USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Wakefield Congregational church; a commemorative sketch. 1644-1877 > Part 6
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Among denominations of Christians, our Methodist brethren have no superiors for zeal ; and their zeal has been repaid by a wonderful growth. When their church in this town was established, it received from this the right hand of warm fellowship, and we have seen no reason to withdraw it. We take pleasure in congratulating them upon the success of their efforts, and wish them a still greater degree of it.
The Rev. John Peterson, pastor of the Methodist church, was unavoidably absent.
The Diaconate of the First Church-illustrated in the past by many pious and saintly names; represented in the present by devoted christian men ..
Response by Dea. George R. Morrison :
It is true that the office of Deacon in this church has been filled by many saintly men. The number who have served it in that capacity is now forty ; and the service of some of them extended over very long terms. When I came to this town, more than forty years ago, I attended meeting at this church, and my mind reverts to those days with vivid recollections of the leading men of that time, especially the deacons. There were Dea. Bryant, Dea. Eaton, Dea. Oliver, Dea.
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Boardman, Dea. Norcross, and Capt. Thomas Emerson; now all gone to their rest. The kind words that I received from each of them still linger in my mind, giving me a great degree of pleasure. May their mantle fall upon us, that we may be able to discharge our duties as faithfully as those servants of the Lord did in their day. My sentiment is, that this church may in coming years send out more branches than she has already sent forth. And may her graces shine out, that she may be a beacon light to many a wandering pilgrim.
The Gould Family-Said to be "very set in their ways," it should be add- ed to their honor, that they are almost always SET in the right WAY. One excellent scion of the race is well SET at the head of our large and growing Sabbath school, and is a Deacon beside.
Response by Dea. J. G. Aborn :
MR. PRESIDENT : To your sentiment my feelings and reason respond. It is even so-stern, inflexible, stubborn sometimes, it may be, is the family, the race. How can this family trait be better regulated and em- ployed than in the work of the church and sabbath school-an institu- tion acknowledged by every christian sect and denomination to be good, affording the purest instruction, the sweetest associations, the holiest principles ; thus drawing for us wisdom from the past, and hope for the future. This school was founded in the year 1818, by earnest men and women. . Most of them I must have known, as it is more than forty years since I became a member. There have been eleven Superintend- ents. Dea. Aaron Bryant, the first elected, held the office not less than thirty years. His name, ability, faithfulness, and devotion to evangeli- cal truth and every vital interest of the school, should be handed down from father to son, to the latest generation. His successors have fol- lowed nearly the same methods which were employed in the beginning, finding them wise and efficient in making this a school full of life and interest ; and I rejoice to be able on this commemorative occasion to re- port-that which no one, I think, will call in question-that never, in the long history of the church, parish, or sabbath school, were we, in all respects, in a more happy and prosperous condition ; and we trust in God, that He will raise up men of faith and courage, who "count not their lives dear to them," so that Christ and His cause shall be effectual in the salvation of sinners.
The following sentiment was furnished by the Pastor :
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The Eaton Family-One of the oldest, most numerous and most honor- able, it has furnished some of the wisest of our public servants. To none of these is the town more indebted than to one who, at the close of a life of wide usefulness, gave to it an accurate, complete and invaluable Town History-The Hon. Lilley Eaton. We miss his ever welcome presence : but we hold in lasting and grateful memory his pure character, his worthy example, and his arduous services.
Response by Henry L. Eaton, Esq. of Swampscott :
MR. PRESIDENT, FORMER PASTOR, AND FRIENDS: I thank you heart- ily for the privilege of responding to the sentiment just given.
You have referred in words of eulogy to one who for a lifetime gave of the best he had, whether of time, talent, or labor, and at the last, I cannot help thinking, life itself, to his native town. Sir, Lilley Eaton loved with no common love, the place that gave him birth. It was to him the dearest spot on all the earth; and of all her sons. I believe none ever accomplished more than he, for her past, present, and future prosperity. Standing here on this centennial occasion-my own life measuring just half of it-I miss the familiar countenances of many whom, for long years, I remember as associates of my honored father. Their descendants are before me; and to you, companions of my child- hood, and friends of later years, I extend a hearty greeting.
