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 29
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289
CHAP. XXIX] PHILLIPS PAYSON'S PASTORATE
We declare, and profess, our hearty . Belief of ye Christian Religion, as contained in ye holy scriptures, which God hath given to man, to be ye only perfeet, & sufficient, and perpetual Rule of his Faith, and Life, heartily resolving, by ye help of Divine Grace, to conform our lives to ye Rules of this Holy Religion.
We give up ourselves to that God, whose Name alone is Jehovalı, Father, Son and Spirit, ye only true and living God, and avouch him this Day to be our God, choosing and cleaving to him as our God and Father; our Portion and Chief Good. We give up our- selves, also, to our glorious Lord Jesus Ci. who is ye Lord, our Righteousness ; adhering to him, as ye only Head of his Church and Covenant People, and take him for our only Redeemer and Saviour, our Prophet, Priest, and King, and Leader, to bring us unto eternal Blessedness: Likewise, we profess our everlasting and indespensable obligation to glorify God, in all ye Duties of Gospel Obedience, as becomes his covt. People; Forever engaging, by the help of Ct., to endeavor to keep ourselves pure from ye Sins of ye Tines, and to observe, and attend, ye Duties of a Church State, and of a Society confederated for obedience to, and en- joyment, of him, in all Gospell ordinances. Att ye same Time, we give our offspring, with ourselves, up unto ye Lord, humbly adoring his Grace, that we, and our Children, may be look'd upon as ye Lord's, promising, by his Help, to do our utmost in ye Methods of a religious Education, that they may be ve Lord's.
Moreover, we give up ourselves to one another, in ye Lord, en- gaging to walk together as a Church of Ct. in ye Faith, and order of ye Gospell, so far as ye Lord hath, or shall, reveal unto us (and, particularly, as is held out in ye Platform, set forth by these Churches, unto which, for ye substance, we declare our adherence) promising, in brotherly Love, to watch over oue an- other, and to avoid all stumbling Blocks, and Contentions, as much as possible, and to submit ourselves to ye ministerial teaching, Guidance, and oversight of ye Elder, or Elders, thereof, in all things agreeable to ye Rules of Ct., in his word; and, conscien- tiously, to attend ye Seals and Censures, and all the holy Institu- tions of Ct., in Communion with one another, desiring, also, to walk with all regular Communion with other regular Churches.
Furthermore, we unite, and agree, in ye Office Ruling Elders, as Officers in ye Church, warrantable from ye Scriptures, and necessary for ye well-being of ye Church, and that we will admit no teaching Elder, to be set over us, that does not, at least, so far submit to such officers, as that they should exercise what Power ye Church hath seen fit to invest them with.
VOL. II .- 19
.
290
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXIX
And, we agree, that ye negative Power on any Church acts appertains to a majority of ye Eldership, including ye teaching and ruling elders, one part of yc Government in ye Church.
We, also, consent, that Persons be admitted Members of our Particular Chh., being of blameless Conversation, may be re- ceived to our Communion, consenting to this Covt., without ye Form of Public Relations, as formerly practised in this Chh., and yt. ye Children of Parents owning ye Covt., consented to by this Chh., are subjects of ye ordinance of Baptism, tho' not members in full Communion; and that such baptized persons are to be so far accounted Members of ye Chh., as to be watched over, and subject to ye Sensures of ye Chh. Finally, all this we unite in, flying to ye Blood of the everlasting Covt., for Pardon of our manifold Failings, desiring to Depend humbly upon ye Grace of God, in Ct., to enable us to a Faithful Discharge of our Covt. Duties, both to God and one another, and, wherein we shall fall short, humbly to wait upon his grace in Christ, for Pardon, ac- ceptance, and healing, for his own Namc's Sake. Amen. Chelsea, Oct. 26, 1757.
PHILLIPS PAYSON, Pastor. SAM'L WATTS, Ruling Elder. DANIEL WATTS, BENJ. BRINTNALL, JOHN FLOYD, Deacons.
[An entry, probably a casc of discipline, cut out on the other side of the page carried with it several names in this list - per- haps six.]
