Worcester County, Massachusetts - Leominster, 1889

By J. D. Miller Early Histoky

While the early history of Leominster is closely connected in many ways with that of Sterling and Lancaster, it must not be confounded with either. Presumably it is a pleasant thing for a town to have an early history, which is also an ancient history ; but many towns are forced, from the nature of the case, to omit the also. In this number is Leominster. She was incorporated too late for much colonial history of any kind, and by far too late for any effective Indian history.

The connection of Leominster with Sterling and Lancaster can be stated both clearly and briefly. Lancaster was incorporated May 18, 1653 (O. S.). At the time, and for more than twenty years after, the Indians in all this section were peaceable and even helpful. Matters moved quietly in the new town and the feeling of security and the prosperity of the community stimulated settlement, so that a large part of the town was occupied before 1675, the year which marks the beginning of what is known as King Philip's War. In this war Lancaster suff"ered severely. Many of the inhabitants were killed, and all but two of the houses were destroyed. In consequence of these Indian attacks the town was wholly without inhabitants from the early part of 1676 to about 1680, or for more than three years. This is her first chapter of Indian history, and the only one which affects Leominster. But for these Indian outrages and the resulting depopulation, it may be doubted if Leominster would ever have been made a part of Lancaster. There is evidence to show that a grant of the then unoccupied lands on the west and north of Lancaster, in the form of a promise or an intimation, was part of the inducement held out to the early settlers of Lancaster who had escaped, and their children, as well as to others, to influence the question of re-settling the old town. This "new grant," when obtained in the manner to be described, constituted what is now Leominster and Sterling. It had not, up to this time, nor did it for the next thirty years, make part of any town or, so far as can be learned, of any grant.

Those who re-settled Lancaster petitioned the " Great and General Court " for this " new grant" of land before February 5, 1711. The exact date is wanting. But that the opportunity to acquire and the right to hold these new lands was part of the inducement of settling appears in this, that the land when purchased of the Indians was bought by individuals and not by the town of Lancaster, and that the town itself, before the "grant" was made, voted that if it should be made, the title should rest with those who joined in the purchase.

Two things were done to secure this " new grant:" First, it was purchased of the Indians as of its lawful owners. The Hon. David Wilder declares, "That it must be a source of satisfaction to the owners of real estate, to know that they have acquired it honorably, paid for it honestly, and obtained a good and suflicient title to it." This satisfaction the first owners of Leominster surely had. It is a source of equal satisfaction to every lover of this beautiful town, to remember that its comely hills and fertile acres were not stolen from some poor Indian tribe, but honorably and fairly bought and paid for as it became men.

Indian Dekd Ok The New Grant

" Knuw all meu by these presents, That I, George Talianto, Indian Sagamore, for and in consideration of what money, namely, twelve pounds, WHS formerly paid to Sholan, my uncle, sometime Sagamore, of Nashuah, for the purchase of said township, and also f^uty-six sbilllDgb formerly paid by Ensigne, John Bloore and John Houghton, of said Nashuah, to James Wiser, alias Quenepenett, now deceased, but especially, for and in consideration of eightt-en pounds, paid part, and the rest securer! to be paid, by John Houghton and Nathaniel M'ilder, their heirs, executors and assigns forever, a certain tract i f land on the west side of tlie westward line of Nashuah township, arljoining to said line, and butts southerly for the most part on Natihuah River, bearing westerly towards Wachnsett Hills and runs northerly as far as Nashuah townnhip, and which landsand meadows, be it more or less, tu be to the said Insigne, John Moore, John Houghton and Nathaniel Wilder, their heirs and assigns, to have and to hold forever, and I. the said George Tahanto, do hereby promise and engage to i)rocure an order from the honored General Court for their allowance and coiifirniation of the sale of said lands as aforesaid, and also that I will show and mark out the bounds of said land in convenient time, not exceeding four months, and also to make such deeds and conveyances as maybe necessary for the conflrniation of the premises, and that also I, the said George Tahanto, do by these presents, fully notify and contirm, all and every, the said township of Nashuah, alias Lancaster, to the Inhabitants and proprietors thereof, according as it was formerly granted to them, or their ancestors, by my uncle Sholan, and laid out to tbeni by Ensign Thomas Noyes and confirmed by the Hon. General Court. For the performance of all the above said, I, George Tabanto, have set my hand and seal this twenty-sixth day of June, in the thirteenth year of the reign ©f our Sovereign Lord, William the Third, over England, Ax., King. Anno Domino, ITOl.

This deed bears the date of 1701 ; but it seems that the purchase was not considered complete in 1711 ; for it is said in another document, executed in that year, that considerable money had been paid to George Tahanto for the purchase of said lauds, though not yet consummated. We may understand that part of the money was not due until the " General Court " should approve the possession to Lancaster.

The next public action in regard to the *' New Grant" was at a town-meeting held in Lancaster, Februarys, 1711. By vote of this meeting the inhabitants of Lancaster secured the right to join in the purchase of this Indian land by subscribing to the following contract :

Know all men by these presents that we, y subscribcre, being desirous to joino in y* purchasing of a. tract of land which lyeth on the west side of the township of Lancaster, which lands have been formerly petitioned for to the General Court which the Inhabitants of said Lancaster are still in pui-suance of, and their petition is now with y« Court fui' granting the same, and considerable money hath already been paid to George Tahanto and other Indians towards tlie purchasing of said land, though nut iis yet consumated. Wee, the subsciibei-s, do hereby bind oureelves, our heirs, executors and administiators firmly by these presents each one his and theire equall sliare of the purchase of said land and of all charges that have or shall be necesseirely expended HbiMit the same; and to run equall hazard of obtaining y^ said land,

Provided that if the said land be obtained we shaU have each one an equall share of it, considered as to quantity and quality ; and the whole of the money to be paid unto such person of the town as shall be appointed by them to receive the same : at or before y« fifth day of 3Iarch next ; and shall subscribe hereto at or before the 15th day of February current : or else to lay no claim to the said land.

Dated February ye fifth, 1710-11. Some of y" pereons subscribed yo same day ; and others had their names entered afterwards, the whole being ninety-eight that were the purchasers of said land.

It is to be noticed that in this document the petition for the " new grant" is referred to as being with "the General Court; " but it appears from the records of the confirmation, and would seem evident, also, from the fact that Thomas Wilder and John Houghton were appointed to manage this petition, that the "General Court" had hastened very slowly in the matter. The survey was not made till November, ' and the confirmation nearly three years later.

Upon the petition of the inhabitants of Lancaster, the General Court appointed a committee to survey the land and report. This report was received May 27, 1713, and was as follows :

Whereas, we, the subscribers, viz., Jonathan Prescott, John Karnsworth and Samuel Jones, are a committee appointed to view a tract of land, petitioned for by the Inhabitants of Lancaster, and to make report to the General Court for their consideration, we have accordingly been upon the spot the days above dated and proceeded thereupon as follows : - Imprimig. We began at the proper bounds of the Lancaster plantation, and thence ran our line upon a Northwest point or therealrouts, along by the Southwest side of IMauhapange and Unkachenalwick Ponds, e.xtending said line iliree miles ; from thence we made an angle running near upon a S. W. point, crossing a river called the North River, and so running over hills called Monnoosuck Hills, said line being about six miles in length, till it meets with the middle branch of Lancaster river, at or near a little hill on which the Indians had marked a tree for a corner of said land, being near five miles wide. At the southward end bounded partly by Capt. Davenport's farm, to the S. W. corner of Lancaster Old bounds. The land includpd within these bounds is rocky and mountainous and very poorly accommodated with meadow.

