Reminiscences of a nonagenarian, Part 26

Author: Emery, Sarah Smith, 1787-1879; Emery, Sarah Anna, 1821-1907
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Newburyport [Mass.] : W. H. Huse, Printers
Number of Pages: 362


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newbury > Reminiscences of a nonagenarian > 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


At the time of the depreciation of the continental money, two gentlemen in Bradford having obtained an inkling of the probable state of the market, held a consultation respecting the best method of ridding themselves of a quantity of bills which they held. It was suggested by one, that they should ride down to Father Noble's, and trade off the currency for some land that the clergyman had for sale. "Grass- hopper plains " was warm, dry land, very suitable for early crops, and es-


pecially good for corn. This plan was carried into effect. The Parson re- ceived his visitors with great urbanity ; he was not the man however to be be- hindhand in knowledge respecting pub- lic events, or business in general, and the trick which the gentlemen inten- ded to play, was instantly divined. Though the land on the plains had all the good qualities the Bradford man had mentioned, every one at all con- versant with that locality knows that there are several acres back from the river consisting of sandy knolls, a somewhat singular conformation, which are almost worthless, would scarcely subsist a small number of the insects from which the plains derive their name. The Parson at that time had quite a lot of this land which he was desirous to put into a more profitable investment ; he was therefore willing to bargain, not too eager, but to accom- modate the gentlemen, after a time the purchase was effected. Father Noble, shaking with inward chuckles, received the condemned bills, which before the news of their loss of value became general he disposed of very satisfac- torily. At the time of the purchase the land was covered with snow, and the gentlemen anxious to get rid of the notes, took but a cursory look, and had not been particular in enquiries respect- ing it. As the spring advanced some- how the story of the sale became bruit- ed about, and the would be biters were informed that they had been un- mercifully bitten. Accordingly they rode down to take a survey of the land. Scarcely liking the lay of it they went with their protest to the Parson. Father Noble was all fair and square. "He should be sorry to do anything wrong, he was to exchange


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the next Sunday with Parson Dutch ; he would remain in Bradford over night, and Monday morning the gentle- men might call upon him and talk the matter over." Accordingly, on Sun- day Parson Noble appeared in the pul- pit of the Bradford meeting-house. The morning service passed as usual, but in the afternoon the congregation were favored by a specimen of pulpit eloquence which caused a universal sen- sation. The house was crowded, and knowing what was pending, an unusual expectancy was felt. The psalms and prayer over, the preacher with peculiar emphasis named his text: "I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go to see it." To see it was the pith of the discourse, which was so apt, and the would be deceit of the complainants was so deftly shown, that they turned all colors and writhed in their pews, while the rest of the audi- ence had much ado to preserve the de- corum proper for "Sabba' day." The next morning the two gentlemen rode over to the parsonage. As was cus- tomary, Parson Dutch produced the liquor case, sugar, hot water, pipes and tobacco. The quartette drank healths, smoked, conversed upon the weather, the crops, and the state of the country, but not a lisp was made respecting the land sale. Towards noon Father No- ble in his most genial manner, with fer- vent wishes for the temporal and spirit- ual welfare of his friends, bade them good morning, and wended his way down the main road, in high esteem with himself and his grasshopper land speculation.


A man like the Rev. Oliver Noble could not be expected to remain in a small parish like that at the Plains, neither was it probable that as a spirit-


ual guide he gave universal satisfaction. He resigned his charge April 7, 1784. Afterwards he was settled in New Cas- tle, N. H., where he died in 1792, aged fifty-six.


After his departure, preaching was for a time held irregularly in " Noble's meeting-house," but at length was wholly discontinued, and the old build- ing fell into decay ; finally, one stormy winter night it blew down.


In 1807 a new society was formed in that locality, a new meeting-house erect- ed on High street, and the Rev. James Miltimore was settled in April, 1808.


In 1702 the parish, afterwards called Byfield, was incorporated. This was taken from the towns of Rowley and Newbury, and at first was designated Rowlbury. Two years later it was named Byfield in honor of Judge Na- thaniel Byfield. The first pastor of the new parish was the Rev. Moses Hale ; he was succeeded by the Rev. Moses Parsons, who died in 1783. The Rev. Elijah Parish was ordained in 1787.


The pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Par- sons was memorable for a contest be- tween the clergyman and one of the church officers, Deacon Benjamin Col- man, on the subject of slavery. At that time nearly every family owned one or more negro slaves. My great-grandfath- er Noyes had a man named Primus, of whom the grandchildren were especially fond. He was a church member and very much respected. As Dea. Noyes' favorite servant, Primus considered himself somewhat of an important per- sonage, and always comported himself with suitable dignity. My great-grand- father Smith owned a black maid ; great-grandsir Little a man ; this couple were married. The husband usually


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came to great-grandfather Smith's to sleep, but on very pleasant evenings the wife would go over to great-grand- sir Little's to visit her husband. The agreement at their marriage, between their owners, had been, if there were children to divide them. Two or three were born, but they were swept away with those of their masters, by the throat distemper, the year it made such ravage in New England.


As Violet, the Rev. Mr. Parsons's woman, like most head servants in a large family, literally "ruled the roast," being a perfect autocrat in the kitchen, and a presiding genius in every department of the household, holding an affectionate but unquestioned sway over the bevy of bright, roguish boys that were reared in the parsonage, the zealous deacon could not have founded his complaint upon any but conscien- tious scruples. The principle of slave- ry was the sin against which he con- tended, thus unwittingly becoming pio- neer in a cause which has produced such momentous results. Church meet- ing after church meeting was held. The deacon was suspended for indecor- ous language respecting his pastor, and the discussion continued until after the clergyman's decease, when at a church meeting on the 26th of October, 1785, Deacon Colman, after having acknowl- edged, "that in his treatment of the Rev. Moses Parsons, the late worthy pastor of the church, he urged his ar- guments against the slavery of the Af- ricans with vehemence and asperity, without showing a due concern for his character and usefulness as an elder, or the peace and edicfiation of the church," he was restored to the church and the deaconship.


In 1762 an academy building was


erected, and a committee chosen in By- field parish to appoint a grammar school master, according to the will of Gov. Dummer. The academy was opened on Monday, Feb. 27, 1763. The Rev. Moses Parsons preached a sermon on the occasion from the text, "The liberal soul deviseth liberal things." The first preceptor, as previously sta- ted. was Mr. Samuel Moody. The school, by the Governor's will, was made free to the boys of the parish ; those from abroad paid the usual tuition. This academy immediately took rank with the first in the country - a repu- tation which has been ably sustained.


April 27, 1778, the inhabitants of Byfield were startled by a phenomenon usually termed the "Flying Giant." The following description is from the diary of Deacon Daniel Chute :


" Yesterday, being the Lord's day, the first Sunday after Easter, about five of the clock in the p. m., a most terrible, and as most men do conceive supernatural thing took place. A formn as of a giant, I suppose rather under than over twenty feet high, walked through the air from somewhere nigh the Governor's school, where it was first spied by some boys, till it past the meeting-house, where Mr. Whit- tam, who was driving home his cows, saw it, as well as the cows also, which ran violently bellowing. Sundry on the whole road from the meeting-house to Deacon Scarles' house, saw and heard it, till it vanished from sight nigh Hunslow's hill, as Deacon Searles saw. It strode so fast as a good horse might gallop, and two or three feet above the ground, and what more than all we ad- mired, it went through walls and fences as one goes through water, yet were they not broken or overthrown. It was black, as it might be dressed in cloth indeed, yet were we so terrified that none observed what manner if at all it was habited. It made continu-


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ally a terrifying scream, 'hoo, hoo,' so that some women fainted."


The majority of the people, the Rev. Moses Parsons included, believed this spectre to be the devil taking a walk to oversee his mundane affairs. Deacon Benjamin Colman published an ac- count of this occurrence in the Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet. This was in the midst of his controver- sy with Mr. Parsons on the slavery question, and he attributed the diabol- ical visitation to the heinous sin of slave-holding by the pastor of the par- ish, followed by quaint theological spec- ulations, in the deacon's strong and fearless style.


CHAPTER XXXIX.


In 1725 the Third parish in Newbury erected a meeting-house at the water side, fronting on Fish street. Many entertained serious doubts of the desir- ability of this church. Mr. William Moody, writing to his brother, Judge Sewell in Boston, says: "Our people at towne are going to build another meeting-house, but intend to set it so nigh to Mr. Toppan's, that I fear it will make great contention."


The new house was dedicated the 20th of June; the Rev. John Tufts preached the sermon. On January 19, 1726, the Rev. John Lowell was or- dained, the sermon was by the Rev. Thomas Foxcroft of Boston.


