USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > Records of the First Church at Dorchester, in New England, 1636-1734 > Part 11
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 | Part 23 | Part 24
June, 29, 1699. of god in England & Irland unto which king William
Mrs Mills
owned ye is gon
Covnt
Me ye 28 of Octob 90 was o' lectuer day turned to
a fast
Me ye 4 I [ 39 was declared y ye Councell requiered a pub- lick fast in all ye Collony to be kept ye 15 1 1 99
Me ye 26 12 ye Councell requiered a publik day of thanks- giveing
[134]
The 19 of aprill 91 after ye evening exerciz ther was a let- ter read wch Came from ye Church at Waymoth desiering of Church to send their Elders & messengers to give their Counsel in matters of difference amongst them ; ye Church
102
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
made Choice of ye two Deacons & Captin Clap to be aded to o' pastor ye day appointed is ye 22 Instant
Me ye 5 of aprill 91 Joseph Blak who maried ye dafter of John Bird; he was called before ye Church to acknowledg his sin of fornecation before marridg ye which he did to ye satisfaction of ye Church : Me this should have been entered before ye former
The 26 aprill 91 M' Danforth gave an acct of the met- ting at Waymoth by ye Elders & messengers Viz y' it was about some difference y' was amongst them by reason of some offence given by one amongst them : M' Torry begane with prayer y' god would dyrect & blesse them therin, & then ye man was called on who was the occasion of ye meet- ing & after much agetation on both sids ye man was con- vinced of his sin & made confession & ye Church & messgers weer satisfied ther with & ye meeting was ended with thanks giveing to god for blessing them therin The same day o' pastor recommended to o' Church to Consider whether god did not call on us in more than ordary to humble o' souls & to Consider his hand yt is gon out against us in regard of ye more then ordinary siknes & death of many of late with ye Small pox & therfor p'posed to ye Church yt ther might be a meeting together to Consider of ye p'voking sins y' should p'vok god against us ye Church Consented heerunto & ye day apointed was ye next sixt day being ye first day of May 91 ye former p' of ye day to be spent in prayer & ye other pt in discoursing
The 3 of May 91 an order was read weh came from ye Counsell requiering a publick day of fasting & prayer
[135]
to be observed in all ye Collony in regard of ye troubls of ye people of god all ye world over & ye great sicknes in this towne & all thes parts of ye Contry & deaths of many in this towne of ye pox & for o' agents gon for Ingland & divers other Causes ye day to be keept is thursday ye 7th of May 91
Me ye 10 of May 91 Abigail Baal ye dafter of ffrances Baall was Caled forth to accknowlidg her sine of fornecation
Me ye 30 of May 91 Captin Robert Badcock was before ye Church to confesse his sin of drunkennes of which ther was plaine evidence & ye Church was satisfied by a silent Vote.
The 23 of August 91 ye Elder did declare yt it was thought necessary y' o' next lectuer should be turned into a day of humilliation which will be ye first day of September by
IO3
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
reason of ye great sicknees of ye feavor in most towns farr & neer & many other Causes moving therunto, ye Congre- gation Consented ther unto by a Vote :
The 6 of Sep 91 ther was a Contrebution for ye poore espessally Goodman Burge at wch time was Colected in money five pound 38-4ª & in nots 2 bl of Corne this was Comitted into ye hands of Deacon preston ye Corn was Sam Toplif on bl & old bro' Leed § a bl & phillip withington 1 a bl
The 13 10 91 M' Nathaniell Glover was before ye Church to accknowledg his sin of being drunk ye week before but ye Church was not satisfied wth his Confession but it was deferred till another time: this is ye second time that he have Comited this sin
The 27 10 91 M' Glover was called forth to make Con- fession of his great sin of drunkennes ye wch he did & ye major p' of ye Church weer satisfied & he was dismissed
The same day an order was read y' came from ye Councell requiering a publique day of humilliation
[136]
to be observed in all ye Collony ye day appointed is ye 14 of January next
Md ye 14 of ffeb 1692 ther was a Contrebution for ye re- demption of ye Captivs taken by ye Indians from york at wch time ther was Contrebuted eighteen pound eighteen shillings & seaven pence & Comitted into ye hands of Deacon preston to carry to boston : all in money
Md ye 21 ffeb 93 Smith Woodward & his wif Confest their Sine of fornecation before marredge
19. 2, 91. Here Deacon John Capen ended his work and it
John &
Israel pleased God to Remove him hence by death ye fourth
minot of Aprell 1692 when he had served the Church as owned
ye Covent deacon moer then three and thirty years and Now he Resteth from his Labors and his works follow him
Maye ye first 92 ther was a letter sent to ouer church from portsmouth for to send mesengers for counsele consarning M' modey settelling or Removeing from his church att Strawbery Banck : and it was Read In the chruch : and ye church did consent to send sum : and m' Stoughton and m' Danforth, Elder Black.
