USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Ye towne book : two hundredth anniversary, August 25,26,27, 1934, Tewksbury, Massachusetts > Part 2
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
In 1658. there were twenty-five families present and they hired Mr. Samuel Whiting as the first minister. The population increased, although at the time of King Philip's War in 1675, sev- eral families left. In 1692 and again in 1695 there were Indian massacres. For a period of some sixty years almost every able bodied man saw service in the various French and Indian wars.
The following towns were incorporated from part of old Billerica : 1729, Bedford ; 1733, Wil- mington ; 1734, Tewksbury ; and 1804, Carlisle.
For the first hundred and fifty years the town was almost entirely agricultural, but each man often had a trade which he worked in his own home. With the advent of the Middlesex Canal in 1194, the Turnpike in 1805, and then the railroad in 1833, the town gradually became more and more an industrial community. With the growth of the mills in North Billerica and later the car shops, a smaller percentage of the population worked on farms from year to year.
In 1852, Dr. Zadok Howe left a fund of money for an academy and for many years this sup- plied Billerica and the surrounding towns as a high school.
The town records are in existence from the earliest meeting and form a very interesting his- tory of the development of town government. The present population of Billerica is 5880.
Page Twenty-tico
1734
Two Hundredth Anniversary
1934
A. G. POLLARD COMPANY
LOWELL'S BIGGEST, BUSIEST AND BEST STORE
1734
Ye Towne Book
1934
MALDEN 4642 . . TELEPHONES ... SAUGUS 769
GREETINGS
from
MALDEN CRUSHED
STONE CO.
821 BROADWAY
SAUGUS, MASS.
1934
Two Hundredth Anniversary
1734
ANNO Regni Regis GEORGII Secundi Octavo
N ACT dividing the Town of Billerica & erecting the Northerly and Northeasterly part of said town into a distinct Township by the Name of TEWKSBURY.
WHEREAS the Inhabitants of the Northerly & Northeasterly part of the Town of Billerica in the C County of Middlesex are so situated in their habitations as to live very remote from the Place of Publick Worship & on that account as well as divers others have laboured under great difficulties and hardships & for relief therin have petitioned this Court the said Lands being already settled with a competent number of inhabitants to form a township.
BE IT ENACTED by His Excellency the Governor, Council & Repre- sentatives in General Court assembled & by authority of the same that the Northearly & Northeasterly part of the Town of Billerica with the inhab- itants theron be & hereby are set off from the said Town of Billerica & erected into a seperate & distinct Township by the name of Tewksbury, the line or boundary of said Town to take in two thirds of the land from Andover line to Billerica Meeting House by a parallel line with Andover line extending from Concord River to Wilmington line ; and that the inhabitants of the said Lands, Be & hereby are accordingly vested & endowed with all powers, privileges, imminities & advantages which the inhabitants of any other Town in this Province do or by Law ought to have, hold or enjoy ; & the inhabitants of the said Town of Tewksbury are hereby enjoyed & required within the space of Two Years from the Publication of this Act to build & finish a suit- able Meeting House for the Publick Worship of God, & that they procure & settle a learned orthodox Minister of good conversation & make provision for his comfortable & honorable support provided nevertheless that the inhab- itants of the said Town of Tewksbury be & hereby are obliged to pay their respective proportion of all Province Taxes that are already assessed upon the Inhabitants of the aforesaid Town of Billerica hitherto arisen within the same.
December 17, 1734 This Bill having been read throo several times, in the House Representatives passed to be enacted.
J. QUINCY, Sp'kr.
December, 1734. This Bill having been read throo several times in Council passed to be enacted.
THADDEUS MASON, Dep. Sec'y.
December 23, 1734. By his Excellency, the Govnor I consent to the enacting of this bill.
Jn. BELCHER.
