USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Chelsea > Documentary history of Chelsea : including the Boston precincts of Winnisimmet, Rumney Marsh, and Pullen Point, 1624-1824, vol 2 > Part 20
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In the first place, we do declare & profess our hearty belief of the Christian religion as contained in the holy Scriptures, which God hath given unto man, to be the only, perfect, sufficient, & perpetuall Rule of his faith & life, heartily resolving by the help of divine grace to conform our lives to the Rules of our holy Religion.
And we do this day give up our selves to that God, whose name alone is Jehovah, ffather, Son, & Spirit, the only true & living God, & Avouch him this day to be our God, chusing & cleaving unto him as our God & ffather, our portion & chief good.
We give up our selves also to our Glorious Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Lord our Righteousness, adhering unto him as the only Head of his Covenant people, & take him for our Only Redeemer & Saviour, our Prophet, Priest, & King, & for our Captain & Leader to bring us to eternal blessedness. Likewise we profess our Everlasting & indispensable Obligation to Glorify God in all the duties of gospel Obedience, as becomes his Covenant people; forever engaging by the help of Christ to endeavour to keep our selves pure from the sins of the times, and to observe & attend the duties of a Church-state, and of a Society Confederated for Obe- dience to, and enjoyment of him in all Gospel Ordinances.
[At the same time we give our ofspring with our Selves up unto the Lord, humbly adoring his grace, that we and our children
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FORMATION OF A CHURCHI
CHAP. XXVII]
may be looked upon as the Lords; promising by his help to do our utmost in the methods of a religious education that they may be the Lords.
Moreover we do give up our selves to one another in the Lord, engageing to walk together as a| Church of Christ in the faith & Order of the Gospel, [ so far as the Lord hath or shall reveal | unto us, (& particularly as is held out in the Platform sett forth by these Churches, unto [which | for the substance we declare our adherence) promising in brotherly love to watch over one another, & to avoid all sinfull stumbling blocks, and contentions as much as possible ; and to submit our selves to the Discipline & Govern- ment of Christ in this his Church; and to the Ministerial teaching, guidance, & Oversight of the Elder, or Elders thereof, in all things agreable to the Rules of Christ in his word, and consciencionsly to attend the Seals & censures, and all the holy Institutions of Christ in Communion with one another, desiring also to walk with all Regular & due Communion with other Churches.
And all this we do, flying to the blood of the Everlasting Cov- enant for pardon of many failings, desiring to depend humbly upon the Grace of God in Christ, to enable ns to a faithfull dis- charge of our Covenant duties both to God & one another: & wherein we shall fall short, humbly to wait upon his Grace in Christ, for pardon, acceptance, and healing for his own name sake. Amen.
a true copy
John Tntile William Hassy Attest Thomas Cheever
John ffloyd son". Daniel flloyd
Edward Tuttle sen". Asa 3 Hassy's mark
Elisha Tuttle Thomas Cheever.
[When ] the Covenant was read & the Brethren had manifested their consent therennto, [D'] Mather did declare unto them, that they were now acknowledged by the Delegates of the Churches, as one of their Sister Churches, & that they were intrusted with the powers and priviledges which Christ had given nnto his Churches ; of which this was one special priviledge to choose their Own Offi- cers : He therfore desired them, that, as they had formerly chosen Mr Thomas Cheever for their Pastour, if they did con- tinue in the same mind, and also did desire that the sd Mr Thomas Cheever might now be Ordained & Solemnly sett apart to the Pastorall Office & charge over them, they would manifest it by lifting up their hands: which they [did. ] Whereupon they pro- ceeded to the Ordination. The Charge was given by Dr Cotton Mather. The Revd Mr Jeremiah Shepard: Mr Richard Brown. & MY John Webb did Assist & join in Imposition of hands. The
200
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
right hand of ffellowship was given in the name of the Delegates of the Churches; by the Rev! Mr Jeremiah Shepard, both unto the [sd] Mr Thomas Cheever as the Pastour of ye Church ; & unto the Church as a Sister Church.
