USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Topsfield > History of Topsfield Massachusetts > Part 26
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
In the first volume of records kept by Mr. Capen was the list of memberships in 1684. There were forty-nine listed, twenty- two males and twenty-seven females as follows:
"1684. A List of ye members in full communion at Topsfield when I was first ordained. - Joseph Capen."
Francis Peabody
Deacon Perkins wife
John Reddington
Lieftenant Goulds wife
Abraham Reddington Senr
Tho Dormans wife
Joseph Bixby Senr
Isaak Esties wife
John Gould Senr
Jacob Towns wife
Thomas Baker
Joseph Towns wife
Thomas Perkins Deacon died May 7th 86
Widdow Mary Towne Ephraim Dormans wife
John Pabody
John Wilds his wife
Thomas Dorman
James How Sen. wife
Ephraim Dorman
Michael Dunnels wife John Nichols wife
William Howlett
Daniell Bormans wife Isaak Cummins wife
Isaak Cumins John French
William Howletts wife
Isaak Estie
Abraham Reddingtons wife
James How Senr
Joseph Bixbys wife
Samuell Perley
John Pabodys wife
Nehemiah Abbott
Samuell Simons his wife
Samuel Howlett
274
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
John Cummins, Decem 7, 85 was dismissd to ye church at Dunstable Robert Stiles dead
Robart Smiths wife William Smiths wife Widdow Andrews
Nehemiah Abbots wife
Thomas Perkins Junr
Widdow Perley
Daniel Hovey
John French his wife
drowned herself May 13, 1701
During the more than thirty years Mr. Capen was pastor of the church, the membership was greatly increased. The baptisms, marriages and deaths which he recorded are pre- served in the vital records of Topsfield. We give here the names of those admitted to the church during his pastorate.
"Since my ordination were admitted Males."
Daniell Reddington
Tobijah Perkins
Jacob Foster Junr
William Avery Junr
William Pabody
John How
Ephraim Curtise
Sergeant Jacob Towne
Timothy Perkins
Daniell Wood
Daniell Clarke Senr (dead)
Samuel Simons
Thomas Hassen
John Stiles
Mr. William Perkins
Samuell Stanley
Abraham How
Benjamin Foster (dead)
John Estie
Thomas Reddington
Phillip Knight
Abraham Reddington
John Gould Junr
John Perley sen.
John Wiles sen.
John French Jun.
Zacheus Curtis
Joseph Hail
John Kenney
Luke Hovey
Isaac Estey
John Andrews
Joseph Andrews
Jacob Smith
John Cummins
Jonathan Bixby
Isaac Burton
Joseph Esty
Daniell Clarke
Thomas Robinson
Joseph Pebody, Jun.
Zacheus Gould
Samuel Foster
Amos Dorman
Nehemiah Abbot
Joseph Towne Abraham Foster John Hovey, sen.
John Robinson, sen.
Joseph Towne, sen.
William Chapman Timothy Perley
Benjamin Bixby, sen.
Thomas Gould
Job How
Thomas Howlett
Elisha Perkins
Thomas Perley
William Watson his wife John Cummins his wife
275
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Thomas Dorman
Job Averil
John Nichols
John Curtis John Hovey
Michaell Dunnell Jun.
Seth Dorman
Timothy Perkins
Samuell Smith
Samuell Stanley
Paul Averill William Porter
Joseph Borman Ivory Hovey
Jessie Dorman
Joseph Towne
John Perkins
John Perley
Jacob Pebody
John Howlet
Joseph Gould
John Curtis Sen.
Daniell Perkins
Jacob Stanley
Caleb Foster
Tobijah Perkins Jun.
Benjamin How
Jacob Towne, senr Abraham How
Thomas Curtis
Isaac Cummins
Lieut Tho. Baker
Ensig. Thomas Perkins
Thomas Potter Edmond Towne
Samuel Potter
Daniel Reddington John Abbott Mark How
John Gould Jun.
Richard Towne
"Since my ordination were admitted Females."
Benjamin Bixbys Wife My own Wife
Wife of Matthew Stanley sr.
