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(Worcester Co.) Gc 914.402 ₩496f
Gc 974.402 W496f 1137070
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01103 5695
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/manualofcongrega00fitt
MANUAL
500
OF THE
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
IN
WEST BOYLSTON, MASS.
" The house of God, which is the Church of the Living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."-1 TI. III. 15.
TY
PREPARED BY
JAMES H. FITTS, Pastor.
CLINTON :. PRINTED BY W. J. COULTER, COURANT OFFICE. 1870.
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ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION.
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" Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations."-DT. XXXII. 7.
A number of persons in the Second Precinct of Boylston, Sterling and Holden, met August 18, 1796, with "the design of forming and uniting in a Church." A committee was chosen to draft a Covenant, which was accepted August 25th. Their proceedings were recognized by a Council which met September 15th, and "the Church was formed by the male members signing the Covenant, and the females giving their assent to it." There were thirty-three covenanting members-fourteen males and nineteen females.
CONFESSION AND COVENANT.
"Come and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten."-JER. L. 5.
We who have hereunto subscribed our names, apprehending ourselves called upon in the gospel to unite in a Church state, do, under a lively sense of duty and obligation to God for his unmerited favors to us, con- fess our sins before Him and humbly ask His forgiveness through Jesus Christ His son, our all-sufficient Savior; and relying on the aid of that rich and sovereign grace promised in the gospel to help our infirmities, do look unto Him for all we need, both in time and eternity, thankfully receiving all His covenant mercies.
Ist. We declare our serious belief in the Christian religion, as con- tained in the sacred Scriptures, and with such a view thereof as the Con- fession of Faith in our Churches has exhibited, heartily resolving to con- form our lives to the rules of that holy religion so long as we live.
2d. We give up ourselves unto the Lord Jehovah, avouching Him this day to be our God and Father, and receive Him as our portion for- ever.
3d. We give up ourselves to the blessed Jesus who is the Lord our righteousness, and adhere to Him as the head of His Church in the Cov- enant of Grace, relying on Him as our prophet, priest and king, to bring us to everlasting happiness.
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4th. We acknowledge our everlasting and indispensable obligation to glorify God in all the duties of a godly and sober life ; in the observance of all the ordinances of the gospel; and depend on the gracious assis- tance of His holy spirit, that we may acceptably perform our whole duty.
5th. With humble dependence on God we engage to walk together as a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the faith and order of the gospel, so far as we shall have the same made known to us; conscientiously at- tending public worship and the Sacraments of the New Testament ; promising to dedicate our children to the Lord, and assisted by Him to give them a pious education ; living in communion with each other, watchfully avoiding all contentions, ever rebuking with meekness, as be- comes brethren in love.
ARTICLES OF FAITH AND COVENANT.
Adopted March 2, 1838.
"Stand fast in the faith."-1 Cor, xvi. 13.
CONFESSION.
" Hold fast the form of sound words."-1 TI. 1. 13.
I. We believe in the existence of one GOD, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of the Universe; possessed of every possible perfection ; infinite in wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth; the eternal, self-existent, independent, and unchangeable fountain of all good.
II. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of GOD, and contain a complete and perfect rule of faith and practice.
III. We believe that JEHOVAH, the only living and true GOD, exists as Father, Son and Holy Ghost ; and that these three are in essence one, and in all divine attributes, equal.
IV. We believe that GOD made all things for Himself; that known unto Him are all His works from the beginning; and that He governs all things according to the counsel of His own will.
V. We believe that GOD created man in His own image, holy and up- right, and that he fell from this state by transgressing the divine com- mand.
VI. We believe that in consequence of the apostacy, all mankind are by nature children of disobedience ; and till renewed by the agency of the Holy Spirit, are averse to GOD and holiness, and justly exposed to eter- nal punishment.
VII. We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, became man, and by His obedience, sufferings, and death, made an atonement for the sins of the world ..
VIII. We believe that although the invitations of the Gospel are so extensive, that all who will, may come and take the water of life freely, yet the wickedness of the human heart is such that none will come, un- less drawn by the special influences of the Holy Spirit.
IX. We believe that those who embrace the Gospel were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world ; and that they are saved, not
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by works of righteousness which they have done, but by the mercy of Gon through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.
