Historical Sketches

by Richard Hill

Our Musical Roots

By the time Unity Church opened 1875 there was already a strong musical tradition in Easton. The Old Stoughton Musical Society organized in 1786 had several Easton members. Beza and Calvin Keith joined in 1804 and in 1805, Mace Witherell. Justis Dunbar joined in 1853 and in 1859 Raymouth Monk, John Wheeler, and J. Horace Willis. Willis was a
popular singer. A Taunton Gazette reporter covered an organ dedication in that city where Willis sang and wrote that he possessed “a splendid tenor voice.” Willis was also leader of the popular Union Quartette which also included bass Frederick Russell of Easton, Isaac Littlefield of Avon and John B. Thayer of Randolph. This group, pictured in the 1928 History of the Old Stoughton Musical Society performed at many Old Stoughton Concerts and were regulars in the Unitarian worship services. When Reverend Christopher Hussey was called to become minister of the Unitarian Society at the old church near the present
Rockery, a tradition of Vesper Services was established which Mrs. Frothingham writes, “drew large audiences for many years, people even coming from other towns to listen to the good music in the old church, and afterwards in the present one.”

Oliver Ames’s selection of an organ builder was as careful as his choice of an architect for the new church. On October 22, 1874 the Hook brothers responded to Oliver’s request for a new organ. E. & G.G. Hook and Hastings were the largest and most successful organ company in
America. In 1875, the forty organs they built included a fifty stop organ for Yale University, a fifty one stop giant for Unity Church in Chicago, a forty stop gem for Fall River’s CentralCongregational Church and an 83 stop mammoth for Boston’s hundred yard long Holy Cross Cathedral. They also shipped a twelve stop two manual organ to Bethel Union Church in Honolulu. In June of 1875, the carted the North Easton organ up from the railroad depot and erected it in its present location at a cost of two thousand dollars. The organ was originally a focal point on the right front of the church with its stenciled diapason pipes in a black walnut case. The bellows was powered by a hand pump which custodian Raymouth G. Randall or a boy pumped for $25.00 a year.

Oliver Ames hired Thomas Philando Ryder, (1836-1887) to play at the dedication service in August, 1875. Ryder was born in Cohasset,
brother of organ builder George H. Ryder, also an organist who built 185 organs between 1871 and 1896. T.P. was organist at Tremont Temple for several years and a well known recitalist, choral conductor and composer. The first regular organist was R.F. Raymond of Boston who took the train to North Easton on Saturday, rehearsed with the singers, played the Sunday service, and returned to Boston. The vocal music was provided by a quartette. The difference between a quartet as we know
it and a quartette is one of sophistication. Any four part group is a quartet. But a group in which each member is an accomplished soloist
is a quartette. Quartette music is specifically written to bring out the strengths of each singer and it is often quite operatic, a quality
which was very popular in this period. Unity Church’s first quartette included leader, Horace Willis, a Miss Holbrook and a Miss Porter. The
1876 church report states, “The salary of the organist is paid by Oliver Ames.”
When William Chaffin moved into our present Holly House he wrote in his diary, “We moved into the parsonage next day after the last Sunday of July, 1878, one of the hottest days I ever knew, when I came near having a sunstroke. A pleasant thing to record is that the Irish Catholic Military Band asked for the privilege of serenading us on the first evening of our occupancy of the parsonage which privilege was of course granted and they gave us a fine musical welcome to our new home. We treated them to ice cream and cake. I imagine the serenade of a Protestant minister and family by an Irish Catholic band was a very rare occurrence at least in New England.”

In 1879, Wilbur Hascall (1854-1925) a native of Shrewsbury and graduate of New England Conservatory and Boston University, College of Music became organist. Miss Holbrook was replaced by Mrs. Ruth F. Pratt and J.R. Drew became the bass soloist. The following year Miss Anabelle Clark replaced Mrs. Pratt as “sopranist.” In 1881 new hymnals were
bought by Mrs. Oliver Ames and the old given to mission churches in Boston. In 1883, Miss Henrietta Hunt married the organist and became
Mrs. Hascall. Miss M.E. Kayton and Miss L.E. Burrill also joined the quartette at various times. In 1887, the Hascalls left for New York
City where Wilbur composed several popular songs, and many organ works. The titles of his songs included “The Night has a Thousand Eyes,” “The Twinkle in Her Eye,” and “The Lassie’s Lament.”

Unity Church was served by substitute organists for the next four years. But under Willis, the quartette continued with Flora Cochrane, Lizzie Hopkins, and May Kayton. In 1890, Sarah Lothrop Ames, widow of Oliver Ames died and “bequeathed to Unity Church $6,000 in good securities, the income thereof to be used annually in that church for music...”

J. Horace Willis “to whose exquisite voice we were privileged to listen for many years” died on February 27, 1891. His father, Jason Willis
built the house on Canton Street now occupied by Bob and Sally King. And when the foliage is gone, the Willis memorial in the Village Cemetery is plainly visible from the King’s front porch.

F. Willard Brackett a Boston musician became organist in 1892. In 1893 William Chaffin wrote, “ Our society has completed the thirty-seventh
year of its history and the twenty-sixth of the present pastorate. We are in a united and prosperous condition. At no period in our history have our congregations averaged better in numbers than in the year that
has just closed. The credit of this is due in part to the excellence of the music. It is simple justice to record here our appreciation of
the good taste and efficiency of our chorister, and our satisfaction with the choir, not only in their singing, but in their hearty cooperation in the responsive exercises. Few churches in country towns are as favored as ours in the musical part of the service, which is an
inspiring aid to worship. The Society is deeply indebted to, and grateful for the kindness and generosity which enable it to enjoy this
great privilege.”

