USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Barrington > A history of Barrington, Rhode Island > Part 19
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The Barrington Library Association was formed during his ministry, largely by his encouragement and efforts, and the library was kept at his house. The most important act of the Church and society during Mr. Watson's ministry was the taking down of the old meeting-house of 1737, and build- ing a new one on the same lot, a little farther from the road and nearer the River. In 1805 the town gave to the United Congregational Society, its interest in the lot given in 1733, by Joshua Bicknell, "for the erection of a meeting house thereon." The new house was built in 1806-7, the frame and form being mainly preserved in the present house of worship.
The funds for building the new meeting-house were obtained from subscriptions of individuals, interested in the work of the church, and also from the proceeds of the Bar- rington meeting-house lottery, which was authorized by the General Assembly for that purpose, with Gen. Thomas
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231
LIST OF FAMILIES.
Allin and Judge Joshua Bicknell as managers. An account of this lottery will be found under another chapter.
It is a matter worthy of note that the three pastors of the Congregational Church from 1728 to 1816, a period of 88 years, were ordained for their work and installed over the Barrington Church as their first and only pastorates. Their whole service as Christian teachers was given to this people. They lived and died in Barrington and their graves are with us unto this day, as is also that of Rev. Shearjasbub Bourn Townsend, the grandson of the venerable Solomon Town- send.
It is also of interest to state that two meeting-houses were erected during the same period, one in 1737 and the second in 1806-7. For further reference, see the chapter on Meeting Houses and Church services.
Mr. Watson has left us in his own handwriting a list of the families in U. C. Society, Barrington, during his pastor- ate.
Sam'l Bosworth,
Syril Martin,
J. Barnes,
S. Bosworth, Jr.,
E. Tiffany,
J. Watson,
Capt. Ingraham,
Joseph Carlo Mauran, A. Lilley,
W. Ingraham,
Joshua Bicknell,
E. Smith,
J. Ingraham,
Joseph Bicknell,
Jas. Grant, .
Noel Mathewson,
John Bicknell,
J. Humphrey,
Peter Taylor,
Ira Allin,
J. Humphrey, Jr.,
Anderson Martin,
Mrs. Viall,
J. Potter,
C. Martin,
George Allin, .
Mrs. Barnes,
Nath. Smith,
Josiah Kinnicutt,
Joseph Rawson,
Nathl. Smith, Jr.,
K. Brown,
Widow Allin,
W. Kent,
S. Smith,
Major Drown,
Capt. Smith,
Nathl. Heath, Jr.,
S. Viall,
Granny Bosworth,
Nathi. Heath,
J. Harding,
John Drown,
A. Carpenter,
J. Humphrey,
John Short,
S. Peck,
R. Richmond,
M. Watson,
Capt. Ladue,
Widow Viall,
Solo Townsend,
E. Remington,
Nathl. Viall,
C. Standley,
Major Peck,
J. Viall,
Joseph Kent,
D. Horn,
H. Viall,
Capt. Short,
P. Paine,
W. Jones,
Capt. Martin,
Dr. Allin,
J. Bullock,
S. Lowe.
Total, 67 families.
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232
THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
The Rev. Luther Wright succeeded Mr. Watson, and was installed Jan. 29, 1817. He was an experienced minister of the Gospel, and a man of fervent piety, zealous in work, and of a progressive, orthodox faith. "The refreshing from the Lord," which blessed so many of the New England churches between 1816-20, came to the Barrington pastor and people, and as a result over ninety persons were added to the Church, the larger part in the year 1820. The same period witnessed a new interest taken in instructing the youth in the teach- ings and doctrines of the Bible. American Sunday Schools really were born at this time, although in some parts of the country Bible teaching for the young had been entered upon by the Churches prior to this time. Mr. Wright was among the first to recognize the value and importance of this new movement. In 1817 the General Association of Massachu- setts recommended the establishment of schools for the pious education of children and youth. In the same year we find the following important Church records, the result of Mr. Wright's deep interest in all good plans to benefit the Church and society :
BARRINGTON, MAY 22, 1817.