Members of the Congregational Church : Eighteen years ago you re- ceived my wife and myself to your fellowship and communion ; and I look back to that time with feelings of gratitude which I cannot express. Precious to me are the memories of prayer meetings I have attended in the old and in the new vestry. Father Emerson and Dea. Bryant, rise before my mental vision ; and I bless the Lord that He ever called me into his kingdom. Thanking you all for this opportunity of meeting you once more, I offer the following sentiment-
Members of this Church who have gone before-May their Christian graces live in us.
The Cowdrey Family-From William Cowdrey, one of the earliest set- tlers,-Deacon, Selectman, Representative, and of rare clerkly skill, as deeds and records even now attest. - down to the present time, the stock has not degenerated; and the latest descendant, emulating the virtues of his progenitor, even excels him in beauty of chirography, and may yet be a Deacon.
Response by Waldo E. Cowdrey, Esq :
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Deacon Cowdrey was a farmer, a son of the soil, who got his living by tilling it, as his descend-
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ants in this town have to the eighth generation. But I do not propose to tell you "what I know about farming," and will only say that I hope his family may always have the right to place on their coat of arms the plough as well as the peu. Born at the opening of the 17th century, in the reign of good Queen Bess, he belongs to the epoch of Shakspeare and the Spanish Armada. I am unable to give you his opinions upon the English poet or the Spanish pirates; but as actions speak louder than words, we learn his views on two important matters. In early manhood he heard the voice of some Greeley of that day saying, "Go West, young man;" but (and I call the attention of all young men to the fact) he got married before he went West. One other thing we learn from his record-he paid his passage over, and I trust his example of paying his way may be followed by all his children.
Mr. President, I hope this ancient church may always have on its roll of members some who bear the names of its founders; but I also hope that in the future, as in the past, its burdens may be borne, and its hon- ors shared, by many new ones -- strangers to our fathers, but not strang- ers to their faith.
The Bancroft Family-including Deacons, Captains, Esquires, Doctors of Divinity, Historians and Judge -. Eminent in the past, MORE eminent to-day.
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The Temple Family-illustrious for their virtues and their ancestry, leading back to an English lineage. which includes such names as Lord Chatham, Lord Grenville and Lord Palmerston.
Judge Solon Bancroft of Reading, replied for both of the last named families ; expressing his pleasure in being a sharer in the exercises of the occasion, and his increasing admira- tion for the heroic, wise and self-denying men who have pre- ceded us.
The Poole Family-in our early history, distinguished for wealth, talents, and integrity .- some worthy descendants are still among us.
Response by Dr. Alexander Poole :
This is not the place to go into the history and biography of the Pooles. I can only give a few general facts concerning them .- John Poole, the ancestor of all of the name in this vicinity. and, it is believed, in Maine
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and Connecticut, was among the first settlers of this town; and the name came to be among the most numerous on the list of citizens; and, as far as is known, they were among the wealthiest, and, as a conse- quence, the most respected class of citizens. Among them are found a goodly number of Captains, Lieutenants, Justices of the Peace. Deacons, and one for several years Town Clerk. Two graduated from Harvard Col- lege, and one settled as a clergyman in Nova Scotia. John, the first of the name, built the first mill in town, on the site where now stands the Wakefield Rattan Factory ; thus while replenishing his own coffers, he furnished the grain in a form acceptable to the stomachs of his neigh- bors. But, alas! From being numerous and influential, they have sad- ly degenerated, until now only two of the name remain in town of all that numerous race.
The Emerson Family-numerous, respected and influential, but especial- ly noted for its ministers and military men, among whom may be named Rev. Joseph Emerson of Mendon, Rev. Dr. Brown Emerson of Salem, Rev. Reuben Emerson of South Reading, Rev. Alfred Emerson of Lan- caster, and Rev. Thomas A. Emerson of Braintree; Capt. Thomas Emer- son, of Revolutionary fame, and Capt. Thomas Emerson, whose form and voice have been so often seen and heard in this place, and who, full of years, has lately passed to his rest.
