USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Sutton > History of the town of Sutton, Massachusetts, from 1704 to 1876, including Grafton until 1735, Millbury until 1813 and parts of Northbridge, Upton and Auburn > Part 10
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Upon the day of his burial, May 12th, we find, in the Massachusetts Spy, the following obituary :
" This day were interred the remains of the Rev. David Hall, D. D., Pastor of the first Church and Congregation in this town; who, after a long and severe illness, departed this life the 8th inst. in the 85th year of his age, and 60th year of his ministry, much lamented, leaving a sorrowful widow and numerous offspring, as well as bereaved people, to bewail the loss; who may properly adopt the words of the Prophet, " My Father, my Father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof," though confidently believing, he is enjoying that crown of life conferred by the Lord Jesus Christ upon all his servants who are faithful unto death. His character as an able orthodox divine, pungent, zealous preacher, and his steady regard to the distinguishing doc- trines of Christianity, with the sobriety and exemplary gravity of his life, and tender affection for his family and
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flock, are too well known to require illustration; it may suffice to notice, that the general esteem and respect for him was manifested, by the large concourse of people (estimated at more than a thousand) who attended his funeral, with a solemnity becoming the occasion:"
1790.
March 29th. The parish unanimously concurred with the church in extending a call to the Rev. Edmund Mills " to settle in the work of the ministry in the first parish," and " to pay him an annual Salary of one hundred and twelve pounds including the minsterial money."
Apr. 3d. " Voted to transcribe the town Book that con- tains Births and Deaths in an Alphabetical order and also to choose a Committee to see what the cost should, be and make report at May Meeting, and chose Nathaniel Stockwell and Mr. Joel Barton such Committee."
"Nov. 26th. Chose Capt. John Woodbury, an Agent to collect the powder that the Selectmen lent some years ago that did belong to the Town stock."
1791.
Nothing worthy of record.
1792.
March 5th. The town "voted to dismiss the trustees that have the care of the ministerial and school money and commit the same into the hand of the Town Treasurer."
We copy the following from the records of the first parish :
March 19th. To the first Congregational Society.
The Society is Doubtless sencible I have been much Ingaged for the Settlement of the Rev. Mr. Mills in This place, and that I have, voluntarily & freely, Been at Some Considerable expense Beyond my Propotion, to bring this Event to pass : This however I have Done with pleasure and I am still as friendly To Mr. Mills as ever, & equally Desir- ons as ever of The prosperity & Wellfare of the Society : I
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therefore Beg leave, with respect, to offer to Said Society Three following proposals ; and hope they will meet Their approbation .-
1st. That I should be released for the future from Parish business and from Parish Taxes - and this In consequence of The two following proposals :
2d. That I will pay the Rev. Mr. Mills the Sum Of ten Dollars Yearly So long as he shall continue the minister of this Place, which Sum is as much Again as has been for this Two last years past. This Sum will reduce his Salary to £109 & as the continuance of my life is uncertain & this Sum may be made sure to Mr. Mills I shall give him proper security for the same.
3d. That should the Society continue to be united And Prosper and Continue to manifest a readiness To Support the Gospel by Seasonable settlements, For this purpose I will within About Two years From this time, Should the Society be pleased to Except of it, make them a present of a bell for the Meeting House Weighing about Seven or Eight hundred Weight. And this Bell Shall be for the use of said Society as long as the publick worship of God shall be maintained under a Calvinis, Orthodox Minister, whether of the Congregational, Presbuterian, Episcopal, or baptes order.
EBENEZER WATERS.
June 11th. The parish voted to accept of the foregoing " proposal of Mr. Ebenezer Waters in presenting the Parish with a bell for the Meeting-House."
" Voted to build a tower to the Meeting-House."
The tower was erected at the west end of the church, and occupied the place of the porch, which was removed and attached to the house now in possession of the heirs of the. late Wmn. P. Mascroft, of which it still forms a part. In the tower was placed the bell presented by Ebenezer Waters, and the clock given by Gardner Waters.
"Voted to build a monument over the grave of the Rev. Dr. Hall."
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TOWN OF SUTTON.
1793.
