Standard history of Essex county, Massachusetts, embracing a history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its towns and cities. The Most historic county of America., Part 17

Author: Tracy, Cyrus M. (Cyrus Mason), 1824-1891, et al. Edited by H. Wheatland
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Boston, C. F. Jewett
Number of Pages: 450

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Standard history of Essex county, Massachusetts, embracing a history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its towns and cities. The Most historic county of America. > Part 17

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THOMAS A. BAGLEY,

Died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 28, 1864. JAMES B. BLACK, Died of disease at Fortress Monroe, Va., Aug. 30, 1864.

GEORGE W. GRANT,

Died of disease in Second Corps Hospital, Va., Sept. 7, 1861.

GEORGE A. BAILEY,

Killed at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864.

FRANKLIN HARDY, Killed at Poplar Grove Church, Va., Oct. 2, 1864.

EDWARD O'HARA, Killed at HIatcher's Run, Va., Oct. 27, 1864. CHARLES P. BARNARD,

Died of disease at Annapolis, Md., Dec. 2, 1864. JAMES MCCUSKER, Died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C., Dee. 2, 1864.

THOMAS WARDMAN, Died a prisoner at Danville, Va., Dec. 20, 1864.

JOHN MCCULLOUGH, Died of disease at Andover, Mass., Dec. 24, 1864. WALTER L. RAYMOND,

GEORGE E. HAYWARD, Died of wounds at Andover, Mass., July 24, 1865. LEONARD W. RYLEY, Died of disease at Andover, Mass., Aug. 30, 1865. LEWIS G. HATCH, Died of disease at Andover, Mass., Jan. 4, 1866. SAMUEL P. FARNHAM,

ANDREW K. PATRICK,

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Reading, with stones about it, standing on a hill known as Osgood's Hill."

The town having neglected to lay out the land and lot, for the use of the ministry, the General Court appointed the same committee, Feb. 16, 1710, to perform that duty ; and on the seventh day of November of the same year, the precinct petitioned that Mr. Barnard be directed to choose which precinct he would select. He remained in the north precinct. The town having been divided into the two parishes as above, all parochial affairs were conducted separately. The boundary line was nearly the present town line separating the towns of Andover and North Andover, and runs north-west and south- east, in very near a straight course. That portion of territory east of the line was known as the North Parish, now North Andover, that on the west, the South Parish, now Andover.

South Parish. - Immediately after the incorporation of this parish, they began to build a meeting-house, which they occupied in January, 1710. It was built " At ye Roek on the west side of Roger brook," and near the site of the present eentre school-house at the junction of School and Central streets. No definite account of the building is given, although we find " young men and maids had liberty to build seats round in the galleries on their own charge," and in " seating the meeting-house," the committee appointed for the purpose were to "aet according to their best and soundest judgment, having respect to money and age."

At a meeting held Dee. 12, 1710, "Voted unanimously, that Mr Samuel Phillips be our settled minister," and " that the precinet would pay Mr Phillips £60 in money a year while he carries on the work of the ministry among us in an unmarried state ; and when he shall see reason to marry, then to add to his salary £10 a year, so long as he shall continue in the work of the ministry among us ; " and would build a parsonage ; and that, if "it should please God to take away Mr. Phil- lips by death, and he leave a widow or children, that then the preeinet would give to his widow or children £50 and the use of the parsonage house one year."

Oct. 17, 1711, Mr. Samuel Phillips was ordained their pastor by the Rev. Thomas Barnard, of the North Parish, Mr. Edward Payson, of Rowley, Mr. Joseph Green, of Salem Village, and Mr. Thomas Symmes, of Bradford. Mr. Phillips entered upon his work immedi- ately, and labored successfully with this people for sixty years, and died June 5, 1771, aged 82 years.

