Records of the Church of Christ at Cambridge in New England, 1632-1830, comprising the ministerial records of baptisms, marriages, deaths, admission to covenant and communion, dismissals and church proceedings, Part 22

Author: First Church (Cambridge, Mass.); Sharples, Stephen Paschall, 1842-1923
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Boston : E. Putnam
Number of Pages: 602


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > Records of the Church of Christ at Cambridge in New England, 1632-1830, comprising the ministerial records of baptisms, marriages, deaths, admission to covenant and communion, dismissals and church proceedings > Part 22


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).


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$1973.93


The Committee are of opinion and recommend that th private Securities, now exprefsed in the late denomina- tion, should be exchanged for others in that of federal money; and that no Security be taken without a surety or collateral security.


Two thirds of the interest of the foregoing Securities is to be paid by the Deacons to the Treafurer of the first Parish in Cambridge on the first day of April 1806, and will amount to $70. pursuant to a vote of the Chh. pafsed June 18, 1773.


The above we find to be the true state of the [un]appro- priated Church fund in the hands of the Deacons on the 30th of June 1805.


The Committee then proceeded to enquire into the state of the Fund appropriated to the ufe of the Poor, of said Church; and found the Deacons Dr.


1805


June 29, To sundry securities for monies at interest June 30, 1804, 313.45


To interest received & due to June 30, 1805 26.67


To balance in the hands of the Deacons June 30, 1804 36. 4


Due from the Church funds do 4.80


$380.96


357


Records of the First Church in Cambridge


(50)


Supra Cr.


1805


June 29 By James Munro & al. note March 1,1804 21.72 Moses Coolidge & al. bond May 6, 1797 125.


Jonas Wyeth jun. note Nov. 22, 1793 6.73 John Walton Esq. & al. bond July 17, 1799. 80.


William Watson & al. bond March 29, 1803 80.


Aaron Parker & al. note Aug. 12, 1804 30. 343.45


By Interest due on the above securities from the 1st of March to June 30, 1805 16.67


By Cash distributed 12.


Balance in the hands of the Deacons 8.84


$380.96


This appears to the Committee to be the true state of the above Fund on the 30th of June 1805.


Caleb Gannett - Committee


James Winthrop


Cambridge June29, 1805 T. L. Jennison


Cambridge June 29, 1805. We the Deacons of the first Church in Cambridge have attended the examina- tion of the Committee into the state of the Church funds under our care, and are satisfied with the foregoing report, as it respects both the appropriated and unap- propriated Funds, and do hereby declare our agreement thereto.


John Walton Josiah Moore William Hilliard"


Voted That this report be accepted. Voted, That brothers Caleb Gannett, James Winthrop, and Timothy L. Jennison, be a Committee to inquire into the state of the Church Stock the ensuing year.


358


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


(51)


1806. 1806


Augt. 5. At a meeting of the Church, duly notified, the Com- mittee for enquiring into the state of the Church Funds made the following REPORT.


"The Committee appointed to enquire into the state of Church stock have attended that service, and report the following Statement.


1806


June 30. The Deacons of the first Church in Cambridge Dr To Balance in their hands Pr report June 29, 1805 33.42 To amount of private Securities for monies by


them put at interest at 6 Pr cent June 30, 1805. 1521.27


To interest received & due on'do to July 1, 1806 125.34


To contribution money at Communion 49.46


To Proceeds of the public Securities, sold 217.89


1947.38


Supra


Cr


1806


June 30. By Seth Hastings bond & mortgage June 1, 1788 101.31 Nathan & William Watson's bond March 16, 1792 233.33


Jonathan Stone & al. do. March 1, 1800 100.


Nath1 P. Watson & al. note June 24, 1795 34.59


Edward [Walker] & al. bond April 24, 1800 50.


Nathan Watson jun. & al. note Aug. 17, 1801. 100.


Do do Feb. 11, 1802 50.


Israel Shattuck & al. bond


July 19, 1802


60.


William Watson & al. note March 1, 1804 215.


Do bond March 29, 1803


380.


Do note June 18, 1805 100.


