USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Shrewsbury > Old times in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Gleanings from history and tradition > Part 5
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doorway. The seats were on hinges, to allow them to . be lifted and give standing room for the people when they rose to pray or sing. . The prayer or singing being over the seats were let down again upon their braces, and if this were not done with the greatest care, a gen- eral clatter ensued, which was usually the case. There was one boy (who at ninety told the story with great zest,) to whose ears this clatter was music. He decided one day that the next Sabbath he would manfully do his part in this portion of the service so delightful to him. Waiting until the long prayer was over, throwing all his fervor into the act, he brought his seat down with a bang that sent a thrill of joy through his soul. His father's hand on his shoulder gave him another thrill which quickly dissipated the first, and it is enough to say that he replaced his seat more quietly in the future. Any invention for physical comfort in meeting was considered an innovation and it was with some distrust that the "lolling table" was received. This was the rather indolent name for what was perhaps a necessary comfort to some in those days of long services, being a small shelf on which the elderly weary could rest their heads without fearing the stick of the tithing man who is supposed to have been always on the alert to awaken all the sleeping children and drive out all the little dogs who would not sleep. Mr. Simon Maynard introduced the first of these tables into his own pew for his own special relief when the sermon was too long. He soon
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found occasion to try his new method of restful worship, and when the sermon was in its seventhly he quietly bowed his head. No sooner did the board feel the pressure, than the supporting hook gave way and down went the table ; down, too, went his head, to his extreme mortification - reminding one of the miserere of the monks which fell the moment one leaned heavily upon it, thus revealing his weakness and wickedness in be- coming weary with standing through the long service. But the people of Shrewsbury church were not like the monks of old and the sinfulness of ease being less apparent to them than formerly, Mr. Maynard's unfor- tunate mishap did not deter others from providing them- selves with these comforting and convenient rests, making sure, however, that the hooks were securely fastened. In some of the primitive churches the pews were made each by a different individual. When a man desired a pew he made his own and though conforming to the general pattern he exercised his taste or consulted his convenience in the kind of wood used and the quality of the finish. The work all being done by hand the result was that some of them were well made; in others the corner posts were unlike in height and size, and all roughly hewn. This may have been the case with the first meeting-house in Shrewsbury, but the one which we are describing was proper in all its appointments and the work skilfully done.
Mr. Sumner's fame was not long in reaching beyond
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his own town. His opinions began to be held in great regard among the ministers in the region, and were sought on all occasions when weighty matters were under consideration. And so in time, no minister's meeting or council was thought to be complete with- out his presence, and his superior judgment.
During the Revolutionary War he was a firm patriot in the struggle for liberty, and his influence was always on the side of the Colonists ; his sympathy and thoughts were with those who had gone out from among his own people into the perils and hardships of war. His letter to the Shrewsbury soldiers in the Army under Washing- ton, after the defeat on Long Island, while they were camped in New York, reveals the tender solicitude which he felt for those absent members of his flock, and after peace was declared no one rejoiced more than he over the return of the soldiers.
Notwithstanding the meagreness of his salary, this "farmer minister" and his estimable helpmeet man- aged by diligent industry and strict economy to bring up and educate eight children, and in 1797 he built for himself a new house, quite near to the old one, which he left for his son Joseph at the time of his marriage. This was removed about fifty years ago to the spot where it now stands, east of the house formed by the largest portion of the Haven Tavern.
It was in 1783 that "the church voted to have the psalm read line by line at the communion table." In
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1790 "the church chose Mr. John Stow, and Mr. Vashni Heminway to assist in leading the singers in perform. ing that part of divine service in the congregation." In February, 1791, "voted to begin to sing Dr. Watt's ver- sion of the Psalms with his Hymns, the first Sabbath in March next, provided there be no objections lodged with the pastor, from the congregation before that time," and "some conversation had about the expediency of having a bass viol in the congregation." In 1798 "Captain Knowlton, who had served for many years as chorister, desired that some others might be chosen to lead in the singing." The church considered his request and invi- ted the congregation, and the singers in particular "to join in the choice of some suitable persons to lead in the singing." The persons chosen were Dr. Paul Dean, Mr. Shepherd Pratt and Mr. Ebenezer Drury.
