USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Brookline > Discourse delivered, 9 November, 1817 : the Lord's day after the completion of a century from the gathering of the church in Brookline > Part 2
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The average age of the three ministers, who died in this town, is 47 2-9.
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these have enjoyed the labours of fifty-nine pastors, thirty-six of whom died in the ministry; seven are now living, who are not pastors of their original charges, and ten still minister to their people.
In the six contiguous towns of Charlestown, Dor- chester, Boston, Roxbury, Brookline, and Chelsea, ' most of whose congregational churches compose the Boston Association, there have been, this century, twenty-two congregational churches, and ninety-two pastors, fifty-four of, whom died in the ministry ; twelve died out of the ministry; seven are now liv- ing, who do not minister to the first people of their charge ; and nineteen are still actively engaged in the duties of the ministerial office. The additional congregational churches, within these limits, to those, which existed before, are nine; and the houses of worship erected, during this period, for congregation- alists, twenty-five.
Of the fifty-four congregational ministers, who died, the past century, in the six aforementioned towns, precisely one third lived to be seventy years of age and upwards, and exactly a ninth part lived to eighty and upwards. The oldest was the Rev. Thom- as Cheever of Chelsea, who died at the advanced age of ninety-three ; while the youngest were the Rev. Cotton Brown of this place, the Rev. Joshua Paine and the Rev. Thomas Prentiss, both of Charles- town, all three of whom died at the age of twenty- five .*
But of this statement of facts illustrating the changes, which constantly take place, and which fur- nish irresistible evidence, that we also are rapidly
* Appendix V.
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passing away, it is proper, that I suggest a suitable improvement.
1. The first sentiment, which should arise in our minds, at the historical review of this day, is gratitude to God for our present distinguished blessings.
There is a great and obvious improvement in your external circumstances.
· There may not be more comparative wealth. But the lands are incalculably better cultivated. Thc buildings are much more elegant and commodious. The style of living is greatly advanced. Indeed bet- ter provision is made for the various comforts of life, than in the carly settlement of this place.
It is not asserted, that these circumstances redound to the best good of each individual so favoured. As an offset to these advantages, it must be confessed, that there are greater temptations, than formerly, to luxury and dissipation ; and it is to be feared, that a larger proportion fall victims to excess. But it is surely no argument against our obligations to grati- tude, that the very abundance of heaven's blessings is suffered to increase our inclination to abuse them.
In point of advantages for the education of youth, what thanks are not due to him, who, in this respect, makes us to differ from our less favoured ancestors !
During the former part of this century, but little provision was made for publick schools. How incom- parably more favoured are the present generation ! Conveniences are now afforded for the poorest of our children to receive instruction, through the whole of the year. It accordingly happens, that, from the lowest walks of life, many become qualified to edu- cate others. We cannot but acknowledge our obliga- tions to the Most High for giving the present genera-
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tion the disposition and the means so amply to provide for youthful instruction.
Our present civil and political blessings call for re- ligious gratitude.
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We enjoy unmolested our invaluable rights. We are favoured with the administration of good and wholesome laws. That baneful spirit of party, so destructive to the best feelings of the heart, so fruitful of discord and every evil work, is, in a great measure, suppressed. God grant, that it may be extinguished in the breast of every fellow citizen.
Seldom, if ever, has there been such general peace among the nations of the earth. What christian but must exult, that this favourable opportunity is so zeal- ously employed for the distribution of the sacred scrip- tures ? Blessed be God, that Bible Societies, throughout christendom, are vying with each other, which shall be most sedulous, impartial, and generous in this truly christian project. It is astonishing to read accounts of the exertions now making by the parent society* of all institutions of this kind, in the land of our fathers' sepulchres, to seek objects of charity, in the most desolate regions, to supply their necessities, and to excite all, who have the means, to unite in the same godlike enterprises ! Even missionaries are sent forth, for this purpose, who cheerfully submit to eve- ry hardship, both by sea and land, to effect their munificent designs. Societies are also organizing of almost every description of benevolence, throughout the christian world, not only to disseminate the word of truth ; but also to answer the calls of every kind of distress, and to contribute, in ways too numerous
* Allusion is here made to " THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY," and particularly to their thirteenth report, exhibited, last May.