"The brethren and sisters of the Church met at the meet- ing-house, agreeably to the appointment by the pastor. The meeting was opened with prayer. The articles of Christian Faith and Covenant were read, explained and commented upon. The importance of the religious education of the ris- ing generation was then urged. The pastor proposed and requested that the Church co-operate with him in catechising the children and youth."
"Voted, unanimously, that Dea. Kent Brown, and brethren Jabez Heath and Geo. Gladding be a Committee to consult with the pastor respecting a plan for the catachetical instruc- tion of the children and youth in this place, and report at their next prayer meeting. The pastor then recommended to observe the monthly concert of prayer, which was agreed to by the Church, and was observed accordingly, commencing the first Monday in June 2, 1817."
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING-HOUSE AND PARSONAGE.
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233
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
"The Church met according to adjournment. The Com- mittee raised at the last meeting recommended the estab- lishment of a catachetical society among the youth in this place, and that Wilbour's catechism be used as a text-book. They also recommended the use of Emerson's Catechism among children, to be taught by minister and people."
"It was voted, That the Committee chosen at the last meeting propose a constitution for a Catachetical Society among the youth, and report at the next meeting."
JUNE 7, 1818.
The Church were detained after public worship, and the pastor proposed the establishment of Sabbath Schools in this place. After free discussion it was :
I. "Voted, without opposition, that Sunday Schools be set up among us for the religious instruction of children and youth."
2. "Voted, That Deacons Joshua Bicknell and Kent Brown, and brethren Anderson Martin, Daniel Short, and Noah Read be a Committee with the pastor to superintend the Sabbath School." The Committee met immediately and appointed Mary Bosworth, Permilla Paine, Sally Tiffany, Nancy Viall, and Mary R. Bullock, sisters in the Church, to be teachers in the Sabbath School."
While the records state that the Sunday School was estab- lished by the vote of the Church in 1818, there are good reasons for believing that the children were gathered for instruction in the Bible, on Sundays, in the year 1817, and possibly a year earlier. I have the personal testimony of Mrs. Eliza (Martin) Ide and Mrs. Elizabeth W. (Allin) Bick- nell that both were engaged in such work with the youth of Barrington in 1817, teaching classes in the meeting-house and also in private houses near, as there was at first much opposition to the work, on the ground that lay-members, especially young women, were not qualified to teach the truths of the Bible, clearly or correctly. The found-
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234
THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
ers of the Barrington Sunday School were the pastor, Rev. Luther Wright, Deacon Kent Brown, Deacon Joshua Bicknell, Jabez Heath, George Gladding, Mary Bos- worth, Mary R. Bullock, Eliza Martin, Permilla Paine, Sally Tiffany, Elizabeth W. Allin, and Nancy Viall.
It was during Mr. Wright's ministry that the Church adopted Articles of Faith, though a Covenant had been used by the Congregational Churches of New England from the first settlement.
The following are the Articles of Faith and Covenant of the Church, adopted July 19, 1817. There is no record that a creed had been established prior to this time. They are in substantial agreement with the Churches of this order throughout New England at that day :
THE
ARTICLES OF FAITH, and
THE COVENANT
of THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in BARRINGTON, R. I.
ARTICLES OF FAITH.
I. I believe there is one only living and true God, the Creator, Pre- server, and Governour of all things.
2. I believe the apostacy of our first Parents, the depravity of the human heart, and the ruined condition of mankind by sin.
3. I believe that God, in compassion to the fallen children of men, in pure mercy, provided a Saviour for them.
4. I believe the Lord Jesus Christ to be the only Saviour of a guilty world, that he is both the Son of God and the so'i of man; and, that he is the only mediator between God and man.
5. I believe in the Holy Ghost as the sacred agent, who enlightens the mind, and purifies the heart of men; and, in the necessity of his influence, to bring us out of a state of sin into a state of grace.
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4 OUT
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CHURCH CREED AND COVENANT.
6. I believe justification to be of the free and rich grace of God, through faith.
7. I believe Baptism and the Lord's Supper to be the only sacra- ments of the New Testament; and, that they who come to the holy Insti- tution of the.Gospel, should examine themselves as to their knowledge, faith, and repentance.
