USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Roxbury > Some recollections of the pastors and people of the Second Church of old Roxbury, afterwards First Church, West Roxbury > Part 2
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REV. AUGUSTUS M. HASKELL.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONE
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SECOND CHURCH, ROXBURY.
His visits were as sunshine in every household, ever considerate, and kind under all circumstances, full of sympathy in sorrow, full of joy on all pleasant occasions. He, too, knew every nook and corner in the vicinity, although not a good walker, he and his pet horse were frequent visitors among his people. In his patient, faithful care for his parish- ioners, Mr. Haskell would rank fully with a Whit- ney, a Parker, or a Willson, and so he continued.
At the suggestion of Mr. Haskell and some others, in 1873, the church roof was newly shingled, for the third time since it had been in its present shape (one hundred years), and the inside somewhat remodeled, by taking out some pews in front and beside the pulpit, and broadening the stairways lead- ing up to it, changing the singers' seats, new carpets, etc., at a cost of $2,200 for the entire improvements, which sum was raised by subscription, and left with a committee to use in making the changes. The first stump run against was the question of tearing out the old pulpit, which at once caused a division in the committee, a part determined to tear it out, a part as determined to keep it as it had always been, with some few changes. The tear-downs withdrew from the committee, and their subscrip-
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PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
tions went with them, and I am sorry to say that some of the ladies and a few of the gentlemen sympathized with them; at the same time the writer pushed on-saved the venerable old pulpit intact, made the desired alterations to the satisfaction of all but himself, whose patience was sorely tried, and the bills were paid in spite of the withdrawal of sundry subscribers to do their share,-their conduct need not be envied,-where they wanted to spend $10,000, $2,200 did the desired work.
That was the last improvement made on the old church and so it continued until fire left it as it stands at the present time. Among all the minis- ters who were associated with the church and its people, in its various interests in building character, none were more worthy than the subject of this short and trifling sketch.
It must be remembered that, during all these changes, the old stand-bys, who had so faithfully carried on the work of the parish, were fast being taken away, and new people coming into both sec- tions of the parish have done much to obliterate old associations.
Changing these old lines has cost both sections men that they could ill afford to lose.
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SECOND CHURCH, ROXBURY.
None knew better than the writer the many and various works this good man was engaged in, and never for self first and somebody else afterwards.
His health at times caused much anxiety, and at times made his work hard and sometimes discour- aging for him; at such times he always had a near friend and helper in his estimable wife, who was competent to advise, encourage, and sympathize with him under all circumstances. Mrs. Haskell is the only one left among us who experienced the joys and sorrows of a minister's life connected with the old church.
Erchanges.
Rev. Mr. Angier,
Milton
Rev. Mr. Allen,
Jamaica Plain
Rev. Charles Brigham,
Taunton
Rev. Mr. Bailey,
Dedham
Rev. Mr. Buck,
Portland, Maine
Rev. H. N. Brown,
Brookline
Rev. Dr. Briggs,
Salem
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PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
Rev. S. C. Beach,
Dedham
Rev. Dr. Barrett,
Boston
Rev. Dr. C. A. Bartol,
Boston
Rev. Mr. Crowninshield,
West Dedham
Rev. W. H. Channing,
Boston
Rev. Mr. Dole,
Jamaica Plain
Rev. John Dwight,
Boston
Rev. Rufus Ellis,
Boston
Rev. George Ellis,
Charlestown
Rev. Wm. Everett,
Quincy
Rev. George Folsom,
Dedham
Rev. Dr. Frothingham,
Boston
Dr. Francis,
Cambridge
Dr. Furness,
Philadelphia
Rev. Mr. Guild,
Canton
Rev. Dr. Gannett,
Boston
Rev. Dr. E. E. Hale,
Boston
Rev. Dr. Huntington,
Boston
Rev. Dr. Hedge.
Brookline
Rev. Mr. Hall,
Dorchester
Rev. J. W. Hudson,
Peabody
Rev. Dr. Hill,
Waltham
Rev. G. H. Hepworth,
Boston
Rev. Mr. Jenks,
Canton
Rev. T. Starr King,
Boston
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SECOND CHURCH, ROXBURY.
Rev. Mr. Locke,
West Dedham
Rev. Mr. Lunt,
Quincy
Rev. Samuel K. Lothrop,
Boston
Rev. Dr. Lamson,
Dedham
Rev. Mr. Myrick,
Walpole
Rev. Dr. Morrison,
Milton
Rev. Dr. Noyes,
Cambridge Andover
Rev. Charles Noves,
Rev. Dr. A. P. Peabody,
Cambridge
Rev. Dr. George Putnam,
Roxbury
Rev. A. P. Putnam.