Martha Reddington
Wife of Daniell Wood, Sarah Wood
w. of Samuell Howlett, Sarah Howlett
ye Wife of Jacob Foster
Joanna' Stanley w. of Samuel Stanley
ye Wife of John Gould, Jun. ye wife of John Ramsdell
Hannah Perkins w. Timothy Perkins
Margaret Knight
Lucy Wood wife of Nathaniel Wood
Grace Endicot w. Zerubabel Martha French Dorothee Robinson w. of John
Tobijah Perkins his Wife Thomas Andrews his Wife The Wife of John Curtis Sarah Bishup
ye Wife of John Towne, Mary Deliverance w. of John Stiles Martha Foster, May 6, 94 dis- missed to Concord Sarah Bixby wife of Joseph Elizabeth Stiles
Hannah Pebody w. of William Edna Perkins wife of Mr. T. Sarah Andrews wife of John Widdow Mary Hale by dismis- sion from Newbury Judith Dorman
Mary Perley, sen.
Sarah Foster w. William Jun.
ye wife of John Kenney Abigail Esty
ye wife of Jacob Foster
276
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
Mary Haill wife of Joseph Hail
ye wife of Zacheus Curtis, Su- sanna Hovey Elizabeth Curtis wife of Ephr. Sarah Bixby wife of Jonathan Rebecka Simons
Jane Esty, ye wife of J. E. Hannah Robinson, w. of T. R.
Elizabeth Gould, w. of Z. G. Constant Nichols, w. of J. N. Mary Averill, wife of W. A. Elizabeth French w. of J. F. Elizabeth Nichols
ye wife of Nehemiah Abbot, Remem (ber)
Phebe Towne, w. Corp. J. ( )
Mary Wilds w. Ephraim ( ) Elizabeth Chapman w. W. C. Mary Capen
Katherine Perkins, w. E. P. Elizabeth Perkins
Widdow Averil
Abigail Perkins, wife of Tim. Rebecka Howlett, wife of Tho. Priscilla Curtis, wife of John Curt (is)
Deborah Dorman, wife of Tho. Judith Perkins
Bathsheba Howlett, w. John Mary Sunl, wife of Sam (uel) Prudence Borman, wife of Jos Borm (an)
ye wife of William Hobbes Priscilla Howlett
Abigail Towne, w. of Joseph Rebecka Pebody
Priscilla Gould
Mary Bixby
Mary Hovey, Love How
Mary Foster wife of Caleb Joanna Hood wife of Nath. Mary Foster wife of Daniell Joanna Potter
Phebe Curtis wife of Thos.
Widdow Sarah Gill
Susanna Cummins w. of John Hanna Foster Ruth Simons
Hannah Burton ye wife of J.
Damaris Clark, ye wife of D. Widdow Cooper
Mary Pebody, w. of I. P. Jun. Elleanor Porter, w. of N. P.
Dorothee Dorman, w. of A. D. ye w. of Corp. Joseph Towne, Ruham (a)
Jane Perley, ye wife of John Sarah Bradstreet, w. Mr. John Elizabeth Reddington w. ( ) Priscilla Capen
Deborah Perley, wife of T. P. Mercy Gould, wife of Tho. G. Mr. Baker
Abigail Perley, wife of Thos. Per (ley)
Sarah How, w. of John Jun. Susannah Averil, wife of Job Mary Waters, wife of Daniel Sarah Pebody, wife of Isaac Mary Hovey, wife of John Hannah Esty
Hannah Dunnell, wife of Mich (ael)
Sarah Averill, ye wife of Paul Phoebe Porter
ye w. of Samuell Towne, E. T. Anne Hovey, wife of Ivory Ruth Dorman wife of Jesse Elizabeth Perkins, wife of J. Perk (ins) Hepziba Curtis
ye wife of Abraham Foster
Widdow Abigail Towne
Margarett Reddington
Elizabeth Perkins w.Tob. Jun. Alice How
Martha Killum wife of Tho.
277
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
ve wife of Nathaniel Borman Lydia French
Susanna Porter wife of Tho.
