USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > Records of the First Church at Dorchester, in New England, 1636-1734 > Part 7
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The 20th (7) 68 M' Mather acquainted ye Church wth a motion made to him & ye Church by Mr Stoughton & her daughter Taylor
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namly that her Children might be bap- tized she being a member of this Church by parents Cove- nant and after much adjetation ye Issue was y' M' Mather should speake wth M" Taylor to see if she would joyne in full Comunion wth ye Church & soe come to lords Supp alsoe.
The 24 (8) 68 M' Mather declared to ye Church yt he haveing spoken wth M" Taylor as aforesaid, her answer was y' she did not Judge her self worthy or as yet fitt for ye lords supp & therfore durst not adventure ther uppon but yet did desier baptizme for her Children but ye Church could not fully or comfortably agree about it & soe it rested.
The 15 (9) 68 the Church made Choice of Deacon James Humphrey for a rulling elder
The same time ye Church did by Vote appoint y' M' Stoughton should be yet againe Invited to accept of office in ye Church & to y' end some weer appointed Viz Captin foster & ye two deacons to goe to M' Stoughtons ye same night & acquaint him wth ye Churches motion & that they did expect his answer to ye whole Church at some Conven- ient time : but ye next lords day M' Mather being not able to be abroad through some bodyly infermety, his answer was not then called for
The 6th (10) 68 ye Church was Caused to stay & likwise M' Stoughton for to give his answer to ye Church Concern- ing accepting of office but he would not stay but said he had noe other answer but what he gave ye messengers of ye Church weh was sent unto him; who being demanded what answer they had receaved it was
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answered by one of ye Deacons that M' Stoughton was not willing to accept of office, but thought y' it weer fitter for him to give over preaching alsoe: but of the twaine he could more essily grant that, then yº former.
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DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
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The same day ye Church did agree by a vote y' ther should be another rulling Elder Chosen becaus bror Hum- phry would not accept of his place wthout another to be Joyned with him at wch tim it was agreed y' ye next lords day men should bring in ther votes ; & becaus it was lik y' ther would be seaverall men voated for it was agreed yt those two men wch had ye most voats should be men nomi- nated & ye next Voate should be weh of those men it should bee
The 13 (10) 68. voats weer brought in for a rulling elder & the two breatheren weh had most Voats weer Richard Baker & Deacon John Capen & ye next lords day Vots weer to be brought in which of those two should be a rulling Elder
The 6 (10) 68 a letter was read from ye Church of Boston who desiered yt ye Elders & some messengers might be sent to them one ye 9 of this Instant to ye ordination of M' Davenport & M' Allen : ye Elders being not well able to goe, ye Church appointed Captin Clap, Captin ffoster, & ye two Deacons Viz Deacon Humfry & Deacon Capen who on that day aforesaid did meet together at Boston & M' Daven- port was ordained pastor to y' Church & M' Allen Teacher.
The 20 10th 68 ther was a Contribution for Samuell Hill whos Estate was low & needed some p'sent releif & ye more by reason his house had been latly broken up & goods taken from him : at this time ther was gathered about 2" 128 in money & about 10' in Corne & it was
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Committed into ye hands of Jnº Minot & Thomas Tilstone to disburse for there supply
The same day voats weer brought in for a rulling Elder Viz one of those two men formerly Nominated ye Major Voate was for Richard Baker who at that time p'fest his unwillingnes to accept of ye Call, but left to his further con- sideration.
The same time ther was appointed a day of humilliation together wth some more of ye Churches heer abouts in ye behalf of ye Church of god in other p'ts of ye world & in this Contry : ye day agreed on is ye 23 of this Instant being ye 4th day of this weeke
The 27 10th 68 ye Church called upon Richard Baker for his acceptance of the office of a rulling Elder but he being unwilling to take y' office upon him did give a negative
·
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answer ; wherupon ye Church p'ceeded in ther determination to ordaine bro' Humphry alone in Convenient time.