Captin clap deacon preston were chosen for that worke
-
104
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
March ye 20 92 Abigall Wood ye wife of peter wood had her dismision granted to Joyne to ye north church in Boston
Maye ye : 8: 92 ther was A contribution for A poore woman that had bene tacken captive by ye Indians 2 years and was now Redemed and ther was contributed two pound and thertene shilling, comited into ye hand of Deacon pres- ton to be disposed of : which was by him given to ye woman
Maye ye 11 ore 12 92 the counsell mett att Boston att m' Modeyes house and did all unanimally Agree that it was his Duty to Returne Againe speedyly to his church and congery- gacon att Porthmouth
[137]
May the 15 : 92 : ther was an order sent from the counsell and was Read In ye church for a publick fast to be kept ye 26 day of may : which day was observed and kept M' Dan- forth ouer pastuer In ye fornon out of Jonah 3, 5 and M' Samuell Danforth in ye Afternon : out of ye 119 psalme 60
July ye 3 92 ther was an order sent from th governer and counsell for A publick day of thanksgiveing : for the saufe Returne of sur William phips and m' Mather from Ingland and by them the Settling our goverment : and that the Lord had given ouer enimis a great foile att wels : and that the lord had ABated ouer Sicknes and ye hopfull coming one of a fruitfull Season of ye fruits of ye earth ye day Apointed is ye 14 of July 92 : which day was observed and kept Acord- ing to order and m' Danforth preached ye whole day
July ye 17 92 being ouer sacrament day Deacon preston propounded to ye church ye nesity of chousing (of) another decon Deacon Capen being Removed by death and It was Agreed upon By ye church for to chuse (two Deacons.)
July ye 24 92 the church brought In ther votts for too deacons : and ye Votts fell upon Samuel Toplife and : hop- still clape : who did desier sum tim to consider of it befor ye gave ther Answer
Agust ye: 7: 92 : Samuel Toplif and hopstill clape wer ordeined Deacons.
[138]
Agust ye 25 1692 then Recieved of widow Capen thes vessels and other things that wear ye churches for yo use of ye Sacriment of the lords Super. and wear comited Into the hand of Deacon Toplif 4 flagons : 3 silvar Bools 3. sill- var Beakers: 4 pewter cups I pewter pint pott 4 pewter platters. 3 small tableclothes : 2 Baskets. 2 bottels thes were receved by us Deacon preston and deacon clape -
105
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
Agust ye 21 92 the elder did declare to ye church that the counsell did desier that ouer lecktuer might be kept as a fast. to humbel ouerselfes Before god. becase of his hand gone out aganst us In regard of ye sicknes that was then Amongs us : and A great drought which was upon us And for ouer Army that was then gone out : and ye great A Bom- inable evells that wer Brock out Amongs us; as witch-craft - and pride and drunkenes and other ABominable evels : which daye was kept it was ye 30 of Agust 92
September ye 25 92 the elder read A letter that was sent from the church of Canton which did declare that yey did desier that sum mesengers might be sent to them from our church for counsell because of sum diference that was Amongs them which could not be healed Among them- selves and ther was chosen for that work m' Danforth elder Blacke Deacon preston and enock wiswall and ye day Apointed was ye 5th october
october ye 18 ye elders and mesengers of 3 churches meet together att ye place Apointed In Canton to give ther advise In ye matter that was committed to them yey chose m' Wil- lard moderator one ye 3 day of ye week In A publick Assembly at the meeting house
[139]
After m' willard had bene at pray' unto god for his Asistance and direkcon therin that person y had by his sinfull carige Justly offended his Brethren in many perticu- lars : which yey charged him withall which ye did distinckly read unto him : he had free liberty to Ansewer for himselfe and produce Any wittnes yt might help him in his case : and After ye matter was fuly debated in publick ye Assembly was dismissed: and then ye counsel mett together : and having distinckly and seriously considered of every perticular which he was charged withall yey did uninimosly Agree in it that hee was giulty of many moral evels which he ought to confes as sinfull which was clearly demonstrattd by suficient wittnes his owne confession and sscriptuer evidence and that his evels wer such as did desarve a present suspension from communion until furder hearing on which ye church then agreed unto.
