History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 118

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 118

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Caleb Howard, Jan. 25, 1806.

Howard Cary, July 10, 1807.

Simeon Dunbar, Feb. 17, 1810. Ahel Kingman, Feb. 22, 1811.

Lemuel Packard, Feh. 25, 1812. Joseph Sylvester, Feb. 25, 1812. Eliab Whitman,#7 July 3, 1816. Silas Packard, July 3, 1818. Edward Southworth, Feb. 1, 1819. Micah Packard, Aug. 20, 1823. Jonathan Snow, Jan. 7, 1824.

Eliphalet Kingman, March 1, 1827.

Linus Howard, Aug. 27, 1829. George Clark, June 25, 1830. Jesse Perkins,#| June 16, 1831.

Austin Packard,jį Sept. 29, 1835. Bela Keith, July 7, 1837.

Franklin Ames,*+? March 31, 1842.

Isaac Eames, June 20, 1843.

Perez Crocker, June 20, 1843.

George W. Bryant,fį March 31, 1846. Isaac Kingman, Oct. 13, 1847.

Jonathan White, #2 March 19, 1851. Edwin H. Kingman, March 26, 1851.

Perez Marshall, April 25, 1851. Jonas R. Perkins, fį Nov. 20, 1852.

1 Those marked with * are of the Quorum; those marked with f are to qualify civil officers; those marked with į are trial justices ; those marked with ¿ are justices throughout the commonwealth. All others are county appointments.

563

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

1870. Wendell Phillips .... 215

1876. John I. Baker ...... 249

John Q. Adams. 162

1877. Alexander H. Rice. 663 William Gaston ...... 36g Robert C. Pitman ... 162

Wendell Phillips .... 1

1872. Wm. B. Washburn. 1067 Francis W. Bird .... 276 William Jones .. 13

John G. Abbott 24

Alonzo A. Miner .... 24

1879. John D. Long ... 1094

Benj. F. Butler 944

John Q. Adams. 68

1874. Thomas Talbot .. 663

William Gaston. 463

ISSO. John D. Long .... .1589

Israel W. Andrews. 6

Chas. P. Thompson. 946 Charles Almy. 18

1875. Alexander H. Rice. 561

William Gaston .. 493

Horace B. Sargent .. 28

John I. Baker .. 129

Charles F. Adams .. S

Wendell Phillips ....

Charles Almy .. 69

1876. Alexander H. Rice.1117

Israel W. Andrews. 148

Votes for Governor in the City of Brockton.

ISS2. Benj. F. Butler ..... 1468

Robert R. Bishop .. 1263

1883. Geo. D. Robinson. 1870 Benj. F. Butler ..... 1797

Charles Almy ...... 38

Charles Almy ...... 47

The following list of Governors of the State will show when North Bridgewater (now Brockton ) acted with a majority of the people of the commonwealth :

John Brooks, 1516-22.

Nathaniel P. Banks, 1858-60.

William Enstis, 1823-24.

John A. Andrew, 1861-65.

Levi Lincoln, 1825-33.

John Davis, 1834-35.

Edward Everett, 1836-39.

William Claflin, 1869-72.

Marcus Morton, 1840.

William B. Wasbburn, 1872-

John Davis, 1841-42.

Marcus Morton, 1843.

William Gaston, IS75-76.

George N. Briggs, 1844-50.

Alexander H. Rice, 1876-79.

George S. Bontwell, 1951-52.

Thomas Talbot, 1879-80.

Jobn H. Clifford, 1853.

John D. Long, 1880-82.

Emery Washburn, 1854.

Benjamin F. Butler, 1883.

Henry J. Gardner, 1855-57.

George D. Robinson, 1884.

CHAPTER IV.

First Meeting-Honse in the North Parish-Its Appearance- Second House-Description-Sale of Pews-First Bell- Seating of Colored People-Third Meeting-Honse-Pew- Holders-Clock-First Stoves -- Erection of the Fourth Meet- ing-Honse in 1854-Dedication-Description of the Same- Sale of Pews.

Meeting-Houses of the First Congregational Parish .- The first meeting - house in the North Parish was built in 1737, on or near the spot where the present edifice now stands. The dedication ser- mon was preached by Rev. Mr. Dunbar, of Stough- ton, from Solomon's Song viii. 8: " We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts : what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for ?"

