USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Pittsfield > Pittsfield, Mass., church and other records from manuscripts copied by Rollin Hillyer Cooke, Vol. II > Part 5
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
Vivus Osborn 1 Charles Goodrich) Committee Josiah Bissell 1
Attest Heman Humphrey, Pastor. A Confession.
To the Church of Christ in Pittsfield. Brethren Beloved,
The subscriber a member of your church acknowledges that he has at divers times made too free use of ardent spirits & did on the third day of the present month become intoxicated, a bad example to others especially to the people of the world, who are watching the failings of profession of religion & stumbling at their faults & a plain violation of that covenant engagement entered into with you promising to devote myself to the & to make his word the rules of my practice, recommending our holy religion to others, by presenting in my life an example of justice, temper - ance & godliness. I do now therefore wish to humble myself to the dust before God, against whom I have sinned & done this great P.19-evil,& before whose awful tribunal I must answer for this & every other sin in the great day of judgement. I do therefore implore his forgiveness & beseech him to blot out my transgressions & remember my iniquities no more against me. I do also wish to humble myself in presence of this Congregation & before my Bre th- ren & Sisters in the Church, whose hearts have been grieved for my faults,& I ask their forgiveness
1
69
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG . CHURCH, PITTSFIELD . VOL . 11.
1820
& the forgiveness of all to whom I have given offence by this wickedness. I earnestly hope to be received by my brethren to their christian charity again, desiring that they should pray for me that I may be kept from the evil to come & saved from going down to the nit; for who can dwell forever in devouring fire ? who can dwell in everlasting burnings? May the Lord have mercy & forgive & not forsake us in the decline of life, as I rapidly hasten to the grave, & by his holy spirit guard me while I sojourn here & receive me to dwell in his presence he reafter.
Signed Richard Barnard
Pittsfield April 23,1820.
The above confession having been publicly read on the Lord's day was accepted by vote of the church Attest Heman Humphrey , Pastor .
1821
Feb 14 At a meeting of the church, the following vote was passed . Where as Mr . James Hubbard, a member of this church has for a considerable time past absented himself most ly from our worship & has not communed regularly with the church therefore-Voted that Dea. Crowfoot , Dea. Maynard & Mr. J. Bissell be a Committee to converse with Mr . Hubbard respect ing the cause of his absence & report to the church at the next meeting.
P.20 -
Whereas Mrs . Chapel , wife of Willian Chapel & a member of this church has withdrawn herself from our worship & com- munion & is reported to have expressed a decided prefer- ence for the doctrine & usages of the Methodist per sua- sion, there fore Voted- that Mr. Vivus Osborn & Dea. May nard be a committee to converse with Mrs. Chapel freely on the subject & report to the church at their next meeting.
Attest Heman Humphrey , Pastor .
1821 Mar 2 At a church meeting the committee appointed at the last meeting to at tend to the case of Mrs. Chapel made a ver - bal report in substance as follows, that they had held a free conversation with Mrs. Chapel as directed by the church in their last vote; that she appeared to have ful- ly embraced the Methodist doctrine & expressed to the committee a desire, to be released in some way from one communion; that she might unite herself fully with them, whereupon after a free discussion of the subject Voted; that whereas Mrs. Chapel has for a long time manifested
70
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD . VOL. 11.
1821
an increasing alienation of feelings & principles from us & a growing attachment to the Methodist denomination. Whereas a committee appointed some months ago laboured with her abundant - ly to remove the doubts & difficulties that laboured in her mind, but without effect, & Whereas it appears from the report of the last committee just now given in, that she is desirous of being separate from us on the grounds of a change in her sentiments, & a conscientious dissent from our Articles & forms of worship . Therefore, the Pastor is requested to furnish her with a copy of the Report , which was adopted in the case of Miss Montague (p 17) as entertaining the views of the church & the terms on which they will consent to discharge her from their P.21-future watch and care. The committee appointed to wait on Mr. Hubbard also made a verbal report in substance as follows. That they had attended to the business of their appointment; that Mr. Hubbard plead all health in his family, in part, as the cause of his absence from our worship, said he had no hard feel- ings towards the church, or any of its members but told them, that his dissent from our articles, on the on the subject of baptism had lately been some of a great deal of inquietude to his mind; that he regretted that he had ever united with the church at all; & as he could no longer walk comfortably with us , expressed a wish to be released from his coven ant ,without being recommended to any other church. Mr. Hubbard being present at the meeting assented to this statement by the committee , as correct; & then formally requested the church, if any proper way could be desired, to give him a dismission which would not obligate him to join anywhere else, alledging in effect, that there was no church in this region, with which he could con- scientiously walk in a church state.
