USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Sketches of the churches and pastors in Hampden County, Mass. : and also, an address delivered to the pastors by Rev. T.M. Cooley, D.D., at Mettineague, September 13, 1853 > Part 5
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REV. HUBBARD BEEBE, of Richmond, Mass., gradu- ated at Williams' College in 1833, and studied theo- logy at Andover. He was ordained Oct. 18, 1837, and dismissed March 21, 1843. After his dismission he was engaged for a season in teaching in Westfield Academy ; he has since been pastor of the Congre- gational Church in South Wilbraham, from which he was dismissed in 1852, and is now settled over the Congregational Church in Sturbridge
REV. SAMUEL WOLCOTT, of East Windsor, Ct., graduated at Yale in 1833. After his graduation at Andover, for a period of two years, he was engaged in assisting the secretary of the A. B. C. F. M. On November 13, 1839, he was ordained in Bowdoin- street church, Boston, as a foreign missionary, and arrived at Beyrout the next April. In 1843 he re- turned to his native land, and in August of the same year was settled over the Church in Longmeadow, from which he was dismissed December 27, 1847. Soon after his dismission from this Church, he was installed pastor of the First Church in Belchertown. From this Church he was dismissed a few months since, and is now the pastor of the High-street Church, Providence, R. I.
REV. JOHN W. HARDING, the present pastor of this Church, is a native of Waltham, and son of
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Rev. Sewall Harding. He graduated at Yale Col- lege in 1845, and studied theology at Andover.
The membership of this Church is 183, and in the Sunday-school 100. This Society pays a salary of $700.
LONGMEADOW EAST.
THIS Church was organized April 22, 1839
REV. CALVIN FOOT. (See Southwick.)
REV. MARTYN TUPPER, of Stafford, Ct., graduat- ed at Nassau Hall in 1826. He studied theology at New Haven, and was licensed by the New Haven East Association, in 1828. He was first settled in Hardwick. After his dismission from the Church in East Longmeadow, he was settled in Lanesboro', Berkshire county, and is now again pastor of the Congregational Church in Hardwick.
REV. WILLIAM E. DIXON, of Enfield, Ct., is a graduate of Williams' College, of the class of 1833. In 1841 he was settled over the First Church in Ware, and dismissed in 1842, in consequence of ill-
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health. After a residence of a few years in his na- tive place, having recovered his health, he was again settled in Esperance, N. Y. He was installed here October 14, 1852.
This Church has 105 members, and the Sunday- school 72, and pays a salary of $500.
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LUDLOW.
THIS town was originally a part of Springfield ; its settlement was commenced about the year 1750, and it was incorporated in February, 1794; the first meeting-house was built in 1784.
REV. ANTIPAS STEWARD was a native of Marl- boro', Mass. He studied theology at Cambridge, having graduated at Harvard University in 1760. He was a scholar of considerable eminence. For a time he was tutor in the University. Among his papers is an essay on the subject of Justification, written in Latin, which he read in the chapel of Harvard College. He was dismissed in 1803, and afterwards removed to Belchertown, where he died and was buried. Mr. Steward was a distinguished Hebrew scholar. When he was ordained, Novem- ber 27, 1793, he requested Dr. Howard, of Spring-
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field, to preach his ordination sermon, and gave him the text, 1 Cor. iv. 2: " Moreover it is required of stewards that a man be found faithful."
And after much alienation had arisen in the parish, and troubles had become so great as to render it necessary for him to leave, he again requested Dr. Howard to preach a sermon at his dismission, and gave him the text, Rev. ii. 13 : "I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is ; and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth." Dr. Howard replied, "If I should go there and preach from that text, they would stone me out of the place." It is needless to add that Mr. Steward's last request was not granted.
Dr. Lathrop is said to have related the following : At a meeting of the Association, some one advanced the belief that all the wicked hated God. Mr. Ste- ward denied this, and inquired how it was that they should desire to go into his presence if they hated him, and quoted the parable of the Virgins, Matt. xxv. 11 : "Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord ! open unto us !" The reply was, that parables were not designed to go on all fours. To this Mr. S. answered, " They go at least on two legs, and if your interpretation is right, they cannot go at all; for you cut off all the legs."
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Mr. Steward died the 15th of March, 1814, aged 80 years.