Roxbury
Rev. Dr. Pierce,
Brookline
Rev. John Pierpont,
Boston
Boston
Jamaica Plain
Rev. Chandler Robbins, Rev. Charles Sewell,
Medfield
Rev. Mr. Spaulding,
Framingham
Rev. Mr. Saltmarsh,
Canton
Rev. W. H. Savory,
Canton
Rev. Mr. Sanger,
Dover
Rev. Dr. Thompson,
Jamaica Plain
Rev. Frederick Whitney,
Rev. Dr. Young,
Brighton Boston
Rev. George Ripley, Rev. Grindell Reynolds,
Boston
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION!
1
Members of the Parish.
DEA. JOSEPH ARNOLD. A genial, sunny man, greeting you with pleasant words, fond of fun and jokes.
A bootmaker by trade, which he always worked at more or less ; at the same time he carried on a farm successfully ; a sterling citizen, his word never doubted, constant at church on Sundays, he and his worthy wife could be seen with their old white-faced horse and two-wheeled chaise trotting up to the church door for many years, and with the same turn- out he carried Mr. Parker to South Boston to preach the sermon that became so famous at Mr. Shacford's ordination. He left a large family, and some of the most worthy people are his descendants.
JOSEPH ARNOLD, Jr., one of the sterling men of the parish, with his family, were in their pew on Sundays without fail. A successful farmer, a man of the strictest integrity, "right" was his motto with- out any equivocation.
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PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
LABAN ADAMS. A retired hotel keeper of the old Lamb Tavern, Boston, now the Adams House. Opened as such by Laban and his son, W. T. Adams, and conducted by them as a temperance house for a number of years, when they sold out, the elder retiring. W. T. Adams became master of one of the Boston schools.
When at Roxbury, Laban Adams had a large farm on Lyon, now Belleview street, which he man- aged on a generous scale.
In 1839 he commenced to build a large barn, So x 40; his neighbor, Joe Billings, also commenced to build one at the same time and of the same di- mensions. One morning Mr. Adams came down to Mr. Billings' shop and said, " Joe, how big a barn are you going to build ?" The reply was So x 40. Mr. Adams went directly home and told his carpen- ters to splice three feet on to the sills, for he was determined to have a bigger barn than Joe Billings, which he did, making it 83 feet in length. Another time Mr. Adams and Mr. Cowing rode up to the shop door and called out, " Joe, look here a minute." Mr. Billings went to the door playfully, hat in hand like a boy, and took the horse by the bit. Mr. Adams understood the joke and putting his hand
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SECOND CHURCH, ROXBURY.
in his pocket, pulled out a four-penny bit and said, " here Joe ;" Mr. Cowing, seeing the joke pulled out a cent and said, "here Joe, I can't afford to give as much as Adams." Mr. Billings took the money to a jeweller and had them fastened together with a gold rivet, and carried them in his pocket a long time. The writer now has them in his possession. W. T. Adams attended school here under Masters Hyde and Basto and was a great favorite with both of them. After he left the hotel and school teach- ing he became a writer under the name of Oliver Optic, of whom most children know all about.
BENJAMIN BILLINGS. A plain, honest man, indus- trious, prudent, public spirited, he and his worthy wife, Susanna Weld, were interested in all good things in their day, and always had words of encouragement for the young. Generous wherever want appeared, active in town and parish matters, they raised a fam- ily of splendid children whom they taught to go and do likewise, and to the knowledge of the writer the children followed in the footsteps of their parents.
His business sign was " Benj. Billings, Leather Dresser and Breeches Maker," which can now be seen in the roof of an old house near Spring Street
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PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
Station. His business was tanning sheep and goat skins, making them into breeches, mittens and gloves, and dealing in wool.
LEMUEL BILLINGS. A plain, honest man, hatter by trade, and in those days that calling was not particularly successful. The writer presumes that hats then were made of good material and fashions did not change then as now. He and his worthy wife, Hannah Whiting, were good friends of the parish, their children were successful, and their grandchildren are among the best people of their time. The youngest grandson, Robert C. Billings, the parish will long remember with gratitude.
JOSEPH HENRY, son of Benjamin Billings, came upon the stage at the age of twenty years, and when his father died, he succeeded him in business at the old homestead. He was the leading friend of the parish and its ministers until the end of his life at the age of sixty-six years. Every minister found in him a true friend and enthusiastic supporter, always ready with his money and time to go forward and help in any good cause. His love for the parish and the best interests of his native town had no limits.
