USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Charlestown > The history of the First church, Charlestown, in nine lectures, with notes > Part 23
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The tower and steeple were also at this time repaired and painted ; the tower was seventy-two feet high, and the height of the steeple, to the top of the ball, was one hundred and sixty-two feet from the ground. Aaron Putnam, Esq., Zabdiel B. Adams, Esq., and Mr. Amariah Childs, were the committee appointed to superintend the work.
" The names of the present proprietors (and where they are not known, the present occupiers) of the pews, with the number annexed
236
to their respective names, of the pews assigned them, after the altera- tions and enlargements of the meeting-house are completed agreeably to the plan - the other pews the property of the subscribers who are to complete the alterations. May 3, 1804.
PEWS BELOW.
Samuel Bradstreet,
No. 1 | Cotton Center,
No. 64
Thomas Harris,
2 Samuel Swan, Jr.,
65
Samuel Swan, Jr.,
3 Matthew Bridge, 66
John Larkin,
4 Larkin & Goodwin,
67
Phillips, Payson, & Samuel Soley,
5 Isaac Mallett's est.,
68
Artemas Ward,
6 John Austin,
69
John Harris,
7 | Perkins Nichols,
70
Nathan Tufts,
8
John Pratt,
71
Est. of David Devens,
9
Josiah Barker,
72
Poor's pew,
17
Richard Frothingham,
73
Bartlett & Payson,
26
Benjamin Frothingham,
74
Francis Hyde,
27
Ammi R. Tufts,
75
Daniel Tufts,
28
Timothy Thompson,
76
Thomas Osgood,
29
Eliphalet Newell, 83
78
Poor's pew,
38 Est. of Samuel Conant,
86
Widow Larkin,
39 Nathaniel Austin,
87
Josiah Bartlett,
45 Mercy Farnsworth,
88
Ebenezer Breed,
41
Thomas W. Pratt,
89
Frothingham & Goodwin,
42
William Goodwin,
90
David Wood,
43 James Frothingham, Jr.,
91
Minister's pew,
44
Poor's pew,
100
Thomas Brooks,
48
Holmes & Pratt,
108
Thomas Hooper,
49
| Timothy Walker,
109
Aaron Putnam,
36 Samuel Cary, &c.,
110
Carleton & Stetson,
51 George Bartlett, &c.,
111
Benjamin Hurd,
52 Widow Henley,
112
Richard Devens,
53 Joseph Hurd,
113
Benjamin Mirick,
54 Est. of John Stanton,
114
Amos Tufts,
55 Est. of James Russell,
115
Andrew Kettell,
62
Giles Alexander,
116
Richard Boylston,
63
PEWS IN THE GALLERY.
Joseph Parker,
No. 117 | Aaron Putnam,
No. 136
Jabez Stevens,
118
Joseph Sweetser,
137
Jonathan Lock,
119
James Call,
138
Joseph Brown,
120
John Larkin,
139
Nehemiah Wyman,
121
John Harris,
140
William Newhall,
122
Matthew Bridge,
141
John Edmunds,
123
Thomas C. Hay ward,
142
John Runey,
124
William Leathers,
143
William Wiley,
125
David Edmands,
144
Benjamin Hurd,
126
Manning & Mansir,
145
Benjamin Hurd,
131
Nicholas Brown,
158
Parish,
132 | Isaac Pratt,
159
Joseph Hurd,
133 | Joshua Hooper,
160
Mrs. Wallace,
134 |Josiah Harris,
161
Samuel Jaques,
135, Parish pew,
162
31
Peter Edes,
79
Edmands & Fosdick,
32
Poor's pew,
84
John Edmands,
30
William Wiley,
Widow Barker,
33 Rayner and Frothingham,
85
Jonathan Kettell,
237
In 1794, a subscription of $744 was raised for the purchase of an organ, which was accepted by the parish, and used in public worship until the present meeting-house was built.
In 1809, a " chapel " was erected in the garden of the parsonage, " twenty-six feet by twenty-one, and ten and a half feet in the clear ;" and the expense defrayed by a subscription on the part of the members of the church, amounting to $411.