S. I believe the resurrection of the body, and the final judgment of the quick and dead.
9. I believe the future happiness of the righteous, and the condem- nation and misery of the wicked.
10. I believe, in a word, the sacred Scriptures to be written by inspira- tion of God; and, that they contain the only rule of faith and practice.
CHURCH COVENANT.
You do now seriously, and deliberately in the presence of God and this Assembly, give up yourself (selves) to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, acknowledging the Lord Jehovah to be your God. You own Christ as your Saviour, and promise to walk agreeably to his Gospel. You acknowledge the Holy Spirit as your comforter and sanctifier, and will cherish His light and influences. You do now professedly covenant with one God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, in an everlasting Covenant never to be forgotten, resolving by divine grace to be for Him alone. You do not only give up yourself (selves) to the Lord; but also devote the children which God has, or may, graciously give you, to his fear and service, promising, by divine assistance, to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
You commit yourself (selves) to the care and inspection of this church, promising to attend the administration of the ordinances as you have opportunity, readily submitting to the rules and discipline of this church, in the way of peace and order.
This you promise by divine assistance?
RE-STIPULATION.
We do then joyfully receive you, as one (those) whom we hope Christ has received; and we promise to watch over you in the spirit of meek- ness and friendship, asking an interest in your prayers, that we may each adorn the Gospel of our common Saviour.
Barrington, July 19, 1817.
A true copy from the Church Records.
Attest, LUTHER WRIGHT, Pastor.
During Mr. Wright's ministry more than ninety persons were added to the church. He closed his labors in Barring-
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236
THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
ton in 1821, after four years of very active, useful service. The church .remained without a pastor for nearly two years, a period of loss in church work and growth. The following doggerel verses on the various changes of the period reflect something of the spirit of the times :
BARRINGTON CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.
In the town of B., Sir, there does dwell, A corporation known full well. Their funds are large, their pay is small, Whene'er their preacher, he does call.
It was made up in '98,
As you may see by their own date.
They ordained then their own townsman,
Which we will call by the name of Sam. He lasted there for eighteen years, But always had his doubts and fears, About how he should get his pay, Until the Lord called him away. Then as for meeting they had none, Unless a traveler chanced to come. Then they all met on the Lord's Day,
To see what travelers had to say ; At length there to these Deacons came, A man of learning and of fame. I'll place him up in his true light, And his name we will call Wright. This man he suited everything,
And the subscriptions did begin, For to raise money, for to call This Wright to be installed. The next step, then, was for to find Sufficient men all of one mind,
To come with all their hearts' delight,
And re-install what they called Wright. About four years, we understand, This work went on, all hand in hand. A reformation then took place, Which set the people all in haste ; And after sixty had been joined, The Priest and Deacons tried their minds,
And found that they could not agree,
And trouble was their destiny. His salary was much behind, Five hundred dollars at that time ;
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CONDITION OF CHURCH.
The Deacon's power was then so great, He bid him go without debate. The next step, then, was to find Sufficient men all of one mind,
To come with all their hearts' delight, And turn away what they called Wright.
Then Mr. P. came on so stout, To see the battle well fought out, And found the pay was coming scant,
So he concluded to recant. The next brought in was Mr. K., An humble man as they all say; To preach the Gospel he was bound, And always true to it was found. Six months the term that he must stay,
They locked the house on the Lord's Day, And none was suffered there to be, Neither to hear nor for to see. The Sergeant (K) ordered him to start, Which grieved him to the very heart. The Deacon's power was then so great, He bid him go without debate. The time had come that he must go, And on that very moment, too.
Then he was forced to leave the ground, His wife no chance to change her gown. Now Mr. W. has come forth, Though not far distant from the North, To take the lead of all the band, And guide them to the Heavenly Land. Now may they all united be, And pay him up so he shan't flee. Nor go from this which he calls home,
'Till he go hence whence none returns. May our people live in such a form, That when they die they may be borne To Abraham's bosom there to be Forever blest eternally.