Page Twenty-three
1734
Ye Towne Book
1934
Town and Church History 1734 - 1934
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
P REVIOUS to incorporation Tewksbury was a part of Billerica, a large township which con- tained 25.000 acres extending east of the Concord and south of the Merrimack rivers to the Andover line. It contained one church founded in 1663, situated near the center of the town. The inconveniences of attending church to those living in this section of the town were many and great. Roads were but cart or bridal paths.
In 1433 the inhabitants of the north and east part of Billerica asked that a meeting house be erected for their accommodation or "that they may be set off" so "that they may maintain preaching among themselves. January 11, 1734, the request "that they be set off" was reluctant- ly granted.
December 23rd of the same year, (1434) Tewksbury was incorporated, receiving 9,000 acres of land and about 50 families.
Tewksbury's first town meeting was held January 14, 1234. At a second meeting held one month later, it was voted that they build a meeting house and a committee was chosen for that purpose. Unwilling, apparently. to wait for the completion of a church. it was voted six months later "That they have preaching in ye towne and that they meet at ye house of John French Jr. upon ye Sabbath Day and worship God". It is of interest to note, that the John French house was situ- ated in the eastern part of the town near the late residence of Deacon George Pillsbury on Livingston Street. A part of the building was subsequent- ly moved to the adjacent Bridges Farm and formed the ell of the dwelling house then standing there.
It was during this year, 1735, that the original church covenant was adopted. It was signed by thirty-four men and were as follows-
-
-
-
THE BRIDGES HOMESTEAD
Built in 1745 - Destroyed by fire in 1916. - The Ell, moved from Livingston Street was part of the John French House where in 1734 the Town voted to meet to worship God.
DANIEL KITTREDGE
STEPHEN OSGOOD
THOMAS MARSHALL
THOMAS KITTREDGE
JOSEPH FROST
EPHRAIM KIDDER, Jr
JOSEPH KIDDER
ZECHARIAH HARDY
JACOB KITTREDGE
SAMUEL HAZELTINE
ABRAHAM STICKNE
JOHN SHED
JOHN KITTREDGE
JOSEPH GRIMES
JAMES KITTREDGE
JOHN PATTEN
JOHN CHAPMAN
JACOB COREY
AMOS FOSTER
ANDREW RICHARDSON
EDMUND FROST
JACOB WINN
DANIEL SHED
WILLIAM KITTREDGE
THOMAS CLARK
KENDAL PATTEN
ISAAC KITTREDGE
NATHAN HALL JOHN TWISS
The election of a pastor for the new town and church was an event of great importance. We are told in the records that a day was set apart by the town for fasting and prayer that the people might be guided in the choice of a minister. Soon after, Rev. Samson Spaulding of Chelmsford, a young man 27 years of age. a graduate of Harvard College, was unanimously chosen. He was ordained and installed November 23, 1231.
Page Twenty-four
JOHN BAILEY
NATHAN SHED
JOSEPH KITTREDGE
EPHRAIM KIDDER
FRANCIS KITTREDGE
1734
Two Hundredth Anniversary
1934
AMERICAN FIRE EQUIPMENT CO., Inc.
45 BROAD STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
HEADQUARTERS FOR
Fire Department Supplies
Distributors of BARTON FIRE PUMPS REPUBLIC FIRE HOSE CLARK DUPLEX INHALATORS
REPRESENTED BY
HUBERT W. TRACY
7 GLENWOOD STREET WOBURN, MASS.
1734
Ye Towne Book
1934
Compliments of
Crimount OIL COMPANY
EVERETT ยท MASSACHUSETTS
BITUMINOUS ROAD MATERIALS
1734
Two Hundredth Anniversary
1934
The sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel Ruggles of Billerica from 2 Cr. XII; 14, "For 1 seek not yours but you". The hand of fellowship was given by Rev. Samson Stoddard of Chelms- ford.
