USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Taunton > The ministry of Taunton, with incidental notices of other professions > Part 11
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Rev. W. G. Trask,¿ third Pastor, educated at Newton, was settled June, 1834, and died July, 1836.
Rev. Henry Clark, fourth Pastor, graduated at Brown University, was settled December 29, 1836, and resigned June 16, 1839.
Rev. J. F. Burbank, fifth Pastor, a native of Portland,
* I requested Rev. Mr. Pollard to furnish me with a more extended notice of this church, but he remarked that such was the condition of the early Records as to render it impracticable. This church was call- ed, at its organization, the second Baptist Church, with reference to an earlier one at the north part of the town. Its social meetings, prior to the settlement of a Pastor, were held in a Hall, on Main Street, and were of a most interesting character.
t The original members of the church were the following: William Stall, James Olney, Elias Parry, Thomas C. Brown, Abiathar Phillips, Abiathar Hall, Mary Johnson, Phebe Godfrey, Rhoda Godfrey, Nancy Stall, Mary Stall, Content Smith, Betsey Olney, Susan Leonard, Han- nah Leonard, Margaret Leonard.
# Mr. Trask's ministry was short. The consumption soon closed his labors, and terminated a life on earth which promised abundant useful- ness. It was the prediction of Doctor Sharp, to whose church Mr. T. belonged, and who preached his ordination sermon, that his people would not have him long. In a little more than two years, the Doctor preached his youthful brother's funeral sermon. He died, as Deacon Woodward, who knew and loved him well, expressed it, "in the triumphs of faith." He was an uncommonly good man. All denominations of Christians respected and highly estecmed him. He was very dear to the people of his Pastoral charge. He was buried in Lincoln, in this State, where he died at the house of his father-in-law.
143
TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Maine, graduated at Waterville in 1837, was settled Feb- ruary 3, 1841, and resigned November 13, 1841.
Rev. J. F. Wilcox, sixth Pastor, a native of Westmins- ter Vt., in 1806, educated in Newton, was settled De- cember 12, 1842, and resigned November 25, 1848.
Rev. Andrew Pollard, the present Pastor, was settled September 1, 1849.
The Trinitarian Congregational Church
was organized* August 17, 1821, consisting of twenty-nine members, of whom ten yet survive. The only surviving original male members are Philander W. Dean,f and Sam- uel Godfrey.
Rev. CHESTER ISHAM, the first Pastor of the church, was born in West Hartford, Ct., in 1798, graduated at
* Mr. Maltby, in a note to his " Quarter Century Sermon," ascribes this organization to the fact, that after Mr. Pipon's dismission, Rev. Lu- ther Hamilton was introduced to the Congregational Society as a can- didate, who avowed opinions objectionable to some of the church. The following were the members of the church at its organization: Dea. Jeremialı Sumner, Mary B. Bush, Lydia Carver, Olive Carver, Betsey Crossman, Prudence Crossman, Philander W. Dean, Rebecca Dean, Hannah Dean, Charlotte J. L. Godfrey, Samuel Godfrey, Susanna Hall, Mercy Holmes, Sarah P. Howland, Zipporah King, Eliza Leonard, Charlotte Morton, Otis Pierce, Dorcas Potter, Sarah H. Shepard, Mary Smith, Priscilla F. Smith, Relief H. Smith, Beulah Stephens, Hannah Staples, Joanna Sumner, Mary Williams. Luci.da Williams, Susannah Williams. This church commenced public worship at the Town Hall; removed thence to the Court House, where they remained till the spring of 1833, when their meeting-house, in the vicinity of " the Green," was dedicated, Doctor Burgess of Dedham, preaching the sermon. This original structure has just given place to a new and costly edifice of stone, the whole length of which, including the pulpit recess, is one hundred and twenty feet, and its width sixty-five feet.
t I have been informed by G. B. Atwood, Esq., that the first Tem- perance Society in town was organized soon after the formation of this church. It was during a temporary supply of the pulpit by Rev. E. C. Bridgman, who has been for many years connected with the mission to China. Mr. Bridgman was the President of the Society. The organi- zation took place in the Sabbath School, and Mr. P. W. Dean, Superin- tendent of the school, was the first individual who signed the constitu- tion and took the pledge. (See page 394, vol. 1.)
