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GIFT OP
THE AUTHOR
). P^SER CU
OF BEWTON
|^<SC HARVARD COLLEGE LI BRARX
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ilKToilY
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9
I
AND THE AUTHOR AT NORTON.
1859.
HISTORY
V?
y^OF TIIKJ
JOWNrOF NORTON,
BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS,
}
I
I
\
I
I
From 1069 to 1859.
BY
GEORGE FABER £LARK,
MISiRta or THB OLD-COLOKT BIS^BICAI. SOCISTT, CORIX'POMOIMR MEMBrR OT TBI Stn-rvOLAHD
BI4rORIC><:KXlAl.0GI0AL BOCmT, AMD MIXISTBR Or TBB OOXORRilATtO.'V AL riRIBH.
•• Your fathers, where are they : " - Zkch. i. 5.
** Of these things put them in remembrance.** — 2 Tim. ii. 14.
BOSTON:
CROSBY, NICHOLS, AND COMPANY,
117, WASHnrGTON Strest;
AND THE AUTHOR AT NORTON.
1859.
:X'.
T-^-^-i
IS li ?''(!. jr.
fltLLEG C
Entered, according to Act of Oongress, in the year 1859, by
GEORGE FABER CLARK,
In the Clerk- s OfiSce of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts
BOSTON:
PRINTED RY JOHN WILSON AND SON,
22, School Street.
TO
^U t^t Sons anb ^ans^ttrs of |lorion,
NATIVI AND ADOPTED.
WITH THE HOPE THEY WILL BE A8 INTERESTED IN BEADING ITS PAOKri
AS HE HAS BEEN IN PREPARING IT FOR THEIR PERUSAI^
I
SfpCs ^Cstors
IS RESPECTFULLY DEI>1C'ATED
BY THE AUTHOR.
}
PREFACE.
On the 12th of November, 1854, the Sunday following the one
hundred and fortieth anniversary of the organization of the Con-
gregational Church in Norton, the author commenced, and continued
on the succeeding Sunday, a series of four sermons upon the History
of the town, and especially of the church of which he was the
pastor. Dec. 16 of the same year, he received a written request
from some of his leading parishioners, who had listened to the
discourses, that he should publish them, together with such other
historical facts as might be collected, in the form and manner he
thought proper. He was also urged to do so by others, not mem-
bers of his parish ; and the result, after many delays and discourage-
ments, is the book now before the reader. At one time, the town
voted to subscribe for one hundred copies, but, at an adjourned
meeting, reconsidered the vote. In the spring of 1858, a proposi-
tion was made to the citizens of Mansfield to give a history of that
town in connection with Norton, without increasing the subscription ■
price, provided they would take five himdred copies. The proposi-
tion was rejected by the town. Those who have cheered us on by
the material aid promised, coming generations will thank as heartily
as do we. For valuable assistance and suggestions, the author is
indebted to Rev. J. B. Felt, and S. G. Drake, Esq., of Boston, and,
above all, to his esteemed friend John L. Sibley, Librarian of .
Harvard College. A true history of any town or country should
exhibit " the cloud " as well as the " silver lining ; " but it is better
perhaps, to let the mantle of charity and oblivion cover the errors
and faults of the weak and misguided. The town-records contain
but little material for a good history ; and, for four years after the
incorporation of Norton, the records are supposed to be lost. Hence
VI PREFACE.
we have been obHged to search far and wide for many of the most
interesting facts recorded in these pages. We have trusted but little
to what was merely traditionary. What is stated without qualifica-
tion has been done on what was deemed good authority, and may
generally be relied upon. In cases of doubt, a question-mark (?)
immediately foUows the statement. Great pains have been taken
to have accuracy in dates, &c. ; yet frequent errors will no doubt be
found. As they peruse these pages, and their eye falls upoQ an
error or misstatement, some will perhaps say, " We could have told
the writer better than that." Our only reply is, Then you alone are
responsible for the error, by withholding the intelligence you pos-
sessed; for we have, privately and publicly, called upon all to
furnish what interesting facts and incidents were in their possession.
No doubt, if all had been as ready to communicate as some will be
to find fault, a more reliable book would have been made. Before
a work of this kind is given to the public, proof-sheets should be
placed in every family for them to mark tdl inaccuracies of state-
ment, and errors in date : then something like a reliable history
could be published. This is not, however, practicable in most
cases, on accoimt of expense. It may be thought we have been
too minute in many respects, — that we have introduced too many
documents entire, instead of giving an epitome of their contents.
We have introduced these documents because they have been col-
lected from a wide field, and only a single copy of them exists ;
which, of course, is liable to be destroyed. We have wished to
preserve them for the benefit of the future historian ; andy above all,
we have desired to let them tell their own story in their own way.
All are not interested in the same class of facts : we have, therefore,
introduced quite a variety of topics ; for we think whatever throws
light upon the manners and customs of our ancestors is worthy of
record. We have written for the future as well as the present.
Hence, upon some topics, what may be called prolixity now may be
considered paucity hereafter. Except in two or three instances, we
have given the dates as we found them on the records. The names
in extracts are spelled as there found, because we could not always
obtain the correct orthography, and members of the same family fre-
quently spell their names differently. We have also, in extracts, till
within quite a recent date, followed the spelling in other particu-
lars. This will explain to some what will seem typographical errors.
PREFACE. Yll
That part of a lady's name in parentheses indicates her surname
before marriage. When we issued our subscription-paper, May 1,
18^, we supposed the book would go to press in about fifteen
months. But, in the attempt to carry out that plan, our eyes
(which had been weak for years) became so affected in the autumn
of 1856, that all labor upon the book was suspended for several
months ; and, since it was resumed, we have been able to work but
a small portion of the time upon it. Our readers will, however,
find that ** patient waiting is no loss ; '' for, since 1856, we have
collected many interesting facts which we could not have given had
we gone to press as originally intended. The biographical notices
have been confined to those who have in some way been prominent
before the public, in church, state, or profession. There were
others, we presume, whose talents and moral worth furnish as great
a claim upon our attention ; but we could not go beyond certain
limits in this department. The same remarks will apply to the
portraits, all but two of which were engraved expressly for us ;
and they were furnished, with the exceptions hereafter named, by
the individuals they represent, or their friends. Those of George
Leonard, and George Leonard, jun. (except ten dollars given by
Hon. William Baylies,* of West Bridgewater), were paid for, at
our request, by the proceeds of a dramatic exhibition, given by the
children of our common schools, in the Town Hall, May 13 and 14,
1857. The plate of Dr. Wilmarth, made for his " Memoirs," has
been kindly loaned me to take impressions from by his only son,
Jerome Wilmarth, of Hopedale. That of Edwin Barrows was
made for another purpose, and, at our earnest solicitation, was fur-
nished. For his own engraving, the author is indebted to the ladies
of his parish, who also paid for the picture of the church. During
our labors, we have been repeatedly urged by antiquarian friends
to make a register of the families in town. We could not do this
without doubling the size of the book, or making two volumes.
For various reasons, we have not attempted it ; but such a register
can be made at any future day, for there is abundant material. It
would be an invaluable record. Should circumstances be favor-
* No other person, of those who inherited the vast estate of the Leonard
Family from Mrs. Bowen, could be induced to give any thing towards these
engrnvings.
VIU PREFACE.
able, and sufficient inducement be given, the author might undertake
the task. But, like this, it would be a labor of love ; yea, a loss
out of his pocket, which he is not anxious to incur. Without fur-
ther preliminaries, we present to our readers the fruits of our toil,
with the hope that they will deem a sufficient excuse for all imper-
fections the fact that the work has been written amidst a multitude
of professional and other duties, and almost without eyes.
G. F. CLARK.
Norton, June 17, 1869.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER. PAGB.
I. Introductiox 1
II. The First Settlemknts 6
III. Precinct Controyersy, and Incorporation of thb
Town 16
IV. Topography and Natural Hihtoby 37
v. Indians 49
VI. Settlement of a Minister, Organization op thb
Church, &c 56
VII. Early Settlers 74
VIII. The Ministry op Rev. Joseph Avery 93
IX. The Dismission, Death, &c., of Kev. Mr. Avery .111
X. Attempts to Settle a Minister 132
XI. The Settlement, Ministry, and Death of Rev.
Joseph Palmer 142
XII. Admissions to the Church from 1714 to 1791 . .164
XIII. The Settlement, Ministry, and Death of Rev.
Pitt Clarke 172
XIV. Autobiography and Obituary Notices of Rev. Pitt
Clarke 185
XV. Recent Ministry of the Congregational Parish . 193
XVI. Deacons of the Congregational Church . . . .214
XVII. Meeting-Houses of the Congregational Parish . 220
XVIII. Ministerial Fund, and Incorporation op the Con-
gregational Parish 245
X CONTENTS.
CHAPTER. PAGE.
XIX. Common Schools 265
XX. MXTNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HiSTOBY 279
XXI. Taxes and otheb Financial History . . . . 312
XXII. Watbb-Pbivileoes, Mantjpactubes, and Statis-
tics of Industbt 325
XXIII. Population and Census of 1855 343
XXIV. Paupeb Histoby 363
XXV. Physicians 367
XXVI. Bubyino-Places, &c 375
XXVII. The Old Fbench and the Fbench and Indian
Wab 384
XXVni. Revolutionaby Wab 390
XXIX. MiLiTABY Histoby 414
XXX. Fedebal and State Constitutions 422
XXXI. East and Nobth Pbecincts 434
XXXn. The Dissentino Chubch 443
XXXIII. The Old Baptist Chubch 452
XXXIV. Baptist Chubch at Winneconnet 462
XXXV. Tbinitabian Conobeoational Chubch .... 465
XXXVI. Wesleyan-Methodist Society 475
XXXVII. Collboiate Histoby 477
XXXVIII. Pbofessional Emigbants 501
XXXIX. Slaveby 508
XL. Tempebancb Movement 513
XLI. Miscellaneous Histoby 518
XI
LOCATION OF ENGEAVINGS.
PAOB.
Col. Gboroe Leonabd Titlepage,
Map of Taunton North Pubchasb, &c 5
Ayert House 65
Leonard Mansion House . . . , 86
Rev. Pitt Clarke 172
Rev. G. F. Clark 207
Beacon Daniel Lane 218
Congregational MEETora-HousE 243
Hon. John Crane 286
Hon. Cromwell Leonard 304
Dr. R. F. Sweet 373
Hon. George Leonard, Jun 478
Hon. Laban Wheaton 483
Rev. Gardner B. Perry, D.D 492
Dr. William Perry 494
Rev. Thomas Shepard, D.D 496
Hon. L. M. Wheaton 496
Edwin Barrows 501
Dr. Butler Wilmarth 605
Xll
OLD AND NEW STYLE.
It was very common between Jan. 1 and March 25, for many years
previous to 1752, to make double dates, as it is called (as, for
instance, on p. 3, " March 8, 1681-2 " ) ; and we have followed the
records in this respect. Before 1752, when New Style was intro-
duced, March 25 was considered the commencement of the civil
year, and it was called the first month, April the second month, &c. ;
and dates were sometimes written in this manner: viz., 15 — 10 —
1668-9 ; which would mean the 15th of 10th month, 1668-9, or
Jan. 25, 1669, New Style. In order to change Old into New Style,
the first month must be called the third, and so on, and ten days be
added to all dates between 1582 and 1699, and eleven days added
to all dates between 1699 and 1752. Hence the landing of the
Pilgrims at Plymouth was really on the 21st of December; and
not on the 22d, as most of us were taught in our childhood.
ERRATA.
Page 86, line 8 from top,
1*
86,
60,
70,
89,
160,
205,
II
1}
i>
II
20
8
11
16
22
14
ij
II
II
II
II
>i
II
'1
for " Tawnton "
" Excercise "
11
11
((
Barrow's "
bottom, „ " Greenward "
top, „ "1760"
„ „ "Rounds"
„ „ "Messenger"
read "Taunton."
"Exercise."
" Barrows's."
" Greenwood."
"1768."
"Round."
"Messinger."
The author would thank any one who may notice any other errors to make them
known to him, as he will keep an interleaved copy of the book in which to note all
inaccuracies for the benefit of coming generations.
GENERAL INDEX.
We had intended to have given an index to every name on
every page in the book ; but some names — viz., Leonard, Lincohi,
Lane, Briggs, Hodges, Smith, White, Williams, Wetherell, and
others — occur so frequently, that it would encumber the Lidex too
much. Some names that have occurred only incidentally, and
having no particular connection with the town, we have omitted
entirely.
Atwood, Lewis P., 476.
Austin, 8, 166, 461, 462. 468, 416.
Jolin, notice of, 76. Solomon, Otis
C, and fkmilies, 844.
Autographs, 11, 72, 76, 77, 81, 88, 87,
98, 116, 144, 175, 216-218.
Avery, Joseph, Rev., first preaches
at Norton, 60; is called, 61; no-
tice of, 61 ; taught school at Re-
hoboth, preaches at Freetown,
project to build a house for, 62;
tax to build house for, and names
of persons taxed, 68 ; picture of
his house, 65 ; answer to call. 66 ;
ordination of, 70; marriage or, 74;
doctrines of, those of Rome, 108;
vote to dismiss, 112; objections
against, 112; reply of, to objec-
tions, and autograph, 115; answer
of, read in church-meeting, 117:
handsome consideration promised
to, and his reply, 118; votes on
objections to, 119 ; council called
b^, and letter-missive. 122 ; coun-
cil meet at house or, 124; asks
time to consider the result of ea»-
parU council, 125; date of dis-
mission of, 126; real objections
against, 127 ; protest of, and others,
against revival of 1740, 127 ; doubts
relating to death of, 129; death
of, 130; thought to be undig-
nified, 158. Mrs. Sarah, will of,
181.
Academy, page 640.
Adams, pages 166, 867. Joseph S.,
Warren, and families, 844. Asa
If., Dr., notice of, 878 ; in steeple
of meeting-house, 548.
Alden, 476, 616. Jason F., William
H., and families, 844.
Aldrich, 164, 862. Peter, notice of,
76.
Allen, 5, 166, 167, 862, 451, 627, 681.
Ephraim, James, and families;
Cyrus W., Rev., installation of,
478; notice of, 473. George E.,
Rev., notice or, 500.
Alms-house bought, 861; superin-
tendents of, 866.
Andrews, 1, 8, 165, 862, 525. John,
Deacon, notice of, 76.
An^er. Samuel, notice of, 142.
Animals, wild, 44; upon the Com-
mon, 521.
Arnold, 278, 416, 616, 625-529.
Lemuel, Asa, John, David,
George H., David A., and fami-
lies, 844.
Artillery company, when formed,
416 ; name of, changed, 416 ; cap-
tains of, 416.
Assessors, 292; list of, 293-296.
Attleborough, purchase of, 2.
Atherton, 166, 468.
XIV
GENERAL INDEX.
B.
Babbit, 8, 169, 461, 615, 625. John,
and family, 844. Dr. Nathan,
notice of 871. Hon. Nathan 6.,
notice of, 494.
Backus, 445.
Bailey, Sarah M., and family, 844.
Bayley, Samuel, notice of, 76.
Balcom, 849; 461, 615, 516. 526.
Ballou, William, and family, 845.
Bank, fifty-thousand-pound, 816 ;
sixty-thousand-pound, 818; land,
819.
Baptisms of children, number of,
168, 171.
Barney, 170.
Barrows, 279. Carlos, Harriet, and
families, 845. Dr. Ira, notice of,
874. Rev. William, ordination,
notice of, &c., 478. Rev. Homer,
878. Edwin, notice of, 501.
Barry, 847.
Baskets, manufacture of, 889.
Bass, Rev. Edward, notice of, 140.
Basset^ 167, 171, 526. Mary, and
family, 844.
Bates, 516, 526. Horatio, and family,
845. Dr. Leavit, notice of, 878.
Bear killed in sawmill, 44.
Beard, Rev. Spencer F., 472.
Beecher, 472.
Bellows, 204. Alfred, and family, 845.
Berry, 528.
Bicknell, 417.
Bigelow, Rev. A., 184.
Bills of other governments, 821.
Birds, 46 ; premiums for heads of, 47 ;
hunts, 48.
Bishop, 516.
Blake, Hannah H^ and family, 845.
Blanchard, 451. Sylvia, andVamily,
845.
BIandin,271,278,858,416,616. Ben-
jamin, Simeon, Jesse H., Isaac S.,
Sumner, and families, 845.
Bloss, Rev. Abraham, called to settle,
458.
Blucklin, 846.
Board, sounding, 284.
Boland, John, and family, 845.
Bolan, Michael, and family, 845.
Bolton, 844. Wm. S., and family, 845.
Books, hymn, used, 218.
Boltwood, 88.
Bowen, 525. Mrs. Peddy, present of,
to church, 178; letter of thanks
to, 179 ; gives land and timber for
meeting-house, 248. Rev. J. 6.,
ordination of, 464.
Brady, Patrick, and family, 845.
Bragg, Lucinda, and famifv, 845.
Braman, 165-170, 278, 852, 415, 417,
516, 526>528. Thomas, Thomas,
i'un., and Daniel, notices of, 76.
saao T., Washburn, Lydia, and
families, 846. Rev. Isaac, notice
of, 490. Benjamin, notice ofl
501. Don £. £., Esq., notice of,
507..
Brewster, 4.
Bridgewater, purchase of, 2.
Bridge, Ann Cobb^s, 42.
Bridge, 278. Rev. A. M., chosen pas-
tor, and letter of acceptance, 194;
ordination of, 195; pastoral rela-
tion of, dissolved, notice and mar-
riage of, 196.
Brigham, 85.
Briggs, 8, 164-171, 259, 260, 850, 416.
451, 452, 625, e< a^ Thomas, land
of, 4. John, Deacon, notice and
autograph of, 77 ; chosen deacon,
214. Joseph and Richard, notices
of, 77. Deacon John, jun., and
Samuel, notices of. 78. Deacon
John, 2d, disguised with strong
drink, 105; cnosen deacon, 216.
John, 2d, letter to church, 158.
George, grievances of, 154. Emer-
son, and familv, 845. Benjamin
S., Edmund, Charles H., Simeon,
and families, 846. Deacon James,
notice of, 449. Deacon Phineas,
notice of, 450. Deacon Jabez, no-
tice of, 453. Joel, chosen deacon,
459; notice of, 502. Deacon Ti-
motiiy, notice of, 459. Rev. Eph-
raim, notice of, 482. Rev. James,
notice of. 485. Rev. John, notice
of, 489. Timothy, notice of, 491.
BrintnelL 414. Thomas, settlement
by, 11; notice of, 12. Samuel,
and Samuel, jun., notices of, 78.
Britton, 851. Zachariah and family,
846.
Bronson, Rev. J. J., ordination and
notice of, 464.
Brook, Mulberry-Meadow, 89; Burt*8,
89; Goose, 89; Stony, 89; Log,
40; Swab-tailed, 40; Dora's, 40;
Drinkwater, 40; Great, 40.
Bro¥m, 1, 498. Wesley, and famUy,
846.
Bruce, Alanson, and family, 846.
Bryant, 1, 8, 860.
Buckingham, 194.
Buildings burned, 580, 681.
Bundy, John, notice of, 4.
Burt, 1, 8, 166, 171, 848, 857, 526,
GENERAL INDEX.
527. Bartholomew, letter of, 164.
Polly, Melzar, and families, 846.
Deacon Ebenezer, notice of, 459.
Bev. Ebenezer, notice of, 508.
Bnrton, 206.
Bnrying-Place, Common, land laid
out for, &c., 875 ; William Hodges
encroaches upon, 876; nsed for
masters, 379; walled in, 870.
Central, 879; land for given, by
whom. 880; portion o^old, 881.
Timothy-Plain, 881. Winoecon-
net, 882. In District No. 5, 882.
Private, 882.
Bush, 206.
Butler, 864.
C.
Caffiney, Daniel, and family, 846.
Gaboon, 526.
Calahan, 847, 855, 861.
GambeU, 165-168, 451, 462. Sylya-
nns, notice of, 79. Deacon Ger-
sh<mi, notice o^ 458.
Capen, 525. William, jun., and
family, 846.
Carpenter, 415, 625. Daniel, Tho-
mas, Caroline, and families, 846.
Bev. William, called to settle, and
ordination of, 447; rebaptism of,
452; re-ordination of, 458; trou-
bles with First Parish, 454 ; death
and notice of, 455. Bev. George,
notice of, 508.
Games, 206.
Garr, 278. Bev. S. J., ordination of,
464.
Carver, 858, 525, 530.
Case, 1.
Casety, 362.
Casualties, fatal, 526.
Caswell, 3, 165, 515. John, John,
Jan., Benjamin, James, notices of,
79. Alvaris, and family, 846. Dr.
Samuel, notice of, 367.
Cattle, ear-marks of, 519.
Cave, Philip's, 43, 51.
Caveler, 347.
Census of 1865, 344.
Cents, manufacture of, 835.
Chace, Leander, and family, 846.
Chaise and chairs, 538.
Chapman, 278. Bev. Nathan, 464.
Chartley, name of, variously applied,
41.
Chenev, 170.
Church, Congregational, gathering
of, 67, 70; covenant of, 68; origi-
nal members of, 69; officers of.
101; read platform, 108; meeting
of, call for, to read platform, 106;
meeting of, to discnarge daty to
members, 108 ; suspension of mem-
bers from, 108, 109 ; request of. for
meeting to consider objectionf
against Mr. Avery, 115; meetioc,
Mr. Avery's answer read in, 117 ;
vote to call a council, 120; letter-
missive of, 121 ; choose a commit-
tee to demand covenant, &c., 182,
138; members of, sign covenant,
146; petition for meeting of, 162;
vote of, relative to written expe-
riences, 176; vote of, to admit
Baptists, 176; thanks of, to Mrs.
Bowen, 179; address of, to peti-
tioners for a dismission, 466; final
action of, relative to seceders, 469.
Church, formed Tn North Precinct,
and members of it, 440.
Church, the Dissenting, 448 ; reasons
for forming it, 444; articles of
faith of, 444; covenant of, 447;
deacons of. 449-; members of, 451.
Church, Old Baptist, organization of,
choose minister, and members of,
452; invited to worship at Taun-
ton, 456; withdraws fellowship
from forty-^wo members, 460;
vote of, to dissolve, 461 ; deacons
of, 453, 454, 459.
Church, Baptist, organization of, 462;
meeting-nouse of, 463; Sunday
school of, 464; deacons of, 464.
Church, Trinitarian-Congregational,
465 ; movement to form, 465 ; or-
ganization of, 470; confession of
faith of, 470; covenant of, 471;
original members of, 472; meet-
ing-bouse of, erected, 472 ; Sunday
school of, 474 ; deacons of, 474.
Church, Wesleyan-Methodist, orga-
nization and members of, 475;
Sunday school of, 476.
Clapp, 166-170, 348, 416, 463, 525.
Deacon Noah, notice of, 459.
Clark, 279, 363, 361. Bev. G. F.,
chosen teacher and pastor, 206;
letter of acceptance, and installa-
tion of, 207; notice of, 210; mar-
riage of, 213 ; family of, 346.
Clarke, 240, 278, 514. Rev. Pitt,
Historical Sermon of, 34 ei ah;
chosen pastor, and encourage-
ment to settle, 173; explanation
relative to salary of, 174 ; letter of
acceptance,l74 ; autograph of, 175 ;
ordination of, 175, 189; event in
ministry of, 179; legacy of, to
XVI
GENERAL INDEX.
people, 180; creed of, 181; ex-
tracts from legacy of, 182; from
diary of, 188; death and funeral
of, 184; publications of, 186; birth
and parentage of, 186; why called
Pitt, 187 ; goes to war, 187 ; pre-
pares for college, 188; teaches
school after graduating, 188;
preaches at Norton, 188 ; marriage
of, 189, 190; children of, 190; rea-
son for writine autobiography, 191,
192. Hon. J. J., notice of, 497.
Manlius S., Esq., notice of, 499.
Dr. £. H., notice of, 600.
Clarkson, John, and family, 846.
Clegg, James, and family,* 846.
Clement, Sylvester, and family, 846.
Cobb, 166-169, 802, 808, 417, 616, 626.
John, notice of, 79. William, no-
tice of^ 80. Silas, Esq., notice of,
604. Daniel S. and Guilford M.
and families, 847.
Cobbler*s Comer, 2, 6.
Codding, Isaac B., George, William
H., and families, 846.
Codington, 167, 168, 228.
College, graduates of, 477.
Collins, Michael, and family, 847.
Commons, 626.
Comstock, 279. Christopher, and
family, 846.
Conant, 858.
Conatv, James, James, 2d, Charles,
ana families, 847.
Confederation of Congress, 422.
Constitution, keel of, 48; of United
States formed, and ratification of,
428. State, 424; rejected by the
people, 426; convention to form,
428, 431; votes relative to, 428;
amendments to, and votes thereon,
429, 481, 432.
Constitutional propositions, and vote
thereon, 432.
Converse, 166.
Cook, 1, 461, 462. Dr. Nathaniel,
notice of, 871.
Coombs, Rev. Henry C, ordination
and notice of, 468.
Cooye, 167.
Copland, 167, 171, 278, 416, 626.
Benjamin, chosen deacon, notice
and autograph of, 218. Asa,
chosen deacon, and notice of,
218. Benjamin, Esq., notice of,
496. Thomas, Thomas H., Jo-
seph, and families, 847.
Copper-works, 886.
Cormody, 868.
Coroners, 802.
Corwithy, 1.
Gosgrove, James, Daniel, Patrick
and families, 847.
Cotton, whipping of, 838; factoriei
827-829, 880, 883.
Coy, 1.
Coyle, 844, 347, 849. James and
family, 847.
Council to consider John Skinner's
case, 96; decision of, 96 ; exparttf
128; result of, 126.
Councillors, 804.
Covenant of First Church, 68; owned
without a vote of church, 104; re-
newed and signed in 1762, 146;
number who owned or renewed,
168, 171; changed, 177; for those
not admitted to full membership,
178; new, or declaration of faitn,
adopted, 196 ; again revised, 201 ;
declaration of principles substi-
tuted for, 208.
Covenant of Dissenting Church, 447 ;
of Trinitarian Church, 471.
Cranch, 194.
Crane, 171, 278, 279, 808, 416, 481,
626. Hon. John, notice of, 804.
Bev. John, notice of, 486. Calvin,
notice of, 486. John, John H.,
George B., Daniel, J. Calvin,
George C, and families, 347.
Crossman, 1, 3, 169, 469, 626. Ze-
pheniah S., Harrison, and families,
347.
Crowan, 850.
Cummings, 476.
D.
Daily, 30.
Dane, Marv, and family, 347.
Danforth, 25, 166, 170, 616, 625.
Daggett, Naphtali, notice of, 141.
Darby, 169.
Darey, 350.
Dassance, 386.
Davis, William H., and family, 348.
Deacons, petition to have ordained,
108, 100 ; of Congregational
Church, 214-220; seat, 214, 224;
choice of, 214, 216, 216, 217, 218,
219, 220, 449, 453, 464, 459, 476.
Dean, 1, 3, 166-170, 345-370, 615,
628. Samuel, chosen deacon, and
notice of, 216 ; autograph of, 217.
Deacon Daniel, notice of, 217.
Bev. Dr. Samuel, notice of, 480.
Bethiah, Bradford, Otis, Simeon
A., and families, 848.
Deer, preservation of, 46; parks of,
46; thrilling event with, 46.
GENERAL INDEX.
ZYU
Deny, 465, 616. Betsey B., Clarissa,
and families, 848.
DevoU, Pardon B., and family, 848.
Dew, 368.
Dexter, Christopher, and family, 848.
Dixon, 347. Rev. James, 476.
Dolan, 357.
Donald, 857.
Donnelly, Patrick, and family, 848.
Donohue^ 862. James, Thomas,
Francis, and families, 848.
Dorby, Jonathan, notice of, 141.
Dorgan, Abbie, and family, 848.
Dorman, 166. Seth, notice of, 80.
Doty, 1.
Dow, Lorenzo, preaches at Norton,
trouble with rum-sellers, &c.,
644.
Drake, 1, 847. Charles A., and fa-
mily, 848.
Draper, Joseph, and family, 848.
Drown, Sally, and family, 848.
Dudley, 20.
Dunham, 164-171, 858. Joseph, no-
tice of, 80.
Dunn, 1.
Dwelling-houses burned, 680.
Dyer, Polly, and fieunily, 848.
£.
Ear-marks of cattle, 619.
Eason, 451.
Easton, town of, incorporated, 485.
Eddy, 165-169, 854, 416, 526. Ebe-
nezer, notice of, 80 ; autograph of,
81. Eleazer, notice of, 81. Mary,
Hodges, John, Elijah, and families,
848.
Elders, ruling, 102 ; meeting to
choose, 110.
Elliot, Joseph, notice of, 81. John
S., and family, 848.
Ellis, 160.
Elms, Lydia, and family, 349.
Emery, 211.
Experience, Christian, declaration of,
71; vote not to require written,
176.
F.
Factory, cotton, 827-329, 330, 338;
molasses, 839.
Faden, Nathaniel, and family, 349.
Fane, 852.
Fairbanks, 166.
Farrar, Rev. George, notice of, 370.
Farwell, 1.
Fast before choice of elders, 110; be-
fore choice of minister, 184.
Field, 844, 869, 466, 472. Darid,
David, jun., Emma, Eari W., Ra-
chel, Darius, Dennis, and fSunilies,
849.
FiUebrown, 167.
Finn, Michael, and family, 869.
Finney, Finny, 166, 167, 461, 462,
615.
Fish, W. H., 200.
Fish, various kinds of, 40; a flnee pas-
sage for, 41.
Fisher, 166-170, 866, 867. 626. Sa-
muel, notice of, 81. Eleazer, no-
tice and autop[raph of, 81. Israel
and Nathaniel, notices of, 82.
Eleazer, accusation of, against
Mrs. Morton, 460. Marcus M.,
and family, 849.
Fitzgerald, David, and family, 849.
Fobes, 417, 616. WUliam R., and
family, 849.
Forge, iron, 12, 826, 828, 880.
Foster, 640. Perez, Alexander, and
families, 849.
Francis, 626. Ephraim, and family,
849.
Franklin. 169.
Frarey, Owen, and family, 849.
Freeman, 853. 859, 416, 416, 626, 628.
Sanforth, Abigail, Schuyler, Ma-
son, Nathaniel, and families, 349.
Freemasons, 534.
Freetown, inhabitants of, ask aid for
Mr. Avery, 62.
Fruits, native, 48.
Fuller, 347.
Fund, ministerial, how created, 249 ;
amount of, 255.
Furnace, 331.
G.
Gaffnev, Owen, and family, 350.
Gale, 279. Rev. Amory, supplies the
pulpit, 201; vote of thanks to,
notice, and marriage of, 202.
GaUegan, 348, 350, 858. Philip, and
family, 349. Patrick, Edward,
Charles, Daniel, and families,
350.
Garev, Gary, 170, 515, 527.
Gay,*167.
Gengill, 1.
Gibson, 279, 358. Rev. John A., 476.
GUbert, 1, 167, 169, 416, 515, 526,
527. David, notice of, 492.
Gilburt, 3.
Gillet, 527.
i
Oi^fEEtAL INDEX.
Oillroy, Hajtb, and bmil j, 860.
Gilniore. Everett O., and familv,
GodfVey, le6, 1«S, 348, 851, 4I«,
SIG, G26, S2T. David, Jones,
funlUes, 3G0.
Goff, SilBi B., and familv, 850.
Qoocb, Thomae, and fsinily, SEO.
Goodwin, tT2, G28. Rev. D. Le B.,
noliofl of, *»«. Ber. H. B., notice
' of, 407. Rev. J. B., notice of, 4gB.
Bev. T. S., notica of, 600. Eev.
F. D., notice of, 607. Polly, imd
bmily, SCO.
GoTemmcnt, form of, vote relative
to, 134, 42G.
Governments, other, bilU of, 831.
Governor, votes for, 808.
Gould, 346.
Gnid;, Dennis, and family, 860.
Grain, &c., prices of, 822, 824.
Gravestones, roanafactuTS of, 888.
Grey, 1B6, 166.
Green, Joseph,
. BolBud
e of, 142. !
niniBter of
Grover, 186 166. 'thomas, Andrew,
Deacon Ephiaim, notices of, 83.
Gnild, 827. Nancy E., and family.
Hsgertj, Charles, and family, 861.
Hailstone, 1.
Ball, I, 8, 166-170, 306, 278, 279, 802,
808, S46, SG9, 861, 417, 616, 626.
John, notice of, B2; autoftraph of,
88, Ebenezer.noUceof, 88. Isaac,
Esq., notice of, 464. Benjamin S.,
Blchard H., Eben, and famiiies,
S60.
Hammond, 857.
Harding, Achaah C, and family, 861.
fiaradon, 169, 170.
Hardey, 366.
Eordon, Isaac, JDD., and Aimily, SGI.
Harlow, Reuben, and fkmllv, SGI.
Hairldon, 166, 626.
Harris, John, and hmily, 861.
Hart, 587.
Harvej, 1, 3, 166, 616, E36. Jobn,
and family, 851.
Haskina, 451.
Hathway, S.
Hailebunt, Gsorga W., and ftmily,
I Hazleton, Georgs M., and familj',
851.
R«Braea, 888.
I Bebbard, 206.
Hector, 168.
Hewitt, Hewit, 866, 461.
' Hews, 168.
Hicks. Gilbert, ajid family, 861.
High, Timothy, end family. 861.
Hill, 167, 866. Harbee, Nahom W.,
and families, 351.
Hill, Great Roc^y, location of, 41.
Hinckley, 279. Hov. f., ohoaen
minister, 204; letter of accept-
ance, installation, and reeignation
of, 205; marriage of, 306.
Hobeb,!.
Uodi^, 166-171, 279, SOS, S4fl, 367,
S8G, 41G, 417, 515 516, 525, 638,
628, 630, el aL Jonathan, aato-
gmpb ot\ 73. John, notice and
antograph o^ SS. natbaniel, no-
tice of, SB. Samuel and Wilbam,
noticee of, 84. Joseph, chosen
deacon, notice and autograpb of,
215. Benjamin, chosen deacon,
and notice of, 315; antograph of,
216. Hannah, 851. Leonard,
Earl, Royal P., Hiram, and hmi-
lies, 361. Williams, Jarvis Sam-
uel, Newton S., Solomon S,, and
families, 852. Dr. Gailford, no-
tice of, 3T3. Capt. Joseph, killed
by Indians, 887. Dr. Tisdals,
noljce of, 4BS. Bnliis, Esq., do-
tice of, 497. Rev. Joseph, notice
of, 488. Dr. Silas, notice of, 501
Dr. Jerry, noUce of, 604.
Hogs Dpon the Common, 631, 632;
ringed and yoked, 523.
Holbrook, Rev. John, 464.
Holloway, 1.
Holmes, 166, 279, S6S. Bev. Frank-
lin, ordination and notice of, 4T4.
Asa P., and family, 361.
Homee, 170, 303.
Hortin,' 344, 360, 618, 625. Abigail,
351. Allen M., and family, 851.
Howard, 440.
Hoy, 363.
Hn<uon, Wilham, c«eidsace and land
of, 60, 51.
Hunt, 169, ITO, 416, 460, 46G, 516,
636. Adolphns D., chosen deacon ,
Peddy, Moaea, Borden, Henry,
and families, 852.
GENERAL INDEX.
I.
Indians, Wampanoags, Narragansetts,
Massachasetts, territoiy of, 49;
culture of the land by, 61; im-
plements of, and battle with, at
Lockety Neck, 62; kill colt, eat
turtles, 56. Canonicus, 49. Chick-
atanbut, 49, 51; residence of, 50;
dispute between, and Philip, how
settled. 51. Dick, 56. Jeremy,
50. Joeiah, 5, 50. Josias, 50.
Massasoit, 49; residence of, 50.
Metaoomet, 50. Onsamequin,
49. Philip, 7, 9, 43, 50; sum-
mer residence of, 51; kindness
of, 54, 55. Quock, 56. Squamaug,
50, 51. Wamsutta, 50. Wam-
patuck, 50.
Inhabitants, occupation of, in 1855,
362*
Installations, 205, 207, 478.
Irish, 854.
Isherwood, Balph, and family, 852.
Island, Beech, 42.
J.
Jennings, 171.
Johnson^ James, Charles H., and
families, 852.
Johnstone, 515. Dr. Adam, notice
of, 370.
Jones, 200, 461, 452, 475. Thomas,
notice of, 141. Elnathan, William
D., William, and families, 352.
Judges, 306, 307.
Justices of the peace, list of, 302.
K.
Eeefe, 358, 529. Edward, and fami-
ly, 352.
Keith, 463. Ansel, Amos, Williams,
and families, 352.
Kelly, 303, 359, 862. Zeno, 352.
Kenan, 346.
Kent, 206.
Kimball, Rispath, and family, 353.
King, 166, 171. 346, 350, 358, 472,
516, 525. Cfapt. Dauphin, notice
of, 493. Rhoda, and family, 353.
Kingsley. 1.
Kirkpatnck, 348.
Knap, Knapp, 168-178, 206, 416, 526.
Rev. William H., notice of, 507.
Nancy, Sumner, and famili^, 353.
Know-Nothings, original, of Norton,
100.
Enowles, 416, 525. William, and
fomily, 853.
L.
Lakeman, 198.
Land, for public use, set apart, 876-
878
Lane, 166-169, 279, 844, 851, 405, 416,
417, 515, 525, 528. John, notice
of, 84. Daniel, chosen deacon,
and notice of, 218. Daniel, Cal-
vin, George, William, Gardner,
Allen, Allen D., Samuel H., Au-
gustus, David C, Don F., Charles
D., Oliver H., and families, 868.
Mary H., 858.
Larcher, 526.
Lathrop, 846, 861. Elijah, chosen
pastor, and notice of, 139.
Lawrence, 167, 515.
Lazell, 515.
Leach, 257, 270.
Leddy, Barney, Peter, and families,
854.
Lee, 157, 847, 538. Alvin D., and
family, 854.
Leedham, John, and lamily, 864.
Leland, 88.
Leopard killed, 45.
Leonard, 8, 124, 164-169, 190, 211,
278, 802, 808, 807, 353, 856, 891,
451, 516, 516, 526, 530, 532, 586.
Thomas and James, deed of laud
to, 12. Thomas f^ves land to first
minister, 60. Major George, set-
tlement by, and forge of, 13; no-
tice of, 85 ; house, picture of, 86 ;
autograph of, 87. Mrs. Anna, and
son, difficulty between, and asses-
sors, 93, 94. Hon. Cromwell, no-
tice of, 304. Col. George, notice of,
804. Col. Ephraim, notice of, 306 ;
will of, 481. Rev. Nathaniel, no-
tice of, 477. Judge George, notice
of, 478. Rev. Dr. Abiel, notice of,
478. Hon. Daniel, notice of, 481.
Dr. Thomas, notice of, 482. Oli-
ver, Esq., notice of, 488. Crom-
well, Luen C, Hathaway, Otis R.,
and families, 353. Gilford, Gil-
bert B., Ezekiel, George R., Re-
becca, George £., James, and
families, 354.
Leprilete, Dr. Lewis, notice of, 372.
Leroy, 353.
Lewis, 344.
Libraries, 464, 474, 476, 535.
Licenses to sell spirituous liquors,
514.
Linard, 860.
Lincoln, 8, 168, 169, 278, 279, 303,
I 348, 355, 362, 416, 451, 463, 516,
GENERAL INDEX.
GIB, G26, saa, esB. Addcb a.,
Senecs, Lsban, Calvin, Silas W.,
and families, aS4. Snmner W.,
Calvin C. Eddj', Aaron, JUD.,
Elijah, Eiijsh D., Simeon, inn.,
Junee, Samael R., Harnson T.,
BeniamiD, John, Oriu F., and
'-"viliBB, 856.
Loneevit;
Lonog, S£
Lyle,860,
Lynch, SGI.
Lyon, 88.
Macomber, 8, 1A8, 538. Zacoheua,
and Ihmlly, SHI.
Uacj, 1, 8.
Hagro, SM.
UacroTren, S6S.
MaiineoD, 8C1.
Makepeace, lS5-iri, S03, 38S, 413,
4Ta, GlE, G26, Gas. Lyaani'
obosen deacon, 218; cammi
cation of 468; Qotice of, i
Uann, SSG.
ManaQeld, district of, &a., incorpo-
rated, 443.
Hap of town, G86.
Marley, 34S, 630.
Hiu}iD, G26.
Uetches, friction, majiufBOtnre of,
Hatha wson, John, and famil;, SGS.
UcCaffrey, 629. Thomas, and fami-
ly, S66.
HcClarenoe, Archibald, and Aunily,
He Downey, John, aod family, 866.
HcGinley, John, and family, SGS.
HoGreath,84T.
HeNamara, Michael, Dennis, and
families, 856.
HeNsmea, S48.
McUnban, Thomas, and bmily, S66.
MecBonah, 8GS.
Meeting-house, Congregational, first,
locaUd by committee, S2, 330;
tax-bill for erection of, 331 ; when
erected, 323; seating of, 22S, 324;
sweeping and locking of, UG ; re-
pain OD, 236 ; second ollerj to,
326; new, project and vote to
bnild, 237; votes relative to
bnildmg, 238; receipts to get
timber for, 32S; old, vote to saU,
381; new, pewB and seats in, 383;
pews reserved for the minister
and Mr. Avery, 2S3, 2S3; dedi-
cation of, 333; cost of, 1S4;
gnmnd-plan of, 236; balcony to,
236; pew-f(round sold in, 388,
286; vote to bnild a bellVey to,
238; bell for, purohased, aSS;
cost of, 240; yoke for, 241; meet-
ing-bouse, wanning of, 341, 343;
said for town-honae, 248; new,
vote to bnild, 343; land and tim-
ber ^vBn for, and when built, 348;
dedication of, sale of pews in, tod
fence around, 244.
. ataked out for,
, dedicatiim of,
Methodist, dedi-
MeeUnga, town, where held, 37B;
first warrant for, 379 1 annual,
Mellen, Rev. John, extract from ser-
mon of, 148.
Meny, 887.
Messinger, 802. James 0., Atistin,
and families, 366.
Metcalf, 84T.
Methodism, first preaching of, in
Norton, 644.
Methodist, Wesieyan, society, 475;
first, camp- meeting, 544.
Military, first company, and offiosra
of, 414.
Military ofGceis, 415-417, 805, 866,
4TS, 8T; parades, 421.
Miller, 361, 4B4. Rer. Henry F. H.,
464. ElbridgeG., and family, 866.
Mills, grist, 33G, S26, 838, 330, 233,
838, 886; saw, 826, 836. 83S, 839,
33U, 331, 332,834,336; nail, S2S;
Bhiogle, 328, 329, 331, 33S; bat-
ting, 32B, 331, 333; slitting, 323,
336, 336; fnlJng, 331, 333, 336;
.-arH^vin^ •iit^ • ^utti.^r^ QQJ 44t aUR
carding, 331 ; cattiiig, 334, 385, 886.
iuiater, CoDgregationai, land given
s of donors of, 69,
GENERAL INDEX.
Ministerial land, 246; divided be-
tween Norton and Easton, 246;
moiety of^ divided between the
two precincts, 246; for support
of Congregational ministers, 247 ;
authority given to sell, 248 ; sold,
249 ; fund created from sale of,
249.
Mingo, 510.
Moderators, list of, 281-286.
Moody, 360.
Moon-struck, persons, 6d8.
Moran, 854.
Morey, 170, 171, 257, 802, 845, 415,
417. 515, 526, 527. Dr. Samuel,
notice of, 872, 486. Nathan, no-
tice of, 488. Kev. George, notice
of, 485.
Morse, 211. Willard, and family, 856.
Morton, Edmund, and family, 857.
Mountegue, 4.
Munroe, 516, 526. John L., and
femfly. 856.
Muntz, William H., and family, 857.
Murder, suspicions of, &c., 587.
Murry, 859. Catherine, and family,
856.
N.
Nason, 851.
Natural curiosities, 48.
Neck, Lockety, 41.
Negroes' pew, 234, 236, 288.
Nelson, Rev. William, called to set-
tle, and ordination of, 458. Rev.
Ebenezer, ordination of, 458,
Newcomb, 166-170, 808, 361, 416,
417, 516, 616, 626, 627, 630. Hon.
Daniel, notice of, 482. Sylvester,
Asa, Charlotte S.. Josiah, Natha-
niel, John B., ana families, 357.
Newland, 166-170, 626. Benjamin,
and John, notices of, 87.
New lights, 128, 129, 443.
Newman, 610.
Nichols, 344.
Niles, 461, 462.
Norton, territory of, 5; first settle-
ment of, 6; why so named, 84;
incorporation of, 36; bounds of,
85-37 ; present bounds, area, lati-
tude and longitude of, distance
from Boston, &c., 37; villages of,
87, 38 ; geological formation of, 42 ;
divided into eight school quarters,
263; population of, 344; commit-
tee of, send letter to Boston, 393 ;
freeholders of, vote to support
Congress in a declaration of inde-
pendence, 398 ; first military com-
pany in, 414. South Precinct of,
movement to divide, 186; em-
powered to sell ministerial land,
248; sell ministerial land, 249;
school quarters, division of, into,
261.
Noyes, 147.
0.
0*Brien, 855. Andrew, and ikmily,
857.
Officers, town, 281-801; military,
415-417.
OUiey, 844.
Ordination of Rev. Mr. Aver^, 70.
Rev. Mr. Palmer, 147; dinner,
cost of, 150. Rev. Pitt Clarke,
175, 189. Rev. A. M. Bridge, 195.
Rev. W. P. Tilden, 198. Rev. WU-
liam Carpenter, 449, 458. Rev.
William Nelson, 458. Rev. Ebene-
zer Nelson, 458. Rev.H.C.Coombs,
468. Rev. S. J. Carr, 464. Rev. J.
G. Bowen, 464. Rev. Wm. Read,
467. Rev. J. J. Bronson, 464. Rev.
Wm. Barrows, 473. Rev. Frank-
lin Holmes, 474.
Organ, how bouji^ht, 218.
Ortiiodox, meaning of the word, 69.
Osgood, 206.
P.
Pain, 167.
Palmer, 169, 171, 417, 515. Rev. Jo-
seph, chosen minister, 143; his
letter and autograph, 144; note
accepting the call, 146; ordina-
tion of, 147; leaders of factions
go to, 161; liberal in his religious
views, 161 ; petition to, for church-
meeting, 162; character of, 166;
trials of, 166, 167 ; anecdote of,tin
pulpit, 158; dignified demeanor,
168, 169 ; bought land, and notice
of, 169 ; marriage, and children of,
160; last illness of, 161; death,
and cause of, 162; anecdote o^
163. Mrs. Palmer, last illness of,
163; death of, 164. Rev. Stephen,
notice of, 489. Clara E., ana
family, 367.
Panny, 167.
Parish, Congregational, incorporation
of, 260 ; trustees of, chosen, 251 ;
additional Act of Incorporation,
and amendment to, 264 ; Sunday
school of, 642.
Parker, 1, 3, 303, 367, 474, 516. Dr.
Daniel, notice of, 370.
6ENEBAL INDEX.
Patten, 169, 472. John, and family,
867.
Panle, 8.
Panll, 1.
Paupers, first. 868; overseers of, 864;
division or, between Norton and
Mansfield, 864; vendue of, 865;
house for, 366; farm for, bought,
366; well provided for, 867.
Pearson, 169, 170. Deacon Benja^
min, notice of, 217.
Peck, 362.
Penno, 680.
Perago, 357.
Pero, 168, 510.
Perry, 170, 803, 416, 416, 472, 626.
Bev. G. B., notice of, 492. Dr.
William, notice of, 494. Dr. Na-
than, notice of, 504. Ichabod,
Lemuel, H. C, and families, 857.
Phenomena, singular, 683.
Phillips, 1, 8, 171, 462. Rev. Samuel,
attempt to settle, 67 ; notice of, 58.
Physicians, 867.
Pidge, 858.
Pike, 461.
Pitts, 8,862.
I'lain, Timothy, situation of, 41.
Pledge, total-abstinence, adopted,
516 ; number of names attached,
to, 617.
Ploughs, manufacture of, 339.
Plunket, Patrick, and family, 857.
Poick, 463.
Pollard, 167.
Pomeroy, 167.
Pond, 347, 616. Horace A., and
familv* 867.
Pond, Winneconnet, situation of, and
meaning of word, 88.
Pool, 1.
Population, 344, 362.
Pest-office and postmasters, 638.
Potash, 826, 384.
Pound, 522.
Powder, stock of, and ammunition,
419, 420; house, and where built,
421.
Prat, 166.
Pratt, 166, 347, 616. Jabez, notice
and autograph of, 88. William,
notice of, 88. Dr. Jonathan, no-
tice of, 369. Augustus L., and
family, 367.
Precinct, Taunton North, petition for,
16, 19 ; remonstrances against, 27,
29, 80; General Court appoints a
committee relative to, 28 ; reasons
why petitions for, should be
granted, 81 ; report of committee
relative to, 82; action of General
Court upon, 381 created a town,
84; petition of, 645, 646.
Precinct, North, of Norton, division
of, into school quarters, 261, 262;
movements to form, 436-487; vote
to set ofi^, 487; protests against
setting ofi", 438; prayer for,
granted, and bounds of, 438; or-
^nization of, 439; erect a meet-
ing-house, 439 ; call several mini-
sters, 439, 440; Rev. Ebenezer
White, ordained minister of, 440;
church formed in, 440; choose
Rev. Roland Greene minister, and
ordination of, 441 ; erected into a
district, 442.
Precinct, East, of Norton, created,
434; erected into a tovm, 485.
Prentice, 129.
Priest, Rev. Zadok, 644.
Probate, judges, and re^ster of, 807.
Produce, &c., prices 0^822-824.
Puffer, 361, 417, 626.
Pullen, 858.
Q.
Quashee, 510.
Quinley, 847.
Quock, orchard, and death of, 66.
R.
Railroad, 539.
Rainford, 351.
Randall, 1, 851. Dr. George H., no-
tice of, 375.
Raymond, 278, 302, 417, 515, 527.
Read, 279. Rev. William, ordination
of, 464.
Records, loss of, 280.
Redding, Lewis, and family, 368.
Reed, 270. Stephen D., Irena, Lydia,
and families, 357.
Rehoboth, purchase of, 2.
Representatives to General Court,
281-286; instruction to, 891, 427;
in Congress, 807, 808.
Rew, 3.
Richardson, 168, 193, 361, 416.
Richmond, 1, 8, 534. Benjamin,
Benjamin H., and families, 857.
Ward, David H., and families,
858.
Riley, 848, 859. Edward, and family,
867. Catherine, and family, 858.
River, Ruraford, 88; Wading and
Canoe, 39.
Robbins, 451.
Roberts, Joseph, chosen pastor, and
note of, 137 ; notice of, 188.
GENERAL INDEX.
XXUl
Bobinson, 8, 206. Buel, Maiy A.,
Edward 0., and families, 868.
Bockwood, 279, 803. Thomas T.,
and fainilv, 868.
Rogers, Charles, and family^ 868.
Bogerson, John B., and family, 868.
Boot, Clarinda, and family, 868.
Boss, 867.
Bossiter, 1.
Bonnch, 848.
Bound, 279. Dr. Bezyamin M., no-
tice of, 874; family of, 868.
Bue, 166.
S.
Scadding, 1.
School, master, choice of, 266, 266,
268, 269; mistress, first, 267;
quarters, or districts, division of
riorth and South Precincts, into,^
261; division of town into 268,'
266; trustees, 264; conmiittee,
towns required to choosei. 276;
chosen, 276; first report or, 277;
report of, printed, 278; school
committee, list of. 278; houses,
vote to build, and reconsidered,
266; struggles and failures rela-
tive to, 267; when built in differ-
ent districts, 268-278: house dedi-
cated in District No. 4, 270;
school-money, division of, 278-
276; Sunday, of Congregational
Parish, 662.
Schools, common, 266-279; where
kept, 256, 268, 269; to be moving.
268.
Schoolcraft, 88.
Selectmen, list of, 287-292.
Seminary, Wheaton Female, 640;
trustees of, 540, 641; principals
of, 641.
Senators, 803, 804.
Settiement, first, 6.
Settlers, the first, attend meeting at
Taunton, 14; meeting of, to esta-
blish public worship, 15 ; petition
of, for a precinct, 16 ; committee
of, ask for a precinct, 18 ; petition
of, to Governor and Genenil Court,
19; committee of, make a state-
ment to General Court, 22; dis-
tances they lived from Taunton,
22, 23; a portion of, remonstrate
against a precinct, 27 ; notices of,
75-93.
Shackleford, 616.
Shakers, 633.
Shaw, 171, 616, 626. John, and
- family, 868.
Sharky, 866.
Shelley, Libbeus, and family, 868.
Shepard, 808, 416, 417, 472, 680.
Isaac, notice of, 88. Bev. Mase,
notice of, 487. Bev. Dr. Thomas,
notice of, 496. Jacob, and family,
868.
Shepardson, 846.
Shepherd, 166, 167.
Sheridan, John, and family, 868.
Sheriffs, deputy, 802.
Shoes, manufacture of, 889.
Shove, 8.
Sibley, 186, 140, 142.
Skinner, 166, 167, 266, 862, 616.
Thomas, notice of, 88 ; autograph
of, 89. John, notice and auto-
graph of, 89. John, suspended
from church, 95 ; oonmiittee called
to consider his case, 96; confes-
sion of, 100. Albert, Josephus,
and families, 868.
Sillev, 167.
Sinclair, Amos S., and family, 858.
Slade, 864.
Slavery, 608; not congenial to Mas-
sachusetts, and movement apiinst,
611; vote of church relative to,
612.
Slaves, number of, in 1735, 609;
owners of, and bills of sale of,
609.
Slocum, 1.
Smith, 1, 3, 168-171, 302, 803, 844-
862, 417, 451, 515^ 516, 526, 627,
630. Nicholas, notice of, 89. John,
notice of, 90. Deacon Seth, notice
of, 217 ; autograph of, 218. Still-
man, chosen deacon, and notice
of, 219. Seth, jun., notice of, 803.
Dr. Timothy, notice of, 371. Bev.
Jonathan, notice of^ 502. Dr. Ira,
notice o^ 504. Timothy, Noah«
Charles U., James, 2d, Slatthew,
and families, 858. Patrick, James,
James, jun., Seth, Stillman, Still-
man L. B., Henry. Peter, George
W., Lucinda, Nathan, and fami-
lies, 359.
Snow, 206, 279, 846, 468. Bev. S. P.,
475. Joseph, and family, 359.
Soap, manufacture of, 339.
Society, temperance, formed, 514;
presidents of, 518.
Soulard, 451, 452.
Southworth, 8.
Spinning, weaving, &c., 887.
Sprague, Charles, jun., and family,
359.
Squirrels* heads, money raised for, 47.
xx\y
GENERAL INDEX.
Standish, 1.
Stanle;^, 476, 526, 529. Phebe, Ben-
jamin D., and families, 359.
Statistics, table of, 840; of industry,
841-843; of births, marriages,
deaths, &c., 587.
Stedman, Patrick, and family, 859.
Stephens, 165. Thomas, notice and
autograph of, 90. Benjamin M.,
and family, 859.
Stevens, 206.
Stockbridge, 861.
Stocks, 518.
Stoddard, 850.
Stone, 165, 166, 849, 858, 415, 417,
515, 526. Bev. Nathaniel, notice
of, 504. Laniard, and family,
859.
Story, 451, 526, 581. George W.,
Inomas, and families, 859.
Straw, manufacture of, &c., 837.
Street, 1.
Strong, 1.
Stnrtevant, 516.
Subscribers, list of, 549.
Sumner, 259, 526. Seth, and family,
859.
Swamp, Cedar, and Invincible, 42.
Sweet, 278, 361, 516, 526, 528, 529.
Dr. B. F., notice of, 873, 497. Bev.
J. D., notice of, 497. William,
and family, 359. Cyril S., Betsy
S., Alanson, Benjamin B., George
M., Hezekiah, Eliza, Benjamin,
Joseph D., James M., and fami-
lies, 860. Oliver, 360.
Sweeting, 515. Dr. Lewis, notice of,
868.
Sweetland, Bufus, Edwin, and fami-
lies, 859.
T.
Taber, 848.
Tanneries, 388.
Taunton, proprietors, and bounds of,
1. North Purchase, proprietors
of, 8; bounds of, 8, 5; line of, 5,
6. South Purchase of, ask for a
precinct, 21; selectmen of, make
answer to General Court, 21;
choose a committee to oppose the
petitions for precincts, 23; com-
mittee, remonstrance of, 24.
Taxes, 312-816.
Taylor, 845.
Temperance movement, 513; societVi
formation of, 514 ; celebration, 517 ;
Sons of, 518.
Tenney, 200.
Tenny, 847.
Thayer, 848, 468, 475.
Thayre, 8.
Thrasher, 8.
Tiffanv, 180, 167. Dr. Gideon, notice
of, 869. Dr. Oliver, notice of, 487.
Hon. George, notice of, 488.
TUden, 278. Bev. William P., chosen
pastor, and letter of acceptance,
197 ; ordination of, 198 ; dismission
of, 199; notice and marriage of,
200; reinvited to settle, but de-
clines, 204.
Timmings, 361.
Tinkham, Ebenezer, and family, 860.
Tisdale, 8, 855, 416, 515.
Tithing-men, 296, 297; list of, 298-
801.
Titus, 802, 846, 415, 526. OUver S.,
and family, 860.
Tiump, 258.
Todd, 855.
Tories, 401.
Town, officers, list of, 281-801 ; clerks,
list of, 281-286; treasurers, list of,
281-286 ; warnings out of, 868, 864 ;
house, 542.
Townsend, 128, 845.
Training-field, 879.
Trees, names of, 48.
Tripp, 516. Thompson, and family,
860.
Trow, 169, 170, 515, 626.
Tucker, 168-170, 278, 279, 846, 415,
461, 472, 475, 515, 516, 526. Ro-
bert, notice of, 90. Almond,
chosen deacon, and notice of,
. 219. Polly, Allen B., Almond,
Albert S., George W., and fami-
lies, 860.
Turner, 8.
Twitchel, 210.
Uxley, 1.
U.
V.
Vallett, 858.
Verry, 170, 802, 626, 580.
Vesey, Veazie, 167, 259, 260. Bev.
Samuel, notice of, 417.
Vigilantibus, the standard, 888.
Vining, 170.
W
Waite, 206.
Wales, 166.
Walker, 3, 360, 416, 516, 516.
Wallace, 844.
Walsh, 854.
GEIfEBAL INDEX.
War, old French, 884; names of men
who serred in, 886. French and
Indian, 885; names of men who
served in, 886-890. Reyolation>
ary, 890; names of men who
served in, 896-411; committees
of correspondence daring, 894,
898, 400, 406, 407, 412; demoral-
izing ii^nence of, 418. Of 1812,
417; names of men who served
in, 418.
Wardens, 297, 298; list of, in italics,
299 800
Ware,'l66,'l67, 516. Dr. William,
notice of, 868.
Warnings out of town, 868.
Washburn, 169, 515, 526. James S.,
and family, 860.
Watson, 3, 861, 584.
Way. Grossman's, 42.
Wayland, 856.
West, 885, 862, 472. WiUiam A., and
fomily, 860. Hiram, and family,
861.
WethereU, 164-170, 278, 802, 844,
847, 415, 516, 516, 627, 580. Wil-
Ham, first settlement by, 6; a
cabin boy, 7; enrolled for mili-
tary duty, 8; admitted a fireeman,
8; notice of, 8-11; autograph of,
11 ; where buried, 882. William,
notice of, 90; autograph of, 91.
William, jun., notice or, 91. Je-
remiah and John, notices and au-
tographs ofl 91. John, jun., notice
ofj 91. William, William, jun.,
Hiram H., Caleb S., Benjamin C,
Stillman A., William D., and fa-
milies, 361.
Wheaton, 169, 278, 302, 307, 516, 526.
Dr. George, notice of, 869. Rev.
George, notice of, 482. Hon. La-
ban, notice of, 483. Daniel, Esq.,
notice of, 490. Hon. L. M., notice
of, 496. Female Seminary, 540.
Laban M., and family, 361.
Wheeler. 417, 526. Elkanah, William
B., Wheaton, and families, 861.
Wheelwrights* shop, 829, 381, 882,
884.
White, 8, 166-167, 278, 361, 417, 451,
468, 615, 516, 626, 628. Deacon
Nicholas, autograph of, 92; notice
of, 92,214. Matthew and Edward,
notices of. 92. Abraham, notice
of, 808. Dr. Nicholas, notice of,
868. Ebenezer, ordained minister
of North Precinct, 440; death of,
441. Jacob, notice ofl 486. E.P.,
Esq., notice of, 496. Howe, Gyms,
Jason, Georffe, jun., George A.,
John H., Earl C., Isaac, and fami-
lies, 861.
Whipping-post, 519.
Whitman, 198, 206.
Wilbor, 8.
Wilbur, 844, 854. Oren, Oren, jun.,
Oliver K., Benjamin, and families,
862.
Wife, runaway, 581.
Wild, 166, 170, 868, 626. Dr. John,
jun., notice of, 868. George W.,
and family, 862.
WUd-cats, 44, 46.
WiUiams, 1, 8, 166-170, 278, 279, 802,
851j 858, 526. Deacon Benjamin,
notice of 92; autograph of, 98.
Lyman D., Greenleaif, Betsy, and
families, 861.
Willis, 168, 169. Rev. Eliakim, cho-
sen pastor, 184; protest affainst
choice of, 185 ; note of, decuning
to settie. 135 ; notice of, 186. Cal-
vin, ana familj^. 361. Ichabod,
Loren, and fiEunilies, 862.
Wilmartb, Dr. Butler, notice of,
505.
Wilson, 1.
Winchel, 168.
Winslow, 8.
WiswaU, 169, 526.
Witchcraft, 532.
Whitney, 206.
Wolves, 44.
Wood, 11, 384, 389. Elkanah, El-
kanah, jun., Eli, and families,
362.
Woodburv, 847.
Woods, Neck, 41 ; Great, 42.
Woodward, 166-171. 451, 516, 626,
528, 530. Isaac, Bradford N., Ann
M., David, Joseph, Josiah, jun.,
and families, 862.
Wrigley, James L., and family, 862.
HISTORY OF NORTON, MASS.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
" When wild in woods the noble saTage ran.*' — Dbtdht.
About the year 1637, Henry Uxley, Richard Williams,
Joseph Wilson, Benjamin Wilson, William Coy, George
Hall, David Corwithy, Mr. William Pool, (Jeorge
Macy, William Harvey, Hezekiah Hoar, Walter Dean,
John Dean, John Strong, Henry Andrews, Thomas
Cooke, John Smith, Mr. Thomas Farwell, Edward
Case, John Kingsley, Richard PauU, Richard Smith,
Mr. John Gilbert, William Phillips, William Hail-
stone, William Parker, John Parker, John Richmond,
William HoUoway, the Widow Randall, Francis Doty,
William Dunn, William Scadding, John Bryant, An-
thony Slocum, John Gengille, Francis Street, Hugh
Rossiter, John Gilbert, Thomas Gilbert, Robert Hobell,
Richard Burt, John Grossman, John Luther, John
Drake, and Mr. John Brown,^ purchased of the Ply-
mouth Colony a tract of land, at a place called
Cohannett, which soon after took the name of
Taunton.
By order of the court, the bounds around this first
purchase (sometimes called the Tetiquet Purchase,
to distinguish it from subsequent purchases) were
made on the 19th of June, 1640, by Miles Standish
1 Baylies's Memoir of Plymouth Colony, part i. p. 286.
1
2 INTRODUCTION.
and John Browne. This tract of land was laid out in
" a long square," ^ measuring eight miles on a side.
It was doubtless in the form of a diamond, or rhombus,
the northerly angle of which extended to within about
two miles of the line between the Plymouth and Mas-
sachusetts Colonies, now the line between Bristol and
Plymouth Counties, and is known to this day as
" Cobblerjs Corner." ^ it included within its limits
portions of the present towns of Mansfield, Norton,
Raynham, Berkley, and Taunton.
In 1641, the township of Rehoboth, westerly of
Taunton, was purchased by Walter Palmer and
others.
In 1649, Bridgewater, easterly of Taunton, and ex-
tending northerly to the line between the two Colonies,
was bought by Miles Standish and others.
In 1666, the territory north of Rehoboth (now Attle-
borough), and extending to the line between the two
Colonies, was sold to the town of Rehoboth, and was
called Rehoboth North Purchase. There was then
between Attleborough and Bridgewater, and between
Taunton and the line of the two Colonies, an irregular-
shaped tract of land, about twelve miles long on the
northerly side, seven and a half miles wide on the west-
erly end, and a little less than that on the easterly end.
Into this the northerly angle of Taunton projected
some five miles. This as yet nameless tract of land
contained an area of about fifty square miles.
After additions had been made to the original pur-
chases of Rehoboth and Bridgewater, Taunton people,
no doubt, thought it proper that their town should be
enlarged. Accordingly, a company was formed, and
this irregular-shaped piece of land on the north was
purchased the sixth day of June,^ 1668, of Thomas
1 For bounds, see Plymouth-Colony Records, vol. ii. pp. 99, 100.
2 It is said to have been so called from the fact, that in making the
bounds, when Miles Standish and his men came to this corner, one of them
mended or " cobbled" his shoes.
* See Records of Deeds in Plymouth County, vol. iii. p. 118; also
North-Purchase Records, p. 1.
INTRODUCTION. 8
Prence, Josias Winslow, Thomas Southworth, and
Constant Southworth ("the country's agents"), by
Bichard Williams, Walter Dean, George Macey, James
Walker, Joseph Wilbor, William Harvey, Thomas
Leonard, John Turner, Henry Andrews, John Cob,
George Hall, John Hall, Samuell Hall, James Leonard,
sen., Nathaniell Williams, Thomas Williams, Nicolas
White, sen., Nicholas White, jun., Hezekiah Hofe,
AlUce Dean, Israeli Dean, Robert Grossman, Shadrack
Wilbor, Thomas Caswell, John Macomber, John Smith,
Edward Rew, John Parker, Samuell Paule, Thomas
Lincoln, sen., Thomas Harvey, sen., Nathaniell Thay re,
Thomas Lincoln, jun., Peter Pits, Jonah Austin, sen.,
John Richmond, Samuell Williams, Christopher Thrash-
er, Mrs. Jane Gilburt, George Watson, Samuell Smith,
James Burt, Richard Burt, John Tisdell, sen., John
Tisdell, jun., James Phillips, Edward Bobbot, John
Hathway, Jonathan Brigs, Increase Robinson, John
Briant, Thomas Harvey, jun. ; and was called " Taun-
ton North Purchase."
" March 8, 1681-2. — By order of ye Court, Mr.
George Shove his name was afixed to the sd. deed as
a proprietor.'' ^
The bounds of this purchase, as given in the deed,
are these: '* Begining on the north-west, att the bounds
of the lands formerly sold by us unto the Town of Re-
hobo th, and to be bounded on tlie northerly syde by
the Massachusetts line, untill it cometh to beare with
the Western bounds of the Town of Bridgewater ; and
soe from the said Massachusetts line by a soutli line
home to the bounds of Taunton, and thence by a West-
erly line untill it meets with the bounds of Rehoboth
aforesaid ; and so to follow the said bounds of Rehoboth
untill it comes unto the bounds first mentioned upon
the Massachusetts line ; all the lands within this com-
pas, excepting onely a small parcel granted unto John
Bundey, and alsoe a grant made unto Thomas Briggs,
the son of Clement Briggs, together with the meddows,
1 North-Purchase Records, p. 1.
4 INTRODUCTION.
woods, waters, and other benefitts, privileges, emolu-
ments, proffitts, and emunities thereto appertaining and
belonging." *
The price paid for this tract of land was " the full
sume of one hundred pounds." The northerly line
of this territory, bordering upon the ancient limits of
Dorchester, was the scene of many vexatious disputes.
Both the Plymouth and Massachusetts Colonies laid
claim to a gore of land, extending from Accord Pond
(on the borders of Hingham, Abington, and Scituate),
some twenty-five miles, to Rhode-Island line, and con-
taining more than "fourteen thousand acres," as it
appears from a plan of this disputed territory which I
have found, and which bears evident marks of age.
This line was not definitely settled till 1773.2 Dec. 3,
1717, the North-Purchase proprietors raised a com-
mittee " to see into that matter concerning the runing
1 The land of John Bundy was in what is now Easton, and is supposed
to have been granted to him by the government, in consequence of his being
one of the first children born in the Colony. It is very probable that he was
the first settler within the limits of that town. Of him not much is known.
He is supposed to be the same person who, on the 14th of March, 1635, was
apprenticed to " Griffin Mountegue, carpenter, in New England," for eight
years ; and who, after the lapse of two years, ^reed to serve out the residue
of his time with Elder William Brewster.* While with Mr. Brewster, he
was " found guilty of lude behavior and vnciuill carriage towards Elizabeth
Haybell," and was " seuerly whiped " for so doing.f in 1638, Bundy was
transferred from the service of tlder Brewster to his son Jonathan, for the
remaining time of five years. In 1645, he was one of a squad of soldiers
sent from Plymouth against the Narragansett Indians, &c.| His first wife's
name was Martha . She died May 1, 1674. By her he had four, and
perhaps more, children: viz., James, b. 29th of September, 1664; Sarah, b.
4th March, 1668; Samuel, b. 4th October, 1670; and Patience, who died 27th
March, 1665. He m., for second wife, Ruth Gurney ( V ), of Mendon, Jan. 9,
1676 ; and by her had John, b. 6th October, 1677 ; Joseph, b. 1st January,
1679; and Edward, b. 13th August, 1681. This is all that is known of him;
except, it is stated in Baylies's Memoir, part ii. p. 274, that he " removed to
Point Judith, Narragansett."
Of Thomas Briggs, we know but little aside from his parentage. His
land, consisting of a hundred and fifty acres, and twenty acres of meadow,
was granted to him in 1659, "in the way to Deadum from Taunton, betwixt
a pond and the mill-riuver which comes to Taunton betwixt Taunton and
Massapauge Pond." § This was probably in the north-easterly part of
Mansfield, or the north-westerly part of Easton.
2 For more particulars relative to the line between the Colonies, see
Hobart's Sketch of Abington, p. 95, &c.
* Plymoath-Colony Records, vol. i. p. 51. t Plymoath-Colony Records, vol. ii. p. 90.
t Ibid. vol. i. p. 65. » Ibid. vol. iU. p. 164.
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TAUNTON NORTH PURCHASE
A/^D TH£ TOWNS OF
NORTON, EASTON AND MANSFIELD.
y
EXPLANATIONS
nj%M,nH^ of NopOl Purchase,
'Bounds of Towns.
1 /2zzz^ Tapisih CJmrcTi of Norton,
Scole^tcniUsti
INTRODUCTION. 5
of the line by Dorchester men, and how much there is
taken out of any man's particular propriety ; " and a
former committee were empowered " to make satisfac-
tion to those that are damnified by the running of the
line by Dorchester men." ^ The Punkapoag Indians,
who lived in the neighborhood of Blue Hill, also
claimed a portion of the territory ; and hence, Feb. 24,
1686 or 7, the North-Purchase proprietorsT'' voted to
levy and raise sixteen pence in money on 6ach share
in said Purchase, to pay Josiah, the Indian sachem,^
for a deed they have procured of him.".'
The town of Norton, whose history we are to record
in tlie following pages, as originally constituted, com-
prised the whole of the North Purchase, together with
the northerly angle of the original or Tetiquet Pur-
chase of Taunton.
On the opposite page we give a diminutive map of
Taunton North Purchase, and the town of Norton as
originally constituted, with its subdivisions, Easton and
Mansfield.
The dark, heavy lines show the boundaries of the
North Purchase. It will be seen that Norton, as now
bounded, comprises only a portion of the westerly end
of the North Purchase, with a little triangular tract of
land at the north-easterly corner of the town. Most
of Mansfield is included in the North Purchase, and
all of Easton.
The two bounds of North Purchase that meet at 0,
near the centre of Mansfield, form Cobbler's Corner,
which is west of Rumford River, and a short distance
below the road leading from the four corners by M.
Allen's, in Mansfield, to Isaac Skinner's. The angle
within the lines meeting at C (Cobbler's Corner) is a
portion of the old town, or the original purchase of
Taunton. The North-Purchase line, running from A
C which is a corner of Taunton, Rehoboth, and Norton,
^ North-Purchase Repords, p. 48.
3 This was probably Charles Josias. See chapter on Indians.
* North-Purchase KecordSi p. 10.
6 PIBST SETTLEMENTS.
and known on the old records as Abel's Corner)
to Cobbler's Corner, passes along directly in front of
Allen D. Lane's house and the school-house in No. 4,
across the upper end of Barrowsville Factory Pond,
easterly of the common burying-ground, and within a
few feet of the westerly end of Austin Messinger's old
house. The line from Cobbler's Cornef to the south-
eastern corner of Easton passes between Nathaniel
Newcomb's house and factory.
It will be seen by the map, that Easton is bounded on
three sides by the North-Purchase bounds, Mansfield
on two sides, and Norton wholly on only one side by
the same.
Other portions of the map will be explained in sub-
sequent chapters.
CHAPTER II.
THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
** Across the flood the Pilgriins fled,
And Heayen their trusting Ibotsteps led,
Till on these sayage shores they txt>d,
And won the wilderness for God."
H. Wars, Jon.
The first settlement within the present limits of Norton
is believed to have been made by William Wetherell
in 1669, on the easterly side of Winneconnet Pond,
about twenty rods northerly from the bridge, over the
outlet of this pond, which marks the bounds between
the present towns of Taunton and Norton.^
1 From his will, made just before his death in 1691, it appears that Mr.
Wetherell's dwelling-honse then stood " on the south side of the pond ; '*
and it is possible that there was where his first habitation was "pitched,"
though we think the weight of evidence is decidedly in favor or the east
side of the pond. In 1690, he deeded to his son William a portion of his
land on the easterly side of the pond, including what we supposed to have
been the site of the first house; and it is presumed that this deed was
given about the time he moved to the spot where he died. Possibly, during
FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 7
By an examination of the Proprietors' Records of
the Old Town of Taunton (p. 50), I find that, on the
29th of April, 1669, William Wetherell sold several
parcels of land situated on and near Mill River
(which is the stream that runs out of Winneconnet
Pond) ; and included in this sale were '' five accres,
more or less, which was granted to him by the town for
a home-lotte." And on the same day was laid out to
him, in four lots, about sixty acres of land on the
easterly and northerly side of the pond ; and the bounds
of these lots can be pretty generally identified at the
present time. Hence we think, in the absence of all
testimony to the contrary, that in the spring of 1669,
and on the east side of the pond, only a few rods from
the meadow, was erected the first habitation in our
town.
Tradition says that this William Wetherell — whose
name will ever be a household word to the people of
Norton — came from England, in the capacity of a
cabin-boy, with William Dunn, the master of the vessel,
and one of the original proprietors of Taunton, who is
said to have soon returned to England, leaving his
cabin-boy in charge of his proprietary, with the under-
standing, that, if he (Dunn) did not return to claim it,
the right should escheat to young Wetherell ; and such
was the result. Of the exact time Capt. Dunn arrived
in America, we have no reliable account : ^ it might
King Philip's war in 1675 and 6^ Mr. Wetherell left his dwelling unoccu-
pied, on account of its exposed situation, and placed his family in one of
the garrisoned houses for safety ; and when the war was ended, his house
having probably been destroyed by the Indians, he might have gone to tlie
southerly side of the pond, or. more properly, to the south-westerljr side,
and erected his house there. It is well known that Mr. Wetherell himself
was engaged in Philip's war. From his will, it appears that another house
stood near where he lived. Our oldest men remember that two houses
once stood on the south-westerly side of the pond ; and traces of both can be
seen at the present day. Yet from the fact, that, in 1685^ he was licensed to
keep a sort of public-house, we are strongly of the opinion that he then
lived on the east side of the pond, and lefl; in 1690, when he deeded the
homestead to his son William.
1 On the gravestone of James Wetherell, who died in 1837, it is stated
that he was the " great-grandson of Mr. William Wetherell, -the first of the
name that came to America." This, we think, is an error. Bev. William
8 FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
have been just before the settlement of Taunton, and
he might have brought over m his vessel many of the
first settlers of the town ; and, as most of these were
from the vicinity of Taunton in England, it is possible
that the birthplace of Wetherell was in that neighbor-
hood. All this is, however, mere conjecture. The
first reliable evidence we have of William Wetherell
being in Taunton is in 1643, when his name appears
on a list of males, between the ages of sixteen and
sixty, subject to military duty.^ He was one of the
inhabitants of Taunton, who, on the 28th of December,
1659, had a division of land made in the proportion of
two acres on each shilling of the rate paid by the indi-
vidual, two acres on each head in the family, and two
acres to the lot. Mr. Wetherell's rate was seven shil-
lings and tenpence ; and there were five heads in his
family (supposed to be himself, wife, and three chil-
dren) ; and twenty-eight acres of land were assigned
him. His wife's name was Dorothy . When they
were married is uncertain : but it is supposed to have
been about 1650 ; for, in 1672, William Wetherell, and
William Wetherell, jun. (supposed to be his son),
were among the proprietors of the South Purchase of
Taunton, including what is now Dighton and a por-
tion of Berkley.
He was admitted a freeman at the Plymouth Court
in June, 1658.2 June 6, 1664, William Wetherell and
three others, of Taunton, were fined " twenty shil-
Wetherell, of Duxburv, and afterwards the minister of Scituate, arrived in
America in 1634.* There was also a John Wetherell at Cambridge in 1636,
who was afterwards a proprietor of Watertown : f he was, probably, tiie
brother of Rev. William Wetherell. What connection, if any, our William
Wetherell was to Rev. William, of Scituate, we know not : he might have
been a nephew. The ortho^aphy of the name is various : the first settler
here wrote it Wetherel, his son William wrote, it Wetherell, and his son
Jeremiah had it Wetherel. On old records it is spelled Witherel, Witherell,
Wetherel, Wetherell, Wethrell, Witherly, Wetherly, &c. The name is now
generally spelled Wetherell ; and we shall so write it.
1 Baylies*s Memoir, part ii. p. 267.
2 Plymouth- Colony Records, vol. iii. p. 137.
* Winsor's History of Duxbury. See also Dean's History of Scituate.
t See Farmer's Register of First Settlers in New England.
FIBST SETTLEMENTS. 9
lings for an abuse done to a sawmill att Taunton,
belonging to James Walker and others, by coming in
the night and breaking downe some parte of the said
mill, and for takeing away sevuerall thinges from the
same." ^ It is presumed that this diflSculty grew out
of the fact, that the dam to tliis mill was so built as to
prevent " the alewiues from goeing vp " the river, and
hence was not legally built ; for, on the same day that
Wetherell and others were fined, the owners of the mill
were required, before " the next season of the fishes
goeing vp," to make " a free, full, and sufficient pas-
sage for the said fish." ^
Just before the commencement of Philip's war in
1675, a list of the proprietors of Taunton was made ;
and on this list is the name of William Wetherell, who
owned " on his own rights and that which was Mr.
Dunn's."^ His name appears several times on the
Grand Inquest between 1650 and 1690. He was a con-
stable in Taunton for the years 1662 and 1676. In
1671 and 1685, he was a " deputy," or representative,
from Taunton to the Plymouth-Colony Court. He was
also a deputy at a special court held on the last day of
October and first of November, 1676. In 1685, he was
one of the selectmen. In 1671, he was one of a commit-
tee " appointed in each town to see to the gathering-in
of the Minister's Maintainance," &c.* In 1679-80, he
was one of the court's committee " to bound the med-
dowes on Assonett Necke." ^ June 2, 1685, he was
licensed " to retaile cider, beeir, and strong liquors." ^
It is presumed, as he lived at this time on the road
leading from Taunton to Boston, and known then and
now as the " Bay Road," that he kept a sort of " ordi-
nary," or victualling-house, for travellers; and hence he
no doubt kept the first public-house within the limits
1 Plvmouth-Colony Records, vol. iv. p. 66.
2 Ibid. vol. iv. p. 66.
* Baylies' s Memoir, part ii. p. 278.
* Plymouth- Colony Records, vol. y. p. 68.
6 Ibid. vol. vi. p. 31.
* Ibid. vol. vi. p. 170.
10 PIBST SETTLEMENTS.
of Norton. May 25, 1680, he was appointed one of
a committee of the town '' to revise the town-orders,
records of land," &c}
Thus it will be seen that he was a man of some con-
sequence, and possessed a good reputation among the
early settlers of Taunton. Prom an old deed now
in possession of our townsman (descendant of the
first settler), William D. Wetherell, given by John
Wetherell, son of William, to his son Jonathan, it
appears that William Wetherell was an " Eldest Ser-.
geant in Capt. Gorrom's (Gorham's) Company in the
great Narragansett-Swamp fitt," which took place Dec.
19 (?), 1675, in the present town of South Kingston,
R.I. ; and that a grant of land was made by the court
to the soldiers who were wounded in that ever-memo-
rable battle. From the Plymouth-Colony Records,
vol. vi. p. 119, it appears that " Sergt. Witherly " and
" other Taunton men " came wounded to the house of
Peleg Sanford, Dec. 24, 1675 ; and that he remained
till Oct. 17, 1676. His wound must, therefore, have
been of a pretty severe character, to have confined him
almost a year before he was able to return home. It
was in consequence of his wounds received in the bat-
tle of Narragansett Swamp, we presume, that the court
granted Mr. Wetherell ten pounds in 1685, and five
pounds in 1686.^
Prom all the facts that we can gather relating to
Mr. Wetherell, he seems to have been a man blessed
with a good share of worldly goods ; holding two rights
in the original purchase of Taunton (his own and Mr.
Dunn's), one right in the South Purchase of Taunton,
and, at the time of his death, half a right in the North
Purchase. In the year 1690, he deeded most of his
property to his children and grandchildren ; and in
his will, dated Aug. 15, 1691, and probated Nov. 18
of same year, he makes some little legacies to his
children, and confirms the deeds he had previously
1 Baylies*8 Memoir, part iv. p. 76.
2 Plymouth- Colony Records, vol. vl. pp. 189 and 201.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS. ' 11
given of bis lands. He mentions in his will his sons
William, John, and Ephraim (who was dead at the
date of the will), and his daughter Dorothy Wood,
who was the wife of William Wood (her second hus-
band), to whom she was married April 1, 1686. Her
first husband was Elias Irish ; and they were married
Aug. 26, 1674. He lived only about three years ; for,
in October, 1677, William Wetherell was appointed
administrator of his estate.^ Of the sons William and
John we shall say something in connection with the
early settlers. These few meagre items are all we
have been able to gather relative to the first settler ;
but they are full of interest, and furnish abundant
food for the imaginative mind.
We here give the only autograph known to be in
existence of the first settler, written in 1690, the year
before he died.
In the course of a few years, a number of other
settlers had made their " pitch " in the immediate
neighborhood of the pond ; doubtless from the fact
that the land was of easy cultivation, and particularly
adapted to the growth of Indian corn and other
grains.
About the year 1685, Thomas Brintnell, with his
family, made a settlement in the north-west part of
what is now Mansfield, a few rods easterly of Wading
River, and but a short distance from the line between
the two Colonies, near to what is now Poxborough,
at the place where Obadiah Brintnell lived a few years
since.
Mr. Brintnell built him a house, or rather a sort of
fort, partly of stone and part of wood, and fortified,
to some extent, against the attacks of the Indians ;
keeping two loaded muskets constantly by his bedside,
in case of an alarm during the night. The old house
stood for about a hundred years.
-^—^— — \ — ^— — — —
2 Plymouth-Colony Records, vol. v. pp. 247 and 252.
12 ' FIBST SETTLEMENTS.
Mr. Brintnell was at Boston previous to his removal
to the North Purchase.^ His wife's name was Esther,
married previous to 1665 (?). His sons were Samuel ^
(who came with his father to the North Purchase),
Thomas, Nathaniel, John, Joseph, and a daughter
Mehitable. An inventory of his property was taken
Oct. 14, 1692 ; and he probably died not long previous
to that date.^ His wife is supposed to have married a
Smith after his death ; for, in 1701, she is called " Mrs.
Esther Smith." *
Other settlers soon found their way into the westerly
part of the North Purchase, which, for many years,
was a part of Norton.
On the 6th of December, 1695, Thomas Leonard, sen.,
and James Leonard, sen., received a deed,^ from the
proprietors of the North Purchase, of two hundred
acres of land at Stony Brook, " on the westward side
of Coweesset River," as an '' Licouragement ". " to set
up and build a forge to make iron at said place ; " and
it was " to be built, and in some considerable forward-
ness," before Dec. 1, 1696, or the grant of land was to
be null and void. I have in my possession the aflSda-
vits of two persons, taken in 1717, who declare that
1 Barry's History of Framingham, pp. 194 and 195.
2 See Early Settlers.
8 Probate Kecords, vol. i. pp. 67 and 225.
* Since writing the foregoing account, I have seen Mrs. Brintnell, an old
lady of ninety years, the widow of Obadiah Brintnell, who died in 1814.
She is very positive that the settlement by Thomas Brintnell was made
previous to his marriage, which must have been as early as 1664. She says,
" He first built his house about forty rods north of where he afterwards
lived, which would be within the present limits of Foxborough, in what
was then called Boston County, and there resided till after the Indian war;
he supposing himself all the time within the limits of Taunton North
Purchase." But, when the line was run through, it left him in what was
then Dorchester; and therefore he moved (about 1685) his habitation into
tlie North Purchase, to the spot where she (Mrs. Brintnell) now resides,
whose husband was the fifth, and the daughters (who now occupy the house
with theur mother) the sixth, generation of Brintnells who have lived upon
the same spot. Mrs. Brintnell says that '^ Thomas Brintnell had eight sons
and two daughters." It is possible, that, living for a time within Suffolk
County, the births of his children were recorded at Boston ; and hence the
historian of Framingham supposed he lived there.
6 This deed, with the autographs attached, of thirty of the proprietors of
the North Purchase, — where the land was situated, — is now in my pos-
session ; and a copy of it is to be seen on the North-Purchase Records, First
Book of Lands, p. 80.
\
FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 18
the iron-works, or forge, near the dwelling-house of
Major George Leonard, deceased, was begun in 1695,
and in some considerable forwardness in 1696. To these
Leonards was also given the liberty to take their next
division of one share in the North-Purchase lands " in
the best of iron-oare that they can find." They were
also allowed the privilege of digging ore on any other
man's land, for the use and benefit of said works, by
" paying the owner of such land one shilling a tun
for every tun of iron-oare they shall dig." George
Leonard, the son of Thomas and the nephew of
James Leonard, to whom this grant was made (proba-
bly as their agent), set up a forge, or " bloomery," as
it was called, at the place designated, which was
nearly in front of the spot where the old Leonard
mansion-house now stands ; and the establishment of
this iron-forge, together with the energy and business
tact of young George Leonard, soon gave new life and
vitality to this neighborhood. The lands in the vicinity
were speedily taken up; the population rapidly in-
creased ; and every thing seemed to prosper beyond
the most ardent expectations of the proprietors of this
movement.^
The Pilgrim Fathers, and most of those who peopled
this region, had fled, or were the descendants of those
who had fled, from the Old World, in order that they
might worship God according to the dictates of their
own consciences, without any one to molest or make
them afraid. Hence they were generally men of prin-
ciple, and of sincere and devoted piety. It was a
pleasure to them to go to the house of God, and
mingle their songs of praise and their prayers in uni-
son to the great Creator and sovereign Ruler of
heaven and earth. Yes, they were church-going and
church-loving men, who willingly sacrificed their all
1 If the reader will turn to the map of Taunton North Purchase, &c.,
in the introductory chapter, he will find the site of the first settlement by
Wetherell marked with a square dot, with the letter W near it, close by the
outlet of the pond; that of Brintnell marked in the same manner, with
the letter B near it ; and that of Leonard also indicated with a similar dot,
with the letter L near it.
14 FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
upon the altar of " freedom to worship God : " there-
fore it does not surprise us that the house of God was
peculiarly dear to them, and that they were willing
to endure great fatigue and inconvenience in order to
attend public worship on each returning Lord's day.
Having " a will," they of course found " a way," to
go up weekly to the temple of the Most High. So
devoted, indeed, were the early settlers of this town to
their spiritual welfare, that, for several years, many of
them — in their poverty, possessing no other means
of locomotion — were accustomed to go on foot to
Taunton, six, eight, ten, and twelve miles, to attend
upon the ministrations of the gospel, returning the
same day.
This would certainly have been a great effort for
them, if they had been as fearful of using their limbs
as their descendants have become ai the present day.
But they possessed strong constitutions ; their very
habits of life made them so ; and hence a walk of fif-
teen or twenty miles per day through the woods,
guided only by marked trees, and over not a very well-
beaten path, — frequently crossing the rivers on the
trunk of a single tree fallen across the stream, — was
not so terrible a thing as it seems to some now, who
can hardly walk a mile over a well-beaten road.
There was, however, one inconvenience connected
with living thus remotely from meeting, which was a
severe trial to our worthy ancestors, and which they
determined to remedy at the earliest possible moment.
It was this, — they could not take their children with
them to the sanctuary ; at least, their smaller children
could not go. This difficulty they determined • to
remedy ; for they knew the importance of early reli-
gious instruction. They knew that the spring-time
of life was the time to cast the good seed of Christia-
nity into the minds of the young. They knew, that,
unless the heavenly principles of the gospel of Jesus
were instilled into the youthful hearts of those who
were " bone of their bone and flesh of their flesh,"
the pure fruits of righteousness would not come to
FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 15
maturity. Next to their own, the salvation of their
children from sin was deemed of the highest impor-
tance. Accordingly, some' of the leading men of the
settlement (urged on, no doubt, by some of the leading
women ; for they are always foremost in any good
cause) met together to take counsel as to what should
be done under the circumstances. It is a little uncer-
tain whether they met in a lower or an " upper room ; "
but it is beyond controversy, that Eldad Earnest was
called to the chair, and Hosea Hope was appointed
secretary. Samuel Slow came into the meeting a little
after the organization was effected, and gave it as his
opinion, it was not best to be in a hurry. Isaac Indif-
ference did not believe it was of much use to preach
to, or to catechize, children. Charles Content thought
it was best to let well enough alone. David Delay sug-
gested it might, perhaps, be better to wait till there
was a fuller meeting, before they took any decided
measures. Daniel Decision then took the floor, and
made an earnest speech, portraying in glowing colors
the vast importance of early religious training to the
pliant and susceptible heart of childhood, and urged
immediate action ; and closed by saying, " Now is the
accepted time, now is the day of salvation." He was
followed by Peter Perseverance, who most clearly
showed that all obstacles could be surmounted, and
the great object they had in view could, at no distant
day, be attained. '' I have," says he, " but one little
child ; and yet, rather than that child should grow up
an infidelj I will sacrifice every dollar I possess, and
every foot of land I own. God helps those who try to
help themselves. We must sow the seed, if we would
reap the fruit. Mr. Chairman, I move the previous
question." All felt that the crisis had come. The
chairman, with characteristic promptness, with his
firm and deep-toned voice, stated the question to be,
" Shall immediate measures be taken to establish the
gospel ministry in our midst, so that our children can
enjoy the means of grace ? " The decision was over-
whelmingly in favor of action. Men, who, as we shall
16 PBECINCT CONTROVERSY, AND
soon see, " knew no such word as fail," were enlisted
in this cause ; men who never put their hand to the
plough, and looked back, had taken hold of the enter-
prise; and hence success, though it might be rather
tardy, was sure. Immediately the initiatory steps
were taken to have their portion of the town erected
into a precinct, which would enable them to establish
a religious society of their own. What they did we
shall record in the next chapter.
CHAPTER III.
PRECINCT CONTROVERSY, AND INCORPORATION OF
THE TOWN.
** At least I'll try. There never yet
Was any thing lost by trying."
M188 G. A. Bbiggs.
The following document, a copy of the original, drawn
up and signed by forty-three of the male inhabitants,
is the first direct movement towards the formation of
a precinct, of which we have any authentic account. I
found it, with many other documents relating to the
civil and ecclesiastical history of Norton, among some
old papers at the " old Judge Leonard House." The ori-
ginal draught, with the rude autographs and " marks "
of the petitioners, may be seen in the archives of the
State, at the State House, Boston.^ It reads as fol;
lows : —
"We whose names are underwritten, being part of the
Inhabitants of Taunton old Town, and part of Taunton north
purchase, being all very sensible of the great difficulty that
we ai*e under in Hveing so remote from the publick worship of
God, and great need of haveing it settled amongst us, that so
our children and those under our care & charge, as well as
1 State Papers, vol. cxiii. p. 512.
INCORPORATION OP THE TOWN. 17
ourselves, may injoj the meens of grace, and in order theirto,
we have this 27th day of novem., 1707, met together, and
made choice of George Leonard and Nicholas White, whome
we chuse as our agents to act in our behalf in makeing Re-
quest to the town to bound us out a presink for the main-
tainnence of a minister ; and that, when we have procured a
minister to dispence the word of God amongst [us,] we might
be freed from paying to the minister & Schoolmaster at town,
and we do also give our sd. agents full power to do any fur-
ther act or acts, thing or things, that they shall see needfull
to be dun for ye bounding of sd. precink, and procureing an
able orthodox minister to be orderly Settled amongnst us,
whether it be by petitioning to the General court to Settle
the bounds of sd. precink, or by any other way or meens
whatsoever ; as witness our hands, the day and year above
writen. we further pomise, that in case a minister be pro-
curde as abovesd., that we' will each of us pay our proportion
by way of rate for his maintainance. witness our hands,
George Leonard, Nicholas White, John Lane, Thomas Bra-
man, sen., Thomas ''Stevehs, 'Selvanis Gamble, John Briggs,
John Hodges, Nathaniell Hodges, Samuell Hodges, Jabez
Pratt, Thomas Braman, jun., William Hodges, Robert Tucker,
Ephraim Grover, Mathew White, Seth Dorman, Ebenezer
Hall, John Caswell, jun., Benjamin Caswell, John Wetherell,
Ebenezer Edy, Samuell Brintnell, John Caswell, sen., Eliezer
Fisher, Richard Briggs, William Wetherell, sen., Eliezer Edy,
John Cob, Andrew Grover, Peter Aldrich, Israel Fisher,
Thomas Grover, Nathaniel Fisher, Joseph Briggs, Benjamin
Williams, Nathaniell Harvey, John Briggs, jun., Nicholas
Smith, John Newland, William Cob, Benjamin Newland,
John Skinner."
On the original document, I find written the follow-
ing memoranda : —
" March 22, 1708. — At a meeting of a part of the sub-
scribers,, they made choice of John wetherel, whom they aded
to the committee abovesd."
" June 18, 1708. — At a meeting of some of the subscribers,
they gave thare agents Liberty to pertition to the Genl.
court for a township."
This last vote was passed, as we shall soon see, in
order to conciliate some who were opposed to the set*
2*
18 PBECINCT CONTROVERSY, AND
ting-ofF of a precinct. The next day after John Weth-
erell was added to the committee, the following peti-
tion to the town of Taunton was prepared and duly
signed : —
" March ye 23d, 1708. — Wliereas divers Inhabitants of
Taunton north purchase, together with divers of the Inhabi-
tants of Taunton old township, bordering on the north pur-
chase, made choice of we, the subscribers, whome they chose
as thare Agents to make request to the town to bound us out a
precinct for the maintanance of a minister ; we, whose names
are underwritten, do therefore, in the behalf of our friends
and neighbours, humbly & earnestly desire the town seriously
to consider of the vary difficult circumstances that we are
under in liveing so remote from the publique worship of God,
that great part of the year we cannot come to meeting ; and
that we can at no time of the year, without very great difi-
culty, bring allmost any of our children to meeting : so that,
if we continue long after this manner, the sowls of our children,
and those under our care and charge, will be in danger of
perishing for lack of knowledge, for it is Evident from scriptre
that faith comes by heering, and heering by the word preacht-
Tho we are not insencable of our poverty, and great dificulty
that we shall thereby meet with in carrying on such desire, yet,
on the other hand, we have cans to be thankful! that our neigh-
bours are generally very forward to promote so good a work ;
and our povertye can be no Argument to have our precink
lesened, but rather Enlarged, wharefore we Earnestly desire
and hope that the town will forward and incorage so good a
design, and grant that the military line may be the bounds
of the precint, which is hurt's brook, and from the mouth of
sd. brook to the bridge neer william wetherell, and from sd.
bridge north-Estardly to the north-purchase line ; that so we
may not have one line for the military, and another for the
minister, and, in hopes you will grant us this our request, we
subscribe ourselves your humble petioners,
"George Leonard.
John Wetherell.
Nicholas White." ^
1 State Papers, voL cxiii. p. 618.
INCORPORATION OP THE TOWN. 19
The town of Taunton, it seems, did not accede to
the request of these petitioners. They therefore turned
their steps towards the Great and General Court at
Boston ; and, on arriving, presented themselves in this
form : —
" To his Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esquire, Capt.-Generall
and Govemor-in-chief in and over her majestie's province
of the Massachusetts bay in New England; And to the
Honored councill and Representatives now convened in
Generall court this 20 day of October, 1708.
**The humble petition of Diverse of the Inhabitants of
Taunton North purchase, and Diverse of the Inhabitants
of Taunton old Township bordering on said north purchase,
humbly sheweth, that sd. Inhabitants being vary sensible of
the great dificulty they are now under in hveing so remote
from the pubUck worship of Grod, and the great need of have-
ing it settled amongst them, that so their children, and those
under their care and charge, as well as themselves, may Injoy
the meens of Grace, They made choice of us, the subscribers,
to be their agents, to make known their desire to the town of
Taunton to have a precint bounded out to them for their
maintenance of a minister to dispence the word of God among
them ; and also to petition the Generall Court to settle the
bounds of sd. precint ; and also to procure an able orthodox
minister to be orderly settled among them, as may appear by
a writeing under their hands, dated November the 27th, 1707,
and also on the 23d of march, 1 708 ; by which writing they
also promise to pay their proportion by way of rate for the
maintanance of sd. minister provided as abovesd. In per-
sueance of sd. power and trust commited to us, we have com-
municated this matter to the town of Taunton, at a town
meeting; and although we have Great Incorragement that
the most considerable Leading men will be and are for it, yet
there is some few that do hesitate about the bounds That we
desire for sd. precint ; so that hetherto nothing of that nature
is finished, and seeing our young ones increase and grow up
apace, and that the Lord hath in marcy (as we hope it is in
marcy) so Inclined the hearts of our neighbours so earnestly
to desire and seek after this thing, we therefore, the sub-
scribers, as agents for and in the behalf of sd. Inhabitants, do
humbly pray this Generell Court to grant this our humble
petition, and the bounds of sd. precint which we desire is,
20 PBECINCT CONTROVERSY,^ AND
the line or bounds of the military company called the North-
purchase company may be the bounds of the said precinct,
which is a brook called hurt's brook, and from the mouth of
8d. brook to wennaconnit bridge, and from sd. bridge north-
easterd to the North-purchase line, but leaveing out of sd.
precinct all the inhabitants in the North purchase that com-
monly go to Bridgewater meeting, who live on the Estardly
side of the rhode that Leeadeth from winnacunnit to the bay,
— for they in time hope to be a precinct with part of Bridge-
water, which we shall not oppose, — but takeing into sd. pre-
cinct all belonging to Taunton old Township within the
bounds above mentioned, but, if all the North purchase ware
Enexed to Taunton for the present, we think it woald be best
for the manag^ing of public concerns ; only that the lands
within the bounds settled and agreed on between the propria-
tors of Taunton North purchase and thair neighbours, on all
parts, be confirmed to said proprietors, and the abovesaid pre-
cinct settled for the maintainance of the ministry in said
precinct, and we farther pray that this honored court woald
'also apoint a committee to order where the meeting-house
shoald be sett, all which, if this honoured court please to
grant, your humble petitioners shall, as in duty they are bound,
ever pray.
" George Leonard, \ Agents for and in the behalf
Nicholas White, j of said Inhabitants." i
The following action was taken by the General Court
upon this petition : —
" 22 Octo., 1708. — Read in Council ; and Ordered, that
the Selectmen of Taunton be served with a copy of this
Peton., and heard thereupon before this Court upon the
Second Tuesday of the next Session of ye sd. Court, if any
thing they have to say why the prayer of the within Petition
should not be granted. *
" Is A. Addington, Secry.
" Sent down for concurrence."
** In the House of Representatives, Oct. 25, 1708. — Read
and Passed a concurrence. And that the Hearing be upon the
Second Tuesday of the next Session of this Court.
" Agreed : Thomas Oliver, Speaker.
" Consented to : J. Dudley." *
^ State Papers, vol. cxiii. p. 610.
* General-Court Records, vol. viii. p. 891.
INCOBPOBATION OP THE TOWN. 21
It appears that what was called Taunton South Pur-
chase made a move simultaneously with the North
Purchase to be set off as a precinct. How the order
of the General Court on these petitions was received
at Taunton will be manifest by the following papers : —
"Taunton, Feb. ye first day, 1708-9. — Whereas ye
selectmen of our town was served with a coppy of ye North
porches and South purches petitions, and they caused ye
town to meet together this day, and Read thayr petitions in
ye town-meating, where matters were fairly debated; and
there being many men of many minds, so that nothing was
concluded on, only some persons would have ye selectmen to
take thayr time, and write ye Court an answer.
^ So the assembly ware dismised.
" John Wilbore, Town Clerk." *
Three weeks go by, and another town-meeting is
held in reference to the matter. Here is the evi-
dence : —
** At a Legall Town-meeting, warned and held at Taunton
publick meeting-house, the 22 day of February, 1708-9, It
was voted that the town do Impower the present selectmen to
make return to the Generall Court in answer.
" A true coppy ; transcribed by me,
" John Wilbore, Town Clerk." ^
In obedience to this vote, the selectmen, the next
May, at the opening of the General Court, make an
answer as follows : —
" To his Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esquire, Captain- Gene-
rall, Governor-in-chief in and over her majestie's Provence
of the Massachusetts bay, and the rest of the honerable
Councill and Representatives Convened in Generall Court,
May the 25, 1709, humbly Sheweth: —
" That whereas the Honoured Court sent to the Selectmen
of Taunton to show their reasons (if any they have) why
Taunton North purchase and South Purchase should not have
their prayer granted, —
1 State Papers, vol. xi. pp. 297 and 298.
22 PRECJINCJT CONTROVERSY, AND
"In answer whereunto, we say, that although it hath
pleased God to Increase our numbers, — which, we hope, is
in mercy, — yet must say, that, through the providence of
God, a great many are so extream poor, and rates and taxes
80 high, that we find it hard and dificult to rub along ; and
the Generality of the North purchase are so poor, that we
ffear they will not be able to build a meeting-house and to
maintain a minister." . • •
Here follows what the selectmen have to say about
the South Purchase, which we omit. The document
concludes thus: —
" But as for the North purchase, we think it bettier ffor
them to be a Township than a precinct.
" This is our last and finall answer, uppon mature con-
cideration.
" Israel Thrasher, ">
John Spur, >• Selectmen.
Ezra Dean, )
" We whose names are underwritten are of the same mind
with those above, —
" Thomas Leonard, Henry Hodges, Samuel Deane, Seth
Williams, Joseph Williams."^
On the same date as the above, the Precinct Com-
mittee present the following statement to the General
Court : —
" To his Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esquire, &c., 25 day of
May, 1709.2
" Whereas we, the subscribers, ageints for and in the behalff
of divers of the Inhabitants of Taunton north purchase,
and divers of the inhabitants of Taunton old Township,
belonging to the north purchase millatary company, have
petitioned this Honoured Court to bound said Inhabitants
a precinct for the maintainance of a minister; and, in said
petition, we have not informed the Honoured Court how far
said inhabitants dwell from Taunton meeting-house; these
are, tharefore, to Inform this Honoured Court, that Benjamin
Newland, Elezer Edy, and Ebenezer Edy, who dwell the
1 State Papers, vol. cxiii. p. 614.
3 We omit a portion of the formula in this and following documents.
INCORPORATION OP THE TOWN. 28
nearest to Taunton meeting-hoase of anj of sd. InhabitantSy
dwell at least five miles and a half from Taunton meeting-
house, as neer as can be computed; and william wetherell,
Sen., John wetherell, Elezer Fisher, Israel ffisher, Nathaniel
fisher, dwell about six miles from sd. meeting-house; and
John Austin, John Briggs, junior, william Cob, Nicholas
Smith, John Newland, Thomas Stevens, John Hodges, and
Richard Briggs, dwell about seven miles from sd. meeting-
house; as also Thomas Braman, Robert Tucker, and Na-
thaniel Hodges, and Samuel Hodges. Selvanis Cambell,
William hodges, George Leonard, John Briggs, and Joseph
Briggs, DweU about eight miles from sd. meeting-house ; and
John Lane and John Cob dwell near 9 mile from sd. meeting-
house; and petter Aldrich, nicholas white, mathew white,
Seth Dorman, John Hall, John Caswell, Benjamin Caswell,
and Joseph Elliot, dwell about ten miles from sd. meeting-
house. Benjamin williams dwelleth about Eleven mile and
a half from sd. meeting-house, all these abovenamed go to
Taunton meeting : but Isaac Shepherd, Thomas Grover, An-
drew Grover, Ephraim Grover, Ephraim Sheldon, John
Skinner, Samuel Brintnell, dwell farther from Taunton meet-
ing than these abovenamed, [so] that they commonly go to
wrentham meeting; and they dwell six^ seven, and eight
miles from wrentham meeting. This account is as neer
as can be computed without mesuring; as witness our
hands,
" George Leonard.
Nicholas White." ^
Taunton people now bestir themselves again in oppo-
sition to the petitioners, and take more decisive steps
than heretofore. We have this document for proof: —
"June the first, 1709. — At a Legall Towu meeting,
warned and held at Taunton publick meeting-house, . . .
" 2. It was put to vote, whether the town would chuse a
committee of five men to give Reasons, in behalf of the Town,
to the General Court, why the petitions of the North and
South purchases should not be granted.
"3. It was voted,, that the town shall chuse five men to
make Return to the Generall Court, and give their reasons
why the prayers of the North and South purchasers should
1 State Papers, vol. cxiii. p. 616.
24 PRECINCT CONTROVERSY, AND
not be granted ; and the persons then chosen for the commit-
tee were Lieut. James Leonard, Thomas Harvey, Ensighn
Phillip King, Ensign Thomas Gilbert, and Jonathan Padle-
ford.
" Taunton, June the 6th, 1709.
" A true copy ; transcribed by me,
" John Wilbore, Town Clerk.*' *
Pour days after the town-meeting, when the above-
named committee were chosen, they knock at the doors
of the General Court in behalf of the town, and present
the following remonstrance against the prayer of the
petitioners : —
" To his Excly. Joseph Dudley, Esquire, &c . . .
" Whereas George Leonard and Nicholas White, as they
call themselves, agents for and in behalf of divers of the In-
habitants of Taunton North purchase, and divers of the
Inhabitants of Taunton old Township, prefered a petition to
this honred. Court on ye 20th day of October, 1708, for the
settling a precinct according to certain bounds sett forth in sd.
petition ; and in Reading sd. petition, in Octo. 22, 1708, this
great and Generall Court ordered That the selectmen of
Taunton be served with a coppy of sd. petition, and to be
heard thereuppon, &c., upon ye second Tuesday of the next
Session of this Court, If any thing they have- to say why the
prayer of the petitioners should not be granted ; and, that
the matter may stand In a true Light, we the subscribers, a
committe chosen in Taunton, would humbly offer to this
honrd. Court, that, when the tract of land was bought (called
the North purchase) by the Inhabitants of Taunton, It was
designed for a Township by it Self,^ and not any ways to
1 State Papers, vol. xi. p. 299.
3 There is some evidence to show that this statement is correct, as
will be seen from the following extract from the North-Purchase Records,
p. 12: —
" May the 13th, 1696. — At a meeting of the proprietors of the north
purchase, being legally warned, the said proprietors voted and agreed that
the Representatives now chosen by Taunton to Represent them in the
Great and General Court, are, by said proprietors, desired and Impowered
to Inform the General Court of their circumstances, and to Indeavour that
no part of said North Purchase be put under Attleborough ; hoping that said
North Purchase may be capable to be a Township itseliin some short time,
and whereas diverse of Bridgewater men have bought Land in said North
Purchase, the Representative for Bridgewater is desired also to be helpful!
in the premises."
mCORPOBATION OP THE TOWN. 25
Damnific the old township bj taking anj of the Inhabitants
thereof then settled, or to be settled, to make the purchase a
Township or precinct: for. If* that may be, our forefathers
and some of us layed out our own money miserably to our
own wrong, and to the wronging of our poor old town, and
the petitioners well knew all these sircumstances before they
settled, and their iiaprudent settling sd. north purchase pro-
cares these difficulties ; for, had they settled in or about the
middle of sd. purchase, the people that are now there would
have been capable of being a Township, and so to maintain
A minister without breaking or harming the old town, and
whereas it is Insinuated in sd. petition, that, when they had
communicated to the town, They had Incoridgement that the
most considerable Leading men would be for it, and as If
there were but some few that did hessitate about the bounds ;
which must needs be some great mistake, or something else:
for the town being warned together by the selectmen, upon
their being served with a coppy of their petition, to consider
that matter (and the south-purchase petition), there was such
A contention and tumult betwixt the town, — that is, the
whole body almost of the town and leading men and petition-
ers, — that the meeting was dismised, and nothing done but
confusion, and now we come to some few objections against
granting the payer of sd. petition (we humbly hope and fear
will doo),^upon a due consideration. First, as has been hinted,
it is very grievous to and contrary to the minds of the body
of the people of the old township, — Excepting some few that
are Related and some ways Interrested, as things plainly ap-
pear to us, — and. If granted, we very much fear will unsettell
us in our present settled state. 21y, we know no part of the
old-township Inhabitants but are Equally concerned and
obliged to pay to the Reverend Mr. Saml. Danforth, our
settled minister. Though some may pretend that it is butt
an Inconsiderable thing that is Desired, we must say it is a
great thing ; for our charges are almost Intolerable already,
and growing Every day. and the line the petitioners speak
of would Incompass almost all our meadows, for they lye
cheifly in that part of the town ; and will seperate some new
houses from their lands, which must needs be a great confu-
sion. 3dly, Sundry of our neighbours of the old Township,
which will be Incomposed within sd. line, If Granted, —
considerable men, — have been with our selectmen, and mani-
fested their great unwillingness to be joyned with the north
26 PRECINCT CONTROVERSY, AND
purchase as a precinct, and offered to us sundry papers sig-
nifiing that they had been persuaded and imposed upon by
some of ye north purchase to joyn with them to petition for a
precinct, but they wholly Refused ; but, upon some other
considerations, did sighn some of their papers, and so when
they had got their hands and by these tricks the poor sub-
scribers are quite contrary to their tiainds and Intents.
Improve them, as it were deceiptfully, to make them part of
the Intended precinct; which actions cannot be consistent
with the truth and their good promises, but must needs be
Displeasing to almighty God. the selectmen not agreeing to
make answer to this honord. Court, the selectmen warn a
Town-meeting, June 1st, 1709 ; and the Town and petitioners
mett together ; and the town chose a commite, which are the
subscribers, to act and make answers to this honord. Court,
now, for which reasons we have layed down, and what may
be farther offered, we do Desire and humbly hope that this
honard. Court will so far in their wisdom consider the mater
as not to grant the precinct Desired, Least it should be the
begining of trouble with us. we would farther offer this
honrd. Court, as the mind of the whole town, that they are
very willing and Desirous that the north purchase should
have all previlidges proper and needfuU for them, both
civil and Ecliasticall ; and, therefore, have not the least to say
against their being a township of themselves, according as was
Intended from ye foundation of it (as above was hinted), and
not any way to Joyn to, or Entermeddle with, the old town-
ship, or that with sd. purchase, craving pardon for our
boldness, and a charatable construction of what we have writ,
we pray the allmighty God to Direct you in all the affairs
before you, and subscribe your honar's most humble ser-
vants.
" Dated Taunton, June 4th, 1709.
" Jams. Leonard,
Phillp King,
Thomas Gilbert,
Thomas Harvey,
Jonathan Padleford,
By this time, the opposers of setting off a precinct
had succeeded in creating a division among the peti-
tioners. Hence some of them, with others who lived
y Commity."
1 State Papers, vol. cxiii. p. 609.
INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN. 27
in the neighborhood of Winneconnet Pond, send to the
General Court a remonstrance against being set off as
a precinct. There is no date upon it ; but I think it
must be the next document in course.
" To his Excellency Joseph Dudley, Elsqr., &c. . . .
** We whose names are underwritten, being inhabitants of
ye town of Taunton, humbly sheweth, That wee being very
sensible of ye great daingur we are in of being Impoverished
and brought to great distress for y t, to witt, Som of our neigh-
bours, Inhabitance of sd. Taunton, and som of ye west part
of Taunton North purchase, being ofton very importanat with
ns to agine with them to pertition ye General Court to grant
them a precints ; but we, knowing ye inability of ourselves
and our neighbors, cold not comply with them ; but they, afler
pleading there want of a precints to be granted to them, and
their inability to maintain ye sam without our help, we, will-
ing to doe them a cindness, did, som of us, signified to ym, yt
if they wold pertition ye General Court to grant a township
to the whole north purchase, and so much of Taunton as was
agined to them in ye military, that we would agine with them,
som of us whose names are underwritten, and ye rest of us, did
wholly refuse to sett our hands to any writ ting Either for a
township or precincts neither : But tliey, having pertitioned ye
honored Court for to grant them a precints, contrary to our
minds and intent, and hath sett forth ye limets of sd. precints
to make us a part thereof, which will be no benifit to us, but so
great a charg yt will soon bring us to poverty ; for we are not
able to pay our parts to a precints charg, and to pay ratts to
ye town also. And, as ye petitioners do preten to ye want of
a minister to dispence ye word of God to them, we say we are
in no such want ; for we have ye benifitt of hearing ye word
preacht by ye Reverant Mr. Danforth, under whose ministry
we desire to continue. Therefore we pray ye honored Cort
to consider our condition, yt we may not be consarned with
any precints, but yt we may injoy our privilidges as for-
merlly. And whereas som of us (namely, John wetherel, John
Nulan, Benjamin Nulan, Nicholas Smith, John Briggs, junior)
did sett our hands to som of there papers, but we understood
ourselves only conserned with them for a township ; but we
understand they have made a wrong improvement of our
names : we did not think they wold have taken such advan-
tage as to improve our names as pertitioners with them for a
28 PRECINCT CONTBOTEBSY, AND
precints. But our comfort is, yt ye honored Cort will not
suffur us to wrong one another, we subscribe ourselves jour
most humble petitioners,
" William Wetherell, sen. John Briggs, junp-
John Austin. John Nulan.
Edward Whit. Ben. Nulan.
Jeremiah Wetherell. Nicholas Smith.
Jeremiah Newland. Willlam Cob.*'*
John Wethell.
All parties, as it seems, having now said what they
desired in reference to the matter, the General Court
take the following action relating thereto : —
"June 8, 1709. In Council. — Upon the hearing of the
several petitions of the inhabitants of the No. and So. Pur-
chases, in Taunton, to be made seperate Precints for the
settling and support of the ministry in the respective
places, —
" Resolved, that Nathaniel Thomas, Nathaniel Byfield,
and James Warren, Esqrs., be a committee to repair to
Taunton, and view the said several Purchases, and, upon
consideration of all circumstances, to set off proper Precints
to encourage the good Ends desired by the Petitioners, and to
advise and Direct to the most suitable places for tlie rais-
ing of their meeting-houses, and to make their report to the
next Session of this Court for conformation, — Nathaniel
Thomas, Esqr., to appoint the Time. The charges of the
said Committee to be borne by the said Precints.
" Wch Resolve, being sent down to the Representves,
waS'Concur'd in by that House.
" And is consented to. " J. Dudley." ^
Tlio committee attend to their duty, and prepare
their report at Taunton. It is probably known in tho
vicinity, that the committee are favorable to the pre-
cinct petitioners : hence the opposition make another
demonstration to influence the General Court in their
favor. The following remonstrances against a precinct,
and in favor of a township, — the first from that part
of the North Purchase which is now Easton, and the
1 State Papers, vol. cxiii. p. 611.
3 Becords of Ueneral Court, vol. viii. pp. 441-2.
INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN. 29
other from individuals in the vicinity of Winneconnet
Pond, — were probably presented after the committee
made their report, possibly before : —
" September », 1709.
« To his Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esqr., &c. . . .
"Wee ye subscribers, Inhabitance and propriators of
Taunton North purcheis (so called), humbly sheweth, that
whereas we understand that som of our neighbours, with som
of ye inhabitants of Taunton, have obtained incoragement
from this General Cort to be a Precints ; but, forasmuch as
our neighbours have not acquainted us therewith as they
ought to do, we, being major part of sd. purceis inhabitance,
and ye first Setiers, do, in all humble submition, ofer to your
honors ye unhapy effects yt may happen, not only to our-
selves, but to ye whole tract of Land which was, from ye
foundation, intended for a township, which now it is capable
of; theire being many inhabitance already settled, and
many more going to settel, on said tract of Land. But if
there be so great a part of sd. Land taken of as we under-
stand is set forth for a precints by those honorable gentell-
men ye committy, who have doon according to their plesure ;
and if ye meeting-hous be bult whare sd. committy hath
appynted, — which is neare ye west End of sd. purchies, which
will be servicable but to very few ; wh. will be a means to
spyle ye sd. tract of Land, and caus it to be wholly unfitt for
a township, and frusterate ye intention of us, ye proprietors
thereof, and will discorage many from setling on their Lands
in sd. purcheis. And whareas they have left about one-third
part of sd. purchies of ye East part, supposing Bridgewater will
add part of their town to it, to make ye part a precints, it is
a great mistake, ye inhabitance of Bridgewater give us no
such incoragement. Therefore we pray this honered Cort,
that there may be no pertition-lines between ye one end of our
sd. purcheis and ye other ; but yt, if ye Honered Court
thinks it convenient, wee pray yt ye Honered Cort would
grant us a township, with all the privilidges belonging to a
town, to ye whole north purcheis, and so much of Taunton
old township as belongs to our military Company, which is
from ye mouth of a Broock called Burt's Brook, and from
thence to wenaconett bridge, and from thence north-East to
ye sd. north purchies line ; and yt ye meeting-hous may be set
in ye most conveniant place in ye senter, between the East
and ye west End, which we concive will be most convenient
3»
80 PRECINCT CONTROVERSY, AND
for ye whole town, both for ye worship of God on Sabbath
dayes and for militery trainings, and all other publick meet-
ings. And wee would humbly say, yt wee are very sensable
yt we are in a great nesessity of an able orthedox minister
to be setled amongst us, to dispence ye word of God amongst
us ; which, when we are a town, we hope we shall be able to
procure and settel amongst us ; which wee hoop we shall soon
indevor for, that tharein we may be happy. And whareas
some have objected, and said yt ye north purcheis is to long
to com to one mitteng, we think it a great mistack : for we can
come to ye senter; and why cannot those who do object
against it com as well as we ? And, furder, we pray this
Cort to give a name unto our town ; but, if this Cort thinks it
not proper to grant us our petition, we pray the precints
may not be confirmed to those who have pertitioned for ye
8am, but it may be suspended untell ye Cort can be beter
informed. We do appynt and impower to be 9ur adiants
to prefare this our pertition to ye Honered Cort. we Sub-
scribe ourselves your most humble pertitioners, —
" William Manley, Sener, .Thomas Drake, John Phillips,
Benjamin Drake, William Manley, jun., John Daily, Cle-
mant Briggs, Ephraim Howell, Isaac Leonard, John Drake,
George Hall, John Howard, Nathaniel Ames, Samuel Leach,
Ephraim Howard, William Ames, James Keith, Samuel
Lathrop, Sener, Samuel Lathrop, Juner, Nathaniel Packard,
Joseph Hayward, Jame. (?) Haris."*
" To ye Honered Generall Cort held at Boston.
"We ye subscribers, Inhabitance of Taunton, liveing
within ye precints Line of ye North purcheis, on ye Easterly
part thereof, in all humble submition doe offer to this Cort, yt
whereas our naighbors have obtained a precints to be set
forth by a Committy appynted for ye same, and they have
taken us into said precints, which was contrary to our minds,
altho' we signified our minds to sd. Commity yt we ware not
willing to be cut of from our minister and mitting-hous in
Taunton; and sd. Committy, as wee are informed, hath
appynted ye place for ye bulding sd. mitting-hous so near ye
west End of sd. North purcheis yt we shall have no benifitt
thereby, so yt we are like to be in wors condition than we
ware in before; it being so remote from us, and a more
uneasy way to travill on : Tharfore, if it be ye pleasure of
1 State Papers, vol. xi. p. 802.
INCOBPOBATION OF THE TOWK. 81
this Cort jt wee must be drawn of from our minister and mit-
ting-hous, unto which we have heatherto belonged, and have
lajed out part of jt littel Estate yt we have towards ye su-
porting of, and help with others to buld another mitting-hous,
and settell another minister, we pray yt ye whole north pur«
chies, and je part of Taunton which belongs to ye miletary
Company, may be made a township, and ye mitting-hous may
be sett whare it may be servisable for the whole town; which^
we conseive, will be a great benefitt to all ye inhabitance
within ye tract of Land : for it is a great pity but so good a
work should be prophitable to all ye inhabitance abovesaid ;
whereas, if ye mitting-house be bult in ye place whare it is
tppynted, it will be prophitable to but a very few. We sub-
scribe ourselves your most humble pertiti oners,
" Dated in Taunton, " JOHN BriGGS, Junior.
September 13, Ana Domini 1709. JoHN AUSTIN.
Jeremiah Wetherel.
William Cob.
" We desire yt Mr. Robert Edward Whit.
Crosman may deliver these John Wbtherell.
lines into ye Cort Benjamin Newxand.
Nicholas Smith.
Walter Mert.
John Newland.
Jeremiah Newland."*
In accordance, it is presumed, with the desire of
these parties, a "bill" for a township ^ was intro-
duced, but did not meet with the approbation of the
court.
The friends of a precinct, probably through fear that
they might lose the boon desired, send the following
paper to the court, giving " Some Reasons for the
speedy granting Taunton North and South purchase
their petitions : " —
" 1st, Because now is the time that the spirit of God seems
to move the hearts of those people So earnestly to desire it.
" 2dly, Because, if it be now granted, it is to be hoped that
some most considerable persons will be Incouraged to come
and settle there, when they know that an orthodox minister is
settled there.
1 State Papers, vol. xi. p. 302. * Ibid. vol. cxiii. p. 616.
82 PRECINCT CONTROVERSY, AND
" 3dly, Because it is to be feared, if there be no settlement
of the ministry among them till some of those leading men
among them are taken away, and others grown up in their
room that will be brot up in an ungospellised way, many of
them will be so far from desiring a minister, that, if some
among them should Invite a minister among them, some others
would warn him away.
" 41y, Because, if the court do not grant what is desired to
settle a minister in these places, when the report thereof is
spread abroad that these people desired such a Grant, bat
the Court would not grant it, It is to be feared that it will be
an Incouragement to some Envious persons to come and set*
tie there, to the undoing of the places, and creating trouble to
the Government; whereas it is to be hoped that a timely
settlement of the ministry there will be a means to make
those places useful in the Government, and happy to the
Inhabitants.
" These petitioners do not act through any dislike to their
present pastor, nor to the church in Taunton, but have as
great a love for, and esteem of, said pastor and church, as to
render them well satisfied and contented, if their habitations
were near enough to the meeting,
*' And the pastor hath as great a love and respect for
them, both in the north and south purchase.
"Therefore it is not any discontent or Animosity that
causeth the petitioners to stir as they do, but only that they
and their children may Injoy the means of grace nearer to
them." 1
In due time, the committee sent to Taunton to view
the territory, &c., report as follows (what relates to the
South Precinct is omitted) : —
" Taunton, Augt. 81, 1709.
" Pursuant to an order of the Great and General Court,
dated June ye 8th, 1709, to us Directed to Repaire to Taun-
ton, and view the several tracts of land which the Inhabitants
of the North and South purchases in Taunton have Peti-
tioned to be made separate precints, for the settling and
support of the ministry in said Respective places ; —
" And we, the subscribers, having viewed the said several
Tracts, and heard the allegations of the opposite Parties
- ■ - — ■ — ■ - - ■ - , ^
1 There is no name attached to the foregoing ** reasons.'* — See State
Papers, vol. cxiii. p. 617.
INCOBPORATION OF THE TOWN. 88
tliereto, upon consideratioo of all circumstances, hare sett the
Bounds of the several Precints as follows : That is to saj.
That the Bounds of the North Precint (according to their
petition) shall begin at the Line between the two late Colo-
nies of the Massachusetts and Plymouth, in the line of the
bounds between Taunton North Purchase and Attleboro', and
from thence southward to Rehoboth North-Elast comer;
ind from thence Eastward, on the said North-Purchase Line,
to Taunton Bounds ; and from thence Eastward to the mouth
of the Brook called Burt's Brook, Leaving out Capt. Hodge's
Land at Burt's Brook, and extending from the mouth of
Burt's Brook to the Bridge made over the mill River, near
WiUiam Wetherell's ; and from thence North-Eastward to the
North-Purchase line; and, from the North-Purchase line,
the road that leads from said Bridge towards Boston to be
the bounds till it come to the Line between the said late Colo-
nies ; wch Line to be the Bounds to Attleborough Bounds
aforesaid. . . «
*^ And that the meeting-house for the said North Precint
be sett on the Northward side of the waj that leads over
' Rnmford river at Crossman's waj, at the place where the
way crosseth it that leads from John Hodge's to the Beech
Island. .
^ Li testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands,
"Nathaniel Thomas.
Nathaniel Byfield.
James Warren."*
•« 16th Sept., 1709.
** In Council. — Bead and accepted.
"Isa. Addington, Seciry.
" Sent down for concurrence.
"In the House of Representatives, Septr. 19, 1709. —
Read and concur'd, with the proviso annexed.
"John Clark, Speaker.
"Provided that the East End of the North Purchase
shall have half the sa'd Purchase as their Precint when they
are able to maintain a minister, and this Court shall judge
them so.
" Agreed to the Proviso in Council.
" IsA. Addington, Secty.
" Consented to. " J. Dudley." ^
1 State Papers, vol. zi. p. 296. > Court Records, vol. viii. p. 470.
84 PRECINCT CONTROVERSY, AND
And thus this long and exciting controversy is
brought to a close by the action of the General Court
granting the prayer of the petitioners for a precinct.
George Leonard and Nicholas White, after more than
two years of struggle, have most signally triumphed
over their opposers. But they do not stop here. They
are men of energy and influence ; and they do not, in
the joy of success, forget the purpose for which they
have labored so faithfully. Hence, almost with the zeal
of the prophets of old, they move onward, as we shall
hereafter see, towards the goal of their efforts, — the
establishing of the gospel ministry in the newly cre-
ated precinct, which at this time, as it appears from
the township-bill already alluded to, contained more
than forty families.
We may as well record here as anywhere the fact,
that, before a minister was settled to dispense the gos-
pel truths to the friends of the precinct and their
children, the territory erected into a precinct, as above
recorded, was incorporated into a town.
"March 17th, 1710-11. — The following Order passed by
the Council and Assembly respectively, upon the Petition
of the North Precinct in Taunton, Praying to be made a
Town, having the consent of Taunton therefor ; viz. : —
"Ordered, That the North Precinct in Taunton be, and
hereby is, granted to be a Town, distinct from the Town of
Taunton, by the name of Norton, and have and enjoy the
Powers, Immunities, and Privileges by law granted to Town-
ships; and that a bill be projected, and brought in at the next
Session of this Court, fully to perfect the sd. Grant. Pro-
vided that the East End of the North Purchase shall have
half the said Purchase as their Precinct when they are able
to maintain a minister, and this Court judge them so.
" Consented to. " J. Dudley." ^
Rev. Pitt Clarke, in his " Historical Discourse,"
preached July 3, 1825, says it was " named Norton in
conformity to a corporate town of this name in Oxford-
shire, seventy-four miles north-west of London ; " and
1 Geueral-Court Records, vol. ix. p. 100.
INCORPORATION OP THE TOWN. 35
his statement is undoubtedly correct. Many of the
first settlers in America gave the name of their birth-
place or some neighboring locality to the towns where
they settled in New England. Most of the settlers of
Taunton were from Taunton and its vicinity in Eng-
lancl, and hence gave their settlement a name that
wouMcall up old, associations of the home they had
left, ^he town of Norton in England lies northerly,
and boft|ers upoji Taunton ; and therefore, very natu-
rally, wh<^ o^r jown received its " baptismal name,"
it was caliecf M)rton, because it and Taunton were
situated relatUrely as Norton and Taunton in Old
England w^o/ Rev. Charles H. Brigham, of Taun-
ton, in a l|^t^ he wrote while on a visit to Taunton,
England, Jnd published in the "Taunton Whig" of
Aug. 4, 1^^, speaking of the points of resemblance
between/the two towns of Taunton, says, " Bridge-
water li^$ on the north-east of both, and Norton on
the nora-west." He says, also, "There is a queer
disticl^which runs, —
* Taunton was a furzy down
When Norton was a market-town.* "
We here present to our readers the Act of Incofpo-
ration, and with it close this chapter : —
** An Act for raising a new Town by the name of Norton,
within the County of Bristol.
" Whereas the tract of Land commonly called and known
by the name of the North Purchase, Lying situate within the
Township of Taunton, in the county of Bristol, circumscribed
within the Lines and Bounder ies prescribed by a committee
some time since appointed by the General Assembly, as fol-
lows; viz.: Beginning at the Line between the two late
Colonies of the 5lassachusetts and Plymouth, in the line of
the said North purchase and Attleborough ; from thence Run-
ning Southward to Rehoboth North-East Corner; and from
thence Eastward, on the North-purchase Line, to Taunton
bounds ; thence eastward to the Mouth of the Brook calld
Burt's Brook, and extending from the mouth of Burt's
Brook to the Bridge over the Mill River, near Wm. Wither-
el's ; and from thence North-eastward to the North-Purchase
86 PBECINCT CONTROVERSY.
Line ; and, from the North-purchase Line, the Road that leads
from the said Bridge towards Boston to be the Bounds till it
come to the Line betwixt the two Late Colonies aforesaid ;
which Line to be the bounds to Attleborough aforesaid was
set off from Taunton by and with the consent of that Town,
and by an order of the General Assembly, passed at their
Session in March, 1710, made a distinct and separate Town
from Tawnton, containing a sufficient quantity of Lands and
a competent number of Inhabitants for that pui*pose, and
named Norton ; the full perfecting of the said Grant being
adjourned and refered to the present Courts.
**In pursuance, therefore, of the afore-recited Order and
Grant, and for the completing and perfecting of the same. Be
it enacted by his Excellency the Governor, Council, and
Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the
authority of the same, That the aforesaid Tract of Land com-
monly called the North Purchase, circumscribed and bounded
as above expressed. Be and is Granted to be a Township
Distinct and separate from Taunton ; the Town to be named
Norton, and the Inhabitants thereof to have. Use, Excercise,
and enjoy all such Immunities, Powers, and Privileges as
other Towns within this Province have and do by Law excer-
cise and enjoy, so that the said Inhabitants settle an able.
Learned, Orthodox Minister in the said Town, and from time
to time allow him a Comfortable support.
" Provided Nevertheless, That the Inhabitants in the east
end of the said North Purchase shall have one-half of the
said Purchase as their Precinct, when they are able to main-
tain a minister, and this Court judge them so.
"June 12th, iril.
" This Bill, having been read three several times in the
House of Representatives, passed to be enacted.
"John Burrill, Speaker.
" Read three several times in Council, Concured, and
passed to be enacted.
" Isaac Addington, Sectry.
" By his Excellency.
" I consent to the enacting of this Bill.
« J. Dudley."
TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL BISTORT. 87
CHAPTER IV.
TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY.
" Nature is but a name for an eflTeet,
Whose cause is Qod." — Cowpuu
The town of Norton, as originally constituted, was
bounded northerly by Dorchester (now Foxborough,
Sharon, and Stoughton), easterly by Bridgewater,
southerly by Taunton and Rehoboth, and westerly
by Attleborough. It is now bounded northerly by
Mansfield, easterly by Easton, and southerly and west-
erly as when first incorporated.
Its length, on the north, is about five and a half
miles ; on the south, about seven miles. Its breadth
is about five miles at the westerly end, and a little
more than three and a half at the easterly end : and it
embraces an area of eighteen thousand two hundred and
sixty-four acres ; of which the roads occupy about two
hundred and eighty-four acres, and about two hundred
and sixty-six acres are covered with water.
Ji is situated in the northerly part of Bristol County ;
and the old meeting-house which stood on the Com-
mon, nearly in front of the present Congregational
church, was in latitude 41° 58^ 0V^90 north, and in
longitude 71° 11^ 35^^73 west, from Greenwich.'
Norton is about twenty-eight miles south of Boston ;
nearly the same distance northerly from New Bedford ;
and eighteen miles north-easterly from Providence,
K.I.
It has four villages. The Centre is the largest ;
consisting of about sixty houses, two churches, one
public-house, two stores, and the Wheaton Female
Seminary.
^ American Statistical Collections, vol. 1. p. 107.
4
88 TOPOGRAPHT AND NATURAL HISTOET.
Barrowsville is two miles to the south-west, and
consists of about twenty-five houses, a store, a Wes-
leyan-Methodist chapel, and a large cotton factory;
half of the population at least being foreigners.
The Copper-works Village is about two miles south-
erly, and consists of about twenty-five houses, the
copper establishments of Crocker Brothers and Com-
pany, and a store. A large portion of the population
is Irish.
Winneconnet Village is three miles east from the
centre, near where the first settlement was made ; and
contains some twenty houses, a Calvinist-Baptist church,
a store, &c. Its inhabitants are principally native-born,
and industrious farmers.*
The only natural pond is the Winneconnet,^ in the
south-eastern part of the town, on the shores of which
was erected the first civilized habitation within our
limits. It is a beautiful sheet of water, embracing an
area of about a hundred and twenty-five acres, and
abounding in fine pickerel and other fish.
Rumford River, occasionally on the old records called
" Ten-mile " River, rises in the westerly part of Sha-
ron, runs through a corner of Foxborough, and cen-
trally through the entire breadth of Mansfield; thence
1 I have spent some time, and called in the assistance of others, in tryine
to ascertain the meaning of the Indian word " Win-ne-con-net." Accord-
ing to three different writers in 'the Historical Magazine (vol. i. No. 8),
" Winne" is shown to mean beantiful, pleasant, good, fine, or kindred
significations. Hon. P. W. Leiand, of Fall River, in a paper recently read
before the Old-Colony Historical Society, at Taunton, upon Indian names
and terms, derives the word " Se-con-net " from the two words seki. black,
and Ax)nib, a goose ; and explained that the termini "et" meant place, or
localitv, and that the word signified " the place of black geese.*' Ir he, and
the other writers we have quoted, are correct, the word " Win-ne-con-net"
means " a good place for geese." I am inclined to believe that the meadows
bordering upon the pond where Canoe River and Mulberry-Meadow Brook
empty in would have been a good or excellent place for the wild geese
to have made their nests and reared their young: and from this circum-
stance, doubtless, the name comes. Mr. H. R. Schoolcraft thinks per-
haps the syllable **con" mav- be. derived from pecoriy which means a
" nut'* If this is so, we think the word would mean *' the place of fine
nuts,'* or " a beautiful nut place." Whether, in ancient times, the nuts
were plentv around the pond, we do not know ; but on Great Rocky Hill, near
by, the walnut now ^ws most abundantly of anv tree. But, aiter all, w*
think the first definition is the more accurate. We will allude to the matter
again if we get any new light
i
T0P06BAPHT AND NATURAL HISTOBT. 89
through the central part of Norton, m a southerly di-
rection, till it unites with the Coweset or Wading River,
and forms the Three-mile River, which passes on
tlirough the westerly part of Taunton, and falls into
Taunton River, on the borders of Dighton.
Coweset (Indian name) or Wading River, so called
because a man could wade it its entire length, rises
in Shepard's Pond,^on the borders of Wrentham and
Foxborough, flows southerly and easterly through
the westerly part of Mansfield and Norton, and unites
with the Rumford, about half a mile below the Copper-
works. The name " Ciiartley " is also applied to some
parts of this stream.
Canoe River (anciently called Gooseberry-Meadow
Brook) rises in the soutiierly part of Sharon, flows
southerly through the easterly part of Mansfield and
Norton, and empties into the north-westerly side of
Winneconnet Pond.
Mulberry-Meadow Brook, called on the map " Leach's
Stream," rises in the south-easterly part of Sharon,
flows southerly through the westerly part of Easton
and the easterly part of Norton, and empties into Win-
neconnet Pond, a few rods easterly of where Canoe
River empties in. The only outlet of this pond is Mill
River, close .by the line of Taunton, into which town it
immediately passes.
Burt's Brook, designated on the map by BB, rises
in two localities in Cedar Swamp, near the south-
westerly corner of the town, runs easterly between
Lemuel and Asa Arnold's, and empties into Three-mile
River, a short distance below Lincoln's Furnace.
Goose Brook rises also in the westerly part of the
Cedar Swamp, flows northerly, passing between the
Asa Hodge's House and No. 4 Schoolliouse, and emp-
ties into Wading River, a short distance above where
Allen and Augustus Lane live.
Stony Brook, marked SB on the map, — sometimes
also, on old records, called " Chartley," — rises in Attle-
borough, flows nearly east in Norton, passing in front
of the old Judge Leonard Mansion House, and empties
40 TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY.
into Wading River, a little below the bridge, near the
Leonard estate.
Log Brook, marked LB on the map, rises easterly
of the house of Jason F. Alden, and, running south
between the house of Austin Messinger and the Com-
mon, empties into the Barrowsville-Factory Pond. :
Dora's Brook (not on the map) rises westerly of No.
7 Schoolhouse, flows westerly on .the southerly side
of the house of Aaron Lincoln, jun., and, soon after,
empties into Three-mile River, just below the junction
of Rumford and Wading Rivers. It took its name
from Dora (Theodora?) Leonard (supposed to be a
witch), who lived in a hut on its banks.
Swab-tailed Brook (not on the map) rises easterly of
the railroad, and, flowing north-easterly between Amos
Keitli's house and the Asahel Tucker House, empties
into Canoe River, about half a mile below Eddy Lin-
coln's grist and saw mill.
Drink-water Brook, marked DB on the map, rises
in the south part of Mansfield, and, flowing southerly,
empties into Rumford River, a short distance to the
south-west of Norton Alms-house.
Great Brook rises in Mansfield, flows south, and then
east, between Luen C. Leonard's house and that of
Thomas Gooch, emptying itself into Rumford River.
There are other brooks by which the town is watered:
but they are nameless ; at least, to the writer.
In all these rivers and brooks of any considerable
size are found pickerel, perch, hornpouts, and, in the
spring, suckers.
Anciently they abounded in the spring with herring;
or " alewives," as they were once called.
I am informed by Seneca Lincoln, that, many yeara
ago, one of his ancestors dipped up with a scoop-net
out of Burt's Brook, just below where the furnace now
stands, a wagon-load of them in a few minutes. But
the construction of numerous dams has entirely shut
out from our waters these fish, which formed an im-
portant article of diet and trade for the early settlers
of the town. So fearful were they that some obstruc-
TOPOGBAPHT AND NATURAL HISTOBT. 41
tions would be placed in the streams to prevent the
progress of these fish in their annual visit, that men
were chosen at town-meeting (as, for instance, in
1722-3, when the town chose '' Thomas Stephens and
Eleazer Fisher) to Keep Coweset or Wading River, so
called, clear from all wares or any other Encumbrances
whatsoever that shall stop the fish from Going up sd.
River." And also, in 1745, "They made choice of
Josiah Harvey, Israel Woodward, and Timothy Briggs,
to take care that ye fish have a free Passage up the
rivers," by removing all wears, &c., designed to stop
them in their journey ; and the dams tliat were built
across the streams were, by law, obliged to be so con-
structed as to allow " sufficient passage-way through or
round such dams " for the fish to go up and down in
the spring and fall, under penalty of fifty pounds.^
Great Rocky Hill is situated a short distance north-
erly of Winneconnet Pond, and easterly of Mulberry-
Meadow Brook. For the information of strangers, we
will say, that not the " hill," but the rocks, are " great."
Timothy Plain is situated westerly of Winneconnet
Pond and Canoe River, and is traversed by the road
leading from Amos Keith's to Hathaway Leonard's.
