USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > Church of the Pilgrims: the order of public worship, confession of faith, covenant, forms of admission, etc., ecclesiastical principles and rules : with a list of the members, to 1869 > Part 2
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The woman shall answer :
I will.
For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, for sickness or health, until death shall you part, you, who have joined your bands together, do take each other, as Wife and as Husband, from this day forward, to love and to cherish cach the other, and to dwell in mntnal charity and help. Thereto, then, by giving and receiving a ring, you each to the other plight your troth.
The ring shall be handed by the man to the Minister, wcho holding it says :
This ring, as the gifts of Isaac to Rebekah, is the sign between yon of the vows yon have made, the pledge of love and a constant fidelity, the symbol of an endless bond.
It shall then be returned by him to the man, who shall place it on the fourth finger of the woman's left hand ; and the Minister then makes deilara- tion of the Marriage, as follows :
Forasmuch as - and - - have consented together in Christian wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have engaged and plighted their troth, each to the other, by joining hands, and by pub- liely giving and receiving a ring, I pronounce them Husband and Wife; no longer twain, but now one ; married, according to the ordinance of God: in the name of the Father, and of
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the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. And those whom God hath joined together let not man put asunder.
Then a prayer is offered, for the Divine blessing ; closing with this Bene- diction :
God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, bless, pre- serve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor regard you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live together, in this present time, that in the world to come ye shall have life everlasting.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. AMEN.
[ The names of the parties must always be given to the Minister in full, in writing ; with the names of two persons, present at the marriage. This is for the Record, and for the Certificate.]
Ecclesiastical Principles and Rules.
I. RIGHTS OF THE CHURCH .- This Church regards the Scriptures as the only infallible guide in matters of church order and discipline ; and is, therefore, so far as relates to its internal organization and the regula- tion of its affairs, independent, and amenable to no other ecclesiastical body, except by its own consent, and in accordance with established Con- gregational principles. With these exceptions, it controls the admission, discipline, and removal of its members, according to its own understand- ing of the Word of God.
11. CONNECTION WITH OTHER CHURCHES .- This Church will extend to other evangelical Congregational Churches, and receive from them, that fellowship, advice, and assistance, which the laws of Christ require. It will extend the usual rights of communion, and practice the usual transfer of members, according to its conviction of duty. It holds itself bound to regard the decisions of Mutual Councils, and to seek the promotion of peace with all the Churches of our Lord Jesus Christ.
III. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS .- All persons who desire to make a pro- fession of religion, and to unite with this Church, shall be examined by the Examining Committee, before such members of the Church as desire to be present. The names of such as are approved shall be propounded to the Church, in the presence of the congregation, at least one week previous to their admission ; and they shall become members by a vote of the Church, on signing the Confession of Faith and Covenant, and giving public assent to the same,-receiving the sacrament of Baptism if they have not been before baptized.
Members of other churches, submitting the proper testimonials to the Examining Committee, shall be conferred with by them ; and if approved, shall be also propounded before the congregation for one week, and be received, by a vote of the Church, on signing the Confession of Faith, and publicly entering into covenant with the Church.
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A member who may know of any reason why a candidate for admission should not be received into this Church, shall first make such reason known to the Examining Committee, and not to the whole Church, unless the Comnritter refuse so to do when requested by him ; as in cases of com- plaint against members, specified in Article VI.
IV. DISMISSION OF MEMBERS .- This Church will, by its vote, grant letters of dismission and recommendation to its members in regular standing. All applications should be made in writing, and referred to the Examining Committee, who shall report upon them at the next regn- lar meeting of the Church after they are so referred ; and all such letters of recommendation and dismission shall be signed by the Clerk, and shall purport to be valid for one year only from the date thereof. Letters shall not be granted to persons who have delayed applying for them for more than one year after their removal, unless special reasons, satisfactory to the Church, shall be assigned for such delay.
V. MEMBERS OF OTHER CHURCHES,-It is expected that any members of other Churches, who may wish to commune with this Church for more than one year, will request dismission from their respective Churches, and admission to this, unless they assign reasons for the delay satisfactory to the Examining Committee ..