Mr. Spaulding served as active pastor of this church for nearly fifty-five years. When eighty- three years old a paralytic shock so impaired his health that he was unable to preach. He con- tinued to hold the office until his death-December 15, 1296-a month and two days short of sixty years. Judging from the records his pastorate was one of unbroken harmony. When too en- feebled to preach, the town manifested its respect and affection by voting an allowance for his support, settling with him as colleague Rev. Titus Theodore Barton, a graduate of Dartmouth College.
In these early days the whole town was interested in all that pertained to the church. Al- most the first business of the town meeting, was to vote what the ministers' salary should be for the coming year, and all voters were taxed according to their means for the support of the Church. This union of Church and State was dissolved about the year 1834 when Rev. Mr. Cog- gin received his last payment direct from the Town.
During Mr. Spaulding's ministry, we find as we look over the records many interesting items, among them that in the long list of 700 names of children, who have been brought to the church for "Baptism", have always, unless the mother was a widow, been brought by the father and the mother's name not mentioned. Capt. Peter Hunt-3 children, Tamar, Hannah and Timothy July 20, 1740 and Dr. Jacob Kittredge, twins-Mary and Ruth were among them.
Church meetings were called when a member had given the church "just occasion of of- fense". The discouragement of gossip and the humility of the offending brother are noted.
It was voted that each member should contribute a certain amount to provide for the Sacra- ment and each one with his name on the money given.
In the Record of Marriages, the amount is given that was paid for each service, varying from $1.00 up. The "Town" evidently receiving the fee rather than the minister.
Mr. Barton, Mr. Spaulding's colleague was ordained here Oct. 22, 1792 and remained until May 19, 1803. Rev. Jacob Coggin of Woburn, a graduate of Harvard College was ordained Oct. 22, 1806.
The church edifice, that was burned in 1919, was built during his pastorate in the year 1824. At its dedi- cation, Mr. Coggin preached from Hag. 11:9. "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former". The ancient church which had stood for near- ly a century was situated several yards in front of the newer church and was removed. "There were galleries on both sides and one end. The singers occupied the gallery at the rear. A single and double bass viol, two violins, a clarionet and bassoon were used to accom- pany the singers. The clock in front of the gallery, was presented by Mr. Jesse Trull of North Tewksbury.
In 1824 a bell was placed in the tower and the next year it was exchanged for a larger one.
It was during the year of 1842 that the Baptist Church at North Tewksbury was formed, sixty-eight persons going there from this church. Six years later several families from the Northwest part of the town withdrew to unite with the High Street Church in Lowell.
In 1843, because of ill health, Mr. Coggin gave up the pulpit to Rev. Samuel Lamson who occupied it as "stated supply" for two and a half years, giving gen- eral satisfaction.
In 1847, Rev. Moses Kimball was settled as col- league with Mr. Coggin. He was dismissed two years later. Rev. Mr. Lamson again supplied until 1851.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Dedicated in 1824. The first Meeting House was built in 1736.
During 1850-31 alterations were made in the church building, the side galleries being re- moved and the walls frescoed
In 1852, Rev. Richard Tolman, a native of Dorchester, Massachusetts was installed as a
Page Twenty-fire
1734
Ye Towne Book
1934
second colleague with Mr. Coggin. December 12, 1854, Mr. Coggin's death occurred. Ile was a genial, tactful man, much beloved and sincerely mourned by his people. Rev. Richard Tolman continued with the church until July, 1820. He resigned on account of ill health. At a meeting held by the church to take action on his resignation, several resolutions were passed that ex- pressed much affection and esteem for him during the seventeen years of his faithful pastoral labors among them.
The Parsonage was built in 1852 and occupied by Rev. Mr. Tolman and his family upon their removal here. The home of Rev. Jacob Coggin was directly across the common from the church, the house now owned and occupied by Mrs. Henry M. Billings.
The well-known Spaulding house was built and occupied by our first pastor, Rev. Sampson Spaulding. It has sheltered six generations of that family.
The ministry of Rev. S. F. French began Nov. 1. 1871 and continued for eleven years. Mr. French is remembered as a faithful and devoted pastor and preacher and it was with much regret that his resignation was accepted. In 1871, the building in the rear of the audience room, con- taining vestry and hall, was built at a cost of nearly six thousand dollars.
