USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > Records of the First Church at Dorchester, in New England, 1636-1734 > Part 8
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
The 26 3 72 James Blake was called upon to give his answer at which time he did manifest his acceptation of his call to ye office of a deacon
The same time it was spoken unto & p'posed by ye Church whether we should not have a Contribution once a month or evey lords day for p'sons to bring in p' of ther p'portion to ye maintenance of ye minestry in money to be keept upon an account as på of ther p'portion ye which was Concluded that it should
[91]
be p'posed to ye whole assembly the next lords day
alsoe something was said Concerning Cattechising but not concluded in what manner
alsoe ye same time it was Concluded that we should have a lectuer once a month to be on ye fowerth day of the week, ye which day m' fflint Nominated & to begin as soone as m' fflint did see fitt & Convenient with respect unto himself
The 9 4 72 It was p'posed by the elder that ther should be a Contribution every lords day cheifly in money each man putting in his paper with his name in it & how much money he have therin put weh should be keept on account by ya deacon & at ye end of ye yeer it should be accounted as soe much of his p'portion towards ye maintenance of ye minestry only ye Sacrament days that Contribution should be for ye p'vission for ye lords table but this was not put to ye Vote yet afterwards practized.
The same day notice was given of a publick day of humil- liation to be keept on the 13 of this month the grounds was not declared but in generall in regard of the troubls of ye Church of Christ in o' native Cuntry & elce wheer & the devissions amongst our selves ye former p' of ye day was spent by m' Atherton & ye latter by M' fflint
67
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
The 23 4 72 ye Church & some of ye Congregation began Contribution to ye maintenance of ye minestry
The same day M' fflint desiered the Church & Congrega- tion to send in the names of all children & servants y' weer under any famely government in order to catechising or some other way of instruction
The 25 6 72 a letter was read wch came from ye Church at Brantry wherin they did desier ye Elders & messengers of this Church to be sent to them on ye 11tb Sep for to ther ordaination of m' fisk to be an officer amongst them, at wch time ther was appointed o' Teaching & rulling elders m' Stoughton Captin ffoster & deacon Capen & Deacon Blake
At weh time m' ffisk was ordained a pastor to ye Church at Brantry
[92]
The 3 9 72 an order was read wych Came from ye generall Court web appointed ye 20 of this Instant to be keept as a day of thanksgiving & ye 24th of ye (10) 72 a day of humillia- tion
The 10 9th 72 It was made known to ye Church yt ther weer some yong men would Joyne to ye Church if they might have ther relation read in wrighting & though some spake against it at first; yet when it was made knowne to Church y' in ye second month 65 such a thing was by Vote granted on such Condition as is ther registered ye Church did again Consent to it by a Vote put by ye silence of ye Church against web none replyed after it
The same day ye Church appointed ye two Deacons to Returne thanks unto M" Thatcher of Boston for her gift to y® Church wch was a silver Cupp for ye Sacrament & a greene Cushin for ye Desk
The 18 4 73 ther was a day of Humilliation keept in o' Church pily wth respect to ye state of ye Churches of Christ in other pte of ye world & ye Commotions of o' nation wth other nations & wth respect to o' owne Condition in this Contry & alsoe being intended ye begining of setting up ye monthly lectuers : The day was spent by M' fflint in ye fore- noone & M' Alen praying in ye afternoon & M' Tory preach- ing & docter Hore concluding by prayer
The 13 5 73 notice was given yt ye next wednesday being y® 16 instant July ye monthly lectuer was to begin
The 17 6 73 ther was notice given of a generall day of humilliation to be keept in this Collony on ye 28 of this
68
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
