Benjamin H. Bailey | |
---|---|
Born | Benjamin Holloway Bailey July 5, 1829 |
Died | April 22, 1919[2] | (aged 89)
Nationality | American |
Education | Bridgewater Normal College
Leicester Academy |
Alma mater | Harvard College |
Occupation | Unitarian Minister |
Benjamin Holloway Bailey (July 5, 1829 – April 22, 1919) was an American Unitarian minister.[2] At the time of his death, he was "one of [the Unitarian church's] best known and best loved as well as one of its oldest ministers."[3]
Bailey was born in Northborough, Massachusetts in 1829, to Holloway and Lucy Sawyer Bailey.[3] He grew up in Northborough his father's farm before attending Bridgewater Normal College, Leicester Academy, and Harvard College, where he graduated in 1854.[3]
Then followed a few years of teaching at Chicopee High School and in Providence.[3] He studied law and then was graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 1860.[3] While living in Dedham he met his wife, Emily F. Sampson, and they married on June 1, 1864.[3][4][a] They had five children, three of whom predeceased him.[3]
He spent the last six years of his life in retirement in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.[3] He is buried in Brookdale Cemetery.[4]
Bailey served at the First Church and Parish in Dedham from 1861 to 1867.[5][3] In Dedham, he presided over the funeral of his predecessor, Alvan Lamson[6] and led the service at the 250th anniversary of the church's gathering in 1888 where he delivered an historical discourse.[7]
In 1867, he was called to Portland, Maine where he remained for five years.[3] He then served in Marblehead, Massachusetts beginning in 1872.[3][8] A twelve years pastorate there was followed by a slightly longer one at Malden, Massachusetts from 1884 to 1897.[3] For six years, he served on the Malden School Committee.[3] He then ministered in Westford, Massachusetts.[9][3] While there, he was a member of The Grange.[3]
Beginning in Marblehead, he began teaching as well.[3] Boys would either lodge with his family and study under him, or be taught as day students.[3]