It derived its name from Timothy Halloway, one of
the early settlers of Taunton, who once owned a por-
tion of it.
" Chartley " was a name given to the iron-works esta-
blished at Stony Brook by the Leonards ; but the name
is indiscriminately applied to streams and other loca-
lities in that neighborhood. The name, probably, had
some connection with the working of iron.
Lockety Neck is the point of land between Rumford
and Wading Rivers, just above their junction.
On some of the old deeds, the farm now owned by
Allen and Augustus Lane was said to be on Lockety
Neck ; and no doubt the " Neck Woods," so called,
between the Centre Village and Calvin Lane's, took
that name from their proximity to Lockety Neck.
1 See law of 1741.
4*
42 TOPOGBAPHT AND NATURAL HISTOET.
0
Ann Cobb's Bridge is over Wading River, southerly
of the Common, at the upper end of the Barrowsville-
Factory Pond. It took its name from Ann Cobb, who
once lived near it, and was reputed a witch. A loca-
lity anciently known as " Scotlin,'' or " Scotland," is
supposed to have been in the neighborhood of No. 3
Schoblhouse.
The Seekonk Cedar Swamp is in the south-westerly
part of the town.
The Invincible Swamp is north-easterly of Winne-
connet Pond, on the borders of Norton and Easton.
The Great Woods are in the northerly part' of the
town, between Wading and Rumford Rivers.
Beech Island is situated north-easterly of Hon.
Cromwell Leonard's house, near the junction of Great
Brook with RumTord River.
Crossman's Way was where the road crossed Rum-
ford River by Loren Willis's sawmill.
The town of Norton is one of the flattest of its size
in the State. There are several little swells of land,
but almost nothing that can be dignified by the name
of " hill." The land generally slopes to the south, as
will be noticed by the course of the streams.
The soil is not of the first quality. In the easterly
part, around Winneconnet Pond, it is quite sandy, yet,
on the whole, is capable of being made quite produc-
tive by proper cultivation, being well adapted to the
raising of most kinds of grain. The geological for-
mation is what Dr. Hitchcock terms " gray wacke ; "
the rocks of the town being for the most part of a
slaty character : but, in some localities, the conglome-
rate, or plum-pudding stone, is quite prominent. Iron
ore was formerly dug in large quantities in various
{)arts of the town, and " there is more of the same sort
eft." In the northerly part of the town, bordering
upon Mansfield, anthracite coal has been dug up ; but
it exists in such small quantities, and is of so poor a
quality, that it will not pay for digging. Clay is to be
found between Rumford River and the Depot, and
bricks were once made there.
TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL BISTORT. 48
On Great Rocky Hill is a cave, formed by the pro-
jection of one very large rock over another, with a
perpendicular side, producing at the top an acute
angle, about five feet from the ground, with an area
at the base of about fifteen feet by nine, and open at
both ends ; though the northerly end could very easily
be barricaded, as a large rock stands within two or
three feet of it. This cave, of itself, is a great curio-
sity ; but it has become famous from the tradition,
which is probably true, that it was once a noted retreat
of King Philip, when on fishing excursions to Winne-
connet Pond. It could readily have been turned into
an almost invincible fortress. It is known to this day
as " Philip's Cave."
Between the house of Williams Keith and the rail-
road there is a large bowlder, that will weigh six or
eight tons, which rests upon another somewhat shelv-
ing rock ; and it is so exactly poised, that it is believed,
if a little stone, by which it seems to be blocked up,
was pushed out, it would immediately, of its own
accord, roll off. We hope, however, that the experi-
ment will not be tried. For the gratification of all
lovers of Nature's freaks, it should be allowed to
remain. Occasionally, small holes have been found in
the rocks, which have given rise to some very whimsi-
cal notions. One of these holes is back of the old
Leonard House, and we may allude to it again.
The natural forest-trees are the white, red, and yel-
low oak ; the white, black, and yellow birch ; cedar,
elm, hornbeam, pignut hickory, white and pitch pine,
white maple, sassafras, holly, hemlock and beech, savin,
chestnut, and other trees and shrubs. From the land
of Judge Leonard, near where Samuel G. Hicks now
lives, the keel of the frigate " Constitution " was cut ;
and from that neighborhood, since the death of Mrs.
Bowen, in 1850, immense quantities of first-growth
white oak have been carried off to New Bedford and
elsewhere for ship-timber, &c.
The native fruits are the high and vining blackberry,
the thimbleberry, the low and swamp blueberry, the
44 TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY.
black whortleberry (huckleberry), the dangleberry,
strawberry, checkerberry, cranberry, grape, &c.
The wild animals are, or rather were (for nearly all
have now become extinct), bears and wolves, to some
extent ; wild-cats, deer, foxes, raccoons, beavers, musk-
rats, minks, woodchucks, squirrels, weasels, &c.
Tradition (rather an unreliable personage) says,
that, in the early history of the town, a bear entered a
sawmill when the saw was going, and, seating him-
self on the log, was carried along by the carriage till
the saw began to scratch some part of his body. This
so enraged poor Bruin, that he immediately grasped the
saw with his fore-legs to give him a hug for his impu-
dence ; and he was, of course, literally sawed in pieces
for his temerity. A wolf is said to have attacked and
killed a colt belonging to Eleazer (?) Eddy, a short
distance westerly from where George B. Crane now
lives. Wolves and wild-cats were formerly so nume-
rous and troublesome in the State, that laws were early
enacted, oflFering a bounty to any person who killed
them. I can find no record of any wolves being
killed in Norton ; but wild-cats were not so- fortunate.
At a meeting of the town and North Purchase held
for that purpose, March 30, 1724, it was —
" Voted, that they would Pay out of the treasury of Nor-
ton five shillings a head to any Person or Persons that shall
Bring any wild-cat's head to the towne Clerk : and if the
said clerk any ways scruples whether they ware cilled in
the sd. towne or Present, that then they shall make oath that
they ware before the towne Clerk ; and then the said derk
shall Give an order to the towne treasurer for sd. sum or
sums, who shall Pay it accordingly. And there shall be a rate
made upon the Poles and estates of sd. towne and Present to
supply the treasury for that Purpose."
Sept. 14, 1724, the town and East Precinct " Voted
to pay Benjamin Drake for killing one wild-cat, £00.
055. Orf." He probably was of the East Precinct.
"March ye 1st, 1724-5. — Joseph Godfrey, John Cas-
well, and Ebenezer White, Brought Each of them a wild-cat's
TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 46
Head to me, and I cut the Ears of from them ; and the towne
of Norton was to Fay five shillings a head for each of them.
" Per me, George Leonabd, 'Clerk.*
Oct. 6,1725. — "Voted to Raise five shillings more in
said Rate to Fay to Thomas Skinner, Sen., for a wild-cat's
head which he ciled."
March 28, 1726. — "Voted, that they would not Pay for
Killing of wild-cats the year ensueing, nor for the wild-cats
which have heen Killed sence ye act about said cats was
out*'
In 1731, another " Act for Encourageing the Killing
of wild-cats " was passed, oflFering a bounty of twenty
shillings for any wild-cat one year old, and ten shil-
lings for every one under that age, to be paid by the
town, and subsequently to be refunded by the State ;
but it does not appear from the records that any
bounty was claimed after the passage of this act.
The last wild-cat that was killed in town was some
thirty years ago, on the farm now owned hy Mr.
George Barker.^
On the other hand, a law was enacted as early as
1698, forbidding any person to kill wild deer between
the last day of December and the first day of August
following, under a penalty of two pounds for the first
offence, three pounds for the second, five pounds for
the third ; and so on in that ratio for every succeeding
offence. A similar law was probably re-enacted about
1738 ; for, on the 25th of October of that year, " The
Inhabitance made Choice of Eleazer Eddy, the first,
and Thomas Skinner, the Second, according to the
Late act Relating [to] the Preservation of the Deare : '*
and for several years thereafter, at the annual March
meeting, two persons were chosen for that purpose.
1 In 1801, a showman was passing through town with a leopard in a
cage. By some means, the animal escaped from confinement, and, near
the old house between William Lane's and the old Leonard estate, attacked
and severely lacerated the face of Michael Sweet, a lad about fourteen
Tears old; and would probably have killed him, had not a pig fortunately
been near, which the leopard preferred to the boy. The furious beast was
finally shot before doing further damage. It was the only leopard ever
killed here, and created quite a sensation among the inhabitants.
46 TOPOGRAPHY AND NATUBAL HISTORY.
Several of the early residents of Norton bad parks
of deer, wbich they kept for their own private use ;
and among these were the three Judges George Leo-
nard, the last of whom continued to have his park
down to about the commencement of the present cen-
tury. Previous to the death of his father, he had a
park back of his then dwelling-house, on the rise of
ground beyond the Leonard Mansion House ; and some
of the posts to the fence are still remaining. After
the death of his father, he continued to keep deer
in the park back of the old homestead, where many of
the posts of the fence, six or eight rails high, yet
remain as monuments of the pristine nobility of our
town.
The following " thrilling event " connected with
Judge Leonard's deer-park will doubtless be read
with interest: About the year 1792, Nathan Perry,
afterwards Dr. Perry of North Bridgewater, then a
youth some sixteen years old, was one day passing by
the pj£rk, when he playfully reached his hand through
the fence, and took hold of one of the old buck's horns,
and for some time annoyed him in that way. At
length the deer got out of patience, broke away from
his hold, and, quite unexpectedly, leaped over the
fence, seven or eight feet high, and made a furious
attack upon young Perry, throwing him upon the
ground; but, very fortunately, the horns of the en-
raged deer, instead of striking his body, passed down
on each of it. While in this position, Nathan grasped
the horns of the buck, and succeeded in preventing
him from doing any injury, till his brothers Gardiner
and Alvin, with one of Judge Leonard's workmen,
came and rescued him from his perilous position.
It is probable that Rev. Mr. Avery had his park of
deer; but nothing is certainly known about it.
The feathered tribe are similar to those found in
most towns in New England. In early times, the wild
geese and ducks were quite abundant in the pond and
streams. Partridges, quails, woodcocks, &c., were also
more plenty than now.
TOPOGRAPHY AND NATUBAL HISTOBT. 47
Crows, blackbirds, blue jays, and woodpeckers were
Tery numerous, and did much injury to "the grain-
crops of the first settlers, so that a price was put upon
their heads. May 23, 1715, the town " Voted to pay
three half-pence a head for every flying blackbird or
Jaw's head that shoald be kild in this town, and the
heads brought to the selectmen, or John Smith, or
Eliezer fisher, between this time and next March."
It may be interesting to some of our readers to know
who were the hunters in those days ; and we therefore
make the following extract from the town-records : —
« Sept the 19th, 1715, voted to pay -^
To Robert Tucker, for killing birds 02 09
To Benjamin Williams, for killing 19 birds . . . 02 02
To Tho. Stephens, for killing 11 birds 01 03
To John Hall, for killing six birds 00 09
To Ensign Wetherell, for killing 7 birds .... 00 10
To Simeon Wetherell, for killing 6 birds .... 00 09
To John Newland, Senior, for killing 10 bii-ds . . 01 03
To Seth Babit, for killing four birds ..... 00 06
To Benjamin Newland, for killing 5 birds . . . 00 07
To John Hodges, for killing 20 birds 02 06
To Nicolas Smith, for killing four birds .... 00 06
To Lt. Brintnall, for killing 38 birds ..... 04 09
To John Austin, for 3 birds 00 04."
March 20, 1717^ " Voted three ha'pence for black-
birds' heads, and Jayes and Woodpeckers."
March 19, 1718, by a vote of the town, " The act
Revifed Conserning the kiling of birds ; " and it is
supposed, that, for several years, a premium was thus
paid for the destruction of these birds.
In September, 1741, the town " Voted to raise X40
for the Suport of the Scoole, and for the birds' and
Squrils' heads, and tlie poor." We suppose this was
for the support of " the poor," and not a bounty oflFered
for cutting oflF their " heads."
April 4, 1803, " Voted to give 25 cents for every old
crow that should be killed in the town of Norton and
carried to the Town Treasurer."
48 TOPOGRAPHY AND NATUEAL fflSTORY.
April 2, 1804, " Voted to give 10 cents for old crows'
heads the year ensuing." Whether the crows had be-
come so diminished by the bounty of twenty-five cents
the year previous, or whether it was found to draw too
largely upon the treasury to pay that bounty, was the
reason for diminishing the reward for killing them, we
do not know ; but certain we are, that the destruction
of these birds was a very unwise measure, and has
now come to be so regarded. For all these birds, not
even excepting the crow, do more good to the farmers,
by destroying grubs, bugs, &c., than they do evil by
eating a little corn ; for any of them will leave an ear
of corn, to go and pick up a worm or insect that comes
along.
But the most wanton destruction of birds and some
wild animals was by means of '* hunts " at " old elec-
tion," or some other specified time, when the young men
(and oftentimes the older ones) of town met together,
and chose sides to see which party would kill the
largest amount of game ; the party beaten paying for
the supper and drink of nearly half of the town en-
gaged in the affair.
I am told by Mr. Daniel Carpenter, that, when he
was a boy, his associates sometimes chose sides to hunt
birds' eggs; and the captain of the side that was
beaten was required to stand upon a stone, and be pelted
with the eggs found, as the grand finale of these bird-
nesting depredations.
We are thankful that these " hunts " are now out
of date, and trust they may never be revived ; but hope
that young and old will spare the birds, and thus cul-
tivate their society ; for they are the sweetest singers of
earth, and the farmer's best friend.
INDIANS. 49
CHAPTER V.
INDIANS.
" The hunter leaning on his bow undrawn,
** The fisher lounging on the pebbled shores,
Squaws in the clea^ng dropping the seed-corn,
Young children peering through the wigwam-doors/'
Whittikb.
A FEW years previous to the landing of the Pilgrims at
Plymouth, some very malignant, and probably conta-
gious, disease is supposed to have swept from the earth
a large portion of the Indian tribes who peopled this
part of Massachusetts. This seems almost to have
been providential, to prepare the way for the more suc-
cessful occupation of the territory by the Puritans and
their descendants. The principal Indian nations in
the vicinity of Norton were, — 1. The Wampanoags,
numbering some three thousand warriors, of whom
Ousamequin, better known as Massasoit, was the chief
sachem, whose territory extended from Cape Cod to
Narragansett Bay. 2. The Narragansetts, with five
thousand warriors, of whom Canonicus was chief, who
occupied the territory of Rhode Island west of Narra-
gansett Bay. 3. The Massachusetts, mustering three
thousand warriors, with Chickataubut for their king,
occupying territory to the south of Boston, extending
'^From Nishamagoquanett, near Duxbery Mill, to
Teglitacutt, neare Taunton, and to Nunckatatesett [a
pond in the westerly part of Bridgewater, now called
Nippenicket] ; and from thence in a straight linne to
Wanamampuke [Whiting's Pond,in Wren tham], which
is the head of Charles River." ^
" A straight linne " from Nippenicket to Whiting's
Pond would pass through the north-easterly part of
Norton ; so that our town was probably the resort
1 Plymouth-Colony Recofds, vol. ii. p. 167.
5
60 INDIANS.
of both the Massachusetts and Wampanoag ludians,
who were subdivided into some thirty different tribes,
tinder the rule of a petty sachem. Massasoit had one
of his residences at Sowamset, in Swansea, or perhaps
in Barrington, R.I. ; and was the early and constant
friend of the Plymouth settlers, till his death in the
autumn of 1661. He was succeeded by his son Wam-
sutta, or Alexander, who died in 1662, and was suc-
ceeded by his brother Metacomet, or Philip, the most
renowned Indian sachem of all New England.
Chickataubut, the chief ruler of the Massachusetts
Indians, seems to have been uniformly friendly to the
settlers of the Plymouth Colony. His principal resi-
dence was in the neighborhood of Blue Hill, in Milton,
" upon the River of Naponset, near the Massachusetts
Fields, three miles to the north of Wessaguscus." ^
He died of the small-pox, as did many of his people, in
the fall of 1633. He was succeeded by his son Wam-
patuck, or Josiah, who was also sometimes called
Chickataubut.
In 1669, he was " the chiefest general " of the New-
Dngland Indians in the expedition against the Mo-
hawks ; and was killed the same year, with many of
his men, in an encounter with the enemy in the
Mohawk country. After his death, his brother Squar
maug acted as sachem for a year or two during the
minority of Jeremy, the son of Wampatuck; and
Charles Josias, the son of Jeremy and great-grandson
of Chickataubut, ^' is said to have been the last of his
race." *
There seems to have been some dispute between
Philip and [Josiah ?] Chickataubut about the bounds
of their respective territories ; and, in the year 1670,
Philip and Squamaug — then the acting chief of the
Massachusetts Indians — met at the house of William
Hudson,^ on Wading River, to settle the matter. It
^ New-England Genealogical Register, yol. iii. p. 888.
3 Genealogical Register, vol. iii. p. 841.
s William Hudson probably lived within the present limits of Fox-
borough; for, in October, 1669, three hundred acres of land were laid out
INDIANS. 51
was finally adjusted by an agreement that the bounds
between the Plymouth and Massachusetts Colonies
should be the dividing-line between the Wampanoags
and Massachusetts. This agreement, with the auto-
graph of King Philip attached, is in the possession of
S. O. Drake, Esq., of Boston, and has been read by
the writer of these pages.
Squamaug's name- is not attached ; but why, is not
known. Perhaps Philip's assent was deemed sufficient.
Yet, as the bounds thus agreed upon gave up to Philip
a large tract of land that formerly was claimed by
Chickataubut, it would seem proper that Squamaug
should have signed the compact. It is, however, use-
less to speculate relative to the matter.
Tlius it will be seen that Philip's jurisdiction
eventually covered the whole of the ancient and
present limits of Norton. His summer residence was
but a few miles from Norton, near what was called
Fowling Pond, in Baynham. He frequently visited
Norton, especially the* neighborhood of Winneconnet
Pond, near which is situated Philip's Cave, where he
no doubt had his head-quarters when on hunting and
fishing expeditions to this vicinity. The soil around
the pond, being light, was particularly adapted to the cul-
tivation of corn, beans, and a few other vegetables, which
the Indian women raised. The fields were prepared
for culture by burning the underbrush and small trees
in the autumn. The chief instruments for planting
and hoeing were large clam-shells, or the shoulder-
bone of some animal, — the deer or moose, for instance,
— attached to a sort of handle.
There is every reason to believe that these only real
native Americans roamed over all our plains and fished
for him " at Wayding Ryver," on the easterly side of " a great pond that
Wading Kyver comes nut of." * This " Capt." Hudson, as he was some-
times called, seems to have been quite a man in the Massachusetts Colony;
in the records of which, frequent allusions are made to him.
* For bounds, see Records of Massacbnsetts Colony, toI. It. part ii. pp. 489-40.
It was probably the same place bought by Jacob Shepard in 1704. -^ See Genea-
logical Krister, Tol. tI. p. 12SB.
52 INDIANS.
in all our streams, as well as planted and sported on
the shores of our pond.
Various Indian implements have been found in dif-
ferent localities in town. Stone hatchets, gouges,
pestles, spear and arrow points, have been picked up
from time to time, and some of them quite recently.^
On the old Leonard estate, several Indian encamp-
ments were discovered and demolished by cultivating
the land.2 Another similar encampment is believed
to have been near the house of Melzar Burt, on the
borders of Canoe River.
The point of land between the Rumford and Coweset
or Wading Rivers, near their junction, and about a mile
and a half from the centre of the town, was once the
scene of a battle between tlie Whites and Indians.
I have searched diligently for some authentic ac-
count of this engagement; but I can find none. Seve-
ral persons have informed me, that, in some history of
the Indian wars, they had seen an account of it ; but I
think they must be mistaken, and have confounded
tradition with history. Yet it is possible that some
accoimt has been printed ; but, if so, it is very strange
that no one can point it out to us.
There is, however, no doubt that a battle ac-
tually took place on this neck or point of land. In
the records of the proprietors of Taunton Old Town ^
is to be found an agreement about land, made March
11, 1715-16, between John Hodges and Thomas
Stephens. This land was situated " in Norton,* on the
south-west side of Rumford River, near where the two
rivers (namely, Rumford and Coweset) do meet ; " and
the place is called '' Lockety Neck.'' In 1T12, land
was laid out to Tliomas Stephens near tlie place of
" Lockety Fight," on "Lockety Neck."* Thus there
1 We would suggest, as these things are becoming rare, that all that can
be found be collected together, and deposited in some place of safety, as in-
teresting memorials of the once noble race of men who peopled this region
previous to its occupation by white men.
« Rev. Pitt Clarke's Historical Sermon.
s First Book of Lauds, p. 60. « Ibid. p. 184.
INDIANS. 58
can be no questioning the actualitj of the battle, and
the locality of it.
Some years ago, the plain, which extends to within
three or four rods of the junction of these rivers, was
ploughed up, and large quantities of spear-points were
found, with the appearance of having been thrown
from the extreme point of the land, wliich is low
ground, up to the plain, some twelve or fifteen feet
higher; and this falct seems to agree with the tradi-
tional account of the conflict.
The traditional accounts are somewhat conflicting,
but amount to this : The Indians had either attacked,
or were known to be planning an attack, upon Taun-
ton. A party of the Tauntonians went out in pursuit
of them ; and, leavuig a portion of their number on
each side of Three-mile River, where Rumford and
Wading meet, the remainder divided their forces,
and a part went up one river, and the rest the other,
and crossed over on to the neck, just above a swamp —
in which the Indians were secreted — that extended
across from one river to the other, and drove the
savages down to the junction of the rivers, where they
were prevented from crossing by the men left to guard
that point ; and thus, after a severe conflict, they suc-
ceeded in killing or capturing the whole party of the
enemy.
This swamp is supposed to have been the wet land
extending from river to river between Elbridge G.
Hunt's and the Copper-works. It might have been
the wet land commencing a short distance below Mr.
Robinson's wheelwright-sliop, and extending through
the Neck Woods to the Factory Pond at Barrowsville ;
but I think it must have been the former locality. It
must be remembered, that great changes have taken
place within two hundred years in the physical ap-
pearance of the country. By clearing up the forests,
many places that were called swamps have become so
dry as not now to be known by that appellation.
A remarkable instance of this kind is at what, two
hundred years ago, was called Fowling Pond, in Rayn-
54 INDIANS.
Lara, where no vestige of a pond now remains. So
this swamp where the Indians were concealed would
hardly he known by that name at the present day.
The exact time of " Lockety Fight " is not known.
It is supposed, however, to have been during Philip's
war in 1675 and 76. In Baylies's " Memoir of Ply-
mouth Colony," part iv. p. 165, he mentions a skirmish
with the Indians, which might have been at this place.
The reader will bear in mind that Norton was then a
part of Taunton. Baylies says, —
" On the 6th of August [1676], an Indian fled to Taunton,
and, seeking to make terms for himself, ofiTered to conduct the
English to a party of the enemy, representing that they might
be taken with little difficulty or danger. Twenty of the
Tauntonians ventured out, and surprised and captured the
whole; being twenty-six."
It is with great reluctance that I am compelled to
leave this matter in some doubt. We hope, however,
that what has been said will stimulate inquiry till the
doubts are resolved.
It is well known that Taunton suffered less than
almost any town from the Indians during Philip's war.
Near Philip's summer residence, in what is now Rayu-
ham, then Taunton, the Leonard family had established
their iron-works. From them Philip had received
many favors, and been on terms of great intimacy;
and this fact is supposed by Mr. Baylies to have been
the reason wliy Taunton was so little molested. Mr.
Baylies * says, —
"In his [Philip's] excursions, he had made himself ac-
quainted with the Leonards. They repaired his guns, and
supplied him with iron, and with such tools as are most
prized by savages ; and uniformly treated him with kindness
and attention. He had become more attached to this family
than to any of the English ; and he gave his Indians, at the
commencement of the war, the strictest orders that they
should never injure a Leonard. As he knew, that, in a gene-
ral attack on the town, this favorite family might be exposed
1 Part iii. p. 120.
INDIANS. 55
to dangers equal to those of the other inhabitants, it becomes,
therefore, extremely probable that his attachment to the Leo-
nards prevented the destruction of Taunton."
Another example serves also to illustrate Philip's
humanity. A Mr. Cole had settled near to Philip, and
lived in great friendship with him.
"In June, 1675, Philip informed him that his young men
were very eager to go to war against the English ; but, when
he could no longer restrain them, he would let him know.
Accordingly, on an evening previous to the fatal 24th,
canoes arrived from Mount Hope with advice from Philip,
that Mr. Cole and family must go over to Rhode Island,
as his people would begin the war. They embarked ; and,
the next morning, their dwellings were burned." ^
In these instances, we have exemplified one of the
noblest traits of character belonging to civilized life ;
which clearly indicates that Philip was not so terrible
a monster as many supposed he was. In fact, we do
not believe he was ; but we regard him as one of the
most patriotic and truly noble men that ever lived in
any country. Had he been an Englishman, and mani-
fested the same firm resolve and unfaltering devotion
to the interests of his country, he would have been
raised almost to the rank of a demigod.
It is" said, that, a few years after the first settlement
by Mr. Wetherell, a party of Indians, who were on a
hunting expedition, came to his barn in the night,
and killed a two-year-old colt, and roasted and ate
him, and then raked up the coals, and left without
disturbing the family. They are supposed to have
been impelled to this act by necessity, game being
rather scarce.
In the early history of the town, a party of Indians
called at the house of one of Mr. Annes A. Lincoln's
ancestors, and borrowed a kettle, and filled it with lit-
tle mud-turtles, and then boiled and ate them. This
was probably near where Seneca Lincoln now lives.
1 Church's History of Philip's War, p. 340.
56 SETTLEMENT OF A MINISTEB,
Many years ago, there lived about half a mile from,
and directly in front of, the present residence of
George Lane, an Indian by the name of Quock ; pro-
bably the last of that noble and vigorous yet much-
abused race who had a habitation within our borders.
An orchard near where his wigwam stood is to this day
known as " Quock's Orchard/' This Indian is sup-
posed to have been a slave the latter part of his life,
first of Major George Leonard, and then of his son
Ephraim. On our town-records we find this entry:
" Dick, an Indian man. Major George Leonard, De-
ceased, Gave to his son Ephraim; deyed the 4th of
December, 1727." Tiiis is entered in the handwrit-
ing of Col. George Leonard, then town-clerk, and a
son of Major George.
In the index to the volume of births, deaths, &c.,
made by Col. Leonard, the death of " Dick " is entered
under the letter Q ; which seems to indicate that his
surname began with tliat letter. Hence it is inferred
that his whole name was Dick Quock,
To such a miserable end came many of those —
the once proud owners of the soil on which we
dwell — who were most cruelly deprived of their
possessions, and crushed to the dust beneath the
avarice of those calling themselves Christians.
CHAPTER VI.
SETTLEMENT OF A MINISTER, ORGANIZATION OF THE
CHURCH, &c.
** Before the loftier throne of Heaven
The hand is raised, the pledge is giren, —
One monarch to obey, one creed to own :
That monarch, God; that creed, his word alone."
SPBikOUI.
Having secured an answer to their prayer for a pro-
cinct, the early settlers at once turn their attention to
the great object they had in view during the precinct
AND ORGANIZATION OP THE CHURCH. 57
struggles, — viz., the establishment of the gospel mini-
stry among them.
Who. preached the first sermon, or when it was
preached, is, by the loss of the earliest records, left
a blank.
But, of course, a candidate for the ministry was to
be procured. " Whom shall we get ? Where shall
we send ? Who knows of the man that will come, and
build us up in holy things ? " were questions frequently
asked and discussed at tlie meetings of the early
settlers. It is supposed, that, within a few weeks
after the establishment of the precinct, a candidate
was found ; for the men engaged in this enterprise
would not be slothful in their endeavors to establish
the ministry of Christ in the newly created parish.
Rev. Pitt Clarke, in his " Historical Sermon," already
alluded to, says, " Several attempts were made to
settle a gospel minister ; but the influence of Rev. Mr.
Danforth, of Taunton, was so great, that they found it
impracticable to ordain any one without his approba-
tion. A Mr. Phillips, of Andover, received a unani-
mous call, and gave an affirmative answer; but, for
the above reason, was not ordained." This was un-
doubtedly Rev. Samuel Phillips, who was born at
Salem, Feb. 17, 1689-90, and was the son of Samuel
and Mary (Emerson) Phillips. He graduated at
Harvard, 1708 ; and, no doubt, commenced preaching
here about the 1st of January, 1710, and probably
was here several months. The early settlers were
men of intelligence, and hence were aware that mini-
sters could not live by faith alone ; and therefore,
" April 7th, 1710, a Rate was made of 401b. to Paye
ye minister." ^
Undoubtedly Rev. Mr. Clarke is right in saying that
Mr. Danforth's influence did not allow of Mr. Pliillips's
ordination. Those who were wishing to settle a mini-
1 This vote, and several others reln^g to the settlement of a minister,
I found on a slip of paper; and tiiey appear to have been copied from the
old records that are uow lust.
68 . SETTLEMENT OF A MINISTER,
ster in the new precinct were members of Mr. Dan-
forth's church at Taunton, and naturally would con-
sult his wishes relative to the man they should settle.
Finding that Mr. Danforth's influence was against
him, Mr. Phillips took a final leave of this neighbor-
hood ; and, in the latter part of the year 1710, turned
his steps to Andover, and commenced preaching in the
south parish of that town, where he was ordained Oct.
17, 1711. He married Hannah White, of Haverhill,
Jan. 17, 1711-12 ; and was the father of Hon. Samuel
Phillips of Andover, and Hon. John Phillips of Exeter,
N.H., — the founders of Phillips Academy at Ando-
ver, and of Phillips Exeter Academy at Exeter, N.H.
Mr. Phillips is said to have been an excellent man, but
so economical as to blow out his candle when he began
the evening prayer. Yet he was very punctilious in
distributing among the poor a full tenth of his income,
of which he' kept an account.^
As a portion of the old township of Taunton was in-
corporated into the North Precinct, and as many of
the settlers of the said precinct were either proprietors,
or intimately connected with the proprietors, of the
old town, the latter naturally felt some interest in
the prosperity of the precinct, and especially in the
settlement and support of a minister. Hence divers
of them made each a small contribution of land for
whatever minister should be settled in the new parish.
Here is the proof: —
" We, the subscribers for the Encouragement of a Learned,
orthodox, pious minister to settle in the Sacred employ of the
ministry in Taunton North precinct, Do hereby Give and
Grant the severall quantities of land annexed to our names,
hereunder written, unto the first minister who shall settle in
said North precinct ; Desiring of the proprietors of Taunton
old Township that it may be layed out on the next Division
of land in said Township, Either in one Entire tract or more,
in such place or places where it may be most convenient and
1 For further particulars of him and his portrait, see Bond's History of
WatertowD, p. 877, &c.
AKB ORGANIZATION OF THE CHUBCH.
59
pleasing to the first minister that shall there settle, on an j
kndsy as yet common or undivided, in that part of the old
Township lands which now ffall to he within the line of the
North precinct ; and particularly on land, now common, which
lyes near the place appointed by Authority for the meeting-
house to be sett upon, on the north and south side of the way,
as shall be most convanient.
No. of Acrw.
John Pool 12
RdbertGodfree 1
Joseph HaU 1
James Hall 1
Isaac Ifarrick 1
Increase Bobinson 2
PhiUipKing 1
James Walker, Senior .... 2
Abram Jones 1
James Phillips 1
8hadrack Wilbore 1
Benjamin Wilbinre 3
James Bnrt 1
Samnel Blake 2
Joseph Willis 2
Nicholas Stephens 1
Benjamin Hall ....... 1
Samnel Knap 1
John Mason 1
Nathaniel Williams 1
James Tisdale 1
John Grossman 1
Thomas Willis 4
Ebenezer Robinson 1
Joseph Tisdale 2
Ifr. Giles Gilbert 1
No. of Acrrt«
Samnel Danforth If
Henry Hodges 1
Thomas Harvey, Grand Senior . 1
Nicholas White 1
J<^n Andrews 1
John Tisdale 1
John Hodges 1
Thomas Leonard S
John Smith, Grand Senior . . 1
James Leonard, Jnn 1
Thomas Lincoln, Grand Senior |
John'Macomber 1
Thomas Dean 1
Seth Williams .1
John Smith, Junior . . . ' . ' . |
Joseph Wilbore 1
John White . . • |
John Leonard 1
Ezra Dean, Senior 1
Jonathan Williams 1
William Haskins 2 '
William Wetherell, Sen. . .
Edward Leonard ....
John Richmond, Senior . .
Ens. Thomas Gilbert . . .
Joseph Williams
2
1
1
1
1
" All these severall parcells of land mentioned in this paper
is Granted to the first minister that shall settle in the work
of the ministry in the north precinct, on both sides of the way
that goeth from Nathaniel Hodges' to the meeting-house in
said precinct, and on both sides of the way that leadeth from the
meeting-house in said precinct to Samuel Hodges' house, and
partly on the northerly side of said meeting-house, runing up
towards the land of Major Leonard; to be Laid out as may be
most convenient for the first minister that shall settle in said
precinct, the whole sum granted is seventy-three acres and
three-quarters, on the sixty-four-acre division.
" Granted January the fifth, 1710, by the Committee for
the sixty-four-acre division.
•* Attest : " Thomas Leonard, Clerk.'* *
1 Proprietors* Records (Sixty-four-acre Division), p. 127.
60 SETTLEMENT OP A MINISTER,
This land included all the farm now owned by Alva-
ris Caswell ; a portion of the Rev. Pitt Clarke estate ;
also the lot back of Mrs. Harriet Barrow's new house ;
the lot back and southerly of the Town House ; and
probably the lots occupied by the Mansion House and
Mr. Rogerson's store, &c.
Judge Thomas Leonard, one of the proprietors of the
iron-works, and tlie father of George, who took so con-
spicuous a part in securing the grant of a precinct, in
his will, dated Jan. 29, 1711-12, and probated Feb. 5,
1713-14, gave to the first minister that should be
" orderly settled " in the western part of Taunton
North Precinct, and continue there in the ministry
seven years, twenty acres of land ; and, in case he con-
tinued fourteen years in the ministry, twenty acres
more : but if he did not remain fourteen years, then
the second settled minister who should remain seven
years was to have the last tweiity acres. This land
was situated* northerly of the road between Schuyler
Freeman's and the Holman Place. Possibly Mr. Free-
man's house stands on a part of tlie lot.
The departure of Mr. Phillips compelled the precinct
to look about for a new candidate. Mr. Danforth has
a particular friend whom he wishes to have settle as
his near neighbor, and strongly urges the people to
hear him.^ He was at that time preaching at Freetown.
But things did not look so promising to him there as
at Taunton North Precinct ; and hence he wished to
preacli here. This man was Joseph Avery. With the
advice and at tlie urgent solicitations of their old pas-
tor, Mr. Danforth, the North-Precinct people consent
to have Mr. Avery preach to them a few times. On
what all-important Sunday he appeared before the
assembled wisdom and gravity of our Puritan Fathers,
as a candidate for the holy office to which he wished to
consecrate himself, we do not know ; but it was proba-
bly in September or October, 1710, soon after Mr. Phil-
lips left, — possibly the next Sunday. His services are
acceptable to the people. Mr. Danforth urges them to
give him a call. We are therefore prepared to find the
following record : —
AND ORGANIZATION OF THE CHUBCH. 61
^December the 23rd, 1710. — At a meeting of the Inhabi-
tants of Taunton North Purchase, [thej,] 2Iy, made choice
of Mr Joseph Avery to settle with them in the work of the
ministree, and to be their minister, if he see Cause to Exceept.
^ 31j, thej made choice of George Leonard and Nicholas
White to go and acquaint Mr. Averj that they have chose
him for their minister, and also to treet with him about his
settleing with them in the work of the ministree.
^ 4, the meeting was adjourned to the third day of January
next."
' "Jan. 3rd, 1710-11, they voted to Give Mr. Avery 15s. a
sabath, for the time that he shall trantiently Preach among
them, before they have come to any certin Bargaine with
him ; and also 15s. for ye Last Sabath."
" feb. 2nd, 1710-11, ye comitee ware ordered to make their
Proposals to Mr. Avery."
But he is in no hurry to return an answer to the
" call " he had received. While he is debating in his
own mind whether he shall accept or not accept the
invitation thus proffered, and asking the guidance of
Heaven in the matter, we will take occasion to look
somewhat into his private history. Rev. Joseph Avery,
the fourth and youngest child of William and Elizabeth
(White) Avery, was born in Dedham, April 9, 1687.
His mother was his father's second wife. By his first
wife, William Avery had four children ; so that Joseph
was the eighth child on the father's side.^ Joseph's
father (probably born in England), who came over,
when quite young, with his father William, was a man
of some consequence, being deacon of the church, and
holding at different times the oflSces of town-clerk
and selectman of Dedham. Of Joseph's boyhood and
early life we can gather nothing. His father holding,
however, an important office in the church, and the
fact that the son selected the holy work of the mini-
stry as his profession, furnishes some evidence that he
was " brought up in the nurture and admonition of
the Lord." Mr. Avery graduated at Harvard College
in 1706, at the early age of nineteen. His brother John,
two years older, graduated at the same time, and was
subsequently settled in the ministry at Truro. The
6
j62 settlement op a minister,
same year that Joseph left college, he was employed
at Rehoboth "to keep school within the Ring of the
Green, for a quarter of a year, for seven pounds ten
shillings, silver money." ^
Previous to Oct. 30, 1710, he had preached at
Freetown ; for, on that day, John Hathaway and
twenty-three others, of Freetown, petition the Gfeneral
Court 2 to grant aid to Mr. Avery for his encourage-
ment to preach still among them. They ask the court
to give as much " as they were pleased to give last
year." March 17, 1710-11, the court passed the fol-
lowing resolution : —
" Resolved, that there be allowed and paid out of the Pub-
lic Treasury to Mr. Joseph Avery, after the Rate of Twenty
Pounds per annum, for each Sabbath he hath or shall preach
at Freetown, from the time he was last paid to the session of
the Court in May next.
" Consented to : " J. Dudley." ■
We presume this movement at Freetown was made
because Mr. Avery had left them to preach as a candi-
date here, and they were anxious to retain his services.
It is supposed, however, that he did not return to Free-
town to preach for any length of time, but continued to
minister to the people here ; for " at a meeting of the
town of Norton, Sept. 19th, 1711, voted to Mr. Avery
his salary^ ^40. Os. Od." This was for his first year's
service. A year went by after he was called to settle,
and no response is received from Mr. Avery ; yet the
general understanding in the town is, that he will
finally accept the call, if sufficient encouragement is
given. At any rate, his hearers mean, if it is in their
power, to win him from any other love he may have.
Accordingly, the project of building him a house was
started. '* Yes," says one (and we have no doubt who
he was), " let us build a parsonage. Let us give him
a place to live in, and he will be the more likely to
remain." That man was George Leonard. " I second
1 Bliss's History of Rehoboth, p. 183.
3 State Papers, vol. xi. p. 369.
s General-Court Records, vol. ix. p. 100.
AND 0B6ANIZATI0N OF THE CHUBCH.
68.
the motion,'' sajs another. ^^ It is a capital idea : for,
as things now are, the foxes have holes, and the birds
have nests ; but our minister has not where to laj his
head." That man was Nicholas White. And, wlien
Gteorge Leonard and Nicholas Wliite combine to do
any thing, it must be done. Certainly, as we shall see,
they were more successful than the parish have been
in later times about building a parsonage.
A tax was levied upon the town to assist the mini-
ster in providing a habitation. We here present the
tax-list to our readers : —
BATE-RILL FOB MB. AYEBT's HOUSE.
NAMSS.
Heads.
BMlBitato.
Pvnoiua
t. d.
Bitate.
£ t. di ; £ t. J.
Greorge Leonard ....
13 04
00 15 06
00 14 01
Lt. Samuel BrintneU
20 00
00 04 04
00 05 05
Samuel Hodges . . .
13 04
00 02 09
00 05 02
John Cob. . .
06 08
00 00 03
00 01 09
Selvanis Cambell .
06 08
00 01 08
00 01 10
Nathaniel fisher
06 08
00 00 03
00 02 09
Andrew Grovier ,
06 08
00 01 04
00 02 01
Ephreim Grovier
06 08
00 01 04 ' 00 04 00
Thomas Grovier ,
06 08
00 01 07 ' 00 03 10
John Hodges . .
06 08
00 03 03 00 06 00
Nathaniell hodgea .
06 08
00 02 01.00 03 10
Thomas Stevens
06 08
00 03 03
00 04 00
Eliezer Edye .
06 08
00 02 02
00 03 03
Benjamin Newland
06 08
00 01 04
00 00 09
Robert Tucker . ,
06 08
00 01 05
00 01 10
Nicolas White ,
06 08
00 02 05
00 06 05
John Skiner. .
06 08
00 02 07
00 03 10
John hall. . .
06 08
00 01 04
00 04 07
Petter Aid rich ,
06 08
00 00 09
00 03 04
Joseph Briggs .
06 08
00 01 04
00 00 07
Richard Briggs
06 08
00 01 05
00 01 04
Eliezer fisher ,
t * K
06 08
00 01 04
00 02 08
Israeli fisher
06 08
00 00 00
00 01 04
Benjamin Williams
06 08
00 01 05
00 04 08
John Wetherell, Sen.
13 04
00 03 04
00 07 02
William Wethai
•eU,
. s
en.
13 04
00 01 09
00 05 00
SETTLEUEKT OP A MINISTER,
KtU-BOl, cenliiaud.
HAUKS.
H~...
Rai EitiM.
Pmout
,. d.
£ .. d.
£ i. d.
John Ansdn
06 08
00 01 07
00 02 04
NicolM Smith .
06 08
00 03 04
00 06 08
John Brigs. Jun.
06 08
00 01 09
00 02 08
John Caswell, Sen
06 08
00 01 04
00 07 10
Benjamin Caawell
06 08
00 01 04
00 02 05
John Newland .
06 08
00 03 04
00 05 00
Seth Dorman .
06 08
00 00 03
00 00 00
Joseph Eliot .
06 08
00 00 00
00 01 04
William Hodges
06 08
00 01 05
00 03 06
Mathew White .
06 08
00 01 04
00 02 11
TsaEo Sheapard.
06 08
00 00 00
00 01 4
Siimuell fisher .
06 08
00 00 00
00 03 4
John Smith . .
06 08
00 02 05
00 03 10
John Lane . .
13 04
00 00 00
00 00 0
Ebenezr lulye, .
06 08
00 01 04
00 01 10
Daniell Braman
06 08
00 02 09
00 02 05
William Wetharell, Jun
06 08
00 00 00
00 01 06
William Cobb . . .
06 08
00 00 00
00 00 00
Natbaniell Hervey .
06 08
00 00 00
00 01 10
John Wetharell, Jun.
06 08
00 00 00
00 01 4
Samuell Brintnell, Jun.
6 08
00 00 00
00 00 9
Saipuell Bayley . .
06 08
00 00 06
00 01 4
John Brigs, Sen. .
06 08
00 01 10
00 02 05
James Caswell . .
06 08
00 00 00
00 00 9
Edward White . .
06 08
00 00 00
00 00 0
Samuell Blake, Sen.
00 00
00 02 06
00 00 0
Widow Smith . .
00 00
00 00 00
00 02 1
Benjamin Willis .
00 00
00 01 00
00 00 0
Samuell Alltne . .
00 00
00 01 00
00 00 00
Robert Woodward
00 00
00 01 08
00 00 0
Thomas Hervey, Sen
00 00
00 00 10
00 00 0
William Hervey, Jun
00 00
00 00 10
00 00 0
Moi^an Cobb . .
00 00
00 00 08
00 00 0
Jonathan Lincoln .
00 00
00 00 10
00 00 0
Jeremiah JJewland
00 00
00 00 10
00 00 0
Hftjiiili t)een . ,
00 00
00 00 10
00 00 0
William pratt . .
06 08
00 00 00
00 00 0
Jonathan Williams
00 00
00 01 01
00 00 0
James Leonard, Jun.
00 00
00 02 03
00 00 0
George Hodges .
00 00
00 00 09
00 00 0
AND OBOAHIZATION OP THE CHUBOH.
65*
"This rate, being to pay Mr. Avery 32 pounds towards
building liis honee, was made by as, the subscribers, this first
day of January, 1711-12. it contains 32. 8. 0., Besides 0.
16. 6. put in for the constable, the eight shillings is for
makein the rate.
" George Leoitabd, J
John Wethebel, vAssesors."
Thouas Stepqens, J
Those vhose heads are aot rated were, no doubt, non-
residents. The house was, we presume, erected soon
after the rate was made, though not entirely finished
for some years. This house, thus early built for Mr.
Avery stood on the laud already given to and laid out
for the first minister and a portion of it is still (1858)
standing It is owned by Mr Caswell and occupied
by the present pastor of the Congregational parish.
We here give a picture of it as it now appears
It now fronts to the east. The end we see ia the
{HCture is to the south, and was originally a portion of
the front-side of the house. A large room, nearly
twenty feet square, was, some years since, taken off
from the west end ; and an addition from what is now
66 SETTLEMENT OF A MINISTER,
the front-door, towards the north, was put on, many
years ago, as an L. The roof was originally four-
sided, the south and north sides being longer than the
east and west; the house being about forty-six feet
long and twenty wide. There were two large rooms
on the ground-floor, and two large chambers above.
The space between the two rooms — about twelve feet
wide — was occupied by a huge stone chimney, topped
out with brick, which was taken down some twenty
years ago, when a portion of the house was torn down,
and the rest repaired, and the roof put on^ as it now
appears, by Capt. D. King.
While preparations for building him a house are
going on, no response to the call came from the
minister, who is still preaching to the people. The
town, " Sept. 17th, 1712, voted to Mr. Avery, for his
salary, 45—0 — 0." This was five pounds more than
the year previous ; a further evidence that the town
are anxious to hear a favorable answer to their invita-
tion. Another year passes away, and still Mr. Avery
gives no answer. He certainly was a very deliberate
man. The town, however, " let patience have its per-
fect work ; " and, " Oct. 6th, 1713, voted to Mr. Avery,
for his salary for this year, 45—0 — 0."
Almost another entire year passed away before we
find the following record : —
"On the 13th of September, 1714, Mr. Avery Gave his
answer, which was Excepted by ye town ; and, on that day,
thay voted to Mr. Joseph Avery his salary, 50 — 0 — 0." ^
Whether Mr. Avery's " answer " was written or
verbal, we are not informed ; nor are we told whether
it was an acceptance or declination of the call extended
to him " to settle with them in the work of the mini-
stree," nearly four years before. Yet we have abun-
1 From his settlement to 1720, his salary was j£50; from 1721 to 1784, it
was £60; in 1785 and 1786, it was £80; in 1787, £100: in 1788, £160.
From 1789 to 1742, he had £120; then, for three years, he had £180. From
1746 to his dismission, his salary was £140.
AND OBGANIZATION OP THE CHURCH. 67
dant evidence that it was favorable to the wishes of the
people.
And now, again, the town is all life and animatioii .
A great and all-important event is soon to take place ;
or rather, we may say, two events, — the gathering of
a church, and the ordination of the candidate who has
consented to become their teacher and spiritual adviser.
Tlie laying of the foundation of a new church of Christ
in the wilderness was attended with many difficulties
and inconveniences. Yet the men who peopled the
wilderness, and were making it blossom like the rose,
were not discouraged at trifles. The hand of God was
leading them ; and hence they were sure to come out
right in the end. The day of ordination is fixed upon.
The pastor and messengers of some of the neighboring
churches are invited to form a council, and assist in
the work of consecration. In the mean time, measures
were in progress for the gathering of a church ; a sort
of nucleus, around which, it was hoped, a whole
galaxy of saints would soon cluster. A covenant —
which, in those days, was never very strictly construed,
but was considered more as a bond of union among the
members than as a creed — was prepared.
It is brought forward for the acceptance of those
who had signified to the pastor elect their desire to
become members of the proposed church.
The little band met ; not in an " upper room," for
the houses in those days were principally of one story.
Perhaps it was in the house of God, already erected,
and so far completed as to be occupied. The pastor
elect, in solemn tones and measured voice, read it over,
sentence by sentence, for their acceptance. With a
few additions and expurgations, it is made satisfactory
to all. The vote of acceptance being taken, the pastor
elect affixes his signature ; and, after him, walk up to
the table, one by one, and pen their rude autograph or
make their still ruder " mark," those whose names the
reader will find attached- to the document which we
now present to the reader : —
68 SETTLEMENT OF A MINISTEB,
COVENANT.^
" We, who are, by the holy and Gracious Providance of
onr most Gracious and mercifull God, Brought unto this
Blessed oppertunetey, unto this Extreordinary duty, of Joyning
ourselves togeather according to the Instituted Church visi-
ble, Being deeply sencible of our own utter Insufficiancy (of
ourselves) unto so high and holy a worke, as also a Privi-
lidge ; and having desired and • Laboured solemnly and
sinsarely to sarch our own hearts and ways, and to humble
our souls deeply and Thoroughly before God, and to obtaine
Pardon from Ilim, and Peace with him, tlirough the Blood
of Jesus Christ ; and being also awfully apprehensive of the
dreadfuU Presance of God, — before whome we stand, — and
of the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Exercise of
[his] Kingly and Prophetical oflBce in his church, — we do
(in dependance upon his Grace, and the Conduct and assist-
ance of his holy spent, and in hope of his Graeious accept-
ance), in his holy Presance, name, and fear, Solamnly,
sincearly, visibly, and Profesedly, by our owne free act,
Joyntly Give up ourselves and our seed to almighty God,
as our only God, acording to the termes of his own everlasting
Covenant ; and unto our Lord Jesus Christ, as our only and
absolute Saviour; engaging ourselves with all our Hearts
and with all our soules unto him, in a way of obedience unto
his Great Gospell ordinance of Church fellowship, to Live
and walk together in a way of free and full subjection unto
the only Power and authorety of him, our dear and Blesed
Lord Jesus, the Great and only Shepard and Bishop of our
souls, as his Power is visably and ministerially Exercised in
the Reguler and orderly administration of all Gospel ordi-
nances. Both of doctrine, discipline, and worship, in his*
Church, by such officers whome he has Gifted and Given
unto his Church unto that end ; and also as his Power is exer-
cised in and over our souls by his holy Sperit, unto whome
also we Give up ourselves to be an holy tempel in the Lord.
And we do further Covenant with our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 The original draught of the covenant, with the autographs of the first
members, is not to be found. It was undoubtedly the composition of Mr.
Avery. The oldest copy we have found, the one before the reader, is mostly
in the handwriting of Col. George Leonard ; a few blank spaces being filled in
the handwriting of Mr. Avery. The reader will perceive that there is very
little theological doctrine in it. It was probably intended to be truly a
covenant, and not a creed; for Mr. Avery was not a man who wished to en-
slave the human mind.
AND OBOANIZATION OF THE CHX7BCH. 69
through the Graces of his holj Sperit, to Keep ourselves
dear and free from all Profaine Communion witli the Profaine
world, and firom all prophane communion with anej societies
of men not walking acording to the Rules and command
of Jesus Christ ; and to Keep unto him, according to this our
Holy covenant, with this Perticuler Instituted Church visbelL
and further, we do, in the presence of God, and in his holj
name and fear, Give up ourselves, one unto another, by the
will of Grod, Covenanting to walk & Live togeather as mem-
bers of a Church of Christ, Profesing and Practising that one
only true Religion which is Revealed to us in the word of
God, bj the doctrine both of faith and obedience, according
to that Ejiowledge which God has Given us of it; and also
in the exercise of Brotherly Love and Christian Charety, in
the Constant Performance of all duties of Church Commu-
nion, under the Regular administration of word, prayers,
seals, and censures, even all Church administration, and that
as Grod shall help us, inoffensively and unblumebly, in order
unto our mutual! edefycation and consolation. Finally, we do
Covenant (by God's Grace) to Keep our Communion Pure
and Intire within ourselves, and to maintaine orderly Com-
munion with all other orthodox^ and Rightly Constituted
Churches of Christ ; endevering to Presarve the unity of the
sperit in the Bond of Peace.
" This Holy Covenant we Humbly undertake in the name
and fear of God, with Humble Confidence in and dependance
upon him for the assistance of his Grace unto the faithfuU
Performance of all these our holy Covenant duties unto him-
selfe, and one unto another, with Patience and Perseverance
to the end with all; Hurabelly and most hartely Praying
that God would Pardon all our sins, both Past and Present,
& accept of us as his Covenant People, and become our God.
to him be Glory in the Church by Jesus Christ throughout
all ages, world with [out] end. Amen.
" Dated ye 4th Oct., 1714.
" George Leonard, John Briggs, John Wetherell, Thomas
Skinner, Peter Aldrich, Ephraim Grover, Joseph Donham,
John Skinner, Israel Fisher, Thomas Grover, Nicholas White,
Seth Dorman, John Hall."
1 The term " orthodox," as used among the early Puritans, we think,
meant simply what we mean by the word " congregational" at the present
time. It was used to designate Ihose who held to a particular torra of
church governmeut and ordinances from those who dififered from them iu
70 SETTLEMENT OP A MINISTER,
The signing of the document is to be regarded only
as a preliminary step to the full and complete organi-
zation of the church about three weeks later. The
day of ordination, and of regularly constituting the
church,, at length arrived. On the morning of a day
late in autumn were seen emerging from the woods,
and coming through the by-paths, in every direction,
men, women, and children, all seemingly centring to
one point. Some, the more wealthy and aristocratic
of the town, are on horseback, with their wives, and
perhaps one or two children, on the pillion behind
them. Others are on foot, carrying in one arm an
infant, and leading with the other hand its older bro-
ther or sister. The whole town is astir, and strangers
from the neighboring settlements are also moving
towards the same central point. That point is the new
meeting-house, not yet completely finished. The occa-
sion of this unusually large gathering, and the precise
date of it, we find by turning to the church-records..
The first entry made therein, in the handwriting of
the first minister, explains the whole matter. It is in
these words, viz. : " A church was gathered in Nor-
ton on the 28th of October, in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and fourteen."^ The names
of "those who covenanted as members" are there
given. They are the same as those who signed the
covenant, Oct. 4; "and," says the record, "on the
same day, Oct. 28, 1714, was ordained Mr. Joseph
Avery as pastor of the church of Christ in Norton.
He was the first minister in Norton. At his ordination,
Rev. Samuel Danforth, of Taunton, gave the charge ;
and the Rev. Thomas Greenward, of Rehoboth, gave the
this respect. It was used by the Puritans to distinguish themselves from
the Baptist, Presbyterian, and Quaker sects. &c. There certainly, in times
past, was as much difiference of theological opinion between those styling
themselves " Orthodox," as we now find amon^ those denominated " Con-
gregationalists." In the former term were mcluded Calvinists and Ar-
minians; as, in the latter, are included Trinitarians and Unitarians. K
the word " orthodox " was used in its legitimate sense, — ^meaning " sound
in doctrine,'* — one sect had as much right to claim it as another; for all
sects honestly believe that their doctrines are sound.
1 This was in Old Style. In New Style, the date would be Nov. 8, 1714.
AND OBGANIZATIOK OF THE CHTJBCH. 71
right hand of fellowship." No mention is made of
any other ministers; yet probably some others were
present.
The above is every scrap of authentic history that
has come down to us of the proceedings relative to the
organization of the church and the settlement of a mini-
ster. Other persons, several of them the wives of the
original members of the church, soon united with it ;
a deacon was chosen, &c. ; of which we shall say more
hereafter.
At quite an early period of our colonial existence, at
the gathering of a church, those who proposed to join
in covenant were required to make a declaration of
their Christian experience. So also, for many years,
for admission to a church already organized, a similar
prerequisite was expected of candidates. The subse-
quent as well as the original members were required to
express their assent to the covenant, and to give satis-
faction concerning their faith. We give below one of
these confessions, or " experiences " as they were some-
times called. The date of it is probably about 1743.
" I desire to bless God for that he hath cast my lot in a
Gospel Land, whare I have the Glad tidings of a Saviour
proclaimed in mine ears ; and for that I haue the holy Scrip-
tures to Read, & to direct me in the ways of God's comands.
And I allso desiar to bless God for his Goodness to me, that I
desended of such parents, who taught and instructed me, and
gaue me up to God in mine infency in baptisem ; which is an
ordinance apinted by Christ to beleiuers and their infant
seed. &, notwithstanding God's goodness to me, I haue
sined against him. I therefore acknowledge, I deserues no-
thing from the hand of God but his wrath and indgnattion to
be poured out upon me. But I would bless his most holy
name that he hath put it into my heart to be making my peace
with him. I have had a desire for som time to come to the
Lord's table ; but, being in som measure sensable of my own
unworthness, I daust not, least, by coming unworthily, I eat
and drink iudgment to myself. But I haue taken incourige-
ment from the word of God to come up to this holy ordi-
nance ; as in marthew xi. 28, ' Come unto me, all ye that
Labour and are heavy-Laden, & I will giue you rest ;' John vi.
72 SETTLEMENT OF A MINISTER,
37, * And he that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.'
I desire to come hungering and thirsting after Christ, & to
be putting my trust in him. I allso desire to forsake all sin,
as it is a braaking of God's holy & ius law. I also desire the
prayers of this Church to God for me, that so I may become
a worthy communicant at the Lord's table."
We have now told our readers all the facts we have
gathered relative to the establishment of the gospel
ministry in our town, with the exception of the erec-
tion of a house of worship, which we shall record in its
proper place.
We have seen that a farm had been given the mini-
ster ; that he had been assisted in the building of a
dwelling-house, &c. : but we have said nothing relative
to the occupation of his house by the pastor. Perhaps
he kept a " bachelor's hall " for a time. Possibly he
hired a housekeeper for a few years, till he could clear
up his land, and lay by a little patrimony towards the
support of a helpmeet and companion. There is no
record or tradition that he had more than one wife;
and hence we conclude that he waited till he was
almost entitled to the first twenty acres willed him by
Thomas Leonard, before he entered into the family
relation. The minister's house, as we have said, was
not finished for some years. But suddenly the people
wake up to the importance of completing it. A town-
meeting was held Aug. 4, 1719 ; and from the records
of it we take the following extracts : —
" 31y, According to the warant for sd. meating for to Rayse
monis for to finish the ministr's hous, acordingly Proseded to
give twenty pounds by way of rate, & Sum by way of free-
will ofring or. Gift at sd. meeting.
" 41y, Voted to give ye minister twenty pounds for the finish-
ing of his hous, to be raised on ye inhabitanc by way of rate,
nicolas Smith, and Benjamin Williams, and Ebenezer Eddy,
having given already, are to be Excepted in sd. act ; and John
AND ORGANIZATION OP THE CHUBCH. 78
Briggs, gran. Sen., on his promis to Give Bricks, is Excepted
also.
" Nicolas Smith promised to Give Mr. Avery ten shilinds
in two months, in money or grain, at money-price.
" Ebenezer Eddy has given 0 — 5 — 0 already.
" Benjamin Williams has given 0 — 10 — 0 already.
" John briggs, Grand Sen., promis to give five shilinds' worth
of good wether brick at the kill at John Gilbard's at taunton.
^ Nathaniel fisher promis to give ten shilinds in two months
in worck.
" John Newland, Sen., promis to give ten shilinds, — five in
money, & five in worck.
" John Austen promis to give ten shilinds, — five in money,
& five in worck.
" Thomas Skinner and his suns gives twenty shilinds, — ten
in money, & ten in worck.
" Uriah Leonard gives ^\e shilinds by promis.
** John briggs, Sen., promis to give twenty shilinds in worck
in two months. Jeremiah Newland promis to give three shi-
linds in two months. John Harvey promis to give twenty
shilinds (ten in money, & ten in worck) in two months. Jo-
seph Hodges gave five shilinds money, & two pare of Hocks
& hinges, at six shilinds' price, in two months. John New-
land, sen., or benianin Newland, promis to give five shilinds
in worck in two months. Jonathan Linkoln promis to lath
the west Chamber. John Andrus promis to lath the East
Chamber. John Hodges, sen., gives twenty shilinds in money
Mr. avery oes said Hodges. Left. Nicolas White promis to
give twenty shilinds money in two months."
But what roused the people to take hold of this mat-
ter so earnestly ? No doubt they have heard of the
minister's frequent visits to Rehoboth, and they suspect
it is not all out of pure friendship for Rev. Mr. Green-
wood. Perhaps he had let drop a few words, that " it
was not good for man to be alone ; " or some '' busy-
body " from Rehoboth, if they had such folks in those
days, might have reported that there was a little matri-
monial speculation going on between the Norton mini-
ster and the great-grand-daughter of the first minister
of Rehoboth. These are simply surmises on our part,
and the reader must take them for what they are
worth. On the town-books of Rehoboth is the follow-
74 EARLY SETTLERS.
ing entry, which certainly gives some foundation for
the surmises just entertained : —
" Mr. Joseph Avery, of Norton, and Miss Sarah Newman,
of Rehoboth, Published the 13th of August, 1720."
It is evident now why the minister's house should be
finished. The date of the marriage of Mr. Avery and
Miss Newman I have not found. It probably took
place, according to the usual course of things, about
the 1st of September of the same year ; but whether at
Rehoboth or elsewhere, is unknown.
Mrs. Avery was the daughter of Deacon Samuel and
Hannah Newman ; grand-daughter of Samuel and Ba-
sheba (Chickering) Newman ; and, without doubt, the
great-grand-daughter of Rev. Samuel Newman, one of
the first settlers and the first minister of Rehoboth.
She was born the 20th of November, 1700 ; and was
consequently about thirteen years younger than her
husband, and might have been one of his pupils when
he kept school at Rehoboth.
CHAPTER VII.
EARLY SETTLERS.
** AH, all are gone, the old &inlliar foees.** — C. Laxb.
In this chapter we shall give some account of the first
settlers; all of whom, with but one exception, are
known to have been here previous to or in 1711, — the
year the town was incorporated. It is very diiBScult to
ascertain where some of them lived ; for the town was
not laid out in regular lots ; but the first proprietors
took up land where it suited them best, — a piece of
upland here, and a plat of meadow there : and, in sub-
sequent divisions, their lots were not always bordering
upon those previously occupied; so that, when we
EABLY SETTLERS. 75
ascertain where any particular man's lot lay, it is not
certain that his house was on that lot. So far as we
have been able to ascertain the location of the first
houses, they were invariably built near to a stream or
spring of water. Probably the old homesteads of some
of the pioneer settlers are now covered with a growth of
wood. The names of the settlers given in this chapter
we find on the petition for a precinct; or the tax-bill to
build Mr. Avery's house, already given ; of on a tax-
bill to build the first meeting-house, which we shall
give in a subsequent chapter relating to meeting-
houses. We can find but few gravestones to designate
the spot where these men are buried, or to tell the
exact dates of their death. This fact serves to cor-
roborate the saying of Pope, —
" Who builds a church to God, and not to fame,
Will never mark the marble with his name."
But few of the deaths of the early settlers are even
recorded on our town-books. From the probate-books,
however, at Taunton, we can approximate to the time
of their departure. In most cases the will was proved,
or an administrator appointed, within a few weeks
succeeding the demise of the individual. For the
sake of convenient reference, we have arranged, in
alphabetical order, the names of the settlers, relative
to whom we shall now give what few facts we have
gathered.
Peter Aldrich settled at the place where Isaac T.
Braman now lives. He was one of the original mem-
bers of the church. His wife was Experience ,
married before 1702 ; and they had three children.
Of his ancestry we know nothing. He was dead pre-
vious to March 16, 1724-5 ; for his wife was appointed
administratrix of his estate on that day.
Deacon John Andrews might have been the son of
Henry and Mary (Deane) Andrews, who were married
Feb. 17, 1685-6 ; and was born about 1686. He is
supposed to have been a grandson of Henry Andrews,
one of the first settlers of Taunton. He lived a short
distance easterly of No. 3 Schoolhouse, where Mrs.
76 EARLY SETTLEBS.
David Woodward now lives (?) ; and was, for several
years, a deacon of the Congregational church of this
town. He married Hannah , and had five chil-
dren. He died Jan. 28, 1763, in his seventy-seventh
year. We here give his autograph, written in 1752.
John Austin was the son of Jonah Austin, jun., of
Taunton ; and was born 1st July, 1671. He lived at
the east part of the town, near the sawmill above
Capt. T. Copeland's. His wife's name was Sarah ,
and they had three or more children. When he died
is unknown.
Samuel Bayley lived at the east part of Mansfield.
He married, Aug. 28, 1711, Elizabeth Caswell, and
had eight or nine children. He died previous to
March 5, 1754.
Thomas Braman, Sen., might have been the son of
Thomas, who, with his wife, were at Taunton, June,
1653.^ But of his ancestry we are uncertain. He is
supposed to have lived at the place now occupied by
Allen D. Lane ; but at what time he settled there is
unknown. He married Hannah Fisher, Jan. 20,
1685-6 ; and had nine, perhaps ten, children. He
died June 7, 1709. His widow died Sept. 18, 1714.
Thomas Braman, Jun., is supposed to have been the
son of Tliomas, sen., just mentioned, and to have been
born about 1686 ; but his name is not recorded with
the other children of Thomas, sen. He was dead
previous to May 1, 1725. We do not know in what
part of the town he lived.
Daniel Braman was the son of Thomas, sen,, and
Hannah (Fisher) Braman ; and was born Oct. 11,
1688. He lived at the place where his father settled.
He married, Nov. 25, 1714, Rachel Cambell (probably
the first couple married in town by Rev. Mr. Avery),
1 See Plymouth- Colony Records, vol. iii. pp. 87 and 88.
EABLY SETTLERS. 77
and had six (?) children. He died between May 22
and 28, 1753. His wife is supposed to have died in
1756, as her will was probated Nov. 29 of that year.
Deacon John Briggs was the son of Richard and
Bebecca (Haskins) Briggs, of Taunton, and was born
Feb. 26, 1669 (70 ?). He is presumed to have lived
near the Centre, as he used to sweep the meeting-house,
and was several times chosen " Clark of ye Market."
He is supposed to have been the man who was the first
town-clerk of Norton. On the records he is sometimes
called John Briggs the eldest, and sometimes grand
senior. He married (probably second wife) Mary
Burt, May 29, 1727. He was one of the original
members of the church, and, for several years, deacon
of the same ; and died June 29, 1750, in his eighty-
first year. We here give his autograph ; at any rate,
that of the first town-clerk.
^'^
Joseph Briggs (brother of Deacon John, last named)
was born 15th June, 1674. He settled near where
Laban Lincoln now lives. He married (perhaps liis
second wife), Oct. 20, 1718, Mehitable Hall; and had
three children. He died previous to Dec. 18, 1751.
Richard Briggs was the brother of Deacon John and
Joseph, just mentioned, and was born 12th January,
1679. He settled at the place recently owned by Dr.
Leavet Bates, deceased ; and his house is supposed to have
stood where the Dr. Bates House now stands, directly
in front of the Trinitarian meeting-house. His wife
was Mercy, married about 1706 or 8 ; and they had
four sons. He died about the 1st of January, 1733 ;
as his will was proved Jan. 10, 1732-3.^
1 In the Centre Burying-ground we find the gravestones of Richard Briggs,
and Mercy his wife, which say that he died October, 1741, in his fifty-fourth
year; and that she died September, 1749, in her fifty-sixth year. We think the
dates on these stones are erroneous. We can find traces of only one Richard
Briggs, of Norton, so early, except the son of the one whose will was proved
78 EARLY SETTLERS.
Deacon John Briggs, Jim., is supposed to have been
the son of William and Sarah (Macomber) Briggs, of
Taunton ; and was born 19th March, 1680. He was
doubtless the same person who was sometimes called
John Briggs, second and senior. He probably lived
in the easterly part of the town, and married, previous
to 1713, Hannah Rocket. He may have been the man
who married (for second wife ?) Hannah Wetherell in
1721. His will was probated Aug. 26, 1756; and,
in it, he mentions eight children. We presume he
was the John Briggs, second, who was deacon of the
church.
Samuel Briggs lived at the place now owned by
Benjamin Sweet. Of his ancestry we know nothing.
He married, July 27, 1692, Mary Hall, and had several
children. He died about 1705 (?), and his widow
married Benjamin Caswell.
Capt. Samuel Brintnell was the son of Thomas and
Esther Brintnell (the first settlers of what is now Mans-
field), and was born Dec. 2 (?), 1665. He lived at
the homestead of his father, and was a very influential
man in the early history of the town, — much employed
in public affairs as selectman, and representative to the
General Court. I am told by Mrs. Lucilda Brintnell,
now ninety years old, that his first wife was Margaret
Carpenter. When she died we know not. He had,
before 1701, a second wife, Esther. She died Dec. 20,
1730. May 23, 1734, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Blake,
of Wrentham. He died between Nov. 19, 1735 (date
of will), and Jan. 14, 1735-6, when his will was pro-
bated. In his will, he names six children.
Samuel Brintnell, Jun., was the son of Samuel,
just mentioned, and was probably born about 1690,
and lived near the old homestead. His first wife was
in 1732-3 ; and he had no wife Mercy, and is known to have been alive many
years subsequent to 1741. It will be noticed, that, on the gravestones of
Richard and Mercy, the day of the month they died is not given. The date
of Richard's death, as given on the gravestone, corresponds exactly with
that of Richard whose will was proved 1732-8. No doubt Richard and wife
had been dead so long before the stones were put up, that the dates of their
deaths were forgotten, and thus the mistake was made.
EABLY SETTLEBS. 79
Hannah . She died March 20, 1712-13. Dec.
22, 1726, he married Lydia Briggs, and had three
children. His wife Lydia was appointed administratrix
of his estate, Dec. 16, 1740.
Sylvanus Cambell settled at the place now owned
by Sanford Freeman, probably before 1700. His house
is supposed to have stood between Mr. Freeman's and
Benjamin C. Wetherell's. Of his ancestry we have
learned nothing. His wife's name was ]^ary ,
and he had fourteen children. His will was probated
Sept. 1, 1718.
John Caswell, Sen., was the son of Thomas Caswell,
of Taunton, and was born July 1, 1656. He settled
at the east part of what is now Mansfield. He is sup-
posed to have been the John Caswell who married
Elizabeth Hall, Nov. 26, 1689. He had six children.
His estate was appraised March 20, 1713-14.
John Caswell, Jun., was the son of John, just
named, and was bom July 19, 1690. He settled at
the easterly part of Mansfield. He was a lieutenant
in the expedition to Cape Breton in 1744-5 ; and
was, no doubt, the Ensign Caswell mentioned in Major
Joseph Hodges' company ; and was soon promoted to
the office of lieutenant. In the " Genealogical Regis-
ter," vol. iv. p. 27, may be seen a letter from his wife to
him while absent " in the king's service." Her name
was Hannah, married before 1713 ; and they had ten
children. He died 18th December, 1773. She died
6th July, 1769, in her eighty-first year.
Benjamin Caswell was probably the son of Thomas,
and the grandson of Thomas, sen., of Taunton, and
was born Nov. 16, 1675. He probably lived some-
where in the east part of Mansfield. He married,
March 17, 1706-7, Mary, widow of Samuel Briggs,
and had five children by her. The date of his death
is unknown.
James Caswell is supposed to have been the brother
of Benjamin, and was born May 17, 1681. We know
nothing more of him.
John Cobb might have been the son of John and
80 EARLY SETTLERS.
Jane (Woodward) Cobb, of Taunton, and was born
March 31, 1678. He is supposed to have lived near
where Albert Skinner now lives. His wife's name was
Susannah. The leaf on which the births of his chil-
dren were recorded in the town-records is lost. His
son John was appointed administrator of his estate,
Sept. 15, 1724.
William Cobb was, perhaps, a brother of John. He
lived in the easterly part of the town. His wife was
Mary Newland, married Feb. 11, 1694-5, and is sup-
posed to have been a daughter of Jeremiah and Kathe-
rine Newland, of Taunton ; for, Jan. 10, 1700-1, John
Wetherell, William Wetherell, Jeremiah Newland, Wil-
liam Cobb, John Newland, Benjamin Newland, Anthony
Newland, and Nicholas Smith, enter into an agreement
relative to tlie property of said Jeremiah and Kathe-
rine, whom they call their father and mother.^ I can
find no account of children.
Seth Dorman settled in the east part of what is now
Mansfield. Of his birth and parentage we can learn
nothing. He was probably from some town in Essex
County, as there were Dormaus in that vicinity. He
was one of the original members of the church. He
married Sarah Thayer, of Braintree, Aug. 13, 1715 ;
and had six children. He died Dec. 21, 1741.
Joseph Dunham lived on Lockety Neck, easterly of
the road leading from Elbridge G. Hunt's to the Cop-
per-works. It is uncertain whether he was here as
early as 1711 or not ; but, as he was one of the origi-
nal members of the churcli, we have honored him with
a place in this chapter. He married Bethiah Chase,
June 19, 1706 ; but no record of children has been
found.
Ebenezer Eddy was the son of John and Deliverance
(Owin) Eddy, of Taunton, grandson of Samuel and
Elizabeth Eddy, of Plymoutli, great-grandson of Rev.
William Eddy, a nonconformist minister of Cranbrook,
Kent County, England, and was born 16th May,
1 Probate Records, vol. ii. p. 67, &c.
EABLY SETTLEBS. 81
1676 (?). He settled near Crane's Depot ; perhaps
where John or Elijah Eddy live. He married proba-
bly, 1702, Mary Fisher (?) ; and had eight children.
An administrator of his estate was appointed Dec. 4,
1756. His autograph was written in 1723.
GCeru2J^^
Elbazer Eddy was a brother of Ebenezer, and was
born 16th October, 1681. He lived on the place now
owned by George B. Crane ; and his house stood west-
erly of Mr. Crane's, near the road that leads to Daniel
Gallegan's. He married, Feb. 6, 1722-3, Elizabeth
Cobb, of Taunton; and had ten children. He was
a carpenter. He died Dec. 8, 1739. There was an
Eleazer Eddy who married Elizabeth Randall, March 27,
1701. It is possible that he was the man, and that
Miss Cobb was his second wife.
Joseph Elliot lived at the east part of Mansfield.
Of his ancestry we are ignorant. His wife was Han-
nah , married before 1711; and they had seven
children. He died in March or April, 1752.
Samuel Fisher was the son of Daniel and Hannah
Fisher, of Taunton, and was born 3d December, 1669.
He is supposed to have lived in the neighborhood of
where Albert S. Tucker now (1858) lives. His wife
Lydia was appointed administratrix of his estate, Oct.
20, 1724.
Eleazer Fisher was the brother of Samuel ; and was
born 12th May, 1673. He lived near where Deacon Al-
mond Tucker lived in 1855. He married Hannah
Eddy, 24th December, 1696 ; and had ten children. He
died between Nov. 16 and Dec. 3, 1750, when his will
was probated. His autograph was written in 1727.
^^Jij.<H^ }iU,
\^
82 EABLY SETTLEBS.
Israel Fisher was born 27th March, 1680 ; and is
supposed to have settled near his brothers, Samuel and
Eleazer. He was one of the original members of the
church* His wife's name was Susannah , mar-
ried before 1710 ; and they had five children.
Nathaniel Fisher was a brother of those just men-
tioned, and was born 9th February, 1681. He proba-
bly lived near Barrowsville. He married Deborah ,
about 1705 ; and had eight children. His will was
dated March 27, and probated April 11, 1761.
Thomas Grover was the son of Thomas and Sarah
(^Chadwick) Grover, of Maiden, and was born, ac-
cording to records, March, 1668 (1669 ?). He settled
near what is now West Mansfield. He and his bro-
thers, Andrew and Ephraim, bought land in company,
Nov. 14, 1702 ; and built their houses some forty or
fifty rods apart, forming a sort of equilateral triangle.
Thomas's house was where John T. Tobit now lives, on
the road leading to the Christian Chapel. Andrew's
house was where Rev. N. S. Chadwick now lives, on
the road leading to Mansfield Centre ; and Ephraim's
house was on the road now leading to the Depot, at
West Mansfield. Thomas married, July 29, 1697,
Mary Cox ; and had three children born at Maiden,
and three others at Norton.
Andrew Grover, the brother of Thomas, was born
October, 1673. His wife's name was Mary , married
about 1697 ; and they had three children born at Mai-
den, before removing to Norton, and seven afterwards.
He is supposed to have died about 1751.
Deacon Ephraim Grover, a brother of those pre-
viously mentioned, was born about 1675. He married
in 1700, at Maiden, Mary Pratt ; and they had four (?)
children. He was for some years deacon of the
church in the North Precinct of Norton (Mansfield).
He died Feb. 25, 1766.
John Hall is supposed to have been the son of Sa-
muel Hall, of Taunton, and born 19th October, 1666.
He lived in the Mansfield part of Norton, near to Cob-
bler's Corner, probably on the east side of Rumford
EABLY SETTLERS. 83
River ; and was, at one time, one of the owners of a
gristmill njear Cobbler's Corner. He married Elizabeth
King, Dec. 17, 1696. He is supposed to have been the
person who had a wife Esther in 1711, and a wife Ruth
in 1720 ; and who married Sarah Welman, March 7,
1726-7. He was one of the original members of the
church. He is supposed to have been dead previous to
1738. We here give his autograph, written in 1716.
^o^J^
Ebenezeb Hall was the brother of John, born
19th March, 1677. In what part of the town he settled,
or what became of him, we are not informed. He (?)
married Jane Bumpus, June 22, 1704.
Nathaniel Harvey has left behind him but very few
traces. His wife's name was Susannah ; and she was
one of the first persons who called for aid from the
town. There was some controversy between Norton
and Taunton relative to her legal residence ; but in
April, 1713, the Court of Sessions decided that Mr.
Harvey and his wife were inhabitants of Norton, and
their relations were ordered to give assistance to Su-
sannah.
John Hodges was the son of John and Elizabeth
(Macy) Hodges, of Taunton (grandson of William
Hodges, who was at Taunton in 1643), and was born
5th April, 1673. He settled at the place where Noah
Smith now lives; but his house was farther down
towards the river. He was town-clerk for several
years, and was much employed in transacting business
for the town. He married Mary , and had six
children. He died Jan. 20, 1743-4. The autograph
we give was written in 1739.
Nathaniel Hodges was the brother of John, and
was born 2d April, 1675. He settled at the place now
84 EARLY SETTLERS.
owned by Thomson Tripp ; and his house stood back
from the road, about midway from Mr. Tripp's to L.
0. Makepeace's. He kept the first public-house (1712)
in town of which we have any account. He married
Hannah Dean, and had nine children. He died (?)
8d March, 1760. His wife died Jan. 3, 1768, in her
eighty-fifth year.
Samuel Hodges was a brother of the above, and was
born 20th May, 1678. He settled at the place easterly
of J. 0. Messenger's, now owned by D. and S. Holman,
of Attleborough. He was much employed in town-
affairs. He kept tavern, from 1713, seven or eight years.
His first wife was Experience Leonard, married Dec. 31,
1700. She died Aug. 24, 1716. March 7, 1717, he
married Mary Allen, of Taunton. She died 21st August,
1723. He had, by both wives, seven children ; and
died probably in April, 1725.
William Hodges was also a brother of those just
mentioned, and was born 6th June, 1682. He settled
near the common graveyard, just beyond Austin Mes-
senger's, where Rev. Joseph Palmer afterwards lived.
His wife's name was Hannah Tisdale, married Feb. 8,
1710 ; and he had two children by her. She died
7th March, 1715, aged twenty-six. His second wife was
Clapp, and they had four children. He did not
remain in town many years ; but probably, on the death
of his father in 1719, or soon after, removed to the
old homestead in Taunton, where he is believed to
have died June 23, 1766.
John Lane was the son of Andrew and Tryphena
Lane, of Hingham, and grandson of William Lane,
who came to Dorchester from England (?) in 1635-6,
and died about 1654. John Lane was a shoemaker ;
and married, June 18, 1674, Mehitable Hobart. She
died at Hingham, Feb. 15, 1690. His second wife was
Sarah . About 1694, he came to Norton, and set-
tled on the farm now owned by his descendant, George
Lane, near the line of Attleborough, a part of his farm
being in the latter town ; and possibly he lived for a
short time in Attleborough, as the birth of several of his
EABLY SETTLERS. 85
children are recorded in that town. He had twelve
children ; and from him, through his son Ephraim, are
descended all the Lanes now of Norton: but it is
uncertain whether Ephraim was by the first or second
wife; but we think the former. He died Nov. 23,
1712. His gravestone says his age was sixty-two;
which would make him bom in 1650. The Hingham
record says he was born Jan. 20, 1648. Doubtless the
gravestone is incorrect.
Hon. George Leonard, the son of Judge Thomas
and Mary (Watson) Leonard, of Taunton, grandson of
James and Margaret Leonard, who came to Taunton in
1652, and great-grandson of Thomas Leonard, of Pon-
typool, Wales, was born 18th April, 1671. This family
of Leonards claimed descent from Lennard Lord Dacre,
one of the most distinguished families of the nobility of
the United Ejngdom ; and descended in two lines from
Edward IH., through two of his sons, John of Gaunt,
Duke of Lancaster, and Thomas Plantaganet, Duke of
Gloucester. There appears to be some ground for this
claim, from the fact that the arms of the Lennard and
Leonard families were the same. Near the close of the
last century, the last Lord Dacre, bearing the name of
Lennard, died ; and it is supposed that the late Judge
Leonard — who was a grandson of George, who first
settled in Norton — could have claimed the title. At
any rate, there was some consultation among the
Leonards in this vicinity upon the propriety of claim-
ing it ; but I am told the matter ended by the Judge
saying that "he preferred to be lord of acres in
America, rather than Lord Dacre in England." ^
Whether descended from Lord Dacre or not, the
subject of this sketch, and his descendants, lived
very much in the style of the English nobility ; being
the owners of an immense tract- of land, and sur-
rounded by their tenantry. Probably no family in
New England were lords of more acres than the
Norton Leonards. The ancestors of George Leonard
• ■ — . — — —
1 For more particulars of the Leonard family than are given here, see
Genealogical Register, yoI. v. p. 403 and onward.
8
86 EABLT SETTLEBS.
were interested in the iron-works, both in England
and America ; and, as we have already stated, he acted
as the agent of his father, and uncle James, in setting
up, in 1695, the first hloomery, or iron-forge, within
the limits of our town. The house (built before 1700)
in which George Leonard lived is still standing, and is
said to have been the first framed house erected in
town. We here give a picture of it as it now (1858)
appears.
The L, on the right, is the original structure. The
m^n body of the house is supposed to have been built,
aifer the death of the first Geoi^, by his son Geor^.
The house is now owned by William, Don F., Charles
D., and Oliver H. Lane, and others. Many of the
venerable trees, which have surrounded the house and
adorned the grounds for ages, have recently been
despoiled by the woodman's axe ; and thus the place
has been shorn of much of its ancient grandeur. In
1707, the subject of this notice bought his uncle
James's half of the iron-works and land ; and in
1713, on the death of his father, came into the
possession of the other half. He was the leading
EARLY SETTLEBS. 87
man among the first settlers of Norton; one of the
first board of selectmen; the first representative to
the General Court ; the first justice of the peace ; and
his name was first attached to the church-covenant.
At the time of his death (Sept. 5, 1716), he held
the office of major in the militia, and judge of the
Court of Common Pleas. He married, 4th July, 1695,
Anna Tisdale, daughter of John and Hannah (Rogers)
Tisdale, of Taunton, and had eleven children, the
last of whom was born after his death. His widow
subsequently married Nathaniel Thomas, of Plymouth,
and died September, 1733, aged sixty-one.
In a poem, published on the occasion of his death,
he was styled " The prudent, pious, worthy, and wor-
shipful Major George Leonard, Esquire." ^ We here
give his autograph, written in 1713.2
Benjamin Newland, the son of Jeremiah and Kathe-
rine Newland, of Taunton, was born about 1670 (?).
He settled at the place now owned by Deacon A. D.
Hunt. He married Sarah Leonard, July 23, 1702,
and had two children. He married (second wife)
Elizabeth Caswell, Nov. 29, 1716. He died in 1754.
She died Nov. 4, 1739.
John Newland was a brother of Benjamin, and
lived on the opposite side of the brook from where
Thomas Copeland now lives. The leaf where a por-
tion, at least, of his children's births were recorded, is
lost. There were a John and Hannah Newland, who
had five children, born between 1722 and 34. It is
possible that he was the same individual ; and Hannah
might have been his second wife.
1 See Judicial History of Massachusetts, by Hon. Emory Washburn,
p. 868.
3 As he had a son and a grandson bearing the same name as himself, who
were leading men in the town and state, the three have been distinguished
respectively as "Major" George, "Colonel" George, and "Judge" George
Leonard.
88 EARLY SETTLERS.
Jabez Pratt was, perhaps, the son of Jonathan, of
Plymouth ; born Nov. 1, 1673. He owned land near
where Deacon Jason F. Alden lives, and was here as
early as 1695. He married Elizabeth Cobb, Feb. 23,
1697-8, and probably died, or removed from town,
soon after its incorporation. We here insert his auto-
graph, written in 1695.
Ja ^c^
William. Pratt has left few materials for a biogra-
phy. The leaf where the births of his children were
recorded is missing from the town-records. His wife
Experience was admitted to Mr. Avery's church, Nov. 7,
1714 ; dismissed from the church at Weymouth.
Ephraim Sheldon settled in the westerly part of
Mansfield. Of his pedigree we are ignorant. He had
a wife, Jane , married before 1709 ; and four or
more children, a portion of whom were born in Nor-
ton. He early removed to Attleborough ; and there
we lose all traces of him.
Isaac Shepard was the son of Thomas and Hannah
(Ensign) Shepard, and was born at Charlestown in
April or May, 1682. His father was first in Maiden,
then in Medford, Charlestown, and Brookline, and
died at Milton. Isaac lived at the place now owned
by Elkanah Wheeler, and came to Norton about 1707.
He married Elizabeth Fuller, of Cambridge (?), Dec. 31,
1702 ; and had nine children. He died June 24,
1724 ; and from him, through his son Isaac, was de-
scended the celebrated Miss Mary Lyon, the founder
of the Mount-Holyoke Female Seminary at South
Hadley.i
Thomas Skinner, the son of Thomas and Mary (?)
Skinner, and grandson of Thomas, who came from
1 For this fact, and for most of the items relating to Isaac Shepard, I am
indebted to Lucius M. Boltwood, Esq., of Amherst; who has a very com-
plete history of the Norton branch of the Shepard family. He is the grand-
son of Rev. Mase Shepard, of whom we shall speak in another place.
EARLY SETTLEBS. 89
Chichester, England, about 1650, and settled in Mai-
den, was born November, 1668. He settled in the
westerly part of the North Purchase, now Mansfield,
as early as 1695 ; for his name appears as one of the
proprietors of the North Purchase on a deed of land
to Thomas and James Leonard, already mentioned.
He is believed by some to have settled fu:st in Wren-
tham, because some of his children's births are re-
corded there. He doubtless attended meeting at
Wrentham, because it was much nearer than Taunton ;
but I am confident that he did not reside there. He
was one of the original members of our church, and
the first schoolmaster of Norton. He married Hannah
Carpenter (?) about 1694, and had eight children.
His will was made June 9, 1757, in his eighty-ninth
year ; and was probated May 19, 1750 : so that he was
in the ninetieth year of his age when he died. We here
give his autograph, written in 1722.
John Skinner was a brother, or perhaps only half-
brother, of Thomas : for Mary, the wife of Thomas
Skinner, died at Maiden, April 9, 1671 ; and John was
born April, 1673. He settled in the west part of the
North Purchase about the time Thomas did; was a
proprietor, and his name is attached to the deed of the
proprietors to the Leonards. He was a member of
our church at its organization. His wife's name was
Sarah , married about 1696 ; and they had seven
children. He was living in 1738 ; but when he died
is uncertain. There was a John Skinner who died at
Wrentham, April 8, 1754 ; and he might have been
the man. His autograph was written in 1695.
Nicholas Smith was the " step-child ** of F^mer
Smith, of Taunton, and was born 21st February,
1672. He is supposed to have lived near where
8»
90 EABLY SETTLEBS.
Hathaway Leonard now lives. Before 1762, he moved
to Taunton, and died there about the beginning of the
year 1759. His first wife was Mercy Newland (?),
married before 1713. She died Oct. 10, 1723. His
second wife was Jerusha Leonard, married Jan. 21,
1724-6. By both wives, he had twelve children.
John Sbhth is supposed to have been the son of
John and Jael (?) (Parker) Smith, of Taunton, and
to have been bom 6th December, 1680 ; but there is
much doubt as to his paternity. There was a John
Smith, jun., and Mary Briggs, of Norton, married
Nov. 9, 1714.
Thomas Stephens was the son of Richard Stephens,
of Taunton, and was born 3d February, 1674. He
is supposed to have lived near the centre of the town.
In 1712, he had land laid out to him on Lockety
Neck, near the junction of Rumford and Wading
Rivers. He was one of the first board of selectmen.
He married Mary Caswell, Sept. 28, 1699. I find no
record of his children on the town-books ; but three are
buried in the Centre Burying-ground. He is supposed
to have died soon after 1762. His autograph was
written in 1716. ^
Robert Tucker lived between Barrowsville and
John Harvey's, and is believed to have been there as
early as 1698. We have learned nothing of his an-
cestry. His will was probated Feb. 16, 1724-5. His
wife's name was Mehitable , and they had six chil-
dren.
William Wetherell was the son of the first settler
of Norton, and was bom about 1650 (?). He lived
at the place where his father is supposed to have first
" pitched " his habitation within the limits of Norton,
near the outlet of Winneconnet Pond. From the first
settler, through him, are descended the present Wil-
liam Wetherell, and William Wetherell, jun. ; who are
believed to be the seventh and eighth of this name
in regular succession. He married, 1681, Elizabeth
EABLY SETTLEBS. 91
Newland ; and had four, and probably more, children.
He died about 1729. His autograph was written in
1724.
William Wetherell, Jun., was the son of William,
last named, and grandson of the first settler. The date
of birth is unknown. His wife Hannah, and child,
late of Freetown, were warned out of Norton, July 20,
1729. He is believed to have had a son William and
other children, probably by a .wife previous to Han-
nah ; but no records of his family can be found.
Jeremiah Wetherell was the son of William and
Elizabeth (Newland) Wetherell; but when born is
unknown. He lived at the east part of the town, and
afterwards moved into Taunton. He married Rachel
Basset, March 26, 1713. He subsequently had a wife
Sarah. His will was probated July 7, 1752, and he
names three children in it. We give his autograph,
written in 1724.
John Wetherell was the son of William, the first
settler, and was born in 1664. He settled at tlie
place now owned by Thomas Copeland ; and his house
stood a few feet southerly, on the opposite side of the
road from Mr. Copeland's house. He was an original
member of the church, one of the first board of select-
men, and one of the leading men in the town. His
wife*s name was Susannah Newland (?), married about
1687, and they had eight children. His autograph
was written hi 1747 ; and he is supposed to have died
soon afterwards »
John Wetherell, Jun., the son of John, already
mentioned, was born Oct. 8, 1688, and is said to
92 EABLY SETTLEBS:
have been the first child born within the limits of Nor-
ton. He lived at the east part of the town, upon the
old homestead. He married Hannah Brintnell (?)
before 1715, and had five or more children.
Deacon Nicholas White was the son of Nicholas
and Ursilla (Macomber) White, of Taunton, and
grandson of Nicholas, of Taunton,^ and was born
Feb. 3, 1675. He settled within the limits of Mans-
field, close to the line between the old town of Taimton
and the North Purchase, at the place where Charles
N. Hall now lives, and is supposed to have built the
house now occupied by Mr. Hall. He was one of the
most influential men in the town ; being the first town-
treasurer; for eleven years, one of the selectmen; a rep-
resentative to the General Court, and the first deacon
of the church, &c. His wife was Experience King,
married June 2, 1703 ; and they had nine (?) children.
He died Sept. 2, 1743, and was buried on his own
farm, a few feet northerly from the front-door of Nehe-
miah Hall's house ; but no stone marks the spot, and
the ploughshare has again and again disturbed the
soil beneath which his body rests. Ought this to be
so? We give his autograph, written in 1727.
Matthew White was a brother of Deacon Nicholas,
and was born Oct. 25, 1676. He lived not far distant
from his brother, in Mansfield. He married Susannah
Hall, July 10, 1710. For second wife, he married
Damaris Deane (about 1716), and had four children.
The date of his death we have not found.
Edward White lived at the east part of the town ;
but we can learn nothing of him, except that he mar-
ried Rebecca Wetherell, May 3, 1710.
Deacon Benjamin Williams was the son of Joseph
and Elizabeth Williams, of Taunton, grandson of
1 He is supposed to have been the same person, made a freeman in 1642,
who married Susannah, daughter of Jonas and Frances Humphrey, and was
at Dorchester in 1662.
MINI8TBT OP REV. JOSEPH AVERY. 93
Richard and Francis (Dighton) Williams, and was
bom 15th October, 1681. He settled, about the time
of his marriage, at the northerly part of Mansfield,
near where Benjamin Williams (his descendant) now
lives, close by the Providence Railroad. He was much
employed in town-affairs ; and, for some years, was
deacon of the North-Precinct (Mansfield) church. He
married Elizabeth Deane, Dec. 4, 1707, and they had
nine children. He died Jan. 10, 1757. His wife died
March 18, 1758. His autograph was written in 1723.
CHAPTER Vm.
THE MINISTRY OF REV. JOSEPH AVERY.
*^ Alas ! how light a cause may moye
BissensioD between hearts that love ! "
Moors.
Mr. Avery's ministry was far from a peaceful one, as
will be seen in the pages that follow. We give what
facts we have been able to gather from a few scattered
papers collected from various sources.
For about four years after his settlement, we hear of
no schisms or difficulties in the church to create ill
feelings among its members, or to impair the usefulness
of the pastor. But the serpent was not idle : he was
creeping stealthily around the fold ; ready, upon a
favorable moment, to spit forth his venom. The op-
portunity soon came, — probably in the latter part of
the year 1718. Some difficulty arose between Mrs.
Anna Leonard (widow of the late Major George
Leonard, deceased) and her son George on the one
side, and the assessors of Norton on the other, about
the rates.
94 MINISTRY OP REV. JOSEPH AVERY.
Prom the town-records, it appears that Mrs. Leonard
and her son considered themselves overrated. They
and. the assessors could not agree about the matter.
The diflSculty was carried to court for adjustment.
The court made an abatement of £1. 10s. 8d. of Mrs.
Leonard's tax. The town refused to pay the assessors'
charges for contesting the matter at the court, &c.^^
In all such diflSculties, each party generally has its
friends and adherents, who make common cause with
them. Such was, no doubt, the fact in this instance.
The contest seems to have waxed warm, and spread
quite extensively. It soon found its way into the
church. Accusations and insinuations, and many
other unchristian imputations, were, no doubt, the
1 Since writing the above, I have found the decree of the Supreme Judi-
cial Court relative to the matter, made at Boston, Sept. 12, 1721 ; and we
lay it before the reader: —
" John Hodges, John Wetherell, and John Skinner, assessors of the town
of Norton in the year 1719, appellants, vs, Anna Leonard, Samuel Brint-
nell, and George Leonard, all or said Town, Appellees from the Order or
sentance of a Court of General Sessions of the Peace, held at Bristol, for the
County of Bristol, by adjournment, on the first Wednesday of August, 1720.
Whereas, at a Court of General Sessions of the Peace, held at Bristol on the
second Tuesdav of January last, the said Assessors of Norton were com-
plained of by the now Appellees for not Easing them in their Rates, made
for defraying the charges of the sd. Town in the year 1719, in which said rates
was Included twenty Pounds for finishing the Minister's house, and also his
salary; and, upon hearing the matter, the Court Ordered the aforesaid Rates
to be set aside ; and the said Assessors were ordered to new-make sd. Rates,
and commit them to the constable, as by the copy of the Court's Order on
file appears, and, complaint having been made to the sd. Court of Sessions
tiiat tne order of Court hath not been complied with, sundry orders were issued
out to cite the said Assessors to appear to answer for their non-compliance
with the aforesaid order; and, they not being to be found, the said Court or-
dered that the Clerk issue out a warrant to apprehend the said assessors, in
order to their becoming bound by Recognizance to appear at the said ad-
journment of Court, in August, 1720, to answer as well for their contempt
as for not complying with the Court's order: when they appeared, and
gave reason why they had not complyed therewith; viz.: Because they
eard the Parties, that had Complained of said Rates, said they would com-
Slain again. But, for their oflence, the Court then ordered them to pay a
ne of forty shillings, and cost of Court; who then moved for an appeal from
the said Court's order, but were denied. And the said appeal is now
brought forward by order of the Great and General Court; and, after a full
bearing of both parties, It is considered by the court, that the said Court's
order, or Sentence, be, and hereby is. Reversed; and that the app'lts. go
without day; and that all Bills of cost taxed against the town of Norton
be, and hereby are. Declared void, and of no Eflect." *
* Supreme-Coort Records, from 1721-25, p. 19.
MINISTBY OP REV. JOSEPH AVERT. 95
cause of many lamentations on the part of those who
wished to greet every one they met with the gospel
salutations of "Peace be unto you;" "Let brotherly
love continue." To use a common yet expressive
phrase, the church was soon " up in arms/' and had
each other "by the ears."
It was, no doubt, the trouble growing out of this
affair, that induced the church to pass the following
vote: —
" July 27th, 1719. — At a Church-meeting, the church did
then approve of the Platforme of Church Discipline; and
did agree, by vote, to Practise according to the Rule of it."
John Skinner, one of the assessors making the rate
objected to, seems to have been the " bellweather "
of the opposition to Mrs. Leonard and son. He accused
them of lying, and gave wings to other slanderous
reports.
The church did not probably approve of the course
he pursued. This inflicted a wound upon his pride,
and he absented himself from the holy ordinances of
Christianity ; or perhaps he did this because he could
not in conscience commune with those he deemed
guilty of falsehood and other unchristian practices.
But, whatever might have been the cause of his non-
attendance upon the ordinances, the church, in order
to bring him to repentance, suspended him from their
fellowship. But, as is generally the case, this suspen-
sion did not send the arrow of sorrow and repentance
to his heart. Instead of allaying, it rather increased,
the flame.
The pastor at length became implicated in the crimi-
nations. Something decisive must now be done, or
the church will be broken up. The advice of a coun-
cil of five churches is invoked ; and all parties agreed
to abide by their decision. The churches, convened
by their pastors and messengers, were Rev. Peter
Thatcher's, of Middleborough, who was moderator of
the council; Rev. John Danforth's, of Dorchester;
Rev. Joseph Baxter's, of Medfield ; Rev. John Swift's,
96 BUNISTRY OP REV. JOSEPH AVERY.
of Pramingham ; and Rev. Richard Billings's, of Little
Gompton, R.I. •
The result or decision of the council, I have been
fortunate enough to find. It is a long document ; but,
as it throws more light upon the whole matter than
can be obtained from any other source, we give it
entire : —
" After solemn Invocation of the Divine name, &c, —
" A Publick hearing of all Parties, the Council of 5 Churches
convened at Norton, novem. 13, 1722.
" I. That by the Letters, that required us to assemble in
Council at Norton, we were notified that mr. John Skinner, a
Brother in full Communion, had a Complaint to offer to Con-
sideration, & that some questions might be proposed for Reso-
lution, and all in the Chh. had agreed & resolved to be deter-
mined by the Judgment & Advice yt should be offered them
by the Council ; and that we take notice with great Thankful-
ness to God and our Lord Jesus Christ, & look upon it as a
Token for good, and would hope yt ye Lord hath graciously
began to prepare them for ye great blessings of Peace and
union, which, we pray to God, may be restored unto them.
^^ II. That an occasion of the great altercations was an
exception taken att some apply cations made to the Court;
and that, in one of ym, madm. Leonard and her son made an
averment to the Court, In the Complaint of over-ratement, yt
an abatement of the Rates had been refused by ye Assessors,
now, wee find that the assessors did not refuse to make an
abatement, if it could be demonstrated to them to be their duty
to make it ; but, their delay of making it till the court came to
sit being by Legal construction and denomination a refusal,
they used it [as] the Legal term of Refusal in the said com-
plaint to the court, now, brother Skinner, not So thurly con-
sidering the Leagle Sence of the word Refusal, but under-
standing it according to the acceptation and use of it in Com-
mon talk, apprehended to import a scandlus falshod. Charging
the Said mad. Leonard & her son with lying, & procuring
some delays to the admission of young nu*. L. to ye Lord's
Table ; & on yt account absenting himself also, perhaps about
2 years, from ye L. T., because ye chh. did not see cause of
chh. Dealing with md. L. & her Son for sd. apprehended
lying. In all which we Judge our Br. Skinner to have been
MINISTBY OP REV. JOSEPH AVERT. 97
in the wrong, and je chb. to have been in ye right ; nor can
we find anj weight at all in his pleas, either for forcing the
matter into debate in ye chh., then ready for ye eruption of
the fiame of strife, or for ye extenuating of, much less for the
absolving him from, ye Fault condemned by our Synod (Plat-
form, Chap. 14, Sec. 9), of ye absenting himself from ye com-
munion of ye chh. at the L. S.
" III. That, our B. Skinner having declared unto some his
resolution not to return to the Communion untill the chh.
would deal with madm. Leonard & her son for lying, wee
find the Revd. Pastor proposed to the chh., whether the chh.
should not bear testimony against his fault by suspending him
from the Lord's Supper, in hopes, by divine blessing, to be a
means to recover him to a better frame ; and the chh., all that
were then present of the fraternity, excepting two persons,
consented and agreed to the proposal, and that the suspension
was pased in ye chh., not by lifting of the hands, but by a
silential vote. The usual method amongst us hath been, that
altho' offences have been open and long continued, & altho' it
[is] known yt most of the chh. are greatly' offended at the
same, yet, before the suspension has been voted, the offender
hath been cited to appear before ye chh. (the chh. being in
peace) to show Cause & Reason (if any there be) why he
should not have been suspended from ye Ld's. Supr. for big
open fault, wherein he obstinately continued ; and we beleve
yt our Practice therein is according to ye rule, and ye con-
terary is Irregler. and we understand yt ye Reson why ye
Like method was not taken with brother Skiner was, yt it
was supposed by ye Reverend Pastor and some others, yt if
ye sd. Brother Skiner had been Solemly Gted to appear
before ye church, having strong adherants, it twould have
Produced uncomfortable clamor, violent Eritations, Exacerba-
tions, unworthy Reflections, and a terable increase of ye
fiames of Strife, to ye high disoner of God and mischef of
soles, which ye Pastor was unwilling to open ye dore unto ;
and ye Rather Becase Grevios Reflections mad upon him, an4
at a Certain fast had asked ye sd. Brother Skiner ye Reson
of his withdrawment, and sd. Brother Skiner Gave him two
Resons : one of ym was ye Churche's way of Baptising ; and
ye other was ye chh's. Refusing to deel with madam Leonard
and her Sone for leying, in a petition to ye Court, before men-
tioned, however, if such a case should hapen againe, so dain-
geres to sett a church on fire, our advice would be yt ye chh*
9
98 MINISTRY OP REV. JOSEPH AVERY.
should not Proceed without ye Presance and advice of a
council of chhs.
" However, we are of ye opinion yt ye chh. hath not dis-
pencd no grater sencer to Brother Skiner than his fait
deserved, if yt ye vote for it, tho' a silential vote, was a firm
and Grood vote ; and we, in Some cases in our chhs., do make
silenciall votes : and, in Sundry cases, we judge it to be ye best
way of voting, conducing most to ye Glory of God, ye Peace
and Good of ye chh.
" IV. As to ye Revd. Pastor, his redress to ye revd. & aged
Pastor of taunton for advice, or at any time to ye revd. asso-
ciation, wee juge that therein he acted prudently and accord-
ing to the rules of the holy word of god, and agreeabl enough
to our Platform of chh. desipline.
" V. It apears not to us yt ye revd. mr. Avery, the Pastor,
hath been guilty of any Criminal partiality in his conduct in
this affair, but he hath been unreasonably charged with it, &
reproached for it, & unworthyly treated and put to greif on
that account ; nor can we find any one of the sundry allega-
tions, exhibited against him as criminal, sufficiently evi-
denced; nor can wee judge him or believe him criminal
therein.
*' VI. It is our judgment, that baptizing according to the
advice of ye synod that met at Boston anno Dom. 1662 is
according to the word of God, & we believe is pleasing in
his Sight, and yt Br. Thomas Skinner ought to attend ye rules
in ye synod for the Baptism of his children.
" VII. As we have been informed, there hath been an ordi-
nance of parliament, that no confession of any party, made to
or before any presbitery, Consistory of chh., shall be excepted
or Improved in any Court of civil Justice against any person
whatsoever : so we judge it unreasonable and unchristian yt
any Person or Persons Shall Prosecute in ye Law or other
ways any singell evedence, or any Singell Person, who hath
Given testimony before ys councell ; as singell evedence, in-
trogated by sivell authority, and swome, is not Liabell to be
cast in any action of Defamation, meerely because he is
a singell evidence, for Singel evedences, Interogated by a
solemn Councell of churches, and called upon to speak to any
particular, we think ought not to be Prosecuted in ye law,
because they are singell evedences : and such Prosecuting of
any witneses whomesoever, who have testified before ys coun-
cill, we believe will tend to continew or Revive ye fiames of
MINISTBY OP BEY. JOSEPH AVERY. 99
Strife, and be a means of Preventing ye speedy and steddy
peace which is greatly desired; and therefore we declare
against it.
" VIII. Our judgment is, yt ye Teaching Elders, together
with ye Ruling Elders, if ye chh. have any, ought to Inquire
into ye Knoledg and experence of such as desire to joyne in
fall conamunion with ye chh., and of such as desire to lay hold
on ye covenant, before they be Propounded to ye church.
'^ IX. It's most eligabell that complaints, evedences, and con*
fesions be given in unto ye Pastor in writing, and by him
communicated (If he judg fit) to ye church, to be further
sifted by Proper Interogatories if need be.
" X. We think ye Pastor and other Elders, or, in want of El-
ders, ye Decons or other Princeple members, may have ye
first cognicence of cases, and yt they should Issue such as
they find Isuabell by them acording to Scripture Rule; and
yt they are not bound to give ye chh. ye first hearing of every
case, or of any case ; yea, of many cases, not to give them ye
Publick hearing of them at all.
" XI. As for Brother John Skiner, we Judg yt he ought to
humble himselfe before God and our Lord Jesus Christ for
his hard words against and charges upon his Revd. Pastor
and ye chh., and for his long and disorderly withdrawment
from ye communion of ye chh. at ye Lord's table ; and confes
his fait to them, and promise Reformation and an harty union
with them for time to come, and thareupon we, in the
Bowells of Christ, advise and intreat ye Rev. Pastor and
chh. to forgive him, and restore him to their Intire Kindness,
Charity, and communion ; and yt ye whole chh. be sensibell of
& sorowfuU for ye many sins and failings which, upon a
strict Review of ye offentious words and actions, they may
severally find ymselves chargabell withall, and make fresh
applications of ye blod of yr and our Glorious Redeemer, by
faith, for ye Purifying of their consciences ; that unto ye God
of Peace, through ye Lord Jesus, they offer up their incessant
supplications for Pardone, and for ye Restoration and Perpe-
tuation of ye mutual Peace and Love and edefication. and in
ye dredfull name of ye etarnal Sone of God, and Head of ye
chh., we solemnly Charge all ye Good People and yr children
and sarvants in ys Place, yt they love and honour ye worthey
Pastor of ye chh., ye Revd. mr. avery, and earnestly pray for
him, and do theyr utmost endever for his Peace, comfort, and
good subsistance among them ; and labour to ye utmost that
100 MINISTRY OP REV. JOSEPH AVERY.
tbey may all be Profetable Hearers of ye word of ye Lord,
dispenced by him. and we pray God yt our advice may be
acceptable to ye saints and Pe6ple of God in Norton, and
Profetable to them ; and that he will graciously bless them
all with Peace and holiness, and with his Grate salvations.
Amen.
** Samll. How (?). Pbter Thacher, Moderator.
IsAC Clark. John Danforth.
George Barber. Joseph Baxter.
Jonathan Clap. John Swift.
William Peabodie. Richabd Bilings.
Daniell Preston.
Manassah Tucker. Jonathan Gullever.
John Wodsworth. Elezer Whelogk."
In obedience to the decision of the council, Mr. Skin-
ner makes confession in these words : —
** I, John Skiner, have had a Strong opinion, that ye charge
upon ye Assessors, yt they had Refused an abatement of ma-
dam Leonard and her son's rates, was a false charge ; but, ye
Councill of Churches haveing otherwise determined, I do Sub-
mit to and aquies in their determinations, and ye sd. holy
Council of chhs. haveing Judged yt I ought to humble my-
selfe before God and ye Lord Jesus Christ for my hard words
against and charges upon my Reverend Pastor and ye chh.,
for my long disorderly withdrawment from ye Communion of
ye chh. at ye Lord's table, and Confes my fault to them, and
Promice Reformation and Harty union with them for time to
come; besids what I, in comon with other good people in
Norton, am exhorted to, and charged to love and Honour my
worthy Pastor, ye Revrd. Avery, and earnestly Pray for him,
and to do my utmost endevour for his Peace, Comfort, and
good subsistance in Norton ; and that I will labour to ye ut-
most yt I may be a Profitable hearer of ye word of ye Lord
dispensed by him, — I do acordingly humbell myself for my
hard words against and charges against my Revrd. Pastor
and ye chh., and for my long and disorderly withdrawment
from ye communion of ye chh. in norton ; and I do Pene-
tently confes I have ben very falty tharein ; and I ernistly
beg Pardon thereof at ye hand of Grod and of ye Lord Jesus
Christ, and ask forgivenes also at ye hand of my. Revd. Pas-
tor, mr. avery, and of ye chh. in norton ; and Promise, by ye
Grace and Help of ye Etemall Sperit, to Reforme to ye time
MmiSTBY OP BEV. JOSEPH AVERY. 101
to come, and to Perfonne my doty to ye Revrd. Pastor and
chh., to God, and to my own soul, yt ye Councell of chhs. at
Norton has advised in yr Result, Dated November 13, 1722 ;
nor will I be an Incendiary of strife in norton ; nor will I
Bring my Pastor or others to an uneasenes by complaining
of and finding fait with any words spoken in ye sd. Counsel!,
or Bringing in of any charges or testemonies against me or
any others ; and Pray to be Relesed from ye eclesasticell sus-
pencion.
"John Skiner."
Thus the breach was apparently healed; the out-
ward flame was quenched. But we fear there are yet
some smouldering embers of discord, that will ere long
burst forth, to the injury of the pastor, if not the
church. We shall see further on.
In order that all may have a full understanding of
subsequent events for a few years in the church his-
tory, it is necessary that the different grades of church
officers should be explained.
There were early, in many of the New-England
churches, four sets of officers, who exerted not a little
influence in the community. These were, first, pas-
tors ; second, teachers ; third, elders ; fourth, deacons.
Prom an article in the " American Quarterly Register ''
for 1840 (p. 37), it appears that —
" Pastors and teachers were formerly two distinct oflScers,
but, in some of the New-England churches, were quite early
united in one. The distinction was founded upon Eph. iv. 11;
Rom. xii. 7, 8 ; &c. According to the Platform, * The pas-
tor's special work is to attend to exhortation^ and therein
to administer a word of wisdom : the teacher is to attend
to doctrine^ and therein to administer a word of knowledge.^
Thomas Hooker declares the scope of the pastor's office to
be to work upon the will and affections ; that of the teacher,
* to inform the judgment, and to help forward the work of
illumination in the mind and understanding, and thereby to
make way for the truth, that it may be settled and fastened
upon the heart.' "
It seems from this that the pastor's duty was to
preach ; the teacher's, to catechize.
9*
102 MINISTRY OP BEV. JOSEPH AVERT.
" Many of the first settlers of New England regarded the
office of rvUng elders as of divine institution ; and appealed
to 1 Tim. y. 17, and other passages, as warranting this per-
suasion. They were dder, in common with the pastor and
teacher ; and as it was their duty to assist the teaching offi-
cers or officer in ruling, or conducting the spiritual affairs of
the church (in admitting, for instance, or excluding memhers,
inspecting their liyes and conversations, preventing or healing
offences, visiting the sick, and administering occasionally a
word of admonition or exhortation to the congregation), they
obtained the name of ruling elders. Ruling elders were
anciently ordained, and were sometimes addressed by the
Appellation of reverend. The place of the ruling elders in
the congregation was an elevated seat between the deacons'
seat and the pulpit" ^
The practice of having ruling elders was not uni-
form in the New-England churches. Some had them ;
others did not. They were longer retained in the
churches than teachers, as distinct from pastors. When
chosen, they were usually taken from among the dea-
cons ; selecting that one who, for his gravity, eminent
piety, and other special gifts, was deemed worthy to
be advanced to a higher position. When a vacancy
was thus caused in the deacons' seat, it was filled by
choosing some one from the body of the church. It
was also a practice in some churches, and continued
till about the commencement of the present century, to
ordain deacons. I cannot learn that their ordination
conferred upon them any powers they did not possess
before. I am informed by a gentleman of great anti-
quarian knowledge,^ that it was also " allowable for
churches to have widows, or deaconesses, particularly
to visit the sick." We will also state, that it was a cus-
tom to allow some persons to own or renew the cove-
nant, who were not admitted to full church member-
ship. The owning or renewing of the covenant gave
them the privilege of having their children baptized,
but did not admit them to the communion-table.
1 American Quarterlv Register, 1840, pp. 40, 41.
a Rev. J. B. felt, of Boston.
KKISTBT OP REV. JOSEPH AVERT. 108
Hence some who renewed or owned the covenant were
never communicants. Keeping these facts in mind,
we will pass over some ten or twelve years of church
history, and then lift the curtain again.
Rumors are in motion, that Mr. Avery does not rule
the church after the manner of the Church Discipline ;
and by way, no doubt, of refreshing his memory, some
of the members contrive to have a church-meeting
called for the reading and re-adoption of the Platform
as their guide in church discipline.
The record says, —
'^The Church thought it necessary (inasmuch as thare
ware more members belonging to the church then formerly,
and many of them never had read, or heard the said Plat-
forme Read) that it shold be Read at the Church-meeting on
the 5th of Sept, 1734, and that the Church shold Renew
their vote to Practice according to the Rule of it ; and, acord-
ingly, sd. Platforme of Church discipline, agreed upon by the
synod assembled at Cambridge, 1648, was Read, and thay did
by vote manifest it, that thay did unanemosly approve of said
Platforme, or the substance of it, and agree to Practice acord-
ing to the Rule of it."
This clause, " or the substance of it," shows that it
was not, even by themselves, very strictly construed at
this time.
There are some restless spirits who are not satisfied
with the state of things in the church, and think some-
thing must be done, — they hardly know what. It
occurs to them that the deacons of the church have
never been ordained ; and forthwith they get up the
following petition : —
" To the Revd. Mr. Joseph Avery, &c.
" We, the subscribers, do thus say, that threw the Goodness
and Mercy of Grod to us of this town of Norton, yt there hath
ben a Congregational church gethered, and yourself ordained
the pastor; and we have hitherunto Injoyed ye means of
Grace and ye ordinances of Christ, according to his own insti-
tution, peaceably unto this day ; which call for the thankfuU-
ness from us of this church, but, notwithstanding the mar-
ceys we have Injoyed, we have hetherto lived Either in the
104 BONISTBY OP REV. JOSEPH AVERT.
neglect or a willful! omition of the emprovement of one spe-
ciall priviledge, which our Lord Jesus Christ hath purchast
for us, perticular ye ordination of Deacons: for although
ye Church hath Chose Deacons first, second, or third, yet
they only stand on probation ; and so ye church do still Re-
main not yet com pleated with officers acording to scripture
and platform, therefore we do desire yt one or more of ye
Deacons, such as yourselfe and ye Church shall think fitt, may
be ordained ; and yt another Deacon may be chosen, which we
understand is of necessaty. all which we desire might be ac-
complished before the next sacrament and, to say no more,
we hope you will grant our desires, we remain your loveing
Brethren.
" Dated in Norton, September 25th, 1786.
"George Leonard. John Wild.
John Wetherell. John Brioos, 2nd.
Joshua Pomrot. Ephraim Lane.
Samll. Clap. Willm. Stone."
John Austin.
I should judge from this that they wished the
deacons to be ordained to the position of ruling el-
ders.
Mr. Avery is opposed to this measure, and hence
takes no efficient means to forward their desire.
A year went by, and they find another source of
dissatisfaction. The minister is guilty of admitting
persons to own the covenant without a vote of the
church, and they address him as follows : —
" To the Revd. mr. Joseph Avery, Pastor of ye 1st Church
of Christ in Norton, Greeting.
" We the subscribers, being members in full communion in
sd. Church, are humbly of ye opinion, that there ought not to be
taken into ye Church any members without their owning ye
covenant in Publick: therefore we do protest and declare
against it, and desire that practise may not be any longer fol-
lowed in this Church, we also are of ye opinion, that persons
ought not to be taken into, or under ye watch and care of, the
Church, without a clear vote of ye church for it ; and there-
fore think that takeing into, or under ye watch or Care of, ye
Church, without the vote of ye Church for ye Same, cannot
UINISIBT OF BEY. JOSEPH AVERT. 105
be Justified bj je word of God, nor tbe platform of Charcb
discipliDe; which, you may Remember, we of this Church
have voted for our rule of discipline : therefore we do pro-
test against any further proceeding in that affair, without a
plain vote of the Church for it. and your oomplyance herein
will very much oblige us.
" Dated Norton, May 80th, 1787.
''John Briggs, 2nd, George Leonard, Ephraim Lane,
WiUm. Makepeace, Jonathan Newcombe, 2nd, Joshua Pom-
roy, John Wild, Willm. Ware, Ephraim Dunham, John
Austin, John Wetherell, Benjamin Cobb."
What was the result of this petition, I have no means
of determining. For a few years, I find nothing to
indicate the course of events that transpired. The
confession and votes that follow may throw some light
upon the state of aSairs at that time, and perhaps ex-
plain one cause of strife in the church; for, when
persons are guilty of such practices as are here con-
fessed, they are apt to get into difficulty. It shows,
however, that there was a noble heart within the weak
flesh : —
" Upon ye 24 day of October last past, in ye county of Suf-
folk, I do own and acknoledg yt I did drink to much strong
drink, so yt I was disgised thareby, to ye dishonnor of God
and my holy profession ; for which I am hartyly sorry for my
dishonouring of Grod and my holy profession : and if I have
at aijy time given offence to any by word or action, or by
being disguised with drink at any time wtsoever, I am sorir
for it. and I do hartily and willingly take shame to myself
for my drinking to excess ; for I know it is sin. I pray ye
church to receiv this my confession, and forgive me my of-
fence to them, and pray to God for me that he would pardon
this and all my other sins ; and I pray the Chh. to extend
their charity towards me so far as not to think I allow myself
in any one known scandalous sin. also my earnest desire is
yt ye chh. would dismiss me from ye office and service of a
Deacon of ye chh. for ye future.
" Dated Nobtok, november 2, 1746.
« Jn. Briggs, 2nd."
"December 18th, 1745. — Att a chh.-meeling, Regularly
appointed by the Pastor of the chh., according to the Desire
106 MINISTRY OP REV. JOSEPH AVERY.
of Deacon John Briggs, the second, ye chh. voted his dismis-
sion from ye office and service of a Deacon of ye chh. for ye
future."
"December 22nd, 1745. — The above-written confession
of Deacon John Briggs, the second, was read to the chh. ; and
the chh. voted their 'acceptance of the same."
How much " strong drink " had to do with the un-
happy state of affairs about to distract the church, we
can, of course, only conjecture ; but sure we are, that,
after the lapse of a little more than a year, the pastor
is served with the following document, which intimates
that the church was (spiritually considered) in a bad
condition : —
"To the Reverend Pastor of ye first Church of Christ in
Norton.
" We, being under apprehension of ye frowns of God's
providence on this church in permitting such Divisions and
seperation amongst us as have hapned to us of late, — which
we think to be the tokens of God's Displeasure towards us, —
wherefore we, your Brethren and humble pertitioners. Re-
quest that you appoint a Church- Meeting forthwith, where
the Church may come together, in order to read ye Platform
of Church Discipline, and vote it again if they think it proper ;
and, further, to consult what measures are best to be taken in
order to Regulate those disorders that are amongst us at the
present Day. — Dated norton, febuary 6, 1747.
"John Briggs, 2nd, Benjamin Cobb, Benjamin Ilews,
Gideon Basset, Willm. Codington, John Guilbert, Ephrm.
Lane, John Briggs, Jacob Newland, Josiah Newland, Seth
Smith, John Austin, Jeremiah CambeL"
We can find no record of the proposed church-
meeting; but it is presumed that even the reading
of the Platform of Church Discipline did not heal the
divisions and ill feelings then raging in the bosom of
the church. Strange that it never occurred to these
men, that the best church discipline is the humble and
forgiving spirit of Jesus !
Frequent church-meetings for the discipline of mem-
bers are always ominous of evil, and show that the
MINISTBY OP REV. JOSEPH AVERY. 107
first great requisite of a Christian life — viz., love — is
wanting somewhere. Even chnrch-members are sub-
ject to passions and prejudices like other men ; and,
when once they become embroiled in local strifes and
feuds, they are very apt to lose the spirit and temper
of their divine Master, and thereby increase instead of
diminishing the flames of dissension. The following
record shows a most lamentable state of affairs in the
church; shows that criminations and recriminations
are rife ; shows, to some extent, the dissatisfaction of
a portion of the church with the pastor ; and also the
means used — not adequate, however, to the end de-
sired — to heal the fast-widening breach : —
" A chh.-meeting was appointed by ye Pastor of ye chh.,
to be on ye 17th of June, 1747, at ye publick meeting-house,
at one a'clock in ye afternoon, for ye following reasons ; viz. :
Ist, yt ye chh. might consider what their duty is, and dis-
cbarge their duty, with respect to Sarah Campbel, ye wife of
Gershom Campbel, for her offence in withdrawing from com-
munion with ye chh. ; and yt ye chh. might Inquire into ye
report, and be rightly Informed concerning a report, of her
denying what she had said concerning her going to hear Mr.
Avery preach ; viz., yt she would sooner burn at ye stake
than go to hear mr. avery preach, &c.
" 2. To lay before ye chh. John Finney's, sen., Reasons of
dissatisfaction with ye Pastor and chh., and what can be
proved yt he said at ye time when he desired ye pastor to
appoint a chh.-meeting ; and y t the chh. may consider what
their duty is, and discharge their duty, with respect to said
John Finney, sen.
" 3. That ye chh. might Inquire and be rightly Informed
with respect to what James Briggs had said concerning Mr.
White's preaching, and Consider what yr duty is, & discharge
their duty, with respect to sd. James Briggs ; and also that ye
chh. might consider what their duty is, & discharge their duty,
with respect to those persons that have kept a meeting at ye
house of James Briggs upon ye sabbath, & held communion
with persons of a neighbouring town In ye performing Divine
worship and service ; namely, prayer, &c. Concerning whom
it is reported yt they have disorderly seperated from com-
munion with ye chh. y. y. belong to."
108 MINISTBY OP BEV. JOSEPH AVERT.
" Att the chb.-meeting on ye 17th of June, 1747, —
*' 1. The chh. voted that sister Sarah Campbel should be
suspended from Communion with ym at ye ordinance of ye
Lord's Supper, for her refusing to acknowledge she was guilty
of offence in withdrawing from communion with ye chh. with-
out sufficient reasons, and before she had laid before ye chh.
ye Reasons of her dissatisfaction.
" 2. The chh. voted that Brother John ffiney, sen., should
be suspended from communion with ym at ye ordinance of ye
Lord's Supper, for his refusing to acknowledge he was to
blame for saying ye chh. was not settled according to Gospel
Bule, and yt he did not like recieving members into ye chh.
without certainly knowing y. y. were not hypocrites, and yt
ye chh. was settled on ye same principles as ye chh. of Room,
& that ye chh. worshipped God falsly and by Images^ and
all ye difference was they- did not set up Images before their
eyes ; and that he would as soon join with the chh. of Room
as with this chh. The chh.-meeting on ye 17th of June, 1747,
was adjourned to be on ye 14th of July, 1747, to be at ye
publick meeting-house."
** Att the chh.-meeting on ye 14th of July, 1747, —
" Several members, yt were dissatisfied with ye Pastor and
chh., gave in yr. Reasons of dissatisfaction with ye pastor
and chh. in writeing ; and it was proposed to ye dissatisfied
members, whether y. y. desired, as well as Gershom Campbel,
the chh. to joine with them in calling a counsel, & to take it
into consideration, and to Inform ye chh. whether y. y. did or
no, on ye next chh.-meeting, which was adjourned to be on ye
first monday in august next, to be at ye publick meeting-
house, at one o'Clock in ye afternoon.
'^ James Briggs said, at sd. chh.-meeting, he was afraid the
chh. would still joine & hold with ye chh. of Rome."
" Att a chh.-meeting on ye 1st of January, 1747-8, the chh.
did, by a vote, suspend Gershom Campbel from communion
with them at ye ordinance of the lord's supper, for saying it
did appear to him that Mr. avery and the chh. have suckt at
ye breast of the chh. of Rome, else they could not have swal-
lowed down & digested such Doctrine as Mr. Avery was ac-
cused with, which is the foundation ye chh. of Rome was
built upon, and ye prop yt keeps it up ; and also for his un-
just seperation from this chh.
" At the same chh.-meeting abovesd., the chh. did, by i^
vote, suspend James Briggs from communion with them at ye
MINISTBT OF REV. JOSEPH AYERY. 109
Lord's Supper, for his unjust seperation from communion with
ym, & his setting up a seperate meeting at ye house in which
he dwells, in opposition to ye meeting and worship of God
in this chh. and precint. also, att ye same chh.-meeting
ahovesd^ ye chh. did, by a vote, suspend Phinebas Briggs, and
also Ester Briggs, ye wife of Phinebas Briggs ; also Joshuah
Campbel, and abigal his wife ; also Mary ffiney, ye wife of
John ffiney, senior; also John ffiney, ye 2nd; also Lydia
Campbel, ye wife of william Campbel, — for their unjust
seperation from communion with ys chh., and their Joyning
with yose yt have set up and held a seperate meeting, in op-
position to ye meeting and worship of Grod in this chh. and
precinct.
**Att the chh.-meeting aboyesd., The chh. were desired,
by ye Pastor, to inform the other members of the chh. who
did seperate from communion with* the chh. in ye Publick
worship of God in his house and sanctuary upon the sabbath,
and from communion with ye chh. at ye ordinance of the
Lord's Supper, that the chh. did think it to be their duty to
bear a testimony against their unjust seperation, without y. y.
should make satisfaction to ye chh. for their offence in with-
drawing from communion with ym in ye publick worship, and
at ye ordinance of ye Lord's Supper.
'* Whereas there were several of the chh. did think it their
duty to bear testimony against those members of ye chh. yt
did seperate from communion with ye chh. in ye Publick
worship of God in bis house & sanctuary, and at ye ordinance
of ye Lord's Supper, without y. y. should make satisfaction
to ye chh. for their offence, ye Pastor did desire ye chh. to
meet Immediately after the publick lecture preceeding the
sacrament to be on ye first Sabbath in March (sd. lecture was
to be on ye 2nd day of march, 1747-8), that ye chh. might
bear a testimony against yr. unjust seperation, without y. y.
should make satisfaction to ye chh. for their offence in sepe-
rating from communion with ym.
" Att a chh.-meeting, after ye Publick lecture was ended,
on ye 2nd day of march, 1747-8, the chh., by a vote, sus-
pended Eliezer ffisher, ye 2nd ; also william Campbel ; also
Solomon ffiney ; also Mary, ye Daughter of John ffiney, sen., —
from communion with ym at ye ordinance of ye Lord's Sup-
per, for their unjust seperation and joyning with yose yt set
up and hold a seperate meeting on ye Lord's day, in opposition
to ye meeting and worship of God in this chh. and precinct."
10
110 MINISTRY OP REV. JOSEPH AVERY.
It seems, from what we have just transcribed, that
John Finney, sen., James Briggs, and Gershom Camp-
bell, are clearly entitled to the honor of being the
original "Know-Nothings" of Norton. Their party
seems at first to have been a small minority ; but pro-
bably increased, in a year or two, to a majority of the
church. At any rate, the suspension of members at
these several church-meetings did not entirely heal the
unhappy difiiculties that distracted the church.
The desire for the ordination of deacons and the
choosing of elders became again, in a short time, the
bone of contention, and kept alive the spirit of discord.
Here is the evidence : —
" Att the Request or desire of several of the Brethren of
the chh. att the chh.-meeting, upon the ninth of sept., 1748,
the Pastor appointed a church-meeting on the 7th of October
next, to see whether the chh. would vote to have the Deacons
ordained, and would make choice of Lay Elders."
" Att the chh.-meeting on ye 7th of October, 1748, the chh.
voted to have ye deacons ordained, and also voted to chuse
Elders, att ye chh.-meeting abovesd., it was desired there
should be a fast, before the choice of Elders, by John Briggs,
the 2nd ; and it was Proposed to have a fast preceeding ye
next sacrament, and agreed upon to have but one exercise in
Publick, and that sd. Publick exercise should begin at Eleven
o'clock in the forenoon ; and the church-meeting to chuse
Elders to be Immediately after Publick exercise should be
ended. "Joseph Avert."
The fast came and went ; but it was not instrumental
in bringing the olive-branch of peace to the contending
parties, or of pouring the oil of brotherly love upon the
troubled sea of church difficulties. A true spiritual
fast would alone accomplish such a result. To such
an extent had these men given way to their feelings
and prejudices, that we fear they held " the fast for
strife and debate," rather than " to loose the bonds of
wickedness." We are the more inclined to this belief
from the fact, — which will be more fully established
in the next chapter, — that no elders were chosen after
the fast-services were concluded.
DISMISSION AND DEATH OF MB. AYEBT. Ill
Mr. Avery evidently did not intend they should be
chosen. A portion of the church are, however, de-
termined to carry their point, or "crush out" their
minister in the attempt. This last might have been :
at any rate, it did subsequently become the paramount
purpose they had in view. It is evident, from what
we have recorded, that the true spirit of Christian love
and forbearance was fast losing its power over both
parties, in their zeal to circumvent one another.
CHAPTER IX.
THE DISMISSION, DEATH, &c., OF REV. MB. AVEBY.
** A man
More sinned against than sinning." — Shaupbau.
It is evident, from what we have recorded in the last
chapter, that events are fast hastening to a crisis. The
sore is about to break. No one can predict what will
be the actual result. There is a hesitancy about pro-
ceeding to extreme measures ; yet all feel that they can-
not long be delayed. Hope and fear filled the breast of
the one party and the other. The annual meeting for
voting the minister's salary and other parish charges
is at hand. It is no doubt expected that the impend-
ing storm will burst forth at that time. But the gath-
ering clouds are not yet sufficiently condensed for that
purpose. The meeting was held Nov. 3, 1748 ; and
the parish vote " to Mr. Joseph Avery, for his salary
this present year, in old tenor, £140 — 0 — 0."
In two days from this time, " In answer to a Peti-
tion of John Wetherell, 1st, the Hon'ble George
Leonard, Esqr., John Briggs, ye 2nd, Deacon Benja-
min Hodges, and others, inhabitants of the South Pre-
cinct in ye town of Norton," a warrant for a parish
meeting is posted up, the first article of which was
" To vote that the Reverend Mr. Joseph Avery be dis-
missed from being the minister of sd. Precent, for
reasons given in sd. Petition." The meeting 'w^a Vks\^
112 DISMISSION AND DEATH
Nov. 21, 1748 ; and Simeon Wetherell is chosen mode-
rator.
" 21y, There was a vote caled for, to Know whether there
should be a vote caled for to dismis the Revd. mr. Joseph Avery
from his being the sd. Precint's minister ; and it pased in the
affirmitive.
" 3dly, They voted, that whereas the Reverand mr. Joseph
avery, the minister of this Frecent, hath not Ruled and
Gk>vemed the Church of Christ, in this South Precint of
the town of Norton, acording to the Platforme of church
Discepline (which said church had voted to be their Rule of
disepHne), nor acording to the Plaine votes of that church,
which he himselfe had caled for, but still Refuses to Govern
acording to it ; and said Precint also Looking upon sd. mr.
avery as a person not able nor Capebell to sustaine the office of
a minester, he not being qualefyed for it (as we think) ; there-
fore it is voted, that he be dismist from being the minister
in this Precint for the futer. and the sd. Precint desire the
church in this Part of said towne to meet as soone as may
be, and dismis him from his said trust, so that sd. Precint
may be clear from any further Charge in maintaining of him
any Longer ; and also that the Church and Precint in this
part of the towne may do their duty, and be in their way to
obtaine a sutabell Person to settel with us in the ministry.
" 41y, They voted that the vote which was Past in the Last
Precint meeting to vote mr. avery a Salery for this Present
year Shall be null and void, and that the assesers shall not
make any Rate for it ; and John Gilbert entered his Protest
against ye above votes."
The war against the pastor is now openly declared.
Nov. 25, the opposing brethren make and sign their
allegations, and act as follows. We copy from the ori-
ginal document : —
" Objections against the Revd. mr. Joseph Avery are as
foUoweth : —
" 1st, That he has Taken Persons to owne the Covenant,
in order to have their Children Baptised, or to be Baptised
themselves, without any vote of the Church ; and that he has
made a Practice of doing so for many years, notwithstanding
it hath Been conteray to the minds of the Bigest Part of his
church (if not all), and many of them hath done what they
could against it.
OF BEY. MB. AVERT. 118
'<21y, That he hath Refused or neglected to appoint
church-meetings when he has Been desired to appoint church-
meeting, not only by Persons speaking to him about it, but
also when they have Petitioned for Church-meeting in writ-
ing under their hands.
*'31y, That he has Refused to Grovem and Rule this
Church acording to the Platforme of church discipline, not-
withstanding the church voted sd. Platforme to be their Rule
of discepline, & notwithstanding he himselfe was consenting
to it, and Caled for those Church votes himselfe.
^ 41y, That he has not done His duty in visiting his People,
and catecising the children in his Parish, nor yett done his
duty in Preaching to them ; for a Great number of them
have absented from the Publick worship, so that they are but
sildom there : and we don't Know that he takes any notice of
it, either in his Preaching or any other ways.
" 51y, That he hath Refused or neglected to ordaine dea-
cons in this Church, notwithstanding the Church hath been
very uneasy about it, and applyed to him about it, by times,
for this many years ; but he has still evaded it to this day.
" 61y, That he has Refused to joyne with the Church in
Chusing Ruling elders, agreeabell to the sd. Church Plat-
forme, which this Church had voted for their Rule of disce-
pline, & when this Church had voted to chuse Ruling elders,
and he himselfe was Consenting thareto, and Caled for the
vote of sd. Church himselfe : and at that meeting he said he
did not Like the Chusing of Ruling elders, but, Sence the
Church was so much for haveing Ruling elders, he would joyne
with them in Chusing of them ; for it was not against his chon-
chanc^ (or in words to that effect) ; and then appointed a day
for a fast, and to Chuse the elders and deacons to be ordained,
acording to the vote of sd. Church, and, when the day
Came, the Church and some others of the People meet, when
he did not in either of his Prayers, or in his Sermon he
Preached, mention one word about elders and deacons, and
then Refused to Joyne with ye Church in Chusing elders, but
declared that thare was no Rule in the scripturs for Chusing
lay elders (as he caled them), but said they ware officers of
men's appointing, and he Could not in conchance Joyne with
the Church in Chusing Ruling elders ; for it had been always
against his conshance (or in words to that Import), so that
we look upon this a false saying; and so he has always
evaded the Chusing Ruling elders, or governing this church
10*
114 DISMISSION AND DEATH
acording to the sd. church Platforme and the votes of this
church, which he was Consenting to, and caled for himselfe.
"71y, That we of this church Look upon the said Mr.
Avery as a Person not sutahell nor any ways Qualefyed for a
Gospell minister. But Looking upon his settling and Remain-
ing the minister of this Place to be a Great Hurt to Religion,
and has almost Brought it into contempt, and such a coldness
that it Seems almost Lost and decayed amongst us.
" The above and before objections are what we, the mem-
bers of the first Church of Christ in norton, hath against the
Revend mr. Joseph avery, his Ruling and Governing this
church ; for which Reasons, and what further may be oSered,
we desire the Brethren, Dea. Benjamin Hodges, George
Leonard, John Briggs, 2nd, Benja. Cobb, to appley to the said
Rev. Mr. Joseph Avery, and to See if he will ask a dismi-
sion, that he may be dismist from his Pastorall offis over us ;
and, in Cace he will not ask a dismision, that they send for a
counsell, consisting of three or five churches, to advise this
church in dismising of ye sd. Rev. Mr. Joseph Avery from
his Pastorell office over this church, dated in Norton,
November 25, 1748.
"John Austin, Ebenezer Eddy, Ephraim Lane, Seth
Smith, Jonathan Knap, Philep Cooye, Benja. Newcomb, Je-
remiah Cambell, Jonathan Hodges, Silvanus Braman, Jona-
than Clap, Ephraim Wetherell, Benja. Copeland,^ John
Briggs, 3d, John Wetherel, Daniel Braman, Joshua Pomery,
Eliezer Fisher, 2d, John Briggs, George Briggs."
On the back of this paper is written, —
" A trew copey of the objections on ye other side, with this
that is here underwritten, was delivered to ye Revd. Mr. Jo-
seph avery.
" The before-written objections are what we, the members
of the first church of christ in Norton, hath against the Revd.
Mr. Joseph Avery, his Ruling and Govening of this church ;
as witness our hands.
** Dated December Ist, 1748.
" George Leonard, '
John Briggs, 2nd,
Benja. Cobb,
Benja. Hodges,
In behalf of
themselves
V and the ma-
jor Part of
ye chh.'
II
1 " To ye Ist, 6th, and 7th articles."
OF BEY. MB. AYEBY. 115
Mr. AYery replies to these objections against him in
a note, which we here introduce : —
^ To Coll. George Leonard, Esq., John Briggs, 2ndy Benjamin
Cobb, Benjm. Hodges, for themselves and sundry others.
** Gentelman and Dear Brethren, — I recev'd at your hand
a paper dated Decemb. ye 1st, 1748, containing sundry ob-
jections, as your are pleased to stile ym, Against myself;
which articles I have taken into ye most Carefull and Serious
Consideration, and they appear to me both unreasonable and
unjust, and by no means sufficient to induce me to think I am
Call'd of God to surcease my Ministerial labors among you.
Dear Brethren, I have heard that some say I am dismised
already, and some that I am not qualified to sustan the mini-
sterial office. I am ready to Join with you in Calling an
Ecclesiastical Councel (equal number of Regular consti-
tuted chhs. chosen by me and you) to Judge and council in
the important affi&ir. If you are desireous of a Council, I
pray you to let me Know it this day week, and that day week
(God willing) I will meet you at ye meeting-house to deter-
mine what chhs. to send to, and prepare letters-missive. If
you desire a council, I expect to have it in writing under
your hands, and what you desire it for.
" Your friend and pastor,
Q>o^>-^K^ tjkuro-r\M
" Norton, December 12th, 1748."
The committee return the following answer : —
" To the Revd. Mr. Joseph Avery, Pastor of the first Church
of Christ in Norton.
" Revd. Sr., — we Recev'd your letter Dated 1 2th of
this Instant december, wherein you informe us that you
have Considered our Paper which we delivered to you (which
we Caird our Objections against you). You also inform us
that you have Considered sd. objections, and that they appear
to you both unreasonable and unjust, &c. ; and you further
informe us, that, if we desire a Councill, you will meet at the
meeting-house the monday after next, and Joyn with us in
CaUing an Ecclesiastical Council (of Equall numbers of Re-
gerly Constituted Churches Chosen by you and us) to Judge
and Council in the important affair, &c. to this we answer.
116 DISMISSION AND DEATH
that we are by no means Readdj to Joyn in sending for a
Council yet ; for all our objections which we have against
you ought to be aledged against you in a regular Church-meet-
ing, and there tryed to be made up, before we send for a
Council to hear them. Therefore, Revend Sr., we pray
you to appoint a church-meeting, to be at ye meeting-house,
on monday, the second day of January next, that the church
may have timely notice of it ; that they generally meet toge-
ther, and hear and determine on the Objections which we
have already given in against you, and what we shall say to
them ; and do what they shall think most for the glory of God,
and interest of Religion, these are what you are desired to
do before we can by any ways joyn in sending for an Eclesi-
astical council ; and, Revernd Sr., you will very much oblige
your Grieved Brethren.
