USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Topsfield > Historical manual of the Congregational Church of Topsfield, Massachusetts, 1663-1907 > Part 1
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REYNOLOG HISTOPICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00084 6078
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HISTORICAL MANUAL OF THE
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF
TOPSFIELD
MASSACHUSETTS
1663-1907
Copsfield, Mass PUBLISHED BY THE CHURCH 1907
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1851475
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Topsfield, Mass. Congregational church.
1.8
284487 Ilistorical manual of the Congregational church of Topsfield. Massachusetts. 1663-1907. Topsfield, Mass., Pub. by the church, 1907.
4 p. 1., 5-60 p. front., 2 pl., 13 port., plan. 23°m.
"Committee on publication : Leone Parker Welch, J. Porter Gould, Wil- liam G. P'oor." Inserted at end: Order of services at the dedication of the organ ... March 27, 1907 ... 4 p. "Biographical sketches of the ministry of the church": p.20-41.
158933 Library of Congress
F74.T6T56
8-10487
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THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING HOUSE. From a photograph made in 1900.
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FOREWORD.
"Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations." The present will be more worthy of its noble past, and will emulate the fathers, if it continues with dignity and faith the work whose foundation they laid both deep and strong. It is a great heritage and a sacred trust.
The following pages suggest how faithfully this Church was the very heart of the life of Topsfield for two centuries. Char- acter counts. Consider how character guarded this town in crit- ical times in the person of Parson Capen, who averted the perils at the close of the 17th century, and again in Rev. Asahel Hunt- ington a century later.
Extensive correspondence has brought to the surface many items of historical value, whose preservation is due to the past as to the future. "Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee."
To those who have contributed information, or loaned pho- tographs, acknowledgments are due, and special mention is made of the valuable assistance rendered by Mr. George Francis Dow, Sidney Perley, Esq. of Salem, the Town of Topsfield, the Tops- field Historical Society, Franklin Bowditch Dexter, Litt. D., Asst. Librarian of Yale University, and Rev. John Brown, D. D., Bedford, England.
LEONE PARKER WELCH, . J. PORTER GOULD, WILLIAM G. POOR,
Committee on Publication.
Topsfield, Mass., Oct. 1, 1907.
CONTENTS.
HISTORICAL SKETCH,
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MEETING HOUSES,
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6
CHURCH AND VESTRY FURNISHINGS, -
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13
SACRAMENTAL FURNISHINGS,
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- 14
SUNDAY SCHOOL,
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- 16
HOME DEPARTMENT,
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- 17
LADIES' SOCIETY, -
- - 17
WOMANS' MISSIONARY SOCIETY,
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18
YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR, 19 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MINISTRY OF THE
CHURCH, - 20
PARSONAGES AND RESIDENCES OF MINISTERS, -
- 41 PARSON CAPEN HOUSE, - 43
INVESTED FUNDS OF THE CHURCH, - 44
MINISTERS, 1663-1907, - - - 48 1
DEACONS, 1663-1907, - - 49
CLERKS, 1683-1907, 50
RESIDENT MEMBERS, 1907, - 50
NON RESIDENT MEMBERS, 1907,
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- 53
CREEDS AND COVENANTS, -
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- 54
CHURCH OFFICERS, 1907, -
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- 60
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ILLUSTRATIONS.
THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING HOUSE, 1900, Frontispiece THE MEETING HOUSE OF 1759, -
- - - 8 THE SEATING IN THE MEETING HOUSE ABOUT 1840, - 14
REV. DANIEL BRECK, - - 1 - 27
REV. RODNEY GOVE DENNIS, - - -
- 28
REV. JAMES FRISBIE MCEWEN, - -
- 29
REV. ANSON MCLOUD, 1
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- - -
- - - 32
REV. JAMES HILL FITTS, 1
- 33
REV. FRANKLIN PEEL TOMPKINS, - - - 34
REV. LYNDON SMITH CRAWFORD, - -
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REV. CHARLES WASHINGTON LUCK, - - - - 36 REV. ALBERT EDWARD BRADSTREET, - - -
- 37
REV. FRANCIS ALDEN POOLE, - -
- 38
REV. HERBERT JAMES WYCKOFF, -
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- :39
REV. WILLIAM GEORGE POOR, -
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- 40
THE PARSON CAPEN HOUSE, -
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- 43
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- 30
REV. EDWARD PAYSON TENNEY, -
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
From the beginning of the settlement of New Meadows, about 1639, provision was made for "the publicke worship of God," and its first minister of the gospel of which evidence now exists, was William Knight, who "dispenced the word in 1641." Having had serious differences with the Ecclesi- astical Courts in England, he emigrated to New England and arrived at Salem in 1636-7. His term of service covered on- ly a few years, and "Good News from New England," pub- lished in London in 1648, is authority for the statement that he "has gone back to England." Whether or not the settle- ment was without preaching during the interim between the departure of Mr. Knight and the arrival of William Perkins in 1655, is an unsettled question. Mr. Perkins continued his labors until the organization of the church in 1663, with Rev. Thomas Gilbert as minister. The existence of a church within the territory at this date is shown by the following en- try in the Roxbury Church Records: "Nov. 4, 1663. A church is gathered at Topsfield with Mr. Thomas Gilbert over it."
From the incorporation of the town in 1650 until the cre- ation of the parish (Acts of 1823, Chapter 117), the main- tenance of the minister was a regular charge levied upon the inhabitants and he was chosen in open town meeting. The parish still continues to hold title to the church property and selects the minister, but its proposed ministerial contract is approved by the church body. The church has given largely from its membership for the formation of churches at Boxford,
(5)
6
MEETING HOUSES.
October 4, 1702 ; Middleton, October 22, 1729; Linebrook, November 15, 1749; and the local Methodist Episcopal Church, October 20, 1830; each of which offshoots is serving the community in which it was originally planted. The town records prior to March 25, 1659, were lost in the destruction by fire of the home of Town Clerk Redington during that year. The first volume of the church register now preserved begins with the service of Parson Capen in 1684. The membership of the church in 1684 was 49-22 males, and 27 females. Today the total number enrolled is 107.
MEETING HOUSES.
The first meeting house in Topsfield is supposed to have been located near the present junction of Howlett Street and Meeting House Lane, but the architecture, furnishing and final disposition of the structure must be determined by the imagination, as neither records nor tradition furnish the in- formation. It is known, however, that the building was with- out a pulpit.
Years of experience having demonstrated that the former situation was not sufficiently central for the majority of the worshipers, and the proposition of the settlers of Rowley Village ( now Boxford) who enjoyed church privileges in this town, that, if the meeting house were more conveniently lo- cated for them, they would contribute toward the minister's salary, were large and potent factors in reaching the decision that the second meeting house (erected in the Fall of 1663) should be built on the southwesterly side of the highway now called Haverhill Street, the site selected being nearly opposite the barn of Samuel Todd, deceased, and the pulpit (tradition relates) stood over the spot to-day marking the grave of Parson Capen, which point is about three rods east- erly from the main entrance to Pine Grove Cemetery.
surthe
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MEETING HOUSES.
In the Indian outbreak of 1675 known as King Philip's War, a protection from attack being deemed necessary, the town records state that :
"At a lafull meeting of the Selactmen the 8 of saptember 1675 wee hau agreed to mak a stone wall aboute. the meetting hous for fort the wall is to be three foote brod in the botom and fiue hie or six as shall be thote most Conueniant with a watch hous at the south east Corner with in this wall ten foot square this is to be don by the towne and except such as do usalli Com to her the word preched at or in our meeting hows will halp the towne most do it at thar one charge. this wall is to be ten foote from the meeting hous side and ende but on the south side it is to be twelve foot be twene this wall and the wach hows Cor- nar is to be fore foot from the hous end."