Royden Leonard was chosen minister of Unity Church in 1926. He would serve for twenty years through 1945. In the autumn of 1927 the choir members were guests of Mrs. John S. Ames for supper. Afterwards there were moving pictures and a choir practice. In 1928, a Union Thanksgiving Service was hosted by Unity Church. In 1929, the Sunday School had 50 members and the choir averaged 23 each Sunday. In March, the choir combined with the Hyde Park Unitarian Church Choir for two concerts at Hyde Park and Unity Church a week apart singing Stainer’s “Olivet to Calvary.” Choir members rode a bus to Hyde Park. In June the choir had a picnic at Fieldstone Beach, Brant Rock. In December of 1930, a concert by the Temple Glee Club of Brockton had “an appreciative audience of over 300 people.”

The ceiling over the choir was installed in 1931 and the choir of 21 sang at 44 church services after that many Saturday night rehearsals. Guest soloists in 1932 included David Blair McClosky whose career as a vocal instructor extended through the sixties. Winthrop Ames rebuilt the stage in the Parish Hall and new chairs were added.

The 1875 Hook and Hastings Organ was enlarged and electrified by the Hook and Hastings Company which within a year succumbed to the depression after a hundred years of organ building and 2,214 organs. The cost was $3,000. The console was moved to its present location with the manual keyboards enlarged from 56 to 61 notes each. The pedal board was enlarged from 27 to 32 notes and of the course, the corresponding pipes were added. A cable was installed under the floor containing the wires connecting the keys to the pipes. New stops were added to swell and great divisions. Clifford Morse played a recital on the new organ on December 4.

The choir in 1934 had 25 names on the role. They sang an anthem each Sunday and careful records of the music used were kept by the choir librarian. Anthems included Gounod’s “Send Out Thy Light,” “Sanctus,” and his Cantata, “Gallia;” Handel’s “Holy Art Thou.” Rachmaninoff’s “Cherubim Song,” and Mendelssohn’s “O For the Wings of a Dove.” For Christmas they sang Yon’s “Gesu Bambino,” and for Easter, Beethoven’s “Hallelujah from the Mount of Olives.” In 1938, the choir did parts of the Brahms Requiem and T. Tertius Noble’s “Souls of the Righteous.” In April, 1934, the choir journeyed to Boston where they broadcast from station WBZ the cantata, (of Maunder) “Pardon, Penitence, and Peace.”

C. Frank Marshall, a graduate of New England Conservatory of Music who had sung in the choir since the last century died on November 8, 1934. The choir went to Jordan Hall in Boston for a recital by Maurice Ames. The following year, the choir was entertained by Mrs. John S. Ames at her Boston house with a dinner and theater party. Instrumentalists participating in church services included Aldo Johnson on flute, Philip Liljstrand and George Shepard on violin, Madelon Phillips on trumpet, and Betty Winsor on cello.

During the Depression years, the choir must have been a steady source of income for its members Most were paid $.25 for each Sunday and $.25 for each rehearsal Four women received $.50 for each. Two men who were soloists received $1.00 and $1.25. By 1940 six members earned $.50 per date, three $.75, eight $1.50, two $1.75, two $2.00 and one $3.00. 27 names were on the role. which included Elva Briggs, Frances Cook, Muriel DeWitt, Phyllis Donahue, Edna Fraser, Olive Gurney, Frances Hatchfield, Amy Anderson, Alice Goldthwaite, Joanne Jackson, Ruth Keith, June Mitchell, Myrtle Prior, Anna Watson, Lorrained Peterson, Betty Winsor, Mildred Randall, Lawrence Gurney, Carleton Hatchfield, Richard Hatchfield, Stanley Randall, Robert Taylor, Lawrence Wetzel, and Roger Lays. The choir was well trained and capable of some difficult anthems including Mendelssohn’s Be Not Afraid, and I Waited for the Lord; the opening chorus of the Brahms Requiem, and Franck’s 150th Psalm.

The choir was also a social event rehearsing every Saturday night. Many couples built lasting relationships. Lawrence Gurney brought his fiancé, Olive from the Congregational Church in South Easton and they eventually married. Olive was soprano soloist for many years. She went on to be superintendent of the Sunday School, a teacher and principal in the Easton Public Schools, and later a member of the school committee. She served on the Music Committee of Unity Church until her death in 1998.

Harry Rodgers assumed the organist duties in 1940. Harry was active in the Masons and a well known Masonic organist. He also was accompanist for the Brockton Oratorio Society which was directed by George Sawyer Dunham, Brockton’s “Mr. Music.” Harry’s name appears on several years of programs as organist for the annual Messiah performed either from Porter Congregational Church or the First Baptist Church on Warren Avenue. When Reverend Royden Leonard resigned in 1944, H. Mortimer Gesner served as interim for a year. Harry accompanied the Ordination Service of Reverend George Archibald Mark on May 12, 1946. Mrs. Mary Frothingham was Chair of the Parish. The choir sang Gounod’s Lovely Appear and Prothero’s Laudamus. Harry played Handel’s Largo and Mendelssohn’s Finale to the Sixth Sonata. Reverend Curtis Crawford succeeded Mark in 1952. The next year Harry resigned.

The music committee sought the advice of the noted organist, E. Power Biggs as to who might replace Rodgers. Biggs recommended the young Harvard graduate, Dan Pinkham who was hired in 1953. The organ was again enlarged and redesigned by the Aeolian Skinner Comany from Dorchester in 1954 at a cost of some $3,000. A new stop, the three rank mixture was added and set on the roof of the choir loft where it could lend its clarity to the full organ sound. Skinner also redesigned the stop list re positioning several of Hook and Hastings pipes and actually eliminating the open diapason, melodia, dulciana, and trumpet stops.

