USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dover > Narrative history : a history of Dover, Massachusetts, as a precinct, parish, district, and town > Part 13
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A second council assembled June 20, 1838, and voted to recognize the society. as a distinct organization, to
BAPTIST CHAPEL.
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be known as the Needham and Dover Baptist Church. The following parts were assigned by the council in the recognition of the church and in the dedication of the chapel :-
Scripture reading, the Rev. Origen Crane, of Newton; intro- ductory prayer, the Rev. Thomas Driver, West Dedham; ser- mon, the Rev. C. O. Kimball, of Charlestown; consecration prayer, the Rev. William Leverett, Roxbury; right hand of fellowship, the Rev. William H. Shailer, of Brookline; address to the church, the Rev. Bradley Miner, Dorchester.
The church prospered, although it never had a settled ยท minister, and at one time numbered sixty members. In 1842 the Rev. S. C. Chandler, of Heath, Mass., was invited to supply the pulpit. He accepted, and after a few months was dismissed, to take charge of the Second Baptist Church in Belchertown, Mass. The Baptist de- nomination continued to grow; and in a few years churches were formed in Natick and Needham, which drew from the membership and attendance of the Dover church.
In 1860 the chapel was moved by vote of the society to its present location, and was rededicated November 28, 1862. ' The site was gained through an exchange of land with Sherman Battelle, a firm and devoted friend of the church from the start. After its removal it was named the Springdale Baptist Church. The Rev. A. E. Battelle, a native of Dover, was for several years acting pastor of the church. For many years students from the Newton Theological School occupied the pulpit, and it was laughingly said that one could not graduate from the Newton Theological School without first preaching in Dover. During the last few years the church has
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HISTORY OF DOVER
not had regular Sunday services, but occasional meet- ings have been held. The property is held in trust. The Rev. Dr. S. F. Smith, the author of " America," was at one time a frequent and welcome preacher. Many distinguished men have preached for this church as theological students, among whom may be men- tioned President Robinson, of Brown University ; the Rev. Dr. Magoon, of Philadelphia; the Rev. Dr. An- derson, of the First Baptist Church, New York City ; and the Rev. Dr. Fyfe, a prominent preacher in the Dominion of Canada. The following have been deacons in the church : Calvin French, Clement Bartlett, John Kenrich.
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Church and State were separated, as far as the Dover church was concerned, in 1832; and from that time the First Parish Church had to meet its own ex- penses without any help from the district as an incor- porated body. Previous to that time the great religious controversy had occurred in the Congregational Church, and some of the residents who accepted the Orthodox faith united with Trinitarian churches in the vicinity.
Others had moved into town who were already mem- bers of Orthodox churches. Being freed from the min- ister tax for the support of the First Parish Church, those who held the Trinitarian belief in 1838 took steps, like the Baptists, to form a church of their own. A meeting was held at the house of Calvin Bigelow, which resulted in the establishment of another religious soci- ety for the maintenance of public worship. This new parish was organized December 27, 1838, and was
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called the Second Congregational Church of Dover. February 14, 1839, the society purchased of Jonathan Upham half an acre of land for one hundred dollars. The deed states, "The said piece of land is that on which the old meeting-house stood." The society en- tered upon the work of building without delay, and in 1839 dedicated their chapel, which cost about one thousand dollars.
The reasons assigned for organizing another church, as given in the records of the society, are as follows : -
The known departure from the faith of the founders of the Congregational church in Dover; the increasing number of those who entertain evangelical views of doctrine, most of whom, be- longing to different churches in the vicinity, are obliged to go some distance to worship; and an earnest desire on their part to do something for the good of their offspring and neighbors in the place of their residence.
The kindliest feeling has always existed between the First Parish Church and the Second Congregational Church. In 1869, while the First Parish church was being repaired, the society occupied by invitation the Congregational chapel; and, when the Christian En- deavor Society of the Second Congregational Church was organized, in 1886, it was named the " Haven Soci- ety," in honor of one of the first deacons of the First Parish Church.
In its organization the new church was composed largely of those who, by education or former residence, were interested in what was termed the " Orthodox" church.
The meeting-house of the Second Congregational Society was dedicated on Thursday, June 27, 1839.
