The confession of faith and covenant of the Evangelical Congregational Church in Grafton, Mass., with a brief history and list of its members, January 1, 1842, Part 1

Author: Evangelical Congregational Church (Grafton, Mass.)
Publication date: 1842
Publisher: Worcester, Mass. : Spooner, Howland & Merriam
Number of Pages: 102


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Grafton > The confession of faith and covenant of the Evangelical Congregational Church in Grafton, Mass., with a brief history and list of its members, January 1, 1842 > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2



Gc 974.402 G759gr 1820255


M


REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION


Go


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01723 6404


D2.841/32 111


THE


CONFESSION OF FAITH


AND COVENANT


OF THE


EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 1


IN GRAFTON, MASS.


WITII A


Brief History and List of its Members,


JANUARY 1, 1842.


THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO


WORCESTER : PRINTED BY SPOONER, HOWLAND & MERRIAM. 1842.


Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270


1820255 / :


D GRAFTON, MASS. EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHUT.C.


. 4


284432 The confession of faith and covenant of the Evangelical Congregational church in Grafica, Mass. With a brief history and list of its men- bers, January 1, 1842. Worcester, Spooner, 182 60p.


1941


OKXL CARE


NL 38-571


·


Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015


https://archive.org/details/confessionoffait00evan


ARTICLES OF FAITH.


I. There is but one God, the Creator, preserver and governor of the universe, possessed of every natural and moral perfection, whom it is the duty of all intelligent creatures to love and obey.


Deut. 6 : 4. 1 Cor. 8 : 4-6. Heb. 3: 4. Neh. 9 : 6. Prov. 16 : 33. Dan. 4 : 34, 35. Job 11: 7-9. Ex. 34 : 6, 7. Micah 6 : 8.


II. The mode of the Divine existence is such as lays a . foundation for a distinction into three persons, the Fath- er, Son and Holy Spirit; and these three are one in es- sence and equal in every divine perfection.


Matt. 28 .: 19. 1 John 5 : 7. 2 Cor. 13: 14. Gen. 1 : 26, 3: 22 and 11 : 7. Matt. 7 : 21, 10 : 32, 33 and 11 : 27. John 8 : 19, 54, 58. Matt. 8 : 29, 14 : 33, 26 : 63 and 27 : 43. Isa. 9 : 6. John 1: 1-3. Heb. 1 : 3-8. 1 John 5 : 20. 1 Tim. 3 : 16. John 20: 28. Heb. 13 : 8. Rev. 1 : 8 and 2 : 8. Eph. 4: 10. Matt. 18: 20 and 28: 20. John 3: 13. Rev. 2 : 23. John 2 : 24, 25 and 21 : 17. Heb. 1 : 6. John 9: 38. Luke 24: 52, Acts 7: 59. John 2 : 19. Rom. 8 : 11. Job 26 : 13 and 30 : 4. John 14: 16, 17. Acts 5: 34. Rom. 8: 26, 27. 2 Cor. 3 : 17. Gal. 5: 22, 23.


III. The Bible is the word of God ; it was written by holy men, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, and is a perfect rule of faith and practice.


2 Tim. 3: 16. 2 Peter 1 : 21. Isa. 8 : 20. Matt. 20 : 29. Ps. 19 : 7-10. Acts 17 : 11. Jer. 8 : 9.


IV. The providence of God is universal and particular. He has, for his own glory, foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, working all things after the counsel of his own


4


will, and yet in perfect consistency with the free moral agency of his intelligent creatures.


Matt. 10: 29-31. Heb. 1: 3. Rom. 11 : 36. Neh. 9 : 6. Ps. 36 : and 104: 19-21. Dan. 4: 35. Eph. 1 : 11. Eccl. 3 : 14. Rom. 9 : 17-23. Phil. 2 : 13. Rev. 17 : 17 and 6 :11. Isa. 43 : 7, 48 : 11, 45 : 7 and 46 : 10. Prov. 16 : 4, 19 : 21, 21 : 1 and 16 : 1-9. Job 23 : 13, 14. Acts 2: 23 and 15: 18.