On the sixth day of June, 1732, it was " voted and passed, that the precinet will build a new meeting house upon the school-house hill, known and commonly called Roger's Hill." The building was fifty- six feet long, forty-four feet wide, and thirty feet between plate and sill. Mr. Phillips preached the first sermon in this house, May 19, 1734, from 1 Chron. xxix. 13, 14. The last sermon was preached by Mr. Phillips in the old house, May 12, 1734, from John xiv. 31, " Arise, let us go hence." The following is a description of the old building, as given in the recollection of one* who was familiar with the old church, and will serve to illustrate early days in Andover : -

"It was surrounded by horse-blocks innumerable, with a dispropor- tionate number of sheds ; - for the pillion was the ladies' travelling delight, and alone or in pairs, with their husbands or fathers, they sel- dom failed to come trooping to their devotions. The church itself was a shingled mass, lofty, and, I should think containing twice the area of its successor. This, however, may be the exaggeration of my boyish faney, but it had three lofty stories, with three galleries, in the interior, always densely filled with apparently pious zeal, and earnest listeners. In the left hand gallery sat the ladies, in the right the gen- tlemen ; in the midst of them and in front sat the tything man, with his white pole, three or four cubits in length, the emblem of his dig- nity and power, and in his right hand a short hazel rod, which, ever and anon, in the midst of the sermon, to the awakening and alarm of the whole congregation, he would, with the whole force of his arm,

bring down with a ringing slap on the front of the gallery, shaking it at the same time, with a terrifie menace, at two or three urchins who were whispering or playing in a corner. In a square box in front of the pulpit sat the deacons, one of whom had pen, ink, and paper, and was carefully taking the heads of the preachers discourse, preparing documentary evidence, either that the sermon was old or its doctrines new, or consonant with the orthodox platform. In the front gallery sat the precenter, with a piteh-pipe, the token of his authority, with which, as soon as the first line of the Psalmn was read, he gave the note to the choir of both sexes, - twenty or thirty of each, - follow- ing the Deacon, reading line by line in an eestasy of harmony which none but the lovers of music realize. 'How pleased and blessed was I,' &c. The windows of this vast building were of diamond- shaped glass panes, of Rhomboid form, in length about three or four inches, in breadth, perhaps two or three. Opening like doors out- ward, these windows were loose and shackly. In the winter, when the north wind shook the vast building with uninistakable power, their rattling was often a match, and sometimes an overmateh, for the voice of the elergyman ; while the pious females in the pews, sit- ting, for the most part, on hard benches, with small muffs, and their feet only comforted with small stoves, or stockings over shoes, or heated bricks, had much ado through their suffering to keep their attention fixed, or the text in memory, and register the infinitesimal heads into which it was divided."

In 1781, "The scholars in Phillips Academy were allowed the three back seats in the lower front gallery."

The last meeting in this second meeting-house was held April 20, 1788. The last sermon was from Haggai i. 7, 8. As early as Sep- tember, 1771, the subject of building a new meeting-house was agitated ; and proposals for the division of the parish, on account of the " length of travel to the publie worship," was thoroughly discussed for several years, and, after twelve years had passed, it was deeided to build " within six or eight rods, of where the meeting house now stands." The dimensions of the new house were seventy feet long, fifty-four feet in width, " with a porch at each end and one in front of the house." It was built after the model of the one in the North Parish. The house was raised May 26 and 27, and the first meeting for worship held Dec. 7, 1788. The Rev. Jonathan French preached the sermon from John x. 22, 23.

In June, 1792, Samuel Abbot, Esq., presented the bell for the church, weighing eleven hundred pounds ; and on the 5th of March, 1812, the same person presented the clock in the tower.

The first stoves used in the church were in 1821. Previous to this time a building had been erected near by, in which people were aecus- tomed to warm themselves at noon before an open fire.

An organ was purchased by the parish in 1836. In 1832, Mrs. Mary Ballard presented them a clock for the interior of the church. A vestry was built by individuals in 1815, at the suggestion of Rev. Mr. Edwards, the church paying $300 towards finishing ; this was after- wards relinquished to the parish.

