USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Narrative history of South Scituate-Norwell, Massachusetts > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Scituate > Narrative history of South Scituate-Norwell, Massachusetts > Part 5
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Legion posts in line were Rockland, Whitman, Abing- ton, Plymouth, Falmouth, Harwich, Barnstable, Carver, Middleboro, Provincetown, Sandwich, Wareham, Bourne, Hanover, Norwell, Marshfield, Hingham, Scituate, Bridge- water, East Bridgewater, Hyannis. Legionnaires from many of the other towns were included in the larger out- fits. It was said, on good authority, that there was no town in the district, which was not represented by some member, except the towns of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.
Arrived at the monument corner of the Common, the
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NORWELL'S FLAG DAYS
guests of the day mounted the speakers stand. A pro- gram of some length was condensed through the good judgment of each of the speakers, to a period which did not overtax the endurance of the spectators who felt the chill of the November late afternoon, as the sun dropped.
Representative Ernest H. Sparrell had a great honor conferred upon him as president of the day, and his intro- ductions of the speakers and his explanation of the sig- nificance of the occasion were couched in dignified, clear- cut language.
Rev. Alfred J. Wilson, minister of the First church, gave the prayer of dedication. A welcome to the town was extended by Herbert A. Lincoln, of the board of select- men who spoke expressively concerning the erection of the first flagstaff here when the dark clouds of the World War were hovering over America. "Sixteen years have elapsed," he said, "the World war is history, and the flagstaff is destroyed." "A second monument has taken its place here, sacred to the memory of the veterans of the World war. This flagstaff has been erected as an evidence of our renewing our faith in the greatness of our country."
A second welcome was made by Edgar Ellms, command- er of the Norwell Post, American Legion, who extended a most cordial welcome to the visiting comrades of the Legion, thanking them for staging their annual Armistice Sunday convention in Norwell, and for making such a won- derful showing.
Past Commander Alvan G. Spencer, of the Norwell Post was introduced as general chairman of the committee. Mr. Spencer gave a short review of the story of the two flag poles, speaking of that 16 year past dedication as a "gallant day." He showed the process of reconstruc- tion, earnest, efficient and rapid, by which the new staff was raised, only a few days after its destruction by light- ning, last September.
George C. Capelle, chairman of the 10th District Coun- cil, made one of the best speeches of the day. He said, in
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HISTORY OF SOUTH SCITUATE-NORWELL
part: "The flag is a symbol of freedom. For it tens of thousands of men laid down their lives, for it 1,000,000 Legion men stand ready to enter another war, if need be, and earnest to insist that the nation's means of de- fense is not reduced to the vanishing point. We dedicate this staff that it may bear aloft Old Glory and that we may give again our honor, love and devotion to the flag of our country."
Mr. Sparrell introduced Waldo Turner, 89 year old Civil war veteran, both as Commander of the Dept. of Mass., G. A. R. and as a native of this town. Commander Turn- er expressed in a fine presentment his sentiments in com- ing back to the fine old town which he left as a boy of 17 more than 70 years ago.
Mr. Turner, who resides in East Weymouth, where he is both loved and respected, said:
"It is with the keenest pleasure that I come back to this dear, old town." "Often I think of the beautiful town that is seated by the sea. Often in dreams go up and down the dear old streets of that dear old town. And my youth comes back to me" with this quotation from Long- fellow's, "My Lost Youth," Mr. Turner said, "My youth is coming back to me today." He continued by calling attention to the fast fading "thin blue line," the relic of a great army created by 2,000,000 men who sprang to arms under the leadership of Abraham Lincoln. "Trait- ors attempted to tear seven stars from our flag. We suppressed that crime."
Waldo Turner was born on Winter street in one of the old houses opposite the head of Parker street. He went away from home at the age of 17 and once told the writer that during his youth he never went further south on River street than the Walter Foster place. Such were the limitations of the youths of the old days. But they made wonderful men.
