USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Woburn > The history of Woburn, Middlesex County, Mass. from the grant of its territory to Charlestown, in 1640, to the year 1680 > Part 42
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
The report, of which the above is an abstract of the princi- pal particulars, is signed by Joseph Bartlett, the committee's clerk. And in perusing it, one cannot but perceive reason for Christian sympathy with Rev. Mr. Sargeant, in some of its state- ments, and in others just cause of complaint on his part against the parish for delinquency in not fulfilling their engagements with him.
But the report did not satisfy the parish, which decided not to accept it, by sixteen votes to thirty-three, and then referred the matter anew to the same committee, with some enlargement of their commission, to report further at an adjourned meeting, January 28th.6
At the adjourn nent, the committee added to their former report, that having inquired into and considered certain speeches reported
437
HISTORY OF WOBURN.
to have been made by Rev. Mr. Sargeant, they had found one to be without foundation, and as to another, they had not been able to obtain satisfaction.
They further reported, that having endeavored impartially to acquaint themselves with the sentiments of the inhabitants of the Parish, with regard to Mr. Sargeant, " they had found 24 decidedly in his favor.
" 48 inelined to have the connection between Mr. Sargeant and his people dissolved.
" 50, who had not seen fit to manifest their wishes.
" 22 who had signed off' to the Baptists.
" And a few remained, whom they had not seen, and whose sentiments, in regard to Mr. Sargeant, they had had no opportu- nity to ascertain."
This report was read and accepted; and then the meeting was dissolved.6
In the year 1790, Mr. Sargeant sued the parish at law, proba- bly for his settlement money. No defence was attempted by the parish in this suit ; but they agreed to be defaulted.
About the same time, Rev. Thomas Green, minister of the Baptist society in West Cambridge, sued the parish for recovery of the taxes of those inhabitants of Woburn, who attended wor- ship in his society. Committees were successively appointed to defend the parish against Mr. Green. But eventually, the case was decided in Mr. Green's favor, who obtained an execution against the parish ; and orders were given to the parish asses- sors, October 17, 1791, "to omit taxing those persons reputed to belong to Mr. Thomas Green's Society, whose names are returned to the [Parish] Committee, except Benjamin Fowle, Ephraim Tottingham, and such others, as the assessors may think best to tax or not, according to the assessors' discretion."
At a meeting of the Parish, September 27, 1792, an address to the church, drawn up by a committee chosen for the purpose, was submitted to the parish, in which it was stated, " that the disaffection to Mr. Sargeant had existed several years, was continually increas- ing, and disturbing not only their religious transactions, but the harmony of their social intercourse ; and threatening, unless a remedy was speedily applied, the most injurious consequences : 38*
438
HISTORY OF WOBURN.
that ' a new Religion, had been introduced among them, and the usual place of worship had been forsaken by a considerable number of valuable citizens ; and that many who continued to attend, did it more from a sense of duty, and a love of good order, than from any expectation of benefit : that they did not now complain, on behalf of the parish, of the religious or moral character of Mr Sar- geant ; but that so unintelligible were his instructions, and so mysterious and dark his mode of communication, that the general complaint was, that neither profit nor advantage could be expected ; and that they believed the general wish of the parish was for an amicable separation, such as would be honorable to Mr. Sargeant, and not injurious to them ; and that unless a separation did take place, they had good reason to believe that a number of others, Mr. Sargeant's hearers, would withdraw." 7
This address was accepted by the parish, and the committee which drew it up, soon after, at the request of the parish, presented it to the church. From the church records, it appears that the church met October 24th, to hear the address read ; and appointed a committee of three, viz, Samuel Thompson, Esq., Deacons Obadiah Kendall and Zebadiah Wyman, to prepare an answer.
But their answer, whatever it was, did not satisfy the parish, or divert them from their purpose, which was to get rid of Mr. Sargeant. At their adjourned meeting, October 29th, they chose a committee of five, viz : Capt. Joseph Bartlett, Mr. Jeremiah Clapp, Capt. Joseph Brown, Ichabod Parker and Josiah Par- ker, to meet the church, and to request that a committee might be chosen from their body to join with the parish committee " to wait upon Mr. Sargeant, and see what agreement can be made with him, relative to his relinquishing his connexion over this Parish "; and report at the adjournment of this meeting, November 12th.
The above request of the parish was communicated to the church, November 2d, when it was voted to resolve the church into a committee of the whole, to join the committee from the parish. This joint committee met November 5th; but after calling Deacon Zebadiah. Wyman to the chair, they came to no conclusion, and dissolved the meeting. (See Church Records.)