In view of the above report & statement the church.
Voted, that Mr. Osborn, Dea . Maynard , Mr. Bissell, Dea. Goodrich & Dea. Crowfoot be a committee together with the Pastor to take the case of Mr. Hubbard into serious consideration & report thereon to the church.
At the same meeting the following preamble & vote were adopted
71
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG . CHURCH, PITTSFIELD. VOL. 11.
1821
Whereas , it appears from information on which we think we can rely that Miss Lucy Montague united herself to Method ist church, Mr. Hubbard was admitted as a Baptist in sentiment, & of course never assented to the articles in our Confession & Covenant which weak of Baptism.
P.22-& whereas she has not complied with the conditions on which the church informed her they would consent to her departure, there- fore
Voted, that Mr.Osborn, Mr. Bissell & Dea. Crowfoot be a committee to converse further with Miss Montague to ascertain whether she understood the terms proposed by the church & labour to persuade her to comply with them; & if she refuses report to the church at the next meeting, what further measure are proper to be taken . Attest -Heman Humphrey, Pastor .
- April 18. At a church meeting the following report was read & accepted , with but one dissenting voice.
The committee which was appointed by the church on the second day of last month to take into consideration the request of Mr. James Hubbard for a dismission fran the church into the world & report thereon as soon as may be convenient ,have taken the request into serious consideration & have as they trust in the fear of God unanimously agreed upon the following Report -
That the request of Mr. Hubbard cannot consistently be granted for these among other reasons , viz;
1. That we can find no authority in the Scriptures for such a dismission. When a member goes from one church of Christ to a- nother he is still under the care & subject to the discipline of the household of faith, so that the particular church with which he at first united may be discharged from her obligations to watch over him; but no church we conveive has a right to dismiss a member into the world; that is to go at large without being in communion with or subject to the authority of any church. "o have directions in the New Testament for cutting off unworthy or con- tumacious members, but none that we can find for dismissing them without censure from church care & government.
72
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD . VOL. 11.
1821
P.23- 2. You committee are of opinion that the church could not deal more unkindly with Mr. Hubbard than by complying with his request. It is an inestimable privilege to be under the watch & care of God's people & are persuaded that in the event of such a dismission as has been applied for Mr. Hubbard himself would one day blame the church & with good reason for their un- faithfulness to him & to the Great Head of the church . 3. Your committee are satisfied that a compliance would tend
greatly to loosen the bonds of Christian fellowship & discipline & open a door for the discontented & such as might incur the just censures of their brethren, which might at some future time put the very existence of the church in jeopardy.
4. After a good deal of inquiry we have not been able to find or hear of a single instance of such a dismission having been granted in the churches of our connection; that, to sum up the case in three words, a compliance would, we believe be at once, unscriptural unprecedented & wholly inexpedient. Signed Vivus Osborn Eli Maynard Josiah Bis sell Commit tee
Charles Goodrich; Daniel Crofoot 1
At test Heman Humphrey, Pastor .
P.24 - Nov . 9 At a meeting of the church, the destitute condition of De a. Maynard's family, now about to remove to the west, being reported to the church.
Voted to give them twenty dollars out of the church funds, now in the hands of J. C. Williams Esq. the treasurer & that he be re- quested to pay over this donation to Mrs . Maynard.
Voted that Dea. Chapman & Mr. Vivus Osborn he a committee to con- fer with the widow Walker relative to her present church stand- ing & report there on as soon as convenient .
Confession of Calvin Kendall.
Of my free & voluntary choice, but with shame & confusion of face, I now present myself before God & this church & Congrega- tion, humbly to confess the aggravated sin of intoxication. It is
73
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG . CHURCH, PITTSFIELD. VOL. 11.
