USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > The history of Wilbraham, Massachusetts; > Part 5
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
To us of the present day, when we consider the smallness of the number and the poorness of the possessions of the members of the precinct, the salary and settlement seem generous.
Mr. Merrick evidently had some of the wisdom of the chil- dren of this world, as well as that of the children of light. At any rate, at the adjourned meeting, "it was considered that the offers for the encouragement of Mr. Noah Mirick's settling with us as our minister were not sufficient." This is certainly very modestly stated, and relieves Mr. Merrick from all sus- picion of having offensively pressed a bargain of his solicitous hearers. It is very probable that he had hinted some additional favors which they might render him, which, while they would cost little but labor, would be to him as acceptable as gold, for they vote "to provide the timber for a Dwelling House for said Mr. Mirick, which was not included in the former voat;" also to "Hue, frame, and Raise said building, for said Mr. Mirick."
Meanwhile Joseph Wright and Daniel Warner, who were chosen on March 25th to take the advice of three neighboring ministers, have made the journey through the woods to South Hadley, obtained the opinions of three ministers there assem- bled, and have safely returned with the advice of Samuel Allis, James Bridgham, and Edward Billings, which is in the follow- ing words: "These may signifye that upon Application made to us by a Committee from a Place called Springfield Mountains, of their choice of Mr. Noah Mirick for their minister, that we approve of their Choice, and Heartily Commend him and them to the Divine Blessing." The advice is acceptable, of course, for these men of a "Place called Springfield Mountains" had already strained a point to make the salary and settlement satisfactory to the minister.
The meeting adjourns to May 26th, and receives the answer that "the worthy Mr. Mirick gave to the call that
43
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
he should settle in the Ministry heare," in the following letter :-
"To the inhabitants of the fourth precinct in Springfield convened, and
"Dear Friends: I have now more thoroughly Considered your voats Relating to my settling among you, and must Con- fess that the matter Looks dark Enough with Regard to my support. Your encouragements, you must needs be sensible, being but small; but, however, Considering your Present Cir- cumstances and the great need you stand in of a minister, and considering further the unanimity you have Discovered in your Choice and the seeming call of Divine Providence, I dare not think of leaving you.
"I have therefore determined (putting my trust in him who Careth for us all) to Except of your invitation with hopes and Expectations of your future Kindness to me, and your Readi- ness, att all times, to contribute to my support and comfort, as God shall give you ability; and the Lord grant that we may live togeather in Love while we are hear, and when we go home may set down togeather in the Kingdom of our Lord and Savr Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, both now and forever. Amen.
"Noah Mirick "Springfield May 26, 1741."
The meeting "votes to Chuse a Committee to confer and agree with Mr. Noah Mirick Relating to the time of his ordina- tion, and also what Churches to apply to for assistance in the ordination, and to act in other affairs Dependent thereupon," who are to make "a Return of their Proceedings to the next meeting that shall be called." Events now thicken. The great day of desire is near at hand. A special meeting of the precinct is called, by a new warrant, May 29. Aaron Parsons "moder- ates" the meeting, and, with a pride which we cannot quite admire, and with an indiscretion which the fervor of their enthusiasm at the near prospect of having a minister all their own will certainly excuse, they voted "That the Ordination of the worthy Mr. Noah Mirick shall be in the oldest Parish in Springfield, if Liberty can be obtained;" and, "that the Com- mittee shall take care that suitable Provisions be made for the
44
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Entertainment of those called to Assist in said Ordination att the expense of the Precinct." Whether "Liberty" could not be obtained, or whether the Warriners and Blisses and Warners came to their right minds after the meeting, which is to be hoped, they were saved that long tiresome journey across the plains, through the woods and swamps, by a final determination to have the ordination of their own minister among their own dwellings. Accordingly, a large oak tree, then standing near the house of Daniel Warner, which, as I have said, was a few rods north of Federal lane, was selected as the place to hold the services.