On January 13, 1681, the selectmen, and Samuel Symons of Boxford, who resided near what is now the First District School House, entered into a written agreement by the terms of which the latter was to "bild a pulpit ten foot Long and if ye rome will giue way is to belonger & for breth as ye rome will giue way it is to bee a wainshote pulpit" and was to re- ceive "ten pounds one half in Corne at ye Contry price and ye other halfe in neate Cattell-when ye work was done."
The building having ceased to be used for public worship in 1703, was sold by the town on March 7, 1703-4, to "sargt John Gould for {5 in money, he to have the glass," and (tradition says) was removed to what is now known as the Smerage-Balch field on the westerly side of the Turnpike at Springville.
Some of the early burials occurred around this meeting house, and thus the very ground became and with adjoining land still is, consecrate as "God's acre."
Early in 1703 measures were taken by the town (which for 174 years from its incorporation in 1650 exercised ec- clesiastical authority) for the erection of the third house of worship, which building was by duly recorded votes to be "2 & forty foot wide & 4 & forty foot long," and "set upon ye hill that is to be leveled for that end which is on the plain by Mr. Capens," and "ye pulpit shall be placed on ye north
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MEETING HOUSES.
side of ye new meeting house," and in due time the edifice was completed and occupied.
At length after years of use and occupation the condition of the building becoming a matter of general public concern, on May 19, 1757, a committee was appointed "to search the meeting house to see if it was worth repairing." Nearly two years after date of appointment, the committee reported ad- versely to such repair, and on January 9, 1759, the town voted "to build a new house fifty-four foot in Length and forty- two foot in Bredtli and twenty-six foot stud with a perpornable Steeple and set it where the old one stands." The baptismal records under date of June 3, 1759, furnish the information that Rebeckah, daughter of Mr. Thomas Perkins, was "ye last child baptised in ye old meeting house." The old house when taken down was used as a barn on the river meadows.
The new meeting house, the fourth erected in the town and the second located on "the common," was raised July 4, 1760, and six weeks later the construction had so far ad- vanced that at a town meeting held in the edifice the ques- tion of the interior finish was discussed, and shortly the build- ing was completed and dedicated. The total cost of the building was 743£ 10s 7 3-4d, and Dea. Bixby, Jacob Averill, Thomas Symonds and Nathan Hood comprised the building committee.
Several committees were at different times assigned the duty of seating the people in the meeting house "according to their best skill and judgment," but were charged to "have respect to age and money."
Within the past few months Mr. Benjamin Albert Orne (a native and resident of this town) has made and placed on public exhibition a model of this church, which is admitted to be a faithful reproduction of the old structure, and through his courtesy appears the illustration found on the opposite page.
In 1817 a bell (the first in town) weighing 938 1-2 pounds and inscribed "Revere & Company, Boston, 1817," was pur- chased for $400 and placed in position in the belfry, and the town voted that it "be rung on all public days and tolled for funerals."
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THE MEETING HOUSE OF 1759. From a model constructed by Benjamin A. Orne.
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MEETING HOUSES.
Within this house were to be found the high pulpit, over- hung by a sounding board, the square pews with the more peculiar seating of the congregation, the deacons' straight snug box where they sat facing the congregation, the elders' pew, and the tithingman with his long rod. Surmounting the steeple was the weather-cock vane.
At the Essex Institute in Salem is preserved the iron stand which held the christening basin as early as 1703, and also the contribution box which was used by Deacon George Bixby.
The pulpit used by Parson Capen was preserved for many years. In 1850, at the bicentennial, it was used as the speak- ers rostrum, but all trace of it has now been lost.
One of the pulpit chairs used in the 1759 meeting-house is now in the possession of Mrs. Malcolm McLoud. Anoth- er pulpit chair is in the possession of the Topsfield Histori- cal Society.
The physical condition of the building was frequently the subject of animated discussions and many votes for repairs are recorded. At a meeting held February 2, 1842, a reso- lution was passed that "the time has come when the interest of the Congregational Society and the comfort of its wor- shipers require that something should be done whereby the house in which they worship shall be rendered more accept- able and inviting." William Munday, Cornelius B. Brad- street and John Gould Hood were appointed a committee to investigate the matter "and make a report of their doings at the annual meeting in March next." The committee pre- sented an exhaustive report, discussing repairs and altera- tions of the old building and even considering the advisabil- ity of a new edifice.