X. We believe that those who cordially embrace Christ, though they may be left to commit sin, will never be left finally to fall away and per- ish, but will be kept by the mighty power of Gon through faith unto sal- vation.
XI. We believe that watchfulness over the heart and life, holy medi- tations, and concientious attendance upon public, family, and secret wor- ship, together with the steady practice of righteousness, truth, sincerity, and charity towards men, and of sobriety, chastity, and temperance, towards ourselves, are indispensable duties of every Christian.
XII. We believe that Baptism and the LORD's Supper are the insti- tuted Sacraments of the New Testament, and that it is the indispensa- ble duty of all professing Christians to attend on these ordinances ; that Baptism is to be administered only to believers, and their households, and the Supper only to believers in regular church standing.
XIII. We believe that GOD has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by JESUS CHRIST :- when there will be a resurrection of the dead, and when the righteous will enter on eternal happiness, and the wicked will be sentenced to eternal misery.
Such are the leading doctrines believed by this Church. Do you cor- dially assent to them ?
COVENANT.
"My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips."-Ps. LXXXIX. 34.
You do now, in the presence of the heart-searching God, before angels and men, choose the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to be your God, the supreme object of your affection, and your portion for- ever.
You acknowledge Jesus Christ as your only Savior and final Judge ; and the Holy Spirit as your Sanctifier, Comforter and Guide.
You humbly and cheerfully dedicate yourself to God in the everlasting covenant of grace, and consecrate all your powers and faculties to His service and glory ;- You promise to take the Holy Scriptures as the rule of your life and conversation ; that you will give diligent attention to His word and ordinances, to family and secret prayer, and to the consci- entious observance of the Sabbath; that you will seek the honor of His name and the interests of His kingdom; and that henceforth, denying all ungodliness and every worldly lust, you will live soberly, righteously and godly in the present world.
You do now cordially unite yourself to this Church of Christ, promis- ing to submit to its discipline, so far as conformable to the rules of the Gospel; to seek its edification, purity and peace; and to walk with its members in christian love, watchfulness, and meekness-humbly relying on the grace of God, with an affecting belief that your vows are record- ed on high, and will be reviewed in the day of final judgment .- Thus in the strength of your Lord and Savior, you solemnly covenant and prom- ise.
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(RESPONSE OF THE CHURCHI.)
We do then receive you into our communion and fellowship, and we promise to watch over you with christian affection and tenderness, ever treating you in love as a member of the body of Christ, who is Head over all things to His Church.
You have now assumed soleinn obligations, from which you can never escape. Wherever you go in life, these vows will be upon you ; at death they will follow you to the bar of God, and abide with you through eter- nity. Hereafter the eyes of the world will be upon you ; and as you de- mean yourself, so religion will be honored or disgraced.
We welcome you to this fellowship with us in the blessings of the Gos- pel, earnestly imploring the great Shepherd of Israel, our Lord and Re- deemer, that both you and we may have wisdom and grace to be faithful in His covenant, to glorify Him in holiness, and at last to be received to His everlasting mansions of bliss. Amen.
RULES OF ORDER.
" Let all things be done decently, and in order."-1 Co. XIV. 40.
1. The Church holds an annual meeting on the third Thursday in January for the transaction of business, and the election of the following and all necessary officers, namely : a Clerk, a Treasurer, a Church Com- mittee, a Sabbath School Committee, and a Singing Committee.
2. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administered on the first Sabbath in January, March, May, July, September, and November. On the Thursday afternoon preceding there is a preparatory lecture.
3. There is a meeting for conference and prayer every Sabbath and every Thursday evening. The meeting on the first Sabbath in the month is the concert of prayer for missions. Business may be introduced at the preparatory Jecture, and the prayer meeting preceding the first Sabbath of each alternate month.
4. The Church Committee consists of three members, who, with the pastor and deacons, are to take general counsel for the interests of the Church, to confer with, examine, and in their discretion recommend can- didates for admission to its membership, their doings being always sub- ject to the revision of the Church.
5. The Sabbath School Committee, in connection with the Superin- tendent, who is chosen by the school, have the general supervision of the affairs of the Sabbath School.
6. The Singing Committee are to take charge of the public exercises of song, in connection with the chorister and others the choir may select.
7. The Deacons of this Church may retain their office three years from the time of election.
8. It is the duty of every male member to contribute his due propor- tion toward supporting the preaching of the gospel in this Church and Society.