Jan'y 14th. Jonathan Kidder, Samuel Blanchard and Arthur Dagget asked to be set off "from the Town of Sut- ton to be annexed to the Town of Oxford." They have also petitioned the General Court to be set off as above, and the court has issued an order for the town of Sutton to show cause why their petition should not be granted.
" The Town chose Amos Singletary Esq. an Agent to go to the General Court and show cause why the above peti- tioners should not be set off."
It seems that the reasons given by the town through their agent were regarded as sufficient, as nothing more was heard of the matter.
Jan. 18th. A large number of persons are warned to leave the town, because they have taken up their abode within its limits without the permission of the town ; among whom, we find the names of Dr. Amasa Braman and Solo- mon Wellman, son of the pastor of the second parish.
March 18th. The parish " voted to petition the General Court to be incorporated into an Independent Society with the privilege of Taxing the Pews in the Meeting-House for the purpose of supporting preaching until the parish can raise a fund sufficient for that purpose."
Nov. 18th. Col. Sibley, Solomon Leland, Esq., Col. Woodbury and Jonathan Woodbury were chosen a Com- mittec "to fabricate a petition and obtain subscribers," praying the General Court to pass such act of incorpora- tion .*
Nov. 23d. Warning was given to a number of persons, in addition to those before mentioned, " who had lately come into this Town for the purpose of abiding therein not having obtained the Town's consent therefor, to depart the limits thereof forth with."
1794.
Feb. 10th. Mr. Gardner Waters proposes to the first parish to make a donation " of a large clock for the Meet-
* First Parish Records.
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ing-House, if they will recieve and prepare the belfry for it." Whereupon the parish vote " to choose a Committee to receive the donation and Stephen Thorne, Capt. Jonathan Woodbury and Mr. L. Le Baron were appointed such Com- mittee."
March 3d. We find the first mention of a meeting- house bell, in the warrant for a town meeting in which is the following article :
"To see if the Town will vote that the meeting-house bell be rung at nine o'clock every night."
August 19th. "Voted to give Each Soldier that shall go into the Sarvis out of the Town of Sutton in the Detach- ment now called for shall have one Dollar as a Bounty when they shall enlist or be Detached-and also for the Town to make up to Each Soldier forty-Eight Shillings pr. month with that the Congress gives as Wages if they are Called into Sarvis."
Sept. 1st. The parish "voted to sell all the seats below in the Meeting-House for Pew room."
At the same meeting "chose Col. Timothy Sibley and Mr. Lazarus Le Baron a Committee to call upon the Town for the ministry money."*
By vote of the town this money had been placed in the treasury, and the interest was appropriated to pay town charges. In response to the demand of the parish, a com- mittee was appointed "to search the Records and get all the information they can respecting the ministerial money."
Sept. 15th. "Voted that the Selectmen Cause the plan of this Town to be taken Agreeable to a Late act of the General Court requiring such plan, from all the Towns in the State, to be Lodged in the Secretary's office." t
1795.
March 16th. The parish established the following rule for the reception of members :
" Voted that if any person wishes to join this Society he is to notify the Society's-Clerk of his wish & enter his
* Parish Records.
t Town Records.
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name & that he has bought or hired a seat in the meeting- house-his thus proceeding shall entitle him to a certificate that he is a member of said Society."
May 7th. Inasmuch as the town neglected to take any action with reference to the ministerial money, the parish appointed Mr. John Hall their agent, and instructed him " in behalf of the first Congregational Society to commence an action against the Town of Sutton and prosecute to final judgment and execution." *
We find the following in the Massachusetts Spy of May 20th :
"Ten years ago, without good mental abilities, and a good moral character, a man could not obtain any office in the town of S-n ; unanimity and harmony seemed to pre- side at all the town meetings. Since then, the town has been split into small religious societies ; and an unhappy disagree- ment, between the two Congregational societies, has taken place. And the man who professes to be a friend to all parties, but in reality is not a friend to any ; who is contin- ually bawling against a learned clergy, and treats the Sab- bath with contempt; stands a fair candidate for any office the town can give."
Doubtless there is something of truth in the above phil- lipic.