A rude pulpit of rough boards was constructed, and a few seats of boards and logs arranged around it to accommodate the people.
The morning of the great day to those people came at last; but it came not clear, balmy and fragrant as June mornings usually are; it was lowering, and the sky was hid by clouds. The "ministers and their dellegates and students" had come from Hadley and Springfield and Longmeadow and Brimfield, and the grave council was sitting in solemn deliberation, we may suppose, at Nathaniel Warriner's. The people were gathering,-Daniel Lamb from the plains, David Chapin from over the mountain, the Bartletts, and Blisses, and Burts and Warners.
The venerable oak seemed to feel the honor done it, and welcomed them lovingly to its shelter, if not to its shade. The sun was getting high, and the clouds were growing thick. But the council did not come. A very serious difficulty had arisen, which the learned and worthy ministers and their "Dellegates" could not remove. In organizing the church, before proceeding to ordain the minister, they found that there were but six members,-an insufficient number. There must be, said the venerable council, seven. On what ground this reason for not proceeding with the ordination was set up does not appear; the proceedings were all in abeyance. Dr. Merrick says in his address, "At length a man produced himself and said he had made up his mind to join the church, but waited only for the
45
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
ordination. The council concluded they could admit him, which they did, and then proceeded."
"It would be curious to know what they built their opinion upon, but my father, who told me this, said he never asked them, and he could not conceive what it could be." In a history of Massachusetts published in 1839, it is stated that David Warriner was the man who came forward to make up the sacred and required number of seven, thus relieving the reverend council of their difficulty, and the waiting and wonder- ing audience of their impatience.
But they were not soon enough to escape the gathering storm. Hardly had they reached the welcoming oak, when it began to rain, and they hurriedly adjourned the service to Nathaniel Warriner's barn. (This barn was standing in 1831.)
There the ordination services were performed. The hymn was sung, the sermon preached, the prayer was offered, the charge given, the benediction pronounced, and the audience departed to their homes, with hearts overflowing with joy that the Lord had heard their prayers, and given them so good a man for their minister as him whom they loved to call the "worthy Mr. Mirick." The reverend council, their delegates, and students, after partaking of the hospitality of these frugal people at the houses of Warriner and Brewer, and spending the night, started in the early morning for their distant homes, leaving behind them good wishes and prayers fragrant as the flowers. The following is a copy of part of the first page in the book of church records, written by Rev. Noah Merrick.
The record is in a homemade book of forty-four pages, con- sisting of blank sheets of paper, folded and stitched together. The pages are about four inches wide and six inches long. The writing is very fine and small, and some words abbreviated.
"Records of ye Chh in ye East Precinct In Springfield.
"June 24: 1741. was gathered a Chh in ye East or fourth Precinct in Springfield; consisting of ye following persons; Viz; Noah Merick, Joseph Wright, David Merick, David
Records of far in yo Eaf -Cream In Springfield
Since 24: 1741 was gathered a las in of life on fourth Present in high, confitting of y followme
July 3: 1741. The Sun of David Merch Bythe FlugEg: 171 Miriam Laughter of Je Killarne Bytito
Bug 16: 1. Sale Waver & Muguet Wife of Mith
Aug 23: 1. Perusha, Daugther o Dave Wirver Baute
20 : 1741 Thauchan (taxin owned of lancement.
alot 2 16-17M. North Daughter Dale Lamb harth. atale 25: UM frantaw ton of motion Ely, sortie). Witold 2 28- 178 Mercy Me of Bouje Mariner My Wife of The Merich, And
@ mille to un fortun?
COPY OF THE FIRST PAGE OF THE MINISTER'S RECORD.
47
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Warriner, Nath" Warriner, Nath11 Hitchcock, Isaac Brewer, and David Chapin .-
And Noah Merick ordained Pastor-
July 5: 1741. Thos Son of David Merick, Baptised.