febuary y® 12 1693 ther was an order sent which ye elder read from ye governor And counsell for the keeping of a Publick day of thanksgiving to god for many marcyes which we had Receved from god as puting a stope to ye former sicknes And giving a good mesuer of health in ouer Borders
106
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
and A present stop to ye Rage of ye enimy : and ye good sucksesse our Gratte king william hath had over o' enemies the franch and many other marcyes : which day was keept the 23 febuary 1693.
marche ye 19 93 Thomas Bird was caled before the churche to make his confession of ye sinne of drunkenes of whiche sinne he was highly guilty, & he being now convicted,
[140]
did make his Acknowlidgment of his sinne so far that it was Accepted of ye churche
march ye 26 93 Ebenezar withington and his wife were caled before the church to make ther confession of the sinne of fornication before marige: which yey did: and it was Accpted with ye churche. ye same daye was Benjamin Blackman and Jemima Breck called befor ye church for to confess ye same sinne of fornication before marige which yey did to ye Satisfaction of ye churche.
Aprill ye 23 ABigall merifeild having bene caste out of ye church for ye sine of fornicacon shee now being upon ye bed of sicknes is now under great convickcon of her sinne therin did send A letter of her confestion to the church : shee not being Able to com by reason of weaknes of her Body which letter was read by ye elder and Acepted by ye church so far as to releas her from her Bonds and receve her Againe
July ye 20 ther was A publick day of humiliacon kept in all ye Collony being Appinted by ye governor and the coun- sell for to humble ourselves before god : becase of ye great drought we had; and ye Abominabell sinns y did break out Amongs us and for ye preventing of great sicknes, yt was then coming Amongs us by reason of ye West India fleet y& was now com hether which brought the sicknes with them and y' the lord Blese ye kings majesty and prosper his desines : and put a stop to ouer enimis rage
July 21, 95, Mary Marsh owned ye Covent Augst. 5, 95. Layd hold on ye Cove- nant James Haws wife Jos. Angiers wife.
ye sam day we had A contribucon for ye poor and ther was contributed : 3 pound 6 shillings 9 pence
[141]
november ye 19 93 ther was A letter sent from ye church of Deadham to ouer church to send messengers to them for ye ordening of m' Joseph Bellchar for ther pastuer and it was granted and ther was chosen m' Danforth and Elder
107
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
Black decon preston deacon Toplif decon clap : ye day Apinted was the 29 of novemb' which day was kept and was messengers sent from 6: churches : m' Bellchar he did begine by p[r]ayer : and preaching. and did mack A very exelent sarmon : his text was in ye 4 Exodous 11. 12 then after m' Tory m' hubard m' danforth layed ther hands upon his head. and m' Tory prayed : and m' fisk gave him ye Right hand of felowship : and soe he was ordeined pastuer of y' church.