Those were Shrewsbury's palmy days, when in the majesty of his full white wig and muslin bands Mr. Sumner looked down upon his audience from the great white pulpit, which was roomy enough for half the min- isters in the county. It was reached by a flight of stairs from the aisle below and entered by a door which the minister could close and fasten. A sounding board hung over him as he preached, to send his solemn words to every ear, and above all, the representation of a flame of fire, typified the aspirations of the soul and the ascent of the prayers to Heaven. Such an audience has never been gathered in Shrewsbury since those days. Every
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family in town was represented. There were men whose titles gave evidence of the worth they had been to their country, and, magnificent in their queues and powdered. hair, their lace ruffles, velvet breeches and silver shoe buckles, they bore themselves with great dignity, waiting upon the quaintly dressed ladies in high-heeled slippers
--
E
DR. SUMNER.
and huge poke bonnets, showing them into the different pews, some turning one way and some another through the various aisles, in the most delightful, orderly confusion.
Before the minister and almost beneath his eyes was the deacon's seat and the pew for the elderly and the
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deaf. At the right sat Dr. Edward Flint, the army surgeon. Nearer yet was the Sumner family pew, where the beneficent madam sat with kindly grace among her children, and where after the service was , over, the minister joined them and together they walked down the broad aisle, the congregation respectfully standing until they had passed out. At the left of the pulpit was Luther Goddard the watchmaker, who after a time, left the preaching of Dr. Sumner, became a Baptist and turned preacher himself. General Ward and his wife came in at the south porch, taking their seats on the west of the broad aisle. Captain Nathan Howe had a conspicuous seat in front, near the pulpit. He was an officer at Lake George in the French War, and also commanded a company at Dorchester when the earthworks were thrown up in the night which sent the British out of Boston.
Daniel Heminway, the meeting-house builder, sat in the southwest corner and with him his son Vashni, the town clerk, and this is where he stood to read the mar- riage bans.
Deacon Benjamin Goddard's pew was at the left of the pulpit near the northeast corner of the house. It was on a Sunday afternoon, 'February twenty-fourth, 1799, while he was listening to one of Mr. Sumner's soul-stirring sermons that two of his children left at home took a lighted candle and went into the cellar to get some apples to eat. There was straw in the cellar,
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and Artemas, a little fellow not yet four years old, thought it would burn and make a pretty sight ; one touch of the candle and all was in a blaze, the frightened children ran out and were saved, but the house and most of its contents were burned when Deacon Goddard. reached the spot after the service was over. Deacon Goddard was the great-grandfather of the present Henry L. Goddard. In one of the pews sat Dr. Crosby, one of Shrewsbury's first physicians, and a distinguished army surgeon. In the great middle pew on the west side was Captain Levi Pease, the veteran stage driver and his wife, dignified as a duchess.
Mrs. Sally Henshaw came in taking her seat on the east side, every one turning to see her handsome face and fine gown made in Boston. Sheriff Ward and his wife sat on the south side; she is said to have been the handsomest girl that went a shopping in Worcester, and he the strongest man in all the region. A union of manly strength and womanly beauty rarely seen.
Near the eastern entrance was Henry Baldwin, the ' keeper of Baldwin Tavern, with his wife and aged mother, Mrs. Mary Jones, who was bright and brisk as a girl, and there listening to the sermon every Sunday, though near her one hundredth birthday. In the next pews were Col. Seth Wyman and Deacon Wheelock. Mr. Sam Haven, the tavern keeper, sat next to the door on the south side of the aisle. On the west side was Mrs. Rebecca Symmes, lovely with her white hair and
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English ways. Her husband, who was an officer in the Revolution, died during that period, and she boarded with Mr. Joseph Nourse. On New Year's day, 1790, she was published for marriage to the Rev. Ebenezer Morse of the North Precinct (now Boylston) but as she was a widow of an American soldier, and he a rank tory, ob- jections were made to the marriage by her friends, and she always after remained the " Widow Symmes."
