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THE

HISTORY OF PRINCETON;

WORCESTER COUNTY", MASS.

FROM IT^FIRST SETTLEMENT;

WITH a sketch of the

PRESENT RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY

IN THAT PLACE.

DESIGNED TOK THE USE OF THE INHABITANTS.

BY CHARLES THEODORE RUSSELL.

Let us first learn to know what belongs to ourselves, and then if we have leisure, cast
our reflections back to the reign of Shoiiou, who governed twenty thousand years before
the creation of the moon. Goldsmith.

BOSTON:
PRINTED BY HENRY P. LEWIS.
18 38

m

c
THE

HISTORY OF PRINCETON,

WORCESTER COUNTY, MASS.

FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT;

WITH A SKETCH OF THE

PRESENT RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY

IN THAT PLACE.

DESIGNED FOR THE USE OF THE INHABITANTS.

BY CHARLES THEODORE RUSSELL.

Let us first learn to know what belongs to ourselves, and then if we have leisure, cast
our reflections back to the reign of Shoiiou, who governed twenty thousand years before
the creation of the moon. Goldsmith.

BOSTON:
PRINTED BY HENRY P. LEWIS.
1838.

THE INHABITANTS OF PRINCETON,

AT WHOSE REQUEST, FOR WHOSE USE, AND BY WHOSE AID,

I HAVE WRITTEN THIS HASTY SKETCH,

IT IS NOW RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,

YALE

SX

PREFACE

The history of a town, and that not a conspicuous one
among its neighbors, cannot be expected to contain much of
general interest. Aware of this fact, I have endeavored to
keep it constantly in view, in the preparation of the accompa
nying hasty sketch, which now seeks the preservation of the
press, without the notoriety of publication. I have aimed
only to write a "plain, unvarnished tale," and, having nothing
to amuse the stranger, have studied only to interest the inhab
itants. In this, I am far from confident of success. If I have
entirely failed, I can only wish my readers an abundant share
of that happy disposition, of " taking the will for the deed,"
in which, at least, I hope for security. As I have written
in the hurried intervals of more pressing employments, fol
lowing, in most cases, as nearly as possible, the language of
the documents and persons, from whom my facts come, I have
not aimed at any embellishments. That the accompanying
pages should be elegant, I cannot hope ; that they may be
fully intelligible, is all I expect.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
Original divisions of the territory. Purchase of the Indians. Purchase con
firmed by the General Court. Division of the twelve miles square of the
Indian purchase. Rutland East Wing. Watertown Farms. Incorpora
tion of the District. Situation aud Boundaries. First Settlement. Loss
of Robert Keyes's daughter. Dr. Harvey. First Town Meeting. Loca
tion of Roads. - - - - - 1
CHAPTER II.
Character of the first settlers. Of the New-England people generally. Prov
ince Lands. Petition for Incorporation as a Town. Act of Incorporation.
Opposition of Town to any addition of Territory. First Representative to
the General Court. Early Town Meetings. ... 13
CHAPTER III.
Education. First Schools. Division of the town into School Districts.
Erection of School-houses. Re-division of the town. Present Appropria
tions for Education. English and Classical School. Scenery. Wachusett.
Little Wachusett. Pine Hill. Waters. Products. Statistics. - 20
CHAPTER IV.
Ecclesiastical History. Introductory remarks. First preaching in town.
Organization of the Church, 1764. First Meeting-house built, 1762. Call
to Mr. Goodrich, 1766. Call to Mr. Fuller, 1767. His Reply and Settle
ment. First Deacons chosen. Present to the Church. Troubles with
Mr. Fuller. Committee's Letter. His Final Dismissal. Suit vs. Town.
Verdict for Defendants. - 31
CHAPTER V.
Invitations to Mr. Litchfield and Mr. Hubbard to settle in the ministry.
Settlement of Mr. Crafts. His Letter to the Town and their Reply.
Dismission. Call to Mr. Goodrich. Erection of a new Meeting-house.
Mr. Russell's Settlement. His Letter to the Town and Dismission. Set
tlement and Dismission of Dr. Murdock. Troubles at the Settlement of
Mr. Clarke. Separation in consequence of it. Mr. Clarke's Letter. 46

Vlll CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
Call of a Council by the majority of the Church. Organization of a Society.
Invitation to Mr. Bond. Invitation and Settlement of Mr. Phillips. His
Letter. History of the Baptist Society. Mr. Clarke's Dismission. First
proposal for a Union of the Congregational Societies. Settlement of Mr.
Cowles. Dismission. Farther measures for a Union. Call of a Council.
The Result. Proceedings upon it. Mr. Phillips's " Appeal." 68
CHAPTER VII.
Further proceedings for a " Union." Secession of a portion of the Church.
Mr. Phillips's Letter. Attempts at a Reconciliation. Proposition of the
Disaffected Members. Replies. Second Proposition of the same. Reply.
Vote by the Church to call a Council . Mr. Phillips's Letter. Inquiry from
the Disaffected Members. Reply. Result of the Council. Proceedings
of the Disaffected. Settlement of Mr. Demond. Universalist Society. - 91
CHAPTER VIII.
Political History. Revolutionary Services. Resolutions in 1773. Instruc
tions to Representative, 1774. Bounty to Soldiers. Imperfect Report of
a Committee on Revolutionary Services. Declaration of Rights. Subse
quent Political History. - 107
CHAPTER IX.
Biographical Notices. 115

HISTORY OF PRINCETON.

CHAPTER I.

Original divisions of the territory. Purchase of the Indians. Purchase confirmed
by the General Court. Division of the twelve mile square of the Indian pur
chase. Rutland East Wing. Watertown Farms. Incorporation of the District.
Situation and Boundaries. First Settlement. Loss of Robert Keyes's daughter.
Dr. Harvey. First Town Meeting. Location of Roads.
Princeton, as now constituted, embraces within its terri
tory three distinct tracts of land, formerly known as " Rutland
East Wing," The Watertown Farms," and some public pro
vincial lands contiguous thereto. The earliest account we
have of either of these, is in 1686. On the 22d of December,
of that year, Puagastion of Pennicook, Pompamamay of Na
tick, Wananapan of Wamassick, Sassawannow and Qualipunit
of Natick, five Indians, who claimed the ownership of the
soil, in consideration of twenty-three pounds of the then cur
rency, gave to Henry Willard, Joseph Rowlandson, Joseph
Foster, Benjamin Willard, and Cyprian Stevens, a d«ed of a
tract of land twelve miles square, going under the general
name of Naquag, and bounded as follows : "'The south cor
ner butting upon Muscopauge Pond, and running north to
Quanitick and to Wanchatopick, and so running upon great
Watchusett, which is the north corner ; so running northwest
to Wallamanumpscook, and so to Quapuanimawick, a little
pond, and so to Asnaconcomick Pond, which is the north
west corner; and so running south and so to Musshauge, a
great swamp, and so to Sassakataffick which is the south cor
ner." This deed, signed and acknowledged by the above
named Indians, is recorded in the Registry of Deeds of Mid
dlesex County, April 14th, 1714, Vol. xvi. p. 511, Worcester
County not having been incorporated until 1731.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON.

The portion of territory thus conveyed embraced what is
now Rutland, Oakham, Barre, Hubbardston, the greater part
of Princeton, and about one half of Paxton. It comprised in
all 93,160 acres. Whether this deed gave to the grantees
an indisputable legal title to the soil it purported to convey,
especially at this time when our legislators and courts were
not noted for being peculiarly conservative of Indian rights,
is doubtful. It was probably worthless. Prior occupancy,
by the natives, was not recognised as creating any fee in the
soil. The doctrine was, that the right of discovery vested all
lands, mediately or immediately, in the Crown. As, there
fore, this portion was included in the grant to the Massachu
setts colony, any conveyance of it by the Indians was invalid,
unless sanctioned by the Provincial legislature. And so the
original purchasers seem to have regarded it. For we hear
nothing of the deed subsequent to its date, until 1713, when
the General Court, on petition of the sons of Simon Willard,
and the other heirs of the grantees named in it, passed an
order, " That the lands in the Indian Deed, and according to
their butts and bounds, be confirmed to the children of the said
Simon Willard, deceased, or to their legal representatives, and
associates, provided that within seven years time there then be
sixty families settled and sufficient lands reserved for the use
of a gospel ministry and schools, except what part thereof the
Hon. Samuel Sewall, Esq. hath already purchased, and that
this grant shall not encroach upon any former grant or grants,
nor exceed the quantity of twelve miles square. The town
to be called Rutland and to lye in the County of Middlesex."
The purchase, with the exception of 1000 acres owned by
Mr. Sewall, being thus conditionally confirmed, was dis
tributed among ihe heirs of the original purchasers in thirty-
three shares. In December, 1715, a meeting of the propri
etors was held at Boston, and a vote passed to survey six
miles square of the territory, for the settlement of the sixty
families mentioned in the order of 1713. This portion, which
was granted to settlers gratuitously, now eomposes the town
of Rutland.
Of the remainder of the twelve miles square, one portion,
known as " The Northeast quarter of Rutland," was, in 1767
erected info the town of Hubbardston ; a second portion, call
ed " Rutland District," became, in 1774, the town of Barre •
a third, styled " Rutland West Wing," was incorporated in

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 3
1762 as the town of Oakham ; a fourth part, with an equal
tract from the town of Leicester, became, in 1765, the town
of Paxton ; while the remaining portion on the east, origin
ally called "Rutland East Wing," and comprising 11,626
acres, now constitutes the southerly and greater part of
Princeton. This tract, the only portion of the original pur
chase with which we are materially concerned, is bounded
on the south by Rutland and Holden, on the west by Hub
bardston, and on the north and east by the line separat
ing it from the " Watertown Farms," and which is described
in the Indian deed as running from " Wanchatopick," (now
called Rutland Pond,) to " Great Watchusett." This line
crosses the Boston road near the "Great Maple" at the foot
of the " Whitney hill," and running in a northwesterly direc
tion, leaving the farms occupied by Jabez G. Read and Har
low Skinner to the north, constitutes the dividing line between
those of Caleb Mirick and Samuel Hastings. After reaching
the height of land near Mr. Enoch Brooks's, it again pursues
a southeasterly direction and meets Hubbardston line on the
land of Ezra Brooks.
The land comprised within these limits was surveyed for
the proprietors, divided into farms of two hundred and
thirty-seven acres each, and numbered by -letters, two hun
dred and fifty acres, which now constitute the " Pout-water"
and " Letter M" lots, being undivided. Of the proprietors
the Rev. Thomas Prince, then colleague pastor of the Old
South Church, Boston, and whose name is perpetuated in that
oixhe town, was by far the most extensive, owning something
like three thousand acres, most of which subsequently came
into the possession of the late W. N. Boylston, Esq. The
first conveyance of any portion of this territory, subsequent to
the Indian purchase, in 1686, was made by a committee of
the original proprietors, chosen at the above-mentioned meet
ing, in Boston, in 1715, and intrusted with the absolute con
trol of the concerns of the proprietary.
The second portion of the territory, now included in the
town, was the " Watertown Farms." This was a tract of
about three thousand acres, granted, tradition says, by the
General Court to the town of Watertown to aid in building
and maintaining a bridge. I find, after diligent inquiry, no
record existing of the grant, nor any act or clue, by which
its date, or specific purpose, other than that above stated, can

4 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
be ascertained. It dates, probably, about the year 1745, and
was regarded as of little or no value. The line bounding it
on the north and east, ran from the north boundary of
Rutland East Wing, beginning at a stake and stones in the
" pine woods" on land of Col. John Whitney, nearly due
north to a stake and stones, still existing, at the corner of
lands owned by Dea. Israel Howe, James 'Brown, and for
merly by Charles Gregory, now by Daniel Parker. Thence
it pursues nearly a westerly direction, crossing the county
road near the milldam of James Brown, and passing a little
to the south of Dea. Howe's dwelling-house, over the top of
Pine hill, to the easterly side of Wachusett. Whence it pur
sues a crooked southerly course, on the side of the mountain, to
the aforesaid line of Rutland East Wing, which it meets at a
stake and stones on land of Enoch Brooks. This tract was
sold by the town of Watertown to sundry proprietors. At a
meeting of these, soon after the conveyance, a committee, of
whom I believe Jonas Harrington, grandfather of the present
Capt. Benjamin Harrington, was chairman, was chosen to
survey the territory, and divide it into farms of equal value.
This accounts for the inequality in extent of the lots, some
containing nearly double the number of acres of others. After
the completion of this survey and division, the lots were num
bered and drawn by the original proprietors, some of whom
settled on the farms thus obtained, while the greater portion
made a second conveyance of them to settlers.
These two tracts, in all comprising about 15,000 acres, on
petition of the inhabitants and proprietors, in October, 1759,
were erected into a District, under the name of Prince Town,
by the following act of the General Court : —
" Anno Regni Regis Georgii Secundi
Tricesimo Tercio.
An Act for erecting the East Wing of Rutland, so called,
in the County of Worcester, and sundry farms contiguous
thereto, lying between Lancaster and Narraganset number
two, into a separate District by the name of Prince Town.
Whereas a number of the Inhabitants and Proprietors of
the East Wing of Rutland, in the County of Worcester, and
the proprietors and inhabitants of sundry Farms contiguous
thereto, lying between Lancaster and Narraganset No. 2, have

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 5
represented to this Court many difficulties they labour under,
and praying that they may be made a seperate District.
Therefore, he it enacted hy 'the Governor, Council, and
House of Representatives, That the said East Wing of Rut
land, so called, and sundry Farms lying contiguous thereto,
contained within the bounds hereafter mentioned, be and
hereby is erected into a distinct and seperate District by the
name of Prince Town : — viz. beginning at the northwest cor
ner of Lancaster second Precinct, being also the southwest
corner of Leominster, from thence running north 54 degrees
west seven hundred and sixty rods to a heap of stones upon
the line of Narraganset No. 2, from thence running west
thirty-five degrees south seven hundred and eighty-eight Rod
to the southern corner of said Narraganset number two, then
turning and running southeast fifty-six Rod to the northeast
corner of said Rutland East Wing, then turning and running
west thirty Degrees south eleven hundred and sixty Rod, on
the northwest line of said Wing to the westerly corner of said
Wing, then running south thirty-nine degrees east sixteen
hundred and seventy Rod, being the dividing line of the first
settlers part of Rutland, and the said Wing to the southerly
corner of said East Wing, then turning and running east
thirty-five degrees north eleven hundred and fifty rods on
Holdin line to the corner of said East Wing, Holdin and
Shrewsbury, and from thence running on the same point three
hundred and ninety Rod on Shrewsbury line to the River,
and from thence bounding on Lancaster second Precinct to
the first mentioned bounds, and that the said District be and
hereby is invested with all the Privileges, Powers, and Immu
nities that Towns in the Province by Law do or may enjoy,
that of sending a Representative to the General Assembly
only excepted.
Provided, nevertheless, and he it further enacted, That the
said District shall pay their proportion of all Town, County
and Province taxes already sett or granted to be raised on the
Towns of Rutland and Lancaster as if this act had not been
made. And he it further enacted, That William Richardson, Esq.
be and hereby is empowered to issue his warrant to some
principal Inhabitant of said District requiring him to notify
and warn the inhabitants of said District qualified by Law to
vote in Town affairs to meet at such time and place as shall

O HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
be therein set forth to choose all such officers as shall be
necessary to manage the affairs of said District.
October 12th, 1759. This Bill having been read three
several times in the House of Representatives —
Passed to be enacted. S. White, Spk.
October 16th, 1759. This Bill having been read three
several times in Council —
Passed to be enacted. A. Oliver, Sec'y-
October 20th, 1759. By the Governor.
I consent to the enacting of this Bill.
T. Pownall."
The district thus incorporated, and which now constitutes the
main part of Princeton, took its name from the Rev. Thomas
Prince, then colleague pastor of the Old South Church, Bos
ton, and whose only surviving daughter subsequently married
the Hon. Moses Gill. It is situated forty-eight miles north of
west from Boston, and about an equal distance east from the
Connecticut river, being the heighth of land between the
two. It is fourteen miles northwest from Worcester, and
bounded as follows: On the east and northeast, 1921 rods,
on Notown Gore, and Sterling, from which it is separated by
Still river ; on the north and northwest, on Westminster,
1002 rods ; on the west, by Hubbardston, 1568 rods ; south
by Rutland, 1714 rods, and on the east again, by Holden and
Sterling, 1614 rods. It consists of a rough, mountainous, and
rocky soil, well adapted to grazing, but brought into success
ful cultivation only by the most active and patient industry.
It was originally covered with a prodigious growth of timber,
many beautiful lots of which are still standing undisturbed by
that inveterate forest's foe, the Yankee axe. Grass was also
produced at the early settlement of the town, in great pro
fusion, on the low and wet lands. Such, however, was the
unyielding ruggedness of the soil, that the early settlers were
long dependent on the neighboring towns for most of their
supplies. The first settlement on this territory was made in the year
1739, by Joshua Wilder, on the farm owned by the late Pea-
body Houghton. During the early part of this, or the latter

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 7
part of the preceding year, Mr. Wilder removed from Lan
caster to Princeton, and clearing a small spot, beside the brook,
a little east of the present farm-house, erected thereon a block
house, in which his family for a long time resided : In fact I
believe until the sale of the land by Mr. Wilder, in 1760. Mr.
Wilder was a saddler by trade, and the son of Capt. Nathan
iel Wilder of Lancaster, a man somewhat renowned in the
annals of his time and town for his temerity and facetiousness.
He married a daughter of Maj. John Keyes of Shrewsbury,
who was also no little famous " in his day and generation."
During the French war, somewhere about the year 1760 or 61,
Mr. Wilder purchased a large number of cattle for the pur
pose of driving them to Canada, and disposing of them at a
profit, to the English army. This intended speculation, how
ever, was a total failure. On his arrival at its place of desti
nation, with his stock, the war was so far concluded that he
found no sale for it, or at least none at any adequate price.
He returned, broken in property, and sold his farm to Benja
min Houghton, who owned the adjoining land, and with whom
he had some litigation as to their respective boundaries. Soon
after this he removed to Belchertown, then Cold-Spring, where
he died in 1762. Miss Sarah Wilder, his fourth child, was
the first white person born in Princeton. Her birth occurred
in 1739. In 1762 she was married to Thomas Meriam of
Westminster, and was the mother of the Meriams at present
residing in that place. She died in 1819, at the advanced age
of 80 years. The descendants of Miss Wilder recollect hear
ing their mother frequently speak of gathering blueberries in
company with others on the Meeting-house hill, with a file of
soldiers to protect them from the Indians, who seem however
to have been more feared than existing. No Indians appear
ed here, as I can learn, after the first settlement, except those
who were friendly, and had become domesticated with the
whites. Certainly none ever appeared with any hostile inten
tions. The natives, who had become familiar with the whites,
for some years subsequent to 1739, visited the Wachusett for
the purpose of obtaining medicinal roots and plants. Perhaps
in the earlier part of this period an occasional band of more
ferocious character might do the same.
Mr. Wilder's probably preceded all the other settlements
by six or eight years. Indeed, it is doubtful whether any
others were made prior to the year 1750, when Mr: Abijah

8 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
Moore commenced the farm, near the Post-Office, at present
owned and occupied by Maj. Joseph A. Read. A short time
after his settlement, Mr. Moore, who was quite a conspicuous
character both in church and town, opened a public house,
which was the first ever kept within the place. The third
settler was Mr. Cheever, father of the present Lieut. Cheever,
on what is now known as the Cobb farm. Mr. Robert
Keyes and family moved from Shrewsbury to this place in
1751, and were the fourth, and not, as is often supposed, the
first family settled. They settled on a farm at the foot of
Wachusett, on the extreme northern border — the same now
owned by Luther Goodnow. Mr. Keyes died March 1, 1795,
aged 84 years. On the 14th of April, 1755, a daughter of
Mr. Keyes, about five years old, attempting to follow two of
her sisters, who had gone to Wachusett pond, about a mile
distant, for some sand, and having no guide but marked trees,
wandered from her way, and became lost in the forest. The
people for many miles round immediately collected and
searched through the woods for several days, but without suc
cess. The neighboring pond was also repeatedly dragged.
Nothing was however discovered of the child. The conjec
tures as to its fate were various, the most prevalent being that
it was carried off by a straggling party of Indians on a visit to
the mountain. This was made more probable by the story of
two men, who went some years after this occurrence from
Groton, on a trading expedition among the Indians on Cana
da line. They related, on their return, that they found living
among the Indians a white woman, who knew nothing farther
of her birth or parentage, than that she once lived near " Chu-
sett hill." This well substantiated would leave no doubt but
this was the lost child of Mr. Keyes. Exclusive of this in
stance, and this problematical, our early settlers suffered noth
ing from the hostility of the natives.
The first settler in the westerly, and the fifth in any part of
the town, was Oliver Davis, grandfather of the present Col.
John G. Davis. Mr. Davis settled about the year 1751, on
what is now called the " Clark hill," and possessed both of
enterprise and mechanical genius, in which respects his man
tle has fallen upon his descendant, did much for the early ad
vancement of the new settlement in the mechanical arts. He
purchased a tract of land of one thousand acres, lying in Prince
ton and Hubbardston, and built a saw-mill on a branch of

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 9
Ware river, running from Rutland. This was the first appli
cation of water power to mechanical purposes in the town, or
the immediate vicinity. He also built soon afterwards a grist
mill on the river, a short distance below where the Valley
Village mills now stand. This was burnt, and a saw and grist
mill subsequently built by him on or near the same site.
He also built some of the first mills in Hubbardston. Mr.
Davis had fourteen children ; of these, three enlisted in the ar
my at the commencement of the revolutionary struggle, and
one, Micah, sealed his devotion to his country's cause, by a
death on the battle-field. Mr. Davis died January 25th, 1803.
His descendants still retain possession of a portion of his orig
inal purchase.
In the early part of 1752, there were probably only five
families permanently settled in town, and these living in the
rudest and least comfortable manner known to civilized life.
During this and the four following years several families set
tled, or rather farms were commenced, preparatory to a settle
ment, by the heads of them. For it was not often the custom
of a new settler to burden himself with a family, until he had
cleared his potato-field and corn-patch, built his block-house,
and in general " got wherewith to make the pot boil." Among
the settlers at this, time were a Mr. Norcross, on the farm now
owned by Israel Everett ; Mr. Peter Goodnow, on the spot
where now stands the dwelling-house of Charles Russell, Esq.;
Caleb Mirick, on the farm occupied by his son; 'Samuel
Nichols, on the farm of Enoch Brooks ; Mr. Mede, on the
farm of Ephraim Osgood ; Joseph Eveleth, on the farm of
Capt. Benj. Harrington ; Samuel Hastings, on the farm now
owned by his son ; James Mirick, on the farm of Col. Moses
Gill ; Messrs. Gleason & Gibbs, on the spot where the Hotel
now stands : a Mr. Stratton also commenced a farm where the
meeting-house is now being erected. Among the settlers in
the westerly part of the town, after Mr. Davis, were Seth
Savage, David Parker, Charles Parmenter, Timothy Keyes,
Joseph Rugg,  Rosier,  Cowdin, Thos. Mason, Isaac
Thompson, and' Col. Benj. Holden. In 1755, the number of
families permanently settled was not more than ten or twelve.
At its incorporation, in 1759, there were, as I learn from a
little sketch which I found among a mass of unfiled papers in
2

10 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
the town clerk's office, hastily written on the back of an old
petition,* thirty families in the district.
The first physician settled in the town, was Dr. Zachariah
Harvey, who commenced, about the year 1759, the farm now
owned by Dea. Ebenezer Parker. Dr. Harvey was the first
district clerk, and seems to have filled most of the important
offices, being, in 1761, no less than moderator of the town
meetings, district clerk, chairman of the board of selectmen,
first assessor, and agent to the General Court, for which latter
service he received from the town 111. I also find, in the
warrant for a town meeting in 1762, the following gentle hint
to the doctor and some of his delinquent friends, to quicken
their treacherous memories, and awaken their slumbering con
sciences in regard to certain previous promises, which, in the
frailty of human nature, all men on some occasions are liable
to forget. " 5th. To see if Dr. Zachariah Harvey, and others
that bid any thing as an encouragement to build the meeting
house where it now stands, will be as good as their promises
and give security for the same, or if the District will act any
thing thereon." No action seems to have been had upon this
article. Possibly this admonition brought the doctor's con
science at once to its duty, or may be the district thought the
matter not strictly of legal cognizance, and left it to be settled
" in foro conscientiae." Farther than this I have been able to
learn nothing of his history. The first store in town was
opened at a much later period, by Wm. Richardson, Esq. a
tailor by trade, but who, sinking his former profession, removed
from Lancaster to Princeton, and commenced business in a
store near where the village hotel now stands, in 1771 or '72.
He was town clerk for one year, in 1774. Previous to his
removal to Princeton he had been commissioned as a justice of
the peace, the functions of which office he continued to exer
cise until his death.
The first public meeting in the district, other than for relig-
* This appears to be a first copy of a petition of Jonas Beaman to the
Court of Common Pleas, for liberty to sell some land in Shutesbury, belong
ing to Elijah Wilde, a ward of his. On the back of this is a short history
of the town up to the time of Mr. Crafts's dismission, 1791. It is in the
handwriting of Wm. Dodds, Esq. and covers a closely written foolscap page.
I am indebted to it for one or two important events in the early history oi
the town. '

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 11
ious worship, was called in accordance with the last clause of
the act of incorporation, by a warrant from the above-mention
ed Wm. Richardson, then of Lancaster, directed to Dr. Har
vey, as " a principal inhabitant," ordering him to notify the
inhabitants to assemble for the election of district officers.
This meeting was held at the house of Abijah Moore, on the
24th of December, 1759. A few pages are missing from the
first volume of town records, and the account of the proceed
ings of this meeting is consequently lost. It appears, however,
from certain official documents, issued by them, that Dr.
Harvey was chosen district clerk, and Messrs. Peter Goodnow,
Abijah Moore, Dr. Harvey, and Joseph Gibbs, selectmen.
These officers were elected only until the March following,
when, as now, the regular meeting for an election was held.
As, however, political changes were not quite as frequent
then as now, no alterations were probably made in the list.
The first " March meeting" was held in 1760. The first, of
which the proceedings are on record, was in 1761. At this
meeting all the usual town officers were chosen, a list of whom
is transcribed from the records for the amusement of some of
the elder portion of my readers. Dr. Zachariah Harvey,
Moderator. Dr. Zachariah Harvey, D. Clerk. Dr. Zach
ariah Harvey, Joseph Gibbs, Lieut. Abijah Moore, Timothy
Moseman, Selectmen. Dr. Zachariah Harvey, Abijah Moore,
Peter Goodnow, Assessors. Peter Goodnow, Treasurer.
Caleb Mirick, Sadey Mason, Constables. Samuel Nichols,
Joseph Rugg, Tythingmen. Paul Mathews, Stephen Brig-
ham, Silas Whitney, Tilly Littlejohns, Timothy Keyes, High
way Surveyors. Robert Keyes, Clerk of the Market. Sam
uel Hastings, Amos Spring, Fence Viewers. James Mirick,
Oliver Davis, Field Drivers. Robert Cowden, Edward Wil
son, Deer Reeves. Amos Powers, Samuel Hastings, Hog
Reeves. Abel Ray, Surveyor of Boards and Shingles.
Stephen Brigham, Sealer of Leather. Peter Goodnow, Tim
othy Moseman, Wardens. Dr. Zachariah Harvey, Agent to
the General Court. At the bottom of this list of officers is
the following : — " This may Certify that all the above officers,
Except Timothy Keyes, were duly Sworn as the Law directs,
Respecting the takeing of the paper Currency of the other
Governments, and the Respective Oaths belonging to Each
of their offices. Test. Zachariah Harvey, Moderator."

12 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
It would seem also from the following protest from the re->
cords, exculpating the signers from any participation in the
corruption, that there was some trouble at this meeting : —
" We, the subscribers, Inhabitants and freeholders of Prince
Town District, judging the annual meeting in Prince Town
District on the 16th of March, 1761, to be illegal, by reason
of the meeting not being purged from such persons or voters
as are unqualified by law for voting, we do therefore hereby
enter our dissent against said meeting, it appearing unlawful.
Signed, James Thompson, Oliver Davis,
Isaac Wheeler, Capt. Eliphelet Howe,
Ephm. Allen, Sadey Mason,
Wm. Muzzy, Gideon Fisher.
Prince Town District, Mar. ye 16th, 1761."
At this meeting the District first attended to the matter of
roads. Previous to this a petition had been sent to the Gen
eral Court, praying them to grant a land tax to enable the
inhabitants to construct roads, and build a meeting-house.
This was granted to the amount of 337?. and town roads were
first laid out by the Selectmen, in 1762. Of these, the first
completed was, in the language of the records, " A road from
Westminster line thro' Allen's farm, thence on the line be
tween the Wing and Farms so called ; thence thro' the land
of Mr. Moses Gill and Caleb Mirick, to the meeting-house ;
thence thro' lots Letter B, No. 9 & 12, Letter H G, No. 22,
to Holden line." This road, when completed in 1763, pass
ed directly by but two houses exclusive of the meeting-house ;
one where the new meeting-house, and one where the hotel
now stands. Soon after this, many of the other roads now
existing in the town were built. Of the manner of locating
these, at this early day, the following, taken at random, is a
good specimen. It is taken from the warrant for March meet
ing, as late as 1774. "To see if the town will accept of a
road laid out by the Selectmen, beginning at a Butternut tree
marked, in Mr. Moseman's land, thence running to a Poplar
tree marked, in Joel Sawin's land, thence to a Chestnut mark
ed, thence to a Black Oak marked, thence to a Black Oak
marked, thence to a Black Oak marked, in Judge Ruggles'
land, thence to a Chestnut, thence to a Black Birch, thence
to a Chestnut, thence to a Chestnut, thence to a Chestnut,

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 13
thence to a Black Birch, thence to a Chestnut, thence to a
Chestnut, thence to a White Pine, thence to a White Oak,
thence to a Black Oak, thence to a Chestnut, thence to a dry
White Pine, thence to a Chestnut, thence to a White Pine,
thence to a Chestnut, thence to a corner of Mr. Billings' barn ;
said road is two rods wide and upon the northerly side of said
marked trees."
After the grant of the land tax, in 1761, repeated requests
were made to the district, by a portion of the inhabitants, to
allow them to pay it in the same manner the highway taxes
are now paid, by work on the new roads most needed. This
was refused for one or two years. It was, however, finally
granted, and the price fixed for the labor of man and beast.
Most of the roads of an early date were probably made in
this way.

CHAPTER II.

