USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Roxbury > History of the First Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts, 1630-1904 > Part 14
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When religious disputes were started he had a remarkable faculty of discerning points of difference, of allowing to each controversialist his proper merit and of bringing the subject to an amicable decision.
His devotional services were highly appropriate though but little varied.
Of his pastoral character it was suited to the times in which he lived. Frequent visits, for social intercourse merely, were not expected; for these he had neither taste nor fitness; his manners were grave and did not encourage familiarity, nor had he that easy flow of language so essential to sustain a conversation on the familiar topics of the day. But in the chamber of the sick, or wherever there was affliction which the sympathies of a pastor could alleviate, he was a constant and welcome visitor. When he uttered anything it was obvious that it was in words fitly spoken.
In October, 1801, he was married to Martha, daughter of
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Major Nathaniel Ruggles of Roxbury. She died without issue in December 1814.
In 1807 he was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity by Harvard College.
Rev. Charles Lowell writes of him as follows: -
" My recollections of Dr. Porter are of course very distinct. He was the minister of my childhood at Roxbury. I attended his catechising, which was held once a year. We recited the Assembly's catechism. Dr. Porter was usually taciturn when I knew him in Roxbury. I remember it was a subject of great solicitude with my sisters, how they should entertain him, when he made a visit at our house. When I knew him as a brother minister, he bore his full part in conversation. He was a man of good sense and good judgment, and, in addition to this, he had a good deal of what is termed dry wit or humor, though he looked so sedate, not to say grave; and he had great shrewdness and adroitness in parrying a pleasant thrust at him.
" He was on a visit to one of his parishioners one afternoon, where there was a little party of young people. The lady of the house told the Doctor, hesitatingly, that the young folks would be glad to have a little dance with the aid of the piano- forte, but were afraid to do it lest he should be offended. 'Oh, no,' said he, 'let them dance; only I hope they will excuse me, as I have my boots on.' "
May 31, 1810, Dr. Porter preached the Annual Sermon at the Convention of the Congregational Ministers of Massachu- setts, and this perhaps may be considered the most prominent event of his life. The controversy between the two parties, known as the "orthodox " and the liberal, was really at that time no new thing; but, so far as the latter class at least were concerned, it had rarely, if ever, been introduced into the pulpit, especially on any great publie occasion. Dr. Porter,
.
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REV. ELIPHALET PORTER, D.D.
on the occasion referred to, stepped aside from the course of his predecessors, and, without making any very distinct state- ment of his own views, brought out a bold and earnest defence of some of the general principles for which the liberal party were contending. The sermon produced great excitement at the time, and it has been acknowledged, by those who disliked as well as those who liked it, to be the ablest of Dr. Porter's printed productions. It is important now, chiefly as having marked a sort of epoch in the controversy and as indicating the then existing state of theological opinion.
The subject of the Discourse was "The Simplicity that is in Christ, and the Danger of its being corrupted."
Its general spirit and character may be sufficiently indicated by the following extract: -
But it will be asked if the simple proposition which has been mentioned (Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ) is all that we have to demand in the way of Gospel belief. What are we to think of those articles of faith which have been long received in the Church, and considered, perhaps generally, as fundamentals, and essential to be believed? What are we to think, not of those doctrines which have been exploded by Protestants, and which have had, and now have, their turn of being viewed as essential, more extensively than any others; but of those disputed articles of faith which have been retained or taught and required in the Catechisms and Confessions of Protes- tant and Reformed Churches, and in particular among ourselves ? Or, to be more explicit still, for I wish to be understood, what are we to think of the doctrines of original sin and total depravity; of imputation of sin and righteousness; of a trinity in unity; of the mere humanity, superangelical nature or absolute Deity of Christ; of particular and general redemption; of unconditional decrees of personal election and reprobation; of moral inability, and the total passiveness of man in regeneration; of the special and irresistible operation of the Holy Spirit; of perseverance, or the impossi- bility of the believer's total apostacy; and, to mention no more, the absolute eternity of the torments to which the wicked will be sentenced at the last day.
