Mattapoisett and Old Rochester, Massachusetts : being a history of these towns and also in part of Marion and a portion of Wareham., Part 18

Author:
Publication date: 1932
Publisher: [Mattapoisett, Mass.] : Mattapoisett Improvement Association
Number of Pages: 516


USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Mattapoisett > Mattapoisett and Old Rochester, Massachusetts : being a history of these towns and also in part of Marion and a portion of Wareham. > Part 18
USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Rochester > Mattapoisett and Old Rochester, Massachusetts : being a history of these towns and also in part of Marion and a portion of Wareham. > Part 18


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28


In 1808, May 25, in Rochester, James Blankenship aged 86, James Blankenship Jr., Chas. Chandler, Rebecca Chandler. June 28, - Ellis Mendall, Abigail Whitridge, Sarah Jenny. On Rochester Great Neck, 29th, Ruth Blankenship and Betsey Allen. Rochester Shore, Aug. 16th, Abr. Harrison, Danl Shearman, Wm Shearman, Luke Dexter, Vira Paine. Sept. 27, in Rochester, Deborah


261


The Church in the Second Precinct


Hall & Eliz. Hall. Rochester Shore, Nov. 3, Eliz. Cannon and Nancy Paine. 1809, Apr. 18, Philip Atsetts. In Rochester, Nov. 2, John Cole, Rebecca C. Cole. 1811, baptized in Rochester, Ezekiel Cushman and Wid. Rider. July 18th, two persons named Miggs. Aug. 13, Andrew Randall, Ebenezer Keene, Jr., Abigail Wilbur and Eliz. Wilcox, a good work in this place. In Rochester, June 18, 1812, Lydia Randall and Susanna Howard. 19th, Richard Randall and Keziah Randall. July 10, Caleb and Maria Mendell.


Elder Hix doubtless continued to minister as oppor- tunity afforded to this branch of his church as long as health permitted. The records of Mattapoisett church are missing - presumably lost - from 1823 to 1858. We know that Elder Hix was active at the revival time of 1829, but that after 1833 he preached but little, being afflicted with kidney disease. His death occurred March 22, 1838, at the age of eighty-two years, and he was buried near his meeting-house in Hixville.


In the Mattapoisett town meeting of April, 1883, there was a discussion as to the advisability of a change of the name of Pearl Street to School Street; the argument being that "here the ancient schoolhouse stands," and that no pearls ever had been found in that vicinity. Thomas Nelson then took the floor and said that if the change be made, to be consistent, the name of Baptist Street should be changed to Christian Street, for there were no real Baptists to be found in that locality. The correctness of this statement is shown by the church record of March, 1807, which reads: "The church at Dartmouth, Elder Daniel Hix, pastor, of which this church is a branch, agreed to come out from the Baptist denomination into the


262


Mattapoisett and Old Rochester


name and order of the New Testament, taking on them- selves the name Christians." And because of this action the Hixville church and its branches were dropped out of fellowship from the Baptist Conference at East Green- wich, R. I., June 19, 1811, although Mattapoisett Church has continued to be locally called the "Baptist Church."


Discipline was required and practised much as in all other church organizations of that time. Some member left to enter other denominations. February, 1808, the church voted, "To withdraw fellowship from Zephaniah Shearman and his wife, whose name on the book stands Weighty Stevens, for withdrawing from the church and joining the Methodists."


In 1814, William Ellis was clerk, and it may have been he who, in 1816, made reference in the records to the pre- vailing epidemic. "March, - A church meeting attended by Elder Whitin. At this time it is more than common sickly with an epidemic fever, perhaps one hundred per- sons or more have been sick during the winter, one half of whom, perhaps, have died in this town and Fairhaven, but no member of this church has died that I know of." In April, 1816, "Elder Whiting moved away."