"The reason of George Leonard, 1 ^i behalf of them-
our desire to have it John Briggs, 2d, I selves and several
put of so long is, that Benjamin Hodges, f °S,®" °^ ^^ ^^'
two of us are obliged Benjm. Cobb, J '
to go to the General
Court at Boston, and
do not Expect to be
at home much soon-
er.
" Dated at Norton, December 19th, 1748."
According to the desire of the committee, a church-
meeting is called.
I have found, on a detached sheet of paper, a record
of what was done at the meeting. It is, no doubt, in
the handwriting of the moderator. Let us examine
this record, and ascertain what action the church take
in reference to their pastor : —
"A church-meeting, duly notified by the Rev. Pastor of
the first chh. of christ in Norton to be on ye 2d of Jany.,
1748, at the Publick meeting-house. The sd. chh. being as-
sembled according to Notification, Rev. Mr. Avery, their
Pastor, opened sd. Meeting with Prayer; withdrew, and told
the chh. they might choose one of themselves Modr. for sd.
Meeting. But the sd. Chh. made choice of Solomon Prentice,
Pastor of the chh. in Easton, for yr Modr.
" It was then voted, that a Comtee be chosen to wait on
Rev. Mr. Avery, enforming of him who the chh. had made
OP REV. BIB. AVERT. IIT
choice of for their Modr. ; and to desire Rev. Mr. Avery to
come into ed. Meeting (if he pleas'd), and make answer to je
objections the chh. have Exhibited against him.
^ Br. Ebenr. Edj, Danll. Braman, Samll. Dean, and John
"Wild, [were] chosen sd. Comtee, who caryed the preceeding
vote to the Rev. Mr. Avery, who came into the meeting. Read
his answer, Lefl itt with the chh., and then withdrew."
Mr. Avery's answer reads thus : —
" Brethren, — as to ye Objections Laid before you against
myself, I now make answer, the first objection is, yt I take
persons to own ye Covenant in order to have yr children bap-
tised, or to be Baptised themselves, without any vote of ye
chh. to this I answer, yt I have, in the fear of Grod, in this
affair. Conducted, I think, according to Scriptur and ye General
Practice of ye churches of christ in ye land, the 2nd objec-
tion is, that I have refused or neglected to appoint chh.-
meetings, when I have ben desired by persons by word of
mouth and also under handwriting. I answer, yt I have not
refused or neglected to Call and appoint cbh.-meetings, when
I could think yt the Glory of God and ye interest of Religion
Caird for it ; and, when ye case was doubtf uU and of Con-
sequence, I always took council and advise. The 4th objon
is, that I have not done my duty in visiting ye People of my
Charge, and Catechiseing the Children, as to Catachising ye
Children, I think I have faithfully Endeavor'd to do my duty,
as to visiting the people, I don't Know that any under my
charge have Sent to me in time of Distres, by night or by
day, but I have visited them, when my Circumstances would
Possibly allow of it. as to the 3rd, 5th, and 6th, I refar you
for an answer to the paper I gave in to the precintt-meeting,
wherein I Answer you, that I am fully disposed to practise
according to platform in chh. discipline, and propose to Keep
close to it.
" As to the 7th objection, that my settling in the ministry
at Norton was a frown of providence, and a great hurt to re-
ligion, I answer, that since so Great, wise, and Good a man
as major Leonard, ye father of Coll. George Leonard, with
the advise of the venerable Mr. Danforth, was the Chief
hands in en vi ting and settling of me, If coronel Leonard
and others don't think this objection both unreasonable and
unjust, I must and Can't but think there is in it a great want of
Reverence and Good manners, speaking in the softest terms.
118 DISMISSION AND DEATH
" Brethren, if 1117 answer to your objections is not satisfac-
tory, I am readdy to Join with you in Calling an Eclesiastical
Council of Regularly Constituted chhs. (Equal numbers
Chosen by me and you) to Judge in this affair.
" Dated Norton, January 2iid, 1748-9.
** Joseph Avert."
After the pastor had withdrawn, it was "Proposed a
Comtee be chosen to wait on ye Revd. Mr. Avery, In-
forming him ye chh. Desires their Rev. Pastor to ask a
Dismission from his pastoral office in this place; upon his
doing of which, ye chh. are willing to withdraw all their ob-
jections against him, and, with the Consent of the precint,
to make him a hansome consideration. An answer is ex-
pected now.
" Voted affermat.
** And Dr. Ware, bro. Samll. Dean, chosen sd. Comtee ;
who carey'd the sd. vote to ye Rev. Pastor. Then ye
meeting was adjom'd, by vote of ye chh., to ye house of
Capt. Jonathan Lawrence in sd. Town, there to meet forth-
with.
" Accordingly, the chh. mett at sd. place, and waited the
Return of their Comtee ; who. Returning, brought a few lines
from Rev. Mr. Avery, which satisfied not ye chh."
The prospect of the " hansome consideration" prom-
ised seems not to have had much influence upon the
mind of their minister ; for the few lines he sent back
to the church are in these words : —
" In answer to a Request sent to myself by ye hands of
Docter willm. Ware and Samuel Dean, a Committee Chosen
by the Brethren of the chh., — Dear Brethren, I inform you
now, as I informed Coll. George Leonard, Esq., John Briggs,
2nd, and Benjamin Hodges and Benjamin Ck)bb, upon my
receiving ye objections Exhibited against myself, which arti-
cles I informed you, after I had taken into ye most careful
and serious consideration ; and they did appear to me to be
both unreasonable and unjust, and no way sufficient to induce
me to surceas my ministeriel Labours among you.
" From your friend and Pastor,
"Joseph Avert.
" Dated Norton, Jauuary 2nd, 1748-9."
OP REV. MB. AVERT. 119
This commtinication, as we have seen, '^ satisfied not
ye chh.^*
" Wherefore they proceeded to ye Consra. of ye Several
Art. of Objection against ye Rev. Pastor ; and considr*d and
debated upon ye articles one by one, and passed ye following
votes thereon ; viz. : —
" 1. Propos'd, wr. the chh. are Satisfied with ye Rev. Mr.
Avery's ans'r jrto wc pased in? . . . Negt. Then it was
proposed, whethr ye chh. are still dissatisfied and uneasy with
yr Rev. past, on account of yr first Article ? . . . Votd. af-
firmat.
** 2 Art. proposed, wr. ye chh. are satisfied with ye Rev.
Mr. Avery's answer thereunto? pass'd. . . . Negat. then
Proposed, wr. ye chh. are still dissatisfied and aggrieved with
yr Rev. Pastr's Conduct, as Expres'd in yr 2d objection ? . . .
Votd. afiirmat.
'* Then it was moved that ye form of ye vote might be
altered yrfore as to . . .
" 3 Art. Proposed, wr. ye chh. are still dissatisfied with
Rev. Mr. Avery on acct. of yr 3d objection? Votd. affirmat.
"Then propos'd, wr. ye chh. are satis6ed with Rev. Mr.
Avery's answer to ye 3d objection? pass'd Negative.
" 4 Art. Propos'd, wr. ye chh. are still uneasy and Dis-
satisfied with ye Rev. Pastr with Relation to yr 4th Objec-
tion? . . . Votd. afiirmat.
" Then prppos'd, wr. ye chh. are satisfied with Rev. Mr.
Avery's answer to ye 4th objection ? pass'd Negative.
" 5 Art. Propos'd, wr. ye chh. are still Dissatisfied with
their Revd. pastor on account of ye 5th objection ? . . . Votd.
afiirmat.
"Then propos'd, whethr ye chh. are satisfied with yr
Revd. pastor's answer to ye 5th objection? Votd. Nega-
tive.
" 6 Art. propos'd, whethr ye chh. are still very much ag-
grieved with their Revd. pastor on account of their 6th ob-
jection? . . . Votd. affirmat.
" Then propos'd, wr. ye chh. are satisfied with ye Revd.
pastor answer to their objection? . . . pass'd Negative.
" 7 Art. proposed, whether ye chh. are still very unEasy
with ye Rev. Mr. Avery with Relation to their 7th objection ?
Votd. affirmat.
...
120 DISMISSION AND DEATH
"Then proposed, wher. ye chh. are satisfied with Revd.
Mr. Avery's Reply to their 7th objection ? pas'd Negat.
"Then propos'd, that inasmuch as this chh. have Mani-
fested yr Dissatisfaction with yr Rev. pasr. for sundry rea-
sons alledged and consider'd of by this chh., whether it dos
not appear to this chh. Necessary now to proceed to call in
ye help of an Eclesiastieal council to advise and council them
undr. yr presant Difficulties ? . . . Yotd. affirmat.
" Proposed to send to 5 chhs. to (institute this our pro-
posed council.
" 1. Ye chh. of Ct. in Easton proposed. . . . Votd. affir-
mat.
" 2. The chh. of Ct. in Raynham proposed. . . . Yotd. af-
firmat.
" 3. Ye chh. of Ct. in Rochester (Rev. Mr. Ruggles) pro-
pos'd. . . . Yotd. affirmat.
" 4. Ye 2d chh. of Ct. in Wrentham proposed. . . . Yotd.
affirmat.
"5. The 2d chh. in Attleboro' proposed. . . . Yotd. af-
firmat.
"Then proposed, Col. George Leonard, Dea. Hodges, and
Lieut. Benja. Cobb, be appointed to sighn ye Letters-Miss,
in the chh.'s name. . . . Yotd. affirmat.
" Then proposed, Tuesday, Jany. 24 currant, be ye time
for the meeting of ye council ; & ye place of yr meeting be
Col. George Leonard's, in sd. Norton, at 10 o'clock, a.m. . . .
Yotd. affirmat.
"Then propos'd Dea. Benjn. Hodges be occasional Modr.
in ye chh. untill further order. . . . Vot. affirmative.
" Then proposed, this meeting be adjourned to Wensday,
25 currant, 1 'clock, p.m., then to meet at the house of Col.
George Leonard in sd. Norton. . . . Yot. affirmat.
" Accordingly, sd. Meeting was declared to be adjourned
to ye Last-mentioned time & place.
" Solomon Prentice, Modr."
The committee appointed for that purpose, no doubt,
immediately prepared a letter-missive (a blank form
of which I have found), and sent it to the several
churches above named. We record the letter as we
find it: —
OF BEY. MB. AYEBT. 121
" The 1st cbh. of Ct in Norton to the chh. of Christ in
Sends greeting.
, " Rev., Hond., and Belov'd, —
^ Inasmuch as it has pleased God in his Sovereighn plea>
sure to permitt a great Number of this chh. to be uneasy with
the Rev. Mr. Avery, our Pastor, for sundry things that we
have taken Exception att in his Doctrine, Discipline, & con-
duct, which we are justly disquieted at (as we apprehend), yt
we cannot judge it any Longer for ye hour of God & Interest
of Religion that the Rev. Mr. Avery should sustain ye Mini-
sterial office in this place ; neither can we be easy he should,
unless, our grievances being abated, we are advised yrunto by
an Ecclesiastical Council. We therefore earnestly Entreat
yr assistance in Council, with several other chhs., by yr Rev.
elder & such Messengers you may think proper, to meet at
the house of Col. George Lieonard, in Norton, on Tuesday,
Jany. 24 current, at 10 'clock, forenoon. In the Mean time,
we Intreat a Costant Remembrance with you in yr prayrs for
as, that all things may Issue for ye gloiy of God. .
" While we rest yr brothrs
in the faith and order of ye
gqgpeL
" NoRTOir.
" Chhs. sent to are Rev. " In ye name and by ap-
Mr. Rujygles, of Rochester; pointraent of sd. 1st chh. in
Easton, Raynhara, 2 in Wren- Norton."
tham, 2 in Attleboro'.
Mr. Avery now felt called upon to do something to
sustain himself against the disaflFected party. His pro-
position, once and again made to his opposers, for a
mutual council, was perfectly proper and just; and
every principle of honor and fair dealing seems to de-
mand that it should have been complied with : yet the
malecontents saw fit to reject it, and call an ex-parte
council ; thus leaving the impression, that they were
not actuated by the purest motives in their warfare
against their venerable pastor. Had they been as
zealous " for ye hour of God & Interest of Religion '*
as they seem to intimate, we cannot but think they
would have been ready to grant the very reasonable
desire of their ?piritual adviser.
11
122 DISMISSION AND DEATH
Being denied the boon craved, Mr. Avery took the
only course he consistently could ; and forthwith sum-
moned a council of ministers and messengers at his
house, on the same day fixed for the meeting of the
church's council. His letter-missive we have fortu-
nately found, and insert it here. Read it atten-
tively : —
« To the cbh. of Christ, &c.
** Joseph Avery, Pastor of the first chh. of Christ in Norton,
sendeth Greeting.
" Revd., Hond., and Belov'd, —
" It hath pleased ye holy and sovereign Lord to suffer a
considerable number of ys chh. to take up (as I apprehend)
an unreasonable prejudice against myself, yr pastor, the cir-
cumstances of this chh. are at present very unhappy, dis-
tressing, and threatening, such as calleth for the compassion
of sister chhs. ; wc. 1 hope God in his great mercy will grant
us, and bless for ye promoting of peace and truth among us.
" Some time since, a number of ys chh. presented me with
a paper containing sundry objections against me, as they were
pleased to stile them ; and <then subjoined a verbal request yt
I would ask a Dismission. A few days after, I sent ym ys
answer, — yt, having taken yr objections and propositions into
ye most serious and careful! consideration, they appeared to
me to be both unreasonable & unjust, by no means sufficient
ito induce me to think I was called of God to surcease my
ministerial labors among them ; and, if y. y. thought other-
ways, I was ready to joine with ym in calling a council.
Some time after ys, they brought me another paper, signify-
ing y. y. were not yet ripe for council, desiring me to appoint
a chh.-meeting to hear yr objections, and wt y. y. had to say
Upon ym. accordingly, I did appoint a chh.-meeting ; at wc.
meeting I gave my answer in writing, and subjoined, that, if
my answer was not satisfactory, I was ready to join with ym
in calling an Ecclesiastical council (equal numbers chosen by
ym and myself) to hear, determine, and advise in ye great
and important affair. They refused to accept my answer as
satisfactory ; they also refused to join with me in calling a
council, and have ymselves sent for a seperate council of 5
chhs. to meet at ye house of Coll. George Leonard, in Norton,
on tuesday, ye 24th of ys Instant January, at 10 ante M. I
hunibly & Earnestly begg your compassion, and yt you would
send with your Elder one Messenger, to set in council with
OF BEY. KH. ATEBT. 128
several other chhs. att my house in Norton, on tuesdaj, ye
24th of 78 Instant January, at 10 in ye morning, to hear our
melancholy case, to give such advise as ye great dc good Grod
shall direct, wishing grace, mercy, & peace to you from
Grod yr Father & our Lord Jesus Christ, begging an In-
terest in your prayers always,
" I subscribe your unworthy bro. in ye faith & fellowship
of the Gospel,
"Joseph Avert,
" Pastor of ye first chh. in Norton.
** NoBTOir, January 4th, 1748-9."
Appended to this letter is this note : —
"To Coronel George Leonard, Deacon Benjamin Hodges,
Lieut Benjamin Cobb, Gentleman.
" This is a coppy of the letters I have sent to ye 2nd chh.
in Scituate, ye Revd. Mr. Ellis, Pastor ; to ye two chhs. in
Rehoboth ; ye 3d chh. in Bridgewater ; ye chh. in Midway ;
ye chh. in Warren.
" Joseph Avert"
The council of the church met at the time and place
specified. They probably wished for a little explana-
tion in reference to one or two of the objections ; and
what is written below was furnished : —
" Whereas in the 7th article of our objections against the
Reverend Mr. Joseph Avery, as a person not suitable or any
ways qualifed for a Gospel minister, &c., — first, he hath not
understanding enough, as we think, to Regulate church-meet-
ings, but they are generally, when had, managed in great
confusion and disorder ; so that we think it not for the Glory
of Grod to have such a minister that Regulates those meetings
in such a way and manner, and, when he pleaseth, to adjourn
sd. meetings without the vote or consent of the church, not-
withstanding they stand up and oppose it. . . .
" Secondly, that we don't look on him as a man sound in
his principles ; for, when he was Preaching concerning the
Binding and Loosing of sins (or sinner), in his prayer afler
sermon he used these Expressions, — that none might set light
by ministers, since or seeing that they had power to Loose
and bind souls, even to the forgiveness of sins.
" Thirdly, at another time, in his preaching* that santifica-
tion was Rought by the agency of the holy Gost, when he
124 DISMISSION AND DEATH
came to the application, he sd., What cause have we, then,
to pray to the holy Gost to send us his holy spirit ?
^ Fourthly, that he hath not acted agreeable to scripture
Rule, as we think, in taking members in the church ; that he
hath very much neglected to Examine them (which makes
us think that he does not Know what to say to them at such
times ; or, at Least, that he neglects his duty therein). To-
gether with what further may be offered, we think we shall
make out that objection very fully.
" George Leonard,
" In Behalf of ye Best.*'
While this council was in session at Mr. Leonard's,
the other, called by the pastor and his friends (for he
had some friends yet left), was convened at his house ;
and he (Mr. Avery) sent this note to Mr. Leonard : —
**To the Honble. George Leonard, Esq., one of ye comittee
of this chh., as it is called.
" These are to signify yt ye venerable cx)uncil called by
myself and adhering brethren purpose to proceed to a pub-
lick hearing of our unhappy case to-morrow, at 10 in ye
morning ; and to request you to attend the said council at my
house, unless the council shall meet at your store (?), and
then at your own house ; and yt you notify ye other gentle-
man of sd. committee that y. y. attend with you.
" JosEPU Avert, Pastor.
"January 26th, 1748-9."
In reply, Mr. Leonard sends this note : —
" Revd. sir, — yours of last night I just now received ; &
in answer, say, that as to the case in which our committee are
concerned, they not being present, I cannot answer for them :
but, in my private capacity, with relation to the venerable
council by you invited, their meeting at my house, I say to
yourself, and inviting you to do it also to them, that they shall
be welcome to my house to hear the case as we shall open it
to the council called by us ; it being the needfuU at this time.
I rest, Revd. sir, your
" Humble servant, " 6. L.
»* Norton, 26 Jan., 1748."
Whether the two councils met together, and a full
hearing of the whole matter was entered into or not,
is among the secrets not yet revealed.
OF REV. MB. AVERT. 125
Probably, however, they did not thus meet; as it
appears from Mr. Prentice's record, which we give
below, that the result of the council was made known
to, and accepted by, the church the next day after the
date of Mr. Leonard's note. Most likely, Mr. Avery
saw that the current was setting against him, and con-
cluded to let it take its course. How matters eventu-
ated we shall soon see.
"The Ist chb. of Ct. in Norton, in a Regular chh.-meeting
by adjournment at ye house of ye Honble. George Leonard,
Esq., unanimously Votd. to accept of ye Result of ye Venble.
council by ym called, & this Day published ; And Dea. Benja.
Hodges & Lieut. Benja. Cobb wr Votd. by sd. chh. to wait
on ye Rev. Mr. Avery, yr Pastr, with ye council's Result, to
know of him, in writing, whether he will ask a Dismission
from his Pastoral office in this place, sd. chh. also Votd. to
adjourn the chh.-meeting two hours; then to meet at this
place in order to proceed further.
" Attst : " S. Prentice, Modr.
"Norton, Jany. 27, 1748."
Deacon Hodges and Lieut. Cobb immediately post
oflF down to Mr. Avery's with the result of the ex-parte
council. We know nothing of its character, except
what we gather from Mr. Prentice's record and subse-
quent events. The substance of it, no doubt, was,
that Mr. Avery is advised to ask a dismission from his
pastoral relations with the church and society, to
whose spiritual welfare he had devoted the best years
of his life and the noblest energies of his mind.
We are not permitted to look in and witness the
presentation of the "result" to the gray-headed ser-
vant of God, and therefore we can give no account
of the meeting ; but imagination can easily complete
the picture.
Sad and desponding, though not altogether taken by
surprise at the turn of events, the pastor, in a note ad- ,
dressed to the church, asks for a little delay before he
gives his final answer. Let us read it : —
"To the first chh. of Christ in Norton, convened at ye
house of Coll. George Leonard, Esq. these are to signify, I
126 DISMISSION AND DEATH
have received by your Messengers ye Result of your council,
and shall take ye great and Important affair into ye most
serious consideration; and ye chh. may Expect my answer
ye next week, att ye time and place y. y. shall appoint.
" Your Pastor in ye Lord,
" Joseph Avert.
" Norton, Jan. 27, 1748-9.
" P. S. — My Earnest request and desire is, that ye Revd.
Mr. Ruggles would please to preach in my pulpit ye next
sabbath."
We now go back to the church-meeting at Mr.
Leonard's, whose members are anxiously awaiting the
return of their committee. They are in no mood to
' deny the reasonable desire of their grief-stricken pas-
tor; for we find, —
" Upon the Receipt of the Rev. Mr. Avery's Answer to ye
Desire of the first chh. of christ in Norton this day signified
to him, the chh. Vod. to adjourn this Meeting to Monday
Next, 9 'clock forenoon ; then to Meet at ye meeting-house
in this place to Receive their Pastor's answer to their Re-
quest of this day, and to act thereon.
" Attst : " S. Prentice, Modr.
" NoBTON, Jany. 27, 1748."
It was now Friday. In tears, and with constant
prayer to God for guidance and direction in this im-
portant matter, he spends the short period allotted
him for deliberation ; and on the Monday following,
Jan. 30, 1748-9, O.S., or Feb. 10, 1749, N.S., it is
morally certain that Rev. Joseph Avery acceded to
the decision of the council ; sent in his resignation ;
and, from that day, ceased to be the pastor of the
church with which he had labored from his ordination,
— tWrty-four years, three months, and two days.
From the report of a committee appointed by the
precinct in relation to his salary, the fact is clearly
•established, that his ministerial labors ended Jan. 80,
1748-9, O.S. In concluding their report, the com-
mittee say, —
" Therefore [we] are of the opinion that it will be Best for
this precint to pay Mr. Joseph Avery's salary from the first
OF REV. MB. AVERT. 127
of March, 1747-8, untill the 30th of January, 1748-9; being
about eleven months to the time when he was dismist from
his ministerial office amongst us.
** Dated in Kobton, March 1st, 1748-9.
'* George Leonard.
William Ware."
The reader will have observed that the objections
brought against Mr. Avery are of tiie most trivial
nature, and not in the least affecting his moral charac-
ter; nor do they give a sufficient warrant for the
rending asunder so abruptly the ties of pastor and
people. We think his opposers must have been slow
of understanding, if it took them almost forty years to
find out that their minister was not qualified for the
pastoral ofiBce. We believe, if any one will read the
pages of this chapter attentively, and with an unbiased
mind, he will be convinced that the paramount objec-
tion to Mr. Avery was not brought to tiie surface. The
real objections to the pastor were, witiiout doubt, 1st,
his anti-Galvinistic notions; and, 2d, his strong and
manly opposition to the great revival of 1740, in which
the celebrated Whitefield was the leader. Rev. Eleazer
Wheelock, of Lebanon, Conn., among others, preached
here Oct. 3, 1741. In his journal, he says he was
" kindly received by Mr. Avery. Preached to a full
assembly: much affection and sobbing through the
assembly." Although, at first, Mr. Avery might have
been favorably disposed towards the movement of
Whitefield, he and others soon became convinced it
would result in no permanent good to the country ;
and therefore they signed an earnest protest against it,
which concludes in these words : ^ —
1 We copy this closing portion of the protest from the Great Awaken
ing, p. 363, but have been unable to find the document entire. Bev. Joseph
Tracy, the author of the book referred to, cannot say where he found the
.document, but thinks it was either in the Athenaeum, or the Old South
Church Library, at Boston. I cannot find it in either place; but a volume
of tracts relating to Whitefield, belonging to the Old South Church Library,
was missing from the librnry when i examined it in the autumn of 1858.
The author of the Great Awakening says the protest is remarkable for no
thing but the extract ho gave. We would have given our readers the beuo
fit 01 the whole document, if we could have found it.
128 DISMISSION AND DEATH
" When Mr. Whitefield first came among us, he used his ut-
most crafl and cunning to strike the passions and engage the
affections of the people ; and when he had wrought them into
a fond opinion of his excellences, and they began to look upon
him as one endowed with an uncommon measure of the Spirit,
he continued to insinuate that unconverted ministers could
do little or no good to souls ; that dead men might as well be-
get living children. Having thus prepared the way, he leaves
the country with this most vile insinuation, — ' That many,
nay most, that preach, I fear, do not experimentally know
Christ ; and the universities are become dark, — darkness in
the abstract.' Well, what is the language of all this ? He that
runs may read. Dead men may as well beget living children,
as an unconverted minister do good to souls. The most of
your ministers are unconverted : you must, then, if you have
any regard to your souls, separate from them, and seek better
help. But what will you do ? You can't have any help from
the colleges : there is nothing but darkness, — darkness that
may be felt. You must, then, content yourselves with some
illiterate exhorters, until you can have a supply from the
Shepherd's Tent, the Orphan House, or elsewhere. It appear-
eth to us, that the Devil, with all his cunning, could not take
a more direct step to overthrow these churches, hurt religion
and the souls of men.
" Joseph Avery, of Norton ; John Greenwood and David
Turner, of Rehoboth ; Ebenezer White, of Norton ; Solomon
Townsend, of Barrington ; and John Burt, of Bristol."
We are decidedly of the opinion, that, if Mr. Avery
had supported the Whitefield movement, he would never
have been dismissed. Rev. Mr. Clarke, in his " Histo-
rical Sermon," speaking of Mr. Avery, says, —
*^ He was not a popular preacher, but a good character ;
pacific in his temper, and an agreeable companion. In the
course of his ministry, he was met with a violent opposition
from many who were called new lights. They, in their en-
thusiastic zeal, condemned him as incapable of preaching the
gospel. By their influence, they increased the opposition to
such a degree that the society voted him a dismission."
The followers of Whitefield were very zealous reli-
gionists, and were called " new lights." There were
many of Mr. Avery's church who became " new
OP REY. MB. AVERT. 129
lights;'' and not being able to carry their minister
with them, or to turn him in the least from his convic-
tions of duty, they seceded from his church, and esta-
blished a dissenting church and society, of which we
shall give an account hereafter. The fact that an op-
position church had. been organized and a minister set-
tled, and the fear that the old church would be broken
up or very much weakened, no doubt brought the
opposition to decisive action, and perhaps had much
influence in determining the " result " of the council.
The opposition were also, no doubt, encouraged to the
course they took by Rev. Mr. Prentice, of Easton, — a
zealous " new light," who was finally rff^fellowshipped
by the neighboring ministers, and dismissed from his
pastoral office. Tiie reader will take notice that he was
very officious, as moderator of the church, while they
were seeking to dismiss their minister ; and probably
did more than any other person to " crush out " Mr.
Avery.
In all my investigations, I have not found any thing
that casts a reflection upon the name or character of
the first minister of our town. His only fault, if fault
it can be called, was his unwillingness to submit to the
dictation of otiiers. We are perfectly satisfied that he
was sacrificed because he dared to think and act in oppo-
sition to public opinion. But this only serves to enhance
our estimation of the man. And certainly his deter-
mination to be true to the convictions of his conscience,
let what would befall him, must have found favor at
the bar of God, the great and impartial Judge of the
world ; and no doubt, as he entered the spirit-world,
he heard the welcome plaudit, " Well done, good and
faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
Of Mr. Avery, subsequent to his dismission, there is
little to record, because little is known. He con-
tinued to reside in town, but, it is supposed, never
preached after he was deposed from the ministry.
There have been some doubts expressed about the place
of his death. Hon. Cromwell Leonard says he was
told by his father that Mr. Avery did not die in town,
130 DISMISSION AND DEATH
and was not buried here ; but we are satisfied that he
did die and was buried in Norton. In his " Historical
Sermon," in allusion to Mr. Avery's dismission, Rey.
Pitt Clarke says, " He lived nearly twenty-two yean
after this, and exemplified the religion he taught to a
good old age. He died April 23, 1770." He was con-
sequently eightv-three years old at his death. The
date of his death is* also recorded on the church-books,
in the handwriting of Rev. Mr. Clarke. We think Mr,
Clarke must have known the place of his death, or he
could not well have given us the date of it ; and, if
Mr. Avery had not died in town, we are confident Mr.
Clarke would have so stated. Again: Mrs. Sarah
Morey, recently deceased, who was a daughter of Rev.
Joseph Palmer, the successor of Mr. Avery, most posi-
tively affirmed to me, before her death, that Mr, Avery
did die in town ; that he died in the house where he
had always lived in Norton ; and that she distinctly
remembered seeing the funeral procession pass by her
father's house, and go to the graveyard in front of the
house with the corpse. She was then some six or seven
years of age. We know that Mr. Avery was here within
five or six years of his death ; because, on the 8th of
September, 1763, the parish " voted to Mr. Joseph Ave-
ry, for the taking care of the meating-house and Sweap-
ing it, O-S-O-O : " and on the 7th of March, 1764, Mr.
Avery deeded his farm to Dr. Gideon Tiffany, no doubt
with the understanding that Dr. Tiffany should take
care of him in his old age. Tiffany remained in town
till the death of Mr. Avery ; and then sold his farm, and
went to Keene, N.H. But all doubts are resolved by
the following reference to Mr. Avery, copied from the
" Massachusetts Gazette and News-Letter " of Aug. 30,
1773. The writer, over the signature of " G. H.,"
after alluding to the fact that Mr. Avery's name was
not starred (*) in the last Triennial Catalogue,
says, —
" The said gentleman was formerly minister at Norton, and
died there three or four years ago. He was esteemed, when
living, by the clergy in that part of the country, as a very
OF BEV. MR. AVERT. 181
honest, good man ; and if he did not meet with candor and
hir treatinent in his old age from some, who of all men had
the greatest reason to love and honor him, I doubt not he
has met with ample compensation in the approbation of his
Lord."
There is, theh, no longer any question relative to the
place of his death. The writer of the above article
seemed to entertain the same opinion that we had
formed ; viz., that Mr. Avery was very unjustly treated
and abused in his old age. The testimony of Rev. Pitt
Clarke (whose authority was those who had personally
known Mr. Avery) and that of the writer just quoted
both concur in the idea, that he was an exemplary Chris-
tian and an honest man. His communications and
letters show him to have been a man of respectable lite-
rary attainments for the time in which he lived ; and
there is abundant proof that he was a man of energy and
decision of character, — willing, if need be, to stand
alone in what he believed to be a righteous cause ; in
fine, that he was possessed of that manly independence,
without which every person is a slave. He never had
any children. His wife died Oct. 4, 1763, and was
buried in the common graveyard. Mr. Avery, without
a shadow of doubt in our mind, was buried beside her ;
for there are indications of a grave in close proximity
to hers. But no stone marks the spot where his body,
long ere this, has moulded to dust.^ Citizens of Norton,
1 Mrs. Sarah Morev, already alluded to, told me that the reason why no
grayestone was erected at Mr. Avery's grave was because the property went
principaUy to Mrs. Avery's heirs, and they cared more for the money than
they did for the memory of the aged anS broken-down minister. I have
since searched the probate-records at Taunton ; and find, that on the 18th of
July, 1768, a few weeks previous to her death, Mrs. Averjr, with her hus-
band's consent, made her will, and gave the property which she had re-
ceived from her father to Sarah Tiffany, wife or Gideon Tiffany, and to the
three children of Sarah Stone, deceased, the wife of Nathaniel* Stone. Mr.
Avery was to have the use of the property as long as he lived. Gideon Tif-
fany was appointed executor of the will. The estate was appraised Nov. 10,
1768, at ^77. Is. 7d. May 4, 1770, — less than two weeks after the death of
Mr. Avery, — Dr. Tiffany, the executor of Mrs. Avery's will, made a return
df the inventory of the property. He also brought in a bill of charges
tigainst the estate; which, with the legacy bequeathed his wife, Sarah Tif-
Tany, amounted to more than the estate was worth. In his account, the ex-
ecutor pays for an allowance of £1. 10s. for a pair of gravestones for Mrs.
Avery, which he says were " spoken for, and to be brought and put up."
Her gravestone says she " died in Sept. or Oct., 1763; ** which indicates that
132 ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
ought this so to be ? Will you not cause a suitable mon-
ximeut to be erected over his remains, as a token of re-
spect to the memory and virtues of the first minister of
your town ? Certainly we of the present day ought to
do him justice, by removing, so far as we can, the dis-
grace and obloquy that clustered around his last days
on earth. Wo trust that a word to those who would
vindicate the character and reputation of an earnest,
faithful, though much misrepresented man, will bo suf-
ficient. If the town, in its corporate capacity, shall
decline to aid in perpetuating his memory by erecting
a monument at his grave, we hope the church and par-
ish of which he was the first pastor will discharge their
duty in this matter.
CHAPTER X.
ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
** Many are called." -^ Christ.
The church is now without a minister, and means
must be taken to provide one to supply the pulpit:
but the church-records and papers are still in the
hands of their late pastor. Rev. Mr. Avery ; and it is
deemed important that the church obtain possession
of them. Accordingly, at a church-meeting held
March 28, 1749,—
" 21y, The sd. church voted that Deacon John Briggs, the
first, and Deacon Benjamin Hodges, shall be a committee to
waight on Mr. Joseph Avery, and desire him, in the name of
i^ .
she had been dead so long before it was erected, that the exact date of her
death was forgotten. These facts, together with the fact that Mr. Avery,
soon after the death of his wife, deeded his farm, worth over JC400, to Dr.
Tiftany, go strongly to corroborate the statement of Mrs. Morey ; and I have
110 doubt that she wjis correct. For further notice of Dr. Tiffany, see chap-
ter relative to physicians.
ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTEB. 138
this (march, to deliver them the Church-oovenant and the
Ghorch-Records ; and thaj to Keep them till the further
order of this Church."
Mr. Avery, still smarting under the wounds he had
received by, as he thought, and as we think, his unjust
dismissal from the pastoreil office, probably declined
to deliver up the covenant and records thus demanded.
Hence, after some months' waiting, on the second day
of October, 1749, at a church-meeting, —
*^ 21y, The Church voted that Dea. Benjamin Hodges and
Benja. Cobb be a committee to go to Mr. Joseph Avery,
and demand the Church-Covenant that this Church entered
into when thay were first settled; as also all the Church-
records: and, in case he delivers them up to sd. Commit-
tee, thay to give a proper receipt for them. And, in case
sd. Mr. Avery refuse or delay to deliver sd. Covenant and
records, that the sd. Committee are impowred, in the name
and behalf of the Church, to Commence an action, or as many
actions as they shall think needful, for the recovering sd.
Covenant and records out of his hands; and to Prosecute
sd. action or actions in the law, from Court to Court, untill
they have got them ; and to appeal, in the name and stead of
this Church, in any Court or Courts ; to carry on sd. action,
and to appeal! from any Judgment that shall be made up
against this church in that afifayre."
How the matter was adjusted we have no informa-
tion. All we know is, that, at an earlier or later day,
the church came into the possession of the documents
alluded to. The supply of the pulpit now became a
matter of importance to both church and parish.
Hence the church — which was always expected, I
believe, to take the lead in these matters — met
April 17, 1749 ; and, " Sly, They voted that Coll.
George Leonard, Samuel Deane, Benjamin Cope-
land, shall be a committee, to join with a committee
that shall be chose by the precint, to provide mini-
sters to supply the pulpit."
On the same day, the parish add Capt. William Stone,
John Wild, and Deacon Benjamin Hodges, to this com-
mittee of the church. A candidate is procured. He
12
i
134 ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
came and preached a few Sundays ; was acceptable to
a portion of the parish and church.
They are now about to choose a gospel teacher. It
is with them a momentous affair, a solemn event ; and
they would not undertake such a work without due
preparation. The special interposition of the Almighty
must be invoked; and hence, June 12, 1749, the
church " voted that thirsday, the twenti-second of this
instant June, should be held as a day of fasting and
praier to God for his direction in the settling a pastor
over them."
On the same day, June 12, Joshua Pomroy, Ebene-
zer Eddy, John Briggs, 2d, Benjamin Cobb, Josiah
Newland, Benjamin Copeland, Benjamin Newcomb,
Bartholemew Burt, John Briggs, 3d, Daniel Braman,
Jonathan Knap, Samuel Dean, Sylvanus Braman, Seth
Smith, and Benjamin Hodges, petition the Precinct
Committee to call a precinct-meeting " To make choice
of some man that is a Learned ortherdox man to settel
in ye worke of ye Gospell minestry amongst us of sd.
Precent."
The fast is, no doubt, observed with becoming so-
lemnities. They are now ready to take action. July 3,
1749, at a church-meeting, —
" Sly, The church voted, whereas this church was setled a
congregational church, and have voted the church-platfonne
for their Rule of discipline, they do now make choice of Mr.
Eliakim Willis to setell with them in the minestry, and to be
their paster-; and this church to be governed acording to the
rule of discipline as sett fourth in sd. Church- platforme."
On the same day, the parish concurred in the choice
of Mr. Willis as their minister, and —
"Made choice of Greorge Leonard, Esqr., Capt. Simeon
Wetherell, and Mr. Benjamin Cobb, to be a Committee to
Present a copy of the sd. church and precint's votes in makeing
choice of him for theyr minister, and do theyr Endeavor to
obtain him to come and Preach with us ; and also to treet
with sd. Mr. Willis about his settling with us, and make Re-
port at the next Precint-meeting; and to obtain some minister
to supply the Pulpit untill Mr. Willis can come."
ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER. 185
There is a minority who are opposed.
"Capt. Wm. Stone appeared, and protested against the
chusing Mr. Willis to be our minister. John Wild, Natha-
niell Dmham, Ebenezer Burt, Eliphalet Hodges, Edmund
Hodges, Nehemiah Fisher, and James Grodfrey, protested
against chusing Mr. Willis or any other minister at this time.
Samuell Clapp, Junior, protests against chusing Mr. Willis,
or any other, without further tryall. Thomas morey protests
against chusing any that we have heard already."
But the majority, having chosen a minister, seem
determined to settle him, if possible. They call a
parish-meeting, Aug. 21, 1749, and " Voted that they
would give to Mr. Eliakim Willis 400 pounds, old
Tenner, for a settlement." They voted to give him
three hundred pounds, in bills of credit of the old
tenor or other money, a year for his salary, to be
as good as bills of credit of this Province of the old
tenor now are, in proportion to silver at fifty-five
shillings an ounce, provided he settled with them in
the work of the ministry.
They also voted that George Leonard, Esq., Capt.
William Stone, and Mr. Benjamin Cobb, should be a
committee to present these votes to Mr. Eliakim Willis
for his acceptance.
Mr. Willis declined settling in the following note: —
** To the first chh. of christ in norton, and the society usually
meeting with them : grace, mercy, and Peace.
" Honr'd and Beloved, —
" Whereas you gave me an Invitation (some time since)
to settle with you in the work of the gospel ministry, with
proposals inconsiderable and insufficient for a subsistance
therein, — These, therefore, are to inform you, that I am
convinced it is not my duty to comply with your Invitation,
that the great Head of the church would, in due time, be
pleased to Favour you with a wise and faithful Pastor, is
the desire and Prayer of your Friend and Brother in the
Faith and Fellowship of the gospel,
" Eliakim Willis.
" Dabtmouth, Sepr. 16th, 1749.
"To Deacon Brigfljs, to be communicated to ye chh. and
society of ye South Precinct in Norton."
136 ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
Of Mr. Willis I have been able to obtain but little in-
formation. He is supposed to have been born in Dart-
mouth, in this county, Jan. 9, 1714. He came from
there when he entered college ; and that plaee seems
to have been his home when he preached at Norton.
He entered Harvard College at the age of eighteen,
and graduated from that institution in 1735. He was
ordained pastor over the second parish in Maiden
(which has since been united with the first), Oct. 25,
1752 ; and died March 14, 1801, aged eighty-seven. ^
Prom receipts now in my possession, — one dated
May 22, the other Dec. 28, 1849, — it appears that
Mr. Willis preached seventeen sabbaths in Norton
during that year.
The declination of the call to settle by Mr. Willis,
no doubt, was a source of gratification to one party,
and a disappointment to the other. A new candidate
must now be procured to run the gauntlet between the
opposing factions of church and parish.
The curtain of oblivion happily hides from our view
most of their private bickerings; and we have no
desire to uplift it. It withdraws itself, however, suf-
ficiently often to enable us to understand the actual
state of aflfairs.
Though without a minister, the parish are deter-
mined to maintain the stated worship of God.
Feb. 5, 1749-50, it was "voted to raise four hundred
pounds, old tenor, to Pay for supplying ye pulpit in
sd. Precint ; " and, at the same time, Lieut. Benjamin
Cobb, John Briggs, 2d, and Jonathan Lincoln, were
chosen a committee to join with a committee of
the church in supplying the pulpit. But, still, bitter-
ness and discord reign in the parish. A movement
was made by the disaffected ones to divide the precinct.
Li the mean time, a candidate had been preaching,
and his friends desired to settle Thim. On the 5th of
March, 1749-50, the church chose Joseph Roberts for
their minister. A parish-meeting is warned to meet
1 Interleaved Triennial Catalogues of John L. Sibley, and Rev. J.
Pierce, D.D.
ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINI8TEB. 187
March 20, to act upon the above vote of the church ;
and also to act upon the petition of the east part of the
south precinct, that said precinct be divided into two
precincts, or parishes.
At the meeting, March 20, ^ after a long debate on the
Petition of some of the inhabitants of je Easterly Part of
this Precint, there yras a vote called for to know whether
thej would act any further on sd. Petition ; and it Passed in
the negative."
At this meeting, the parish concur with the church
in inviting Mr. Roberts to be their minister. They
offer him as a settlement one hundred pounds, lawful
money ; half to be paid the first, and half the second
year after his ordination.
^ And also the sum of sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings,
and fourpence. Lawful silver money, or other money or Bills
of Credit, Equal in value thareto, that Pass current in Pay-
ments between man and man, at the Respective times of
Payments; which he shall have each and every year, so
long as he Continues with us in the work and office of the
ministry."
George Leonard, Esq., Capt. Simeon Wetherell, and
Deacon Benjamin Hodges, were appointed a committee
" to waight on Mr. Joseph Roberts, and Present him
a copy of the abovesd. Precint's vote, and to treet with
him about his settling," &c.
Mr. Roberts takes time to consider upon the matter ;
and, in a letter, declines in these words : —
**To the Church of Christ here in Norton; wishing grace,
mercy, and Peace.
" As you, the first Church of Christ, and the Congregation
appertaining unto you, Some time since gave me, the sub-
scriber, an Invitation to settle with you in the work of the
Gospell ministry, as your Pastor and minister, — these may
signify unto you, that I nave deliberated upon this Important
affayer, and advised both with Relations and others ; and
from some things in this Place, as well as a disinclination to
settle here, under some circumstances, among you, I am in-
clined, and think it best, to determine in the Negative. And
12»
188 ATTEBIPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
although I have not been able to let you know this before now,
is becau^ I have been Greatly Perplexed in my mind about
you and the other place, where I have a call to settle, whereby
I liave been at the greatest nonplus what to do. I hope
none of the People of this Place will either be offended or
Grieved with me in not giving my answer sooner, since
Providence prevented by sickness, and my being perplexed
with two calls at one and the same time. I conclude this
Reply to your Invitation in the words of the apostle :
* Finally, brethren, farewell ! be perfect ; be of Good com-
fort ; be of one mind ; live in Peace ; and the GM of love
and Peace shall be with you.'
" I am yours, &c.,
" Joseph Roberts.
" NoRTOK, September 29th, 1760."
The internal dissensious to which he alluded had,
no doabt, a great influence in causing him to give
a negative answer. We hope the people profited by
his apostolic exhortation at the close of his letter.
Mr. Roberts was from Boston, where he was born
Jan. 8, 1718. He graduated at Harvard, 1741 ; and
was ordained at Leicester, Oct. 23, 1764; being the
third minister settled in that place. But, ere eight
years had elapsed, diflBculties arose between him and
his people, " which were referred to an Eccl. Council,
who recommended a dissolution of the Pastoral Con-
nection." He was accordingly dismissed Dec. 16,
1762. After his dismissal, he removed to Weston ;
and died there April 30, 1811, aged ninety-three (?).
" His mental powers were of a high order ; and, for
many years, he was a useful man in civil life." — " He
took an active part in the American Revolution, as one
of the committee of the town to enlist and provide for
the soldiers. He was a member of the Convention
that formed the Constitution of Massachusetts; and,
after his death, there was found among his papers a
draught, in his own handwriting, of a form of govern-
ment, many of the provisions of which have been
incorporated into our present State Constitution. He
represented the town of Weston several years in the
General Court. He lived and died a bachelor. His
9
ATTEIIPTS TO SETTLE A MINI8TEB. 139
usefamess and respectability were mach diminished
hj being connected with a speculation in business, hj
which he became involved in lawsuits, and lost much
of his property. His temper was soured, and he bo-
came disgusted with the world; so tliat he retired,
and spent the remainder of his days, as a hermit, in
obscurity." ^
From a receipt given March 21, 1749-50, it is in-
ferred that he had then preached in Norton thirteen
Sundays. From the parish-records, we conclude that
he preached more than tliirteen sabbaths.
Again the parish must go forth in quest of a candi-
date.
Aug. 15, 1751, the parish "Voted that no person
shall preach in the meeting-house in sd. Precint but
such as shall be procured by the Committee of sd. Pre-
cint and Church, till the further order of this Precint;"
and, to make the matter doubly sure, they vote " that
the key shall be delivered to sd. Comtee." This shows
that harmony was not yet restored to the parish.
On the 30th of August, 1751, the church gave a call
to Mr. Elijah Lathrop to settle as their minister; and,
on the 30th of September following, the parish concur
in the choice, and oflFer Mr. Lathrop, as a settlement,
£133. 65j. 8d. lawful money, and j666. 13^. 4cf. yearly
salary. George Leonard, Esq., Mr. Benjamin Cobb,
and Deacon Benjamin Hodges, were " chosen a com-
mittee to present a coppy of ye above-written votes to
ye abovesaid Mr. Lathrop, and to treet with him about
settling with them as abovesd." Mr. Lathrop did not
accept the call. No written answer to the invitation
has been found. He was born in Windham, Conn.,
about the year 1724. He was educated at Yale Col-
lege, and graduated from that institution in 1749. In
1752, he was settled over the " Gilead Society " in
Hebron, Conn., as a Congregational minister.
** He performed the duties of a priest, to the acceptance of
his people, until 1797; when he died, aged seventy-three.
1 American Quarterly Begister, vol. z. pp. 60, 61.
140 ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A BdNISTEB.
His moral character was good; his talents, an average of
country clergymen, whose services were purchased for life
for a small farm, a house, $250, and twenty cords of wood,
per year, during life." ^
Other candidates now entered the field : none, how-
ever, are invited till the willing candidate is found of
whom we shall speak in the succeeding chapter.
From receipts by them signed for services rendered,
it is certain that six other individuals preached in
Norton during the time the church was destitute of a
pastor. Whether all preached as candidates is un-
certain: probably all did not. I have been able to
ascertain a few items, in the history of these indi-
viduals, which may not be altogether uninteresting to
the reader ; and therefore take the liberty to record
them in this connection. Mr. Edward Bass preached
at Norton " four sabbaths and one Past Day " previous
to July 8, 1749. He was born in Dorchester, Nov. 23,
1726. He entered Harvard College before he was
fourteen years old, and graduated from that college
in 1744. After graduating, he taught school till he
took the degree of A.M. In 1752, by invitation of the
Episcopal society of Newburyport, he went to England ;
and, on the 24th of May of that year, " was ordained
by the excellent Dr. Thomas Sherlock, then Bishop of
London." He returned, and took charge of the society
in Newbury, the same year. In 1796, he was unani-
mously elected, by the Episcopal churches of Massa-
chusetts, to the office of bishop ; and was consecrated
in Christ's Church, May 7, 1797. He was afterwards
elected Bishop of Rhode Island ; and the churches in
New Hampshire put themselves under his jurisdiction.
He died September, 1803, after an illness of two days,
aged almost seventy-seven. " He was a sound divine,
a critical scholar, an accomplished gentleman, and an
exemplary Christian." ^
1 Letter of Hon. John S. Peters, M.D.
* See Sibley's Interleaved Triennial; Mas.sachusett8 Historical Collec-
tions, vol. is. ; and Rev. James Morss's Sermon at Newburyport, Jan. 6,
1811.
i
ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A BONISTEB. 141
PreTious to Oct. 8, 1749, Mr. Thomas Jones preached
in Norton "three sabbaths and the Thanksgiving."
He was from Dorchester, and was born April 20, 1721 ;
graduated at Harvard, 1741. He was invited by the
church to settle in Stoughton ; but " the precinct, being
equally divided, were unable to obtain a vote of con-
currence.^ He was ordained at Woburn, Jan. 2, 1751 ;
and died suddenly, on sabbath-day, March 13, 1774, of
apoplexy, with which he was seized in the pulpit, at
the close of the prayer in the morning service." ^
Mr. Naphtali Daggett preached four Sundays before
Oct. 29, 1760. He was born in Attleborough, Sept. 8,
1727 ; and was the second of eight children. His
father died when he was quite young. In 1748, he
graduated from Yale College; and, in 1751, was
ordained at Smithton, L.I. In September, 1755, he
was chosen Professor of Divinity at Yale ; and from
Sept. 10, 1766, to April 1, 1777, he was the acting
president of the college. When the British attacked
New Haven, in July, 1779, he took an active part in
the defence of the town ; and died (in consequence of
wounds received on that occasion) Nov. 25, 1780, aged
fifty-three. He is reported to have been " a good clas-
sical scholar, well versed in moral philosophy, and a
learned divine." ^
Jonathan Derby preached at Norton, "April 14th
and 21st," 1761. He was the son of Capt. Eleazer
and Mary (Gushing) Dorby, of Boston ; and was born
Sept. 13, 1726; graduated at Harvard, 1747; was
settled over the Second Church in Scituate, Nov. 13,
1751. He went to Hingham to exchange with Rev.
Mr. Gay, and was there taken with a fever at the
house of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln's father; and died
after an illness of five days, April 22, 1754, aged
twenty-eight. He is described as " a man of moderate
stature, fair complexion, round features, and blue eyes ;
1 E. Richmond's Sermon on leaving the Old Church in Stoughton,
May 22, 1808.
» See Interleaved Triennials at Harvard-College Librarj^; and American
Quarterly Beglster, vol. xi.
• See Daggett's History of Attleborough.
142 SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND
in his manners, graceful and winning; using much
familiarity in his intercourse with his people, without
disgusting ; and entering their dwellings like a son
and a brother. As a preacher, he was lively and in-
teresting/' ^
Joseph Green, jun., supplied the pulpit in Norton
"nine days, in the year 1751." He was born in
Barnstable, Sept. 12, 1727 ; and was the son of Rev.
Joseph Green, of that town. He graduated at Har-
vard, 1746; was ordained at Marshfield, Feb. 21,
1753 ; and resigned his pastoral oflSce, Jan. 9, 1759.
He was subsequently installed over the First Church in
Yarmouth, Sept. 15, 1762 ; and died Nov. 5, 1768.2
Mr. Samuel Angier preached at Norton before
Feb. 8, 1762, — probably not as a candidate. He
was born at Cambridge, July 15, 1722; and was
the son of Edmund Angier. He graduated at Har-
vard, 1748; and was probably never ordained as a
minister. He taught school for a time at Medford ;
and died Aug. 23, 1775.^ Whether other unsuccess-
ful candidates preached during the vacancy of the
pulpit is unknown.
CHAPTER XI.
THE SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND DEATH OF REV. JOSEPH
PALMER.
*< He tried each art, reproyed each dull delay ;
Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way."
OOLDSMITH.
Thus far, in their attempts to settle a pastor, disappoint-
ments have met the church and parish at every turn.
But, though defeated in their laudable and repeated
efforts to establish a permanent ministry among them,
1 See Interleaved Triennials at Harvard- College Library, and Deane's
History of Scituate.
2 Sibley's and Winthrop's Interleaved Triennials.
DEATH OF BEY. JOSEPH PALICEB. 143
they were by no means discouraged. With praiseworthy
zeal and energy, they pressed on towards the goal of
their desire ; and, as a reward of their faithfulness, suc-
cess is about to crown with rejoicing the unwearied
endeavors to secure a shepherd for the flock.
A candidate has been preaching to them for some
weeks. He is acceptable to a large part of the church
and parish. The church, agreeably to a long-esta-
blished custom, take the initiatory steps to secure his
permanent services as a teacher of righteousness. A
meeting is duly warned and held. Deacon Benjamin
Hodges, who seems, after the dismission of Mr. Avery,
to have been a sort of standing moderator of all the
church-meetings, was called to preside over the solemn
deliberations of the assembled church ; and, no doubt,
offered an earnest prayer to God for direction in the
important business immediately before them, and for
the spirit of union and harmony in the selection of a
gospel teacher about to be made. We now quote the
record : —
"At a meeting of the first church of Christ in Norton, held
at Norton South precint meeting-house on ye 20 th day of
Aprill, 1752, the said church made choice of Mr. Joseph
Palmer to be their minister, and to settle with them in the work
of the ministry (this church being a Congregational church) ;
And they made choice of Capt. William Stone, John Briggs,
and Jonathan Hodges, 2d, a committee to present the above-
sd. vote to the first precint or parish in sd. Norton for their
concurrence."
On the 11th of May following, at a meeting held for
that purpose, the parish —
" Voted and concurred [in] the before-written vote of sd.
church in chuseing Mr. Joseph Palmer for their minister,
Provided he settle with them for one hundred and thirty-three
pounds, six shillings, and eightpence, Lawful money, as a set-
tlement ; one-half thereof to be paid in a year after he shall
settle with them, and the other half in two years.
" 3dly, Voted to give the sd. Mr. Palmer the sum of sixty-
six pounds, thirteen shillings, and fourpence, Lawful money,
144 SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND
for a salary, yearly and every year, so long as he shall con-
tinue and remain their Minister, provided he settle with them
as aforesd.
" 4thly, They made choice of George Leonard, Esq., Capts.
William Stone, and Simeon Wetherell, and Mr. Benjamin
Hodges & Samuel Dean, a committee to present ye abovesd.
vote to the Mr. Palmer, and to use their interest with him to
settle with them as aforesd."
Mr. Palmer returned the following answer : —
^ To the First chh. of Christ in, and Inhabitants of, the first
Parish of Norton.
" Dearly Beloved in the Lord, — Inasmuch as it has
pleased almighty God, the wise govenour of the world, to per-
mit a seperation between you and your late Rev. Pastor ; and,
since this seperation, to incline you so far to pursue your own
best interest as to be desirous of resettling the Gospel Mini-
stry amongst you ; and since he from whom every man's Judg-
ment proceeds, who has the Hearts of all men in his Hands,
has inclined you to choose me for your minister (unworthy as
I am), as appears by a Copy of your Votes some Time since
presented to me ; and having, as I trust, with a serious Con-
cern to promote God's glory & holy kingdom, both in my-
self and you, taken into consideration your Invitation of me
to settle among you in the work of the gospel ministry, and
have been importunate with God for Direction, and asked
advice of men, — [I] am determined to accept of your Invita-
tion, with only asking that you would please to make an ad-
dition to the offers you made me for my support: and that is,
viz., to supply me with a sufficiency of firewood ; It being no
more than what is of late common with Towns and Parishes
to do. and, by your granting this, I do accept of your Invita-
tion ; Trusting in the great Head of the church for assistance
in the important service, and in your Goodness for a comfort-
able support, if what you have already proposed, and may
now farther add for that Purpose, should prove insufficient.
Desiring your earnest prayers to God for me,
** Cah BRIDGE, Sept. ye 15th, 1752.**
DEATH OF BEY. JOSEPH PALMER. 145
This letter was read at a parish-meeting held Sept.
27 ; and then —
^ The sd. Frecint voted, that they Look upon what they
have already voted to Mr. Joseph Palmer for his support
amongst us, in case he should settle with us in the work of a
Grospell minister, to he sufficient for his support ; and as much,
as we cannot think it our duty at present to give any more :
therefore vote not to add any more to it towards Providing of
firewood for him ; and desire him to accept of what we have
already offered."
It is uncertain how the matter was settled : but Mr.
Palmer undoubtedly withdrew his request about fire-
wood ; for, a few days subsequent to the vote of the
precinct, he communicated his final answer. As he was
then at Norton, possibly some verbal arrangement rela-
tive to firewood might have been made ; but probably
not.
^ To the first church of christ in, and Inhabitants of, the first
precinct in Norton.
** Dearly Beloved in the Lord, — whereas you have once
and again (by your votes) manifested a desire of my settling
with you in the work of the gospell ministry, I would now
Inform you that I am determined and do accept of your Invi-
tation, upon the offer you made me for my support ; Trusting
in your goodness for a comfortable maintenance, if what you
have ofered should not be sufficient ; and desire your prayers
to almighty Gk)d that I may be a faithfuU Pastor.
"Joseph Palheb.
" NoBTOH, October ye 25th, 1762." .
Preparations were then vigorously made for the ordi-
nation. A church-meeting was held Nov. 10, 1762,
Benjamin Hodges, moderator ; and it was —
^ Voted, they would ordain Mr. Joseph Palmer as sune as
they could conveniently.
" Sly, The church voted that the church-covenant should be
red ; and it was red : and they gave their assent to it by the
sine of lifting the hand."
Benjamin Hodges and William Stone were chosen a
committee to invite Mr. Palmer to meet with the
13
146 SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND
church at an adjourned meeting, Nov. 17. At the ad-
journed meeting, " the church voted that they would
ordayen Mr. Joseph Palmer upon the first wendsday
of Jenuary insuing the vote hearof." They also voted
to send " to 10 churches to assist in the ordaining Mr.
Palmer ; '* and Col. George Leonard, John Andrews,
Benjamin Hodges, and William Stone, were appointed a
committee to sign the letters-missive to the churches.
On the same day (Nov. 17, 1762), a copy of the origi-
nal covenant (see page 68) of the church was brought
forward, with the names of the original members
attached to it. This covenant had been read and
accepted, as we have seen, the week previous : and they
now renew it, and deliberately and solemnly affix their
names to the sacred instrument ; for underneath the
covenant is the following record, and the autographs of
those who repledged themselves to the duties of their
Christian profession : —
" We the subscribers, members of the first church of Christ
in Norton, Having Head the Church-Covenant which our
Fathers entered into when this church was first Greathred in
this place, and voted our consent thereto (it Being a Congre-
gationell Church), do now, in the Presance of God, Renew the
same by subscribing our names thareto, this 17th day of No-
vember, 1752. John Andrews, Benja. Hodges, George Leo-
nard, John Austin, Samuel Clap, Ebenezer Eddy, Daniel
Braman, John Wild, William Stone, Nathaniel Dunham,
Samll Dean, William Coddington, Benja. Cobb, Seth Smith,
Thomas Shepard, Jonathan Knap, Israel Fisher, 2d, Ephraim
Lane, 2d, Benja. Copeland, Bartholomew Burt, William Hara-
don, Silvanus Braman, Philep Cooye, Benja. Newcomb, Jona-
than Hodges.^'
" Dec. 8th, 15thly, sd. Precint made choice of Capt. Wil-
liam Stone, Capt. Simeon wetherel, and Benjamin Cobb, for
a committee to treet with and agree with some person or
persons to provide Provisions and things necessary, and enter-
tainment, for the ordination of Mr. Joseph Palmer ; and then
they made choice of Joseph Hodges and Jonathan Hodges to
take [care] that on ye ordination-day there be sets in ye
meeting-house Kept for ye council and ye church."
DEATH OF BEY. JOSEPH PALKEB. 147
The cliurch-records simply state the date of Mr.
Palmer's ordination. On the parish-records, all I
find is the following memorandum : —
"That, on the 3d day of January, A Domini 1753, the
before-named Mr. Joseph Palmer was ordained the Pastor
of the church of Christ in this Precint, by a council of twelve
churches.
" Attest : " George Leonard, Jr.,
« Precint-Clerk."
The record of the church-meeting, Nov. 10, 1752,
says, as we have seen, that ten churches were invited ;
and the names of those churches are given as fol-
lows : —
" The first church in Rochester [Rev. Timothy Ruggles] ;
the church in Cambridge [Rev. Nathaniel Appleton] ; the
first and 2d churches in Stotun [Rev. Samuel Dunbar, now
Canton, and Rev. Philip Curtis, now Sharon] ; the church
in Raynham [Rev. John Wales] ; the first and 2d churches in
Lankister [Riev. Timothy Harrington and Rev. J. Mellen] ;
the 2d church in Attleborough [Rev. Peter Thatcher] ; the
church at Miltun [Rev. Nathaniel Robbins] ; the first church
of Wrentham [Rev. Joseph Bean]."
The following extract from Rev. Mr. Dunbar's
records has been kindly furnished me by S. B. Noyes,
Esq., of Canton, which throws some light upon the or-
dination services. Mr. Dunbar's record reads thus : —
"Jan. 3d, 1753. — Myself and the chhs.' messengers at-
tended and assisted in the ordination of Rev. Mr. Joseph
Palmer over the 1st chh. in Norton. The Rev. Mr. Wales,
of Raynham, began with prayer ; Mr. Mellen, of Lancaster
[now Sterling], preached ; Mr. Leonard, of Plymouth, gave
the charge ; and I gave the right hand of fellowship."
The parish-records say, as we have seen, that twelve
churches composed the '' council." The church-records
name only ten churches. Mr. Dunbar's record shows
that " Mr. Leonard, of Plymouth,", took part in the
services. His church would make the eleventh. Most
likely, the church in the North Precinct (Rev. Ebene-
zer White's) was the twelfth church represented.
148 SETTLEMENT, MINISTBT, AND
The sermon of Mr. Mellen was printed ; and a copy
of it may be found in the Athenaeum Library, at Bos-
ton, " B. 228," p. 286. The text was 1 Tim. vi. 3.
The subject of the sermon was the Duty of Ministers
to preach Doctrines of Practice ; and it was well cal-
culated to heal the dissensions which had been rife in
the church and society for some years ; for it breathed
a truly Christian spirit. The tenor of the discourse
may be inferred from the following extracts from the
" Improvement : " —
" Freedom of Enquiry in Matters of Religion, with Pru-
dence and Virtue, ought not only to be tolerated, but incou-
rag'd and urg'd, especially by the Ministers of Righteousness ;
and party Distinctions and hard names, as much as possible,
laid aside ; according to the wholesome Advise of our pious
Fore- Fathers, whose words are these : ' Let the Nick-Names
of Zwinglians and Calvinists then cease, — the Marks rather
of Faction than brotherly Union, What should we have to
do with Luther ? What should we have to do with Calvin ?
We profess the Gospel ; we beleive the Gospel.'
" Lastly^ Forasmuch as it is Matter of Fact that Mankind
do, and always must, think differently from each other with
Regard to Things of little or no Importance in Religion, — that
is, which have no considerable Influence upon Practice one
way or the other, — a catholic Spirit among all Parties aught
by all Means to be promoted toward each other in different
Opinions and Practices.
" Nothing is so much wanted to set the Christian world
right as a Spirit of universal lave and Charity. A blind, un-
charitable Zeal about uncertain Opinions and circumstantial
Things, like the * Worm at the Root of Jonah^s Gourd, tends
to eat out the Vitals of true Religion.' And, about these pre-
carious & controversial Things, some pious, peevish Men think
they do well to be angry, and are ready (with Pope Paul the
fourth, upon his Death-Bed) to recommend (if not the Inqui-
sition, as he did, yet) very severe and unchristian Methods
for the Cure of these ICvils. But did our meek Lord teach
such a Doctrine as this ? Does the Gospel countenance
Persecution for Conscience' Sake ? or could any Thing but
Matter of Fact be sufficient to prove the Cruelties that have
been exercised by Christians one upon another ? One of the
most pernicious Errors in the World seems to be this, — that
DEATH OF REV. JOSEPH PALMEB. 149
V-
Men are to be ill treated for their harmless Opinions. Charity
is the most perfect Bond of Union among Christians, and is
greater than Faith itself; and, where there are the greatest
Measures of this, on that Side there is doubtless most Truth
and most Religion."
In his address to the pastor elect, he says, —
"Your OflBce is to build up the Redeemer's Kingdom
among Men, in Opposition to the Powers of Darkness; to
preach the Doctrines of Godliness, and reform a vicious
World; and thereby promote the glorious Design of that
Gospel of which jou are made a Minister. Let, therefore,
the Height of your Ambition be to serve the Interests of
Truth and Virtue. . . .
" Be an honest Inquirer after Truth — seek not the Ap-
plause of Men, of any Party or Character ; but the Appro-
bation of God and your own Conscience. If you have the
Happiness to keep up the Reputation of your Orthodoxy^ you
will find a mighty Advantage in it : like Charity^ it will cover
a Multitude of Sins. But this you may lose among some,
and yet be a Friend to Truth. • . .
" There will be always some iynoranty presumptotis, and
superstitious Men that will set themselves to oppose the
Truth which is after Godliness, and the Preachers of it. In
Meekness these must be instructed; for the Servant of the
Lord must not strive, but be gentle to all Men, apt to teach,
patient.
" From such as vapour about Questions and needless Con-
troversies tending to Schism and Ungodliness, turn away:
But Speak thou the Things which become sound Doctrine
(Tit ii. 1) ; namely, that Men of all Ages and Relations be-
have suitably to their Characters, old and young, bond and
free ; for in this way, both of Preaching and Practising^ are
Christians to look for the blessed Hope, and glorious Appear-
ing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."
In his address to the members of the society, he
says, —
^^ Bretheren, You are all one Body, and you should en-
deavour to be all one Soul ; that is, you should be all of the
same Mind toward each other's Persons, tho' differing from
each other in Sentiments : hereby endeavoring to preserve
the Unity, ' not of Opinion in the Bond of Ignorance, not of
13*
150 SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND
Practise in the Bond of Hypocricy, but the Unity of a Catho-
Kc Christian Spirit in the Bond of Peace & Love.' " .
In a note to this last sentence, he says, —
" Unity of Opinion there cannot possibly be, or seem to be,
unless men are equally wise and in the same Circumstance of
Light, or equally wicked or Hypocritical, in making the same
Profession. In no Principles, therefore, can there be Unity
among Men, but in the one uniform Principle of the Love of
Truth, This I take to be the true unity of Spirit ; which,
when joined to the Bond of Peace and Righteousness of Life,
makes a really yirtuous and good Man."
Quite an account was made, in those days, of the
ordination occasions. They were not such every-day
affairs as they have become in these later times ; and
hence quite a parade was made in getting up the ordi-
nation dinner, which was really one of the most im-
portant features of the day. We have already seen
that a committee was appointed to attend to this
matter. Jan. 23, 1763, they made report that they
had " agreed with George Leonard, Esq., to provide
for sd. ordination ; and he has done it : and we have
exam'd. sd. Leonard's accounts, and agreed that he shall
have twenty-one pounds, six shillings, and Eightpence,
Lawful money, for his providing as aforesd."
The records do not show that there was any particu-
lar opposition to the call and settlement of Mr. Palmer ;
yet it is very probable there was a minority op-
posed to him. Subsequent events will show that the
y^ames of strife were not entirely extinguished. It
^ ^ evident there were two parties, and that one was
.«*ther disposed to dislike what the other liked. Rev.
Isaac Braman, of Georgetown, a native of Norton, and
son-in-law of Rev. Mr. Palmer, in a letter to me,
says, —
" When Father Palmer preached as a candidate for settle-
ment, there were two men, either of whom loved to have-
the pre-eminence; and were always, in regard to public
matters, somewhat jealous of each other. Judge Leonard
said to Mr. Palmer, ' I want you to settle here ; but don't yau
DEATH OF REV. JOSEPH PALMEB. 151
tell Capt Stone.' Capt. Stone said, ' I want you to be our
minister; but don't you let judge Leonard know it.' Not
knowing each other's minds in the matter, they were good
friends to the minister during their lives."
Judge Leonard was one of the leading opponents of
Mr. Avery: and Mr. Stone was probably one of Mr.
Avery's friends ; for I cannot find that he ever took part
in the war against Mr. Avery. And, besides, Capt.
Stone's, son Nathaniel married a connection of Mrs.
Avery, as it is presumed, she being one of the legatees
named in Mrs. Avery's will. These f^ts will, no doubt,
enable us to understand why the two men should ap-
proach Mr. Palmer as they did. It will be seen, by
reference, that Messrs. Leonard and Stone were first
named on the committee to inform Mr. Palmer that he
had been invited to settle. This was done, no doubt,
in order to secure the good-will of both parties. At
any rate, it may be regarded as fortunate that both
these men were favorably disposed towards Mr. Pal-
mer.
There is little to record during the ministry of Mr.
Palmer. He entered, it is true, upon his duties
under very peculiar and embarrassing circumstances.
The late minister had been dismissed and deposed from
the holy office. He was still an inhabitant of the
town, and had some strong adherents, who felt that
he had been misused, — unjustly compelled to vacate
the pulpit he had occupied so long. They would
naturally be jealous of whoever should assume the
sacerdotal robes. There is sufficient evidence to show
that the spirit of strife and ill-feeling was not entirely
subdued at the time Mr. Palmer was inducted into the
pastoral office. There were still some who seemed to re-
gard the Platform of Church Discipline of more import-
ance than a truly devout and holy life. Mr. Palmer was
liberal in his religious views, — certainly as liberal as
was Mr. Avery ; and hence the opposers of Mr. Avery
gained nothing by the change. He was no more in
favor of ruling elders or of ordaining deacons than the
former pastor ; and probably no serious attempt was
152 SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND
made for such a purpose. S6on after the settlement
of Mr. Palmer, Rev. Mr. Prentice, of Easton, — whom
we regard as an intermeddler in the aflFairs of this
church, and probably one of the chief instigators to
the dismissal of Mr. Avery, as we have already stated,
— was himself obliged to leave his parish ; and, shortly
after, moved from this vicinity. This circumstance
had, no doubt, a tendency to allay somewhat the spirit
of discord that had reigned in the church and precinct
so long. The church was in a distracted state, as we
have said, at the settlement of Mr. Palmer. Within a
year from his ordination, the following petition was put
into his hands : —
"To the Reverend Pastor of ye first Church of Christ in
Norton.
" We your Bretheren and humble petitioners' Request is
that you appoint a Church-meeting, to be as soon as may be
Coveanint for the church to Com together, to Consult what
is Best to be done in order to Reclame some of our Bretheren
that hath withdrawn from our Communion ; and also to act
and doo what they Shall think Best to be done in the method
of admiting ye members to communion.
" Dated in Norton, Nov., A.D. 1753.
" Thomas Shepard. Samll. Deane.
Seth Smith. Joseph Newland.
Jonathan Knap. Benja. Cobb.
Bartholomew Burt."
Probably several church-meetings were held to con-
sider this and other kindred matters, but without
arriving at any definite result. On the back of the
above petition of Samuel Deane and others is re-
corded the following memorandum, in the handwrit-
ing of Mr. Palmer : —
" A chh.-meeting [was held] immediately after the Lecture,
on ye 5th day of June, 1754, at wh. all those Things wh.
were proposed to be then considered were refered to another
Time ; viz., on Wednesday, at three of the clock in ye after-
noon, — a Fortnight from y t day."
DSATH OF BEY. JOSEPH PALMER. 158
Probably, as we shall soon see, other matters took
up the time at the meeting, June 19; but another
record, on the back of the same petition, tells us what
action was finally taken : —
^ At a chh.-meettiDg on je 5 Day of Augast, 1754, [it] was
voted by ye chh., yt ye within article (viz., to act and do
what they shall think best to be done of admitting members
to conununion) be dismissed."
Other troubles had in the mean time sprung up,
and were now engrossing the attention, of the church.
John Briggs, 2d,* sends the church this letter : —
" To the first church of Christ in Norton.
" In answer to your request by your committy, dear bre-
thren : My soul's desire is, yould consider the sollom covenant
you Have made to God & with me, — to watch over me, &
I you. Now, bretheren, in answer to a Good conseance, I
must Tell you wharein I think you have gone conterarey to
our Covenant. First, in Church-meetings, the church not
being Willing to here a greaved brother, but, with hashness
And anger. Give the agreaved brother the lie : & not deling
In love and meekness as Christ Comanded ; for, if we love
Not our brother whome we have scene, how shall we Love
God, whome we have not seen ? Secondly, in not setteling
mr. parmer, a Congregatinal minister, acording To platform,
which the Church voted not to take any Into the church with-
out the vote of the church ; wich Was one Cause the church
dissmised mr. a very, brethren, I wold have you seresly con-
sider wether you deal one With another as members of christ
body.
" The Request of John Briggs, 2d, of Norton.
»* Norton, May th 5, 1764."
On the back of this letter is written, —
"In a church-meeting, June 19th, 1754, I, the subscriber,
desire to withdraw the whole of ye first Reason, as mentioned
1 This was not the John Briggs, 2d, who was dismissed from the deacon's
office, during Mr. Avery's ministry, for being " disguised with strong drink ; '*
but he who, about that time, was called J^hn Briggs. 8d : for John Briggs,
Ist, or the eldest, or grand senior, died in 1750 ; and hence the two living
would be respectively known as John Briggs, 1st and 2d.
154 SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND
in the within-exhibited Reasons of my withdrawing, by Rea-
son that it is Rong, and I was mistaken tharein.
"John Bbiggs, 2d.
" The chh. then gave him Liberty to withdraw ye same.
" Jos. Palmer, Pastor."
"At a chh.-meeting on October ye 2d, 1754, It was pro-
posed to consider and act upon ye within-mentioned reasons ;
But ye chh., by a vote, deferred ye same to ye next chh.-
meeting, By Reason of ye Information yt ye subscriber could
not conveniently attend this meeting."
We have found no record of the proceedings at " ye
next chh.-meeting."
We now learn that George Briggs does not like the
way things are managed, and neglects to meet with the
church. Let us read his statement of grievances : —
" Bretheren, — I have not for some time met With you, by
Reason of defucultyes & Stumbeling-BIocks in the way:
first, in not haveing officers according to our Covenant;
secondly, in takeing in half-waye members ; thirdly, in The
way you Called & setteled a minister.
" George Briggs.
*' July ye 30, the yeare 1754."
On the back of this note is written, —
" On August ye 5th, 1754, the within-written Reasons
were exhibited to ye chh. then met, by George Briggs, &
were considered by ye chh., and by them were voted to be
insufficient for his Seperating from them.
" Jos. Palmer, Moderator."
"At a chh.-meeting on ye 2d Day of October, 1754, It
was voted by ye chh., yt George Briggs be suspended from
ye communion at ye Lord's Table for his unjust withdrawing
& seperating from ym.
" Jos. Palmer, Moderator."
Probably about the same time, Bartholomew Burt
became disaffected, and absented himself from the com-
munion, as his letter will show : —
" To ye first church of christ in norton. honnored & be-
loved, — I have not for some time communed with you ; for I
think you have gone contarey to ye church-covenant, if not
DEATH OF BEY. JOSEPH PALMER. 155
to ye scriptures; that in ye first of coriDthians, seventh
chapter, in suffering brother to go [to] Law with brother,
and Look upon it only a privat offence ; altho* the accuser
shall, from time to time, declare that ye accused was, he be-
lieved, Innosent of the charge he laid against him. and now,
brethren, if this way be according to scripture, I must ac-
knoledge my Ignorance, and pray that you may be enabled
to Lead, gide, and direct me in the right way. and now, may
Grod enable you and I to keep this solam covenant that we
have entered into ; that the sure mercyes of that covenant,
which is well ordered and sure, may be our unfailing portion,
so I desir to subscribe myself your brother in ye faith and
order of ye gospel,
" Bartholomew Burt.'*
These documents, and the action of the church in
reference to them, enable us to understand somewhat
the state of affairs at the commencement of Mr. Pal-
mer's ministry.
It required a man of sound mind, great prudence,
and sagacity, to harmonize all these conflicting ele-
ments, and pour out the soothing oil of the spirit of
Jesus upon the troubled waters that had been casting
up mire and dirt in the church for years. Happily,
such a man was found in the person of the chosen
minister. Rev. Mr. Prentiss, in his sermon at the
ordination of Rev. Pitt Clarke, the successor of Mr.
Palmer, in speaking to the society, refers to Mr. Pal-
mer as their " late prudent, skillful, and faithful Pas-
tor." Tradition universally ascribes to him the same
character. There are some yet among us who remem-
ber him well. They say he was not what is termed a
" great preacher," but testify that he had the reputation
of being a good and .faithful minister ; which is far
more important than splendid talents and fine oratori-
cal powers, with few of the graces that made the
character of Christ resplendent with heavenly light.
Although there were no serious outbreaks in the
church ; although there are no records of ecclesiasti-
cal councils to assist in returning to the Christian
fold some unruly members who had gone astray, or
to dismiss the pastor ; and but few church-meetings to
156 . SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND
discipline the refractory or suspend the perverse,, —
yet Mr. Palmer was called to endure some trials and
petty annoyances. Our revolutionary struggle took
place during his ministry ; and it would not be at all
surprising, if he sometimes, at the end of the year, was
minus a part or the whole of his salary. Provisions
were high ; money was scarce ; a large family was
growing up around him, with open mouths asking for
bread, with shivering bodies calling for something
wherewith to be clothed, — dependent principally, if
not entirely, upon his salary for support. All these
were, indeed, discouraging circumstances. But he
trusted in Him who does not forsake the righteous,
nor permit his seed to beg bread. In a letter to me,
Rev. Isaac Braman says of him, —
" He gave himself wholly to the ministry ; not laboring
with bis hands, as some have done, in order to eke out a
scanty support. He was generally to be found in his study,
when nothing special called him abpoad in the parish. He
probably felt more keenly than most clergymen the responsi-
bility of his position. Mrs. Palmer has been heard to say,
that in the early part of his ministry, when he drew near
his church, he was so much agitated as to cause sickness at
the stomach, and sometimes vomiting. His wife freed him,
in an unusual degree, from family cares. She at one time
took wool from one of the parish (Judge G. Leonard), and,
with the help of her daughters, converted it into cloth, and re-
turned the owner half of it. This must have cost them much
labor, as there was no machinery in that day for carding,
spinning, or weaving."
Rev. Pitt Clarke, in his " Historical Sermon," speak-
ing of Mr. Palmer, says, —
" He suffered much from the depreciation of paper cur-
rency. Several attempts were made to make up the depre-
ciation ; but what little was added alienated the affections of
some towards their worthy pastor, and diminished his society.
Several became Baptists; some, Methodists. But, by his
uncommon prudence and Christian deportment, he kept the
greater part of the church and society together, and continued
an able minister of the New Testament till his death."
DEATH OF BEY. JOSEPH PALMEB. 157
We here give a few extracts from the parish-records,
which serve to corroborate the statement of Bev. Mr.
Clarke.
At a society-meeting, Aug. 30, 1779, " 3dly, voted
to the Bev. Joseph Palmer four hundred pounds, as a
gratuity for this present year." The currency was at
this time very much depreciated. There was an arti-
cle in the warrant for a parish, Feb. 28, 1780, " To
take under consideration the Bequest of the Bevd. Mr.
Joseph Palmer for a further grant of money or produce
to make up the great deficiency in his last year's salary,
occasioned, in some measure, by Beason of the great
depreciation of the currency since the last grant."
At the meeting, there was voted to Mr. Palmer, ^' as a
gratuity, in addition to his last year's sallary for the
year 1779, £1,000." This vote was inmiediately re-
considered, and £864 voted.
It was,' no doubt, during this period of which we
speak, that he addressed the following note " To the
Honble. G. Leonard, Esqr." It shows the cheerful-
ness, the Christian spirit, in which he endured all the
privations growing out of the distracted state of public
affairs. It reads thus : —
**Hon'd Sir, — Please to sell (without present Pay, for
money I have not), or lend me, two Bushels of Rye. if
either, that which bests suits you.
" Your Friend & Servant.
" Jos. Palmer."
Mr. Palmer had, however, trials of a different cha-
racter from these just enumerated. In addition to the
withdrawment of some of his parish, who became Bap-
tists and Methodists (which the good pastor took very
seriously to heart), Ann Lee and the Shakers gave him
much trouble. It is believed that some of those who
embraced the Shaker notions were members of Mr.
Palmer's church; and it must have been painful to
him to have witnessed their apostasy, as he thought,
from the church and parish their fathers had esta-
blished. Of these Shakers, I hope to give some farther
account in another place.
14
158 SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND
With the exceptions mentioned, so far as we can
learn, Mr. Palmer's ministry was, in the main, peaceful
and happy.
I am told, that, in the pulpit, he usually wore a very
grave and serious countenance ; but on one occasion,
on rising up to offer a prayer, he was seen to smile.
Some of his parishioners called him to an account for
80 heinous a sin, just as he was to address the throne
of grace. The pastor declared it was from no feelings
of levity or irreverence that he was betrayed into such
a scandalous act, but it proceeded from the impulse of
the moment, under the following circumstance; and
we presume few who witnessed the affair were able to
suppress a smile, if they did not do more than smile.
It was customary in those days to wear wigs ; and
some of these wigs had a long " cue," or sort of tail,
attached to them. Two men were seated in a pew,
their long cues hanging over into the pew back of
them, in which sat a roguish boy. He managed by
some means to tie their cues together; so that, when
the men rose up at the prayer, not moving exactly to-
gether, their wigs were pulled from their heads, and
each one began to claw with all his might to save his
wig. Mr. Palmer saw the predicament they were in,
and was unable to repress the smile that immediately
rushed across his face. This was the severest charge,
so far as I can learn, that was ever brought against the
second minister of Norton.
Mr. Palmer himself usually wore " a great white
wig, [which,] on the head of a large, portly, and sober
man, struck a dreadful awe on many, if not most, be-
holders." Rev. Mr. Braman, to whom I am indebted
for many facts relative to Mr. Palmer, describes him
out of the pulpit as " a gentleman of very grave and
dignified deportment."
The people, during Mr. Avery's ministry, were ac-
customed to assemble themselves around the meeting-
house door on Sunday, waiting to shake hands with
their pastor as he passed into the house ; and he en-
deavored to gratify them: hence, by some, he was
thought to be an undignified man.
DEATH OF BEY. JOSEPH PALMER. 159
^ When Mr. Palmer first preached at Norton, the people
bad not forgotten Mr. Avery, and collected around the door
of the church, and opened to the right and left, — every one
ready to take him hy the hand as he passed through, as they
were wont to do with their former minister. But, instead of
gratifying them, he [Mr. P.] took off his hat, and walked, in
a dignified manner, into the house. This taught them not to
be too familiar; and they acted accordingly. It was formerly
the custom, for those who wished to present notes requesting
prayers, to give them to the minister before he entered the
church ; and no one offered a note to Mr. Palmer without
first doffing his hat, and holding it until he had said what he
wished, and was ready to leave."
About a year after his settlement, or Jan. 8, 1754,
Mr. Palmer bought of William Hodges seventy acres
of land, bounded easterly by the North-Purchase line,
south-easterly by Mr. Nathaniel Leonard's land and the
river; all other parts bounded by William Stone's
land and the Town Common. This land was on both
sides of the road leading from the burying-ground,
southerly to the river. A house and barn on it were
occupied by George Hodges.
Whether Mr. Palmer built a new house or not, we do
not know. Doubtless he did. He occupied this place
after his marriage, during his life. His house stood
easterly of the common burying-ground, a short dis-
tance southerly from Austin Messinger's house, just
back of the two large elms. It was taken down some
years ago ; but the wall of the cellar is still in a
tolerably good condition. The house-lot is now (1858)
owned by the Braman heirs.
Rev. Joseph Palmer was descended from Stephen
Palmer, who came from England to this country. It
is, however, uncertain whether Stephen was the grand-
father or great-grandfather of Rev. Joseph ; nor are
we informed at what time he came to America. Rev.
Joseph Palmer was the sixth and youngest child of
Stephen and Sarah (Grant) Palmer, of Cambridge.
They lived in close proximity to the college buildings
and grounds ; and there, on the second day of Sep-
tember, 1729, was born Joseph, the second minister of
160 SETTLEMENT, MINISTBTy AND
Norton.^ He was educated in his native town, and
graduated from Harvard College in 1747. He re-
ceived the degree of A.M. from Harvard and Yale
in 1753. March 10, 1757, he married Miss Sarah
Eames, daughter of William Eames, of that part of
Hopkinton which is now HoUiston.
Their children were as follows : —
1. Anna, born March 19, 1758. She married,
June 22, 1784, Rev. George Morey, of Walpole, a
native of Norton (see Collegiate History). Mrs. Mo-
rey died Dec. 10, 1809.
2. WiLUAM, born Jan. 24, 1760 ; and died April 5,
1771.
3. Joseph, born Nov. 5, 1762. He was generally,
in after-life, known as " Capt. Palmer." He married
Miss Jerusha Johnson, of HoUiston. They had four
children. He died in Roxbury, Aug. 5, 1824.
4. Sarah, born Dec. 2, 1764. She married, April 19,
1787, Dr. Samuel Morey, of Norton, a graduate of Yale
College (see Collegiate History). Mrs. Morey died
(aged nearly eighty-nine) July 10, 1853, while on a
visit at the house of Dr. Rounds, of Norton ; whose
second wife is her grand-daughter.
5. Stephen, born Oct. 8, 1766. He graduated at
Harvard, and was settled in the ministry at Needham.
(See Collegiate History.)
6. Lucy, born Feb. 8, 1769. She married, Oct. 2,
1793, Rev. Edward Richmond, D.D., of Stoughton, a
native of Middleborough, and a graduate of Brown
University in 1789 ; who was ordained at Stoughton,
Dec. 5, 1792. He was afterwards settled in the third
parish of Dorchester, now Rev. Mr. Pike's society.
They had but two children. Mrs. Richmond died
June 8, 1810.
7. George, born April 27, 1771. He married,
Oct. 1, 1794, Miss Nancy Danforth, of Norton ; and
1 His sister Bethiah married Rev. John Ellis, for some time minister at
Norwich, Conn., and afterwards at Rehoboth ; who was the grandfather of
James P. Ellis, Esq., now of Taunton.
DEATH OF BEY. JOSEPH PALMER. 161
they had one child. He died at SunkhaySy Me.,
Dec. 26, 1809.
8. Hannah, born June 12, 1773. She married,
August, 1797, Rev. Isaac Braman, of New Rowley,
now Georgetown. He was a native of Norton, and a
graduate of Harvard (see Collegiate History). Mrs.
Braman died Aug. 14, 1835.
Only three male descendants of the ancestor Stephen,
bearing the name of Palmer, were living in 1834. Two
of them were grandsons of Rev. Joseph Palmer, of
Norton : the other was a grandson of Stephen, brother
of Rev. Joseph. For these items of the descendants of
Rev. Joseph Palmer, and for some account of the pos-
terity of his brothers and sisters, I am indebted to
Hon. George Morey, of Boston, son of Rev. Mr. Morey,
of Walpole.
None of the writings of Rev. Joseph Palmer were
ever published. Before his death, he ordered all his
sermons to be destroyed ; and his request was so faith-
fully executed, that not a single sermon of his is now
known to be in existence. What should prompt such
a request, it is difficult to determine.
Mr. Palmer continued to preach, and to perform
other pastoral duties, probably, till within about a year
of his death.
May 5, 1790, the parish chose Deacon Daniel Dean,
Lieut. S. Smith, and Deacon Benjamin Pearson, a com-
mittee "to converse with the Rev. Mr. Palmer, and
see if he is able to preach ; and, if he is not able, to hire
some candidate to supply the pulpit in the illness of
Mr. Palmer."
March 28, 1791, the parish chose Deacon Benjamin
Pearson, Deacon Seth Smith, Deacon Daniel Dean,
Capt. Ephraim Lane, and Mr. Eleazer Clap, a commit-
tee to supply the pulpit in the time of the Rev. Mr.
Palmer's sickness : and "voted, that the abovesaid com-
mittee apply to Mr. Palmer, and consult him respect-
ing a candidate to supply the pulpit; and take his
advice, and have him nominate some person, if he
please."
14»
162 SETTLEMENT, MINISTRT, AND
This committee's duties were of short duration ; for
in just one week, or on the 4th of April, 1791, Mr.
Palmer left the cares and duties of earth behind, and
entered upon the brighter scenes and nobler duties ap-
pertaining to the spirit-world.
The length of his ministry, from his ordination, was
thirty-eight years, three months, and one day. His
body was interred in the burying-ground on the Com-
mon. On his tombstone, we are told that —
'^ His character was an assemblage of those eminent and
endearing virtues which constitute the faithful pastor and ex-
emplary Christian, the kind husband, the tender parent, the
generous friend, and the good man."
" He taught us how to live ; and, oh ! too high
A price for knowledge, tanght us how to die."
Rev. Pitt Clarke says, " He was a pious and exem-
plary Christian ; a sound divine ; a very prudent, faith-
ful pastor."
Rev. Stephen Palmer, of Needham, in his autobio-
graphy, speaks of his father thus : —
" His complaint was of the paralytic kind. He had before
received repeated attacks from this disorder ; and his health
had been, for some years, much impared. His constitution
was always of a slender nature. He had to use much caution
and prudence in regard to his health. A small degree of
bodily exercise sensibly affected him. He was never able to
labor; but was, however, habitually studious: and divinity
was his principal study. He was justly reputed for his pro-
fessional knowledge; and, in every view, was a thorough
divine. I do not remember of ever asking him for the expo-
sition of any passage of Scripture, but what he was ready to
give an answer. He was remarkable for the regularity of his
deportment. In his diet, and all his conduct, the rules of
method were observed. In his habits he was neat as well as
exact. He was naturally a man of strong and warm passions,
but had them all under perfect government. He was habi-
tually a person of the most consummate prudence. What
he promised, he always endeavored punctually to perform.
*' Both my parents were very large ; and their children are
inclined to be gross."
DEATH OF BEY. JOSEPH PALMEB. 168
Eev. Ebenezer Burt, of Athol, a native of this town,
now nearly ninety-three years old, a few months since
wrote me as follows : —
^ I will relate one anecdote concerning him, which I think
ought to be recorded for the honor of Mr. Palmer, and for an
example for others to ' go and do likewise.'
^' He one year had two large, fat hogs ; while his neighbor,
Mr. James French, had but one (this Mr. French was a
butcher). A mad dog passed by Mr. Palmer's, leaving his
property unharmed ; but stopped at the yard of Mr. French,
and bit his hog, so that it died. Mr. Palmer called on Mr.
French to butcher his hogs. He asked him to come in the
evening, and cut them up and salt them. Mr. Palmer asked
him which was the best. Mr. French replied, they were both
very nice, though one was a little the best. Mr. Palmer said,
^ God has spared mine, while you have lost yours : take the
best for your family, and cut up the other for mine.'
" This shows that though he was * not rich,' yet he was
* generous.' "
At a parish-meeting, Jan. 30, 1792, it was, —
" 2dly, Voted, that the standing committee of the parish go
on, and settle with the heirs of the late Revd. Mr. Palmer
respecting his salary.
" 3dly, Voted, that in the settlement with sd. heirs, the
salary be continued to the end of the time of the bearers of
sd. deceased preaching to sd. parish."
In explanation of this last vote, it may be stated,
that it was customary in those times for the neighbor-
ing ministers to act as the pall-bearers of the deceased
brother-clergyman ; and then, each in turn, to preach
gratuitously one Sunday in the pulpit made vacant by
his death. Hence it was perfectly proper that the
salary should be continued till the bearers had all
preached.
We have only to add, that Mrs. Palmer continued to
reside at Norton till after the marriage of her young-
est daughter ; when she bade adieu to this place as her
home, and passed the remainder of her days among her
children, — dividing her time in their respective fami-
lies. " Her last illness was paralysis. She was taken
164 ADMISSIONS TO THE CHURCH.
very suddenly on the 24th of April, which was her
birthday, being seventy-two years old. She rode that
morning from her daughter Richmond's at Stoughton
to her daughter Morey's at Walpole; but, in about
thirty minutes after she went into the house, she
became speechless and senseless, and remained so till
she died, — May 20, 1806." Her body was brought to
Norton, and buried beside that of her husband.
CHAPTER XII.
ADMISSIONS TO THE CHURCH FROM 17U TO 1791.
ft
** By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye hare loTe one to another.*'
Chbut.
In this chapter we shall give the names of those
" admitted to full communion " in the church during
the ministry of Rev. Mr. Avery and of Rev. Mr. Pal-
mer. When they were admitted by letter from other
churches, the name of the town from which they
came is given in parentheses. Mr. Avery, at first,
kept his records on small sheets of paper ; and a por-
tion of these became mutilated before he copied them
into a book. For some entire -years the records are
gone, and other years are only partially complete. In
copying into a book, Mr. Avery recorded every letter
or figure that was left on his original minutes. This
will explain why, in some cases, the year is alone re-
corded without any names ; or the names, wholly or
in part, without any dates. The names of the original
members of the church will be found on page 69. We
here give the subsequent admissious, so far as they can
be ascertained from the mutilated records : —
1714.
Anna, wife of George Leonard ; Susannah, wife of John
Wetherell, sen. ; Bethiah, wife of Joseph Dunham ; Expe-
rience, wife of Peter Aldrich; Widow Rebecca Briggs;
ADMISSIONS TO THE CHUBCH. 165
Mercj, wife of John Hodges ; "Widow Sarah Lane ; Hannah,
wife of Eleazer Fisher; Marj, wife of Thomas Grover;
Mercy, wife of Richard Briggs (all by letter, from Taunton
Church); Experience, wife of William Pratt (from Wey-
mouth) ; Josiah White ; and Susannah, wife of Israel Fisher
(from Taunton).
1715.
Widow Esther Dunham; Mary, wife of Ephndm Grover;
Andrew Grover, and Mary his wife ; Widow Esther Gray ;
Widow Esther Newland (from Taunton) ; John Austin, and
Sarah his wife; Joseph Hodges, and Bethiah his wife;
Ephraim Lane; William Wetherell, sen.
1716.
Sarah, wife of Seth Dorman ; Bethiah, wife of John Hall.
1717.
Mary, wife of Benjamin Caswell; Deborah CambelL
1718.
John Briggs, 2d, and Hannah his wife (from Taunton) ;
Buth, wife of Ephraim Lane ; Sarah Lane ; Mary, wife of
Samuel Hodges ; Mary, wife of Ebenezer Eddy ; John Fin-
ney, and wife Mary ; Mary, wife of Samuel Converse, of At-
tleborough; Abiah Cambell.
1719.
Damaris, wife of Matthew White ; Widow Mary Cambell ;
John Fisher ; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Clap ; Daniel Bra-
man.
1720.
Richard Stephens (frorii Taunton) ; and probably four or
five others, whose names are lost.
1721, 1722, and 1723 (names lost).
1724.
William Stone ; Sarah, wife of Joseph Avery ; Widow
Experience Rue ; John Andrews ; Joshua Atherton ; Samuel
Hodges (from Taunton) ; Benjamin Williams ; William Pratt,
sen.; Benjamin Lane; Mary, wife of John Fisher (from
Preston).
1725.
Joseph Gray, sen.; Rachel, wife of George Leonard;
Abigail Leonard; Joshua Shepherd; Elizabeth Shepherd;
Lazarus Grover ; Richard Briggs ; Widow Sarah King ;
William Makepeace, and wife Experience.
166 ADMISSIONS TO THE CHUBCH.
1726.
Susannah, wife of Joseph Godfrey; Patience, wife of
William White; Benjamin Cobb.
1727.
Widow Mary Burt ; Elizabeth, wife of William Wether-
ell, sen. ; Joannah, wife of Ichabod Eddy ; Joshua Williams ;
Samuel Dean.
1728.
William Prat, jun. ; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Holmes ;
Buth Allen; Tabatha, wife of Josiah Prat; Bethiah Dan-
forth, of Taunton ; Josiah Prat ; Bethiah Adams.
1729.
John Lane, and wife Sarah ; John Harvey, of Taunton,
and wife ; John Wales ; ^ Ezra Skinner.
1730.
Jonathan Prat, and wife Abigail ; John Wild, and wife
Abigail (from South Church in Braintree) ; Hannah, wife of
Israel Woodward (from Dedham).
1731.
Hannah, wife of John Hodges, jun. (from Middleborough) ;
William Dean ; Joan, wife of Joseph Gray, jun.
1732.
Eleazar Fisher, 2d, and wife Elizabeth ; Nehemiah Fisher,
and wife Sarah ; William Harridon (from Taunton) ; Obadiah
Eddy, and wife Susannah; Joseph Gray, jun.; Jonathan
Newcomb.
1733.
Samuel Clap, sen., and wife Bethiah ; Experience, wife of
Nathan Hodges ; Habitable, wife of William Stone.
1734.
Abigail, wife of William Harridon ; Mary, wife of Samuel
Clap, jun. (from Stoughton); Ephraim Dunham, and wife
Elizabeth (from Plympton) ; William Ware (from Wren-
tham) ; Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Grover ; Hephzibah Lane
(from Attleborough) ; Mildred Harridon (from Taunton) ;
Anna, wife of Benjamin Fairbanks (from Sherborn) ; Debo-
rah Newcomb (from Braintree) ; Elizabeth, wife of Nathaniel
Dunham (from Taunton) ; Esther, wife of Ebenezer Hodges
(from Boston).
^ He was subsequently the first minister of Baynham.
ADmSSIONB TO THE CHUBCH. 167
1735.
George Hill, and wife Susannah (from Behoboth) ; Debo-
rah, wife of Samael Yesej (from Braintree) ; Job Gilbert,
and wife Mary (from Taanton) ; Thankful Briggs.
1736.
Joshua Pomeroy, and wife Mary (from Stouc;hton) ; Wil-
liam Fain and wife (from Maiden) ; Sarah, wife of Samuel
Eddy (from Behoboth); Thomas Fillebrown (from Cam-
bridge) ; Mary, wife of Joseph Tiffany (from Attleboroagh).
1737.
Benjamin Newcomb; George Allen and wife, and their
sister Gay (from Stoughton).
1738.
Mercy Newcomb (formerly Everet, from Dedham); Pa-
tience Briggs (formerly Gay, from Stoughton).
1739.
Gershom Cambell; Widow Sarah Hill; Susannah, wife
of George Hodges.
1740.
Widow Elizabeth Silley ; Sarah, wife of Jonathan Law-
rence ; Bartholomew Burt ; Gideon Basset ; Benjamin Cope-
land and wife (from Second Church in Braintree) ; Israel
Newland ; Ephraim Andrews ; Elizabeth Fanny ; Lydia,
wife of William Cambell ; Bethsheba, wife of Gideon Basset ;
Thomas Skinner, jun., and wife Abigail; John Hodges, sen.;
Fhineas Briggs, and wife Esther. *
1741.
George Briggs ; Margaret, wife of John Ejng ; Widow
Jerusha King; John Briggs, 3d, and wife Lydia; Josiah
Newland, and wife Abigail ; Samuel Hodges ; William Cam-
bell ; Naomi, wife of Ebenezer Burt ; Mary Pollard ; Hannah
Silley ; Damans White.
1742.
Nathaniel Dunham, and wife Mercy ; Sylvanus Braman ;
James Hill, of Attleborough ; Jacob Newland ; Thomas Shep-
herd; Jonathan Clap, and wife Sarah; Judith Newcomb;
William Codington ; Josiah White, jun., and wife Elizabeth ;
Anna, wife of Dr. William Ware ; Phillip Cooye, and wife
Abigail ; Abigail Leonard ; Solomon Finney ; Mary Finney ;
John Finney ; Anna, wife of William Cobb ; Abigail Cobb ;
168 ADMISSIONS TO THE CHURCH.
Buth, wife of Benjamin Willis ; Seth Smith ; Pricilla Briggs ;
Rachel Braman; Abiah Braman; Widow Mahitabel Tucker ;
Mary, wife of Nathaniel Wetherell, sen. ; Francis Richard-
son, and wife Sarah ; Mary Dunham ; Ebenezer Eddj, sen. ;
Widow Mary Cobb; Bethiah, wife of William Codington
(from Bridgewater) ; Ephraim Lane, jun. ; Abigail, wife of
William Leonard ; Ichabod Eddy ; Joshua Cambell, and wife
Abigail (from Raynham).
1743.
Elizabeth, wife of Eliphalet Hodges; Mehitabel Briggs
(from Dedham) ; Ephraim Wetherell, and wife Bathsheba ;
Widow Mary Leonard ; John Hector (a negro).
1744.
Lydia, wife of Thomas Winchel.
1745.
Israel Fisher, jun.; Hannah, wife of Jonathan Lincoln,
sen.; Jonathan Hodges (from Berkley).
' 1746.
Ithamar, wife of Israel Fisher, jun. (from Mansfield^);
Mary, wife of Benjamin Newcomb (from Dedham).
1747.
Jonathan Knap; Benjamin Hews (from Second Church,
Norton) ; Samuel Dean, and wife Rachel (from Dedham).
1748.
Pero (a negro, from Rehoboth) ; John Gilbert, jun. ; Nao-
mi, wife of Joseph Hodges.
During Mr. Avery's ministry, there were one hun-
dred and fifty-one who " owned " or " renewed the
covenant," very few of whom were admitted to " full
communion." Between the dismission of Mr. Avery
and the settlement of Mr. Palmer, there were probably
some admissions to the church ; but no records are to
be found. There were also, so far as can be ascer-
tained from the records, three hundred and seventy-
five baptisms of children during the pastorate of Mr.
Avery.
1 This was doubtless Mansfield, Conn.
ADMISSIONS TO THE CHURCH. 169
Admissions during Mr. Palmer's ministry : —
1753.
Ichabod Washburn, and Bethiah his wife (from Kingston) ;
David Braman; Rebecca, wife of Joseph Lincoln, jun.; Seth
Gilbert.
1754.
Margaret, wife of Benjamin Trow (from Windham) ; Mi-
riam, wife of Joseph Hodges (from Weymouth).
1755.
Joseph Lincoln (from Taunton) ; John Fisher, and wife
Mary (from Attleborough) ; Theodora Leonard ; Mary, wife
of James Godfrey ; Mary, wife of Samuel Tucker ; Martha,
wife of Ebenezer Eddy.
1756.
Nathan Babbit ; Abigail, wife of Nathan Babbit, jun. ;
Mary Woodward ; William Cobb ; Anna Woodward ; David
Williams.
^ 1757.
Ruth Hunt ; Jonathan Lincoln ; Mehitable, wife of Jona-
than Knapp; Phebe Clap; Noah Wiswall; Sarah Dean;
John Braman ; Lydia, wife of Elkanah Lincoln (from Taun-
ton).
1758.
David Darby (from Weymouth) ; Ichabod Franklin, and
wife Hannah ; Joseph Newcomb, and wife Judah ; the wife
of Elkanah Willis.
1759.
Abigail Haradon ; Sarah, wife of Benjamin Pearson.
1760.
Mary, wife of Eliphalet Briggs ; Elizabeth, wife of Dr.
Wheaton; Rev. Nathaniel Leonard (from Plymouth).
1761.
John Newland; Widow Mary Briggs; Abigail, wife of
Capt. Jonathan Hodges.
1762.
Hannah, wife of Philip Hoar ; Peter Makepeace, and wife
Abigail ; Abigail, wife of John Patten ; Phebe, wife of El-
kanah Grossman ; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Lane ; Eliza-
beth, wife of John Hall.
15
170 ADMISSIONS TO THE CHUBCH.
1763.
Charitj, wife of John Haradon.
1764.
Widow Hannah Andrews ; Josiah Yining.
1765.
Abigail, wife of David Smith.
1766.
David Smith ; Elizabeth Woodward ; Ruth Cheney ;
Sarah, wife of Nathaniel Dunham ; Mary, wife of Samuel
Newcomb ; Elijah Danforth, and wife Susannah ; Noah
Woodward, and wife Mary; Simeon Williams.
1767.
Mary, wife of Samuel Morey.
1768.
Benjamin Pearson.
1769.
Sarah, wife of Solomon Dunham.
1770.
John Hall; Samuel Clap, jun.; Mary, wife of Israel
Trow.
1771.
Samuel Hunt, and Abigail his wife.
1772.
Susannah, wife of Jeremiah Newland (from Attleborough) ;
Job Garey ; Lydia Burt ; Bethiah Braman ; Abner Tucker.
1773.
Abigail Verry; Martha, wife of Nathaniel Briggs; Na-
thaniel Briggs ; Eunice, wife of Joseph Hunt.
1774.
William Homes (from Boston) ; Experience, wife of Icha-
bod Perry ; Lois, wife of Isaac Fisher ; Simeon Wetherell.
1775.
Phebe, wife of Nathan Perry; Daniel Dean; David
Clapp.
1776.
James Briggs, jun. ; Sarah, wife of Benjamin Wild.
1778.
Widow Barney.
ADMISSIONS TO THS CHUBCH. 171
1779.
Stephen Jennings ; Widow Mary Makepeace.
1780.
Israel Woodward ; Seth Smith ; Ruth, wife of William
Makepeace ; Wealthy, wife of Josiah Hodges ; John Crane,
jun. ; Seth Smith, jun., and wife Rachel ; Widow Lydia Bas-
set ; Samuel Lincoln, jun.
1781.
Jacob Shaw; Sarah Dunham; Asa Copeland; Esther,
wife of Capt. Seth Smith ; Rachel, wife of John King ; Nao-
mi, wife of Tisdale Hodges.
1782.
Rachel Burt.
Anna Palmer.
1783.
Isaac Basset.
1784.
Joseph Phillips.
Calvin Crane.
1785.
1786.
1787.
Rachel, wife of Asa Copeland ; Elizabeth, wife of Jona
than Briggs (from Sharon).
1790.
Stephen Palmer ; Sarah, wife of Dr. Samuel Morey.
There were ninety-four persons who "owned" or
"renewed the covenant" during Mr. Palmer's mini-
stry, and six hundred and twenty-six baptisms of chil-
dren.
172
. • •
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to
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Muuaces.)
^^ c* xur. urny^
■7 • v« , bon of Rev. Joseph Palmer, of this
iF>D¥Tr (BtaiiaEit.
172 SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND DEATH
CHAPTER XIII.
THE SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND DEATH OF REV.
PITT CLARKE.
" Think what the Christtan minister nhonld be :
You'ye then his eliaracter : for such was he."
• UmurowK.
For the third time, the duty of selecting a minister
devolves upon the church and society. One entire
generation had passed away since Mr. Palmer was
settled. The duty falls into new hands, some of
whom were not born when the late pastor was or-
dained; but, by their pious parents, they had been
brought up " in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord."
They had been taught, and they believed, that the
preaching of the gospel truths was all-important for
their spiritual prosperity ; and hence, before all the
bearers at the funeral of the late pastor had preached
in their turn in his pulpit, the church and society are
preparing to maintain the preached word among them.
We find, therefore, tliat in just one month from the
death of Mr. Palmer, or May 4, 1791, the parish chose
a committee of three, as an addition to a committee of
like number already chosen by the church, " to supply
the pulpit for the future."
Some candidates preach,^ but none are chosen, till
1 The names of those who are known to have preached as candidates
are a Mr. Allen; Mr, Hooper ^ supposed to have been Hezekiah, a native of
Bridgewater, who graduated at Harvard, 1789, and was settled at Boylston.
He died of consumption when twenty-six years old. In Davenport's His-
tory of Boylston, he is said to have been •' a young man of good talents and
attainments, a gentleman in his manners, and a pattern of meekness and
humility." Mr. Thomas^ supposed to have been Nehemiah, of Marshfield,
who graduated at Harvard, 1789. and was settled at Scituate ; a Mr. Gray,
"an old man;" and Stephen Palmer^ sou of Rev. Joseph Palmer, of this
town. (See graduates.)
172 ■" ' ♦ ■ '^ •'"»'. .\Nl.' i'KATU
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U'' \ ■ •* • ■ ■ ■■.. .■ ■■ ■■' :■-• ■: " ;; vi;.: ■' i:::ii: «■' :
I': ■ ■ •• ■ .: i • ,;; . - ■■■.•..■:.■ '"•> ,'.::.' . '■;>;". V". ■ >' '" ■
)>\:'t • / ■■• >■,.'. '•" '■ •! II. '.■ • liO.- ■ N • I.' .. '•! ' ^,
:! . "■•. i".' ■^^ :■ . 1 '■'■:•= • .it.^KA rti ocituate; a Mr. Gray^
' ■ ■ zujt^icu t aimer ^ son of Rev. Joseph Palmer, of this
tuvrn. (t5ee graduates.)
flTT' eiABaKi.
OF BEY. PITT CLABEE.
178
the 12th of October, 1792. On that day, the church,
by a vote, "invite Mr. Pitt Clark to settle in this
place, over this Church and congregation, in the work
of the Gospel Ministry." Nov. 19, the parish concur
with the church in extending the invitation, and
^^ choose a committee of thirteen to take into con-
sideration what to give Mr. Clark as a Settlement
and Salary ; " then adjourned to the 7th of January,
1793 ; then " voted to give Mr. Pitt Clark one hundred
and fifty pounds, as an encouragement to settle with
us in the Gospel Ministry as a settlement."^ — "Voted
to give said Mr. Clark 80 pounds salary Pr. year, so
long as he remains our minister and supplies the pul-
pit."
There seems to have been some misunderstanding
as to the meaning of this last vote. On the 25th of
February following, the parish change it so as to read
thus : " Voted to give Mr. Pitt Clark Eighty pounds as
1 As a further encouragement for him to settle with them, a subscription-
paper was drawn up April 1, 1793, and jS79. 8«. was pledged " in addition
to the Encouragement ** above mentioned, " provided he settle as the minister
of sd. Parish.'* As a matter of interest, we copy the names of the donors,
with the sums given: —
£ a.
George Leonard 20 0
Daniel Dean 4 10
Joseph Hodges 1 10
Silas Cobb 1 10
Jonathan Leonard .... 2 10
Ebenezer Titus 1 10
Daniel Knap 10
Samuel Morey 8 0
Josiah Hodges 1 10
John HaU 4 10
William Cobb 10
Ephraim Lane 1 10
Noah Wiswall 1 10
Seth Smith, jun 2 0
Ephraim Raymond. ... 80
Samuel Morey, jun. ... 1 10
Joshua Pond 10
Elijah Cobb 10
Elijah Danforth 0 12
Thomas Braman .... 20
William Lane 0 6
Elijah Lane 0 6
Asa Copeland 1 10
Laban Smith. ..... 06
15
£ «.
Benjamin Pearson .... 06
Eleazer Clapp 1 10
Ephraim Lane, jun. ... 1 10
David Clapp 1 10
Daniel Parker 1 10
Isaac Basset 10
Isaac Stone 0 6
William Martin ..... 06
Jonathan Briggs ..... 06
Thomas Danforth .... 06
Daniel Lane 0 6
Isaac Lane ...... 09
George Palmer ..... 0 1|
Samuel Hunt 0 12
Stephen Jennings .... 80
Isaac Hodges, jun. . . » . 0 12
Abel Franklin 0 6
Samuel Copeland . • . • 14
John King. ...... 10
Brian Hall 0 12
Michael Sweet 0 12
Laban Wheaton 10
Joseph Phillips 0 6
Isaac Braman 1 10
•
174 SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND DEATH
a salary annually, as long as he shall continue with us
in the work of the Gospel Ministry." This, however,
did not satisfy all parties. Another meeting is called,
and a committee chosen to consider the matter ; and
finally, March 25, 1793, the following vote of explana-
tion is carried at a meeting of the parish : —
" That the true intent and meaning of the sd. parish is,
that the sum of not less than 80 pounds be granted annually,
and paid to the said Mr. Pitt Clark, as a salary for his sup-
port during the time, or so long as, he should be Resident and
officiate in the work of the ministry in sd. parish, by preach-
ing and performing other duties and services, agreeably to
the form and Customs adopted and practised upon by mini-
sters of the Congregational Churches and Parishes in this
Commonwealth. Provided, nevertheless, that, if it shall be
more agreeable to Mr. Clark, it is voted that this Parish will
grant a salary to him of not less than eighty pounds for four
years, and not less than 100 pounds annually, after that time,
on the principles and limitations aforesaid."
This was, no doubt, satisfactory to Mr. Clarke ; and,
in a few weeks, his letter of acceptance of the call was
received. It is in these words : —
" To the Congregation, Chh., & Parish in Norton.
" Having maturely considered your invatation and propo-
sals to settle with you as a Gospel Minister, consulted my
friends on the subject, and frequently addressed the throne of
grace for special direction, I have determined to accept of your
call, and to settle upon the last proposal and offer made by
sd. Parish on the 25th of March last ; viz.. That sd. Parish
pay me annually, as a salary, not less than eighty pounds per
year for the four years immediately succeeding my ordina-
tion, and not less than one hundred pounds annually from the
expiration of said four years, so long as I shall be resident
and officiate in the work of the ministry in sd. Parish : ex-
pecting to be treated, in all respects, according to the general
forms and customs adopted and practised upon by the mini-
sters of the congregational chhs. and parishes in this common-
wealth. Imploring the grace of God to assist me in the
OP BEV. PITT CLARKE. 179"
faithful discbarge of my duty, and thereby to promote ye
glory of God and our spiritual improvement,
"Norton, April 27, 1793."
May 7, 1793, it was " voted that the ordination of
Mr. Pitt Clark be on the first Wednesday of Sept.
next ; " and a " committee of five, to agree with some
person to provide for and entertain the Council that
shall be called to the ordination of Mr. Clark,'' was
chosen. At an adjourned meeting, May 20, it was de-
cided to have the ordination on the first Wednesday
of July.
On the same day, Lieut. William Morey, Silas Cobb,
and Lieut. Tisdale Hodges, were chosen a committee
" to superintend the business of the ordination."
, Letters-missive were sent to nineteen churches, in-
viting them to meet and form a council, and assist
in the interesting services, — thirteen of which were
present. According to previous arrangement, he was
ordained July 3, 1793. The exercises were as fol-
lows : Rev. Jason Haven, of Dedham, made the first
prayer ; Rev. Thomas Prentiss, of Medfield, preached
the sermon;^ Rev. Jonas Clark, of Lexington, made
the ordaining prayer; Rev. Jacob Cushing, of Wal-
tham, gave the charge ; Rev. Roland Green, of Mans-
field, the right hand ; and Rev. Abiel Holmes, of
Cambridge, concluded with prayer ; and the church-
records, in the handwriting of Mr. Clarke, say, " The
whole was conducted harmoniously. Decency and or-
der were observed through a crowded assembly. Thus
one generation passeth away, and another cometh."
1 During the first years of his ministry, he wrote his name Clark ; to-
wards the close of life, he wrote it Clarke. We regard the *' e " as super-
fluous ; but we write his name as he chose to write it towards the close of
life. The autograph we give was not the one attached to the letter above,
but was written a few years before his death.
3 This Sermon, and also the Charge and Right Hand of Fellowship, were
published. The text was 1 Cor. ii. 2 : " For I determined not to know any
thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
476 SETTLEMENT, BCINISTBY, AND DEATH
" Few were the incidents which checkered, and
fewer which marred, his long and faithful ministry.
In the main (with one prominent exception), it seems
to have been singularly happy and serene, and fraught
with manifold sources of satisfaction to his virtuous
bosom." ^ Mr. Clarke was always very liberal in his
religious opinions. The Christian spirit of toleration
and respect for believers in a different faith from his
own is traceable through his whole ministry. He
wished not in any way to shackle the human mind ;
and the church, to some extent, soon caught the spirit
that controlled their pastor. At a church-meeting held
April 1, 1803, after the choice of two deacons, — one of
whom was Deacoa Lysander Makepeace, who has just
passed on from earth, — " the Church considered the
propriety of requiring written relations from those who
wished to be admitted, as has been the practice ; and,
considering them as an unscriptural bar, they voted
unanimously to lay them aside, and to give encourage-
ment, that every believer who gives the church satis-
factory evidence of his belief, in any other way most
agreeable, should be admitted." In passing this vote,
the church showed much wisdom and good sense.
The latter part of the year 1805, the question came up,
" whether those who held to Baptist peculiarities shall
be admitted into full communion and regular standing
with this Church ? " The matter was considered at
several church-meetings; and finally, on the 31st of
January, 1806, "after freely discussing and duly
weighing the project, they unanimously agreed in
the following vote, and passed it without a dissenting
voice : " —
" Whereas some persons have manifested a desire of join-
ing our church, who hold to baptism by immersion and deny
infant-baptism, — voted, that such persons, by giving evidence
of their faith and sincerity, may be admitted into full com-
munion, and to all the rights and privileges with us ; provided,
1 Bev. A. Bigelow*s Faneral Sermon, p. 19.
OP REV. PITT CLARKE. 177
nevertheless, they shall not vote in any matters against the
CTongregational platform and interest."
This is additional evidence that the spirit of Jesus
possessed both pastor and church. It sliows that they
were liberally-minded, and willing to accept all who
came clad in the livery of Christ, whatever might be
their belief.
July 31, 1793, a few days after the settlement of
Mr. Clarke, the original church-covenant was changed
so as to read thus : —
" CHH.-C OVEN ANT.
"You do now sincerely and very solemnly give up your-
self to God, in the name of the Father, Sen, and Holy Ghost ;
and you receive him as your God and portion, designing to
live unto him. You give up yourself to the Lord Jesus
Christ, thro' whom God is manifest in the flesh, and who is
the great head of his chosen people ; and you receive him, as
made of God, unto you, wisdom and righteousness, sanctifica-
tion and redemption. You likewise join yourself to this chh.
of Chr. ; engaging, in the communion hereof, by his help, to
attend upon the ordinances of the Gospel, while your oppor-
tunities hereby to be edified in your most holy faith shall be
continued to you. This you declare ?
" We, then, the chh. of Christ in this place, receive you
into our sacred fellowship, and promise, that, by God*s assist-
ance, we will treat you with such affection and watchfulness
as your sacred relation to us now calls for. This we do, im-
ploring of our Lord that both we and you may obtain mercy
to be faithful in his covenant, and to glorify him in that holi-
ness which becometh his house for ever. Amen."
This covenant was not recorded on the church-books,
but was recently found, with the date affixed, among
the papers and in the handwriting of Mr. Clarke ; and
I am assured that it is the one used during his mini-
stry. To this the candidates assented when they were
admitted to the church.
Below we give ' another, which is supposed to have
been read to the candidate for admission to the church,
and received his or her assent previous to being pro-
178 SETTLEMENT, MINISTBY, AND DEATH
po\inded for admission. It is believed to have gone
into disuse soon after Mr. Clarke's settlement : —
"for THOSE WHO OWN THE COVENANT.
" You believe the word of God, contained in the Scriptures
of the O. and N. T., to be the truth, with all the great points
of doctrine contained in them, and professed by this chh.
" You take, avouch, and profess the Lord Jehovah to be
your God ; and promise, as God shall help you, to fear him,
and seek him, and love him, and obey him, with your heart
and soul and mind and strength. You take God the Father
to be your Father, and give yourself (and yours) to him as
your Father for ever, hoping for all fatherly mercies from
him.
" You take the son of God, who is the Lord Jesus Christ,
to be the Mediator of your peace, and your great high Priest,
prophet, and king ; and you rely on his grace, mediation, and
sacrifice, obedience, intercession, and powerful influence, for
your salvation. You take the Holy Ghost to be your great
Influencer, sanctifier, and Comforter. You give up yourself
and offspring to be regenerated, pardoned, restrained from
sin, defended from temptation, rescued from evil, sanctified,
supplied, comforted, and brought to Christ, by the power and
mercy of the Lord your God.
" You submit yourself and yours to the care and watch,
discipline and government, of this chh., and of Christ in his
chh. ; and faithfully promise to endeavor to abstain from all
sin, to lead a Godly and virtuous life, to promote reformation,
to walk in a consciencious and constant observance of all the
ordinances of Chr. Jesus our Lord, — wereof you are at
present capable, and hereafter as you shall be further quali-
fied and capable ; looking for the mercy of God in our Lord
Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
During the latter part of Mr. Clarke's ministry, Mrs.
Peddy Bowen,^ daughter of Judge George Leonard,
made a present of church-furniture to the church,
— - - - _ —
1 She was the widow of the late Hon. Jabez Bowen, of Rhode Island ;
who, at one time, was Lieutenant-Governor of the State. She died at the
paternal mansion-house in Norton, where she had resided for some years
after the death of her husband, on the 13th of September, 1850, aged eighty-
nine years, eleven months, and four days. She was a woman of rare beauty
and accomplishments. (See further notice of her in Genealogical Register,
vol. V. p. 101, &c.)
OP REV. PITT CLARKE. 179
"consisting of 2 Plaggons, 6 cups, and 2 plates, — all
of best quality silver plated ; together with a durable
basket to contain them, and rouge for keeping them
clean and bright, prime cost, $61.42."
June 3, 1829, the church " voted to accept this
present of Church-plate, to be consecrated to the ser-
vice of the Communion ; and also to present their unit-
ed thanks to the worthy Donor, for her elegant and
valuable donation." A committee was also chosen
for that purpose, who presented to Mrs. Bowen the
following communication: —
" Norton, Jnne 3, 1829.
" Dear Madam, — We, the undersigned, have the honor
to be a Committee from the chh. of Christ' in Norton to ex-
press their sincere thanks for the elegant and valuable present
of Church -Vessels you have presented; which they thankfully
accept, and will consecrate to the sacred use of commemorating
the dying love of our blessed Redeemer.
** May you, Madam, long live to partake of the elements
which will be presented in these sacred vessels ; and, when it
shall please the Great Head of the church to call us home,
may you share largely in that blessed eulogy, *Well done,
good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joys of thy
Lord.'
" We are, Madam, with consideration of great Respect,
" Your humble servants,
"P. Clarke, > ^ ..^ „
E. Raymond, | Committee."
1
The most important event (already alluded to)
which occurred during the ministry of Mr. Clarke
was the division of his church and parish, and the
formation of a new society. Probably the time has
not come when an impartial history of all the causes
that led to the separation can or should be written.
Although Mr. Clarke acted the only part that an
honest man could have acted under the circumstances,
yet he felt grieved, not at his own conduct, but at the
conduct of others, and especially at the treatment he
received from those he had ever regarded as his
friends. For many years before his death, he kept
180 SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND DEATH
a sort of diary, wherein he recorded some of the prin-
cipal events that transpired, and expressed his feelings,
at certain epochs in his life. In the last entry he
ever made in his journal, and only a few weeks before
his death, — and which may therefore be considered
as his dying testimony, — in alluding to the events of
the last two or three years, he says, —
" No part of my whole life has been so trying to my feel-
ings as this portion of it. Before this period, I had lived in
great harmony with my people for about 40 years ; and they
appeared as much united as any religious society of my
acquaintance. But, unexpectedly, a rich and respectable
family in my parish took an affront, and rose in hostile array
against me. Soon after this hostility commenced, others,
who styled themselves Orthodox, joined the opposition, and
charged me with changing my sentiments, and not preaching
the Gospel. I thought myself preaching the same Grospel I
ever did, and felt more and more interested in preaching the
true Gospel. The unexpected charge led me to examine
more fully the ground of my faith ; to search the scriptures
more closely ; and to declare more plainly, tho' prudently,
what I conceived to be the whole revealed counsel of God."
As the result of his inquiries, he prepared a docu-
ment, seting forth, in a lucid and forcible manner, his
theological views, which he intended to present as a
New-Year's gift to his people ; but his sudden sickness
and demise prevented him from doing it. It was soon
after given to the world under the title of a " Pastor's
Legacy to his People." We have read it with mingled
feelings of admiration and love.
The spirit of Jesus is traceable on every page. If
his head was astray, his heart was certainly in the
right place. Whether his head was wrong, it is not
for the historian to say. We think, however, no one,
who reads his legacy attentively, can rise from its
perusal without having his heart touched with coals
from off the altar of God ; for those pages could have
been penned under no other influence than that of the
Holy Spirit. I have found, in his own handwriting,
what purports to be the " Creed [of] Pitt Clarke,
OP REV. PITT CLARKE. 181
1794," the year after his settlement. As he was ac-
cused of changing his opinions after he was settled,
we will here introduce his " Creed of 1794" entire, and
then make a few extracts from his " Legacy," and let
the reader judge whether his views had essentially
changed or not : —
" CREED.
" 1st, I believe in one God, the Father of ye whole human
race, — ye Lord, God, and Judge of ye world ; in his uni-
versal and particular providence, that he is omniscient and
omnipresent ; perfectly holy, pure, gentle, good, and merciful ;
ye only object of worship ; ye source of all our earthly bless-
ings ; ye Father of our immortal spirits ; ye Author of our
immortal hopes ; and ye righteous jurlge of quick and dead.
" 2nd, I believe in ye Lord Jesus Christ, ye only begotten
son, whom ye Father hath sent into ye world to save man-
kind from sin and sorrow ; in his ministry of love and benevo-
lence ; in ye divine authority of his mission and doctrines ;
in his miracles, which proved him to be ye son of God with
power, and a messenger sent from heaven to reclaim and save
sinners ; in his perfect example ; in his sufferings, &c., on
ye cross ; in his triumphant resurrection, and ascension into
heaven, where he ever liveth.
" 3rd, I believe in ye holy spirit ; that it was shed forth
abundantly on ye first disciples of our Saviour, imparting unto
them all necessary wisdom and knowledge, and ye power of
working miracles in ye first state.
" 4th, In ye resurrection from ye dead, and in ye future
judgment ; In a state of just and equal retribution, according
to ye deeds ; In ye paternal character of God, and ye forgive-
ness of sins ; that God is in himself merciful, and ready to
forgive ; that he has appointed, as a condition of salvation,
repentance towards God ; that of his own free grace, and ac-
cording to his promises, he will pardon and accept ye penitent
and reformed sinner, and render to ye impenitent indigna-
tion to every soul that continues to do evil. I believe in ye
eternal and unalterable obligations of virtue ; that this is ye
first law of heaven, and that, without it, heaven cannot be en-
joyed ; that this is ye great object of revelation, ye chief duty
and greatest glory of man ; that nothing will |)e accepted in
substitution for it ; that it secures ye best happiness of [man]
in this world ; is ye only preparation for death, and our only
16
182 SETTLEMENT, MINISTRY, AND DEATH
ground of hope in Christ, in ye favor of God and happiness
of eteiTiity."
We now quote a few extracts from his legacy : —
" In all human creeds, I find some good things, and some
not supported in scripture. The good, I treasure up ; the
bad, throw away. I profess to be a follower of Christ; and
glory in being called a Christian, as his followers were first
called Christians at Antioch. I have the example of my
Master and his immediate followers, not to assume any name
but Christian, — not to call any one master but Christ. Our
Saviour was not a sectarian or an exclusionist, in the modern
sense of these terms.
*' I believe that there is one only living and true God, the
Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him ; and one
Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
I believe God to be an infinite Spirit, spreading the emina-
tions of his Being throughout the Universe ; possessing every
adorable attribute and perfection ; the only proper object of
supreme love, adoration, and praise.
" I believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, and Saviour
of the world ; the brightness and the image of the invisible
Jehovah ; and that in him dwells the fullness of the Godhead
bodily ; and that, through him, we have access by one spirit
unto the Father. Him hath God exalted to give repentance
and remission of sin. By him we receive the atonement, —
even reconciliation with God ; for in him, through him, or by
him, God is reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing
unto men their tresspases. I believe and baptise in the name
of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ; in devout
acknowledgement of God, the Father of all ; of Jesus Christ,
the Son of God ; and of the Holy Spirit, the inward com-
forter and support of his people. I believe in the necessity
of a new birth, or a change of heart ; for the natural birth
gives no idea of God or of eternity. That which is born of
the flesh is flesh, and sees and enjoys only fleshly gratifica-
tions. Children, though born innocent, are destitute of holi-
ness till they are capable of right affections. When the eyes
of their mind are opened to see God and eternity, and the
affections of their heart are placed on things above, then the
new birth takes place ; a new and spiritual world is opened
to the view ; the affections are raised from earthly to heavenly
objects ; and the whole man is brought into new and higher
OP REV. PITT CLABKB. 188
relations. I believe that this change of heart consists in a
change of affections from sensual to spiritual enjoyments;
from sin to holiness ; from things seen and temporal to things
unseen and eternal.
" I believe that this happy change is to be brought about
through the instrumentality of Gk)d's word, blessed and sanc-
tified by His holy spirit. I believe that this change is to be
known by the fruits of it, which are good works. He who
does righteousness is born of God. By this shall all men
know that ye are my disciples, says Christ, if ye have love
one to another; for love is the best evidence of a good
heart. Grenuine conversions make better hearts, tempers,
and lives; better parents, children, neighbors, and citizens.
Such conversions cause their subjects to become more up-
right, humble, and peaceable ; more charitable towards those
who differ in oppinion ; more willing to co-operate with all
good people in promoting practical piety. I believe that
sudden conversions are not so much to be relied on as those
more gradual, which have been brought about by deliberate
reflection and consideration ; for the subjects of sudden con-
versions may not know what spirit they are of, till they
have time to try the spirits whether they be of God. The
fruits of a good spirit are love, joy, peace, gentleness, hu-
mility, meekness, goodness, faith, hope, temperance, &c. ; the
greatest of all, charity. I believe that there are some good
people in all denominations of Christians ; and that, at the
last day, a great multitude, which no man can number, — of
all nations and kindreds and people and tongues, — will
stand before the throne of God, clothed with white robes, and
palms of victory in their hands. I believe that the final
judgment will be in perfect accordance with this grand prin-
cipal of the Gospel, — that God is no respecter of persons ;
but that, in every nation, he that feareth Him, and worketh
righteousness, will be accepted of Him. I am willing to be
judged by the Bible ; for I make this sacred volume the sole
rule of my faith, preaching, and practice. By this standard
we must all be judged in the great day of accounts ; and we
must receive according to the sentence which it shall then
give."
In his diary he goes on to say, —
" But my keeping closely to the doctrines revealed did
not satisfy the leaders of the opposition. They chose to
184 DEATH OP BEV. PITT CLARKE.
separate, and form themselves into a new society. Five male
members of my chh., and six females, asked a dismission ;
and, tho' the chh. did not grant it, they formed themselves
into another chh., and attended public worship with a new
society which they and others organized. This drew me into
a critical situation, and very much increased my trials and
burdens. But, under all these trials, I endeavored to keep a
conscience void of offence toward God and man. Having
this witness, I can go down "the hill of life with satisfaction,
and fear not to meet my opposers at the bar of my Maker.
Were they now perfectly acquainted with my motives of action
towards them, and my earnest desire to promote the cause of
righteousness and truth, I am sure they would acquit me of
any designed fault. My heart's desire and prayer to God is,
that they may all come to the knowledge of the truth, and be
saved. The days of my years teach me that the solemn test
of my character is near at hand ; that eternity is at my door ;
that there is but a step between me and death."
And that step was shorter even than he expected.
Though then apparently hale and hearty for a man of
his years, yet, in about six weeks, all that was mortal
of him was consigned to the tomb. He was " born of
the spirit," Feb. 13, 1835, at the age of threescore
and twelve years, after a ministry of forty-one years,
seven months, and ten days.
On Sunday, Feb. 15, the funeral services took place
at the meeting-house, where, for so many years, he
had ministered at the altar of God. The sermon was
preached by Rev. Andrew Bigclow, of Taunton ; which
was printed, together with some extracts from the
diary of the deceased. Dr. Bigelow, who was with
him in his last sickness, in his "Funeral Sermon,"
p. 15, says, —
" Never have I beheld a death-bed scene more sublimely
edifying — more Christianly serene, sustained, and consoling
— than that of the aged servant of Christ who sleeps in death
before us. Truly his latter end was peace. He knew in
whom he believed, and ' endured as seeing Him who is in-
visible.* The Being whom he served shed down into his soul
the gladsome tokens of his presence. Supports he expe-
rienced which the world could not give; which flesh and
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP REV. PITT CLARKE. 185
sense were incapable of administering ; but which death itself
could not take away. * Mj heart is fixed,' he exultingly ex-
claimed, ^ m J heart is fixed, — trusting, O Lord ! in thee. I
am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is
at hand. Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.' And
he sunk from life, to rest in peace and sleep in the ' blessed
hope.' "
It is pleasant to linger in the atmosphere of so Chris-
tian a man. With much reluctance does our pen cease
to do homage to his virtue, his unaffected, Christ-like
character. We can well understand why his name is
so fondly cherished and revered by those whose envia-
ble privilege it was to partake of the heavenly manna
that fell from his lips. It remains for us, in this
chapter, to say that the number of admissions into the
church during his ministry was one hundred and fifty-
four : the number of children baptized was two hun-
dred and eighty-four.^
CHAPTER XIV.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND OBITUARY NOTICES OF REV.
PITT CLARKE.
#
** I Tenerate the man whose heart ia warm ;
Whose hands are pure ; whose doctrines and whose life,
Coincident, exhibit lucid proof
That he is honest in the sacred cause.** — CowPia.
We shall in this chapter introduce the autobiography
of Mr. Clarke, written about three years before his
1 During his lifetime, seyeral of his sermons were printed. Amon^ his
publications, we will name a Tbanksgiying Sermon, preached in 1796; a
Sermon at the ordination of Sylvester F. Bucklin at Marlborough, Nov. 2,
1808; a Discourse before the Norton Female Christian Association, June 8,
1818; a Sermon at Mansfield^ on the Sunday following the interment of
Mr. Ebenezer Warren, who died Jan. 1, 1824 ; a Sermon on the formation
of a new heart, printed in L. C. Bowles's Monthly Publications of Sermons,
May, 1830; a Sermon in Exposition of John i. 1, in 1832; and the Right
Hand of Fellowship at the ordination of Be v. Mr. Pipon at Taunton, in
1800.
16»
186 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP REV. PITT CLARKE.
•
death ; also some obituary notices of him, Ac. ; which
will serve to illustrate his character, and show the es-
timation in which he was held by the community where
he was best known.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
" I was bom in Medfield, Jan. 15, 1763.^ My father's
name was Jacob. He had nMhing to recommend him beyond
the reputation of being an honest man, an industrious farmer,
and practical Christian. He was one of threfe brothers, whose
grandfather came from England, and settled in the north of
Wrentham, which was then comparatively a wilderness. My
grandfather came to Medfield, and purchased a farm in the
south part of that town by his own industry.
" He had three sons and three daughters. He gave his
sons the names of Nathan, Jacob, and David, from a kind of
veneration for those scriptural characters. They all bore the
name of being honest, industrious, and devout. There ever
appeared to me to be a perfect harmony and endearing inter-
course between them. My mother's name was originally
Meletiah Hammant; which, rightly spelt, is Hammond. Her
predecessors bore the same reputation with my father's. She
was my father's second wife.
" My mother was of a different texture from my father.
He was naturally cheerful and social. She was of a feeble,
gloomy, nervous make, and pious almost to superstition. At
times, she was so fearful of not living up to that profession of
religion which she early made, as to sink almost into despair.
This was owing to a great diffidence of herself, united with
her nervous affections. She was not only pious in mind, but
devout in practice.
" She always set a good example before her children, who
were three sons and four daughters. She instilled into their
minds, when very young, the first principles of religion ; and
expressed the greatest concern in giving them pious feelings.
I feel much indebted to my parents for my early dedication to
God in baptism, and my early habits of attention to religious
institutions. Especially I feel many obligations to my mother
for the many early religious impressions I received from her
1 On his gravestone, it is stated that he was born Jan. 6. This is doubt-
less an error; for, in his diary, he always speaks of Jan. 15 as his birth-
day.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP REV. PITT CLARKE. 187
pious example. I often witnessed, when a small child, her
secret prayers; and, when unobserved by her, would sink
[down] in the spirit of mental and private devotion. This
led me into early habits of calling upon God, morning and
evening ; and of committing to memory a variety of prayers
to assist my devotions. This habit of secret prayer never
entirely forsook me ; tho', I acknowledge with shame, I have
not always practised it so constantly and fervently as I
ought.
^ My grandfather had an exalted opinion of the great Pitt
in his mother country, on account of his distinguished pleas
for American liberty. Out of regard to this eloquent friend
of America, my grandfather would tell me he gave me my
name, and flatter me with the idea of going to college. How
far this operated to raise my ambition for study, when a child,
I cannot say. I early felt a desire to learn, and was am-
bitious to excel my classmates. When very young, my
master told me I must study the Latin, and go to college. I
obtained the consent of my father to begin the first book in
Latin when between ten and eleven years old. But I did
not continue the study of the language longer than the town-
school continued. This was owing to two causes. One was
the deranged state of the academies and colleges, on account
of the Revolutionary war: the other was the embarrassed
condition of my father. In the first of the Revolution, Bos-
ton was besieged, and the college entirely broken up. Then
there was not the least encouragement of obtaining a public
education. I gave up my studies, went to work on the farm
at home, and occasionally abroad on wages; laying aside
what I could against a time of need for an education. When
old enough to be enrolled in the Militia Bill, I was called to
go as a soldier on a sudden expedition to Rhode Island. The
British had taken possession of the island, and were directing
their devastations towards Massachusetts. The alarm came,
and the militia were called upon to meet their attacks, and
drive them from the island. In this expedition, I was every
day expecting to meet the enemy in the hottest battle ; but,
just before it came to our turn to fight, the British were
driven from their stronghold, and evacuated the island. I
returned home to my father's farm. As soon as the war ter-
minated, and the college was restored to its regular state, I
again entertained the hope of resuming my studies. But
another circumstance occurred to disappoint me. My father's
house unfortunately took fire, and was consumed, together
188 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP REV. PITT CLARKE.
with nearly all the furniture and fall provisions. It was in
November, 1779,
^ All the little that I had laid aside was destroyed. I felt
myself stript and naked. But from the calamity I learned
some of the best lessons. My father, however, was thrown
into such immediate embarrassment, that I dismissed all
thoughts of pursuing my studies, and was under the necessity
of returning to hard labor for a few years. When I arrived
at the age of twenty-one, and felt the liberty of acting for
myself, I resumed the courage of setting out for an education.
I had procured a little to begin with by working at common
wages, which my father gave me : and he promised to assist
me some more, if he should be able ; tho' it could be but
little. I studied partly at home, and partly with Miss Hannah
Adams, who lived near by, and to whom I recited my lessons.
Under her tuition principally, I fitted for college, and was ad-
mitted into Cambridge University about a year after I com-
menced my studies, — July 22, 1786.
" I had the good fortune of being a member of a large
and respectable class, many of whom were of the first talent,
and much the greater part of good characters. Another cir-
cumstance was much in my favor. The most distinguished
scholars in my class were, like myself, in limited circum-
stances, and the most popular. On this account, the best
part of the class set the example of prudence in expenses ;
and there was no disparagement in it. By receiving help
from the charitable funds, and teaching schools, I made my
way thro' college without much assistance from my father.
I received the honors of the University, July 21, 1790.
" Being in debt for my college expenses, I engaged the
town-school in Cambridge, and continued in it two years ; at
the same time, pursuing my theological studies. These studies
had been my predilection before I entered college, and were
a leading object of attention through my college-life. Be-
fore I left the school, I was examined by the Cambridge
Association of Ministers, and approbated to preach April 17,
1792. I preached occasionally in neighboring towns while I
continued in the school ; and, before I closed it, received an
application to supply the vacant parish in Norton. I com-
menced preaching in this place as soon as I left the school, —
the following August. It was the first place of my preaching
on probation.
" Having preached here only four sabbaths, the church in
Norton gave me an invitation to settle among them as their
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP REV. PITT CLARKE. 189
gospel minister. The invitation • was so sudden and unex-
pected, that I at first felt ready to reject it. It being, how-
ever, of such a serious nature, I took it into consideration ;
and consented to supply the pulpit myself, or by proxy, till I
gave my answer. I found the people much divided. They
had heard many candidates, and could not unite on any one.
The opposition to me, at first, was formidable. I could not
satisfy the minds of those called orthodox. On this account,
the society postponed their meeting, to concur with the church,
for sever^ months, on condition I would continue to preach
with them longer. It being winter, and bad moving about, I
consented to tarry with them till spring. This gave us an
opportunity to become acquainted with each other : and, upon
this farther acquaintance, the opposition in a great measure
subsided ; and there was nearly a unanimous invitation from
church and society for me to become their pastor.^ The
union was so grea^ I 'could not feel it my duty to give a
negative answer; altho' the pecuniary encouragement ap-
peared too small. I was ordained July 3, 1793, — a solemn
day to me. My deepest impression was, that I was insuffi-
cient for these things. I felt the force of that passage,
1 Kings iii. 7, * I know not how to go out or come in before
the people.' This was the subject of my fii-st discourse after
ordination.