After all a psalm was sung: & ye Assembly dismissed with a blessing by the new Ordained Pastour."
I shall continue the church history of Rumney Marsh as found in its records, for the church and state were one in a sense and to a degree no longer true. In seeking for the life of a community, therefore, we must not disregard the history of the church.
The names of the Members of ye Church at Rumny-marish 7
Thomas Cheever Pastour. this woman was not dis-
*Elizabeth Cheever missed from Lynn Church
*John Tuttle sen! Deacon *Elisha Tuttle sen!
(* Martha Tuttle
William Hassy
(*Lt: John Floyd Daniel Floyd
(*Rachel Floyd * Asa Hassy
EdwardXTuttle sen" Cov dis- John Floyd jun™
missed back to Lynn Church ( *Samuel Tuttle Abigail Tuttle
Abigail Tuttle.8
Chief Justice Sewall (Diary, iii. 63), gives the following account of this formation of a church and the ordination of Thomas Chcever as their pastor :
" 8r 19. Went to Rumney Marsh in Compa of Dr. C. Mather, Mr. Stobo, Squire, Webb, Dr. Oakes, &c. Mr. Brown of Reading pray'd, Mr. Tho. Chiever preach'd. Neither he that planteth. 1 Cor. 3. 7. Dr. C. Mather gave 7. a Covenant which they made. They chose Mr. Chiever their Pastor. Dr. Mr gave him the Charge, he, Mr. Shepard of Lin, Mr. Brown of Reading, laying on Hands, with Mr. Webb, and praying. Mr. Shepard gave the right Hand of Fellowship. Sung the 3 last Staves of the 132d Psalm, which Deacon Marion read and set the Tune. Mr. Chiever gave the Blessing. I, Mr. Oakes, Mr. Stobo, my Son Sam, Mr. Wyllys the elder, Mr. Webb's Unkle, and one more sat in my Pue; 't is a good one, which never sat in before. After Refreshm't several of us came to Winnisimet for fear of falling a-ground. One met me 11/4 mile and would needs have me ride, which I needed being Weary. "Got well home between 7 and 8. Laus Deo."
" The following list is an exact transcript, with the exception of the words " since deceased," which follow many of the names [and for which an asterisk is substituted]. The brace indicates the relation of husband and wife. Baptisms and admissions to full communion are transferred to the appendix.
8 A pen was drawn through this name.
M
201
CHAP. XXVII] FORMATION OF A CHURCH
*Ensign Joseph Belcher *William Sarjeant of Maldon Hannah Belcher (Thomas Burdit | dismissed to yo of Maldon since *Sarah Hassy, wife of William Hassy (Mary Burdit South Church in Maldon.
Abigail Hassy, wife of Jacob Elisha Tuttle Richard Whittamore
Hassy.
*Thomas Burdit sen! of Mal- don
( Jeremiah Whittemore
were after- wardy dis- m lased to West-ton Church.
*Mary floyd wife of John ffloyd { Patience Whittemore, [ jun!
*Moses Hill of Maldon
Eleanor Leath, wife of John Leath.
( John Chamberlane
{* Hannah Chamberlane Mary ffloyd wife of Daniel Floyd.
*Jacob Chamberlane
* Hannah Skinner, widdow, of Maldon
*M' Hugh Floyd
*Hannah Lewis wife of Isaae Lewis
Mchetabel Davis.
Abigail Hassey widdow of Abra- hanı Hassy
Ruth Whittemore, je wife of Joseph Whittemore { Benjamin Whittemore
Jacob Hassy
Mary Hassy wife of Asa Hassy.
f Samuel Watts
( * Elizabeth Watts.
Elizabeth Sprague wife of Jona- than Sprague jun" of Maldon John Leath
Abraham Skinner) of Maldon.
*Thomas Skinner ye Church in
dismissed to Leath of Woburn
* Mary Skinner Woodstock
(Joseph Whittemore, Cov.
\Elizabeth Whittemore
Nathan Cheever
*Mr Edmund Bowman: dis- missed to Fałmoth
*Susannah Harndel
Hannah Hassey
Samuel Floyd & Joannah his Wife.
