USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Townsend > History of the town of Townsend, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from the grant of Hathorn's farm, 1676-1878 > Part 10
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"Townshend Oct. 31, 1769
JOHN HALE OLIVER PRESCOTT Committee" JOHN DUNSMOOR
It would appear on the face of this report, that the removal of the location only sixteen feet, needed some explanation. A flat, broad ledge, of the peculiar kind of rock on this hill, cropped out just at the front of the old meeting-house, over which the travel had passed for more than forty years. The slight difference of sixteen feet would leave the ledge in the form of a terrace in front of the new meeting-house. This also explains the language
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of the record, "Voted to build a new meeting-house within thirty feet north of the old one, if that will accommodate better."
It may be interesting to know who these men were who chose this location, and in whom the good people of Townsend placed such unreserved confidence. The following memoir of John Hale is from Kidder's History of the First New Hampshire Continental Regiment :-
JOHN HALE was in early life settled in Hollis, New Hampshire, as a physician. In 1755, he was surgeon's mate in Col. Blanchard's First New Hampshire regiment, in an expedition to Crown Point against the French, and in 1758, was surgeon in Col. Hart's regiment, which was at the Crown Point expedition of that year. In 1768, he was representative to the Legislature from the associated towns of Hollis and Dunstable, and at the beginning of the Revolution, he was colonel of a regiment of militia, composed of soldiers from Hollis and the adjoining towns. He was a member of the convention that sat at Exeter, in April, 1775, and assisted in inaugurating the measures to organize the regiments that fought at Bunker Hill, and was also in the field a large part of that year. His sister (Abigail Hale,) was the wife of Col. Prescott, the hero of Bunker Hill, and as their residences were only three miles apart. their intercourse was frequent and always friendly. During 1775 and 1776, he was much engaged in aiding the cause by raising soldiers as well as assisting in the councils of the State. On the re-organization of the First New Hampshire Regiment he was appointed surgeon, and entered on his duty May 8, 1777. It is supposed that most of the regiment was then at Ticonderoga, or on the way
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there. He was with the regiment, through the campaigns and battles of that year and the next, and in the expedition to the Indian country in 1779. Resigned June 11th, 1780. Returning home his influence was exerted in raising men and means till the end of the war. He was often a mem- ber of the Legislature. He was distinguished as a physi- cian and had a large practice.
The following is the inscription on his tombstone at Hollis :-
ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF
DOCTOR JOHN HALE.
Who was born Oct. 24, 1731, And died Oct. 22, 1791.
"How soon our new-born light attains full aged noon. And then how soon the gray haired night. We spring, we bud, we blossom and we blast. Ere we can count onr days, they fly so fast."
OLIVER PRESCOTT was the son of Hon. Benjamin Prescott, who has been partially sketched in another part of this work, born at Groton. 1731, and was graduated at Harvard College, 1750. He settled in Groton. and was a practical physician in that town for nearly half a century. He was very successful and popular in that profession. For the period of thirteen years he was town clerk of Groton. He held many civil offices. He was appointed by the King major in the militia, then lieutenant-colonel and colonel. When the revolutionary war broke out he espoused the cause of freedom. and early in the year 1776. he was
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appointed brigadier-general, and he mustered and or- ganized the militia of Middlesex county. His judgment on military matters was very valuable at that time. In 1778, he was appointed the third major-general of the militia throughout the commonwealth. In 1799 he received the appointment of Judge of Probate for the county of Middlesex, which office he held until his death in 1804. He was the most influential man in this vicinity and well worthy of being a brother of the hero of Bunker Hill. He was learned without ostentation, popular without being a demagogue, and extremely prepossessing in his appear- ance, apparently without knowing it.
JOHN DUNSMOOR was born in Scotland, in 1720. He had some of the advantages of the literary institutions of his native country, but probably neither his culture in general, or his preparation in particular, for the profession of his choice, entitled him to a high rank. A correspon- dent says of him : "He was a remarkable man." He came to this country in his early manhood, and soon after settled in Lunenburg, where he resided till his death, in 1794. He possessed excellent natural abilities, joined with a good amount of perseverance. He was very eccentric withal. and occasionally put on a rough deportment almost repul- sive. He had a large practice and was considered not only a very skilful physician but a good surgeon.