The war had proved greatly demoralizing to the whole country. Sutton was no exception. And rivalries did to some extent prevail between the different religious societies. But there are probably few towus whose record in success- fully opposing the evil influenees at work is more honorable.
1796.
The suit of the parish against the town for the recovery of the ministry money was decided in favor of the parish.
Nov. 7th. An attempt was made to obtain a vote of the town in favor of an effort to secure a review of the case by the court. But the town refused to take any farther action in the matter.
* Parish Records.
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Nov. 21st. The parish " voted that the Agent (Mr. John Hall) be directed to make offer to the Selectmen that if they will settle up the execution against the Town by giving up the securities for the Ministry Money, or otherwise settle it to his acceptation ; then he be directed not to level said execution - otherwise to level it." *
1797.
Jan. 23d. The town "voted to give the Selectmen dis- cretion to settle the execution the first Congregational Society in Sutton has against said Town with the securities the Town holds against individuals for the ministry money, or any other way they can agree."
This action virtually settled the controversy in regard to the ministry money.
The town "voted to join with other Towns interested in petitioning the General Court for a Committee to lay out a road from Boston through Sutton &c to Woodstock in Con- necticut." t
The north parish make a demand for a portion of the ministry money, and the town chose "Mr. Jacob Sevey, Mr. Nathaniel Stockwell, and Lieut. Israel Putnam a Com- mittee to make answer to the demand.
March 20th. The society's clerk was instructed to send the following answer to the agents :
" The Society, after taking into consideration the demand made on them by Mr. Aaron Pierce, Josiah Stiles and Lieut. Asa Goodale, Agents for the North Parish in Sutton, for eight hundred dollars of the Ministry Money, dated Sutton Feb. 9th 1797, Voted that this Society will adopt suclı measures, respecting the demand, as it conceives will be consistent with the honor and interests of the Society. With regard to that part of the demand, which proposes a friendly negociation as the most probable means of settling such claims to the mutual satisfaction of both parties - it is the determination of this Society to cultivate friendship and
* Parish Records.
t Town Records.
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good neighborhood with the North Parish, and with the Town in general, upon fair and honorable principles.
"But it is the opinion of this Society that it can not, with propriety, enter into a separate negociation with the North Parish upon the subject until the lawsuit between the Town and this Society respecting the Ministry Money shall be finally determined." *
April 3d. The town " Voted that the powder belonging to the Town, in the Meeting house of the 1st Congregational Parish, be removed."
In the early history of the New England churches, the practice of raising the salary of the minister and other par- ish expenses by a tax upon property, was universal. But the opinion that such a course was wrong in principle, enter- tained at first by few, gradually extended until opposition to the forced system of sustaining the ordinances of the gos- pel, had become so great, that some change making the matter one of voluntary contribution, was felt to be a neces- sity. Hence the action of the first parish in petitioning the General Court for a special act of incorporation, confering the right to tax pew-holders. Upon these the tax would be just as binding as that upon property. But whether one would become a pew holder, and thus assume the obligation, was a voluntary matter. The petition to which reference is made under the dates March 14th and Nov. 18th, 1795, was favorably entertained, and the act called for passed the House of Representatives June 27th, 1794. For some reasons it did not pass the Senate until June 25th, 1797. Two days later it received the signature of the governor and became a law.
Anticipating its immediate passage, "The First Congre- gational Society in the Town of Sutton," held their first meeting and organized, in accordance with its provisions, Aug. 18th, 1794.
Col. Timothy Sibley, Ensign Nath'l Carriel and Capt. John Woodbury were chosen assessors for valuing and assessing the pews in the society's meeting house.
Henceforth the new system of raising money for parish
* First Parish Records.
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expenses is to go into effect. The last record we have of a tax upon property for the payment of the minister's salary is March 18th, 1793, which Lieut. Isaac Dodge agrees to collect, in the westerly part of the parish, for three pence per pound, and Mr. Thomas Harback in the easterly part for four pence per pound.
The last meeting under warrant "to notify and warn all the Inhabitants of the First Parish" was held June 2, 1794, by adjournment from April 14th. No business was done.
The act incorporating the First Congregational Society is as follows :
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four.
