Wrentham Town (part 2 of 3)

_of Accord pond, in Hingham and Abington, and running from said monument west twenty and one-half degrees south, leaving the towns of Weymouth, Braintree, Stoughton, and Wrentham adjoining on the north, and Abington, Bridgewater, "Mansfield, and in the meeting-house according to their age, usefulness, and estate, including the inhabitants of Dorchester, who attended church here. A _ suit was the bound marks. It seems that the indictment of the town for not maintaining a school had its effect, for it was now voted to establish a school in four parts of the town. to procure a minister for one-quarter of a year, and was continued in authority after the death of Mr. Man, which took place on the 22d day of May, A.p. 1719.

Fifty years had passed away since he was first called to preach to the handful of people who were attempting a settlement in this wilderness. The people, in addition to the hardships incident to their pioneer life, had been liable to conflicts with savages and Frenchmen. He came to them while in their weakness and poverty, returning with them after Philip's war, although he had opportunity to settle strongly seconded by the ministers of the churches. Hence, in answer to the petition of the inhabitants of Wrentham for town power, the colonial record is, "The Court judgeth it meet to give the petitioners

To that excellent man is due, in a great measure, undoubtedly, the continuance of the settlement whose early planting here has been described in previous pages.

Mr. Bean, in his sermon preached at the conclusion of the first century of the town's existence, viz., in 1773, in speaking of the first settlers here, says, 'They were careful to have the word of God regularly preached to them and procured Mr. Sam'! Man, a young candidate, for that purpose." And after Philip's war, "'when the settlers had concluded to return, so great was their veneration for Mr. Man, and so acceptable had been his labors among them, that it was their earnest desire he should return with them." It seems that, while away from Wrentham, he had been preaching at Milton, and was about to receive a call there, but, says Mr. Bean, "so great was his affection for the people of Wrentham, and so desirous was he of the plantation's going on that he complied with their request." In 1692 a church was gathered here, consisting of ten members, including Mr. Man. 'The others were Benjamin Rockett, John Ware, Eliezer Metcalf, John Fairbanks, Thomas Thurston, John Guild, Ephraim Pond, John Vails, Samuel Fisher.

war that Mr. Man should return with them. He was indispensable to them. In fact, the minister in those days was really the head of the people. He was their guide not only in spiritual affairs, but in worldly affairs also. He was undoubtedly the only man in the community who had had the opportunity of acquiring learning beyond the elements, and his influ-

'"' By what I have heard of him," continues Mr. Bean, "he was a man of good erudition and an accomplished He lived greatly beloved by his people, and died greatly lamented by them. He was born at Cambridge, and was graduated at

At a general meeting of the inhabitants, in September, 1719, the church, in presence of the inhabitants, did agree that the inhabitants should join them in choosing a minister out of three that were nominated, viz.: Rev. Samuel Andrew, Rev. Jonathan Parepont, and Rev. Henry Messinger.

elected, by both church and town jointly concurring, to be the minister of this town to carry on the work of the ministry." dated at Cambridge, Oct. 2,1719. He married Esther Cheever, of Cambridge, January, 1720, and was described in the records of that town as the Rev. Henry | at that date, as the name of Messinger is not found upon the town record previously. His children were twelve in number. One of his sons (John) died in 18]4, in his eighty-third year. He served in the office of town clerk twenty-one years in succession, when he declined further service, remarking that he In 1787 he was again elected, and served seven years sucought to be free at the age of twenty-one.

to advance his glory and the eternal happiness of others. And that it may be so, [ humbly ask your earnest prayers for me at the throne of Grace, that God would forgive my many and great sins, whereby I am rendered so unfit to engage in so sacred a work, and for which I desire deeply to be abashed and humbled before God. Cry to God mightily on my behalf, that he in whom is all fulness would in a plentiful manner bestow upon me the outpouring of his spirit and adorn me with every Christian grace and virtue, that I may come to you in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Peace, and if God in his due time shall settle me among you, doe what you can to make script or published discourse of Mr. Messinger. It has therefore seemed proper to copy here his letter of acceptance, that the readers of these annals may be enabled to form an idea of the man."

" Sirs, - I cannot but with great fear take notice of the overruling Providence of God in inclining your hearts so unanimously to make choice of myself, the most unworthy and unfit,

To this end let brotherly love be and abound among you, let every one forgive his brother his trespasses as he hopes for forgiveness of God, live in peace, study the things which tend thereto, and the God of Peace will be with you and bless you. And God, of his infinite grace, grant that we may with united hearts strive to advance his kingdom and glory, may be mutual blessings to, may enjoy much comfort in each other, and perform the respective duties incumbent on us, as that, when our glorious Jesus shall make his second and illustrious appearance to judge both quick and dead, we may meet each other with joy and comfort, and give up our accounts with joy and not with grief.

Mr. Messinger was ordained Dec. 5, 1719. In 1721 a second house for public worship was built, and was used as such by all the people in the town until Aug.

among you. And since your invitation to me, I hope I have seriously and solemnly considered how awful great and difficult the work is to which I am called. work has been set so solemnly before me by others, and I have well thought of my own youthfulness and the little progress I work, I have been ready to plead and say, how shall I speak that am but a child, and how shall I watch over souls so as to save my own and the souls of others? and-have been almost In the multitude of the thoughts within me I have asked counsel of Heaven, and left my case there, begging of God that he would direct me in the weighty business before

IT hope I have not sought in vain. I have likewise consulted many learned, wise, and godly men, who with one consent agree that my call is clear, and that therefore it is my indispensable duty to comply with the same, as I would not deny the call of Christ.

idence shall provide for my comfortable sustenance among you, trusting that God that has called me to engage in so awfula work, who sees my unfitness for it and inability to perform the

1 Since this was written the writer has learned that an account of a revival in 1741, at which time many were added to the church in Wrentham, was prepared by Mr. Messinger and published in the book entitled the "' Great Awakening," and also that he wrote.a commentary on a part of the Old Testament.

lin) was organized. A new church was formed there, composed of members dismissed from the old church here, under the ministry of Rev. Elias Haven, who was ordained over them on the 8th day of November of the same year.

The immediate successor of Mr. Messinger says, "He continued in this First Parish greatly laboring in word and doctrine till it pleased the Sovereign Lord of life and death to put a period to his life and work nearly together. His death occurred on the 30th day of March, 1750, in the fifty-fifth year ef his age, and the thirty-second of his faithful ministry. He was a gentleman of unblemished reputation, and He had the character of a plain, faithful, affectionate, and profitable preacher. And though he was of but a slender, feeble constitution, yet he was abundant' in

Tt is a somewhat remarkable fact that there is no one now residing within the limits of the town who is a descendant, and bears the name at the same time, of either of the first five ministers settled, although | Mr. Man left six sons and Mr. Messinger five, and Mr. Bean and his successors also left sons. The descendants of the first two must, nevertheless, be very numerous among us, notwithstanding the fact that large numbers of them have from time to time gone

The Rev. Mr. Messinger's daughters were sought in marriage by neighboring clergymen. Mary married the Rev. Elias Haven, of West Wrentham (now Franklin) ; Esther, the Rev. Amariah Frost, of Men- | don, Mass.; Sarah, first, Dr. Cornelius Kollock, of Wrentham, and second, Rev. Benjamin Caryl, of Dover, Mass.; Elizabeth, the Rev. Joseph Bean, her | father's successor in the ministry at Wrentham. His | son, James, was the first minister of Ashford, Conn. |

Those inhabitants of Dorchester living as they say convenient to come to the public worship of God in Wrentham, agreed to be taxed ratably for the payment of Mr. Messinger's salary so long as the town of Dorchester would exempt them from paying there. Their names were Samuel Man, Hannah George,

Samuel Lane, Jeremiah Ruggles, Mary Shepard, John Martin, James Humphrey, Samuel Richardson, In October of this year, having voted that the new meeting-house | should stand on or near the spot occupied by the old one, the inhabitants determined that it should be "forty feet in length and thirty-eight in breadth, and of such height as may be most convenient and proper for two tiers of galleries one above the other." Another institution indicating the progress of the settlement in another direction was established as appears by the following recited vote: '' Agreed with Ensign Eliezer Ware to make a pair of stocks at the | town's cost and charge."

This useful reformer probably adorned the common in front of the new meetinghouse, where its beneficent workings were visible to all the good people of the village, as often as the nightwatch, whose duty it was to patrol the streets east and west, one-half mile from the meeting-house, made their

'We find that Benjamin Ware was living in Wrentham in 1721 as a practicing physician. He was the | first physician who settled here, Dr. Stewart, as previously related, not finding sufficient encouragement in the earlier days of the plantation to remain.

At this time the inhabitants living in the wesierly part of the town (now Franklin) desired some relief | from ministerial charges because, as they say, they ''live remote from the public worship and cannot at- | tend on the same without difficulties and hardships." It was accordingly determined that whatever they might now pay toward building the new meeting-house should, whenever they should be set off into a precinct, district, or parish by themselves, be returned to them for their use in the defraying the charge of building a meeting-house among them.

The provincial government having emitted bills of credit to the amount of fifty thousand pounds, this town took two hundred and seventy-two pounds and ten shillings, for which trustees were appointed to loan to the inhabitants at five per cent. interest. The entire tax for this year (1722) was two hundred and ninety-two pounds, seventeen shillings, and eightpence.