Character of the first settlers. Of the New-England people generally. Province
Lands. Petition for Incorporation as a Town. Act of Incorporation. Opposi
tion of Town to any addition of Territory. First Representative to the General
Court. Early Town Meetings.
.Having narrated the history of the first settlement of the
town, propriety might require something to be said of the
character of the first settlers, cjid not their actions speak
louder on this head than any eulogistic words of ours can.
That they were not the most refined and best educated class
of society must be acknowledged. Such are not the men for
the settlement of new lands, however much they may do for
their advancement in subsequent times. It is not, to use the
expressive but coarse language of the late Col. Crockett,
" your white-fingered, black-gloved, shilly-shally, spectacle
fellows," before whom the forest will fall,, and the springing
grass and waving grain assume its place. For this, again to
quote the western orator, we want men, " who will go back
into the woods, and cut down a tree there, and another there,
and another there, and shoot a bear there, and a panther

14 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
there, and three Ingins there, and build a log-house there, and
a shanty there, and a bigger house there, and a court-house
there," and at last find a whole state settled, almost before a
communication is opened with its neighbors. Such are the
men whom success requires should be the pioneers of our
settlements, while their safety and prosperity demand that the
more refined and educated should succeed. Such were the
men who settled here. Possessed of the advantages of a
common school education, they sought early, as we shall
presently see, to transmit them to their descendants. They
stamped indelibly their peculiarities and their nobler qualities
upon their sons. Their character was, therefore, substantially
that of the present New-England farmers — less dignified and
beautiful in some respects, inasmuch as it was formed on a
narrower basis and with less facilities for its improvement.
When, therefore, we speak of the present New-England
character, we speak of it as it is, as it has been, as it will
continue to be. We are far from arrogating to the present
agricultural population of New-England, the right to be
called, in the broad sense of the term, an educated people.
They are fast and surely asserting and maintaining this right.
But if mOre learning exists elsewhere, more generous hearts
beat nowhere. Nowhere are nobler feelings felt, and more
generally developed. Nowhere does devotion burn in a
purer and brighter flame. Nowhere is patriotism more a
living principle, and to no place is there more probability, as
it fast fades elsewhere, that it will retreat, as to the sanctum
of its last refuge. No more fervent or purer prayer ascends
to heaven, than from off the domestic altar planted at the
farm-house fireside. Never is the holy volume of inspiration
turned with more reverend caution, than by the toil-hardened
hand of the cultivator of the soil. Nowhere is the voice of
the herald of temperance and reform echoed back with a
more hearty and full response, than from the yeomanry of the
land. Nowhere are the benevolent operations of the day
taken up with more enthusiastic zeal, or patronized with more
liberal contributions. The herald of the cross never appeals
in vain. In the days of the Revolution, " the voices of
Adams and of Otis, in Faneuil Hall, found their full and true
response in the little assemblies of the towns," is the language
of a distinguished statesman. It would have been as correct
to have said, Adams and Otis were but living and bright em-

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 15
bodiments of the spirit which had gone forth from the towns.
If the money of the merchant was lavished in his country's
cause, the full flowing garners of the . farmer were thrown
wide open to a famished army, while the hope and pride of
the domestic circle were shoulder to shoulder on the battle
fields of the war. The scanty clothing of the soldier was
too legibly marked with the impress of New-England's farm
house daughters, to leave any question of its origin. The
interests of education, too, are not neglected. In the day of
small things, beside the humble church rose the unpretending
school-house. Who are they that people our colleges and
academies ? Who are they that stand highest and firmest in
our senates and legislatures ? Who are they that are heard
most eloquent in our pulpits and our courts, and who sit
easiest and most respected on our judicial benches ? Who
are the heralds of the cross, that with apostolic zeal are seen
traversing every quarter of the globe, and pouring the light
of revelation into the darkest corners of creation, so that
where the New-England name is known, New-England men
are found ? Who but the sons of our farmers, that in their
early days have followed the plough, and grasped the axe and
flail ? We are told we are destitute of enthusiasm. Thank
God the remark is in some sense true, and long may it be
ere we shall have to substitute the effects of transient enthu
siasm for the results of moral principle. Long may it be
before New-England men will cease to dignify every action
with the nature of a moral duty. We are told, too, that we
are a parsimonious people. The nature of our land compels
us to be frugal ; yet the gains, that are extorted from an iron-
bound soil, are as freely given as they are hardly earned.
But we are not a chivalric people. If to follow the horse on
the race-ground rather than at the plough ; if to handle the
knife, the dirk, or the pistol with more familiarity than the
hoe, the shovel, or the axe ; if to develope our bravery in the
scenes of private broils, rather than in the contests of our
country ; if to labor ourselves, rather than to extort it with
chains and stripes from the bleeding negro ; if any or all of
these things mark chivalry, may we always be as destitute of
it, as we are abhorent of its insignia. Of enthusiasm, chiv
alry, and the kindred qualities, properly understood and de
veloped, we claim a becoming share, while we are far from
arrogating that praise, which our traducers would bestow upon

16 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
our heads at the expense of our hearts. The history of New-
England's enthusiasm and chivalry is only to be read in the
ponderous volume, that shall record her whole action, from the
landing of the pilgrims, to the extinction of the Yankee race.
This is to be the record for the world's judgement, and not the
straggling newspaper accounts of a few wandering pedlars,
whose exploits, if credited, show them only to be ingenious
and crafty, as their purchasers are foolish, ignorant, and
gullible. I have spoken inadvertently of the New-England' character
generally, but in doing so I have spoken of that of the people
of Princeton, who claim no exception to the general charac
teristics of their neighbors. But I leave panegyricfor history,
as being more my appropriate business, while it is probably
the more eloquent praise.
After the incorporation, the district continued to increase
with moderate rapidity in population. In 1759 the number
of legal voters was not more than thirty, while in 1771 it was
not far from one hundred. In addition to the two tracts of
land of which we have spoken, there were, in and about it,
province lands to the amount of some thousands of acres.
These, exclusive of the few hundred acres within the district,
chiefly lands on the Wachusett mountain, which were subse
quently granted to Mr. Fuller the first minister of the place,*
had never been incorporated with any district. In 1765, the
district voted " to send a petitionf to the Great and General
Court for the province land in this district," and chose Samuel
Woods, Joseph Eveleth, and Boaz Moore a committee ac
cordingly. Of the adjoining province lands, one thousand
acres, known as the " Potash farm," were granted to one
Plastid, in case he should teach the people the manufacture

* The petition and resolve, upon which this land was granted to Mr. Ful
ler, has been kindly furnished me by his son, Elisha Fuller, Esq. of Lowell,
and is appended.
t No copy of this or the petition for incorporation in 1759, as well as a
petition of the town in 1772, exist. The files of petitions, (and bills except
those on parchment,) at the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth,
are missing from the year 1739 to 1775. They were probably carried away
by Hutchinson or Gage. These petitions are barely noticed on the town
records as sent, and on the journal of the General Court as presented.
Thejr would unquestionably, if accessible, throw much light on the original
divisions and ownership of the territory. The act making the grant to
Watertown ie among the missing papers.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 17
of potash. Buildings were erected and the manufacture
commenced. For some reason, however, Plastid failed to
obtain the land, and it was subsequently granted to Gen.
Ruggles, for some military service in the French war. The
remainder of the province land was probably settled by ad
venturers, or taken up by speculators. How much of this
land was embraced within the original limits of the District it
is difficult to ascertain, without running the lines of the act of
incorporation, a task of no little difficulty. From an exami
nation of the territory, it would seem to be, as before stated,
but a few hundred acres, while from the petition in 1771,
which is recorded below, it would appear to have been some
thousands. It is probable the petitioners use the word " place,"
in the beginning of their petition, as signifying much more
than the limits of the district. All the lands which now
belong to the town, north of the line of the Watertown farms,
were probably unincorporated until 1 77 1 . During this year
the following petition was sent to the General Court by the
district : —
" Province of Massachusetts Bay. To His Excellency
Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., Governor and Commander-in-
Chief in and over said Province. The Honorable His Maj
esty's Council and House of Representatives in General
Court assembled at Cambridge.
The Petition of Princetown, in the County of Worcester,
humbly shews, That said place composed of Province Land
and other Lands, and Farms which never before belonged to
any Town or District to the Amount of near eight thousand
acres, together with a part of the original grant of twelve
miles square to the Proprietors of Rutland, which part was
never incorporated into the Town of Rutland, or any other
Town, as many of this Honorable Court are well knowing,
was in the year 1760 [1759] erected into a District by the
name of Princetown, and was not annexed to any Town to
join with them in the choice of Representative, and never
can join with any, without being subject to greater difficulties,
than any District lately made by reason of the distance, and
badness of the Roads.
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray (seeing said Dis
trict was composed of lands, which never before belonged to
any town or District) you would out of your wonted goodness
3

18 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
erect said place into a Town, with all the powers and privi
leges which are enjoyed by other Towns in this Province.
And as in duty bound will ever pray.
boaz moore,
Caleb Mirick,
Joseph Sargent,
Ebenezer Jones,

s- Committee.

This petition led to the following act, essentially varying
the original boundaries of the district : —
" Anno Regni Regis Georgii
Tertii Undecimo.
An act to erect the District of Prince Town into a Town
by the name of Princeton.
Whereas the Inhabitants of the District of Prince Town
have Petitioned this Court to be Incorporated into a Town,
that they may enjoy the privileges of other Towns in this
Province, Be it therefore enacted by the Governor, Council, and
House of Representatives, That the District of Prince Town
in the County of Worcester, with all the lands adjoining to
said District not included in any other Town or District, be
and hereby is incorporated into a Town by the name of
Princeton, and that the Inhabitants thereof be, and hereby
are invested with all the powers, privileges and immunities
which the Inhabitants of the several Towns within this Prov
ince do enjoy.
April 17, 1771. This Bill having been read three several
times in the House of Representatives, Passed to be enacted.
Thomas Cushing, Speaker.
April 19, 1771. This Bill having been read three several
times in Council, Passed to be enacted. Thomas Flucker, Sec'y.
April 24, 1771. By the Governor.
I consent to the enacting of this Bill.
T. Hutchinson."
From this act it will be seen that a considerable acquisition
of territory was made in 1771. The territory of the town,
as at present composed, consists then of Rutland East Wing,
11,626 acres ; of the Watertown Grant, about 3000 acres ;

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 19
of Province Lands, incorporated in 1759, probably 1860 acres ;
and of Lands annexed, in 1771, about 3000 acres. In addi
tion to these, about 500 acres were set off from Hubbardston,
on petition of the owners, in 1810. Why the present unin
corporated tract, on the north of the town, known as " No-
town," is not comprehended within the limits of the act of
incorporation, inasmuch as it embraces " all the lands adjoin
ing said District," not previously incorporated with any town,
or district, I am at a loss to ascertain. The inhabitants of
Princeton seem to have been extremely reluctant that any
extension of the original district lines should be made. In
October, 1771, the following vote was passed : — " That it is
the opinion of the town, that it is a hardship both to the
towns and the farms lately laid to it, that they should be an
nexed, inasmuch as they are in no way accommodated to it,
and that it is impracticable they should receive privileges that
they be not rated." In the May following, it was voted to
petition the General Court "to take off the farms lately
annexed," and a committee, consisting of Joseph Eveleth,
Willliam Thompson, and Joseph Sargeant, were chosen for
this purpose. This petition, which would unquestionably
throw some light on the original divisions of the territory, as
before stated in a note, was lost among the other files from
the Secretary's office. The farms alluded to are,. no doubt,
those which now constitute the northern border of the town.
Possibly " Notown" might have been annexed, and " taken
off" on the prayer of this petition. The great objection to
receiving " the farms" was that roads, and particularly the old
north county road, which was then being located through
them, were to be built at the expense of the town.
Although the town was invested with the right of a repre
sentation in 1771, as this must be done at their own expense,
they seem to have been in no hurry, even when important
matters were in agitation, to exercise their newly acquired
prerogative. In 1772, 1773, and 1775, it was voted not to
send a representative, on account of the " great expense of
making roads ;" and, in 1774, on account of a similar expense
in building school-houses. The first representative of the
town was Moses Gill, who was chosen, in 1775, to represent
it in the Provincial Congress, held at Watertown, during
that year. It was the custom of the town, in its early exist
ence, to give written instructions to its representatives. None

20 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
were given, however, in this case. In all matters, indeed, our
towns at this period were much more thoroughly democratic
than now. Every thing, great or small, must be laid before
the assembled town. No power seems to have resided with
the selectmen, or other financial officers, unless specially
delegated. They were not allowed, as now, to audit accounts,
but these, in all the detail of items, must be brought before a
town meeting and voted, before their payment by the treas
urer could be authorized. This, of course, in the growth of
the town, led to details of business extremely annoying and
little attended to, and the custom finally ceased, the selectmen
being allowed to examine and adjust all ordinary accounts, the
treasurer paying them to their order. The early town meet
ings were called by a personal notice to each inhabitant.
To accomplish this purpose, the District was divided into
"ranges," usually two, sometimes four, and a constable ap
pointed to warn the inhabitants of each range. In the town
meetings, the affairs of church and state were closely inter
mingled — the parish, as in most cases at this time, consisting
of the whole town. Spiritual and ministerial affairs were,
however, at this time, pretty generally controlled by the
preachers. The church then, as now, in many instances,
claiming the right of the first action in such matters, while
the minister, until the explosion of the principle at Bolton,
asserted the right of negativing any vote, passed by the
church, which he disliked. As, however, religious divisions
grew up in our towns, parish and town affairs began gradu
ally to be separated, until a final dissolution was brought
about by the recent amendment of our State Constitution.

CHAPTER III.

Education. First Schools. Division of the town into School Districts. Erection
of School-houses. Re-diviBion of the town. Present Appropriations for Educa
tion. English and Classical School. Scenery. Wachusett. Little Wachusett
Pine Hill. Waters. Products. Statistics.
The cause of education has never been essentially neglect
ed by the yeomanry of New-England. They have not, per
haps, been adequately alive to all its important interests, yet

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 21
the time has never existed, when the extorted earnings of the
physical man have not been freely and profusely bestowed
upon the cultivation of the moral and intellectual. During
the trying and oppressive times of the revolution, our fathers
kept constantly in view the truth, that men were no less to be
formed, than soldiers procured ; that the district school-house,
with its wide-open doors, was as necessary to rear sons to re
ceive and preserve, as it had been fathers to achieve a glorious
independence. Consequently, while our towns were compell
ed to make large and oppressive loans for the support of the
army, the appropriations for education were rarely, if ever, di
minished. This was the last item of expense to be cut off,
and every effort of private retrenchment and economy to sup
ply increasing public obligation, was to be made, before this
would be yielded. The first effort for the establishment of
American Independence as certainly dates at the commence
ment of our district schools, as the first movement for its over
throw will in their abridgement or destruction. Educate the
sovereign, be he prince or people, if you would have an en
lightened government, is a truth not written down among the
maxims of politics, because it is too legibly inscribed in the
dictates of common sense to need a place there. Amid all
party dissensions, the surest means of triumph, for an honest
party, is to educate the people. Educate the people, and I
care not, so far as political consequences are concerned, if you
let loose among them the whole race of demagogues, from the
arch fiend that stirred rebellion ere earth came from chaos,
down to the veriest party knave that rants on the "'insulted
people's violated rights" in a district caucus. I underrate not
the means of external defence, but I read more security in the
thick clustering colleges, academies, and schools, that are
springing up in our land, than I could in the rearing on every
furlong of our coast and borders, fortresses and batteries, strong
enough to bid defiance to a world, and peopled with men each
as brave as " Thermopylae's glorious dead." I read more safety
in the humble scholar, with a backload of books, traversing
the new settlements of our western wilderness, than in our na
vies riding the ocean, or our armies coursing the land. These
indeed protect us from external foes, while they not unfre-
quently create more deadly ones within. The other annihi
lates both. There is nothing more cheering to the patriot's
heart ; there is nothing that writes more legibly permanency

22 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
on our institutions, than the awakening interest in common
school education.
Although our fathers possessed not the facilities for education,
which we enjoy, considering their means, they had less occa
sion to blush for their efforts, or their attainments. Amid the
rude dwellings of a new settlement the humble school-house
was second only to the equally unpretending church. But
the erection of a school-house by no means was the date of
the first efforts of the settlers to educate their children. At
least it was not so in Princeton. For years before this, prob
ably before the settlement of half a dozen families,* a small
room in some one of the block-houses was dedicated to the
cause of learning. Previous even to this, the child had in
most cases received the first rudiments of an education from
the best of all sources, maternal instruction. For some years
the only schools kept in town were those at private houses,
supported mostly by private contributions. The first public
school was kept by Mr. Samuel Woods, in a house on the
farm at present owned by Capt. Nahum Wilder. The pre
cise year of this school it is impossible to ascertain. It was
probably about the time of the District's incorporation. The
first appropriation of the District for schooling, on record, was
in 1764, when six pounds, about $27, was voted for this pur
pose. In 1766 this sum was increased to 100Z. old tenor,
equivalent to 131. 6s. 8d, which was still further increased in
the following year. The town had not as yet been divided
into districts. The practice was for the selectmen to address
a kind bf warrant to the people of a neighborhood, directing
them to procure a schoolmaster, and allowing each neighbor
hood the sum which they paid. Of course the poorer neigh
borhoods were sufferers. The following is a copy of one of
these warrants, or directions, addressed to Robert Cowden
and sixteen others, and dated January 4, 1768.
" You are hereby ordered to procure a Schoolmaster to ye
approbation of ye selectmen, and Improve in ye use of School
ing what you are assessed in ye School Rates, and when you
have so done you may have orders to draw ye same out of ye
District Treasury.
Sum total of your School Rates £3,5,2,1."

* Any one need but run his eye over the old record of births in the town
clerk's.office, to be convinced that half a dozen families constituted » very
respectable school district.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 23
In December, 1769, the town was first divided into school
districts, or squadrons, as they were then usually termed.
These were six, the positions of which are indicated "by the
names. The town then numbered one hundred and nineteen
families. Of these thirty-six were embraced in the middle
District, composed of what now constitutes Districts Nos. 1
and 9. The " Southerly Division" contained twenty families,
and was composed of present Districts Nos. 5 and 6. The
" Easterly Division," consisted of the present District No. 4,
and numbered ten families. The " Westerly Division," com
posed of district No. 7,. and a small portion of No. 8, contain
ed eighteen families. The " Northwesterly," consisting of the
remainder of No. 8, and one or two families from No. 1, con
tained fourteen families. The " Northeasterly," and only re
maining division, embraced district No. 2, and what of No. 3
then belonged to the District of Prince Town, and contained
twenty-one families. The greater part of the present school
District No. 3, did not belong to the District until its erection
into a town, in 1771. This division of school districts shows
at once the population of the different parts of the District, in
1769, and has been of material assistance in settling its origin
al limits as incorporated in 1759. By the aid also of this list
of names, which is found in the first volume of the town re
cords, with a little labor any one curious in such matters might
probably ascertain the original proprietor of every farm in
town, and trace its conveyances down to its present owner.
It is doubtful, however, whether the value of the information
would be at all proportionate to the labor of its acquisition.
Although the town was divided into districts, in 1769, no
school-houses were erected until some time subsequent. In
January, 1771, "each squadron" had liberty from the town
" to build their own houses," but none of them seem to have
availed themselves of this great privilege. And in March
following it was voted, that " a School House be Built in Each
Squadron of ye Town at ye Town Cost, and that a School
House be Built in ye Middle Squadron twenty feet square,
and that one Hundred Dollars be allowed for ye Building ye
same, said Money to be Raised in ye Middle Squadron, and
ye other Squadrons to be assessed by ye same Proportion for
ye Building ye other School Houses, and if any money is left
it shall be converted to ye use of Schooling in ye Squadrons."
A committee of three in each Squadron was also chosen at

24 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
this meeting to carry the above vote into execution. In 1772
this vote was so far reconsidered, that it was voted, " to rate
each squadron separately," and an application was made to the
" Quarter Sessions" to confirm this vote. In 1773 the town
again became dissatisfied with this last vote, and voted a sec
ond reconsideration, and to build the houses as first stated.
The one in the middle squadron was accordingly built a short
time after, at an expense of 267. 13s. 4d. This house stood
a short distance north of the present congregational meeting
house, and was burnt in 1789. The other five school-houses
were completed in the following year. These houses stood,
with the exception of that of the centre district, until 1797,
when new ones were erected, which remained until 1836,
when the town again commenced rebuilding them. Soon
after the destruction of the centre school-house, the present
town house was erected, (entirely, I believe, by private mu
nificence,*) in which the centre school was kept until the
division of the district, and the erection of school-houses Nos.
1 and 9, in 1811.
In 1792 a new division of the town into school districts
was made, not essentially varying, with the exception of No.
9, from the present divisions. In 1789 the appropriation for
schooling was 50l. which was divided as follows : — To the
"Middle Squadron," £21,15,3,1 ; to the "Northeasterly,"
£10,10,5,1 ; "Easterly," £4,15,3 ; " Westerly," £6,2,6,2;
"Northwesterly," £8,9,8; the "Southerly," £8,6,11,2.
The annual appropriation for the same object now is $810,
which is divided equally among the nine districts. In addi
tion to this, $44 70 is received from the school fund of the
State, making in all $854 70 raised for purposes of public
education. Of this, three-fourths is expended in a man's
school, which usually commences about the first of December
of each year, and continues ten weeks. The remaining fourth
is expended in a woman's school, which keeps about an equal
time during the summer months. The studies pursued in
these schools are those of a common elementary education,
viz. reading, writing, geography, arithmetic, grammar, and
occasionally, if desired, the higher branches, as natural phi
losophy, chemistry, algebra, &tc. The selection of the text

" The school-house in No. 6 was also built by the district, and surren
dered to the town on the occasion of their making an appropriation for its
repair. The districts were not numbered until 1799.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 25
books is left entirely to the examining committee, who, to
gether with a prudential committee, have the whole manage
ment of the money expended. The number of children
attending the public schools this year, (1837,) was 378, con
sisting of about an equal number of each sex. In addition
to the sum raised for schooling by the town, a much larger
amount is paid by individuals for the education of their chil
dren. In the fall of 1828, by the munificence of John Brooks,
Esq. the English and Classical school in this place was open
ed. In addition to fitting up a building for the accommodation
of the school entirely at his own expense, and purchasing a
costly philosophical apparatus for its use, Mr. Brooks obligated
himself to pay the instructor three hundred dollars, annually,
for three years, exclusive of the profits arising from the tuition.
The^people of the town, however, owing to their religious
contentions, never seconded the liberal efforts of the founder.
Each denomination of Christians seemed indisposed to patron
ise, in the least, a school, which was not under the control of
an instructor, sectarian enough to inculcate exclusively their
own peculiar religious views. A large number of scholars
were consequently sent from the town to the neighboring acad
emies, a circumstance as illiberal and injudicious, in a portion
of the people, as it was discrediting to a school, which is now
universally conceded, during the first three years of its exist
ence, to have known no superior in the vicinity. Such a pro
cedure in the inhabitants was of course deadly disheartening
to the friends of the school. Yet, notwithstanding these un
toward circumstances, it was tolerably well supported while
under the management of Mr. Goddard, who possessed, in an
eminent degree, all the requisites of a successful teacher. In
1831, Mr. Goddard left it for other employments. From this
time until 1835, it continued under a succession of teachers,
supported by the liberal contributions of Mr. Brooks and the
other proprietors, into whose hands it had now passed, to
maintain a sickly existence. It is now kept usually about six
months ; three in the spring, and three in the autumn, of each
year. Probably about $300 is. now annually paid to this
school. In addition to this, private schools are kept by fe
males in the district school-houses during most of the summer
months, in which they are unoccupied by the town. There
is, besides these means of improvement, a valuable social
4

26 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
library in town, of some six hundred volumes. Altogether,
the people of Princeton are by no means behind their neigh
bors in the matter of education.
Scenery. Miss Martineau, in a recent work, speaks of
" the advantage that it is to the work-people to have their
, dwellings and their occupations fixed in spots where the hills
are heaped together, and waters whirl and leap among the
rocks." This advantage is enjoyed in an especial degree by
the inhabitants of Princeton. Theirs is a town of hills. The
scenery is picturesque and beautiful. Its natural features are
far from striking to a stranger ; and the extent, rather than
beauty, of the prospect, would attract his notice. Yet the
highly-wrought cultivation, which the farmer has bestowed
upon a soil, in itself uninteresting, has made the scene one of
uninterrupted beauty. Mountain, forest, field, and meadow,
succeed each other in the picture, in new and pleasing varie
ties. The hand of the utiltarian is indeed the only one, which
has, as yet, encroached essentially upon the domain of nature.
No smilling gardens, rejoicing in their thousand varieties of
fruit and flowers, here meet the enraptured eye. No white
cottages, half hidden amid the surrounding shrubbery ; no
princely seats, boasting almost a European splendor, add rich
ness to the scene. The waving grain, the golden corn, " the
cattle on a thousand hills," the farm-house, arrogating only a
puritan neatness and simplicity, are all the ornaments which
cultivation has added to the original beauties of nature. It is
the absence of the highly-wrought things of art, which gives
the scenery its rural beauty, of which the visiter, deep em
bosomed within the hills, may find every variety. While,
through all, reigns that quiet and beautiful serenity most pe
culiarly characteristic of a New-England country town. The
laborer's whistle, the ploughman's jargon, the streamlet's mur
mur, the sound of waving forest-boughs, and the merry song
of birds, alone disturb the solitude, and, with a pleasant in
trusion, break the dreamer's meditation.
¦" The city's stifling heat,

Its horrid sounds, and its polluted air,"
have no existence here. The genial gales of health, the
balmy breeze of the mountain, the buoyant air of the hills,
fresh from the forest's borders, the streamlet's margin, " the
maize leaf and the maple bough," breathe a salubrity
"As if from heaven's wide open gates did flow,
Health and refreshment on the world below."

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 27
The most prominent feature in the natural scenery of
Princeton is the Wachusett. This mountain is situated in the
northwesterly part of the town, and is the highest peak of
the range of hills, which nearly environ it. The general ele
vation of the circumjacent country is 1100 feet. The moun
tain rears its conical head 1900 feet higher, making its total
elevation above Massachusetts Bay, 3000 feet. , The base is
covered with a heavy growth of wood, which, dwindling to
mere shrubbery as you approach the top, gives the mountain,
when seen from a distance, an exceedingly beautiful appear
ance. The hand of art could hardly have shorn its sides to
more exactness, than nature has displayed, in proportioning
the growth of wood to the aseent. The summit is little more
than naked rock. Immense quantities of the blueberry bush
contrive, however, to find support in the meagre soil, and, in
the proper season, amply repay the trouble of a visit, in a
treat of delicious fruit. A small octagonal tower, of about
thirty feet in height, was erected on the summit in 1828.
This has, however, become so shattered by the winds and the
developments of its frequenters' organs of destructiveness, that
it is now nearly useless, and the aspirants for immortality, who
carved their names upon its sides, may now sigh over their
futile labors, and learn the lesson of earth's transitoriness.
The prospect from this mountain, of a clear summer morn
ing, is delightful in the extreme. To the observer from its
top, the whole state lies spread out like a map. The
neighboring hills, sinking into comparative insignificance, pre
sent an even outline to the beholder. On the one hand, is
visible the harbor, distant, in the nearest point, forty-eight
miles. On the other, the Monadnock is seen rearing its bald
and broken summit to the clouds, while the distant Hoosick
and Green mountains fade away in the distance, and mingle
with the blue horizon. The numerous and beautiful villages,
scattered intermediately in all directions, give a charm to the
scene, hardly surpassed by that of the far famed Holyoke.
Somewhat of the artificial richness of the scenery of the lat
ter mountain is perhaps wanting here. Yet the lesser beauty
is amply compensated by the greater extent of view. At the
foot of the mountain, on the easterly side, is a small sheet of
water, which, seen from the summit, as it reflects the rays of
the morning sun, presents a scene for richness and beauty, on
a limited scale, rarely surpassed.

28 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
This mountain is somewhat celebrated, in early Indian his
tory, as a place of frequent resort for the natives of the vicin
ity. Mrs. Rowlandson, wife of the former minister of Lan
caster, the narrative of whose captivity and sufferings is familar
to every reader of Indian history, was here released. The
spot, on the east side of the mountain, where this scene occur-
ed, is still pointed out by the inhabitants. The hostile Indians
had, however, all disappeared before the settlement of the
town ; and the only ones that now resort to it are straggling
doctors, skilled to cure every ill of humanity with the roots
and herbs it furnishes.
In 1825, at the inauguration of John Quincy Adams to
the Presidency, an attempt was made by the inhabitants, at
the suggestion of the late W. N. Boylston, Esq. to substitute
the name of Mount Adams for that of the time-honored Wa
chusett. Accordingly, on the fourth of March, a grand cele
bration was had, and, amid the parade of soldiery, the firing
of cannon, and the shouts of the people, the old mountain
received its second christening. In the evening, an immense
bonfire of pine wood and tar blazed on the top, while the
deep bellowings of the cannon, probably for the first and last
time, reverberated around its summit, and awoke, in the still
ness of the night, the echoes of its forest sides. The evening
was still and dark, and peculiarly adapted to such a display.
The flames, streaming to the very clouds, and tinging them
with deep and glowing crimson, reflected by the snow upon
the ground, presented an appearance at once sublime and
beautiful. The merry notes of music floated melodiously on
the evening air, disturbed at successive intervals by the thun
ders of the cannon from the summit, which, rumbling and
rolling among the neighboring hills, at last died away in their
bosom. But the old mountain, much as it respected its owner
and the distinguished personage he would honor, understood
not the sound. " The pother o'er its head" disturbed not the
quiet serenity of its bosom, and it still responded only to the
good old Indian name, which it early received at the baptis
mal font of its first wild possessors. Nor did the people ever
cease to think Wachusett, if they occasionally indulged them
selves with saying Mount Adams. " Stage house" was soon
run up on the sign-post of the village inn, to fill the place
once occupied by " Mt. Adams Hotel." Mr. Adams himself
soon after bid adieu to the " White House," when the moun-

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 29
tain paid its respects to the public through the columns of the
" Massachusetts Spy," and became universally Wachusett
Hill.
The mountain is largely frequented during the summer
months by visiters, and, at this season, adds much to the beau
ty, interest, and business, of the town.
To notice all the principal hills in Princeton, would be to
describe its whole territory by sections. Two are, however,
deserving of mention. They are Pine Hill on the east, and
Little Wachusett on the west, of the mountain. These are
both considerable eminences, and, situated elsewhere, would
doubtless be of no small attraction. Here they sink into
comparative insignificance, being never visited, except for
game or berries, in each of which they abound. The former
of these, as its name indicates, is covered with a thick growth
of pines. It rises rather abruptly to about half the height of
Wachusett, and is 900 feet above the surrounding country,
and 2000 above the ocean. Little Wachusett is of about
an equal elevation, and is partially covered with wood, chiefly
the walnut. The ascent of the latter hill is less difficult than
either of the others.
Waters. Princeton being the height of land in the state,
very little water flows into it except from the clouds. An
early American writer says of the neighboring town of Ash
burnham," so much water doth not run into the town as would
fill a man's boot." The same is scarcely less true of this
town. Of course, as they rise entirely within its limits, there
are no large streams flowing from it. The waters of the
smaller ones divide, about equal portions flowing east to
Massachusetts Bay, and west to the Connecticut. The chief
streams are East, South, and West, Wachusett brooks. These
all rise at the foot of the mountain. The first, uniting with
other small streams, flows east, and is the source of the
Nashua. The second runs nearly south into Quinepoxet
pond. The third flows southwest, and constitutes the east
branch of Ware river, and empties into the Connecticut.
Upon this last stream a small cotton factory is built, at the
west part of the town, called Valley Village. Here, in addi
tion to the factory, are several mills, a store, and post-office.
Another cotton factory, of about an equal size, formerly ex
isted on East Wachusett brook, in the east part of the town.
This was burnt in the winter of 1836. Except these in-

30 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
stances, no farther use is made of the waters of these streams
than to turn common grist and saw mills.
Quinepoxet is the only natural pond wholly within the
town. This is a small sheet of water in the southerly part,
which still retains its Indian name. It covers something like
fifty acres. A small portion of Wachusett on the northern,
and Wanchatopick, or Rutland pond, on the southeastern,
border, lie within the town. All these ponds are famous, es
pecially the two former, in the annals of the sportsmen of the
vicinity. Products. The population of Princeton is mainly occupied
with agricultural employments. Few manufactures exist be
yond the wants of the town. The shoe business has been
introduced within a few years to some extent, and now gives
employment to several workmen. Immense quantities of
palm-leaf hats are manufactured by the female part of the in
habitants. Aside from these, with the exception of those em
ployed in the above-mentioned factory, and the few mechanics
which the wants of the town support, the whole people are
devoted to agricultural pursuits. As the land is best adapted
to grazing, the chief products of the town are beef, butter, and
cheese. Little grain is raised beyond that necessary for home
consumption. Large quantities of wood, either in its original
form, or that of charcoal, are carried to the neighboring towns,
particularly Worcester. This has been found a profitable
business, especially the sale of charcoal, and kilns of brick, of
capacious dimensions, have been built for its manufacture in
the vicinity of some of the largest wood-lots. In 1831 there
were 4021 acres of wood land in the town, and 7495 devot
ed to grazing ; in all, more than half the whole area of the
town. Of the remainder, 531 acres were occupied as tillage
land, the product of which, during the same year, was 339
bushels of wheat, 1034 of rye, 3893 of oats, 5813 of Indian
corn, and 367 of barley. There were also 1240 acres of En
glish and upland mowing, the annual product of which was
1073 tons of hay. There were, moreover, 1115 acres of
fresh meadow, yielding yearly 762 tons of hay. In addition
to this, there were 2266 acres of unimproved, and 2434 of
unimprovable, land, 265 acres used for roads, 200 covered
with water, and fifteen occupied by the town and other pro
prietaries. Making, in all, a territory . of 19,582 acres, val
ued at $180,536 00. There were in the town, the same

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 31
year, 192 dwelling-houses, and cattle of all descriptions to the
number of 2963. The population the same year was 1345,
and the whole valuation $348,293 00.*

CHAPTER IV.

Ecclesiastical History. Introductory remarks. First preaching in town. Organi
zation of the Church, 1764. First Meeting-house built, 1762. Call to Mr.
Goodrich, 1766. Call to Mr. Fuller, 1767. His Reply and Settlement. First
Deacons chosen. Present to the Church. Troubles with Mr. Fuller. Com
mittee's Letter. His Final Dismissal. Suit vs. Town. Verdict for Defendants.
Aware that I am entering on a delicate part of my sub
ject, I feel a word of explanation to be necessary. Perhaps
there never was a subject of more universal interest, or more
generally the theme of conversation, than their ecclesiastical
history, and especially their religious divisions are, at this
moment, to the inhabitants of Princeton. Go where you will,
upon the highway, to the church or town meeting, the domes
tic fireside, or the social circle, and " our religious troubles"
are sure to meet you. No place is sacred from their intru
sion. Of course, in the phrenzy of this excitement, amid the
meetings of boards spiritual, councils ecclesiastical, churches
and parishes militant, informal assemblies innumerable, there
are as many varying opinions and contradictory reports, I had
almost said, as people. To record all these in sober histoiy,
the author must most assuredly write himself down what Dog
berry in the play aspires to be. From the chaotic mass pre
sented, I am left to the ungrateful task of selecting the few
grains of truth. I cannot hope to give satisfaction to all,
where each is at variance with his neighbor as to what pro
priety requires. My constant aim, in speaking of the past,
as well as present difficulties, will be to give only facts, as
they exist, substantiated by written documents, unaccom
panied by any, or at most few and unavoidable, strictures of
my own. Of the many religious differences, which have and
do exist in this place, I most certainly have my own views.
* I am indebted for these statistics to the Report of the State Valuation
Committee, for 1831.