The Lowles or Lowells are a very ancient family, dating back to the reign of Richard the Second. Mr. Per- cival Lowle, born in Yardley county, Worcester, a merchant of Bristol, Eng-


land, in 1639, with his two sons, John and Richard, came to Newbury, where John married his last wife, Naomi Syl- vester ; their youngest son, Ebenezer, went to Boston and became a mer- chant ; he married Elisabeth Shale : their oldest son, the Rev. John Lowell, was born in Boston, March 14, 1704; Dec. 23, 1725, he married Sarah Champ- ney. After his ordination, Parson Lowell commenced housekeeping on Greenleaf's lane, now State street. After the clergyman's decease, the es- tate having been purchased by Mr. Na- thaniel Tracy for the site of a new mansion, the house was moved to Tem- ple street. Two sons were born to the young couple ; one died in infancy, the other, the distinguished Judge Lowell, and his noted descendants, have a world wide reputation.


The posterity of the other children of John and Richard Lowle are still numerous within the precincts of Old Newbury and the towns adjacent, prom- inent and respected citizens, while oth- ers of equal worth are settled in differ- ent sections of the country.


Both Parson and Madam Lowell were assiduous in advancing the spirit- ual and intellectual welfare of the par- ish.


Notwithstanding the expense of build- ing a new meeting-house, the parish duplicated the town's appropriation for educational purposes, and in 1731 hired Mr. John Woodbridge to teach Latin to the youth of the parish, at sixty pounds a year ; scholars out of the parish were to pay fourpence or six cents a week.


At that period the minister's lady was preeminently the head of feminine society. Her position was much more marked, and her duties far more on-


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erous than at present. As chief lady in the parish, and mistress of a house- hold distinguished for hospitality, Mad- am Lowell won encomiums from old and young, rich and poor. Possessing tact, quick perception, and decision of character, united to great skill and no- tability in domestic affairs, with rare culture and accomplishments for those days, her precept and example was well calculated to raise the standard of fe- male character in her husband's parish. My great-grandfather Johnson and his wife held Parson and Madam Lowell in the most affectionate esteem and rever- ence. Called to the ministry a few years later than Mr. Lowell, Mr. John- son often spoke of the interest mani- fested and the assistance rendered him by his pastor while he was pursuing his studies. Madam Johnson, the daughter of Dr. Humphrey Bradstreet, though younger, was a dear friend of Madam Lowell. I have frequently heard my grandmother Little speak of the gratitude her mother often ex- pressed for Madam Lowell's advice and sympathy, when, young and inex- perienced, she assumed the responsible position of a clergyman's wife. Mad- am Lowell died in 1756 ; my great grand- father was one of the pall bearers. In those days it was customary at the funeral of persons of note, to present in addition to the usual crape bands and silk gloves, a gold ring as a memo- rial of the departed. My grandfather's mourning ring descended to me. It is a thick, plain ring of the old fashioned yellow gold ; on the outside is engraved the then usual insignia of death, a skull and cross bone; within is inscribed : " Sarah Lowell ob. 28 of June, 1756, Æ. 52." The Rev. John Tucker was also a pall bearer, and a similar ring


has been preserved by his descend- ants.


Parson Lowell married as a second wife, Elisabeth, widow of the Rev. William A. Whipple, of Hampton Falls. Mr. Lowell died 15th of May 1767, in his 64th year. His loss was keenly felt by the bereaved parish. The Rev. John Tucker in the sermon preached at the funeral, says of him, "He was endowed with good natural powers, which he improved by study, under the advantages of a liberal ed- ucation. He was not only acquainted with those polite arts, and sciences, which distinguished him as a scholar and a gentleman, but was well furnish- ed with that kind of knowledge, which was requisite to forming his character, and enabling him while young, to ap- pear with advantage as a minister of the gospel. In his domestic and social connections and behavior ; in his pri- vate conversation, both as a christian and a minister, he maintained a good reputation. He was a lover of good men though of different denominations and differing sentiments, and much given to hospitality."


Over the fire-place in the dining room of Parson Lowell's residence was a painted panel representing a group of clergymen seated around a table, on which were a punch bowl and tobacco dish. Above this he had inscribed in Latin the motto "In essentials, unity ; in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity."


