USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Natick > Manual of the first congregational church, Natick, Mass. > Part 4
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Natick > Manual of the first congregational church, Natick, Mass. > Part 4
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The second meeting-house in Natick having become unsuitable for public worship, the third was com- menced on the same locality in 1754, but not finished till 1767. This long delay suggests the continuance of the conflict begun during Rev. Mr. Peabody's min- istry. The white inhabitants were generally unwill- ing to acknowledge "the Indian Missionary " as their minister, and for a time did little for his support. One well qualified to testify informs us " that a large part of the white people of his day had adopted as many of the
* Rev. S. D. Hosmer.
51
Historical Sketch.
Indian manners and habits as the Indians had of theirs ; so that a considerable number of both nations were but half civilized, and their pastor received such treatment as must naturally be expected from such a flock."* From the following vote, it would seem that Mr. Badger's church, now largely English, were unfa- vorable to him, as July 6, 1756, the Parish "Voted, to concur with the church in their unanimous choice of the Rev. Mr. Solomon Reed to be their minister." Voted to grant Rev. Mr. Reed £66, 135. 4d., as en- couragement for him to settle with them. Also a yearly salary of £53, 6s. 8d., on condition of his acceptance.t
That he did not accept their invitation, or at least long continue their pastor, is evident from various votes passed in subsequent years, among which they accepted the following report of a Committee, dated January 18, 1762 : "That, whereas, the greater part of the inhabitants of Natick do attend the public worship at Natick [South Natick], and a still greater part are at no expense in the support of the gospel anywhere, it is the unanimous opinion of the committee that it will be for the good of the whole that the inhabitants of said parish, not belonging to the Society aforesaid, bear their equal proportion, polls and estates, with the mem-
* Bigelow's History of Natick, p. 60.
t See Town Records, p. 45. I know not how to account for these votes, but will suggest, that as Mr. Badger was sent to Natick by the Missionary Board, it may be, that neither the church nor parish were favorable to him as their reli- gious teacher ; and this may also account, in part, for subsequent difficulties.
Rev. Mr. Reed had been the pastor of a branch church in Framingham, ordained January, 1747, and dismissed near the close of the year 1756. He was esteemed an able, pure, zealous and devout preacher of the Orthodox order. was respected and esteemed by his society, and lived a quiet and peaceable life. In 175), that church dissolved, a part returning to the First Church, and others united in forming the First Baptist Church in Framingham, purchasing the meeting-house for their own use.
52
First Congregational Church.
bers of said Society, respectively, in their taxes for the support of the minister, agreeably to said Society's contract with the Rev. Mr. Stephen Badger (the pres- ent minister), for the future, including the taxes for the year 1761." This report was accepted .*
The legal advice of Timothy Bigelow, given Novem- ber 23, 1797, referring back to these times and the legal ownership of this very house, says: "The meeting- house was built principally at the charge of the Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians, but that part of the expense was borne by individuals who subscribed therefor - that these persons, amounting to something less than one-half the whole parish, were therefore afterwards called the Society," etc. "In 1763, the then parish or precinct voted to finish the meeting-house. From that time the whole parish of Natick have worshiped with the Indians and society, and contributed toward the support of public worship."t In near harmony with the above the records show, January 3, 1763 : "Granted £19, 6s. 8d., to pay the tax made in April, 1761, for the Rev. Mr. Badger's salary," and in " the treasurer's book for the parish," this entry : " May 14, 1764, to cash paid to the Rev. Mr. S. Badger £20, 14S.," probably the above grant, increased by the interest. After this date are frequent entries of cash paid to Mr. Badger, and in the years 1772 to 1775 the entry each year is £19, 6s. 8d., twice mentioned, "being for his salary."
Passing over numerous other votes, the following, somewhat abridged, will sufficiently indicate the troub- lous times through which they were still passing.
* Records, p. 66.
+ A paper among the town files.
53
Historical Sketch.
" December 19, 1768, Voted, to choose three men to leave all difficulties, matters and controversies and accounts, that are now standing open, and made choice of Mr. William Bauldwin, of Sudbury, Captain Josiah Stone, of Framingham, and Samuel Bullard, of Sher- born, to leave said matters, disputes and controversies. between said district and said committees," chosen in relation to "finishing the meeting-house, defending the action brought against the district for finishing said meeting-house, - for settling all causes," etc .* I find no record of any report made by this committee or any further action upon the subject, but as the town voted March 15, 1773, "to repair the meeting-house, and that the Selectmen see it done," it would seem that quiet, for a time at least, was in a measure re- stored.
