USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Winchendon > History of the town of Winchendon, from the grant of the township by the legislature of Massachusetts in 1735, to the present time > Part 7
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Then voted, that the Selectmen purchase a barrel of West India rum and a quantity of sugar sufficient to make it into toddy, and that it be expended partly upon the men that assist the day preceding the day set for raising the meeting house, in laying the timber in order for raising. And that the Selectmen see that it is properly dealt out ! !
Then voted to allow Ensign David Rice a sum of money over and above what he was heretofore agreed with to pro- vide for those persons who raise the meeting house ; the sum to be determined by the rise of West India articles, since said Rice agreed to make provision for the raising.
May 7. Met according to adjournment, and, after some debate it was put to vote, to see if the town will agree to set the meeting house three rods southerly from the place lately agreed upon to build said house; and the town vo- ted to reconsider their vote for placing said house 120 feet from the north side of the common; and to set the north said house 170 feet from the north line of the common ; and that the east end of said house should stand nearly on a ridge that was made by the east side of the field.
May 31. The town met and voted to choose a Commit- tee of three persons to use their endeavors to settle matters of difficulty respecting the meeting house. Messrs. Thom- as Graton, Amos Heywood and James Steel were chosen
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for said purpose. The Committee reported, verbally, that proposals were made for accommodation.
June 15. Met, and after some debate, voted, that the Committee for building the meeting house, purchase such articles as are necessary to finish said house in the best way and manner they can, and go on with the work as soon as may be with convenience.
Voted, that Ensign David Rice be allowed for enter- taining 11 more on the day the meeting house was raised over and above the 100 men he agreed to provide for, and that he be allowed in the same proportion for the 11 men as for the 100: and also that he be allowed 16 s. 8 d. for what he found for those persons who belonged out of town, and assisted the second day in raising the roof of the meeting house.
Sept. 5. The meeting house meeting, (so called) was opened according to adjournment. The town granted the sum of £150, in addition to the money raised by the sale of pew ground, to defray the charge of building the meet- ing house in said town.
Dec. 3. The town met, and made choice of Lieut. John Burr a Committee man in the room of the Hon. Abel Wilder, deceased.
Dec. 17. Voted, that the first day of Jan. 1793, be the day to dedicate the new meeting house.
Then voted, that the three Deacons, Hale, Prentice, and Moor, be a Committee to inform the Rev. Joseph Brown of the [vote of the] town respecting dismissing the old meeting house and dedicating the new one.
Dec. 31. The town met, according to adjournment, on the spot of ground where the old meeting house stood, and adjourned the meeting into Mr. McElwain's east room,
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
for the, purpose of viewing the northerly part of the com- mon, in order to see if the town can agree, unanimously, upon a spot of ground to set the new meeting house upon. After taking a view, the town met again : and after some debate, it was tried by a vote to see if the town will re- consider the vote passed at a late meeting respecting plac- ing the meeting house in the northerly part of the common. Passed in the negative.
Then voted, that the Selectmen purchase a barrel of West India rum and a quantity of sugar sufficient to make it into toddy, and that it be expended partly upon the men that assist the day preceding the day set for raising the meeting house, in laying the timber in order for raising. And that the Selectmen see that it is properly dealt out ! !
Then voted to allow Ensign David Rice a sum of money over and above what he was heretofore agreed with to pro- vide for those persons who raise the meeting house ; the sum to be determined by the rise of West India articles, since said Rice agreed to make provision for the raising.
May 7. Met according to adjournment, and, after some debate it was put to vote, to see if the town will agree to set the meeting house three rods southerly from the place lately agreed upon to build said house; and the town VO- ted to reconsider their vote for placing said house 120 feet from the north side of the common; and to set the north said house 170 feet from the north line of the common ; and that the east end of said house should stand nearly on a ridge that was made by the east side of the field.
May 31. The town met and voted to choose a Commit- tee of three persons to use their endeavors to settle matters of difficulty respecting the meeting house. Messrs. Thom- as Graton, Amos Heywood and James Steel were chosen
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for said purpose. The Committee reported, verbally, that proposals were made for accommodation.
June 15. Met, and after some debate, voted, that the Committee for building the meeting house, purchase such articles as are necessary to finish said house in the best way and manner they can, and go on with the work as soon as may be with convenience.