V. God created Adam perfectly holy, and constituted him the representative head of all his posterity, suspend- ing their moral character upon his probationary conduct.


Gen. 1 : 26, 27. Eccl. 7 : 29. Rom. 5: 12-19. 1 Cor. 15 : 21, 22.


VI. In consequence of the fall of Adam, his posterity, being partakers of his nature and connected with him as their federal head, are wholly estranged from God, are un- der the curse of the law, and deserve eternal death.


Gen. 2: 17. Rom. 5: 12-20. chaps. 1, 2 and 3 and 8 : 7, 8. 2 Cor. 5 : 14. Ezek. 18 : 4. Gal. 3: 10. Eccl. 9: 3. Jer: 17 : 9.


VII. The Lord Jesus Christ became incarnate, and by his obedience, suffering and death, has made an atonement for sin adequate to the wants of the whole world ; al- though they only are savingly benefited by it who exer- cise faith in the Redeemer, and accept of the salvation freely offered to them in the Gospel .- He also rose from the dead, ascended to the Father and ever liveth to make intercession for his people.


Gal. 4: 4. Matt. 1 : 25 and 28 : 1-10. Luke 1: 31- 35 and 2 : 7. Rom. 9 : 5, 5 : 6, 8, 19, 3: 26, 4: 24 and 8 : 11, 34. John 12 : 13, 14, 3: 15, 16, 18, 5: 24, 6: 29, 35,7 : 38, 13: 33, 14 : 2-12- 16-28 and 16: 28. 2 Cor. 5 : 14, 15, 8 : 9. Gal. 3: 13. Eph. 1 : 7. 1 Peter 1 : 18-21. 1 Tim. 2 : 5, 6. Heb. 2 : 9, 7: 25 and 10 : 38, 39. 1 John 2 : 2, 5: 10-13. Mark 16 : 16. Acts 10: 43. 13 : 39, 16 : 31 and 1 : 9. Job 19 : 25. Ps. 16 : 10. 1 Cor. 15: 4, 13-20. Isa. 53: 12.


VIII. In the covenant of redemption God hath given


5


to Christ a part of mankind whom according to his sover- eign pleasure, he hath from eternity chosen, unto salva- tion through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth.


Eph. 1 : 45. John 6 : 39, 17 : 6, 9, 11, 12, 24. Rom. 8 : 29, 30. 11 : 5-7. 2 Thess. 2 : 13. 1 Pet. 1 : 2.


IX. The efficacious influences of the Holy Spirit are essentially necessary to renew and sanctify the heart, by the application of the atonement of Christ : and they who are thus renewed shall be preserved from final apostacy, be made meet for heaven and finally be conducted to eter- nal glory ; while all the unrenewed and unsanctified will be left to perish.


John 3: 3-8. 1: 13 and 10: 28. 2 Thess. 2: 13. Rom. 1 : 24, 26, 28, 8 : 29-39 and 9 : 17, 18, 21, 22. 1 Cor. 6 : 11, and 1 : 8. Eph. 4 : 23, 24. Jer. 31 : 3 and 30 : 11, 40. Heb. 13 : 20, 21. 2 Sam. 23 : 5. Heb. 7: 25 .- Luke 22 : 32. 1 John 3: 9, and 2: 27. 1 Pet. 1 : 5, and 2: 8. Phil. 1 : 6. Matt. 11 : 25, 26. 2 Tim. 2: 20.


X. Jesus Christ has a visible church in the world in- to which none in the sight of God but real believers, and none in the sight of men but visible believers have right- of admission.


Matt. 16: 18 and 18: 17. Acts 2: 47. 1 Cor. 1 : 2. 2 Cor. 6 : 14-18, and 1 : 1. 1 Thess. 1 : 1-3. Psalms 50 : 16.


XI. Christ has appointed two special ordinances in his church, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Adult believ- ers, who have not been baptized, and the children of pro- fessing believers are the proper subjects of baptism .- None but the cordial friends of Christ ought to partake of the Lord's Supper : and every church ought to require a profession of holy love to the Lord Jesus Christ of all whom they admit to their communion.