Nathanael Oliver: Ensign Thomas Prat, & Mary his Wife David Whittemore & Allis his Wife dismissed to Lichfield Abigail Hassey, daughter of Deacon Jacob Hassey.
Mrs Abigail Hassey Wife of Elder Hassey. Samuel Maxwell Abigail Eustace Wife of Thomas Eustace.
Sarah Whittemore
*Joseph XWhittemore. Thomas Eustis, *William Tuttle
Sarah Holloway, wife of Joseph Holloway. $Thomas Brintnal
Sarah Leath, wife of ffrancis
Joanna Tuttle. Mchetabel Lamson.
* Benjamin Floyd.
Susauna Richardson of Maldon: since dismissed to the 2d Church in Woburn
Joseph Burdit of Maldon
this couple
Ruhamah Tuttle, widdow of John Tuttle jun!
Eleanor Floyd *Rebeccah Hinckson Patience Davis
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IIISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
Mary Hassey Wife of John Hassey. Mary Parker Wife of John Parker. Sarah Hassey Wife of Samuel Hassey July. 8th 1739 : 9 Hannah Chamberlane, Susannah Chamberlane.
At a Church Meeting appointed : Novemb : 9th : Mr John Tut- tle 10 was chosen to the Office of a Deacon ; who accepted the same.
At the same meeting, it was agreed that One filagon, two plat- ters, four cups, one bason with table cloath & one napkin should be bought for the use of the Church; Mrs Tuttle wife of Deacon Tuttle was desired to buy the same, M' William Hassey was de- sired to be assisting unto her in that affair: & the Charge to be paid by the Church.
It was also agreed at the same meeting to have the Sacrament of the Lords-supper upon the last Lords-day in Novemb: instant: and the next time upon the last Lords-day in ffebruary : and after- wards once in six weeks: untill the cold & short days:
It was also agreed that the Charges of the bread & wine for ye Saerament should be paid, by a contribution to be made every Sacrament day : and that each Communicant should give six pence a time during the first year; the Overplus to be reserved as a Church-stock in the hands of the Deacon.
Attest : Thomas Cheever Pastour.
1717 : September : 27th : At a Chureh-meeting appointed to deal with our brother Edward Tuttle for disorderly forsaking the ffel- lowship of the Church, (he having absented from the Saerament of the Lords-supper three several times one after the other,) and to know the reason of the same; he gave no other reason but this, he was dissatisfied because I refused to baptize one of his Grand- Children, viz, a Child of his Son John Tuttle; 11 he was told that could not be allowed for a sufficient reason, for as much as I had openly & fully deelared my judgment in that matter before we Signed Our Church-Covenant; he gave in a written acknowledg- ment, in which he owned the irregularity & disorder of his former absenee, expressing his sorrow for the same, & desiring forgivenes both of God & the Church for his offence, & promising to return to the Communion of ye Church aceording to his Covenant duty, &c: Hereupon the Church declared their satisfaction therein, & so ye matter was lovingly ended.
Attest. Thomas Cheever Pastour.
" This is the only date given. The list comprises the church members between 1715 and July 8, 1739.
10 [Supra, vol. i. p. 225.]
11 [Supra, vol. i. p. 210.]
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FORMATION OF A CHURCH
CHAP. XXVII]
Edward Tuttle his confession and acknowledgement, that wherein I have given any just matter and occasion of Offence to any particular person in this Church, or to the whole Church in generall, either directly or indirectly (for in so doing i offend & sin against God) I am sorry for it & do repent, & I do desire and ask forgivenes, first of God through the merits of his Son, and then next of the Church, & so of every particular person in the Church against whom I have offended.12
this is a true copy of the acknowledginent given in to the Church, at the Church-meeting: Septemb : 27th:
Attest Thomas Cheever Pastour
1718 Jnne: 29: Edward Tuttle sent was dismissed back to ye Church of Lynn, upon his desire, he was always uneasy & therfore ye Church readily voted his dismission that we might have no farther trouble with him.
