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 27
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Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to meet at this place next sabbath, after divine service.
The meeting was adjourned accordingly.
Attest, A. Holmes, Pastor.
1829
Jan. 11 At a meeting of the First Church in Cambridge, by ad-
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
journment from the 4th instant, on the 11th of January 1829.
On consideration of the particular object of this meeting the pastor, after opening the meeting, asked leave to retire; and Dr Timothy L. Jennison was chosen Moderator
"The Committee appointed by the Church on the 4th inst. to express to the Rev. Dr. Holmes Pastor of this Church the views and feelings of the Church in relation to the recent measures adopted by the said Parish, made their Report to the Church, which was acceptedt thirteen members voting in favour of the same and two negatively.".
"Attest Timº L. Jennison Modr,"
True copy : Attest. A. Holmes.
+See the address of the Church to the Pastor on file.
129
1829
1829
Feb. 27. At a meeting of the Church on the 27th of February, 1829. the Committee on the Church Funds made the following REPORT:
The Deacons of the First Church in Cambridge Dr.
To amount of Securities & Cash on hand Feby 28th 1828 $2987.13
Interest for one year to January 1st 1829 .viz 178.13
Balance of Contributions 23.73
3188.99
Supra Credit.
By securities on hand and payments made as follows:
Bond of William Jennison & others June 13, 1825
900.00
Note " Elijah Shattuck 1,1818 400.00
Charles Stone March 1, 1820 100.00
66 William Brown July 12, 1819 60.00
Josiah Stone March 31, 1821 108.00
Elizabeth Frost September 18, 1821 600.00
66 Charles Stone June 17, 1823 75.00
Matthew Skelton June 27, 1823 100.00
66 66 Abraham A. Watson April 17, 1824 60.00
66 66 Abraham A. Watson April 13, 1825 75.00
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
Note of George Meacham
May, 1826 100.00
Nathaniel Munroe
April 3. 1827 50.00
Nathaniel Page
March 4. 1825 108.00
Joseph Stephens
July 14, 1828 250.00
For Blank Book for Notes & Bonds 1.50
Paid Dr. Walton for securing J. Stephen's Note &c. 1.50
Care of Funds &c. one year to Feby 1829
10.00
Paid Parish Treasurer
118.72
Balance in Deacon's hands 71.27
3188.99
The Committee appointed at the last annual meeting of the First Church in Cambridge to examine the state of the Church Fund to this date, have attended to that duty & report.
That they find the above account well vouched & cor- rectly cast and exhibiting an increase of the fund the past year up to Jany. 1829, of seventy dollars -14 do & the actual amount of the fund at the same date, three thou- sand & fifty seven dollars ,3% -
Cambridge Feby. 25. 1829. Thos. Foster 1 Com- Which is respectfully submitted S. F. Sawyer mittee.
Abel Whitney
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Cambridge, February 25, 1829. We the Subscribers, Deacons of the First Church in Cambridge, having at tended the examination of the within account of the Com- mittee, appointed for that purpose, do hereby give our assent to the same.
William Hilliard James Munroe
POORS FUND.
The Deacons of the First Church in Cambridge Dr To amount of Securities and Cash on hand belonging to the Poors Fund February 28th 1828 $623.13
One years interest to January 1829 37.38
660.51
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
Supra Credit.
By Note of William Jennison, Nov. 2, 1818
125.00
" James Munroe June 1, 1806 24.10
" Nathaniel Munroe, Aug. 9, 1819 20.00
-
" Matthew Skelton June 17, 1823
250.00
66
George Meacham
May 11, 1826 100.00
Distributed to the Widows,
December 1828 16.00
Cash on hand 125.41
$660.51
The Committee appointed at the last annual Meeting of the First Church in Cambridge to examine the state of their Poors Fund, have attended to that service & respect- fully report, That they find the above account correctly stated and well vouched, exhibiting the present amount of the fund to be $644.51 and the increase during the last year to be 21.38
which is respectfully submitted
Thos. Foster
Cambridge, Feby 25, 1829. S. F. Sawyer Abel Whitney
Committee
Cambridge, February 25, 1829. We the Subscribers, Deacons of the First Church in Cambridge, having at- tended the examination of the within account, by the Committee appointed for that purpose, do hereby give our assent to the same.
