USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Bristol > Historical sketches of the First Congregational Church, Bristol, R.I., 1689-1872 > Part 6
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standing out of the harbor bound to Newport.' If Wallace was defeated and driven out by Martin, it could not have been until the next morning."
" It is wonderful that there was no person killed. There were many hair breadth escapes from death. A little lad three and one-half years old, accompany- ing his mother in flight, a cannon ball struck the limb of a tree on their left hand which, severed from the trunk, fell directly at their side. As Governor Bradford, who in the name of the town refused com- pliance with the demand for sheep and cattle, was returning to his house through his garden, as he was climbing the fence, the board on which his hand rested was knocked from his grasp by a cannon ball. A man went to a well to get water to put out one of the " carcasses" which fell near his house, and he had scarcely left the well when a cannon ball struck the curb which was shattered to pieces."
" The only person who died during this attack was the REV. JOHN BURT, who was afterwards found dead lying on his face on a hill of corn. A nine pound shot was dug from the earth at a short distance from him, and in an exact range of him and the ship, but no marks of its effects were found upon his body. An inquest was held before Daniel Bradford, Esq., coroner, and the verdict of the Jury was, that 'he, being for sometime past sick and languid, was sur- prised by a cannonading upon the town of Bristol, on the evening before his heath, abdicated his house, attended by nobody, either got lost and bewildered, or was seized by some sudden fit and so came to his death.'"
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The day following was Sunday, and a day of sol- emn sadness to the people who gathered in the Sanctuary and learned that the voice of their beloved Pastor was hushed in death. A great gloom settled over the community, and many hearts bowed to God in tearful prayer.
The thoughts of the people were now chiefly given up to the war. But the few families who were not driven abroad made great efforts to keep the pulpit supplied during most of this gloomy period. The following ministers officiated, viz. : the REV. MESSRS. AMASA LEONARD, GEORGE MOREY, HUNTINGDON POR- TER, JOSEPH DAVIS, ALLEN OLCOTT, ELIPHALIT PORTER, THOMAS ROBY, SAMUEL SHUTTLESWORTH, HENRY CHANNING, ASA PIPER, and JUDE DAMON.
On the 25th of May, 1777, the town received the severest blow of the war. In the morning "about five hundred British and Hessian troops, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, started from Newport in a ship of war. Before daylight they anchored about half a mile south of Peck's rocks, on the west side of Pappoosquaw. They immed- iately landed and marched through Warren to the Kickamuit river. A number of boats belonging to the State had been collected here. The British heaped these boats together and burnt them. They then marched back to Warren where they took a number of prisoners and burned the Baptist Church, a powder magazine, and a number of dwelling houses. They delayed here but a short time, as they feared an attack from the American militia. They then
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marched down the main road to Bristol, plundering houses and taking the men prisoners. The inhabi- tants of Bristol were filled with consternation, as on account of the special enmity of the British to this town they had every reason to expect the most severe treatment. At this time a regiment of militia, com- manded by Colonel Cary, and a company of artillery, Captain Pearce, were stationed in the town. The militia were quartered in different dwelling houses on Hope street, and the artillery in a house on the corner of Hope and Burton streets. Word was · brought to the commander of the troops that a large force of British were coming down the main road. Their numbers were probably much exaggerated. As he had but about three hundred and fifty men he deemed it advisable not to engage with the British, and accordingly marched his men out of town to the back road. The artillery company marched up Bur- ton street to Wood street and there halted."
" Meanwhile the British entered the town. They continued to make all the men prisoners, but re- frained from injuring the houses until they reached the large dwelling house where the Rev. Mr. Burt had lived, which they burnt to the ground. The work of destruction thus commenced soon became general. The houses in which the troops had been quartered were all burnt. On the east side of Hope street all the houses were burnt, from Mr. Burts' to Byfield street except the Oxx house. On the west side all to the Episcopal Church, which was also burnt. The square below the Church was then a
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meadow, unoccupied with buildings. Eighteen dwellings and a number of other buildings were de- stroyed, and between thirty and forty men were taken prisoners."
