USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume I > Part 26
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 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Within the period of our supposed purview we begin with Rev. Gideon Cole, who served from July 1, 1884, to September 30, 1888. Since his day the list of ministers is as follows: April 1, 1889-Jan. 4, 1898, Charles H. Holbrook; July 1, 1898-Oct. 1, 1903, Charles S. Nightingale ; Nov. 1, 1903-Jan. 27, 1907, Charles H. Wheeler; May 1, 1907-Nov. 1, 1911, Edwin A. Herring; May 1, 1912-Oct. 1, 1912, Edmund H. Cochrane; March 23, 1913-1917, Frederick J. Ward; Sept. 1, 1917, to present, Walter G. Thomas.
From this list of names one stands out with special distinction. Rev. Charles H. Holbrook had been pastor for five years, 1865-1870. So
203
TOWN OF DANVERS
successful and beloved was he that he was recalled and began his second term in the pastoral office, April 1, 1889. During this second period, the centennial of the church was observed, 1893. Mr. Holbrook was the historian of the occasion, and gathered up the history of Baptist work in Danvers in an accurate and comprehensive way. His address has been preserved and will be cherished as a repository of trustworthy and valuable information. He was still wearing the robes of office when death took him, October 1, 1903. Under that date is the following min- ute in the church book: "Today news flew over the town that our beloved pastor, Mr. Holbrook, had passed away. A good man has gone, and one greatly beloved by his church and people. We need the grace of God to say 'Thy will be done' ."
Recent years have seen the passing of two laymen who had wrought nobly and long, for the church and Kingdom. Deacon William A. Jacobs, who had held a number of different offices over many years, died May 27, 1914. He had been deacon almost thirty-four years, and a member since 1868. Deacon Charles H. Whipple, his companion in labor, passed away December 2, 1916. He united with the church in 1850 and had been deacon over sixty years. "They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided."
Under the present pastor, Rev. Walter G. Thomas, great progress has been made. The meeting-house has been repaired and remodeled at heavy expense and a fine Hastings organ installed. An impressive feature of the service when the new organ was formally dedicated was the presence of Miss N. Charlotte Porter, whose father, Captain Ben- jamin Porter, gave the old organ, now displaced, in the year 1848. Miss Porter was seventeen years old at that time. She had been baptized in the church the year previous. She became the organist and continued so for many years. The old instrument having well served its day and generation, Miss Porter gladly and sympathetically participated in the consecration of the new. The pastor called attention to her presence and paid an appropriate tribute for her long and devoted service.
The Baptist Church has during its long history had no serious dis- sension within its ranks, and now, with a membership of two hundred and twenty, is harmonious and hopeful. Changes of population incident to the establishment of modern industrial plants in the section of the town neighboring to the church have been great. The stream of Ameri- can and Protestant life flows less full than formerly, yet the church faces the future with consecration and courage. The difficulties serve only to call out in the people their reserves of faith and power and to stimulate in their hearts the challenging query-"Who knoweth whether thou art come to the Kingdom for such a time as this."
The Universalist Church-The story of the beginning of the Uni- versalist Church in Danvers is the story of the liberal movement in Christian thought in the last of the eighteenth and the first of the nine- teenth centuries. The hand of Calvinism lay heavy upon many in the churches. Men were exercising new freedom in the interpretation of the Gospel. Elements long neglected in Divine Revelation were claiming attention and demanding to be considered in the formulation of Chris- tian doctrine. Under the impulse of John Murray and Hosea Ballou, a strong revolt was in progress against the prevailing idea of a limited atonement by Christ. The first Universalists were Calvinists, and claim- ed to be the only consistent Calvinists. Accepting the historic teach- ing of the Puritan church that Christ died for "the elect," they asserted
204
ESSEX COUNTY
scriptural basis for their doctrine of universal salvation by the conten- tion that all are of "the elect," for, said they, "does not the New Testa- ment declare that 'Christ died for all?'" The arguments both pro and con do not possess their original force to the mind of the present day. Now men approach such questions on the broad ground of the necessary implications of divine love, without resort to proof texts, but for the times with which we are dealing, the ocnsiderations adduced had strong validity. They were times of earnestness in religious quest, and of quickened thought as to the real teaching and intent of Scripture. Dan- vers of course had her contingent of revolters against the extremes of Calvinistic teaching. Among them was Captain Edmund Putnam. He had led his company to Lexington on the morning of April 19, '75, was a member of the influential Putnam family, and a deacon in the First Church. Taking issue with the thoughts then finding utterance in this and the majority of churches, he resigned his deaconship in the First Church, which he had held for twenty-three years, and, with a few of his neighbors of kindred mind and spirit, gave himself to the propaga- tion of Universalist doctrine. The Universalist Church of Danvers is the outgrowth of this effort. Deacon Putnam did not live to see the church actually organized. He died in 1810, at the age of eighty-five years.