When Curtiss Crawford resigned on January 1, 1954, his position was filled by Reverend Herman Geertz beginning on April 18 of the same year. Geertz served a year and was succeeded by Reverend Henry C. Cooper in 1955. Cooper’s installation was on November 13, 1955 and Mary Lamprey, President of Unity Church presided. Dan played de Grigny’s Recit de teirce en Taille and Purcell’s Trumpet Voluntary. The choir sang Handel’s Thanks Be to Thee. In 1958, when Dan composed his now Famous Christmas Cantata, Sally King, wife of music publisher, Bob King was in his choir. The Kings attended a performance of the cantata at Jordan Hall and Bob King offered to publish it. For the next 52 years, the work which sold thousands of copies was performed from a reproduction of the handwritten score. A recent gift from King’s Chapel has allowed the piece to finally be engraved. Reverend Cooper left 1959 and was replaced with Reverend H. Mortimer Gesner who had been interim here eleven years before.

Pinkham left in 1959 for the Jamaica Plain Church before moving on to King’s Chapel where he finished his amazing career in June 2000. Pinkham was named “Composer of the Year” in 1990 by the American Guild of Organists. His compositions are performed around the world.

Sally King, wife of the famous music publisher replaced Dan Pinkham and performed admirably, building up the choirs repertoire with more early music and performing several fine concerts. Betty Barrows conducted the junior choir When Gesner left in 1965, Sally also resigned. Roland Nadeau, Professor of Music at Northeastern University was engaged to play the organ and direct the choir. Pat Baker took over the junior choir.

When Reverend Edmund Palmer Clarke was installed on October 23, 1966, Nadeau played Rheinberger’s Vision and Pachelbel’s From Heaven High, He Comes To Us. (Was his tongue in his cheek?) The choir sang Thomas Tallis’s Rise God, Judge Thou the Earth in Might. Daniel MacDonald was president of the parish. Clarke served for three years, Nadeau for two. He was extremely busy with his teaching and his radio program, A Note to You which was on public radio weekly. Roland brought in organ recitalist Carleton Russell from Wheaton College for a concert in April, 1966. Russell played Bach, Brahms, Handel and Sweelinck. Roland’s daughter was later married at Unity Church and I played for the wedding.

Dr. Chaffin on his Aunt Phebe

My mother's sister, Phebe Shattuck came from Pepperell, Mass. to take care of my mother, Louisa Shattuck Chaffin. Not long afterward my father moved with my mother and aunt to Oxford, Maine. I was born there and my mother being an invalid, my aunt took care of me the first two years of my life and I took care of her the last 20 years of her life at my house in North Easton. She was very happy in my home. She was proud to have her nephew a minister. As she grew older, she attracted much notice. People were very kind to her and showed her much attention, more and more as she neared a hundred years. Following is a notice of her from the New Bedford Mercury, written just before her 100th birthday and published February 14, 1890.

Aunt Phebe Houghton of North Easton will be 100 years old on Tuesday next. For many years she has been the pride of the village and bright sayings of the lady are quoted throughout the town. It was intended at the close of a century of her life to mark the occasion in a memorial way and friends were expected from Missouri, Pennsylvania, and California to personally tender their congratulations. Aunt Phebe lives in the pretty stone rectory of Unity Church with her nephew, Rev. William Chaffin. When the latter was a child, Aunt Phebe tended him and now when she is as the child was, she is lovingly cared for.

A Mercury reporter called at the rectory one day this week and learned the story of Mrs. Houghton's life, which is of unusual interest. She was born at Pepperell, Mass. February 18, 1790 and was the daughter of Ebenezer and Hannah Tarbell Shattuck. Her father was a soldier in the Revolution and she recalls his stories that he used to tell on winter evenings of the terrible campaigns through which he passed, particularly of the terrible winter at Valley Forge. Among his favorite tales was the guarding of the bridge in his native town. Most of the men had been called away when it was rumored that the Tories were coming. Mrs. Wright and another woman hurried to the bridge, each with a gun over her shoulder and stood on guard when two Tories approached, one of whom turned out to be Mrs. Wright's brother. "Halt, or I'll shoot!" called out Mrs. Wright. Wright's companion was inclined to attempt to pass but Wright told him he knew his sister well enough to know she meant what she said. The men surrendered and the women marched them into town and turned them over to the magistrate. There was great rejoicing in the evening in celebrating the event.

Aunt Phebe wasn't married until she was 55 years old when she married Major Levi Houghton of Fitchburg who was 71 years old. "Why did you wait so long?" she was asked. "Well" said Aunt Phebe, "I reasoned this way. If I get a good husband, I shall be paid for waiting and if I don't I shall not have so long to live with him. As it turned out, I was paid for waiting and during the twenty years I lived with the man, he made me a good husband." Aunt Phebe never had any children but she regards her husband's children as her own and refers to "My son" and "My daughter."

"What was your employment as a girl?" she was asked. "When I was a girl, the Yankee girls did not think it was beneath them to be engaged in domestic service. I did this for over 20 years and only got 75 cents a week for it. The prices

now paid to girls for this work seem to me to be enormous, for they don't have to work half as hard as I did. I can't get over it either. When I went to school the teacher didn't know much of anything so I didn't learn much until I grew older. I remember one Sunday in 1812 when General Jewett, who commended the troops at Fitchburg came down to Pepperell and paraded on the common. The soldiers were preparing for the war and there were great crowds to see them and lots of enthusiasm. I was about nine years old at the time of the funeral of Washington but I remember the service in the Pepperell church very well. It was hung in black. One of my sisters sang in the choir and wore a piece of crepe about her arm."

Mrs. Houghton has always been interested in religious matters but is practical and unsentimental on the question. She joined many years ago the Unitarian Church in Lunenburg, Mass. "I spent my youth under the influences of orthodoxy," she said. "but I was always loyal to good common sense. I was a born Unitarian and the tenets of the Calvinistic creed were not attractive to me." One day, and orthodox minister said to her, " Every sermon you hear that doesn't convert you sucks you deeper into hell.". "I guess I won't go to hear any more then," said Aunt Phebe, an application the clergyman hardly expected.