144
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
Yale College in 1820, was settled in Taunton, February 18, 1824, and died the day after his return from a winter residence in a southern climate for the recovery of his health, April 20, 1825, aged twenty-seven. Rarely has a minister excited higher hopes of usefulness and eminence than did Mr. Isham .* He was a class-mate, room-mate and intimate friend of Rev. Leonard Bacon, of New-Ha- ven, in their preparatory course at New-Haven and Ando- ver; and from the pen of this endeared and afflicted associate in study, proceeded soon after a faithful notice, which was published in the " Christian Spectator," follow- ed by a sermon from the lamented subject of the sketch, founded on the text in Prov. 11: 7, "When a wicked man dieth, his expectations shall perish."
It was the strong desire of Mr. Isham, when sick on ship-board, that he might live to reach Taunton, and be "buried," as he expressed it, "in the midst of his dear people." This latter wish of the dying Pastor was grati- fied. Whoever visits the field of the dead on the " Plain," may there read the following Inscription :
A case analagous to that of Mr. Isham has more recently occurred, when the youthful Homer fell a victim to pastoral care and labor on the very threshold of his ministerial life. Prof. B. B. Edwards who preached on the occasion of Homer's burial once remarked to me that he never saw such an afflicted assembly as was gathered at South Ber- wick that day. When the news reached Taunton that the beloved Ish- am had expired at the house of Doctor Wisner, where he had been cherished with the tenderest care, the few hours he was permitted to live, after coming on shore, the children of the town, as they heard the sound of the tolling bell, understood its meaning, and wept with no common grief for the loss of a man they loved. I have heard one, who was then a mere child say, that she was standing alone in a retired part of her father's garden at the time, and the impression the first stroke of that bell made upon her mind was never lost. It appeared to her young heart, as if the grave was about to close over every friend, and bury all her hopes.
145
TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
"The Reverend CHESTER ISHAM,
born at Hartford, Conn., March 29, 1798,
was ordained first Pastor of the Trinitarian Cong. Society in this place, Feb. 18, 1824.
In the October following, his declining health compelled him to embark for Cuba, whence he returned to Boston, just in time to meet his wife and babe, and to fall asleep, April 20, 1825. Devout men carried him to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
For in his death, bright hopes, (alas! how many!) were extinguished. He was laid in this place, that he might rest, with the people of his love around him. Those who knew him, need no memorial of his worth, But, for those who knew him not, this stone has been erected by the females of his flock."
Rev. ERASTUS MALTBY, successor of Mr. Isham, and second Pastor of the church, was born in Northford, Ct., graduated at Yale College, in 1821, pursued his Theologi- cal course at Andover, was settled January 18, 1826, and still dwells among "his own people." He last year preached his " Quarter Century Sermon," which, by re- quest of the church, was published. He also preached a sermon before the "Pastoral Association " a few years since, which was printed. From the first named sermon we derive the following facts : "In 1826, between seventy and eighty persons united with the church by profession. In 1828-29, were indications of spiritual blessings. Twen- ty made a profession of religion. In 1881, there were
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THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
between sixty and seventy additions. In 1834, fifty-seven. In 1836, thirty-seven. In 1839, seventeen. In 1842, twenty-seven. In 1843, nineteen. In 1845, twenty-two. In 1848, fourteen, and in 1850, sixty-nine. During the " quarter of a century " reviewed, there had been five hundred and seventy-four additions; three hundred and ninety-five, by profession ; one hundred and seventy-nine by recommendation. Of these, two hundred and ninety- one had been removed by death and other causes."
The Free- Will Baptist Church. North Taunton.