In Dr. Sumner's latter days his son Joseph and his family occupied a pew near the south door. One Sunday a current of air passing through the church was keenly felt by the aged minister, and no one, not even the tithing-man, seemed to notice his discomfort. After waiting in vain for some time, hoping for relief and get- ting none, he called out in a decided tone to one of Joseph's sons-" James, shut that door." The youthful and obedient James, with those keen eyes upon him, loitered not though the eyes of half the congregation were upon him also.
The following account is taken from an old journal written in 1815. "Sunday August 12th. This day in the afternoon a young turkey was driven into the church, and it by degrees flew on to the Pulpit beside Dr. Sum- ner while he was at prayer, and without any noise stood upon the Bible with as little concern as it would have done on the ground. Thus it stood while he baptised Mr. Gill's child by the name of Henry Baldwin. When we sat down to sing the last tune it left the Pulpit and
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went on to the Beam over Dea. Goddard's pew, all this, except when he first came in the house, and until we were dismissed, was without one peep or noise from the turkey."
From Mr. Sumner's Journal-"April 1792. According to a Vote of the town of Shrewsbury, the three hinder seats in the meeting house were taken up & six pews built which sold for about 140 pounds, beside the Gift building, which is to remain as a fund the Interest of which is to be appropriated for the support of the Gospel."
It was during Dr. Sumner's pastorate that the dark clouds of doctrinal controversy arose in New England. But he was at all times for peace, and never engaged in strife, so through the storm he stood quietly firm, preach- ing the peace of the Gospel. His life among the Shrews- bury people appears to have been blameless, though he had a humble opinion of his own merits. When eighty- two years old he writes, "I wish to cultivate a sub- missive spirit." The whole of his journal shows not only a submissive spirit, but sensitive nature and a for- giving disposition. When the town, feeling its own poverty, refused to make any consideration on account of the depreciation in the value of continental money, which reduced his salary one-half, he says pathetically "What is providentially taken from me I can possibly submit to, but what is unjustly detained by those I have exerted myself to serve, wounds one."
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. To obtain a clear idea of the grandeur and beauty of his character one should read his published Memoir and Journal. In the latter his affectionate nature shines out when he speaks of his anxious, sleepless nights, when any trouble touched his children or when anything came between him and his " dear people."
Forty-seven years after his marriage death took his beloved wife, his "amiable consort" of whom he writes, " Her domestic virtues were equalled by few, excelled by none ; her piety was exemplary." It is probable that in the history of the town no man's influence has been so healthful, so widespread and so enduring as that of Dr. Sumner. For sixty-two years he held the foremost place among this people, and those years included the most eventful time in the Nation's history.
It was late in life that the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him. This was done in 1814 by Yale College and also about the same time by Columbia College, S. C. At that time there was but one other minister in the vicinity who had received the like dis- tinction ; this was the Rev. Aaron Bancroft of Wor- cester.
Dr. Bancroft and Dr. Sumner were warm friends and they made a solemn compact, that the one who sur- vived should preach the funeral sermon of the other. This sad duty fell to Dr. Bancroft who in his eulogy said-" During all the trials and conflicts of a long life, he was distinguished for cheerfulness and other social
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qualities, but these were chastened by a quick sense of propriety. He could blend the agreeableness and affa- bility of the companion, with the seriousness of the minister, the purity of the Christian, and the respecta- bility of the man. Not easily provoked he knew what. was due to his character, and he secured respect from all." At his death there was great mourning, for a great man had gone, a pure and blameless life had passed. from earth. The pastor that the people had asked God to choose for them had been to them all that they could desire. When we consider his life, grand in its gentle- ness and godliness, we cannot wonder that the influence of that life moulded the characters of the children who grew up under his teachings and that it left its royal stamp upon them.