The bell, which was presented by Champion, Dickason and Burgis, being claimed by the selectmen as the property of the town, was removed from the belfry of the meeting-house September 25, 1845, and surrendered to the selectmen, who caused it to be placed in the cupola of the town house. The cause of the removal of the bell by the committee of the parish, and the surrender of it to the town, was the claim instituted by the selectmen, to the right of entering the meeting-house for the purpose of ringing the bell, and repairing the clock and bell-a claim which was disallowed by the parish.
NOTE 50, page 143.
FORMATION OF THE PARISH.
THE records of the parish begin with the date of May 20, 1784, when the inhabitants of the parish, qualified to vote in town affairs, were warned to meet in the meeting-house for the transaction of busi- ness, by warrant from Thaddeus Mason, of Cambridge, justice of the peace. The reason of the warrant's being given by Mr. Mason was, that the parish committee had neglected it so long, that it was out of their power to do it legally.
In the year 1803, a meeting of the " freeholders, and other inhabi- tants in the first parish qualified to vote in parish affairs," was held in the town hall, " to take into consideration the petition of John Lar- kin and others, inhabitants of the first parish in Charlestown, and members of the first religious society in said town, praying that the holders of pews in the meeting-house in which they worship, may be made a body corporate, with power to make assessments on the pews in said house, for the repairing of the same, and the support of the teacher of said society." A committee was appointed to oppose said petition, by a vote of 157 to 88. Nothwithstanding this opposition, the act of incorporation was passed March 5, 1803. Upon the organ- ization of the parish by the act of incorporation, a list, consisting of 238 names, was prepared, comprising all the persons who, agreeably to the provisions of that act, were members of the first parish in the town of Charlestown. An act in addition to the act of 1803, was passed in 1812, and still another in 1822.
£
238
NOTE 51, page 148. THE TABLET.
A TABLET, bearing the following inscription, is placed in the ves- tibule of the church.
IN MEMORY OF THE PASTORS AND TEACHERS OF THIS CHURCH. THOMAS JAMES, Born -; grad. Cam. Univ. Eng., Eman. Coll. A. B. 1614, A. M. 1618; ins. Nov. 2, 1632; dis. March 11, 1636.
ZECHARIAH SYMMES,
Born, Canterbury, Eng .; grad. Cam. Univ. Eng., Eman. Coll. A. B. 1620; ins. Dec. 22, 1634; died Feb. 4, 1671, æt. 72.
JOHN HARVARD,
Born -; grad. Cam. Univ. Eng., Eman. Coll. A. B. 1631, A. M. 1635 adm. to chh. Nov. 6, 1637 ; died Sept. 14, 1633.
THOMAS ALLEN,
Born, Norwich, Eng .; grad. Cam. Univ. Eng , Caius Coll. A. B. 1627, A. M. 1631, ins. 1639, dis. 1651, died Sept. 1673, æt. 65.
THOMAS SHEPARD,
Born, London, Eng. ; grad. Harv. Coll. 1653; ord. April 13, 1659; died Dec. 22, 1677, æt. 43.
THOMAS SHEPARD, JR.
Born, Charlestown; grad. Harv. Coll. 1676; ord. May 5, 1680; died June 7, 1685, æt. 27.
CHARLES MORTON, Born, Pendavy, Eng. ; grad. Ox. Univ. Eng. ; ins. Nov. 5, 1686; died April 11, 1698, æt. 72.
SIMON BRADSTREET,
Born, New London, Ct. ; grad. Harv. Coll. 1693; ord. Oct. 26, 1698; died Dec. 31, 1741, æt. 72.
JOSEPH STEVENS, Born, Andover ; grad. Harv. Coll. 1703; ord. Oct. 13, 1713; died Nov. 16, 1721, æt. 39.
HULL ABBOT,
Born, Boston, Grad. Harv. Coll. 1720, ord. Feb. 5, 1724, died April 18, 1774, æt. 72. TIIOMAS PRENTICE,
Born, Cambridge ; grad. Harv. Coll. 1726; ins. Oct. 3, 1739; died June 17, 1752, æt. 80.