The 3 (11) after ye morning exerciz M' Mather p'pounded to ye Church for the Chousing of another Deacon in Brother Humphrys roome or place & that if they weer soe minded y' they would bring in Voats after ye Evening exersiz for whom they would have to wch ye Church by ther silence did agree : ye reason of chousing soe sudently was becaus ye Elder & Deacon might be both ordained together on ye day of humilliation weh was intended shortly to be keept
After ye Evening exersiz Votes weer brought in, it being agreed on before y' if ther weer Variety of men nominated soe y' he y' had ye most Vots had not ye major Vote of yo wholl Church then those two y' had ye most Vots should ye next lords day be put to ye Vote againe, w.ch of thos two it should be & ye two y' had most Vots weer Samuell Clap & James Blake
The same time ye Church agreed y ye 4th day Seavennight after being ye 13 of this Instant ye Church would ordaine yo officers yt are & should be Chosen.
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The same time Mary ye daughter of Sister Smith was dismist to ye Church at Rocksbery though she was not a member heer in full Comunion
The 10 (11) 68 when as Votes should have been brought in for a deacon, one of ye men formerly nominated was not at meeting, therefore ye Election at that time was omitted till another Convenient time only it was agreed on yt Elder Humfry should be ordained alone on ye next 4th day being ye 13 (11) 68 wch was done on that day M' Mather praying & preaching in ye fore part of ye day & M' Stoughton & M" Eliot praying in ye after p't of ye day and then M' Mather & M' Eliot layd on ther hands : m' Minot being absent
The 31 (11) 68 Voats weer brought in for a Deacon of one of ye men formerly Nominated & Samuel Clap had ye Major Voate
The 28 (12) 68 it was declared y Samuell Clap in regard he had not ye Major Voat of ye whol Church he Could not be willing to accept of ye place wheerupon ye Church did agree y' ye next lords day they would bring in Voats againe for a deacon
The 7ª (1) 6¿ Voats being brought in for a Deacon ; Rich- ard Withington & James Blake weer ye men that had most
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Voats though neither of them had ye Major Voat of ye wholl Church, but it was appointed y ye next lords day Voats should be brought in for one of thos two
The same day Robt Badcock did both by word & wright- ing make some accknowlidgment of his two forwardnes in takeing up & devulging some reports weh tended to ye blem- eshing of M' Emerson
The 14th (1) 68 Votes weer brought in for a Deacon & Rich Withington had 33 Voates & James Blake 29.
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The 21 (1) 63 an order was published from ye Councell requiering all ye Churches in this Jurisdiction to keepe a day of humilliation in regard of this Contry & ye Church of god in other p" of ye world ye day is the 25 of this Instant
M' Mather exersised ye fore pt of ye day from Lament : 3 40 & M' Stoughton ye latter p* from Jer 18 5 : 6
The 28 (1) 69 Richard Withington being formerly Chosen to ye office of a deacon declared his acceptance.
The 4 (2) 69 an order was published from ye Counsell requiering all ye Elders in this Collony to take espesall care (by themselves and such as they shall take to them) to Cate- chize ye yunger people & to enquier after ther p'fitting by ye publique means & whether ther Conversation be answerable in any measuer therunto, & this not only Church members but all in generall & not only in ye publique but from house to house as they are able : ye maner of doeing this was left to farther consideration
The I Ith of ye (2) 69 a letter was read directed to ye Church from ye desenting breatheren of ye Church at Boston (Viz ye old Church) wheerin they did express ther desier to this Church to send ther Elders & messengers to Boston on ye 1 3th of this' Instant to give them Counsell what may be ye mind of god y they should doe in referrance to ye difference y* was between ye Church ther & them : this Church after long adjetation (some expressing themselves as not willing to send any, seeing ye Church at Boston did not send) yet at length ye Major pt of ye Church did by Vote Nominate & appoint M' Mather & Eldr Humphry Captaine Clap & Captin ffoster & requested M' Stoughton to Joyne with them
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(The Revd m' Richard Mather Teacher of the Ch" at Dorchester Rested from His Labours.)
