rg^^^^Q^a^g^a^^^sgagaa;^ ^ 
 
 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. % 
 Chap.^.nA 
 
 Shelf yJl^l'X.^X 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
SERMON 
 
 DELIVERED AT SOUTHBOROUGH, 
 
 JULY 17, 1827, 
 THE DAV -WHICH COMPZ.ETZ!D A CEMrTURir 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN. 
 
 By JEROBOAM PARKER, 
 
 MINISTER OF SOUTHBOROUGH. 
 
 [printed by REQUEST.] 
 
 The fashion of this world passeth away..; the apostle paul. 
 
 Your fathers, where are they? zachariah. 
 
 We desire, that every one of you do shew the same dihgence to the full as- 
 surance of hope unto the end ; that ye be not slothful, but followers o 
 them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 
 
 THE apostle PAUL. 
 
 BOSTON : 
 .loHN Marsh State-Street 1827 
 
7<? 
 
SERMON. 
 
 ECCLESIASTES 1. 4. 
 
 «SE GENERATION PA8SETH AWAY, AND ANOTHER GENERATION COM- 
 ETH, BUT THE EARTH ABIDETH FOREVER. 
 
 This earth, through all the changes and revolu- 
 tions of time, has been, and will continue to be, mate- 
 rially the same to the consummation of all things. — 
 But when it has fully answered the purposes of its 
 formation, as a theatre for the display of the varying 
 dispensations of God, " the elements will melt with 
 fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are 
 therein, shall be burned up; and the heavens shall 
 be rolled together, as a scroll," and time will be suc- 
 ceeded by eternity. 
 
 " One generation passeth away, and another gen- 
 eration Cometh, but the earth abideth for ever." 
 
 This solemn declaration of the wise man, with re- 
 spect to the instability of all things, but the globe on 
 which we dwell, is emphatically true in its most ex- 
 tensive sense, whether we apply it to the animal or 
 vegetable world. 
 
 All that springs from the earth, or lives upon it, is 
 fading and transient. All around us, life and death 
 are presented to our view in quick succession. The 
 verdure of spring, the maturity of summer, and the 
 
decline of autumn are succeeded by the winter of 
 death. Again, the face of the earth is renewed with 
 hfe and beauty, rising from the ruins of the departed 
 year, but doomed, like that which preceded it, to 
 fall and disappear. 
 
 Such are the scenes and changes, presented to our 
 view in the vegetable creation, and such is the con- 
 dition of the animal world. All creatures that in- 
 habit the air, the earth, and the waters — all have 
 their respective periods of growth, maturity and de- 
 chne, and all, like those that preceded them, arc 
 destined to pass away in their turn, to give place to 
 those who shall come after them. 
 
 But it is to the destiny of man, who is subject to 
 the same inviolable law of mortality, succession and 
 change, that the inspired writer Avould direct our at- 
 tention. — " One generation passeth away, and anoth- 
 e I* generation cometh." — "Is there not an appointed 
 time to man upon the, earth ? — His days are deter- 
 mined, the number of his months are with thee ; 
 thou hast appointed his bounds, that he cannot pass. 
 He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down ; he 
 fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not." 
 
 This solemn truth is perpetually enforced upon 
 our minds by the changes we observe in the crea- 
 tures around us, and which we feel in ourselves. 
 Had the Holy Scriptures been silent upon this sub- 
 ject, our own observation and experience might have 
 taught us the solemn and interesting truths contain- 
 ed in our text. 
 
 As we are but of yesterday, how small is the 
 space we have occupied? How little have we seen 
 of the chain of events ? How inadequate our con- 
 
ceptions of that Avliich lias been, when comparetf 
 with its real maofnitude and extent? 
 
 How many miUions have Hved and died, since the 
 sentence of death passed upon our guilty race? 
 How of<^en has this earth been filled and emptied 
 of its inhabitants? Time has swept over it, age 
 after age, with its consuming wave, bearing away 
 successive generations to the ocean of eternity. 
 
 Where are the myriads unnumbered and untold, 
 who inhabited the antediluvian world, or who have 
 lived in succeeding ages? They have fallen and 
 disappeared, like the leaves of autumn. Where are 
 the mighty kingdoms and empires, which have risen 
 and fallen, and been lost in the wreck of ages ? 
 Where arc the magnificence and glory of Egypt, 
 Assyria, Palestine, Greece and Rome? Where are 
 their armies, as numerous as the locusts, and the 
 people, as the sands on the sea-shore for multitude? 
 Where are the majestic monuments of their great- 
 ness, and the splendid trophies of martial glory and 
 victory ? 
 
 If history had not recorded their greatness, and 
 the ruins of vast cities, and gigantic structures had 
 not been visible to this day, posterity would have 
 been ignorant of their ancient glory, and even of 
 their existence. 
 
 All these had their respective seasons of groAvth, 
 maturity and decline, like the successive productions 
 of the vegetable Avorld, and no traces of their form- 
 er existence remain, but theii* rums. 
 
 But, to bring the subject nearer to the scene of 
 our own existence. — How little do we know of the 
 
ancient history of our own country, and of its first 
 inhabitants ? 
 
 Notwithstanding the great and numerous changes 
 and revokitions, which have taken place upon the 
 surface of this globe in the lapse of ages, monu- 
 ments remain, and traces are still visible of a race of 
 men, who once inhabited this continent, who had 
 made nearer appt-oaches to civilization, and greater 
 progress in the arts of peace and war, than any of 
 the numerous tribes of North American Indians. 
 But where are they ? Of which of the sons of 
 Noah were they descendants ? At what period did 
 they pass from the eastern to the western continent, 
 and by what means? What were their numbers, — 
 their wars and revolutions, — their manners and cus- 
 toms, rites and ceremonies, — their language, — their 
 religion? How long did they exist, as a people, and 
 at what period did they become extinct? Their 
 history does not exist. — Tradition is silent. Ask 
 the present inhabitants of the wilderness, — ask them 
 what their fathers have told them. You ask in 
 vain. They can give you no satisfactory account of 
 their own origin, — whence they came, — or of the 
 generations that preceded them. Midnight dark- 
 ness rests upon their memory. They are lost to all 
 future inquiry, like the forests that covered them. 
 " The memorial of them is forgotten." 
 
 " Thou carriest them away as with a flood. One 
 generation passeth away, and another generation 
 Cometh." But with God, there is neither succes- 
 sion nor change. He is "the same yesterday, to-day, 
 and forever, with whom is no variableness neitlier 
 
shadow of turning." With him one day is as a 
 thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 
 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever 
 thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even 
 from everlasting to everlasting thou art God." 
 
 Shall we then, amid the ravages of death and 
 time, exclaim with the Psalmist, " Lord, hast thou 
 made all men in vain?"* Even death, as well as 
 life, is under his control, and subservient to his great 
 and glorious purposes. Though " he turneth man 
 to destruction, he saith return, ye children of men." 
 
