting-house. It afterwards suffered from the neglect and from a want of appreciation on the part of its custodians of its intrinsic value.
Many of its treasures have drifted away from it and are now among the chief attractions of other collections; but despoiled as it has been by time, it is a splendid fragment, and as such, under existing arrangements for its care and preservation, it is now safe.
" As Michael Angelo, in his blind old age, was led to the ' Torso Belvedere ' in the Vatican, that he might pass his hands over it, and enjoy through touch the grandeur of its lines, so will scholars come and continue to come from all parts of the land to what remains of the New England Library, that they may gather knowledge and inspiration from its treasures."
Life's Work. Forty years before, when entering upon his ministry in Boston, Mr. Prince preached from the words of the Psalmist: " But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day, for I know not the numbers thereof, I will go into the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only, O God, thou hast taught me from my youth;
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History of Princeton
and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works." Psalm LXXI, 14-17.
He was, in the strength of his early manhood, just installed in a position of commanding influence, and with a career of honor and usefulness, bright with promise, yet of course all uncertain, lying before him. Could he have preached a sermon to his people in his declining years in anticipation of the close at no distant day of his pastoral work among them, he might well have made reference to that first sermon, and then have taken for his text the remainder of the passage, which would have been inappro- priate in 1718, but most appropriate in 1758: " Now also, when I am old and grey headed, O God, forsake me not, until I have showed thy strength unto this generation and thy power to every one that is to come."
Of the value of Mr. Prince's historical labors we have this estimate by another writer whose attainments and sympathies made him a competent judge:
" The 22d of Oct. (1758) will be remembered as a re- markable day in the history of the town, and not only of Boston, but of New England; for in that day died the Rev. Thomas Prince, a benefactor to his country; leaving a name which will be venerated to the remotest ages, if literature shall then be valued; a name which may with pride be emulated by the inquirers after historical knowl- edge, and the admirers of precision and accuracy in the paths of history." 1
1 Hist. Am. Literature, Vol. ii, p. 144; Drake's Hist. and Antiq., p. 646.
NOTES
New England Magazine, '86, Vol. 4 : 347; New England Library and its Founder by Victoria Reed.
The Boston Library contains, on its depleted state, 1500 books and tracts relating to America during the period of our colonial history. It also gives an excellent account of his life, his character as a minister, and refers to his children - three daughters and one son.
In the Boylston Mansion is a beautiful portrait of Mrs. Sarah Gill, his daughter.
A tall clock that he prized is the property of Mrs. Addison Denny of Leicester.
I21
The Reverend Thomas Prince
The Hinckley papers tell of his grandmother as being a beautiful woman and exceptional in other ways.
Deborah Denny grew up in England as a child under his ministrations. She came to New England to live with her brother on the same boat by which Mr. Prince returned to his native land. She was ten years his junior. Two years later he married her.
It is hoped that some benefactor will present a portrait of Mr. Prince to the town.
CHAPTER VII
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
First Difficulties. The earliest inhabitants of Prince- ton were dependent for privileges of public worship upon the neighboring towns of Rutland, Holden, Lancaster and Westminster. But the many miles of travel over roads imperfect in construction and often impassable from the snows of winter and the mud of springtime, prevented regular attendance, and those whose hearts yearned for their accustomed privileges were obliged to content them- selves by their own firesides.
Meetings at Private Houses. As the population in- creased and facilities for travel improved, it became feasible for a few families to gather together in some private house where a religious service was held, with occasionally a sermon. At one time one room in the tavern of Abijah Moore furnished sufficient accommodation for the audience assembled to hear the preaching of the Word. The attendance was never large, and the Sabbaths thus occupied were few in number and only during the summer season, but the number of these gatherings was gradually in- creased, extending over several months of the most favor- able season.
Mr. Harrington's Sermon. Of the character of the services, the preaching, the attendance, no record remains. The people came, received the Word with gladness and departed to their homes. Some rode on horseback, others walked and in some cases through mere paths guided by marked trees or familiar objects by the way. One sermon preached the Sunday before the first town-meeting and published at the expense of the people of Princeton district by Rev. Timothy Harrington of Lancaster at the tavern of Abijah Moore to " a handful of us who found our way to
122
A peaceable Temper, and Conduct divinely enjoined.
Apenascable Sompor & Conduct di
vinely imining
DISCOURSE
Delivered at PRINCETOWN,
On December 23d 1759.
By Timothy Harrington, A. M.
Paftor of the Firft Church in Lancafter
If it be pofible, live peaceably with all Men .- Apoftle PAUL.
Let there be no Strife between thee, and me, I pray thee, for we are .
Brethren .- Patriarch ABRAHAM.
