USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > Origin and annals of "The Old south," First Presbyterian church and parish, in Newburyport, Mass., 1746-1896 > Part 10
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" Blest be the tie that binds "
Every heart responded " Amen," when the Pastor dismissed the great congregation with the hallowed benediction :
" Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting Covenant. make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for- ever. AMEN."
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Appendir A.
THE ALBERT PLUMER MEMORIAL CLOCK.
The clock which had been in the tower since 1785, having by reason of long use become unfit for further service, it was replaced in 1895 by the memo- rial gift of the Plumer family; the following detailed account of which has been prepared by Mr. John T. Brown, the chairman of the General Committee.
The subject of a new clock was brought to the notice of the brother and sisters of Mr. Albert Plumer who deceased October 14. 1894.
They at once came forward, and expressed their wish to place a new clock in the tower, as a tribute of their affectionate regard for the memory of their brother.
The Parish Committee issued a call for a meeting of the Society which was held December 21st, 1894. At this meeting Mr. John T. Brown made some in- troductory remarks, following them by reading the accompanying letter.
169
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
NEWBURYPORT, Dec. 21, 1894.
To the Parish of the First Presbyterian Society :
Representing a family which has long been identified with the membership of this society, it is my privilege in behalf of the brother and three sisters, to express to you their desire to mani- fest their affection for a brother recently deceased, by placing in charge of this society such testimonial as has to them seemed fitting and will also be a public benefit.
Accordingly they have decided to have placed in the tower of the meeting house of this society a large, first-class tower clock. Upon the acceptance of the gift, arrangements will be perfected to place the same in position immediately, and have it commence its work of pealing out the half hours at noon, Jan. ist, 1895.
Accompanying the gift will be a policy of insurance for six hundred dollars on the clock, payment of which has been pro- vided for by the thoughtful hearts of the donors.
The only condition connected with the gift is that the society shall always keep it insured for a sum equal to its present value, and if damaged or destroyed from any cause the proceeds of such insurance shall be used to procure a new clock of similar value, to replace the one so damaged or destroyed.
The inscription on the movement shall always be retained as it is when the clock is placed in position after its acceptance by the Society.
In behalf of the donors Daniel T. Plumer, Misses Jane, Maria and Mehitable T. Plumer, who wish in this manner to express regard for the memory of their brother, the late Albert Plumer, and as their friend, I have the honor to unite with them in ask- ing acceptance of the proposed gift, and continue the well wisher of the First Presbyterian Society of Newburyport.
J. T. BROWN.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
On motion of Mr. JohnW. Winder, it was at once voted to accept this generous gift, and Messrs. J. W. Winder, Joseph H. Noyes and Charles M. Pritchard were chosen a committee to prepare suitable resolu- tions. After a brief conference this committee made the following report, which was unanimously adopted.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY IN NEWBURYPORT.
IN PARISH MEETING DEC. 21, IS94.
Having been advised of the desire of Dr. Daniel T. Plumer, and Misses Jane, Maria and Mehitable T. Plumer to donate to this society in memory of their brother, the late Albert Plumer, long identified with us, a first-class tower clock, we desire to express to them our deep appreciation of the sincere interest which prompted the gift, and of the kind sentiment with which it is tendered to this people.
Voted that this parish accept with pride and gratitude this token of love, and promises to care for it in compliance with the conditions of the generous donors.
Voted that the thanks of this society be extended to them.
That a copy of the letter of gift and of this vote be entered on the Parish records and that a copy of this vote be sent to each of the donors.
On motion of Mr. H. P. Macintosh it was voted that the letter of gift and the above report be published in the daily press.
On motion of C. M. Pritchard it was voted that Messrs. J. T. Brown and C. T. Smith act as a committee to attend to the placing of the clock in position in the church tower.
I 7 1
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
In accordance with the wish of the donors and the vote of the parish Messrs. Brown and Smith procured a first-class tower clock with hour and half hour striking attachments, which was put in position in the tower of the meeting house. The following ac- count of the starting of the clock is taken from the Newburyport Herald of January Ist and 2d, 1895.
The new clock in the Old South meeting-house, given by the Misses Plumer and their brother of Newbury, as a memorial trib- ute to their brother, the late Albert Plumer, has been placed in position, and will be started at 12 o'clock this New Year's day.
