USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Roxbury > History of the First Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts, 1630-1904 > Part 6
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GEORGE BRAND, baker, was in Roxbury July, 1643. m. Martha Heath. Freeman May 22, 1650.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS, see Ruling Elders, Second Meeting House.
EDWARD WHITE was in Roxbury with his wife in 1643. Freeman May 26, 1647. An original donor of the Free Schoole.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN, joined the church, Feb. 1643/4, and a month later was excommunicated.
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THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE
HENRY FARNHAM, joiner. Freeman May, 1645. Removed to Long Island, New York.
John STEBBIN, bisket baker, was in Roxbury April, 1644. m. Ann Munke. Freeman May 26, 1647. Died Dec. 4, 1681.
ANN STEBBIN, wife of John Stebbin.
GERRARD BOURNE, a member of Boston and living at Muddy River, was here received in 1643 by communion of churches.
DANIEL GOOKIN, was born in Ripple, Kent, in 1612, came with his father to Virginia in 1621 and to Boston in 1644. He was recommended to this church, and lived in Roxbury from 1645 to 1648 when he removed to Cambridge. He was the life long and valued friend of John Eliot, and his fellow worker among the Indians.
ANN DIRETON, a maide servant.
ELIZABETH How, daughter of Abraham How.
ANN BREWER, daughter of Dan: Brewer.
MARY PAISON, wife of Edward Paison.
HANNAH WILSON, wife of Nathaniel Wilson. ELIZABETH CLARK, wife of James Clark.
JOHN STONHARD, was in Roxbury with his wife Aug. 1645. An original donor of the Free Schoole. Buried Aug. 15, 1649.
-, Wife of John Stonhard.
MARY WISE, wife of Joseph Wise.
GOODWIFE FARROW, joined in 1647.
GOODWIFE READE.
MARY HEATH.
MARTHA MEDCALF.
ELIZABETH DAVIS, wife of William Davis.
JOHN TURNER, was in Roxbury Sept., 1647, removed soon, probably to Medfield.
THANKFULL PEAREPOYNT, wife of John Peirpoint.
HANNAH HEATH, daughter of William Heath.
March 1649 Mrs Barker a Gentlewoman that came from Barbados hither for the Gospells sake we found her not so well acquainted wth her own heart & the wayes & workings of Gods spirit in converting a sinner unto God, yet full of sweet affection, & we feared a little too confident, we received her not wth out feares & jealousyes.
GOODWIFE (REBECCA) GARDINER, wife of Peter Gardiner.
GOODWIFE LYON, wife of William Lyon.
GOODWIFE PATCHIN, a poor old woman.
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CHURCH MEMBERS
CHURCH MEMBERS
May 12, 1650. -
Samuel Danforth, recommended and dismissed from Cambridge Church and admitted here, our Pastor.
Mrs. Sarah Alcock, wife of Mr. John Alcock.
Elizabeth Denison, wife of Edward Denison.
Susanna Polly, wife of John Polly.
June 30, 1650. -
Mr. John Alcock, physician.
Hugh Thomas, gave his estate for the good of the Roxbury School. Died May 6, 1683. John Polly.
Oct. 20, 1650. Hugh Roberts.
Nov. 17, 1650. John Perepont. See Ruling Elders, Second Meeting
House.
June 15, 1651. Nicholas Williams.
Nov. 23, 1651. -
William Garee, farmer. See Deacons, Second Meeting House. Isaac Heath.
March 23, 1651/2. Daniel Weld, recommended from Braintree church, was town clerk in 1654 and took so much interest in the schoole, of which he was master, that in 1659 the General Court rewarded him with 200 acres of land. Died July 22, 1666, aged 81.
3 m. 23 d. 1652. Peleg Heath. 4 m. 6 d. 1652. -
Sister Peake.
Sister Devotion.
4 m. 20 d. 1652. -
Joseph Grigs, lived in Muddy River, died in 1715, aged 90.
Lydia Eliot, dau. of Deacon Eliot.
2 m. 3 d. 1653. Abraham Newel, junior, a tailor.
4 m. 26 d. 1653. -
Susanna Heath, wife of Peleg Heath.
Hannah Garee, wife of William Garee.
