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EXTRACTS 

FROM   THE   NOTE-BOOK   OP 

THE    REV.    JOHN    FISKE 

1G37-1G75. 


WHj  an  Intralmrttan 
By  SAMUEL  A.  GREEK. 


CAMBRIDGE: 

JOHN     WILSON    AND     SON. 

SSnibcrsitg  $rrss. 

1898. 


•J* 


2  It  56 


JOHN    FISKE'S   NOTE-BOOK. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical 
Society,  held  in  Boston  on  Thursday,  October  13,  1898, 
Dr.  Samuel  A.  Green  communicated  some  extracts 
from  the  Rev.  John  Fiske's  Note-book,  and  made  the 
following  remarks :  — 

Some  years  ago  I  came  into  the  possession  of  a  Note-book 
kept  by  the  Rev.  John  Fiske  during  his  several  pastorates  at 
Salem,  Wenham,  and  Chelmsford.  From  the  time  of  his  ar- 
rival here  from  England,  in  the  year  1637,  Mr.  Fiske  was  living 
in  Salem  till  about  1641,  when  he  went  to  Wenham,  and 
later  became  the  first  minister  of  the  church  gathered  there 
on  October  8,  1644.  His  third  child,  Moses  (H.  C.  1662),  was 
horn  at  Wenham  on  April  12,  1642,  and  baptized  at  Salem  in 
the  following  June.  The  record  of  this  son's  birth  seems  to 
show  that  the  father  was  living  at  Wenham  two  or  three  years 
before  his  settlement  in  that  town  as  the  pastor.  In  1655  Mr. 
Fiske  removed  to  Chelmsford,  where  also  he  was  the  first  min- 
ister, and  remained  there  until  the  day  of  his  death  on  January 
14,  1676-7. 

The  entries  in  the  book  relate  almost  wholly  to  cases  of 
church  discipline  within  the  membership,  to  church  meetings 
where  theological  matters  were  brought  up  and  discussed,  and 
to  ecclesiastical  councils  held  in  the  neighborhood,  together 
with  a  sprinkling  of  baptisms,  and  names  of  persons  admitted 
to  the  Covenant.  They  cover  a  period  of  time  extending 
from  the  year  1637  to  July  25,  1675,  eighteen  months  before 


his  death.  In  regard  to  genealogical  or  historical  facts,  —  and 
these  are  the  items  most  wanted  to-day,  —  the  entries  are  sin- 
gularly meagre,  and  give  us  but  little  of  either  interest  or 
value.  The  theology  of  those  early  times  in  New  England 
may  be  as  important  now  as  then,  but  it  is  not  so  highly  prized. 
The  old  manuscript,  however,  brings  down  to  us  the  details  of 
many  matters  of  ecclesiastical  polity  which  in  their  day  were 
deemed  vital  by  the  founders  of  our  Puritan  Commonwealth. 

The  pages  of  the  book  are  about  5|  inches  by  7^  in  dimen- 
sions, and  they  number  344  (or  172  leaves),  of  which  48  pages 
are  blank,  or  nearly  so.  The  book  opens  with  the  Covenant 
of  the  Church  of  Christ  at  Salem,  which  is  followed  by  178 
names,  though  not  autograph  signatures.  Owing  to  a  bad  tear 
through  three  of  the  leaves,  and  the  consequent  loss  of  a  part 
of  the  writing,  a  portion  of  the  text  and  some  of  the  names  are 
gone.  The  first  twenty-five  pages  have  been  printed  in  the 
"  Historical  Collections  of  the  Essex  Institute  "  (I.  37-44)  for 
May,  1859 ;  and  the  part  there  given  is  a  fair  sample  of  the 
rest.  This  printed  copy  also  shows  what  portion  of  the  text 
and  how  many  names  are  missing  in  the  original  manuscript. 
Near  the  beginning  of  the  book,  immediately  following  the 
Salem  records,  sixteen  leaves  have  been  torn  out,  which 
presumably  were  blank,  but  the  stubs  still  remain. 

The  handwriting  is  very  hard  to  read,  and  contains  many 
abbreviations  and  nondescript  characters  which  it  is  impos- 
sible to  represent  in  type.  At  that  period  of  time  it  was  very 
common  for  ministers  to  have  some  knowledge  of  short-hand 
writing ;  and  in  the  Note-book  certain  words  and  syllables  are 
indicated  by  arbitrary  signs,  the  same  as  were  used  in  stenog- 
raphy. In  the  copy  here  given  of  certain  extracts,  such  abbre- 
viations and  characters  for  the  most  part  have  been  spelled 
out  in  full.  When  Mr.  Fiske  began  his  pastorate  at  Wenham, 
he  turned  the  book  over  and  made  his  entries  at  the  other 
end  of  the  volume,  and  thus  continued  them  even  during  his 
settlement  at  Chelmsford. 

Mr.  Fiske,  while  at  Chelmsford,  prepared  a  Catechism 
(Cambridge,  1657)  for  the  use  of  children,  wdiich  was  printed 
at  the  expense  of  the  town.  Copies  of  this  little  tract  are  now 
excessively  rare,  and  probably  not  more  than  one  or  two  re- 
main in  existence.  A  good  specimen  is  preserved  in  the  Lenox 
Library,  New  York.     For  a  bibliographical  description  of  the 


pamphlet,  see  the  Proceedings  (second  series,  IX.  411,  412)  of 
this  Society  for  February,  1895.  At  that  period  there  were, 
perhaps,  a  dozen  or  fifteen  other  places  in  New  England  which 
had  published  similar  catechisms  for  the  religious  instruction 
of  the  young.  In  all  towns  it  was  the  custom  to  assemble  the 
children  often,  and,  under  the  direction  of  the  minister,  to  cate- 
chise them  on  matters  connected  with  their  spiritual  welfare. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  Note-book  relate  to  this 
early  custom  as  practised  in  Chelmsford,  which  was  then  a 
fair  representative  town  of  the  times.  These  entries  throw 
a  good  deal  of  side-light  on  the  bringing  up  of  youth  in  those 
da}rs,  and  they  also  allude  incidentally  to  certain  interesting 
facts  connected  with  the  publication  of  Mr.  Fiske's  Catechism. 
During  that  period,  throughout  New  England,  the  education 
of  the  young  in  some  respects  may  have  been  sombre,  but  it 
was  sturdy  and  homespun  in  its  fibre,  and  brought  out  the 
marks  of  manhood  and  womanhood. 

27  of  4  [1646]  concluded  in  the  Church  that  the  3d.  d.  of  week  at 
time  the  laws  goe  forth  the  childre  to  co  forward  to  be  catechized  &  to 
giue  accont  of  what  they  learnd  of  the  srni  sab.  before,  to  pastors  house  .  . 

&  togethr  heerewithal  in  the  4  place  of  the  refusall  (as  we  vnder- 
stood).  to  disburse  their  nportion  to  the  Catech.  printing,  wch  the  Ch: 
stands  engaged  to  see  satisfved.1  .  .  . 

23  of  10  58  Voted  by  the  Church  that  the  33sl,s  9d  wch  the  Church 
stood  engagd  to  see  pd  to  Br.  James  Parker  for  the  Catechises  should 
be  for  prsnt  lent  to  him  out  of  the  Church  stock.  &  if  light  app  hrafte  to 
the  Church  where  it  lies  behind,  to  be  taken  in  to  the  deacos  hand  on  the 
accont  of  the  catechizes  in  lew  of  this  loane  if  not  light,  then  this  pte  of 
the  Church  stock  to  be  here  levyed  in  his  hands  as  assignd  to  the  dis- 
chrge  of  this  debt  of  the  Church.   .   .   . 

6  of  12  64  A  Church  meeting  Catechizing.  Agreed  by  the  Church. 
that  the  sa  course  of  catechizg  of  all  under  16.  yeers  old.  be  attended 
at  the  house  of  the  pasto.  viz.  for  mayds  the  day  afte  the  Lecture.  &  for 
youths  the  2d.  day  of  the  weeke  following  the  lecture. 

It[em]  That  for  all  yong  men  aboue  16.  yeers  old,  vnmarryd. 
That  it  be  moved,  who  will  voluntarily  app  to  giue  in  their  Names  to 
Answr  in  publick.  &  for  such  as  shall  decline :  if  Children  of  the  Church, 
that  the  Church  shall  see  that  they  attend  to  be  catechisd  by  the  pasto, 

1  From  a  letter  written  by  Mr.  Fiske  to  Esdras  Read,  under  date  of  January 
31,  1657-8,  and  copied  into  the  Note-book. 


6 

in  his  House  upon  the  2d.  day  of  the  week  monthly  afte  the  lecture  at 
the  usual  time,  of  meeting  (viz.  aboute  3  of  the  clock  in  aftrnoone  &  if 
they  shall  negl.  to  come  on  one  day,  to  bring  as  much  the  next  time,  as 
may  pportion  the  Time.     This  votd. 