1821
.
already but too well known that sometime in the month of August last , I yielded to temptation in an evil hour, & became so much disguised with strong drink, as to bring great reproach upon my character as a man; but unspeakably more as a professor of re- ligion. I acknowledge my sin, & my transgression is ever before me. I have hereby shamefully dishonoured the Lord Jesus Christ; grieved my Christian Brethren & sisters; & brought an insupported load of guilt upon my own conscience. But though I have so dread - fully fallen, I indulge a trembling hope that I have truly repent - ed, & that God has forgiven me, through the merits of his dear Son. I now humbly ask the forgiveness of this church, which I have so grievously scandalized & beg the prayers of all Cod's people , that he will mercifully keep me from the sin which doth so easily beset me, & enable me to witness the genuiness of my repentance by hereafter abstaining from all appearance of evil,& by a holy, temperate & godly life. Again I implore the divine forgiveness P.25-through the merits of the Redeemer & earnestly pray , that I may never again be left to dishonour his holy name . Signed-Calvin Kendall.
A true copy. Attest Heman Humphrey.
Pittsfield Dec.2,1821
Dec.26 At a meeting of the Church.
Whereas Mrs. Lucy Chapel has not yet complied with the condition of a former vote specifying the conditions on which this church would consent to a dissolution of the church relation now exist- ing between her & them, therefore
Voted, that Rev.H. Humphrey, Vivus Osborn & Josiah Bissell be a committee to consider & report to the Church what further measure ought to be taken in this matter.
Voted, that Josiah Bissell, Vivus Osborn & Jared Ingersoll be a committee to inquire into the reports which are abroad unfavour- able to the moral & christian character of Mr. Daniel Foot ,a mem- ber of this church & as soon as may be convenient make report there on to the church.
Mr. James Hubiard appeared before the church, stated his
74
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD . VOL. 11.
-
1822
conscientious scruples about communing with us on account of our belief & practice with respect to infant baptism & requested that he might be excused from coming to the Lord's table with us for the present .
After consideration on the subject of this request.
Voted to postpone the further consideration of to some future meeting of the Church.
Voted that to facilitate business in the Church , Josiah Bissell Thos. R. Strong with the Pastor be a committee of Overtures for one year. It will be the duty of this committee before or at the opening of each eeting to minute down such articles of business as they or any of the members may have to propose, that P.26-the Church may see what is before them & every thing may be done in an orderly manner.
Voted, that the reports of all committees shall hereafter be made in writing to the Church .
Voted, that Josiah Bissell & Thos . B. Strong be a Committee to pro- vide wood & candles for the Lecture Room & that they be empowered to draw upon the Church Treasurer for the necessary funds.
Attest - Heman Humphrey, Pastor .
Feb. 7 At a meeting of the church, the following report was
presented & accepted, nem con.
Whereas Mrs . Lucy Chapel has at length complied with a vote of this church (See pages 18 & 20) specifying the condition on which we would consent to a dissolution of the covenant relation between hor & this church, by furnishing us with a certificate in words following , viz;
To all whom it may concern.
This may certify that Mrs. Chanel of Hinsdale , former- ly of Pittsfield & a member of Mr. Humphrey's Church is now a regu- lør member of the Method ist Episcopal Church in this plan. David Miller, Minister of the Gospel.
Hinsdale Jan. 28,1822.
Therefore, voted to withdraw our particular watch & care from Mrs. Chapel & it is hereby withdrawn accordingly.
In behalf of the committee. H . Humphrey.
75
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG . CHURCH, PITTSFIELD . VOL. 11.
-
A True copy.
Attest H . Humphre y , Pastor .
At the same meeting the following report was also presented & accepted.
The committee appointed to converse with Mr. Seth Montague on . P.27-the subject of his asking for a dismission from this Church have attended to their duty & now beg leave to make the fol- lowing.
- Report
That as Mr. Montaque declines naming the person who he says has been active in prevent ing his getting his pension & also refuses t: shew any parers, or make any statement of his pecuniary af- fairs to your committee, they have not been able from any infor - mation received from him or in any other way to satisfy them- selves that he has any grounds for the complaints made by him to the church nor are they satisfied of any intentional neglect of Mr. Montague by his brethren in the Church. Your committee there- fore see no good reason at present why Mr. Montague should ask for a dismission from this church or for giving him one. They be- lieve he acts very much under the power of influence & has been led into an error from which we think no labours at present will be likely to reclaim him; but which we hope he may hereafter re- nounce; therefore we recommend that his case rest for the present . Pittsfield Feb.7,1822.
Vivus Osborn Henry C. Brown
Church Com.
