USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > The history of Haverhill, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1640, to the year 1860 > Part 56
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Deacon John Mash
Martha Emerson wife of Joseph Benjamin Stanly (of Boxford) "
From the death of Rev. Mr. Rolfe, in 1708, to April 8th, 1711, therc were no admissions to the church. During Mr. Gardner's ministry, forty- eight were admitted ; upward of one hundred and fifty baptized; and seventeen owned the covenant. Mr. Gardner died March 21, 1715. He is mentioned as eminently distinguished for piety in very early life. At the age of thirteen, he became a hopeful subject of divine grace, and soon after began to prepare himself to preach the gospel. He entered college at sixteen, and graduated at twenty ; endearing himself to all who knew him by his correct habits and amiable deportment, and distinguishing him- self as a scholar and a christian. He commenced preaching at twenty-one, was ordained at twenty-three, and died at the carly age of twenty-eight years.
After the death of Mr. Gardner, the church and society seem to have had considerable difficulty in their choice of a new candidate, and it was
Mary Cop ye wife of Aaron Cop
Widow Sarah Page
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upward of four years before another pastor was settled. During this time, there were thirty admissions to the church.
The only record of a regular church meeting held during this period, which is now preserved, is dated May 10, 1717,9 when the thanks of the church were voted to Rev. Joseph Parsons for his " labors with us hitherto in the work of ye ministry ; " and he was unanimously " made choice of to be their settled minister." The deacons at this time were John White and John Haseltinc .¡
Rev. John Brown was ordained May 13, 1719, and continued with his charge until his death, in 1742. During his ministry, four hundred and thirty-eight persons were admitted to the church, (thirty-two by dismission from other churches) ; fifty-eight adults, and one thousand and seventy-six children were baptized; and three hundred and sixteen owned the covenant.
That Mr. Brown was faithful in the discharge of his ministerial duties, the remarkable success attending his labors sufficiently testifies. Soon after his settlement, an extensive religious revival commenced among his flock, resulting in sixty-five hopeful conversions. Large accessions to the church were frequently witnessed during his ministry. In November, 1727, fifty-four persons were admitted, and in the following month fifty- six ; making the large number of one hundred and ten, in two short months.
In October, 17.29, twenty-five members of the church, residents in that part of Methuen now Salem, N. H., were dismissed, for the purpose of joining in the formation of a church at that place. And in November, 1730, a similar request was made by forty-six members, " for the purpose of uniting in a church state in the North Precinct," -- which was granted.
This brings us to the first division of the town into Precincts or Par- ishes, each of which will now be noticed, in chronological order. The subsequent divisions of the parishes into several religious societies, will be noticed in the same order.
* This is, in fact, the earliest record we find preserved of any church meeting in the town ; - unless we consider the mere entry of names and dates of admissions to the church as records of such meetings. After this, we find no similar record, until January 11th, 1720-21, from which latter date we have a reg- ular entry of the proceedings at the church meetings.
t In January, 1720-21, the above named desired to be dismissed from service as deacons; the former pleading as excuse, " his business in the affairs of State," and the latter, "his age and infirmities." John Mash and James Ayer were chosen in their stead. In February, 1727-8, Win. White and Daniel Little were chosen, and in January, 1737-8, Nicholas White and David Marsh were chosen to the same oflice.
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THE FIRST PARISII.
By the erection of the northerly part of the town into a separate par- ish, in 1728, the rest of the town became, as a matter of course, also a distinet parish. From this time forward, strictly parish business was transferred from the town to the parish meeting. The two precincts were designated as the " North Parish," and the " South," or " Old" Parish. Still later, the last named was called the " First " Parish, by which name the legal successor of the first church and society in the town is still known.
The first regular parish meeting of the latter, was held November 24th, 1729, by virtue of a warrant from Richard Saltonstall, Justice. Captain Joshua Bayley was chosen moderator, and John Eaton, Clerk. From this time, parish meetings were held regularly.
In March, 1730-1, the parish voted to " give to ye Revd Mr Brown ye timber of the forte yt is about his house, to dispouse of it as he pleaseth." This is the last notice we find of the old fort, or any other means of defence against the Indians.