That  we  begin  the  worke  in  publ.  about  the  begining  of  2^  month 
The  Catechases  to  be  ctct  out  by  Bro.  Kemp  at  6^  p  peece.  .  .  . 

30.  of  4.  69     The  Church  mett  .  .   . 

After  this.  It  was  pposed  the  way  of  Catechising  fro  house  to  house. 
&  the  yong  or  vnmarried  psos  to  meet  at  so  one  house  of  4  or  5.  the 
maryed  to  be  visitd  in  their  owne  houses 

In  the  Note-book  Mr.  Fiske  gives  many  interesting  facts 
connected  with  the  removal  of  his  church  from  Wenham  to 
Chelmsford.  In  September,  1654,  the  proposal  for  the  change 
came  from  certain  brethren  who  spoke  for  the  Chelmsford 
church.  Various  meetings  were  held  by  the  Wenham  church 
in  order  to  consider  the  subject ;  and  after  much  deliberation 
the  matter  was  referred  to  Governor  Endicott  and  five  other 
prominent  men  for  their  counsel.  These  persons  favored  the 
plan,  and  recommended  the  proposed  removal,  which  was  car- 
ried out  during  the  autumn  of  1655.  In  the  early  history  of 
the  Colony  there  were  several  other  similar  instances  where 
churches  migrated  in  a  body.  At  this  late  day  all  the  causes 
leading  up  to  such  changes  are  not  clear,  but  it  is  probable 
that  local  dissensions  were  closely  connected  with  them. 

I  have  copied  the  various  entries  in  regard  to  births,  bap- 
tisms, etc.,  which  will  be  of  service  to  genealogical  students. 
I  have  also  given  the  action  taken  by  the  Chelmsford  church 
in  regard  to  the  removal  of  three  families  to  the  neighboring 
town  of  Groton  in  the  year  1662,  in  order  to  show  the  great 
formality  attending  their  separation  from  that  body.  No 
church  had  then  been  gathered  at  Groton,  and  perhaps  the 
want  of  religious  instruction  there  may  explain  the  reluc- 
tance of  the  Chelmsford  members  to  have  their  brethren  re- 
move thither,  and  live  so  far  away  from  the  sanctuary  of  the 
Lord.  I  have  also  copied  several  other  matters  of  interest, 
one  of  which  is  the  expression  of  the  church  when  Mr.  Fiske's 
son,  Moses,  was  about  to  leave  home  and  go  to  college.  Pre- 
vious to  his  departure  for  Cambridge,  he  appeared  before  the 
members  and  owned  the  Covenant,  and  made  public  vows 
that  he  would  be  true  to  the  church. 


A  few  of  the  names  found  in  these  pages  are  not  given  by- 
Mr.  Savage  in  his  Genealogical  Dictionary,  but  some  of  the 
facts  herein  mentioned  are  stated  by  him,  —  for  instance,  the 
date  of  the  baptism  of  Mr.  Fiske's  son,  Moses,  and  that  of  his 
second  daughter,  Anna,  which  must  have  come  originally  from 
this  old  manuscript.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  Mr.  Savage 
never  saw  the  Note-book,  but  probably  Mr.  Felt  had  used  it, 
and  may  have  furnished  him  with  some  of  the  facts  therein 
found. 

The  Children  of  John  &  Anna  Fiske 


Salem     mr  Petrs 


Born  in  N.  E. 

1638     John,     borne  the  29l.h  of  6' 
bapt.  the  2d  of  7. 
Escaped  a   grte  danger  at   wenha,   in    passing   with   the 
streame  vndr   the    mill    wheele,    when    the  mill   was 
a  goeing.     An.  1647.  6'  of  3d  at  what  time  he  receid 
(as  twere)  a  new  life,  not  a  bone  broke  &c. 
1640     Sarah,   borne  24.  of  5!      )       «i 

bapt.  26*  of  5.       |      Sal6m-     m   Pet 
1642.    Moses,  borne  12  of  2d|  at  Wenha 

bapt.  0-  of  4'  at  Salem  *  by  mr  Norice 

1644  Anna,    borne  15*  of  11*  | 

1645     baptised  2.  of  Is.'  (the  l8.'  child  bapt.  at  f  Wenham 

1646.    Eli-ezer.  borne  8*  of  12*  )  w     . 

^  r      i.  , «    r  Wenham. 
bapt.  15.  of  12.  j 

he  Deceased  16.  of  10.  49.) 

1671.  The  sd.  Anne  Fiske  wife  to   the  sd.  Jn'-'  ffiske  haueing  liued 

with  him  about  37.  yeers.  deceased  14.  of  12thtmo-  at  Chelms- 
ford. 

1672.  Elizabeth  Hinksma  [widow  of  Edmund]  marryed  to  the  sd.  Jn? 

ffiske  1.  of  6.m"  at  Chelmsford.   .  .  . 

2d  of  Is*  45. 

This  day,  being  Lords  day,  the  Seale  of  Baptisme  was  Admin  istred 
in  this  Church,  the  Is*  time  the  Church  had  the  seale  Administd  wch 
by  reason  of  the  season,  1  sab :  before  the  Church  being  constrynd  to 
meete  in  or  pastors  house :  &  now  a  2d  time,  (weh  was  continued  the 
Church  meeting  there  2  or  3.  Sab:  after.) 

The  Church  memb  Baptised,  was  Anna  Fiske  daughtr  to  John 
Fiske  Pastor.  .  .  . 

On  one  Lo :  day  in  this  interl.  in  the  4(.mo  John  Moulton  Baptised. 

1  The  date  of  this  baptism  is  not  clear.  The  record  was  made,  probably,  at  a 
later  time,  and  perhaps  then  Mr.  Fiske  had  forgotten  the  exact  date. 


Oil  Lo  :  day.  6*  m°.  we  had  the  seals  of  the  Supp  &  also  the  seale  ot 
Bapt.     Samuel  Fiske,  &  Sarah  Geere  Baptised.   .  .  . 

Mary  Herse  baptisd.     3d- mo.  46  .   .  . 

this  d.  being  sab.  Benjamin  fairefeild  the  sone  of  g.  fairefeild  &  his 
wife  of  Salem  Baptised     27  of  4.   .   .  . 

Br.  Rich  dodge  of  the  Church  of  Salem  had  a  child  baptisd  here  .  .  . 

Baptised.    Eliezer  Fiske  the  son  of  John  Fiske  &  Anna  ") 
his  wife  C  15  of  12  46.. 

Baptised.    Sarah  Norton  the  daughter  of  Geo :  Norton  ) 

Ephraim  Geere  baptisd.  17  of  2d  [1647]  .   .   . 

this  day  Elizabeth  Moulton  daughter  of  br.  Ja.  Moulto  &c  Baptised. 
9  of  5.  47 

this  day  Joseph  Batcheler  the  son  of  Sister  Batcheler  (&  bro.  Joseph 
Batcher  deceased  in  month  Is.1)  baptised.     22.  of  6.  47  .  .  . 

Joseph  the  son  of  Wm  Fisk  &  Bridget  his  wife  Baptised.  21  of 
3d  [1648]  .  .  . 

15.  of  8  or  thrabouts  Mary  the  daughf  of  Rich.  &  Mary  Goldsm. 
Baptisd 

29.  of  8  or  thrabts.  the  wife  of  John  Shiply  Receivd  into  Cov?.  hauing 
made  hr  relation  &  declared  hrselfe  as.  the  opinion  of  the  wo :  of  Eli. 
honrd  she  had  ben  taken  with  them  &  the  mattr  in  qu.  before  the 
Church  being  cleared.  &  laye  Test,  coming  fr  Sale"1  divrs  of  the  Church 
besids  the  Elds  on  hr  behalfe. 

abt  a  3  week  after  hr  3.  children  John.  Nath.  &  Lidia  Baptisd 

abt  this  Time  Joseph  the  so  of  Rich  Dodge  &  his  wife  baptisd  .   .  . 

14  of  5l  50.    Sarah  the  daughter  of  Bro  :  Goldsm.  &  his  wife  baptisd. . . 

Vpon  4  of  7\h  1654  was  dated  a  Lr  vnder  the  hands  of  Rob'  Fletcher, 
Tho :  Adams,  W™  Fletcher,  W?  Buttereck  in  the  nil  of  the  rest,  en- 
gaged in  the  N.  plantation  at  Chelmsford,  whrin  the  pasto  with  the 
rest  of  this  church  at  Wenham  were  Invited 

This  Lr  being  aftrwrds  conveyed  to  vs  by  the  hands  of  Isa :  Lernet 
&  Tho  :  Adams,  was  coicated  to  the  church.  &  a  Liberty  by  the  Majo' 
pte  graunted  so  far  to  attend  the  pvidence :  as  to  pmit  the  pastor  to  Goe 
ouer  &  see  the  place 

accordingly  a  day  was  set  of  meeting  at  Chelmsford.  &  thrupo  the 
messengers  returned 

Vpon  the  sd.  day  set  divrs  of  the  Brethren  accompanyed  the  pasto 
ouer  vnto  Chelms.  where  the  comittee  &  divers  others  were  prsnt  a  view 
was  taken  of  the  place.  The  Brethren  prsent  satisfyecl  themselves 
aboute  there  accommodations.  &  pposalls  were  then  made  to  the  pasto 
for  his  accommodation  &  yeerely  mayntenance.  as  to  be  tendred  vnto 


9 

him  by  consent  of  the  whole  numb  of  Inhabitants  &  in  their  na  by  the 
Committee 

These  pposales  were  pmised,  with  their  furthr  request  to  be  taken 
into  consideratio,  &  in  so  short  seaso  after  the  Returne  an  Answer  & 
resolution  to  be  sent  by  Br.  Spalding,  as  at  his  coming  ouer. 