Wm Hilliard James Munroc
The Report of the Committee was accepted, & Dr. Thomas Foster, brother Abel Whitney & Samuel F. Sawyer were chosen a Committee to examine into the state of the Church Stock the ensuing year.
The meeting was dissolved.
(See 4 pp. back Dec. 21, 1828 to Jan. 11. 1829 ) 131 1829 At a meeting of the Church, duly notified, on the 22d March 22 day of March 1829, the pastor, having opened the meeting
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
with prayer, communicated a letter of inquiry, addressed to him by the Committee of the Parish, concerning the rights claimed by the Church in reference to the proposed mutual Ecclesiastical Council.
Voted. That the subject be referred to the Committee already chosen by the Church; and authorized to act in reference to the proposal of a mutual council - to report at an adjourned meeting. ton the 21st of Dec. 1828. (See that date of records.)
Adjourned to meet next Tuesday evening (24th) at half after seven o'clock, at the house of the Pastor.
March 24. The Brethren of the Church met at the house of the Pastor according to adjournment.
The Committee, to whom was referred the letter of inquiry addressed to the Pastor by the Committee of the Parish concerning the rights claimed by the Church in reference to the proposed mutual Ecclesiastical Council, made a report. The Report stated, that "on the point of calling a mutual Ecclesiastical Council, the Church claim no more than a concurrent voice &c. (See Report)
After deliberation and discussion, the Report of the Committee was unanimously adopted.
The meeting was then dissolved. Attest A. Holmes. June 7. At a meeting of the church on the 7th day of June. 1829. to consider what it may be advisable and proper for the Church to do in reference to its present peculiar state of trial, the meeting having been opened with prayer by the Pastor, it was stated, that the exparte Council, lately called by the Parish, recommended the termination of the contract subsisting between the Parish & their minister, and that this subject is to be acted upon at a parish meet- ing tomorrow, 8th of June.
On motion of deacon Hilliard, the following votes were passed
Whereas, in the providence of God, the First Church of Christ in Cambridge, under the pastoral care of Abiel Holmes G. D. are brought into a state of peculiar trial by the recent proceedings of the Inhabitants of the First Parish in said town, and by the subsequent result of an
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
ex-parte Council called by said Parish-And whereas, under such circumstances, it has been found expedient, useful, and conformable to usage, to call in the advice and aid of sister churches, therefore,
Voted, That in the opinion of this Church, it is expe- dient and proper in its present situation, and in view of the measures expected to be adopted by the Parish, to select and invite the attendance of such number of Churches as may be thought proper, with their several pastors and delegates, to compose an Ecclesiastical Coun-
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cil, to assemble at Cambridge, at such time and place as may hereafter be agreed upon. to hear and advise, in regard to such subjects as may be submitted to their consideration by said Church, and their Pastor.
Voted, That deacon Hilliard, deacon Munroe, Mr Sam- uel F. Sawyer, Richard H. Dana, Esq. & Mr Jonathan Prentiss, be a committee from this Church, in connection with the Pastor thereof, to select and invite in the usual form, such number of Churches with their Pastors and Delegates, to compose said Council, as in their judgment may be deemed expedient, for the purposes aforesaid.
Attest A. Holmes.
The meeting was dissolved.
June 17. On the 17th of June a Council of pastors & delegates of ten churches convened by invitation, according to the preceding vote, and came to an unanimous Result, part of which is as follows.
"As Dr. Holmes is still according to ecclesiastical usage, the Pastor and minister of the First Church and Parish in Cambridge, and as the Parish has, by its vote, excluded him from his pulpit, the council approve the course pur- sued by him in continuing to perform parochial duties wherever and to whomsoever he may have opportunity, and advise him and the Church and other friends of truth, not to forsake the assembling of themselves together, but to maintain divine worship and the celebration of divine ordinances."