Magdalen Bullard, a maide servant of Brother Williams, m. John Parrich of Medfield.
John Ruggles, junior, farmer, b. in Nazing, Eng., in 1625, came to Roxbury in 1635 with his uncle John Ruggles. Freeman May 3, 1654. m. Abigail Crafts. Sergeant of the military company. Buried ×
Sept. 15, 1658.
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THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE
11 m. 29 d. 1653.
Thomas Weld, son of Mr. Thomas Weld, sometime Pastor of this church. Selectman. Deputy, 1676 & 7. Greatly esteemed. Margaret Weld, wife of John Welde.
Theodea Williams, wife of Samuel Williams.
3 m. 14 d. 1654. Abraham How, weaver.
3 m. 3 d. 1657. Goodman (Joseph) Griffin, fought in King Philip's war. 5 m. 19 d. 1657. -
Mrs. Rebecca Burrows, who came from Virginia yt she might enjoy God in his Ordin. in N. E.
Elizabeth Clark, wife of Hugh Clark, being dismissed from Watertown Church.
10 m. 20 d. 1657. Mris Huntley, wife of John Huntley.
2 m. 11 d. 1658. John Hanchet.
7 m. 12 d. 1658. Edward Morris, removed to Woodstock.
8 m. 17 d. 1658. John Maioh.
9 m. 14 d. 1658. John Watson.
9 m. 21 d. 1658. Isaac Williams, removed to Newton.
11 m. 23 d. 1658. -
Mary Childe, wife of Benjamin Childe.
Mary Ruggles, wife of John Ruggles, Jr.,
Mary Heath, wife of Isaac Heath, Jr.
Mary Griggs, wife of John Griggs.
Martha Parkes, daughter of Deacon Parkes.
12 m. 13 d. 1658. Samuel Ruggles, farmer, m. (1) Hannah Fowle, (2) Ann Bright; d. Aug. 15, 1692. Lieut. of militia, selectman and Deputy.
3 m. 15 d. 1659. - Samuel Mayes.
Sarah May, wife of John May.
3 m. 22 d. 1659. -
Bridget Davis, wife of Tobijah Davis.
Susanna Newell, wife of Abraham Newell, junior.
Grace Morris, wife of Edw. Morris. Exercise Felton, a maid dismissed from Salem.
7 m. 11 d. 1659. Hugh Clarke, dismissed from Watertown. 12 m. 12 d. 1659. Elizabeth Bowen.
2 m. 29 d. 1660. -
Mrs. Mary Danforth, dismissed from Boston Church. Mrs. Dorothie Welde, dismissed from Lynn. Sarah May, an aged woman, dismissed from Dorchester. Hannah Hopkins, dismissed from Dorchester.
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CHURCH MEMBERS
3 m. 27 d. 1660. John Mayes, junior.
12 m. 3 d. 1660. Isaac Newell.
2 m. 7 d. 1661. - Mary Griffin, wife of bro. Griffin. Elizabeth Brewer, wife of Nathaniel Brewer.
7 m. 22 d. 1661. -
Hannah Ruggles, wife of Samuel Ruggles. Anne Garee, wife of Nathl Garee.
Elizabeth Newell, wife of Isaac Newell.
Mary Watson, wife of John Watson, junior.
Sarah Peak, wife of Jonathan Peak.
Hanna Mayo, wife of John Mayo.
9 m. 24 d. 1661. -
Remember Palfrey, a maid servant, since wife of Peter Aspinwall. Dorcas Watson, dau. of John Watson.
5 m. 6 d. 1662. -
Mrs. Sarah Eliot, wife of Mr. John Eliot, junior.
Elizabeth Speare.
1 m. 22 d. 1662/3. - John Bridge. John More.
2 m. 5 d. 1663. -
Elizabeth Harris, wife of Robert Harris.
Rebecca Craft, wife of John Craft.
Martha Newell, wife of Jacob Newell. Prudence Bridge, wife of John Bridge.
4 m. 7 d. 1663. - Richard Meede.
Alice Davis, wife of William Davis. Hanna Brewer, wife of Daniel Brewer.
2 m. 24 d. 1664. Thomas Woodward, dismissed from Boston.
12 m. 4 d. 1664. Sarah Frissel, wife of James Frissell.