"At one time I was living with Rev. Mr. Eaton of Fitchburg and he said to me: "Phebe, wouldn't you like employment of heaven?" "I presume I should if I was fit to be there," was the answer. "Well," said he, "I suppose it is a good deal like going to meeting." Aunt Phebe said afterwards that her experience at the clergyman's meetings had not been especially heavenly and she concluded to go unemployed. "If heaven is as pleasant as it is here," said Aunt Phebe, "I shall feel perfectly satisfied. I have no fear of death but as Madame Rothschild once said, I should like to live as to be quoted at par."

Aunt Phebe is a Democrat down to the feet. She was brought up Federalist and was a Whig until the Harrison campaign. "How did you happen to become a Democrat then," she was once asked. "Because," said she, "the Whigs made such fools of themselves in hauling around their log cabins and hard cider. They acted like a pack of boys and disgusted me." She said Hayes was a fraud and Cleveland's election was the occasion of great joy to her. Mr. Gifford who was cashier of the bank at North Easton at the time had said to her, "Well, Aunt Phebe, you won't live to see another Democrat president." When she found Mr. Cleveland was elected, she at once sent Mr. Chaffin to bring Mr. Gifford to her when she exclaimed triumphantly, "Well, I lived to see another".

Each year on Memorial Day, the Grand Army posts halt in front of Mr. Chaffin's house and the band plays "Yankee Doodle" and "Auld Lang Syne" while the old lady waves an American flag from the window. This exhibition of chivalry on the part of the Grand Army men is said to be a very impressive spectacle. Nine years ago, Mrs. Houghton broke her hip and has spent most of the time since in bed. To this circumstance, Mr. Chaffin attributes her long life as she has thereby been prevented from unduly exposing herself.

A feature of the commemoration of her last birthday was the reading of a number of poems dedicated to her. The closing verse of one by E.C.L. Browne may fittingly be employed in closing this sketch. My life is like a shadow that declines. I own how kindly he has kept my day. I own what bounty he has poured. And with what tender thought has led my way.

Therefore I fold in patient trust these hands. That in his will would fain be active yet. And wait that watch in which my Lord may say "Enter, dear heart, thy rest. Thy sun is set."

I will add to this the remarkable statement she made to me not long before she died. "William, the last ten years of my life have been the happiest I ever lived." This, from a bed-ridden cripple almost 100 years old is certainly wonderful.

She was Major Houghton's third wife Rev. Mr. Snyder once said to her, "I suppose Aunt Phebe that when you die, you will be buried by the side of your husband."

"No," she replied, "He has a wife on each side of him now. There is no room for me there."

Aunt Phebe lies in the Village Cemetery of North Easton next to the Chaffins.

From the Diary of Evelina Gilmore Ames (1809-1882)

Eveline was the wife of Oakes (1804-1873) who later became a five term Congressman. Her sons were Oakes Angier (1829-1899), Oliver (1831-1895) who became Massachusetts Governor and Frank Morton (1833-198) a three term member Machine Company in Canton. Susan was the only daughter.

There are several memorials to women in our church. Sarah Lothrop Ames, Sarah Ames Witherell, and Helen Angier Ames, the only daughter of Oliver and Sarah are names etched in marble or stained glass. In Evelina's diary, they become alive once more. The Martin Center at Stonehill College has copies of Evelina's diaries for the years 1851 and 1852. In honor of Women's History Month and in memory of Evelina, some of her notes are shared here.

1/4 /1851 Had to do my own housework today and did not get it done in season to go to church for lazy boys did not rise until nearly nine o'clock.

5 Another stormy Monday and have not been able to put our clothes out. Susan washed the dishes this morning and Jane has done the rest of the work. I have finished Susan's hood and it looks very nice. Mrs. Witherell came from Boston tonight. Mr. Witherell died about six yesterday morning.6 Father killed two oxen and gave us the tripe. Went to North Bridgewater this afternoon in a sleigh with SA, Helen, and Quinn. A.A. Gilmore here to ten. Had business in the office. Bought patch for a quilt for I would run it together this evening. Cut Susan a gingham apron. Pleasant, beautiful sleighing.

7 Made some cambric cuffs and collars and starched and ironed same, worked on them most of the day. Head aches this evening trying to see on fine work. Gave it up and went to reading a Thanksgiving story that Mr. Whitwell brought me to read.

10 Made a hair clothe back cushion for one of my rocking chairs. Mrs. Witherell brought in her work and stayed about two hours...This evening have been mending stockings and reading the papers.

11 Have been to church all day and heard two excellent sermons from Mr. Whitwell. The afternoon text was "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

13 This morning after taking care of my room, went to the store and into Mr. Carr's to offer my assistance there. Lewis Carr died last night very suddenly bleeding the lungs. Has been in decline since last July but was about the house as usual yesterday and conversed with OA and his friends in the evening and told what he was going to do when he got well. Aboutten or eleven o'clock called to his mother to come quick, which was the last word and died almost instantly.

16 Went to Boston with S Ames. Oakes carriaged us over to the stage. We found it very bad walking, could scarcely cross the street without going over shoe in snow and water but otherwise delightful day. We bought some drugget and Sarah a muff and tippet for herself, cuffs and tippet for Helen. We got us some oysters at Vinton's. Called Mr. Orrs about four thinking that we should have time to reach the cars but we were left.

17 Spent last night at Mr. Orrs' SA at Mitchell's. We met on Essex Street at 10 o'clock and went shopping. I did not purchase as much as I usually do when I go to Boston. We dined at Mr. Orr's on turkey and oysters...Beautiful weather.

18 I was very lazy this morning as usual after being in Boston. We tried out the suet and salted the quarter of beef, and boiled the tripe.

23 Had a hard day's work. Heated the brick oven two times. Baked mince and dried apple pies, brown bread, cup cakes, and ginger snaps. Had quite a fright about Oliver and Fred being away at teatime was afraid they had got
into the pond where they had been cutting ice for the ice house. Found them at Edwin's.

