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 22
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March: 4th The Church was staied after meeting to appoint a time on a week day to consider of what should then be laid before them, they appointed the Next Wednesday seven-night, to meet at One of ye Clock in the afternoon at my house, which will be ye 14th of this instant March.
14: At the Church Meeting after the Church were acquainted that Deacon Chamberlane's accounts were fair & clear, and what stock was in his hands, it was voted that the sd Deacon should buy a book to keep his accounts in for the future, & pay for the book 23 of the Church records; and that he should gett the Win- dows in the Galleries of the Meeting house 24 mended, and pro-
23 The book for " Church records " voted for at this meeting, 14 March, 1722, undoubtedly is the identical volume now extant, and in the possession of the clerk at Revere [ but deposited in the Revere Public Library }.
24 Hitherto I have never been certain that the Revere church edifice now standing was the one built in 1710, or a later structure. The town records make it clear that there were for many years, say from 1740 to 1776, two meeting-houses severally called the okdl meeting-house and the new meeting- house. But there is no record of the building of more than one house. [See supra, p. 186.] It is certain that there was a meeting-house in 1660, and one built in 1710. The entry in the church record settles it that the
218
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
vide hooks & staples that are wanting to secure the sª Windows for future and also to take care of said Windows as their should be need for the future, and these things to be paid for out of the Church-stock in his hands: it was likewise Voted that the land belonging to the Meeting-house should be fenced in with a good board fence, and to be paid for by the Church; Mr Samuel Watts, Jacob Hassy, & John Leath were chosen a Committee to take care for the doing of it, as also to make steps at the South-door. This last Vote being afterwards objected against by Several of the Brethren was laid by : Attest Thomas Cheever pastour.
At the Meeting abovesd, it was proposed to the Consideration of the Church, with respect to the Difference & distance that does still continue between the Church and Severall of the Inhabitants in this place; Whither some Overtures for peace should not be made by the Church, unto our aforsd Dissenting Neighbours & ffriends ? After much debate pro and con: and after the Objec- tions made by some were answered, and the unhappy effects of the Want of peace, how mischievous it might prove in after times; as also the great blessings of Peace, & ye special blessing pro- nounced by Our Saviour unto peace-makers and after Some of the Brethren declared that Some of the Principal of Our Dissenting Neighbours & ffriends had manifested a desire of peace. The Church Unanimously Voted to send in the following words their proposal to Our sd dissatisfied Neighbours to be Directed to Lt John Brintnal to be Communicated to the rest.
1721-2, March: 14:
The Church of Christ in Rumney-marish to Our Dis- satisfied Neighbours & Friends in Rumney-marish these, Directed, by the Vote of the Church, to L:t. John Brintnal to be Communicated to the rest.
edifice which existed in 1722 had galleries and a south door, which agrces with the present edifice as it stood before its front was changed some years since. I addressed a note to S. A. Hall, Esq., of Revere, on the subject, who very courteously replied as follows :
Revere, Feb. 14, 1882.
MELLEN CHAMBERLAIN, Esq.
DEAR SIR, - In answer to yours of January 25, I must report no knowl- edge as to the Old Meeting-house. . . . My mother used to tell us that there was, previous to the erection of the present house, a log meeting-house which stood just north of Mr. E. M. Farnsworth's house, or perhaps where that stands; and as her ancestors had lived here continuously since before the present house was built, perhaps this is more likely to be correct than any other tradition in regard to the location.
In regard to the time of building it, or when it was demolished, I have no knowledge. . . .
Yours respectfully, S. A. HALL.