Mr. French was followed by Rev. Frank H. Kasson of Boston. Mr. Kasson was hired for one year and afterward installed, Oct. 16, 1884. Besides his duties here, Mr. Kasson edited the "Gold- en Rule", a religious paper published in Boston. The double work proving too great a burden. he resigned from his work here June 23, 1886.
Oct. 12, 1886, Mrs. Betsey Lang of South Boston presented to the church one of the E. Howard Watch and Clock Co.'s Church Tower Clocks.
In 1889, the church received a legacy of $5000 from the estate of Mrs. Lang. A legacy of three thousand dollars was at the same time left to the High School with the condition that should the High School be abolished the $3000 revert to the Church.
In 1904, the High School was given up and this amount was by Mr. Enoch Foster, trustee, paid over to the Church.
In 1899, a legacy of $500 was received from the estate of Mr. Chas. Littlefield of Lowell, a former resident of this town and a highly esteemed member of this church.
A few years later a legacy of $1000 was paid us from the estate of Mr. Luther Twiss. Mr. Twiss resided in North Tewksbury but was a member and regular attendant of this church.
Smaller legacies, various sums of money and gifts for the furnishing or adornment of the church and vestry have at various times been received and are gratefully remembered. Many of these gifts have been from non-residents, who in early life were associated with this church and have since had a heartfelt interest in its welfare. The first gift of which we have mention is a Christening Bowl, from Josiah Brown in 1825.
In 1886, Rev. James Alexander, a graduate of Bangor and of Andover Seminaries was hired to minister to the Church for one year. At its close he was by unanimous vote, asked to remain as settled pastor. He accepted the call and was installed Feb. 28, 1888. During this year the So- ciety of Christian Workers was formed and had an average attendance of between forty and fifty members. This Society afterward adopted the Constitution and By-Laws of the Y.P.C.E.S.
It was during Mr. Alexander's pas- torate and largely through his instru- mentality and under his supervision that our church took on its attractive ap- pearance. Something over three thou- sand dollars was raised and the memo- rial windows, platform and tablet most generously presented by their respective donors.
Soon after the church was called on to take action on Mr. Alexander's resig- nation and he was dismissed May 10, 1896.
Mr. Alexander's strong personality, his interest in all matters pertaining to the Church and the town are gratefully remembered. In the records of the council called to advise on his dismissal, we read "In approving the dissolution of the pastorate of the Rev. James Alex- ander over the Congregational Church
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Re-dedicated 1896. Destroyed by fire Oct. 13, 1918
Page Twenty-six
1734
Two Hundredth Anniversary
1934
FRED. C. CHURCH & COMPANY
Established 1865
Insurance of Every Description
INFORMATION AND ADVICE REGARDING YOUR INSURANCE:
Among the outstanding services performed by our offices is the gathering and disposition of reliable information regarding the various types of insurance. We welcome requests for such information and advice on the most desirable coverage for every property risk.
69 years of continuous insurance experience enable us to place at your dis- posal, valuable advice and counsel concerning your insurance problems. Our concern enjoys an enviable reputation for EFFICIENT SERVICE, SATIS- FACTORY LOSS ADJUSTMENT, TRAINED ENGINEERING SKILL AND ABSOLUTE TRUSTWORTHINESS.
89 BROAD STREET Boston,
53 CENTRAL STREET,
Mass.
Lowell, Mass.
Tel. 917
1734
Ye Towne Book
1934
ROBERTSON'S
PRESCOTT ST. at CENTRAL
FURNITURE
65,000 Square Feet of Furniture Salesrooms 11 MODEL ROOMS FOR VIS UALIZING FURNITURE
Compliments of
REX CHEVROLET CO., Inc.
A Economiest Transportation CHEVROLET
SALES and SERVICE
41 Kearney Square
Lowell, Mass.