1 Parish Records, Vol. II.
439
HISTORY OF WOBURN.
At a meeting of the parish, January 28, 1793, it was put to vote -
1. " To see if the Parish will submit the present difficulty exist- ing between the Revd. Samuel Sargeant and a number of the Parish (agreeably to the original Contract with Mr Sargeant at his settle- ment) to a Mutual Council of Churches.
2. " Then voted to choose a Committee of five persons, to Request Mr Samuel Sargeant to call a Church Meeting, to see if the Church will join in a Council ; and Report to the Parish at their adjournment.
" Then made choice of Mr Abijah Thompson, Capt. Joseph Brown, Mr Paul Wyman, Capt. Joseph Bartlett, and Mr Jere- miah Clapp"; and voted to adjourn to the 18th of February next, at 2 of the clock, P. M.8
February 18, 1793, the parish met according to their ad- journment, and called upon their committee for their report, who said they had none, although the church had met. But from the Church Records, we learn the proceedings of the church in regard to those of the parish, at their meeting January 28th, and upon other interesting matters, as follows :-
The church met February 18, 1793, and heard read the pro- ceedings of the parish at their meeting, January 28th. When it was voted. after mature deliberation,
1. " Not to act at present on the request of the Parish."
2. Informed Mr. Sargeant that a number of persons appeared disposed to withdraw from the parish, and requested him to say, whether in case they should withdraw, he would relinquish the proportion of his salary, for which such persons would be liable? To which Mr. Sargeant replied as follows : -
" Should a number of persons relinquish their connexion with the Parish, and join any other denomination of Christians, the loss shall be mine, not the parish's. Pay me from year to year the same proportion on Polls, real and personal Estate, as yor paid the last year in the sum of one hundred pounds and I will relinquish the deficiency."
These doings were sent to the parish, and the parish dissolved their meeting.3
In this unhappy posture of affairs, the First Church and Par- ish in Woburn continued, in relation to their pastor, Rev. Mr.
·Parish Records, Vol. III., p. I.
· l'arish Records, Vol. III., p. 2.
.
440
HISTORY OF WOBURN.
Sargeant, for five years more. A large number of the parish were earnestly desirous that the connection between them and their minister should be dissolved. But a majority of the church appear to have resolutely adhered to him, and been very unwill- ing to part with him. But in 1798, the church, alarmed at the then state of things, and apparently fearing that to retain Mr. Sargeant in the ministry among them any longer might be fatal to the peace of the parish, and to the interests of religion in it, came to the conclusion it would be best to carry into effect an agreement entered into by them and Mr. Sargeant just before his ordination. That agreement was as follows :
In the warrant for a parish meeting, March 19, 1798, one article was,
" To see what the Parish will do, respecting the uneasiness of a number of persons belonging to said Parish, relative to sitting under the Rev. Samuel Sargeant's preaching," etc. In acting at the meeting upon this article, " Voted to poll the House on the Question of the uneasiness under the Rev. Mr Samuel Sar- geant's preaching : which was accordingly donc. The Return was, that thirty-five were uneasy, and nine otherwise minded."10
The parish then proceeded to choose a committee of seven persons, viz : Maj. Jeremiah Clapp, Mr. Deacon Wyman, Capt. Joseph Brown, Mr. Jacob Peirce, Capt. Benjamin Wyman, Mr. Bill Russell, and Capt. Abijah Thompson, " to request the Rev. Samuel Sargeant and the Church to call a Church meeting for the purpose of choosing a Committee to meet the Parish Con- mittee, to consult together respecting the uneasiness of a number of persons belonging to said Parish, relative to their sitting under the Revd. Mr Samuel Sargeant's Preaching." 10
The committee of seven, chosen as above, proceeded to com- municate the request of the parish to the church, who voted compliance with it, and at a meeting, April 9th, having heard the doings of the parish, March 19th, chose from their own body Samuel Thompson Esq., Deacon Jeduthan Richardson, Deacon Obadiah Kendall, Abijah Thompson and Joseph Lawrence, as a committee, to join with the committee from the parish. At a parish meeting, July 2d, this joint committee reported as follows, viz :
10 Parish Records, Vol. III., pp. 40, 41.
441
HISTORY OF WOBURN.