A committee appointed to seat people in the meeting-house were directed to reserve a pew for the minister and his family, and also one for the widow of the Rev. Mr. Man, and then to place the men on one side of the house and the women on the other. Schools were established in other parts of the town between the years 1723 and 1728, and in 1725, having opposed the setting off the westerly part of the town into a new precinct, the inhabitants (in 1727) prosecuted Bellingham for refusing to renew the boundmarks, and in 1728 took three hundred and fifty-one pounds and five shillings in bills of credit of the province.

The patriotism of the inhabitants was so much excited at this time that they, with preamble and good set phrase, ordered the selectmen to draw out of the treasury the sum of twenty-five pounds and forward the same to the Hon. John Quincy, Speaker of the The controversy between the officers of the crown and the people had been waged for many years viceroy to demand of the provincial assemblies a fixed salary, believing that he would thus be less likely to incline to the popular interests against the crown. The demand made by Dudley in 1702, and resisted by the Assembly, was renewed by Shute in 1706, with like result, and being insisted on caused violent disputes, the people in the course of the quarrel repeatedly asserting the principle on which they finally appealed to arms against the mother-country. Glancing

House of Representatives choosing their Speaker in 1723 and placing him in the chair without presenting him to the Governor for confirmation, and in a variety of ways asserting its rights, especially in voting the allegations of Shute without foundation and ordering one hundred pounds sterling to be remitted to their agent in Europe to employ counsel, in which, how- refused to join, the ordering the Speaker to sign and send the paper to England, the preparing a separate address by the Council, which was forwarded to Shute, and the employment of Dummer and Cooke to appear for the province, we find that it was not until 1726 that a decision was made before the Lords in trade and the king in council upon the complaints preferred by Shute. The decision, as is well known, was adverse to Massachusetts, and resulted in adding two clauses to her charter, viz., one affirming the right of the ing in 1728 the demand that a fixed salary be paid him, saying this was the command of the king, the House refused, but granted him seventeen hundred journey. He refused it, but took three hundred pounds granted for his journey. Hence arose a violent quarrel, the Governor remonstrating and threatening, and the deputies persisting in their refusal.

lar manner declaring its opposition to the commands of the king, in consequence of which the Governor adjourned the General Court to Salem, the House summon them to Boston, which, being refused, the Here the House resolved to apply to the king, and Belcher and Wilkes were employed as its agents. Grants were made by the House to defray their expenses, but the Council rejected them, whereupon a port of him and his family." '" Wherefore it was voted that a contribution be taken up once a quarter upon the Lord's day for this purpose for one year next ensuing, and that the deacons take care to deliver the money so gathered to the Rev. Mr. Messinger." His salary was nominally one hundred pounds, but, as he was paid in the depreciated bills of credit of the province, the real sum received by him must have been much less.

The cost of the late war to the colonies, estimated at sixteen millions of dollars, of which only five millions was repaid by the British ministry, bore hardly upon the province. Besides, Massachusetts had contributed her share of the thirty thousand lives computed to have been sacrificed in the protracted contest. emissions of paper money that gold and silver were

To defray her expenses she made such large not at all in circulation. It seems that a small party favored the calling in the paper money, " relying on the industry of the people to replace it with a circulating medium of greater stability."

'' Another party favored a private bank, the bills not to be redeemed in specie, but landed security to be given." Another party were for a public bank, the faith of the government to be pledged to the value of the notes, and the profits accruing from the bank to be applied for its support. This party was successful, and fifty thousand pounds in bills of credit were issued, This

The town, in 1734, having refused to build a meeting-house for the westerly inhabitants, voted to supply them with preaching, and chose a committee to " clear the town of certain scandalous charges made by Bellingham in a petition to the General Court. It was also voted in 1735 that some people with their estates be annexed to Medway; and that a number of Court remained at Salem, supported by the towns. |

The bills of public credit continuing to depreciate, the town '' proposed to take into consideration the present difficult circumstances of the Rev. Mr. Messinger, and make some further provision for the sup- families formerly of the westerly end of Dorchester, but now intermixed with the westerly end of Stoughton, who were joined to this town in 1724, may be returned to the town of Stoughton." One reason assigned for this movement was "that the town of Wrentham is now under very mean, low, and poor circumstances, their town charges being very great; adding, the charge of the town to maintain the poor would amount, as we suppose, to more than all the polls and estates of families upon the said land would pay, and also many highways must be made through said tract." the inhabitants of West Wrentham to be set off into a separate township, but, at the suggestion of the committee of the General Court, voted in 1737 that they might be set off as a distinct parish.

The warrants for town-meetings began in 1740 to summon the voters to meet at the public meetinghouse in the Hast Precinct, and in 1742 the town discontinued the practice of warning town-meetings and a grant was made to Eliphalet Whiting, of the use of the creek between the two ponds, with the privilege of erecting a dam, with the right of the town to resume it on certain conditions.

The church records say, '' The Rev. Mr. Messinger gave up the ghost on the 30th day of March, 1750, and was buried on the Tuesday following ; that the church and First Precinct unanimously invited the Rev. Mr. Joseph Bean to carry on the work of the ministry among them."' ordained Dee. 5, 1750.

"Ata meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town, held by adjournment Noy. 1, 1765, it was unanimously voted that the following sentiments be recorded on the town book, that the children hereafter to be born may see the desire ernment in the world, though with decency yet with the utmost firmness, having the strongest affection and loyalty tothe King and the highest veneration for that august assembly the Parliament, and sincere regard for all our fellow-subjects in Great Britain, any attempt to deprive us of our rights and privileges as colonists must be very alarming, and as such we cannot forbear mentioning some of the proceedings of the late Ministry,

Stamp Act, which we apprehend is unconstitutional and oppressive, as it wholly cancels the very conditions on which our ancestors settled this country and enlarged his Majesty's dominion in America, at their sole expense with vast treasure and blood, - that it totally deprives us of the happiest frame of civil government, expressed in our charter, - for by the charter of this Province the General Assembly has the power of making iaws for its internal government and taxation, - and that no freeman shall be taxed, but by his own consent either in person or by proxy. And by this act a single judge of the Admiralty has power to try and determine our properties in controversies arising from internal concerns without a jury; which in our opinion is contrary to the very expressions of Magna Charta - that no free man shall be amerced but by the oath of good and lawful men of the vicinage, and by this act it is certain that it putsit in the power of Mr. Informer or Prosecutor to carry the subject more than a thousand miles distance for trial. Who, then, would not pay a fine rather than to be thus harassed, guilty or not? If his Majesty's subjects in America are not to be governed according to the known then will be wanting to render us miserable and forlorn slaves? But supposing that these difficulties were imaginary only, yet we have reason to except against that act, as we apprehend considering the almost insupportable load of debt the Province is now under, and the scarcity of money. We have reason to think that the execution of that act for a short space would drain the country of its cash and strip multitudes of their prop- What then would be the consequence resulting from so sudden and convulsive a change in the whole course of our business we tremble to con- Gentlemen, as these are our sentiments of that act, we, the freeholders and other inhabitants of this town legally assider.

friends of liberty on so important a point; but when we consider the answer (this day read before the town) of the Honorable House to his Excellency's speech at the opening of the present session so minutely pointing out the inherent rights of the colonies and the spirit that runs through the whole form, it gives us the utmost satisfaction and strongest confidence under of the House, under whose paternal care and protection we have ever been a happy people. And we remain with the utmost assurance that no measures will be wanting by this Honorable House, in joining with all the other colonies in such remonstrances and petitions as are consistent with our loyalty to the privileges as they received them from their ancestors, and that a copy thereof be sent to the Honorable, the House of Representatives in General Court assembled. Gentlemen, asa free and fullenjoyment of the inherent rights and privileges of natural, free-born subjects of Great Britain, long since precisely known and ascertained by uninterrupted practice and usage from the first settling of this country down to this day is of the utmost value, and ought to be contended for as the best frame of goyeffect."

This act so odious to our patriotic sires, signed March 8, 1765, by a commission on account of the king's insanity, rendered invalid every written instru- severe penalties, suits for which were to be brought in any Admiralty or King's Marine Court throughout the colonies. The excitement extended throughout be used; had hung Oliver, the distributor, in effigy upon the old liberty-tree, and made him swear that he had not and would not distribute the odious stamps; shouted liberty, property, and no stamps; of Oliver, Bute, and Grenville to the flames, calling themselves Sons of Liberty, and rending the air with huzzas for Pitt and liberty, even going so far as to

The town chose a delegate to a convention to be holden in Faneuil Hall on the 22d day of September, 1768, to consult and advise such measures as his

In 177); Jabez Fisher was chosen representative to attend a General Court to be held at Harvard College. The House was convened at Salem and Cambridge, to avoid the influence of the people of Boston upon that assembly. The quarrels with the Governor at every session of the court tended to make clearer and clearer the fact that the British government intended to coerce the colonies. The House protested against being adjourned from Boston, and learning that the government officers were receiving salaries from the rejected on the ground that he was expressly forbidden from giving his consent to such an act upon any pretense whatsoever, which so roused the ire of the members of the House that they declared they knew of no commissioners of his Majesty's customs, nor of caused by the riotous proceedings above mentioned, and also against extravagant grants for superfluities ; but to join in measures designed for the detection to the town that, ' considering his Majesty's most gracious recommendation and the application of the sufferers, the vote passed in August last be reconsidered | and the following instructions be given to our repre- | sentative. 'To Mr. Jabez Fisher: Sir, we, your con- | stituents, his Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects in | you give your vote to the purport of the bill which is prepared by the honorable House of Representatives at their last session entitled "An Act for granting compensation to the sufferers and of free and general pardon, indemnity and oblivion to the offenders in the late times,' and that you use your influence accord-