Voted, that Ensign David Rice be allowed for enter- taining 11 more on the day the meeting house was raised over and above the 100 men he agreed to provide for, and that he be allowed in the same proportion for the 11 men as for the 100: and also that he be allowed 16 s. 8 d. for what he found for those persons who belonged out of town, and assisted the second day in raising the roof of the meeting house.
Sept. 5. The meeting house meeting, (so called) was opened according to adjournment. The town granted the sum of ££150, in addition to the money raised by the sale of pew ground, to defray the charge of building the meet- ing house in said town.
Dec. 3. The town met, and made choice of Lieut. John Burr a Committee man in the room of the Hon. Abel Wilder, deceased.
Dec. 17. Voted, that the first day of Jan. 1793, be the day to dedicate the new meeting house.
Then voted, that the three Deacons, Hale, Prentice, and Moor, be a Committee to inform the Rev. Joseph Brown of the [vote of the] town respecting dismissing the old meeting house and dedicating the new one.
Dec. 31. The town met, according to adjournment, on the spot of ground where the old meeting house stood, and adjourned the meeting into Mr. McElwain's east room,
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and then met there and adjourned for half an hour, for the purpose of viewing the new meeting house; then met again, and voted to accept of the new meeting house.
A true Record, Attest, Samuel Crosby, Town Clerk.
Then votes were passed transferring divers pews to dif- ferent persons, the transfers made at the request of the parties.
Then voted, that two pews in the gallery that were struck off to Dea. Moses Hale, viz. No. 16 and No. 8, be transferred to Lieut. John Burr, and that thereupon all matters of difficulty heretofore subsisting between the town and said Hale and any individuals in the town con- cerning the new meeting house, shall subside, upon condition that the persons, who have purchased pews in said house, pay for the same in a reasonable time.
Samuel Prentice, Moderator.
A true Record
Samuel Crosby, Town Clerk. Town Records, B. 3, pp. 83-85.
The town at a special meeting held, Sept. 5, 1792, vo- ted to build a wall and wharf round the new meeting house by a tax. Then the town granted the sum of ££100 to de- fray the charge thereof. [The wall and wharf were col. ~ pleted in October 1792.]
At a special meeting Oct. 29, 1792, the town voted to sell the old meeting house in lots, at public vendue.
Dec. 17, the old meeting house was sold. Town Rec- ords, B. 3, pp. 104, 105.
Nov. 21, 1794. The town met, then voted and dis- solved the meeting house meeting.
Samuel Prentice, Moderator.
A true Record, Attest, Moses Hale, Town Clerk.
Town Records, B. 3, p. 120.
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At another meeting of the town, Nov. 21, 1794, Voted, and accepted of the meeting house Committee account, which is as follows.
Cost of the meeting house ££889 10s. 9d. Committee service £57 14s. 6d. £947 5s. 3d.
Recd. of pew money, &766 4s. 0d. Old
meeting house, 28 2s. 1d. Refuse stuff, £410s.7d. Tax, £150 0s. 0d. £948 16s. 8d.
The above account is the Report of the Committee ap- all pointed to build the meeting house.
Samuel Prentice, Moderator.
Thos. Graton, Committee for building said house.
Benj. Hall,
A true record, Moses Hale, Town Clerk. Town Records, B. 3, p. 133.
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In the warrant for town meeting of 11th Sept. 1815, was an article, To see if the town will make the ground where the body seats are in the meeting house, on any other ground into pews for the purpose of building a tower and cupola, or act on the matter as they think proper.
Accordingly the town assembled and under this article Voted, That the ground in the meeting house mention- ed [in the article] be cut for the purpose mentioned under the same article.
Meeting adjourned to 23d. Then voted, That the tow- lis der and cupola or steeple be built on condition it can be done free from any expense to the town, other than the , ground for 6 pews on the lower floor and 10 pews in the gallery and the old porch and seats. Town Records, B. 3, pp. 388, 389, 392.
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In the mean time there was a subscription by sundry individuals, inhabitants of the town, for a Bell.
The belfry or steeple was completed, and, at a meeting of the inhabitants of the town, Nov. 4, 1816, was ac- cepted.
