the oldest date is that erected to "Mr. Thos. Ramsdell, A. D. 1727,” the same year that the town was incorporated and the church established here. There were undoubtedly many burials in this cemetery prior to that date, and on the older graves may yet be seen heaps of stones, placed there to keep the wolves and dogs from digging up the bodies. Little is left in these graves. In 1886, when making some improvements in the cemetery with money raised by concerts, I had occasion to have one or more of the old graves opened. A streak of black earth, a tuft of hair, and in one instance a few kernels of parched corn where the stomach ought to be, was all that was found by Mr. Andrew T. Damon, who opened the graves. I am indebted to Mr. Damon for many favors and much kindness during my acquaintance with him, extending over many years. No one now living knows more about the old cemetery than he. In closing this preface I wish to especially commend this volume to all who have time to make a careful study of it. Many will find much to give them light on the characters who lived in this country town a century ago, and who had such difficulty in getting the wayward members back to the fold, in keeping the small boy quiet, and in raising enough money to support the minister. They were responsible for the present generations; do we all realize that we are equally responsible for the coming generations. AUGUST, 1895. L. VERNON BRIGGS. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE. Frontispiece PRESENT MEETING-HOUSE of the First Congregational Church. From PLAN of the parts of Scituate and Abington that were incorporated as 7 HOUSE occupied by Rev. Samuel Baldwin during his pastorate. From a photograph by L. Vernon Briggs 8 HOUSE occupied by Revs. Mellen, Chaddock, Chapin, Smith, Duncan, during their pastorates. From a photograph by L. Vernon Briggs 14 MAP of Hanover, A. D. 1794. From an original drawing 24 REV. ABEL G. DUNCAN. From a photograph owned by his son 34 PRESENT PARSONAGE, built A. D. 1855, on land purchased of Sam'l SHIP "Cronstadt." From "History of Shipbuilding on North River" 51 86 116 166 260 STONE ERECTED) to Mr. Thos. and Mrs. Sarah Ramsdell, 1727-1773. 273 ▾ STONE ERECTED to Dea. Joseph Stockbridge and Mrs. Margaret, his 280 284 • STONE ERECTED to Dea. Joseph and Mrs. Anna Stockbridge, 17831783. From a photograph by L. Vernon Briggs 286 STONE ERECTED to David Stockbridge, Esq., 1788. From a photograph by L. Vernon Briggs STONE ERECTED to Mr. Lewis White, 1813. From a photograph by 298 HISTORY OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, HANOVER, MASS. CHAPTER I. FORMATION OF CHURCH AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ITS MINISTERS. THE HE early history of Hanover is identified with that of Scituate, to which town its territory belonged until 1727, excepting only a small portion which was taken from Abington. Therefore the church history, prior to 1727, of the people living in the territory, now known as Hanover, is to be found mainly in the church records of Scituate. This territory was settled in 1649; the part of Scituate lying about the harbor was settled in 1628, thus making Scituate the second settlement in Plymouth Colony, though not the second incorporated town. When the inhabitants of Hanover, then numbering about three hundred souls, decided to petition to be set off a town by themselves, they were met with considerable opposition from the inhabitants of Abington, though the inhabitants of Scituate gave them no trouble. The General Court, receiving the remonstrance, appointed a committee, consisting of Lieut. Gov. Tailor and Elisha Cook, of the Council, and Ezra Bourne, Maj. Tileston, and Edward Arnold, of the House, to view the territory, and they reported in favor of its corporation, although they allowed it would "Put the inhabitants of Abington under some difficulties respecting the supporting the public worship of God, for that several large tracts of land within the town did not pay towards the maintenance of the ministry." It was decided to call the new town Hanover, probably after the Duke of Hanover, who had lately been called to the English throne, under the title of George I, and as yet the Colonies had seen little to give them cause to be otherwise than loyal to their Island government. In the act incorporating the town of Hanover, June 14, 1727, it was stipulated as one of the conditions of the grant "That the inhabitants of the said town of Hanover do within the space of two years from the publication of this act erect and finish a suitable house for the Public Worship of God, and as soon as may be procure and settle a learned Orthodox Minister of good conversation and make provision for his comfortable and honorable support, and that thereupon they be discharged from any further payment for the maintenance of the ministry &c., in the towns of Scituate or Abington for any estate lying within the said town of Hanover." In pursuance of this proviso one of the first steps taken by the town was to provide for the support of Public Worship, and July 17, 1727, Mr. DANIEL DWIGHT, who had already preached in the town, was chosen to dispense the Word of God. for three months. Rev. Daniel Dwight was a descendant of Michael Dwight, of Dedham, Mass.. He was born October 28, 1707; graduated from Harvard College in 1726, and was never married. He preached occasionally, though for years he engaged in business. He died July 4, 1747, aged 39. Messrs. Amos Sylvester and Thomas Josselynn were chosen to arrange with Mr. Dwight, and £7 s. 19 were subsequently voted as a remuneration for his services. Meetings were held at this time in private dwellings, and the house of Mr. Samuel Stetson, being nearest the centre of the town, and most con. venient for the public accommodation, was principally used. August 29th, of the same year, £60 was voted for the support of a minister, and Isaac Buck, Elijah Cushing and Joseph House were chosen to provide one. Nov. 13th, it was agreed to erect a meeting-house at the most convenient place, by the road called the Drinkwater Road, and Elijah Bisbee, Joshua Turner, and |