THIS church was organized, (according to a statement of Rev. Mr. Batcheler, its present minister,) June 13, 1822. The Calvinistic portion of the church which was organized fifty years before, removed to Norton.
"It consisted at its organization of ten members. Mr. Henry Harvey was at that time chosen Deacon, and Elder Reuben Allen their first Pastor.
Elder J. S. Morey was ordained Pastor Aug. 23, 1832.
April 7, 1838, Elder Folsome received and accepted a call to become Pastor of the church.
Elder Folsome discontinued his labors in 1840, and the pulpit was supplied for about six months, by Elder Fletch- er, a Methodist.
In the early part of 1841, Elder Thomas C. Brown was chosen Pastor of the church, and continued his work with them until April, 1845.
Various ministers supplied the pulpit the remainder of the year, when the present Pastor, Elder T. H. Batcheler, took charge of the church. The church has passed through seasons of prosperity and of adversity since its organiza- tion, and now numbers about eighty members."
147
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
The Universalist Church.
A HISTORICAL sketch of this society was appended to a Farewell sermon of Rev. Mr. Quinby, preached to his people in 1851. He expresses the belief, that "the seeds of Universalism were sown in the minds of some few of the inhabitants of this town by the venerable Murray," more than sixty years ago." He preached in Taunton several times. "In 1825-26, Rev. Mr. Carrique, who 'was then settled in Attleboro', came to Taunton and preached several times. The people were also visited by Rev. Mr. Pickering, Rev. Mr. Ballou, Rev. Mr. Whitte- more and others between 1826 and 1830, who preached in the old Town Hall, where they gathered quite a large congregation. As early as February 1825, the following persons obtained an Act for the Incorporation of a reli- gious society, viz : Alfred Baylies, Miles Stoddard, Wil- liam W. Crossman, Charles Foster, John Smith, Isaac Babbitt, Samuel Caswell, Jr., Leonard Crossman, William N. Spinney, James Thurber, John Baylies, Alexander Black, Caleb B. Porter, Walter H. Atwood, Daniel H. Traft, Abijah L. Eddy, Caleb Churchill, Joseph Hood, William Presbrey, 3d., Luther Chase, Nathan King, Jr., Martin Churchill. The first settled minister was Rev. John B. Dods, who remained with the society from 1831 to 1835. He organized a church of thirty members in 1832. After the dismission of Mr. Dods, there were no stated meetings of the society till 1839, when there was a reorganization, and Rev. William Fishbough, the second minister, settled the following year, (1840,) who resigned
* A writer in the American Whig, a newspaper pubished in Taunton, under the signature of * reviewing the Discourse of Mr. Quinby, thinks that Mr. John Foster also prepared the way for this form of religious belief, as he was doubtless a Universalist.
148
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
in 1844. Rev. W. R. G. Mellen, the third Pastor, was called to the charge of the society in 1844, and asked for his dismission in 1845. Rev. George W. Quinby of Saco, Me., took charge of the society in October, 1846, and left for Cincinnati, Ohio, in November, 1851. Rev. J. S. Brown has recently been called to fill his place.
The society first occupied the meeting-house vacated by the Congregational Society, (Unitarian,) in 1830; their present place of worship is at the corner of High Street and Spring Street.
The Methodist Episcopal Church. Weir Village.
THIS church was organized at the Weir, in 1830. Its system of itinerancy has introduced a variety of ministers since that time. Their names have been as follows : Rev. Amos Binney, Rev. David Culver, Rev. Warren Emer- son, Rev. John D. Baldwin, Rev. Caleb D. Rogers, Rev. Samuel W. Coggshall, Rev. Charles S. Macreading, Rev. Rufus Spaulding, Rev. Mosely Dwight, Rev. E. B. Brad- ford, Rev. Lewis Bates, Rev. Wareham S. Campbell, Rev. James D. Butler, Rev. Daniel Fillmore, Rev. J. O. Park- inson, Rev. William Livesey, Rev. Paul Townsend, and Rev. Samuel C. Brown.