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DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
The 2 of ye (3) 69 ye Church appointed some to goe to m' Stoughton to desier him to Continue his labour in preaching not only one pt of ye lords day but all ye day untill we could be otherwise p'vided for the which he granted
The same day it was agreed unto by ye Church y' a day of humilliation should be kept to humble of souls before god & to seeke his direction for a supply of teaching officers to this Church ye day appointed was the 14 of this Instant May at wch time M' Stoughton did first pray and then M' Increas Mather did pray & preach in ye fore pt of ye day and M' Eliot did pray & then M' Thecher did pray & preach in ye after pt of ye day
The same day or ye day before being ye 25 of ye (2) 69 ye result of ye Counsell (meet at Boston in ye case of ye desent- ing breatheren) was read to ye Church as also a letter sent by ye Elders of Boston unto this Church in reference to ye same Casse
The 16 (3) 69 ye Church nominated some to goe to M' Stoughton and acquaint him y ye Church did desier him to Joyne to this Church & yt he would accept of office to be a teaching officer to this Church & y' he would take it into serious Consideration & in Convenient time to give his answer unto ye whole Church all which was ye same evening declared unto him
The 4 (5) 69 ye Church Nominated some to goe to M' Stoughton againe to renew ther motion unto him to accept of office ye wch was the same day don
The 19 (7) 69 it was p'posed in ye Church by ye Elders whether M' Stoughton should not be called on for his answer whether he would accept of office, ye Conclusion was y' first ye Church should set a pt a day to seek god by fasting and prayer y' god would be pleased
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to direct both ye Church & him in y matter, ye day appointed was the 29 of this Instant web was p'formed by ye breatheren in prayer only
The 10 (8) 69 ye Church by a Vote agreed y M' Stoughton should be desiered to give his answer either ye next lords day or very shortly & yt to be done before ye wholl Church if he please, & some appointed to give him notice of it before
The 30th (8) 69 ye Church understanding y' m' Stoughton was inclined to give a negative answer (if he weer called on) did by Voate desier ye Elder & two of ye Breatheren to
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DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
desier ye Elders of other Churches at ther meeting at Boston in some Convenient time to p'suad & encuredg M' Stoughton to accept of a call when he should be to give his finall answer
The same day Notice was given of a publique day of thanksgiving to be keept being enjoyned by ye Generall Court for ye lords mercy in hearing of prayers & staying ye exceeding great wett & raine weh was this sommer weh did threaten ye spoiling of all sorts of corne & fresh hay : and for giving a competent increas of ye fruts of ye earth y8 day appointed was ye 17 (9) next the day was carryed on by m' Stoughton both pts of ye day from Deutrenomy 16 last pt of ye 15 vers
The 2 (11) 69 ye Church being stayed after ye evening exersiz, Consideration then was had whether m' Stoughton should not be desiered to give his full answer whether he would accept of office, the Conclusion was yt ye Elder & Deacon should goe to him & receave his answer ye web they did, his answer was negative y' he was not willing to accept
The same time also a Church meeting was appointed ye next day to consider whether (if m' Stoughton should refus) we should not
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send for some man or men from England, a ship being ready to goe
At wch meeting being ye 3 11 69 after much adgetation ye Church did not incline for ye p'sent to send to Ingland not as a Church act but ye Conclusion by a Vote was y' it should be left wth M' Stoughton & ye Elder & Captin Clap & Captin ffoster for to Consider together & to advise wtb one another & wth other Elders if they see meet whether ther may not be a supply had in this Contry and they to Nominate two as they may think fitt & the Church to consider & to determin whether one of thos two should be ye man or neither of them