April 27, 1842, John Gould Hood (chairman), William Munday, Benjamin P. Adams, Joel R. Peabody, Augustine S. Peabody and Cornelius B. Bradstreet were "chosen to contract for building of the new meeting house," and author- ized to "dispose of the old meeting house as they think proper."
To enable the new house of worship to be erected on the site of its two predecessors, agreeable to the vote of the town, the old building was taken down during July and Au-
IO
MEETING HOUSES.
gust, 1842, and sold in portions to suit the convenience of prospective purchasers, and the sum of $222.82 was received from such sales.
Capt. Perley Tapley of Danvers, the famous building mover of Essex County, purchased at private sale a part of the frame and boards, which were hauled to Salem by oxen and used in the construction of a large building on Boston Street, which structure in more recent years was used as a currier's shop. On the evening of August 11, 1906, the build- ing was totally destroyed by fire.
The committe invited proposals for the construction of the edifice according to plans and specifications and several bids were received. The contract was awarded to Mark R. Jewett of Rowley, for the sum of $4300.
September 1, 2 and 3, 1842, the edifice was raised, and the work being prosecuted with due diligence was dedicated Wednesday, February 22, 1843. William Munday, John Gould Hood and John C. Batchelder were "chosen by ballot to make the necessary arrangements for the dedication of said house." The exercises included invocation and read- ing of the scripture by Rev. William S. Coggin, Boxford ; prayer, Rev. Daniel Fitz, Ipswich; sermon, Rev. Anson McLoud, text-95th Psalm, 6th and 7th verses; prayer, Rev. Isaac Braman, Georgetown.
In May, 1853, a vestry and organ loft was built on to the western end of the church, under the direction of William N. Cleaveland, William Munday and John Wright.
In 1857 the first pipe organ was presented to the parish "By the Ladies Society and friends of the parish." It was manufactured by William Stevens, and was last heard in pub- lic on February 1I, 1907. The instrument was sold to the French Catholic Church, at Van Buren, Maine, and thus con- tinues its christian service.
In November, 1906, a larger pipe organ of great power and sweetness was purchased at an expense of $2500. It was built by George S. Hutchings of Boston. The nucleus of the fund was a bequest of Mrs. Lucy Lake Herrick of $500, and the balance was raised by the organ committee appoint- ed by the Ladies Society. The dedicatory service was held March 27, 1907, and May 5, the pastor described its me-
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MEETING HOUSES.
chanical excellence in a sermon from the text, "Let every- thing that hath breath praise the Lord." To accommodate the new instrument, repairs to the vestry and alterations in the choir loft were made at an expense of approximately $275.
The following have held the position of organist : Miss Anna Lowe, Boxford; Miss Susan Ann Kimball, Topsfield; Miss Laura Merrill, Mrs. Alice Learoyd Barnard, Danvers; Miss Sarah Kimball Leach, Miss Mary Augusta Balch, Miss Flor- ence Eliza Balch, Miss Lizzie Porter Lake and E. Davis Brooks, Topsfield.
In 1891 the interior of the church was repaired and adorned at an expense of over $1200, and memorial win- dows placed to preserve the name of beloved worshipers.
Upon the reopening of the church, January 5, 1892, the pastor's sermon topic was "Repairs of the Lord's House," and a Sunday School concert was given in the evening with the subject "The Lord's House."
The inscriptions on the memorial windows are as follows :
(South side, reading from west to cast.)
In Memoriam Dea. John Wright Born June 4th, 1804 Died July 29th, 1861
In Memoriam Abigail Wildes Wright Born Nov. 7, 1807 Died Oct. 19th, 185 1
In Memoriam 1806 Benj. P. Adams 1875 and 1808 Abbie S. Adams 1872 By their Daughter Mary A. Whittemore
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MEETING HOUSES.