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CHAP. XXVII] FORMATION OF A CHURCH
Whereas there hath been, & is still an Openly continued distance & difference between the Church of Christ in this place, & some of the other Inhabitants, which we think cannot but be Uncom- fortable both to them and Us, as well as displeasing nuto Our Glorions Lord. We have therefore, (npon serious Consideration of our said differences with the uncomfortable effects, as also from some intimations given us by Some of our Brethren, that Some of Our sd Neighbours & friends were Desirous of peace, to let it appear that We are desirous of a good peace with all Our Christian Neighbours & friends,) agreed to make this Overture, unto Onr Dissatisfied Neighbours and ffriends, that they would be pleased to let us know, what are the hinderances unto a peace on our part, that so we may remove them, if we judge them cap- able of being removed, that for the future there may be a better understanding among us, that we may live & love as Brethren, & the interest of Christs Kingdom may be the better promoted among us, to the good not only of the present bni Succeding Generations. We would earnestly pray Our dissatisfied Neighbours & friends to let us hear from them with all Convenient speed.
March : 14: 173} Rumny-marish. Thomas Cheever Pastour
To Lievit John Brintnal 25 in ye name of the Brethren.
to be Communicated.
I Communicated both the letters on the other side to ye Church on Feb : 25t: who readily Complied with the Desire of the Com- mittee; & also the desire of Our Sister Church in the East end of Watertown; & chose D" John Chamberlane Lt John Floyd : Ensign Joseph Belcher, Mr Wm Hassey, & Mr Samuel Watts, to
25 I find nothing more in relation to the subject of the foregoing letter. Cheever's amiable and Christian spirit must have tended to disarm his opponents. I now go back several pages and follow the order of narration in the records .. [ The letter to John Brintnall was not inserted immediately after the vote anthorizing it, but two pages later, among the letters from Watertown. John Brintnall attended the church in Malden. His danghter married a son of Rev. Michael Wigglesworth, whose colleague Rev. Thomas Cheever had been, until dismissed in 1686 after much unpleasantness. Lientenant John Brintnall signed the petition that opposed the building of a meeting-honse at Rinney Marsh in 1710. His son Thomas joined Cheever's church in 1728. His son John must have attended there. See infra, the vote of the church October 27, 1735. In 1748 Nathan Cheever, son of Rev. Thomas Cheever, opposed the settlement of Rev. William MeClenachan as his father's assistant, and was dismissed to the Second Church in Malden, Jannary 10, 1748/9, while Benjamin Brintnall, grand- son of Lientenant John Brintnall, was received from the same church in Malden, January 20, and his brother, John Brintnall, a year later. Supra, vol. i. pp. 46-52.]
·
220
IHISTORY OF CHELSEA
ICHAP. XXVII
Accompany me, & Assist in Common Council with the other Churches that should meet for that Service at Watertown at the time appointed. Lt ffloyd, & M" Belcher did not appear; but the other three Brethren gave their attendance, where we mett with eight Churches, as by ye Records of ye Scribe in my keeping may appear :
Attest Thomas Cheever Pas! the Result of ye Council follows over leaf.
To ye Rev :d Mr Thomas Cheever
Pastour of ye Church of Christ
in Rumney-Marish to be Commu- To our Brethren of ye Church
nicated to ye Church there. of Christ in Rumny-marish.
Rev :d & well beloved.
Wheras we of ye Committee of ye Church, and the rest of ye So- ciety, belonging to the Middle-part of Water-town, have unani- mously made Choice of the Rev! Mr Robert Sturgeon, to be our gospel Minister, who has seen good to accept of our Call to settle in that work. These are humbly to request your Presence, & As- sistance, by your Elders & Delegates, in setting him apart for that work, according to the practise of the Churches in New-England, & desiring your prayers for us, remain yours in the Fellowship of the Gospel.' Caleb Church
Dated at Watertown this 15th ffebruary : 173} John Parkhust The time yt we have appointed for our Simon Tayntor
Ordination is the first Tuesday but one Thomas Straight
being ye 27 day of this instant. Joshua Biglow
The place, where the Elders & Messengers Edward Harrington are to come to, is M' Samuel Pearce's. Samuel Pearce Ebenezer Wellington.
Committee.
· Copia vera.