 But the gloomy picture of succession and change, 
 is not a subject on which the human mind delights 
 to dwell. The history of past generations is not 
 merely that they lived and died. It is connected 
 with changes and events, in which they, as moral 
 agents, under Providence, acted their respective 
 parts upon the great theatre of the world, — events 
 which have had a greater or less influence upon the 
 character and destiny of those who have succeeded 
 them, and upon the civil, moral, and religious condi- 
 tion of man. 
 
 Were we only to glance at some of the great 
 events, which sacred and profane history have re- 
 corded, the consequences of which have been felt 
 in all succeeding generations, we should refer you 
 to the fall of man, — the first transgression, which 
 has involved a world in sin and death, — the source 
 of all our woe, — to that sentence, which has been 
 awfully executed in the antediluvian world, and in all 
 successive generations of men, — to the early prom- 
 
 * Psalm Ixxxix. 47. 
 
8 
 
 ise of a Saviour, — to the purposes of grace, and 
 the increasing hght of the revelations of God, 
 through the patriarchal. Mosaic, and prophetic ages, 
 till the " sun of righteousness* arose with healing in 
 his wings" upon a " world lying in wickedness," and 
 " brought life and immortality to ligiit," — to the life 
 sufferings, death, resurrection, and ascension of Him, 
 who came to destroy the dominion of sin and death 
 in them that believe, — to the prevalence and tri- 
 umph of the gospel over the combined opposition 
 of the powers of earth and darkness for eight- 
 teen hundred years, — and to the gracious and ani- 
 mating assurance, that the knowledge and glory of 
 God will fill the earth, " as the waters fill the seas." 
 
 We might point your attention to the completion 
 of prophecies, — to the history of divine Provi- 
 dence towards his ancient people, who have been 
 miraculously preserved for the display of the future 
 manifestations of God, — to the great actors on the 
 stage of the world, since the Christian era, whom he 
 has raised up and qualified to effect his purposes, — to 
 the changes and revolutions of the natural, civil, and 
 moral world in later ages, — to the reformation from 
 popery, after a long night of despotism, ignorance 
 and superstition, — to the prevalence of the light of 
 truth, and the benign influence of the gospel upon 
 the condition of man. 
 
 It would not be difficult to show, that a great part 
 of the most useful discoveries have been made since 
 the commencement of the Christian era, and some of 
 the most important of them, since the eleventh centu- 
 
 * Mai. iv. 2. 
 
ry, when new lights rose upon the world. Men 
 awoke, as it were, from the shimber of ages, soared 
 above the narrow prejudices of tlieir ancestors, and 
 gave a wider range to their thoughts and inquiries. 
 New inventions and improvements in the arts and 
 sciences were soon succeeded by a spirit of enter- 
 prise. Men began to traverse the ocean and cir- 
 cumnavigate the globe. 
 
 In 1492, this western continent was discovered by 
 Columbus, and a new world was brought to view. — 
 This discovery was soon followed by emigrations 
 from the old to the new world. 
 
 But the occasion, on which we have assembled, 
 requires us to confine our views to more recent 
 events, and to the age in which we live. 
 
 This day completes a century since the town of 
 Southborough had a distinct and corporate exist- 
 ence. 
 
 What important changes and revolutions have 
 taken place in this period, and many of them within 
 our own recollections ! — changes and revolutions in 
 which some of us have been actors, and in which 
 we have felt a deep and lasting interest. 
 
 The wheels of Providence, like the silent and ir- 
 resistible operations of nature, have been rolling on 
 to effect the purj oscs of Heaven, in the natural, 
 civil, and moral world. 
 
 ►Since the commencement of the year 1727, what 
 alterations have taken place in the surface of this 
 globe, besides the usual changes and recurrences of 
 nature ! In South America, Lima, and Callao, in 
 Kuropc. l^isbon and a great number of towns or vil- 
 
10 
 
 lages in Italy, with their inhabitants, have been 
 swallowed up ©r destroyed by successive earth- 
 quakes. 
 
 In the civil world, commotions Jio less destructive 
 in their effects, and more extensive in their conse- 
 quences, have shaken the nations of the earth. — 
 The events of this period are prominent in the his- 
 tory of the world, and arc doubtless particularly 
 marked in prophecy. 
 
 Besides others of minor importance, it appears 
 that, since the year 1732, when Kouli Khan usurj> 
 ed the Persian throne, and conquered the Mogul 
 empire, there have been no less than seventeen 
 wars between nations called Christian. In three of 
 which, this nation has been deeply interested and 
 actually engaged. These wars, with their attendant 
 evils, have been preceded or followed by no less 
 than eight important revolutious in the same, or in 
 different countries. 
 
 Every quarter of the globe has been more or less 
 agitated. Great and unexpected events have taken 
 place in rapid succession. Europe has exhibited a 
 scene of horror and desolation, almost unparalleled 
 in history. Thousands have fallen upon the high 
 places of the field. Some nations have been over- 
 whelmed or dismembered by conquest : others have 
 emerged from obscurity. Russia, from a mere 
 dukedom, has risen to the first rank among the na- 
 tions of the earth — has arrested the rage of ambi- 
 tion and the torrent of conquest, and driven back 
 the flood of desolation to its source. Thrice has 
 the British throne been vacated, and filled by suc- 
 cessive kings. 
 
11 
 
 In the west and in the east, nations, crushed for 
 ages, by Papal or Mahometan despotism, seem ris- 
 ing from the ashes of their ancestors to avenge their 
 wrongs, and assert their Hberty and independence. 
 
 But perhaps no revolution, recorded in the civil 
 history of nations, is more important in its results, 
 and more extensive in its consequences to the human 
 family, than that which has taken place in our own 
 country, ft was the day-star of liberty, civil and 
 religious — the dawn of a brighter day upon the 
 world. Its influence has already been extensively 
 felt and acknowledged, and nations, yet unborn, will 
 hail it as the commencement of a new era in the 
 history of the melioration of the condition of man. 
 
 No less important have been the changes and 
 revolutions in the literary, moral, and religious 
 world. 
 
 Men have not only begun to see and acknowledge 
 the rights of humanity, but to Jcel and to act. — 
 Hence the important changes in public sentiment 
 and opinion. Customs and prejudices, sanctioned by 
 time, and supported by worldly policy and interest, 
 and which had scarcely been called in question, half 
 a century ago, have been brought to the test of rea- 
 son and Scripture, and found wanting. Hence the 
 abolition of the slave trade among Christian nations, 
 and hence the increasing opposition to the unchris- 
 tian custom of war. 
 
 The period in which we live may be emphatical- 
 ly called the age of inquiry, invention and improve- 
 ment in the arts and sciences, and of benevolent in- 
 stitutions, and religious enterprise. Many have run 
 
12 
 
 to and fro, and knowledge is increased. The Chris- 
 tian world has received a powerful impulse, and 
 seems rising in the strength of the Lord, to melio- 
 rate the condition of man, and to provide for his 
 spiritual wants. No age, perhaps, since the time of 
 the apostles, has seen so many benevolent institutions 
 and exertions to civilize and Christianize the world, 
 as the present, and within the space of thirty years 
 past. The abodes of misery and want are visited to 
 alleviate the sufferings of humanity. The regions 
 of moral darkness and the shadow of death are ex- 
 plored, — the vast ocean is traversed, to carry the 
 news of a Saviour to the islands of the sea, and to 
 every quarter of the globe. The angel of the ev- 
 erlasting gospel seems to be now on the wing, flying 
 in the midst of heaven, " to preach unto them that 
 dwell on the earth ; to every nation, and kindred, 
 and tongue, and people ;" and to announce the dawn 
 of the millennial day. 
 