Augt 9: 1741. Miriam, Daughter of Sam11 Kilborne, Baptised. Augt 16: 1741. Sam11 Warner, and Margret, Wife of Nath11 Warriner, admitted to communion.
Augt 23: 1741. Jerusha, Daughter of Dan11 Warner, Baptised.
Sept 27: 1741. Phineas Chapin owned ye Covenant.
Octobr 18: 1741. Noah, Son of Sam11 Stebbins, and Elizabeth, Daughter of Sam11 Warner, Baptised."
It is interesting to read this first record of the church in this place, made one hundred and seventy-two years ago, probably on the day when the events happened.
"At the first precinct meeting held after the ordination, November 6, 1741, it was voted, as if in gratitude for having secured a shepherd to care for the sheep of the Great Shepherd," "to build a pound in this precinct att the Charge of the pre- cinct," so that the cattle might also be saved from doing them- selves or their owners, or others, harm.
Then came up next the very difficult subject of locating the meeting house, for some, settlers had come into the southern portion of the precinct.
To give time for consultation apparently, the meeting is adjourned for "half an hour." Then the meeting is adjourned for one month to December 7, "Att nine of the clock in the morning." They met and "adjourned to one of the clock in the afternoon." Again they met, and it was "Voted that the 1st Meeting House or House for the Public Worship of God shall be sett on the Land Called the Over Plus Land in the Middle Division," a strip across the precinct from east to west, four miles long, as will be remembered, and eighty-two rods wide. This was as near as they could come to agreeing upon a location after a month's special consideration and four meetings.
They voted and chose "James Wood of Summers, John Shearman Esq. of Brimfield, and Ephraim Terry of Endfield" a committee to determine on "what Spot or Place in the Over
48
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Plus Land of the Middle Division said Meeting House shall be Erected." Another meeting was held the next week, December 14, 1741, at which the chief business was to raise and appropri- ate money. They "Voted and granted to Rev. Noah Mirick Fifty Pounds in money for half a years salary;" to "Nathaniel Warriner six pounds, one shilling and sixpence for his keeping the Ministers Dellegates and Scholars at the time of the Ordina- tion;" to "Aaron Stebbins for the Expense he was att in Geting the Deed of the Over Plus Land further Executed, one pound ten shillings;" to "Isaac Brewer ten shillings for keeping the Ministers Dellegates and Scholars Horses att the time of the aforesaid Ordination;" and also, "Ten Shillings for the Boards and Nails he provided for a Pulpit and ye work he did tords ye samė;" to "David Mirick four shillings for the work he did tords the same;" to "Revernd Mr. Noah Mirick Forty Pounds for Twenty Sabbaths Preaching before he was ordained;" to "Nathaniel Warriner for keeping Mr. Mirick and his Mair Eleven Pounds Ten Shilling;" to "Sam11 Stebbins Jun., Three Shillings for keeping the Revernd Mr. Mirick's Mair Last Spring;" to "Thomas Mirick, 2d, one Pound Twelve Shillings for his Expense in pursuing a Petition in the General Court in Behalf of this Precinct;" to "Abel Bliss fifteen Shillings" for the same service; "Granted also Seven Pounds in money for Contingent Charges to be Disposed of by the Committee of this Precinct;" to "Daniel Warner for his Geting Mr. Mirick's Mair kept Last Spring two pounds;" "Voated to Chuse a Com- mittee to se that Mirick's house be sett up agreeable to the Precinct's Obligation;" "Granted Twenty Pounds to Defray the Charge of Providing a Scriber and Building a House for the Reverend Mr. Mirick;"
"Voated that Isaac Brewer" (who kept a tavern on the west side of Main Street, eight or ten rods south of Springfield Street, where Mr. and Mrs. Gurney now live) "Shall entertain the Committee appointed to Determine a Place or Spot" for setting the "first Meeting House att the Charge of the Pre- cinct;" "Voated that fourty-one Pound fifteen shillings and six pence of the money Granted at this Meeting shall be Raised
49
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
of the Poles and Rateable Estates of the Inhabitants of this Precinct;" and finally "Voated that the whole sum of one Hundred forty-one Pound fifteen Shilling and six pence, that was Granted att this meeting shall be Disposed of by the Com- mittee of this Precinct."