Read and ordered that the tract of land above discribed be added and contirmed to the town of Lancaster asjiartof the township, not prejudicing any former grants.

From the foregoing records it appears that while Leominster was a part of Lancaster from 1713 to 1740, the connection was only nominal. The laud was owned by certain of the inhabitants, who as proprietors laid out and disposed of it as they saw fit, and no doubt from the first proposed to make it a 3ei>arate town. More than this, there were uo settlements there earlier than 17:^5, and so soon as such settlements were numerous enough to make a community, a movement was started to divide from Lancaster.

Mr. Wilder says that the Beamana, the Sawyers, the Houghtonsj-the Osgoods, the Carters, the Joslins, the Whites, the Whitcombs and the Wilders were the principal proprietors. Not many, if any, of the ninety-eight who purchased the land, however, settled any part of this territory. It was taken by their children and others. But the occupation was slow and late. It appears that when the southwestern half of the grant vvas so far settled as to ask to be incorporated as the town of Sterling, in 173:i, there were .scarcely more than five families in that part which finally became Leominster. The first beginnings of 1 this settlement are described in the following quotation :

" In 1725, Crer-shom Houghton and James Boutell ventured a few miles farther north than Sterling, and erected houses in what is now the south and southwesterly part of Leominster. Seven years afterwards ; Jonathan White fixed himself in the north part. And in two years more Thomas Wilder and Nathaniel j Carter became permanent settlers. And soon afterwards settlements were commenced in different parts of the northern half of the grant (for it is yet all Lancaster) by Benjamin Whitcomb, Jonathan Wilson, ; Jonathan Carter, William Divoll, Gardner Wilder, Ebenezer Polley, Oliver Carter, Josiah Carter, Thomas Houghton, Thomas Davenport and others." This would bring the record to 1734. It is evident that the new movement was now fairly inaugurated and sure of success, and that the number of settlers increased rapidly ; for the people within three years - 1737 - conceived the idea that they could well manage their own affairs, and were able to maintain a godly minister. Mr. Wilder declares that these early settlers were just the men to conduct the new enterprise with success, - intelligent, clear-headed farmers; men of resolute purpose and with a definite policy. To this no one will enter any objection who is at all acquainted with the work which they accomplished. They may have been less brilliant than others, as the Hon. C. H. Merriam suggests, but they evidently had what was and is far better : a very liberal endowment of muscle, honesty, brains and common sense.

After three years of effort the new town of Leominster was incorporated July 4, 1740. It included territory equal to sixteen thousand six hundred and two acres, or about twenty-six square miles. Notwithstanding the statement of the committee, " that the land was mountenous and meadows few,'' the northern half of the " new grant " was "a goodly territory and well worth possessing." Its meadows may not be broad, but they are fertile ; its mountains existed only in the wearied imaginations of these surveyors, as they dragged their chain along the borders of the "new grant" in the chilly air of November, 1711. To the better-rested eye of the early settlers these same mountains subsided into hills, rich and strong of soil to their very summits. To-day they stand out so gracefully against the sky as to seem the very embodiment of strength and beauty, making Leominster a delight to all who know her.

enough for the purpose of this sketch to say that it proved a tract well adapted to tillage and grazing ; attractive as a home and offering sufficient inducements for manufacturing and business.

The area of the town remained as at first until the year 1838, when by an act of the Legislature some 2,000 acres of what is called No Town were added. No Town was a tract of unincorporated land which was located between Leominster, Westminster and Princeton. It is supposed that it was in part, or all, granted to the town of Sudbury as a return for lo.sses in the Indian Wars, as the "new grant" had been ceded to Lancaster. This conjecture is aided by the fact that the few who did settle here came from the town of Sudbury, and that others of that town, who were not settlers, owned land here. If the territory was granted in consequence of loss and suffering for Indian depredations, the general character of the tract would indicate that the receivers were not materially enriched by the grant. The whole section is extremely rocky, the surface being thickly covered with boulders, dropped here by the glaciers of the past, and the greater part of the tract unfit for cultivation. Excellent pastures are found, however, in some parts of No Town, and, indeed, the whole tract seems better adapted to grazing than for tillage. There is here and there much good soil, but the rocks make it too difficult of cultivation and too hard to reach to make farming profitable. This whole section is excellent wood-land and this, no doubt, would be the most profitable crop to raise. The first growth of oak, birch, ash and maple, with ^ liberal supply of pine, hemlock and chestnut, which half a century ago covered these rough acres, wooded so heavily those swamps and turned the whole into a dense forest, have disa2)peared, and a strong second or third growth takes it place. Many parts of this tract could in this way be made profitable, which are good neither for pasturage nor cultivation.

There are, in No Town, two i>rominent and interesting hills, - Bald Hill in the centre, on whose sides are many acres of pasturage, most of it of excellent quality ; and Crow Hill, which is nearer the Westminster line and which is not good for pasturage. This last hill is, however, exceedingly ])icturesque, with its abrupt sides and almost ])erpendicular cliffs. It may be that the surveyors of the " new grant " wandered away to climb its toilsome sides, and in the resulting weariness reported to the " General Court" that Leominster was a mountainous country. In this section are found the head-waters of several brooks whose waters are used in manufacturing, and a part of the land is covered by the Leominster reservoir, the reserved force of some of the mills of this busy town.

Several early settlements were made in this section. Robert Legate built a house on Bald Hill, and a few years ago - possibly still - many apple trees of his planting remained about the place. In the east- ern part, near the Leominster line, Silas Parmenter liad a farm, and Elijali Eice settled near Rocky I'ond. There were also three houses built on the north side of Bald Hill, which were still standing within the memory of this generation, although it is not possible to ascertain who were the original owners. The last occupants were Joseph Palmer, one Munjoy and Peter Parmenter. At an early date several log-houses were built in different parts of this tract, some of which remained till within a fev! years. With the addition of this tract, Leominster received all her territory. The matter stands a little out of the order of time, but wholly in the order of subjects. Returning for a moment to 1740, we have the town ready for its civil and ecclesiastical life. It could, in the nature of the case, have no long period of early history, and it took its Indian knowledge from tradition rather than experience. Noi can its history hold much remembrance of the kings: for the great Revolution was only a quarter of a century away, and the Colonies were fast acquiring the knowledge and discipline which made it a success, when Leominster was incorporated. It was, at we shall see, only in the last of these great ante- Revolutionary struggles that she could bear a part. But if the early history is brief, it is honorable.

The Fikst Parish, now thk First Conurega- TioNAL (Unitarian) Pari.sh. - The early religious affairs of Leominster, so far at least as the First Parish is concerned, are very fully stated by Hon. David Wilder and others. Free use of this material is made in the present sketch.

Poverty is sure to be the first harvest gathered by the men and women who settle any new country. The early inhabitants of Leominster found no exception, in their favor, to this law. They irere poor, but did not suffer their poverty to plead against an early and liberal provision for the educational and religious wants of the community. So important, indeed, in those early days, did the moral and religious training of the people seem, that by the act of incorporation the town was required to erect a suitable meeting-house and maintain a godly minister. There was no needless delay in this matter. The town was incorporated June 23 (old style), 1740, and within the year, as the following record shows, this matter was considered, and in the expressive language ol the time it was decided that " God's Tabernacle should be erected here."

Whitcomb, "Inholder within said Town, on Monday, y' fifteenth day of December, Annoque Domini 1740," of which meeting Thomas Davenport was moderator, the records show the following business: "First. Voted, that they would build a Meeting- House in the year forty-one. Second. Voted to build y' Meeting-House fifty feet in length, and forty feet in bredth, & twenty-three feet in hight."

