USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > History of Greefield, shire town of Franklin county, Massachusetts, Vol. II > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
July 12. John Eson Jr. of Leydon & Olive Atherton.
" 6. Alpheus F. Stone & Rachel Willard.
" 14. Loring S. Field of Gill & Mary Hubbard.
Octob'r 4. James Taylor & Mary Perry.
Jan'y 7, 1808. Richard B. Callender of Chester, Ver't & Caroline Smead.
April 28. Thursday, Lemuel Warner of Hadley & Martha Allen of Greenfield.
May 21. Solomon Wells & Chloe Atherton.
May 30. Curtis Newton & Salome Sawtell.
Nov. 27. John Redfield of Gilford, Connet'tt & Pamelia Wells.
Dec. 31. Hooker Leavitt & Nancy Munn.
Feb'y 1, 1809. Solomon Smead Esq. & Mrs. Larinda Burke of Bernardston.
May 17. Holmes Mayhew & Lunetta Woodard.
July 6. Reuben Graves of Montague & Ruby Bissel of Greenfield.
July 23. Calvin L. Munn & Mary Swan.
Feb. 17, 1810. John Corss of Leyden & Lucy Lee of this place.
Feb. 20, 1811. Ebenezer Goodell of Westminister, Vt. & Rosanna Smead of this town.
Oct. 22. Jonathan Root of Montague & Caroline Wells. Nov. 5. Ferdinan Hunt Wright of Northampton & Olive Ames.
Feb. 5. Charles Dexter of Dover, Vt. & Lucinda Bas- com of Greenfield.
Feb. 8, 1812. Horace Adams of West Haven, Ver. & Orra Billings of Greenfield.
714
MARRIAGES
[1812-1816
Nov. 5, 1812. Ezra Purple, Bernardstone & Clarissa Smead.
Nov. 10. Charles Stearns, Shelburne & Sally Risley.
Dec'r 2. William Pynchon of Springfield & Esther Bil- lings of Greenfield.
July 26, 1813. Ansel Phelps & Hannah Ames.
March 24, 1814. Peter Bray (? ) of Colrain & (illegible).
May 8. Melvin Mayhew & Lucy Webster.
May 18. Peter Newcomb of Bernardston & Tirzah Smead.
Nov. 25, 1816. Capt. Moses Arms & Widow Mary Swan.
Chapter 84, Acts of 1857, required the town clerks of each town to make a certified copy of any record of a marriage recorded in the books of said town, or in any records of any magistrate or minister of said town, before the year 1800, and transmit the same to any other town in the commonwealth in which either of the persons married resided.
Under this act the following returns were made to Green- field :
HATFIELD
Date of Marriage.
Name of Parties.
Residence.
By Whom Married.
Dec. 25, 1777
Elisha Wells.
Greenfield.
Rev. Jos. Lyman.
Rhoda Graves.
Hatfield.
June 16, 1791.
Rufus Graves.
Greenfield.
Rev. Jos. Lyman.
Esther Wells.
Hatfield.
BARRE
Feb. 13, 1794.
William Moore.
Greenfield.
Rev. Josiah Dana.
Patty Buckminster.
Barre.
WHATELY
March 24, 1785.
Ebenezer Arms, Jr.
Greenfield.
Rev. Rufus Wells.
Mary White.
Whately.
personal record
August 24, 1786
Joel Smith.
Greenfield.
Rev. Rufus Wells.
Elizabeth Dickinson.
Whately.
personal record.
GREENWICH
Nov. 25, 1790.
Jon'a. Jewett.
Greenfield.
Abigail Gibes.
Greenwich.
Rev. Joseph Blodgett. Parish record.
NORTHFIELD
July 7, 1768.
Jon'a. Sprague.
Greenfield.
Seth Field, J. P.
Mariam Brooks. Greenfield.
715
MARRIAGES
1765-1798]
NORTHFIELD
Date of Marriage. Name of Parties.
Residence.
Nov'r. 24, 1768. Seth Cary.