Such was the generous sum raised to liquidate past obliga- tions and accomplish future undertakings. It will be noticed
HOUSE OF ISAAC BREWER.
Now home of Frank A. Gurney.
that the smallest services rendered by any inhabitant of the Precinct were paid for. Very little seems to have been volun- tarily given. At this meeting the committee on locating the meeting house presented their report. We can easily imagine with what eagerness and solicitude those freeholders and other inhabitants of the fourth precinct in Springfield, assembled at the dwelling house of Isaac Brewer, listened to the finding of
50
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
their disinterested committee selected from "neighboring towns." The report read as follows :-
"Whereas we the subscribers being Chosen a Committee by a vote of the Freeholders and inhabitants of the fourth Pre- cinct in Springfield to Determine what Place or spot in the over plus land in the Middle Division where the first Meeting House should be Erected or set up and haveing heard the Pleas of the inhabitants Relating to the said Affair and having Considered maturely thereon, Doe mutually Agree and Determine said Meeting House to be set up on that hill lying in the over plus Land and about six score Rods East of the Westermost Rode" (Main Street) "in said Precinct and about sixty or seventy rods West or Westerly of the top of wigwam Hill so Called and Southerly of a Run of Water that Runs out of the mountains there being a small Black Oak Tree marked on the South side with a cross on said Hill.
"Springfield December 17th, A. D. 1741.
John Sherman
James Wood
Committee"
Ephraim Terry
When the reading was finished, it was "Voated, Excepted in the full intent Contents and Limitations Expressed and set forth in said Committee's Report." The great question now apparently settled, there is a lull in the storm of precinct meetings, and work is commenced in earnest on Mr. Merrick's house.
At a meeting held May 14th, 1742, I find this record, which seems to be worth printing, to show what they accomplished in about six months.
"The following Grants mad to Defray the Charges Building ye Revnd Noah Miricks House made in the old Tenor. (Much abbreviated.)
Aaron Stebbins 512 days work 1 1b. 18 s.
Stephen Stebbins 1 day drawing timber 6 s.
Paul Langdon 2 days a framing 18 s.
David Mirick 5 days a huing 2 lbs. 5 s.
David Mirick for his team and Boy most a day
Drawing timber 6 s.
.
51
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Sam11 Bartlett 4 days a framing 1 p. 16 s.
Thomas Mirick 1 day with team 14 s.
Thomas Mirick 3 days a framing 1 p. 1 s.
Stephen Stebbins in Considarashun 2 s.
Nathaniel Hitchcock 3 days a framing
1 p. 1 s.
Moses Bartlett 1 day framing
7 s.
Nathaniel Bliss 7 days work 2 p. 9 s.
Samuel Stebbins team draw timber 6 s.
Samuel Stebbins 7 day a framing
3 p. 3 s.
Phineas Chapin 1 days work
7 s.
Jonathan Ely 4 days work
1 p. 8 s.
Daniel Warner 1 day sloding (?) timber 14 s.
Daniel Warner 1 day drawing timber
1 p. 5 s.
Nathaniel Warriner 1 day sloding (?) timber
14 s.
Nathaniel Warriner 1 day huing rafters
6 s.
Sam1 Warner 415 foot slitt work
3 p. 6 s. 2 p.
Sam1 Warner 1 day framing
7 s.
Sam1 Warner Carting slitt work
12 s.
Daniel Parsons 415 foot slitt work
3 p. 2 s. 3 p.
Joseph Wright 1 days work with horse
8 s.
Isaac Brewer 1 day frameing
7 s.
