USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Bristol > Manual of the First Congregational Church, Bristol, R.I., 1687-1872 > Part 7
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 | Part 11 | Part 12
113
McSparran to consider whether they ought to give him a Dismission or otherwise permit him to go to Scotland as ye Minister there to clear up his character and to return again. But after considerable debate his dismission was voted ye Church being unwilling to be under a promise of staying for his Return."
It appears from the official records that the Church voted, on the 16th of December, 1718, to call him to the Pastoral office ; on the 22d of December fol- lowing, the town, by a vote of seventy to three, con- curred in the Church's choice ; on the 19th of April following, arrangements were made to call a Council for his ordination. There is no official record of the doings of Council. On the 25th of May following, the town adopted this minute :
" The accounts lately received from Barnstable and Plymouth in favor of the Rev'd Mr. James McSparran being read in publick Town Meeting together with our own experience of his good conversation during his abode in this Town and his humble Christian deportment under the present afflictive Providence, with his ready acknow- ledgement of his ungaurded conversation in times past, with his earnest desire under his hand which hath been now read to be reconciled to the Church of Christ, demand our Christian compassion in the exercise of that fervent charity which covers the multitude of sins. We do in duty, as well as affection, declare our hearty forgiveness of all his past miscarriages and that we do receive him as our Brother in the Lord, humbly depending upon the boundless mercy and compassion of our most gracious God through the merits of our blessed Redeemer ye Lord Jesus Christ for pardon and acceptance. We most carn- estly desire that all Christian People referring to this our
114
dear and Rev'd Brother, Mr. James McSparran, would put on charity which is the bond of perfectness and all these scandalous Reports that have been spread abroad will, as they ought, be buried in oblivion."
" The above writing being distinctly read in the Town meeting, and people being asked whether they had any objection against it or any part of it, it was unanimously voted in ye affirmative as the mind of ye town, no one objecting after ye vote was called except Conll Paine.
Attest: SAMUEL HOWLAND, Town Clerk."
The way now seemed clear for his settlement in regular order. Accordingly, arrangements were made to call a Council for this purpose on Thursday, October 22d, following. Before this day arrived, the new report of forgery of credentials broke out and threw matters into worse confusion than before. Without waiting for the meeting of Council he pro- posed to withdraw at once if the Church and town would give him an honorable dismission, or to re- turn to Scotland and obtain confirmation of his cre- dentials, if they would grant him leave of absence. As stated by Mr. Burt, the Church voted his dismis- sion, but the town would not concur in this action but adopted the following vote, viz. :
" Voted, that Leave is given by the Town to Mr. James McSparran, our present Minister, to take a voyage to Ireland, in order to procure a confirmation of his creden- tials, the truth of which being by some questioned: and that he return to us again sometime in June next ensuing, and proceed in ye work of the Ministry with us if he pro- cure ye confirmation of ye aforesaid credentials."
115
On the 20th of June, 1720, having heard nothing from Mr. McSparran, the Town voted to extend his leave of absence to the 16th of September following. This period also passed without his return, or any report from him, and the town was then ready to cooperate with the Church in securing another Pas- tor.
While the town were thus patiently waiting for their Minister's return, he was abroad taking Orders in the Church of England. On the 21st of August, 1720, he was admitted to Deacon's Orders by the Bishop of London. On the 25th of September following, he was ordained to the Priesthood by the Archbishop of Canterbury. On the 23d of October following, he was commissioned by the Bishop of London "to discharge the Ministerial Office in the Province of New England in America." Under the patronage of " the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in For- eign Parts," he came back commissioned as a " Mis- sionary to Narragansett in New England, who is to officiate as opportunity shall offer at Bristol, Free- town, Swanzey, and Little Compton, where there are many people, members of the Church of England, destitute of a Minister."
.
DAY OF PRAYER AND CHOICE OF PASTOR.
