USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medway > The history of Medway, Mass., 1713-1885 > Part 12
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Moses, Vincent
Moulton, John W.
Murphy, Patrick Myer, George L.
Pierce, Wallace C. Pike, Henry
N Plummer, Frank E. Plummer. Jed. P.
Neelan, Francis J. Neelan, James E.
Plympton, James R.
Plympton, W. H. Pond, Alfred W.
Pond, Arthur A.
Pond, John Pond, John C. Pond, Jonathan Pond, Timothy Pottle, Charles L.
R Rabbitt, Thomas Rawson, Willian H.
Reardon, John F. Reardon, John F., 2d Reardon, John N.
O'Donnell, James, 2d Reynolds, Eli W.
Rice, George S.
O,Flaherty, Michael Richards. George A.
Richardson, C. II.
O'Hara, Charles, 2d Richardson, Elmer O'Hara, Patrick
Richardson, John A. O'Hara, Thomas F. Richardson, Jos. L.
M
Macker, Edgar A. Macker, Ezra
Madden, George
Mahr, Silas O. Mahr, Thomas F. Malloy, Michael F. Malloy, Thomas
Mann, Charles S. Mann, Lemuel S. Mann, Lowell A.
Phillips, Alonzo P.
Kenny, John
McCarty, Dennis
Kingsbury, Hiram
McGill, Henry E.
Knowlton, Lucius A. McGill, Joseph
Hunt, Willie E.
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Richardson, Lewis F. Smith, Addison A.
Thompson, Moses E. Whitney, John F.
Richardson, Moses Richardson, Silas
Smith, Addison F.
Thrasher, George C. Whitney, Nathan
Smith, Almond
Tobey, Willie S. Whitney, Simon
Riordon, Dennis W. Smith, Charles E.
Touhey, James Whooley, Daniel
Riordon, John
Smith, Edgar M.
Touhey, Thomas
Wiggin, George A.
Riordon, John, jr.
Smith, Elwyn
Touhey, William Wight, Alvin
Riordon, William H. Smith, Frank A.
Towle, George B.
Roach, Henry S.
Smith, Fred
Tracy, James Tracy, John
Wight, George A. Williams, Asa Williams, Caleb S.
Robbins, Charles S. Smith, Jason
Smith, John C.
Tracy, Thomas
Williams, Charles
Robbins, Sumner Robinson, Squire Robinson, Wm. H.
Smith, Marcus H.
Treen, Benjamin
Williams, John M.
Robinson, W. H., jr. Smith, Myron
Tucker, Charles R.
Tuttle, Hiram
Rogers, Edwin T.
Smith, Sewall Smith, Stephen B. Snell, Henry L.
Tuttle, John W.
Rogers, Timothy
Snow, James A.
V
Rose, John O.
Snow, Jesse K.
Ross, Eliakim H.
Sparrow, Curtis A. Sparrow, Philip S.
Vanness, Henry
Wiswell, Francis W.
Ross, Roswell P.
Spellman, Michael
Vose, Alison A.
Wood, Charles E.
Russell, William
Spencer, Charles F. Spencer, Henry G. Springer, Otis S. Stanley, Daniel A.
Vose, Stephen
Wood, Henry A. Wood, James H Wood, John, Ist Woodman, Daniel S.
Ryan, John H. S
Stevens, Daniel G.
Walker, Henry A.
Woods, Amos R.
Sanderson, Stillman
Stewartson, Willie E. Stockbridge, F. W.
Wallace, William
Woods, William, 2d
Sanford, Harlan P.
Stone, Edward D.
Walsh, Peter H. Ward, Daniel E. Y
Saunders, Thomas J. Swarman, Frederick Savage, Robert E.
Swarman, John H. Sweeney, Augustus
Ware, Augustus L. Ware, Elbridge G.
Young, Robert O.
Sawyer, Judson C. Schlief, William A. Schofield, Edward Scott, John Scott, John, jr.
Sweeney, John
Ware, Marcellus A.