After  this  Returne  of  the  pastor  &  Brethren  upon  the  10th  of  8m0  54 
the  resolution  &  engagm1  of  divrs  of  the  Brethren  was  in  the  face  of 
the  whole  church,  at  a  Church  meeting  concluded  upo  whras  5.  ab- 
solutely engaged.  2  conditionally  &  in  word  only,  refusing  at  prsnt 
to  subscribe  their  hands,  yet  after  sent  their  Engagemts  psonally  by 
Bro :  Spalding,  so  as  the  greater  number  of  the  Church  now  stood  en- 
gagd,  in  case  the  pastor  engaged  also 

Vpon  6?  of  9n!°  the  pasto  Sent  his  Engagm4.8  by  Bro :  Spalding  &  his 
Resolutio,  as  Respecting  the  engag*  of  so  many  Brethren  as  sd. 

Thus  the  matter  Lay  dormant  as  twere  all  winter  till  the  1st  m°.  55. 
at  what  time  Bro:  Read  coming  ouer  enformed  us  in  such  wise  here  at 
Wenha,  as  thrvpo  both  the  P.  &  the  sd  engaged  Brethren  demurred 
upo  the  pceedings  &  some  thl  had  sold  heere  at  Wenha,  redeemed  their 
accomodations  agayne  into  their  possession 

&  a  Lr.  was  sutably  sent  by  Br.  Read  to  acquainte  the  Chelmesf. 
Comittee  how  things  stood,  &  advisd  to  stead  themselves  elswhere. 

Betwene  this  time  &  the  6'  of  4l  mo  55.  things  hung  vncertayne  & 
vncleered,  notwithstanding  some  Lrs.  passed  &  some  agitatio  at  Wenha 
betwene  Isa:  Lernet  agent  fr  Chelmsfd  &  Wenha  Brethren.  But  as 
upo  6*  of  4th  aforesd  was  dated  a  Lr.  &  sent  by  the  hands  of  Isa:  Lernet 
Sim  :  Thompso  &  Tho  :  Adams,  with  full  powr  to  them  to  treate  & 
finally  to  determine  ths  busines  depending  betwene  both  pties. 

Vpon  there  coming  ouer  to  Wenham.  The  Matter  was  determined 
betwene  them  &  the  sd.  pastor  touching  the  Building  of  the  house 
Terms  of  Accommodation  &  of  yeerly  mayntenance.,  as  under  there 
hands  affixed  to  the  Lrs  was  sent  before  dated  in  first  month  tenth  day. 
likewise  it  was  concluded  betwene  them  &  the  Brethren  at  Wenham 
to  refer  the  matter  to  Counsell ;  &  the  pties  agreed  upon  were.  Mr 
Endicot  Govrnor  Mr  Mather,  Mr  Allen  of  Dedha.  Mr  Cobbet.  Mr 
Sherma.  Capt.  Johnso.  of  Woobuerne  who  determined  the  case  for 

Chelmsford. 

This  case  thus  determined :  on  either  side  p'pation  was  made  for  the 
Removal  of  the  Church. 

Accordingly  about  the  13th  of  9mo  55.  there  were  met  at  Chelmsfd. 
the  pasto  with  the  engaged  Brethren  of  Wenham  church  viz.  Ezdras 
Read,  Edw.  Kemp.  Austin  Killam.  Sa :  Foster.  Geo:  Byam  &  Rich. 
Goldsmith,  seauen  in  all  To  whom  such  of  the  Brethren  of  Wooburne 
&  Concord  ch :  who  had  before  ppounded  themselues  to  joyne  with  the  ch  : 


10 

late  at  Wenham,  Now  in  Removeing  to  Chelmsford.  &  prsented  thern- 
selues.  with  there  Lr.s  of  Dismission :  upon  satisfaction  &  Testimony 
Giuen  were  by  an  vnanimous  vote  Received  into  fellowship  They  being 
the  greater  numb,  in  way  of  mutual  complyance,  a  Relatio  passd  on 
either  side,  as  each  one  voluntarily  would  :  ^     .  d 

Viz.      Isaack  Lernett                 (he  dyed  8.  of  10.  57.  1 

Simon  Thompson             (he  dyed  about  3  qrs  of  a  y.  2 

after  at  Ooburne 

W?  Vnderwood                                                   *  3 

Abram  Parker.  4 

Benja:  Butterfeild  5 

Tho :  Chamberlin  6 
Next  received 

Dan.  Blogged  who  brought  lrs  of  dismission  from  the          7 
Ch :  at  Cambridge 

So  after  this  the  seales  of  the  supp  administred  &  there  were  ad- 
mitted by  vote  these  Members  of  other  churches,  to  coion  with  us  in 
these  seales. 

Mr  Griffin 

W"  fletcher  &  his  wife 

Tho :  Adams)  &  his  wife 

Br.  Vndrwoods  wife 

(Edw.  Spalding) 

Bro :  Butterfeilds  wife 

Bro :   Chamberlins  wife 

Edm  :  Chamberlins  wife 

Abram  Parkers  wife 

Jos.  Parkers  wife 

Isa :  Lernets  wife 

Sim  :  Thompsons  wife 

since  Rec*J:  into  fellowship  was  Jacob  Parker  8 

9 
It[em].  Tho:  Adams.  &  Edw.  Spalding  .  on  27  of  2d  56      10 

Children  Baptised 

Isaack  Lernets  child  viz.  Isaack  Lernett 

Abr.  Parkers  child,  viz.  Mary,  Parker 

Jos.  parkers  wiues  child,  viz.  Anna  Parker 

Dan  Bloggeds  child  viz.  Anna  Blogged 

Bro :  Vnderwoods  child  viz.  Samuel.  Vnderwood 

Tho :  Adams  child  viz.  Edith  Adams 

3  children  of  Jacob  parkers  viz.  ]„       , ' 
on  19  of  2d.  56.  1  i^tas. 


11 

Vpon  274!1  of  2d-  Serj.  Hildrick  of  the  ch  :  of  Cambr.  received  vnto  the 
seale  of  the  supp  as  a  memo  of  the  Church. 

It.  ppounded  to  the  Ch :  this  day.  to  consider  about  the  choyse  of 
some  to  the  worke  of  the  Deacon. 

Vpon  11.  of  4.  56.  a  publick  gnal  fast 

In  the  close  of  the  day  was  the  Church  Cov?  renewed  repeated  & 
voted  by  the  Brethren. 

It[em]   there  were  received  into  or  cov1  pfessing  their  willingness 
to  owne  that  or  cov1.  as  had  ben  exprssed 
11     William  Fletcher  }  dismissed 

1  Bro  :  Adams  his  wife      V  fro  the  Church        Mary  Adams. 

2  Bro.  Vndrwoods  wife     )  of  Concord  Sara  Vndrwood 

3  Anna  Butterfeild  the  wife  of  Bro :  Butterfeild 

4  Mary  Chamberlin  the  wife  of  Bro  :  Tho :  Chamblin 

5  Mary  Lernett  the  wife  of  Bro :  Isaack  Lernet 

6  Mary  Thompso  the  wife  of  Bro :  Symo  Thoson 

7  Rose  parker  the  wife  of  Bro  :  Abra  Parker 

8  Margaret  Parker,  the  wife  of  Joseph  parker 

9  Mary  Chamberlin,  the  wife  of  Edmond  chamblin 

dismissed  to  us  fro  the  Church  of  Ooburne. 
Edmond  Chamblin  the   so  of  the  1.  sd.  Mary  Chamblin  baptised  29 
of  4  56.     This  d.  the  Lo  :  supp    &  here  coicatd  with  vs.  Rob.  Proctor 
of  Concord 

Rafe  Hill  &  his  wife  )     .,      , 

„         „    ,  Y  ox  ooburne 

Creo  :  r  arly  ) 

W™  Baker  of  the  Church  of  charlestowne 

This  day  agreed  by  the  Church  that  the  officer  should  repeate  & 
declare  the  Relation  of  the  wo  :  to  the  Church  : 

Also.  That  when  any  such  pso  as  haue  ben  yet  no  memb  to  any 
Church  congregated  orderly  ppounds  himself  the  sa  be  ppounded  to 
the  Church  prvately,  Testimony  concerning  their  life  &  convrsation 
be  enqred  into,  sd  psos  be  assigned  to  be  joynd  with  the  officer  the  day 
set  &  libty  for  any  othr  the  brethren  or  sisters  to  be  prsent  at  the 
first  Try  all. 