The same time also it was p'posed to ye Consideration of ye Church y seeing ther have been of late a great slacknes in ye breatherens Coming to ye Contribution on ye lords day. whether it should be continued or not, divers exprest them- selves willing it should be continued, but ye Conclusion was by a ginerall assent (though not by Vote) that for a time ye Deacon might forbeare calling for Contribution on ye lords day untill we should have Sacraments againe or till the Church had occasion for it
The Same day it was agreed unto by a Vote y' ther should be ten pounds disbursted out of the Church Stock to wards
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DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
ye expenses of m' Mathers funerall & the errecting of a piller on his grave (ther being ten pounds more alowed out of the Towne Rate for that end) alsoe at that time ye Church appointed bro' Clement & bro' Jnº Smith to git ye worke done about ye grave & to receave soe much into ther hands as will defray that Charge & M' Timothy Mather to have ye remainder
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The 9 (11) 69 after ye evening exersiz ye Church was desierd to stay on this account Viz Some of thos breatheren who wer latly appointed to look out for a fitt man for to be a teaching officer in ye Church thought yt (seeing ye ship was not yet gon) yit would be best to send to England for one : others thought not soe fitt but ye question was whether ye Church would stay at that time to agetate y' matter ye Vote was negative
The 30 (11) 69 a letter was read web came from ye first Church at Boston weh was, to understand whether it would be offensive to o' Church if they should Call deacon Wiswall to ye office of a ruling Elder, ye weh was left to Consider off till ye next lords day
The 13 12 69 discours ther was in ye Church Conserning Deacon Wiswall in Conclusion Two breatheren weer ap- pointed to desier deacon Wiswall to come & speake wth ye Church himself
The 20 12 69 Deacon Wiswall being p'sent it was desiered of him to declare his mind whether he would Continue at boston or remove to us againe. after long adjetation he did declare y' he thought god Called him to Continue ther yet ye Church did not Conclud of an answer to ye Church of boston but deferred it tell an other weeke to consider of it
The 27 12 69 It was concluded by a Vote in ye Church y a letter should be sent to ye first Church at Boston to declare to them yt it should not be offensive to ye Church if they did look after deacon Wiswall for to be a rulling elder amongst them
The same time Sister Blake ye old Widdow desiered her dismition to ye 3ª Church at Boston ye Church at ye motion of 2 or 3 of ye breathen did take it into Consideration till ye next lords day
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The 6 of ye (1) 48 The matter Concerning Sister Blaks dis- mimtion to ye third Church in Boston was proposed againe, & divers exprest themselves for it & divers would have it
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DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
waved untill a further time at length it was put to ye Vote whether ye Church would Isue ye matter at that time. ther weer 18 or 19 for it & 12 or 13 against it then her dismission was put to ye Vote & ther was ye lik number for it & against it then it was spoken too by some y' ther weer some y' weer Newter & they should be counted Negatives soe yt at lenth ye Vote was put by parting of Companys & of thos yt weer p'sent ther wer 22 for her dismition & 19 against it & some .yt had been Newters before went away & would not Vote any way but Deacon Wiswall weh was against it in ye former Vote was gone before ye latter Vote
The 24 (2) 70 a letter Came to o' Church from ye first Church at Boston wherin they did desier o' Church to send ther messengers to ye ordaining of M' Oxenbridg for a pastor & M' John Wiswall for a Ruling Elder to y Church ye day apointed is ye 4th (3) 70
The Church desiered M' Stoughton to goe for one & they apointed Captin Clap Captin ffoster Elder Humfry & Deacon Capen
The 5 (4) 70 an order was read wch came from ye generall Court wherin they did appoint a day of humilliation to be kept one ye 16th this Instant June M' Stoughton exersized ye former p' of ye day from Eay 57 17 p* 18 & M' Atherton ye latter på from Lament 3 11 : & ye Elder did pray in ye Con- clusion of ye day