Phebe Gould w. J. Gould Jun. Elizabeth Towne w. Richard Elizabeth Bradstreet wife of Mr. Simon
Hephziba How wife of Mark Mary Bixby wife of Joshua
Ruth Towne Hephzibah How
Lydia Knowlton
Francis Cummins w. of Isaac
Abigail Abbot wife of John
Hannah Perley w. of Stephen Mary Abbot
Sarah Abbot
Jemima Cummins
The church remained unsettled for over three years after Mr. Capen's death. Several ministers supplied the pulpit and a few were given a call to settle, but it was not until Nov. 27, 1728 that Reverend John Emerson became the town minister. He was a pious clergyman of good attainments and his long ministry flowed on in quiet and harmony. He is also credited with holding the longest pastorate of any minister in the his- tory of the church, a period of forty-six years. No very especial happenings are recorded of his long ministry, except the addition to the church membership of two hundred and seven names, also the erection of a house for his own occupancy in 1733-4 on the site of the present Balch-Jordan three-story dwelling. His study and some other rooms have been retained in the eastern end of this present structure; and the building of the fourth meeting house in 1759. In 1734, the church voted to buy two new flagons and two new tankards, sell the old ones for all they could, and take the balance of the money for the new ones from the church stock.
The following list of members is found on a loose sheet of paper preserved in Mr. Capen's volume of records. It is headed "May 10, 1731."
A List of Males Now belonging to ye Church in Topsfield xDaniel Redington Dean dead Joseph Towne Daniel Clark
xZacheus Gould dead
xNehemiah Abbot dead
x Abraham ffoster dead
xElisha Perkins dead Thomas Gould
John How, of Middleton
John Curtis dead
John Hovey Michael Dwinel
xTimothy Perkins dead
Samuel Smith, Ipswich
John Perkins, dismissed Middleton
xJohn Howlet, Dean dead
Joseph Gould
Caleb ffoster, Ipswich Tobijah Perkins xBenja How, dismissed xJacob Towne, dead Abraham Towne, dead
Isaac Commings, Ips.
Thos. Potter, Ips.
Edmond Towne died
278
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
Paul Averil, Middleton xJoseph Bowman dead xWilliam Porter, Norton dead Dean Ivory Hovey Jesse Dorman
Saml Porter, Ips.
Daniel Reddington Junr John Gould, Boxford John Abbot, Ips.
Richard Towne
Mark Howe, Ips. 2
Joseph Commings, Ips. dismissed
Matthew Peabody
Luke Averill, dismissed 3
Joseph Hovey
William Redington 3
xJacob Bixby, dismissed John Prichard
Dean Jacob Peabody
x David Nelson, dismissed to Lancaster
Rev. Mr. if there be any mist that were in ye Church before your coming it is Joseph Andrew and I cannot tell.
Luke Averell xPhineas Reddington dism'd William Reddington
Eleazer Lake John Wildes
John Lampson Junr, Ips.
Nathan Hood
Abraham Foster Junr Ips.
George Bixby
Samll Howlett Junr
Stephen Peabody, Box.
Wm. Perkins
John Hood Amos Dwinell
Thomas Howlett
xDoctor Dexter Aaron Hovey
Jacob Robinson
Jacob Peabody Junr.
Nehemiah Hovey, Ips.
Jacob Averell
Seabrew a Negro Servant man, Ips.
John Andrews, Box.
Joseph Edwards
David Balch
John Symonds
John Perkins
Ezekiel Robinson
Zacheus Gould
No 52 alive 1738
After Reverend Mr. Emerson's death, in 1774, the society had irregular preaching. In the town records are the follow- ing names of ministers who supplied the pulpit from 1774- 1779 :- Reverend John Marrett, Reverend Mansfield, Reverend Manasseh Smith, Reverend John Shaw, Reverend Elias Jones, Reverend Samuel Whitman, Reverend Asa Burton and Rev- erend Matthew Scribner.
2 This line breaking the list of names, indicates the end of the Capen pastorate.
3 Names crossed out in ink.
xIvory Hovy Junr, dismissed
xNathan Bixby (died ?)
2/79
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Reverend Daniel Breck became the pastor of the church in 1779. He was a man of fair talents and a good writer. He endeavored to introduce some reforms into the church which created a strong feeling against him and the result was an honorable dismission in 1788. Mr. Breck was followed by Reverend Asahel Huntington who was ordained in Topsfield in 1789.
