COMMUNITY CHURCH HISTORY The incorporation of Medway in 1713 included the land we presently know as Millis and Medway. The two sections are often re- ferred to as the East Precinct (Millis), and the West Precinct (Medway). The Black Swamp, a massive area of dense forests and swamps, was the geographical center between both precincts. The First Church of Christ in Medway was established in the more populous area east of the Black Swamp. In colonial days, attendance at church services was an obligation. Services were lengthy, involving both morning and afternoon sessions, with a short intermission to eat, warm up if it was cold, and socialize in the adja- cent “noon houses.” Weather was always an issue, but winter was especially difficult due to the cold and lack of heat in the meet- ing house. As the population of Medway grew, settlers began building in the West Precinct. Increasingly, as early as 1731, they began to ex- plore alternatives to attending church services and town meetings at such a distance. The Black Swamp was a major obstacle to these settlers and their families, who travelled by foot, wagon, or horseback to attend services in the east. It was difficult, inconve- nient, and nearly impossible to travel several miles from home, over rutted pathways, across the often flooded swampy area, to -ar rive at the meeting house in time to hear the bell ringing, calling all to worship. Several proposals were made to make it easier for the West Precinct settlers to attend worship services. After failing to find a work- able solution, the settlers petitioned the General Court in 1748 for permission to separate from the East Precinct and to build their own meeting house. Once again they cited the long distances traveled, the road conditions in all types of weather, and the dangers of crossing the Black Swamp as reasons for creating a new parish. As required by law they gave evidence that they could build a meeting house and support a “learned gentleman” to serve as pastor. On December 29th, 1748, the court granted the West Pre- cinct (of Medway) the right to incorporate and to build a meeting house; they were, however, to work with the East Precinct (of Medway) in all matters that affected the whole town. Thus begins the history of the West Precinct and the Second Church of Christ in Medway. E The factual information and pictures for this timeline were derived from a number of sources: Donovan, F. D. (1951). An Outline History of Medway. Donovan, F. D., & Medway Bicentennial Commission. (1976). The New Grant: A History of Medway. Town of Medway. Hixon, H. Historical Outline of Medway. Hoag, G., & Howker, P. (2004). Medway (Images of America Series). Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. Jameson, R. E. (1886). The History of Medway, MA 1713-1885. Providence, RI: J.A. & R.A. Reid, Printers. Mason, O. T. (1913). Handbook of Medway History 1713-1913. G.M. Billings, Printer. West Medway Community Church, Inc. Church Records. Medway, MA: unpublished. Original Members of the Second The Early Church Church of Christ in Medway The following male members of the church signed the first covenant in 1748. The covenant was reaffirmed and signed again after ordi- Rev. David Thurston, 1752–1769 nation of Rev. David Thurston in 1752. Samll. Fisher Robert Smith John Pond Seth Partridge Nathll. Clark Jonathan Metcalf Thomas Adams John Hucker George Dening Ichabod Harding Benjamin Partridge Danll. Adams Danll. Peniman Ephraim Hill Ezra Pond John Pond, Jr. Nathan Bullard Benonah Partridge Samll. Hayward Nathan Whiting James Partridge Samll. Pond Jonathan Hill David Pond Moses Thompson Moses Hill Benjamin Wrockwood Job Plimpton Danll. Pond Eleazor Thomson Elisha Bullard Nathll. Whiting Joseph Holbrook David Thurston—signature added in 1752 1749—Old Meeting House—1816 Church Facts The First Covenant of the Second 1749 Frame raised for West Precinct Meeting House on Church of Christ in Medway Evergreen Street (April 6th). 1750 Second Church of Christ in Medway formed (Oct. We who through the wonderful goodness and 4th). Covenant signed by 33 male members. mercy of God have a comfortable prospect of the 1752 Rev. David Thurston built his house on settlement of the ordinances of Christ among us Drybridge Hill. do accordingly enter into a church estate and in 1753 Captain Nathaniel Whiting and John Pond the fear of God and with a humble sense of our chosen ruling Elders of the West Precinct Church. unworthiness to transact with the glorious God 1754 Rev. David Thurston admitted to Mendon and with a humble dependence on the grace of Association of Ministers. God, covenant with God and with one another... 1745 1750 1755 Medway Facts 1745 Sixty-five men impressed to fight in French/Indian War. 1750 Evergreen Cemetery established. 1750 John Harding settled on land which later became “Breezy Meadows”, home of author Kate Sanborn. 1751 First town meeting of West Precinct held (May 15th). 