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to be particularized, to human comfort. So that the present has been not unaptly termed the era of be- nevolent institutions.
When our situation, in respect of religious privi- leges, is compared with that of the early settlements in this place, what thanks are not due to the Disposer of our lot !
For nearly a century, it was customary even for the women here to walk to the first parish in Rox- bury to unite in publick worship.
" But we have no such lengths to go." Long have we and our fathers been furnished with a place of worhip as convenient, as the population of the town and the local situation of its inhabitants will allow. Nor are there but few families among us, who are not furnished with the means of safe and easy trans- portation to this house of our solemnities in unfavour- able weather.
When the late venerable meeting house was first consecrated to publick worship, a principal part of the lower floor was divided into long seats, and heads of families were placed in situations, unconnected with their respective households .* In process of time, notwithstanding every improvement, of which the house was susceptible, it failed to accommodate the Increased population of the town. With what won- derful unanimity did the Author of every good design inspire you to erect this commodious temple ! Surely the contrast, in point of elegance, costliness, and con- venience, between our present and former house of worship, indicate a striking improvement in your taste
* Appendix VI.
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and circumstances, which impose correspondent obli- gations to gratitude.
2. While dwelling upon reflections, which lead us to advert to our fathers, let us imitate their acknowl- edged virtues.
Industry was a leading feature in their characters. By this they subdued the rugged soil, and fitted it for the more easy cultivation of their descendants. Shall we then surrender ourselves to inglorious ease, and thus lose the advantages to be derived from their suc- cessful toils ?
Frugality was likewise in them a conspicuous trait. Like them, let us avoid profusion* in every form, that we may be furnished with the means of doing good and of preventing evil, as far as our influence can extend.
But they were remarkable for attention to religious institutions. Alas ! how have their posterity degene- rated from them in this respect ! How many, instead of esteeming it a privilege, appear to account it a hardship to worship God in their families, or in his house; and avail themselves of the slightest pretexts to neglect the assembling of themselves together for religious purposes ? How many seem much more de- sirous of vindicating their rights, than of performing their duties ? Hence when any worldly object, which lies near their hearts, claims their attention, especially when called to a contested political election,t they are deterred by no obstacle, but such, as is inevitable,
* Especially in the unnecessary, wasteful, and destructive use of spirituous liquors, which are fraught with evils too numerous, and yet too obvious, to be mentioned.
t On many such occasions every individual is at his post. Alas ! how much more faithful are men to their passions, than to the convictions of conscience, or even the commands of the Most High !
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from giving their personal attendance, and exerting all their influence. But when invited to engage in religious exercises, what trivial excuses will not avail to detain them from the worship of their Maker!
Vain is it to object to this good example of our fathers, that the present generation excels them in some valuable properties. It is not to such objectors, that we must look for this excellence; but to those, who imitate the piety, as well as the other commend- able qualities of our renowned ancestors.
That they had failings, their most zealous, yet in- telligent panegyrists confess. But over these defects they, with filial affection, throw the mantle of charity, and propose, for a model, their exalted virtues.
From the solemn recollections, which this subject has revived, let us, my hcarers, seriously consider, what most highly concerns us, as strangers and pil- grims here, yet probationers for eternity.
Let us not make provision for this world, as if it were our final home. Reason convinces us, that we are frail and transitory beings; and we cannot advert to the history of past times, without beholding many a melan- choly comment upon this obvious, yet neglected truth.
If religion be of that importance, which is claimed for it by the word of God, it should be our first care to choose God for our portion and chief good, the Saviour, as the medium of the choicest blessings, that thus we may hope for heaven, as our everlasting abode.
I will close with remarks particularly relating to the church* of Christ in this place, whose history I have thus imperfectly given.
* Since the publication of the century discourse, Deae. Samuel Clark died, 29 March, 1814, æt. 62 ; and 1 May, 1814, his son Deacon Joshua Child Clark was chosen in his stead.