9. Persons wishing to unite with the Church on profession of their faith, must give satisfactory evidence of regeneration, assent to the arti- cles of faith and covenant, stand propounded at least one week, and be admitted by vote of the Church.
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10. Members of this Church, removing from us, are to apply for let- ters of admission and recommendation to some regular Church in com- munion with us, where they reside, within one year from the time of their removal, unless good reasons can be given for the longer continuance of their particular relation to us.
11. Members of sister Churches, residing among us, are not expected to commune with us more than one year, without producing letters of recommendation and uniting with us as members, excepting in cases where the Church, being requested, shall grant a longer term of occa- sional communion.
12. The directions in Matt. XVIII., and 1 Cor. v., govern the Church in cases of discipline. The following offences have been subject of ex- communication : heresy, infidelity, intemperance, unchastity, dishonesty, contention, profane and abusive language, countenancing and upholding dancing parties, neglect of duty and disregard of censure, forsaking pub- lic worship and the sacrament, withdrawing connection and fellowship.
13. Collections are taken up at every communion for the support of the table and relief of indigent members ; on the first Sabbath of each month for missions-one month for the American Board, and the alter- nate month for the American Missionary Association ; also on the third Sabbath in alternate months, as follows : February, for Tract Society ; April, for Congregational Union ; June, for Home Missions ; August, for Bible Cause ; October, for Sabbath Schools ; December, for Seamen.
OFFICERS.
' And gave Him to be the head over all things to the Church."-EPH. I. 22.
PASTORS.
"And He gave some, pastors and teachers."-EPH. IV. 11.
WILLIAM NASH (48), from Williamsburg. He fitted for college with Dr. Strong of Northampton ; graduated at Yale in 1791; studied theol- ogy under Dr. Lothrop of West Springfield; was ordained and installed Oct. 11, 1797, and dismissed Dec. 15, 1814. He died at West Boylston, March 25, 1829, aged 60 yrs. 7 ms. 20 dys.
JOHN BOARDMAN (141), ordained and installed Feb. 28, 1821; dis- missed April 30, 1834. He was a native of Newburyport; graduated at Dartmouth College 1817, and at Andover Seminary 1820. After leaving West Boylston, he was settled at East Douglass from 1835 onward, where he died Nov. 8, 1841, aged 46.
ELIJAH PAINE, installed Nov. 13, 1834, and died pastor of the church, Sept. 14, 1836, aged 38. He was born at Ashfield, graduated at Am- herst College 1823, studied divinity with Rev. Heman Humphrey, D.D., and had been previously settled at Claremont, N. H. (See 406.)
BROWN EMERSON (432), ordained and installed Aug. 3, 1837; dis- missed Nov. 6, 1839. He graduated at Yale College and studied theol- ogy with Rev. Dr. Fisher of Harvard, and at Andover Seminary. After leaving West Boylston, he was settled at Torringford, Conn., and was acting pastor at several other places.
JOSEPH WARREN CROSS (480), installed March 11, 1840; dismissed March 16, 1859, and was afterward without pastoral charge. He had been previously settled at Boxboro', where he was ordained Oct. 1. 1834, and continued pastor to 1840. He was a native of East Bridgewater, a graduate of Harvard College 1828, and a member of the class which graduated at Andover Seminary 1835.
JAMES HILL FITTS (758), installed Sept. 3, 1862; dismissed Dec. 3, 1870. Previously acting pastor at Boxboro'; graduated at Bangor The- ological Seminary 1858, ordained an Evangelist at Candia, N. H., Nov. 2,1859.
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DEACONS.
"They that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good de- gree."-1 TI. III. 13.
ISRAEL MOORE (16), elected Oct. 13, 1796, and died in office Nov. 17, 1807, aged 73.
JOSIAH BEAMAN (20), elected Oct. 13, 1796 ; resigned and removed to Shutesbury in 1805.
AMARIAH SAWYER (30), elected July 25, 1805. He formally accepted the office June 13, 1808. -
ASA LOVELL, (56), elected June 13, 1808, accepted May 24, 1809, and died in office Oct. 18, 1814, aged 63.
LEMUEL FAIRBANK (18), elected June 13, 1808, declined the office Nov. 10, 1814, and died July 3, 1819, aged 68.