A true copy.
Attest H . Humphrey , Pastor.
At the same meeting the following report was also made & accepted Viz;
The Committee appointed by the church on the 26th of Dec. last to inquire into the reports which are in circulation, unfavourable to the moral & religious characters of Brother Daniel Foot ask leave to present the following as their
P.28-
Report ,
That they have attended to the duties of the ir
76
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH . PITTSFIELD. VOL. 11.
1822
Appointment they hope in the fear of God & with a sincere desire to ascertain the truth in every case to which their attention has been directed. It affords them great satisfac- tion to be able to inform the church that their inquiries have resulted in a full belief that Brother Foot is innocent of many things which common report has laid to his charge. To specify in a few particulars.
There is in the opinion of your committee no reason to believe that Brother Foot was concerned either directly or indirectly in taking a certain bag of flour which lelonged to Mir. Josiah Moseley. It does not appear to your committee that brother Foot had any agency or concern, in passing a certain counterfeit Bill of ten dollars to Mr. Zephainah Ross as has been sometimes reported.
With respect to the heaviest of all the charges against Brother Foot of forging a certain certificate or obligatory receipt upon James Lull, your committee have to say taking into view all the circumstances of the case & weighing all the evidence they have been able to find, particularly that of James Lull as stated in a free & full conversation with one of your committee, they can find no good reason to be - lieve that Brother Foot is guilty of the crime charged upon him. But your committee deeply lament that it is not in their power to express the same favour able opinion of Brother Foot in all of those transactions which led to & are connected with a certain suit between him & Mr. Lemuel Pomeroy which was brought before & determined by Joshua Danforth Esq. some P.29-time in the last year your committee have find themselves constrained to say & they do it with great sorrow of heart that as the matters now appear a heavy implication rests upon the moral & religious character of Brother Foot partic- ularly with respect to two certain factory bills so called & his testimony respecting the said factory Bills which your committees conceive , demand immediate investigation of this church, such an investigation according to the rules of the Gospel is in the opinion of your committee, due alike to Broth- er Foot, to the character of this church,
77
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH. PITTSFIELD. VOL. 11.
1822
to the interests of true religion in this place & to the honour of our Divine & adorable Redeemer.
Mr. Osborn agrees with the other members of the com- mittee in every particular except the last charge , which he does not think substantial beyond reasonable doubt; but as he would not wish the church to rest upon his judgment , he concurs in recommending a full investigation of the subject before the church. Josiah Bissell
Pittsfield, Feb.6, 1822.
Vivus Osborn
Jared Ingersoll Jr. Committee
A true copy
Attest H. Humphrey?Pastor .
At the same meeting Mr. Calvin Martin was appointed Scribe of the church for one year & to serve till another should be ap- pointed in his room.
Mr.Sam'l Colt was added to the prudential committee appointed P.30-at the last meeting & said Committee was directed to make out our estimate of the rent of the Lecture room including wood & candles for one year & to endeavour to raise the requisite sum by circulating a subscription among the people.
Attest -H . Humphrey, Pastor.
Feb.26 At a church meeting holden in the Lecture room. Voted-that Mr. Jonathan Allen be Scribe pro tem.
Voted- to set apart the afternoon of the third Wednesday of March most for special prayer, preparatory to the election of three persons to the office of Deacons in this church, & that on the same day, after the prayer meeting we will proceed to the Election by Ballot .
Voted- that Dea. Crowfoot , Mr. Carson & Mr. J. Allen be a committee to ascertain the cost of three new platters for the communion table & report to the church as soon as may be . Voted - that Mr. Vivus Osborn & Dea.Crowfoot be a committee with the Pastor to attend further to the case of Mr. James Hubbard & report a definite proposition to the church for their consideration.
78
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD . VOL. 11.
-
1822
At the same meeting Mr. Josiah Bissell presented a complaint against Er.Daniel Foot.
Voted- that the church will receive the said complaint of Mr. Bissell & take measures for a proper investigation of the sub ject.
Voted- that Josiah Bissell, Vivus Osborn, Jared Inger soll Jr. Joseph Merrick & Calvin Martin be a committee to enquire into & report a statement of facts in the case & to manage the trial on the part of the church.
Voted- that the church will meet at this place on Tuesday the 12th of March next at nine o'clock in the forenoon for the purpose of investigating the charges against Mr. Foot & to hear his defence in the case.