1719 May : 24th : Abraham Skinner, Thomas Skinner; & Mary Skinner all of Maldon were received to full Communion, and were baptized at the same time.
When Abraham Skinner abovenamed first offered himself to our Communion, & before he was publickly propounded, I stayed the Church, and acquainted them with his desire; and because there had some years since been a charge brought against the sd Abraham Skinner for stealing or carrying off a post from the parsonage land in Maldon, the Church did appoint severall of Our Brethren, viz: Lt John flloyd, William Hassey, Daniel Floyd, & Thomas Burdit to enquire into that matter, who accordingly en- quired of Deacon John Greenland of Maldon, William Serjeant and others, and reported unto the Church, that they found the sd Abraham Skinner had been charged, proscented, & condemned by the Conrt for stealing or carrying off a post as aforsd, upon the single evidence of one Thomas Parker of Maldon; this being directly contrary to the Law of God, 19 deut. 15: 18: Mat: 16: 8: John: 17: the Church judged that the foresd matter was not sufficient to barr his being received to Communion, nor could they look upon the sd Abraham Skinner duely convicted of the crime he was charged with. The Church was the more confirmed in this their judgment, because the sd Parker had weakned his own Evi- dence by contradicting it. Which thus appears. When sd Thomas Parker was about joyning to the Church of Maldon, the afore-
12 This Church Book, like those of similar character, has its share of cases of discipline; but there are a few only which involve the moral character of the parties. I shall give no publicity to their names.
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HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
named Abraham Skinner gave in a charge against sd Parker in writing, a copy of which charge follows.
Maldon, December ye 30 day 1713 :
To the Reverend M' David Parsons pastor of ye Church of Christ in Maldon,
I the Subseriber, hearing that it is the desire of Thomas Parker to joyn to the Church of Maldon, Sir I thought good to acquaint you, that I have known this Thomas Parker to be guilty of falsi- fying or lying, which is a breach of the ninth Commandment, the which I can prove : Abraham Skinner
Here follows a copy of the evidenees to prove the charge against Parker, which being brought to me, I thought good to enter them in Our Church book that our proceedings in this matter may be clear.
Hannah Skinner & Mary Skinner both of Maldon being of full age do testify & say, that they did both of them sometime in ye moneth of January in ye year 1710 then hear Thomas Parker of Maldon say, that he being by some persons charged with the steal- ing of postes on the parsonage land in Maldon, said he had con- fessed the stealing of one post & no more, but at the same time said, he had taken or stolen more, but would never confess them to those he had made his former confession unto : and they farther say that ye sd Thomas Parker did then with tears confess & say, that Abraham Skinner was now complained of for the stealing the postes that he had stolen or carryed away.
Thomas Skinner & Mary Skinner both of Maldon, of full age do testify & say, that they did sometime in the moneth of March in the year 1711, then hear Thomas Parker of Maldon solemnly protest & say, that he could not, nor would not take any Oath referring to the postes, that were carried or stolen off the parsonage land in Maldon, that should any wayes be to the dammage of Abraham Skinner, for said he if I should swear that I did ever see Abraham Skinner carry, or bear of any post, or posts off the parsonage land, I should take a false oath : but at last did say, he could not tell what he should swear, till he came to the Court. true copy: June 10th .: 1719 ₹ Thomas Cheever 13
13 The foregoing illustrates Cheever's character. He seems to have been conscientious, thoroughgoing, and able. As an ecclesiastical review of legal proceedings it also illustrates the time in which he lived. Thirty years before this the Bible was largely relied upon as furnishing rules of evidence, and the clergy were often called upon by the courts to lend their aid in the determination of legal questions, especially those which involved moral character. At this date there were not more than one or two educated
205
CHAP. XXVII] FORMATION OF A CHURCH
1720. Junc: 3ª At a Church-meeting appointed to choose a Deacon, one or more: Deacon Tuttle by reason of his weaknes of body desiring to be released from his Office: it was in the first place carried by a Major Vote to choose two Deacons, first one; and afterwards a second; and that there should be a Majority of the Voters to make a choice. Accordingly, when their Votes were brought in for the first Deacon, our brother Mr John Cham- berlane 14 was chosen by a Majority of the Voters. When the votes were brought [in] for the second Deacon, there was not a Majority of the Voters for any person, till the third time of Voting & then our brother Mr Samuel Tuttle was chosen by a Majority of the Voters, (as was then thonght, but afterwards there appeared some mistake.) 15 Lt John Floyd & Asa Hassy & Jacob Hassy were ap- pointed to treat with the beforenamed persons and to make report to the Church, whither they did accept & would serve in the Office of Deacons, as soon as conveniently they could. Attest Thomas Cheever Pastour.