Land now included within the limits of the "new cemetery " was presented to the town by Ebenezer Wilder as a site for this building; but the people preferred a difi'erent location, and the first church was erected on land purchased of Ebenezer Houghton, in the northwest corner of the old-buryingground. The committee to see that the work be done were Jonathan White, Joseph Wheelock and Nathaniel Carter. The frame was raised the following summer; presumably, all appeared to help under the following vote : " That the committee should have a Carpenter to hew and Frame said House, allowing all the Inhabitants a liberty to work his proportion if he come to work when he is notified by said committee, and shall be allowed six shillings a day, and three shillings a day for a yookc of oxen, and they are to begin work the last of March next."

"This house answered the purpose for the humble Christians of those times ; but the people of the pre.sent time (1850) would not think it a suitable place in which to worship God in public. It was rough-boarded on the outside, with but few or no glass windows, and within only a loose floor and movable seats. For several years there were no pews and the outside was not finished and painted until 1753. But it served the purpose for which it had been erected. Not only did our forefathers statedly meet in that house for prcblic worship and for the transaction of their pamchial business, but the common townmeetings were also held in it for one-third of a century. And then, viz., in October, 1775, it was sold at public auction and purchased by the Baptist Society in Harvard, taken down and carried to ' Still River ' and for a long period was the place of worship of that society. But some years ago, when they were about to build a larger house the old one was moved across the way and fitted up for a parsonage house."

Of course we shall be wholly unable to appreciate the sacrifice necessary to build even this rude structure unless we can put ourselves in the place of these early settlers. We must, in imagination, visit their homes, realize how they lived and dressed and worked, feel, so far as we may, the difliculties and privations of their pioneer life; call to mind the danger of the wilderness, the cold welcome of the climate, the heavy labor and slow return, where a forest must be cut, the ground cleared and the soil brokea before the seed can be planted or the first harvest be gathered, if we would realize what such a structure cost its builders. Taking all this into consideration, we are forced to concede, that it must have been an heroic company - men and women who had fed their resolution on principle - who gathered in this rude building, with little light and no heat, of a Sabbath, when, in 1742, the town voted to have preaching in this new church. In such places we are to look for New England and the beginnings of a nation.

Still this people, so poor, but resolute, were not wholly withouc the luxuries of a well-appointed modern church, for wo read: "That they heard .several candidates before settling Mr. John Rogers." We are further informed that the action which resulted in the call of Mr. Rogers was " according to the advice of the neighboring ministers." It is pleasant to notice that '^advice" is no new invention and to reflect that an individual, a church or a town can enjoy all its advantages even in the wilderness. So Mr. Rogers was called, and Mr. Wilder notes that he was a lineal descendant of the martyr of that name. Of this there is no reasonable doubt, still the fact is not fully established. This is the succession as given by Mr. Slebbins in his discourse. "He was a son of Rev. John Rogers, of Boxford, who was a son of Jeremiah Rogers, of Salem, who was the grand-on, as is supposed, of Nathaniel Rogers, of Ipswich, - of this last there is only traditional proof, - who came from England in 1636, and who was the second son of John Rogers of Dedham, England, who was the son of one of the ten children of John, the martyr.'' Those who are curious to see the full record are referred to the notes appended to the above discourse.

Mr. Rogers was installed by a council of the neighboring churches and ministers, September 14, 1743 (O. S). On the same day a church of sixteen male members was constituted. We are unable to learn whether any women were admitted to this early church or not. Possibly, as the women could not vote in town affairs, and might not be enrolled for war, it was supposed that they would neither miss the way to heaven nor be of service in the church militant. At all 'events, their names, if any belonged, do not appear.

The salary of Rev. Mr. Rogers was fixed at fortyfive pounds a year, which was to be increased to fifty-five pounds, when the town should contain sixty families. He was also entitled to a deed of the minister's lot of forty acres. This lot is said to have been located near the " old poor farm," although Mr. Rogers never actually lived there. It is clear, however, that the men of those times did not consider it necessary to have the minister's lot as near the church as the minister's pew was to the pulpit.

Covenant. - Being persuaded tlmt we are now called of God to come into ttie state of a Gosiml (.'liurcb, we do it, therefore, freely, in a solemn and religions manner, reflecting on our own unwortbiness, admiring the mercy and condescension of God and trusting in his promised grace. Accordingly, in tlie presence of God and man, we make these solemn declarations respecting our faith and practice.

Declaring our hearty belief of the Christian religion comprised in the Holy Scriptures, we firmly promise that l^studying and nietlitating in the word of God day and night) we will thereunto habitually conform our lives.

We dedicate ourselves to the Lord Jehovah (to the Father, Son & Holy Spirit) and take him for our eternal portion. AVe give up ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head ot the Church, as our Prophet, Priest & King.

We promise constantly and in an exemplary manner to observe all the duties of the Moral Law, to live soberly, righteously and piously, keeping consciences void of oflence towards God and man. We resolve to walk together as becomes a church of our Lord Jesus Christ in the faith and order of the Gospel, according to the best light we can obtain, diligently attending the public worship of God, the sacraments of the New Testament and all his sacred institutions, watching over one another in meekness and tenderuess.

Wa promise to be sincerely and regularly concerned for our neighbor'*! welfare, both temporal and spiritual, to do no injury, to give no offence, but to do what in us lies to promote the happiness of all (with whom we shall be concerned) in every respect, and not to confine this caution and benevolence to our friends, but to e-xtend them even to our enemies.

More particularly, we promise inviolably to practice all relative duties both to superiors, inferiors and equals, to show them all that honor, love, condescension and beneficence which shall be due fnun us. We promise never to revenge any injury we may suppose ourselves to have received of our neighbors. We will never promote or countenance any obscenity or impurity by word or deed. We will uever wrong our neighbors' worldly estate, but endeavor to advance it, conscientiously observing the rules of justness and honesty, and, as far as we shall be able, make full reparation of any injuries which we may have done. Moreover, we solemnly promise that we will never allow ourselves in the practice of calumny or slander, but will stlictly regard such Christian rules as these. (Titus 3, 2) Speak evil of no man, (James 4, 111 Speak not evil one of another, ('2 Cor. 12,211) lest there be strifes, backbiting^, whisperings; and will exercise that charity which covereth the multitude of faults, and thinketh no evil. And in all our affairs whatever we will religiously avoid ^as well as prudently discourage) indiscreet anger, contention and a selHsh and party spirit. And, in sum, we solemnly engage that we will invariably seek the public weal, and govern ourselves by the peaceful, charitable and generous principles of our holy religion, fixedly adhering to that most reasonable precept of our Blessed Lord and Pattern, " Whatsoever ye would that men should do to yon, do ye even the same unto them."

.\non, now sensible of our own corruption and weakness and of the power and vigilance of our spiritual enemies, we iniplore and trust in the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, to preserve us from dissimulation and instability, with reference to these our sacred vows and resolutions, to which, in the presence and fear of our iill seeing Judge, we subscribe our names.