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The exercises were largely attended, and were as follows : -
Reading of the Scripture and introductory prayer, the Rev. Edmund Dowse, of Sherborn; sermon, the Rev. Silas Aiken, D.D., of Park Street Church, Boston, from Psalm lxxxiv. 1, 2; dedicatory prayer, the Rev. L. Hyde, of Weymouth ; address to the society, the Rev. S. Harding, of East Medway.
The church was organized by an ecclesiastical council, which convened October 23, 1839, and consisted of nineteen original members.
The public exercises were as follows : -
Introductory prayer, the Rev. I. W. Stevens ; sermon, the Rev. Ebenezer Burgess, D.D .; fellowship of the churches, the Rev. Sewall Harding ; concluding prayer, the Rev. John Bullard.
The first minister of the society was the Rev. George Champion, who was active in organizing the new church. He remained until December 5, 1841, and was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Rowell Tenney, who supplied eight months. In the fall of 1843 the church invited the Rev. Lucius Clark to settle as its minister ; but the parish, being unable to raise sufficient funds, did not concur with the church. The society did not have a settled minister for nearly ten years after its organi- zation. The Rev. Calvin White supplied the pulpit from 1842 to June 20, 1847 ; and March 7, 1848, the parish united with the church in calling Mr. Oramel W. Cooley to settle at a salary of four hundred dollars per year. Mr. Cooley accepted the invitation, and was ordained May 4, 1848. The public exercises were as follows : -
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Introductory prayer, the Rev. Samuel Hunt, of Natick ; sermon, the Rev. S. D. Clark, Ashfield; ordaining prayer, the Rev. Calvin Durfee; charge to the pastor, the Rev. Dr. Burgess, of Dedham; right hand of fellowship, the Rev. Edmund Dowse, of Sherborn; address to the people, the Rev. Daniel Ide, of Medway ; concluding prayer, the Rev. A. Bigelow, of Medfield ; benediction by the pastor ..
Mr. Cooley continued in the pastorate for two years, and was succeeded in 1850 by Mr. John Haskell, who was ordained December 2, 1850, and who remained eight years.
The Rev. Thomas S. Norton became minister of the society in 1859, and labored efficiently for ten years. He was much interested in temperance, the public schools, and whatever tended to improve and elevate the town. The Baptist meeting-house having been moved away, Mr. Norton established at Charles River Village a regular Sunday afternoon service and Sunday- school, the services being held in Noanet's Hall.
Later this movement led to the organization of a society, which held regular Sunday afternoon services in the hall of the Parker Schoolhouse in Needham. In 1871 the Rev. J. G. Wilson was called at a salary of seven hundred dollars and a parsonage. As the church owned no parsonage, this led to the consideration of building one. A committee of five was chosen in 1872 to provide " ways and means" to build a parsonage. The committee purchased for five hundred dollars the site of the Rev. Dr. Sanger's house, preparatory to building ; but before any active steps were taken, in 1875, Mrs. Abigail Draper Mann died, and willed her property on Dedham Street to the society.
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The estate was immediately taken possession of, and active steps taken to provide a home for the minister. Mrs. Mann's house was moved back and made to form a part of a new building, which was erected in 1875. The parsonage was not completely finished for several years. A debt continued for some time, but was finally lifted through the generosity of neighboring churches and friends in other towns who were interested in the society.
Mr. Wilson remained as pastor of the church for two years. He was succeeded by the Rev. S. C. Strong, of South Natick, a man much beloved, but who was soon followed by the Rev. John Wood, of Wellesley. Mr. Wood labored with the society for three years ; and, although a resident of another town, he was much among his people. He united the church which he found in dissension, added new members, and left it a much stronger organization than when he took charge.
In 1878 the Home Missionary Society, which had long aided and fostered the Dover church, advised uniting with the John Eliot Church of South Natick,- which was also under its care,- in calling a minister to settle over the two societies. A union was effected, and Mr. Pierce Pinch was invited to settle. He accepted the call, and selected South Natick as his place of residence. Mr. Pinch was ordained and installed as pastor of the Dover and South Natick churches July 25, 1878. The order of services was as follows : -
Invocation and reading of Scripture, the Rev. Charles Jones ; sermon, the Rev. Hiram Mead, Oberlin, Ohio; installing prayer, the Rev. S. D. Hosmer; charge to the minister, the Rev. H. I. Patrick ; right hand of fellowship, the Rev. E. E. Strong; address
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to the people, the Rev. William Barrows, D.D .; concluding prayer, the Rev. John Wood; benediction by the pastor.