'* Having been ordained about two years, I found the cur-
rency so much depreciated, that my salary was inadequate to
my support. This was intimated to individuals, who circu-
lated the report, that I could not continue with them much
longer, unless some more pecuniary encouragement should be
given. In consequence of this alarm, a universal disposition
was shown to afford me voluntary assistance. From this en-
couragement I purchased a building spot, and about twenty
acres of land entirely uncleared and unfenced. By the
assistance of my parishioners, part of it was cleared up, and
a house built, tho' unfinished.^ On Feb. 1, 1798, 1 was mar-
ried to Rebecca Jones, the youngest daughter of John Jones,
1 This was not probably formally, but rather informally, expressed ; for
I can find no allusion to any invitation to settle, after the one given Oct. 12,
1792, by the church, and concurred in by the parish on the 19th of Novem-
ber following, as mentioned in a preceding chapter.
2 From memoranda which he kept in Larkin*s Pocket Register and Al-
manack for 1796, it appears that he " made a purchase of some land for a
settlement," on the 6th of September of that year; and, in the " p.m., 34
persons came to clear it up." Sept. 22, " 82 of my parishioners voluntarily
190 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP BEV, PITT CLABKE.
£3q., of Hopkinton. . . . Aflter a long and distressing pul-
monic consumption, she died March 2, 1811. She continued
in the full exercise of her strong mental powers to the very
last moment of life. I was married the second time, Nov. 12,
1812 [to Mary Jones Stimson]. She was the daughter of
Doctor Jeremy Stimson [of Hopkinton], who married an
elder sister of my former wife."^
This autobiography was written in 1832, under the
date of Jan. 15, — the day he entered upon his seven-
tieth year. Mr. Clarke gives the following as the
reason for writing it: —
" As I have arrived so near threescore years and ten, —
the common age of man fixed by my Maker, — I am moved
worked on my land to prepare it for ploughing." Sept. 29, it appears that
twenty-two persons, with twenty-four cattle, were engjaged in *' ploughing
part of what they had before cleared,'* and in " digging stone." Oct. 6,
" 26 oxen and 11 hands ploughing, and drawing stone." Oct. 12, " 40 oxen
and 18 hands" at work; "only two yoke and three hands at my expense."
Oct. 17, " 13 men, with 30 oxen, ploughed again for me, and harrowed in
two acres of rye." Nov. 8, " 4 of my parish laid up wall for me, and two
cut up brush." Nov. 10, " commenced the digging of my well." Dec. 16,
" A number of hands cut down a greater part of ye timber for my house,
and brought some of it to a place for building." Dec. 24, " Concluded ye
digging of my well." Dec. 22, " moved to Judge Leonard's." In December
of 1796, Mr. Clarke bought more land, bordering upon what he purchased in
September; for which he paid $627.60. His house was built about a fourth
of a mile from the meeting-house, on the Mansfield road, during the year
1797. It is now owned by Nathaniel Freeman. The amount he received in
1796, " from individuals, towards clearing up land, plowing, &c.," was
$131.82. In 1797, it appears that he received, " in materials for building,
labor, team-work, provisions, &c.," S255.61; and, in nine subsequent years,
he received, "in provisions, labor, wood, &c.," $196.37. I am told, that, at
one time during the ministry of Mr. Clarke, Judge Leonard agreed to give
him as much wood as the people of his parish would cut and draw in one
day. The people entered into the matter with great earnestness ; and, as
soon as the day dawned, Mr. Leonard's wood-lot was filled with men and
teams; and, before night, wood enough was drawn to Mr. Clarke's door to
last him some three or four years. Mr. Clarke, after purchasing his farm,
and up to the time of his death, labored personally upon it with untiring dili-
gence (thus keeping his health good and his constitution vigorous); and,
by his industry and frugality, saved quite a little property for a country
minister. It was valued, at his death, at $10,000. During his whole mi-
nistry, he was seldom absent from his pulpit on Sunday ^om any cause.
He was also very punctual in the fulfilment of any engagements, — never
being behind the appointed hour.
1 By his first wire, Mr. Clarke had five children : viz., Abigail Morton^
now the wife of J. J. Stimson, Esq., of Providence, R.I. ; \Villiam Pitt^ who
resides at Ashland ; John Jones^ who resides at Roxbury ; Caroline^ who died
in infancy; George Leonard^ who died in infancy. By his second wife, he
had four: viz., George Leonard^ who resides at Providence, R.I.; Harriet^
who died, agecl one day ; Manliits Stimson^ who resided in Boston, wnere he
died a few years since; Edward Hammond, who resides at Boston.
AUTOBIOGBAPHT OP REV. PITT CLARKE. 191
•
to leave behind me a short memoir of ray life. I dare not
neglect it any longer, for fear of death, — I am so near the
boundary of human existence. I am not led to do this from
the impression that any thing in my life will be worthy of
notice, but from a desire to bequeathe to my children a brief \
memorial of their humble origin." I
It would be an excellent idea for all parents to leave
a similar legacy to their children. What child would
not prize such an autobiography of a father ?
We will now introduce extracts from one or two
obituary notices published soon after his death: —
" He has, besides his faithful labors as a minister of the -
gospel, fitted many young men for college; and had the
charge and instruction of a number of students of the Uni- -
versity, who have at different times been suspended from
that institution, and directed to pursue their studies under his
care. Mr. Clarke was remarkable for his habits of industry
and order. He was uniformly an early riser ; and thus ac-
complished much which many others leave undone, or but
poorly performed. He was greatly respected for his sound
judgment and wise counsel in all affairs of importance, and
particularly in such as related to ecclesiastical affairs, and to
the interests of literature, morals, and religion. His whole
character as a minister was not only entirely without re-
proach, but in all respects most exemplary. His preaching
was always serious, impressive, and evangelical. It is worthy
of remark, that though there were, from the beginning of his
ministry, some of his parishioners who did not fully approve
of his doctrinal views, yet by the seriousness and earnestness
of his ministrations, together with his attentive, affectionate,
and truly Christian deportment as a minister, he commanded
their esteem and confidence, and preserved uniform har-
mony among his people till near the close of his ministry ;
when the spirit of division, so generally prevalent through
the country, seizing on some unfortunate local occurrences
(but in no respect touching his character as a man or a mini-
ster), caused a schism in his parish, such as had before
taken place in almost all of the parishes in the Common-
wealth. The large body of his people, however, remained
with him, and rallied the more earnestly around him. By
witnessing the meek and truly Christian temper with which
he endured the trial, and his untiring activity and zeal in the
192 AUTOBIOORAPHY OF REV. PITT CLARKE.
discharge of all his duties, they felt the obligation to give
renewed tokens of their attachment and confidence. Among
these, one of great importance, and which was in a high
degree gratifying to him, was the preparations that were in
forwardness at the time of his decease for the erection of a
new and more commodious place of worship,
" Mr. Clarke's last illness, which was a lung fever, was of
short duration. But one Sunday intervened between his last
public ministrations and the day of his burial.
" He retained his faculties to the last, and was fully aware
of his approaching end. Though he had much to attach him
to life, he was still resigned, calm, and happy in the view of
his approaching death.
" The principles of the religion he preached, and so fully
exemplified in his life, sustained him, and filled him with
joyful hope in the hour of death." ^
" This excellent man, whose . loss will be long and sin-
cerely mourned, continued in the active discharge of his
pastoral duties till the week previous to his decease. He
preached to his congregation on the first sabbath of the present
month ; and ofiiciated, on the day following, at the interment
of a parishioner. In the evening subsequently, he was seized
with the symptoms of his fatal malady. His illness he bore
with exemplary fortitude. He early foresaw its inevitable
issue, yet calmly resigned himself to the will of his Maker.
Relying upon the promises of the gospel, his hope of im-
mortality was bright.
" Having lived the life of the righteous, his 'latter end*
was peace. The usefulness of this good man was felt and
appreciated beyond the bounds of his parish. He has left a
large circle of friends, who loved and honored him while
living, and who will embalm in fond remembrance the many
estimable traits of his character and life." ^
" He was tenderly interested in the welfare of the young.
The cause of education could not fail to be an object dear to
his heart. At the time of his demise, he was enrolled with
various associations, — literary and philanthropic, as well as
religious, — in several of which he was a prominent officer,
and in all of them a diligent and valued co-adjutor.
1 Christian Register of Feb. 21, 1835.
2 Taunton Whig and Reporter of Feb. 18, 1885.
THE CONGBEGATIONAL PARISH* 198
" As Vice-President of the County Bible Society, he lent
it an efficient and cordial support. Filling the same relation
to the Board of Trustees at Bristol Academy, — at whose de-
liberations he ofiened assisted, — he contributed essentially to
the prosperity of the institution, and anxiously watched the
progress and improvement of the minds and morals of its
pupils. In ecclesiastical councils, at which he frequently
presided, his opinions were regarded with uncommon defer-
ence, as the counsels of a sound, sage, candid, and discrimi-
nating mind." ^
Here we must take leave of him who was —
^ Bound to no sect, to no one party tied ;
To sons of Grod in every clime allied.'*
CHAPTER XV.
RECENT MINISTRY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL PARISH.
" For modes of &ith, let graceless zealots fight :
His can't be wrong whose life is in the right."
POPl.
By the death of Mr. Clarke, the pulpit, for the third
time in more than a hundred and twenty years, is
made vacant; and the maintenance of the Christian
ministry and ordinances becomes a question of anxious
solicitude to the parish. At the annual meeting,
March 30, 1835, — a little more than a month after the
death of their late revered pastor, — the society voted
that the Standing Committee should supply the pulpit.
Prom receipts and other papers in my possession, it
appears that A. Davis preached two Sundays ; Daniel
C. Sanders, three ; Nathaniel Whitman, four ; Mr.
Lakeman, two ; and Mr. Richardson, one, — up to the
close of the following July.
1 Dr. Bigelow^s Funeral Sermon.
17
194 RECENT MINISTRY OP
On the 2d of August, 1835, Asarelah Morse Bridge
commenced preaching as a candidate. His services
were acceptable to the congregation; and, on the 28th^
of December following, he was unanimously invited
by the society " to settle with them as their Pastor in
the Gospel Ministry," and a yearly salary of five hun-
dred dollars was voted to him ; and, when either party
wished to dissolve the connection, three months' notice
was to be given,
A committee of three was chosen to inform Mr.
Bridge of the doings of the parish. They performed
their duty ; and he forthwith returned the following
answer : —
" Norton, Dec. 28th, 1835.
« To Dr. Richard F. Sweet, Dea. Stillman Smith, Mr. Thomas
Braman, Committee of the Congregational Parish in Nor-
ton.
" Gentlemen, — I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of a letter from you, containing an invitation extended
to me, by the society of which you are a committee, to be-
come their Pastor and Teacher. It is highly gratifying to me
that I have been chosen to fill so high and responsible a situa-
tion. The unanimity with which this invitation has been
given increases my satisfaction. I accept it on the teiins
specified in your letter. I hope that nothing may occur which
shall darken, in the least degree, the pleasing prospect which
is before us.
" I remain yours respectfully,
"Asarelah M. Bridge."
The parish then " voted to have the ordination of
Rev. Mr. Bridge in four or five weeks from this date;"
and the Standing Committee were appointed a " Com-
mittee of arrangement at the ordination."
The services of ordination took place Jan. 2t, 1836.
Sixteen churches were invited to form a coimcil by
1 It appears that Mr. Bridge had not supplied the ptilpit all the time
from Aug. 2 to the date above. G. P. Crancn preached two Sundays in
October; George A. Williams, four, up to Nov. 8; and Mr. Buckingham
and Mr. Stone, one each, the fore part of December, — probably not as
candidates.
THE CONGREGATIONAL PARISH. 195
their pastors and delegates. The following was the
order of services : —
Introductoiy Prayer by Rev. G. W, Briggs, of Fall
River ; Reading of Scriptures by Rev. J. D. "Sweet, of Kings-
ton; Sermon by Rev. George Putnam, of Roxbury, — text,
Jer. iii. 15 ; Ordaining Prayer by Rev. F. Parkman, D.D.,
of Boston ; Right Hand by Rev. H. G. O. Phipps, of Co-
hasset; Charge by Rev. A. Harding, of New Salem; Address
to Society by Rev. B. Huntoon, of Milton; Concluding
Prayer by Rev. R. Stone, of West Bridgewater.
During his ministry, Mr. Bridge labored earnestly
and faithfully in the work to which he had devoted
himself. Probably, on entering upon his pastoral
duties, Mr. Bridge could not find the church-covenant
(there being no copy of it on the church-records) ; and
therefore he prepared, and the church (Feb. 5, 1836)
accepted, the following —
"declaration of faith.
" You do solemnly declare your belief in the Being, Per-
fections, and Government of God ; your faith in Jesus Christ
as the Son of God and Savior of the world ; and your ac-
ceptance of the Holy Scriptures as the word of God, and a
perfect rule of faith and obedience.
" You express your desire thankfully to receive salvation
in the way prescribed in the gospel ; humbly resolving, by
the help of divine grace, to live in obedience to his holy com-
mandments, and to look for the mercy of God unto eternal
life.
" You promise to walk with this church, while you have
opportunity, in the regular observance of Christian ordi-
nances, in the exercise of Christian affection, and in a sub-
mission to the regulations of the Church.
" You are now a member of this church. We have received
you ; we trust God has received you.
** We engage, and are bound, to pray for you ; and, as we
have opportunity, to watch over you, and, if need be, to ad-
monish you. We expect the same kind offices from you ; in
the mutual discharge of which, may we all be built up in the
faith and practice of our holy religion, and become prepared
for admission hereafter into the Church of the Redeemer in
Heaven ! Amen."
196 BECENT MINISTBT OF
At a meeting of the parish, Aug. 81, 1840, it was
voted, that their connection between Mr. Bridge, ^< as
Pastor and People," be, by mutual consent of parties,
dissolved after the first day of November next. And
accordingly, on Nov. 1, 1840, Mr. Bridge preached
his valedictory sermon, and retired from the office of
pastor.
At a meeting of the church, Sept. 30, 1842, it was —
^ Resolved^ That we have full confidence in the Rev. A. M.
Bridge as a pious, faithful, and devoted Christian minister ^
and that we cordially recommend him as such to those with
whom he may be called to labor."
Rev. Mr. Bridge was the son of Josiah and Eirene
Bridge; and was bom in Lancaster, Mass., Jan. 21,
1810. His early education was acquired in the com-
mon schools of that town and at the Lancaster Acade-
my. At the age of fourteen, he entered a store in
Boston, where he remained six years. He then studied
two years and a half at the New-Salem Academy;
teaching school one winter at Hubbardston, and
another at Petersham. In 1832, he entered the
Divinity School at Cambridge ; and graduated from
that institution, July, 1835, a few days previous to his
preaching his first sermon in Norton.
Since leaving Norton, he has been settled as pastor
at Standish, Me., and Bernardston, Mass. For several
years past, he has been the minister at Hampton
Falls, N.H.
He married, July 31, 1838, Miss Martha S. Harding,
daughter of Rev. A. Harding, of New Salem ; by whom
he had one child, — Frederick Harding, born at Norton,
Sept. 1, 1839. His wife died at her father's house.
May, 1841. She was a woman of very superior at-
tainments.
He married, June 4, 1844, for second wife, Mary
Ann FuUam, of Boston; and, by her, has had three
children.
On Sunday, Nov. 8, 1840, — just one week from the
time Mr. Bridge preached his farewell sermon, — Mr.
THE C0N6&EGATI0NAL PARISH. 197
William Phillips Tilden occupied the pulpit. After
preaching four Sundays, he was engaged to supply
till the 1st of April following. Before the expiration
of this engagement, or on March 15, 1840, the parish,
by a vote of fifty-nine yeas to two nays, invited him
" to settle with them in the Gospel Ministry, if the
salary can be made satisfactory ; " and chose Leonard
Hodges, jun., Jarvis Smith, Earl Hodges, Stillman
Smith, and Almond Tucker, a committee to report the
doings of the parish to the candidate.
His salary was fixed at six himdred dollars per year,
and the time of his settlement limited to two years ;
three months' notice to be given if either party wished
to dissolve the connection sooner. Mr. Tilden ac-
cepted the call in the following note: —
*' March 15th, 1841.
•* To the CoDgregational Parish in Norton.
" I have received by your committee a copy of the vote
passed at your meeting, inviting me to become your Pastor.
" Would that I were more worthy of the confidence you
have seen fit to repose in me ! I have had, as you are all
doubtless aware, but little experience in my profession. I
could not, therefore, think for a moment of being settled as
a minister to the spiritual wants of any people where I could
not depend upon their sympathy and co-operation. But you
have given me the assurance, by the unanimity with which
you have given me the call, that I shall find here hearts that
will sympathize with me in my labors, and be ready to make
all reasonable allowance for my want of experience.
"Trusting, therefore, that I shall find in each of you a
brother's heart, and that you will receive my imperfect
services with that feeling of charity which covereth a mul-
titude of faults, I accept of the invitation you have given me
to become your Pastor, upon the condition named in the note
which I have received.
" Yours in brotherly Love,
" William P. Tilden."
The Standing Committee of the parish were author-
ized " to make the necessary preparations for the or-
dination.'' It was decided that the ordination should
17*
198 RECENT MINISTRT OF
take place Wednesday, April 14 ; and thirteen churches
were invited to meet in council, and assist in the ser-
vices. But, a violent snow-storm occurring on that
day, none of the council appeared ; and, consequently,
the services were postponed one week. April 21, 1841,
tiie council met at the house of Earl Hodges. After
organization, &c., it was '' voted, that the Council Bxe
satisfied with the proceedings of the Society and the
Pastor elect, and are ready to proceed to his ordination
at 11 O'clock, A.M."
The order of exercises was as follows : —
lntax)ductory Prayer by Rev. J. D. Sweet, of Elingston ;
Reading of the Scriptures by Rev. M. Allen, of Pembroke ;
Sermon by Rev. S. J. May, of South Scituate; Ordaining
Prayer by Rev. A. Bigelow, of Taunton ; Charge by Rev. E.
Q. Sewall, of Scituate ; Right Hand by Rev. J. L. Stone, of
Mansfield ; Address to the People by Rev. R. Stone, of West
Bridgewater ; Closing Prayer by Rev. A. Gushee, of Dighton.
The ministry of Mr. Tilden proved so acceptable to
the parish, that, just before the close of the two years
for which he was settled, — viz., March 13, 1843, — it
was " voted unanimously to request the Rev. William
P. Tilden to continue with said Parish in the ministry ; "
the conditions being the same as before. A committee
of three was chosen to inform the pastor of the doings
of the parish. The committee attended to the duty
assigned them, and soon returned with the following
answer : —
" To the First Congregational Church and Society in Norton.
** I have received, by the hands of your Committee, a copy
of the vote you have this ^iay passed, by which you have
unanimously invited me to continue with you as your pastor.
I feel deeply grateful to you for this fresh proof of your kind
regards for me, and shall accept of your invitation ; hoping
and praying that our union, so long as it continues, may be
blessed to the upbuilding of the Redeemer's Kingdom.
** Yours in the bonds of the Gospel,
^ William P. Tilden.
" Norton, March 18th, 1848."
THE CONGBEGATIONAL PABISH. 199
•
After continuing with them a little more than a year
from the date of the above note, Mr. Tilden signified
to the parish his desire to be dismissed from his pas-
toral relations, on account of failing health. The
parish met to consider the matter on the 15th of June,
1844, and voted that they *' are desirous of retaining
Rev. Mr. Tilden (in case he does now wish to be re-
tained) as their minister, upon the same conditions
that he was first settled;'' and appointed a committee
of three to confer with him relative to remaining. At
an adjourned meeting, June 22, the committee received
his answer. We here record it : —
" To the Congregational So. in Norton.
" Deab Fbiends, — The Com. chosen by you at your last
meeting, for the purpose of conferring with me in relation to
my still remaining with you as your Pastor, have attended
to their duties. Truly grateful am I for the very kind wish,
which, through that Com., you have expressed, that I should
still sustain to you the relation of Pastor. It rejoices my
heart to know, that, afler spending near four years among
you as your minister, you still deem me worthy of confidence,
and regard me with unfeigned kindness and good-vnU. Be
assured, the kind feeling is most cordially reciprocated.
^ But as I have decided that it will be best for me to leave
this field of labor, at least for one year, I still think that it
will be better fcg you and for myself that the connection
should be dissolved.
"I have not come to this decision without a. struggle; for
my heart still clings with sincere affection to the many tried
friends whose sympathy and aid have cheered me on in my
work among you : and my sincere and earnest prayer for you
is, that you may be blessed with the services of one who shall
break to you the * True and living hread^ and help you on-
ward in the divine life.
" Yours in Gospel Love,
" William P. Tilden."
The parish then voted to accept the answer: and,
accordingly, the connection was dissolved; and the
pastor preached his farewell sermon, June 30, 1844.^
^ A portion of it was printed in the Christian World, Ang. 24, 1844.
200 RECENT MINISTBT OF
Rev. William P. Tilden was the son of Luther and
Philenda (Brooks) Tilden ; and was born in Scituate,
May 9, 1811. He received most of his education in
the common schools of his native State, having received
only "one term of academical instruction." After
leaving school, he spent his summers in the mackerel-
fishery, and his winters in learning the trade of a car-
penter ; so that, without any figure of speech, it can
be truly said, that he had an evangelical preparation
for the ministry. His theological studies were pursued
with Rev. Samuel J. May, of South Scituate.
May 15, 1834, he married, at Scituate, Miss Mary J.
Poster; and has had four children. While residing
in Norton, one of them " became an angel," Sept. 9,
1841.1
Since leaving Norton, Mr. Tilden has been settled
as pastor of the Unitarian societies of Concord and
Walpole, N.H. ; and is now the minister of the First
Congregational Church in Fitchburg, Mass.
The pulpit made vacant by the resignation of Mr.
Tilden was supplied a few Sundays by Rev. William
H. Fish : and, on the 3d of August, a parish-meeting
was held to see about hiring him for six months ; but
it was dissolved, without taking any action relative to
the supply of the pulpit.
Who preached from that time to Nov. 17, we are
not informed: but, on that day, Rev. William C.
Tenney commenced a stated supply of the pulpit ; and
continued to do so till April 27, 1845. Rev. T. H.
Dorr preached during the month of May ; and Rev. A.
D. Jones, during the month of June.
Rev. Amory Gale, M.D., commenced supplying the
pulpit, July 6, 1845 : and, with the exception of the
month of August, — when the desk was occupied by
clergymen from the " Hopedale Community " in Mil-
ford, — he preached regularly till the 1st of January,
1 In the easterly part of the " Common " Graveyard, surrounded by a
small circular wooden fence, may be seen a diminutive monument of white
marble, with the inscription, " Little Joseph/' It marks the grave of
"this dear boy."
THE CONGREGATIONAL PARISH. 201
1848; and supplied a few Sundays after that date.
Nov. 29, 1845, by a vote of fifteen to ten, he was in-
vited to settle ; but, on account of the small majority
by which the vote was carried, it was reconsidered.
At an adjourned meeting, two weeks later, the Stand-
ing Committee were instructed to hire Mr. Gale for
one year. Before the expiration of this engagement,
he was reengaged for another year; which term of
service expired, as we have already stated, at the com-
mencement of the year 1848.
During his ministry, the church-covenant was again
revised. By a unanimous vote of the church, April 2,
1846, they adopted the following ^ —
" COVENANT.
" You acknowledge your Faith in One only wise and true
Grod, who is the God and Father of all men ; you believe
Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, the Redeemer and Savior;
and you regard the Holy Spirit as your Enlightener, your
Sanctifier, your Comforter.
** You accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the only infal-
lible rule of life ; and you propose, by the help of Divine
Grace, to regulate your conduct by its spirit and precepts ;
to observe its rites and ordinances ; and to live in the unity
of the Spirit, and in the bonds of peace with your brethren.
This you acknowledge ?
"We, then, — the Church of Christ in this place, — do
receive and welcome you into our sacred fellowship and com-
munion ; promising that we will regard and treat you with
that Christian tenderness and aifection which your rellition to
us, as a member of Christ's Church, requires.
"May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ bless
you with all spiritual blessings in His Son ; may your days
on earth be useful and happy ; and may we all be finally ad-
mitted into glorious mansions on High, to participate in the
joys of the Just made perfect through Faith I "
1 The Declaration of Faith adopted during the ministry of Mr. Bridge
was not recorded oo the church-books ; and Mr. Gale, not finding a copj.
probably prepared this covenant, to use in the absence of any other: and
it is the first covenant entered in due form upon the records since the or^
ganization of the church in 1714.
202 BECENT lONISTBY OF
Also, during his ministry, Mr. Gale performed the
laborious work of copying all the church-records on
the old book into a new one. The faithfulness with
which he performed the task was well worthy of the
preamble and resolution we here record : —
** Whereas the Rev. Amory Gale has this day presented
to the Church connected with the Congregational Parish in
Norton a durable book for the records of said Church ; and
has, with much labor, copied the doings and records of said
Church from their old book [which was much obliterated] for
the last one hundred and thirty years, and from its commence-
ment, into the same ; and whereas said Church are desirous,
as a body, of expressing their acknowledgments, not only for
the book, but also for the labor bestowed thereon : —
" Therefore resolved^ That the thanks of this church be
presented to the Rev. Dr. Gale for the handsome and durable
book of Records ; and also for the neat and chaste manner
in which he has copied the Records from their old Church-
book.
" Norton, April 2d, 1848.
" Per order of the Church,
"Cromwell Leonard,
" Chairman of a committee of said Church."
Dr. Gale was born in Warwick, Oct. 15, 1800 ; and
was the son of Amory and Lucinda (Rich) Gale.
Besides attending the common schools of his native
town, he spent some time at the academy in Chester-
field, N.H., and also at New Salem, Mass. For two or
three years before attaining his majority, he labored on
a farm in summer, and taught school in winter. In the
spring of 1821, he commenced the study of medicine.
He attended medical lectures at Dartmouth College,
N.H., in 1822 ; and subsequently at the medical school
of Brown University, R.I., where he received the de-
gree of M.D. in 1824.
He commenced practice in Petersham ; but soon left,
and entered into partnership with Dr..Batcheller, of
Royalston, — his old medical preceptor; and subse-
quently removed to Barre, where he remained about
THE CONGREGATIONAL PARISH. 208
six years, and then lefl on account of ill health.
When his health was somewhat restored, he entered
into practice at Amherst, N.H., and was there a num-
ber of years ; but sickness again compelled him to give
up the active duties of his profession. He was sub-
sequently at Canton and South Scituate, Mass.
In his earlier years, he had desired to be a clergyman ;
but, on account of some bronchial dijBiculty, he relin-
quished the thought of the ministry. But, as years
wore away, the cherished desire of his youth revived.
While at Amherst, N.H., he wrote some sermons,
and preached occasionally in the neighboring towns ;
his first effort being at Brookline, N.H., in 1837.
While at Canton, he preached there and elsewhere;
and, when he removed to South Scituate, it was with
the view of studying theology with Bev. Samuel J.
May.
In the years 1843 and 1844, he preached about six
months each at Wayland, East Bridgewater, and Pem-
broke ; being also engaged, at the same time, in the
active duties of a physician. He was ordained, as an
evangelist, at Kingston, Nov. 19, 1844 ; ^ and, at the
time he accepted the invitation to preach at Norton,
was supplying the pulpit at Southington, Conn.
After leaving Norton, he preached for several months,
during the summer and autumn, at Barnstable ; but a
return of his bronchial disease obliged him to give up
public speaking. In 1849, he settled in the practice
of medicine at Woonsocket, R.I. ; where he remained
till the autumn of 1853, when he bought a farm
at East Medway, and removed thither; and is now
there, attending to the duties of physician and far-
mer.
He was originally of the allopathic school of medi-
cine ; but, while in Norton, became a convert to homoeo-
pathy, and has since been of that school. He married,
Nov. 3, 1825, Miss Martha Leland, of Warwick ; and
has had five children.
1 Christian Register, Nov. 80, 1844.
204 BECENT lONISTBY OF
After Mr. Gale closed his labors, Rev. John N. Bel-
lows preached a short time as a candidate. The parish
took action relative to his settlement, May 31, 1848,
and decided not to invite him. July 8, 1848, a meet-
ing was called to consider the petition of Thomas
Copeland and forty-six others, which was to see if the
parish would invite Rev. William P. Tilden again to
become their pastor ; and, by a vote of twenty-one to
two, he was re-called to assume the duties of that
oiSice, and was offered six hundred and fifty dollars
yearly salary. Deacon Almond Tucker was authorized
to communicate the vote to Mr. Tilden.
Under the date of July 21, Mr. Tilden, in a long
letter, after expressing his grateful acknowledgments
for this fresh proof of their confidence in and kind
regards for him, says, " I do not think, under the cir-
cumstances, that it will be best for me to take again
the office of pastor among you. I feel, therefore, that
I must respectfully decline your kind invitation."
This decision was a sad announcement to many of
his old friends ; but they were not disheartened. No
doubt his appeal to them, in the letter referred to, not
to let " the disappointment " resulting from his decli-
nation " render them in any way indifferent to the
settlement of a true Christian minister," did much
good. They again looked about for a candidate ; and
in a few days, or on Sunday, Aug. 6, Rev. Frederic
Hinckley preached his first sermon from their pulpit.
His services were acceptable to most of the people ;
and, on the 11th of September, the parish voted,
eighteen to six, " to invite Rev. Frederic Hinckley to
settle in said society as a Gospel minister," and offered
him six hundred dollars yearly salary. Three months'
notice was to be given if either party wished to dissolve
the relation. The Parish Committee were charged
with the duty of informing the candidate of these
votes.
At an adjourned meeting, Sept. 25, Mr. Hinck-
ley's letter of acceptance was read. It was in these
words : —
THE C0NGBE6ATI0NAL PARISH. 205
'* Norton, Sunday Eye, Sept 24th, 1848.
Gents,—- In reply to your letter of the 11th inst., en-
closing a copy of the vote of your society inviting me to
settle with you, I return my acceptance of said invitation.
^ If agreeable to your Society, I will commence my duties
on the Ist of October. The vote offering me $600 salary
[says] nothing of the time of payment. If that could be
semi-annually, in Jan. and July, it would be very acceptable
to myself.
" Yours in Christian sincerity,
"Frederic Hincklet.
" To Dauphin King, 1
Stillman Smith, > Parish Committee."
James O. Messenger, )
It was then " voted to comply with Mr. Hinckley's
request to commence on the first of Oct." — " Voted,
that the installation be performed on the sabbath ; the
parish reading the invitation of the society, and the ac-
ceptance of said invitation by Mr. Hinckley." The
following we take from the church-records : —
" Oct. Ist. — Rev. Frederic Hinckley, recently of Leicester,
was this day installed as minister of this church and society.
Dea. Stillman Smith read a statement of the engagement that
had been entered into by the society and Mr. Hinckley ; and,
in the name of the former, welcomed their new Pastor to his
new sphere of duty. In response, Mr. Hinckley accepted
his trust, and continued the services by a discourse on the
ministerial relation."
After a pastorate of about two years, Mr. Hinckley
resigned ; and preached his farewell sermon, Oct. 27,
1850.
Rev. Frederic Hinckley was born in Boston, Nov. 3,
1820 ; and was the son of Allen and Hannah Hinck-
ley. He attended the Adams Grammar School in his
native city till nearly thirteen years of age, when he
took the " Franklin Medal ; " after which, he spent
three years in a city store ; then he was two years in
the Public Latin School, and one year with a private
tutor. He subsequently spent three years at the
Divinity School, Cambridge ; and graduated therefrom
18
206 RECENT MnaSTBT OF
July, 1848. He was ordained at Windsor, Vt.,
Dec. 13, 1843. He also preached for a time at Leices-
ter, after leaving Windsor. Since leaving Norton,
he has been settled at Haverhill; Hartford, Conn.;
and is now pastor of a Unitarian church in Lowell.
He married, Jan. 2, 1844, Miss Sarah A. Hews,
daughter of Abraham Hews, Esq., of Boston ; and has
had several children.
The Parish Committee were authorized, Dec. 30,
1850, to invite Mr. George A. Carnes to preach till
the annual meeting in March ; and he did so.
Prom the 1st of April, 1851, to the middle, of No-
vember of the same year, the following persons
preached, — probably not all of them as candidates :
Charles Robinson, Francis B. Knapp, Benjamin Kent,
Gteorge W. Lippitt, Charles Briggs, William W. Heb-
bard, Herman Snow, P. A. Whitney, D. W. Stevens,
and J. K. Waite. George Osgood supplied from
Nov. 16, 1851, to Jan. 26, 1852. Prom that time
to the middle of April, Josiah K. Waite, Warren Bur-
ton, Samuel P. Clark, Solon W. Bush, and Charles
Briggs, supplied the pulpit.
Rev. George Paber Clark — after the society had
heard some twenty candidates, more or less — com-
menced preaching April 18, 1852. He remained four
Sundays. Rev. N. Whitman, in accordance with a
previous arrangement, preached the last three Sun-
days of May.
Mr. Clark returned, on the 1st of June, to fulfil an
engagement of four weeks more. On the 26th of June,
1852, — having preached here seven Sundays, — the
parish " voted unanimously to invite the Rev. George
P. Clark to settle with said Society as their teacher
and Pastor," with a yearly salary of six hundred dol-
lars.
Hon. Cromwell Leonard, Hon. John Crane, and Ben-
jamin S. Hall, were chosen a committee to inform the
candidate of the votes just passed. They forthwith
attended to their duty; and, through them, Mr. Clark
returned an affirmative answer in these words : —
yi^a CONGHfiCA'M(>> AL t»AHri«lf,
2i>'
K'T»9--N. *Ui-.*- W*b. lC6i.
. ■■ r? V" V.--L- S !ifi« •Jti.r l^rti-v J. iJ, ■ i« :::,- u-. .■•
■ -
>*.x'^ *i;.wjr«ly and trul; >>**i^'S *> • -
-• I
' ■ '. L(jr;^^df Uiat all tht .1 :-
- .; iJi.i) *' Ivo rcforrod ii\ .''.
M?. Clark colUu^i^^'
r*;o iustallation tixA r'^^- -
*■ i' iJti'ilod by their j»:.-.«.^; ^i^
VT.fi ti»cist in the iiisf:t»>ili..i'
J-W
A.- ■*
'^^ ..••mi A. V'litrvvijli. .: <'.■•.>•.
«V':
.'■"f. : ii .-t «v •• 'r .. ■ . ..-'. r:. ?
.■,i*il J«?!'v<^r;jii. e •... 'iiH slave;-*-
\ iji** ^.t(ni i.r I'caJ; ■ ■■, *HJc' ;
-^ . ... :, l.'»rArs iie»\; -i:»-l*;il,
■• ■■■:).-.'{ ^har thci; -.^.'.i.s :-. ..u.-i .-^if.'
'r i.':** Spirit -^m tny son-ar/
AM*, ci» <)rsL ife was uu Him;
Then his lips shall be as feryent
Ai axe those of seraphim; -»
THE CONGBEGATTONAL PARISH. 207
*' NoRTOW, June 26th, 1862.
^ To the. members of the Congregational Parish.
" Gentlemen, — I have, through your Committee, re-
ceived a copy of the votes this day passed, inviting me to
settle with you as your Pastor, and offering me a salary of
six hundred dollars per year.
" The unanimity with which the invitation has been ex-
tended is very grateful to me ; and I do not feel in my heart
to decline it. I therefore cordially accept it, and will enter
upon the discharge of the duties as Pastor at such time as we
may be able hereafter to determine upon.
" Most sincerely and truly yours, &c.,
" G. F. Clark."
It was then voted, that all the arrangements relating
to the installation " be referred to the standing Parish
Committee." Mr. Clark continued the supply of
the pulpit. The installation took place Wednesday,
Aug. 11, 1852. No " council '' was called ; but eight
churches were invited by their pastor and delegates
to be present, atid assist in the installation services,
which were in the order given below: —
Anthem. Introductory Prayer, and Reading of the Scrip-
tures, by Rev. William A. Whitwell, of Easton. Hymn, by
Rev. J. Pierpont: —
Thon who pitiest the heart-broken,
And dost save their souls from de^Jth;
Who hast words of comfort spoken
By the Man of Nazareth ; —
Hath thy Spirit clean departed,
That of old, by Jesus, gave
Healing to the broken-hearted.
And deliverance to the slave; —
Brought to life a sleeping maiden
By the hand of death oppressed ;
And, to laborers heavy-laden.
Promised that their souls should rest?
Let that Spirit on thy servant
Be, as erst it was on Him ;
Then his lips shall be as fervent
As are those of seraphim; —«
208 REGENT MINISTRY OF
And the gospel that he preacheth
Shall his Master*s gospel be ;
And the doctrine that he teacheth
With the Saviour's shall agree ; —
And the hearer that, believeth
That old gospel shall be blest:
He that doeth it receiveth
" Peace on earth," and heavenly rest.
Sennon by Rev. S. F. Clark, of Athol, — brother of the Pas-
tor elect; Prayer of Installation by Rev. L. W. Leonard,
D.D., of Dublin, N.H. ; Charge by Rev. William P. Tilden,
of Walpole, N.H.; Right Hand by Rev. D. W. Stevens, of
Mansfield; Hymn 764th of " Christian Hymns ;"^ Address
to the Society, and Concluding Prayer, by Rev. C. H. Brig-
ham^ of Taunton ; Anthem ; Benediction by the Pastor.
The connection between the pastor and people, com-
menced under such favorable auspices, still continues. .
On the first Sunday of November, 1857, and at the
morning services of six successive Sundays, the pas-
tor set forth some of his views in relation to " the
Church," and the need of making it a more simple,
democratic, and evangelical institution than it has
been for centuries past ; and closed with the presenta-
tion of a Declaration of Principles that should form
the basis of a true, broad, liberal Christian church ;
which should unite in its embrace all the moral and
religious life of the community, in opposition to the
shocking inhumanities, monstrous wrongs, and un-
christian practices, that are perpetrated by the strong
upon the weak and defenceless sons and daughters of
earth. After having been discussed at several public
meetings, and considered by the church on two separate
occasions, they were unanimously adopted as a substi-
tute for the covenant which we have recorded on page
201. We here give them to our readers, with the hope
that this little lump of leaven will lead to a wide-
spread movement of raising' all true and sincere fol-
lowers of Jesus to the broad platform of thinking
differently in love, — to the unity of the spirit in the
1 The Collection of Hymns used by the society.
THE CONGREGATIONAL PABISH. 209
bonds of peace. And may Ood hasten the day ! Un-
til it comes, may all —
** Learn to labor and to wait*'
DECLARATION OF PRINGIPLESy
Unanimautly adopted by the First Congregational Church in Norton,
Feb. 6, 1858.
Wishing to be no longer strangers, and feeling ourselyeS
heirs of the covenant confirmed before of God to the fathers,
we the undersigned, pastor and people, parents and children,
constituting the First Church in Norton, of the liberal church
of Massachusetts, of the church universal, — of which Grod
is the founder, and Christ the head, — hereby express our
faith in God, the Father; in the religion taught and exemplified
by his Son, Jesus Christ ; and in the truths of the Bible.
We recognize the church, co-ordinately with the hmHj and
the state, as a divine and permanent form of human society*
Believing that it is the sacred privilege of all to judge
for themselves what is right, we leave all our members per-
fectly free to go directly to the Scriptures, and all other
sources of divine truth, to learn of God and Christ and duty.
Our object is to labor together for the promotion of Chris-
tian righteousness in our hearts and the world. Hence, as
members of the church universal, we extend our fellowship
to all Christian believers, invite their sympathy and aid, and
will joyfully co-operate with them in the work of the gospel.
We aim at the highest Christian culture, spiritual birth
and growth, and the perfection of our natures ;
To seek a true knowledge, and the pure practice of Chris-
tianity ;
To make our homes the abodes of Christian virtue and
truth;
To bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of*
the Lord ;
To cultivate an affectionate and Christian interest in each
other's welfare ;
To be temperate in all things ;
To do good as we have opportunity ;
To break the yoke of civil and religious tyranny, and let
the oppressed everywhere go free;
To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God ;
And, as far as in us lies, to live peaceably with all men.
18*
210 RECENT MINISTRY OF
To aid in the work for which we are associated, there shall
be chosen annually, on the first Tuesday of January, —
1. A Pastoral Committee, consisting of the minister,
and five brothers and five sisters, whose duty it shall be to
consult together for the general religious interests of the
church ; the lay-members aiding the minister in his pastoral
intercourse with the people, in becoming acquainted with
their spiritual wants, in promoting a Christian spirit of bro-
therly love, and in building up a true church of Christ.
2. A Philanthropic Committee, consisting of the mini-
ster, and three brothers and three sisters, whose duty it shall
be to devise plans of philanthropic action, and superintend
the execution of them.
3. A Committee on the Sunday School, consisting of
the minister, the superintendent, and two brothers and three
sisters, whose duty it shall be to look after the interests of
the children and youth ; to encourage their attendance at the
church and the Sunday school ; and consult together for their
moral and religious interests.
Any person wishing to unite with us in this purpose of re-
ligious worship, education, fellowship, and philanthropy, can
do so by affixing his or her name to this Declaration of Prin-
ciples.
Rev. George Faber Clark was the twelfth child and
eighth son of Jonas and Mary (Twitchel) Clark, of
Dublin, N.H. ; and was born Feb. 24, 1817. He was
the grandson of William and Sarah (Locke) Clark, of
Townsend, Mass. ; great-grandson of William and
Eunice (Taylor) Clark, of Townsend ; and the great-
great-grandson of Samuel Clark (whose wife was Re-
becca Nichols ?), who settled at Concord, Mass., about
the year 1680, and who was probably born in Lon-
'don, and came to America, with his father, about
1660, when a small boy.
Tlie mother of Rev. G. P. Clark was the daughter
of Abel Twitchel, of Dublin, N.H. ; who was the son
of Joseph and Deborah (Fairbanks) Twitchel, of Slier-
born, Mass. ; grandson of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hol-
brook) Twitchel, of Sherborn ; great-grandson of
Joseph and Lydia Twitchel, of Sherborn ; great-great-
grandson of Benjamin and Mary Twitchel, of Sherborn
THE CONGREGATIONAL PABISH. 211
and Lancaster ; and great-great-great-grandson of Jo-
seph Twitchel, who probably came from Dorsetshire,
England, about 1633, and settled at Dorchester, Mass.,
and was admitted to the freeman's oath, May 14,
1634.1
Jonas Clark, the father of the subject of this sketch,
was a clothier by trade ; and built the first clothier's
shop or fulling-mill in Dublin, N.H.
In the excellent and somewhat celebrated common
schools of that town. Rev. Mr. Clark was educated
till his fifteenth year. He was also, for some years, a
constant member of the Sunday school connected with
the Congregational society under the pastoral care of
Rev. Levi W. Leonard ; who, by his untiring zeal and
labors in the cause of popular education and sound
morality, has won for himself the enviable appellation
of " the Oberlin of Cheshire County."
On the 17th of October, 1831, Mr. Clark was ap-
prenticed to Andrews Emery, of JaflFrey, N.H., to learn
the art and mystery of shoemaking. His term of ser-
vice was to extend till he was twenty-one years old,
with the privilege of attending the short school of two
months in the winter of each year.
Having served about half his term of apprenticeship,
he became interested in religion, and was impressed
with an ardent desire to labor for the cause of truth
and humanity; and, therefore, determined that he
would "quit the bench for the pulpit J*^
Accordingly, having matured his plans, when nine-
teen years of age, with the consent of his father, and
not without some misgivings on his part, he pur-
chased his time of his employer ; and in September,
1836, with only fifteen dollars in his pocket, and en-
tirely dependent upon his own resources, he entered
Melville Academy, at JaflFrey, N.H., and commenced
preparing for college.
The coming winter, he taught a school of six weeks'
duration ; and in February, 1837, entered Phillips
1 For more particulars of the Twitchels, see history of the family, by
Bev. Abner Morse, of Sherborn.
212 . RECENT MINISTRY OF
Exeter Academy, at Exeter, N.H., with the hope of
obtaining assistance from the beneficiary fond of that
institution.
He failed, however, to receive any aid. But still
he pursued his studies ; teaching school in winter, and
sometimes returning for a few months to his trade of
shoemaking, in order to acquire the " material aid "
necessary to prosecute his plans. In the spring of
1840, — a few weeks before he was to leave the acade-
my for the college, — his health gave away ; and, for
about eighteen months, he was unable to study; during
which time, he relinquished the idea of a collegiate
education, but afterwards pursued his studies, at
Exeter and elsewhere, till August, 1843, when he en-
tered the Theological School connected with Harvard
College, Cambridge ; from which, having completed
the course of study prescribed, he graduated in July,
1846 ; being about two hundred dollars in debt for his
education. He immediately went to Leverett, Mass.,
where he preached about three months. In February,
1847, he preached a few Sundays at Charlemont,
Mass. ; and, in March following, he was invited to
take the charge of the remnant of a society there.
His eyes having become very weak before completing
his theological studies, so as to disallow their con-
tinuous use, and some encouragement having been
given him that his services would be acceptable, a part
of the time, in the neighboring town of Shelburne, —
where there was a small band of liberal Christians,
— he decided to labor in that "hill country'' for a
season ; and went thither the 1st of April, and preached
for thirteen months to the two societies of Charlemont
and Shelburne, — about one-third of the time at the
latter place. Aug. 11, 1847, he was ordained at Charle-
mont as an evangelist.
On the 23d of April, 1848, he was invited to take
charge of the society at Warwick. He accepted the in-
vitation, and was installed there Sunday, p.m.. May 14,
1848. After a ministry of four years, he dissolved his
connection with that society on the first Sunday of
THE CONGREGATIONAL PARISH. 213
April, 1852 ; and, in two weeks from that day, preached
his first sermon at Norton.
He married, April 1, 184T, Miss Harriet Emery,
born Dec. 28, 1817. She was the daughter of Daniel,
jun., and Polly (Felt) Emery, of Jaflfrey, N.H.
For many years after the organization of the religious
society in this town, there were no hymn-books for the
choir or the worshippers generally. It was customary
for one of the deacons, in his oflBcial seat, to read two
lines of a hymn, which the choir would sing ; he would
then repeat two more, which were sung ; and so on to
the close of the hymn. An edition of Watts's " Psalms
and Hymns " was used till after the death of Rev. P.
Clarke. When this book was introduced is unknown.
On the erection of a new house, and the settlement of
Rev. Mr. Bridge, Hon. Samuel Crocker, George A.
Crocker, and S. 0. Dunbar, of Taunton, presented a
sufficient number of hymn-books for their use to the
society; for which a vote of thanks was returned
March 28, 1836. These books were generally known
as the "New- York Collection;" first published, we
believe, in 1820. In 1850, the parish, by a vote, agreed
to change their hymn-books ; and adopted the book
entitled " Christian Hymns,'' known as the " Cheshire
Collection," compiled, by a committee of the Cheshire
Pastoral Association of New Hampshire, in 1844. A
sufficient number were purchased by the parish for the
choir, and one for each pew in the meeting-house.
On the 1st of May, 1850, the ladies of the parish
held a tea-party and fair, the proceeds of which were
to be used to purchase an organ for the meeting-house.
They were successful in their effi)rts : and the organ
was bought, Aug. 28, 1850, of George Stevens, of Cam-
bridge, at a cost of five hundred dollars; and was
immediately placed in the gallery, back of the singing-
seats. By good judges, it is said to be a very fine in-
strument for the price at which it was bought.
214 DEACONS OF THE
CHAPTER XVI.
DEACONS OF THE CONGBEGATIONAL CHURCH.
**The deacons must be graye; not double-tongaed| not giyen to muoh wim, not
greedy of filthy Inore." — Paul.
The exact number of deacons that have oflSciated in
the Congregational church, and the time when all of
them were chosen, &c., I have been unable to ascer-
tain.
During Mr. Palmer's ministry, with the exception
of baptisms and admissions, the church-records are
quite incomplete. We believe, however, that the list of
deacons we give below comprises about all who have
been chosen to that office by the Congregational church
since its organization. Probably, for about sixteen
years after the church was established, there was but one
deacon. Between the pulpit and the congregation, in
the first and second meeting-house, was what was called
the " deacons' seat ; " because it was always occupied
by them on Sunday during divine service, if present at
meeting. There are those living who well recollect
when the deacons' seat was occupied by Deacon Seth
Smith and Deacon Daniel Dean ; and, still later, by
Deacon Asa Copeland and Deacon Lysander Make-
peace.
Dec. 9, 1714, Nicholas White was chosen the first
deacon; and he officiated, without doubt, till 1737,
when he was dismissed, with others, for the purpose of
forming a new church in the North Precinct. He took
a conspicuous part in establishing the North Precinct
of Norton, and the formation of the church there ; of
which he was also the first deacon. (See early settlers,
p. 92.)
July 6, 1730, John Briggs, " the eldest," was chosen
deacon; and probably held the office till he died,
June 29, 1750. (See early settlers, p. 77.)
CONGREGATIONAL CHUBCH. 215
Sept. 5, 1T34, John Briggs, 2d, was chosen. He
was dismissed Dec. 18, 1745, at his own request, for
being " disguised with strong drink." .He was select-
man two years, and assessor five. (See early settlers.)
Dec. 9. 1736, Joseph Hodges was elected deacon.
He was born about the year 1689, and was the son
of Elder Henry and Esther (Gallup) Hodges, of
Taunton, and grandson of William Hodges, the
common ancestor of all the Hodges' families in this
vicinity ; who " probably came to America " as early
as 1633, .and was at Taunton in 1643. Deacon
Joseph Hodges married, March 11, 1712, Bethiah
Williams; and soon afterwards settled in the south-
erly part of this town, at what was called the " Crooked
Meadow," on the farm now owned and occupied by
Ezra Perry. He had eight children.^ He was the
" Major Joseph Hodges " who went on an expedition
to Cape Breton in 1745 ; and is supposed to have died
while absent on that expedition, aged about fifty-seven.
In civil as well as in military affairs, he was a man of
some note ; having been six years one of the selectmen,,
and four years an assessor, and one year a representa-
tive to the General Court. We here give his auto-
graph, written in 1729.
May 1, 1746, John Andrews and Benjamin Hodges
were chosen deacons. Mr. Andrews was eight years
one of the assessors, one year a selectman, and two
years town-treasurer (see early settlers, p. 75). Mr.
Hodges was the son of Elder Henry Hodges ; and, of
course, brother of Deacon Joseph Hodges, already
mentioned. He lived at the southerly part of the
town, near " Crooked Meadow," where Ephraim Allen
now (1858) resides. His wife's name was Abiah.
He had seven (?) children, and probably died in the
1 See Hodges' Family Beoord, by Almond D. Hodges, Esq., p. 14.
216 DEACONS OF THE
autumn of 1754 ; for, on the 9th of December of that
year, William Stone is chosen " a precent Comittee-
man, in the Room of Benjamin Hodges, deceased."
He was frequently moderator of the church-meetings
between the ministry of Mr. Avery and that of Mr.
Palmer. His autograph was written in 1749.
^^^
CXAn4^l^
Benjamin Copeland and Samuel Dean were chosen
deacons, Oct. 2, 1754. Mr. Copeland was the seventh
child of William and Mary (Bass) (Webb) Copeland,
of Braintree, and the grandson of Lawrence and Lydia
Copeland, of Braintree ; and was born in that town,
Oct. 5, 1708.1 He married, Nov. 21, 1734, Sarah
Allen ; and removed to Norton with his family abjout
1739, where he carried on the business of a tanner and
currier, at the place now (1858) owned by his grand-
son, Capt. Thomas Copeland. He had eight or nine
children ; and died at the good old age of eighty-two,
Oct. 20, 1790. His autograph was written in 1752.
Mr. Dean — the son of Deacon Samuel Dean, of
Taunton, grandson of John, and great-grandson of
John who settled at Taunton about 1638 — was born
Oct. 17, 1700. He married, first, Mary Avery ; second,
Rachel Dwight; third. Widow Margaret King.^ He
settled in Norton as early as 1727, and lived hg:e for
a few years; and then removed to Dedham, where
he kept a public-house for a time. He returned to
Norton in 1747 (?), and lived at the place owned, and
probably built the house now (1858) occupied, by
1 See Family Memorial.
3 See Dean Family, Genealogical Register, vol. iii. p. 885.
CONGBEGATIONAL CHURCH. 217
Elkanah Wood, sen. He died March 30, 1775. We
give his autograph, written in 1752.
JanrrtA-J)
w^
" Deacon Benjamin Pearson's" name appears on the
valuation-list of 1777; but when he was chosen is un-
known. He married Sarah Stone, Aug. 19, 1741 ; and
he was then said to be " of Mortlone," but probablv
soon afterwards settled in Norton. His second wife
was Abiah Shaw; married May 26, 1784. He died
March 2, 1799, supposed to be " more than 80 years
old."
In March, 1779, " Dea. Daniel Dean" was chosen
one of the selectmen. When he was chosen deacon is
unknown ; but probably it was either in 1778 or the
winter of 1779. He was the son of Deacon Samuel
Dean, already mentioned; and was born about 1745,
probably at Dedham. He married, Sept. 27, 1770,
Lydia Whitman, of Bridgewater, and had two chil-
dren. He was selectman seven years, assessor two,
and representative one ; lived on the homestead of his
father ; and died Feb. 7, 1805, in the sixtieth year of
his age.
March 15, 1784, I find the name of " Dea. Seth
Smith " on the parish-records ; but when he was
chosen deacon is unknown. He was the son of Seth
and Elizabeth (Allen) Smith, who were married at
Weston, Sept. 30, 1725 ; and might have been the
grandson of Nicholas Smith, one of the first settlers
of the town ; for he had a son Seth. Deacon Smith
was born Sept. 13, 1734. He had four wives. First,
Sarah Cobb, 2d, married Oct. 10, 1754 ; by whom
he had six children. She died May 13, 1768. Se-
cond, Esther Dean, 2d ; married Sept. 19, 1769.
Had by her two children. She died Dec. 8, 1787.
Third, Lois Fisher, of Taunton ; married 1788 (?).
She died Aug. 18, 1794. Fourth, Mrs. (?) Anna
Hodges, of Taunton. He died Sept. 9, 1813. He
19
218 DEACONS OF THE
was selectman four years, and assessor one. His auto-
graph was written in 1752.
V
April 1, 1803, Asa Copeland and Lysander Make-
peace were chosen deacons. Deacon Copeland was
the son of Deacon Benjamin Copeland, already men-
tioned ; was born May 8, 1752, and lived on the
old homestead of his father. He married Rachel
Briggs, about 1781, and had eight children. For
second wife, he married, Sept. 3, 1801, Abigail New-
comb. He probably resigned Dec. 2, 1824 ; for, at
that time, " It was voted that the thanks of the church
be presented to Dea. Asa Copeland, for the long and
useful services he has afforded the church in • his
office." He died Dec. 14, 1829. Deacon Makepeace
remained in ofBce till the spring of 1832 ; when he and
others withdrew from the church, and organized the
Trinitarian society. For further account of him, see
history of that society.
Dec. 2, 1824, Daniel Lane was elected deacon in
the place of Asa Copeland, resigned. He was born
April 22, 1771 ; and was the fourth son of Ephraim
and Elizabeth (Copeland) Lane, the grandson of
Ephraim and Mehitable (Stone) Lane, great-grandson
of Ephraim and Ruth (" Shepperson ") Lane, and the
great-great-grandson of John Lane, one of the first
settlers of this town. Like most of the young of his
time, Deacon Lane enjoyed but few advantages for
obtaining an education ; yet, by observation and ex-
perience, he succeeded in storing his mind with much
practical wisdom and good sense ; so that his counsel
was often sought for, and valued by his friends and
townsmen. He served the town four years as select-
man ; and was also chosen once or twice more to that
office, but declined to accept it. Subsequently, he
was four years one of the assessors of the town. He
was more than thirty-eight years a member of the
,fy.-r.-.,-/ ->;„,,,
'■^: i
I
■■: :j I :.■ ...
was mure man tliirtj-^ight years a member of the
^^7^^^
^^,T-.-c!t-/ ^^^^^vt^y
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 219
church; and held the office of deacon about twelve
years, when he resigned. On the 30th of September,
1836, when his successor was cliosen, it was " voted
that the thanks of the church be presented to Dea.
Daniel Lane, for the long and useful services lie has
afforded the church in his office." As an officer of
the church, his many virtues, his practical good sense,
his love of peace, his unostentatious life, rendered his
advice of great value ; and especially was it so to his
venerable pastor in the trying scene through which he
passed two or three years before his death. In all the
positions of life he occupied, he was faithful and re-
liable. He married, Nov. 12, 1794, Eunice Danforth ;
and they had ten children. He died Nov. 1, 1857,
aged eighty-six years, six months, and nine days ; and
all feel that a " good old man " has gone from us.
He retained his faculties, in a remarkable degree, to
the last. Seldom was he absent from church on Sun-
day. He was able to labor, and did labor, up to
within forty-eight hours of his death ; which was
caused by taking a sudden cold.
April 4, 1833, Stillman Smith was chosen in place
of Deacon Makepeace, who had previously withdrawn
from the church. He was the son of Araunah and
Eleanor (Leonard) Smith, grandson of David and
Abigail (Gilbert) Smith, and great-grandson of Seth
and Elizabeth (Allen) Smith ; and was born Oct. 27,
1793. He married Eunice Wetherell, 2d, Nov. 28,
1816, by whom he had six children. His wife died
Oct. 21, 1856.
Sept. 30, 1836, Almond Tucker was elected deacon..
He was born June 15, 1804 ; and is the son of Benajah
and Lydia (Hunt) Tucker, grandson of Benajah and
Mehitable (Allen) Tucker, great-grandson of Cornelius
and Waitstill (Eddy) Tucker, and great-great-grandsoifc
of Robert Tucker, one of the first settlers of the town.
Deacon Tucker married Betsy Hathaway, of Dighton,
in 1829, and had eight children by her. She died
July 27, 1843. In 1845, he married, for second wife,
Nancy C. White, and has had one child by her. He
220 MEETING-HOUSES OF THE
resigned his office, Jan« 29, 1854 ; and, in 1856,
removed to Attleborough, where he now (1858) re-
tides.
Dec. 3, 1854, Adolphus Day Hunt was chosen tlie
successor of Deacon Tucker. He was born July 13,
1808. He is the son of Josiah and Fanny (Lincoln)
Hunt, and the grandson of Samuel and Abigail (Day)
Hunt. He married, in 1835, Emily J. Drown, of
Attleborough ; and has had by her two children.
Deacon Smith and Deacon Hunt are now (1858) the
officiating deacons of the church.
CHAPTER XVH.
MEETING-HOUSES OF THE CONGREGATIONAL PARISH.
" The groves were God's first temples." — Brtamt.
We have already seen, on page 33, that the site for a
meeting-house was designated by a committee of the
General Court, during the precinct controversy.* It
was to be located on the northward side of the road
leading to Grossman's Way, where that road was in-
tersected by the one leading from John Hodges' to
Beech Island. This would bring the location at the
lower part of the Common between the Mansion
House and the house occupied by George W. Wilde,
a few feet southerly from the Hayscales. As soon as
the precinct-bill had passed the General Court, and re-
ceived the signature of the governor, the inhabitants
made active preparations for the speedy erection of a
house of public worship, where they and their children
could enjoy " the meens of Grace." They had strug-
gled too long and earnestly in this matter to be easily
turned aside from their purpose. They knew what
they wanted, and what they could do. Hence they
CONGREGATIONAL PARISH.
221
went to work with the zeal almost of the prophets of
old ; and in three months and two days after the
court established the precinct, or Jan. 18, 1709-10, a
tax-bill of £42 was made for the erection of a meeting-
house, and placed in the hands of Constable Samuel
Hodges for collection.
We here give it to our readers : —
BATE-BILL FOR THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE.
NAMES.
Heads.
Real Estate.
Peraonal
Estate.
£
s.
£ s. d.
£ s. d.
George Leonard ....
01
00
01 07 03
01 02 08
Samuell Brintnell . .
01
00
00 05 09
00 15 04
Samuell Hodges . .
00
10
00 02 06
00 07 02
John Cob . . • .
01
00
00 00 00
00 03 06
John Smith ....
00
10
00 01 00
00 06 07
Selvanis Cambell . .
00
10
00 01 08
00 05 04
Nathaniell Fisher . .
00
10
00 00 08
00 02 04
Andrew Grovier . ,
00 10
00 00 09
00 03 11
Ephreiin Grovier . .
00
10
00 00 09
00 04 06
Thomas Grovier . .
00
10
00 00 09
00 07 06
Nathaniell Hodges .
00
10
00 01 09
00 06 03
John Hodges . . .
00
10
00 09 07
00 09 06
Thomas Stevens . .
00
10
00 09 07
00 06 09
EliezerEdy . . .
00
10
00 00 07
00 05 00
Ebenezer Edy . . .
00
10
00 00 08
00 05 10
Benjamin Newland .
00
10
00 00 09
00 01 06
Robert Tucker . . .
00
10
00 00 09
00 02 04
Nicholas White . .
00
10
00 03 01
00 10 04
John Andrews . . .
00
00
00 00 09
00 00 00
John Skiner • . .
00
10
00 01 08
00 03 07
John Hall ....
00
10
00 00 09
00 06 02
Joseph Brigs . . .
00
10
00 00 10
00 03 03
Richard Brigs . . .
00
10
00 01 03
00 01 00
Eliezer Fisher . . .
00
10
00 01 05
00 03 06
Israeli Fisher . . .
00
10
00 00 00
00 01 06
Benjamin Williams ,
00
10
00 01 07
00 05 06
John Wetharell . .
00
10
00 08 00
00 09 10
William Wetharell .
00
10
00 02 02
00 07 00
John Austin . . .
00
10
00 02 03
00 07 03
Nicolas Smith . .
00
10
00 08 10
00 05 02
19^
222
MEETING-HOUSES OF THE
RaU-BiUf egmtinned.
NAMES.
Heads.
Real Estate.
PenoDal
EsUte.
John Brigs, Jun. . . .
John Caswell . . . .
Benjamin Caswell . . .
John Newland . . . .
Seth Dorman . . . .
Jeremiah Wetherell . .
Joseph Eliot . . . .
William Hodges . . .
Mathew White . . .
Ephreim Sheldon . . .
Isaac Sbapard . . • ,
William Wetharell, Jun.
John Brigs, Sen. . . .
Daniel Braman . . .
John Lane
Peter Aldrich . . . .
Nathaniell Hervey . .
£ *.
00 10
01 00
00 10
00 10
00 10
00 10
00 10
00 10
00 10
00 10
00 10
00 10
00 10
00 10
00 10
00 10
00 10
£ $. d,
00 01 00
00 01 01
00 04 03
00 05 10
00 00 00
00 00 00
00 00 00
00 02 08
00 00 09
00 01 05
00 00 00
00 00 00
00 00 08
00 01 05
00 00 06
00 00 09
00 00 00
£ s. tL
00 03 09
00 08 08
00 04 07
00 08 10
00 01 06
00 01 06
00 01 06
00 01 06
00 05 04
00 05 00
00 02 06
00 01 06
00 01 06
00 03 06
00 01 06
00 06 11
00 01 06
"This Bate, being for the building a meeting-house in Taun-
ton north precinct, was made by us, the subscribers, this 18
day of Jen., 1709-10, being 42 pounds and 21 shillings put
in for the constable.
"George Leonard,) . „
John Skinnek, I Assesors.
Without a doubt, the house was erected early in the
spring of 1710, on the site designated by the court's
committee. Rev. Pitt Clarke says it stood " about ten
feet" to the east of the second meeting-house. The
site of the second house is marked on the map, in the
introductory chapter ; and it will be seen at a glance,
that there was good ground for the complaints wo
have recorded in the third chapter (pp. 30 and 31),
on account of the first meeting-house not being located
near the centre of the precinct.
Of the dimensions of this house we can learn
nothing. It, no doubt, fronted directly to the south ;
and was a respectable house for those times. Yet, we
CONGREGATIONAL PARISH. 223
presume, it was not much better than many of the
barns at the present day. When built, it had a gallery
on three sides. The house was not completely finished
for some years after its erection. In 1714, — the year
that Mr. Avery was ordained, — a rate of twenty
pounds was made towards finishing the meeting-
house. There were probably no pews, or at least but
one or two, for several years after its occupancy
for public worship. In the early history of New
England, as soon as convenient after Iha erection of
a house of worship, a pew was made for the minister.
Some of the richest and most aristocratic citizens of
the town sometimes also indulged in such a luxury;
but, if they did so, it was at their own expense. The
people generally, in their poverty, were obliged to put
up with such accommodations as could be procured
without much trouble or expense. Rude boards, or
plank seats without any backs, — perhaps laid upon
blocks or stones, thus giving them a proper elevation
above the floor in front and at the sides of the pulpit,
— were, in those times, considered amply sufficient for
the physical comfort of those who went to the house
of God for the sole purpose of worship. Yet, even on
these poor apologies for seats, the people were not al-
lowed to arrange themselves promiscuously at pleasure
or convenience. The men were usually seated on one
side of the broad aisle or the passage leading from the
front-door to the pulpit, and the women on the other.
The wealth and rank or the standing of the individual
in society also determined whether he should have a
front or a back seat.
At a meeting held May 23, 1715, the matter of
seating the meeting-house was considered, and acted
upon. The record says, —
" Whereas they Voted at a Town -meeting, may the 2 day,
1715, to have the Inhabitants of the Town seeted in the
meeting-House according to order, they now Voted to choose
a Committee to Seet the people as abovesaid: and yt the
said Committee Shall have power to Sect the people in all
^e Seets in the meeting- Ho use, Except the pews and the pew
224 MEETING-HOUSES OF THE
Bound the Table ; which place the Town Reseryes to them-
selves to Seet, When they Se cause, or to take down, and
the Rules they Gave to the Committee To act by ware as
followeth : —
** That they have Respect, in the first place, to What Every
one hath pajd to the building of the meeting- House; Secondly,
to what Every one doth now pay to the mantaining of the
minister, and other Town- Charges ; thirdly, that they have
Respect to Age; and that Tliere famalyes are Seeted ac-
cordingly.
*' They made Clioice of George Leonard, Samuel Brint-
nall, Nicholas White, Thomas Stevens, and John Brigs, to be
a committee to Seet the meeting-house as abovesaid.''
"October the 24th, 1715, the committee that ware Ap-
pointed to Seet the meeting-house made their Report to the
Town, by a writeing under their hands, how they had Seeted
the Inhabitants of the Town in the meeting-house; Which
writing was then Read to the Town by George Leonard,
Town Clerk."
As soon as the people are seated " according to
order " in the meeting-house, the town undertake to
regulate other matters, as the vote we here give
shows : —
"Nov. 29th, 1715, It was put to vote. Wether the pew
Round the Table where the Deacon Sets shoold be Taken
down, or whether it shoold stand and not be Took down ; and
the Vote past that it shoold stand, and not be Took down, —
it being a very clear vote.
" Nicholas Smith Entered his protest against it."
Sept. 18, 1716, the town voted " To Samuel Hodges,
for Timber about the meeating-Hous, 01 — 01 — 06."
In a short time, the pew near the deacon's seat be-
came again a source of trouble. We here present the
reader with the proof: —
"At a Town-meeting in July 24th, 1717, The town did
voat that ye act that ye town passed the 29 th day of novem-
ber, 1715, that the pew agining to the Decon's seat shuld
stand, — the town do at this time Repeall said act, and make
it null, void, and of no Effect, as tho' it had never been ; and
the said pew be taken down and Removed ; and that thar be
CONGREGATIONAL PARISH. 225
a Baill Sett up before the decon's seatt, and faced with bords,
as it was bult at first, and a Communion-table bult on the
toape thereof; and the Raills, befor the fore seats that wa9
Cutt, to be bult out to their former Lingth again.
**It being a very clear voat, & not one negative to the
Contrarj'. Emediatlej Leftenant Brintinal, George Leonard,
Thomas Stephens, Joseph Briggs, Beniamin newland, Eliazer
fisher, Se., Thomas Grover, Se., Jolm Hall, Thomas Skiner,
Se., Ephraem Grover, Enteread thare protest against it.
'* Jeremiah basit Entred his protest in the Evning of sd.
day."
"Norton, July ye 27, 1717, & beniamin williams protests
against the town Repeling aney former act made by the towne
of norton, that the pue or Seat Round tlie tabl before ye
pulpit in the meeting-hous, in sd. norton, should stand, & be
Seated ; allso against town's, or ane Comity chosen the last
town-meeating, taking down or altring said pew or seat, or the
too fore seats belo, in sd. meeting-hous."
How the matter was settled the record saith not:
probably the pew was '' took down."
Nov. 2, 1719, there was voted by the town "To John
Briggs, grand Se., for Sweeping the meating-house,
01 — 00 — 00 ; To Richard Briggs, for Locking and
unlocking the meeating-hous, 01 — 02 — 09." For
8ome years subsequent, similar votes were passed, —
John Briggs receiving, for sweeping, one pound ; and
Richard Briggs, for unlocking the house, thirteen
shillings and sixpence.
In 17S8, there was " voted to the Rev. Mr. Joseph
Avery, for his negro's sweeping the meeting-House,
and Locking and unlocking tlie same, X2 — 0 — 0."
In later years, after his dismission, Mr. Avery was
Eaid for "sweeping and Looking after the meating-
ouse."
Oct. 16, 1721, " voted to pay Ebenczer Burt, for mend-
ing the ketch of ye meeting-house dore, 0 — 1 — 0."
Dec. 31, 1722, it was "voted yt ye interest of
ye towne of norton's Part of ye Last fifty thousand
Pounds Bank Shall Go towards ye finishing of Norton
meeting-house.'*
226 MEETING-HOUSES OF THE
June 20, 1723, it was "voted that the Selectmen
that are now shall Lay out our town's Part of the
Interest money that was Granted towards ye finishing
ye meeting-house ; that they shall Lay it out towards
ye Lathing and Plastering ye sd. meeting-house, and in
mending ye Glass, some time this fall coming; and
Give a acount of theyr doings tharein to ye towne."
Sept. 14, 1724, voted " to Elezer fisher, for worke
about ye meeting-house, 0 — 18 — 1."
Sept. 26, 1732, '• Voted to John Wetherel, Sen., for
ye comunion-table, & nails and bords & work dun
apon that akounte, the sum of 01 — 0 — 0."
At a precincts-meeting held Nov. 24, 1737, they
" Voted -for Reparing the meeting-house, and for
makeing the Precint-Rate, and to Git a Lock for sd.
meethig-House, the sum of XIO — 00 — 00."
« Sept. 25th, 1739, the Precint Voted for to Raise another
Gallery above the other Gallery ; that ye meeting-house be
Borded below, aad claborded above, where it is wanting;
that John Andrews, Benjamin Hodges, and Ephraim Lane,
shall be a Comitee to Buld a Galery [and] too [make] Seeta
all over the other Galerys, and Bord and Clabord the meet-
ing-house, whare it is wanting Round the outside,' at the
charge of the sd. Precent. [They also] voted the sum of
30 — 00 — 00 for the Raising the Galery, and Bording and
Clabordins: the same."
It is somewhat doubtful whether these votes were
ever carried into effect. If so, it is evident that the
house was graced or cZi6graced with the two galleries,
one above the other. If the second gallery was added,
it must have been done — we judge from the record —
by raising the roof up, so as to give more height to
the house. We think the upper gallery would have
1 We will here state that the town mannged all the pecuniary affiiirs re-
lating to the minister and meeting-house till 1731, when the North-Precinct
religious society was established. From that time till the North Precinct
ceased to bo a part of Norton, in 1770, the ministerial affairs were managed
by the parish or South Precinct. From 1770 to 1783, when the parish was
incorporated, the town again assumed the control of the ministerial matters.
Since the parish was incorporated, the town has had no voice in parochial
affairs.
CONGREGATIONAL PARISH. 227
been rather an awkward place to be seated in. Per-
haps it was designed more especially for the negroes.
The project of building a new meeting-house was
mooted in 1740, but not much progress made in that
direction : for at a precinct-meeting on the 6th of
January, 1740-41, " Thare was a vote Caled for, to
Know whether they would Buld a new meeting-house
where the old meeting-house Stands, or near thare-
abouts ; and it passed in the negative." Immediately
after the dismission of Mr. Avery, the question relar
tive to a new meeting-house was revived ; but at the
annual meeting of the precinct, March 1, 1748-9, they
" voted that they would do nothing about Bulding of
a meeting-house at Presant."
Nearly two years go by before the project is again
seriously revived. Two or three ministers had been
invited to settle in the precinct, but had declined.
Perhaps it was thought, if a new house of worship
was built, a minister would be more likely to accept a
call. No doubt, there were a variety of considerations
that induced some individuals to present the following
petition to their Prudential Committee : —
" Norton, January ye 15th, 1760-51.
" To the Honble Comittee of the south Precint in Norton.
" This is to desire you to warne a south-Preqint meeting
to be at the meeting- House in sd. Precint, on the 21st day of
this Instant January, or as soone as may be by Law, to see
what the Inhabitants of sd. Precint will do in Repayering
the old meeting-house, or Bulding a new House in ye same
Place, or as near to the old House as may be Convenant ;
and to do what sd. Precint shall think Propper to be done, in
order to Carey on sd. Busines.
" Benj. Cobb, Seth Smith, Timothy Briggs, John King,
William Basset, Samuel Mory, Ebenezer Burt, William
Cobb, Nathan Babbit, James Boldery, Juner, Seth Gilbert,
Ephraim Lane, 2nd, Samuell Dean, Thomas Shepard."
At the meeting held, agreeably to the wishes of the
above petitioners, on the twenty-first day of January,
" they voted that they would Buld a sutabell meeting-
house on the town's Land, whare the old meeting-house
228 MEETING-HOUSES OF THE
stands now." Then adjourned for one week, no doubt
in order to consult together about the details. On the
28th of January, at the adjournment, —
" Voted to Buld the sd. meeting-house forty feett wide and
fifty feett Long, and to be twenty feet hey Between Joynts.
" Voted to Raise one hundred and sixty Pounds, Lawfull
money, to buld the abovesd. meeting-house.
"Made choice of George Leonard, Sen., Capt. Simeon
Wetherell, and William Codington, to be a Committee to
agree with Persons for the timber, Plank, and Bords, and
other things necesary for the Bulding sd. meeting-house;
and for sd. meteriels to be Ready on sd. town's Land, by ye
old meeting-hous, by the first day of March, 1751-2."
Nearly a year passed away without much progress
being made. On the 27tli of November, 1751, the
parish voted that the meeting-house should be " twen-
ty-five [feet] stud," " sixty feet in length," and
*' planked and shingled on ye sides."
At an adjourned meeting, Dec. 16, the vote " re-
specting the Planking and shingling " the house was
reconsidered ; and it was decided " to stud and Board
sd. Meeting-house," and that it should " be but fifty-
five feet in Length."
At anotlier adjourned meeting, Dec. 30, the decision
was to have the house " sixty feet in Length."
March 17, 1752, the parish —
" Made choice of William Coddington to be Carpenter to
fraime sd. meeting-house.
" Voted, that George Leonard, Esqr., Capt. William Stone,
& Capt. Simeon Witherell, Thomas Morey, and William
Coddington, be a Committee to take the Care and oversight
of frairaing the sd. New Meeting-house, and to appoint who
shall work about it, and to notify them of the times or days
they shall work ; and to sett the Price of Each Man's work in
ye same Proportion, as near as they can, to ye Prices of the
timber & stuff there is already Gott and Getting for sd.
house ; and also to Provide stones, and Git it under-Pind
before it is Raised ; and also to Provide for the Raising
thereof as soon as may be, & to Git it Raised as soon as
Ready.
CONGREGATIONAL PARISH. 229
" Voted, that notwithstanding what they have before voted
Respecting the Length of sd. meeting-house, that sd. meeting-
bouse be but fifty-five feett in Length ; and that sd. Commitee
to order the fraiming thereof but fifty-five feet in Length."
We presume the prospect of having a minister
settled did much to stimulate them to push forward
with vigor the building of* the house. In building
this house, the members of the parish agreed in writ-
ing, under their respective signatures, to give a certain
amount of lumber and other materials needed. The
value of the lumber, &c., thus contributed, was to be
taken from the tax assessed upon each individual for
building the house.
I have found a large number of these ^^ Recepts
Given to Gitt Timber," a few of which we transcribe
for the benefit of the curious. The first one is given
entire. We omit from the others the date, and what
relates to the delivering of the articles to the Building
Committee.
" I, the subscriber, Promise to Gitt 4 lock-tenant Posts, 26
feet Long, Eleven inches square, and Good white-oak timber
well Hewed, and deliver them to George Leonard, Simeon
Wetherell, & William Codington, Committee of ye south pre-
cint at ye old meeting-house, by ye first of March next, at
Eleven Pound, old tenner Price, out of my Rates and my
Mother's, dated Dec. 5th, 1751.
"Jonathan Hodges."
"I promise to gitt 60 Jice, 14 feet Long, 4 and 2 J inches
square, at 18 shillings a hundred feet in length ; and 25 Jice,
15 feet long, 5 J and 4 inches square, at 30 shillings, old ten-
ner, for a hundred feet in Length ; to be paid out of my and
son John's Rates.
"Benja. Cobb."
"I Promise to Gitt five thousand of Good seeder Laths,
full four feet and a halfe Long all of them, and to be full half
Inch thick, and to be clear stuff, and no Knots nor hart
Lathes, and to be Got out of Good stuff, noways twisting ;
at the Price of three Pound, old tenner, a thousand.
"John King."
20
230 MEETIN6-H0U8ES OF THE
^I promise to gitt 2111)., old tenner, worth of Grood Large
tugh. shingell nails, at twenty-five shillings, old tenner, a thon-
. sand ; to be allowed out of mj Rates, mj father's, and Timo-
thy Smith's Precent Rates.
"David Smith."
" I promise to Gitt 2 sills, forty feet long, 9 and 8 Inches
square, to be good white oak and well Hewed ; to be at 41b.,
old tenner, each.
"Samll. Moret."
" I Promise to Git 5,000 of good shingell nails, at twenty-
eight shillings, old tenner, a thousand.
"William Cobb."
"I Promise to Git 1,250 Good Ceder sliingells, 14 Inches
Long, well shaved, and sawed square at ye But End, and no-
ways winding, at ye Rate of 41b. 1 Os., old tenner, a thousand,
& be alowed out of my Precent Rate.
"Joseph Andrews.**
" I promise to Git one thousand of Good seeder shingels,
18 Inches long, at 5£, old tenner ; to be paid out of mine and
my mother's Rates.
"Elizabeth Gilbert."
"Wee Promise to geet eleven good planck, 17 feet long
and 14 inches wide, all square-edged, two inches and one-
quarter of an inch thick, att the price of five pound, old
tenner.
"Benjamin Cobb, Jr.
Nathan Babbit, Jr."
" I Promise to get 13 good Raills for the sects for the new
meeting-house, 17 feet long, three inches and half thick, and
five inches deep; and five sills, 16 feet long; & inches deep,
5^ ; all to be att the same price yt the planck are goot for
the sects.
"Jonathan Eddy."
" I promise to Gitt 2 Beems, forty-two feet Long, twelve
and teen Inches square ; and four lock-tenant's Posts, to be .
26 feet Long, 10 inches square ; to be Good white-oake tim-
ber, well Hewed; at 191b. 10s., old tenner, to be Paid out of
my Rates, John Hodges' and Timothy Hodges' Rates.
"Joseph Hodges.**
CONGREGATIONAL PAEI8H. 281
'' I promise to Gitt 900 hundred feet of Grood Oak Boards,
Inch thick, Square-edged, 14^ feet long, at ye Rate 101b., old
tenner, a thousand.
"Thomas Shepard."
" I promise to Gitt two thousand and a quarter of good
ceder shingells, at 51b., old tenner, a 1,000, towards my Fre-
cint Rates ; and one thousand and a quarter more for Joseph
Coles ; all to be 18 Inches long.
"James Godpree."
"I promise to Gitt seven Hundred of Good Pitch-Pine
Boards, at ye Rate of fifteen Pound a thousand ; to be to-
wards mine and my father's Rates.
"Ephraim Wetherell."
Sept. 27, 1752, it was voted —
"That the Committee that were appointed for building
the New Meeting-house Get the Glass, Build the Pulpit, the
front of ye Galarys, and Get the stuff for ye sects, and Get
the Lower flooer Laid, and the Galery fiooers Laid, and the
flooer Laid suitable for ye pews to be Bult on, and window-
shetters for the Lower windows on ye outside."
The approaching ordination of Mr. Palmer served to
stimulate all parties in the work of erecting the house,
as they were anxious to have the ordination take place
in the new building. As the year 1752 drew towards
a close, the meeting-house approached towards com-
pletion. Accordingly, Dec. 8, the parish —
" Voted to sell ye old meeting-house in sd. precinct, pro-
vided any person will appear to Give any thing for it that ye
sd. precinct, or a Committee of sd. precinct Chosen for that
purpose, shall think proper to sell it for ; or to sell it at a van-
due, as they shall think proper, either ye whole at once, or
any part thereof a time, as shall be Best ; and that whoever
shall purchase ye sd. Meeting-house shall move it from ye
place where it now stands, in three months next after he shall
purchase the same."
Capt. Simeon Wetherell, Deacon Benjamin Hodges,
and Lieut. Thomas Morey, were appointed a committee
to sell the house.
232 MEETINO-HOUSES OF THE
At an adjourned meeting, Dec. 11, it was —
" Voted, that the pew on the East side of the Pulpit, and
next to the Pulpit, be a pew for ye use and Improvement of
the ministry in ye sd. Precinct ; and that the Minister of sd.
Precinct shall have ye use and Improvement of ye same, so
Long as he shall be their Minister, and no Longer.
• " Voted, that ye pews in ye new meeting-house be sold, at
a publick vandue, to ye highest Bidder.
" Voted, that a pew be Left, and not Sold, which Mr. Avery
& his wife shall have ye use and Improvement of dureing the
Pleasure of the Precinct, and no Longer ; and that, when ye
sd. Precinct shall see cause, may dispose of ye same.
" Then voted, that ye pew Left for ye use and Improve-
ment of Mr. Avery and his wife, as aforesd., be ye third pew
from ye East end of the pulpit.
" That the money that shall be Raised by the Sale of the
sd. meeting-house shall be disposed of towards ye Building
ye New Meeting-house.
" Voted, that three Seats be made in each Galery by ye
Committee before appointed for ye Building sd. meeting-
house ; and that the sects Below, in ye old meeting-house, be
Removed to ye New meeting-house by ye sd. committee, and
pews made all around ye Inside of ye meeting-house, and Six
Pews Behind ye Body-seets Below, and no more.
" Voted, that notwithstanding what was before voted Re-
specting a pew being Left for Mr. Avery and his wife, that
the said pew shall be sold also to ye highest Bider with ye
Rest ; but that the purchaser shall not have ye Use and Im-
provement of ye same, so long as the sd. Precinct shall see
cause to Let Mr. Avery and his wife have it as aforesd., but
shall have the same when ye sd. precinct shall see cause to
take ye use and Improvement thereof from the sd. Mr. Avery
and wife.
"Voted, that no person that shall By a pew shall sell ye
same again, without a vote of sd. Precinct for it, unless he
sell his farm, & Remove out of sd. precinct."
" Dec. 28th, 1752.
" Voted Not to have any Pews Built on ye west End of
the men's sects Below, and on the East End of the woman's
sects Below, in ye New meeting-house.
"Voted Not to have pews in the Galery of the new
Meeting-house.
CONGBEGATIONAL PARISH. 283
"Voted, that the Honor. George Leonard, Esqr., shall
have the Pew Joyning to the Pulpit-stairs, in ye new meet-
ing-house, he allowing Eighty pounds, old tener (which is
equall to ten pounds, thirteen shillings, and fourpenee), for it,
out of what he has don towards Building sd. meeting-housei
more than his rates."
Rev. Pitt Clarke, speaking of the meeting-house,
says that " the solemnities on the occasion [the ordi-
nation of Rev. Mr. Palmer, Jan. 3, 1763] were the
first religious exercises in it, — the only formal dedica-
tion of the sanctuary."
"Jan. 26th, 1768.
"Voted, that Each Person that has Bought a place for
a pew in ye sd. meeting shall have Liberty to Build their
Pews themselves, provided they Build them according to the
direction of the Commitee appointed for Building sd. meet-
ing-house ; and that they shall be allowed forty shillings for
Each pew they so build ; they to Provide all things needM
for the Building their Respective pews.
" Voted, that the Committee aforesd. shall Lett those Per-
sons, that shall so Build their Respective Pews, have what
Boards and pieces of Boards they can spare for them, to
Build sd. Pews with ; Reserving only what Boards they shall
want for ye Building the Minister's pew, and ye pew the said
precinct have voted the use of to Mr. Avery and his wife
during ye sd. Precinct Pleasure.
" Voted, that the Committee for Building sd. Meeting-house
shall provide meterialls suiteable for the finishing of said
Meeting-house, and Build all the seets in ye Galery, as soon
as Conveniently may be."
Then adjourned to Jan. 29. Then —
" Voted, that the Committee that were appointed for build-
ing the New Meeting-house Go on to Build ye Pew that
was voted for ye use of ye minister, and ye Pew that Mr.
Avery and his wife was to have ye use of dureing ye Pre-
cinct's pleasure, and the stairs up into ye Galery."
The committee appointed to sell the pews made a
report at this meeting that they had sold, to the
highest bidder, " Places for the Pews in ye New Meet-
ing-House."
20*
284 MEETING-HOnSES OF THE
On the opposite page, we give a plan of the lower
floor of the meeting-house, with the places for the
pews marked out ; together with the names of the pur-
chasers, and the price that was paid for the privilege
of building a pew. There was a large sounding-board
over the pulpit. It was of an hexagonal form, very
tastefully made of panel-work, and supported by an
iron rod. A portion of this old sounding-board is
.still in existence, though in a somewhat decayed
state.
The galleries were arranged on three sides of the
house ; and the seats gradually rose higher, one above
tlie other. The cost of this house, when raised, was
estimated at £101. 3^. 7\d. The expense of finishing
the house after it was raised, till first occupied, was
X218. 17*. lid. ; for work subsequently done upon the
house, £85. Is. 8d. The whole cost, £406. 8s. ^d.
It was, for many years, surrounded by large trees ;
but Vandalism long ago destroyed them.
May 14, 1753, " It was put to vote, whether their
should be pews built in the Gallery, behind the Seats ;
and it passed in the negative."
A meeting was called to be on the 18th of June,
1753, "To vote what they think proper to be done
with the places that are convenient to build Pews in
over Each pair of the gallery-stairs, in the new meat-
ing-house in said precinct ; and also to vote whether
the wiming shall have any part of the front Gallerey,
and what part they shall have to sit in."
At the meeting " It was put to vote, whether the
places over the gallerey-Stairs in ye new meating-house
Should be for the negroes to Set in dureing the pre-
cinct's pleasure; and it passed in the aflBrmitive."
Then the meeting was rather ungallantly dismissed,
without any action relative to having " wiming " in
the "front Gallerey."
Some of the elderly people who liad no pew found
it rather hard sitting upon the seats; and therefore
were accustomed to carry chairs into the house, and
occupy ihem.
CONGREGATIONAL PARISH.
235
GROUND-PLAN OF NEW MEETING-HOUSE IN 1763.
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* This is the pew reserved for Rev. Mr. Avskt and. ml* ^xxtol^ ^'^ ^<sA(>
sure of the parish.
236 MEETING-HOUSES OF THE
Nov. 28, 1753, the parish " Voted that the standing
Gomitte Shall take care of the meating-house, and
keep it lokt ; and also that theire be no chares sect in
the alleys of sd. meating-house when the new seats are
made Below."
A balcony, or sort of open porch, was erected over
the front-door in 1765 ; for, on Oct. 2 of that year,
the committee for finishing the meeting-house were
directed " to go on, and finish the bellconey." There
are those living who well remember this appendage to
the house.
On the 16th of October, 1780, the parish " voted
to mend the meeting-house ; " and at an adjourned
meeting, Jan. 1, 1781, a committee were chosen " to
procure shingles and other materials for reparing the
meeting-house."
Dec. 11, 1780, it was « Voted to Sell so much of the
floor in the meeting-house as to make Six pews Back
of the men's and women's Body of Seats, and a roe of
pews in the Back of the front galery ; " and it was
subsequently voted, that the six pews to be built below
should conform, as near as possible, to those adjoining
them ; and it was ordered that this pew-ground should
be sold for silver money.
March 15, 1784, it was " Voted that one-third part
of the front Galery be devoted for the wimen to set in,
and be divided off."
Thus it will be seen that the old plan of keeping
the women separate from the men was still adhered
to. When the men and women learned to behave
themselves, so as to be allowed to sit together, we are
not informed.
Jan. 5, 178&, '} Voted to sell the Ground for pews
on the back-side of side-galarys, except about six or
seven feet at the back-corner for negroes ; and also the
Ground where the negroes' Seats now are."
This pew-ground was sold, Feb. 11, 1789, at " Pub-
lick vendue," as follows, — " begining in the East
Gallery, at the Northerly side : " —
CONGBEGATIONAL PABISH. 237
£ S.
No. 1. Mr. Samuel Hunt 18
„ 2. Mr. Isaac Hodges, jun 1 10
„ 3. Mr. Nathaniel Stone 3 15
„ 4. Mr. Jonathan Newland 2 12
„ 5. Mr. Samuel Copeland 4 1
„ 6. Mr. Nathaniel Freeman 1 18
„ 7. Mr. Ebenezer Wetherell 4 8
„ 8. Capt. Ephraim Lane 4 18
„ 9. Mr. Plyna Dean 1 18
„ 10. Lt. Seth Smith 4 5
„ 11. Mr. Solomon Wetherell 3 1
„ 12. Mr. William Wetherell 5 0
„ 13. Mr. Ebenezer Wetherell 2 13
„ 14. Lt. Daniel Knap 2 6
March 23, 1789, " Voted to sell so much of [the]
floor of the meeting- [house] as to Make two pews at
the north end of the men's body of seats, and two .
pews at the East end of the women's body of seats."
This vote was subsequently changed, so as to have
only one pew built at the east and west end of the
seats.
May 14, 1792, as the parish were having candidates
for settlement in the vacant pulpit, they thought it
best to brush up the house a little; and therefore
voted " to paint the window-frames at present, and no
more." But, as the time of ordaining the pastor elect
drew near, it was whispered round that the inside of
the house needed a little attention. Accordingly,
May 20, 1793, the parish " Voted to paint the inside
of the meeting-house, and whitewash the same ; " and
the committee chosen for this purpose were admonished
to look after the " sills," " the bottom-board and cor-
ner-boards, and window-frames and doors : " all of
which, we presume, was attended to in due form. At
the same meeting, it was voted to sell " Ground for
two pews on the lower floor ; " and it was also decided
to sell four feet in breadth, at each end of the front
gallery, for two pews ; and the remainder of the front
gallery was to be built, at the parish's expense, into a
238 MEETING-HOUSES OF THE
pew for the use of the singers during the pleasure of
the parish.
Sept. 5, 1803, it was voted to sell pew-ground on the
lower floor, on both sides of the " front alley," "where
the two front-seats are ; " also to sell ground for three
pews on each side-gallery, at the northerly end ; and
likewise the ground for pews " below and above where
each pare of stairs are."
Jan. 15, 1804, it was voted to make the two seats
behind the new pews on the lower floor into long pews ;
and also to sell the ground in the side-galleries for two
pews, where the seats were left for the negroes, leaving
the back seats for said negroes.
Nov. 26, 1804, it was voted to sell " the alley-ways
at the east and west doors for pews."
As we shall soon see, these last votes were passed in
consequence of a previous vote to build a belfry at one
end of the meeting-house, and a porch at the other,
in which stairs were to be built leading to the gal-
lery.
At the meeting, Nov. 26, it was ordered that the
" ground where the blacks set, at the east end of the
meeting-house," should be sold for pews. Thus it
will be seen how the seats, both above and below, gave
way to the more aristocratic pews.
At a meeting of the parish, Sept. 5, 1803, —
" Voted to build a belfry with a staple at one end of the
meeting-house, and a porch at the other end of sd. meeting-
house.
" Voted, that all the work of Building the sd. Belfery &
porch, and repairing the meeting-house, be Compleated and
finished in fourteen months from this Date.
" Voted, that the meeting-house be Claboarded on the front
and both ends."
Previously, it had been shingled on the outside.
Jan. 15, 1804, five hundred dollars were raised, in
addition to that which was expected from the sale of
pew-ground, for building the belfry, steeple, porch,
&c.
CONGREGATIONAL PARISH. 239
In the warrant for a parish-meeting on the 25th of
March, 1805, there was an article " to see if said
parish will vote to purchase a bell for the meeting-
house." At the meeting, they raised two hundred and
thirty dollars to complete the repairs on the house,
and "Voted to pass the article about the bell."
The vote to raise two hundred and thirty dollars
was annulled March 31, 1806 ; and it was then de-
cided to take a hundred and fifty dollars out of the
fund, to pay for repairs on the meeting-house.
We find nothing more relating to a bell, on the
parish-records, till March 26, 1810, when it was —
" Voted to accept of the present made to the Parish, of a
bell, and give leave that said bell be hung on the meeting-
house in said Parish ; and that the first ringing of the beU, on
Sunday mornings,' be at nine O'clock."
I have been told that this bell was purchased by J
subscription ; and I have found papers which substan-
tiate this statement. Very soon after the vote "to
pass the article about the bell," on the 25th of March,
1805, a movement was made to secure a bell by
voluntary contributions, as the annexed document
will show : —
" The Subscribers, takeing into Consideration the advan-
tages that would arise in haveing a good Bell, of about 800
wt., in the meeting-house of the Congregational Parish in
Norton, do, for the Purpose of Purchaseing sd. Bell, agree
& Promise to pay the sum we set to our names. Provided a
sum> sufficient shall be subscribed for that Purpose.
" The money to be paid to a Committee appointed by the
majority of the subscribers to receive the same and to pur-
chase sd. Bell.
"JuNB 7th, 1805.
" George Leonard, Fifty Dollars ; Laban Wheaton, twenty
Dollars ; Lysander Makepeace, Seven Dollars ; Jacob Shep-
herd, ten Dollars."
The project did not meet the favor of the people
generally ; and hence, for a time, was abandoned. But,
in a few years, it was revived. Here is the proof : —
240 MEETING-HOnSES OF THE
** Jaiojary, 1810.
" As the above subscription did not obtain, we who have
subscribed this agree to pay the sum affixed to our names for
the purpose above mentioned; viz., to procure a meeting-
house Bell for the Congregational Society in Norton, over
which the Rev. Mr. Clarke is now a settled minister."
As an inducement for people to subscribe towards
the bell, the following obligation was entered into by
the pastor of the parish : —
" As some persons are willing to subscribe for a Bell only on
the condition they can be. free from the expense of ringing it,
I hereby obligate myself, for my part, to be at the expense of
ringing it on Sabbath & Lecture days, so long as I am allowed
the surplus of the Parish Fund, as I have been some time
past. Tho* this may be more than my equal proportion, I
am willing to do it to encourage what would contribute so
much to the honor of the Parish, & to the convenience &
utility of those who are the united members of it.
"Jan., 1810.
"Pitt Clarke."
To this paper are attached the names of twenty-
seven persons, whose subscriptions ranged from one to
twenty dollars ; the whole amount being sixty-six dol-
lars and fifty cents. But, as we have been unable to
find the names of the other subscribers, we shall not
publish the above twenty-seven.
We have found the bill of purchase ; from which it
appears that the bell was bought at Boston, March 30,
1810, of Paul Revere and Son; that its "nett weight"
was eight hundred and seventy-five pounds ; and that
it cost forty-two cents per pound, or three hundred
and sixty-seven dollars and fifty cents. For some
needed fixtures, there were paid six dollars and thirty
cents; making the whole cost three hundred and
seventy-three dollars and eighty cents.
The makers of the bell entered into the following
agreement with the purchasers : " If it Breaks within
one year, and judges say the cause was in the manu-
facture, we agree to make it good."
CONGREGATIONAL PABISH. 241
I am told that " a yoke," on which to hang the boll,
was procured : but, not being very suitable, an attempt
was made to purchase another of the Misses Woodward,
who lived in the southerly part of the town ; but they
would not sell it. Some persons, however, determined
to have it at any rate ; and therefore went and cut the
tree, and carried off what was needed, leaving the other
yoke Instead ; and justified themselves for the act on
the ground that " exchange was no robbery." No one
can doubt, however, that it was a rather questionable
proceeding.
We have found a bill of articles furnished "the
Committee for Purchasing the Bell," by George Gil-
bert; and among the items were a quarter-gallon of
West-India rum, a quarter-gallon of cherry, and ono-
eighth gallon of brandy. We presume these articles
were needed as help to raise the bell into the belfry.
This was the same bell that now belongs to the Con-
gregational parish.
It was the practice of the early settlers of the country
to build their meetiyg-houses without means of warm-
ing them, either by fireplaces or stoves. Why they
did so, we are unable to say ; but it will be obvious
to every one, that it must have been a pretty severe
penance for the sins committed during the week, to
be obliged to sit on a cold winter's day, in an un-
warmed house, and listen to the long sermons of those
times. Many of the gentler sex, who could not so
well endure the icy atmosphere of the house as their
more hardy lords, obviated the difiiculty somewhat by
carrying with them to the house of God little " foot-
stoves," filled with coals. Even with these helps to
keep the temperature of the body above the freezing-
point, there was, no doubt, much suffering from the
piercing cold. Few, we fear, would be the worship-
pers of either sex at the present day in an un warmed
house of prayer.
When the proposition came, as it did at last, to in-
troduce some warming apparatus into the sanctuary,
it met with a strong opposition from some who, for
21
242 MEETING-HOUSES OF THE
years, had shivered through the sermons of many a
freezing Sunday. But the car of progress is ever
onward, and finally triumphant. The year 1818 is
memorable in the annals of Norton as the year when
the people submitted to the monstrous innovation of
warming the meeting-house. In January of that year,
a subscription-paper was started, headed by the vene-
rable Judge Leonard, — then verging upon his ninetieth
year, — to purchase stoves for the meeting-house. The
subscriptions varied from five dollars to twenty-five
cents. The number of subscribers was sixty-seven, and
the amount raised was eighty-four dollars and twenty-
five cents. On the 5th of February, 1818, two stoves
were bought of Joseph Howe for twenty-seven dollars.
He was also paid, for two hundred and forty-three feet
of funnel, and other articles needed about the stoves,
forty-five dollars and forty-seven cents ; making the
whole amount for stoves and fixtures, seventy-two dol-
lars and forty-seven cents. The remainder of the money
was used to purchase wood, and to pay for making the
fires, &c.
After having enjoyed the luxury of a warm house
one Sunday, no one has since been anxious to go back
to the good old time when the penitential tears would
freeze in their journey down the repentant's cheek
before the altar of God.
Having made the inside of the house comfortable,
the parish think it best to have the outside respectable ;
and therefore, on the 21st of June, 1819, three hun-
dred dollars were raised to paint and repair the meeting-
house and belfry. This proved to be the last brushing-
up the house received from the hands of the parish.
After the lapse of a few years, various causes con-
spired to make a new house desirable. The venerable
{)astor, who for forty years had broken the bread of
ife, and taught, by precept and example, the living
truths that fell from the lips of Jesus, took a deep
interest in this movement. On the thirty-first day of
March, 1834, a committee was appointed to ascertain
what repairs the old house needed, and what would be
4S
■•». I*. ■
I
^ ♦
'J-: ■ '
J #
. ■ ■■ I .
Dec. 23, 1835.
IT
'pf
CONGREGATIONAL PARISH. 243
the cost of a new one. The committee made a report
on the 28th of May following : and, on that day, the
parish " voted to remove to a new Meeting-house to
worship, provided there should be one built in the
manner proposed ; that is, put into shares." A com-
mittee was also chosen to see how many shares could
be disposed of.
At an adjourned meeting, Sept. 27, 1834, these
votes, and several others subsequently passed relating
to a new house, were rescinded. It was then —
" Moved and Voted, that this Parish build a new Meeting-
house by the sale of the Pews and individual donation, &
set it on the ground gi'atuitously offered by Mrs. Peddy
Bowen, according to her direction, near the front of this
bouse ; and said house shall be for the use of the Congrega-
tional Incorporated society of which the Rev. Pitt Clarke is
the present Minister, or his successor in office. 28 for, 6
against."
Mrs. Bowen not only gave the land wliereon to set
the new house, but also gave " all the timber for it, on
the condition that it should be cut and carried from
her land according to her particular direction." At
the meeting, Sept. 27, 1834, the parish voted that the
cost of the house should " not exceed four thousand
dollars." They also chose John Sweet, Daniel LanOj
Cromwell Leonard, Leonard Hodges, jun., and Elisha
Grossman, a Building Committee. It was subsequently^
directed that the house should be sixty-two feet long
and forty-two wide ; and Oliver Clapp and Earl
Hodges were added to the Building Committee.
During the summer of 1835, the hoVise was built,
in part, after the plan of a house at Ipswich. The
pulpit is at the entrance-end of the house ; the singing-
seats at the opposite end; and a narrow gallery on
each side, originally with one row of seats in the front
of it (which were taken down in 1847), and a walk
in the back part, leading from the entrance-end of the
house to the singing-seats. The house was dedicated
to the worship of the one living and only true God,
Dec. 23, 1836.
244 MEETING-HOUSES.
The following account of the dedicatory services
we copy from the " Christian Register '* of Jan. 9,
1836 : —
" On Wednesday, Dec. 23rd, the new and beautiful Church
erected for the use of the First Congregational Society in
Norton was solemnly dedicated to the public worship of Al-
mighty Gk)d. The services on this occasion were as follows :
Introductory prayer by Rev. Mr. Sweet, of Kingston ; Read-
ing of the Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Bridge, of Cambridge ;
Dedicatory prayer by Rev. Mr. Bigelow, of Taunton ; Ser-
mon by Rev. Mr. Hall, of Providence ; concluding prayer by
Rev. Mr. Sayward, of Mansfield."
The number of pews in the house was sixty. Fifty-
six of these were sold at auction on the 24th of De-
cember, 1835, for three thousand seven hundred and
two dollars and fifty cents. As the house drew near
its completion, the disposal of the old house became a
matter of interest.
Nov. 16, 1835, the parish voted to have the old
meeting-house appraised by a disinterested committee,
and to sell it at public vendue. Samuel Crocker of
Taunton, Zeba Bliss of Attleboroiigh, and Simeon
Green of Mansfield, were chosen to appraise the old
house ; and it was subsequently sold to the town for
a town-house.
In the year 1836, a chain-fence was erected around
the meeting-house, and remained for some years. la
1850, the present fence, with iron rails and stone posts,
was erected ; and a row of seventeen evergreen-trees
set out inside of the fence around the house, and the
walk made from the fence up to the front-end of
the house.
But little change has been made in the house since
its erection. In August, 1854, the inside of the house
was repainted, the pews were grained, the pulpit
lowered about one-half its previous height, the house
newly carpeted, and a sofa and chairs purchased for
the pulpit, <&c. ; and the expense of the same was paid
by the ladies of the parish.
HimSTEBIAL FUND. 245
CHAPTER XVm.
BflNISTEBIAL FUND, AND INCORPORATION OF THE CON-
GREGATIONAL PARISH.
t( This originated in the piooB forethought of oar fktthers of the Plymoath Oolonj."
P. Olabu.
In order to lay the foundation for the permanent sup-
port of the ministry, the God-loving and God-fearing
proprietors of the Taunton North Purchase conceived
the idea of setting apart a portion of their lands for
such a purpose. Accordingly, at a meeting of the
North-Purchase proprietors, " Jan. 27, 1684-5, it was
voted and agreed [to] Lay out a lot, in the most con-
venient place, flFor the use of the ministry, — A Lot,
Equal with one of our own, and Equal priviledges
through the Whole purchase, never to be AUianated
from the use of the ministry." ^ This vote was soon
after carried into effect, and one hundred acres of
upland and eight of meadow were laid out ; but, for
some reason, — perhaps because they anticipated the
division of the North Purchase into two or more
towns, — on the 6th of March, 1698-9, the proprietors
voted —
" That the lot for the ministry aready pitched upon shall
be let ffall, and one-halfe of it layed out nearer to Bridg-
water, and the other halfe nearer to Chartley Ironworks ; *
both where the Committee, with advise, shall Judg most Con-
venient."
This vote was not at once carried into effect. Hence,
on July 2, 1700, they ordered that the ministry-lot
should be laid out in the two parts already spoken of,
1 North-Purchase Records, p. 9.
> These were at the Judge Leonard estate.
21»
246 MINISTERIAL FUND, AND INCOBPORATION
and one hundred acres more should be added to it.
May 25, 1721, the vote was re-afl5rmed, that one-half
of the ministerial land sliould be laid out towards the
west end, and the otlier half towards the east end, of
the North Purchase, " both in future and latter divi-
sions." Lieut. Nicholas White, Ensign George Leonard,
and John Smith, for the west end ; John Phillips, Tho-
mas Randall, and Josiah Keith, for the east end, — were
appointed a committee to lay it out. From the records,
it appears that, up to October, 1744, there had been
set apart for the ministry four hundred and fifty-three
acres of land ; but, heretofore, no use had been made
of it, except that Rev. Mr. Avery had cut oflF some
timber, and used it in the building of his house. In
1747, a petition was sent to the Proprietors' Committee
asking that a meeting might be called —
•* To see if the Proprietee will give the Lands Layed out
in the said Proprietee for the use of the ministree, to be dis-
posed of by the town of Norton and Easton Respectively for
the support of a Presbeterian or Congregation ell ministry.
The town of Easton have a mind to build thereon, and Im-
prove sd. lands lying in sd. townships." ^
Tlie meeting was held Dec. 14, 1747 ; but was forth-
with adjourned to March 15, 1748. A committee was
then appointed to view the lands, and report at the
next meeting what was best to be done to make the
lands most advantageous to the two towns for the sup-
port of the ministry." ^ No report of this committee
is to be found.
In the warrant for a meeting, April 2, 1753, were
articles to see about dividing the lands between Norton
and Easton, and to divide the moiety set oflF to Norton
between the two precincts of that town ; and also to
determine for the maintenance of what ministers they
should be improved. The proprietors vote to divide
the lands equally between the towns of Norton and
Easton ; that the half-share belonging to Norton should
1 North-PnrcbaBe Records, p. 70. 2 n>id. p. 77.
OF THE CONGBEGATIONAL PABISH. 247
be equally diyided between the two precincts; and
that the —
^ Part of sd. lands which shall fall to Norton South Pre-
cinct shall always be and Remaine to the use of the ministry
of said Precinct, to which the North-Purchase Lands, whidi
Leyeth between the Line of the town of AtUeborough and
the Line of Taunton old Township, shall belong to."
They then declare, that —
** Whereas our Predecessors, who voted and sett sd. Land
appart for the ministry, ware of and Belonged to those
Churches which ware then called and Known by the name
of Congregationell Churches, and we apprehend it was their
Desire and intent that the above-mentioned Land should be
Improved for the maintaining of the ministers of those
Churches which shall be of those Prinsepells ; tharefore we
now vote, that the whole of the abovesd. Lands shall be Im-
proved for the maintaining of the ministers of the severall
Congregationell Churches which belong to the said towns as
above mentioned, and be Improved for that end only." ^
The division of lands having been made, the South
Precinct, at a meeting held March 29, 1756, chose
Col. George Leonard, Lieut. Benjamin Cobb, and Lieut.
Thomas Morey, a committee to take care of their part,
and ^^to see that there be no damage done on said
Land by cutting timber or any other way." The land^
however, in its unimproved state, was not very avail-
able property for the payment of ministerial charges ;
and therefore, at a precinct-meeting, Jan. 16, 1758,
Jonathan Lincoln, Benjamin Cobb, and Thomas Morey,
were chosen a committee to make report, at a future
meeting, " what is best for the South Precinct to do
concerning said Land."
We find no record of their report. The precinct
held a meeting, Dec. 21, 1761, and declared that —
" These Lands mostly lye in the North Precinct of sd.
town of Norton, and so far from the sd. South Precinct that
1 North-Purchase Records, p. 84.
248 MINISTERIAL FUND, AND INCOBPORATION
thej can never be of but Little or no advantage Towards
maintaining the ministry of the South precinct in Said town
of Norton, and no Improvement made on said Land yett.
Therefore the Said precinct Now voted, that Thomas Morey,
"Esqr.y shall be Impowered, in behalf of said precinct, To
petition to the great and general Court of this province, That
they woold Impower or Ennable said first precinct of The
town of Norton, or such other persons as sd. Court shall Ap-
point and Impower, to Sell all the sd. precinct's ministerial
lands above mentioned, for the most said Lands will fetch ;
and the money that shall Be Raised by the sale of sd. Lands
to be Lett out to Interest as sd. court Shall order ; the Interest
only to be applyed yearly towards the maintaining the mini-
stry of sd. precinct For ever ; which, we apprehend, will be
as agreeable to the good Intent and meaning of the proprie-
tors who gave sd. Lands as to Lett the Lands Lye, and more
for the Interest of sd. precinct." ^
In obedience to the trust confided in him, Mr. Morey
knocked at the door of the General Court, Jan. 18,
1762, with his petition, asking that the wishes of the
precinct may be gratified. The court promptly granted
the power asked for. Here is the evidence : ^ —
"In the house of Representatives, January 23d, 1762,
Read and Ordered, that the Prayer be so far Granted, as
that the South Precinct in the town of Norton, by a Com-
mittee by them to be appointed for that purpose, be Impow-
ered to make Sale of the Land mentioned in the Petition, for
the most the same will fetch ; and to make a Good Deed or
Deeds in Law for Conveying the Same, the Proceeds of the
Said Sale to be Let out at Interest, on Good Security, to be
Improved annually towards the Support of a Congregational
minister in Said Precinct, in the same way and manner as
the Rents of Said Land would have been Improved if it
had not been disposed of.
" Sent up for Concurrence.
" James Otis, Speaker.
"In Council, January 28, 1762. — Read and Concurred.
" Jno. Cotton, Dep. Secty.
" Consented to : " Ira Bernard."
1 Parish Records, book i. p. 98, &c. ^ ibid. p. 127.
OF THE C0KGBE6ATI0KAL PABISH. 249
No progress was, however, made towards the sale of
the land, till after the incorporation of the North Pre-
cinct into the District of Mansfield. March 21, 1774,
the town vote that the committee lately chosen for that
purpose make sale of the ministerial land lying in
Mansi^eld, and belonging to Norton, ^^ as soon as
conveniently may be for the interest of said town."
That " convenient season " did not come at once ; for,
Nov. 17, 1777, the town vote to sell their ministerial
land lying in Mansfield at public vendue, and dis^
charged from further service a former committee
chosen for that purpose. They also chose Seth Smith,
Isaac Hodges, and John King, to attend to the matter;
who, Jan. 1, 1778, were empowered to act in conjunc-
tion with a similar committee from Mansfield, to divide
the lands belonging to the two towns, and establish the
bounds. The division having been made,^ these lands,
— a part lying near Mansfield Meeting-house, and
now crossed lengthwise by the Taunton-Branch Rail-
road, and a part on '' Dorchester Plain " so called, —
amounting to about one hundred and fifty acres, were
sold, in four lots, to John Pratt, George Cobb, Isaac
Smith, and Samuel Hunt, for <£1,059. 175. 9d. On
the fourteenth day of December, 1778, George Leo-
nard, Esq., was chosen by the town to receive the
money from the committee. On Monday, 8th of
March following, a committee was raised to consider in
what manner the money could be best deposited " for
the benefit of the Congregational society in Norton."
They report. May 26, that " the method they should
have chose " was, at that time, " attended with some
diflSculty ; and therefore recommend that Dea. Benja.
Copeland, Dea. Benja. Pearson, and Dea.^ Daniel Dean,
be impowered to receive the money, and put the whole
into the Continental Loan office in their own name ; "
they giving a receipt to the town-clerk for the same.
This report was accepted.^
The fund thus created was increased by adding the
} See Parish-Records, p. 129, &c. 3 Ibid. pp. 182 and 188.
250 . MINISTERIAL FUND, AND INCORPOBATION
interest thereto, and by the proceeds resulting from
the sale of " pew-ground " in the meeting-house, till,
in a few years, the interest was sufficient to pay the
salary of the minister ; and it continued to do so till
the death of Rev. Pitt Clarke in 1836.
By good financial management, this fund is still
available for the payment of ministerial services, and
essentially lightens the taxes that would otherwise fall
somewhat heavily upon the parish possessing it.
INCORPORATION OF THE PARISH.
It is probable tliat the disposition made of the money
in 1779 was attended with some difficulties ; and hence
the're was a society-meeting called on the 6th of Janu-
ary, 1783, " To choose a committee to petition the
General Court to Incorporate sd. Society, so that they
may legally act with regard to their ministerial money,
or any other matter that concerns sd. society.'' At
the meeting, Capt. Isaac Hodges was chosen agent to
forward to the General Court a petition for an act of
incorporation ; and five trustees were chosen to take
care of the money. The prayer of the society was
answered, as the annexed document will show : —
"An Act^ to incorporate the Congregational Society in the
town of Norton into a distinct Parish, and also to incor-
porate a Committee of the said Society for certain pur-
poses.
" Whereas the Congregational society in the town of
Norton, of which the Reverend Joseph Palmer is the present
minister, have represented to this Court that the said society
are possessed of a sum of money and securities to the amount
of four hundred and twenty-five pounds, which they desire to
improve to the purpose of beginning and laying a foundation
for a fund, the interest whereof to be appropriated to support
a learned, pious, Protestant, Congregational minister in the
said society for ever, and for building or repairing a meeting-
house in said society; and have supplicated this Court by a
1 Passed March 4, 1783. (See Massachusetts Special Laws, vol. i.
p. 44, &c.)
OF THE CONGBEGATIONAL PARISH.
law to invest the said society with all the powers, privilegesy
and immunities that precincts or parishes in this Common-
wealth do or may enjoy: And also that certain persons, bj
them, the said society, elected and named, may be made a
body corporate, with sufficient powers to receive the aforesaid
sum, and other donations that are or shall be made for the
purposes aforesaid, and for the well-ordering the same : — ,
** Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same. That the Congregational society in the town of
Norton, in the county of Bristol, where the Reverend Joseph
Palmer now officiates, be, and they hereby are, incorporated
into a distinct parish, by the name of the * Congregational
Parbh in Norton;' and hereby are invested with all thie
powers, privileges, and immunities that precincts or parishes
within this Commonwealth do or may by law enjoy. And
that it may be known at any time wlio of the inhabitants of
the said town belong to the said parish, —
" Sect. 2. Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That
all those inhabitants of the said Norton, who usually attend
public worship with the aforesaid society, shall be deemed
and taken to belong to the said parish, to all intents and pur-
poses, until they shall signify in writing, under their hands,
to the Clerk of the said parish, their intention to attend public
worship with some other religious society, and shall actually
attend. Provided, nevertheless, That all parishioners so re-
moving shall be held to pay all arreara of taxes legally
assessed on them by the said parish before their removal.
" Sect. 3. And be it further enacted by the authority aforcf
said. That George Leonard, Esq., be, and he hereby is, fully
authorized to issue his warrant, directed to some principal
inhabitant belonging to the said parish, requiring him to give
notice to the inhabitants of the parish aforesaid, qualified to
vote in parish-afiairs, to assemble at some suitable time and
place in the said parish, to choose all such officers as parishes
are by law required to choose in the month of March an-
nually ; and to transact such other matters and business as is
necessary to be done in the said parish.
" Sect. 4. And be it further enacted by the authority afore-
said, That George Leonard, William Homes, Daniel Dean,
Isaac Hodges, and Israel Trow, chosen, elected, and named
by the said society for that purpose, and their successors
hereafter chosen by the parish aforesaid in the manner as in
252 laNISTERtAL FUND, AND INCORPORATION
and by this Act is hereafter provided, shall be, and herebj
are, declared to be a body corporate, by the name of * The
Trustees of the Congregational Parish in Norton,' and here-
by are incorporated to this special purpose : viz., To receive
All the donations, subscriptions, securities, and monies now in
the hands of the said society, and also such grants, appro-
priations, and donations, either real or personal, that have
been or shall hereafter be made for the purposes aforesaid ;
provided the whole sum do not exceed the sum of three
thousand pounds. And all such sum or sums as shall be
received by the aforesaid present Trustees, or their successors
in the said trust, shall be, and hereby are, appropriated to
raise an income by the annual interest arising therefrom for
the purpose aforesaid.
*' Sect. 5. And be it further enacted by the authority afore-
said. That all bonds, mortgages, or other lawful securities,
made to the said George Leonard, William Homes, Daniel
Dean, Isaac Hodges, and Israel Trow, and their successors in
the said trust, are hereby declared good and valid : And the
said Trustees and their successors, by their said corporate
name, may sue and be sued, and are hereby fully authorized
by themselves, or by their agents or attornies, to appear,
plead, and defend, in any action or suit brought by or against
them in their said capacity, and the same prosecute to final
judgment and execution, in any Court proper to try and
determine the same.
" Sect. 6. And be it further enacted by the authority afore-
said, That the aforesaid sum of four hundred and twenty-
five pounds, and all such further sum or sums as may hereafter
be annexed thereto, shall be by the said Trustees put to
interest ; and the annual interest arising therefrom shall be
further put to interest, and so from year to year until a
capital shall be raised, the annual interest whereof shall be
sufficient to support a minister as aforesaid ; and then the an-
nual interest of the said increased capital, or so much thereof
as the said corporation shall find necessary, shall for ever after
be paid to such minister resident and officiating in the work
of the ministry among said society within said town. And
if it shall ever happen that there be no such minister settled
within the said society, then, in every such case, the interest
arising in such vacation shall be improved to supply the said
society with preaching. And, if there shall be any sur-
plusage, it shall be put to interest on new securities, and
OF THE CONGREGATIONAL PARISH. 253
added to the said capital, and improved for the building or
repairing a meeting-house for the said society ; and all such
increased sum or sums shall be ordered and disposed of hj
the said Trustees according to the directions hereinbefore
provided respecting the said capital.
" Sect. 7. And be it further enacted by the authority afore-
said, That if at any time the income arising by the annual
interest of the fund aforesaid shall be more than sufficient for
the purposes aforesaid, — in that case, all such surplus shall,
and hereby is, specially appropriated, and shall be improved
by the parish aforesaid, towards the support and maintenance
of a school for the benefit of said society.
" Sect. 8. And be it further enacted by the authority afore-
said, That the said parish, at their annual meeting in March,
from time to time be, and hereby are, fully authorized to
choose Bye Trustees for the year ensuing.
" Sect. 9. And be it further enacted by the authority afore-
said. That if at any time the said parish shall, at their annual
meeting in March, neglect, or by any means be prevented,
choosing Trustees, — in every such case, the Trustees last
chosen shall continue vested with all the powers and privileges
aforesaid until others be chosen.
" Sect. 10. And be it further enacted by the authority
aforesaid, That the said Trustees, and their successors from
time to time, shall be accountable to the said parish, and may
be by them, for any misdemeanor or failure in their said trust,
removed therefrom ; in which case, and also in case of death
or other removal of any one or more of them, it shall and
may be lawful for the said parish to appoint others in their
room. And the said parish may at any time call a meeting
for that purpose accordingly."
In four days after this Act was approved by the
Governor, a warrant was issued by George Leonard
to Silas Cobb, to notify a meeting for the purpose of
organizing by choosing all proper officers required by
the Act. George Leonard was chosen moderator ;
Silas Cobb, clerk ; and Seth Smith, jun., treasurer.
The same trustees were chosen as were mentioned
in the Incorporation Act. " Voted, that the Trustees
should call in the money now outstanding due to
sd. parish." — "Voted, that the sd. Trustees shall lay
22
254 INCORPORATION OF CONGREGATIONAL PARISH.
out sd. money for public securities as soon as maj
be."
After a few years' time, it was deemed proper to
make an addition to the Act of Incorporation ; and,
upon application of the parish to the General Court
for that purpose, the following additional Act was
passed June 17, 1797:^ —
" Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives in Greneral Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, That the said parish be, and hereby are, author-
ized and empowered, at any legal meeting thereof, to be
bolden in the month of March annually, to choose some
suitable person to be Treasurer for the Trustees of the said
parish ; and the person so chosen shall give bond, at the dis-
cretion of the said Trustees, for the faithful performance of
his duty.
" Sect. 2. And be it further enacted. That the Treasurer
(for the time being) chosen and qualified as aforesaid shall
be empowered to receive, for the use of the said parish, all
monies and securities for money belonging to said parish ;
any thing in the act to which this is in addition to the contrary
notwithstanding."
No further change was made, so far as we can learn,
till after the death of Rev. Pitt Clarke ; when it was
found, that, in order to settle a minister, he must bo
paid a salary larger than the interest of the fund
would amount to: and hence, on the twenty-eighth
day of December, 1835, after inviting Rev. Mr. Bridge
to settle with them as their mimister, the parish voted
" to petition the Legislature for an act of Amendment
in their act of Incorporation." A petition, signed by
the Parish Committee, was sent to the General Court,
stating the facts in the case, and asking that they
might have the privilege of using the interest of the
fund towards the support of the minister, though it
was not sufficient to pay his whole salary. The prayer
was granted as follows : —
\ Massachusetts Special Laws, vol. ii. p. 164.
COMMON SCHOOLS. 255
** Be it enacted, &&, The annual interest of the fand be-
longing to the ' Congregational Parish in Norton ' may be
appropriated by the said parish toward the support of their
minister, and for supplying the said parish with preaching,
although the same may not be sufficient for the support of a
minister ; any thing contained in the act to which this is in
addition notwithstanding.^
"Approved March 11, 1836."
This fund now amounts to something more than
seven thousand dollars; a portion of which is in-
vested in bank-stock, and the rest is loaned on per-
sonal security. I am told that the fund in Easton
and Mansfield has become very much reduced from
its original amount.
CHAPTER XIX.
COMMON SCHOOLS.
" ^Twas nobly done, to make the schoolhoose free." — 0. T. Oonodon.
Within a few years after the incorporation of the town,
and the settlement of a minister to look after the spirit-
ual interests of the young, their intellectual culture was
provided for by the establishment of public schools.
The first recorded action of the town relative to
schools was April 28, 1719, when —
" The town made chois of Thomas Skinner, Sen., to Be
thare Scoolmaster, and to beginn at ye first day of June,
1719, and to continu one quarter; and his salary not to Ex-
cead two pounds for said quarter."
It is probable, however, that some private instruction
had been given previous to this date. For some years
^ See Special Laws, vol. yii. p. 579.
256 COMMON SCHOOLS.
after the establishment of public schools, the town, in
their corporate capacity, chose the schoolmaster. In
some instances, however, they delegated power to the
selectmen to contract with the teacher, and make
the necessary arrangements for the opening of the
school ; yet, for more than eighty years after the or-
ganization of the town, there were no schoolhouses
specially erected for that purpose. The early settlers
felt themselves too poor, and had too many difficulties
and obstacles to contend with, to furnish the means or
find the time to erect separate houses for the instruc-
tion of the young. In very many instances, they were
obliged to "kill two birds with one stone." Hence pri-
vate houses, carpenters' shops, &c., were more or less
used for school purposes. Probably, in the centre of
the town, the meeting-house, in the summer season, was
converted pro tempore into a " temple of science." I
am informed by a native of this town (Rev. Isaac
Braman of Georgetown, born in 1770), that, in his
boyhood-days, —
"The schools generally were kept in private houses. I
once went to school in a Carpenter's shop, in which the work-
bench was used for a table. In the study of Arithmetic, no
scholar was allowed a book. The teacher would give him a
sum ; and he might sit and study upon it until he had found
an answer, which would sometimes occupy several days."
And, in almost every other respect, there was a like
deficiency in books.^ Hence, of necessity, much of
the instruction was oral, and less mechanical, than at
the present day, even if it was given in a mechanic's
shop. Mr. Braman says, " The great object," in those
days, " was to procure cheap teachers," — an idea by
far too prevalent at this day ; yet there was far more
excuse for this idea a century ago than now.
How cheaply the first teachers of Norton were pro-
cured, will at once be seen by a reference to the price
1 " In my early days," says Mr. Braman, " no book was used in school,
except the Bible and Spelling-book. There were respectable aged persons
who could not read.'*
COMMON SCHOOLS. 257
paid them. I have been informed by some elderly
people, that most of the early schools were established
for boys ; it being thought almost entirely unnecessary
that girls should be educated. As they were not ex-
pected to cast interest, or engage largely in any busi-
ness transactions, it was not deemed important that
they should be sent to school. Their husbands — if
they had any — were considered the proper guardians
of their interests ; and therefore, if they learned any
thing, it must be in patience and meekness of their
husbands at home. Hence, for many years after
public schools were established, there were no female
teachers. Of course, if they knew notliing themselves,
they could teach nothing to others.
The first record I find of a female teacher, or
" schoolmistress," as she was called, is in 1791, when
an order was drawn to pay Patience Leach for teaching
eight weeks, at three shillings per week. Jonathan
Hunt boarded the " schoolmistress " eight weeks that
year, at three shillings per week ; and hence it is
presumed she taught in his District, No. 7. Deacon
Daniel Lane informed me that he knew Miss Leach,
and said she belonged to Easton ; and was of the
opinion that she married a Mr. Bird, and died, not
many years ago, at Taunton.
The next year (1792), Abigail Morey taught school
three months, — probably in the Centre District, as
she boarded at Col. Silas Cobb's. She subsequently
taught other schools in town.
The board of male teachers, between the years 1719
and 1800, ranged from four to sixteen shillings per
week ; the latter amount, no doubt, being paid when
the currency was somewhat depreciated. As the
population of the town was at first quite sparse, it
is highly probable that there were but few children
within its limits, — possibly not more than enough for
one good school, if all could have been collected into
one room. But, as all could not attend at one place,
the school was kept from time to time in difierent parts
22*
258 COMMON SCHOOLS.
of the town, so as to better accommodate all, as will
appear from the following records: —
"May 13, 1720. — The town made choice of Jeremiah
Bassett for to be Scoolmaster; &, accordingly, lie have agreed
& excepted of the same for one quarter of a year, after the
Bate of thirty pounds Per year, — one-third money, the other
two-thirds other pay. first beginning at the public meeting-
house, the scool to be moving. If continued the other part
of the year, the second quarter [to be] at that part of the
town called Scottlin ; & the third quarter taking in Tiump's
ic White's and Skinner's naiborhood ; and the fourth quarter
at Winnaconick."
This practice of "moving" the school, as it was
termed, continued for several years, — most probably
till the town was districted.
"Aug. 14, 1721. — At a towne-meeting Legally warned
[for that purpose], chose Jeremiah Basset to be Schoole-
master to Keep Schoole in sd. towne one year next enceuing ;
and sd. Basset is to have thirty Pounds in ye Produce of ye
town, at the Price allready Sett."
June 20, 1723, at a legal town-meeting, it was —
" Voted that Simeon Wetherell shall be schoolmaster to
keep school at his father's or his one house, to teech children
to Reed, Right, and Cifer, for one quarter of a year next after
the Last of august next ; and the selectmen shall agree with
sd. Wetherell for his service, and he is to be Paid in ye Pro-
duce of ye towne. Sd. Wetherell shall Keep School at but
one of the Places all sd. quarter. And sd. Wetherel Excepted
of his being Schoollmaster on sd. terms."
In looking at the record, it would seem, that, in ad-
dition to teaching the children " to Reed, Right, and
Cifer,"^ the teacher might profitably have spent his
" noonings," at least, in teaching the recorder of the
above vote how to spell ; yet, in charity to the town-
clerk, we should remember how exceedingly limited
were the educational privileges of that day.
"Jan. 6, 1723 or 4, voted that the selectmen shall Go
forthwith and agree with Othnial Cambell, of Taunton, to
COMMON SCHOOLS. 259
Keep Schooll in Norton for one quarter of a year now fol-
lowing ; and, if he cannot be had, then to Geet some other
Sutable Persone to Keep School sd. quarter of a year."
At a legal town-meeting, July 13, 1724, —
" They voted that the schoU shall be Keept ye next quarter
in that part of the towne which Goes by the name of Wine-
cunet."
"Sept. 14, 1724. — Voted to pay Mr. John Sumner, for
Keeping School, £11 — 8 — 0.
"Oct 12, 1724. — Thay made choice of William Caswell
to be our SchoUmaster, to Keep SchoU in the towne of Nor-
ton one year next Enseuing ; and that he shall have thirty-
four Pounds, in currant money of sd. Province, for his wages
to Keep scholl sd. year ; and the sd. Towne of Norton to be
at no more cost Consarning his Being Borded sd. year. Pro-
vided, allso, that he shall move in Keeping Scholl as the
Towne shall agree, and thay made choice of Mr. John
Hodges to go and agree with sd. William Caswell to Keep
scholl in ye town.
"Dec. 30, 1724. — 21y, They voted that the SchoUmaster
shall Keep Scholl, the first quarter of a year, at the house of
Eliezer fisher ; and the second quarter at the house of Left.
Nicholas White ; and the third quarter at Winecunit, or in
that Part of the town ; and the Last quarter at the meeting-
House.
"March 29, 1727. — Voted that Josiah Briggs shal be
SchoUmaster to Keep Scholl in Norton, . . . Provided he will
Keep scholl for 201b. a year, and his dyett; and that he
shall Keep Scholl, the first quarter, at ye middle of the towne ;
and the second quarter at Winecunett ; and the third quarter
on the south side of ye way which is towards Elezer fisher's ;
and the fourth quarter at Left. White's, or theyrabouts.
" Nov. 30, 1727. — Voted to pay John Briggs, ye eldist,
for dyeting of the SchoUmaster 14 weeks, at 6s. a week,
041b.— 04s.— Od.
" Sept. 20, 1731. — Voted to Samuel Vesey, for Diating
ye ScoUemaster, 2 — 05 — 0.
" Sept. 18, 1733. — Voated to Joseph Hodges, for hording
the ScoUemaster, Mr. Bacon, ye sum of 01 — 16 — 0.
" It .was voated to Joseph Hodges, for earring & fetching
sd. colemaster, ye sum of 0 — 14 — 0.
260 COMMON SCHOOLS.
^ It was voated to Dnniell Braman, for Keeping the scoll-
master fower weaks, at Eight shillind pur weake. it came to
01—12—0.
" Voated to Samuel Clap, for treating with the coUmastery
the sum of 00—03—00.
"Aug. 31, 1736. — Voated that the Selectmen shuld hire
a scoolemaster.
" Sept. 28, 1736. — Voted to Mr. Samuel Clap, the 1, for
to pay to Scoolemaster Vesey, the sum of 5 — 1—0.
[Also] '* voated, that what is wanting for sculling for this
presant year, and for the pore, is to be dran out of the present
tresury.
" May 14, 1742. — Theyr was a voate called for to Know
whether the Scoole shuld be Kept on the west sid of the teen-
mile River, in said Preesent ; and it past in the afirmative.
"Nov. 1742. — Voated to Capt. Hodges, for carying the
Scoolmaster to Cambridge, 01 — 05 — 0.
"Nov. 27, 1751. — Voted that the Selectmen agree with
Deacon John Briggs to Keep School, provided they can
agree with him on Reasonable Conditions."
He probably kept ; for, the next year, the town voted
him sixteen shillings " for bording himself when he
kept school."
" Dec. 30, 1751. — Voted to Ephraim Leonard, Esq., for
Boarding ye schoolmaster 6J weeks, and feching him from
Concord, £11 — 00 — 0, old Tenor; £1 — 9 — 4, Lawful money.
" Nov. 21, 1755. — Voted to Capt. William Stone, for
boarding of the Schoolmaster, Stephen Farrow (Farrar ?),
£2—12—0."
Mr. Farrar probably belonged to that part of Con-
cord which is now Lincoln. The same day, —
"Voted to Daniel Braman, for boarding Samuel Dean,
Jun., Schoolmaster, £2 — 08."
This was probably he who was afterwards the Rev.
Dr. Deane, of Portland, Me.
There is every reason to believe that most of the
teachers heretofore mentioned belonged to Norton.
About this time, the number of children had so far
increased as to require some other arrangement than
COMMON SCHOOLS. 261
that of moving the school from one part of the town
to another. The course that had been pursued must
have been attended with many difficulties and incon-
veniences, and hence earnestly called for a change.
Whether for good or evil, a different course of pro-
ceeding was determined upon by the town. We can
hardly expect there was entire unanimity in the mea-
sure ; but on Jan. 16, 1758, the town " voted to
Divide the school, that is to be heareafter kept in this
town, into nine quarters." The North Precinct, or
what is now Mansfield, was to have one-third of the
districts, or " Quarters," as they were then called.
A committee of three in the North Precinct, and
another of eight in the South Precinct, were appointed
to divide the town into quarters ; and were directed to
report to the said town, at the next March meeting,
where the said quarters of the school should be kept,
Ac. The committee of the South Precinct attended
to their duty, and reported March 20 ; and it was
"voted to Except of the Division of the School
Ground." The committee report as follows : —
" Firstly, we set of the center Quarter, to begin at Mr.
Ichabod Washburn's, takeing in said Washburn ; then Ran-
ging and Takeing in Mr. Noah Wiswall ; then Ranging so as
to Take in David Williams, on Medfield Rhoad; then on
medfield Rhoad, takeing in all the houses on said Rhod, In-
cluding Mr. Timothy Briggse's house ; then Runing so as
to take in Josiah vining and Timothy Smith and John HalFs
houses ; then to the Line which is Between the North and
South precint in sd. Norton ; then Runing on the precint-
Line to the line Between the north purches and the old-
township proprietors ; then on the sd. line untill it comes To
Chartly mill-pond; then on a Straight Line to whare we
first began.
" 2dly, We set of the Second Quarter Begining at make-
peace's mill; then Runing So as to take in John Patten's
bouse ; then Runing so as to Take in the widdow Barney's
house and Jonathan Clap's house, to Easton line ; then on sd.
£aston line untill it come to the line which divides the North
and South precint in said Norton ; then on said precint-line
untill it comes to the line of the Senter Quarter; then on the
line of the senter Quarter to the way that goethfvo\xi\xife^^^\A.
262 COMMON SCHOOLS.
Rhoad, near Benjamin Trow's house, to makepeace's mill^
whare we first began.
" 3dly, Then we set of a third Quarter, begining at the
senter-Quarter line, near to David Williamse's house ; then
Ranging by the way that goeth to the new Bridge ; then down
stream to Wineconet pond, and so to Extend to the Bounds
of Norton town to the Line of the second quarter, near Jona-
than Clap's house ; then on the Line of the Second Quarter
to the Line of the Senter Quarter ; and on sd. Line to whare
we began.
" 4thly, Then set of a fourth Quarter, begining at the way
near Ishabod Washburn's house ; then Ranged so as to Take
in Josiah Woodward's house, and Cornelius Tucker's house,
whare he now lives, keeping the Rhod that goeth by Samuel
Willise's house to Taunton line ; then on Taunton line to
weneconet Bridge ; Then across Weneconet pond to the new
bridge ; then on the Road that goeth to David Williamse's
house to the line of the center Quarter ; Then on said line
to the place whare we began.
" 5thly, Then we set of a fifth Quarter, begining at
Chartly mill-pond to Attleborough Line, so as to take in
the house which was Samuel Tucker's, now Thomas Morey's,
and John Braman's ; then on Norton line until it comes to
the way that goeth by Samuel Willise's, which is a bound
of the south Quarter ; then on sd. bound to the center Line ;
then on the center to the place whare we began.
" 6thly, Then we set of a sixth Quarter, on the westerly
side of the line of the center Quarter and the west of the
fifth Quarter, and to the Extent of the west so far as to take
in all the south precint in sd. Norton, called Chartley Quar-
ter.
" Dated in Norton, March second day, 1758.
"Jonathan Lincoln,
William Stone,
Benjamin Cobb,
Ebenezer Bdrt,
James Godfrey,
Jonathan Eddy,
Nathan Hodges, Jr.,
Noah Wiswall,
The committee of the North Precinct reported that
the schools in that part of the town should be kept
at the dwelling-houses of John Caswell, jun., Timothy
Welmau^ and Solomon Bates.
Committee of the
South Precinct."
COMMON SCHOOLS. 268
A new division of the school ground was mooted in
1769 ; bnt no definite action was taken.
At the annual March meeting in 1772, another at-
tempt was made to divide the school ground, but
failed. It was, however, " put to vote, whether the
centre Quarter should have one month's schooling
more than the other quarters in sd. town, & that the
sd. month's schooling be kept on the Easterly side of
Bumford River in sd. center quarter ; and it Passed
in the negative."
The exciting scenes of the Revolution soon followed ;
and, until the close of that eventful struggle, the town
paid but little attention to schools. During the con-
tinuance of the war, we are unable to find any appro-
priation for school purposes. Every cent of money
that could be spared was needed to clothe, equip, and
sustain those who battled for freedom and human
rights. Occasionally, during the war, a school was
sustained, for a few weeks at a time, by the voluntary
contributions of one neighborhood and another. But
as soon as the war closed, or as soon as there was a
prospect of peace, we find the attention of the town
again turned to the education of their cliildren, which
had been so sadly neglected during the distracted
state of the country. Within a week from the day
the treaty of peace with the mother-country was
signed, or Oct. 6, 1783, the town chose Capt. Israel
Trow, Capt. Seth Smith, Lieut. David Arnold, Samuel
Gopeland, Capt. Isaac Hodges, Lieut. Ebenezer Titus,
William Burt, Capt. Seth Grilbert, and Capt. Joseph
Hodges, " a Committee to Divide the school Ground.'*
They also " voted to raise, for the purpose of schooling,
£60." This shows that they were in earnest. The
prospect of peace revived their drooping spirits.
The meeting was adjourned once and again ; and
on Nov. 10, 1783, the committee reported in favor of
dividing the town into eight quarters, and fixing the
bounds where they have remained to the present day,
with some few slight alterations that have been made
quite recently. The report of the committee was
264 COMMON SCHOOLS.
accepted by the town, and an agent was chosen " in
each quarter to take care of their money ; " viz., —
" Ist Quarter, Silas Cobb.
2nd „ Ebn. Titus.
3rd „ David Arnold.
4th „ Isaac Hodges.
5th Quarter, John Hall.
6th „ Israel Trow.
7th „ Samuel Hunt.
8th „ Noah Clap."
In April, 1784, Eleazer Walker and others pe-
titioned for an "alteration in their school Quar-
ters."
A meeting was called to consider the matter; but
was " dissolved," without any action upon the peti-
tion.
I do not find that any school agents were chosen
in 1784. Probably those chosen in November, 1783,
continued in office till the spring of 1785 ; when the
following pei'sons were chosen, called trustees : —
"1st Quarter, Coll. Cobb.
2nd „ Ebn. Titus.
8rd „ Lieut. Arnold.
4tb „ Isaac Hodges.
5th Quarter, Timothy Briggs, Jr.
6th „ Lieut. Shepard.
7th „ Samuel Hunt.
8th „ Samuel Godfrey."
In 1786, Col. Cobb, Ephraim Lane, George Hodges,
Isaac Hodges, Seth Smith, Seth Gilbert, Samuel Hunt,
Samuel Godfrey, were chosen trustees.
In 1787, Silas Cobb, Ephraim Lane, Josiah Wood-
ward, James Hodges, Deacon Smith, Benjamin Wild,
Samuel Hunt, Eleazer Walker, were chosen trustees.
In 1788, the trustees were Col. Cobb, Nathan Perry,
Elkanah Lincoln, James Hodges, Seth Smith, jun.,
Deacon D. Dean, Samuel Hunt, Dr. Babbit, Dr. S.
Morey.
The trustees for 1789 were Col. Cobb, Nathan
Perry, Lieut. Lincoln, Jonathan Briggs, Capt. Crane,
William Burt, Dr. Samuel Morey, Elislia Cobb.
I do not find that any trustees were chosen after this
date.
March 28, 1785, it was " voted to make a new divi-
sion of school Quarters." At an adjourned meeting,
May 12, Dr. Daniel Parker, Capt. Isaac Hodges,
COMMON SCHOOLS. 265
Eleazer Clap, Deacon Daniel Dean, Tisdale Hodges,
Lieut. Ebenezer Titus, Elijah Hodges, Lieut. David
Arnold, Noah Wiswall, Nathan Perry, Edward Babbit,
Capt. David Clap, and David Lincoln, were chosen a
committee to re-divide the town into school quarters.
Adjourned once and again ; and, on Oct. 3, " voted
not to Except the report of the committee chosen to
divide the town into school Quarters." Then recon-
sidered this vote, and recommitted the whole matter
to the committee to be *' revised and corrected ; " and
adjourned to Nov. 7. It was then ''voted to except
the new division of school Quarters."
Reconsidered this vote, and dissolved the meeting.
Nov. 26, 1787, it was " voted that the iSrst school
District be divided into two Districts." This made
nine districts in town. We may as well state here as
anywhere, that on April 2, 1792, by a vote of the
town, " the centre School Quarter" was "re-united and
connected with the one formerly taken oflF."