1 m. 5 d. 1664/5. - William Cheany. Robert Hawes.
2 m. 12 d. 1665. -
John Chandler, first sexton, removed to Woodstock in 1686. Jacob Newell.
3 m. 28 d. 1665. -
Mary Tyler, wife of Job Tyler, dismissed to Mendham. Sarah Chamberline, wife of Richard Chamberline. Elizabeth Chandler, wife of John Chandler. Sarah Foster, wife of Thomas Foster.
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THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE
4 m. 18 d. 1665. Thomas Foster.
6 m. 20 d. 1665. -
Edward Bugbey, an old man.
Maria Pierrepoint, wife of Robert Pierrepont.
7 m. 24 d. 1665. John Prentice, son to our sister Watson, brought by his father Valentine to N. E. in 1631. Blacksmith, removed to New London in 1652. Brought 6 of his children more than a hundred miles to be baptised in this church.
9 m. 5 d. 1665. -
William Lyons, fought in King Philip's war.
Samuel Craft, b. Dec. 12, 1637, m. Elizabeth Seaver, d. 1693. Freeman 1671, farmer and carpenter, held offices in the town, of selectman, tithing man and constable. Lieut. in military company.
9 m. 12 d. 1665. Benjamin Eliot, H. C. 1665, youngest son of Rev. John Eliot.
5 m. 1 d. 1666. John Gorton, an old man. Given leave to brew and sell penny beare and cakes and white bread.
5 m. 8 d. 1666. -
Mary Polly, wife of John Polly.
Desire-truth Acrees, wife of John Acrees
5 m. 22 d. 1666. Jacob Newell.
7 m. 23 d. 1666. - - More, wife of John More.
(Martha) Sharp, wife of John Sharp.
Elizabeth Buckmaster, wife of Joseph Buckmaster.
12 m. 1666. Timothy Stevens.
1 m. 24 d. 1666. -
Sarah Stevens, wife of Timothy Stevens.
Mary Marshcraft.
8 m. 20 d. 1667. Elizabeth Parker, wife of John Parker.
11 m. 26 d. 1667. Mary Boltstone.
11 m. 22 d. 1667-8. Elizabeth White, wife of John White, junior.
2 m. 5 d. 1668. Steven Williams, b. Nov. 8, 1640, m. Sarah Wise. Farmer.
Sarah Williams, wife of Steven Williams.
4 m. 28 d. 1668. James Clark, lived at Muddy River.
9 m. 22 d. 1668. -
Moses Craft, gave £2 towards building the Second Meeting House. Removed to Deerfield.
Rebecca Craft, wife of Moses Craft.
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CHURCH MEMBERS
1 m. 21 d. 1668/9. Mary Johnson, wife of Nathaniel Johnson.
3 m. 30 d. 1669. Joanna Davies, grand child of Mr. Nicholas Parker.
6 m. 1 d. 1669. -
Mary Hemingway, wife of John Hemingway.
Joanna Hemingway, wife of Joshua Hemingway.
8 m. 10 d. 1669. -, wife of Thomas Andrews. 12 m. 13 d. 1669. -
Mr. Joseph Dudley, son of Governor Thomas and Dorothy - Dudley, born Sept. 23, 1647, bap. 26, 7 m. 1647. H. C. 1665. Studied law. Admitted to this church to full communion Oct. 22, 1671. Freeman 1672. Deputy to the General Court, 1673 to 1675. An Assistant 1676 to 1685. President of New England 1685 and 1686 by a commission from King James II. President of the Council and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, 1687 to 1689. Chief Justice of New York, 1691 and 1692. Deputy Governor of the Isle of Wight, England, from 1694 to 1702. Member of the British Parliament, and he finally closed his long official career as Governor of Massachu- setts, 1702 to 1715. He promoted the interests of Harvard College and was most influential in giving to its constitution a permanent character. He was also a benefactor of the Free Schoole of Rox- bury. He married Rebecca Tyng, and died in Roxbury, April 2, 1720.
Rebecca Dudley, wife of Mr. Joseph Dudley.
Mary Parker, daughter of Edmund Parker.
12 m. 20 d. 1669. Martha Clark, daughter of James Clark.