Instant being ye 5' day of ye week p'ly by reason of the duch o' enemys being soe neer us they haveing taken ye Manados & p'ly in regard of ye Comotions of ye Nations in Europ &c : m' fflint did pray & preach out of Ezekell 44 13 & ye Elder prayed once
[93]
The 2 9 73 An order from ye Generall Court was pub- lished Appointing a publik day of thanks giveing to be keept in Consideration of ye returne of o' prayers this last Summer wheras all ye fruts of ye earth was likly to be lost in regard of ye wett & coldnes of ye season god sending some warme weather for some weeks: As alsoe for o' peace notwith- standing ye p'vailing enemy aproaching soe neer o' Coasts as at New York : ye day appointed is ye 20 9 73
The 23 9 73 a letter was read wch came from Deadham desiering ye Church to sent ther elders & messengers to asist in ye ordaining of M' William Adames to be a pastor to their Church ye day appointed is ye 3 desemb 73 The Church Chos ye Elders & m' Stoughton & Captin ffoster
The 31 9 73 a letter was read wch came from ye Counsell Requiering a publique day of humilliation to be keept in ye regard of ye troubls are like to come on the Contry by reason of goeing to warre wth ye duch ye day appointed is ye I [th decem 73
The 15 (1) 73 a letter was read wch came from ye Genroll Court who appointed a day of humilliation to be keept on y® 26 (1) 74 on ye behalf of ye Churches abroad & troubls at home & ye outbreakings of gross sins among us & the differ- ence in some Sosieties as also in regard of ye shortnes of ye last harvest for Corne & by reason of o' setting out of ships of warre to defend o' Navigation by sea
·The 13 7 74 an order from ye Counsell was read who appointed a publique day of thanksgiving unto god p'ly for y his blessing on ye fruts of ye earth & p'ly for ye Con- tinuance of o' peace & liberty & for ye ceasing of ye warre between o' nation & Holland ye day to be ye 24 7 74
(The 19 9 74 The Reverend M' Samuel Danforth Pastor of Roxt-Chh aged 47 years rested in ye Lord.)
[94]
The 14 (1) 7% an order was published from ye Counsell requiering a publique fast to be keept one ye 25 of this instant p'ly for ye people of god in ginerall & p'ly in regard
69
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
of ye p'vailing & increase of grose sines amongst us & ye languishing state of ye Collidg & ye Cold backwardnes of ye spring & for a blessing one ye labor of ye husbandman ye ensewing yeere
The 27th 4 75 ther was noe meeting on ye Lords day in or towne m' fflint being sick
The 29 4 75 ther was a publike day of humiliation (ap- pointed some days before by ye Counsell) in regard of ye warre wth phillip ye Sachem against whom ye Souldiers weer gon forth ye 26 5 75 but there was noe publik meeting that day (in this Town) neither but people went abroad (to other meetings)
The 14th 5 75 being one of our lectuer days it was keept as a fast by o' towne
The 18th 5 75 Jnº Capen Jun' came before ye Church & gave satisfaction for some ofence wch he lay under
The II 5 75 there was a Contribution for M' Corlet for his labour in preaching at weh time was Colected 31- 188- 3ª
The 5. 7. 75. William Sumner appeared before ye Church before the Sacrament to give Satisfaction for offencive speches uttered against ye Comittee of ye Milicia
The 7. 8. 75. ther was a publique fast in ye whole Collony The 29 10 75 being one of our lectuer days it was kept a fast in regard of ye warr.
The 13 11 75 ther was a publick fast over all this Collony The 2 March 75 a publik fast
The 16 2 76 & two Saboth afore Isack Joans was before ye Church p'secuted by ye Elders for some miscaredg to M' Stoughton
[95]
The 9 3 76 ther was a fast kept at ye generall Court by ye Court & Elders only
The 29 4th 76 ther was a publique day of thanksgiveing by ye whole Collony
The 24 Sep 76 ther was a Contrebution for Daniell Elders at wch time ther was given in money 1-18-11d & in Corne 1-18 o & dlevered to deacon Blake; the corne was p'mised by Severall persons of wch hee took account of them
The 7 10th 76 ther was a publique day of humilliation in all ye Churches in this Collony p'ly in respect of o' messen- gers sent to England Viz M' Stoughton & M' Buckly
The 20 10 76 ther was a fast keept by ye whole Church at M' fflints hous with respect to the messengers sent to England.