2/11 This day has been a very busy one with one, getting ready for the sewing circle. Have washed the front stairs and have been sweeping and dusting. Have got things pretty much in order for tomorrow.

16 Did not go to church today on account of a bad cough. Boiled molasses, honey, and sugar and a little hoar hound for it. Jane has been to meeting at the boarding house.

25 This morning Helen left home for school in Dorchester. She felt so bad when she left that I did not go in to see her. Her father and brother went with her and returned at night.

3/3 a letter from Helen. She is contented at her school.

11 This is town meeting day. O Ames & O. Angier went. They spent the whole day there but accomplished very little. M. Pratt and Browne chosen school committee. O Angier was nominated & lacked but one vote of being chosen. They brought home the school report of the last year which is not very favorable for the schools in town generally. It commenced snowing about ten o'clock and it

21 have heated the oven twice today. Baked 15 mince pies, 2 loaves of bread, two sheets of cupcakes, & ginger snaps. Got the last ovenful in about twelve. This afternoon have been looking over my accounts and mending stockings. Helen came tonight on the stage.

22 Early this morning Mrs. S Ames & Helen called. Helen likes her school and roommates.

4/16 Robinson has papered the bedroom today but has not done it well at all. I have finished the carpet and put it down and got the room in order and it looks like another place. It stormed very hard last night and a high wind and today we are having the hardest storm that I ever recollect. Rains very fast & wind high. Lighthouse on Minot's Rock blown down.

More From the 1852 Diary of Evelina Gilmore Ames (1809-1882)
Evelina (1809-1882) was married to Oakes Ames (1804-1873) November 29, 1827. Her children were Oakes Angier (1829-1899), Oliver (1831-1895), Frank (1833-1898), and Susan (1841-1908) who later married Henry French of Pawtucket. Sarah Ames (1812-1890) was her sister in law, Helen (1836-1882) to whom the Angel of Help Window was dedicated was the daughter of Sarah. Mrs. Witherell was the widow of Nathaniel Witherell and sister of Oliver Ames (1807-1877), who donated Unity Church and Oakes (1804-1873).

May 14 Susan ten years old today. Her father and I promised her ten dollars each if she will be a good girl and keep herself neat until her next birthday. Have been to work some on Susan's delaine dress altering it. The gardener laid my verbena and set out some slips from the house. Melvinna came to stop the night. Helen had her forehead lanced. Not pleasant.

May 15 Have been mending a lot of stockings that have been laid by for a week or two. Spend too much time in the garden. Gave Mrs. Gilmore, Augusta, and Abby some plants and flower pads. Abby stopped a couple of times. Gave Susan a bath- took one myself and the afternoon thus passed. Spent the evening. Helen is much better. She has had a sorry time of it.

May 18 went to church this morning and heard our new organ for the first time. Mr. Roach does not understand the playing

1851 on it very well but it is a fine toned one I would think. Came home at noon with Mr. Ames. Got some violet cuts for my garden. Went back to meeting this afternoon. Since, have been reading & writing.

Mon. 17 finished planting my flower seeds. Mr. Blodget had to drive from Boston this afternoon. Have been to Mr.

Kingsley with M. Ames, Miss Jewitt there from Salisbury. Brought home twelve pots of flowers from their green house.

washed the windows in the parlour and cleaned it all that is necessary this spring. Was about house until about four o'clock when Mr. Swain came and spent the afternoon. Mr. Swain came to tea. Worked in the garden about an hour. Susan has the nosebleed about every day. This afternoon came home before the school was done.
Went to Bridgewater quite early this morning and did not get back until after four o'clock. Bought an oilcloth carpet for the dining room, straw carpets for O. Angier's chamber.
Mrs. Patterson came to help clean house today and has done very well. We have cleaned the boy's chamber and put down the carpet in the store room, all that is necessary for painting the dining room. Have not changed my dress today and have not had a chance to sit scarcely a moment. Have a trellis from Linaeus Clapp.

We have cleaned the buttery today and we have had a hard job of it. I have scalded my preserves, have several lbs. of citron and some quince & peach and this afternoon have given my chamber a thorough sweeping and washed the paint where needed. Have set out some plants from the house. Mr. Ames went to Canton.
This afternoon cleaned the shed chamber. Mrs. Patterson assisted me and helped about the house downstairs. I baked cake and brown bread in Mrs. Witherell's oven and Mrs. McHanna made a custard and some rhubarb pies. Augusta brought her dress in and I partly made the button holes.

June 1 Have been to Boston with Mrs. Witherell, Mrs. S. Ames, Helen, & Emily. Called at Mr. Orr's the first place, met the other ladies at half past nine at Mr. Daniels & Co. Was trying to get a bonnet most all day and at last got materials for a lace one.

Lazy this day as usual after being in Boston. Have been with Mrs. S. Ames to the sewing circle at Mr. William Reed's. Had a very pleasant time as we always do there.

Baked in the brick oven pies, cake, brown bread and have been to work about the house all day until the stage came and brought Mr. & Mrs. Orr. It rains quite hard and I did not much expect them. Also, S. Ames and Mrs. Witherell called this evening. Had some ice cream from in the new freezer.
Mr. & Mrs. Orr, Mr. Ames & self dined at O. Ames and Oakes & Frank came to tea with Mrs. Davidson and two daughters. Mr. Ames & Mr. Orr went to Canton. Mr. Orr brought me a frame for a lace bonnet and I have fitted it to my head ready for the trimming.

Have been weeding in the garden and transplanting.
...Father (her father in law)has given me another jawing about my leaving some old coats on the grass.
Worked in the garden again this morning until about ten. My garden takes
up quite too much of my time.

July 5 ...Have finished my brown muslin. Augustus has been in this afternoon and this evening we have been to see the fireworks at the Russells.