My individual belief in respect to the truth or error of these points, can be of but little importance, and my subject no way requires that it should be given. It rather becomes me to follow the example which has been some- times set by learned judges on the bench, when difficult questions suggested themselves, but whose decision the main subject before them did not require;
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and prudently say, - Neque teneo, neque refello. But it is pertinent to the object of this discourse, and consonant to my serious and deliberate conviction, to observe that I cannot place my finger on any one article in the list of doctrines just mentioned, the belief or the rejection of which I con- sider as essential to the Christian faith or character.
I believe that an innumerable company of Christians who never heard of these articles, or who were divided in their opinions respecting them, have fallen asleep in Jesus; and that innumerable of the same description are following after.
Rev. Dr. A. C. Thompson in his Eliot Memorial says, " The transition of this church from its Calvinistic attitude to Liberalism appears to have taken place at the close of the eighteenth century and the first years of the nineteenth. This sermon was among the earlier public disclosures of a change which had been quietly going on in this neighbor- hood."
As a citizen, his influence was widely and beneficially felt. A man so distinguished for great practical wisdom as he was, could not escape frequently calls for his counsel and assistance in the secular affairs of the town. In the support and management of institutions for objects of charity, or for the promotion of education and religion, his services and counsels were conspicuously useful and in con- stant request. The various offices of trust, to which he was called, were fulfilled with a characteristic caution, prudence, and fidelity, which obtained and justificd unlimited confi- dence.
He was a highly valued member of the Overseers of Har- vard University, and in 1818 was elected a Fellow of the University and until his death a member of the Corporation. The period of his connection with this institution was one of great difficulty, and he took his full share of the labors and responsibilities incident to his official position. His affection for the college was ardent and constant. The notice of his
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REV. ELIPHALET PORTER, D.D.
death on the records of the Corporation manifests their strong sense of "the great loss our literary and religious com- munity have sustained by the death of this learned divine and exemplary Christian, whose intelligence, fidelity and zeal in support of the interests of literature, and especially of those connected with the prosperity of Harvard University, they have had uniform occasion to witness during the many years he has been one of the members of this Board."
By his will he bequeathed one thousand dollars to the Theological School of Harvard College.
He was Treasurer for many years of the Massachusetts Congregational Charitable Society, whose funds are appro- priated to the support of ministers' widows and orphans. In this trust he gave great satisfaction. He was an original trustee of the Massachusetts Bible Society founded in 1809. He was among the founders of the Society for the Suppres- sion of Intemperance. For many years he was moderator of the Boston Association, by whom he was greatly valued for judicious counsel. He continued his stated labors with- out much interruption till he was past seventy, when it be- came apparent to both himself and others that his strength was inadequate to the full discharge of the duties of his office. Accordingly it was agreed that he should have a colleague; and Mr. George Putnam was called and settled, with his hearty approbation. The relations which existed between the Senior and Junior Pastors were mutually kind and agreeable, and when the former died, the latter, in a Funeral Discourse, rendered a warm and grateful tribute to the memory of his venerated friend. During the three and one-half years he had a colleague he preached but eleven sermons.
The 7th of October, 1832, the Sabbath next succeeding the completion of fifty years of his ministry, Dr. Porter
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preached a sermon containing some historical sketches of his parish, and particularly a review of his own ministerial labors. Having referred to his Ordination he says: - The solemn transactions of that day were adapted to excite reflection, lead to resolutions, and make impressions on the mind, which half a century ought not, and, as the speaker trusts, has not, wholly effaced from his mind. But he laments that they have not had a more constant, powerful and salutary effect on his life and labors. He laments that he has not better fulfilled the ministry he received of the Lord, and better performed his vows. A sense of his many neglects, and defects in duty, he can truly say, is the greatest burden of his life; and he would this day humble himself before God, and in the presence of the great con- gregation, for his want of greater diligence and activity, constancy, faithfulness, and zeal, in the discharge of the work given him to do.
