Diary of Adeline Faxon, Brookline MA, Page 98
Charlotte Augusta Hedge
Charlotte Hedge (1834-1923), daughter of Rev. Frederic Henry Hedge and Lucy Pierce. It is not immediately clear why the Hedges were in Brookline on this date. The following was written in the 1918 Historical Society report:
A successor to Mr. Knapp was soon found in Dr. Frederic H. Hedge, who was called from his pulpit in Providence and began his labors here in October, 1856. After Dr. Lyon's full account of Dr. Hedge's pastorate, it would be presumptuous in me to speak of him, except to add my tribute of respect and veneration to his memory. His connection, through marriage, with Dr. Pierce gave him a familiarity with the parish and its members, and we are now blessed with the presence of two of his children. As evidence of Dr. Hedge's popularity and the increase to our congregation, soon after his settlement an addition to the meeting-house was made of two transepts of about twenty-two pews. It is rather singular that whereas in the present day the summer season is the time for the smallest congregations, so much so that the church is closed for two months, in Dr. Hedge's time, we had our largest numbers in that season. This was largely on account of the summer residents.
Dr. Hedge was our pastor throughout the Civil War, and his patriotic utterances were frequent and inspiring. As in Dr. Pierce's pastorate there were two notable deacons, so in Dr. Hedge's day, citizens of high worth and character were chosen to that office, Deacons Abijah Goddard and Benjamin B. Davis. Deacon Goddard lived into the time of Dr. Lyon's pastorate, and died at the age of ninety-six. He had served the town in the legislature, as a selectman, and in other offices. He was a strong temperance man, advocating total abstinence at a time when it was not popular. He was a farmer and it was the custom to give liquor to the hired men, especially in haying time, but Mr. Goddard refused to do this, though substituting some other beverage. Deacon Davis had not so strong a personality, though a man of most kindly disposition. He was extremely fond of music and led the volunteer choir for many years in the old meetinghouse. He was a member of the Handel and Haydn Society, and died in 1878.
Dr. Hedge was our pastor throughout the Civil War, and his patriotic utterances were frequent and inspiring. As in Dr. Pierce's pastorate there were two notable deacons, so in Dr. Hedge's day, citizens of high worth and character were chosen to that office, Deacons Abijah Goddard and Benjamin B. Davis. Deacon Goddard lived into the time of Dr. Lyon's pastorate, and died at the age of ninety-six. He had served the town in the legislature, as a selectman, and in other offices. He was a strong temperance man, advocating total abstinence at a time when it was not popular. He was a farmer and it was the custom to give liquor to the hired men, especially in haying time, but Mr. Goddard refused to do this, though substituting some other beverage. Deacon Davis had not so strong a personality, though a man of most kindly disposition. He was extremely fond of music and led the volunteer choir for many years in the old meetinghouse. He was a member of the Handel and Haydn Society, and died in 1878.