ARTEMAS MURDOCK (117), elected Aug. 6, 1812, accepted Nov. 10, 1814, resigned March 1, 1835, and died June 21, 1855, aged 78.
SILAS DINSMORE (115), elected Nov. 10, 1814, resigned May 6, 1820, and died Sept. 22, 1824, aged 46.
ABEL GOODALE (120), elected May 6, 1820, "released from his duties as Deacon so soon as others shall be in office to fill the vacancy," March 1, 1835, and died Nov. 8, 1853, aged 68.
SAMUEL GRIGGS (309), elected March 1, 1835, accepted July 3, 1835, resigned Feb. 20, 1845, dismissed to Salem St. Church, Worcester, May 18, 1848.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN KEYES (133), "unanimously invited to hold and exercise the office of Deacon," March 1, 1835. He never assumed its active duties.
JOSEPH B. PARKER (280), elected July 3, 1835, accepted Sept. 3, 1835. He was dismissed to High St. Church, Providence, R. I., July 26,1840.
MOSES BRIGHAM (413), elected Jan. 5, 1838, dismissed to Fourth St. Cong. Church, New Bedford, Feb. 6, 1848.
WALDO WINTER (144), elected Jan. 5, 1838, resigned April 17, 1851, and was dismissed to Clinton, Nov. 20, 1851.
JAMES FISKE (212), elected March 20, 1845, accepted April 17, 1845, and continued in office till his death, July 24, 1868, aged 63.
ASA KEYES (276), elected June 19, 1851, resigned March 15, 1855, and was dismissed to Sterling, July 19, 1855.
WASHBURN LOMBARD (690), elected Oct. 11, 1855, accepted Nov. 1, 1855, resigned and was dismissed to Oxford, March 16, 1865.
JOSEPH CLARK LOVELL (351), elected Feb. 2, 1865, resigned and was re-elected Jan. 20, 1870.
AMOS FLAGG KNIGHT (225), elected Feb. 2, 1865.
CLERKS.
" We bear record, and ye know that our record is true."-3 JO. 12.
JOHN WHITE (7), Aug. 18, 1796, to Oct. 11, 1797.
WILLIAM NASH (48), Oct. 11, 1797, to Dec. 14, 1814.
ALEXANDER LOVELL (108), Jan. 26, 1815, to May 23, 1815,
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SAMUEL FLAGG (119), May 23, 1815, to May 6, 1820. BENJAMIN F. KEYES (133), May 6, 1820, to Feb. 28, 1821. JOHN BOARDMAN (141), Feb. 28, 1821, to April 30, 1834. AARON E. WINTER (188), May 22. 1834, to Nov. 13, 1834. ELIJAH PAINE, Nov. 13, 1834, to Sept. 14, 1836.
BENJAMIN F. KEYES, (133), Sept. 27, 1836, to Aug. 3, 1837. BROWN EMERSON (432), Aug. 3, 1837, to Nov. 6, 1839. JOSEPH W. CROSS (480), March 11, 1840, to Jan. 21, 1858. OLIVER B. SAWYER (568), Jan. 21, 1858, to May 20, 1858. HORATIO HOUGHTON (612), Aug. 20, 1858, to Jan. 16, 1868. E. BEAMAN RICE (590), Jan. 16, 1868.
CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF MEMBERS.
" We being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."- Ro. XII. 5.
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ORIGINAL MEMBERS.
Fourteen by Letter from Boylston.
1796. September 15.
1. JOSEPH BIGELOW5 united with the second church in Shrewsbury, now Boylston, March 31, 1793. He was son of Joseph4 and Martha (Brigham) of Shrewsbury, and grandson of John3 and Jerusha (Ga)- field) of Marlboro'. John3 was son of Samuel? and Mary (Flagg) of Watertown, and grandson of John' and his first wife, Mary (Warren) of Watertown, who came from England, and were the ancestors of the Bigelow families in New England. Joseph Bigelow5 m. Olive Beaman (2), and d. Nov. 30, 1801, a. 75.
2. OLIVE BIGELOW, dau. of Jabez Beaman, and sister of Ezra and Ephraim (62 and 69), was a member of the church at Boylston, July 29, 1787. She was the wife of Capt. Joseph Bigelow (1), and d. June 26, 1810, a. 76.