The tree thus ]ilanted yielded, for some years, only pleasant fruit. Pastor and people dwelt together in harmony, prosecuting, no doubt, with zeal and success the legitimate work of a Christian Church. But in time there began to be discontent, whisperings of error, the gathering of the people in groups, of a Sunday, to discuss the sayings and doings of the pastor, until, some fourteen years after its organization, tliia feeble church was in the midst of what is known as the Rogers Controversy. It was a matter of the greatest importance, in the thought of the men and women of that day, but is remembered now chiefly as another example of the folly, on the one hand, of a premature discussion of religious themes, and on the other, of attempting to make all men think and believe alike. The history of this once famous controversy may be briefly stated. Mr. Rogers had, in the course of his studies, come to an honest change of views upon many of the important questions embodied in the covenant of the church. On the other hand, the men to whom he ministered had little time to consider such matters. They were accustomed to a certain familiar sound in the truth which they heard; a form of words it may be, and the life they lived precluded close thought. Under these circumstances it would seem that Mr. Rogers gave utterance to his new views with more clearness than discretion, and the people rebelled. They were not prepared. In time many did come to believe exactly as he did ; but it could not be done in a day. The result was that matters reached such a point that a council was called, July 2C, 1757, to meet and consider the case. Mr. Rogers was accused, before this council, of not believing in the divinity of Christ, in the doctrine of original sin and of being mi.xed on question of conversion. Of the general truth of these charges there is now, as there was then, probably, no doubt, except that he seems to have held very clear, although unusual, ideas of conversion ; at least for that time. The finding of the council was against Mr. Rogers, but his opponents were advised to wait for three months in the hope that he would modify his views - a course to which the council strongly urged him. If no improvement was noticed, the council was to be called together at the end of that time. Of course there was no change. The parties had already taken sides ; Mr. Rogers had, wisely or unwisely, refused to be a party to this council; his opponents already had the sanction of the neighboring churches ; both parties were fully convinced that they were doing battle for essential righteousness. Why should a change be expected ?

The Rev. Mr. Rogers was, from all accounts, an able man, very decided, if not obstinate in his views, independent in his opinions and little likely to accept advice, especially of men who, he believed, held opinions similar to his own ; and the men with whom he had to deal were equally determined in their course. No good could come of waiting. Mr. Rogers was, no doubt, a most sincere and worthy Christian man, a Unitarian born out of due time ; but to make him a martyr is simply absurd.

It is not clear whether the council was called together again at the end of three months, or a new one convened, or neither. The records are very meagre in regard to the whole matter. At all events the church voted, November 26, 1757, to accept the "result of the venerable council," and the same day it was voted in town-meeting " that the Rev. John Rogers desist from his pastoral oflice for the space of three months next ensuing, and that the selectmen be a committee to supply the pulpit during that time."

With commendable zeal and strong, if mistaken, pertinacity, Mr. Rogers went to the meeting-house for three successive Sabbaths after this for the purpose of preaching, but being excluded from the house on one occasion and from the pulpit on the others, he preached in his own house. There is no record that he made any further attempts to exercise the functions of his oflice, or that either party sought grounds for reconciliation. At all events, by vote of both church and town, passed January 28, 1758, Mr. Rogers was dismissed from his oflice. The following letter written by Mr. Rogers to his people at the time is worthy of permanent record :

I lament tliat we must be separated. I sufferej ami toiled with you to eetablisli this cliurch. Most of those who laid the foundation of tliis altar of God in the wilderness will stand by me. My enemies are mostly those who came among us as strangers, whom we welcomed with a Christian affection to our table of communion and house of woi-slnp; but who have now nngratefnlly, like the serpent in the fable, bitten their benefactor. The council, too, which have advised y<iu to this course are not free from guilt. Some of them, and not a few, think as 1 do on those very doctrines which they pronounce so fatal, aud which they call upon me, in the pitiful tones of children, to renounce, I forgive them their sin. May God forgive them. Posterity will revise their decision and judge their characters. I do not understand why I should be singled out from the other ministers around nie to be made a victim.

I differ from them in nothing, without it is in frankly declaring what I do believe. Their opinions are like mine. I confess that, on some points, I have modified uiy opinions since I caijie among you; anil I alu grieved to think that any are so simple as to suppose it an indication of menial weakness, or perfidy of heart, or treachery to duty, to gjow wiser as one grows older, and studies longer. John Robinson warned his church to beware of thinking that no more light would beam out of the Word of God, expressly warning them not to stick fast, as s(»me did, where Calvin left the truth, but to follow on after truth. Our covenant, it is true, implies the doctrine of the Trinity, but it does not reipiire any one always to believe it; it expressly exhorts us to study the Word of God both dliy and night, and to conform ourselves thereuulo. I have done so. .\m I guilty of a crime? I am willing to be classed with Newton and Milton and Locke and other good and great men, in llie Oliinion which I hold. No one need be asliamed in their company. ,\8 for I'ocanting my opinions. Christian friends, I cannot do it. God and my conscience would both condemn me. I could not think of myself but with shame. My ancestor suffered the torture of fire and death at the stake, rather than recant or conceal hia opinions. Could I meet him in Heaven without a blush, if I shoidd deny what I believe to be God's truth? Could I answer to my ^Master, Christ? .ludge ye. 1 lament to ho cut off from you. I am poor and know not where to g... My little ones cl-y around me for bread. Still 1 «ill trust in God, wlio has never yet forsaken me.

lie will care for me and mine. I hope, if you ilo expel me from the otflce of pastor, that you will pay me what you owe me. For ten years I have been willing to share in your poverty by not calling fur a portion of my salary, which is justly due me. Now, I am to he cast abroad upon the world, 1 feel as if I must be permitted to receive what is necessary for my very existence. But no more of this. The extremest want alone could have compelled me to mention it in tills connection. Brethren, pause before you act. Consider, I pray yon, what will be the end of these things; what will be thought of this after wo are all in our graves ? God give you wisdom to act in this matter, as you will all wish you had, when you stand in His presence to answer for this deed. And may the great Head of the Church keep you and build you up in truth and holiness evermore. - Your devoted, yet aggrieved Pastor, John Rouers.

After he was dismissed from the pastorate Eev. Mr. Rogers brought action against the town to recover that part of liis salary which, bj' general consent, appears to have been justly his due, and which his enemies loved him too well to pay. His adherents also made unsuccessful efforts to be set off" in a precinct by themselves. The whole matter was finally referred to the Superior Court with this result : Each party shall pay its own costs; the friends of Mr. Rogers shall be allowed to form a Second Parish ; the first parish shall pay to the new precinct when organized tlie sum of £45 within the year, and £45 more with interest after the first year, within ten years after the Second Parish is incorporated, and Mr. Rogers shall give up all claim on this town.

The Second Parish was at once formed, and Mr. Rogers preached to the little company of his faithful and affectionate friends for many years, at first in private houses, and then by permission of the town in a school-house on the north side of the river until, in 1788, the increasing infirmities of age forced him to ask for a dissolution of the relations between him and his people. This was granted, and the First and Second Precincts were at once united. These men and women, who had adhered to Mr. Rogers with so much constancy and affection all these years, voted to pay for tliree years longer his salary of fifteen pounds a year. It is a sad and, in many ways, a pathetic story, but must stand as marking the beginning of a division in religious thought and conviction which was sure to come, which no forbearance could prevent and no peace-making heal. It is only saying of them what will be said of us if we add, that greater wisdom on both sides might have delayed this division till the times were ripe for the change.