As a tribute of respect to the memory of him whom the gift is especially intended to commemorate, the parish committee of the First Presbyterian Society have directed that the bell be tolled, commencing about 11 o'clock, SI strokes, Mr. Plumer's age.
After the clock has struck the hour of noon, the committee have also arranged to have the bell rung for 15 minutes, ex- pressive of their joy and gratitude to the givers of the clock.
IT SOUNDS OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME AT NOON, NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Under the most pleasant circumstances was the working of the new tower clock at the Old South inaugurated with the noon of the New Year. After the bell had tolled its tribute to Mr. Albert Plumer, Dr. Daniel T. Plumer and his daughters, Misses Laura J. and Maria S., brother and nieces of the donors, ascended into the belfry where the clock has been placed. At 11.55 the doctor started the pendulum and at 12 o'clock the bell pealed forth the hour of noon. There were many persons present around the meeting house to hear and see the inauguration into
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
service, among them Rev. Dr. Hovey, Rev. John W. Dodge and daughter, Collector Macintosh, Capt. Oliver (. Jones, several members of the session of the church, and others, includ- ing many ladies.
Thus is added another tribute to those who have been called from this sacred, historical meeting-house : the monumental marble of the early pastor, and Whitefield, the great preacher. The curfew speaks of a beloved wife, and now " the Plumer clock " will twice every hour proclaim the affection of a brother and sisters for a brother.
B.
Sundry bequests have been made by benevolent persons, and are gratefully mentioned. The largest of these is the Emery Fund, left by Miss Sarah M. Emery for the support of a city missionary of the orthodox faith ; it is managed by five trustees who make an annual report to the parish.
Legacies have been received from Mrs. Eliza A. Hart, widow of David Hart. and Mrs. Elizabeth A. Boardman, widow of Hon. Isaac H. Boardman, for the support of public worship. Mrs. Ellen T. Brown, wife of John T. Brown, Esq., left a fund to help defray parsonage expenses. Miss Phoebe Harrod, who died at the age of 101 years, left a fund to be managed by the session for church purposes.
Such loving thoughtfulness is to be commended, that thus seeks to sustain and perpetuate a venerable and historic organi- zation ; and the example set is worthy of imitation by those stew- ards of the Lord into whose hands he has entrusted wealth.
25
173
THUIS CENOTAFH
GEORGE WAFFEFIELD
Jogater! at 1) - forsl ('niveasil it dame;) 17
reputation ble ut hemasen oratar dışarı
maple treeton of the gospel lis nonest.
to pavostal on the heart of has heavy-
I. din't of who Saper. Str. 1:30
WHITEFIELD CENOTAPH IN THE OLD SOUTH.
HISTORICAL AFTERMATH,
BY REV. HORACE C. HOVEY, D. D.,
PASTOR OF THE CHURCH.
Fertile meadows, thoroughly mown, often reward the thrifty farmer by an "aftermath," or second mowing, that is well worth garnering. Thus it is with our anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church. Musty records, torn old pamphlets. faded manuscripts and worn clippings from newspapers have come forth from their hiding-places, besides those already examined ; and aged men and women have related their merry, or grave, reminiscences. The accumulation seems to our Committee on Pub- lication worthy of preservation as a supplement to this volume. Yielding to their request, the pastor has done the work of a compiler, with the valuable aid of the members of the committee, as well as that of
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HISTORICAL AFTERMATH
the officers of the Church and the Parish. The topics are introduced with no special regard to their logi- cal or chronological order.
ACTS OF INCORPORATION.
The land on which the meeting-house stands was originally sold by Deacon Parker Noyes to Joshua Beck, for whom Beck street is named. He in turn conveyed it to "a committee of the proprietors of the meeting-house that is to be built." Originally the business of the congregation was done by these "proprietors." The first general meeting of the so-
ciety was called for August 2d, 1765. The records
show that the parish was incorporated under a gen- eral act of the Legislature in 1794. When building improvements were made in 1829, one condition was that "the Proprietors should sell all of their right and title to the Society." Afterward the pews were sold again at auction, Capt. Charles W. Storey bidding the highest premium and choosing pew number 12, which was occupied by himself and his family for sixty years. The individual ownership of many of the pews continues to this day; and an annual meet- ing must be held of the proprietors, as well as of the parish, in order to the legal transaction of business,
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
although the officers of the one body are the officers of the other body also. Committees were appointed to examine the laws of the State relating to our affairs in 1752. 1770, 1794. 1817. 1833 and 1834.