This union continued for two years, when it was dis- solved, and the Dover church was united with the mission at Charles River Village. The Rev. J. W. Brownville was invited in June, 1880, to become pastor of the two societies. He was the first pastor to occupy the new parsonage. He resigned after two years' ser- vice. In September, 1882, the Rev. P. C. Headley, a man of wide reputation as an author and preacher, began to supply the pulpit. He occupied the parsonage with his family, and continued as minister of the society until 1885, when he moved to New Jersey. Mr. Headley was very active in his church, held many revival meet- ings, increased the membership, and stimulated the members to much religious work.
He was a man much beloved by his people, and on his return to Massachusetts the society unanimously voted again to invite him to become pastor of the church ; but, having arrived at a time of life when he wished to be relieved from the responsibility of a church, he declined.
In 1885 the Rev. H. L. Howard was called to supply the pulpit for a year. Soon after the close of his year's service the Rev. A. M. Rice was invited to become acting pastor. Mr. Rice remained three years; and December 23, 1889, the Rev. A. H. Tyler was called to the church. He greatly endeared himself to his people, but was obliged to resign his pastorate after a two years' service on account of ill-health.
The parish as a separate organization has been abol- ished, and in its place the church has been incorpo-
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HISTORY OF DOVER
rated. This act was performed July 3, 1890, under the title of the Evangelical Congregational Church of Dover. The church has adopted a "Confession of Faith " and a Covenant, which is found in the manual of the society.
The Haven Society of Christian Endeavor was or- ganized November 7, 1886, with ten active and three associate members. Jedediah W. Higgins, who was in- strumental in its organization, was chosen its first presi- dent. The society has prospered, and has been efficient in its work. The Sunday evening meetings of the church for several years have been in charge of the Society of Christian Endeavor. In 1888 the church was greatly improved and beautified through the efforts of this society. A large percentage of the associate members have become active members through a union with the church. It is to be observed that the society was formed at a time when there was a vacancy in the pastorate, and the more credit is to be given the young people for their effort in its organization.
The Rev. Edwin Leonard became pastor in 1892. Mr. Leonard is a graduate of Bowdoin College and Bangor Theological Seminary. He is a man of wide reading and good attainments, conservative yet having a broad charity for all. He has held pastorates at Milton, Rochester, South Dartmouth, Mass., and Morris, Conn. The following have been the deacons in the church : Daniel Chickering, Calvin Bigelow, James Chickering, Prescott Fiske, Eben Higgins, Richard P. Mills, James McGill, the Rev. T. S. Norton, Jedediah W. Higgins, Allen F. Smith.
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EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
MILLERITES.
In that memorable period of religious excitement, 1843, when William Miller prophesied that the second coming of the Messiah was near at hand, this com- munity was not exempt from the excitement. Some of the disciples of Miller gave up secular work, and engaged night and day in prayer and in singing psalms. As the appointed day approached, they refused to lay in provisions, and even neglected to prepare food as they made ready for ascension.
CATHOLICS.
While the Baptists early protested against being taxed for the support of the First Parish Church, there is no record of any opposition from the Catholics. There were, however, some of this faith in town pre- vious to the time of the separation of the Church and State. The few surviving members at this time of the little company of early Catholics in town have seen their number increase and the one church of their faith at Natick multiply until Catholic churches are now found at South Natick, Medfield, Walpole, Dedham, and Needham.
The Dover Catholics have, perhaps without excep- tion, attended or been under the ministration of the Natick churches. They were cheerful and liberal con- tributors towards the expense of building the Sacred Heart Church at South Natick, and since its establish- ment have been its devout and loyal supporters. The Catholic population is now numerous, and faithful in the support of their religion.
CHAPTER XV.
CEMETERY.
FIRST BURIAL - LAND GIVEN BY NATHANIEL CHICKERING
FIRST GRAVESTONE - HEARSE - IMPROVEMENT AND ENLARGEMENT OF THE CEMETERY - FUNERAL Cus- TOMS - CARE OF CEMETERY - EPITAPHS - NAMING THE CEMETERY.