Rev. Francis Wood was ordained and installed February 26th, 1823. After a brief but useful pastorate he was dis- missed November 22, 1826.
Dissension having arisen in the Church, which earnest efforts failed to harmonize, a period of religious depression followed.
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238
THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
In February, 1832, a series of special meetings, conducted by Rev. Giles Pease, resulted in the addition of a goodly number to the Church. During several months in which Mr. Pease was acting pastor, the attention of the Church was given to long neglected church discipline.
In 1835 Rev. Thomas Williams was installed, and after a troubled pastorate of nearly three years, during which the chronic dissensions increased, he was dismissed.
Rev. Benjamin R. Allen was installed September 26, 1838, and dismissed in September, 1842.
Rev. Charles Peabody was installed June 21st, 1843. A Council called April 7th, 1846, to dismiss him, adjourned to May 5th, after "enjoining on the Pastor and Church the duty of ministering the government of Christ's house in disci- plining the delinquent members in the Church." The coun- cil decided that the pastoral relation "should not be dis- solved," and adjourned.
Another mutual council was called October 6, 1846, which granted the dissolution, commended Mr. Peabody, and deeply deplored the condition of the Church. They ad- monished the brethren " of the necessity of immediate and thorough discipline in the Church, in order to their con- tinued existenee. As a council we record here our solemn conviction that the very name of this Church must in a few years be blotted out of the map of our Zion, unless affec- tionate, determined, thorough discipline is enforced in this Church."
Rev. Forrest Jefferds, as "stated supply," began his labors November 21st, 1847, and closed May 20th, 1851, after a peaceful pastorate.
Rev. Silas S. Hyde was called August 14th, 1851. He accepted, but his installation was deferred until the exten- sive alterations in the meeting-house were completed. The sounding board, the high pulpit and the galleries were taken down, and the whole interior and exterior were remodelled. It was dedicated December 9th, 1851. On the following
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MINISTERS OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
day the council met, and the services of installation were held the day after, December 11th, 1851.
December 2d, 1852 was observed as a day of fasting and prayer, on which occasion the revised "Articles of Faith and Covenant " were publicly and harmoniously recognized.
In 1854 collectors of benevolent contributions were ap- pointed and a thorough system of collections was estab- lished. The collections from all sources for benevolent objects were $205.94.
Early in 1855 an unfortunate difference arose between pastor and people, which interrupted the hitherto successful ministry of Mr. Hyde, and resulted in a mutual council and his dismissal, March 28, 1855. The council voted unani- mously that the " differences have been the result of differ- ences in temperament, and in the position from which the parties observed and judged, rather than any criminal, moral obliquity."
Rev. Morris Day held special religious services from Jan. 24, 1856, to February 2Ist, resulting in the conversion of some fifty or more souls.
During this religious interest Rev. Francis Horton, of West Cambridge, Mass., was invited to supply the pulpit. He began his labors in February, 1865. His call to the pas- torate, May 20, 1856, was accepted. He continued acting pastor until he died, March 19, 1872, beloved and mourned by all his people, after a remarkably successful ministry of 16 years.
May 5, 1872, Revised Articles of Faith were unanimously adopted.
The benevolent contributions steadily advanced. In 1870 they reached $922.30, and in 1872 $1, 150.00.
Rev. William House began his labors March 9, 1873. He was installed Oct. 22, 1874, and dismissed by council July 7. 1886. During his ministry the advantage of system in all departments of church activity was demonstrated. The benevolent contributions for 1885 rose to $1,304.25.
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THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
Rev. John W. Colwell began his labors June 19, 1887, and was installed by council July 20, 1887.
Though no special meetings were held, 41 united on confession of faith during the first two years of his minis- try.
A Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was formed July 5, 1887.
The meeting-house was enlarged in 1888, and a new pipe organ purchased. The house was dedicated March 17, 1889.
The Church Manual was revised, new Standing Rules being adopted, and this Historical Sketch enlarged, cor- rected, and brought down to date.
Mr. Colwell's able and successful ministry was terminated by his early and sudden death in February, 1896.