This old meeting-house served the purpose for which it was intended till 1833, when extensive alterations, amounting to $3,000, were made, the entire building remodelled, the old square pews giving way to the more modern long pews, the pulpit changed from the front to the south end, the galleries changed to correspond1, and the front porch removed ; thus things remained till, in 1860, preparations were made for a new church edifice. A new building, 109 feet long. 71 feet wide, with a spire 164 feet high, was erected in that year, which was dedi- cated Jan. 2. 1861. In this new edifice there is a basement, divided into rooms, for library, committee, and Sabbath-school rooms, con- veniently arranged. It has an andienee-room, containing 132 circu- lar pews, capable of seating 700 persons, besides a gallery on three sides, seating 200 persons. The speaker's desk stands on an elevated platform, four feet above the principal floor, and is very neat and tasty. It is lighted by brackets extending from the walls, and

* Hon. Josiah Quincy.

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

heated by furnaces placed in the basement. The same bell and clock from the old church is in the new tower. The pews are uniformly upholstered, and the house carpeted throughout. The house is of the Romanesque style of architecture, and cost about $20,000.

The following is a brief account of the pastors in Andover, in the order of settlement, and referred to above, before and after the divi- sion of the town.

The Rev. John Woodbridge was born in Stanton, Eng., in 1613. Came to New England in 1634, and took up land in Newbury. He mar- ried a daughter of Hon. Thomas Dudley, and was one of the first set- tlers of Andover, and purchased the land of the Indians. He first came with the settlers as teacher ; ordained as pastor in October, 1645. It has been said he was the first ordained minister in the county, and the second in New England. He died in March, 1695, aged 82 years.

The Rev. Francis Dane was successor of Mr. Woodbridge. He was born in England, and completed his education in this country ; but of his coming to Andover, or of his ordination, but little is known. He was ordained about 1648. His wife was Elizabeth , who died June, 1676. At an advanced age, he married the widow of George Abbott, Sr., who died June, 1711, aged 83. He died Feb. 17, 1697, aged 82 years, having had official connection with the church for forty-eight years.

The Rev. Thomas Barnard was settled as colleague with Mr. Dane for fifteen years, in 1682. He was a graduate of Harvard College, 1679. He was son of Francis Barnard, of Hadley. He died Oct. 13, 1718, aged 62 years, and in the thirty-seventh year of his ministry.

The Rev. Samuel Phillips, the first pastor of the South Parish, was son of Samuel Phillips, of Salem ; born Feb. 17, 1690. Graduate of Harvard College, 1708. Commenced preaching in this parish April 30, 1710, and was ordained Oct. 17, 1711. After graduating he taught school one year at Chebacco (now Essex), and then devoted himself to preparation for the ministry. He was considered a " worthy, learned, and pious minister," and his people were remarkably united in him. He was endowed with good powers of mind, and was a dili- gent, faithful, and useful minister." He was noted for his habits of order, industry, and economy in the management of all his affairs. He devoted a tenth of his income to pious and charitable purposes, and although his salary was small, yet he educated his family liberally and accumulated a large estate. During his pastorate, he maintained constant intimacy and friendship with the ministers of the North Parish, and was highly respected by all the ministerial brethren, and was frequently invited to preach on public occasions. His publica- tions are numerous, a large number of which were composed for his own people. At his death he left £100 as an abiding fund for the relief of indigent persons in the South Parish ; also £100 for the pious and charitable use of propagating Christian knowledge among the Indians of North America. But among the most important of all was his legacy to the parish and the world, in the lives of his children, whose names are as familiar to the people of Andover as household words. He died after a pastorate of fifty-niue years, June 5, 1771, aged 81 years.