VI. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS .- Every member has a right to Church privi- leges, unless forfeited by misconduct ; aud when thus forfeited, he can be deprived of them only by regular process. The presentation of com- plaints shall in all cases be first made to the Examining Committee, who shall, npon sufficient cause, prefer charges before the whole Church. And in case the Committee refuse so to do, the complainant may nevertheless, if he insist upon the charges, present his complaint in person to the Church.
When a member is accused, he shall be seasonably furnished with a copy of the complaint, and shall have a full henring. While the trial is pending, the accused is expected to abstain from participating in the Lord's Supper.
VII. DUTIES OF THE CHURCH AND ITS MEMBERS,-It is the duty of the members to attend such stated meetings as are appointed by a vote of the Church, unless providentially prevented.
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Any member having cause of complaint against another, should imme- diately seek to have it removed, in a Christian manner ; the directions given in Matthew 18: 15-17, being his guide, especially in cases of per- sonal offense.
Any member wishing to withdraw from this Church, and to unite with another, should signify his wishes and his reasons, and apply to be first released from his obligations to this Church. Any other mode of with- drawal will be deemed irregular and censurable; and this Church holds itself bound to grant to its members, in regular standing, letters of dis- mission and recommendation to churches, not only of our own, but of any other evangelical denomination.
VIII. CENSURABLE OFFENSES .- This Church considers immoral con- duct, breach of express covenant vows, neglect of acknowledged religions or relative duties, and avowed disbelief of the articles of faith to which the members have assented, as offenses, subject to the censure of the Church.
IX. CENSURES .- The censures to be inflicted on offenders are, private reproof, public admonition, the withdrawal of the watch and discipline of the Church, or excommunication, according to the aggravation of the offense. In case of excommunication, notice thereof shall be given from the pulpit on the Sabbath.
Standing Rules.
1. The stated officers of this Church shall be the Pastor or Pastors, Deacons, Stated Clerk, and Treasurer. To the Pastor pertains the office of Moderator.
2. The standing committees of this Church shall be the Examining Committee, and such other committees as shall be chosen for one year, or any longer term.
3. All meetings for business shall be opened with praver.
4. A meeting for the choice of officers and standing committees, and for other business, shall be held annually in the month of Jannary. At this, the records of the last year shall be read, the catalogue of members revised, and accounts presented by the Treasurer of all monies received, expended, or held by him, on behalf of the Church, during the year -- which accounts shall be duly andited, by persons appointed for that pur- pose, and be placed on file by the Clerk.
5. A regular meeting of the Church shall be held after the religions services on the Friday evening next preceding the first Sabbath in each month ; but at the meeting next before each Communion, no business ex- cept the reception and dismission of members shall be transacted, unless by a suspension of this rule.
6. The Annual and other Regular Meetings of the Church, for the transaction of business, shall be announced from the pulpit on the preced- ing Sabbath.
7. Special meetings may be called by the Pastor, or by a majority of the Deacons, or by the Clerk at the written request of seven male mem- bers of lawful age ; but in the last case, notice shall be given from the pulpit on the Sabbath, as in case of a regular meeting.
8. Standing committees and officers shall be elected by ballot, without nomination ; and all elections shall be determined by the vote of a ma- jority of male members of lawful age, present and voting, at a meeting notified in accordance with the preceding rules.
9. The Examining Committee shall consist of the Pastor, who shall be
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a permanent member, and of six other members of the Church, whose election and term of office shall be as follows :
At the Annual Meeting in 1847, two members shall be chosen for one year, two for two years, and two for three years ; and at every subsequent Annual Meeting, two members shall be chosen for three years, in place of those whose term of office will then expire.
10. Vacancies in any of the offices or standing committees occur- ring between the Annual Meetings may be filled at the next Annual Meeting, or at any regular business meeting of the Church-notice of the intention to fill such vacancies having been given from the pulpit on the three successive Sabbaths next preceding such meeting ; and the person appointed to the vacancy shall hold the office for the unexpired term wherein he shall be elected.
11. It shall be the duty of the Stated Clerk to give notice to the Church of vacancies in any of the stated offices or committees, at the next regu- lar business meeting after their occurrence ; in order that, if the Church shall so direct, such vacancy may be filled, in accordance with the preced- ing rule.