In November, 1731, petitions were received from persons in the easterly part of the town, and from others in the westerly part, praying " that there might be some money raised by ye parish yt they might hire a min- ister to preach to ym in ye winter seson, wn bad Traviling,"- but the requests were refused.
In 1732, the parish enlarged the burying place, by purchasing half-an- acre of land adjoining it.
The health of Mr. Brown, which had been gradually failing for some time, had become so poor, that, in December, 1733, the parish voted to hire another minister " to assist Mr. Brown for three months this winter." The easterly and westerly parts of the town seem to have improved the above opportunity to again press their own claims, as we find that at the first meeting called to see about an assistant for Mr. Brown, " consid- erable discourse," and " some hard words," passed, but no vote was taken; while at the next meeting, the vote to hire such an assistant was immedi- ately followed by votes to procure, and raise money to pay, ministers for each of the above named sections, for the winter following.
The success of the two wings of the parish, in securing a minister in each, was undoubtedly gratifying to them, and prepared them for request- ing still larger favors. We are not, therefore, surprised to find, that, in the following February, propositions were made to divide the Old Parish into three distinct parishes, and to build two new meeting-houses ; one near
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the house of Nathaniel Merrill, Jr., and the other near that of Richard Hazzen. It was also proposed to set off to Amesbury West Parish, those living near the Amesbury line, and to the North Parish, those who could most conveniently attend worship at that parish. All these propositions were negatived.
Four weeks later, a vote was passed to set off those living cast of a line from Elisha Davis' to the "pond bridge," and so on by the brook to the North Parish Line, into a new parish. The vote was, however, dissented to by twenty-two persons living within the bounds of the proposed new parish." Then, after " great Debat," and " some hard words," a commit- tee was chosen to set off a parish " at the west end of the old or south parish." The bounds of the latter were not settled until some time after- ward, - being several years in dispute.
We have already mentioned, that Rev. Mr. Brown was a person of weak physical constitution. Even as early as 1720, he was for several months unable to preach, and the town provided a substitute. In 1733, he was in a "weak state of health," and from this time until 1742, his parish were yearly obliged to provide for the supply of the pulpit for weeks, and sometimes for months at a time. Consumption at last triumphed, and, on the 2nd of December, 1742, this faithful pastor fell asleep in the arms of his mother earth. After his death, the parish voted to raise one hundred pounds, old tenor, to defray the expenses of his funeral, which was to be delivered to " Madam Brown, to be used at her discretion."
Soon after the death of Mr. Brown, an invitation to settle was extended to the Rev. Edward Barnard, which was accepted, and he was ordained on the 16th of April following.t
The salary of Mr. Barnard, was fixed at one hundred ounces of silver, or its equivalent, annually, together with the use of all the parsonage land and buildings, except one lot near the river; and also " a reasonable sup- port & maintainance when by ye providence of God he shall be disabled from ye work of ye ministry, so long as he remains our minister."
The first church bell in the town, was purchased by this parish, in 1748. It was imported from London expressly for them, and, judging from the records, its purchase and proper " Hanging" must have been a prolific theme for town talk. It was finally " voted to Hang the Bell on the top of the Meeting house, and Build a proper place for that purpose ; "
" Although the easterly part of the Old Parish was, by the above vote, set off, it was not legally in- corporated into a separate parish until 1743. For a further account of its incorporation, see chapter xx. " April 16, 1743. Great Snow Storm, eleven inches on a level. Rev. Barnard Ordained."-Dr. Bayley's Journal.
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and " to Raise one Hundred pounds old tenor towards defraying the Charges of building the Steple, and Hanging the Bell." The belfry was built on the ridge of the meeting-house, and the bell-rope descended to the broad aisle. It was voted " to Ring the Bell at one of the clock every day and at nine every night and on Sabbaths and Lectures." The first bell-man, was Samuel Knowlton.º
The old meeting-house having become too small for the parish, the sub- ject of a new one began to be agitated in 1761. The house was, withal, so much decayed, that the bell could not be rung with safety, and it was therefore taken down, and hung ou two pieces of timber placed crosswise at the top, on the hill, near the parsonage house. It was not fully decided to build a new house until 1765. For this purpose an appropriation of three hundred pounds was voted, to be paid in lumber. The dimensions of the new house were ordered not to exceed sixty-six feet in length, and forty-eight feet in breadth. It was erected, and mostly finished, in 1766. The whole of the ground floor (excepting the aisles) was occupied by pews, which were built by the parish, appraised by a committee, and sold at auction. The " men's seats," and the " women's seats," were therefore, from this time forward, confined to the galleries.