There was an article in the warrant for a town-meet-
ing, Dec. 30, 1789, " To choose a committee to divide
the town into Districts, agreeable to a Late Law of the
Commonwealth relating to schooling." At the meet-
ing, Lieut. David Arnold, Capt. Trow, Col. Cobb,
Lieut. Nathan Babbit, Capt. Lane, Capt. Crane, Dea-
con Daniel Dean, Capt. Joseph Hodges, and Noah
Clap, were chosen a committee to divide the town into
school Districts." Hon. Horace Maiui, the first Secre-
tary of the Board of Education in Massachusetts, con-
siders the law of 1789, authorizing towns to divide
themselves into districts, as " the most unfortunate
law, on the subject of common schools, ever enacted
in the State." ^
I can find no report of this committee. They pro-
bably reported favorably to the project ; for, Feb. 14,
1790, it was voted to divide the town into nine school
districts, and " that the boundaries of the school dis-
tricts be the same as the Town now stands divided."
1 Tenth Report, p. 87.
23
266 COMMON SCHOOLS.
. These votes seem to have been reconsidered at an
adjourned meeting in April following, and the whole
matter is left in the dark. In all probability, however,
the districts remained for many years — with the ex-
ception stated on page 265 — as they were constituted
in 1783. Coming out of tlie Revolutionary war poor,
and the finances of the country being in a distracted
state, it is not wonderful that the town took no imme-
diate steps for the erection of schoolhouses. For some
years after the war, they felt compelled to have their
schools kept in private houses, as had been the previous
custom. Yet all were not content with this arrange-
ment ; and, as soon as the finances became somewhat
settled, a movement was made by John Hodges and
others "to build a number of schoolhouses in the
several Districts in town." Dec. 30, 1789, it was
^' voted that six schoolhouses should be built in sd.
.town, at their expense." Then adjourned to Jan. 11,
1790. No doubt John Hodges and his co-adjutors
went home rejoicing at the prospect of new school-
houses. No doubt their children's faces brightened,
as they heard the report of what was done at the
meeting. That night they all dreamed of being in
the new houses, having a happy time, in the pursuit
of knowledge. But they little knew what bitter dis-
appointments were in store for them. They very soon
found, that to vote to build schoolhouses was no sure
index of their speedy erection ; for at the adjourned
meeting, Jan. 11, the vote for building " six school-
houses" was reconsidered. Then some one besides
John Hodges went home rejoicing. The friends of
schoolhouses, though defeated, were not subdued. In
eighteen days, a warrant was issued calling a town-
meeting, Feb. 15, 1790, to consider the petition of
Isaac Basset and nine others, " to see if the town will
build any schoolhouses, and how many, and where to
set " them. At the meeting, it was " voted that the
selectmen preside as moderators in the several school
districts at their meetings, to prefix places to sot a
Bchoolhouse in each District ; and, where the district
COMMON SCHOOLS. 267
cannot agree, for the selectmen to establish the place
for sd. schoolhonse." Adjourned to the iSrst Monday
of April. Met at that time, and " voted not to build
any schoolhouses at the expense of the town." Thus
the whole manner was " knocked into pie " again.
In 1792, Silas Cobb and twelve others petition for
a meeting " to see if the town will consider the cir-
cumstances of the town respecting schooling, school
districts and houses ; and to vote and act on each
article as they shall think proper." The town met
May 14, chose a " tyding-man," and dissolved the
meeting.
The friends of education are not, however, dis-
couraged. They take time to arrange their plans;
and, Jan. 5, 1795, a meeting was held " to take into
consideration the petition of Seth Smith, Esq., and ten
others, for a town-meeting, to know whether the town
will agree to build a number of Schoolhouses." It
was "voted to build a number of schoolhouses at
the expense of the town ; " and Ephraim Raymond,
Samuel Godfrey, Daniel Parker, John Crane, Seth
Smith, Esq., Ebenezer Titus, David Arnold, Daniel
Knap, and Zebulon White, were chosen a committee
to report a plan to the town where the said houses
shall stand. Also " voted for the town to find fire-
wood for the several schools for the futer ; " aud then
adjourned to Jan. 12. Thus, again, the friends of
schooUiouses triumphed. But their time of rejoicing
was short ; for at the meeting, Jan. 12, the votes for
" building schoolhouses " and " finding firewood "
were reconsidered, and the above committee " excused
from any further service." Two years go by ; when
William Verry and nine others want schoolhouses
built, and ask for a town-meeting to consider the mat-
ter. The town assembled Jan. 16, 1797, and voted
" to raise a sum of money for the purpose of building
a number of schoolhouses ; " and chose a committee,
consisting of Daniel Parker, Silas Cobb, Ephraim Ray-
mond, William Burt, John Crane, Ephraim Lane, jun.,
David Arnold, and Zebulon White, " to determine how
268 COMMON SCHOOLS.
many are necessary, and where they should be set, and
the probable expense ; " and they were instructed to
report at an adjourned meeting in March, when it was
" voted not to except the report of the committee for
building schoolhouses." Prom these facts, it will be
seen, that, " in days of auld lang syne," there was no
certainty of the erection of schoolhouses, even after
they had been voted up by the town. I iSnd no fur-
ther attempt on the part of the town to build houses
for the several districts.
Feb. 28, 1800, the General Court passed a law
authorizing school districts to raise money to build
schoolhouses for themselves ; and also requiring the
clerks of the several school districts to be sworn to
the faithful discharge of their duty. They were to
keep a record of the doings at the district-meetings.
I have been unable to find any school-district records
that date *back farther than about the year 1817 ; so
that we are obliged in most cases to rely upon indi-
vidual testimony as to when the first schoolhouses
were built in town.
There was no schoolhouse in No. 1, or the Centre
District, till 1817. Tliis was built by Zebulou White,
and cost something more than two hundred dollars.
It stood between where the present house stands and
the road. For some years the school was kept, says
Deacon Lane, in an old dwelling-house which stood on
the easterly side of the road, nearly opposite to the
house now occupied by the writer of these pages,
between the house of H. H. Wetherell and the " Par-
sonage House" so called, now owned by L. M. Whea-
ton, Esq. After the Freemason Lodge was established
in town, the room under their hall was used for some
years for school purposes, till the district erected a
house for themselves in 1817. This house stood till
1847, when it was torn down, and incorporated into
the new house built that year ; which is still occupied
for school purposes, and stands a few feet farther back
from the road than the first house. An attempt was
made, in the spring of 1856, to build a house more in
COMMON SCHOOLS. 269
accordance with the wants of the present age ; but, we
are sorry to record, the attempt failed. The house
was repaired and painted during the year 1858.
In No. 2, the first schoolhouse was erected by the
late Judge George Leonard, at his own expense ; and
it is thought by some to have been the first house
erected in town. It stood for some years about
twenty-five or thirty rods easterly of Wading River,
on the southerly side of the road, between Judge
Leonard's house and the house now occupied and
owned by Stillman A. Wetherell. Some trouble arose
between Judge Leonard and the district relative to
the house, and the judge caused it to be removed ;
and it now forms a part of the L of the above-men-
tioned Wetherell's house. Jan. 12, 1819, a tax of
two hundred and two dollars and seventy cents was
assessed upon the district ; and, probably in the spring
of that year, the frame of a house was erected in the
corner of Judge Leonard's lot, nearly opposite to
where William Lane now lives. There was some
misunderstanding relative to the land, between the
owner and the district ; and the frame was soon re-
moved to where it now stands. It is supposed, how-
ever, not to have been so far completed as to be
occupied as a schoolroom till 1821. It is now (1858)
the only one remaining in town of those old-fashioned
square-built houses ; with gallery-seats on two sides
of the building, witli a sort of broad aisle through
the centre between them, — at one end of which is
the desk, and at the other the door ; with the stove
in the centre of the room ; serving to illustrate,
especially in the winter season, the five different
zones ; also latitude and longitude, and various other
geographical matters.
We wish it could be daguerreotyped, outside and
inside, for the benefit of futin^e generations ; for
probably the spirit of the age will soon cause its
downfall.
The first schoolhouse in No. 3 was erected for the
district by George Hodges, in 1801, within a few feet
23»
270 COMMON SCHOOLS.
of where the present house stands. It was rough and
unique in many respects. It had but one aisle, and
two rows of long benches upon either side ; a desk in
one corner; a dark-closet for the girls' bonnets; a huge
fireplace, with a cumbrous chimney. Dec. 30, 1800, a
tax of one hundred and eighty dollars and nineteen
cents was assessed for building this house. It stood
till 1837, when it was removed a few rods westerly of
R. H. Hall's house, and converted into a dwelling-
house, and a new and more convenient building built
on the same spot in its stead. Henry Gilmore, of Rayn-
ham, taught the first school in this new house, in the
winter of 1837-8. The present house was erected
late in the autumn of 1854. The first school kept in
it commenced Jan. 22, 1855. The teachers were Miss
Maria J. Newcomb, of Taunton ; and Miss Louisa C.
Dean, of Easton. This house, with its appurtenances,
cost something more than two thousand dollars.
The first house in No. 4 was erected for the district
by Joseph Hodges, in 1801, and probably cost a little
less than two hundred dollars ; for, on the 24th of
December, a tax of one hundred and ninety dollars
was assessed upon the district for building it. This
house stood at first a few rods northerly, and on the
opposite side of the road, from where Benjamin Rich-
mond now lives. In 1838, it was removed to the four
corners, on the other side of Mr. Richmond's house,
and nearly fifty dollars expended in repairs. It was
occupied for school purposes till 1853 ; when the new
house was erected, at an expense, including land, &c.,
of about eleven hundred dollars. It was dedicated
with appropriate services to the purposes for which it
was erected, on Monday, Oct. 17, 1853. Mr. Daniel
Leach, of Roxbury, Agent of the Board of Education,
was the orator of the day. Some account of the early
history of schools in Norton, and especially in the
4th District, was read by Rev. G. P. Clark. Short
addresses were made by Rev. S. P. Snow and others ;
and the following song, written by Hodges Reed, Esq.,
of Taunton, once a teacher in the district, was sung : —
COMMON SCHOOLS. 271
THE SONG OF THE OLD FOLKS IN THE NEW SCHOOL-
HOUSE.
" Things ain*t now as they used to be "
A hundred years ago,
When schools were kept in private rooms,
Above stairs or below ;
When sturdv boys and rosy girls
Romped through the drifted snow.
And spelled their duty and their abs,
A hundred years ago.
Those old schoolrooms were dark and cold
When Winter's sun ran low,
But darker was the master's frown,
A hundred years ago :
And high hung up the birchen rod.
That all the school might see;
Which taught the boys obedience,
As well as " Rule of Three."
Though 'twas but little that they learned
A hundred years ago.
Yet what they got they ne'er let slip;
'Twas well whipped'in, you know.
But now the times are greatly changed:
The rod has had its day;
The boys are won by gentle words,
The girls by love obey.
The schoolhouse now a palace is;
The scholars, kings and queens ;
They master Algebra and Greek
Before they reach their teens.
Where once was crying. Music sweet
Her soothing influence sheds ;
Ferules are used for beating time.
And not for beating heads.
Yes, Learning was a ragged boy,
A hundred years ago :
With six weeks' schooling in a year.
What could the urchin do ?
But now he is a full-grown man.
And boasts attainments rare :
He's got his silver slippers on.
And running everywhere.
The house was well filled, and the audience seemed
much pleased with the exercises. The first school in
this house commenced Oct. 25, 1853 ; and was taught
by Miss Amelia D. Blanding, of Rehoboth.
Prom the town-records, it appears that a schoolhouse
was standing August, 1799, in the 5th District, near
272 COMMON SCHOOLS.
where Mr. Seth Smith now (1858) resides. Most
probably, this house was built before the one in No. 2
by Judge Leonard. Rev. I. Braman (already referred
to), speaking of the schools in his boyhood, says, " In
Norton, there was but one schoolhouse. That was in
the east part of the town, a short distance south of
Dr. Parker's." Of course, this must be the house in
No. 5 ; for Dr. Parker lived where Benjamin Blandin
(lately deceased) resided, — a near neighbor of Seth
Smith.
This house in No. 5, says Deacon Stillman Smith,
— who went to school in it, — " was a square build-
ing, with a four-sided cap roof, with the chimney
standing in one corner." He says, " It was moved in
1802 to near where the schoolhouse now stands." It
remained there about a year unfinished, and then
another house was built for the district by Joseph
Hunt.i
It stood a few rods northerly from where the present
house is located. Fifteen or twenty years since, it
was moved nearly on to the site of the present house ;
and was there burned on the night of March 14, 1854.
The present house was erected the same year, at a cost
of six hundred dollars ; and the first school was taught
in it by Miss Maria J. Newcomb, commencing Oct. 16,
1854.
It is thought that a schoolhouse was erected in
No. 6 in 1799 or 1800. It was moved back from the
road, an addition made to it, thoroughly repaired,
and modernized to some extent, in 1843. It is still
used for school purposes, though much changed for
the better, both in its interior and exterior appearance,
from what it originally was.
In 1801, a schooUiouse was built in No. 7. The
tax of a hundred and thirty-eight dollars and ninety-
six cents for building it was made Jan. 12, 1801. It
1 We think the old house was moved in 1801, or earlier; for, Nov. 28,
1801, the district voted to raise a tax of a hundred and sixtv dollars, —
which was made by the assessors, Oct. 9, 1802, — no doubt to build
a new house.
COHMON SCHOOLS. 278
stood till December, 1854; when it was torn down, and
incorporated into the new house, erected January,
1855, — which stands a few feet farther from the road,
directly back of where the old house stood. It cost a
little less than six hundred dollars. The first school
in it commenced Feb. 26, 1855; and was taught by
Edwin Goss, of Sterling.
The old Iiouse in No. 8 is believed to have been
erected previous to 1800 : I know not the exact year.
It stood a few rods westerly, on the opposite side of
the road, from where the present house stands. The
new house was erected in the summer of 1853. The
first school in it was taught by Miss Sarah B. Hitch-
cock, who commenced the summer term of the school
for that year in the old house, and closed it in tlie new
Sept. 16, — having occupied it about one month.
The division of the school-money among the several
districts, so that every child in town shall receive as
nearly as possible an equal amount of schooling, is a
very important matter.
Various methods of apportioning the money have
been adopted by the town from time to time. Whether
any of them is the best that could have been devised,
is a question for the consideration of the friends of
equal school rights and privileges. It is, no doubt,
a diflScult matter, where some of the districts have a
large number of scholars and others but very few, to
so divide the money tliat each scliolar shall have the
same amount and quality of schooling. No general
rule will bear equally upon all.
In the warrant for a town-meeting, March 19, 1764,
there was an article —
" To vote (if they see) that the people of the Respective
Quarters whare the schools in sd. town have been usually
Keept shall draw out of the Treasury of sd. town Their pro-
portionable part of the money Raised in sd. town, to be used
by them towards keeping a school in sd. Respective Quarters,
as they shall think propper."
We do not find any action upon this matter.
274 COMMON SCHOOLS.
At the March meeting in 1767, it was " voted that
the town will divide the money to Each school Quarter
according to the Rates each school Quarter pays;"
and Dr. Gideon TiflFany, Isaac Hodges, John Crane,
George Leonard, jun., Nathan Babbit, Benjamin Cope-
land, Dr. Jonathan Pratt, Elijah Hodges, and Col.
Ephraim Leonard, were chosen a committee to appor-
tion the money in accordance with the above vote,
and to report at an adjourned meeting. At the ad-
journment, the above vote was reconsidered ; and it
was decreed that each of the quarters '' draw the 9tli
part of the money voted by the town for the school."
In May, 1768, it was voted that each of the quarters
" draw the money that they pay towards the support
of the school, according to the tax-bill ; " and a commit-
tee of three in each quarter was appointed to attend to
the matter. Then it was " voted, that, while the money
is expending in any quarter of the town, every person
hath a Right to send their children to the sd. school."
Oct. 6, 1783, the town " voted that each school
ground, after a new Division, shall draw their part
of the money raised for schooling, in order to hire a
schoolmaster." This vote is somewhat ambiguous.
It was probably intended that each district, or quarter,
should draw as much money as was assessed on the
polls and estates of that district; which, of course,
would not be very just, unless the valuation of the
several districts was the same, or nearly so. Yet this
division was, no doubt, satisfactory to a majority of
the town ; for we find no vote in reference to a divi-
sion of the school money after this, till May 12, 1806,
when it w^s "voted that each scliool quarter shall
draw money for schooling, according to the number
of scholars from 4 years to 18, and the scholars to be
confined to their own quarters." This was, no doubt,
deemed an innovation, a subversion of justice, and
therefore not to be tolerated. Hence, on the first
day of the following September, it was "voted to
reconsider the vote about schooling, and to have it
staud as it was the last year." But we find no vote
COMMON SCHOOLS. 275
relative to a division of the money in 1805. Tliere is
but little doubt that the division " tlie last year " was
in accordance with the vote of October, 1783. Another
attempt at change was made May 11, 1807. It was
then " voted that the school money sliall be divided
according to the number of children, from four years
old to twenty, in each quarter." Again the conserva-
tives rally; and, July 20 of the same year, it was
" voted that our school money should be divided as it
was the last year."
Thus, in all probability, the old system of appor-
tioning the money prevailed till May 12, 1817, when
the town voted " that each school district shall draw
money according to the number of scholars it contains,
from the age of four years to twenty-one." One man
in each district was chosen to number the scholars.
This plan was not long satisfactory, as will be seen
by the following action, taken Nov. 2, 1818 : " Voted
that the money raised for schooling be equally divided
among the several school districts." In accordance
with this vote, the money was divided till April 5,
1847, when the present method of apportioning the
money was adopted ; which is to divide one-half of
the amount raised by the town for schooling equally
among the districts, and the other half- according to
the number of scholars in the district. The money
received from the State School Fund is divided equally
among the several districts. By the law of June 25,
1789, it was made the duty of the ministers of the
gospel, and the selectmen of the several towns, or
"other persons" who should be "specially chosen"
for that purpose, to visit and inspect the schools in
their respective towns " once in every six months at
least," to inquire into the regulation and discipline
thereof, and the proficiency of the school, &c. ; giving
reasonable notice of their intended visitation. And it
was also made their duty " to use their best endeavors
that the youth of their respective towns do regularly
attend school."
I cannot find any choice of " other persons," nor
276 COMMON SCHOOLS.
any action of the town relative to the matter, till
May 12, 1817, when the town chose " a committee/'
consisting of Earl P. White, William Verry, and Lu-
ther Lincoln, " to inspect the schools with the select-
men at the opening and closing of the same." There
is no evidence to show that a similar committee was
rechosen. March 4, 1826, an Act was passed by the
General Court, requiring towns to choose a School
Committee, of not less than five persons, to '' have the
general charge and superintendence of all the public
schools in their respective towns." This committee
were required to visit the schools during the first
week, and on some day within two weeks of the close ;
and one or more of them to visit all the schools in
town once a month, without giving notice of their
visit. The committee were to make a report, to the
Secretary of the Commonwealth, of various matters
relating to public instruction, similar to what is now
required. This law marks a new era in the develop-
ment of our common-school system ;^ and, as might
have been expected, met with a strong opposition from
a portion of the inhabitants, and from some towns in
their corporate capacity. It found opponents in Nor-
ton, as will immediately appear.
April 3, 1826, there was a town-meeting for the
purpose of choosing " a school committee to make out
a return, to the Secretary of this Commonwealth, of the
amount of money expended for the support of schools,
the number of scholars, the time of keeping the
schools," &c.
This meeting was adjourned to May 1. Then met,
and " voted to dismiss the above warrant, and to have
nothing more to do with it." The end of the matter
was not yet ; for, in ten days, John Gilbert and others
knock at the door of the selectmen's office with a peti-
tion for a town-meeting " to choose a school committee
agreeably to a late law of this commonwealth." The
meeting was held May 18, and it was " voted to choose
a committee consisting of eight persons." Accord-
ingly, one was chosen from each school district. Their
COMMON SCHOOLS. 277
names may be seen further on, heading the list of the
School Committee. Within a week after they were
chosen, Elkanah Wood and others petition the select-
men for a town-meeting " to see if the town will dis-
miss the school committee chosen the present month
from any further duties." The town met to act upon
the matter, May 31 ; chose a moderator, and dissolved
the meeting.
Thus the attempt to "crush out" the School Com-
mittee most signally failed. Yet, from that day to
this, they have never been regarded with any special
favor by a minority of the legal voters. But, from
1826 to the present time, a School Committee has been
annually chosen, with the exception of the year 1829.
Whether chosen or not that year, is uncertain. No
record of such a choice is made on the town-books.
The town-clerk for that year thinks none were chosen.
The opposition to them was so strong, that he thinks
the election of them was, by general consent, permitted
to go by default.
The committee chosen in 1826 made a report to the
town, through the chairman. Rev. Pitt Clarke; for,
April 2, 1827, the town " voted to accept the report of
the school committee." A copy of this report is now
on file in the town-clerk's office. The law of 1826,
establishing the office of School Committee, did not,
however, require them to report to their respective
towns, but to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
For more than ten years thereafter, we find no allu-
sion on the town-books to a report of the School Com-
mittee ; and probably none was made.
By an Act of the Legislature, passed April 13, 1838,
School Committees were required annually to " make
a detailed report of the condition of the several Public
Schools in their respective towns ; " which report was
either to " be read in open town-meeting," or to " be
printed and distributed for the use of the inhabi-
tants," &c. In obedience to this law, the committee
chosen in 1838 made a report to the town at the April
meeting in 1839. It was written and read by Rev. A.
24
278 COMMON SCHOOLS.
M. Bridge. It is believed that a regular report of the
committee has been yearly made to the town since
that time.
At a town-meeting, March 9, 1846, it was " ordered,
that 500 copies of the Report of the School committee
be printed and distributed for the use of the town ; "
and from that time to the present, with the exception
of 1847, it has been annually printed and distributed
through the town ; and has thus, no doubt, been pro-
ductive of much good.
The following is a list of the School Committee of
Norton, from 1826 to 1857 inclusive: —
1826. Rev. Pitt Clarke, Willmm Wetherell, John Hall, 2d,
Simeon Blandin, Ephraim Raymond, John Crane,
Calvin Lincoln, John Arnold, jun.
1827. Rev. Pitt Clarke, Laban Wheaton, Ephraim Ray-
mond.
1828. Rev. Pitt Clarke, E. P. White, Laban Wheaton.
1829. Probably none chosen.
1830. Rev. Pitt Clarke, Thomas Braman, Eddy Lincoln.
1831. Rev. Pitt Clarke, Thomas Braman, jun., John Crane.
1832. Rev. Pitt Clarke, John Crane, Thomas Braman, jun.
1833. Rev. Pitt Clarke, Thomas Braman, Thomas Copeland.
1834. Rev. Pitt Clarke, Thomas Braman, Thomas Copeland.
1835. Dr. Richard F. Sweet, Eddy Lincoln, Cromwell Leo-
nard.
1836. Rev. A. M. Bridge, Rev. C. W. Allen, R. F. Sweet.
1837. Rev. Asarelah M. Bridge, Rev. Cyrus W. Allen, R.
F. Sweet.
1838. Rev. A. M. Bridge, Rev. C. W. Allen, R. F. Sweet.
1839. Eddy Lincoln, George B. Crane, Zebulon P. White.
1840. Rev. A. M. Bridge, Rev. C. W. Allen, Rev. Nathan
Chapman.
1841. Rev. C. W. Allen, Rev. William P Tilden, Almond
Tucker.
1842. Rev. William P. Tilden, Almond Tucker, Rodolphus
IL Williams.
.1843. Rev. William P. Tilden, Almond Tucker, R. H. Wil-
liams.
1844. Rev. William P. Tilden, R. H. Williams, Rev. Samuel
J. Carr.
1845. R. H. Williams, J. Calvin Crane, Almond Tucker.
MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY. 279
1846. R. H. Williams, J. C. Crane, A. Tucker.
1847. R. H. Williams, A. Tucker, Rev. Amorj Gale.
1848. Rev. William Barrows, J. C. Crane, Augustus Lane.
1849. Rev. Frederic Hinckley, Charles W. Hodges, Augus-
tus Lane.
1 850. Rev. F. Hinckley, A. Lane, C. W. Hodges.
1851. Rev. William Read, Rev. S. P. Snow, J. C. Crane.
1852. Ji^mes B. Lincoln, Dr. Benjamin M. Round, Benjamin
E. Sweet.
1853. Rev. George F. Clark, Rev. Franklin Holmes, Dr.
Benjamin M. Round.
1854. Rev. G. F. Clark, Rev. F. Holmes, R. H. Williams.
1855. Chnstopher Comstock, A. A. Lincoln, jun., Thomas T.
Rock wood.
1856. Rev. George F. Clark, Rev. John A. Gibson, Benja-
min E. Sweet,
1857. Eddy Lincoln, Benjamin E. Sweet, R. Henry Hall.
CHAPTER XX.
MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.
** Are yoa good men and true? " — Shakbpxaki.
It is believed that most of the town-meetings, from the
organization of the town till the Town House was built
in 1843, were held in the " Publick Meeting-house,"
either in the South or North Precinct, but principally
at the former place.
The first warrant for a town-meeting, that we find
recorded on the town-books, is dated " February ye 20
day, Annoque Domini 1718-19;" and the meeting-
house was tlie place where the voters were to as-
semble.
Occasionally, the meetings were adjourned to a
private dwelling-house, probably on account of the
inclemency of the weather, — the meeting-house hav-
ing no means of warming it.
280 MT7NICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBY.
By the loss of the records from 1711 to 1715, we are
unable to give the names of all the prominent town-
o£5cers for those years. Prom various papers and
sources, we have learned the names of ,a few of the
o£5cers before the commencement of the records now
extant ; and, in cases where there is some doubt, we
insert a question-mark (?).
The names of the town-clerks for 1711 and 1712, 1
. find attached to marriage certificates ; the treasurer's
name for 1711, in a constable's warrant ; those of the
selectmen for 1711, on the town-records, in connection
with a return of a highway ; those of two of the se-
lectmen in 1712, on a deed, given to them by George
Leonard, of some land on which the meeting-house
stood ; those of 1713, on the North-Purchase Records,
pp. 38 and 39 ; those of 1714, on the town-records at-
tached to a return of highway.
The annual meetings for the choice of town-officers,
from 1712 to 1858, have been held in March. The
. meetings for the choice of Governor, from the adop-
tion of the Constitution in 1780, were held in April,
till the year 1831, when the Constitution was amended
so that the election should take place in November.
The meetings to choose representative to General
Court were usually held in May, till the year 1831.
Since then, they have been held on the day of the
Governor's election.
We now lay before our readers the names of the
moderators of the annual March meetings, the town-
clerks, treasurers, representatives, selectmen, assessors,
tithing-men, and wardens, for each year from 1711 to
1857. We give the titles attached to the names as we
find them on the records ; and it will be understood
that a portion of these officers, previous to 1770, be-
longed to the North Precinct, now Mansfield.
HDHICIFAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBT.
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MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY. 287
SELECTMEN.
1711. George Leonard, John Wetherell, Thomas Stephens.
1712. George Leonard (?), Samuel Brintnell, Nicholas
White.
1713. George Leonard (?), John Hodges, Thomas Stephens.
1714. George Leonard (?), Nicholas White, John Hodges.
1715. John Wetherell, John Briggs, John Skinner.
1716. George Leonard,* Nicholas White, John Hodges.
1717. John Hodges, John Wetherell, John Skinner.
1718. John Hodges, sen., John Wetherell, sen., John Skin-
ner. " East End," Thomas Randall, John Phillips.
1719. John Wetherell, John Hodges, John Skinner.
1720. John Hodges, John Wetherell, John Briggs, grand
senior. " East End," John Phillips, Josiah Keith.
1721. John Briggs, grand senior, Benjamin Williams, John
Smith, grand senior. " East End," John Phillips,
Edward Howard.
1722. Nicholas White, Thomas Skinner, Benjamin Williams.
1723. Lieut. Nicholas White, Thomas Skinner, Benjamin
Williams.
1724. Nicholas White, Samuel Hodges, Benjamin Williams.
1725.^ George Leonard, Samuel Hodges,* Ephraim Grover.
1726. Capt. Samuel Brintnell, John Briggs, 2d, Richard
Briggs.
1727. George Leonard, Nicholas White, Eleazar Fisher.
1728. George Leonard, Lieut. Nicholas White, Thomas
Skinner, sen.
1729. George Leonard, Esq., Lieut. Nicholas White, Ensign
Joseph Hodges.
1730. Lieut. Nicholas White, Benjamin Williams, Joseph
Hodges.
1731. John Briggs, 2d, Benjamin Williams, William Stone.
1732. John Wetherell, 1st, Benjamin Williams, Samuel
Clap.
1 Sept. 16, John Skinner was chosen selectman in place (?) of George
Leonara, deceased.
2 At the annual meeting, March 1, of this year, " Thayer was a vote
caled for, for those that ware for three Selectmen to Go into the Wimin's
Galery, and those that ware for five Selectmen to Go into men*s Galery;
and tfeare ware most in the Wimin's Galery." The moderator of the meet-
ing undoubtedly wanted only three selectmen chosen; for he must have
known instinctively that the largest number of men would have been
found on the " wimin's " side of the house.
9 May 14, 1725, Benjamin Williams was chosen selectman *Md the
Boome of Samuel Hodges, deceased."
288 MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBT.
1733. Epbraim Leonard, Joseph Hodges, Samuel Clap.
1734. £phraim Leonard, Joseph Hodges, Benjamin Wil-
liams, Mr. Samuel Clap, John Hodges.
1735. Samuel Clap, William Stone, Benjamin Williams.
1736. George Leonard, Esq., William Stone, Benjamin
Williams.
1737. Ephraim Leohard, Esq., John Hodges, Simeon Weth-
erell.
1738. Col. George Leonard, Simeon Wethefell, Deacon
Nicholas White.
1739. John Hodges, John Gilbert, Josiah Pratt.
1740. George Leonard, Esq., John Gilbert, Josiah Pratt.
1741. George Leonard, Ephraim Leonard, Joseph Hodges,
John Gilbert, Josiah Pratt.
1742. George Leonard, Joseph Hodges, John Gilbert.
1743. George Leonard, Esq., Ephraim Leonard, Esq., Wil-
liam Dean.
1744. Capt Simeon Wetherell, Lieut. Josiah Pratt, Lieut
William Stone.
1745. Capt. Simeon Wetherell, William Stone, Benjamin
Williams, William Dean, John Andrews.
1746. Capt. Simeon Wetherell, Capt. William Stone, Capt
William Dean.
1747. Capt Simeon Wetherell, William Dean, William
Stone.
1748. Capt. William Stone, Capt Simeon Wetherell, Capt.
William Dean.
1749. Capt, Simeon Wetherell, Capt William Stone, Capt.
William Dean.
1750. Capt. William Stone, Capt. Simeon Wetherell, Capt
William Dean.
1751. George Leonard, Ephraim Leonard, Nathan Hodges.
1752. George Leonard, Esq., Nathan Hodges, Joseph El-
liot^
1753. Hon. George Leonard, Esq., Ephraim Leonard, Esq.,
George Leonard, jun.
1754. Hon. George Leonard, Esq., Ephraim Leonard, Esq.,
George Leonard, jun., Esq.
1755. Ephraim Leonard, Esq., Lieut. Thomas Morey, Tho-
mas Shepard, Lieut. Benjamin Pratt, Lieut. Ben-
jamin Cobb.
^ Thomas Fillebrown was chosen May 11, 1752, in the place of Joseph
Elliot, deceased.
MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBT. 289
1756. Lieut. Thomas Morej, Lieut. Benjamin Cobb, Mr.
Thomas Shepard, Mr. Isaac White, Mr. Nathan
Williams.
1757. Thomas Morey, Benjamin Cobb, Ebenezer Burt.
1758. Lieut Thomas Morey, Lieut. Benjamin Cobb, Mr.
Ebenezer Burt.
1759. Capt. Thomas Morey, Capt. Benjamin Cobb, Mr.
Ebenezer Burt
1760.. Capt. Thomas Morej, Capt. Benjamin Cobb, Lieut
Benjamin Pratt
1761. George Leonard, jun., Esq., Mr. Thomas Shepard,
Mr. Isaac White.
1762. George Leonard, jun., Esq., Capt. William Dean,
Capt. Jonathan Eddy.
1763. George Leonard, jun., Esq., Mr. Daniel Leonard, Mr.
William Cobb, Ebenezer Burt, 1st, Dr. George
Wheaton.
1764. Lieut William Cobb, Dr. George Wheaton, George
Leonard, jun., Esq.
1765. Mr. William Cobb, Dr. George Wheaton, Mr. Isaac
Hodges.
1766. Lieut William Cobb, Dr. George Wheaton, Mr. Isaac
Hodges.
1767. Lieut William Cobb, Dr. George Wheaton, Mr. Isaac
Hodges.
1768. Lieut William Cobb, Dr. George Wheaton, Mr. Isaac
Hodges.
1769. Lieut William Cobb, Dr. George Wheaton, Mr. Isaac
Hodges.
1770. George Leonard, jun., Esq., Dr. George Wheaton,*
Mr. Nathan Babbit.
1771. Hon. George Leonard, jun., Esq., Mr. John Crane,
Mr. Nathan Babbit
1772. Hon. George Leonard, jun., Esq., Mr. Nathan Bab-
bit, Mr. John Crane.
1773. Capt William Homes, Capt. John Crane, Mr. Sam-
uel Newcomb.
1774. William Homes, Samuel Newcomb, Isaac Hodges.
1775. Capt. William Homes, Mr. Isaac Hodges, Mr. Eleazar
Clap.
1 May 23, 1770, John Crane was chosen selectman in the place of George
Wheaton, who lived in that part of Norton, which, a few days before, had
been erected into the District of Mansfield.
25
290 MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBT.
1776. William Homes, Mr. Isaac Hodges, Mr. Eleazar Clap.
1777. William Homes, Mr. Daniel Dean, Mr. Eleazar Clap.
1778. William Homes, Esq., Lieut. William Cobb, Mr.
Daniel Dean.
1779. Lieut. William Cobb, William Homes, Esq., Deacon
Daniel Dean.
1780. Lieut. William Cobb, William Homes, Esq., Deacon
Daniel Dean.
1781. William Homes, Esq., Lieut. William Cobb, Deacon
Daniel Dean.
1782. Capt. Seth Smith, Capt. Israel Trow, Deacon Daniel
Dean.
1783. Capt. Seth Smith, Capt. Israel Trow, Lieut David
Arnold.
1784. Capt. Israel Trow, Capt. Seth Smith, Lieut David
Arnold.
1785. Capt Seth Smith, Capt John Crane, Col. Silas Cobb.
1786. Capt John Crane, Capt. Isaac Hodges, Lieut David
Arnold.
1787. Capt John Crane, Capt Isaac Hodges, Lieut. David
Arnold.
1788. Capt John Crane, Lieut. David Arnold, Lieut. Jacob
Shepard.
11789. Capt John Crane, Capt Ephraim Lane, Lieut. Jacob
Shepard.
1790. Capt. tJohn Crane, Capt Ephraim Lane, Jacob Shep-
ard.
1791. Capt John Crane, Capt. Ephraim Lane, jun., Lieut'
Jacob Shepard.
hL792. Capt. John Crane, Capt. Ephraim Lane, jun., Capt
David Clap.
1793. Capt. Ephraim Lane, Capt Israel Trow, Capt David
Clap.
1794. Capt. Day id Clap, Ephraim Lane, Capt Tisdale
Hodges.
1795. Capt David Clap, Capt Tisdale Hodges, Isaac
Hodges, jun.
* 1796. Deacon Daniel Dean, Tisdale Hodges, Isaac Hodges,
jun.
1797. Capt Tisdale Hodges, Isaac Hodges, jun., Elisha
Cobb.
1798. Isaac Hodges, jun., Elisha Cobb, David Lincoln, jun.
1799. Capt Tisdale Hodges, Isaac Hodges, jun., Lieut
EUsha Cobb.
MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBT. 291
1800. Isaac Hodges, jun., Lieut. John Hall, Capt. Tisdale
Hodges.
1801. Isaac Hodges, jun., Lieut. John Hall, William Burt.*
1802. William Burt, Lieut. John Hodges, Major Brian Hall.
1803. William Burt, Samuel Hunt, Jonathan Hodges.
1804. William Burt, Capt. Jonathan Hodges, Capt. Samuel
Hunt.
1805. Capt. Samuel Hunt, Capt. Jonathan Hodges, Major
Brian Hall.
1806. Capt. Jonathan Hodges, Laban Wheaton, Esq., Capt.
Samuel Hunt.
1807. Laban Wheaton, Esq., Capt. Samuel Hunt, Major
Brian Hall.
1808. Laban Wheaton, Brian Hall, Samuel Hunt.
1809. Isaac Hodges, Major Brian Hall, Capt. Samuel Hunt.
1810. Brian Hall, Isaac Hodges, Samuel Hunt.
1811. Isaac Hodges, Samuel Hunt, Samuel Copeland.
1812. Samuel Copeland, Isaac Hodges, Samuel Hunt.
1813. Isaac Hodges, Samuel Copeland, Samuel Hunt.
1814. Isaac Hodges, Seth Hodges, Jonathan Newland.
1815. Isaac Hodges, Lysander Makepeace, Daniel Lane.
1816. Isaac Hodges, Lysander Makepeace, Seth Hodges.
1817. Isaac Hodges, Seth Hodges, Lysander Makepeace.
1818. Seth Hodges, Lysander Makepeace, Daniel Lane.
1819. Seth Hodges, Daniel Lane, Lemuel Arnold.
1820. Daniel Lane, Seth Hodges, Lemuel Arnold.
1821. Lemuel Arnold, Lemuel Perry, Jacob Shepard.
1822. Lemuel Arnold, Lemuel Perry, Jacob Shepard.
1823. Lemuel Perry, Jacob Shepard, Thomas Braman.
1824. Lemuel Perry, Lemuel Arnold, Jacob Shepard.
1825. Lemuel Perry, Jacob Shepard, Daniel Patten.
1826. Lemuel Perry, Jacob Shepard, Daniel Patten.
1827. Lemuel Perry, Daniel Patten, Oliver Hunt.
1828. Oliver Hunt, Williams Hodges, Calvin Lane.
1829. Sylvester Newcomb, Cromwell Leonard, Jacob Shep-
ard.
1830. Sylvester Newcomb, Cromwell Leonard, Jacob Shep- ,
ard.
1831. Cromwell Leonard, Sylvester Newcomb, William
Lane, jun.
1832. Cromwell Leonard, Sylvester Newcomb, William
Lane, jun.
1833. Cromwell Leonard, Sylvester Newcomb, William
Lane, jun.
I
292 MUNICIPAL AND OFFIGIAI4 HISTOBT.
1834. Cromwell Leonard, Sjlvester Newoomby William
Lane, jun.
1835. Cromwell Leonard, Simeon Blandin, Seth Hodges.
1836. Seth Hodges, Cromwell Leonard, Simeon Blandin.
1837. Cromwell Leonard, Simeon Blandin, Leonard Hodges,
jun.
1838. Leonard Hodges, jun., Hennary Newcomb, Richard
F. Sweet. *
1839. Hennary Newcomb, Daniel Briggs, Leonard Hodges,
jun.
1840. George B. Crane, Jacob Shepard, Earl Hodges.
1841. George B. Crane, Jacob Shepard, Earl Hodges.
1842. George B. Crane, Jacob Shepard, Earl Hodges.
1843. George B. Crane, Jacob Shepard, Almbnd Tucker.
1844. Almond Tucker, Rodolphus H. Williams, Hiram J.
Hunt
1845. Hiram J. Hunt, Eddy Lincoln, Cyrus White.
1846. George B. Crane, Almond Tucker, Cyrus Whitei
1847. Seth Sumner, jun., George B. Crane, Almond Tucker.
1848. George B. Crane, Seth Sunmer, jun., David Arnold.
1849. George B. Crane, Seth Sumner, jun., David Arnold.
1850. Greorge B. Crane, Seth Sumner, jun., David Arnold.
1851. Daniel S. Cobb, Eli Wood, Benjamin S. HalL
1852. Daniel S. Cobb, Eli Wood, Benjamin S. HalL
1853. Daniel S. Cobb, Charles H. Briggs, John B. New-
comb.
1854. Earl C. White, Elkanah Wheeler, Augustus Lane.
1855. Ebenezer Tinkham, Royal P. Hodges, Hiram H.
Wetherell.
1856. Augustus Lane, James O. Messinger, James Allen.
1857. Augustus Lane, James O. Messinger, James Allen.
ASSESSORS.
We cannot ascertain that any assessors were chosen
as such for several years after the incorporation of the
town. The first allusion to them on the town-records
was at the annual meeting, March 2, 1719, when the
town " made chois of [the persons whose names are
given below] to be assesors."
Thenceforward they were annually chosen, for a
hundred and nineteen years. In 1839, it was voted
not to choose assessors. Since, they have been chosen
MUNICIPAL AND OFnaAL HISTORY. 293
only two or three years ; but the selectmen have per-
formed their duties.
1719. John Hodges, John Wetherell, John Skinner.
1720. John Skinner, Samuel Hodges, John Briggs, sen.
" East Precinct," Josiah Keith, John Daley, Timo-
thy Cooper.
1721. John Andrews, Jonathan Lincoln, Eleazar Eddy.
1722. JoAathan Lincoln, John Andrews, Eleazar Eddy.
1723. Jonathan Lincoln, Joseph Hodges, John Andrews.
1724. Eleazar Eddy, Joseph Hodges, Nathan Hodges.
1725. Joseph Hodges, Nathan Hodges, William Stone.
1726. Eleazar Eddy, Simeon Wetherell, Jeremiah Newland.
1727. Joseph Hodges, Simeon Wetherell, Jeremiah New-
land.
1728. John Briggs, 2d, John Skinner, Jeremiah Newland.
1729. John Briggs, 2d, John Skinner, Jeremiah Newland.
1730. Ephraim Leonard, Simeon Wetherell, Nathan Hodges.
1731. John Wetherell, sen., John Skinner, sen., Ephraim
Leonard.
1732. John Briggs, 2d, John Skinner, Ephraim Leonard.
1733. John Briggs, 2d, William Dean, John Andrews.
1734. William Dean, Benjamin Cobb, John Briggs, 2d.
1 735. Benjamin Williams, Jonathan Lincoln, Benjamin Cobb.
1736. John Andrews, Jonathan Lincoln, Benjamin Cobb.
1737. John Andrews, William Dean, Benjamin Cobb.
1738. Benjamin Cobb, William Dean, Nathan Hodges.
1739. John Andrews, Nathan Hodges, William Dean.
1740. William Dean, Benjamin Cobb, Simeon Wetherell.
1741. Benjamin Cobb, William Dean, Simeon Wetherell.
1742. John Andrews, David WiUiams, Benjamin Lane.
1743. Lieut. Benjamin Cobb, Ensign William Dean, Jona-
than Lawrence.
1744. Jonathan Lawrence, Benjamin Cobb, Benjamin Pratt.
1745. Lieut. Benjamin Cobb, Benjamin Pratt, David Wil-
liams.
1746. Benjamin Cobb, David Williams, Benjamin Pratt
1747. Lieut. Benjamin Cobb, Benjamin Pratt, David Wil-
liams.
1748. Lieut. Benjamin Cobb, Benjamin Pratt, David Wil-
liams.
1749. Benjamin Cobb, David Williams, Benjamin Pratt.-
1750. Benjamin Cobb, David Williams, Benjamin Pratt.
25»
294 MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.
1751. Thomas Fillebrown, David Williams, John Fisher.
1752. Thomas Morey, Isaac White, David Williams.
1753. George Leonard, jun., David Williams, Jonathan New-
comb.
1754. Thomas Morey, David Williams, Jonathan Newcomb.
1755. Major George Leonard, Joseph Hodges, Isaac White.
1756. Lieut. Benjamin Cobb, Lieut. Thomas Morej, David
Williams.
1757. Isaac White, Seth Gilbert, David Williams.
1758. Benjamin Cobb, Isaac White, David Williattns.
1759. Capt Benjamin Cobb, Mr. Isaac White, Seth Gilbert.
1760. Capt. Thomas Morej, Lieut. Benjamin Pratt, Isaac
Hodges.
1761. Major Thomas Morey, Lieut. Benjamin Pratt, Mr.
Isaac Hodges.
1762. David WilHams, WiUiam Cobb, Isaac White.
1763. George Leonard, jun., Esq., Lieut Isaac White, Mr.
John Crane.
1764. Brian Hall, Seth Gilbert, George Wheaton.
1765. Mr. Daniel Leonard, Mr. Noah Wiswell, Mr. John
King.
1766. Dr. Gideon Tiffany, Mr. Elkanah Lincoln, Mr. Daniel
Leonard.
1767. Ephraim Hodges, Isaac Dean, Seth Williams.
1768. George Leonard, jun., Esq., David Williams, Dr.
George Wheaton.
1769. John Crane, Dr. George WTieaton, Seth Gilbert.
1770. John Crane, John King, Benjamin Williams.^
1771. Mr. John Crane, Mr. Record FrankUn, Mr. Silas
Cobb.
1772. John Patten, Record Franklin, John King.
1773. David Clap, Capt. William Homes, John King.
1774. Isaac Hodges, John Patten, John King.
1775. Lieut. Nathan Babbit, Mr. Noah Wiswall, Mr. Isaac
Hodges.
1776. John King, Mr. John Patten, Mr. Record Franklin.
1777. Capt. Silas Cobb,^ Mr. John Patten, Lieut Brian
HaU.
1 May 23, 1770, Seth Williams was chosen assessor in the place (?) of
Benjamin Williams, who lived in that part of Norton that had recently been
erected into the District of Mansfield.
2 Nov. 17, 1777, Capt. Seth Gilbert was chosen assessor in the place of
Capt. Silas Cobb, who was absent in the army.
MXmiaPAL AND OFFICIAL HIST0B7. 295
1778. WiUiam Homes, Esq., Lieut William Cobb, Mr.
Daniel Dean.
1779. Lieut William Cobb, William Homes, Esq., Deacon
Daniel Dean.
1780. Capt Israel Trow, Capt. Seth Smith, Capt Isaac
Hodges.
1781. George Leonard, Esq., Capt Israel Trow, Silas Cobb.
1782. George Leonard, Esq., Silas Cobb, Capt Israel Trow.
1783. Silas Cobb, Capt Israel Trow, Capt David Clap.
1784. Cfept Silas Cobb, Capt Israel Trow, Capt David Clap.
1785. Capt John Crane, Mr. William Burt, Capt. Isaac
Hodges.
1786. Capt. John Crane, Capt Isaac Hodges, Joseph Hunt
1787. Joseph Hunt, Capt John Crane, Capt Isaac Hodges.
1788. Josiah Woodward, Joseph Hunt, Eleazar Walker.
1789. William Burt, Lieut. Seth Smith, jun., Joshua Pond.
1790. William Burt, Lieut Seth Smith, Joshua Pond.
1791. Joshua Pond, Capt David Clap, Capt Israel Trow.
1792. Capt David Clap, Lieut EUsha Cobb, Joseph Hunt,
Isaac Hodges, jun., Joshua Pond.
1793. Capt. David Clap, Elisha Cobb, Joshua Pond.
1794. Elisha Cobb, Joshua Pond, Isaac Hodges, jun.
1795. Brig. Silas Cobb, Elisha Cobb, Brian Hall.
1796. Noah Clap, Elisha Cobb, Brian Hall.
1797. Noah Clap, Brian Hall, Joshua Pond.
1798. Joshua Pond, Noah Clap, Brian Hall.
1799. Timothy Briggs, jun., William Burt, Capt Jonathan
Hodges.
1800. Major Brian Hall, Lieut John Hall, Capt Jonathan
Hodges.
1801. ' Capt Jonathan Hodges, Major Brian Hall, Lieut.
Elisha Cobb, Lieut. Rufus Hodges, Lieut. Samuel
Hunt
1802. Major Brian Hall, Lieut. Elisha Cobb, Capt. Samuel
Hunt.
1803. Brian Hall, Samuel Hunt, David Arnold.
1804. Major Brian Hall, Capt. Samuel Hunt, John Arnold.
1805. Major Brian Hall, Capt. Samuel Hunt, John Arnold.
1806. John Arnold, William Verry, Brian Hall.
1807. Major Brian Hall, Lieut William Verry, Lieut. John
Hall.
1808. Brian Hall, William Verry, Samuel Hunt
1809. Brian Hall, William Verry, Samuel Hunt
296 MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.
1810. Brian Hall, Samuel Hunt, William Verry.
1811. Brian Hall, Samuel Hunt, William Veny.
1812. Brian Hall, William Verry, Samuel Hunt.
1813. Brian Hall, Isaac Hodges, Samuel Hunt
1814. Seth Hodges, Daniel Smith, Jonathan Newland.
1815. Brian Hall, Isaac Hodges, Samuel Hunt
1816. Brian Hall, Isaac Hodges, Samuel Hunt
1817. Isaac Hodges, Seth Hodges, Samuel Hunt.
1818. Isaac Hodges, Seth Hodges, Daniel Patten.
1819. Isaac Hodges, Seth Hodges, Lemuel Perry.
1820. Isaac Hodges, Seth Hodges, Lemuel Perry.
1821. Isaac Hodges, Lemuel Perry, Seth Hodges.
1822. Daniel Lane, Richard Newcomb, Williams Hodges.
1823. Daniel Lane, Williams Hodges, Richard Newcomb.
1824. Williams Hodges, Daniel Shepard, George Walker.
1825. Williams Hodges, Daniel Shepard, George Walker.
1826. Jacob Shepard, Daniel Lane, John L. Munro, jun.
1827. Jacob Shepard, John L. Munro, jun., Elkanah Wood.
1828. John L. Munro, jun., Daniel Lane, Williams Hodges.
*1829. Sylvester Newcomb, Cromwell Leonard, Jacob Shep-
ard.
1830. Sylvester Newcomb, Cromwell Leonard, Jacob Shep-
ard.
1831. Williams Hodges, Hennary Newcomb, Daniel Briggs,
jun.
1832. William Lane, jun., Sylvester Newcomb, Cromwell
Leonard.
1833. Cromwell Leonard, Sylvester Newcomb, William
Lane, jun.
1834. Cromwell Leonard, Sylvester Newcomb, William
Lane, jun.
1835. Cromwell Leonard, Simeon Blandin, Seth Hodges.
1836. Seth Hodges, Cromwell Leonard, Simeon Blandin.
1837. Cromwell Leonard, Simeon Blandin, Leonard Hodges,
jun.
1838. Leonard Hodges, jun., Hennary Newcomb, Richard
F. Sweet
TITHING-MEN AND WARDENS.
As early as 1679, in the Colony of the Massachu-
setts Bay,* it was ordered that tithing-men should be
1 See Records, vol. v. p. 240.
MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBT. 297
annually chosen in the towns ^^ of their most prudent
& discreet inhabitants/' to inspect all licensed or un-
licensed houses, "where they shall haue notice, or
haue ground to suspect, that any person or persons
doe spend their tjme or estates, by night or by day, in
tipling, gaming, or otheruise vnproffitably ; or doe sell,
by retayle, strong drincke, wine, ale, cidar, rumn,
brandey, perry, matheglin, & without license." All
such disorderly houses they were requested to search ;
and if any of these liquors were found therein, and
the owners could not give " satisfactory account of their
having the same," either with or without warrant,
they were empowered to seize said liquors and carry
them off, and to institute legal proceedings against
the parties on whose premises the liquors were found.
The tithing-men were also requested " to inspect the
manners of all disorderly persons ; " and to present
to some magistrate " the names of all single persons
that live from under family government, stubborne
and disorderly children and servants, night-walkers,
typlers, Saboath-breakers, by night or by day, and such
as absent themselves from the publicke worship of
God on the Lord's dayes ; " and all persons whose
conduct tended " to debauchery, irreligion, prophaness,
& atheisme."
The tithing-men's badge of office was " a black
Staff, of two foot long, tipt at one End with Brass
about three Inches ; to be provided by the selectmen,
at the Charge of the Town."
Sept. 8, 1741, there was " voted to Jonathan Leo-
nard, for 2 tithing-men's Staves, XOO— 02."
In 1760, an Act passed to prevent " The Propha-
nation of the Lord's day;" which required that
from two to six persons, " of good substance, and of
sober Life and conversation," called wardens, should
be chosen annually, whose duty it was to see that the
sabbath was duly observed in all public-houses and
elsewhere; and to examine all persons suspected of
unnecessary travelling on Sunday, &c.
They were probably called wardens, from the fact
298 MUNiaPAL AND OFFICIAL HI8T0BT.
that Boston was required to choose one from each
ward in the town. The penalty for not choosing them
in each town was fifty pounds. Their badge of oflSce
was a ''white wand, not less than seven Feet in
length." It will be seen that their duties were simi-
lar to those of the tithing-men. For a year or two
after the Act requiring wardens to be chosen was
passed, no tithing-men were chosen in Norton. Sub-
sequently, a portion of the time, both tithing-men and
wardens were chosen. We here transcribe the names
of the " prudent & discreet " persons, and those " of
sober Life and Conversation," who have been chosen
tithing-men and wardens : those of the latter we put
in Italics. The town voted not to choose tithing-meu
in 1839. Subsequently, none have been chosen, we
believe, with the exception of the year 1850, when
Eli. C. Wood was elected.
1716. John Austin, Richard Briggs, (Clement Briggs).*
1717. Seth Dorman, Isaac Shepard, (Thomas Randall).
1718. William Wetherell, sen., John Smith, jun., Thomas
Grover, (Ephraim Manuel).
1719. Ephraim Lane, Joshua Lincoln, (William Manley).
1720. John Newland, Peter Aldrich, (Israel Randall).
1721. Ebenezer Burt, Samuel Clap, (Benjamin Drake).
1722. John Briggs, sen., Richard Briggs.
1723. John Briggs, sen., Richard Briggs, (Benjamin Drake).
1724. John Briggs, sen., Seth Dorman, Thomas Manley.
1725. John Briggs, sen., Joseph Pitee, Israel Randall.
1726. Joseph Gray, Joseph Godfrey, Ephraim Lane.
1727. John Briggs, 2d, Richard Briggs.
1728. Ebenezer Eddy, John Briggs, 1st, Joseph Pitee.
1729. Samuel Clap, Josiah Pratt, Joseph Gray.
1730. Thomas Skinner, sen., John Wild, William Codington.
.1731. Josiah Atherton, James Leonard, Benjamin Seele.
1732. John Harvey, John Newland, 2d, Isaac Welman.
1733. Benjamin Cobb, Solomon Skinner, John Austin, jun.,
William Haradon:
1 Tho^e names enclosed in parentheses were for the East Precinct, now
Easton.
MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBT. 299
1734. John Andrews, Ephraim Dunham, William Bassett,
Jonathan Pratt
1735. Stephen Blanchard, Joseph Gray, John Cobb, John
Barney.
1786. Ebenezer Welman, Benjamin Seele*
1737. Isaac Welman, Ebenezer Burt.
1738. William Paine, Thomas Shepard.
1739. William Paine, Samuel Phillips.
1740. Samuel Clap, Ebenezer Brintnell.
1741. George Allen, John Wetherell, 3d.
1742. Gideon Bassett, Benjamin Copeland.
1743. James Briggs, Samuel Titus.
1744. John King, Joseph Elliot.
1745. Ephraim Lane, 2d, Eliphalet Hodges, Stephen Blan*
chard.
1746. Benjamin Hews, Nicholas White, Timothy Briggs.
1747. Stephen Blanchard, Jonathan Burt, Uriah Leonard.
1748. John Fisher, Seth Smith, Nathaniel Brintnell.
1749. John Briggs, 2d, WUliam Codington, Thomas Fille-
brown, Ephraim Lane.
1750. William Codington, Joseph Elliot, Gideon Bassett,
Joseph Hodges.
1751. Seth Smith, Samuel Elliot.
1752. Thomas Fillebrown.
1753. Seth Smith, Thomas Fillebrown.
1754. Nathaniel Fisher, Joseph Newland.
1755. Ebenezer Grover, Natban Williams, Sylvanus Bra-
man, Paul Cook, Timothy Briggs.
1756. John Fisher, Benjamin Newcomb, James Grover.
1757. William Paine, jun., Jonathan Knap.
1758. Joshua Atherton, Ephraim Hodges.
1759. Phineas Grover, William Newcomb.
1760. John Briggs, Deacon Samuel Dean, Capt William
Dean, James J'illebrown.
1761. Benjamin Pearson, John Briggs^ Benjamin White,
William Paine, 2cL
1762. Jonathan Burt, Sylvanus Braman, Mr. Nathan Wil-
liams,
1763. Israel Woodward, Job White,
1 7 64. Meletiah Washburn, Samuel Fillebrown, Ahijah Fisher^
Gershom GamheU, Nathan Williams,
1765. David Arnold, William Paine, 2d, John White, 1st,
William Basset, jun*
800 MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBT.
1766. Timothy Briggs, John White, 2d, John WethereOy jun^
George Briggs^ Elijah Dean,
1767. Ebenezer BrintneUy CapL Jonathan HodgeSy William
CamhelL
1768. Meletiah Washburn, Timothy Smith, Samuel Fille-
brown, David Arnold^ William Carpenter^ jun^
James FiUehrown,
1769. Dr. Gideon Tiffany, Thomas Grover, Record Franklin^
David Amoldy Benjamin Day^ Eleazer Williams.
1770. Stephen Pond, John Patten.
1771. Isaac Williams, Meletiah Washburn, John Eddy, Sam-
uel Hunt,
1772. Seth Williams, James Gilbert, Silas Cobb.
1773. John Patten, Josiah Woodward.
1774. Samuel Hunt, Silas Cobb.
nib. William Makepeace, Hezekiah WtUard.
1776. Daniel Knap, Joseph Burt.
1777. Meletiah Washburn, Simeon Briggs.
1778. Joseph Burt, Noah Woodward.
1779. Meletiah Washburn, Timothy Briggs.
1780. Capt. Silas Cobb, Capt. Israel Trow.
1781. Elkanah Lincoln, jr., Nathan Babbit, Nathaniel Prior.
1782. James Hodges, Elijah Danforth.
1783. Seth Smith, jun., Tisdale Hodges,
1784. Abiathar Shaw, Benjamin Braman,
1785. Nathaniel Freeman, Elisha Cobb,
1786. William Verry, Isaac Bassett,
1787. Nathan Perry, Jonathan Briggs,
1788. Samuel Copeland, Thomas Braman.
1789. Timothy Briggs, Benjamin Wild, Benjamin Blandin,
Benjamin Puffer,
1790. Benjamin Wild, William Morey, Isaac Hodges, Daniel
Phillips,
1791. Jonathan Clap, 2d, Samuel Hunt, John Gilbert, WU-
Ham Makepeace,
1792. Thomas Braman, Isaac Bassett.
1793. Elisha Cobb, Thomas Braman.
1794. Daniel Briggs, Nathan Perry.
1795. Capt Titus, Isaac Burt
1796. Jonathan Leonard, Asa Copeland.
1797. Ichabod Perry, Benjamin Puffer.
1798. Daniel Lane, Luther Lincoln.
1799. Ephraim Raymond, Benjamin Horton.
HUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL BISTORT. 801
1800w Lieut Abiel Lincoln, Ljsander Makepeace.
1801. Thomas Leonard, Daniel Bassett*
1802. Josiah Hodges, jun., Araunah Smith.
1808. Daniel Basset^ Daniel Lane.
1804. Zopher Skinner, Asa Knowles.
1805. Thomas Braman, jun., David Hodges.
1806. Josiah Hunt, Capt Daniel Knapp.
1807. Capt. Thomas Danforth, Daniel Knapp, David Make-
peace, Benjamin King.
1808. Seth Babbit, Jonathan Clapp.
1809. No record of choice.
1810. Abiel Lincoln, Nathaniel Stone, jun.
1811. No record of choice.
1812. Abiel Lincoln, David Makepeace, Daniel Bassett
1818. Greorge Gilbert, Zopher Skinner.
1814. David Makepeace, Timothy Briggs.
1815. Daniel Smith, Jonathan Newland.
1816. Lysander Makepeace, John Dean, Daniel Shepard.
1817. Abiel Lincoln, Nathaniel Stone, jun., Thomas Braman,
Zopher Skinner.
1818. Terrel Cobb, William Burt, John Hall, jun., Abiel
Lincoln.
1819. David Woodward, Zopher Skinner.
1820. Zopher Skinner, Bartholomew Burt
1821. Simeon Briggs, David Field, David Makepeace.
1822. Joseph Hill, Capt. Thomas Braman, Cromwell Leo-
nard, Sjlvanus Braman.
1828. Joseph Hill, Asa Danforth, Cromwell Leonard.
1824. William Lane, Joseph Hill, David Makepeace.
1825. Cromwell Leonard, Ephraim Allen, Ba^holomew Burt,
Joseph Snow.
1826. Josiah Harvey.
1827. Asa Adams.
1828. Isaac Woodward.
1829. Deacon Asa Copeland.
1830. Laban M. Wheaton.
1831. No record of choice.
1832. Richard F. Sweet
1838. Laban M. Wheaton.
1834. Leavit Bates.
1835. Leavit Bates.
1836. Asa P. Holmes.
1887. Leavit Bates.
26
302 MUNICIPAL AND OFHCIAL HISTORY.
CORONERS.
Most of the facts relating to coroners and deputy-
sherifiFs, 1 have taken from the " Massachusetts State
Register," commencing in 1784. From another source,
I find that Isaac Hodges was coroner in 1757 ; and,
without doubt, was in oflBce till 1792 or 93. Isaac
Hodges, jun., was coroner from 1794 to 1825 ; Lemuel
Perry, 1816 to 1818 ; Cromwell Leonard, from 1819 to
1821, and from 1888 to the present time.
DEPUTY-SHERIFFS.
Benjamin Williams was deputy-sheriflF in 1767.
How long he held the oflBce, we know not. Ephraim
Burr is believed to have been sheriff from some years
previous to 1784, up to 1803 ; Isaac Morey, from 1791
^ to 1796 ; Thomas Fobes, from 1794 to 1796 ; William
" Verry, most of the time from 1800 to 1815 ; George
Gilbert, from 1803 to 1805 ; Ebenezer Titus, from 1803
\ to 1808 ; Preston Hodge«, fix)m 1818 to 1821 ; Daniel
; Smith, 2d, from 1822 to 1824; George Clapp, from
1822 to 1824 ; Daniel Morey, in 1825 ; Timothy Smith,
from 1826 to 1834 ; Horace B. Wetherell, from 1835
to 1850 ; Austin Messinger, from 1851 to 1853, and
again in 1856. Cyril S. Sweet was appointed in 1858,
and is now in office.
jrSTICES OF THE PEACE,
Those marked (*) were afterwards justices of the
peace and quorum. Those marked (f) have been
justices tliroughout the Commonwealth.
Names. Appointed.
George Leonard , . • J«ne 5, 1713.
George Leonard* , . Mar. 4, 1723.
Ephraim Leonard* 1737.
Geo. Leonard, jr.*t • J«iu 2Si, 1754.
Thomas More}' . , . Feb. 4, 1762.
George Wheaton . . Feb. -3, 1774.
William Homes . . . Aug, 29, 1776.
Samuel Money* , , . Jaiu 9, 1789.
Names. Appointed.
Laban Wheaton* . . Aug. 6, 1789.
Seth Smith, jun. . . May 10, 1791.
Samuel Morey, jun. . Jan. 11, 1792.
Ephraim Ravinond* . Feb. 11, 1801.
Sila^ Cobb .' Before 1804.1
William Burt .... Mar. 6, 1808.
Brian Hall .lune 21, 1809.
Thos. Danforth, 2d . May 16, 1810.
1 We cannot find the date of his appointment. His commission was
renewed in 1€09, For some years previous to 1800, he was doubtless
eX'Ojfficio justice, in cousequence of his being high in military office.
KDNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBT.
803
NunM. Appointed.
George Gilbert . . . Feb. 21, 1811.
John Hall Feb. 22, 1811.
Daniel Parker .... Oct. 26, 1812.
Isaac Hodges .... Feb. 2, 1816.
Joseph Hodires .... Jan. 7, 1825.
Laban M. Wheatonf Jan. 26, 1828.
Lemuel Perry .... Feb. 1, 1828.
Jacob Shepard* . . . Feb. 19, 1829.
Cromwell Leonard* . Dec. 11, 1680.
George Clapp .... May 81, 1833.
John Crane Jan. 8, 1841.
NamM.
Daniel S. Cobb . .
Hennary Newcomb
Eddy Lincoln . . .
Leonard Hodges .
George B. Crane .
Earl Hodges April 2, 1861.
John Arnold Aug. 6, 1868.
Zeno Kellv Jan. 27, 1866.
Royal P. Hodges . . Mar. 24, 1866.
L. O. Makepeace . . Aug. 29, 1866.
Thos. T. Rockwood . Feb. 26, 1868.
App<rintad.
Feb. 28, 1848.
Feb. 28, 1848.
Mar. 24, 1848.
April 16, 1860.
Mar. 26, 1861.
STATE SENATORS.
Hon. Abraham White was chosen senator in 1787,
and again in 1788. He is believed to have been the
son of Thomas Wliite, of Taunton ; and tradition says
he was descended from Peregrine White, the first
English child born at Plymouth. He was a some-
what eccentric man, and could not read or write;
but was possessed of much native talent, practical-
good sense, and sound judgment. He was much
employed in public life, where energy, and deci-
sion of character, were needed. Numerous anecdotes
are related of him, all of which illustrate his ready
wit, keen satire, and ability to meet any emergency
that arose. He lived at the easterly part of the town,
a short distance below where Isaac Woodward now
lives. He married, first, a daughter of John Holmes,
of Taunton, by whom he had a son ; who, with his
mother, died young. For second wife, Mr. White
married Hannah, daughter of Edward White, of
Easton ; and had by her eight children. He died
Feb. 20, 1801, in his eighty-fifth year; so that he
must have been born in 1717.
Hon. George Leonard was chosen senator in 1793,
and served one year only. (For notice of him, see
Collegiate History.)
Hon. Seth Smith, Jun., was chosen senator in 1797,
and held the ofiice but one year. He was the son of
Deacon Seth Smith (already mentioned) by his first
wife, Sarah Cobb, 2d; and was born Oct. 1, 1756.
He married, March 16, 1780, Rachel Newcomb ; and
had three children. He was much employed in public
/
804 HUNICIPAL AND OFFiaAL HISTOBT.
business ; was town-clerk many years ; also represen-
tative to the General Court. He kept a store in the
centre of the town a few years. He left Norton
about 1799, and went to New-York City, where he
is believed to have died some thirty or forty years
ago.
Hon. Cromwell Leonard was chosen senator for
the year 1848, and rechosen for the year 1849. He
is the son of Jonathan Leonard by his second wife, —
Rebecca Smith, 2d ; and was born Dec. 1, 1788. He
is the grandson of Jacob and Mary (Wild) Leonard ;
and is descended from the Taunton Leonards, who
came from Pontypool, Wales (see p. 85). Mr. Leo-
nard married, June 15, 1815, Miss Belinda Cope-
land, of Mansfield. They had four children. She
died Aug. 25, 1848. He married for second wife,
• June 20, 1849, Miss Harriet Morse, of East Cam-
bridge, daughter of the late Dr. Caleb Morse, of
Moultonborough, N.H. Mr. Leonard has enjoyed
the confidence of his fellow-citizens in an eminent
degree ; having served the town many years as mode-
rator of town-meetings, selectman, assessor, repre-
sentative to the General Court, and other positions of
trust and respectability.
Hon. John Crane was chosen seuator for the year
1852. He is the son of Terry and Rebecca (Harvey)
Crane, grandson of John and Rachel (Terry) Crane ;
and was born Jan. 11, 1799. He married, March 28,
1825, Miss Sally Harvey, of Taunton ; and has had
two children. Mr. Crane has ever been very popular
with his townsmen. He held the office of town-clerk
and treasurer for thirty successive years ; which is nine
years longer than any other person has continued in
either office in town. When chosen for the thirtieth
time, in 1857, he declined a re-election. He has repre-
sented the town in the General Court, wholly or in
part, ten years.
COUNCILLORS.
Hon. George Leonard was a royal councillor twenty-
five successive years ; commencing his term of service
iol
I .
I
; \ . :
J .. .. ■
V '■
. I :
= y ■< ■'
' • I
Hon. George Leonard was a royal councillor iweniy-
five successive years ; commencing his term of service
'fyHrmu'^My ■^^A^'^
MUNiaPAL AND OFFiaAL HISTORY. 805
in 1741, and closing in 1766. He was the son of
Major George and Anna (Tisdale) Leonard (whom
we have noticed among the early settlers, p. 85), and
was the first male child born in the westerly part of
Norton. His advent into the world took place March 4,
1698. He was the second justice of the peace in
town ; was town-clerk many years ; and also other-
wise much employed in public afiFairs, as selectman,
assessor, moderator of town-meetings, representative to
the General Court, &c. He was also much engaged in
the military afiFairs of this neighborhood, having risen
from a subordinate officer to the command of the regi-
ment ; and is generally known as " Colonel George
Leonard." He was appointed Judge of the Court of
Common Pleas in 1725, and held the office till 1730.
He was re-appointed to the same office in 1733, and
held it till 1740, when he was dismissed for having
been connected with the Land-Bank scheme. He was
again appointed to the bench in 1746, and continued
in office till about the commencement of the Revolu-
tion. A portion of the time he was on the bench, he
was Chief-Justice of the Court.^ He was appointed
Judge of Probate for Bristol County, Feb. 16, 1747 ;
and held the office about thirty-one years. Tradition
has universally given him a character above reproach,
and represented him to be a man of much practical
wisdom and of sterling worth ; and the fact that he
was almost constantly in public office, from the age of
twenty-one to the close of fourscore years, serves to
strengthen this idea. Rev. Pitt Clarke says, "He
appears to have been distinguished for his urbanity,
practical piety, and active benevolence. The praise of
his many good deeds, in the church and through the
county, has long been identified with Norton, and
will be co-extensive with the history of this place.'*
He married, in 1721, Miss Rachel Clap, of Scituate;
and they had four children. He died Dec. 4, 1778,
in the eighty-first year of his age. His wife died
1 Judicial History of Massachusetts, by Hon. Emory Washburn, p. 869.
26*
806 HUNIGIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBT.
April 28, 1788, in her eighty-second year. His pic-
ture we have placed as the frontispiece of this book.
Hon. George Leonard, Jun., was councillor from
1770 to 1776. He was the son of Col. Leonard, just
mentioned. (See Collegiate History.)
Hon. Laban M. Wheaton held the office of coun-
cillor two years; viz., 1867 and 1868. (See Colle-
giate History.).
JUDGES OF COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
Hon. George Leonard was appointed to this office,
Dec. 10, 1715; and was on the bench only a few
months, when he died. (See early settlers, p. 85.)
Hon. George Leonard, son of the above, was judge
most of the time from 1725 to 1775. (See council-
lors.)
Hon. Ephraim Leonard was appointed judge in
1747, and was in office till about the commencement
of the Revolution. He was a brother of George Leo-
nard, last named ; and was born Jan. 16, 1705-6. He
settled in the North Precinct of Norton, now called
East Mansfield. He was a man of great energy, and
decision of character, and was much employed in
town-affitirs; and held the office of colonel in the
militia during the old French and Indian war, and is
generally known as " Colonel Ephraim Leonard."
He married, first, Judith Perkins, of Norwich, Conn.,
May 28, 1739 ; and they had one son, Daniel. She
died Sept. 4, 1740. His second wife was Meletiah,
who " had been ye wife of Jonathan Ware, Esqr.,
and of Benjamin Ware, M.D., of Wrentham." ^ Her
maiden name was Fisher ; and she died Oct. 3, 1758.
His third wife was Mrs. Abigail (King) Williams,
married March 18, 1760. '' She had been the wife of
Mr. John Williams," ^ of Easton. She died July 27,
1771 ; and was buried beside her first husband, at
Easton, near the late Daniel Wheaton's estate. His
fourth wife was Anna, who " had been the wife of Mr.
1 Gravestone.
MUNICIPAL AND OPFiaAL fflSTOBY. 807
Elisha Woodwarth, and also of ye Revd. Mr. Timothy
Euggles,"! of Rochester. She died Oct. 7, 1782.
He died May 2, 1786 ; and, with three of his wives,
lies buried in a grove, about half a mile easterly from
his former residence at East Mansfield. But his own,
and the gravestones of his wives, lying flat on the
ground, are nearly covered up with the earth and
leaves.
Hon. George Leonard was appointed Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas, July 1, 1785. In 1798, he
was Chief-Justice of the Court, and was on the bench
as late as 1804. (See Collegiate History.)
Hon. Laban Wheaton was appointed Chief-Justice
of the Court of Common Pleas, May 18, 1810 ; but, it
is believed, did not hold the office long. (See Col-
legiate History.)
JUDGES OF PROBATE.
Hon. George Leonard was commissioned Judge of
Probate, Feb. 16, 1747 ; and held the office till his
death in 1778. (See councillors.)
Hon. George Leonard, son of the above, was ap-
pointed to this office, June 7, 1784 ; and held it
several years.
judge op court op sessions.
Hon. Laban Wheaton was appointed Judge of this
Court, May 25, 1819; but, the following year, the
court was abolished.
register op probate.
Hon. George Leonard, Jun., was commissioned re-
gister, April 18, 1749 ; and held the office till 1783.
representatives in congress.
Hon. George Leonard was chosen, in 1788, a mem-
ber of the first Congress of the United States. He
1 Gravestone.
308
MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.
failed of an election to the second, but was a member
of the third and fourth Congresses.
Hon. Laban Whbaton was representative eight
years, — from March 4, 1809, to March 4, 1817.
We here present to our readers the votes for Gover-
nor for each year, from the adoption of the State
Constitution to 1857. The name first recorded under
the year was the Governor for that year, either elected
by the people or by the Legislature. Tliose who failed
of a popular election, but were subsequently chosen
by the General Court, we have designated by a (*).
Votes.
Votof.
1780.
1789.
John Hancock . .
. 72
John Hancock . . .
71
James Bowdoin . .
. 2
Scattering ....
4
1781.
1790.
John Hancock . .
. 54
John Hancock . . .
56
James Bowdoin . . .
8
1782.
John Hancock . .
. 21
1791.
John Hancock . . .
77
1783.
John Hancock . .
. 41
1792.
John Hancock . . .
71
1784.
Samael Phillips, jan. .
10
James Bowdoin . .
. 33
1. f nm
John Hancock ► .
. 3
1793.
John Hancock . . .
61
1785.
James Bowdoin* .
. 8
1794.
Thomas Cashing .
. 25
Samael Adams . . .
52*
Nathaniel Gorham .
1
William Cashing . ,
14
1786.
David Cobb ....
10
James Bowdoin . .
. 7
1795.
John Hancock . .
. 29
Samael Adams . . ^
47
Thomas Cashing .
. 2
1796.
1787.
Samuel Adams . . .
52
John Hancock . .
. 104
Increase Sumner . .
18
James Bowdoin . .
. 8
1797.
1788.
Increase Sumner . .
18
.Tnlin Hancock .
. 52
IVIoses Oill ....
55
Elbridge Gerry . .
• \^ mm
. 39
^^•M.\J\y\^%j V.^ AAA • • • •
James Sullivan . . .
31
KUNIdPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBT.
809
Totes.
TotM.
1798.
George Walker . .
1
Increase Sumner •
. 58
Moees Gill • • .
. 19
1809.
1799.
Christopher Gore •
. 108
Levi Lincoln
. 127
Increase Snmner •
WilUam Heath . .
^ ^x ^^ y^
. 33
. 91
Scattering . . •
1810.
. 8
1800.
Caleb Strong . •
. 42
Elbridge Gerry . .
Christopher ' Gore .
. 149
. 107
Elbridge Gerry. .
. 85
David Cobb . . .
. 1
1801.
Caleb Strong . .
Elbridge Gerry . .
. 81
. 73
1811.
Elbridge Gerry . .
Christopher Gore .
. 125
. 104
1802.
William Grey . . .
1
Caleb Strong . .
. 38
1812.
Elbridge Gerry . .
Edward H. Bobbins
. 83
1
Jk \^ ^b flSV
Caleb Strong . •
Elbridge Gerry . .
. 189
. 124
1803.
1813.
Caleb Strong . .
. 81
Caleb Strong . .
. 146
Elbridge Gerry . .
. 63
Joseph B. Vamum .
. 108
1804.
1814.
Caleb Strong . .
. 64
Caleb Strong . .
. 137
James Sullivan . .
. 93
Samuel Dexter . .
. 128
William Heath . .
. 1
1815.
r
1805.
Caleb Strong . .
. 141
Caleb Strong . .
. 71
Samuel Dexter . .
. 122
James Sullivan . .
. 89
Scattering . . .
. 2
1806.
1816.
Caleb Strong . .
. 86
John Brooks . . .
. 121
James Sullivan . .
. 69
Samuel Dexter . .
. 112
John Sullivan . .
. 1
Scattering . . .
8
1807.
1817.
Caleb Strong . .
. 123
John Brooks . . •
. 104
James Sullivan . .
. 118
Henry Dearborn .
. 81
Scattering . . .
. 3
1818.
1808.
John Brooks . . .
. 119
James Sullivan . .
. 90
B. W. Crowningshield . 87
Christopher Gore .
. 120
Thomas Kittridge .
1
810
MUNICIPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBT.
TotM.
•
TotM.
1819.
1828.
John Brooks • • .
. 133
Levi Lincoln
. . 56
B. W. CrowningshieU
1. 103
Marcus Morton •
. . 5
WilUam Phillips .
. 1
Emerson Briggs
. . 1
1820.
1829.
John Brooks . . .
. 103
Levi Lincoln
. • 81
William Eustis • .
. 74
William Baylies
. . 84
1821.
John Brooks . . •
•
Marcus Morton .
. . 27
. 115
Scattering . •
. . 8
William Eustis . .
. 65
1830.
m ^\ ^^/^
Levi Lincoln
. . 18
1822.
Marcus Morton •
. . 66
William Eustis • .
. 63
William Baylies
Scattering . .
1831.
. . 14
John Brooks. . »
William Phillips .
. 90
. 2
. . 8
1823.
Levi Lincoln
. . 77
William Eustis . •
. 105
Marcus Morton •
• . 41
Harrison G. Otis .
. 96
William Baylies
. . 10
1824.
#■ '
Scattering • •
. . 4
William Eustis . .
. Ill
1832.*
Samuel Lothrop
. 123
Levi Lincoln
. . 61
1825.
Samuel Lothrop
. . 139
Levi Lincoln . .
. 78
Marcus Morton •
. . 17
Marcus Morton . .
. 1
1833.
1826.
Levi Lincoln
. . 38
Levi Lincoln . .
. 52
Sarnuel Lothrop
. . 126
Samuel Hubbard .
. 20
Marcus Morion .
. . 10
Thomas VVinthrop •
. 8
1834.
Joseph Tripp . .
1
John Davis* . .
. . 25
1827
John Q. Adams .
. . 97
X \J*d f .
Levi Lincoln . .
. 61
Marcus Morton .
. . 17
William C. Jarvis .
. 14
1835.
William Baylies
. 12
John Davis . .
. . 35
Scattering . . .
. 7
John Bailey . .
. . 104
1 In 1881, the Constitution was amended, so that the Governor should be
chosen in November, instead of April ; and take his seat the first Wednesday
of January, instead of the last of May. Hence it will be understood, that,
from 1882,> the Governor was chosen the November previous to the year
under which we have recorded his name.
MUNiaPAL AND OFFICIAL HISTOBY.
811
Totef.
Marcus Morton ... 11
Samuel C. Allen . . 6
1836.
Edward Everett . . 40
Marcus Morton ... 64
Samuel T. Armstrong . 2
1837.
Edward Everett . . 32
Marcus Morton ... 99
1838.
Edward Everett . . 68 .
Marcus Morton . . .114
1839.
Edward Everett . . 65
Marcus Morton . . .161
1840.
Marcus Morton . . .178
Edward Everett . . 81
Wendell Phillips . . 1
1841.
John Davis . . . .122
Marcus Morton . . . 202
1842.
John Davis .... 80
Marcus Morton . . .183
Lucius Boltwood . . 15
1843.
Marcus Morton* . .197
John Davis .... 65
Samuel E. Sewall . . 30
1844.
George N. Briggs* . 64
Marcus Morton . . .183
Samuel E. Sewall . . 60
1845.
George N. Briggs . . 70
George Bancroft . .160
Samuel E. Sewall . . 64
1846.
Greorge N. Briggs .
Isaac Davis . . .
Samuel E. Sewall .
1847.
G'eorge N. Briggs .
Isaac Davis . . .
Samuel E. Sewall . *
Scattering . , ,
1848.
George N. Briggs .
Caleb Gushing . .
Samuel E. Sewall .
1849.
George N. Briggs*
Stephen C. Phillips
Caleb Gushing . .
1850.
George N. Briggs*
Stephen C. Phillips
George S. Boutwell
1851.
George S. Boutwell*
George N. Briggs .
Stephen C. Phillips
1852.^
George S. Boutwell*
John G. Palfrey
Robert C. Winthrop
1853.
John H. Clifford* .
Horace Mann . .
Henry W. Bishop .
1854.
Emory Washburn*
Henry Wilson . .
Henry W. Bishop .
Bradford L. Wales .
TotM.
. 60
. 114
. 52
72
94
44
9
65
91
59
86
155
33
58
114
59
95
74
74
77
112
109
105
112
53
88
117
58
4
812 TAXES, AND OTHER FINANaAL HISTOBY.
Totes.
1855.
Erasmus D. Beach
. 49
Henry J. Gardner ,
. . 149
Samuel H. Walley .
. 18
Emory Washburn .
. . 50
Henry Wilson . .
. . 30
1857.
Henry W. Bishop ,
. . 19
Henry J. Gardner .
. 288
Charles Allen • .
. . 3
Erasmus D. Beach
. 51
^ f^w i%
•
William L. Garrison
9
1856.
Luther V. Bell . .
4
HenryaJ. Gardner
Julius Rockwell.
. . 117
. . 71
Scattering • • •
. 2
•
CHAPTER XXI.
TAXES, AND OTHER FINANCIAL fflSTOBY.
** Render tmto Gsesar the things which are CsMar^s." — Oeust.
For some years after the incorporation of the town,
it was customary to meet in the autumn ; and all who
had any charges against the town brought in their
bills, and a tax sufficient to pay them was then levied
upon the polls jtnd estates. The practice of voting
money in the autumn, to meet the current expenses
of the town, continued till 1790. Since then, it has
been voted at the annual meeting for the choice of
town-officers in the spring. For some years, the town
paid the representative to the General Court for his ser-
vices; and hence a rate was made for that purpose.
Some years, it is uncertain from the records how much
money was raised. We give the sums in round num-
bers, instead of the fractions of a pound that some-
times occurred ; and therefore, in some cases, the rate
was a few shillings more or less than we have recorded.
Oct. 31, 1720. — "At a Town-meeting to mack a by-law
conseming our town-Bats, [it was] voted that one-half of our
Bates shold be Baised on the polls, and the other half on our
Estats."
TAXES, AND OTHEB FINANaAL HISTOBY.
813
The next day, Anna Leonard and her son George
entered a " Protest against being Bated by any other
Bule than that which is in the law."
Y««n.
Town-
GhargM.
SchoolB.
Reprewn-
tative.
Yean.
Town-
GhargM.
Sohoola.
1715
£2
£8
1751
£27
1716
8
1752
50
1717
11
1753
30
1718
2
H
1754
50
1719
9
6i
1755
27
1720
20
£30
14
1756
80
1721
14
30
15
1757
100
1722
6
1758
110
1723
9
14
1759
110
1724
29
12
16
1760
110
1725
12
341
10
1761
110
1726
24
10
15
1762
120
1727
31
20
1763
70
1728
33
40
1764
70
1729
31
20
1765
40
1730
57
19
1766
120
1731
20
25
1767
100
1732
25
20
1768
130
1733
16
30?
1769
80
1734
14
30^
1770
60
1735
22
30^
1771 *
70
1736
20
1772
100
1737
37
37
1773
80
1738
64
30
1774
75
1739
90
20
1775
90
1740
70
20
1776
120
1741
60
1777
180
1742
36
1778
1400
1743
150»
1779
1180
1744
122»
1780
6000
1745
80»
40
1781
500*
1746
170»
1782
100
1748
300»
1783
300
£60
1749
400»
1784
150
60
1750
40*
1785
250
60
1 Including £6k of
* Poor and schools.
* Silver money.
interest-money from b&nk.
• Old tenor.
27
^ Lawful money.
TAXES, AND OTHEB FINANCIAL HISTOBT.
.-.
Town-
Oh.re».
"""
High-
WIJU.
T«..
Tcnm-
sc.™^
nigh-
njt.
1786
£200
£60
1822
$1000
$550
$1000
1787
150
60
£120'
1823
1000
550
1000
1788
150«
122
1824
1000
550
1000
1789
180
40
122
1825
1000
550
1000
1790
120
60
122
1826
1100
600
1200
1791
195'
120
1827
1100
600
1200
1792
252
120
1828
1100
700
1200
1793
300
120
1829
1100
600
1200
1794
300
120
1830
1100
600
1200
1795
300
100
1831
1100
500
1500
1796
SI 200
$1000
1832
1200
500
1200
1797
1000
1200
1833
1200
500
1200
1798
800
1000
1834
1300
600
1200
1799
1000
1000
1835
1200
600
1200
1800
1200
1000
I83C
1600
700
1400
1801
1200
1000
1837
1600
700
1200
1802
1200
1200
1838
1400
700
1000
1803
1400
1200
1889
1400
700
1000
1804
1000
1000
1840
1200
700
1000
1805
1200
1200
1841
1000
■800
1000
1806
1800
1200
1842
1000
800
1000
1807
1300
1500
1843
1000
800
1500
1808
1300
1500
1844
2000
600
1000
1809
1200
1500
1845
1500
800
1200
1810
1400
1500
1846
1600
800
1500
1811
1200
1200
1847
1500
1199
1200
1812
1200
1200
1848
1500
1200
1500
I8I3
1200
1200
1849
1200
1000
1500
1814
1500
1200
1850
1500
1200
1500
1815
1800
1000
1851
1500
1200
1500
1816
1384
S416
1000
1852
1500
1200
2000
1817
1400
450
1000"
1853
1500
1200
2000
1818
1400
450
1000
1854
1000
1500
2000
1819
1400
450
1000
1855
1000
1500
2000
1820
1000
450
700
1856
1500"
1500
1500
1821
1000
450
800
1857
2000
1500
1500
piirpoee of redeeming the doIo of
.e Bchool-money is inclndsd in th6 nmonnl for
TAXES, AND OTHER FINANCIAL HISTORY. 815
There being a great scarcity of money, both of bills
of credit and specie, a year or two previous to 1720,
the people found it very difficult to transact ordinary
business-matters, and especially to pay their taxes;
and therefore, May 13, 1720, it was ordered, —
" That all our Town-Rates, that are to be payed this year
by the Inhabitants for the defraying the contengant charges
of sd. town for the year 1 71 9 and 1720, shall be payed the
one-half in Good shingles, at forteen shilinds pur thousand ;
Clabords, at three pounds pur thousand ; white-pine bords, at
three pounds per thousand, — and delivered at the landing-
place at Taunton, near John vStaples's ; or in Good Indin
Corn, at three and sixpence pur busshill ; Rey, at five shilinds
pur bushill ; wheat, at seven shilinds pur bushill ; oats, at two
shillinds pur bushill ; beaf, at three d. pur pound ; pork, at
four d. pur pound; butter, at sevenpence pur pound; Good
dry chese, at five d. pur pound ; beans, at Six Shilinds pur
busshil; and that, out of the money part, the treasurer Is
directed, and hereby ordered, to pay the Minister the one-
half of his sallary, and to pay the Representative In the
money part."
The paying of the rates in produce, &c., did not
seem to better the deranged state and scarcity of the
currency. " Shingles, Clabords, pine-bords, Rey, In-
din Corn, wheat, oats, beaf, pork, butter, and chese,"
to say the least, would not be very convenient change
for a man to carry in his pocket ; and therefore, this
state of things becoming almost intolerable, the town,
Sept. 19, 1720, —
" Voted that John Briggs, Sen., shall preepare a petition
to Request the Grate and General Cort Respecting the want
of money ; and offer said petition, the next town-meeting day,
to the town for their approbation ; and the town-Clark to sign
it in thare behalf, If the town licks it."
Whether the town "licked" the. petition or not, we
do not know ; but the Legislature soon after, as will
be seen, took some measures to better the condition of
the currency by the establishment of the fifty-thousand-
pound bank.
816 TAXES, AND OTHER FINANCIAL HI8T0BY.
Probably the emission of these bills did not at once
relieve the embarrassed state of the finances.
Nov. 11, 1723, it was ordered, —
^ That the Bate for Mr. Averj's salery for this year shaU
be Paid in the same specia as he agreed with sd. town for it ;
and the Rest of the towne-rate shall be Paid in the Produce
of the towne, at the curant market-price.''
FIPTT-THOUSAND-POUND BANK.
The reason for emitting this loan of money is
stated, in the preamble of the bill, to be because " the
Publick Bills of Credit on this Province (which, for
want of Silver) have . . . answered the Charge of
His Majesty's Goverment, . . . [and] served as a
Medium of Exchange ... in the Trade and Business
of the Province, are grown Scarce, in Proportion to
the great demand for the same." These bills were
to be distributed by the Province Treasurer " to <he
several towns within this Province, according to each
Town's respective proportion of the last Province-Tax."
Three or five trustees who were freeholders, and each
possessed of a real estate worth at least five hundred
pounds, were to be appointed in the several towns to
let out this money at interest, on good real estates or
personal security. These trustees were to be sworn
" to the faithful discharge of their trust," and were to
be paid for their " Pains and Trouble " " what the
several towns, in their good Discretion, shall think
meet and convenient." No person was allowed to
vote for trustees who had not " an Estate of Freehold
worth at least Forty shillings per Annum." A tax of
fifty thousand pounds was ordered to be levied upon
the towns of the Province in proportion to the amount
of bills they received, as a fund and security for the
drawing-in and repayment of said bills to the public
treasury; ten thousand pounds of which were to be
paid yearly, commencing with the last day of May,
1726, and ending, of course, with the last day of
May, 1730.
TAXES, AND OTHER FINANCIAL HISTORY. 817
All the interest, profit, or income, arising to the
several towns from these bills of credit, was to be
used by the several towns towards " defraying the
Town-Charges."
Norton, with the North Purchase, received, as their
proportion of this loan, two hundred and forty-seven
pounds. The freeholders of Norton and the North Pur-
chase meet, Oct. 16, 1721, and vote that every freehold-
er of the town of Norton, with the North Purchase,
having an estate of freehold of forty pounds per an-
num, shall have his proportion "... of ye Bills of
Credit, . . . giving good security to the Trustees,
with Lawful Interest, to be Paid yearly in ye Produce
of ye town, at ye then current marcet-price ; " and
the trustees were to take bondsmen or not, as they
saw fit.
As soon as the trustees received the money, they
were to give eight days' notice to the freeholders;
and "if there be aney Percone yt shall neglect or
Refuse to come for theyr Part of ye sd. Bills, twenty
days after ye sd. 8 days of notice be given," then the
trustees were empowered to let out the money " to
any of the freeholders," &c.
The trustees were required to render a yearly ac-
count to the town and North Purchase of their doings,
and were to " be allowed out of the Town treasury
for theyr Reasonable Charges in the Premices."
The following persons were then chosen trustees:
John Hodges, George Leonard, and Benjamin Wil-
liams.
On the 1st of November following, another meeting
was held relative to the matter, and the following vote
passed : —
"Notwithstanding the act that was passed in a towne-
meeting, on ye 16th day of October, 1721, for the Leting-
out of our Part of the fifty thousand Pounds of Bills of
Credit, it is now Enacted and voted, that the trustees that are
chosen to Lett out sd. Bill shall Lett out sd. money to the
freeholders in sd. towne and North Purchase to no Percon
above teen Pounds, nor any Percon under five Pounds, as
27*
818 TAXES, AND OTHER FINANaAL HISTORY.
far as it 'twill Go ; they Giving Good securety to ye trustees
for ye Payment of sd. money, with the Interest for one
year."
SIXTT-THOUSAND-POUND BANK.
In 1728, the General Court passed an Act for another
loan of sixty thousand pounds, because " the Publick
Bills of Credit, which have for a great length of time
happily served this Government, are now become very
scarce." This loan was distributed to the towns on a
plan similar to that of the fifty-thousand-pound loan
of 1721. The qualification of the trustees, and of
those who voted for them, was the same as in 1721.
The trustees were to let out the money at six per cent
interest ; four of which was to be paid annually into
the public treasury, the other two per cent to go
to the several towns " to enable them to pay the cost
and charge attending this affair."
A tax on the real and personal property of the
towns was the fund for the redemption of the loan ;
twelve thousand pounds to be paid annually from
May 31, 1734.
Norton's part of this loan was two hundred and
seventy pounds, ten shillings.
April 19, 1728, the freeholders of Norton properly
qualified, in public meeting duly notified for the pur-
pose, chose several persons trustees to receive and let
out the town's proportion of the money ; who refused
to accept the ofiice.
It was then " voted, that the trustees shall Let out
sd. Bills to no Person above ten Pounds, nor to no
Person less than five Pounds, within one fortnight's
time " after the money was received, and due notice
given to the town. Then, "if there is not Persons
enoflf appear in sd. time to take it," the trustees were
to " Lett it out in sd. town as they see cause ; taking
Good security for sd. money, together with the In-
terest." It was also voted, " that the trustees shall
have six Pounds for the whole of their troubell " in
taking care of the money.
TAXES, AND OTHEB FINANCIAL HISTORY. 819
"March 2nd, 1743-4. — Voted that the selectmen —
Simeon Wetherell, William Stone, and Josiah Pratt — shall
Becon with the trustees which were chose to Let out the
said town's Part of the sixtj-thousand-Pounds Bank, or
the survivers of them, and to Receive the said town's Part
of the Interest ; and also to sew them for it, if need be ; and
also to sew the said surviving trustees for that part of the
Princepell which they have neglected to Pay to the Province
treasury ; so that thare is a Rate made on said town for it
already, and they are also Impowered to carry on any
action or actions in the Law against them, till they Git the
said town's Part of the Interest, and ye Prinsepell sume
of said Bank, which said town is rated for; and also all the
charge sd. towne have already Bin Put to about it."
In a warrant for a town-meeting, Sept. 24, 1744, one
article was as follows : —
"To act and Proceed in that way that they shall then
think most Propper consaming the trustees of the sixty-
thousand-Pound Bank ; either to discharge them, and accuit
the towne's Part of the Interest, or to agree otherwise ; or
to take some other method, so as to Bring that matter to a
dispatch. Likewise to Hear what the selectmen have done
consaming that matter already."
The only recorded action at the meeting relative to
the bank is this : —
" Voted to Capt. Simeon Witheral and Mr. William Stone,
for what they Paid Coll. Church towards his fees for sarving
ye Executions for ye Bank-money, £01 — 13."
The town-records throw no further light upon the
matter; and therefore we must let the curtain fall,
and leave it for each reader to decide for himself how
the matter was finally settled up. These are the only
two banking schemes that the town, as a town, are
known to have been connected with.
LAND-BANK.
After the drawing-in of the bills of the sixty-thou-
sand-pound loan in 1738, the currency of the country
became again somewhat deranged. Therefore, in the
320 TAXES, ANB OTHER FINANaAL HISTORY.
beginning of the year 1740, with the professed design
of providing a remedy for the inconveniences expected
to arise from the withdrawing from circulation, in 1741,
of all the various emissions of paper currency, with-
out substituting any other medium of trade than gold
and silver, a company was formed for the purpose of
issuing bills of credit, on land security, to an amount
not exceeding a hundred and fifty thousand pounds.
There were eight hundred and sixty-three partners
in this scheme, about four hundred of whom belonged
in Boston, the rest in various parts of the Province.
This scheme was very obnoxious to Gov. Belcher, who
vigorously sought to crush it out.
In July, 1740, he issued his proclamation, cautioning
the people not to Teceive or pass the notes of the com-
pany, because they would tend " to defraud men of
their estates, and disturb the peace and order of the
people."
In November of the same year, he issued another
proclamation, forbidding all military oflScers from
dealing in this currency, under penalty of dismission
from ofl5ce. In fact, nearly all officers of the govern-
ment were forbidden to pass these bills. The opposi-
tion to this bank entered largely into the election of
representatives to the General Court for May, 1741.
But a majority of the members elect seem to have been
in favor of the bank ; for one of the bank-directors
(Samuel Watts, Esq.) was chosen Speaker of the House.
Thirteen new councillors were chosen, supposed to be
favorable to the bank scheme. Gov. Belcher, how-
ever, vetoed the election of councillors ; and, the next
day, sent ih a message dissolving the Legislature. He
also removed from office those favorable to the bank ;
and, among others, George Leonard of Norton, of
whom I have spoken elsewhere.
The town, however, seem to have been in favor of
the bank. Mr. Leonard — who was a member of the
Legislature dissolved by Gov. Belcher — was, on the
29th of June following, re-elected representative to
the new General Court, which was to meet on the 8th
TAXES, AND OTHER FINANCIAL HI8T0BY. 821
of July. And a further evidence that the town was
favorably disposed towards the matter is to be found
in the vote passed Nov. 23, 1741 ; viz., " voted, that
the maneyfactery-bills shall pay ye town's charge for
this year." ^
BILLS OF OTHER GOVERNMENTS.
^ Prior to 1750, the Massachusetts Legislature had enacted
that the ProvinciiJ bills should be redeemed this year [1750]
with hard money paid them by the parent goyemment for
charges of warfare against the French in the Canadas, &C
Bat the Legislatures of other Provinces had not so wisely
determined : their bills were still circulating at great depre-
ciation, as were those of Mass. While the commissioners of
Mass. were receiving the bills of their own Province, they
were allowed to redeem from its inhabitants bills of N.H.,
B.L, and Conn, [and these were called ' the bills of the other
Grovermentts '], provided they would take oath that they had
such money before April of 1750, and had not bought them
of persons belonging to those Provinces, with silver, since
March 30th of the same year." ^
It appears from the town-records that the principal
town-officers in Massachusetts were, in addition to the
oath of office, required to take the oath respecting
the bills of other governments. Hence, at the annual
meeting for choice of officers, held March 26, 1751, a
moderator and town-clerk were chosen, who took the
requisite oath relative to the other government bills.
Then they proceeded to choose more than twenty
persons for selectmen, who all, with but one exception,
refused to take this extra oath ; but this one was not
sworn. Finding it impossible to get a board of select-
men who would take this oath, the meeting adjourned
to May 15.
Immediately after the adjournment, an informal
meeting of some of the citizens was held ; and a com-
mittee was appointed "To petition the Great and
^ For further account of the Land-Bank schemei see Hobart*s Sketch
of Abington, p. 164, &c.
s Letter of Bey. J. B. Felt.
822 TAXES, AND OTHER FINANCIAL HISTORY.
General Court, that the Oath respectuig the Receiving
and passing the [other Government] bills may not be
imposed upon the inhabitants of this town, or that
they Inforce that Petition that is already Prefered to
sd. Court." We do not find any action of the Legis-
lature relative to the extra oath ; but they passed an
Act, April 8, 1751, enabling the town to complete
the choice of their town-officers, " the expiration of the
month of March notwithstanding : " and finally, in
July, the list of ofiicers was completed of those willing
to take the oath. The oath continued to be admini-
stered to the principal town-ofiicers till the year
In consequence of the calling-in of the Province
bills in 1750, and the law against receiving and pass-
ing the bills of other governments, the people again
experienced great difficulties in the payment of their
debts, and especially their taxes.
No doubt with a view to remedy the trouble, so far
as they could, the town, —
"Jan. 21st, 1750-1, chose a Comtee to consider and re-
port to the sd. town in what specias and at what Prises sd.
Bates shall be paid.
" The abovesd. Comttee made report, and the sd. towne
voted, that, in Paying the above-mentioned rates, they may
be paid in good marchentable Rey, at 3s. 4d. a BusheU ; In-
dian Come, at 2s. 8d. a Bushell ; Oats, at Is. 4d. a BusheU ;
Wheat, at 4s. 8d. a Bushell; flax, from the swingele, at 18d.
a pound; Bar Iron, at 18s. 8d. a hundred; Beans, 4s. 8d. a
Bushell ; Sheep's wool, at Is. 2d. a pound ; Barley, at 2s. 8d.
a Bushell."
" Sept. 2nd, 1751. — Voted, that those persons, that should
pay their Kates in the species hereafter mentioned, shall pay
them at ye prices hereafter sett : viz., Reye, at 2s. 6d. per
Bushell ; Corn, at Is. 9d. per Bushill ; Oats, at Os. lOd. per
Bushell ; Wheat, at 3s. Od. ; Beens, at 2s. 6d. per bushill ;
Barley, at 2s. 4d. per Bushell ; Iron, at 16s. Od. per hundred ;
Flax, at Os. 6d. per pound ; and wool, at Os. 8d. per pound."
During the latter part of the Revolutionary war, the
finances became very much disordered ; the bills of
TAXES, AND OTHER FINANCIAL fflSTORT. 323
credit became almost valueless ; gold and silver money
was very scarce ; and a general bankruptcy seemed
almost inevitable. It was probably the most severe
pecuniary crisis ever experienced by our fathers. As
early as Nov. 10, 1777, the town " voted to Remon-
strate and Pertition to the great and general Court of
this state, that the Late act, with Regard to calling in
the Bills of Credit Issued by said state, be Repealed ; "
and a committee was chosen to " Draw a Remonstrance
and Pertition." This remonstrance was probably
sent, and a communication from the General Court soon
after received ; for, Jan. 1, 1778, there was a town-
meeting, among other things, " to hear the address
from the General Court, setting forth the reasons
which induced said Court to pass a late act for calling
in the bills of credit Emitted by this Government."
It does not appear, however, that any action was taken
upon the matter.
A town-meeting was warned to be on the 5th of
July, 1779, " To take under consideration the votes
and Resolves of the town of Boston, sent to this town
(to be communicated) with regard to the depreciation
of our currency, and the methods proposed for re-
dressing the present grievances that so much affect
us." About this time, a convention had been called
to meet at Concord ; we should judge, to consider,
among other matters, the state of the finances. Ac-
cordingly, at the town-meeting, July 5, it was " voted,
that one of the committee of Correspondence should
go to the convention to be holden at Concord on the
fourteenth day of this Instant."
At an adjourned meeting, July 26, "voted to ac-
cept of the Proceedings and Resolves of the convention
held at Concord on the fourteenth day of July instant,
and do every thing in their power to carry the same
into execution." — " Voted, that a committee be
chosen to Regulate the Price of articles in this town,
agreeable to the articles afixt by the sd. Convention."
At an adjourned meeting, Aug. 16, the report of this
committee was " excepted by a Large Majority."
824 TAXES, AND OTHER FINANGIAL HISTOBY.
It was then ordered, " that there be Proper coppies
of the Report of the Committee of the Price of things
in fhis town rote and set up at Every Publick-house
and at Eyery Griss-Mill in this town." The " com-
mittee of correspondence " were empowered " to cary
into Execution the resolves of the Convention at
Concord;" and Silas Cobb was chosen a committee
" to correspond with other towns in the coimty." At
an adjourned meeting, Aug. 30, " voted, that three of
the committee that stated the price of things should
attend the proposed Convention to be held at Taunton
on the eighth of Sep. next."
Aug. 30, 1779, the town " voted to choose one man
for the proposed convention at Concord, and that he
be chosen by paper-vot^s."
From an article in the warrant for the above meet-
ing, it seems that this convention was called ^^ to take
into consideration the prices of Marchandize and
country Produce," and was " to be holden on the first
Wednesday of October next." What was done at the
convention, we know not. In the warrant for a meet-
ing to be held Sept. 20, 1779, there was an article " to
receive the report of the Committee chosen to meet in
a County convention at Taunton, in order to regulate
the Prices of such things as are commonly Bought
and sold in sd. County." What the report was, or
whether one was made, the records say not ; but what
has been recorded serves to show us the expedients
to which the people were obliged to resort, in order to
meet the demands made upon their purses when they
had nothing reliable in their purses.
MANUFACTURES, ETC. 825
CHAPTER XXn.
WATER PRIVILEGES, MANUFACTURES, AND STATISTICS OF
INDUSTRY.
"Ho! all who labor, all who strive;
Te wield a lofty power :
Do with joar might; do with your strength;
Fill eyery golden hoar.
Oh ! to your birthright and yourselvea,
To your own souls, be true :
A weary, wretched life is theirs
Who hare no work to do."
Miss C. F. Ornb.
In the year 1695, Thomas and James Leonard, as we
have already stated on page 12, &c., commenced the
erection of an iron forge on Stony Brook, nearly in
front of the old Leonard Mansion House, westerly of
Wading River ; which, in a few years, passed into the
hands of Major George Leonard (son of Thomas) ; and
by him, his son George, and grandson George, the
business of smelting the ore, and the manufacture of
iron, was carried on at this place till near the Close of
the last century.
For many years, a great amount of business was
done here by the enterprising family whose name is
so honorably and permanently associated with the
early ironworks of this continent. The late Judge
Leonard built a gristmill, nearly on the site of the old
forge, in 1805. It continued in operation till since
the year 1825. George L. Barnes (a descendant of
Major George Leonard), who, by the death of Mrs,
Bo wen, came into possession of the Leonard home-
stead, erected in 1855, at great expense, a saw and
shingle mill, &c., near the site of the old forge. He oc-
cupied the mill about a year ; and since then, till Janu-
ary, 1859, it stood idle, most of the machinery having
been taken out. It has very recently been bought
by Henry S. Freeman, who has set it in motion again.
28
826 WATER PRITILEGES, MANUFACTURES,
There was a sawmill on Mulberry-Meadow Brook,
a short distance above where Thomas Copeland now
resides, as early as 1710, owned by James Leonard,
jun., and John (?) Austin ; and might have been the
first sawmill erected in town. In 1746, and for some
years subsequently, it was owned by Samuel Glapp,
and afterwards by* his son, Jonathan Clapp ; but, pre-
vious to 1771, it passed into the hands of John Cook
and Samuel Godfrey. About 1719, the mill was
burned: it was then owned by James Godfrey, and
was soon rebuilt by him. Its present owners are
Benjamin and Moses Lincoln.
As early as 1714, there was a " cornmill " owned by
George Leonard on Wading River, at what is now
Barrowsville. It had then probably stood several
years, and, no doubt, was the first gristmill erected
in town ; and, we suppose, for many years it was the
only one. On the death of Mr. Leonard in 1716, he
devised this privilege to his son Nathaniel, afterwards
minister at Plymouth ; and it remained in his posses-
sion till his death in 1761. There was then a grist-
mill and sawmill, which were given to his son George.
They probably stood on the opposite side of the road,
several* rods above where the factory now stands. On
the 12th of January, 1770, George Leonard deeded
to Jonathan and John Amory a hundred and thirty-
five acres of land, and " all the houses, mills, and
other buildings, thereon erected." He also deeded to
them one-half of the pot-ash house and utensils stand-
ing on the land belonging to John White. When this
pot-ash was built, or how long it remained, we have no
information. In a little more than two months (or
March 31, 1770), the Amory s sold the mills and laud,
and half of the potash standing thereon, to William
Homes. June 13, 1783, he sold to Thomas Dawes, of
Boston; and he (Homes) soon returned to Boston,
from which he was probably driven, in 1770, on ac-
count of his hostility to the despotic acts of the British
government. Dawes mortgaged these mills, &c., in
1788, to Josiah Waters and others, of Boston ; who,
AND STATISTICS OP INDUSTRY. 827
Nov. 18, 1790, conveyed the property to Ephraim
Baymond, a very energetic business man, who soon
after erected an iron-forge, and carried on that busi-
ness for some years. In 1810, Mr. Raymond and his
father-in-law (Josiah Dean, of Raynham) erected the
cotton-factory now standing. Mr. Raymond probably
owned three-fourths of the establishment. The firm
was known as the " Norton Manufacturing Company."
March 10, 1821, Raymond bought of the executors of
Mr. Dean one-fourth of the factory ; and between the
6th of November, 1821, and the 26th of August, 1883,
at four diflferent times, he sold portions of it to Samuel
Crocker and Charles Richmond, amounting to seven-
eighths of the whole establishment. Albert Barrows
bought one-fourth of the factory, Oct. 1, 1833 ; and
owned it, with Crocker and Richmond, for several
years. March 12, 1837, the " Norton Manufacturing
Company," consisting of Crocker, Richmond, and
Barrows, was incorporated by the General Court, with
the privilege of holding capital to the amount of fifty
thousand dollars. After the failure of Crocker and
Richmond, the property was sold at auction. Feb. 8,
1844, the " Wheaton Manufacturing Company," con-
sisting of " Albert Barrows, Samuel B. King, and
Laban M. Wheaton, their associates and successors,"
was incorporated by the Legislature for the purpose
of making " cotton and woollen goods," and were
authorized to hold personal and real estate to the
amount of fifty thousand dollars. The company or-
ganized under the charter, March 12, 1844. Mr.
Barrows died May 7, 1854; but, under the same
corporate name, the business of making cotton cloth
and batting is still carried on there. In the year
1849, a steam-engine was erected to propel the ma-
chinery, when short of water in the summer; and,
during the present year (1858), a gristmill has been
started in the steam-engine building.
On the 18th of March, 1718, Benjamin Leonard,
sen., of Taunton, deeded to John King two hundred
acres of land, at a place called " buttomenummonthe,"
together with a dwelling-house partly finished; a
828 WATER PHIYILEGES, MANUFACTUBES,
quarter part of a sawmill; and the forge, "cole-
house," and appurtenances, &c. Leonard was to have
the right to dig and carry off the iron ore from ten
acres of land " near to drinkwater." This forge and
sawmill stood on Bumford River, six or eight rods
above the bridge, near where Daniel S. Cobb now
lives. The forge was afterwards moved nearly half
a mile down the river; and finally run down, and
stopped work, about a hundred years ago. About
1792, Daniel Smith, Laban Smith, and William Story,
built a mill, on the easterly side of the river, for
cutting nails, a few rods below the bridge, near which
the forge and sawmill were first erected. This nail-
mill was burned ten or fifteen years after its erection.
Daniel Smith rebuilt it for the same purpose. It has
since been used for sawing shingles and for making
cotton-batting. Mr. Smith erected a sawmill in 1822,
1 some twenty rods below where the nailmill stood.
This sawmill was repaired, and the dam rebuilt, in
1857, by Daniel S. Cobb, Esq. ; who by the death of
his uncle, Daniel Smith, has recently come into pos-
session of the privilege. In 1817, a clothier's shop
I was built on the opposite side of the river from the
sawmill, by Sampson Patten. It was afterwards oc-
cupied by Pliny Puffer and Stillman Smith for the
manufacture of shuttles, and subsequently of cotton-
batting ; and was burned January, 1840.
About 1730, William Makepeace erected a grist and
saw mill on Canoe River, near where Eddy Lincoln
now lives. These mills were rebuilt, about 1751 or 2,
by Peter Makepeace, son of William. Not far from
1770, George Makepeace built an iron-forge just
below, and on the opposite side of the road from,
where the grist and saw mill now stand. How long
the forge was in operation, we know not. Peter Make-
peace had a slitting-mill in a part of the forge-building,
or else adjoining to it ; and it is said to have been the
first slitting-mill in the United States. But this is a
mistake.^ This privilege passed into the ownership
^ — ■- II -■
1 See Genealogical Register, vol. xi. p. 258.
AND STATISTICS OP INDUSTUY. 829
of Lysander Makepeace in 1792. On the 21st of
January, 1811, he sold land for a bleachery, and
water privilege for a factory, to Daniel Patten,
Daniel Shepard, Benjamin Blanding, and Thomas W.
T. Bicknell ; reserving to himself three-eighths of the
privilege. The cotton-factory was built, and went
into operation, in October of the same year. Mr.
Bicknell was the first agent of the company. They
made cotton-cloth and yarn about eighteen years.
Then the factory passed into the hands of Daniel
Patten and Mason Stone ; and, in a few years, was
owned by Mr. Stone alone. On the 3d of October,
1851, Mr. Stone sold to Eddy Lincoln and Hiram J.
Hunt ; and Mr. Hunt, in a short time, sold his right
to Eddy Lincoln. Since tlien, the building has been
used for a shingle-mill, box-factory, a planing-machine,
and a wheelwright's shop ; and is still owned by Mr.
Lincoln. Aug. 28, 1824, Deacon Makepeace sold the
sawmill and gristmill to the Norton Cotton Mills
Company ; which, at that time, consisted of himself,
Daniel Shepard, Lemuel Perry, Jacob Shepard, Simeon
Blanding, Benjamin Blanding, Daniel Patten, and
Ichabod Perry. With the factory, they passed into
the hands of Mason Stone; and March 26, 1845,
together with a shingle-mill that had been built a few
years previous, they were purchased by Eddy Lincoln,
who is the present owner.
It is supposed that a sawmill was built by Major
Joseph Hodges, on Crooked Meadow Cedar-Swamp
Brook, near where Jarvis Hodges now lives, previous
to 1745. This mill seems to have been rebuilt or
repaired, in 1753 or 4, by three of his sons and their
cousin Ephraim, as appears by a paper which reads,
" norton, March the 8, ye 1754, then reckned and
Balanced all accounts About Bulding and reparing
our mill till this day, as witness our Hands, —
" Joseph Hodges, Timothy Hodges, Ephraim Hodges,
Isaac Hodges." In his will, dated May 1, 1756, Capt.
Joseph Hodges speaks of his " third part of a saw-
mill;" " it being in partnership with my brother Isaac
28*
830 WATER PBIYILEGES, MANUFACTUBES,
Hodges, and Timothy Hodges." Np one can now
remember when a mill stood there, and the privilege
has fallen into disuse.
From a deed given by Ebenezer Burt, July 12, 1744,
to William Stone, of forty and a half acres of land, —
which was a part of his then "dwelling-farm,'* — it
appears that an iron-forge and a sawmill were at that
time standing on Bumford Biver, near the residence
of the late Deacon Daniel Lane. Burt seems to have
owned the forge, and he and William Basset the saw-
mill. The forge and sawmill are believed to have
stood nearly opposite to the house where Deacon Lane
lived, near the middle of the present factory-pond,
where the remains of the old dam are still to be seen.
On the 12th of February, 1776, the forge was still
standing, as it appears from a deed given by Ebenezer,
Joseph, Naomi, and Sarah Burt to Nathaniel Stone
(son of William), of all the rights and privileges in
the stream reserved by the deed of 1744. It is pre-
sumed that Stone, father or son, had previously
become owner of the sawmill, and thus had complete
control of this water privilege ; which, for many years,
was in the possession of the Stone family. It is
believed that the forge and sawmill were both rebuilt
about 1770. How long the forge stood is uncertain.
Some time before 1800, a gristmill was erected, which
stood a few feet easterly of where the factory now
stands. More than fifty years ago. Deacon Lane, or
rather the Lane Brothers, came into possession of this
water privilege ; and, in 1811 or 12, they rebuilt the
sawmill on the site of the old one. In 1828, a com-
pany was formed, and the cotton-factory, or " Centre
Mills," were built by Daniel Patten, Lemuel Perry,
John and David Arnold, Simeon Derry, Deacon Daniel
Lane and sons ; and the building of the factory de-
stroyed the sawmill privilege. In the year 1846, the
factory passed into the hands of Laban M. Wheaton,
Esq., who is still the owner ; and the mills have been
running but little of the time since. The present
gristmill was built in 1846 (?).
AND STATISTICS OP INDUSTRY. 381
Previous to 1745, Jonathan Hodges^ erected a mill
on Goose Bx'oofc, a few rods below the bridge, near
where George H. Arnold now lives ; and carried
on the business of "Fulling, Dyeing, and Dressing
Cloth." This was the first mill for that business
erected in Norton. Soon after it was erected, in
consequence of some trouble with Judge Leonard,
— whose laud was flowed by the fulling-mill pond, —
Mr. Hodges removed his mill about thirty-five rods
further down the stream, where he fulled and dressed
cloth until about 1784; when his son, Jonathan
Hodges, jun., assumed the business, and carried it
on alone (with the exception of one or two years
when he had a partner) till 1814, — the time of his
death. In the fall of 1846, David and George H. Arnold
erected the building now standing by the bridge, and,
for some years, made cotton-batting. It is now used
for a shingle-mill, &c.
More than a hundred years ago, a sawmill was
built by Deacon John Andrews (?) on Burt's Brook,
about eighty rods above the site of the present mill.
This old mill was fast going to ruin eighty years
ago. The present sawmill near the furnace, on Burt's
Brook, was built in the fall of 1800 by Luther Lin-
coln. A carding-mill was started there in 1814. The
present building below the road, used as a shingle-
mill, &c., was erected in 1817, and, for some years,
used for the carding of wool, &c. A machine for
sawing shingles was put into it in 1826. The furnace
for casting iron, &c., was built by Annes A. Lincoln
in the fall of 1825. It is now occupied by Annes A.
Lincoln, jun., and Company, for the same purpose.
About a hundred years ago, a sawmill was built on
Dora's Brook, some fifty rods above where Charles
H. Briggs's wheelwright-shop now stands, by Samuel
Hunt. It was in ruins more than fifty years since.
Hiram J. Hunt built a shop on the same spot about
1843, where he had a turning-lathe, and sawed wagon-
felloes. It was occupied only six or seven years.
About the year 1807, Terry Crane erected a sawmill
332 WATER PRIVILBGES, MANUFACTUBES,
where Mr. Briggs's shop now stands. It was taken
down in 1841 or 42. Mr. Briggs's shop was built in
1849. Some twelve years previously, he moved the
shop — wherein his father, Daniel Briggs, made
ploughs, which stood nearly in front of Don P.
Makepeace's house — to the little brook westerly of
where Warren Adams lives, and carried on the wheel-
wright business there.
Previous to 1761, a grist and saw mill were erected
on Wading River, near where Allen and Augustus
Lane now live, by Rev. Nathaniel Leonard, and his
brother. Col. George Leonard. At his death. Rev.
Nathaniel gave his half part of these " new mills," as
he called them, to his son Thomas, together with all
his land there, on the west side of the river, up to the
road by Goose Bridge. Thomas Leonard died in a
few years, and his part of this property passed into
the hands of the late Judge George Leonard. Col.
George Leonard, at his death in 1778, devised his
part of the estate to his daughter, Mrs. Anna Chan-
dler; who, Dec. 25, 1792, sold her half of the mills,
and two hundred and thirty-two acres of land, &c.,
to Josiah Dean, of Raynham, and Ephraim Raymond,
of Norton. These mills finally run down, and stood
idle several years. Nov. 18, 1820, the Lane Brothers
(Ephraim, William, Daniel, Allen, Calvin, and George) ^
bought of Raymond and the executors of Mr. Dean
their share of the mills, and rebuilt them ; giving Mrs.
Bowen — who had, by the recent death of her father
(Judge Leonard), come into the possession of the other
half — one-fourth the income till the mills were paid
for. In May, 1835, the entire privilege and appur-
tenances were sold to William A. and Samuel L.
Crocker, who wanted the water to carry by canal to
their copperworks establishments, about three-fourths
of a mile below. About 1845, the mill-buildings
were taken down ; and the water still goes to the
copperworks by canal.
Previous to the Revolution, Benjamin Braman built
a sawmill on Goose Brook, back of where Alien D.
AND STATISTICS OF INDUSTRY. 88S
Lane sow lives ; but, being absent in the war, it run
down. William Braman and Seneca Sanford built a
sawmill near the same spot about 1814. It was used
till the death of Mr. Braman in 1839, and then went
to decay. Another building was erected by Augustus
and Allen D. Lane in 1845. It is now used by them
for sawing shingles and box-boards.
On the 30th of August, 1783, Nathan and Edward
Babbit of one party, and Annes Newcomb of the other,
entered into an agreement to build a dam for a grist-
mill and fulling-mill, — the Babbits to build each one-
fourth of the dam and one-half of the gristmill, and
Newcomb to build the other half of the dam and the
whole of the fulling-mill ; ^ and the buildings were soon
after erected on Canoe River, on opposite sides of the
stream, a short distance from Easton line, between
where Nathaniel Newcomb's factory now stands and
the sawmill. On the 18th of November, 1794, Nathan
Babbit being dead, his son Edward deeded to Levi
Babbit one-half of the gristmill ; the other half being
then owned by Asa Newcomb.^ Previous to Jan. 6,
1795, the fulling-mill had passed into the hands of
Asa Newcomb, who was a brother of Annes, and a
sawmill had been built: for, on that day, he (Asa)
sold one-half of the fulling-mill and one-half of the
dam to Thomas Danforth, reserving the water not
needed for the gristmill and fulling-mill for his
(Newcomb's) sawmill ;2 which shows that the saw-
mill was standing at that time. In February, 1811,
Danforth sold to Jonathan Smith, Simeon Presbery,
jun., Daniel Presbery, Stimson Austin, and Alanson
Cobb, reserving to himself three-eighths of a water
privilege ; and they built thereon a factory for mak-
ing cotton-yarn. This factory was owned by diiferent
individuals up to 1822 ; when Nathaniel Newcomb
bought the whole of it, and made yarn for a time,
then thread, and finally wadding and batting. In
December, 1831, the factory was burned; and Mr.
1 Becords of Deeds, vol. Ixxv. p. 6. ^ Ibid. vol. Ixxiii. p. 847.
884 WATEB PBIYILEGES, MANUFACTURES,
Newcomb rebuilt on the same spot, in April, 1882,
the mill he now owns. In 1812, James Beaumont, of
Canton, received a patent on a certain kind of wadding.
Mr. Newcomb bought of him the right, and has manu-
factured that wadding from 1832 to the present time.
The gristmill went into disuse about 1814 ; the fulling-
mill, about 1820. The sawmill still stands, and is
owned by Eddy Lincoln and George R. Leonard.
Not far from 1790, William Carpenter built a mill
for cutting nails, on the westerly side of Rumfoini
River, near the house now owned by Mrs. Eli Wood.
By a freshet in 1806 (?), the dam was carried away,
and the mill partially removed from its foundation ;
so that it was never after used as a cutting-mill, and
was subsequently removed from the spot. The build-
ing now occupied by Ruel Robinson as a wheelwright-
shop was built by Thomas Braman, 3d, in 1838 ; he
having bought, April 18 of that year, the privilege.
He made doors, window-frames, and sashes. The
building was afterwards owned by George Clapp, and
used for the same purpose. After the death of Mr.
Clapp, Earl and Royal P. Hodges bought the privilege,
July 2, 1845, and continued the same business. They
sold the sash and also the saw mill, Dec. 28, 1846,
with tlie land belonging thereto, to Jacob Shepard
(guardian of John L. Hall) ; and, in a few days, Mr.
Shepard sold the same to Loren Willis, the present
owner of both buildings. He made iron axletrees in
the sashmill two or three years. Mr. Ruel Robinson
hired the building in the autumn of 1850, and com-
menced the naanufacture of carriages, and still carries
on quite an extensive business in that line. In 1809
or 10, Zebulon White built the sawmill now standing
above the road, and owned by Loren Willis. After
Mr. White's death, tlie mill was bought, in 1843, by
Eli and Elkanah Wood, jun. They sold to Earl and
Royal P. Hodges, May 3, 1845. Many years ago, pre-
vious to 1800, there was a potash-building on the oppo-
site side of the road to the sawmill ; but by whom
owned, or when built, we are not informed.
AND STATISTICS OF INDUSTRY. 335
In the year 1796 (?), Benjamin Horton built a slit-
ting-mill on Wading River, at what is now called the
Copper works Village, on the spot where the Cupola
Smelting Furnace stands, adjoining the bridge. This
building was burned the fore part of the year 1824.
Mr. Horton had also a mill for cutting nails, on the
opposite side of the river, which was burned some years
previous to the slitting-mill. Crocker and Richmond
erected the Cupola Furnace Building, in 1825, for a
copper-rolling mill. The same year, they erected the
building back of the furnace for a copper-refining fur-
nace. It is now used as a yellow-metal furnace. In
these two buildings the company carried on the copper
business till 1835. In that year, the Crocker Brothers
dug the canal from the mill-pond by Allen and Augus-
tus Lane's, and erected what is called the Lower Mill,
on the northerly side of the river, which is operated by
the water from the canal. In 1838, they added the
upper or zinc mill ; all of wliich, for some years past,
have been owned and carried on by the Crocker Bro-
thers and Company, of Taunton. During the year 1857,
they put on an addition to tlie Cupola Smelting Furnace,
for the purpose of condensing the oxide of zinc escap-
ing from the furnace, which previously passed oflF
through the chimney into the atmosphere in the form
of vapor or smoke. It has proved to be a valuable
improvement, not only for getting rid of the nuisance,
but also in a pecuniary point of view ; for, on an ave-
rage, more than fifty dollars' worth of the powder
is saved daily, when the furnace is in operation, and is
used in painting, though not quite so clear and white
as lead. Mr. William A. West, about the year 1837,
in one of these buildings, commenced making cents for
the United-States Government; or rather, he prepared
them for coining, and then sent them to the mint for
that purpose. He continued to manufacture them till
the issue, two or three years since, of the new and
smaller cent ; and, on an average, he made about sixty
tons per year.
It is believed that Isaac Francis built a cutting-mill
836 WATER PRIVILEGES, MANUFACTURES,
about sixty years ago on Rumford River, back of the
house now owned by William A. King, between the
Centre Mills and the road leading from the village to
the railroad depot. It was afterwards owned by Icha-
bod Clapp, but has been down many years.
Araunah Smith had a cutting-mill, forty-five or fifty
years ago, back of where his son Deacon S. Smith
now lives, on the brook that passes between Allen B«
Tucker's and Ansel Keith's.
George Hodges built a fulling-mill on Wading River,
a short distance below Barrowsville, about 1810. He
had trouble with the owners of the factory, for flowing
back upon their water-wheel, and was obliged to take
down his dam. He moved his mill to the little stream
near his house (where Samuel H. Lane now lives),
and carried on business till he died, in 1828.
David and Josiah Woodward built a sawmill on
Rumford River, just above its junction with Wading
River, about 1815 ; and it was used some ten or fifteen
years. The privilege has not since been occupied.
Isaac T. Braman erected a building on Wading
River, in 1853, nearly half a mile below Mansfield
Line. It is used for a gristmill, circular saws, and a
turning-lathe.
It will be seen, from what has been written, that the
first branch of business established here, aside from
farming, was the manufacture of iron from the ore.
For many years it furnished employment to a large
number of men and boys ; the making of nails being a
very prominent feature of the business. At first, these
were all hammered separately by hand ;. but this was a
slow and expensive process, and therefore led to the
invention of the " slitting " and " cutting mills," as
they were called. The slitting-mills were used to slit
the iron, that had been rolled down to a proper thick-
ness, into strips, of the width needed for the length of the
nails ; and the cutting-mills cut these strips into nails,
which, for a long time, were headed by hand. Some
forty or fifty years ago, the business of cutting and
heading nails was carried on here quite extensively : but,
AND STATISTICS OP INDUSTRY, 337
since nails have been headed by machinery, the busi-
ness has passed away from Norton ; and two or three
solitary blacksmiths' shops, for shoeing horses, oxen,
&c., are all that remain of the numerous nail-^hops,
cutting-mills, &c., of former generations. .
In the early history of our country, the mothers and
daughters carded and spun by hand ; and also wove
into cloth the wool, flax, and hemp raised in those
days. When woven, the woollen cloth was carried to ^
the fulling-mill to be dressed and colored, and thus \
prepared for use. Many families, however, did their ^
own coloring, especially of the yarn and the linen
cloth. It was not till within the present century that
machines for carding wool were introduced into town.
They produced a great revolution in the labor of
females.
The braiding of straw, and the manufacture of bon- |
nets and hats therefrom, have, in some measure, fur- j
nished a substitute for the hand-cards. Betsey Make- \ ,
peace, sister of David Makepeace, was the first who /
braided straw in Norton. She had leai'ned to do so
while on a visit to Wrentham. This was more than
fifty years ago. At first, the straw was braided whole ;
but, shortly, a gauge, made of needles, was devised, by
which the straw was split by hand. For some time,
individuals raised their own straw, and cut it up at the
proper season, and prepared it for use. At length, a
division of labor took place : a part braided, and others
sewed the braid into bonnets and hats. From the
commencement of the straw-business here about 1802,
to the present day, it has furnished quite a lucrative
employment to a large number of females. Ansel
Keith and Jonathan Smith were among the first to com- }
mence the business somewhat after the fashion of the
present day. They bought the straw, and put it out to
be braided and sewed. This was about 1808. George
Gilbert commenced the manufacture of bonnets, &c.,
about the same time. Soon after, Thomas Danforth, 2d,
entered into the business, and carried it on quite
extensively. Hiram H. Wetherell, either alone, or
29
388 WATER PRIYILEGES, MANUFACTURES,
with his brother Horace 6., carried on the business
from 1833 to 1844. Sept. 3, 1850, the Norton Straw
Manufacturing Company, consisting of the Whear
ton Manufacturing Company, L. M. Wheaton, Zeno
Kelly, L. D, Anthony, and A. Barrows, was organized,
with a capital of seven thousand dollars, and made
bonnets, hats, &c. Jan. 14, 1854, the company was
dissolved, and the Norton Straw Company was formed,
consisting of L. M. Wheaton, Zeno Kelly, and T.
T. Rockwood, with a capital of fourteen thousand
dollars. Nov. 12, 1855, another change took place.
T. T. Rockwood, A. Dunham, and D. S. Hardon,
assumed the business, under the name of the " Norton
Manufacturing Company." Oct. 6, 1856, Dunham
and Hardon retired from the firm, and C. M. Dean
became a member; and, in the spring of 1867, the
company stopped business, and no one has taken their
place. Many of the females in town, however, sew for
firms in neighboring towns.
By the erection of cotton-mills for making cloth, &c.,
in 1810 and 1811, a new impetus was given to the
enterprise and industry of the town. When these
mills went into operation, the cotton-bales were sent
round to different families in town, and the cotton was
whipped by men and women. This was done to pre-
pare it for use, instead of picking' it by a machine, as
is now done. No weaving was done in the mill near
Eddy Lincoln's for some years after its erection. The
yarn made was put out, in this and other towns, to be
woven by hand-looms.
The first tannery in town is supposed to have been
hetween the schoolhouse in District No. 3 and Burt's
Brook ; and was perhaps built soon after the incorpo-
ration of the town, by Jolui Andrews, who settled
thereabouts. But the first tannery of wliich we have
any authentic account was built about 1740, by Deacon
Benjamin Copeland, between the house of Thomas
Copeland and Mulberry-Meadow Brook. It continued
in the Copeland family till it went to decay, about
1845. About 1758, David Arnold, who learned his
trade of Deacon Copeland, set up a tannery on Burt's
AND STATISTICS OF INDUSTRY. 339
Brook, near where his son, Lemuel Arnold, now lives,
and did a large amount of business for many years.
Before the Revolution, a tannery was built near Rum-
ford River, at the place where Mason Freeman lives,
by a Mr. Basset. It was afterwards owned by George
Walker, and fell into disuse some thirty years since.
The shoe-business has never been carried on to any
great extent in town. Of late years, quite a number
of persons have taken boots and shoes to bottom for
companies that reside elsewhere. In 1857, a fund of
five thousand dollars was subscribed for the purpose of
organizing a company to manufacture boots and shoes ;
but the financial pressure of that year crushed it in
embryo.
The manufacture of baskets has been carried on for
some years past by Hiram H. Wetherell, George W.
Story, Deacon Jason F. Alden, Deacon Stillman Smith,
Josephus Skinner, and others.
Ploughs were made by Daniel Briggs, and also Wash-
burn Braman, for several years ; but the introduction
of cast-iron ploughs put an end to the wooden ones.
A building for the making of molasses from Indian-
corn stalks was built, during the Revolutionary war,
by Nathaniel Wood and Noah Wiswall, on the south-
erly side of the road, about half way from where the
Wiswall House stood to where Warren Adams now lives.
It was in a great measure a failure ; though, for a few
years, a small amount of molasses was made. Simeon
Presbery, during the war of 1812, erected a building
for the manufacture of molasses from corn-stalks. It
stood a sliort distance easterlv of Nathaniel Newcomb's
house, in the lot, near a large oak-tree.
Mr. Samuel R. Lincoln has, for some years, manu-
factured gravestones at the extreme easterly part of
the town.
Theodore Carver, for some years, carried on the
manufacture of soap in the northerly part of the town.
Within the present year (1858), Austin Messinger
has commenced the manufacture of a very superior
kind of friction-matches.
840
WAXES PRiyiLliQES, H^AKOFACTDBES,
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AND STATISTICS OP INDUSTRY. 341
In the following statistics, we have abbreviated a few
words that are frequently repeated ; viz., val. denotes
value; cap., capital invested ; emp., persons employed ;
m. emp., males employed ; f. emp., females employed ;
m., manufacture ; m'd, manufactured.
STATISTICS FOR 1837.
Cotton-mills, 4; cotton-spindles, 1,993; cotton consumed,
385,019 lbs. ; cotton-goods m'd, 290,376 yards ; val. of same,
$53,167.82; m. emp., 53 ; f. emp., 35 ; cap., $57,228.
Sheep, 425 ; wool, 1,108 lbs. ; val. of wool, $664.80 ; val.
of sheep, $850.
Boots m'd, 5,357 pairs ; shoes, 2,470 pairs ; val. of both,
$15,862.50; m. emp., 13.
Tanneries, 2 ; hides tanned, 375 ; val. of leather, &c.,
$850; m. emp., 2; cap., $1,500.
Air and cupola furnace, 1 ; iron-castings made, 375 tons ;
val. of same, $37,500 ; m. emp., 25 ; cap., $18,000.
Plough-manufactories, 2 ; ploughs made, 35 ; val. of same,
.$220 ; m. emp., 2.
Straw bonnets m'd by dealer in them, 2,800 ; val. of same,
$8,163; straw bonnets m'd for dealers in other towns, 14,-
834 ; straw braid, 43,900 yards.
Copper cupola furnaces, 8 ; sheet-copper and copper-bolts
m'd, 500 tons ; val. of same, $280,000 ; m. emp., 33 ; cap.,
$226,000.
Shuttles m'd, 300 doz. ; val of same, $1,500. \
Val. of baskets m'd, $500.
STATISTICS FOR 1845.
Cotton-mills, 4; spindles, 2,320; cotton consumed, 200,-
000 lbs. ; cotton-cloth m'd, 598,272 y'ds ; val., $35,896 ; cot-
ton-yarn m'd, and not made into cloth, 12,000 lbs.; val.,
$2,000; cotton-batting, 16,000 lbs.; val., $1,240; val, of
pelisse-wadding m'd, $1,300; cap., $39,600; m» emp., 35;
f. emp., 36.
Furnaces for ra. of hollow-ware and castings other than
pig-iron, 1 ; hollow-ware and castings m'd, 450 tqps ; val.,
$35,000; cap., $25,000; emp., 35.
Copper-manufactories, 1 ; copper m'd, 750 tons ; val., .
$316,750; cap., $226,000; emp., 60.
Establishments for m. of soap and tallow-candles, 1 ; soap
m'd, 300 lbs.; val., $1,200; cap., $1,000; emp., 2.
29*
842 STATISTICS OP INDUSTRY.
Tanneries, 1 ; bides tanned, 50 ; val. of leather tanned
and curried, $50 ; cap., $150 ; emp., 1.
Value of building-stone quarried and prepared, $300;
emp., 1.
Lumber prepared, 383,000 feet; val., $1,167; emp., 20.
Fire- wood prepared, 1,660 cords ; val., $4,996 ; emp., 17.
Sheep, 276; val., $421; wool produced, 565 lbs.; val.,
$169.
Asses, 1; val., $50; horses, 169; val., $7,712; neat cat-
tle, 654 ; val., $10,875 ; swme, 293 ; val., $1,465.
Indian-corn, or maize, raised, 6,308 bush. ; val., $3,154 ; rye,
724 bush. ; val., $543 ; oats, 600 bush. ; val., $180 ; potatoes,
18,052 bush.; val., $4,528; other esculent vegetables, 800
bush.; val., $300; hay, 1,160 tons; val., $11,600; flax, 10
lbs.; val., $1.
Fruit raised, 2,319 bush.; val., $417.
Butter, 7,535 lbs; val., $1,227; cheese, 8,702 lbs.; val.,
$676; honey, 68 lbs.; val., $11 ; beeswax, 4 lbs.; val., $1.
Val. of gravestones, $700 ; emp., 2.
STATISTICS FOR 1855.
Cotton-mills, 3; spindles, 3,656; cotton consumed, 175,-
000 lbs. ; cloth m'd, 376,320 y'ds, from No. 35 to 40 ; val. of
cloth, $42,336; yam m'd, 45,720 lbs.; batting m'd, 25,836
lbs. ; val. of batting, $2,325.24 ; pelisse-wadding m'd, 3,000
doz. ; val. of wadding, $225 ; cap., $8^,000 ; m. emp., 53 ; f.
emp., 33.
Furnaces for m. of hollow- ware and castings other than pig
iron, 1 ; hollow- ware and other castings m'd, 500 tons ; val.
of hollow-ware and castings, $50,000 ; cap., $25,000 ; emp.,
80.
Copper-manufactories, 1 ; cap., $60,000 ; emp., 60.
Establishments for m. of coaches, chaises, wagons, &c., 2 ;
vaJ. of coaches, &c., m'd, $3,615 ; cap., $2,000 ; emp., 5.
Establishments for m. of straw bonnets and hats, 1 ; straw
bonnets m'd, 35,000 ; straw hats m'd, 36,000 ; m. emp., 19 ;
f. emp., 250.
Charcoal m'd, 20,000 bush. ; val. of same, $2,000.
Lumber prepared for market, 1,205,000 ft. ; val. of lumber,
$11,715.
Fire-wood prepared for market, 2,588 cords ; val. of fire-
wood, $8,210.
Sheep, 92 ; val. of sheep, $210 ; wool produced, 287 lbs.
POPULATION A.ND CENSUS. 843
Horses, 211; val. of horses, $16,156; oxen, over three
years old, 90 ; steers, under three years old, 47 ; val. of oxen
and steers, $10,785; milch-cows, 420; heifers, 82; val. of
cows and heifers, $12,161.
Butter, 12,358 lbs.; val. of butter, $2,471.60; cheese,'
8,538 lbs.; vaL of cheese, $1,024.76.
Indian-corn, 275 acres ; Indian-corn, per acre, 28^ bush. ;
val., $7,637.
Wheat, 2 J acres; wheat, per acre, 31 J bush.; val., $170;
rye, 92 acres; rye, per acre, 10 bush; val., $1,380; barley,
9 acres; barley, per acre, 18 bush.; val., $165; oats, 97
acres; oats, per acre, 14 bush.; val., $819.60.
Potatoes, 187 acres; potatoes, per acre, 61 bush.; val.,
$6,844.20 ; turnips, cultivated as a field-crop, 8 acres ; tur-
nips, per acre, 81 bush.; val., $120.
English mowing, 1,602 acres ; English hay, 871 tons ; val.,
$17,420 ; wet meadow or swale hay, 521 tons ; val., $5,210.
Apple-trees, cultivated for their fruit, 3,428 ; val., $1,389 ;
pear-trees, cultivated for their fruit, 150 ; val., $93 ; cranber-
ries, 22 acres ; yal., $1,440.
Establishments for m. of boxes, 1 ; cap., $2,000 ; val. of
boxes m'd, $6,000 ; emp., 3.
Bound timber sent to market, 500 tons ; val., $3,000.
Swine, 367 ; val., $3,070.
CHAPTER XXIII.
POPULATION AND CENSUS OF 1855.
** Go now through all the tribes, and number ye the people." — Old Bibli.
In this chapter, we shall give the population of Norton
at various times ; and the State Census of the inhabi-
tants on the 1st of June, 1855, taken by the assessors,
which has been copied for us by a friend. We have
taken the liberty to correct a few very obvious mistakes.
Probably some of the surnames will be found incoi^
rectly spelled, especially among the foreign population ;
and, doubtless, the same will be true of a few of the
844
POPULATION AND CENSUS.
Gbristian names. It is almost impossible to take the
census of any town, without more or less errors being
made.
POPULATION.
Tear. Number.
Tear.
Number.
Year.
Number.
1763 . . . 1912^
1800 .
. . 1481
1830 .
. . 1484
1776 . . . 1329
1810 .