 But to notice more particularly a few only of the 
 most prominent events of the past century, would 
 exceed the limits prescribed by the present occasion. 
 
 To retrace the footsteps of that Providence, that 
 " assigneth unto man the bounds of his habitation," 
 in that series of events which led to the discovery 
 and settlement of this continent, and cast our lot in 
 this region of the earth, must be a delightful em- 
 ployment to every grateful and pious mind. 
 
 In many respects the history of this nation is sim- 
 ilar to that of God's chosen people. Like them, 
 our fathers were preserved in the sea and in the 
 wildernessj then unexplored, and inhabited by fero- 
 
13 
 
 cioiis beasts and hostile savages. Their infa?it set- 
 tlement was protected, and the heathen driven out 
 before them. Though not led by a pillar of a cloud 
 by day, and of fire by night, yet the conduct of 
 Providence is conspicuous in every period of their 
 history. 
 
 A small company of Puritans, so called, rather 
 than endure the spirit of intolerance and persecution 
 in their own country, sought refuge on these then 
 inhospitable shores ; where they might enjoy, unmo- 
 lested, the rights of freemen, and the liberty of wor- 
 shipping God according to the dictates of their own 
 consciences. 
 
 In November 20, 1620, O. S. they approached 
 the American coast, and anchored in the harbor 
 near Cape Cod. Having devoutly rendered thanks 
 to God for their preservation, and committed them- 
 selves to his protection, they proceeded to establish 
 such a form of government as appeared adapted to 
 the exigencies of their affairs, landed in Vv hat is now 
 called Plymouth, and commenced their first settle- 
 ment. 
 
 The spirit, enterprise, and perseverance of these 
 pilgrims will appear from the dangers they encoun- 
 tered, the difficulties they overcame, and the rapid 
 progress of emigration. 
 
 In 1628, eight years after the landing of the fath- 
 ers, a settlement was commenced at Naumkeag, 
 now called Salem, which, except Plymouth, is the 
 oldest town in this Commonwealth. 
 
 About this time their number and strength were 
 considerably increased by the arrival of a large com- 
 
14 
 
 pany of adventurers from England, wlio brought 
 with them the same principles of liberty, which had 
 succesfully resisted tlie encroachments of tyranny 
 and oppression in their own country. 
 
 The same year, or before 1629, a settlement 
 was Yiiade at Charlestown, then called by the Indians 
 Mishawum, and at Mystic or Medford, which was 
 incorporated in 1630. At this period, Shawmut, 
 now Boston, began to be built. 
 
 The tide of emigration, which was continually in- 
 creased by new accessions from the old world, con- 
 tinued to roll on towards the west. The wilder- 
 ness was explored, and permanent settlements made 
 at a orreater distance from the sea-coast. Water- 
 town was incorporated in 1630 ; Cambridge in 1633 ; 
 Concord was purchased of the natives, and incorpo- 
 rated in 1635 ; Sudbury was settled and incorporat- 
 ed in 1639, and in 1656 a settlement was commenc- 
 ed at Marlborough by emigrants from Sudbury, four 
 years before the date of its incorporation in 1660. 
 Hence it appears that the progress of emigration 
 had reached this place in about thirty years after 
 the commencement of the Massachusetts Colony, 
 and that Marlborouo;h, which then included West- 
 borou2;h, Southborough, and Northborough, was at 
 that time a frontier settlement, bordering on the 
 unexplored wilderness, inhabited by the natives. 
 
 In 16.56 a petition was presented to the General 
 Court, by thirteen persons,* for a grant of land 
 " 8 miles square, or so much land as may containe to 
 8 miles square." This petition was answered by 
 
 * Appendix 1. 
 
15 
 
 the Court by a grant of " a proportion of land of (J 
 miles, or otherwise, in some convenient form equiv- 
 alent thereto, at the discretion of the committee," 
 appointed to lay out and estabhsh the bounds of the 
 same, " in the place desired." 
 
 According to a plan of the English plantation, 
 made in the year 1667, it contained 29,419 acres, 
 which, with 6,000 acres reserved for the Indians, 
 and afterwards annexed to Marlborough, amounted 
 to 35,419 acres. 
 
 In 1657 the number of proprietors was twenty- 
 one, eight others having been added to the thirteen 
 original proprietors. 
 
 Notwithstanding the usual changes and revolutions 
 in human society, and the perpetual fluctuations of 
 property, and after the lapse of nearly one hundred 
 and seventy years, it is evident from the great num- 
 ber of persons, now^ living within the original bounds 
 of Marlborough, who bear the names of the first 
 proprietors, that their possessions, in many instances, 
 are now in the hands of their descendants. The 
 descendants of Richard Newton, one of the original 
 petitioners, have occupied the same farm, (no^v with- 
 in the bounds of Southborough) on which he lived 
 and died, where his great grand-son* now lives, aged 
 ninety-three years, and his descendants to the seventh 
 generation! A rare instance in the history of fami- 
 lies in this ever-changing world! 
 
 The settlement commenced in the neigliborhood 
 of the Indian planting field, an Ockoocangansett, 
 (the Indian name of the hill, back of the old mect- 
 
 *Solomon Newton. 
 
u 
 
 mg-liouse in Marlborough) and extended to Whip- 
 suppenicke, another hill about a mile south-easterly 
 of the former, and in the adjacent parts. "By this 
 name Whipsuppenicke or Whipsufferage, as it wa^ 
 sometimes written, the English plantation of Marl- 
 borough was known, till the time of its incorpora- 
 tion in 1660." 
 
 To provide for the public worship of God, and 
 the instruction of youth, were among the first objects 
 to which the attention of the proprietors was direct- 
 ed. These they effected according to their means^ 
 with a harmony and unanimity, which were no less 
 honorable to their character, than conducive to their 
 interest. In 1660, measures were adopted for the 
 maintenance of public worship, and in 1662 for build* 
 ifii^ a meeting-iiouse, which was erected on the old 
 Common, and was afterwards burnt by the Indians. 
 
 From the commencement of this infant settlement 
 to the time of King Philip's war, in the year 1675, 
 the inhabitants lived in peace and friendly inter- 
 course with their Indian neighbors. But in 1676, 
 Feb. 10, O. S. a party of Indians, having destroyed 
 Lancaster, continued their desolating march through 
 Marlborough, where they committed depredations 
 on their way to Sudbury and Medtield, where more 
 than forty dwelling-houses were burnt, and fifteen 
 persons fell a sacrifice to savage barbarity. 
 
 In March following, a second attack was made up- 
 on Marlboroujfh on the Sabbath, when the inhabi- 
 tants were assembled in the meeting-house for pub- 
 lic worship. They with difficulty made their escape 
 to a neighboring garrison in safety ; but their meet- 
 
17 
 
 ing-house and many dwelling-houses were burnt, 
 and most of their personal property was injured or 
 destroyed. 
 