The 29 11 76 ther was a Church meeting at M' fflints hous
70
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
to Consider what may be ye p'voking sines y' may p'voke god against his people & in order to o' renewall of o' Cov- enant at wch time it was Judged yt we fell short of o' former Covenant engagment in waching over one another and in famely instruction & Church dissepline & publique Catechizing therfore it wes Concluded at ye same time first y' in matters agetated & voted yt the major Vote should Isue bussineses put to ye Vote
2 Voted that ye Children of those y' are in full Comunion are members & soe to be looked at
3 for Catechizing it was left to be furder considered off by m' fflint & ye rulling Elder & ye Select men
4 y ye Children of Church members being adult should be watched over & discepline exercized to them as need requier
5 It was Voted y ye Children of ye Church (though not in full Comunion) being quallefied as in ye fift p'posission of ye Senod & taking hold of ye Covenant may be baptized to this last ye Vote was ginerall all but one man some weer not
[96]
soe cleer in it yet would not make any distubance & soe farre yt meeting p'ceeded & appointed another meeting
The 7 12 76 ther was another Church meeting at m' fflints hous at wch time ther was a free discoursing & laying open one to another thos Sines wch weer most p'vokeing to god to come forth against us, that soe ther might an humble & free Confession of them before god when we should Come together to renew o' Covenant & in ye Close of ye day it was concluded that m' fflint should draw up & p'sent it to ye Church at o' next meeting for app'bation or adding to or de- tracting from it
The 18 12 76 being Sacrament day Robt Spur was called forth before ye Church to make his accknowlidgment of ye offence weh he lay under in giveing entertainement in his hous of loos & vaine p'sons espesally Joseph Belcher his frequent Coming to his daughter Contrary to the admoni- tion of ye Court wch was greatly to ye offence of ye said Bel- chers neerest relations and divers others
The same day after the evening exerciz ther was an Order read weh Came from ye Councell appointing & requiering a publique day of humilliation in this Jurisdiction to be kept upon ye first day of March next and becaus it was moe then usually was wont to be I have heer inserted ye Coppi of it wch is as followeth
71
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
[97]
At a Councell held at Boston the 12 ffeb 1676
As we must hold o' selves ever obliged to an humble & harty accknowledgment of ye many mercyfull & Marvellous outgoeings of god for us, his undeserveing people, inhabet- ting this wildernes, and more especially of his late Signall appearances on our side against bloddy & barbarous men that rose up against us ; wherin he hath out acted o' faith and Expectation : soe we are noe less in duty bound to re- flect wth shame & sorrow upon or unbecoming deportments toward ye lord and ill requitals of him, after all his kind- nesses. the prid, ye worldlynes, the sensualletie of many p'fessors, the contempt of ye gosple, the defection and ap- postacy of some from ye truth to p'nicious heresies, the decay of brotherly love, ye unthankfulnes for mercys, the deafnes to ye rod of divine appointment, the abus of p'cious peace & libertie, and the too generall unsubdewednes of ye harts of men to the will of god, with such like evels, found among us (beside the gross ignorance & growing p'fanes of too many p'sons under rich means of knowledg & reforma- tion) doe proclaime aloud our litle profitting & p'ficciency under gods hand and breeding, our unfrutfulnes under the variouse instructing dispensations of god; yea, and sadly testefie to o' faces, y' we have not been throughly melted, and won by mercies, nor kindly affected with, & reformed by ye Judgments of ye lord : and that, (what ever our vows have been, in ye day of o' distress, yet,) our old tast in great measure remains in us, & our sent is litle Changed; though we have been emptied from vessell to vessell, and changes & warr have ben against us. well may we fear another storme of wrath, and that ye Just & holy god will punesh us seaven times for our many & grevious p'vokations : unles we p'pare our selves to meet our god with humil- liation, supplication, & reformation ; and timously make or peace wth him through ye blood of o' lord Jesus Christ. Moreover, as we have had experience of ye Lords heering o' prayers, & being a p'sent, ready help to us (though most unworthy) in all our troubles: Soe it cannot be denyed or doubted, but that we have as much need of his help & grace now as ever, and that it is o' wisdom & duty at this day, to set o' selves to seek ye lord, and to become humble petition- ers at ye throwne of grace to
