USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > The history of Haverhill, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1640, to the year 1860 > Part 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
His ministry here was harmonious and successful, and when, in 1803, he felt it his duty to ask a dismission, he received from the church and society the most ample testimonials of unabated love and respect.
The cause which induced Mr. Abbot to ask for a dismission, was the inadequateness of his salary. He requested the parish to make an addi- tion of $200 per annum. As the parish did not feel able to grant his request, and he was led to believe that such a course was his duty, he ap- plied for and received an honorable dismission.
Application for his services was soon after made by the first parish, in Beverly, where he was installed December 14, 1803. Here he ministered with success, and with little interruption, until 1818, when failing health, and the advice of physicians, induced him to spend a few months in a Southern State. He returned in 1819, with health improved, and contin- ued his professional labors with diligence until 1827, when he again sought a milder climate, and passed the winter in Cuba. In the following May,
· Between the death of Mr. Barnard and the settlement of Mr. Shaw, twenty children were baptized.
558
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
with high hopes of restored health, he embarked for Charleston, S. C. He arrived on Saturday, preached on the following Sabbath, and the next day embarked for New York. On Tuesday he was taken ill, and as the vessel was coming to anchor at Staten Island, on the following Saturday, he breathed his last, and was interred at that place. Thus, in the 24th year of his ministry, and the 57th year of his age, was taken to his rest an elo- quent, learned, affectionate and faithful minister.
Dr. Abbot was married in 1796, to Miss Eunice, eldest daughter of Ebenezer Wales, Esq., of Dorchester. He left, at his death, a widow, two sons, and five daughters.
In the commencement of his ministry, Mr. Abbot entertained a belief in the Trinity, but on this subject his views altered, and the fundamental principles of Unitarian belief became the objects of his decided conviction. During his ministry forty-nine were admitted into the church, and one hundred and twenty received baptism.
The dissolution of Mr. Abbot's connexion with the parish, was followed by five years and six months, in which the church and society were desti- tute of a regular pastor. Finally, in October, 1808, Rev. Joshua Dodge received an invitation to the pastoral office, which he accepted, and he was ordained the 21st of the December following.
Mr. Dodge's salary was $500 per annum, and the use of the parsonage, and if he should " be rendered unable to supply the Desk," he was still to have the use of the parsonage, and $200 per annum, so long as he con- tinucd minister of the parish.
In 1809, the parish petitioned the General Court for permission to sell a part of the parsonage land "on the principal street," for house-lots, on condition that the proceeds should " be kept forever as a Fund, the inter- est or income of which shall be appropriated, exclusively, for the support of the minister, or his successors in said parish ; & be managed by Trustees." The request was granted, and seventeen hundred dollars' worth of lots were sold immediately."
In the winter of 1812-13, a stove was " erected in the meeting house," by private subscription. It was placed in the pew of Mr. John Dow. For some reason, the stove did not answer expectations, and, in 1815, it was " disposed of." Artificial heat was not again resorted to until 1821, when two " elegant stoves " were presented to the parish, by Moses B. Moody, Esq.
In 1820, the fund had increased to $3809.91. In 1827, it was $4509.91.
659
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
In 1822, Mr. Moody bequeathed to the " First Congregational Society," the munificent sum of three thousand dollars, which was to be paid them on the deceaso of his mother.
In 1827, the parish voted to charge the town $30 per year for the use of the meeting-house for town meetings. This appears to be the first charge of the kind ; but as the parish had already furnished the town with a place for their meetings, without any fee, for ninety-eight years, we cannot well charge them with mercenary motives in the matter.
In May, 1827, Rev. Mr. Dodge asked for a dismission from the church and society, which was granted.
Rev. Joshua Dodge was born in Hamilton, Mass., September 22, 1779. He received his preparatory education at Atkinson Academy, and graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1806. He entered upon a course of study for the ministry soon after leaving college, with Rev. A.biel Abbot, then of Beverly. Mr. Dodge baptized about one hundred and thirty during his ministry here, and about eighty were admitted to the church.
Soon after he left Haverhill, Mr. Dodge was settled in Moultonborough, N. H., as colleague with the venerable Mr. Shaw, where he remained a useful pastor for about twenty years.
It is with feelings of sadness that we add, that, a few years since, un- mistakable symptoms of insanity compelled Mr. Dodge to withdraw entirely from pastoral labors and responsibilities. He died at the Insane Asylum, at Concord. N. H., in March, 1861, aged 81 years.