REV. E. B. WRIGHT, a native of Westhampton, graduated at Williams' College in 1814. He studied theology at Andover Theological Seminary, and was licensed to preach by the Salem Association at Dan- vers, April, 1817. He was ordained December 8, 1819. His dismission from the First Church in Ludlow took place in October, 1835, at the time of his installation over the First Church in Chico -. pee. He was dismissed from his pastoral charge in Chicopee after a period of about four years, in 1839. In 1842 he was installed over the First Church in Norwich, Mass., where he still resides, though dis- missed from the pastoral charge of that Church.
REV. DAVID R. AUSTIN, of Norwich, Ct., gradu- ated at Union in 1827, and after teaching awhile in South Hadley, was ordained, May 1, 1835. He was dismissed in July, 1837, and was then preceptor of Monson Academy about two years. He was in- stalled pastor of the Church in Sturbridge, May 12, 1839, and dismissed in consequence of ill-health in 1851. He has recently been settled in Norwalk, Ct. He married a daughter of Dr. Ely of Monson.
REV. ALONZO SANDERSON. (See Tolland.)
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REV. J. W. Tuck, of Kensington, N. H., gra- duated at Amherst College in 1840, studied theology at Andover and East Windsor seminaries, was li- censed by the Hampden Association, at West Spring- field, in 1842, and ordained September 6, 1843.
This Church has 158 members, and the Sunday- school 200, and pays a salary of $550.
The SECOND CHURCH is at Jencksville, and was organized June 6, 1847.
REV. WILLIAM HALL was ordained in 1848, and dismissed the next year. He is the only pastor the Church has had. He came from the State of New York, and was educated in that State. The Church is small, consisting of only 14 members. Rev. Eb- enezer B. Wright has supplied them for two years.
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MONSON.
THIS town was incorporated April 25, 1760, and its name given by Governor Pownal. At this time there were but 49 families in the town. The first candidate for settlement in the ministry, was Simeon Strong, of Amherst, who was after-
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wards Judge of the Supreme Court of the State. This Church was organized June 3, 1762.
REV. ABISHAI SABINE was a native of Pomfret, Ct., and graduated at Yale College in 1759. He was ordained June 23, 1762, and his ministry is said to have been orthodox, acceptable and useful. On account of ill-health he was dismissed, July, 1771. After his dismission, he retired to Pomfret, his native place, where he died in 1782.
REV. JESSE IVES was born in Meriden, Ct. He graduated at Yale College in 1758. Before he came to Monson he had been settled as pastor of a Church in a part of Norwich, Ct. He officiated as pastor of the Church in Monson till his death, a period of 32 years and six months. He died De- cember 31, 1805, aged 71.
REV. ALFRED ELY, D.D., is a native of West Springfield, graduated at New Jersey College in 1804, and studied theology at Princeton, and also under the direction of Dr. Lathrop, of West Spring- field. He was licensed at Monson, by the South Association of Hampshire county, February, 1806, and ordained December 17, 1806. Dr. Ely still remains the senior pastor at Monson, having offici- ated as sole pastor more than 36 years. Dr. Ely
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married a daughter of Rev. Uriel Gridley, of Water- town, Ct.
REV. SAMUEL C. BARTLETT, of Salisbury, N. H., is a graduate of Dartmouth College, of the class of 1836. He studied theology at Andover. He was settled in Monson as colleague pastor with Dr. Ely, August 2, 1843. His dismission occurred April 7, 1846, having received an appointment to a profes- sorship in Western Reserve College. Mr. Bartlett is now pastor of a Church in the city of Manchester, N. H.
REV. CHARLES B. KITTREDGE, of Mount Vernon, N. H., is a graduate of Dartmouth College, 1828. He pursued his theological studies at Andover, and was licensed in 1832 by the North Suffolk Associa- tion. He was first settled in Groton, Mass. His second settlement was over the Church in West- boro', this State. He was installed.at Monson, as colleague pastor with Dr. Ely, October 21, 1846, and dismissed in the early part of June, 1853. He still resides in Monson.
The present membership of the Church in Mon- - son is 333, and of the Sunday-school 200. This Society has paid a salary of $600.
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PALMER.
FIRST CHURCH. The first settlement in Palmer, it is supposed, was made in 1717. A report of the committee to the Legislature, in June, 1733, in regard to granting the settlement an act of incorpo- ration, shows that they had then been supplied with preaching about three years. No records of the Church are found of an earlier date than 1753; so that nothing definite can be ascertained respecting the date and circumstances of its formation. This Church was organized by emigrants from England and the north of Ireland, it is supposed in 1730.
REV. JOSEPH HARVEY was from the north of Ire- land, and received his education before he came to America. This Church was originally Presbyte- rian, and Mr. Harvey was ordained by the London- derry Presbytery, June 5, 1734. Rev. Mr. Thomp- son, of Londonderry, preached the sermon. Mr. Harvey was dismissed in 1748, as the result of a difficulty between him and his Church.