Most impressive was the raising of the colors just as the sunset streaked the west. The brisk breeze sent the flag into picturesque swirls as it gained the top of the
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NORWELL'S FLAG DAYS
staff. The actual and physical raising of the flag was done by Commander Alfred B. Litchfield of the D. Wil- lard Robinson Post, G. A. R., Dept. Commander Waldo Turner of the G. A. R., Dept. Vice Commander Jeremiah L. Lahey of the American Legion and Commander Edgar Ellms of the Norwell Post, American Legion.
The patriotic poem "Your Flag and my Flag," was read with much expression by Miss Esther Whiting, the great granddaughter of a Civil War veteran.
All local members of the Legislature, the guests for the day of the committee and of Representative Sparrell, were present but did not speak. They were called to the front of the stand by Mr. Sparrell and each received a good hand of applause. These men were, Senator New- land H. Holmes of Weymouth; Reps. John Q. Knowles of Hull, Wm. H. McCarthy of Rockland, Wm. A. Brown of Abington and Ira C. Ward of Plymouth.
In introducing Senator David I. Walsh, Mr. Sparrell said that in the old days the visit of a U. S. Senator was not unusual to the town, that the great Daniel Webster was wont to call at the old Nash store and chat with the proprietor and any citizens who chanced to be present. In 1915, Henry Cabot Lodge, the senior senator of Massa- chusetts, came here and delivered a notable address. Now we are honored by the presence of Senator Walsh, twice the chief executive of the Commonwealth and now serving his third term in the U. S. Senate. He introduced Senator Walsh as one who has always been a man of the people.
Senator Walsh reminded his hearers that all our cere- monies are empty indeed unless they recall the signifi- cance of the flag. The flag stands, he said, not for wealth, nor for natural resources, but for human qualities, for great human principles for which men have died, for supreme ideals.
"That flag stands for the rights of the humblest as well as the richest. It stands for justice, not for the few, but for all."
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HISTORY OF SOUTH SCITUATE- NORWELL
The oration of Senator Walsh concluded the exercises, and marked the high point of the day. It was to be no- ticed that the Senator seemed to be thoroughly impress- ed by the spirit of the occasion and the climax of his ef- fort was dramatic.
Capt. George Capelle, district commander of the 10th District Council was in charge of the military formation of the line and his aids included Harry Wheeler of Har- wich, Clarence W. Piper of Rockland, and John R. Parker of Rockland.
In the wait before the parade started Clark Atwater, a Norwell young man, appeared in a plane from the Boston airport and gave an exhibition of flying stunts which were explained by Wendell Wright, who turned his amplifying outfit which was in readiness for carrying the words of the speakers to every part of the Common, into an impromptu broadcasting station. The effort of Mr. Wright was much appreciated.
The work of the Wright Engineering Company of Rock- land was very successful. It was the first big out-door event in Norwell to have the benefit of the device, and this gave every person the chance to hear the addresses in full.
(An unfortunate sequence was the deterioration of this flag staff and its forced removal in 1936.)
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CHAPTER IX CHURCHES
First Parish Church, Unitarian
F NOR over a hundred years the residents of Norwell Cen-
ter and vicinity have heard the bell ring out from the steeple of the Unitarian church in that place, and during those years, they have wended their way to worship in the old edifice.
There in that grand old building, the best people of Norwell have worshipped. There, in front of that altar have children been baptized, and the blushing maiden has plighted her troth to the bashful swain. There, have been spoken the words over the remains of the loved ones, who through its portals, have passed to their final resting place in the cemetery beyond.
Standing apart, and still overlooking the busy little village, the edifice is one of the most familiar landmarks in this section of the state. Situated on an eminence, the white church with its green blinds can be seen for miles around, like a star, guiding the wayfarer on his journey.
The South or Second Parish as it was originally called, later the First Parish of South Scituate, was organized in Scituate, February 2nd, 1642.