JOSHUA PAINE, Born, Sturbridge; grad. Harv. Coll. 1784 ; ord. January 10, 1787; died Feb. 27, 1788, æt. 25.
All of whom, except Thomas James and Thomas Allen, who returned to England, died in the ministry of this church, and were interred in the ancient burying ground of this town.
Whose faith follow,-considering the end of their conversation : Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and to-day and forever. Heb. xiii. 7. 8.
239
NOTE 52, page 150.
INSTALLATION OF REV. DR. MORSE.
DR. MORSE had been ordained in 1786, in New Haven, Ct. as an Evangelist, to take the place of Rev. Dr. Holmes, afterwards of Cam- bridge, who had received a similar ordination the year before in the same place, for the purpose of taking the pastoral care of a Congrega- tional church in Midway, Ga.
The churches invited to the council of installation were nine, viz : the church in Brookline, Rev. Joseph Jackson ; in Sturbridge, Rev. Joshua Paine ; Cambridge, Rev. Timothy Hilliard ; Boston, Rev. Jeremy Belknap, Rev. Peter Thatcher, Rev. John Eliot, Rev. Joseph Eckley ; Medford, Rev. David Osgood; and Woodstock, Ct. Rev. Eliphalet Lyman. Dr. Belknap's sermon was published at the request of the parish, together with the charge by Mr. Jackson, and the right hand of fellowship by Mr. Osgood.
The churches invited to attend the council convened for the ordina- tion of Mr. Paine, were the churches in Sturbridge, Rev. Joshua Paine ; in Brookfield, Rev. Mr. Fisk ; Brookline, Rev. Mr. Jackson ; Cambridge, Rev. Mr. Hilliard ; Medford, Rev. Mr. Osgood; Boston, Rev. Mr. Thacher, and Rev. Mr. Eliot. The president, professors, and tutors of Harvard College, and ministers of all denominations, of the town of Boston, were invited to dine with the ordaining council.
NOTE 53, page 151.
HARVARD AND WINTHROP CHURCHES.
THE second or " Harvard Church " was formed March 26, 1817. Their first minister, Rev. Thomas Prentiss was ordained March 26, 1817, and died October 5, 1817, at the age of 25. Their second minister, Rev. James Walker, D. D., was settled April 15, 1818, and was dismissed 1839, having been elected Professor of Moral Philoso- phy in Harvard University. The Rev. George E. Ellis, their present pastor, was ordained March 11, 1840.
The third Congregational or " Winthrop Church," is orthodox in faith, and was gathered January 9, 1833. Thirty-four persons, four- teen of whom were males, were dismissed from this church, for the purpose of being organized by a council into a new church. Their first minister, Rev. Daniel Crosby, was installed August 14, 1833, and died February 28, 1843, in the 44th year of his age, having resigned his pastoral charge about a year before his death. Their present pastor, Rev. John Humphrey, was ordained November 30, 1842.
'The other churches in this town, are three Baptist, a Universalist, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Free-will Baptist, and Episcopalian.
240
NOTE 54, page 158.
DR. MORSE.
DR. MORSE was born in Woodstock, Ct., and graduated at Yale College, in 1783. In the summer after his dismission from this church, he received a commission from the President to travel among the Indian tribes of the Western Country for the purpose of ascertaining their actual condition. His report to the Secretary of War, having been submitted to Congress, was published at New Haven, in 1822, under his own inspection. He died in New Haven, June 9, 1826. As an author he was greatly distinguished by his geographical works, and his other publications were numerous. I have been informed by S. F. B. Morse, Esq., that his brother Richard is now engaged in preparing a biography of his father.
NOTE 55, page 158.
PRESENT MEETING-HOUSE.
THE cost of this edifice was 817,435 77, not including the mate- rials of the old house, much of which was sound and valuable. The building is 78 feet long and 68 feet wide.
NOTE 56, page 159.
SACRAMENTAL FURNITURE.