32 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
Yet I belong to neither of the parties, which now divide the
inhabitants. In some of the religious views of either I do not
sympathise, while I certainly am not identified with the in
terests of one more than another. If any one, therefore, shall
feel himself aggrieved, by any statements of mine, I beg him to
review the facts, and if being correctly given they still place
him in an awkward position, the fault is his, and not mine.
Without the expectation of escaping censure, I yet hope to
treat the " vexed subject " with sufficient impartiality to have
little to apprehend from it. Abominating from the bottom of
my heart all introductory apologies and explanations, with
these few remarks, which I hope may save the luckless histo
rian from the catastrophe of bringing about his ears the whole
posse of his religiously litigious townsmen, I enter upon the
subject. The early settlers of Princeton, like those of all our
towns, were emphatically a religious people. Hardly had
sufficient land been redeemed from the wilderness to settle
half a dozen families, when we find them active in measures
for the supply of their spiritual wants. Of course, they were
as yet too poor to build a house of worship, or support regu
larly the stated ministrations of the gospel, and scattered over
too wild and extensive a territory, to form themselves even
into a church or society. Yet almost as soon as we hear of
the first settlement, we find preaching was had at the rude
dwellings of the settlers, the preacher going from one section
of the town to another, to accommodate the different clusters
of families which occupied them. The custom was, to have
preaching eight sabbaths in the year, two in each section of
the settled territory. The first sermon ever preached in town,
was probably at the house of Abijah Moore, to an audience,
which, materially increased at a later day, a small room and
bed-room held quite comfortably. An old lady, still living,
at the age of eighty-four, recollects hearing a sermon at Mr.
Moore's, preached by the Rev. Mr. Harrington of Lancaster,
in October, 1759, on the occasion of the district's incorpora
tion. " There were then," says the old lady, " but a handful
of us, who found our way to church by marked trees."
The inhabitants continued to employ preaching, in this
manner, still without enjoying, in full, the ordinances of the
gospel, until the 12th of August, 1764, twenty-five years
after the first settlement, when a church was gathered, con-

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 33
sisting of eighteen male members, who entered into a cove
nant, of which the following copy is transcribed from the
church records : —
"A Covenant entered into Aug. 12th, 1764. We whose
names are hereunto subscribed, apprehending ourselves called
of God into a church state of the Gospel — Do first of all
confess ourselves to be so highly favored of the Lord and ad
mire his free and rich grace which calls us hereunto : and
then with humble reliance and dependence on the assistance
of his grace and Holy spirit therein promised for them, that
in a sense of their own Inability to do any good thing, do
humbly wait upon him for all, we do thankfully lay hold on
his covenant, and solemnly enter into covenant with God and
with one another according to Godliness. — We declare our
serious belief of the Christian Religion as contained in the sa
cred Scriptures, acknowledging them to contain the whole re
vealed will of God concerning our faith and practice, heartily
resolving to conform our lives to the rules of that Religion so
long as we live. — We give up ourselves to the Lord Jehovah,
the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the only true and living
God, and avouch him this day to be our God and portion for
ever. — We give up ourselves to the blessed Jesus, who is the
Lord Jehovah and adhere to him as the head of his people in
the covenant of Grace, and rely upon him as our Prophet,
Priest, and thing to bring us to eternal blessedness. — We ac
knowledge our everlasting and indispensable obligation to glo
rify God in all the duties of a sober and godly life, and par
ticularly in the duties of a church state and a body of people
associated for an obedience to him in all the ordinances of the
gospel, and whereupon depend upon his gracious assistance for
our faithful discharge of the Duties thus incumbent upon us.
We engage with dependence on his promised grace and spirit
to walk together as a church of the Lord Jesus Christ in the
faith and order of the gospel, so far as we shall have the same
revealed unto us, conscientiously attending the worship of God
in his house in praying to him singing to him and giving rev
erend attention to his word, read and preached according to
his institution, the sacraments of the New Testament, the dis
cipline of his'kingdom and all his holy institutions in commun
ion one with another and watchfully avoiding all sinful stum
bling Blocks and Contentions, as become God's people in cov
enant with him. — At the same time we do present our off-
5

34 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
spring with ourselves unto the Lord, purposing with his help
to do and keep in the methods of a religious education that
they may be the Lord's — All this we do fleeing to the blood
of the everlasting covenant for the pardon of our many Errors,
and praying that the glorious Lord Jesus who is the great
Shepherd would prepare and strengthen us for every good
work to do his will, working in us that which is well pleasing
in his sight, to whom be glory forever, Amen."
This Covenant, which appears not to have been recorded
until sometime subsequent to its formation, and then in the
hand-writing of the Rev. Mr. Russell, was signed by the fol
lowing persons : — Tilly Littlejohns, Elisha Wilder, Ebenezer
Jones, Abel Pray, Samuel Hastings, Samuel Bixby, Abner
Howe, Samuel Moseman, James Haynes, James Norcross,
Timothy Moseman, Peter Goodnow, James Gibbs, Abijah
Moore, Caleb Mirick, Timothy Keyes, Noah Norcross, and
Stephen Brigham. From the date of this covenant there ex
ist no church records until May, 1767, when a committee was
chosen to send letters missive to several of the neighboring
churches, requesting their assistance at the ordination of the
Rev. Mr. Fuller, in the September following. We learn,
however, from the town records, which are nearly perfect from
1761, that they continued, as before, to hire preaching, usu
ally four or five months in each year. Their meetings were
still held at private houses. As early as 1761, probably ear
lier, for the records, for two years subsequent to the incorpo
ration of the district in 1759, are lost, the erection of a house
of public worship was in agitation in the district meetings.
In 1760, at the meeting in March, as I learn from other
sources than the records, it was voted to petition the General
Court to grant a land tax, to enable the district to build a
house of worship, settle a minister, and lay out roads ; and
Dr. Harvey was chosen an agent to present this petition. In
the warrant for a meeting, Feb. 9, 1761, I find the following
article : — " To see if the district will vote to build a meeting
house for the public worship of God, and choose a committee
for the same, or act any thing relative thereunto, as the dis
trict shall think proper." This article, say the records, " was
not voted," although it would seem from the warrant for March
meeting of the same year, that, previous to this time, the dis
trict had fixed the location of the house. In this warrant I
find the following article, somewhat curious in its orthography,

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 35
as well as phraseology : — " To see if the Destrict will vote to
build the meeting-house, to wit the house for the publick
worshep of God in some other place then that which it is
allready Voted to be built on and vote aneything Relating
thereunto that the Destrict Shall think proper, or otherwise to
vote where the said meeting-house shall be built." This ar
ticle is succeeded by the following : — " To see if the Destrict
will vote to build a meeting-house as soon as can be conven-
antly and choose a committee for the same and Report unto
the Destrict upon what terms they can git it built and when,
or act any thing as the Destrict shall think proper." From
these two articles, it would seem, the inhabitants had settled
the usually great bone of contention in country villages on
such occasions, the where, although not the when, the house
should be built. The second of these articles was passed
over in the meeting. On the first, the following vote was
had : — " Voted Col. John Whitcomb of Bolton, Dea. Samuel
Pierce of Holden and Dea. Joseph Miller of Westminster be
a committee to measure the said District of Princetown, and
find the centre thereof, and afix or order the place for building
the meeting-house on, to wit, the house for the public worship
of God, and if the centre be not suitable ground to build the
said house on, then on the nearest place to the centre that is
suitable according to the best Judgement of the Committee, and
they are desired to make return thereof at the adjournment
of this meeting, and it is also voted that Mr. Thos. Harmon
of Rutland, and Dea. Jonathan Livermore of Westborough,
be surveyors for the purposes above said and that all the said
committee and surveyors be. under oath for the trust committed
to them as above said. Also voted that the vote for building
the said meeting-house within two rods of the most southerly-
corner of Mr. Caleb Myrick's Land be and hereby is revoked
and Discontinued." This committee attended to " the trust
committed to them," and made their report, which is not on
record. The district, however, at a meeting in June of the
same year, dissatisfied with the committee's " best judgement,"
took the usual course in such cases, and, after paying the
committee some half the cost of erecting the meeting-house,
voted not to accept their report,|and to locate the house them
selves. Accordingly, on the 22d of July, 1761, the follow
ing vote was passed : — " Voted that the meeting-house for the

36 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
public worship of God be built on the highest part of the
land given by Mr. John & Caleb Mirick to the District for
their public use, near three Pine trees marked on the north
erly side, being near a large flat rock." A location in some
respects ambiguous, for it would be hardly possible to select
any spot within the vicinity which would not be beside " a
large flat rock." The site thus fixed upon, and on which
the house was finally built, is the same as that on which the
congregational church now stands.
The location being thus finally settled in 1761, the first
measures for the erection were taken in October of the same
year, when it was " Voted to build a meeting-house for the
public worship of God, and that said house shall be fifty foots
long and forty foots wide." This house, the dimensions of
which are here given, was raised on the 30th of June, 1762.
It was of sufficient height to admit of galleries, and built in
puritanical plainness and simplicity, without bell, spire, or
ornament of any kind. The interior resembled somewhat in
form that of the present house, the galleries occupying three
sides, the pulpit the fourth. What the cost of this house was
does not appear. The expense of the frame was 71Z. 13*. 4d.
which was paid to Abijah Moore, who also drew from the
treasury 281. as the cost of the raising. The glass was pre
sented to the town by the Hon. Moses Gill, in 1765. When
the first preaching was had at this church it is impossible to
ascertain. It was not entirely complete until after the settle
ment of Mr. Fuller, in 1767, although a town meeting was
held in it May 30th, 1763. Subsequent to Mr. Fuller's or
dination, I find a vote of the town to finish " the second seat
in the galleries." The outside remained unpainted, except
so far as the brush of time laid on its coat of venerable and
reverend black, until March, 1770, when it was voted " to
paint the meeting-house provided Mr. Moses Gill finds the
faint." Whether Mr. Moses Gill's generosity again devel
oped itself, and the house changed colors for the better, I am
unable to say. In October, of the same year, it was voted to
plaister the walls, and one more advance made towards a con
summation, by this time, " devoutly to be wished." In No
vember following, it was voted that " Ye plaistering under ye
Galleries be made crowning &; ye plaistering whitewashed
and ye Seats in ye side Galleries be Finished." Our ances-

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 37
tors finished their public, as their private buildings, " a room
at a time."*
The first attempt of the district towards the settlement of
a minister, was in 1765. In the warrant for a meeting in
December of that year, is the following article : — " To see if
the District will vote how soon they will settle a minister, and
also whether they will hear any one or more of the candidates
for the ministry, which they have already heard, in order for
settling, or any other or others which they have not heard, or
act anything relating to that affair." On this article, it was
voted " to hear Mr. Baker, Mr. Fuller and Mr. Moore, each
of them six sabbaths on probation, in order for settling."
Neither of these gentlemen, however, received any call to
settle in the district at this time. From what reason I am
unable to say. . Probably neither were desirous of settlement,
or, what is most probable, neither were sufficiently satisfactory
in all points to the inhabitants. Be this as it may, the first
invitation to become their minister, given to any individual,
was the call to the Rev. Sewall Goodrich, in 1766. In Au
gust of this year, the district voted to concur with the church
in their selection of Mr. Goodrich, and also voted him as a
settlement, 133Z. 6s. 8d. one half payable in eight months, and
the remainder in a year from the expiration of the time of the
first-mentioned payment. They also voted him an annual
salary of 531. 6s. 8d. Mr. Goodrich, however, declining the
invitation, an addition to the salary, of 13/. 6s. 8d. was voted
in the September following, to be paid as follows : one half in
five years from his ordination, thenceforth to be continued as
part of his salary ; the remainder at the expiration of ten
years with the like condition. Mr. Goodrich still declined
the invitation, and nothing further was done towards the set
tlement of a pastor until the 30th of March, 1767, when the
district voted, 22 to 4, to concur with the church in their call
to the Rev. Timothy Fuller, to settle with them in the work

* The manner of disposing of the pews in this house was somewhat
novel. The individual paying the highest land tax was allowed the first
choice, he paying therefor a certain sum, fixed by a committee of the dis
trict. Dr. Harvey obtained the first choice, for which he paid SI. Is. Ad.
His valuation was 951. 8s. Oliver Davis obtained the second choice, paying
therefor 3Z.
The church stood about thirty years from the time of its completion, when
it was taken down in order to make room for the one at present standing
on the same spot.

38 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
of the gospel ministry. The same pecuniary encouragement
was voted Mr. Fuller, which had-been previously offered Mr.
Goodrich. To this Invitation Mr. Fuller returned the follow
ing answer : —
" To the Church and Congregation of the District of Princeton.
Brethren, Having sometime since received your notice in
giving me an invitation to settle with you in the arduous and
important work of the Gospel Ministry, I have taken it into
due consideration, and having sought direction of God and tak
en suitable advice of the neighboring ministers I think it my
duty to comply with your desires. Accordingly I now de
clare my acceptance of your invitation aforesaid, humbly de
pending upon and imploring divine grace and assistance that
I may be both faithful and successful. I am far from desiring
that my people should find the gospel burdensome, therefore,
though your offers are not great, yet considering the infant
state of your society, your great unanimity and kind disposi
tions, I look upon it as a call from God and am encouraged to
accept in dependence on your generosity, as your ability in
creases to contribute of the means with which God in his pro
vidence shall bless you to my necessities, to my comfortable
and honorable support. As far as I know my own heart I
undertake with a single aim at the glory of God in connexion
with your best interest. I think I must be far removed from
the least suspicion of having any lucrative views in the case,
but assuredly my highest views are to advance the kingdom of
Christ which is not of this world. I would take this opportu
nity to express my gratitude for the good opinion you have
manifested of me, hoping I shall always walk worthy of your
esteem and friendship. I would earnestly request your pray
ers for me that I may so act the part assigned me in life as
that I may be instrumental of turning many from sin to God,
be approved of Christ the great Head of the Church and
judge of the world, and finally be admitted to the rewards of
the faithful steward. I at the same time assure you of my
prayers for you that the God of love and peace may be among
you, that you study the things that make for peace and those
by which one may profit and edify another, and pursue the
way which through Christ will make you happy in life and
comfortable in death and glorious at the resurrection. These
are my prayers, these are my wishes, and to promote these

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 39
may I always be led to discern and embrace every proper
method. Now the God of peace that brought again from the
dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great shepherd of the sheep,
thro' the blood of the everlasting Covenant make you perfect
in every good work to do his will working in you that which is
well pleasing in his sight thro' Jesus Christ to whom be glory
forever, Amen. Timothy Fuller.
Princeton, May ye 16th, 1767."
Mr. Fuller's ordination took place the 9th of September,
1767. On this occasion letters missive, inviting their presence
by their pastor and delegate, were sent to the First Church in
Danvers, the second Church in Shrewsbury, the second in
Lancaster, and the churches in Wilmington, Rutland, Holden,
Weston, Westminster, and Middleton, all of which were
present. Soon after Mr. Fuller's ordination the church met, and, on
the 9th of November, 1767, adopted a covenant of admission
not differing essentially from that subscribed by the original
members at the organization. The first deacons of the
church were also elected at this meeting. They were Tim
othy Keyes and Adonijah Howe, who were regularly intro
duced into office in the February following. It was also vot
ed, " that the sacrament be administered once in two months ;
but may be omitted at particular times as the pastor may
judge expedient." About the same time the Hon. Moses
Gill presented to the church a flagon, tankard, cup and
dish for the communion table, together with a baptismal basin.
These were for four years the only vessels owned by the
church. In 1772 three additional tankards, a dish and a
cloth were procured. These, together with the present of Mr.
Gill, constitute a part of the church furniture still in use by
the congregational church.
Mr. Fuller continued to discharge the pastoral duties to the
general satisfaction of his people, until 1775, when a general
uneasiness arose in consequence of his supposed unfavorable
views of the revolutionary contest then opening. During
th'eir session, in 1774, the General Court had desired Gov.
Gage to appoint a fast, in view of the then threatening state
of affairs. He, however, declined, and they then recommend
ed a day for the purpose in imitation of their pious ancestors,
" who, on all occasions of common danger and distress, de-

40 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
voutly looked to God for direction and favor." This fast it
seems Mr. Fuller from some cause refused to hold, and hence
the disaffection of his parishioners, who at this early day were
not behind the rest of their countrymen in an enthusiastic de
votion to the common cause. This produced the first uneasi
ness, and soon brought, as would appear from their proceed
ings, the people to a determination of ridding themselves at all
events of their preacher. Other charges were of course
brought against him, or, rather, things that might otherwise
have passed unnoticed were construed into grievances. These
are summarily stated in the following letter from a committee
of the church : —
" To the Rev. Timothy Fuller.
Sir, We are dissatisfied with your conduct in the pastoral
office in the following particulars — 1. Your not catechising
and instructing the children more frequently. 2. Your neg
lect of pastoral visits and of conversation on spiritual things.
3. An unchristian backwardness to instruct and enlighten your
flock, which we fear proceeds from a disregard to their spirit
ual welfare. 4. Your neglecting lectures when first settled
among us. 5. Your refusing to appoint a Fast when motion
ed by the General Court on account of the fearful apprehen
sion of losing liberties of country, through the arbitrary pro
ceedings of the British Parliament. 6. Your treatment of
the Church, when seeking for satisfaction in the articles of
charge. Tim'y Keyes.
Stephen Brigham.
Stephen Harrington.
Ichabod Fisher.
Thos. Gleason.
Princeton, March 26, 1776."
Mr. Fuller replied to these charges by letter, " which stands
on record," say the church records, " in the Old Church
book." This book has unfortunately been lost in some of
the religious commotions, and the answer of Mr. Fuller is not
accessible to the writer. With this exception, we have no
church records from February, 1776, to May, 1786, about the
time of Mr. Craft's ordination. Sometime subsequent, how
ever, to the trial of the suit, at Salem, which he commenced
against the town for the recovery of his salary, Mr. Fuller

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 41
published a vindication* of his conduct, in which is incorpo
rated, probably, the substance of his reply to the church.
With respect to the charge of toryism, he says, " What my
people believed, I am unable to determine ; but I persuade
myself they did not believe me opposed to the measures of
my country, because there was nothing in my conduct or con
versation to justify such a faith, considered as a rational prin
ciple. My principles did not forbid my offering the petitions
of the people for relief; but I readily joined with my people,
on all days set apart by any court or Congress, for public de
votion, and led them in their addresses to heaven for aid and
deliverance." In regard to the charges of neglect of lectures,
catechising, and pastoral visits, he says, " To these, I at that
time answered, that I had rarely omitted a lecture previous to
the communion, except for a period somewhat exceeding a
year after my settlement, when lectures were not so statedly
appointed as afterwards, by reason of necessary avocations.
That I had made it a rule to catechise their children twice a
year, from which I had seldom deviated. That I had visited
them all generally once a year ; and never neglected to visit
persons in sickness, upon their offering a note for public
prayers, or upon particular application, and on such visits had
endeavored to adapt my addresses to their circumstances."
The charge of levity, in presiding at the church meetings, is
explained by supposing " the moderator laid down his head
on the seat before him, shivering with the cold, which the
people might fondly construe into a shake of laughter." " It
may be impossible," somewhat satirically continues the writer,
" sometimes in such debates and altercations to suppress a re
luctant smile ^ And there may be such a concurrence of circum
stances, as to protect a man from censure, in such a case, on
any occasion whatever, except an immediate address to the
Deity." The tyranny in church government, another subject
of complaint, seems to have been charged upon Mr. Fuller,
in two instances in particular ; in one of which, he refused to
put a vote whereby the church would go into an immediate
investigation of the charges, then for the first time brought
"This is a small pamphlet of twenty-three pages, entitled " Remarks &c."
and purports to be written in reply to some strictures upon a pamphlet pub
lished by the Rev. Mr. Thacher. It is without date or signature, and but
few copies probably exist. For the one in my possession I am indebted
to the politeness of Charles Mirick, Esq.
6

42 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
against him. On his refusal the church were on the point of
voting in a new moderator, when he dissolved the meeting.
In the other instance, he overruled a motion to choose a com
mittee to collect articles of charge against him, remarking,
that if any one had any thing against him, he had full liberty
to offer it, and in due time it should be laid before the church,
but that he would not be active in choosing a committee to
hunt up articles against him. In vindication of Mr. Fuller's
conduct in this latter respect, I should remark that, up to this
time, the ministers claimed the right of negativing any vote of
the church which they disliked. This right the church in
Bolton about this time disputed, and continued to dispute,
until their views were sanctioned by an ecclesiastical council.
This will serve to explain Mr. Fuller's objections to certain
churches, when selecting a council, of which we shall pres
ently speak, on the ground of their adoption of the " Bolton
plan," since as one of the charges against him was the exer
cise of this disputed prerogative, these churches had already
prejudged the case.
Such were the charges against Mr. Fuller, and such his
reply to them. Of these, the main and exciting one was dis
affection to-the cause of his country. For this accusation, at .
this period of peculiar jealousy, there was undoubtedly some
ground. Although his principles, honestly entertained, did
not forbid his " offering the petitions of the people for relief,"
it is extremely questionable whether, such as they were pro
mulgated from his pulpit, they would excite them to seek it
in any other way than quiet submission to the powers that
were. This was sufficient cause for the total estrangement of
the affections of his people. The other charges probably
arose " in the rage of a complaining fever," and an uncom
promising determination, on the part of the town, to free
themselves of an obnoxious minister. Although we have no
sympathy for his political views, we cannot but regard some
of the proceedings of the town, in respect to him, as ques
tionable, both in their expediency and justice. The Revolu
tionary enthusiasm, which pervaded at this time all classes,
certainly excuses, although it may not justify them.
Having endeavored, as precisely as possible, to state the
grounds of dissatisfaction with Mr. Fuller, I proceed to the
history of the proceedings thereon. For this, in the absence
of church, I have followed the town records. Under date of

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 43
May 24, 1775, is recorded the following vote : — " Voted
on reading the paper received from the Congress that the
committee of correspondence retire to receive the com
plaint of any person against any one suspected to be unfriend
ly to their country and that they make their report of such
persons complained of to the town for their further considera
tion. The committee upon their return reported that the
Rev. Mr. Fuller and Lieut. Caleb Mirick are complained of
as persons suspected to be unfriendly to their country ;
Mr. Fuller for refusing to call a Fast last year, and for his
public discourse to the minute company the last Fast as tend
ing to discourage people in defending their rights and liberties,
and for taking cattle suspected to be Col. Jones' property ; —
Mr. Caleb Mirick for taking cattle suspected to be Col. Jones'
and for entertaining tories at sundry times ; which complaint
being read the town then voted that Mr. Fuller and Lieut.
Caleb Mirick* be inquired of for their conduct touching said
complaint." At the adjournment of this meeting on the 2d
of June, Mr. Fuller presented a "paper," vindicating himself
from the above-mentioned charges. The town, however,
voted this unsatisfactory, at the same time voting to hear Mr.
Fuller " a fortnight longer in order to inquire further into his
late conduct." At the' expiration of this time a second paper
was presented, which shared a like fate with the first. Nei
ther of these papers are on record, where they should be, in
justice to their author. At the meeting June 16th, after
rejecting the second "paper," "it was moved to choose a
committee to draw up something further for Mr. Fuller to
sign as satisfactory to the town and to make report of the
same. Accordingly made choice of Messrs. Sadey Mason,
Capt. Moore, Dea. Howe, Chas. Brooks and Jos. Eveleth,"
all active and efficient supporters of the revolution, and, of
course, opposed to Mr. Fuller. This committee, at a subse
quent meeting on the 20th of June, reported a paper for Mr.
Fuller to sign as satisfactory to the town. " It was then
moved, seconded and voted that Mr. Fuller sign the paper
before the town act upon it ; accordingly agreeable to said
vote the paper was signed by Mr. Fuller in presence of the
town ; it was then put to see if the town were satisfied with
said papers for his past conduct so far as it appeared unfriend-

* With Mr. Mirick nothing more was done. Probably he satisfied the
town of the rectitude of his conduct and intentions.

44 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
ly to the common cause, and it was voted not satisfactory.
A truly singular course of proceeding, the town no little re
sembling a trading Yankee, afraid to set a price until he
knows the most his purchaser will give. Nothing was proba
bly wanting to make this paper quite satisfactory, but Mr.
Fuller's refusal to sign it. Two or three ineffectual attempts
were made to reconsider the last mentioned vote, and, on the
16th of August, a vote to request Mr. Fuller to ask a dismis
sion was passed, and on the 28th a committee chosen, consist
ing of Lieut. Mirick, Dea. Keyes, Mr. Brigham, Mr. Woods,
and Abner Howe, " to draw up" the reasons for this request.
At the same time, the committee of correspondence made a
report on his political conduct, reiterating the charges already
made. On the 31st, at the adjournment of this meeting, Mr.
Fuller presented a third " paper," in answer to the request of
the town. This was equally unsatisfactory with the preced
ing. Oct. 5th, the town voted to request the aid of some of
the committees of correspondence, in the neighboring towns,
" to advise respecting Mr. Fuller's conduct as a tory." Dec.
26th, it was voted to choose a committee, who, in conjunction
with a committee of the church, should prepare allegations
against Mr. Fuller, and on the 8th of January following, the
town determined to unite with the church in calling a council
in case the " advice the town and church committees should
obtain should make it appear proper to have a council."
This council, consisting of the church in Worcester, West
minster, and the first in Shrewsbury, convened on the 1 1th of
March, at the house of Caleb Mirick, and gave notice of their
presence to Mr. Fuller, who communicated through them a
letter to the town and church committee, proposing a mutual
council on the following terms : — " 1st. To consist of nine
churches, four to be chosen by each party, the ninth mutually,
and none to be selected from this county, in consequence of
the almost universal adoption, in Worcester county, of the
' Bolton plan.' 2nd. Each church to be represented by its
pastor and two delegates. 3d. That all articles of grievance
be submitted to them. 4th. That each party be served with
a copy of these articles at least fourteen days before the set
ting of the Council. 5th. That the Council regulate their
own proceedings. 6th. That the number of persons sitting
in Council from each church be equal. 7th. That each party
choose several churches extraordinary, out of which they may

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 45
supply, if any of the first choice should happen to fail." To
these proposals the committee assented, with the exception of
seven churches instead of nine, and proceeded, in company
with Mr. Fuller, to the selection. They, however, disagreed
in the selection of the " extraordinary churches," Mr. Fuller
insisting that the committee chose, purposely, those to whom
they knew he would object, and they, on the other hand,
complaining loudly of the unreasonableness of his objections.
The whole plan being thus defeated, the former council, with
the addition of the first church in Dedham and that in Weston,
met on the 16th of April, 1776, and requested Mr. Fuller to
appear before them, by a letter from their moderator, Mr.
Maccarty. This he refused, on the ground that they were
an ex parte council, wholly devoted to the interests of his
opposers. The council then proposed to name twelve church
es, from which each party should choose three, mutually agree
ing upon the church in Weston, then present, as the seventh,
which should be a council to settle all grievances. To this
Mr. Fuller objected that as the whole twelve from which the
mutual council was to be selected, were chosen by the sitting
council, the proposed one would be, in effect, ex parte. " If
my brethren had proposed to choose my judges," says Mr.
Fuller, in his reply to the council, " I should not have thought
it strange, but that you, gentlemen, should propose, that they
should do the same thing by proxy, is a little wonderful." At
the same time he proposed again a mutual council, on the same
conditions as formerly. This was declined, on account of " the
embarrassments thrown in the way," in a former attempt.
The council then proceeded to advise Mr. Fuller to ask a
dismission. Whereupon he waited on them, proposing a mu
tual council on one of two conditions. 1st. He would " set
aside six of the churches which the brethren had chosen, they
should set aside as many of the six he would choose," the
remaining three, in each case, together with a seventh, mutu
ally selected, to constitute the council. 2d. " I will set aside,"
says Mr. Fuller, " twenty churches, and the brethren as many
more, and then we will each choose three congregational
churches, of good standing, any where in the province, no
objection on either side; who, together with one mutually
agreed upon, shall be a mutual council." Neither of these
propositions were acceded to, and the council, on the 19th,
advised to Mr. Fuller's dismission, and he was accordingly

46 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
dismissed, by vote of the church, on the 20th, and the town,
on the 24th. At the same time, Lieut. Caleb Mirick, Dea.
Adonijah Howe, Joseph Haynes, Samuel Moseman, Lieut.
Joseph Eveleth, James Mirick, and Nathaniel Cutler, were
chosen a committee " to keep Mr. Fuller out of the pulpit."
This committee attended the duty assigned them, and stand
ing on the pulpit stairs, as the law would have it, "did, on
the following Sunday, with force and arms, restrain and keep
out of the said pulpit, him the aforesaid Timothy Fuller."
Mr. Fuller subsequently called an ex parte council, consisting
of Messrs. Howard's church, Boston ; Payson's, Chelsea ;
Whitney's, Shirley ; Adams's, Lunenburg ; Barnard's, Salem.
The result of this council was, of course, favorable to Mr.
Fuller. He also commenced a suit against the town in 1782,
for the recovery of his salary from 1775, on the ground of
an illegal dismission. This case was argued at Salem in Nov.
1783, by the late Judge Parsons for the plaintiff, and Messrs.
Sullivan and Lincoln for the defendants. A verdict was
found for the defendants, and thus ended the controversy with
the Rev. Mr. Fuller.*

CHAPTER V.
Invitations to Mr. Litchfield and Mr. Hubbard to settle in the ministry. Settle
ment of Mr. Crafts. His Letter to the Town and their Reply. — Dismission.
Call to Mr. Goodrich. Erection of a new Meeting-house. Mr, Russell's Settle
ment. His Letter to the Town and Dismission. Settlement and Dismission of
Dr. Murdock. Troubles at the Settlement of Mr. Clarke. Separation in con
sequence of it. Mr. Clarke's Letter.
For ten years subsequent to Mr. Fuller's dismission, in
1776, no church records exist. It appears, however, from
those of the town, that during this period, in which they were
destitute of a settled minister, the pulpit was supplied by
preachers hired during those parts of the year, most favorable
for a general attendance upon public worship. The sacra
ment was administered at stated intervals by some one of the
neighboring clergymen. During this time two unsuccessful
* A sketch of Mr. Fuller, as well as the other ministers mentioned in
this and the succeeding chapters, will be given under another head.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 47
efforts were made to settle a minister. The first of these was
in 1778, when the town voted "to concur with the church in
their choice of Mr. Litchfield for their pastor," at the same
time offering him 600?. as a settlement, and a salary of 70?.,
one half payable in the fluctuating currency of the time, and
the remainder " in money equivalant to Indian corn at four
shillings a bushel." For some reason the town at a subse
quent meeting so far reconsidered this as to vote, " that there
be paid to Mr. Paul Litchfield each and every year during
his continuance in the ministry among us, seventy pounds,
as followeth : twenty-three pounds, six shillings, eight pence,
at the Rate of Indian Corn at three shillings per bushel.
23?. 6*. 8d. at the Rate of Beef at twenty shillings per hun
dred ; and 23?. 6s. 8d. in Cash of the Present currency." Mr.
Litchfield declined this invitation, which was renewed in 1779
with the "settlement" increased to 1200?., and the same sal
ary, only 17?. 10s. however, being payable in the then cur
rency; This was also declined.
In 1780 an invitation was given to a Mr. Ebenezer Hub
bard to settle in the place, and a salary of 73?. offered him,
payable " at the rate of Indian Corn at 3*. Rye at four shil
lings a bushel, beef at 20 shillings per hundred, and pork at
three and a half pence per pound."* Thirty cords of wood,
annually, were subsequently added to this salary. Mr. Hub
bard, however, declined the invitation, and no further at
tempts to settle a minister were made until 1786, when the
Rev. Thomas Crafts received and accepted an invitation from
the church and town to become their pastor. He was ordain
ed on the 28th of June, 1786.f The churches present on
this occasion, were the Fourth in Bridgewater, the church in
Brattle-street Boston, in Roxbury, Brookline, Shrewsbury,
Rutland, Holden, and Sterling.
Mr. Crafts continued minister of the town until 1791, when,
at the instance of the following letter, he received a dismission
from the pastoral relation : —
* It is hardly necessary to observe this as well as similar provisions in
the preceding proposals to Mr. Litchfield was an expedient to avoid the
fluctuations of the currency of the time.
t No little display would seem to have been had on this occasion, if we
may judge from the following account, which I accidentally came across,
among a mass of loose papers in the Town Clerk's office, and which speaks
loud for the multitude present, or the poverty of the town. The people of

48 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
" To the Inhabitants of Princeton, to be communicated :
My Friends and Brethren, — In consequence of my ill state
of health, I requested the Selectmen some time since, to in
sert in their warrant for March meeting, an article respecting
my dismission, which I suppose will this Day be laid before
you. — My reasons for submitting the matter to the town at
this time, I view weighty and important. — They are these.
1st. There being no present prospect of my recovering
such a degree of Health, as to be able to carry on the work
of the Ministry.
2nd. An inability to supply my Pulpit any longer.
3d. An unwillingness to embarrass my People, or to be the
means of the pulpit's being unsupplied.
My request therefore is, That the relation in which I now
stand to the Church and Congregation in this place, as your
Minister, may be dissolved. — My Friends, — it is a painful
seperation to me, — but it is the will of God, and therefore I
acquiesce. — Permit me to return you my warmest thanks for
all those numerous and pointed marks of attention, respect,
and generosity, which I have received from you. — And do me
the justice to believe that I shall ever retain them in grateful
remembrance. I assure you, that your Interest will ever be
near my heart, and that I shall ever entertain a high esteem,
and feel an ardent affection for my Brethren of Princeton, till
the hand that writes this shall moulder in the dust. Com
mending you to God and the riches of his grace, and entreat-
Princeton would be the last to let such an occasion pass wanting in a single
one of the " good things of this life," which usually load the groaning ta
bles of an ordination day.
" The town of Princeton to me debtor.
For going to Hardwick, to carry Mr. Crafts the call of the
town, ... 0900
Also for fetching cider, plates and dishes from Shrewsbury,
and carrying them back again, - - - 0 6 0 0
For going to Westminster for knives and forks, and for a
horse to carry one of the cooks home, - 0 7 6 0
For nine dozen of eggs for the Council, - 0 6 0 0
18 6 0
Princeton, June 30, 1786." Adohijab Howe.
I also find, about this time, —
" The Town of Princeton to Samuel Dadman, Dr.
For one leg of bacon, 16 3-4 lbs. - - 0 13 11 2"
which, it is no unfounded conjecture to suppose, went the way of the " nine
dozen of eggs for the Council."