Its origin resulted from a difference of opinion among the members of the First church as to the mode of bap- tism. The Rev. Mr. Chauncey, pastor of the First church, would baptize by immersion only. A minority in the society was opposed to immersion, and as they did not receive Mr. Chauncey cordially, he requested them to re- frain from appearance at the communion. By the advice
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HISTORY OF SOUTH SCITUATE - NORWELL
of the elders in the colony this minority proceeded to or- ganize a second church.
The first house of worship was small and covered with thatch. It stood on the southeast side of Main street near the top of Wilson Hill. The first minister was Wil- liam Wetherell, who was ordained as pastor September 2nd, 1645. His record of baptisms commences Septem- ber 7, 1645, and continued without interruption until March 1684, although the latter entries are not in his own handwriting. These records have been carefully preserv- ed. The first entry is as follows :-
"Anno 1645 Sarah, ye daughter of Wm. Wetherell, Septbre 7."
He died April 6, 1684. He had been in the ministry nearly 39 years and had administered 608 baptisms. In 1680, Mr. Thomas Mighill came to Scituate as assistant to Mr. Wetherell, but was not ordained until 1685. His ministry was short as he died in 1689.
It was probably in 1680 that the second meeting house was erected. It stood on the hill on the easterly side of Main street about 30 rods north from the road leading to Union bridge. The old burying ground marks the spot. This house stood during the short ministries of Mr. Mig- hill and Mr. Deodate Lawson. The date of the ordination of Mr. Lawson is not known as none of the records of his ministry have been preserved. His services were un- doubtedly unsatisfactory as in September 1698 the society met together to consider their unsettled state caused by the long absence of their pastor.
It was not however until June 14, 1704 that his suc- cessor, the Rev. Nathaniel Eells was ordained. It ap- pears that his ministry, covering a period of forty-six years was a peculiarly successful and happy one. He had been here only two years when the society became so numerous that a new house of worship was required, and several parish meetings were held to make plans for the same. It was raised in June, 1707, on a spot not far distant from the present house, on the easterly side of
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AIRPLANE VIEW OF NORWELL VILLAGE
In a local newspaper, on May 28, 1937, this picture had the title, "What The Airmen Saw," and the comment: "Revealing, inspiring is this sight. The effect is as if we were poised on out-spread wing above the town, a privilege heretofore enjoyed by the swallows, the wild geese, the sea gulls, and other creatures of the Great Alone." (Photograph by James J. Kelly)
CHURCHES
River street, and facing what is now Dover street. This house stood during the ministries of Mr. Eells, Mr. Dorby and part of Dr. Barnes'.
That the society continued to flourish under Mr. Eells is evident from the fact that in 1738, we find plans are being made to enlarge the meeting house, and finally in 1745, it was voted to add 13 feet to the house and make the same into pews. In 1728, a new parsonage had been built, and although it was not occupied by Mr. Eells it was kept by the society until 1784, when it was sold to Israel Turner for £230. This house was later occupied by Mrs. Maria W. Gaffield and Miss Caroline C. Turner, and is one of the oldest houses in town.
Rev. Jonathan Dorby succeeded Mr. Eells in 1751, but his ministry was very short, as he died in April 1754. He had gone to Hingham to exchange with Mr. Gay and was there attacked with a fever and died, after a few days illness.
Rev. David Barnes first preached in Scituate in June following Mr. Dorby's death, and on the 15th of August received an unanimous invitation to become the pastor of the church. He resided at the parsonage until 1765, when he purchased from the guardian of "Little John" Turner the estate later owned by Horace T. Fogg, Esq., and built the house at present occupied by Mr. Fogg's widow.
In 1770, the old meeting house was torn down, and the fourth house was built on the same site, and during its erection, services were held in Mr. Barnes' house. In building this house, "the undertakers," Deane says "took upon themselves the hazard of profit or loss, and it is well known, were well repaid." The house was not sub- stantially built and was never entirely satisfactory to the members of the Parish. It was taken down in March 1830. In the meantime the Rev. Dr. Barnes had completed his pastorate which extended over a period of fifty-seven years, until 1809, when he retired from his labors, having compounded with his parish for £100.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH SCITUATE-NORWELL
His ministry was the longest in the history of the church. He was an able preacher, and was very popular through- out a considerable circle of churches, and in 1780 he preached the Dudleian lecture at Harvard College, and in 1788, received the degree of D. D.