Their meeting-house on Weir Street, was enlarged a few years since, to accommodate the increasing congrega- tion.
The Protestant, or Reformed Methodist Church. South Taunton.
THIS branch of the Methodist Church was organized in 1830, consisting of fifteen members. Their meeting-house is several miles from "the Green," and was built in 1832.
ROMAN CATHOLIC AND SPRING ST. CHURCHES. 149
They have had a succession of ministers, whose names, in part, are as follows : Moses Swift, Ebenezer Spindle, Pliny Britt, Joseph Eldredge, - Wheaton, John Eliot.
The Roman Catholic Church.
THIS Church was instituted in Taunton in 1831. The following persons have officiated as Priests : John Corry, of Ireland ; William Wiley, of the United States; John O'Bierne, of Ireland; and Richard L. Wilson, a native of Ireland, in 1812, educated at Rome, and stationed in Taunton, July, 1846. Mr. Wilson left his station a year or two since. A large brick church has been recently built near the old one, on the road to Hopewell, which has not been accepted by the Society. The misunderstanding on that subject has created a temporary vacancy in the Priest's office, and disaffection toward the Bishop.
The Spring Street Church.
THE origin of this church is thus explained on the 22d page of the "Quarter Century Sermon" of Rev. Mr. Maltby, Pastor of the Trinitarian Congregational church : " The difficulty of meeting the demand for pows led to frequent discussions. After mature deliberation, it was concluded to organize another church, composed of mem- bers from this; and they to set up separate worship. Hence, say Church Records, page 113: ' In consequence of the large number in this church and congregation, and the difficulty of supplying applicants with pews in the meeting-house, two meetings of the church have been re- cently held, to consider the propriety and duty of dividing the church, for the purpose of forming amicably and har- moniously, another Orthodox Congregational Church in
13*
150
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
this village, to occupy the Universalist meeting-house, which is now in possession of members of this church.' The Records add: 'The almost unexampled harmony and brotherly love, which have existed from the organization of the church, and do still exist, were frequently spoken of in the discussions of the subject, as a matter of joy and thanksgiving.' At a subsequent meeting, it was voted to form another church. For which purpose, members were dismissed from this, and publicly organized in Spring Street meeting-house, January 12, 1837. The sermon on that occasion was preached by the Pastor of this church." The church consisted of forty-four members ; of these, forty-two were a colony from the Trinitarian Congregational Church at "the Green," and two were from the church in West Taunton. Their names were as follows : Otis Allen, Mrs. Lucy F. Allen, Dea. Roswell Ballard, Mrs. Hannah S. Ballard, George W. Braman, Mercy J. Briggs, Seth Burt, Mrs. Nancy Burt, Mrs. Ly- dia Carver, Lydia A. Carver, John Cooper, Philander W. Dean, Mrs. Harriet C. Dean, Benjamin F. Dean, Widow Caroline Farnum, Bethiah S. Hayward, Wealthy G. Hicks, Zephaniah L. Hodges, Mrs. Dolly Hodges, Sally H. New- ton, Lara M. Perkins, Mrs. Clarissa Perkins, Nathan Rand, Dea. William Reed, Mrs. Mary Reed, Hodges Reed, Mrs. Clarissa Reed, John Reed, Jr., Mrs. Rebecca Reed, Mary G. Reed, Julia Reed, Clarissa W. Reed, Mary A. Reed, Rebecca Reed, 2d., Amos Stearns, Mrs. Chloe C. Stearns, Susan T. Waldron, Albert G. Wash- burn, Mrs. Mary Washburn, Harrison G. O. White, Mrs. Sybil White, Joseph Wilson, Mrs. Betsey B. Wilson, Mrs. Betsey H. Woodward. Roswell Ballard, and William Reed were chosen deacons. S. Hopkins Emery, its first
151
THE METHODIST CHURCHES.