FEMALE VOTERS.
Seavey, Charles W. Tatten, Michael
Seavey, James M.
Taylor, Lucius H.
Wheat, Henry
Adams, Susan F. Bullard, Marion A. Clark, Mary B. Hill, Eliza A.
Shannon, Jere. H. Shaughnessy, James Shea, John
Temple, William H.
White, Henry G.
Hodges, Emma S.
Sheehan, Thomas
Tevlin, James Tevlin, John M.
Whiting, Edward Whiting, George W. LaCroix, Mary S.
Shields, Thomas R.
Thayer, Addison P. Thayer, Charles
Whiting, Joel W. Whitney, Alfred A. Richardson, E. B.
Skahill, Peter
Whitney, Amos W.
Sanborn, Kate
Slaven, Michael
Thompson, Joseph Thompson, J. R. Whitney, C. E. L. B. Spencer, Sarah E.
Slaven, Patrick
Thompson, J. Warren Whitney, Henry L. Thompson, J. War., jr. Whitney, Jason W.
White, Marion A. Wilson Mary E.
Smith, Abner M.
Temple, George R.
White, Elihu
White, William G.
Hosmer, Ann A .. Johnson, Nancy A.
McIntosh, Abbie M.
Shumway, Edmund
Simpson, George F. Thayer, Luther
Wallace, Richard W. Woods, William, Ist
Sanford, Edmund I.
Stanley, Jonathan C. Waite, Aldis L.
Woodman, Henry B.
Waite, Arthur
Woodman, James
Sanderson, George E. Stewart, Edward
Vanness, Charles H.
Ross, Peter
Vidette, Elmer L.
Wiswell, George A.
Ruggles, Arthur L.
Ryan, Edward
Ryan, George S.
W
Williams, Winfield S. Wilmarth, Eugene S. Wilmarth, Lewis A. Wilson, Elihu C. Wilson, Jason E. Winslow, Elna. S. Wiswell, David
Rockwood, Daniel
Smith, John S.
Tracy, Thomas B.
Williams, Charles E.
Rose, John L.
Stanley, Edward
Ware, George H.
Sweeney, Timothy J.
T
Warren, Varnum Welch, John Westcott, Jerome B.
This concludes the account of the town and its doings in general, but some further mention of the acts of the town in educational, military, and religious affairs may be found on subsequent pages.
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THE INCORPORATION OF MILLIS.
FEBRUARY 24, 1885.
After a municipal existence of one hundred and seventy-two years, marked by many changes, and a fair degree of prosperity, the time had come for the realization of an event, which for more than a hundred years at different times had been somewhat discussed, when Medway was to give up a part of her territory for the establishment of a new township.
The easterly part of Medway, embracing nearly all that was anciently known as the Old Grant, by the unanimous petition of its inhabitants, sup- plemented by the names of many residing in other parts of the town, without any serious opposition from any quarter, was incorporated February 24, 1885, and Millis took her place among the towns of the Commonwealth.
The new town was named for Lansing Millis, Esq., one of its most respected citizens. Mr. Millis had formed generous plans for the develop- ment and improvement of the new municipality, but suddenly died in a few weeks after its incorporation. His death was a great public loss, and deeply felt by the community and throughout New England. Vid. BIOGRAPHIES.
It is believed that this division of the town will prove no serious detriment to the part left as Medway, and will doubtless be to the great advantage of that part now Millis. Already a spirit of public improvement has been awakened both in the old and the new towns. The utmost harmony prevails, and each municipality has for the other only the kindliest feelings and best wishes for its largest prosperity.
1749
18 50
1870
LA CROIX
THIE CHURCHES.
1714-1885.
THE early inhabitants in that part of Medfield lying west of the river Charles, sought the incorporation of a new town that public worship might be established among themselves. And the Great and General Court secured to these early settlers the right to " have, exercise, and enjoy " all municipal privileges on the condition, " That they procure and Settle a learned Orthodox Minister of good Conversation among'em and make provision for an Honable support and maintainance for him." Accord- ingly, the town of Medway was incorporated October 25. 1713, and the people
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of the new town at once set about establishing the institutions of religion, as appears in the proceedings of their first town-meeting, which was held "November ye 23, 1713.