" We the Subscribers, a joint Committee chosen from the Church and Parish to consider the present uneasiness subsisting between the Rev. Samuel Sargeant the Church and Parish, have attended that business agreeably to their instructions, and report as follows : viz. that after waiting upon Mr. Sargeant at his house, and consulting with him, find he will not come to any agreement, nor make any proposals respecting the terms of a Separation ; but does not object to a Council agreed upon by him and the Church : and we recommend to the Parish to leave it with Mr. Sargeant and the Church to agree upon a Council, and that the uneasiness together with all matters of dispute be submitted to their determination.
" JEDUTHUN RICHARDSON JEREMh. CLAPP. per Order." 11 " July 2, 1798.
The parish voted to accept the above report; and also to join with the church in a council; and that their committee should unite with the committee from the church in making the necessary provision for receiving the council.
Hitherto, the church seems to have entertained a lingering hope, that an accommodation on some terms might be effected between Rev. Mr. Sargeant and the parish, and thus save the necessity of calling a council. But the result of the conference between him and the joint committee, related in the report just given, convinced them it was useless to cherish such an expecta- tion any longer.
Accordingly, at a meeting July 9th, they voted with Mr. Sargeant's concurrence, to call a mutual council of five churches, viz : the church in Chelsea, the church in Billerica, two churches in Reading, and the church in Salem, of which Rev. Messrs. Payson, Cumings, Stone, Prentiss and Barnard, D. D., were pastors.
2. Appointed Tuesday, 25th September next, 10 o'clock, A. M., for the Council to convene; and the pastor and deacons to be the committee to send the letters missive.
The following is the form of a letter missive agreed upon at a church meeting :
" To the Church in Billerica : " Revd. Honb. and Beloved.
" Woburn 23d. July 1798.
" The first Church of Christ in Woburn, sendeth Greeting. "Earnestly requesting your Presence with us on Tuesday 25th Septr. next, at 10 o'clock A. M. by your Pastor and Delegate,
11 Parish Records, Vol. III., p. 43.
442
HISTORY OF WOBURN.
"To consider 'The uneasiness of those Persons belonging to this Parish relative to their sitting under the Rev. Samuel Sargeant's preach- ing'; and to judge of the expediency of his continuing his pastoral relation to this Church. And if it be expedient to dissolve the pastoral Relation, to judge on what Terms and Conditions it shall be dissolved ; according to the mutual agreement between Mr Sargeant and the Church dated 28th. Febr. 1785.
" Wishing Grace, Mercy and Peace to be multiplied unto you, We sub- scribe ourselves Yours in the Faith and Fellowship of the Gospel of Jesus Christ :
" The other Churches sent unto are
" The Church in Chelsea, Two Chhs in Reading The Church in Salem, of which Rev. Mr Payson, Stone, Prentiss and Barnard D.D. are Pastors."
" The Rev. Mr Henry Cummings.
To be communicated."
SAMUEL SARGEANT, Pastor. SAMUEL THOMPSON,
Committee of the
JEDUTHUN RICHARDSON, S Deacons.
Church.
At a legal parish meeting, September 17, 1798 :
"Voted to instruct their present Committee to join the Commit- tee from the Church and Parish ; and for the Joint Committee to proceed to lay all complaints, difficulties or grievances subsisting between the Rev. Mr Sargeant, the Church and Parish that they may think proper, before the Council, which is mutually chosen by Mr Sargeant and the Church, to be assembled at Woburn on Tues- day the 25th. instant, and that they furnish the Revd. Samuel Sar- geant with a Copy of the same as soon as may be.
" The Names of the Joint Committee :
" The Joint Committee
S Dea. SAMUEL THOMPSON Dea. OBADIAH KENDALL Dea. JEDUTHUN RICHARDSON JOSEPH LAWRENCE ABIJANI THOMPSON JEREMIAH CLAPP ICHABOD PARKER JOSIAH PARKER OBADIAH KENDALL Jun'.
"On the part of the Church."
"On the part of the Parish."
" The Parish then Voted to add two more to the Com- mittee, viz :
JOSEPH BROWN DANIEL WYMAN BENJAMIN WYMAN
"Added two more."
" Voted to dissolve the Meeting.
" SAMUEL THOMPSON, Parish Clerk." 12
12 Parish Records, Vol. III., p. 44.
443
HISTORY OF WOBURN.
Address of the joint Committee of the Church and Parish to the Mutual Council.
Prepared agreeably to instructions of the Parish, at a meeting, September 17,1798.
" To the Venerable Council, to be assembled at Woburn 25th of September 1798.
" A statement of the following Grievances and Difficulties sub- sisting between the Rev. Samuel Sargeant and the First Church and Parish in Woburn, [is] submitted to them for their considera- tion and decision by the Joint Committee chosen by the Church and Parish for that purpose.