That this quiet was not final, is too evident from the following : "March 31, 1778, Voted, refusing Rev. Stephen Badger as their minister. Voted, further, to forbid Mr. Badger preaching any more on the cost of the town. Voted, to draw from the treasury £19, 6s. 8d., to pay Rev. Stephen Badger his salary for the year 1777. In conference with Mr. Badger, a committee said to him, it was their opinion, it seemed the general say in the meeting, that the town would be glad to have him say, that he would take and quit the town as their minister, and let the town have their choice of their min- ister." t Notwithstanding these votes and conference, " September 3, 1781, voted Rev. Mr. Badger £19, 6s. 8d., yearly from the time his salary ceased." # Again, " December 16, 1782, Voted, to grant £38, 13s. 4d.,
* Records, p. 116.
t Ibid, p. 170.
Ibid, p. 205.
54 First Congregational Church.
for the Rev. Mr. Badger, it being for two years' salary, 1781 and 1782." *
About this time, (the paper on file is without date), the Rev. Mr. Badger makes in substance the following proposal : "That if the town will allow and pay him half so much yearly from the time when the town and society were united (January, 1762), as either of the neighboring towns that join upon Natick have voted and agreed annually to pay their minister respectively, [two such salaries in 1784 were £66, 6s. 8d.,] including those sums already assessed as his salary, and appoint a committee to settle with him according to this pro- posal, etc., he will give a receipt for such obligations, and consider it a full discharge." He enforces his pro- posal from several considerations, in which are these items of information. He says : "When it is consid- ered that from the year 1753 to 1761, as well as for a long time before, no sum or sums of money for the support of public worship were assessed by the town, or received by Mr. Badger from the town; when it is also considered that by the American war, his property in Charlestown [his native place] was destroyed, which, with unpaid rents and other debts, amounted in value to several hundred pounds, all of which are irrecover- ably lost ; and especially, when it is further considered that by the separation of the American States from Great Britain, he has for the last seven years been cut off from what he used to receive from the Commission- ers in Boston, they being discontinued and others ap- pointed in Nova Scotia, etc., he cannot but hope that the proposals here made will be looked upon as moder- ate and reasonable, and be complied with accordingly."
* Records, p. 215.
55
Historical Sketch.
After pleading for the credit of the town, as well as his own relief, and counseling all due moderation, he fur- ther proposes that if the town do not comply with the above, that the whole subject be " submitted by mutual agreement to a legal reference," etc.
I find no definite action on the above by the town, but in another paper on file, dated May 3, 1784, Mr. Badger seems to refer to it, saying, " the town did not fall in with the proposals which I made some years ago," and then goes on to make other proposals, too full to quote here, but containing several clauses of information, among which are the following: his cart- ing his "firewood from the ministerial lot ;" wishing for the "continued, uninterrupted possession, use and improvement of the ministerial or parsonage lot of land in this place, granted by the Indian proprietors for the use and benefit of such minister as should be settled among and over them," "privileges which be- longed to him as a minister and missionary in this place." He incidentally mentions that his " salary for the last eight years had been withheld from him."
In reply to the above, it would seem the town " Voted, on the first Monday in May, 1784, to chose a committee on difficulties with Rev. Mr. Badger," and "May 27, 1784, Voted, to accept the report of the above commit- tee, viz .: That we have taken under our serious consid- eration the present embarrassed circumstances of the town in respect to minister and people, and are humbly of the opinion that it will be greatly to the advantage of the town if they should voluntarily give the Rev. Stephen Badger one year's salary of £19, 6s. 8d., in addition to his former salary of £19, 6s. 8d., yearly, now remaining due, together with the interest of
56 First Congregational Church.
the same . . and acquit to him the full enjoyment of all his privileges as an Indian missionary, free from any assessment, providing he on his part shall acquit, dismiss and discharge the town and society, forever, hereafter, from being subject to pay ministerial tax to him, and likewise be willing that the people shall move the meeting-house when and where they please, or build a new one, and likewise settle a minister, whom they shall choose, that we may once more be a happy people." Further, "Voted, that the same committee wait upon the Rev. Mr. Badger with this report, and report at the adjournment of this meeting." "June 14, 1784, met by adjournment and modified the above proposal by inserting £50, instead of £19, 6s. 8d., as the volun- tary gift of the town." I find on a scrap, signed by Mr. Badger, the following : "About four o'clock, P. M., Mon- day, June 14, 1784, I made the following proposal to William Boden, Esq., Mr. Oliver Bacon, Major Heze- kiah Broad, Mr. Thomas Broad and Dr. Isaac Morril, a committee from the town, etc., viz., that if instead of £19, 6s. 8d., the sum reported by said committee and accepted to be paid by the town - the town will pay me a sum equal to one year's salary of some of the nearest neighboring ministers, in addition to the other conditions expressed in my proposals dated May 3, 1784, then I will acquit, dismiss and discharge the town, both for the past and for the future," etc. The next Monday : " Voted, to choose a committee to wait on the honorable corporation, etc., for assistance." * Thus no settlement was secured by any of these meas- ures, and we find, "April 4, 1785, Voted, to grant two years' salary to Rev. Mr. Badger, as usual, viz., £19, 6s.