But one member of the parish living in 1900 ever at- tended services in the fourth meeting house. Miss Eliza Nash, when in her 98th year, recalled distinctly the square pews, with benches on two sides and a small seat in the corner for the children, where she was accustomed to sit and look into the gallery, which was then on three sides of the building. There was a canopy over the pul- pit, in front of which sat the deacons, facing the congre- gation. There were red curtains in front of the choir seats which Miss Nash as a young girl helped in making. Dr. Barnes' successor was Rev. Samuel Deane, who was ordained February 14th, 1810. He lived in the house west of Dr. Barnes on Main street. Miss Nash recalled Mr. Deane as a man of commanding presence, an eloquent preacher and fine singer. He was minister of the church until his death. His funeral was largely attended and the procession extended from his house to the residence of Miss Nash. He left a lasting memorial of his interest in the community in his history of Scituate. It was during his ministry that the fifth and present house of worship was erected. William Sparrell was the architect. Chris- topher Oakman of Marshfield, great grandfather of Mrs. Mary E. Curtis and Ernest H. Sparrell, was the builder. It was raised May 10th; and on October 13, 1830, Mr. Deane preached the dedication sermon in the presence of a very large assembly. On the following day the pews were sold at auction, the prices ranged from $20.88 to $129.38.
Nine pews sold for over $100 each, as follows:
No. 52, Samuel Foster, $129.38. No. 51, John Nash, $129.03.
No. 66, Walter Foster and Elijah B. Turner, $122.03.
No. 54, Ebenezer T. and Betsey Fogg, $121.03.
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CHURCHES
No. 69, Lemuel and Nathaniel Turner, $118.03.
No. 55, Cushing Otis, $116.50.
No. 53, Elisha Foster, $115.38.
No. 67,Howard Bowker, $108.38.
No. 68, Sarah Delano, $105.38.
The sale was completed in three hours, and the proceeds were $773 in excess of their appraised value. The organ was a gift from Thomas Otis, Esq., and the clock in front of the gallery from Hon. Cushing Otis. At a parish meeting held March 21, 1831, these gentlemen received a vote of thanks for their "acts of munificence."
It is interesting to note that at the annual meeting held April 2, 1833, Miss Eliza Nash was one of a committee of five young ladies "to oversee and direct the sexton that he keep the meeting house neat and clean the ensuing year."
After the death of Mr. Deane the parish was without a settled minister for two years. At a meeting held Sep- tember 5, 1836, a call was extended to Rev. Samuel J. May, which was accepted; and he was installed October 26th of that year. He was succeeded by the Rev. William O. Moseley, who was ordained February 15, 1843.In 1848 he was compelled by illness to resign, and Rev. Caleb Stetson received a call as pastor. His term of service covered a period of eleven years and he was followed by the Rev. William A. Fuller, who was installed November 9, 1859. He was here but a few years. During the min- istries of Mr. Stetson and Mr. Fuller, the parsonage was the house east of Dr. Barnes' house, later the residence of Mr. Seth Foster. The Rev. Mr. May had lived in the house now owned by Mr. Arthur L. Power. Mr. Fuller's successor was Rev. William H. Fish, who accepted a call from the parish under date of July 17, 1865. His minis- try covered a period of twenty years, during which time Mr. Fish labored faithfully and zealously for the well- being of the church and the community.
He closed his pastorate in November, 1885. His inter- est in the church remained unabated to the time of his
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HISTORY OF SOUTH SCITUATE - NORWELL
death and in his ninetieth year, he preached from the pulpit, which he had occupied so many years.
