USA > Maine > Hancock County > Deer Isle > An exact transcription of the first church records of the First "Congo" Church of Deer Island : baptisms, 1785-1853, marriages, 1785-1818, as I find them at this date, March 1906, with annotations, corrections, explanations and additions > Part 1
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Gc 974.102 D36d 1829646
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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AN EXACT TRANSCRIPTION OF THE FIRST CHURCH RECORDS
OF THE FIRST "CONGO" CHURCH OF 1st DEER ISLAND Che Congregational Church] S
[Hancrab 10 ]
in the
Baptisms 1785 - 1853 Marriages 1785 - 1818 As I find them at this date March 1906 With annotations, corrections, explanations and additions by Benjamin Lake Noyes, M.D. Stonington, Maine. U.S.A. The original, with several very tattered and detached leaves be-
ing in the custody of Frank Augustus Gross of Deer Isle, and loaned
to me for copying.
cardi Material in () added by Benjamin L. Noyes.
. . ...
.:
Typed by The Genealogical Society Salt Lake City, Utah 1949
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
1829646
AI EXACT TRANSCRIPTION OF THE FIRST CHURCH RECORDS
OF THE FIRST "CONGO" CHURCH OF
DEER ISLAND
Confession of Faith
We do in the presence of God, the Searcher of hearts, honestly and Sincerely profess our serious and firm Belief of the sacred Scriptures of the old and Now Testament to be the word of God, that the same are a perfect and unerring Rule of .... Faith and Practice. And we do hold them in the sence they are explained and held 1 in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms which Confession and Catechisms we estrem an excellent Summary and Orthodox System of Christian Doctrine. Particularly we believe the doctrine of Original Sin, namely that all mankind are born wholly 1 .. .
sinfull and guilty by a righteous imputation of Adams'first Sin to all his ordinary postority. We belleve the doctrine of the divine decrees, and of election, namely that God has " foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, and has chosen all who shall be saved in Christ from eternity. We believe the doctrine of Special invincible Grace in Conversion, of Justification by by faith alone and solely through the righteous- nes's of Christ imputed to the believer. ________ of the final perseverance of all true believers thro' grace unto glory and that all true Saints shall be recieved at Death to ever lasting happiniss with Christ,; and the finally wicked and penitent
shall be misorable as long as the righteous shall be happy, even for ever and over. -
"Peter Powers
Job Small or Job Smalley
*Francis Haskell
'Y'> John Frees
"Thomas Stinson
(" " John Campbell .... . . .... .
Theophilus Eaton
Mark Haskell
·Hezekiah L'ane Joseph Colby
Seth Webb 6 . . ..
Ephraim Blake
Joseph Dunham
George Frees 1
2
Elijah Dunham
or'. : Abigail Frees Joshua · Haskell .
Rebeckah Babbagal
Thomas Haskell of
Eunice Carman
Mary Frees
Mary Campbell
Mary Dow
Mary Blake
Abigiaill Haskill 1
Susanna Sanders
Abigail Eaton
Mehitabel (? Sanders)
Elizabeth Hask
t.
Margrat Stinson
Mary (? Huskell)
Sarah Colby
Unas Stinson
Martha Lane
Sarah Small
Mercy Small ..... 1 :
:::::: Bettey. (? Haskell) (This has every indi- cation of being Bettey Haskell and be- low her name was probably the Phebe) The Church on Deer Island was gathered August 1, 1773, by the Reverend Oliver
.. 4 (Oliver Noble may very likely be the father of Rev. Seth Nobel. So well Noble.
described as a missionary Congo. preacher up and down the Penobscot after 1783.)