JOSEPH H. BILLINGS.
THE NEW YOR} PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEheX TILBEN FOUNDATIONA
37
SECOND CHURCH, ROXBURY.
He not only acted himself, but he would set all about him in motion. He cared for his wool busi- ness, was intensely fond of his land, his well-bred horses, oxen and cows. He had thirty-five acres of land, made beautiful with trees and shrubs, fruit trees and grass, and some used to say Joe would cover it every year with dollars. The writer was well aware that money was never spared when any- thing was wanting to improve this beautiful garden farm.
Mr. Billings was one whom all expected to see the most forward in every good cause. He was ex- tremely fond of all beautiful things, wherever and whatever shape they might come in.
I don't think any one addressed him in any other manner than "Joe" Billings, excepting the staid gentleman, Geo. R. Russell. He always addressed him as Mr. Billings, and none of the ministers but called him " Joe," excepting Rev. Mr. Willson, and among the younger people the writer was the only one who had the courage to address him always as Mr. Billings; with me it was nothing assumed for the occasion, for my mother drilled me to be respect- ful to my elders always.
I remember once when a little difference occurred
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PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
between Mr. Billings and some of the parishioners in regard to some management, one of the dis- satisfied ones called upon Mr. G. R. Russell to ob- tain his influence against Mr. Billings ; Mr. Russell replied to him, "Mr. Billings has always had the best interests of the parish at heart, and will as long as he lives. I shall take no part against him."
ROBERT CHARLES BILLINGS, one whom the parish will remember by his generous gift, was a boy and young man who could often be seen of a Sunday morning taking his long, awkward strides from Bos- ton to the venerable old church of his ancestors. After services he would call among old friends and return with his measured step to his Boston home. He was particularly successful as connected with one of the best merchants in Boston, Mr. Charles Faulkner, all his business life.
As a partner in the firm of Faulkner, Kimball & Co., and in his whole business life, his only care was of the books of the concern, and in that capacity he accumulated a fortune of a million and one half dollars. One day J. H. Billings was in Mr. Faulkner's office in the latter part of the sixties, and they were talking over the men who had made fortunes during
ROBERT C. BILLINGS.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
39
SECOND CHURCH, ROXBURY.
the war. Mr. Faulkner said to him, "There is Robert standing at that desk, and he has never done anything else, -- he is worth a quarter of a million dollars."
Mr. Billings and the Rev. Grindell Reynolds, when boys, entered the employ of Thomas Tar- bell & Co., Ash street, Boston. The firm was composed of Thomas Tarbell and Charles Faulkner. Upon Mr. Tarbell's retirement from the firm, along in. the forties, he said to Mr. Faulkner, "Charles, I have but one request to make to you in the make up of the new firm, and that is for you to take Robert in on a quarter interest." Mr. Faulkner replied, "I will gladly do it." And the new firm was Charles Faulkner, Mr. Kimball of Haverhill, and Robert C. Billings, under the style of Faulkner, Kimball & Co. Mr. Reynolds soon retired from the trade and studied for the ministry.
ELIAS T. BOWTHORPE. A prominent man in all parish matters, superintendent of the Sunday-school most of the time for twenty years, and helper in the singing.
BENJAMIN BROWN. A Boston business man, one of the old school gentlemen, interested in all that per-
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PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
tained to church and town affairs. He and his good wife were on the alert to do good at all times. None of the ministers ever had stauncher friends than they and no good cause more earnest advocates.
SAMUEL DEXTER BRADFORD. A retired merchant, son of one of the earlier ministers of the parish, always intensely interested in all things for its well being ; a man fitted to adorn any station in life, pub- lic or private, a gentleman of the highest order ; was a near and dear friend to every pastor of the parish ; whenever anything was wanting for their comfort let it be known to him and it was secured. He gave liberally while living and after his death the parish received ten thousand dollars. He gave one thousand dollars for the building of the parson- age, and at times spent money upon it to add to the comfort of its occupants. He was passion- ately fond of his land, horses, oxen and other fine stock. He was proud of his grass land : every year somewhere in sight of his home he would have a field of rye.