North America. The Governor also rejected the grants made to the agents of the province in Europe. Vessels of war, twelve in number, arrived and anchored in the harbor, and Sam Adams declared " that America must under God work out finally her own salvation." The clergymen of Boston refused (with one exception) to read the Governor's proclamation for Thanksgiving, but "implored Almighty God for In April, 1722, the Governor convened the Assembly at Boston, and the restoration of lost liberties." here the quarrel was renewed. A resolve having been passed denouncing the payment of thie salary to the Governor by Great Britain, he was informed by the secretary for the colonies that the king had made provision for the support of his servants in the Massachusetts Bay. A town-meeting was called (the court not being in session) ; John Hancock was moderator. The Governor was asked by this meeting "if stipends He refused had been fixed to the offices of judges." to answer. contrary to the charter and the common law was sent to him, and requesting that the subject might be referred to the General Court. This request was also refused, and the General Court was not permitted to meet in December, the time to which it had been prorogued. The Governor in his reply denied the right of the town to debate such matters, upon which it was voted that the inhabitants of Boston have ever had, and ought to have, the right to petition the king for the redress of such grievances as they feel, or for preventing of such as they have reason to apprehend, and to communicate their sentiments to other towns. And Samuel Adams then proposed that step which, it has been said, 'included the whole Revolution, viz., a committee of correspondence to consist of twenty-one persons, to state the rights of the colonies, and of this province in particular, as men and Christians, and as subjects, and to communicate and publish the same to the several towns, and to the world, as the sense of this town, with the infringements or violations thereof that have been, or from time to time may be, made." This was the origin of the famous committee of correspondence, and it is in answer to their letter that the inhabitants of Wrentham, on the 11th day of January, 1773, returned the following spirited and patriotic reply :

"First. Resolved, That the British constitution is grounded on the eternal law of nature, a constitution whose foundation and centre is liberty, which sends liberty to every subject that is, or may happen to be, within any part of its ample circumference; that every part of the British dominions hath a right freely to enjoy all the benefits and privileges of this happy constitution, and that no power of legislation or government upon earth can justly abridge nor deprive any part of the British happy constitution and its true principles; that every part of the British dominions in which acts of the British Parliament are exercised contrary to the true principles of the constitution have, and always ought to have, a right to petition and remonstrate, or to join in petitioning and remonstrating to the king, | lords, and commons of Great Britain that all such acts of Parliament may speedily be removed, abrogated, and repealed. That the province of Massachusetts Bay have the right not only by nature and the laws of England, but by social compact, to enjoy all the rights, liberties, and immunities of natural and free-born subjects of Great Britain to all intents and purposes whatsoever; and that acts of the British Parliament imposing rates and duties on the inhabitants of this province while they are unrepresented in Parliament are violations of those rights, and ought to be contended for with firmness.

of the colonies in all cases whatsoever, and in consequence of that act have carried into execution that assumed power, in laying duties on divers articles in the colonies for the express purpose of raising a revenue without their consent, either by themselves or their representative, whereby the right which every | man has to his own property is wholly taken away and destroyed ; and what is still more alarming is to see the amazing inroads which have been made, and still are making, on our charter rights and privileges by placing a Board of Commissioners among us under so large a commission, with a train of dependents to sap the foundation of our industry; our coasts surrounded with fleets; standing armies placed in free cities in time of peace without the consent of the inhabitants, whereby the streets of the metropolis of this province have been stained by the blood of its innocent inhabitants; the Governor of the province made independent of the grants of the General As- sembly; large salaries affixed to the Lieutenant-Governor, the judges of the admiralty, ete.; the amazing stretch of the power of the Courts of Vice-Admiralty, in a great measure depriving the people in the colonies of the right of trial by jury, and such like innovations, which are intolerable grievances, tending wholly to deprive us of our charter rights and privileges, pull down the constitution, and reduce us to a state of abject slavery."

Another resolve against fixed salaries for the judges of the courts of common law follows, and another showing the tendency of these measures thus denounced to produce absolute government. The last one acknowledges the care and vigilance of Boston, and assures them

"That, as this town hopes never to be wanting in their duty and loyalty to their King, so they are ever ready to do everything in their power in a constitutional way to assist in carrying into execution such measures as may be adopted to remove those difficulties we feel and to prevent those we have reason to fear.

town. The following year a committee of correspondence was chosen, viz., Samuel Lethbridge, Jabez Fisher, Dr. Ebenezer Daggett, Mr. Lemuel Kollock, Capt. John Smith, Joseph Woodward, and David A committee was also chosen to attend a convention of the county at the house of Mr. Woodward, innholder, in Dedham, "to deliberate and determine on such matters as the distressed circumstances of the province require,' and on Sept. 30, 1774, the town voted that a provincial congress was necessary. It also voted to purchase two pieces of cannon.

Jabez Fisher was chosen delegate to a convention at Concord Oct. 2, 1774. Previous to this, viz., Sept. 15, 1774, Mr. Fisher had been chosen to repre- But in the mean time Governor Gage, becoming alarmed at the tone of the resolves and votes passed in townmeetings and county conventions, issued his proclamation on the 28th day of September dispensing with

The instructions given to Mr. Fisher, the delegate to the Provincial Congress at Concord, were drafted by Ebenezer,Daggett and Lemuel Kollock. They allude to the fact that he is chosen at a time when the province is in consternation and confusion, briefly advert to the causes thereof, and instruct him to make the charter of the province the rule of his conduct, refusing to acknowledge any mutilations or alterations of the charter as valid; and that he should acknowledge those counselors who were elected by the General Court as the only constitutional council of this province, and if the congress should consequently be dissolved, then to join with members from this and other towns in a General Provincial Congress.

Capt. Peres Cushing and Mr. Joseph Spear were appointed chief gunners of the two field-pieces, and directed to see that each piece is fixed and kept with a carriage and utensils fit for action as soon as may | be. It was voted also to increase the town's stock of | ammunition. The constables were ordered to pay all | province taxes in their hands or to be collected by them to Henry Gardner, of Stow, instead of Harrison Gray, the royal treasurer, and it was voted that the town would indemnify them against any consequences of such payment. This was decidedly a revolutionary step. The attitude of the town was unmistakable. No wonder they got their guns ready for immediate use and laid in more powder and ball. If King George had prevailed in the war against the colonies, our patriotic predecessors might have been hung for treason. In September, 1776, these guns were at |

In January, 1775, the town proceeded to create a military establishment, providing for the enlistment of minute-men, and proposed to send beef, pork, grain, and other provisions for the poor of Boston.

The committee of correspondence chosen March 4, 1776, were Samuel Fisher, Dr. Ebenezer Daggett, | Deacon Theodore Man, Mr. Joseph Fairbanks, Mr. John Craig, Mr. Daniel Holbrook, Mr. Hezekiah | Fisher, Mr. Joseph Hawes, Capt. Asa Fairbanks, | Capt. Peres Cushing, and Mr. Joseph Whiting, Jr.

At the first alarm Wrentham was ready to send men to the battle-field. Her patriotism was not confined to words. Witness the muster-rolls which proclaim this fact :

""A Muster Roll of the Minute Company in the Colony service which marched from Wrentham in the alarm on the 19th of April last past under the command of Capt. Oliver Pond." lieut. Hezekiah Ware, 2d lieut. Noah Pratt, sergt. Elias Bacon, sergt. David Ray, sergt. Nathan Blake, sergt. Nathan Hancock, corp. Beriah Brastow, corp. Aquilla Robbins, corp. David Everett, private. Jeremiah Hartshorn, private. Theodore Kingsbury, private. Ebenezer Kollock, private. George Mann, private. Benjamin McLane, private. James Newhall, private. John Porter, private.

Also a muster-roll of the company in the colony which marched from Wrentham on the alarm on the 19th of April 1775 under the command of Capt. Benjamin Hawes,! in Col.

John Smith's Regiment. Benjamin Hawes, capt. Timothy Guild, 2d lieut. John Everett, sergt. Abijah Blake, sergt. Daniel Guild, sergt. John Kingsbury, soldier. Samuel Brastow, soldier. Daniel Holbrook, soldier.

Jeremiah Cobb, soldier. Elijah Farrington, corp. Jason Blake, drum. Daniel Cobb, fifer. Stephen Blake, soldier. Benjamin Pond, soldier. Jacob Blake, soldier. John Needham, soldier. Oliver Ware, soldier. Moses Craig, soldier.

William Green, soldier. Jason Richardson, soldier. Ephraim Knowlton, soldier. David Man, soldier. Jacob Daggett, soldier. Oliver Harris, soldier. Samuel Wood, soldier. Ebenezer Field, soldier. Henry Holbrook, soldier. Jacob Holbrook, soldier. Samuel Richardson, Jr., soldier. David Holbrook, soldier. Samuel Baker, soldier. Turil Gilmore, soldier. Nathan Kingsbury, soldier. John Hawes, soldier. Samuel Pettee, soldier. Stephen Pettee, soldier.