6  of  5  56.  Agreed  that  next  Lo  :  day  the  Bre.  should  bring  in  ther 
votes  by  pap  for  the  noiation  of  one  Deaco  he  that  had  the  greater 
numb  of  votes  to  haue  the  1st  place  in  noiatio  &  in  case  the  Church 
agreed  not  aboute  him,  then  in  the  2?  place,  the  2d  next  &  so  forth. 

&  in  case  the  ch.  came  to  a  joynt  agreem1  about  one,  then  that  one 
accepting  of  the  call  to  haue  the  libty  of  noiating  a  2d. 

It.  Testim.  this  day  was  giuen  touching  Jo:  Nutting  &  his  wife 
who  had  propounded  themselves  to  or  fellowship,  viz.  Isa :  Lernet 
Sim.  Thomson  Abram  Parker. 


12 

13  of  5.  56.  Isaack  Lernet  was  chosen  as  afforesd  to  officiate  the 
office  of  a  Deaco  by  way  of  probation  aduised  to  leaue  the  place  of  a 
serjant  as  too  grte  a  brden  to  retayne  bth  that  &  this  too.  &  at  the  end 
of  \  the  yeere.  he  to  be  pposed  to  the  Church  for  officer. 

After  so  Agitation,  &  modest  refusal  at  1st,  he  was  psuaded  to  ac- 
cept of  it,  wch  he  doeing  desired  withall  the  prayers  of  the  Church 

It  was  left  with  him  at  his  libty  to  noiate  a  2d  to  be  joynd  with  him 
upon  next  Lo :  day.  wch  if  upo  consideration  here  they  should  refuse, 
the  Church  then  to  be  in  a  readines  by  pap  vots  as  before  to  bring  in 
for  noiatio.  &  the  pceeding  aftrwd  to  be  as  before,  In  the  absence  of 
the  pso  noiated  to  discusse  the  matter,  &  in  case  of  a  closure,  to  pceed 
accordingly 

Before  this  choyse  of  Is  :  Larnet  to  a  Decons  place,  (whose  wrke  was 
declared  to  lye  in  taking  care  &  pviding  by  all  due  just  &  lawfull  outward 
meanes  the  supporting  &  continuing  of  the  Ordin  :   to  the  Church) 

There  was  Joyued  to  the  Church 

Joh  :  Nutting  after  his  Relation  made 

assent  manifested  to  the  pfession  &  cov*  of  the  Church 
It.  Jo  :  Nuttings  wife,  hr  relation  being  repeated  by  the 
officer  of  the  Church. 

20  of  5.  56  The  qu.  being  put  upo  what  account  the  Church  pceed 
to  a  new  election,  there  being  2  brethren  wc.h  had  officiatd  by  a  call 
of  the  Church  of  wenha  in  that  place  prsent,  &  not  put  out,  by  any 
cause  alledged. 

Vpon  this  Bro :  Lernet  decline  the  call,  as  quering  the  openes  of  it 

1.  It  answrd  that  the  Church  pceeded  to  this  way  as  resoluing  it 
this  day  forthnight,  that  twas  upo  mutuel  agremt  betwene  the  Church 
&  them  the  brethren  frely  laying  downe 

&  Bro  :  Read  ag :  this  day  exprssd  himself  both  to  lay  downe  &  also 
to  decline  to  accept  of  the  call,  if  he  shld  be  desired  &  called,  fo  so 
Reasons  by  him  alledged. 

Bro  :  Kemp  likewise  lay  downe  &  consnt  to  for  sake  of  the  prmises 

It  referrd  to  next  Lo :  day  to  agitate  &  ripen  for  a  vote  whithr  Bro : 
Fletcher  haueing  or  vots  of  noiation  or  Bro?'  Kemp,  for  6mo  shall  co 
unauisly  to  be  pitcht  upon 

This  Lo  :  day  Bro  :  Bloggeds  wife  ppounded  to  the  Church  27  of  5. 

It  Bro :  W"  fletcher  chosen  by  gnal  vote  to  occupy  the  place  of  a 
Deaco  with  Bro :  Lernet.     &  accepted  it 

Bro  :  Kemp  also  by  silent  consent,  after  so  agitatio  occasioned,  by  a 
prtended  case  of  conscience  put  by  him  how  he  could  lay  downe  his 
place  without  so  reflection  upo  his  good  Name,  was  pmitted  by  the 
Church  to  continue  the  place  upo  probation,  [In  margin]  Deacons 
pbationary  elected  Isaack  Lernet  W™  Fletchr  Edw.  Kemp. 


13 

it  gaue  occasion  ot  examining  the  principles  we  went  upo  vnto  a 
new  choyse. 

&  found  this  as  by  the  acknowll4  of  many  Brethren. 

1  that  the  Church  of  weuha  vpo  the  Remoue  hither,  not  haueing 
any  Deacons  in  office,  did  refer  the  matter  to  a  n.  choyse,  so  as  the 
Brethr.  of  Chelm  :  being  the  grter  numb  might  equally  with  them  haue 
satisfaction  thrin,  as  enjoying  the  libty  with  them,  as  was  manifest  at 
the  coming  up,  upo  the  receiuing  in  the  Chelmsf.  Brethr.  into  the  Cov4. 

&  that  by  como  consent  Br  :  Kemp  was  to  be  continued  until!  the 
spring,  when  they  together  shld  pceed  to  a  new  election  &  this  by  Br  : 
Kemp  consntd  thrto. 

Also  that  this  day  3  week  Br.  Read  &  Bro  :  Kemp  both  consnted  to 
the  Church8  pceding  in  that  way. 

likewise  this  day  forthnight  they  acted  with  the  Church  in  the  choyse 
of  Bro  :    Lernet. 

likewise  this  day  seuenight  they  both  ag.  declared  themselves  to  lay 
downe  &  to  pceed  with  the  Church 

this  day  also  Bro:  Read  fvlly  declared  himself  before  the  election 
pceeded.  but  Bro :  Kemp  seing  wch  way  the  election  would  worke  ag 
declared  himself  as  before,  wch  causd  so  pplexaty  in  or  pceedings 
more  the  vanity  of  experimting  till  what  time  twas  concluded  as  sd. 

(  John. 

Three  of  John  Nuttings  children  Baptised    <  James.  3  of  6.  56 

(  Mary. 

Test,  ca  in  of  the  convrsation  of  Bro :  Bloggeds  wife,  such  as  wch  was 
satisffactory.  &  the  3"1  day  set  for  the  Tryal  &  examination,  this  day 
the  seales  of  the  supp     [In  margin]  10.  of  6.  Br:  Bloggeds  wife 

The  wife  of  Bro :  Blogged  admitted  into  the  Church  Cov4  &  fellow- 
ship.    17  of  6' 

The  letts  dimissory  for  James  Parker  fro  the  Church  of  ooburne  were 
red  &  he  making  his  Relation  &c  &  Testifying  his  assent  to  or  Church 
pfessio  was  admitted  into  or  Covt.     24.  of  6' 

24  of  9th  56  Sister  fletcher  prsenting  hr  lrs  of  dismissio  fro  Concord 
Church  was  admitted  to  the  Cov4.  of  this  Church. 

Is4  of  11th  56  This  day  a  Church  meeting  agreed  upo  Lo  :  day  before, 
(whrin  there  being  absent  these  Brethren  viz.  Adams  Read  Vndrwood 
Blogged.     Foster,  he  being  detynd  by  illness 

24.  of  11  the  Church  prsent  concluded  of  these  following  ppositions 
wch  had  ben  before  for  Aboute  a  qf  of  a  yeere  from  time  to  time  still  in 
agitation.) 

1  of  11.  56  &  voted  vnanimously  the  forme.  In  the  forme  as 
followes 


14 


children  of  j  We  ft0  COnceiue 

the  Church. ' 


1.  That  all  they  that  are  in  Ch :  Gov'  are  ch :  members. 

2  That  Bapt.  (being  the  initiation  seale  of  the  Cov*) 
belongs  of  right  to  all  such. 

(These  two  were  voted  by  the  whole  Church  the  Lords  day 
seuennight  before. 

1  of  11.56 

And  this  day  the  Church  pceeded  in  the  rest  as  folio wes 

3  That  the  Children  of  Church  members,  vnder  the  age  of 
14  or  15.  y.  when  there  piits  tooke  the  Cov'  are  included 
in  there  pnts  Cov4.  &  to  be  reputed  members,  &  conse- 
quently to  be  Baptised,  not  haueing  ben  before  Baptised. 

4.  That  the  Ch :  is  not  bound  to  extend  her  inspection  & 
care  ou  them :  &  as  they  grow  to  exceed  the  s*  yeeres, 
to  exercise  ch :  discipline  towards  them,  in  case  of  their 
being  Scandalous. 