From the best information gained, it was a small, plain structure, in keeping with the times, facing south, without steeple, bell, or chimney ; the windows

had diamond-shaped glass, walls plastered, but not warmed by stove or furnace.

"Our meeting-house,-our meeting-house, -- It stood upon a hill,

Where autumn gales and wintry blasts Piped round it loud and shrill.

No maple-tree with leafy shade, Nor tall, protecting oak,

Stood near to guard the ancient house When tempest round it broke.

"No steeple graced its homely roof With upward-pointing spire, --

Our villagers were much too meek A steeple to desire,-

And never did the welcome tones

Of Sabbath-morning bell

Our humble village worshipers The hour of worship tell."

To this place the people of the parish gathered from Sabbath to Sabbath, with commendable regular- ity, on horseback or on foot. They " kept the Sab- bath and reverenced the Sanctuary."

At the time of the incorporation of the parish the house was " Erected and Inclosed," but not finished. At a meeting held March 12, 1739, " Timothy Keith, Benjamin Edson, David Packard, Daniel Howard, Edward Curtis, were chosen a committee for the finishing of the meeting-house in sª Precinct ;" also " voted to raise two Hundred and fifty pounds for the finishing of the same, to be paid by the last of Au- gust ;" chose Abiel Packard " Recever of stuf and meterels." March 26, 1739:

" The committee appointed to finish the meeting-house made demand of the several inhabitants how they would pay their Reats, or what they would percure tords the prosecution of the work of finishing the meeting-house. In order to pay their Raits Whare upon a number subscribed what they would per- cure, as first :

" James Packard to do the Glazing of the House, and what it amounts to more than his Reats Come to, to take his pay at the forge, In Iron ore or Cole next fall Insewing. John Jobn- son and John Kingman to do the masing work and nails, and to take his pay over and Abuv his Raits at the fornes or forge, In Labour, or Cole, or Iron ore the next fall Insewing. David Packard, Solomon Packard, and Jacob Allen to find Lime. " Robert Haward, to find one thousand of pine Bords.

" Zacheus Packard, to find one thousand of oak Bords.

"Solomon Packard, to find one thousand of pine Bords.

" Benjamin Edson, to find one thousand of pine Bords.

" Abiel Packard, to find one thousand of pine Bords. "Timothy Keith, to find one thousand of oak Bords.

" Daniel Haward, to find one thousand of pine Bords.

" Theofilus Curtis, to find five hundred of pine Bords.

" Edward Curtis, to find five hundred of pine Bords.

" James Barret, to find one thousand of pine Bords.

" Joshua Warren, to find Henges; Timothy Keith, David Packard, Solomon Packard, Jacob Allen, Benjamin Edson, Daniel Haward, to find all the sheet work."

The above offers were accepted, by vote of the meeting, in " lue of money so far as shall pay their

IST1. Wm. B. Washburn .. 576 John Q. Adams 226 Robert C. Pitman ... 95 E. M. Chamberlain. 21

1STS. Thomas Talbot .1167 Benj. F. Butler SSS

1873. Wm. B. Washburn .. 778 William Gaston ... 184 Benj. F. Butler. 1

Daniel C. Eddy ...... 45

ISS1. John D. Long .... 615 Chas. P. Thompson. 268

Charles F. Adams ... 606

Alexander H. Bullock, 1866- 69.

564

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Raits." Oct. 8, 1739, " Voted to sell roome for pews in the meeting-house." Dee. 10, 1739, " Voted to sell room for pews in order to Raise money to buy a Cush- ing."1 Jan. 15, 1740, " Voted to ehuse three men to set a prise upon the pews to be Gin to Bid at, so that no man should Beed below the prise thay should set, maid choise of James Packard, Abiel Packard, and Isaae Kingman for the same." Jan. 21, 1740, " Meeting was held to-day," and " voted to sell the pews to the highest bidder." "John Kingman, vendue-master, who seet up the first pew on the west side of the pulpit to be sold to the highest Beder, and so all the Rest Sueksesevely Round the meetin-house to the Number of 13 pews."

£ 8. d.