Ebenezer Fisher

" SUFFOLK 832. "Wrentoam December y® 8th 1775. "Capt. Benjamin Hawes came before me and made solemn oath to the truth of the above-written muster-roll according to his best skill, knowledge, and judgment. Sworn before me EBENEZER FISHER, ** Just of Peace. " A true copy compared and examined by " Epam STARKWEATHER } "Epwp Rawson j Com'rs. "Jas TURNER

1 Daniel Hawes, who was an early comer to Wrentham, had ason Benjamin, born March 14, 1695-96. He married Abigail Fisher, Dec. 9, 1724. One of theirsons was Benjamin, who was born June 11, 1731, and was therefore about forty-four years of age when he commanded the company whose names

| are enrolled above. He was conspicuous in the controversy with | the Rev. David Avery hereinafter related. | few years a portion of the land originally laid out to the ances-

Capt. Lemuel Kollock, who also commanded a company of minute-men in April, 1775, was a conspicuous and influential citizen, and his name often appears in connection with the patriotic measures discussed in the town-meetings. His death was oceasioned by a fall from his horse on the 14th day of July, 1795, in the sixty-seventh year of his age.

Capt. Samuel Cowell, the son of Joseph, was born in 1787. He commanded a company of minute-men at the time of the alarm in April, 1775, and probably at other times was commanding officer of men who were destined for the continental army, as was Capt. Samuel Fisher.

"Tn council Feby y® 16th 1776 read and allowed and thereupon ordered that a warrant be drawn on the for £29 4.6. in full discharge of the within roll.

""Also a muster-roll of the company, in the colony service, which marched from Wrentham on the alarm on the 19th of April, 1775, under the command of Capt. Lemuel Kollock, in Col. John Smith's Regiment.

There were also companies commanded by Capts. John Boyd, Asa Fairbanks, and Elijah Pond respectively, that marched from Wrentham on the 19th day | of April, 1775, in the colony service. Capt. Thomas Bacon commanded a company that marched from Wrentham April 30, 1775. Capt. Samuel Cowell also had command of a company about the same time- |

House, that a number of men of the company called the North Company, in the West Precinct, enlisted | into the Continental army in 1778. under the command of Capt. Samuel Fisher, composed

Joseph Read's regiment, April 27, 1775. He was first captain in this, the Sixth, Massachusetts. A fterwards the regiment was called the Thirteenth Massa- Upon the expiration of the time He acts or of some proposed acts of the Continental Congress in regard to the army and its officers which were displeasing to him, he resigned his office of captain and left the army.

But when Shay's rebellion broke out he took command of the military company which marched from Wrentham and vicinity to Springfield, where the rebels, refusing to lay down their arms, and having been fired upon, fell into confusion and soon dispersed. The roll of that company was almost the only paper of Capt. Pond's that escaped the fire, when the house in which he was residing was burned.

He was often honored by his fellow-townsmen by appointment to places of trust and responsibility. A soldier of the Revolution, who had known him well, summed up his opinion of the hero in these two lines of his epitaph, -

Upon the 5th day of June, 1776, among other in structions given to their representatives in General Court, the inhabitants in open town-meeting adopted the following: '" We, your constituents therefore think that to be subject or dependent on the crown of Great Britain would not only be impracticable but unsafe to the State. The inhabitants of this town therefore, in full town-meeting, unanimously instruct and direct you to give your vote that if the Honorable American Congress, in whom we place the highest confidence under God, should think it necessary for

We should look in vain in any history of the war of the Revolution for a more decided manifestation of spirit. It was, indeed, the spirit of the times. Every man who voted for these instructions was a traitor to his king; a rebel against the government to which he owed allegiance. But alarming as was the prospect, fearful as might be the consequences, our patriotic fathers did not hesitate to assume this attitude.

_ amine the recorded acts and opinions of the little revolutionary towns whose spirit sustained the courage of This vote, it will be observed, was passed one month before Congress declared

1 Ephraim Pond, the ancestor of Capt. Oliver, was one of the He married Deborah His son, Ephraim, born in 1686, had a son, Ephraim, who married, in 1786, Michal Man, the daughter of William Man, and a granddaughter of the Rev. Samuel Man.

three years should receive forty shillings per month from the town; and in obedience to an act of the General Court the selectmen fixed a tariff for articles commonly sold.

the representative, contain the following: scenes of horror and devastation present themseives, while the fleets and armies of the tyrant of Great Britain are on our coasts, and around our dwellings we are disturbed by internal enemies,' and they direct him to give his vote for a constitution and frame of government. And a committee was chosen to inform the government against loyalists, and another to hire male inhabitants were enlisted in the war as soldiers, and the sum of eighteen hundred pounds was voted to defray the expenses of raising the town's quota of the Continental army.

habitants gave their votes in favor of the first constitution and frame of popular government in Massachusetts. But the people of the colony rejected it.

pay for beef for the army The General Court having required Wrentham to furnish a certain number of shirts, hose, and blankets, the selectmen inform the assessors that the sum of four hundred and sixteen pounds in silver is necessary for this purpose, and as there is no money in the treasury they are requested to assess the sum upon the inhabitants in silver money.

This was about the time when, notwithstanding successes at the South, the country seemed to be on the brink of ruin. Although aid seemed at hand upon the arrival of Rochambeau and De Grasse, and although some temporary relief had been obtained, yet no sufficient and reliable means of supplying the wants of the army had been provided. The enemy was in possession of a large part of the country; the Americans, whose campaigns were to be extensive, had scarcely an army and were wholly without money. Their bills of credit were worthless, not being a legal tender, or taken even for taxes. Borrowing of France, Spain, and Holland was attempted. Franklin obtained also guaranteed a loan of ten millions made by Holland to the United States. This success, added to the labors of Robert Morris, the new treasurer, who private fortune to the rescue, brought confidence to the public, and economy took the place of waste. Upon the conclusion of the war the town instructed the representative " to use his influence to persuade the General Court to call on Congress to redeem the outstanding bills of credit now in the hands of treasurers and individuals in this State; and that the delegates in Congress be directed to obtain without this State may speedily know their due proportion of In 1779, a committee against monopoly and forethe public expense, so that a just average may be in aid of their families. year in a vote of twenty pounds to the heirs of John Druce "as a bounty for his enlisting into the Continental army." war by hiring and paying men to enlist into the service, and exempted them from taxation.

lowing year the sum of one hundred and twenty thousand pounds was granted to hire the men called for to serve in the Continental army for three years and to

The town, in 1776, being threatened with a visitation of the smallpox, Josiah Blake's house was And the next year Dr. Daggett was authorized "to carry on inordered to be used for a hospital.

The town at last agreed, in 1778, that the inhabitants of the West Precinct might be set off into a separate township, according to certain metes and bounds. cordance with the desire of the petitioners, incorporating the inhabitants of the West Precinct into a the precinct. 1778. Foxborough having been incorporated June 10, 1778, from parts of Wrentham, Walpole, Stoughton, and Sharon, a report was made of the amounts due to several persons within the limits of the new township, being the sums which they had paid towards building the meeting-house. The whole sum was | £26 Os. 10d. 3q7.

In 1779 the salary voted the Rev. Mr. Bean was one thousand pounds. The year previous his salary was one hundred and thirty pounds. This shows how rapidly and alarmingly the currency had depreciated. To illustrate this, I will add that the assessors were | directed in assessing the one thousand pounds for Mr. Bean to make a separate column of what each person's proportion would be in a tax of £66 13s. 4d., and that any person might pay his proportion of said sum as follows, viz.: Indian corn at three shillings per bushel, good ground malt at five shillings per bushel, rye at four shillings, clear salt pork at five pence per pound, good mutton at two pence two farthings per pound, tried tallow at sixpence per pound, good wool at one shilling four pence per pound, | good flax at eight pence per pound, and other ne- | cessary articles as they were commonly sold before the year 1775. The inference is that the one thousand | pounds in the curreney of that day was equal to only | £66 13s. 4d.! | |

Having in May, 1780, voted against the new con- | stitution, the inhabitants granted fifty thousand | pounds to defray town charges, and, upon the 4th of September, cast their first votes for a Governor and other State officers. Fifty-seven votes were given, all for John Hancock. 'The representative was instructed to vote for the repeal of the excise act, "' because it obliges every individual who consumes rum and other spirituous liquors to pay duties on the same; the | most wealthy, who purchase large quantities, are not | subject to pay any duties on the same, as the act now stands."

The voters expressed their disapprobation of the act of the Continental Congress called the Commu- | tation Act (granting half-pay for life to all officers | who should serve until the end of the war); they | also disapproved of the Society of the Cincinnati. For some years the subject of a new county had been agitated, and Wrentham was quite urgent upon the matter, sending delegates to conventions holden to consider that subject, and instructing the representatives in General Court to endeavor to accomplish it. Boston was the shire town, and all county and court business must be done there at very great inconvenience. But the new county was not established by the General Court until 1793.