His death occurred on Saturday, December 7, 1833, and his funeral was attended on the succeeding Wednesday, by a large concourse. The sermon, by his surviving colleague, was from Genesis xxv, 8, and was published. A list of his publications includes: Thanksgiving Discourse of the Peace, 1783; Discourse to the Roxbury Charitable Society, 1794; Fast Discourse, 1798; Sermon on the Death of Gov. Sumner, 1799; Eulogy on Washington, 1800; Discourse before the Humane Society, 1802; Sermon at the Ordina- tion of Rev. Charles Lowell, Jan. 1, 1806; Before Society for Propagating the Gospel, Nov. 5, 1807; Convention Ser- mon, May 31, 1810; Artillery Election Sermon, June 1, 1812; Sermon at the Ordination of Rev. J. G. Palfrey, June 17, 1818.
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DEACONS
DEACONS
MR. EDWARD RUGGLES, see Second Meeting House. MR. SAMUEL GRIDLEY, see Second Meeting House.
MR. STEPHEN WILLIAMS, son of Capt. Stephen and Mary (Capen) Williams, b. in Roxbury March 9, 1701/2, died there ยท in 1773; m. Sarah Payson. Ordained Deacon Dec. 23, 1753, and served until his death. He was owner of Pew No. 26 in the Third Meeting House.
MR. EBENEZER CRAFT, son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Weld) Craft, b. in Roxbury May 22, 1705; died there Sept. 1, 1791; m. Susanna White. A cordwainer by trade and also extensively engaged in farming. He was a large land owner in Roxbury and adjoining towns. Ordained Deacon Dec. 23, 1753, and served until his death. He was owner of Pew No. 18 in the Third Meeting House.
MR. WILLIAM GRIDLEY, son of Samuel and Gridley, b. in Roxbury in 1732; buried there Dec. 15, 1786; m. Lydia Ordained Deacon Apr. 4, 1773, and served until his death.
MR. SAMUEL SUMNER, son of John and Susannah (Stevens) Sumner, b. in Roxbury, Dec. 29, 1732; died there Oct. 11, 1813; m. (1) Susannah Boylston, (2) Elizabeth Bugbee. He was active in town affairs and one of the Committee of Correspondence in the Revolution. Ordained Deacon May 14, 1779, and served until his death. He was owner of Pew 91 in the Fifth Meeting House.
MR. DAVID WELD, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Tucker) Weld, b. in 1734; d. in 1821; m. Sarah Davis. He held various town offices. Representative. One of the Com- mittee of Correspondence in the Revolution. Collector in 1785. Ordained Deacon Dec. 5, 1785, and served until his death.
-
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MR. NEHEMIAH MUNROE, son of William and Sarah (Mason) Munroe, b. in Roxbury, July 1, 1747; d. there Aug. 2, 1828; m. Avis Hammond. Cabinet maker. Held town offices. Trustee of the Roxbury Latin School. Mem- ber of the Parish Committee. Ordained Deacon March 9, 1787, and served until his death. Owner of Pew No. 71, Fifth Meeting House.
MR. JOSHUA FELTON, son of Nathaniel and Anna (Jacobs) Felton, b. in Roxbury, March 21, 1743; died there Dec. 17, 1816; m. (1) Mary Wardell, (2) Mrs. Lois Pattee. Black- smith. It is said he attended church every Sunday, except one-half day, for 37 years. He kept a diary of every event that transpired in Roxbury for many years. Member of the Standing Committee of the Roxbury Charitable Society. Ordained Deacon June 10, 1787, and served until his death. Owner of Pew No. 60, Lower Floor, Fifth Meeting House.
