they were organized as a society by law,and had preaching part of the time, by Elders Goddard, and Marshall. In 1815, the members of Holden church, residing in this town were set off, as a branch, and in 1819, were recognized as a distinct church, which consisted of about 50 members. The preceding year, they had erected a meeting house, 44 by 36 ft. on a piece of land given them by Robert B.Thomas, Esq. This house is now finished, and stands about two miles north of the centre of the town at the Upper Factory, and is exclusively, the property of the church, who rent the pews annually, towards the support of their pastor. The peace and harmony of this church and society, have never been disturbed since its organization. The increase has been gradual, and there are now, 80 rateable polls, belonging to the society, residing in this town, and the adjacent parts of Sterling and Holden. Various preachers were employed for a short time, until the church was organized. Since then, the Rev. Nicholas Branch, preached about three years; but was never pastor. After he removed, the church in 1823, chose Rev. Alling Hough, A. M. of Brown University, their pastor; he accepted the call, and continued in office about eighteen months; when he was called away by death, from his labors on earth. "He lived respected, and beloved by his people," and died at the age of 32. In December 1824, the church invited their present pastor, Charles C. P. Crosby, to preach as a candidate, and March following, the church and society, gave him a unanimous call to settle, with a salary of $270 per ann. and four Sabbaths for his own benefit. The call being accepted, he was ordained, April 13, 1825. On the settlement of Mr. Crosby, the society immediately began to build a parsonage, for the convenience of their minister, to cost them when finished, about $1500. Since the innstitution of the church 70 have been baptised, 34 received by letter, and the church now contains 134 members. There is no Unitarian or Universalist Society in town; but there have been persons of those persuasions for many years. They did not dissent from the old parish, until 1823, when a legal tax for the support of Mr. Boardman was about to be laid on them; about thirty joined the Restoration Society, in Shrewsbury, and about fifteen joined Dr. Bancroft's Society in Worcester, and Mr. Osgood's in Sterling. The Restoration people have preaching about once in two months, in the centre school house. 204 PLEASANT VALLEY. NOTE. The following notice of the beautiful little spot mentioned in the preceding memoir, with the accompanying lines, is copied from the American (Boston) Traveller of July 14. On leaving the road you enter a grove of oaks and maples, be tween two declivities, and continuing down this avenue that winds along through the shrub oaks, at once opens to the view a plain of three or four acres of an oval form, surrounded on every side, excepting only the narrow pass by which you enter, by high and al most perpendicular banks, whose sides are covered by the birch and the shrub oak and whose tops are surmounted by trees of the largest size. The plain is more level and smooth than art could make it, no remains of ancient trees, no stone, not even a stray branch of the neighboring grove mar the scene. A fine short grass covers the whole area and presents to the eye an enchanting fairy green. The stillness of death reigns, undisturbed by the noise of the world. It is a place for contemplation, where man can turn his thoughts home to his own breast and meditate on the follies of the world, or where he can upturn them to Him, the chitect of nature. supreme ar Sweet vale of West Boylston! how calm a retreat, Oh here, the war trumpet shall never be heard, Here, the banners of foemen shall ne'er be unfurl'd; Thy carpet so green, 'neath the blue sky outspread, Be this the retreat of the votaries of Love, For the friends of the heart-be it Piety's fane Oh here, have 1 roved with the friend of my heart, When the last rays of sunshine were gilding the spot- And the friends that were there shall ne'er be forgot. 205 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER. Continued from Vol. I. page 197. THE County having been incorporated, the officers were initiated at the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, and Inferior Court of Common Pleas, as it was then styled, first held at Worcester, August 10, 1731, when a Sermon was preached before them, by Rev. John Prentice, of Lancaster, from II. Chronicles. xix. 6th and 7th verses. "And said to the Judges, take heed what you do: For ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in judgment. Wherefore, now let the fear of the Lord be upon you, take heed and do it: For there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts."―This sermon was printed.* REGISTER OF CIVIL OFFICERS IN THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER. From Judges of the Court of Common Pleas. to 1731 Hon. John Chandler, of Woodstock, died 1743 1762 Artemas Ward, of Shrewsbury, resigned 1798 1775 Jedediah Foster, of Brookfield, Moses Gill, of Princeton, Samuel Baker, of Berlin, 1776 Joseph Dorr, of Ward, 1776 1794 died 1795 resigned 1801 1794 Michael Gill, Esq. of Princeton, resigned 1798 1795 *Elijah Brigham, of Westborough, died 1816 1799 John Sprague, of Lancaster, 1799 *Dwight Foster, of Brookfield, Those in Italics held the office of Chief Justice. died 1800 died 1823 *On the authority of Whitney, 14. The pamphlet we have not been able to find, upon inquiry. 1801 *Benjamin Heywood, of Worcester, died 1817 1811 1818 Hon. Solo. Stroug, of Leominster, was ed by the death of Judge Bangs, and Hon. Michael Gill, of Westminster, and Hon. Judge Strong, are the only survivers of this list. Biographical notices of all the other Judges will be found in the histories of their respective towns. Clerks of the Judicial Courts of the Common Pleas. The same gentlemen were Clerks of the Court of Sessions, excepting Samuel Flagg, Jr. who was appointed in 1808, and held the office one year, when Enoch Flagg was appointed, who officiated for one term only, when the powers of the Court were transferred to the Common Pleas. The Clerks of the Supreme Judicial Court resided in Boston, until 1797, when it was provided that the Clerks of that Court should be the same with those of the Common Pleas, excepting in some of the small counties. Sheriffs of the County. 1731 Daniel Gookin, of Worcester, died 1743 died 1751 1751 1762 1775 died 1778 John Chandler, jr. of Worcester, 1762 Gardner Chandler, of Worcester, These filled the Bench until the Court was superceded by the new or ganization of the Circuit Courts of Common Pleas, by Stat. 1811, ch. 33. 1812 1811 Moses White, Esq. of Rutland, 1812 Thomas W. Ward, Esq. of Shrewsbury, 1824 Judges of Probate. 1731 Hon. John Chandler, of Woodstock, died 1743 1782 Hon. Joseph Dorr, of Ward, resigned 1800 Theophilus Wheeler, Esq. At the first Probate Court, held on July 12, A. D. 1731, it was ordered, that Courts of Probate be held at Worcester, in the month of September, annually, at the times the Superior Court is held, also the first Tuesdays in November and February, and the weeks following the second Tuesdays of May and August, and the weeks following, and at such other times as occasion may require, either at Worcester or Woodstock, in said County. Removed by impeachment of the H. of R. before the Senate for malfeasance in his office; and was the first officer of this Government held amenable to that august tribunal. |