72
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
[98]
the father of mercys, that he would graciously pleas to par- don & purge away our sins, and avert the judgments we have deserved, for his names sake; that he would Continue peace & truth with all the preciouse & pleasant things of Jerusalem unto us, and give us one hart & way to feare him for the good of o' selves & Children after us; that he would Vouchsafe his gracious presence with his servants that are entrusted with the management of publick affaires, and p'ticulerly, with thos worthy p'sons, our messengers, in their Negotiations, that they may find favor with the kings Majestie, and prosper in that important undertakeing : that he would infattuate ye Counsels, defeate ye designes, and Re- straine the remainder of ye Cursed & cruell wrath of ye heathen, that are yet in hostillety with us; that hee would goe along with our forces in the present expedition ; that he would build the wast places, Repaire the breaches made upon us, and settle a suer & lasting peace in o' borders ; that he would smile upon the labours of his servants, bless ye springing & fruts of ye earth, and Crowne the yere with his goodnes; that he would Cause Zebulon to rejoyce in his goeing out, & Isachar in his tents; that he would be a wale of fier about us, & ye glory in ye midst of us, that he would save & bless his Churches abroad, support & enlarge the intrest of Christ in the world
It is therfore ordered by ye Governour & Councell of this Jurisdiction that thursday ; the first day of March next en- sewing, be set apart for a day of humilliation, fasting & prayer, throughout this Collony : and all p'sons in ther sev- erall Capacceties are requiered to forbeare ye works of their ordinary Callings, & apply themselves to ye Relidgiouse & Sollemn observation of that day, that it may be indeed a day of Attonement, & not of new & further provokation
By ye Councell Ed Rawson Secretary
[99]
The 25 12 76 ye Church had another meeting at m' fflints hous wher & at which time, that weh m' fflint had drawn up for ye Church to engage in it was read ye Substance of which was a sevenfold instance from ye Scriptuer of renewall of Covenant, & after a repetition of ye Churches first (But it may be before the first in ye begining of this book placed Covenant) Covenant, & then some further engagments aded two larg heer to ensert, but it may be in due time upon this ther was some debate & ajetation & at last voted in ye affermative by ye Major på though some was not
73
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
soe Cleer as to the extent of baptisme, at this time it was Concluded this engagment should be read publikly ye next Saboth unto all ye Congregation & in ye meane time a Catta- log of ye nams of all ye Children of ye Church above ye age of Sixteen yeers should be gathered up yt they may be called uppon to give their p'ticular Consent to Submitt to ye Gov- erment of Christ in & by his Church
The 4th of March 76 being Saboth day ye Engagment or Covenant was publickly read & the next day being monday ye 5 March they weer appointed to Come together both ye Church & ye Children of ye Church
At which time after ye Casse was Commended to god by prayer, m' fflint gave a serious exortation unto ye seed of ye Church laid downe in fower or five p'ticuler Considerations not heer inserted (but in ye beging of ye book)
Then ye Elder made a short spech to ye Children of ye Church that they should take notice y' they weer not (by this ther assenting to what should be p'posed to them) to be admitted to ye Lords table, nor Voteing in ye Church but to declare ther willingnes & subjection to ye goverment & discepline of Christ in & by his Church
The names of thos yt did ye same day p'sonally give their assent
Timothy Mather
Thomas Bird
James Bird Tho : Andrews
Samuell Hill
Johnathan Hill
[100]
Tho Trott Jun'
Hanah Joanes
Samuell Sumner
Mary Weeks
John Garnesy
Renew Weeks
Rich Evens
