|
|
|
|
Rev. Samuel Tobey was the first Pastor of the church in Berkley. Born in Sandwich in 1715, he graduated at Cambridge in 1733, and was ordained in Berkley Nov. 23, 1737, the same month with the organization of the church.* His ministry extended to the time of his death, • which occurred suddenly Feb. 13,1781, including a period therefore of nearly forty-four years.
The Book of Records already referred to, in the hand writing of Mr. Tobey, contains the following entries concerning the call and settlement of the first minister of Berkley. "January ye 1st, 1736, I was invited to preach at Berkley, and accordingly came. August ye 3d, 1736, the people of Berkley gave me a call to settle among them, in ye work of ye ministry, offering me two hundred pounds for my settlement, and one hundred for my salary. Sept. ye 1st, ensuing, I met with ye town, and by their adding to their first offer ye contribution money which should be contributed every Sabbath, and stating my salary at silver 26s per oz. I accepted ye call. November ye 23, 1737, I was ordained Pastor over the church and congregation in Berkley.
In the Church Record Book, which appears to have been kept with great fidelity by Mr. Tobey, and unlike those of many other churches has fortunately escaped the ravages of time, are to be found interesting matters personal : " Sept. ye 6th, 1738, I was married to Bathsheba Crocker.* October ye 31, I moved into my House. Will God speak well of ye House of His servants for a great while to come, and as for me and my Household, we will serve ye Lord. Celia, our first child, born August ye 29th, 1739, on Wednesday, between one and two at night. Samuel, our second child, born August ye llth, 1741, on Tuesday, about sunset. May ye 28th, 1743, my dear child Samuel died, on Saturday, a little after sun-rising; oh, that his death might be sanctified unto us, his Parents, for our spiritual good. June ye 5th, 1743, our third child born, on ye first day of ye week, early in ye morning. Baptized ye same day by ye name of Samuel. Sept. ye 25th, 1745, our fourth child born on Wednesday about 8 of ye clock, in ye morning, called Timothy. Nathaniel, our fifth child born August the 17th, 1747, on Monday morning, about 3 of ye clock. Isaac, our sixth child, born July ye 20th, 1749, on Thursday, between seven and eight at night. Enoch, our seventh child, born Sept. ye 2d, 1751, on Monday evening, between eight and nine of ye clock. Aletheia, our eighth child, born March ye 3d, 1754, on ye Sabbath, about 5 of ye clock, p. M. Sept. ye 9th, 1756, my ninth child born on Thursday at about 4 of ye clock in ye afternoon, called Bathsheba. Feb'ry ye 4th, 1759, my tenth child was born about 5 of ye clock on Sabbath morning, called Abigail: Died Nov. 29,1778. Sept. ye 6th, 1761, my wife was delivered of two sons; ye first was born about nine of ye clock, Sabbath Day night, ye second about ten of ye clock, viz: Paul and Silas, Nov'br 29th, 1778, Nabby died in ye Twentieth year of her age."
Of the above children, Celia mar. Abial Deane of Assonet Neck. Timothy mar. Mary Holloway. Nathaniel mar. Abigail, daughter of Stephen Burt of Berkley. Isaac mar. (1) Lydia, daughter of Col. George Williams, (2) Deborah, daughter of Benjamin Williams, Esq.; Enoch mar. Rebecca Littlefield, of Newport, R.I.; Aletheia mar. Edward Paull of Taunton; Bathsheba mar. Gideon Babbitt of Dighton; Paul mar. Betsey Parker of Barre, Mass; Silas died single at Port au Prince, W.I.; Samuel, the oldest son who lived, mar. Experience Paull of Berkley (according to the record of his father, who performed the service) " Sept. ye 6th, 1768." This son became one of the most eminent and influential citizens of Berkley. He filled many offices of public trust, and was honored with a seat on the Bench of the Court of Common Pleas. He had ten children, viz: Achsah, who married Roger French of Berkley, and is yet living in Barnard, Vt.; Apollos, who married Hannah Crane of Berkley: Ruth, who still lives, and leads a single life; Betsey, who mar. Tisdale Porter, of Berkley; Samuel, who died young; Enoch, who mar. Sally Barnaby of Freetown;
(Ruth Tobey, a grand-daughter of the minister, informs me that her grand-father was one of eleven children, and that his wife was daughter of Timothy Crocker of Barnstable. She was probably related to Rev. Josiah Crocker of Taunton. assisting were, Mr. Billings, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Fessenden, and Mr. "Wales- Mr. Wales having Prayed, Mr. Fessenden Preached an excellent sermon from these words in the 2d Coloss. 5, Joying and beholding your order; after which Mr. Billings gave me the Charge, Mr. Fisher ye Right Hand. All performed to good acceptance. "this house" was north-east of the "Berkley common." The meeting-house was on the south side of the "common." The first Congregational Society are occupying their third house on the same site.)
The Ministry of Taunton: With Incidental Notices of Other Professions By Samuel Hopkins Emery
bravenet.com