History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

About this time a vote wns taken to give the
singers a part of tlie front gallery. Whether the
singers were accompanied by an orchestra, as was
the case at a subsequent period, we are unable to
state.
Tliere are various notices of tlie erection of pews
by different individuals. These pews were about five
feet square, made in a row around the walls, botli
on the lower floor and in tlie galleries. Tiie central
part of the lower floor was occupied by pews in a
similar maimer. The pulpit was perched aloft, the
floor of it being seven or eight feet above tlie floor
of the meeting-house. It was shut in upon all
sides, a door opening to admit the minister. Above
him was suspended tlie huge sounding-board, caus-
ing much anxiety to the young children present
lest it should fall upon tlie minister's head. During
the entire period of eighty-eight years which
tliis edifice existed there were no means of heating
it except by foot-stoves which eacii family carried
for its own use.
After organizing a church and building a meet-
ing-iiouse, the next step was to secure a pastor.
The first pastor, Rev. Sampson (or Samson) Spauld-
ing, a native of Chelmsford, and a graduate of Har-
vard College in 173:J, was unanimously chosen by
the people of Tewksbury, on the 17th of January,
17;37, and ordained on the 2.3d of November, of
the same year. On the 7th of February, 17.37, at
a general town-meeting, the following vote was
passed : " To give Mr. Sampson Spaulding of
Chelmsford, wliom they had made choice on for
their minister, yearly for Ids salary, one hundred and
twenty pounds, according to the valuation of grain
as it gos now iiere among us ; Indian corn at six
shillings the bushell, Rie at eight shillings the
bushell, aud Wheat at ten shillings the bushell.
Voted to give to Mr. Sampson Spaulding whom
tlie town had made choice on for their minister,
even for his settlement among them. Three Hun-
dred pounds, and to pay the same at tiiree pay-
ments, namely, one hundred a year till the whole
sum be paid."
Tradition says of Mr. Spaulding, that wlien far
advanced in years he was possessed of a TCiierable
form and commanding stature, wearing a white wig
and carrying a long staff, and that with a weak
and tremulous voice he spoke unto his people the
words of eternal truth.
The ministry of the Rev. Mr. Spaulding contin-
ued for nearly sixty years. It was characterized
by a general freedom from parish broils; from
TEWKSBURY. 379
ecclesiastical strife. Peace and harmony prevailed.
His influence was mild, genial, and Christian.
His character was gentle, judicious, faithful, con-
sistent, and exemplary. He died (after suffering
from paralysis for nearly five years) at the advanced
age of eighty-six, December 1.5, 1790.
In 1773 it was decided to " choose some person
or persons for to set the psalm on Sabbatli days
and other times in time of public worship."
The second pastor was Rev. Titus Theodore Barton,
a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1790. He
was ordained as colleague with Rev. Mr. Spaulding,
October 11, 179;J, and dismissed May 19, 1S03.
He was a man of sterling character, strong physi-
cally and mentally, an avowed enemy of the halfway
covenant. Sometimes rash and indiscieel:, he
was always bold in defence of the truth as he un-
derstood and believed. In reference to his ordination
the following record exists : " August 23d
1792, Voted to choose a Committee to provide
a place and make entertainment for the Council
that shall come to ordain Mr. Titus Theodore
Barton."
The ministry of ^Ir. Barton was short compared
with that of Mr. Spaulding, being only eleven
years. After his dismissal the church was without
a pastor for more than three years.
The third pastor was Rev. Jacob Coggin, a na-
tive of Woburn, and a graduate of Harvard Col-
lege in 1803. He was ordained October 22, 1806,
and died December 12, 185-1. He was mild and
pacific in spirit, always seeking to pour oil upon
the troubled waters, wiicrever found, in churcii or
town.
About the year 1818 some of the people began
to feel the necessity of a new churcli-building, and
to inaugurate plans to this end. The subject was
agitated at the town-meetings for four or five
years. Several matters had to be adjusted ; among
otiier tilings, tlie exact location. The one finally
selected was that where the present building now
stands. Arrangements were perfected, and the
new house was commenced in 1823. It was com-
pleted, and dedicated July 6, 1824.
The meeting-house, as then constructed, con-
tained galleries on three sides, instead of one, as at
present. There were box-pews against the walls ;
the others were nearer the form of those now in
use.
From the incorporation of the town in 173Jdown
to ISil the support of the ministry and all
the church expenses were borne by the town. At