" As soon as the British landed, an express was sent to General Sullivan in Providence, intelligence reaching him about eight o'clock in the morning. By his direction, Colonel Barton, with a few horsemen, started for Bristol. The regiment which had marched to the back road returned down Mount lane, and passing down High street marched in pursuit of the British who were then crossing Walker's bridge. As soon as the enemy made their appearance the artil- lery commenced firing upon them, and pursued them to the Ferry, firing all the time. By the blood in the road it was supposed that a considerable number of the British were killed or wounded. A large num- ber of militia now poured into the town, but they were too late to be of any service. The ship which brought the British from Newport, after having sent a boat on shore and taken captive Captain Westcott and nine American privates who were on Pappoo- squaw got under weigh, and sailed to the Ferry for the purpose of taking off the British, which was suc- cessfully accomplished."
" This attack of the British left the town in a wretched condition. Nearly every house on the principal street was reduced to ashes. It is probable that if the British had not been closely pursued they would have burnt the entire town. In addition to the loss of their houses, the inhabitants were obliged
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to endure poverty and want, as provisions were scarce and prices consequently high. A large num- ber of soldiers were constantly quartered among them, and they were obliged to submit to all the inconveniences of a garrisoned town. They were kept in a state of continued alarm, and their slum- bers were broken nearly every night. The fences were all torn down for fuel, and the land for nearly two miles out of town laid waste. Many of the in habitants left their homes taking their personal effects with them."
Under these trying circumstances, continued through the period of the war, it could hardly be otherwise that Zion should languish, and the work of building her walls halt and almost cease. But though cast down she was not destroyed. Her life, though feeble, still breathed, and in due time a brighter day dawned.
The foregoing account is chiefly condensed from "Annals of Bristol," a series of papers published in " The Bristol Phenix, " in 1845.
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VI.
THE WORK RESUMED .- 1785-1812.
THE CATHOLIC SOCIETY ORGANIZED:
At the close of the war, as soon as the town began to rally from its long prostration, the friends of the Congregational Church took measures to resume with new vigor the work of building up Zion. Some of the leading members of the Congregation at a meeting, 1783, March 31st, opened a scheme for a fund, "the annual interest of which to be appro- priated for the support of an Orthodox Congrega- tional Minister." At a meeting, 1784, September 6th, it was voted to petition the General Assembly for an Act of Incorporation.
The Charter of the "Catholic Congregational Society, of Bristol, R. I.," was granted by the Gen- eral Assembly of the State, 1784, October 4th, " for the purpose of raising a fund by free and voluntary subscriptions, contributions, legacies and donations, for the support of public worship in the Congrega- "tional Society in the town of Bristol, of which the , Rev. John Burt was the late Pastor."
By the terms of the Charter the Society were re- stricted to the raising of moneys for the purposes named only, "by free and voluntary subscription, contribution, legacy or donation." And if ever there shall be a less number than nine members, then
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" all moneys, bonds, mortgages, deeds, notes, obliga- tions, books and papers of every kind, together with all the estate, both real and personal, whatsoever at that time belonging to the said Catholic Society, shall be given up to and the sole property thereof be vested in the Congregational Society aforesaid, for whose use and benefit the said Catholic Society is instituted."
This Society have continued to act in cooperation with the Church to the present day. The " Ministry Lands," originally entrusted to the town, naturally and properly fell, to the care of the Catholic Society, and all the arrangements for the support of the Gos- pel Ministry and for meeting the current expenses of the Church are under its direction.
ERECTION OF THE SECOND HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
Soon after the organization of the Catholic Society, measures were taken for the erection of a new house of worship. The site chosen was at the corner of Hope and Bradford streets. The house was raised, 1784, June 12th, and was finished and dedicated to Almighty God, 1785, January 5th, the day of the ordination of the REV. HENRY WIGHT. The house was of the style of architecture common at that period, with square pews, high pulpit, Deacon's seat in front, and sounding board overhead. At a later period it was thoroughly renovated in the interior by substituting for the square pews the modern style of slips, and neatly covering the walls with "hard finish." It served the congregation until the erection
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of the present house in 1856, when it was given to the town, who removed it to its present site, on the north side of Bradford street, and having thoroughly remodeled the interior, with but little change in the exterior, have since used it for Town purposes.