Thankfull Baker
Mathias Evens
Elizabeth Baker
John Merifeild
Mary Wales
Ebenez : Withington
Elizabeth Hale
John Spur
Waite Smith
Nathaniell Wiet
Hanah Davenport
Consider Atherton
Hanah Withington
John Beaman
Mary Hewen
Hopestill Humphry ck Humphry :ob Hewens Jun' hn Blake
Mary Lyon
Susan Lyon
Mary pelton
Content Wales
John Breck Nathanell Glover
74
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
Jnº Blackman
James Blake Nehemiah Clap Elisha ffoster Comfort ffoster Richard Mather
Mary Lawrance patience Lawrance
Mary Beaman Judeth pond
deliverance Smith
Jnº Trescot James Baker
patience Trescot Martha Trescot Mary Chaplin
preserved Capen
Mahittabell Hill
Samuell Hale
Sarah Leadbetter
Richard Hale
Martha Minot
Charles Davenport Jnº Smith Jr Ebenezer Hill
George Minot
Samuell Sumner Jun'
of Melton
Thomas Holman
Ephraim Newton
Thomas Swift Jun'
Mary Blake -
Samuell Blake
Ja : Tuckers wif
Nathaniell Blake
Teags wif
divers others weer at ye same time Called but desiered
18 (1) 79 time to Consider of it ye same time a fast was appointed in order heerunto to be keept the 21 of march being o' lectuer day
The IIth of March 76 Consented
Ebenez : Williams John Mason
Nathaniell Lyon
John Brown
John pelton Jun"
Samuell Rigby
Sarah Beaman
[101]
The 18 (1) 74 Consented Ebenezer Bilenge & his wife Johnathan & Roger bellenge
Joseph Capen Samuell ffarnworth Nathaniell Wales patience Atherton
Tho Holmans wife
Waitstill Vose
Eb Belleng & wife Johana Belleng Roger Belleng patience Atherton Joseph Capen Samuell farnworth Nathaniell Wales look for more in or at ye year 1682
Samuell Trescot John Weeks
John Wales Sen"
75
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
The same day ther was a Contribution for M' Hub- bard wch Came from Black-point by ye distresse of ye Indians
The 25 March 77 Consented
John Minot
Ap I: 77 James Minot Jun'
Ap 8 77 Theophelus poole
The 8 Aprill 77 ther was appointed a day of Hu- milliation to be kept on our next lectuer day for ye Con- summating of o' renewing ye Covenant being the 18 Aprill 77 but some of the breatheren weer not soe Cleer as to ye extent of baptisme
The 18 Aprill 77 ye sollemn day of fast was observed & after ye morning exersiz ye Covenant was againe publickly read & the Vote put forth or Called for & the Vote was in the affermative noe man speaking against it. only Bro" William Sumner went out of ye meeting when it was goeing to be read & Came not againe in ye afternoone
M' fflint preached ye former på of ye day from 15 John 5 with out me ye can doe nothing
& M' Tory in ye after noone from Jer 3 22 behold we com unto thee for thou art ye lord o' God
The 22 2 1677 Consented
James Minot ye Scholmaster & Samuell pelton
The 1 5 77 was notice given of a publique day of humillia- tion to be keept ye 5 day Instant Jully.
[102]
The 5 6 77 Samuell Rigby being related to ye Church was called forth to answer for his sin of Cursing & excessive drinking & neglect of attendance one ye publik ordinances for wch (he not giveing Satisfaction to ye Church) was ye same time laid under the sentance of admonition
The 2 7 77 ther was a Contribution for ye meeting hous at Rehoboth at wch time ther was given 3 10-8 also a contri- bution for deacon Coopper at ye same place at weh time ther was given for him 5 5 9 besids Thomas bird in shows 3ª & John withington I' in a note & William pond in Corne I8-6ª wch afterward he brought I' in money & Tho Modesly in shows 2ª
The 29 8 77 ye Church appointed to keep a fast on ye 31 8 77 being o' lectuer day on ye behalf of o' Messengers in England & for a good Essew of that affaire wth ye king & for Converting grace one ye Rising generation
76
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
The 15 No 77 ther was a publick day of thanksgiveing in this jurisdiction p'ly for that peace wch we doe enjoy after soe much trouble & warr & p'ly for ye lords blessing us wth a plentiouse harvest & p'ly for good Success yt we hav by ye blessing of god on o' messengers y' was sent to England
The same day was read a letter from ye therd Church in Boston desiering this Church to send ther Elders & mes- sengers to a Councell Conserning M' Willard whether they may call him to office being not dismissed from ye Church at Groaton, but ye Church scattered abroad by reason of ye warrs. The Church appointed ye Elders and Deacon Capen & William Sumner