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The arms of Lowle, Somersetshire and Yardley, are :


EM COGNO


SA, A HAND COUPED AT THE WRIST, GRASPING THREE DARTS, ONE IN PALE AND TWO IN SALTIRE AZ. CREST-A STAG'S HEAD EMBOSSED OR, BE- TWEEN THE ALTIRES A PHEON AZ.


Two candidates supplied the pulpit of the Third church for several months, the Rev. Christopher B. Marsh of Bos- ton and Thomas Carey of Charlestown. Both of these young gentlemen were graduates of Harvard, but Mr. Marsh had embraced more rigid - in the par- lance of the time, " Hopkinsian " views - while Mr. Carey followed in the footsteps of the fathers. Mr. Carey, having received the votes of two thirds of the parish, was ordained on the 11th of May, 1768. The other third amic- ably separated from the Third parish, receiving their share of the church plate, and formed a new society. They erected a meeting-house on Titcomb street, and the Rev. Mr. Marsh was ordained the 19th of October, 1768. He died in 1773, and was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Spring in 1777.


Parson Carey was stricken with pal- sy after the morning service on Sunday, March 9, 1788, and a colleague was appointed. The Rev. John Andrews, born at Hingham, March 3, 1764;


graduated at Harvard in 1786 ; mar- ried, Sept. 8, 1788, Margaret, oldest danghter of Rev. Prof. Edward and Margaret Wigglesworth ; was ordained over the First society, Newburyport, Dec. 10, 1788 ; received the degree of D. D. at Harvard College in 1824 ; re- signed his pastoral charge May 1, 1830. He died in August, 1845.


Through the preaching of Whitefield and the influence of the " great awak- ening," several persons became dissatis- fied with the doctrines in which they had been reared. These "new schemers" were. vehemently opposed by Mr. Top- pan, and as firmly by Mr. Lowell, both denouncing their meetings as "irregular and disorderly." Rev. John Tucker having been settled colleague with Mr. Toppan, the opposition strengthened, and in 1743 the "Separatists " held their first public assembly in a barn near the upper green, in Oldtown. A small house of worship was soon after erected on Norfolk, now High street, just below Federal street, Mr. Joseph Adams, a young graduate of Harvard University, officiating as minister. The " Separatists " having anathematized the parent clmirch as "Old Dagon," in retaliation the new one received the soubriquet of "Young Dagon." The new house, which was never entirely finished, blew down in a severe thun- derstorm, a catastrophe that brought exceeding satisfaction to the opposition, who piously regarded it as a just jndg- ment sent by the indignant hand of an outraged Deity.


On January 3, 1746, nineteen per- sons withdrew from the First church and formed a new church. Thirty- eight, three years previous, had with- drawn from communion with the Third church. As their petition for dismis-


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sion from that church and a recom- mendation to the new church was de- .nied, they were admitted to that body without a recommendation. On the 22d of the same month, acting on the advice of Whitefield, the " Separatists" extended a call to the Rev. Jonathan Parsons to become their pastor. This invitation was accepted, and the instal- lation took place on the 19th of March. This church, not being yet united to a Presbytery, was styled "Indepen- dent." The installation services were conducted entirely by the people and the pastor-elect. Having mutually pledged themselves to support each other in the work of the gospel, Mr. Parsons offered prayer and preached a sermon. On the 7th of April the or- ganization of the church was completed by the choice of six ruling elders, and the September following it united with the Presbytery of Boston. Much trouble arose respecting the assessment of taxes, as the first and third parishes insisted upon the right to tax the se- ceders. An appealj was made by the Presbyterians to Gov. Shirley, and va- rious other methods used, for years, to obtain redress, but without effect, until the different societies became distinct corporations, which act was passed Feb. 22, 1794. The Presbyterian so- ciety erected the church on Federal street in 1756. On Sunday morning, Sept. 30, 1770, George Whitefield died, at the residence of Rev. Jonathan Par- sons, and his remains were interred un- der the pulpit of that church. Mr. Par- sons died in 1776, and the Rev. John Murray was ordained in 1781. He died in 1793, and was succeeded by the Rev. Daniel Dana, Nov. 19, 1794.


January 28, 1764, that part of New- bury now called Newburyport was in-


corporated as a separate town, and the Third church of Newbury became the First of Newburyport. As the old meeting-house on Fish street had be- come time-worn, and too small to ac- commodate the large congregation, in 1801 the church on Pleasant street was erected. This edifice, built by Daniel Spofford and Amos Palmer, was the most splendid in the vicinity, and a model of architectural beauty. Its erection created a great sensation. The Rev. Mr. Carey was able to preach the last sermon in the old house, which was on Sept. 27th. This sermon showed that, though weak in body, the clergyman's mind was wholly unim- paired.