 Such was the alarm occasioned by these repeated 
 attacks, that they retired from their settlement to a 
 place of safety, and returned to their possessions at 
 the close of the war, and erected another meeting- 
 house near the site of the former. 
 
 From this period, it appears that the English set- 
 tlers in Marlborough remained unmolested till the 
 year 1704, when a small party of Indians surprised 
 a number of the inhabitants of what is now West- 
 borough, while at work in tlie field, killed one per- 
 son, and carried four others into captivity, in 1707, 
 a woman was surprised and killed by a party of In- 
 dians, at a small distance from her house, in that 
 part of Marlborough, now within the bounds of 
 Northborough. 
 
 Such was the danger and alarm at that period of 
 savage warfare, that in 1711 there were no less 
 than twenty-six dwelling-houses, (then called garri- 
 sons) supplied with arms, fortified, and surrounded 
 with enclosures within the original hmits of Marl- 
 borough, which contained at that time about one 
 hundred and thirty-seven families. 
 
 '• Our ears have heard and our fathers have told 
 us" talcs of desolation and wo. But at this period, 
 Avhile we enjoy the fruits of their labors and priva- 
 tions, "under our vines and fig-trees, having none to 
 molest or make us afraid," how little can we know 
 or conceive of the difficulties and dangers to which 
 they Avere exposed; when not only property, but 
 3 
 
18 
 
 life was insecure in the house, as well as in the field, 
 and their midnight slumbers were liable to be brok- 
 en by the horrors of the savage war-whoop. 
 
 But notwithstanding all these dangers and discour- 
 agements, they brought up their children in habits 
 of industry and economy. They provided means of 
 instruction, both in the school and in the sanctuary. 
 They reverenced the ordinances of God, — the insti- 
 tutions of religion. They regarded the Sabbath as 
 a most important and benevolent institution of heav- 
 en. They reverently and conscienciously attended 
 the public worship of God. Though many of them 
 lived at a great distance from the place of meeting, 
 and must pass more dangers than were found even 
 in the valley of Baca,* no trivial excuse or slight 
 inconvenience could detain them from the house of 
 prayer, as the manner of many is, at this day, though 
 even that sacred place was liable to be assailed by a 
 merciless foe. Let us cherish their memory, while 
 we enjoy the fruits of their labors ; let us grate- 
 fully call to mind that Providence which was their 
 shield and defence, and endeavor to resemble them 
 in those virtues which they left for our imitation ; 
 and especially let us imitate their piety to God, that 
 we may rationally hope and trust that he will be 
 our God, as he was the God of our fathers. " One 
 generation shall praise thy works to another, and 
 shall declare thy mighty acts" among the people. 
 
 Soon after this period, it appears that the settle- 
 ment had been extended in every direction towards 
 the borders of the town. 
 
 » * Psalm Ixxxiv. 6. - 
 
19 
 
 The increase of wealth and population, and the 
 considerable distance of many of the inhabitants 
 from the place of public worship, rendered it neces- 
 sary for their accommodation that a separation 
 should take place. 
 
 In 1717 the inhabitants of the westerly part of 
 Marlborough, then called Chauncy Village, and in- 
 cluding what is now Westborough and North bor- 
 ough, were incorporated as a separate town, and in 
 1718 erected a meeting-house for public worship. — 
 In 1744 Westborough was divided into two pre- 
 cincts, and Northborough became a separate parish, 
 and in 1766 was incorporated as a town. 
 
 In 1727 the inhabitants of the southeHy part of 
 Marlborough, now Southborough, petitioned to be 
 set off as a separate township. 
 
 The harmony and unanimity with which the sep- 
 aration was effected, will appear from a record of 
 the proceedings of the inhabitants of Marlborough 
 at a town- meeting, June 12, 1727. The town pro- 
 ceeded to choose a committee to confer with the 
 petitioners about settling a hne between them and 
 the town. The line having been agreed upon, and 
 accepted, at the same meeting, the town voted, that 
 the inhabitants of Stony Brook be set off, as a sepa- 
 rate township, — that the towns would join with them 
 to petition the General Court, — and that the select- 
 men, or a major part of them, should join with them 
 on the town's behalf for a confirmation of said town- 
 ship.* 
 
 ♦ Marlborough Town Records. 
 
20 
 
 In July 6, 1727, O. S. or according to our present 
 rcckonin;^, July 17, the inhabitants of this part of 
 iMarlborough were incorporated by an act of the 
 General Court, and, from its local situation in the 
 ancient town of Marlborough, was called Southbo- 
 roujjh. 
 
 The name by which it was known previously to 
 the time of its incorporation was Stony Brook, prob- 
 ably from a stream of water, which still bears this 
 name, and has its source near the western limits of 
 Southborough, and passes in an easterly direction 
 through the centre of the town into Framingham, 
 where it falls into Sudbury river. 
 
 Most of that part of the town, which lies north 
 of Stony Brook was anciently known by the name 
 of Cow Commons, from the circumstance of its hav- 
 ing been improved by the original proprietors of 
 Marlborough, as a common pasture. Tradition in- 
 forms us, that daily information concerning their 
 cattle was given them by the Indians, (then living 
 among them,) on their return from their hunting ex- 
 cursions. 
 
 It does not appear from any records in our pos- 
 session, that any person was killed, or any remarka- 
 ble depredations committed by the Indians within 
 the bounds of this town. Tradition only informs us, 
 that a man, being pursued by the Indians, effected 
 his escape by taking refuge in a small thicket in a 
 meadow, a little north of Southborough meeting- 
 house. The spot has since been regarded as a me- 
 morial too sacred to be invaded by the axe or the 
 scythe. 
 
21 
 
 The bounds of Southborough have remained 
 nearly the same as they were at the time of its in- 
 corporation. But in the year 1780, certain inhabit- 
 ants of a part* of Framingham, bordering on Sudbu- 
 ry river, and lying between Southborough and Hop- 
 kinton, petitioned to be set off to this town. In 
 1785, this tract of land, consisting of about 300 
 acres, was annexed to Southborough. With this ad- 
 dition the town (according to tlie plan takent in May, 
 1795, now in the office of the Secretary of this 
 Commonwealth,) contains 9,122 acres, including 
 ponds and brooks. 
 
 The number of inhabitants within the bounds of 
 Southborough, previously to the year 1727, and the 
 number and names of the petitioners for an act of 
 incorporation, we have not been able to ascertain 
 from any records in cur possession. 
 
 Subsequent to this period, it appears that there 
 were, m 1793, 120 dwelling-houses, 150 famliies, 
 and 840 inhabitants ; and according to the census in 
 1810, 160 families, and 933 inhabitants ; and in 1820 
 1,030 inhabitants. 
 
 For the satisfaction of those, who may feel a lo- 
 cal interest in the civil transactions of the inhab- 
 itants of this place, w^e may observe, that it ap- 
 pears, from the records of this town, that the first 
 town-meeting was held at the house;}: of Timothy 
 Brigham, August 28, 1727, attested by William 
 
 * This tract of land, from its fonn and situation with respect to Framing- 
 ham, wa» then c;illed Fiddle Neck. 
 
 t By Nathan Bridges, of Soutliborough. 
 
 i A little east of the place where the mceting-housc now stand'. 
 