REV. ROBERT BURNS was from the north of Ire- land. He was settled over this Church, November, 1753. "An unhappy controversy arose between him and the Church in 1756, in consequence of
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which the pastoral relation of Mr. Burns to the Church was dissolved." The records give no account of his dismission, but state that, May 5, 1758, the Church was without a pastor, and that Mr. Burns' farm was purchased by the town in the summer of 1758.
REV. MOSES BALDWIN was a native of Newark, New Jersey, and a graduate of New Jersey College in 1757. Previous to his settlement over this Church, June 17, 1761, he had been ordained as an Evangelist. He was installed by the Boston Presby- tery. His dismission occurred June 19, 1811, when his successor was settled. Few ministers ever went through a greater variety of trials, or subsisted on a smaller income; and few ever manifested a more devoted attachment to their people, or more ear- nestly labored in defence of the "faith once deli- vered to the saints." His preaching was interesting and impressive. He died Nov. 2, 1813, aged 81.
REV. SIMEON COLTON was born in Longmeadow. He graduated at Yale College in 1806, and was or- dained June 19, 1811. His ordination sermon was preached by Rev. Zephaniah Swift Moore, of Lei- cester. It was about the year 1811 that the Church changed its form of government, and became Con- gregational. Mr. Colton was dismissed in 1821,
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November 13. After this he taught in Monson Aca- demy ; also in North Carolina ; and is now presi- dent of a college in one of the south-western States. In 1846 he received the degree of D.D. from a col- lege in Delaware.
REV. HENRY H. F. SWEET, of Attleboro, this State, graduated at Brown University in 1822, and was ordained November 9, 1825. His ordination sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Ide, of Medway. Mr. Sweet died in 1827. Rev. Dr. Ely, of Monson, preached his funeral sermon. " As a man, Mr. Sweet was unassuming and kind in his manners and intercourse with others. As a preacher, he was interesting and impressive. He was thoroughly Cal- vinistic in his doctrinal views." His age was 31.
REV. JOSEPH K. WARE was born in Conway. He graduated at Amherst College in 1824, and was ordained December 12, 1827. His ordination ser- mon was preached by Rev. Dr. Humphrey. He was dismissed March 16, 1831, and has since been settled in western New York.
REV. SAMUEL BACKUS, of Canterbury, Ct., gra- duated at Union College in 1811. His first settle- ment was in Woodstock, in his native State. He was dismissed May 4, 1841, since which time he
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has not been a settled pastor. He now resides in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y.
REV. MOSES K. CROSS, of Danvers, Mass., graduated at Amherst in 1838, studied theology at Andover, and was ordained in February, 1842. His ordination sermon was preached by Rev. M. F. Braman of Danvers. Mr. C. was dismissed at his own request, November 22, 1848, and is now settled at South Deerfield.
REV. SYLVESTER HINE, of Middlebury, Ct., gra- duated at Yale College in 1843. He received his theological education in East Windsor. Previous to his settlement in Palmer, November 19, 1851, he was pastor of a Congregational Church in Ticonde- roga, N. Y.
This Church has 101 members, and the Sunday- school 100. The pastor receives a salary of $500.
The SECOND CHURCH, at Palmer Dépôt, was or- ganized April 1, 1847.
REV. THOMAS WILSON, of Paisley, Scotland, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1844, stu- died theology one year at New Haven, and two years at Andover, and was ordained February 29, 1848. After a ministry of four years, as the pastor
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of this Church, he was dismissed April 14, 1852. He is now settled in Westford.
This Church has 87 members, and the Sunday- school 100.
SPRINGFIELD.
THE First Congregational Church was organized in 1637. There is considerable obscurity resting over the history of the first settlement of the town. It commenced, probably, in 1635 ; but the first per- manent settlement was in the spring of 1636, when Mr. Pynchon, with a number of other persons, with their families, removed from Roxbury and came to Springfield. When Mr. Pynchon, and those who accompanied him, came here, they made an agree- ment, the original of which is in the first book of records of the town, and subscribed by them. It is dated May 14, 1636, and consists of fifteen articles, the first of which provides for the settlement of a minister. This agreement has the signature of only eight persons, though there is internal evidence that there were twelve concerned.