12. It shall also be the duty of the Stated Clerk to keep a record, con- taining minutes of the doings of the Church, with the Covenant, Confession of Faith, Forms of Admission, Ecclesiastical Principles and Rules, and Standing Rules, recorded in a place by themselves ; and a Chronological List of the Members, with the time of their admission, dismission, or death, so far as he can ascertain the same.
13. It shall be the duty of the Examining Committee to examine all applicants for admission to the Church, and to make a written report of such as they deem suitable candidates. They shall also report to the Church the names of such members as have removed from the city, their place of residence, and the length of time since their removal ; together with any other information respecting them, which they may think it important to communicate.
14. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to assist in the administration of the Lord's Supper, to distribute the charities of the Church, to minister especially to such of the congregation as are poor or in any affliction, to preside at religious meetings of the Church for which provision is not otherwise made, and, in the absence or at the request of the Pastor, to provide a supply for the pulpit. The term of officeof the Deacons shall be limited to six years.
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15. The Lord's Supper shall be celebrated on the first Sabbath of Jan- uary, March, May, July, October, an | November. The admission of members, together with the celebration of this ordinance, shall constitute the services of the afternoon.
16. The Sacrament of Baptism shall be administered to the children of believers, ordinarily, on the morning of the Communion Sabbath ; and to adults, after they have publicly professed faith in Christ, and before their approach to the Table of the Lord.
To each child baptized in this Church, whose parents shall continue connected with it till the child has reached the age of seven years, shall be then presented by the Church a copy of the Holy Scriptures, with the name of the child, and the dates of its birth and its baptism, in- scribed therein.
17. A contribution shall be made at every Communion-service ; and the fund thus obtained shall be used to defray the current expenses of the Church, and in assisting its necessitons members.
18. The expenses of the delegations of the Church to Ecclesiastical Councils, shall be paid by the Treasurer, from the funds of the Church : and such delegations shall make report of the doings of the Councils to which they have been sent, at the next sul sequent meeting of the Church.
19. This Church will meet, for prayer and conference, every Friday evening.
20. The Confession of Faith, Covenant, Forms of Admission, Ecclesi- astical Principles and Rules, or Standing Rules, may not be altered, except by a vote of two-thirds of the male members of the Church, of lawful age, present and voting at an Annual Meeting ; nor shall such alteration be considered, unless a notice containing the substance thereof has been given in writing at a previous meeting.
Constitution, and By-Laws,
OF THE
SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
ARTICLE I.
This School shall be called THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL OF THE CHURCH OF THE PILGRIMS.
It shall be under the charge and oversight of the Church, and the con- rtant supervision of the PASTOR ; who is requested to visit the teachers at their meetings, and the School at its sessions, at least once in every month, and oftener if practicable, and to take such personal part in the instruction as may seem to him desirable.
ARTICLE II.
The officers of the School shall be a Superintendent, a Vice-Superin- tendent, a Secretary and Treasurer, a Librarian, and an Assistant Libra- rian, who shall be elected annually, and the term of whose office shall be one year.
ARTICLE III.
It shall be the duty of the Superintendent to preside at the meetings of the Teachers ; to take the oversight of the School while in session ; to confer with visitors ; in the absence of any officer or teacher, to appoint a substitute; and, in general, to use his best endeavors to promote the growth, welfare, and usefulness of the School. lle shall be, er-officio, a member of all committees.
ARTICLE IV.
It shall be the duty of the Vice-Superintendent to take the place of the Superintendent, in the absence of the latter.
ARTICLE V.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to attend each session of the School, and to keep a correct record of all Teachers and Scholars connect- ed with it, with the date of the admission and the removal of each ; and to report, at each annual meeting of the Teachers, and of the Church, the condition of the School, the number of its Teachers and Scholars, and their average attendance. He shall also attend the meetings of the Teach- ers, and record their proceedings.
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ARTICLE VI.
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all monies and dona- tions for the School ; to keep a regular and public account of the same ; to pay all bills, after the same shall have been approved by the Finance Committee ; and to report the condition of the Treasury to the Teachers whenever called upon, and at each annual meeting of the Society.