Voted, That John Rockett and Jonathan Adams, Jun. Sergt Samuel Partridge and Serg't Jonathan Adams and edward Clark to be a comittee to take care to procure the meeting house built.
Voted, That abraham harding, Sen' John partridge and Theophilus clark to procure and cary in a petition to the Town clerk of Medfield in order to the procuring of accommodations for the setting of the metting hous upon the place commonly called bare hills and procure some conven't accommodations for the ministry near ther abouts."
" 1714 September ye 22nd Assembled the Enhabitants of Medway At the house of peter Adamses. John Rocket was chose moderator.
Voted, that the town will provide a minister for themselves for the time to come.
Voted, Capt. gorge fairbancks and John partridg and peter Adams and ensin John bullard and ser. Timothy Clarke is chosen a comitty to provide a minister for the Town untill the aniwall metting in march next following, and it is voted that ye town are to meet at the house of peter Adamses to attend the publick worship of God on the sabbath days and he haws given his consent to the same."
Arrangements were made and the first service of public worship in the new town was held October 7, 1714, in the house of Peter Adams, and was conducted by the Rev. David Deming, who continued to preach to the little congregation in Peter Adams's house for several months. Having secured some one to serve as a minister, it was needful to make provision for his support. Accordingly the first appropriation is thus recorded :
" Oct. ye 29 1714. Assembled the inhabitants of Medway at ye house of Peter Adams. L' Theophilus Clark chosen for ye moderator for to cary on ye work of that day. Then and there by the vote of the Town was granted twenty and five pounds for the Ministry."
" Medway, April the 11th, 1715, at the house of Joseph Daniel, Sen. Then and there, Received the sum of 26 pounds of money of the Select- Men and Committee for preaching to the Town, which is in full discharge from the seventh of October in the year 1714 to the ninth day of April in the year 1715.
I say received by me,
DAVID DEMING."
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. ORGANIZED OCTOBER 7, 1714.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST was organized after the method and simplicity of the New Testament, when the Christian believers met together in the house of Peter Adams, being assembled in one place for the worship of God. If there was anything more formal on the occasion of the dedication of the meeting-house, or the installation of the first pastor, the fact, with the records of the church during the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Deming, has passed from knowledge.
The church doubtless was constituted largely of persons who had been members of the Church of Christ in Medfield, of which the Rev. Joseph
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Baxter was then the pastor. There is no complete list of the names of those who were the original members, or of those who united with the church prior to 1724. But Peter Adams, Jonathan Adams, John Partridge, Eben- ezer Thompson, Samuel Partridge, and Mrs. Susanna (Adams) Alexander, were among this number. The original name of the church was THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, but subsequently to the organization of another church in the westerly part of the town in 1750, it was designated THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST. During the one hundred and seventy-one years of its existence, this church has received the ministrations of nine pastors, includ- ing one colleague pastor. The longest pastorate was that of the Rev. Nathan Bucknam, extending through a period of seventy-one years ; the shortest pastorate was four years, that of the Rev. John O. Means.
These nine pastorates constitute an aggregate of one hundred and sixty- one years, so that the church has been without a settled minister only eleven years during its entire history. The average length of its pastorates has been about twenty years.
THE FIRST PASTORATE.
1715-1722.
"At a Town-meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Medway, Jan- uary 31st, 1715," of which John Rockwood was the moderator :
" It was proposed whether the town was ready to bring in their votes for a minister to settle amongst us. The votes were given in and sorted, and REV. DAVID DEMING was chosen to settle amongst us to carry on the work of the ministry."