"Voted, that John Kingman shuld have the first pew, It being five feet Two inches front and five feet Three inches deep, for (he being the highest Beder) . 17 05 0

Voted, that Daniel Haward should have the Seckond pew, It being 5 ft. 2 inches front and 5 feet 2 inches deep, for. 13 00 0 Voted, that Charles Snell should have the Thurd pew, It being 7 ft. 8 inches front and 4 ft. 6 inches deep. for 14 10 0 Voted, that John Johnson should have the Forth pew, It being 6 ft. 10 inches front and 4 ft. 6 inches deep, for .. 13 00 0 Voted, that Jabez Field should have the Fifth pew, It being 7 ft. 9 inches front and 4 ft. and 6 inches deep, for. 12 10 0 Voted, that Walter Downe should have the sixth pew, It being 6 ft. and 10 inches front and 4 ft. 7 inches deep, for .. 5 00 0 Voted, that James Packard should have the Seventh pew, It being 7 ft. 3 inches front and 4 ft. 7 inches deep, for. 23 00 0 Voted, that Nathan Keith should have the Eighth

pew, It being 7 ft. 3 inches front and 4 ft. 7 inches deep, for 28 15 0 Voted, that Weddow Ledah Packard should have the ninth pew, It being 6 ft. 10 inches front and 4 ft. 7 inches deep, for .. (No amount given.) Voted, that Zachriah Snell should have the tenth pew,

It being 7 ft. 9 inches front and 4 ft. 6 inches deep, for 16 15 0 Voted, that Abiel Packard should have the Eleventh pew, It being 7 ft. 9 inches front and 4 ft. 6 inches deep, for 15 00 0 Voted, that David Packard should have the twelfth

pew, It being 7 ft. 10 inches front and 4 ft. 6 inches deep, for 23 05 0 Voted, that Robert Haward should have the thirteenth

pew, It being 6 ft. 9 inches front and 5 ft. 6 27 00 0" inches deep, for

Robert Haward was chosen "receiver of the Bonds," given for the pews.

List of charges given in to the precinct for building the new meeting-house.

£ s. d. £ s. d.

John Packard. 55 19 0 Theofilns Curtis 05 13 8

Abiel Packard 24 15 0 Solomon Packard 12 00 0

Weddow Ledah Pack- ard . 15 09 6

Timothy Keith .. 07 00 0

David Packard ... 53 12 0

John Kingman .. 05 06 5

Josiah Snoll 16 00 0

John Johnson .. 39 15 9

Daniel Howard 11 00 6

Robert Howard. 8 00 0

Elezer Washburn 74 17 0

Total 386 11 4

"January 12, 174I. 'Voted that John Colly should have Thirty-five shillings for sweoping the meeting-house the year Insuing.' March 23, 1742, Abiol Packard to sweep tho meet- ing-houso the present year for 35 shillings.

" March 28, 1743. John Coly to havo 40 shillings for sweep- ing the meeting-house this year coming.

" Juno 6, 1743. A meeting was held 'to seo whether the precinct would vote to Buld Scats In the Galiryes, and it was voted in the negative.' It was then put to vote to seo whether the precinct would 'sell Roomo over the stairs and behind the front Galiry next to the wall for pews and it was voted in the Affirmative."

From the above it appears that the house had gal- leries put up, but not finished. The usual practice in building ehurehes in early times was to finish the inside and sell " pew-room" or sections, which each purehaser would finish to suit himself. Henee we frequently find votes in the records as follows :

June 20, 1743. " It was put to vote by the moderator of the meeting to see whether the precinct would vote to sell fore pews Behind the front Galary, and over the Stayers at a pub- lick vandue to the highest Beder. The Demenshions of sd Pews are as followeth : 'over the women's Stairs 6 feet front and five feet and half deep. Behind women's front Galary, 8 feet front and five feet deep. Behind men's front Galary six feet and a half front, and five feet deep, over the men's stairs six feet front, and five and a half deep, alowing Convenant Roome to pase up and down the stairs.' Voted in the affirmative."

"The pew over the men's stairs was seet up by the moderator to sail and Timothy Keith Beding two pounds and ten shillings upou sª pew, It was struek of to him, he being the highest Beder."

" The pew over the women's stairs was bid off by Daniel Howard, he Beding two pounds and ten shil- lings on sª pew."

" The pew Behind the men's front galary was seet up, and Simeon Brett Beding twenty-seven pounds upon sª pew, It was struck off to him."

" The pew behind the women's front galary was set up by the moderator to sail, and Constant Southworth Beding twenty pounds and five shillings upon sª pew, It was struck off to him, he being the highest Beder."

