Page:History of Gardner, Massachusetts (1860) - Glazier.djvu/147

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Town History.—Ecclesiastical History.
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Wright, of Bolton, offered the concluding prayer.

Mr. Osgood was born at Westford in 1762. He began after he was of age to secure an education, graduated at Yale College, and studied theology with Rev. Mr. Foster, of Littleton.

His congregation, though not very large, embraced the whole town. As there was no physician in town during the first years of Mr. Osgood's ministry, he commenced the practice of medicine, which he continued until his death; although a portion of his time was devoted to the healing art, yet he was not considered neglectful of the care and spiritual wants of his flock.

He bought some land and built a house (where now lives Mr. Henry Lawrence) soon after he came here. When all was completed he married a daughter of Mr. Wardsworth, of Farmington, Conn. It was thought to be a great time here when he came with his bride; a company of young people met them at Barre and escorted them to their new home, where many of his people were assembled, bringing with them provisions of every description as a token of love and respect for their minister.

Mr. Osgood was a man of more than ordinary ability, and was the only minister and physician of the town during his life. He died on the