Norfolk County, Massachusetts - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 24 of those read), 1884

Recovering from the Effects of the War - Work-House - Local Matters - Smallpox - Norfolk County - Attempt to divide the Town - Business Enterprises - Post-office - War with Engat Cohasset - Town Lines - Manufacturing

Recovering from the Effects of the War. - The process of recovery from the desolations occasioned by the war was slow. The losses had been too great, the wounds too deep, and the exhaustion nature, resulting directly from habits contracted in the army, were a calamity of far more terrible character; and not one was so fearful and far-reaching in liquors, which had become wellnigh universal; and in consequence, large numbers of well-to-do families, who before the war were in comparative wealth and ease, became reduced, and were obliged to sell the estates that the war had left to them, to supply the demands of an exhaustless appetite. Hence, in course of the following generation a vast number of the generation, who have inherited this unnatural appetite from their ancestors. Work-House. - For years therefore the inhabitants were obliged to struggle for a bare maintenance, | the poor, who had increased to such a degree as to require special attention ; and this house was used for that purpose until the erection of another building for the same purpose, at Weymouth Landing, in

Local Matters. - A few items of interest occur upon the records from time to time before the close of the century, among which are the following: March 12, 1787, the town officers took the oath of allegiance agreeable to a resolve of the General Court; May 7, 1787, Dr. Cotton Tufts was chosen a delegate to the Convention in Boston, second Wednesday in January, to consider the constitution or form of government of the United States of America; April 5, 1790, the town voted to allow their representatives five shillings per day agreeably to the practice of other towns, and March 14, 1791, the town clerk was directed to read the laws of the commonwealth at the next meeting after he receives them,

Smallpox. - At a meeting held Sept. 11, 1792, the town refused to permit inoculation for the smallpox, and March 11th, following, permission was granted for the erection of a hospital for that purpose agreeable to law, under direction of the selectmen.

Norfolk County. - After the war the question of anew county was frequently raised and various action taken, sometimes favorable and sometimes opposed, but the matter was finally determined by the General Court, and the towns of Suffolk County, southerly from Boston, were set off and formed into Norfolk County in 1795; this, however, does not seem to have suited the good people of Weymouth, for, August 26th of that year, a committee was appointed to draw upa petition to the General Court praying to be set off from Norfolk County and to be reannexed to Suffolk, but the movement was unsuccessful, and Weymouth

Attempt to Divide the Town. - In 1796 the division of the town was again proposed, this time by the North Precinct, and a petition presented to the General Court for that purpose. The feeling ran very high, the North Precinct being almost unanimously in favor, and the South as decidedly opposed. For the next halfa dozen years the matter was in constant agitation in public and in private, in parish-meeting and in town-meeting, and the town was so nearly di- vided upon the subject that the votes were sometimes | in favor and sometimes against. At that time, about | the year 1802, according to a canvass made for the purpose, the population was found to have increased to 1803, 965 of whom lived in the North Parish, and 838 in the South; the ratable polls in the North 211 and in the South 200; two-fifths of the land in the | North, and three-fifths in the South; of the money at interest the South had $22,950, and the North had $20,133. The Senate voted in favor of a division but the House refused, and the matter was referred to the next session, March 3, 1803, which was equivalent to an indefinite postponement of the whole subject. Thus the question has remained to the present, with spasmodic attempts from time to time to revive it, but never with much prospect of success. Business Enterprises - With the increase of. population and wealth there came also a revival of | business enterprises, and soon after the beginning of the nineteenth century a new era of prosperity dawned upon the town, commencing at Weymouth Landing, at the head of tide-water on Fore River, | and gradually extending over other parts of the town. In 1805 a turnpike was built through Weymouth, opening a more direct communication between Boston and Plymouth, by which the village at the landing was largely the gainer. Under the lead of Capt. Samuel Arnold, Levi Bates, and others various | branches of mechanical industry were started, and a new life infused into the community. Within a few years a large number of buildings were erected within a radius of half a mile.

Many of them, in magnitude and value, have hardly been surpassed to the pres- | ent day. Navigation was resumed, and quite a brisk | trade carried on between the town and Boston by means of sailing packets, which ran regularly ; and it was in these days that shoe manufacturing com- | menced, which has since grown into such vast proportions.

In 1800, March 10th, there is found for the first time upon the records the warrant for the town- | meeting entered in full, a custom that has been ever | since continued; and under date of May 11, 1801, are found the qualifications of voters at that time, who were to be twenty-one years of age, and to possess a freehold valued at sixty pounds, or one yielding an income of three pounds (free suffrage had not yet become the law of the land).

The town, which was always conservative, did not | look altogether with favor upon the new enterprises, but viewed with jealous eyes the proposition to open new roads through its borders and construct bridges across the rivers, and went so far (3d February, 1803) | as to choose a committee to oppose them before the committee of the General Court, which had the matter under consideration, - such men as Cotton Tufts, Hliphalet Loud, and Maj. John White being foremost in the opposition, - but the roads and the bridges were built, and the town was the better for them. Post-Office. - In 1804, February 6th, the town instructed the selectmen to petition the Postmaster- General to establish a post-office at or near the head of This village, although the

The answer to this petition was the establishment of the first post-ofice in Weymouth. In 1809 the new work-house at the landing was completed, costing about sixteen hundred dollars, and was used for the

War with England. - During the war with Great Britain, in 1812-15, many of the young men of the town engaged in the service by land and sea, but the action of the town shows very little movement in connection with the subject, there being but four votes standing upon its records relating to the matter. May 21, 1812, the town voted to pay each enlisted soldier a bounty of five dollars, and ten dollars per mouth pay while in actual service; and June 30, 1814, it was voted to make the pay of non-commissioned officers and privates, now or hereafter in the service, equal to fifteen dollars per month, and the same to those called out upon the alarm at Cohasset, and who remained there until legally dismissed. A committee of safety was also chosen, to consist of the selectmen (three) and six others. Onthe 7th of November the town voted twelve hundred dollars to pay the soldiers and build a magazine.

Alarm at Cohasset. - The nearest approach to actual hostilities that the town experienced during that war was upon the occasion of this " alarm at Cohasset," which occurred on a Sunday, Adjt. Cushing notifying the militia in the meeting-houses while the people were attending divine service. It was reported that a landing had been effected from an English ship-of-war that was cruising along the coast, committing many petty depredations, and that there was necessity for immediate assistance. The infantry and artillery companies from Weymouth responded immediately, but the alarm was a false one and there was no need of troops.

bers of these had entered into the mercantile marine, and at the opening of the war, this branch of service being paralyzed, many of them found employment in the navy and upon privateers.

far decided in favor of this locality that they requested of the town the privilege of purchasing the | alewife fishery, the only serious aifficulty; but the -

5, 1824, Gen. W. H. Sumner and others, impressed © with the value of the water privilege, offered the town two hundred dollars per year for ten years, and agree- | ing to make a sufficient fishway by which the fish could | ascend into the pond above, to employ a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, and pay a parish tax to be divided between the three parishes. But the town, with strange short-sightedness, again refused. Had better counsels prevailed, Weymouth might now be what Lowell is. On May 2, 1825, Gen. Sumner again renewed his request with a still more favorable proposition, but the town would not consent.

ment found itself in the anomalous condition of an overflowing treasury, and a large sum amounting to millions was distributed among the States for Massachusetts distributed its the inhabitants, pro vata, taking notes therefore, which was in reality a perpetual loan without interest, for on March 16, 1868, the town voted to destroy the notes, amounting to $6146.40, they being outlawed and worthless.

Anti-Slavery Resolutions. - Soon after this time the anti-slavery agitation commenced, and an earnest, determined body of its friends were found among the citizens, and so vigorous and successful were their efforts that a strong sentiment was created in the town in favor of the movement, so strong that when, in 1842, George Latimer, a fugitive slave, lay in Boston jail, at the instance of his alleged master, James b. Gray, of Virginia, a series of indignant resolutions were passed at the meeting held November 14th, protesting against the act.

In 1857 another movement was made by Jacob Perkin and others towards the improvement of the water privilege at Hast Weymouth, in the interest of iron manufacturers, which, after long and tedious negotiations and litigations, resulted in the establishment of the Weymouth Iron Company, which has proved one of the most important business enterprises of the town.