James Munro & al. note


Jany 1, 1806 107.73


William Watson & al. note July 1, 1805


250.


1781.96


By Interest on the following Securities, viz On Nathan & Wm Watson's bond from March 1, 1806 4.67


359


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


Seth Hastings bond from do 2. 3 Jona Stone & al. bond from March 1, 1805 8.


(52)


Nath! P. Watson & al. bond fr. June 24, 1800 4 Edward Walker & al. bond fr March 1, 1806 1.


Nathan Watson jun & al. 2 notes fr.


March 1. 1805, 12.


Israel Shattuck & al. bond fr. March 1, 1806 1.20


Wm Watson & al. 4 bonds & notes


from do. 18.90


James Munro & al. note from do. 3.23 51.7


By Cash paid the Pairsh Treafurer } intt of the fund [} intt] 70.


By expences of Communion from June 30, 1805


25.50


By expence & trouble in negotiating the fund 10.


By Cash paid for a Demijohn


1.50


Balance in the hands of the Deacons 7.35


$1947.38


The Committee are of opinion and recommend the Securi- ties now exprefsed in the late denomination, excepting such as are accompanied by mortgage of real Estate should be exchanged for others in that of federal money ; and that no Security be taken without a Surety or col- lateral Security.


The Committee further recommend, that in cafes where an individual person is indebted on different Securities, those Securities be united in one with sufficient Sureties or accompanied with a mortgage of real estate of at least double the value of the debt.


Two thirds of the Interest of the foregoing Securities is to be paid by the Deacons to the Treafurer of the first Parifh in Cambridge on the first day of April 1807, and will amount to seventy one dollars and twenty eight cents, purfuant to a vote of the Church pafsed June, 18 1773.


360


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


The above we find to be the true state of the unappro- priated Church fund in the hands of the Deacons on the 30th of June 1806.


(53)


The Committee proceeded to enquire into the state of the Fund appropriated to the ufe of the Poor of said Church, and found the Deacons Dr


1806


June 30. To Sundry Securities for monies at intt June 30, 1805 343.45


To Interest received & due to July 1, 1806 37.35


To Balance in their hands June 30, 1805 8.84


To compound interest paid by Moses Coolidge


.35


$389.99


Surpa Cr.


1806


June 30. By James Munro & al. note March 1, 1806 By Moses Coolidge & al. bond May 6, 1797. 125.


24.10


By John Walton & al. bond, July 17, 1799. 80.


By Jonas Wyeth jun. note Nov. 22, 1793 6.73


By Aaron Parker & al. note Aug. 12, 1804 30.


By William Watson & al. bond March 29, 1803 80.


345.83


By interest due on the above Securities


to June, 1806 7.15


By Cash distributed


10.


Balance in the hands of the Deacons 27 1


$389.99


This appears to the Committee to be a true state of the above Fund on the 30th of June 1806


Caleb Gannett


Cambridge June 30, 1806 James Winthrop Committee T. L. Jennison.


Cambridge June 30, 1806. We the Deacons of the first Church in Cambridge have attended the examina- tion of the Committee into the state of the Church funds under the care and are satisfied with the foregoing Re-


361


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


port, as it respects both the appropriated and unappro- priated Funds; and do hereby declare our agreement thereto.


John Walton Josiah Moore William Hilliard."


Voted, That this Report be accepted. Voted, That brothers Caleb Gannett, James Winthrop, & T. L. Jennifon be a Committee to inquire into the state of the Church stock, the enfuing year.


(54)


1806


Jany 3. At a meeting of the Church, the following Report, on the subject of a Church Library, was read:


" The Committee, appointed by the first Church in Cambridge Nov. 1, 1805 to promote the eftablifhment of a Church Library, and to report Regulations concern- ing the same, offer the following Report:


That several persons have contributed Books while others have given money, to aid the design. Their Liberality has been such, as to infure the books contained in the list approved, with a valuable addition.


Your Committee propose, that the Collection of Books, in connection with any future increase by purchafe or donation, be termed The Church Library; and that the Books be for all the members of this Church, and others residing within the limits of this Parish, who unite in communion with this Church, subject to the following Regulations.