The services of Rev. Thomas Cheever were constantly sought in ecclesiastical councils; and he most assiduously entered the letters-missive, the proceedings, and the results in his records, which constitute a mine that has often been worked by those curious in such matters. To print these in full would be impracticable, but I shall make a note of cach and an abstract of the one which follows.16
Ipswich : 16 july: 1719:
The second Church of Christ in Ipswich, to the Church of Christ in Rumny-marish sendeth Greeting, & wish that Grace, Mercy, and Peace may be multiplyed unto you from God our heavenly father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
lawyers in the province, and few, if any, of the judges were lawyers. So Cheever's reopening the case of Abraham Skinner was not so extraordinary then, as it would be impossible now. See Wyman, Genealogies and Estates in Charlestown, 869 [ Corey, Malden, 435-440.]
14 [ Sce supra, vol. i. p. 652.]
15 [The words in parentheses were interlined in the original, Samuel Tuttle was the son of Deaeon John Tuttle. ] 16 [The full text will be given in this instance. The discovery of several documents in print makes it possible to omit abstracts of such papers, and to substitute for abstracts, the full text of such documents as have not been printed elsewhere.]
206
IHISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
Rev :d & Beloved.
These are to signify to you, that we have a very Mournfull Case to lay before you, scil, the Deplorable Condition, which our Be- loved Sister Church in ye Town of Wenham, is lapsed into. For that according to our present View the sd Church seems to us, either Obstinately bent upon a design to subvert the ancient Constitu- tion of these Churches, or through the prevalency of some temp- tation are rushing upon their own Confusion, which God of his infinite mercy prevent. Now R! & Beloved brethren, under so awfull a prospect, we hold our selves in duty bound to express, & open their condition to your selves & other Churches in order to their Relief, if God will succeed us. Therefore these are to notify you, that upon a Complaint exhibited to this Church, by Mr Wil- liam Rogers 17 member of ye sd Church in Wenham, wherein he Complains of great injustice done him in ye sd Church &e: Whereupon we sent a Delegation of prudent men to Represent us, with Instructions to make farther enquiry, & Administer a word of advice, if they judged the Complaint sufficiently evidenced & just. The sd Church in Wenham has all along, since our first send- ing to them in this present case, Manifested much Obstinacy, & put great contempt upon the Proceedings of this Church, & thereby have plainly trampled upon, & indignified the Constitution of the Churches, of which we shall give a fuller account, when the Churches sent to shall Convene at the time & place appointed. Yet Beloved ! Our Delegation, notwithstanding all slights put upon them, have with great patience & stability of mind pursued duty for the good of the Church & Partie, but the sd Church has been very Obstinate, & we are without hopes of their Compliance, but by this way we are now taking. That Rd & Beloved, these presents are in the Name of Christ, farther to Carry on the Process against the sd Church in Wenham, according to the Direction given by the Rule for the third way of Communion in these Churches. Therefore we now more fully acquaint you & other Churches, that ye sd Church is still under offence, for that having injured their brother by their Male-administrations, yet have Obstinately refused to comply with their duty, under all the steps we have taken, & offers made by our Delegates for his relief & their healing. The Admonition, which has been drawn up in very Christian and proper terms sent & left among them for their use & direction, no improvement is made of it by their Pastour according to its intent, but he rather
17 [Town elerk, 1712-1723, 1731-1735; representative to the General Court, 1717-1719, 1725, 1730; eaptain in the militia; also at one time a sehoolmaster. M. O. Allen, Hist. of Wenham, 102, 103, 137.]