The house was located on the common, about midway between Main and Winter Streets, a little north of the foot of Pleasant Street, with the prin- cipal end to the northeast- or directly across the common. It remained standing until 1837, when it was taken down. It was set, when built, " at the northerly side of the old meeting-house, as near to it as may be convenient." It was surmounted with a steeple, at the easterly end. Though but three hundred pounds were appropriated for building it, yet we find, from a petition of Isaac Osgood, and others, to the General Court, in February, 1768, that more than one thousand were expended on it. +
In 1764, the parish voted " that the version of Psalms by Tate & Brady with the largest impression of Dr Watts Hymns be sung in public in this parish."#
The first intimation we find in the parish records, of Baptists in town, is under the date of January, 1765, when a warrant was issued by John Brown, a justice of the peace, for a parish meeting, " to see if the parish
" After him, John Whiting performed the responsible duties of bell-man. Upon the death of the latter, his widow took his place, and had charge of the bell and the meeting-house for many years. She died in 1795, in the 100th year of her age.
t A new parsonage house was erceted in 1773, "near the old one."
# In 1769, some alterations were voted to be made in the front gallery, "for a conveniency of singing.". In 1775, the parish voted "to omit the reading of the Psalms to be sung in Public Worship."
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will vote that any ordained or gospel minister shall or may preach in said meeting-house at any time when it does not interfere with the Rev Mr Barnard's Public Exercises."" The parish refused to grant such permis- sion.
Though the Baptists are not mentioned by name at this time, it is cor- tain that they were the persons who made the request. We first find them referred to as " Baptists," in 1770, when the parish chose a committee " to agree and settle with those persons that have brought certificates from the Baptist church for the time past." The next year, "it was put to vote whether the parish would excuse the Baptists from paying rates for the time past, and it past in the negative." It was then " voted that the several Collectors in this parish be advised not to take Distress on the Bap- tists for their rates for two months from this time, but if there be no agreement between sd baptists and the parishes Comtec within sd two months then sd Comtee shall advise sd Collectors and point out to them what persons upon whom they are to take Distress."
Among those whose goods were taken by distress, to pay their parish taxes, was John White, who thereupon commenced a suit against the col- lector, to recover. The parish defended their officer, and recovered judg- ment against Mr. White. The right of the parish to tax all who resided within its limits for the support of the "regular " ministry, having been thus established, a compromise appears to have been made between the parish and those who gave in certificates that they were of the Baptist denomination, by which the latter were eased of a part of their burden. ;
In 1774, the parish were again called to mourn the death of a beloved pastor. In January, Mr. Barnard was gathered to his last resting-place. His disease was paralysis.
Rev. Edward Barnard was a son of Rev. John Barnard, of Andover, and grandson of Rev. Thomas Barnard, of the same place. All of them graduated at Harvard College - the first named, in 1736. Mr. Barnard was ordained in 1743, and died January 26, 1774, aged fifty-four years, after a successful ministry of thirty-one years. During this period he baptized nine hundred and eight persons ;} married two hundred and
" The warrant declares, that "whereas Samuel White, Timothy White, James Duncan, William Green- leaf, John White, Daniel Appleton, Dudley Lad, Benj Mooers, with upwards of thirty others," had ap- plied in writing, and showed that they, together with others, had previously applied to the parish committee to call such a meeting, but had been refused ; therefore the warrant was issued.
+ In June, 1774, an act was passed, exempting Quakers, and Baptists, or Antipedobaptists, from all taxation to other denominations. They were simply required to file a certificate from the proper officers of their own denomination, to the effect that they were members thereof, and paid taxes accordingly.