" It appears that the uneasiness originated at or about the time of Mr. Sargeant's settlement A. D. 1785, and notwithstanding the opposition that was then made against him by a large number of the inhabitants, it was thought best by the Council to ordain him.
" We further state that ever since Mr. Sargeant was ordained, the opposition has increased. Several attempts at different times have been made to dissolve the connexion, as may appear by the Parish Records.
" A Baptist Society has been formed, principally consisting of Inhabitants that have left the first Parish, in consequence (as we apprehend) of their being dissatisfied with Mr Sargeant. And we sensibly feel the loss of so large a number who have already with- drawn from us ; and have great reason to fear, that a very consid- erable number more will soon leave us, unless some measures be speedily taken to prevent it.
" We further say, that the mysterious and unintelligible manner of Mr. Sargeant's communicating his ideas is the general complaint of his hearers : and it is further alleged that he has neglected Catechising the children ; nor has kept up Lectures, according to the practice of other churches ; and that his Visits have been few and partial. For these and other reasons there is such a general uneasiness in the Parish, that we do believe his usefulness is near at an end in this place ; and that a dissolution of his Ministerial Relation will be most for the peace, happiness and interest of both. him and the Parish.
" As it will be too tedious (if not impossible) to exhibit on paper all that may be necessary to lay before the Council, we wish to reserve the liberty to offer all such other matters as may be expe- dient for them to hear relating to the premises; and that Mr Sargeant have liberty to do the same.
444
HISTORY OF WOBURN.
" As there is provision in the Contract made between Mr. Sar- geant and the Church, that either party being dissatisfied with the Result of a mutual Council, may have a right to appeal to the Association, and should there be an Appeal, we expect the Church and Parish will have the liberty to offer any new matters to the Association that they may think proper, provided they furnish Mr. Sargeant seasonably with a Copy of the same." 13
" Result of Council.
" WOBURN, 27th. Sept. 1798.
" An ecclesiastical Council, consisting of the following Churches, viz. The Church in Chelsea, the Church in Billerica, the North Church in Salem, the first and second Church in Reading, being convened agreeable to Letters Missive from the Rev. [Samuel] Sargeant and the church of Christ in the first Parish in Woburn, to consider their circumstances, and the expediency of dissolving his pastoral Relation, as stated in said Letters Missive : Having addressed the Throne of Grace for Light and Direction, and hav- ing attended to the discussions and state [statements?] of the parties in said Parish, particularly to the uneasiness of a large number of the Church and people under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr Sargeant, who wish to have his ministerial connexion with them dissolved.
" And having viewed and compared the probable consequences, both of his continuing in the ministry among them, and of a disso- lution of his pastoral relation, are clearly of opinion, that circum- stances are such, as make it expedient that his said relation should be dissolved, provided they shall be willing to make him any rea- sonable compensation. And, accordingly, the Council do unani- mously advise him the said Mr Sargeant to ask a dismission from the church and people of his charge, on condition that they shall pay him nine hundred dollars, that sum being judged no more than a reasonable compensation for his relinquishing his contract.
" We do not advise to this measure on account of any culpability which we have found in Mr Sargeant. For justice and charity to him oblige us to say that his moral character as a Man, as a Christian, and as a Minister, stands fair and unimpeached ; no charges having been offered of any immoral Conduct, false Doctrine or criminal delinquency in office.
13 Parish Records, Vol. III., p. 45.
445
HISTORY OF WOBURN.
" We find ourselves therefore constrained to observe, that it cannot but be a painful consideration to all sincere Christians, and particularly discouraging to the ministers of the Gospel to reflect, that any of the sacred order, after having spent the best part of their days in the service of the Sanctuary with a fair character, maintained through the whole of their ministry, should in consequence of divisions and uneasinesses, which do not impli- cate them in criminality, be reduced to the disagreeable alternative of taking a dismission, or living in a most uncomfortable and per- plexing controversy with a great part of their parishioners. .
" Mr Sargeant, so far as we are able to get acquainted with the circumstances of his case, falls under the above predicament.
" And being ourselves persuaded of his integrity and upright- ness, and the goodness of his heart and character, We can, and do with the greatest sincerity, recommend him to any people who may see fit to employ him as a minister.
' Though unfeignedly grieved at the separation which may now take place between their Pastor and this Church and People, yet we have been highly pleased with the honorable manner in which they have conducted the whole hearing before us.