In Memoriam 18II Samuel Adams 1862 and 1808 Elizabeth Adams 1888 By Mr. & Mrs. C. A. Whittemore
Deacon Samuel C. Todd Born April 23d, 1783 Died December 29th, 1858
Chosen Deacon November 18th 1818
(North Side, reading from west to east)
In Memoriam Adeline Marsh Merriam
1806-1887
In memory of Anson McLoud Pastor of this Church 1841-1869 Born June 22, 1813 Died February 21, 1883
In memory of Jane Cornish McLoud Beloved wife of Anson McLoud Born October 23, 1816 Died February 13, 1900
In Memoriam Cleaveland
"Blessed are the Dead which die in the Lord"
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FURNISHINGS.
The two windows of tasteful design in the singers' gal- lery are dedicated to Miss Susan Wildes and Miss Mary Townc.
CHURCH AND VESTRY FURNISHINGS.
THE COMMUNION SERVICE OF THE CHURCH FROM THE
EARLIEST TO THE PRESENT TIME.
June 23, 1816, a Bible was presented for pulpit use by thirty-one young ladies. The book is still in very good pres- ervation and in the possession of Deacon Edwin S. Clif- ford.
In 1842 a chandelier of twelve lamps and also two pulpit lamps were presented by Mr. Solomon Wildes and family of Boston.
A pulpit with its furnishings of sofa and four chairs uphol- stered in red brocade velvet, and a table were given by Mr. Solomon Wildes and family.
February 23, 1843, a Bible for pulpit use was given by Mrs. Solomon Wildes, and a hymn book was presented by her daughters, Phebe and Catherine Wildes.
In January, 1850, a clock was received from John Cleave- land, Esq., of New York City.
In 1868-9, a hymn and tune book, called "Book of Praise," was adopted in place of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of Isaac Watts, D. D.
At least three different carpets have been laid in the pres- ent church. The first, which was furnished by the Ladies Society, was in buff colors-rather light for the aisles, while around the pulpit and rostrum was brussels in dark shades. The Brussels carpet is now in use in the small room in the rear of the organ.
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CHURCH AND VESTRY
About 1865 a new floor covering was furnished by the Young People's Society, the aisle surface being green and black, while about the pulpit and rostrum, the colors were red, black and white. This carpet when removed did further ser- vice in the Emerson-Holmes parsonage.
The adornment of the church in 1892 included the pur- chase of a new carpet by subscription, which was laid over the entire floor space of the auditorium. Two male mem- bers of the choir refurnished the singers' gallery, putting in a carpet like that in the body of the church. Six chairs upholstered in red damask, with two upholstered cushions to match were also purchased.
In 1882 a small chandelier with six lamps for lighting the singers' gallery, together with twelve lamps in clusters of two each, and arranged around the church were secured through the efforts of Mrs. Mary Stone Kimball.
In 1886 a beautifully painted scroll, suspended from the pulpit, with the motto "Christ our Hope," was presented by Miss Jane Dickson, who made her home with Rev. L. S. Crawford.
In 1895 "The Book of Praise" gave place to the "Plymouth Hymnal," with hymns, tunes and responsive readings.
January 5, 1892, the pulpit Bible was received from Justin Hood Welch.
In 1876 scriptural mottoes were purchased by subscription and hung about the walls of the vestry.
In 1879 an organ for vestry use was purchased by popular subscription and the sale of an old organ.
In 1880 a clock was presented by Benjamin Jacobs.
In June, 1893, the Y. P. S. C. E. purchased an organ for vestry use.
SACRAMENTAL FURNISHINGS.
In 1734, the church voted to buy two new flagons and two new tankards, sell the old ones for all they could, and take the balance of the money for the new ones from the church stock.