2 m. 3 d. 1670. Mary Lamb, wife of Caleb Lamb.
5 m. 17 d. 1670. Hanna White, wife of Joseph White.
7 m. 4 d. 1670. -
Mary Swan, wife of Thomas Swan.
-, dau. of sister Pitcher and wife of - - Bugbee, dismissed from Dorchester.
8 m. 23 d. 1670. Patience Homes, wife of Nathaniel Homes.
10 m. 18 d. 1670. Decline Lamb, alias Smith.
11 m. 8 d. 1670. Deborah Tatman, wife of Jabez Tatman. 12 m. 19 d. 1670. -
Andrew Gardiner.
Sarah Gardiner, wife of Andrew Gardiner.
Sarah Cleaves, wife of William Cleaves.
2 m. 2 d. 1671. Susanna Bennet, wife of John Bennet.
2 m. 23 d. 1671. John Holdbroke, dismissed from Dorchester. Tanner.
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THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE
2 m. 30 d. 1671. -
Elizabeth Whitney, daughter of Robert Harris. Mary Davis, wite of John Davis. Hanna Curtis, wife of Isaac Curtis. Sarah, wife to --- Sabin, dismissed to Rehoboth.
3 m. 11 d. 1671. Tho. Lyons.
5 m. 23 d. 1671. -
Mary Evans, wife of John Evans.
Edward Porter, Ann, his wife, his son William Porter, his daughter, Elizabeth Nash, Hanna Dinely, Mary Bennit & Deborah Porter were all dismissed to the third Church in Boston.
8 m. 29 d. 1671. Mary Goard, wife of Richard Goard.
1 m. 24 d. 1671/2. -
John Lyons.
Abigail Lyons, wife of John Lyons.
John Pason, see Deacons, Second Meeting House.
Bathsheba Pason, wife of John Pason. Rebecca Curtis, wife of John Curtis.
Mary Bacon, wife of Thomas Bacon.
Hanna Seaver, wife of Shubal Seaver.
Abigail Clark, wife of John Clark.
2 m. 20 d. 1673. -
William Davies (Davis), emigrant ancestor. Died Dec. 9, 1683. Born in 1617 of an ancient Welsh fam. m. (1) Elizabeth ---; m. (2) Alice Thorpe; m. (3) Jane - --. John Harris, lived in Muddy River.
Mary Harris, wife of John Harris.
Mary Denison. Hanna Denison.
Sarah Denison.
Experience Pierpoint. Mary Bowles.
2 m. 20 d. 1673. - Abigail Heath. Hanna Heath.
4 m. 8 d. 1673. -
Jane Davies, wife of William Davies.
Esther Woodward, wife of Thomas Woodward.
Mary Bacon, wife of Thomas Bacon. Mary Parkes, a maid.
9 m. 23 d. 1673. Samuel Davis, dismissed to North-Hampton.
-
65
CHURCH MEMBERS
10 m. 21 d. 1673. Samuel Lyons, dismissed to Rowley.
11 m. 4 d. 1673. Nathaniel Brewer.
11 m. 25 d. 1673. Thomas Bacon.
12 m. 8 d. 1673. -
Margaret Mason, daughter of sister Denison.
Sarah Davis, wife of Joseph Davis.
Sarah Pason, daughter of Deacon Pason.
1 m. 8 d. 1673/4. Richard Woody with his sons Samuel & Richard & daughters Mary, Martha & Elizabeth were dismissed to the 3d Church in Boston.
1 m. 29 d. 1674. Joseph White, of Brookline.
2 m. 5 d. 1674. - Shubal Seaver.
Caleb Seaver.
2 m. 12 d. 1674. Mr. George Burrows, was a minister, H. C. 1670, preaching in various places and finally became a victim to the witch- craft fanaticism in 1692.
2 m. 19 d. 1674. Susanna Bennett, dismissed to the hithermost Church in Boston.
3 m. 3 d. 1674. Joanna, wife to Robt Harwood, dismissed to the third Church in Boston.
3 m. 24 d. 1674. -
Nathaniel Seaver, farmer. Killed by the Indians at Sudbury.
Sarah Seaver, wife of Nathaniel Seaver.