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The 12 (4) 70 a letter was read weh Came from yo Church at Brantry wherin they did desier o' Church to send some help in way of Councell in regard of ye differences yt weer amongst them in respect of teaching officers : ye Church did desier M' Stoughton for one & appointed Elder Humphry & Capt ffoster ye day appointed is ye 20 June 70
21 (6) 70
Wheras ye Church at a former meeting nominated M' Stoughton Elder Humphry Capt Clap & Capt: ffoster to Consider & look out for a man for a teaching officer & they to p'pos two or three and then ye Church to declare by Voat wch of thos they would Invite for p'bation : now after a pretty long time of Consideration they have upon this 21 (6) 70 p'pounded three for ye Church to Consider off Viz M' fflint of Brantry M' Benjamen Eliot of Rocksbery & m" Butler in old England ye Church was to Consider of it & yo next lords day to bring in Voats which they would Invite &
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DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
thos two weh have the most Voats should ye next lords day after be Voated againe
The 28 of ye (6) 70 ye Church brought in ther Voats & m' fflint & m' Eliot had ye most Voats ye Church was to Con- sider of it till ye next lords day & then to bring in Voats for one of thos two
The 4 (7) 70 Voats weer brought in as was formerly appointed and m' fflint had ye Major Voate afterward ye Elder put it to Voate to ye whole Church whether any mem- ber had anything against it or whether they did all consent to what was Voated ye Voat was in ye affermative At ye same time ye Church did Nominat seaverall breatheren to be ther messengers to acquaint m' fflint wth ye motion Viz M' Stoughton (whom ye Church desiered) and Elder Humphry Capt Clap : Capten ffoster & Deacon Capen
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The II (7) 70 ther was a letter read to ye Church wch Came from Hull expressing ther intent to enter into Church state & ordaining (the Revd m' Whitman &) some officer or officers besides as also ther desier that o' Church would send some messengers to assist & hold out ye right hand of ffellowship unto them ye day appointed is ye 13th this Instant : ye Church desiered M' Stoughton to be one and Elder Humphry for ye other.
The same time there was an order read wch Came from ye Counsell requiering a publique fast to be keept in this Jurisdiction In regard of ye distresses of ye people of god abroad & espessally as it is feared in o' Native Contry yo day appointed is ye 22 this Instant being ye fift day of ye weeke
The 18 7 70 after ye Evening exersiz ye Elder declared to ye Church ye return of ther messadg to Hull Viz that ther was a Church gathered & a teaching officer & a rulling elder ordained & eleven p'sons in all entered into Covenant at that time
The 6 (9) 70 an order Came from ye Gen" Court requier- ing a day to be keept of thanksgiving for ye peace y' we yet enjoy & other generall mercys; ye day is ye 24 this Instant
The 25 10 70 ther was a contribution in money p'ly for a recompence to m' fflint for his labour in preaching & pely for other nessesary uses at weh time ther was Collected two pound 17' 3d} of wch M' fflint had 40' ye next day
The I 11 70 ye Comittee yt was appointed (or messengers)
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DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
to Invite m' fflint (in ye name of ye Church) to Come to us & preach to us in a constant way for p'bation to a further call delivered his answer (after seaverall addresses unto him) wch was an answer of acceptance of ye Churches call soe farre
The same time ye Church by Voate did nominate & appoint ye Elder & Deakon wth ye select men & Capt Clap & Bro' Sumner for to speak wth m' Stoughton & desier y ye Church may Enjoy his labour alsoe as a help unto m' fflint for some time
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The 12 (12) 1670 Notice was given by ye Elder that ye Elders meeting together at Boston lately did Conceave y it was needfull for ye Churches & people heer abouts to keep a day of fasting & prayer to god for thes reasons viz : ye sad condition of the people of god in Our Native Contry & ye places adjacent being under great restraints & affliction as also in regard of ye great p'valeing & increas of sine & wick- ednes amongst o' selves ye day appointed was ye first of March next : to this motion ye Congregation consented