Some extracts from a letter written in 1869, by Doctor Humphrey Gould, Rowe, Mass., to Richard Phillips, of Tops- field, gives some interesting reminiscences of the church during Mr. Huntington's pastorate :
"My memory goes back many years, to the time of Mr. Huntington. There are some things connected with his settle- ment and history that are very interesting. An ordination in those olden times was a very important event in the history of the town, the day of ordination was a great holiday, a day of great enjoyment not only to the people of the town, but many of the neighboring towns. There was great feasting, prepara- tion was made to entertain all who might attend. Two hundred persons mainly from Middleton went.
In that day there were few if any carriages. People gen- erally rode on horses and there were a hundred horses turned into the pastures. You can judge by this somewhat of the number of people present on that joyous occasion. My great uncle (Zaccheus Gould) was esteemed a religious man, was in fact a genuine Puritan, a strict observer of the Sabbath and of course did not think much of amusements, but he yielded gracefully to the spirit of the occasion and gave up that great west room to the young people as a dancing hall, and they had music and dancing till morning perhaps.
Mr. Huntington purchased the house of John Gould on the corner of Boxford and Washington Streets in the western part of the town. When he brought his bride to her new home in 1791, a part of the people went to meet them and escort them into town while another portion repaired to the house to re- ceive them upon their arrival. The ladies were dressed in their silks and satins, the gentlemen in their best attire. They made an opening the ladies on one side and the gentlemen on the other and the bridegroom and bride passed into the house. Mrs. Huntington was quite mortified as she had on only a riding dress. Thus you see they were most courteously re- ceived and proved to be worthy of all honors rendered them in the life they led among the people." 4
4 Letter printed in Topsfield Hist. Coll., Vol. X.
280
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
Mr. Huntington fulfilled a successful and harmonious min- istry among a united and devoted people, for nearly twenty- four years, until his death in 1813. During his pastorate, the church bought from a legacy a silver tankard for $39., also one demijohn, or stone jug, a tunnel and lock for the church chest. In 1818, two silver-plated flagons were purchased for $40. and six silver-plated cups for $27.
For seven years after Mr. Huntington's death, the church had no settled pastor. In 1819 a call was given to Reverend Marshall Shed at a salary of $600. a year and the use of the parsonage and pew, payment to be made semi-annually, the first after he had been settled six months and the second at the end of the year. He declined the invitation saving, "your unanimity has not produced a salary adequate to the exigen- cies of my active life, " and he expressed hope they would soon be sent a pastor "adapted to their taste and circumstances."
The following year Rev. Rodney Gove Dennis was elected "Minister and Teacher of Piety, Religion and Morality" at a salary of $500. and use of parsonage, land and pew. He ac- cepted because of "your long destitution of the established ministration of God's words and ordinances." Owing to ill health, his term of service was terminated at his request on May 6, 1829. It was while Mr. Dennis was pastor that the members petitioned the General Court for a parish charter and the first legal meeting of the parish was held March 29, 1824. Mr. Dennis asked to be dismissed in 1829 as his success did not justify him in continuing here. That year William Gunnison was paid $10. for taking care of the meeting house and ringing and tolling the bell. Rev. James F. McEwen was installed at Topsfield May 5, 1830. He first lived in the Emer- son house on the east of the common which later became the parsonage and then moved to the new house built by Dr. Nehemiah Cleveland. A root of bitterness sprang up and Mr. McEwen's connection with the church ended in 1841.
The next minister of the Congregational church was Rev. Anson McLoud. It was his first and only pastorate. He was ordained in Topsfield Dec. 8, 1841 and for a long period of years was an influential factor in both religious and civic circles. He served as minister until Oct. 1, 1869, but continued to live in Topsfield until his death in 1883. In later life he took an active part in school affairs and assisted in the estab- lishment of the town library. It was during Mr. McLoud's pastorate that the present Congregational church was built. There were several gifts for this new building. Among them were a chandelier of twelve lamps and two pulpit lamps; a
281
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
pulpit with a bible, and a sofa and four chairs upholstered in red brocade velvet were given by Solomon Wildes and family of Boston. General Hood presented the church with a baptis- mal font. An old silver tankard was sold and two silver-plated baskets purchased. In 1850 John Cleveland presented the church with a clock and six silver plates. On the twenty-fifth anniversary of Mr. McLoud's settlement, he was presented with $1000 as a gift from a grateful and united parish.