" 1715 Sept. ye 12 Assembled the inhabitants of Medway at the Meeting House to hear Mr. David Deming's answer. William Allin was chosen for Moderator to make proposals to the Town. And there was proposed to the town whether they would give Mr. David Deming sixty pounds for his salary. And then and there was by vote of the town granted sixty pounds for his yearly salary, and upon the same day Mr. Deming accepted what ye Town voted for him."
" 1715 Assembled the inhabitants of Medway on Oct. 24th at the Meet- ing House to conclude upon the Ordaining of Rev. Mr. David Deming. Then was voted to ordain Mr. Deming on the third Wednesday in Novem- ber." Accordingly, Mr. David Deming was ordained and installed, Novem- ber 20, 1715, the first Pastor of Medway.
Meanwhile the new town had been busy in providing a meeting-house. At their first town-meeting, November 23, 1713, they fixed upon a location, and of a meeting held a few days later there remains this record :
" Medway December ye 4th 1713. A proposall to the town whither the town will put out ye meeting house by ye gwab to som work man and the men that are to be imployed in the work to be hiered in this town : this propsion fully granted. A pro- posall -for the length and bredth of the meting house. The length to be thirty four foot and the bredth to be twenty and eight, and sixteen foot between ioynt and a rouf to rise four foot from the senter of the beame - voted for this for to be dimentions of the meeting house - this fully voted."
A proposal to the town that the meting house should be raised and couved and
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planked and claborded, and dors mad, and pulpit mad, and tabell mad, and seats mad, a pew mad, and stairs mad, and sealed with good boards from the seats to the plats all round with one teer of galriess - this proposition fully voted."
Pursuant of these votes of the town. " At a committee meeting held February ye 6th 1714 there were signed the articles of agreement made between John Richardson and ourselves for the building of the meeting-house."
"Medway June 7th 1714. At a meeting held by the committee who were chosen to take care to procure a Meeting house built, held at Daniel Richardson's the town reckoned with our Carpenter and have paid him thirty pounds and received a receipt from him acknowledging himself fully satisfied of the first payment." It appears that when the inhabitants on the west side aided in the building of the new meeting-house in Medfield it was agreed that when they came to build a meeting-house on the west side for themselves a certain part of the money paid should revert to their advantage in this matter. Hence, " June 14 1714. The select men of Medway assembled with the select men of Medfield to reckon and find out what was due to us from the town of Medfield for our helping them build their meeting house and upon the Reckoning was found by them and us to be 22lbs. 98. 4d."
This amount was duly paid and received December 15, 1714. The work on the meeting-house was pushed forward, and sometime early in 1715 the building was completed, for we have this record :
"March 7 1715 Assembled the inhabitants of Medway at the Meeting House, it being their general Town Meeting."
THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE.
1715-1749-
THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE stood on the west side of the old cemetery a little to the north of the public tomb. The engraving above was made from the exact measurements and description given in the ancient records. There were improvements made from time to time in their meeting-house by the vote of the town. About 1718 there was an appropriation of 25s. made, and Mr. John Richardson was instructed "to build another pew at the northeast end of the meeting-house next to the pulpit for the minister's family to sit in." Subsequently other pews were built by the more wealthy and honorable families at their own expense, permission being granted by the town. It was a current practice to have a committee chosen, men of good judgment, to seat the meeting-house, according to honorable standing by reason of years and wealth. The dedication of this house of God probably occurred on the same day as the installation of the first pastor.
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In this small, unsteepled and unheated building worshiped the people of Medway for thirty-four years, until, January 18, 1749, it was destroyed by fire.
It is found that as a condition of Mr. Deming's settlement, the proprietors of the common lands made certain grants to his advantage.
"At a meeting of the Proprictors of common undivided lands within the towns of Medfield and Medway, held at the meeting-house in Medway upon April 20, 1715 :
Granted To Revd Mr. David Deming, to him, his heirs and assignces forever twenty eight acres of land lying within the town of Medway, south- ward of Bare Hills, near the wood lots where their select men have marked out so much, being part swamp and part upland, bounded northward by wood land, and by common land on all other parts ; provided he settle himself in Medway and continue with them as their settled Minister.