- And then the Church chose Mr. Thomas Stinson to be their moderator, to call the Church together and moderate till another be chosen by the Brethren. Test. Oliver Noble Moderator
....
in ''(Note by B. L. N. - See "Rockland Rambles" ,p. 234 about Rev. Daniel Little following Noble in 1775 and Elder Isaac Case (Bapt.) being in Deer Isle 1784)
At a Church meeting August (? 20), 1773 - Unaminously voted, that Francis Haskell and Thomas Stinson shall serve as Deacons in the new erected Church on Deer Island as occasion shall serve. Test. Thomas Stinson Mod.
w.r. (Note by B. L. N. - The two above entries are clearly written in a very plain hand by the same penman, I should say by either Noble or Stinson. . Being page two would prove it not to be Noble but some good penman in the church who
.
10 Mary Colby
3
'was desirous: of making record of the Church's beginning. I should say the item was copied from a record (probably on a memorandum sheet) made first by Oliver Noble from the fact of his attesting to the same.) .. 1
(Note by B. L. N. - All below here is in the handwriting of Rev. Peter
, ban
Powers.)
4. 8
At a meeting of the Church at the Meeting House 1786. The Church voted that persons should oxhebit manifestation to the Church of their Christian ex- perience and satisfaction of a Judgment of (? rational) (? character) examined in the presence of the Church Vand propounded as the Church should think
... fit. Test. Peter Powers .
Pastor
-At a meeting of the Church at the Meeting House April 16, 1789. - The question was put whether any persons should be allowed to own the Covenant and recieve Baptism for their Children except such as came to full (Communion ?) And after discoursing. the matter thoroughly (? it) was unanimously.
That such persons as desired to om the Covenant shall have the Liberty to" , do it satisfying the Church by a Relation of Christian Experience or by Examina- tion, before the Church, and also being of good Character, of Sober Lives and Conversations Keep up the worship of God in their ( ? home) and are (? sound) .. in the Faith. : Test. " Peter Powers
The Church Covenant revised and renewed
Sensible of our fallen, guilty, lost and utterly undone State by nature, wald the corruption and total depravity of our whole man, the exceeding sinfulness and great wickedness of our Lives and of our absolute inability to do anything to- wards our salvation; therefore wholly disclaiming ourselves, and with udoring : apprehensions of the exceeding riches of Gods grace in Jesus Christ for the (? relief) of Sinners. We Do each of us personally, and as a Body humbly approach
4
the great God, and with all our hearts NOW enter into Covenant with God, in the name and Strength of Josus Christ the Ledintor.
We -- ouch the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and ( Holy Ghost) to be our God, and freely, and without - up ourselves, our Sced, and our all to him, ---
and forever. We renounce this world and and engage ourselves to the Lord, 1
1 take the word of God as our only rule
counsel, promissing, in the Strength eart and life - to walk after
the our conversation in Heaven and
our. Saviour in all things, worship of God, morning and evening. d closets. To bring up our Children
-nurture and admonition of the Lord in the
Knowledge of the holy Scriptures -n in the principles of re-
ligion
.d Confesssion of Faith and Catechisms.
govern our houses in the fear of God. other wife, as God shall enable us, to attend and Support ( ? public) worship of God, a preached gospel, the Sacraments of the New Testament, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. To (? observe) the Sabbath holy to God. - To Support and keep up a an watch over ourselves and one another,' reproveing exchortin ---- , .. exhorting and admonishing one another in love, and with constancy and perseverance. And to keep a godly Discipline and government in the Church, and over all under . its care. - To seek the peace, purity, edification and prosperity of the Church, the increase and enlargement of the Kingdom of Christ among ourselves and all our sister Churches, as God shall give us opportunity. - To attend to the duties of Justice and Charity, - and to give no Just occasion of Offence to any man. - To love our neighbour as ourselves, and one another in the Lord. And we promise, through Grace to hold on and to continue in these thing to the glory of God unto the End. 'Amen. (Blank spaces indicate where pages were torn and material unobtainable.)
.
5.
Peter Powers :.; Francis Haskell
Joseph Brown ·
Thomas Stinson ..
Theophilus Eaton
Mark Haskell- (Note: by B.L.N., wife
Abigiaill Haskell.)
Seth Webb
..