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Ît is worthy of devout notice, that, from its organi- zation to the present time, this church has had rest. Instances indeed have not been wanting, even from its early history, of those, who thought themselves wiser, than their teachers, and purer in their faith, than the body of the church. But, though some of them, es- pecially under the ministry of the first pastor, appear- ed earnestly to court opposition ; yet they have been permitted to withdraw themselves from the commu- nion of this church, without censure, or remonstrance, and to seek an administration of ordinances more con- genial to their taste, and a society of professing chris- tians more consonant to their views .*
While other churches have, in many instances, been rent by intestine divisions, and have cherished bitter animosities toward their pastors, or among themselves, our ecclesiastical records are not disgraced by a sin- gle line to perpetuate the remembrance of such an unhappy state of things. No Council has been called to this place, except upon ordinary church business. Nor has this pacifick spirit been confined to the cen- tury under review ; it was uniformly manifested, for nearly a century before, while our fathers worshipped, and were united, with a neighbouring church.
God grant, that this desirable union may continue without interruption ; that we, and our children, and our children's children may imitate our fathers in the purity, the well tempered zeal, and the peaceableness of their worship and church discipline. May no "root of bitterness" spring up to disturb this happy order of things. May we be "valiant for the truth"; but, at the same time, " receive with meekness the ingrafted word," and " speak the truth in love." May our only
* Appendix VIT.
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contention be to " provoke one another to love and good works."
Beloved, " behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." " It is" grate- ful, as " the precious ointment," which sheds a delight- ful fragrance all around; refreshing, as the gentle " dew," which scatters verdure, fertility, and beauty, as it descends, upon the fruitful soil. " Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the sons of God. Let us be at peace, among ourselves. If it be possible, as much as lieth in us, let us live peaceably with all men. Let us mark them, who cause divisions and of- fences, and avoid them. Let us follow after the things, which make for peace, and things, whereby one may edify another ; endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace."
APPENDIX.
I.
LIST of the original members of the church of Christ in Brook- line, at its organization, 26 October, 1717.
I. James Allen, Pastor elect,
II. Thomas Gardner, Deacon, III. John Winchester,
IV. Joseph White,
V. Josiah Winchester,
VI. Samuel Sewall,
VII. William Story,
VIII. Joseph Goddard,
IX. Thomas Stedman,
X. Joshua Stedman,
XI. John Winchester, son of III. XII. Caleb Gardner, son of II. XIII. Benjamin White, Deacon, son of IV. XIV. Samuel White, son of IV.
XV. Amos Gates,
XVI. Ebenezer Kenrick, XVII. Addington Gardner.
SISTERS.
XVIII. Mary Gardner, wife of II. XXIX. Sarah Winchester, XIX. Joanna Winchester, wife of III. XX. Hannah White, wife of IV. XXXII. Hannah Kenrick, XXI. Mary Winchester, wife of V. XXII. Mary Boylston, XXIII. Sarah Stedman,
XXIV. Desire Ackers,
XXV. Hannah Stedman,
XXVI. RebeccaSewall, wife of VI.
XXVII. Abigail Story, XXVIII. Mary Stedman,
XXX. Abiel Gardner, XXXI. Ann White, wife of XIV.
XXXIII. Tryphena. Woodward, XXXIV. Eunice Clark, XXXV. Mary Gardner, XXXVI. Susanna Gardner, XXXVII. Elisabeth Boylston, XXXVIII. Elisabeth Taylor, XXXIX. Frances Winchester.
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II.
Owners of dwelling houses in Brookline, in 1740. The names in italicks designate the houses, which still remain.