Abigail Holton.
Northfield.
Feb. 3, 1785.
Sylvanus Sartwell.
Barre.
Seth Field, J. P.
Aug. 27, 1789.
Dan'l Brooks, Jr.
Greenfield.
Seth Field, J. P.
Dec. 8, 1791.
Berwin Foot.
Greenfield.
Rev. John Hubbard.
Melinda Field.
Aug. 29, 1793-
Charles Williams.
Northfield.
Clarissa Slade.
Greenfield.
AMHERST
Dec. 10, 1787.
Eli Hamilton.
Greenfield.
Avis Southwood.
Pelham.
SUNDERLAND
March 13, 1797.
Asa Kemp. Greenfield.
Catherine Gardner. Whately.
SPRINGFIELD
March 31, 1768.
Battis Denio.
Greenfield.
Mary Miller.
Springfield.
Sept. 3, 1794.
Thomas Dickman.
Greenfield.
Rev. Joseph Lathrop.
Novemb'r, 1798.
Enos Denio.
Greenfield.
Phoebe Brewster.
Springfield.
SOUTH HADLEY
Nov. 30, 1784.
Joseph Bascom.
Greenfield. Rev. Joel Hayes.
Esther Judd. South Hadley.
WILLIAMSBURG
March 9, 1797.
Seth Wells.
Greenfield. Rev. Joseph Strong.
Polly Smith. Williamsburg.
NORTHAMPTON
Jan. 8, 1795.
John Russell.
Greenfield. Rev. Solomon Williams.
Electa Edwards.
Northampton.
LEXINGTON
May 30, 1790.
William Wait.
Greenfield.
Rev. Jonas Clark.
Hepzibah Reed. Lexington.
HADLEY
Jan. 3, 1765.
Matthew Clark. Greenfield. Anne Farrand. Hadley.
Greenfield.
By Whom Married. Seth Field, J. P.
Lucy Hosley.
Greenfield.
Lavina Morgan.
Northfield.
Rev. John Hubbard.
Rev. David Parsons.
Nancy Church. Springfield.
Rev. Bezaleel Howard.
716
MARRIAGES
[1769-1819
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Date of Marriage.
Name of Parties.
Residence. By Whom Married.
March 2, 1769. Isaac Newton.
Greenfield.
Esther Hopkins.
West Springfield.
BERNARDSTON
March 6, 1788.
Nathan Nichols.
Bernardston.
Rev. Amasa Cook.
Polly Newton.
Greenfield.
May 29, 1793.
Moses Miller Mitchell. Greenfield.
Rev. Levi Hodge.
March 26, 1795.
Jared George.
Greenfield.
Rev. Amasa Cook.
Roxanna Allen.
Bernardston.
- 1796.
Samuel Rogers.
Greenfield.
Rev. Joshua Cook.
Polly Dickinson.
Bernardston.
Dec. 24, 1791.
Consider Cushman.
Bernardston.
Rhoda Gaines.
Greenfield.
LEYDEN
Oct. 13, 1790.
Josiah D. Childs.
Greenfield.
Hannah Wilbur.
Leyden.
DEERFIELD
June 4, 1792.
Daniel Forbes.
Greenfield.
John Williams, J. P.
Clarissa Dickinson.
Deerfield.
June 21, 1792.
Eliel Gilbert.
Greenfield.
Rev. John Taylor.
Dec. 23, 1792.
Joshua Clapp.
Greenfield.
Rev. John Taylor.
Dec. 23, 1792.
Hart Leavitt.
Greenfield.
Rev. John Taylor.
Dec. 23, 1792.
John Stone, M. D.
Greenfield.
Rev. John Taylor.
May 6, 1794.
John Rowley.
Deerfield.
Rev. John Taylor.
Dec. 23, 1798.
William Mitchell.
Greenfield.
David Sexton, J. P.
Mercy Wise.
Deerfield.
Recorded in Vol. 3, page 405, town records.