Pay of Town Officers. - At the March meeting, in 1843, it was voted to pay town officers one dollar per day for their services, the clerk to have no pay for town-meeting days. This seems to have been the

In 1847 a strong effort was again made for a division of the town, but like that of fifty years previous it proved unsuccessful, the vote on the question being, taken by a committee going from house to house, with the following result: 460 in favor and 465 against, 72 not voting, and 56 not found; of the nays, 359 were in the South Parish. This agitation was renewed again in 1850 with similar result.

On Nov. 12, 1850, strong, denunciatory resolutions against the fugitive slave law were passed, and on March 10th, succeeding, the town voted that they be expunged from the record, which was accordingly done by writing across the face. Thus the record stood until March, 1880, when the latter vote was rescinded, and the record stands as originally made in favor of the resolutions and as the voice of the town.

Town Records. - The original town records being badly worn and in a very dilapidated condition, the selectmen were instructed to have them transcribed, also to look up the books belonging to the town, have them catalogued, and to procure a safe in which

Town Hall. - In 1852, in view of the want of a proper place for holding town-meetings, and for quarters for town offices, the town hall was built on the westerly side of Washington Street, at the corner of Middle Street, and very near the geographical centre of the town. A plain, inexpensive structure, but which has answered the actual necessities of the town in that respect for over thirty years. And again on March 13, 1854, a series of strong anti-slavery resolutions stand upon the records as the expression of the town.

question, each year growing more intense and bitter, had culminated in a marshaling of the contending parties and the election of a Republican President. The crisis was brought about by accident, each party believing, until the actual collision, that the other would give way and not force matters to an extremity. But the attack upon Sumter and the call of President Lincoln for volunteers decided the question in favor of war. The spirit of the people was aroused to the highest pitch and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed.

A public meeting of the citizens was called at once, and the organization of a military company for actual service commenced. Volunteers for what was afterwards Company H, Twelfth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, were enlisted; the company was soon filled, and made choice of James L. Bates for captain, whose after-record was the brightest in the town's military history. He passed through the various grades of service, and at the close of the war wore |

On the 29th of April a special town-meeting was called, at which five thousand dollars were voted to equip this company and for other necessary expenses connected therewith.

Each married man was to reten dollars, while in actual service under command of its officers; the same to be paid to others who shall hereafter enlist. June 11, 1861, the selectmen were directed to furnish necessary aid, not exceeding fifteen dollars per month, to the wife, and children under

On the 10th of March, 1862, ten thousand dollars was appropriated for aid to the families of volunteers in the field, and the poll-tax of last year's volunteers was also remitted.

Military Records. - The selectmen were instructed to cause a record to be prepared and kept of all the Weymouth soldiers engaged in the service of the government, with such details as may be obtained with respect to them and their service, names, ages, residence, and such particulars as may be necessary to a full knowledge of them and their service in the war.

Within the first year of the Rebellion Weymouth had paid out for aid to families of soldiers over fifteen thousand dollars, something over one-third of which was to be reimbursed by the State; and in order to guard against unforeseen and sudden emergency " Union Guards" were formed, for whose supplies and necessary expense the town also paid in the same time nearly a thousand dollars more.

Bounties. - During the summer of 1862, the urgency for soldiers became so great and the call so persistent that the town, upon the report of a committee appointed for the purpose, voted to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each inhabitant who should enlist within ten days (25th July) as a volunteer in the United States service for three years, unless sooner discharged, under the call of the Governor, as per general order No. 26, to be paid on being mustered in; volunteers for one year to be paid one hundred dollars; and nineteen thousand dollars was appropriated for the purpose.

Upon the spur of this incentive a second company was speedily raised, which was mustered into the service Aug. 12, 1862, as Company H, Thirty-fifth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. Benjamin F. Pratt was chosen captain, who was promoted through the several grades of the service, and at the close of the war was breveted as brigadier-general. This regiment and the Twelfth saw very hard service in the Army of the Potomac, and their losses were very severe. On the 19th of August the town extended this offer to all who should enlist in the town's quota, whetber inhabitants or not.

Town Bonds and Seal. - On the 4th of November fifteen thousand dollars was appropriated for aid to the families of soldiers who were inhabitants of the town when enlisted. At the same time it was voted to issue town bonds not exceeding thirty thousand dollars at five per cent., and March 24, 1863, the selectmen were instructed to procure a corporate seal, with the legend, "Town of Weymouth, Mass., Incor-

As the time approached for the expiration of the term of service of the Twelfth Regiment, the selectmen were directed to proceed to Boston and receive Company H of that regiment, and to invite those members of the Eleventh Regiment, who enlisted from this town, to assist in this duty. In the summer and autumn of this year a fourth company was enlisted for one year, and mustered in as Company G, Fourth Heavy Artillery. Many of these were reenlistments of members of the Twelfth, Thirty-fifth, and other regiments whose terms of service had expired. 'This company was stationed upon the fortifications near Washington and saw but little active

Contributions. - At the annual meeting, March 21, 1864, the town voted to raise twenty-five thousand dollars for State aid, and subsequently, April 9th, it was voted to refund the contributions made by citizens for filling the town's quota of men under the calls of the President, October 14th, and February Ist, provided the six thousand five hundred dollars was appropriated for the purpose. The recruiting committee were also instructed to solicit subscriptions of money, to be used in raising men to fill the present quota. On the 20th of May ten thousand dollars were voted for recruiting under the last call.

On the 8th of November the town appropriated twelve thousand dollars for bounties, not to exceed one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each man counted in Weymouth's quota under the next call. March 20, 1865, the town voted to borrow thirty thousand dollars on its bonds at six per cent., to be sold as required; and on the 22d of May the town voted to refund the money contributed by individuals to aid in filling the quota of the town in accordance with the law of April 25th of this year; a list to be prepared and payment to be made in town notes, due Sept. 1, 1866. On the 21st of December a committee was chosen to consider the subject of a soldiers' monument and report. aid to all who had not received it; also, to pay each man drafted July, 1863, who furnished a substitute, whether the latter remained in the service or not, enlistment to be made under chairman of the board of selectmen. at this time to be great difficulty in answering the calls of the President, and so serious was the emergency that the selectmen resigned in a body, but were afterwards persuaded to withdraw their resignations. It appeared, also, that the town was justified in with those of neighboring towns, and feels aggrieved that they should have been entirely ignored in the matter of enrollment, while those of other towns have been appointed to that duty."

This completes the record in brief of Weymouth during the war as far as it appears upon its books; but before a correct judgment can be formed as to what the town actually did in the great struggle for existence that the country carried on during the four years from 1861 to 1865, it will be necessary to go somewhat more into detail, and to ascertain more nearly the number of men sent into the field and what became of them. It is well known that the town answered all of the calls made upon it, but what was their measure? <As before noticed, there were enlisted four full companies ; these were sent into the service and performed all the duties required of them, which in many instances were neither few nor light; besides these, enlistments were made for all the various branches of the service, infantry, artillery, and cavalry, in more than fifty different organizations, as well as many in the navy. 'The whole number actually contributed by the town probably will never be accurately known, but upon its records are the names of nearly as wounded, and nearly forty taken prisoners, many of whom died in rebel prisons. And of the whole number, only eight, less than one in a hundred, are reported as deserters, and some of these returned to their

Final Attempt to Divide the Town. - XSeveral - attempts were made to revive the question of a di- | vision of the town, and March 19, 1866, a vote was | actually passed to do this (two hundred and sixty- | nine to two hundred and thirty-nine) upon the north- | when the selectmen and three from each ward, twenty in all, were constituted a committee to take the whole matter into consideration and report.

granite obelisk, suitably commemorating the names and services of those who perished in the Rebellion in defense of their country, and was dedicated in 1868.

on the necessary public business. This was accordingly done, and it remains thus to the present day. In 1871, March Gth, the first appropriation was made for the celebration of Memorial day, and the vote has been annually repeated ever since.

The Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary. - At the annual meeting held March 2, 1874, a compublish a history of the town. The first vote was carried into effect on the 4th of July of that year, by a public meeting upon King Oak Hill, with appropriate services, among which was an historical address by Charles Francis Adams, Jr., Esq., whose greatgrandmother, Abigail Smith, wife of John Adams, second President of the United States, inferior to none of the honorable women mentioned in the national history, was born and reared within a short distance of the spot where the address was delivered. The occasion was one of great interest, being the second of the kind held in Massachusetts, and was celebrated with much enthusiasm by a large number of the citizens of this and other towns, who were cordially invited to the entertainment.

supplying the town with water from Great Pond. Many and urgent had been the calls demanding this or some other means by which the inhabitants and the rapidly growing necessities of the town should be Efforts were put forward to that end, and a charter was obtained from the Legislature of 1882-83, of sufficient On the 18th of which it was voted, by a large majority, to accept the water act, and on the 25th of the same month a board of water commissioners was chosen, and instructed to cause to be made thorough surveys and estimates of all work and costs proposed by the act, and to make a report of the same at a special meeting to be called for the purpose. This, one of the most important enterprises ever undertaken by the town, has not reached its present stage without violent opposition. The unfortunate situation of the town in respect to its various villages, with their often conflicting interests, and the jealousies occasioned thereby, has shown itself in this matter, as in nearly every important movement that has ever been proposed, and its success, however much it may be desired, is not

'« Aquarius," manned by a company of volunteers, was located at Weymouth Landing, which was for many years the only protection against fire, other than the primitive hand and bucket arrangement. Some twenty years later several fire districts were erected in town, and hand-engines provided for them. action in the same direction, and went so far as to choose a committee to purchase four engines and the necessary apparatus to go with them, for the four principal villages. This was April 29, 1844; but on the following May 7th this vote was rescinded, and the matter remained in its previous condition until March 5, 1877, when a committee of three from each ward was chosen to organize "a fire department." In accordance with the report of this committee, the town, on the 15th of May, voted to purchase 3 fire-engines, hose-carriages, ete., 2 hook-andladder trucks, and 1500 feet of hose. Also to build 3 engine-houses and construct 5 reservoirs, appropriating $18,000 therefor. On the 30th of January,

On May 2d, In March, 1880, a steam fire-engine was purchased for Ward 3, at a cost of $3200, and in 1883, $4200 was Thus it will be seen that the town has made a beginning in this important matter, which only needs to be supplemented by the introduction of water from Great Pond, as proposed by recent votes, or from some other source, to afford really effective protection.

the beginning, when almost every separate item was voted upon in open town-meeting, and there were almost no general appropriations, until the present time, when the annual expenditure of the town is not far from $100,000. On the 23d May, 1751, is noted the first general appropriation for the poor, amounting to £20. personal labor, and it was not until after the year

The increase of population for the first century and a half was very small indeed, the estimate for 1643 being about 1000. Kgerton manuscript in the British Museum, and dates about 1675, in which the number of houses set down for Weymouth, in round numbers, is 250; allowing 5 to a house, this would give a population of 1250. In 1750 the estimate was 1200. A census in 1765 showed 1258, while that of 1776 indicated 1471, and in 1790 this had declined to 1469. In 1800 quite a gain was shown in a total of 1803. The following ten years* there was an increase of but 86, while in 1820 the number had increased to 2407. From this

These statistics show, in a comparative degree, the wonderful development of the town in material resources, and also its rapid progress in mechanical pursuits, while the indications are not wanting that promise a long continuance of its prosperity.

Church. The First Church. - There is no record of the organization of this church, It is simply recognized by its name at the earliest mention as an established in- stitution well known to contemporaneous writers. It has already been stated that with the Gorges Company, in 1623, came Rev. William Morrell, a clergy-_ man of good reputation in the Church of England, of | culture and learning ; that he remained in the plantation for perhaps a year and a half and then gave up - his charge, returning to England by way of Ply- - mouth, and remarkable discretion, well suited to have the charge of an English parish, but scarcely adapted to the needs of a New England settlement at that day. Mr. Morrell brought with him a commission from the Keclesiastical Court in England to exercise a kind of superintendency over the churches already existing or which might be established here. was to empower him with authority over all churches in the colony, and as "all" meant only Plymouth, structure, corresponding to the dwellings of the people. No mention, however, is made of this, which in a few years was replaced by a more convenient and substantial building erected upon Burying Hill.

In the summer of 1635 a large addition was made to the little settlement by the arrival of a company of about a hundred people, under the leadership of Rev. Joseph Hull, sailing from Weymouth, England, but borhood. Mr. Hull came in the interest of the Episcopacy, being a graduate of Oxford of 1612, and as recently as 1632 rector of Northleigh, Devon, but finding that the condition of the plantation was such as hardly to justify an attempt to establish the Episcopal form of worship in the immediate vicinity of so many dissenters, and probably with a leaning in the care of his parish Mr. Morrell devoted himself so long ashe remained. 'The religious element does not seem to have been predominant in this settlement, and the surroundings and influences being such as to give but little promise of future benefit, Mr. Morrell returned to his own country, leaving the remnant of his flock to the mercy of circumstances. In the following join the planters at Wessaguscus, from Weymouth, England. These were probably a mixed party, with the independent element predominant, since it is stated that they brought with them a non-conformist minister by the name of Barnard, who remained 'with them until his death. Nathing more is known of him or of his administration over this people. There was no need to organize a church, since one after the Episcopal form already existed. It simply changed its "rector" for a 'minister.' There was no need even to throw off the authority of the bishop, since there was no officer of that order to claim the rule, and thus for a dozen years the affairs remained, the continual influx of planters of various religious ideas preventing, probably, any very decided opinions from becoming predominant.

and became a moderate dissenter. There having been no minister here since the death of Mr. Barnard, the situation seemed favorable for the selection of Mr. Hull to fill that office, and he undoubtedly preached here for a time as minister of the church, but other elements were at work which soon developed themselves as an opposition. There were remnants of the Gorges Company still favoring their old order, while there were many new-comers from Dorchester, Boston, and other places who favored the Puritans and the authority of Governor Winthrop; these later seem to have been a strong party and were evidently dissatisfied with Mr. Hull, for they soon gave a call to Mr. Thomas Jenner, of Roxbury, who, in the early part of 1636, came into the settlement and became its minister, while Mr. Hull seems to have removed temporarily to Hingham.

There does not appear to have been the utmost harmony among the inhabitants, for in the following year a council of the elders was called to '" reconcile the difference between Mr. Jenner and his people,' and the difficulty was so serious that the Governor and his Council were compelled to step in and arrange matters. This trouble offered a' favorable opportunity for a third party to throw itself into the breach in the hope of becoming possessors of the field. These, in 1637, gave an invitation to Rev. Robert Lenthal to become their Mr. Lenthal had recently come from England, where many of the Weymouth people had been under his ministry ; hence the invitation, which he did not hesitate to accept. He, also, remained here for several years, but was in constant trouble and difficulty, and in 1639 was tried before a council held in Dorchester for heresy, but the re-

The Weymouth Church then, in 1638-39, found itself in this position: Mr. Hull claimed to be the minister, and occasionally exercised the office, with a strong body of adherents. with the official favor to sustain him; while Mr. Lenthal preached as circumstances would permit, and had a large following. This condition of things in a village no larger than Weymouth of that date could not be supported, and in the latter year, 1639, Rev. Samuel Newman, a graduate of Oxford of 1620, and a man of excellent reputation, was invited to come in How this was to be effected does not now appear; nevertheless he came, and there was days, of four ministers of the same denomination contending for a single pulpit in one small community. This, however, did not continue, for Mr. Hull and Mr. Lenthal retired in 1639, and Mr. Jenner in 1640, leaving Mr. Newman in possession ; but the conflicting elements were too many and discordant for his peaceable nature, and after a ministry of about four years, he, with a large body of his friends, removed to Rehoboth, leaving the church without a pastor.

He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Thacher, who was settled 2d January, 1644, and remained pastor of the church for twenty years, when he removed to Boston, and was afterwards installed as the first pastor of the Third Church (Old South). He was the first minister ordained in Weymouth, all of his predecessors having received their ordination in England. He that should he leave or die without children, the town should have the privilege of buying the property. Mr. Thacher was followed in the ministry by Rev. Samuel Torrey, who was ordained Feb. 14, 1665. Rev. Emerson Davis says he preached there from 1656, as colleague of Mr. Thacher. He was certainly there Mr. Torrey was son of Capt. Wm. Torrey ; bornin England, in 1632; educated at Harvard College, but owing to an extension of the course of study for a year he, with some of his associates, became dissatisfied and left the institution without eraduation. He remained pastor of the church in of over forty-two years. He was a man of great and acknowledged ability, of excellent reputation as a preacher, and in 1684 was chosen president of Harvard College, which position he declined. Three times he preached the election sermon, an honor never before conferred.