22 
 
 Johnson, jr. Moderator, — that in March following, 
 1728, town-officers were chosen, — that the first per- 
 son chosen to represent the town in the General 
 Court was Samuel Lyscom, in 1740, — that Jonathan 
 Ward attended the Provincial Congress convened 
 at Concord, in 1774, — and that in 1780, Dr. James 
 Parker was chosen a Delegate to the Convention, 
 convened at Cambridge, to form the Constitution of 
 this State. 
 
 By a reference to the records of this town, it will 
 appear that the inhabitants took an early and de- 
 cided part in defence of the liberties of our country, 
 and bore a full share in the burdens and privations 
 of the revolutionary conflict, previously to its com- 
 mencement, and during its continuance. 
 
 As early as the year 1765, after noticing the a- 
 larming situation of the country, under the burden 
 of new impositions, and unconstitutional taxes, by 
 which they, as loyal British subjects, were deprived 
 of their unalienable and inestimable rights, among 
 others the following in tru ctions were unanimously 
 voted in town-meeting, to be given to their repre- 
 sentative* : " That you w^ould, in the most effectual 
 and loyal manner, firmly assert and lawfully main- 
 tain the inherent rights of the Province ; — that pos- 
 terity may know that, if we must be slaves, we do 
 not choose by our own acts to destroy ourselves, 
 and willingly entail slavery on them." 
 
 In March, 1773, a committee was chosen, and di- 
 rected to report the rights and privileges of the 
 Province. The report was made and accepted, and 
 
 * Ezra Taylor, Esq, 
 
23 
 
 the town-clerk was directed to transmit a copy of 
 the same to the Committee of Correspondence in 
 Boston. 
 
 In 1774, a standing committee of correspondence 
 was chosen to unite and correspond with other com- 
 mittees. 
 
 Ev^ery person capable of bearing arms, from six- 
 teen years and upwards, was armed according to 
 law, and officers chosen to instruct them in the mil- 
 itary art. 
 
 The same year the inhabitants entered into an 
 agreement not to purchase or consume any goods, 
 wares or merchandize, which should arrive in Amer- 
 ica from Great-Britain, and that they would not 
 commence needless law-suits against the honest and 
 industrious, who were endeavoring to pay their 
 debts, or take advantage of the pressure of the times 
 to neglect their own obligations. 
 
 About this time a company of volunteers was form- 
 ed, and disciplined and supported at the expense 
 of the town, to be in constant readiness to repel any 
 attack of the enemy. 
 
 To meet the pressing exigences of this and the 
 following years of danger and alarm, great sacrific- 
 es were patiently made. By perpetual requisitions 
 new expenses were incurred, and new privations en- 
 dured. Many of the inhabitants of this and other 
 towns were compelled to leave the occupations and 
 comforts of domestic life to defend the rights of 
 their country — all they held dear and important, as 
 men and as citizens, upon the " high places of the 
 field." Then in the expressive languaaro of that pe- 
 
24 
 
 riod, " the rich murmured, and the poor groaned un- 
 der burdens which neither they nor their fathers 
 were able to bear." 
 
 But I forbear to describe scenes, in which many 
 of our fathers of this respected audience were ac- 
 tors, and from whom vvc might receive more impor- 
 tant information. 
 
 In the act by which this town was incorporated, 
 is the following provision : " Provided, also, that the 
 inhabitants of the said town of Southborough do, 
 within the space of eighteen months from the pub- 
 hcation of this act, erect and furnish a suitable house 
 for the public worsliip of God, and procure and set- 
 tle a learned and orthodox minister of good conver- 
 sation, and make provision for his comfortable and 
 honorable support ; and likewise provide a school- 
 master to instruct their youth in writing and read- 
 ing. 
 
 Agreeably to this provision at the first town-meet- 
 ing, August 28, 1727, the folloAving measures were 
 adopted.— A committee was chosen to provide a 
 place for public meetings, and the town "voted to 
 erect a meeting-house forty feet wide, and fifty feet 
 long, on the most convenient place, nearest the cen- 
 tre of the town," and a committee was chosen to as- 
 certain the centre by admeasurement. 
 
 At the same meeting, yonder sacred place, where 
 are deposited the remains of so many of our dear 
 friends, was selected, and afterwards devoted to its 
 present use. 
 
 From the proceedings of subsequent meetings it 
 appears, tliat white pine timber from Musshcta* 
 
 * Probably Moscheto swamp. 
 
•>'l 
 
 swamp, and other materials were collected, and the 
 necessary preparations made for erecting a meetmg- 
 house immediately, and three hundred pounds pro- 
 posed to be raised for that purpose. 
 
 But, as a difference of opinion existed, with re- 
 spect to the location of the house, the subject was 
 referred to the arbitration of five respectable men 
 from Marlborough and Westborough, who unani- 
 mously agreed upon the spot west of the burymg- 
 
 ground 
 
 That their decision was to the general satisfaction 
 of the inhabitants of this town, is evident from the 
 harmony and unanunity of their proceedings. The 
 same day the town proceeded to make preparations 
 to raise the frame of the house, Avhich was erected 
 on the place designated by the committee, Novem- 
 ber, 1727. 
 
 That house, which was the place, where our fa- 
 thers worshipped, remained seventy-nine years, till 
 the house in which we now worship, near the site 
 of the former, was erected and dedicated to the 
 worship of God, December 17, 1806. 
 
 In October, 1727, the sum of twenty-five pounds 
 was granted and appropriated by the town, as a 
 "compensation for those ministers who should 
 preach tlie word of God among them." 
 
 From 1727 to 1730 it appears tliat the following 
 ministers were employed to preacli in this place : — 
 Messrs. Jennison of VVatertown, Cabbot, Bridgham, 
 Nicolas Gillman, and Moses Hale. The two last 
 were invited to settle in the ministry in tliis place, 
 but did not accept the invitation. 
 
26 
 
 In October 21, 1730, a church was gathered in 
 this place, consisting of 17 male members, who sub- 
 scribed to a covenant. The same day the Rev. 
 Nathan Stone, a native of Harwich, was ordained 
 first minister of this churcli and people. He con- 
 tinued in this place to the 51st year of his ministry, 
 and departed this life May 31, 1781, in the 74th 
 year of his age. 
 
 Nothing special is recorded, as having occurred 
 during his ministry. But it appears, that, with the 
 exception of a short period, he lived in peace and 
 harmony with his people. Some of this audience, 
 who yet remember him, are living witnesses of his 
 faithfulness. The following character is given him 
 by one of his contemporaries in the ministry. — " He 
 was a judicious, prudent, and faithful minister of 
 Christ, and was continued serving God in the gospel 
 of his Son, to the great satisfaction of his people.*' 
 
 Besides the seventeen members who composed 
 the church at its formation, the additions to the 
 church during his ministry were two hundred and 
 seven ; one hundred and sixty-nine were admitted 
 from this town, and thirty-eight from other church- 
 es, besides two hundred and sixty who owned the 
 covenant without coming to the Lord's table. Thir- 
 ty-six were dismissed and recommended to other 
 churches. Tiie baptisms were one thousand and 
 sixty-two ; the marriages two hundred and fifty-one ; 
 and the deaths five hundred and eighty-two. 
 