On the 22d of September, 1720, the Church set apart the 1st of October following as a day of fast- ing and prayer, in view of the present unhappy condition of affairs. To assist in the services of the day they invited the Rev. Messrs. Thatcher, of Mil-
116
ton ; Danforth, of Freetown ; Wadsworth, of Boston ; White, of Attleborough ; Fisher, of Dighton ; Billings, of Little Compton ; and Clapp, of Newport. The day was one of great spiritual profit, and a fitting preparation for choosing and settling a Pastor, which was not long after accomplished.
On the 22d of December, 1720, the Centennial Anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at Ply- mouth, the Church, by nearly an unanimous vote, chose the REV. NATHANIEL COTTON for their Pastor, and on the 23d and 30th of January following, the town " by a very considerable majority of votes," gave its concurrence and proposed, for his encourage- ment to settle, one hundred pounds ; also, one hun- dred pounds yearly salary beginning with the 1st of January, and the Strangers' Contribution. Sub- sequently the improvement of the Ministry lands was added. The call was accepted, and on the 31st of August, 1721, he was duly ordained the third in the succession of Pastors of this Ancient Church. The sermon on the occasion was by the REV. JOSEPH BELCHER, of Dedham.
NATHANIEL COTTON .- THIRD PASTOR.
MR. COTTON was a descendant of the distinguished JOHN COTTON who came to Boston from England in 1633, who, being then about forty-eight years of age, of large and varied experience, and eminent for his talents, learning and piety, was soon designated and set apart as Teacher of the First Church, of which the REV. JOHN WILSON was Pastor, whose labors were
117
attended with such remarkable blessing that during the first five years a greater number were admitted to his Church than to all the other Churches in the Colony, and who died on the 23d of December, 1652, in the sixty-eighth year of his age, lamented as a public loss in all the Churches in the country.
He was a son of the REV. ROLAND COTTON, of Sandwich, Mass., born in 1698, graduated at Har- vard College in 1717, and was therefore only twenty- three years of age when he assumed the Pastoral Office in Bristol. His father was a grandson of the REV. JOHN COTTON, above mentioned, and one of several Congregational Ministers whom this family produced, all of whom were eminent for their piety and usefulness. His younger brother, JOSIAH, gradu- ated at Harvard in 1722, and was ordained Pastor of the Beneficient Church in Providence, 1728, Octo- ber 23d, which office he held for several years, and was afterwards settled at Woburn, Mass., and Sandown, N. H., and died 1780, May 27, aged seventy-eight years.
Not long after his settlement he married the widow of MR. WILLIAM SANFORD, of Newport, and lived, it is supposed, in the house on State street, which had been previously occupied by Mr. Spar- hawk, and, after his decease, by his widow.
His Ministry was continued under the embarrass- ments which grew out of the McSparran difficulties until his strength failed, and he sank to an early grave 1729, July 3d, in the thirty-first year of his age. But, though troubled and brief, his Ministry
118
was fruitful in good results. Many were added to the Church on Profession of Faith, others " owned the Covenant," and over a hundred children and adults were baptized. The House of Worship was also thoroughly repaired and improved, and the cour- age and hope of the church failed not.
The Rev. Mr. Burt says of him, "he was a man of singular prudence, of admirable patience, and for the cause of Truth and Righteousness he was as bold as a lion, and his name continued fresh in the memories and exceeding dear and precious to his people." He made his grave with his beloved flock, and a Memorial stone was erected with the following in- scription :
Here lies the remains of THE REV. MR. NATHANIEL COTTON, M. A., and Pastor of ye Church in this Town. Born at Sandwich, June ye 16, 1698, 2d son of ye late REV. MR. ROLAND COTTON, and his wife ELIZ., only daughter of ye HON. NATHANIEL SALLONSTALL, ESQ., of Haverhill. Took his degrees at H. College 1717 and 1720. Ordained here Aug. 30, 1721.
Married ye relect of MR. WILLIAM SANFORD, of Newport, By whom he had 4 sons and 4 daughters. Died here July 3d, 1729, Greatly Valued and Lamented.
119
BARNABAS TAYLOR .- FOURTH PASTOR.