Go where the ancient pathway guides, See where our sires laid down Their smiling babes, their cherished brides, The patriarchs of the town. Hast thou a tear for buried love? A sigh for transient power? All that a century left above, Go,- read it in an hour. - HOLMES.
The history of the burial-place where " the rude fore- fathers of the hamlet sleep" should not go unnoticed. Covering a period of more than a century and a half, " it shows what a graveyard may come to if it lasts long enough.".
While " pride, pomp, grief, and remembrance are all at an end" to those who rest beneath its sod, let us thank God that it is a spot to which reverent feet still come, and in which the tears of affection still fall.
Early in 1700 a determined effort was made by the inhabitants of Dedham outside of the village to be freed from the minister tax of the First Parish and allowed to build meeting-houses of their own.
In the Springfield Precinct previous to 1729-30 all burials had been made in the common burial-ground
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CEMETERY
at Dedham, and this practice might have continued for many years had it not been for the agitation of separation.
The early settlers, who through labor, privation, and suffering cleared their fields and established new homes, were held together by many tender ties ; and when they determined to take a step they held closely together. Having been refused their request to be made a pre- cinct, burials in Dedham were no longer to be thought of ; and in this determination the people were steadfast. On the occasion of the death of John Battle, in Febru- ary, 1729-30, but a short time after their futile efforts to be made a parish, the inhabitants of " Springfield " decided to cut themselves off still further from Dedham and make a burial-place of their own. A little plot of ground was enclosed on the land of Nathaniel Chicker- ing, which he bequeathed in 1746 to the precinct in the following words : -
I give and bequeath to the West Precinct of the town of Ded- ham the burying-ground as it lyeth now within fence, to be for the use of the said precinct for a burying-place.
The body, then, of John Battle was the first to be placed in the Springfield Precinct burial-ground. He was a grandson of Thomas Battle, the emigrant. The burial-ground is first mentioned in the parish records in 1759, when it was voted "to pay Hezekiah Allen, Jr., his charge for building a road from the meeting-house to the burial-place." In 1762 the cemetery was en- larged by vote of the parish to eight and one-half rods in the front, and three years later the plot was enclosed by a fence on three sides and a stone wall in front.
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HISTORY OF DOVER
It was soon furnished with a gate, as the records of the parish show that in 1771 it was voted "to pay for hooks-and-eyes with which to tie the burial-place gate." Gravestones were not at first set up. The oldest stone now standing - a rude field-stone - bears the following inscription :
In Memory of John Wight Son to Mr. David and Mrs. Sarah Wight who died Oct. Ye 4th, I734. In ye 12th year of his age.
As first laid out the burial-ground contained that part of the present cemetery which is west of the central path and extends from the street back towards the tombs. Here and there one can pick out the names of many of the families who were the earliest settlers in the town. The enlargement in 1762 included the part east of the central path and adjoining the street. At the March meeting in 1785 Thomas Richards received permission to build a tomb "as proposed and marked out." This tomb has been for many years without care, and is at present marked by the high mound east of the entrance by the central path, and is designated as the grave of one who took part in the Revolution.
All the early residents were borne to the burial- ground on a bier, over which was thrown the parish burying-cloth, or pall, which was purchased by vote of the parish in 1754. A hearse was purchased in 1804,
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the district having voted "to set up a hearse for the convenience of funerals." It was built in town by Ebenezer Smith at an expense of one hundred dollars.
A hearse-house was built, which was not satisfactory in its location ; and in 1828 John Williams received permission to remove it under the direction of the selectmen. The cemetery having been recently en- larged by the addition of nearly one acre and a half of land, the hearse-house was probably at that time placed in its present position.
There was probably no sexton in the early time. The grave-digging was done by the family. John Williams was the first sexton of whom we have any record.
In 1800 it was voted to procure a "new burying- cloth," and that " the stone wall on three sides of the cemetery be taken down and rebuilt."