The next pastor of the South Parish was the Rev. Jonathan French, son of Moses French, born in Braintree, Jan. 30, 1740. Hc worked on his father's farm till seventeen years of age, and then enlisted as private in the army in March, 1757, and repaired imme- diately to Fort Edward. Soon after this he was disabled by sickness and returned home in October. He was next on duty at Castle Wil- liam, in Boston Harbor, and there resolved upon a collegiate educa- tion. In this he was aided and encouraged by the chaplains, and at once began the study of the classics, and often while being rowed back and forth from Boston to the fort, he was earnestly engaged in his studies. Soon after this, he resigned the sword, and entered Har- vard College, from whence he graduated in 1771, and was in the class with Samuel Phillips, Jr., and David Osgood. Installed pastor of South Church, Sept. 23, 1772, and died July 28, 1809, aged 69 years,

at the close of a successful ministry of thirty-six years. As a preacher he was highly respectable and popular. His discourses were plain, practical, and unadorned ; his voice pleasant, strong, and piercing. He was an active and useful trustee of Phillips Academy. He assisted large numbers in their preparation for the ministry ; so that his home was really a Divinity school.

The Rev. Justin Edwards succeeded Mr. French in the pastorate of this parish. He was born in Westhampton, April 25, 1787. En- tered Williams College Oct. 8, 1807, and graduated in 1810. He was ordained pastor Dec. 2, 1812, and remained in Andover till Oct. 1, 1827. An agency for the American Temperance Society next engaged his labors, till his installation as pastor of the Salem Street Church, Boston, Jan. 1, 1828. His health failing, he resigned, and was dismissed Aug. 20, 1829. From that time he was engaged in his former labors as corresponding secretary of the society, forming societies, delivering addresses, and using his endeavors in private coun- sels to promote the cause of temperance as well as religion. On the seventh day of September, 1836, he was inaugurated president of the theological seminary at Andover, which position he held for six years, his connection with the seminary ceasing April 19, 1842. Again, he engaged in the cause of temperance for one year, and then became secretary of the American and Foreign Sabbath Union. From 1849 to his death, July 24, 1853, he was employed by the American Tract Society, in preparing a brief commentary of the Bible for popular use. The honorary degree of doctor of divinity was conferred upon him from Yale College, 1827. His publications are numerous and valua- ble. It is said that the "American Tract Society has circulated more pages from his pen than from the pen of any writer, living or dead."

" It was during the last six years of his ministry in Andover, which was the culminating period of his ability. He had then become a recognized force ; a living power felt by all the men, women, and children throughout the extended Parish."

The Rev. Milton Badger was the next pastor, who was ordained Jan. 3, 1828; born in Coventry, Conn., May 6, 1800. Graduate of Yale College, 1823. Student at Andover Theological Seminary, 1824-5. Tutor at Yale College, 1826-7. Ordained pastor, Jan. 3, 1828. Dismissed, Oct. 4, 1835. During the seven and one-half years of his ministry, it was a continuous revival, 330 persons having joined the church, most of whom were on profession.

The Rev. Lorenzo L. Langstroth, born in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 25, 1810, became the next pastor. Ordained May 11, 1836. Graduated at Yale College, 1831. Tutor in Yale College, 1834-35. Dismissed, March 30, 1839. Was principal of Abbot Female Academy one year. Removed to Greenfield, Mass., and taught high school for young ladies, and preached as stated supply for the Second Church in that town two or three of these years; afterwards installed pastor, Dec. 20, 1843. Dismissed, Feb. 15, 1848. Next established a young ladies' school in Philadelphia ; taught four years ; and, after being a stated supply at Coleraine, Mass., two years, removed to Oxford, Ohio, and became connected with a school for young ladies.

The sixth pastor was the Rev. John L. Taylor, D.D. Born in War- ren, Conn , May 20, 1811, graduated at Yale College, 1835. Was a teacher in the high school at Ellington, Conn., in 1835-1837. Tutor and student of divinity in Yale College, 1837-1839. Ordained pas- tor of Old South Church, Andover, July 18, 1839. Having been elected Treasurer of the Trustees of Phillips Academy, June 1, 1852, he requested his dismission. "In yielding to his wishes, the church deemed it but just to record their conviction that he had performed the duties of his high office with great ability, fidelity, and discretion ; and to assure him that he carried with him their confidence, respect, warm personal attachment, and Christian sympathy." He was dis- missed after a successful pastorate of thirteen years.