The growth of "the Shore" even in Elder Hix's time seemed to demand a new meeting-house in that locality. The matter was discussed October 28, 1820, and November 3, following, meeting was held at the house of Philip Atsatt, with Wilbur Southworth as moderator, when a committee was chosen consisting of John Atsatt, Malachi Ellis, and Luke Dexter. A month later it was reported that a sub- scription for thirty-nine shares had been made, to build a structure "42x32 with a projection 3x24, said house to be one story high with 14 foot posts, a small gallery in


-


FIRST CHRISTIAN MEETING-HOUSE, MATTAPOISETT


----


263


The Church in the Second Precinct


front, a decent pulpit and 39 pews; the floor to arch over- head and to be handsomely finished. To stand on the lot lately purchased in the village of Mattapoisett of Thomas Tobey." Which lot is said to have been pro- cured from the orthodox deacon by creating in his mind the impression that it was likely to be used as a site for a blacksmith shop. "Uncle Philip" took three shares and the following had shares or fractional interests: John Atsatt, James Hammond, William Shaw, Wilber South- worth, George Shaw, Ebenezer Barrows, Josiah Holmes, Malachi Ellis, James Purrington, James Curtis, Luke Dexter, James Luce, Jno. Kinney, Elijah Willis, Samuel Purrington, Seth Ames, Andrew Dunham, Joseph Snow, Nathaniel Hammond, Thomas Holmes, Elisha Dexter, Clement Randall, James Coleman, Lewis Randall, Jr., Christopher Hammond, Joshua Bates, Theodore C. Ames, Benjamin Hammond, Nathan Briggs, Samuel Bowles, John H. Randall.


Samuel Purrington was the first clerk of the proprietors, and later Dennis Boodry was clerk for some years. The mason work was given to Jonathan Kinney at $75, Wilber Southworth contracting to dig the trench for $6. The contract for carpenter work went to James Purrington for $1075, he agreeing "to find all material for completing even to locks, keys, latches, and hinges." March 7, 1822, John Atsatt, Seth Ames, Philip Atsatt, Malachi Ellis, and Samuel Snow deeded the lot to the proprietors,1 bounding it on the east "nine rods by the ropewalk." Such was the origin of the most ancient religious building in present use in Mattapoisett.


The high fence around the lot on the street sides con- 1 Plymouth Deeds, Book 178, page 93.


1


264


Mattapoisett and Old Rochester


tinued to stand until after 1890; and the interior includ- ing the old high pulpit remained unchanged until William T. Faunce began his alterations in 1906; at which time the corner projections in front were added.


The pews below remain as always, some of the short- backed square pews in the gallery having, however, lately been removed.


In the end gallery sat the choir, which for years always contained a good number of natural singers who performed their part of the service, not grudgingly, but with a will which on a still summer's night carried the notes of Gospel Hymns to the remotest sections of the village. The editor of the Enterprise perhaps associated in mind this mu- sical activity with the shape of the building, when he continued to refer to this meeting-house as "the Bee- Hive."


The pews in the side galleries for a number of gen- erations had been the choice of location for the some- what irresponsible youth who attended evening meetings. The low seats around the little square boxes tended to sociability, and even Elder Faunce occasionally had to pause and announce "Now we'll take three minutes to laugh and everybody finish up." The congregation below probably looked less serious when seen verti- cally, and if "Uncle Calvin's" cap which he spread over his bald head looked all proper below, it certainly read "best salt" from above. Once a group of young people were standing outside the big gate "finishing up" their laugh, when Miss Marchant, coming along, halted before them. They paused expectantly. Said she, "The spirit of the Lord must have been present to-night or the devil wouldn't have been so uneasy;" and off


265


The Church in the Second Precinct


she went. But in spite of all, in the later generations at least, when Elder Faunce was in charge, the young people all liked the Elder and respected much the good old man.


In days long gone, it is said, the older people did not always set the best example of conduct to the young. By the original subscription this house had been built to "be free for any respectable preacher who might come," and the exponents of differing doctrines often sought the use of the house at the same time. The Universalists at their start used it for a short period. Their records of March, 1835, show that Seth Mendall, Joseph Meigs, and Elijah Willis were appointed "to wait on the other com- mittee and see if they can agree for the house a part of the time on the best terms they can." Earlier than that, very soon after the meeting-house was built, there had been a division and the "come-outers" withdrew to wor- ship in the building later used as the engine-house, and then, for some unexplained reason, dubbed "The Little Belt." This building at that time had pillars in front, pulpit at the north, and a small gallery. The Millerite agitation in the '40s caused another schism, and resulted in the organization of the Advent Church.