This day I was in hopes to pass quietly and sew but quite early Mrs. Jessups & Linds from Shefford & Fullerton from Boston came and were here to dinner and tea so I had to go cooking instead of sewing. Made some lemon and custard pies. It has been excessively warm and the flies have come in
swarms...
Went to meeting with Mrs. A.L.Ames this morning to Mr. Sheldon's church. The church is just painted and looks nicely. Their organ is good and fine singing but they have a most miserable preacher, a stranger. Communion at our church this afternoon. Mrs. Ames partook with them.

Hannah and Mary picked some currents yesterday and today. I have made some current wine. Had four quarts of juice.
After meeting rode to Massapoag Pond with Mr. Ames and Susan. Came home through Sharon and went by Col. Tisdales, a very pleasant time but feel much fatigued.

...have made two barrels of potash soap and have had very good luck. August 19 Started with Mrs. A.L.Ames, S Ames, Fred, Helen, & Oakes A. for Burlington. Left Boston at 12. Slept for the night at Bellows Falls much fatigued & covered with dust. It is a very romantic place and very good accommodations at the island house. Walked out after tea to view the place and falls.

Aug. 18 Left Bellows Falls at 1/2 past 7 and arrived in Burlington about two. Went to Mr. Stetson's, found the house shut up. At the house opposite, they told us she had gone to Mrs. Mills and we went there and had some dinner and all went to Mrs. Stetson's to tea.

Cousin Harriet came up to see us this morning and invited us to spend the day at Mrs. Mills but she stopt to dinner there and we went to Mrs. Mills to tea. After tea, Mrs. S. Ames, Oakes A. & self called at Mrs. Mowers and they were going to the Panorama at the Garden of Eden & Mrs. Ames, Mrs. Stetson & I went with them.
We went with Mrs. Stetson to the Unitarian Church & heard Mr. Rice in the morning. Dined at Mrs. Mills and all went to the Episcopal Church but I did not think much of the preaching or singing.

Left Burlington at 1/2 before eleven on our return home...It rained most all the way which made it much more pleasant as it laid the dust. Arrived at Boston about eight.

My Settlement in North Easton

by William Ladd Chaffin

I stayed at Meadville until the middle or last of the summer of 1866 and then, invited to spend a year at my Concord, NH home, Rebecca and I left for the East. We visited at Reverend James Freeman Clarke's in Jamaica Plain. Soon Rebecca went into the New England Hospital for treatment and meantime I stayed at the Clarke's. One evening I went with the family to hear Dickens in one of his celebrated readings. I heard him read from his David Copperfield and Bob Sawyers Party. It was wonderfully fine and I hardly ever have had so enjoyable an evening. I was one day about October in the A.U.A. rooms when Reverend R.R.Shippen, then the association's secretary said to me, "Do you not feel sufficiently recovered to settle over a small church in the country where you could have but one service a Sunday and not many people to visit?" I answered that I would like to try it and said, "Where is there such a church?" He replied, "At North Easton!" I told him I would like to try it. He got me a chance to candidate there, and I went down a Sunday in October and preached in their little church, so small that a classmate of mine afterwards in describing it said the minister in the pulpit could shake hands with the chorister at the other end of the church. I stopped that Sunday with Oakes Ames, the Congressman. His brother Oliver and family with whom I afterwards was accustomed to stop was not there on that Sunday. Preaching here several Sundays, I soon received a call to settle as minister which call I accepted, the engagement to date January 1, 1868. There was no installation service. I thought it not necessary to have one and think my motive for declining to have one must have been my uncertainty as to whether or not I would be well and strong enough to continue as minister because of my serious heart trouble. There was at this time a congregation but no church. At my suggestion an organization of the church was affected January 1, 1868. On August 25, 1875 the new and beautiful church building, a gift of Oliver Ames, the second of that name was dedicated. My salary at first was $1200 and house rent. The salary was increased to 1500 in 1872. The Society until 1876 had been known as the "Unitarian Society of North Easton." But on September 6 of that year, it adopted the name of "Unity Church of North Easton."

One hindrance to greater success in securing a large attendance in the new church was the distance from the house of those attending it. It stands at about one point on the circumference of the cluster of homes of its members. In the little old church that stood on the ground that is now occupied by the Rockery (Cairn) our congregations were larger than after we had all the beauty of the new church to attract us. I note that on April 11, 1875 in the old church we had a congregation of 164, a day when my classmate, Rev. H.H.Barber preached and on the following Sunday, the 18th of April I had an audience of 168. But on this date there was no Methodist service and that fact, no doubt made my congregation larger than usual but not much. Now, in the autumn of 1921 we do not average over a hundred. Two weeks ago, (it is now November, 1921) we had 112 present and last Sunday 108.

We began housekeeping soon after my settlement in the little house on Oliver Street next to what is now known as "Minister Field." living there until the summer of 1878, a little over ten years. We then moved into the new parsonage built by money left for the purpose by Oliver Ames, the builder of the church. At that house, father Bagley died the last of October, 1874 and we had the interment in the family lot at Meadville. I had the funeral service at Aunt Lizzie's. Also in that house died Rebecca's sister, Sarah Dec. 7, 1874 and her funeral and interment were also in Meadville. We moved into the parsonage next day after the last Sunday of July, 1878 one of the hottest days I ever knew, when I came near having a sunstroke. A pleasant thing to record is that the Irish Catholic Military Band asked for the privilege of serenading us on the first evening of our occupancy of the parsonage which privilege was of course granted and they gave us a fine musical welcome to our new home. We treated them to ice cream and cake. I imagine the serenade of a Protestant minister and family by an Irish Catholic Band was a very rare occurrence, at least in New England.