. Rev. Norman Plass followed in the pastorate and was installed in November, 1896. His brief ministry in Barring- ton has been marked by faithful pastoral work and vigorous preaching.
Hon. Lewis B. Smith, who united with the church May 6, 1832, and was chosen deacon Nov. 3, 1859, and treasurer of the " United Congregational Society March 7, 1853, died suddenly in the lower vestibule of the church, Sunday morn- ing, May 29, 1892.
This was on " Memorial Sunday." Special service, in accordance with the custom of the church, was held on this Sunday, preceding " Memorial Day." Mr. Smith had been sick with heart difficulty a week or two previous. He felt so much better that he came out to this service and though very feeble, he entered into the spirit of the occasion and seemed to enjoy the service. At its close, brethren, neigh- bors, and friends gathered around him, glad to see him back in the place, which was seldom vacant on Sunday. He went below with the Sunday School, but was not well enough to teach. He sat with his class during the opening exercises. Singularly, the superintendent gave out Keble's Evening Hymn, " Sun of my Soul " to be sung just before the les-
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LEWIS BOSWORTH SMITH.
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241
LEWIS B. SMITH.
sons. The school sang the first three verses, the third verse reading,
"Abide with me from morn till eve, For without thee I cannot live. Abide with me when death is nigh, For without thee I dare not die."
As the classes then took up the study of the lesson for the day, Deacon Smith arose, shook hands with and bade the members of his class good-bye, and passed out of the room with those words still sounding in his ears. He went out to the shed for his team, his wife awaiting him in the vestibule. As he drove up in front of the vestry door, Mrs. Smith called him in to speak to a lady friend. Mr. Smith came in and as he put out his hand to his friend, the fatal stroke fell upon him. This friend eased his fall and Mrs. Smith hastened in to call for assistance. Two or three went out immediately. All was done that could be done, as Mr. Smith was past human help. Where he fell, his spirit returned to the God who gave it. While this tragedy was enacting, although the Sunday School was in session, there was no excitement or commotion. An impressive hush rested upon the school rather. The school was quietly dis- missed and retired by the rear door. The doors of the ves- tibule where Mr. Smith's body lay were closed and only his nearest and dearest, with the pastor and a few of his church brethren remained with him. Thus passed away this faith- ful servant of God in the church so dear to him for which he had toiled, and prayed, and given.
He had been a member sixty years, a deacon thirty-two years and a half, and treasurer of the society, thirty-nine years and nearly three months.
For fuller notices of ministers and others, see brief biogra- phies.
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242
THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
LIST OF THE PASTORS, WITH THEIR TERMS OF LABOR.
Date of Ordina. or Inst.
Date of Dismissal.
Term of
Labor.
I. Rev. James Wilson
2. Samuel Torrey
1726
8 years.
3. Peleg Heath
1728
1740
I2
4.
Solomon Townsend
1743
*1798
55
5.
66
Samuel Watson
1798
*1816
18
66
6. Luther Wright.
IS17
IS21
4
7. Francis Wood.
IS23
1826
3
8. Thomas Williams
IS35
IS38
2
9.
Benjamin R. Allen
IS38
1842
4
IO.
Charles Peabody
1843
1846
3
66
II.
Forrest Jefferds
IS46
1850
4
12. Silas S. Hyde
I85
1855
4
13.
Francis Horton
1856
*1872
16
14.
66 William House
I873
1886
13
15.
" John W. Colwell
ISS7
*1896
9
16.
Norman Plass
1896
* Date of death.
DEACONS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Lieut. Nathaniel Peck, chosen 1728. Died 1751.
Samuel Humphrey, 1717.
Josiah Humphrey,
1735. Died 1751.
James Humphrey,
Ebenezer Adams,
Died 1773-
James Adams,
Died 1775.
Sylvester Viall.
יי
1812. Died 1816.
Kent Brown,
1812. Died IS22.
Joshua Bicknell,
1817. Died 1837.
Ebenezer Tiffany,
1838. Died 1864.
Allin Bicknell,
1839. Died 1870.
Benjamin Martin,
Lewis B. Smith, 1
66
Nov. 3, 1839. Died Dec. 12, 1895. Died May 29, 1892.