The pastorate of Rev. Edward P. Tenney was the shortest in the history of the church. He was installed Dec. 1, 1869 and dismissed at his own request Sept. 10, 1870 as he found the place uncongenial to his tastes and desires. In 1871 Rev. James Hill Fitts was appointed and served until 1880. Rev. Frank P. Tompkins was the next pastor, 1881-1883. His suc- cessor was Rev. Lyndon S. Crawford of North Adams. He accepted the call to Topsfield in 1883 and was dismissed in 1886 to become a missionary to Turkey. Rev. Charles Luck came to the Topsfield church in 1887 while still a student at Harvard College, serving until 1890. He was the first minis- ter to occupy the parsonage purchased of Charles H. Holmes, being the house on the common opposite the church. His suc- cessors lived there until 1903 when it was sold to Willard Emery. The present parsonage next to the Town Library on High Street was purchased in 1913.
The more recent pastorates include :
Rev. Albert E. Bradstreet 1891 - 1894
Rev. Francis A. Poole 1895 - 1899
Rev. Herbert J. Wyckoff 1900 - 1903
Rev. William G. Poor
1903 - 1908
Rev. B. Alfred Dumm 1908 - 1913
Rev. Arthur H. Gilmore
1914 - 1919
Rev. Charles E. Reeves
1919 - 1923
Paul H. Doney
1924 - 1926
Rev. Robert W. Beers
1926 - 1930
Rev. Paul E. Sheldon
1930 -
The story of the first Sunday School is lost. It has been stated that the school was organized in May 1818, in the red schoolhouse on the common, north of the meeting house, the church looking upon it with some disfavor for several years. A church record of 1848 would indicate that the church had assumed the charge of the school for a committee of three were appointed to look after its interests.
The Ladies' Society always took an active part in the affairs
282
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
of the church. The records contain frequent mention of assis- tance given since its formation in 1841, just before the present church was erected. The furnishing of the new meeting house with a carpet was the first work of the society and to this end a sale was held in the Academy Hall which netted nearly $175.
In 1856-7 a church organ, being deemed a necessity, the Ladies' Society raised the funds and presented the instrument to the parish. In 1906 a larger organ was purchased at an expense of $2500. the ladies again assisting in the raising of the money. For many years they pledged an annual sum, toward the expense of music at church services, and turned over the money in the treasury for that purpose when the society re- organized in 1924. After over thirty years of use the organ was rebuilt in 1939 with the addition of electro-pneumatic action and a new console by the Laws Organ Company of Beverly, at a cost of about $2500. The work was made possi- ble by the use of the Sarah S. Edwards legacy, contributions from the Alden Club and various other church organizations, and personal gifts. The dedicatory service was held March 19, 1939.
A Womans' Missionary Society was organized in 1870 and a Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor in 1891.
THE FEDERATED CHURCH
In 1924 plans were made to unite the two Protestant churches in order to conserve their resources and better fulfill their common mission to the community. On March 3, 1925 it was voted at an official board meeting of the Methodist Society, that the Congregational Church be asked to federate with them as it seemed "the religious interests of Topsfield will be served best by having only one Protestant church in town." On March 16, the Congregational Church voted to accept the articles of agreement which had been drawn up and the Federated Church of Topsfield was formed "to act as one congregation for all purposes of work and worship." Paul H. Deney, who was then pastor of the Congregational Church, continued as minister in the Federated Church.
Each Church retained its relation to the denominational body to which it belonged and held its annual meeting and elected officers. Each Church also chose every year five per- sons who constituted the Joint Committee to have charge of the affairs of the Federated Church. Most of the religious services were held in the Congregational Church but occasion- ally the members met for worship in the Methodist Church. On the other hand many of the social functions and meetings
283
THE FEDERATED CHURCH
of the various organizations of the Church were carried on in the vestry of the Methodist Church which has a well equipped kitchen, while a few meetings were held in the Congregational Church parlors.
Mr. Doney resigned on Sept. 1, 1926 and he was succeeded by Rev. Robert W. Beers. In November 1930 the present minister, Rev. Paul E. Sheldon accepted a call. In 1933-34 he was granted a year's leave of absence for study and travel abroad and during this time Rev. Samuel M. LePage served as pastor.