John Phelps and Almeda, daughter of Asher Newton, all of Greenfield, were mar- ried Feb'y 20, 1814, by Elijah Alvord, J. P.
Ezra Chase, of Bristol, Vt. and Tirzah Wells of Greenfield, by Elihu Root, J. P., Sept. 29, 1818.
Joseph Cobb and Rebekah Alexander, both of Deerfield, by Elihu Root, J. P., May 20, 1819.
April 25, 1814, Isaac Newton, Jr., and Margaret Willard by Rev. Roger Newton.
Hannah Ashley.
Deerfield.
Nabby Barnard.
Deerfield.
Rachel Barnard.
Deerfield.
Sally Barnard.
Deerfield.
Dinah Freedom.
Greenfield.
Lydia Hale.
Greenfield.
CHAPTER XLIX
FROM REV. ROGER NEWTON'S DIARY
C HURCH meeting April ye 6th, 1762. Voted that the Collection for Chh. Charges should be brought in at every Conference in March.
Benj. Hasting was chose Deacon.
It being proposed whether Relations were improper persons to judge in cases of Offence, six out of ten were upon the affirmative.
Feb'y 13, 1763. I married Eliphalet and Esther, Indians.
July ye 12th, 1763. Voted that a Table cloth, a Napkin & Bason be obtained for sanctuary services-the Collection for the Charges of the Lord's table to be 18 per Member.
Oct. 16, 1767. Died, Umphry, Negro Servt. to Ensign Childs.
April 6, 1770. Elisabeth ye wife of Aaron Scott & Re- becca, ye wife of Reuben Smead were called to answer to a charge made against them to the Chh. of living in an unchristian Quarrel and Contention, they were found guilty and accordingly had the Censure of the Chh. passed upon them.
May 12, 1772. The Chh. choose Jonathan Severance and Eleaz" Wells to Tune ye Psalm when Amos Allen shall be absent.
June 18, 1772. Jonathan Catlin being complained of for ab- senting himself unnecessarily from the public worship of God & the ordinance of the Lord's Supper & for accusing the Chh. of opposition, appeared before the Chh. to answer for his con-
717
718
REV. ROGER NEWTON'S DIARY
duct. Sª Catlin acknowledged the Truth of the Complaint, but professing himself willing to be rectified in his sentiments if they were mistaken, the Brethren thought it best to defer passing sentence upon him for the present, acordingly ye meeting was adjourned to June 29, 1772, when sª Catlin ap- peared sensible of his error & restord to good standing.
July 23, 1772. The Chh. convened to consider whether Elisabeth, ye wife of Aaron Scott, should have the Privilege of a Council, as she had requested. Ye Chh. were unanimous in the Opinion that she ought not to have her request granted.
July 1, 1773. The Chh. made Choice of Agrippa Wells, Ezekiel Bascome, Uriel Hinsdale & Reuben Wells to tune ye Psalm.
July 28, 1773. The Chh. made Choice of David Smead to the office of Deacon.
June 8, 1777. Rebecca Smead made Confession Publicly of the sin for which she had been Censured by ye Chh. & was restored to Charity.
M'ch, 1778. Edward Billings, John Newton, John Wells & Simeon Nash were made Choice of to tune ye Psalm.
April 4, 1780. The Chh. being convened at my house passd the following votes viz : I that it is our Duty to Subject ourselves to the Authority of the United States of America so long as Providence continue us under it.
2 that we will attend upon the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper as soon as Provisions can be made therefor, all being willing to overlook the offences that had taken place respect- ing public and civil affairs.
3 that Timothy Childs and Moses Bascom be desired to deal with Noah Allen who had long absented from publick worship.
4 that Deacon Smead & Agrippa Wells deal with Mr. Billings, who is reported to be guilty of Intemperance.
5 that Deacons Graves & Smead Deal with the widow Anna Atherton for absenting from Public Worship.
719
REV. ROGER NEWTON'S DIARY
6 that we will sing half ye tune with reading.
