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

Churches 111
legal voters of the parish ratified the action of the church, and
Job Mason declared that he was satisfied with such support
as his hearers should "freely and willingly" afford him, "also
denying any support by way of a tax," regarding the voluntary
system "to be most agreeable to the mind of God, contained
in the Scriptures."
Favored with the ministry of this judicious pastor and
able preacher, the church attained a great degree of prosperity.
In later times many of the older members recalled the "days
of Job Mason" as the "golden age" in the history of the
church. "She sent forth her boughs unto the sea and
branches unto the river." In 1753 thirty-three members
residing in or near Rehoboth were dismissed at their own
request to constitute a church to meet in that town. Daniel
Martin, a member of this church, was ordained pastor. It is
worthy of mention that the gentleman who now—one hundred
and thirty years after—supplies so acceptably the pulpit of
that parish is likewise a native of Swansea and a son of this
church. In 1763 several members, with others from Rehoboth
and some from Providence, R. I., emigrated to "Sackville, a
township in the government of Nova Scotia" (now New
Brunswick). Before removing to their new home the adventurers
met at Swansea to be organized as a church, and Nathan
Mason, of this place, a son of the second Samson Mason, was
ordained pastor.
After a useful ministry of many years. Job Mason died
at the age of fourscore, one month after the battle of Bunker
Hill, July 17, 1775. Seven of his descendants are members of
the church at this time. (1916)
Russell Mason was chosen colleague with his brother Job
in 1752, and was pastor (and also much of the time clerk of
the church) until his death in 1799, at the age of eighty-five
years. The period of his ministry comprehended the stirring
scenes of the Revolutionary war and all those important
events connected with the transformation of the American
colonies into a nation. Undoubtedly the church was somewhat
depleted, perhaps depressed, in "the time that tried
men's souls," and between July 17, 1775, and Dec. 28, 1780,
there is not a single entry in the book of records; but the
record last referred to implies that public worship had been
regularly maintained. In 1788 members living in Dartmouth
were organized "for religious worship," and John Mason
(a brother of Job and Russell) was ordained pastor. He died
in 1801, aged eighty-five years. The church speedily recovered
much of its former strength, for within the year 1789 there
were, it is recorded, "eighty-six persons baptized and added to