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
June 21. At a meeting of the Church on the 21st of June 1829.(10 present), Voted unanimously.
That the result of the Council, called by the Church and its pastor on the 17th instant meets its approbation, and that the counsel and advice therein contained will be, by divine, aid, religiously followed.
Attest. A. Holmes: Pastor.
133
1829 July 4.
At a meeting of the Church on the 4th day of July 1829. the following preamble and votes were passed unani- mously :
Whereas one Thomas Beal, in the year 1679 gave to the First Church in Cambridge, of which he was then a member, a certain lot of land of about twenty acres, situated in the town of Newton and since known by the name "The Newton Woodlot, with full power and auth- ority to said Church to dispose of the same, as said Church shall direct-and whereas, in May 1772, the "Church Voted. "that said Lot of land should be sold, and "appointed the Deacons of said Church to make sale of "said land to the best advantage, and to vest the money "in bonds and notes, made to said deacons, and their "successors in said office, and that the income of said "money be disposed of from time, as said Church shall "direct" - and whereas said Church have in divers instances, made appropriations from the aforesaid fund, for different purposes, viz for paying the debts of the Church, defraying the expenses of the Communion table; a donation of £25.00 to the Second Church in Cambridge; and for altering and repairing the Church Plate = Where- fore.
Voted, That in consideration of the peculiar circum- stances in which this Church is now placed, in supporting separate worship, in consequence of its Pastor being ejected from the usual place of worship by the authority of the Parish, that the sum of two hundred dollars be appropriated from the Church fund aforesaid, to defray the necessary expenses which have been or may hereafter
446
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
be incurred, and contingent upon such separate worship, by the Church and its Pastor, or to support the rights of the Church.
At the same meeting the Church also
Voted. That no person shall hereafter be admitted as a member of this Church, unless such person be pro- pounded by the Pastor of said Church, and stand pro- pounded for at least two weeks previous to admission, according to usage, unless in cases of extreme sickness.
Attest. A. Holmes, Pastor.
July 20. At a meeting of the Church at the house of the Pastor on the 20th day of July, by adjournment from the 19th 1829.
Voted. That a Committee of five be appointed from said First Church in Cambridge, of which Rev. Abiel Holmes D. D. is Pastor, with full power and authority to act in behalf of said Church before any tribunal, civil, ecclesiastical or judicial, in all matters and things touch- ing the rights and interests of said Church, at any and at all times, when such rights and interests shall be affected by any proceedings of the First Parish in Cambridge, that
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have already been, or may hereafter be adopted by said Parish, or any Committee thereof.
Voted that such Committee be authorized and em- powered to employ such legal counsel, in behalf of the Church, as they may deem expedient or necessary.
Voted. That deacon Hilliard, Deacon Munroe, Mr Torry Hancock, Richard Dana, Esq. and Mr Jonathan Prentiss constitute this Committee, with instructions to report their doings to said Church at such times as they may deem expedient.
Attest A. Holmes. Pastor.
(The following is an exact copy of the Church votes & Preamble.)