Bebold how good, and how pleafant it is, for Brethren to dwell to- gether in Unity .- There the Lord commandeth the. Blefing .. King DAVID.
By Concord Small Things increafe,
Dutch MOTTO,
Harrington
B 0
N :
Printed and Sold by Edes and Gill, in Queen-Street,
M.DCCLX.
*** **
To the Inhabitants of Princetown,
THIS Difcourfe, pub- lifhed at their Requeft and Expence, is now in- fcribed. And that the di- vine Bleffing may attend it, and reft on that infant Society, is the fincerePrayer of their affured Friend.
The AUTHOR.
.
BOSTON PUBLIC -DARY
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Ecclesiastical History
church by marked trees " (as told by one of the number) has been preserved in print.1
The incorporation of the District in October, 1759, led to serious considerations of the subject of the erection of a meeting-house and the settlement of a minister of the gospel.
The First Meeting House. It was always one of the first acts of a New England town to provide for the spiritual needs of the people, to be followed by provision for edu- cation of the children. But a majority of the settlers here were poor, and all had been at great expense in starting out in their new life, and hence found it difficult to contribute in any great measure towards public or private demands. The amount of available cash at that period in the average family, dependent upon the proceeds of the farm, must have been wonderfully small.
The system of barter, by which the products of one industry could be exchanged for others, was really the only method by which they could procure the necessaries and conveniences of life.
Location. If the financial problem was difficult to solve, the location of the projected house of worship was equally so, provoking discussion and eliciting as many opinions probably as there were legal voters in the town. But early
1 A peaceable Temper and Conduct divinely enjoined.
A DISCOURSE
Delivered at PRINCETON On December 23d. 1759 By Timothy Harrington, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Lancaster If it be possible, live peaceable with all men etc. To the Inhabitants of Princetown.
This Discourse, published at their Request and Expense is now inscribed. And that the Divine Blessing may attend it, and rest on that infant Society, is the Sincere Prayer of their assured Friend,
The AUTHOR.
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History of Princeton
in the year 1760, only a few months after its incorporation, the district voted to build a meeting house " within two Rods of the most southerly corner of Mr. Caleb Mirick's Land." The selection of this spot was doubtless owing to the proposed gift of the necessary land therefor by John Mirick, Jr., then of Weston, and Caleb Mirick of Prince- town, who on the 5th of June of that year executed a joint deed to the district " for an Encouragement for Building a public meeting-house in said District for the Worship of God, and accommodation of a training Field."
This lot of five acres upon which the house was finally erected was in " Lot Number Four " of the East Wing and described in the deed as " beginning 80 rods north of the most easterly corner of Letter B, and running north 40° west, 40 rods by Letter B, thence east 32º north 20 rods, thence south 40° east 40 rods, thence west 32° south 20 rods to the first point."
The easterly line of lot " Letter B" runs in the rear of the present town hall, and the most easterly corner thereof is about ten rods north of the present parsonage; from thence the northerly line runs nearly northwest, crossing the road near the top of the hill and on by the old cemetery.
But the passage of this vote did not ensure the speedy prosecution of the work. Dissatisfaction with the loca- tion, with perhaps questions of policy of which we get only vague hints from the records, occasioned long delay in the building. An attempt was made in February, 1761, to commit the town to some positive movement, but without success. In the warrant for the regular March meeting of that year two articles appeared expressive evidently of the desires of the two factions into which the voters had separated.
The first article read " To see if the Destrict will vote to build the meeting house, to wit - the house for the publick worship of God in some other place then that which it is allredy Voted to be built on and vote aney thing Relating thereunto that the Destrict Shall think proper or otherwise vote where the said meeting house shall be built."
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Ecclesiastical History
The second article read " To see if the Destrict will vote to build a meeting house as soon as can be conveniently and choose a committee for the same and make Report unto the Destrict upon what terms they can git it built and when, or act any thing as the Destrict shall think proper."
This last article was passed over, the following action having been taken upon the first.
Voted " that Co" John Whitcomb of Bolton, Deacon Samuel Perce of Holden and Deacon Joseph Miller of Westminster be a Committee to measure the said Destrict of Princetown, and find the Center thereof and afix or order the place for building the meeting house on, to wit, the house for the publick worship of God and if the Center be not Sutable ground to build said house on then on the nearest place to the Center that is Sutable according to the best Judgement of said Committee and they are desired to make return thereof at the adjournment of this meeting, and it is also voted that Mr. Thos. Harmon of Rutland, and Deacon Jonathan Livermore of Westborough be Sur- veyours for the purpose above said and that all the said Committee and surveyours be under oath for the trust Committed to them as above said."