3. JOSEPH MORSE, son of Joseph and Mary (8), united with the church at Boylston, Oct. 13, 1781 ; m. Sophia Bigelow (4), and d. Jan. 10, 1826, a. 68.
4. SOPHIA MORSE, dau. of Benjamin Bigelow ; m. Joseph Morse (3), united with the church at Boylston at the same time with her husband, and d. Oct. 26, 1831, a. 72 yrs. 9 ms.
5. PETER GOODALE, son of Edward and Sarah (10), from Marlboro', united with the church at Boylston by letter from Gardner, April 13, 1794; m., first, Abigail Hinds (6) in 1775; m., second, Mrs. Rachel Flagg (89), July 3, 1809, and d. May 14, 1834, a. 82 yrs. 5 ms.
6. ABIGAIL GOODALE, dau. of Benjamin Hinds, wife of Peter Good- ale (5) ; united with the church in Boylston by letter from Gardner, April 13, 1794, and d. Jan. 10, 1809, a. 56.
7. JOHN WHITE. With his wife Acsah, dau. of Capt. Joseph Bige- low (1), he united with the church at Boylston, Sept. 17, 1786. In 1798
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he moved to Grafton, and was dis. to Springfield, Vt., Nov. 1816, where he died.
8. MARY MORSE, m. n. Thomas, from Marlboro', wife of Joseph Morse, also from Marlboro', who d. Oct. 14, 1776, a. 54. She was a member of the church at Boylston as early as Nov. 12, 1794, and d. Jan. 29, 1801, a. 71. Joseph Morses was son of Joseph4 and Abigail (Barnes) of Shrewsbury, and grandson of Joseph3 and Grace (Warren) of Marl- boro'. Joseph3 of Marlboro' was son of Joseph? and Susannah (Shat- tuck) of Groton, and grandson of Joseph1 and Hester (Pierce), one of the proprietors of Watertown, and who had embarked at Ipswich, Eng., in the ship Elisabeth, April, 1634.
9. SARAH WINN, m. n. Bush, from Woburn, wife of Jacob Win, from Woburn, who d. a member of the church at Boylston, April 28, 1791. She d. in 1798.
10. SARAH GOODALE, m., n. Temple, from Marlboro'; m. Edward Goodale, who came here from Marlboro' in 1738, and d. in 1756, a. 42. She was a member of the church at Boylston as early as March 26, 1777, and d. March 7, 1810, a. 96. Edward Goodale4 was b. May 23, 1715, son of Benjamin3 and Hannah Goodale of Marlboro', and grandson of Zechariah2 and Elizabeth (Bercham) of Salem. Zechariah? was son of Robert1, who, with his wife Katherine, embarked at Ipswich, Eng., for America, April, 1634.
11. SARAH DINSMORE, dau. of Jacob and Sarah Winn (9) ; wife of John Dinsmore, who d. Aug. 4, 1811. She united with the church at Boylston, Sept. 14, 1777, and d. March 2, 1837.
12. MEMITABLE CHILD, wife of David, who d. Aug. 2, 1803, a. 92. She united with the church at Boylston by letter from Reading, Oct. 17, 1779, and d. Dec. 28, 1804, a. 79.
13. TAMER BEAMAN, dau. of Silas Howe, and wife of Ephraim Bea- man (69). She was a member of the church at Boylston as early as March 26, 1777, and d. March, 1824, a. 81.
14. OLIVE KEYES, dau. of Capt. Joseph and Olive Bigelow (1 and 2), and m. Dec. 9, 1790, Reuben, the eldest son of Simeon and Lucy (Tem- ple) Keyes. She united with the church at Boylston, July 15, 1792, and afterward moved to Barre, Vt.
Nine Members from Sterling.
15. ABNER WILDER, son of Josiah, who d. March 1, 1782, a. 81. With his wife Eunice he united with the church at Sterling, Dec. 8, 1751. She d. Feb. 14, 1786, a. 60 yrs. 6 ms., and he d. Dec. 4, 1813, a. 88.
16. ISRAEL MOORE. He and his wife were admitted to the church at Sterling, Mar. 6, 1757. Hem., first, Catherine -(17), who united with the church at Sterling, March 28, 1761; m., second, Elisabeth Chase of Sterling, pub. July 28, 1803; m., third, Mrs. Priscilla Jewell, Oct. 16, 1804. He was one of the first deacons of the church, elected Oct. 13, 1796, and d. in office, Nov. 17, 1807, a. 73.