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CLERKS AND TREASURERS.
Charles H. Bowen,
chosen July 6, 1878.
Mark H. Wood,
July 6, 1878.
Ebenezer Tiffany,
“ July 6, 187S.
Frederick P. Church,
Jan. 1, 1896.
CHURCH CLERKS.
Until the death of Rev. Mr. Townsend, the records of the church had been made by the ministers. The record book kept by Rev. Peleg Heath is now in the possession of Mrs. William Carter, a great granddaughter of Mr. Heath. The records of the church during Mr. Townsend's ministry can- not be found. At his death, 1797, the church chose Edward Bosworth as clerk, who served one year, until Rev. Samuel Watson was installed. Since that date the clerks have been :
Rev. Samuel Watson
. 1798-1816
Kent Brown
1816-1817
Rev. Luther Wright
1817-1821
Rev. Francis Wood
1823-1826
Ebenezer Tiffany
1830-183S
Rev. Benjamin R. Allin
183S-1842
Deacon Ebenezer Tiffany
1843-1851
Anthony Viall
IS51-1855
Samuel Billings
1856-1860
Rev. Francis Horton
1861-1872
Thomas W. Bicknell
IS72-1874
Rev. William House
I874-1885
Morris W. House .
1885-1886
Mark H. Wood
1886-1894
Wheaton B. Bowden
Jan. 3, 1894. Now serving.
TREASURERS.
The first record of the appointment of Treasurer is that of
Dea. Ebenezer Tiffany
IS52-1861
Ebenezer Tiffany, Jr.
1861-1867
Dea. Lewis B. Smith
.
1867-186S
Dea. Benjamin Martin
1868-IS75
Royal D. Horton
1875-1879
Mark H. Wood
1892-1894
Frederick P. Church
1837-1892
Francis Wood .
1894-1896
Walter L. Anthony.
. 1896. Now serving.
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THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
SUPERINTENDENTS.
The Sunday School was established in 1818, but a Cate- chetical Society was formed in 1817. The Pastor, Rev. Luther Wright, was the first Superintendent, assisted by Deacons Joshua Bicknell and Kent Brown, Anderson Martin, Daniel Short, and Noah Read. They were succeeded by the pastors or the deacons of the church. Since 1860 the Superintendents have been elected annually by the church and the school, and have been :
Lewis B. Smith.
Isaac F. Cady.
Thomas W. Bicknell
1866-IS75
1875-IS83
D. A. Waldron
ISS6-ISS9
1890-IS94
Rev. Wm. House
1883-1886
Frederick P. Church
1889-1890
Dea. Charles H. Bowden
1894-1896
Frederick P. Church
1896. Now serving
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الح علاجلة
CHAPTER XVIII
BARRINGTON LEGISLATION FROM 1717 TO 1747
The Town Records-The Town Meeting - Town Officers -Summary of the Town Legislation During the Period.
A S we have seen, Barrington was incorporated by the Gen- eral Court of Massachusetts Bay in the year 1717, the petition of the inhabitants being confirmed on November 18th. The new town then entered upon its corporate exist- ence, and continued the same for thirty years. The records for that period, although made by capable town clerks, have not been carefully preserved, and the opening and closing chapters of the record book have been lost in its migrations through the attic collections of the town. In 1870 the book was supposed to be lost, but, fortunately, the writer, in seek- ing for light on this important period of our town history, found it in the possession of a friend, and, with his consent, it was returned to the town clerk's office, from which it had been a wanderer for many years. We have made a careful digest of the town legislation of the period, giving the leading town officers for each year, and introducing the minor offices when held by new officials. The meeting-house and the minister of the town are among the chief subjects of legisla- tion, and the records show the methods of government, when there was a partial union of the Church and the town. It is interesting to note other matters, such as the town stocks, the pound, the ear-marks of cattle, the yoking of swine, the itinerant school and schoolmaster, and other records of the life and customs of the earlier days.
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