August 23 (died) Phillis, a negro Child born in my house.
Oct. 23, 1782. At the Chh. Meeting Noah Allen ap- peared to answer to the offence the Chh. had taken at his withdrawing from Public Worship for a Number of years- the Reasons he gave for his conduct were these two-
Ist the want of brotherly love in ye Chh.
2 the Chhs not Permitting a Brother when he had Light to communicate that Light, which reason was a little extraordi- nary as no Trial of that kind had ever come before ye Chh. Sd Allen acknowledged that he had withdrawn irregularly in that he (illegible) Deacon Graves of his uneasiness, But desired the Chh. to defer bringing on judgment upon his con- duct for the present, (and making some special Reasons) with which the Chh. complied.
The Chh. also had some conversation with Amos Allen upon his absenting himself from Public Worship, but not as a judicial Body, upon the Merits of his conduct at that Time. Sª Allen professd it as his Opinion that it is the Duty of the People of God constantly to attend upon his Public Wor- ship, but said for some Reasons in his own Mind, which at a proper Time he was willing to communicate to ye Chh he thought he could pass ye Sabbath in a manner more accepta- ble to God & more profitable to himself by tarrying at Home than by joining in the public Worship-here ye matter for ye present was left, it being late in ye Evening & ye Chh. Meeting was dissolved
April, 1783. Noah Allen informed me that it was his purpose to attend with ye Chh. upon the public Worship and Ordinances as soon as his Health would allow, being willing to acknowledge that he had withdrawn in an irregular manner.
May 6, 1783. Noah Allen attended upon the Public Worship & after the Assembly was dismissed the Chh. was informed as above expressed, but he not being present no vote was taken as to his being restored to Charity.
720
REV. ROGER NEWTON'S DIARY
May 22, 1796. The Question being Proposd to the Chh. whether it was agreeable to their minds that those Members residing in Gill, (Noah Allen excepted) should with others form into a Chh. by themselves in that place, it was voted in the affirmative.
May 2, 1799. At a regular Chh. meeting warned for the pur- pose of Choosing a Deacon & attending to the situation & conduct of Dr. Billings, Jonathan Leavitt, Esq., was chosen Deacon. Dr. Billings by vote of the Chh. was permitted to return to their Christian fellowship in Compliance with his Desire, notwithstanding he differed from them in some of his religious Sentiments, particularly in his Opinion that all Man- kind will receive a final and everlasting salvation by Jesus Christ.
MEMORANDA OF COMMON, DAILY & DOMESTICK OCCUR- RENCES, ETC.
July 20, 1790. Received a visit from Messrs. Lyman, (Hatfield), and Taylor, (Deerfield), and their ladies. Mr. Lyman expressed a firm Purpose to break with the Chh. & town of Hatfield if they persisted in having Mr. Canon into the school.
21. Went with Mrs. Newton to Deerfield & spent the day chiefly in company with Mr. Lyman and Lady at Mr. Taylor's-the Day fair and pleasant after a great supply of rain a few days before & the Company & entertainment agree- able, but something wanted to make one happy as there always has been & I fear always will be in this world.
Monday, July 26, 1790. Went out to see the Damage done by my Hogs in Mr. Sweet's grain and agreed to allow him ten shillings-killd a Sheep-weighed 106 lbs.
Wednesday, July 27. Capt. Moore moved his store into Federal street.
Thursday 29. Began to write a sermon from Prov. 4 :7: Wisdom is the principal thing, etc.
721
REV. ROGER NEWTON'S DIARY
31. Made a sermon upon Prov. 16:18 : Pride goeth before Destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. N. B. Several Deerfield people at Meeting, Mr. Taylor being absent. A pleasant Day but rendered unpleasant to me by an appearance of a voluntary absence among the young people especially, from Public worship & more so still by the want of a proper spirit & Frame in myself. Others don't do right but I am constrained to think I do worse than they Considering my Pro- fession & Situation. My Feelings are not at my own com- mand and yet it is my fault that they are no better & is doubtless owing in great part to my neglect.