HENRY WIGHT, D. D .- SIXTH PASTOR.
The REV. HENRY WIGHT, born in Medfield, Mass., in 1753, graduated at Harvard College in 1782, began to preach here 1784, March 14th, and being unanimously chosen to the Pastoral office with the hearty concurrence of the newly formed Catholic Society, he was ordained 1785, January 5th, in con- nection with the interesting services of dedicating the new house of worship. The sermon on this occasion was by the REV. THOMAS PRENTISS, Pastor of the Church in Medfield, Mass., in which Mr. Wight was baptized in infancy and had passed his early years, from the text 2 Corinthians, vi. 3, 4. The ordaining prayer and charge to the Pastor were by the REV. SOLOMON TOWNSEND, of Barrington, and the Right-hand of Fellowship by the REV. ROBERT ROGERSON, of Rehoboth, Mass.
Very soon after the installation of Mr. Wight, the list of Church members was revised, and was found to contain thirty-six names of persons then living, of whom seven were males and twenty-nine were females. On the 21st of March, 1785, the custom of " owning Covenant " which had previously prevailed was abolished by the following votes :
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" Voted, that the half-way Covenant is not consistent with the spirit of the Gospel, and a hindrance to vital piety.
" Voted, that hereafter this Church will have but one Covenant for admission of members to their body."
Dr. Wight continued in the sole pastorate of the Church until 1815, November 13th, when the REV. JOEL MANN was ordained as Colleague Pastor. On the 11th of November, 1828, at his own request, he was dismissed by an Ecclesiastical Council, but con- tinued to reside among his people to the day of his death, in August, 1837, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. His residence was at the corner of High and Bradford streets, the house now occupied by William H. Spooner, Esq. His family consisted of several sons and daughters, who grew up in the Christian faith, and adorned the stations of life which they were called to fill. The oldest, JOHN B. WIGHT, was ordained Pastor of the Congregational Church in East Sudbury, Mass., 1815, January 25th. The sermon on the occasion, which was published with the other parts of the services by the Church, was from Matthew xxviii. 20, by the REV. JOSEPH MCKEAN, LL. D., Professor in Harvard College. The Charge to the Pastor was by his father.
From 1793 to 1833, Dr. Wight was a member of the Board of Fellows of Brown University, and in 1811 received from thence the degree of Doctor in Divinity.
His ministry, continuing for nearly half a century, longer than that of any other pastor, was character-
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ized by Catholicity in intercourse with other denomi- nations, and an amiability of spirit and fidelity to his convictions of right, which won respect and con- fidence. He took an active interest in the political questions of the day, and did not hesitate to intro- duce topics of this nature in his pulpit ministrations, which offended some whose views differed from his and led to their withdrawal from the Society. He was singularly faithful in recording all the votes of the Church, and even the informal proceedings of Conferences and Committee meetings. He also kept for many years quite a full record of current events in the town, particularly of marriages and deaths, ard this book has already proved to be of invaluable worth in proving titles to property and to the boun- ties and pay of soldiers and others who died in the Governmental service.
During the sole pastorate of DR. WIGHT, there were two hundred and twenty-eight additions to the Church membership, and a large number of children and adults were baptized.
His memory is precious to the aged few who yet survive to recall his labors in the days of his strength. The marks of his influence are indelibly traced in the character of the community ; and in the great day of account we doubt not it will be said of this man, " Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
His mortal remains rest in the Juniper Hill Ceme- tery, and over his grave is erected a memorial stone with the following inscription :
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" The GRAVE of REV. HENRY WIGHT, D. D., Born in Medfield, Mass., May 26, 1752. Graduated at Harvard College, 1782 : Settled over the Cong. Church in this place Jan. 5, 1785. Deceased Aug. 12, 1837, in the 86th year of his age, and the 53d of his ministry.
Faithful and kind in the duties of his sacred office, Affectionate and tender in the relations of domestic life, his memory is precious to his surviving kindred and people. With long life was he satisfied and his end was peace.
Remember the words which I spake unto you while I was yet present with you."
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VII.
THE PERIOD OF REVIVALS .- 1812-1830.