Matt. 28 : 19, and 26 : 26-29. Gen. 17 : 10. Rom. 6 : 11 and 11 : 17-24, Acts 15: 1, 24, 29, 2 : 39, 16: 15, 33 and 8: 37. Gal. 5: 1, 2, 3 : 27-29. Luke 18 : 15, 16. 1 Cor. 1 : 16, and 7 : 14.


1*


6


XII. There will be a resurrection of the dead both of the righteous and the wicked ; and also a final judgment when all will receive according to their works-and the wicked will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.


1 Cor. 15: 12-23, 51,52. 1. Thess. 4: 17. Job 19 : 26, 27. Acts 24 : 15. John 5: 27-29. Dan. 12: 2. Matt. 25 : 31-46. 2 Cor. 5 : 10. Matt. 24 : 36, 42-44.


Note. Though no human compositions are of divine authority, yet we look upon the confession of Faith and shorter catechism agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, to be an excellent system of the doctrines of our holy religion.


COVENANT.


You do now most solemnly declare, that the Lord Je- hovah, Father, Son and Holy Ghost is your God, that you will fear Him, cleave to Him in love, and serve him heartily and entirely ; giving up yourself to Him to be - His in all things, to be disposed of, and directed as He shall choose, that you may always enjoy communion with Him according to the revealed will of God, as a member of Christ's mystical body.


You promise to adhere to the truth of Christ, and to vindicate it as God may give you ability, making the Ho- ly Scriptures your standard ; and by God's grace to main- tain a very strict watch over your own heart, seeking to obtain through the operation of the Holy Spirit the mor- tification of all your unholy passions, worldly desires or disorderly affections whereby you may be withdrawn from the living God.


You promise to sanctify the Sabbath, calling it a de- light, the holy of the Lord honorable, guarding yourself throughout the day from worldly thoughts, cares, words and works.


7


You promise, also, to educate all persons who may be under your domestic government in the knowledge and fear of God, instructing them in the doctrines and precepts of His holy word, and praying with and for them.


You moreover bind yourself faithfully to improve all your opportunities of worshipping God by attending up- on the public means of grace; by reading his holy word ; by secret prayer, and by holding communion with His church in both the seals, baptism and the Lord's Supper.


And you promise to walk in love towards all the mem- bers of this church, aiming at mutual edification ; visit- ing, exhorting and comforting as opportunity may offer ; admonishing any brother or sister who may offend ; ex- ercising a charitable temper towards all who manifest genuine repentance ; not divulging private offences irreg- ularly ; and peaceably submitting yourself to the discipline appointed by Christ in his church for offenders.


Thus you covenant and promise in humble depend- ance upon the grace of God, to assist and enable you to perform your vows.


We do now receive you as a member in full commun- ion with the church of Christ, and as such declare that you have a right to all the ordinances of His house, and that we the members of this church are under covenant engagements to watch over you in love.


And now may the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting cove- nant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen.


1 **


HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.


Previous to entering upon the history of this church, we think the following note, which we find in the ancient records of the church, may not be without interest.


" The Indian church which was gathered in this place, was the second native church in New England. It was formed either by Rev. John Eliot, or some one raised up through his instrumentality. It is said to have been one of the most permanent establishments of the kind, and yet it would seem as if it continued but a short time in its original state. It was formed in 1671, and three years after contained it is said about 16 members living in the town, besides several residing in other places. But 60 years after, as appears from the records of this church, it was necessary to form another, and none were probably natives."


This church dates its origin as far back as Dec. 29, 1731. At which time a Council having been convened, Mr. Solomon Prentice was ordained as its first pastor. The following clergymen officiated on the occasion. In- troductory prayer by Rev. Mr. Parkman of Westborough. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Appleton of Cambridge. Ordain- ing prayer by Rev. Mr. Swift of Framingham. Rev. Mr. Trowbridge of Groton joined in laying on of hands. Rev. Mr. Loring of Sudbury gave the right hand of fel- lowship. The church then numbered 20 members; and there were added to it during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Prentice 84 males and 94 females ; total 178. The fol- lowing individuals were chosen deacons ; Bro's James Whipple and Samuel Cooper ; and after a lapse of ten years Bro. Joseph Meriam was also elected to the office of deacon.