 From the records of this period it appears, that 
 the greatest number of deaths which have taken 
 place in any year, since the incorporation of this 
 
27 
 
 town, was from June 13, 1740, to June 15, 1741, 
 when forty persons died, and thirty of them of the 
 throat distemper. 
 
 For ten years after the decease of Mr. Stone 
 this town was destitute of a fettled minister, and a 
 considerable number of ministers were employed to 
 preach in this place. Several of them were succes- 
 sively invited to settle here in the ministry, and 
 each returned a negative answer. 
 
 From the records of this period, though in some 
 respects deficient, it appears that thirty persons 
 were added to the church, twenty-seven from this 
 town, and three from other churches ; five were 
 dismissed and recommended ; eighteen owned the 
 baptismal covenant ; one hundred and seventeen 
 were baptized. The number of deaths was one 
 hundred and three ; and the marriages found on 
 record are only thirty-five. 
 
 After this, the Rev. Samuel Sumner, a native of 
 Shrewsbury, was called to the pastoral office in this 
 place, and was ordained June 1, 1791. He was dis- 
 missed, agreeably to his request, December 1, 1797. 
 
 The additions to the church while he was minis- 
 ter were thirty-four, twenty-nine from this town, 
 and five from other churches ; twelve owned the 
 covenant ; eleven were dismissed to other churches ; 
 one hundred and seventeen were baptized. The 
 marriages were thirty-six, and the deaths one hun- 
 dred. 
 
 From December 1, 1797, to October 9, 1799, 
 there is a deficiency in the records. Seventeen 
 deaths are recorded. During this time several minr 
 ieters were employed to preach in this place. 
 
28 
 
 Almost twenty-eight years ago, your present pas- 
 tor was ordained to the ministerial office in this 
 place. Though even a prophet must not expect 
 either honor or emolument in his own country and 
 among his own kindred; yet he would, on this occa- 
 sion, evince his grateful sense of every expression of 
 your favor, and of the candor with which you have 
 attended his defective services ; and it is his prayer 
 to the God of all grace, that his feeble exertions 
 may " not be in vain in the Lord." 
 
 Since his ordination, October 9, 1799, three 
 hundred and ninety-six persons,* in thiy society have 
 departed this life, — seventy-four have been added 
 to the church, and about half that number within 
 four years past, — sixty-two have been added from 
 this town, and twelve from other churches. One 
 hundred and seventy have received the ordmance of 
 baptism; — thirteen have been dismissed from this 
 church, and two hundred and tAventy-thrce have 
 been united in marriage. As the baptismal cove- 
 nant has been discontinued, none have been admit- 
 ted to that covenant. 
 
 Hence it appears that, from the first organization 
 of this church, now ninety-seven years ago, there 
 have been in the whole, including t^he seventeen first 
 members, three hundred and sixty-two added to this 
 church. 
 
 One thousand four hundred and sixty-six have re- 
 ceived the ordinance of baptism. 
 
 Two hundred and ninety have owned the cove- 
 nant. 
 
 • Appendix ii. 
 
29 
 
 Five hundred and fifty-seven have been joined in 
 marriage, including twelve united by civil magistrates 
 and others. 
 
 Two thousand three hundred and ninety births 
 are found on record, and including thirteen deaths 
 on record previous to 1730, the whole number of 
 deaths in this place during the century past is one 
 thousand two hundred and eleven.* 
 
 The number of persons who have sustained the 
 office of deacon during the same period is twelve.t 
 
 For almost a century, but one denomination of 
 Christians, and but one religious society, have existed 
 in this town. 
 
 In 1825, a Baptist society was formed in this 
 place, and a minister of that denomination was or- 
 dained to the work of the ministry in that society. 
 
 Whatever may be our denomination, whatever 
 our religious creed, let us all be solicitous to imbibe 
 the spirit of the religion we profess, — to obey its 
 injunctions, — and to exiubit its fruits, that we may 
 evince to the surrounding world that \vc have been 
 with Jesus. 
 
 On this occasion we are naturally led to some im- 
 portant reflections. 
 
 1. It is the part of wisdom to profit by observa- 
 tion and experience of the past. 
 
 As this is the last time I shall ever address you, 
 my friends, on an occasion like this, shall I not be 
 permitted to observe that from documcntsij: in my 
 possession it appears, that near seventy years ago, 
 
 * Appendix iii. t Appendix iv. 
 
 X Result of the cou/icil convened at Southborough, in 1758. 
 
30 
 
 the order, jieace and harmony, which prevailed in 
 the civil and ecclesiastical transactions of this society, 
 were subjects of public remark, and the honorable 
 appellation of " peaceable town" was publicly given 
 to this place. If you would continue to deserve 
 and enjoy the advantages it implies — if you would 
 evince to the world, that you have not degenerated 
 from the virtues of your ancestors — if you would 
 preserve peace, and harmony amongst yourselves — 
 if you would promote the interests of piety and vir- 
 tue, civil, social, and religious order in society, in 
 your families, in your own souls — if you would 
 transmit these invaluable blessings to your children, 
 to future generations, — bring them up in the " nur- 
 ture and admonition of the Lord" by precept and 
 example. Take the sacred volume for your guide, 
 and attend to its admonitions. " Be not carried a- 
 bout by every wind of doctrine, lest ye be zealously 
 affected, but not well. Study the things that make 
 for peace, and whereby one may edify another. — 
 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, what- 
 soever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, 
 whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are 
 lovely, whatsoever things are of good report ; if 
 there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on 
 these things." 
 
 2. On a review of the past, what reflections are 
 suggested to every serious mind ! Less than one 
 hundred and seventy years ago, and even in the 
 past century, this was a howling Avilderness. Here 
 the prowling wolf howled to his companions in the 
 distant swamp to renew their nightly depredations 
 
31 
 
 ©f slaughter and blood. Here the flinty arrow, now 
 found in our fields, and in the cabinets of the curi- 
 ous, was winged with death at the huge bear and 
 the harmless deer. Here the woods resounded 
 with the dismal war-song. Here the savage pitched 
 his wigwam. Here perhaps, on the very spot 
 where we now worship, his superstitious devotions 
 were offered to the clouds and to the thunder of 
 heaven. 
 
 Mark the pleasing contrast! The hills have be- 
 come plains, and the rough places smooth under the 
 persevering hand of industry. To the rude habita- 
 tions and precarious fare of the savage have suceed- 
 ed commodious dwellings of domestic peace, and 
 plenty crowns the festive board. The wilderness 
 has become a fruitful field, waving with the luxuri- 
 ance of harvest, and vocal with the praises of God. 
 " Instead of the th©rn has come up the fir tree, and 
 and instead of the briar the myrtle tree, to beautify 
 the place of the sanctuary." 
 