THE REVIVAL OF 1812.
Revivals of Religion of remarkable depth and power were enjoyed by many of the Churches of New England during the early part of the present cen- tury.
The first signal awakening of this description in this town began to be developed in the summer of 1812, and was promoted through the united efforts of all the Churches among whom there prevailed a delightful harmony.
The REV. ISAAC LEWIS, D. D., of New York, as he was journeying with his wife for her health, tarried for a night in Bristol. Learning of the interesting state of the public mind on the subject of personal religion, he was induced to remain a few days to participate in the good work. It was arranged that he should preach on a week day in the Congrega- tional house, and notice of the service was circulated as far as practicable. As the hour of meeting ap- proached the people en masse turned from their shops, their farms and their homes, and flocked to the Sanctuary. An air of solemnity and earnestness pervaded the crowded assembly. Even those who came from curiosity, or from an impulse which they could hardly define, as they crossed the threshold of
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the House of God, were deeply impressed with the thought that it was an hour of supreme importance to them. The preacher felt the inspiration of the occasion, and preached from the text " Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth," Eccles. xii. 1. The vast audience were deeply moved. Many were convicted of sin and a number then and there resolved to be at peace with God.
From this time the Revival progressed in depth and power, and the labors of DR. LEWIS, in coopera- tion with the pastors, were greatly blessed. Many were converted. Persons who had grown old in sin, broken hearted turned unto the Lord and received pardon. Men and women encompassed by the cares of this world and eagerly pursuing its riches were arrested to care for their never-dying souls and to obtain the enduring riches of heaven. Young men and maidens in the vigor of their strength laid their all upon the altar of God and entered upon the Christian service. For many months the whole interest of the people was absorbed in this mighty work of the Spirit, and the incidents connected with it remained the subject of delightful and thankful record while any of the generation lived who had been made partakers of it.
The influence of this Revival extended to other towns and Churches, and in many places its impres- sions were indellible. At one time, a party of young men from west of the Bay came in a boat for the express purpose of having a "rollicking time," and to disturb the meetings. The Spirit of God met
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them here and some of the number were converted, returned home to carry the good influence with them, and became eminently devoted Christians.
All the Churches in Bristol shared in this glorious Revival. The venerable DR. GRISWOLD, Rector of St. Michael's Espiscopal Church, was also Bishop of the Diocese which then embraced all the New Eng- land States. Entering cordially into the work, his influence was felt not only in his own Church, which, under his Ministry and the holy influence that per- vaded the town, glowed with large results of the Divine Blessing, but throughout the Diocese giving new character and life to many of the Churches. Around him as a leader and example gathered the evangelical elements of the body, and from his Minis- try and Episcopate, the distinguishing sentiments of the Evangelical party received their organized shape and tone.
DR. WIGHT, the pastor of this Church, being ad- vanced in life, from the infirmities of age, could do but little beside the routine work of his calling. Under these circumstances DR. LEWIS was employed as an assistant for a period of six months, and invited to settle as Colleague Pastor. This he de- clined, but during his temporary engagement insti- tuted a· class for Doctrinal instruction, embracing over a hundred persons, chiefly converts of the Revival in our congregation. The class met weekly and recited lessons from the Assembly's Shorter Catechism. These were accompanied by familiar but elaborate lectures on the doctrines of the Bible
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By this means Christians were rooted and grounded in the faith, and an Evangelical tone was given to the Church which has ever since characterized it.
The fruits of this gracious Revival were remarka- bly permanent and abiding. The Sabbath services were crowded with attendants. The congregations were serious, earnest, and engaged in worship. The people listened to the faithful preaching of the Gospel with unbroken interest. The meetings for private worship and instruction in the week were well attended. A religious spirit was the very atmos- phere of the place, and the people were united, ready and earnest in every good work. This was the immediate fruit and influence of the great revival of 1812. To the few surviving subjects of it, the recollection to this day is most precious. Their countenances are animated with joy, and their lips are tremulous with grateful emotion, as they speak of the gracious scenes of this remarkable awakening sixty years ago.
JOEL MANN .- SEVENTH PASTOR.