Response by Capt. James F. Emerson :
Our Ancestors-May their descendants ever follow them in those paths of life filled with good deeds and noble examples, and may the light of this (their) church, at the end of an additional 232 years, continue to re- flect the beams of gospel light, repeating the proclamation : "Fear not. for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
We have among us. a venerable and respected gentleman of our own communion, and one who loves sweet sounds ; directly connected by blood, though not by name, with some of the oldest and worthiest families of Reading, being a lineal descendant of Rev. Samuel Haugh, Dea. Thomas Nichols, Capt. John Herbert and Dea. John Goodwin-Need I name James Eustis, Esq. ?
Response by Mr. Eustis :
My earliest ancestors in this town were Nathaniel Goodwin and Rich- ard Nichols, who came here more than two hundred years ago. I am
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doubtful whether I can claim descent from Rev. Samuel Haugh ; but that there were Deicons in my line is quite true. My memory goes back seventy-four years, and I can recolleet distinctly, looking upon the remains of Mr. Prentice in his coffin. I can remember the ordination of Mr. Emerson in the following year. Mr. Eaton mentions in his his- tory the feat of the Negro Doss, in lifting one of the great pieces of granite when this church was built. I remember "Oll Doss." He was a man of great and powerful frame. When the old church was repair- ed, and the sounding-board was taken down, I bought it, and kept it in my barn for years as a memento of old times; but it was rather cum- bersome, and was taken to pieces. In your toast you allnde to my love for sweet sounds. I have such a love, and for many years enjoyed pub- lic worship in the gallery with the singers. I love my native town, and am glad that the rising generation find pleasure in thinking of the fathers.
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Among the honored names of the early church of the first Parish, are found those of Thomas and Susannah Hartshorne, and later, that of James Hartshorne, for over twenty years a deacon of this church-a nu- merous and respected race, noted for their intelligence and good looks.
Response by Jacob C. Hartshorne, Esq. :
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,-As I look down the long, dim path of years, and view the noble deeds and memorable names so thickly strewn therein, I feel how weak and inadequate will be the words which come at my command, in response to this noble sentiment. But, sir, I cannot conceal the honest pride I feel in the fact that, among the founders of this ancient church and town, my ancestors bore a help- ful and honorable part. Time would fail me to speak of all, from Thomas down to James; but that they were useful, energetic, tried and true, is well attested by the record of their eventful lives as members of the church and State; and although none of them acquired great wealth, they have thus far been able, all of them, to blow their own horn. But "art is long, and time is fleeting," and remembering your injunction to be brief, I beg leave to close my remarks by offering this sentiment, expressive of the spirit of our ancestors :
Liberty ! - 'Tis Liberty alone that gives the flower of fleeting life its lus- tre and perfume ; and we are weeds without it.
The great family of Brown-It has reflected honor on the old town,
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from Nicholas Brown, the first settler, through Deacons, Generals, Cap- tains, and Esquires. The blood is well preserved. though the name has become scarce in our Society.
Response by T. J. Skinner, Esq :
Having beer requested to respond to the foregoing toast, in behalf of wife and children, I have found npon consulting our valuable Town History, that my family are direct descendants of the veritable Nicholas mentioned in the toast-being only the seventh and eighth generation removed, and coming down as follows, viz. : from Nicholas to Josiah, to Josiah again, to Nathaniel, to Jacob, to Pearson, to John Brown, 2nd. who was the father of my wife. Said Nicholas came over from Eng- land, and first settled in Lynn, but soon removed to this town, where he resided upon the place now occupied by E. A. Upton. Esq., and also upon the estate now owned by Lucius Beebe, Esq. General Benjamin Brown, of Revolutionary fame, was also a descendant of Nicholas, through another son-Joseph. He was an eminent and influential citizen of this town for many years. He was by trade a tanner. He was also a soldier in the Revolution, Colonel in the Continental army, General in the militia, Town Clerk, Selectman, Representative, delegate to the 1st Provincial Congress, and last-which in those times was considered highest of all-became a deacon in the church. Still another branch of. the Brown family is the family residing in the east part of the town, of which the late W. L. Brown, Esq., was a part. They also descended from Nicholas, through another son-Cornelius. As suggested in the toast, the name of Brown, although so common, has become somewhat scarce in our own society. The only persons left of our own family to continue the name, are the two children of the late Hervey W. Brown, and the children of the late Charles B. Brown.