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 49
ing him to make you perfect in every good work — I bid you
a long and affectionate farewell. Yours respectfully
Thomas Crafts.
Princeton, March 14, 1791."
Of the love and esteem in which Mr. Crafts was held by
the people of his charge, the following letter, sent him on the
occasion of his dismission, is ample and unsolicited testimony.
" Revd. Sir, — The Church and Congregation in Princeton
having this day, according to your request, voted your dismis
sion from your Pastoral Relation, solely on the account of
your ill state of health and little prospect of your future use
fulness in that work ; We the Church and Congregation in this
place declare that it is with reluctance that we are constrained
to part with you under these considerations ; — that it has been
with pleasure and much satisfaction that we have sat under
your ministry ; — that we sincerely sympathize with you under
these (your) afflictions; that we ardently wish Almighty God
would take you and your family under his Gracious Protection,
and if it be his pleasure, to give you a confirmed state of
health, and make you yet useful in your public character, and
long continue you a blessing to the world.
We ask an interest in your Prayers, and subscribe,
Your affectionate Friends and Brethren,
Moses Gill, Moderator.
Signed at the request of the town in town meeting assembly.
To the Rev. Mr. Thos. Crafts."
After Mr. Crafts's dismissal, the Rev. Hezekiah Goodrich,
subsequently the minister of Rutland, supplied the pulpit for
some time, and in November, 1791, it was voted, that "Mr.
Hezekiah Goodrich's late preaching has been acceptable to
the town, and that the committee" be instructed to apply to
him to preach six sabbaths upon probation." He however re
ceived no invitation from the church or town, to become their
pastor. He probably declined preaching " upon probation."
The town were again destitute of a settled minister, from
1791 until 1796.
During this interval, however, measures were taken for
erecting a new house of worship, and on the 9th of March,
7

50 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
1795, it was voted "to build a new meeting-house, agreeable
to the petition of Capt. Sam'l Hastings and others," and a
committee chosen to estimate the expense. This committee
reported, at a subsequent meeting, the probable expense at
1799?. 8.s. and the probable amount arising from the sale of
pews, the old house, Ste. at 1875?. Whereupon a committee,
consisting of Hon. Moses Gill, Capt. Samuel Hastings, Lieut.
Amos Merriam, David Brooks, and William Whitaker, was
chosen to superintend the erection. This house was com
pleted in the following year, and is the one at present occu
pied by the congregational society. Its dimensions are seventy
by fifty-five feet. It contains seventy -five ground, and twenty-
six gallery pews. The committee were widely mistaken in
their estimate of its cost. By the town records, I find this to
have been, exclusive of the bell, which was subsequently pur
chased for $470, and the painting, for which $320 was
afterwards raised, 2273?. 3s. 5c?. and the receipts from the sale
of the pews,* Sic. 1728?. 3s. Id. leaving a deficit of 545?.
Os. 4c?. which was raised by a general tax.
This house, after withstanding the severity of forty winters
in the bleakest and most exposed situation (the top of Wachu
sett alone excepted) in the town, has become so dilapidated
as to be unsuitable for the objects of its erection. It is no
little amusing to witness the furious contest which is continu
ally going on of a windy day,"|- between the preacher's voice
and the rattling windows and clapboards, each being alter
nately in the ascendant, while the latter is invariably the more
efficient in inculcating the solemn truth, " The Lord terri
ble reigneth." Why it should ever have occupied its present
location, is a question soluble only by supposing it emblemat
ical of the heavenly way, indicating it to be upward and
somewhat toilsome and difficult. Or perhaps its builders
may have been actuated by a slight remnant of Catholic su
perstition, and intended to impose a kind of penance on the
worshippers here. Whatever may have been the object, it is
certain, it is a peculiarly happy expedient to test the strength
of the people's devotion.
* Tlie highest sum obtained for any pew in this house was 36i. which
was paid by Michael Gill, Esq. for No. 66.
t The new church, now in process of erection, will relieve the preacher
from this unequal contest.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 51
Before the completion of this house, the Rev. Joseph Rus
sell received and accepted an invitation from the church and
town to settle over them in the work of the ministry. On
the 7th of December, 1795, the town voted unanimously to
concur with the church in their "call" to Mr. Russell, at the
same time voting to dispense with " the usual mode of giving
a settlement in the case, and that the sum of four hundred
thirty-three dollars and one third of a dollar be paid him year
ly, during his continuance in the ministry. It was also sub
sequently voted to " furnish Mr. Russell with twenty-five
cords of good merchantable wood annually, delivered to him
at his dwelling-house, so long as he shall continue our minis
ter, and the price of staple commodities remain as they now
are ; but when the capital articles of consumption shall revert
back to their former standard, that is to say, when the price
of Beef shall be reduced from thirty-six to twenty -four shil
lings per hundred ; Pork from six to four pence per pound ;
Rye from six to four shillings per bushel ; Indian Cora from
four and sixpence to three shillings per bushel ; then the
whole expense of the wood, be it more or less, shall be de
ducted from the hundred and thirty pounds already voted by
the town, and so in a less proportion as the price of those
commodities shall gradually decrease."
Mr. Russell was ordained March 16, 1796. The churches
present were that in Somers and Brookline, Ct. that in Brattle
Street, Boston, in Charlestown, Brookline, Carlisle, Shrewsr
bury, Paxton, Holden, Rutland, Hubbardston, Westminster,
and Sterling. Dr. Morse of Charlestown made the introduc
tory, Dr. Thacher of Boston the ordaining, and Dr. Sumner
of Shrewsbury the concluding, prayer. Mr. Jackson of Brook
line gave the charge, and Mr. Hubbard of Sterling the right
hand of fellowship. Mr. Backus of Somers preached from
Matthew, xvi. 26 — " For what is a man profited, if he shall
gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a
man give in exchange for his soul ?"
Mr. Russell continued the minister of the town for six
years, until 1801, when he asked a dismission in a letter to
the town, of which the following extract contains all of ma
terial importance : — " Convinced, from several years experi
ence, that application to study is injurious to me, and finding
myself unable to pursue a studious life with that degree of
assiduity, which my present engagements indispensably re-

52 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
quire, and having no reason to expect that my situation will
be altered for the better should a further experiment be made,
I beg leave, gentlemen, to come forward in friendship and
candidly express my desire that the town concur with the
church in consenting to my dismission. As six years have
been witness to the peace-and good understanding which have
invariably existed between us, it is my earnest wish, now
that a separation is become necessary, that we may part in
peace, and that every individual will be so liberal in sentiment
and so candid in acting as to cheerfully comply with my re
quest with the same freedom and readiness which in a change
of circumstances they might desire to have exercised towards
them." The reasons set forth in this letter seem not to have satis
fied the town of the necessity of a dismission, and a commit
tee was chosen to request the attendance of Mr. Russell at
the adjournment of the meeting, to answer publicly to such
questions as might be put to him, — a course of proceeding as
extraordinary as the result of it must have been unpleasant.
This drew from him the following communication : —
" To the inhabitants of Princeton :
Gentlemen, — You will consider, I presume, that the hap
piness of this town, in future years, depends much on your
conducting the business before you in a peaceable, friendly
manner, — and I do most sincerely desire, looking at the good
of the town in future, that you may do nothing to create di
vision in the society, or to prejudice the public mind, or the
minds of individuals, who may be introduced into the town,
against it. As for myself, I can sincerely say, that whatever
may be the conduct of individuals towards me, — though they
attempt to wound my feelings, and load me with abuse, I ever
have been and still am a friend to the town, — and am per
fectly ready to do any thing in my power, consistent with the
respect due to my public character, towards the settlement of
the business before us in a friendly way. From the commu
nication which I have made to the church, to the selectmen,
and to many individuals in all parts of the town, I am ready
to think that the inhabitants generally have correct and thor
ough information respecting my reasons for desiring a removal
from my pastoral office in this town, and if individuals do not
feel disposed to allow validity to those reasons, on the ground

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 53
of my own testimony, I know that it will be in my power to
give them satisfaction. — I freely declare my readiness, gen
tlemen, to afford you all the information on the subject, which
can in the least assist towards your forming a judicious decis
ion on the business before you ; — and I am willing to answer
at a proper place every friendly inquiry which an honest de
sire to arrive at truth may suggest ; — but to such questions as
passion, prejudice, or a disposition to cavil may dictate I shall
pay no attention. Considering the relation existing between
us, it is your right, as I have proposed a dissolution of this
relation, to know my reasons for desiring it. These reasons I
have no wish to keep private ; they are already before you
for your consideration while attending to the business in which
you (we) are mutually concerned. (But, on the other hand,
should any individuals be curiously inquisitive concerning my
own personal concerns, these I claim the right of keeping to
myself and conducting at pleasure, without being accountable
to any man, or society of men A— In reply to the vote of the
town, handed me by my friend Capt. Dana, I answer directly,
that I am ready to meet this afternoon a committee from the
town on the business of my dismission, and to repeat to them
if necessary the statements which I have already made in
public and private. Believing that this mode of communica
tion if pursued will lead directly to every explanation which
can be useful to you, and which any individual who is a true
friend of the town can reasonably desire, you will permit me
to decline a personal attendance at the meeting. — Accept,
gentlemen, the tender of my respects.
(Signed) Joseph Russell.
Princeton, Sept. 21st. 1801."
For the better comprehension of some of the allusions in
the above letter, it is necessary to remark, that Mr. Russell.
had been accused of desiring a release from the pastoral rela
tion from merely selfish views, being anxious to enter upon
some more lucrative employment ; a charge which, if well
founded, shows the town little wise, and still less alive to
their spiritual interests, in attempting, against his will, to re
tain such a personage in the pastoral office ; while if unfound
ed, it betrayed the deepest malignity in individuals, and dis
played a want of confidence on the part of the town, in its
momentary entertainment, alone sufficient to call for a disso-

54 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
lution of the relation in which Mr. Russell stood to them.
The right of the town to take cognizance of the matter, sup
posing he did wish a more lucrative occupation and a dismission
on this account solely, is extremely questionable. While the
fact that the charge rested only on vague and indefinite hints
should have at once destroyed all credence to it. The last
letter of Mr. Russell seems to have convinced the town of
both these truths, and he was dismissed without farther oppo
sition. Soon after Mr. Russell's dismission, the Rev. now Dr.
James Murdock commenced preaching to the church and so
ciety in Princeton, and on the 18th of March, 1802, received
a unanimous invitation from the former, and on the 5th of
April, from the latter, with the exception of a single dissent
ing vote, to become their minister. To this invitation Mr.
Murdock returned a conditionally, affirmative answer. The
encouragement offered Dr. Murdock by the town was a salary
of $366 2-3 and the improvement of a farm which they had
previously purchased as a parsonage, worth probably $60
more. The additional stipulations which he desired may be
best learned from his reply.
" To the Church and Town of Princeton :
Having considered your joint invitation to settle with you
in the work of the Gospel Ministry, I have after much serious
deliberation, and after asking council of the great Disposer of
Events, concluded to accept your invitation, on the condition
you agree to the following additional articles : —
First, should any controversy hereafter arise between the
Church and the Pastor, or between the Town and the Pastor,
which cannot be settled privately to the satisfaction of both
parties, or should any complaint be accepted by the Church
against the Pastor, a Mutual Council shall immediately be call
ed to hear and determine tbe matter. And unless a different
agreement shall be made by mutual consent, the Council shall
consist of an equal number of Pastors and Delegates from sev
en Churches : which Council shall be chosen, regulated and
possess such powers as hereafter mentioned, viz. Having
mutually agreed upon the first Church, each party shall choose
three Churches, of regular standing within this Commonwealth ;
these seven churches when met in Council shall regulate their

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 55
own proceedings as they may see fit ; and their decision shall
be final as to all matters regularly laid before them.
2d. Should the Pastor wish to take a Journey to visit his
friends, or for his health, or for necessary business, he shall be
permitted to leave the desk vacant, not exceeding three sab
baths in a year.
3d. Should the Pastor at any future period find himself able
to make the purchase, he shall have the privilege of purchas
ing, at $1200, the farm heretofore occupied by the Rev. Mr.
Russell and Capt. Henry Prentiss, which the town purchased
of Lieut. Bartholomew Cheever, on the 5th day of April, A. D.
1802, on condition that if the Pastor or his heirs should after
wards be disposed to sell the premises, the town shall have
the refusal of them. Should the Pastor purchase as aforesaid
there shall annually be added the sum of twenty pounds, equal
to sixty-six dollars and two-thirds of a dollar, to the sum of
one hundred and ten pounds, equal to three-hundred and
sixty-six dollars and two-thirds of a dollar, mentioned in the
vote of the town, passed the 5th day of April, A. D. 1802.
The first of these articles, viz. that respecting a council, I
conceive to be calculated to settle speedily any controversy
which might arise to interrupt that harmony and cordiality
between minister and people so necessary to mutual happi
ness, and the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom. View
ing the subject, in this manner, I cannot but feel strongly im
pressed with a sense of the importance of such an article.
Trusting that you will readily coincide with me in opinion
I forbear to add anything farther on this important subject.
The second article is doubtless of much less importance
than the first ; yet I think it to be calculated to prevent un
easiness and therefore reasonable and proper.
The third and last article, if I am rightly informed, is not
materially different from one in the report of the committee of
the town made on the fifth of April, which the town were
unable at that meeting to accept, because of a former vote,
which was found to be so worded as to interfere with it.
Considering the article as calculated to promote the comfort
and happiness of my family, without injury to the town,
which has so just a claim to my esteem and gratitude, per
suade myself you will be happy in an opportunity of exhibit
ing to the world another proof of that harmonions unanim-

56 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
ity* and liberality, which so highly distinguish the town of
Princeton. Should the Church and Town in their wisdom see fit to
insert these additional articles, or the substance of them, I
hold myself bound to comply with their joint invitation, and
to devote myself to their service in the work of the ministry.
James Murdock.
Princeton, April 24th, A. D. 1802."
The town having acceded to the proposals of this letter,
Dr. Murdock was ordained June 23d, 1802. The services
on this occasion were performed as follows : — the introductory
prayer by the Rev. Mr. Goodrich of Rutland, the ordaining
prayer by the Rev. Dr. Sumner of Shrewsbury, and the con
cluding prayer by the Rev. Mr. Holcomb of Sterling. The
Rev. Mr. Rice of Westminster gave the Charge, and the
Rev. Mr. Avery of Holden the Right Hand of Fellow
ship. The Rev. Jonathan Murdock of Bozrah, Ct. preached
on the occasion from 1 Peter, i. 12 — "Which things the an
gels like to look into." In addition to these churches, whose
ministers participated in the services, there was present also
that in Boylston, under the charge of the Rev. William
Nash. Dr. Murdock continued minister of the town, possessing
the unlimited confidence and esteem of the people of his
charge, until the summer of 1815, when he was appointed
Professor of the Learned Languages in the University of
Vermont, at Burlington, and on the advice of a mutual coun
cil, convened according to one of the stipulations made at his
settlement, accepted the appointment. This of course led to
a dissolution of his pastoral relation with the town of Prince
ton, much to their sorrow, and with no little regret on his
part. Dr. Murdock was dismissed Oct. 11, 1815, and entered
immediately on his new sphere of duties at Burlington. The
ecclesiastical council which advised and consummated his
dismission, close their "Result" with the following remarks : —
" While we sympathise with this Church and People under

* Dr. Murdock was here guilty of a slight touch of excusable flattery, or
the people have sadly deteriorated in the matter of " unanimity" since
those golden days.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 57
the removal of a Pastor they so highly esteemed, we are no
less happy in being able to express our unqualified approbation
of the conduct of the Church on this tender subject. The re
spect and kindness which both the Church and People have
shown to their minister, and the pleasing union and harmony,
which subsist among them, excite a pleasing hope and con
fident expectation, that they will make speedy and successful
exertions for the re-settlement of the gospel ministry, and
know from long and happy experience " how good and how
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."
Soon after the dismission of Dr. Murdock, the Rev. Samuel
Clarke commenced preaching to the church and town. Mr.
Clarke was understood to differ in some points of religious
faith from his predecessor, and the controversy which preced
ed and succeeded his settlement was long and bitter, each
party, without doubt, in the phrensied excitement of the mo
ment, pursuing measures ill advised, and still more injudicious
ly carried into effect. Mutual conciliation and concession are
rare characteristics of religious controversy, strange and melan
choly as the fact may be. We would not assert that there
may not be controversies which pure principle and an unde-
viating regard for the dictates of Christianity have originated.
Such there undoubtedly are. Yet that religion, whose doc
trines are "peace on earth, and goodwill to men," and which
inculcates love to our neighbor as the second great command,
is of a too pure and heaven-born nature to flourish in the col
lision of angry passions, or amid the tumultuous scenes of world
ly strife. Devotion is too tender and delicate a plant to be
exposed to the frosts and chills of religious contention. Prin
ciples are indeed sacred, and we would be the last to advise
their compromise or surrender. Yet there may be firmness
without obstinacy, and decision without offence. If men would
but keep in view this truth, religious controversies would entire
ly cease, or, deprived of their acrimony, part with their chief
characteristic. How far the people of Princeton may have
forgotten this important truth, or ceased for a time to act up
on it, is not for me to say.
The first action of the town with respect to Mr. Clarke,
was had June 25th, 1816, when, in accordance with an article
of the warrant to that effect, they voted " to instruct the com
mittee for supplying the Pulpit to request Mr. Samuel Clarke to
return and preach farther with them in order for a settlement."
8

58 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
In the August following, a further vote (yeas 102, noes 44)
was passed " to give Mr. Clarke a call to settle with them in
the work of the ministry." A committee was also appointed
at the same meeting to request a church meeting, and, if possi
ble, a concurrence in this invitation. A church meeting was ac
cordingly held, and a vote of non-concurrence passed, nineteen
to eight. This at once brought the church and town into col
lision. To a majority of the former, not only were some of the
sentiments of Mr. Clarke obnoxious, but they also strenuously
resisted the proceedings of the town, as irregular and opposed
to ecclesiastical usage, inasmuch as they went directly to the
overthrow of what they deemed an essential prerogative of the
church, in denying her the right of a distinct and primary
choice in the election of a pastor. A majority of the town, on
the other hand, were not only warmly attached to the religious
views of Mr. Clarke, but disposed to carry out to the full ex
tent, the spirit of the then recent judicial decisions of the state,
recognising the church only as a constituent part of the par
ish, and as entitled to no immunities beyond those belonging
to it as such. These decisions, which set at variance those
of the ecclesiastical assemblies of New-England, were then
fresh before the public, and the theme of no little controversy,
and may have tended in some degree to have enhanced the
troubles attending Mr. Clarke's settlement. The one party,
flush with the pleasures of success, pushing their newly ac
quired power to extremes, while the other, equally tenacious
of their former privileges, or perhaps still more obstinate in
their adherence to them under the sense of their invasion,
refused the most trivial concessions, which, under ordinary
circumstances, they would readily and cheerfully have
granted. After a second ineffectual attempt to procure the concurrence
of the church, the town resolved to proceed independent of it,
and accordingly communicated their request to Mr. Clarke,
at the same time offering him a salary of six hundred dollars.
To this invitation Mr. Clarke returned a negative answer, al
leging as the reason of it, a dislike to become the instrument
of division among the inhabitants, and also an entire disincli
nation to settle in the midst of the controversy then raging,
and of which there was little probability of an immediate or
ultimate cessation. The town and church were at variance
not merely on points of form, but essential principles. What

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 59
these were may be best learned from the following extracts
from a remonstrance, addressed by the latter to Mr. Clarke, in /
which is set forth their objections to him. After stating the
impossibility of their reception of him as their pastor, they con
tinue, " we are brought to this conclusion, not through dis
affection to your person, nor any deficiency in your abilities,
or any fault we find in your moral character, but especially
for the two following reasons, which are with us of primary
consideration, and which we presume you cannot view with
indifference. We present them to you distinctly.
The first is, because we cannot consent to give up our
rights and privileges, and sanction the irregularity of receiving
a minister in whose call and settlement we have not a primary
and distinct choice. We understand it to have been the in
variable custom of the New-England churches, in their earlier
and better days, and which has not till of late been disregard
ed, in the first place to make choice of their own minister,
and then to invite the town or parish to concur in their elec
tion and call, and to aid in the settlement. This is the prac
tice to which we have ever been accustomed, and which we
view as our natural, inherent right, founded in reason and the
sacred principles of Christianity, and which we are, at present,
by no means prepared to surrender. We hold it as an un
questionable truth, that every church of Christ has an inalien
able right to choose its own pastor and teacher ; and that the
exercise of this right is conducive to the prosperity of religion
and the welfare of civil society, while the denial or suspension
of it is of the most inauspicious tendency. We cannot there
fore view with indifference the introduction of a different prac
tice among our churches, nor without the deepest concern the
attempt to introduce it in this place, by the circumstances of
the call with which you have been presented.
The other reason why we cannot consent to receive you
as our minister, is, because we are not satisfied with the doc
trines which you have preached, and which it is presumed you
will continue to preach should you be settled here. However
correct you may view yourself, and however many good things
you may say, yet we are constrained to think that your
scheme of doctrine is not fundamentally that which is reveal
ed in the Holy Scriptures. Without any impeachment of
your honesty and sincerity, we must view the gospel which
you preach to be radically a different thing from that preach-

60 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
ed by Christ and his apostles, and which the primitive and re
formed churches received. It is with no small concern wt
have viewed the attempts recently made in our own countrj
to alter and mutilate the sacred records of our faith ; to lowei
down the character of our divine and adorable Saviour to that
of a mere man or of a mere creature ; and to subvert the
foundation of our heavenly hopes, laid in the sacrifice of atone
ment offered on the cross. We wish not to have a scheme of
religion, of which these are some of the leading principles,
preached in this place. However many apparently good
things may be mixed with it, we are fully persuaded that it
will not conduce to our own edification, to the good of our
children, nor to the spiritual welfare of the people in this
town." Such were the objections of a majority of the church to the
settlement of Mr. Clarke. Of their validity every one will, of
course, be his own judge. The fact that they supposed him
to differ from them in his religious faith, was certainly suffi
cient to warrant them in their refusal to receive him as their
minister. How far this should have presented an obstacle to
his settlement over those who professed to coincide fully in his
views, is matter of ¦.more question. If the objection on the
part of the church was good against Mr. Clarke's ordination
over the town, a similar one would have been equally valid,
on the part of the town, against any candidate which a ma
jority of the church would have selected. The same principle,
precisely, which induced one party to accept, inclined the
other with equal strength to reject. Hence a separation be
came apparently inevitable. Yet strong as the case would
seem, there was, after all, far less difference of sentiments than
would at first appear. It is not improbable that had there
been less of passion and excitement, coupled with somewhat
more of caution and deliberation, as well as a more bountiful
share of the soothing spirit of conciliation, the unhappy sep
aration which ensued, might have been in a great measure
prevented, and the town spared the melancholy, and, aside
from its effects, amusing exhibition of a professedly religious
community contending strenulously for twenty years, at last to
find themselves quarrelling with redoubled energy, to decide
the particular manner in which hostilities shall cease among
those, whom -a community of views, feelings, and interests,
would long ago have united.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 61
On the 14th of October, 1816, the town met for the con
sideration of Mr. Clarke's reply to their invitation. At
this meeting a committee was chosen " to see what further
encouragement it would be proper to offer Mr. Clarke as an
inducement to settle in the work of the ministry." This
committee reported that the same salary as before, with the
addition of a " settlement" of four hundred dollars, be offered
him. This report was accepted at the adjournment of the
meeting on the following day, and the call renewed. Mr.
Clarke returned a second negative answer, alleging the same
reasons as on the former occasion. In this second invitation
the church appears not to have been consulted.
Notwithstanding this repeated refusal of Mr. Clarke, a ma
jority- of the town, who had become warmly attached to him,
were unwilling to relinquish the hope of an ultimate concur
rence of the church and his final settlement. Accordingly, in
January, 1817, a petition, addressed to the selectmen, re
questing them to call a town meeting to renew the invitation
to Mr. Clarke, was circulated through the town, and signed
by one hundred and five voters. This led to a meeting of
the town, February 11, 1817, and a renewal of the invitation,
with a request of concurrence on the part of the church.
This was again refused, by a vote of twenty to six. In this
state of things, the collision between church and town at its
height, in the natural excitement of ill feelings engendered in
a long and bitter contest, and now inflamed to the utmost
point of mutual jealousy and hatred, the two bodies voted to
refer their troubles to the decision of a mutual council. And,
as if to consummate the contest, this was selected from op
posing sects, a course which we should naturally expect, an
expectation fully realized in the event, could have no other
effect than to produce a " Result" from the majority and a
protest from the minority, each tending to strengthen their own
friends in their previously conceived views of right and ex
pediency in the matter. The council called consisted of the
church in Worcester under the charge of the Rev. Dr. Ban
croft, the church in Shrewsbury, that in Lancaster, that in
Millbury, and that in Rindge, — each of these churches being
represented by their pastor and a delegate. The three former
were supposed to be favorably inclined to the proceedings of
the town, the two latter to those of the church — a supposition
which the result proved correct.

62 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
The council assembled March 6th, 1817, and, after an ex
amination of the matter submitted to them, came to the fol
lowing conclusion: —
" That by reason of existing difficulties in this church and
town ; and as there is opened by Providence a prospect of
the re-settlement of the Christian ministry, if a spirit of mutual
condescension and forbearance is in exercise ; this Council
do, after due deliberation, and in the persuasion that it will
be more conducive to the restoration of union than any other
means they can devise, offer for the consideration of this
church the following advice : That on the seventeenth day of
the present month, the brethren of the church be regularly
notified to assemble in church meeting ; that, when assem
bled, the original covenant * of this church, a copy of which
accompanies the Result of this council, and in which an alter
ation will be found, to conform it to the language of scripture,
be submitted to their consideration. We assure the members,
who shall adopt this covenant, that we will recognise them as
the church of Christ in Princeton. After taking this step, we
recommend to them, as soon as may be, to submit to their
body the question of concurrence with the town in the elec
tion of Mr. Samuel Clarke to be their minister. In case they
shall concur, and he shall accept their invitation, we repom-
mend that a joint committee of the church and town be au
thorized to issue letters missive for the purpose of inviting
an Ordaining Council to consummate the proposed union."
This advice, in view of all the circumstances, cannot be re
garded but as judicious. There was no probability, at this
period of the controversy, that a reconciliation between the
two opposing parties would ensue, should Mr. Clarke leave.
On the contrary, the supposition was well grounded that the
breach would have been still farther widened by such an
event. The majority of the town, exasperated at being dis
appointed in their efforts to procure the settlement" of their
favorite candidate, would have labored with no little zeal
against any person whom the church might have selected,
* During Dr. Murdock's ministry, a new church covenant, differing essen
tially in its language from that of tlie Rev. Mr. Russell, had been introduced
without objection, I believe, at its introduction, but which was now obnox
ious to the minority of the church. As this covenant has already appeared
two or three times in print in the pamphlets which this controversy called
forth, and as it is not of material consequence, its republication is unneces
sary. It is the same at present in use by the church.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 63
however unexceptionable he might have been at another
time. Besides, there was at this stage of the contest, doubt
less, difference of sentiment, real or fancied, sufficient to war
rant a separation. Convinced of these facts, the council di
rected their efforts rather to the prevention of greater, than
the reconciliation of existing difficulties. Mr. Clarke beyond
question united more votes of the town than any other candi
date would, while possessed of those mild and amiable virtues,
which, while they rendered him adverse to a settlement in
the midst of controversy, endeared him to the people, and
peculiarly fitted him for a position which would require their
constant and yet often unsuccessful exercise, he was peculiar
ly adapted to the situation, which subsequent events called
him to fill.
Of the ten individuals composing the council, six supported
the " Result," while the remaining four gave their views in a
" Protest," in which, after expressing their dissent from said
Result, they assign the following reasons in justification : —
1. "Because it recommends an unnecessary and unau
thorized subversion of the confession of faith and form of cov
enant adopted by this church in circumstances peculiarly
solemn, and which appear to us happily calculated to main
tain the purity of the church in faith and practice.
2. Because said Result appears to us inconsistent with the
character given by inspiration of the church as the pillar and
ground of the truth ; and as an unwarrantable attack on the
rights and usages of the New-England churches, which have
been uniformly recognised from the infancy of the country to
the present day.
3. Because said Result exhibits an alarming stretch of ec
clesiastical power, which threatens the liberties and privileges,
and even existence of congregational churches, by depriving
them of the right of choosing their own pastors, breaking down
their sacred enclosures, and subjecting them to the unenlight
ened guidance of the world.
4. Because, in our view, said Result tends to perpetuate
and increase the unhappy divisions which exist in this church
and society, and which might probably be healed by such
temperate measures as wisdom and duty appear to dictate."
The validity of the three first of these reasons it is not our
province to argue. Those curious to examine them in detail
are refered to the " Remarks, Notes, and Observations" upon,

64 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
and the " Vindication" of the proceedings of the Council ;
two pamphlets which appeared at the time, the former from
the pen of the Rev. Mr. Goffe of Millbury, and the latter from
that of Dr. Bancroft of Worcester. Of the fourth reason we
have already given our views.
The Result of the council was laid before the church for
their action March 17th, 1817, when they voted, twenty to
eight, a non-compliance with its recommendations. No ac
tion was necessary on the part of the town, inasmuch as they
had already anticipated the decision of the council in their
invitation to Mr. Clarke, which was still awaiting his reply.
This was received in the April following, and is subjoined.
" To the Congregational Society in Princeton.
My Christian Brethren and Friends, — When I last address
ed you from this sacred place, I bid you an affectionate, and,
as I then supposed, a final farewell. I believed that I was
doing my duty, both to you and myself, in again negativing
your invitation, to settle with you in the work of the ministry.
The consciousness of having done my duty gave me satisfac
tion and peace. Contrary, however, to my expectations, at
that time, you have seen fit to renew your invitation ; and by
the hands of your committee I lately received your third call
to settle with you in the Christian Ministry. This repeated
proof of your firm attachment to my person and doctrines has
excited in my mind the liveliest emotions of pleasure and grat
itude. I have again been led to deliberation, and to commit
my cause to that all wise and good Being, who is able and
willing to impart all necessary light and instruction. Be as
sured, my friends, that it has been to me an anxious, a trying
season. After, however, mature consideration, and fervent
prayer ; having received the fullest possible assurance of your
increased attachment to me, and zeal to obtain me as your
minister ; having received the assurances of a very respectable
part of the church of their firm resolution to unite with the
town in my Ordination ; and having received the advice con
tained in the result of an enlightened and pious mutual Coun
cil, lately convened in this place, together with the advice of
many distinguished ministers and laymen, in whose judgement
I have the highest confidence, I have been able to come to a
decision. This decision has been formed in the fear of God ;
and from the heart I can say, that a sincere desire to promote

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 65
his glory and your temporal and spiritual welfare has influ
enced it. In the presence and in the fear of Almighty God
I accept your invitation to settle with you in the solemn and
interesting work of the Gospel Ministry.
My Brethren, I come to you with the deepest humility, sen
sible of my Own insufficiency for so great an undertaking ; yet
relying on the mercy and assistance of that great and good
Being, who has hitherto directed my steps, and praying, that
in this trying important hour he would not forsake, but still
continue to prosper and bless me, I come breathing nothing
but love and peace. It is from the conviction that your har
mony and happiness is to be promoted by having me as your
minister, that I have concluded to accept your call. I have
been satisfied, from the disposition you discovered towards me
after I gave my last answer, and from your recent conduct
and zeal, that you are really and firmly attached to me, and
that this attachment and affection will be continued so long as
I shall be in any degree worthy of them. It is \ny desire,
therefore, to come to you in the fulness of the Gospel of peace,
ardently praying that I may be made an instrument of pro
moting your peace and happiness here, and of leading to the
mansions of peace and joy in Heaven.
Yet, my Brethren, while I rejoice in the belief that I shall
be happy and useful among you, I do most sincerely lament
that I have not been so fortunate as to effect a greater degree
of unanimity than exists in the church and town. It is an
unpleasant thing for me to settle with you contrary to the
wishes of any individual in this place. Nevertheless, from the
acquaintance I have with those opposed to my settlement ;
from the civility and respect with which I have ever been
personally treated by them, I am fully satisfied that, although
they cannot at present regard me with favor as a preacher,
yet they will ever regard me with that friendship and charity,
which are due from man to man, and from Christian to Christ
ian, and that they will never do any thing designedly to injure
my character, or my feelings. I believe that I can say from
the heart, that I feel towards them the. love and affection of a
Christian ; that they have, and always will have my prayers
and best wishes, and that I shall at all times be ready to ex
tend to them the hand of fellowship, of consolation, and of
Christian love.

66 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
From your past expressions of kindness and affection I feel
assured, my Christian Friends, that they will be continued to
me ; that in all seasons of want, of distress, of affliction, and
trial, you will be ready to assist, advise, and comfort me ; that
I shall always have your prayers, that I may be faithful to you
and myself, and that you will do all in your power to strength
en my hands, and encourage my heart. You will, I trust,
always find me ready to do every thing in your behalf which
belongs to me as a Christian Minister and a man. Let it
then be our united prayer to the throne of grace, that,
should our contemplated union be consummated, it may be
productive of the happiest consequences both as it regards our
present and eternal peace, that we may be enabled to walk
together in the exercise of all the mild peaceful graces of our
holy religion. Let us be much in prayer to God for light and
direction. And O may it be our happiness to be mutual
sources of improvement, peace, and comfort in this life, and of
joy and rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Samuel Clarke-
Princeton, April 6th, 1817."
Our limits do not allow us to transcribe the other two let
ters of Mr. Clarke, declining the invitation of the town. We
give the conclusion of each. Under date of September 30th,
1816, he writes : — " In taking my leave of you, permit me to
express my sincere hope, that the failure of this your first at
tempt to obtain a minister will not discourage you from a fur
ther trial. It is, and will continue to be, my earnest fervent
prayer to God, that you may be so fortunate as to obtain a man
after God's own heart, in whom you may all be united ; who
shall be infinitely more worthy of being placed over you than
I am ; who shall preach to you the unsearchable riches of
Christ, lead you into the knowledge of all truth, and be an
instument in God's hand of promoting your best interest here,
and of leading you to happiness hereafter. With a sincere
wish for your union, peace, and welfare in this life, and that
we may hereafter meet in the peaceful mansions of rest and
glory in Heaven, I bid you farewell."
Under date of November 10th, of the same year, Mr. Clarke
thus concludes : — " In again taking my leave of you I beg
you to accept my renewed assurance of my sincere attach-

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 67
ment and love. I believe I can say from my heart, that I feel
an affectionate, charitable, and Christian spirit towards all who
have attended upon my ministrations in this house ; and that
it will be my fervent earnest prayer to the righteous Disposer
of all events, that he will unite your hearts and minds ; that
he will guide you in the choice of a Teacher, who shall faith
fully conduct you in the way of Salvation ; and that although
we cannot be united here on earth, both you and I may here
after meet and be united in the pure and peaceful mansions in
Heaven, whence is banished all discord arid contention, and
there shall be nothing to alienate and divide us. And now I
can say with the holy and venerable Apostle, ' Finally,
Brethren, farewell ; Be perfect ; Be of good comfort ; Be
of one mind. Live in peace; and the God of love and peace
shall be with you.' "
Mr. Clarke's Ordination took place June 18th, 1817.
The Sermon on this occasion was preached by the Rev. Dr.
Pierce of Brookline. Thus was consummated the religious
division in the town, commenced with Dr. Murdock's dismiss
ion and which originating undoubtedly in, to some extent,
differences of sentiment, but which subsequent events have
shown not to have been insurmountable, yet so heightened by
a temporary excitement, as at last to render a separation, be
tween portions of the church and town, with all its attendant
evils, the most judicious and desirable course. The minority
of the church, by their adoption of the covenant recommended
by the mutual council, were recognised as a church of Christ in
Princeton. Over these and a majority of the town Mr. Clarke
continued for many years the faithful and esteemed pastor, en
joying the unlimited confidence of his friends, without incur
ring the displeasure of his opponents. His dismission, which
is the date of the commencement of the present controversy
in the town, took place in 1832. The narration of the
causes and consequences of this, as well as the proceedings
of those opposed to his settlement, is reserved for another
chapter.

68 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.

