Plymouth County, Massachusetts - Chapter 2, 1884

First Church in East Bridgewater. - On the 28tli of October, 1724, a church was gathered in the east part of Bridgewater, now the town of East Bridgewater, and Rev. John Angier, son of Rev. Samuel Angier, of Rehobotb, was ordained, according to Congregational usage, its pastor. For sixty years the dwellers here had worshiped in tiie meeting-house at West Bridgewater, which the greater part of that time had been the only meeting-house in the whole of Bridgewater, but the distance which many were obliged to travel was so great that it became very desirable to have a place of worship much nearer. The number of people here was not large. No exact census has been obtained, but from a tax-list of 1721), and an enumeration of families, the number may have been three hundred and twenty-five. Some time prior to the establishment of the ministry, or the incorporation of a parish in this part of the old town, the inhabitants with their slender means had erected a meeting-house on the spot where the present first ] parish meeting-house stands. According to a diary kept by Deacon James Cary, the house was raised on tlie 15th of March, 1721. The land on wiiich it was placed was owned by Samuel Allen, son of Samuel Allen the first settler here, who, on the 28d of the following May, as the deed of the land declares, " for and in consideration of the regard he hath for settling the Ministry in the east end of the North Precinct in Bridgewater, doth give, grant, make over, convey, and confirm unto the said east end of the North Precinct (designing with submission to the authority to be a distinct precinct), to their proper use, behoof, and disposal, a certain small piece of land lying in Bridgewater aforesaid, on which the frame of a meeting-house nearly erected, in said Precinct, now standeth, for conveoiency about said meeting-house, etc."

East Parish of Bridgewater (now the First Parish of East Bridgewaterj. - The East Precinct or Parish of Bridgewater was incorporated by the General Court of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Dec. 14, 1723, and the first meeting of the parish as such legally called, and presided over by Joshua Cushing, Esq., " one of his Majestie'a Justices of Peace for the County of Plymouth," was held on Monday the 27th of January, 1724, at which Capt. Nicholas Bryam was chosen moderator ; Ebenezer Byram, clerk ; Samuel Allen, Nathaniel Hayward, and Recompense Gary, assessors ; Josiah Allen, collector ; and Samuel Allen, treasurer.

" An All fu vUuiiye the inimt uj the Eaat Paiiah uf Biidiji:- ualer : Be it cniiutcd by tiie Senate and llouae of Keprcsentativci in Genciul Court assembled, and by the authority of tUe same, that the parish heretofore kuowD aud called by the uamo of the East Parish or I'reuinct of Bridgewater, in the County of Plymouth, shall no longer bear that name, but henceforth shall be called and known by the name uf the First Parish in East Bridgewater, and all officers of said parish shall hold and c.xerciso their respective oflices in the same manner as they would have done bad not the name of said parish beeo changed." June 12, 1824.

On the lUth of February the parish voted to raise by a tax the sum of fifty pounds, which sum was to be collected by the 1st of the following June, and Cliiltou Latham, Samuel Allen, Isaac Aldcn, Nathaniel Hayward, and Capt. Byram were chosen a committee to obtain a minister. The society was then in working order, and candidates were heard.

On the 14th uf April, " ye inhabitants then met, agreed by a unanimous vote to give the Rev. Mr. John Angier a call to settle with them in ye work of ye Ministry according to the Gospel." His answer at first was in the negative, but afterwards so strong a desire was expressed for his consent to become their spiritual guide, that he yielded aud was ordained.

The compeusatiun to the young candidate was a " grattis" of one hundred and fifty pounds, together with ten acres of land, and an annual salary for the first year eighty pounds, for the second year eightyfive pounds, for the third year ninety pounds, for the fourth year ninety-five pounds, for the fifth year a hundred pounds, and henceforward a hundred pounds each year.

on the 27th of August, James Gary, Ebenezer Alden, and John Orcutt were " chosen a committee to finish ye meeting house so far as is Necessary for ye present, and made choice of Capt. Byram, Mr. [Theodosius] Moore, and Samuel Allen to dispose of ye pues in ye meeting-house."

The dimensions of the building nowhere appear on the records, but it probably was about forty feet square, with sixteen feet posts. When the house wus completed there were only eleven pews below and nine in the gallery. All the pews were built next to the sides of the house, none in the body. Tlie Indians had liberty of making pews for thcmselvus under the alairs. The body of the house was wholly taken up by long, common seats. No pews seem to have been built till 1725 or later.