 While we venerate the memory of our fathere, 
 who were pioneers to prepare the way before us, 
 while we admire their fortitude and perseverance in 
 the face of every danger, let us imitate their piety, 
 and say, " Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto 
 thy name be all the glory." 
 
 3. " The fashion of this world passeth away." — 
 What changes have taken place in this small society, 
 since it had a corporate existence ! — in families — in 
 the external circumstances and relations of life! "Our 
 fathers where are they? and the prophets, do they 
 live for ever ? " A number, greater than that of the 
 
32 
 
 inhabitants of tliis town, sleeps in yonder burjing- 
 ground. If such be the ravages of death within so 
 small a space, what have they been in the world at 
 large — in all nations, since time began ! 
 
 4. "One generation passeth away, and another 
 generation cometh."" Who can be indifferent to the 
 fate of those who are to succeed us? What mean 
 these flowery decorations* in the sanctuary of God? 
 Let them be silent monitors to the youth of this as- 
 sembly. Mark attentively their bloom and their 
 decline. They are lively emblems of your condi- 
 tion — of beauty and decay. They speaxk a lan- 
 guage too plain to be misunderstood — too impressive 
 to be disregarded. Their bloom, how transient ! 
 — their continuance, how short! Happiness is your 
 aim; but where do you expect to find it? In the 
 pleasures and amusements of the morning of life, 
 or in the acquisitions of maturer age ? These are 
 transient, precarious, unsatisfying, and can never an- 
 swer the aspirations of the human soul. Happiness 
 dwells only with Avisdom; and wdiat is wisdom? 
 " The fear of the Lord is the beo^innins: of wisdom. 
 Know ye the God of your fathers, and serve him 
 with a perfect heart, and Avith a willing mind." — 
 Then will you know, by happy experience, that 
 " wisdom's ways are Avays of pleasantness, and all 
 her paths are peace," — then will you secure that in- 
 terest, of which these verdant branchcst arc striking 
 emblems. — Perennial beauty — and immortal youth ! 
 
 5. And now, my fellow-immortals, of every age, 
 on tlie same stream of time which has borne away 
 
 ' The-meeting house was decorated with flowers and evergreens, 
 t P^versjreens. 
 
33 
 
 all that have preceded us to the ocean of eternity. 
 Where will be all this great assembly before one 
 hundred years more shall have rolled away ? Soon 
 rising and succeeding generations will tread upon our 
 ashes, as we have trodden upon the ruins of depart- 
 ed years. Soon shall w^e pass away like a dream, 
 and our memorial will be forgotten, — soon eternity 
 will be present with all its realities. What then is 
 our wisdom ? " The knowledge of the holy is under- 
 standing:. Without holiness no man shall see the 
 
 o 
 
 Lord. One thing; is needful." Labor to secure a 
 part in the resurrection of the just, — in the "new 
 heavens, and the new earth, wherein dwelleth right- 
 eousness;" — that part, which will survive the ravag- 
 es of death and time, the wreck of worlds, — when 
 the angel of the covenant will " lift his hand to 
 heaven, and sware by him that liveth forever and 
 ever, that there shall be time no longer," — and 
 Avhen all the lights in the firmament Avill be ex- 
 tinguished by the uncreated glory of the invisible 
 God. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 I. Page 14. 
 
 The following are the names 
 Edmund Rice, 
 John Howe, 
 Thomas King, 
 John Bent, sen. 
 William Ward, 
 John May nurd, 
 John Woods, 
 
 In 1657, the following eight 
 proprietors : 
 
 William Kerly, 
 John Rediat, 
 Solomon Johnson, 
 Samuel Rice, 
 
 of the original petitioners : 
 Richard Newton, 
 Thomas Goodenow, 
 Edward Rice, 
 Peter Bent, 
 John Ruddocke, 
 Henry Rice. 
 
 names were found among the 
 
 John Johnson, 
 Thomas Rice, 
 Peter King, 
 Christopher Banister. 
 
 n. Page 28. 
 The whole number of deaths in Southborough, from Octo- 
 ber 9, 1799, to July 17, 1827. 
 
 1799 4 
 
 1807 
 
 19 
 
 1815 
 
 17 
 
 1823 
 
 8 
 
 1800 14 
 
 1808 
 
 10 
 
 1816 
 
 10 
 
 1824 
 
 11 
 
 1801 16 
 
 1809 
 
 8 
 
 1817 
 
 16 
 
 1825 
 
 21 
 
 1802 24 
 
 1810 
 
 11 
 
 1818 
 
 6 
 
 1826 
 
 21 
 
 1803 21 
 
 1811 
 
 11 
 
 1819 
 
 15 
 
 1827 
 
 7 
 
 1804 11 
 
 1812 
 
 13 
 
 1820 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 1805 6 
 
 1813 
 
 23 
 
 1821 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 1806 16 
 
 1814 
 
 13 
 
 1822 
 
 14 
 
 Total, 
 
 396 
 
 
 BEA 
 
 lTHS. 
 
 
 
 Under 1 year 
 
 61 
 
 From 
 
 50 to 60 
 
 22 
 
 From 1 to 10 years 
 
 76 
 
 From 
 
 60 to 70 
 
 42 
 
 From 10 to 20 
 
 24 
 
 From 
 
 70 to 80 
 
 47 
 
 From 20 to 30 
 
 38 
 
 From 
 
 80 to 90 
 
 25 
 
 From 30 to 40 
 
 17 
 
 From 
 
 90 to 100 
 
 8 
 
 From 40 to 5 
 
 
 
 24 
 
 Age unknc 
 
 )wn 
 
 12 
 
36 
 
 DISORDERS. 
 
 Consumption 
 
 79 
 
 A poplexy 
 
 11 
 
 Fevers 
 
 38 
 
 Abscess 
 
 o 
 
 Dysentery 
 
 32 
 
 Disorder of the 
 
 heart 1 
 
 Dropsy 
 
 17 
 
 Hernia 
 
 1 
 
 Dropsy in the hea< 
 
 J 11 
 
 Melancholy 
 
 1 
 
 Fits 
 
 18 
 
 Asthma 
 
 2 
 
 Accidents 
 
 11 
 
 Cancer 
 
 6 
 
 Decay 
 
 39 
 
 Inflam'n of the bowels 6 
 
 Jaundice 
 
 8 
 
 Mortification 
 
 14 
 
 Suddenly 
 
 8 
 
 Palsy 
 
 13 
 
 Lethargy 
 
 8 
 
 Colic 
 
 1 
 
 Canker 
 
 7 
 
 Measles 
 
 1 
 
 Quinsy 
 
 5 
 
 Suspension of urine 2 
 
 Worms 
 
 5 
 
 Unknown 
 
 49 
 
 The average number of deaths, during the above period, is 
 14 and a fraction over. 
 
 Of those whose ages are known, 1H8 lived beyond the age 
 of 40—88 beyond the age of 70—33 beyond the age of 80 — 
 8 beyond the age of 90 — and 2 lived to the age of 96 years. 
 
 Nearly one-sixth part of those whose ages are known died 
 under J year ; and about one-fifth part from 1 to 10 years of 
 age. 
 