In the period from 1823 to 1860 there were various preachers in the old house. The records of October 14, 1823, state that "Bro. Hervey Sullings has the summer past attended meetings about half of the time." From the recollection of older people it appears that Elder Briggs preached for two or three years about 1830. Elder Israel Wood from 1832 to 1841, and Dr. Robbins acted with him occasionally at funerals. Rev. William Bryant, whose adherents were locally known as the "Bryantites, "


266


Mattapoisett and Old Rochester


preached to a part of the congregation about 1838 to 1840. Rev. Alexander M. Averill came to Mattapoisett at the age of nineteen. Dr. Robbins attended his ordina- tion February 4, 1841, joined with him in revival services in March, 1842; and December 14 of the same year, the diary states: "Mr. Averill preached another farewell sermon. His people here are much divided about the Second Advent." He is reputed to have been a good student and an able preacher, and to have gone to Cambridge- port.


Soon after, the stalwart Burnham brothers came to town. Edwin preached for the Adventists at the "Little Belt," and Hezekiah dwelt in Capt. Isaiah Purrington's (now Dennis Mahoney's) chambers, and preached in the Baptist meeting-house. April 23, 1844, Dr. Robbins "heard a temperance lecture from my neighbor Burn- ham," - presumably public. Rev. Mr. Taylor, Rev. Mr. Eldredge, and Elder Henry F. Carpenter also preached here sometime between 1845 and 1855. About 1857 Rev. Benjamin S. Bachelor, then a young man of zeal and ability, commenced a most acceptable ministry, com- ing over from New Bedford each Sabbath. His labors were very effectual in upbuilding and uniting the church.


In 1864, Mr. Bachelor was succeeded by Rev. William Faunce, who came hither from the mother church in Hix- ville. Mr. Andrews in his history 1 states: "The Church at Hix's Meeting-House April 16, 1857, elected Elder William Faunce as successor of Elder Howard Tripp. He was a native of Plymouth, and being in the prime of life he entered upon his work with a zeal that made suc-


1 Sketch of Elder Daniel Hix, etc., S. M. Andrews, New Bedford, 1880. Page 169.


INTERIOR OF FIRST CHRISTIAN MEETING-HOUSE, MATTAPOISETT, 1905


M


-


F


267


The Church in the Second Precinct


cess sure. Like most of our older preachers, Elder Faunce had to struggle with many difficulties in early life, but possessing a good voice and natural preaching talent, with the blessing of God his labors were crowned with success. He preached also at North Westport each Sab- bath afternoon and organized the church there in Novem- ber, 1857. Many joined there in 1858 and were bap- tized at the Narrows in Watuppa Pond. The church and society re-elected Elder Faunce pastor in 1864, but finding obstacles to his success increasing he resigned after a short time, leaving the pulpit to be supplied until fall by Elder Frederick P. Snow, who was born in Roches- ter in 1812. He learned cabinet-making and upholstery. His privileges of early education were limited. He was ordained in New Bedford December 28, 1845, and was pastor at Hixville one and a half years."


Rev. William Faunce was born in July, 1813, being a descendant of the venerable Elder Thomas Faunce. He began preaching while very young at Chiltonville, and also was with the Union church at Long Pond, Plymouth, be- fore going to Hixville. He lived first in Mattapoisett at Pine Islands, and at the John A. LeBaron house; he at one time owned the Lot N. Jones (Goddard) place; for many years he dwelt in the old house which stood on the site of his son William T. Faunce's house; and his descendants are numerous in the town.


For thirty-four years he continued as the pastor of this church; faithful unto death; which occurred in April, 1898. It might well be said of him, as one wrote of Elder Hix, "He preached not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind." Hc especially ex- celled in prayer. In his old age, when able, he loved, at


268


Mattapoisett and Old Rochester


intervals, to gather those who remained, to hold service in the old meeting-house. After his death the house was opened but occasionally, until in 1905, following the revival season under Rev. David L. Martin, of Boston, when many were baptized at "the Shore," the church was re- organized, and Rev. Frank S. Jones of New Bedford has served as pastor until July, 1907.