CHURCH MEMBERS
According to the church records the Parish Committee gave notice that they had a plan of the situation of the pews in this meeting house, but this plan cannot be found. Few transfers of pews can be found on the records, the earliest being dated Nov. 25, 1788, and there are only three instances where the exact situation of each pew is known. In 1802 there were 68 pews on the floor and eight square pews in the galleries.
Feb. 1, 1746/7. John Williams.
May 24, 1747. Katharine Williams.
June 28, 1747. John Salmon.
Aug. 29, 1747. Jeane Linsdey. Nov. 21, 1747. - Mary Manser.
Rebecca Bidford.
Jan. 3, 1747/8. Samuel Williams.
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CHURCH MEMBERS
Jan. 17, 1747/8. Anne Tucker.
Mch. 20, 1747/8. Phillis, negro servant of Mr. Stedman. Sept. 25, 1748. Lydia Gamut. Oct. 22, 1748. - Daniel Sever. Abiel Sever. Nov. 11, 1748. Joseph Bodoono. Feb. 26, 1748/9. - Thomas Cheney. Deborah Cheney. Nov. 5, 1749. Joseph Ruggles. +
June 30, 1750. - Samuel Weld. Ebenezer Pierepont, Jr. John Williams, Jr. Oliver Peabody, Jr., our Pastor.
Feb. 24, 1750/1. John Richards.
Mch. 10, 1750/1. - John Dean. Edward King.
Apr. 28, 1751. - Katharine Ruggles. Mary Smith.
May 5, 1751. Edward Kelton.
July 21, 1751. Obadiah Coolidge.
Aug. 11, 1751. - Dorothy Holbrook. Ann Williams.
Oct. 6, 1751. Thomas Dana.
Jan. 19, 1751/2. Jonathan Sever.
Sept. 12, 1753. Amos Adams, our Pastor.
Sept. 23, 1753. - Jeremiah Mosher. Isabel Mosher, his wife. Oct. 14, 1753. Edmund Weld. Nov. 11, 1753. - Abigail Reves. Abigail Bosson.
Nov. 18, 1753. Joseph Howard.
Dec. 23, 1753. Deacon Stephen Williams, recomd.
Dec. 30, 1753. Sarah Weld.
Jan. 27, 1754. Isaac Gardiner of Brookline, H.C. 1747. June 16, 1754. Mary Shortlief, wife of Henry.
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July 14, 1754. Joseph Williams, Jr.
Sept. 29, 1754. John Hewet.
Oct. 6, 1754. Jonas Meriam, H.C. 1753. Settled over Church in Newton.
Dec. 22, 1754. John Slack.
Feb. 16, 1755. - Elizabeth Williams. Anna Williams.
Apr. 20, 1755. - Anne Pierpont. Mary Pierpont.
June 8, 1755. Hannah Williams.
June 15, 1755. Jane Williams.
June 22, 1755. - William Heath. Prudence Heath.
June 29, 1755. Jeremiah Williams.
Sept. 7, 1755. - Jeremiah Parker. Martha Parker.
Dec. 21, 1755. Sarah Prince.
Dec. 28, 1755. Ann McClure.
Jan. 18, 1756. Eleanor Bosson, wife of John.
Feb. 22, 1756. -
Ebenezer Cheney.
Mary Seaver. Susannah Seaver.
Mch. 21, 1756. - Ebenezer May.
Sarah Duff. Elizabeth Walker.
Apr. 17, 1756. -
Increase Sumner, b. June 9, 1713; d. Nov. 28, 1774; m. Sarah Sharp. Farmer, selectman, Coroner for the County of Suffolk, Father of Governor Increase Sumner.
Job Walker.
April 18, 1756. Fortune, a negro man belonging to Capt. Newell. May 16, 1756. - Margaret Swan. Hannah Whitney. Margaret Sewall.
Dinah, a negro woman belonging to Deacon Crafts. June 13, 1756. -
Sarah Bishop, dismissed to Uxbridge.
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CHURCH MEMBERS
Jonathan Hall, dismissed from Medford Church, and dismissed to Church in Hadley in 1771.
