History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

greatj and the route of the enemy so uncertain, that
they had not the satisfaction of meeting and lielp-
ing to chastise them. They, hoAvever, furnished
their quota to assist in besieging Boston, and a
number of them displayed their heroism in tlie
battles of Bunker Hill, White Plains, and Brandywine.
Seven brothers, the sons of Mr. Samuel
Clark, enlisted as soldiers, and served, on an average,
over three years per man.
In May, 1776, the town voted, that if Congress
decided to declare the colonies independent of
Great Britain, the people would, with their lives
and fortunes, endeavor to support them in that
measure. And Daniel Whitney, their representative,
was instructed to act accordingly. When
the question of the adoption of the Federal con-
stitution arose, Sherborn sent Daniel Whitney to
the convention held in Boston in 1788, with gen-
eral instructions, but also with full confidence in
his judgment to act for the right. And that
honorable member was one of the majority who
voted in favor of this great charter of our freedom.
In 1781 an entry, found in the town records,
states that the salary of Eev. Elijah Brown for
one year, ending March 1, 1781, was £73 6«. 8^/.,
"equal to £2,933 64. 8c/. continental currency."
This shows the depreciation which the latter had
sutt'ered, and that it took more than £ 40 of that
currency to equal £ 1 of sound money. It is a
powerful argument against the establishment of an
irredeemable currency.
Early in the present century, when our national
honor and our authority on the high seas were in-
vaded, Sherborn accepted her share of the work,
and made preparations as soon as a conflict was
threatened, and before hostilities had commenced.
In 1814', when an actual call for men was expected,
allowances were granted to them, and some soldiers
from tlie town performed duty in the forts in Bos-
ton harbor.
In February, 1830, a portion of the inhabitants,
desiring a form of worship and belief different from
that then prevailing, requested of the projDcr au-
thority that " a warrant may be issued, in due form
of law, for the purpose of forming a second relig-
ious Congregational Society in said town." These
petitioners comprised a majority of the church, but
a minority of the congregation. They retained the
SHERBOBN. 293
[ about
ing-house not far distant from that of the First
Parish.
The First Parish also felt the need of a new edi-
fice, as the old one had been in use for more than
a century. And during the same year, 1830, they
proceeded to build a meeting-house nearly on the
same spot that had always been occupied for that
purpose. On December 26 public worship was
attended for the last time in the old church, and
an interesting and instructive sermon was given by
the pastor. Rev. Amos Clarke. On the 29th of
the same month the new church was solemnly dedi-
cated to the service of God.
The meeting-house of the Second Parish was
also completed during the year 1830, and dedicated
November 4. Its first pastor. Rev. Samuel
Lee, was installed on the same day, and remained
in charge of the church and society until 1836,
when he was succeeded by Rev. Daniel T. Smith.
The latter was obliged to retire, after a service of
two years, on account of ill health. Rev.
Edmund Dowse, a native of Sherborn, was then
invited to assume the pastoral charge, and he has
served from 1838 to the present time. But few
instances of so long a pastorate can be found in
our day, and only one in the entire history of this
town. Perhaps there is not one other that has oc-
curred in the birthplace of the pastor. The twenty-fifth
anniversary of the settlement of Mr. Dowse
w'as celebrated with appropriate ceremonies. On
the approach of the fortieth anniversary his many
friends aTid parishioners desired to recognize his
long and useful service, and at the same time to
off'er to their pastor a fitting memorial of their
confidence and esteem. They therefore resolved to
celebrate the event October 10, 1878. The ser-
vices were held in the meeting-house, and were
deeply impressive and interesting. A large num-
ber of clerical friends and old parishioners were
present, in addition to the residents in the town,
and the celebration was entirely successful.
In 1859 the church-building was found to be
insufficient for the accommodation of the parish,
and it was enlarged and wholly remodelled so as to
make substantially a new and commodious edifice
of tasteful appearance. It was dedicated Novem-
ber 29, of the same year. In 1875, in accordance
with a petition, the name of the Second Parish
was fixed by the legislature, and it is now known
forms of government and belief of the original as the Pilgrim Church and Society of Sherborn.
Puritan church of 1685. They immediately or- The Rev. Daniel Gookin has been mentioned as
ganized, and during the same year erected a meet- the first pastor of the original church. His sue-