May 28. 1770. "Voted to choose a committee to carry on the affair of raising the new meeting-house. Voted that this committee be directed to provide jins and roaps nesesary for the same, also to choose such hands to raise the same as they think proper, and to make suitable pro- visions for their entertainment, and to provide some person
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that can splise roaps if they brake, all at the towns cost. Voted that the committee find licker Monday and Tuesday at the towns cost."
This house was finished so far that it was occupied during the latter part of 1771. Among the list of baptisms by Rev. Mr. Dix, this is recorded : "Oct. 27, 1771, Bap- tized Gaius, son of Eleazer Spaulding, in ye new meeting house."
This is the only instance where any meeting or cere- mony is represented as having occurred in the new meeting- house. This edifice was a great improvement on the house for which it was substituted, it being amply capacious for the population of the town, which, according to the colonial census of 1770, contained about seven hundred inhabitants. The precaution in regard to raising this building was timely and judicious, considering the heavy square timber used in the frame thereof, some of which may now be seen beneath the roof of the old meeting-house on the common. This house was clapboarded, and the window, and door frames and the doors, were painted on the outside during the summer of 1771.
October 20, 1772, "Voted that those persons who purchased the pews on the lower floor of the meeting house, should have their names recorded on the town book, and the number of the pew they drawed, which stands in course as they drawed them."
It appears that thirty-five citizens shared equally in the expense of making as many pews on the ground floor of this house, and in regard to a choice in them, the owners agreed to decide the matter by "casting lots." Consider- ing that these men were the "solid men" of Townsend. one hundred years ago, and that their descendants con- stitute quite a number of the inhabitants of this town at
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the present time, it has been considered in good taste to copy their names and titles as they are on record :-
Lieut. Amos Whitney No. I
Oliver Hildreth No. 19
John Conant .. 2 James Waugh " 20
Capt. Daniel Taylor 3 66 James Sloan '. 21
Israel Hobart
4 Ens. Wm. Richardson " 22
Daniel Adams ..
5 James Hosley " 23
Benjamin Brooks " 6 William Smith " 24
David Spafford ..
7 Isaac Wallis " 25
William Clark
8 Ens. Isaac Farrar " 26
Robert Campbell
9
Jeremiah Ball .. 27
Zebediah Wallis ** 28
Lieut. Zacheriah Emery ** 10 Oliver Proctor II John Waugh " 29
Timothy Davis "12 Lemuel Patts " 30
Jonathan Wallis
" 13 Maj. Henry Price* . 31
Isaac Spalding " 14
Samuel Wesson . 32
Lieut. Ephraim Heald "15
Thomas Reed " 33
Sarah Conant " 16 James Stevens, Jr." 34
Lieut. Benjamin Brooks * 17 Uriah Sartell " 18
Joseph Balding ** 35
In May, 1773, "Put to vote to see if the town will alter the deacons' seat in the meeting house and it past in the Negative." At a town meeting the next October. "Voted to provide handsome door stones for the meeting house, and chose a committee to do the same."
This second meeting-house was at this time finished in a manner well adapted to the wants of the town. It was about the same style, both in architecture and finish. as were most of the New England church buildings of that period. Within its consecrated walls, the followers of the Master worshipped, the citizens devised plans to meet all the wants of the town in its corporate capacity, the
* First Deputy Grand Master of Masons in America.
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training band assembled to organize and listen to the reading of the militia law, the "committee of safety" held consultations, the selectmen discussed their duties, and the smouldering patriotism of an oppressed people burst into a flame.
This house was the Faneuil Hall of Townsend. Dur- ing the war of the revolution, our continental soldiers, with dark forebodings, turned back in their outward journey, to take a last look at this structure, endeared to them by tender associations ; and after long years of anxiety and suspense, after many eyes had been made tearful by the loss of brothers, husbands and fathers, who never returned : when the news of victory came, what sincere gratitude to the God of battles, what songs of thanksgiving and praise ascended from the altar in this humble sanctuary.