IN the year 1800, the sacramental furniture of the church consisted of 4 flagons, 14 tankards, I cup, 1 bason, and 1 spoon, all of silver, and also 8 pewter dishes and 2 table cloths. Of these, 3 flagons, 7 tankards, and 4 pewter dishes, not having been used for many years, were sold, and the proceeds loaned to the town of Charlestown, to be again invested in plate for the use of the communion table, at the pleasure of the church.
As a part of the plate sold was given to the church by Richard Sprague, Esq. and Mrs. Stevens, the name of Mrs. Stevens was in- scribed on one of the tankards belonging to the church ; and on the bottom of the tankard then in use, and given by Richard Sprague, Esq., the following inscription was engraved : " This tankard, with three large flagons, were given to the church in Charlestown by Richard Sprague, Esq. a liberal benefactor to the church and poor of said town, A. D. 1703. The flagons not being needed for sacramen- tal uses, were sold by vote of the church, June 17, 1800, and the property vested in a town note. See Church Book, No. 1, page 5S, and Church Book, No. 2, page 31."
--
241
Reference is made in Church Records ii. 32, to a volume in folio, in which was written " a full account of the proceedings of the church and the reasons on which they were founded." This volume appears to have been lost.
On the handle of one of the small tankards sold, were the letters S. T. A., the initials of a giver unknown; and these letters were transferred to a tankard belonging to the church, and then in use.
The pieces of sacramental furniture, now in the possession and use of the church, are as follows :
2 tankards. " The gift of Capt. Richard Sprague."
2 do. " R. + R. to C. C."
1 do. " C. + 1763." " The gift of Mrs. Abigail Stevens to the church in Charlestown."
1 do. " The gift of Capt. John Miller to the church of Christ in Charlestown, 1793."
1 do. " C. + C. 1763."
1 cup. " Ex dono Mrs. Elisa. Smith to the church of Christ, April 12, 1717."
1 spoon. " C. C."
1 bason. " Hocce lavacrum Ecclesia Charlstoniensi Nov. Anglia in baptismi usum dedicat Henricus Phillips, 1 mo. Maii. 1726."
1 table cloth.
The following " statement of property belonging to the church of Christ in Charlestown," was made January 1, 1788, by James Russell, Samuel Henley, and Joseph IIurd-a committee raised for the pur- pose-and is the earliest I find on record.
" One lot of land at Walnut-tree Hill, 14 acres, rented to Jona. Teel, for which he gave a note £4 4.
"One ditto in Range-way, 12 acres,' rented to Mr. Peter Tufts for £2 8.
" One ditto in Three Pole lane, about 6 acres, the rent of which for this year was given to Dea. Frothingham, by a vote, for his trouble."
Bonds, notes and accounts, viz :
" James Adams and William Lawrence note of hand, dated No- vember 19, 1787, £38.
" John Edmand's bond, with a mortgage, settled to June 19, 1787, £51 3.
" Aaron and Jona. Teel's bond, £20.
" Jona. Teel's note of hand, April 12, 1789, £6.
" Estate of Dea. John Frothingham, the balance of his accounts, £35 4 7.
" Estate of Samuel Hutchinson, the balance settled to June 9, 1787. £15 1 7.
" Estate of William Hunnewell, the balance, £8 18 2."
1 This land was sold by vote of the church, 1833, "for the benefit of the Boston and Lowell Corporation." The new church in Somerville now stands upon this lot.
31
-
242
NOTE 57, page 159.
THE RUSSELL FAMILY.
THE ancestor of this distinguished family was the Hon. Richard Russell, who came from Herefordshire in England, in 1640, at the age of 29, and settled in this place. Ile was one of the most eminent merchants of his time, and died at the age of 65, in 1676, possessed of a large estate. He bequeathed to this town a valuable farm lying in Lynnfield, the income of which was to be distributed among the poor of Charlestown, at the discretion of the selectmen and deacons. He gave also two other lots of land to the town, the income of one of which he appropriated for the support of school education ; the other for the relief of the poor of the church, to be distributed by the dea- cons. He gave also handsome legacies to the then ministers of Bos- ton, Charlestown, Cambridge, Watertown, Newton, Roxbury, and Dorchester.