JOHN SALE, .. JAMES STOWER, BENJAMIN TUTTLE, JOHN BRINTNALL, ·
ELISHA TUTTLE, excepting ye Para-
graph, relative to ye office of Ruling Elders.
JOHN SALE, Jun. THOMAS PRATT, WM. OLIVER, HEZEKIAH WHITTEMORE, SAM'L PAYSON, DANIEL PRATT, WM. EUSTIS, JOSHUA CHEEVER.
[In a document called a copy of the Church Covenant, Chelsea, preserved with the Church Records in the Public Library in Revere
291
CHAP. XXIX] PHILLIPS PAYSON'S PASTORATE
are found four names which may be those missing in the list of church members here given. The names are as follows :
NATHIL OLIVER, NATILAN CHEEVER, NATHE OLIVER, Junr, SAML FLOYD. ]
1758, March 20. Voted to allow Rev. Phillips Payson the sum of £13, 6, 8, in order to make good the loss sustained by the falling of his Barn, & he to discharge the same out of the first payment, due from him to the town.8
1759, Feb. 8th. At a town's meeting, at the old meeting-house, Legally warned, and oupened, to see if the town would concore with ye Church in Some Votes, Said Church Passed the 5th day, Feb., 1759, Relative to the Rev. Mr. Phillips Payson, Voted, Deekon Brintnall, mordrator, and then Voted, unanimously, that this town accept what they have received from the Rev. Mr. Phillips Payson, this Day, relative to any Past misconduct, Since the town's minister, So far as to restore him to the town's Charity, and to Continue the said Mr. Phillips Payson in his office, as the town's minister, agreeable to the Votes past, on the fifth Instant, By the Church in this town.º
May 16, 1759. Voted, to allow the inhabitants of Point Shirley their proportion of the money they pay towards ministerial charges, provided they apply it to that use.1º
May ye 20, 1759, Lord's Day. After Exercise, stoped ye Chh., to know whether such Persons as had Confessions to offer, should offer them before the Congregation, or only to ye Chh. . . . Unan- imously Voted, that [they] . . . shall offer [them] only to ye Chh; and that, whether [they] shall be from such as are to be admitted into ye Chh., or from Chh. members, that are guilty of any open offence; but yet Persons shall be admitted into ye Chh. in ye Presence of ye Congregation, and, in Case they have a Re-
8 Town Rec., i. 61.
" Ibid., 63. The church records have no entries between April 6, 1758, and May 20, 1759; and for reasons which may be conjectured the votes of the town, February 5, 1759, were suppressed by the church. The nature of Mr. Payson's " miscondnet " does not appear. There is a elond on the early pastoral life of Thomas Cheever at Malden; and MeClenachan, always in difficulties, especially with his creditors, joined the Church of England. But whatever the mistakes of Cheever and Payson may have been, both nobly atoned for them by their later useful, devoted, Christian lives.
10 Town Ree., i. 67.
292
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXIX
lation to offer, it shall be read before the Congregation. Also, read ye Confession of Miss ... , which was accepted by ye Chh.11 Sept. ye 9, 1759, Lord's Day.12
·
Nov. 25, 1759, Lord's Day. Stopped the church, and, as it was proper there should be a church-meeting to settle with Deacon Brintnall, and do something concerning the donation of Mr. Hugh Floyd, deceased, and also see if the church would reconsider their vote, passed the 20th of May, concerning confessions, &c., accord- ingly appointed Monday, the tenth of December next, for the' church to meet, at 1 o'clock P.M., at the meeting-house.
P. PAYSON, Pastor.
At a church meeting, this tenth Day of Dec., 1759, being the Day appointed : That as the contributions at the Sacrament had fallen short; so voted that the members be acquainted with and enlarge it.
As to Mr. Floyd's gift, voted, that in case Mr. Samuel and Mr. Hugh Floyd, executors of their father's will, procure a piece of plate equal to what ten pounds (which their father gave to the church at Chelsea) would have procured when it became due, including the following; and present said plate to the church before the last Sabbath in February next; then the church will give a full Discharge to said Executors from all Demands they now have upon them, by virtue of said will.
As to reconsidering the vote passed, 20th May, 1759, Voted, to dismiss the consideration of it, for the present, as the Brethren were not so generally there as could be wislied, being only seven in No. The above vote unanimous.