In 1667 the meeting-house was again repaired, and a bell procured and hung. Up tothe year 1671, although there is much upon the records concerning the minister's rates and providing for his maintenance, there is no amount stated for his salary. This year the matter was thoroughly discussed and arrangements were made to pay Mr. Torrey fifty pounds per year, and five members of the precinct became bound This was to be paid in money, or its equivalent of eighty pounds in also an able physician, a man of talent and education. Under his ministrations the people, by whom he was beloved and revered, enjoyed a long period of rest ing-house, which stood upon Burying Hill, on the westerly side of the present highway, and nearly opposite the site of the soldiers' monument, had become so much in need of repairs that the townsmen, Dec. 14, 1652, were directed " to do what was necessary to make it more comfortable and prevent any further decay." In the early days of the town, until it was divided in 1723 into two precincts, it constituted one precinct, and all parish business was transacted in town-meeting. tenance provided by the town, and as it possessed at this time no parsonage, the minister provided his own dwelling, which, upon his leaving, was purchased by the town and sold to his successor, with the condition

In 1682 the meeting-house had become so old and decayed that the town voted to pull it down, and a new one was erected upon land bought of Capt.

house. This house was forty-five feet by forty, and twenty feet between joints, with four gable-ends, costing, in all, two hundred and eighty pounds. In removal or " setting up housekeeping," equal usually to one or more years' salary. This did not appear to be quite satisfactory, and the sum was increased ten mony until 1718, when a prospect of a call to Boston introduced a disturbing element, in consequence of which he was dismissed, and afterwards settled, as colleague of Rev. Mr. Webb, over the North Church, Boston. He wasa graduate of Harvard of 1696. His manner of leaving Weymouth was very unsatisfactory, and the cause of much ill-feeling against him on that account. During the ministry of Mr. Thacher the town purchased a parsonage for the minister, of Zachariah Bicknell, which has been a permanent establishment in the parish since that time.

On March 27, 1719, the town concurred with the church in a call given February 26th to Mr. Thomas Paine, of Barnstable, to be their minister upon a salary of ninety pounds and the use of the parsonage. He was ordained Aug. 19, 1719.

of the town was set off as the Second Precinct. withdrew a large part of the population and property, so that it was with great difficulty that the parish expenses were met, and in consequence much trouble arose with Mr. Paine during the later years of his service, which was eventually the cause of his leaving. For several years his family had resided in Boston while he performed his official duties in Weymouth. Mr. Paine graduated at Harvard in 1717, and was, in point of ability and acquirements, the equal of any of his predecessors, with the possible exception of Mr. Torrey. and won the affection of his people to a remarkable

In August, 1634, after the dismission of Mr. Paine, a call was extended to Mr. William Smith, of Charlestown, to become the minister, at a salary of one hundred and sixty pounds and three hundred pounds settlement, the latter to be paid one hundred pounds annually for three years, all in bills of credit. This invitation was accepted, and the first Wednesday of December he was ordained as pastor of the First Church and Parish in Weymouth, which office he retained until his death, 17th September, 1783, in his seventy-seventh year. Harvard of 1725. gravestone gives, probably, a correct estimate of his character :

"As a Divine he was eminent As a Preacher of the Gospel eloquent and devotional in life he exhibited the Virtues of the Religion which he had taught in Death felt its Supports and closed a long and useful life with hopes full of immortality." Prepossessing and conciliatory, he soon became a favorite, especially among the young. He was lively and animated as a speaker, and through his long ministry of nearly forty-nine years - the longest on the record of the church - he was highly esteemed and beloved. He, however, is best known as the father of three daughters, who married three men all of whom became eminent. Hon. Richard Cranch married Mary, the eldest; Abigail became the wife of John Adams, the second President of the United States, and was the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth President; the third daughter, Elizabeth, married Rey. John Shaw, of Haverhill, a man of standing and reputation.

He was minister through the Revolutionary war with its stirring scenes, and died just as the day of peace was dawning upon the land. The difficulties of the times, with a divided town and a fluctuating currency, made it often hard to raise the amount necessary for his support, and the records are largely At the commencement of his ministry, in its second year, he had a long and severe sickness, which disabled him from service for the time, and later on, in 1769 and 1770, he was again disabled by the same cause, and for several months his pulpit was supplied by James Blake, A.B., of Dorchester, a graduate of Harvard of 1769, a young man of rare excellence and promise, who came to Weymouth to teach school, and, after a little time, supplied the pulpit during the illness of Mr. Smith, in which position he died, 17th November, 1771, within a month of his twenty-first birthday. A volume of his sermons was afterwards published.

On the 23d of April, 1751, a great disaster befell the parish in the loss of its meeting-house by fire. The loss was a severe and heavy one for the people at that time, especially as the parish was passing through the most fatal epidemic that has ever been known in the history of the town, one in ten of the population perishing with the terrible 'throat distemper," among others Maj. Adam Cushing, the foremost man of his day in town and in the parish. They were not discouraged, however, but set to work with energy and determination, and within a year a new house was ready for use, which was occupied by the parish eighty years. It was with the commencement of Mr. Smith's ministry that the earliest records now in possession of the church had their beginning, and these are exceedingly meagre, other than the noting of statistics, admissions to the church and baptisms, with a few marriages and deaths.

years, when from various causes they were unable to obtain a pastor. Rev. Huntingdon Porter preached for a time in the year after Mr. Smith's decease. On the 24th of May, 1784, the parish voted a call to Mr. Samuel Shuttlesworth, of Dedham, in which the church concurred, but, after supplying the pulpit On the

Ever since the division of the town into two precinects there had been trouble between them concerning the parsonage property, which culminated in a suit, in 1785, by the South Parish for claimed rights, which were denied by the North. The issue of the contest was in favor of the latter. During the summer and fall of that year Rev. Mr. Judson supplied the pulpit, but on the 16th of January of the following year (1786) the parish made choice of Mr.

His ministry was a very suchaving united with the church during the nine years. While Mr. Bent was the pastor of the church the meeting-house, having become old and out of repair, was taken down in 1832 and a new one erected upon the

March, but some unfortunate reports reaching his ear before settlement, he felt obliged to decline, which he did in a letter dated 26th of September. Soon after this Mr. Jacob Norton was hired to preach, and on the 12th of March, 1787, the committee was in- His ministrations proved so acceptable that on the 9th of April it was voted to give him a call, at a salary of ninety pounds per year, his fire-wood and two hundred pounds settlement, fifty pounds per year for four years (the latter instead of parsonage, which had been first voted). Mr. Norton accepted the call, and was ordained 10th of October, 1787. of Harvard of 1785 or 1786, a man of strong mental been occupied by the parish until the present time. This is the third meeting-house built upon this spot. Mr. Bent was a graduate of Harvard of 1822, a man of deep piety, in excellent standing among his associates, and holding a warm place in the affections of his people.

After the dismission of Mr. Bent, Mr. John C. Phillips, of Boston, was employed to preach during the month of November, 1833, which he did with such effect that a unanimous call was given him by parish and church, at a salary of seven hundred dollars per year, which he promptly accepted, and was ordained on the 18th of December, 1833. He remained pastor until Nov. 13, 1837, a ministry of a little over four years, the shortest in the history of the church since the settlement of Rev. Samuel New- Mr. Phillips

He also completed a full judge of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. soner. His rare social powers made him a general favorite, and it was with deep regret to his many friends that circumstances compelled him to ask his dismission.

The interval was very short after Mr. Phillips left until the call to Rev. Joshua Emery, Jr., of Fitchburg, Jan. 2, 1838, at a salary of eight hundred dol- During his ministry he was frequently engaged in | years of his ministry, which was the cause of great trouble in the church and parish, and eventually led to a dissolution of the pastoral relation, which took place 10th of July, 1824, after a service of nearly thirty-seven years. able character, and highly esteemed for his amiable qualities.