1. An individual may borrow one Book at a time.


2. If a Book taken be 12mo it shall be returned at the expiration of six weeks, or sooner at the option of the borrower; if it be an 8v0 or 4to, it may be kept twelve weeks.


3. Tuesday in each week, from 4 o'clock to 8 o'clock, P. M. shall be considered as the time specially appro- priated for taking and returning Books:


This article however not to restrain the Librarian


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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


when convenient, from accommodating a member at a different time.


4. If a Book sustain a great or special injury, while ab- sent from the Library, the borrower shall replace it by a new copy, he keeping the one injured; or, if returned,


(55)


it shall be retained by the Librarian, until the damage shall be estimated, as hereafter provided, which shall be paid to the Librarian by the borrower, before he can be admitted to the ufe of the Library. . . . : : :


5. All Books borrowed from the Library shall be re- turned on the Monday immediately preceding the first Sabbath in July annually; and shall remain till after said first Sabbath.


6. There shall be annually a meeting of the Church on the Friday immediately preceding the first Sabbath in July. At this meeting shall be appointed a Librarian and a standing Committee; any other appointments made, that may be judged expedient; statements and reports received; and any other matters relative to the Library transacted.


7. The Librarian shall have in his custody a list of Books belonging to the Library, keep a regular catalogue of them, make regular entries of Books loaned and re- turned, receive all donations, in books or money, intended to increase the Library, keep a regular account of all tranfactions in his department, and present a statement to the Church at their annual meeting.


8. Four fifths of the money, that shall hereafter accrue by gift or otherwife for the increafe or benefit of the Library, shall be expended in the purchafe of Books; the Librarian reserving the other fifth part for the repair of Books and other incidental expenfes, under the direc- tion of the Standing Committee.


9. The Standing Committee shall inspect the Books between the Monday and Friday immediately preceding the first Sabbath in July. They shall at the desire of the Librarian, estimate any special damages any Book or


363


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


Books may have sustained; and give advice to the (56)


Librarian in cafes where he may wish it. They shall also, in connexion with the Pastor, expend four fifths of the money received by the Librarian for the increase and benefit of the Library, in the purchafe of Books; and with the Pastor are hereby authorized to judge, whether such Books, as shall at any time be presented, are well adapted to the original design of the Library; and when- ever they shall judge them to be not thus adapted, to exchange them for others, appropriate to the said design carefully preferving however the names of the donors.


They shall make report of the state of the Library to the Church at the annual meeting.


10. All Books shall be covered by the Librarian before delivery; and on the inside of each Book shall be pasted a printed paper, containing thefe words :


This Book Belongs to the Church Library in Cambridge. All which is submitted by


Abiel Holmes Caleb Gannett


‘Committee


Cambridge Jany 3. 1806.


James Winthrop


An amendment was proposed in the 10th article, viz. to insert the words "Library of the First Church," in- stead of the words "Church Library" and the Report. with this amendment, was accepted. A list of Books, proposed by the same Committee to be purchased for the library, was accepted by the Church. Whereupon


Voted, to proceed to the choice of a Librarian, and of a Standing Committee, to do the duties of those offices until the annual meeting in June.


(57)


The Pastor of the Church (Abiel Holmes) was chofen Librarian; and A. Holmes, Caleb Gannett Esq. and


364


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


Deacon William Hilliard, were chosen the Standing Committee.


Voted that said Committee be authorized to procure the books on the list now communicated and accepted, and to employ the remainder of the money, subscribed for the Library, in purchasing such other books, as they may judge suitable, and in defraying contingent expenfes.


The books and money, subscribed for the Library, having been collected and the Committee having pro- cured most of the additional books, which they were authorized to purchafe; a report of their transactions was made to the Church in October. The list of books being at length completed, the Committee caufed a Cata- logue of them to be printed, and distributed among the members of the Church, in December. The number of books at this time as appears by the Catalogue is one hundred and nine.


N.B. The subsequent transactions relative to the Church Library. and the Annual Reports of the Stand- ing Committee, are recorded in a separate Book. A.H.