ARTICLE VIL.
It shall be the duty of the Librarian to take charge of the Library, to stamp and number the books contained in it, and to keep a catalogue of the same ; to charge cach Teacher with the books taken by his or her class ; to permit no Scholar to take a second book until the first has been returned ; and to report the state of the Library, at euch ammal meeting of the Teachers and of the Church,
ARTICLE VIII.
It shall be the duty of the Teachers to attend punctually their own meetings, and the sessions of the School ; to preserve order and attention among the children under their supervision ; and to use their most car- nest and prayerful efforts, both by word and by example, to instruct them in religious truth, and to lend them to Christ.
ARTICLE IN.
The Pastor, with the Superintendent and the Vice-Superintendent, shall constitute a COMMITTEE OF CLASSIFICATION AND DISCIPLINE ; to which Committee all questions concerning the formation or change of classes, the admission or removal of Teachers and Scholars, and the introduc- tion of Question-books, shall be referred, and by which they shall be decided.
ARTICLE X.
The same persons shall be a COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY ; by which the lists of books to be purchased for addition to it shall be prepared, and the money appropriated for the same shall be expended ; by which also the books displaced from the Library shall be distributed.
ARTICLE XI.
The same persons shall be also a COMMITTEE ON FINANCE ; whose duty it shall be to audit all accounts of the Treasurer, and to certify the cor- rectness of all bills to be paid by that officer.
ARTICLE XII.
The Constitution and the By-Laws of the School shall not he changed; except by a vote of the Church, at its Annual Meeting.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
By - Laws.
1. The Annual Meeting of the Teachers of the School, for the election of officers, the receiving of Reports, and the transaction of other business, shall be held during the week succeeding the Annual Meeting of the Church. But vacancies occurring in the offices between the Annual Meetings may be filled at any regular meeting of the Teachers, a week's notice having been given of the intention to fill them.
2. In the election of officers of the School, only those Teachers shall be eligible to office, or shall be entitled to vote, who are members of the Church of the Pilgrims, and who have been connected with the School three months previous to the election.
Other Teachers, however, may be placed upon special committees, and shall have a vote upon questions affecting the general administration of the School.
3. A meeting of the Teachers connected with the School shall be held weekly, at the time and place designated by the Superintendent on the previous Sunday, for the purpose of transacting such business as may be necessary, and of studying and discussing the lesson appointed for the next Sunday.
4. If any Teacher shall be prevented from attending a session of the School, it shall be his or her duty to provide a substitute, or to notify the Superintendent, that a substitute may be obtained.
5. The School shall be opened with singing, reading the Scriptures, and prayer ; and cach session-continuing an hour and a half-shall be closed with singing. There will be no sessions of the School during the months of July and August.
6. Every Scholar is expected to be present, punctually, at the hour ap- pointed for opening the School ; to be attentive to the general exercises, as well as to those of his or her particular class ; to be obedient to the -Teacher, and to conform in all respects to the rules of the School ; and no Scholar shall retire before the close of a session, without the permission of the Teacher or of the Superintendent.
7. Special business meetings may be called by the Pastor or Superin- tendent ; or be convened by the Secretary at the call of any three teachers, provided public notice thereof be given to the Teachers, on the Sunday preceding snch meeting. And at any business meeting, six Teachers, en- titled to vote at an election, shall constitute a quorum.
Members of the Church.
Received December 22, 1844, at the Organization of the Church.
CHARLES B. ABORN. ALBERT G. ALLEN.
LUCY W. ALLEN.
CHARLOTTE W. ATKINSON, +1848.
BENJAMIN F. PARSONS, 11846.
DAVID F. ATWATER, +1855.
CHARLES H. PARSONS, +1852.
GEORGE M. ATWATER, +1852.
DENNIS PERKINS, +1859.
CHARLES P. BALDWIN, +1857.
CHARLES ROWLAND, +1817.
MARY ANN BALDWIN, +1857.
MARIA B. ROWLAND. +1847.
MOSES HI. BALDWIN, +1818.
SYRENA SAWYER, +1866.