One leading object of the first settlers, in coming
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to this place, was that they might have a settled ministry, and unite in a Church. There are no early church records extant ; but there is no reason to doubt that a Church was organized at the time of Rev. Mr. Moxon's coming here, in 1637. Mr. Pynchon, and several others who were here then, were church-members, and persons eminent for piety, and professedly designed to organize a Church with- out delay. Says George Bliss, Esq.,-" The forma- tion of the Church has been, by some writers, I know not upon what authority, postponed to the year 1645, as the time of the incorporation of the town was. This Church was probably the four- teenth in Massachusetts."
REV. GEORGE MOXON was the first pastor of this Church. He is said to have arrived at Boston in 1637. Before he came to this country, he received ordination in the Episcopal Church. In the year 1652 he returned to his native land. There is in existence a manuscript, containing sketches of Mr. Moxon's sermons, taken, probably, at the time they were delivered, by John, son of William Pynchon, in 1649. They indicate respectable intellectual powers, and contain the general doctrines of the Reformation. There is no record of his family, ex- cept of the birth of three children. There is a tra- dition, that he was silenced after his return to Eng-
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land, in 1662, and died in great obscurity as a com- mon servant.
It is not easy to ascertain precisely the amount of Mr. Moxon's salary, or that of his immediate successors, as there was a gradual depreciation from sterling at 4s. 6d. a dollar, as it was at first, to 6s. a dollar, at which it was fixed in 1707. The currency afterwards greatly depreciated, so that in 1750 it was 45s. to a dollar. Mr. Mox- on's salary began at £45 sterling, and varied to £70. Besides this he had a house-lot, meadow, and wood- lot, together with a house and barn. The house, when built, in 1639, cost £40. According to the fashion of the time, it was thatched.
REV. PELATIAH GLOVER was a native of Dor- chester. He preached his first sermon in Spring- field, July 3, 1659; but was not ordained till some time in the year 1661. He continued his labors as the pastor of this Church till they were terminated by death. He is represented as having been a dili- - gent student, an energetic preacher, and a faithful pastor. The record of his death is as follows : " March 29, 1692, the Rev. Pelatiah Glover fell asleep in Jesus, aged 55 years."
Mr. Glover's salary was originally £80, with the use of the ministry-house and lands. In 1678 the parish voted an addition of £20 for that year. It
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was during the period of Mr. Glover's ministry, in 1675, that the town was so severely scourged by the Indians. When the town was fired, October 5, about 30 dwelling-houses and 25 barns were des- troyed ; among them was the house occupied by Rev. Mr. Glover, together with his library, which is said to have been extensive and valuable.
When Mr. Glover died, he left behind him a family ; but the number of his children, or where they settled, have not been ascertained. His wife died in 1689 ; and at least three of his children died before him.
Since writing the above, we have ascertained that Mr. Glover was educated at Harvard College, though he did not graduate with his class.
REV. DANIEL BREWER was a native of Roxbury, and was the son of Daniel Brewer, who is said to have been born in England. He graduated at Har- vard University in 1687, and married Miss Cathe- rine Chauncey, of Hatfield, August 23, 1689. He had eight children, six of whom survived him, and most of them settled in this vicinity. Mr. Brewer was ordained May 16, 1694, and died November 5, 1733, in the 66th year of his age, and the 40th of his ministry. His widow died May 15, 1754, in the 79th year of her age.
REV. ROBERT BRECK Was born in Marlboro. He
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was the great-grandson of Edward Breck, who came from England and settled in Dorchester. He was the grandson of Capt. John Breck, of Dorchester, and the son of the Rev. Robert Breck, of Marlboro. He graduated at Harvard University in 1730. His first wife was Eunice, daughter of Rev. Daniel Brewer; and his second wife was Mrs. Helena, widow of Rev. Edward Dorr, of Hartford, Ct. He died of consumption, April 23, 1784, in the 71st year of his age, and the 49th of his ministry. Dr. Lathrop preached his funeral sermon, from 2 Tim. iv. 6, 7, 8. His ordination sermon, January 26, 1736, was preached by Rev. Mr. Cooper, of Boston, from Mark xiii. 3. " The call and settlement of Mr. Breck were the occasion of one of the most violent controversies which has ever distracted this part of the Church. The allegations against him related principally to his religious sentiments. His ordina- tion was warmly opposed by a majority of the mi- nisters of this county, as well as by a considerable number of the parish ; and even during the session of the council which was to have ordained him, he was arrested by a civil officer and carried to Con- necticut, to answer to such things as should be ob- jected to him. In consequence of the extreme agi- tation which prevailed in the town and neighbor- hood, the council thought it not expedient to proceed, at that time, to his ordination, and deferred it to a
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subsequent period. Mr. Breck, by his uncommon prudence, gradually gained the favor both of his op- posing brethren and parishioners; and it was not many years before the congregation became united in his ministry, and his brethren in the neighborhood received him into fellowship." It is said that if he wanted any favor, such as the use of a horse or the loan of money, he applied first to his opposers, and made them his friends by the apparent confidence he reposed in them. He was more inclined to Ar- minianism than Calvinism.
