Afterward, when these large tracts of land were broken up and subdivided, either among the heirs of the original grantees, or sold in portions to other smaller landowners, the people of "Salem village," or "Salem Farms," as it was often termed, continued to retain and support the character of intelligence, stability, and enterprise which had been acquired from the influence of these early founders and leading minds.
In the course of progressive years, as their population naturally and widely increased, they formed a new parish, being a branch of the mother church at Salem; but their ministerial or parochial affairs do not appear to have been happy.
Their first preacher, the Rev. James Bayley, came to the village church in the year 1671; but his call was not a unanimous one, and much bitter disaffection and rancorous discussion followed it, until Mr. Bayley, despairing of ever conciliating the affections of his contentious flock, left them, and, withdrawing from the ministry, studied the profession of medicine.
His successor in the church, the Rev.