David Mirick 1 day with team
7 s.
David Mirick 11 days work, att 10 shillings per day, a framing 5 p. 10 s."
Probably each man's work was deducted from his tax; or if the value of his work exceeded his tax he was paid the balance in money. The work on Mr. Merrick's house seems to have been pushed forward so that it was soon occupied by him. In October, 1744, he married Abigail Brainard of Haddam, Conn. On their journey on horseback to his parish, she carried some slips of a rose bush from her old home, and set them out by the new one. She gave many slips to the neighbors, and some are still in existence here. The story was first told me when a child, by my great-aunt, who, in her youth was a near neighbor of Mrs. Merrick, but it passed out of my thought for fifty years, until a few years ago, when a lady of our town handed one of my family a bouquet of roses, and, indicating a few of the blossoms she said, "Those are the Parson's Rose." Then it all came back to me, and I wrote it out in a poem of thirty or more verses, with the title of the "Parson's Rose," which was
52
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
published in 1904-05. I insert a few of the verses, as it is a true Wilbraham story.
THE PARSON'S ROSE
Far, far away, in the dear old days, The almost forgotten days of yore, A maiden stood at the meeting place Of the streamlet with the river's shore.
Her heart was his who was riding down From the precinct where he preached God's will, To bear her a bride, from Haddam town, To his, parish home on Wigwam Hill.
On stores of clothing and linen, long She had wrought her love in thoughtful ways; The wheel and shuttle had sung their song In her happy home through the summer days.
A horseman riding since break of day Over the hills and under the lea, On woodland trail and the King's highway, With a happy song in his heart rode he.
*
So the lover came on his own good steed, At evening came as the sun went down, Came in a day, for he rode with speed, To marry his bride in Haddam town.
As the evening shadows grew apace, And the soaring swallow sought his mate, And the full moon showed its welcome face, She met him there at her father's gate.
The minister came, the same good man Whose hand was laid on her baby head; With the Lord's baptism her life began, And as oft since then, a prayer was said. * *
A rose bush grew by her father's door, A wide-spread bush, bearing wealth of bloom; It had blossomed there from days of yore, And filled the house with a sweet perfume.
53
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
From it she took a generous store Of slips to plant by her new home's ways, They would call to mind forevermore, The old home life of her girlhood days.
The sun was painting the eastern sky With the rose-red hue of breaking day, As they rode at morn, the trail to try, Of forest path and the King's highway.
* *
On her own horse she the loved slips bore Throughout that ride on the hunter's trail, With her own hands set them by the door Of the parish house above the vale.
She gave to all from her generous store, To all who came and a rootlet chose, Till the slips were set by many a door, And came to be called "The Parson's Rose."
The seasons came and the swift years sped, But the roses bloomed around her door, With a fragrance sweet as when she wed In the scarce remembered days of yore.
*
The Parson and bride they fell asleep, A century since on Wigwam Hill, But treasured slips, with blossoms sweet, Of "The Parson's Rose," we find them still.
Bloom on, fair roses from Haddam town, And stir our hearts with the old home love, Days await us when deeds we have done, Will all be counted somewhere above.
*
So may some of the deeds we have wrought, When our day of life draws near its close, Bring to our minds as fragrant a thought, As the young bride planting the Old Home Rose.
54
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
After the finishing of the minister's house, we hear nothing about building the meeting house till November 24, 1742, when, at a precinct meeting, "Eighty pounds old Tenor bills are Voated and Granted to Provide Matterials toards building a Meeting House in this Precinct, Viz. Nails, Glass, Covering &c .; " and "David Mirick, Sam"] Stebbins, Daniel Cadwell, Sam11 Bartlett and Abel Bliss are chosen a Committee to Take Care and Provide Materials in Order to Build Said Meeting House."
The winter of 1742-43 is improved by gathering the materials. On May 25, 1743, "The following Grants or Elowances that are made att this Meeting are made in the Old Tenor." "Voated and Elowed" precedes each of the following.