In the November following the dismission of Mr. Dodge, a call was ex- tended to Rev. "Dudley Phelps, of Andover, which was accepted, and he was ordained on the 9th of January, 1828. His salary was fixed at $700 per annum. º
About this time, troubles broke out in the church and society, which finally led to a division and separation. As we have already seen, Rev. Mr. Barnard in later life gradually receded from Trinitarianism, and his succes- sor, Rev. Mr. Abbot, was classed as a Unitarian, and it appears that a large number of the society, though not a majority, entertained similar opinions. But with such prudence and moderation had pastors and people managed the affairs of church and parish, that all had, previous to the settlement of Mr. Phelps, lived and worshipped together in comparative harmony. Mr. Phelps (who was a graduate of Yale College, of the class of 1824, and of Ando- ver Theological Seminary, in 1827) was, in respect to scholarship and
The use of the parsonage house and land, was not included; a large part of the land having already been sold, and the proceeds funded. The house was soon after, (1831) purchased by Dr. Moses Nichols; and is still occupied by him.
560
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
talent, much above the average. In his religious opinions he was strongly orthodox, and he preached them in a very decided and uncompromising manner. He also entered early and with zeal into the temperance and anti-slavery movements, and though admirably fitted for a reformer, by his firm and bold temperament, and his persevering energy, yet these qual- ities did not so well serve to promote the work of conciliating and harmo- nizing a society holding adverse and conflicting sentiments. In private intercourse, Mr. Phelps is said to have been eminently social, genial, and generous, and even playful and humorous ; but in the pulpit, his indepen- dence and plainness of speech often approached to bluntness, and severity. It is not, therefore, strange, that his preaching should have separated still more widely, rather than have harmonized, these conflicting elements in his church and society.
In the warrant for the annual parish meeting for 1830, we find an arti- cle " to see if the Parish will vote to dismiss the Rev. Mr. Phelps from the pastoral charge of said Parish." The vote upon this article was in- definite postponement.
Finding that their numbers were then insufficient to effect his re- moval, the opponents of Mr. Phelps took measures to increase them. It was, at that time, the law, that every person must belong to some religious society in his town, and was liable to be taxed to support such society ; and those residents of a parish who were not duly enrolled as members of some other society, were, in the law, considered as members of the oldest, or parish society.
This will explain the fact that soon after the difficulties alluded to com- menced, we first find the names of persons entered on the parish books as having " become a member of the parish. Eighteen such are recorded in 1831.
September 13, 1832, another attempt was made to " dissolve the con- nection between Rev. Mr. Phelps and the Parish," but it was defeated by a majority of thirteen votes. Two months later, (November 8, 1832) the proposition was again made, and carried in the affirmative. It is an inter- esting fact connected with this sudden change of majorities, that between the last two dates, seventeen new members were added to the Parish - all of whom were Universalists.
" It was a part of the agreement between Mr. Phelps and the parish, " that at any time it should be thought expedient, at a Legall meeting, warned for the purpose, to dissolve the connexion between the Pastor and parish, a majority of the legal Voters present concurring, it shall be dissolved, giving him three months notice he having the same privilidge to ask a dismission."
561
HISTORY OF HAVERITILL.
Finding themselves in a minority, the Orthodox members soon after withdrew, and united in forming the "Independent Congregational Society," -- since called the " Centre Congregational Society."
At the next annual parish meeting, a Unitarian committee was chosen to supply the parish pulpit. Three months later, a meeting was called to see if the parish would extend a call to Rev. Andrew P. Peabody (Uni- tarian) to settle with them. This proposition was indefinitely postponed ; and an addition of four (three of them Universalists) was made to the committee for supplying the pulpit. Upon this, the previous members re- signed, and the meeting dissolved. A majority of the committee were now Universalists and the pulpit was supplied accordingly. September 30th, (1833) a meeting was called to see if the parish would extend an invita- tion to settle to Rev. J. H. Bugbec (Universalist). Upon this, a proposi- tion was made and inserted in the same warrant, to divide the funds of the parish "equally between the several religious societies within the terri- torial limits of the First Parish ; " and thereupon sufficient aid was called in to indefinitely postpone the proposition to settle Mr. Bugbee, and also to pass votes to divide the funds as preposed, and to choose a commit- tee to report a plan for doing it.