Attest, P. PAYSON, Pastor.
1760, March 10. Voted, Nathan Cheever, Jona. Hawks, and Nath'l Hasey, as a Committee, to see what Repairs the old meeting- house wants, and make Report at May meeting.13
May 19. Voted to raise one hundred and thirty pounds to de- fray the ministerial charges and other contingent charges of the town this present year.14
11 This is the first of twenty-two similar entries during Payson's pastor- ate. His records, except for baptisms and admissions to the church, are blank between February 11, 1776, and April 25, 1782; but, for the thirty- two years, of which they speak, the account is not a bad one, unless com- pared with Cheever's pastorate of thirty-three years, in which is found only a single entry, and in McClenachan's, of six years, only three. I have suppressed the names of offending parties, and having stated the facts, as part of the history of the period, I see no use in giving the remaining entries the space they would occupy.
12 Here is an excision of an entry, probably like that on p. 290.
13 Town Rec., i. 71.
14 Ibid., 74.
-
293
CHAP. XXIX]
PHILLIPS PAYSON'S PASTORATE
Voted, to exempt Francis Smith and Win. Boardman from ministerial charges.15
Voted, that such persons that have a mind to build stables by the meeting-house have liberty, by applying to the Selectinen, where to set them.10
1761, May 18. Voted not to have a stone fence between the town and Mr. Nathan Cheever, about the meeting-house, as Mr. Cheever proposed.17
May 18, 1761. £5. 15. 0, due from the town, to Thomas Gold- thwait, Esq., for what he paid, P' orders, for preaching (at Point Shirley, where he lived ).18
September 1. Voted to accept of Lt. Nathan Cheever's offer of a piece of land, at the northeast corner of the inceting-house, to erect a pound upon.19
September 22. Agreed, that Mr. Daniel Pratt shall supply ten cord of wood to the Rev'd Mr. Payson, and Mr. Sprague the remainder; and, in case Mr. Sprague can't supply the whole of the remainder, Mr. Pratt is to make it up. The whole, 16 cord.2º
May 23, 1762. L.D., P.M. Stopped the church, acquainted them with the desires of the widow Mehitable Tuttle to be ad- mitted to the privileges of a church-member. N.B. this person was formerly a member of the Rev'd Mr. Appleton's Church, at Cam- bridge, and upon her removal to the town of Chelsea neglected to come to the Lord's Table for several years, and to have her children baptized, for which neglect the church thought they had not any right to call her to an account, but as she had lived so long in town, and now desired the privileges abovesaid, the church did not think they had a right to demand it, yet, if in case said widow would voluntarily offer what would be satisfactory to the church, it was after some debate upon the point unanimously voted to admit her to the privileges she desired.
May 30, L.D., A.M. Read to the church the confession of the widow Mehitable Tuttle, of which they accepted, and voted to receive her to the privileges she requested, as mentioned in the vote passed the last Lord's Day.
July 18, L.D., P.M. After exercise, acquainted the church with the desire of Mr. Samuel Payson [a brother of the pastor] to be dismissed from his particular relation with this church, and
15 Town Rec., i. 75.
10 Ibid.
17 Ibid., 79.
18 Ibid., 80.
19 Ibid., 81.
20 Selectmen's Rec., i. 45.
294
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXIX
recommended to the church of Christ at Lunenburg; - accord- ingly, the church voled to dismiss him, and that a recommendatory letter should be sent in the name of this church to the church at Lunenburg, which have chosen said Payson for their pastor.
August 7. In conformity to the above vote wrote, and sent a letter of Dismission and Recommendation.
August 29, L.D. . . . 21 stopped the church; read to them a letter from the Church of Christ at Lunenburg, requesting our assistance in the ordination of Mr. Samuel Payson, their pastor elect. Unanimously voted to comply with their request, and that the Honbl. Sam'l Watts, Esq., Deacon Brintnall, Messrs. Thomas Pratt, and Samuel Floyd go with me, as messengers to the said Council.