Since the resignation of Mr. Fish, the following minis- ters have been connected with the church.
Rev. John Tunis, 1886-1888.
Rev. William H. Spencer, 1890-1891.
Rev. Thomas Thompson, 1891-1901.
Rev. Edward H. Keens, 1901-1905.
Rev. Chester A. Drummond, 1906-1908.
Rev. William E. Ennis, 1908-1911.
Rev. Edward L. Houghton, 1911-1916.
Rev. Howard Charles Gale, 1916-1919.
Rev. Alfred J. Wilson, 1921 to present.
(Much of this chapter quoted from Rockland Standard and Hanover Branch, October, 1905.)
During all these years the church building has stood with but few changes. In 1867, the windows were re- moved from the west side of the church, and the interior was frescoed and tablets were placed upon the west walls. This was accomplished through the earnest efforts of Miss Emily James. At a later date the old windows on the sides of the church were replaced by large lights of colored glass, and the blinds were removed.
A clock has been placed upon the steeple, a gift from William P. Sparrell and Juliana Sparrell to the memory of their father, William Sparrell.
During the ministry of Mr. Fish, many other notewor- thy gifts were received. Among them the bell which hangs in the belfrey, a gift from Miss Abigail T. Otis. She also gave to the parish a two-thirds interest in the present parsonage, the other third was a gift from Mr. Nathan Cushing. The James library was built during this period, its name being in honor of Josiah L. James of Chicago, who made the first contribution for its erection.
The church was entirely renovated in 1929 and the high pulpit of early days was restored. Mr. Horace T. Fogg contributed very generously toward the restoration.
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FIRST PARISH CHURCH
Dedicated in 1830, during pastorate of Rev. Sam- uel Deane, historian of Scituate.
CHURCHES
Methodist-Episcopal Church
Just south of Church Hill on River Street, stands the Methodist Church which has, since 1852, served the people of the south part of the town as a community church. A little way back on the hill is the site of the first Episcopal Church in Scituate, which served an earlier generation of worshippers until the society removed to Hanover in 1811. Capt. Zephaniah Talbot was largely instrumental in form- ing the society and was the first leader.
Meetings were held at the home of Samuel O. and Mary Stetson and later in Union Hall.
The church building was erected in 1852 and dedicated August 28 of that year. This was during the pastorate of Rev. Nathan P. Philbrook. In 1885 the building was raised and a vestry finished off, a gift to the society from Mrs. Betsey B. Tolman. Other gifts were received from members.
The Church is under the jurisdiction of the New Eng- land Southern Conference. During the eighty-five years of its existence there have been nearly sixty-five differ- ent ministers.
"You stand so pure and white among the trees,
O little church whose beauty we applaud;
Designed for worship, full of memories,
And gloriously reminding us of God."
-Mrs. Gleason L. Archer
This church has been a center of the social and spiritu- al life of the people of this town and community ; a place where the truth is sought and proclaimed in the interest of finer and nobler living.
The birthplace of the Methodist church is the Samuel Stetson house on Stetson Road, once the John Knapp family residence and now the home of Earl Nash. Here, through the untiring efforts of Mary Kimball Stetson wife of Samuel Stetson, a Methodist class meeting was organized in 1844. For eight years, Mrs. Stetson, Capt.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH SCITUATE - NORWELL
Zephaniah Talbot, John Gardner, Katie and Patty Syl- vester labored, holding meetings, first in this house, which is a real shrine of memory, then in the schoolhouse on the Common near Church Hill, then in Union Hall, near the schoolhouse, then in happy success in their new church building, which still stands.