Attest Thomas Cheever. Past! To the Rev :d Mr Thomas Cheever, Pastour
of ye Church in Rumney-marish to be
Communicated to the Church.
Watertown. Feb : 23: 1721/2
The Church of Christ in ye East end of Watertown to the Church of Christ in Rumney marish Sendeth Greeting :
Rev :d & Beloved
We received notice this week, of a Letter sent to you, to Desire your Assistance in the Ordination of Mr Robert Sturgeon, to a Church in Watertown: what Church is intended we are at Un-
221
FORMATION OF A CHURCH
CHAP. XXVII]
certainties, but suppose they may be Some persons partly of the Eastern, & partly of the Western precinets in Watertown, who endeavour to impose upon you : for there is such a party in the Town, who have for some time had Mr Sturgeon preaching among them, & seem to have been Clandestinely carrying on a Design to embarass ye Affairs of ye Town, which were lately Established by the Act of ye General Court. We also desire you to send your Pastour & Messengers to Assist in a Common Council, with the Pastours & Messengers of other Churches, on Tuesday next, to hear what may be Offered unto you, by those who first sent to you and by Agents for both of the Precinets of ye Town, Reason- ably hoping you will bear due Testimony against all Disorders. We are your very loving Brethren in the ffellowship of the Gospel. You are desired to meet at eight Henry Gibbs, Pastour
of the Clock in the Morning at in ye name & with the
the house of the Rev :d M' Gibbs. consent of the Brethren.
Copia vera. Attest Thomas Cheever. Pastour.
At a Council, of Nine Churches, Assembled at Water-town, at the Desire of the Eastern Church in sd Town, A part of which Council being also Convened at the Desire of Such as Attend on the Pub- lick Worship of God in the Middle-Meeting-house in sd Town. On Febr: 27: 1721/2, 'To advise & determine on what should be Offered to them, relating to the Ordination of the Rev :d Mr Robert Sturgeon.
After humble Supplication to heaven, and an impartial hearing of what was offered to us by all Parties, we advise & Determine as followeth
Imprimis. Whereas there are a Number of Persons in sd Water- Town, who by a private Subscription and Pretended gathering of a Church, have Attempted the Settlement of the sd Mr Robert Sturgeon as their Gospel Minister, We are of Opinion, that the Proceedings, of the sd Subscribers relating to Mr Sturgeon's Set- tlement, are Contrary to the Designe of the General Court Act, relating to the Division of Water-town into two Precincts.
2. We also are of Opinion, that the aforsd Proceedings are not agreable to the good Order, & practise of the Churches of Christ in New-England, neither are those, that call themselves a Church, to be Owned as sueli for the reasons beforementioned.
3 Wherefore we Determine & Declare, that the Ordination of no Person on the forementioned or the like foundation Onghit to be Proceeded in.
4 And whereas the Western Precinct have Erected a Meeting- house, which it is supposed & hoped will in a very little time be
222
IIISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
fitt for the Publick Worship of God, and upon hearing of what hath been alledged, We are of Opinion, that it will be very Con- ducible to the peace of Water-town, that the Eastern Precinct do proceed to Erect & finish a Meeting-house on School-house hill, within a year at farthest from this time, & accordingly we earn- estly advise them thereunto.
5 Whereas M" Joshua Warren with Others, in the behalf of the Subscribers for M' Sturgeon's Settlement, have asked the Advice of this Council concerning the Maintaining of Preaching, in the Middle Meeting-house in Water-town, till One is provided on School-house hill; the Council judge it Advisable that there be Preaching at the sd Middle Meeting house, untill according to the Order of the General Court, the Meeting house be fitted for the Worship of God in the Western Precinet, and farther we cannot see reason to advise.
And we pray the God of Peace to give you peace always by all means.
Thomas Cheever Moderatour
Copia vera.
in ye name & with the Consent of the Couneil.
Attest Thomas Cheever.
