Rev. Huntoon Was Noted For Being 'Heart Stealer'

"Be careful or he will steal away all your hearts." This was part of the recommendation which preceded the Reverend Benjamin Huntoon to the Town of Canton. Late in the year of 1821, a committee had been formed from members of the First Congregational Church. The committee's main function was to travel to Brookline where they would visit with the Reverend John Pierce, with the hopes of obtaining the name of someone suitable to provide their pastoral needs.

"Benjamin Huntoon is the very man for your place." Stated the noted minister unequivocally prior to his kindly and light hearted warning. Rev. Pierce undoubtedly was unaware of the truth in his prophetic statement.

Because of that recommendation Benjamin Huntoon received an invitation to preach at Canton. Following his acceptance, Huntoon made the journey by horseback from Boston, acquired lodging at the Ponkapoag Hotel and delivered his first sermon on September 9, of that year.

As a lad, Benjamin received his early schooling in the town of Salisbury, New Hampshire, the site of his birth on November 28, 1792. Following his graduation from Dartmouth College, at the age of twenty-five, he entered the Theological Seminary at Andover.

Three years later he moved to Boston, taking charge of the Salem Street Academy, where he devotedly prepared himself for entrance into the ministry. It was while engaged in this occupation, having been approbated by the Boston Ministerial Association, that Huntoon was first called to Canton.

During a church meeting held at the home of Deacon Leonard Everett, shortly before Christmas of that same year, Mr. Huntoon was chosen pastor of the church. Three weeks later letters were sent to neighboring churches inviting participants to the forthcoming ordination.

Members of the subsequent council, held at the home of Captain John Tucker, included Moderator Thaddeus Mason Harris, D.D. and Scribe, Rev. Luther Bailey. Mr. Ritchie was chosen to wait upon the pastor-elect.

In speaking of his own ordination, January 30, 1822, Mr. Huntoon later wrote, "the morning was pleasant and the afternoon not unpleasant. The exercises were fine……There was a great concourse of people, as many as could get into the meetinghouse conveniently. It was the stillest assembly of the kind I ever saw.

"The attention was good, the services were short, less than two hours. It was a day of great rejoicing for the people of Canton, especially the Messrs. Crane, Everett, French and Tucker."

Thus began the illustrious career and fond relationship between shepherd and flock.

Reverend Benjamin Huntoon

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