(58)


1807.


1807 July 3. At a meeting of the Church, duly notified, the Committee for inquiring into the state of the Church Funds made the following REPORT:


"The Committee appointed to enquire into the state of Church Stock have attended that service, and report the following statement.


1807


June 30. The Deacons of the first Church in Cambridge Dr.


To balance in their hands Pr Report June 30th 1806 7.35


To amount of private Securities for monies by them placed at Interest @ 6 Pr cent June 30th 1806 1781.96


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


365


To interest received & due on do to June 30th 1807 143.31 To contribution money at Communion 39.79


Supra


Cr


1807


June 30. By Seth Hastings bond & mortgage June 1st 1788 101.31 Nathan & William Watsons bond March 16, 1792


233.33


Jonathan Stone & al. bond March 1, 1800 100.


Nath1 P. Watson & al. note June 24, 1795


34.59


Edward Walker & al. bond April 24, 1800 50.


Nathan Watson jun & al. note do note


Feb. 11, 1802


50


Israel Shattuck & al. bond


July 19, 1802


60.


William Watson & al. note March 1, 1804


215.


do


bond


March 29, 1803


380.


do


note June 18, 1805


100.


do


note July 1, 1805


250.


James Munro & al.


note Jany 1. 1806 107.73


William Hilliard


note April 24, 1807


57.


1838.96


By interest on the following Securities, viz. On Seth Hastings bond from March 1, 1807 2.03


Nathan & Wm Watson's bond do 4.67


Jonathan Stone & al. bond do 2.


Nath1 P. Watson & al. note from June 24, 4


Edward Walker & al. bond March 1. 1.


Nathan Watson jun. & al. 2 notes do 3.


Israel Shattuck & al. bond do 1.20


(59)


Wm Watson & al. 4 bonds & notes


June 24, 1807


18.90


James Munro & al. note


do


2.14


William Hilliards April 24. . 32 35.30


By Cash paid the Parifh Treasurer 3 intt of the Fund 71.28


$1972.41


Aug. 17, 1801


100.


366


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


Expences of Communion from June 30, 1806 25.50 Expence & trouble in negotiating the fund 10.


$1981. 4


The Committee are of opinion, that no Security should be taken without a surety or collateral Security.


The Committee further recommend, that in cases, where an individual person is indebted on different Secu- rities, those Securities should be united in one with suf- ficient surety or sureties, or accompanied with a mort- gage of real estate unincumbered, and of at least double the value of the debt.


Two thirds of the Interest of the foregoing Securities is to be paid by the Deacons to the Treafurer of the first Parish in Cambridge on the first day of April 1808, and will amount to seventy three dollars and fifty six cents, pursuant to a vote of the Church, pafsed June 18, 1773.


The above we find to be the true state of the unappro- priated Church funds in the hands of the Deacons on the 30th of June 1807.


The Committee proceeded to enquire into the state of the Fund appropriated to the use of the Poor of said Church, and found the Deacons Dr.


June.


1807 To sundry Securities for monies at Interest June 30th 1806 343.45


To Interest received & due to June 30th 1807 27.40


To Balance in their hands June 30th 1806 27. 1


$397.86


Supra - Cr.


1807


June 30. By James Munro & al. note Jany 1, 1806 24.10


Moses Coolidge & al. bond May 6, 1797 125.


John Walton Esq. & al. bond July 17,1799 80. Aaron Parker & al. note Aug. 12, 1804 30. William Watson & al. bond March 29, 1803 80.


William Hilliard's note April 24, 1807 26.


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


367


(60)


Interest due on the above Securities to June 30. 1807, 7. 6


By cash distributed Balance in the Deacons Hands 15.70


10.


$397.86


This appears to the Committee to be a true state of the above Fund on the 30th of June 1807.


Caleb Gannett T. L. Jennison Committee. Cambridge June 30th 1807. JamesWinthrop


Cambridge June 30th 1807. We the Deacons of the first Church in Cambridge have attended the exami- nation by the Committee into the state of the Church fund under our care, and are satisfied with the foregoing Report, as it respects both the appropriated and unap- prorpiated Funds, and do hereby declare our agreement thereto.


