History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

Churches 105
first named died in the discharge of their holy trust, but when
they died we cannot say. To supply the deficiency of these
necessary officers, Robert Wheaton, and Thomas Peck were
chosen Aug. 6. 1752. Deacon Peck served about seven years
till the time of his death, in 1770. He was a useful man. His
place was supplied by Nicholas Thomas till 1771, when he
was removed from his sphere of usefulness on earth to rest
with God. At the death of Deacon Thomas, David Kingsley
was elected clerk, and served forty-five years. In 1776 he was
also chosen to the office of deacon, and served more than fifty
years. He died Oct. 25, 1830, aged ninety-two. Thomas
Kingsley was chosen deacon in 1771, and served till his death
in 1809, aged eighty-three. The two Deacons Kingsley, David
and Thomas, were men unusually free from fault, and good
men, but not very efficient. Deacon Wheaton lived to a
great age, and was highly esteemed. He was the son of Elder
Wheaton, and died Nov. 22, 1780, aged ninety-two years.
The interests of the body seemed to droop and decline
for a length of time, when Elder Wood vacated his office in
1778 or 1779, the precise date not being on record. The state
of the church was now depressed and low. The number of
members when he left is not known, as no list of members had
ever been kept, and the alterations, except by baptism, were
not kept with accuracy. The whole country was now in
perilous circumstances, being involved in the Revolutiongu'y
war. Those nearest the seashore suffered the most, and this
people was not exempt. On the 25th of May, 1778, the
Baptist meeting-house and parsonage in Warren were burned
by British troops, and Mr. Thompson, the pastor, taken
prisoner. In this affficted, depressed, and scattered state, the
church was unable to sustain public worship. It was proposed
to return to the maternal bosom, till they might be able to
return to Warren as before. This proposal was accepted, and
the brethren in that manner joined this church. Mr. Thompson
became the pastor, and settled with the people Oct. 7, 1779.
The settlement of a minister so deservedly eminent, and
the accession of help from Warren, seemed to put new life into
this body. The Lord evidently came with the new pastor, as
he baptized one only three days after his election, and two
more before the 1st of January, 1780. During that winter
following there was a great revival of religion, not only in this
church but throughout the country. This has been called the
year of the great revival. The number baptized here was
sixty-seven, in 1781 five more, making seventy-five since Mr.
Thompson became pastor. About this time the remains of
the Oak Swamp Church joined here in the same manner the