George Frecs
. 3 . 1
Job Smalley
John (? Frees) Hezekiah Lane John Campbell
Joseph Colby
Ephraim Blake - moved to Quaddy
Joseph Dunham
Elijah Dunham 1. . ... Joshua Haskell
Thomas Haskell
Ignatius Haskell
Joseph Whitmore- baptist
James Saunders - Excom. Nathaniel Bruy- Excom.
Jonathan Powers- settled at Penops Thomas Stinson, Jr.
Nathan Johnson
. ..
Mary Frees
Mary Dow
Margrat Stinson
& : : )
Abigiaill Haskill
Abigail Eaton Sarah Colby
Mary Small
Abigail Frees
Rebecca Babbage ......
Mary Campbell
Elizabeth H(askell)
Eunice (Carman)
Martha (Lane) Mary (Blake)
Susa(nna) (Saunders) Sar(ah) (Calley) ... . Hann(ah) (Webb)
Sarah Raynes
Lucy Bray
Sarah Frees ..
Mercy(Webber or Webster ?) Mar( tha)(Powers) ....
(Keturah Clòsson) Abigail Laton) Debora(h Carver)
' Jane (Marshall) Mehiteual (Sanders ?) . "Mary Colb(y) · Mary ( Raskell) Eunice Stins(on)
Bettey Has(Kell) (?)
1
...
1
6
!
Phebey ( ------- ) (?)
The Church Covenant
: ..... Josiah Closson - Excom.
John Closson - Excom.
Stephen Carver - at Fox Islds
Jeremiah Eaton
Erekiel Marshall, Jr.
Benjamin Daggett - Not on the Island
Nathan Haskell
Thomas Small . Ezekiel Marshall James Jordan
. ... *Charles Grinlaw - at St. Andrews
. 5
Thomas Thompson - Excom.
Joseph Cole - Der. John Stinson
Isaac Boynton - Moved from Isl.
Richard Wells - at Sedgwick John Hooper - At Sedgwick 11. Abel Billings
John Dow
Moses Staple - Excom.
Caleb Haskell
William Stinson
Benjamin York - baptist William Eaton 1
Oliver Lane
John Foster - from Roxb. L. Cch. John Thurston - Jan. 30, 1799 Benja. Stockbridge - baptist Amos Thurston - baptist 1 Daniel Harnbin or Hambin - moved to Mount Desert
James Robbins
John Lune
Benja. Lane - baptist Abner Lane - baptist William Ring
Ebenezer Small
Elizabeth Daggett - Penops't River Sarah Dougherty - at Sedgwick Ruth Cole
Mary Warren - now Ring ; . Hannah' Eaton
Betty Dow - baptist
Lydia Hooper
-
Phillis Willians - negress
Lydia Baynton - Moved from
Mary Howard Elizabeth Kentfield - at Fox Isld Mary Tyler
Samuel Stinson * (Note: by B.L.N. - Charles Greenlaw as moved to St. Andrews N.B. all the Greenlaws being stanch Tories went to New Brunswick upon the out break of the Revolution So as to remain Loyal to the king of England.)
7
Mary Lunt
141 72. 9: 1/ Prescot Powers Susanah Lawe :
Solomon Marshall - baptist
Lois Hooper -. baptist Sally Powers
Hannah Small
Vary Thurston - baptist
Lydia Small - baptist
January 30, 1799 1 .... ..
.) = > Patience Morey
Eunice Thurston - baptist
Hannah Crocket & AU); < ! : 1.
Elizabeth Freeze - baptist
Bettey Toothacre - baptist : : Sarah Lunt . Hannah Lufkin - Excom. une piJer Lydia Lane !.. .. ....
Lydia Stockbridge - Excom.' 02 1/95 1% *** Sarah Praynes or Paynes - Excom Elizabeth Stockbridge - Excom. w. Betsey Torry- Portland
Jane Frees: > >>> www . Rebechah Greenlow-
Margret Robbins',
Mary Cabbege
James Eaton - baptist .