This Result of the Council I read unto the Church, the Sabbath after, being 4th March : Attest Thomas Cheever pastour. April : 29: The Church was staied and the following letter read unto them :
Watertown. April : 27: 1722.
The two Churches in Watertown, viz : the East & West part thereof, to the Church of Christ in Rumny-marish, Wish the Multiplication of Grace, mercy & peace from God the Father through Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reverend & Beloved.
The very difficult Circumstances of our Town in General, & each of these Churches in it, are such (through the holy & Sovereign Providence of God) that we Eminently stand in need of Direction & Assistance for giving light & Restoring peace unto us, from the Neighbour Churches in Communion with us. The Occasion whereof is the Coming of a Gentleman lately from Ireland into our Town, viz: Mr Robert Sturgeon, who has been endcavouring to Constitute a Third Church in the Town, in a very factious & Schismatical manner. We having used all the more Private Methods to prevent the Growth of these Disorders : and also called a Reverend Council, who by their Elders & Messengers Condemned the Proceedings of said Mr Robert Sturgeon & his Party; yet he & they bidding defiance to all these Methods have gone on with
223
FORMATION OF A CHURCH
CHAP. XXVII]
great Resolution. We have in this case no better Remedy, than to call in farther Council; and we do it the rather, because this Schisme is like to be a spreading Leprosy through all the Churches in the land except timely Suppressed. We therefore the Afflicted Brethren in Watertown entreat your Assistance by your Elders & Messengers, on the Next Tuesday to Meet in Council on this important matter, that by the blessing of God upon this Institu- tion of his, Our present Disorders may be Redressed, and all such bold Attempts for the future on the Order of the Churches in this Province Discountenanced; whereby also the Supream Authority of the land in Civil Respects has been Oppugned, as you will be more particularly enformed, when Present with us. Desiring your instant prayer on our behalf, We are your very loving Brethren in the Fellowship of ye gospel
Henry Gibbs, Pastour of ye East Church in Watertown.
Jonathan Sanderson Deacon of ye West Church in Watertown Your presence is desired at Nine of the Clock of ye aforsd day at the house of L : Coolidge.
To the Reverend Mr Thomas Cheever Pastour of the Church in Rumny-marish to be Communicated to ye Church.
The Churches of Christ to be added to those that have been formerly on Our Spot, are the Old Church, ye Old North, ye Old South and Mr Cohnans in Bos- ton, & ye Church in Dorchester.
Copia vera. Attest Thomas Cheever Pas!
The Church upon hearing the letter, readily Complied with the Desire of Our Sister Churches in Watertown, & Voted that L:t John Floyd, together with Our Brethren Deacon John Chamber- lane, Mr William Hassey, & Mr Samuel Watts, who were of the former Couneil at Watertown, should Accompany me, and attend that Service at time & place appointed.
Attest. Thomas Cheever Pastour.
When the time came, Lt John Floyd & Mr Samuel Watts gave their Attendance with my self at the place appointed, where me [sic ] mett with the rest of the Churches who were desired to meet in Council by their Elders & Messengers, the result of the Council here follows.20
1722/3: Feb : 19 : Deacon Chamberlane laid his accounts be-
96 [For the result of the Conneil see N. E. Hist. and Gen. Reg., xiii. 112-114. May 1, 1722, was its date according to Cheever's record. Rev. Cotton Mather was the moderator. ]
224
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
fore M' William Hassy, Mr Sam! Watts & Mr Jacob Hassy, who were appointed by the Church to Assist me in that Service, and the Church-Stock in his hands, (beside twenty shillings & six pence laid out by him according to a Vote of the Church, for mending the Meeting-house Windows, & for ye Church-books) [was found] to be six pounds, ten shillings & a penny : 6ª: 108:1ª: (108: 6: glazier 38 : my book 78: ye Deacons book : 208 : 6d :) 27
1723 : Dec: 1st: The following letter was read unto the Church : To the Revª M' Cheever, Pastour
of ye Church of Christ in Rumny-marish.