9


Rev. Mr. Prentice was born in 1705. Educated at Harvard college, and graduated 1727. The next day af- ter this church was embodied, he was ordained as its pas- tor, and continued fifteen years and a half. He was con- sidered at that time a new light, which created some dis- satisfaction. He afterwards preached a considerable time at Bellingham and other places.


After a lapse of nearly three years, Mr. Aaron Hutch- inson was, June 6, 1750, invested with the pastoral of- fice. Services on the occasion were as follows. Intro- ductory prayer by Rev. Mr. Martyn of Westborough .- Sermon by Rev. Mr. Pumroy, of Hebron, from Acts 20 : 28. Charge by Rev. Mr. Loring of Sudbury. Right hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Parkman of Westbor- ough. Ordaining and concluding prayers, by Rev. Mr. Hall, of Sutton. Bro's Joseph Batcheller and Abner Stowe were chosen deacons. 83 were added to the church, during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Hutchinson, which continued nearly twenty-two years. Rev. Mr. H. was educated at Yale College, and graduated, 1747 .- He was very eccentric in his character, and social inter- course. He possessed much classical knowledge. His memory was so tenacious, that he often said, if the New Testament was lost, he could write it again. He resign- ed his pastoral relation to this church, Nov. 18, 1772 .- After which he continued to supply vacant societies, and lived to an advanced age.


The church then remained destitute for nearly two years, at the expiration of which time, Mr. Daniel Grosve- nor was chosen pastor. The following churches were in- vited to assist in his ordination. 1st, 2d and 3d churches in Pomfret, Ct. churches in Sutton, Shrewsbury, Mendon and Upton. The order of exercises on the occasion was as follows. Introductory prayer by Rev. Aaron Putnam. Sermon, by Rev. Ebenezer Grosvenor ; text, Gen. 45 : 24. Ordaining prayer, by Rev. Elisha Fish. Rev. Da- vid Ripley and Rev. Joseph Sumner joined in laying on of hands. Rev. David Hall gave the charge. Rev. Am- ariah Frost gave the right hand of fellowship. Rev. Jo- siah Whitney made the concluding prayer. During the


THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY


10


time of his ministerial connexion with this church there were 41 admissions to its number. Rev. Mr. Grosvenor was born at Pomfret, Ct. 1749. He was educated at Yale ; graduated 1769. He sustained the pastoral office to this church more than thirteen years, when his health became feeble, and his voice failed, he resigned his charge. Suspending for a time the discharge of minis- terial duties, his health and voice were in a good meas- ure restored ; he resumed the labors of the ministry, and in 1794 was installed at Paxton, where he continued eight years, and then resigned. He lived nearly thirty- two years after his resignation, and closed his life at Pe- tersham in July, 1834, aged eighty-five. Mr. Grosve- nor was a popular preacher, a useful and respectable man; a friend to his country, and did much, at the com- mencement of the revolutionary war, to inspire courage in the soldiers. " He left his pulpit, and marched with his musket, in a company of minute men, that went to Cambridge on the 19th of April, 1775." He reared a large family, and two of his sons are ministers.


After being destitute until June 18th, 1790, the church made choice of Mr. Nathaniel Howe to become their pas- tor, which invitation he declined. This year, Bro's Jo- seph Meriam, Jr., and Jonathan Stow, were chosen to, and accepted the office of deacons. The church still re- maining destitute for a space of seven years, then united in the choice of Mr. John Miles to be their pastor. The order of exercises at his ordination was as follows. Intro- ductory prayer, by Rev. John Robinson, of Westborough. Sermon by Rev. Asaph Rice, of Westminster, from Isa. 49: 4. Ordaining prayer, by Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, of Bridgewater. Charge, by Rev. Daniel Grosvenor, of Paxton. Right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Joseph Sum- ner of Shrewsbury. Concluding prayer, by Rev. Ezra Ripley, of Concord. At the time of Rev. Mr. Miles' set- tlement, the church numbered 38. While he remained its pastor there were 28 males, and 67 females, making a total of 95, added to the church. Also during his min- istry, Bro's Timothy Meriam, Nathaniel Adams, Esq., Albert Stone, and Joseph Meriam were chosen deacons.