HIon. James Russell, eldest son of Richard, was born in Charles- town, October 4, 1640, and succeeded his father in his mercantile profession and in his public offices. He died April 28, 1709.
Ilis son, the Hon. Daniel Russell, was born November 30, 1685, and died December 6, 1763. The following character of this excel- lent man was written immediately after his death: " The Hon. Daniel Russell, for upwards of twenty years, was a member of his majesty's council for this province ; he also served the province as commissioner of impost, and the county of Middlesex as treasurer, for more than fifty years ; in the discharge of all which oflices, such was his con- scientious fidelity and unsullied integrity, as procured him universal approbation and esteem in public and private life. Ilis whole conduct was such as evidently showed his invariable desire and endeavor to preserve a conscience void of offence, both towards God and towards man ; and by the rectitude of his behavior, to adorn and recommend the holy religion which he professed, and to approve himself to the all-searching eye of the Father of Spirits. Ilis memory is greatly honored by all who were acquainted with him, in whose esteem he was truly that noblest work of God, AN HONEST MAN. It is observa- ble, that in all the several offices which he sustained, he succeeded his worthy father and grandfather, both of whom held and discharged the same, for a great number of years, with unspotted reputation."
The Hon. James Russell, second son of Daniel, was born in Charlestown, Angust 5, 1715. Ilis mother was the only daughter of the Hon. Charles Chambers. Ilis wife was the daughter of Hon. Thomas Graves, whom he married at the age of 23, and with whom he lived nearly forty years. He died April 24, 1798, in the 83d year of his age. From the sermon preached by Dr. Morse, the Sabbath after Mr. Russell's death, we learn that he bore a most exemplary character, and this is amply attested by many still living who remem- ber him. He was singularly attached to his native town, and in some instances he made the interests of his own family subordinate to those of the town. He was distinguished, like his ancestors, by his chari- ties to the poor ; and was much occupied in devising and executing
243
plans for their good. The last public business in which he was en- gaged, was to disembarrass some valuable legacies bequeathed to the poor of the town, which had during the war become mixed with other funds, for which business no other person possessed so competent information, and by which he restored and secured to the poor a handsome and regular income. Ilis great object was to do good, and he was continually devising liberal things. "Of this," says Dr. Morse, " I myself have been a frequent witness. After I had taken my last leave of him, previous to my late journey, he said to me, ' I have been thinking of a plan for the benefit of the poor of this town, which I will communicate to you when you return.'" Dr. Morse did not return, however, before his death, so that he had no opportunity of knowing what the plan he contemplated was, but says that it origi- nated in his mind from reading Count Rumford's essays. He was also warmly enlisted in behalf of the cause of education, both in the town and state, in private schools and in public seminaries. He was a great advocate for social libraries, particularly for the use of the clergy1 in the country ; and often expressed a wish that gentlemen of property and benevolence would bequeath legacies for such establish- ments. Mr. Russell was also, says his pastor, " a professor, and a sincere, influential and uniform friend and supporter of the Christian religion. The religious duties of the Sabbath, of the family, and the closet, he regularly and devoutly performed. He not only believed, but he exemplified in his practice the religion which he professed. And he experienced its comforts and supports in every period of his life, and particularly in his last sickness, which he endured with a calmness and resignation well-becoming a good man. Two things he particularly desired, that he 'might not outlive his usefulness,' and that he ' might have an easy death.' In both, his desires were com- pletely fulfilled. His judgment, memory, health, and social powers continued, in a remarkable degree, unimpaired till a few weeks before his death. His sickness was short, and not extremely painful ; and when the time of his departure arrived, without a groan or a struggle, he fell asleep."
Ilon. Thomas Russell, the second son of James, was born in Charlestown, April 7, 1740, and died in Boston, April 8, 1796. He was the fifth generation in the mercantile profession, and became the first, or one of the first merchants in America. The sermons of Dr. Thacher and Dr. Morse, on occasion of his death, and the eulogy by Dr. Warren, afford ample testimony to the excellencies of his charac- ter. Although abounding in wealth, and surrounded by the most dis- tinguished characters of his own and other countries, there was nothing haughty or assuming about him. By his affability, easiness of access, and engaging condescension, he possessed his immense fortune unen- vied, and was universally lamented in death. At a time when infidelity was fashionable, and neglect of religion common, he was not ashamed publicly to profess religion ; and he ever maintained a firm, but unos-
1 I am happy to state that a good beginning has been made for a Pastor's library, in the generous douation by James Hunnewell, Esq .. of the Massachusetts Historical Society's Col- lection, in twenty-five volumes, for the use of the pastor of the church. These volumes have been of very essential service in the preparation of these lectures.