Phone 4414
DAN O'DEA, Inc.
DODGE - PLYMOUTH PACKARD
SALES - SERVICE
Moody, Tilden and Colburn Streets Lowell, Mass Tel. 30
1734
Two Hundredth Anniversary
1934
in Tewksbury, the Council very gladly bears witness to his faithfulness, scholarship and Christian spirit and rejoices in the success of his pastorate of almost ten years, as testified by this people and seen in the growth of the church in membership, financial strength and spiritual life. His ministry has been one of attractive and effectual preaching and of consecrated labor and has re- sulted in bringing this church to a condition of unusual prosperity."
Oct. 27, 1896, Rev. Elbridge Whiting of Auburndale was hired to serve as pastor and re- mained until April 12, 1899. Mr. Whiting was a pleasant, genial man and by his pastoral work brought families who seldom attended church to become regular attendants. He took special in- terest in the C. E. Society. New By-Laws for the church were adopted about this time.
Our next pastor was Rev. J. Herbert Yeoman who commenced his work here Aug. 1, 1899. After laboring here for two and a half years, he resigned to become pastor of the Free Evangelical Congregational Church of Providence, R. I.
Oct. 1, 1903, Rev. Wm. J. Minchin became our pastor and labored faithfully for two and a half years. In 1904 through the influence and under the direction of Mrs. Minchin, our pastor's wife, The Woman's Missionary Society was formed. It has become a successful branch of our church work. Mr. Minchin was especially interested in work among young men. Receiving a call which would bring him in touch with several hundred young people each year, he accepted it to become pastor of the Congregational Church of Ames, Iowa.
Communion was held the last Sabbath Mr. Minchin was with us and our individual Com- munion service was, through him, presented to this church in memory of Mrs. Mary J. Foster by her sister, Miss Frances Munroe.
Rev. Thomas G. Langdale was chosen as our next pastor and commenced his labors Nov. 1, 1906, serving nearly two years. During his ministry the Y.P.S.C. Endeavor, which had been given up for several years, was reorganized with Junior Intermediate and Senior Departments.
In 1908, by unanimous vote, Rev. Sarah A. Dixon was asked to become our pastor and was hired for one year. Her interest in and enthusiasm for her work has been felt in every depart- ment of our church. As we look back over the years we marvel that so much has been accom- plished. At a largely attended business meeting of the church held in August, 1909, it was voted to invite Miss Dixon to become the permanent pastor of the church.
As nearly as can be ascertained, the Sunday School was established something over one hundred years ago. The dedication of the present church was held on June 8, 1923, with befitting exercises.
Among the list of Superintendents we find the names of Deacon Oliver Clark, Deacon James Bailey, Mr. Jacob Coggin (son of Rev. Jacob Coggin). John F. Spaulding (grandson of our first minister), Dr. Wmn. Lathrop, Mr. George Trull, Deacon Enoch Foster, Mr. Henry Learned. Mr. Irving M. Locke, Deacon H. A. Page, and many others who have served us acceptably.
Since the formation of the church twenty-four good and honorable men have served us as deacons. Among the names PRESENT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Dedicated June 8, 1923 Isaac Kittredge, John Spaulding, Oliver Clark. John Jaques, James Bailey, Abel Marshall, Zepha- niah P. Foster, John F. Spaulding, Porter Mears, N. F. Frost, George Pillsbury, Enoch Foster. We read in Rev. Mr. Tolman's Historical Discourse of Jan. 9, 1859-"As a kind of Appendiz to this Historical Account of the church-for more than a century the only church in town, and so spreading its benign and salutary influence over its whole length and breadth-it is worthy of remark that, while we have imposed no burden upon the government in the way of generating criminals to be convicted and punished-no one of the inhabitants ever having been charged with a capital crime, or been a tenant of the state prison-we have contributed, from our limited popu- lation, no mean share to the general weal in the supply of the learned professions ; having
Page Twenty-seren
1734
Ye Towne Book
1934
furnished the public with five clergymen, three lawyers, and, as to physicians, they seem to have been indigenous to our soil, springing up in this region of the salubrious pines, as willows by the water-courses. There have originated here no less than thirteen doctors of the name of Kittredge, three of the name of Brown, besides Doctors Stickney, Whittemore, Shedd and Frost,-a most luxuriant crop of professors of the healing art, for so small a field."