DEACON EBENEZER COREY was not a very ambi- tious man-a wheelwright by trade; at the same
BENJAMIN BROWN.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIFEY
ASTOR, LEHL TILDEN FOUNDA
41
SECOND CHURCH, ROXBURY.
time he and his excellent wife, Elizabeth Weld, did their share in good works. Aside from his trade, he owned a large tract of land and cultivated it. It used to be said that he would spend most of his rainy days and evenings at Adam Smith's, the vil. lage store keeper, hearing and imparting news. The story is told of him that one rainy day he was at the store and met the usual gathering and they called upon him for a number of treats, and they became so frequent that he went across the street to his brother- in-law Benj. Billings' shop and said, "Ben, they are imposing upon me over at Smith's, come over with me and quiet them." Mr. Billings entered into the spirit of the matter and followed him over. When he got inside and looked round, he turned to Smith and said, " Drinks for the crowd." After they had drank, he said to Smith, "Charge this to Mr. Corey," and walked out. It is enough to say that the joke had the desired effect. Mr. Billings was the direct opposite of Mr. Corey, always attend- ing strictly to business and no loafing about his premises.
During Mr. Clapp's pastorate, the question of a parsonage and its location was considered. Mrs. Corey, owning a three-acre lot adjoining the
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PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
old church lot, at once offered it to the parish to build a parsonage upon ; it was accepted and build- ings erected there.
Where the new stone church now stands, the part nearest Centre street is on the very spot that the old Corey house stood upon, and the part up Corey street is where the barn stood, with the old- fashioned cowyard on the south side; on Centre street, where the present tennis court is, was the wheelwright shop, and the farni lay back of it in- cluding Corey street, to the new street Mr. Applebee lives upon, extending over the hill to the woods be- yond. About thirty feet in front of the church there used to stand an old wooden pump in front of the old house, that supplied the premises with water.
FREDERICK CABOT, a retired Boston merchant, came here and located on the Tom Richards' farm on Lyon street, now Belleview. He was fond of his land and fine stock, a friend and attendant of the church, and an estimable citizen. In those days men had not heard of the short day mania for labor. Men used to come from Maine, New Hampshire and Ver- mont, work for a few months on the land, go home for the winter, and then come back in the spring.
SAMUEL D. BRADFORD.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
43
SECOND CHURCH, ROXBURY.
One spring a man from Maine applied to Mr. Cabot for work, and they had agreed upon wages and the number of months, then the man asked what time he should begin in the morning and what time leave off at night. Mr. Cabot replied, " Begin as soon as you can see in the morning and work until dark at night." That did not intimidate the man, he went to work and continued there a long time. Previous to 1860, a day's work meant all day long.
CORNELIUS COWING. A retired merchant, an in- timate and staunch friend of each of the pastors, a man of leisure, interested in all good works, a true friend to those in need, one who would always de- nounce wrong wherever found, one who lived a cheerful, happy life.
He was an intense lover of Theodore Parker and E. B. Willson. He was one of the early abolition- ists and lived to see his cause triumph. He was interested in the church, the schools, and for all the best interests of the town.
JUDSON CHAPIN was one of the reliable men of the parish and town. Of late years he had not been
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PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
a member of the parish; at the same time his most intimate associates were among the old church peo- ple. He was an admirer of all these worthy minis- ters and socially enjoyed much with them; was one of the selectmen and assessors of Roxbury for many years. Mr. Chapin was an old-fashioned gentleman of the strictest integrity. It used to be said of him by his associates in town affairs, that he could put more figures on to a sheet of paper than any man they ever knew. Although ever a busy man, he could spare time to go with a few of his neighbors and have a real jolly time, and many a one he has had with them, for Joe Billings would often hitch up his buck-skin tandem and with Mr. Chapin, Mr. Cowing and Theodore Parker, would drive to Squantum, have a clam chowder, a nice ride, and return home in good cheer.
JOHN DEXTER COLBURN. A walking encyclopedia, remembering people, places, and things that hap- pened in his boyhood and all through his long life. He learned his trade of Benj. Billings, afterwards a partner in the business with him, after that engaged in the same business in Dedham; afterwards engaged in the meat business in Roxbury.
CORNELIUS COWING.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX. TILDEN FOUNDATIONI
45
SECOND CHURCH, ROXBURY.
Here he and his estimable wife lived, honored and highly respected by all. They were interested in all good works, true friends of the parish, deeply interested in schools, and trained their children to become interested in all things that tended to ele- vate character.
EPHRAIM M. DUDLEY. A plain, old fashioned gentleman, a stickler for all the interests of the parish. Treasurer of it for forty-five years, town treasurer eighteen years, and collector twenty years.
ABIJAH W. DRAPER, a life long resident, son of an old Roxbury physician. A man that took a lively interest in the parish, the schools, and all that tended to the best interests of the town-a kind, sympathetic friend in sickness, and true friend in need. He did not have much of his own to give but his purpose was always carried out by prompt- ing those that had to do with. He was a happy medium between those that had and those that had not. In all charitable things he was a faithful worker. His handsome writing as parish clerk for many years is a monument to his memory.