Through the year 1797, considerable dislike was manifested towards the uncentrical location of this meeting- house ; besides, the house itself needed some repairs. The expense of maintaining a road over the ledges and steep grades of meeting-house hill, was an objection that had an influence with many. In some seasons there was no water to be obtained at or very near the summit of this hill.
In March, 1798, an article was inserted in the war- rant calling a town meeting, in the following words : "7th. To see if the town will find the centre of their town and say where their meeting house ought to stand."
It may be presumed from this record, that there was at that time considerable conversation about a new meeting- house. At the meeting of the town. this article was passed over, but this action of the town did not stop the current in favor of a new meeting-house. From this time till 1803. for more than five years, when the moving of the old
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meeting-house and making of a new one was finally agreed upon, the town met at thirteen different times to deliberate upon the subject, several of these meetings however, were adjourned meetings. The particular diffi- culty in the way, and what was most discussed was the disposal of the pews in the old meeting-house, or rather how much the old pew should go towards a new one in the contemplated house.
In October, 1799. "The town voted to find a suitable place near the centre of the town for the meeting-house to stand on, by taking an actual survey of the town and travel collectively ; having due respect to the lands unsettled, which by its quality may become inhabited in future time," and chose a committee for that object and purpose.
This committee consisting of sixteen citizens of which Jonathan Wallis was chairman, reported the next month, recommending the spot where this house now stands at the centre of the town, for the location of their new meeting- house. The chairman and three others of this committee were of the number who, in 1772, drew lots for their pews in the house about to be removed.
The town at different times while the matter was under consideration, passed votes and then rescinded them, chose committees but refused to listen to their sug- gestions, debated the subject both in public and in private, agreed to a certain style of architecture, but afterwards altered it, and "agreed to disagree," until midwinter of 1804, when the job was let out, to Messrs. Moses and Aaron Warren, to move and finish this second meeting- house of Townsend, into the third meeting-house in town, to be completed during the year 1804. The building com- mittee reported that the house should have three porches.
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but subsequently, January 6, 1804, "Voted to build a belfry and a suitable place to hang a bell according to a former vote of the town in lieu of a porch, on condition that there shall be money subscribed, sufficient to purchase a bell."
Previous to the removal there was considerable talk about enlarging this house, but it was finally agreed to re- move it, set up and renovate it, without any enlargement, except the porches.
This house is sixty feet in length and forty-five feet in width. It was "situated due east and west," in its new location, the belfry on the west end, a porch on the east end and a porch on the south side. Above the entrance on the south porch were the gilded letters, "BUILT 1804." There were three entrances, one at cach end and one in front. The pulpit was on the north side of the house. opposite the front door, a broad aisle extending from one to the other, dividing the ground floor of the house into two equal parts. There was also an aisle surrounding the house, next to the wall pews. There were two entrances to the galleries by flights of stairs, one in the east porch, and the other in the belfry at the west end. The galleries were well supported by large turned pillars. There was a row of wall pews, twenty-four in number, surrounding the house both above and below. They were not like the sloping, sofa-like slips now in fashion, but were about six feet square ; the walls were high and had a railing around the top, supported by nicely turned, little, hard-wood bal- usters, fitted into round holes both at the top and the bottom, which on the slightest touch would revolve and squeak like a nest of young mice. A row of uncushioned seats surrounded the interior of these pews, and often a flag-bottomed chair was place in the centre thereof. The
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seats were hung by hinges so that they might be turned up as the congregation rose for prayers ; and at the close of the invocation they were carelessly let down with a noise similar to an irregular volley of small-arms. Over the stairs, at the west end, were the seats for the negroes, the small remnant of the race that were here at the com- mencement of the present century. The singers had the front of the gallery opposite the pulpit, which was lofty, finished with curious panel work and mouldings. "The pulpit had a recess or rostrum in which the speaker stood ; behind him was a curtainless arched window ; above him was a curious canopy, about six feet in diameter, re- sembling in form a turnip cut in two transversely. It was called a sounding-board, and hung near the speaker's head, by a slender iron rod from the ceiling, so slender as to have excited apprehensions and speculations in many a youthful mind as to the probability of its falling ; and beneath him in front of the pulpit, were the deacons' seats in a sort of pen, where they sat facing the congregation, with the communion table hanging by hinges in front of them."