" Also voted that the vote for building the said meeting house within two rods of the most southerly corner of Mr. Caleb Myricks Land be and hereby is Revoked and Discontinued."
This committee was eminently fitted for the duties assigned them, but unfortunately their report was not recorded and we know not what was their " best judg- ment"; we do know however that the majority of the voters refused to accept it when presented. The following June they authorized the payment of the bill of expenses of the worthy Committee, amounting only, however, to the sum of £6.9. and proceeded to exercise their own " best judgment " in the matter, resulting in the passing of a vote on the 22d of July, 1761, that " the meeting house for the publick worship of God be built on the highest part of the
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History of Princeton
Land given by Mr. John and Caleb Mirick to the District for their publick use near three Pine trees marked on the northerly side, being near a large flat rock." I
This action settled the location of the house, those present knowing better than we do which of the ten thousand rocks on the hill was thus honored. The pine trees gave way to the building, but the rock may still be there.
Some of the good people were not quite ready to submit to this decision and even a year after this vote, an attempt was made to effect a change. On the same day of this decision, July 22, 1761, appears the following record relat- ing to preaching. " Voted to hire two months preaching & the preaching be at Mr. Caleb Mirick's House." Ap- propriations for payment for preaching were regularly made thereafter until the settlement of a minister was effected.2
Measures for the erection of the house were first taken on the 5th of the following October when it was voted " to build a Meeting house for the publick Worship of God, and that sª house shall be fifty foots Long and forty foots wide."
" Voted that Capt Eliphelet How, Robert Keyes, Caleb Mirick, James Thompson and Boaz Moore be a Committe to see on what tearmes they can get the timber for sd Meeting house and get sd house framed and make report to Destrict at adjournment."
At the next meeting it was " voted that Lieut. Abijah Moore shall build the Meeting House Frame and that he shall have £66-13-4 for the same and the Destrict shall be at the cost of the timber standing and raising the same." And a Committee was chosen to prepare the necessary articles of agreement with Lieut. Moore.
The Raising. In fulfillment of this contract Lieut. Moore proceeded to build the frame of the house which was completed and raised June 30, 1762 with the customary
1 Is this "Sunset Rock?"
2 Nov. 3, 1766 "Paid" Joseph Eveleth for dinnering the minister.
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Ecclesiastical History
accompaniments without which there could not in those days be a successful " raising."
The male portion of the inhabitants came together to assist in placing the frame in its proper position and also to lend their aid in the disposition of the tempting viands prepared by Capt. Moore and served on the hill. The cost of the frame was £71-13-4 and Capt. Moore received in addition the sum of £28-16-9-3 " for finding Provisions for Raising the Meeting House." What " depths of mean- ing " are hidden beneath those innocent words " finding Provisions for the Raising " !!! Perhaps a few biscuit with some cheese, considerable cider and a great quantity of West India Rum.
It may be a mistake to imply that all the men of the town were there (though we doubt if they could resist the attractions) for there was evidently a holding back of enthusiasm on the part of some. There is a bit of malicious spirit hovering over the article for a meeting in July at the " Meeting House Frame to see if Doct" Zachariah Hervey & Others that bid any thing as an Encouragement to the District to Build the Meeting House where it now stands will be as good as their promis and give Security for the same." No action was taken upon this article and it is presumed that the Doctor made his promise good. Dur- ing the early fall of 1762 the roof was " Boarded & Shingled & the sides closed with Rough Boards."
On the 30th of May, 1763, a district meeting was held in the building, but there were then no floors laid, and no windows or doors, a condition tending to urge the voters to see that the work was prosecuted more vig- orously.
The main floor was not laid until 1764, the gallery floor not until 1767, neither was the house plastered within or painted without until the year 1770. At what date the building was finished (if it ever was) it is impossible to determine, but the records of the town for twenty years show that the house was incomplete. It is probable, how- ever, that religious services were held there during the year
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History of Princeton
1764 after the window frames and sashes were put in, the floor laid and some of the seats built.
January 2, 1764, “ Voted to Clabboard ye meeting house. To put up Window frames & Sashes.1 To Lay the Lower floor to build the doors & body of Seats & the pulpit." (The pulpit was subsequently painted and stairs leading up to it built.)
April 1, 1765, " Voted to Return thanks to Mr. Moses Gill of Boston for his generosity to the district in giving the glass to glaze the meeting house withall."
Description. The building was a very plain structure without ornaments and for many years without paint. There were three porches and doors to correspond, one on the east side, one on the west side, and one on the south where were the " Great doors." Although it has been stated, and doubtless upon good authority, that there was no steeple, yet a picture printed in 1792 of Mr. Gill's residence shows in the background a spire towering above the hill. This may have been a fancy of the artist but it scarcely seems probable. A house similar in size and arrangement is still to be seen on Chestnut Hill in Mendon.