On the 24th of September it was voted that the ordination should take place on the 2Sth of October next, and to appropriate " for the delVayiiig of ye charges of ye ordination of ye Rev. Mr. John Angier, fifteen pounds in money," and it was " agreed by a clear vote that Jonathan Bass and Ebctiuzer Byram should provide for tlie same."

After the services in the house of worship the ministers and invited guests dined at the tavern which stood near the north bank of Satucket River. The t;ible was arranged on a line running east and west ill the open air and beneath the shade of trees. The west end of the table rested on a rock which is still standing, as is also, according to the tradition, part of a tree which has never ceased from that early date to yield its fruits as autumn returns.

Second Meeting-House. - During the ministry of Rev. John Angicr a second house of worship in place of the first one was erected, nearly on the same site, but a few feet farther eastward. This house was fiftysix feet long, twenty-two feet high, and forty-five feet wide, and completed in 175 i. The first house remained standing till the second was finished and was then removed, Hon. Hugh Orr, the purchaser, using its timbers in the construction of his mill on Mattield River, in which his cannon were bored for use by the Revolutionary forces. An item of interest connected with the second house may be here mentioned. When the last call was made for troops in the Revolutionary struggle the parish sold six places for pews where long seats had been, and thus readily obtained money to send their complement of men to the front.

Rev. Daniel Perkins, of the West Parish of Bridgewater, gave the charge, Rev. Jonathan Parker, of Plympton, the right hand of fellowship. The sermon was by Rev. John Angier, father of the pastor-elect, from Matt. xiii. 3 : " And he spake many things | unto them in parables, saying, ' Behold a sower went | forth to sow.' " The discourse was printed, and is to \ be found in the last edition of the Bridgewutei-' x Monitor, with a preface attributed to the pen of Hugh Orr, Esq.

At the time of the ordination of Rev. Samuel Angier, the town of Bridgewatcr contained four parishes and part of a fifth. The preface to the Monitor mentions one interesting fact. " It may be said to the honor of this people (the whole of the ancient town) that disaffection to their minister or contention among themselves has never given rise to a new parish. The sole motive of their separating from time to time

The Rev. Messrs. Angier continued in the pastorate together till the decease of the elder Angier, April 14, 1787, aged eighty-five. Rev. Samuel died Jan. 18, 1805, aged sixty-one.

Rev. John Angier. - Rev. Samuel Angier, son of Rev. Edmund Angier, of Cambridge, married, in 1680, Hannah, daughter of Rev. Urian Oakes, fourth president of Harvard University ; and was settled at Rehoboth in 1679, and in the West Precinct of Watertown (now Waltham) in 1696. Rev. John Angier, the first minister in East Bridgewater, son of llev. Samuel Angier above mentioned, was born in Waltham in 1701, and graduated at Harvard University in 172U. It is interesting to note that sixteen out of the twenty-one members of Rev. John Angler's college class became pastors of churches.

He married, Nov. 23, 1732, Mary, daughter of Ezra (Esq.) and Martha (Prince) Bourne, of Sandwich. The marriage ceremony was conducted by the bride's father, who was one of his Majesty's justices of the peace. The ministry of Rev. John Angier over the East Church, in Bridgewater, from Oct. 28, 1724, to his decease, at the age of eighty-five years, April 14, 1787 (a period of over sixty-two years), seems to have been a peaceful one. The parish had increased considerably, and a new house, larger than the first, had been built in the course of his ministry. He was beloved by his people and respected by the neighboring churches.

llev. Samuel Angier, the second minister in East Bridgewater, son of Rev. John Angier, was born March 20, 1743, graduated at Harvard University in 1763, and was ordained colleague pastor with his father, Dec. 23, 1767. He was a man very decided in his opinions, in demeanor grave and dignified, rather di£Bdent, but was kind, benevolent, and attentive to all prescribed duties, and in devotional exercises he excelled. He did not much visit his people familiarly, and could not be very sociable with children. Whenever he appeared in public he wore a wig, a three-cornered hat, small-clothes, and kneebuckles. At the close of divine service on the Sabbath the people waited for him to descend from the pulpit and pass down the aisle before they left their pews, lie bowing politely to them as he passed. He strictly observed the Sabbath, refraining from all secular matters on Saturday after sunset. He would never own a chaise, preferring always to journey on horseback. He continued a bachelor till he was fiftythree years of age, when he married, Nov. 29, 1796, Judith, daughter of Rev. Thomas and Judith (Miller)

Smith, of Pembroke. Mrs. Aogier, ou the IStli of JuiiO, 179S, while riding od horseback and descending the iiill south of the common, was tlirown from tiie liorse and received injuries from the effects of which slie never recovered. She died April 24, 1803, ai;ed fifly-tive years. He died Jan. 18, 1805, aged sixty-one years.