A partial church organization was formed April 22, 1815, and that is regarded as the birthday of the church. A more formal organization was effected in 1829. The first settled minister we have record of is Rev. F. O. Hudson, who was pastor 1831-1832. Since 1885 the succession has been as follows: W. S. Williams, 1885-86; C. B. Lynn, 1887-90; W. H. Trickey, 1891-97 ; Edson Reifsnider, 1898-1903; E. M. Grant, 1903-11; W. E. Wright, 1912-15; George A. Mark, 1916-17; Ernest M. W. Smith, 1917-19.
The longest pastorate in the history of the church was that of Rev. J. P. Putnam, 1849-1864. Mr. Putnam was a man of great talent. He was for many years an active and valuable member of the school board, and served the town two years in the General Court. Rev. G. J. Sanger, after a ministry of six years, 1869-1875, removed to Essex, but later returned and for many years made his home in the town. He was a man of inclusive spirit and had many friends in other communions. The close of a century of church life was fittingly marked April 18, 1915. In 1919, as a result of the modern trend toward unity and co-operation, the church, without surrendering its identity, entered into a federation with the Unitarian Church of Danvers. The joint organization is known as the Community Church, and will be treated under that head.
Maple Street Congregational Church-Maple Street Church is the direct offspring of the First Church, and willingly confesses its lineage. Its list of charter members records the names of forty-two persons, all but two of whom had been members of the First Church and were dismissed by that body to aid in inaugurating the new enterprise. Dis- tance from the mother church and the increase of population at the Plains, indicating the need of more immediate religious ministration, were the factors leading to the inception of the venture. The church has grown coincidently with the town, and has long held the primacy in wealth and numbers among Protestant religious societies in Danvers.
Unlike the First Church, Maple Street has had no life incumbency on the part of any of its pastors, yet two of them extended their services over somewhat lengthy periods. Rev. James Fletcher covered in his
205
TOWN OF DANVERS
ministry the time from 1849 to 1864, fifteen years in all; and Rev. Ed- ward C. Ewing gave sixteen years of loyal and effective work to the min- istry of this church. Mr. Ewing was the minister at Maple Street at the time when this article takes up the thread of her history. He was installed November 1, 1883, and ended his labors November 1, 1899, a term of exactly sixteen years, and the longest in the record of the church. The work of Mr. Ewing was of a strongly religious nature and bore remarkable fruitage in accessions to membership and the spiritual tone of the church life. Partly as a result of his devoted labors and partly due to special revival services under the guidance of a visiting evangelist during the year 1895, ninety-nine persons united with the church, seventy-six of them on confession of faith.
A conspicuous feature in the life of the church is its interest in missions. It contributes generously to the support of all denominational missionary agencies, both home and foreign, and since 1902 has contrib- uted to the maintenance of Rev. E. C. Fairbank in India, as its repre- sentative under the American Board.
Maple Street Church, situated as it is at the center of population, has always assumed its full measure of responsibility for civic condi- tions. Under two of its recent pastors, Rev. Robert A. MacFadden and Rev. F. W. Merrick, D.D., it has been notably active in behalf of the larger interests of community life.
Pastors during the period covered by this narrative have been: Edward C. Ewing, 1883-99; Chauncey J. Hawkins, 1900-02; Robert A. MacFadden, 1902-09; Melville A. Shafer, 1910-13; Frank W. Merrick, 1915-21. During Dr. Merrick's administration November 30, 1919, the church observed its seventy-fifth anniversary with an elaborate program of addresses. Dr. Merrick resigned nearly in 1921 to become executive secretary of the Indiana Federation of Churches, and at this writing Maple Street is without a pastor.
The membership is about 490. The Sunday School, including Home Department and Cradle Roll, has a list of 635 names. The Men's Club also is in a very flourishing condition. With a good plant and enter- prising people the promise for future usefulness is great.