.


11


Rev. Mr. Miles was born at Westminster ; was educated at Brown University, and graduated in 1794. He con- tinued as pastor of this church about thirty years, and then resigned; he has since removed to Shrewsbury, where he now cultivates a farm.


Immediately after the dismission of Rev. Mr Miles from this church, Mr. Moses C. Searle, having received, and accepted a call, was ordained its pastor Sept. 21st 1826 .; The following churches were invited to assist in his ordination. Old South and Union churches in Bos- ton. Tabernacle church in Salem. The churches in Lynnfield, Northbridge, Upton, Millbury, Uxbridge, West- borough, Douglas, Ward, Sutton and Shrewsbury. Or- der of exercises was as follows. Rev. Mr. Rockwood


offered the Introductory prayer. Rev. Samuel Green preached from 1 Corinthians, 1 : 23, 24. Rev. Mr. Jud- son offered the ordaining prayer. Rev. Dr. Crane gave the charge to the pastor. Rev. Joseph Searle expressed the fellowship of the churches. Rev. Mr. Goffe gave the charge to the people ; and Rev. Mr. Wood offered the concluding prayer. At the time of Rev. Mr. Searle's settlement, there were 19 males and 48 females, total, 67, connected with the church ; and during his ministry, 60 males, and 102 females, total, 162, were added to its number. Bro's Holland Greenwood and Otis Prince, were elected to the office of deacons. Rev. Mr. Searle was born at Rowley, 1797; was educated at Princeton, and graduated in 1821. He sustained the pastoral office in this church five years and a half, and resigned in Apr. 1832, and was installed at West Bradford, Jan 20th, 1833, and resigned in April 1834; was reinstalled at New Hartford, N. Y., in 1835, where he now remains.


At the close of Rev. Mr. Searle's ministry, the church and a part of the society, finding that there was no prob- ability of their continuing to enjoy the ministrations of an evangelical pastor while connected with the parish, se- ceded from it, and made provision for the preaching of the gospel in its purity, by the erection of a commodious house of worship, and the settlement of a pastor; and Rev. John Wilde was ordained as such, June 20, 1832, which


.


12


was about two months after Rev. Mr. Searle's dismission. The exercises on the occasion were as follows. Introduc- tory prayer by Rev. Mr. Fletcher of Northbridge. Sermon by Dr. Codman of Dorchester. Consecrating prayer by Rev. Mr. Rockwood of Westborough. Charge by Rev. Mr. Wood of Upton. Right hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Herrick of Millbury. Address to the people by Rev. Mr. Allen of Shrewsbury. Concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Maltby of Sutton. The services were solemn, and interesting. At the time of Rev. Mr. Wilde's settlement there were 195 connected the church; and during his ministry, 24 males, and 56 females, total, 80, were added to its number. Rev. Mr. Wilde was born in Dorchester, 1802. Graduated at Middlebury, 1827. His pastoral relation with this church continued six years. In about a year after his dismission from this church, he was in- stalled pastor of the church of Christ in Conway, N. H. where he now remains.


The present pastor, Rev. Thomas C. Biscoe, was or- dained July 1Sth, 183S. The following churches were invited to assist in his ordination. The Evan. Congre- gational church in Cambridge, Calv. church in Worces- ter, churches in Westborough, Upton, Shrewsbury, Marl- borough, Northbridge, Sutton, Epsom, N. H., and the 2d. Cong. Church in Millbury. The order of exercises on the occasion was as follows. Introductory prayer by Rev. Mr. Kittredge of Westborough. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Stearns of Cambridge from 2 John, 9. Consecrating prayer by Rev. Mr. Forbush of Northbridge. Charge to the pastor by Rev. Mr. Wood of Upton. Right hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Peabody of Worcester. Address to the people by Rev Mr. Allen of Shrewsbury. Con- cluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Tracy of Sutton. The num- ber of members at the time of the settlement of the pres- ent pastor was 202 ; 61 males, and 141 females. From that time to Jan. 1842, 79 have been added to the church. In 1838, Bro. Otis Adams was chosen to, and accepted the office of deacon. Rev. Mr. Biscoe was born at Cam- bridge. He was educated at Amherst, and graduated in 1831.