David Towne
Jacob Simona>
Humphrey Clark
Joseph Gould
PULPIT
Major Baker
Samuel Bradstreet
Humphrey Wildes ·
Moses Wildes
Thomas Perkins
Pulpe
ELDERS'SPATS
Treadwell
John Boardman
Minister's Pew
Stairs to
DEACONS' SEATS
Samuel Hood
David Perkins
Moody Andrews
Asa Wildes
William Bradstreet
TABLE
John Peabody
BENCH
BENCH
BENCH
PORCH
DOOR
BENCH
BENCH
Joseph W Batchelder
John Dwinell
Nehemiah Cleaveland
Royal A . Merriam
William Cummings
Captain Lamson
Billy Emerson
Israel Rea
John D Towne
Nathaniel Gould
David Cumming
Dea. George Bixby
John Balch
Thomas Balch
Joseph Emerson
Joshua Balch
Daniel Bixby
Daniel Perkins
Ira Porter
Nathaniel Perkins
Daniel Cummings
Joseph Averill
Dudley Bradstreet
Joseph Batchelder
DOOR
THE SEATING IN THE MEETING HOUSE ABOUT 1840.
Plan Drawn by Sidney Perley, Esq., from information furnished by Mrs. Lucinda W. Todd and Miss Mary J. Phillips.
5009
John Hood
Daniel Perkins
Jacob Towne
BEACH
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FURNISHINGS.
In 1764, the church voted that the Deacons buy two silver tankards for the communion table, and sell the three old pew- ter tankards used at the Lord's table.
In 1778, the church sold to Deacon George Bixby, a pewter tankard not in use, for twenty-one shillings.
In 1801, the Deacons bought for the church from a legacy and interest of $46.26, a silver tankard for the sum of $39.00, and also one demijohn, one stone jug, one tunnel and lock for the church chest, and the balance of the money was put at interest.
May 29, 1818, Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland purchased for the church two silver-plated flagons at a cost of $40.00 and six silver plated cups for $27.00, at a total expense of $67.00.
In 1828, the church voted that the communion service be held bi-monthly instead of once in six weeks as heretofore, which practice is still in use.
Feb'y 22, 1843. George Hood presented to the church a baptismal font beautifully inscribed.
May 29, 1843. By vote of the church, the Deacons dis- posed of the old silver tankard purchased in 1801 at an ex- pense of $39.00, for $24.63, and with the amount purchased two silver-plated baskets to be used in the distribution of the bread at the communion table, and a plate for the baptismal font costing $1.25.
August 25, 1850. John Cleaveland, Esq., of New York City presented to the church one half dozen silver plates, three for the distribution of the bread at communion table and three to be used in taking the contribution.
In 1850, the church gave the two baskets formerly used at the communion service to the pastor, Rev. Anson Mc- Loud, and Dea. Samuel C. Todd.
1885. Nine lady members presented the church with two modern silver tankards, which are still in the possession of the church, as are also the six drinking cups purchased in 1818.
1902. Envelopes for communion dues were first'used.
1906. One of the old fashioned pewter plates formerly used at communion table is still preserved by the church.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL.
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The story of the first quarter century of the Sunday School is lost. It has been stated however, that the school was or- ganized in May 1818, in the red school-house on the com- mon north of the meeting house, the church looking upon it with some disfavor for several years. Among its first mem- bers Dea. Samuel C. Todd, Miss Nabby Perkins, Miss Mary Hood, Miss Mary Cleaveland, Samuel Todd, and Augustine S. Peabody, have been named: and among the carly superin- tendents were Dr. Jeremiah Stone, and Alfred W. Pike, pre- ceptor at the Academy, both of whom served in the early thir- ties.
A church record in 1848 would indicate that the church had assunied the charge of the school, for Dea. Joel R. Pea- body, Dea. John Wright and Samuel Todd were appointed a committee to look after its interests ; and continued in office three successive years. April 21, 1875, Dea. Augustine S. Peabody tendered his resignation to the Sunday School Com- mittee who referred it to the Church; the latter voted not to accept the resignation and chose Daniel Emerson Hurd Ass't Superintendent. He moved to Westminister in 1883. It is remembered by several that Rev. Mr. McLoud always took a deep interest in this method of Bible study. The largest en- rollnient known was in 1864-65, when 210 was the total. In 1885 the regular attendance was 127. For the past half- century the following superintendents have served the School.
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