1751 Mendon Association of Ministers formed. USA/World Facts 1741 Jonathan Edwards preached “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” in Enfield, CT during the Great Awakening of c. 1730–1755. 1752 Benjamin Franklin invented lightning conductor. 1752 Georgian Calendar adopted, making January 1st the beginning of the New Year. Marker showing site of Old Meeting House The “dry bridge” from which Drybridge Hill got its name. Traces of the old cattle passageway under the Turnpike can still be dis- cerned at Main Street, just west of Holliston Street. Church Facts 1761 Rev. Thurston received an annual salary of 30 pounds old tenor (currency) plus his firewood. 1763 Seventy-nine members added during Rev. Thurston’s This stone marker stands at the west end ministry. of Evergreen Street, as it curves north to 1768 The church voted to administer the sacrament of the join Main Street. West Parish’s earliest Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of every other month. cemetery lies on the rise beyond it. 1769 Rev. Thurston dismissed from his duties due to poor health (Feb. 22nd). 1769 A day of fasting and prayer held in preparation of a new pastor being called (Oct. 12th). 17451760 17501765 17551770 Medway Facts 1759 An underground crossing, known as Drybridge, constructed under the turnpike (Rte. 109) to allow cattle to pasture on the other side. 1765 Medway is the first town in the Mass Bay Colony to take a census. 785 persons recorded. 1770 The town voted unanimously to forego the purchase or use of tea. USA/World Facts 1754 Nine year conflict between France and England, known as the French and Indian War, began. 1758 Jonathan Edwards, American theologian and preacher, died at age 55. 1760 A raging fire in Boston destroyed 349 dwelling-houses, stores, and shops, leaving over 1000 people homeless. 1762 The sandwich invented by John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, England. 1766 Daniel Boone traveled to the Kentucky territory through the Cumberland Gap. 1770 On March 5th, British soldiers killed five colonists during a disturbance called the Boston Massacre. Renewal of the Church Covenant 1773 Minutemen confront- We who through the goodness and mercy of God, have ing the British, prior been in an orderly Church state, but now by the overruling to the start of the Rev- providence of God, uncomfortably divided about the sense olutionary War. and proper meaning of our Church covenant; do with a view to the glory of God, and resettlement of the gospel ministry among us Renew our covenant with God and one another; with dependence on the great Jehovah for supplies of grace to enable us to fulfill it. Jonathan Edwards preaching during the Signers of the 1776 Confession of Faith Great Awakening. We the subscribers, having carefully examined the forego- ing confession of faith, do receive it as that which containeth the essential doctrines of the gospel; and therefore, as that to which every person, who is received to our holy fellowship, and communion, must give evidence of the hearty approba- tion. In testimony of which, we have hereunto set our hands Rev. David Sanford this 25 day of January A.D. 1776 1773–1810 David Sanford Jonathan Hill John Pond Joseph Holbrook Moses Thompson Job Plimpton Church Facts Moses Hill Jonathan Metcalf Joseph Metcalf 1773 Renewal of the church covenant. Nath. Clark Samll. Pond Benjamin Partridge 1775 Church abolished the halfway covenant. Ephraim Hill Ichabod Harding Joseph Barbur 1776 First recorded Confession of Faith was adopted. Daniel Penaman Nathll. Partridge Nathan Whiting 1785 Nearly 100 new church members added during Job Plimpton Junr. Abiel Pratt Great Revival. 17451775 17501780 17551785 Medway Facts 1775 Medway ceased to issue the town warrants in His Majesty’s name. 1775 Twenty-seven Medway militiamen marched to Readville, ready for battle. 1776 Over 300 men from Medway served during the Revolutionary War. Thirteen died for the cause of freedom. 1776 Rev. Sanford appointed chaplain for the American army. 1777 Abijah and Elisha, sons of Rev. David Thurston, both slain in the same Revolutionary War battle. 1779 Rev. Sanford appointed as a delegate to form the Constitution of the Commonwealth. USA/World Facts 1776 The Declaration of Independence signed on July 4th. 1781 Gen. Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, VA on Oct. 19th, effectively ending the War of Independence. 1784 Benjamin Franklin created bifocal glasses. 1786 Shay’s Rebellion occurred in Springfield, Massachusetts. 1787 Constitution of United States of America finished and signed. 1787 USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) launched as part of the US Navy. 1789 George Washington inaugurated as first President of the United States of America. The Major Luther Metcalf house of 1792, now known as the Village Inn Medway was incorporated in 1713 and was bounded on both the east and the south by the Charles River.