"To Nathaniel Warriner 4 pounds 15 shillings for one thousand of Good Pine Boards inch thick Delivered on that Hill appointed by a Committee Chosen by this Precinct to Erect the first meeting house on. To Stephen Stebbins 2 pounds 15 shillings for 600 foot of Quarter Boards Delivered as a bove Said. To Sam11 Stebbins 5 pounds 4 shillings for 1034 foot of Quarter Boards Delvd as a bove said. To Aaron Parsons 2 pounds six shillings for 500 foot of Good Marchantable Pine Boards. Delivered as a bove said. To Jonathan Ely 1 pound 8 shillings 6 pence for 300 foot of inch Pine Boards. To Moses Bartlett 1 pound seven shillings and 6 pence for 300 foot of Good Marchantable Pine Boards. To Caleb Stebbins 18 shillings and 4 pence for 200 foot of Good Marchantable Pine Boards. To David Mirick 2 pounds 5 shillings for a 1000 of Good Seader Shingles. To Daniel Cadwell 18 shillings & 4 pence for 200 foot of Good Marchantable Pine Boards. To Moses Burt 2 pounds 5 shillings for a 1000 of Good Sedar Shingles. To Nathaniel Bliss 2 pounds 8 for a 1000 of Good Spruce Shingles without sap. To Sam11 Bartlett 2 pounds 5 shillings for a 1000 of Spruce Shingles without sap. To Phineas Chapin 2 pounds and 7 shillings for 1000 of Spruce Shingles without sap. To Daniel Parsons 2 pounds 8 shillings for a 1000 of Sedar Shingles. To David Jones 2 pounds & 5 shillings for a 1000 of Sedar Shingles. To Caleb Stebbins 2 pounds & 8 shillings for a 1000 of Good Marchantable Spruce Shingles. To Sam11 Warner 3 pounds 6 shillings and a penny for 700 & 18 foot of Good Marchantable Quarter Boards. To Daniel Cadwell 2 pounds six shillings for 500 foot of Good Marchantable
55
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Quarter Boards. To Thomas Mirick 2 pounds 8 shillings for a 1000 of Good Marchantable Spruce Shingles without sap."
It seems that quite an amount of material had been gathered, and we imagine that the hammerers and sawyers, the hewers and the framers are following close upon the "Scriber" as he lays out the work, improving every day, between planting and hoeing, and haying and sowing, so that when the autumn comes, the doors of the sanctuary will be opened for worshipers. Alas for human expectations! Instead of this result, we find that nothing had been done. For at a meeting November 29, an attempt is made to change the location, but it was not suc- cessful, for December 8, 1743, it is "Voated to build a meeting house on that spot of Land that this Precinct voated to build one on at a former meeting," and also that the "Precinct Com- mittee shall take care to Provide a Place for the Carring on the Worship of God."
So the matter rested for more than a year. Some idea of prices at that time may be had from a vote taken at a meeting held December 10, 1744. "Voated to Thomas Mirick 10 shillings for two quires of paper for the use of Precinct Com. & Treasurer." The location of the meeting house was still an unsettled question, for on April 10, 1745, the precinct "Voted that the meeting House shall be set by the West Rode of this Precinct on the Land Called the over Plus Land in the middle Division." Our present Main Street was then called the West Road, and evidently the intention was to set the meeting house on that piece of land, since called "The Green," about where the school house of District No. 3 now is. It is apparent that the fathers felt the need of the most accurate information, for at a precinct meeting, about this time, they "Voated to Daniel Warner 6 pounds for the Province Law Books." But the all important question of a location for the meeting house would not stay settled. At a meeting held October 28, 1745, those who favored the Wigwam Hill location rallied all their forces and out-voted the "West Rode" parties, and, "Voated to Build the Meeting House on the Hill Called Wigwam Hill"
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.