December 2d, the committee submitted a report, recommending a peti- tion to the General Court for a repeal or amendment of the Resolve of 1800, establishing a Parish Fund, and of the Act of 1823, relating to the management of the Fund, so as to allow the parish to make the proper division.
The report was accepted, a vote passed to divide the funds "among the various religious societies within the limits of said parish," and a petition presented to the General Court agrecably to the recommendation of the committee.
April 2, 1834, a parish meeting was called, " to see if the Parish will request the Rev. Joseph Whittlesey to settle with them as their minister and Pastor, for one year or more." Mr. Whittlesey was then, and had been for above seven months, settled as pastor of the " Independent Con- gregational Society." The apparent strangeness of the proposition is, however, explained by the fact that negotiations were then on foot between the Unitarians and the above society, to join interests, outvote the Univer- salists, who had now become a majority in the parish, and divide the parish funds equally between themselves. Before the arrangements were fully perfected, the Universalists offered the Unitarians their aid toward reinstating the latter in possession of the parish, and parish funds, upon more favorable terms than were about being agreed upon by the parties first named. The latter offer was accepted. The former petition to
71
562
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
the legislature was thereupon withdrawn; Rev. Nathaniel Gage (Uni- tarian) was settled as minister for five years; the taxes of sixty- eight members of the parish (Universalists) were abated ; it was " Voted To allow those persons about to secede from the Parish, the sum of Four Thousand Dollars for their interest in the Funds in the hands of the Trus- tees belonging to the l'arish ; " the money was paid, and the Universalists withdrew, leaving the parish organization and funds in the possession of the " Congregational Unitarians," where they yet remain.º
In 1837, the parish society, (now Unitarian) disposed of their interest in the " common," and erected a new church edifice on the lot next north of it, at an expense of $8,706,34. The new church was dedicated Decem- ber 6, 1836.
Rev. Mr. Gage continued with the society until the summer of 1840, when he was succeeded by Rev. Nathaniel P. Folsom. ; The salary of the latter was $800. He remained with the society until the fall of 1846. He was succeeded by Rev. James Richardson, who was settled March 24, 1847, at a salary of $700, and remained until September 27, 1850, when he was dismissed, at his own request.
On the morning of January 1, 1847, the elegant church edifice, erected in 1837, was totally destroyed by fire. In the following November, the society voted to replace it, and the present structure was soon after erected, at a cost of $7,126,91.
Rev. Frederic Hinckley was settled as pastor of the society, November 9, 1850, and remained until July 9, 1853. His salary was $800. His successor was Rev. Robert Hassall, who received and accepted a call to settle, in January, 1856, and remained with the society until 1858. His salary was $1,000. April 7, 1859, Rev. William T. Clarke received an invitation to settle, which was accepted. His salary was the same as that of his immediate predecessor. Mr. Clarke is the present pastor.
THE NORTH PARISII.
As we have already mentioned, the northerly part of the town was erected into a separate Precinct, or Parish, in 1728, and a meeting- house erected the same year. The Church was not organized, however, until two years later.
" The whole amount of the fund, in April, 1838, was $11,296,48. The $4 000 had not as yet been taken from the fund. This had acenmulated as follows : - From sales of parsonage lands, at sundry times, $10,532,77 ; donation from " A Friend from the First Parish in Haverhill," August 2d, 1826, by the hands of David Marsh, 2d, $300.00; interest accumulated when no minister was settled, viz; : from June 18, 1827, to January 9, 1828, and from January 1, 1834, to July 2, 1834, $300.00. In April, 1851, the fund was only $6,661.00.
t Rev. Nathaniel Gage was a graduate of Harvard College, of the class of 1822. He died at Cam- bridge, May 7, 1861, aged 60 years.
563
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
When the New Hampshire line was run, in 1740, about two-thirds of the inhabitants of the Parish fell to the north of the line. The portion which fell to the south of that line were soon after incorporated into a par- ish by themselves; or, rather, the General Court declared them to be, to all intents and purposes, the North Parish in Haverhill.
The old meeting-house fell to the north of the State line, and the par- sonage to the south of it; and though at first about two-thirds of the original parish became a part of New Hampshire, at present, and for many years past, the membership and attendance at the old church has been about equal from Haverhill and Plaistow.
In the preparation of the following account of this church, we have drawn largely from the excellent sketch prepared by its late pastor, Rev. Charles Tenney, and published in a work entitled New Hampshire Churches, 1856.