A .Elizabeth Robbins
Martha Babbige
Thomas Small, Jr.
·· Susanna Lane
Benjamin Small
Eunice Cobbee ::
Edward Small
Solomon Barber - baptist
Betty Stockbridge - Excom.
Benjamin Lufkins
* *** ***** Anna Small.
Edmund Silvester - baptist
Betty Small - Excom.
Nathaniel Robbins
.Sarah Lufkin - baptist
Joseph Colbee, Jr. . ...
Dorothy Silvester. .
Thomas Buckmaster - Excom.
Elizabeth Marshall - baptist
Joseph Tyler
John Billins - Sedgwick . . Lucy Haskell .
Thomas Robbins, Jr ...
Polly Morey - Excom.
Solomon Thurstin - baptist
Ezekiel Money - wife Polly
Elizabeth Robbins
8
(Note concerning the three previous pages by B. L. N. - It is evident that each individual did not'sign his or her own name, especially in the Female columms and apparantly so in the last 10 names of the Male colmun. ) - vuran (Note by:B. L. N. - The names above and on the previous pages seem to have ... had a general culling - the Congo's from the Baptist - probably as a result of. .. the agitation during Rev. Mr. (Brouns) ministry, when many members left the Church,"and about 1813 & Baptist Church was organized. In 1809 it was voted at town meeting that James Eaton and fifteen others be released from paying their closely agrees with the number money : toward a minister tax and this number/herein indicated or noted as Baptist. Janos At .a church meeting Jan. 8, 1793 it was voted that Caleb Haskell should assist the pastor, Rev. Peter Powers, in Keeping the Church records; and most all of the above are in one handwriting and ink.) maxfactor
The ( Note by, B. L. N. - To anyone finding a name in a list deficient or illegible and otherwise without a satisfactory means of identification, I suggest that they take cognizance of the fact that these lists are almost exactly in duplicature - each person was supposed to sign both the articles of .. "Confession of Faith" and "The Church Covenant". Hence compare one list or one name with the other.)
[ .... ]/ We do, in the presence of God, the Searcher of hearts, honestly and sincerely 1. Confession of Faith ... .
profess our serious and firm Belief of the sacred Scriptures of the old and New Testa- ment to be the word of God, that the same are a perfect and unerring rule of Faith and Practice; and we do hold them in the sense they are explained and held in the West- minster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, which Confession and Catechisms we esteem an excellent Summary and orthodox System of Christian Doctrine. Particularly we believe the doctrine of Original Sin, namely, that all mankind are born wholly Sinfull'and guilty by a righteous imputation of Adam's first Sin to all his or- dinary Posterity. We believe the doctrine of the devine Decrees, and of Election namely, that God has forordained whatsoever comes to pass, and has chosen all who
9
shall be saved, in Christ, from Eternity." We believe the doctrine of Special, invincible Grace in Conversion,' of Justification by Faith alone, and solely through the righteousness of Christ imputed to the believer. of the final perse- verance of all true Believers through grace, unto glory; and that all true Saints shall be recieved, at Death, to everlasting happiness with Christ, and the finally wicked and impenitent shall be misorable as long as the righteous shall be happy, even for ever and ever. ~ ~ (Baptise)
Ignatius Haskell. . .... .. .: - Hannah Webb
Joseph Whitmore - Excom.
Sarah Raynes
James Sanders
Lucy Bray
Nathaniel Bray - Excom.
Jonathan 'Powers
Sarah Frees Mercy Webber Sarah Calley or Colby
Thomas Stinson, Jr.
Nathan Johnson
Martha Powers
Josiah Closson - Excom.
Cattee or Keturah Closson
John Closson
Abigail Eaton
Stephen Carver
Elizabeth Daggett
Jeremiah Eaton
Deborah Carver
Ezekiel Marshall
Sarah Dougherty Ruth Cole
Benjamin Daggett :¿ Nathan Haskell
Thomas Small
Ezekiel Marshall, Jr.