On the 2d day of August, 1784, the town voted to join with the church in giving Mr. Adoniram Judson a call to settle in the ministerial office as a colleague with the Rev. Joseph Bean. There were one hundred and five votes in his favor and eightyfour against him. Mr. Judson declined the call, and a committee was chosen for the purpose of hiring preaching. Mr. Bean died Dec. 12, 1784. The kind offers of several clergymen, who had tendered each a day's preaching for the late Mr. Bean's family,

Mr. Bean's publications were a century sermon, preached Oct. 26, 1773, one hundred years after the town was incorporated, and printed by request in 1774; and a sermon preached before the congregation of the First Church and Parish of Wrentham "On a Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting, and Published in 1837.

of Whitefield and Tennent. He left his business and entered college and was graduated, at the age of thirty years, in 1748. He was ordained Dec. 5, 1750, and married Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Henry Messinger, his predecessor in the ministry in Wrentham, The epitaph on his gravestone is as follows :

Strove to confine him; but they strove in vain, All mourn his death; his virtues long they tri'd; They knew not how they lov'd him till he dy'd." to the work of the ministry in this place by one hundred and fifty-one votes to one against it. A committee having been chosen "to fix his settlement," reported that two hundred pounds be given to Mr. Avery; and one hundred pounds per annum as his salary. This report was adopted by the town."

"To THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY OF THE TOWN OF WreENTHAM. - Brethren and Gentlemen, as you were pleased on the tenth of October last to unite in inviting me to settle in the Gospel Ministry I have taken your proposals into serious and mature consideration, and do now in the sincerity and cheerfulness of my heart declare my acceptance of your call. And Ido also engage without reserve in the strength of Christ carefully and faithfully to exercise my office amongst you for your spiritual advantage and highest interest as long as school, Connecticut, entered Yale College, and was graduated in 1769. He engaged in teaching Indian schools. He studied theology with Rev. Dr. E. Wheelock, of Dartmouth College, preached on Long Island, and in 1771 was ordained as missionary to the Oneida Indians.

March 25, 1773, and dismissed April 14, 1777, to go as chaplain inthe army. On his return he was settled at Bennington, Vt., May 3, 1780, and dismissed June 17, 1783, and settled at Wrentham May 25, 1786, and dismissed April 21,1794. He preached afterwards to a congregation at North Wrentham, where a church was organized in 1795, until some time in 1797, when he removed to Mansfield, Conn. He engaged in missionary labor under the direction of the Massachusetts Domestic Missionary Society, going into New York and Maine. He afterwards, from 1798 to 1801, preached in Chaplin, Conn., having gathered a new church and society there, called the Union Church. In 1817 he visited his daughter, Mrs. Hewett, in Shepardstown, Va. He received a cordial and unanimous call to settle in Middletown, in the vicinity of Shepardstown, but was taken ill and died there, and was buried on the week of his intended installation, the clergy of the invited council officiating as bearers. His voice was so clear and sonorous and his articulation so distinct that it was a common saying in the army that every soldier in a brigade could hear all that he said. When the news of the battle of Lexington reached Gageboro' Mr. Avery's parishioners assembled in arms, formed themselves into a company, elected him for their captain, and marched for Cambridge on the 22d of April. Mr. Avery preached at Northampton the next day from Neh. iv. 14. They arrived at Cambridge Saturday 29th, and were honorably received and congratulated by the troops assembled. Mr. Avery preached on Sunday afternoon to the troops from a temporary stage erected in the college area, morning and evening prayer with the regiment to which he belonged. On Tuesday he commenced visiting and praying with the sick and wounded regulars in the hospitals. May 11th, volunteered with an expedition to Noddles' Island, where there was a brisk skirmish,standing guard two hours. July 20th, having preached to the troops again, it being a fast-day ordered by the Continental Congress, he on the 27th read to the troops paign, the neighboring ministers agreeing to supply his pulpit two-thirds of the time while he was absent. Mr. Avery often acted as physician and assistant surgeon. He was at the taking of Burgoyne, the capture of the Hessians at Trenton, and in the battle of Princeton. When settled at Bennington, at the request of the Governor and Council he took the field with Gen. Allen, and was in the battle of Bennington and assisted in dressing the wounds of the soldiers.' - Hist. Mend. Ass.

divine wisdom shall see fit to continue me with you. And may God Almighty grant that we may be mutual comforts and blessings to each other that we may rejoice together in each other at

Three years afterwards his salary was increased to one hundred and thirty pounds, so well and smoothly had pastor and people moved together. So auspicious a settlement would seem to augur well for church and people. The vote was nearly unanimous, it

In 1791 the warrant for town-meeting, among other things, contained an article "to see if the inhabitants . . . are satisfied with the Rev. David Avery as a Gospel Minister,' and " provided the major part of the town are satisfied with the Rev. David Avery, to see if the town will consent that any persons that are dissatisfied may go to any other society to do duty and receive privilege," and " to see if it be the mind of the town to recommend the Rey. David Avery to cail a church meeting, agreeable to the request of Deacon David Holbrook and others presented to him Oct. 15, 1790." Although no action was taken at this meeting, yet the fact that such an one was called was equivalent to a declaration that war had begun. It is true that in the scanty memorials of that controversy we find no record of its severity or bitterness in hostile speeches and partisan manifestoes preserved, yet tradition says it was marked by unusual asperity, that not only the community, but families were divided into Averians and Anti-Averians. A few years since people were living whose memory went back to that time, who, in their young days, had had their ears stunned with the din of the conflict, and whose eyes saw the veteran

Crusaders of former days went against the Infidel. Meeting after meeting was held, council upon council convened, war-worn veterans were appointed to guard the door of the church to keep out the minister whom they had so unanimously called. The division was so wide and so deadly that reconciliation became impracticable. In the progress of the controversy Mr. Avery and his adherents withdrew, or were forced from the meeting-house, and the pulpit was supplied by a committee. Eventually, as a result of this unfortunate division, the church at North Wrentham was organized, largely from those who had adhered to Mr. Avery.

Mr. Avery, to see on what conditions he will agree to dissolve his pastoral connection with this society, reported his answer as follows: me, I do not think it consistent with my duty I owe' to God and this people to treat with this committee on the subject of dissolving my pastoral relation." It was then resolved, after long debate, that Mr. Avery come into this meeting, and give his reasons why be could not treat with the committee on the people. the next morning, and a committee chosen to invite Mr. Avery to attend, and then the meeting was adjourned until one o'clock, at which time Mr. Avery attended, and read before the town his reasons why The moderator then, in behalf of the town, requested the revhe could not treat with said committee.

erend gentleman to lay his reasons on the table, or a copy of them; but he said he should not. then voted by the town that he be requested to lay said reasons on the table, that they might be considered by paragraphs, but in the interim the reverend gentleman withdrew. It was then determined " that a committee of ten be chosen, five from each side of the question, to consider the difficulties the town labors under respecting their pastor, and that they act discretionary and report to the town at the adjournment." This committee were Elias Bacon, Lemuel Kollock, John Hall, Abijah Fisher, David Fisher, Thomas George, James Smith, Amos Walton, Daniel Messinger, and Ebenezer Blake, Jr., and, after conference, reported that they could not agree.

In the warrant for the April town-meeting was an article 'to see if it be the mind of the town to employ the Rev. David Avery any longer as a public teacher of piety and religion and morality, or after due consideration of the ill consequences which may | proper capacity as the town of Wrentham for making these probe expected from our remaining in our present unhappy situation, whether it is not best for the cause of religion and the happiness of this society to employ a public teacher whose sentiments and performances may better correspond with the ideas of this society in so important a station ;" also, "if circumstances require a separation, to determine on what

Upon the 4th of February, 1793, the town, upon a vote by yeas and nays, " resolved by seventy-four to one not to employ Mr. Avery as a gospel minister in this place any longer.'' Lemuel Kollock, Esq., Oliver Pond, Esq., and Dr. Jenks Norton were appointed a committee to inform Mr. Avery of this vote. On the 11th of the same month it was resolved that a confer- ence be held "on the subject of our difficulties with the Rev. Mr. Avery and his adherents, and the propriety of his removal from the ministerial office in this place, and that several neighboring divines be requested to attend and assist us in said conference, and that we request Mr. Avery and his adherents to join with us in this conference and in the choice of divines for that purpose; and that, after sufficient inquiry may be made into the nature and grounds of our difficulties, and each party have expressed their ideas upon the subject, the divines be desired to give their opinion on the case and to advise the parties to such measures as may tend to dispel the difficulties and reinstate peace and harmony ; and if Mr. Avery don't think fit to join in such conference that he and his adherents be requested to join in calling an Keclesiastical Council to hear and judge and give their advice upon all

'GENTLEMEN: I[ have this day received from you two proposals viz: First, that I with my adherents hold a conference with you on the subject of your difficulties with me and the propriety of my removal from the ministerial office in this place. Secondly, and if I don't think fit to join in said conference that

| T and my adherents be requested to join in calling an Keclesiastical Council to hear afd Judge and to give advice upon all the difficulties which shall be stated to them by the aggrieved bretheren of the church and congregation previous to the choice To these proposals I beg leave to answer so far as they respect my voice, that I see not that I can comply with

The above answer being read and duly considered, it was voted that a committee of five men be chosen to join with the aggrieved brethren of the church "to state all the difficulties we labor under respecting the

Previous to these votes and acts of the town the church had been deeply stirred by the controversy. In the year 1792 there had been a trial of the pastor before the church upon charges of heresy and imprudence, of which he was acquitted by a small majority.