MARTHA N. BALDWIN, +1848.
HEZEKIAH D. SHARPE.
IIIRAM BARNEY, 11862. SUSAN A. BARNEY, +1862.
JOHN SLADE, +1855.
STEPHEN M. BLAKE, +1861.
ELIZABETH ANN BLAKE, +1861.
ENOCH C. STANTON, *1851.
LUCY JANE STANTON.
CHARLES J. STEDMAN. $1858.
ELIZABETH S. STEDMAN, $1852.
JOSEPH A. SWEETSER, +1855.
CATHARINE D. SWEETSER, +1855. JEREMIAH P. TAPPAN. +1861.
LYDIA P. TAPPAN, +1864.
LYDIA B. TAPPAN [LANGDON]. +1860.
ANN ELWELL DAY, *1857. SIMEON B. CHITTENDEN. MARY H. CHITTENDEN. * 1852.
ANNA H. CHITTENDEN.
NANCY GOODRIDGE, +1850.
JAMES D. HAFF, +1852.
WALTER T. HATCH. REBECCA T. HATCH. .
SARAH WOODRUFF, $1855.
ALBERT WOODRUFF.
HARRIET WOODRUFF. CYNTIHA WOODRUFF.
Received in 1845.
SARAH BACKUS. 11867.
HARRIET BACKUS |GRIGGS] 41867.
FRANCES B. HUNT, +1855.
AMASA U. LYON, +1849.
MARY E. LYON, +1849.
THEODORE L. MASON, +1862.
MARQUIS D. THOMAS. LYDIA THOMAS. WILLIAM VAHL., +1846.
CAROLINE VAIL. +1846.
GEORGE HI. WILLIAMS, +1854.
ELIZA M. WILLIAMS. $1848.
WHITING HI. HOLLISTER, +1852.
SARAHI ANN HOLLISTER, +1852. HORATIO N. HOLT, +1855. ABBY G. HOLT. * 1865. JOHN T. HOWARD, +1847. SETH B. HUNT, +1855.
JAMES P. BRADLEY. +1851. NANCY BRADLEY. +1851.
EDWARD W. COLEMAN. 11851.
The notation marks designate as follows: * Died. + Dismissed. # Watch and discipline withdrawn. ยง Excommunicated.
ELIZABETH A. SHARPE.
LUCY SLADE. 11855.
HENRY C. BOWEN, +1847. LUCY M. BOWEN, $1847. RICHARD P. BUCK. CHARLOTTE BUCK. FREDERICK A. BORRALL. LUCY A. BURRALL, $1846.
STEPHEN E. BURRALL, +1865.
KATHARINE VAN V. DE W. MASON, *1859. CHAUNCEY L. MITCHELL.
CAROLINE L. MITCHELL, +1850.
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CATALOGUE OF MEMBERS.
ANNA DUNCAN [MAXWELL], +1816. SAMUEL FOSTER, +1864.
REBECCA B. FOSTER, +1864. NANCY FOSTER, +1861.
HENRY M. GREGORY, +1846. ELIZABETHI GREGORY, +1846. DAVID GRIFFING, +1847. ANNA GRIFFING, +1855. MARY E. HAFF, +1852.
RACHEL KNIGHT, +1847.
LUTHER W. McFARLAN, +1851.
FRANCES F. MARSH, *1852.
FRANCES MARSH. LEANDER MOORE, *1850.
HENRY NASON, +1858.
SARAH W. NASON, *1818.
JIRA PAYNE, 11847.
ELIZA PAYNE, +1847.
FRANCES PAYNE, +1847.
SIDNEY SANDERSON.
MARY A. SANDERSON,
CHARLOTTE SANDERSON [QUICK], 11847. ABIGAIL J. SANDERSON.
CHARLES M. SAXTON, 11853.
SARAII A. C. SAXTON, +1853.
MARY J. SMITH, +1818.
JAMES HI. SPELLMAN, +1846. VERNON THOMPSON, +1847. HANNAN G. WISE, 11816.
Received in 1846.
JAMES C. ATWATER.
ALFRED S. BARNES, +1855.
HARRIET E. BARNES, +1855.