Attest-Heman Humphrey, Pastor .
March 1 Church Meeting.
Citation to Mr.Daniel Foot.
Sir, At a church meeting holden in the Lecture room on the 26th day of Feb . 1822 , Mr. Josiah Bissell, a member of the church exhibited a complaint to you of which the following is a copy. To the Pastor & Church of Christ in Pittsfield. Rev. & Beloved
A common report has for some time , been very unfavourable to the character of Mr. Daniel Foot, a member of this church in regard to an endorsement of his upon two Factory Bills ( so called) which he received from the Brick Factory in this town, in the fall of 1817, & presented soon after to Mr. Lemuel Pomeroy I have thought it my duty as a member of the church to look into the case & if anything appeared to be wrong not to suffer sin upon my Brother. In my investigation of the subject I found that Mr. Foot had made an entry upon the back of the said bills stating that the amounts were endorsed qn a note which he then held against Mr. Pomeroy . Said endor sement bore date 4th Nov. 1817 & I found that in a suit between him & Mr . Pomeroy be- fore Joshua Danforth Esq. he had sworn to these endorsements, but that the Court did not allow it in rendering judgment be- tween the parties. In referring to Mr . Pomeroy's cash book, I found the amount endorsed on the note at that time charged as cash
79
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG . CHURCH, PITTSFIELD . VOL. 11.
1822
delivered to Mr. Foot & the two sd bills were charged by Mr. Pomeroy on his account book. It therefore has appeared to me P.32-that the endor sement on the note had nothing to do with the Factory Bills. It is certain there must be either a mistake or intentional fraud somewhere; & it does appear to me that the endor sement on the Factory Bills by Mr. Foot is wrong. I wish I could stop here & call it a mistake but in view of all the cir - cumstances I cannot at present see how it could have happened without intentional wrong on the part of Mr. Foot .
I have tried to give it a more favourable explanation but have found that I could not . Under the se circumstances I have found myself impelled to the painful duty of taking the steps of the Gospel with Mr. Foot. I called on him alone, but he gave me no satisfactory explanation. I could not gain my Brother. I then took with me Brother Jabez Peck, but still found myself unable to gain any satisfaction in the premises. And I now according to the rule which our Lord has given us, tell it to the church , requesting that such further proceedings may be had as the church may think the case demands for the honour of religion & the glory of Christ "who is over all God blessed forever ." Signed-Josiah Bissell
Pittsfield 26 Feb. 1822
Upon the hearing of this complaint the church conveived it to be their duty to take the subject matter into serious consideration & that they might do it in an orderly manner ap- pointed a committee of five to investigate the ground of con- plaint & to bring the whole subject before the church that they may hear & judge in the premises at a future meeting. This is therefore to cite you in the name of the church to an pear before them at the Lecture room, on the 2nd Tuesday of March inst at nine o'clock A.M. then & there to answer to the sub- ject matter of the complaint & may the Lord lead us to a true & righteous result.
In behalf & by direction of the church. Heman Humphrey, Pastor .
March 12. " The church met at the Lecture room according to adjournment. The meeting was opened with prayer.
80
RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD . VOL . 11.
1822
Jonathan Allen was appointed Scribe pro tem.
The committee were inquired of whether they vere ready to pro - ceed in the case of Mr. Foot. They answered in the affirmative
& that they had appointed Mr. Martin one of their number as prin- cipal manager.
Mr. Foot was asked whether he had received a copy of the com- plaint & citation & he answered in the affirmative .
He was asked whether he was ready for the trial and answered yes. He then requested that the Rev. Ebenezer Jennings, who was present , might be permitted to assist him as counsel & his re- quest was unanimously granted.
Voted- that Doct. Dorrance, Joseph Merrick, Jonth. Allen & Henry C. Brown, be a committee in concert with the Rev. Mr . Humphrey to decide all questions of order & the admission of testimony. Voted that Sam'l D. Colt act as assistant Scribe
Voted - that Jonth . Allen Esq. be appointed to administer all necessary oaths on the trial.
The complaint was read, Mr. Foot pleaded not guilty & put him- self upon the Church for trial.
Mr.Martin then made a general statement of the case & proceed- ed to examine witnesses, books & papers to support the complaint Mr . Foot opened his defence by a counter statement & brought
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.