We have now but scant means of ascertaining what church upon certain questions involving the points were the peculiar tenets of Mr. Avery that were deemed by these members heretical. To this request deemed so heretical. Elisha Fisk, who succeeded him in the ministry at Wrentham, may be received as no doubt a true and careful one. of my immediate predecessor and his treatment of those who differed from him were said to be the exciting cause of the difficulties which had existed.

quently insisted was that the atonement consisted in the obedience of Christ, and that his sufferings and death made no part of it only as they were matters of obedience. to be the teaching of the Scriptures on a fundamental the former ministry. In some other minor points he was thought to be incorrect. Instead of being conciliating towards those who were dissatisfied it was of a handsome address, of a loud and well modulated voice. Apart from his band might have been taken for a general instead of a chaplain in the army, as he actually had been."

At the request of a minority of the church a meeting was called in August of the same year for the purpose of conference on present difficulties, and, if difficulties in which they found themselves, and to ask the advice of the council thereon involving the question of dismissing Mr. Avery. But the influence of the pastor was strong enough to restrict that action to the precise grounds of complaint which had been alleged in his recent trial by the church. Thus limited, the council simply revised the doings of the church, reversing its judgment in some particulars, and sustaining it in others, and advised Mr. Avery carefully to review his sentiments, and to avoid in unless he thought it best." In 1793, at a church meeting, the aggrieved brethren requested Mr. Avery and his adherents to join them in the choice of an ecclesiastical council "who should consider all our matters of grievance respecting Mr. Avery's doctrine and conduct, and the expediency of dissolving his pastoral relation." Whereupon Mr. Avery invited the majority to repair to his house, and there it was voted not to join with the minority in the choice of an ecclesiastical council. Then a letter was addressed to him, as follows: "Rev. Sir, - Forasmuch as division and disunion are become very prevalent in this place by reason of your sentiments and conduct, which we have publicly complained of and which we not the least prospect of harmony being restored to this divided church and town without your removal, we therefore most earnestly request you to ask a dismission from your pastoral relation to us." This was dated Feb. 8, 1793, and was signed by twenty- then joined with a committee of the town in a letter-missive to several churches, desiring them to meet in council to consider the subject of recognizing them as the First Church in Wrentham.

on the 26th day of March, 1793, and invited Mr. arose as to what was to be submitted to the council. | The Anti-Averians wished to lay before them all the |

Avery and his adherents to join with a view to restore the peace and union of this town, and particularly to consider the subject of a petition to the General Court for an act of incorporation.

Mr. Avery refused this invitation. Then the council determined among other things that- about one-half of the acting male members appeared to - be conscientiously aggrieved with the pastor's deviation from principles and discipline, that Mr. Avery's adherents have petitioned the General Court for an act of to destroy solemnity and excite levity, and in all his conversation to express himself with prudence and moderation, and the church were advised to exercise candor and tenderness towards their pastor.

ren have taken in calling a council, appears to have been the only one left them to obtain redress; that they have honored themselves by seeking in a patient meeting May 23, 1793, the minority took into consideration the result of the late council, and after stating also the fact that Mr. Avery's adherents had petitioned to be incorporated as the original Congregational Church in Wrentham, declare that this was thereby had left the rest of the church and the town to take care of themselves or to worship with a minister whom they had long considered a grievance ; that they had been recognized by the council as the original church, and finding that the petitioners have notified the town according to the order of the court and thereby fully manifested their intention to be a separate society, therefore voted that the pastoral relation between this church and the Rey. David Avery is dissolved. After voting to adhere to the church covenant of 1699, they also passed a vote to request the town to join them in obtaining and settling a minister. It may be remarked here, that the town had in April, 1793, remonstrated against the incorporation of a new society.

In June Mr. Avery appointed a meeting of all the members that formerly belonged to the church to meet at the meeting-house. The recognized church met at the house of Abijah Fisher, and chose a committee to inform Mr. Avery "that if he or his adherents have any business with us or any proposals to make to us they may know where to treat with us." The committee reported to Mr. Avery at the meetinghouse, who said in reply to their message that he knew but one church in this town.

house, who sent a message to the recognized church that they were ready to receive any proposals. That body replied that their recognition shall be no obstacle to the general peace and union of the congregation, and upon Mr. Avery's being removed from every pre- . tence of a pastoral relation to the church in this town, they would joyfully consent to a firm union. After one or two more messages all communication weighty a matter to act upon without the sanction of the church, and would be incompatible with the rules of Congregational Churches and the eighteenth chapter of Matthew. He was asked to put his answer in writing, but he refused. Some other attempts were made but proved fruitless ; and as it was improbable that Mr. Avery would ever consent to submit the question to a mutual council according to their request, it was resolved by the old church to summon a council for that purpose. The town was notified and requested to join, and did join.

Mr. Avery and his adherents were also notified and requested to join. In the mean time while the above correspondence was taking place between the members of the recognized church and Mr. Avery, the town was also acting on the same subject. A correspondence ensued between the town and Mr. Avery by committees, but it ended in a flat refusal of Mr. Avery to recognize the town-meetings as legal. The town, therefore, after exhausting all other means, requested him to ask a dismission. This he refused, and the town proceeded to declare his ministerial relation to it dissolved by seventy-seven votes against twentyseven. This was on May 20, a.p. 1793. It was also made a matter of complaint that Mr. Avery and his adherents had inaugurated a movement for a new incorporation ; and the town declared that if it took place it would be of itself a dissolution of the relation between it and Mr. Avery, and voted in June to hire a gospel minister to supply the pulpit here agreeable to the request of the original Congregational

At the town-meeting in June a letter from Mr. Avery was read, referring to the town's vote of dismissal and declaring it illegal, and tendering his services to the town as its minister, requesting that he might not be obstructed in the free and unembarrassed use of his office in this place. In reply the town declare that " the tender of his services has but little claim to attention, but that they wish not to disturb him in the free exercise of his ministrations to those who wish to improve him, provided the town is not interrupted thereby; that the town propose soon to have a preacher of the gospel, and pulpit any longer as a minister, and caution him against obstructing the town in the free and unembarrassed use thereof for the public worship of God to keep the meeting-house shut on the Sabbath in future "' unless the committee chosen to procure preaching should desire it; provided that Mr. Avery might | have it for his council; further, if he and his ad- | we shall want it at all other times it may be open for | In January, 1794, the town | voted as has been stated to join the original Congre- | gational Church in calling an ecclesiastical council. This council assembled at the house of Col. Benjamin Hawes on the 25th day of March, 1794, and

The report of the council, which was unanimous, sustains the disaffected brethren and town except in voting Mr. Avery's dismission without the advice of a council. By their advice both the recognized church and town voted again that Mr. Avery be dismissed from his pastoral and ministerial relations. The brethren notified him of this vote, he in reply censured their proceedings and still claimed to be their | In May of the same year the brethren of | pore. Mr. Avery's adherents generally were also invited. A committee was appointed to reckon with Thomas Man, church treasurer, that the church might know what was in his hands, and forbid him from paying any of the church money to Mr. Avery; also a committee was chosen to demand of Mr. Avery the church records.

brethren of the recognized church to join in requesting Mr. Avery to join with the church in calling a mutual council to consider, first, how the parties should be reunited ; second, the dismission of the pastor in his especial relation to them, the Averians; and if this be deemed expedient that the council should prewhether he is or is not the minister; second, if he be the minister, is it expedient that he should be dismissed from his special relation to us (the adherents), and if expedient how it shall be effected; third, how shall the parties be reunited ?

The brethren of the recognized church replied and declined the proposal. This was on the 20th of September. On the 2d of October Mr. Avery, on be-

In 1795, Deacons Man and Pond refusing to give any account of church property in their hands, and having attempted to seize the tankards and other vessels made use of at communion seasons, the church voted that unless they should appear at the next church meeting, and give the church satisfaction, they ought to be dismissed. John Hall, Philip Blake, and Amos Walton were chosen deacons, and in March Deacons Man and Pond were dismissed. The new officers were instructed to demand the church records of Mr. Avery, and a committee was chosen to confer with Mr. Avery's adherents, with a view to accomplish a reconciliation.

On the 20th of October a council, held at Mr. Avery's house, resolved that reunion was very desirable, and therefore advised Mr. Avery to ask a dismission, and the church (that portion of it which adhered to him) to grant it. This was accordingly done in presence of the council, and communicated to the brethren of the recognized church, who acknowledge the receipt, and state that they are heartily business before them. After deciding various questions of church discipline, they recommended the _adherents of Mr. Avery to serve the moderator of day of August reply, first, that the matters embraced in the communication are important, and that they wish to treat them with all respect which their unhappy situation. . . . requires; that reunion with the Averins is their earnest wish (excepting Mr. Avery himself). . . . that they consider Mr. Avery legally disthe recognized church with an attested copy of the result of this council, and also to hold themselves, for four weeks afterwards, in readiness to reunite with them upon gospel principles, but if they should refuse request of his adherents. 'This drew out an able rejoinder from the Averians, concluding with a proposal to join in requesting Mr. Avery to unite with the the churches ought to allow them to be a church of Christ in regular standing, and that they, the council, would consider them a sister church, and treat them in all respects according to the rules of Chris- Upon the 23d of lately adhered to Mr. Avery that they desired reunion, and waited to hear them speak their wishes on the subject, and in December a conference was voted.