An Act to incorporate a number of the Inhabitants in the Town of Sutton into a Society by the name of the First Congregational Society in Sutton.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same that Timothy Sibley, Lazarus Lebaron, Jonathan Wood- bury (and others whose names are mentioned), Members of said First Congregational Society, together with their Estates be and hereby are Incorporated into a Congregational Society by the name of the First Congregational Society in the Town of Sutton.
Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the said Society be and hereby are authorized and impowered to raise, by a tax on pews and seats in the Meeting-house in said Society, such sum or sums of money as the proprietors of said Meeting-house, at a legal meeting called for that pur- pose, shall vote and agree upon for the purpose of support- ing and maintaining a public teacher of Piety, Religion, and morality, and other incidental charges and at such meet- ing to choose all such officers as are or shall be necessary to manage and transact all the business of said propriety.
And be it farther enacted by the authority aforesaid that the Proprietors of the said First Parish Meeting-House be and hereby are impowered by themselves, or their Commit- tee duly chosen, to cause the pews and seats, in the said
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Meeting House, to be valued according to the convenience and situation thereof and to alter, from time to time, such valuation as may be found necessary and to determine what sum each Pew, or part of Pew, or seat shall pay towards the expences and charges aforesaid, and the time and man- ner in which the same shall be paid.
And if any Proprietor or owner of a Pew, or part of a Pew, or Seat shall neglect or refuse to pay the sum or sums assessed thereon for a longer time than twenty-days after notice of such assessment having been given him by the Col- lector, such Proprietor or owner shall pay to the use of the said Proprietors, over and above the said Tax or assessment, from the expiration of the said twenty days, at and after the rate of six per centum per annum on such tax or assessment, and if the same, together with the interest aforesaid, shall not be paid within one year from the expiration of said twenty days, the said proprietors may and are hereby authorized and impowered by themselves or their Committee to sell and dispose of the Pew or part of a Pew or Seat of such delinquent, in such way and manner as shall be agreed on by said proprietors, and, after deducting from the sale thereof the said Tax or assessment with the interest thereon accruing as aforesaid and the charges of the sale the over- plus if any shall be paid to the person so delinquent.
And be it farther enacted by the authority aforesaid that the Members of the said Congregational Society are hereby authorized and impowered to take into possession all the lands and other Estate and donation that by any means doth belong to the said Society, and to dispose of the use or income of the same in any way for the use of the Society as shall by them be judged most conducive to the interests and benefit of the same.
And be it farther enacted by the authority aforesaid that the Members of said Society be empowered to collect and improve the whole of the Ministry money which belongs to the First Congregational Society in Sutton, and all other donations that have been or may hereafter be made to said Society for the support of a Congregational Minister in said place, and that the Members of said Society be authorized
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and impowered to receive members whenever applications are made therefor and that the members and all others who may hereafter become their associates (being inhabitants of the Town of Sutton) and their several estates shall not be liable to be taxed for the support of Publiek worship in any other Society in the said Town of Sutton.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that Solomon Leland Esq. be and is hereby impowered and directed to issue his Warrant to some principle member of said Society requesting him to warn the members thereof to meet at such time and place as shall be therein set forth to choose all such officers as are necessary for transacting the business of said Society.
In the House of Representatives June 27th, 1794.
This Bill having had three several readings passed to be enacted.
EDWARD H. ROBBINS, Speaker. In Senate June 25th, 1797.
This Bill having had two several readings passed to be enacted.
SAMUEL PHILLIPS President. June 27th, 1797. By the Governor approved.
SAMUEL ADAMS.
True Copy. Attest JOHN AVERY Jun. Secretary.
1798.
April 2d. " The Town brought in their votes on the expe- diency of dividing the County of Worcester into two dis- tinet Counties and there were in favor of it 76 and against it one."
Nov. 5th. In a town meeting this date "the question was put to see if the Town would grant the petition of the North Parish to be set off and incorporated into a separate Town with their equal proportion according to taxation with all the privileges and immunities which in any wise belong to the Town of Sutton and it passed in the Negative."
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"Chose a Committee of nine to treat with the North Parish with reference to the separation," as follows : "Col. Holman, Capt. Jonathan Woodbury, Dea. Waters, Josiah Stiles, Ebenezer Waters, Asa Goodale, Col. Woodbury, Major Samuel Waters & Col. Sibley."