Rev. Francis Gardner was ordained as the successor of Mr. Rogers, December 22, 1762, and continued to serve the churcli until removed by death, June 4, 1814. He came to the office in a time of much excitement, but appears to have been a man of great skill and discretion, a prudent and wise pastor. Great changes occurred in the parish during his long ministry. Chief of these was the building of the second house of worship. The subject of building was first agitated in 1767, but so great was the difficulty of agreeing upon a location that six years passed before there was a vote to build. This vote was passed May 3, 1773, and it was determined to raise the frame June 1, 1774. The following is Mr. Wilder's description of this house :

" A site containing rather more than an acre was purchased of Rufus Houghton, at the rate of eight pounds per acre, being what is now the common in front of the First Congregational Meeting-House. The precise dimensions of the house are not known, but probably it was sixty feet in length and fifty in width. It fronted to the east, and at each end there was a porch, and in each of these porches were two flights of stairs to the gallery. On the lower floor there were eighteen square pews in the body of the house and thirty round on the walls. The pulpit was on the west side of the house, and in front and underneath that was the deacon's seat, and over the pulpit was suspended a very large sounding-board. From the double doors in front to the pulpit was a broad aisle, a wide one all round by the wall-pews and a narrow one from one porch to the other. In front of the pulpit, on either side, were three rows of seats for aged people. The singers occupied seats in the east side. It was well furnished, both outside and inside, and, for the times, was considered 'a large and an elegant meeting-house.' The expense is not known. The pews were sold before the house was built, and probably for enough to defray the whole expense." This house was built by the united efforts of both precincts, and was town property. The town-meetings were held in it for nearly fifty years, and it was made into a town hall in 1824, and as such used till 1851.

Rev. Mr. Stebbins makes the following reference to this house: "The memory of some (1843) is familiar with this house, its congregation, its minister .and service. The clapping of the seats after prayers, the old square pews, in the centre the grandfather's chair, the body-seats before the pulpit, and the deacon's seat under it; the gallery carefully adapted to accommodate the purposes of the young, and the 'negro-pews,' placed high in two corners; the deacons in their wigs, seated under the pulpit, the reading and lining of the hymns by these officers of the church, the wig, the three-cornered hat, the bauds, the small clothes and high-topped boots of the pastor, the chills and shiveriugs of winter, - all these some of you have seen and heard and felt."

Other changes are also recorded. April 14, 1765, the reading of the Scriptures was introduced as part of the exercises on Sunday. Dr. Stebbins declares that there is no record or tradition that this innovation caused either excitement or opposition. During the ministry of Mr. Gardner a change was made in the manner of reading the hymns. Before this the deacons had " lined " the hymns, now the minister read them. This tremendous change did not pass without criticism ; one of the deacons, Israel Nichols, expressed his opinion of the change by walking out of church when the minister began the reading. Another deacon, of different views, refused to " line " the hymn when requested to do so by Rev. Mr. Adam.s, of Lunenburg. Instrumental music was also made a part of the service during this ministry, and at the sound of the violin the first-named deacon took a second walk from the church. The violin remained, however, and it is presumed that the deacon returned. So much for successful change. But when, in 1791, it was propoised to put a stove in the church, the limit was reached, and the thing was persistently refused. No means were ever adopted for heating the second meeting-house, although the cold was so severe in 1808 that the town voted to hold but one service each Sunday from December to April. A sermon one hour lonfr, with other services in proportion, the thermometer at zero and no fire in the church, the congregation could not have enjoyed unmixed luxury.

Rev. Wm. Bascom, who had been settled in Fitchburg, was the successor of Mr. Gardner. He was installed here May 10, 1815, on a salary of ftiOO per year, and dismissed March 2, 1820. It is not necessary to discuss the facts which led to Mr. Bascom's dismission. His views were too conservative for a majority of his church and parish. For this reason they desired his removal. Dr. Stebbins regards Mr. Rogers as a martyr, and more than intimates that Mr. Bascom was let off easy ; but, in the absence of the least proof that Mr. Bascom ever attempted to conceal his views, historically they occupy the same position.

January 24, 1821, Mr. Abel Conant was ordained as the successor of Mr. Bascom. " He was a thorough Greek scholar, a sound reasoner, a quick and ready writer, a worthy and useful man and a most excellent pastor." Mr. Conant died while pastor of this church, December 6, 183G. The two most important events of his ministry were the building of the house of worship now used by the society and the formation of " The First Congregational Society of Leominster," May 4, 1835, which marks the time when the town ceased to manage parish affairs.

The present church edifice was ordered by vote of the town December 8, 1821, and finished early in the fall of 1823. The church cost $8,000 and the pews sold for $1,600 more than the entire expense. It has been twice remodeled - once in 1850 and again by the addition of a chapel and other rooms during the ministry of Rev. E. A. Horten. It is an exceedingly comfortable and convenient house of worship. This society has always been strong and prosperous, and is so still. The following ministers have served the society since the death of Rev. Mr. Conant : Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins, 1837-44 ; Rev. Hiram Withington, 1844-48; Rev. Amos Smith, 1848-56; Rev. T. B. Forbush and Rev. Stephen Barker, 1856-60 ; Rev. Eli Fay, 1861-64; Rev. John B. Green, 1864-67; Rev. E. A. Horten, 1868-75 ; Rev. Wm. H. Savage, 1876-86. Rev. Edward B. Payne was installed pastor Feb. 2, 1887, and is now serving this people.

Orthodox Coxgregational Church. - The division of the Town Church during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Rogers was certainly premature. Personal feeling ran very high. Men, it is said, would not recognize each other when they met on the street. Back of this there was, no doubt, some real difference of opinion and of faith. But personal feeling is likely to die with the men and women directly concerned and great changes in religious thought require time to ripen. The First and Second Precincts were of course united after Mr. Rogers' death. It was a failure to recognize the element of time in all religious movements, which was the source of Mr. Rogers' difficulty with his parish. A minister whose time is wholly devoted to stud}', whose disciplined mind is capable of seeing the relations of truth, may well go further in religious investigation than plain men and women, largely occupied with the ever-recurring question, " What shall we eat and how shall we be clothed?" can well follow him. Indeed, it would be a misfortune to submit to their decision many of these questions. While a minister is bound to preach that and only that which he fully believes, it is a great mistake to suppose that so soon as a new idea comes to him he must make public proclamation of the fact. Many of a man's opinions only "tent" with him, - they never take up a permanent residence. They hold him ; he does not hold them. It was this mistake which caused the trouble described.

But the close of Mr. Bascom's ministry brought the community to a very dift'erent relation to religious questions. The Rev. Thomas Gardner, during his long ministry, presented his views with great discrimination. Tliese views were much the game as those which Mr. Rogers expressed, but he had greater wisdom in his work. During the long rest and harmony of these years there was time for men to come, by a kind of natural selection, to those views of truth and duty which would, in the nature of the case, be permanent. The case was made up before Mr. Gardner's death. It only waited for an occasion to find expression. So when Rev. Mr. Bascom was found to be more conservative than was expected (and this was the ground for dissatisfaction and removal), the occasion came. Men divided, not, as before, on personal grounds, but because it was the necessary outcome of religious thought. That the old church should recognize and welcome these new forces was of course not to be expected. Still, soon after Rev. Mr. Conant was settled over the old parish, a new church was formed, - the first of several, - and which is now legally known as " The Orthodox Congregational Church and Society of Leominster."

Of the feeling at the time Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins, in his centennial discourse, says: "That there was nothing wrong done on either side I suppose, that those who were actors in the events, who are now living, would not now claim. That there a little ill feeling excited, and as little injustice done as ever were under such circumstances, is more perhaps than it would be best to say or believe. But one thing may be said with undoubted confidence: The ill feelings which were awakened at that time have been buried in the graves of those who have died and in the memories of those who are living.'' If this could be said nearly half a century ago, the mutual respect and good feeling of to-day needs no mention.

The object of organizing this new church was thus expressed at the time: " For their mutual edification, improvement in divine knowledge, for the better maintaining Gospel ordinances and public worship among themselves, as well as for the general promo- tion of vital religion and the extension of Christ's kingdom.'' An ex-parte council was called and a church organized .at the home of Captain Ejihraim Lincoln, December 25, 1822. This house still stands, and is owned and occupied by Henry J. Johnson.