The committee of conference met, Mr. Emmons being with them by request. The Averians presented two papers containing proposals, The first proposed that the recognition should be renounced and the votes dismissing the deacons canceled. nized church agreed to, with the amendment that when they dismissed the deacons they thought it justifiable, and had seen no reason to alter their opinion, but for reasons mentioned would cheerfully rescind that vote, and do hereby rescind it. This amendment was rejected by the Averians. The second paper contained a renunciation on the part of first, that they would overlook error of judgment, and suppress unchristian and unfriendly reflections upon conduct; secondly, would require the same of the Averians; thirdly, that members of each renouncing all claim to superiority; seventhly, this reunion to be publicly ratified in church meeting on some future day mutually agreed upon as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, to seek the divine favor and direction in their choice and settlement of a gospel minister.

The other party replies that it cannot consent to this (7.e., to withdraw its amendments), and proposes a committee of conference. The last communication was as follows:

"We see no advantage arising from going over the ground again. We will wait thirty minutes longer to receive of you a Your neglecting to comply with our request in the proposals for a definitive answer we

After this the church meeting was dissolved. On the 14th of December Deacon Man was dismissed Afterwards, in August, 1796, it was voted to hear and confer upon any proposals that one, any, or all of the church lately adfrom his office as treasurer.

committee do not, and a committee was chosen to help the deacons settle their accounts relative to lawsuits. It appears by an account of the deacons presented to the church in 1797 that a suit was commenced by Thomas Man against Aaron Hawes. It was tried in 1795. "The trial took up a great deal of time.

| Mr. Avery was the mover and prosecutor in the action which was brought to try the validity of the vote dismissing Deacon Man, as if that was valid the vote dissolving his pastoral relation was also valid, and the town having concurred his salary was gone from the So that Mr. Avery was on The judges were of opinion that Mr. Avery's appended, but if the Averians would not accept the amendments then they were requested to consider the proposals of the recognized brethren. On the same day the Averians proposed reunion on the ground of an abandonment of the recognition and a mutual rescission of all votes passed since (excepting only that vote passed by the Averians themselves dismissing Mr. Avery), and retaining the covenant and the offi- To this the other party say "' we have received a paper . .

cers of the church before the separation. . containing new proposals, to which we cannot . . ply until you have given a definitive answer to our last communication." relation was regular and valid; that the vote of the church given by a majority dismissing the plaintiff from the office of deacon was regular and effectual, and that he could not maintain the action."

In July, 1798, the church (recognized) voted unanimously to desire the Rev. Hlisha Fisk " to preach in this place longer that the time for which he is now engaged," and in November he received a call to settle in the ministry at Wrentham. 'This call was renewed on the 6th day of March, 1799, unanimously, and on the 25th day of April, 1799, he gave an affirmative answer, as follows:

"Having received from you brethren an invitation to take the pastoral care and charge of you as a church and to settle with you in the work of the gospel ministry, I do by this declare my acceptance of it. "HuisHa Fisk."

The town had, in November of the year 1798, concurred with the church in the settlement of Mr. Fisk, on condition that he be supported by the Congregational society then projected. This society was in- - ecorporated in February, 1799. A number of the inhabitants of Wrentham petitioned the General Court to incorporate them into a religious society by the name of the Congregational Society in Wrentham. They set forth that they have raised by subscription three thousand eight hundred and sixty dollars as a fund, the interest of which is to be appropriated to the support of a Congregational minister, and pray to be incorporated for the purpose of holding and managing saidfund. The General Court passed an act in response to this petition, and made the society capable of receiving and holding grants or devises of lands or By this act of incorporation, and the proceedings of the society under - its provisions in connection with the church, the re- | lations between minister and town which had so long | chased by ladies of the town by the manufacture and ninth candidate, only one other of the forty-nine having received a call. He has been thus described (it is said by Dr. R. 8S. Storrs) with reference to that period, '' Of observing mind, careful and conciliating in his conversation and manners, interesting and popular in his pulpit performance, he succeeded, as few other men would, in uniting and holding together very discordant materials, not only at the commencement of his ministry but through the vicissitudes of |

1" Mr, Fisk was a descendant of William, brother of John Fisk, minister of Chelmsford, where he died Jan. 14, 1676. William arrived in 1687, admitted freeman in 1642, member of the church of Salem July 2, 1641, removed to Wenham, where he was town clerk, and representative from 1647 to 1650, and died in 1654. His grandson, Daniel, removed from Wenham to Upton in 1748, and died about 1761. He had eight children, - Samuel, one of the sons, removed to Shelburne, and was ancestor of Rev. Pliny

Tyler, and had five children. Of them, Robert, born Feb. 24, 1746, married Mary Hall, and had four children. was Elisha Fisk."' - Hist. Mendon Association.

than twenty years ago; and it has been repeated here at length, precisely as it was on the occasion for which it was originally prepared, because it probably exists nowhere else but in the writer's possession, the church records having since that time been lost. good condition, including even one small volume in

The Congregational Church in Foxborough, in Franklin (once West Wrentham), and in the north parish of Wrentham, now Norfolk, have been formed by those who were formerly members of the original church here organized in 1692. Since the incorporation of the society for the support of the minister no tax has been assessed for that purpose. At the time of Mr. Fisk's settlement the house of worship had neither bell, clock, nor organ. A bell and clock, however, were added probably some time before 1806, as we find the parish assuming at 'that date the expense of taking care of them. An organ was pursale of straw and chip bonnets. This instrument was formally dedicated, the Rev. Mr. Fisk preaching from the text, "Praise him with stringed instruments." In his sermon Mr. Fisk defended the use of musical instruments in public worship. That modest organ has been succeeded by others, until, by the munificence, chiefly of one of our citizens, the fine and large one now used was placed in its present position.

After the final settlement of the religious and society disturbances, which were so happily extinguished in the fortunate choice of Mr. Fisk, the people here were peaceable and prosperous.

But in 1812 the General Court incorporated Nathan Comstock and others by the name of " The Wrentham Manufacturing Company," for the purpose of manufacturing cotton and wool at Wrentham, in the county of Norfolk. In 1813 the Franklin Manufacturing Company was incorporated for the stream; and in 1814 the Walomopogge Manufacturing Company, "for the purpose of manufacturing cotton and woolen cloth and yarn in the town of Wrentham.' The former company's mill was commonly called the Bush Factory, the last named the called the City Mills. upon Mill Brook, so called, the last named near the outlet of the Great Pond, where Crossman & Whiting had the first corn-mill, as related in earlier pages, and the second one on the site of Adams' at Jack's This southwesterly to carry on this special branch of industry. The Stony Brook Manufacturing Company was also incorporated in 1814, and is to be added to the list of our manufactories. The business which these companies were organized to carry on was conducted by success. facture of cloth, and the noise of the looms could be heard proclaiming the power of the stream if not the profit of the manufacturers.

Maj. Thomas 8. Mann are remembered as energetic and intelligent manufacturers, who for many years were engaged in business on this old Mill Brook. It is apprehended that none of the numerous mill-owners became wealthy in the prosecution of their calling.

to the spinning of cotton or wool. mill is supposed to have been one of the earliest in the country in which such application was made, it being said to have been the third.

Manufacture of Straw Goods. - Some years ago the late Judge Staples, of Rhode Island, read before the Rhode Island Historical Society, in Providence, a paper upon the rise and progress of the straw-braid business embracing many facts. He said the straw business began very early in Tuscany and in some of the States of Italy. Bonnets and hats of this material were imported ready-made into England. Subsequently they were made an article of export to the American colonies, and were kept for sale in Providence. In the latter part of the last century Mrs. Naomi Whipple, wife of Col. John Whipple, who kept a store at the foot of Constitution Hill, North Main Street, was celebrated for the taste she displayed The braiding of straw in this country was begun in 1798 by Mrs. Betsey Baker, daughter of Joel Metcalf, then with Mrs. Whipple (now, at the date of the paper, of Dedham, Mass.). From her several acquired a knowledge of the process of braiding. Another account informs us that Mrs. Whipple kept a small millinery shop in her husband's store, and that her She and Hannah (probably Betsey) Metcalf unbraided a piece of the braid and thus learned how it was conin trimming hats and bonnets.

harness, the Wheels, Leather for top and Lining - remainder to be had in Goods at Wholesale cash price of her manufacture. "Signed Providence Nov. 13, 1795. "STEPHEN OLNEY.

chaise 54 yds thick set, (Q) <ccccccccissccceeccess 48 DRS VASi Satin DOVED 4) Occsescosenerccceeecsceecd ests > £1 48 DEOL OLV CTCL su(GQ)v-4 Oiwes oaceciceeseciveeeetiecwedeses 0118 1 yd and on Nail of Carpeting,@ 3s........... 0 3 44 TSP VAse Car PClING".. cereiessss trelccssas cide cesicavesnce: 118 74 DENA CREE CHICESig adendsslocs con aee sernosensicnieasst ass: 0 70 a boarding-school in Massachusetts wearing their home-made bonnets, which created no little excitement. One of these, Sally Richmond, came to Wrentham Academy (if this means Day's Academy it is a mistake as to time, that institution not having been com-

Williams' academy at West Wrentham was the one intended). She taught the ladies where she boarded. And in this way straw-braiding was introduced into this State through Wrentham. The first bonnets were made of oat straw flattened, and contained from sixteen the demand for them gave a vigorous impulse to the trade, and the sale extended throughout the country. This demand added much to the business of small trading stores by exchange of their goods for strawbraid.