Mercy Hall, dismissed from Medford Church.
July 11, 1756. Mary Seaver.
Aug. 1, 1756. - John Searl. Margret Searl.
Aug. 7, 1756. Abigail Parker.
Sept. 5, 1756. Sarah Prentice.
Sept. 12, 1756. -
William Gridley, see Deacons.
Lydia Gridley.
Keturah, a negro woman belonging to Thos. Seaver.
Oct. 31, 1756. - Mary Grigs. Sarah Doubt.
William Heath, jun., b. Mch. 7, 1737; d. Jan. 24, 1814; m. Sarah Lock- wood. Lived on his ancestral farm settled upon by William Heath in 1632. Capt. and then Col. of the Suffolk Regiment. Commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co. in 1770. Member of the General Assembly. Member of the Committee of Correspondence and Safety, Member of the Provincial Congress 1774-5. On Dec. 8, 1774, he was commissioned provincial brigadier general and was the only general officer on the field at the battle of Lexington, Apr. 19, 1775, and as such directed the pursuit of Earl Percy. Promoted Major General, then Brigadier General and Major General of the Continental Army. Member of the convention of Mass. that adopted the Federal Constitution. State Senator. Probate Judge. Owner of Pew No. 76, Lower Floor, Fifth Meeting House.
Nov. 7, 1756. - Samuel Woods.
Mercy Woods, wife of Samuel.
Dec. 12, 1756. Elizabeth Williams.
Feb. 6, 1757. Sarah Muncrief.
Mch. 20, 1757. James Orr.
April 10, 1757. - Solomon Ayers. Elizabeth Ayers, wife of Solomon.
April 17, 1757. -
John Dinsdill. Abigail Dinsdill, wife of John.
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THE FOURTH MEETING HOUSE
May 1, 1757. - Joseph Weld. Mary Weld. May 22, 1757. Mary Benjamin.
July 31, 1757. -
William Blaney. Ebenezer Davis. Sarah Davis.
Jan. 15, 1758. - Moses Winchester.
Mary Winchester, wife of Moses.
June 11, 1758. - Elizabeth Stevens. Hannah Stevens.
July 9, 1758. William Pierpont.
Oct. 1. 1758. - Mary Bass.
Sarah Gore.
Nov. 26, 1758. -
Samuel Sumner, Jr., see Deacons. Susannah Sumner, wife of Samuel.
Dec. 3, 1758. John Mears.
Dec. 24, 1758. - Joseph Williams. Mary Williams.
Apr. 2, 1759. James Mears.
Oct. 28, 1759. Mary Chamberlayn.
Jan. 13, 1760. Sarah Heath.
Feb. 10, 1760. - Joseph Worsley. Benjamin Pierpont. Feb. 17, 1760. -
Thomas Raymour.
Mary Raymour, wife of Thomas.
Ebenezer Dorr, member of Committee of Correspondence and Safety. Anne Dorr. James How. Ebenezer Pierpont.
Aug. 3, 1760. Jane Foster.
Aug. 31, 1760. Isaac Curtiss.
Oct. 26, 1760. - Anne Curtiss. Thaddeus Partridge.
191
CHURCH MEMBERS
Apr. 12, 1761. Jane Partridge.
June 7, 1761. Thomas Williams.
June 21, 1761. Richard Fox. July 5, 1761. - Sarah Williams. Rebecca Winslow.
Aug. 2, 1761. -
Joseph Payson. Abigail Payson.
Sept. 13, 1761. Aaron Davis, b. Oct. 18, 1735; d. Oct. 12, 1773; m. Susannah Craft. A merchant on Long Wharf, Boston, as well as in Roxbury with his brother Moses Davis. Captain First Train of Artillery. Member Precinct Committee March 27, 1771.
Oct. 4, 1761. William Thompson.
Dec. 13, 1761. Robert Williams.
Dec. 27, 1761. Enoch Hancock.