Dr. Sumner left his farm to his son Erastus, who died in 1858, and was the father of Mr. George Sumner of Worcester, the present owner, who has fitted up the house in the style of his grandfather's time and occupies it as his summer residence. The place where the old house stood is now a smooth, beautiful lawn, and one looks out of the same narrow windows now, that the Doctor looked from in his last days, and sees his great- grandchildren playing tennis under the shade of the elms where he used to walk and meditate, and perhaps decide upon the subjects for the next Sunday's dis- courses.
The following description is taken from the Memoir of
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Dr. Sumner published by his grandson Mr. George Sum- ner. "The house in which Dr. Sumner passed his- declining years, and where he breathed his last, is pre- served substantially in the form in which it was built ninety years ago, presenting a correct type of a well-to- do New England Home of the last century. In the interior, the original pieces of furniture occupy the same places and all the details of household arrangement are maintained as far as is practicable, as they were in the time of the first occupant. The family living room con- tains the 'turn-up' bed where Dr. Sumner took final leave of his family and sorrowing friends ; the desk where his sermons were composed, surmounted by a. small bookcase, supposed to be sufficient for his entire library, from which 'he drew his inspiration ;' and the original sofa, chairs and other furniture returned to their places, some of them after an absence of many years of duty among the different descendants in distant parts. The tall eight-day clock still ticks the time cor- rectly. The portraits on the walls and other relics have each their appropriate place.
"The veritable 'best room,' with the regulation ap- pointments and oaken floor; and the kitchen, well fur- nished with articles now curious but once useful, all in their proper places may here be seen. In the chambers are curtained beds, and high cases of drawers, and in the 'ideal' garret are the various wheels, large and small, high and low, with hand reels, clock reels,
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hatchels, cards and divers articles considered indispen- sable to a well regulated minister's family of the period. Everything from cellar to roof in the old mansion re- mains solid and substantial, and if no calamity befalls them, are equal to another hundred years of service."
In Dr. Sumner's old age the duties attendant upon a large parish became so arduous that he requested the church to provide an assistant. The first man chosen to this office was the Rev. Samuel B. Ingersoll, who preached one Sabbath, was taken sick and never preached again, dying in about four weeks. In Sept., 1821, the Rev. Edwards Whipple was ordained ; he preached one year with the exception of one Sabbath, and died very suddenly. And so until 1823 Dr. Sumner had little relief from his labors. At that time Rev. George Allen, an able man and thorough scholar, was settled as colleague. The next year the death of Dr. Sumner oc- curred and Mr. Allen was left in possession of the pulpit.
There were some customs in the early days which were tolerated as things are apt to be in new com- munities, and the people becoming habituated to them think them not strange. Some of these struck Mr. Allen as being out of character with the time and place of their enactment, and he sought to institute a few reforms. It had been the practice at funerals to have toddy for the bearers, and while the mourners were being com- forted in the parlor, the toddy was being made in the kitchen, the toddy stick being sometimes heard in the
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parlor. Mr. Allen being annoyed by such a singular disturbance, resolved to put an end to the practice, whereupon at the next funeral when the toddy sticks began to twirl, Mr. Allen stopped the service and sud- denly making his appearance in the kitchen, ordered the proceedings to come to an end, and never to be renewed on such an occasion. It is said to be a fact, the toddy thus dismissed appeared no more at Shrewsbury funerals.
Fearless in his reformatory efforts he then attacked another annoyance, and again success followed his efforts. This time it was to get rid of the church-going dogs, who did not always exhibit that reverence for the place which was becoming. Mr. Allen and the tithing- man, Mr. Maynard, being of the same mind, agreed that a certain quarrelsome dog should be present but once more, and Mr. Maynard was to be ready with his stick on the next Sunday morning. Mr. Ben Stone was deaf and sat in the pew for the deaf near the pulpit. On the Sunday of which we are telling he was sitting with his head resting on his hand, oblivious to all things but the sermon, when the tithing-man with quick step and raised stick came swiftly on after the unhappy little dog that had just been discovered in some roguishness for which his fate was sealed ; and instinct told him so, as he fled down the aisles, up the aisles and through the cross aisles before the dreadful, uplifted stick. Balch Dean, the dog's master, seeing the trouble of his pet and
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being anxious for his safety, opened the door of his pew ; the dog understood, but dared not linger to make the turn. Round and round he ran again and the tithing-man was upon him as he passed old Mr. Stone, the raised stick came down with tremendous force not on the offending, hunted little dog, but upon the arm of the poor deaf man who had not noticed the disturbance, and received the blow with some surprise. Down the aisle leaped the dog toward the open door, and after him rushed the tithing-man whose next blow sent him yelping out the door. That dog's master left him in the protection of home ever after on Sundays, and other dogs' masters followed his example. By such object lessons did Parson Allen seek to tone down the rough ways which had descended from pioneer times.