The church was organized November 4, 1730, on a day of Fasting and Prayer, specially appointed for this purpose. It was originally styled the Church in the North Precinct of Haverhill, Mass. It was composed of fifty-nine members from the First Church in Haverhill. On the 4th of March following, ten more were added from the First Church in Haverhill.
At the above named meeting, Mr. James Cushing was invited to be their pastor, and was ordained on the 2d of December following. Nothing ap- pears to have occurred, during his ministry, which continued about thirty- three years, that disturbed the harmony of the church, or the comfort of the pastor. There was not, perhaps, what may be termed a revival of reli- gion, yet a good number were added to the church -one hundred and sixty-four in all - one hundred and fifteen by profession, and forty-nine by letter. The greatest number in any one year (1837) was fourteen. The half-way covenant practice was then in use and during Mr. Cushing's ministry, two hundred owned the covenant in this way, and had their chil- dren baptized. It does not appear, from the records, that he baptized an adult, on receiving members to full communion; and this practice will account for the great number of infant baptisms during this time, which was one thousand two hundred and seventy-five ; Mr. Cushing died May 13, 1764, aged 50 years.
Rev. James Cushing was a son of Rev. Caleb Cushing, of Salisbury, Mass., and graduated at Cambridge in 1725. Mr. Cushing was a solid and fervent preacher, prudent, steady, patient, condescending, and candid;
During his ministry, Mr. Cushing married two hundred and twenty-four couples.
564
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
and he preserved for the thirty-four years of his ministry the most unruf- fled tranquility, peace and harmony, in his society.
On the 25th of October, 1772, thirteen of the members of this church, resident in Atkinson, were dismissed and recommended for the purpose, in union with others, of being organized into a church in said town.
On the 6th of March of the year following the death of Mr. Cushing, Mr. Gyles Merrill was ordained pastor of the church, and died April 27, 1801, aged 62 years, after a ministry of about thirty-seven years. The number of admissions to the church was fifty-nine - forty-seven by pro- fession, and twelve by letter. The Rev. Mr. Merrill had a peaceful minis- try and was greatly respected and beloved by his people. As a preacher, he was orthodox in faith, of sound learning, discreet, and was justly and highly esteemed.
The simplicity, kindness, and dignity of his manners, are even yet re- membered by many, with the greatest respect and veneration. He had the welfare of his people constantly at heart, and those who survive him tes- tify to his amiable disposition, and his devoutness as a christian. Mr. Merrill was a graduate of Harvard College, of the class of 1759. Like his immediate predecessor, Mr. Merrill was a native of Salisbury. He commenced preaching in the North Parish as soon as the reverend " bear- ers " at Mr. Cushing's funeral (eight in number) had, according to custom, supplied the vacant desk one Sabbath cach.
After the death of Mr. Merrill, this church was without a settled minis- ter twenty-five years; and, during this time, became much enfeebled. The records do not show that more than eight persons were admitted to the church - for seventeen years not one.
On the 26 of December, 1826, the Rev. Moses Welch, who had been preaching to the people as a stated supply for about two years and a half, was installed pastor of the church, and continued with them till the 2d of February 1831, when he was dismissed at his own request. There were admitted to the church after Mr. Welch's installation thirty-six - three by letter, and thirty-three by profession, and all of these thirty-three, ex- cept two, were the fruits of a revival which occurred in 1827. Mr. Welch baptized twenty-six children.
On the day of Mr. Welch's dismissal, the Rev. Samuel H. Peckham was chosen to be pastor, and he was installed the 23d day of the same month. Much of Mr. Peckham's ministry was unquiet and unpleasant, yet in a very good degree successful. He was dismissed September 10th, 1838, having the "undiminished confidence " of the dismissing council, as " a
565
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
good and able minister of the gospel." During his ministry, of about seven years, there were added to the church thirty-one by profession, and five by letter, and twenty-three children were baptized.
Rev. David Oliphant statedly supplied the pulpit after Mr. Peckham's dismission. A neat and commodious house of worship was crected in 1837, in the place of the old house, which had become wholly unfit for usc. The new house is the property of the proprictors. Mr. Oliphant left in 1852. and during his ministry there were added to the church, seven by letter, and twenty-five by profession. Infant baptisms, thirty- two.