Nov. 12. At an adjourned meeting of the First Church of Christ in Cambridge at Mr Jacob Bates's on the twentieth day
447
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
of November in the year of our Lord 1829-after seeking the direction of the Great Head of the Church, and after much consultation, relative to the peculiar circumstances in which ourselves, with our beloved Pastor, are, in the providence of God, placed, and relative to the course which it is right and expedient for us to pursue, the fol- lowing Preamble and Votes were prepared for considera- tion, and unanimously adopted :
Whereas the Rev. Dr Holmes, the Pastor of this church, has been excluded by a committee of the First Parish in Cambridge, from the desk and the sanctuary where he has long officiated, under a pretence that he is legally dismissed from office, and a great majority of this Church, retaining their affection for him and confidence in him, and not considering him legally dismissed, have with- drawn, and attended public worship under his ministra- tions in another place; whereas the said Committee of the First Parish have also manifested a disposition to deprive us, as a church, of our justand immemorial rights, and there is now no prospect that the gospel, as it appears to us revealed in the Scriptures, and as it was embraced by our
135
fathers from the first planting of this church, will, at pres- ent, be preached in the house over which the First Parish have legal control; whereas it is, in our, view, of the utmost importance that this gospel should be maintained within the boundaries of this parish and a Society, bear- ing the name of "The Shepard Congregational Society." has recently been formed and organized for the purpose of supporting the gospel here, in its purity; with which Society we. as a Church, are respectfully invited to unite and co-operate, according to the rights and usages of Congregational churches ;- whereas our venerable Pastor, holding, as he does and must, that he is not legally dis- missed from office in the First, Parish cannot now con- sistently attach himself to the New Society and become in form, its minister, but another person has of late been employed with a view to settlement in the work of the ministry- in consideration of all these circumstances,
448
Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
and having consulted with the Rev, Dr Holmes, our Pastor, whose relation to us as a church, we wish to hold sacred and inviolable, and finding that, in present circum- stances, the choice of a Colleague Pastor meets with his entire approbation-therefore
Voted, 1st That until such time as our rights, with those of our Pastor, shall be respected, and the privileges of the gospel ministry be enjoyed, as heretofore, in connection with the First Parish in Cambridge, we will, as a Church, accede to the invitation of the said "Shepard Congrega- tional Society" and unite and co-operate with it, "in maintaining the worship and ordinances of the Gospel, according to the established principles and usages of Congregational Churches in this Commonwealth."
Voted, 2dly That in pursuance of the object, and sub- ject to the several conditions expressed in the first vote, this Church do now invite and call Mr Nehemiah Adams, junior-who has been heard by us for several Sabbaths with high approbation, and in whom we have full confidence-to the office of Colleague Pastor in this Church, in connexion with the Rev. Dr. Holmes as senior Pastor.
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1829
Voted, 3dly That a committee of three be appointed to communicate a copy of the foregoing preamble and votes to "The Shepard Congregational Society." and request their Concurrence with us: and if said Society do concur, that said Committee Communicate to Mr. Adams the doings of this Church and in case of his acceptance of the call of this church and said Society, that said Committee, on our behalf, and, where proper, in connexion with said Society, do take all due and usual measures in relation to the ordination of Mr. Adams.
Voted 4thly That deacons Hilliard and Munroe and Richard H. Dana be a Committee for the above purpose. Attest A. Holmes Pastor.
Ordination of Mr. Adams, as Colleague Pastor. "Cambridge Port Dec. 17, 1829.
Dec. 17.
Pursuant to a request made in letters missive from the
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
first Church of Christ in Cambridge and from the Shepard Congregational Society, an Ecclesiastical Council con- vened at the vestry of the Baptist Church in Cambridge Port, and organized by Choosing Rev. John Codman D.D. Moderator, Rev. David Perry, Scribe, Rev. Lyman Gil- bert Assistant Scribe.
The Council was then lead in prayer by the Moderator. The following is a list of the pastors and delegates present.
Green St Church, Boston Hanover Church
Rev. William Jenks, D.D. Pastor
Rev. Lyman Beecher, D.D. Pastor.
Dea. Nathaniel Noyes Del.
Church in Bedford
Rev. Samuel Stearns, Pastor.
Br. Samuel H. Stearns, Del.
Rev. Warren Fay, D. D. Pastor.
Dea. Amos Tufts, Del.
Rev. Moses Stuart Pastor.
Br Calvin E. Stowe Del.
137
Rev. John Codman, D. D. Pastor.
Br Sam' M. E. Kettle Del.
Rev. Brown Emerson Pastor.
Br. Xenophon H. Shaw Del.
Rev. B. B. Wisner, D. D.