In 1868, Middlebury College conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity upon him.

After serving sixteen years as Treasurer, he was called to fill the

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

chair of " Smith Professor of Theology and Homileties, and Lecturer on Pastoral Theology," in Andover Theological Seminary, which po- sition he now holds.

Among his published works are : A New Year's Discourse, Jan. 5, 1851; An excellent Memoir of the Hon. Samuel Phillips, LL. D., 391 pages, in 1856 ; Inaugural Address as Smith Professor in the Special Course of the Seminary, Aug. 5, 1868 ; Commemorative Discourse on the Death of Rev. Amos Blanchard, D.D., at Lowell, Jan. 23, 1870; Memorial Discourse on the Last Sabbath of Service in Bartlett Chapel, Oct. 1, 1876. In 1858, Mr. Taylor was entrusted with the care and compilation of the Addresses and Doings of the Semi-Cen- tennial celebration of the Theological Seminary, at Andover, in 1858, besides the Memoirs of John Aiken, and the Hon. William Phillips, in the "Congregational Quarterly," &c.

The Rev. Charles Smith succeeded Dr. Taylor. He was born in Hat- field, Mass., Aug. 9, 1818 ; graduated at Amherst College in 1842 ; Andover Theological Seminary, 1845. First settled and ordained at Warren, Oct. 12, 1847; dismissed, April 13, 1852. Installed over the Old South Church, Oct. 28, 1852; dismissed, Nov. 28, 1853. Ordained pastor of the Shawmut Church, Boston, Dee. 8, 1853 ; dis- missed, Nov. 8, 1858.

The church were without a pastor for nearly two years, till June 4, 1855, when the Rev. George Mooar, of the West Parish, Andover, was invited to become their pastor, and was ordained Oct. 10, 1855. He was born May 27, 1830; fitted for college at Phillips Academy, graduated at Williams College, 1851. Tanght school one year ; pur- sned his theological studies at Andover, and graduated 1855. Dis- missed, and removed to Oakland, Cal., in 1861; and also Professor in Pacific Theological Seminary.

The next pastor was the Rev. Charles Smith, before mentioned, who was recalled, and settled in December, 1861, and continued about fifteen years. Dismissed, and now resides in Andover.

The Rev. James H. Laird is the present pastor. Ordained in 1877. West Parish. - This parish had its origin in the Old South Church of Andover, in consequence of the Old South Society being too large for the labors of one pastor. The South Parish " voted, Feb. 6, 1826, to build a house of worship on the west side of the Shawsheen River."

On the 12th of March following, they reconsidered the vote, and " Voted, that should the people on the west side of the Shawsheen River erect a meeting house at their own expense, they have the cor- dial approbation of the Parish." The meeting-house was then built by private enterprise, in shares. The corner-stone was laid June 15, 1826, and it was dedicated Dec. 26, 1826. The dedicatory address was preached by the Rev. Dr. Edwards, of the Old South Church. The house was built of stone from the quarries near by, and was sixty-four feet long, fifty-two feet wide, and twenty-five feet high, costing nearly six thousand dollars ; and contained ninety-eight pews, and a seating capacity for more than six hundred people. The first Sabbath service was held Dec. 31, 1826.

On the twenty-eighth day of November, 1826, fifty-six members, principally from the Old South Church, received dismission, and were organized into a new church under the name of " West Church of Andover." The services on that occasion were held in the old church, where a sermon was preached by the Rev. Samuel Stearns, of Bedford, and the church was founded upon a purely evangelical faith.

When the new meeting-house was completed, application was made to the General Court, to divide the parish, and define its limits. The Legislature of 1827 incorporated them within the following bounds : " Beginning near the Tewksbury line, it runs near Mr. Aaron Frost's, thenee northerly to the hop-kiln, near Lieut. Peter French's; thence north-eastwardly, to a white-oak tree, standing on land of David Baker, near the road leading from Holt's Bridge, so called, to Capt. Solo- mon Holt's ; thence north-eastwardly, to the corner of the road leading from Mr. E. L. Herrick's to the paper-mill ; thence by said road, to

the bridge crossing the Shawsheen River at the paper-mill ; thence by said river to the North Parish Bounds."