Abiel Paekard, Robert Haward, and Zachariah Snell were a committee to give confirmation to the above " sail of pews."

Sept. 3, 1744. " Voted to buld two seats in each side Gallery."

The first thing to be done after building a ehureh in early times was to " seet the peopel" and provide a pew for the minister.

Sept. 3, 1744. We find "Jabez Field & charge voted for Building Mr. Porter's pew, £3 10 shillings."

June 28, 1746. It was put to vote "to see If the Preeinet would vote to finish the meeting-house this year, and it was voted in the affirmative."

" Voted, that James Paekard, Henry Kingman,

1 Probably this was for the pulpit.

Benjamin Edson 04 11 0

Zacheus Packard .. 11 09 0

Jacob Allen .. 10 01 0

Joshua Warren. 07 16 0 James Barret. 08 02 6

Mr. Barnabas Pratt .. 08 02 0 Zachariah Snell. 00 15 0

John Colly 06 06 0

565

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

and Jabez Field be a committee to see the meeting- house be finished."

What the effect of the above vote was we find no record. and are left to judge that it was never carried into effect, as appears by the following record, aiming at the same thing, namely,-to have the " meeting- House" completed.

Aug. 15. 1748. " Voted that Abiel Packard, Con- stant Southworth, and Samuel Brett be a committee to finish the meeting-house the present year."

The following persons were supposed to have worked upon the house in the completion of the same, as it appears March 27, 1749. The following sums were voted to be paid : To Samuel Brett, for work " Don In the meeting-House," £6 7s. To Luke Perkins, £1 10s. March 29, 1750, " money voted to Simeon Cary for Labour Don abought the Meeting-House, to be Drawed out of the Treasury, £8 1 4." .. Voted to Archabiel Robson for Bannisters for the Meeting- House £4 10 shillings Lawfull Money."

At a meeting held Sept. 27, 1756, it was " voted that the Petition between the men and women's frount Gallery Shuld be bult up a gain where it first stood. Also voted that the Rume on the women's side of the Petition should be for the women."

By the above votes we see the custom prevailed of keeping the men and women in separate pews, and have no doubt the work was completed, and that they were kept in their proper places, for we find Barnabas Pratt was allowed £3 8s. for putting up a " petition" between the " Gallereyes and the Hind Seets.""

At a meeting of the precinct held Dec. 4, 1758, " voted that the committee provide an Iron Latch and Bolt for the South Dore of the meeting-house."

Second Meeting-House .- The subject of building a new church, or of enlarging the old one, was talked of in 1760, and a meeting called to see what the precinct would do, which was held Dec. 1, 1760 :

"To see if the Precinct will vote to enlarge the Meeting- House by splitting of It In tow, or making an addition to it, or both, and also to See if any person or persons will under-take the Doing of it for the Rume In the addition that shall be maid to the meeting-house, and in case the Precinct should not vote to Inlarge the meeting-honse, then to see if the Precinct will vote to Bnld a new Meeting-House, and when and where it shall be set, and of what Bigness it shall be bult." The vote was first pnt " to see if the Precinct would build a new Honse, which was voted in the negative." "Then to see if the Precinct would vote to Inlarge the Meeting-House by splitting of it. Voted in the negative."

Thus things remained for over a year, when the subject was again brought up at a meeting held Dec. 29, 1761, at ten o'clock A.M., " To see what sum of money can be raised towards the Bulding a new Meeting-House. In the North Precinct of Bridge-

water, by selling the pew Rome to the Highest Beders. In a Meeting-House of the same Demen- shons of the South Meeting-House, in Bridgewater, the number of them and the Setuation and Begness may be seen by a plan that will be Provided in said meeting on said day." "Voted that Capt. Simeon Cary should be marster of the vandue to sell the pews to the Hiest Beders ;" and also " voted that the pew on the Right Hand of the pulpet-stairs shuld be for the use of the menestry In said Precinct ;" and it was further " voted that Every person that had a pew struck of to him by the vandue-master shuld pay Down a Dolor, as Enerst for his pew."

" The master of the vandue chose by the precinct then proseded to the sail of the Pews to the Number of 47, on the flore of the Meeting-House." The number, names, and price of each being as follows :

Pew No. 1. Ebenezer Snell

2. Ebenezer Packard.

3. Nehemiah Lincoln ..

15 9

4. Zachariah Gurney, Jr.

10 10

66 5. Issachar Snell.