August 8. . This day receid an anonymous Letter wrote with a good legible Hand & in better Language than common men generally use, expressing a Desire that I should show in some Public Discourse whether it is right & consist- ant with the word of God, that men should Consult Conjurors & upon information received from them presume to accuse particular persons of Theft or any other crime, who cannot be found guilty in any ordinary way-this Motion I conclude was made because heretofore Mr. Cooke consulted a Conjuror & of late Mr. Sam1 Hastings, both members of ye Chh. & the author of ye letter says it is a growing practice & represents a number of the Brethren as feeling concernª to have this matter discussed in a Serious Scriptural Manner : accordingly it appeard to be my Duty to preach a sermon rel- ative to it so soon as Providence may give a proper oppor- tunity.
Tuesday, 10, 1790. It being this morning about 10 of the clock a year since Roger died, that sorrowful event was particu- larly recollected and talkd of in the family & with the memory of this Dear Son who offered such pleasing Hopes & Prospects I find myself daily affected wherever I am. I admire that a year passd in such Trouble should seem so short as this, there is Danger I feel that my time in the world will be run out ere I am aware of it even tho I should live to the age of a man
46
722
REV. ROGER NEWTON'S DIARY
of which I have had no probable prospect for a great number of years.
Tuesday, August 17, 1790. The field officers convened with their band of musick. Had this Day some Discourse with Mr. David Allen concerning his not bringing his young- est child to Baptism which is now more than eleven years old.
Monday 23, read the Monthly Magazine for June & sev- eral Papers from the Printer at N. York-I found little in them either profitable or entertaining. in this however may be owing to my restless age rather than to any Defect in them, but I think there might be a great saving to the People without any Injury, by Diminishing the Number of Printers.
Sept. 6, 1790. Rode out to my farm on the Mountain & from ye seeming Gloom on the face of Nature & my Distaste for farming returnd with a Determination to lease my Land for the future.
Thursday, 16 Sept. The Regiment met-Mr. Fisher & wife of N. Salem & Mr. Hodge lodgd at my house.
Friday, 17 Sept., 1790. Kellogg began to cover my store.
Tuesday, Oct. 16, 1790. General Shepherd began to Num- ber the People in this place, who calld at my House in Com- pany with Mr. Taylor.
Oct. 26, 1790. Went to Heath with Mr. Asa Strong delegate.
Oct. 28. Came home by the way of Colrain-dind at Parson Sam1 Taggart's-calld to see "Finner" who was probably more glad to see me than any Person I had met with in the journey-may Heaven take care of that poor african superior in her moral Disposition to many of other Nations.
Friday, Nov. 13. Theodore Hitchcock had his leg cut off by Dr. Prentice.
Nov. 26. The day spent among us as usual in visiting & Recreation-In the afternoon were visited by Mrs. Ripley, & her sister Rachel, a young Lady of a serious Turn of Mind,
-
1
723
REV. ROGER NEWTON'S DIARY
who refusd going to a Dance seemingly upon Principle, but in my own mind of dancing I consider it being an innocent diversion in itself, tho usually carried to excess and attended with unbecoming Behaviour.
Dec. 27. Gave this day 29s 3d to Hart Leavitt to be laid out for Books in Boston for the Town Library.
Jan. 1, 1791. The Weather Cold & stormy like ye world in which we dwell, & 'tis melancholly to think what little occasion I have to expect happiness as is wishd from the N. Year.
Feb. II. Mr. Ashley, Mrs. Williams, Mr. Bernard of Sheffield and Mr. Dwight of Barrington Came on a visit. Also Miss Fanny Foxcroft.
Feb. 17. Was visited in the afternoon by Col. Cutter of Brookfield & Mr. Forbbis of Northfield & Miss Nancy Cutter.
Feb. 18. Had opportunity to pursue my studies without interruption-In the ev'nº the Youth had a Ball, & was again calld upon by Col. Cutter.