The parish includes the following school districts ; viz., Bailey, Osgood, Abbot, West Centre, Frye, and North Districts.

At the time of its organization, this parish contained a population of 870 persons, divided into 158 families.

There has always been the most perfect union between the " Old South Church " and this West Church.

A portion of the ministerial fund has been paid yearly to the new church since its organization.

Pastors in the West Parish. - The Rev. Samuel Cram Jackson, D.D., the first pastor of the West Church, was born March 13, 1802, in Dorset, Vt. Fitted for college with his father, the Rev. William Jackson, D.D., one of the founders of the American Educational So- ciety. Graduated at Middlebury College, 1821. Studied law with Hon. Richard Skinner, at Manchester, N. H., 1821-1822 ; Yale Col- lege Law School, 1822-1823. Entered Andover Theological Semi- nary in 1823, graduating in 1826. Received a call to settle as pastor of the West Church, Apr. 3, 1827, and was ordained June 6, 1827, the Rev. Moses Stuart preaching the ordination sermon, from 2 Tim. ii. 15, where he remained a successful, devoted pastor, till 1849, when he was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education, and Assistant Librarian of the State Library. He con- tinued in that position till 1876, when ill-health compelled him to re- sign. He was sueeceded by the Hon. Oliver Warner. Dr. Jackson was the first person who held that position, and his acquaintance was ex- tensive throughout the country. On the seventh day of January, 1843, he preached the famous annual election sermon before the governor, and both branches of the Massachusetts Legislature, which caused consider- able discussion as to its meaning. It was, however, an able sermon, entitled, "Religious Principle a Source of Prosperity." In 1849, his alma mater conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity upon him. He was, at his death, one of the Trustees of the Audover Theological Seminary, and Phillips Academy, having been chosen in 1847. He was also, for many years, a director of the " American Education Society."

For several years previous to his death, he was in feeble health, and had travelled South, during his pastorate of twenty-two years, and since.

He died highly respected by all who knew him, and, during his settlement as a pastor, his relations with the ministerial brethren in the vicinity of his labors were of the most cordial and friendly char- acter. He died July 26, 1878, of paralysis.

Among his published sermons are, his annual sermon, Dee. 30, 1827, on " The Blessings of the Year ; " a temperanee sermou, entitled, "License Law Vindicated," delivered Nov. 28, 1839; Funeral Ser- mon on the Death of the Rev. Sylvester G. Pierce, of Methuen, Mass., May, 1839.

The Rev. Charles Henry Peirce, the second pastor, was born in Peru, Mass., Nov. 29, 1822. Graduated at Oberlin College, Ohio, in 1845. Taught two years, and then pursued his theological studies at Andover Seminary, graduating in 1850. He was installed as pastor, Oct. 9, 1850, the Rev. Mr. Towne, of Lowell, preaching the sermon. After preaching here about five years, he removed to Illinois, in July, 1855. Settled in Kewanee, Henry County, where he engaged in organizing a church, and building a house of worship, where he remained three years, preaching a short time at Neponset, Bureau County ; and, March 1, 1860, removed to Knoxville, remaining eighteen months. Installed over the Second Congregational Church, in Millbury, Mass., Oct. 22, 1862, where he died, Oct. 5, 1865, greatly beloved by a large circle of friends, and esteemed by all for his manly and kind qualities and liberality of spirit, and his ability as a preacher.

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Standard history of Essex county, Massachusetts, embracing a history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its towns and cities. The Most historic county of America., Part 17

Author: Tracy, Cyrus M. (Cyrus Mason), 1824-1891, et al. Edited by H. Wheatland Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Boston, C. F. Jewett Number of Pages: 450

Author: Tracy, Cyrus M. (Cyrus Mason), 1824-1891, et al. Edited by H. Wheatland
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Boston, C. F. Jewett
Number of Pages: 450