On the 23d of August, 1824, a hearty call was extended to Rev. Josiah Bent, Jr., of Milton, by the parish to become pastor, at a salary of six hundred

He accepted the invitation, and was This is the first installation unaccompanied by ordination in the His pastorate extended until April 1, 1873, a period of over thirty-five years, when he was dismissed at his own request, feeling with the advance of years that the burden of the parish was too great for his strength. His ministry was a long and successful one, during which one hundred and eighty-five were admitted to the church. He was a forcible and energetic speaker, especially gifted in prayer, and the estimation in which he was held by his people may be measured by the length of his pastorate. He was also a valuable many years the chairman of the school committee, performing at times nearly the whole duties of the board. At the beginning of his service the parish built a new parsonage house, that now used for the purpose, upon the site of the old house, some parts of | which had stood there for one hundred and fifty years. During many years the social meetings of the church had been held in the hall of the school-house, opposite the meeting-house, for want of a chapel or vestry, a need that was greatly felt, and which was provided for in 1856 by the erection of a neat and commodious chapel by the church, and attached to the rear of the meeting-house, with which it communicated.

the unanimous call of the church to Rey. F. P. Chapin as pastor, at a salary of fourteen hundred dollars and the use of the parsonage. This call was accepted, and Mr. Chapin was accordingly installed, and remains in the pastoral office to the present time. An important event in the history of the parish took place in 1875, when it fell heir to a legacy of ten thousand dollars, for the "support and maintaining of the present religious doctrines of the parish," by the will of Mr. Joseph Loud, lately deceased, who for many years was an active member of the church and parish, and who thus gave substantial evidence of his good will.

This ancient church has suffered greatly from circumstances beyond its control; first, in the establishment of the Second Church, in 1723, its hundredth birth-year, whereby a large number of its active supporters were withdrawn; and again, in 1811, upon the formation of the Union Church of Weymouth and Braintree, a large part of whose members came from this church. Still later, in 1822, its membership was once more greatly depleted by the withdrawal of many to form a Methodist Church in Kast Weymouth; and last, in 1852, the most serious loss of all, in the removal of fifty-one members to form the Pilgrim Church in Old Spain.

Thus the mother has been exhaustestablishment of a family of vigorous and prosperous children ; but it has been at a serious cost to her, since the removal of so many members, and the decline of business in the village near, has reduced it from the one only church in the town to the smallest of six of the same fellowship. Yet she still keeps on her way and bravely sustains the burden that is thus cast upon

Congregational Churches (Continued): Second Church, Union Church of Weymouth and Braintree, Union Church of South Weymouth, Church at East Weymouth, Pilgrim Churech - Methodist Episcopal: Church at East Weymouth, Church at Lovell's Corner - Universalist : Church, Third Churech - Baptist: First Churech - Roman Catholic: Parish of St. Francis Xavier, Parish of the Immaculate Conception, Parish of the Sacred Heart, Parish of St. Jerome - Protestant Episcopal: Trinity Parish.

The Second Congregational Church and Parish in South Weymouth. - The causes that led to the separation of the town into two precincts, and the formation of the Second Church, have been already alluded to. other causes of dissatisfaction, gave rise to the determination of the dwellers at the South to separate, while the opposition, steady and persistent, on the part of the old parish and church, served only to solidify the determination, which resulted, in 1723, in an act of the Legislature established the Second Precinct, and on the 21st of June the parish met and organized. On the 15th of July a call was given to Mr. James Bayley, to settle with them, at a salary of seventy-six pounds, and a settlement of one hundred and thirty pounds. A church, however, was not formed until the following 18th of September. A meeting-house had already been erected, and Mr. Bayley had been preaching there probably for a year or more. He accepted the call, and was ordained Sept. 26, 1723, as pastor over this people, and remained such until his death, Aug. 22, 1766, a period of forty-three years. He wasa native of Roxbury, a graduate of Harvard of 1719, and served his first and only pastorate in Weymouth. During his extended ministry there were added to the church in all two hundred He seems to have been much beloved by his people, and was held in estimation by the neighboring parishes.

After the death of Mr. Bayley, on the 15th of January, 1767, Mr. Ephraim Briggs received a call from the parish, in concurrence with the church, to several Sabbaths in succession, and in March, 1768, a call was given to a Mr. Fuller which was declined, after which Mr. Simeon Williams, of Raynham, preached for several months and then received a call which he accepted, and was ordained Oct. 26, 1768.

Here he remained until May 31, 1819, the date of | his death. of New Jersey College of 1765. tended over a period of more than fifty-one years, the | In 1784 and 17835, |

Upon the repeated request of Mr. Williams for a | junior pastor, on Dec. 14, 1818, the church called | Mr. William Tyler to that position, and on the 24th | of February following he was ordained, but the death | of Mr. Williams, so soon after, left him sole pastor. Mr. Tyler remained as pastor of this people until Oct.

than a year the church was without a pastor, and on Noy. 8, 1852, a call was extended to Rev. Charles I. Warren, who accepted the invitation and was installed Jan. 1, 1833, but, after a brief pastorate of little more than a year and a half, he was dismissed Aug. 13, 1834, at his own urgent request and much to the regret of his people. It was four years after this be- | fore the office was again filled, and this period was one of great trouble that nearly proved fatal to the church. The difficulty was so serious that on account | of religious differences the church seceded from the parish, worshiping in a hall, and a new society, the Edwards Society, was organized. The breach, however, was healed in 1837, and the church and parish united in the old meeting-house, although an unsuccessful attempt had been made to form another church, During the separation, a call had been extended to | Rey. Joshua Emery, Jr., which he declined. In 1836, | the society gave Rev. Mr. Biscoe a call, which he also declined. After the reunion of the church and society, in August, 1838, Rev. Wales Lewis received a eall, which he accepted, and was installed on the 12th of September. During his ministry there was serious trouble which increased to such a degree as in the end to cause his dismission, which took place in J une, 1847, |

Leavett preached for a time, and an effort was made to give him a call, but without success. There was | felt very great discouragement as to their future prospects, which gave way to a feeling of hope when Rev. James P. Terry accepted their call, and was | installed July 6, 1848.

the year of his settlement the present parsonage house was built for the benefit of the parish, and about five years later, in 1853, the present meeting-house was erected at a cost of about fifteen thousand dollars, and the church and society stood once more upon firm In February, 1868, Mr. Terry's health gave

He was granted leave of absence for six months, during which time the people worshiped with the Union Church, under Rev. 8S. H. Hayes. In March of the following year, 1869, finding that his health did not improve, Mr. Terry felt obliged to ask to be relieved from his pastoral relation, and his request was reluetantly granted.

About the same time a plan for a union of the two societies and churches was arranged and an agreement made to adopt it, but it failed to be carried into execution. Rev. Dr. Labaree preached for about a year and a half, when the present pastor, Rev. George F. Stanton, began his work here. He received a call to settle with this people, which he accepted, and was installed 27th October, 1870, and it was in the third year of his ministry that the church and society celebrated their one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, The the years it has survived and the struggles it has encountered, and bids fair to live far into the future. The Union Religious Society of Weymouth and Braintree. - This society and the church connected with it, although its meeting-house is located a few rods over the line in Braintree, is comprised so largely of Weymouth people that it fairly deserves a place in this record. Its members were drawn mainly from the first churches of Weymouth and Braintree, who, on account of the considerable distance of those two meeting-houses and the increasing importance of the village of Weymouth Landing, coming from a rapid influx of population and the commencement of business enterprises, desired better accommodations for religious services. The society was formed March 13, 1810, and the Hollis Street Church, Boston, then about to be taken down, was purchased, its ma-

East Braintree, where it was rebuilt, and, with many alterations, remains still as the house of worship of the people. The society was incorporated 21st February, 1811, and a church organized August 14th of the same year. A call was at once given to Mr. John Frost, who declined it. In the following November, Mr. Daniel A. Clark was invited to a settlement. He accepted the invitation, and was ordained on the After a short pastorate

(less than two years), owing to the disaffection of a few - members of the church and congregation and a difficulty in raising his salary, Mr. Clark resigned, and was dismissed 20th October, 1815. After a year or more of financial distress, during which the pulpit was supplied from Sabbath to Sabbath, in January, 1815, Mr. Jonas Perkins, of Bridgewater, was hired for | three months, and before that time had expired he was | given a call, which was accepted, and he was ordained | June 14th of that year. ous ministry of forty-six years, at the age of seventy, |