CHAPTER VI.
Call of a Council by the majority of the Church. Organization of a Society.
Invitation to Mr. Bond. Invitation and Settlement of Mr. Phillips. His Letter.
History of the Baptist Society. Mr. Clarke's Dismission. First proposal for a
Union of the Congregational Societies. Settlement of Mr. Cowles. Dismission.
Farther measures for a Union. Call of a Council. The Result. Proceedings
upon it. Mr. Phillips's " Appeal."
Mr. Clarke's settlement was of course the signal for a
secession of a majority of the church, and a portion of the
congregation, from the usual place of worship where his min
istrations were had. Previous, however, to this event, and
as early as April, 1817, the church had called an ex parte
council to advise them as to their future action. It consist
ed of the Rev. Dr. Payson of Rindge, N. H., Rev. Dr. Crane
of Northbridge, Rev. Dr. Snell of Brookfield, Rev. Joseph
Goffe of Millbury, and the Rev. Mr. Conant of Paxton, each
of these clergymen being accompanied by a delegate. The
council met April 29th, and after giving notice of their pres
ence to the minority of the church, proceeded to business.
After deprecating the result of the former council, as con
taining an assumed power " unprecedented in our country,
and unauthorised by the Gospel ; a power, that threatens the
liberties, the privileges, the very existence of our churches,
which are founded upon the pillar of truth, by depriving them
of their inalienable rights, subverting their confessions of
faith, and their forms of covenant ;" after commending the
majority of the church for their " firm stand in defence of the
truth once delivered to the saints, so honorable to them as
professed Christians," they proceed to the following recom
mendations : —
1. " That they give themselves unto prayer for the direction
and holy keeping of the great Head of the church, that they
may be guided into the paths of wisdom and Christian pru
dence, that they may meekly and patiently endure every
trial to which, in Providence, they are subjected, as the friends
of truth, and remain united together in love as the humble fol
lowers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. That they take all legal and proper measures to form
themselves, together with such inhabitants of the town as may
choose to unite with them into a distinct and separate religious

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 69
society, for the quiet enjoyment of Christian ordinances, and
the instructions of an evangelical ministry, cleaving to their
articles of faith and the holy covenant into which they have
most solemnly entered, and from which their brethren have so
unwarrantably departed."
The Result closes among other things with the following
judicious advice : — " Walk in the meekness of wisdom towards
those that are otherwise minded, and convince them by a uni
form Christian deportment that conscience, and not prejudice,
a. zeal for the truth, and not an unyielding perverseness, that
the fear of God and love to our Lord Jesus Christ, and not a
spirit of discord, have prevented you from a coalescence with
your Brethren."
In accordance with this advice of the council, the appro
priate measures were taken and a society duly organized.
Their meetings were for some time held in one of the school-
houses, until a small house of worship was erected in 1819.
In 1818 the church voted unanimously to adopt the Presby
terian confession of faith and discipline, and became connect
ed with the Newburyport Presbytery. This connexion con
tinued until 1829, when, on account of their distance from
the place of meeting and the difficulty of performing the duties
of a member of this body, it was, at the request of the church,
dissolved. The society being thus organized, in December,
1818, invited the Rev. Alvan Bond of Andover, to settle
with them in the work of the ministry. This invitation Mr.
Bond declined, alleging as a reason the feeble state of his
health, and a desire to engage in a foreign mission. He thus
concludes his letter negativing the call of the church : — " And
now my dear Brethren and Friends, I must bid you an affec
tionate farewelL Long shall I cherish a tender recollection
of your kindness and cordiality, and the many interesting
scenes that I enjoyed during my residence with you. I trust
that my labors with you will not be in vain. I most sincere
ly wish you abundant success and prosperity, and hope that I
shall still have an interest in your prayers, and share in your
friendship. Should we meet no more in this vale of tears,
O ! may we be united at last in a better world, where there
will be fulness of joys and pleasures forevermore."
After this call to Mr. Bond, no further attempts were made
to procure a settled minister until March, 1820, when it was
voted unanimously to invite the Rev. Alonzo Phillips, who

70 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
was at that time supplying their pulpit, to become their pas
tor. To this invitation Mr. Phillips returned the following
reply, which I copy, as it stands on the church records, with
out address or signature : —
" The office of the Christian Minister is doubtless the most
important and the most responsible with which man can be
invested. He receives his commission from God and is ac
countable to him for the manner in which he discharges it..
His business lies with immortal beings ; its design is to per
suade them to become good ; if it fails of this, its design is
lost, and worse than lost. Obviously, then, he who thinks of
taking this office upon himself ought not to assume it, till he
has made it the subject of the most serious contemplation and
fervent prayer. This remark is applicable to his decision
concerning the particular part of his Lord's vinyard, in which it
is his duty to labor. The first, and indeed the only question,
which ought to govern his decision is — where can I jdo the
most good ? In deciding this question, several things must be
taken into consideration ; such as the ability and willingness
of a people to give him support, which will enable him, to de
vote himself wholly t& the work peculiar to his-office ; the
part of the world, or particular place in which, at a time like
the present, he is most needed ; his ability to sustain the labors
and perform the duties which will devolve upon him in a par
ticular place ; the feelings and unanimity of the people, who
invite him to settle wjth them. These considerations I have
endeavored to examine with impartiality in forming the decis
ion now to be made public.
In regard to the first of these, the support, I can only say,
that on the part of the society there is certainly at present a
very pleasing willingness ; as to the ability they are the only
proper judges. Whether the sum proposed be adequate to a
support, in my case, time must determine ; for on this subject
I am at present wholly inexperienced. All I wish for is a
support, which, with prudence and econemy, will enable me
to live in a manner, which you, Brethren, would call respect
able ; which will enable me to unite with my brethren in the
ministry, in aiding the religious and benevolent plans which
distinguish the present period of the church. In regard to the
second thing to be considered — the particular place to which
duty calls, this is a much more difficult question to decide.
When I have looked at the smallness of this society, and at

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 71
their ability to live a while longer without a settled minister,
I have thought it my duty to go to some other place. But
when I have contemplated the stand they have taken, and its
bearings, the everlasting importance of the truths they wish
to support, the connexion of these truths with vital religion
and the salvation of men, I cannot doubt. When I look at
this church, consider what it has sustained and how it has
been blessed, I am fully satisfied, that it is a real branch of
the kingdom of Christ, and a branch too which is as precious
to him as any other branch of his kingdom. Why then should
it not be as precious to his ministers ? Of the next thing to
be considered — the ability of a man to sustain the labors and
discharge the duties of a particular place, in the present case
others are judges ; if they have erred time will rectify the mis
take. In regard to the last thing to be considered — the feel
ings and unanimity of the people — they are all any man could
wish for to afford him happiness and give him influence.
With, these things before me, what could I do, but resolve
to engage in the same cause with you — cast my lot with
yours, to live or die with you ? What could I do but answer
your invitation in the affirmative ? With these things before
me, I do answer in the affimative. May the Head of the
church approve the answer, and to his name be glory forever,
Amen." Mr. Phillips was ordained June 7th, 1820. The sermon
on this occasion was preached by the Rev. Leonard Woods,
D. D. of Andover. The charge was given by the Rev. Dr.
Dana, and the right hand of fellowship, by the Rev. Mr.
Bond. From this period the society continued gradually to
increase. Mr. Phillips remained for many years its minister,
enjoying the unlimited confidence of the people of his charge
nearly to the time of his dismission. How far it then became
impaired, and for how good reasons, must appear in the
sequel. We have now sketched, somewhat in detail, the history of
the religious divisions consequent upon Mr. Clarke's settle
ment. This was not only necessary, as they make an impor
tant, though melancholy part of the history of the town, but
absolutely essential to a proper understanding of the present
controversy, while it is extremely questionable whether a con
test so apparently groundless, I had almost said senseless, can
even then be made intelligible to an unprejudiced observer.

72 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
The town was now divided into two distinct societies, each en
joying the privilege of a minister of their choice. That under
Mr. Clarke was indeed in fellowship with the Unitarian socie
ties of the vicinity, although much more rigid in their views
and covenant than most of that sect. The exchanges of Mr.
Clarke were at times with Orthodox clergymen. That under
Mr. Phillips, as before stated, adopted and maintained, until
1829, the confession and discipline of the Presbyterian church
of the United States. The present contest grew out of a re
cent attempt, with few exceptions successful, to unite these
two societies, between whom no difference of religious senti
ment now exists. The two societies, therefore, have, for the
last four years, presented the extraordinary spectacle of a re
ligious community, perfectly agreeing in their articles of faith,
and, when united, making but a tolerable society as to num
bers, all admitting a union to be necessary and desirable, and
yet contending with no ordinary bitterness as to the manner
of effecting this, reminding one of the contest sometimes
witnessed between two small schoolboys, at the junction of
two roads leading to the same spot, as to which is the
proper one for their journey, when each, with embittered feel
ings, perhaps bloody face, has at last taken that which he
originally knew to be straightest and best. Which party have
in this case been the combatants for the crooked and hilly
way we leave facts to decide.
Before, however, I proceed to the detail of this controversy,
it is necessary to record another division which, without its
usual unpleasant attendants, arose in the town. This was
the formation of the Baptist society.' As early as 1770, I
find a Mr. Aaron Perry, who formerly lived on the farm now
owned by John P. Rice, Esq. was " left out of the minister
rates," by vote of the town, " on account of being of the
Baptist persuasion." In one of the warrants for a town
meeting in 1776, I find the following article: — "To see if
the Town will abate all, or any of the Ministereal Rates of
Those persons That are of The Baptist persuasion." On
this article the town voted " To abate the Ministerial Rates
of Stephen Rolph, Sadey Mason, and Aaron Perry." This
favor was, however, refused for several subsequent years by
the town, who seem not to have been very scrupulously con
siderate of the rights of religious toleration. These three
individuals were probably for many years the only Baptists in

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 73
town. They were connected with the Baptist church at
Templeton, at that time, I believe, the only one in the vicin
ity. Baptist preaching was had in town probably three or
four times a year, at the house of Mr. Perry. Some sixty
years since, Joshua Everett, father of the present Messrs.
William and Joshua Everett, removed from Westminster to
Princeton, and was a supporter of the peculiar sentiments of
the Baptists, although not a professor until some years subse
quent, when he connected himself with the above mentioned
church at Templeton. About the same time some two or
three more of the inhabitants embraced the same sentiments,
and were united to the same church. Preaching was still
occasionally had in the town. The infrequency of this was
partly owing to the then difficulty of obtaining Baptist preach
ers, but mainly to an inability to support them. About the
year 1805, the Rev. Elisha Andrews commenced preaching to
the Baptists in Princeton, at the residence of William Ever
ett, usually spending with them eight or ten Sabbaths in
each year. Mr. Andrews may in fact be regarded almost in
the light of a father to the Baptists of the vicinity. Possessed
of a strong judgement and a quick discernment, with an un
bounded fund of anecdote, his conversational powers ren
dered him a no less agreeable and fascinating companion
at the fire-side, than his deep and fervent piety an exemplary
and influential preacher. He was and is one of the best refu
tations of what has been unjustly charged upon vital piety —
a supposed tendency to render men gloomy and misanthropic.
Mr. Andrews continued his labors until 1819. During this
period several additions were made to the church, and towards
the close of it their relation was removed from that in Tem
pleton to a branch church in Holden. In 1819 the Rev.
John Walker of Holden, was engaged to preach to them one
fourth of the time, and continued his labor for three years.
During his ministry, there was an interesting revival, in which
some fifteen became connected with the church in Holden.
Their meetings, at- this time, were held usually at the " north
school-house." In 1822 they were regularly dismissed from
the church in Holden, and on the 31st of July, of that year,
Were duly organized as a church of Christ in Princeton. In
1823 Mr. Walker confined his labors exclusively to the
church in Holden, and the Rev. Mr. Andrews was again em-
10

74 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
ployed one half of the time at Princeton. He continued with
them nearly two years, when the society were again depend
ent upon temporary engagements for a supply of their pulpit,
until 1836, when the Rev. Elias Johnson became their min
ister, preaching alternate Sabbaths in Princeton and West
minster. Mr. Johnson continued pastor of the church until
1830. During his ministry there was another revival, in
which some twenty-five were added to the church. In Sep
tember, 1830, the Rev. Appleton Morse received and ac
cepted a call from the society to become their minister, and
was ordained in the October following. Mr. Morse, like his
predecessor, divided his labors between Westminster and
Princeton, until the spring of 1831, when they were confined
exclusively to the church in the latter place. The church
now, for the first time, enjoyed the constant undivided labors
of a settled pastor. During Mr. Morse's ministry, which con
tinued two years, twenty-five or thirty were added to the
church. He was dismissed at his request in April, 1832.
From the date of this event the church were destitute of a
settled minister for more than two years, although their desk
was usually supplied from temporary sources. In 1834, the
Rev. Nehemiah G. Lovell of Newton, received and accepted
the call of the church and society to become their pastor, and
was ordained on the 10th of July of the same year. He con
tinued their minister until November, 1836, when he was
dismissed, and became pastor of the Baptist church in Am
herst. Immediately on the dismissal of Mr. Lovell, the Rev.
Mason Ball commenced preaching to the society, and soon
after received and accepted a unanimous call to become their
minister, and entered immediately on the duties of his station.
Mr. Ball is the present minister. The church now numbers
eighty-five members, and there have been three branch
churches connected with it, which are now each organized as
distinct churches — one in Westminster, one in Fitchburg, and
one in Leominster.
Baptist worship in Princeton was held in private dwellings,
or in school-houses, until 1828, when the present house was
erected, at an expense of $2,000. It is a neat, plain brick
edifice, of moderate size, without bell or spire, but adapted to
the convenience of the society. Its situation is unfortunate,
being about a mile north of the centre of the town. Its loca-

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 75
tion will probably ere long be changed to accord with the
wishes of a large portion of the society.*
I now resume the history of the present controversy in the
congregational church — a controversy unnecessary, unholy,
and one which, sundering the ties of Christian fellowship, and
mingling the cultivation of the peaceful religion of Jesus, in
sacrilegious union with the most unhallowed feelings, passions,
and prejudices, has tarnished the purity of the church, and in
thus destroying its proper influence in the promotion of piety,
has left a fearful responsibility resting on those who have been
and are active in spreading the spirit of discord, and who, in
the revival of feelings forgotten, or wrongs atoned for, are busy
in exciting jealousies and animosities, which mustinvariably di
vide, weaken, perhaps destroy, all active exertion among those,
no small share of whose usefulness depends on their harmony.
Let men, with the full consciousness of this responsibility then,
pause, reflect, and before further action or opposition, be cer
tain that they are not mistaking the dictates of passion for the
voice of wisdom, the promptings of wilfulness for the' admoni
tions of conscience, or the unhallowed decisions of prejudice
and obstinacy for the inspiring and uncompromising impulses
of religion. One thing is certain, the cause of Christ is injur
ed by this event. On some one rests the responsibility. To
every participator in the controversy, therefore, comes home
the fearfully meaning question of the trembling disciples,
Lord, is it I? His conscience must answer.
In May, 1832, owing to ill health, the Rev. Mr. Clarke
asked and received from his society a dissolution of his minis-
rial relation. At this time it is unquestionably true, that a
large portion of his church, although satisfied to remain under
his ministry, were orthodox in sentiment, and in the event of
his dismissal would and did prefer the settlement of a Calvin-
istic pastor. To the society this very question was submitted,
and a vote that the pulpit be supplied by orthodox clergymen
passed by a considerable majority. In the existence of this
state of feeling, as an orthodox society already existed in town,
it was thought advisable, instead of settling another minister of
the same sentiments, if possible, to unite on just and Christian

" For most of the facts in this account of the Baptist society, I an indebt
ed to the kindness of Dea. J. T. Everett, to whom I take this opportunity
to return my thanks.

76 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
terms with the church and society already existing, since one
house of worship could easily accommodate, and one clergy^
man discharge, all the parochial duties in the event of a union.
With these feelings, and with a view to such an event, the
congregational society, at their meeting for the dismissal of Mr.
Clarke, held May 21st, 1832, passed the following vote : —
" On motion, voted, that the committee appointed to supply
the pulpit be authorized and instructed to wait on the standing
or prudential committee of the evangelical orthodox* society,
and request the committee of that society to call a meet
ing of said society, as soon as may be, to ascertain whether
the said society feel disposed to unite with the congregational
society in settling a minister, and if so, to choose a committee
consisting of an equal number chosen by the congregational
society, to co-operate with them in inviting a candidate to
preach to both societies, or take such other measures as said
committee and the committee of said evangelical orthodox so
ciety may deem expedient to effect a union of said societies."
This vote being communicated to the evangelical congrega
tional society, led to the following action : —
" At a meeting of the evangelical congregational society,
held at their meeting-house, holden on Monday, the 14th day
of June inst. to take into consideration the request of the con
gregational society, by their committee, to see if the evan
gelical congregational society will unite with that society in
settling a minister over both societies, after due deliberation,
passed the following vote, to wit : —
On motion, voted, that we cannot comply with said request
for two reasons ; first, we have a minister whom we respect,
and under whose ministry we are united and happy.
Second, we do not feel authorized to act on the subject as
proposed, because we feel that it is proper and right that the
church should have the first move in all measures preparatory
to the settlement of a pastor."
The door being thus effectually closed against all further
measures towards a union, the congregational church proceed
ed to the appropriate measures for the settlement of an ortho
dox minister, and, on the third of April, 1833, invited the
* The word " orthodox" should have been written " congregational."
The mistake arose in copying from some of the certificates of that society,
filed in the Clerk's office, in which their prudential committee made the
mistake.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 77
Rev, John P. Cowles, who had then just completed his theo
logical studies at Yale College, to become their pastor.* Mr.
Cowles having accepted this invitation was ordained on the
19th of July. The services on this occasion were as fol
lows : — The introductory prayer by the Rev. Hubbard Wins-
low, Boston ; the ordaining prayer by the Rev. Dr. Murdock,
New-Haven ; the charge by the Rev. Mr. Mann, Westmin
ster ; the right hand of fellowship by the Rev. A. E. Phelps,
Boston ; the address to the church and people by Rev. Mr.
Clarke, Rutland ; and the concluding prayer by the Rev. Mr.
Allen of Shrewsbury. The sermon was preached by. the
Rev. Mr. Linsley, of Park-street church, Boston.
Previous to Mr. Cowles's settlement, the church had sub
stituted the Covenant and Confession in use by the original
church, while under the ministry of Mr. Russell, for that in
troduced by Mr. Clarke. By this avowal of their sentiments,
and the recognition of the council, they were admitted to
Christian fellowship as an evangelical church — a fact to be
kept in view from its bearing on subsequent events.
Mr. Cowles continued pastor of the church until October,
1834, when he asked and received a dismission. This was
thought a favorable opening for a renewal of the proposals for
a union. The advice of the council, convened for the dis
mission of Mr. Cowles, relative to such proposals, was ac
cordingly asked. Their reply will be learned from the fol
lowing communication, made to the evangelical congregational
church, and which is the recommencement of the efforts for a
union. This communication led to the appointment of the
appropriate committees, and the call of the council proposed.
The result of the council appears in connexion with the com-

* The fact of Mr. Cowles's settlement and ministry, for a year or more,
as also that of his church being in fellowship with those of evangelical sen
timents in the neighborhood, or in other words the recognition of the con
gregational as an orthodox church in regular standing, the Rev. Mr. Phil
lips does not mention in his " Appeal," professing to be an impartial
account of the religious difficulties in this place. Nor is he less silent as
to the fact of the adaption of a new covenant and confession of faith by the
church at Mr. Cowles's settlement. He labors throughout his pamphlet to
convey the impression, that the design of the friends of union, as well as
the councils convened, was to embody with an orthodox church, one of de
cidedly unitarian sentiments, fresh from a unitarian pastor. Whereas the
fact was, there were in Princeton, when the successful measures for a
union were put in train, as we shall presently see, two orthodox churches, of
regular standing, which it was proposed to unite in one.

78 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
munication, both of which were printed and circulated at the
time of their date.
To the Evangelical Congregational Church in Princeton, under the pas
toral care of the Rev. Mr. Phillips :
Rev. and Beloved, — The undersigned, having been appointed a Commit
tee by the Congregational Church, for the purpose of making a communica
tion to your Church, would respectfully lay before you the doings of the
said Congregational Church, and the advice of an Ecclesiastical Council,
lately convened in this place.
At a meeting of the Congregational Church, Oct. 26, 1834, a Committee
was appointed to ask the advice of the Ecclesiastical Council, which was
then to be convened on the 2Sth of said month, for the dismission of Rev.
John P. Cowles, in relation to what course it was the duty of said Church
to pursue, and what measures to adopt, under the existing circumstances of
the religious affairs of this place.
The said Committee attended to the duty of their appointment, and re
ceived from said Council the following result :
" The advice of this Council having been asked by the Congregational
Church in regard to the course they should take provided Mr. Cowles be
dismissed, the Council advise to the following measure : That said Church
propose to the Evangelical Congregational Church to unite in choosing a
Mutual Orthodox Council to settle the following points —
1st. Shall a union be effected between the two Churches ?
And if so —
Sd. On what ground shall such union be effected ? "
SAMUEL GAT, Moderator.
CYRUS MANN, Scribe.
At a meeting of the Church, Oct. 29th, the foregoing result and advice of
Council was laid before the said Church, and accepted; and Deacon Charles
Russell and Caleb Dana, and Brother Charles B. Temple, were appointed a
Committee to present to the Evangelical Church a copy of the advice of
said Council, and to adopt measures to carry the same into effect.
Agreeably to the advice of said Council, and in full accordance with our
own views and feelings, we do now, in behalf of the Congregational Church,
propose to unite with your Church in inviting a Mutual Orthodox Council
for the purposes mentioned in the result of said Council.
In making this request, we wish to add, that we, in common, doubtless,
with you, regard it as exceedingly desirable, for the interests of religion in
this place, that all those in these two Churches, who coincide in their views
of the doctrines and duties of the Gospel, and give credible evidence of their
being the children of God, should be united in one Church, and under one
pastor. We do not regard a union as desirable except on such conditions,
and on such grounds, as shall ensure to you and to us a prospect of purity,
as well as peace and harmony. Under such conditions we do desire it, for
the sake of that cause which we equally profess to love. We deeply lament
the division which has long existed in this town, and our prayer to God is,
that it may soon be terminated in that way, and in that way only which
will be for his glory and for the spiritual benefit of his chosen people. And
that this desirable end may be effected, we desire, ou our part, to remove
every reasonable objection. We propose to unite with you in calling a
Mutual Council, because we do believe that there are questions, arising
out of the character and relations of these Churches, which affect so vitally
the best interests of the people of this place, as well as the Church of
Christ, that neither of these Churches is at liberty to disregard them.
Should your Church accede to this proposition and request, we trust there
would be no disagreement in selecting a Mutual Council, of approved or-

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 79
thodox Ministers in this Commonwealth, which would be entirely satisfac
tory to both Churches. We wish to be distinctly understood that wc are will
ing to submit the whole case, in all its parts, to the decision of such a
Council* And now, Christian Brethren, we respectfully ask you to give this sub
ject, as we trust you will, your serious and prayerful consideration. And
may the great Head of the Church vouchsafe to you, and to us, his grace,
guidance and direction, and lead us in the path of duty— to the exercise of
those Christian feelings and to the adoption of such measures, as shall
redound to his glory and the spiritual and everlasting good of his
people. Yours, with Christian affection,
CHARLES RUSSELL, )
GALEB DANA, \ Committee.
CHARLES B. TEMPLE, )
Princeton, JVok. 14, 1834.
< The foregoing is a copy of a communication from the Church lately under
the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Cowles, to the Church under the pastoral
care of the Rev. Mr. Phillips. MINUTES OF COUNCIL.
In accordance with letters missive from the Congregational Church in
Princeton, lately under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Cowles, and the
Church in the same place under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Phillips, an
Ecclesiastical Council was convened at the house of John Brooks, Esq.
Dec. 17, 1834.
.Were present from the Church of Christ in North Brookfield, Rev. Tho.
Snell, P., Dea. Jos. A. Moore, Del.
From the Congregational Church in Templeton, Rev. Samuel P. Bates,
P., Br. Jon. Cutting, Del.
From the Congregational Church in Westminster, Rev. Cyrus Mann, P.,
Dea. Benj. Wood, Del.
From the Congregational Church in Harvard, Rev. George Fisher, P.,
Dea. Rich. Whitney, Del.
From the Congregational Church in Bolton, Rev. John W. Chickering,
P., Dea. Augustine Holcomb, Del.
* Compare the passage in italics, with the following from the Rev. Mr.
Phillips's " Appeal." " Wherever the fault may have been, the original
church and their pastor were both led to suppose, that the congregational
church had concluded to allow the union to be formed under the ministry
of the present pastor," when probably most of "the circumstances which"
in Mr. Phillips's view, " concurred to hinder the success of the result,"
would have vanished. We say with Mr. Phillips, " wherever the fault may
have been" from which this impression arose, if any one entertained it ex
cept himself, it was not the fault of the communication. One of the prop
ositions which the communication of the congregational church proposed
to submit to the Council was, " On what ground shall such union be effect
ed." Mr. Phillips seems to have read it, " On what ground shall such
union be effected, without dismissing the present pastor." Mr. Phillips
himself first introduced to the council the matter of his dismission by the
repeated instruction to them, that " they were not to touch his case."
"Not even if the cause of Christ requires it," was the keen and silencing re
buke of the Rev. Moderator. I am the apologist or defender of neither
party to the controversy, yet truth seemed to demand the correction of this
error in the " Appeal."

80 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
From the Calvinist Church in Worcester, Rev. John S. C. Abbott, P., Br.
Jonas B. Allen, Del.
From the Church of Christ in Holden, Rev. Wm. P. Paine, P.
The Council was organized by choosing Rev. Dr. Snell, Moderator, and
Rev. John S. C. Abbott, Scribe.
The deliberations of the Council were introduced by prayer by the Mod
erator. Charles Russell, Esq. Caleb Dana, and Charles B. Temple appeared as
a Committee of the Church under the late care of the Rev. Mr. Cowles.
Rev. Mr. Phillips, Samuel Stratton, Israel Howe arid Ephraim Beaman
appeared as a Committee of the Church under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr.
Phillips. Rev. Mr. Phillips, in behalf of the Committee from the Church of which
he is pastor, stated their views and feelings respecting the object for which
the Council was convened, and the desirableness of a union of the
Churches. Charles Russell, Esq. in behalf of the Committee froni the Congrega
tional Church, then made a statement of their views and wishes with regard
to the proposed union, and of the efforts they had made for its accomplish
ment. Other members of both Committees also made communications to the
Council. The Committees then retired, and the Rev. Mr. Mann, in behalf of the
Council, sought divine guidance to aid in our deliberations.
Several hours were then .passed, in discussing the subject in all its varied
aspects. Messrs. Abbott, Snell and Chickering were appointed a Committee to re
port upon the result of Council.
Adjourned to meet at seven o'clock, to-morrow morning.
Thursday Morning, Dec. 18, 1834.
Council met according to adjournment. More information being desired,
to aid in coming to some useful result, the Committee from the Church
under the late care of the Rev. Mr. Cowles; again appeared and made fur
ther statements.
Rev. Mr. Phillips also appeared and communicated additional information
respecting the views of the Church and Society with which he is con
nected. The Committee appointed to report a result of Council, reported the fol
lowing, which was unanimously adopted.

RESULT OF COUNCIL.
The Council deems the union of the two Churches exceedingly desirable
both as it regards the peace of the town and the prosperity of Religion.
The Council is also very much gratified with the truly Christian spirit,
manifested in the communication made by the Committee of the Church
lately under the care of the Rev. Mr. Cowles, and with their candor and
moderation; and have full confidence in the purity of the motives which
led them to make an effort for a reconciliation. Animated by these feelings,
we sincerely hope that the suggestions which may be made by the Council,
and the terms proposed, will be acceptable to both parties and promotive of
their mutual edification. The council are aware of difficulties in the way,
but do not feel that they are insurmountable. Christians are often called
upon to make sacrifices, but if they are sacrifices of feeling, and not of prin
ciple, they ought to be made.
The Council is of opinion that the whole subject is involved in two
questions.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 81
1. The first question respects the possibility of a union of the two Church
es which shall promote the cause of truth, purity and peace.
The Council is of opinion that the orthodox portion of the Church lately
under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Cowles, and of the Church under the
pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Phillips, may become one united and happy
Church. And the plan of union the Council would recommend is this, viz :
that the Rev. Messrs. Bates of Templeton, Mann of Westminster, and
Paine of Holden, be a Committee to satisfy themselves, at a proper time and
when duly notified, of the personal piety of such members of the first named
Church, as desire the union, and recommend them to the other Church by
letter ; and that by virtue of this letter of recommendation, they become
embodied with the Church now under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr.
Phillips. 2. The second question has suggested itself to our minds in a form like
the following : Is there a sufficient degree of harmony in the views of these
two parishes, to authorize the hope that they may unite in listening to, and
supporting, sound evangelical ministrations ?
This question we hope we are not mistaken in answering likewise in the
affirmative. As to the mode of union, we would recommend that the So
ciety connected with Mr. Phillips's Church should unite with the other, and
in one united Church and Society, sustain and enjoy the ordinances and
privileges of the Gospel.
3. The third and only remaining question respects the pastoral and min
isterial relations of the proposed united Church and Society. The only
difficulty on this point, arises from the fact, that the two Churches and
Societies, as they now exist, are not on equal ground in this respect. The
one have a pastor whom they respect and love, who has been with them in
times of anxiety and trial,, and between whom and themselves there exist
ties of too sacred and tender a nature to be sundered, except by the volun
tary motion and action of the parties concerned. The other has no pastor,
nor has it, from the nature of the case, that attachment to the pastor of the
other Church which would doubtless have existed, had he been for as many
years their pastor. To the removal of this difficulty this Council are con
strained to feel themselves inadequate, since they cannot control the affec
tions of the one body, nor, unrequested and unauthorized, touch the pas
toral relations of the other. We are not prepared, on the one hand, to say
that all the prejudices and preferences can or should be given up by Mr.
Cowles's late people ; nor, on the other hand, require either the Rev. Mr.
Phillips or his Church to make a sacrifice of the duty and expediency of
which they roust be the judges. However, then, in view of all the facts,
which have come to our knowledge, our private opinion respecting duty
and expediency in this matter, may differ from that of Rev. Mr. Phillips's
Church, as expressed by him as the organ of their Committee, we feel oblig
ed to leave the matter to the consideration and decision of themselves and
their pastor.
This Council cannot refrain frdm expressing our belief, from what we
have witnessed, that there is, in all the parties concerned, a sufficient desire
for union — a sufficient sense of the importance of the best economy of min
isterial labor, in these days of destitution, and sufficient readiness to make
any needful sacrifices for the sake of Christ and his cause, to render such a
disposition as has now been made of this whole subject, the best we could
make, even if it were not, as we think it is, the only one in our power.
This Council cannot refrain from pressing it upon the minds of all Christ
ians, in both Churches, that for the sake of union on the ground of Gospel
truth, and for the advancement of the cause of Christ, it is their incumbent
duty, while they contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints,
to make great sacrifices of personal feeling and private interest.
We do most earnestly and affectionately entreat the members of both
Churches to love as brethren. We cannot doubt that the cause of Christ is
11

82 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
equally dear to both Churches, and we do believe that if the spirit of con
ciliation and kindness, which has been manifested during the session of the
Council, is continued, the troubled waters will grow more and more calm,
till all is tranquility and peace. We hope, beloved brethren, that you will
endeavour to cherish a child-like, a lowly and a contented spirit, and if
things are not in all respects as many of you could wish, wait quietly till He
who orders all things wisely shall bring all things right.
The Council beg leave to .assure the members of both Churches of their
kind feelings and Christian regards. We have found ourselves called to
settle questions of the utmost difficulty and delicacy. Circumstances of past
occurrence, cause us to feel a deep sympathy with the members of the church
under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Phillips. Circumstances of a more re
cent date constrain us to look with much interest and affection upon the
members of the Church under the late care of Rev. Mr. Cowles. But we
beg them both to be assured, that we have earnestly sought guidance from
above, that we might come to such a result, as would be mutually accepta
ble, and promote the social and spiritual happiness of all the friends of the
Saviour in this place. THOMAS SNELL, Moderator.
JOHN S. C. ABBOTT, Scribe.
After this result was made known, previous to any vote
upon it, the Rev. Mr. Phillips's church requested the appoint
ment of a committee of seven from the congregational church,
to meet an equal committee on their part, for an interchange
of views. These committees were appointed, and an inter
view, satisfactory to both parties, took place, after which each
church passed the following votes, adopting the result : —
To the clerk of the church lately under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. P.
Cowles :
The following is a copy of a note passed by our church, at a regular
meeting, Feb. 5, 1835.
Feb. 5. The church met agreeably to appointment ; after hearing the
report of the committee which seemed favorable, voted to accede to the
first part of "the result," viz. that which relates to the union of the ortho
dox members of the other congregational church with this,
A true copy. Attest, A. PHILLIPS.
N. B. The reason why this notice was not given at the time is, it entirely
escaped the recollection of the clerk. A. P.
February 28, 1835. The Church of Christ, under the late pastoral care of
the Rev. John P. Cowles, held a meeting at the hall of Dea. Gharles Rus
sell, Feb. 28, to consider and act on the result of the Mutual Ecclesiastical
Council, lately convened in this place. The meeting was opened by the
moderator, Dea. Charles Russell, who led the church in an address to the
throne of Divine grace, for light and direction in the important business be
fore them.
The church then proceeded to a consideration of the subject before them
and after a full and harmonious interchange of feelings —
Voted, unanimously, To accept the Result of said Council.
Voted, That the Clerk of the Church be directed to transmit a copy of

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 83
the doings of this meeting to the Church under the pastoral care of the
Rev. Mr. Phillips. C. DANA, Clerk.
Copy from the records. Attest, C. DANA, late Clerk of said Church.
Soon after these votes of the respective churches, the
subject came before the societies, and led to the following
votes : —
Voted, unanimously, That we accept of the Result of the Mutual Eccle
siastical Council lately convened at this place, by the request of the church
under the late pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Cowles, and of the church
under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Phillips, and that we can cheerfully,
and do most heartily respond the sentiment expressed in the result of said
council, that there is a sufficient degree of harmony in the views of this,
and the Evangelical society, to authorise the belief that they may unite in
listening to, and supporting sound Evangelical ministrations.
Voted, unanimously, That this society~invite,and we do hereby affection
ately and respectfully invite the said Evangelical society to unite with us,
agreeably to the recommendation contained in the result of said council.
Voted, unanimously, That we are, and have been, for a considerable time
past, desirous of a union with the Evangelical society, and that we highly
approve of the course taken by the church connected with us, and of the
measures they have adopted, to effect a union of the two churches.
Voted, unanimously, That a union of the two societies appears to us to
be very desirable, and would tend, as we fully believe, to promote the peace,
Christian harmony, and spiritual welfare of the people in this place ; and
we can see no reason why the division which has for a long time unhappily
existed here should be longer continued, or why we should transmit such a
state of things to posterity.
Voted, unanimously, That should a union take plaee, we sincerely desire
that it may be extensive, permanent, and lasting ; that it may be such an
one as shall promote the social and spiritual happiness of both societies ;
and that in our endeavor to effect a union, we disclaim having any other
motive than that of advancing the Redeemer's kingdom, and promoting the
best interests of the people in this town. Our cause, we firmly believe, is a
righteous cause ; one for which we may invoke the blessing of Heaven, and
one on which we humbly trust the smiles and blessing of God will rest.
Voted, unanimously, That we believe there is no relation more sacred and
important than that which exists between a minister and his people — the
peaceful arid useful continuance of which depends on the mutual affection
consisting between them ; therefere we cannot refrain from expressing our
serious and solemn conviction, that a union under the Rev. Mr. Phillips
would not be such an one as would be the best calculated to promote the
happiness, the harmony, and the highest interest of the united society, —
inasmuch as we believe there is a want of that cordiality of feeling both in
him and in us, which it is so desirable should exist between a minister and
people— and the attitude in which he has stood to us has been such, as to
render it impossible, in our view, for him to associate with a portion of the
united people, with that freedom and cordiality, which are so absolutely
necessary, in order that a people may derive from their minister, and he
communicate to them, that religious instruction which is so important for
their highest good.
Voted, unanimously, That we are aware that there is, as there always
should be between a minister and his people, a mutual attachment existing
between Mr. Phillips and the people under his pastoral care— and we have
no desire to do anything to weaken or destroy this attachment — still we
cannot refrain from expressing it as our opinion, that should duty dictate to

84 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
the Rev. Mr. Phillips to leave the field, as we cannot but believe under the
guidance of Divine Providence it may, the harvest would be much greater
under some other person than it possibly can or would be under his minis
trations. Voted, unanimously, That if the Rev. Mr. Phillips should determine to
ask his dismission from his pastoral charge, we will contribute our share of
any reasonable sum which shall be thought just and right, as an indemnity
for any loss he may sustain in consequence of such dismission.
Voted, unanimously, That we hope and confidently believe that after
viewing and deliberating upon all the circumstances connected with a union,
that neither the Rev. Mr. Phillips, nor his people, will insist upon his being
the minister of the united church and society.
True copy from the records of a parish meeting, held March 4, 1835. <
Attest, JOS. A. REED, Clerk.
At a legal meeting of the Evangelical Congregational Society in Prince
ton, convened in their meeting-house, on Monday, the 23d day of March,
A. D. 1835, the following votes were passed, viz : —
Voted, That we accept of the result of the Mutual Ecclesiastical Coun
cil, lately convened in this place, by the request of the church under the
late pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Cowles, and of the church under the
care of the' Rev. Alonzo Phillips, relative to the union of the said societies.
Voted, That the clerk of said Evangelical Congregational Society trans
mit to the first parish in Princeton an attested copy of the doings of said
society. A true copy of record of said parish meeting.
Attest, ERASMUS D. GOODNOW, Clerk.
About this time a majority of the above mentioned com
mittee, which had been chosen for an interchange of views
previous to the adoption of the result of council, waited upon
their pastor, Mr. Phillips, and requested him to ask a dismiss
ion, since the well known feelings of the congregational soci
ety, subsequently expressed in the above vote, made it evident
a union could not take place under his ministry. With this
request he declined complying ; with how good reasons we are
unable to say. He certainly, at this time, stood in the way
of a consummation of the intentions of the council. How
far this consummation was desirable, or how strong an argu
ment it presented for a dissolution of Mr. Phillips's pastoral
relations, we leave to the judgement of others. To us it
seems a point not difficult to decide. And so it seems to
have presented itself to the council, who, " unauthorised and
unrequested," were unable to advise, but whose " private
opinion, respecting duty and expediency ,.in this matter,"
differed essentially " from that of Rev. Mr. Phillips's church,
as expressed by him as the organ of their committee." But
whatever may be our views of this question, no one can
hesitate to pronounce the proposal of the congregational soci
ety to indemnify Mr. Phillips, the pastor of another society,

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 85
for any necessary loss he might sustain from a dismission, as
extremely liberal, and evincing a sincere desire for a union.
As both churches and societies had now adopted the result
of council, nothing farther seemed necessary for a consumma
tion of the union, than a compliance, on the part of the con
gregational church, with the first recommendation of said
council. For the purpose, therefore, of carrying this into
effect, the church met and passed the following vote, which
is inserted from a preference to narrate the history of " this
vexed question" from attested documents, rather than any as
sertions founded upon them.
April 27, 1835. The brethren of the church (under the late pastoral care
of Rev. Mr. Cowles) met agreeably to adjournment at the meeting-house.
The meeting was opened with prayer by the Clerk. Then, Voted, that Dr.
Alphonso Brooks be a committee to call on the Rev. Mr. Phillips for acopy
of the doings of the church under his pastoral care in relation to the result
of the Mutual Ecclesiastical Council, lately convened in this place.*
The business in relation " to the union" was then taken up, whereupon,
looted, unanimously, to carry into effect the result of council; and Dea.
Charles Russell and Caleb Dana, and Br. Charles B. Temple, were appoint
ed a committee to call a meeting of the church, when they may deem it ex
pedient, and to invite the committee, consisting of the Rev. Messrs. Bates
of Templeton, Mann of Westminster, and Paine of Holden, to be present at
the said meeting of the church, to discharge the important duties assigned
them in the result of said council. CALEB DANA, Clerk.
Copy from the Records. Attest,
CALEB DANA, late Clerk of said Church.
In accordance with this vote, on the 16th of May, 1835,
the committee of clergymen, mentioned in the result of the
council, met at Princeton, and attended to the duties assign
ed them, with what results the annexed document will show.
May 16, 1835. The brethren and sisters of the church, under the late
pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Cowles, met this day at the town-house, at
half-past ten of the clock A. M. agreeably to notice given by the committee
of the church appointed for said purpose, to carry into effect the result of
council, said result having been adopted by the church under the pastoral
care of the Rev. Mr. Phillips.
The committee, appointed by the council, consisting of the Rev. Messrs.
Bates of Templeton , Mann of Westminster, and Paine of Holden, were then
present agreeably to the invitation of the church, given by a committee ap
pointed for the purpose, to attend to the important duties assigned to them
in the result of said council.
The Rev. Mr. Mann addressed the Throne of Grace for light and assist
ance on the solemn and interesting occasion. Important remarks were then
offered by the Rev. gentlemen composing the committee. The articles of
* This will explain th.e note to Mr. Phillips's copy of the vote of his
church, adopting the result of council, page 82.