Pastor
1 st Chh. in Dedham
Rev. Ebenezer Burgess Br Samuel Haven
Pastor
Del.
Rev. William Williams
Pastor
Br Joseph Adams Del.
Rev. Samuel Green
Pastor
Deacon John Guliver
Del.
2nd Chh. in Medford
Rev. Aaron Warner
Pastor.
Br T. Magoon
Del.
Br Wm. Banister
Del.
Rev. John Cleaveland.
Pastor.
Dea. Nehemiah Adams Del.
Rev. Samuel Harding
Pastor.
Dea. Eliphalet Pearson Del.
Rev. Edward Beecher
Pastor.
Br¿Lewis Dwight
Del.
Evang. Con. Chh. S. Boston
Rev. J. H. Fairchild
Pastor
Br Samuel Gale
Del.
1st Chh in Newton
Rev. Jonathan Homer D.D. \ Pastors
Rev. James Bates
Dea Wm. Jackson
Del.
1st Chh. in Charlestown
Chh. Theol. Sem. Andover
2ª Chh in Dorchester
3ª Chh. in Salem
Old South Chh. Boston,
Br Samuel H. Walley
Del.
Howard St. Chh. Salem
Union Chh. Boston
2ª Cong. Chh in Newbury Port Tab. Chh. in Salem
Trinitarian Congregati- onal Chh. in Waltham Park St. Chh. Boston
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
Evang. Cong. Chh. in Brighton
Rev. G. W. Blagdon
Pastor.
Pine St Chh. Boston
Dea James Clapp Del.
2ª Cong. Chh. in Newton
Rev. Lyman Gilbert Pastor
Br Daniel Jackson
Del.
Calvinistic Chh. in Worcester,
Br Parley Goddard Del.
Evang. Con. Chh. in
Rev. David Perry
Pastor.
Cambridgeport,
Br E. Faulkner
Del.
The Council, after hearing the proceedings of the Church and Society in giving Mr Adams a call, voted, that they consider them regular.
The Result of a previous advisory Council, and a Re- monstrance from a Comtee of individuals, purporting to be a Church in the first Parish in Cambridge, to the pastor elect, were read.
The Council heard also from the pastor elect, a con- fession of faith; an account of his Christian experience; testimony respecting his church-membership, and his license; and a statement in regard to his motives for entering the ministry.
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1829.
The Council then voted that they were satisfied with the examination of the candidate, and were ready to proceed to the ordination.
The assignments of parts to be performed was as follows :
Rev. Mr Cleveland to make the introductory Prayer.
Rev. Prof. Stuart to preach the sermon.
Rev. Dr Jenks to make the ordaining Prayer.
Rev. Dr Holmes to give the Charge.
Rev. Edward Beecher to give the right hand of Fellowship
Rev. Mr Burgess to address the people, and
Rev. Mr Stearns to offer the concluding Prayer.
Voted, to adjourn to attend the public exercises
Attest John Codman, Moderator David Perry Scribe. Lyman Gilbert Assist. Scribe."
A true copy : Mr. Adams was ordained accordingly on the 17th of Decr. 1829. Attest. A. Holmes, Senior Pastor
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
139
1830.
Jan. 3. At a meeting of the First Church of Christ in Cambridge on the third day of January, 1830.
Voted, That William Hilliard and James Munroe, deacons of the Church, and Richard H. Dana Esq. be appointed a Committee to make the application, contem- plated in the Resolutions adopted by the Ecclesiastical Council at the ordination of Mr Adams, in answer to the address presented to them by the Church and Shepard Society in Cambridge; and also for aid from any other sources, which they may deem expedient.