After a long and prosperin accordance with long-expressed plans, he resigned | his pastorate, and the connection was severed 15th October, 1860. He remained in the village, taking an active interest in the affairs of his old church until his death, which occurred June 26, 1874. After | the resignation of Mr. Perkins a call was extended to Rev. E. Porter Dyer, of Hingham, Sept. 28, 1860, which he declined. In the following December, Rey. Lysander Dickerman, of Gloucester, was invited to the vacant pulpit, which invitation he accepted, and he was installed Jan. 17, 1861. After | a very stormy pastorate of about six and a half years, during a part of which a bitter quarrel existed between the pastor and about half of the congregation, which in the end seriously threatened the very existence about two years, when matters began to assume a_ better aspect, and April 1, 1868, Rev. A. A. Els- | worth, of Milford, was hired to supply the pulpit, | which he did very acceptably for about three years. - After this time, affairs having been somewhat accommodated and extensive alterations made in the meeting-house, a hearty call was extended to Rev. Lucien H. Frary, of Middleton. This call was accepted, and Mr. Frary was installed April 13, 1875. He is now in the eighth year of his ministry, with a united people and a strong and prosperous society, that has, through his exertions, just relieved itself from a heavy debt incurred in the remodeling of the house, and which had seriously crippled it in its work. Union Church and Society of South Weymouth. - As before stated, the organization of this church | and society grew out of the trouble in the Second | Parish, from which the members of the new organ- | ization withdrew. The society was formed June 20, | 1842, and the church November 1st of the same year. The meetings were first held in Rogers' Hall, until a meeting-house could be erected, which was effected the same year. On the 3d of July, 1843, a call was extended to Rev. George Denham, which he accepted, and he was installed November Ist. This connection was held until May, 1847, when he was dismissed. On the following 17th of November, Rev. Willard M. Harding, having accepted a call, was installed, and continued his ministry until 1858, when he resigned, and was dismissed April 8th by a council, which installed as his successor Rev. S. H. Hayes, who retained his position as pastor over that people until Nov. 17, 1870, when he asked and received his dismission. From February, 1871, to September, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Henry E. Cooley. During the years 1870 and 1871, a new meeting-house was erected, at a cost of forty thousand dollars, and a parsonage at a cost of four thousand dollars. A call was extended to Rev. James McLean, which he accepted, and was installed February 27, 1872. He was dismissed May 29, 1876. Rey. George N. Marden followed him as acting pastor, from February, 1877, to August, 1881. On the 1st of September of the latter year, a call was extended to Rev. William H. Bolster, which he accepted, and was installed April 12, 1882. He is the present pastor.

The Congregational Church of East Weymouth. - This church was formed from a division in the Methodist Episcopal Church, a majority of the society remaining and forming a new church, called the First Evangelical Methodist Church, the minority retaining the old organization and building a new house of worship. This church was formed March 4, 1843, with ten members. In 1860, February 25th, it changed from the Methodist to the Congregational form, and joined the Norfolk Conference of that denomination. It is now, numerically, the strongest church of that order in the town. It has been obliged to enlarge its meeting-house, to accommodate the increased call for sittings. Its congregation is an enterprising and prosperous one, and its list of pastors, notwithstanding its comparatively recent date, is It has When

The Pilgrim Church and Society of North Weymouth. - The growing necessities of the prosperous village of Old Spain were the cause of the The society was formed May 14, 1851, and a meetingmovement that resulted in these organizations.

house erected the same year. ized March 11, 1852. Rey. Calvin Terry was called to be the first pastor. He accepted the call, and was installed May 18, 1852.

This connection was a very unfortunate one, on ac- | count of long continued and great dissensions with - the pastor, who, after much trouble and difficulty, | was dismissed Dec. 25, 1856. On Sept. 14, 1857, Rev. Charles E. Reed, of Taunton, was invited to the | pastorate, but declined. In the spring of 1858, Rev. | Samuel L. Rockwood accepted a call, and was installed March 12th. His ministry continued until July 31, 1871, when he was dismissed at his own request, on account of ill health. He was succeeded by Rev. Louis B. Voorhees, who was ordained December 6th, same year, and continued his ministry until his resignation was accepted, July 1, 1876. On the 23d of November following, Rev. George Dodson, having accepted a call, was installed, and remained pastor 1879, when ill health compelled him Rev..A. H: Tyler commenced his services as acting pastor May 17, 1880, and resigned in the spring of 1884. In 1881 a parsonage was built.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of East Weymouth. - The first movement looking to the formation | of a Methodist Church in East Weymouth was made in 1822. The trouble in the old North Church, consequent upon the changes in religious belief of Mr.

Norton, the inconvenient distance from meeting, and the fact thata large portion of the people were gradually becoming restive under the severe Calvinistic creed then held by the two churches in town, induced a desire for more freedom in religious thought and belief. the new society erected its first meeting-house in 1825. an enlargement of this building, which was made in 1828: far from one hundred members were received from the North Parish. show itself, and the desire to be removed from the higher authority of the Methodist Episcopal government to return to the ancient freedom of the Congregational Church caused a majority of the people | to separate from the Conference and continue their | The such was the increase that they were obliged to enlarge the building in 1850. by fire 13th December, 1851, and, with its contents, | This was a heavy blow, from which, the society, was enlarged in 1864. This building was also burned 23d February, 1870. Another, and the present, house of worship was erected on Broad Street the same year, and dedicated December 23d. It has free sittings. The church belongs to the New England Southern Conference. The society has also The present membership of the church is about two hundred and sixty. It has been from its organization an energetic church,

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Lovell's Corner. - The initial steps towards the formation of this church were taken in the autumn of 1866, in recognition of a long-felt need of that growing and prosperous village, when Rev. D. W. Waldron, pastor of the Congregational Church at Hast Weymouth, began there on Sabbath afternoons a preaching service (at five o'clock). This was continued as long as he remained pastor of the East Weymouth Church, and for about a year after. During the latter time the neighboring ministers preached there in turn. After this a regular pulpit-supply was obtained until a Congregational Church was formed, on the last Thursday in October, 1872. Rev. Joseph C. Halliday, the first pastor, commenced his work there on the first Sabbath of the following December, and held the position until July, 1877, nearly five years. From that time until November of the same year In that month Rev. Henry P. Haylett, a student of Boston University

During his pastorate the church changed its denominational connection and united with the New Bedford Methodist Episcopal Conference in April, 1879, and in April, 1882, it was transferred to the New England Southern Conference of the same denomination, where it still Mr. Haylett was succeeded May 1, 1880, by Rev. Charles H. Farnsworth, who in turn gave

The First Universalist Society of Weymouth, - This society was organized at Weymouth Landing July 21, 1836, in consequence of a desire on the part of many of the people of that village, then the largest in the town, for a wider privilege in the interpretation

A movement was soon made towards the building of a meet- | ing-house with such success that a house was finished | at a cost of six thousand four hundred dollars, includ- | ing land, bell, and furniture, and was dedicated Sept. 13, 1839. Mr. Calvin Gardner preached on the next and three following Sabbaths. was the pastor from November, 1839, to April 1, 1841.

closed his service, and was followed by Rev. Mr. Coffin until November of the same year, when Rey. Mr. Dennis supplied the pulpit. In 1846, Rey. Mr. Barry returned, and remained as minister until Jan.

D. P. Livermore was hired, and remained about two years. After him Rev. Mr. Davenport preached for a year, whose successor was Rey. Charles Mellen, who remained from April, 1855, to April, 1860, when the

T. Goddard. Following him there was no regular Brown was engaged, and held the position until September, 1869. B. Davis became pastor, and continued in that position from October, 1871, to April, 1873, - a year and a half. Rev. L. 8. Crosley was the next pastor, beginning his service November, 1876, and closing March, 1878. The next pastor, Rey. Anson Titus, Jr., began his work November, 1878, and ended April, 1883, having charge also for the greater part of the time, first of the church in Old Spain, and then of that in South Weymouth. worships in its original meeting-house on Washington Street, and its present pastor, recently engaged, is Rev. B. F. Eaton, who has the charge also of the West Scituate Society.