The 25 9 77 ye result of ye Councill was published ye Sub- stance of it was yt the Counsell did Judg from ye word of god y' m' Willard was at libertie to Joyne
[103]
in memberly fellowship with & unto ye theird Church in Boston ye arguments from ye Scriptuer weer 7 or eight not heer inserted & heer unto all ye Counsell of eight Churches consented & Subscribed except one man
The same day John Merrifeild (though not in full Comun- ion) was called forth before ye Church to answer for his sine of drunknes and also for Contempt & slighting ye power of Christ in his Church in not appearing formerly though often called upon & sent unto : but he made some excus for his drunknes in y' being not well at Boston hee took a little strong water & comeing out in ye ayre did distemp him & for ye other offence he did acknowlidg his fault therin
The first Saboth in January 1677 we began to Contribut weekly for ye maintenance of ye minestry according to ye Vote of ye towne ye 27 10 77
The 27 II 77 ther was an order from ye Councell read wherin they had appointed a day of humilliation to be ob- served ye 21 ffeb next p'ly in ye regard of ye enemies en- deavors against us not yet fully quieted & p'ly ye hand of god gon out against us in removeing by death many of his p'cious servants as of late M' Shepard of Charlstowne who dyed in ye small pox & p'ly by reason of y distemper p'vail- ling soe much in that town as also in Boston & also in regard of our messengers weh are negotiating o' affaires yet in England
The 31 of (1) 78 a letter was read coming from the third Church in Boston desiering ye Church to send ther Elders
·
1
77
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
& messengers to ye ordaining of M' Willard to office in ther Church on ye 10 of Aprill & besids ye Elders ther was appointed & Voted Capt Clap & Deacon Capen
[104]
The 24 2 78 ther was a Church gathered by some of or breatheren y' live at Milton it was done in o' meeting hous at dorchester becaus of some opposission y' did appeare ; ye Churches wch they sent unto weer the Elders & messengers of ye three Churches in Boston & waymoth Brantree & dead- ham ye Majestrats weer accquainted with it but only ye gov- ernor was heer by reason of ye wett & Snow season. Mª Allen did first pray & then M' fflint did preach from ye
& then prayed, afterward ye breatheren weer Called on one after another to declare ye work of grace y' god had wrought on them to ye number of seaven, but before they began it was put to the whole assembly both messengers & others whether any had any Just reason against their p'ceeding but all weer silent after they had made their relations a confes- sion of faith was read by o' Elder unto wch they all Con- sented by lifting up of hands, then thos seaven breatheren weer Called downe into ye body of ye assembly and a Cove- nant was read unto them unto which they all Consented by lifting up of hands. ye breatheren yt entered into this Cove- nant & made publique relation weer thes :
Robt Tucker member of waymoth
Anthony Newton William Blake Thomas Swift Georg Sumner
member of ye 2 Church Edward Blake in Boston
Members of Dorchester Church
Ebenezer Clap
After this was done ther weer more of o' Breatheren yt did at ye same time enter into ye same Covenant with ye former namly
Thomas Holman George Lyon Ephram Manasses & Tucker
James
And then M' Tory was appointed to give ye right hand of ffellowship & M' Mather prayed & a psalme sung & ye assembly dismissed
78
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
[105]
The 24 3 78 being ye sixt day of ye week ther was a Church meeting at which time it was Voted by ye major part & a petition drawn before hand & read at that time web should be p'sented to ye Court against ordinarys yt have not a suffient gard over them to keepe good order and some other matters then discussed
The 26 3 ; 8 was read an order from ye ginerall Court requiering a publique day of humilliation to be keept on thursday the 6 of June some of ye grounds of it was gods hand goeing out against us in taking away such & soe many emenent men in Church & Comonweale & ye p'velancy of ye Smale pox both in Boston & Charlestowne to ye cutting off of many by death alsoe in regard of ye abounding of sine & wickednes amongst us & for o' Agents in England that they may have good Success & a saff returne, & other matters
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.