CATALOGUE


OF THE


EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, GRAFTON,


JANUARY, 1842.


PASTOR, THOMAS C. BISCOE, Ordained July 18, 1838.


DEACONS.


1810 ALBERT STONE. -


- 1817 JOSEPH MERIAM,


1829 HOLLAND GREENWOOD.


1828 OTIS ADAMS.


Time of Admission. MALES,


1817 Stephen Holbrook


1820 John Hector


Tarrant Meriam


1823 Benjamin W. Fay


1824 Joseph Meriam, Jr.


1827 Perley Batcheller Samuel Green


1828 Timothy Meriam


Jonathan Hayden


Hollis Chamberlain


Elijah Kimball


1829 David White


Calvin Taft Erie Jackson


1831 Charles I. Warren


FEMALES. 1739 Molly Kimball


1807 Lucy Adams


1810 Hannah Harrington


Sally B. Stone


66 Sabra Sibley


66 Mary Adams


16 Anna Brigham


1811 Eunice Cutler


1817 Priscilla Prentice


1820 Susanna Golding 1821 Sabra Leland


66 Tabitha Wadsworth


Sally Meriam


Patty Adams


Anna Meriam


14


1831 Lucien Howe


William Holbrook


Charles E. Kimball


66 John P. Boyden


66 Benjamin Green Henry A. Ball Oliver M. Brigham Lewis Holbrook


Sumner Dunsmore


Luther Stow


66 Martin Stow


Charles Meriam


Joseph H. Whitney


66 Benjamin Wadsworth Edward B. Bigelow


1832 Elias T. White


Elijah L. Case


¥ Wyman Fay


1835 Lewis W. Dodge


Francis Winn


Royal A. Keith


John McCrellis


1836 Royal Leland


66 Calvin Perry Joseph A. Warren


Sylvanus Pratt John C. Knapp


1837 Thaddeus R. Rider 1838 William G. Morse


Merrill Greenwood Benjamim C. Green 1839 Charles H. Towne Francis H. Rice


Abraham M. Bigelow


Charles Munroe John Claflin


1840 Josiah H. Hammond Solomon L. Prentice


John P. Hayden


Felix Brown


1822 Priscilla Putnam Eunice Hayden 1823 Georgianna M. Fisk 1824 Mary C. Meriam


Polly Read Diadama Brigham 1827 Nancy Sibley Harriet Gary


Sarah Leland


Lucy Wood


1828 Elizabeth Holbrook


Lucy Meriam


Sylvia Adams


Susannah Brigham


Sally Hayden


Susan Wheelock


Susan Greenwood


66 Susan P. Wheelock


Martha Hall


66 Lucy Clapp


1829 Adah Golding


Luciana Fowler


Lucy E. Pratt


1830 Hannah P. Wood


66 Mary M. Munroe Susannah E. Rice Serena B. Holden Mary D. Redding Sally Meriam


-66 Huldah C. Warren Mary A. Leland


1831 Azubah Lathe 66 Sarah B. Holbrook Elizabeth M. Flagg


Abigail M. Wood Adeline P. Claflin


Martha H. Dodge


Elizabeth W. Allen


Louisa G. Knowlton


Clarinda G. Flanders


15


1840 Benjamin Kingsbury


" John C. Knowlton Samuel F. Redding


Lovel Stow


Joshua W. Leland


Mary K. Kimball


4 Rensselaer Patch 66 Lucy W. Green


Leander Stockwell


Mary E. Hayden


Delano Pierce Martha K. Pratt


Susan J. Meriam


Rachel Dunsmore


Hannah Green Sarah W. Putnam


Melinda Nichols


Charlotte T. Whitney


Martha P. Holbrook


66 Charlotte Leland


Mary C. Adams


1832 Polly Prentice


Sarah White


Susan Redding


Hannah G. Holbrook


Betsey Wing


Lorana Case


Eliza J. Pike


Emily E. Adams


Sally Wheelock


Lucy Brigham


1833 Thankful Munroe


Lucy Wood


Esther Greenwood


1834 Hannah Pease


= Susan Jourdan


1835 Sally Lindley