TAKEN FROM CHURCH RECORDS
DECEMBER 7, 1910. Rev. Sarah A. Dixon was installed as Pastor of the Tewksbury Congregational Church.
APRIL 29, 1917. At the morning service, Rev. Sarah A. Dixon resigned as pastor of this church. Her pastorate was one of devoted service to the church and community.
JUNE 10, 1917. The Committee on Resolutions in their report state:
"That we sincerely regret her resignation and as a church our prayers and love will always follow her. "That during her pastorate here she has built up the Sunday School to double its original men- bership, adding 30 or 33 per cent to the church mem- bership, and has brought the community as a whole to a higher standard and has in several cases in- creased the personal obligations of her people.
"She has been responsible for many improvements in the church and its property in reorganizing its committees and in the promotion of its fellowship."
DECEMBER 16, 1917. At a special meeting of the church it was voted to extend a call to Rev. Henry B. Mason to become pastor of this church.
OCTOBER 13, 1918. We find - "Between the hours of two and three this morning, fire was dis- covered in the kitchen of the Congregational Church which completely destroyed the building. Contents were a total loss."
Although nearly sixteen years ago, to many of us this calamity is only too vivid. The awful conflaga- tion destroyed our splendid old Church with its beautiful memorial windows and other valuables that never could be replaced, the Town Hall also, and threatened the destruction of the surrounding buildings.
We would, if space permitted, like to copy here four beautiful poems that were written at this time, that typified the feelings of the townspeople and many others who loved the old Church.
Two of these poems were written by Miss Hannah J. Chandler-"Thoughts on the Passing of the Old Church" and "The Memorial Windows in the Old Church at Tewksbury". The third written by Ger- trude Louise Small-"The Old Town Clock". The fourth written by Miss Helen A. Osgood "The Old Church".
We remember how our people rallied, led by their pastor, Rev. Henry B. Mason and by the records we note a service was held in Pickering Hall, Oct. 20, 1918, and they went bravely on choosing a building committee to plan for a new church.
On the church records, May 10, 1923, "Ground was broken March 15th, 1922, and on May 13th the corner stone was laid by the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts under the escort of Wamesit Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Tewksbury.
NOVEMBER 20, 1926. At the morning service, Rev. Henry B. Mason resigned as pastor of this church.
MARCH 31, 1927. "It was voted to call Rev. John Cummings of Hampton, N. H., to fill our vacant pas- torate. Mr. Cummings accepted this call, his duties as Pastor to begin the 15th of May 1927."
MARCH 31, 1928. "It was voted that the Stand- ing Committee be authorized to have a suitable plate placed on the organ in recognition of the gift of Mrs. Annie D. Phelps and all others who contributed to- wards our new organ."
Throughout the long history of the church, the contribution and efforts of the Ladies' Aid Society, Missionary Society, and other church organizations have been one of unstinted service and devotion.
MARCH 18, 1928. A beautiful service was held this afternoon (Sunday) in the church, to appro- priately dedicate the new organ. "A Gift of those who love the Lord. For the greater glory of His house and service."
Page Twenty-eight
1734
Two Hundredth Anniversary
1934
COMPLIMENTS
OF
A FRIEND
NOTHING PRETENTIOUS
Just the Best in Home-Cooked Food served in our Restaurant and sold at our Food Exchange.
Lowell Women's Exchange AND
Rendezvous Restaurant 24 Middle Street Lowell
MARGARET C. WARNER, Owner North Tewksbury, Mass.
Derby Electric Motors Co.
ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPLIES
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.