1763, February 27, L.D. ... stopped the church; read to them a letter from the first Church of Christ at Lynn, requesting our assistance in the ordination of Mr. John Treadwell, their pastor- elect. Unanimously voted to comply with their request, and that the Hon. Samuel Watts, Esq., Deacon Brintnall, Lieut. Nathan Cheever, and Lieut. Thos. Pratt go with me, as messengers to the said Council.
May 18. Voted, that the selectmen agree with some suitable person for to take care of the meeting-house, and that they give him a sum of money sufficient for that service.22
Voted, to leave the repairing of the meeting-house steeple to the selectmen.23
January 16, 1764. The selectmen met at Mr. Samuel Sprague's, and gave an order in favor of the Rev'd Mr. Phillips Payson for sixty-seven pounds. It being for his salary for the year 1763, to the 26th day of October last, which sum, aforementioned, is in full for one year's salary. Lawful money.24
February 7. Gave an order in favor of Mr. Nathan Lewis for the sum of one pound, fourteen shillings, and four pence, for cord- ing wood for the Rev'd Mr. Payson, in the years 1762 and 1763, and, also for taking care of the meeting-house to the 23d May, 1763.25
June 10, 1766. The selectmen met at Mrs. Abigail Hawks's, and agreed to have the following receipt recorded: Chelsea, Oct. 28, 1765. Then received of the Rev'd Mr. Phillips Payson the full
21 Here, and elsewhere, I omit the words, " After exercises," or " After public worship."
22 Town Rec., i. 93.
23 Ibid., 94.
24 Selectmen's Rec., i. 50.
25 Ibid., 51.
295
PHILLIPS PAYSON'S PASTORATE
CHAP. XXIX]
sum of one Hundred and three pounds, six shillings, and eight pence, L.Mo., in full, for the Discharge of a bond said Payson gave the town, Dated Chelsea, 11 March, 1758, weh. bond said Payson gave as the remaining Consideration for his place, above the grant of one hundred and fifty pounds, the Town of Chelsea gave him in said place, for his Settlement in the ministry. I say Received Pr. inc, Thos. Pratt, town Treasurer.
Attest : JOHN SALE, TOWN CLERK. 20
December 18, 1766. The Selectmen met at the house of Mrs. Abigail Hawks, and gave an order to Mr. Nathan Lewis, on the town's Treasurer, for £1 - 16, L Mo., for takeing Care of the meeting-house, from April 23, 1765, to Octo. 23, 1766.27
1767, January 22. Gave an order in favor of Rev'd Mr. Phillips Payson, for £67, being in full for one year's salary, due the 26th Oct., 1766.28
Also, gave an order in favour of Mr. James Stowers, for 33s., being in full for 12 foot, Dld. the Rev'd Mr. Payson, and 41/2 foot, to the school-house, at 16s. pr. cord.29
March 9. Gave an order in favour of Mr. Sam'l Watts, Junr., for four Shillings and four pence in full for earting wood to the Rev. Mr. Payson's.30
July 9. Gave an order in favour of Mr. William Boardman for £1 : 12 : for 2 Cord of wood Dld. Mr. Payson.31
May 25. Voted, to allow the Rev'd Mr. Phillips Payson £13 I. mo., he Relinquishing the 16 Cord of wood the town finds him annually.32
Voted, to Have the old meeting-house repaired.33
Jan. 3, 1768. L.D., P.M. Read to the church a letter from the inhabitants of Fitchburg, requesting our assistance in the ordin- ation of Mr. John Payson. Voted, a compliance, and that Deacon Brintnal, Messrs. Thos. Pratt, Sam'l Floyd, and John Sale attend me on said occasion.
Dec. 29. Order on the treasurer for the salary of Mr. Payson for eighty ponnds, [to which sum it appears to have been raised and continued for some years. I shall omit further reference to it until a change.]
20 Town Ree., i. 122.
27 Selectmen's Rec., i. 65.
28 Ibid., 66.
20 Ibid.
30 Ibid., 67.
31 Ibid., 69.
32 Town Rec., i. 127.
33 Ibid.
296
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXIX
March 26, 1769. L.D., P.M. Read to the Church a letter from the church at Concord and Joseph Lee of said town, requesting our assistance in a mutual Council of 14 churches; with which, the Church complied, and chose Major Watts to go with me, and, if he failed, Lieut. Thos. Pratt.