At the same meeting a Presentment of the Church Bell to the town of Winchendon, (in behalf of the Proprietors,) by a Committee chosen by the subscribers, was made on the following conditions-That the town shall keep it in good and sufficient repair, cause it to be rung and tolled at the customary times, and a suitable and decent manner- and cause, by their vote, this representation of the said subscribers by their Committee, together with the names of the subscribers who have purchased by their liberality the said Church Bell, with the sum that each individual has given therefor, to be entered and enrolled on the rec- ords of the town.
Then the town voted, and accepted of the Bell as of- fered by the Proprietors' Committee.
Then voted, and tendered their thanks to the Proprie- tors of the Bell for their great generosity and benevo- lence. Town Records, B. 3, pp. 413-415.
Extracts from the Records.
At a legal meeting of the Proprietors of Ipswich Cana- da assembled and met at the house of Mr. Richard Day, innholder at Ipswich Canada June 30, 1762.
Voted, That the Proprietors will settle a minister pro- vided the inhabitants can find a man that will settle with them,
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Voted, That the Proprietors will give to Mr. Daniel Stimpson the minister's Right [of Land] granted by the Court and £60 of money as a settlement, provided he will settle and perform the office of a gospel minister in the township : and also to give him £60 salary, so long as he shall carry on the work of the ministry, in said township.
At a meeting Nov. 17, 1762, It was put to vote to see if the Proprietors would make any alteration in their former [vote] respecting Mr. Daniel Stimpson's salary.
Voted, That instead of giving the said Daniel Stimpson sixty pounds salary so long as he shall carry on the minis- try-to give him sixty pounds yearly so long as he shall continue our minister in said township. Proprietors' Book.
At a legal meeting of the Proprietors of Ipswich Cana- da, so called, that assembled and met at the house of Mr. Richard Day, innholder in said township, on Nov. 17, 1762.
Voted, That Mr. Daniel Stimpson be ordained the 15th day of December next : and that the church in Weston, the church in Harvard, the church in Lunenburg, and the church in Dorchester Canada, be sent to, to assist in his ordination.
Voted, That Bartholemew Parsons, Richard and Sam- uel Titus, be a Committee to send letters missive to the above named churches to assist in the ordination of Mr. Daniel Stimpson, in the name of the Proprietors.
Voted, to allow Richard Day £4 in order to enable him to entertain the Council, and Mr. Stimpson's relations, at his ordination. Proprietors' Book.
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There were many during Mr. Stimpson's and Mr. Brown's ministry, who joined the church in this way,
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which was sometimes called the Half way covenant .* The origin of the practice is found at large in Mather's Magnalia, and in Hubbard's General History of New England.
Mr. Hubbard says, The affairs of the church in New England were hitherto ordered according to the platform of discipline set forth in 1648, but in the beginning of this. lustre [i. e. the 5 years from 1656 to 1661] some difficul- ties began to arise about enlarging the subject of baptism, which unto this time had been administered unto those chil- dren only, whose immediate parents were admitted into full communion in the churches where they lived. But now the country came to be increased, and sundry families were found that had many children born in them, whose immediate parents had never attempted to join to any of the churches, to which they belonged, and yet were very much dissatisfied that they could not obtain baptism for their children, although themselves made no way to be admitted to the Lord's supper. The case was generally apprehended to be difficultly circumstanced, as things had hitherto been carried on amongst those churches, and did occasion many debates between the ministers of the coun- try, many of which were willing to have baptism enlarged to those in that capacity, but knew not well how to bring the matter about, with the peace of their churches, where many of their people were very scrupulous about any innovation.
Questions of this nature were first started in the colony of Connecticut ; the magistrates of which did, about 1656,
* This way or practice was discontinued and done away in this church in 1801-about the time Mr. Pilsbury was settled.
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send down several of them about this subject to the magis- trates of the Massachusetts, and they mutually called togeth- er sundry of the ablest ministers of each colony-and they met and held their disputation at Boston in New England, June 4, 1757. One question debated was this, Whether the child, admitted by his father's covenant, be also a deputy for his seed, without or before personal covenant- ing ; or without or before like personal qualifications in kind, as his father was to enjoy when he became a dep- uty ? Reply. It is the duty of infants who confederate in their parents, when grown up to years of discretion, though not yet fit for the Lord's supper, to own the cov- enant they made with their parents, by entering thereinto in their own persons : and it is the duty of the church to call upon them for the performance thereof ; and if being called upon they shall refuse the performance of this great duty, or otherwise continue scandalous, they are liable to be censured for the same by the church. And in case they understand the grounds of religion, are not scanda- lous, and solemnly own the covenant in their own persons, wherein they give up themselves and their children unto the Lord, and desire baptism for them, we (with due rev- erence to any godly, learned, that may dissent,) see not sufficient cause to deny baptism unto their children. This proposition was consented unto by a synod, called to meet at Boston, not long after, viz. 1662 .- See Hubbard's General Hist. of N. E. Chap. 64. See also Mather's Magnalia.
