Glass. Book, A AsFg y yc 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} r s, 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 s r ni sab. before, to pasto r s 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 33 sl,s 9 d wch the Church stood engagd to see pd to Br. James Parker for the Catechises should be for p r snt 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 m r Pet r s Born in N. E. 1638 John, borne the 29 l . h of 6' bapt. the 2 d of 7. Escaped a g r te danger at wenha, in passing with the streame vnd r the mill wheele, when the mill was a goeing. An. 1647. 6' of 3 d at what time he recei d (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 2 d| at Wenha bapt. 0- of 4' at Salem * by m r Norice 1644 Anna, borne 15* of 11* | 1645 baptised 2. of I s .' (the l 8 .' 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 12 th t mo - at Chelms- ford. 1672. Elizabeth Hinksma [widow of Edmund] marryed to the sd. Jn? ffiske 1. of 6. m " at Chelmsford. . . . 2 d 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 o r pastors house : & now a 2 d time, (w eh 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. 3 d - 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 2 d [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 I s . 1 ) baptised. 22. of 6. 47 . . . Joseph the son of W m Fisk & Bridget his wife Baptised. 21 of 3 d [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 5 l 50. Sarah the daughter of Bro : Goldsm. & his wife baptisd. . . Vpon 4 of 7\ h 1654 was dated a L r 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 L r 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 p r snt a view was taken of the place. The Brethren p r sent 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 10 th of 8 m0 54 the resolution & engagm 1 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 p r snt to subscribe their hands, yet after sent their Engagem ts psonally by Bro : Spalding, so as the greater number of the Church now stood en- gagd, in case the pasto r engaged also Vpon 6? of 9 n !° the pasto Sent his Engagm 4 . 8 by Bro : Spalding & his Resolutio, as Respecting the engag* of so many Brethren as s d . 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 th l had sold heere at Wenha, redeemed their accomodations agayne into their possession & a L r . 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 4 l mo 55. things hung vncertayne & vncleered, notwithstanding some L rs . passed & some agitatio at Wenha betwene Isa: Lernet agent fr Chelmsfd & Wenha Brethren. But as upo 6* of 4 th aforesd was dated a L r . & 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. pasto r touching the Building of the house Terms of Accommodation & of yeerly mayntenance., as under there hands affixed to the L rs 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. M r Endicot Govrno r M r Mather, M r Allen of Dedha. M r Cobbet. M r 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 13 th of 9 mo 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. & p r sented thern- selues. with there L r . 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 q rs 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 l rs 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. M r Griffin W" fletcher & his wife Tho : Adams) & his wife Br. Vnd r woods 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 2 d 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 27 4 ! 1 of 2 d - 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 o r cov 1 pfessing their willingness to owne that o r cov 1 . as had ben exp r ssed 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 p r vately, Testimony concerning their life & convrsation be enq r ed into, sd psos be assigned to be joynd with the officer the day set & libty for any othr the brethren or sisters to be p r sent 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 2 d next & so forth. & in case the ch. came to a joynt agreem 1 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 o r 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 g r te 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 w c . h had officiatd by a call of the Church of wenha in that place p r sent, & 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 exp r ssd 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 p r mises It referrd to next Lo : day to agitate & ripen for a vote whithr Bro : Fletcher haueing o r vots of noiation or Bro?' Kemp, for 6 mo 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 p r tended 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 acknowll 4 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 Cov 4 . & 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 th r to. Also that this day 3 week Br. Read & Bro : Kemp both consnted to the Church 8 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 o r 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 Cov 4 & 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 o r Church pfessio was admitted into o r Covt. 24. of 6' 24 of 9 th 56 Sister fletcher p r senting hr l rs of dismissio fro Concord Church was admitted to the Cov 4 . of this Church. Is 4 of 11 th 56 This day a Church meeting agreed upo Lo : day before, (whrin there being absent these Brethren viz. Adams Read Vnd r wood Blogged. Foster, he being detynd by illness 24. of 11 the Church p r sent concluded of these following ppositions w ch 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 ft CO nceiue 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 Cov 4 . & 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 p r nciples 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 p r sent there Children to Baptisme, now in there right who are there next parents. 9. That notwithstanding the sd. yonger psons, should be in psonall Cov 1 , & 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 L r . 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-penepr m ) 1 of 12 56. Vpon this day the Brethren p r sented 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. W m 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 1 st 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 9 m0 56. Jacob. 4. y. old in 3"!° 56 Sarah 2. y. old in 2 d mo. 56 Thomas 1. y. old in 1 st 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 Cov 1 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 2 d . 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 6 mo 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 W m 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 9 m .° 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, Jo n 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 pasto r , 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. app r hending 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 p r sent. 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 app r hended a call of God away, twas ney [necessary] they should giue an accont to the Church of their call hence. Br. Chabl. p r ssed 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 p r vate satisfaction. Heereupo scarce a man in the Church, but p r sently 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 exp r sse them in ptic, vnlese it shall be pticularly desired & urged Onely in ghal that it is bee. of sevral things p r ese upo their spits as in refference to Church Administration, & so uncomfortable differences, as they all know are wonted to arise abt the sa ; & added, y l if he could enjoy all ordin : or Administration, as according to Rule, as he app r hended, he for his pte would not remoue Br. Fiske jjfsed his assent. & added, y l 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 p r fer. the pasto moved that the grounds might be considerd, considering it would also reflect vpo the Church, they were Bro : & eithr in an erro r and mistake and they need to be holpen : or not, & then the Church need to considr it. & so p r ssed 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 p r sent. 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 p r sent 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 p r snt situation & that he could not help himself, for in remoueing to his remote accomodations, haueing sevral smale childr, he should much dep r ue 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 p r sence 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 p r sent & 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 o r selues. 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 o r cov 1 2 that Jacob parker shld be joynd wth the pasto & deac 8 in p r vate 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 w 1 ? 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 p r sent 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 o r 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 2 d . 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 p r snt 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 L IS 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 Jo n 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 o r 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 p r ssed 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 p r sent at the p r vate 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. sev r al 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 p r vat 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 4 uight or 3. weeks after, he was called forth in the next congregation : & chrged with these 4 ptic. I s . 1 his non-attendance upo the Church when req r ed 2? his non-attendance upo the officer & Br. when req r ed 3. his non-attendance upo catechising neithr in publ. nor p r uate 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 p r vate 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: Ritch d . 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 o r 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. p r sentd 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 p r snce of the Congregatio. 9 of 9. 73 Hannah farwel, She Admittd to o r cov 1 & 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 setlem 4 there & of liue- ing & dying there. 8 of 12 73 Jacob Warren Mary Warren These two admitted to full coion this day in o r 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