Pastor, a native of Boxford, Massachusetts, in 1815, grad- uated at Amherst College in 1834, was settled at Taunton November 23, 1837, resigned December 23, 1840, and removed to Bedford, Massachusetts, January 1841.
Rev. Lathrop Taylor, second Pastor, graduated at Mid- dlebury College in 1839, was settled in Taunton, May 16, 1843, resigned July, 1845, and removed to Springfield, Vermont. He is now settled in Francestown, New-Hamp- shire.
The first Pastor of the church was recalled, and rein- stalled, January 6, 1847, and still sustains the Pastoral relation to it.
Two hundred and twenty different persons have been connected with the church ; and of these ono hundred and fifty-two are present members.
The society have from the first occupied the old meeting- house of the town, situated on Spring Street; but are now erecting a new place of worship on Main Street, near Westminster, and will probably take a new name.
The Wesleyan Methodist Church.
THIS church was organized at " the Green," February 23, 1844. Its ministers have been as follows: Jotham Horton, O. D. Morse, John Broomley, William P. White, James E. Pomfret, and A. Latham. The meetings of this church were for a few years held in what was called " Wesleyan Hall," but are now discontinued, and the church is dissolved.
The Methodist Episcopal Church. Whittenton Village.
THIS is a branch of the church at the Weir, and has maintained distinct religious services for several years.
152
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
Its ministers have been Rev. Messrs. Hinckley, Burnham, Webb, Hardman and Bates. They worship in a school- house. It is proposed to erect a chapel.
The Central Christian Church.
THIS church was organized December 23, 1847. They have a commodious and attractive meeting-house on Tres- cott Street.
Elder John S. Maxwell, the first minister, a native of Lebanon, Connecticut, was settled April 1, 1848, and re- signed the next year. He was succeeded by Elder Ward, who has also resigned his charge, and is succeeded by Elder D. A. Russell, who entered upon his labors April 1, 1851.
The Swedenborgians
have held an occasional meeting in town for the last two years. Their usual place of meeting is Templar Hall.
There is a Union meeting in the chapel at the Forge in Squawbetty. There is no church organized, neither is there a resident ministry.
The Trinitarian Congregational Church of Middleboro' and Taunton Precinct includes many members from Taun- ton. Its meeting-house is nearly on the line, which sepa- rates the towns.
153
FIRST CHURCH IN NORTON.
CHAPTER V.
THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF NORTON.
THE names of the original purchasers and proprietors of what was called the "North Purchase," included within the limits of the town of Taunton, were inserted in the first volume. (Page 38.) Fifty-two persons were em- powered in the grant from the Plymouth Court to hold the land, for which they paid one hundred pounds. The pur- chase was made in 1668. It continued a part of Taunton until 1711, or for the period of forty-three years ; when on application, an Act of Incorporation was granted the settlers in this part of the town for the most part descend- ants of the purchasers, taking the name of Norton. The name may have been suggested by its relative position, lying north of the town of which it had hitherto formed a part. It included not only the present town of Norton, but parts of what are now known as Mansfield and Easton. A Precinct charter had been granted in 1709, and " the site of a meeting-house was designated by the General Court that year, and a building was erected before 1712."* Through the kindness of Hon. Cromwell Leonard of Nor- ton, making application to the first parish for this purpose, I have been permitted to examine the early records both of church and society, in that town, from which I learn, that " a church was gathered in Norton on the 28th of
* Rev. Mr. Blake of Mansfield, Ms. Letter.
154
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
Oct'br, 1714. Those who covenanted* as members were
* Hon. Cromwell Leonard has forwarded me the original covenant of the Church in Norton.