86 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
faith and covenant of the church, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr.
Phillips, were then read by the Rev. Mr. Mann, and assented to by all the
brethren and sisters of the church present.
The Brethren of the church adjuurned to the meeting-house; and after
having had an interview with the committee of the council, Voted, to ad
journ, to meet at half-past five of the clock, P. M. at the town-house.
Adjourned meeting. The brethren met at the town-house, agreeably to
adjournment. The meeting was opened with prayer by Br. Charles B.
Temple. The committee of the church, consisting of brothers Russell,
Dana, and Temple, informed the brethren, by their chairman, that the-
committee of the council, having attended to the duties assigned them, had
put into their hands the following communication as the result of their do
ings, viz : —
To the church of Christ in Princeton under the pastoral charge of Rev.
Mr. Phillips :
Rev. and Beloved, — The committee appointed by a council mutually
chosen by you and the church under the late care of Rev. Mr. Cowles, to
unite said churches, having satisfied themselves of the personal piety of the
following individuals, members of the last named church, recommend them
to your fellowship ; and they are hereby embodied in one church with you,
in accordance with your vote in accepting the result of said council.
[Here follow the names of forty-six individuals.]
Wishing you grace, mercy and peace, we are yours, dear brethren, with
Christian affection, LEMUEL P. BATES, >
CYRUS MANN, S Committee.
May 16, 1835. WILLIAM P. PAINE, >
Voted, to accept and sanction the doings'of the Committee of tjie Council.
The deacons of the church, viz. David Brooks, Joshua Eveleth, Charles
Russell, and Caleb Dana, having severally tendered their resignations of
said office, in consequence of the union about to be consummated with the
church under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Phillips, — Therefore, Voted,
to accept of their resignation, and that they are, at their own request, hereby
discharged from the duties appertaining to said office.
Whereas several of our brethren and sisters have not seen fit to comply
with the advice contained in the result of council, and to appear with the
church this day before the committee appointed for the purposes mentioned
in said result — Therefore, Voted, that the clerk of the church be authorized,
when requested, to give certificates to such persons as did not conform to
the result of said council, certifying that they were members in regular
standing previous to the union, said certificate to bear date of this day,
May 16, 1835.
Voted, That brothers Charles Russell and Caleb Dana, be directed to
present to the Rev. Mr. Phillips's church, the letter of recommendation,
that the union of the churches may be consummated, agreeably to the result
of the Ecclesiastical council convened in this place in December last, at the
request of said churches, and in accordance with the subsequent votes and
transactions of said churches, in adopting the result of said council.
Voted, To dissolve the meeting.
Copy, and record of the proceedings.
CALEB DANA,
Late Clerk of the church under the late pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Cowles.
The letter of admission contained in the above record of
proceedings was put into the hands of Mr. Phillips, as pastor

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 87
of the evangelical congregational church, on the 18th of May.
On the same day a meeting of the societies was held at their
respective places of worship, when that under the pastoral
care of Mr. Phillips voted to dissolve their society, and unite
with the congregational, in acordance with the recommenda
tion of the council, the latter, in the meantime, voting them
in individually, agreeably to legal requisitions.
The union was thus apparently consummated. Both
churches had adopted the result of council, by which result
the congregational church were entitled to all the rights, priv
ileges, and immunities of that under Mr. Phillips, upon the
recommendation of the three ministers therein named. By
the letter of this committee, they were " embodied in one
church" with them. Two churches no longer existed. ' One
united church had taken their place. The societies had also
become legally united by the votes of the 18th of May.
Yet, as we shall see in the sequel, no real union was as yet
consummated. Although a great majority of the church and
society were satisfied, a few were disposed to overturn all
that had been accomplished, and seemingly to thwart every
measure which, the friends of union could propose. "It is
often," says the Rev. Mr. Abbott, "in the power of one
stubborn individual to keep a whole church for months in a
state of disquietude. He will set up his will against the
prayerful decisions of the whole church. He will persist in
fomenting strife, though he knows he is destroying harmony
and happiness. It is astonishing to see how much of passion,
and prejudice, and unfairness, he will allow himself to exhibit.
Such a man is a terrible curse to a church. The ingredients
of such a character are, generally, mortified pride, disappoint
ed ambition, and self confidence. He will deceive himself
by supposing that he is contending for principle, when he is
the victim of wilfulness. There seems to be no access to his
understanding or his heart. All appeals to his Christian feel
ings are in vain. The united opinion of all his brethren is
nothing to him. The decision of,the most devoted ministers
of God deserves no regard. The destruction of the church,
the grief of the brethren and sisters, the exultation of the
foes of Christ, the ruin of many souls, are all of no moment
in his eyes, compared with having his own will. A church
can hardly suffer a more severe calamity than to have such a
person in its enclosures." [Path of Peace, p. 146.]

88 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
How far these remarks are applicable to a portion of the
members of the church in Princeton we leave the community
to judge. What hindrances such individuals would oppose
to a union may be easily imagined.
Another obstacle in the way of a full consummation of the
union, was, the circumstance, that Mr. Phillips must be re
garded as the pastor of the united church, he being previously
pastor to that to which the congregational were added, this
addition could not be supposed to change his relation to them.
Mr. Phillips seems also, both by his action and the letters of
October 10th, and December 2d, 1835, which follow, decid
edly opposed to a union, or, at least, of opinion that the time
for it was not " at present," and " that the business of union-
making must be given up until some future day." But what
ever his opinion of the desirability of a union, he was bitterly
opposed to the manner in which it had gone into effect,
and would and did exert the whole weight of his influ
ence to revoke and annul all past proceedings in the matter.
For his views, I am indebted to his " Appeal to the Candid
of all Parties Respecting the Religious Difficulties in Prince
ton," a small pamphlet, of twenty-six pages, appearing under
his signature, and which, although a professed " appeal to
the candid," is anything but a candid appeal, or an impartial
history. Allusion has already been made, in one or two in
stances, in notes, to this " Appeal," nor should I again no
tice it were it not one of the documents upon " the union,"
and a professed history of the events which I am narrating.
The refutation of all the positions it assumes, or all the asser
tions it makes, is not my province, and would be as ungrateful
a task to me, as its perusal an uninteresting one to the reader.
Yet I cannot refrain from noticing one or two of the most
prominent. After a variety of gratuitous censure upon the council, and
illiberal and uncharitable impeachment of the motives of the
friends of union in both churches, the " Appeal" proceeds —
" The objection to this measure, (the mode of union of the
churches proposed by the council,) was, that it took the right
of deciding with whom they should be willing to hold fellow
ship and commune, out of the hands of the church, and com
mitted it to strangers." The measure proposed no such thing.
The right of deciding with whom they would " hold fellow
ship and commune" was left to the church, and they exercised

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 89
that right in adopting the result of council. For this was
really nothing else than saying, " we will hold fellowship and
commune with whomsoever three disinterested, pious ministers
shall say it to be our duty." Two individuals submit a case
to a reference, each agreeing to do that which the referees
shall say to be just. As well might one of these individuals
complain that he had no action in the matter, because the
award of the referees was not re-submitted to his decision, as
Mr. Phillips that his church had no action, in deciding on the
admission of the members of the other church, because their
action was previous, rather than subsequent, to that of the
" council's committee" — because they chose to put confidence
in their discretion and faithfulness, rather than exercise a su
pervision over them. The church has undoubtedly a right to
decide upon the pretensions of each individual to be admitted
to its privileges. But may it not, without impairing its prerog
ative or its action in the matter, delegate this right to a commit
tee ? Have the people of the United States no action in nation
al affairs, because they delegate their power in these things to
representatives. The result of council " took " nothing from
the church. It was a mere piece of advice, inert and useless,
until the voluntary action of the church, in its adoption, gave
it life and animation, received its directions, accepted the
committee it nominated, and delegated to them in a perfect
confidence the power recommended. Was there in this any
infringement of the prerogatives of the church — any violation
of its rights ?
The right, moreover, of saying "with whom the church
should fellowship and commune," was not in reality submitted
to the committee. The church, whom it was proposed to ex
amine, were recognized as orthodox, and in full communion
with the surrounding ones, and had any one of them been
present at the celebration of the supper by Mr. Phillips, they
would have been privileged to accept the invitation usually
extended to sister churches on such occasions. They thus
enjoyed a right or privilege not appertaining to those connect
ing themselves with a church by profession. The evangelical
church, by their union with the same association as the con
gregational, had in some sense decided the question, the set
tlement of which the " Appeal" says the council " took from
the church" and " committed to strangers." Ought a church,
in the standing of the congregational, to have submitted to an
12

90 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
examination of a committee of ministers, much less the stand
ing committee of-the other church, in the same manner as
persons making for the first time a profession of religion ?
Let the candid reader decide the question.*
The " Appeal" next takes exceptions to the manner in
which the committee discharged its duties. It complains of
the fact, that they " satisfied themselves of the personal piety"
of forty-six individuals in three hours. " Forty-six individuals
in three hours !" is its indignant exclamation. If the committee,
men of integrity and piety, "satisfied themselves" I cannot
see it to be of material consequence, whether they were three
hours or three weeks in doing it. But let us look at the ex
amination. An orthodox church, recognised and in regular
standing, in fellowship with every orthodox church of the
vicinity — with an unexceptionable evangelical covenant — for
a year and a half at least under the settled ministry of an or
thodox clergyman, presents itself for examination before a
committee of three ministers, all familiar with the church from
the date of its adoption of a new covenant — all having at
times preached before it — all intimately acquainted with the
character of its pastor, as well as his ability and disposition to
maintain its purity, and to deny admittance to it of all cold or
doubtful piety, and finally finding a church freely presenting
themselves before them without knowing the course they
would pursue — a circumstance, which certainly indicates a
consciousness on the part of the church, that they could sus
tain the scrutiny of any examination ; — with all these favor
ing circumstances, how long, I ask, would it take such a
committee to " satisfy themselves" of the personal piety of
such individuals ? Had the other church a right to insist on
any examination ?
But whatever intrinsic merit there may be in these argu
ments or objections of the " Appeal," they are of no avail for
the purpose for which they are brought forward, viz. a justifi
cation of the minority of Mr. Phillips's church, in their action
(yet to be told) subsequent to the adoption of the result by
the majority. Admit them to be good objections to the adop-
* This objection of the " Appeal" comes moreover with extremely ill
trace from Mr. Phillips, as I am credibly informed the course recommended
y the council was the identical one suggested by him on the day of their
meeting, and adopted from a belief that his church would acquiesce in no
other.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 91
tion of the result, inasmuch as they failed to secure this end,
their utility ceases. The church acted in view of them all,
and a majority decided them invalid ; and the majority of a
church, as well as a nation, must control its affairs. The
legislature of a state passes a law licensing the sale of ardent
spirits. There may be and are valid objections to this. But
would any court of justice countenance an offender, who
should plead these objections as a justification of a violation
of this law? There may be cases, it is true, where objec
tions to measures may be so strong as to warrant resistance to
them after their adoption. These emergencies are, however,
rare, and this was not one of them. If these measures intro
duced improper members into the church, the proper course
for those, whose eyes were clear enough to detect the mote,
was, to bring their case before the church, and let them, if
necessary, submit them to its discipline. At least, we should
judge this a better course to obviate the evil, than the indul
gence of a violent opposition to a vast majority of the church,
and a participation in measures tending to its utter prostration.

CHAPTER VII.

Further proceedings for a " Union." Secession of a portion of the Church. Mr.
Phillips's Letter. Attempts at a Reconciliation. Proposition of the Disaffected
Members. Replies. Second Proposition of the same. Reply. Vote by the
Church to call a Council . Mr. Phillips's Letter. Inquiry from the Disaffected
Members. Reply. Result of the Council. Proceedings of the Disaffected.
Settlement of Mr. Demond. Universalist Society.
After the apparent consummation of the union by the
above votes of the churches and societies, the Rev. Mr. Phil
lips, whose relation* to the united church and society was
somewhat doubtful, was invited by the society to supply their
pulpit at the congregational house of worship. This invita-
The addition of forty-six members to Mr. Phillips's church, as before
stated, could not dissolve his pastoral relation with it. But the society,
over which he was settled and through which the church could only be
legally recognised, was by vote of the 18th of May dissolved, and the mem
bers had individually united themselves with the first parish, and could not,
in this individual union, be supposed to carry their minister with them.
While Mr. Phillips was therefore pastor of the church, and recognised by
them as such, his relation to the society was of a more difficult decision.

92 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
tion he accepted, and preached accordingly for five sabbaths,
on the last of which he read the following communication : —
" Whereas, it has become quite manifest to us, the subscribers,
that the way is not yet prepared to carry the union respect
ing which so much has been said and done, into practical
effect; and whereas, neither we ourselves nor our families
seem in a situation to derive much benefit from our minister's
labors, under present circumstances, we regard it as our right
and duty to request, and we do hereby request him to return
to his former place of labor."
This document was signed by several members of the for
mer evangelical church and society. In accordance with its
request, Mr. Phillips returned to his " former place of labor,"
and with him a portion of the church and society, to whom
he continued to preach for a few sabbaths. The number,
however, which left the " old house," was not large. Those
who remained held an unofficial meeting, June 22d, 1835,
" to consider what measures ought to be taken in consequence
of a number bf the united church and society having with
drawn." The result of this meeting was the choice of a com
mittee, to consult the neighboring evangelical clergymen on
the course to be pursued under existing circumstances. This
committee reported, at a subsequent meeting, as the opinion of
the clergymen consulted, that " the united church and society
had better continue their meetings at the old (congregational)
meeting-house, as usual." On the same day a meeting of the
church was held, and a committee appointed to wait on Mr.
Phillips, and ascertain, if possible, the cause of this with
drawal, and also to request him to call a meeting of the church,
for the adjustment of the existing difficulties. This proceed
ing resulted in a meeting of a part. of the church, viz. the
members of Mr. Phillips's original church, in July following.
At this meeting a resolution, expressive of the .wishes of the
disaffected, with respect to the members recently embodied

This question might be matter of curious speculation. Suppose Mr. Cowles
had still been the minister of the congregational society. As the addition
of members to the church did not affect Mr. Phillips's relation, neither
could the addition to the congregation alter Mr. Cowles's; and thus Mr.
Phillips would be pastor of the church and Mr. Cowles minister of the con
gregation. As circumstances were, the former was pastor of the church,
while the society had -no -minister, and accordingly invited Mr. Phillips to
Bupply their pulpit. A State of things admirably illustrating " confusion
worse confounded."

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 93
with the church, was passed. A copy of this resolution will
appear in a subsequent letter of Mr. Phillips, in October, the
date of its communication to the united church.
Subsequent to the passage of this resolution no farther mea
sures were taken to obviate existing troubles until October
5th, when a meeting of the church was held, and a committee
appointed " to wait on the. Rev. Mr. Phillips and consult
with him in relation to existing difficulties, and also request
him to call a meeting of the church, to see if some measures
cannot be adopted that will effect a reconciliation, and restore
peace and harmony." At the same time the deacon of the
church was empowered to call a meeting, " provided Mr.
Phillips should refuse." With the request of this committee
Mr. Phillips declined complying. They were, however, given
to understand, " that the difficulties in the church arose from
a dissatisfaction, on the part of those who had withdrawn,
with a portion of the members lately embodied with them by
the letter of the council's committee." This is the cause
which the " Appeal" alleges as the occasion of the with
drawal. That it was not the only one, the following letter of
Mr. Phillips, to the chairman of the committee, will show.
It would seem from this that " the difficulty to begin with,"
and the main one, was in his original church, and not a dis
satisfaction with the newly added members. Princeton, October 10, 1835.
My dear Sir, — In reflecting on our long conversation yesterday, one or
two things have occurred, which I think it important to mention. Mr. Tem
ple you recollect, doubtless, asked whether a want of knowledge of their
views and feelings &c. was the only difficulty ? The answer I gave him was,
perhaps, sufficient, as it respects the persons whom it has been proposed
should be united with our church* But there is another difficulty which I
regard it as highly important, that you and those of our church who have
insisted so much on the union being carried into effect on the plan now be
fore us, should distinctly understand. It is this : many of the best members
of the church have said to me, again and again, that they should feel more
difficulty in sitting at the communion with certain members of our own

* " The persons whom it has been proposed should be united with our
church," were the persons whom the letter of the " council's committee"
says, " are hereby embodied in one church" with " our church." Mr. Phillips
accordingly very properly recognises them as such, in the following passage
from the " Appeal." " The church in this place, at the time I became able to
resume my labors, were divided into two parties and held their worship in two
houses." Page 23. And yet Mr. Phillips contends against a measure propos
ed by the church, (Appeal, page 12,) because " the persons recommended
must all be admitted to be members of the church." Thus the relation of
the "forty-six," seems to have depended entirely on the manner it affected
Mr. Phillips's argument.

94 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
church* — with some two or three of the leaders in our difficulties, they
mean, than with the persons recommended in the letter. That they never
will commune with the members in question, until some satisfaction is made,
I am quite sure. Is not this then the difficulty to begin with ? Instead of
all coming together as is so often urged, is there not an important work to
be done in our own church first ? To my own mind no point is clearer than
this ; and 1 beg you, deacon, to think of it seriously and prayerfully; think
of what has been said and done!
One more thing it may be important to suggest : many, I find since my
return from my last journey, begin lo feel, that there cannot be a union at
present, so much has been said and done to destroy confidence and produce
disaffection. And these feelings have become so deep and strong, that the
business of union-making must be given up until some future day, and bet
ter and more favorable state of things shall arise. Do meditate and pray
upon these things, and speak the mind of prayer and love to others.
Tours, A. PHILLIPS.
Mr. Phillips declining to notify a meeting of the church,
one was held on the 15th of October, at the call of the dea
con, agreeably to the vote of the 5th ult. Due notice of this
meeting was given to the disaffected members. The follow
ing letter from Mr. Phillips, communicating what was un
doubtedly intended to be the above mentioned resolution of
a portion of the church, passed in July, was received : —
To the persons recommended by the committee designated by the council
and others worshiping with them :
In reply to the proposal for a meeting of " the whole," the members of
the church, at the evangelical society's house, concluded that as they had
seen no cause to change their views since their meeting in July, to direct
the committee then appointed for the purpose, to transmit to you the resolu
tion then passed, and which was not communicated at the time, for the rea
son I recently stated to Capt. Dana and others at my house. The commit
tee above named have requested me to make out and send you a copy of the
resolution in their behalf. As I have not the resolution in my possession,
and as it is several weeks since it was passed, I shall not be able to give you
its exact language ; in substance, however, it was as follows : —
Resolved, that in order to a more harmonious and satisfactory union, this
church wish for some suitable opportunity to obtain a knowledge of the re
ligious experience and doctrinal views of the persons who wish to become
united with them.
* " The standing, as to good name, of some of the persons recommended,
and the character of several as to piety, is such as evinces that the committee,
being sensible men, could not have examined them." Appeal, page 8. Tet
Mr. Phillips and "the best members" of his church would feel less "diffi
culty in sitting at the communion" with these " than certain members of his
own church." This would seem to evince Mr. Phillips less scrupulous of
the purity of "his ovm church," at some time, since members were there
worse than those whose " standing as to good name" was bad, than he ap
pears to be in his " Appeal." Certainly the " Appeal" and this letter, taken
in connexion, are not very complimentary to " some two or three leaders in
our difficulties," who, the reader should be informed, were no other than
the friends of union, whose efforts have now been seconded, and whose
measures adopted by the great majority of their brethren, who have thus all,
I suppose, in Mr. Phillips's view, become less fit for the communion, than
those who have no " standing as to good name."

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 95
This resolution was moved by Mr. Ephraim Beaman, and seconded by Mr.
Thompson. Yours, &c. A. PHILLIPS.
Princeton, Oct. 12, 1835.
Capt. Dana will please to communicate the above.
The original resolution, the substance of which is intended
to be embodied in the above, I find to be as follows : — " Re
solved, that the members of this church present wish for a
knowledge of your views and feelings, of the reason of your
hope, and of your doctrinal belief, that this church may have
Christian fellowship with you, in any way which you shall
choose to make it known to us."
Upon this resolution the church acted, and it was " Voted,
unanimously, by the members present, lately embodied in Mr.
Phillips's church, that they are ready to comply with the wish
expressed in said resolution." At the same time a committee
was appointed to converse with the absent members, and
make known the proceedings of the meeting to the disaffected
minority. This they did in the annexed communication : —
To the committee and members of the church that worship at the Rev. Mr.
Phillips's meeting-house.
Christian Brethren, — At a meeting of the members of the church that
worship at the late Rev. Mr. Cowles's meeting-house, held on the 15th Oc
tober, a communication was received from the Rev. Mr. Phillips, transmit
ting, at the request of a committee appointed for the purpose, a resolution
intended and represented to be the same " in substance" with the one which
was passed at a meeting held at the Rev. Mr. Phillips's meeting-house, in
July last. The original vote or resolution, alluded to in the Rev. Mr. Phil
lips's communication, was then presented and acted upon with the one
transmitted by him. The undersigned were appointed a committee to ascer
tain the views and feelings of all the members who were recommended and
embodied with the church by the committee of the council, and to transmit
the same to you. The committee, having attended to the duty assigned
them, feel authorised to communicate as follows : —
That we are all willing, in any right and Christian manner, to comply
with the wish expressed in the resolution ; that we ever have been, and are
now ready to give a reason of the hope that is in us, as we humbly trust,
with meekness and fear ; and that it is, Christian brethren, our sincere de
sire, and prayer to God, that all our hearts may be united in the love and
fellowship of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The committee would therefore request, if it meets your approbation, that
you would appoint a committee to meet us, that we may mutually agree up
on the way and manner, in which the information you desire, relative to our
religious experience and doctrinal views, shall be given.
Yours, with Christian affection, CALEB DANA, )
MOSES BULLARD, [r~..~4**..
JOSHUA EVELETH, > committee..
CHARLES B. TEMPLE, J
Princeton, October 22, 1835.
N. B. Should a committee be appointed, they will please to give us no
tice when they will meet us.

96 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
Agreeably to this proposition, committees of conference
were appointed, and a meeting had, which resulted in the fol
lowing proposal from the newly added members of the church,
a surprising proposal to come from men, of whom Mr. Phillips
says, "the standing of some, as to good name," and "the
character of several, as to piety," was questionable. They
had already submitted to one examination, and thereby " be
come embodied" in the church. Yet they were so far ready
to renounce the privilege thus obtained, as to make their mem
bership dependent upon a second examination before a com
mittee of the " original church." Are persons whose "stand
ing, as to good name" and piety, is impeachable, generally
thus fearless of investigation ? But I proceed to the commu
nication : —
To Dea. Israel Howe and others of the Committee :
Christian Brethren — In compliance with your request we herewith trans
mit to you the propositions which were made and offered for your consid
eration and acceptance, at a meeting of .the committees, held at the town-
house, November 3, 1835. We then stated that we were willing to comply
with the wish contained in the resolution, passed in July last, in the way
and manner expressed in the following propositions : —
We propose that the deacons of the church call a meeting of the whole
church, including the members who were recommended and embodied with
the church, by the committee appointed by the mutual council ; that a pas
tor, from some one of the neighboring churches, be agreed upon by the
brethren, and be invited to be present, to preside at said meeting ; and that
the said pastor, together with the deacons of the church, have the libeity to
ask such questions relative to our doctrinal views and Christian experience,
as they in their wisdom deem expedient. And should there be any among
the members, who have been recommended and embodied with the church,
who choose to be conversed with in private, we propose that the privilege
should, in such cases, be granted.
We further propose, if, after Christian measures shall have been taken,
there should be any of the members who do not give satisfactory evidence
of their piety, that their cases be proposed to the church, by the deacons,
for the action of the church thereon, and if the church consider such mem
ber or members as unsuitable to commune with the church, that such be
notified thereof, and be requested to wait until satisfactory evidence can be
obtained by the church. CHARLES RUSSELL, 1
CALEB DANA, I „
MOSES BULLARD, ^ J?f"J?i \
JOSHUA EVELETH, | *» me ^'mTCh"
CHARLES B. TEMPLE, J
This proposition did not satisfy the disaffected ; whether
simply because the new members had chosen to make it, or
because of inherent defects in it, the reader, with the aid of
the annexed communications on the subject, can judge for

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 97
himself. The following, (addressed to " the persons recom
mended by the council's committee," but whom the reader
will recollect the " council's committee" " embodied in one
church" with them,) is the reply and desired amendment to
the proposals,*
To the persons recommended by the council's committee to the church of
which Mr. Phillips is pastor :
The committee appointed by us to confer with your committee, on the
way and manner of your giving the church opportunity to obtain a knowl
edge of your religious experience and doctrinal views, or, in other words, of
the reason of your hope, report, what you proposed in substance, the follow
ing : that you would give an account of your views and feelings in religion,
to deacons Stratton and Howe, and one minister ; that these three should de
cide whether there are any cases that are not satisfactory ; if any, how many,
and whose — and that these stand apart from the church.
Now we would not be strenuous as to the way and manner, but, we must
confess, there appears to us to be something wrong in your plan. In the
first place, it seems invidious to select two of our standing committee, and
refuse the others opportunity to have any part in the matter. Why should
they have no part in such a vitally important matter ? One of the two whom
you select, moreover, has prejudged in the case. In the second plaee, it
seems wrong to throw the whole responsibility of so important a duty upon
only two members ; one of them states that he feels unwilling to take it
upon him.
Allow us to propose, then, as an amendment to your plan, the following :
That the persons recommended by the council's committee give the reason
of their hope, in the hearing of as many members of the church as may
wish to be present, to all the members of our standing committee, (except
Mr. Phillips, who feels unwilling to be present,) each member of the com
mittee having liberty to ask such questions as he may deem proper and
important, one minister, (either Mr. Miller or Mr. Nelson, as you may
choose,) and that the minister and committee decide whether there are any,
and, if any, whose evidence is not satisfactory, and that the person or per
sons whose evidence is not satisfactory, according to^your committee's pro
posal, stand ap|jrt from the church.
And as this plan, or some material modification ofit, is the only one that
it seems probable can remove the great obstacle to the union ; and as the
evils which have resulted from past measures, already great and dreadful,
are constantly increasing, we beg you to give it a candid and solemn con
sideration. ' In behalf of the church,
JONAS BROOKS, ) Committee of
ISRAEL HOWE, J Communications.
Upon the proposition of this communication, the annexed
reply is the best comment : —
To the committee and members of the church that worship at the Rev. Mr.
Phillips's meeting-house :
Christian Brethren— Your communication, made by Dea. Israel Howe
and Jonas Brooks, Esq. was laid before the church, at a meeting thereof,

* The reader will keep in mind the original resolution of the church, the
conclusion of which is " in any way which you shall choose to make it
known." 13

98 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
held on the 17th inst. and after due and prayerful consideration, it was
voted, unanimously, that the church could not approve of, and accede to,
the proposed amendment to the propositions lately made to you, at a meet
ing of the committee of conference, held on the 3d inst. and subsequently
transmitted for your acceptance, for the following reasons : —
First, because the plan you propose requires a portion of the church,
(those embodied therein by the council's committee,) to present themselves
for examination before a committee, » majority of whom have repeatedly
refused to acknowledge them as members of said church, or as entitled to
any of the rights and privileges of membership, and this too, as we think,
in violation of high moral obligations, too sacred to be disregarded ; and
because that the said committee have already " prejudged in the case," by
thus denying to said members the rights and privileges to which they are
entitled by the result of an enlightened mutual council, sanctioned by a
vote of the church.
Secondly, because you propose to place in this same committee an uncall
ed for and unwarrantable assumption of power, not delegated to them by
the church — the power of determining the membership of all those recently
embodied therein , thereby depriving the said church of any power or action
in their case.
The undersigned were appointed a committee to transmit to you the
above doings of the church, and in connection with the duty assigned us,
would beg leave to add, that we sincerely regret that you should see fit to
reject the propositions recently made to you, as they were propositions which
we then thought, and still think, as best calculated to give satisfaction to
all the members, and thus secure the harmony and Christian fellowship of
the church; and, also, as fully meeting the wishes expressed in the resolu
tion passed by you in July last. When we submitted these propositions,
we could not have believed, that they would be considered by you as " wrong
and invidious." In view of what has already been done, we do not feel
that we are called upon, either by your resolution, or from a sense of duty,
to appear before the standing committee as candidates for admission to the
church. In our plan, we proposed the deacons of the church, without any
reference to their being members of the standing committee, but with refer
ence to the stations which they hold as officers of the church, and their
competency to discharge the duties assigned them, and, also, as possessing
our entire confidence, and, as we supposed, the unshaken confidence of all
the members of the church.
In closing this communication, you will allow us further to add, that we
feel bound, by the most solemn obligations, to adhere to the result of coun
cil, and having, by that result, and by your act, as well as our own, been
constituted members of the church, we can never consent to any measures,
the tendency of which would annul the doings of the sister churches which
composed that council. And we feel deeply aggrieved at the apparent want
of Christian confidence and love, manifested by you towards us, in refusing
to meet with, and to fellowship us, and in avoiding, in the interchange of
communications, the common Christian salutations. We have, and still do,
heartily desire a general union. May the Great Shepherd of the sheep
strengthen us all to do his will, lead us to see, eye to eye, and in his own
time and way, so unite us that we may be of one heart and of one mind.
With Christian affection, we are yours, in the faith of the gospel,
CHARLES RUSSELL,
CALEB DANA,
MOSES BULLARD, ^ f\TrT"'i
JOSHUA EVELETH, °J tlle CAm™«-
CHARLES B. TEMPLE,.
Princeton, Nov. 21, 1835.