It must not be forgotten that this house, for more than a quarter of a century from the time of its erection, was well filled with attentive listeners, coming from all parts of the town, at each returning sabbath. Moses Warren, the prin- cipal contractor for moving and renovating this house, had just completed the tavern house now standing at the west side of the river at the central village, besides there were three or four dwelling-houses and John Giles' saw and grist mill at or near what is now Townsend Centre.
The New Hampshire turnpike was finished about this time. passing directly in front of this church, and con- vergent town roads were commenced and finished to this
-
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common centre of the town. The citizens appreciating the eligibility of the location for their meeting-house, and desiring to make it more easy of access, August 28, 1804, before the house was ready for occupancy, "Voted to raise three hundred dollars, to be worked out in levelling the new common around the new meeting-house; and chose Lieut. Samuel Stone, John Giles and Ebenezer Stone a committee to conduct the same."
In May, 1852, after sectarianism had done its work. after the unitarians had decreased to a small number, its influential men at the start being either gone or dead. Charles Powers and others, in the interest of the methodists, bought this house from the unitarians. turned the west end of the same to the south, and fitted it up in its present style. Since that time, the methodists have rented the lower part of it to the town for a town hall, and occupied the upper part as an auditorium, in which they have enjoyed an uninterrupted preaching of the Gospel to the present time.
It has been conceded by competent judges, that the steeple, or tower, on this edifice has good architectural pro- portions, and is as well adapted to the main building as anything of the kind in this vicinity.
The first church bell ever in Townsend, was obtained by money subscribed for that purpose, in the summer of 1804. The tradition that a bell was given to this town by the Englishman for whom Townsend was named, and that the same was sold to pay the freight, and subsequently was hung on one of the Boston churches, is without doubt incorrect. It has been ascertained that the town of Mason and one or two other towns have the same legend : besides, if the town had been in expectancy of such a gift. an effort
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would have been made to erect a tower suitable for its reception. This bell came to this town soon after the second meeting-house was taken down and before its erec- tion where it now stands, and it was stored in the shed at the parsonage. During the pleasant sabbaths of that summer, meetings were held under the shading elms easterly of the parsonage, and this bell was struck to announce the hour for commencement of services.
February 4th, 1805, the town "Voted to pay Hezekiah Richardson $39.38 for hanging the bell."
To the people of 1876 this would appear to be an extravagant charge, from the fact that one of our towns- men, by the same name ( Mr. Levi Richardson ). during this year hung three church bells in this town gratuitously ; one on each of the churches at the Centre, and one at West Townsend. The bell hung by the aforesaid Heze- kiah, was cracked in the year 1818, when a new bell weighing about 1500 pounds was purchased by subscribers. the old one going in part to pay for the new one. This bell, after the church property, including the parsonage, passed into the hands of what was called the first parish, or the unitarians. was removed by them to their new meeting-house at the Harbor, and subsequently it was sold to pay the debts of that society.
From that time till 1876 this church was minus a bell. when the methodists experiencing a revival which added considerably both to their spiritual and pecuniary strength. and the town having inaugurated a fire department and desiring a heavier bell, the liberal citizens at the central village, and some others, by subscription. furnished the money for the purchase of the present bell. which tolls
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regularly and gently for the presence of the evening wor- shippers, and occasionally sends forth the clangorous notes of alarm, for brave hearts and willing hands to subdue the insatiable element.
The orthodox congregational meeting-house was com- pleted and dedicated in June, 1830. Some of the men who seceded from the old church. just previous to that time, possessing a good amount of wealth, and not lacking in either enterprise or will, were determined to have a first class church edifice. With much unanimity this society agreed both on the location for their meeting-house and the manner in which it was to be built. This fourth meeting-house of Townsend is made of brick, and in every particular, is much superior to any church building ever built in this town ; and it reflects credit upon the taste and good judgment of the men who designed the same and furnished the money with which it was erected.