Shortly after the decease of Mr. Cotton, the Church and Town, with a remarkable degree of unanimity, united in calling the REV. BARNABAS TAY- LOR, voting him two hundred pounds for settle- ment, and a yearly salary of one hundred and forty pounds, together with the use or income of the Ministry lands and the Strangers' Contribution. The call was accepted and he was duly installed the fourth Pastor, 1729, December 25th.
There are no Church records during his Ministry and we have no means of knowing any fruits of his labors. Mr. Burt says, " he was much admired at first ;" but for some cause respecting which the record is silent he failed to give satisfaction, and, by the advice of an Ecclesiastical Council, was dismissed 1740, June 3d.
11
120
IV.
PEACE AND PROSPERITY .- 1740-1775.
JOHN BURT .- FIFTH PASTOR.
Very soon after the dismission of Mr. Taylor, the REV. JOHN BURT was introduced to the Church, and began to preach in July, 1740, as a candidate for settle- ment. On the 17th of November following, he was unanimously chosen to the Pastoral office. On the 5th of January, 1741, the Town voted unanimously to con- cur in the Church's choice, and for his support proposed a yearly salary of two hundred and fifty pounds in silver money, at twenty-eight shillings per ounce or its equivalent in paper currency, the Strangers' Contribution, and the improvement of the Parson- age house and Ministry lands. The call was accepted, and on the 13th of May, 1741, he was duly ordained and installed the fifth Pastor by a Council consisting of the Elders and Messengers of Churches in Boston, Newport, Little Compton, Dighton, Rehoboth, Attle- borough and Providence. The sermon on the occa- sion was preached by himself, from 2d Cor. v. 20. The charge to the Pastor was given by the REV. MR. WEBB, of Boston, who was the Pastor of his child- hood and the Instructor of his riper years. The right hand of fellowship was given by the REV. MR. TURNER, of Rehoboth. And the prayer was offered by the REV. MR. FISHER, of Dighton, the Moderator of the Council.
121
MR. BURT was a native of Boston ; born 1716, graduated at Harvard College, 1736, at twenty years of age. After graduation he pursued his studies for the Ministry under the direction of his Pastor. He remained in the Pastorate to the day of his death, 1775, October 7th, in the thirty-fifth year of his Ministry and the fifty-ninth year of his age.
His house was on Hope street, near the present mansion of Mrs. Scott Greene. During the attack of the British on the town, 1777, May 25th, this was the first house which was fired and destroyed.
On taking charge of the Church he gathered what information he could respecting its history and pre- sent condition, and prefaced an account to a book of records which he faithfully kept during his entire ministry, and for neatness of copy and fullness they are much in advance of any kept by his predeces- sors. At the beginning of his Ministry seventy-seven names appear on his record as being at that time members in full communion. Additions were con- tinually made, and, at his death, sixty-five members had been received to full communion, one hundred and eighteen others had "owned Covenant," and five hundred and twenty-six children and adults had been baptized.
His Ministry was eminently successful. A faith- ful, bold and earnest preacher, and a judicious coun- sellor and friend, he won the respect of all classes, and enjoyed, in a marked degree, the confidence and affection of his people. This period was emphati- cally one of peace and prosperity. The bitterness
122
of the McSparran controversey had greatly abated ; measures for the support of the Gospel were adopted which were generally satisfactory, and a steady devotion to the cause of Christ produced its fruits of joy and harmony.
In 1746, by Commissioners, the Town of Bristol, with four other towns, was set off from Massachusetts and annexed to Rhode Island. As by the funda- mental law of this State, the support of religious institutions could only be by voluntary contribution, the Church could no longer look to the town for sup- port as formerly, but must rely upon its own special friends and helpers. But, previous to this, an arrangement was made with the town, whereby those who chose to have their Ministry taxes go towards the support of the Ministry of another order could do so by properly signifying their wish to the town authorities.