Granted To the Rev. Mr. David Deming a small parcel of land upon Bare Hill, near the burying place for to build on not exceeding two acres."
At this same meeting also was " Granted To the use of the ministry in Medway forever twenty acres of land in Medway at a place called black island being part swamp and part upland."
Voted that Abraham Harding Sen. John Richardson, Ebenezer Thomp- son be a committee to lay out said twenty acres for the Ministry." This grant is that known as The Parsonage Lot.
" Sept 13th 1722. In answer to the Rev. Mr. Deming's request that ye Town would give him a total dissmission from his ministerial office," the selectmen ordered a town-meeting " to attend that business at ye Meeting house on ye 24th of the above said month at one o'clock afternoon."
Accordingly the inhabitants of the town assembled. Edward Clark was chosen moderator and " ye Rev. Mr. Deming renewed his request by writing to ye town." After a vain attempt to adjourn and a lengthy debate upon the subject, " Then both Church and Town as a Town manifested their willingness by a vote to give Mr. Deming his request, which did appear in the meeting he had been asking for more than for six weeks past at several times, and dismiss Mr. Deming from his minis- terial service amongst us." "The select men the same day by ye desire of the Town acquainted Mr. Deming that they had answered his request. He accepted and manifested his thanks to them for the same."
" Oct. 16, 1722 The Church of Medway dismissed Mr. Deming from his pastoral office over them by the advice of Council from the neighboring Churches."
The balance of Mr. Deming's salary was receipted for as follows: "Received of Edward Clark, Town Treasurer the sum of thirty two pounds six shillings and a penny in full which was my due from the Town for carrying on the work of the Ministry in ye year one thousand seven hundred and twenty two. I say received by me this 29th January 1723. DAVID DEMING."
Thus closed the first pastorate in Medway. In the absence of church records it is impossible to learn much that it would be of interest to know of the church during these first seven years. The Rev. Mr. Deming doubt- less removed from town soon after his dismissal, but to what place is un- known. Vid. BIOGRAPHIES.
Upon the termination of Mr. Deming's ministry, at a town-meeting held March 6, 1723, the town
"Voted, For a Committee to provide a minister for ye Town who were Theophilus Clark, John Partridge, Nathaniel Whiting, Samuel Hill and Jeremiah Adams." Again,
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November 4, 1723 the town was called together " To choose a Committee to provide a minister to supply the pulpit and proceeded as followeth :
Voted, Lieut. Rockwood for Moderator and Edward Clark, Ebenezer Thompson, Ensign Bullard, Joseph Daniell Sen., Col John Barber for a Committee to provide as afore said."
Being notified by warrant duly issued, " Assembled the inhabitants of this Town on Wednesday the 19th of February 1724.
Voted Capt Timothy Clark for Moderator. Then was proposed whether the Town were ready to give a minister a call.
Voted that they were ready. The votes were then called for to he brought in for a minister, when done and numbered it appeared to fall upon Mr. Green of Boston, very unanimously. Proposed what they would grant for Mr. Green's yearly salary. It appeared by the vote of the Town that they give Mr. Green if he settle with us 75 pounds for yearly salary. Proposed to the Town what they would give Mr Green for settlement and it appeared by the vote of the Town that they would give Mr Green if he settle with us ninety pounds for his encouragement and that Edward Clark, Ebenezer Thompson were chosen by the Town to acquaint Mr. Green with the Town's choice and proceedings."
It is evident that Mr. Green, of Boston, declined the call thus tendered.
THE SECOND PASTORATE.
1724-1795.