As already stated, the Advent Christian Church in Matta- poisett was formed by a division of those who wor- shiped in the old Baptist meeting-house. Services were held in the "Little Belt," and for a time in the old " Ves- try," now a part of the Mattapoisett House. Elder Macomber for a while held meetings near the Herring Weir. When Elisha Dexter built his new shop, just south of his house, he fitted up the upper floor for services; and later when the cabinet shop was brought up from Water Street, somewhere about 1870, and converted into the Advent Chapel, he provided the lot where it stands. Soon thereafter it was decided to complete a church organiza- tion; and Theodore Ames, Bruce F. Shaw, Charles H. Buck, William E. Bolles, Elisha Dexter, James B. Ran- som and Joseph E. Smith, having addressed a petition to Noah Hammond, Esq., "to issue a warrant for a meeting in our chapel," March 28, 1872, the society was organ- ized. Others then interested were John A. Shaw, Russell E. Snow, Hiram Hammond, Stephen Merrihew, Nathaniel H. Denham, and Humphrey Taber. The only regular minister shown by the records was Frederick W. Blackmer, of Springfield, who was ordained here April 13, 1882, Elder E. A. Stockman preaching the sermon. He re- signed July 20, 1884. Meetings have not been regularly


269


The Church in the Second Precinct


held by this society for some years and most of the mem- bers have joined other churches.


Some independent meetings have in recent years ex- isted in this town. The two Union Chapels now standing were erected sometime after 1880; the one on the site of the old Aucoot schoolhouse being sustained largely by Mrs. Bruce F. Shaw and some of the Marion Congregational church. Meetings are still held in the chapel at Tinkham- town, and it is one of the regular meeting places for the "Neighborhood Convention." Roman Catholic services have sometimes, in summer, been held in the town hall.


Many who have summer homes in Mattapoisett have been adherents of the Church of England. These, for several seasons, after 1874, held services in the Congre- gational meeting-house. Then land was given from the lot of Thomas Parsons, on which "St. Philip's Church" was erected and was consecrated by Bishop Benjamin H. Paddock, July 11, 1884. A clergyman comes for the summer, and service is regularly held for about three months in each year.


From 1884 through 1890, Rev. Dr. Andrew Oliver of the New York Theological Seminary, was the clergyman in charge; Rev. A. W. Seabrease, 1891-'92; Rev. Henry Cunningham 1893; Rev. Charles Lewis Slatery, 1894-'96; Rev. Charles Mason, 1896-'97; Rev. C. H. W. Stocking, 1897; Rev. Percy Browne, 1898-1900; Rev. Edward Drown, 1900-'02; Rev. M. Kellner, 1903; various clergymen during 1904; Rev. H. W. Perkins, 1905-'06. Rev. W. A. Holbrook, Rev. T. D. Martin, and Rev. Jas. L. Tryon have preached the present year although Rev. William H. Falkner, of Louisville, Ky., is in charge for


270


Mattapoisett and Old Rochester


most of the season of 1907. Bishop Lawrence has twice visited this church. It is under the care of Ven- erable Archdeacon Samuel J. Babcock, of Eastern Mas- sachusetts.


The original trustees were Rev. Andrew Oliver, D.D., Dr. Fitch, Edward Oliver, Thomas Parsons, Charles J. Whittemore, Henry Warren, Causten Browne, and Dexter Tiffany: and the present board consists of Causten Browne, Theophilus Parsons, Charles A. King, J. Lewis Stackpole, Jr., Charles S. Hamlin, and George O. G. Coale.