Feb. 19. Capt. Moore arrivd with his Lady from Barre to whom he was Married last Sunday morning.
Feb. 21. Capt. Moore invited a Number of his friends to his House to rejoice with him in his Prosperity, but on account of Mrs. Newtons indisposition, we did not attend. Mr. Hall took tea with us in the afternoon.
February 23. Made a visit to Capt. Moore.
Feb. 24. Received a visit from Capt. Moore & Lady & Mr. Buckaster & Mr. Coldwell.
Mch. 6. Read the " Man of the World " an interesting Novel.
Lords Day, May 29. My Horse started in my Carriage, ran & over set it and strippa himself of ye Harness, in Con- sequence of which Rode to Meeting in saddle in the after- noon.
June 7. Light Horse paraded. Mr. Dowe and Williston
724
REV. ROGER NEWTON'S DIARY
Dined with me. Anna Childs stays with us being in a lan- guishing hectical state.
July II.
Artillery company met.
Aug. 10. This day reminds us of one of the most sorrow- ful events ever sufferd by man, the Death of Roger, my eldest & dearly beloved Son, who died August 10, 1789.
No Father seemingly ever stood in greater need of such a son & it is, I conceive a rare thing amongst Parents to have such a son-but this Opinion perhaps is owing to the Partiality of a Father. I desire to remember that the same all perfect God who gave this son hath taken him away, & that infinite wisdom as well as Righteness always attends his Providence.
April 18, 1792. The referees, viz .: Col. McClallen, Messrs. Smith and Megee Sat upon a case of contention between Amos Allen & Elijah Coleman.
April 24. Invited by Capt. Clap in the afternoon to see his store moved.
May 4. Sowed a bed of Salary.
May 12. This being my Birth day on which I am 55 years old reminds me that my life must be drawing to a close.
May 26. Visited by Judge Niles, a member of Congress.
Lords Day, 27 May. Judge Niles preachª in the After- noon.
June 25. Attended upon catachising the children at Mill Brook.
July 24. Nabbe begun to keep school at Ios per week. Abner Smead & George Grennell engaging to see her paid.
Aug. 10, 1792. A melancholly Day as it calls to mind the Death of my Son, which took place on the morning of the Ioth of August A. D. 1789.
November 12, 1792. Engaged to Mr. Coleman to give ten Dollars towards a Water Engine & to assist, if able, & there should be occasion in digging a will to supply it.
Decemb'r 19, 1792. About 5 o'clock this morning, Mr. Eliel Gilbert's House was consumed by fire, Supposd to Catch
----
-----
-----
725
REV. ROGER NEWTON'S DIARY
the preceding evening in the Mantle tree of the front lower room. A subscription in his behalf was set forward which in a few Hours appeard to amount to Nearly One hundred pounds.
June 1, 1793. Mr. Ballard of Charlemont agreed to do my Chimneys at 4 $ 4 d pr. Thousand Brick-the 4/d to be paid in goods.
Feb. 28, 1793. Agreed with Wm. Starr to do thirty window frames & Sashes by first July next at ye Price of ten pounds in cash. Also agreed with him for two thousand & half Clapboards at 40/s to be paid in Town orders or at ye stores -Also with John Stevens for one thousand Clapboards to be paid in the same way.
March 2, 1793. Agreed with Mr. Bissel that six weeks hence he should receive a Cow Provided he deliverd to me priviously One thousand & half Clapboards & one thousand boards.
May 30, 1793. This Day my new house was raised. (Now standing in rear of Washington Hall.)
Aug. 10, 1793. It being this Day four years since Roger died-The sorrows of that event are sensibly revived.
The following is a true copy of a Complaint lodg'd with me by Deacon Ebenezer Graves against Tabitha, the wife of Elijah Coleman, November 13 A. D. 1792.