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PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
CHARLES ELLIS. A Boston merchant, a gentle- man of high order, and a good farmer. The writer well remembers the boggy lands and sand hills of Brook farm, that he brought together and made the most fertile grass fields. He sold his farm to the Brook farm association. He and his family were deeply interested in the parish, particularly in Mr. Parker's time. All would be at church every Sun- day, both morning and afternoon. After Mr. Parker went to Boston, they followed him there mornings, and, as during the first year in Boston, he preached in Roxbury in the afternoon, they went again to hear him there. After their son Charles Mayo Ellis left college he asked Mr. Parker's advice in regard to studying law, whether it was an honest calling or not. The reply was, " As much so as any one, whatever a man's calling is depends upon what he makes it."
DEA. BENJAMIN FARRINGTON. An exceedingly quiet man, seldom spoke, never smiled. At the same time the writer once heard Theo. Parker say, " The Deacon is slow but it will always pay to wait until he speaks. He could be seen day after day, year in and year out, plodding along, his horse as moderate
JUDSON CHAPIN.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEHOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
47
SECOND CHURCH, ROXBURY.
as himself, going to and from market. He was a good farmer. No man kept his fields and hedges neater, or land more productive. Constant at church on Sundays, a good listener, and good citizen. In all his long life, he preserved and wore the old- fashioned cue. It used to be said of him that he was so slow that a pair of Dea. Arnold's custom boots would last him seven years.
HENRY S. GREW. A retired Boston merchant, came here and built a residence on the highest hill in the eastern section of the parish, and took a lively interest in all parish matters. On Sundays he and his family were sure to be in their pew, eager listen- ers during Mr. Parker's and Mr. Clapp's ministries.
CHARLES A. HEWINS. A man of unbounded kind- ness in all interests for the good of the human race. An active Boston merchant, with an interesting family, extremely fond of his land, beautifying it with anything he could get to accomplish that end. Here he lived surrounded by his happy family, enjoying all about him and loved by all that knew him to the end of his life.
JOSEPH HAY. A Boston merchant, connected with
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PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
the Whitings by marriage; used to spend the sum- mers here with his interesting family. They were all great lovers of Mr. Parker. Sundays the whole family could be seen wending their way down to the old church. They were near and intimate neighbors of the Parker's. They claimed great dis- tinction because Mr. Parker called upon them first after his return from abroad the first time.
WILLIAM KEITH. A retired Boston merchant, the handsomest man in the parish. He was greatly interested in raising fruit and grass on his thirty acres of land surrounded by Centre, Willow, Weld and Corey streets, and was successful in the man- agement of it. The gambrel-roofed house opposite the new church on Corey street was his home. When the parsonage was being talked over before build- ing, Mr. Billings said to him, " Mr. Keith, what will you give towards building a parsonage ?" The reply was, " I will give as much as Sam Bradford." Mr. Bradford was asked what he would give, the reply was one thousand dollars. Thus the parsonage was at once assured with two thousand dollars in money and three acres of land. Others contributed to carry the project right along. Mr. Keith was a
.
JOHN D. COLBURN.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEN.I TILDEN FOUNDA
SECOND CHURCH, ROXBURY. 49
member of the Roxbury Board of Aldermen a num- ber of years. He was a good friend of the parish. Sundays he and his family were sure to fill their pew in the church, and the town found him a will- ing worker in all its interests.
CHARLES H. LUNT. A busy man of affairs, but one who found time to take a deep interest in every good movement. He showed thoughtfulness for diffident young people, and those who were bur- dened with hardships were brightened by his kind manner and words of sympathy. He took great in- terest in children, and on social occasions was looked upon to be their leader. He took a deep interest also in the Sunday School and his quiet, sunny ways made him a great favorite with both old and young. Although so kind and gentle he was not the one to be trifled with, or to subject himself to imposition of any kind. He could claim for his ancestry the best among New England people. His short life was made pleasant by helping those in need. No case of want could come to his notice that would not at once enlist him in its cause. No one could do more than he for all the interests of the parish.
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PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
JOHN MAYO. Owner of the famous Brook farm before Mr. Ellis, and father of Mrs. Ellis and John Mayo, Jr. Mr. Ellis was a Boston merchant of the firm of Ellis and Mayo. Mr. Mayo was an old- fashioned farmer, also a butcher after the fashion of his time, going with his meats from house to house in his white top wagon. His two hundred acres of land, and running his meat wagon made him a
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