In 1869, we adopted a child named Anna Bragdon, one of a family of five brothers and two sisters, orphaned by the death of their father. She passed through our school course in North Easton and after graduating, studies for kindergarten work and became a kindergartner. She had a kindergarten in Brockton a year or two and after that she taught in a public institution in Boston. On June 26, 1894, I married her to Bertram B. Corliss of Milton, Mass, a carpenter and they have lived in Hyde Park, Quincy and at this writing (1921) in Boston

Golden Anniversary of My Settlement as Minister Here
by Rev. William L. Chaffin, January, 1918

Great preparations had been made for it. It was held in the chapel, which was crowded with guests. One circumstance that occurred was most painful and threatened to cast a blight on the whole proceeding. Rebecca was at the railroad station waiting for the arrival of a friend on the train, a short time before the exercises were to commence, when she was suddenly taken with an attack of cholera morbus so suddenly as not even to allow her time to reach the ladies private room. She was taken home at once in an automobile, her soiled clothes removed, and the doctor called. He treated her and it looked as though I should suffer the great disappointment of not having her present with me at the services. But with a wonderful courage and self-control, she braced up and was taken to the Chapel and we sat together on the platform with our friend, Rev. E.A. Horton who was to make the address. I append below a notice of the anniversary exercises, which was written by my dear classmate, Rev. Mr. Barber and was published in the Christian Registry January 10, 1918.

The beautiful church at North Easton, Mass. was the scene of a very pleasant gathering on the evening of New Year's Day, when the friends of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. William L. Chaffin met to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his installation as pastor of the church. The members of the church gathered in large numbers despite the severe cold of the night, and many others came from the churches of the town and neighborhood, to testify of their affection and esteem and appreciation of the good work and beneficent influence Dr. and Mrs. Chaffin have exerted throughout the community. Many friends who were unable to be present sent letters of affectionate greeting and remembrance. A book containing the signatures of past and present parishioners was presented conveying their loving and reverent greetings.

A short address of welcome and of assurance to the pastor and his wife of the deep and continuing love and veneration of the church and the community was made by the chairman of the executive committee, John S. Ames. Rev. Doctor E.A.Horton of Boston who has been in many ways associated with Dr. Chaffin and with members of the congregation spoke with great force and acceptance of the minister's work as illustrated by the long and fortunate service of Dr. Chaffin in North Easton. Fitting words of response to this glowing and deserved tribute were spoken by Dr. Chaffin.

It may be permitted to one who has known Dr. Chaffin and his devoted wife for sixty years and as classmate, fellow worker, and friend, has known much of the conditions and spirit of this long and happy ministry to witness of his conviction of its exceptionally fortunate character and eminently rich and fruitful results. The fair promise of Dr. Chaffin's early work in the ministry was indeed clouded for a time by serious illness and he has been compelled to go softly for the larger part of his life because of long continued physical weakness. His long ministry has constantly grown in power and influence. Dr. Chaffin's genial temper, tireless ministry and earnest practical spirit have made him not only the trusted public servant of the church and town and the valued friend of all but have opened to him fields of local historical research in which he has become eminent and made for him many positions of great usefulness and large public service. May his serene and active old age continue to bless his many friends and the community which holds him in loving regard and honor.

Not withstanding Rebecca's severe illness before the meeting, she stayed until Rev. Horton closed his address and I responded. But she had become pale and felt faint ; she was led into the church. Minnie Ames Frothingham looked at her and said, "Well, you are a dead game sport!" and she sent for her auto and had her carried home. The gifts on this occasion amounted to $598.50, Mrs. Frothingham giving $125.00. The orchestra on this occasion was the Shepard family.

From the 1875 Diary of Oliver Ames (1807-1877)

Sunday, Jan. 10 Cold day 20 below zero. Mr. Chaffin preached.

Jan 11 Went to Boston and took carriage and went to East Boston with Brazer to look at two Catholic Churches frescoed by Brazer. There was some good work but did not like them fully.

Jan. 16 John A. Mitchell was out here with some plans for frescoing. Will see others Monday.

Jan. 28 Brazer came out today and set some of his men at work sizing it up and getting the walls ready for his frescoing. Think he will do it in 5 or 6 weeks.

Feb. 2 Commenced work putting up hard pine ceiling in basement of church.

Feb 13 Went to Boston today to order organ and hear it. Was not very much impressed with it.

Feb. 16 Work on church moving along slowly.

Feb 18 Have finished the putting on black walnut sheathing. Martin is making the roof finishers look very well.

Feb. 21 Mr. Chaffin preached on General and Special Providence treating the subject not very brilliantly.

Feb. 28 A rather uninteresting sermon to me.

March 4 Put down stone in basement to set furnace on.

Mar. 5 Furnace was put up today in basement.

Mar. 8 Took down staging in pulpit end of church and the frescoing does not look as well as I expected.

Mar. 21 Mr. Chaffin preached a very good sermon.

Mar. 28 Easter Sunday Church was decorated with flowers and looked nicely...church very full.

Mar. 30 The end window in church was partly put in today. It is very much admired and comes up thus far to my expectations Commenced laying the floor in church today.

Mar. 31 Called at Butler's office to order his painting for church. It will I think look well.

Apr. 3 Put in lower part of window opposite of pulpit.

Apr. 4 Mr. Chaffin preached an ordinary sermon very few people in church.

Apr. 5 Laying down floor in library & hall through tower..

Apr. 6 Commenced putting up pew ends.

Apr. 8 Had the church room dusted so as to be ready for organ which can now be put up whenever builders are ready.

Apr. 10 Mason up here this AM and thinks he can begin on tower by 19^th.

Apr. 11 Mr. Barber preached a very good sermon to a very full house.

Apr. 12 Commenced putting up organ today.

Apr. 14 Commenced laying floor in vestry.

Apr. 16 Putting up spire. Will not commence until 26th but will get all things ready next week.

Apr. 18 Church was quite full. Mr. Chaffin preached on faith, a very ordinary sermon.

Apr. 27 Put up derrick on tower today.

Apr. 30 Work on tower going along slower. Putting in windows.