5  That  the  Church  is  likewise  bound  in  pursuance  of  this 

her  care  ouer  them,  to  stir  them  up  to  acquaint  them- 
selues  betimes  with  God  &  with  his  will,  &  accord- 
ingly to  get  the  knowledge  of  the  Principles  of  Religio 
&  to  avoyd  scandall  in  there  Liues 

6  That  such  of  these  as  being  vnder  the  Age  of  14  or  15 
yeeres,  shall  behaue  themselues  Scandalously  (as  by 
Lying,  filthy  coication,  or  othrwise :  shalbe  responsible 
to  the  Ch  :  by  there  next  pnts  :  as  either  there  naal  pnts, 
or  such  as  be  in  there  stead  (if  of  the  Church) 

7  That  such  of  thes  as  haue  attayned  the  knowl.  &  vnder- 
standing  of  the  prnciples  of  Religio,  &  are  without  just 
scandall  are  to  be  Encouraged  to  lay  hold  on  &  to  owne 
there  pnts  Cov'  psonally. 

8.  That  such  of  these  yonger  Ones  as  haue  once  thus 
psonally  Engagd  in  Cov'  may  prsent  there  Children  to 
Baptisme,  now  in  there  right  who  are  there  next  parents. 

9.  That  notwithstanding  the  sd.  yonger  psons,  should  be 
in  psonall  Cov1,  &  priviledged  with  the  Baptisme  of 
there  children,  as  sd.  yet  as  the  case  may  require,  The 
ch :  may  doe  regularly  to  satisfy  themselues  touching 
there  further  fitnes  ere  they  yeeld  them  the  liberty,  of 
ptakeing  in  the  Lords  Supp  &  of  voteing  in  ch :  affaires 

10.  That  in  Order  to  the  Ch?  satisfaction  this  way,  A  Con- 
fession of  the  faith,  &  a  Relation  of  the  manner  of 
Gods  working  with  there  soules,  may  be  required ;  euen 
of  these. 


15 


Heereof  Lr.8  to  the  Ch.  at  Concord  &  ooburne  were  determined  to 
be  sent  to  acquaint  them  with  this. 

Br.  Adams  made  so  proposalls  (to  be  sent  also)  wch  for  (ad-peneprm) 

1  of  12  56.  Vpon  this  day  the  Brethren  prsented  their  Childr,  names 
&  Ages  as  follow 

Mary  about  10  y.  old  15  of  5.  56 
Anna  8.  yeere  old  11  of  6.  56 
William  6.  y.  old  1.  day  8.  56 
Sarah  4.  y.  old  15.  of.  9.  56 
Isaack  2  y.  old.  1.  of  8.  in  y.  57. 
Benoni  bapt.  17.  of  10.  57.   • 


1   Bro.  Lernet 


2  Br.  Wm  Fletcher 
at  this  time 


2  Br.  Th  :  Adams 


4  Br.  James  Parker 


5  Br  Abrah.  Parker 


Bro  :  Jacob  Parker 


Br.  Vnderwood 


John  Bates  aboute  15  y.  old 
Josua  Fletcher  about  12  y.  old 
Lidia.  about  9  y.  old 
Samuel  about  4  y.  old 
Paule  aboute  2  y.  old 

Mary 

Jonathan 

Pelatiah 

Timothy 

Samuel 

iEdith. 

Elizabeth  12  y.  old  4.  of  1st  57 
Anna  10.  y.  old  &  14  dayes. 
John  8.  y.  old  &  12.  dayes. 
James  5.  y  old  about  15  of  2'f  57. 
Josiah  4.  y.  old  &  4  months 
Samuel  6.  m.  old. 

Anna  11.  y.  old  in  8  mo:  56. 
John  9.  y.  old  in  8  mo.  56 
Abraha  4.  y.  old  in  6.  mo.  56 
Mary  1.  y.  old  in  9m0  56. 

Jacob.  4.  y.  old  in  3"!°  56 
Sarah  2.  y.  old  in  2d  mo.  56 
Thomas  1.  y.  old  in  1st  mo.  57. 

Remembrance  about  15.  y.  old 
Sarah  aboute  14.  y.  old 
Priscilla  about  10  y.  old 
Aquilla  about  8.  y.  old. 
Deborah  aboute  4  y.  old. 
Samuel  1.  y.  old  1-"?°  57 


He  on  17  of  5.57 
drowned.  &  on 
18.  of  5.  bury- 
ed.  Onthegnal 
tryning  day 
he  dyed,  being 
in  washing. 


16 


S[ister].  Vnderwoods  son      Tho :  Pellet  22.  y.  old. 
f  Anna  about  20  y.  old 


Bro.  Tho  Chamberlin.       ^ 

I 


The  wife  of  Edmond 
Chamberlin 


Thomas,  about  17.  y.  old 
Samuel  Chablin  aboute  10.  y.  old 
Mary,  about  6.  y.  old 

Mary,  about  8.  y.  old 


Sarah  about  7.  y.  old 
j    Elisabeth  about  5.  y.  old. 
]   John  aboute  3.  y.  old 
m  [  Edmond  about  h  a  y.  old 

r  Benjamin  aboute  20.  y.  old 
Jonathan  aboute  15.  y.  old 
Bro.  Benj.  Butterfeild       j   Nathaniel  about  11^. 

Samuel  about  8.  y.  old 
^  Joseph  aboute  6.  y.  old. 


Bro.  Blogged 


Bro.  Read. 


Bro.  Spalding 


Bro.  Foster. 


S[ister].  Shipley 

who  was  admitted  into 
Cov1  with  this  Church  at 
Wenha  15.  of  8.  48 

Bro :  Nutting 


Bro.  Symo  Thompso 


Thomas  2.  y.  old  on  24  of  11.  56. 
Anna.  1.  y.  old  on  2d  of  9.  56. 
Daniel  Borne  7  of  11.  56. 

(  Bethiah  aboute  19  y.  old 
(  Obadiah  about  17.  y.  old 

John  about.  23  y.  old 
Edward  aboute  21  y.  old 
Benjamin  14.  y.  old  on  4  of  2d.  56. 
Joseph  10.  y.  old  on  25  of  8.  56 
Dinah  7.  y.  old  on  14  of  1.  56. 
Andrew  4  y.  old  on  19  of  9.  56 

Hannah  about  7.  y.  old 
Samuel  aboute  6.  y.  old 
Eli.  aboute  3.  y.  old. 

John  aboute  19.  y.  old 
Nathaniel  aboute  17.  y.  old 
Lidia  aboute  15.  y.  old 

John  5.  y.  old  25  of  6mo  56 
James  3.  y.  old  30  of  4.  56. 
Mary  1.  y.  old  10  of  11.  56 

Sarah  10.  y.  old  on  25  of  12  56 
James  7.  y.  old  15  of  1.  56 
Mary.  5.  y.  old  9  of  11.  56. 
Anna  1.  y.  old  30  of  5.  56.    .   .   . 


17 

William  the  Son  of  Wm  Fletcher  Baptised     8.  of  1.  57 

Elizabeth  the  Daughter  of  Rob.  Procter  baptised  .  .  . 

3T  57.     Edward  Foster  The  son  of  Sam :  Foster  Baptised. 

[4th  Mo.]  In  this  month  Edward  Foster  The  so  of  Sam :  Foster 
baptised  .  .  . 

1.  of  9m.°  57  Mary  Parker  the  daughter  of  sister  pker  wife  of 
Joseph  pker  Baptised  .   .   . 

Josiah  Nutting    This  d.  [date  uncertain]  Bro.  Nuttings  child  baptised 

Joseph  Hildrick     Some  few  week  befor  Br.  Hildrick  child 

12  of  7  58.  This  day  Moses  Fiske,  being  suddenly  to  depte  to  the 
Colledge  was  called  forth  before  the  Church  :  &  owned  thr  his  followeth 
Cov'  in  the  face  of  the  Church,  psonally  in  cov'  engaging  himself  to  the 
Church,  &  the  Church  to  him,  as  in  the  forme  as  followes.  [Here 
follows  the  covenant.]  .  .  . 

[13  of  12,  59]  Sarah  Nutting  the  daughter  of  Br.  &  Sister 
Nutting  Baptised     Zechariah  pker  the  so  of  Bro.  Ja:  pker  Baptised  .  . 

21  of  7.  60     Isaack  Parkr  the  so  of  Abra  Parker  Baptised  .    .   . 

9  of  9  61  On  this  day.  the  3  bre  :  Ja  :  parker,  Ja:  Fiske,  Jon  Nutting 
ppounded  to  the  Church.  That  they  haueing  some  thoughts  and  in- 
clinations to  a  Remoue,  desired  to  ppound  it  to  the  Church,  that  (as 
they  may  see  God  to  make  way  for  them)  they  may  haue  the  Churches 
loueing  leaue  so  to  doe,  &  their  prayers  for  them,  for  a  blessing  of  God 
upo  there  vndertakeings. 

This  being  pposed  by  the  pastor,  he  added  that  himself  declined  to 
speake  ought  in  the  case,  one  way  or  othr:  but  desired  that  the  brethren 
might  manifest  themselves. 