The second house remained standing, and was occupied till the completion of the third, and was not fini.ihed till near the close of 1795. Its dimensions, tilty-four by sixty-eight, and twenty-eight feet high. Public worship took place in it for the first time Jan. 10, 179tj, when the pastor. Rev. Samuel Angier, preached from Leviticus x. 3 : "Then Moses said unto Aaron, 'This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified.' "

The house was a solid structure, built after the model of a former generation, with its three galleries and its " suundiog-board" or canopy. In 1850 it was remodeled in accordance with the demands of the times, aud is a neat and convenient house of worship.

The third minister settled in East Bridgewater was Rev. James Flint, son of James Flint, born in North Reading, Dec. 10, 1779. He graduated at Harvard University, 1SU2; ordained pastor of this society Oct. 29, 180U.

The services at the ordination were as follows : Sermon by Rev. Jacob Flint, of Cohasset : Text, 2 Tim. iv. 2 ; ordaining prayer, by Rev. David Gurney, of Titicut ; charge, by Rev. Eliab Stone, of Reading; right hand of fellowship and address to the church and society, by Rev. John Reed, D.D., of West \ Bridgewater ; concluding prayer, by Rev. Timothy ; Flint, of Lunenburg. !

Ho resigned his office April 0, 1821, and was in- : stalled pastor of the East Church, in Salem, Sept. 19, 1821. He was honored by his Alma Mater with the degree of S.T.D. in 1825. He was a brilliant writer aud a poet; was the author of the Pilgrim song entitled, "Two Hundred Years Ago." He died iu Salem, March 4, 1855, aged seventy-five.

The next pastor w;is Rev. Benjamin Fesscndeu, born in Sandwich, Mass., June 13, 1797 ; graduated at Harvard College, 1817; ordained Sept. 19, 1821. He resigned tlie pastoral office Nov. 6, 1825, and became a manufacturer. He died in Valley Falls, R. I., Jan. 6, 1881, age eighty-three. Services at the ordination were as follows : Introductory prayer, by Rev. Morrill Allen, of Pembroke ; sermon, by Rev. Henry Ware, Jr., of Boston, text, Rom. xii. 11 ; orduining prayer, by Rev. Pitt Clarke, of Norton; charge, by Rev. Henry Ware, D.D., of Harvard University; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. James Kendall, of Plymouth ; concluding prayer, by Rev. George Barstow, of Hanson.

Rev. John A. Williams, born in Roxbury, July 28, 1800, graduated at Harvard, 1820 ; ordained Oct. 18, 1826; resigned Oct. 4, 1828; died in East Bridgewater, March 15, 1872. aged scventy-oue. Services at the ordination were as follows: lutruductory prayer and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Cliarlcs Lowell, D.D., of Boston ; sermon, by Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D.D., of Roxbury : " But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men, to edification, and exhortation, and comfort," 1 Cor. xiv. 3 ; charge, by Rev. James Kendall, D.D., of Plymouih; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Richard M. Hodges, of Bridgewater; ordaining prayer, by Rev. Samuel Willard, D.D., of Deerfield ; address to the society, by Rev. Pitt Clarke, of Norton ; concluding prayer, by Rev. John Reed, D.D., of West Bridgewater.

Rev. Eliphalet P. Crafts, born in North Bridgewater (now Brockton), Nov. 23, 1800; graduated at Brown University, 1821 ; ordained Nov. 19, 1828. Services at the ordination of Mr. Crafts were as follows : Introductory prayer and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Charles Brooks, of Hingham ; sermon, by Rev. Samuel Barrett, of Boston ; prayer .if ordination, by Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D.D., of Roxbury; charge, by Rev. Pitt Clarke, of Norton ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. John Goldsbury, of North Bridgewater ; address to the church and society, by Rev. Benjamin Huntoon, of Canton ; concluding prayer, by Rev. Benjamin Kent, of Duxbury.

Mr. Crafts resigned April 19, 1830, afterwards settled in Sandwich, Mass., and died in Waltham, Mass., Jan. 16, 1880, aged seventy-nine years.

Rev. Samuel Adams Devens, a brother of Gen. Charles Devens, of Charlestowir, Mass., and a graduate of Harvard University, 1829, officiated as pastor from July 16, 1837, to , 1838.

Rev. George A. Williams was the next pastor. He was born in Taunton, Jan. 6, 1810, son of Francis and Louisa (Gillniore) Williams. He officiated here from June 1, 1840, to Dec. - , 1841 ; now resides in Deerfield, Mass.