Hall in 1835, during the trouble in the Second Congregational Church, when Rev. Sylvanus Cobb preached for a time. There was then no organization, the movement meeting with bitter opposition, and it was not until 1848 that an association was formed which grew the Second Universalist Society. Rev. John Parker, the first regularly settled pastor, was installed in 1849, and remained in that service for six years. 1850.

stalled on Sunday evening, July 8, 1855, and retained his position for more than fourteen years, when he was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Baker, who was installed in 1869. His term of service extended overa period of nine years, to 1878, since which time there have been several pastors, - Revs. EH. A. Perry, Anson Titus, B. F. Bowles, the present pastor, and others.

The Third Universalist Society of North Weymouth. - This society was organized Nov. 19, 1853, and a Sabbath-school gathered on the succeeding fastday. The first minister was Rev. R. L. Killam, of Scituate, who commenced April 1, 1855, preaching on His term of During the next. year only evening services were held, conducted by different clergymen, after which Rev. E. H. Hawes, of Stoughton, supplied the pulpit on alternate Sabbaths for one year, beginning May 1, 1859, and Rev. R. L. Killam for the summer following.

boring towns. Rev. G. W. Skinner, of Quincy, was the next preacher, his work dating from April 1, 1871, and continuing one year, when he was followed by Rev. G. W. Whitney, of Quincy, who was pastor from April 1, 1872, to July 1,1878. During his ministry a chapel was erected, which was dedicated Jan. 16, 1873, and a church of twenty-two members

The First Baptist Church and Society in Weymouth. - The first movement towards a union of the members of the Baptist denomination and those favoring its belief, for some kind of associated effort on behalf of their special views, in the village of Weymouth Landing, was made in the years 1851-52, in the establishment of a regular weekly prayer-meeting, labors were devoted to the renting of Union Hall, where preaching services were held as often as circumstances would permit by the Baptist ministers of the that the society was organized and the congregation became fully equipped for its work. Rev. H. C. Coombs, of Middleborough, supplied the pulpit for a few weeks, when it was placed under the care of Rev.

The Parish of the Immaculate Conception, at East Weymouth, was formed, and a church built in 1879, dedicated November 23d. In 1881, a parish was its preachers were mainly from the Newton Theological Seminary. The first pastor was Rev. Andrew Dunn, of Bridgewater, who commenced his labors April 1, 1855, and a chapel was erected, which was dedicated on July 12th. Mr. Dunn remained as pas-

Rev. Father Smyth had charge of all these parishes (with one or more assistants) until 1882, when Rev. Father Millrick was placed over the Parishes of the Immaculate Conception and Saint Jerome, Father Smyth retaining the other two until 1883, when he was succeeded by Rev. Father ceeded on May Ist by Rev. Levi A. Abbott, of Milford, who continued with the people for five years, untilthe end of May, 1863. On Nov. 1, 1863, Rev. Gideon Cole, of Sheldonville, having accepted a call commenced his work in this place. During his pastorate a new meeting-house was built on Washington and Broad Streets, nearly opposite the chapel, and dedicated Jan. 31, 1866. the spring of 1871 by Rev. C. H. Rowe, who was followed in the autumn of 1874 by Rev. W. C. Wright. years, when he was dismissed, and a call extended to Rev. P. A. Nordell was accepted, who began work in the spring of 1878, which he continued until 1882, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. Seth J. Axtell, the present pastor.

Roman Catholic. - The Parish of St. Xavier was the first parish of this demonination, and The first priests of the parish were Rev. Fathers Roddan and

Episcopalian - The Trinity Church at Weymouth Landing. - This parish was organized Nov. 11, 1867, at the time and in consequence of the trouble in the Union Congregational Church, in connection with the Rev. 8. Dickerman. Services had been held in Williams' Hall, as early as July 7th of that year. On September 10th, the homestead of the late Atherton W. Tilden, on Front Street, was purchased, and the house reconstructed into a church.

South Boston, was the officiating clergyman, when Rev. Mr. Burroughs was called to the rectorship, which he resigned Oct. 1, 1868, and was succeeded way to Rev. F. O. Barstow, December, 1869. He was followed in June, 1870, by Rev. W. I'. Lhoyd, who resigned in 1873, and was succeeded by Rev. William C. Winslow, who remained but one year. The next rector was Rev. Samuel R. Slack, in June, 1874, who retained that position until April 12, 1877, when he resigned, and was followed by Rev.

hall. - Father Roach was succeeded, in 1866, by Rev. Father Hennigan, who remained until 1869, and in the fall of that year the church was burned.

soon after the church on Pleasant Street was erected, in 1870. In 1873, the Parish of the Sacred Heart was constituted at the Landing, the tavern property purchased and services held in the hall of the building. in 1876, a church of brick and stone was begun, which, when completed, will be the costliest church

Next in importance to the ecclesiastical interests come those of education, of which the public schools form the prominent feature ; and for these the town of which now there is great need of fuller information. The first notice of matters connected with schools occurs on March 10, 1651, when the town voted to pay Capt. Perkins ten pounds for six months schooling. Capt. William Perkins was a prominent man in town in those days, being " townsman," and probably held other important offices. In subsequent history it was found that it was to men of this character that the town intrusted the education of its children.

that of asubscription of ten pounds, sixteen shillings, and sixpence by Weymouth to Cambridge College, in 1652. After Capt. Perkins, the next schoolmaster named is William Chard, who was also town clerk, and attended to the drawing up of such legal instruments as the necessities of the people demanded. He is first mentioned in that capacity April 10, 1667, where the town voted him three pounds and ten shillings, the rent of the flats in addition to his other pay. On the 25th of August thirty shillings was also added. On Nov. 29, 1669, he was engaged at ten pounds per year, probably employed only a portion of the time. He was also sexton, and the pay of both offices was sometimes included in one vote. On Sept. 18, 1678, his pay had advanced to twenty-four pounds, and the town was to furnish a school-room. The selectmen with the elders were also '" to rate each payscholar for his benefit." The next year a house and orchard were rented for him at forty-five shillings, and in 1680 the house of James Stewart was bought for forty pounds for the use of the schoolmaster; this was to be paid for by subscription, which failed, and a tax was laid for it. In the following year, 1681, a school-house was built on a part of the land bought of Capt. John Holbrook, the other part of which was afterwards occupied by the new meetinghouse erected in 1682. The house with the furnishing cost thirty-six pounds. In 1684 Mr. Chard's salary was advanced to thirty-three pounds and fourteen shillings. His duties were "to keep a free-school and teach all children and servants sent to him to read, write, and cast accounts."

On Nov. 28, 1687, for some reason the town voted "not to continue Mr. Chard in the work of a public schoolmaster at the public charge, but he is year 1689, and continued a town schoolmaster until 1696, when he removed to Abington. Mr. John Copp was appointed to succeed him at thirty pounds per year, and he was also chosen town clerk the same Mr. Copp does not appear to have remained in his position quite two years. At the March meeting, 1697, the town voted that "parents shall pay three shillings for each child sent to school between the ages of eight and fourteen years.' This was to pay in part the schoolmaster's salary, the remainder to be made up bya tax upon all who lived within two miles of the school-house. By this time the increase of scholars was so large that the town found it necessary to employ more teachers, and Joseph Dyer was employed to teach in the school-house, with John King as assistant, and Edward Bate was to teach in To follow the precedent, now well established, Edward Bate was elected town clerk. The pay of schoolmaster was to be not over thirty by tax. The next year the whole was raised by tax, and John Torrey was employed, probably, in the place of John King, as Edward Bate still retained his position the following year, 1699, and later Torrey appears as Bate's assistant.