Br.  Kemp.  apprhending  not  any  nty  of  the  remoue,  wishd  they 
would  attend  Gods  call  here. 

Br.  Ad :  sd.  twas  a  qu.  whither  the  case  wilbe  resolued  at  prsent.  as 
in  r  of  the  desire.     [In  margin]  These  as  a  brothr  he  declared 

Twas  replyed  :  that  they  being  yet  disingagd,  had  but  the  opor- 
tunity,  as  till  the  next  31  day  of  the  weeke,  to  giue  in  their  Auswr  to 
Groton.  &  they  desired  an  answr  fro  the  Church  by  that  time. 

Br.  Ad.  furthr  sd.  they  saw  a  call  of  God  leading  them  to  this  place 
&  if  they  apprhended  a  call  of  God  away,  twas  ney  [necessary]  they 
should  giue  an  accont  to  the  Church  of  their  call  hence. 

Br.  Chabl.  prssed  also,  that  they  render  to  the  Church  their  grounds 

The  pasto?  answrd.  that  if  any  one  or  2  more  did  speake  to  that  pur- 
pose, he  would  put  it  to  the  vote,  to  see  if  it  now  the  Churchs  mind 
they  should  giue  their  grounds  :  &  if  it  app  to  be  the  mind  onely  of  2 
or  3  brethr.     He  should  heare  them,  to  take  prvate  satisfaction. 

Heereupo  scarce  a  man  in  the  Church,  but  prsently  sd.  the  grounds, 
the  grounds. 


18 

So  the  pasto  desired  the  br  :  to  approue  their  grounds 

Br.  parkr  stepping  up  to  speak,  the  pasto  asked  him,  (he  speaking  in 
the  plural  numb)  whithr  he  spake  the  grounds  of  them  all  there  or 
only  his  owne  :  Answrd.  tho  they  had  each  of  them  so  ptic.  grounds  of 
lessee  conseq.  yet  in  the  mayne  they  now  all  agreed,  or  to  that  effect. 

&  then  sd.  that  he  for  his  pte  owned  that  God  had  a  hand  in  bringing 
him  hither  :  &  he  hoped  he  shold  see  the  sa  ouruling  hand  of  his,  in 
his  Remoue. 

&  as  to  their  grounds,  tis  not  their  desire  to  exprsse  them  in  ptic, 
vnlese  it  shall  be  pticularly  desired  &  urged  Onely  in  ghal  that  it  is 
bee.  of  sevral  things  prese  upo  their  spits  as  in  refference  to  Church 
Administration,  &  so  uncomfortable  differences,  as  they  all  know  are 
wonted  to  arise  abt  the  sa  ;  &  added,  yl  if  he  could  enjoy  all  ordin  : 
or  Administration,  as  according  to  Rule,  as  he  apprhended,  he  for  his 
pte  would  not  remoue 

Br.  Fiske  jjfsed  his  assent.  &  added,  yl  as  his  ends  of  coming  were 
not  knowne  to  God,  &  in  so  measure  to  the  Church,  so  it  would  be  no 
smale  thing  that  should  moue  him  to  a  Remoue. 

Heervpo  much  was  sd  by  one  &  othr 

&  the  pastor  pceivd  the  matter  to  tend  to  much  agitatio  moued  for  a 
Church  meeting  the  following  day 

Br.  Ad.  (opposing  the  hearing  of  the  grounds  in  ptic)  haueing  pposd, 
that  it  might  be  put  to  passe  in  the  Church,  whithr  the  deacos  of  the 
Church,  remayn  such  in  the  Church  of  Chelmsford,  as  there  is  no 
cause  for  these  Br.  upo  that  account  to  remoue 

Br.  par.  Replyed. 

1    that  the  ppo  for  a  voate  seemed  not  according  to  a  rule 

2.    that  if  their  grounds  might  not  be  hrd,  he  hoped  they  would 

not  make  the  Church  a  prfer. 

the  pasto  moved  that  the  grounds  might  be  considerd,  considering 
it  would  also  reflect  vpo  the  Church,  they  were  Bro :  &  eithr  in  an 
error  and  mistake  and  they  need  to  be  holpen :  or  not,  &  then  the 
Church  need  to  considr  it.     &  so  prssed  for  a  meeting  next  day 

Bro.  Ad.  declined  it  &  objecting  ag  it  tooth  &  nayl,  sd  it  tended  to 
the  breach  of  the  Church :  and  we  had  no  call  of  God  to  hear  them. 

Twice  it  was  voted.  1  for  a  meeting  at  10  a  clock.  &  then  all 
voted  exept  himself  &  one  more  :  then  at  the  motio  of  br.  Fletchr.  at 
9.  a  clock,  &  then  3  or  4  only  dissntd 

10  of  9  61.  At  this  ch.  meeting  Br.  Ad.  Fl.  &  Chabl.  absent  rest 
prsent.     br.  Chabl  probably  knew  not  of  the  meeting 

At  wch  meeting,  they  prfessed  if  the  Church  had  ben  all  togethr, 
they  would  &  had  entended  ingenuously  to  have  agreed  themselves. 
but  seeing  so  principal  bro  :  and  one  as  seems  to  them,  purposely  ab- 
sent, they  conceivd  it  their  prudence  rathr  to  decline  the  exprsing  of 


19 

the  grounds,  in  ptic  than  to  give  occasio  of  any  breach  or  divisio  in  the 
Church 

&  as  they  remoue,  for  their  owne  peace  sake,  so  they  are  unwilling 
to  spring  aught,  (tho  lying,  as  ned  such  greife  upo  their  owne  spits) 
as  should  tend  to  the  breach  of  the  place.  It  being  pfessed  by  divers 
yesternight,  that  the  Church  is  looked  at  to  be  in  good  state  &  union 
at  prsent  neithr  was  it  the  meaning  to  speak  so,  if  they  had  spoken  as 
to  accuse  the  Church,  or  any  ptic.  psos  in  the  Church,  but  to  haue 
seene  what  ease  they  could  have  obteynd  to  their  owne  spits. 

Br.  Nutting  pposed  one  ground  further  in  r  of  his  one  ptic.  viz.  the 
inconveniences  of  his  prsnt  situation  &  that  he  could  not  help  himself, 
for  in  remoueing  to  his  remote  accomodations,  haueing  sevral  smale  childr, 
he  should  much  deprue  himself  or  wife  of  the  ordin  :  by  that  means.  & 
sought  rather  the  setling  himself  comfortably  for  the  outward  ma,  nigh 
to  the  meeting  house. 

After  much  Agitation  in  the  prsence  and  absence  of  the  3  brethren, 
they  ca  to  this  result  for  Answr. 

That  the  case  of  the  br.  Remoue  was  doubtful  to  vs  at  prsent  &  we 
desird  furthr  consideration  of  it  so  as  if  puid :  shall  in  meane  time  be- 
fore they  can  heare  futhr  fro  us,  setle  them  in  their  pposed  way,  we 
shall  leaue  the  Matter  to  God :  if  othrwise,  by  their  leafe  or  othr  pvid : 
they  shalbe  delayed,  we  shall  be  willing  they  shall  hr  furthr  fro  us,  so 
soone  as  we  shall  resolue  orselues. 

At  this  meeting  also  voted 

1  that  we  should  call  upo  Tho :  Barret  to  know  his  reasos  why 
he  psecuted  not  his  motion  of  Joyning  in  or  cov1 

2  that  Jacob  parker  shld  be  joynd  wth  the  pasto  &  deac8  in  prvate 
Tryal 

3.    that  in  case  he  attend  with  a  desire  to  pceed,  he  shold  be  in- 
formd  that  tis  the  mind  of  the  Church  that  he  should  w1?  satisfy 
the  Church  for  his  vnbrothrly  &  treachers  appearing  at  Concord 
Church,  ag  :  this  Church  in  bro  :  procters  case,  &  that  afte   him- 
self had  declared  himself  satisfied  with  the  Church,  so  (proh  dolor) 
the  case  is  left,  so 
that  in  case  these  bre:  they  remoue.     Suppose  (as  in  charity  to  them) 
their  plea  Real     A  Bro :  or  Breth.  haueing  matter  of  Greife  or  offence 
vpo  their  C?  respecting  ecclesiastical  Administration :  neithr  they  may 
be  admitted  into  a  capacity  of  becoming  better  informed,  in  case  erro- 
nious  :  nor  the   Church,  nor  any  bro  :    in  the   Church,  if  under  sin  :   of 
seeing  their  owne   euil :    &  this  sin   shalbe  smothered,  &   Conscience 
simply  slighted  ! 

23  of  10  61.  A  Church  meeting  appoytd  upo  occasio  of  giving  in 
the  deacons  Accounts.  &c  &c. 


20 

At  wch  meeting,  it  was  agreed  &  votd  that  the  Noion  of  so  pso,  to 
Olficiet  by  way  of  pbatio  till  Bro :  parker  remoues. 