 The prevalent disorder has been consumption, of which 
 more than one-fifth part have died. 
 
 III. Page 29. 
 
 The average number of deaths for each year, during the 
 Century past, is 12 and a fraction over. 
 
 IV. Page 29. 
 
 The following is a list of the Deacons in Southborough 
 chuich, with the years when they were chosen : 
 
 John Bellows, 
 Jonathan Witt, 
 John Amsden, 
 David Woods, 
 William Ward, 
 Gideon Newton, 
 
 1730 
 1730 
 1736 
 1741 
 1753 
 1756 
 
 John Fay, 1767 
 
 Edmund Chaniberlin, 1789 
 Hezekiah Fay, 1789 
 
 Josiah Newton, 1800 
 
 Joseph Johnson, 1816 
 
 Brigham Fay, 1822 
 
APPENDIX, 
 
 By the Committee of Arrangements , inserted at the request of flu 
 Inhabitants of Sonthborough. 
 
 At a legal town-meeting, on the first Monday of April, 1827, 
 the inhabitants of Sonthborough adopted the following resolu- 
 tions, viz. : 
 
 That the 17th July next,* (the completion of a century since 
 the incorporation of the town) be celebrated by a Public Dis- 
 course and other appropriate services. 
 
 That Doct. Joseph Bullard, Perley Whipple, Esq. Willard 
 Newton, Esq. Mr. Jeremiah Newton, Col. Jonas Ball, Col. 
 Francis B. Fay, and Mr. Gabriel Parker, be a committee 
 to confer with the Rev. Mr. Parker, and make such other ar- 
 rangements as were expedient and proper. 
 
 The necessary arrangements having been made, the ladies 
 of the town assembled at the meeting-house on the Ifcith with 
 flowers, garlands, shrubbery, &tc. and decorated the house with 
 a neatness and elegance that justly secured to them the ap- 
 plause of numerous spectators. 
 
 On the 17th a procession was formed at half past 10 o'clock, 
 
 A. M. consisting of between four and five hundred ladies and 
 gentlemen, accompanied with a band of music, under the di- 
 rection of Col. Jonas Ball as Chief Marshal, assisted by Ma- 
 jors Larkin Newton, and Artcmas Fay, Captams Humphrey, 
 
 B. Wheeler, Isaac Smith, Artemas Ward, and Temple Fay, 
 Lieut. Lucius Parker and Ensign Edwin T. Fay, as Deputy 
 Marshals, which moved to the house of the Rev. Mr. Parker 
 where the Rev. Clergy being received, returned to the meet- 
 ing house, where about one thousand people were comfortably 
 seated under the direction of Mr. Swain Parker, Capt. Elisha 
 Johnson, Jr. Lt. Dexter Ball, and ^Ir. Moses Whiting, assist- 
 ed by the Marshals. 
 
 ORDER OF EXERCISES. 
 
 1st, Ode. — '2d, Hymn. — 3d, Prayer by the Rev. Asa Pack, 
 ard, of Lancaster. — 4th, Psalm. — 5th, Sermon by Rev. Jero- 
 boam Parker, of Southboro'. — 6th, Prayer by Rev. Elisha 
 Rockwood, of Westboro'. — 7th, Hymn. — 8th, Anthem. — 0th, 
 Benediction. 
 
 * Tlie town wa« incorpoiatcd July fi. 17'J7, old style. 
 
38 
 
 After the services a procession was again formed and moved 
 to a spacious bower, where about 300 ladies and gentlemen 
 partook of a sumptuous entertainment, prepared by Mr. Fitch 
 Winchester in a manner which gave universal satisfaction. 
 
 At the table Doct. Joseph Bullard presided, assisted by 
 Percy Whipple and Willard Newton, Esqs. as Vice-Presi- 
 dents. 
 
 After dinner the following toasts were read by Col. Francis 
 B. Fay, which were drank with universal applause. 
 
 TOASTS. 
 
 1. The Day we celebrate. Which gave birth to the politi- 
 cal existence of the town of Southborough. — May our grati- 
 tude arise to our ancestors who laid the foundation for their 
 posterity. 
 
 2. Our Ancestors who 'petitioned for our Charier. They 
 planted., our fathers ivatered, and we are reaping the increase. 
 
 3. We venerate the heroic virtues of our ancestors, who 
 braved perils by sea and land, to enjoy the soil of civil and 
 religious liberty. 
 
 4. Our natural Mother, the town of Mar l-horough. A kind 
 and respectable parent who has suffered three of her children 
 to establish boroughs of their own upon her own original soil. 
 
 5. The town of Southborough. A wonderful child, an hun- 
 dred years old, and, we trust, not come to its growth ! ! 
 
 6. Our Government. May our posterity be as solicitous to 
 keep and improve, as our ancestors were to adopt and pi'otect. 
 
 7. Our Ecclesiastical History. Its foundation laid with 
 Stone* — experience has taught us that some of its best materi- 
 als were raised upon our own soil. 
 
 8. Our aged fellow -citizens, who honor us with their company. 
 They toiled to make its free. May %ve toil to make them 
 happy. 
 
 9. Our Country^s improvement for a century in Agriculture, 
 Arts and Sciences. A star in the West, which has caused 
 wonder iri the East. 
 
 10. The Administration of John Quincy Adams. May his 
 first Presidency be marked with that tinsdom which shall put 
 to silence all opposition to his second. 
 
 1 1 . Our Governor. A farmer, a jurist, and a statesman. — 
 He stands at helm, steady. 
 
 * The first minister of Southborough was the Rev. Nathan Stone — their 
 present minister is a native of the town. 
 
39 
 
 12. The Clergy. Shining ornaments in the hand of na- 
 turCy when they preach the gospel, instead of the docb'ines of 
 men. 
 
 13, Ou7- respected Pastor. May his life and usefulness be 
 continued to us and our posterity. 
 
 The following volunteers, with many others, were given. 
 
 By the Rev. Asa Packard, of Lancaster. 
 
 Our posterity. May they, one hundred years hence, as just- 
 ly celebrate our virtues, principles and habits, as we celebrate 
 those of our ancestors. 
 
 By William Draper, Esq. of Marlborough. 
 
 The Friends of Liberty, who in 1765 put on record in the 
 town of Southborough sentiments which would have done honor 
 to a Roman Senate. — Marlborough will ever feel proud to have 
 furnished a " borough^'' for such animals. 
 
 By Richard Farwell, Esq. of Marlborough. 
 
 The descendants of the petitioners for the act of incorporation 
 of the town of Southborough. — Worthy descendants of worthy 
 ancestors. 
 
 After rising from the table, the inhabitants appointed a com- 
 mittee, consisting of Doct. Joseph Bullard, Perley Whipple, 
 Esq. and Col. Jonas Ball, to wait on the Rev. Mr. Parker, 
 and request a copy of the foregoing discourse for the press. 
 The request being granted, the inhabitants then directed the 
 committee of arrangements to cause the same to be published, 
 together with the proceedings of the inhabitants, order of ar- 
 rangements, and exercises of the day. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 9th page — 12th line from bottom, for " recollections" read recollection. 
 19th page— 4th line from bottom, for " towns" read town.