James Jordon
Betty Dow
Charles Grinlaw
Thomas Thompson Joseph Cole
Jane Marshall Vary Warren Hannah Eaton -
Lydia Hooper PhillisiWilliams- negress Mary Howard Oliver Lane
..
-
20
(Note concerning Phillis Williams mentioned on page 9, by B. L. N. - After re- flecting over the matter I don't know why Phyllis Williams should not be able to sign, her name as well as the others have as. she had the same educational ad- 4. vantages and same schooling here in the Haskell Family who reared her.) (Note by B. L. N. )+ Observe on page 6 how these same signatures about exactly agree with the penmanship as found on page 9)- Those above these will find their counterparts on page 5. . I should judge they were the signatures of nearly 4 . . every individual were it not for that of the negress, Phyllis Williams, looking so, well.
Confession of Faith
John Stinson
Philemon Brown
Isaac Boynton
James Stinson
John Hooper
Lydia Boynton
Abel Billings
Elizabeth Kentfield
Richard Wells
· Mary Tyler
John Dow
1 Mary Lunt - baptist
Voses Staple
Susannah Lane
Caleb Haskell - Moved to Newbury
Lois Hooperon Mary Thurston ...
Benjamin York
Betsey Torry
William Eaton
Nary Cabbege
Oliver Lane
Elizabeth Robbins
John Foster - under con.
Martha Babbage - deceased
Solomon Barber
Susanna Lane
Benjamin Lufkin
Sarah Brown
Edmund Silvester - Excom.
Mary Foster - (May. 30, 1806)
Nathaniel Robbins
Nath. Ingalls"
Abigail Angel Sally Sellers
11
Willoughby Nayson Hezia Nayson 4
Mary Colby
..
Hannah Sanders - Excom.
Elizabeth Colbee Hannah Grey
6 Sarah Hatch - transfered from N. P. Widow Staples - transfered Catharine Adams - Nov.
Jennet Barber
Phillis Williams - negress
Lydia Foster
Hannah Small
Patty Haskell
Nice Richardson - being sick 1.
Lydia Torrey (Apr. 1820)
Charles M. Brown - removed
John V. Bray Nehemiah Closson
Peter Powers - removed
Willard 'Cole -'Excom.
John Cole'
Jess Niley - (June 1820)
Samuel Pickering
Benjn Cole, Jr.
Joseph Small 1 Wm Robins L(Aug. 6, 1820)
Jumes Fersons - gone - (Oct. 1) Hezekiah Colbey - (Apr. 7, 1822) Adam Tompson David Stinson - Dec. 12, 1824) Simon Stinson
Ebr Stinson - removed Wm Stinson, Jr. Georgo G. York John Stinson, Jr. - (Apr. 3, 1825) Thomas Lampson - (June 29, 1828) .1; (? Isabel) Stinson - (Apr. 13, 26) Ruth Gray" - (Apr. 27)" *** Ann Gipson
. .
-Ezrah Pendexter
1
Sopha Closson Betsoy Pickering ( June 20, 1820)
June 1820
1
Ruth Pickering - Excom. 1
Sally Perry - excluded Susanna Whitmore Martha Bray
Johanna Babbage
. Mary Sallors Abigal Cole
Betsey Deynos Mary Fersons - Aug. 6, 1820
Kary Foster
12
Mary Greenlow Mary Bray - (Oct. 1) Abigal Holden
Abigail Wood - (Apr. 7, 1822) Mury Bray
Ireen Averell
Sarah Lane - (Dec. 12, 1824) Hannah Crockett
Abijah Wines and Wife - June 3, 1824)
(Note by B. L. N. - Many lead pencil insertions are placed in the original, especially dates, and I have copied them as they are. These notes will appear in (). These evidently have been placed here by some much more recent authority to give an idea when these members agreed to the Confession and joined the church. .. I find that the authority has followed through the substance of the church records end doings in the book and the clerk or pastor has made record and mention in the pages further along of action taken and the acceptance of candidates, and the dates wherein found have been noted in these lists. On this page it will be seen that Rev. Abijah Wines did not sign the Confession of Faith, but was found by above authority and entered: here. )
October 7th, 1832 , . Sarah Lufkin
Abigail laskell ,
Edward Haskell, Jr.