* Records, p. 230.
57
Historical Sketch.
8d., each year." September 14, 1797, four families petitioned to sign off to Dover, twelve to Sherborn, and October 9, seventeen to Needham, in all, thirty- three families. Other efforts for a settlement were made at various times, but without success, until July 23, 1798, when the town "chose a committee to treat with Mr. Badger, and request of him in writing what objection he has to the town to have preaching in said town ; if none, to manifest the same in writing ; if other- wise, to join him in calling a council, and if he refuse, to call a council without him."* I find no further proceedings or record relative to Mr. Badger's dismis- sion, but Bigelow's History states that he closed his public services in July, 1799, and died August 28, 1803, aged seventy-eight. His grave is at South Natick.
During his ministry Mr. Badger baptized three hun- dred and eighteen persons, married one hundred and sixty-nine couples, and admitted sixty-nine as members to the church. He is described by one who knew him well, as of middle height, firm and well formed in per- son, in manners dignified and polished, and his coun- tenance intelligent and pleasing. His conversation in mixed company was entertaining and instructive, and his public performances gave ample proof of a mind, vigorous, acute and well-informed." t He was twice married, and is the "Parson Lothrop" of Mrs. Stowe's "Old Town Folks." He published several " Essays on Electricity ;" "A Letter from a Pastor to His People ;" "A Letter to the Secretary of the Massachusetts His- torical Society," and in 1774, "Two Discourses on Drunkenness," since re-published.
* Records, p. 313.
t Bigelow's History of Natick, p. 60.
58 First Congregational Church.
The third meeting-house perished by degrees soon after the death of Mr. Badger, and the church also again became extinct, several having withdrawn to neighboring churches. But the Indians, now fast fading away before the incoming of a growing white population spreading over the entire township, the question long before in controversy of building a fourth meeting-house in Natick, to be located near the center, had already been settled by a vote taken September 18, 1798, fixing the spot on the ministerial lot, at " the cross roads, where the Old Pound formerly stood." * The house was commenced the following June, 40 X 45 feet, two stories, with a "suitable porch in front." They first raised one thousand dollars, and afterwards five hundred more to finish the house. "Voted, to paint the roof of the meeting-house red and the rest white." The pews were rented for some years, and the Selectmen hired the preaching. "Voted, that the blacks sit in the hind seats in the north part of the galleries." (October 13, 1800.) }
A new church was organized in February, 1802, with ten male and thirteen female members. On its first meeting after organization, March 13, 1802, William Goodenow and Abel Perry were elected its deacons. " March 1, 1802, Voted, to keep the parish matters sep- arate from the town in the future." April 22, they gave Mr. Samuel Brown a call to become their pastor, in which the town "voted to concur," and made the follow- ing proposals for his settlement : to give him a salary of $300 per year, twelve cords of wood, and the use of the
* Records, p. 324.
+ Legal voters were required to be twenty-one years of age, resident in town one year preceding, and having a freehold estate in town, of annual income £3, or any estate to the value of £60 .- Records, p. 235.
59
Historical Sketch.
ministerial lot. Also to build a decent two-story house, and suitable barn on the lot within two years, and pro- vide house-room for Mr. Brown till the building should be ready. But Mr. Brown was soon after taken sick, and died without giving any answer to their call .* " September 6, 1803, chose a committee to repair and make fence on the ministerial lot, with other improve- ments, and granted $100 for the same." t# November 5, 1804, granted $120 to fence the ministerial lot, and also to let it." ||
REV. FREEMAN SEARS, 1806-1811.
POPULATION IN 1810, 760.