In order to get exact information, the chairman of our Committee on Publication recently wrote to the Secretary of State, and obtained the following reply:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY. OCTOBER 21, 1896. 1 Mr. John W. Winder.
DEAR SIR :- The First Presbyterian Society of Newbury- port was not incorporated by a separate Act, nor was it in- corporated under the above name. Chapter 44, of 1793, en- titled "An Act for incorporating the several religious socie- ties in Newburyport, in the County of Essex," approved February 22. 1794, incorporated "the Presbyterian Society in Newburyport," with several other societies, under one general Act. The full text of the Act can be found in the published volumes of Laws and Resolves of Massachusetts.
Yours respectfully,
WILLIAM M. OLIN, Secretary of State.
The experiences of the fathers convinced them that. although there had always been a good degree of harmony between the church and the parish, the former. as well as the latter, ought to be made a cor- porate body. Hence we give the following extract from our church records:
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HISTORICAL AFTERMATH
"May 1, 1815. " The Church met in the chapel and voted to accept the report of their committee who were chosen in Decem- ber, 1813," viz. Benjamin Wyatt. James Kimball and Joseph Moody. " which committee recommended that the Church be- come an incorporated body, that they may legally hold or dispose of real estate." "Voted to appoint a committee of three for this purpose. Voted that Rev. Daniel Dana, James Kimball and Benjamin Wyatt be this committee."
"August 26, 1815. Voted, to accept the report of the com- mittee appointed May 1, 1815, to apply to the Legislature for an act of incorporation ; a copy of which Act the committee had obtained, and presented to the Session for their acceptance. Also voted to accept the Act of Incorporation, in the name of the pastor, deacons and elders of the First Presbyterian Church in Newburyport."
A COPY OF THE ACT OF INCORPORATION.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In the year of our Lord. One Thousand. Eight Hundred and Fifteen. An Act to incorporate the pastor, deacons and elders of the First Presbyterian Church in Newburyport.
SEC. I. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the pastor, deacons and elders of the First Pres- byterian Church in Newburyport, and their successors in office, be, and they hereby are, incorporated, and made a body politic and corporate, by the name of the pastor, deacons and elders of the First Presbyterian Church in Newburyport.
SEC. II. Be it further enacted, that said pastor, deacons and eld- ers may have and use a common seal, and the same may break, alter and renew at pleasure, shall be capable of suing, or being sued, in any action, real, personal and mixed, in any court proper to
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
try the same ; shall and may take and hold in fee simple, or otherwise, by gift, grant, or devise, any estate, real or personal, the aggregate annual income of which shall not exceed two thousand dollars, and may sell and dispose thereof at pleasure.
In the House of Representatives, June 14, 1815. The bill, having had three several readings, passed to be enacted.
TIMOTHY BIGLOW, Speaker.
In Senate, June 14, 1815. This bill having had two several readings, passed to be enacted.
JOHN PHILLIPS, President. June 14, 1815.
Approved, CALEB STRONG.
Secretary's office, August 3, 1815. A true copy,
Attest, ALDEN BRADFORD, Secretary of Commonwealth.
OFFICIAL RECORD.
From the organization of the Church to the present time there have been fourteen ministers, thirteen of whom were installed pastors; nineteen founders: one hundred ruling elders; ten deacons; eleven church clerks; eight church treasurers: sixty-four committee-men; eighteen parish clerks; seventeen parish treasurers and twenty-nine parish collectors.
MINISTERS.
Joseph Adams ( stated preacher) . 1742-1745 Jonathan Parsons, pastor 1746-1776
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HISTORICAL AFTERMATH
John Murray, pastor
1781-1793
Daniel Dana, pastor
1794-1820
Samuel P. Williams. pastor
IS21-IS26
John Proudfit, pastor . IS27-1833
Jonathan F. Stearns, pastor 1835-1849
Ashbel G. Vermilye, pastor
1850-1863
Richard H. Richardson, pastor
IS64-1868
Charles S. Durfee, pastor 1869-1872
William W. Newell, Jr., pastor 1874-ISSO
Charles C. Wallace, pastor
ISSI-ISSS
Brevard D. Sinclair, pastor
. 1889-1892
Horace C. Hovey, pastor .