Sophia K. Maynard


Eleanor M. Bigelow


66 Catherine Singleterry


66 Maria C. Brigham


Susan Brigham


16 Martha Fay


66 Sarah Howe


Frederic F. Elliot James A. Goodale


1841 Samuel Harrington


Stephen F. Rice


William Hill


Loammi B. Rice.


1831 Mary E. Hastings


Martha E. Goddard


Harriet W. Estis


Mary K. Stow


16


1836 Nancy Perry


66. Margaret Leland


66 Lucinda Warner


Eunice Wheeler


Nancy Adams Sarah Hayden Diadama Wheeler


Anna Pierce


66 Eleanor E. Knapp


1837 Lucy H. Perry


66 Eleanor M. Meriam


Mary J. Amsden


66 Delia M. Warren


Lucinda Brigham Sally McNamara Caroline Meriam


Adeline Holbrook


Polly Knowlton


Sarah A. Putnam Sarah Warren


- 1838 Rebecca A. Morse


66 Olive J. Whitney


66 Bathsheba Biscoe Hannah N. Warren


Ellen E. Biscoe


1839 Lucy Munroe


Hannah A. Green


Candice Kimberly


Fanny Brown


Eliza B. Biscoe


1840 Anna G. Hammond


Mary F. Kimball


66 Almira Rawson


Anna Putnam


Hannah Kingsbury


1840 Patty Leland


66 Chloe Bosworth


60 Mehitable C. Bolton


66 Eunice E. Bolton


66 Lucy E. Stone


Sarah S. Lathe


Nancy Bowen Thankful Eames


Sarah C. Keith


66 Betsey H. Kimball


Polly Leland


Thankful Wadsworth


Almy Grosvenor


66 Mary A. Dalrymple


Nancy Bowen


1841 Hannah W Harrington


Mary A. Ball


66 Mary M. Brown


Abigail S. Reed Julia A. Pierce


Sally E. Warren


66 Julia M. Reed


66 Harriet N. Putnam


66 Lydia D. Keith


66 Nancy M. Sibley


Grace Butterfield


Emily B. Hill


Julia Waterman


Lois Hayden


Elizabeth Putnam


Maria L. Flagg


Tamar Howe


Nancy Winn.


MANUAL


Frangelical Congregational Cur OF THE


A'l


GRAFTON, MASS.


1869. 1


THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO


MANUAL


OF THE


Evangelical Congregational Church, =


AT


GRAFTON, MASS.


" And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone" THE NEWBERRY LIE ARY CHICAGO


ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 3, 1869.


WORCESTER : PRINTED BY CHAS. HAMILTON, PALLADIUM OFFICE. 1870.


r


ITEM. At a regular meeting of the Church, held March 5, 1869, it was voted


"That the Examining Committee of the Church constitute a Committee to consider the expediency of Revising the Con- fession of Faith and Covenant, as well the List of Members; to complete the History of the Church to the present date; and to Report to the Church for their decision."


1941


HISTORICAL SKETCH.


HE following note, found in the oldest rec- ords of this Church, gives the origin of the first Church of Christ in the town of Graf- ton, then known by its Indian title, "Hassanamisco."


" The Indian Church which was gathered in this place, was the second Native Ch. in N. E .: it was formed either by Revd John Eliot, or some one raised up through his instrumentality. It is said to have been one of the most permanent establishments of the kind, and yet it wd seem as if it continued but a short time in its original state.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.