. . 1598
1840 .
. . 1554
1790 . . . 1428
1820 .
. . 1600
1850 .
. . 1966
CENSUS
OF 1855.
Age.
Where
Bom.
^"bSS
Adams, Joseph S. . .
35.
Mass.
Amelia K.
24. Mass.
Olive A. . .
35.
»9
David D. . .
2L „
Adams, Warren . .
71.
If
Marianna B. .
12. „
Eunice . • .
71.
»>
Charles F. Wilbur
6. 99
Henry B. . .
20.
It
Bernard Coyle • .
15. Lre.
Mary S. Wetherell
AUen, £phraini . .
21.
>«
Arnold, George H.
32. Mass.
53.
If
Maria M. . .
27. „
Sarah J. . . .
42.
ff
Arnold, David A. . .
31. „
Sally . . . .
79.
♦f
Ruth A. . .
22. 9,
AUen, James • .
53.
If
Ruth B. Lewis . .
51. R.L
Abigail . . .
51.
>f
Austin, Otis C. I . .
44, Mass.
George £. . .
25.
f»
Catharine . .
39. N.Y.
VelinaW. . ,
19.
l«
Ann M. . .
17. Mass.
Mary E. . . .
13.
f»
Sanford B.
16. „
Eliza L. . . .
11.
II
Adelaide . .
14. „
Martha C. . .
8.
>l
Josephine E. .
12. „
Harriet S. . .
6.
II
Granville D. .
10. „
Aiden, Jason F. . .
57.
If
Albert A. . .
8. 9,
Keziah E. . .
66.
ff
Lizzie I. . .
1. .»
Hannah W.
23.
fl
Austin, Solomon . •
64. „
Alden, William H. .
27.
II
Zilpah . . .
63. „
Angelia M. . .
24.
If
Peleg E. . .
26. „
Arnold, Lemuel . .
79.
ff
Abigail L. Field .
25. „
Mary A. . .
21.
If
Babbitt, John . . .
69. „
John Wallace . .
45.
Ire.
Rhoda . . .
66. „
Polly Bolton . .
62.
Mass.
James L. . .
37. „
Arnold, Asa . . . .
58.
II
Abigail L. Smith ,
12. R.L
Hannah P. .
53.
11
Barker, George . . .
56. „
Henry W. Horton
16.
II
Mabrey . . .
52. „
Helen E. Olney .
14.
II
Alfred . . .
21. Mass.
Jemima Arnold . .
85.
»f
Susan M. . .
18. „
Arnold, John . . .
59.
fl
Bassett, Mary . . .
62. 91
Esther D. . .
47.
II
Frederic T. Lane .
23. „
Mary E. Nichols .
28.
If
Bailey, Sarah M. . .
44. N.H.
Arnold, David. . . .
53.
If
Sarah S. . •
13. Mass,
Roby . . .
54.
II
Mary J. . . .
11. „
• Hannah D. .
27.
ti
Caleb J. . . .
8. ,9
1 This included the inhabitants of the North Precinct, now Mansfield.
POPULATION AND CBNSXIS.
845
Af«.
Where
B<»ii.
Age.
Where
Born.
Ballon, 'William . .
42. Mass.
Gardner .
16.
Mass.
Elizabeth A. .
40.
,f
Blandin, Sumner .
47.
t>
George W. . .
18.
>»
Louisa
42.
tt
Charles H. . .
16.
„
Frances L.
20.
tt
Edward F. . .
14.
,,
Aliens. .
19.
tt
Frederic D. .
12.
„
Henry W.
14.
tt
Joseph E. . ,
8.
$t
MaryE. .
11.
t»
Isabella J. . .
3.
,,
Herbert H.
6.
tt
Emily J. . .
10 mo
»• ft
Blake, Hannah H. .
30.
tt
Barrows, Carlos . . .
47.
»
Mary E. . .
6.
ft
Cynthia W. .
44.
»»
Franklin D.
3.
If
Nancy E. .
17.
ft
James C.
30.
Me.
Henrietta E.
12.
»
Mary Lathrop .
61.
Mass.
8te11a M. .
9.
>»
Boland, John . •
33.
Ire.
Barrows, Harriet . .
50.
tt
Joanna . •
30.
ft
Henry M, ,
25.
»»
John . .
14.
>f
Edwin . .
21.
»,
Patrick .
10.
f>
Harriet L. .
18.
,,
James . •
8.
ff
Emma F.
16.
>♦
Mary . .
7.
ff
Julia R. . .
13.
,t
Dan . .
6.
ff
Blanchard, Sylvia . •
67.
,,
Michael
1.
Mass.
James . .
24.
„
Catharine •
2 mo
• ff
Bates, Horatio . . .
36.
„
Bolan, Michael . .
41.
Ire.
Sarah H. . . .
34.
„
Ellen . .
13.
ff
Sarah J. . . .
15.
„
Bolton, William S.
25.
Mass.
Savilion U. . .
13.
„
Flora J. .
23.
ff
Bellows, Alfred . . .
37.
»i
Eugene W.
3.
ff
Charlotte . .
33.
,,
Clara J. .
1.
ff
OtisW. , .
8.
tt
Brady, Patrick . .
40.
Ire.
Josephine
2.
tt
Bridget . .
36.
ff
Blandin, Benjamin
74.
tt
John . . .
14.
ff
Nancy . . .
69.
tt
Thomas . .
11.
ft
Nancy W. .
36.
tt
Catharine .
9.
ff
Emily . . .
30.
tt
Eugene . •
5.
ff
William B. .
28.
tt
Charles • .
1.
Mass.
William Gould . .
36.
tt
Bragg, Lucinda . .
76.
ff
Blandin, Simeon . .
66.
„
H. Granville
22.
ff
Hebecca . .
60.
t.
Louisa Townsend
38.
ff
Lucius D.
27.
tt
Augusta Townsend
8.,
» ff
Benjamin F. Taylor
25.
tt
Braman, Isaac T. .
25.
ff
Louis A. Horton .
14.
tt
Mary J. .
27.
ff
Lucy A. Dean . .
23.
tt
Sarah . .
73.
ff
Blandin, Jesse . . •
68.
tt
Benjamin Morey
30.
ff
Susannah
69.
•>
Braman, Washburn
71.
ff
Blandin, Jesse H. • .
41.
tt
Polly . •
57.
ff
Eunice M. .
31.
tt
Chloe . .
31.
ft
Abbott H. .
11.
tt
Benjamin
23.
ff
Mary E. , ,
4.
tt
Fanny . .
21.
ff
Blandin, Isaac S. . .
57.
tt
Braman, Lydia . .
71.
ff
Eliza . . .
51.
•*
Druzilla Shepardson
67.
ff
George 0. .
18.
tt
Briggs, Emerson
•
70.
ff
846
POPULATION AND CENSUS.
* __ Whew
^^ Born.
Lydia . . .
68. Mass.
Briggs, Benjamin S. .
50.
«»
Caroline . . .
45.
f>
Benjamin J, .
22.
f»
E1i7Abeth C. .
20.
jt
Louisa A. . •
18.
ft
Alfred . . .
12.
»»
8ethR. . . .
8.
»»
BriggSi Edmund . .
37.
»»
Achsah . . .
38.
ft
. Lydia A. . .
13.
»>
Ellen L . . ,
10.
»*
Edmund A. .
8.
»
Stephen A. . .
6.
»>
William Carter . ;
26.
If
^Briggs, Charles H. . •
46.
»»
Lynthy A. • •
42.
»
Harrison H. .
21.
ti
Eunice O. . .
21.
»
Sarah E. . .
1.
»>
Lydia Hodges . .
67.
»»
Briggs, Simeon . . .
68.
»>
Esther W. . .
44.
»»
Maria Tucker . .
46.
>»
Britton, Zachariah . .
69.
ft
Brown, Wesley . . .
50.
ft
Elmira . . .
44.
»»
Caroline . .
23.
ft
Mary . , ,
9.
>»
Emeline . .
7.
It
Bruce, Alanson . . .
52.
ft
Mary , . .
45.
1*
William . . ,
17.
ft
Eliza ....
12.
tt
George . . .
10.
I*
Henry . , .
8.
ft
Abby ....
2 mo
• »»
Burt, Polly ....
61.
>»
Burt, Jtielzar . . . .
45.
ft
Martha . . .
38.
ft
Martha E. . .
15.
ft
Melzar E. . .
4.
tf
Mary A. . . .
4 mo.
ft
Carpenter, Daniel . .
63.
»♦
Hannah
55,
ft
Caroline .
30.
t»
ElizabethK.
24.
»t
Ellen . .
12.
)t
Carpenter, Thomas
66,
ft
WiUard M.
12.
ft
Thomas P.
10.
ft
Carpenter, Caroline •
Dauphin K.
Lydia Titus . . .
Caffirey, Daniel . . •
Mary • • .
Hugh . . .
Capen, WilUam, jun. .
Mary . . •
Mary J. . •
Lucy M. . .
William . .
Card, James S. . • •
Lucy A. • • .
Thomas P. . .
Thomas Blucklen •
Anthony Alexander
Caswell, Alyaris . •
Ann S. • •
Serena K. ..
Lois T. . .
Alexis . . .
Mary A. King . •
Chace, Leander . . .
Elizabeth C. .
Mercy A. Snow
Marshall G. Kenan
Clark, George F.
Harriet E.
Galen A.
Clarkson, John .
Mary A.
Susan
William H. .
Ann .
Charles E
Clegg, James
Sarah . .
William .
Clement, Sylvester
Mary .
Codding, Isaac B.
Sarah E.
Charles Hall .
Codding, George
Sally .
George W.
Codding, William H.
Martha B
Martha C,
Comstock, Christopher
Tara G. .
■*••• Bom.
49. Mass.
10. „
76. „
40. Ire.
50. „
23. 9,
47. Mass.
45. „
17. „
7. .,
80. „
33. R.L
36. „
9. „
29. Eng.
38. „
56. Mass.
56.
27.
16.
12.
25.
22.
28.
7.
15.
38. N.H.
37. ..
9. Pa.
41. Eng.
34. „
18.
12.
8. „
3. Mass.
65. Eng.
65. „
22. „
23. Mass.
21.
23.
18. „
26 Me.
64. Mass.
53.
15.
28.
26. „
6 mo. „
60. Conn.
45. „
f>
ff
f»
»f
»f
f>
•f
ft
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
POPULATION AND CENSUS.
847
Charles Barnes • •
Caroline Pond . •
Mary Woodbury •
Catharine Smith •
Margaret Lee • .
Sarah Tenny . .
Honisie McGreath .
Mary Coyle . . .
EUen Barry . . .
Caroline C. Metcalf
Cobb, Daniel S. . .
Harriet P. . .
Silas H. • . .
Derrick W. . .
DulcibellaK. .
Margaret Calaghan
Daniel Smith . .
Cobb, Gilford M. . .
S. Masia . . .
Pliny Wetherell .
Collins, Michael . .
Margaret . .
Catharine . .
Margaret . .
Ann • • . .
Michael Caveler .
Conaty, James . . .
Ellen . . .
Mary . . .
Catharine . .
Patrick . .
Ellen . . .
Bridget . .
Ann . • .
Conaty, James, 2d . .
Lydia- . . .
Conaty, Charles . .
Rosena . . .
Charles . .
Edward . .
Mary . • .
Copeland, Thomas . •
Eliza . • .
Mary . . .
Lucy A. Quinley .
John F. Dixon . .
Copeland, Thomas H. .
Lydia A.
Copeland, Joseph . .
Louisa . .
Cosgrove, James
• •
Age.
Where
Bom.
J^,
r^nere
Bom.
17.
R.L
Bridget .
35.
Ire.
35.
♦»
Eugene .
9. Mass.
35.:
Mass.
Thomas J.
7.
ff
19.
Ire.
Clarence
5.
ft
25.
»
James
2.
tt
23.
>t
Ann H. .
-
4 mo
' tt
19.
>>
Patrick Coyle. .
67.
Ire.
15.
»>
Cosgrove, Daniel .
40.
It
17.
>*
Bridget .
35.
tt
60.:
Sdass.
Hugh .
12.
t»
51.
tt
Margaret
9.:
Mass.
44.
>*
Philip .
7.
tt
18.
»>
Susan
5.
tt
13.
>»
James
3.
tt
11.
It
Edward .
1.
It
22.
Ire.
Cosgrove, Patrick .
28.
Ire.
86.
Mass.
Catharine
26.
tt
28.
t>
Coyle, James . .
21.
Ire.
23.
tt
Kosa . . .
22.
tt
23.
«»
Crane, John . • .
56.
Mass.
25.
Ire.
Sally . . .
54.
tt
53.
tt
Crane, John H. . .
29.
tt
23.
tt
Sarah E.
28.
It
18.
tt
Anna . •
3 mo
* II
16.
It
Crane, George B. .
44.
It
2.
tt
Martha . .
39.
tt
46.
tt
George T. .
3.
tt
46.
tt
Samuel Drake •
29.
tt
19.
tt
Crane, Daniel . ,
39.
tt
17.
tt
Wealthy A.
39.
It
15.
*t
Mary A.
10.
tt
13.
»»
Daniel F. ,
3.
tt
11.
tt
Crane, J. Calvin
33.
tt
9.
tt
Eliza . . .
33.
tt
42.
»>
Henry C.
9.
tt
37.
It
Charles N. .
3.
tt
34.
»>
Elmira Pratt .
49.
tt
34.
tt
Crane, George C. .
27.
It
5.
>f
Harriet R. .
2L
tt
3.
Mass.
Abbott C. .
2.
tt
7 mc
>. »*
Clara E. . .
6 mo. „
, 66.
tt
Clarissa Fuller .
17.
57.
tt
Cro8sman,Zephaniah S.
44.
25.
tt
Crossman, Harrison
•
38.
14.
♦t
ElizabethA.
29.
12.
Scot.
Oren H.
•
11.
32.
Mass.
Frank E.
.
7.
21.
»f
Cordelia E.
4.
25.
%*
Otis B. .
•
2.
24.
Me.
Dane, Mary . . .
•
51.
Ire.
42.
lie.
Michael • •
•
22.
tt
848
POPIJLATION AND CENSUS.
Age.
Bora.
^ISSt
Mary . . • •
19.
Ire.
Catharine •
36. Ire.
Bridget • . •
17.
»>
Rosy Riley . . .
16. „
Isabdla . . •
15.
>»
Ann Riley • • •
7. „
John ....
13.
»
Bridget Riley . •
6. „
WilUam . . .
11.
tt
Donohue, Thomas • •
38. „
James • • • •
9.
»>
Mary . •
29. „
Dean, Bethiah . . •
66.
Mass.
James . •
6. Mass.
Dolly ....
56.
»•
Thomas . •
3. „
Dean, Bradford • . •
55.
»
Charles • •
1. »>
Eliza ....
48.
»f
Donohue, Francis . •
38. Ire.
Lloyd H. . . .
19.
t$
Catharine •
85. ,»
OtisB. . . .
14.
t$
Catharine .
9. Mass.
Eustice H. . .
12.
tt
Ann E. . •
7. „
Sarah E. Burt . .
18.
tt
James • •
4. „
Dean, Otis ....
42.
tt
Mary. • •
2. ,9
EUghty S. . .
39.
»>
Donnelly, Patrick . •
30. Ire.
Sarah M. . . •
15.
»>
Mary. . •
28. „
OtisB. . . .
13.
>f
John . . •
3. Mass.
Dean, Simeon A. . .
45.
»>
Michael • .
6 mo. „
Eliza B. . . .
39.
tt
Thomas Marley. .
35. Ire.
Ellen M. . . .
15.
•»
Barney Rounch
33. ff
Adelia A. . .
11.
»>
Draper, Joseph . • .
46. Mass.
Hiram A. • .
9.
>»
Lucilda B.
46. „
Anna J. . . .
3.
tt
Joseph O. . .
21. „
MaryT. . . .
2.
tt
Samuel A. . .
18. „
Davis, William H. . .
37.
tt
Mary E. Kir kpatrick
16. „
Mary D. . . .
32.
tf
Drake, Charles A. . .
33. ,f
Mary J. . . .
12.
tt
Lydia . . .
40. „
WiUiam H. . .
9.
tt
Charles E. . .
IL „
Devoll, Pardon B. . .
42.
tt
Sarah L. . .
4. M
Esther G. . .
37.
*i
Dyer, Polly ....
64. „
Edward S. . .
19.
tt
Mary A. . . .
36. „
Mary C. . .
15.
tt
Eliza A. Lincoln .
13. „
Catharine . .
11.
tt
Droun, Sally ....
68. „
Julia A. . .
6.
»»
Nancy M. , .
32. „
Catharine Galligan
18.
Ire.
Sarah F. . .
25. „
Ann Cunningham •
38.
>«
Eddy, Mary ....
69. „
John S. Clapp . •
36.:
^ass.
Eddy, Hodges . , .
31. „
Dexter, Christopher .
29.
tt
Almeda . . .
23. „
Sarah W. , .
26.
t*
John ....
1. ,t
Walter . . .
3.
tt
Eddy, John ....
58. „
Sarah . . .
9 mo
• »
Charlotte . .
59. „
Derry, Betsey B. . .
61.
tt
Eddy, Elijah ....
70. „
Joanna C. Taber •
56.
tt
Elliot, John S. . . .
43. Eng.
Derry, Clarissa . . .
59.
tt
Esther W. . .
43. Me.
Eliza J. . . .
22.
>f
Mary E. . . •
13. Mass.
Dorgan, Abbie . . •
52.
Ire.
John W. . . .
12. „
James . . •
21.
tt
William T. . .
10. „
Timothy . .
18.
tt
Joseph S. . .
8. „
Nancy McNames .
22.
tt
Charles W. , .
3. „
Donohue, James . .
37.
tt
Samuel S. . •
2. ,a
POFCLATION AND CENSUS.
849
Elms, Lydia • .
Anna • •
Fanny . .
Ellen Coyle .
Bridget Smith
Faden, Nathaniel
Susan .
Emiline *
Foster, Perez
Hannah .
George .
WiUiam H.
Ellen J. .
Samuel Balcom
Foster, Alexander
Georgianna
Abner H.
George .
Ellen Godfrey
Fobes, William R.
Angeline
Elmina A.
Marion J.
Frands, Ephraim
Mary .
Lueian .
Lyman R.
Field, David . .
Celia . .
Rathburn
Matilda .
Chester R.
Barnum A.
Field, David, jun.
Nancy A.
Lucretia O.
Celia A.
Field, Emma
Abigail B.
Charlotte G. Stone .
Field, Earl W.
Ann J.
EUen J.
Field, Rachel
Field, Darius
Betsy .
Fidd, Dennis
Sally .
Fisher, Marcus M.
Hannah N.
Mary. . .
>»
If
tt
i>
I*
»
It
»»
If
ft
If
ff
If
^^ Bora.
65. Me.
30. Pa.
23. „
29. Ire.
19. ,f
55. Mass.
51. ..
10. „
58. R.I.
49. Mass.
16.
14.
5.
81.
30.
28.
7.
5.
15.
38.
33.
10.
7.
50. „
16. Vt
14. I,
9. „
81. Mass.
81.
40.
33.
12.
6.
47.
45.
17.
7.
47.
49.
22.
27.
25.
1.
27.
30.
31.
56.
66.
47.
42.
20.
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
f»
ff
f>
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
Harriet E. •
Edward M.
EvaL.
Finn, Michael
Sarah .
Austin
Mary A.
Sarah .
Fitzgerald, David
Margaret
Joseph
John
Mary
Anna
Ellen
Frarey, Owen
Rose
Bridget
Patrick
Ann.
Barney
Rose
Catharine
Mary •
Margaret
Freeman, Sanforth
Nancy
Carlos D.
Rachel Thayer
Freeman, Abigail
WilUams
Freeman, Schuyler
Sally M.
Hiram S.
Charles H.
Freeman, Mason .
Hannah S.
George M.
SethB. .
Ellen E. .
Freeman, Nathaniel
Sarah J. •
Abbie J. .
Lucinda S.
Galligan, Philip
Mary . •
Mary . •
Rosa . .
Agnes •
Barney •
Margaret.
ff
ff
ff
ff
ft
ff
ft
ff
■•«•• Bora.
11. Mass.
8. „
2. „
40. Ire.
31. „
7. Mass.
4. ff
2. „
45. Ire.
34.
14.
8.
7. M
4. Mass.
2. .,
40. Ire.
35.
15.
13.
11.
9.
7. „
5. Mass.
3. „
11 mo. „
71.
69.
14.
64.
83.
66.
44.
41.
17.
8.
43.
42.
21.
19.
5.
42.
34.
14.
9. „
46. Ire.
39. „
12. Mass.
10. „
8. „
6. „
2. „
ff
ft
ff
f«
ft
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ft
ft
t>
ft
ff
ff
>f
ff
30
i
850
POPULATION AND CENSUS.
(^alligan, Patrick . .
Catharine .
Henry • .
James . •
GalligaUi Edward . .
Mary . . .
Henry . .
Mary . . .
Anna • • •
Edward , .
Ellen . . •
James . •
Qalligan, Charles . .
Barney . •
Charles • .
Ann . • •
Galligan, Daniel . •
Catharine .
Barney . .
James . . •
Bridget • •
John • •
Qaffney, Owen . . .
Elizabeth . .
James F. . •
Thomas . .
Gaffney, Edwin . . •
Mary . . .
Mary A. . .
Gilmore, Everett G. .
Julia A. . .
Avis A. . •
Eveline • .
Julia E. . .
Elbridge H. .
Susan E. Stoddard .
Esmerelda Stoddard
Gooch, Thomas . . .
Elizabeth W. .
Polly King . . .
Charles Briggs . .
Goodwin, Polly . . .
Abby . .
Hannah L. .
Godfrey, David . . .
Betsy . . .
Laura F. . .
Rosilla B. .
Sarah . • .
God&ey, Jones . . .
Hannah • •
.«, Where
^^ Born.
^8^ Bom.
30. Ire.
H.Elizabetl]
L,
18. Mass.
28. „
Lebe A. .
17. „
3. Mass.
Martha A.
16. „
2. ,.
Emily J. .
13. „
40. Ire.
Jones W.
11. „
33. „
Goff, Silas R. . ,
42. „
16. Mass.
Roxanna . •
38. „
15. H
Abby J. , ,
13. „
n. „
Mary E. . .
7. ,.
10. „
Baylies R. . .
3. „
8. „
Lucinda Horton
20. „
5. „
Abbie A. Horton
11. .,
40. Ire.
Gillroy, Hugh . ,
35. Ire.
5. Mass.
Margaret •
28. „
3. „
Thomas
2. Mass.
27. Tre.
Mary E. .
6 mo. „
42. „
James Gaffney .
27. Ire.
36. „
Grady, Dennis . •
27. „
15. Mass.
Grace M. .
29. „
13. „
Dennis Galligan
8. „
9. „
Sarah Galligan .
6. „
6. „
William Gidligan
4. „
30. Ire.
Catharine Galliga
n
1. »
23. „
Patrick Magro .
26. „
2. MaftS.
John Magro . .
19. „
3. „
Catharine M. Magro
21. „
36. „
Timothy Crowan
26. „
24. „
Grimshaw, Thomas
36. Eng.
2 mo. „
Jane
35. „
35. „
Edward
16. „
34. R.L
Alfred .
5. Mass.
11. „
James .
1. »
9. 1,
James Lyle . .
37. Scot.
6. „
Agnes Lyle . ,
35. „
4. „
Guild, Nancy E. •
37. Mass.
31. „
Ellen S. . .
10. „
3. „
Abbie A.
7. „
30. Mass.
Catharine Darey
40. Ire.
35. „
Hall, Benjamin S. .
52. Mass.
73. „
Caroline J. . •
49. „
7. n
Hall, Richard H. .
45. „
80. „
Mary A. . ,
42. „
65, „
R. Henry . .
24. „
40. „
Horatio H. .
22. „
60. „
Mary J. . .
19. „
58. „
Eliza A. . .
16. „
33. „
Harriet A.
10. „
15. „
George E. . .
7. „
85. „
Velina A. • •
9 mo. „
46. „
Hall, Eben . . .
49. Me.
41. „
Susan . . •
»
POPDI^TION AND CENSUS.
351
Age.
Where
Born.
Age.
Where
Bom.
I«aacM.. . • •
21.
Me.
W. Georges
tmo.i
biass.
EbenW. . . .
10.
>t
Hill, Marbee . . ,
1 •
70.
If
Christiana A.
6.
>f
Martha . . .
75.
ff
Susan S. Nason . .-
28.
»
Allen L. . .
42.
II
Harriet W. Nason .
21.
tt
Hill, NahumW. ,
36.
If
Elizabeth A. Nason .
19.
»>
Jemima
36.
If
Martha T. Nason .
17.
i>
Sanford W. .
7.
ff
Mary A. Nason . .
15.
>i
Ella E. . . .
4.
H
WiUiam P. Nason .
11.
««
Hicks, Gilbert . ,
56.
ff
Harding, Achsah C. .
46.
Mass.
Malanca . ,
53.
ff
Watie A. .
20.
tt
Charles F. Carp
en-
Achsah C. .
16.
tt
ter . . . ,
21.
•1
Andrew A. .
5.
It
High, Timothy . ,
35.
Ire.
Hardon, Isaac, juu. ,
65.
tt
Bridget A. .
36.
ff
Eunice . .
60.
tt
Mary . • .
14.
If
Eunice . .
38.
tt
Anna . . .
12.
»•
John D. . •
22.
tt
Catharine
10.
tt
Hazleton, George M. .
23.
tt
John . .
8.
ff
Su^an A. .
24.
tt
Timothy . ,
6.
If
Silence Randall
59.
»>
James . . ,
1.:
Bdass.
Harvey, John . . .
35.
tt
Holmes, A^^a P. . ,
46.
ff
Cornelia A. .
39.
tt
Eunice . ,
48.
II
Cornelia E. •
7.
tt
Alonzo P.
18.
II
Ellen F. . .
5.
tt
Melissa S.
16.
II
Adeline H. .
3.
tt
Horton, Abigail .
80.
fi
Harris, John ....
33.
Eng.
Horton, Allen M.
26.
If
Margaret • .
35.
tt
Olive K. ,
25.
If
Alfred Rainford .
18.
tt
Allen M. ,
8mc
>. ff
Alice Rainford . .
12.
If
Sarah W. MiUer
61. (
^onn.
Hagerty, Charles . .
34.
Pa.
Hodges, Hannah ,
77.
Mass.
Mary A. . .
29.
Mass.
Hodges, Leonard ,
54.
If
Mary A. . .
7.
tt
Chloe . ,
50.
ff
Harlow, Reuben . .
36.
tt
Fanny J. ,
24.
If
Betsy . . .
37.
tt
Henry G.
22.
fi
Lavinia . .
13.
tt
Ann E.
20.
If
Reuben A. .
10.
tt
Caroline B
14.
If
William F. .
7.
tt
Charlotte J
L !
12.
•1
William T.Britton.
21.
t*
Hodges, Earl . .
44.
If
Sarah Williams . .
84.
tt
Harriet
47.
II
Benj. Mahusen . .
79.
tt
Emma T.
11.
It
Anna Mahusen . .
78.
tt
Emma Lane .
50.
ft
James Godfrey . ,
66.
ft
Hodges, Royal P.
37.
II
Lettuce Puifer . .
77.
If
Martha M.
38.
ff
Nancy Watson . .
64.
If
Julia B.
7.
II
Edmund Lathrop .
49.
fi
Ann Williams ,
24.
If
Hazlehurst, George W.
32.
Eng.
Hodges, Hiram •
49.
fi
Almeda .
27.
N.Y.
Deborah
50.
If
Elizabeth G
. 9.
Mass.
John
23.
II
Alfred P. .
6.
ft
Lucy .
19.
It
ChistinaA.
4.
R.I.
Frank . ,
15.
It
MinervaA.
2. Mass.
Sarah .
9.
II
862
POPULATION AND CENSUS.
Hodges, Williams • •
Avis P. . •
Charles W. .
Joseph F. . •
Clara . . .
Emma R. • •
Alfreds. . .
Hodges, JarTis . • .
Rhoda . • .
Ludnda • •
Maria L. West . •
Hodges, Samuel , . .
EUza J. . .
EUen D. Skinner •
Josephus E.Skinner
Hodges, Newton S.
Lnranah W. .
Sarah .
David L.
Hodges, Solomon S.
Nancy T.
Sally M.
Hunt, Fanny
F. Maria .
Hunt, Hiram J,
Betsy . •
Mary £. .
Hunt, Calvin M.
Lavina .
Sarah A. .
George C.
Laura J. .
Hunt, Adolphus D.
Emily J. .
Emily H.
Frank D.
Hunt, John . .
Lucy A. •
Sarah . •
Hunt, Elbridge G.
Betsy . .
George E.
Catharine E.
Hunt, Peddy .
Harriet J.
Hunt, Moses . .
Nancy
PUny P. .
Nancy A.
Amanda F.
Albert M.
-*«* Born.
•*«^ Bom.
69. Mass.
Eunice M. •
7. Mass.
68.
>»
Hunt, Borden • •
. 69. R.L
31.
„
Harriet • •
• 42. Mass.
27.
If
Hunt, Henry . •
. 40. „
19.
,»
Maria . • •
• 40. „
17.
>«
Henry L. .
. 11. .»
16.
„
Cornelia Dean •
• *^« ff
66.
„
Lewis B. Dean •
• 28. „
66.
»»
Isherwood, Ralph •
. 29. Eng.
73.
»
Alice .
. 28. „
20.
t$
Mary A.
• 8. „
36.
It
Alfred .
2. Mass.
29.
If
Harriet
. 10 mo. „
33.
„
Johnson, James . •
. 38. Ire.
3.
ft
Mary . .
. 40. „
62.
»•
Mary A. .
. 11. M
49.
,»
Johnson, Charles H.
. 37.N.C.
17.
,,
Eliza A. .
. 30. Mass.
13.
„
Emma J. •
. 9 mo. „
46.
»
Jones, Elnathan . .
• 68. „
29.
Ca.
Polly . . .
. 46. „
8. Mass.
Harriet A. .
• 12. „
70.
„
Jones, William D. •
. 20. „
46.
»>
Betsy . . .
* 2*5. „
61.
ft
Kosco W. .
• 3 mo. „
47.
,1
Jones, William . .
• 66, „
14.
»,
Prudence
• 66. „
60.
,t
KeiSe, Edward . .
. 26. Lre.
48.
ft
Elizabeth . .
. 19. ..
17.
19
Margaret . •
2. Mass.
16.
>»
Kelly, Zeno . . .
. 44. „
12.
„
Julia A. . .
• 34. „
47.
,,
Blanchard B.
. 9. „
43.
»
Zeno H. . .
. 7. „
19.
It
Abbot E. .
. 7 mo. „
6.
tt
Margaret Fane .
Eng.
61.
tl
Polly Braman .
. 60. Mass.
60.
II
Keith, Ansel . . .
. Oo. ,,
19.
tt
Betsy . . .
. 71. „
67.
It
Nathaniel Andrews 64. „
67.
ft
Keith, Amos . • .
. 69. „
29.
tt
Abigail . .
. 58. „
20.
tt
Elbridge D.
. 31. „
70.
11
Cephas . •
. 28. „
46.
tl
Martin L. .
. 20. „
40.
tt
Keith, Williams .
. 66. „
46.
tt
Louisa F. .
. 18. „
21.
It
Amelia L .
. 16. „
19.
tt
Theodore W.
. 11. „
13.
tt
Otis L. . .
. 8. „
10.
tt
Hannah . .
. 70. „
FOPOliATION AND CENSDB.
Phebe . .
Eimlwll Q), Kiapath
Alfred Clark. .
Wmiam VaUett .
LeioO^T I.
Aim McfiinniJi
King, Bhoda. .
FninceaE.
William A. ■
Enapp, Nancy ,
MujF.
E^pp, SumnCT
Cturlea P.
Gardner
Enowles, William
Elmira
George A.
Lane, Daniel . .
Albert. .
Elniia
Haicu9 O.
Herbert .
Julietta .
Benjamin C
Lane, Calvin . .
MaT|;ai'et .
Lane, George ■
Chloe A. .
Silaa A. Stone
Lane, William .
Bets^ . .
NehemiBh A. Dean
An jenett R. Wilde
Lane, Qardner . .
Amelia . .
Mar; A. . .
Polly Carver ,
Mary L. Conant
Lane, Allen . . .
Elizabeth . .
Abigail . .
Jetusha H. Freeman
Lane, Allen D. .
Lucy M. .
WiUiam A.
Edwin A.
Al-
lis
ee
Uaaa.
64
EJ.
. 10
. 25
19
39
Ire.
72
Mass.
33.
3C
76
60
61
fiO
16
11
;;
SI
fil
84
"
. 47
i.
2C
3
42
I
73
67
n'.'h.
26
Maa9.
69
68
13
61
60
31
4:
"
39
11
SO
68
76
70
SO
a 39
. 31
E.'l.
13
Maw.
10
30
LucyE. . .
6.M
AbbieR.. .
3. „
Elizabeth. .
6 mo. „
AbWe N. Pidge
22. „
Lane, Samael H. .
42. „
EebeccaP. .
37. „
lane, AugustuB . .
36. „
Mary A. . .
30. „
George A. .
6. „
Charlea A. .
4. ..
Robert E. .
2. „
UaryH. . .
4mo. „
Edgar A. Freeman
13. „
James H. Leonard
25. „
Mary Smith . .
19. Ire.
Lane, David C. . .
fl.Maaa.
Abiah . . .
es. „
Alice . . .
24. „
Ellen W.. .
22. .,
WiUUmH. .
16. „
Lane, Don F. . .
46. „
Harriet . .
42. „
Andrew . .
18. „
Cordelia . .
16. „
John T. WiUiams
20. „
Lane, Mary H. . .
40. „
Lane, Charles D. .
30. „
Fanny H. .
27. „
Emily D.. .
7. ,.
Ellen F. . .
Crawford Lane .
18. „
Lane. Oliver H. . .
26. „
Polly E. . .
24. „
Charlea E. .
3. „
Eli W. Field .
30. „
Leonard, Cromwell
Harriet M.
44. N.H.
Jamee Dew . .
13. N.B.
Elizabelb Hoy .
18. La.
Leonard, Luen C. .
36. Mass
Eunice H.
36. ,.
Jacob A. .
9.
Florence C.
fi.
Leonard, Hathaway
63.
Maiy B. .
53.
AldenH.
26.
Marion B.
17.
Charles P.
14.
Leonard, Otia R. .
24.
Mary A. E.
23.
Peleg 0. .
3.
854
POPULATION AND CENSUS.
Ai«.
WiMra
Bom.
^fl^ Bora.
Angdine.
.8 mo.
Mass.
RhodaA. • . .
13. Mass.
Eliza J. Dean .
. 14.
>t
Alvin F. • • .
11. „
Leonard, Gilford .
. 41.
If
Betsy Eddy . . .
Leddy, Barney • • .
49. „
Cassandra
. 40.
ft
45. Ire.
Gilford H
• . JiJ»»
ff
Julia . . • .
50. „
Laura A.
. 14.
ff
Leddy, Peter . • . .
30. ,»
Charles ,
. . 12.
ff
Margaret . .
26. „
Emeline .
. . 10.
ff
/ Julia . . . .
3. „
Wealthy C. . 5.
ff
Catharine . .
7 mo. Mass.
Densey E.
. 3.
If
Lothrop, Solomon . .
64. „
Leonard, Gilbert B.
. 29.
ff
Fanny . . .
64. „
Elizabeth
. 24.
ff
Andrew J. .
81. f,
Wealthy ]
B. . 9.
ff
Nathan C. .
16. „
Ellen V. ,
. . 8.
ff
Lothrop, Melvin 0. .
36. „
Walter B,
. 5.
ff
Mary A. • •
80. „
Lewis D.
. 3.
ff
Everett M. .
3. „
George F,
. . 2.
ff
Fanny T. . .
5 mo. „
Anna J.
. . 2 mo. „
Margaret Butler .
24. Ire.
Leonard, Ezekiel
. . 38.
„
Lincoln, Annes A. • *
59. Mass.
Rally R.
. . 37.
Nancy. • .
53. „
Ezekiel S.
. 17.
Mary A. . .
26.. „
Jjewis E. .
. . 13.
Annes A., jr.
23. „
Irving L.
. 9.
Luther . .
21. „
Edwin F,
. . 7.
Daniel B. • .
. 20. „
PhUo F. .
. . 3.
Anna . • .
17. „
Leonard, George R
. . 45.
David A. . .
14. „
Patience E. . 38.
Edwin H. Arnold .
34. „
Elizabeth E.. 15.
Mary Arnold . ,
. 49. „
George H
. . 12.
Margaret Lynch .
. 17. Ire.
Everett R. . 9.
Lincoln, Seneca . .
54. Mass.
Stephen I
.. . 4.
Elizabeth . .
50. „
Mary Walsh
. . 25.
Ire.
Elizabeth . ,
, 25. „
Leonard, Rebecca .
. . 69.
Mass.
Ruth . . .
24. „
Dennis Moran
. . 21.
Ire.
Seneca L.
. 22. „
Leonard, George E
. . 22.
Mass.
Lydia A. . .
20. „
Jane .
. . 18.
ff
Mary B. . .
18. „
Leonard, James .
. . bb.
»f
Phebe A. . ,
15. „
Wealthy
. . 54.
t*
Rebecca R. ,
13. „
Alexande]
rD. 16.
ff
Charity . .
10. „
James H.
. 11.
ff
Rachel Lincoln . .
65. „
Caroline Irish .
. . 24.
ff
Annis A. Slade
13. „
William D. Wa
sh-
Lincoln, Laban . . ,
64. „
burn . • ,
. 20.
»f
Susannah . .
61. f,
Leedham, John .
. . 53.
Eng.
Hannah D. .
29. „
Alice. .
. . 52.
ff
Mary J. . ,
20. „
Joseph .
, . 28.
ff
Lincoln, Calvin . . .
67. „
Thomas
. . 21.
ff
Nancy P. . .
56. „
James ,
. 15.
ff
Moses 0. . .
23. „
Samuel ,
, . 13.
ff
Rhoda Wilbur . .
47. „
Lee, Alvin D. . .
. 40.
Mass.
Lincoln, Silas W. . .
40. ,.
Filena . .
. . 41.
fi
Susan A. B. .
29. Me.
POPXnATION AND CENSUS.
355
1
Age.
Whtrt
Bora.
•*«^ Bora.
Jolin H. . •
14. Maw.
Lincoln, Samuel R. .
55. Mass.
Mary S. . .
8.
»
SaUy . . .
49.
»>
Jeremiah McDonald
22.
»
James G. . .
24.
>f
Thomas Hill . . .
8.
tt
Eunice A.
25.
tt
Catharine Leonard .
18.
Ire.
Nancy . . .
60.
tt
Sarah E. Loring
20.
Me.
Lewis E. . .
12.
tt
Ellen M. Loring •
17.
ft
Lincoln,
Harrison T. .
27.
tt
Lincoln, Sumner W. •
40. Mass.
Elmira . . .
25.
tt
Mary . . .
40.
Mary A . . .
6.
tt
Lloyd S. . .
16.
Lincoln,
Benjamin , .
65.
tt
MaryE. • .
13.
Nancy • . .
52.
»>
Harriet M. .
7.
Joseph . . «
18.
tt
Sarah H. . .
1.
Susan Sharky • •
15.
tt
John Hardey . .
28.
Eng.
Lincoln,
John . . .
52.
tt
Barney Field . .
62. Mass.
Lydia . • .
32.
tt
Lincoln, Calvin C. . .
32.
»»
John B. . .
n.
tt
Catharine M.
27.
»>
Charles A. .
10.
tt
Emory C. . .
3.
$f
Lydia A. . •
8.
tt
Lincoln, Eddy . . .
54.
*>
Frances R. •
5.
tt
Lydia . . .
49.
tt
Elnora . . .
10 mo
>•»
Daniel . . .
18.
tt
Lincoln,
Orin F. . .
22.
tt
Moses Lincoln
18.
tt
Laura . • .
18.
tt
Mary Magrovren .
25.
Ire.
Lucy A. . .
1.
tt
Timothy O'Brien .
25.
>»
Makepei
ice, Lysander .
84.
t*
James Todd . . .
22.
t«
Eunice
83.
»»
Samuel Fisher . ,
76.
Mass.
Makepeace, Lysand. 0.
37.
tt
Lincoln, Aaron, jun. .
48.
tt
Esther R .
36.
tt
Rhoda . . .
47.
tt
Anne E. .
16.
tt
George F.
18.
tt
Sarah A. •
12.
tt
Henry W. .
15.
tt
Stella A. .
9.
t»
William O. .
13.
tt
Frank B. .
7.
tt
Rhoda E. . .
10.
tt
Lucia A. .
5.
tt
Hannah M.F.
9.
»i
Eveline L.
3.
tt
Samuel S.
6.
f>
IdellaS. .
5 mo
' tt
Charles H. .
4.
tt
Honorah Calahan .
16.
Ire.
John C. . .
2.
tt
Makepeace, Don P. .
50. J
yiass.
Lincoln, Elijah . . .
64.
tt
Elizabeth .
36.
tt
Patience . .
64.
tt
Lucilda D.
19.
t»
Bradford Willis .
67.
tt
Laura F. .
10.
tt
Tiincoln, Elijah D. . .
42.
tt
Abby , .
9.
tt
Phebe . . .
42.
tt
George
4.
tt
Phebe C. . .
18.
tt
Charles H.
1.
tt
Eliza . . .
11.
tt
David . .
87.
tt
Elvira . . .
9.
tt
Makepei
ace, Jason T. L.
33.
tt
Jesse D. . .
6.
tt
Mehitable
Henry A. . •
4.
tt
W. . .
27.
tt
Lincoln, Simeon, jun. .
24.
tt
PaulinusJ.
6.
tt
Adaline M. .
21.
tt
,
William T.
1,
tt
Clarence . •
2.
tt
Makepeace, Deborah .
68.
tt
Simeon • •
63.
tt
Lurana Tisdale . •
48.
tt
Lincoln, James . . •
56.
tt
Makepeace, Alanson •
47.
ft
856
POPULATION AND CKNS17B.
Af«.
Where
Born.
«a« When
•*«^ Bom.
Jane I.
40. Mass.
John • . •
9. Mass.
Mercy J. .
18.
»>
Ellen . .
7. „
Sarah E. .
17.
n
Kobert . .
6. tt
Martha M.
15.
II
McMahan, Thomas • •
39. Ire.
Charles 0.
5.
II
Margaret •
38. f,
JosephineA.
, 2.
•1
Patrick . •
17. „
Makepeace, David W. .
43.
II
James • •
12. „
Abigail A.
34.
II
Bridget . •
9. Mass.
AbbyA. .
12.
II
Thomas. •
6. „
David A. .
7.
11
Margaret A«
4. „
Elmar W. .
2.
II
Catharine •
2. t,
MathewBOxii John . .
32.
II
Charles . •
7 mo. „
Eunice .
27.
fi
McNamara, Michael •
50. Ire.
Arabella .
9.
II
Mary . .
46. „
Sarah L. .
5.
II
Catharine,
13. Mass.
John n. .
2.
II
Jane . •
11. ,1
Munroe, John L. • .
70.
»i
Fanny . .
9. „
Betsy . . .
68.
•1
Patri^ .
7. „
Murry, Catharine . .
5b.
Ire.
Wilh'am .
6. „
Mary . . .
19.
1*
Laurana Hacus . •
13. Ire.
Patrick . . .
17.
II
McNamara, Dennis .
30. „
Ann • • • .
15.
II
Margaret .
21. 1.
Catharine . .
12.
II
Cornelius •
3. Mass.
James . • .
10.
»i
Nora . .
1. .1
McCaffery, Thomas .
34.
If
Messinger, James O. .
45. „
Ann . .
34.
It
PhebeM. .
39. „
Mary . .
12.
Mass.
J.Alfred .
17. „
Kosena . .
11.
»i
Abbie E. .
11. ,1
Alice . .
8.
II
Frances Wayland .
22. N.F.
Frederic .
5.
II
Messinger, Austin . .
37. Mass.
Julia . .
2.
11
SalinaA.F.
32. „
McClarence, Archibald
38.
Eng.
Mary E. •
9. „
Sarah . .
37.
tt
Khoda . •
63. „
Isaac . .
17.
II
Macomber, Zaccheus .
41. 1.
Maria . .
15.
II
Elmira . »
39. „
James H. .
10.
II
James O. •
16. „
Archibald
8.
M
Harriet E. .
5. „
ElizabethA.
. 5.
Mass.
Miller, Elbridge G. .
40. „
Sarah J. .
2.
fi
Hulda . . .
37. „
McDowney, John . .
48.
Ire.
Charles E. . .
18. ..
Bridget •
40.
II
Ruth A. . . .
16. „
McDonald, James . .
40.
II
Jonathan G. .
14. „
Mary . .
13.:
Sdass.
Betsy J. . . .
11. .1
Abraham,
Sarah E. . .
8. ,1
jun. . .
10.
II
Elbridge E.. .
5. „
Abraham .
76.
Ire.
Herbert G. . .11 mo. „
Mary . .
72.
II
Morse, Willard . . .
44. „
McGinley, John . .
38.
It
Asenath . • •
37. „
Mary . ,
40.
•I
Eliza A. . • •
14. „
Mary A. .
11.:
Mass.
Lysander C. •
11. „
James • .
10.
II
Sarah E. • .
8. 1,
POPXJIiATION AND CENSUS.
867
»__ Whcr6
^f^ Born.
A««.
Wher*
Bora.
Elbridge G. •
4. Mass.
Caroline A. .
26.
Mass.
Morton, Edmund • .
56. Me.
James M. Donald .
13.:
N.H.
Hannah Hammond
43. „
Plnnket, Patrick . .
38.
Ire.
Abbie M.Hammond
16. „
• Margaret . •
43.
Muntz, William H. •
30. Eng.
Catharine
19.
Alice . • .
27. „
John • . •
16.
Alfred Parker . •
25. „
Mary . • .
15.
Sarah Parker % •
23. „
Thomas . .
9.
Catharine Smith .
18. Ire.
Bridget . .
7.
Catharine Smith .
20. Mass.
Patrick . .
5.
Maloy, John ....
50. Ire.
Perry, Ichabod . , •
66. Mass.
Bridget . . .
50. „
Celia D. . . .
59.
Newcomb, Sylvester •
87. Mass.
Harriet E. • •
22.
Roxanna .
64. R.I.
Sarah W. . .
20.
Newcomb, Asa . . ,
25. Mass.
Perry, Lemuel . . .
73.
Ellen . .
26. „
MillaK. . . .
51.
George E. .
1. u
George R. . .
19.
Josephine Dean
H. M
Perry, Henry C. . .
27.
Newcomb, Charlotte S.
38. „
Nancy E. . •
25.
Merrick O.
30. „
AdellaP. . .
3.
Emily H. .
20. „
Florence A. . •
2.
Newcomb, Josiah . .
70. „
Pond, Horace A. • .
37.
Nancy . .
67. „
Lucy ....
30.
Joseph . .
31. „
Edgar A. Perago .
4.
RuelCobb . . .
64. „
Riley, Edward . . .
36.
Ire.
Fanny Fisher . .
28. „
Ellen ....
24.
*»
Newcomb, Nathaniel .
58. „
Mary ....
3. Mass.
Betsy . .
60. „
Ann ....
5 mc
>. •>
Harriet . .
21. „
Farel Smith . . .
25.
Ire.
Ellen Burt . . .
22. Ire.
Redding, Lewis . . .
32.
Mass.
Newcomb, John B.
43. Mass.
Maria A. . .
38.
Abigail C .
33. Me.
Adaline . •
7.
Abbie C. .
6. Mass.
Edwin L. .
5.
Charles H..
4. »
Reed, Stephen D. . .
45.
Walter Ross . . .
17. „
Emily A. . . .
46.
Mary Dolan . . .
23. Ire.
Reed, Irena ....
29.
Betsy
79. Mass.
OrvillaJ. . .
10.
O'Brien, Andrew . ,
64. Ire.
John F. . . .
8.
Ann , . .
59. „
Reed, Lydia ....
73.
Edward . .
25. „
Adda ....
40.
Lucinda . .
22. Me.
Sarah ....
13.
Pratt, Augustus L.
44 . Mass.
Abbie J. . . .
11.
Vashti. . . .
41. „
George . . ,
8.
Ellen A. . . .
11. .,
Richmond, Benjamin .
64.
Henry A. . .
4. „
Mary J.
41.
John A. Gibson .
39. Vt.
Hannah T. Hodges.
30.
Palmer, Clara E. . .
25. Mass.
Richmond, Benj. H. •
34.
Clara A. . .
4. „
Julia A. •
26.
Frederic M. .
1. „
Ann M. •
10.
Patten, John ....
59. „
EllaE.. .
6.
Nancy M. . •
56. „
William F. Adams.
18.
858
POPULATION AND CBaiSUS.
Agt.
Where
Born.
Age.
Where
Born.
Bichmond, Ward . .
52.
Mass.
George B. .
19.
Mass.
OHveB. .
50.
»f
Shelley, Libbeus .
65.
Richmond, David H. .
23.
>f
Lucinda .
54.
Martha M.
23.
ff
Shepard, Jacob . .
66.
Hiley, Catharine . .
50.
Ire.
Mary . ,
60.
Owen ....
19.
ft
Mary . .
26.
Faral ....
17.
If
Catharine .
25.
John ....
15.
»>
Sheridan, John . .
45,
Ire.
Patrick . . .
13.
»f
Mary . .
40.
*f
Kogers, Charles . . .
40.
Me.
Thomas .
7. Mass.
Harriet F. . .
39.
Mass.
Bridget .
5.
•»
Harriet M. . .
9.
John . .
4.
f>
Betsy A. . .
8.
Elizabeth
1.
t»
Fanny J. . .
4.
Sinclair, Amos S. .
54.
Vt
Emma J. . .
1.
Joanna
52. Mass.
Kobinson, Ruel . . .
40.
Sarah L. .
23.
If
Eliza . . .
41.
Ellen M. .
19.
t>
IdaA. . .
11.
MaryKeffe . .
17.
Ire.
Ruel E. . .
8.
Skinner, Albert . .
25.
Mass.
Adda F. Dunham .
21.
Elizabeth M
. •
23.
Robinson, Mary A.
49.
Eugene M.
6.
Sarah H. .
14.
Clarance A.
3.
Robinson, Edward 0. .
20.
Orinthia S. Hewitt
10.
Lucinda . .
21.
Rachel Skinner .
55.
Rock wood, Thomas T.
41.
Skinner, Josephus .
59.
Eveline A.
41.
Rebecca .
53.
Charles H.
13.
Marietta A.
21.
Franklin Holmes .
32.
Rebecca 0.
16.
Rogerson, John R. . .
43.
Harriet E.
13.
Mary L.
38.
Smith, Timothy . .
62.
Ellen A. .
16.
Charles T. .
22.
Alfred V. .
14.
Smith, Noah . . .
68.
William B. . '
8.
Nancy . .
64.
Lydia S.
6.
Ann A. . .
27.
Sylvanus H. Blan-
Stella A. .
22.
ding ....
21.
Ellen King . .
23.
Round, Benjamin M. .
38.
Smith, Charles H. .
34.
Sophia . . .
35.
Susan . .
33.
Helen R. . .
5.
Smith, James, 2d .
45.
Ire.
Arthur M. . .
3.
Bridget . .
40.
Alice A. . .
10 mo. „
Catharine .
19.
John Cormody . .
16.
Ire.
Andrew . .
17.
Ann Galligan . .
25.
f«
Thomas . .
15.
Hannah PuUen . .
62.
Me.
Bridget . .
9.
Root, Clarinda . . .
36.
Mass.
Mary . . .
7.
Emma F. . . .
10.
Rosa . . .
4.
Ma.ss.
Clara M. . . .
3.
James . .
8 mo. „
Shaw, John ....
62.
Smith, Matthew . .
45.
Ire.
Polly ....
59.
Ann . . .
43.
i»
Marshall . . .
31.
John . . .
21.
f>
Horatio E. . .
27.
Ann . . .
17.
$>
POPULATION AND CENSUS.
859
Age.
Eliza . •
Matthew .
Patrick Riley
Michael Murry
Frank Gyrl
Smith, Patrick
Julia •
Mary. . i .3
Michael
Smith, James
Abigail Preeman
Smith, James, jun.
Hachel L.
James H.
Kachel D.
Smith, Seth . •
Sarah M.
Mary E. .
. Herbert R. Arnold.
Smith, Stillman .
Eunice .
Eunice M.
William W
Smith, Stillman L. B.
Ann E. .
Prank L.
Smith, Henry .
Sarah . .
Dwight D.
Smith, Peter . .
Bridget .
Philip .
Smith, George W.
Alvin P.
Daniel B.
Lydia A.
Alvin
Lydia •
Smith, Lucinda .
Hannah L.
Smith, Nathan .
Olive . .
Caroline M
Sanford E.
Bradford
Lauretta
Emerson W
Eliza A. .
Matilda J.
Evert tt A.
Snow, Joseph .
Where
Bqrn.
15. Mass.
12. „
35. Lre.
20. „
30. „
22. Lre.
21. „
mo. Mass.
18. Ire.
63. Mass.
55.
33.
29.
6.
4.
58.
51.
16.
8.
61.
61.
31.
22.
28.
29.
1. »
28. Conn.
29. „
4. „
34. Ire.
33. I,
24. „
30. Mass.
28.
25.
22.
58.
57.
52.
29.
47.
44.
17.
16.
14.
12.
10.
8.
6.
3. it
67. R.I.
it
f»
if
»f
ft
f*
>»
»*
»*
»f
tt
tt
tt
tt
tt
it
tt
tt
tt
tf
tt
tt
tt
tt
tt
tf
ft
tt
it
tt
Nancy . • .
Nancy Y. . .
Sprague, Charles, jun. .
•Betsy W.
Warren C
Betsy A.
Mary P.
Charles . .
Hannah Kelly
Stanley, Phebe .
Dilly HaU .
Stanley, Benjamin D.'.
Harriet E. •
George B.
Harriet M
Laura .
Stedman, Patrick
Bridget
John .
Mary ,
Stephens, Benjamin M.
Ann E.
Ann E.
Polly Field .
Story, George W.
Delia M. .
George H.
Adelia M.
Story, Thomas .
Betsy . .
A. Thorton
Elmira A.
Stone, Larnard .
Rebecca .
Lucinda .
Earl W. .
Fanny
Sumner, Seth .
Ruth A.
Ruth .
Sweatland, Rufus
Clarissa
Sweatland, Edwin .
Philinda
AnnE.
James E. .
Anjenette . 7.
Lydia M. . 5.
Marietta • 1.
Sweet, William ... 62.
Lydia , , , 65,
tt
>»
tt
ft
»*
tt
AiM WhW8
-*«*• Bom.
49. Mass.
18.
50.
48.
21.
18.
9.
77. „
30. Ire.
70. Mass.
88. „
37. „
35. Me.
11. Mass.
7. „
2 mo. „
24. Ire.
25. „
1. Mass.
56. Ire.
47. Mass.
49.
18.
72.
36.
28.
7.
6.
67.
63.
30.
16.
60.
71.
62.
58.
56.
65.
49.
86.
75.
78. „
46. Me.
46. „
10. Mass.
8.
ft
tt
tt
tt
ft
ft
tf
tt
ft
tf
ft
M
tt
tf
ft
ft
tt
ft
ft
ft
tf
tf
tf
f»
860
POPULATION AND CENSUS.
Serena • . •
Sweet, Cyril S. . . •
Mercy A. ., •
Isabdla A. •* .
Cyril F. . . .
Ida R. • • •
Sweet, Betsy S. • • .
Betsy J. . • .
Sweet, Alanson . . •
Lydia . . •
Alanson £. . .
Benj)Amin F. .
Leand^ . . •
Albert L. . .
Swe^, Benjamin R. .
Rhoda M. . .
Sweet, George M. • .
Sarah W. . .
George A. . .
Frederic M.
Mary • . • •
Sweet, Oliver . • .
Sweet, Hezekiah . •
Lydia W. • .
Sweet, Eliza ....
Amelia T. . .
Eliza ....
Sarah T. . .
Sweet, Benjamin . .
LycUa D. . .
Benjamin E. .
Sophia C. . .
OrvilleB. . .
Aurelia J. . •
Sweet, Joseph D. . .
Abby A. . .
Lewis H. . .
Abbie A. . .
Joseph F. • .
Andlew H.
Sweet, James M. . .
Sophia J. . .
Ann M. • • .
Elvira O. . .
Otis J. . . .
Samantha K. .
Tinkham, Ebenezer .
Adaline . .
Abbie M. .
Frederic W.
Howard A. .
Aa^ When
^f^ Bom.
56. Mass.
38. „
35. „
9. „
4. »
3 mo. „
70. „
39.
43.
45.
U.
11.
6.
3.
36.
30.
47.
37.
15.
12.
88.
49.
30.
29.
44.
19.
17.
15.
58.
57.
27.
26.
24.
22.
53.
49.
17.
15.
12.
9.
43.
43.
18.
15.
11.
8.
42.
44.
11.
10.
8.
»
9$
>»
11
ff
ff
*f
ff
f»
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
f»
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
f»
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
Lydia A. Arnold •
Titus, Oliver S. . . .
Angeline . • •
Emily A. • .
Henry O. . •
Oren E. Walker .
Tripp Thompson • .
Nancy . • . .
Alice Smith . • .
Caroline L. Smith •
Catharine Linard •
Tucker, Polly H. . .
Mary A. . •
Elizabeth L.C.
Tucker, Allen B. • .
Alice . . .
Harriet N.
Charles B.
James E. • .
Tucker, Almond . .
Nancy • . .
Almond H. •
Moses H. . .
David A. • •
George N.
Frank M. . .
Ann E. • .
Rosco L. B. .
Tucker, Albert S. • .
Abigail . . .
Lydia . . .
Emily A. . .
Mary E. . .
Albert W. .
Benajah . .
Tucker, George W.
Eunice L. . .
Charles H.
Washburn, James S. •
Betsy . •
Joseph H.
Alexander
D. . .
Ann F. .
Sally Bryant
West, William A.
Ann B. .
Mary B. .
Frederic M.
Anna B. .
John . .
M
ff
f»
»f
ff
M
^3* nLSBB»
48.
25.
17.
23.
63.
62.
75.
24. „
15. Ire.
61. MasB.
23.
16.
61.
47.
21.
17.
12.
51.
33.
25.
20.
18.
16.
14.
13.
9.
44.
40.
15.
13.
10.
3.
80.
29.
2L
1.
49.
51.
19.
13.
10.
77.
54.
53.
17.
15.
12.
22.
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ft
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
\
POPULATION AND CENSUS.
861
Age,
Where
Bom.
Ag^
Where
Born.
Job W. Hall . .
86. Maas.
Marcus W. .
12. Mass.
Nancy Hall . . .
76.
»»
Roby . . .
94.
If
Mary Timmings .
24.
Ire.
Wheeler, Wheaton
60.
If
West, Hiram . • .
28.
Mass.
Eliza . . .
80.
11
Arminthia • •
18.
>f
White, Howe . . .
73.
If
Wetherell, William .
59.
»
Temperance .
64.
It
Electia . .
53.
ft
White, Cyrus . . .
67.
If
Lemuel
16.
M
Asenath. . .
51.
II
Wetherell, William, jr.
30.
f»
Hennary Newcomb
52.
II
Emily E. .
29.
>f
White, Jason . . .
38.
fi
Ellen L .
7.
tt
Lydia . . .
23.
Me.
Frank J. .
3.
t»
Jason L. . .
17.:
Mass.
Mary A. .
2.
If
Bet^iyA. . .
14.
William ,
6 mc
>• ff
Emory L. . •
7.
Wetherell, Hiram H. .
45.
ft
William N. .
5.
Lurinda S.
41.
ff
Otis A. . . .
4.
E. Sidney .
25.
t>
White, George, jun. .
40.
Eliza J. .
14.
ft
Sarah • . .
41.
Ann Callaghen . .
19.
Ire.
Sarah E. . .
12.
Wetherell, Caleb S. .
42.:
Mass.
White, Isaac ....
72.
Cordelia E.
40.
ft
Sophia . . .
71.
Caleb B. •
10.
ff
Sophia H. . .
40.
George L. .
7.
ft
Marrietta . .
30.
ChloeE. .
2.
ft
White, George A. • .
21.
Wetherell,Benjamin C.
38.
If
Polly A. . .
24.
Sarah L. .
36.
ff
White, John H. . .
25.
Thomas B.
17.
ft
Ellen J. . . .
2L
Charles H.
15.
ff
White, FArl C. . . .
35.
Edwin B. .
6.
tf
Elizabeth A. .
34.
Anna L. .
3.
ft
Sarah E. . .
13.
Frederic A.
7 mo
• ft
Lewis E. . .
10.
Sarah Sweet . . .
65.
ff
Mary J. . . .
7.
Wetherell, Stillman A.
33.
ft
Lloyd E. . .
5.
Adaline .
28.
ft
Isaac Dean . . .
38.
Ellen A. .
5.
ft
Betsy O.White. .
38.
George Clark . .
13.
If
Joel F. White . .
26.
WethereU, William D.
24.
If
Williams, Lyman D. .
35.
Celia . .
53.
ff
Harriet J. .
27.
Susannah .
70.
ft
Lyman F. .
1.
Wheaton, Laban M. .
58.
ft
Williams, Greenleaf .
50.
Eliza B. . .
45.
ft
Julia A. . .
46.
Bradbury Hall . .
24.
ft
Williams, Betsy . . .
80.
Sarah Moody . .
24.
ft
Selina . .
58.
Ellen Stockbridge .
49.
ft
Rally G.. .
54.
Wheeler, Elkanah . .
48.
ff
Benjamin •
48.
Rhoda R. .
60.
ff
Achsah . .
45.
Rhoda A. .
17.
ff
Willis, Calvin . . .
58.
Clara B.Richardson
4.
ft
Sally ....
52.
Wheeler, Williams B.
51.
ff
Em^ry E. . •
22.
Lydia . . .
43.
ft
Lewis H. . .
17.
Lydia A.
17.
II
Laura J. . .
16.
31
862
POPULATION AND CENSUS.
WUUs, Ichabod . .
Hannah . •
Henrietta •
Haniet M. •
Rofiilla A. .
Emily A.
^f^ Bora.
47. Mass.
89. Pa.
12. Maas.
6. ))
Hannah S. Allen . 15. N.H.
Willis, Loren . . . 4d. Mate.
£hza • t • • 46* „
Loren B. . • 14. „
Ebenezer B. • 11. „
Wilbur, Oren ... 56. „
Folly ... 64. M
Lemuel K. . 18. „
Folly Aldrich . . 84. „
Wilbur, Oren, jun. . 80. „
Lydia L. • • 28, „
Frederic O. . 4. „
Charles L. . 2 mo. „
Daniel Smith . . 23. „
WUbur, Oliver K. . . 46. „
Sabrina . . 46. i*
Cynthia . • 17. ,f
Eunice. . . 13« „
Wilbur, Benjamin . . 26. K.L
Caroline A. . 26. Mass.
Joseph B. . . 4. K.I.
Maria J. . . 3, „
Charles E. . 10 mo. „
Wild, George W. . . 27. Mass.
EHzabeth B. . . 27. N.J'.
George W. . . 8 mo. Mass.
Wyigley, James L. . 32. „
Mary £. . . 21. „
Elizabeth M. 17. „
Wood, Elkanah . . 85. „
Wood, Elkanah, jun. . 57.
Lemira . . • 54.
Catharine L. . 23.
Nathaniel H. . 13. „
Wood, Eli .... 54. „
Fanny M. . . 28. „
Stephen J. • .
Mary A. H.
George Pitts . . .
Woodward, Isaac • .
Amity
Woodward, Isaac D. .
Naomi •
Charles E.
Barney F.
IT.lfasi.
12. M
26. N. Y.
67.
68.
26.
25.
4.
2.
99
>f
»t
Albert D. 10 mo. „
Woodward,BradfardN. 47. „
Sarah L. . 49.
BradfordJ. 21.
MaryE. . 17.
Sarah A. • 14.
Fidelia . 13.
Joseph . . 10.
Herbert . 5.
Woodward, Ann M. . 45.
Ann M. . 15.
Caroline J. 13.
Alfred W. 11.
Phebe A. 8.
Charles H. 5.
Helen O. . 2.
Woodward, Dayid . .71.
Sally . . 52.
Marcus R. Peck . 15.
George B. Lincoln 25.
Woodward, Joiiah . • 74.
Lurana . 51.
Josephus . 12.
Albert . . 10.
George . 7. „
Patrick Casety . . 31. Ire.
James Donohue . 15. „
Margaret Kelly . . 19. „
WoodwardjJosiah, jun. 30. Mass.
Cassandal 29.
Caasandal
A.» . • o.
Anne J. . 1.
»>
»•
If
»•
ft
»t
>•
t»
»»
ft
tf
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
tt
tt
ft
ft
tt
tt
tf
tt
ft
ConBisting of four hundred and ten families, and
eighteen hundred and eighty-six persons ; of whom there
are two hundred and fifty-three farmers, thirty-nine cop-
persmiths, twenty-six laborers, twenty-five shoemakers,
seventeen whose occupation is not given, fifteen car-
penters, nine weavers, eight basket-makers, Qight ma-
PAUPER HISTORY. 868
chinists^ eight bonnet-pressers, eight masons, seven
merchants, seven moulders, three clergymen, three
ootton^spinners, three painters, three stonecutters, two
butchers, two blacksmiths, two depot-masters, two
millers, two manufacturers, one physician, one grinder,
one roper, one teamster, one carder, one overseer, one
horse-dealer, one harness-maker, one box-maker, one
boniiet-manufacturer, one teacher, one clerk, one job-
ber, one hotel-keeper, eleven paupers, nine colored^
three idiotic, and two insane.
CHAPTER XXIV.
PAUPER HISTORY.
'* Ye have the poor always with you." — Christ.
It has already been stated, on page 83, that Mrs.
Susannah Harvey was one of the first paupers ; and,
so far as we know, she was the first supported by
the town. Mary Merry — sometimes called " Goode
Merry " — was a pauper as early as 1723 ; and others
of the Merry family, of two or three generations, are
known to have been a public charge. Zipporah Cas-
well was a pauper in 1726, and many years subse-
quently. The people, in ancient times, took every
possible precaution to prevent immigrants becoming
paupers. Hence it was customary, when a person
moved into town, to ''warn him out," no matter
whether he was a man of property or not; and, in
many cases, the constable carried the individual out
of town, if he would not go of his own accord. Even
females were frequently notified to "depart beyond
the limits of the town." This practice of warning
and carrying out of town seems to have been con-
tinued till about 1770, and to have been revived iti
\
864 PAUPER mSTOBT.
1790 ; and the last warrants for this purpose we have
found are dated in 1794. We should have given the
names of the persons warned away, if we could have
found a complete list. We here present to our readers
one of these warrants, which will serve to show the
manner of proceeding : —
" Bristol ss. — To either of the Constable of Norton in
sd. Countj of Bristoll, Greeting. — Whareas Benjamin Lane,
Late of Dorchester, is Lately Come to Sojourne in the Towne
of Norton ; and he hath not Grott bondsmen for the towne-
Scurety, in Case he Should Come to be a towne-Charge, —
These are, in his majestie's name, to Require you to wame
the sd. Benjamen Lane, that he depart out of the towne of
Norton within the Space of fourteen days after warning
Given him to depart ; and make Returne hereof, with your
doings herein, forthwith after you have warned him out.
Given under our hands, ye 17th day of May, anno dom.
1722, in the eighth year of his majestie's Reign.
" Thomas Skinner, "^
Nicholas White, >• Selectmen.**
Benja. Williams,)
It was also required of those who received a stranger
into their house to dwell, or let him a house to dwell in,
to give notice of the fact to the town-authorities.
Only two years (1742 and 1743) in the history of
the town have overseers of the poor been specially
chosen ; the selectmen being, ex officio^ overseers when
the town chose none. June 18, 1770, the selectmen
were chosen a committee, to join with a committee of
Mansfield, to make a division of the poor between the
two towns. The report of this committee was accepted
by the town, Sept. 2, 1771. Prom it, it appears that
Norton agreed to maintain, if need be, Abigail Leo-
nard, Theodora Leonard, Widow Mary Smith, Asa
Eddy (a minor), Samuel Eddy and his wife, Widow
Harradon, and Delancy Harradon. Mansfield agreed
to maintain, if need be, John Wetherell, Seth Stephens
and his wife Abigail, Samuel Stephens (a minor), Zu-
ruiah Hide and her child, and George Tucker. It
was further agreed, if any persons should thereafter
PAUPEB HIBTOBT. 865
be brought from other towns for support in Norton or
Mansfield, tiiose who had their last residence within
the limits of Norton should be supported by Norton,
and those who had their last residence within the
limits of Mansfield should be supported by Mansfield.
Both towns, in their corporate capacity, ratified this
agreement : but, in an action brought by Norton
against Mansfield for the support of a pauper, in ao*
oordance with this agreement, it was decided by the
Supreme Court, in July, 1819, that Mansfield was
under no legal obligation on account of any poor, but
those who, by virtue of the incorporating Act, acquired
a settlement in that district ; and hence the agreement
was not binding upon Mansfield, because the two townd
had no legal power to make such an agreement.^
Until within a few years, it was the general practice
in this town to yearly " vendue the poor ; " or, in other
words, to sell their maintenance, either separately or
t6gether, for the year, to the lowest bidder. To stimu*
late the people to take the poor at a low figure, spiritu-
ous liquors were formerly gratuitously distributed to the
crowd who came to " bid off the poor." We regard
this venduing of the paupers as one of the most un-'
feeling and heartless customs that has been rife in
New England. It was too much like selling slaves
upon the auction-block to meet with the approbation
of all ; and hence, from time to time, the question of
an alms-house, where all could be properly cared for,
was discussed. In the warrant for a town-meeting to
be on the 2d of December, 1776, there was an article
" to consider and determine whether they will hire
or build a house for the reception of the poor/' We
do not find any recorded action upon the matter.
Another attempt was made in 1787 to " build a house
or houses for the poor," with a like result. Jan. 14,
1793, to build, or not to " build, a house or barrack
for the poor," was the question before the town. The
^ MassaChtts^ttiS Reports, vol. xvi. p. 48, &c.
31*
866 PAUPER HISTORY.
meeting was dissolved without any vote upon the article.
May 11, 1807, ^^ voted that the selectmen vendue the
poor alltogether for one year, and the doctoring and
clothing to be included." May 18, 1816, " voted that
the poor be put out singly for one year, from the first of
Sept. next." But a more humane and Christian way
of supporting the houseless and moneyless sons and
daughters of the town came at last. Nov. 1, 1880, a
committee was chosen to inquire into the expediency
of purchasing a farm for the support of the poor, to
ascertain the cost of keeping the paupers for the last
five years, and to make such other inquiries as they
thought proper. The time had not then arrived for
heeding the calls of humanity. Yet the idea of an
alms-house was not lost sight of, but sought to be
practicably carried out. April 7, 1834, the town
** voted to dismiss the subject respecting a farm for
the poor." In a little more than three years from this
last date, or May 31, 1837, the leaven of justice and
benevolence had so far done its work, that the town
voted, fifty to twenty, to purchase a farm for the poor ;
and a committee of nine were chosen to make the
purchase. The committee bought the farm occupied
by John Hall, 2d, in the nortlierly part of the town,
near Mansfield line, consisting of a hundred and ninety
acres ; and a deed of it was given to the town, Nov. 16,
1837. It was occupied as an alms-house and poor-farm
about the 1st of April, 1838 ; and the poor are still
provided for at that place, although a portion of the
land has been sold by the town. The following per-
sons have been superintendents of the alms-house since
its occupancy for that purpose : John Patten, from
April, 1838, to April, 1839 ; Alanson Makepeace, fi-om
1839 to 1840 ; Moses Hunt, from 1840 to 1843 ; Schuy-
ler Freeman, from 1843 to 1846 ; Moses Hunt, from
1846 to 1851 ; Ebenezer Burt,^ from 1851 to 1853 ;
Alanson Makepeace, from 1853 to 1854 ; Reuben Har-
1 Mr. Burt died May 1, 1862; and his widow managed the affairs till the
following April, when the term of her hosband^s service was to have ex-
pired, had he Mved. ,
PHYSICIANS. 367
low, from 1864 to 1866. Moses Hunt then returned,
and is still there.
We take great pleasure in recording the' fact, that,
just as these pages were going to press, the inmates of
the alms-house voluntarily declared to the writer, that
they had every thing provided for their comfort they
could reasonably expect; that they had no fault to
find, either with the superintendent or the overseers ;
that they did not think there were many towns where
the paupers were as well cared for as in Norton. May
it ever be so ! May the injunction of the sacred pro-
verb ever be heeded ! — " Rob not the poor, because he
is poor."
CHAPTER XXV.
PHYSICIANS.
" Throw physio to the dogs : I'll none of it." — Shakspiari.
The first notice of a physician that I find is a record
on the town-books, under the date of July 13, 1724,
when it was " voted that thay would pay doctor Deeii
out of the next town-rate what ye selectmen shall agree
with him, for doctoring Walter Merry's hand." He is
supposed to have lived in Taunton.
Dr. Samuel Caswell appears to have been the first
resident physician within the ancient limits of Norton.
He is supposed to have been the son of John Caswell
(see early settlers) ; and was born Oct. 6, 1695. The
first notice we have of him on our records is Oct. 17,
1726, when the town " voted to Pay to Doctr. Saml.
Caswell, for doctering Goode Merry, 0 — 15 — 0.'' He,
however, bought land in Norton, in 1723, of Lydia
Briggs, daughter of Samuel Briggs, deceased ; and
was then called a "Practitioner of Physick." Pro-
bably aj^out that time, he established himself here as a
868 PHTSICIANS.
physician and farmer. He lived where Benjamin Sweet
now (1858) lives ; and his house stood three rods orer
the line, within the present limits of Mansfield. He
married, Feb. 6, 1727-8, Ursula White, daughter of
Deacon Nicholas White ; and had four children. He
remained here till about the year 1747, when he died.
He is believed to have had a wife, and a son Samuel,
previous to his marriage with UrsuJjT White.
Dr. Nicholas White was the son of Deacon Nicholas
and Experience White (already mentioned), and was
born about 1706. He was a practising physician for
several years, and resided sometimes in the North and
sometimes in the South Precinct of Norton. He
married Sarah King, May 1, 1728 ; and they had six
children. He died in the North Precinct, June 29,
1751.
Dr. WiLUAM Ware was the son of John and Me-
hitable Ware, of Wrentham; and was born July 4,
1697. Feb. 19, 1729, he bought of John Finney the
farm now (1858) owned by Sanforth Freeman. He
was a " Practitioner of Pliysick " here for several
years, and also kept a public-house from 1728 to 1740.
He sold his farm in Norton, Nov. 24, 1750 ; and
moved soon after to Dighton, where he died in
1764 (?). His first wife was Zibiah Sweeting, mar-
ried Oct. 30, 1728. She died Nov. 1, 1732. His
second wife was Anna Hodges, married Sept. 27, 1783.
His third wife was Lydia . He had at least nine
children, seven of whom are mentioned in his will.
Dr. John Wild, Jun., was tlie son of John and Abi-
gail Wild, and was probably born in Braintree in 1727.
He is supposed to have lived where George R. Leonard
now lives. He married, May 1, 1746, Anna Hodges ;
and had two or three children. He was buried in the
Timothy-Plain Cemetery ; and this is the inscription on
his gravestone : " In memory of M.D. John Wild, who
died December ye 13th, 1756, in ye 30th year of his
age."
Dr. Lewis Sweeting wa^ undoubtedly the son of
Lewis and Zibiah (Whiting) Sweeting, of Wreiptham,
PHYSICIANS. 369
who were married in 1721, and were afterwards of
Rehoboth. He probably came to Norton soon after
reaching his majority, and seems to have lived a part
of the time within the present limits of the town, and
a part of the time in Mansfield ; in which town he was
one of the Committee of Correspondence and Safety
in 1776. He married, Nov. 21, 1744, Abiah Cobb ;
by whom he had ten children. When he died, we are
not informed.
Dr. George Wheaton was the son of Ephraim and
Abigail Wheaton, of Swansea; grandson of Deacon
Ephraim and Mary (Mason) Wheaton, of Swansea;
great-grandson of Robert (who was in Rehoboth as
early as 1643); and was born Aug. 18, 1728. He
came to Norton, and commenced practice as a physi-
cian, previous to 1750. in that year he bought the
place formerly owned by Dr. Caswell, and lived on
the Mansfield side of the line for many years. Some
time after the incorporation of Mansfield, he removed
to the place where L. 0. Makepeace now lives, in
Norton ; where he died, June 4, 1803. He married,
Oct. 4, 1750, Elizabeth Morey ; and had six children.
In 1758, he was surgeon's mate in an expedition for
"the total Reduction of Canada." He was much
employed in public life as selectman, assessor, repre-
sentative to the General Court, justice of the peace, &c.
Dr. Jonathan Pratt is supposed to have been the
son of Jonathan and Abigail (Morse) Pratt ; and was
born Oct. 17, 1729. He lived in the Mansfield part of
Norton, some distance to the south-east of Mansfield
Centre. He married, 1758, Hepzibah Billings, of
Stoughton (now Sharon) ; but never had any chil-
dren. He was, in 1757, styled " Doctor " on the
" Alarm list " of soldiers in the North Precinct. He
died Oct. 13, 1771.
Dr. Gideon Tiffany was the son of James, jun.,
and Elizabeth (Allen) Tiffany, of Attleborough ; where
he was born Sept. 19, 1737. His grandfather, James
Tiffany, came from England. He married Mrs. Sarah
370 PHYSICIANS.
Farrar, the widow of Rev. George Farrar, of Easton^^
Feb. 8, 1759. She was the daughter of Nathan And
Elizabeth (Nicholson) Dean, of Norton. Her father
tod mother both died within a week of each other^
when she was about three years old ; and it is sup-
posed that she was immediately, or very soon, taken
into the family of Rev. Mr. Avery, and lived with
them till her first marriage. After the death of her
husband, she probably returned to Mr. Avery's, and
lived there till her marriage with Dr. Tiffany; and
then he also took up his abode at the old parsonage-
house (a picture of which we have given on page 65),
where he resided till after the death of Mr. Avery,
when he sold the old ministerial farm which he bought
a few years previous, and removed to Keene, N.H*
About 1782, he removed to Hanover, N.H., and re*
mained there while his sons were in college. He went
from Hanover into the State of New York, where he
lived for some years ; but is supposed to have died^
many years ago, at Ancaster, Canada West. He hacj
ten children.
Dr. Adam Johnstone was a Scotchman by birth^
and probably came to Norton about 1772. He mar-
ried, Oct. 14, 1773, Sarah Hodges. She " died sud-
denly, Oct. 29, 1781, in her 31st year." He is said to
have l3een a " surgeon in the Revolution." ^ He kept
a public-house in the centre of the town from 1780 to
1787 ; and, probably soon after the latter year, left
town. He is believed to have resided, for a time
after leaving here, at Pelham. Prom thence he went
to Danby, Vt. ; and died there June 10, 1806.
Dr. Daniel Parker was the son of Rev. Jonathan
1 Mr. Fan*ar was the son of George, jun., and Mary Farrar, of what is
now Lincoln ; and was born Nov. 23, 1730 ; graduated at Harvard, 1751 ; and
died Sept. 17, 1756, of a fever, at his father's house, whither he had gone
to visit a sister sick with the same fever, who died a (ew days previous to
him. He was buried at Lincoln. He was the brother of Rev. Joseph
Farrar, the first minister of Dublin, N.H. He was married June 2, 1756.
His wife was then a minor; and, a few days before his death, he was ap-
pointed her guardian.
2 Book of the Lockes, by J. G. Locke, p. 169.
/
PHYSICIANS. 871
Parker, of Plympton ; and was born about the year
1760. He was here as early as 1773 ; and, during most
of the time of his residence in Norton, lived on the
farm lately owned by Benjamin Blandin, deceased.
He married, Dec. 22, 1777, Miss Abigail Hewes, of
Wrentham; and had seven children. He died Sept. 26,
1826, aged seventy-six. Feb. 17, 1794, he was com-
missioned a surgeon of the regiment to which the
militia of this town belonged ; which office he held for
several years.
Dr. Nathaniel Cook was the son of Paul and Jo-
i^nna Cook ; and was born May 29, 1752. He probably
did not practise any great length of time, as he died
Oct. 22, 1778; which must have been soon after he
completed his medical studies.
Dr. Timothy Smith was the son of Timothy and
Hannah (Hall) Smith, grandson of Seth and Eliza-
beth Smith ; and was born Oct. 17, 1754. He married
Anna Morey, Oct. 20, 1778; and had five children.
He was a surgeon in the Revolutionary war, but
never had a very extensive practice in town. He died
Jan. 9, 1794. His widow married Abiel Lincoln;
and, during the latter part of her life, received a pen-
sion from the government for services rendered by her
first husband.
Dr. Nathan Babbit was the son of Nathan, jun.,
and Abigail (Cobb) Babbit, grandson of Nathan and
Sarah, and great-grandson of Nathan, who, with his
brother Edward, is supposed to have come from
England, and settled in Berkley. Dr. Babbit was
born in Norton, March 6, 1755. In the year 1778
and the early part of 1779, he was surgeon's mate in
the Military Hospital at Providence, R.I. June 24,
1779, he married Anna Newcomb, and located himself
at the east part of the town, at the place where Calvia
Lincoln now lives. He kept a public-house from 1780
to 1787 or 8, In the summer of 1789, he removed
with hie family to Westmoreland, N.H., where he
continued in tiie full practice of medicine for " quite
372 PHYSICIANS.
a number of years ; " but, during the latter part of
his life, he was principally engaged in agricultural
pursuits. He had three sons and three daughters,
and died April, 1826.
Dr. Samuel Morey was the son of Samuel and Mary
(Hodges) Morey, grandson of George and Elizabeth
Morey ; and was born June 4, 1767. He graduated
at Yale College in 1777. He soon after entered the
Revolutionary army as surgeon. After the close of
the war, he was a practising physician for many years
in town, and was quite distinguished in his profession.
He lived for many years at the place now occupied by
George Barker, on the road to Mansfield. He married,
April 19, 1787, Miss Sarah Palmer, daughter of the
second minister of this town ; and had three children.
He died Nov. 8, 1836.
Dr. Lewis Leprilete was a Frenchman by birth,
and was naturalized by an Act of the General Court,
March 6, 1790. He probably came to this town about
the close of the Revolutionary war. He married,
March 15, 1784, Mrs. Deborah (Hodges) Allen ; and
lived, after his marriage, where Mr. L. 0. Makepeace
now resides. He was a distinguished physician, and
had quite a number of medical students while he
resided in town. He remained here till about 1792 ;
when he removed to Jamaica Plain (West Roxbury),
where he remained two or three years. He then re-
turned to France, and was absent about seven years.
On his return to America, he located at Franklin, and
remained there till he died. His remains were taken
to Jamaica Plain, and the forms of burial were ob-
served ; but, before his death, lie had given his body
to Dr. Warren, of Boston, for anatomical purposes,
and it was taken from the grave after the friends had
left. " On a marble slab standing in a field on the
Boylston estate, about 20 rods from Boylston Street,"
Jamaica Plain, is an inscription in Latin. The fol-
lowing is a free translation of a portion of it : " In
memory of Doctor Lewis Leprilete, member of Mass.
/t-^^^-_^
.4 .• ^
..■i
M
I
1
^ See Genealogical Begister, yol. x. p. 22.
32
PHYSICIANS. 878
Med. Soc. ; born in Nantes, France, Oct. 10, 1750 ;
Died July 29, 1804 ; very celebrated in surgery." ^ I
am told there is a very good portmit of Dr. Leprilete in
the possession of Dr. Miller, of Providence, R.I.
Dr. Leavit Bates was the son of Leavit and Eiizar
beth (Pain) Bates, of Mansfield ; and was born May 6,
1770. He came to this town, and established himself
as a physician, about 1796. For some years, he re-
sided in front of the Trinitarian Meeting-house. He
was quite attentive to his patients, and rather moderate
in his charges ; and hence was quite popular as a phy-
sician. He married Hannah Clapp, 2d, in 1797 ; and
had five children. He died Dec. 16, 1850.
Dr. Guilford Hodges was the son of Tisdale and
Naomi (Hodges) Hodges ; and was born Jan. 25, 1778.
He fitted for college, and was one year at Brown
University. He studied medicine with Dr. Willard,
of Uxbridge. He was a practising physician here in
1803, and also taught school the same year. He re-
moved soon after to Phillipston, where he practised
till his death in 1815. He married Phebe Maynard,
of Phillipston, and had two sons.
Dr. Asa M. Adams was the son of Asa and Martha
(Metcalf) Adams, and is believed to have been born
in Natick about 1795. He was licensed to practise
medicine, Aug. 31, 1818, by the Censors of the Rhode-
Island Medical Society ; and was then said to be of
Cumberland, R.I. He came to Norton about 1819,
and commenced practice as a physician ; and rode
quite extensively for some years. By his somewhat
intemperate habits, he finally lost the confidence of
the community ; and removed to Easton about 1841,
where he remained a few years ; and from thence he
went to Taunton, where he died, a bachelor, Oct. 25,
1852.
Dr. Richard F. Sweet was the son of John and
Eunice (Tucker) Sweet, and was born March 11,
1801. He fitted for college at Andover, and gradu-
1 See Genealogical Register, yol. x. p. 22.
32
874 PHYSICIANS.
ated at Brown University in 1824. After graduating,
he studied medicine about two years with Dr. Bugbee,
of Wrentham ; and also attended one or two courses of
medical lectures at the Medical College at Boston,
where he. graduated July 25, 1827 ; and was soon
after appointed Physician of the Marine Hospital at
Holmes's Hole, in Tisbury, on the Island of Martha's
Vineyard, which office he held for two years, residing
at Edgartown during the time. After closing his con-
nection with the hospital, he practised two years at
Edgartown. In August, 1831, he removed to his native
town ; and had quite an extensive practice till his
death, March 21, 1841. He married. May 16, 1830,
Eliza Milton, of Edgartown ; and had three sons and
four daughters. He was a very estimable citizen.
Dr. Ira Barrows was born at Attleborough in 1804,
and is the son of Ezra and grandson of Ichabod Bar-
rows. He graduated at Brown University in 1824 ;
but received his medical degree at Harvard in 1827,
and immediately entered into practice at Pawtucket.
He left there in 1837, and went to the West. In
1840, he returned to Pawtucket, and practised for a
few months. He came to Norton in 1841, and- was
quite popular here and in this vicinity till 1851 ; when
he removed to Providence, R.I., where he now resides,
quite distinguished as a physician of the homoeopathic
school. He married, in 1833, a daughter of the late
Oliver Bartlet, of Smilh field, R.L; and has had four
children.
Dr. Benjamin M. Round was born in Rehoboth,
Aug. 11, 1816 ; and is the son of Benjamin and
Devena ^(Harvey) ' Round. He studied at Bristol
Academy, at Taunton ; and also, for about two years,
with Rev. Mr. Cobb, of Taunton. He studied medi-
cine with Dr. Swan, of Easton, and Dr. Randall, of
Rehoboth 4 and attended medical lectures at Harvard
College in 1841 and 2. He was licensed to practise
in 1843, and commenced his professional duties as an
allopathic physician. He came to Norton, Sept. 9,
1843. The 1st of April, 1844, he commenced the
BURYING-PLACES. 376
homoeopathic practice, which he still continues. He
married at Norton, Dec. 24, 1845, Miss Seraphene S.
Fallen, of East Winthrop, Me. ; and had one child by
her. She died Sept. 19, 1847. For second wife, he
married, Aug. 30, 1849, Miss Sophia Morey, of Taun-
ton (a grand-daughter of Dr. Samuel Morey, already
mentioned), and has had four children. He is now
the only resident physician in town.
Dr. George H. Randall is the son of Dr. M. R.
and Eliza Randall, of Rehoboth, where he was born in
1826 X^?). He practised some time with his father,
after completing his medical studies. June- 1, 1861,
he married Mehitable Hodges, of this town, and
located here, where he remained till April, 1854 ;
when he removed to his father's, in Rehoboth, where
he still resides.
We cannot learn that any other physicians have re^
sided for any length of time here. It is certainly
quite an argument in favor of homoeopathy, that one
physician is now able to attend to the wants of the
sick ; while, years ago, there were three allopathie
physicians here, and all had as many patients as they
could well attend to. Allopathic physicians of other
towns are frequently called to practise in Norton ; and
patent medicines, of numberless names, but of doubtful
value, find a ready sale here.
CHAPTER XXVI.
BURYING-PLACES, &c.
" Oive me no grave where the brier and bramble-
Choke the gveen grass o^er my place of repose."
Miss 0. A. Beigos.
The proprietors of the North Purchase, June 9, 1702,
" Voted that the land on the southerly side of the way
to Chartley (and on the westward side of the Town-
876 BUBYING-PLACES.
line), between said way and Joseph Willis his Land,
shall ly perpetually Common for publick uses; not
heading Jabez Pratt's land northward."^
This is what is now called the ** Common Burying-
ground," southerly of the road leading from Austin
Messinger's to Sanforth Freeman's, about a mile and
a quarter southerly from the Centre Village. The
" town-line " spoken of is the line between the North
Purchase and the old town, or original purchase, of
Taunton. This is believed to have been the first
burying-place formally set apart for that purpose
within the present limits of our town.
William Hodges, by some means, is supposed to
have come in possession of Joseph Willis's land south-
erly of this lot set apart for public uses. It is pre-
sumed, from the annexed documents, that ho wished
to bring his house up to the road leading from the
meeting-house to George Leonard's ironworks (called
Chartley): therefore he (Hodges) took possession of
the easterly end of the Common, next to the " Town-
line," and built his house near the two elms now
standing, where Rev. Mr. Palmer afterwards lived ;
and, in lieu of this land taken up, he laid down an
equal amount of his own, adjoining to, and on the
southerly and westerly side of, the burying-ground.
The following protests were made against the occupa-
tion of this land by Hodges : —
"Whereas there was a piece of land in Taunton North
purchase, lying on the south side of the way yt leadeth to
Chartley, and on the north side of the land that was Formerly
Joseph Willise's, and on the west side of the town-line ; which
parcel of land was voted and appointed, by the proprietors of
said north purchase, to ly perpetually Commoif for public uses ;
and there is a burying-place already begun in, and at one end
of, said parcel of land, — the other end lying very convenient
for a training-field ; and whereas William Hodges is about to
make some alteration in said common, — viz., to take up the
land at the one end, which was designed for a Training-
1 Proprietors' Records, p. 31.
BURYING-PLACES. 877
field, and to lay down some on the other side of the burying-
place, — and, in so doing, will bring the burying-place near the
middle of the training-field, which will be very inconvenient
smd unhandsome : We, therefore, whose names are underwrit-
teny being also proprietors in said north purchase, are very
unwilling to any such alteration being made, and do here enter
our protest against it; as witness our hand, May 15, 1708, —
George Leonard, Sylvanus Cambell, Benjamin Gumey, John
Foster, Robert Tucker, Samuel Leonard, Samuel Brintnell,
Thomas Skinner, Andrew Grover, Thomas Grover, Isaac
Shepardy Peter Aldrich, Benjamin Williams, Joseph Brint-
ndL"
"We whose names are under-written, altho' we are not
proprietors in said north purchase, yet we dwel neer the
within-mentioned Common, and are very unwilling there
should be any alteration made in it, and do humbly desire
there may due care be taken that there be no alteration made
in it; as witness our hands, May 17, 1708,. — John Cobb,
Thomas Braman, Sen^ Benjamin Caswel, John Lane, Isreal
Fisher, Eliezer Fisher, Ebenezer Eddy, Daniel Braman."
Notwithstanding these protests, William Hodges,
having pitched his habitation on the easterly end of
the Common, near the principal highway from Attle-
borough to Bridgewater, was by no means disposed
to pull up stakes, and go into the background; and
therefore the town of Norton took up the matter, and,
Oct. 6, 1713, voted, —
" That if William Hodges, or his father, give ye Town of
Norton a deed of four acres and a quarter and seven Rods
of Land, on the south side of the burying-place, and on the
west side of it, neer his house ^ in Norton ; and procure
George Leonard also to Give the Town of Norton a deed of
1 From an examination of the ground, I am satisfied that Hodges' house
was on the east end of the Common ; and not on the west, as these words
have been interpreted to mean. What is meant is, undoubtedly, that the
"four acres and a quarter and seven rods of land" were near William
Hodges', and bordered upon the south and west side of the bnr^nng-place.
The oldest graves are near the middle of the ground^, as it no>w is ; and the
taking-up of the east end for a house-lot, and laying down some at the west
end, would bring about such a resiilt as is stated by George Leonard and the
other remonstrants. The occupation of the east end would also, as they
stated it did, interfere with the training-field. Our oldest inhabitaiits have
no tradition of a house at the westerly end of the Common*
32*
878 BUBTING-PLACES.
the Remaining part of two acres of Land that was Lajd out
to him where Norton meeting-house stands, he haveing given
the town a deed of part of it already,* — yt then, and not els,
the selectmen, in the Town's behalf. Give William Hodges a
deed of four acres of Land, and a quarter and seven Rods
which he hath Already fenced in, and on which his house and
bam doth stand on in Norton ; and also that thay Give him a
deed of a quarter of an acre more, in the comer of the com-
mon Land, neer his Bam."
At a meeting of the North-Purchase proprietors,
Feb. 3, 1713-14, after the above vote of the town had
been read, the said proprietors —
" Voted there concurance with this vote ; with this proviso,
that William hodges shall give the deed of the four a<»'es and
a quarter and seven rods aforesd., joyning to the burjring-
place, to George Leonard, John Hodges, and Thomas Stevens,
the presant selectmen of Norton, for and in the behalf of the
proprietors of the north purchase, for their use and benefit, as
well as to the inhabitants of the town of Norton, and to lye
perpetually common for publick uses."
The matter, however, was not settled very speedily.
Hodges held on to what he had got, with a tenacious
grasp. At a meeting of the North-Purchase proprie-
tors, June 15, 1727, —
" Thirdly, in Refference to the Land that William Hodges
hath setled upon in said north purchase, that was laid out for
a common or for pubhck uses, the proprietors voated to chuse
a committee, and to Leave that affaire with them to deside
that matter, by Giveing and takeing deeds of Exchaing of
Land on the proprietors* behalf, and said William Hodges
to pay the charge therof ; the committee to consist of three
men. And what said committee doth do on the proprietors'
behalf, relating to that affaire, to be and remain firm and Good
for Ever."
Finally, April 5, 1728, deeds of exchange of land
between Hodges and the North-Purchase proprietors
were executed, and the matter permanently adjusted.
1 Tliis deed was given Dec. 16, 1712; and the amount of land conveyed
to the town by it was three-fourths of an acre.
BUBYING-PLACES. 379
This common-ground was, for many years, used
conjointly for a burying-place and a training-field,
and the regimental musters were frequently held on
this spot ; so that it would seem, notwithstanding the
encroachments of William Hodges, it was still available
for military parades, and all the accompaniments of
such occasions. April 5, 1802, the town chose Briga-
dier Silas Cobb, and Isaac Hodges, jun., a committee
" to look into and ascertain the Boundaries of Norton
Common, so called." The next year, Laban Wheaton,
Esq., Silas Cobb, Brian Hall, Isaac Hodges, and Wil-
liam Burt, were chosen " a committee to settle the
bounds of the common." How they discharged their
duties, we are left to conjecture ; but, until within a
recent period, there was no fence or wall or any thing
to mark the bounds between the " home of the dead "
and the training-field. The four-footed beasts that
were turned loose upon the " common " trampled upon
the green sod that covered the loved of earth, till the
exact resting-place of many was obliterated. This state
of things continued till about a quarter of a century
since. There was an article in the warrant for a town-
meeting, March 7, 1825, " To see if the town will vote
to sell a part of Norton Common, and appropriate the
money ... for fencing the burying-ground." It was
voted '" to request the selectmen to go and find where
the road, or roads, ought to run, and where the fence
around the burying-ground ought to be set." At the
adjourned meeting. May 25, " voted that individuals
might fence the burying-ground on Norton Common,
so called, without any expense to said town ; " and a
committee of five were chosen to see where it was
most convenient to have the roads run and the fence
built. Soon afterwards, the now rather dilapidated
stone wall that surrounds the burying-place was built
by private contributions of time and money. It is
better than nothing, but not what the honor and repu-
tation of the town require it should be.
The Central Burying-ground, near the Trinitarian
Meeting-house of Norton, is within the limits of the
880 BUBTING-PLACES.
old township, or original purchase, of Taunton. Feb. 1,
1710, certain persons —
" Granted to the North Precinct some land to ly on the
plain near Richard Briggs's, to ly common there for a hurying-
place, or some other publick uses, for the benefit of the said
precinct; Said land being Given, by the persons hereafter
named, for said use. John Witherell, two acres 'r Isaac Dean's
heirs, one acre ; John Lincoln, one acre ; William Leonard,
one acre ; John Lincoln, Grand Senior, one acre ; and Robert
Grossman, one acre, — being seven acres in aU." *
Not a third part of the original seven acres is now
occupied as a " burying-place, or other public use^"
How it has been diminished, and the changes in and
around it, we shall briefly state.
' Sept. 9, 1734, the town "voted that George Leonard,
Esq., and John Hodges, the 1st, and John Briggs, the
2d, Be a Gomitey to tacke Gare and Renew the Bounds
of the towne's Comons, neare to the Land of the Eyrs
of Richard Briggs, deseased." Nov. 19, 1742, " Tlieyr
was a voate called for, to Know whether the Towne
wold clear aney of the town's comons by George
Briggs ; and it past in the negative."
In the spring of 1753, Gershom Cambell, who lived
near by, desired " to clear some of the town's common
land, at or near the burying-place ; " but, on May 14
of that year, the town " voted not to give Liberty to
Gershom Cambell to clear the Burying-place near Wil-
liam Carpenter's Orchard, or any part thereof."
May 21, 1764, the town "voted to exchange some
Land with William Carpenter^ near sd. Carpenter's
Dwelling-house ; " and a committee of three was " Im-
powered " to give and receive a deed, &c.
At a town-meeting. May 11, 1778, "voted not to
act on the article in the warrant with regard to selling
the town's land near Carpenter's." Towards a dozen
years later, Capt. Isaac Hodges and nine others pe-
titioned for a town-meeting, to see if the town would
1 Proprietors' Book (Sixty-four-acre Division), p. 135.
BURYING-PLACES. 881
" sell their land which lies near Peter Carpenter's, and
pay some of their debts with the money." The meet-
ing was held Nov. 9, 1789 ; and it was " voted to sell
the town's land lying near the house of Peter Carpen-
ter ; " and the selectmen were directed " to ascertain
the bounds, and measure the same, and lay out a
suitable part for a burying-ground."
At an adjourned meeting, Nov. 23, John Crane,
Isaac Hodges, and Nathan Babbit, were authorized to
sell at " Publick vendue [this common land,] Except
one acre and three-quarters of an acre reserved for a
burying-ground, . . . unless sd. Committee shall find,
on examining the proprietors' records, [the town] has
not a right to sell the same." The same persons were
further " Instructed, at the same time and in the same
mode, to sell the wood standing on the land reserved
for a Burying-Ground."
Probably, on an examination of the proprietors'
books, it was decided that the town had a right to sell
it ; and it was accordingly disposed of to the highest
bidder : and nothing now remains to the town of the
original seven acres, except one acre and three-quar-
ters.
When the Timothy-Plain Burying-ground was laid
out, is uncertain. Feb. 16, 1742, Benjamin and John
Williams deeded to Benjamin Copeland " a meadow-
lot of two acres," bounded " Easterly by Goosberrough-
meadow River," and westerly " partly by an acre of
Land laid out to John Wetherel for a burying-place."
This must be the ground at Timothy Plain, on the
westerly side of Canoe River; for this stream was
once called " Goosberry brook." Whether the lot
was intended as a public or private ground, we are
unable to say ; but most probably for public use. At
any rate, it is now considered as public property.
This ground is in a sad condition: it is overgrown
with bushes aiid brambles, and unfenced.
It presents a most gloomy aspect to the passer-by,
and a melancholy commentary upon the public spirit
of the town.
882 BUBTING-PLACES.
Probably the people in the neighborhood of Winne-
connet for many years buried their dead at the old
ground (now unused) situated beside the meadow,
forty or fifty rods nortli-easterly of the outlet of the
pond, near the line of Taunton.
This ground is, no doubt, the oldest within the limits
of Norton, and yet was probably never formally set
apart for burial purposes. Here, we presume, was
buried the first settler, — William Wetherell. The spot
is now situated in a '^ pasture-lot," and not protected
from the tramp of the sheep and cattle that find a
home there during the summer months. It was given
up on account of its proximity to the meadow; the
graves, when dug, becoming partially filled with water.
This led to the opening of the burial-places farther
up towards Winneconnet Village, which are separated
by a narrow road.
The burying-place nearly a mile north-easterly of
the schoolhouse, in District No. 5, was originally com-
menced as a private burial-place by the Babbit B^mily.
Prom tlie Babbits the estate passed into the hands of
William Cobb, who deeded it to tlie town for a public
burial-place. This deed, in the course of time, was
lost, and Judge Wheaton had succeeded to the owner-
ship of the land ; who, on being assured that it had
once been deeded to the town, gave a new deed of a
quarter of an acre to the town for a burial-place.
About twenty years ago, a wall was built around this
ground by the private contribution of those who had
friends interred within.
There are many other places — most, if not all, of
them of a private character — where the dead lie
buried in town. It is to be hoped, however, that these
private grounds may not be increased. For many
reasons, it is better that there should be but few ceme-
teries in a town ; for where there are so many " private
grounds," or even a multiplicity of public ones, it is
difficult to make an appropriation to keep the ceme-
teries in a respectable condition.
And this difficulty was experienced here no longer
BUEYING-PLACES. 883
ago than 1854, when the attempt was made by the
town to beautify and adorn our burying-grounds ;
which were, and still are, in a most lamentable con-
dition. We hope, however, for the honor and credit
of the town, that these habitations of the dead will
remain not long in their present poverty-stricken con-
dition.
HEARSES.
Until within the memory of many now living, there
was no hearse in town for the transportation of the
dead to the place of burial. April 2, 1804, the town \
" voted to build one hearse, to be kept at the centre
of the town." Previous to this time, the dead were
always carried — and in some instances, of course,
several miles — on a bier, upon the shoulders of the
bearers. Where the distance was long, others besides
the bearers joined in the procession, for the purpose of .'
" taking turns" at carrying the dead.^
April 1, 1805, the town " voted to build or buy a
house to put the hearse in ; " and the selectmen were
to have the oversight of tlie matter. A house was
built near the end of the horse-sheds, back of the old
Meeting-house, on the northerly side of the Centre
Common, a few feet from where the Hayscales now
are.
Here it remained until 1837, when the town con-
sented that it " might be removed to the corner of the
burying-ground, near Dr. Leavit Bates's, if it can be
done free of expense to the town," &c. ; and it was
accordingly removed. Tlie same year, Nov. 14, the
town agreed to purchase a suitable hearse and harness.
Sept. 30, 1839, the selectmen were authorized "to
repair the Hearse-House as much as they think proper,
at the expense of the town." In 1856, a new hearse
was purchased by a vote of the town, at an expense of
1 Mr. David Makepeace, the oldest man now living in town, informs
me he has assisted in carrying more than fifty corpses in this way; and
does not recollect seeing a single corpse carried to the grave in any kind of
a carriage till the hearse was purchased.
884 THE OLD FRENCH AND
two hundred dollars; making the third hearse the
town has owned within a little more than fifty years.
The first time this new hearse was used,^ it was found
to be too small to admit the coffin of the deceased ; and
the old hearse had to be sent for to carry the corpse
to the grave.
CHAPTER XXVn.
THE OLD FRENCH AND THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAB.
** El fer war, I call it mnrdmr;
There you her it, plan an' flat:
I don't want to go no forder
Than my Teatyment fer that."
BlOLOW Papibs.
Though we like not war, nor any of its works ; though
we believe, that, in every instance, all difficulties be-
tween nations might be settled without a resort to the
sword, — still our duty as an historian compels us faith-
fully to chronicle those events wherein man, —
" Like an angry ape,
Plays such fantastic tricKs oeiore high Heaven
As make the angels weep.'*
In the spring of 1744, hostilities between England
and Prance were declared. This war is sometimes
called the Old French War, to distinguish it from that
of a subsequent date ; but perhaps is more commonly
known as King George's War. As a matter of course,
the hostile feeling between the mother-countries ex-
tended to their respective Colonies in America. The
most important event this side of the Atlantic, con-
nected with the war, was the attack upon, and capture
from the French, of Louisburg, a strongly fortified
place on the Island of Cape Breton. A plan for the
reduction of this place, communicated by Gov. Shirly,
I
1
1 Nov. 14, 1866, at the fiineral of Mrs. Eunice Adams.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAB. 386
was adopted by the General Court of Massachusetts,
early in the year 1745, by a majority of one vote. A
company of soldiers to go on this expedition was raised
in Norton and vicinity. In the " History of the Hodges
Family," by A. D. Hodges, p. 18, 1 find "A List of the
Soldiers listed to go in the (Expedition) at Cape Bre-
ton, under the command of Major Joseph Hodges,
Lieut. , and Ensign Caswell." This was John
Caswell, of this town ; and, there being no lieutenant,
he was soon promoted to that office.^
We copy only the names of those belonging to
Norton : —
Drummer, Thomas Braman ; Phillip Atherton, Jeremiah
Cambell, Micajah Dorman, Abijah Fisher, John Fisher,
Eleazer Fisher, John Forrist, Isaiah Forrist, Samuel Forrist,
Thomas Grover, Zepheniah Lane, Ephraim Thayer.
Seven men were transferred from Major Hodges' to
Nathaniel Williams's company. Three . of these —
viz., John Pinny, John Finny, jun., and Jonathan
Lane — are supposed to have belonged to Norton.
Prom this expedition Major Hodges never returned*
One account says, " He died in the early part of the
war, when stationed on the lines between the present
state of Maine and Canada." Another account says,
" that, on his returning voyage [from Cape Breton] in
a French vessel, he died suddenly ; and there was sus*
picion that he was poisoned."
He is represented " as a man of a brave, chivalrous
spirit." 2
I have searched the Muster Rolls at the State House,
Boston ; but can find nothing relating to the company
under the command of Major Hodges.
FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
After a peace of only a few years' duration, Eng-
land and Prance again formally declared war in 1766.
1 See French- war letters in Genealogical Register, yol. iv. p. 27.
3 For further account of him, see deacons, p. 215.
33
886 THE OLD FRENCH AND
Hostilities between the French and English Oolonies in
America had, however, been carried on about two years
before open war was proclaimed. This war extended
from 1766 to 1763. To assist in carrying it on, Nor-
ton furnished her full quota of officers and soldiers.
In Capt. Nathaniel Perry's company, of Easton, — on
service from the middle of June to the middle of Sep-
tember, 1754, employed for the defence of the eastern
frontier, — I find the names of the following men
belonging to Norton: —
Jonathan Eddy, William Rogers, Levi Lane, Samael
Pratt, Elijah Smith, John Thayer, George Wetherell, Elisha
Thayer, and Ephraim Briggs.^
In the autumn of 1755, in an expedition to Crown
Point, were the following persons, either born, or re-
siding at the time, in Norton : —
Samuel Eddy, Eleazer Eddy, Nicholas White, jun., Ben-
jamin Bailey, Joseph Mitchell, Seth Gilbert, Ephraim Briggs,
John Cobb, Daniel Tiffany, Nathan Lawrence.*
From a muster-roll of Capt. Hodges' company, dated
Boston, May 5, 1756 ; and also from a return of said
company, dated at Albany, May 29, 1756,^ — I take the
names of the following Nortonians, who went iu an
" Expedition against Crown Point," There were
others in the company, but they were not of this
town.
Capt. Joseph Hodges ; Ensign Gideon Basset ; * Sergeants
Oliver Eddy, John Thayer; Corporals George Braman,^
Obediah Eddy;* Thomas Winchel, John White, Martin
Dassance, Joseph Tucker, Samuel Brintnell,* Josiah King,
Joseph Brintnell, Jonathan Newland, Jotham Basset, Elkanab
Wellman, Elisha Thayer, Isaac Day,* David Coleson,* John
Holmes, John Martin,* Thomas Nichols, David Smith, Jacob
Grover, James Pearson.
1 Master Rolls, 1749-65.
« Ibid. 1749-65, pp. 192, 245.
* Ibid. 1756-6, pp. 176 and 337 ; where apes mav be seen.
* These men are supposed to have been killed with Capt. Hodces (see
Muster Rolls, 1757, p. 266).
6 Dead before May 29, 1756.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 887
Capt. Hodges, who commanded this company, was
the son of Major Joseph, already mentioned ; and
was the first child baptized here after the church was
jD^athered. He was a man of " desperate bravery."
Probably while stationed near Lake George, " he went
out on what was termed an Indian Scout " (a kind of
service requiring great prudence and courage), and,
with his whole party, fell into the hands of the Indians ;
and they were all killed, Sept. 19, 1766, except one
man by the name of William Merry. Merry was
taken prisoner, but finally returned home to relate
the melancholy fate of his brave but unfortunate
captain and associates.
The following is William Merry's account of the
death of Capt. Hodges, as given by Rev. Joseph
Hodges, of North Oxford, Mass., in a letter to A. D.
Hodges, Esq. : ^ —
" Capt. Hodges volunteered his services on this occasion,
and those who accompanied him were volunteers. His com-
mand numbered sixty men. The company had marched
nearly to the point designated in the order given to Capt.
Hodges, when he made a halt for the purpose of refreshment.
A party was despatched to the lake, with canteens, for. water.
They returned immediately with the alaiming information,
that they saw on the shore of the lake hundreds of fresh
tracks of Indians in the sand. The order was immediately
given to resume the march. The company had proceeded
but a short distance, when the firing from every quarter con-
vinced them that they were surrounded by Indians. Capt.
Hodges charged his men * to fight for their lives.' He set
his men the example by the energetic use of his own gun —
which he carried on this occasion — instead of his sword.
But they were overpowered by numbers. Merry's testi-
mony was that he fought by the side of his commander, who
was first wounded in the ankle by a musket-ball; when he
dropped on his knees, and continued to fire, and encourage his
men. Another ball struck him in the breast. Placing one
hand on the wound to check the flowing blood, with his
musket in the other he still kept the Indians at bay, one
1 Hodges Family, p. 16.
888 TH^ OLD FRENCH AND
of whom reached forward to sever his scalp. Foiled thus,
the Indian levelled his gun, and shot him through the head,
when the brave captain felL It was Merry's custom to re-
late with pride that he killed the Indian who aimed the last
fatal shot at his commander, of whose bravery and character he
spoke in the highest terms. After being a prisoner with the
Indians five years, Merry made his escape, and returned to
Norton; where he passed the remainder of his days in a
quiet and humble life. He had the reputation of being an
honest, simple-hearted man ; and his statement may be relied
on as faithfuL"
•
From the return of Benjamin Williams's company,
of Easton, dated " Boston, the 7th May, 1756 ; " and
from a return of the same company, raised for the
expedition against Crown Point, dated Fort Edward,
26th of July, 1756,^ — I extract the names of those who
were born in or hailed from Norton at that time;
viz.: —
Clerk, John Basset; Nathaniel White,* William Merry,
Ebenezer Turner, Nicholas Smith.
This Capt. Benjamin Williams was great-grandfather
of our townsman, Rodolphus H.Williams, Esq., in whose
family is a standard, said to have been taken from the
French in this war. It is a curious relic of olden
times. The design, painted on both sides, is a human
face, dotted all over with eyes ; and underneath is the
motto, " YiGiLANTiBUS." We believe the tradition relar
tive to this " standard " is very unreliable ; for, in
diflFerent branches of the family, it is very conflicting.
Mr. Williams has also in his possession a pair of
" smoking-tongs," that belonged to his ancestor, Capt.
Benjamin Williams ; whereon his name is engraved,
and dated " fort wm. henry, 1756." They are very
curiously made, and are worthy of an examination as
an article of camp furniture one hundred years ago.
In the return of Capt. David White's company,^ of
1 Muster Rolls, 1765-6, pp. 198 and 832.
2 He was dead Feb. 24, 1757 (see Muster Rolls for that year, p. 197).
•Muster Rolls, 1755-6, p. 856. See also letters of Col. Ephraim Leo-
nard, Muster Rolls, 1756-6, pp. 248-9 and 339-40.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 889
Mendon, — who was also in the Crown-Point expedition
of 1766, — are a few names of Norton men : —
Lieut. Nathan Hodges, Josiah Tucker, Thomas Ray, Jo-
seph Woodard, Joseph Mitchell, Robert Craig, Job Tucker.*
Phillip White was in an expedition for the reduction
of Canada in 1758 ; and George Wheaton was surgeon's
mate in Thomas Doty's regiment for the same purpose
the same year. Pour men from Norton went on an
expedition to Crown Point in Capt. Thomas Cobb's
company ,2 of Taunton; the time of service, from
May 11, 1759, to Jan. 2, 1760. First lieutenant,
Ephraim Lane ; Nathaniel Lane, Simeon Cobb, Abiel
Lane.
From May 12, 1769, to Jan. 2, 1760, Capt. Nathan
Hodges, of Norton, was out with a company of men
from this town, whose names we here record : ^ —
Second Lieutenant, Elijah Hodges ; Ensign, John King ;
Sergeants, Ephraim Hodges, Silas Cook, Israel Trow, Abiel
Eddy ; Corporals, William Puffer, Hezekiah King ; Privates,
Elkanah Bishop, John Cook, William Dean, Record Franklin,
David Fisher, Joseph Hart, David Hodges, Abraham Martiny
Benjamin Morey, Soloman Trow, Ebenezer Titus, Nathan
Wood, Benjamin Willis, Josiah White, Nathaniel Wood,
Henry White.
John Hall, of Norton, was out in Capt. Burt's comh
pany, of Milton.
In Capt. Job Williams's company, of Taunton, from
Feb. 13 to Dec. 26, 1760, there were, belonging to
Norton, —
Benjamin Briggs, Benjamin Cole, Jonas Caswell, Heze-
kiah Drake, Jacob Grover, Joseph Mitchell, Stephen Ranger,
Isaac Tucker, Henry White.*
In 1760 and 61, there enlisted, for the total reduc-
tion of Canada, from Norton, —
^ D6S6ir1iGd
3 Muster RoUs, 1758-60, p. 874. • « Ibid. 1758-80, p. 87».
4 See Muster Bolls, 1760-1, pp. 244-6.
33*
890 BEVOLUTIONABY WAB.
Isaac Tucker, Jacob Hoor, Joseph Mitchell, Daniel Weth-
erell, William Deao, jun., Henry White, jun., Jonathan C^-
well, Samuel Ranger, Obediah BrintneU, and Abiel Caswell.
The foregoing comprise all the names of soldiers I
have been able to find, who were engaged in the French
and Indian war. A more thorough search of the Mus-
ter Bolls would undoubtedly have added some names
to the list.^ It must be borne in mind, that Mansfield,
during this war, had not been taken from Norton ; and
therefore some of these persons belonged in that part
of the town.
CHAPTER xxym.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
" Giye me liberty, or ^re me death." — Hxnkt.
The town of Norton took an active part in the struggle
for liberty which commenced at Lexington and Concord
on the 19th of April, 1775, and virtually ended with
the surrender of Lord Cornwallis on the 19th of Oc-
tober, 1781. Of the remote and proximate causes of
the war, our limits forbid us to speak very particularly.
We must content ourselves with referring only to those
in reference to which our town took a part.
The Stamp Act of 1765 seems to have been the first
in the series of tyrannical edicts tliat aroused the pub-
lic indignation of our townsmen. This Act was to
go into operation on the 1st of November, 1765. A
town-meeting of the citizens of Norton was convened
Oct. 21 " to see if the town will vote to give instruc-
1 Hon. Cromwell Leonard tells me, that his father, Jonathan Leonard,
w£is out in this war; that he has heard his father say he was in Nova Scotia,
in the army, the day he was twenty-one years old. If this is true, he was
there April* 17, 1759; he being twenty-one on that day. Without doubt,
some of the Muster Rolls have been lost, and, with them, the names of some
who served their country in the army.
REVOLUnONABY WAR. 391
tions to the representatives relating to the important
aflFairs of this Province ; '' and the following address
to the representative was adopted : —
" To George Leonard, Jun., Esqr.
" Sir, — In the present mallancholy situation of the pro-
vince, while we groan under a most destresing load of public
and private debts, as trade seems to be departing from the
colonies ; and more especially as The time is at hand when
the act called the stamp act, if carried Into execution, must
give the finishing stroke to every thing that Is dear to us as
men and Englislimen, — we think it a duty we owe ourselves
and posteryty to comunicate to you our sentements; That
both you and wee may use our utmost endeavours to preserve
Those Rights and priviledges that our forefathers purchased
so Dearly, and transmitted to us for an unalianable Inheret-
ance. undoutedly we are entitled to the priviledges and
Imunities of Englishnien. we venture to assert, that we have
Rights founded in Nature, confirmed by charters, and granted
by the brittish constitution Itself. Every attempt, therefore,
to divest us of them, must be looked upon as arbetrary and
unconstitutional ; and ought to be opposed by all means that
are warranted by the Laws of God, the Brittish constitution,
an the common Rights of mankind, the stamp act, made and
passed In the Brittish parliment, — where the coleneys have
no Representatives, even without the hearing of any one Re-
monstrance against it, out of the many decent and dutiful
ones, that, at a vast Expence, ware presented, as we appre-
hend, through a wicked misrepresentation of our circumstances,
— subjects the Colinies to so great and disproportionate tax
as they are unable to pay, and, if Insisted upon, must end in
their final Ruin ; and also subjects us to the desposition (?) of
a Judge of admiraltry in numerous entemal matters, without
being allowed the Inestimable priviledge of a trial by a Jury,
we therefore take the freedom to say, that we look upon This
act as an Innovation at least ; Replete with Inconveniences ;
Ruinous not only to amarican Liberty, but, in its consequences,
to the Brittish constitution itself, should so dangrous a pre-
cedent be deemed constitutional. Therefore we cannot think
It our duty to Instruct you to Jojn in any publick measures
For assisting in the execution of the same ; but, on the con-?
trary, expect that you use every method to prevent its being
carried into execution, that is consistant with our allegience
392 REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
to the best of Kings, we likewise take the opertunity to
express our detestation of mobs and all ontragous proceed-
ings ; being sensable That an unthinking, misguided mob is
the worst of tirants, and monarchy the worst state of slavery,
nevertheless, wee cannot Think ourselves any answarable for
the damage that particular persons may have suffered in l^e
Late disturbances ; and expect that you oppose every attempt
to their being compensated out of the publick money ; that
you oppose all unconstitutional and unaccustomed grants, and
endavour the gratest frugality may be observed in all disposi-
don of the public monies whatever, we would further observe
to you, that if any safe method can be found out to prevent the
courts of Justice from being shut up, and The province plunged
into all the destresses of an outlawry, and whereby the trade
of the province may be yet upheld, we expect your prudence
will drect you to embrace it."
It will be seen by this document, that the people of
this town, almost a hundred years ago, did not believe
in the doctrine, that we must submit to a wicked and
unjust law. It was the bold and manly refusal of the
Colonies to obey this unrighteous decree that caused
its speedy repeal, and also inspired the great Lord
Chatham, in the British Parliament, to say, " he re-
joiced that the colonies had resisted, and he hoped
they would resist to the last drop of their blood."
At a meeting, Dec. 2, 1766, the town voted to make
up " the losses which several persons suffered in the
late disturbance in Boston." Encroachments upon
the rights and liberties of the Colonies, in one form
and another, continued. Jan. 11, 1773, the town met
" to act on the pitition or application of Israel Wood-
ward and eleven others, of Norton. Sd. application is
as follows:" —
" Sensable of the alarming situation of our publick affairs,
in the many Incroachments made of late on our most valuable
Rights and priviledges, and the several Infringements and
violations of the just Rights of this province, which consearna
Every town; furthermore, to take these matters into con-
sideration, and persue such measures as may be thought Best
on such an occasion, and to give such Instructions to our
Representative as we shall then think proper."
BEVOLUnONABY WAB. 393
At the meeting, " it was put to vote, whether the In-
croachments and Infringements, as mentioned in the
warrant, be a grievance to us ; and it passed in the af-
firmative.
" Then chose a committee to consider and report, at
the adjournment of this meeting, what is proper to be
done."
Met again on the 18th inst., and chose William Cobb
*' a committee-man, in the room of the Hon. George
Leonard, Esq. ; " and adjourned to March 15. Then
accepted the report of the committee, and " voted that
the Clerk of the town transmit a Copy of said Report
to the Committee of Correspondence at Boston."
The letter sent to Boston reads thus : —
" Gentlemen, — In ansure to your Letter of the 20th of
november Last, and with Reference to the pemphlet which
accompanyed it, we beg leave to Say, that we think the gene-
rality of your Sentiments are well Expressed with regard to
our publick Rights, and the Infrengements of them, we Did
not Receive tbem till we ware assured the General Court
would Sett in a few days ; and as it was our opinion that those
Important matters not only most properly Came under their
Consideration, but that their sentiments would be of much
greater Influence, and tend much more to Convince our most
gracious Sovering of the sentements of his Loyal Subjects in
this province, than the Votes of Towns, we chose, therefore,
to wait their Discussion of so Important a point. And, as two
Branches of our Legislative have so Unanimously Concurd
in your Sentements, it must give you and Every well-wisher
to his Country a real Satisfaction, and, in some measure,
foreclose any ansure to your request as to our Sentements :
yett we Cannot forbare to Testifye our apprehensions of the
danger Impending this province, and america in general ; and
we are so far from being easey and Contented under those
Infringements, that we consider them as Saping the Verry
foundation of our Constitution, we are senceble of the duty
and Interest of our being flrmly united in a Cause that so
much Concerns our own and our posteritye's wellfare, and are
desirous of Cherishing a spirit of patriotism, and to give all
due incoragment to our metropolis ; and we take this oppor-
tunity to Express our obligations to the Town of Boston for
894 BEYOLUnONABY WAR.
their Spirited behavour firom time to time in oppoeing the
arbitrary measures of those whom we fear have a desire to
inslave us. maj the alwise Govemer who Ruleth in the
Eongdoms of men direct all those to whom is Committed thtf
managment of our pnblick affairs, and grant them success in
their Indeavours for the preservation of our most Yiduable
Civial and Religious rights and priviliges, so as that we may
Transmit them to our posterity as they ware Transmitted to
OS, is the desire, gentlemen, of your friend and Senrants in
the Common Cause of our Country.
"Thomas Morey,
WiLLIABi HOBiES,
John Chane,
William Cobb,
George Makepeace,
>- Committee.'
In the autumn of 1774, a Continental Congress,
composed of deputies from eleven Colonies, met at
Philadelphia, and agreed upon a declaration of rights,
and recommended the non-importation of British
goods into the Colonies until their grievances were
redressed.
Jan. 16, 1775, the town " voted to adhear to the
advise and Recommendations of the association of the
Continental Congress.'^ They also chose a committee
"to see to the faithful performance of the Recom-
mendations of the Continental Congress ; only the said
Committee, or the major part of them, [should] not
expose any person but by order of said town." The
Committee of Correspondence and Inspection consisted
of John King, Benjamin Morey, William Smith, Isaac
Smith, and Israel Trow. March 6, added to this com-
mittee, James Hodges, Noah Wiswall, Eleazer Walker,
Elkanali Lane, Benjamin Pearson, David Lincoln,
Isaac Hodges, and Eleazer Clap. It was then —
"Voted that the committee of Inspection be Directed to
take particular notice of all persons that should sell any cind
of provisions to any person or persons that they think is
hying with a view to distress the Inhabitants of this pro-
vince."
REVOLUnONABY WAR. 395
Thus far all had been preparation, though no actual
hostilities had comnaenced ; but the ever-memorable
19th of April came, when the streets of Lexington and
Concord drank up the first blood of the Revolution.
The alarm quickly spread through the country. It
reached Norton some time during the day ; and, ere
the morrow's sun had risen, Capt. Silas Cobb and
Capt. Seth Gilbert, each with a detachment of men,
were on their march to join with others in repelling
the invasion. All of Capt. Cobb's company left home,
April 19 ; and their term of service varied from four
to ten days. It is proper that their names go down to
posterity ; and we therefore record them : —
John Allen, second lieutenant ; Nathaniel Prior, sergeant ;
Nathaniel Stone, corporal; John Hodges, corporal ;'^Abner
Tucker, drummer ; Abiel Hodges, Tisdale Hodges, Isaac Ha-
radon, Abiel Lincoln, Jonathan Franklin, Noah Woodward,
Josiah Woodward, Joseph Hodges, Abijah Fisher, Phillip
Hor, Josiah Hodges, Samuel Hodges, David Hodges, pri-
vates.^
The term of service of Capt. Gilbert's men was
from four to twelve days. Where no figures are at-
tached to the name, it will be understood that the
individual left home April 19 ; those attached to a
name denote the day of April he left.
George Makepeace, first lieutenant; Noah Wiswall, Seth
Smith, Eleazar Clap, William Makepeace, sergeants ; David
Clap, Jonathan Leonard (20), Samuel Hunt (27), corporals ;
privates, Isaac Smith, John Hall, Seth Smith, jun., Jacob
Shepard, Seth Shepard, Stephen Jennings, Noah Wiswall,
jun., Jacob Shaw, Antha. Newland (21), Eben Wetherell
(21), William Copeland, Noah Clap (20), Stephen Briggs,
Fhineas Briggs, Levi Babbit, Nathaniel White, Elisha Cobb,
Edw. Kingman, John Cook (21), Joseph Newcomb (21),
John Crane, jun. (22), Samuel Newcomb, 2d (27), Simeon
Wetherell, 2d (26), William Clark (26), Solomon Wetherell,
"Rmothy Briggs, 2d (20), Jona. Briggs, Elijah Briggs, Israel
Trow, Seth Williams, Simeon Briggs, Elijah Danforth, Elea-
1 Lexington Alarm Bolls, vol. xi. p. 255.
896 BEYOLUnONABY WAB.
ser Walker, Samuel Copeland (20), Edw. Babbit, Beaben
Tisdale (27), James Boldeiy, jun. (27), John Austin (27),
Abijah Lincoln (27), John Newcomb (27), Samuel Godfrey
(27), Joel Briggs (27), Nathan Babbit, 2d (27), William
Cobb, jun. (26)?
The war was " now actually begun," and active pre-
Etrations are made for the defence of the Colonies,
ay 8, 1775, the citizens ^^ voted to bye teen guns and
Bagonets for the use of said Town." At the adjoumr
ment, May 22, —
" Voted to pay so many men as to make half the number
of men in the Training- List, which are to be raised out of the
Laram and Tnuning Lists for minit men ; and to be paid for
the time they shall be necessarily Detained in service upon
any Emergancy, as much as the said town shall think proper."
We propose to give the names of the Nortonians
who served each year of the war, so far as we have
been able to ascertain them ; and we do no more than
justice to their patriotism by such a record. The
following is tlie return of Capt. Silas Cobb's company,
made Oct. 6, 1775. The men were enlisted for eight
months. We are uncertain whether those marked
with a (*) were out the full eight months or not.
Those unmarked are known to have served the whole
time for which they enlisted.
Officers. — Silas Cobb, captain ; Isaac Smith,* lieutenant ;
Isaac Fisher, ensign.
Sergeants, — Edmund Hodges, Nathaniel Lane, Jonathan
Hodges, Nathaniel White.
Corporals. — Jonathan Franklin, Richard Cobb, Stephen
Jennings.
Drum and Fife. — Abner Tucker,* Jabez Briggs.
Privates, — Joshua Atherton, Jacob Allen, John Austin,
Stephen Briggs, Phineas Briggs, James Boldery, John Bol-
dery, Isaac Basset, Benjamin Braman, Levi Babbit, Elisha
Cobb, John Capron, Abiel (?) Derby, Abner Derby, Abijah
Fisher, John Hodges, David Hodges, John Hodges, 2d,
1 Alarm Roll, vol. xii. p. 111.
BEVOLUnONABY WAB. 897
Lanson (?) Hodges, Isaac Harridon, Stephen Kelly, Abiel
Lincoln, Rufus Lincoln, Amos Martin, Joseph Pratt, Daniel
Pratt, Joshna Pond, Oliver Smith, Abiathar Smith, Seth
Smith, Nathan Shaw, Jacob Shaw, Abiathar Shaw, Abel
Wetherel, Noah Wiswall.
In the return of Capt. Masa Williams's company, of
Easton, made Oct. 6, 1775 (eight months' service), I
find the following men from Norton : —
Officers. — Samuel Lane,* lieutenant ; John Cook, ensign ;
Samuel Copeland, sergeant ; Benjamin Morey, corporal.
Privates. — James Newcomb, James Cook, Abiel Knapp,
Robert Hagin, Edward Kingman, Amos Tucker, Moses Dow-
ning, Jedediah Tucker, Zepheniah Newland, Isaac Morey,
Daniel Morey, William Merry, John Newcomb, Acors Hewitt.
Capt. Josiah King, of Norton, was also in the eight
months' service in 1775. In his company were the
following men from Norton: —
Thomas Bass,* Josiah King, Comfort Eddy, Josiah. Smith,
Benjamin Tucker.
There were also out in three diflFerent companies,
in the eight months' service, the following persons
from Norton : —
Peletiah Day, David Balcom, Jonathan Pidge, Israel
Smith, Samuel Newcomb.
Elijah Eddy, of this town, was in Peter Pitt's com-
pany, of Dighton, three months and six days during
this year ; and Nathan Morey was chaplain of Timothy
Walker's regiment.
" Sept. 18, 1775, voted to Eleazar Clap, which he
paid for mending a gun for the town's use, <£0. 85. 6rf. ;
also to the same, for carrying blankets to the army for
said town's use, £0. 2s. ; also to the same,^ for thirty-
two days' service at the Provincial Congress, £4. 45. 4rf. ;
1 Mr. Clap represented Norton and Mansfield in the first Provincial
Ck)ngres8.
34
898 BEYOLUnONABY WAR.
also to Capt. William Homes,^ for one hundred days'
attendance at said Congress, £12. I85."
In 1776, the Committee of Correspondence, Inspec-
tion, &c., were William Homes, Andrew Hodges, David
Lincoln, John Hall, Noah Woodward, Eleazer Clap,
and Israel Trow. The question, whether the Colonies
should declare themselves independent of Great Britain,
was agitated in Congress in the spring of 1776. It
was thought best to feel the pulse of the community
a little before proceeding to extreme measures.
The freeholders and other inhabitants of Norton
were warned to assemble on the 24th of May ,2 among
other things, " to know their minds whether they will,
in conformity to a resolve of the late Hour. House of
Representatives for this colony, advise their Repre-
sentative, that, if the Honor. Continental Congress
should, for the safety of the United Colonies, Declare
them Independent of Great Britain, that they, the said
Inhabitants, will solemnly engage, with their lives and
fortunes, to support them in the measure." And it
was " voted, if the Honor. Continental Congress should
think proper to declare the United Colonies Independ-
ant of Great Britain, that they will support them with
their lives and fortunes."
This was no unmeaning flourish of trumpets, as all
will be abundantly satisfied when the whole transac-
tions of the town relative to the war are recorded.
During 1776, the following men were from Norton,
in the Rhode-Island service, in Capt. George Make-
peace's company: —
Lieutenants, — Seth Smith, Ephraim Lane, jun.
Sergemits, — Daniel Knap, Daniel Dean, Hezekiah Wil-
lard, Abiel Eddy.
1 Mr. Homes represented Norton and Mansfield in the second and third
Provincial Congiestics.
2 Heretofore the warrants for town-meetings had been called " in his
majestie's name;" but, in the call for the above meeting, this formula was
omitted, 'the next meeting, held in September after the Declaration of
Independence, was called in the *' name and the government of the people
of the state of the Massachusetts Bay."
BEVOLXmONABY WAB. 399
Corporals. — Edward Darby, Timothy Briggs, Elisha
Cobb, Abiel Lincoln.
Fife. — Abiathar Shaw.
Drum. — Jabez Briggs.
William Makepeace, John Briggs, John Patten, David Ar-
nold, Ephraim Eddy, Oliver Smith, Ezra Eddy, John Gilbert,
Benjamin Bland in, Jeremiah Cambell, Phineas Briggs, Jacob
Shaw, John Clark, John Hall, Seth Gilbert, Timothy Smith,
Isaac Smith, John Cook, Samuel Lane, Amasa Williams.^
There also went from Norton to Rhode Island, in
Capt. Isaac Hodges' company, —
Nathaniel Wood, sergeant; Rufus Hodges, John Derry,
William Carpenter, Joseph Newcomb, Job White.*
Capt. Isaac Hodges also had the command of a com-
pany in the Tiverton Alarm. The names of his men
(whether all from Norton is uncertain) were —
Lieut. Brian Hall; Jonathan Hodges, Amos Martin, El-
kanah Lincoln, Benjamin Braman, John Wetherell, Josiah
Braman, Sylvanus Braman, Thomas Braman, Silas Cobb,
Abisha (?) Capron, Abraham Derry, Abijah Fisher, James
Hodges, Jesse Hodges, Rufus Hodges, Nathaniel Hodges,
Simeon Hodges, Philip Hore (?), Stephen Kelly, Samuel
Lincoln, Josiah Willis, Timothy Wellman, L«5aac Stone, Wil-
liam Stone, Daniel Phillips, Ichabod Perry, Benajah Tucker,
Meletiah Washburn, Isaac Fisher.'
In a secret expedition from Sept. 25 to Oct. 31,
Capt. Hodges was again on duty, with these men under
his command, most of whom were from Norton : —
Nathaniel Prior, Elijah Danforth, Ebenezer Titus, Com-
fort Day, Abiel Eddy, James Fillebrown, John Clap, Samuel
Fillebrown, James Newcomb, William Leonard, William
Stone, Daniel Phillips, Sylvester Cobb, Abijah Fisher, Joseph
Braman, Elias Eddy, Amasa Lincoln, Joseph Andrews, Alex-
ander Balcom, Peter Derry, John Derry, Eliab Derby, John
Hodges, George Hodges, Stephen Kelly, John Martin, Asa
1 Revolutionary Rolls, vol. iii. p. 7.
3 Rhode-Island Revolutionary Rolls, vol. 11. p. 86.
« Revolutionary Rolls, vol. xx. p. 69.
400 BEVOLUnONARY WAB.
Newcomb, Elijah Eddy, Moses Fisher, George Briggs, Stephen
Briggs, Abijah Lincoln, Abijah Wetherell, Simeon Briggs,
Samuel Copeland, Josiah Vining, Solomon Wetherell, Na-
thaniel Wood, Ephraim Eddy, Ezra Willis, Samuel Pratt,
I^avid Lovit, Abijah White, Ammi Kimball, Daniel White,
Asa Clap, Jonathan White, Jedediah Grover, Nathaniel
Sweeting, Thomas Skinner, Zebulon Hodges, Nathaniel
Hodges, Samuel White, Jonathan Lane, Benjamin Skinner,
Joseph Titus, Stephen Pond, Isaac Skinner, Benjamin Blan-
din, William Axtell (?), Abisha Smith, Joshua Pond, Ichabod
Willis, Benjamin Fuller, Levi Babbit, Ichabod Eddy, Jona-
than Franklin, Silas Wellman, Royal White, Caleb Dunham,
Nehemiah Leonard, Elisha Thayer, John Harden, Jesse
Grover.^
Dec. 8, 1776, Capt. Israel Trow marched to Rhode
Island at the head of the following men, all from
Norton :- —
LieiUenants, — David Clap, Edward Babbit.
Sergeants, — Seth Williams, Samuel Hunt, Jacob Shepard,
Benjamin Wild.
Corporals. — David Lincoln, John Newcomb, Jonathan
Briggs.
Privates, — David Austin, Simeon Briggs, Eleazer Clap,
Noah Clap, Asa Copeland, Abijah Lincoln, Joseph Hunt,
Rufus Lincoln, Samuel Newcomb, Mase Shepard, Seth Tis-
dale, Reuben Tisdale, John Tisdale, Thomas Storey, Thomas
Storey, jun., Solomon Wetherell.^
The Committee of Correspondence, Ac, for 1777,
were David Lincoln, Eleazar Clap, Israel Trow, Noah
Wiswall, Record Franklin, Jonathan Clap, and Seth
Gilbert. There were some in Norton, as in most of
the towns in the Colonies, who espoused the cause
of the British, and were known as Tories, or Loyalists.
There were others, probably, who were uncertain how
the contest would end, and therefore avoided taking
any active part on either side ; so that, in the end,
they could easily join in with the victorious party.
These last were truly but little better than the first :
1 Revolutionary Bolls, vol. xx. p. 93. 2 ibid. vol. iii. p. 186.
BEVOLUTIONABY WAB. 401
for, generally, those who did not openly espouse the
cause of the colonists, secretly hoped that the oppressors
would triumph ; and were, therefore, really on their
side. Hence it became necessary, for the security of
the Colonies, that these pretended neutrals should be
watched. Accordingly, June 23, 1777, Isaac Smith
was chosen " to collect what evidence he can against
such persons as have been or may be Inimical to this
or the United States."
At the same nieeting, Samuel Godfrey was declared
to be inimical to the States. At an adjourned meeting
one week later, said Godfrey was voted " not Inimicsd
to the states." ^ It is presumed, however, that neither
of these votes in the least changed the character of
the man.
Sept. 8, 1777, the town " voted to George Cobb, for
going to Milton for paper-cartridges, ^0. — ^12^. — Orf. ;
The cost of paper, ^0. — 18s. — lOrf. ; For a box to
stow the cartridges in, £0, — Bs. — Od. ; For two days
himself, and three days and a half of Seth Smith and
Joshua Pond, to make cartridges, ^4. — 2s. — d. ; For
thread for the cartridges, £0, — Is. — Orf." Also " voted
that the selectmen procure the town's proportion of
arms allowed by the state, and that they should have
the money to purchase said arms with." Sept. 15,
*' voted that ten of the fire-arms sent to this town
should be kept as a store for said town."
In April and May of this year, Capt. Israel Trow
had the command of the following men in the Rhode-
1 I find no other person named on our records as unfriendly to the
American cause. Amon^ the neutrals was doubtless Judge Leonard.
Though the most influential man in town, he took no active part in public
affairs during the war. Among the most conspicuous of the Loyahsts in
this town was George Leonard, 3d, who lived at Barrowsville, and was a son
of Rev. Nathaniel Leonard, and a brother of Daniel of Taunton, also a
Loyalist., According to a writer in the Genealogical Register for October,
1858, p. 338, he joined the enemies of our country, and ^* was a colonel of a
regiment; laid Nantucket under contribution; and attacked Fall River, where
he was gallantly repulsed by Col. Joe Durfee. He eventually retired to
Nova Scotia, where he became a provincial councillor, and renewed his
fortune, which had been confiscated ** in Massachusetts. He died at Sus«
sex Vale in 1826, aged eighty-three.
34*
402 BEYOLUnONABY WAR.
Island service. Most of them were from Nortooi but
probably not all.
lieutenants. — Isaac White and Jonathan Pratt.
Sergeants. — John White, Jacob Newland, Amos Martin,
Thomas EasoD.
Corporals. — Samael Fillebrown, Jesse Hodges, John
White, Asa Williams.
Drum. — Joel Briggs.
J'ife. — John White, 3d.