The great revival of 1812 and its results, prepared the way for the settlement of the REV. JOEL MANN, the Seventh Pastor, 1815, November 15th, as a Colleague with DR. WIGHT. He was a native of Oxford, N. H., and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1812. He remained in the Pastoral office until 1826, September 14th, when, at his request, he was dismissed by Ecclesiastical Council, and was after- wards settled in Kingston, Greenwich, Conn., and Salem, Mass.
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His Ministry was eminently successful, and was particularly distinguished for the institution of the Sabbath School, the great revival of 1820, and the erection of " the Hall," accounts of which are given further on. He is still living in a remarkably vigor- ous old age in Brooklyn, N. Y., and is cordially received by his friends and former parishioners on his annual visits to the town.
His residence here was on Bradford street, a few rods east from the present Parsonage, in a house recently owned and occupied by Messadore T. Bennett, Esq., which was destroyed by fire on the 4th of July, 1870.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL BEGUN.
The Sabbath school was first instituted in the town of Bristol in the spring of 1815. Miss Susan Wyatt, associating with herself three others, viz. : Miss Mary A. Bourne, Miss Abby Monroe, and Miss Waity Sanford, opened a school on Sunday afternoons at five o'clock in the school room of her father, Mr. Stutely Wyatt, on High street. This school continued in successful operation until the approach of winter when it was discontinued.
The following year, 1816, Miss Mary T. Borden (afterwards Mrs. Nathaniel Gladding,) opened a school in the south-west basement room of the house on Hope street, now owned and occupied by James E. French, Esq., where she also kept a day school for many years. Here for several years Miss Bor- den, assisted by members of the Church, gave Sab=
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bath instruction to the young. From a small beginning the school grew in interest and importance until in 1820, June 26th, the Church, by a formal vote, took the school under its own charge, appointed a com- mittee to conduct its affairs, and chose teachers for the several classes.
From this time to the present the school has been under the fostering care of the Church, and is re- garded not as a separate institution but as a field of labor for which the Church is responsible. The Superintendent, nominated by the teachers, is elected by the Church at the annual meeting, and to the Church he makes an annual report of its condition.
Previous to 1865, the school was held successively in private rooms and in the various "Halls" that had been provided for conference meetings, etc. But the growth of the school made it necessary to secure a larger place for its sessions, and in the autumn of that year the school was transferred to the House of Worship and was soon doubled in num bers. Here its sessions were regularly held until the completion of the " Memorial Chapel" in 1870, in whose beautiful and convenient rooms it has at last found a Home.
A library of about six hundred volumes is con- nected with the school, arranged in three depart- ments, Youths', Intermediate, and Adult, to which additions are annually made.
THE REVIVAL OF 1820.
During the Winter and Spring of 1819-20, another
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season of extraordinary refreshing from on high was enjoyed. Previous to its manifestation there was nothing special to awaken expectations of it, save that in the weekly meetings of conference and prayer and the Sabbath services an earnest evangelical spirit prevailed, the habit of family prayer was generally maintained, and songs of praise were heard in the evening hour from many an habitation. Re- specting the progress of this Revival the pastor, the Rev. Joel Mann, writes as follows :
"The meetings became more frequent, and as room in a private house was not sufficient to accommodate the people, they were transferred to the second story of a cabi- net-maker's shop. Here was displayed the power and grace of God, from day to day, in a signal manner. It was the place in which many submitted to the Lord, and found joy and peace in believing.
'. This room became so filled as to be uncomfortable, and another, over a carriage house, was prepared and seated at considerable expense.
"This proving too strait, meetings were held in the church, and at length the large room in the Court House was obtained, which was occupied and filled from evening to evening for many weeks, until needed for a session of the court. Here cases of conscience were tried and de- cided. Here the Omniscient Judge presided, and trembling sinners were arraigned and made to feel and acknowledge their guilt. Here long-standing controversies were settled between Him and them. Here violaters of divine law were convicted, owned the justice of their condemnation, submitted to the disposal of the Judge, and obtained par- doning mercy. The pleadings of God's people were heard, and the blessings for which they sued were granted. The voices of converts proclaimed the riches of divine grace,
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