Sarah Seaver, wife of Caleb Seaver.
6 m. 30 d. 1674. -
John Winchester, sen., lived in Muddy River.
Hanna Winchester, wife of John Winchester, sen.
John Winchester, jun., lived in Muddy River. Joanna Winchester, wife of John Winchester, jun.
John Druse, removed to Newton.
Mary Druse, wife of John Druse.
,
The Serond Meeting Touse 1674-1741
PASTORS
REV. MR. NEHEMIAH WALTER REV. MR. THOMAS WALTER
TEACHER REV. MR. JOHN ELIOT
RULING ELDERS
JOHN BOWLES JOHN PEIRPOYNT SAMUEL WILLIAMS JOHN BOWLES, JR.
There is no mention of an Elder between 1660 and 1674, but the suppo- sition is there was one or more.
DEACONS
WILLIAM PARKE GILES PAISON WILLIAM GARY SAMUEL SCARBOROUGH JOHN PAISON, SR. JOHN MAYO JOHN MAY JOHN PAISON, JR. EDWARD RUGGLES SAMUEL GRIDLEY
PRECINCT CLERKS
EBENEZER PIERPONT elected Oct. 3, 1733
JOHN SUMNER elected March 12, 1735/6 JOSEPH WILLIAMS elected Feb. 20, 1738/9 67
68
THE SECOND MEETING HOUSE
PRECINCT TREASURERS
JOHN WALLEY elected Oct. 3, 1733
- DEACON EDWARD RUGGLES
elected March 12, 1735/6
JOSEPH WARREN elected March 20, 1737/8
PRECINCT COMMITTEES
or, as expressed on the records, a Committee to Manage the Precinct Affairs. Elected Oct. 3, 1733. EDWARD DORR
JOHN WALLEY CAPT. JOSEPH RUGGLES
Elected March 20, 1733/4 JOHN WALLEY
JOHN SUMNER COL. JOSEPH HEATH
Elected March 12, 1735/6 CAPT. JOSEPH RUGGLES EBENEZER PIERPONT JOHN SUMNER
Elected March 16, 1736/7 JOHN SUMNER
CAPT. JOSEPH RUGGLES ELEAZER WILLIAMS
X
Elected March 12, 1738/9 CAPT. JOSEPH RUGGLES
ELEAZER WILLIAMS COL. JOSEPH HEATH
Elected March 10, 1739/40 COL. JOSEPH HEATH
COL. JOSHUA LAMB JOSEPH WILLIAMS
SEXTONS
WILLIAM CLEAVES chosen in 1669
WIDOW CLEAVES chosen in 1677
WIDOW STEVENS (alias CLEAVES) chosen in 1678
EDMUND PARKER chosen in 1680
JOHN RUGGLES, secundus
chosen in 1690
THE SECOND MEETING HOUSE
APRIL 14, 1674, "the selectmen and the committee met at Sergt. Ruggles's and there toke account of the number of hands that were hired to help rare the nue meeting-house." To its construction the people of Muddy River (Brookline) contributed £104 5s. having no meeting house of their own and worshipped here until the organization of their own place of worship in 1717, one fifth part of the house being allotted to them, they contributing in that proportion £6 4s. towards the town's expenses. The list of contributors is as follows: Thomas Gardner, £10; John White, Jr., £10; Peter Aspinwall, £7; John Sharpe, Jr., £5; Thomas Boistan, £5; Richard Wolford, £1 10s .; Andrew Gardner, £5; Joseph White, £3; Moises Crafts, £2; Clement Corban, £1 10s .; John Evens, 15s .; John Accers, £1 10s .; John Winchester, £3; Robert Harrise, £4; John Harise, £2; Benjamin Child, £2; Denman Meriam, £1; John Clarke, £3; Edward Mills, 10s .; James Clarke, £1 10s .; Edward Devotion, £5; Henry Stevens, £5; John Parker, £1 10s .; Edward Kube, £1 10s .; Goodwife Keebe, 10s .; Mrs. Mather & James Rementon, £7; Thomas Woodward, 10s .; Goodman Winchester, £7; Samuel Dunkim, £1 10s.