Ministers during the past 50 years have been: H. A. Ridgeway, 1887-89; Fred Rounds, 1890; C. O. Kepler, 1891; J. J. Shingler, 1892; C. E. Delamater, 1893; Jerome Greer, 1893-1895; C. H. Williams, 1896; Samuel A. Keen, 1898; O. S. Griswold, 1899; Edwin G. Copeland, 1900-02; C. E. Taylor, 1902-04; F. A. Lamb, 1904; A. H. Smith, 1904-05; R. S. Roberts, 1905-06; A. R. Haislup, 1906-08; W. J. Miller, 1908-09; J. D. Sallee, 1909-11; Rev. Mr. Mes- ler, 1911-12; J. T. Costain, 1912-14; Rev. Mr. Baumhauf- er, 1914; Myron O. Insko, 1914-16; C. D. Smith, 1916-18; Floyd Zimmerman, 1918; J. J. Jones, 1918-19; Homer Henderson, 1919; Miron A. Morrill, 1920-24; Wendell J. Clark, 1924; K. Sansaman, 1924; Lawrence Larrowe, 1925-26; Gordon C. Capen, 1926-27; Harvey K. Mousley, 1927-30; John C. Vernon, 1930-32; Rev. Edgar T. Zim- merman, 1933-35; Rev. Albert G. Wiederhold, 1935-36; Rev. Elmer Kimmell, 1937-38.
The Universalist Church
Situated within a few rods of the Norwell Hanover town line, the Universalist Society has served both towns equally, in the Assinippi section since it was regularly established and incorporated in 1812 after many years of struggle against the opposition of the Second Parish in Scituate and the Congregational Society at Hanover.
The Second Church was very loth to have so many members secede as they felt that it would weaken their own society financially to lose the taxes these members were obliged to pay toward the support of the church.
There are many entries in the town records of Scituate where people gave up their membership in the Second Church and joined with the Universalist Society.
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1
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UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
METHODIST CHURCH
ERRATA
In the list of recent ministers of the Methodist Church, given on Page 70, the name of Rev. George Andrews, Jr., should have been included.
CHURCHES
The first building lasted until 1832, when a new one was constructed which was burned in 1893.
The present building was dedicated, May 20, 1894.
Some of the better known ministers have been Rev. John S. Barry, the historian, Rev. Robert L. Killam, Rev. Henry E. Vose, Rev. Melvin S. Nash, Rev. James B. Tabor, Rev. Charles L. Burroughs, Rev. Gertrude Roscoe, Rev. S. R. H. Biggs. The members of the society are proud of the fact that so many of the prominent Univer- salist teachers have at times preached in their church.
Dr. Hosea Ballou and Mary A. Livermore among them.
The memory of Rev. Melvin S. Nash and his activities for the welfare of this section is still cherished.
The list of the names of the corporators include the names of heads of families who were very active in those days and in some instances whose posterity is still carry- ing on.
Elisha Barrell, Enoch Collamore, Enoch Collamore Jr., Theophilus Corthell, Joshua Bowker, Benjamin Bowker, Edward Curtis, Joshua Damon, Isaac N. Damon, Elisha Gross, John Gross, William Hyland, James Jacobs, Loring Jacobs, Ichabod R. Jacobs, Stephen Jacobs, James H. Jacobs, Edward F. Jacobs, John Jones, George Litchfield, Charles Jones, Elisha Barrell Jr., Samuel Randall Jr., Charles Simmons, Abel Sylvester, Samuel Simmons, Seth Stoddard, Perez Simmons, Reuben Sutton, David Turner, Charles Tolman, Jonathan Turner, Ebenezer Tolman, Josiah Witherell, Calvin Wilder.
The ministers of the Universalist society have been: David Pickering, Samuel Baker, Abner Kneeland, Elias Smith, Joshua Flagg, Benjamin Whittemore, Robert L. Killam, 1829-1838; Horace W. Morse, 1838-39; John F. Dyer, 1839, 1840; J. R. Burnham, 1840, 1841; John S. Barry, 1841-1844; M. E. Hawes, 1844-45; Horace P. Stev- ens, 1846-47; Robinson Breare, 1849-1852; Lewis L. Record, 1854-1859; Henry E. Vose, 1859-1866; Edward A. Perry, 1868-1871; James B. Tabor, 1872-1874; Wm. B.
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