Asa Clap, Abijah Clap, Asa Copeland, Eleazer Eddj,
Nathan Finney, Thomas Gibbs, Benjamin Hodges, Thomas
Bass, Masa Basset, Benjamin Cobb, jun., Mason Cobb, Jo-
siah Crossman, William Dunham, Elias Eddy, Levi Francis,
David Grover, Phillip Horr, Thomas Hewit, Zebulon Hodges,
Bethuel Hack, Amasa Lincoln, Timothy Leonard, Nehemiah
Leonard, Oliver Lincoln, Joel Martin, Benjamin Merrifield,
Isaac Makepeace, Ebenezer Newcomb, Daniel Phillips, 2d,
Ebenezer E^chardson, Nathan Richard, Abisha Smith, Asa
Smith, Nathaniel Sweeting, Benjamin Skinner, Jonathan
Smith, Joseph Titus, Amos Shepardson, Benjamin Trow,
Stephen Thayer, Ichabod White, John White, 2d, Job White,
Isaac White, Samuel White, Royal White, Silas Williams,
Jacob Williams, John Thayer.^
From May 14 to July 6 of the same year, Capt. Trow
was again in service, with these men under his com-
mand, most of them from Norton : —
Ldeutenants, — Isaac White and Michael Sweet ; Amos
Martin, Amos Ide, Thomas Eason, Daniel He wet, Joel Briggs,
John White, Christopher French, Mason Cobb, Lamech
Blandin, Thomas Bass, Isaac White, Noah Robinson, Masa
Basset, David Balcom, Asa Clap, Abijah Clap, Asa Cope-
land, William Carpenter, David Cooper, Joseph Dagget,
Eleazer Eddy, Nathan Finney, Thomas French, David Gro-
ver, Thomas Gibbs, Thomas Hewit, Thomas French, jun.,
Zebulon Hodges, Isaac Jackson, Amasa Lincoln, Timothy
Leonard, Oliver Lincoln, Joel Martin, Ebenezer Newcomb,
Henry Peck, Isaac Perry, Daniel Reed, Benjamin Richard-
son, Abisha Smith, George Stanley, Gideon Stanley, Ebenezer
Tyler, Abel Titus, Zelotes Tyler, Noah Tiffany, Benjamin
1 Revolutionary Rolls, vol. iii. p. 181.
BEVOLUTIONARY WAR. 408
Trow, Ichabod WUlis, Samuel White, Royal White, Jacob
Williams, Job White, Jonathan Wilmarth, John White, Asa
Williams, Oliver Wellman, Asa Smith.^
Capt. George Makepeace had the command of a
company in the Rhode-Island serTice this year. In
it were, from Norton, —
Hezekiah Willard, Daniel Knap, William Makepeace,
Edward Darby, Timothy Briggs, Simeon Wetherell, George
Cobb, John Briggs, Phineas Briggs, John Clark, Abner
Tucker, Seth Smith.*
In December, Capt. Silas Cobb had the command of
a company. In it were these men, from Norton : —
John Allen, second lieutenant; Nathaniel White, Amos
Martin, Abiel Lincoln, Benjamin Hodges, Jabez Briggs,
Daniel Hodges, Samuel Norton, Elkanah Hall, George Har-
vey, Nathaniel Prior, Phillip Horr, Edmund Tucker, Josiah
Smith, Masa Basset, Thomas Bass, John Hall, 2d, Paul
Cook, Joel Martin, Jonathan Smith, William Makepeacei
Rufus Lincoln, William Carpenter, Joseph Harridon, John
Hall, Timothy Wellman, Jonathan Clark, Thomas Hewit,
Ephraim Knap, Snellum Babbit.'
In 1777, the persons whose names are here recorded
enlisted into the army for three years. All did not,
however, serve the full time of their enlistment. The
figures attached to the names show the number of
months the individual was in service.
Benjamin Morey (36), William Merry (10),* Csesar
Makepeace (32), Caesar Itforey (44), Jonathan Morey (5),
Isaac Morey (10), Nathaniel Morey (36), Daniel Morey
(15), Jedediah Tucker (33), Josiah Tucker (36), Jacob
Allen (37),* Jeremiah Cambell (36), Ezekiel Clap (3),»
John Capron (20), James Dorsey (?) (46), Francis Guillow,
John Harridon (36), Josiah King (45), Josiah King (39).
^ Revolutionary Rolls, vol. iii. p. 184.
a Ibid. vol. iii. p. 187.
8 Ibid. vol. i. p. 140.
^ Deserted. * Died.
404 BEVOLUnONABY WAR.
For 1778, the Committee of Correspondence, Ac,
were Jonathan Clap, David Arnold, Isaac Smith, John
Hall, and Seth Gilbert.
March 9, 1778, " voted that the selectmen should
procure powder-flints, lead, and gun-locks of the
board [of] war."
May 11, " voted that the ofiicers of the several com-
panies should raise the men sent for by the General
Court on the best terms they can ; and, if they cannot
procure them for thirty pounds granted by said Court,
that the town will pay the overplus." The officers
were further directed " to hire the money to procure
said men with, if thirty pounds will not."
We give below the members of Capt. Israel Trow's
company, draughted for three months' service in Rhode
Island, commencing Jan. 1, 1778. The residences are
not given. Most of them are known to have belonged
to this town.
Lieutena7its. — Ebenezer Brintnell, Ephraim Lane.
Sergeants. — Jonathan Newcomb, William Bonney, Wil-
liam Wetherell, Jonathan. Briggs.
Corporals, — Theophilus Grossman, Joseph Spurr, Joel
Briggs, William Verry.
Drum. — John Wetherell.
Privates. — Masa Basset, Thomas Bass, Samuel Bailey,
John Bates, Obadiah Brintnell, Jonathan Clark, Ebenezer
Cane, Banfield Capron, Caleb Dunham, Abraham Derry,
Peter Deny, John Dunbar, lehabod Eddy, Ezra Eddy, John
Field, Israel Fisher, Calvin Fillebrown, William Hodges,
Zebulon Hodges, John Hall, jun., William Lane, Ephraim
Knap, Timothy Leonard, Paul Lincoln, Jonathan Mebu-
ren (?), Daniel Phillips, Ichabod Randall, Solomon Skinner,
Enoch Story, Asa Smith, William Story, Benajah Tucker,
Jesse Tupper, Stephen Thayer, Benjamin Trow, Ichabod
Willis, Permer (?) Wood, John White, Timothy Wellman,
Josiah Willis, Ezra Willis, Levi Woodward, Abiathar Shaw,
Seth Tiffany.^
The following men from Norton enlisted for one
1 Revolutionary Rolls, vol. iii. p. 182.
BEVOLUTIONABY WAB, 405
year, from Jan. 1, 1778, in Capt. Joseph Cole's com-
pany, of Bridgewater : —
Seth Smith, Asa Newcomb, Elkanah Hall, Ichabod Eddy,
Levi Woodward, John Cobb, John White, Timothy Skinner,
Elias Eddy, Simeon Wetherell, John Gilbert, Masa Basset^
In Capt. Isaac Hodges' company, engaged in Rhode-
Island service, we find these names. Most of them
were from this town.
David Keith, Isaac White, Lewis Sweeting, Nat Freeman,
Alexander Keith, James Newcomb, John White, Eliab Darby,
Edmund Macomber, Abiel White, Joel Briggs, Thomas Gro-
ver, Alexander Balcom, Thomas Braman, Samuel Bailey,
Obadiah Brintnell, Stephen Briggs, Benjamin Braman, Levi
Babbit, Rufus Clap, Abijah Clap, Asa Clap, William Clark,
William Dunham, James Fillebrown, Asa FiUebrown, Cor-
nelius Gibbs, George Hodges, Elijah Hodges, Abial Leonard,
Isaac Lincoln, Isaac Lathrop, John Newland, Nathaniel
Prior, Seth Pitts, John Patten, Phillip Pratt, Jesse Randall,
Benjamin Shaw, Joshua Steams, Eliphalet Sweeting, Robert
Skinner, Mase Shepard, Asa Smith, William Stone, James
Stone, Benjamin Tiffany, Seth Tisdale, William Verry, Peter
Wellman, Royal White, Asa Wellman, Abijah Wetherell,
Simeon White, Seth Williams, Benjamin Homes, Ebenezer
Burt, Samuel Copeland, Stephen CiUey, Daniel Pratt.*
These men were draughted from Norton in 1778 for
nine months' service : —
Thomas Jenkins, Peter Derry, David Hodges, Joshua
Smith, Thomas Bass, Ephraim Knapp, London Morey (ne-
gro), rejected, William Axtell.
Ephraim Lane was a lieutenant-colonel in Col. Tho-
mas Carpenter's regiment, Rhode-Island service, from
July 24 to Sept. 9, 1778. He was also a lieutenant-
colonel in Col. John Daggett's regiment in 1776,
called out by the alarm at Lexington, 19th of April.
For 1779, the Committee of Correspondence, Ac,
were William Cobb, William Homes, Esq., Daniel
1 Revolutionary Rolls, vol. i. p. 109. 2 ibid. vol. xx. p. 57.
406 BEVOLUTIONABY WAR.
Dean, Noah Wiswall, Noah Woodward, Silas Cobb,
and Eleazer Clap. June 22, '^ voted that the eight
Continental men now called for for nine months, and
the three men for the Lines at Rhode Island, be raised
by way of a tax on the ratable polls and estates in sd.
Norton ; " and a committee were appointed to raise
" the above men."
This committee were directed " to procure the above
men upon the best terms they can, and lay their ac-
count before the town for their allowance and payment,
and it should be allowed." Adjourned to July 5.
Then " voted to raise on tlie ratable polls and estates
three tliousand pounds, for the purpose of raising men
for the country's service."
Aug. 30, " voted to Silas Cobb two pounds, nineteen
shillings, L. my., for keeping seven Highlanders one
night, and finding them all a breakfast." ^
Tliere was an article in the warrant for a town-
meeting, Sept. 20, 1779, " to take under their con-
sideration a letter from the town of Boston, with
regard to the difficulties sd. town is now [laboring
under] for want of supplies of the necessaries of life."
Samuel Moray and Isaac Smith were chosen a com-
mittee " to collect sheep and grain for to carry
to Boston, for the supply of sd. town of Boston."
During this year, we find but few soldiers on duty
from Norton. In the roll of Capt. Joseph Franklin's
company, of Rehoboth, engaged in a four months'
service in Rhode Island, in the autumn of 1779, we
find a few names of men from this town, which we
here record : —
Israel Fisher, Francis Guillow, Isaac Stone.^
1 Rev. Isaac Braman, of Georgetown, recently deceased, wrote me, that,
"when Burgoyne surrendered to the Americans, his army was scattered
over the country in different towns. Twelve Scotch Highlanders were sent
to Norton. They came to church, and sat together on the lower floor,
dressed in short red coats ; checked kilts, coming a little below the knee,
stripes two inches wide; stockings of the same kind of cloth. Their ap-
pearance was novel and exciting. How long they continued in Norton, I
cannot say." These were doubtless the men for whose lodging and break-
fast Mr. Cobb was paid.
2 Revolutionary Rolls, vol. ii. p. 61.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 407
The years 1779 and 1780 were probably the saddest
and darkest known during the whole war. The cur-
rency was in a very depreciated condition. To such
an extent was it reduced, that, in 1780, fifty or sixty
dollars of bills of credit were worth only about one
dollar in specie. This state of things added very much
to the difficulty of procuring recruits for the army,
and of providing food and clothing for those already
enlisted.
For 1780, the Committee of Correspondence, Ac,
were William Cobb, William Homes, and Daniel Dean.
June 16, voted to raise such sums of money as shall
be sufficient to pay the eighteen men, to be raised for
the continental army for six months, by a tax on the
ratable polls and estates; and a committee were
appointed to raise said men. Then "voted that the
committee procure the sd. 18 men upon the best terms
they can, and lay their accounts before the town." It
was probably found difficult to induce the men to en-
list; and therefore, as an incentive, it was, June 23,
" voted that those persons, who shall inlist voluntarily
into the six months' service before four in the after-
noon next Monday, sliall be exempted from their poll-
tax during their service." Adjourned to the Monday
following (June 26) ; then " voted to give the men that
shall engage in the six months' service twenty-four
pounds, as a bounty ; to be paid in Indian Corn, at Ss.
per bushel ; and Rye, at 45. per bushel ; and Bar Iron,
at four dollars per hundred ; or the same sum in Gold
or silver paid down ; and exempted from payijig any
poll-tax for six months to come, or during their service
this campaign." Adjourned to last Wednesday of
August. July 4, the town decided to raise the twenty-
two men, called for from this town for three months,
by a tax on the polls and estates ; and ofiered, as a
bounty to those who would enlist, " twelve pounds, to
be paid in silver money." Afterwards voted " to pay
the twelve pounds' bounty in Bar-Iron, Rye, Indian
Corn," at the prices offered for the six months' men,
and to " excuse them from their poll-tax in proportion
408 BEVOLUnONABY WAB.
to the six moiitlis' men, according to their time of
service/' Also voted to give the four men now called
for, in addition to the eight men called for (for six
months) by a resolve of the General Court of Jane 6,
1780, " the same bounty as was given to the eighteen
men." Chose a committee ^' to raise the 22 men for
three months."
The full quota of men was not raised July 6. It
was then ordered, that those men draughted and
mustered shall be entitled to the same bounty as those
that enlist.
Voted to raise five thousand pounds' tax forthwith,
to pay for the horses purchased in this town.
On the last Wednesday of August, the bounty of
twenty-four and twelve pounds had not charmed the
full number of men desired into the ranks of the army;
and hence, on that day, the town empowered the com-
mittee to go into any other town, where they can be
insured that they have got their quota of six and
three months' men, and hire the men now wanting
for this town.
Oct. 9, the town "voted to raise <£1,108. — 55. — 0.,
in silver money, to pay the Bounty to the soldiers that
were hired the summer past." Also " voted to Mr.
Nathaniel Prior 210 pounds, old continental money,
for going, himself and team, to Tiverton with the
soldiers last August." The same day, " voted to
choose a person to purchase the beef called for (by
a Resolve of Gen. Court) from this town ; " and
Major Silas Cobb was chosen to make the purchase.
Oct. 16, it was " voted to raise £1,100.-0.-0. for
to pay for the beef and trouble." Dec. 25, " voted to
raise such a sum of money as to enable the town
to pay each soldier tliat shall enlist into the continen-
tal service for three years, or during the war, three
hundred silver dollars each ; one hundred paid soon,
one hundred paid in one year, and the other hundred
in two years, with interest."
In the alarm of August, 1780, Capt. Israel Trow
marched to Rhode Island at the head of a company of
»BVOLtrnaNARY war, 409
men, whose names we here record ; all of whom are
supposed to have belonged to this town : —
Joseph Hodges, first lieutenant; Jacob Shepard, second
lieutenant; Benjamin Wild, Elkanah Lincoln, David Lin-
coln, Jonathan Newland, James Newcomb, Joshua Pond,
Kufus Hodges, Joseph Andrews, Sylvanus Braman, Samuel
(?) Blandin, George Briggs, Daniel Basset, Joseph Burt,
£lijah Briggs, David Balcom, Noah Clap, John Clap, Jere-
miah Cambell, Theophilus Crossman, Paul Cook, Tisdale
Hodges, George Hodges, Elijah Hodges, Joseph Howard, ,
Abijah Lincoln, Levi Lincoln, Seth Pitts, Thomas Story, Asa
Smith, Araunah Smith, Zebulon White, Joel White, Abijah
Wetherell, David Wetherell, Josiah Wellington, Elkanah *
Wilmarth, Abiathar Macomber, Amos Martin, Nathan Perry,
Elijah Danforth, Samuel Hunt, Seth Williams, Eleazer
WaJker, Jacob Shaw, Nathaniel Freeman, Noah Woodward,
Jesse Hodges, William Copeland, Samuel Copeland, Josiah
Hodges, William Stone, William Norton, Jonathan Hodges,
Peletiah Day, Joseph Wellman, Ichabod Perry, William
Wetherell, Ebenezer Wetherell, Elisha Capron, Daniel Phil-
lips, James Davis, Nathan Dean, Nathaniel Wood, Silas
Cobb, John King.^
Capt. Seth Smith commanded a company in the
Rhode-Island service this year, probably all Norton-
ians; whose names were —
Ephraim Lane, Jieutenant; Hezekiah Willard, William
Makepeace, Nathan Cobb, Daniel Knapp, Isaac Hodges, Ed-
ward Darby, George Cobb, Benjamin Stanley, John Hodges,
Jabez Briggs, David Arnold, Phineas Briggs, Thomas Bra-
man, Benjamin Blandin, Joseph Matthews, John Briggs, Isaac
Basset, Nathan Dean, ]£phraim Eddy, Ezra Eddy, John
Hall, Zephaniah Hodges, Abiel Lincoln, Oliver Leonard,
Calvin Morey, William Stone, Nat Stone, Seth Smith, Bena-
jah Tucker, Benjamin Tiffany, William Verry, Simeon Weth-
erell, John Wetherell, David Woodward, Samuel Willis.*
Capt. John Allen was also absent six days with a '
company in Bhode-Island service. We give the names
of those from this town : —
1 Revolutionary Bolls, vol. ill. p. 177. ^ n>id» vol. zxiii. p. 65.
35
410 BEVOLUnONARY WAB.
Jacob Shepard, lieutenant ; Isaac Hodges, Jonathan Briggs,
Safus Hodges, Nathan Dean, John Hodges, Joseph Andrews,
John Arnold, David Balcom, Sylvanus Braman, Isaac Bas-
set, Benjamin Blandin, William Carpenter, Paul Cook, Noah
Clap, Ephraim Eddj, Elijah Eddj, Tisdale Francis, Zepha-
niah Hodges, Joseph Howard, Oliver Leonard, Levi Lincoln,
William Newcomb, Solomon Newcomb, Josiah Newoomb,
Nat Prior, Abisha Smith, Araunah Smith, Thomas Story,
Samuel Stevens, John Tisdale, Jacob Tiffany, Elkanah Wood-
ward, James White, James Wetherell, Simeon Wetherell.*
lu Capt. Jabez Barney's company of Swanzey, at
West Point, August, 1780, were the following men
from this town. The first two served for the town of
Mansfield ; the remainder, for Swanzey.
Isaac Morey, lieutenant ; Levi Francis, jun., John Cam-
bell, John Prior, Brian Hall, Vincent Cambell, Benjamin
Holmes, John Martin.^
In the six months' service, in 1780, 1 find the follow-
ing list of men from Norton, made up by the select-
tnen : —
Jedediah Tucker, Daniel Hodges, Ichabod Pitts, Jabez
Newland, Isaac Stone, Vincent Cambell, Henry Howard,
Samuel Willis, John Hall, Benjamin Holmes, Israel Smith,
Daniel Hodges, 2d, Daniel Burr, Jonathan Hodges, Benjamin
Puller.^
The following is a list of the men raised in Norton,
agreeably to a resolve of the General Court, passed
Dec. 2, 1780 ; the term of service, three years ; —
Samuel Sherman, Benjamin Fuller, Elisha Capron, Joshua
Fuller, Timothy Tucker, Abiathar Macomber, Henry Hay-
ward, Jacob Briggs, Samuel Eddy, Francis Guillow, Sey-
more Burr, Seth Capron, Benjamin Chotsey (?), Cuff Free-
man, Jedediah Tucker, Ezra Hodges.*
Jan. 8, 1781, the town " voted so far to comply
with the Resolve of the General Court Respecting
1 Revolutionary Bolls, vol. i. p. 7. ^ ibjd. yoi. i. p. 51 J.
« Ibid. vol. iv. p. 184. * Ibid. vol. xxiv. p. 418.
REVOLUnONABY WAR. 411
Beef as to procure sd. Beef, or the money ; " also
voted to raise ^204. 3s, Orf., silver money, in addi-
tion to tlie £1,108. 55. raised Oct. 9, 1780, — to be
devoted to the same purpose. The Committee of Cor-
respondence, Ac, for 1781, were Silas Cobb, Israel
Trow, and Noah Wis wall.
March 5, " voted to give the men, called for to go
to Rhode Island for forty days, four pounds and ten
shillings per month, including whatever shall be given
them from this commonwealth, or any other way from
the publick."
In the summer, the General Court called upon the
town to supply the army with six thousand seven hun-
dred and sixty-eight pounds of beef, twenty-eight shirts,
twenty-eight pair of shoes and stockings, and fourteen
blankets. July 16, it was " voted to comply with
the requisition of the General Court respecting Beef ;
and £120 silver money was raised to pay for it, and
Capt. Ephraim Burr was authorized to purcliase it at
fourpence per pound : " and it was ordered, " that
there be a clause inserted in the warrant for our fall
meeting, to raise a sum of money to pay for clothing."
It was also " voted to give the men, that shall go into
the three months' service, twenty silver dollars per
month, and the town to receive their wages from this
commonwealth, and that each man have five dollars
advance pay."
We find but few names of soldiers to record for the
year 1781. In January of this year, there were in
the Continental army, from Norton, enlisted in the
years 1777-79-80, for three years, or during the
war, —
Josiah King, Caesar Moray, Joseph Pratt, Lathrop Knapp,
John Harridon, Josiah King, Anthony Morey, Jacob Allen,
and William Wellman.^
On the 19th of October, Lord Cornwallis and his
whole army laid down their arms at Yorktown, Va.,
1 Revolutionary Bolls, toI. xxiz. p. 118.
412 BEYOLUnONABY WAB.
as prisoners of war, to the combined forces of France
and the United Colonies ; which event was the virtual
termination of the war, although the articles of peace
were not formally signed till nearly two years after-
wards.
The town-records are almost entirely silent relative
to the war after the siege and surrender at Yorktown.
At the March meeting in 1783, the selectmen were
chosen *' a committee of correspondence and Safety,''
&c.
March 1, 1784, the town "voted not to give the
continental oflBcers any extraordinary pay." Rev.
Isaac Braman wrote me, that, " Towards the close of
the Revolutionary war, a hen's egg was found about a
mile south of the church, cm which was written in
raised letters, * Piece to America.^ This was thought
by the 'Hoi Polloi ' to be a true prophecy, — that
Peace was soon to take place. I was a little more
than 12 years of age, but knew the difference between
Peace and Piece^ and was convinced that it was an
imposition." And such, no doubt, it was. Here, then,
we must bid adieu to the war, which forms the greatest
era in our country's history.
We do not suppose we have recorded the names
of all our citizens who served in defence of their coun-
try's rights. It is to be regretted that the names of
all who were engaged in the war were not entered
upon the town-books.
Had this been done, our list of Revolutionary pa-
triots would no doubt have been much longer than it
now is. Yet we would also remember, that the victory
was not won by those alone who met the enemy face to
face amidst the din of clashing arms, and the shrieks
and groans of the wounded and dying. Por those
who remained at home, and who furnished the " sinews
of war," and took care of the families of those absent ;
who, out of their poverty, furnished provisions and
clothing for the army, and cheered them on through
all their reverses, trials, and discouragements, — and
among these we must reckon the mothers, wives, and
BEVOLUTIONAEY WAR. 413
daughters of the soldiers, — we would not withhold
the praise justly their due. We cannot, it is true,
record their names ; they stood not so prominently
before the eye of the world: but their heroism was
none the less real on that account ; and we trust their
patriotism and self-sacrifice will never be blotted from
our country's remembrance.
Although the war released our fathers from the des-
potism of England, it left many of them under the
despotism of irreligion and immorality. The whole
nature of war is demoralizing in the extreme. In cor-
roboration of this idea, we will quote a passage from
Rev. Pitt Clarke's " Historical Sermon." Speaking
with reference to the causes of waning morals among
the people of Norton, he says, —
"The French war, and the revolutionary contest with
Great Britain, produced great changes in the morals of the
people, and, in particular, led to a greater disregard to the
Sabbath, and public worship. War is not only the scourge of
nations, but a very corrupting engine to the people. It breaks
down the barriers of peace and order. Its bad effects are
extensive and lasting, if they cdn ever be repaired. Its in-
fluence was great in corrupting the morals of this town as
well as other places ; in consequence of which, many of the
past and present generations have lived in total neglect of
the Sabbath, and sanctuary opportunities. We find but few
instances of those, who were long in the army, returning to
their homes with any regard to the Sabbath, or institutions of
religion."
With this testimony against war, without the least
desire to impugn the motives of the Revolutionary
patriots, we close the chapter.
35^
414 MILIARY HISTORY.
CHAPTER XXIX.
MILITARY HISTORY.
" Sfan is a mflitary animal:
Glories in gunpowder, ana lores parade."
P. J. Baiut.
Op the early military history of the town, we can learn
but little. About 1698, a military company was formed
in the North Purchase, and that part of theold town of
Taunton now included in Norton. George Leonard
was the first captain, commissioned by Richard, Earl of
Bellamont, Governor of the Province. It is believed
that Samuel Brintnell was the first lieutenant; and
Nicholas White, ensign. It will be remembered, that,
ill the precinct controversy, the " military line *' was
desired by the petitioners to be the southerly line
of the precinct. This *' military line," I suppose,
was the bounds between the North-Purchase Company
and the other company at Taunton Town. By a law of
1693, the following persons were exempted from mili-
tary duty : viz., Councillors, Representatives, Secretary
of the Province, Justices of the Peace ; the President,
Fellows, Students, and Servants of Harvard College ;
Masters of Art, Ministers, Elders, and Deacons ; SheriflFs
and their Deputies, Physicians, Schoolmasters, Coro-
ners, Treasurers, Attorney-General, Clerk of Courts,
Constables, Ferrymen, Millers, Officers of the Revenue,
Masters of Vessels, Herdsmen, lame persons, Indians,
and Negroes. For many years previous to the separa-
tion of Mansfield from Norton, there were three mili-
tary companies in town, whose limits were as follows:
The first company embraced all the territory of the
South Precinct westerly of Rumford River. The second
company was in the North Precinct (Mansfield) ; and
the third company embraced all the South-Precinct ter-
MILITARY fflSTOBY. 415
ritory easterly of Rumford River.^ I have found a list
of these three companies for the year 1757 ; of which
Major George Leonard, jun., had the command of the
first ; Col. Ephraim Leonard, the second ; and Capt. Sim-
eon Wetherell, the third. We regret that want of space
compels us to omit these names. In the lists of town-
officers which we have given in Chapter XX. will be
found attached to their names the titles of most of the
military officers previous to the Revolutionary war.
I have been unable to find, except in one or two cases,
the date of any military commissions previous to 1776.
After the incorporation of Mansfield, the two infantry
companies of Norton (one on each side of Rumford
River) continued till about twenty years ago. In
1834, the military system of Massachusetts was revised,
which gave the deathblow to all but the volunteer
companies ; and hence we find no commissions issued
to officers of the old infantry company after that time.
The following persons were captains of the infantry
company, on the west side of Rumford River, between
1781 and 1834. The date of their commissions, in
parentheses, immediately follows their names.
Joseph Hodges (July 1, 1781) ; Ebenezer Titus (Aug. 4,
1789) ; Zebulon White (Aug. 20, 1792) ; William Morey
(Sept. 25, 1797) ; Jonathan Hodges (March 26, 1798) ; Ru-
fus* Hodges (May 5, 1801) ; Seth Hodges (Dec. 3, 1804) ;
Asa Arnold (March 23, 1807) ; Lemuel Arnold (Nov. 21,
1808) ; Sanforth Freeman (June 15, 1815) ; Alvin Perry
(May 1, 1819) ; Ichabod Perry, jun. (June 26, 1821) ; Isaac
Braraan (May 30, 1822) ; Mason Stone (March 30, 1826) ;
Almond Tucker (Oct. 25, 1828) ; Thomas Carpenter (May 14,
1832.)
We here give the names of the captains of the comr
pany, east of Rumford River, from 1781 to 1834 : —
1 For many years, in taking the yalnation of the town, the same division
was observed. — George Leonard heading the list westerly of Rumford River;
Simeon Wetnerell, that on the easterly side of said river; and Ephraim
Leonard, at the head of the North- Precinct list. We suppose they were placed
first because they were considered the leading men in their part of the
town.
416 BOLITABY HISTORY.
David Clap (July 1, 1781) ; Reuben Tisdale (May 28,
1789); Isaac Makepeace (July 16, 1790); James Godfrey
(Sept. 26, 1803); Lysander Makepeace (March 24, 1806);
Asa Knowles (Feb. 15, 1808) ; Terry Crane (May 18,
1811); Jacob Shepard (May 17, 1812); Laban Lincoln
(Aug. 9, 1819); Thomas Copeland (June 6, 1820); Lyman
Eddy (May 6, 1824) ; Daniel Briggs, jun. (Aug. 26, 1826) ;
Hennary Newcomb (April 30, 1830) ; George B. Crane
(April 16, 1833).
In 1776, the Norton Artillery Company was organ-
ized, and George Makepeace was commissioned as
captain. This company remained in Norton (a portion
of its officers and members belonging to other towns)
till 1854 ; when its name was changed to Light Infant-
ry, and the company was removed to Foxborough.
The two field-pieces in the possession of the company
were returned to the State ; and the Gun-house, near
the Pound, was sold. At the time the name was
changed, and the company removed to Foxborough,
it was the oldest military company in the State.^ The
following are the names of its commanders (with the
date of their commissions) who have belonged to
Norton. A few captains, whose residence was in other
towns, we have omitted from this list.
George Makepeace (Oct 31, 1776) ; Ephraim Lane, jun.
(1787) ; Daniel Knapp (March 26, 1790) ; Benjamin Blan-
din (Dec. 28, 1795) ; John Gilbert (May 7, 1799) ; Samuel
Hunt (March 9, 1802); Thomas Danforth, 2d (Aug. 27,
1804) ; Elisha Grossman (June 14, 1810) ; Isaac Lane
(May 14, 1812) ; David Lane (Aug. 22, 1814) ; George
Walker (May 20, 1817); Lemuel Perry (Sept. 22, 1821);
Calvin Lane (March 31, 1824) ; George Lane (Feb. 5,
1827) ; Simeon Blandin (March 8, 1828) ; Ira Richardson
(April 16, 1833) ; Earl Hodges (Sept. 24, 1836) ; Carlos
Freeman (April 9, 1836) ; Don F. Lane (July 4, 1839) ;
Benjamin S. Hall (April 24, 1841); Luen C. Leonard
(May 13, 1843); Carlos Freeman (May 24, 1844); Jacob
1 Adjutant-Generars Report, January, 1855, pp. 26, 27; where also may
be seen a copy of a commission to Ephraim Lane, as second lieutenant of
said company, dated Oct. 31, 1776.
MILITART HISTORY* 417
T. Shepard (Aug. 30, 1851) ; Benjamin M. Round (April 27,
1853).
There was also, for some years, a horse company,
a portion of whose members belonged to Norton ; and
the following Nortonians were captains of it: —
Tisdale Hodges (Dec. 16, 1793) ; Daniel Smith (May 24,
1810) ; Pliny Puffer (Aug. 22, 1823).
The following comprise a list of those from this
town, who, since the Revolution, have risen above the
post of captain, or held a commission of the same
rank : —
Brigadier- General. — Silas Cobb (Aug. 2, 1792).
Colonels, — Silas Cobb (May 26, 1788); Isaac Braman
(Sept. 9, 1826) ; Mason Stone (Nov. 3, 1832).
Lieutenant' Colonel, — Simeon Wheeler (Jan. 14, 1819).
-afo/or*. — Thomas Fobes (Sept. 26, 1794); Zebulon
White (Aug. 1, 1803); Brian Hall (April 20, 1797); Isaac
Braman (Oct. 1, 1825) ; Earl Hodges (July 10, 1844).^
Adjutants, — Isaac Morey (Oct. 2, 1788) ; Ephraim Ray-
mond (June 14, 1791); George Palmer (Aug. 30, 1797);
William Lane (May 7, 1799); Thomas W. T. Bicknell
(Oct. 4, 1812); Ephraim A. Raymond (April 23, 1829);
John B. Newcomb (March 30, 1833).
WAR OF 1812.
We find but little to record relative to the war of
1812-15. From the* following votes, we infer that
the war was not very popular in Norton. Aug. 24,
1812, the town met, in obedience to a petition of
Silas Cobb and others, to consider whether a continu-
ance of the war was necessary, &c.
" Yoted, that a continuance [of the] war was not
necessary nor expedient under existing circumstances."
— " Yoted, that an alliance with Prance is not desirar
ble. Chose three delegates to attend a County Con-
vention to consult together for the common good," &c.
The latter part of June, 1814, the Norton Artillery
1 He did not accept the commission.
418 MIUTABT HISTOBY.
Company, Isaac Lane, captain, were called out to
guard New Bedford. They were absent about twelve
days. In August of the same year, one-half of the
Artillery Company were draughted to go to Fairhaven ;
and the other half went to Boston, and were absent
about six weeks. A portion of the infantry compa-
nies were also draughted into service about the same
time.
Nov. 7, 1814, a meeting was held " to take into con-
sideration the petition of Benjamin Horton and others,
to see if the said town can or will fully compensate
those that have been or shall be called into the service
of our country this season or year."
At the meeting, " Voted to choose a committee of
five persons to take into consideration the above-named
petition, and report at this meeting."
The committee reported " that they think it expedi-
ent for the town to make up the wages of each non-com-
missioned officer and private soldier to fifteen dollars
per month, including government's pay." This report
was accepted.
The following persons from Norton were called into
service during the war; viz., —
Isaac Lane, David Lane, Lemuel Perry, Asa Danforth,
Samuel Hunt, George Walker, Josiah Hodges, Allen Lane,
Calvin Lane, Samuel Copeland, Enos Dean, Ebenezer Burt,
Thomas Sweet, Geoi^e Wetberell, Ebenezer M. Lincoln,
Daniel Morey, Stillman Smith, Newton Sweet, Henry B.
Dyer, Thomas Braman, jun., Ezra Macomber, Moses Hunt,
John Harris, Noah Cooper, Eliab Thompson, Samuel Hunt,
2d, Joel Wilbur, Jonathan Knowles, Elijah White, John T.
Whiting, Joseph Fuller, Simeon Dean, Allen Derry, Alfred
French, Amherst Guild, Asa Patten, Spencer Morse, James
Wiswall, Henry B. Hodges, Abijah Dean, John Gilbert,
Stephen Hodges, Daniel Guillow, John Penno, Peleg West,
Williams Keith, Sylvanus B. Braman, Andrews Braman,
Perry Atherton, Sylvester Round, John Russell, Levi Bowen,
Nathaniel Danforth, Ichabod Perry, jun., Seabury Woodward,
Horatio Field, Kingman Richmond, Reuben Wilbur, John
Wild, jun., Jesse Blandin, Elijah Eddy, Barnard Dean, Ly-
man Eddy, Solomon Lothrop, jun., Benjamin Blandin, jun.,
inUTARY fflSTORY.' 419
Josiah Wilbur, Abiathar Knapp, Tisdale Lincoln, George
Hodges, jun., Charles Danforth, Leonard Hill, jun., William
Lane, jun., Adoniram Hodges, Elisha Grossman, Nathan Dean,
jun., William Dean, Gulliver Dean, Albert W. Godfrey, So-
lomon Leonard, Jedediah Packard, Daniel Lane, Asaph
White, Philip Andrews, William Sweet, Zelotes Wetherell,
Lawrence Hunt, Oliver Hunt, George Lane, John Freeman,
jun., Zopher Skinner, David Godfrey, Alanson Cobb, Ephraim
French, Augustus White.
POWDER AND AMMUNITION.
In " An Act for regulating of the Militia," passed
by the General Court in 1693, ij; was ordered, " that
there be a St©ck of Powder and Ammunition in each
town provided, and from time to time, as there is need
be, renewed by the selectmen." The stock was to
consist of a barrel of good powder, two hundred pounds
of bullets, and three hundred flints, for every sixty
enlisted soldiers, and in that proportion, whether
more or less. The penalty for neglecting to have such
an amount on hand on the 1st of May each year was
" five Pounds." The selectmen were empowered to
make a rate to purchase the ammunition, &c.
I do not find any action of the town relative to the
matter till Oct. 2, 1722, when it was " voted that
Joseph Pratt, Treasurer, shall Recover all the money
that is dew to the towne for stray creters that have bin
taken up, and deliver it to the selectmen for to Gitt a
towne Stock of Powder and aminition with ; and sd.
Pratt shall be Paid out of sd. money for his Reasona-
bell charges."
May 13, 1723, at a meeting " warned to Provide a
Towne Stock of amenition," it was " voted that they
would Refer the Gitting of a stock of amenition till
the Representative should Go to Boston, that he might
send word what the minds of ye Court ware consarning
the Precent ; Baring a Part of Gitling sd. amenition,
and to have a meeting before July Court again." We
do not find, however, that they had " a meeting before
July Court ; " but, on the 1st of November foUowing,
420 MILITARY HISTOBT.
a vote is passed, ^^ that the Interest money that is dew
to the towne of Norton and sd. North Purchase, for
this Presant year, shall be Laid out to Oitt a towne
Stock of Powder and ammeuicion for sd. towne and
North Purchase."
Sept. 1, 1740, " Voated for to provide a towne Stock
of amanition, the sum of £50 — 00 — 00." This lasted,
we suppose, till May 17, 1744; when, probably, the
news of war with France had reached the Colony, and
an extra amount of ammunition was deemed necessary.
Hence the town " voted to raise one hundred pounds,
old Tenor, to be laid out for a towne stock of Powder
ammunition, and cljarges of Giting it." This, we
suppose, was used up during the year ; and therefore,
Sept. 23, 1745, XllO were appropriated " to purchase
a towne stock of ammunition." The prospect of
another war with France, in 1754, caused the town
to again look to their powder-box, and pick their iSints
preparatory to the contest. Accordingly, Oct. 14 of
that year, they voted " that the money which the
General Court hath ordered to be paid to the select-
men out of the province Treasury be to provide for
a town stock of Amunition, so much as is now wanting
to be sufficient according to law, provided that Capt.
William Stone do not procure the same."
In the summer of 1770, a division of '' the town
stock of ammunition, as powder, bullets, and flints,"
was made by a committee of Norton and the district
of Mansfield ; but the amount on hand was not stated.
"Feb. 19, 1787, voted that the selectmen be requested to
make inquiry into the state of the ammunition in this town,
and make report at the next March meeting."
" March 12, voted that the selectmen be directed to call on
those persons, who have had any of the Town stock, to replace
it immediately."
This was duriiig the troubles caused by what is
known as " Shay's Rebellion." For many years, the
town's stock of powder and ammunition was kept in
the garret of the old meeting-house. This was con*
MnJTAEY HISTORY. 421
sidered rather an unsuitable place ; and hence the erec-
tion of a building to deposit all the military stores in
was a question before the town at a meeting, April 2,
1804 ; but it was " voted not to build a powder-house."
The next year, the matter was revived with better
success ; for, June 12, 1805, it was " voted to build a
Powder-house of brick and lime, and to set up the
building of said house at vendue." By whom it was
erected, we are not informed ; but the little circular
brick building, about six feet in diameter, and as many
high, with a conical roof of wood, now standing back of
the Trinitarian Meeting-house, and nearly in front
of William A. West's house, was soon after built in obe-
dience to the above vote ; where, for many years, the
town have kept their ammunition and other military
stores..
"May 11, 1818, voted to furnish each infantry soldier with
twenty-four cartridges with balls, to be kept in the town's
store."
The powder-house now contains one old rusty flint-
lock musket and bayonet ; about two kegs of ball-car-^
tridges, so completely saturated with water and petrified
that it is doubtful whether they would burn in any
common fire ; a lialf-bushel of bullets, a peck of flints,
three old tin pails, a few broken boxes, and almost
hoopless powder-kegs. May it never contain more !
Peacefully may it go to ruins, with none to weep over
its mouldering remains !
The old Common, near Sanforth Freeman's, was the
scene of frequent regimental musters and military \
parades, with all their accompaniments of drunkenness, 1
gambling, and fighting. But the progress of Christi-
anity has almost entirely removed from our State these
relics of a barbarous age ; and, so far as our town is
concerned, all that remains of the military grandeur of
former ages (aside from the powder-house) are a few
broken muskets, rusty swords, beltless cartridge-boxes,
tattered knapsacks, and mouldy commissions, preserved
as mementoes of a bygone age.
36
422 FEDERAL AHD STATE COMBTlTUTiONB.
CHAPTER XXX.
FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS.
" What eoDstitates a slate?
Men, — high-minded men ;
Men who their dntiee know;
But Imow their ri^ts, and, knowing, daxe maintain.**
Wm. Jovn.
The Declaration of Independence formed no bond of
union among the several Colonies. Hence the atten-
tion of the Continental Congress was soon called to
the necessity of such a confederation, or union. Dr.
Franklin, in 1775, submitted to Congress articles of
confederation. But most of the members were pro-
bably then unprepared for such a movement. In the
spring of 1776, this subject was again before Congress ;
and a committee of twelve — one from each State,
except New Jersey — took the matter into considera-
tion, and, the next week after independence was
declared, reported a series of articles. It was found
difficult, however, to harmonize all the conflicting
opinions of the Colonies.
In the spring of 1777, Congress again turned its
attention to this matter ; and, on the 15th of Novem-
ber of the same year, the articles of confederation
were adopted, — giving to the Colonies the name of
The United States of America.
There was an article in the warrant for town-
meeting, Jan. 1, 1778, " to take under consideration
the articles of confederation and perpetual union pro-
posed by the Congress."
At the meeting, the town " voted to choose a Com-
mittee, to take the confederation of Congress into
consideration, and report." Chose William Holmes,
Abraham White, Seth Gilbert, Nathan Hodges, Brian
Hall, Eieazer Clap, William Cobb, Noah Woodward,
FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS. 428
John Patten, David Arnold, George Leonard, jun.,
Jonathan Clap, and David Lincoln, for said com-
mittee.
Adjourned to 12th inst. Then "voted to Except
of the Report of the aforesaid committee with regard
to the confederation of Congress." — " Voted, that a
copy of said Report should be given to the Repre-
sentatives."
No record of this report was made on the towu-
books, and I have been unable to find a copy of it.
These articles of confederation did not authorize
Congress to pass general laws or to impose taxes:
they served only a temporary purpose, and that in-
adequately. Li carrying on the war. Congress had
incurred a heavy debt ; but, having no power to raise
money, could not pay it. This inability led to serious
diflSculties. At length, however, the conviction be-
came general, that a remedy for these troubles must
be found in amending the articles of confederation,
or the formation of a new compact, or bond of union,
between the States.
A convention of delegates from all the States, ex-
cept Rhode Island, met at Philadelphia in 1787, and,
having decided not to revise and amend the articles of
confederation, proceeded to the formation of a Federal
Constitution ; and, after some months of deliberatiouy
a constitution was adopted, and submitted to the-
several States for ratification.
Nov. 26, 1787, the town " did elect Mr. Abrahams
White to represent them in a state Convention to be^
holden at Boston on the second Wednesday of January
next, for the purpose of taking under consideration the
Federal Constitution."
The constitution was ratified by the convention at
Boston, Feb. 6, 1778, by a majority of nineteen in a
vote of three hundred and fifty-five. Mr. White, from
Norton, voted against its ratification ; but, imme-
diately after the vote was declared, he is reported
to have said, ^'that notwithstanding he had opposed
the adoption of the constitution, upon the idea that it
424 FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTTTUTIONB.
would endanger the liberties of his country, yet, as
a majority had seen fit to adopt it, he should use his
utmost exertions to induce his constituents to live
in peace under and cheerfully submit to it." ^ This
seemed to be the general spirit of the opposition.
STATE CONSTITUTION.
Immediately after the Declaration of Independence,
the Massachusetts Assembly began to devise means
for the formation of a constitution, and the adoption
of a state form of government ; and, accordingly, a
resolve looking to this end was passed by them in Sep-
tember, 1776, and sent to the people.
On the 7th of October of that year, a meeting of the
inhabitants of Norton was held —
" To take under consideration a resolve of the Honorable
House of Representatives of this state with regard to a form
of government ; and to consider and determin whether they
will give their consent that the present House [of Repre-
sentatives], together with the Honorable Council of this State,
in one body and equal voice, should consult, agree on, and
enact, such a Constitution and form of Government for this
state as the said House and Council, joined as aforesaid, shall
judge will most conduce to the safety, peace, and happiness
of this state ; and whether, if any form of Government
should be agreed on, that this town would desire that such
form should be made publick for their inspection before it is
ratified by said assembly ; and to act in all respects with regard
to said Resolve as they shall think fitt."
At this meeting, William Homes, Eleazer Clap, Wil-
liam Cobb, Brian Hall, Nathan Hodges, David Arnold,
Jonathan Clap, David Lincoln, Seth Gilbert, George
Makepeace, and Henry Wetherell, jun., were chosen a
committee to consider and make report upon the mat-
ter. The meeting was adjourned once and again to
Oct. 22 ; when the committee make the following re-
port, which was accepted : —
1 See account of the ratification, &c., in Genealogical Register for Juty,
1847.
FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS. 425
"The freeholders and other inhabitants of the Town of
Norton, legally warned and in Town-meeting assembled,
taking under their consideration a late Resolve of the present
Honor. House of Representatives of this state respecting
their consent that said House, with the Honor. Council, should
agree on and enact a form of government for said state, came
into the following votes ; viz., —
" Istlj, That the establishing a good form of government
is absolutely necessary, in order to lay a foundation for the
future safety, happiness, and welfare of a people.
" 2ndly, That as the end of government is the good of the
people, so the power and right of forming and establishing a
plan thereof is essentially in them.
" 3dly, That, as this state is at present without a form of
Government, it is highly necessary that one should soon be
formed.
" 4thly, That we cannot give our consent to the proposals
of the said Honor. [House] in their resolve of the 17th of
September last, that the present Honor. House, with the
Hour. Council, should enact a form of government for this
state; for these reasons, viz. : Istly, That the present House
and Council were not separately elected by the people for that
special purpose, which we think it highly reasonable they
should be in a matter of such importance ; 2dly, The requisi-
tion of the Honor. House being so pregnarit with power, we
cannot think it will be conducive to the future good of this
people to comply with their proposal.
"5thly, That we humbly conceive, that if the present
general Assembly in a convenient time should be dissolved,
and a state Convention called and convened for this important
purpose, it might conduce much to the peace and quiet of the
people of this state ; and, we hope, would be a salutary mea-
sure to obtain the end proposed.
" 6thly, That we think it would be very conducive to said
end, with regard to a form of government, if each county
should meet by their delegates, and consult with regard to
what form of Grovernment they may think it would be best
for this state to come into ; and, when they have so done, to
lay the result of their several meetings before the proposed
General Convention, that they may better collect the minds
of the people, and select from the whole such a form of Gov-
ernment as shall by them be thought most likely to terminate
in the safety, peace, and happiness of the people.
36*
426 FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTirUTIONS.
" 7tlily, That it appears to us absolutely necessary, for the
liberty and safety of this state, that the plan of goveminent^
when formed, should be published for the perusal of* the
people, and not established without their approbation.
** 8thly, Voted, that a copy of these Resolves be sent to
the Secretary's office of this state, attested by the Town
Clerk."
May 5, 1777, the Massachusetts Assembly " recom-
mended to the people to choose their representatives
to the next General Court, with full powers, in one
body with the Council, to form such a constitution of
Government as they shall judge best calculated to
promote the happiness of this state ; " to be subject
to the approval of a two-thirds vote of the people.
At the session of Jime, 1777, a committee of twelve
was charged with this subject. In January, 1778,
this committee reported a draught of a constitution,
which was adopted by the General Court, Feb. 28,
1778.1
In the spring of 1778, this draught of the state con-
stitution was submitted to the people for their accept-
ance. It was, however, so objectionable, that most
of the towns in the State voted against it ; and it
was accordingly rejected.
At a meeting on the 22d of May, held by adjourn-
ment from May 11, the town of Norton " voted not to
receive the form of Government agreed on by the
Convention or general Court of this state ; 8 'for it,
and 102 against it."
Feb. 20, 1779, the General Court, by a resolve,
directed the selectmen of towns to obtain a vote from
the people upon two questions, — whether they wished
for a new constitution or form of government ; and, in
case they did, whether they would empower their rep-
resentatives for the coming year to vote for a " State
Convention for the sole purpose of forming a new
Constitution." The people said *' Yes" to both these
propositions.
1 See printed Journal of OonventioDf 1820, p. 6, Note.
FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS. 427
In the warrant for a town-meeting, May 19, 1779,
there was an article to see " whether they choose at
tliis time to have a new Constitution, or form of
Government, made." On this article, " voted in the
negative." Then reconsidered the vote, and chose a
committee " to give the representatives instructions ; "
and adjourned to May 26. Then met, and " voted for
a new constitution, and form of government, at this
time, 34 for it, and one against it."
" Voted to accept of the instructions of the Com-
mittee to the Representative." They are as follows : •^—
c.rwy TLr ai t -rrr, * " NORTON, May 26th, 1779.
"To Mr. Abraham White.
" Sir, — As the town of Norton have made choice of you
to represent them in the General Court at this critical and
perplexed day, so they confide in your wisdom and integrity
to conduct that arduous task in general so as you shall judge
will best promote the interests of sd. town, and this and the
other United States of America. Yet, as it must be agreeable
to you to know the minds of your constituents in all matters
of importance, we think fit to ^ve you the following instruc-
tions ; viz. : That you use your influence, that, as soon as con-
veniently may be, a new form of Government may be made.
"Secondly, that there be [permission granted] from the
General Court to the several towns and districts in this state,
for said towns and districts to delegate such person or persons
as they shall think fit to convene for the Express purpose
(and for that only) of forming a constitution for this state ;
and, Thirdly, that whatever the constitution may be that may
be agreed on by said Convention, that you use your utmost
influence that it shall not be established before it is laid before
the several towns for their approbation, and that at least two-
thirds of the voters on this occasion (collectively) approve of
the said Constitution. These matters, with others that may
come before the General Court, we trust to your firmness ;
reserving to ourselves the liberty of further instructions as
occasion may require.
" By order of the Town.
« Silas Cobb, Town Clerk."
How faithfully Mr. White obeyed the instructions of
the town, or how much influence he exerted in the
428 FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS.
General Court towards bringing about results so
nearly akin to the ideas -embodied in the instructions,
we have no means of knowing; but certain we are
that a convention of delegates from the several towns
was ordered to assemble at Cambridge on the first day
of September, 1779, " for the sole purpose of forming
a new Constitution, or form of Government."
Aug. 16, Mr. Abraham White was chosen a delegate
from Norton to the proposed convention.
,The convention assembled at the time and place
appointed, and was continued by adjournments till
March 2, 1780, when the draught for a Constitution
was submitted to the people. It was adopted by a two-
thirds vote of the State, previous to June, 1780 ; and,
with the amendments since adopted, it is now the one
under which we live.^ The town of Norton met to
consider the new constitution. May 8, 1780, and at-
tended to the reading of it. It was objectionable in
some particulars. They chose a committee "to take
sd. constitution into consideration, and report."
Adjourned to May 25. Then met, and heard the
report of the above committee, their objections and
amendments ; and it was " voted that the constitution,
as it stands, should not be accepted unanimously, by
78 votes."
Then adjourned to June 1. At that time, it was
"voted unanimously (108 voters present), that every
article in the Declaration of Rights (except the fourth
and twenty-second) and new form of Government
should be accepted, that have not any objection or
amendment made thereon by the committee." — " De-
claration of Rights, Art. 3rd, voted with the amend-
ment made by the committee, 72 for it, and 36 against
it." — " Art. ye 4th, voted 51 for it, and 24 against it."
— " Art. ye 22nd, voted 107 for it, and 1 against it."
— " Voted, that the remaining part of the articles, with
their amendments, be read, and voted upon all toge-
1 The first Legislature under the new Constitution assembled at Boston,
Oct. 25, 1780.
FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS. 429
ther ; and voted to accept of them all, with their
amendments and objections ; 103 voters for them, and
6 against them."
What were the particular objections to the several
articles in the constitution does not appear, and pro-
bably will never be revealed.^
The question of the revision of the State Constitu-
tion was submitted to the people in the- spring of 1795.
A majority of the voters in the State were opposed to
a revision. In this town, the vote was taken May 6 ;
and " 43 voted for a revision of the Constitution, arid
3 against." On the 21st of August, 1820, the town
voted by ballot on this question, " Is it expedient that
delegates should be chosen to meet in convention for
the purpose of revising or altering the constitution of
government of this commonwealth ? " and there were
90 yeas and 11 nays.
The requisite majority of voters in the State havihg
been given in favor of a Constitutional Convention,
delegates from the several towns were chosen. Those
from Norton were George Walker and Seth Hodges.
The convention met at Boston, Nov. 15, 1820. They
were in session till Jan. 9, 1821, and submitted four-
teen articles of amendments to the people for their
acceptance. April 9, 1821, the town vote upon these
several articles of amendment as follows : —
Art. I. related to the public worship of God, the support
of religious teachers, and to persons accused of criminal
offences. Yeas, 5 ; nays, 104.
Art. II. changed the commencement of the political year
from the last Wednesday of May to the first Wednesday of
January ; and provided for the choice of State officers in No-
vember, instead of April. Yeas, 3 ; nays, 126.
Art. III. established the veto power of the Governor, &c
Yeas, 5 ; nays, 107.
1 At a meeting held the second Monday in May, 1781, " voted to Mr.
Abraham White fifty old continental Dollars per day for forty-nine days
that he attended at the State Convention held for forming a new Constitu-
tion."
430 FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS.
Art. IV. empowered the General Court to grant a city
government to towns having twelve thousand inhabitants.
Yeas, 0; nays, 123.
Art. V. districted the State for the choice of thirty-six
senators, instead of forty ; provided for the election of repre-
sentatives from the several towns ; and required seven coun-
cillors to be chosen by the Legislature " from among the people
at large," instead of nine.^ Yeas, 0; nays, 147.
Art. VI. related to the qualification of voters. Yeas, 15 ;
nays, 87.
Art. VII. related to the appointment of notaries public,
secretary, treasurer, and commissary-general, and to the re-
moval of military officers. Yeas, 0 ; nays, 105.
Art. VIII. had reference to voters for military officers.
Yeas, 35 ; nays, 46.
Art. IX. related to the removal, by address of the Legis-
lature, of justices of the peace and other judicial officers ; and
fofbade the Governor and Legislature to ask the opinion of
the Supreme-Court judges upon certain questions. Yeas, 1 ;
nays, 101.
Art. X. confirmed the rights and privileges, &c., of the
President and Fellows of Harvard College, and regulated the
choice of clerical overseers. Yeas, 2 ; nays, 89.
Art. XI. related to the oath of allegiance, and gave
Quakers the privilege of affirming. Yeas, 27 ; nays, 53.
Art. XII. declared that no oath but that prescribed by
the preceding article should be required of the Governor
and other State officers. Yeas, 5 ; nays, 71.
Art. XIII. declared that a member of Congress should
not hold at the same time certain judicial, state, and county
offices, &c. Yeas, 27 ; nays, 38.
Art. XIV. prescribed the mode of making future amend-
ments to the Constitution. Yeas, 4 ; nays, 79.
It will be seen that every article of amendment was
rejected by the town, and most of them by a very de-
cisive vote. The first, second, fifth, ninth, and tenth
of these articles of amendment were rejected by the
people ; the others were adopted by the requisite ma-
FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS. 431
jority of votes in the State, and constitute the first nine
amendments to the Constitution of 1780.
The tenth article of amendment was passed by the Legisla-
tures of 1829-30 and 1830-1 ; and was approved by the
people, May 11, 1831. It changed the commencement of the
political year from the last Wednesday of May to the first
Wednesday of January ; and also required the Governor and
Legislature to be chosen on the second Monday of November
each year, instead of in the spring, as had long been the
custom.
On this amendment, the vote of Norton stood, — yeas, 28 ;
nays, 79.
The eleventh article of amendment was adopted by the
Legislatures of 1832 and 1833 ; and was approved by the peo-
ple, Nov. 11, 1833. This was a modification of the third arti-
cle of the Bill of Rights, establishing religious freedom.
The vote of Norton upon it was 33 yeas and 6 nays.
The twelfth article of amendment was adopted by the
Legislatures of 1835 and 1836 ; and was approved by the peo-
ple, Nov. 14, 1836. It related to the apportionment of re-
presentatives to the General Court.
The vote of Norton upon it was, — yeas, 66 ; nays, 6.
The thirteenth article of amendment was adopted by the
Legislatures of 1839 and 1840 ; and was approved by the peo-
ple, April 6, 1840. It related to the apportionment of sena-
tors and representatives to the General Court, and the choice of
councillors from the people at large.
The vote of Norton upon it was, — yeas, 77 ; nays, 4.
By order of the Legislature for that year, the people
of the State voted, Nov. 10, 1851, for and against a
Convention to alter the. State Constitution.
The vote in Norton for a Convention was 165;
against it, 105. The project was rejected by the peo-
ple of the State. A similar proposition was submitted
to the people, Nov. 8, 1852. In this town, the vote
stood, in favor of a Convention, 159 ; against it, 107 :
and there were a majority of voters in the State in
favor of a Constitutional Convention. March 7, 1853,
George B. Crane was elected a delegate to this Con-
vention, which met at Boston on the first Wednesday
of May, 1853, and continued in session till the 1st of
432 FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS.
August following. The Convention submitted for the
approval of the people eight " Constitutional Propo-
sitions." The vote was taken Nov. 14, 1853.
Prop. No. 1 embraced the old Constitution, modified in
some respect; and contained the Preamble, Declaration of
Rights^ and Form of Government
In this town, the vote was as follows: Yeas, 156; najs,
116.
Prop. No. 2 granted the writ of habeas corpus, "as of
right, in all cases in which a discretion is not especially con-
ferred upon the Court by the Legislature." Yeas, 160;
nays, 115.
Prop. No. 3 gave juries in criminal cases " the rigbt, in
their verdict of guilty or not guilty, to determine the law, and
the facts of the case." Yeas, 159 ; nays, 116.
Prop. No. 4 affirmed that every person, having a claim
against the Commonwealth, ought to have a judicial remedy
therefor. Yeas, 160; nays, 115.
Prop. No. 5 declared that " no person shall be imprisoned
for any debt hereafter contracted." Yeas, 158 ; nays, 115.
Prop. No. 6 forbade the public-school moneys to be used
for the support of sectarian schools. Yeas, 158; nays, 116.
Prop. No. 7 forbade the Legislature creating corporations
by special Act, " when the object of the incorporation is attain-
able by general laws." Yeas, 159; nays, 114.
Prop. No. 8 took from the Legislature the power to grant
" any special charter for banking purposes, or to increase the
capital stock of any chartered bank ; " but such corporations
were to be formed " under general laws." Yeas, 159 ; nays,
114.
All these several propositions were rejected by a
majority of the voters in the State. The vote for
and against them was almost strictly a party vote ; the
Democrats and Free Sellers generally voting for,
the Whigs and Catholics against, the proposition. The
foreign vote, contrary to custom, was thrown on the
Whig side. The proposition against sectarian schools
is supposed to have caused the Catholics, generally, to
oppose all the propositions.
Six amendments to the Constitution, having been
adopted by the Legislatures of 1854 and 1855, were
FEDERAL AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS. 438
submitted to the people for their approbation, May 23,
1855 ; and all of them were approved by a majority of
the voters in the State voting thereon.
Art. I. of these amendments declared, that, in all elections
of civil officers, the person havin^: a plurality of votes should
be " deemed and declared elected." On this the vote in
Norton was, — yeas, 19; nays, 40.
Art. II. changed the time of choosing the Governor and
State Legislature, from the second Monday to " the Tuesday
next after the first Monday of November." Yeas, 52;
nays, 7.
Art. III. required the State to be divided into eight Coun-
cillor Districts, and the councillors to be chosen by the people,
instead of the Legislature as heretofore. Teas, 45 ; nays, 15.
Art. IV. required the Secretary of State, Treasurer, Au-
ditor, and Attorney- General, to be chosen annually by the
people. Yeas, 44; nays, 16.
Art. V. forbade the public-school moneys to be used for the
support of sectarian schools. Yeas, 54 ; nays, 6.
Art. VI. related to the election of Sheriffs, Registers of
Probate, Commissioners of Insolvency, Clerks of the Courts,
and District Attorneys, by the people. Yeas, 44 ; nays, 16.
Most of these propositions were nearly identical
with some of those proposed by the Convention of
1853, and that year rejected by the people.
The following amendments to the Constitution
passed the Legislatures of 1856 and 1857 ; and were
submitted to the people, May 1, 1857. The vote in
Norton, upon these amendments, stood thus : —
Art. I. requiring each voter to be able to read the Con-
stitution in the English language, and to write his name.
Yeas, 38; nays, 56.
Art. II. providing for the districting of the State for the
choice of two hundred and forty Representatives to the Gene-
ral Court. Yeas, 41 ; nays, 52.
Art. III. requiring the State to be divided into forty single
Districts, for the choice of State Senators. Yeas, 44 ; nays, 49.
All the amendments were adopted by a majority of
the votes cast in the State.
37
434 EAST AND NORTH PRECINCTS.
CHAPTER XXXI.
EAST AND NORTH PRECINCTS.
'* They went out from as." — John.
It will be recollected, that in the Bill creating the
North Precinct of Taunton, and also in the Act incor-
porating the town of Norton, there was a proviso, that
the east end of the North Purchase should have a pre-
cinct by themselves, whenever the court should judge
them able to support a minister. I am indebted to
Ellis Ames, Esq., of Canton, for the following docu-
ments relating to the East Precinct: —
" Oct. 30, 1717, a petition of the Inhabitants of the East-
erly part of Taunton North Purchase, shewing that, whereas
the Honble. Court, when they granted the North Precinct in
Taunton to be a town by the name of Norton, made this pro-
viso, — that the East end of the North Purchase shall have
half of the said Purchase as their precinct, when they are
able to maintain a minister, and this Court judged them so ;
and that, since the passing of that order of the General
Assembly (which was in March 17, 1710-11), the number
of the settled families in the said East end of Taunton North
Purchase is much increased, and their settlements are too
remote from any place where the public worship is carried
on to travel comfortably to any such place, — they now judge
themselves in a capacity to support a minister themselves.
" Therefore, praying that a committee be appointed be-
tween them and the town of Norton, that they may know
their bounds of the half-part of the North Purchase, and that
this Hon. Court would grant them to be a distinct Precinct
or Township, as they shall in their wisdom think fit. And
the petition was on that day read in Council, and sent down
to the House of Representatives."
" In the House of Representatives, November 11. — Read,
and Ordered that the said East end of Norton be made as a
EAST AND NOBTH PBECINCIS. 435
«
precinct, and have the powers and privileges granted by law
to precincts; and that John Field, Ephraim Howard, and
John White, surveyor, be a committee to run and settle a
divisional line, by which it is to be set off from the other part
of Norton, — pursuant to an order of the Court, Miirch 17,
1710-11, — and make report to this Court.
" Sent up for Concurrance.
" In Council. — Read and Concurred.
" Consented to. • " Saml. Shuts."
On June 5, 1718, the report of the above-named
committee, marking out the bounds, came in, and was
confirmed, establishing the bounds of the East Precinct.
Also, on June 5, 1718, an order was passed, on the
petition of several of the inhabitants of the East Pre-
cinct of Norton, praying that a committee be appointed
by the General Court to find out the centre of the
East Precinct, and to appoint the place where the meet-
ing-house shall be built.
Having built a meeting-house, and provided them-
selves with a minister, and become " competently filled
with inhabitants," the East Precinct petitioned the Ge-
neral Court to be incorporated as a town. It appears
from our records that there was no opposition to the
measure, from Norton : for, Dec. 7, 1725, " at a meet-
ing of tlie Inhabitants, Legally warned, thare was a
vote Caled for to Know whether the East Precint
Should Be made into a township, and thare was but
one hand heald up ; and thare was a negative vote
caled for, and thare was not one hand up." Accord-
ing to the prayer of the petitioners, the town of Easton
was incorporated Dec. 21, 1725 ; and thenceforth all
municipal connection between the two towns ceased.
NORTH PRECINCT.
Two or three years after the organization of the
East Precinct, a movement was made in the westerly
part of the town to take another slice from the North-
Purchase part of Norton. May 15, 1721, at a town-
meeting, —
436 EAST AND NOBTH PBECINGTS.
"- 4I7, thaj voted not to Grant the desire of Thomas Skin-
ner and his neighbours concerning thajre being dismised from
sd. towne, in order to thare Gitting a towneship with Part
of Dorgester and Part of attleborough."
But the friends of the movement were not satisfied
with the above vote, and therefore renewed their re-
quest the next year with no better success ; for, at^
meeting, March 20, 1722, " 31y, they voted that tl^y
would not Sett of Mr. Skiner and that Naiberhood-to
be a precent acording to theyr Bounds that they re-
quested." This second denial of their request seems
to have moderated the zeal of the petitioners, but not
entirely to have removed it. The probable reason
why they wished for a precinct was the inconvenience
felt of going five, six, and seven miles to meeting ; and
they desired to be empowered to establish the ministry
among themselves.
After waiting a few years till their numbers were
somewhat increased, they again renewed their request,
and were again disappointed. The record says, that
at a town-meeting, May 8, 1727, —
" 21y, it 'twas Put to vote, whether they would Give Liberty
to Thomas Skiner, Sener, and fifteen others, to Go of to be a
Precent with part of the towne of Atelboro* and Part of the
towne of Dorchester, acording to the Bounds which they
Pititioned to sd. towne for; and it pased in the negative." —
" Sly, the question was Put to vote, whether they ware willing
that the Persons that have Pititioned should Go to joyne with
Part of sd. townes to be made a Precent ; and it Pased in the
negative."
Thus baffled in their attempts to be erected into a
precinct, they take another tack ; looking towards the
establishment of a second society, as it appears by this
record : —
"Feb. 19, 1728-9, it 'twas put to vote, whether the towne
would Buld a meeting-house upon ye minestree Land in ye
Northern Part of the towne, and setell a minester thare, and
pay him out of the towne treasurey ; and it Pased in the nega-
tive. And then it 'twas Put to vote, whether the towne would
EAST AND NORTH PRECINCTS. 437
Sett of ye Inhabetance in ye north Part of this towne, acord-
ing to the Bounds they Petitioned for ; and it Pased in ye
negative." ^
The petitioners, again defeated, again renew their
request. Every failure had only added new converts to
the cause ; and a pretty general feeling was manifested
in the north part of the town to have better ministe-
rial accommodations, and another determined attempt
was made to wring from the town the boon they asked.
All things being matured, a town-meeting was called,
to be " on Monday, the 21st day of September, 1730."
The friends of a new precinct were out in full strength.
It soon became evident that the house was about equally
divided upon the question, and heince great precaution
was necessary on the one side and the other to insure
success and to prevent defeat. A moderator (John
Briggs, 2d) is chosen from the south part of the town.
Rather an ill omen, this ; but it does not discourage
the Northerners. Probably " noses had been counted."
Now came the " tug of war."
" 21y, thare was a vote Called for by ye moderator, for those
that ware for seting of ye northern Parts of norton, acording
to theyr Request, to Bring in paper-votes, writ upon (Sett
of) ; and those that ware against it to Bring in theyr votes,
writ upon (not Sett of) ; and there was 54 votes for seting of,
and 47 votes for not seting of."
The combined northern forces triumphed, and great
was the rejoicing on their part. A portion of the de-
1 I am informed by D. S. Cobb, Esq., that his ancle, Capt. Daniel Smith,
recently deceased, had told him a spot for a meeting-house was once staked
out, not far from said Smith's house, on the southerly side of Rumford
River, westerly of the road on the high ground near the bridge. This is
about a mile and a half northerly from the Centre Village of Norton, where
the first meeting-house was erected; and would have been nearly in the
middle of the tract of land then constituting the town of Norton. If the
house had been placed there, it would, no doubt, have given satisfaction to
the people of what is now Mansfield; and, perhaps, might have kept the
two towns together even to the present time. It would have been a very
pleasant site tor a meeting-house.
But probably the southerly portion of the town, having a meeting-house
that well accommodated them, did not care to incur the expenses of re-
moving it, or of building a new one ; and hence no arrangement satisfactory
to the northern part could be made.
37»
488 BAST AND NOBTH PRECINCTS.
feated party consult together for a few moments, and
then cause the following entry to be made on the town-
records : —
" We, the subscribers, are of opinion, that the vote Called
to sett of ye northern Part of norton, acording to their Re-
quest, was an elegall vote; and tharefore we do enter our
Protests against it, — Eleazer Fisher, Sener, Isreall woodward,
Elezer Fisher, Juner, Ebenezer Burt, Jonathan Burt, John
Cobb, Benjamin Selee, Nathaniell Fisher, Juner, John Bra-
nam, Jeremiah newland, Robert Tucker, John Fisher, Jo-
seph Gray, Sener, Joseph Gray, Juner, Joseph Hodges, Wil-
liam Ware, Ephraim Lane, Nathan Fisher, Ichabod Shaw,
Silvenus Cambell, Peter aldrich, nemiah Fisher, Edmun
Fisher, Bepjamen Lane, Benjamen Hodges, Thomas Shaw,
Sener, Ebenezer Eddy, Sener, Daniell Braman, Nathaniell
Fisher, Nathaniell Braman, George Leonard."
Having thus obtained the consent of the town for
their erection into a precinct, the Northerners forth-
with, by petition, appear before the General Court,
asking that legal steps be taken to invest them with
the powers, privileges, <fec., of a parish. The accom-
panying documents show that their prayer was soon
granted : —
" On the petition of Nicholas White and others, of Norton.
In the house of Representatives, June 23rd, 1731. — Read,
and ordered that the petitioners, with their estates, agreeable to
the bounds hereafter mentioned, — viz., westwardly by Attle-
borough bounds ; north-eastwardly by Stoughton bounds ; east-
wardly by Easton bounds, until it comes to be due west from
the house of Erasmus Babbit, deceased ; from thence to the
south of Samuel Caswell's house, three rods or poles ; from
thence to the centre between the public meeting-house in said
Norton, and the common land upon the eight-mile plain in
said Norton ; from said centre to said Attleborough bounds, on
the south of Benjamin Lane's house ; and on the north of the
house of Isaac Shepard, deceased, — be, and hereby are, erect-
ed into and made a distinct and separate precinct, and vested
with like powers, privileges, and immunities as other pre-
cincts within this Province have, or by law ought to enjoy.
'* Sent up for concurance."
EAST AND NORTH PRECINCTS. 439
"In council, June 23rd, 1731. — Read and concured.
"J. WiLLARD, Secretary."
"June 23rd, 1731. — Consented to: "J. Belcher.
" Copy examined, " Per J. Willard, Secretary."
On the 16th of August, 1731, George Leonard, jus-
tice of tlie peace, issued a warrant, directed to Josiah
Pratt, one of the inhabitants of the North Precinct
of Norton, authorizing him to notify the inhabitants of
the precinct to meet at the house of Isaac Wellman,
" on Tuesday, the 31st of August," to choose precinct
officers. At this meeting, Nicholas White was chosen
moderator ; Benjamin Williams, clerk ; John Skinner,
Josiah Pratt, and Ephraim Leonard, assessors ; Joseph
Elliot, treasurer; Thomas Skinner, Nicholas White,
and Ephrain Grover, prudential committee.
At this time, the North Precinct " contained 30 or
85 families. They soon made preparations for a place
of public worship. A small frame was put up, a little
south of the present central Congregational meeting-
house, on the common." Efforts were then made for
establishing public worship. Sept. 4, 1731, the pre-
cinct "vote to cover and enclose the meeting-house
already put up," — '' to put in window-frames, lay the
floor," &c., and appropriate forty pounds (old tenor)
to defray the expense. Sept. 28, Thomas Skinner,
Samuel Bailey, and Ephraim Grover, were chosen " a
committee to inspect the work done on the meeting-
house."
Ephraim Leonard and Josiah Pratt are empowered
" to obtain a minister to preach 3 months," and twenty
pounds were raised " to support the minister." Dec. 13,
" voted to hire a minister to preach the gospel in the
precinct until the first of March."
During the winter of 1831-2, it is supposed, the pre-
cinct had stated preaching, in accordance with the
vote passed Dec. 13. March 27, 1732, at a legal meet-
ing of the precinct, it was " voted to give Rev. Mr.
Ephraim, Little, of Scituate, a call to settle with them in
the work of the Gospel ministry ; " and they agreed to
440 EAST AND NORTH PRECINCTS.
give him a yearly salary of a hundred pounds, old tenor,
during his ministry in the precinct, and oflfer him, as a
settlement, two hundred pounds, to be paid in annual
instalments of fifty pounds.
These proceedings were " without a negative vote."
Mr. Little, however, gave a " negative " answer ; no
doubt, much to the disappointment of the precinct.
We had prepared a full ecclesiastical history of the
North Precinct ; but our crowded pages and other good
reasons oblige us to omit most of it.
Oct. 7, 1734, Abiel Howard, of Bridgewater, was
unanimously chosen pastor. '' He could not see his
way clear to accept the call ; " and hence the precinct
try again. May 20, 1735, they unanimously gave a
call to Atherton Wales, of Braintree ; but he declined
it. With commendable perseverance, the precinct,
Dec. 20, 1735, unanimously invited Samuel Toby, of
Sandwich, to settle. His answer was " No." Again
they look about for a candidate. One is procured. He
is acceptable to the people, who, Sept. 7, 1736, ask
Ebenezer White, of Brookline, to be their " gospel
minister ; " and, after about four weeks' deliberation,
he accepted the invitation.
The ordination took place, Feb. 23, 1737 ; but who
took part in the interesting services of consecrating
him to the work of the gospel ministry is unknown, as
no records are to be found. It is uncertain on what
particular day the cliurch was embodied. No record
of the organization of the church, or the names of
those who composed it, are extant among the church
or parish papers ; but Eev. Mr. Avery fortunately
made in his church-records the following entry, which
throws some light upon the matter. We therefore
transcribe it.
"Jan. 2nd, 1736-7. — Dismissed (at yr request), in order
to ye gathering a Chh., Nicholas White,* John Hall,* Tho-
mas Skinner,* vSen., John Skinner, Sen.,* Ephraim Grover,
Sen.,* Benja. Williams, Seth Dorman,* Josiah Pratt, Thomas
Fillebrown, Joshua Atherton, Stephen Blancher, Wm. Pain,
Benj. Lane, Willm. Dean, Jonathan Pratt, Joshua Williams,
EAST AND NORTH PBECINGTS. 441
Andrew Grover, Thomas Grover, Sen.,* Ezra Skinner, —
members of ye Chh. in Norton, Living, in ye North precinct."
Those marked with a star were original members
of the church from which they were dismissed; so
that just half — reckoning the pastor among the num-
ber — of those who were embodied, Oct. 28, 1714, as
the first church of Norton, were among the original
members of the North-Precinct Church. They parted
from their old associates and pastor in the goodly
fellowship of the gospel and in the spirit of Jesus.
They parted because they thought the interests of
religion demanded a settled ministry iu the northerly
part of the town. One proof of the fraternal feeling
existing between the. parent and the child is the follow-
ing vote, copied from Mr. Avery's records : —
"July 1st, 1737. — Att a chh.-meeting before ye sacrament,
ye chh., by vote, gave two bacars they bought with yr own
money, and also ye bacar given by Mrs. Hannah Briggs, ye
wife of Benj. Briggs, Sen., of Taunton, with her Consent, to
ye 2nd Chh. in Norton,-for yr. use and improvement."
Mr. White's ministry was not of the most peaceful
character. He was probably too liberal in his views
to satisfy many of the " stricter sort " of his parish.
He was of a feeble constitution, and hence frequently
was unable to attend to the duties of his office. Just
as negotiations for his withdrawal from the ministry
were completed, and a successor had been chosen, or
on the 18th of January, 1761, he left the troubles of
earth for the peaceful realms of the spirit-world.
Jan. 12, 1761, six days previous to Mr. White's death,
the precinct chose "Roland Green, of Maiden, to settle
with them in the work of the Gospel ministry." He
was ordained Aug. 26, 1761, under the shade of some
venerable trees, which stood near the westerly end of
the present Congregational Meeting-house, in Mans-
field. Mr. Green continued in tlie ministry till July 4,
1808 ; when he died suddenly of apoplexy, at Norton,
whither he had come that morning to join in a public
celebration of the day.
442 EAST AND NORTH PRECINGTS.
In April, 1770, the North Precinct of Norton was,
by an Act of the General Court, incorporated into
a separate district called Mansfield.^ Of the causes
that led to a total separation of the precinct from
the town, we are not cognizant. Probably the pre-
cinct thought they had so far increased in importance
and dignity as to be able to take care of themselves ;
and certainly, after having a tutelage of about thirty-
nine years, they were worthy to assume the powers
and duties of a corporated town. And yet, for some
years after the erection of the precinct into a district,
it voted with Norton in the choice of representatives
to the General Court.
Perhaps the following votes of the town might have
had some influence in hastening the separation : —
March 19, 1749-50, the town voted down a motion
to have one-third part of the town-meetings at the
North-Precinct Meeting-house.
March 29, 1766, " voted not to have any of the town-
meetings held in the North precinct."
May 21, 1764, "voted that one-third part of the
meetings in said town shall be held at the North-
Precinct meeting-house."
March 9, 1767, " The town voted to hold no more
of the town-meetings in the North precinct of sd.
town." This vote was probably the straw that broke
the camel's back; for an immediate movement was
made towards a separation. The precinct seems not
to have been unwilling that the child should navigate
the sea of life alone, as will be seen by the action of the
town : —
»' Sep. 14th, 1767.
" Voted, whereas the North precinct of the town of Norton
have desired said town to vote them off a district, the sd. town
doth hereby signify their consent to the same, if the General
Court should think proper to set off and make sd. precinct a
1 The difference between a district and a town was that the former were
not allowed to choose a separate representative to the General Court, but
were connected with some other town or district for that purpose. A few
years after the incorporation of Mansfield as a district, a General Act was
passed by the Legislature, raising all districts to the dignity of towns.
THE DISSENTING CHURCH. 443
separate district ; sd. North Precinct taking their proportion-
able part of the poor of said town, and also their propor-
tionable part of the town-stock."
After negotiating with the General Court more than
two years, the court, as we have stated, declared the
child of full age to act for itself. The bounds be-
tween the towns were the same as between the town
and precinct already given.
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE DISSENTING CHURCH.
*' My name is written in the Book of Life." — P. J. Bailkt.
The reader has probably noticed, that in the chapter
on the ministry of Mr. Avery, p. 107, allusion is made
to those who had set up a meeting in opposition to the
First Church ; and also, on pp. 108 and 109, seven per-
sons were suspended for their separation from Mr.
Avery's church, and joining with those who had set
up a separate meeting.
After a long and patient search, we have found the
record of these dissenters, who formed a church and
society, and maintained worship according to their own
idea of things. They were, no doubt, what were called
in those days " New Lights," and adherents to many
of the doctrines promulgated by the leaders of the re-
vival of 1740. Most of them were residents of the
easterly part of Norton ; some of Easton and Taun-
ton.
As this movement, in several respects, was quite an
important one, and as few at the present day know
any thing relative to it, we shall let their own records
tell the reason which induced them to take the steps
they did, and set forth the principles on which they
established the new organization. We retain their
444 THE DISSENTING CHUBGH.
own phraseology ; taking the liberty to supply, in brack-
ets, such words as seem necessary to complete the
sense.
The spelling is so bad, that few of our readers would
be able to make out what is meant if we copied the ori-
ginal : therefore we take the liberty to correct that.
** The Records of a Church of Christ in Norton, in the County
of Bristol, in New England, that dissented from the Consti*-
tution of the Church in this land for the following reasons ;
to wit : —
'< 1. Because that they did not particularly examine those
admitted to their communion, as they ought to do.
'< 2. Because they did not hold a gospel discipline.
" 3. They deny the fellowship of the saints.
" 4. Their settling ministers by way of salary.
" 5. By their allowing of half-way members.
** All which particulars we look upon to be contrary to the
rules that Christ and his apostles practised.
"And after due pains being taken, and no way [being
devised] to have the difficulty removed, we, in faithfulness to
the cause and interest of Christ's kingdom here in this world,
did bear faithful testimony against their proceeding.
" Then the Lord put it into our hearts to [look to] him
for direction ; and we set ourselves to seek the Lord by
prayers. And the Lord put it into our hearts to set apart
the first day of February, 1747,^ to be kept as a day of solemn
fasting and prayer to Almighty God, for the accession of his
Holy Spirit to direct us in the way he would have us to walk
in. And the Lord so wonderfully owned and blessed us, that
ten persons solemnly covenanted with God, and one with
another, for the building of [a] Church, and maintaining the
worship of God, in this place."
"The articles of faith and Covenant drawn up and agreed
upon by the Church of Christ in Norton: —
"1. We believe that there is one only living and true
God, who is a spirit ; of himself from all eternity to all eter-
nity unchangeably the same; infinitely holy, wise, omnipo-
tent, just, merciful and gracious, omniscient, true, and faithful
»■■■-■■■■■■■ .1— — — -.,-, ■ ■■ I. ■■ — ■■■ ■■ ,
1 This was, no doubt, 1748, new style.
THE DISSENTING CHXTBCH. 445
God ; filling all places, and not included in any place ; essen-
tially happy in the possession of his own glorious perfec-
tions.
"2. That- this God subsists in three glorious persons,—
the father, Son, and Holy Ghost, which are but one God, the
same in substance, equal in power and glory.
" 3. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament
are the word of God, wherein he hath given us a perfect rule
of faith and practice.
*' 4. That God hath, for the manifestation of his glorious
perfections, ordained whatsoever comes to pass.
" 5. That God, in the beginning, created the heavens and
the earth, and all things in them; and doth still uphold all
things by the word of his power.
" 6. That God did create man in his own image, — in
knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, — capable of
obeying and enjoying of him ; and so made with him a cove-
nant of life, the conditions whereof were perfect obedience.
" 7. That man soon fell into sin against God, by which he
brought himself and all his posterity into a state of Death.
" 8. That, man being thus dead, his recovery is wholly in
and from God.
"9. That God the Father hath from all eternity chosen
a number in Christ to eternal salvation.
" 10. That Christ did, in the fulness of time, take on him
the human nature ; lived a perfect life on earth ; died a cursed
death on the Cross ; arose from the dead ; ascended into the
heaven, and there ever liveth to make intercession for them.
"11. That the Holy Spirit of God, proceeding from the
Father and the Son, and he only, can and doth make a par-
ticular application of the salvation purchased by Christ for
every elect soul.
"12. That we are of the number that was chosen from
eternity ^ in Christ ; and that he hath come and obeyed and
suffered, arose and ascended, and doth ever plead before God
1 It is a somewhat remarkable fact, that all those who believe in the
popular doctrine of " election " are sure that they are of the number chosen
to eternal salvation. But their daily intercourse with the world does not
always impress others with a favorable idea of their superior sanctity.
Rev. I. Backus, in his " Church History," vol. iii. p. 160, speaking of
this church, sa^s, " Some of the members, especiaUv they who lived in
Easton, had run into the most delusive notions that could be conceived of, —
even so far as to forsake their lawful wives and husbands, and to take others ;
and they got so far as to declare themselves to be perfect and immortal, or
that the resurrection was past ahready, as some did in the apostoUc age.**
38
446 THE DISSENTDVa CHUBCH.
the Father for as ; which he hath given us to believe hj Bend-
ing the holy spirit to convince ns of oar miserable and lost
oondition, and discovered to and offered to us a ^orioas
[salvation] in his suitableness and sufficiencj, and [invited]
us to embrace him with our whole souls; wherebj he ii
made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctificatioiiy and re-
demption.
^13. That the life of religion consists £in] the knowledgs
of God, &nd a confonnitj to him in the inner man ; whidh
necessarily produces an external conformity to his laws.
'^ 14. That all doubting in a believer is sinful; being con-
trary to the commands of God, hurtful to the soul, and a
hinderance to the performance of duty.
^15. That true believers, by virtue [of] their anion to
Christ, have fellowship one with another, whereby they are
made partakers of each other's gifts and graces.
'^ 16. That the firet day of the [week], commonly called
the Lord's day, is the -Christian Sabbath.
^17. That true believers, and none but such, are members
of the Catholic Church of Christ, and have a right to all the
internal and external gifts and privileges that Christ hath
left in his Church in the world ; in order to the right enjoy-
ment of which, and the due administration of Church Disci-
pline, [it] is meet, and according to scripture, that there be
particular Churches of believers."
**0f which we shall next consider, and say, —
" 1. First, it is a number of true believers, by mutual
acquaintance and communion voluntarily covenanting and
embodying together for the carrying-on Uie worship and ser-
vice of God.
" 2. That [there] are two sacraments of the New Testa-
ment, which Christ has instituted to be practised or observed
in his Church till his coming; (viz.), Baptism and the Lord's
Supper.
" 3. The most of [us] hold that true believers have a right
to give up their children to God in Baptism ; yet a different
opinion in this point don't break our fellowship.
" 4. That whosoever pretends to administer or partake of
the seals of the covenant of grace, without saving faith, are
in danger of sealing their own damnation.
" Therefore, the doors of the Church are to be carefully
kept at all times against all such as cannot give a scriptural
evidence of their union to Christ by faith.
THE DISSENTING GHUBGH. 447
'< «5. That a number of true believers, being thus essentially
and visibly united together, have power to choose and ordain
such officers as Christ hath appointed in his Church, — such
as bishops and deacons ; and, by the same power, to depose
such officers as evidently appear to walk contrary to the Gos-
pel. Yet we believe, in such cases, 'tis convenient to take
advice of the neighboring Churches of the same Constitu-
tion.
" 6. That, before choice and ordination of* such officers,
trial be made of their qualifications by the Church in which
they are to be officers in.
" 7. That the Bishop or Elder, by virtue of their office,
have no more power to decide any case or controversy in
the Church than any private brother : but his work is to lead
in the meetings of the Church, and to administer the Sacra-
ment; and to devote himself to the work of teaching and
warning, rebuking and exhorting, the people, publicly and
from house to house.
*' 8. That the deacon's office [and] work is to take care of
the poor and the church treasure, and to distribute to the
support of the Pastor, the propagation of religion, and to
minister at the Lord's table.
" 9. That all the gifts and graces that are bestowed upon
any of the members are to be improved by them for the good
of the whole ; in order to which, there ought to be such a
gospel freedom, whereby the Church may know where every
particular gift is, that it may be improved in its proper place
and to its right end, for the glory of God and the good of the
Church."
"the covenant.
"Thus having declared our faith concerning the Trinity,
and of the state of man before and after the fall, the way of
salvation by Christ, how we are brought into the Covenant
of Grace, of the communion of saints, the nature and power
of a church, &c., —
" We do now, in the presence of the Great God, and in
the faith above and before declared, and by the present help
of Divine Grace, renewed and united by giv[ing] up ourselves
to God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to be for
him, and no other ; freely submitting ourselves to him, to be
at his disposal, for his glory ; taking him as our chiefest good ;
promising, by the help of Divine Grace, to watch against
448 THE DISSENTING CHUBCH.
every sin, oomiption, and temptation, and to hold s continnal
and perpetual warfare with the same ; looking to Christ Jesos,
who is the author and finisher of our faith ; promising to
watch over one another in the love of Grod, and to hold oom«
munion together in the ordinances and discipline of the Gos-
pel Church ; submitting ourselves to one another in love, and
submitting ourselves to the discipline of this Church as s part
of Christ's mystical body, according as we shall be guided by
the spirit of God in his word, and by the help of Divine
Grace ; still to be looking for more light from the Lord, be-
lieving that he will yet further and more graciously open his
word and the mysteries of his kingdom ; looking and wait-
ing for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen and
Amen."
It is much to be regretted that these ten persons,
who were so sure that they were "of the number
chosen from eternity," did not append their names
to this statement of reasons, declaration of faith, and
covenant ; for nowhere upon the records does it appear
who they were.
Possibly they did not immediately sign the cove-
nant, and that they were of the number — whose
names we shall hereafter give — that covenanted with
the church previous to the ordination of a minister.
The matter is left in doubt ; and eternity will pro-
bably only reveal who were these " ten righteous men"
that were to save the Sodom of Norton from destruc-
tion.
Having adopted the covenant, &c., they began to
look about for an elder or teacher in spiritual things.
We will let their own records tell how they reached
the end desired : —
"August ye 1, 1748. — A meeting [was] appointed to
inquire duty of God, in or[der] that God would make duty
plain to us, in order to have a Church completed with
officers ; And, after solemn prayer to Almighty God, it ap-
peared duty to us to appoint August ye 11 to be kept as a
day of fasting and prayer to Almighty God, that he would
give us a Pastor and other officers in this church."
"August ye 11, — being the day set apart by this church
for solemn prayer to God, — the church came together, and
THE DISSENTING CHURCH. 449
some brethren from Rehoboth and Attleboro*. After solemn'
prayer to God, and a sermon preached, William Carpenter
— after being called by this Church to the work of the
ministry — gave himself to God and this Church, to serve
them in the work of the ministry, and was received in
fellow [ship], and, at the same time, signed [the] covenant
with this church. Then, at the same time, the church agreed
to appoint Wednesday, Sept. ye 7, for the day of solemn
ordination to ordain William Carpenter to be pastor of our
formed church in Norton ; and, at the same time, agreed to
send to the following churches, — to wit, Canterbury, Provi-
dence, Rehoboth, Attleboro', and Middleboro'."
^' Sept. ye 3 being appointed by this church to be kept as
a day of solemn prayer to God, to beg his help and assistance
in the ordination of our pastor, and [to] choose deacons for
this church, — after solemn prayer to God, the church chose
James Briggs and Phineas Briggs for deacons of this church.**
Agreeably to previous arrangement, the ordination
services took place on Sept. 7, 1748. The churches
above named, — except Middleborough, — with their
pastors and messengers, were present, and formed the
council: viz., Rev. Solomon Fain, of Canterbury;
Rev. Joseph Snow, of Providence ; Rev. John Pain, Of
Rehoboth ; Rev. Nathaniel Shepard, of Attleborough.
The records say, —
"After Mr. Carpenter declared [his] call to the work of
the ministry, and his call to take the particular charge of this
church ; [and] after solemn prayer to Almighty Grod for his
assistance in the work of sd. day, and a sermon preached by
Mr. Snow, — then proceeded in the solemn work of the ordi-
nation. Mr. John Pain gave Mr. Carpenter his charge ; and
Mr. Shepard, the right' hand of fellowship : and a glorious
time it was. Glory to God alone!"
Sept. 8, — the day succeeding the ordination of Mr.
Carpenter, — James Briggs and Phineas Briggs, who,
on the 3d inst., had been chosen deacons, were or-
dained ; and thus " the church was completed with
oflScers," according to the ideas of its founders.
Deacon James Briggs was the son of Richard, one
of the first settlers of this town; and was boru
38*
450 THE DISSENTING CHURCH.
March 16, 1718-19. He married Damaris White,
May 6, 1743 ; and had eight children.
Phineas Briggs was probably the son of John Briggs,
2d, and Hannah his wife, wiiose maiden name was
Rocket ; and is supposed to have been born about 1710. .
He married, Dec. 27, 1739, Esther Finney ; and had
nine children.
i'or two or three years after the organization of this
church, they appear to have prospered quite well ; and
frequent additions were made to their numbers. Tlie
ordinance of the Lord's Supper seems to have been
observed quite often, with much interest, — some-
times, and perhaps regularly, twice a month. We
will make a few extracts from the records, to show
something of the spirit that pervaded the church : —
"Lord's day, Sept. ye 18, 1748. — The Lord's [Supper]
was received in this Church in the power of the Holy Ghost;
and a blessed day it was. all the glory be given to God."
** Lord's day, October ye 20, 1751. — The Lord's supper
was administered in this Church by the special assistance of
the spirit of God and the power of the Holy Ghost, every
member covenanting with God in a Solemn manner."
"Lord's day, July ye 7, 1754. — The Lord's Supper was
administered in this church, with considerable of the presence
of God."
" April ye 6, 1760. — The Lord's Supper was received in
this church with much of the refreshing influences of the spirit
of God."
This church — born, no doubt, of a dislike to Rev.
Mr. Avery — had not probably within it the elements
of long life. It was not probably in fellowship with
the regular Congregational churches in this vicinity.
Some of the ministers who assisted in the ordination
of Mr. Carpenter are supposed to have been Baptists ;
or, if not, it is presumed they dissented from the es-
tablished churches, and very likely became, ere long, of
the Baptist faith. Some of the members of the church,
perhaps, had strong predilections to Baptist notions.
At any rate, the church, from some cause, was broken
up in the spring of 1761 ; and from its ruins sprang
THE DISSENTING CHURCH. 451
a Baptist church and society, whose history we shall
record in the next chapter.
The record-book of the dissenters continued to be
the record-book of the Baptist society ; and the records
are continued without interruption in the same hand-
writing, which is probably that of Deacon Gershom Cam-
bell, who appears to have been clerk for many years.
This dissenting church and society never had a
meeting-house, but held religious worship in the pri-
vate dwellings of its members. It is supposed that
most of the members, and perhaps all, were baptized
by sprinkling ; and we know that some of them were
believers in infant-baptism, for the record shows that
the children were " sprinkled."
The following are the names of those who cove-
nanted with the church before the ordination of Mr.
Carpenter. We give their names in the order in
which they were admitted.
Sarah Cambell, 1st, Sarah Cambell, 2d, James Briggs,
Abigail Cambell, 1st, Seth Babbit, Fhineas Bnggs, Esther
Briggs, Lydia Briggs, Jabez Briggs, Simeon Babbit, Stephen
Blanchard, Dorothy Smith, Joshua Cambell, Gershom Cam-
bell, Ruth Blanchard, Mary Pike, Damans Briggs, Lydia
Cambell.
The following are those who covenanted with the
church after the ordination of Mr. Carpenter : —
John Finney, 2d, Sarah Balcom, William Cambell, William
Leonard, George Briggs, Mary Smith, Daniel Finney, Ste-
phen Haskins, Mary Brigj^s, Mary Story, Abigail White,
John Woodward, Deborah Woodward, Mary Finney, 2d, John
Finney, 1st, Benajah Smith, Elizabeth Finney, Tabitha Bab-
bit, Keziah Andrews, Bethiah Soulard, Mary Allen, 2d, Sarah
Lincoln, Silence He wit, Peter Soulard, Abigail Austin, Mary
Allen, 1st, James Leonard, Richard Eason, Mary Haskins,
Ebenezer Jones, Patience Cook, Daniel Niles, Esther Rob-
bins, Shubel Cambell, Sarah Allen, Mary Finney.
452 THE OLD BAPTIST CHUBCH.
CHAPTER XXXm.
THE OLD BAPTIST CHUBCH.
** Bj one spirit are we all iMtptized into one %odj." — Paul.
The reader, being acquainted with the contents of tlie
last chapter, need not be informed that the society
whose history we are now to record is a continuation
of the dissenting church under a new name and a
somewhat diflFerent faith. The first record of immer-
sion was that of Mary Jones, by Elder Backus, Jan. 9,
1761 ; and, March 1, 1761, Mary Phillips covenanted
with the church. We now quote from the records : —
" March ye 5, 1761. — Elder William Carpenter was bap-
tised by immersion by Elder Backus ; and, at the same time,
Patience Cook was baptised by immersion."
"March ye 18, 1761. — At a church-meeting held in
Norton, after solemn prayer to God, X^nd] after some dis-
course on many points, the church, by vote, adjourned ye sd.
meeting till March ye 24."
" March ye 24, 1761. — Ye Church met; and, after open-
ing ye meeting by solemn prayer to God, —
"First, ye Church voted the Confession of Faith and
Covenant of the Baptist Constitution. Then a number
signed sd. Covenant ; viz., William Carpenter, John Finney,
Peter Soulard, Gershom Cambell, Daniel Niles, Eben Jones,
Jabez Briggs, Abigail Austin, Sarah Cambell, Patience Cook,
Mary Jones, Mary Phillips.
" 2nd, The Church made fresh choice of William Carpen-
ter to be the elder of this Church.
" 3, The Church voted that the first of April should be the
day for to set apart our Pastor to the work of the ministry
in the Baptist Constitution, and to send to the Baptist
Churches in Middlebo rough (viz.) Elder Backus and Elder
Hinds."
THE OLD BAPTIST CHUBCH. 453
** April ye 1, 1761. — Mr. William Carpenter was set
apart to the work of the ministry and Church, [and] settled
in the gospel order in the Baptist Constitution, by Elders
Backus and Hinds, Elders of the Baptist Churches in Mid-
dleboro', with their assistance from sd, churches, by fasting
and prayer and the laying-on of hands, giving his charge and
the right hand of fellowship. [The same day], Benajah
Smith, Mary Finney, Mary Poick (?), and Tabitha Briggs,
signed the covenant."
Mr. Carpenter, having now been twice baptized and
twice ordained, must have been well prepared for his
duties as minister, if mere outward ordinances were
all that was needed to give unction to his words.
Without any date — but between those of April 5 and
April 9, 1761 — is to be found this record, which
shows the foundation whereon was reared the Baptist
church : —
" Here it may be understood that the constitution of this
church was changed from a Congregation [al] Church to the
Baptist Constitution, and to admit none to Church-fellowship
but those that are Baptised by immersion."
April 9, 1761, Gershora Cambell was chosen deacon.
Deacon Cambell was the son of Sylvanus and Mary
Cambell ; and was born Nov. 14, 1704. He married
Sarah Andrews, May 9, 1732 ; and had several chil-
dren. During the latter part of his life, he was
supported by the town ; as it appears from an order,
made in 1778, to pay Dr. George Wheaton for visits to
and medicine for him. He probably died not far from
that time.
. Oct. 14, Jabez Briggs was chosen deacon : and
Nov. 11 was appointed "to set apart the deacons
by solemn ordination ; " which was accordingly done
" by solemn fasting and prayer, and the Laying-on of
the hands." Jabez Briggs was the son of Deacon
John and Hannah (Rocket) Briggs, and was born
June 27, 1723. He married Tabitha Babbit, 1751 (?),
454 THE OLD BAPTIST GHUBGH.
and had five children. The church being thus orga-
nized and officered, we find but little to record for
some years.
April 23, 1767, James Briggs, who had recentlj
joined the church, " was made choice of for a Deacon,
and set into that office." He is supposed to have been
the same person who was deacon of the ^^ Dissenting
Church."
The ministry of Mr. Carpenter seems, in the main,
to have been peaceful and prosperous ; though as pas-
tor of a church that had withdrawn from the regularly
constituted one of the town, and, of course, unpopular,
he must have experienced some trials and difficulties
which severely tested his Christian principles. Espe-
pecially was this the case during his connection with
the dissenting church.
For some years, he was taxed for the support of the
First Church and Society ; which was a very unjust
proceeding. He and his friends made repeated at-
tempts to get released from being rated for the support
of Mr. Palmer, but in vain. The precinct were inexo-
rable. Mr. Carpenter, at length, refused to pay his
precinct taxes ; and the constable took his property,
and sold it. Mr. Carpenter brought an action for
damage before the Court of Common Pleas at Taun-
ton, in June, 1756 ; but, on account of some informali-
ties in bringing the action, he lost his case. He then
appealed to the Supreme Court, with no better success.
Judgment was rendered against him there. It is pre-
sumed that Mr. Carpenter brought another action
against the town: for at the town-meeting, March,
1759, a committee of five was chosen to " settle the
afiair with William Carpenter, concerning his rates ; "
who, at an adjourned meeting on the 16th of April,
report " that sd. Carpenter be discharged from paying
any rate or assessment he is now chargeable with
to any constable of sd. town, on condition to [he ?]
acquit and discharge sd. town from any action or
actions tliat he might bring against sd. town, or any
THE OLD BAPTIST CHURCH. 455
person or persons, as constables [or] assessors, on
account of any Rates the sd. Carpenter hath here-
tofore paid." ^ From th^ town-records (book i. p.
207), it appears that Mr. Carpenter assented to these
terms.
I have, however, found a document, signed jointly
by four of the committee and by Mr. Carpenter, and
dated " April ye 16th, 1769," which differs somewhat
from the report just given. The difference is verbal
rather than essential. From this it appears that Car-
penter was to pay the execution the constable "re-
covered against him ; and that ye town pay to sd.
Carpenter ye Execution which he recovered against
ye town of Norton ; and that ye town of Norton
Discharge sd. Carpenter from any rates for ye futer,
so long as he continue in the same station as he is in,
and pay all ye Rates which is not paid," &c.
Thus it would seem that the matter was finally
settled in Mr. Carpenter's favor; which all, I think,
must acknowledge was settling it rightly. Justice,
though tardy, at length triumphed. We hear of no
further trouble subsequent to this.
All we can learn relative to the death of Mr. Car-
penter is contained in this extract from the church-
records : —
"Aug. ye 23, 1768, Departed this life, that servant of the
Lord, Elder William Carpenter, in the 58th year of his age,
— a faithful laborer in the Gospel of Christ, who laboured
in the Church for 20 years in the work of the ministry."
This, of course, includes the time of his connection
with both churches.
Bev. Mr. Carpenter "was born in Rehoboth, in
1710."' He married, about 1734, Miss Abigail
White ; and the births of eight children are recorded
on the town-books of Attleborough, and three others
in Norton.
1 This is dated April 10, 1759.
A Backu8*8 Church History, vol. iii. p. 169.
456 THE OLD BAPTIST CHUBCH.
His wife died April 2, 1766. He mamed for
second wife, in 1757, Sarah Blake, of Taunton ; who
probably survived him, bUt we know not when she
died.
Mr. Carpenter lived at the place since owned by
Dr. Leavit Bates, directly in front of the Trinitarian
Meeting-house ; and is said frequently to have preached
in the open air, standing upon one of those great rocks
which still remain near where his house stood.
The death of their revered pastor was, no doubt, a
severe blow to the society. They had probably strug-
gled hard for an existence thus far ; and they were not
quite prepared to give up the principles they deemed
all-important, even though required to make still
greater sacrifices. After recovering in some measure
from the shock they had received by the demise of
their spiritual adviser, the records say, " the church,
being in some sense sensible of the loss we met with
in the death of our dear Pastor, met in the month
of Sept., 1768, to consider what to do in our solitary
case ; and the church unanimously agreed to continue
to uphold the worship of God in this place." A praise-
wortliy resolution. But difficulties stood in the way
of its successful accomplishment. They were few in
number, and not blessed with a large amount of
worldly goods. These and other influences conspired
to bring about the change of affairs we shall now pro-
ceed to record. We quote from the records : —
"The Baptist Society in Taunton (not having a church
gathered, though they have several brethren amongst them
who belong to neighboring churches) sent a committee to the
Baptist Church in Norton, with a proposal of joining to
maintain worship together ; and, after they had considered of
it, they agreed to appoint a meeting at their meeting-house in
Taunton for to seek Divine direction in the affair, and to con-
fer upon it, as well as to ask advice of others.
"Accordingly, on Jan. 3, 1769, the church of Norton and
the society in Taunton met ; and Elder Backus, of Middlebo-
rough, with several other publick laborers, — viz., Bloss and
THE OLD BAPTIST CHURCH. 457
Everett, [of] Attleborough ; Mr. Carver (?), of Easton ; * and
Mr. John Martin, of Rehoboth, — were present ; and Elder
Backus preached from Isa. Ixi. 3, 4. After repeated addresses
to God for teaching and help, they came on to confer upon
these affairs. The articles of Faith and Church Covenant in
Norton were publicly read, and no objection was made against
them. But one of the brethren in Taunton mentioned two
things in the conduct of the church, which he objected against ;
which were their allowing of communion at the Lord's table
with unbaptized persons, and their allowing such to preach
amongst them.
" These things were publicly discoursed upon : and it ap-
peared they did not allow any to come to the ordinance of the
Supper with them but such as were baptized by immersion ;
though one brother was received there who held- it [as] his
opinion that he could commune with pedobaptist Churches;
yet now he said he did not think he should act upon that
opinion, when it should grieve pious minds; upon which,
satisfaction was manifested upon that point. As to the other
point, the brethren and society of Taunton manifested they
should not be willing to receive any to preach in the meeting-
house who were not baptized by immersion ; though they
would lay no restraint upon brethren as to their receiving
such into their own houses. The brethren of Taunton also
objected that there were two brethren who stood in a relation
to the church in Norton, which they had some dijOJculty about ;
which they desired might be cleared out of the way in a gos-
pel line.
" These things being considered, the brethren of the society
in general, of Taunton, voted that they freely receive them as
a Church of Christ, to carry on the worship of God with
them ; freely owning that the government, as to worship, is in
the church, and not in any other over them.
" And the teachers who were present from other places all
advised them to unite together, if they could with clearness
of mind. So these things were left with the church in Nor-
ton to act upon as they may see their way clear.**
" At a meeting of the Baptist church in Norton, April 10,
1769 (Elder Backus being present), these things were deli-
berately considered of; and the church concluded to accept of
1 From the records of the Morton Chnrch, it appears that a Baptist church
was organized in Easton in 1762; and that, on July 21 of that year, Ebene-
zer Stevens was ordained pastor.
39
\
458 . THE OLD BAPTIST CHURCH.
the proposals from Taunton, and to unite with that society
upon the former proposals, provided they may be allowed
the free exercise of their sentiments concerning each member
improving their gifts in Divine worship.
"And also, as there appears some awakening lately in
the minds of Norton people, they think it a reason also to
have meeting there a part of the time, on the Sabbath at least,
for the present."
" At a meeting of the church in Norton, and the Society
of Taunton, at their meeting-house in Taunton, April 11, 1769,
the foregoing act of the church in Norton [was] read, and dis-
tinctly discoursed upon ; and the society of Taunton voted to
receive said church as they now have proposed.
" Attest : " Isaac Backus, Moderator."
Thus the church without a society, and the society
without a church, joined hands in wedlock ; and as
the bride left her native town on her marriage, and,
as she was in duty bound to do, took up her residence
with her husband, we shall be obliged to pass over a
portion of her history somewhat rapidly.
The union being consummated, they began to look
around for a spiritual adviser ; and in June, 1769,
'' they gave Abraham Bloss, of Attleboro', a call to
settle with them in the work of the ministry." He
declined the invitation.
Though formally married, the church seems to have
maintained the idea of " women's rights ; " for at a
meeting held in Norton, Sept. 12, 1770, they voted to
settle and maintain a minister by free-will offering and
contribution, and, for his support, to provide a place.
In October following, the society at Taunton acceded
to this arrangement. May 29, 1772, the church in-
vited Mr. William Nelson, of Middleborough, to settle
with them as their minister.
He was ordained Nov. 12, 1772 ; and is supposed to
have resigned about 1785, on account of ill health.
While minister of the church, he resided in Norton,
nearly opposite to the present Baptist Meeting-house.
His brother Ebenezer was ordained pastor of the
church, Nov. 10, 1790. He had preached to them
THE OLD BAPTIST CHURCH. 459
about two years previous to his ordination. He re-
signed Feb. 25, 1795. Tlie church are supposed to
have been without a settled minister for some years.
May 22, 1799, Jonathan Smith was requested to con-
tinue the improvement of his gifts in the church, and
to deliver his discourses from the pulpit.
In 1780, Ebenezer Burt and Joel Briggs, both of
Norton, were cliosen deacons of the church.
The precise date is not given on the records. Mr.
Burt was the son of Ebenezer Burt, whose wife was
Mrs. Naomi Acres, (daughter of Sylvanus Cambell) ;
the grandson of Ebenezer and Lydia (Tippen) Burt ;
and was born Jan. 14, 1736-7. In December, 1762,
he married Abigail Basset, and had by her six chil-
dren. November, 1780, he "married, (second wife)
Widow Mary Morse, daughter of Ebenezer Wellman,
and by her had twelve children. In 1793, he removed
to Dighton ; and died in Greenwich, Dec. 10, 1807.
Joel Briggs was afterwards minister of the Baptist
Society at East Stoughton.
April 8, 1805, the church chose Timothy Briggs
and Noah Clapp, deacons. They were both of Norton.
Mr. Briggs was the son of Timothy and Mary (Briggs)
Briggs, and was born April 27, 1745. He was the
grandson of Richard Briggs, one of the first settlers
of Norton. He married, in 1770 (?), Abigail Patten,
of Stoughton ; and had three children. He died
Nov. 10, 1819.
Mr. Clapp was the son of Samuel, jun., and Mary
(Pomeroy) Clapp ; grandson of Samuel and Elizabeth
Clapp, who were among the early settlers of the town ;
and was born April 5, 1748. He married, April 16,
1776, Olive Shepard ; and had eight children. He
died Nov. 10, 1820.
June 21, 1805, Zephaniah Grossman was requested
to continue with the church as a preacher " one year
from the first of April last." Feb. 15, 1806, Mr.
Grossman was invited to continue a year longer ; but
on the 14th of August; 1806, he was, by vote, dis-
missed " from any further labor in the church."
460 THE OLD BAPTIST CHURCH.
Prom the records, it does not appear very clearly
who subsequently supplied the pulpit ; but it is
evident that there was a great want of harmony
among the members. Frequent church-meetings were
held to allay strife, and settle grievances and "labour"
with members for real or supposed dereliciion of duty.
It is proper, perhaps, to throw the veil of oblivion over
these petty shortcomings of a Christian life ; but one
case is so perfectly ludicrous in its nature, that we
cannot withhold it. In 1770, Eleazer Fisher accused
Mrs. Morton of " breaking fellowship with them, and
joining with the world." The church met to investi-
gate the matter, when it appeared that all the ground
for his accusation was this: In going to and from
meeting, and at other times, Mrs. Morton preferred
the company of her husband^ who was not, to that of
Fisher, who was, a church-member; and hence he
accused her of leaving the church, and joining in
with the world ! The church, of course, decided that
Fisher's accusation was groundless ; but, at several
subsequent meetings, Fisher still persisting in his
charges, the church finally admonished him to re-
pent of his faults, and suspended him from com-
munion.
In 1807, the church "voted to withdraw fellow-
ship from" forty-two persons. A few such votes
would, of course, destroy any church ; and these fre-
quent suspensions and withdrawals of fellowship, no
doubt, did much to create alienation of feeling and
discord among their ranks.
There was probably some disagreement in the so-
ciety about doctrines ; and this and the other causes
we have mentioned eventually caused a division of
the society. In the spring of 1822, a portion of the
old church formed a Freewill-Baptist society, and or-
ganized a church June 13 of the same year, — a part
of the members belonging to Norton ; ^ and, for
1 There are still some members of the Freewill church of North Taunton
who belong to this town, and one of the deacons (Hiram J. Hunt) is a resi-
dent of Norton.
THE OLD BAPTIST CHURCH. 461
several years succeeding, the two societies, I am told,
occupied the meeting-house alternately. But some-
times mistakes were made, and the ministers of the
two societies would have appointments to preach in
the house at the same time.
This, of course, was an unpleasant state of things,
and probably led finally to the formation of the Bap-
tist society in the east part of Norton ; the Freewillers
retaining possession of the old meeting-house in Taun-
ton.
Feb. 14, 1824, there is made in the records of the
old society the following entry : " voted to have preach-
ing the ensuing year one-half the time." — " Voted to
apply to Br. John Allen to be with us one-half the
time ; the preaching to be one-half the time in Norton,
the other in Taunton." Immediately under this, with-
out any date, is written with a pencil, " voted to break
up, — AsAHEL Tucker, Clerk." But, on a loose paper
in the record-book, I find the minutes of some transac-
tions of the church for sevefal years, the last of which
is dated " Taunton, Dec, 1834."
For about ten years previous to its dissolution, it is
supposed the society did not have regular meetings ;
and many of the members, desiring some regular
place of worship and a stated ministry, connect^
themselves with other societies in this vicinity. The
vote '' to break up," above mentioned, may have
reference to the vote of the church which is recorded
in the records of the present Baptist Church, and which
constitutes the finale of the old society. We here
transcribe it, and thus bring this chapter to a close : —
"At a meeting of the first Baptist Church in Taunton,
holden at the house of Amos Keith, in Norton, Oct. 13th,
1835, for the purpose of considering the expediency of dis-
solving said Church and forming a new one, Chose Br. S.
Hall, Moderator ; and Br. H. C. Coombs, Clerk. The meeting
then opened with prayer by Br. T. C. Tingley. The Church,
after taking into consideration' their present circumstances &
future prospects, voted that the first Baptist Church in Taun-
ton be dissolved."
39*
462 BAPTIST CHURCH AT WINNECONNET.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
BAPTIST CHURCH AT WINNECONNET.
*( Te shall be baptiaed with the H0I7 Qhost." — Luke.
This church was formed immediately after the dissolu-
tion of the old one, as mentioned in the closing para-
graph of the last chapter. The records say, —
"At a meeting of individuals, formerly members of [the]
first Baptist Church in Taunton and Foxborough,^ bolden at
the house of Mr. Amos Keith, in Norton, Oct. 13, 1835, after
considering the expediency of constituting a new Church,
voted to consider ourselves a Church, to be called The Fir^
Baptist Church in Norton.
"Voted to adopt the summary declaration of faith and
practice of the Second Baptist Church in Boston, together
with the following Resolution : —
" JResolved^ That we disapprove of the use of ardent spirits,
or the furnishing of it to others, excepting when absolutely
necessary as a medicine in the case of sickness ; and that all
tbfe members of the Church, and those who may hereafter
become members, be requested to sign this resolution.'
»
Hence, with the gospel of Jesus in one hand and
the temperance pledge in the other, this church started
on her work of reform. A noble beginning. They
were not, however, ''The First Baptist Church in
Norton;" for we have already shown, in the pre-
ceding chapter, that a Baptist church was organized
here almost a century ago. Possibly these individuals
might have considered themselves as the legitimate
representatives of the old church in Norton, which
1 It is not to be understood that any of these " individuals " were citi-
zens of Foxborough. They were members of the church there, but resided
elsewhere. For instance, Mr. Amos Keith, of this town, was for some time
a member of the Foxborough Church previous to Oct. 13, 1835.
BAPTIST CHURCH AT WINNECONNET. 463
joined the Taunton Society in 1769. On being di-
vorced, the church might have assumed its maiden
name. If so, they could, with some propriety, have
taken the name they did. The following are the
names of those who organized themselves into a
church at the time above stated : Caleb Atherton, Tis-
dale Godfrey, Beulah Lincoln, Nancy Lincoln, Hannah
Thayer, Patience Lincoln, Hannah Clapp, Betsy Snow,
Stella Keith, Nancy Austin, Anna Macomber, Joanna
Atherton, Temperance White.*
They resided in Mansfield, Easton, Taunton, and
Norton.
Nov. 1, 1835, the church " Resolved to invite Br,
Henry C. Coombs to preach six months." He had
already been preaching for them for one month ;
and was no doubt, in some degree, instrumental in
the formation of the new society. He is the son
of Rev. Simeon Coombs, and was born in that part
of Middleborough now Lakeville, Sept. 3, 1810. He
was educated at the Pierce Academy of his native
town, and at the New-Hampton Academy and Theo-
logical Institution in New Hampshire. His first set-
tlement was here; but he was ordained at Middle-
borough. He left here Aug. 31, 1837. During his
ministry in the year 1836, the present meeting-house
of the society, at Winneconnet Village, was built,
March 17, 1836, the church "Voted to receive or
accept of the first Baptist meeting-house in Norton,
as offered by the shareholders." I am told that Caleb
Atherton and Asahel Snow owned a little more than
half of the shares in the meeting-house. Mr. M6ses
Lincoln gave the land whereon it is built, with the
proviso, that, if the house should ever come into the
possession of others than those of Calvinistic-Baptist
principles, the land should revert to the heirs of the
1 These names were furnished me by Bev. J. J. Bronson. Another
authority sa;^s Amos Keith and Lydia Thayer were of the original mem-
bers, and omits the names of Hannah Clapp and Temperance White. Which
is correct, we have been unable to learn. Both say there were thirteen
members at its organization.
464 BAPTIST CHURCH AT WINNECONNET.
donor. Nathau Chapman was the second regular
preacher, and was hired from April 1, 1838, till
April 1, 1841. May 16, 1844, Samuel J. Carr was
ordained as pastor. The sermon }¥as preached by
Rev. A. Bronson, of Pall River ; the ordaining prayer,
by Rev. B. Q. Grafton, of Somerset; right hand, by
H. C. Coombs, of Rehoboth. Mr. Carr remained only
about a year after his ordination. Rev. John Hol-
brook was settled over the society, Dec. 7, 1845 ; and
remained till April, 1848. Jan. 31, 1849, Rev. John
6. Bowen was ordained as the minister. The sermon
was by Rev. Rufus R. Babcock, of New Bedford ; or-
daining prayer, by Rev. E. H. Fuller, of Somerset;
right hand, by Rev. S. J. Carr, of Mansfield. Mr.
Bowen left " for the west," Sept. 29, 1849.
William Read commenced preaching to the society
in April, 1850. He was ordained as pastor, Sept. 9,
1851. The sermon was by Rev. A. Pollard ; ordain-
ing prayer, by Rev. John Read, father of the candidate.
Rev. S. A. Collins gave the right hand. Mr. Read
remained pastor of the society till April 1, 1853.
From that time, H. C. Coombs supplied about one
year ; S. A. Collins, about nine months ; and transient
preachers, the rest of the time till April, 1856 ; when
Mr. John J. Bronson commenced a stated supply of
the pulpit. He was born May 6, 1828, in Stratfield,
Conn. He was ordained Dec. 3, 1856. The sermon
was preached by his father, Rev. Asa Bronson, of Fall
River ; ordaining prayer, by Rev. B. W. Gardner, of
Mansfield ; right hand, by Rev. A. Pollard, of Taun-
ton. Mr. Bronson remained as pastor till April 1,
1858.
In October, 1858, Henry F. H. Miller took charge
of the church, and is now the pastor.
Soon after the church was organized, a Sunday
school was gathered, which now numbers about
seventy pupils. The number of volumes in the Sun-
day-school library is nearly three hundred.
We here give the names of tliose who have been
ordained as deacons of the church : Tisdale Godfrey,
TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 465
chosen April 7, 1836 ; Simeon Derry, chosen May 5,
1836 ; Ichabod Perry, chosen Oct. 10, 1844. Calvin
Hunt and Dennis Field were chosen Sept. 4, 1851 ;
and they are now (1858) the acting deacons of the
church, — the first three named being dead.
CHAPTER XXXV.
TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
*' A trinity there seems of principles
Which represent and rale created life, —
The loTe of self, our fellows, and our God."
P. J. Bailst.
The one great event in Rev. Pitt Clarke's ministry —
to which we have already alluded, and which caused
him much grief — was the withdrawal, in 1832, — a
little more than two years before his death, — of a
portion of his church and parish, and the formation of
another religious society. The following document
seems to have been the first important step (of which
there is any record) in the chain of events that led to
the separation : —
"To the Church in Norton under the care of Revd. Pitt
Clarke.
" Deab Friends, — We the Subscribers, members of
your Body, — feeling for a time past much dissatisfied with
the sentiments exhibited by our venerable Pastor, and be-
lieving it our solemn duty and our unquestionable right and
privilege to maintain the great system of Evangelical Truth
as understood by us and our Fathers, and to extend its in-
fluence over generations yet to come through the ordinances
of divine appointment, — do hereby respectfully request a
dismission from your Body, that we may be organized into
a Church for the purpose of enjoying those privileges, which,
466 TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
in our view, comport with the principles and precepts of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
" This request is dictated by no feelings of ill-will to any
one, but proceeds from a sense of duty to God, to ourselves,
and to the cause of Christ.
" By complying with our request soon, you will much
oblige yours. — March 7, 1832.
"Lysander Makepeace.
Jesse Blandin.
John Patten.
Leavit Bates.
Nathan Perry.
Sarah Makepeace.
Phebe Patten.
Lydia Shepard.
Nancy M. Patten.
Hannah Bates.
Elizabeth Briggs.**
"March 11th, 1832. — The chh. of Christ in Norton met,
according to regular appointment, to hear the request of Ly-
sander Makepeace and others, members of the chh., who ask
a dismission that they may be organized into a separate
chh.
"After mature deliberation upon this request, they ex-
pressed their unanimous opinion, that they could not sanction
their dismission without some other reasons besides what they
had already given.
" Voted unanimously to request them, by a committee, to
state more definitely their reasons for a dismission, and the
ground on which they wished to form a separate chh."
A committee was chosen to present to them a
written address unanimously agreed upon by the
church. It is as follows : —
" To Lysander Makepeace and others, members of our church,
who request a dismission from us to be organized into a
Separate church, the following vote of the church of Christ
in Norton is respectfully submitted : —
" Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, — As you are
in covenant with us, and we have promised to treat you with
all that christian affection and watchfulness which your sacred
relation to us requires, we feel it our duty, in answer to your
request, to state tlie rule which Christ has laid down for the
mutual government of his followers, and the obligations we
are all under to proceed according to the order of the Gospel.
TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 467
The plain rule of Christ is, if you have aught against your
brother, first try to be reconciled by talking with him in
private between you and him alone, and let him know dis-
tinctly what you have against him. If he will not hear you,
then take with you one or two more, and thus try for a recon-
ciliation. If, by these Gospel steps, you cannot be reconciled,
then tell it to the church. We very much regret that these
Grospel steps have not been taken.
** You say you have felt, for a time past, much dissatisfied
with the sentiments exhibited by your Pastor, and believe it.
your solemn duty to maintain the great System of evangelical
truth. We should have rejoiced if you had gone to him ac-
cording to the rule of Christ, and let him know plainly what he
has ever said contrary to evangelical truth. We have now a
right to ask what particular sentiments he has exhibited in
any of his preaching, which are contrary to the Gospel.
Until we know this, we can form no correct judgment re-
specting it. As you have requested a dismission from us to
organize a separate church, before we can give our sanction
to such a measure, we must have more substantial reasons
than you have given, to think that such a division in this
place will promote the cause of christ, who is the prince of
peace, and entreats all to follow peace and holiness, without
which no man can see the Lord. We have a right also to
ask on what foundation different from us you wish to build
your church, and whether in charity and christian fellowship
with us or not. For other foundation can no man lay than
that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Our Church was built,
and now stands, on this gospel foundation; which is the
foundation of the Apostles & Prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief corner-stone. If you wish to build on any
other foundation, we have a right to know it, before we can
decide as to your request; For we cannot consent to yotir
separating from the foundation of Christ, nor from that chris-
tian walk which you solemnly promised to maintain according
to the ordinances of the Gospel, nor from that ground of
mutual love and charity which we think to be the essence
of true religion. We are earnestly desirous of promoting
love and peace in the church, and good feeling and christian
fellowship among all christian churches. We heartily unite
in the prayer of our blessed Lord, that all his followers might
be one, even as he & the Father are one, — one in spirit and
temper, one in affection & design, one in fellowship & co-
468 TBINITABIAK CONGREGATIONAL CHUECH.
operation in promoting the cause of Christ and good of
souls.
^ As to human and party names, we care to know nothing
about them, any ixirther thiui to know Jesus Christ, and him
crucified, as set forth in the GrospeL We believe in God ; we
believe also in Christ We believe, and are sure, that Juui
it the Christ, the Son of the living Grod; and that, be-
lieving in him, we may have life thro' his name.
^ We have been thus open 6c fair in stating the ground on
which we stand as a church, and the Gospel order which we
feel bound to maintain in relation to your request. We ask
you, as christians, to be thus open & fair in stating the ground
on which you wish to separate from us and form your churdi,
that we may know how to act respecting it.
^ These questions are the dictates of duty which we owe
to ourselves, to our God, and to the cause of Christ; and
they proceed from feelings of christian love towards you, who
are united with us in the profession of the GospeL
"As we state these questions in writing for your considera-
tion, it is our request that your answers and reasons may be
made plain and definite on paper, that we may have a fair
understanding of them. We assure you that we will receive
your reply in a candid manner, give a prayerful attention to
whatever you may present before us, and, after mature de-
liberation, send you that result which we think the peace of
the Church and the cause of true religion demand.
" Your Brothers in christian love & fellowship.
" Daniel Lane, )
Ephraim Raymond, [• Committee appointed
Stillman Smith, ) '^ '^^ ^^^^^^•
" March 11, 1832."
In answer to this address. Deacon Makepeace sent
the following communication : —
*' AIarch 19th, 1882.
" To the Church in Norton under the pastoral care of Rev.
Pitt Clarke.
"Dear Brethren, — We rec'd your letter of the 11th
inst, in answer to our communication requesting a dismission
for the purpose of forming ourselves into a new Church. I
have conversed with most of them since, and I helieve they
TRINITARIAN C0N6RE0ATI0NAL CHURCH. 469
all think that the reasons we gave are sufficient to entitle us
to a dismission on the common and acknowledged principles
and practices of christian liberty. They are reasons, which,
in other towns, - and, if we mistake not, in Taunton, - were
deemed sufficient to entitle members of Churches, in circum-
stances similar to ours, to a regular dismission. We deem it
unnecessary to reply to all the topics suggested in your letter ;
as our feelings and objects are all known, we presume, to the
whole church.
*' We now respectfully repeat the request in our last com-
munication, with the hope and desire that we may, as soon
as convenient, receive our dismission ; and, if this cannot be
granted, we wish to be informed accordingly.
" We have no other than kind feelings to Mr. Clarke or
the church.
" With respect, yours, &c.,
" L. Makepeace."
The church met, March 19, to hear the communica-
tion from the disaffected party ; and —
" Voted, as the communication made to the chh. was only
from one individual, and not authorized by the body of those
who requested a dismission, that they will adjourn to give
them another opportunity to present any official communi-
cation, according to the request made at the last meeting.
Voted, that Brother Stillman Smith [communicate] this
vote."
" Friday, March 30th, 1832. — Met according to adjourn-
ment. No further communication was made from those who
wished for a dismission. As the chh. had not been presented
with sufficient reasons for granting their dismission, nor any
statement of the ground on which they wished to build their
chh., whether in charity and christian fellowship or not, they
could not consistantly act any further upon it.
" As the feelings of some of them were hurt because the
address from the chh. to them was read to the congregation,
and their request was not read with it, the chh. Voted, that,
if they desire it, their first petition, and all the proceedings of
the chh. respecting it, shall be read to the whole congrega-
tion. Voted also, that Stillman Smith communicate this
vote."
40
470 TBINITABIAN C0NGBE6ATT0NAL CHUBCH.
We find no further action of the church with
reference to the petitioners for dismission. We think
they should have been dismissed according to their
request.
I am told by Deacon Stilhnan Smith, — one of the
committee to confer with them, — ttat one, and per-
haps the more weighty, reason why their desire was
not granted, was because it was thought, if they were
regularly dismissed for the purpose of forming a new
society, that the society they organized would legally
be entitled to their just proportion of the Parish
Fund.
This would not have been the result : but the church
feared it might be ; and therefore, for this and the other
reasons given, they felt constrained not to grant the
request of Deacon Makepeace and his associates.
The seceding members were organized under the title
of the Trinitarian Congregational Churchy April 3,
1832, by an ecclesiastical council; in which were
represented the two Trinitarian churches of Taunton,
the church in North Bridgewater, and the church in
Raynham. The sermon on the occasion was by Rev.
Daniel Huntington, of North Bridgewater. The con-
fession of faith and covenant — which are still unal-
tered — were as follows : —
" CONFESSION OF FAITH.
" Art. 1. We believe in the existence of but one God, —
the Creator, Upholder, and Governor of all worlds and all
beings, — and that He is unchangably possessed, in the high-
est degree, of all perfections, natural and moral.
" Art. 2. We believe that there is a Trinity of Persons,
— the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, — whose mysterious
union is such as to constitute them but one God.
" Art. 3. We believe that Jesus Christ, though ' Grod over
all, blessed for ever,' was manifested in the flesh, and died on
the cross to make atonement for sin ; and that there is * no
other name given under Heaven whereby we may be saved.'
"Art. 4. We believe that the Holy Ghost was sent down
from Heaven to reprove the world of sin, of righteousness,
TBINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHUBGH. 471
and of judgment, and for the renewal and sanctification of
God's people.
"Art. 5. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and
New Testament are of Divine authority, and are the only
perfect rule of faith and practice.
" Art. 6. We believe that all men are by nature destitute
of holiness ; and therefore, except a man be bom again, he
cannot see the Kingdom of God.
"Art. 7. We believe that the offers of life and salvation
are freely made to all; and he that believeth on the Lord
Jesus Christ shall be saved with an everlasting salvation, and
he that believeth not shall be punished with everlasting de-
struction.
" Art. 8. We believe that there will be a Resurrection of
the dead, both of the just and the unjust.
" Art. 9. We believe that there will be a day of Judgment,
in which all shall receive according to the deeds done in the
body.
"Art. 10. We believe that the Sacrament of the Lord's
Supper is appointed for those, and those only, who truly
believe and give credible evidence of a renewed heart, and
profess faith in Christ ; and that such have a right to the
ordinance of Baptism for their households."
"the covenant.
" For the maintenance of these doctrines which you re-
ceive on the authority of God's word, and for the cultivation
of those Christian affections which you humbly hope the
Holy Ghost has implanted within you, you do now publicly
avouch the Lord Jehovah to be your God and portion, and
the object of your supreme love and adoration; the Lord
Jesus Christ to be your Savior from sin and death ; and the
Holy Ghost to be your Sanctifier, Comforter, and guide;
humbly imploring Divine assistance that you may be enabled
to observe all the commandments and ordanances of God
as revealed in the Grospel. You also bind yourself to this
Church ; promising to watch over us in the Lord, to seek our
peace and edification, and to submit to the government and
dicipline of Christ in his Church as it is here administered.
This you promise and covenant to do ? (The candidate here
gives his assent)
"This Church, then, receive yoa as a member in full
communion, and declare you entitled to all its privileges;
472 TBIMITABIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
coyenantiDg to watch over 70a in brolherlj love, beseech the
aid of Divine grace, that we maj exhort, oon^rt, and ad-
monish one another as our future circumstances may require,
and that we may be enabled to walk together in all the com-
mandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."
To this confession of faith and covenant, twenty-two
persons solemnly gave their assent ; viz., Nathan Perry,
tieavit Bates, Hannah Bates, Lysander Makepeace, Sarah
Makepeace, John Patten, Nancy Patten, Phebe Patten,
Lydia Shepard, Elizabeth Briggs, Bhoda Lothrop, Jesse
Blandin, Labau M. Wheaton, Eliza B. Wheaton, Josiah
King, Clarissa King, Mason Stone, Abigail M. Stone,
Harriet Patten, Polly Groodwin, Allen Tucker, Emma
Field.
Previously to this, various persons had been em-
ployed to preach ; among whom, for occasional sab-
baths, were Dr. Lyman Beecher, of Boston ; and Dr.
R. S. Storrs, of Braintree. Rev, John West, of the
Episcopal Church in Taunton, had also held a service
for three mouths, the season before, on the afternoon of
each sabbath. After the organization, the ministers
of the association preached each of them a sabbath ;
and, soon after, Rev. Spencer F. Beard was engaged
as a permanent supply. The meetings at this time
were held in the hall of the public-house.
The first object of the new church was to erect
a house of worship ; and measures were immediately
taken to efiect it. Subscriptions were raised in town,
and some assistance received from individuals and
churches in other towns, and the building commenced ;
but it was not till Jan. 1, 1834, that it was finished,
and ready to be dedicated. Rev. R. S. Storrs, of
Braintree, preached the dedicatory sermon from
Isa. xxxii. 1, 2; and Rev. Mr. Maltby, of Taunton,
offered the consecrating prayer.
The church, by this time, had received considerable
accession to its numbers, and henceforth went on to
prosper.
Rev. Mr. Beard's engagement terminated early the
following year (1835) ; and, on the 24th of April
TBINTTABIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 473
succeediug, a call was extended to Rev. Cyrus W.
Allen to become the pastor. He accepted the invi-
tation/ and was installed July 8.
In 1836, the meeting-house was enlarged about one-
third of its original size.
March 1, 1842, Bev. Mr. Allen was dismissed at his
own request.^ Early in July following, Rev. Homer
Barrows y&s engaged to supply the pulpit. His mini-
stry continued three years, much to the acceptance of
the church and people, who twice invited him to settle
as their pastor, — first in March, 1843 ; and again in
February, 1845 : but, on both occasions, he declined
settling.
He was succeeded by Rev. William Barrows, who
was called May 26, and ordained Sept. 4, 1845. Mr.
Barrows was dismissed June 4, 1850.^
More than a year now elapsed before calling another
pastor, during which time a decided advance was made,
1 Rev. Mr. Allen was born in Taunton, Oct. 28, 1806; graduated at
Brown University in 1826, and from the Andover Ttieolo^ioal Seminary
in 1829. He was subsequently employed as an agent or the American
Tract Society, in Illinois and Missouri, for about three years. Then, for
about two years, he resided at Potosi, Mo.; having the charge of two
churches. He was ordained at St. Louis, Oct. 6, 1833. Since leaving
Norton, he has been the pastor of a church at Pelham, N.H. ; Coleraine,
Mass. ; and is now settled at Hubbardston. June 6, 1837, he married Miss
Mary Folger, of Nantucket; and has had eight children.
2 Rev. Mr. Barrows was bom in New Braintree, Sept. 19, 1815; and was
the son of William and Asenath (Osborn) Barrows. He fitted for college at
Phillips Academy, Andover; graduated at Amherst in 1840; and studied
theology at the Union Seminary, New- York City. While a resident of
Norton, Mr. Barrows took a deep interest in the public schools, and con-
ferred a lasting good upon the rising generation, by insisting, in the face of
much opposition, upon a uniformity of text-books in the schools. In the
presidential contest of 1848, he voted for Gen. Taylor; which led to diffi-
culties between him and his parish (most of them being of the *^ Liberty
, in a note to me, " Mv
circumstances made it
tn, he preached ui able
sermon on'*' Ministerial 'Fbeedobc';" which was printed, and is well
worthy of perusal by those who love '^liberty** in practice as well as
theory. Since leaving Norton, he has been pastor of a church at Grant-
▼ille, and at Beading, where he now resides. He married, July 7, 1845.
Miss Lucia A. Case, of Blandford; and had two children by her. She diea
suddenly, Dec. 6, 1847. Oct. 24, 1849, he married, for second wife, Miss
Elizabeth A. Gate, of Cambridge; and has had three children by her. She
was a native of Pembroke, N.H.; and was Principal of the Wheaton Fe-
male Seminary, in this town, from April 19, 1847, to July 25, 1849^ and did
much to elevate the character of the school while connected with it
40*
474 TRINITABIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHUBCH.
among other things, in securing to the society, bj
donation and purchase, the possession of the pews in
the house of worship. Thenceforth it was arranged
that the public service should be sustained by their
rent ; thus disposing of a question which had caused
trouble in each succeeding pastorate, and providing
for the salary without the formidable appearance of a
subscription. The organ was given at thi^ time by
a lady of the church ; as the bell had also been, in
earlier years, by another.
July 31, 1851, a call was extended to Bev. L. S.
Parker ; which was declined.
March 20, 1852, another was given, to Rev. Franklin
Holmes ; which was accepted, — the ordination taking
place the 15th of September following. He is still the
pastor.^
The sabbath school connected with this society num-
bers about seventy pupils. The number of volumes in
-the Sunday-school library is five himdred twenty-
seven.
Upon the subjects of temperance and slavery, the
opinion and feeling of the church have been frequently
expressed. Soon after its organization, a vote was
passed that no person should be admitted who should
not first signify his assent to the temperance pledge.
Deacon Lysander Makepeace^ and John Patten were
1 Rev. Mr. Holmes is the son of Peter and Olive G. Holmes, and was
bom in West Boylston, March 26, 1823.
He graduated at Yale College in 1846, and from the Andover Theological
Seminary in 1862.
Aug. 6, 1865, he married Miss Martha C. Sawyer, of Charlestown ; and
has two children.
3 Deacon Makepeace was the son of Peter and Abigail (Morey) Make-
peace; grandson or William and Experience (Aldrich) Makepeace; great-
frandson of William and Abigail (Tisdale) Makepeace, of Taunton and
reetown; great-great-grandson of William and Ann (Johnson) Makepeace,
of Freetown and Boston ; and great-great-great-grandson of Thomai Make-
peacCj who came from England, and was at Boston in 1637, — whose wife
(married about 1641) was Widow Elizabeth Mellowes; and he was bom
Aug. 22j 1771.*
Previous to the formation of the Trinitarian Society, he had been many
years deacon of the Congregational Church (see p. 218). He was four
* For more particulars of his pedigree, see a Genealogy of the Makepeace Fami-
lies, by William Makepeace, Esq., of Boston.
WESLETAN-METHODIST SOCIETY. 475
the first deacons. Deacon Makepeace resigned during
the ministry of Mr. Allen ; and Mr. Seabury Thayer,
resident of Taunton, was chosen his successor. Dea-
con Patten resigned Jan. 3, 1850 ; and, on that day,
Jesse H. Blandin was chosen to fill the vacancy. He
and Mr. Thayer are the present deacons.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
WESLEYAN-METHODIST SOCIETY.
** On account of the rigidity with which its people adhered to method in the ob-
serrance of religions duties, they were first derisively called Methodists.*' — William
R. Glabk.
In May, 1849, a few persons — members of the Re-
formed Methodist Church at Rehoboth, encouraged
and assisted by others — commenced a Wesleyan-
Methodist meeting at Barrowsville, and employed the
Rev. David Culver as their minister. The following
winter, a meeting-house was erected by donation, in
which the slips were to be rented yearly for the support
of preaching.
In April, 1850, Rev. Solomon P. Snow began his
labors among them ; and, on the 3d of May, a church
was organized, which adopted the Wesleyan-Methodist
discipline. It consisted of ten members, as follows :
Rev. S. P. Snow, Maria J. Snow, Joseph Snow, Nancy
Snow, David Cummings, Roxellana R. Cummings, Al-
bert S. Tucker, Abigail Tucker, Jonathan J. Stanley,
Polly Jones.
years a selectman of the town, and two years a tithing-man. He married
Sarah Wild, Sept. 11. 1794; and had twelve children. She died June 21,
1842; and he married, for second wife, Mrs. Eunice Sweet, April 18, 1847.
He died Jan. 24, 1859.
We had the promise of his lithograph for these pages, and regret that it
has not been tarnished.
476
Their bouse was dedicated to the wordup of God on
the 8th of Ma J, with a{q>ropriate serrioes, bj Ber. J.
W. Horton, of Taunton ; Bey. William H. Brewst^,
of Lowell ; Bev. O. Clark, of Attleborough ; and Bey.
S. P. Snow, the pastor. Bey. Mr. Snow ooutiniied his
labors as pastor until April, 1854 ; when Lewis P. At-
wood, a licentiate, was engaged to labor with them
one year. In April, 1855, Bey. John A. Gibson com-
menced his labors among them. He remained till
April, 1858 ; and was succeeded by Bey. James Dixon,
the present pastor.^
There is a Sunday school connected with this church,
of nearly sixty scholars ; and a library of about fiye
hundred yolumes.
The Wesleyan-Methodist connection originated in a
secession from the Methodist-Episcopal Church on ac-
count of slayery and church-goyemment, and differs
from them principally in the following particulars : —
In the Methodist-Episcopal Church, slayeholders,
and the makers, yenders, and drinkers of intoxicating
liquors, are allowed to be members. Three orders in
the ministry are practically recognized. The entire
government of the church is in the hands of the
ministry. There is but one church throughout the
United States.
The Wesleyan Methodists exclude from membership
all slaveholders and apologists for slavery, and all dis-
tillers, dealers, and drinkers of ardent spirits. They
acknowledge but one order in the ministry. Laity, as
well as ministry, take part in the government of the
church ; and tlie churches in diflFerent localities are
distinct churches.
1 There are some Methodists who reside in the north-easterly part of the
town, and attend meeting at one of the Methodist churches at East Mans-
field.
There are also some Nortonians who attend meeting at the Christian
Church in West Mansfield ; and Jason F. Alden, of this t0¥m, is one of the
deacons of that church.
C0LLE6UTE HISTORY. 477
CHAPTER XXXVII.
COLLEGIATE HISTORY.
** Oh, ihiB learning ! — what a thing it is ! " — Sbaxspxau.
In this chapter, we give a short notice of the graduates
of college who were born in Norton, or spent a por-
tion of their early years here. Where no place of
birth is mentioned, it is to be understood that they
were born within the present limits of the town. We
have abbreviated a few words that^re often repeated:
viz., H.U., Harvard University ; B.U., Brown Univer-
sity ; D.O., Dartmouth College ; Y.O., Yale College ;
grad., graduated. We have been obliged to condense
thesQ, sketches more than we originally intended.
Rev. Nathaniel Leonard (grad. H.U. 1719) was
the first graduate from this town. He was the son of
Major George and Anna (Tisdale) Leonard ; and was
born March 9, 1700. He was called to settle as pastor
of the First Church in Plymouth, Feb. 13, 1724 ; and
was ordained on the 29th of July following. On ac-
count of ill health, he resigned in the spring of 1756 ;
and in June, 1757, he removed with his family to
Norton, and resided at Barrowsville till his death,
June 11, 1761. The slab that covers his grave is sunk
almost beneath the surface of the earth. Oct. 22,
1724, he married Miss Priscilla Rogers, of Ipswich,
by whom he had sixteen children. " He was a gentle-
man* more inclined to the active than the studious life,
but should be remembered for his useful services as
a minister, and for his exemplary life and conversa-
tion." ^
Rev. Samuel Veazie (grad. H.U. 1736) was the
History of Plymouth.
ye^fy^. =^fSy t oaJ^m/^
COLLEGIATE HISTOBY. 479
will, is a long notice of him, supposed to have been
written by Hon. Frank Baylies, then Register of Pro-
bate. Prom it we learn that he was a genuine speci-
men of an American country gentleman, who thought
be had other duties to perform besides adding to a
mass of wealth more than sufficient for all rational
purposes of life. He was a kind and considerate landr
lord, and would never raise his rents, regarding his
old tenants as his friends. His manners w^re simple,
mild, and affable. He was tenaciously attached to old
customs, and wore the short breeches and long stock-
ings to the day of his death, looking with disdain upon
new fashions and modern innovations. He would never
rear merino sheep on his farm, sell his growing rye for
the straw-manufacture, allow cotton-mills to be erected
on his streams, or speculate in stocks. He ever re-
garded agriculture as the noblest employment of man.