MARGARET BREWSTER, +1853.
JACOB BRINKERHOFF, JR .. +184S.
GAIUS C. BURNAP, 11851.
JANE S. BURNAP, +1851.
EMILY R. CARTWRIGHT.
HARRIET E. CARTWRIGHT [PEASE]. +1855. ROBERT CHURCH. ELIZA JAMES CHURCHI.
GEORGE A. CLARKE, +1852.
ELIZABETH L. CLARKE, $1852.
ELIZABETH L. R. CLARKE, 11852.
JULIA COLLINS, +1854.
ROXANA COLLINS [MOORE], +1854.
JOSEPH II. COLTON, 11858.
ORBILLA C. COLTON, +1858.
GEORGE W. COLTON, $1855. GEORGE DOMETT, +1848. AMOS W. GAY, +1852.
JOHN C. HARDY, +1850. ELIZABETH HULBERT, +1858. JOHN H. LYMAN, 11854. SAMUEL F. PHELPS.
PHIEBE PHELPS. MARTHA E. PHELPS [SWIPT], +IS66. ELIJAH PORTER, *1849.
REBECCA PORTER, +1864. REBECCA A. PORTER, *1850. MARY A. PORTER, #1855.
PHILO PRICE, +1850.
BETSEY A. PRICE, +1850. D. WALTER SMITH, $1857. CLARISSA B. SMITH, $1846. SAMUEL SWIFT, *1851. MARY SWIFT, +1858.
Received in 1847.
JOHN A. ACKLEY, *1853.
DELIA ACKLEY, *1859.
CATHARINE E. ACKLEY [SWIFT].
MARCUS ALDEN, *1848.
SALOME HI. ALDEN, *1861.
CHARLES M. ATKINSON. CHRISTINA S. ATWATER.
WILLIAM H. BIGELOW, +1848.
HIRAM BINGHAM, *1854.
JANE E. BINGHAM, +1854.
CHAUNCEY W. BROWN.
JULIA BULKELEY.
LOUISE C. BURGESS | RYDER], +1856.
MARY B. BURRILL, *1865.
CHARLES B. CALDWELL.
CORNELIA W. CANNING, +1854.
VILENDER CARTER, +1856.
LUCIUS E. CLARK, +1868. ABIGAIL CLARK. $1863. SARAH W. COOMBS, +1863.
CLARA M. DAVIS, +1863.
JULIA E. DELICKER. * 1855.
ELIZABETH P. EVANS. +1851.
ALBERT GATES, +1853.
HARRIET GATES, +1853.
ALONZO GRAY, $1860. SARAH II. GRAY.
RICHARD G. GREENE, +1856.
MARTHIA HAFF, +1850.
CATHARINE HAFF, +1854.
PHIEBE HAWLEY, +1819.
JAMES D. HOAG, +1854.
MARY E. HOAG, 11854.
CHARLOTTE S. HOUGH [ PERRY], +1856.
JOSHUA HUNTINGTON. JAMES S. HYDE, *1861.
MARIANNE HVDE. ALICE JENKS, *1850.
NANCY KING, +1855. CAROLINE P. KING [HUDSON], +1855.
RECBEN LANGDON, JR., +1860.
MARY URSULA LEAVITT.
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CHURCH OF THE PILGRIMS.
FRANCES M. LINCOLN [REXFORD]. 11851. JOHN T. MARSII. 11862. CHAUNCEY W. MOORE. CLARA MOORE. MARY JANE NOYES. WILLIAM M. PECK. ELIZA PECK. MARIA E. PRATT, $1818. ELVIRA ROBERTS, 11853. JEREMIAH P. ROBINSON. ELIZABETH ROBINSON. ELIZA SKEELE [ OTIS]. * 1868. MARGARET SKEELE [VAN WYCK]. +1819. HETTY B. SMITH, *1856.
JAMES M. STAPLES, +1861. CELIA T. STAPLES, *1860.
CHANDLER STARR, +1857.
HANNAN STARR, +1857. ELIZABETH STARR [WARD]. +1850.
SARAD A. STARR, +1860.
RICHARD S. STORRS, JR.
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