# Between the death of Mr. Brown, and the settlement of Mr. Barnard, seven children were baptized by various ministers.
70
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eleven couples; and ninety-four were admitted to the church (eighteen by' dismission). The number who owned the covenant, was ninety-six. Mr. Barnard is everywhere spoken of as a man of distinction and real worth. His style was flowing, his language elegant, and his sermons correct and finished compositions. As a pulpit orator, he was deservedly popular. His sermons were instructive, plain, and practical. As a companion, he was social and undisguised ; as a scholar, inquisitive and general; and as a pastor, watchful, affectionate, and unwearied. In his temper, he was uniform ; in his affections, benevolent; and, in his religion, exemplary. Those who knew him best, loved him most. Several of his sermons were published, and it was at one time proposed to publish a volume of them, but, on the breaking out of the Revolution, the design was abandoned.
In his theological views, Mr. Barnard was ranked with the Arminians ; with Dr. Webster, of Salisbury, Dr. Tucker, of Newbury, Dr. Symmes, of Andover, Mr. Balch, of Bradford, and others.
" These elergymen and others, seventy or eighty years ago," says Brad- ford, " gradually departed from the Calvinistic system, and forbore to urge or to profess its peculiar tenets, although they did not so expressly and zealously oppose them as many have done in later times. They also omitted to press the Athanasian creed, or to use the Trinitarian doxology ; but preferred scripture expressions on these disputed points. They did not insist, as a preliminary to the ordination of a young man to the chris- tian ministry, on his professing a belief of the Trinity, or of the five points of Calvinism. They required a declaration of faith in the Bible, and a promise to make that the standard and guide of their preaching. But a belief in Jesus Christ as the true Messiah, the only Mediator and Re- decmer, and the pardon of sin, on repentance, by divine grace, was con- sidered as necessary by this class of theologians as well as by those who received the tenets of the Calvinistic system. They held christian fellow- ship with each other for some years ; but the difference of sentiments has produced an alienation between them, much to be regretted by the truc spiritual christian."
During the year 1765, and the remaining period of Mr. Barnard's life, repeated applications were made by individual members of his church, for a dismission, and a recommendation to the Baptist church, then estab- lished in the parish. This was peculiarly calculated to embitter and becloud the closing years of his life, and caused divisions in his church and society. He was accused of " not preaching the gospel; " of " not being converted; " and many other "hard and grevious " things. But when, -thirty years after his ordination, and a few months before his
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death, - he looked back over these "years of temptation, provocation and reproach," he gratefully acknowledges that " God was pleased to throw in a balance by the attachment of those to his person and ministry, whose sentiments and regards are most to be valued; " and he declares, " Noth- ing has been delivered by me that I would not venture my own soul upon."
After his death, the parish met, and chose a committee to take charge of his funeral ; and subsequently, they voted to erect a monument over his grave. This is a large slab, resting upon four pillars, with the follow- ing inscription :
" Beneath are the remains of the Rev. Edward Barnard, A. M. pastor of the first church in this town, who died Jan. 26, 1774, in the 54th year of his age and 31st of his ministry. In him were united the good scholar, the great divine, and exemplary christian and minister. His un- derstanding was excellent, judgment exact, and imagination lively, and invention fruitful ; eminently a man of prayer ; as a preacher, cqualled by few, excelled by none ; indefatigable in the discharge of his ministerial duty, and possessing the most tender concern for the happiness of those committed to his charge. His piety was rational, disposition benevolent, of approved integrity, consummate prudence, great modesty and simpli- city of manners. He was a kind husband, tender parent, faithful friend, and agreeable companion. His life was irreproachable, and death greatly lamented by all who knew his worth. Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
His grateful flock have erected this monument, as a testimony of their affection and respect for his memory."
After the death of Mr. Barnard, the parish were without a settled min- ister for upward of three years, when Rev. John Shaw accepted an invi-
· Rev. Benjamin Parker preached soon after, as one of his bearers, (1) and the Salem Gazette thns notiees it : " We have just heard from Haverhill, that the Rev. Mr. Parker, having preached as a bearer to the Rev. Mr. Barnard, deceased, the people of Mr. B's parish requested a copy of his sermon for the press ; and a number of gentlemen therein were pleased, at the same time, to make him a present of a very handsome suit of clothes. The promoter and encourager of said affair has also presented him with a new wig." (2)
(1) The custom then was, for the neighboring ministers to act as pall-bearers, when one of their num- ber died, and immediately afterward to supply the vacant pulpit one Sabbath each. The number of bearers on such occasions was usually eight.