The following persons constituted that church: John Perkins, James Wood, James Boutelle, Joel Hale, Thomas Boutelle, Hiel Coolidge, .Terusha Thurston, Mary Lincoln, Betsy Stuart and Dorothy Boutelle. On the day following, December 26th, Caleb Wood, Eunice Wood, Benjamin Perkins, Ephraim Lincoln, Samuel Hale, Hepsibah Hale, Abel Wood, Eleanor Nichols, Dolly Johnson, Susan Lincoln, Martha R. Lincoln, Julia Boutelle, Betsy Boutelle and Sally Hale were received into membership, making a total of twenty-four.

The fourteen last named had been members of the First Congregational Church (Unitarian), and were received into the new church on the recommendation of an e.v-jMrte council convened at their call. Of the ten original members, four remained in this communion until death. Of these, Dorothy Boutelle died in 1827; Betsy Stuart in 1836 ; James Wood in 1856, and James Boutelle, September 28, 1870. The latter was deacon of the church for more than forty years.

The church thus formed worshipped in the house where it was organized for nearly two years, during which time the numlier of members was more than doubled.

Their first meeting-house was erected in 1824, on the east side of Main Street, at a cost of $1600. This they continued to occupy until 1837, when it was sold to the Methodist Society for $8(i0. It was enlarged and repaired in 1849, and sold to the Catholic Society in 1871. A second house, built on the site occupied by the present church edifice, was dedicated February 8, 1837. In May, 18.50, it was struck by lightning and much damaged. In the same year it was remodeled and repaired, and re-dedicated January 8, 1851. This house continued to be nsed as a place of worship down to February, 1872. In the early part of 1871 the society took action looking to the erection of a new house of worship. The vote to begin operations was passed in the month of September ; the plans were fully matnred in .lanuary, 1872, and the old building sold at auction February 13th, to be removed before April 1st; but on February 27th it took fire and was wholly consumed. The corner-stone of the present church building was laid August 1, 1872. The chapel was finished February 27, 1873, and the whole building dedicated August 19th of the same year. Rev. Charles H. Payson delivered the address at the laying of the corner-stone ; Rev. A. A. Wood, D.D., preached the dedication sermon and the Rev. I. W. Backus offered the prayer.

This church building is one of the finest in Worcester County. In architectural beauty and general adaptation to its purpose it is unsurpassed. Still, it may well be supposed that such a structure cost was finally freed from debt the following statement of facts was made by the writer. It is reproduced here as of permanent interest in connection with the growth of this society.

"The new and beautiful church was dedicated, but with a debt of over thirty thousand dollars ! This was a heavy load under the most favorable conditions ; but when a large number of our members withdrew to form a new church organization at North Leominster, the financial strength of the society was greatly weakened, and the load of debt became oppressive and even menacing. Toward the close of Mr. Wales' ministry the church and society were brought squarely to the alternative of reducing the debt or giving up their house of worship. The debt had increased to over thirty-six thousand dollars! It was simply impossible to live under such a burden. In the fall of 1875 it was decided to make an earnest effort to reduce the debt by at least ten thousand dollars, and to pay all sums due for interest, etc. The effort was begun at once, but a year passed before the task was finished. It would not be possible to give any adequate description of the toil, the anxiety, the near approach to defeat and the final success of this effort. It was, by far, the most trying time this church and society have ever known. But it should be made matter of lasting record here that the ladies, both as individuals (for they started a subscription by themselves) and in their society, gave freely and lovingly of time, strength and money ; that those who had little gave mucli, and those who had more gave, and then increased their gifts, till at last the work was done.

" So the first woe was past. Everything was settled. The church had cost $65,432.62, and the debt was now a little over twenty-one thousand. After meeting its expenses it was hoped that the society could provide for the interest on this amount, especially as the Ladies' Charitable Society was to provide for the interest of S3,000 of this sum. It was not a 'good hope.' There was an increasing deficit. The burden was too heavy. About fifteen months later, January 16, 1878, the old veterans and the new recruits gathered for another battle. Thirteen thousand dollars would pay all out-standing claims and reduce the debt to less than $10,000. The memory of the former success helped in the present case. The work was carried on more rapidly and hopefully. The subscription paper was dated .lanuary 16, 1878, and by March of the same year, $13,082.00 were pledged. It may be added here, that every dollar of this sum was collected. March 14, 1878, the debt upon which the society was paying interest had been reduced to $9,900.00, and before July 1st the balance of subscription had been collected and arrears of interest, etc., paid. This had not been accomplished without hard work and self-denial. One brother, W. B. Frissell, should be remembered with lionor as giv-

" During the ministry of Rev. Mr. De Bevoise, and hirgely through his eflbrts, the last of the ohl debt disappeared. For years it had hindered the growth and the joy of the church. It died on a certain memorable Sunday morning, being unfit to live. Church and congregation breathed in freedom and hope. They had not taken back that which they had dedicated to the Lord, and they could hope for His blessing. These years of debt-paying often seemed almost hopeless, but they held the seeds of a century of growth."

The first pastor of the church was Rev. Phillips- Payson, of Rindge, N. H. He was ordained November 17, 1825, and dismissed April 17, 1832. The number belonging to the church at the beginning wa.'? fifty-seven, and sixty-five were added during his pastor ate. After much faithful service in this State, Connecticut and elsewhere, Mr. Payson died at his home in Fayetteville X. Y., February 16, 1866.

Orininal Couslilttfion (i/ Societtj I'omierti'l irith lliin ChiircJt. We, tho subscribers, fur our own eilification ftini improvement in Divine knowledge, and for tlie better maintaining of Gospel ordinances and puMic worsliip among ourselves, as well as for the general promotion of vital religion and the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, do hereby agree to form ourselves into a Society, to be called and known by the name of "Tke Calvinistic Society in Leominstkr," and hereafter to meet together and adopt such rules and regulations and pass such votes, not contmry to law, as may, by .a majority present at any legal meeting, be deemed proper atid expedient, relating to the objects and purposes aforesaid ; and we do hereby agree to abide by such votes, rules and regulations as may be thus a<lopted from time to time ; and especially In pay our resjieclive proportions of all such expenses as may arise for the support of public worship, whether for the purpose of paying a preacher or preachers or erecting or providing a building for meeting and worship, or for incidental or any necessary expenses connecteil with the object aforesaid ; the manner of notifying meetings, of employing preachers, of levying taxes, &c., to be hereafter agreed upon. The first meeting td" the Society for transacting business, relating to the objects aforesaid, shall be holden at the dwelling-house of Capt. Ephraim Lincoln in Leominster, notice of the time to be given by said Lincoln.

First Meeting-Hou.ke. - At a meeting of the Calvinistic Society held November 5, 1823, it was voted that Deacon Abel Kendall, Capt. Ephraim Lincoln and Abel Wood be a committee to report the form and expense of building a meeting-house. This committee having duly reported, at a meeting of the society December 22, 1823, it was voted "to build a meeting-house forty feet square, and thirteen feet posts." Abel Kendall, Ephraim Lincoln and Abel Wood were appointed a committee to contract for the building. January 2, 1824, this committee was authorized to make the contract " if the expense sliould not exceed one thousand dollars." April 2, 1824 it was voted to open a subscription paper for the purpose of raising three hundred dollars to make the meeting-house two stories liigh. At an adjourned meeting it was voted that each man pay for this purpose " what he shall voluntarily put to his name." The expense of the land and building the house was paid by the following persons, members of the Calvinistic Society in Leominster :

Legal Organization. - At a meeting of the society, April 12, 1824, it was voted that the members meet on Thursday, April 29th, for the purpose of organizing this society according to law. The following document was prepared and forwarded :

We, the undersigned members of the Calvinistic Church and Society in Leominster, do hereby request you to issue a warrant to some one of ua for calling a meeting of .Said Society, to bo holden at the dwellinghouse of Captain Ephraim Lincoln in said Leominster on Thursday, the twenty-ninth day of .\pril inst., at 4 o'clock p. .m., to act on the following articles, viz. :

Article 2. To choose a Clerk, Assessors, Treasurer, Collector, and such other officers as may be deemed proper for organizing said Society conformable to the law of the Commonwealth.