Of its interior construction we have more particular knowledge. The pulpit was in the center of the north side and galleries extended across the other three sides. As indicated in the accompanying sketch the square pews occupied the wall space, eighteen in all.
Each pew was about four feet by ten in size with excep- tion of the corner pews which were somewhat larger. These were built eight or ten inches above the floor. The centre of the house was originally occupied with ordinary benches or seats, the main aisle or " middle alley " running from the " great doors " to the pulpit. Upon the right of this aisle were the " women's seats " and upon the left the
1 Note. A round window, perhaps one of those glazed at Mr. Gill's expense, was taken from the first meeting house upon its demolition, and for many years stored in Mr. Ephraim Beaman's Barn. Through the thoughtfulness of Mrs. Boylston it was secured and placed in the front of the present Congrega- tional meeting house. There were probably two of these round windows, as we find an item of expenditure of "7S for lead for the round windows."
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Ecclesiastical History
" men's seats." This main aisle was about four feet in width and the other aisles about three feet.
The gallery was furnished with rude seats, with one or two boards running laterally for the back, forming any- thing but a comfortable resting place for the worshipper. In the center of the south gallery was a partition sepa- rating the men's side from the women's, the stairs lead- ing to the gallery being correspondingly designated. In later years it is probable that a few pews were built in the gallery for some who could not be accommodated below.
A portion of the space occupied by the seats in the body of the house was, after a time, sold or given to individuals for the erection of pews thereon, at their own expense. Gifts of " pew ground " were frequently made conditioned upon the performance of certain good offices to the church or town. From the indefinite description given in the records, it is impossible now to determine how much of this space was eventually occupied by pews, although the inference is drawn that about one-half was so utilized.
It was the usual custom of the day to " dignify the meet- ing house " that is to assign the sittings to families or individuals by some scale of distinction, either age, property or social standing - sometimes taking all three into ac- count. This duty, appearing to us replete with difficulties, was performed by a committee presumed to possess the necessary discretion and grace coupled with " worldly wisdom." Whether the result was in any degree more satisfactory than if attempted by a committee of Princeton today, we have no means of judging.
In compliance with this custom the following action was taken in a district meeting March 3d, 1766.
" Voted that the Pew Ground be sett at forty pounds and also the highest payers upon real & personal Estate by the last years invoice may have Liberty to Draw the same by what they are estimated at by ye Committee Chosen for that purpose which are to Dignify the same."
The report of the Committee gives the names of the
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History of Princeton
principal men then resident in town and the comparative value of their estates.
" The Committee appointed in Princetown to estimate and Dignify the pew Ground in their meeting house met ye 26th of May, 1766, and made following Estimation."
mens names.
valuation numbr
pay for Choice.
Zechariah Hervey
95 8
I
3 I 4
Oliver Davis.
65 19
2
3 00
Caleb Mirick.
62 10
3
2 18 8
Ebenezer Jones
59
6
4
2 18 0
Joseph Gibbs.
52
4 5
2 I7 4
Eliphalet How
48 18
6
2 15 4
William Muzzy
46 19
7
2 II 4
Benj" Holden.
45 15
8
2
9 4
Joseph Sergeant
43 13
9
2
8 0
Peter Goodnow
38
7 10
2
4 0
Robert Keyes.
38
3 II
2
3 ℃
Sady Mason.
37
6 12
2
2 8
Thomas Mason.
37
6 13
2
2 0
William Thomson
36
7 14
2
1 4
Benjamin Tayntor.
34 18 15
2
O
James Mirick
34
7 16
I I7 4
Boaz Moore.
33
8 17
I 13 4
Stephen Brigham.
33
4 18
I II 4
Aaron Pery.
32
4 19
I IO 8
Silas Houghton.
31 IO 20
I
6 8
Joseph Rugg
31
8 21
I
6 0
Robert Cowdin.
28
8 22
I
5 0
Samuel Bixby
27
23
I
4 0
" According to the above Estimation we have Supposed the pews to be Built as followeth three on the East Side of the great doors and three on ye west Side all of them of Equail bigness two on ye west Side of the pulpit of Equil bigness with the Minister pew two on the north Side of the East and west Doors of Equil bigness one on the south side of sd Doors of Equil bigness and the Side pews in (place of) four hind Seats as was Voted at the Last meeting."
Timothy Keyes
Wm Muzzy
Ebenezer Jones
Committee
Wm Thomson
Zachariah Harvey
At the next meeting a drawing for the pews took place.
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Ecclesiastical History
I Choose ye first pew on the right hand of the great doors.
2 ,, " second pew on the east side of the pulpit.
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