"We have earnestly wished this temper might have issued in your Order and happiness, still united together. But our wishes in this respect are not gratified. The Relation between you being dis- solved, according to our advice, cherish that humility and peni- tence, which become you upon an event so serious and affecting.
" We humbly trust, as a Council, we have heard you with patience and impartiality ; and have decided in the integrity of our hearts.
" All that remains for us to do is to commend you to the bless- ing of Almighty God, which is more valuable than any thing else.
" Wherever the Pastor of this Church goes, may he prosper, and finally receive a Crown of Life which shall never fade away !
" May the Church and People have peace and be edified, and be continually under His guidance, who is able to preserve them from falling, and to present them faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.
" Phillips Payson, Moderator.
" Caleb Prentiss, Scribe."
" The above is the Result of a mutual Council of Churches,
39
446
HISTORY OF WOBURN.
chosen by Mr Sargeant and the Church in the first Parish in Woburn 9th. July 1798, and convened 25th. Sept. 1798.
" True Copy : Attest. SAMUEL SARGEANT, Pastor."
But the difficulties with Rev. Mr. Sargeant were not yet ended. The compensation awarded him by the council for relinquishing his contract seems to have been considered by the parish as excessive. At a parish meeting, October 10, 1798, the Result of Council having been read, a committee of seven was chosen, which was empowered "to make such agreement with the Rev. Mr. Samuel Sargeant on such terms of separation as they may think expedient." At an adjournment of this meeting, November 7th, the committee reported verbally to the parish, " that they had applied to Mr. Sargeant, but could not come to any agreement with him, which they thought would be satisfactory to the Par- ish." . Whereupon it was voted, after some consultation, " That the Parish do not comply with the Result of the Council." 14
At a meeting, April 8, 1799, in compliance with an article in the warrant, " to see if the Parish will take any measure by a committee or otherwise to make a final settlement with the Rev. Samuel Sargeant," the parish chose a committee of five for this purpose, viz : Mr. Abijah Thompson, Mr. Daniel Reed, Lieut. Joseph Lawrence, Maj. Jeremiah Clapp, and Mr. Bartholomew Richardson, Jr., which reported at an adjournment of that meeting, April 29, 1799, that they "had agreed with the Rev. Samuel Sargeant to quit his Ministerial connection, together with all contracts heretofore entered into by him with the Church and Parish, and to receive from the Parish the sum of four hun- dred dollars together with his salary up to the twenty-eighth day of May next, as specified in the Memorandum of Agreement made between Mr Sargeant and the Committee authorized for the above purpose, Woburn April 9th. 1799.
" ARIJAH THOMPSON DANIEL REED. JOSEPH LAWRENCE JEREMIAH CLAPP BARTHW. RICHARDSON."
14 P'arish Records, Vol. III., pp. 48, 49.
447
HISTORY OF WOBURN.
The report was accepted : and the committee was directed, with the treasurer, to complete the settlement with Mr. Sargeant, in the way and manner above reported, as soon as possible, and then report to the parish.15 And when this arrangement was carried into effect, the connection between Rev. Mr. Sargeant and the people of Woburn doubtless ceased.
Rev. Samuel Sargeant was born at Worcester, November 6, 1755; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1783, where he studied divinity under the direction of Rev. Professor Ripley. Dismissed from Woburn, he removed to Chester, Vt., and was never reset- tled in the ministry. At different times, however, he made sey- eral missionary tours in the employment of the Connecticut and Massachusetts Missionary Societies ; particularly in the northe. n parts of Vermont, in Wayne and Luzerne counties, Pennsylvania, and in Oneida county, New York. He also had the charge of the church in Chester, and at times preached in the town by contract for a longer or a shorter period, as occasion offered ; but without settlement. He died at Chester, June 2, 1818, aged sixty-three.16
During his ministry at Woburn, there were sixty-two admi .- sions to the church; one hundred and eighty infants and one adult were baptized ; and one hundred and twelve marriages on record were solemnized, inclusively of his own.17
After the withdrawal of Rev. Mr. Sargeant, May 27, 1799, agrecably to the advice of a Mutual Council convened at Woburn in September of the year before, the Church remained destitute of a settled pastor several years.
July 14, 1801, the church gave a call to the pastoral office to Mr. Joshua Lane, a graduate of Harvard College, in 1799. In this choice, the town concurred in September. It also voted to give him six hundred dollars as a settlement, and an annual salary of four hundred and fifty dollars, so long as he should continue their Gospel minister.18 And at a subsequent town
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.