The enlargement of the cemetery in 1826 was made wholly on the south side. The land was given by the Rev. Dr. Sanger on condition "that it be enclosed with a suitable stone wall," which was estimated to cost twenty-five dollars and fifty cents. Granite posts were erected in 1826, and gates were furnished a little later. The public burial-ground was again a question for con- sideration in 1843, and it was voted "that citizens have the privilege of taking up lots in the burying-ground not to exceed twenty feet square." Since that time lots have been of an established size and taken by deed. At the same meeting it was further voted to lay out paths and set out trees. Elijah Perry, Calvin Richards, and Luther Eastman were appointed a committee "to beautify and improve the burial-grounds." The stately row of pine-trees in front of the cemetery was set out
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HISTORY OF DOVER
at that time, together with other trees bordering on the paths and lots.
This was the beginning of a new era in the care of " God's acre," which hitherto had been allowed to grow up to weeds and grass and brush.
Tombs were erected previous to 1825, the first tomb having been built by Seth Wight.
With the appearance of a bell in the second meeting- house in 1811, the custom obtained for more than a half century of announcing deaths by the tolling of the bell. The age of the deceased was numbered by the strokes of the bell. Originally the bell was tolled on the occasion of the death of all residents ; but after the organization of other churches it was confined to the First Parish, and the practice was altogether given up about 1875.
A committee chosen in November, 1841, " to inspect the burying-ground and devise a plan for its improve- ment," made various recommendations, which were a little later carried out in building a face wall ten feet nearer the street in front, in constructing a circular road and walks ten feet wide from gate to gate. The grounds were laid out in lots of uniform size, not ex- ceeding twenty feet by twenty, and a record of all sales kept by the sexton. The citizens were invited by the committee to buy lots, make paths, and set trees. A cemetery committee was chosen, and it was made their duty to make an annual report to the town. Elijah Perry was chosen sexton.
An appropriation was made in 1843 to meet the expense of improvements to the extent of one hun- dred and five dollars and seventeen cents. The com-
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mittee staked out fifty-eight lots sixteen feet by six- teen, with alleys four feet by two. The circular road was completed in 1845, and new gates put up. At the March meeting in 1846 the cemetery committee re- ported that they had contracted for a hearse - " similar to the new one in East Needham, except that it be four inches longer " - at an expense of one hundred dollars. In 1847 the cemetery committee caused the old part of the grounds to be dug over, brush and roots removed, and to be seeded down to grass. April 24, 1854, the town instructed the selectmen to procure trees and to set them out in the cemetery.
The spirit of improvement and the tender care of the dead was again manifested in 1864, when the town voted to enlarge and improve the cemetery. An appro- priation of four hundred dollars was made ; and a com- mittee consisting of Calvin Richards, George E. Chick- ering, and Hiram Jones was chosen to carry out the wishes of the town. Mr. Richards retired from the committee, and Aaron Bacon was added. The work was taken up in a systematic way, a survey made of the land, appropriate lots laid out, with drives, avenues, and walks. In completing their work the committee made some excellent recommendations to the town to ensure the further improvement of the cemetery by authorizing the cemetery committee to expend each year all moneys received from the sale of lots ; and, if this sum was not sufficient to keep the cemetery in good condition, they were authorized to expend an amount not exceeding twenty dollars. They further recommended that all purchasers of lots should put them in a condition satis- factory to the committee within six months or forfeit
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all title to the same. A purchase has been made of additional land consisting of two and a half acres, which has not yet been taken into the enclosure. In 1891 an appropriation was made for a new face wall, which was set up during the following year. It is built of Milford granite, and is a fine specimen of substantial masonry.
This old cemetery has passed through all stages in the evolution of funeral customs and feelings in regard to the last resting-place of the dead. At first burials were doubtless made without funerals, as was the early habit of the people ; but, as the custom grew of having public funerals, they became universal and were largely attended. The old custom of furnishing gloves at funerals is illustrated by the following entry made by the Rev. Mr. Townsend, the first minister of Needham, on the margin of his almanac : - " April 30, 1750 .- Mr. Tim. Newell had of me for ye funeral of Benj. Ellis, Jr., of (Springfield) 8 prs. of gloves - one pair returned May 10." The evolution in gravestones and in inscriptions is well illustrated in this burial-place. At first common field-stones were set up with the simplest inscription. Later stones were embellished with the heads of cherubs. These home-made stones "in their rude simplicity are very eloquent, since you can but picture to yourself the survivor in a solitary home, work- ing slowly and patiently to carve the gravestone of the lamented dead."
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