During the summer of 1700, five women were engaged to teach school for six months at twenty-five shillings each, besides the usual rate paid by those who sent children. On the 21st of October of that year Samuel Hunt, son of Col. Hunt, was hired as schoolmaster at £15 10s. in money for six months, or twenty-three pounds "as the ratesrun." In January, 1705, Ebenezer White, of Dorchester, was appointed schoolmaster for half a year at fifteen pounds, and on March 3, 1707, Thomas Thornton was engaged at twenty-five pounds, of fifteen pennyweights each (silver). To him, in 1709, succeeded John Torrey at fifty shillings per month. In 1717 school was kept in each school-house four months, and it seemed that now there was a school-house in the south part of the town. year. In September, 1719, Ebenezer Rolie was hired for a year at £42 10s., and Mr. Calder in 1723, at And this year,

2 Ts. 1l1d., between Joseph Lovell's and John Shaw's. Mr. Calder taught two months here, and two months in the North school-house. In 1729 it was voted that the South Precinct should have a school one-third of the year,

After the division of the town into two precincts, a large part of the school business was transacted at the precinct meeting, the town appropriating money and dividing it between them according to the amount paid by each. The appropriations commencfag in 1733, at seventy-five pounds, had risen, in 1800, to five hundred dollars. A new school-house was built by the North Precinct in 1730, where the old one stood near the meeting-house, and Hazara Whitemarsh was the schoolmaster. ate of Harvard, also town clerk and selectman, one | of the fathers of the town. He continued his position as schoolmaster until 1760, teaching sometimes | in one precinct and sometimes in the other, according to the various votes of the town. During this time the precincts maintained their separate woman's schools. In 1760 the name of David Wyre appears upon the record as schoolmaster, and in 1769 and | 1770, Mr. Lemuel Cushing taught for about a year. Mr. James Blake, A.B., also taught a few months about this time. The necessities of the times during the Revolutionary war rendered the raising of money | very difficult, and probably the school interest among | others suffered in consequence. There is no other | teacher mentioned by name until Dec. 11, 1780, when Samuel Reed was engaged to teach in the North Precinct, "at his offer," six shillings per week in money, 'or its equivalent in necessaries at prices before the war." Jan. 24, 1785, Nathaniel Bayley, Esq., was | appointed to answer to the General Court on behalf | of the town for neglecting to keep a grammar school ; | thus it appears that the town had become a delinquent in this matter, but the lesson was a good one | and did not need to be repeated.

petus, and new houses were built and new schools established in various parts. Samuel Reed and James Humphrey (3d) were employed at two pounds per week, for a grammar-school teacher." Both of these were men of mark in town as well as schoolmasters, having been town clerks, selectmen, and also village notaries. Both held long terms of service as schoolteachers, with excellent reputation.

In 1796, the school system, which had been sufh- | cient for the needs of the town in its earlier days, was | found to be greatly wanting, and a committee was | chosen to take the whole subject into consideration teacher, paying its expenses from its proportion of The business was to be in the charge of a prudential committee-man selected by the district, but chosen by the town. The school money was divided, sometimes according to the number of families, sometimes according to the numthe school money raised by the town.

ber of scholars, and sometimes according to the amount of tax paid, but more generally, a part equally, and a part according to the number of scholars.

In 1810, the employment of ' Latin and Greek" masters was authorized, and also " English masters who shall teach equivalent to twelve months in the year." In 1814 each district was ordered to report in detail tothe town. In 1816, the " alewive money" was In 1821, a census reported four hundred and thirty-four families and eight hundred and ninety-five scholars. In 1827 the town chose a committee of seven under a new State law, to have the oversight of the schools, or the general charge and superintendency of them. This was called the High Committee. They examined and approved the teachers, and kept a close watch upon the schools to see that they were properly taught. This system was retained until the abolition of the district system, in 1869, when this committee became the school committee, combining its former powers with those of the prudential committee. The High Committee reported to the town at its annual March meeting, and in 1839 these reports began their publication. In 1842, a second enumeration of the children of school age

Ninth set off from it. In 1847 the Tenth District was set off from the Second, and several years later the Eleventh was taken from the Highth. Various minor changes were made in process of time, but this arrangement was that substantially kept until 1869. Attempts were made at various times looking to the establishment of a high school, but without success until about 1852, when the town hall was built, in which a room was fitted up for that purpose, but it was not until the next year that the town directed the thousand dollars for the purpose. Tor several years it was a matter of some doubt whether or not the school would succeed on account of the exceeding inconvenience of its location, being far away from nearly all of the scholars. Experiments were made, trying year rescinded. Thus the matter remained in uncertainty until 1869, when the old arrangement was set aside and the present town system finally adopted. The same indefinite attitude was taken by the town with respect to the employment of a school superintendent. The first one was hired in 1863, and from that time to the present, although a superintendent has been employed for the greater portion of the time, and was succeeded by Samuel Thomas Worcester, afterwards judge, with Miss Mary F. R. Wales as assistant, - this was about the spring of 1830. These were soon married to each other and left the school

_ together. Calvin E. Park, a brother of Professor Park, In 1859 the town voted to abolish the district sys- | tem and appointed a committee to take the necessary _ of Andover, followed Mr. Worcester, and Miss Lucy M. K. Brastow took the place of Miss Wales. Mr. Eldridge succeeded Mr. Park, and was probably the last that taught for the corporation. There were several who attempted private schools in the building, but, like the academy, they were financial failures, and in 1833 the building was sold and converted into a double tenement dwelling-house, having previously been used for a short time by the public schools. The building was burned in 1844. Newspapers. - As far as information can be obtained, the first attempt at newspaper publishing in the action that might be taken, that little benefit has been derived from the services of that officer. The treatment of the schools by the town seems at the schools to a much higher plane than they have ever occupied. The town system appears to have little if any opposition, and the superintendency seems also to have become an established fact. That this is the true course is very evident, from the fact that the

Weymouth and Braintree Academy. - Feeling the need of a higher seminary of learning than any that had been sustained hitherto in the town, in the early part of the present century a project was undertaken by some of the prominent citizens of Weymouth Landing for the establishment of an academy of high grade, and an act of incorporation was obtained, dated 28th of February, 1828, in which Cotton Tufts, Joseph Loud, Noah Fifield, and others, were named as corporators. A suitable building was erected the same year upon land donated for the purpose by Capt. Warren Weston, on the side of the hill a short distance above his dwelling, on the Weymouth and Braintree turnpike, and the institution was begun. The first principal was Thomas or Samuel Gregg, and soon after a Mr. Goodell was furnished him as an assistant.

very limited facilities. published, and those at irregular intervals. ceased to appear for want of sufficient encouragement. For many years succeeding this Weymouth was without a local press, although occasional attempts were made by publishers of neighboring towns to introduce their own papers here with a slight change in the form and with a local heading. In 1867 the Weymouth Gazette, published by C. G. Easterbrook, made its first appearance, and it has since that time been issued regularly every week. It has made itself a local necessity, and bids fair to become permanent. During the existence of the Gazette, several attempts these being the Weymouth Courier, which began its publication, in 1876, in East Weymouth, under the charge of Jones & Co. It survived about one year. The Weymouth Advance was the next candidate for the position, - started, in 1877, at East Weymouth, by C. F. David, and had an existence of about. two Spooner & Webster undertook to resuscitate the latter enterprise, but, after a few weeks, the attempt was abandoned, as was also the effort to revive the Weymouth Courier by Mr. Spooner.

The Weymouth Historical Society. - This society was organized in the spring of 1879, by several gentlemen, for purposes indicated by its name. The growing interest in historical matters and the absence of any history of this ancient and important town encouraged the effort, and its object has been to connected with this town. Elias Richards, Esq., has been its president since its formation, and it has succeeded in collecting a valuable amount of historical matter. library of historical works. Its meetings are of much interest and are held monthly in the Tufts' Library Rooms, where also are located its library and other villages in the town in the early part of the present century, The shares were owned by the members and the expenses paid by a small annual fee. These proved of great benefit, but the foundations upon which they rested were not calculated for permanence, and in a one hundred and thirty-five shares, and a library of four hundred volumes, which has now increased to fifteen hundred. library was supported by annual fees, fines, and occasional entertainments. Since that date it has been the late Quincy Tufts, and his sister, Miss Susan Tufts, grandchildren of Dr. Cotton Tufts, one of Weymouth's most valuable citizens during the whole of the latter half of the eighteenth century. The estimated value of the fund is about twenty thousand dollars, and came into possession of the trustees of the Tufts' Library in 1879, who immediately proceeded to apply it to its intended purposes. A part of the fund consisted of two buildings at the takers, thus making it available to all the people, although it is located in one of the villages. The income of a part of the fund was set apart by the devisee for free lectures upon educational matters, and two courses of these have already been provided. The library is in the control of a board of trustees, consisting of the selectmen of the town, ex officio, and others chosen by the town according to the terms of the legacy.