6. Daniel Manley and Ephraim Cole

7. Elisha Gurney.

66 8. Josiah Packard.

9. Matthew Kingman

= 10. Simeon Brett

12 0

12. Thomas Thompson

13. Isaac Packard

12 13

14. Barnabas Howard.

15. Alexander Kingman.

16. Adam Howard and Zebedee Snell 22

18. Josiah Hayden

13 4

66 19. Abia Keith

20. Daniel Ames.

0 16 13 4

21. William Packard

22. Abia Packard

24. Jonathan Cary

26. John Howard.

27. Jacob Packard.

no account

28. Barnabas Pratt.

29. Robert Howard

30. Charles Snell

32. Zachariah Cary

33. Samuel Brett

16 0

66 34. Benjamin Ames and Nathaniel Linfield

36. Issachar Snell.

37. Joseph Richards

38. Daniel Richards

40. Barnabas Packard

66 41. Abel Packard 23

66 42. David Packard.

18 16

43. Ensign Henry Kingman

44. Capt. Lemuel Dunbar

45. Jabez Field.

46. Seth Harris

47. Eliphalet Philips.

23. Simcon Cary ..

25. Thomas Packard

31. Thomas Reynolds

13 4

14 18 8

35. Reuben Packard,

39. Robert Thompson.

17. Nathaniel Southworth.

0 8

11. Abiezer Packard

After the sale of the above pews "the Precinct aGorned the meeting to Monday the forth Day of Jenuary, at twelve o'ck, M." " Agreeably to agorn- ment the precinct gathered together, and the vandue- master, chosen by the precinct for the sail of the

566

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

pews, proseded and made sail of sixteen pews In the front Gallery," the number, names, and prices of which were as follows, namely :

Pow No. 1. Isaac Fuller. 20

2. Issachar Snell.

13 4

4. Issachar Snell. 21

5. Issachar Snell. 24

66 12. William Shaw

16 0

13. Josiah Perkins. 9

66 14. Dependence French and Theophilus

Curtis, Jr 12

13 4

15. Levi French and Isaac Brett. 12 8

16. Dr. Phillip Bryant and Seth Bryant ..... 12 2 8

Description of the New House .- Jan. 5, 1762. " Voted to Buld a meeting house of the same de- menshons of the South meeting-house In Bridge- water, excepting two side Gallary to be bult in seets ;" also " voted to Buld the meeting-House the next summer, within twelve month from the aforsaid Date hereof;" and " voted that all the posts of the Body of the meeting-House shuld be sawed and the house faced South." Robert Haward, Capt. Simeon Cary, and Mr. Abia Keith were chosen a committee for " prosicuting the Bulding the meeting-House in the North Precinct." " Voted that the house shuld be Shilingled with sedar shingles."

Monday, Nov. 8, 1762. " A meeting was called to see if the precinct will vote to Buld a Belfree to the meeting-house," and it was voted to " Build one over the East Dore," also " voted to Buld a porch over the west Dore, and to sell the stairways for pews to the highest Beder." It seems nothing had been done towards forwarding the building of the " Bel- free" in January, as another meeting was ealled to meet January 17th, " to see if the precinct will vote to buld the Belfree, and spire, already voted to be built, provided it can be don by subseription, and without taxing the precinet," which was voted in the affirmative; also " voted that the Belfry should be twelve feet square, and eighty-five feet high from the grown." Capt. Simeon Cary, Isaac Packard, and Barnabas Howard were chosen a committee to " Buld" the same. In the spring of 1762 the building was commenced. The frame was raised in June, 1763, and in December of the same year the house was completed and dedicated to the worship of God the last week of that month. Rev. Mr. Dunbar preached the sermon in the forenoon of the day of dedieation, from the text, Isaiah lx. 7 : " I will glorify the house of my glory." Rev. John Angier, of the East Parish, preached a sermon in the afternoon from the

€

6. Jonathan Hayden 14

. 7. William Edson. 14

8. Barnabas Iloward and Jabez Field. 18

9. Joshua Packard. 13

10. Jacob Packard. 29

66 11. Nathan Packard and Simeon Packard ... 10 0

text, Psalms cxxii. 1: " I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord." The first sermon preached in the new meeting-house by Rev. Mr. Porter was from text, Haggai ii. 9: "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former." The carpenters that performed the ear- penter-work upon this house were Deaeon Jonathan Cary, Benjamin Packard, Mieah Packard, Seth Pack- ard, Barnabas Pratt, Thomas Pratt, Job Bryant, Gamaliel Bryant, Samuel Hayden, Phinchas Paine, Jeremiah Beals. Col. Josiah Hayden was the inas- ter-workman of the inside of the house. Col. Simeon Cary, who was one of the building committee, was master of the outside of the house. Col. Hayden also built the pulpit and sounding-board. All of the above mechanics belonged in the town.