The Aborn Family-Though not among the first settlers of Reading. they early flourished in our sister town of Lynnfield, and have long been firmly rooted in our soil. Their record is good, and may the blood and name be perpetuated-BY GEORGE, (if not by others.)
Response by George W. Aborn, Esq. :
One of the number who formed the first church in Lynnfield was Dr. John Aborn. Ilis son Samuel, who was Deacon in the same church, was my grandfather. Aborns are few in number, but have always been found filling various offices in the church and parish.
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Joseph Damon, the worthy son of an honored father, Dea. John Damon. He left us 200 years ago, and has only just returned in the person of his very great grandson, the precious fame of whose services in the cause of Christ and Humanity, is world wide-the Seaman's Friend, Rev. Dr. Samuel C. Damon of Honolulu.
Response by following letter :
WORCESTER, June 20, 1876. C. W. EATON, Esq
MY DEAR SIR :- Your letter of yesterday has this moment been re- ceived, and I hasten to reply, expressing my sincere and heartfelt regret that my previous engagements will not allow me to be present on the interesting occasion referred to, or even to visit again the good old town of Reading.
Please assure all gathering on Wednesday evening at your Centennial Service, of my cordial good will, and the honor which I so much value of being connected with the original settlers of Reading, and especially being thus connected with one of the very earliest Deacons of the Church, and his wife Abigail.
On returning to my far-away home in the Pacific, I shall look back with an honest pride to Reading, associating the names of Reading, Dedham, and Holden, with that of Honolulu, where I have spent more than one third of a century in preaching the gospel, and where I hope to finish my ministry, when it shall please the Master, who commissioned his disciples to "go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Most truly yours, SAMUEL C. DAMON.
The Upton Family-They are LONG in the land, and well up in the world.
E. A. Upton, Esq., responded :
MR. PRESIDENT :- I cannot speak with much knowledge for the mem- bers of the family who have been long in the land, and I am altogether too modest a man to speak for those who are well up in the world, for I presume the sentiment measured them by long measure, and not by any standard of position : therefore I am doubtful if you have made a judi- cious selection in the person to represent them this evening. I was edu- cated and trained to believe that the religion of this church was the only religion capable of carrying a person through this world into a life of repose and happiness; but as I desire to maintain the reputation of the family for obeying Biblical precepts, I have left this ancient society for
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one equally confident in the saving qualities of its religion, that I might cleave unto my wife ; but the change has not erased or destroyed the carly impressions which I received, however darkly they may ap- pear in my daily life. It is a pleasure for me to meet with you in this social manner, and bring to mind the pleasant traditions, associa- tions and reminiscences which surround this ancient church; and al- though it does not appear that many of the later members of the family have been connected with it, yet it is wellto know that many of them were active and influential in the society which was a daughter of this church, and settled in the cold regions of North Reading, and through their influence and active works, that society grew in strength and in- ereased in numbers, until it has become a beacon light in the galaxy of churches. May the future light of this church be equal in brightness and power to that which it has shed in the past, and may it continue to exercise a controlling influence over all upon whom it shines.
The Law-properly administered, the bulwark of our rights.
C. P. Judd, Esq., of Reading. responded :
The Puritans had great regard for "law and order." Before they landed from the Mayflower they made a written compact of govern- ment. They treated the Indians fairly and honestly. Shortly after their arrival, they found a pile of Indian corn in the custody of no one ; they used it, but immediately hunted np the owner, and paid him for it. They paid the Indians for every foot of land they took, up to the time of King Philip's war ; and paid a fair price for the land. too-all it was worth-though the compensation was only a jewsharp. The laws of our forefathers were more humane than those of any other country in the world at that time. It is said that they were guilty of persecution. This is not so : for they only enforced their laws. It is not persecution to apply the law to a party who came to the State after the law was made, and wilfully violated it. It is said they hung the Quakers; but the Quakers were guilty of great indecency; and the rule of the Pil- grims was, "Let everything be done with decency, and in order." This, too, was the common injunction of your late pastor. Mr. Emerson. The family, the church and the State, were the three grand elements of early New England life. The family was sacred and indissoluble. The puritans had no divorce laws, and during the first century after their landing a divorce was hardly heard of. Now, the great business of our courts. is to separate man and wife. The early clergymen were bold, educated and noble men. True, they eschewed lawyers, and kept them out of the country for many years. Nevertheless, the laws in the main were fairly interpreted by the clergy. Litigation was short
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and crisp. Punishment met crime. Fault is found with the old clergy- men, because they allowed no one to vote in State matters who was not a member of the church. This caused no trouble, because soon after, they permitted every man of good moral character to join the church. Have we, in this age of light, any better basis of suffrage than a good moral character ?