Whereas Tabitha, the wife of Elijah Coleman, a professor of Christianity and a member of Christ's Chb. in this place, hath walked disorderly and violated the rules of the Gospel in a capital offensive manner, particularly in two things, viz : I. In showing by words & actions a bitter, revengeful & quarrelsome mind toward the family of Lieut. Amos Allen, in the course of the last year, altogether contrary to that Charity, Meekness & forbearance which are expressly enjoined in the Gospel.
II. In absenting needlessly on many Sabbaths from the Public Worship of God in this place-& whereas she hath
726
REV. ROGER NEWTON'S DIARY
been privately treated with & admonished of her faults by some of the Brethren of the Ch1. but remains insensible of them and impenitent, I therefore as one dissatisfied with her conduct desire that she may be called before the Chh. that they may judge upon & treat her as the nature of her case & Behavior may require.
Signª EBENEZER GRAVES.
This complaint was read to the Chh. December 23, 1792, & a church meeting appointed to attend to it on 8th Day of January Next at 2 o'clock in the afternoon (at my house). The same day a citation to Mrs. Coleman to appear before the Chh. was delivered to Deacon Graves together with a copy of the Complaint.
Jan. 8, 1793. The Chh. convened but did not proceed to hear & judge upon the Complaint made against Mrs. Cole- man by Reason of her absence which was occasioned as she signified by a Letter directed to me, by bodily indisposition, it was thought advisable to wait till she recovered her Health before another Chh. meeting should be appointed.
April 21, 1793. A Chh. meeting was appointed to be holden in the House of Public Worship on Thursday the Second day of May 1793, at 4 o'clock P. M. for the purpose of at- tending to the Complaint exhibited by D. Graves against Mrs. Coleman-A letter of citation was sent to Mrs. Coleman by Capt. Elihu Lyman. Thursday 4 o'clock P. M. the Chh. convened at the Meeting house, but Mrs. Coleman not ap- pearing in Person when prevented not by necessity, But (as her Husband informed the Chh.), but thro' a desire that he should appear & act for her, the Chh. were of opinion that it was advisable another Chh. meeting should be appointed for the purpose of attending to the Complaint exhibited against Mrs. Coleman that she might Personally appear if able & answer for herself-Accordingly a Chh. meeting was ap- pointed to be on Thursday ye 4th of July next to be holden
727
REV. ROGER NEWTON'S DIARY
at the Meeting House-It was also proposed that at sd Meeting certain persons should be chosen by the Chh. to deal with offending members from time to time & when oc- casion may require make Information against offenders to the Chh.
June 9. Gave a letter of citation to Mrs. Coleman to Dea. Graves to be by him conveyed to her, requiring her appearance before the Chh. on the 4 July, 5 o'clock P. M.
July 4, 1793. The Chh. convened according to appoint- ment & was opened by Prayer-upon which the Complaint against Mrs. Coleman being read, she observd to the Chh. that she should not make answer to it by Reason of its being too general a nature & adduced a Letter from Revd Mr. Lyman of Hatfield to show that it was his Opinion the Arti- cles in the complaint were not sufficiently explicit, & that it was advisable to have a Mutual Council to hear Complaints, which Mrs. Coleman might make against particular members of the Chh. as well as theirs against her. to this the Chh. at- tended, But Mrs. Coleman not being willing then to choose a Council, nor at any other time unless this could be made a Preliminary Article to be agreed upon by the Chh. viz. that if the Council should find she had been wronged, a Dismis- sion should be given her from this Chh. with a Recommenda- tion to some other Chh. with which she might wish to join- To this preliminary article the Chh. would not consent, because the End to be aimed at by a Council, was not only to judge who had done amiss, but to bring those who had to repentence & restore Peace & christian fellowship between Mrs. Cole- man & others of the Chh. wherein it had been interrupted -it was therefore concluded by the Chh. to be their Duty to proceed to hear the Complaint exhibited against Mrs. Cole- man by Deacon Graves, which in their opinion as things, were circumstanced was sufficiently clear & express for Mrs. Coleman to have a fair opportunity of making answer & the Chh. to form a righteous judgment upon.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.