On January 1, 1936 the resident membership of the Fed- erated Church was 142; Congregational Church 80, Methodist Church 62.
In June, 1938 the Congregational Church voted that the federation with the Methodist Episcopal Church be terminated at the end of the fiscal year and twenty-nine members of the Methodist Church were accepted by letter. At the annual meeting on Dec. 28, 1938 the final meeting of the Federated Church was held and the federation was formally dissolved. The Methodist Church building has been renovated and is now used as a Parish House.
THE UNITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY
In 1829, the Rev. Rodney Gove Dennis, pastor of the Tops- field church, asked to be dismissed from his charge. He wrote that the subject was a painful one and expressed the belief that a general union and interest in his ministry did not exist, nor was there an encouraging prospect for the future. A number of families have withdrawn themselves, several of late ; and more may follow their example. His letter is dated April 9th and within two weeks the church met and voted to call a Council of ministers from nearby churches to advise on the matter. On May 6th the Council met at the house of Mr. Dennis and after deploring the situation that had arisen in Topsfield, the more regretful on account of the additional weight which it will throw into the scale of disorder which is so prevalent and which we fear will still more increase, it recommended a dissolution of the pastoral relation.
What were the contributing factors that led up to Mr. Dennis' request, cannot now be learned but it is said that he was suffering from ill health. However, his state of health is not mentioned in his request for a dismission. It was a time of religious ferment in the neighborhood and particularly in Topsfield. Methodist meetings were held in the northern part
284
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
of the town a few months later and a Methodist camp meeting, the first one in the County, at which several thousand people were present, was held Aug. 23 to 27, 1831 on the old Ipswich road now known as Camp Meeting Road. The Unitarian heterodoxy also was making way both in Salem and in the northern towns in the County. The minister at the West Parish of Boxford became a Unitarian and there was a nucleus of Unitarianism in Ipswich that resolved itself into a Society in the spring of 1830 and held services in the Court House and afterwards a meeting house was erected. Much bitter feeling was aroused and the town became divided.
A similar state of feeling existed in Topsfield at about the same time. William Hubbard, David Towne, Zaccheus Gould, David Lake jr., and Asa Pingree were the leaders in the break- ing away from the Orthodox Congregational Church and Dr. John Merriam, Luke Towne, Joel Lake, John Phillips, Robert C. Hackett and their families joined with them. The Salem Gazette of Sept. 23, 1831 states that "We are requested to mention that Rev. Mr. Robinson of Beverly, will preach at the Centre School House in Topsfield, next Sabbath. Services to commence at the usual time." Here was direct rivalry.
In the absence of records it is now impossible to state when the Congregational Society in Topsfield was organized but the Prudential Committee of the Society reported that the Treas- urer, Joel Lake, had received $145. in subscriptions in 1832. The following year these amounted to $138. and for 1834, the sum of $134.50 with a balance of $26.31 on hand Feb. 20, 1834. On Feb. 6, 1833 application was made to the Trustees of Tops- field Academy for the use of the upper school-room in which to hold services. The reply was forty dollars a year and all damages to the building to be made good. The Trustees felt they were dealing with financially responsible persons as the rent was not required to be paid until the expiration of the said term. The proposition was not accepted at the time. The minister of the Unitarian church at Danvers (organized in 1825) was invited on Apr. 22, 1833, to preach here. His honorarium would have been ten dollars and expenses. About this time a second effort was made to secure the Academy school-room for services, at a saving from the figure named by the Trustees in February, as it is "probable we may want it 12 or 15 times ; perhaps more; or perhaps less." Here is the reply of the committee of the Trustees :
We do hereby agree to let to the Congregational Society in Topsfield the upper part of the Academy Building the number of times they may want the ensuing year on the following
285
THE UNITARIAN SOCIETY
Conditions (Viz) Sundays, at one dollar per day, and week days at fifty cents per day when the same is not occupied by the School. Sunday is to include day and evening, week days to include day and evening or any part of such time for a day, likewise the Sunday which it was occupied by said Society previous to this date is to be included at the above named price. N. B. If it is used by said Society on Sunday evenings only, it is to be considered at the same price as a week day.
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.