244
tentatious adherence to his religious principles. By birth, education, and residence for many years, as well as by ancestral recollections, he was attached to this town, and was intending shortly to become an inhabitant, and spend the evening of his days in it.
The following interesting facts respecting the manner in which Mr. Russell acquired his property, are derived from Dr. Warren's eulogy. Having obtained his mercantile education under Mr. Thomas Green, an honorable and distinguished merchant of Boston, he went to Que- bec in 1759, where he received a consignment, by which he made considerable profit. In 1762, when war existed between France and Great Britain, and the ocean was infested with French privateers, he embarked with a cargo for the West Indies, and was persuaded to take a letter of introduction to a French gentleman in Martinico, which he received with indifference, as the island was in possession of the French, and he was bound to another port. He was captured, how- ever, on his voyage, and carried into Martinico. All his property fell into the hands of the enemy, and he was subjected to severe confine- ment. Whilst in custody, the circumstance of the letter occurred to his mind, and he was permitted to visit the gentleman to whom it was directed. No sooner had he perused it, than, being in a situation of authority, he obtained Mr. Russell's release, and offered him his own house as an asylum from injury. Nor did his friendly offices terminate here. Ile loaned him a sum of money, with a part of which Mr. Russell was able greatly to relieve the misfortunes of his fellow pris- oners. And this, together with another sum belonging to his father, which happened at that time to be placed in the West Indies, and a strong recommendation from the same friend, enabled him to enter into a very lucrative trade, and thus laid the foundation of his subsequent success. But as if Providence had determined to give him an early lesson of the precarious nature of property, a vessel and cargo was consigned to him from New England and disposed of for bills on a house in Great Britain. Soon after his return to this country, he found the bills protested, and being himself the endorser, he had every reason to suppose himself ruined. Mr. Russell immediately embarked for London, and obtained an interview with the drawer, who, out of regard for Mr. Russell, from the fairness and honesty he discovered in his dealings with him, immediately adopted such measures as secured him against loss. This occurrence, like most of his apparent misfor- tunes, turned out to his advantage, by leading him to an acquaintance with a house of great credit and eminence in England. The acknowl- edgements which Mr. Russell afterwards had an opportunity of making to that firm, under the heavy losses which they had suffered, exhibited the singular phenomenon of a European house, deriving in its estab- lishment, a powerful support from the capital of an American mer- chant. The generous feelings of Mr. Russell's heart were also gratified, by a providential circumstance, which enabled him to repay the interposition of his French friend, to a son or other relative of his benefactor. On his return from England, Mr. Russell opened a store in Boston, but soon after removed, and carried on his business in Charlestown. At the beginning of the Revolutionary war, he was possessed of a handsome fortune, but lost a part of it in the destruction of the town. During his exile, he resided in Dunstable, and again
245
became an inhabitant of Boston, after the evacuation of the town by the British troops. Mr. Russell, improving the advantages accruing from the independence of the country, entered largely into commerce ; he sent the first ship ever employed by any individual of the United States, in the trade to Russia; and was also largely concerned in the East India commerce.
Besides Thomas, the children of James and Katharine Russell were ten. Charles, the eldest, born January 7, 1739, was a respectable physician, and died at Antigua, May 27, 1780. Chambers Russell was born December 3, 1755, was educated a merchant, and died at Charleston, South Carolina, an amiable and rising character, March 16, 1790. Margaret Russell, born December 7, 1751, and married to John Codman, Esq., merchant, of Boston, was a most benevolent and excellent woman, and died at Boston, March 12, 1789. She became the mother of Rev. Dr. Codman, of Dorchester.1
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