1893-
ELDERS.
Thomas Pike.
William Moulton,
Benjamin Knight,
Jonathan Knight,
Moses Bradstreet,
William Allen,
Jonathan Plumer,
Nehemiah Haskell,
John Brown.
Henry Titcomb,
Enoch Sawyer,
Joseph Chase.
Samuel Toppan,
Benjamin Moody,
Richard Toppan,
Benjamin Lunt,
Philip Coombs,
Jeremiah Pearson,
Ralph Cross,
Daniel Wells.
Enoch Titcomb, Jr.
Henry Sleeper,
John Morss,
Moses Atkinson,
Stephen Sewall,
Joseph Huse,
Ebenezer Little,
Caleb Haskell,
Daniel Noyes,
Jonathan Greenleaf,
Timothy Morss,
James Jewett,
Nathan Pierce, John Berry,
Nathaniel Tenney, Jacob Knight,
Isaac Johnson,
Edward Harris,
Daniel Plumer,
Benjamin Greenleaf, Josiah Titcomb,
Abraham Noyes,
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
ELDERS.
Jonathan Parsons, Joshua Pilsbury,
George Donnell, James Caldwell,
Edmund Davis.
Nathan Crosby,
Solomon Pearson,
Whittingham Gilman.
Matthew Perkins,
Moses Pettingell,
Jacob Boardman,
Samuel Todd, Rufus Smith.
John O'Brien.
Nathan Plumer,
Jonathan Morss,
William Pritchard,
William Coombs,
Ebenezer Rolfe.
Silas Parker,
Edward W. Lunt.
Jonathan Call,
George W. Campbell,
Jonathan Beck,
Joseph B. Creasey,
Benjamim Wyatt,
George L. Rogers.
James Kimball.
James M. Woods.
Paul Titcomb,
Jesse Hattle. John D. Parsons,
Thomas M. Clark,
Joshna Hills,
Edmund Jaques,
Abraham Wheelwright, John Wills, Jr., Joseph Currier,
Ebenezer Smith,
Joseph Knapp.
William Todd,
Edward Woodbury,
Robert E. Robertson.
Ezra Lunt, Paul Simpson,
Charles M. Pritchard,
Daniel Bartlett,
Oliver O. Jones,
Joseph Morss,
Enoch Cross,
Joseph Moody,
Alvah W. Leavitt, John M. Bailey, George HI. Jaques.
Joseph Morss, Enoch Cross, Ezra Lunt, Thomas M. Clark, James Caldwell,
DEACONS.
William Pritchard. Ebenezer Rolfe, James M. Woods, Edmund Jaques. John D. Parsons.
ISO
John T. Brown,
Dudley D. Tilton,
William Binley,
Samuel Noyes,
HISTORICAL AFTERMATH
CHURCH CLERKS.
John Brown,
James Caldwell,
Edward Harris,
George W. Campbell,
Joseph Huse, Stephen Sewall,
Edward W. Lunt,
Edmund Jaques.
Joseph Moody,
William Binley.
Whittingham Gilman,
CHURCH TREASURERS. (From 1785 to 1896.)
Enoch Titcomb,
William Pritchard.
Edmund Sawyer,
Joseph B. Creasey,
Joseph Moody, James Caldwell,
Ebenezer Rolfe,
Alvah W. Leavitt.
The following persons have served as officers of the proprietors and the parish, mentioning only the committee-men, the clerks, the treasurers and the collectors :
COMMITTEE-MEN.
Henry Titcomb,
Joshua Coffin,
James Jewett,
Enoch Titcomb,
Jeremiah Pearson,
David Hemphill,
Stephen Cross,
Robert Bayley,
Nathan Pierce,
Joseph Noyes,
Edward Harris,
Silas Noyes, Robert Long,
James Horton, Abel Greenleaf,
John O'Brien,
Abraham Noyes. Richard Toppan, Joseph Huse,
Abner Greenleaf, Samuel Bayley, Moses Hoyt,
ISI
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
COMMITTEE-MEN.