December ye 21 93 was A publick day of thanksgiving Apinted by ye governor and ye counsell to be kept in all ouer jurydickcons for many marcyes we had receved from god for crowning the year with his goodnes and blesing ye fruit of ouer labors farr beyond our Expecktacons and giving health in ouer Borders and A present peas with ye Indians and A many other marcy": the same day was A contrybu- con for the pore in ouer twone and ther was given fouer pound and fouer shillings and comitted into the hand of deacon hopstill clape
January ye 28 92 ther was A generalle contribucon for some that are in captivety in turkey : peres Savage and Thomas Thecher and was given in Dorchester six pound ten shilings ten pence and it was delivered into ye hands of deacon Toplif to deliver it to m' Samuell Sewell esqr
[142]
Aprill ye 19 94 ther was a publick day of humiliacon Apinted by the Governer and counsell to be kept in all our collones for to seeke god in the behalf of ouer selfes and god people A Broad and that the lord would B[l]ese the kings majesty and prosper his great undertaking this year : and yt ye lord crown this year with his Blesing and for the Rising genaracon that god power forth his spiritt upon them and y he wold continue ouer present pease
June ye 17 was A contribucon given in ouer congregacon for onne Robert carver that is in slavery in Salley and ther was given fouer pound ninteene shillings and was put in to ye hand of deacon preston to be delivered into ye hand of m' John hawthron but he not meeting him att Boston did de- liver into the hand of m' Bartelemew gidney he promising him to deliver into ye hands of m' hawthrone as his Receitt will make it Apear
September ye 13 then layed out by Daniell preston
108
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
deacon : for A covering for ye pulpitt cushing for 0-17-6 plush
silck 2 ounses
0- 8-0
ye fring macking
0- 1-4
for bying and macking
- 3-6
1-10-4
october ye 7 was A letter sent from woodstock to desier messengers sent thether for ye ordening of m' Diwte to be ther minster and ther wer chosen nathaniell clape and Jeames whitte to goe with ye rest of ye church officers that were capable to goe
[143]
October ye 31ª m' Josiah dwitt was ordenied pastuer of ye church of wodstocke Acording to ye order of the gospell. and ye custum of the chruches of new Ingland
november ye 29 94 ther was A publick day of thankgiv- ing Apinted by the governor and ye counsel In all ouer juridickcon for many marcyes which we have receved for crowning this year allso with his Blessing and restoring ouer health and restrening ye malis of ye Indians and prospering ouer kings undertakings in france and ther was A contribu- con for ye poore and ther was given three pound and 11 shil- ling.
December ye 13 94 ther was a publick day of humiliacon Appointed by ye Governer and the counsell in all this juri- dickon for those manifold sinns that Break out Amongs us : and that god wold power out his holy Spiritt upon ye Rising generacon and ye lord Blese ouer Kings majesty and prosper his great undertacking and that ye lord Blese ouer Governer in his undertacking he being gone for old Ingland now at this time
Aprill. y.º 7. 95 an order read from our deputy governer and consell. to keep ye 25 day of this month a day of humiliacon in all ouer collonys which day was keept and in ouer church was A contrybucon for ye poore and ther was given three pound 13 shillings six pence and it was comited Into ye hands of ouer selecktmen
[144]
July ye 2 95 ther was A day sett Apart which was our lectuer day for ye Rising generacon (to pray for y' Conver- sion)
Agust ye 11 95 was A great contribuco" in many churches
109
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
for sume parsons y wer in slavery Amonge ye turks and in ouer congreacon was given 9 pound six shillings & nine pence
ocktober ye 22 being ouer lecktuer day was sett Apart for the ordening of m' Joseph lord for to be pastuer to A church gathered that day for to goe to South Coralina. to settell the gospell ther and the names of ye men are thes
Joshua Brooks
of concord
nathaniell Billings
william norman
Carolina
william Adams
Sudbury
Increase Sumner
Dorchester
william pratt
George foxe - Reading
Simon Daken - concord
thes with m' Joseph lord did enter into A most solem Covenant to sett up the ordinances of Jesus christ ther if the lord caryed them saufly thither Acordinto gospell truth withe a very large profeson of ther faithe.
ther being severall messengers from other churches that day from Boston Rocksbury nonandon : millton : Dorchester : (charlestown) : thes messengers did meett togather and did cary on that work withe great sollemnyty that day m' lord frist praying and then preaching out the 5 mathew 13 verse ye are the salt of the earth. after this ye minsters laying ther hands upon him m' morton did give him A very sollem charge and m' Hobert give him ye Right hand of fellowship
[145]
and for ye help of bareing ye expences of ye day ther was A coleckcon in ouer congeragacon wherin was given 5 pounds 8 shillings
(Two days after ye ordination was ye publick ffast kept.)