Rev. Charles Tenney commenced his labors with this church carly in 1853, and remained its pastor until November, 1858, when he was called to a larger field of labor. From this time, to August 1859, the society were without a pastor, when Rev. Homer Barrows, then of Warcham, Mass., received and accepted a call to settle with them, and at once entered upon the discharge of his duties as a pastor.
THE WEST PARISH.
In 1734, the westerly part of this town, was, by the General Court, crected into a separate parish, or precinct, under the name of the West Parish of Haverhill.
The first parish meeting was held on the first day of May, of that year, the warrant for which was issued by Richard Saltonstall, Esq. The meet- ing was held at the house of Thomas Haynes, who was chosen moderator, and Peter Ayer was chosen parish clerk. At this meeting, the parish voted to build a meeting-house, and to set it " on the southeasterly corner of Samuel Eatton's pasture." The house was erected and mostly finished the same season. The pews (sixteen in number) were not, however, built until three years afterward.
At the time the first parish meeting was held, the timber was already on the ground selected as a site for the meeting-house, and so rapidly was the work pushed forward, that services were held in the new house as early as October.
The first minister engaged upon trial, was a " Mr. Googgins," who preached four Sabbaths. After him, a "Mr. Skiner " preached about two months. Mr. Skinner was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Bachellor, who preached with such acceptance, that (June 9, 1735,) he was invited to scttle as their minister.
" A few rods from the present house of Timothy J. Goodrich.
566
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
The parish voted Mr. Bachellor " a sofishant hous the Bigness of Mr. Nathan Websters well fineshed and a Barn of thurty feet long and twenty feet wid and convenancy in land parstin for ceeping three cows on hos and teen sheep sumer and winter ; " and "one hundred and thirty pounds in pasabil money or Bils of Creedit and value," annually. In addition to the above, they voted to give " his weded wife so long as she shall con- teeneu his . widow the hool Benefet of the pasneg Cept in tcenitabal Repaires ; " and "twenty pounds in bils of credit or pasibel money an- nuialy " to Mr. Bachellor, when he should be " Disanabled for carieng on the work of the ministry " among them, by old age.
Mr. Bachellor accepted July 21st, and was ordained soon after."
It appears that the liberal support voted to Mr. Bachellor, was a cause of considerable " gealosey suspishon and uneiseynes " on the part of some of the parish, and a meeting was warned to reconsider the matter. At this meeting, the parish voted to give him, in lieu of the house, barn, and land accommodations, two hundred and fifty pounds a year, -to which he agreed.
In the spring of 1736, the parsonage lands lying in the vicinity of Parsonage Hill, which had been given to the North and West Parishes to divide between them, were divided by a joint committee. The same year (December 6) the proprietors of the undivided lands in the town, gave Mr. Bachellor seventy acres of land in the West Parish, for his own use, also forty acres to the parish. In 1739, the parish voted to give Mr. Bachellor the use and possession of all the " parsonage lands and mead- ows belonging to ye West Parish," so long as he should continue to carry on the work of the ministry among them.
Soon after the Parish was incorporated, the commoners gave them a traet of land to purchase a burying-ground, and roads to their meeting- house. This land was sold in 1738, and in 1740 (November 25) the Parish "Voted Twenty-two pounds to Mr. Thomas Haynes with what he has already had for half an acre of Land for a Burying-place where we have already Bureyed Sundry of Our Dead." The spot referred to, is about one-fourth of a mile south of the site of the old meeting-house.
The depreciation in value of paper money, which was an active cause in the troubles which broke out in the East Parish, seems also to have been a stumbling block in the way of the church and society in the West Parish. From time to time the parish voted Mr. Bachellor an addition to his salary, in consideration of " the fall of the present currency." In 1749, the
G Mr. Bachellor had preached in the parish twenty-one weeks before he gave his answer.
567
HISTORY OF HAVERIIILL.
addition made was £70. At the annual meeting in 1750, the parish " Voted not to pay the Revd Mr. Bachellor his salary this year without a reciept or discharge in full." This displeased many, and a meeting was called shortly after, to see if the parish would " reconsider and disanul that vote," but the meeting refused to act upon the question. After con- siderable negotiation, the parish (December 18, 1750) voted Mr. Bachellor €66.13.4, in addition to what had already been paid him, in full for his salary from his settlement to that time. This was not satisfactory to some of the parish, and, failing to "Disanul ye vote," they " dissented against ye Illegal proceedings.""
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.