At  this  meeting  there  were  prsent  13  of  the  Church.  Br.  Fletchr 
went  away  at  the  begining.  And  absent  were  Br.  Adams  Br.  Blogged 
Br.  Ja :  ffiske  Br.  Vnderwood. 

&  1  it  was  argued  whithr  the  Church  might  goe  about  so  weighty  a 
busines,  without  the  rest  of  the  Brethren,  they  not  hauiug  notice  of  the 
busines. 

&  Twas  Resolvd.  1.  that  their  absence  ought  to  be  no  hindrance 
to  the  Churchs  pceedings,  seeing  they  ought  to  haue  been  there,  it  being 
publickly  agreed  of. 

2.  that  they  absent  could  not  be  ignorant  of  Br.  parkers  Rernoue, 
&  of  the  nty  of  the  consideration  of  a  seasonable  supply  in  his  rooine 

3.  that  there  is  no  rule  obvious,  that  ties  eithr  the  officer  to  moation 
beforehand  all  the  occasions  of  a  Church  meeting ;  or  for  a  Church, 
if  occasion  be  offered  of  the  consideratio  of  so  new  matter,  &  when 
they  are  together,  to  defer  the  determination  throf  at  p'sent,  bee.  it  was 
not  eithr  foreseene,  or  soe  declared,  as  one  reaso  of  the  meeting 

4.  that  where  a  Church  meeting  is  by  ghal  consnt  appoytd,  & 
publickly  knowne :  that  they  that  doe  meete  haue  the  powr  of  trans- 
acting &  defering  matters,  as  a  Church  of  Christ  the  grter  numb  at 
least  wise  being  assembled. 

2.  It  was  argued  whither  or  Br.  Fletchr,  stood  not  yet  a  pbationer? 

&  Twas  resolued  that  16  of  9  60  it  being  votd  that  Bro.  Fletchr 
should  be  continued  still  upo  pbation  to  see  if  he  can  ca  off  to  ye  vote 
of  the  Church  touching  2d.  Relations,  or  a  Tryal  of  membs  of  othr 
Churches  dismissd  to  vs,  touching  the  worke  of  grace,  before  admissio 

Bro:  Fletcher  thrvpfi declined, as  he  openly  had  Testifyd  both  by  word  & 
action,  as  sevral  did  there  hold  forth,  to  continue  in  their  imploye  &  thrvpo 
euen  contrary  to  many  entreaties  &  psuasions  had  forsaken  the  deacons 
seate.     so  as  twas  not  the  Church,  but  himself  that  had  set  himself  by. 

Herevpo  the  Brethren  pceeded  to  noiati  by  paps 

&  whras  it  was  objected  as.  Br.  Ja :  pker  &  Bro.  Nuttings  voteing, 
bee  they  now  upo  a  Remoue. 

This  case  was  also  agitated  &  it  resolued,  that  they  being  yet  in  full 
coion  with  us,  had  by  rule  a  right  of  voteing  &  acting  with  us.  &  ought 
not  to  be  denyed  it  so  they  two  also  votd 

&  in  the  votes  Bro  :  Hinksma  had  7.  Br.  Farwel  5  &  Jacob  pker 
1.  vote 

Heerevpo  the  2  form  Brethen  being  desird  their  absence  awhile. 
The  rest  controvertd,  argued  &  agitatd  the  matter :  &  in  fine  by  an 
unanimous  vote  agreed  that  the  sd  2  former  brethren,  should  be  taken 
in  as  pbationrs.  &  nothing  apping  to  the  contrary,  that  it  was  intended 
by  the  Church  in  seaso  to  peed  with  them  both  to  ordination. 


21 

So  Br.  Hinksma  was  to  keep  the  box.  booke,  &  acconts  of  consti- 
tute. Br.  Kemp  to  pvide  the  bread  &  the  wine.  &  Bro  Farwl.  to 
take  the  charge  of  the  linen  &  pewter  &c. 

this  day  Br.  Abr.  parkr  was  chosen  in  Br.  Nuttings  place,  to  take 
care  of  the  clensing  the  meeting  house  that  it  be  kept  in  a  desent  pos- 
ture &  of  the  hower  glasse,  Cushion  &c.     For  a  yeere. 

[In  margin]  He  refusing  attend  Br.  Bia  was  chosen  &  acceptd 
Br.  Thos  Barrets  case  was  considerd  on.  as  standing  off  fro  Joyning 
in  with  us  in  cov*  be.  of  a  difference  (as  he  held  forth)  betweene  Ja: 
Richardso  &  himself.  So  twas  resolvd,  that  he  should  be  at  prsnt  let 
alone  &  obserue  to  see  his  way,  &  what  he  would  doe,  seing  that 
neither  we  had  reaso  to  urge  him,  nor  reaso  to  remitt  his  LIS  of  dismissio, 
such  as  wld  passe  current  ad  populfi 

The  Accounts  being  giuen  in  by  Br.  Ja :  Parker  of  the  Churchs  re- 
ceipts expenses  &c  for  yeere  past,  so  far  as  concerns  the  Lo :  day '  con- 
tributio  :  whras  there  appd  so  that  had  not  contribute!  to  the  Church 
stock,  or  aboute  what  was  belonging  to  the  defraying  the  chrge  of  the 
elemts  it  being  objected  they  shld  be  brought  up  to  their  duty 
Twas  answd     1.  the  Church  left  them  to  their  libty 

2  that  they  now  exempted  their  hauing  any  hand  (in 
the  disposing  of  any  pte  of  the  Church  stock),  with  the  rest 
of  the  brethren. 
The  accounts  are  to  be  M.  in  to  the  pasto  &  the  othr  deacons,  to  be 
Recorded  by  them.  .  .  . 

28  of  3    65   Jos.  pkers  wife  &  hr  children  dismissed  to  the  Church 

at  Groton  T 

as  aboute  aq'ofa  yeere  before  :  the  wife  of  Jam :  parker.  ot  Jam  . 
Fiske.  of  Jon  Nutten  likewise  with  their  children  dismissed,  as  before.  . 

2d  of  8  65  This  day  after  the  Afternoone  exercise  the  Church  met 
at  my  house  .  .  • 

2  My  son  Moses  was  ppounded  to  the  Church  to  joyne  in  full  fel- 
lowship .  .  . 

5  of  9  65  Moses  fiske,  after  a  pfesio  of  his  faith  made  in  the  publ. 
congregatio  respecting  both  the  doctrine  of  faith:  &  the  worke  of  faith 
upo  his  owne  soule  :  &  the  manifestation  of  his  appbatio  of  &  consent 
to  the  confessio  of  this  Church  :  was  receiued  into  the  covf  of  this 
Church,  &  so  into  full  coion. 

This  day  Moses  fiske  exercised  in  publ.  on  the  afternoone.  fro  Feci. 
12.  1.     12  of  9.  65  .  .  . 

Bro:  Jo"  Wrights  child  baptized.      Ebenezer  Wright.  28  of  11. 

11  of  12  65     Elizabeth  Steuens  Baptised 

18  of  12  65.     Lidiah  Parker  the  daughter  of  Abra  pker  baptisd  .  .  . 


22 

Samuel       (  ") 

Pelatiah    -]  Whitemore  the  sons  of  or  V-  Baptised  8  of  5.  66 
Abraham  (      sister  Butterfeild  in   ther  ) 
minority 
gg  Children  Baptised  in  Chelms.  Church 

9  of     1      Rachel  the  daughter  of  Jac.  &  Sarah  pker 
15.  of  11.    Josiah  &  Benj  :  the  sons  of  John  &  Hannah  Blan chard 
12   of    2.     Mehitebel  Baret  the  daughter  of  Tho  :  (&  Francis) 
24  of.  4.     Solomo  Keyes  the  so  of  Solomo  &  Francis 
15.  of.  7      Samuel  procter  the  so  of  Rob.  &  (Sarah) 
11    of    9      Ebenezer  Wright  the  son  of  John  (&  Abigaile) 
8  of  12     Eliz.  Steuens  the  daughte  of  John  (&  Elisabeth) 
1.  of  2?  ^  Eliz.    &    Mary    the    daughters    of  James    &    Margaret 
Hildreth  .  .  . 
On  this  day  Bridget  the  wife  of  Ja :  Ritchardso  taken  into  full 
fellowship   &  her    youngst  child   baptisd.     [In    margin]    16.  of  7.  66 
Bridget  Ritchardso  receid  Eliz.  hr  daughtr  baptisd  .  .   . 

the  daughter  of  Sa :  Fletchers  Wife  viz.  Margeret  fletcher  [In 
margin]  Hannah  Fletcher  Baptised 