As in the rest of New England at that time, liberal doctrines began to have an influence in Rochester in the earlier part of the nineteenth century. On the 5th of February, 1828, Wilber Southworth, Elijah Willis, Ansel Weeks, Thomas Dexter, Newton Southworth, George Purrington, James Purrington, Warren Weeks, Alden Dexter, and Wyatt Snow addressed a petition to Joseph Meigs, Esq., of Rochester, "one of the Justices appointed to keep the Peace," that he might by his warrant call a meeting of all concerned in the First Universalist Society in Rochester, at the house of Elisha Ruggles, Esq., on the first day of March at two o'clock. At which time organiza- tion was had by the choice of Jesse Martin, moderator; Newton Southworth, clerk; Noble E. Bates, treasurer; and Seth Mendell, Jesse Martin and John Clark, 2d, "a committee to govern the affairs of the society." Incor- poration was voted, and the committee instructed "to treat with some one of the Universalist ministers and request him to come and preach one or more sermons in the several quarters of the town;" and Wilber South- worth was directed "to prepare the minits of the present


271


The Church in the Second Precinct


meeting that they be sent for publication in the Univer- salist Magazine and Christian Telescope."


Dr. Southworth, later in the record, says: "The Rev. Mr. Robert Hillam commenced preaching here about the first of ,1829. Mr. Pickering, I think, was the first person to preach the doctrine of universal salvation on Sabbath in this town, I think in June, 1828." The annual meeting of March, 1829, was warned to be held in "Mr. Young's meeting-house," and in 1831 it occurred in "the First Baptist Meeting House."


In May, 1830, the following names, the record states, "were handed to the Clerk of the Second Precinct in Rochester" as members of this poll-parish:


Elijah Willis.


Aldin Dexter.


Wilbur Southworth.


James Purrington.


Noble E. Bates.


Edward Shearman.


John Washburn.


Newton Southworth.


Ansel Wicks.


Wiatt Snow.


Stephen Nye.


Albert Daggett.


Christian Konkeal.


Prince Snow Jr.


Joseph Snow.


Wilson Snow.


Joseph R. Taber.


John E. Ross.


Thomas Dexter.


Ebenezer R. Hammond.


Bezald S. Hammond.


Larnet Hall.


George Purrington.


Dennis Snow.


Ebenezer Coleman.


Jesse Martin.


Warren Wicks.


Barnabas Hiller.


John Clark 2d.


William Clark.


Thomas Bassett Jr.


Lewis Russel.


Seth Mendell.


William Ellis.


Seth Cowing.


Seth Burgess.


And the following soon after subscribed to the "Uniting Compact":


Jabez Goodspeed Benj'n F. Barstow.


Job Jenney. John W. Hammond.


272


Mattapoisett and Old Rochester


Alpheus Barrows.


Ivory Snow 2nd.


Thomas Shearman.


Lothrop Foster.


Joseph Jenney Junr.


Joseph Meigs.


James Snow 2nd.


John H. Randall.


Jabez Waterman.


Albert Bates.


John C. Cannon.


Joseph Hudson.


Ezra Burbank.


Roger W. Hammond.


Rogers L. Barstow.


Oakes R. Howes.


William T. Boyd.


Joshua T. T. Bates.


Samuel Mendell.


Ebenezer Barrows.


Charles Dexter.


Hosea Reed.


There is no record of any regular minister for these first few years. July 10, 1830, it was voted "to choose a com- mittee to correspond with the Universalist societies in the towns of New Bedford, Fairhaven, and Wareham, in order to ascertain what they will do respecting procuring a minister to preach jointly in the above named towns and in the society in this town."


March 18, 1835, a request was made to Rev. Theo- dore K. Taylor to preach for the year ensuing; and Mr. Taylor's service continued until October, 1840. Dr. Robbins at first did not fancy Mr. Taylor's tactics. May 10, 1835, he said: "At five o'clock the Universalist Taylor had a meeting and preached on the same text that I have lately, Ezek. xiii. 22. Tuesday morning received a note from Dr. Southworth requesting me to attend and assist at the meeting. Yesterday I wrote to him and de- clined." By December, 1837, however, the two ministers were going about together visiting schools; and in 1839 Mr. Taylor delivered the address, and the Orthodox minister spoke to the children, on Fourth of July. Sep- tember 27, 1840, Dr. Robbins noted: "Mr. Taylor, our Universalist, preached his farewell sermon and is going to the Cape." During his pastorate the society had


UNIVERSALIST MEETING-HOUSE AND ROGERS SCHOOL BUILDING, MATTAPOISETT


1


273


The Church in the Second Precinct


increased in numbers and in strength; and a proprietors' organization had, in 1836, erected the meeting-house now standing, which was dedicated December 21st of that year.