Joseph Stanwood,
Isaac HI. Boardman,
Jonathan Stickney.
Rufus Smith,
Benjamin Wyatt, Jonathan Call,
Henry Cook,
William Boardman,
George L. Rogers,
Paul Titcomb,
D. J. Adams,
Moses Kent,
Paul G. Lunt.
John Harrod,
Benjamin P. Dow,
Daniel Swett,
P. H. Blumpey,
Ebenezer Steadman.
Eben P. Goodwin,
Stephen Tilton,
Thomas C. Simpson,
Whittingham Gilman,
James M. Woods, John W. Winder,
John Moody,
John D. Parsons,
Moses Pettingell,
John T. Brown,
George Greenleaf,
Ebenezer Smith,
John N. Cushing, Paul Simpson.
John .1. Greely,
Roger S. Howard,
Oliver O. Jones,
William Graves,
Charles T. Smith.
Ezra Lunt,
David Foss.
PARISH CLERKS.
Jacob Boardman.
John Moody, William Pritchard.
Robert Long,
David Coffin.
John Coombs,
Samuel Tenney,
Joseph Tappan,
William Currier. Moses Kimball,
Aaron B. Adams,
William Work.
William Todd,
Nathaniel Coffin,
William H. Bayley,
Stephen Tilton,
Alvah W. Leavitt,
I S 2
James Caldwell.
William Todd,
George W. Campbell.
Benjamin Harrod,
HISTORICAL AFTERMATH
PARISHI TREASURERS.
Jonathan Greenleaf,
William Pritchard,
Joseph Moulton,
Joseph Morse,
Enoch Toppan,
James M. Currier,
Robert Long,
George W. Haskell,
Enoch Titcomb,
Edward W. Lunt,
Richard Pike,
Aaron B. Adams,
Joseph Moody,
Thomas C. Simpson,
Aaron Pardee,
Prentiss H. Reed.
Paul Simpson,
COLLECTORS.
Berkley Emerson,
Joseph Noyes,
Cabot Toppan,
Timothy Palmer,
William Ingalls,
William Boardman,
Samuel Noyes,
Jonathan Beck,
Moses Rogers,
John Moody,
Amos Knight,
Paul Simpson,
Nicholas Pettingell,
William Pritchard,
Jonathan Morss,
Joseph Morse,
Josiah Plumer,
James M. Currier,
Joshua Coffin,
George W. Haskell,
Abraham Adams,
George L. Rogers,
John Knapp,
Charles C. Donnell,
Nehemiah Ilaskell,
Samuel Brookings, Jr.,
Moody Davis,
Charles M. Pritchard.
William P. Lunt,
THE FOUNDERS.
Charles Pierce, Benjamin Pierce, Jonathan Plumer, Moses Bradstreet,
Daniel Noyes, Daniel Goodwin,
Edward Priesby, Major Goodwin, Sylvanus Plumer, Nathaniel Atkinson, John Brown, Thomas Pike,
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
THE FOUNDERS.
Samuel Hale. Richard Hale. Daniel Wells. Cutting Pettingell,
Benjamin Knight, Joseph Hidden, William Brown.
Early accessions were received to the number pledging their support to the Rev. Jonathan Parsons. so that the list of subscribers to his call from Lyme. to take the pastoral charge of this church, included one hundred and two names.
ITEMS FROM OLD ACCOUNTS.
The books kept by our first church treasurer. Enoch Titcomb, from 1785 to 1795. were marked by his name, and remained in his family for a century, having just come into our possession through the gift of his descendant Mr. Alfred W. Lord. They contain an account of contributions and beneficiaries. the latter being classified as old men, married women. widows. old maids and negroes. Special gifts were also made, as for missions among the Indians, for sufferers from the great fire in Boston, or for some "burser in Dartmouth Collidge." After one of Par- son Murray's charity sermons the offering included I Johannes. 2 pistoles, I moidore. 4 crowns. 13 dollars.