Mr. Hubbard further says, In the beginning of this lustre [i. e. from 1661 to 1666] some questions were raised amongst the churches and people of the Massachu- setts ; one was about the extent of baptism, viz. Whether
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the children of some parents might not be admitted to baptism, though they themselves were never admitted to full communion with the church, at the Lord's table ; about which case, the country was strangely divided.
An answer of the ministers and other messengers of the churches assembled in Synod at Boston in the year 1662.
From their answer to the 1st question propounded to them by order of the general court, which question is, Who are the subjects of baptism ? several propositions are here quoted, viz. Answer. The answer may be given in the following propositions. 1. They that, according to scripture, are members of the visible church, are the subjects of baptism. 2. The members of the visible church, according to scripture, are confederate visible believers in particular churches, and their infant seed, i. e. children in minority, whose next parents are one or both in covenant. 3. The infant seed of confederate vis- ible believers are members of the same church with their parents ; and, when grown up, are personally under the watch, discipline and government of the church. 4. Those adult persons are not therefore to be admitted to full communion, merely because they are and continue members, without such further qualifications as the word of God requireth thereunto. 5. Such church members, who are admitted in minority, understanding the doctrine of faith, and publicly professing their assent thereunto, not scandalous in life, and solemnly owning the covenant before the church, wherein they give up themselves and their children to the Lord, and subject themselves to the government of Christ in the church, their children are to be baptized .- Hubbard's General Hist. of N. E. Ch. 67. Mather's Magnalia.
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Mr. Brown afterward supplied the pulpit at Springfield, Vermont.
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Mr. Brown never delivered up the church records to his successor, nor to the church, owing to which cir- cumstance, there is a great chasm in the ecclesiastical history of this town.
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Mr. Elam Clark preached here as a candidate under peculiar circumstances.
In the latter part of the year 1819, the church and town being completely united in him, unanimously gave him a call, with an offer of $650 annual salary, and $200 settlement. Jan. 20, 1820, he gave an answer in the negative. Mar. 6, 1820, the church and town renewed their call with the same offer in all respects as before. March 13, 1820, Mr. Clark gave his answer to the second call in the negative.
After Mr. Elam Clark left Winchenden, it was said he preached in several places. In Tiverton, R. I. he preached as a candidate, with nearly the same remarkable circum- stances, of two calls and refusals, as at Winchendon. Ile was afterwards settled as pastor of a congregational church in Providence, R. I .- continued there about one year, and was dismissed at his own request. He previ- ously married the daughter of a wealthy farmer from Suf- field, Ct. and retired to that place for a time after leaving
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Providence. He afterward kept school, and finally died of a cancer about the year 1834.
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Mr. E. L. Clark was afterwards settled at Berlin, and again, more recently, at Richmond, Mass.
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Mr. Morton was afterward settled in Bristol, N. H.
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The following notice was published in the Boston Re- corder of Dec. 10, 1846.
Ordination. Ordained-on Thursday, Nov. 19, Mr. Malachi Bullard, Jr. Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Winchendon. Invocation and reading of the Scriptures by Rev. A. P. Marvin of Winchendon North ; sermon by Rev. L Sabin of Templeton ; ordaining prayer by Rev. J. M. Whiton of Antrim, N. H .; charge to the pastor by Rev. S. S. Smith of Westminster ; right hand of fellowship by A. C. Perkins of Phillipston ; address to the people by W. R. Stone of Gardner ; concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Burnham of Rindge, N. H.