(2) The parish also generously allowed Mrs. Barnard the free nse of the parsonage honse, together with a part of the land, and pasturage for a cow, until the settlement of another minister, three years afterward.
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tation, and was ordained March 12th, 1777.º His salary was £100 yearly, and the use of the parsonage.
In the same year, the burying ground in the parish was again enlarged, by the gift of a piece of land from Colonel Joseph Badger.
In 1790, and subsequently, the parish meeting-house is designated in the parish warrants as " the Congregational meeting-house in said parish."
Many of our readers will remember that the seats in the large, square, pen-like pews of the old meeting-houses, were hung on hinges, and were usually turned up in " prayer time," to allow the occupants a chance to lean against the high railing, for support, during the long prayers. And they will also remember the artillery-like explosions which always followed their turning down at the close of the prayer. They will therefore appre- ciate the rebuke contained in the following vote, passed in 1791 : " Voted that Coll James Brickett, Deacon Joseph Dodge, and Doct Saltonstall be a Committee to speak to the Revd Mr Shaw that he would speak at some Convenent Season unto the Peopel that they would Let their Seats Down without Such Nois."
In the same year, " a pew for the women to sing " was built in the gal- lery of the meeting-house ; and it was voted " that the Company of Singers should choose such Persons among them Selves to Lead in the Musick and Regulate the same as they shall think proper."
After a ministry of almost eighteen years, Rev. Mr. Shaw died, very suddenly, September 29, 1794, aged forty-eight. The day before his death, he preached as usual, and was apparently in good health. The next morning he was a corpse.t
Mr. Shaw was a son of the Rev. John Shaw, of Bridgewater. He grad- uated at Harvard College, in 1772. His widow married Rev. Stephen Peabody, of Atkinson. She was the sister of the wife of John Adams, and greatly respected for her piety and domestic virtues. Mr. Shaw is described in his epitaph, as " A bright example of benevolence, meekness, patience and charity ; an able advocate of the religion he professed, and a faithful servant of the God he worshipped."
In his system of religious faith, Mr. Shaw was Calvinistie ; in his preaching, evangelical ; in temper, mild and forgiving; and hospitable
" Mirick says, that the reason why another minister was not settled sooner, was on account of the "great dissensions," and " the strong excitement which existed " in the parish; but we have been unable to find evidence of either in the records. During this interim, but four preached as candidates, two of whom received invitations to settle, and a third was desired to preach longer.
" The parish subsequently erected suitable monumental stones to his memory. Mr. Shaw had one son, William Smith Shaw, who died unmarried, in Boston ; and one daughter, Abigail, who married Rev. Joseph B. Felt, of Hamilton -now of Boston.
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and benevolent to all with whom he had intercourse. As a man, a chris- tian, and a minister, he possessed the entire confidence of his church and society. During his ministry, he baptized one hundred and sixty-three children ;" married one hundred and seven couples ; fifteen persons owned the covenant, and fifteen were admitted to the church.
After Mr. Shaw's death, the society were destitute of a regular minis- try about ten months, when the church and parish, unanimously, invited the Rev. Abiel Abbot to settle with them. The invitation was accepted, and Mr. Abbot was ordained June 3d, 1795. His salary was £110 per annum, with the use of the parsonage house and lands.
Rev. Abiel Abbot, D.D., was born in Andover, Mass., August 17, 1770, and was a son of Captain John Abbot, of that town. His preparatory studies were pursued at Phillips Academy, under the direction of the cele- brated Dr. Pemberton, during which time he occupied the front rank in his class. He entered Harvard University in 1788, and passing through his collegiate course with high reputation as a scholar, was graduated in 1792 with distinguished honors. The subsequent year he spent as assist- ant to his brother in Exeter Academy ; and the greater part of the year following, as principal of the Academy at Andover. During this time, he pursued his theological studies with Rev. Jonathan French. In 1794, he commenced preaching at Haverhill, and having accepted a unanimous call, was ordained pastor of the First Congregational Church in this town, June 3d, 1795.
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