We have already scen that the precinet voted to have a steeple built by subseription, but for some reason which does not appear on record it was not all paid in. For this purpose the pew baek of the " Deckon seet" was put up for " sail" to help pay the committee that built it what expense had been in- eurred. May 17, 1764, " Voted to sell the old meet- ing-house for the use of the precinct in jenerail."

" Alas ! there came a luckless day, Our meeting-house grew old,- The paint was worn, the shingles loose ; In winter it was too cold. " They called it an old-fashioned thing, And said it must be sold."

First Bell .- Also voted the same day to " Geet a Bell for the New Meeting House, not exceeding six hundred Wate." Daniel Howard, Esq., Capt. Abiel Packard, and Lieut. Henry Kingman were chosen a committee to purchase the same. Oct. 24, 1765, " Voted to Build stairs to the Belfree." It seems the bell of the new meeting-house became broken from some eause, and at a meeting held Oct. 10, 1768, to see if the precinct would vote to mend the bell, voted in the affirmative, also " voted that Lieut. Henry King- man should geet it mended." We presume that the bell was past mending, as we afterwards find, Dec. 11, 1769, a vote " to geet a new Bell of Seven hundred wate. Lieut. Henry Kingman, Col. Simeon Cary, and Capt. Isaac Packard were appointed a committee to go and agree with Mr. Hubbard, for the making and taking down of the old Bell and hanging the new one." Jan. 11, 1770, " Voted to Imploy Mr. Aaron Huburd and Mr. Gellomer to new Run the Bell, and that it shall be of Seven hundred wate." In the early part of 1772, a number of persons bceame " larned" in the rules of " musiek" under Mr. Bil- lings, and asked that seats might be assigned to them

13 4

3. Luke Perkins. 26

567

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

iu the south part of the women's gallery. This re- quest was complied with as follows: Nov. 30, 1772, ". Voted to the singers the South part of the women's Gallary During pleasure." We find this produced some dissatisfaction, and efforts were made to restore the seats back to the women. Various meetings were called until, April S, 1773, a special meeting being called. the question was put by the moderator to see if the precinct will vote to restore the Southerly part of the womens gallary to the womens use again." It was "voted in the negative." April 3, 1775, The above vote was reconsidered, and a vote passed " allowing the north part of the womens seets During the pleasure of the Parish." also " voted to build a pair of stairs in the Belfree." Dec. 11, 1788, "' Voted to sell the Deef Seet." Also " voted to sell the two hind seets each side of the Broad alley." Now the parish begin to think that some repairs are needed, and a committee of three were chosen to re- port what repairs were necessary. Job Bryant, Moses Cary, and Jeremiah Beals were that committee, who reported the following to be done: "new sett the Glass in putty, paint the Door, windows, and walls, and the platform of the Belfree be covered with Led." Voted " that the window frames and sashes be painted white.

Seats for Colored People .- March 19, 1789. " Voted to build a porch provided it can be Don without expense to the parish, and also to put seats in the porch and Belfree for the negrocs, and sell the room where the stairs and negro pew now are." Thus we see that in this year the negroes were to sit in the loft provided on purpose, which created no little feel- ing on the part of the colored population.

March 4, 1795. " Voted to shingel the Meeting House the front side, to be completed by the 15 of Sept."

In the year 1800 we again find a disagreement between the colored people attending worship and sit- ting in the same seat with the white people, which very much annoyed some of them, and to remedy this trouble a meeting was held August 4th, " To see what measures the Parish will take to prevent the blacks from occupying the seats appropriated to the use of the white people, so as to prevent any disturbance in time of Public worshipe," at which time it was " Voted that the side galleries and the seats in the Body of the meeting house be appropriated to the use of the white people, and the seats in the porch above to the use of the blacks."

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 118

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706