The next morning a vast crowd as- sembled to witness the demolition of "ye ancient meeting-'us." I have often heard David Emery, then a lad of six- teen, and my cousin, Sophronia Pea- body, describe the scene. The sup- ports, excepting at one corner, having been removed, a hawser was placed around the post, and a band of sailors, with " a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together," brought the large building to the ground, amidst clouds of dust and the huzzas of the multi- tude. Gen. Peabody entertained the ladies who had gathered in the cham- bers of his store with wines and cordials from the cellar, and my cousin, then a child, thought pulling down meeting-houses a delightful event, which she wished might happen every day.


The Third church in Newbury from the first was progressive. In 1750 they voted, nemine contradicente, that " the scriptures be read in publick on the Lord's day." Reading from the Bible in the pulpit was not customary


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amongst the first congregations. I never remember hearing a chapter read until Parson Woods was ordained, and he only did so occasionally. In 1769 the church at Oldtown voted to introduce the Scriptures at public wor- ship. When I first went to meeting, Watts' psalms and hymns were in use and they had been generally adopted by the churches.


In 1794 an organ was placed in the First church in Newburyport. It was, for those days, a large and handsome instrument. Round the top of the pipes were festoons of crimson silk ; above them, in large gold letters, was the motto, "Praise Him with Organs." This remarkable innovation greatly shocked the more rigid, and the new instrument became the chief topic of conversation in town and country, in the commercial mart, and by the do- mestic hearth. It was denominated a "papistical device- a popish fiddle." Much was said about the "tooting tub," and "sarving the Divil on an orgin," while the Rev. Samuel Spring discoursed most disdainfully respecting "our neighbor's box of whistles." Notwithstanding the opposition, the or- gan retained its place, sending forth melody Sunday after Sunday, in the old meeting-house, and, with the bell and weathercock, was transferred to the new church. The interior of this building has received but little altera- tions. The front gallery pews were square, and when first erected the pul- pit was higher than now, and sur- mounted by the sounding-board, then considered necessary for a speaker. This pulpit was reached by stairs lead- ing from the back porch, and the plat- form beneath it was railed off like an altar ; two gates opened into this com-


partment, to the right and left ; with- in, in front, was the communion table, behind it stood three large arm chairs, with crimson seats. The pulpit cush- ion was of crimson velvet. From the centre of the ceiling depended a large glass chandelier for wax candles. It is a thousand pities this had not been preserved, as " a thing of beauty is a joy forever."


In those days evening services were rare events. When Dr. Parish was or- dained, the parish in common with ev- ery other was so much divided on doc- trinal points, that much vexation and delay occurred. It was not until the evening of the third day after the council had been convened that the or- dination services took place. The par- ish ever after celebrated the anniver- sary of his ordination by an evening meeting. On one occasion I accompa- nied Mrs. Moses Colman. She took a pair of tall brass candlesticks and mould candles with her. The candle- sticks were placed on the ledge on the front of the square pew, and the can- dles lighted that we might see the hymns. Nearly every pew was similar- ly lighted, there were candlebra on the pulpit, and candles on the communion table and in the singing seats ; a few in tin sconces were hung along the walls, still the house was not very brilliantly illuminated. The Pleasant street meeting-house was dedicated in October. The sermon was preached by the Rev. John Andrews ; the music was unusually fine ; altogether it was a great occasion. A dense mass of hu- man beings filled every available space of the large church; the ladies were resplendent with elegance, many stran- gers were present, and the dignitaries of the 'town and parish ; the day was


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a festal one throughout the place. Upon their removal to "Port," both Gen. Peabody and Col. Bartlett joined the first society, but in a few years, as their wives inclined to the more Calvin- istic preaching at the Old South, pews were taken there. Both ladies soon af- ter became communicants, and all the Peabody children, with the exception of the youngest, who was born in the District of Columbia, were baptized at this font.


Sophronia Peabody accompanied her uncle Leonard Smith to the dedication. Mr. Smith had purchased the upper corner wall pew on the side towards Green street, and to accommodate his large family two pews had been let into one. This pew was so crowded, Fronie and her cousin, Sophy Smith, were were perched on the window seat, where they vastly enjoyed the scene.




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