Jonathan Adams Olivo Noyes
.... June 2nd, 1833 : : :
Levi Marshall
Aug. 4 - Joseph Sellers, 3rd
July 2, 1837 - Crowell H. Sylvester
Mary Haskell in:
Lydia Haskell
Elizabeth Marshall
Mary Haskell
Sally Saunders
Phebe Niles
Mary S. Sellers
-
.......:
. . .. ...
1
Hannah Antoinette Adams
13
Mary B. C. Hardy Elizabeth Pressey
Admitted Sept. 1853
Mrs. Susun P. iPressey
Dorothy Torroy
Mrs. Mercy T. Carman' Miss Elizabeth A. Johnson
Susannah Torrey
Martha W. Haskell .. .. .... ..... . A Nov. 1853
Lucy Thompson Mrs. Susan Gordon
.
(Note by B. L. N. - I find in many instances much writing; that from a glance or casual view, one would say was by different persons but close scrutiny reveal the same hand showing different degrees and style of chirography, due to difference of pens, fine points, coarse points, poor points, stubby points - also ink, some heavy, draggy und muddy, other times lighter or watered and thin etc. ) I. .. May 18th," 1786. The Church voted a Tax of one Shilling on each Communicant for Support of the Lord's Table. Voted also to have the Sacrament of the Supper the' third Sabbath in March, May, July, September and Noventer.
November 13th, 1738. At the Church Fast. Nathaniel Bray, a member of the Church, was by the Church called to answer to frequent reports of ins drinking to excess at Brother Mark Haskells very often the Summer past and for the present Fall of the year. 'It appeared to the church that he had been seen disgiusd with Strong. drink by the Pastor Brothers Joseph Donham, Elijah Donham ond Joshua Haskell who had all discoursed with him privately, and said Bray not appearing to be penitent the Church unanimously voted to Suspend said Bray from Communion in Sealing ordinances, till he should manifest his Repentance, and prceeded to Censure and admonition of him.
Test. Peter Powers Pastor
: June 28th, 1790. After the Thanksgiving Service the Church voted to
appoint a Meeting of the Church to be on the fifteenth day of July next at
2.o'clock afternoon at the Meeting House, in the meantime that Hannah Staples,
(Note: by B.L.N. - This shows Hosmer as wrong in saying Mercy Staples m. Hutchinson also see p. 21 & 22 if this is the John Hutchinson of 1790 Sedgwick census, he must have offiliated with D. I. or else moved over to D. I. early in 1790 directly after census was taken at Sedgwick.)
14
now Hutchinsson, be cited to appear at Said meeting accused of the Breach of the Seventh Commandment and total neglect of Sealing Ordinances. Dr. Francis Haskell T
and Brother Nathan Haskell were appointed a Committee to wait upon her with the Citation.
Mis. Hutchinsson appeared and made Christion Satisfaction at Said meeting and Was received into the Charity of the Church, (see page 58
£
At a Meeting of the Church at the Meeting House October 20th, 1791.
Votod 1. That whereas the Reveroned Peter Powers's Call to settle in the Ministry in the Town of Deer Isle his answer in the affirmative had not been re- . ... corded in the Town Book that they shall be put on Record. Wir 1.4
2. That whereas it has been reported that Deacon Thomas Stinson was a
perjured person. Noted that he was clear of said scandalous Report.
: 1
3. Noted to chuse a number of Elders to assist Pastor and Church in Church
.. watch and governament for one year.