Committee

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 99
As there seemed now no prospect of a reconciliation with
the disaffected members, and as Mr. Phillips refused to per
form the duties of his pastoral relation to the united church,
they determined to take more decisive measures, and, accord
ingly, a meeting was held December 4, 1835, " to see if said
church would take measures to call an ecclesiastical council,
to dissolve, if expedient, the pastoral relations of the Rev.
Mr. Phillips with the church, and also to consider and advise
the church in relation to the unhappy difficulties existing
therein." Notice of this, as of all other church meetings,
was given to the disaffected members. On this occasion, it
drew from them the following reply, as well as the accompa
nying letter from Mr. Phillips, addressed to the deacon of the
church who had given the notice : —
To Deacon Stratton :
In the absence of Dea. Howe, confined at home by ill health, to whom
you addressed a note, requesting him to call a meeting of the church at the
old house, to consider the question of a mutual council, the standing com
mittee having conferred with those who worship with them, are authorized
to say, that we think it inexpedient to call another council at present,
hecause we are deeply persuaded that it can do no good. When we look
at the dreadful consequences which have resulted from the doings of one
council, what encouragement can we have to try another. We would
gladly engage in any measure from which we could see reason to hope that
good might result. But as we can see none to hope for good from another
council, we must decline having a voice in calling one.
Yours, respectfully,
ISRAEL HOWE,
JONAS BROOKS,
JOHN H. BROOKS,
CALEB MIRICK,
EBENEZER PARKER, Jr. J
Princeton, Dec. 2, 1835.
My dear sir — In a note you addressed Dea. Howe, respecting a meeting
to confer on tbe subject of another council, you speak of inviting me to
unite in it, that they may consider my relation to the church, and, if thought
expedient, to dissolve it, &c. It would be soon enough for me to speak,
perhaps, when the church shall have united in making the proposal to me.
But it may serve, perhaps, to relieve the people at the old house, and clear
the way for some course they may have in view, if I so far anticipate the
proposed meeting on Friday, as to authorize you to say to those who may
be present, that they need give themselves no further anxiety respecting
my dismission. I have had my request for it written several weeks, ana
have been waiting for a fit opportunity — shall improve the first, and if one
does not occur quite soon, endeavor to make one — to present it. All 1 shall
wish, as to a council, is, for a small one to ratify our proceedings.
Now that I have had occasion to speak of the subject of a council, I will
add a few words, which you can communicate or not, as you see fit — which
may be regarded by those whom it may concern, as much, or little, as they
shall see fit. As to another mutual council, you probably know my views
already. If such a council were invited, and, having met, and called in,

Committee
of the Church.

100 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
and heard the parties fully, should then send for me, and say, Mr. Phillips,
you have been on the ground through all these difficulties, and know, we
presume, as fully as any one, their real nature ; will you state to us what
you think we can propose that may be satisfactory to both parties ? I
should feel coustrained to say, I must and should say, 1 do not think that
anything that would be satisfactory to both can be proposed, at present.
As to an ex parte council, which I have understood is contemplated, I
hope you will not call one, until you have pondered the subject deeply and
solemnly. Such a council, indeed, from the very circumstance that it is
ex parte — of and for a. party, generally, though not always, does the thing
for which it was called. What such a council (should one be called) might
do here, we do not indeed know. But let such an one come, in the midst
of the present excitement, and if they do any thing satisfactory to the party
which called them, it would, in all probability, be something1 that will keep
a very respectable portion of the church, respectable as to standing, num
bers, and what they are able to do, and have done in years past, for the
support of the ministry, from ever uniting with you in attending on the or
dinances of the church, and settling and supporting a minister. My advice,
then, is, and in all the solemnity that gathers around the. thought of test
advice, I would say it, do not caU an ex parte council yet. The cause is lost
if you do !
A word as to the manner in which the amended proposition, from the
portion of the church at our house, was acted upon. Perhaps I misunder
stand Esquire Russell's letter ;* but if I do not, the course taken is, to me,
astonishing. The letter speaks of the proposition being laid before " the
church;" by which I suppose is meant, all the members at the old house.
But the proposition was not made to the church, but to a certain and definite
class of persons, (in the church, indeed, as you and they would have it.)
Is it possible, then, that those of you, to whom it was not made, and whom
it did not personally concern, could have acted upon it, and more still, been
the first to speak against it? I hope it is not yet to turn out, as has often
been said, that those who have gone from our house are doing more to pre
vent a union than those who were there before ; but this certainly looks
very much like it. The persons concerned appointed a committee to con
fer on the " way and manner of giving a reason of their hope, and all from
their own number; seeming to suppose, and very correctly, as I think, that
it was a matter which concerned them only. To have been conducted in
order, the business should manifestly have been carried through by them
only. The result might, perhaps, have been the same ; I was led to hope,
however, from what 1 heard, and with considerable confidence, that, had
their proposition been written and fully understood, an alteration might
have been suggested, which would have been so far satisfactory to both par
ties, that the difficulties might, perhaps, have been got into a course of set
tlement. Yours, &c. A. PHILLIPS.
As from their communication there was no probability of a
union of the disaffected in the proposed measure, the church
voted to call an ecclesiastical council for the purposes men
tioned in the notice of the meeting, and choose a committee
to select the churches, and issue letters missive. This com-

* " Esquire Russell's letter" was the official communication of the com
mittee, of which he was chairman, on page 97, which the phraseology here
used would hardly indicate.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 101
mittee were also instructed to invite Mr. Phillips to unite in
this council, and also to delay issuing their letters to afford him
an opportunity of consummating the design expressed in his
letter of Dec. 2d. As, however, he refused to unite with the
church, and delayed to ask a dismission agreeably to the de
claration of the above-mentioned letter, another meeting was
held, December 27th, when it was " thought best that the
committee should delay issuing letters missive, one week long
er, that the Rev. Mr. Phillips, or the disaffected brethren,
might have opportunity to make further communications if
they desired it." Accordingly, at a meeting held January
3d, 1836, the' following communication was received by the
church, and the appropriate measures taken, which led to the
annexed reply : —
To the persons recommended by the council's committee :
The portion of the church at Mr. Phillips's house having understood
from you that the amendment we proposed to the proposition, in which you
proposed to give a reason of your hope, is unsatisfactory, — willing still and
desirous to do any thing to affect a reconciliation, that seems to us at all
consistent and right, would inquire further, whether it would be any more
satisfactory to designate yourselves six, to be added to the examining com
mittee; and then, in case this committee having attended to the important
duty entrusted to them, should report some individuals as not giving satis
factory evidence of piety, to have the case of those individuals — they hav
ing stood apart awhile from the church, as you proposed — decided by the
voice of the church, excepting those recommended.
ISRAEL HOWE, }
JONAS BROOKS, I Committee
JOHN H. BROOKS, f of the Church.
EBENEZER PARKER, Jr. J
To the portion of the church worshiping at the Rev. Mr. Phillips's meeting
house :
Christian Brethren — By a communication, lately transmitted by your
committee, we are informed that you are "willing still, and desirous to do
any thing to effect a reconciliation, that seems to us at all consistent and
right." In answer, we can assure you that our own feelings are in perfect
accordance with the sentiment conveyed in the language just quoted. But
in relation to the inquiry you make — viz. " whether it would be any more
satisfactory to designate yourselves six, to be added to the examining com
mittee" — the undersigned would reply, that, so far as they have been able
to ascertain the views of the brethren, it would not be any more satisfac
tory ; because we can see no reason why there should be so large an exam
ining committee, especially when it is remembered that we have already
been once examined, and embodied with the church, by a committee of
reverend gentlemen, appointed by an enlightened council, and approved of,
both by yourselves and us. Nor would it be satisfactory, because your
inquiry is conditioned upon a principle which we believe of dangerous ten
dency, and which, if adopted, would deprive us of the rights and privi
leges of members ; and this too, as we believe, in violation of our Christian
duty and covenant obligations. We would now refer you to our communi-

102 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
cation, addressed to you a few weeks since, as containing what were then,
and are now, our views upon this subject.
We remain yours, with Christian affection,
CALEB DANA, >
MOSES BULLARD, } Committee.
CHARLES B. TEMPLE, )
Princeton, Jan. 5, 1836.
The church now proceeded to carry into execution its vote
of December 4th, 1835, and, in accordance with it, an eccle
siastical council was convened on the 20th of January follow
ing. A notice of this meeting of the council was served upon
Mr. Phillips, and the disaffected members of the church, and
both appeared in their defence before them. Their doings
will be best learned from the accompanying result : —
At an Ecclesiastical Council, convened by letters missive, from the Con
gregational Church in Princeton, under the care of Rev. Mr. Phillips, at
the house of Mr. Ivory Wilder, January 20th, 1836, to consider the expe
diency of dissolving, and if deemed expedient to dissolve, the pastoral rela
tion between the Rev. Mr. Phillips and said church, and also to give such'
advice to the church as they may judge proper,
Were present the following Pastors and Delegates : —
From the Church of Christ in New-Braintree, Rev. John Fiske, Pastor,
Br. Job Ranger, Delegate.
From the Church of Christ in North-Brookfield, Thos. Snell, D. D., P.,
Dea. Jos. A. Moore, Del.
From the Church of Christ in Hubbardston, Rev. Sam'l Gay, P., Dea.
Justin Ellinwood, Del.
From the Church of Christ in Leicester, Rev. John Nelson, P., Br. Sam'l
Watson, Del.
From the Church of Christ in Rutland, Rev. Josiah Clark, P., Br. Calvin'
G. Howe, Del.
From the Church of Christ in Templeton, Rev. Lemuel P Bates, P., Br.
Jona. Cutting, Del.
From the Church of Christ in West-Boy lston, Rev. Elijah Paine, P.,
Dea. Jos. P. Parker, Del.
From the Church of Christ in Holden, Rev. Wm. P. Paine, P., Dea.
Peter Rice, Del.
The council was organized by choosing Rev. Mr. Fiske, Moderator, and
Rev. Mr. Bates, Scribe, and Rev. Mr. Paine of Holden, Assistant-Scribe.
The council was opened with prayer, by the moderator. A communica
tion was then read, from the Rev. Mr. Phillips, directed to the moderator of
the council, protesting against any action by that body, affecting his pastoral
relation, denying their right to exercise any jurisdiction in' the case, and
assigning, as a principal reason, that he is not the pastor of that body of
men, by whose request the council has been convened.
Whereupon the council voted that a committee of two, from their body,
be appointed to wait upon the Rev. Mr. Phillips, and a committee from the
seceding members, and invite them to be present, and hear the statements
that should be made by the committee of the church, and make any com
munications, which might serve to lead the council to a correct result.
The committee of the council attended to the duty assigned them, and
the Rev. Mr. Phillips and his committee were present during the hearing
of the case.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 103
The committee calling themselves the committee of the church, consist
ing of the following gentlemen, viz. Dea. Samuel Stratton, Charles Rus
sell, Lsq., Capt. Caleb Dana, Rufus Davis, and Chas. A. Mirick, presented
various documents and records, which documents and records Mr. Phillips
admitted to be correct, showing that a council had been called in December
17, 1834, to unite the two churches then existing, and that a plan of union
was presented to the two churches, as the result of the council, which re
sult was subsequently accepted by the two churches, in regular church
meetings, duly convened for that purpose, no one dissenting.
Therefore the council are unanimously of opinion, that there is but one
congregational church in Princeton, viz. that which is called the united
church. The committee furthermore showed that Mr. Phillips, by invitation, con
sented to, and did supply the desk, for a length of time, for the united
church and society, and then, at the request of a minority of said church,
refused to officiate for them, and established a separate meeting.
The council having these documents and records laid before them, voted
to choose a committee of three of their body, to confer with the Rev. Mr.
Phillips, and a committee of his friends, to receive or make any propositions
which they might deem proper to make, by which the existing difficulties
might be amicably adjusted.
Whereupon the Rev. Messrs. Fiske, Nelson, and Paine of West-Boyls-
ton, were appointed this committee, who, after a long conference, returned
and reported to the council that no propositions were made to them, and
those which they made were not acceded to.
The council then, at the request of Mr. Phillips, the organ of his com
mittee, attended to statements" made by him, in relation to the documents
laid before the council by the committee of the church, and also the reasons
which led the minority of the church to secede, all which, the council were
of the opinion, did not in the least invalidate, but rather corroborated the
the documents of the committee of the church.
And the council, from a sense duty, cannot refrain from stating that the
numerous papers presented by the committee; evince a peculiarly Christian
spirit, on the part of the church, amid all their protracted and severe trials,
and most clearly show that all has been done on their part which the gospel
requires, or that any body of men have a right to demand.
In view then of all the facts of the case, which the council have patiently
and prayerfully considered, however unpleasant and painful it may be to
the council themselves, or to the parties concerned, they are most clearly
guided to the following result, viz : —
That whereas, the Rev. Alonzo Phillips, pastor and minister of the con
gregational church and society* in Princeton, has refused and neglected to
administer the ordinances to said church and society fbr a long time, and
whereas, the said Mr. Phillips has refused to unite, in calling a mutual ec
clesiastical council to dissolve said relation, when requested to do so, there
by depriving said church of the privilege of enjoying a stated ministry, and
hindering the prosperity and wounding the cause of Zion,
Voted, That the pastoral relation subsisting between the Rev. Mr. Phillips
and the congregational church in this place, ought to be, and hereby is,
dissolved. The council, in coming to this result, are aware of the solemn responsi
bility under which they act, and however plain the case may be which has
* This was ah oversight, very probably a mere slip of the pen, on the part
of the council. Mr. Phillips could not, in any sense, as he contends in his
"Appeal," and as we have before stated, be regarded as minister of the Unit
ed Society. The mistake is of no consequence, however, as the council
dismiss him from the church only.

104 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
led them thus to decide, nothing but a pure sense of duty to the church and
to the interests of Christ's kingdom, which are paramount to every other,
would have led them to dismiss the pastor of this church, for whose comfort
and usefulness they cherish the highest regard.
The council therefore cannot but hope that the Rev. Mr. Phillips will
feel it to be his duty quietly to cease from his labors in this place.
It now remains that we express our sympathy for the united church, and
urge upon them the practice of every Christian virtue.
Dear Brethren, you are now left as sheep without a shepherd. From
what we have already witnessed of your Christian courtesy, and Christian
spirit, we entertain a confident belief that you are in a good degree govern
ed, in your wishes and conduct, by a sincere desire to promote peace and
the cause of Christ in this .place. We urge you, with great earnestness, to
show, by your future course of conduct, public and private, that your high
est aim is the good of mankind, and the glory of God. Strive not so much
for victory, as for harmony and piety. The alienation of feeling, even
among some of the professed disciples of Christ in this place, has, we fear,
become serious. Reconciliation can be effected only by an enlarged spirit
of forgiveness and love.
Dearly Beloved, "Avenge not yourselves." " Be not overcome with evil,
but overcome evil with good."
It is the earnest advice of the council, that you, with all practicable dis
patch, provide yourselves with a pastor, who shall be a man after God's
own heart. And in this, especially, strive for union, in feeling.and action.
As we recognise but one congregational church in this place, and that as
now worshiping in what is called the old meeting-house, we urge, as a
Christian duty, and as required by church order, that the portion of this
church who now worship in the new house, or in any other place, should
return to their brethren, acknowledge them as such, and unite with them,
harmoniously and cordially, in maintaining the institutions of the gospel,
for the edification of the church, and for the enlargement of the Redeem
er's kingdom. And we cannot but cherish so high a sense of their Christian
spirit and magnanimity, as to be confident that they will conform to our
advice. And may the Great Shepherd of the sheep collect together the
scattered flock, and then himself guard the fold against the entrance of any
thing which can destroy or hurt.
And, finally, may you and we meet together, where there shall be no
more divisions nor animosities, but where shall exist harmony of judgement,
conscience, and feeling, all being perfectly conformed to the will of God.
This result was unanimously adopted, (that is, all voting.)
JOHN FISKE, Moderator.
LEMUEL P. BATES, Scribe.
WILLIAM P. PAINE, Assistant Scribe.
The above is a true copy from the original records.
LEMUEL P. BATES, Scribe of Council.
After the announcement of this result, sanctioning all then-
past proceedings, the united church and society continued to
employ preaching at the " old house." In the mean time a
most extraordinary proceeding had taken place among the
disaffected and alienated members. This was no less than an
assumption, that they were the church, and a procedure forth
with to set aside the doings of the church proper, and to dis
miss Mr. Phillips. On what grounds they assumed to be the
church it is difficult to perceive. The two original churches

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 105
had been united by the result of the first council, and the sub
sequent action of their committee and the churches. They
had worshiped together as one church for five sabbaths, when
a small minority, with the pastor, seceded. They could not,
therefore, claim to be, what the " Appeal" denominates one
of the original churches, " a court's church ;" while, to quote
the language of Mr. Phillips, " according to the Groton result,
and opinion of nearly the entire orthodox community," they
were evidently " no church at all." Inasmuch as they were
a minority of, and had seceded from, the united church, they
were neither legally nor ecclesiastically a church. This they
have themselves since acknowledged, by asking a dismission
of the united church for the purpose of organizing a new
church. Yet of this body Mr. Phillips, between the date of
the calling and the meeting of the council, of January 20th,
and unknown to the church of which he was pastor, had
asked a dismission, which his records say, " with much appa
rent reluctance and grief," was granted. The following is
his letter : —
To file Church of Christ :
Dear Brethren, — When I answered, more than fifteen years ago, your
unanimous call to settle with you in " the work of the gospel ministry," I
expressed, as some of you doubtless recollect, a willingness and a determina
tion, to cast in my lot with yours, then in no very encouraging circumstan
ces ; to live or die with you. The whole history of my ministry shows, that
I have never swerved from this purpose. The history of this church, too,
shows that my ministry, its many faults notwithstanding, has been quite as
successful as that of most other men's, under similar circumstances. The
course, however, which has been pursued by some of the members of the
church for the last six months, the particulars of which, as they are well
known to you all, I need not state in this communication, have thrown ob
stacles in the way of my success in future, and inflicted a wound on my
feelings, which must, doubtless, justify me in your view, in requesting you,
as I now do, to allow me to leave you ; to unite with me in the usual meas
ures for dissolving our connexion. And may the God of peace and love be
with you forever. A. PHILLIPS.
Princeton, January 12, 1836.
Shortly after the sitting of the council called by the church,
another, consisting, I believe, of three clergymen, was con
vened at the request of Mr. Phillips and his friends, at his
house, who, without notice to the church, proceeded to con
summate the vote of the seceders. Which of these dismis
sions. — that by the council called by the united church, of
whose meeting due notice was given to all parties, before
whom Mr. Phillips appeared in defence, and who dismissed
him from the united church — or that by the council at his
14

106 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
house — called by a small minority of this church, who had
seceded, and who have since asked a dismission from it, for
the purpose of organization — a council, who, without notice,
and unknown to any but himself and friends, dismissed him
from his relation to the disaffected members of a church —
which of these dismissions, I say, would be sanctioned by
ecclesiastical usage, the reader must decide.
Shortly after this proceeding, the disaffected minority em
ployed the Rev. Elijah Demond of Holliston, to preach to
them at Mr. Phillips's " former place of labor." In the mean
time, the united church and society determined to leave no
effort untried for the consummation of a general union, voted
to " suspend public worship at their house," and attend on
the ministrations of Mr. Demond. Soon after, their willing
ness to " sit under his ministry," in case they would unite
with them in inviting him to "settle over the united . church
and society," was unofficially made known to his employers.
The minority had, however, previously to this, invited him to
become their minister. This invitation Mr. Demond negativ
ed. Yet without impairing the belief that he would settle with
them in the event of their return to the united church, and of
a concurrence of that church in their invitation. Under this
expectation a portion of the disaffected returned " to their al
legiance,"- and, on the 5th of December, 1836, the united
church " voted unanimously to give the Rev. Elijah Demond
a call to settle over said church in the work of the gospel
ministry." The society having concurred in this invitation,
and an affirmative answer having been given by Mr. Demond,
he was installed October 26th, 1836. The sermon on this
occasion was preached by the Rev. Jacob Ide of West-Med-
way. The remainder of the alienated members, who still re
fuse to commune with the church, have recently asked a dis
mission from it, for the purpose of organizing another. What
action will result from this, is yet to be developed.
I have now finished the narration of this controversy, as
ungrateful to me as it may be tedious to the reader. I have
collected it from documents — I should rather say, I have fur
nished the reader the documents themselves, from which he
may perhaps learn the strength of human depravity, even when
under the influence of religion ; yet, as he goes quietly and
wearily through them, he will be far from realizing, unless
familiar with the scene of action, the convulsions which our

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 107
little community have undergone in going the same course. I
now dismiss the protracted subject with as heartfelt gratifica
tion, and as perfect weariness, as it is not improbable he may.
A single other division, told in few words, and the " ecclesias
tical history" closes. This was the secession of about thirty
individuals, a portion of them with families, from the congre
gational society, at the date of Mr. Cowles's settlement, and
who were at the time organized as a Universalist society.
They have as yet no settled preacher, or house of worship.
Their meetings are at present held at the " town-house," where
preaching is had about one third of the time.
A new house of worship is now erecting by subscription for
tbe use of the united society. It is a chaste and neat edifice,
beautifully situated near the centre of the town, with bell and
spire, and contains sixty-eight ground, and sixteen gallery pews.
The probable cost is estimated at between six and seven
thousand dollars.

CHAPTER VIII.
Political History. Revolutionary Services. Resolutions in 1773. Instructions to
Representatives, 1774. Bounty to Soldiers. Imperfect Report of a Committee
on Revolutionary Services. Declaration of Rights. Subsequent Political His
tory. As we turn with something of disgust from the ecclesiastical,
a brighter page opens to us in the political, history of our town,
yet marked by the same unyielding firmness characterising the
people, and which, according to its enlistment on the side of
right or wrong, becomes the most impregnable bulwark, or the
most insuperable obstacle of truth. Developed in their reli
gious difficulties, it is the most uncompromising obstinacy,
shutting up alike from all access the understanding and the
feelings. Displayed in their political action, it rises into the
most elevated and devoted patriotism, now bursting out in all
its splendor and sublimity on the battle-field, and now kindling
into the simple beauty of heartfelt agonizing supplication at
the family altar. Brighter histories of patriotism than the re
cords of our towns exist nowhere. Nobler evidences of a de
votion to their country that knew no reserve, history does not

108 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
furnish. The efforts of the humbler portion of the New-Eng
land population, in the cause of the revolution, have never
been fully known and appreciated. We have dwelt upon the
exploits of the more conspicuous personages in that contest
until they have become degradingly familiar, while the un
numbered many have been forgotten. If the offerings of the
rich and noble were generous and free, those of the poorer and
less distinguished were equally so. For like the poor widow's
gift, it was an offering of all they had. The flame of patriot
ism burnt as bright in the heart of the poor housewife, who
could contribute nothing, save a pair of stockings, or a solitary
shirt to a ragged soldier, as in that of the wealthy noble, who
opened wide his well-furnished storehouse. If the merchant,
with commendable generosity poured out his thousands freely
as water, the farmer brought to the cause the richer, nobler
offering of himself and his offspring. While property was fur
nishing its ample provisions, and talent kindling an enthusi
asm which shook the very throne of monarchy, both found a
response, true and hearty, in the humble but invincible yeo
manry. These it was who reared through the land the altars
of patriotism, and amid the agonizing struggle of parental affec
tion and conscious duty, were ready, like the patriarch of old,
at the command of God, to sacrifice thereon their own sons.
These things our records tell, and yet tell but half. We see not
the mother's irrepressible tears, as her only son leaves his
plough in the furrow, or his sickle in the field, to hurry away
from the quiet serenity and the holy influences of home, to the
dangers of battle, and the worse contagions of a camp. We
see not the farmer as he throws wide open his granaries and
his doors to the famished family thus deprived of support. We
see not the circle of blooming maidens gathered at the farmer's
fireside to stamp their impress upon the soldier's, perhaps the
lover's homely clothing. We hear not the pure, agonizing
prayer for his country's cause, that ascends from the altar of
humble family worship. Yet all these things, and a thousand
others, have been, seen only by Him " who seeth in secret," and
who has rewarded them openly in the freedom and prosperity
of a happy and growing country.
Their records show the people of Princeton not behind
their neighbors in just conceptions of the benefits and desira
bility of the contest, or in their efforts for its maintenance.
They, like their brethren, foresaw the impending storm in the

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 109
horizon, long before it gathered in the blackening cloud that
burst upon Lexington and Concord, and were consequently
prepared for its reception. As early as January 18th, 1773,
more than two years -prior to the battle of Lexington, the fol
lowing resolutions were passed unanimously by the town : —
Resolved, 1. That the connection between the mother country and these
colonies is of great consequence to both, if mutually kept up ; but when
digressions are made from established compacts, that connection begins to
lessen, and of course, creates an alienation, the effects of which must be
attended with bad consequences. For the resolute man, in a just cause,
while in a state of freedom, never will consent to any abridgements or de
privations of his just rights, and disdains threats or any measures of com
pulsion to submission thereto — not like the dog', the more he is beaten the
more he fawns — but, on the contrary, with a noble mind, defends to the
last, and every stripe stimulates his efforts and endeavors, in defence of his
own or his country's cause.
2. That this town, as a part of this province, whensoever their rights,
liberties, and properties, are infringed upon, by what authority soever, that
they, in honor to their forefathers, by whose solitude and industry, under
God, they for many years have enjoyed the fruits of their labors — for the
regard they bear to posterity — as friends to their country, have good right
to complain, and manifest their uneasiness at such proceedings.
3. That the repeated attempts to make the people of this province sub
ject to unjust taxation, and absolute dependency upon the crown, together,
appear subversive, of, and inconsistent with, the constitution of a free people.
4. That such measures are unconstitutional, and demand the attention of
all well disposed people, and a mutual connection and joint adherence in
proper means for redress, that thereby the rights and liberties, civil and re
ligious, which have been transmitted to us from our illustrious ancestors,
might be kept inviolate by us their posterity.
5. That they shall be always ready to concur in all just and proper means
that this province and the neighboring colonies may come into for the com
mon good, and in conjunction with the friends of liberty, shall bear testi
mony to all invasions upon our rights and liberties.
6. That this report (these resolutions) be put upon the town record, that
posterity may know, they had a sense of their invaluable rights and liberties,
and were not willing to part with them, but by their own consent, and that
they are determined to vindicate and support them as times and occasions
may call for.
These resolutions evince both a foresight of consequences
and determinateness of action on the part of the town. The
spirit in which they originated pervaded and animated the
people throughout the contest. In the fall of 1774, on the
removal of the General Court to Salem, Moses Gill was cho
sen representative, with instructions " absolutely to refuse to
be sworn to represent said town by any unconstitutional offi
cer ;" and, " in case the General Court were prevented sitting
constitutionally" to repair to Concord, and join the Provincial
Congress. In January, 1775, a contribution of money and
provisions was raised for the towns of Boston and Charlestown.

110 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
And in the March following, it was voted " the standing com
pany* train once a week." A minute company were also
organized at this time, consisting of thirty-six men, and a vote
passed to procure them the necessary accoutrements, and sev
enty-two dollars in money. In May of the same year, a vote
was passed " to receive twenty-four of the poor of Boston."
At the actual opening of the war at Lexington, volunteers were
numerous. Of the revolutionary enthusiasm which pervaded
the town at this time, the proceedings with Mr. Fuller, narrat
ed under another head, are ample proof.f All these things
evince feelings deep settled and comprehensive, and a deter
mination that knew no submission, or shrunk at no sacrifice.
Subsequent to this date, the same feeling was manifested
throughout the contest. In no case were the requisitions of
the state or Congress neglected. The contributions of clothing
and provision were large, burdensome, and of all descriptions,
from a solitary pair of shoes or stockings up to the exactments
of the public authorities, which drew hundreds from an ex
hausted treasury. Frequent mention is made in the records,
of committees chosen to borrow money to defray such ex
penses, or to find securities for the sums voted to soldiers, as
an encouragement to enlist. Even the cattle of the farm
yard were not unfrequently pledged as security, or offered in
payment to the soldier, sometimes, indeed, to avoid the losses
of a depreciated and depreciating currency, but oftener, be
cause the town, in its exhausted state, could supply nothing for
his payment. The following is one among many votes on
this subject : — " Voted, that each soldier that shall enlist in
* The officers of this company chosen at this time, were Ebenezer Jones,
Captain, Joseph Sargent, Lieutenant, and Samuel Hastings, Ensign.
t Another occurrence of this date, may illustrate this still farther. Among
the inhabitants at this time was  Bowen, living on the farm now oc
cupied by the Messrs. Everelts, a Captain in the British army, who had
obtained leave, at the close of the French war, to remain in this country on
half pay. At the opening of the war he was summoned and returned to his
duty in the army. Soon after he, however, returned to visit his family.
This was noised about the town, and a company of thirty or forty formed, to
bring him to the summary punishment of those days, which, destroying the
ancient philosopher's characteristic of man, metamorphosed him to a " two
legged animal" with feathers. He however escaped the tar-kettle, upon
" marching between two files of men with his hat off, and professing a good
will to the country." This satisfied the patriots. A mob was however or-
fanized from their number, who, with the usual rapacity of such assem-
lages, proceeded forthwith to make the most of the occasion, and to enrich
themselves by plundering his property — a proceeding as shameless as un
christian and despicable.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. Ill
the continental service for three years, or during the war, re
ceive one hundred hard dollars, in the following manner, viz :
twenty hard dollars, and twenty more in paper, at the ex
change, viz. seventy-five for one, to be paid before he march
es ; thirty dollars to be paid in six months after marching ;
and thirty more in one year after marching ; to be delivered
to the soldier in camp, if required. And, at the end of three
years, each soldier shall receive twelve three-year old cattle,
of a middling size, or current money equivalent to purchase
said cattle. And each soldier shall receive the aforesaid en
couragement only in proportion to the time he shall be in the
service." Numerous votes similar to this — now empowering commit
tees " to borrow as much money as was necessary," and " to
give securities in behalf of the town," now offering bounties to
the soldiers, and now providing clothes and provisions for their
destitute families or°a famished army — are scattered through the
records, from 1775 to 1783, a collection of which is unneces
sary, since they all but tell the same tale of devoted patriot
ism, at the stern summons of liberty, alike regardless of prop
erty, life, and the severance of the dearest ties of humanity.
The two following documents will close the history of the
revolutionary services of the town.
One of these is an imperfect account of the number of men
furnished at the expense of the town. This account contains
many blanks with dates, which the committee probably had
not, at the time, the requisite information to fill, and subse
quently neglected it entirely. The document, which may be
interesting to some of my readers, is transcribed precisely as
found among a mass of unfiled papers in the town clerk's
office. Of the number of volunteers no record can be found.
The other is a declaration or oath of allegiance, which I find
appended to the second volume of the records, without date.
It was probably drawn sometime subsequent to the Declaration
of Independence : —
Agreeable to a resolve of the general assembly, of the 11th of July, 1783.
The following is the- account of the encouragement given to the men which
marched agreeable to the resolves of said court : — I. s. d.
Dec. 1, 1775, 10 men marched to reinforce continental army, 80 00 0
Jan. 20, 1776, 14 " " " " " " 23 02 0
Jan 24 1776, 21 " " to New-York and Canada, 192 06 5
Aug. ' 4 " to Boston, 6 00 0

112 HISTORY OF PRINCETON. I. s. d.
Sept. 10, 1776, 16 men marched to Fort, 64 00 0
Nov. 20, 1776, 16 " « to reinforce the army at New-
York, 2560 00 0
Apr. 12, 1777, 7 " " to reinforce Gen. Spencer at
Rhode-Island, 50 00 0
July 16, 1777, 1 " " to guard stores at Brookfield, 2 00 0
Aug. 9, 1777, 14 " " northward, served three weeks
under Gen. Lincoln, 84 00 0
Aug. 15, 1777, 11 " " northward under Gen. Warren, 165 00 0
40 " " in consequence of orders from
Gen. Stark, 160 00 0
Sept. 16, 1777, " " on expedition to R. I. 30 days,
Sept. 22, 1777, 20 " " northward under Gen. Bailey, 120 00 0
Dec. 22, 1777, " " to Rhode-Island
Feb. 7, 1778, 6 " « served under Gen. Heath, 720 00 0
Apr. 18, 1778, 5 " " 595 00 0
June 12, 1778, " " for defence of Rhode-Island,
June 16, 1778, " " " " " "
June 23, 1778, 2 " " as Guards, 16 00 0
July 24, 1778, 4 " " to Rhode-Island, 200 40 0
July 27, 1778, 7 " " to " 210 00 0
Aug. 18, 1778, 3 " " to " ' 90 00 0
Sept. 6, 1778, 4 " " to aid Gen. Sullivan at R. I. 240 00 0
Sept. 17, 1778, 4 " " to guard Gen. Heath in and at
Boston, 200 00 0
Jan. 1, 1779,
Jan. 26, 1779,
Mch 18, 1779,
Apr. 14, 1779,
Apr. 15,
Apr. 27,
June 8, 3 " " to Rhode-Island, 90 00 0
June 18,
June 25,
Sept. 17,
Oct. 9, 9 " " to Claverick, and guards to Rut
land, 450 00 0
ye Continental Army, Clav
erick, 13 10 0

Mch 15, 1680,
June 22, 12 " " to ye Continental Army, Clav

June 23, 2 " "
Nov. 29, 1780,
Feb. 28, 1781, 2 privates went to Rutland, 84 00 0
Aug. 1

1 do truly and sincerely acknowledge, profess, testify, and declare, that
the commonwealth of Massachusetts is, and of right ought to be, a free,
sovereign, and independent state. And I do swear that I will bear true
faith and allegiance to the said commonwealth, and that I will defend the
same against all traitorous' conspiracies and hostile attempts whatsoever —
and that I do renounce and abjure all allegiance, subjection, and obedience
to the king or government of Great-Britain, and every other foreign power
whatsoever. And that no foreign prince, person, prelate, state, or potentate,
hath or ought to have any jurisdiction, superiority, pre-eminence, authority,
dispensing, or other power, in any matter, civil, ecclesiastical, or spiritual,
within this commonwealth — except the authority and power which is or
may be vested by their constituents in the Congress of the United States :

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 113
And I do further testify and declare, that no man or body of men hath or
can have any right to absolve or discharge me from the obligation of this
oath, declaration, or affirmation — and that I do make this acknowledgement,
Srofession, testimony, declaration, denial, renunciation, and abjuration,
eartily and truly, according to the common meaning and acceptation of
of the. foregoing words, without any equivocation, mental evasion, or secret
reservation whatsoever, so help me God.
Signed. SADEY MASON, SAMUEL WOODS,
BENJAMIN HOLDEN, BOAZ MOORE,
EBENEZER PARKER, WILLIAM THOMPSON,
WILLIAM DODDS, HUMPHREY MOORE,
ENOCH BROOKS, JONAS SMITH.
The political history of the town, subsequent to the revo
lution requires little space. It has followed in the good old
ways of federalism, supporting, with one or two exceptions,
the dominant party of Massachusetts, from that time to this.
During the administration of the federal Congress at the close
of the war, there were few or no general political divisions in
the country. Local questions sometimes organized factions in
states or districts, but no general organization of political parties
took place previous to the proposal to the people of the present
Constitution of the United States. Previous, however, to this,
the famous Shays's rebellion had broken out, and nearly the
whole town of Princeton had partaken largely of the infection.
Companies of soldiery were organized, and a considerable
number of volunteers joined the rebel standard. While some
one or two of the influential " government men were taken
and held in duress a few days." Some one or two of the in
surgents of the town, I believe, were also, at a subsequent pe
riod, captured and imprisoned. With the dispersion of the
rebels, however, by Gen. Lincoln, the town returned to their
senses. The following instructions, given about this time to
Col. Sergeant, a delegate elected to attend a convention held
at Leicester, will exhibit some of the subjects of complaint..
The conclusion, it will be seen, deprecates the creation of a
paper currency : —
As the safety and happiness of a people depend upon the support of gov
ernment and good and wholesome laws are to be enacted by the Legisla
ture for that purpose, — and that no people or body of men can be safe with-
out jt  and that justice ought to be administered in a way least expensive
to the'people,— it is therefore the sense of this town, at this day of public
distress that the number and salaries of public officers ought to be reduced,
and that in our opinion government might be supported at a less expense
than it is at present, and "that the granting monies from time to time to per
sons employed in the public service other than amply to reward them for
their service, is oppressive, and ought not to be done under any pretence
15

114 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
whatever, — that it is the sense of this town, that petitions be sent to His
Excellency the Governor, by the people of this Commonwealth, praying him
to call a General Assembly together as soon as may be, to take under con
sideration the distresses of the good people of this Commonwealth, that
some measures may be taken for their relief, particularly that industry and
manufactures may be encouraged, and superfluities as much as possible, be
avoided. And it is the sense of this town, that the making a paper curren
cy will, instead of granting relief, involve us in confusion, and that it be
recommended to the good people, to cultivate a benevolent temper and dis
position towards their fellow mortals at this day of distress, and those that
are strong, bear the infirmities of the weak.
In 1787, in a copy of instructions given to the Hon. Moses
Gill, the representative for that year, I find the following, among
others, showing the town to have been early in favor of a pro
tective tariff: —
3. That you use your influence, that the Produce and Manufactures of
this Commonwealth, may be more effectually encouraged, by laying duties
on those of foreign countries, and granting premiums on our own, — and
that foreign superfluities may be prohibited, and also the exportation of wool
and flax.
In the adoption of the present state constitution the town
was nearly or quite unanimous in its favor. On the question of
the present national constitution they were more divided, their
vote however being thrown by their delegate, Mr. Fuller, against
it. They also supported, with entire unanimity, Gen. Washing
ton and Mr. Adams's administration, and adhered, uncompro
misingly, to the federalists during the succeeding. In common
with the rest of New-England, their indignation was repeat
edly expressed, at the passage of the embargo of 1807, and
the subsequent measures of the dominant national party.
The following conclusion of a petition, savoring somewhat of
modern nullification, to the Legislature on the subject of the
embargo, embodies the unanimous sentiment of the town at
this time :—-
Apprehending from the past that our feeble voice would be disregarded
in the general government, and reposing confidence in your wisdom and
zeal for the public good— and it is with pleasure we hear the resolves of the
Senate of this state, stating that a suitable remonstrance be prepared, and
immediately forwarded to the Congress of the United States, expressing
their opinion, &c. Such proceedings will receive the sanction and approba
tion of your memorialists, or any other measure your prudence and patriotism
may dictate, for securing to our common country its Constitution, its Liberty
and its Prosperity; and we hereby pledge ourselves to support, with our lives
and property, all such constitutional and prudent measures for the attainment
of these important objects, as your wisdom may approve.
Soon after the declaration of the war of 1812, a committee
of the town was appointed to draw up a remonstrance ao-ainst

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 115
the measure. Of this committee the Rev. Dr. Murdock was
chairman, and reported to the town a well written and elab
orate document, ably setting forth the objections to the war,
and the supposed insufficiency of the causes alleged. Nothing
but its length prevents us from transcribing it. The following
resolutions, unanimously passed at the same time, will furnish
the views of the town on the matter. They do not differ from
the general sentiment of the New-England people at the time.
Resolved, That we feel deeply sensible of our obligations to maintain and
support, with patriotic fidelity, the laws enacted by a government elected
by the people ; but from any communications or disclosures made your gov
ernment, the present crisis does not, in our opinion, sanction an expedient
of such distressing tendency.
Resolved, That we view with just indignation and abhorrence, the meas
ures pursued by our rulers to involve us in an unjust and partial war with
Great-Britain, without any preparations of defence, and of treating with an
alliance that belligerent whose aggressions have been so enormous, and
whose depredations were first committed on our neutral rights.
Resolved, That we view with deep regret and great concern the alarming
situation of our commerce, so essential to our agricultural interest, and so
inseparably connected and reciprocal in their support, that when one suffers
the other must receive an equal injury : and while we are told that these
measures are pursued for the protection of commerce, we are convinced
that no confidence can be indulged towards the majority in Congress, and
that every measure has a direct tendency to subvert our commercial rights.
Resolved, That whenever our country shall be invaded by any foreign
foes whatever, we pledge our lives and property to defend our coast and
government, to the utmost of our power.
From that period to this the town persevered in an almost
unanimous and uninterrupted (except at the election of Gov.
Eustis, in 1823,) adherence to the dominant party of the
State, and are at this moment heart and hand against the
national administration.