In the name of the Commonwealth aforesaid, and by virtue of a law thereof passed the sixteenth day of Feliruarj', a.u. 1824, entitled "An Act in addition to an Act respecting Public Worship and Religious Freedom," you are hereby directed, by giving personal notice seven days at least before the time herein set for the meeting, to notify and warn the members of said Calvinistic Church and Society, qualified to vote in town affairs, and particularly the within named applicants, to meet at the dwelling-house of Capt. Ephraim Lincoln in said Leominster, on Thursday, the 2ittb day of April inst., at 4 o'clock p. w., for the puipose of organizing said Society into a Parish by acting upon the articles specified in application.

Under this warrant the society was duly organized. The church and societj- has enjoyed difterent names at different periods of its history. At first it was the Calvinistic Church and Society ; in 1835 this was changed to the Evangelical Church and Society; again in 1874 the name was changed to the Orthodox Congregational Church and Society, since which time we have heard of no church in town trying to secure a longer name.

The society is free from debt. The church has a resident membership of three hundered and fortythree and a Sabbath-school of over four hundred.

The Central Baptlst CnnRCH. - In matters of religious faith one division is very likely to be followed by others. The formation of the Orthodox, Baptist and Methodist Churches were only parts of the same general movement; they were sub-divisions, according to individual choice, of the conservative element of the old Church.

In the centennial discourse of Eev. Rufus P. Stebbins we find this statement: "As early as the ministry of Mr. Bascom we find in the church records some intimations of the existence of Baptist views in the Church. At a meeting of the church in 1817 a brother stated his scruples about the validity of his infant baptism, expressing his doubts of his privilege to sit at the communion table under such circumstances, and desired to be excused from so doing for a short time. His request was cordially granted. About a month afterwards the same brother desired 'to receive a dismission from the church and recommendation.' The church took the subject into consideration, and two months after voted, 'that as the brother had, as they believed, conscientiously connected liimself with another denomination of Christians (Baptists), they should consider him no longer under the special watch and care of this church.' The reference in this extract is to Samuel Crocker, father of Dea. S. S. Crocker, of this town. The story of his conversion to Baptist views is thus told. While reading the Bible at family worship he came to one of the accounts oi baptism in the New Testament. His wife interrupted with: 'There, husband, the Baptists are right !' This led to a careful consideration of the subject and a change of belief. He walked to Harvard, applied for admission to the Baptist Church of that town, and was received after a short delay."

The further history of the Baptist Church here is largely a condensation of the admirable historical discourse of Rev. A. F. Mason, delivered at the semicentennial of the church.

In November of 1818, a year later, there w'ere more converts to the views of Mr. Crocker, and the pastor of the church in Holden visited Leominster and administered the rite of baptism. Great interest was manifested in the ceremony. Men and women came from all parts of the town and lined the banks of the river to witness what was then a most unusual service. In the following year seven more were baptized, and these, ten in all, remained members of the Baptist Church in Holden until June .31, 1822, when, with others to the number of sixty-five, they formed a church of their own faith in Princeton. This is the historical beginning of the Leominster Baptist Church, for the members of Leominster were organized into a branch church, with the privilege of sustaining the ministry of the gospel among themselves, observing the ordinances and of receiving believers to their fellowship. Sometimes with settled pastors, sometimes with transient supplies, and, when neither could be had, with the " demonstration " of Deacon Samuel Crocker, this " Branch " maintained a really independent existence for fifteen years, although not at this time recognized as a separate church.

The parish history begins with 1824. On the 21st of April of that year David Allen, Jonah Rice, Oliver Haskell, Peter Wilder, Willard Parker, Samuel Crocker, Thomas Wilder, Tyler Coolidge, Joseph Smith and Thomas A. Warner petitioned William Perry, justice of the peace for the county of Worcester, " to issue a warrant to all members of the Baptist Society in the Town of Leominster, qualified to vote in town afTairs, to meet for the purpose of organizing said Society into a parish." This warrant was issued on the 28d and the society met on the 30th, " in the building owned by widow Eunice Richardson, in said town, where said Society usually assembles for public worship." This house then stood on Main Street, but has been removed and is now occupied by Mr. George M. Kendall, on North Main Street. Here the parish was organized.

The first pastor of the church was Rev. Elisha Andrews. There is no record of the date of his settlement or the length of his service. It is another case of faulty records. At the time everybody knew and it seemed of no consequence ; now, no one knows or can discover. April .30th, however, the society voted

From 1824 to 1830 meetings were held in the tailorshop of John Richardson, which had been furnished with a desk and benches for that purpose. The brethren and sisters occupied different sides of this primitive church. As they were not permitted to adorn their half of the sanctuary with specimens of manly beauty, the sisters concluded to ])aper the walls; thus forming a " corner " in beauty. During this time the church was supplied, in addition to those already named, by Revs. John Walker, Nicholas Branch and Elias McGregary.

This first meeting-house of tliis .society was built in 1830. It was located on land given for the ])urpose on North Jlain Street, where the house of Mr. Stilman Meads now stands, and the building itself is still in use near its original site. The cost, as it appears from a receipt in full given by Daniel Allen, to whom the contract for building was given, was $831.35.

The next pastor was Rev. Samuel Glover, but it does not seem that the society proposed to take much risk in the matter, for they "voted to employ Eider Samuel Glover to preach to such amount as funds may be raised to pay the expense consequent on Elder Glover's labor." Whether the amount of preaching refers to the number or the length of the sermons the record does not say. Appleton Belknap, George Waters, Luther Stoddard and Messrs. Stearns, Merriam and Bradbury - first names not known - served the church after the resignation of Rev. Mr. Glover, in 1833. In 1834 we learn that David Allen obtained the contract for the care, the heating and the lighting of the church for $4.50. The next year the society went to the extent of furnishing four feet of green wood and two feet of dry wood, and paid Henry Perry five dollars for the same work. These are picture facts in which we may see both the history and the spirit of the times.

The next pastor was the Rev. Moses Harrington. In the first part of his ministry (June 28, 1837) the " branch " was organized as an independent church. Twenty-eight persons constituted this iofant church. The ministry of Mr. Harrington continued until 1840, and his succes.sor, David Goddard, Jr., was ordained on June 3d of that year. He continued in the office here until Feb. 4, 1843. Of Mr. Goddard the Rev. Mr. Mason says : " He was a reformer, taking high ground against slavery, intemperance and worldly amusements. He led the church as a body to pledge themselves to total abstineuce and the disfellowshiping of slave-holders. He also framed the following clause which was inserted in the church covenant: 'We will also carefully refrain from spending our time idly at tKverns, in parties of worldly pleasure, or in trifling company.' He preached a sermon, which is represented as a powerful discourse, against the wearing by the sisters of roses in their bonnets; and such was the effect that every sister immediately dismantled her head-gear of all ornaments, and put them back again within three weeks." His grave is in Leominster.