1816, and subsequently Maj. Davis Thayer continued in the business many years, and it is still carried on in the factory of Davis Thayer, Jr., on or near the old site, with greatly enlarged facilities and success. This latter account of the rise and progress of the straw-braid industry may be found in substance in " Dr. Blake's History."

The principal manufacturer of straw-bonnets in Wrentham was Amariah Hall,' familiarly known as " Bonnet Hall." He began business about 1802 at the house known as the White house, that being the name of its former occupant. This house stood on the was the business then. There were braiders in almost every family. Mr. Hall continued in the business for some years at this place. a little later, Mr. Hall built the house now owned by Daniel Brown and used as a boarding-house for the employés of Messrs. Brown & Cowell. This was built fora hotel by Mr. Hall and occupied by him as such. An addition to the main building was used by him for the manufacture of straw goods which he A few years after this Mr. Hall failed in business and returned to Raynham,

1The facts stated in this note are furnished by J. W. D. Hall, of Taunton, Mass. Amariah Hall was sixth in descent from George Hall, one of the first settlers in Taunton, Mass. He was born in Raynham, and after giving up business in Wrentham returned thither. He was exceedingly fond of music, and composed several of the old tunes which are remembered and sung to this day. This was seventy or eighty years ago. They are named as follows: '' Morning Glory,' "Summer," '" Ca- Raynham," ' Restoration," " All Saints, New," '' Crucifixion," " Solitude,' " Contemplation,"'

"China," "Civil Amusement," ' Harmony," "Devotion," ' Hosanna," " Zion,' and others. When he visited Raynham, during his residence at Wrentham, " the choir would get together and sing his tunes in honor of the composer, and old vocalists say that many of his old-fashioned tunes of real harmony were much appreciated."

Another composer and teacher also lived in Wrentham, Samuel Billings. He resided in the house formerly occupied by Deacon Elijah, and Deacon Smith Pond, in Pondville, where, awaken his wife, get her to dress at midnight and sing it over with him. He taught singing schools five evenings in a week for three months at a time. The late Gen. Preston Pond, a wellknown teacher and singer, said he found no musie so sweet as Billings'. His musical talents were highly appreciated, and for a long time he was a very popular teacher. Deacon Handel Pond, also a native of Wrentham, where he spent most of his years, was a noted teacher and composer.

dealt in straw goods at their store, afterwards known as the '"'Green Store," on the Norfolk and Bristol turnpike, in Wrentham. Others engaged at later dates in this business, notably Robert Blake, Esq., who acquired a handsome competency for those days and retired. He was one of the unfortunate passengers of the ill-fated steamer " Lexington," which was destroyed by fire on Long Island Sound in 1840, and was among the lost. Howard Mann, Esq., also made straw goods in Wrentham, occupying, after his business became large, the same buildings that Mr. Hall, his The business done by Mr. Mann and by the copartners, Mann, Swift & Co., was probably larger than had been done by any one individual or firm before in this place in the same line of business. It is not recollected that any of the manufacturers of straw goods had previously organized factories or shops with machinery used and shop-hands regularly employed. The old custom of trading strawbraid at the stores in exchange for goods was abandoned. People who worked in it in a moderate way either sold their braid to the manufacturers or made it up into hats or bonnets and then sold them in their new shape. number or value of the goods made at the time when Fisher, Day & Co. and Amariah Hall were in the They probably made a few thousand hats and bonnets annually. After Mann, Swift & Co. left the business there was a manufactory of straw goods in the westerly part of the town, at Sheldonville, of which Alonzo Follett was the proprietor and manager. This was actively continued until the buildings were destroyed by fire. Mr. B. H. Guild, also, and F. N. Sheldon & Co. subsequently, at different times engaged in the manufacture of straw goods at Sheldonville.

After a long interval the business was again revived in the central village by Messrs. John C. and Lyman A. George, and afterwards was carried on for some years by William E. George, under whose energetie administration, supplemented by the increased use-of machinery and other facilities, a much greater amount was done than ever before. Mr. George was succeeded by Messrs. Brown & Cowell, who began their work in the factory buildings which had been erected by Mr. George. They had hardly commenced when the buildings were destroyed by fire. Mr. Brown erected another building near the site of the former one a few years since, and by the introduction of the sewing-machine large quantities of goods are manufactured by this firm in the shop which, before its use in making this kind of goods, were made by people at their own firesides in this town and vicinity.

succeeded Messrs. Mann, Swift & Co., continuing | son again resumed it. But he did not occupy it long, the business for a few years. A straw-manufactory and eventually removed to Providence, R. I. It is _ not known that any other person engaged in the busiwas for a short time in operation in that part of Wrentham which is now Norfolk, under the management of Mr. Allen and afterwards of Mr. Perry.

The value of the goods denominated straw goods now made (1884) in this town is estimated at $250,- 000 for the year. From the census report of 1880 we learn that the number of establishments in the straw business in Massachusetts was 33, having a capital nings in this town has grown to be the controlling business. This is the manufacture of those kinds of goods that come under the general name of jewelry. Beginning early in the century in the neighboring town of Attleborough, it was certainly to be expected at the early date above mentioned called Slackville, in honor of people named Slack who lived there, an old stone mill is remembered which was sometimes called Slack's mill. It was a small mill, but to the passer on the highway it was a conspicuous object, because it was almost the only object, save here and there a dwelling-house, to be seen between the wharf, devoted, it was used for a grain-mill by the Slacks prior to its being occupied by George W. Shepardson, who seems to have been the first to introduce the manufacture of jewelry into Wrentham. He was at jewelers. He is said to have employed some fifteen to twenty hands, making some eight or ten thousand dollars' worth of goods per annum. He was there about two years. He was succeeded by H. M. Richards, Esq., of Attleborough, in March, 1843, who engaged in the business of making fine gilt jewelry, amounting to about twenty thousand dollars per year, as nearly as can now be ascertained. He employed Mr. Richards oecupied the mill for about a year, when Mr. Shepardfrom twenty-five to thirty hands.

ness at Plainville, either while Messrs. Shepardson and Richards were there, or subsequently, until Joseph 'T. Bacon, Esq., purchased the property and demolished the old mill and built the large shop now (with important additions) occupied by Lincoln, Bacon & Co. The firm of Bacon, Hodges & Mason followed next after Messrs. Shepardson and Richards, They continued together in the business for three or four years, when Masop retired. Then Messrs. Bacon & Hodges were the partners until 1850. At that date Mr. Hodges left, and Josiah Draper and John Tifft united with Joseph T. Bacon in the firm-name of Draper, Tifft & Bacon, and conducted the business under this style until Mr. Tifft died, in 1851, when another change took place, and Frank 8S. Draper, son of Josiah, and Frank L. Tifft, son of John, and Joseph T. Bacon and James D. Lincoln formed a copartnership under the style of Draper, Tifft & Co., which continued until July, 1860, when Frank 8. Draper retired, and the firm took the name of Lincoln, Tifft & Bacon. In 1863 or 1864

| on in the name of J. T. Bacon & Co., and the wholesale business in New York in the name of Lincoln, Tifft & Co., the same gentlemen constituting both In July, 1882, Messrs. Harland G. Bacon, son of the senior member, and Daniel O. Schofield, of New York City, became copartners, the style of the firm being Lincoln, Bacon & Co., both in New York and in Wrentham.

years since by Mr. J. T. Bacon and his partners, which is occupied by the Plainville Stock Company and by Messrs. Wade, Davis & Co., and others. A large number of hands are employed by the companies engaged in the manufacture of jewelry and goods in that line, - the ten or fifteen hands of Mr. Shepardson in 1843 having increased to hundreds, and in place of his eight or ten thousand dollars' worth of goods, the amount now manufactured in that village alone, by the opinion of a competent judge, cannot be less than five hundred thousand dollars' worth annually.

In 1880 the number of establishments in Massachusetts was one hundred and five; the amount of capital, $1,936,800 ; number of males employed above sixteen years, 2485; number of females above fifteen years, 743; children and youth, 37; total amount paid in wages during the year, $1,464,993 ; materials, 65,525.

A fine, large school-house has recently been built | and finished, so as to serve not only for the schools in © that village, but with a hall convenient for public

The spacious workshops can employ five hundred | hands. The number actually employed varies as the | business varies, "ranging probably from three hundred and seventy-five (375) in dull times to five hundred when business is good." has been made in this village in recent years, and the tinued some few years, employing a large number of hands and doing a large business. Quite recently the firm of Cowell & Hall have established the business again in this village. | About sixty years ago Col. Rhodes Sheldon came | from Cumberland, R. L., to the westerly part of Wrentham and commenced the business of building | boats and transporting them to Boston for sale. This business he carried on for many years, and was suc- | ceeded in it by his sons George and Orrin, the last named of whom still carries it on at the old place. In Col. Sheldon's time the usual amount done may have been about four thousand or five thousand dollars' worth per year. In the year 1845, or about that time, | it went up to ten thousand dollars, and last year (1883) it was about seven thousand dollars. dustry has been steadily continued until the present Under the administration of the elder Sheldon quite an impulse was given to that part of the town, manifested in an increased number of dwellings, in the erection of one church edifice, and in various Other parties have at different times engaged to some extent in boat-building, but they have long since abandoned it.