Annunciation Church, Roman Catholic-Danvers, as the rest of New England, had, from the first, citizens of Irish blood. After the fam- ine in Ireland in 1849 her Irish population, as also that of New England, was largely increased. Naturally at about that time Roman Catholic work would have its origin. Rev. Thomas H. Shahan, then pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Salem, held the first ser- vice at the house of Edward McKeigue, 305 Maple street, November 1, 1854. Shortly afterward regular services began. The first resident pastor was Rev. Charles Rainoni, who was appointed in 1865. From the first the parish has extended its bounds beyond the confines of Danvers, including the nearby towns of Middleton and Topsfield in its field of labor. Moreover, the increase of Catholic population in the town has been marked, the original company of Irish being supplemented by many hundreds of other races cherishing the Catholic faith, so that now the parish is the strongest numerically in Danvers.
Rev. Thomas E. Power was appointed to the Danvers parish in April, 1885, and continued his labors here till 1902, a period of seven- teen years. He was succeeded by Rev. H. A. Sullivan, who had been long connected with the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. Father Sullivan delivered a notable patriotic sermon before his people at the
206
ESSEX COUNTY
time of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the town, June 15, 1902. His appreciation of the opportunities of American freedom was profound and he finely set forth the meaning of Danvers history as re- lated to the larger principles of American life.
Father Sullivan died in 1914, and was succeeded by Rev. Francis W. Maley. Father Maley labored here only two years, but in that time made a distinct impression upon the whole community as a man of broad sympathies and a practical Christian worker. He gave great care to the Sunday School and the welfare of his parishioners living at a distance from the house of worship. He went to Topsfield every Sun- day and celebrated mass in Grange Hall, and "had plans for a church there which would have been a delight to him and a comfort to the parishioners." As a result of the great Salem fire in 1914, a number of French families made their home in Danvers. These were added to the parish during Father Maley's stay. In November, 1915, Father Ma- ley was transferred to Boston, and Rev. Daniel F. Horgan succeeded him. Father Horgan is now pastor. A number of assistants have served the parish. Father Power was aided by Rev. Michael F. Crow- ley and Rev. Joseph O'Connor. Father O'Connor sustained the same office to Father Sullivan for a time, and gave way to Rev. Michael J. Sullivan, a brother of the pastor. Father Maley first had as assistant, Rev. Elphege J. Cloutier. Father Cloutier died of influenza in 1918 and was succeeded by Rev. George H. Chaput, who is still assisting Father Horgan in the work of the parish.
Calvary Episcopal Church-The Episcopal Church in Danvers dates back to the decade 1840-1850. It grew out of the religious needs of a number of English families who came to Danvers about that time and found work in the carpet factory at Tapleyville. They had been accus- tomed in their old home to the services of the Church of England, and felt the need here of similar religious privilege. Joined by a number from the Provinces and others "who were devoted to the doctrines and rites of the church," they formed a church organization April 14, 1858. A building was erected at the corner of Holten and Cherry streets, the cornerstone being laid May 11, 1859.
Our period opens during the rectorship of Rev. George Walker. He became pastor in 1877, joining with his work here the rectorship of St. Paul's, Peabody, where he resided. A parish house was built in 1886, during his ministry. Mr. Walker resigned in 1888 and was suc- ceeded by Rev. A. W. Griffin in April of that year. Mr. Griffin served the church until May, 1890, when his condition of health forced him to relinquish his duties. Mr. Griffin's successor was Rev. J. W. Hyde, who began his work in June, 1890. It was during Mr. Hyde's term of ser- vice that a large and finely appointed rectory was built. This was done "in anticipation, and with her consent, of a bequest by Mrs. Daniel J. Preston, who was one of the most active of the founders and sustainers of the parish. She died in October, 1894, and the rectory stands as a memorial of her."
Rev. William R. Hudgell succeeded Mr. Hyde in 1899, and resigned in 1904. Under Mr. Hudgell a boy choir was organized, and the church remodeled. A chancel window, a memorial to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Preston, was placed at this time. Rev. Marcus Carroll was rector from December 18, 1904, to 1908. He was followed by Rev. Henry Winkley in March, 1908. Mr. Winkley continued as pastor till his death in Feb- ruary, 1918. Mr. Winkley was a man of genial temperament and fine
207
TOWN OF DANVERS
scholarship, untiring in his parish labors, and interested in the con- cerns of the town as a whole. He has left a fragrant memory. The present rector is Rev. Nathan Matthews, who began his labors in Octo- ber, 1918. Under his ministry the parish-house has been enlarged at a cost of upwards of $3,000, and the work of the church stimulated in all departments. Calvary Church is claiming year by year a larger place for itself in the life of the community.