In the excellent historical address of the pastor of this church last Sunday, he said that formerly the clergy, in private and in public, in- dulged in spirituous liquors-as well as everybody else. That was true, but was not all of the truth. Let this be added : The clergy were the first to abandon ardent spirits ; they first began the temperance reform, fifty years ago, and they have been the pioneers in this glorious reform from that day to the present time.
Should any one who was present at the gathering discover that the order of the sentiments in the foregoing report dif- fers somewhat from that followed on the occasion itself, and that some other changes have been made, the fact is explained by saying that the effort has been, while reproducing the meeting in its main features and spirit, to give special prom- inence to the church in its relation to other churches, and to the families that have, from the earliest times, been identified with it.
The titles of other sentiments with the names of the re- spondents are as follows :
The National Government-Senator Geo. S. Boutwell ; by a dispatch given among the letters printed farther on. The State Government-Thos. Winship, Esq., Representative from this town. The President of the United States-Col. John W. Locke, P. M. The Town of Reading -. The Town of Wakefield-Hon. James Oliver, chairman of the Board of Selectmen. The Beebe Town Library-Lucius Beebe, Esq. Education-Melvin J. Hill, Principal of the High School. The Army-Maj. W. S. Greenough. The Shades of the Departed-Mrs. E. C. Poland. The Swain Family-Rev. T. A. Emerson. The Walton Family-E. II. Walton, Esq. The Uses of Tea-John F. Hartshorne, Esq. Our Triennial Bookseller-N. J. Bartlett, Esq. The Mu- sical Sentiment-Solon Walton, chorister of the church.
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The Influence of Woman-James O. Boswell. Esq. The responses it is now quite impossible to print, inasmuch as some failed at the time, and others were not reported.
It was a matter of regret that several gentleman formerly, or at present, identified with the church, could not be pres- ent. Among this number were Dr. Samuel Hart of Brook- lyn, Rev. T. A. Emerson, pastor at Braintree, and Rev. W. S. Hawkes, pastor at Fairhaven. all of whom were sons of this church. Rev. Alfred Emerson, a former pastor, was compelled to be absent. From other friends of the church, who would have been gladly welcomed. the committee re- ceived the following
LETTERS :
The first is from our national historian, the Hon. George Bancroft.
NEWPORT, June 30th, 1876.
MY DEAR SIR :
Absence for nearly a week has delayed my answer to your favor of the 15th inst. I am heartily glad that you have caught the historical fever, and trust you will do good service in setting in a bright light the great deeds of our New England ancestry, who are never enough to be respected and honored.
The only matter in church history, relating to Reading, which has im- pressed itself on my mind, relates to the controversy in Northampton between Jonathan Edwards and the people of that town. When the greatest of New England's theologians fell into a deplorable controver- sy with the people of that town, and a council was called to pass upon the question of his dismission from his ministry to them, Edwards had to look far in quest of friends on whose vigor of character and indepen- dence he could rely. It was among the members of your church that he found one of his strongest supporters. That man was the father of my father-Deacon Samuel Bancroft. This fact was brought more closely to my consideration by my long residence in Northampton, within sight of the house of Edwards, and the shade trees which he planted It has always given me satisfaction to know that the delegate sent by your church exerted all his influence and fixedness of purpose to retain Jonathan Edwards in the lovely town in which he de- lighted to dwell, and from which he never should have been driven.
It is possible that this incident may have escaped you; if so, I am glad to remind you of it. I remain, my dear sir, with the greatest respect, Very truly yours,
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