IS4
HISTORICAL AFTERMATH
60 dollars in small change, besides coppers and half coppers. "Alexander the coppersmith did much harm" in those days. as appears from the record of 226 half-pence being taken. Guineas, pistareens. etc., are mentioned, and now and then some one would be credited with a gold ring, or other trinket. "Other silver." meaning what was worn or clipped, would be given by weight in ounces, pennyweights and grains. But all values of every kind are faithfully reduced to pounds; shillings and pence. Two palls, to be used on funeral occasions, were purchased at a total cost of 18 pounds, the cost of the child's pall being met by the fees charged for that used for adults. the regular fee for using it a single time being seventy- five cents. They were made by Ruth and Hannah Bradbury. The materials specified were : silk velvet. cotton velvet, black taffety, tammy, ribbons, silk. tassels and corks, silk knee garters, and a bag in which to keep the palls when not in use.
It is stated that " Ralph Cross furnished the sacra- mental utensils from his private dwelling till the society was able to procure them elsewhere by pur- chase." The inscription on the oldest flagon states that it was presented to the church in 1799, by Mr. Samuel Tufts, and was "there to remain forever."
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The only recorded inventory of the church plate is by Mr. Joseph Moody when he was the treasurer: " Purchased, in July 1818, 2 flagons, 2 tankards, 8 cups and two plates. Purchased, in June 1832. I flagon, 2 plates and 4 cups." The baptismal basin was given by Mrs. Wheelwright. The cost of plate purchased was $556, and the estimated value of the entire service, by purchase and gift, is $800.
ECCLESIASTICAL RELATIONS.
We learn that ours was one of the twelve churches that, in 1775, made up the old Presbytery of Boston : which was then amicably divided into three presby- teries, namely, those of Londonderry, Salem, (also known as the Eastern ), and Palmer. (also called the Western) ; and these three were again combined into what was styled "the Synod of New England," that held its first meeting at Londonderry, N. HI .. Sep- tember 4. 1776. The "Eastern" should not be con- founded with the "Eastward" Presbytery, with which on Mr. Murray's account, Mr. Parsons and this church were atferward connected. and which never joined the Synod of New England. During the great schism between Old and New School, the Presbytery of Newburyport, assembled in our chapel.
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IS6
HISTORICAL AFTERMATH
November 14, 1838. passed resolutions declaring its perplexity as to the controversy, and said: "Being unable to act with satisfaction, and with a clear con- science, we solemnly assert the right of not acting at all." Apprehending that censure might follow this bold step, the body stood ready "solemnly to appeal to that higher tribunal at which all erroneous judg- ments of the Church itself will be reviewed and re- versed." The commissioner sided with the New School Assembly. The Presbytery, after standing alone for several years, until indeed, according to Dr. Stearns, our church was "the only one in this state connected with any presbytery," was re-united. in 1847, with the Old School Presbytery of London- derry.
In October, 1814, our church defrayed the entire expenses of the Synod of Albany, when it met in Newburyport.
SCHEME FOR TWO MEETING-HOUSES.
In a letter written by Rev. Jonathan Parsons to Rev. James Sproat, October 26, 1767, the former mentions with approval a plan for building a second meeting-house, equal to the one on Federal street, to be located in old Newbury, to be supported by taxa- tion of pews, polls and estates, on condition that
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Messrs. Parsons and Sproat "be esteemed as minis- ters equally belonging to both houses," and that "the whole body be one particular church, governed as Mr. Parsons' has been heretofore," "the elders being chosen by the whole body." This new meeting- house was erected and boarded in, opposite the Con- gregational meeting-house as it then stood in New- bury, but it was blown down in a violent storm, Feb- ruary, 1771. The journal kept by Mr. Parsons shows that the ecclesiastical matters of the two towns were seriously discordant at about the time of the above plan, which was thus frustrated by Providence.
THE OLD SOUTH CRYPT.
The original tomb in which the bodies of White- field. Parsons and Prince were buried, was built in 1770, and was located in front of the pulpit. as it then stood on the North-east side of the house, and the entrance was by a trap-door in the broad aisle. When the meeting-house was remodeled in 1829. the remains were removed to their present resting place. Messrs. Isaac Johnson and John Moody were appointed to see to their safe removal. Mr. Moody made new mahogany coffins for them; and Mr. Johnson lettered the names on the inside of the lids,
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