John Walton Josiah Moore William Hilliard."


Voted, That the Report be accepted.


Voted, That the Thanks of the Church be given to the Committee for their attention and care in the performance of the duties of their commifsion.


Voted, That brothers Caleb Gannett, James Winthrop, and Timothy L. Jennison, be a Committee to inquire into the state of the Church Stock the ensuing year. The Standing Com tee of the Chh Library made Report .* * For Transactions relating to the Chh Library, see Library Book. Difsolved. 1808.


1808 July 1. At a meeting of the Church, duly notified, the Committee for inquiring into the state of the Church Funds made the following REPORT.


368


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


"The Committee, appointed to enquire into the state of Church Stock, have attended that service, and report the following Statement.


1808


June 30. The Deacons of the Church in Cambridge Dr.


To amot of Securities for monies by ym placed at intt June 30, 1807


1838.96


To intt received & due on do to June 30th 1808 144.13


To Contribution money at Communion 41.66


$2024.75


(61)


Supra


- Cr.


1808


June 30. By balance due to the Deacons Pr Report June 30, 1807 8.63


By Seth Hastings bond & mortgage June 1, 1788


101.31


Nathan & Wm Watson's bond March 16, 1792 233.33


Jonathan Stone & al. bond -1. 1800


Nath1 P. Watson & al. note Oct. 14, 1807


35.25


Edward Walker & al. bond


April 24, 1800


50.


Nathan Watson jun. & al. note ditto Feb. 11, 1802


Aug. 17, 1801


100.


Israel Shattuck & al. bond


July 19, 1802


60.


William Watson & al. bond


March 29, 1803 380.


William Watson & al. bond


1,1804


215.


do


June 18, 1805


100.


do


July 1, --- 250.


James Munro & al.


Jany 1. 1806 107.72


William Hilliard


April 24. 1807 57.


1848.24


By Interest on the following Securities, viz. On Seth Hastings' bond from March 1. 1808 2.03 Nathan & Wm Watson's bond do 4.67


Jona Stone & al. bond do 8.


Nath1 P. Watson & al. note fr. Oct 14.1807 .70


Edward Walker & al. bond fr. March 1.1807 4.


Nathan Watson jun. & al. 2 notes fr. March 1, 1808, 3.


100.


50.


369


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


Israel Shattuck & al. bond from do 1.20


Wm Watson & al. 4 bonds & notes do 18.90


James Munro & al. note do 2.14


William Hilliard's note do 1.14


45.78


By cash paid for a damask table cloth & 2 napkins


10.93


for painting the plate box .75


for 1} yd of baize . 50 1.25


For cash pd the Parish Treafr 3 intt of the Fund 73.56


85.74


To Expences of Communion from June 30,1807 25.50


To Expence & trouble in negotiating the Fund 10.


2015.26


Balance in the hands of the Deacons


9.49


$2024.75


The Committee are of opinion that no Security should be taken without a Surety or collateral Security.


The Committee further recommend; that in cases where an Individual person is indebted on different Secu- rities, those Securities should be united in one with


(62)


sufficient Surety or Sureties, or accompanied with a mortgage of real estate unincumbered, and of at least double the value of the debt.


Two thirds of the Interest of the foregoing Securities is to be paid by the Deacons to the Treasurer of the first Parish in Cambridge on the first day of April 1809, and will amount to seventy three dollars and ninety three cents, pursuant to a vote of the Church passed June 18th 1773.


The above we find to be the true state of the unappro- priated Church fund in the hands of the Deacons on the 30th of June 1808.


370


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


The Committee proceeded to enquire into the state of the Fund appropriated to the ufe of the Poor of sd Chh. & found the Deacons Dr


1808


June 30. To amº of sundry Securities for money at intt June 30, 1807 365.10


To balance in their hands at do 15.70


To interest recd to & due June 30, 1808 28.96


409.76


Supra Cr.


1808 June 30. By James Munro's & al. note Jan. 1, 1806 24.10


Moses Coolidge & al. note May 6, 1797 125.