Jan. 17, 1762. -
Caleb Hayward, dismissed to Milton. Susannah Davis, wife of Aaron.
Mch. 14, 1762. Richard Robinson.
May 29, 1762. Henry Payson.
June 6, 1762. William Patrick.
Sept. 26, 1762. Phillip Searle.
Oct. 3, 1762. Tobias, a negro man belonging to William Williams. Oct. 17, 1762. - Nicholas Seaver.
Mary Seaver. Deborah Searle. Ruth Searle.
Nov. 21, 1762. Ebenezer Williams, H. C. 1760. Taught in the Free Schoole 1761-3. Dismissed from his Pastoral Relation to this church Oct. 20, 1765, and recommended to Falmouth.
April 10, 1763. - Daniel Bugbee jr.
Mary Bugbee.
June 26, 1763. Jonathan Parker, farmer, a member of the Boston Tea Party, & one of those to Secret two cannon belonging to the British Artillery taken from the gun-house on Boston Common.
Oct. 23, 1763. - Thomas Dana. Martha Dana. Nov. 20, 1763. - John Slack. Elizabeth Slack.
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THE FOURTH MEETING HOUSE
Jan. 15, 1764. Stephen Williams.
Feb. 12, 1764. Hannah Woodward.
April 8, 1764. -
Mehitable Shirley. Theoda Williams, wife of Stephen.
Elizabeth Sumner.
May 6, 1764. -
Mary Parker.
Ann Mears. John Bowen. Mehitable Bowen.
Aug. 26, 1764 .-
Daniel Bugbee.
Joseph Williams, b. June 23, 1738; d. Mch. 5, 1822; m. (1) Susannah May, (2) Mercy Davis. Called Captain. Member Precinct Com- mittee Apr. 14, 1783. Owner of Pew No. 26, Lower Floor, Fifth Meeting House.
Susannah Williams, wife of Joseph.
Oct. 7, 1764. Ishmael and Venus, negro servants of Joseph Ruggles.
Oct. 28, 1764. Sarah Fellows.
Nov. 18, 1764. -
Moses Dorr. Eleanor Dorr.
Mch. 10, 1765. Deborah Bosson.
April 7, 1765. William Bugbee.
May 5, 1765. John Brewer.
May 26, 1765. Abijah Seaver.
June 9, 1765. Paul Gore.
Feb. 2, 1766. Daniel Tombes.
Mch. 23, 1766. James Cornish.
Apr. 13, 1766. James Bird.
July 20, 1766. Noah Davis, dismissed to Second Church in Roxbury. July 27, 1766. -
Benjamin May. Mary May.
Aug. 24, 1766. Elizabeth Davis.
Aug. 31, 1766. Andrew Floyd.
Oct. 19, 1766. Elizabeth Johnson.
Nov. 23, 1766. -
Joshua Felton, see Deacons. Mary Thompson.
Dec. 21, 1766. Phillis, negro woman of Capt. John Williams.
Feb. 15, 1767. Eliphalet Downer.
193
CHURCH MEMBERS
Apr. 5, 1767. - Elizabeth Davis. Abigail Davis. Abigail Parker.
May 3, 1767. Brill Johnson.
May 10, 1767. Mary Doyle.
Aug. 30, 1767. Joseph Smith.
Sept. 13, 1767. Benjamin Baker.
Oct. 25, 1767. Joseph Muncrieff.
Dec. 13, 1767. - Sarah Gridley. Martha Gridley.
Susannah Gridley. Feb. 7, 1768. Hannah Pierpont.
Feb. 28, 1768. James Gould.
March 27, 1768. Hannah How.