They had a Raising and the bill of expenses and provisions was £20 15s. 10d. There was also £9 5s. to hands for etceras. Henry Stevens of Boston contributed £5 towards building this meeting house because some of his family worshipped here. The first meeting in the new house was
69
70
THE SECOND MEETING HOUSE
on November 15, 1674, only four days before the death of Rev. Mr. Danforth, Eliot's colleague. Concerning this event Eliot writes, "we first met and worshipped God in our new meeting house, but the I'd touched or thigh because yesterday my bro Danforth fell sick."
1674, 6 d., 10 m., is the first record of a sabbath school. "This day we restored a primitive practice for ye training up of our youth," and then reciting, "Ist, that the male youth (in fitting season) stey, every sabbath, after morning exercise, and the elders examine their remembrance in every part of the catechism. 2d, that the female youth should also meet in one place and their elders examine their remembrance in the catechism, and whatever else may convene. "
15 d. 10 m. 1674 a fast held at our church to humble ourselves under the mighty & awful hand of God, and to seek his favor and guidance of the church, for the healing of wounds & beautifying God's house, in all things defective or out of order. William Cleaves was the first sexton in charge of this meeting house and served until King Philip's war when he was killed in the Sudbury fight and his widow took his place. She married Stevens within a year and continued the duties until 1680 when she was succeeded by Edmund Parker. She had been paid £3 for Ringing the Bell and sweeping the Metting House.
In 1678 it was agreed that "Scollers not to keep Scoole in the Meeting House without the consent of the town."
In 1680 Edmund Parker as sexton was to have thirty shillings of his three pound payd in money, from which it may be understood that the rest of his pay was in another form.
4 d. 7 m. 1681 sister Cleaves (alias Stevens) was publickly admonished for unseasonable entertaining and corrupting
71
THE SECOND MEETING HOUSE
other folks servants & children and hath corrupted Mr. Lambs neger.
In 1682 it was found necessary to enlarge the seating capacity, which had been in charge of the Elders and Deacons and Selectmen, by building a gallery, and a committee was appointed consisting of John Weld senior, Leftenant Samuel Ruggles and William Gery to joyne with the Selectmen in viewing the work and agreing with some workmen to do it as speedily as may be, provided that our brethren at Muddy River have information of the met'ing about it, and have liberty to send some person to joyne with the above said men in consulting and carrying on the aforesaid work, if they please. Also they were to consult as to the most convenient passage unto the Bell in the inside of the met'ing house and to provide for the same.
15 d. 4 m. 1684. On the admission into the church of several women these did orally confess, etc., & also gave in the substance of their confessions in writg, all which were publickly read yt day, & yei wr received into the full com- munion of the church by yt. gospel a act o renewing theere explicit covenant.
19 d. 9 m. 1685. Towards the end of this year some naughty person made and divulged a libel for which 3 were censured by civil authority. The church take notice of Six, who humbled themselves by publik confession & we have cause to hope yt. the full proceeding of discipline will doe more good yu theire sin hath done hurt.
Dec. 30, 1687, Edmund Parker was granted as usual for ringing the bell, etc., half money £3, but in the following January by reason of the failure of money the town altered the quality of the mony part to countrey pay and added ten shillings to it in the same species; for which (being three pounds and ten shillings in Countrey pay) sd. Parker cove-
72
THE SECOND MEETING HOUSE
nanted to officiated the yeare following. In December of the same year he was allowed thirty-two shillings and six pence income for the same services.
July 8, 1688, the Church voted that out of two persons, viz .: Mr. John Rogers and Mr. Nehemiah Walter, they would make their choice as God should direct for a standing help in the Dispensation of the word of God and in order to office.
July 15 the Church elected by papers and the Voice of God by the Church was for Mr. Walter and Sept. 9 the Church and congregation gave Mr. Nehemiah Walter a call to accept of office.
In the Dorchester records we read that on the 7 of Oct. 1688 was read a letter yt came from ye church at Rocksbery desiering ye church to send ther Elders & messengers to ye ordaining of Mr. Walters on ye 17 Instant the church ap- pointed ye Elders & Deacon Capen & Deacon Preston for yt. work.
Oct. 17, 1688 Rev. Mr. Nehemiah Walter was ordained Pastor by the imposition of hands and prayer.