1799.
May 6th. The committee report in favor of " setting off the North Parish as a separate Town."
The town voted not to accept the report of the commit- tee.
Dec. 14th. " The Father of his Country died."
1801.
June 1st. "The society chose Mr. L. Le Baron, Capt. Jonathan Woodbury and Capt. John Woodbury to cause the gunpowder to be immediately removed from the meeting house."
June 22d. The town " voted to build a powder house to put the Town's stock in."
1802.
Nov. 22d. The society voted " that if any person wishes to be a member of said Society, he shall make application to the Society's Committee and get a certificate from them directed to the Society's Clerk to have his name entered in said Society's Book."
1804.
March 19th. The warrant for a society meeting con- tained the following article :
" To see if the Society will be willing that a church organ should be placed in the front gallery in the meeting house, and played on Sundays," upon which the society "Voted that the organ now placed in this house be continued where it is for the use of the Society."
1807.
March 16th. In society meeting it was " Voted that the Committee make inquiry concerning all improper conduct
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in the Meeting-House ;" also " That there shall be performed on the organ no tunes on Sunday's but such as the Chorister shall dictate."
1809.
Nov. 20th. The town "voted to remonstrate to the General Court against the incorporation of the second Parish of Sutton into a separate Town,". and a " Committee of three was appointed to draw up a remonstrance."
1810.
May 7th. The town "gave their consent that one third part of the Town Meetings should be held in the Second Parish on condition that the said parish should withdraw their petition to the General Court to be incorporated into a separate Town, and until they shall present another of the same import which (should it take place) then the meet- ings are all to be held in the first parish."
1811.
Jan. 21st. "Voted that a Committee be appointed to draft a remonstrance against the petition of the second parish to be incorporated into a separate Town ; " also "voted that the Town would not consent to the second parish being incorporated."
March 4th. The town " voted to furnish themselves with two carriages or hearses, one for each Parish, and erect suit- able buildings to deposit the same in."
April 3d. A committee, "chosen for the purpose of divising some means whereby to determine the legal mem- bers of the Society, and to form some fixed and established rules to receive members and associates agreeably to their act of incorporation, report as follows :
" Ist. That any individual desirous of becoming a mem- ber of the First Congregational Society in Sutton being an inhabitant of said Town shall be the legal owner of at least one half of a pew in the meeting-house belonging to the Society, that he shall signify his wish to the Clerk of said Society whose duty it shall be to record his name if the
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same shall be approved of by the Society's Committee, then being approved, he shall to all intents and purposes be a member of said Society.
" 2ndly. That in all sales of pews that shall hereafter be made by virtue of said act of incorporation, it shall be the duty of the Committee authorized to make sale of such pews to make and execute good and sufficient deeds to the purchasers of said pews, the acknowledgeing and recording such deeds to be at the expense of the purchasers.
"3dly. It shall be the duty of the standing Committee together with the clerk of said Society to make out in the month of February annually a list of the qualified voters of said Society, and the same shall be read at every annual meeting of said Society."
1812.
The second parish make a demand for a portion of the ministerial money, as follows :
"At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the second Parish in Sutton on Monday the ninth day of March A. D. 1812. - the following votes passed. (viz.) Voted that this Parish do demand of the first Congregational Society in Sut- ton the proportion of the ministerial money, or fund, so call- ed, now in their Treasury which belongs to this Parish, being one half of the whole. Also voted that Lieut. Asa Good- ale and Josiah Stiles Esq. and Aaron Pierce Esq. be a Com- mittee to serve the Clerk of said Society with a Copy of the above vote, and to ask and receive from said Society on behalf of this Parish their proportion of said fund.
" A true copy from the Parish record.
·' Attest,
ELIAS LOVELL Parish Clerk."
"In compliance to the foregoing votes the committee therein named hereby ask from the first Congregational Society in Sutton the proportion of Ministerial Money in their possession which belongs to the second Parish in said Town - they also request an answer or reply to this com- munication as soon as will be convenient.
"Sutton 2d Parish March 10th 1812.
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