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CHAP. XXVII] FORMATION OF A CHURCH
Meditates, as we judge, in Combination with some of his brethren how to defeat the whole Process : wherefore we now call upon your selves, & other Neighbour Churches to joyn with us in Seconding of the Admonition which has been dispenced. We have with sub- mission to Divine providence appointed to meet you at Wenham upon the 29th day of this instant July, at ten of the clock before noon : the house for the Elders & Messengers to meet at in the Morning, upon their first coming into the Town, is the house of Mr Samuel Kimbal. Thus, Rev :d & Beloved ! having offered to your Cognisance a case of such great importance, wherein the Glory of Christ is so peculiarly embarqued, and the Constitution of his Churches is in such imminent peril, we doubt not, but you will readily come into the Service, by sending, as we now Pray & desire you, your Elder or Elders & other Messengers to joyn in Concert with Our selves & other Churches sent unto, for the support of our Action, reinforcing our Admonition, & carrying on of Process till it shall come to a final issue. So recommending all that shall be involved, & so great an example, by our most Ardent Prayers to the Grace & Conduct of our Blessed Lord.
To the Rev :d Mr Thomas
We rest your loving Brethren in the bonds of ye Gospel. John Wise
Cheever Pastour, to be Pastour by Order of sd Church of Christ in Ipswich.
Communicated to the Church of Christ in
A true copy : Attest Thomas Cheever. Rumny-marish.
Mr Sam! Kimbal.
I received this letter July 18th, and communicated it to the Church the next Lords day, and the Church readily Voted to comply with the desire of Ipswich 2d Church, and chose Lt. John Floyd & Mr William Hassy to accompany me & attend that Service.
Attest Thomas Cheever Pastour.
Here follows a copy of ye Result of the Council of Churches called by the second Church in Ipswich, to Assist & advise in the case of Mr William Rogers Member of the Church of Wenham, he hav- ing complained of injustice done him by sd Church of Wenham, unto the 2ª Church in Ipswich, & desiring that they would make enquiry in order to his relief according to the third way of Com- munion directed in the Platform.
July 29th 1719:
The Delegation of five Churches, viz: the ?d Church in Ipswich. the Church in Rumny-marish, the Church of York, & the two Churches in Glocester, regularly met at Wenham, this twenty
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HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
ninth day of July 1719, & then & there having supervised the case of Mr William Rogers, relating to the Suspension he sustains under the Censure of the Church of Christ in Wenham, & finding the Admonition dispensed by the second Church of Christ in Ipswich, to the sd Church in Wenham to be just. Yet considering the great importance of the matter now before us, & being desirous & willing, that the sd Church in Wenham might have farther time offered to them, to reconsider what has past, and the imminent peril they are in of incurring the displeasure of the Churches in the Association, if they will abide a full process : and considering that they have obstinately refused to attend on the process com- menced against them hitherto. We have therefore adjourned to the last wednesday in September next ensuing, & then to meet at the house of Mr Samuel Kimbal, when & where the sd Church of Wenham shall have oportunity to offer any just reasons, why the sd Admonition should not be fully executed upon them : and order that they be duly Notified by the Moderatour of this Delegation, viz: the Pastour of the sd Church in Ipswich : and moreover we also appoint, that the sd Moderatour draw up in form, after the best manner he can to suit the Occasion, our final Resolve in the case & have it in readiness for us.
Voted by ye sd Delegation. as attest John Wise moderatour.
Wenham: Sept: 30th : 1719:
We, the Delegation of five Churches, viz: the Second Church in Ipswich which did begin the Process, the Church of Rumny-marish ; (the Church of York not appearing the weather being bad,) & the two Churches in Glocester, being now met by adjournment in Wenham abovenamed: After very Solemn & humble addresses unto God for direction in this great concern devolved upon us by his wise providence, we now proceed.
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