After some years of delay, the church united in calling Rev. Freeman Sears to become their pastor. The town concurred September 12, 1805, offering nearly the same conditions as to Mr. Brown, adding, the first pew, and "so long as he serves the town as a faithful gospel minister, and supplies the desk." § These con- ditions were subsequently modified by a lease of four acres, corner of Main and Pond streets, on which he built a house, the first now fronting north on West Central street. September 19, 1805, voted to accept of the burying ground lot, north of the meeting-house, and ordered it to be fenced with stone wall on the
* Records, pp. 359-60.
t Ibid, p. 375.
# April 2, 1804, an article was inserted in the warrant "to see if the town will purchase a library." At the meeting they " voted in the negative." (Rec- ords, p. 382-4.) A more private " circulating library" was established sometime after, as evident from a petition for a warrant from William Goodenow, Justice, to call a meeting of the "Proprietors of the Circulating Library in Natick," desiring to be incorporated for the purpose of transacting the business of said library legally. (A paper on file.)
|| Records, p. 394.
§ Ibid, p. 319.
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First Congregational Church.
north and west sides, the walls to be moved from the south burying ground, with consent of Abel Perry .* This cemetery was on the corner of Pond and South Main streets. November 29, voted to paint the pulpit, the front of the gallery, and the window cases, and to number the pews; also to trim the pulpit with red. Chose marshals for the ordination day.t
Mr. Sears was born in Harwich, November 28, 1779. At the age of seventeen he removed with his parents to Ashfield, where the following year he became pious. He was graduated at Williams College in 1804, licensed to preach April 10, 1805, and ordained first pastor of the new church, January 1, 1806. Mr. Sears is repre- sented as a man of marked ability, pleasing elocu- tion, and distinguished from early life for his piety and exemplary conduct. "Through him the violated law spake forth its thunders ; through him, in strains as sweet as angels use, the gospel whispered peace." Dur- ing his brief ministry he baptized forty-five persons, and received fifteen into the church. He introduced the study of the Assembly's Catechism, and called all the children of the congregation together once a month to hear them recite it. He was a man of small stature, good abilities, and greatly beloved. He was, however, of slender constitution, and able to perform the duties of his office only till 1810, when pulmonary disease had so impaired his health that his physician advised him to repair to a warmer climate. Accordingly in Decem- ber he sailed for Savannah, Georgia, where he spent the winter, finding many kind and generous friends, but his health continued to decline. Anxious to return to
* Records, p. 321.
+ Ibid, pp. 327-8.
61
Historical Sketch.
his family and people, he arrived in Natick, June 10, 1811, very feeble, and expired on the 30th of the same month, deeply lamented, aged only thirty-three. He was buried in the cemetery near the church, where " elegant grave-stones " were erected to his memory, "by his bereaved flock, from sentiments of gratitude and respect." His remains were removed to a central position in Dell Park Cemetery in 1857, where a granite monument, costing $300 without the setting, now marks the spot, erected in 1873, by the liberal contri- butions of a later generation still cherishing his mem- ory .* It is believed the only public production of his pen extant, is a Fourth of July oration, delivered in ISog, a copy of which may be found in Oliver N. Ba- con's History of Natick, (pp. 75-84.)
" May 13, 1811, Voted, to choose a committee to seat the inhabitants in the pews according to their taxes." i "January 27, 1812, Voted, to choose a committee to petition the General Court for liberty to sell the minis- terial lot, in order to raise a fund for the support of the gospel."
The Act of the General Court, incorporating trustees to sell the ministerial lot, and have charge of the pro- ceeds, passed the House and Senate June 22, 1812. George Whitney was chosen their first treasurer, and a seal adopted with the motto: "Natick Ministerial Fund," June 8, 1813. At this and following meetings, lands and pews were sold establishing our present min- isterial fund, as follows :
(1.) June 8, 1813, about half an acre front of the
* The committee for this purpose was chosen January 14, 1871 ; they raised $3 10 for the object, and May 29, 1873, reported the work complete.
+ Records, p. 395.
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First Congregational Church.
church was sold to Perley Howe for $55. Recorded, book 216, page 325.
(2.) February 9 to June 13, 1814, notes and cash for pews, with interest, amounting to $1,553.36.
(3.) March 3, 1814, two lots of ministerial land, one between Grove and Willow streets, containing twenty- three and one half acres, and the other west of North Main street, next to John A. Whitney's land, containing six acres, four rods, sold to Ebenezer Whitney for $1,181. Book 209, page 91.
(4.) May 17, 1814, sold to E. Whitney eight and one half acres, south of Willow street to depot, for $425. Book 209, page 90.