Rev. Ira Henry Thomas Blauchard was pastor here several months, from about Jan. 1, 1842. His ministrations were very acceptable to the society, who earnestly desired him to become their settled minister.

but his health being iuadequate, he was obliged to decline their iuvitatioo. He was born in South Weyiuouth, aud was graduated at Harvard University in 1817. He died at his native home in 1845.

Rev. Nathaniel Whitman, - The nest settled pastor was Kev.Natiianiel Whitman. He was born in East Bridgewater, Dec. 25, 1785. His father was Deacon John Whitman, who for many years was a deacon of the East Ciiurch of Bridgewater, and died July 20, 1842, aged one hundred aud seven years. Rev. Nathauiel Whitman graduated at Harvard College in 1809. He was pastor of the First Church in Billerica from 1S14 to lSa5, and afterwards preached in Wilton, N. H., and in Calais, Maine. He received a unanimous call to become the pastor of the First Parish in East Bridgewater. His installation took place July 17, 1844. The churches invited to participate in the services and represented on that occasion were the First Church in Plymouth, Kingston, Marshfield, Scituate, South Scituate, Pembroke, West Bridgewater ; the First, Second, and Third Churches in Hingham ; the East Church, Salem ; Park Street Church, Portland ; aud First Church in Dover, Mass. The occasiou was one of great interest to the pastor-elect and to the people. The order of services was as follows, viz. : Introductory prayer, by Rev. George W. Briggs, of Plymouth ; selections from Scripture, by Rev. Augustus Russel Pope, of Kingston ; sermon, by Rev. James Flint, D.D., of Salem; prayer of installation, by Rev. James Kendall, D.D., of Plymouth ; charge, by Rev. Joseph Richardson, of Hingham; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Ralph Sanger, of Dover ; address to the church aud society, by Rev. Jason Whitman, of Portland, Maine ; concluding prayer, by Rev. Edmund Q. Sewall, of Scituate.

Rev. James Flint, who preached the sermon, was a former pastor of the society. His text was from Ps. xxvii. 4 : " One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire iu his temple." The address by Rev. Juson Whitman, a brother of the pastor-elect, was cue of quickening power and long to be remembered. Rev. Nathaniel Whitman's ministry here was a useful one, and was terminated Aug. 22, 1852. He removed to Deerfield, Mass., and was not settled over a society afterwards. He died in Deerfield, Oct. 29, 1869, aged eighty-three.

Rev. Frederick N. Knapp, of Brookline; sermon, by Rev. Frederick H. Hedge, D.D., of Providence, R. I.; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. R. A. JJallou ; address to the people, by Rev. F. N. Knapp.

Rev. J. H. Phipps was born in HiUsboro', N. H. He completed his theological studies at the Divinity School iu Cambridge, in 1848. He married Laura JL, daughter of Charles Wilde, M.D., of Brookline. He was settled several years in Framingham previous to his pastorate in East Bridgewater. Tlie call for him to settle in the latter place was unanimous, and his ministry, a successful one, was terminated by his resignation March 3, 1861. He was afterwards settled iu Kingston, wliere he died July 20, 1871.

Introductory prayer and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Joseph H. Phipps, of Kingston ; sermon, by Rev. Chandler Rubbins, D.D., of Boston ; installing prayer, by Rev. Calvin Lincoln, of Hingham; address to the people, by Rev. James Freeman Clarke, of Boston ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. John J. Putnam, of Bridgewater ; concluding prayer, by Rev. Edward Hall, of Plymouth.

Rev. Francis Charles Williams entered on the duties of pastor here May 7, 1865. He was born in Boston, Nov. 2, 1825, and graduated at Harvard University in 1843. He resigned his office Feb. 1, 1870, and wa.s afterwards settled iu Hyde Park, Mass.

Rev. John Williaiu Quinby, the present p;tstor, graduated at Amherst College in 1869, and at the Theological School, Harvard University, in 1871. He was ordained Sept. 7, 1871. The order of services as follows :

Invocation, by Rev. Francis C. Williams, of Hyde Park ; reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. William L. Chaffin, of Eastoo ; sermon, by Rev. Charles C. Everett, D.D., of Harvard University ; ordaining prayer, by Rev. Calvin Lincoln, of Hingham ; charge to the pastor, by Rev. Edward 0. Young, of Harvard University ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. George H. Hosmer, of Bridgewater ; address to the people, by Rev. Fielder Israel, of Taunton ; concluding prayer, by Rev. Joseph Osgood, of Cohasset.