The 12 1 1640 it was agreed unto by a Vote in ye Church y' m' Stoughton & ye Elder & bro' Sumner together. wth ye Select men should speake wth m' fflint & desier him to Come & take up his residence amongst us & Joyne to o' Church in order to o' further p'ceeding to call him to office :
The same day Jnº Holbrook was dismissed unto ye Church at Rocksbery though he was not in full Comunion
The 7 (3) 71 a letter was read in ye Church wch Came from ye County Court in wch they did sterr up our Church together wth ye Church at ye north end of Boston & deadham & Way- mouth ; for to send by ther messengers for to enquier into ye reason of (the Church at Braintry) ther great differance & slownes in p'viding a minester of ye word unto them ; ye Church at ye same time Nominated & desiered m' Stoughton for one & the rulling elder : Capt Clap & Capt ffoster
The 16 (5) 71 ye Church was desiered to stay to consider whether we should not send to m' fflint againe to sterr him up to hasten his remove to dorchester & to Joyne to ye Church in order to office relation : ye Church did apoint ye Elder & deakon Captin ffoster & some more to doe it : & Augustin Clement & Jnº Smith to consider about finishing his hous
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Y. 23 5 71 ye messengers y' weer sent to M' flint returned his answer that he thought it not convenient for to Joyne
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DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
to ye Church untill he was setled heer in towne but as soone as his hous is ready he did purpos to Come away
The 30th 5 71 ye Elder after ye evening exercis read a declaration of what they did when they went to brantry which he could not doe before becaus it was not drawne up in wrighting, as alsoe it was therin declared what advis & counsell they left with them : The same time it was thought fitt that ye same Churches should goe to them againe by their messengers to know what effect their Counsell had taken with them to which ye Church agreed & apointed ye former messengers
The 24 7 71 ther was a letter read yt came from ye Coun- cell who appointed a publique day of thanksgivinge to be kept in this Jurisdiction for ye Continuance of peace & lib- ertys in Church & state & for ye fruts of ye earth ye day appointed is ye 19 8 71
The 12 9 71 M' Stoughton & M' fflint weer admitted members of this Church without makeing any relation but ther dismission being made known & entering into Covenant
The 26 9 71 the Church did Elect m' fflint to be a teach- ing officer to this Church
The 3 of ye 10th 71 M' fflint gave in his answer unto the Church of his acceptance unto ye office of a pastor unto the which ye Church had before elected him
The same time it was Concluded by the Church y ye 27th of this Instant should be the day of ordaination and that ye Churches at Boston & Cambridg Charlstowne Rocksbery & Waymoth should be sent unto to desier them to send their Elders & messengers to Asist in that worke
[90] The 10th of ye Ioth 71
The Major pt of ye Church did agree by a Vote that M' Eliot of Rocksbery should be desiered to manedge ye worke of Ordaination & giveing the Charge, though some of the breatheren weer not soe free ther unto but would have had it p'formed by ye Church alone but ye ruling Elder desiered to be spared therin.
The 24th 10 71 ye ruling Elder p'posed to ye Church y some other breatheren or brother might be appointed to lay on hands at ye time of ordaination or els some other Elders but y® Church appointed only Deacon Capen to be added to m' Eliot & ye ruling Elder
The 27th 10 71 the worke of ordaination was Solemnized
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DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
for ye ordaining of m' Josiah fflent to be a pastor unto this Church of dorchester and it was approved off by ye Elders & messengers of ye Churches formerly sent unto; and m' Chancy was appointed in ye name of all ye Churches to give ye right hand of ffellowship
The 7 11 71 We had ye sacrament of ye lords Super admin- estered by M' fflint
The 5 3 72 Votes weer brought in for a Deacon & James Blak & Jnº Gornell had most Votes & then they two being put to ye vote againe James Blake had 34 Vots & ye other 19 but his answer of acceptance was deferred till ye next lords day
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