From the Church of Christ in Redding North-precinct, to the Church of Christ in Rumny-marish, Grace & Peace be multiplied to you from God ye Father & our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rev :d & Beloved, Whereas nine of ye Brethren of this Church have apprehended themselves to be much aggrieved by their Pas- tour, in being denied ye Priviledges of the Brother-hood; and in his partiality in ye Administration of the affairs belonging to this Church of Christ: which matters of grievance are manifested by sundry positive articles, in a writing drawn up & signed by them, & delivered by them to him their Pastour: and we being appre- hensive of our present incapacity to put a peacable issue to this Difference among our selves. We, viz: the Pastour, the Dissatis- fied Brethren, with the other part of the Church do earnestly desire the presence & Assistance of your Rev :d Elder, with two of your Messengers, on Tuesday ye 26t of Novemb, and if Thanks- giving should be in that weck, then we shall expect you, on 3ª of Decemb, which is the Tuesday following, to hear & Determine the matters of Difference among us.
So commending you to the grace & blessing of God in our Lord jesus Christ, & desiring your carnest prayers to God for us.
We rest, yours in the faith & fellowship of the Gospel.
Reading. Novemb ye 12th 1723 Pastour
Daniel Putnam
in the name & with ye consent of ye Brethren.
The Churches that are sent to, are ye first Church of X in Marble-head, ye ist Church in Reading, ye Church in Woburn, the first Church in Salem, ye Church in Rumny-marish, the 2d Church in Andover, the Church in Billericah :
27 1723, March 31. " I preached all day at Maldon & in ye Evening to a Society of Young People at Rumney Marsh." Diary of Rev. Samuel Dexter of Dedham. N. E. Hist. and Gen. Reg., xiv. 35.
225
CHAP. XXVII] FORMATION OF A CHURCH
Afterwards ye Church in Lexinton, was sent to, in the stead of Woburn Church, ye Revd Mr Fox not being well: & ye Church in Salem-village in stead of Reading first Church.
The Church upon hearing the letter, readily Voted to comply with the desire of our Sister Church in Reading North-precinct, & Ensign Joseph Belcher, & Mr William Hassy were chosen to Accompany me & attend that Service at the time appointed.
When the time came, Mr William Hassey accompanied me to Reading, ( M' Belcher had a Son to be buried that very day the Council was to meet) where we mett with the rest of ye Elders & Messengers of the Churches desired to meet in Council.
The Result of the Council here followeth.
At a Conneil of seven Churches, held at the North-precinct in Reading, on Decemb: 3º 1723, to hear and Determine the matters of Difference there, between ye Rev? M' Daniel Putnam, and Some of his Clnich, that call themselves aggrieved. The Rev? Mr Put- nam, & the whole Church, before the Opening of the Council, laying themselves under Obligation to sit down satisfied by the Judgment of this Council.
Whereas, (after having carnestly sought to God for direction) having publickly heard, [and] privately Considered all, that the Several aggrieved Brethren had to alledge [against ] the Rov? Mr Putnam, with his Answers, the testimonies, and the Votes [of the Church relat]ing thereto. We do find
[1 That the allegations] made by the aggrieved. against the Rev! M' Putnam, as to his Administrations, are groundless and unjust.
2 That the Aggrieved have greatly departed from the Plat- form, in chapter tenth; in their Carriage towards the Rev! Mr Putnam.
3 That although the Aggrieved Brethren have something Softned their Charges against their Pastour, by saying that it is their Opinion, that such things were a breach upon their privi- ledges, and to ask farther light in these matters: Yet it is plain. that they are too positive in their Opinion, and too sharp in the expressing thereof, and sometimes use severe expressions, & heavy insinnations.
4 That the Revd M' Putnam did Use some sharpness, as well as extent of Speech, which the Aggrieved look upon as grievous : which, though he had great Provocation, yet had better have been let alone.