" Assembled the inhabitants of Medway on June the 1 1th 1724 by virtue of an orderly warning according to law, in order to make choice of a minister to settle in the work of ye ministry, and proceeded." "When the votes came in and were numbered it fell unanimously upon Mr. Bucknam both Church and Town. And then was voted eighty pounds for the said Rev. Mr. Buck- nam's yearly salary provided he take up to settle with us in the work of ye ministry, then ye Town voted one hundred pounds to encourage him, ye said Bucknam to settle with us. Lastly voted, Lieut. Theophilus Clark and Lieut. John Bullard to treat ye said Rev. Mr. Buckman upon settlement with us." August 26, 1724, additional salary was voted " as followeth To pay eighty pounds a year for the first three years after he settle with us in the work of the ministry then to rise five pounds more and after he has been settled with us in the work of the ministry six years rise five pounds more which will then make ninety pounds for his yearly salary."
Mr. Bucknam's acceptance of the call is found in the town records, as follows :
" The Reverend Mr. Nathan Bucknam's Answer, Given October the 25, 1724."
" TO THE CHURCH AND PEOPLE OF MEDWAY :
"Dearly beloved,- Inasmuch, as it hath pleased the Lord of the harvest, the King and Head of the Church, whose sole prerogative it is to send forth such Labourers into his vineyard, as seemeth Him meet, in his over-ruling and all wise Providence, so to order it, that you were directed at first to invite me to dispense the glorious Gos- pel of his Grace to you in this place, and to render my ministerial labors amongst you so pleasing and acceptable, and so to unite your hearts and affections to me, that you have so unanimously given me an invitation to settle with you in the Great Work of Gospel Ministry, for which I acknowledge with thankfulness his mercy and grace as well as your kindness to me. And whereas, He has in his Sovereign Provi dence so far drawn forth my heart in love towards you and has so enlarged your
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hearts, as that you have made me such offers, respecting my settlement and support amongst you, as that, I hope by His blessing with it I may, at present comfortably subsist. These, therefore, are to let you know, that, relying upon ye Divine Grace, blessing, directing and assistance, and depending upon your kindness and generosity, that you will not let me want hereafter : but as God shall give you ability and my cir- cumstances may require, you will further assist me. Upon serious consideration of, and good advice about, a matter of so great concern, as it so nearly relates to the glory of God, to your and my comfort here and happiness hereafter, I do now, here, openly, heartily and cheerfully embrace and accept of your invitation to settle with you in the work of ye ministry at Medway. Praying that the God of peace and love will continue our mutual love and more and more unite our affections to each other and yt 'Grace mercy and peace' may be multiplied abundantly unto you all, and asking your joynt prayers and continual supplications to ye God of all grace for me, that I may prove the infinite fullness that is in Christ, receive all the Grace yt I shall stand in need of to enable me to behave myself wisely in the house of God, and faithfully and successfully discharging my duty amongst you, in all the parts of it so yt I may not only save my own soul, but yours and all such as shall be committed to my trust, that we may all at length meet together, celebrate the praises of God and the Lamb, with the church triumphant in the everlasting joys of our Lord and Master to whom be Glory, Dominion and Power forever and ever. Amen."
The Rev. Nathan Bucknam was ordained and installed December 23, 1724. " This was an auspicious and happy day to the inhabitants of the town," says the Rev. Mr. Wright, in his Centennial Discourse in 1813. He also adds :
" Although Mr. Bucknam was young and of slender constitution, he was mature in Christian knowledge and experience, and strong in the faith and hope of the Gospel. At the time of his settlement he was deservedly con- sidered as an able, pious, and promising young man ; and much was hoped, under God, through the instrumentality of his public and private labors. As to his religious sentiments they were Calvinistic. He firmly believed in those doctrines which are usually called The Doctrines of Grace, or The Doctrines of the Reformation. These he faithfully and unequivocally preached."
The Rev. Mr. Bncknam was small in person, but a preacher of much pulpit ability. After the close of his active pastorate he still retained the pastoral relation, and received an annual salary until the time of his death, making the length of his pastorate more than seventy years.
When past eighty-two years of age, he arranged with the parish to settle a colleague, and terminated his active ministry in the sixty-second year of his pastorate, May 14, 1786. His Farewell Sermon was from the text: " Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls," Jeremiah vi., 16. The solemnity was closed by sing- ing the 122d Psalm, from Tate and Brady's Hymn Book.
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