At that time Rogers L. Barstow was clerk of the society, and he was succeeded in 1839 by Woodbridge R. Howes. In his record it is written, - " We have had the Rev. H. W. Morse to dispense the Word of Everlasting Life since the departure of Br. Taylor." August 18, 1841, the committee were instructed to engage Rev. Henry C. Vose to preach the ensuing year, and for some years thereafter he con- tinued to preach at Mattapoisett and at Sippican. Rev. Thomas Borden was pastor in October, 1851, and was dismissed September 18, 1853, "on account of ill health."


Apparently there was no regular minister for some years, for March 2, 1858, a committee was chosen "to procure if possible a suitable Pasture." There was a reorganiza- tion in February, 1859, and in March, Rev. Joseph Crehore became pastor. He lived with his family in the upper portion of the house of James W. Dexter. In 1861 he was succeeded by Rev. J. E. Davenport. A new uniting compact was adopted May 22, 1876; the Rev. Frank A. Bisbee having taken charge of the parish in January previ- ous. Dr. Bisbee preached later in Philadelphia and for some years has been at Boston as editor of the Univer- salist Leader.


Rev. Charles R. Tenney came to Mattapoisett in May, 1877, was settled as a regular pastor in September, and continued here for about five years. He was born in Glover, Vermont, was a graduate of Tufts, and has held pastorates at Stoughton, and Grove Hall, Dorchester, before his present charge at Auburn, Me. During Mr. Tenney's pastorate, in the fall of 1879, an addition was


274


Mattapoisett and Old Rochester


made to the west end of the meeting-house to accommodate a large new organ, the gift of George Purrington, Jr.


In May, 1882, Rev. Edward F. Temple became pastor. He had rooms at Charles B. Barstow's and organized a very popular boys' club, for the study of natural science, known as the "Antelope Guild." After 1885, Rev. Benton Smith occupied the pulpit, living meanwhile in the house he had purchased from the estate of Arvin Cannon, now owned by James T. Jones. He resigned on account of ill health, March 29, 1887, and died in Mattapoisett October 16, 1896. In November, 1887, Rev. George F. Jenks began his pastorate, which continued for three years. In 1890 and 1891 various students and preachers occupied the pulpit. May 1, 1891, it was voted "to unite with the parish at Marion for one year," and this union has since continued, except that during 1895-96 Rev. William F. Potter, of New Bedford, preached regularly in the afternoon at Mattapoisett.


Rev. John Eills from Tufts served the united parishes from 1896 to 1898, when he went to Foxboro and Mans- field. Rev. Edward F. Temple, who, since his pastorate in 1885, had been in the ministry at Oneonta, N. Y., and at Trenton, N. J., again preached to these societies for a few months before his death, which occurred in Marion, January 30, 1899. In March following, Rev. Henry B. Taylor began his service, which continued until he accepted a call to St. Paul, Minn., in November, 1901. His successor, Rev. William G. Schoppe, was a native of Maine, and as a Congregationalist minister had preached at Helena, Mont., and Ashland, O. This was his first Universalist charge. He resigned September, 1904, and until June, 1907, was at Webster, Mass.


275


The Church in the Second Precinct


During Dr. Schoppe's pastorate Mrs. Ebenezer Jones purchased the west-district school-building, moved it to the meeting-house lot, and gave it to the Ladies' Society as a church home for this parish, to be known as the Goodspeed Memorial in memory of her parents Jabez and Melintha Goodspeed. Rev. J. Frank Rhodes, who had preached at Fairfield, Me., in Chicago, and else- where, was pastor, 1904-06, when after a remarkable record of thirty or forty years of continuous service in the pulpit he died at Norwell, July 29, 1907. Rev. James W. Peardon, a graduate of Tufts in 1901, now oc- cupies the parsonage in Marion, having begun his service to these parishes in 1907.


James D. Forbes and William Loring Taber were at different times deacon of this church at Mattapoisett, and Isaiah P. Atsatt and Charles H. Nye at present hold that office. Ellis Mendell is clerk of the parish and Walter C. Dexter of the church.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.