On the 7th of October, 1775, there passed away from earth this Pastor beloved. Tenderly was his body laid away to rest in the cemetery on the Com- mon, where sleep the mortal remains of Sparhawk and Cotton, and as a tribute to his memory a tablet with the following inscription was erected by his mourning people :
-
123
Sacred to the Memory of the REV. JOHN BURT, A. M., born in Boston, educated at Harvard University ; Ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Bristol, May 13, A. D. 1741. He died aged 59 on the 7th of Oct. 1775, in the evening of the ever memorable Bombardment of this Town by a British Squadron. He was the noble advocate of Civil Liberty and religious Freedom, and a faithful Pastor to his Flock. His Parishioners from a sincere respect for his many virtues, and a just veneration of his excellent character have erected this Monument to his MEMORY.
124
V.
HALTING OF THE WORK .- 1775-1785.
THE FLOCK SCATTERED WITHOUT A SHEPHERD.
In 1775, Bristol was a flourishing commercial town with a population which numbered about twelve hundred and fifty. On the breaking out of the Revo- lutionary war, the town took prompt measures to perform its part in the memorable conflict, and its history during this period is one of thrilling interest. " Some time during the summer, a British squadron arrived in Newport, and lay there until the 7th of October, on the morning of which day an express arrived here with the news that the squadron was getting under weigh at Newport, with the intention of sailing to Bristol. This news caused much alarm and confusion throughout the town. The day of the occurrence was unusually pleasant. About three o'clock in the afternoon, the squadron, consisting of three ships of war, named the Rose, the Gaspee, and the Eskew, with a bomb brig and a schooner, was seen standing up the bay in full sail, with a gen- tle breeze to the south. Shortly after sunset they were anchored in our harbor, making a display such as never was seen here before or since. Wallace, in the Rose, took the lead, run up and anchored within a cable's length of Market wharf. The Gaspee next came up and anchored about a cable's length to the
125
south. The other attempting to go farther south grounded on the middle ground. The schooner ran up and anchored opposite the bridge. At eight o'clock a royal salute was fired from the flag ship. Shortly after the salute a barge left the flag ship, and was pulled in to the wharf where a large number of the citizens were congregated. The commanding officer having stepped upon the wharf, communicated the fact that Captain James Wallace, commander of the squadron, had sent him with a demand for forty sheep and a pair of oxen ; and if they were refused he should fire upon the town. The Town Council were immediately called together, and the demand of the British was laid before them. After some discussion upon the subject the Council decided that the demand was unreasonable, and that they would not comply with it. 'Is this your final answer?' asked the commander. 'Yes, yes,' shouted many unfaltering voices in reply. The officer immediately jumped into the barge and pulled towards the ship. In a short time after the barge returned, the report of a cannon, fired from the flag ship, was heard. The other ships then commenced firing upon the town, and the flashes of the cannon, the whistling of the balls through the air, the bursting of bombs, was a scene terrible in the extreme. The bomb brig threw carcasse's (machines made of iron hoops and filled with all manner of combustibles) to set fire to the town. They were thrown up nearly perpendicular, with a tremendous tail to them, and when they fell to the ground they blazed up several yards high."
126
" Horror and dismay were depicted on every coun- tenance, women and children crying and screaming were seen running through the streets in every direc- tion to seek some place of safety. Many of them were removed to the farms and remote parts of the town while the balls were whistling over their heads as they went. The firing continued for about an hour when a citizen standing upon a point of land which made off some distance in the harbor, suc- ceeded in hailing the commander of the squadron, and the firing was suspended. An epidemic was raging in town, which had proved fatal in many cases, and at this time three persons lay dead in their dwellings, while the remains of Governor Bradford's wife had been buried but the day before. Letters were sent on board stating these facts and promising to comply with the demand if they would stop firing. One account says : 'While preparations were being made to send the sheep on board, Captain Martin, of Seekonk, arrived with a company of men and pro- tested they should not be sent. Bringing his field pieces upon a small eminence that commanded the bay, he commenced firing upon the enemy's shipping. Opposed thus unexpectedly and placed now at a dis- advantage to renew the contest, the ships of Wallace made their way back to Newport.' But from the town records it appears that the town paid for sheep furnished by citizens and delivered to Captain Wal- lace ; and an account written by an eye witness says, ' In the morning wereturned to our dwellings, and on coming up Main street we saw the British squadron
127
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.'"
128
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
129
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
130
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
131
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."
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.