. Aug. 2, 1768. -
Major Nathaniel Ruggles, son of Capt. Samuel and Martha (Wood- bridge) Ruggles, b. in Roxbury abt. 1748; died there Jan. 14, 1780; m. Martha Williams, known as "Aunt Major." They were the parents of Mrs. Martha Porter, wife of Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D.D. Major of the Suffolk Regiment in 1772. Filled many important public stations. Especially attentive to the wants of the soldiers in Roxbury. His house, cor. Eliot Square and Highland St., was the Headquarters of the army officers during the siege of Boston. Owner of Pew No. 18, Lower Floor, Fifth Meeting House.
Martha Ruggles, wife of Major Nathaniel Ruggles.
Rebecca Ruggles. Aug. 7, 1768. Mary Bosson.
Aug. 28, 1768. - Francis Dana. Robert Champney.
Sept. 18, 1768. Sarah Coolege.
Sept. 25, 1768. Samuel Heath.
Dec. 18, 1768. Richard Rowen. Mch. 5, 1769. - Peleg Heath. Patience Heath. Mch. 23, 1769. Martha Mills. Apr. 2, 1769. John Bowen. Apr. 30, 1769. - John Pierpont. Nathaniel Eaton.
-
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THE FOURTH MEETING HOUSE
July 15, 1769. Hannah Tucker.
July 23, 1769.
Joseph Heath. Martha Dana.
Aug. 20, 1769. -
Increase Sumner, b. Nov. 27, 1746; d. June 7, 1799; m. Elizabeth Hyslop. H. C. 1767. Taught in the Free Schoole 1768-1770. Lawyer. Rep- resentative. Senator for Suffolk County. Elected to Congress in 1782, but declined the position. Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Mass. Governor of the State of Massachusetts. Samuel Cheney, H. C. 1767.
Lydia Coolidge.
Sept. 17, 1769. Mary Felton.
Oct. 8, 1769. -
Thomas Weld.
Abigail Dow.
Deborah Cheney. Abigail Mears.
Catherine Parker.
John Davis Williams, b. Dec. 25, 1739; d. May 26, 1807; m. Hannah Davis. Farmer. The farm he occupied was originally owned by his emigrant ancestor, Robert Williams, and on it originated the Williams Favorite apple. One of a committee of seven to petition Lt. Gov. Hutchinson for removal of troops. Owner of Pew No. 4,. Lower Floor, Fifth Meeting House.
Hannah Williams, w. of John Davis Williams.
John Williams, b. May 27, 1744; d. June 19, 1809; m. Mary Sumner. Merchant. Owner of Pew No. 39, Lower Floor, Fifth Meeting House. Mary Williams, wife of John.
Oct. 8, 1769. - Priscilla Craft.
Sarah Craft.
John Graeton, son of John Graeton, the last landlord of the Greyhound Tavern, and Catherine (Lenton) Graeton, bap. March 10, 1740/1; d. Dec. 16, 1783; m. Sarah Humpreys. A prominent Son of Liberty. Served in the battle of Lexington. Lieut. of the Governor's Guard. Major, Lt. Col. & Col. of Col. Heath's regiment. Afterwards commissioned Brigadier General.
Sarah Graeton, wife of John.
Nov. 12, 1769. - Anne Williams. Mary Smith. Rebecca Champney. Clarissa Kent.
195
CHURCH MEMBERS
Dec. 10, 1769. Mary Hayward.
Feb. 4, 1770. Lemuel May. Mch. 4, 1770. - Joshua Bowen. Joshua Bradley. Sarah Bradley. Mary Gore. Apr. 1, 1770. -
Nathaniel Felton, member of Committee of Correspondence and Safety. Mary Felton .. Apr. 29, 1770. Mary Shed.
Dec. 2, 1770. -
Moses Davis, b. Apr. 29, 1744; d. June 2, 1823 ; m. (1) Hannah Pierpont, (2) Rebecca Sharp. Merchant. A partner of his brother Aaron Davis. A soldier of the Revolution. Member of the Parish Com- mittee Nov. 11, 1793. Owner of Pew No. 66, Lower Floor, Fifth Meeting House. Hannah Williams. Mary Newell. Dec. 16, 1770. Samuel Gore.
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