5 That Deacon Thomas Taylor ought to humble himself before God, and to the Pastour, & Church for his Disorder, & Opposition to his Pastour, which he hath manifestly discovered in a day of VOL. II. - 15
226
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
temptation ; and for the future demean himself to the Pastour and Church with much humility & Circumspection, lest he should again give Disturbance to the Church of God, and that so doing, the Pastour and Church receive him into their good Opinion, and Charitable affection.
6 That the aggrieved Brethren, & especially Capt: Thomas Briant, having unjustly charged the Rev! Mr Putnam, as they do in their paper, and have done more so in their publick reports, do therefore Manifest the sence of their evil, in taking up and spreading such evil reports of an Elder without cause, by humbly asking forgiveness of God, & of their injured Pastour; and in their future carriage submit themselves peacably & orderly to the Ecclesiastical Administrations of him, who is sett over them in the Lord.
Finally, We earnestly entreat by the Gentleness and meekness of Christ, that both Pastour and people make it their sincere en- deavour, to forget and forgive all that hath past as grievous to them; laying aside all heart-burning, & evil surmisings, and harsh speeches of, and to one another; and carry themselves with all gentleness, tenderness, meekness, humility, love & charity, preserv- ing the Unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, that the God of love & peace may be with them.
A true copy. Thomas Cheever Moderatour with the Unanimous consent of the Council.
I read this Result of the Council publickly, on the next Sabbath, being 8th December.28
1723/4 : Feb : 10: Deacon John Chamberlane laid his Accounts before Ensign Joseph Belcher, & Mr Samuel Watts who were ap- pointed by the Church, to Assist me in that Service, and the Church-stock in his hands was found to be, Seven pounds, seven shillings, & eight pence : 7#: : s: : 8d:
March : 19 : I stayed the Church, and propounded to ye Church, (which I had propounded before to Severall of the Brethren in private, who very readily consented to the Motion) that upon days of publick fasting, and also on days of publick thanksgiving, for the future, we might have a Contribution for the poor.29 I men- tioned several things to show that acts of Charity and alms are
28 Doubtless this was the common practice, and in this instance doubly appropriate, since it is probable that Cheever, as the moderator, drew up the document, which is in his best style.
20 This is only one of the circumstances to be found in these records showing Cheever's character, and the way in which he acquired the rever- ence and love of his people, which have become traditional.
227
FORMATION OF A CHURCH
CHAP. XXVII]
a very special part of Christianity, & when performed rightly are acceptable unto God; &c: The Church readily as to ye greater part came in to the proposal; and Voted that what shall be gathered on such Occasions, should be kept by it self in the Deacons hands, and be sacred to the forenamed use, & should be disposed of to Objects of Charity, when such Objects should appear, with the knowledge and Consent of the Church: and they agreed to begin the next Publiek fast, which is to be on the twenty sixth day of this instant March ; and that Notice should be given hereof to the Congregation, if any of them would come in to this good pro- .posal; which was done accordingly the Sabbath before the ffast.
.
Attest. Thomas Cheever. Pastour.
1724: March : 26: On this Day a Contribution was made for the poor, according to the beforenamed Vote of ye Church ; & sev- cral of the Congregation came into it, and though it was a foul day, there were thirty shillings gathered, & four pence.
Nov: 54: Thanksgiving day, stormy day: the Contribution amounted to twenty shillings & 9 pence.
1724/25: Febr : 16. At a Church-meeting, Deacon John Cham- berlane laid his accounts before the Church, and the Church Stock in his hands was found to be 8" : 178 : 94.
At the same, John ffloyd as Excentor to his fathers Will, paid' a legacy of ten pounds, given to the Church by his father in his last will, into the hands of Deacon Chamberlane in behalf of the Church; and it was Voted by the Church that the sd ten pounds should be laid ont in a silver enp for the Use of the Church with the sd Lt: John flloyds name upon it, as his gift, & that Deacon John Chamberlane should get it done as speedily as might be.30
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