Early Deacons of South Dedham

Eighteenth Century Deacons of the Church of Christ, Dedham, Second or South Parish

Within the confines of Old Parish Cemetery are the gravestones of three men who became Deacons of the South Parish in the eighteenth century, John Everett, Ezra Morse and Ebenezer Everett.

Deacons were elected by their peers; they were typically older men who were well-known and respected for their honesty and faith. Although the pastor was unquestionably the leader of the congregation, the Deacons helped meet the needs of a small, but far-flung and growing parish. They might visit the sick, bring aid to the poor, or offer counsel to those facing difficulty or uncertainty. While they were not expected to proselytize, it was thought that the character these men displayed in their daily lives would not only encourage parishioners to follow their example but also might bring new members into the church.

 John Everett (1676-1751)                                           Lot 160a

The story of John Everett is the story of the beginnings of Tiot, and Norwood and it is a reminder that the district, and all of Massachusetts, was a colony of England.

Born on June 9, 1676 in Dedham, John Everett was a well-respected resident of South Dedham in 1730 when he was authorized to call the first meeting of the South Precinct (soon to be the South Parish) of Dedham. According to historian Francis Tinker, Everett “served his warrant on each person qualified to vote, requiring them in his Majesty’s name, to assemble…to choose precinct officers.” Everett himself was chosen as Moderator. A year later, he was again selected to address the General Court and petition to allow a meeting-house to be built in the precinct.

Upon the organization of the Church and the calling of Rev. Thomas Balch to be pastor for the new Parish, Everett was elected the first Deacon. After examining church records, Tinker concludes that Everett “appears to have been an active, intelligent, and pious man, laboring for the good of all.”  He died on March 29, 1751 at 75.

John Everett’s headstone and footstone were found broken and damaged. OPPV repaired both as best as possible and reset them next to the grave of Everett’s wife, Mrs. Mercy Browne Everett (lot 160). The couple had married on June 3, 1699, and had 8 children who survived infancy. Mercy Everett predeceased her husband in 1749.

 Ezra Morse Jr. (1671-1760)                                        Lot 180

Ezra Morse, Jr. was born on January 28, 1671 in Dedham. He was the eldest child of Ezra Morse (1643-1697) and Joanna Hoar Morse (1649-1691) who married in Dedham on February 18, 1670. At some time during the late 1670s, the family moved to South Dedham where the elder Morse opened a saw mill. Ezra Morse, the younger, married Mary Lovett (1679-1746) of Essex, Massachusetts in 1692. They had four children: Ezra, John, Joseph, and Mary.

Ezra Morse, Jr. operated a saw mill on the Neponset River, land that became part of the town of Walpole when that town was set off in 1724, and Morse became one of the first selectmen of that town. Morse was also a Captain in the militia during the Colonial Wars.

In 1736, Morse became one of the founders of the Christ Church of Dedham, Second Parish (now the First Congregational Church), and was one of three original Deacons chosen in 1736. In 1738, at his request, by an act of the General Court, Ezra Morse’s estate was set off from Walpole and annexed to the Second Precinct of Dedham.

Ezra Morse died on October 17, 1760 in his 90^th year, having been a Deacon of the Church for about 24 years. His gravestone was carved by George Allen, Jr.

 Ebenezer Everett (1707-1778)                            Lot 149

Ebenezer Everett, the son of Deacon John Everett, was born on August 5, 1707. He married Joanna Stevens in March of 1734 in North Andover. He was chosen Deacon of the South Parish’s church on November 30, 1760, shortly after the death of Ezra Morse, Jr. in October. Everett held the post until his death on May 19, 1778 at the age of 71.

Ebenezer and Joanna Everett were the parents of 11 children including Rev. Moses Everett – who married Rev. Thomas Balch’s daughter, Lucy – the ninth minister of Dorchester, and Rev. Oliver Everett, the fourth pastor of the New South Church in Boston. They were the grandparents of the orator and statesman, Gov. Edward Everett (son of Rev. Oliver Everett).

According to one expert, the unusual double gravestone and footstone of Ebenezer and Joanna Everett were carved by Daniel Farrington, who had a shop in Wrentham. In September, 1937, the Boston Globe reported there were numerous reports of vandalism at the Old Parish Cemetery. Stones were toppled and defaced and it was noted that some “boys” were using parts of the cemetery for target practice. It certainly looks like Ebenezer and Joanna Everett’s footstone was struck by some kind of projectile, perhaps a stray (or not so stray) bullet.