With the exception of a change in the pulpit and some internal wall decorations, it remains substantially the same as when it came from the hands of Josiah Sawtelle, its architect and builder. The clock in the tower of this church was presented by Deacon Joel Adams and Samuel Adams, his son. A bell weighing about 2000 pounds, purchased by subscription, was hung on this house soon after it was finished, which was in constant use from that time till 1876, when it was cracked and another one was put in its place.
The time-piece, which graces the front of the singers' gallery, was the gift of Mrs. Lucy Stone, at a cost of fifty dollars. The flagons. cups and plates, at present in use by this church, as sacramental furniture, and a baptismal basin, were purchased by the legacy of one hundred
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dollars from Deacon Daniel Adams, agreeably to the terms of his will.
The baptist church, at the west village, was the fifth church edifice erected in Townsend. A committee was chosen in the autumn of 1833, consisting of Levi Warren, Levi Ball, Jacob Sanders, Ralph Warren, and Jeptha Cummings, to receive proposals for building a meeting- house, sixty-four feet long, forty-five feet wide, with posts twenty-four feet in height; and this committee closed a contract, with Josiah Sawtelle, to build this house, which was to be completed before October 1, 1834. Some devia- tion from the written agreement, mutually understood, delayed the completion of this house for nearly two months. It was dedicated January 15, 1835. A number of digni- taries of the baptist denomination, including three or four doctors of divinity, besides a large and appreciative audi- ence, were in attendance. Dr. Sharp, of Boston, preached the sermon, and Dr. Hague, of that city, assisted in the services on that occasion. Ample preparations were made by the citizens of the village for a sumptuous dinner, after the dedicatory services were ended, and at several tables in different parts of West Townsend, peculiarly appetiz- ing spreads were presented ; and many visitors and friends attested to the hospitality of the patrons and members of the "First Baptist Society of Townsend."
This meeting-house is a fac simile of a meeting-house that was in Fitchburg, which so favorably impressed the building committee, in regard to its proportions and con- venience, that it was the model for their house. This building was renovated in 1873, by being newly plastered. painted, and paper-frescoed ; a new pulpit, an appropriate
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chandelier and side lights, were inserted at that time. For this improvement the baptist people are under special obligations to Messrs. Edward Ordway and John M. Bruce, who solicited the money for that purpose. It would be difficult to find fault either with the location, the inter- nal arrangements, or the taste exhibited in the finish of this neat, unostentatious chapel.
From the day it was decided to erect this house of worship, to the present time, the baptist church has been continually the recipient of the favors of the Warren family. Mr. Levi Warren not only gave the land on which this building stands but he gave nearly one-third of the money required to build this house. Mr. Moses Warren gave the bell, which was hung in the belfry when the edifice was completed. Mr. Charles Warren* gave both the clock on the tower, and the one inside which hangs in front of the singers' gallery. Among those who contributed liberally towards the funds necessary to build this house, ninc. by the name of Warren, gave freely : and, ever since that time, when the money needed to defray the expenses of preaching has not been easily obtained, Levi, Moses. Aaron, Ralph, Dorman, and other Warrens, and those who intermarried with the Warrens, have "come to the rescue."
* Charles Warren was the son of Thomas Warren. He amassed a large fortune in business, in Boston, and lost it. On account of his integrity, he was afterwards appointed agent of a large establishment engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods. During the war of the rebellion, he went out to Central America, and engaged in the cultivation of cotton. This business was a snecess. While passing from one part of the country to another, in company of guides, he was murdered by them for his money. He was an amiable, benevolent gentleman, who kindly remembered his birth- place in the days of his prosperity. lle was nnmarried.
CHAPTER VI.
MILITARY, CEMETERIES, AND BEQUESTS.
" The Training Band"-"The Alarm List"-Division of the Town into Two Military Companies-The North Company-The South Company-List of the Captains of these Companies-Townsend Light Infantry-Its Captains-Cemeteries-Land Given by Wil- liam Clark-Burying Ground Near the Common at the Centre of the Town-Its Enlargement in 1854-Gift of Land for a Ceme- tery at West Townsend by Levi Warren-The Stocks, an Instru- ment of Torture to the Flesh-Amos Whitney's Will-His Epi- taph.
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