(5.) May 17, 1814, sold to Rev. Martin Moore, thirty- nine acres, three quarters and seven rods, west of North Main street, and south of the second lot in No. (3) for $1,132.50. Book 212, page 428.
(6.) April 17, 1815, sold to George How about half an acre, north of meeting-house and next to it, for $51. See book of the Treasurer of Ministerial Fund, p. 2.
(7.) February 16, 1817, gave a quit-claim deed to Rev. M. Moore for about four acres, (formerly leased to Freeman Sears,)* probably for $250, it being the house lot, corner of Pond and Main streets.
* " Leased for 999 years on condition of paying a yearly rent for the use of the ministry." (Town Rec., p. 329.) This lease and rent were probably modified at this time for the $250. Since writing the above, I find recorded at Registry of Deeds, at East Cambridge, the deed of Mrs. Lydia Sears, of Dedham, to Rev. M. Moore, of Natick, dated March 1, 1814, conveying a certain tract of land, situated in Natick, "on which my dwelling house and other buildings stand, being nearly a square piece, and containing four acres, abutted and bounded as follows, viz : East, by the road which separates it from the common where the meeting house stands; South, by another road, running east and west, and by an Indian burying ground; West, by the ministerial land, so-called, and a certain pond-hole; North, by the ministerial land, or howsoever bounded," etc. Col .- sideration, $1,500.
63
Historical Sketch.
The above sales amount to eighty-two acres, three quarters, eleven rods, and, together with the pews, etc.,* to $4,647.86, where it stood till 1821, when it was $4,649.65, where again it remained till 1841, when it reached the round number of $4,650, where it still stands.
RECAPITULATION.
Feb. 9 to June 13, 1814, Notes and cash for pews, and int., $1, 553.36 June 8, 1813, Land to P. Howe, O A., 2 q., o r., for 55.00
29 2 1,181.00 March 3, 1814, two lots to E. Whitney, 4 May 17, 1814, one lot to E. Whitney, . 8 2
3
7 1,132.50
0 2
O
66 51.00
4 O
O
250.00
82
3
II
" $4,647.86
Leaving unsold,
3
I 29
Whole Lot in 1719 (see p. 45),
86
I O
The lands not sold include the streets, meeting-house lot, part of the common, and three cemetery lots ; the Indian, one at Winch's block, and one on the corner of Pond and South Main streets.
June 15, 1857, Voted, to join with the town, in refer- ring to an arbitration the ownership of the cemetery lot, where Winch's block now stands. It was referred to Judge Hoar, of Concord, who decided in favor of the town, and the bodies of those buried there were soon after removed to Dell Park Cemetery. The Judge awarded the lot to the town, and it was sold to dif- ferent parties in 1868 for $15,100,t it being only about half an acre, yet bringing more than three times the
* See Treasurer's Book, pp. 1 and 2.
t This sum is gathered from the Town Report of receipts and expenses for Feb. 1, 1869, and does not include preceding rents.
O 425.00
May 17, 1814, one lot to Rev. M. Moore, 39 April 17, 1815, one lot to George How, Feb. 16, 1816, one lot to Rev. M. Moore,
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First Congregational Church.
amount for which the previous sales of over eighty-two acres were sold.
REV. MARTIN MOORE, 1814-1833.
POPULATION IN 1820, 849; IN 1830, 890.
More than two and a half years elapsed after the death of Rev. Mr. Sears, before the settlement of another pastor, during which time Samuel Parker, Joel Wright, Calvin Wait, Isaac Jones, Jacob Ide, and sev- eral others preached as candidates, and among them Rev. Martin Moore, on whom the choice of the church and town finally united. During this interval, Rev. Thomas Noyes, of Needham, acted as Moderator of the Church. The town voted to give Mr. Moore a salary of five hundred dollars and the use of the first pew, so long as he remained their minister. They then made provision for selling the pews, bidding for choice above the appraisals, which varied from nineteen to fifty-five dollars below, and five to ten in the gallery.
Mr. Moore was born in Sterling, April 22, 1790, was graduated at Brown University in 1810, studied theol- ogy with the late Rev. Elisha Fiske, of Wrentham, where he was for a time Principal of Day's Academy. He received his call from the church, November 18, 1813 ; the town concurred, December 6, and he was ordained pastor of the church, February 16, 1814. Fourteen churches were invited to sit in council, but only ten pastors and nine delegates were present. Rev. Elisha Fiske preached the ordination sermon, which was pub- lished. The council "voted that the Bishops, who may be in the pulpit at the time of the consecrating prayer,
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