" We who are by the Holy and Gracious Providence of our Most Gra- cious and Merciful God brought unto this blessed opportunity - unto this extraordinary duty of joyning ourselves together according to the instituted Church Visible; being deeply sensible of our own utter in- sufficiency, as of ourselves, unto so high and holy a work, (as also a privilege,) and having desired and labored solemnly and sincerely to search our own hearts and ways, and to humble our souls deeply and thoroughly before God, and to obtain pardon from Him and peace with Him through the blood of Jesus Christ; and also being awfully appre- hensive of the dreadful presence of God, before whom we stand, and of the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the exercise of his Kingly and his Prophetical office in his church, we do, (in dependence upon His grace, and the conduct and assistance of His Holy Spirit, and in hope of His Gracious acceptance,) in His holy Presence, Name and fear sol- emnly, sincerely, visibly and professedly by our own free act jointly give up ourselves and our seed to Almighty God, as our only God, according to the terms of His own everlasting covenant, and unto our Lord Jesus Christ, as our only and absolute Savior, engaging ourselves with all our hearts and with all our souls unto Him, (in a way of obedience to His great Gospel ordinances of church fellowship, to live and walk together in a way of full and free subjection unto the only power and authority of Him, our dear and blessed Lord Jesus, the Great and only Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, as His power is visibly and ministerially exer- cised in the regular and orderly ministration of all Gospel ordinances, both of doctrine, discipline and worship in His church, by such officers, as he has gifted and given unto His Church to that end. Also as His power is exercised in and over our souls by His Holy Spirit, unto whom also we give up ourselves to be an holy temple in ye Lord. And we do further covenant with our Lord Jesus Christ, through the graces of His Holy Spirit, to keep ourselves clear and free from all profane commun- ion with the profane world, and from all profane communion with any society of men, not walking according to the rules and commands of Jesus Christ and to keep unto Him, according to this our holy covenant with this particular instituted Church visible. And further we do in the presence of God, and in His holy name and fear, give up ourselves one unto another, by the will of God, covenanting to walk and live together as members of a Church of Christ, professing and practicing that one only true religion, which is revealed to us in ye Word of God, by the doctrine both of faith and obedience, according to that knowledge which God has given us of it; and also in the exercise of brotherly love and christian charity, in the constant performance of all duties of Church communion, under the regular administration of Word, Prayer, Seals and censures, even all Church administration, and that, as God shall help us, inoffensive'y and unblameably in order to our mutual edification and consolation.
Finally, we do covenant, by God's grace, to keep our communion pure and entire within ourselves, and to maintain orderly communion with all other Orthodox and rightly constituted Churches of Christ, endeav- oring to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
155
FIRST CHURCH IN NORTON.
Mr. George Leonard,* John Briggs, John Witherell, Sen- ior, John Aldrich, Israel Fisher, Joseph Dunham, Thomas Skinner, Ephraim Grover, John Skinner, Thomas Grover, Nicholas White, Seth Darmon, John Hall." Dec. 9th, Nicholas White was chosen Deacon. The wives of Messrs. Leonard, Witherell, Dunham, and T. Grover, four of the original members, with Experience, the wife of Peter Al- drich, Mercy, the wife of John Hodges, Hannah, the wife of Eliezer Fisher, Mercy, the wife of Richard Briggs, Widow Rebecca Briggs, and Widow Sarah Lane were ad- mitted to the church by letters from the church of Christ in Taunton, November 7th, or only a few days after the organization.
This holy covenant is humbly undertaken in the name and fear of God, with humble confidence in and dependence upon Him for ye assis- tance of His grace unto ye faithful performance of all these our holy covenant duties unto himself, and one unto another, with patience and perseverance to the end, with all humility, and most heartily praying that God would pardon all our sins, both past and present, and accept of us, as His covenant people, and become our God. To Him be Glory in the Church by Jesus Christ, through all ages, world without end. Amen.
Dated ye 4th of Oct. 1714: signed by Joseph Avery, George Leon- ard, John Briggs, John Witherell, Thomas Skinner, Peter Aldrich, Ephraim Grovier, Joseph Donham, John Skinner, Israel Fisher, Thom- as Grovier, Nicholas White, Seth Dorman, John Hall.
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