1. Solomon Hill,
2. Capt. John Winchester,
3. Samuel Sewall,
4. William Gleason,
5. Capt. Robert Sharp,
6. Clark,
". Thomas Aspinwall,
8. Deac. Thomas Cotton,
9. Major Edward White,
10. Major Edward White,
11. Major Edward White,
12. Major Edward White, 13. John Ellis,
32. Joseph Adams,
33. Nathaniel Stedman,
34. Ebenezer Sargeant,
S5. Capt. Benjamin Gardner,
36. Joshua Stedman,
37. Ebenezer Kenrick,
38. Nathaniel Hill,
39. John Druce,
40. Abraham Chamberlain,
41. Abraham Woodicard,
42. Hugh Scott,
43. James Griggs,
44. William Davis,
45. John Harris,
46. Isaac Child,
47. Joshua Child,
48. Timothy Harris,
49. John Harris,
50. Daniel Harris,
51. John Newell,
52. Andrew Allard,
53. John Woodward,
54. Christopher Dyer,
55. Thomas Woodward,
56. Nehemiah Davis,
26. Isaac Gardner,
57. John Goddard,
27. John Seaver,
28. Samuel White, Esq,
29. Joseph White,
30. Deac. Benjamin White,
31. Benjamin White,
58. Henry Winchester,
59. Elhanan Winchester,
60. John Seaver, jun.
61. Dudley Boylston.
By the above account it will be seen, that but twenty-two houses, which were standing, in 1740, now remain.
15. Capt. Samuel Croft,
16. Major Edward White,
17. Isaac Winchester,
18. Rev. James Allen,
19. Rev. James Allen,
20. Deac. Samuel Clark,
21. Nathaniel Gardner,
22. Solomon Gardner,
23. Dr. Zabdiel Boylston,
24. Nathaniel Seaver,
25. William Ackers,
14. Nathaniel Shepard,
It will also appear, that but twelve of the present occupants of these sixty-one places are lineal descendants of their proprietors at the abovementioned date.
III.
It may gratify some to compare the owners of dwelling-houses, as last mentioned, with those of 1796.
1. Joshua Griggs,
2. William Marshall,
S. Samuel Griggs, &c.
4. Edward K. Wolcott,
5. Col. Thomas Aspinwall,
6. Edward K. Wolcott,
7. Robert Sharp,
8. Stephen Sharp,
9. Dr. William Aspinwall,
10. Dr. William Aspincall,
11. Dr. William Aspinwall,*
12. Ebenezer Davis,
13. Benjamin Davis,
14. John Howe,
15. Josiah Jordan,
16. Thomas White,
17. Thomas White,
18. Thomas White,
47. Benjamin White,*
48. Benjamin White,
49. Benjamin White,
50. Caleb Gardner,
51. Ebenezer Richards,
52. Jonathan Hammond,
53. Thaddeus Hide,
54. Ebenezer Webb,
26. Capt. Samuel Croft,
27. Capt. Samuel Croft,
28. John Robinson,
29. Enos Withington,
SO. Major Gardner,
31. Capt. Timothy Corey,
$2. Edward K. Wolcott,
Ss. Samuel Clark,
34. The Parsonage,
35. David Hyslop,
36. John Goddard,
37. David Hyslop,
38. John Lucas,
39. John Lucas,
40. William Ackers,
41. Isaac S. Gardner, Esq.
42, Ebenezer Heath,
43. John Heath,
44, Jonathan Jackson,
45. Hon. Jonathan Mason,
46. Hon. Jonathan Mason, **
19. Eleazer Baker,
20. Jonathan Dana,*
21. James Holden,
22. Capt. Cobb,*+
23. Daniel Dana,
24. Ziphion Thayer,
25. Jonas Tolman,
55. Caleb Craft,
56. Thaddeus Jackson,
57. Abraham Jackson,
58. Caleb Craft,*+
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59. Jacob Hervey,
60. Elisha Whitney,*
61. John Harris,
68. Joseph Goddard,
62. Elisha Whitney,
69. Nathaniel Winchester,
63. Heirs of Thomas White, 70. Hon. George Cabot,
64. Elijah Child,* 71. Hon. George Cabot,
65. Widow Elisabeth Harris,
72. Joshua Boylston .* t
The names in italicks represent the present owners. The houses of those, with an asterisk, are demolished. Those with an obelisk have others erected on, or near the site of former houses.
It will be perceived, that, within the short space of twenty-one years, precisely two-thirds of the houses have been demolished, or shifted owners.
IV.
Deaths for the last 21 years, 208.
Under 2 years,
Between 50 and 60, 13
Between 2 and 10, 27
60 and 70, 22
10 and 20, 12
70 and 80,
20 and 30, 27
80 and 90, 11
30 and 40, 14
90 and 100, 1
40 and 50,
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208
Diseases.