CHAPTER IX.
Biographical Notices.

The following biographical sketches, the materials of which
have been kindly furnished me, have been thought not inap
propriate to the place they occupy, both from the fact that
many of the personages are, or have been, familiar to those
for whom I write, and that their history is closely interwoven
with that of the town. From those for which materials have

116 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
been furnished, and all of which I would gladly insert, had I
not already far transgressed the limits originally prescribed, I
have selected the more important, adding few beyond those ot
the ministers of the different societies,, which succeed in the
order of their settlement.
The Rev. Timothy Fuller, the first minister of Princeton,
was born at Middleton, originally part of Salem, in this state,
in 1738. His ancestors emigrated from England to this coun
try in 1628, and their descendants still retain possession of
lands in Middleton, which have continued in unbroken suc
cession in the family from that date to this. He entered, at
the age of nineteen, the University at Cambridge, where he
graduated, with the customary honors, in 1760. He then
commenced his theological studies, and having received the
usual license to preach, appeared as a candidate for settlement
in Princeton in 1765, where he supplied the pulpit at inter
vals for two years, the district being at that time probably
unable to support a settled clergyman. In March, 1767, he
received from the church and town a nearly unanimous in
vitation to become their minister, and having accepted it, was
ordained on the 9th of September following. In 1770 he
married Sarah Williams, the daughter of the Rev. Abraham
Williams ,the minister of Sandwich, in this state.
Of Mr. Fuller's ministry at Princeton we have already spo
ken in another place. It seems to have been quite as suc
cessful as that of most ministers of that date, until 1774, when,
from causes already made known, the harmony between him
and his people was interrupted. How good grounds there
were for this, I have attempted as far as possible to ascertain.
It is not improbable, that in the revolutionary enthusiasm
which pervaded his people in common with those of the whole
country, and in the ardor of action which burned around him,
Mr. Fuller's coolness and deliberation alone may have been
construed into disaffection to the righteous cause of his coun
try. This was at once sufficient to conjure up all the sins of
omission and commission, which, in the fastidious judgement
of some of their parishioners, in a long course of years few
ministers are exempt from, and which, in ordinary circum
stances pass unheeded by, and to transform them, in the phrensy
of the moment, to grievances of the deepest die. In the ex
citement of the time Mr. Fuller's opponents, some of them, per
haps, instigated by feelings of private malice, were incapable

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 117
of doing him justice. Their action, as detailed in the previous
pages, was such as no judicious man could approve. The
excited revolutionary feeling every where prevalent is its best
apology.* One of the earliest causes of dissatisfaction to his people,
arose from a sermon, preached at the request of his parish, to the
" minute men," enlisted for the defence of the commonwealth.
Mr. Fuller on that occasion, took for his text, — "Let not him
that girdeth on the harness boast himself as he that putteth
it off." The sermon was one of warning and caution, and
the zealous " sons of liberty" construed it to be a designed
discouragement to the revolutionary cause. Mr. Fuller's true
views were expressed in his sermon ; he always declared, dur
ing the latter part of his life, as he did at the time of the
struggle, that he was friendly to the principles of the revolu
tion, and anxiously desired that success should crown the ef
forts of his countrymen ; but he was naturally cautious, and
accustomed to act with great coolness and deliberation, and he
considered the struggle with the mother country as very hazard
ous, if not a hopeless one. He believed that we were not
prepared for it, and that prudence and true wisdom would dic
tate a longer delay.
Owing to these difficulties, Mr. Fuller was dismissed in
1776. He removed, soon after, to Martha's Vineyard, and
preached to the society in Chilmark until the war was ended.
He then removed to Middleton, where, in 1782, he commenc
ed a suit against the town, which, in the following year, was
decided in their favor. After this he returned to Princeton,
where he devoted himself to the cultivation of a farm, and for
several years appears quite conspicuous in the affairs of the
town — a circumstance indicating an oblivion of all former
difficulties. Indeed, soon after his return to Princeton, all
those who had been most opposed to him, became reconciled,
and were, in a few years, warmly attached to him, and ranked
amongst his most intimate friends. In 1788, he represented
them in the convention which approved and adopted the pres-

* Says an old lady, conversant with all the particulars of this controversy,
to the author on one occasion, " Mr. Fuller told the town they would nev
er be prospered in their minister for their treatment to him ;" and, continues
she, in a mournful faith in the inflictions of retribntive juBtice, "they nev
er have been ;" — a fact, to whatever source attributable, few, in reading
their history, will be inclined to dispute.

118 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
ent federal Constitution — Hon. Moses Gill, afterwards Lieut.
Governor, being the opposing candidate — and gave his vote
against that instrument, on the ground of its recognition of
slavery — a fact evincing at this period, at least, an uncompro
mising advocacy of the rights of man. In 1796 he removed
to Merrimac, N. H. where he continued to reside, employed
in agricultural pursuits, until his death in July, 1805, at the
age of sixty-seven.
The Rev. Thomas Crafts, the successor of Mr. Fuller in
the ministry at Princeton, was the son of Dr. John S. Crafts
of Newton, who removed to North-Bridgewater, soon after
the birth of his son, and where the youth of the latter was
' spent. In 1779 he entered the University at Cambridge,
where he graduated in 1783, and entered immediately upon
his theological studies. At the completion of them in 1786,
he appeared as a candidate for settlement at Princeton, and
received and accepted an invitation from the church and town
to become their pastor. He was ordained on the 28th of June
of the same year, and continued minister of the town for five
years. During the latter part of this period, his health declin
ed so rapidly as to render it impossible for him to perform the
duties of his office, and obliged him to ask a dismission. This
was reluctantly granted in March, 1791. Soon after this, he
removed to Bridgewater, in which place and Weymouth he
resided for eleven years, preaching in vacant parishes as his
health would allow. In 1802, having regained his health, he
was settled over a church and society in Middleborough, in the
county of Bristol, known as the "Middleborough and Taun
ton Precinct," where he continued a faithful and devoted
preacher of the gospel, and in the most perfect harmony with
the people of his charge, until his death, January 19, 1819,
at the age of sixty. About the time of his settlement at
Princeton he married a daughter of the Rev. John Porter,
the first minister of North-Bridgewater. His widow is still
living, and resides with her children in that place. Of the
affection and esteem in which Mr. Crafts was held by the
people of Princeton, in many of whom the recollection of him
is still vivid, I have spoken elsewhere.
The Rev. Joseph Russell, the third minister of Prince
ton, received and accepted from the church and town an invi
tation to settle over them on the 7th of December, 1795, and
was ordained March 16, 1796. He continued their minister

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 119
until 1801, when he asked a dismission. This led to some
slight controversy between him and the town, which has been
detailed in another place. His request was however granted ;
soon after which he removed to Troy, New- York, where he
entered at once into mercantile pursuits, and where he still
resides a wealthy and high-minded merchant, and a pious,
consistent Christian.
The Rev. James Murdock, D. D. the fourth minister of
Princeton, was born at Saybrook, Connecticut, February 16,
1776, and educated at Yale College, where he graduated in
1797. While in college he ranked among the first scholars of
his class, and particularly in mathematics and the learned lan
guages he had no superior. He then became a preceptor, first,
in the public grammar-school at New-Haven, and afterwards,
in Hamilton Oneida Academy, in both of which he acquitted
himself with honor. In January, 1801, he was licensed to
preach, by the Oneida association, and in the autumn of that
year President Dwight recommended him to the people of
Princeton, as a fit man to be their pastor. They accordingly
applied to him to preach among them, and after hearing him
several weeks, the church and parish gave him an almost
unanimous call, which he accepted, and was ordained in
June, 1802. . Besides the duties of a pastor, Dr. Murdock
gave private instruction to a considerable number of young
men of Princeton and the vicinity, some of whom he fitted for
entering college, others for a counting-house, and a large
number for teachers of district schools. In the year 1810—11,
there was a revival of religion under his ministry, of which an
account is given in the Panoplist for June, 1811, pp. 11 — 16.
As fruits of this revival, between thirty and forty new mem
bers were added to the church. That period is still remem
bered by many as one of peculiar interest.
In the summer of 1815, Dr. Murdock was chosen pro
fessor of the learned languages in the University of Vermont,
at Burlington, and notwithstanding the harmony which had
always existed between him and his people, and the prospect
of his future usefulness among them., an ecclesiastical council
decided that it was his duty to accept the appointment in the
university. At Burlington he not only performed the duties
of his own department, but also supplied, for some time, the
department of mathematics and natural philosophy. His rep
utation was now such, that the trustees of Dartmouth college

120 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
invited him to the professorship of Latin and Greek in that
institution, made vacant by the removal of Dr. Moore to the
presidency of Williams college ; this appointment, however,
was not accepted by him. <
In the winter of 1819, Moses Brown, Esq. of Newburyport,
founded his professorship of Sacred Rhetoric and Ecclesias
tical History, in the Theological Seminary at Andover, and
by the recommendation of professors Woods and Stuart, he
appointed Dr. Murdock the first professor on his foundation.
When informed of this appointment and solicited to accept it,
he very much hesitated ; partly from a dislike of the form of
the new professorship, and the kind of labors it would impose
upon him, and partly from his attachment to the institution
with which he was then connected. By the urgent persuasion,
however, of Dr. Woods, he was induced to accept, resigned
his office at Burlington, removed to Andover, and was install
ed in June, 1819. The August following, the University of
Cambridge conferred on him the honorary degree of D. D.
But difficulties soon arose between him and his colleagues,
which continued, year after year, and finally produced his re
moval from office in October, 1828. Dr. Murdock then re
moved to New-Haven, where he has since resided, devoting
himself to his favourite pursuit, ecclesiastical history.
Besides publishing some occasional discourses, one of which
on the nature of the Atonement, printed at Andover in 1823,
produced much sensation, Dr. Murdock is best known to the
public by his elements of Dogmatic History, translated from
the German of Professor Wm. Muenscher of Marpurg ; 1 vol.
12mo. New-Haven, 1830. And by his new translations of
Dr. Mosheim's well known Institute of Ecclesiastical History,
with copious notes, original and selected, in three large vol
umes, 8vo. New- Haven, 1832. This last work is now a
classic in most of the Theological Institutions in the country.
At the present time Dr. Murdock is understood to be engaged
in writing a continuation of Mosheim's history, or a general
church history, from the year 1700 to the presents time — a
labor of vast difficulty, especially in this country, where so
few good libraries can be found, since most of the facts lie dis
persed in innumerable books and records, and have not been
collected in any single publication.
The Rev. Samuel Clarke, the successor of Dr. Murdock
in the ministry at Princeton, was born at New-Boston, N. H.

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 121
on the 21st of April, 1791. Until his fifteenth year Mr.
Clarke was engaged in agricultural pursuits, although he re
marks, in a letter to the author, " from the age of six it was
my unwavering determination to devote my life to the Chris
tian ministry." He was graduated at Dartmouth College in
1812, at the age of twenty-one, and immediately commenced
his professional studies under the direction of the Rev. Dr.
Channing of Boston. In 1815 he began preaching, and a
short time subsequently appeared as a candidate for settle
ment in Princeton. In 1816, August 26, Mr. Clarke re
ceived a call from the town, by a vote of 102 to 44, to settle
with them as the successor of Dr. Murdock, from whom he
was understood, however, to differ in some supposed essential
points of religious faith. Owing to the non-concurrence of the
church, and the unhappy divisions which have been narrated
under another head, he declined complying with the request of
the town. Possessed of those mild and amiable virtues, which
adorn the Christian minister, while they render him extreme
ly averse to the bustling scenes of controversy, it is not sur
prising that Mr. Clarke negatived this call. Yet the qualities
which prompted his refusal were precisely those which en
deared him still more to the people, who, unwilling to relinquish
their hold upon their favorite candidate, renewed their request
in October of the same year, with an additional pecuniary
encouragement, a majority of the church still non-concurring,
and a second negative answer was returned. In January, of
the following year, a petition, addressed to the selectmen, re
questing them to call a town meeting, for the purpose of again
renewing the call to Mr. Clarke, was circulated, and signed
by 105 legal voters. On the 11th of February the meeting
was held, and the call renewed. As the church still refused
concurrence, the whole matter, as before stated, was referred
to an ecclesiastical council. The result of this body we have
already given.
Mr Clarke was ordained as minister of Princeton on the
18th of June, 1817. A majority of the church of course se
ceded, " not," to use their own language in a previous com
munication to Mr. Clarke, " through any disaffection to your
person, nor any deficiency in your abilities, or any fault we
find in your moral character." The reasons which actuated
them were two, which they regarded as " of primary consid
eration." The validity of the first of these is a question which
16

122 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
still divides the religious community ; the second, if honestly
entertained, all must acknowledge to be of great force. " The
first is," say the church, " because we cannot consent to give
up our rights and privileges, and sanction the irregularity of
receiving a minister, in whose call and settlement we have
not a primary and distinct choice." " The other reason,"
they continue, after laboring to establish the soundness of the
first, "why we cannot consent to receive you as our minister,
is, because we are not satisfied with the doctrines which you
have preached, and which, it is presumed, you will continue
to preach, should you be settled here."
Mr. Clarke continued to preach at Princeton for fifteen
years. That he was placed in a somewhat trying and per
plexing situation, by the divisions that, grew out of his settle
ment, is certain. Yet, of a mild and amiable disposition, un
compromisingly devoted to his principles, and possessing talents
of no ordinary class, perhaps no man could have gone through
the fiery ordeal of bitter religious animosities with greater
success, or was better qualified to discharge the responsibilities
which his peculiar position created. Certainly no one could
have done it with less offence to both friends and foes.
In 1832, owing to continued ill health, which the bleak
winters of Princeton were little calculated to improve, Mr.
Clarke felt it his duty to ask a dismission from the society in
this place. His request having been reluctantly granted by
his people, on the 17th of June, of tbe same year, the day
which concluded fifteen years of his ministry, he preached his
farewell sermon. Immediately on leaving Princeton he re
ceived a call to settle over the First Congregational Society
in Uxbridge, and was installed January 9th, 1833. Mr.
Clarke still contiues to preach in Uxbridge, to the general sat
isfaction of his parish.
The Rev. Alonzo Phillips, the sixth minister settled in
Princeton, was born at Bradford, Mass. September 1st, 1788.
He was the son of Capt. Timothy Phillips, a revolutionary
patriot of that place, with whom he lived during his minority,
employed in agricultural or mechanical pursuits. At the age
of twenty he commenced his studies with the design of enter
ing the ministry. With these views he began his preparatory
studies, at the Academy in Bradford, in 1808 or 1809, at the
completion of which he entered the college at Middlebury, Vt.
in the fall of 1811, or the spring of 1812, and graduated in

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 123
1815. Soon after graduating from this seminary, he com
menced his theological course in the Institution at Andover,
and was licensed to preach in 1818. In 1820 he appeared
before the Presbyterian Society in Princeton, as a candidate
for settlement, and on the same year received and accepted an
invitation from them to become their minister. He was or
dained June, 1820. From the time of his settlement, nearly
to that of his dismission, a period of sixteen years, he enjoyed
the unshaken confidence of his church, to which large additions
were made under his ministry. He continued to preach at
Princeton until 1836, when he was dismissed. The causes
which led to this, and the circumstances attending it, have
already been narrated. Soon after his dismissal, he removed
with his family to Newburyport, where he still resides.
The Rev. Appleton Morse, the seventh minister, and the
first of the Baptist persuasion, settled in the town, was born at
Hopkinton, March 7th, 1805. He completed his studies, pre
paratory to a collegiate course at the High-School in Westboro',
and entered the Freshman class of Brown University in June,
1824. During his sophomore year, however, ill health obliged
him to leave the University and suspend for a time his stud
ies. On his recovery he did not resume his course at the
University, but entered, in September, 1827, upon the regular
theological course at the Institution at Newton, where he
graduated in the fall of 1830. In September of the same
year, he received and accepted an invitation from the Baptist
Church in Princeton to become their pastor. His ordination
took place in the October following. He continued in this
relation for a year and a half, when, at his own request, he
received a dismission, and soon after became pastor of the Bap
tist Society in Fitchburg, where he still resides.
The Rev. John P. Cowles, the successor of Mr. Clarke,
was born at Colebrook, Litchfield county, Conn, on the 21st
of January, 1805. His school education previous to preparing
for college was such as is usual in the district schools of his
native state. His preparation for college was made entirely
at home, without the facilities of academical instruction, under
the occasional private tuition of Dr. Emerson, now of the
Andover Theological Institution. At the age of eighteen he
entered Yale College, where he graduated with high honors
in 1826. Soon after, he commenced a theological course in

124 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
the same Institution, which he completed in four years, spend
ing in the interim one year in other employments. After
spending another year in New-Haven, in somewhat miscella
neous studies and pursuits, he commenced, and, in 1833, ac
cepted an invitation to settle at Princeton. He was ordained
July 19th, 1833, and continued his ministerial labors until
October, 1834, when he asked and received a dismission. In
February, 1836, Mr. Cowles accepted the appointment of
Professor of Hebrew Literature and the History of the Jewish
Church, in the Oberlin Collegiate Institute, at Oberlin, Lorain
county, Ohio, and, having signified his acceptance of the office,
entered at once upon its duties. This is his present location.
The Institution with which Mr. Cowles is connected is of
a most decidedly religious character, designed to impart a
thorough Christian education to its numerous students. It has
a female and a preparatory department connected with it.
The right of free discussion and anti-slavery are the charac
teristic principles of its managers and officers.
Rev. Nehemiah G. Lovell, the second Baptist minister
in Princeton, was born August 2d, 1806, at Rowley, Mass.
where his father, a Baptist clergyman, now settled at Fall
River, then resided. In 1810 his father removed to Bridge-
water, where Mr. Lovell spent most of his time previous to
entering college. In 1821 he entered upon mechanical em
ployments, which he continued, with little interruption, until
the spring of 1826, when he commenced the study of the
Latin language, with the design of pursuing a collegiate
course. After three months' application, sickness compelled
him to suspend his studies until the next spring. In 1829 he
entered Brown University, and, on the 4th of July, 1830,
united with the, First Baptist Church in Providence, from
which he received, in August, 1833, a license to preach the
gospel. In September, of the same year, he graduated from
the university, and entered immediately on his theological
course at Newton, which, however, the weakness of his' eyes
obliged him to abandon after two months' study. In the
March following, he commenced preaching at Princeton, with
the intention, however, of resuming his studies at a future
day. Soon after, receiving an invitation from the church to
become their pastor, he finally accepted it, and was ordained
on the 10th of July, 1834. Mr. Lovell continued his rela-

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 125 .
tion to the church until November, 1836, when, at his request,
having been dismissed, he became pastor of the Baptist
church in Amherst, where he still continues his labors.
The Rev. Elijah Demond, the present minister of the
United Church and Society, received his collegiate education
at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H. where he graduated
in 1816. He pursued his theological studies at Andover,
where he completed them, and commenced preaching in
1820. He was installed as pastor of the Congregational
Church and Society, in Princeton, October 26, 1836, and
receives their cheerful support as an esteemed, faithful, and
efficient minister.
Of the various individuals, whose history is interwoven with
that of the town, few stand more conspicuous, both from the
important offices which he filled as well as his constant gen
erosity, than Hon. MOSES GILL. Mr. Gill was born at
Charlestown, Mass. in 1733. His early education was that
of the common schools of the time. In early life he entered
into mercantile pursuits, and, for a long course of years, main
tained the honorable character of an upright and liberal mer
chant. In 1759 he married Miss Sarah Prince, the only
surviving daughter of the Rev. Dr. Prince, then pastor of the
Old South Church, from whom he inherited a large portion
of his land at Princeton. About the year 1767 Mr. Gill re
tired from business, and commenced residing at Princeton,
during a portion of the time, and immediately became con
spicuous in the affairs of the town. Among other instances
of his generosity at this period, was a Bible, presented to the
the church under Mr. Fuller, which is mentioned as introduc
tory to the following letter, illustrative of the peculiar state of
feeling in many of our country parishes at that time.
Boston, December 9, 1769.
Rev. and Dear Sir, — You may remember sometime in the summer past,
you mentioned to me your desire that I would present you with a large
Bible, that the Scriptures might be publicly read every Lord's day. I be
lieve my answer was : I was afraid it would have a tendency to make you
shorten your other services ; however, upon my return home in the summer
I spoke to a stationer for a large folio Bible, which is now come ; but I have
one difficulty in my mind against sending it up ; that is, I have observed in
some country places they are not fond in general of having the Scriptures
read in public, because their time is taken up in that part of service that
may as well be performed at home ; though I do n't know that this is the
case with you, as I never changed a word with any one of your people about
this matter. Now, sir, if I should send it up, — you should introduce it, —
your people generally dissatisfied,— it would perhaps make such a breach

126 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
between you and them, as may never be fully healed ; and if I should be the
means ofit, I could never forgive myself, nor make amends to you ; though
I am clear of an opinion that the Scriptures ought to be publicly read every
Lord's day, as one part of the religious exercises. These are the difficulties
that lay in my mind ; how far they have any weight in them, you can
judge. The Bible is ready, and will be sent up whenever you shall say ; in the
meantime you will make use of your known prudence and good judgement
in introducing it. There is bound up with it the Church Services, the Apoc
rypha, and Sternhold and Hopkins's Psalms, all which I think superfluous,
and may be taken out by re-binding, if you think proper.
In 1774 Mr. Gill represented the town in the General
Court at Salem, and in the Provincial Congress at Concord.
For many years subsequent he was also member of the state
legislature, until his elevation to a seat at the senate board,
in 1789. During the same year, he was transferred from this
to a seat in the Executive Council. In 1794 he was elected
Lieutenant-Governor under Mr. Adams — an office which he
held until 1800, acting as Governor from the date of Gov.
Sumner's death, June 7, 1799, until the inauguration of Mr.
Strong, in May, 1800. At this time he was a candidate for
the office of Governor, against the latter gentleman, receiving
however but few votes. He was re-elected Lieutenant-Gov
ernor under him, and died immediately after, May 20th, 1800.
In 1767 Mr. Gill lost his first wife, and, in 1772, married
Miss Rebecca Boylston, a niece of the late Thomas Boylston,
Esq. She died in 17 — .
Throughout his life Mr. Gill maintained the character of
an upright man, a firm uncompromising patriot, a devoted
husband, a liberal towsman, an exemplary public officer, and
a consistent Christian.
William Dodds, Esq. whose history for a long period of
years, is more emphatically a part of the town's than that of
any other single individual, was born at Lexington, Mass.
November 6th, 1748. He received no education in his early
years, except that of a few weeks each winter in a district
school. At the age of sixteen he removed to Holden, where,
a few years after, he married Miss Anna Child, and removed
to Princeton, were he continued to reside until his death, in
1833, at the age of eighty-five.
For thirty years, with only an occasional interruption, Mr.
Dodds filled the office of Town Clerk, and his records,
during that period, are a model of perfection and imitation,
and evince a knowledge of business and of legal forms and

HISTORY OF PRINCETON. 127
technicalities, which few, aside from professional men, pos
sess. For several years he also represented the town in
the state legislature. During the early period of his resi
dence in Princeton he employed most of the winters in
teaching, either in that or the adjoining towns. In 1809 he
received a justice's commission, which he continued to hold
up to the time of his death. Until within a few years of the
close of his life, he was accustomed to transact all the usual
business within a justice's jurisdiction, both in this and some
of the neighboring towns. Indeed, at this time, " Squire
Dodds" might rank as the lawyer of the vicinity. During
the latter part of his life his faculties became impaired, and,
before his death, completely shattered. Few men have had
the good fortune to enjoy more largely the esteem and respect
of their townsmen, and still fewer more richly to deserve it.
His sphere was in the humbler walks of life, yet his self-
qualification for its duties, and his entire discharge of its
responsibilities, mark him still the perfect man.
Ward Nicholas Boylston, Esq. alias Ward Hallowell,
was born in Boston, November 22d, 1749. His father, Ben
jamin Hallowell, Esq. was a native of Boston, and, at the
time of the revolution, an officer in the Custom-House. His
mother, Mrs. Mary Hallowell, was the daughter of Thomas
Boylston, and sister to the second wife of the Hon. Moses
Gill. He received his education in the free schools of Boston.
In March, 1770, at the solicitation of his maternal uncle,
Nicholas Boylston, Esq. the distinguished benefactor of Har
vard University, through a royal license, he dropped the name
of Hallowell, and added to his christian name that of the
above-mentioned uncle.
In 1773, for the purpose of renovating his health, Mr.
Boylston commenced a journey through Europe and Asia.
He embarked on board the " King of Naples," bound from
Boston to Newfoundland, October 12th. From the latter
place he sailed to Italy, and from thence proceeded to Tur
key, Syria, the Archipelago, Palestine, Egypt, and the Bar
bary Coast. He also passed through Geneva, Savoy, France,
and Flanders. During this tour he kept a journal, which, re
plete with interest, and in many parts illustrative of Biblical
history, is still preserved in manuscript, and which, it is to be
hoped, may yet be given to the public. He arrived in Lon
don, 1775, and for the twenty-five subsequent years remained

128 HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
there engaged in the various operations of trade. In 1800
he sailed for Boston, where he arrived on the 15th of May of
the same year.
From this time until his death, in 1827, he continued to
reside during the larger portion of the year at Princeton,
spending the winter months at his seat at Jamacia Plain, Rox
bury, Mass. Soon after Mr. Boylston's arrival in Boston, he
confirmed to Harvard University a bequest of Nicholas Boyls
ton, Esq. amounting to $23,200, as a foundation of the pro
fessorship of Rhetoric and Oratory, with the condition that
John Quincy Adams should be appointed professor. In 1802
he secured to the same Institution an annuity of $100, to be
distributed in prizes for the discussion of medical questions.
In 1803, he paid to the treasurer of the Institution $500, as
a fund, the income of which should be expended in additions
to the library. To this succeeded the annuity of $60, to be
distributed in Elocution prizes to undergraduates. Large
bequests were made to the same institution in his will.
In 1824 Mr. Boylston presented the town of Princeton
with $500, to lie as an accumulating fund, under certain con
ditions, until it should be sufficient to build a Town Hall. In
addition to this, several acres of land were given them as a
parsonage estate. At his death he also left them $500, the
interest of which, after a certain time, is to be applied to the
support of a congregational minister. Also, $500, to lie un
der a similar condition, as an accumulating fund, the proceeds
to be then applied to the support of poor widows and orphans.
These sums are all now supposed to be forfeited. In addition
to these, there were in his will large bequests to the town of
West-Boy lston, to whom, I believe, a portion of the forfeited
legacies to the town of Princeton revert.

APPENDIX

The following is the petition and resolve referred to in the
note on page 16 : —
PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
To His Excellency Francis Bernard, Esq. Governor and Commander-in-
chief in and over said Province, The Honorable His Majesties Council
and House of Representatives, in general Court assembled, at Boston, the
30th Day of December, Anno Domini, 1767.
The Petition of Timothy Fuller of Princetown, in the County of Worces
ter, Clerk, humbly shews — That, in the Month oi September last, he was or
dained as a Minister in said Place — That the said Place is now in its Infancy
and not very able to support the Gospel, but the Harmony and Unanimity
that appeared among them to settle your Petitioner was a great Inducement
to accept of their Invitation at the small living of fifty-three Pounds six
Shillings and eight Pence per Annum, which your Petitioner apprehends is
as much as they are able to pay in their Present Circumstances — That the
said Place labors under many difficulties by reason of the great Expense they
have been and are necessarily obliged to be at, in finishing their Meeting-
House, making and maintaining new Roads in a Wilderness Country — And
greater than any new Town lately granted as they have no publick minis
terial Lands for the use of the first settled minister — That the Hill called
Watchusett Hill lies within the Limitts of said Town, which belongs to the
Province ; The whole Contents whereof are about five Hundred Acres, four
Hundred Acres of which are mountain, barren and unfruitful, and never
can be fitt for any Improvement as many of this honorable Court are well
Knowing ; That about one Hundred Acres of it upon the South Side nigh
the Foot of the Hill, altho' very rocky and uneven, may possibly be im
proved as Pasture Land.
Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays that, as an Encouragement to
him (seeing there are no publick Lands reserved for the first settled Min-
17

130 APPENDIX.
ister in said Place) you would, out of your wonted Goodness, grant unto
him the said Province Land.
And as in duty bound shall ever pray. TIMOTHY FULLER.
We the Select-Men of Princetown unite our humble and earnest Desire
that the Prayer of your Petitioner above may be granted for the Reasons
assigned in the above Petition.
And as in duty bound shall ever pray.
PETER GOODENOW, 1
JOSEPH GIBBS, | Select-Men
EBENEZER JONES, )¦ of
OLIVER DAVIS, | Princetown.
BENJAMIN TAYNTER, j

In the House of Representatives, January 20th, 1768. Resolved — That the
Prayer of said Petition be granted and that the Tract of Land belonging to
this Province lying in Princetown, in the County of Worcester, called
Watchusett Hill, containing about five Hundred Acres, bounded East four
Degrees North one Hundred and Sixty Rods on Watertown Farm, then
North 46 Degrees East 160 Rods on said Watertown Farm, then North 97
Rods on Muzzey's Farm now Keyes's, then North 23 west 70 Rods on
Benjamin Houghton's Land, then westerly 135 Rods on said Houghton's
Land, then 60 Rods on said Houghton's Land to a white Oak Tree, then
South 55 west 253 Rods on Westminster Line to a red Oak Tree the corner
of Mr. Allen's Farm, then East 21 Degrees South 100 Rods on said Allen's
Farm, then running on said Allen's Farm about 190 Rods to the Bound first
mentioned ; be granted to the said Timothy Fuller, his Heirs and Assigns
forever, as an encouragement to him to continue in the faithfull Discharge
of his Office in said Princetown — Provided that He or his Heirs pay their
Proportion of a Tax of two pence Per Acre for three years, laid by the Gen
eral Court at their Session in January, A. D. 1760, upon all the unimproved
Lands in said District of Princetown.
Sent up for Concurrence — THOMAS CUSHING, Speaker.
In Council, January 20th, 1768. Read and Concurred —
A. OLIVER, Secretary.
Consented to — FRANCIS BERNARD.
A true Copy, Examined — P. JNO. COTTON, D. Secretary.

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