The other pastors of this church were David Goddard, Sr., William S. Wilder, Isaiah C. Carpenter, David Taylor and B. H. Clifts. With the end of this last pastorate the Leominster Baptist Church cea,sed to be ; the last entry in its records bearing date October 27, 1849, three weeks after the resignation of Rev. B. H. Clifts. The difficulties were too many and the burdens too heavy for their strength. The people refused to contribute longer to the repairs of a church so badly located and to the support of preaching in a house not fit for public worship. The church was (lisbalided. At this distance of time and under our changed circumstances it would not be well to pass judgment on the wisdom of this action ; but it does not seem wholly clear why it was necessary to disband the old church and lose all its associations if a new church of the same faith was to be organized within six months. Perhaps it was a matter of local necessity.

March 5, 1850, twenty-five persons, assembled at the house of .Jonathan Burrage, began the new movement ; on the following Sunday these, with seven others, declared themselves the Leominster Central Baptist Church and were recognized as such by council August 23d of the same year. Before the end of the year the house now occupied by the society was built and dedicated. The list of pastors is as follows: Rev. Aurora M. Sawin, 1850-54; Rev. A. C. Bronson, brother of the librarian of the Town Library, 1854-57; Rev. Isaac Woodbury, 1857-58; Rev. A. M. Higgins, 1859, who was ]iastor thirteen months. For a year after this Joseph Barber, then a student in the Worcester Academy, supplied ; Rev. W. H. Watson, 1862, was pastor for three and one-half years ; Rev. Abijah Hall, 1866-68; Rev. Thomas Clarkson Russell, 1868-74; Rev. A. F. Mason, 1874-76; Rev. O. D. Kimball, 1876-83; Rev. A. L. Freeman, 1884-8G; Rev. Julius B. Robinson, 1886-88.

The Methodist Epi8fOP.\L Church. - The real beginnings of this church date from nearly the same time as of the other churches named, but it was not legally constituted until March 10, 1828. The Strattons then, as afterwards, were prominent in this movement, as the first meeting was held at the house of Nathan Stratton and John Stratton was the first clerk. This society dedicated its first house of worship December, 1829. This house continued to meet the wants of the society for ten years, when it was converted into a dwelling-house and the society moved to the church building on Main Street, which had been purchased of the present Orthodox Church. Ten years later, in 1849, this building was repaired and enlarged. Here the society continued to worship till 1871, when it was sold to the Catholic Bishop and the present beautiful church building on Main Street was dedicated. This edifice cost sixty-five thousand dollars. In beauty and symmetry it ranks second among the public buildings of the town.

This society has had many preachers. At first it formed part of a circuit and was also a mission station. It followed that, after the manner of the Methodists of that time, ttie society often had more than one minister at a time. The itinerancy itself will also help account for this extended list. These names are as given by members of the society and are as accurate as is now possible.

In 182.'? the first society was formed by Erastus Otis, who, with George Fairbanks, were stationed on the Needham Circuit, with which it is supposed Leominster was connected until 1884, when it was probably conuected with the Marlboro' Circuit: In 1831 Leominster was probably connected with Lunenburg, in 1836 with Fitchburg, and from 1836 to 1839 with Lunenburg and Jlarlboro', when it was probably again connected with Lunenburg; in 1840 with Marlboro' and Fitchburg mission. In 1841 it was Leominster and Lunenburg, in 1842 Lunenburg aud Leominster, in 1843 Leominster and Sterling missions, in 1844-45 it was a missionary station by itself, and after that a regular station. The list of ministers is as follows : 1823, Erastus Otis and George

E. Fairbanks : 1824, Benjamin Hazelton, John C. Risley and Ira M. Bidwell ; 1825, John Lindsay, Jared Perkins and H. S. Ramsdell ; 1826, Joel Steele, Jared Perkins and Leonard B. Griftin ; 1827, Abraham D. Merrill, Giles Campbell and Thomas W. Tucker, supernumerary; 1828, Ephraim K. Avery, Thomas W. Tucker and Lewis Johnson ; 1829, Daniel Fillmore, Isaac Jennison and A. B. Kinsman ; 18.30, Daniel Fillmore, and Isaac .lennLson ; 1831, Jacob Sanborn and Sanford Benton ; 1832, Abraham D. Merrill and Samuel Coggshall ; 1833, Isaac Jennison ; 1834, Charles Virgin ; 1S35, Thomas W. Tucker and Joel Knight; 1836, J. S. Ellis; 1837, Charles Virgin, William P. White and Ebenezer F.

Saint Leo's Catholic Church. - This church comes next in the order of time in the religious movements of Lecnninster. Much indirect work was done for the Catholic faith here before Leominster was made an independent parish in 1872. The first work in this direction was begun in 1849. At that time Rev. Father M. F. Gibson, a Catholic minister of Worcester, Mass., came here and performed the services of his church at the homes of some of the resident Catholic families. The numbers who desired to avail themselves of the benefit and pleasure of his monthly visits incre.ased so rapidly that the selectmen permittea the use of the Town Hall and then of Gardner Hall for his services. From this time his visits were weekly instead of monthly, as at first. In the history of the Baptist Church, mention has been made of their first house of worship, located on the plane between the Centre and North Leominster. In 1857 the Catholic Bishop purchased this and it was fitted up as a place of worship. Before this time, however, Rev. M. F. Gibson was made resident pastor at Fitchburg, and Leominster was still a part of his charge. Other pastors from Fitchburg served the church until it was made a separate parish, and Rev. Father Daniel Shiel, the present able pastor, was appointed.

As already stated, the present Catholic Church was purchased of the Methodist Episcopal Society in 1871. In 1876, it had become much too small for the needs of the people and it was enlarged and wholly remodeled. Its seating capacity was greatly increased and its general appearance improved. A new and attractive parsonage house now occupies the site of the old building, bought with the church, of the Methodist Society. This house was built in 1882.

Congregational Chitrch op Christ, North Leominster. - Prior to May 6, 1874, there was no permanent religious organization of any kind at North Leominster. At difl'ereut times, for some yeare, meetings were htld in Kendall Hall and elsewhere. Sometimes these meetings were social and in charge of members from the centre, and at other times there was a preaching service by resident pastors. There had been little fixed thought, however, of a separate work for this part of the town before the first half of the year above named. It was true that some feeling had found expression earlier, that the religious needs of North Leominster could not be much longer neglected, and that, as the Orthodox Congregational Church had more members resident there than any other church at the centre, it might be the duty of these persons to organize a local church. But the matter was wholly indefinite and uncertain until JIarch 24, 1874. At that time tho.se most interested met at the house of Geo. S. Burrage, to consider the "expediency of forming a Congregational Church in North Leominster." There were, at that time, some forty members of the Orthodox Church at the centre resident there, and after mature deliberation these members called a council to meet in Kendall Hall, May 6, 1874, by which they were constituted and recognized as a church of Christ. The society connected with this church was organized April 17, 1875.

From its organization until April, 1880, the church held its public services in Kendall Hall; but on the 7th of that month its present beautiful and convenient house of worship was dedicated. For its size, it is one of the pleasantest churches in town and a great addition to North Leominster. By the liberality of the late Captain Leonard Burrage the society now has a fine parsonage, and from the estates of Mr. Augustus Whitman and Captain Burrage a fund ol eleven thousand dollars.

The first pastor of the church was Rev. Henry E. Cooley, installed November 10, 1874, and died February 17, 1877. The other pastors in the order of service have been : Rev. E. G. Smith, from June, 1877, to June, 1881 ; Rev. Henry P. Cutting, from November, 1881, to September, 1884 ; Rev. Newton I- .fones, from March, 188.'), to March, 1887 ; Rev. Frederic A. Balcon, the present paitor, who began his labors with the church July 1, 1887.