Consumption, 43 Jaundice,
6 Worms, 1
Fever,
33
Apoplexy,
5 Strangury,
1
Decay,
20 Cholera morbus,
5 Melancholy, 1
Dysentery,
10
In child bed, S Canker,
1
Dropsy,
9
Hooping cough, 3 Rheumatism,
1
Fits, 8
Quinsy,
2 Hernia,
1
Casualties,
8 Cancer,
2
Bilious colick,
1
Suddenly,
8 Suicide,
2 Uncertain,
17
Paralysis,
8 Tetanus,
2
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208
Dropsy in brain,
6 Throat distemper, 1
66. Dr. William Spooner,
67. John Corey,
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V.
GENERAL SUMMARY.
Congregat. churches.
Pastors
Died in
unistry.
Died out of
ministry
.iving in
ther places.
Present
pastors.
Houses built
Additional churches.
Charlestown, 2
6
0
0
1
Dorchester,
3
6
1
2
0
S
4
2
Boston,
12
59
36
6
7
10
13
5
Roxbury,
3
11
6
2
0
S
4
1
Brookline,
1
5
3
1
0
1
1
0
Chelsea,
1
4
2
1
0
1
1
0
Total
22 |92
54
12
7
1 19
25
9
Rev. Thomas Cheever,
Rev. Nehemiah Walter,
Dr. Increase Mather,
Dr. Charles Chauncy,
82, Rev. Thomas Foxcroft, 72, 72,
Dr. Joseph Sewall, 80, Dr. Ebenezer Pemberton,
Rev. Thomas Prentice,
80, Dr. Simeon Howard, 72,
Dr. Samuel Mather,
79, Rev. Simon Bradstreet, 72,
Rev. John Danforth,
78, Rev. Hull Abbot, 72,
Dr. John Lathrop,
77, Dr. Samuel West, 70.
VI.
It may gratify some to be informed of the following particulars of the former meeting-house, and its earliest occupants.
It originally contained but fourteen pews; and these were all wall pews, disposed of to the following persons, 29 April, 1718. I. Samuel Sewall, next the pulpit, West. II. John Winchester, sen. West of No. I.
III. Capt. Samuel Aspinwall, North West corner. IV. Lieut. Thomas Gardner, South of No. III. V. John Seaver, between West door, and men's gallery stairs. VI. John Druce, left of men's gallery stairs. VII. Joseph Gardner, left of front door.
VIII. Josiah Winchester, sen. right of front door.
IX. Thomas Stedman, right of women's gallery stairs.
93, Dr. Benjamin Colman, 73,
87, Rev. Samuel Checkley, 85, Rev. Thomas Prince, 72,
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X. William Sharp, left of East door.
XI. Ensign Benjamin White, right of East door.
XII. Benjamin White, jun. North of No. XI.
XIII. Peter Boylston, North cast corner.
XIV. Ministerial pew, right of pulpit stairs.
Account of the manner, in which the body and the gallery of the old meeting-house were seated, 9 March, 1719, from a paper found carefully folded between the upper and under floor of the Hon. Jonathan Mason's farm house, at its demolition, in 1809. Said house was built and first inhabited by Deacon Benjamin White, one of the first deacons of this church.
" In the men's foreseat in the body seats are seated Josiah Win- chester, Capt. Aspinwall, Joseph Gardner, and Edward Devotion.
In the second seat are seated William Story, Joseph Goddard, Thomas Woodward, Daniel Harris, and John Ackers.
In the third seat are seated James Griggs, Samuel Newell, Abra- ham Chamberlain, Ebenezer Kenrick, and Robert Harris.
In the fourth seat are seated Thomas Lee, William Davis, and Joseph Scott.
In the front foreseat in the gallery are seated Caleb Gardner, Jo- . siah Winchester, Samuel White, Henry Winchester, Joseph Adams, Robert Sharp, Thomas Cotton, and Samuel Clark, jun.
In the foreseat in the side gallery are seated Joshua Stedman, William Gleason, Dudley Boylston, Addington Gardner, John Taylor, Stephen Winchester, and Philip Torrey.
In the second seat in the front are seated Isaac Gleason, John Wedge, Thomas Woodward, jun. and James Goddard.