The Unitarian Church-Unitarianism had its rise in the movement of revolt against the severities of Calvinism which culminated in the early nineteenth century. It grounded its protest against the teaching of the Puritan church, not so much upon differences of Scriptural inter- pretation as upon philosophical distinctions. Its view of the funda- mental nature of God and man made at the time a sharp differentia- tion between Unitarian thought and that of the older Congregational churches. The liberal departure led to the formation of many Unitarian churches in New England in the first quarter of the century named.
The Danvers church was, however, a little later in its beginning. The first Unitarian service held in the town was in August, 1865. The place was the Town Hall and the preacher, Rev. A. P. Putnam. Plans for regular worship were formed and carried into effect, the pulpit be- ing supplied by different ministers till the organization of the church in 1867. At that time Rev. Leonard J. Livermore began the effective min- istry which closed with his death in 1886. The ministers of our period have been: Rev. J. C. Mitchell, 1889; Rev. Eugene DeNormandie, 1890- 97; Rev. Kenneth C. Evans, 1897-1902; Rev. John H. Holmes, 1902-04; Rev. Samuel Louis Elberfield, Supply ; Rev. William H. Barker, 1906-08; Rev. Edward Brereau, 1908-11; Rev. Edward H. Cotton, 1911-21.
Rev. Mr. Holmes, cited above, supplied the pulpit while attending Harvard Divinity School. He is now one of the most eminent clergymen in New York City and a writer of note. The pastor longest in service was Rev. Mr. Cotton. In his ten years he labored effectively for both church and community at large. It was largely through his effort and influence that the Community Church, a federation of the Unitarian and Universalist churches, was brought about in 1919. Mr. Cotton served as pastor of the joint organization for two years, when he re- signed to become associate editor of the Christian Register.
The church has been favored in having the uninterrupted service of one man as clerk from its beginning to the present day, Mr. Andrew Nichols. In 1917 the society presented to Mr. Nichols a loving cup with the following inscription: "Presented to Andrew Nichols by the Unitarian Congregational Church for his efficient services in the clerk- ship of the parish from 1866 to 1917."
The rest of the story will be found under the head, Community Church.
The Methodist Episcopal Church-Previous to the organization of the Methodist Church in Tapleyville there had been for some time neighborhood religious services in Lincoln Hall. These were of such a character as to give rise to the question of the desirability of forming a church. The way was opened for servants of the Methodist denomina- tion to investigate conditions and see if there were warrant for such an endeavor. As an outcome, the first service under Methodist auspices was held in September, 1871, the sermon being preached by Rev. Albert Gould, pastor of the M. E. Church in Peabody.
Rev. Elias Hodge, at the time a student in theology, became per-
208
ESSEX COUNTY
manent supply, taking up his duties December 24, 1871. A Sunday school had been organized the month before, with seventeen members. Mr. Hodge was made formal pastor and covered in his service the years 1872-1875. The meeting-house was dedicated March 27, 1873.
A natural starting point for the later history is the coming of Rev. William M. Ayres as pastor in 1883. Mr. Ayres served the three years customary in the M. E. Church at that time, and in later years has made his home in Danvers. During this period of residence he has been a faithful servant of the Tapleyville Church in the character of a layman, assuming the functions of a minister only when his help is specially needed. Mr. Ayers is universally honored in the town. His bow abides in strength, and today at the age of eighty-eight years it can almost be said of him that "his eye is not dim nor his natural force abated." Some years ago the church made him pastor-emeritus
Pastors since Mr. Ayres have been: C. W. Merrill, 1886-87; J. H. Thompson, 1888-90; L. W. Adams, 1891-93; W. F. Lawford, 1894-96; H. C. Paine, 1897-98 ; H. B. King, 1899-1900 ; George Sanderson, 1901-03; W. M. Cassidy, 1904-08; N. B. Fisk, 1909-10; E. J. Curnick, 1911-16; Jonathan Cartmill, 1917 to present.