Oct. 15. Read to the church a letter from the ehurcli in Read- ing, requesting our presence at the ordination of Mr. Caleb Pren- tice, with which the church voted a compliance; and that Major Watts, Deacon Brintnall, and Thos. Pratt go with me, as Delegates.
At a church meeting, this 24th day of Nov., 1769, for the choice of a Deacon; after looking to the great Head of the Church for direction, in humble prayer, they chose Brother John Sale; who was desired, if he accepted, to manifest his acceptance by taking the seat by the first or second Sabbath in January next.
Dec. 31, L.D. Read to the church brother Sale's answer of acceptance of the above choice; after which, I declared him a Deacon of this church of Christ, and by prayer, separated him to and ordained or instated him in said office.
July 29, 1770. ... read to the church two letters from meni- bers of the Church of Christ in Concord, requesting we would join in a council, with a large number of churches, to advise in matters of grievance set forth in said letters, &c., - left under consideration.
Aug. 12, L.D. . . . took a vote of the church upon the above article, and it passed in the negative.
Sept. 9, L.D. ... read a letter from the first church of Malden, requesting our assistance in the ordination of Mr. Peter Thatcher, with which a compliance was voted - and the two deacons and Messrs. Thos. Pratt, and Sam'l Floyd were chosen as messengers, to attend me on said occasion.
Oct. 14, L.D .... read to the church two letters from Mem- bers of the church at Concord, requesting we would join in Council a number of churches that were to meet in council 23d instant, on adjournment, Voted, a compliance, and chose Deacon Brintnall to go with me, as delegate, wlio, declining, was excused, and chose brother Thos. Pratt.
Nov. 18, 1770. L.D. ... read the result of the above council, and the church voted their approbation thereof.
13 December. Town meeting. Whereas, it is apprehended that there has been a mistake Relative to the Authority of the Selectmen of the Town of Chelsea, Relating to a Deed that they gave to the Reverend Mr. Phillips Payson of the Town's buildings and Lands whereon the Reverend Mr. Payson now dwells. And as it is Desired by the Reverend Mr. Payson that said mistake may be
297
CHAP. XXIX] PHILLIPS PAYSON'S PASTORATE
Rectified - Therefore, to see whether the Town will now choose a Committee, and Impower them for and in behalf of the Town, to give to the aforesaid Reverend Mr. Phillips Payson, his Heirs, and Assigns forever, a good and Lawfull Title thereof by Deed upon the said Mr. Payson's giveing a full discharge or Release of his supposed Title given by the Selectmen of Chelsea, soon after the Reverend Mr. Phillips Payson's Settlement in said town.
It was so voted, and Capt. Jonathan Green, Licut. Thomas Pratt, and Mr. Samuel Sprague, were chosen a committee to give the deed, and discharge him from payment for the use of the place until he got good title.31
21 May, 1771. Voted, to raise the sum of Seventeen pound, nine shillings, and four pence, to repair the old inceting-house in Chel- sea - Voted, to raise the sum of £2. 10. 8, lawful money, as an additional sum, to repair the old meeting-house. Voted to choose a Committee of three persons to take care and see that the old meeting-house in Chelsea is repaired, as soon as may be; Com- mittee, Mr. Samuel Sprague, Mr. Benjamin Tuttle, Lieut. Samuel Pratt.35
Voted, Raised and granted the further sum of four pounds, lawful money to pay for further repairing Chelsea old meeting- house, to be assessed this year.30
We, the subscribers, being a committee appointed to repair the old meeting-house in Chelsea, have Expended for boards, shingles, nales, and labour, the sum of, in lawful money, £24. 2. 1. 2.
SAMUEL SPRAGUE, -
SAMUEL PRATT, BENJAMIN TUTTLE,J Committee.37
January 10, 1773. L.D. . .. read to the church a letter from the first church at Salem, requesting our assistance in ordaining Mr. Asa Dunbar, on the 22d inst., with which the church voted a compliance, and chose the deacons - Brintnall and Sale - and Messrs. Thos. Pratt, Sam'l Floyd, and Benj. Tuttle, as messengers. to attend me on said occasion.