In 1807 the west porch was taken away and the steeple built. The bell was brought to town September 26, of that year, and raised to position the same day. Whether the jubilant ringing in celebration of the event injured the bell the records do not say, but May 17, the next year, it was returned to Brookfield to be recast, brought back the 28th of May and elevated to its place of honor again. The west porch was purchased by Ly- man Howe and attached to his dwelling-house, which is now owned by Mr. George Buck. The porch is in good repair and the arched ceiling as imposing as when Ly- man Howe in his boyhood passed through and sat in the square pew just inside the door, with his father Gideon.
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Inexorable Fashion holds sway in the small corners of the world as well as in the large centres, and the people on Shrewsbury hill were not exempt from her despotism. The old people who in their youth had built the meeting- house, and looked with harmless pride upon it, were all gone ; and the old minister who had dedicated it to
THE SOUTH PORCH.
the worship of God, had gone also. The new genera- tion was longing for something different if not better, and so in 1834 they pulled out the square pews and the white pulpit with the sounding-board, and turned the building about, making the steeple face the south, as it
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now does. The eastern porch was moved to South Shrewsbury by Mr. Levi Newton and made a part of his dwelling house, which was burned a few years ago. The large south porch was bought by Mr. Charles E. Miles for twelve dollars and a half and taken to his farm (now owned by Mr. Silas Howe) to be used as a work- shop. He afterwards sold it to Mr. Daniel Noyes, who attached it to his house on the Goulding Hill road, where it now stands, somewhat changed both by time and the carpenter.
The meeting-house was raised and the vestry built underneath at this time. In place of the square pews and the interesting, intersecting six or more aisles, they made two long straight aisles and four rows of long straight pews with the owner's name on each. The names were in gilt letters upon a black plate and each pew was numbered in the same way ; consequently no one could mistake his seat and "get into the wrong pew," but could sit down, turn the brass button of the little door, and feel that he and his family were shut out from the world and for an hour or two free from all intrusion. The handsome mahogany pulpit with its crimson plush cushion and silk draperies was designed by Rev. George Allen and was the object of great interest to the adjoining towns who sent their delegates to see it. Being made in Framingham and brought home late on Saturday night, it was put in place on Sabbath morning, the day when the first service was to
MR. ALLEN'S PULPIT
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be held after the remodelling of the meeting-house. Mr. Allen hearing of it refused to hold service there because the labor had been performed on the Lord's day and the people repaired to "the hall" as usual.
In the "Religious Magazine" of that time there is a long description of it by the Rev. Jacob Abbott, of which the following is an extract : " It is a beautiful pier table, placed upon a platform a little elevated above the congregation, and more perfectly corresponds with our idea of what a pulpit should be than anything else we have ever seen. There is an air of ease and elegance about it which we have never before seen in the most costly specimens of pulpit architecture." And the writer goes on to say that "the society in Shrews- bury must be of more than ordinary intelligence, to adopt a pulpit of such grace and beauty."
Mr. Allen closed his labors here in 1840 and removed to Worcester, where he spent the remainder of his life. Much of interest might be written of the words and works of the worthy successors of Dr. Sumner in the church here, some of whom are going on with their labors in other places, "and some are fallen asleep."
When the church was raised, in 1834, the vestry built below was furnished partly with what was cast off from the old church. The pillars that supported the gallery were put in the vestry to support the floor above and the white pulpit was put there for a time and then consigned to oblivion. To this room the thoughts of
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