March 1. At a meeting of the Church on the first day of March 1830, the following note with the preamble was proposed :
Whereas on the 17th of February last passed, Abel Whitney of Cambridge, in pursuance of a vote of a num- ber of individuals, styling themselves "The First Church in Cambridge" passed on the seventh day of said Febru- ary, 1830. did "demand of William Hilliard and James Munroe, deacons of the First Church in Cambridge, all the goods, chattels, property, rights and credits, belong- ing to the First Church in Cambridge" And whereas the property of said Church, to the amount of forty pounds was, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and sixty nine, given by one Thomas Beal of said Cam- bridge, to Gregory Stone, Thomas Chitholand, and John Cooper, then deacons of the First Church in said Cam- bridge, and to their successors in said office, 'forever." "quietly and peaceably to have, hold, and occupy the same" against the claims of all persons whatsoever: And whereas the Deacons of said First Church are now in possession of a Fund, arising from the foregoing bequest, and the voluntary contributions of its own members, amounting to three thousand nine hundred & five dollars foo, and also of sundry articles of plate, given by different individuals to said First Church for the Communion ser- vice, a baptismal bason, folio Bible &c. all of which have
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
been demanded by said Abel Whitney, as aforesaid- Therefore
Voted. That William Hilliard & James Munroe, dea- cons of the First Church in Cambridge, be and they are hereby authorized and instructed, to retain and keep possession of all the property now belonging to or which may hereafter accure to said Church, from the beforenamed fund and of every other species of property thereunto belonging, until the further order of the Church, against the claims & demands of all persons whatsoever. And the said Hilliard & Munroe are hereby further authorized to employ such legal counsel as they may deem necessary, in defence of the rights of said Church, before any court or courts, having jurisdiction of any question affecting the same.
The above Vote, with the Preamble, was unanimously adopted Attest A. Holmes Pastor.
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At the same meeting (March 1.) In consideration of the peculiar state of the Church, voted, to reconsider the last vote passed (1829) appointing a Committee to examine the state of the Funds, and to chose a new Committee for that purpose to report at the next meeting: And brother Samuel F. Sawyer, Richard H. Dana, and Nathaniel Munro were chosen to be that Committee.
March 5. At the annual meeting of the Church, 5, March, 1830, the Committee on the Church Funds made a Report, which was accepted: And Samuel F. Sawyer, Richard H. Dana, and Torrey Hancock were chosen a Committee to examine into the state of the Church Funds the ensu- ing year.
The REPORT was as follows:
The Deacons of the First Church in Cambridge Dr. To amount of Securities & cash on hand Feby 28 3057.37
" Interest one year to January 1, 1830 183.43
" Balance of Contributions 6.29
$3246.99
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Records of the First Church in Cambridge.
Supra Credit.
By Securities on hand & payments made as follows : Bond of William Jennison & others June 13, 1815 $900.00
Note “ Elijah Shattuck 1,1818 400.00
Charles Stone
March 1, 1820 100.00
Josiah Stone
March 31, 1821 108.00
Elizabeth Frost
Sept. 18, 1821. 600.00
Charles Stone
June 17, 1823 75.00
Matthew Skilton
June 27, 1823
100.00
Abraham A. Watson Do
April 17, 1821 60.00
March 12, 1825 75.00
66 George Meacham
April 3, 1827
100.00
Nathaniel Munroe
April 3, 1827
50.00
do Page
March 4. 1828
108.00
Note of Joseph Stevens
July 14, 1828
250.00
May 9, 1829.
50.00
Care of Fund &c for the year 1829
10.00
1830 Cash in my hands
260.99
$3246.99
The Committee, appointed at a meeting of the First Church in Cambridge to examine the state of the Church Fund, to this duty, have attended to that duty, and report.
That they find the above account well vouched, and correctly cast, and exhibiting an increase of the Fund the past year, up to January 1, 1830 of $189.72, and the amount of the fund is now $3236.99 -all which is sub- mitted.
S. F. Sawyer - Committee. Richard N. Dana
Cambridge March 3d 1830.
We the subscribers, deacons of the First Church in Cambridge, have attended to the examination of the above accounts and hereby assent to the same.
William Hilliard
James Munroe 1 Deacons.
Nathaniel Page
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