17. CATHERINE MOORE, first wife of Dea. Israel Moore (16) ; d. June 14, 1802, a. 60.
18. LEMUEL FAIRBANK, son of Jonathan and Thankful Fairbank (37). With his wife Phebe Winn (19), he united with the church at Sterling in
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1779. He was elected deacon of the church, Aug. 6, 1808, which office he resigned Nov. 10, 1814, and d. July 4, 1819, a. 68.
19. PHEBE FAIRBANK, dau. of Jacob and Sarah Winn (9) ; wife of Dea. Lemuel Fairbank (18), and d. Dec. 19, 1824, a. 73.
20. JOSIAH BEAMAN. With Elisabeth, his wife (21), he united with the church at Sterling by letter from Winchendon in 1783. He was elected one of the first deacons in West Boylston, Oct. 13, 1796, which office he resigned in 1805, and moved to Shutesbury where he died.
21. ELISABETH BEAMAN, dau. of Barzilia and Elisabeth (Goss) Holt, and wife of Dea. Josiah Beaman (20). She had previously m. - Boynton, and d. Feb. 28, 1842, a. 88 yrs. 6 ms.
22. NATHAN WILDER, son of Abner and Eunice (15) ; m. Susannah Sawyer (23), April 5, 1781, and d. April 8, 1822, a. 62.
23. SUSANNAH WILDER, m. n. Sawyer, wife of Nathan Wilder (22) ; united with the church at Sterling in 1782, and d. at about 50 yrs. of age
Two Members from Holden.
24. SAMUEL ESTABROOK, son of Samuel from Concord; m. Sarah Marshall of Holden (25), and d. May 7, 1816, a. 69 yrs. 1 m. 22 dys.
25. SARAH ESTABROOK, m. n. Marshall, wife of Samuel (24), and d. Dec. 14, 1820, a. 77.
Two Members from Rowley.
26. JACOB TOWNSHEND came here from Reading ; m. Elisabeth -, and d. June 24, 1806.
27. ELISABETH TOWNSHEND, wife of Jacob (26).
Six Members received on Profession of Faith.
28. AARON GOODALE, son of Edward and Sarah (Temple) Goodale (10) ; m. Eunice Marshall (29) in 1767, and d. Aug. 17, 1817, a. 75.
29. EUNICE GOODALE, dau. of William Marshall of Concord and Holden ; wife of Aaron Goodale (28), and d. Jan. 17, 1831, a 84.
30. AMARIAH SAWYER, son of Joseph and Agnes of Boylston; m. Feb. 18, 1794, Sarah Moore (31) ; elected deacon July 25, 1805.
31. SARAH SAWYER, dau. of Hugh Moore of Boylston, and sister of Olive (76). She was the wife of Dea. Amariah Sawyer (30), and d. Jan. 14, 1822, a. 86.
32. REUBEN WILDER, son of Asa and Lydia (39) ; m., first, Mary Pierce (33), Feb. 16, 1784 ; m., second, Mrs. Thankful Whitcomb (390), March 29, 1808, and d. Nov. 11, 1832, a. 75.
33. MARY WILDER, m. n. Pierce, of Shrewsbury, first wife of Reu- ben Wilder (32), and d. April 15, 1807.
ADDITIONAL MEMBERS.
1797. January 19.
34. JOHN BOUTELL, by letter from Reading. He settled here in 1792; was dis. to Townshend, July 23, 1812, where he was deacon for many years, and d. there.
35. ABIGAIL BOUTELL, wife of Dea. John Boutwell (34) ; rec. and dis, with her husband
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1797. February.
36. MERCY MERRIFIELD, by letter from Sherburn. She was dau. of Obediah and Grace F. Morse, wife of Asaph Merrifield from Sherburn, who d. Aug. 29, 1820, a. 80. She d. July 30, 1845, a. 88 yrs. 3 ms.
1797.
37. JONATHAN FAIRBANK, by letter from Sterling, where he united with the church Jan. 13, 1745. He came from Woburn ; m., first, Thankful -, who d. March 18, 1782, a. 66; m., second, Mrs. Submit Whitcomb (38), Dec. 2, 1784, and d. in 1798, a. 89.
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