January 10, 1773. L.D. . . . read to the church a letter from the North Church in Salem, requesting our assistance in ordaining Mr. Thos, Barnard, Jr., on the 13th inst., with which the church voted a compliance, and chose the two deacons, Brintnall and Sale. and .Messrs. Thos. Pratt, Sam'l Floyd, and Daniel Pratt, as messengers, to attend me. on said 'occasion.
Town Rec., i. 143, 144. [See ante, p. 257, note.]
Ibid., 149.
Ibid., 159.
87 Ibid .. 161.
298
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXIX
March 2, 1774. Gave order to pay Mr. Joseph Green for re- pairing meeting-house fence, and for stuff to repair it with £0. 3. 8.38
May 29, L.D., P.M. Read to the church a letter from the 2d Church at Lancaster, requesting our presence and assistance at a mutual council, to meet the 21st of June, next. The church voted a compliance, and chose Messrs. Thos. Pratt, Sam'l Floyd, and Deacon Brintnall, their delegates, to attend me at said council.
23 May, 1774. Voted, that both the gates that now stand on the Town's Road, between the old meeting-house and Chelsea Beach, be not removed, provided that the owners of said gates hang them, that the people may pass through them with Ease until next November.39
This meeting (Feb'y 8, 1775), adjourned till after exercise, our next Lecture, which is to be on Friday before the last Sabbath of this month - preached.
Between February 11, 1776, when a case of discipline.is recorded, and April 25, 1782, six years and two months, there is no entry on the church records. This was during the Revo- lutionary War, and may indicate the absorption of the public mind by that event.
21 May, 1776. Chose Caleb Pratt, Joseph Green, and James Floyd, a committee to repair the meeting-house stares.4º
The Selectmen meet. Gave an order to Pay Thomas Cheever for taking care of the Meeting-House, in full up to May the first, 1776, and for digging a grave for Sam'l Tuttle, one of the town's poor, - for the sum of £1, 10. 0. Dated, Feb. 3, 1777.41
Gave an order in favor of Elizabeth Cheevers for taking care of the meeting-house and Sweeping the same, dated Feb. 5, 1778.42
Feb. 4, 1778. Voted to give the Reverend Mr. Phillips Payson the sum of £100, lawful money, for the time past to this time, towards his support.43
38 Selectmen's Rec., i. 90.
Town Rec., i. 172.
40 Ibid., ii. 9.
41 Selectmen's Rec., i. 93.
42 Ibid., 99.
43 Town Rec., ii. 18. Chelsea, March ye 5th, 1779. Received of Jona- than Green, town Treasurer of Chelsea, the Sum of Eighty pounds of Lawfull money, in full, for my Sallary, Due to me from the town of Chel- sea, for one year. Viz., from the 26 day of October, 1777, to October, 1778, and also one Hundred pounds, that the town of Chelsea Voted to Give to
299
CHAP. XXIX] PHILLIPS PAYSON'S PASTORATE
May 29. Voted to allow the sum of £6 to Mr. John Pratt for his entertaining the venerable council, when the Reverend Mr. Phillips Payson was ordained.44
Dec. 17. Voted, to make some consideration to the Rev. Mr. Phillips Payson for the support of his family, considering the extraordinary price of the necessaries of life. Voted, as above, £600. Chose Lieut. Thos. Pratt, Capt. Samuel Sprague, and Capt. Jonathan Green a committee to wait on Mr. Payson with the above vote.45
December 31. Voted, to accept of the committees' report, re- specting the money the town voted the Reverend Mr. Phillips Pay- son, and that his letter of thanks be recorded, viz :
To the Freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Chelsea, in town meeting assembled, by adjournment, this 31st day of De- cember, 1778.
Gentlemen: - Your granting me six hundred pounds, under my present difficulties, and with so much quiet and peace, together with that uninterrupted course of unmerited kindness and respect, I have experienced from you, impress my mind with much stronger feelings, than I am able to express. Please to accept of iny most sincere and unfeigned thanks.
As it is my ardent desire to cultivate a proper sense of the obligation your kindnesses have brought me under to you, so I hope by the grace of God never to be wanting in my utmost exertions to promote your best good.
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