REV. BEZALEEL HOWARD, of Bridgewater, gra- duated at Harvard in 1781, and was ordained April 27, 1785. The sermon was preached by Rev. Tim- othy Hilliard, of Cambridge, from Titus ii. 15. In 1803, in consequence of ill-health, he was obliged to retire from the active duties of the ministry. After waiting about two years, in the hope that his health might be restored, it was mutually agreed that a dissolution of the union between him and his people should take place, whenever the parish should unite in the settlement of another minister. Accordingly, the resignation of his charge was read on the day of the ordination of his successor ; and the grateful and affectionate regards of his people followed him to retired life. The degree of D.D. was conferred on
5*
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him by the University at Cambridge. He died De- cember, 1836, aged 83.
REV. DR. OSGOOD is a native of Fryburg, Me., graduated at Dartmouth in 1805, and was ordained January 25, 1809. The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Harris, of Dorchester, from 1 Tim. iv. 16. On the termination of the 40th year of his ministry, Dr. Osgood preached a sermon from Acts xx. 26, 27, which was published. Dr. Osgood, now the oldest settled pastor but one in the Hampden East Asso- ciation, and the oldest settled pastor but two in the county, is in the 46th year of his ministry as pastor of the First Church in Springfield. He received the degree of D.D. from Nassau Hall in 1827.
This Church has 412 members, and the Sunday- school 260. The Society has a fund, the income of which is $700 per annum. The salary paid is $1000.
The SECOND CHURCH, on the Hill, was organized January 8, 1833, and was then the Fourth Congre- gational Church in Springfield.
REV. ABRAHAM C. BALDWIN, of Guilford, Ct., graduated at Bowdoin in 1827, and was ordained December 4, 1833. He studied theology at New Haven. After his dismission from this Church, Ja- nuary 8, 1839, he engaged for a season in teaching, in Newburgh, N. Y., after which he became pastor
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of the Howe-street Church, New Haven, Ct. At present, he is connected with the deaf and dumb institution at Hartford. He married a daughter of Dr. Foot, of North Haven, Ct.
REV. EZEKIEL RUSSEL, of South Wilbraham, graduated at Amherst College in 1829. He received his theological education at Andover, and was or- dained May 15, 1839. His dismission from the Fourth Church in Springfield took place in 1849. Mr. Russel is now pastor of the Congregational Church in East Randolph, over which he was set- tled May 8, 1850. He was settled at North Adams from 1836 to 1839.
REV. SAMUEL W. STRONG, son of Rev. William Strong, of Somers, Ct., graduated at Yale in 1843, studied theology at New Haven, and was ordained March 27, 1850. He was dismissed in consequence of ill-health in 1852, since which he has been able to preach but little.
The SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, a colony from the First, was organized March 23, 1843.
REV. NOAH PORTER, JR., of Farmington, Ct., son of Rev. Noah Porter, D.D., graduated at Yale College in 1831, and studied theology at New Ha- ven. His first settlement in the ministry was at
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Milford, Ct. He was installed over this Church, January 12, 1843, and dismissed from the same, Ja- nuary 5, 1847, for the purpose of accepting a call to the professorship of moral philosophy and meta- physics in Yale College, which professorship he still occupies.
REV. SAMUEL G. BUCKINGHAM, of Lebanon, Ct., graduated at Yale in 1833, and received his theolo- gical education at New Haven. He was first set- tled at Millbury, and installed over this Church, June 16, 1847. Mr. Porter and Mr. Buckingham both married daughters of Rev. N. W. Taylor, D.D., of New Haven, Ct.
This Church has 267 members, and the Sunday- school 225. The Society pays a salary of $1200.
The NORTH CHURCH was organized October 28, 1846.
REV. RAYMOND H. SEELEY, of New York, gra- duated at the University of New York in 1839, and received his theological education at the Union Theological Seminary, New York city. He was first settled in Bristol, Ct. His installation over this Church occurred March 1, 1849. On the evening of the same day the meeting-house was dedicated. The pastor preached the dedication sermon.
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This Church has 134 members, and the Sunday- school 168. The Society pays a salary of $1200.
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