22. 10. 95. An ord' for a Thanksgiving from ye leif: Gov : Councell & Assembly was read in ye Church To be kept ye 16th of January next on account of ye Kings Successes against ye French in Taking Namur : &c-& on account of so much health & freedom from Indian & ffrench Invasion as we have had the Last Sum' & for that though Much of ye harvest was diminished Yet a Competency remained to Us. M' Danforth preached from yo 136 psalm & y' was gathered for ye Poor 3" 13. 8ª.
Decemb' 5th 1695. The Church for Carolina set saile from Boston Dec. 14th at night the skiff was neer run und' Water ye Stormy wind being so boisterous. they kept a day of
IIO
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
pray' on board : & safely Landed at Carolina Decemb' ye 20th. ye oth" vessells had a Moneths Passage, this but about 14 days
Febr: 2ª : Then was ye first Sacrament of ye Lords Supper that ever was Celebrated in Carolina, Eight persons recieved besides Such as were of ye Church by virtue of Comunion of Churches. and there was Great Joy among ye Good People of Carolina & many Thanksgivings to ye Lord.
The Good LORD prosper their Undertakings for His own Glory & the Good of Souls, for the Lord Jesus Christs Sake. Amen.
March. 22. The Church was acquainted with an Ord" from the Honble ye Leiftenant Governo' & Commander in Chief, Councill & Representatives or Assembly Sollemnly to Set apart Aprill ye second for pray' with fasting before ye God of Heaven to bewayle o' Iniquitys & to Implore His Mercys to pray that He would direct p'serve & succeed ye King in His hazzardous Enterprises, Defeat enemys, Smile on all o' publick interests & Changes, blesse our husbandry, become o' Defence & advance the Kingdom of Christ throughout ye World.
The Same 22ª of March was read a Lett" from ye Chh of Medfeild desiring Elders & Messeng" to assist in Councill there on Aprill ye Seaventh next, to Endeavor to hear & heal some differences among them occasioned by the Aver- sion of some of ye Children of ye Church headed by 2 or 3 brethren to ye Proceedings of ye Church in Calling m' Baxter to be their Pastor.
The Church consented that Capt. Clap should assist as a Messeng' in that service wth y' Pastor.
1696 Aprill 2 was kept as was Appointed & there was contributed for the Poor 3li.
Aprill. 12. The Church were acquainted that their mes- seng" met together with those of 2 Churches more and after a full hearing on both sides found of all ye Inhabitants yt voted viz' 60 in all - fifty & odde of them to have voted for m' Baxter- & of the Church being but 25 Brethren 20 or 21 of them to have been & still to be for m' Baxter.
That ye Church had acted very leizurely & Condescend- ingly The opposing party very preposterously and their reasons for ye removall of m' Baxter Some of them Silly & unreasonable & some of them Ungodly & Pernicious & accordingly the Councill bore Testimony against them from ye word of God.
III
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
M. one reason was y' He was but a young man another was that He had not so loud a voice as some others (Yet it could be heard in most congregations -
[146]
another reason was because some that had turnd away m' Thomson deserved to be requited with the turning away of m' Baxter (wretched revenge !) & another Reason was be- cause two or three (or four at most) of the Church at the head of a Small number of ye Inhabitants of the Town said they were dissatisfyed with his Guifts and Could rather take up with Some other Person and therefore appeared without any cogent reasons but their own wills to oppose ye Church & Towne & m' Baxter - A very ill president to oth' Churches.