May 1 Got along a little better on tower. Discharged all carpenters on church today except two -- work substantially done. Work on tower went along better.

May 2 Mrs. Dow went to church with us. Mr. Goein preached a sermon on communion, a very good sermon.

May 3 Putting up cases for books in library.

May 4 Hooks on but not yet slated. Expect to get started next week.

May 5 Finished the two cornice courses today and will commence now to drawing in the spire to 8' square. Hope it will go along faster.

May 6 Tower goes along slow.

May 9 Mr. Chaffin preached on the Good Shepherd, a so so sort of sermon.

May 16 Mr. Chaffin preached a very good sermon on conscience.

May 17 Raised the derrick. The tower has been built up 10 feet.

May 19 I hope to get the church room finished this week.

May 21 Tower getting along. As it grows smaller, a little faster up.

May 22 Church going along faster with more men-have about finished new church room.

May 24 Painters have finished the Church room except filling the doors. Delayed on tower by not having the capitals for polished posts by windows.

May 26 Putting up stones for windows on tower.

May 30 Went to see Myron Gilbert after church about stones. Wants some stone cutters to cut stones for fence and curb stairs.

June 1 Grading off ground in front of church today.

June 6 Mr. Chaffin preached on Angels. A poor sermon on a poor subject.

June 7 Sent Hook on organ $1500.

June 11 Grading up about the church and hope to get it done as soon as the tower is done.

June23 Selected chandeliers for the church and fixtures for the basement. The chandeliers for the church I think will look very well. The price, $65. each

June 24 Engaged wire for screen on stained glass windows at 12 1/2 cents a foot.

June 29 I think finished tuning the organ today...gas machine to be delivered early next week.

July 2 Finished the stone work on the church. Mrs. Kent came out today to give us an exhibition of her capacity to play the church organ. She seems very well and may answer our purpose.

July 4 ...Let Chaffin have horse and buggy for exchange.

July 5 ... Had the bell on the church rung this morning for first time. It is a fine sounding bell - but rings hard. Catholic Society had a picnic at Picker Field. Oakes A. Ames had very good fireworks in evening.

July 6 Ordered glass for down in basement and for tower windows.

July 8 Some grass dead on lawn in front of church.

July 9 Getting Gas Machine and fixing up grounds around the church.

July 11 Louise Pierce played organ in new church and number of our families in to hear. She plays very well.

July 17 Fixing up grounds about church. Hope to get them done next week if pleasant. The rain of yesterday has started the grass seed some on the lawn.

July 18 Mr. Chaffin preached a very poor sermon reading the chapter on eating the body and drinking the blood of Christ and making no explanation of it.

July 22 Digging out cellar for stable and grading up about church covering up the gas pit and putting on nine screens to protect the windows.

July 31 Have all the stones except the end stones front of church. Roads and lawns all graded, done. Gas fixtures up and last work of carpenters done.

Aug. 4 Looked at Bibles for one for church.

Aug. 6 Saw Bible at Phils that suits me very well.

Aug. 7 Saw Choate and he will draw up papers for deed of church to society.

Aug. 8 No church today nor for month of August.

Aug. 10 Mrs. Cogswell, Brett, & Mr. Chaffin here to consult on Program for service, Dedication Day.

Aug. 13 Called on Mr. Shippen this morning to arrange for dedication. Went with him and Mr. Chaffin to see Mr. Choate to decide on what form of words to be put in deed to the church property. Mr. Chaffin and Shippen are to fix up a form.

Aug. 15 Gurney of New Bedford here to play this organ, also to sing.

Aug 18 Men worked most of the day. Finished putting down curb stone front of church and filled it up and ready for concreting. Went to Boston to get music holders and a deed from Mr. Choate.

Aug. 20 Went to Boston in morning. Look after holders for music for church choir but found none -- shall make them.

Aug. 21 All things about church now fixed up except clearing up the woods back of it and smoothing off the things in woods.

Aug. 23 Had meeting of society of new church and turned over to them the property which I hope will be a benefit to the society.

Aug. 24 Cleaning up about the church.

Thurs, Aug. 26 Pleasant. Our church was dedicated today. The day was cool and very fine and the services were all very well performed. Mr. Shippen's sermon was excellent, as were also all the servers. The church was well filled and looked very well. The singing was very good and our invited guests were almost all here.

Sunday, Aug. 29 First meeting in the new church today. It was quite full and much more so than I expected and Mr. Chaffin preached a very good discourse on Unity...In the evening, Mr. Snyder preached but he was not generally well heard. Everything went off very satisfactorily.

Sept. 6 Went to Boston and had a talk with Bartlett (the sculptor) about bust. Told him when he got the bust perfected in plaster I would like to decide whether the work should go any further with it and would pay him from $200 to $500 for it if it was in bronze. He wants $1000. Went to meeting of society on singing and decided to invite the present singers to sit in choir and sing.

Sept. 12 Church full. Mr. Chaffin had a very good sermon. Mrs. Gurney sat with choir. Mrs. Bratt did not go in. Rev. Cheny of Boston preached in the evening. House quite full.

Sept. 15 Paid John (Ames Mitchell) for services as architect of the church $1200.

Sept 19. Mrs. Cogswell was unable to sing and she got Mrs. Henry Carr to take her place.

Sept. 23 Looked over the New Cemetery with Copeland. It looks hard but work will fix it.

Sept. 29 Work on cemetery going well

Wed. Oct. 20 Unitarian convention at our church -- very full had a very nice dinner and everyone seems to be delighted with the Church and all the appointments.

Oct. 22 Work raising stable. Work on cemetery going along very well.

Oct. 23 Raising stable. At work on cemetery and green house.

Nov. 11 They seem to be getting along very well today with wall for cemetery

Dec. 5 Had a fine lady singer from Boston

Dec. 12 Singing went very nicely

Sun. Dec. 26 Paid organist $50.00

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04/26/2012