He was strongly attached to the clergy and to men
of letters ; in all his business transactions, was go-
verned by the principles of rigid integrity; and, during
his long life, was never guilty of injustice or oppression.
He was a man of sound judgment, practical common
sense, consummate prudence, and unwavering firmness.
Pew men ever received more general respect in any
community, or deserved it more, than he. Well can it
be said of him, " The memory of the just is blessed."
Rev. Abiel Leonard, D.D. (grad. H.U. 1759), was
the son of Rev. Nathaniel Leonard, already noticed ;
and was born at Plymouth, Nov. 5, 1740. At. the
time of his graduation, his father was a resident of
this town ; and, of course, the son was also legally a
resident. He was ordained pastor of the Congrega- *
tional Society at Woodstock, Conn., June 23, 1763.
At his ordination, XIO. 16s. were expended for liquor,
sugar, and lemons ; so that the affair must have gone
oflF with a good deal of spirit ! Previous to his settle-
ment, he married a Miss Huntington, of Norwich. She
soon died, leaving one daughter. His second wife was a
sister of Gov. Greene, of Rhode Island, by whom he had
five children. In May, 1775, through the influence of
480 COLLEGIATE HISTOBY.
Gen. Putnam, he was appointed chaplain of one of the
Connecticut regiments, which he soon joined with the
consent of his parish. I have in my possession a copy
of a letter dated " Head-Quarters, Cambridge, 24th
of March, 1776," signed by Generals Washington and
Putnam, and supposed to have been written by the
former, in which Mr. Leonard, and his usefulness in
the army, are spoken of in the most flattering terms.
He continued with the army till the autumn of 1777 ;
when, either with or without cause, he was dismissed
from his position as chaplain, and, on his way home,
committed suicide at Danbury, Conn. It is supposed
that mortification, on account of his dismissal, made
him insane. He was a man of great ambition, fond of
popularity and applause, but was greatly beloved by
the people of Woodstock. He was a large, fine-looking,
remarkably handsome man, an eloquent speaker, and
an accomplished gentleman.
Rev. Samuel Dean, D.D. (grad. H.TJ. 1760), was
the son of Deacon Samuel and Rachel (Dwight)
Dean, and is believed to have been born in Dedham
(during a temporary residence of liis father there),
Aug. 30, 1733.^ While quite young, his father re-
turned to Norton (see Deacons of Cong. Church).
The grandfather of Dr. Dean was Samuel, who was
the son of John, who was the son of the immigrant
John who came from Chard, England, in 1636, and, in
1638, settled at Taunton. From 1760 to 1762, Mr.
Dean was Librarian of Harvard University ; and, in
1763, was a tutor there. He was ordained at Fal-
mouth (now Portland), Me., a colleague with Thomas
Smith, Oct. 17, 1764. He received the degree of D.D.
from B.U. in 1790. He married, in 1766, Eunice
Pearson, but had no children. He died Nov. 12, 1814 ;
having kept a diary fifty-three years. Dr. Dean was tall
and portly, of good personal appearance, of grave and
dignified manners. He was possessed of keen wit ; very
1 See History of Dean Family, Genealogical Register, vol. iii. p. 385. An-
other authority says he was born July 10, 1733.
COLLEGIATE HISTORY. 481
social and agreeable in conversation. "His style of
preaching was calm, and without much animation.
He aimed more to convince the undei*standing than
to alarm the fears or arouse the passions." ^
Hon. Daniel Leonard (grad. H.U. 1760) was the
son of Hon. Ephraim and Judith (Perkins) Leo-
nard, of the Nortli Precinct of Norton ; and was born
May 18, 1740. He was a practising lawyer for some
years at Taunton, and a man of iBne talents; but, in
an evil hour, he fell under the fascinating influence
of Gov. Hutchinson, and became a loyalist. He was
appointed a mandamus councillor in 1774 ; and was
finally obliged to flee from the infuriated populace
that surrounded his house at " Taunton Green," and
only his previous popularity saved him from personal
indignities. He was the author of the articles signed
^'Massac/iuseitensisj'^ published on the eve of the Revo-
lution, in Draper's paper, at Boston. Prom Boston ho
went to Halifax ; tlience to England ; and was subse-
quently Chief-Justice of the Bermuda Islands, which
office he held for many years. He afterwards re-
turned to England, and died in London, June 27, 1829,
in consequence of wounds received by the accidental
bursting of a pistol in his hands. He married, April
2, 1767, Anna, daughter of Hon. Samuel White, of
Taunton. His second wife was Sarah Hammock. He
had one son, Charles ;2 and several daughters. Mr.
Leonard had a great love of display in dress and equi-
1 A more extended account of him, and also his lithograph, may be
seen in Smith and Dean's journals, with notes of Portland oy William
Willis.
2 Ephraim Leonard, the father of Daniel (a copy of whose will may
be seen in vol. i. p. 165 of the Records of the Supreme Judicial Court of
Probate, at Boston, in the office of the Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court),
bequeathed most of his large estate to his son, provided he should be al-
lowed to return and enjoy it, and also be allowed the rights of citizenship;
but, if not, then the estate was to go to any of Daniel's children who should
come to America and become citizens. Charles did come, and received
the property, and, about 1791, entered Harvard College, but did not graduate.
He was subsequently under the guardianship of Judge Wheaton ; and finally
was found dead in the road near Barrowsville, May 4, 1831. His de&th is
supposed to have been caused by an excessive draught of liquor.
41
482 COLLEGIATE HISTOBY.
page, but was of a ^^ generous temper and afiable
manners."
Eev. Ephbaim Briggs (grad. H.TJ. 1764) was the
son of Richard and Abigail ^Andrews) Briggs, (grand-
son of Richard, one of the first settlers of Norton) ;
and was born, April 19, 1736, in the North Precinct.
He was ordained pastor of the Congregational Society
in Halifax, April 29, 1767. He was a useful and
respectable man. His wife was Rebecca Waterman,
by whom he had six sons, five of whom were gra- \
duates of college and settled ministers of the gospel. (
He died Dec. 22, 1799.
Hon. Daniel Newcomb (grad. H.TJ. 1768) was the
son of Jonathan and Mercy (Everett) Newcomb ; and
was born in the Mansfield part of Norton, April 19,
1747. In 1778, he commenced the practice of law
at Keene, N.H., and was an eminent counsellor. In
1781, he was a delegate from Keene to the convention
for " forming a plan of Government " for New Hamp-
shire. He was appointed Chief-Judge of the Inferior
Court of Cheshire County, N.H., in September, 1790;
but resigned his office in the course of a year or two.
He was twice a member of the New-Hampsliire State
Senate. He was at one time quite wealthy ; but died
poor, on tlie 14th of July, 1818. He had a large and
expensive family. He was much interested in educa-
tion ; and, at his own cost, establislied what was after-
wards called the '* Grammar School " at Keene.^
Dr. Thomas Leonard (grad. H.U. 1769) was the
son of Rev. Natiianiel Leonard ; and was born at
Plymouth, April 26, 1744, but lived with his fatlier in
Norton for some years previous to his entering college.
In Winthrop's " Interleaved Triennial," he is said to
have been a physician, and that he died June 28,
1771 ; but where he died, we are not informed.
Rev. George Wheaton (grad. H.U. 1769) was the
son of Dr. George and Elizabeth (Morey) Wheaton ;
1 For more particalars of him, see Annals of Keene, N.H., by Hon.
Salma Hale.
-J-t™ UTL^^T^
•. -1., > !t.. h^i), 10, lT"7:i.' ii:; d.'d mi* "ihs
1 »t ■•■ii » .'I' I"*"?.-. 'ir.i
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:■•>:.. :M:ii ;i!:-» \vn:«: ^i- d'f h'*; ^J':-r.;, t'» i»^\
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rli •' I'l't, •• .'■ .*-:.-!•»: ' \ -■. I;v ,: s,'^! ht'-l'Ilit-
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. .'■i-.i '.!;;• ('\j' -i'Mrj. ; i/iii »rc'':' ' j!:- u :-v '■•'
' ■'■■ »..i liii-.fi ;o;l \\i"f r ' '. .: M^uu .•:" ^'Irs.
• • '■:; >l.C:': vir.vin uiili vn -ly 1:1055/' br.t left
: '. -1. WiiKA'C'tv (ora.i. il 1\ 1774) v:f^<^ j.»
• I;-: . il»:.«>i;rt». .^, I ready :^' ».:■■•. ;..l : Jind w;»r. '■;".:i ;;,
^':-j|,i;; -li^* N'r.:?i IVijrinci ("T). !T^ i.r-
ii*- :■ -l: tlli* VVjouthiiUl .\v.:p.. ::\ ; .. '
i..:i\.fu{r at {?;u «Uii\<*j:-ltv, ■:hi-.*'"^ » -'•.■■
^ Massachusetts Gazette and News-letter, Oct 14, 1778.
COLLEGIATE HISTORY. 483
and was born in the North Precinct, July 6, 1751. He
was ordained pastor of the Congregational Society at
Claremont, N.H., Feb. 19, 1772. He died at his
father's house, in Mansfield, June 24, 1773. He be-
queathed to the town of Claremont all his real estate
in the town, and also what was due him there, to be
used in support of a Congregational minister. He
was buried at Mansfield ; and the town of Claremont
erected the monument over his grave,^ which says, —
" His genius was bright and promising ; his private con-
versation pleasing and instructive ; his publick performances
devout, manly, and graceful.
"Tlie new Country in wliich he settled opened a wide
field for his useful Labors, In which his readiness to oblige,
& fervent zeal for his Master's Cause, urged him beyond ye
strength of his Constitution, & brought on the illness of
which he died."
Nathan Morey (grad. H.U. 1774) was the son of
Thomas and Lydia (White) Morey ; and was born
Dec. 6, 1747. He was a chaplain in the Revolutionary
war, but was never settled as a minister. In the au-
tumn of 1777, or the winter of 1778, he and his half-
brother Lewis (then a member of Yale College) went
on a privateering expedition ; but were taken by the
British, carried to Halifax, and put on board a prison-
ship ; where, having suflFered greatly, he died previous
to March 26, 1778, when his will was probated at
Taunton. He studied divinity with Rev. Mr. Barnum,
of Taunton ; and married Mary Price (a sister of Mrs.
Barnum), "a stale virgin with a wintry face," but left
no issue.
Hon. Laban Whbaton (grad. H.U. 1774) was a
brother of Rev. George, already noticed ; and was born,
March 13, 1764, in the North Precinct (?). He pre-
pared for college at the Wrentham Academy; and,
after graduating at the university, studied theology
with Rev. Abiel Leonard, of Woodstock, Conn. He
^ Massachusetts Gazette and News-letter, Oct 14, 1773.
484 COLLEGIATE HISTORY.
preached at sundry places ; and was at Framingham
about four years, where he was invited to settle, but
declined so to do. He then entered into mercantile
pursuits in connection with a classmate, with whom
he was connected three or four years, when the firm
became bankrupt. When more than thirty years old,
he commenced the study of law with Mr. Kent, of
Watertown ; and, on the completion of his legal studies,
opened an office in Milton. In 1788, he removed to
his native town, and had here a very extensive practice ;
and, with the most rigid economy, acquired a large
fortune. He was a man of great intellectual power,
deeply versed in legal knowledge, and applied himself
most assiduously to his professional duties ; standing
for many years at the head of the Bar in Bristol
County, and doing much business in the courts of neigh-
boring counties. He was eight years a Member of
Congress ; also Chief-Justice of the Court of Common
Pleas and of the Court of Sessions ; several times a
Representative to the State Legislature; and other-
wise much employed in offices of trust and responsi-
bility by his townsmen (see Official History). June 1,
1794, he married Fanny Morey (his cousin), and had
four children, two of whom died young. Soon after
the death of his daughter (Mrs. Strong, of Boston), in
1834, he conceived the idea of establishing (with the
portion of his estate he had designed to give her) a
female seminary ; and soon after founded the school
at Norton which now bears his name, and appointed a
Board of Trustees, of which he was chosen chairman,
and held that position till he died, March 23, 1846, at
the advanced age of ninety-two years and ten days.^
Isaac Hall, Esq. (grad. H.U. 1775), was the son of
Brian Hall ; and was born in Boston, Aug. 16, 1763 (?).
His father moved to Norton before Isaac entered col-
lege, and ever after resided here. Mr. Hall studied
law, and died soon after entering upon his professional
1 For more particulars of him, see Funeral Sermon by Rev. Sylvester
Holmes.
COLLEGIATE HISTORY. 485
career. His tombstone, in the " common graveyard,"
informs us that he was an attomey-at-law, and that he
died Dec. 14, 1779, aged twenty-six. In the " Providence
Glazette" of Jan. 29, 1780, may be seen a notice of
him, which says, " His learning, abilities as a lawyer,
and strict adherence to the principles of virtue, ren-
dered him dear to his friends, an honor to his profession,
and highly esteemed by all his acquaintance."
Rev. James Briggs (grad. Y.C. 1775) was the son
of Deacon James and Damaris (White) Briggs, already
noticed ; and was born Jan. 17, 1745. His father, being
a Baptist (and the son not adopting those notions),
declined to assist him in acquiring an education ; and
therefore he was thrown upon his own resources. He
is believed to have worked at blacksmithing till he was
able to meet the expenses of a liberal education. He
was settled the first minister of the Congregational
Church in Cummington, July 7, 1779; and is supposed
to have preached there some two years previous to his
ordination. 1 have been able to learn but little respect-
ing him. He is said to have been " a very useful and
respectable minister." He married, Oct. 19, 1780,
Anna Wiswall, of this town, by whom he had children ;
and one of his grand-daughters. Miss C. A. Briggs, is
the author of a volume of poems, and is now the wife
of Charles Mason, Esq., of Fitchburg. He died Dec. 7,
1825.
Rev. George Morey (grad. H.U. 1776) was the son
of George, jun., and Mary (Hodges) Morey; and was
born Dec. 18, 1750.^ After completing his theological
studies, he received invitation to settle at Hanover,
Mass., and Oxford, N.H. ; which he declined. He
was ordained a Congregational minister at Walpole,
Nov. 19, 1783 ; where his labors continued till May 21,
1826, when he retired from the active duties of his
office. He married, June 22, 1784, Anna Palmer, of
this town, daughter of the second minister ; by whom
1 Town-records. In his Funeral Sermon, it is stated that he was bom
»» Dec. 18, 1749, old style."
41»
486 COLLEGIATE HISTORY.
he had six children. For second wife, he married, n
October, 1818, " Widow Joan Gay." During his mi-
nistry, " he was never detained by sickness from the
services of the Sabbath more than once, and then by
a hoarse cold merely. His mind was strong; his
talents were of the useful kind ; while his judgment
of men and things was excellent." He died July 26,
1829.1
Dr. Samuel Moret (grad. Y.C. 1777: see Physi-
cians).
Rev. John Crane, D.D. (grad. H.U.1780), was the
son of John and Rachel (Terry) Crane (who were
Friends) ; and was born March 26, 1756. He studied
theology with the celebrated Dr. Emmons, of Franklin.
In 1782, he commenced preaching at Northbridge, and
was ordained there as the first Congregational minister,
June 25, 1783, where he remained tDl March 14,1882,
when he resigned his pastoral relations, but was nomi-
nally pastor till his death, Aug. 31, 1836. He married
Rachel Taft, and had three children. His mind was
strong, penetrating, and well cultivated. In addition
to his clerical duties, he carried on a farm, taught
school many years in his own house, and assisted in
preparing more than one hundred young men for col-
lege ; wrote about four thousand sermons, and preached
about two hundred extemporary ones. For several
years, he represented Northbridge in the General
Court.2
Jacob White (grad. H.U. 1780) was the son of
Isaac and Hannah (Hewes) White, of the North Pre-
cinct ; grandson of Deacon Nicholas White ; and was
born July 31, 1757. The first part of his collegiate
course was spent at Yale ; but he left there at the close
of his junior year. He died of consumption, at Mans-
field, July 19, 1785.
Calvin Crane (grad. D.C. 1785) was the brother
of Rev. John Crane; and was born May 13, 1764.
1 For further notice, see Funeral Sermon by Rev. Daniel C. Sanders.
2 See Blake's Ilistorj'- of the Mendon Association.
COLLEGIATE HISTOBT. 487
He studied theology with Rev. Mr. Judson, of Taun-
ton, but was never ordained. In the spring of 1787,
he was appointed tutor of his alma mater, and as-
sumed the duties of his office in May of that year,
with the privilege of preaching as he had opportunity ;
but a pulmonic disease compelled him, in the autumn
of the same year, to seek a milder climate. He ar-
rived at Charleston, S.C., Nov. 21 ; but lie continued
to fail till Dec. 26, 1787, when death claimed its
victim. He was never married.
Rev. Masb Shbpard (grad. D.C. 1785) was the son
of Thomas and Content (White) Shepard ; and was
born May 28, 1759. He was the grandson of Jacob
and Mercy (Chickering) Shepard, who settled within
the present limits of Foxborough about 1703 ; great-
grandson of Thomas and Hannah (Ensign) Shepard,
of Maiden.^ Mr. Shepard fitted for college with.
Rev. William Conant, of Lyme, N.H. ; and studied
theology with Rev. E. Judson, of Taunton. He was
ordained pastor of the Congregational Church at
Little Compton, R.I., Sept. 19, 1797 ; where, after
an efficient ministry of thirty-three years, he died,
Feb. 14, 1821. He married, July 6, 1788, Deborah
Haskins, of Boston, and had nine children. His
early years were spent in manual labor on a farm.
He was a man of commanding presence, powerful
voice, and distinguished for the interest which he
won in the ajQTections of all classes of the community
in social conversation. He was not a close student,
but excelled in his pastoral visits, and in his appeals
from the pulpit, which were extemporaneous.^
Dr. Oliver Tiffany (grad. D.C. 1786) was the son
of Dr. Gideon Tiffiiny, already noticed ; and was born
June 2^, 1763. " He was a pleasant, amiable young
man, but not distinguished as a scholar." He studied
medicine at Philadelphia, Virginia, and Massachusetts,
and became quite eminent in his profession. He lo-
1 Letter of L. M. Boltwood, Esq.
s American Quarterly Register, vol. xii.
488 COLLEGIATE HISTORY.
cated at Ancaster, Canada West, wliere he became
very wealthy ; and died, unmarried, May 7, 1835.
Hon. George Tiffany (grad. D.C. 1786) was a
brother of the preceding ; and was bom June 20,
1766. He studied law at Albany, N.Y. ; and became
a pioneer practitioner at Schoharie, N.Y., where he
resided many years. Previous to entering upon his
Srofessional duties, he taught school at Providence,
LI. ; and, with his brother Oliver, had charge of the
first academy at Albany, N.Y. He held the office of
commissioner and State senator of New York, and
a colonel of cavalry. He married Polly Frize (?),
and had eight children. Having been some years a
widower, he removed to his brother Oliver's at An-
caster, C.W. ; where he died, Jan. 3, 1842.
Oliver Leonard, Esq. (grad. B.U. 1787), was the
son of Jonathan and Eleanor (Cambell) Leonard;
half-brother of Hon. Cromwell Leonard (see Official
History) ; and was born Feb. 3, 1764. After gradu-
ating, he kept store a year or two, near where Mr.
Rogerson's store now is ; and is believed to have set
out the large elms in front of Mr. Rogerson's store,
about 1789. He studied law with Judge Paddle-
ford, of Taunton, and Stephen Dexter, of Newport,
R.I. ; and was admitted to the bar in 1791, and soon
commenced practice at Taunton, where he remained
three or four years. From thence he went to Orring-
ton, Me., where he did an immense legal business.
He subsequently took up his residence at Bangor, on
the opposite side of the river to Orrington. He was a
representative in our Legislature several times while
Maine was a district of Massachusetts ; and was a
man of fine talents and an interesting debater, but
rather extravagant in his style of living. In June,
1797, while attempting to force open his own house,
— which had been taken possession of by an Irish-
man, — two balls and a large wad were shot through
his body, but did not cause his death. He married,
in 1797, Mrs. Sarah Fletcher, of Newport, R.I. (whose
first husband, William Fletcher, was a surgeon in one
COLLEGIATE HISTORY. 489
of the British regiments in the Revolution) ; and died
childless, Jan. 3, 1828.
Rev. John Briggs (grad. B.U. 1788) is supposed
to have been the son of Simeon and Mary (Cheney)
Briggs; grandson of Deacon John Briggs, "the eldest,"
one of the first settlers here ; and was born May 17,
1765. He was ordained a Congregational minister at
Tiverton, R.I., Dec. 7, 1791 ; and was dismissed from
his pastoral relations there, Oct. 21, 1801. Dec. 2,
1801, he was settled at Plympton, and continued
there six years and a half. Subsequently he removed
to Vermont (another account says New Hampshire),
and settled upon a farm; where he died, Sept. 18,
1811.1
Rev. Stephen Palmer (grad. H.U. 1789) was the
son of Rev. Joseph and Sarah (Eames) Palmer ; and
was born Oct. 8, 1766. During his early years, he
suffered much from sickness. Two or three times, his
life was despaired of; and once the family were in-
formed that he was dead. In 1782, he broke his arm
badly, which left him with a stiff elbow. This circum-
stance, and his previous feeble health, caused his father
to consent to his seeking for a liberal education. He
commenced fitting for college. May 15, 1784, at Wren-
tham, under the tuition of H. Townsend ; and finished
his preparatory studies with Rev. Mr. Haven, of Ded-
ham. In his autobiography, — from which I have
taken most of the materials for this notice, — ■ he says,
" I passed the four years at college without receiving
any public censure ; and, through the restraints of
Divine Goodness, without any stain upon my moral
character." Until the death of his father, he studied
theology with him, and thenceforth alone. His first
sermon was preached July 24, 1791, in the pulpit of
his uncle. Rev. Mr. Ellis, of Rehoboth. He preached
as a candidate at Attleborough (where he was invited
to settle), Norton, and Needham; and received an
invitation to settle in the latter place, June 11, 1792 ;
1 American Quarterly Register, vol. xii. p. 268, and yol. yiii. p. 167.
490 COLLEGIATE HISTORY.
which he accepted, after about eight weeks' delibera-
tion. Oct. 17 was set apart as the day of ordination ;
but, on account of the prevalency of the small-pox in
the town, the ordination did not take place till Nov. 7,
1792. He continued his pastoral relations with the
society till he died, Oct. 31, 1821, — just thirty years
and one day after preaching his first sermon to the
people of Needham. About two years previous to his
death, he had a stroke of paralysis, which prevented
the discharge of his pastoral duties, and finally ter-
minated his life. He was a most excellent Christian
minister, much beloved by his parish in life, and
deeply lamented in death. He married. May 22, 1794,
Miss Catharine, only daughter of Rev. Mr. Haven, of
Dedham; and had four children.
Daniel Wheaton, Esq. (grad. H.XJ. 1791), was the
son of Dr. George Wheaton ; and was born in the
North Precinct, Sept. 10, 1767. He studied law, and
located in the south-easterly part of Easton, on what
is called the " Bay Road." He was appointed Post-
master for the towns of Easton, Norton, and Mansfield,
about 1798 ; and his was the first post-oflice established
within the ancient limits of Norton. He married
Hannah Le Baron Goodwin, Feb. 3, 1794 ; and had
six children. She died July 31, 1831. His second
wife was Mary R. Goodwin (sister of first wife), mar-
ried Sept. 20, 1832. She died Nov. 14, 1834 ; and
he subsequently, for third wife, married Hannah Le
Baron, of Bristol, R.I. He died Sept. 11, 1841.
Rev. Isaac Braman (grad. H.U. 1794) was the son
of Sylvanus and Experience (Blanchard) Braman ; the
grandson of Daniel and Rachel (Cambell) Braman ;
great-grandson of Thomas Braman, sen., one of the
first settlers of Norton ; and was born July 6, 1770.
His father died when he was about twelve years old ;
and he was placed under the care of a guardian, who,
for some years, opposed his plan of seeking a collegiate
education. But the determined spirit of young Isaac
finally triumphed, and he commenced preparation for
college when in his eighteenth year. He studied theo-
COUiEGIATE HISTORY. 491
logy with Rev. Samuel West, D.D., of New Bedford ;
and with Rev. Jason Haven, of Dedham. Near the
close of the year 1795, he commenced preaching, and
soon received a call to settle at Medway; which he
declined. After the parish had heard sixty-three candi-
dates, he went to New Rowley (now Georgetown),
and, \yj great prudence and shrewdness, succeeded in
harmonizing the conflicting elements of the society:
so that he was called to the pastoral oflBce, and was
ordained June 7, 1797; which relation he continued to
hold till his death, Dec. 26, 1858 ; though, for sixteen
years, he had a colleague. He married, Aug. — ,
1797, Hannah, daughter of Rev. Mr. Palmer, of this
town ; and had by her five children. His second wife
(married March 22, 1837) was Miss Sarah Balch, of
Newburyport. Mr. Braman " was a Calvinist of the
old school." He always read his sermons, and was
much confined to his " notes : " but his mind was logi-
cal and clear ; his style chaste, concise, and somewhat
racy. He was naturally rather reserved in his man-
ners, and hence shone not in the social circle. He
was quite conservative in his notions, and took little
interest in what are called the " reform movements of
the day." In 1852, a fine steel engraving of him was
made ; but it is too large for our pages, or we would
have inserted it.
Timothy Bbiggs (grad. B.U. 1794) was the son of
Deacon Timothy and Abigail (Patten) Briggs; and
was born Aug. 3, 1771. After graduating, he was
offered a tutorship in his alma mater ; but declined
it, having previously made arrangements to enter into
mercantile pursuits. In the prosecution of his busi-
ness, he went south, and there took the yellow-fever ;
of which disease he died, unmarried, soon after reach-
ing the harbor of Boston, on one of its islands, Sept. 1,
1797. In the "Columbian Centinel" of Nov. 22,
1797, is an obituary notice of him ; but, by some
almost unaccountable blunder of the writer or printer,
he is there called John Briggs. The writer says, *' His
understanding was penetrating; his taste truly refined
492 COLLEGIATE HISTOBY.
and elegant ; and his heart, to a remarkable degree,
social and sympathetic." — " While literature mourus
in him the loss of a shining son, and our country one
of her most promising citizens, his memory will live in
the heart of his acquaintance, and point them to the
true dignity of man."
David Gilbert, Esq. (grad. H.U. 1798), was the
son of James and Elizabeth (Williams, 3d) Gilbert ;
and was born June 11, 1771. Some years after his
birth, his father removed to Mansfield, and resided
there at the time David entered college ; who, after
graduating, studied law with Judge Wheaton, and
located at Mansfield, where he remained till lie died,
Sept. 12, 1842. He married, Feb. 17, 1800, Deborah,
daughter of Rev. Roland Green, of Mansfield; and
had seven children.
Rev. Gardner Bbaman Perry, D.D. (grad. Union
College, Schenectady, N.Y., 1804), was the son of
Nathan and Phebe (Braman) Perry; and was born
Aug. 9, 1783. He fitted for college at the academy
in this town, and entered Brown University; but, in
1802, left for Union College. After graduating, he
was about one year Principal of the Ballston Academy,
N.Y. Thenceforth, till 1807, he was tutor in Union
College. He then assumed the charge of the academy
at Kingston, N.Y. ; where he remained till 1812. On
the 28th of September, 1814, he was settled as pastor
of the Congregational Church at East Bradford (now
Groveland); where he continued as sole pastor till
1851, when a colleague was called. His amiable dis-
position and affable manners have won for him general
respect ; and his advice and counsel have been often
sought in both civil and ecclesiastical difficulties.
While earnestly engaged in his ministerial duties,
he has not forgotten other collateral means of elevat-
ing and blessing the world. With unfailing assiduity,
he has done what he could to elevate the character of
the common schools in his town and vicinity ; and his
opinions upon educational matters have been highly
valued. But probably in the temperance reform his
/ &-rltjiUr /i '/tATty
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valued. But probably in the temperance reform his
EnyrCCtii/r ^. /Lviy/
COLLEGIATE HISTORY. 493
labors have been more conspicuous than in any of the
moral movements of the age; and, so long as his
physical strength would permit, he was a most efficient
worker and officer in various temperance societies.
Even now, in the winter of life, his interest in the
good cause is unabated ; for he feels that it is of God.
He married. May 22, 1816, Maria P. Chamberlain, of
Exeter, N.H. ; by whom he had one child. His second
wife (married July 20, 1819) was Eunice Tuttle, of
Acton ; by whom he had four children. He married,
for third wife, Sarah Brown, of Grafton, May 22, 1827;
and they have had four children.
Dr. TiSDALE Hodges (grad. B.U. 1804) was the son
of Tisdale and Naomi (Hodges) Hodges (descended
from William, who was at Taunton in 1643, through
John, John, and Edmund); and was born April 21,
1783. When a boy, the calf of his leg was so badly
cut with a scythe in the hands of his brother, who was
mowing, that he ever afterwards was lame. He was a
physician ; and died, unmarried, on board of a ship,
near the coast of Africa, about 1808.
Capt. Dauphin King (grad. Burlington College, Vt.,
1810) was the son of Capt. Josiah and Miriam (Cobb)
King, grandson of Capt. Josiah and Ruth (Basset)
King, great-grandson of John and Margaret (Winslow)
King ; and was born Oct. 15, 1790. When young, his
father removed to Burlington, Vt., where he remained
till some years after his graduation. He subsequently
returned to Norton ; and, for many years, was a suc-
cessful " sea-captain." In the winter of 1852, he
sailed for Rio Janeiro ; but, when a few days out from
New York, he was struck with paralysis, and was put
ashore at Port Praya (one of the Cape de Verd
Islands), where he died May 20 of that year. In
his manners, he was very blunt, and somewhat eccen-
tric ; but a straightforward man, a good neighbor, and
a valuable citizen. He married, Oct. 2, 1825, Harriot
A. Raymond ; and had three children by her. She
died Jan. 11, 1840. His second wife was Hannah C.
42
494 COLLEGIATE HISTORY.
D., daughter of Rev. M. Allen, of Pembroke ; by whom
he had one son.
Dr. WiLUAM Perry (grad. H.U. 1811) is a brother
of Rev. G. B. Perry, just noticed; and was born
Dec. 20, 1788. He labored on the paternal farm till
seventeen years of age, when he commenced preparing
for college under the tuition of Samuel M. Pond (a
law student with Judge Wheaton), and entered Union
College; but, the next year, left for Harvard. He
studied medicine with Dr. James Thatcher, of Ply-
mouth ; Dr. John Warren, of Boston ; and at the
Medical School of Harvard College. The degree of
M.D. was given him in 1814; and he immediately
located at Exeter, N.H., where he has continued to
the present time, having had a very extensive practice
in that vicinity, and been quite distinguished both as
a physician and surgeon. By his sound judgment,
accurate discrimination, and careful attention to his
patients, he is still esteemed one of the best prac-
titioners in the county where he resides. Prom 1830
to 1835, he paid great attention to the subject of
insanity ; and mainly to his influence and exertions,
by the delivery of lectures before the Legislature,
which did much to concentrate public opinion in favor
of an Insane Asylum, are the community indebted for
that institution, which was soon afterwards erected at
Concord, N.H. In 1836, he was appointed lecturer on
the theory and practice of medicine at the Bowdoin-
CoUege Medical School, in Brunswick, Me. The next
year, he was offered a professorship in the Medical
School there, but declined to accept it. He has paid
much attention to the practical application of chemistry
to medicine and the arts, and first introduced into this
country the manufacture of what was called " English
gum," which was used in the print-works at Lowell
for twenty years, till a substitute was found. Dr.
Perry married, April 8, 1818, Abigail, daughter of
Hon. Nathaniel Oilman, of Exeter, N.H. ; and has
had five children.
Hon. Nathaniel Godfrey Babbit (grad. Middle-
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Hon. Nathaniel Godfrey Babbit (grad. Middle-
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COLLEGIATE HISTORY. 495
bury College, Vt., 1811) was born Feb. 12, 1787, and
was the son of Dr. Nathan Babbit (see Physicians) ;
and went, when quite small, with his father to West-
moreland, N.H. He fitted for college at the academy
in Newfane, Vt., and Chesterfield, N.H. He studied
law with Daniel Dwight, Esq., and Ex-Governor Hub-
bard, of New Hampshire ; and, in the fall of 1814,
opened a law-office in Hinsdale, N.H., and was the
first Postmaster of that town. In 1816, he removed
to Westmoreland, where he continued in practice till
1842, when he was appointed Judge of the Court of
Common Pleas for Cheshire County, N.H. ; which
office he held till 1855, when the courts were re-
modelled, and the old judges dismissed from further
duties. During the presidency of J. K. Polk, he was
Postmaster of Westmoreland ; and he has been town-
clerk, selectman, &c. He married, Dec. 1, 1816, Miss
Eunice Brewster; and has had three children. In
1858, he removed to Beloit, Wis., to reside with his
son.
Rev. Thomas Shepard, D.D. (grad. B.U. 1813), was
born May 7, 1792 ; and is the son of Jacob and Lydia
(Clapp) Shepard. Rev. Mase Shepard, already no-
ticed, was his uncle. Dr. Shepard graduated from
the Andover Theological Seminary in 1816, and, for
a time, acted as agent of the American Bible Society.
He was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church
in Ashfield, June 15, 1819 ; and, at his request, was
dismissed May 8, 1833, for the purpose of accepting
the agency for New England of the American Bible
Society ; which he subsequently relinquished, and was
installed pastor of the Congregational Church in Bris-
tol, R.I., April 30, 1835, where he still officiates as
pastor. He married Sarah Barrett, of Northfield ;
and has had nine children.
Earl Percy White, Esq. (grad. B.U. 1813), was
born June 4, 1790 ; and was the son of Major Zebulon
and Prudence (Pitts) White. He was a lawyer by
profession, and practised for many years in his native
town. He was the first Postmaster of Norton. In
496 COLLEGIATE HISTOBY.
1817, he married Juline Everett, and had seven chil-
dren. He was a man of fine talents, but did not
apply himself very closely to his professional duties.
In June, 1837, he removed to Illinois; and died at
Copperas Creek, in that State, January, 1849.
Benjamin Copeland, Esq. (grad. B.U. 1815), was
bom May 11 or 14, 1791 ; and is the son of Samuel
and Eunice (Danforth) Copeland, and the grandson
of Deacon Benjamin Copeland. He studied law, but
never practised to any great extent. He now resides
at Clarendon, N.Y., and is quite extensively engaged
in mercantile and agricultural pursuits.
Hon. Laban Mobey Wheaton (grad. B.U. 1817)
was born Sept. 14, 1796; and is the sou of Hon.
Laban Wheaton, already noticed. He studied law,
but never has given much attention to the duties of
the profession. For many years, he was Postmaster
of Norton ; has three times represented his native
town in the Legislature ; been twice a member of the
Governor's Council ; and also one of the Trustees of
the State Industrial School for Girls, at Lancaster.
His father bequeathed him a large estate, and he is
now much the wealthiest man in town. He married
Miss Eliza B. Chapin, of Uxbridge, June 25, 1829 ;
but has had no children.
Rev. Daniel Le Baron Goodwin (grad. B.U. 1822)
is the son of Daniel and Polly (Briggs) Goodwin ; and
was born in Easton, July 28, 1802. Within a year or
two after his birth, his father removed to Norton, where
he spent the remainder of his days. Mr. Goodwin's
mother is sister of Timothy Briggs, who graduated
in 1794. May 23, 1825, he was ordained in St. Paul's
Church, Boston, and, on the 15th of July following,
took up his residence in Sutton as an Episcopal clergy-
man; where he remained till April, 1854, when he
removed to Providence, R.I., where he is still em-
ployed as a " church missionary " for the city. In
December, 1825, he married Rebecca, daughter of
William Wilkinson, Esq., of Providence, R.I. ; and
has had ten children.
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William WiiKinson, jjisq., ui xiu»iviv.*.^^,
has had ten children.
^^^sW.^^^
COLLEGIATE HISTORY. 497
Hon. John Jones Clarke (grad. H.U. 1828) is the
son of Rev. Pitt and Rebecca (Jones) Clarke ; and
was born Feb. 24, 1803. For many years, he has
been in the successful practice of law at Boston ; but
resides at Roxbury, of which city he was the first
Mayor. He was a representative from Roxbury to
the General Court in 1836, and again in 1837 ; and,
in 1853, was a member of the State Senate. He
married Rebecca Cordis Haswell, of Roxbury, May 25,
1830 ; and has had two children.
RuFUS Hodges, Esq. (grad. B.U. 1823), was the son
of Leonard and Hannah (Peck) Hodges (descended
from William of Taunton, through Henry, John, and
Andrew) ; and was born April 12, 1799. After gradu-
ating, he removed to Cincinnati, 0., where he became
distinguished as a lawyer, and was much respected
by his friends and acquaintances for his talents and
moral worth. He was the author of the first " Record
of the Families in New England, of the Name of
Hodges;" and died, unmarriedj Jan. 8, 1845.
Dr. Richard Foster Sweet (grad. B.U. 1824: see
Physicians).
Rev. Henry Bradford Goodwin (grad. B.U. 1825)
is the son of Daniel and Polly (Briggs) Goodwin ; and
was born April 16, 1802. He was ordained deacon of
the Episcopal Church in July, 1829, at Riclimond, Va.
For a few months in 1830 and 1831, he had charge of
an Episcopal Church in Saco, Me. In May, 1832, he
was ordained priest in Alexandria, D.C. ; being, at
that time. Rector of St. Paul's Parish, Prince-George
County, Md. In 1840, he became rector of a church
in Houston, Texas ; and, although he remained there
but a few months, he has never formally resigned his
charge. In December, 1832, he married Anna Parn-
ham, of Newport, Md. ; and has had two children.
In 1858, he resided at Newport, Md.
Rev. John Davis Sweet (grad. B.U. 1829) was a
brother of Dr. R. F. Sweet, already noticed ; and was
born June 22, 1807. He graduated from the Theo-
42*
498 COLLEGIATE H18T0BY.
logical School at Cambridge in 1832 ; and was ordained
pastor of the Unitarian Society of Southborough,
Sept. 25, 1833. He left there Sept. 21, 1835 ; and,
Oct. 25 of the same year, was settled as pastor at
Kingston, where he remained till Oct. 16, 1842. On
the 1st of December following, he took charge of the
Bristol Academy at Taunton, and continued there till
May 21, 1844. From thence he went to East Boston,
where he taught a private school, supplying vacant
pulpits in the mean time for about two years, when he
entered into the flour business, in which he continued
till his death, Dec. 29, 1852. His body was buried at
Kingston. July 10, 1837, he married Angeline De-
lano, of Kingston ; by whom he had three children.
Rev. Joseph Hodges (grad. Waterville College, Me.,
1830) was the son of Joseph and Sally (Gilbert)
Hodges ; and was born in Taunton (a few rods from
Norton line). May 19, 1806, but lived most of the
time, previous to entering college, in this town. He
is of the seventh generation from William of Taun-
ton, and the fifth Joseph in regular succession.^ He
graduated from the Theological Institution at Newton
in 1833, and was ordained pastor of the Baptist Church
in Weston, Nov. 18, 1835, where he remained four
years. Subsequently, he preached at Amherst and
Coleraine ; and has been pastor of the churches at
Palmer (Three-Rivers Village), East Brookfield, and
North Oxford. Since 1855, he has been in the employ
of the American and Foreign Bible Society, and resides
at Cambridge. He married, Nov. 30, 1835, Rosabella
Stockbridge, of Bath, Me. ; and has had six children.
Rev. James Briggs Goodwin (grad. Williams Col-
lege, 1833) was born March 2, 1806 ; and is the son
of Daniel and Polly Goodwin. He is an Episcopal
minister; and, for several years, was employed as a
missionary in Western Virginia and in the adjacent
parts of Ohio. Since 1850, he has had the charge of
1 See Hodges* Family Record, by A. D. Hodges.
COLLEGIATE HISTORY. 499
several parishes in Beaver County, Pa., where he now
resides, in the town of Industry. He married, in
Beaver County, a Miss Cristler ; and has had two
children.
George Washington Makepeace (grad. D.C. 1836)
was born April 13, 1810 ; and was the son of Deacon
Lysander and Sarah (Wild) Makepeace. He fitted for
college at Andover, and entered Brown University;
but, before completing his studies, left for Dartmouth
College. Being somewhat out of health after gradu-
ating, he went south, and taught school about eight
months at Vicksburg, Miss. His health continuing to
decline, he started for home : but, on arriving at New
Orleans, he was considered too feeble to proceed, and
was put ashore ; and died, unmarried, the next day,
Aug. 25, 1838. Had he lived, he was intending to
have studied theology.
Manlius Stimson Clarke, Esq. (grad. H.U. 1837),
was the son of Rev. Pitt Clarke by his second wife ;
and was born Oct. 17, 1816. He fitted for college
with his father, and at the Taunton Academy. He
graduated from the Law School of Harvard University
in 1840, and entered into practice at Boston. He
married, Dec. 1, 1841, Miss Prances Cordis Lemist,
of Roxbury; and had three children. After a dis-
tressing illness of nine weeks at Boston, where he
resided, he died April 27, 1853. Seldom does it fall
to the lot of man to possess a purer reputation or a
more unsullied character than did he, who was pre-
eminently a Christian lawyer. His heart, and hand
were ever active to benefit and bless those around
him. As a counsellor, he never lost sight of the ever-
lasting principles of justice and right ; and his best
efforts at the bar were where his client was the victim
of some villanous plot or infamous conspiracy. The
daily beauty of his life added a charm and gave
power to his legal efforts. In fine, in him were
blended that unostentatious piety and Christian man-
liness, together with all the elements of sterling vir-
tue, which are heeded to produce a noble, sincere,
500 COLLEGIATE HISTORY.
and true man. He was a member of the City Council
of Boston in 1849 and 1850.^
Dr. Edward Hammond Clarke (grad. H.U. 1841), a
brother of the preceding, was born Feb. 2, 1820. He
studied medicine at Philadelphia, and received the
degree of M.D. in 1846. After his return from an
extensive tour through Europe and Palestine, he lo-
cated himself at Boston as a physician ; where, by his
skill and devotion to the duties of his profession, he
has become a distinguished practitioner. Dec. 30,
1854, he was appointed Professor of Materia Medica
in the Medical College of Harvard University; and
entered upon the duties of his professorship near the
close of the following year, and still holds that office.
He married, Oct. 14, 1851, Miss Sarah Loring, daugh-
ter of Hon. Jacob H. Loud, of Plymouth ; and has
one child.
B«v. Thomas Shepabd Goodwin (grad. Kenyon Col-
lege, 0., 1845) is the son of Daniel and Polly Good-
win ; and was born Jan. 3, 1817. He studied divinity
at the Theological Seminary connected with his alma
mater; and was licensed to preach by the Taunton
(Mass.) Association of Ministers in March, 1849. He
has preached at Carrolton, Mo. ; Terre Haute, la. ;
Madison, 0. ; Barnstead, N.H. ; and attended lectures
eighteen months at the Andover Seminary. In the
latter part of 1855, he took charge of the Congrega-
tional Church at Phipsburg, Me., where he still resides.
He declined a call to settle there ; but was ordained
as an evangelist in October, 1856, at Booth Bay, Me.
He is unmarried.
Rev. George Esdras Allen (grad. B.U. 1850) was
born at Taunton, Dec. 8, 1829; and is the son of
James and Abigail (Leonard) Allen, who, for many
years, have been residents of Norton. Mr. Allen
graduated from the Andover Theological Seminary
in 1843 ; and was ordained pastor of the Austin-street
1 For more particulars of him, see Funeral Sermon by Rev. F. D. Hun-
tington; Christian Inquirer, Christian Register, and Boston Transcript, of a
date soon after his death.
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sons of Norton who have removed from town, and,
though not blessed with a liberal education, have
f >. .'. ., 4
PROFESSIONAL EMIGRANTS. 501
Congregational Society, Cambridgeport, May 20, 1858.
He married, Dec. 14, 1858, Mary A. Lincoln, of this
town.
Benjamin Braman (grad. B.U. 1854) was born
Nov. 23, 1831 ; and is the son of Washburn and
Polly (Macomber) Braman, grandson of Benjamin
and Anna (Makepeace) Braman, great-grandson of
Daniel and Bethiah (Washburn) Braman, great-great-
grandson of Daniel and Rachel (Cambell) Braman,
and great-great-great-grandson of Thomas Braman,
who was one of the first settlers of Norton. After
graduating, he taught Latin and French in the Uni-
versity Grammar School at Providence, R.I. The
next year, he was tutor in the college at Ann Arbor,
Mich. In September, 1856, he entered the Theologi-
cal Seminary at Andover, where he is now preparing
for the ministry.
Edwin Barrows (grad. Y.C. 1867) was born Jan. 24,
1834 ; and is the son of Albert and Harriet (Ide) Bar-
rows. He fitted for college at Pierce Academy, in
Middleborough. Since leaving college, he has taught
school two terms ; and is now clerk for the Wheaton
Manufacturing Company.
Quite a number of other natives of Norton have
spent more or less time in college, but never gradu-
ated. Very likely, some who have graduated have
escaped our notice.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
professional emigrants.
" By strangers honored/' — Pope.
In this chapter we shall, introduce short notices of the
sons of Norton who have removed from town, and,
though not blessed with a liberal education, have
502 PBOFESSIONAL EMI6BANTS.
nevertheless entered into professional life, and taken
a prominent position before the commnnity.
Dr. Silas Hodges was the son of George and Su-
sannah (Cobb) Hodges, grandson of William and
Hannah (Tisdale) Hodges, great-grandson of John
and Elizabeth (Morey) Hodges, great-great-grandson
of William of Taunton ; and was born Feb. 11,
1741-2. When about fifteen years old, he removed
with his father to Woodstock, Conn. ; but subse-
quently went to Clarendon, Vt., and died there in
1804. He wsls quite distinguished as a physician;
and, in the Revolutionary war, he was surgeon or
physician in Gen. Washington's family. He was three
times married, and had nine children, some of whom
have occupied high positions in the State of Vermont.
Rev. Joel Briggs was the son of George and Sai^i
(Wilkinson) Briggs ; grandson of Richard Briggs, one
of the first settlers of the town ; and was born
April 15, 1757. He fitted for college with William
Williams, of Wrentham, and entered Brown Univer-
sity in 1777 ; but, by the close proximity of the British
army, the college exercises were broken up, and Mr.
Briggs did not return after the enemy had retired.
He was licensed to preach, by the old Baptist Church,
about 1783. Dec. 5, 1787, he was ordained pastor of
the Baptist Church in Braintree, now Randolph, and
nearly on the line of Stoughton, in which latter town
he resided. He preached to the society two or three
years previous to his settlement. He was a faithful
and efficient preaclier, and took a high rank among
the clergy of his faith, and received the honorary
degree of A.M. from Brown University in 1795. He
married, in 1784, Hannah Sprague, of Attleborough ;
and had seven children. He died Jan. 18, 1828.
Rev. Jonathan Smith was the son of David and
Abigail (Gilbert) Smith, grandson of Seth and Eliza-
beth (Allen) Smith ; and was born March 10, 1761.
In 1780, against the remonstrance of his parents, he
joined the old Baptist Cliurch, and was licensed to
preach by that church, May 22, 1799 ; and, for some
PROFESSIONAL EMIGRANTS. 508
years, did a sort of missionary work in this vicinity;
preaching in schoolhouses and elsewhere, as he had
opportunity; being the keeper of a country store
during the week. In 1816, he was ordained as a
minister at Pawtucket, R.I, ; but soon removed to
Tiverton, R.I., and took charge of the Baptist Church
there. Subsequently, he preached at Coventry and
Providence, R.I. ; and, in 1834, removed to Chicopee,
but did not preach regularly after that time. He
died at his daughter's house, in Hartford, Conn.,
Jan. 3, 1865. The " Christian Secretary," soon after
his death, published an obituary notice of him. His
body was taken to Chicopee for burial. He married,
about 1783, Sarah Tisdale. Slie died ; and, for second
wife, he married. May 24, 1793, Lydia Harding.
After her death, he was again married. In all, he
had eleven children.
Rev. Ebenezer Burt — born March 9, 1766 — was
the son of Deacon Ebenezer and Abigail (Basset)
Burt; grandson of Ebenezer and Naomi (Cambell)
(Acres) Burt ; and the great-grandson of Ebenezer
and Lydia (Tippen) Burt, who were among the early
inljabitants of Norton. When fourteen years old, Mr.
Burt joined the old Baptist Church. Aug. 29, 1794,
he was licensed to preach by the Baptist Church of
Dighton, and preached in this vicinity till Nov. 2,
1796, when he removed to Hardwick, and gathered
a society in the south-west part of that town, where
he was ordained as an evangelist (standing upon a
great rock), June 20, 1797. A church was organized
in 1806, and he was installed the pastor ; which posi-
tion he held till November, 1846, when he preached
his half-century sermon. Since then, he has not
preached regularly. From July, 1845, to 1851, he
resided at Ware Village. Prom thence he removed
to Athol (Depot) Village, where, he says, " I am
suffered to live yet." He has preached occasionally
since he was ninety years old, and the whole num-
ber of sermons he has preached is about four thousand
nine hundred and seventy-five. His mind is still
504 PROFESSIONAL EMIGRANTS.
active, and his memory of events and dates wonderful.
Recently, when asked where he studied theology, he
answered, " In my Bible." He has been an able and
efficient minister ; and now, in the winter of life, en-
joys the respect, and almost veneration, of all sects of
Christians who know him. He married, Nov. 19,
1789, Lucy Stacy, of Taunton; and has had seven
children.
Dr. Ira Smith was a brother of Jonathan Smith,
already. noticed; and was born March 2, 1766. He
married Nancy S. Hodges in 1797 ; and soon after
removed to Monkton, Vt., where he died about 1802,
leaving three children.
Silas Cobb, Esq., was the son of Gen. Silas and
Deliverance (Hodges) Cobb, grandson of Benjamin
and Mary Cobb ; and was born Sept. 25, 1768. He
studied law, and opened an office in Rehoboth ; but
soon removed to Swanzey, where he spent most of his
subsequent life, and died there July 9, 1818. He
married, Sept. 17, 1801, Miss Eunice Smith, of this
town; and had two children, one of whom is our
townsman, Daniel S. Cobb, Esq.
Dr. Nathan Perry was the son of Nathan q.nd
Phebe (Braman) Perry, and was born May 27, 1776.
For many years, he was a practising physician at
North Bridgewater; and died there Aug. 16, 1857.
He married Tiley Clapp in 1806 (?), and had several
children.
Rev. Nathaniel Stone — born June 6, 1785 — was
the son of Natlianiel and Rebecca (Woodward) Stone,
grandson of Nathaniel and Sarah (Woodward) Stone,
and great-grandson of William and Mehitable (Lane)
Stone. In the spring of 1825, he was ordained at
Providence, R.I., as a local preacher of the Methodist
Conference. He lived at the eastern part of Mans-
field, and preached there and in the neighboring
towns as he had opportunity. He married, in 1815,
Cliloe Cobb, by whom he had several children ; and
died of consumption, July 26, 1840.
Dr. Jerry Hodges — born March 22, 1787 — was a
Jl
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diploma or license, with that self-reliance that always
43
PROFESSIONAL EMIGRANTS. 505
brother of Drs. Tisdale and Guilford Hodges, already
noticed. He studied medicine with Dr. Thomas Nel-
son, of Bristol, R.I. In 1805, he removed with his
father to Petersham; and, about two years later,
commenced practice in Templeton, where he resided
about ten years, when he removed to Hinsdale, N.H.,
and was there about four years. He then removed to
Petersham, where he continued till his death, April 3,
1858 ; having held a high rank among the physicians
of that vicinity. He was the " seventh son," and,
by many, was thought to have been " born a doctor."
On the strength of this absurd notion, he was fre-.
quently called upon to cure the " King's Evil ; " and,
by the use of a little tact, succeeded in giving very
general satisfaction to his patients. July 21, 1813,
he married Mary S. Tucker, of Winchendon ; and had
eleven children.
Do Butler Wilmarth was the illegitimate son of
P^ggy Coleman > grandson of James Coleman, a na-
tive of Ireland, whose wife's maiden name was Molly
Wetherell (a descendant of the first settler) ; and was
born Dec. 18, 1798. It is somewhat uncertain who
his father was ; but he is believed to have been a man
of some note in town. June 28, 1802, Butler was
bound out by the selectmen to Amos tVilmarth, of
Rowe, till he was twenty-one years old, '* to learn the
Art of Husbandry." He was subsequently adopted
by Mr. Wilmarth, and took his name. When young,
he gave such striking predilections for medical studies,
that his playmates gave him the sobriquet of '^ doctor."
Though compelled to labor hard during his minority,
he managed to gather sufficient education to teach
school. When about twenty-three years old, he began
the study of medicine with Dr. William P. Selden, of
Amherst ; paying for his board by labor on the farm*
Two years later, he put himself under the tuition of
Dr. Brigham, of Greenfield, who soon after removed
from that vicinity. Whereupon Mr. Wilmarth, with-
out having completed his studies, and without any
diploma or license, with that self-reliance that always
43
506 PROFESSIONAL EMTGBANTS.
characterized his actions, entered upon the duties of
physician at Montague (where his foster-father had
resided for some years), and soon won the confidence
and respect of many influential citizens, and became
widely known as a skilful practitioner. About 1834,
he removed to Leverett, where he was almost venerated
for his skill in the treatment of chronic diseases. Ten
J ears later, he joined the Hopedale Community, at
lilford. In 1847, ill health sent him to the Water-
cure Institution at New Lebanon, N.Y., where he was
so much benefited by the treatment, that he became
a convert to hydropathy, and in 1852, in connection
with Dr. J. H. Hero, opened a " Water Cure " at
Westborough. In 1851, he was chosen President of
the Hydropathic Association of Physicians and Sur-
geons then met at New-York City. Two years later,
he attended the annual meeting of that association, of
which he was still the honored president, and left,
for home in the ill-fated train which -was precipitated
into the river at Norwalk, Conn. ; and in that awful
tragedy (probably by drowning) was terminated his
life, May 6, 1853. He was a man of great practical
common sense, and of more than ordinary talent.
One proof of his nobleness of mind is in the fact,
that, although well aware of liis illegitimate origin,
he never allowed that circumstance to keep him in the
shades of obscurity ; but, with that true manliness
which shone forth in all his actions, he felt with
Burns, that —
" A man's a raan for a' that."
He was somewhat eccentric, yet unassuming, in his
manners. He had no love for forms or fashion ; and
hence, by the wealthy and fastidious, he was not ap-
preciated. In fine, lie was one of the most sincere,
practically Christian men that any town can call its
son. His leading characteristics were self-reliance,
benevolence, good-humor, joined with an unswerving
loyalty to conscience, to truth, and to God. He mar-
ried, in 1831, Phila Osgood, of Wendell, and had two
PROFESSIONAL EMIGRANTS. 607
children, who are honored more, in descending from
such a father, than if they had been the offspring of a
titled and soulless nobility.^
Rev. Frederic Dean Goodwin is the son of Daniel
and Polly Goodwin, and was born Feb. 15, 1804. He
entered Amherst College ; but did not graduate; on
account of ill health. He is an Episcopal clergyman,
and, at one time, was settled in Richmond, Va. ; and
has held the rectorship of several parishes in that
State, in which he now resides, at Wytheville, where
he officiates as rector. He married, at " Old Point
Comfort," in 1837, Mary F. Archer ; and has quite a
family of children.
Rev. William Henry Knapp was born Sept. 19,
1811 ; and is the son of Abiathar and Nancy (White)
Knapp. grandson of Daniel and Mary (Field) Knapp,
and great-grandson of Jonathan and Mehitable (Tuck-
er) Knapp. He commenced his ministerial duties as
a Universalist minister, and preached at several places
previous to 1844, when he was settled over the Uni-
tarian Society at Nantucket. In 1851, he took charge
of the society at West Newton. One year (1854-5),
he was Steward of Antioch College, 0. ; and preached
in that neighborhood as opportunity offered. In 1856,
he took charge of the Congregational Society at Ster-
ling, where he (1858) resides. He is married, and
has several children.
Don Egbert Erastus Braman, Esq., is the son of
Andrews . and Nancy (Hawes) Braman ; grandson
of Sylvanus and Sarah (Andrews) Braman; great-
grandson of Sylvanus and Experience (Blanchard)
Braman ; great-great-grandson of Daniel and Rachel
(Cambell) Braman ; great-great-great-grandson of
Thomas Braman, sen., one of the first settlers of
this town ; and was born Sept. 21, 1814. He went
to Texas in April, 1837, and was in the army of the
revolution several months. In 1847, he was appoijnted
Clerk of the First Judicial District Court, studying
1 For more particulars of Dr. Wilmarth, see Memoir bv William H.
Fish.
508 SLAVERY.
law while he held that office ; and was admitted to the
bar of that court in 1853. He is now a coiinsellor-at-
law in Matagorda, Texas ; where he married, April 28,
1841, Mary E. Buckhart, of Philadelphia, Pa., and
has had seven children.
Rev. George Carpenter was born Aug. 30, 1818 ;
and is the son of Deacon James and Anna (Hunt)
Carpenter, grandson of William and Hannah (Keith)
Carpenter, great-grandson of William Carpenter, and
great-great-grandson of Rev. William and Abigail Car-
penter, of this town. March 17, 1839j he united with
the Baptist Church, and forthwith began preparation
for the ministry. He entered Brown University in
1841, where he remained a little more than a year,
when the college exercises were broken up by the
" Dorr Rebellion ; " and he did not return there, but
soon entered the Theological Institution in New
Hampton, N.H., where he graduated in 1845. In
the autumn of 1846, he was ordained pastor of the
Baptist Church in Westminster, and was there three
years. Subsequently, he has been pastor at Rowe
and Scituate ; and, in 1857, removed to the village
of Factory Point (Manchester), Vt., and is now mini-
ster of the Baptist Church there. April 17, 1846,
he married Julia C. Dow (a niece of the eccentric
preacher, Lorenzo Dow), and has had four children.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
SLAVERY.
" The sum of all villanies." — Weslbt.
With but one exception, — that of slaveholding, — the
people of Norton have ever been found on the side of
freedom and the inalienable rights of man ; yet, we
are happy to record, they have sincerely repented of
that awful crime against humanity. For, strange as it
SLAVERY. 609
may appear, Norton was once a slaveholding town;
and our pen ^blushes with sliame when we say that
some of the masters, as well as their slaves, were
members of the church. In 1735, ten slaves were
returned from this town by the assessors. In the
census of 1764-5, thirty were returned. Rev. Mr.
Avery, the three George Leonards, Ephraim Leonard,
John Hodges, George Morey, Benjamin Fairbanks,
Rev. Mr. Palmer, Dr. Gideon Tiffany, Nathan Hodges,
William Stone, and others, are known to have had
slaves. I have found two bills of the sale of slaves,
one of which is here recorded : —
" Know all men by these Presants, that I, Jonathan
Wilson, of Newport, in the Colony of Rhod island, and
Provedance Plantation in new england, yeoman, for and in
Consideration of Seventy Pounds in Curant mony to me
in hand, before the Sealing and delivery hereof, well and
truly Paid by George Leonard, of norton, in the County of
BristoU, in ye Province of masachusets Bay in new England,
Blomer, whareof I do hereby acknoledg myselfe tharewith
to be fully Satisfied, Contented, and Paid, and have Bar-
gained, Sold, Sett over, and delivered, and by these Presants
do Give, Grant, Bargaine, Sell, make over, and deliver, unto
him, Sd. George Leonard, and to his heyrs, Execetors, ad-
ministrators, and assigns, for Ever, one negro woman named
Binah, which is now in the Posesion of Sd. George Leonard;
who is the Sd. negro woman to have and to hold to his and
theyr Proper youse and behafe for ever. And I, the Sd.
Jonathan Wilson, for myselfe, my heyrs, Execetors, ad-
ministrators, the Sd. Bargained and delivered negro woman
unto the Sd. George Leonard, and to his heyrs, Execetors,
administrators, and assigns, against all and Every Person and
Persons whomesoever, do Promise to warrant and defend for
Ever by these Presants. in witnes whareof, I have hereunto
Sett my hand and Seall, this Eleventh day of October, in the
first year of his majestie's Reigne, anno domini 1727.
"Signed, Sealed, and de-
livered in Presance of us, ** Jona. Wilson [seal].
"Nathl. Newdigate.
Joseph Mason."
43*
510 SLAVERY.
The other, dated March 7, 1745-6, is signed bj
Jonathan D wight, an inuholder of Boston, and con-
veys to George Leonard, of Norton, for one hundred
and fifty pounds, old tenor, ^^ a negro boy named
Prince, aged about thirteen years."
These things sound strangely to our ears ; and we
thank God that this inhuman and unchristian practice
long ago ceased to exist among us, and is now re-
ceiving the anathemas of the whole Christian world,
except the guilty parties and their apologists.
Mr. Avery had a slave named Mingo, whom he one
day set to planting pumpkin-seeds ; but Mingo became
tired, and disposed of all the seeds by putting them
under a large flat stone. In hoeing-time, they had
thrust their heads out all round the stone, and re-
vealed the slave's unfaithfulness. Mr. Avery (who
was very fond of pumpkin-pies) called the slave,
and, pointing to the young vines, gave him no other
reproof but the sorrowful ejaculation, "0 Mingo,
Mingo ! what shall we do for pumpkin-pies at Thanks-
giving ? "
In a draught of Mrs. Avery's will, she mentions a
slave named Pero, who was given lier by her father ;
and she gave him his liberty, provided he could get
bonds never to become a public charge : but in her
will, as finally executed, no mention of Pero is made.
Yet, in after-life, he was actually supported by the
town, and is sometimes called "Pero Newman." He
died July 29, 1802, supposed to have been more than
a hundred years old ; and the town paid two shillings
for rum drank at his funeral. Mrs. Palmer had a slave
given her by her father, who subsequently received his
freedom. In the " Boston Gazette " of July 29, 1771,
it was stated that Quashee, a negro, who for many
years had brought sauce to the Boston market, h^d
lately died at Dedham : but, on the 19th of August
following, the same paper announced that Quashee
was not dead, but, being in his eighty-fifth year, had
retired to his country seat in Norton to spend the
winter of his life; and that his absence from the
SLAVERY. 511
market, where he had been constantly seen for fifty
years, led to the supposition that he was dead. The
article closes in these words : " On suitable Encourage-
ment, a capital Mezzitinto Scraper would wait on him
at his Villa, to beg the favor of an Equestrian Print
of his accomplished person."
Slavery was not congenial to the soil of Massachu-
setts ; and on the establishment of the State Consti-
tution, which asserts, in the Declaration of Rights,
that "All men are born free and equal," many of
tlie negroes claimed their freedom, and obtained it by
virtue of this clause. In 1781, a white man was in-
dicted for assaulting, beating, and imprisoning a negro.
His defence before the Supreme Court, in 1783, was
that the black man was his slave. He was answered
by the complainants with the citation of the clause in
the Declaration of Rights just quoted ; and, on the
strength of it, was declared guilty, and fined. By this
decision of the judges and jury was given the death-
blow to slavery in our State ; for, in the next census,
no slaves were returned, but four thousand three
hundred and seventy-seven black persons were men-
tioned.
The antislavery movement commenced here about
1835. The mobbing of Mr. Garrison is supposed to
have called the attention of a few persons to the
subject ; and some antislavery tracts were circulated,
which proved to be seed cast into good ground. About
the same time (1835), George W. Makepeace gave a
proslavery lecture before the Lyceum. This led to
an earnest discussion of the matter, in which the anti-
slavery side was sustained by George L. Clarke and
others. Among the first antislavery addresses given
were those of Stephen S. Poster, Parker Pillsbury, and
Q. C. Burleigh. During the ministry of Rev. Mr.
.Tilden, much antislavery seed was sown by his earnest
advocacy of human rights. In 1841 (the first year of
his ministry), John A. Collins, an agent of the Massa-
chusetts Antislavery Society, and Frederic Douglass,
who had previously spoken but a few times, addressed
512 SLAVERY.
the citizens of Nortou upon the subject. In the sum-
mer of 1843, the Congregational Church, of which Mr.
Tilden was the pastor, held several meetings to con-
sider the subject of slavery ; and finally, Oct. 29 of
that year, adopted, " without any opposition," the fol-
lowing preamble and resolution : —
" Whereas we believe that Christianity, as taught by Jesus,
is a religion of Love, requiring love for God as a Father, and
love for man as a brother ; and whereas we believe that sla-
very, wherever it exists, is a gross violation of that great law
of love, and therefore a sin against God and humanity : —
"Therefore Resolved, That we are bound, by the holy
principles of the religion we profess, to bear a faithfnl testi-
mony against slavery in all its forms, and to put forth our
efforts in the use of Christian means for its thorough and
complete abohtion."
On the 5th of July, 1847, the " Liberty Party " had
a picnic celebration in the grove, near the late resi-
dence of Rev. Pitt Clarke ; and two fugitive slaves,
Messrs. Clark and Bibb, made addresses. The first
autislavery vote cast in town, and the only one given
that year, was in 1839, for Wendell Phillips, Governor.
In 1841, fifteen votes were cast for Governor ; in 1842,
thirty ; in 1843, there were sixty ; and in 1849, one
hundred and fifty-five votes, or thirty-six majority of
the whole number cast, were for the antislavery guber-
natorial candidate. And, from that day to this, the
antislavery sentiment has predominated in town.
Though some of the sons of Norton, who have made
their home in the south, have been guilty of slave-
holding and the traffic in human flesh, yet we
believe their number has been very small.
TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. 513
CHAPTER XL.
TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.
" Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink ; that pattest thy bottle to him,
and makest him drunken also." — Habakkuk.
The history of intemperance in Norton is similar to
that of other towns. In days that are past, we trust
never to return, it was not considered disreputable to
sell or drink intoxicating liquors ; for their use was
very general, and as generally believed that their use
was beneficial. Probably, in the early history of the
town, intoxicating drinks were not so freely used as
in later years, because they could not be obtained so
easily. Yet there is abundant evidence that the first
settlers sometimes indulged to excess. But, during
the first quarter of the present century, a large ma-
jority of the people daily took their drams, ministers
not excepted. I have looked over with much interest
some account-books of one of the storekeepers of
Norton, of a date some fifty years back; and rum,
brandy, wine, &c., formed the principal article of
charge; and, in some cases, three-fourths of all the
items on a whole page of the ledger, to a single
person, were for liquors. At all public gatherings,
military parades, venduing of the poor, auctions,
raisings, ministerial associations, weddings, and fune-
rals, liquors were deemed indispensable; and both
sexes partook of them freely.
The following entry, which I have found in an old
book in town, will serve to illustrate the manner in
which things were done within the memory of many
now living : " May 26, 1819, Chose the Artillery
oflScers, and had two wash-tubs full of Punch." It
was customary " To Post " those who were considered
as drunkards ; which was done by putting up, in some
514 TEMPERANCE MOVEBIENT.
public place, their names by tJie selectmen, and for-
Ijidding the venders of liquor to sell to them. This
was not often done, except in some extreme cases.
The temperance reformation commenced in this town
about 1828, and Rev. Pitt Clarke took an active part
in organizing a Temperance Society ; but I can find
no records of that society, nor can I gather much re-
liable information relative to it. The first pledge was
only against the use of distilled liquors ; not prohibit-
ing the use of wine, cider, beer, &c. Here, as elsewhere,
the movement against intemperance met with opposi-
tion from some who were deemed influential men;
but others as influential were enlisted in the warfare
upon ardent spirits, and both parties struggled for the
mastery. It was, no doubt, felt by the friends of tem-
perance, that too many persons were licensed " for the
public good ; " and we presume an attempt was made
to curtail the number: for, in the warrant for the
annual March meeting in 1830, there was an article
"To see what number of Taverners and Retailers
the town will authorize their selectmen to approbate
the ensuing year ; " but it was " voted to dismiss the
article respecting licenses." Tlie matter was again
revived at a meeting of the town, June 17, 1833, held
to consider the petition of Simeon Dean and fourteen
others, that the town " determine, by ballot, whether
the inhabitants were in favor of having Taverners and
Retailers licensed to sell spirituous Liquors the ensuing
year ; and also to see if all' respectable people who
wished to sell liquors might be approbated by the se-
lectmen." At the meeting, it was voted not to decide
by ballot, but to divide the house on the question ; and
seventy-eight persons voted for licensing, and forty-
seven against; and the selectmen were directed to
approbate as many taverners and retailers as had
usually been licensed. Tliese licenses to sell spiritu-
ous liquors were granted by the Court of Sessions till
that court was abolished about 1820, and subsequently
by the County Commissioners. The Commissioners
of Bristol County were among the first to refuse
TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. 615
licenses. The temperance question entered very much
into the election of these officers in the spring of 1838,
and a Temperance Board were elected, who refused to
issue licenses to sell as a beverage ; and rum-selling
and drunkard-making have been outlaws in the county
from that day to this. The following list is believed
to comprise nearly all the names of those who have
been licensed in this town, from 1712 to 1837. Those
marked with a (*) had a retailer's license. Most of
the others are supposed to have kept public-houses.
Yet retailers sometimes took a tavern license.
Nathaniel Hodges, 1712 ; Samuel Hodges, 1713-19 ; John
Finney,* 1724-27; John Austin, 1726-34; Benj. Hodges,*
1727-29; John Harvey, 1728-30; Samuel Caswell, 1728-30;
WilUam Ware, 1729-40; Josiah Pratt, 1731-38; Benjamin
Cobb,* 1732-33; Ebenezer Hodges, 1733-46; Jonathan
Lawrence, 1738-40 ; Henry Wetherell, 1738-41 ; Benjamin
Lane, 1743; George Morey, 1744-73; Thomas Morey, 1747;
George Hodges, 1749-50; Jonathan Newcomb, 1751-64;
Timothy Skinner, 1754-55; Ephraim Lane, 1754-67; Paul
Cook, 1755-56; Thomas Skinner, 1756; Stephen Gary,
1756; James Godfrey, 1757-75; David Smith, 1757-58;
Lewis Sweeting, 1760-68; Abraham White, 1760-72; Wil-
liam Dean, 1761; Samuel Lane, 1762-77; Joseph New-
comb, 1762-64; Seth Smith, 1764-67 ; George Makepeace,
1765-73 ; Ephraim Lane, jun., 1768-73 ; George Leonard,
8d, 1768; Isaac Smith, 1768-73; Solomon Trow, 1768-69;
Brian HaU, 1772-78 ; Eleazer Walker, 1772-96 ; Silas Cobb,
1772-1802; Nathan Cobb, 1776-82; Abiah Hall, 1779-83;
Elkanah Woodward, 1779-1808 ; Adam Johnstone, 1780-87 ;
Nathan Babbit, jun., 1780-87; Benjamin Hodges,* 1782;
John Hodges, 1783 ; Abiel Lincoln,* 1784-85 ; Joshua Pond,
1784-87; Isaac Barker,* 1787; Reuben Tisdale,* 1787-88;
Oliver Leonard, 1788; Thomas Fobes, 1789-94; David
Lincoln, jun., 1789-99; Ephraim Raymond, 1794-1811;
Seth Smith, jun., 1794-97; Samuel Godfrey, 1794-96;
Jonathan Smith, 1794-1808; Meletiah Washburn, 1795-97;
Hezekiah Tucker, 1795-99; Josiah Woodward, 1795-1810;
Isaac Stone, 1796; Jacob Shaw, 1797-98; Ebenezer Lazell,
1797-1800; George Palmer, 1794-97;' Elisha Hodges,
1798-99; Joseph Palmer, 1799-1800; George Gilbert,
1800-15; Thomas Danforth, 1301-17; Jacob Balcom,
516 TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.
1801; Enoch Balcom, 1802-7; Sylvanus Braman, 1802;
Jonathan Leonard, 1802-3; Daniel Parker, jun., 1804; Ben-
jamin King, 1806-7 ; Benjamin Horton,* 1806-10 ; Sylves-
ter Leonard, 1808-10; Simeon Presbury, jun., 1808-10; Wm.
Braman,* 1808-10 ; Asa Arnold, 1809-28 ; J. L. Munroe,
1809-15; Sally Balcom, 1809-10; Michael Sweet, jun.,
1811-12; Stephen Hodges, 1812; Eleazer Walker, 1815
Andrews Braman, 1816-24; Thompson Tripp,* 1816-22
J. L. Munroe, jun., 1817-37; Daniel Smith, 2d, 1817-21
Preston Hodges, 1817-20; Zebulon White, jun., 1819; John
G.Wood, 1821-23; Eliab F.Tucker, 1821; Francis Sturte-
vant, 1822 ; Leavit Bates,* 1822-25 ; Laban M. Wheaton,
1822-25; Nathaniel Newcomb, 1823-24; John Hunt,*
1823-25 ; J. F. Alden, 1824 ; John J. Bishop, 1824 ; Jaines
Lincoln,* 1824; Elijah Lincoln,* 1825-37; Leonard Smith,*
1825-26; Benj. Horton, 1826; James L. Derry, 1826-27;
Timothy Smith, 1826-32; Benjamin E. Horton, 1827;
David C. Bates, 1827-32; Nathaniel Munroe, 1830; Seth
Hodges, jun.,* 1831; William Munroe, 1831-34; Josiah
Hodges, 1832-33; Hiram Hodges, 1832; Elijah H. King,
1833-35; William H. Shackleford, 1834; Horace B. Weth-
erell,* 1835-37; Jesse Blandin, 1835-37; Hiram H.
Wetherell,* 1837.
Li the course of a few years, it was found that the
old pledge against distilled liquors was not sufficient
to stay tlie tide of drunkenness ; for persons could be
intoxicated every day on cider, &c., and not break
their pledge : so that at length it was deemed impor-
tant, and public opinion became prepared, to adopt the
total-abstinence pledge. From the records of the Tem-
perance Society, it appears that a re-organization took
place in May, 1837, on the basis of the following
pledge : —
" We whose names are hereunto annexed, believing that the
use of intoxicating liquor as a beverage is not only needless,
but hurtful to the social, civil, and religious interest of man ;
that it tends to form intemperate habits ; and that, while it
is continued, the evils of intemperance can never be done
away, —
** Do therefore agree that we will not use it as a beverage,
or traffic in it ; that we will not provide it as an article of
TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. 617
entertainment, or for persons in our employment ; and that,
in all suitable ways, we will discountenance the use of it
throughout the community/'
I cannot find any records of the society till the close
of the year 1842. From the Secretary's Report, made
Dec. 29, 1842, 1 learn the date of the re-organization :
and he says the exact number of members is not
known, yet it is supposed there were about one hun-
dred ; but, for two or three years, they did not make
much progress. About 1840, they received a new
impulse, and went to work in earnest. At the close
of 1842, there were four hundred and seventy-five
names attached to the pledge; one hundred and
seventy-five of which were added within that year.
At the close of 1843, there were five hundred and
twelve members ; in 1844, there were five hundred
and fifty-two members; in 1846, there were five
hundred and sixty-one members ; in 1847, the society
numbered five hundred and eighty-nine. The next
year, only two names were added. In February, 1849,
the Secretary reported that there were five hundred
and seventy-seven members of the society ; and, of
these, one hundred and seventy had removed from
town, thirty-two had died, thirteen had broken their
pledge, six were doubtful, and three hundred and
fifty-six good members remained in town. Frequent
meetings were held, and addresses made, from 1841
to 1845. July 4, 1844, there was a grand temperance
picnic celebration in the grove between the houses of
Thomas D. Lane and Joseph D. Sweet. About four
hundred were present from Norton and North Taun-
ton, including the cold-water army, made up of chil-
dren. Aaron Lincoln, jun., was chief-marshal and
president of the day. Toasts were given, speeches
made, and a vote of thanks presented to Rev. Mr.
Tilden for his unwavering efforts in the cause of
temperance during his residence in Norton.^
1 Bristol- County Democrat, July 12, 1844.
44
518 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
The following persons have been presidents of the
Norton Total-Abstinence Society from 1842 to 1855,
elected in the order in which they are named : Rev.
W. P. Tilden, Earl Hodges, Aaron Lincoln, jun.,
Mason Stone, Daniel S. Cobb, Stillman Smith, Albert
Barrows, A. Lincoln, jun., Augustus Lane, Jonathan
J. Stanley, Charles H. Briggs, Daniel S. Cobb, Still-
man Smith. Since 1853 or 54, but few meetings have
been held. In April, 1856, an attempt was made to
re-organize the society, and adopt a pledge against the
use of tobacco ; but no organization was eflFected.
After two or three meetings, all active eflForts in
behalf of temperance ceased ; till, just as we go to
press, in the spring of 1859, a new movement has
sprung up ; and, April 27, the Winneconnet Division,
No. 100, of the Sons of Temperance, was instituted,
consisting of fourteen members and eighteen lady-
visitors. There has been but little rum sold in town
for many years, except among the Irish population.
CHAPTER XLI.
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
" Variety's the yery spice of life,
That gives it all its flavor."
COWPER.
STOCKS AND WHIPPING-POST.
In 1693, the General Court enacted, that " Breakers
of the Peace, Prophaners of the Sabbath, unlawful
Gamesters, Drunkards, prophane Swearers or Cursers,"
should be punished " by setting in the Stocks, or
putting into the Cage, not exceeding Three Hours,
or by whipping not exceeding Ten Stripes." Ac-
cordingly, in most towns, the stocks were set up, and
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 519
the whipping-post erected in some conspicuous posi-
tion, — generally near the meeting-house, or place of
public gatherings. The stocks were made of two pieces
of timber, from six to eight feet long, laid one upon
the other, the bottom one resting upon the ground,
with two grooves cut in them, a foot or two apart,
suflBciently large to admit a man's ankk. When
wanted for use, the upper timber was removed. The
offender was then made to sit down on the ground,
adid place each ankle in one of these grooves. Then
the upper timber was replaced, and the two parts were
firmly locked together ; and thus there was no escape
till the time of sentence had expired. It is supposed
Nortofi did not liave this instrument of the law for
some years after her incorporation. The first allusion
to the matter on the town-records is under the date
of Nov. 1, 1723, when it was " voted to pay Robert
Tucker, for setting the Stocks up, 00/6. — 2^. — Od."
These probably did not last more than ten years ; for,
Sept. 18, 1733, it was "voted to Samuel Clap, for
macking a pare of stocks, 00. — 15. — 0." Sept. 11,
1769, " voted to Salvenus Braman, for mending the
stocks, 0. — 2. — 0. — 0." These stocks continued to be
lised in many towns, for the punishment of minor
crimes, till the close of the last century. There are per-
sons living in town who distinctly recollect seeing the
stocks on the Common, near where the old meeting-
house stood. We know not whether the whipping-
post was ever erected here or not ; but we do know
that offenders were sometimes sentenced to be whipped,
as well as put into the stocks. The cage is not known
to have been used here.
EAR-MARKS.
In the early settlement of our country, the lands,
and especially the pasturing, were unfenced. The
cattle, &c., were turned loose — generally with a bell
attached to one of them — into the woods, and roamed
about at pleasure ; and hence the herds belonging to
520 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
the different settlers would be very likely to mingle
one with another; and thus two men, having cattle
that looked very much alike, would j5nd some diflt
culty in determining what was their own, and what
their neighbor's. But " necessity,'' we are told, " is
the mother of invention." So, in order to know what
was his own, each man put a mark, and the same
mark, upon all his creatures.
This was usually made upon one or both ears, by
cutting, cropping, slitting, &c. ; and, in order that no
two persons should adopt the same device, each one
had his mark recorded on tlie town-records by the
town-clerk. As these marks were curious in them-
selves, and also serve to illustrate the early history of
the town, we will copy a few specimens from the town-
books, giving also the date of entry. The j5rst one
we record is this : —
"Sept. 13, 1718. — Thomas Harvey his Eyer-marck for
all his Creaturs Is two slits In the Hinder-part of the Right
Eyer."
"May 29th, 1719. — Joseph Hodges his Eyer-marck for
all his Creaturs is a Holi threw The midel part of Each
year, and a' hind-gad in the hinder-part of the Right year."
" Dec. 2nd, 1729. — Ephraeim Lane his Eyear-marck for
all his Creaturs is a Halpeney, Cut out of the fore-side of
the Right Eyer."
" 1722. — Mr. Joseph Avery His ear-mark is a slit in
the under side of the Right Eare."
"May 23rd, 1738. — Thomas Shepard's Eyer-marck for
all his creators Is a Crop of the top of the Left Eyer, and a
swallow's taile in the top of the Right Eyr."
"Nov. 10th, 1747. — John Gilbert's, Juner, Eare-mark
for all his Cretures is a swallow's Taile in ye top of the Right
Eare, and a half-Penney in the under side of ye Left Eare."
" May 6th, 1758. — Ebenezer White's Ear-mark for all his
Creatures is one hole through Each Ear."
"April 2nd, 1766. — The Revend. Mr. Roland Green's
Ear-mark for all his creatures Is a half-peny, cut out of the
upper-side and under-side of the Right Ear, and the top of
the same ear cut of, and a slit in the top of the left ear."
This practice of making " Ear-marks " upon cattle
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 521
was pretty generally coiitiimed here till about the year
1800, and occasionally for a few years later.
The last entry of the kind that we have seen was
made in 1839, and reads thus : " Thomas Copeland's
Ear-mark for all his creatures is the top of the right
ear cut off."
ANIMALS UPON THE COMMON, ETC.
In 1693, it was enacted by the General Court, that
none but proprietors and freeholders should be allowed
to have horses " run to feed upon any common Land ; "
and they were not allowed to have more than " one
Horse-Beast upon the common," without paying j5ve
shillings per head : and the owners of all horses thus
going upon the Common were required to have said
horses entered witli the town-clerk, together with " the
natural and artificial Marks," on or before the 10th of
April annually, under penalty of ten shillings fine.
The "common land" spoken of, we suppose, means
the undivided lands of the proprietors. Possibly it
also included the idea of all the lands that were " com-
mon " or unfenced. In the same Act, it was required
that all swine running at large should be suflficiently
yoked from the 1st of April to the 15th of October,
and " ringed in the Nose all the year," under penalty
of sixpence per head fine. Furthermore, every sheep
going upon the Common, not under the care of a
shepherd, from the 1st of May to the last of October
each year, subjected the owner thereof to a fine of
threepence. Yet it is supposed that the several towns
had the power to allow them to go at large without
a shepherd; for, at a town-meeting on the 20th of
March, 1722, it was " voted that the sheep should Go
at Large to feed upon the Common, without being
under the hands of a Shepeard." It is also supposed
that swine were not allowed to run at large without a
vote of the town each year ; fop we find, at a town-
meeting on the 13th of March, 1721, it was " voted
that the swine should go at Large upon the common,
according to law." March 6, 1722, it was " voted to
44*
522 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
Lett the Hoggs Run at Large upon ye common tin's
year;" and a similar vote was passed yearly till
1802, when it was *' voted that swine should not run
at Large the year ensuing/' At two subsequent
annual meetings, a similar vote was passed. But this
was an unpopular movement. It was an innovation
upon a time-honored custom, and hence it must be
resisted. A grand rally of the friends of the porkers
was made in 1805 ; and the hogs were once more let
out of prison, on the condition of their "being well
wringed and yoked."
Whether this vote had reference to the " wringing
of their necks," we leave the reader to decide. But
the hogs maintained their liberty upon the Com-
mon till 1811, when they were again shut up: but
they regained their liberty in 1813, and roamed at
pleasure for two years ; but their privileges were
somewhat abated by a ring in their nose, and a
crotched stick between their ears and shoulders,
passing through a narrow strip of board under their
throat, and called a " yoke." Their days of freedom
were, however, numbered ; for, in 1816, they were once
more put into the narrow quarters of a pen, and they
have never since had permission to go out therefrom.
THE POUND.
As early as 1698, the General Court enacted " that
there shall be a sufficient Pound or Pounds made and
maintained, from Time to Time, in every Town and
Precinct within this Province, in such part or places
thereof as the Selectmen shall direct and appoint, at
the cost and charge of such Town or Precinct, for the
impounding or restraining of any Swine, Neat Cattle,
Horses, or Sheep, as shall be found damage-feasant in
any Cornfield or other inclosures ; or swine Unyoked
or Unringed, Neat Cattle, Horses, or Sheep, going
upon the Common, not allowed to feed there by the
major part of the Propriety," &c.
In obedience to this law, tlie people of Norton, soon
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 523
after the organization of the town, took measures to
provide themselves with one of these necessary ap-
pendages to every considerable settlement. At a
meeting of the citizens, held May 23, 1715, the ques-
tion of a pound or no pound was agitated ; and, after
a full discussion of the subject, it was " voted to have
a Pound Built by Richard Briggs, with this proviso,
that sd. Briggs Give the Town a deed of a piece of
Land for that use during the time the Town Keep a
pound there." This deed was doubtless given; and the
pound built, probably on the corner of the lot owned
by Seneca Sanford, where the road turns to go towards
John Hunt's ; or possibly between the corner and the
house of Josephus Skinner, on the lot owned by Wil-
liam A. West. Richard Briggs, for some years, was
pound-keeper.
A new pound is supposed to have been built about
1728 ; for a rate was raised that year, among other
things, for " ye pound." This pound did not stand
on the same spot as the old one ; for, in the spring
of 1758, Gershom Cambell petitioned the town to
give him the site of the old pound for a building-lot ;
and, on the 20th of March of that year, it was " voted
that the town [of] Norton do acquit all the Right they
have to that little spot of Land which the pound was
built on — which land was formerly Richard Brigg's,
late of Norton, Deceased — to Gershom Cambell."
Hence it is supposed that Mr. Cambell built his
house on this lot. I am informed that an old house
once stood on each of the locations I have mentioned ;
but I am rather of the opinion, that the pound was
built on what is now Mr. Sanford's lot. I can find
no action of the town, relative to another pound, till
June 18, 1770, when it was ordered, " that the present
selectmen build a new pound." It is supposed that
the selectmen did not obey the instructions they re-
ceived ; or, if they did, the one built did not meet the
wants and wishes of the people : for, March 21, 1774,
the question of a new pound was before the town;
and it was then " voted to build a new pound with
524 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
timber, and to be thirty feet square, an'd to be Erected
on the Town's Common, near where the old pound
now stands, where the selectmen shall think proper."
And it was accordingly built, directly in front of where
the Trinitarian Meeting-house now stands, and within
the meeting-house yard.
" It was," says Rev. Ebenezer Burt, who was born
within a few rods of it, " eight rails high. Mr. Peter
Carpenter was Pound-keeper." This stood till 1789 ;
^T when, as appears from "orders" drawn to pay him
"ft^ therefor, another pound was erected by Glen. Silas
Cobb. This was of stone, and stood nearly on the
spot where George M. Sweet's house now stands, and
was a few rods southerly from Gen. Cobb's house,
and he was for many years pound-keeper. It re-
mained there till about twenty years ago, when the
present pound was built, agreeably to the will of the
town, as expressed Aug. 1, 1837, when it was " voted
to have the pound removed to a spot of land near the
Gun-House, if it can be done free from expense to
the town." Accordingly, it was removed by Capt.
Dauphin King, on whose land the old pound stood
(he having bought the Cobb Farm), who probably did
not wish to have it so near his house, and who there-
fore gave the land for the new pound in exchange for
that on which the old one stood, and was at the ex-
pense of its removal. It is now, however, seldom
used, and its walls are tumbling down ; for we no
longer see the swine, ringed or unringed, yoked or
unyoked, at large in our streets. The sheep have
almost entirely become extinct; and the well-built
fences are a pretty sure proof against horses and neat
cattle damage-feasant. The briers and brambles are
fast appropriating the strong enclosure to their own
purposes, even without asking the town, as did Ger-
shom Cambell, for a quitclaim-title to the spot.
LONGEVITY.
We here give a list of those persons who have died
here at the age of fourscore or more years. Could
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
525
we have obtained a complete record of all the deaths,
this list would doubtless have been much larger. In
a few instances, the individuals died elsewhere, but,
having long been residents of Norton, were brought
here for burial.
Ye«rof
1772.
1800.
1818.
1851.
1783.
1855.
1855.
1783.
1860.
1860.
1833.
1887.
1838.
1842.
1803.
1798.
1818.
1832.
1882.
1835.
1760.
1850.
1860.
1832.
1842.
1866.
1868.
1842.
Age.
Widow Hannah Andrews . 89
Joseph Andrews .... 80
Widow Phebe Arnold . . 82
John Arnold 87
1840.
1856.
1768.
1778.
1800.
1807.
1845.
1863.
1789.
1833.
1807.
1790.
1801.
1833.
1839.
1820.
1826.
Widow Mary Babbit . . 80
Samuel Balcom . , . . 81
Mrs, Abigail Balcora . . 80
William Basset .... 89
Leavit Bates 80
Widow Peddy Bowen . . 90
Thomas Braman .... 81
Benjamin Braman ... 82
Anna, his wife .... 80
Sylvanus Braman ... 88
Timothy Briggs .... 90
Hannah, his wife .... 80
Simeon Briggs .... 89
Mary ( ? ), his wife ... 93
Mrs. Hannah Briggs . . 84
Widow Sarah Briggs . . 82
John Briggs 80
Hannah Briggs .... 81
Mrs. Betsy Briggs ... 80
William Burt ..... 87
Prudence, his wife ... 90
Mrs. Polly Cahoon ... 85
William Capen .... 82
Widow Prudence Carpen-
ter 82
John Carver 92
Mrs. Polly Carver ... 81
Widow Temperance Clapp 90
Widow Bethiah Clapp . . 82
Jonathan Clapp .... 85
Jerusha, his wife .... 93
Widow Olive Clapp . . 90
Oliver Clapp 82
Widow Mary Cobb ... 85
Silas Cobb 90
Thomas Commons ... 93
Benjamin Copeland ... 82
Sarah, his wife .... 92
Samuel Copeland ... 82
Widow Abigail Copeland . 83
Widow Rachel Crane . . 89
Theophilus Crossman . . 84 1
Year of
Death.
1845. Thomas Danforth
1836. Elijah Eddy . .
1835. Wealthy, his wife
1845. Widow'Rachel Eddy
1829. Abiel Eddy . .
1825. Zeruiah,-ttiswife.
1852. John Eddy . . .
1826. Sarah Fisher . .
1868. Apollos Francis .
1829. Widow Bethiah Freeman
1847. John Freeman . .
1790. Widow Mary Gilbert
1813. Mrs. Rebecca Gilbert
1811. Widow Mary Godfrey
1831. Widow Mary Godfrey
1847. Francis Guillow . .
1840. Phebe, his wife . .
1857. Widow Dilla Hall .
1814. Widow Harvey . .
1851. Mrs. Lucinda Harvey
1824. Abigail Harridon . .
1768. Mrs. Hannah Hodges
1814. Widow Mary Hodges
1818. Jarvis Hodges . .
1825. Josiah Hodges. .
1835. Wealthv, his wife
1837. Elijah Hodges . .
1840. Isaac Hodges . .
1842. Benjamin Hodges
1847. Mrs. Abigail Hodges
1854. Mrs. Lucy Hodges
1832. Mrs. Mary Horton
1832. Mrs. Eunice Hunt
1854. Mrs. Cynthia Hunt
1845. Josiah King . .
1862. Miriam, his wife .
1793. Jonathan Knapp .
1795. Mehitable, his wife
1832. Daniel Knapp . .
1826. Mary, his wife .
1888. Thomas Knowles
1855. Jonathan Knowles
1800. Ephraim Lane
1826. Ephraim Lane
1857. Daniel Lane . .
1852. Eunice, his wife .
83
Affe.
86
(?)
84
104
89
82
83
82
87
84
81
91
84
96
96
84
86
90
96
88
91
84
84
81
84
86
86
88
91
86
80
87
80
87
82
87
84
87
88
81
99
81
82
86
86
81
-/
if
^.
1 She died at the Alms-house, and the town voted her a pair of grave-
stones on account of her age.
526
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
Tear of ...
Death. ^^
1767. Widow Mary Larclier . . 83
1778. George Leonard .... 80
1783. Rachel, his wife .... 81
1819. George Leonard .... 90
1827. Experience, his wife . . 88
1829. Widow Rebecca Leonard . 83
1773. Jonathan Lincoln ... 86
1808. Abigail Lincoln .... 88
1822. David Lincoln .... 95
1828. Benjamin Lincoln ... 87
1882. David Lincoln 81
1883. Jemima, his wife .... 87
1843. Mrs. Anna Lincoln ... 81
1860. Moses Lincoln 82
1848. Luther Lincoln .... 82
1863. Mrs. Rachel Lincoln . . 82
1848. Solomon Lothrop . . • 82
1822. William Makepeace ... 84
1824. Ruth, his wife 82
1787. John Martin 80
1780. George Morey 83
1863. Mrs. Sarah Morey ... 88
1842. John L. Munroe .... 87
1849. Pollv Munroe 80
1812. Widow Mary Newcomb . 83
1829. Joseph Newcomb ... 82
1862. Richard Newcomb ... 86
1840. Jonathan Newland ... 88
1828. Ichabod Periy .... 80
1836. Natlian Perry 86
1832. Widow Abig-.iil Puffer . . 98
1857. Widow Polly Shaw ... 96
1796. Mrs. Elizabeth Smith . . 96
1807. David Smith 81
1818. Timothy Smith .... 89
1818. Mary, his wife .... 83
1844. Araunah Smith .... 80
1845. Abisha Smith 84
1856. Daniel Smith 87
1857. Ebenezer Smith .... 82
Year of
Death.
1865.
1862.
1776.
1835.
1824.
185L
1847.
1849.
1856.
1858.
1822.
1830.
1789.
1797.
1793.
1853.
1816.
1789.
1824.
1825.
1778.
1823.
1826.
1837.
1851.
1846.
1849.
1856.
1801.
1824.
1827.
1835.
1776.
1803.
1813.
1782.
1816.
1826.
1840 (
John Stanley
Sally, his wife
Widow Mehitable
Nathaniel Stone
Elizabeth Story
Thomas Story
Anna, his wife
Seth Sumner
Ruth, his wife
Widow Anna Sweet
Ebenezer Titus . .
Mehitable, his wife .
Widow Margaret Trow
Henry Tucker
Judith, his wife .
Hannah Tucker .
Mrs. Abigail Verry
Mrs. Bethiah Washburn
Meletiah Washburn .
Mary ( V ), his wife .
Simeon Wetherell .
W^illiam Wetherell .
Widow Lydia Wetherell
James Wetherell . .
Miss Lydia Wetherell
Laban Wheaton ► .
Fanny, his wife . .
W^dow Roby Wheeler
Abraham White . .
Josiah White . . .
Daniel White . . .
Zebulon White . .
John Wild ....
Widow Elizabeth Williams
Noah Wiswall . . .
Israel Woodward. .
Anna Woodward . .
Elizabeth Woodward
V ). Martha Woodward
83
88
85
82
92
93
82
85
87
83
81
89
86
88
86
81
86
84
90
83
85
83
91
82
82
92
84
95
84
83
84
84
84
93
86
84
85
85
84
FATAL CASUALTIES.
The first accidental death in town, of which we
have any account, was that of Joseph Williams, aged
thirty-one, who fell from the scaffolding of a new barn
upon which he was at work, Nov. 7, 1744, and was so
much injured that he died on the evening following.
Daniel Braman, aged thirty-nine, died Nov. 1, 1758,
from injuries received a few days previous in a cider-
mill.
Ephrjlim Hodges, aged about forty, was drowned,
while on a whaling voyage, about 1768.
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 527
A Miss (?) Gary, an insane woman, disappeared in
the autumn of the year 1782 (?), and is supposed .to
have died from exposure. The next spring, her body
was found by some children, between some large rocks
now partly in the Barrows ville Mill-pond, on the
northerly side. From this circumstance, they were
called the " Gary Rocks."
Charles W. Wetherell, aged nine years, died
March 14, 1784, from injuries received by a fall on
the ice while skating a short time previous.
Elijah Wetherell fell through the floor of a sawmill
(near Augustus Lane's) into the pit below, and, fcom
the injuries received, died March 23, 1786, aged forty-
seven.
Seth Gilbert, aged sixty-two, was run over by an
ox-cart, and died Oct. 3, 1788, a few days after the
accident.
William Newcomb was burnt to death in his house,
March 17, 1790, aged sixty-eight.
About 1798, a child of Laban Smith was scalded to
death.
Lydia Burt, while reading the Bible, in December,
1802, was taken in a fit, and fell into the fire, and was
so badly burned that she soon died.
Simeon Allen fell from the high beams of a barn in
September, 1809, and soon died from the effects of the
fall.
George Godfrey was killed in a cider-mill, Oct. 15,
1810.
About the year 1811, in the summer season, Watson
Morey (a colored man) was drowned in the Barrows-
ville Mill-pond.
Ephraim, son of Holmes Richmond, aged about three
years, was burnt to death about the year 1817.
Amherst Guild, of this town, was choked to death,
while eating on the muster-field at Attleborough,
Oct. 11, 1822, aged about thirty-eight.
Peter Gillet, while bathing near the " Gary Rocks,"
in the Barrowsville Mill-pond, was drowned July 11,
1823.
528 MISCELLANEOUS HISTOBT.
Asa, child of David Woodward, aged four years, was
killed by the falling of the wall upon it, Sept. 6, 1825.
Rebecca, daughter of Josiah Macomber, aged about
five years, fell into a tub of hot water, and was so
badly scalded that she died March 31, 1827, about
twenty-four hours after the accident.
Thomas Sweet, of this town (the scaffolding giving
way), fell from a factory on which he was at work, in
Smithfield, R.I., and died Aug. 23, 1828, a few hours
after the catastrophe.
Asahel Dean, of Norton, while riding in the town
of Bellingham, was thrown from his carriage, and
killed, June 10, 1829.
Daniel Goodwin fell from a load of hay, and was so
badly hurt that he died July 13, 1830, a few days
after the fall.
Nason White was choked to death while eating his
dinner, Jan. 17, 1832, aged thirty-two.
Thomas Braman died April 29, 1833, from injuries
received a few weeks previous by falling from a ladder
in his barn.
Lloyd S. Lincoln, aged thirty-one, was thrown from
his wagon, and killed, Jan. 24, 1834, aged twenty-three.
Simeon Lane was struck by lightning, and instantly
killed, July 14, 1835, while driving his team with a
load of hay from the field. One of the oxen was also
killed.
Laban Arnold was fatally injured by the premature
explosion of a rock he was blasting, and died Sept. 16,
1837, about twenty- four liours after the accident.
John Freeman is supposed to have been frozen to
death in the westerly part of the town, Jan. 29, 1841,
aged forty-five.
David L. Carver, of this town, was instantly killed
on the Stoughton Railroad, by the accidental " dump-
ing" of a loaded dirt-car while he was under it,
March 13, 1845, aged thirty-six.
David Berry, while bathing, was drowned in the
Copper-works Fond, June 28, 1845, aged about twenty-
five.
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 529
William Baylies Arnold, aged about eight years, was
drowned July 5, 1847, in Burt's Brook, a short dis-
tance above Lincoln's Furnace.
Luther Lincoln died March 31, 1848, from in-
juries received by being thrown from his carriage
upon the sidewalk at Taunton about two weeks pre-
viously.
Horace M. Leonard, while returning from Taunton,
Nov. 28, 1848, fell from a loaded wagon, which passed
over him, killing him instantly.
Marietta, aged thirteen months, daughter of Charles
D. Lane, died April 10, 1851, in consequence of turn-
ing a teapot full of hot water upon her face and breast
about three weeks previously.
Daniel 0., aged ten years, son of Lysander 0. Make-
peace, was drowned July 26, 1851, in Bumford River,
back of his father's house.
Seth Hodges was found dead in his barn, Nov. 17,
1851 ; and is supposed to have fallen from the high
scaffold.
David Chapman, of Easton, while skating within
the limits of Norton, in the winter of 1854, was
drowned.
David, aged eighteen months, child of Edward
Keefe, died March 19, 1855, from the eflfects of burns
received by his clothes taking fire.
Harriet M. Stanley (daughter of Benjamin D. Stan-
ley), who was, with her brother, burning brush near
the Barrowsville Millpond, May 10, 1855, accidentally
set her clothes on fire, and was so shockingly burned
that she died in two or three hours.
Mrs. Mercy Ann, wife of Cyril S. Sweet, while pre-
paring breakfast, Oct. 30, 1855, by some means set
her clothes on fire, and survived the accident less than
twenty-four hours.
Faugas, aged about six years, son of Thomas Mc-
Cafirey, was drowned in the canal at the Copper-works,
Sept. 28, 1856.
David, son of Edward Keefe, aged two years, was
run over by the cars (which were out of time), and
45
580 lUSCELLANEOUS HIST0B7.
instantly killed, a short distance above the depot,
Oct. 13, 1857.
John, aged twenty-one months, son of Michael Mar-
ley, was drowned in the canal at the Copper-works,
July 26, 1858.
DWELLING-HOUSES BURNED.
The first account of the burning of a house in Nor-
ton, which we find, is in the " Boston News-Letter " of
Thursday, Feb. 9, 1738 ; from which it appears, that,
on the Tuesday previous, George Hodges' house was
burnt down. The fire was caused by sparks falling
upon the roof, there being a high wind at the time.
Peter Makepeace's house was burned April 19, 1775.
About 1780, a house belonging to Nathaniel Freeman
was destroyed. William Ncwcomb's house was con-
sumed, and he also was burned in it, March 17, 1790.^
Not far from 1790, Ann Cobb's house was burnt.
April 12, 1803, a house, belonging to Asahel Tucker,
occupied by Levi Woodward. Jan. 21, 1806, the
house of Peter Penno, at mid-day. About 1812, Wil-
liam Verry's house. In March, 1819, a house owned
by Judge Leonard, and occupied by Oliver Hunt.
May 10, 1828, Deacon Lysander Makepeace's house.
About 1835, a house belonging to Judge Wheaton.
April 28, 1838, Clifford Carver's house. Dec. 19,
1841, the public-house kept by Hiram Smith, and
owned by Horace B. and Hiram H. Wetherell.
April 15, 1846, the house of Jacob Sliepard. March 21,
1847, a house belonging to the Crocker Brothers, and
occupied by James Lynch. About 1849, a house be-
longing to Sibyl Burt, and occupied by James Wash-
burn. June 6, 1852, the " Wiswall House," so called,
occupied by Irish families. May 18, 1857, the house
belonging to D. and S. Holman, and occupied by
Oliver S. Titus. June 15, 1857, the house of Lewis
E. and Nancy Lincoln.
1 For full account, see Herald of Freedom, March 26, 1790; and the
Massachusetts Spy of April 1, 1790.
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 631
BUILDINGS BURNED.
Dec. 3, 1741, " The Forge and Works for the manu-
facture of Iron, at Norton, belonging to George Leo-
nard, Esq., were burnt down : the damage is supposed
to be about One Thousand Pounds." ^ In 1778, John
Briggs's barn was burnt. Elisha Cobb's nail-shop, in
1789. In 1797, James Wetherell's barn was struck
with lightning, and consumed. About 1808, Daniel
Smith's nail-mill. Samuel Balcom's nail-shop, in 1816.
James Godfrey's sawmill, in 1820. About the same
year, Benj. Horton's cutting-mill. Ephraim Allen's
barn was struck with lightning in 1822, and consumed.
In 1824, the rolling and slitting mill of Benj. Horton.
December, 1831, Nathaniel Newcomb's factory. About
1835, a store belonging to Judge Wheaton. Henry
Blandin's barn, in 1836. Stillman Smith's shop,
January, 1840. In the spring of 1842 (?), the shin-
gle, grist, and wadding mills at Barrowsville. Thomas
Story's barn, in 1844. In December, 1844, John Mo-
Cormack's barn. Hathaway LeoncCrd's carpenter's
shop, in the spring of 1852. March 14, 1854, the
schoolhouse in District No. 5. The blacksmith's shop
at the Copper-works, July 1, 1856. A portion of Lin-
coln's Furnace, April 9, 1859.
RUNAWAY WIFE.
In the " Boston News-Letter " of March 1, 1750, is
the following advertisement : —
"Feb. 15, 1749-50. — Whereas Rebecca Harris, the wife
of me tlie Subscriber, living at Norton, has unlawfully ab-
sented herself from me and my family, and carried off sundry
Effects to a considerable value, and may endeavour to run me
in Debt, — These are, therefore, to caution all Persons what-
soever not to entertain, trust, or give Credit to her, the said
Rebecca, upon my Account ; for I will not pay any Debt con-
tracted by her during her continuing to absent herself. — As
witness my Hand, ** Joseph Harris.
"N.B. — If she will return to my Family, and behave as
a virtuous wife ought to do, she shall be kindly received."
1 Boston News-Letter, Dec. 10, 1741.
582 MISCELLANEOnS HISTORY.
WITCHCRAFT.
Norton has not been exempt from believers in
witches, wizards, ghosts, and goblins ; and there are
some yet living who hug these ideas to their bosoms.
Tradition has handed down to us the important intelli-
gence (we do not, however, vouch for its truth), that
Major George Leonard — the first of the name in town
— made a league with the Devil in order to acquire
great wealth ; and, as a return for the services rendered,
Leonard promised to give his body to the Devil when
he called for it. Accordingly, in 1716, while Mr.
Leonard was sick with a fever, of which he died, the
old imp came, claimed his body, and actually carried
it off! As he left the premises with it, he made a tre-
mendous jump, and landed on some rocks situated
thirty or forty rods back of the house, where he came
down with so much force as to make his foot-prints in
the rock, which are to be seen at the present day ! At
the funeral, the corpse was not to be seen, of course ;
and the family gave out word that it was not proper to
be seen : but, in reality, there was nothing in the coffin
but a log of wood, put in to lull all suspicion that the
body was not there.
Theodora, or Dora Leonard, as she was generally
called, was reputed a witch, and, if we can believe
the stories of some now living, " cut some curious
capers." People would sometimes go to the barn, and
" tie up " the cattle ; and, before they could get away
therefrom, the cattle would be all unloosed by some
mysterious agency. She lived some two miles from
the centre ; and once, when up in town, it was needful
that she should get some cloth that was left at home,
and she went after it, but soon returned with it, not
having had time to have gone a fourth part of the dis-
tance. One day, some boys were out hunting squirrels,
near her residence ; and they found a large one in the
top of a tree, and fired almost numberless times at it,
but could not kill it. But, as they were going home,
they encountered a strange cat, which was believed to
have been Dora in disguise, who had prevented the
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 633
charges fired at the squirrel from taking effect. She
was supported by the town in her last days ; and, when
she died (about 1785), tliere was such a terrible racket
all about the house, that no one dared to remaiiL to
witness her death.
Ann Cobb had the reputation of dealing in the
" black art," and of being in league with the " Old
Scratch;" but I have not been informed of any
specific modes in which slie manifested her power.
She was supported by tlie town some time previous to
her death, which took place in 1798.
Naomi Burt was also accounted a member of the
mysterious sisterhood of witches, and, by her won-
derful powers, gave some trouble to those who fell
under the ban of her displeasure. Oxen sometimes
turned their yokes, and people lost wheels oflF their
wagons, when they passed lier house ; and the boys
always held their breath, and ran with all speed, when
they went by in the night. She hung herself, July 4,
1808.
SINGULAR PHENOMENA.
Some eighty or ninety years ago, three young per-
sons, living near each other, were all very singularly
aflFected, during the same night, with a sudden attack
somewhat of the paralytic kind. Josiah Harvey al-
most entirely lost the use of one of his limbs, so that
he ever after walked with great difficulty. Henry
Hewit lost the use of both limbs, so that he never
walked again, but pushed himself round in a chair
upon wheels. Prudy Hall, a little child, was so af-
fected in one of her arms that she could never after-
wards raise it to her head. No satisfactory explanation
was given to this wonderful occurrence, except the
prevailing idea of the people of tliat time, who said
tliese individuals were " moon-struck."
SHAKERS.
In 1782, some Shakers, with Ann Lee (the elect
lady) and Shadrack Ireland as leaders, came to this
45*
534 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
town from Harvard, whence they were driven through
fear of a mob. They made some proselytes here, but
soon removed to Rehoboth, and prevailed upon many
of their adherents, both here and there, to sell their
estates, in order to build a ship or ark to carry them
to the " New Jerusalem " of their visions. A vessel was
built with the money thus furnished ; but it was sent
on a voyage (says Backus in his " Church History,"
vol. iii. p. 179, &c.) to the West Indies, from whence
a rich cargo was brought : but both vessel and cargo
were sold, and a few rich men cheated the rest out of
their estates. Some of the Norton Shakers are be-
lieved to have removed to New Lebanon, N.Y. Tlie
principal place of their meetings at Norton was at the
house of Capt. William Morey, a blacksmith, — less
than half a mile from the Centre Village, on the
Attleborough Road.^ It is now known as the "Jack-
son House," and is occupied by David Fitzgerald.
FREEMASONS.
The Bristol Lodge of Freemasons was organized in
Norton, June 14, Anno Lucis 5797. The charter was
granted to the following persons : Job Gilbert, Greorge
Gilbert, Ira Smith, Joshua Pond, Samuel Morey, jun.,
Timothy Briggs, jun., Samuel Day ,2 Seth Smith, jun.,
Daniel Gilbert,^ Benjamin Billings.^ They held their
meetings in the hall of the Academy Building, now
owned by Benjamin H. Richmond. I am told that
the records of this lodge are destroyed or lost; and
hence we know not who, or how many, were the sub-
sequent members. March 10, A.L. 5830, the lodge
was removed to Attleborough.
1 For a description of a Shaker meeting, see " Men and Times of the
Revolution, or Memoirs of Elkanah Watson," p. 832, &c. In the same
book, p. 304, &c., is an account of Watson's first mterview with his subse-
quent wife, — who was Rachel Smith, of this town. In his journal, Watson
says, "In a few weeks after this interview [in 1784], the young lady be-
came my beloved wife." This is not correct. They were not married till
more than four years afterwards. But, if he had said they ought to have
been married " a few weeks after this iuters'iew," he would have stated the
truth.
2 Belonged to Mansfield.
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 535
LIBRARIES.
Rev. Pitt Clarke says a social library was founded
Jan. 4, 1794 ; and, in 1825, it numbered two hundred
and seventy-eight volumes. The constitution of the
association, called the ''Proprietors of the Norton
Library," is dated Jan. 29, 1794 ; and there were
thirty-six original members, of whom only two are now
known to be living, — viz., Elijah Lane, of Enfield,
and our venerable townsman, David Makepeace, —
both over ninety years of age. Each of the proprietors
was to pay down six shillings ; six shillings in August
following ; six in August, 1795 ; and six more in
August, 1796, — in all, twenty-four shillings : and
this sum entitled them to a right in the library.
Thereafter, each proprietor was to pay annually one
shilling and sixpence till otherwise ordered by a vote
of the shareholders. Each person could take out as
many books at a time as he owned rights in the
library. Five directors and a librarian were to be
chosen by ballot, annually, on the first Monday of
September. The first election of ofiicers took place
at the house of Gen. Silas Cobb, Feb. 19, 1794 ; of
which meeting he was moderator. Rev. Pitt Clarke
was chosen librarian ; and Hon, George Leonard,
Rev. Ebenezer Nelson, Gen. Silas Cobb, Dr. Samuel
Morey, and Ephraim Raymond, directors. The last
and nineteenth article of the constitution declared
that the library should remain to the proprietors, their
heirs and assigns, for ever. But, Sept. 3, 1836, — the
last annual meeting ever held, — the ninteenth article
was rescinded ; and it was decided that a majority of
the members might vote to sell the books and property
" for the benefit of all the proprietors, and dissolve the
Listitution." Deacon Daniel Lane was chosen libra-
rian at that meeting, and, according to the constitu-
tion, remained in office till he died ; the books being
kept at his house. The first proprietors belonged to
Norton. Subsequently, members were admitted from
Mansfield. We recently met the only resident sur-
536 MISCELLANEOUS HISTOBT.
vivor of the original proprietors ; and the great question
with him was, what should be done with the library, .
which is still at the late residence of Deacon Lane,
now occupied by his son Albert.
In 1842, the State appropriated fifteen dollars to
every school district that would raise a like sum for
a district-school library. In accordance with this
jesolve, several of the school districts in Norton
raised the needed sum, and established libraries,
which are still in existence, though not very much
used. During the ministry of Rev. Mr. Hiukley,
quite a number of books were bought, and a social
library started ; but it died with his removal from
town. Jan.l, 1852, the ladies of the Congregational
parish held a " tea-party ; " most of the proceeds
of which were used to establish a parish library.
Some additions have been made to it, and it now
numbers two hundred and thirty-five volumes ; and
the use of it is free to any and all the worshippers
with that parish.
TOWN-MAP.
In accordance with a resolve of the General Court,
passed March 1, 1830, requiring the several towns of
the State to make a survey of their territory, a survey
was made of this town by Cromwell Leonard, Esq.,
and a map lithographed ; only a few copies of which
are now in existence. In 1855, a new map was litho-
graphed by H. P. Walling, superintendent of the State
Map, in obedience to a vote of the town ; and each
family was furnished with a copy. The map is a
pretty correct one ; giving the location of the rivers,
roads, and all the dwelling-houses in town, with the
names of their owners ; but would have been more
valuable, in an historic point of view, if the names of
the occupants of the houses had also been given. A
few copies of this map, thirty-six inches by thirty,
well mounted, are for sale at the office of the Town
Treasurer.
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 537
STATISTICS.
Rev. Pitt Clarke, in his " Historical Sermon," says
that, between July 3, 1793, and July 3, 1825, there
had been five hundred and eighty-seven deaths in
Norton ; of which five were suicides, nine accidental, \
and nineteen sudden. He also states, that, within
that period, he had solemnized two hundred and
twenty-two marriages. Mr. Clarke kept a record of
the names and ages of all who died during his mini-
stry ; but that record-book cannot now be found
among the papers he left. His widow thinks she
lent it, after leaving town, to some one here ; and is
confident it must be in Norton. We trust all parties
will make a thorough search for it ; for, if found, it
will supply many deficiencies that now exist on the
town-records of deaths, &c. Until about 1848, there
was not an accurate account of births, marriages, and
deaths, kept in the town-clerk's office. For the last
ten years, ending Dec. 31, 1858, there have been four
hundred and thirty-two births; the largest number
(fifty-three) being in 1857, the smallest number (thirty-
five) in 1853. For the same period, there has been
ninety marriages ; the largest number (thirteen) being
in 1853, the smallest number (three) in 1849. The
deaths, for the same time, were three hundred and
seventy; the largest number (thirty-four) being in
1849, the smallest number (nineteen) in 1857. There
have been three suicides since 1825.
SUSPICIONS OF MURDER, ETC.
About the year 1761, Joseph Hart and wife, for some
trifling offence, tied up his son (by a former wife) by
the wrists to a joist over head, stripped him of his
clothes, and whipped him almost to death. He lived
some days : and, when the father found he was likely
to die, he went for a physician in great haste; but
death soon closed the poor boy's sufferings.^
1 A long list of verses were made relative to the matter, copies of which /
are still extant.
538 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
A woman by the name of Hodges was suspected of
having caused the death of her illegitimate child ; but
her guilt was never fully established.
In 1772, an illegitimate cliild of a maid-servant* in
the family of William Holmes was found dead in a
hogshead of rye, in the garret, which, she said, was
put there by a negro, wlio was the reputed father of
it. There were suspicions of murder ; but the jury
of inquest said, " It died from neglect." ^
CHAISE AND CHAIRS.
In 1753, tliere were taxed in Norton one chaise and
four cliairs. The chaise is supposed to have belonged
to the Leonard Family. The chairs were a kind of gig,
having a seat suitable for two persons, with a sort of
chair-back.
POST-OFFICE.
About 1798, a post office was established in Easton,
on the Bay Road, leading from Taunton, through the
easterly part of Norton, to Boston ; and was designed
to accommodate the citizens of Easton, Norton, and
Mansfield. Some of tlie people in the west part of
this town, however, went to Attleborough for post-
office accommodations. The post-office was esta-
blished in Norton about the year 1817, Earl P.
White being the first postmaster, and holding the
office about one year; which was kept most of the
time at liis house, in tlie easterly part of the village.
Laban M. Wheaton, Esq., succeeded Mr. White as
postmaster, and was commissioned April 21, 1818;
holding the office till 1845. It was kept for some
years in Mr. Wheaton's law-office ; tlien in the public-
house and in the village store. On the 24th of June,
1845, Earl Hodges, Esq., received the appointment of
postmaster, and lield the office till his death, April 3,
1857. He kept the office most of the time in his
1 Boston Gazette, May 18, 1772.
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 689
hous6, directly opposite the Town Hall. His widow
(Mrs. Harriet Hodges) was appointed postmistress,
April 6, 1857 ; and is still in office.
The mail was first brought to town about once a
week from Taunton on horseback, and for several
years came in that manner. Subsequently, a line of
stages was establislied through this town from Taunton
to Providence, and afterwards to Wrentham and Men-
don, and brought the mail two or three times a week
previous to the opening of the railroad. The mail is
now daily received in the morning by railroad from
Boston, and is sent to Boston in the afternoon. The
New- York mail goes out in the morning vid Taunton,
and is returned at night.
RAILROAD.
The Taunton-Branch Railroad — extending in a
straight line, about a mile easterly of Norton Centre
from tlie Boston and Providence Railroad in Mansfield
to Taunton — was built during the years 1835 and
1836, and was opened for travel in August of the
latter year. Elkanah Wood was the first station-
agent ; and the stopping-place was, for several years,
at the crossing near his house, there being no depot.
The first depot was built near Mr. Wood's house, and
was afterwards removed to a position between the
present depot and the road, and a few feet nearer to
the railroad-track. The new depot was erected in
1853, and was occupied for the first time during the
severe snow-storm which commenced on the 29th of
December of that year, and continued two days, com-
pletely blocking up the roads, and stopping the cars in
their progress. The present station-agent is Mr. Eli
Wood, who has held the office for many years. Some
years ago, a flag-station was established near Taunton
line, a short distance easterly of Daniel Crane's bouse ;
and he was appointed, and still performs the duties of,
station-agent. I am told, that, when the surveys were
made for this road, a proposition was made by the
I
640 lOSCELLANEOUS HISTOBT.
company to Judge Wheaton, that, if he would subscribe
liberally to the stock of the road, it should be located
through the village, near his house. But he, fearing
it would depreciate the value of his property, declined
the proposal ; and hence the road passes by on one side
of us. Soon after the completion of the Taunton-
Branch Railroad to Taunton, it was continued to New
Bedford ; and the passenger-cars now run three times
a day through town each way between that city and
Boston.
ACADEMY.
About 1797, a building was erected directly back
of the Congregational-Parish Meeting-house by share-
holders, and an academy soon afterwards opened in
the lower part of it, under the charge of Abner Alden,
Esq., who is believed to have been the only principal.
The building was dedicated with appropriate services ;
Rev. John Poster, of Taunton, giving the address.
For some reason, it failed to meet the expectations of
its founders, and did not have a long life. The re-
moval of Mr. Alden to Bristol, R.I., might have been
one cause which lead to the breaking-up of the school.
It is believed to have been quite popular while he was
connected with it.
WHEATON FEMALE SEMINARY.
This institution was founded by Hon. Laban Whea-
ton, of this town, soon after the death of his daughter
(Mrs. Sft-ong), who died childless. With the portion
of his estate designed for her, he endowed the school.
The first seminary building was erected in the summer
of 1834, and the school was opened in the spring of
1835. The following trustees, in addition to himself,
were appointed by Judge Wheaton: Rev. Sylvester
Holmes, Rev. Orin Powler, Rev. Erastus Maltby, Rev.
Cyrus W. Allen, Lemuel Perry, Esq., Deacon William
Reed, Major Jonathan Bliss, and L. M. Wheaton, Esq.
We here record the names of those who have since
MISCELLANEOUS HI8T0RT. 641
been elected trustees to supply vacancies in the Board :
Dr. Ira Barrows, Albert Barrows, Esq., Rev. William
Barrows, William J. King, Esq., Zeno Kelly, Esq., Rev.
Leonard Swain, Rev. Franklin Holmes, Rev. E. N. Kirk,
Rev. M. Blake, Ichabod Washburn, Esq., Rev. A. H.
Clapp, William C. Chapin, Esq., John R. Rogerson, Esq.
March 10, 1837, the school was incorporated by the
Legislature under the name of the " Norton Female
Seminary," with the privilege of holding real and per-
sonal estate to the amount of ten thousand dollars
each. March 16, 1839, the name was changed by the
Legislature to " Wheaton Female Seminary," and
authorized to hold additional real and personal estate
to the value of twenty thousand dollars each. In
1849, the first structure was removed, and the present
Seminary Building erected at a cost of about six
thousand dollars, which was dedicated in December
of that year ; Rev. Henry N. Hudson giving the ad-
dress. The first boarding-house was erected in 1836 ;
and, subsequently, two wings were added. The new
boarding-house — connected with the old one by a
narrow passage-way, after the fashion of the Siamese
Twins (though the two do not resemble each other
quite so closely as do Chang and Eng) — was built in
1856, and opened, with appropriate services, Nov. 5 of
that year; Rev. Samuel Walcott, of Providence, R.I.,
giving the address.
Miss Eunice Caldwell was the first principal, and she
was assisted at the opening of the school by the cele-
brated Miss Mary Lyon. Miss Caldwell remained as
principal till 1838 (?). The following ladies have
been principals of the school since Miss Caldwell left :
Miss Eliza R. Knight, from 1838 to 1840 ; Miss Martha
E. W. Vose, from 1840 to 1842 ; Miss Martha C. Saw-
yer, from 1842 to 1847 (?) ; Miss Elizabeth A. Cate,
from 1847 to 1849 ; Miss Margaret Mann, from 1849
to 1850 ; Mrs. Caroline 0. Metcalf, from 1860 to the
present time.
46
642 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
CONGREGATIONAL-PARISH SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Tliia was organized about the year 1815. For a
year or two, Miss Abigail Parker is believed to have
had the charge of it. She was succeeded by Mr.
Alvin Perry as superintendent; and, for some years
subsequently, the school met, between the morning
and afternoon services on Sunday, at the schoolhouse.
It was one of the earliest Sunday schools established in
Massachusetts. It has usually been held only in the
warm season ; viz., from the first part of May to the
latter part of November. In 1816, " The Norton
Female Christian Association '' was formed, with a
view " to procure and loan religious books, and pro-
mote other Christian and holy purposes ; " and, in
1818, numbered one hundred members, all ladies.^
The managers of this association soon became teachers
of the Sunday school ; and, in the course of a few
years, the school received their chief attention ; the
books previously bought being made the basis of the
Sunday-school library. June 1, 1831, the society was
re-organized under the name of the " Sunday-school
Society ; " which name it lias borne most of the time
since up to 1858, and has usually made choice of the
superintendent and librarians, purchased all needed
text and library books, <tc. The following persons
have been superintendents of the scliool since 1831.
I can find no records back of that time. Cromwell
Leonard, Deacon Almond Tucker, Jarvis Smith, Leo-
nard Hodges, Augustus Lane, Zebulon P. White, Dea-
con Stillman Smith, Earl C. White. The school now
numbers one hundred and forty pupils, and the library
contains six hundred and nine volumes.
TOWN-HOUSE.
As we have previously stated, the town-meetings were
lield for many years in the old meeting-house. At
1 For names of members, see appendix to printed sermon preached
before the association, in 1818, by Kev. Pitt Clarke.
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 543
the March meeting, 1836, the question of building a
town-house, or buying some building for that purpose,
came up for consideration, and a committee was chosen
to report upon the matter ; and at an adjourned meet-
ing, March 21, it was voted to build a town-house.
This vote was reconsidered March 26, and a committee
was chosen to buy the old meeting-house for the use
of the town, who forthwith made the purchase, paying,
two hundred and twenty-five dollars for it. Soon after,
it was fitted up by dividing it horizontally, and appro-
priating the upper part for a town-hall. The lower part
was partitioned off into several rooms, and used for a
paint-shop, basket-making, &c. The steeple — which
was built at the end and outside of the body of the
house — was taken down by digging under the foiin-
dation and severing its connection with the main
building, and then tipping it over. Just as the
separation was completed, Dr. Asa M. Adams ran
into it; and, while attempting to ascend the stairs
leading to the gallery, the steeple fell to the ground,
without doing him any particular harm. Having
fitted up the house for their use, the town were not
satisfied with it; and two or three unsuccessful at-
tempts were made to sell the building, and build
anew. April 3, 1843, sixty-four persons voted in
favor of, and sixty-six against, disposing of the town-
house. This vote was reconsidered Sept. 4 by a vote
of one hundred and twenty-five to ninety-eight ; and
it was then voted, one hundred and twenty-eight to
one hundred and eight, to build a new town-house,
forty feet by thirty, provided it should not cost more
than three hundred and fifty dollars, including the^
land to set it on, — the old house being " thrown in."
And, in accordance with this vote, the present town-
house was built; the old meeting-house being taken
down, and a portion of it incorporated into the new
building.
544 MISCELLANEOUS HISTOBT.
EARLY METHODIST PREACHING.
Since writing the chapter relative to the Wesleyan-
Methodist Church, I have learned a few facts about
the first preaching of the Methodist doctrines here,
which may be of interest. One of the first Methodist
preachers in this vicinity was Lemuel Smith, about
1790. In 1795, Zadock Priest was appointed to the
" Warren Circuit," — which included Norton, — and
preached here about once a month for about one year,
holding his meetings some of the time at Joseph New-
comb's, whose house, for many years, was a sort of head-
quarters for Methodist ministers. The first week in
June, 1796, Mr. Priest came to Newcomb's, sick with
consumption, and died there on the 22d of the same
month, in the twenty-seventh year of his age. He is said
to have been a native of Connecticut. He was the first
Methodist minister who died in Massachusetts, and the
first tenant of the private burying-ground near Josiah
Ncwcomb's, who lives where Priest died. At the
time of Priest's death, it was contemplated by Joseph
Newcomb and otliers to build a Methodist meeting-
house near the spot where he was buried ; but, from
some cause, the house was built at East Mansfield. The
first regular camp-meeting, east of Connecticut River,
was in Norton, June, 1805, near Joseph Newcomb's
house, in a grove (now cut down, and growing up to
pines) directly back of Perez Poster's house. The
celebrated Lorenzo Dow and eleven other preachers
were present. It rained a portion of the time. The
rumsellers, who thronged the ground, were vigorously
attacked by Dow ; and, in return, they threatened to
mob him. Alluding to this matter in his journal,
p. 235, Dow says, —
" This beiog about a mile from the place where I first
attempted to preach, I related a dream to brother P. ; who
replied, that he thought some trials were near me, but, by the
blessing of God, I might escape : which, in fact, proved to be
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 545
the case ; for Satan's emissaries set up their grog-tents, which
cost them dearly. For, first after that they would not hearken
to reason, I showed the impropriety of corrupting the meet-
ing, and warned the people against them, and also laid a
foundation whereby they might be prosecuted; in conse-
quence of which, they were alarmed, sunk into contempt, and
did not sell a sufficiency to indemnify them for their expenses.
This so exasperated them, that they fell on different plans to
be revenged, either by provoking me to say something that
would expose me to the law, or else get an opportunity to
give me a flogging. However, God defeated their designs,
and turned their treacherous intentions to the disgrace of
their characters; so that they appeared as ciphers in the
eyes of a generous public. . . . The Lord was wonderfully
present with his spirit to acknowledge the meeting; for,
whilst P. was preaching, numbers fell, as if the powers of
unbelief g2i\Q away. The cry became so general, that he was
constrained to give over ; but the work continued. The full
result of this meeting will not be known until eternity."
xhe meeting broke up on the 10th of June; but
when it commenced, we are not informed. Dow, on
the 3d of June, 1796, preached his first sermon (al-
luded to in the extract given from his journal) near
where Dwelly Goward lives, in Easton. Another
camp-meeting was held a few years later on the
same ground, which also proved to be a "rainy
season."
46^
546 mSCELLANEOUS HISTORY.
ADDITION.
After most of these pages were printed, so that it
could not be inserted in its proper place, I found some
matter relating to the incorporation of the town, which
we now record : —
"the petition of the north precinct.
" To the Inhabitants of Taunton old Township.
" The petition of the Inhabitants of Taunton North pre-
cinct huraby sheweth, that whereas the General Court hath
set of part of the north purchase, and part of the old Town
of Taunton, to be a precinct to maintaine the ministry, — we
now humbly pray the inhabitants of Taunton old Town to
Grant that the said precinct may be made a Township, whicn,
we think, will be best both for ourselves and the old Town ;
which if you will do, we shall account ourselves much
obleeged to you, and shall nextly apply ourselves to the
Generall Court to Confirm the same, all which is the Re-
quest of your humble petitioners,
" Dated in Taunton North Pre- " ^^^'^ ^ ^''^^^^^'
CINCT, this first day of Jany., 1710. J OHN VVETHERELL,
Samuel Brintnell,
Thomas Stephens,
"Agents for, and in the behalfe of, the
inhabitants of the North Precinct"
"The abovesaid petition was Read, and voated on, the
second day of January, 1710, at a Legall Town-Meeting of
the Inhabitants of said Taunton old Town.
"A true Coppy ; Transcribed by me,
" John Wilbore, Town-Clerk.*
" Taunton, febniary the 12th, 1710-11."
1 State Papers, vol. cxiii. p. 292.
MISCELLANEOUS fflSTORY. 547
" To his Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esqr., &c.
" This, the humble petition of the Inhabitants of Taunton
north precinct, humbly sheweth, that whereas This Great &
General Court, In answer to our prayers, hath alredy sett of
a part of Taunton old Township & part of Taunton north
purchase to be a seperate precenct for the settling and suport of
the ministree in said place, for which we doo Return our harty
thanks unto this honered court ; and we have allso Erected a
meeting-house in said precinct at said place whare the comitee
Apointed by the Generall court to view said precinct &
bound it, — viz., Col. Thomas, Col. Byfield, & Capt. Warren,
apointed. said meeting-house is covered & Inclosed, and in
a considarable forwardness. We have also made choise of a
Learned & pious person to settle with us in that sacred
Imploy of the ministree, — viz., Mr. Joseph Aveiy, — and
are in hopes he will accept, & settle with us. But, said pre-
cinct being part of Taunton old town and part of the north
purchase, we foresee many Inconveniencyes Likely to arise,
and alredy risen ; for those belonging to the old town being
rated to town-rates, and those in the north purchase not, doth
cause a difference amongst us. And, when any poor or Indi-
gent person doth come to reside amongst us in that part which
is the north purchase, we are at a loss what to do with them ;
not having power amongst ourselves to warn them away, or
to Give order to a Constable to carry them back to the place
from whence they came. And several other inconviencys, to
many to numerate, we did, therefore, on the third day of
January Last past, at a town-meeting of the town of Taunton,
Adress said town with a petetion, desireing them to Grant that
we might be made a township ; which petition was read to the
town, and they did very Redyly vote that said north precinct
shoold be made a township, as may be seen by our petetion,
and the vote of the Town upon it. we do, therefore, nextly
applye ourselves to this honered court; humbly praying that
this court woold conferm the act of the town. And Grant
that the bounds that the abovesaid commitee apointed to be
the bounds of said precinct may now be the bounds of Said
Town, without exceptions, which is as ftUoeth. [We omit
the bounds, they being the same as given on pp. 35 and 36.]
And further pray, That the Honble. Court would please to
Encourage us in our begining by Granting us some immunity
or Exemption, as has usually been done at the first raising of
548 MISCELLANEOUS HISTOBT.
new Towns, which is a General benefit and advantage to the
Province, your Petrs. shall most thankfully acknowledge
the same,
"And, as in duty bound, ever pray, &c.
" George Leonard,
" By apointment of the Inhabitants." ^
Then, under the date of March 17, 1710-11, follows
the action of the General Court, similar to what we
have recorded on page 34.
Here I must stop, not because I have exhausted all
the interesting material on hand, but because I must
stop somewhere ; because I have considerably overrun
my limits ; above all, because " my poverty, but not
my will, consents." In closing, I feel the full force
of the lines, —
'' Like travellers, when they see their native soil,
Writers rejoice to terinhiate their toil."
1 State Papers, vol. cxiii. p. 290.
THE END.
549
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.
As an act of justice to those who have encouraged us in our
labors, and for various other reasons, we here give the names of
our subscribers. The figures attached to a name show the number
of copies for which the individual became responsible. Where no
number is specified, it is to be understood that only one copy is
taken.
ATTUEBOSODOB.
John Daggett.
BELorr, WIS.
Nathan 6. Babbit.
BOSTON.
Edward H. Clarke.
J. W. Dean.
Joseph B. Felt.
Polly Hicks.
A. D. Uodges (10).
Carmi E. King (2).
George M. King.
A. H. Knapp (2).
J. G. Locke.
William Makepeace.
Thomas Sweet.
John Sweet.
J. B. Tallman.
William B. Trask.
Leander Wetherell (5).
Eli G. Wood.
OANTOir.
Samuel B. Noyes.
OABLEBEILL, N.T.
Demosthenes Lawyer.
SA8T0N.
Oliyer Ames, jon.
Cakes Ames.
C. H. Deans.
William A. Whitwell.
SXXTBR, H.H.
William Perry (6).
L. W. Leonard.
fllWBURQ.
^niliam P. Tilden.
HAMPTON FALLS, N.H.
A. M. Bridge.
LAWTERSVILLE, N.T.
Sally Lawyer.
LONBDALS, R.!.
George L. Barnes.
James A. Barnes.
LOWELL.
Frederic Hinckley.
UADIBON, WIS.
Richard Sweet.
UANBFIELD.
A. Cameron.
Simeon Green.
Sylyestcr Makepeace.
MIDDLBBOBOnOH.
Stillman A. Pratt.
MILTON.
Polly Pidge.
MINERAL POINT, WIS.
Samuel Crawford.
NORTON.
Joseph 8. Adams.
Jason F. Alden.
William H. Alden (8).
James Allen.
George E. Allen.
John Arnold.
Asa Arnold.
Georgv H. Arnold.
D. D. Arnold.
C. Barrows.
H. M. Barrows.
Horatio Bates.
Simeon Blandin.
Isaac T. Braman.
Charles H. Briggs.
Melzar Bart.
William Gapen, jon.
James S. Card.
Mrs. Caroline Carpenter.
Theodore Carver.
A. Caswell (2).
John S. Clapp.
John Clarkson.
Daniel S. Cobb (5).
G. M. Cobb.
William U. Codding.
T. U. Copeland.
Joseph Copeland.
John Crane (2).
George B. Crane (6).
Daniel Crane.
George C. Crane.
John C. Crane.
' Harrison Grossman (2).
' William H. Davis.
Daniel B. Davis.
Simeon A. Dean.
Lloyd H. Dean.
Nehemiah A. Dean.
Christopher Dexter.
Samuel Draper.
A. 0. Dunham.
J. S. ElUot.
Dennis Field.
Darius B. Field.
William R. Fobes.
Sanforth Freeman.
Mason Freeman.
Schuyler Freeman.
Nathaniel Freei2an.
J. A. Gibson.
Elbridge Gilmore.
Beigamin S. Hall.
Eben Hall.
R. Henry Hall.
Isaac Hardon.
Reuben Harlow.
S. Q. Hicks (2).
Leonard Hodges.
Earl Hodges.
C. W. Hodges (2).
Newton S. Hodges.
550
UST OF SUBSCRIBERS.
Bixmm HodgM.
Samiiel Hodges.
An P. Holmes.
FimnUIn Holmes.
Henry Hunt (8).
A. D. Hunt.
Moses Hunt.
John Hunt.
Zeno Kelly.
WUUam A. King.
Ellen King.
Florence King.
Pumner Knapp.
George Knapp.
William Kuowles.
Daniel Lane.
Albert Lane.
F. T. Lane (2).
William Lone.
OliTer H. Lane.
Clinrleii D. I^'iuc.
MIsH Emily Luue.
Thomaii P. Lane.
Allen D. Lsme.
AnguAtns Lane (6).
Allen Lane-
Darid G. Lane.
George 1/ane (3).
5Ir8. Amelia I^ane.
Miss Emma Lane (2).
Cromwell Leonard (20).
Luen C. Tjeonard.
George II. I^ouurd.
Seneca Lincoln (3).
Seneca L. Lincoln.
A. A. Lincoln, jun.
Eddy Lincoln.
Aaron Lincoln, jun.
Jume8 Lincoln.
Joseph B. Lincoln.
Oron Lincoln.
John U. Lincoln.
Andrew J. Lothrop.
L. 0. Makepeace.
1). W. Makepeace.
J. 0. Mcs.<iu},'er (10).
Austin Mesriinger (C).
Mra. C. C. Metcalf.
William U. Muntz.
John B. Newcomb.
J. L. Newcomb.
Alfred Parker.
Ilenry C. Perry.
Uiram Pitts.
Horace A. Pond.
A. L. Pratt.
Mrs. E. A. Heed.
Benjamin H. Richmond.
Ruel Robinson (22).
T. T. Rockwood.
J. R. Rogerson (2).
B. M. Round.
Seneca Sanford.
Jacob Shepard.
A. S. Sinclair,
iosephus Skinner.
Seth Smith.
■ Stillman Smith.
William W. Smith.
, James E. Smith.
, Charles Spragae.
' Benjamin D. Stanley.
. Earl W. Stone.
Lamed Stone.
■ Geoige W. Story.
Seth Sumner.
Beigamin Sweet.
James M. Sweet.
; William Sweet.
, Lewis H. Sweet.
! Cyril S. Sweet.
J Mrs. Elixa Sweet.
: Miss Eliza Sweet.
: Thompson Tripp.
: Almond Tucker.
' Oren E. Walker.
William A. West.
Hiram West.
' Benjnmln C. Wetherell (22).
' Caleb S. Wetherell (3).
, Stillman A. WethoreU (2).
II. H. Wetherell.
I Sidney Wetherell.
I William Wetherell.
; William WethereU, jan.
Plinv Wetherell.
■ William D. Wetherell.
! L. M. Wheaton (6).
Elkanah Wheeler.
Earl C. White (18).
George White.
Cyrus White.
Ja.son White.
Oliver K. Wilbur.
George W. Wild.
, R. II. Williams.
' Ichabod Willid.
. Loren Willi.*..
Elkanah Wood (18).
I EU Wood.
PAWTUCKET, R.l.
Zelotes Wetherell.
. Zebulon White.
; Zebulon P. White.
I PEMBROKE.
Mrs. H. C. D. King.
REOOBOTH.
George H. Randall.
ROZBURT.
John J. Clarke.
James G. Weld.
8T0UQHT0N.
Henry M. Paine.
TAUNTON.
James H. Anthony.
George B. Atwood.
Charles R. Atwood.
George H. Babbit.
C. J. H. Baswt.
Edwin Baylies.
£. H. Bennet.
J. S. Bray ton.
C. U. Brigham.
J. Brown.
D. A. Burt.
Frederick Crane.
Samuel L. Crocker (2).
William A. Crocker.
George A. Crocker.
Robert Grossman.
Joseph W. Grossman.
L. L. Danfbrth.
Francis B. Dean (2).
Theodore Dean.
I Jofiinh W. Dean.
Gil i us Dean.
J. P. Ellis.
Albert Field.
. Horatio Field.
' Mrs. Horatio Gilbert.
Timothy Gordon.
Andrew H. Hall.
Leonard Hall.
I William G. Hathaway.
. Philip E. Hill.
\ lje\r\s B. llodges.
j Jonathan Hoiiges.
A. M. Ide, jun.
Edwin Keith.
' Charles I*"iwton.
Abner I..eonarJ.
Social Library.
Erastu.s Maltby.
, Lovett Morse.
Henry C. Perry.
Honitio Pratt.
Hodges Reed.
: Edgar U. Reed.
I Chester I. Reed.
! J. S. Rounds.
I Baylies Sanford.
I Samuel Scaver.
N. U. Skinner.
, Jesse 6. Smith.
; Asa Stacy.
I C. R. Vickery.
; B. D. Washburn,
i Henry Washburn.
R. S. Washburn.
I Samuel C. West.
H. B. Wheelwright (20).
Joseph Wilbar.
I Isaac Wilcox, jun.
i A. King Williams.
! Beriah WilUs.
■ H. N. Wood.
! WARm
! Samuel F. Clark.
4.
.. •■*
<; -c
•. •»
*. \
mmm
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NOT RETURNED TO THE LIBRARY
ON OR BEFORE THF. LAST DATE
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