For the light of nature shows that the majority Should Sway Acts. 27. 11, 12. And the Apostles settled Elders in Churches by the major votes of such Churches (manifested by lifting up of hands (keirotonesen) e i in the presence & by the order of the Apostles) Acts. 14. 23.
And to head a party against the Church is Criminall Rom. 16. 17. Gal. 5. 12. Heb. 12. 15. James 3. 14-16.
And what have they to doe to discern the Guifts & Spirits of Ministers & prophets [(subject rather to ye Prophets I Cor. 14. 32 The Guifts being given to ye Church)] that pretend not to be able to examine & prove themselves & discern the Lords body, nor have been approved of the Church, to be of age, wisdom & grace sufficient to qualify them to Vote, for even the Child, thon an heir differs not in this Point from a Servant while under age, to allude to ye Apostles words.
In hearing the Case the Councill determined also that a Single honest Man -or a Party of men might be allowed as Witnesses sometimes in their own Case -according to Matt. 18. 16. Se also Joh. 8. 13, 14, 17, 18 for ye taking one or two more mak 2 or 3 witnisses.
June ye 5th. 1696. The Church met on ye 6th day of ye week as was appointed before. And after Sollemn Invoca- tion of ye Name of God - & sufficient debates they Voted Clearly & fully & as far as we could se : unanimously
I. To Comply with the Advice of ye Assembly of ye Gen- erallty of ye Ministers mett at ye late Anniversary of ye Elec- tion & ye day aft' it, To See to it yt ye Intervalls of Publick Exercises at Noons on ye Lords days be not profaned but well Improved in Pray' readings repeatings &c, by Such as
112
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
Stay in ye Meetinghouse. Voted by Lifting up of hands unanimously and that such as go not to Godly homes attend here dilligently.
2. That Deacon Topliffe, Deacon Clap, Capt. Clap, Leift. Tilestone, Serjeant Wiswall, Broth' Peirce, Brother White Broth" Leeds Bro' Leadbett' Br" : Eph : & Samuel Payson Broth' Dan : Preston, Bro': James Blake, Broth' Roger Billinge, with oth' Brethren, be Desired to take y' Turns & be directed by ye Ruling Elder what Turns to take in this Good work. Voted by Silence.
3. That Such as Lye und' Church Censure be written unto by ye Elders in ye behalf of ye Whole
m. John Spur Dan : Ellen : Nath : Wyat : & Content Masn are under Excomunication.
Church, That their Crimes may be laid open before them for their furth' Conviction, and an Inquiry made what Effect ye ordinance of Excomunication hath had upon Them &c. & y' Report of their Answ's be made to ye Church
4 That ye Elders Should Signify, to ye Generall Court or Assembly, & to ye County Court yt this Church apprehends one Tav'n besides m' Billinges & m' Whites to be Enough for Dorchest', & to Advise ym with Arguments, y' we may be Stinted accordingly & y' none but p'sons of approved Integrity may be licensed.
M The County Court graunted ye Petition next term
The Same Day Sist' Patten formerly Lawrence Made Confession of Slandring Broth' Hix for Perjury & Lyes : casting contempt on ye ordinance of private Dealing by the sª Hix & ye 2 brethren, & Reflecting words & writings, to ye Elders & Her often indulging ye Corruptions & passions of Her Evill heart & ye Evill Language of Her hasty tongue &c-& it was to Satisfaction of ye Church.
[147]
Item ye Same day Sist' Chaplain was called before ye Church, & Questioned for ye Sin of Lying again & again & off taking a false Oath before Justice Saffin. The Summe of ye Case was thus laid before ye Chh. One John Green alias Mores Glasseland Lent y™ 6 pounds, & quickly after went to Rehoboth & Dyed. Tho®. Way a Boaston (or Boat- swain) ye Execut' of His Will brings ym before Justice Saffin on Examination about this 6th :
- witnesse Tho : Birch Constable } Item Justice Saffin Himself
II3
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
They purge y"selves of all moneys & Estate of sª Greens given or lent y™ or Theirs, by oath,-
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.