In the women's foreseat in the body seats are seated the wife of Josiah Winchester, sen. the widow Ackers, the wife of Joseph Gardner, and the wife of Edward Devotion.
In the second seat are seated the wife of William Story, the wife of Joseph Goddard, the wife of Thomas Woodward, the wife of Daniel Harris, the wife of John Ackers, and the widow Hannah Stedman.
In the third seat, the wife of James Griggs, the wife of Samuel Newell, the wife of Abraham Chamberlain, the wife of Ebenezer Kenrick, and the wife of Robert Harris.
In the fourth seat, the wife of Thomas Lee, the wife of William Davis, and the wife of Joseph Scott.
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In the front foreseat in the gallery, the wife of Samuel White, the wife of Henry Winchester, the wife of Joseph Adams, the wife of Robert Sharp, and the wife of Samuel Clark, jun.
In the foreseat in the side gallery, the wife of Joshua Stedman, the wife of William Gleason, the wife of Dudley Boylston, the wife of Addington Gardner, the wife of John Taylor.
In the second seat in the front, the wife of John Wedge, and the wife of James Goddard."
Individuals seated 66, of whom 28 couples were men and wives.
VII.
This was particularly the case with several, during a period of' great excitement, in the spring of 1744. They left Mr. Allen's church with heavy charges against him, his preaching, and his church. But no notice appears to have been taken of them or their charges. On this they set up new-light preaching, as it was called, and became most of them, in their turns, exhorters. The most dis- tinguished among them was Mr. Elhanan Winchester, father of the celebrated preacher of the same name, who preached in Europe and America the doctrine of the restoration. The father was first a deacon among the new-lights, to whom Mr. Jonathan Hide was, for a season, a stated preacher, within the limits of Brookline. When Elhanan, jun. became a baptist, the father also joined this sect, and was immersed. The principal part of Mr. Hide's follow- . ers, one after another, became baptists, chiefly through the in- strumentality of Deacon Winchester and son. But Mr. Hide, to his dying day, though forsaken by most of his adherents, persisted in his attachment to infant baptism. When Elhanan Winchester, jun. became a universalist, the father soon adopted the same faitlı. Some years after the death of the son, the father turned shaker, and died at Harvard, full in the faith, Sept. 1810, æt. 91. So that he was first a congregationalist, then a new-light, then a baptist, then a universalist, and at last a shaker. At the closing period of life, he sent intelligence to some friends in Newton, " In every - other denomination, I have had my doubts ; but now I am sure, that I am right."
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VIII.
I shall improve this opportunity to point out a few mistakes, which have been detected in the Century Discourse from the incor- poration of this town, delivered, 24 November, 1805.
From want of time properly to examine the town records of Bos- ton, I supposed, in pp. 7 and 8, that grants of four and five acres at Muddy-river were made to the poor only; and that those, who had the allotments, of course became settlers. But my friend, James Savage, Esq. of Boston, has kindly corrected this errour. By a more thorough investigation of the subject, he has shown, that " very few of the grantees, whose names are found in the records, moved from the old town ; and perhaps of the poor, who took up lots under the town's vote, many were not recorded in the town book."
See note on the Historical Sketch of Brookline, in the Historical collections, Vol. III. N. S. p. 284.
In p. 13, it is asserted, that Mr. Elhanan Winchester was the first minister of the baptist church in Newton. I have since ascer- tained, that he was never the stated pastor of that church. Indeed, he was too much of an itinerant to be settled in any place. But it is well known, that he was very active in producing the excitement, which led to its formation ; and that he immersed numbers of those, who became members of that church.
In p. 19, a mistake is made in mentioning the last text of the Rev. Joseph Jackson. But five days before his death, he preached, all day, to his people ; in the forenoon, from Heb. xiii. 5. " Be con- tent with such things, as ye have." P. M. from Heb. xii. 15. " Look- ing diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God."
P. 25. Rev. Cotton Brown was ordained, 26 October, 1748.
P. 27. Rev. John White died, 16 January, 1760.
P. 28. Rev. Ebenezer White was minister of Norton, now Mans- field.
P. 30. Dr. Zabdiel Boylston's birth was, in 1679.
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