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The churches sent to, and that were represented in this Council, were the First Congregational church in Royal- ston, the Congregational church in Rindge, N. H. the Congregational church in Templeton, and the First Con-
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gregational church in Winchendon : Rev. Mr. Rice of Winchendon was also invited. At the time of the organ- ization of the church, the public services and exercises were held and transacted in the Methodist Chapel, and were as follows. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Rice; the confes- sion of Faith and the Covenant were read by Rev. Mr. Sabin, the Scribe, and was assented to by the church ; recognition and consecrating prayer by Rev. Mr. Perkins ; fellowship of the churches by Rev. Mr. Burnham; con- cluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Sabin.
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The following notice was published in the Boston Re- corder of Jan. 25, 1844.
Dedication. The new meeting house recently erected by the North Winchendon Congregational Society, was solemnly dedicated to the worship of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Intro- ductory prayer and reading of the scriptures by Rev. Mr. Chipman of Athol ; sermon by Rev. Mr. Marvin of North Winchendon ; dedicatory prayer by Rev. Mr. Peckham of South Royalston.
Ordination. On the same day, Mr. Abijah P. Marvin was ordained Pastor of the North Winchendon Congrega- tional Church and Society. The services were as fol- lows :- introductory prayer and reading of the Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Rice of Winchendon ; sermon by Rev. E. R. Tyler, of New Haven, Conn .; ordaining prayer by Rev. Mr. Jennison of Ashburnham; charge to the pastor by Rev. Mr. Burnham of Rindge, N. H .; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Sabin of Templeton ; address to the church and people by Rev. Mr. Chipman of Athol ;
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concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Stone of Gardner ; bene- diction by the Pastor.
The day was beautiful for a wintry day-the house crowded to overflowing, the services solemn and appro- priate; the music excellent, and the appearance of the audience furnished ample evidence that a good impression was produced. This new church, having but just been organized, with their new meeting house located in a flourishing village, and their young pastor in the fresh- ness of ministerial life, commences its career by the brightest prospects of usefulness and success.
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Some account of casualties and sudden deaths which have occurred in Winchendon.
About A. D. 1752, as appears from tradition, a man by the name of Priest, was found frozen to death on or near the Prentiss Hill, in a snow storm. It was supposed that returning to his home, which was on land now known by the name of the Thomas Place, with a hand-sled laden with hay, he fell into the water and wet his clothes. He was buried south of the present burying ground.
1771, April. William Oaks, aged 17 years, and Rob- ert Moffatt, aged 16 years, were drowned in Miller's riv- er, near where Mr. Phinehas Ball now lives. They went in a boat-the boat was upset. They managed to get to a large low stub. Mrs. Oaks, Robert's mother, saw them, but was unable to render them any assistance. No neigh- bors were near. Nothing could be done to rescue them from their perilous situation. They clung to the stub for a while ; but chilled and exhausted, they were obliged to relinquish their hold, and they sunk.
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1774, May 3. Deacon Richard Day was instantly kill- ed by the falling of a tree.
1778. A stranger, traveller, was choked to death by eating a piece of meat at Nichols' tavern, which stood where Capt. Oliver Adams now lives.
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1781, July. A child of Samuel Stimson, was drowned in a well nearly opposite the house where Capt. Oliver Adams now lives.
1784, May 19. John Chamberlin was killed by the fall of a tree, which he and his son had been cutting.
1786, May 10. Uriah Crooks was mortally wounded by the falling of a stub, at a chopping bee, on the east side of Dennison's pond. He survived but a few hours.
Mrs. Jonathan Smith had a child die in her arms, while riding out in a sleigh ; it was supposed to be smothered.
William Brown was found dead in a well, on the place now owned by William Brown, Esq.
1791, May. Jonathan Stimson was killed when plow- ing, by the fall of a tree, blown down by the wind.
1797, March 12. A boy by the name of Jonathan Moor hung himself on a sleigh tongue, in a barn of Lieut. B. Hubbard.
1800, Sept. 8. Stephen Bixby was killed with an axe, by Daniel Robbins, who was insane, in or near a log house on land lately owned by Capt. Joseph Robbins.
1804, Nov. Israel Whitcomb, of this town, was killed in Fitzwilliam by the kick of a horse.
1809. Bartholomew Stearns jun. was found dead in the road, above and near the house of Capt. John Ray- mond. He had been reaping on the hill upon the farm, went to the well, drank water, and died on his return. 1811. Joseph Story of Fitchburg, was killed near Mr.
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