A good organ was installed in 1891, largely through the efforts of the late A. W. Horne, who was chorister for a number of years. During the pastorate of Rev. W. F. Lawford, in 1896, there was a fitting obser- vance of the twenty-fifth anniversary. A parsonage was built in 1898, on a lot given by Mr. Gilbert Augustus Tapley. Rev. Mr. King was the first occupant. The present pastor, Rev. Jonathan Cartmill is a valiant worker and under him the church has made great strides. The member- ship is two hundred and seventeen. All departments are flourishing.
The Seventh Day Adventist Church-There is nothing to add to the facts already set forth as regards the Adventist Church. The church was organized in 1877, and a chapel was built in 1878. The people are doing a faithful work with small numbers and equipment. The member- ship is around forty. There is no pastor. A Sabbath school is main- tained and the people are content to go on their quiet way.
The Community Church-The institution known as the Community Church is, as indicated in the story of the constituent bodies, a federa- tion of the Universalist and Unitarian Churches in Danvers. It is the direct outgrowth of the demand arising out of the World War for co- operation in church work, and registers an advance toward the unity all pray for. Rev. Edward H. Cotton, the Unitarian pastor, was influ- ential in bringing about the federation, though he found many in both bodies willing to respond to his leadership and help in promoting the object. The union is one for work and worship only, and each church preserves its "corporate rights and individuality." The federation was formed in 1919, Rev. Mr. Cotton being the first pastor. On his resigna- tion in 1921, Rev. John H. Hayes became the minister.
The experiment is regarded with great interest, and up to the pres- ent time has worked with success. There is an encouraging prospect that this, one of the pioneer endeavors in joining churches of different sectarian interests and associations, will prove permanently effective.
Comment on the Community Church affords opportunity for a word as regards the "esprit de corps" of the churches of Danvers. Their spirit is one of harmony and co-operation. Ill feeling seems not to exist. They recognize their common office as servants of the Kingdom and stewards of the mysteries of God. They join forces in community
209
TOWN OF DANVERS
work, as witnessed by the fact of the Danvers Federation of Churches, while each accords to all others the freedom of Christ to do their spiri- tual work in their own way. If it can truly be said that "the past at least is secure," there is ground, in this catholicity of spirit, for the belief that that security extends to the future as well.
Danversport is a village and railway station within the town of Danvers. Besides the previous mention made of its situation, etc., it should be recorded that the pioneer shipbuilder here was Timothy Ste- phens, of Newbury. Presently a number of young men came down from the North, worked with Stephens, learned his trade, and perma- nently established themselves in business at this point.
For nearly half a century after the building of the first mill on the Crane river, a tide-power on the other two rivers remained unutilized. "About 1798 Nathan Read (says a work on the early history of Danvers) enters into the history of Danvers. He was a graduate of Harvard, 1781, a tutor there of Harrison Gray Otis and John Quincy Adams, and afterwards studied medicine and kept an apothecary store in Salem. There he married, in 1790, Elizabeth Jaffrey, and built the house in which the historian Prescott was born, on the present site of Plummer Hall. Among the achievements of his inventive mind was the first ma- chine for cutting nails. He purchased the water-power on the Waters river, and with associates erected the Salem and Danvers Iron Works. At the same time he bought part of Governor Endicott's old Orchard farm, and on a sightly eminence overlooking the river built a mansion, which, after the successive ownership of Captain Crowningshield, Cap- tain Benjamin Porter and the heirs of the latter, still retains much of its original stateliness. When the company was incorporated, March 4, 1800, Nathan Read is described of Danvers. There were also seventeen others of Salem. The corporation was authorized to hold $30,000 of real and $300,000 of personal property, and reference is made in the act to the date of the original partnership, May 5, 1796."
In the mill-pond in front of his residence, Read experimented by applying steam to paddles of a small boat, before Robert Fulton made his larger and now well-known experiments in steamboating on the Hudson river. Mr. Read was the first man to apply to the government for a patent, and himself framed the first patent law. He represented the district in Congress in 1800-03, as a Federalist.
Old newspapers show in their files (still well-preserved) certain arrivals of vessels at the "Port of Danvers" as late as during the sum- mer of 1848. From April 1 to November 30, 1848, there were 172 arrivals, including 58 cargoes of lumber, 31 wood and bark; 43 flour and grain, 17 lime, 3 molasses, 2 of salt, 4 of coal, 12 in ballast. There were 17 vessels loaded for other ports, two cargoes being sent to the coast of Africa. It is said that the first cargo of coal ever landed here was owned by Parker Brown, but nearly as early was the shipment of J. W. Ropes in August, 1849.
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.