John Walton & al. Bond July 17, 1797 80.


Aaron Parker & al. note Augt. 12, 1804 30.


William Watson & al. bond March 29, 1803 80.


William Hilliard's note Apr. 24, 1807 26.


365.10


By Interest on the above Securities to June 30, 1808 14.56


By Cash distributed to certain indigent members 11.00


Balance in the hands of the deacons 19.10


409.76


This appears to the Committee to be the state of the above Funds on the 30th day of June 1808


Caleb Gannett James Winthrop & Committee


T. L. Jennison


Cambridge June 30, 1808


Cambridge June 301808. We the Deacons of the Church in Cambridge have attended the examination by the Com- mittee into the state of the Church funds under our care, and are satisfied with the foregoing Report, as it respects


371


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


both the appropriated and unappropriated funds, and do hereby declare our agreement thereto.


John Walton Josiah Moore William Hilliard."


(63)


Voted, That the above Report be accepted.


Voted, That brothers Caleb Gannett, James Win- See throp, & Timothy L. Jennison, be a committee to in- Library quire into the state of the Church Stock the ensuing year. Difsolved.


Book 1808


July 10. At a meeting of the Church, called by the Pastor a letter from Sarah L. Hilliard, requesting the Church "to difmifs Mr. Hilliard from the office of a dea- con.''


Whereupon, Voted, That a Committee of five brethren be appointed to confer with Mrs Hilliard for the purpose of ascertaining the grounds and reasons of her request, and make report to the Church.


Voted, That brothers Caleb Gannett, John Mellen, Levi Hedge, and deacons Walton & Moore be said Com tee


Adjourned to Friday the 26th instant-to meet at the house of the Pastor at five o'clock P.M.


26 Met according to adjournment - 15 memb' present


The Committee, appointed to confer with Mrs. Hill_ iard, made a Report (See it on File) which concluded thus: "Considering the nature of the Request, as tending "to diminish respect for an important office, as affecting "the interest and order of the Church and the honor of "our holy Religion, the Committee are unanimously of "opinion, that no reasons have been offered by the "Applicant, that would justify the Church in complying "with her request."


Voted unanimously, that the petition of Mrs Hilliard be dismifsed. Also, Voted unanimously, That the Pastor be requested to advise Sarah L. Hilliard of the improper dispositions discovered in her petition, and of its dis-


372


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


orderly tendency; and to admonish her to cultivate a more Christian temper hereafter.


The Meeting was then difsolved.


(64)


1808


Nov. 4. At a meeting of the Church, duly notified (12 members present) the Pastor stated, that he had not been able to give advice and admonition to Sarah L. Hilliard, con- formably to the vote of the Church at its last meeting, on account of her peremptory refusal to see him when he called at deacon Hilliard's house, although she was made duly acquainted with the special design of his visit, and warned, that, if she persisted in such refusal, it would be at her peril.


Whereupon Voted, That in consideration of the con- temptuous manner in which Sarah L. Hilliard has treated the Pastor and Church, in refusing to receive a pastoral admonition in conformity to a vote of the church; also, in consideration of her general contumacious behaviour since the presentment of her petition; she be suspended from the privilege of communion with the church.


Voted, That the Pastor be requested to communicate the transactions of the Church at this meeting to Sarah L. Hilliard.


Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to the Friday immediately preceding the first Lord's day in May next unleis it should appear expedient to call a meeting pre- vious to that time.


The meeting was adjourned accordingly.


1809 May 5.


The Church met according to adjournment.


The transactions of the Church relative to Sarah L. Hilliard were read. The Pastor then stated, that, being unable to obtain an interview with Mrs Hilliard, he communicated the transactions of the Church of Nov. 4. to her in writing the next day (Nov. 5th) since which time he had neither seen her, nor received any communi- cation from her.


373


Records of the First Church in Cambridge.


Voted, That the farther procedure of the Chh, in the cafe of Mrs Hilliard, be postponed until the next Lecture day; & that this meeting be adjourned until that time. Adjourned accordingly.




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