4. Adjourned to Thursday at the Fast or First.
: 2. That whereas it has been frequently reported that Deacon Thomas Stinson
was a perjured person in that he took the Oath of Allegiance to the thirteen
. United States at the taking of his Justices Commission, end afterwards taking the Oath of Fidelity to the King of Great Britian. Noted that he was clear of Said 1. 1 .
scandalous Report.
At a meeting of the Church at the House of the Pastor the First Thursday November third at the above appointment.
1 .. Chose Deacon Francis Haskell, Deacon Thomas Stinson, Brethren James 24.
Jordan, Ezekial Marshall, Thomas Small, George Froes, John Frees, Nathan Haskell, Elders as above.
Lenbase ... ..:
; Chose yr. Caleb Haskell and Mr. Nathan Haskell Deacons.
At & Meeting of the Church at the Meeting House : . clook afternoon. It appeared to the Church by a Return that Brother Jeremiah
April 5th, 1792 at 3 of the
15
Eaton had been cited by the Pastor to appear before the Elders the twenty first Day of March last which citation is as follows.
Deer Isle.
March 17th, 1792
Mr. Jeremiah Eaton
It is Reported that Ealonor Bray has a Child by you, These are there- fore to notify you to attend a Meeting of the Elders of the Church at my House 1. 1 next Wednesday at one o'clock afternoon for Enquiry and Examination in that Matter. Peter Powers Pastor
The Elders met according to the Time and place but Mr. Eaton did not appear.
Wherefore they ordered the following Citation.
L - Deer Isle
1:13 1. March 21st 1792
To Mr. Jeremiah Eaton a member of the Church. Whereas you have been notified by the Pastor to appear this day at his house before the Elders of the Church for .. Enquiry and Examination Concerning the report that you are the Father of a child born of Ealonor Bray the Second Day of this month and you have not appeared there- 1 for by Agreement of the Elders to Cite you in the Name of Christ to appear for the Same purpose before the Church at their fast on Thursday the fifth Day of April next at three o'clock afternoon at the Meeting House.
Peter Powers Pastor
Mr. Jeremiah Eaton did not appear, wherefore after maturely considering the Matter the Church unanimously voted that Jeremiah Eaton be cast out of the Church and censured for Contempt of the Authority of Christ.
-
Peter Powers Pastor
At the same Meeting chose Brother. Caleb Haskell to be one of the Elders.
Peter Powers Pastor
The Church adjourned to Monday Lecture after Sacrament desiring a Sermon to be preached previous to the Choice of Deacons.
Monday April 9th 1792 at the; Adjournment the Church, by a great Majority Chose Brother Caleb Haskell and Brother Nathan Haskell Deacons .: :
16
2. Voted the following Censure . ,
To Mr. Jeremiah Eaton
It is with the deepest Sorrow and Grief of Heart that we who were once your affectionate Brethren in all the Bonds of Christian Charity must proceed against you in the following Severe, but righteous Sentence by the Laws of Jesus Christ the King of Zion. You have refused to hear the Church for which Christ has said, "Let him be to thee as a heathen Man and a Publican."
We cast you out of the Church and Censure you for your Contempt of the . . Authority'of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he has left in his Church upon Earth giving them the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and declaring Whatsoever ye bind on Earth Shall be bound in Heaven." 1
:
And now in the Bowels of Christ we your aggrieved Brethren, solemnly wam, intreat and beseech you, consider what you have done, after so great and solemn a Profession as you have made to conduct as you have done, and have left the House : of God. Repent or else Christ will surely bind in Heaven what we have bound on Earth. We wish you may have Repentance, and become a humble broken hearted Christ- ian and be restored to our Bosoms., Sure we are Christ is ready to forgive, "He that covereth his Sins shall not prosper but whosoever Confsseth and forsaketh them shall find Mercy." Think of that awful Day when "God will bring every work into Judgment with every Secret Thing." And can you hold up your Face before the Judge, and plead Not guilty? To that Judgement Seat we bind you over, and a dreadful one you will find it, except you repent . Amen. . ; : .-
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