¿ Judge Samuel Sewall thus speaks of this event in his Diary: "Ride in the Hackney Coach with Governor Brad- street, his lady, Mrs. Willard, Mrs. Mercy Bradstreet, Josiah Willard, to Roxbury to the Ordination of Nehemiah Walter. Mr. Eliot, Allen, Willard, Danforth of Dorchester laid on hands. Mr. Eliot ordained. Mr. Allen gave the Right Hand of Fellowship. Mr. Walter gave the Blessing. Dined at Mr. Dudley's."
In 1689 the old bell being split and so rendered altogether useless or unserviceable in that state, it was voted to procure a new bell and Capt. Samuel Ruggles, Mr. Joshua Lamb, John Gore and Samuel Gore were chosen a committee to act on this matter and to dispose of the old bell toward the purchase thereof.
73
THE SECOND MEETING HOUSE
In 1690, as the congregation was becoming larger, and so making it necessary to enlarge the accommodations, it was granted to Joseph Weld Jun., Abiel Davis, Philip Searle, Joseph Warren, Richard Davis, Thomas Aspinwall, John Walworth and John Sharpe to have the backward seate in the lower front Galery in the Meeting house and liberty to make it according to their own minds, upon their own Cost and charge (not doing any damage to any other Seate), and to Enjoy the same to themselves and such as they shall see good to take in with them. At the same time John Ruggles, Secundus, for his services to the town in looking to the meeting house, was allowed £1.
In 1692 it was agreed that three men should be annually chosen for the seating of persons in the meeting house, one of which three men should be of Muddy River and chosen by the Inhabitants there, the other two to be Inhabitants of Roxbury, and to be annually chosen on the first Monday in March in each year, but this plan was not successful and in 1694 the duty was left to the Church officers and Selectmen of the Town until a better way could be found.
Hitherto the floor of the meeting house had been occupied by seats only, but in 1693 the first mention of pews occurs, when liberty was given to build pues around the meeting house except where the boys do sit, upon the charge of those who desire the same, to have consent of the committee, and this only to be granted to meet persons, for them to enjoy and they and their families to fill the pews or else the committee to do it for them, the use of this grant being to save room and not to lose it, but if any died the pews to return to the town and no one had the right to sell.
The locality of the pews were as follows: Behind Mrs. Denison's seat, and ranging with Mr. Walter's pew, was Palsgrave Alcock's. The remainder of that corner was
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THE SECOND MEETING HOUSE
cut up into two pews, one for Jas. Bailey and one for Capt. Saunders, the one having the innermost to pass through the other. Capt. Timo. Stevens built his next the door at the South end on the right hand, and John Howard between that and the stairs to the women's gallery. Eben Pierpont's was on the right coming in at the front door, and Jos. Gard- ner's between that and the men's gallery stairs. Opposite those was Sam'l Ruggles. On the left of the North door was Edward Dor's and between that and the stairs to the men's gallery was Edward Weld's. John Gore's was by the pulpit stairs.
March 1695/6 it was voted that the upper galleries be lowered and any person might lower the upper gallery who would do it at his own cost.
In 1699 £3 allowed "by a close vote" to build a porch and several young men were given liberty to raise the hind seats in the North gallery at their own cost and charges, also the hind seat in the front gallery.
In 1703 the charge of building the Governor's pue was to be paid by the town and in the same year the turret was to be repaired. It seems that the intention to build pews in 1693/4 was not carried out, and the proposition was again brought up in 1705/6.
In March, 1707/8, two porches were to be built from the £10 18s. contributed for the redemption of certain captives but not improved for that use. Muddy River was to be consulted about it.
In 1706 a considerable number of people who lived in the westerly part of Roxbury commonly called Jamaica End found it inconvenient to attend worship in the First Church and prayed the General Court to be made a separate pre- cinct, to be freed from taxes for the old parish, and for aid in building a meeting house. This was not granted.
75
THE SECOND MEETING HOUSE
On Feb. 7, 1711, they sent an humble address signed by thirty-two men to the Roxbury Town Meeting, with a sincere desire to give Christian satisfaction for any disorderly steps in their late proceedings. Their petition was acceded to so far as to constitute a new precinct. Eighteen members of the First Church were set off to form the Second Church.
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