Baptised  Tho  :  &  James  the  sons  of  sister  Ritchardso  the  wife  of  Ja : 
Ritchardso.  [In  margin]  23  of  7.  66.  Tho  Ja :  Ritchardso  Bapt.  .  .  . 
Josua  fletcher  Vpon  a  Report  touching  Jos.  Fl.  that  he  had  ben 
at  Road  Island  among  the  Quakers.  &  of  his  idle  expensiue  caroses 
at  Groto  Concord  &c  The  Ch.  was  called  to  consider  of  the  matter. 
Br.  Adams  confirmd  the  report,  saying  to  this  effect  in  the  Church  That 
he  was  in  a  way  to  mine  himself,  &  to  spoyle  othrs,  &  he  would  be  in 
danger  to  spoyle  his  children  (for  at  that  time  one  of  his  sons  was  with 
Jos.  at  Groton  .  gone  thithr  when  he  was  fro  home.  &  had  ben  thr 
sevral  dayes,  &  had  bought  a  horse  thr  (but  his  fa  :  made  his  bargayue 
voyd.)  in  the  pcesse  of  the  discourse.  Br.  Adams  prssed  the  Church 
to  brake  into  the  ground  work.  viz.  his  fathrs  family,  &  spake  much 
that  way,  laying  the  cause  &  roote  of  all  this,  upo  the  phts  &  family, 
whrvpo  the  Church  chose  sevral  to  be  joynd  with  the  officer  to  search 
into  the  matter,  &  to  driue  it  as  far  as  they  could  &  then  to  bring  it 
unto  the  Church,  the  brethren  chosen  were.  Br.  Farwel  Br.  Spalding  Br. 
Adams,  who  declined  to  act  in  the  matter  bee.  of  relatio  to  the  Church 
chose  Leift.  Fostr  in  his  roome.  othrs  prsent  at  the  prvate  agitation  at 
my  house  were  Br.  Barge  Br.  Jac.  pker  Br.  Kemp.  Moses  Fiske. 

y.  66.  on  26  of.  10.  we  met,  &  Jos.  Fl.  attended.  sevral  things  were 
spoke  to  him.  but  he  excused  &  evaded  all.  &  in  reference  to  his  leaving 
his  fa :  family  &  so  being  out  of  Gods  way,  alledged  his  fathrs  consent. 
&  as  to  the  cause  there  were  so  that  would  manage  that  besids  for 
more  prvat  examining  of  things  betw  his  fa:  &  him. 


1**0. 


23 

y.  66.  upo  1.  of  11.  Jos.  being  sent  to  by  Br.  Farwel  &  br.  Spald- 
ing to  attend  on  this  day  after  the  Lecture,  who  also  had  pmisd  them 
yet  attended  not  the  brethren,  who  wayted  for  his  coming  till  nigh  sun 
set.  &  after  we  had  information  that  he  wd  by  the  house  in  the  time 
whilst  we  were  together,  with  Mary  Martin  behind  him. 

Matters  lay  vpo  furthr  encfry  &  consideratio  vntill  3'"°  67.  &  then 
vpo  a  Sab.  day  after  the  aftrnoone  exercise  he  had  notice  by  J°-n  Burge 
&  Jac.  Parker  to  attend  the  Church      but  he  attended  not. 

About  a  4uight  or  3.  weeks  after,  he  was  called  forth  in  the  next 
congregation :  &  chrged  with  these  4  ptic. 

Is.1    his  non-attendance  upo  the  Church  when  reqred 

2?    his  non-attendance  upo  the  officer  &  Br.  when  reqred 

3.  his  non-attendance  upo  catechising  neithr  in  publ.  nor  pruate 

since  his  leaueing  his  fathers  house. 

4.  his  non-attendance  upo  his  fathrs  counsel  &  govrn*. 

his  Answr  to  the  last  was,  that  he  could  not  justify,  bt  did 
condeme  himself  in  pte.  the  other  he  somewhat  shifted  & 
excusd 

But  before  his  charges,  he  publickly  ownd  himself  (being  demandd) 
to  be  under  the  watch  &  govrn'  of  Christ  in  his  Church.) 

After  sevral  agitations  in  sd  prvate  Church  meetings  aboute  the  mat- 
ter twas  voted :  that  he  should  be  admonished  the  vote  passed  23  of 
4.  67 

The  admonitio  was  giuen  30  of  4.  67.  The  ground  was.  his  haueing 
for  so  space  of  time  acted  the  pte  of  a  Child  of  Belial.     2  Cor.  6.  15. . . 

18.  of  12.  67     A  ch.  meeting  upo  the  Deacons  Accounts  .   .    . 

This  day  there  passed  these  vots  .   .   . 

3  That  the  Deacons  lay  out  to  the  value  of  20  s?  for  the  use  of  S. 
Shiply  this  following  yeere,  to  the  procuring  her  so  wine,  sugar  or  such 
other  Refreshings,  as  she  may  stand  in  need  of :  &  to  bring  it  in,  in  the 
accounts.  .  .  . 

Hannah  Balke  receM  into  full  coion  this  day  seuennight  she  had  this 
day  2  children  viz  Hannah  &  Sarah  Baptisd  [In  margin]  23  of  3.  69 
Hannah  Balke  .  .   . 

This  d.  the  scrt.  (Tho.  Ad.  &  his  wife  absent.)  phebe  Ritchardso  the 
daughter  of  sister  Ritchrdso  &  Ja:  Ritchd.B  Baptised  10  of  2.  70  .  .   . 

Mary  Butterfeild  Baptisd.  the  daughter  of  Mary  Butterfeild  8  of  3.  70 
Nathaniel  Blogged  the  so  of  dan  Blogged  baptised  15.  of  3.  70  .  .  . 
1  of  6.  70.  Bro.   [Henry]   Farewel  dyed  suddenly  in  the  morn :  & 
was  buryed  upo  or  Lecture  day.   .  .  . 

1  of  10.  70.     Bro :  Butterfeilds  Accounts  .   .  . 

M  to  Sister  Shiply  00-12-00 

"  to  Sister  Shiply  y.  70  00  -  10  -  00  .   .  . 


24 

Mary  Warren  the  Daughter  of  Rich.  Hildr.  prsentd  hrselfe  to 
Tryal.  18  of  2.  72  ppounded  to  the  Church,  ppounded  in  the  publ. 
congregatio  22  of  2  72  After  owned  hr  sa:  Cov'.  &  hr  2  childr  bap- 
tised 28.  of  2.  72   .   .    . 

30  of  1.  73     Josiah  Ritchrdso       in  m?  2*?  his  Children  Baptisd 

11  of  3.  73  Priscilla  Spalding  This  day  she  haueing  stood  ppounded 
a  forthnight,  was  Admitted  (Her  Relation  being  Red)  vnto  full  coion. 
hr  children  Dorathy,  &  Deborah  &  Sarah.  Baptised 

13  of  5.  73  Lidia  perha  This  day  hr  relatio  beiug  Red,  &  othr 
things  orderly  attended.  She  was  admitted  to  full  coion  Her  Children  : 
Mary,  John,  Joseph,  Anna  Baptisd 

10  of  6.  73  Hannah  Spalding  Received  into  full  coion  with  the 
Church  &  hr  6.  Children  on  24  of  6  Baptised  viz.  John,  Edward,  Sam- 
uel, Vnice,  Hannah.  Deborah. 

24  of  6.  73  Mary  Woodhead  Recei?  into  full  coion  in  this  Church. 
&  her  2  children  that  had  ben  before  baptised  in  Concord. 

17  of  8.  73  Mary  Waddle  She  haueing  ben  Admitted  into  full  fel- 
lowsh  with  this  Church :  was  herself  &  her  3  childr  Mary.  Rose.  & 
Willis.  Baptised,  in  prsnce  of  the  Congregatio. 

9  of  9.  73  Hannah  farwel,  She  Admittd  to  or  cov1  &  Aftr  Hannah, 
Joseph,  Elizabeth  baptised 

14  of  10  73  Joseph  Spalding  the  son  of  Jn°  &  Hannah  Spalding 
Baptised. 

1 1  of  1 1  73     Sam  fletcher  Sen  hs  Child  baptised  caled  W™  fletcher 

18  of  11.  73  Rich  Hildreth  had  his  dismissio  &  of  3.  of  his  Children, 
Joseph  Percy  &  Isaack.  gravnted  him,  to  the  Ch :  at  Cambridge :  ac- 
cording to  his  desire,  he  declaring  his  purpose  of  setlem4  there  &  of  liue- 
ing  &  dying  there. 

8  of  12  73  Jacob  Warren  Mary  Warren  These  two  admitted  to 
full  coion  this  day  in  or  church  &  they  had  2  children  Infants,  wch  they 
resigned  to  the  watch  of  this  church  (Jacob.  &  Joseph. 

31  of  11  74     Heury  farwel.  the  son  of  Hannah  farewel  baptised  .  .  . 
Elizabeth  woodhead,  daughter  of  Sister  Mary  woodhead   Baptised 

28  of  12  74 

Joseph  barret  (being  taken  into  ful  fellowship  last  Sabbat)  was  on 
this  day  baptised  &  his  daughter  Rebeca :     4  of  2.  75  .  .  . 


v  "ZTW4- 


EXTRACTS 

PROM   THE   NOTE-BOOK   OF 

THE    REV.    JOHN    FISKE, 

1637-1675. 


tffiftttf)   an  Introtntction 
By   SAMUEL  A.  GREEN. 


r