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North Church Papers - MS036 Provenance: The North Church Papers are owned by the North Church and came to the Portsmouth Athenaeum on deposit in August 1990. Citation: North Church Papers, MS036, Portsmouth Athenaeum deposit collection Size: 12.5 linear feet, 37 Hollinger boxes and one oversized box Dates: 1640-1970 Access: No restrictions Processed by: Susan Stowe Kindstedt and Lynn Aber in 2004. Processing was made possible through funds received from the sale of the New Hampshire Conservation License Plate and administered by the New Hampshire State Library, a division of the New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources, 2003-2004. Scope and Content In addition to covering the history of the North Church, the papers of the Church cover the earliest history of Portsmouth as a town. The earliest records in the collection include tax records and town activities. These early records often cover areas that are now in the towns of Greenland, Rye, Newington, and New Castle. The Church’s vital records also begin the seventeenth century and include records of baptism and birth, marriage, and death. During the seventeenth century town and church or parish affairs are one in the same. Over the course of the eighteenth century the town begins to separate itself from the church. This transition is reflected in the records. In 1712, the New Hampshire General Assembly essentially approved a second parish, (called “South”). Each church kept separate records. Although change was gradual, by the early 1720s parish meetings and town meetings were differentiated. By 1762 there were strong objections to holding the town meeting in the parish meeting house. The following year, there was a petition to use the state house for town meetings. Also included in the collection are the indentures for the Glebe Land as well as deeds for church pews and lists of members. In these sources appear a great deal of Portsmouth’s citizenry from some of the wealthiest members of society to those seen in few other historical records, including members of Portsmouth’s African-American committee. The collection contains numerous references and in some cases, a great deal of material about nearly all of the church’s pastors. During the nineteenth century the history of the church can be seen through the records of the numerous societies and clubs. Many of these clubs were founded by the women of the church. The collection also contains the records of the Sabbath School. The Sabbath School was a joint effort between the North Church and several other churches in Portsmouth to educate the youth of the town. The records of the Portsmouth Female Asylum provide the history of one of the earliest organized charitable groups in Portsmouth. Biographical Notes of Select Ministers of North Church: Joshua Moodey - Minister in Portsmouth 1658-1697. Joshua Moodey was born in England about 1633 and was the son of a saddler who came from England to Ipswich, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard in 1653 and “began his ministerial labors” in Portsmouth in 1658. He officially became Portsmouth’s settled minister in 1660. In the nineteenth century Moodey was described: “He seems to have given himself wholly to his work, and to have had no other aim than the conversion of sinners and the edification of God’s heritage.” Moodey died in 1697. Moodey was married first to Martha Collins who died around 1674. He married for a second time to Ann Jacobs. He had four children who survived him, Samuel, Martha, Sarah, and Hannah. Source: Sibley’s Harvard Graduates Vol. 1 (page 367) Nathaniel Rogers - Minister in Portsmouth 1699-1723. Nathaniel Rogers was born in Ispwich, Massachusetts in 1669. He graduated from Harvard College in 1687. Following graduation he preached briefly in Salem, Massachusetts before going to Portsmouth. He was ordained in Portsmouth in 1699. The following was said of Rogers: “Mr. Rogers was a minister of the Geneva school, had a very agreeable manner of preaching, and was very elegant in person and deportment.” During Rogers’ term Portsmouth split into North and South parishes, an event that caused a great deal of resentment amongst Portsmouth’s citizens. Rogers died in 1723. Source: Eliot’s Biographical Dictionary Jabez Fitch - Minister at the North Church 1725-1746 Jabez Fitch, the son of Reverend James Fitch and his wife Priscilla, was born in Norwich, Connecticut in 1672. Upon graduating from Harvard in 1694, Fitch preached in Norwich for a year, then returned to Harvard for additional education. In 1702 Fitch began preaching in Ipswich. He married Elizabeth Appleton in 1704. Financial difficulties in Ipswich and the town’s inability to meet Fitch’s salary prompted him to accept a call from Portsmouth in 1724 (although Ipswich refused to dismiss Fitch). Fitch was installed at the North Parish in Portsmouth in 1725. In 1726 Fitch attended the peace commission of the Eastern Indians. Several accounts document a great revival in Portsmouth under the leadership of Fitch in 1741. Fitch died in 1746 leaving seven children. Source: Sibley’s Harvard Graduates Vol. 4 (page 201) Samuel Langdon - Minister at the North Church 1747-1774. Samuel Langdon was born in Boston in 1722. Langdon was the thirteenth president of Harvard after graduating from the school in 1740. Langdon published his intention to marry Betty in 1746. The two would have eleven children together. Langdon went to Louisbourg in 1745 as the chaplain for the New Hampshire regiment. Shortly after his return Langdon accepted a call to the ministry in Portsmouth and was ordained there in 1747. Langdon left Portsmouth in 1774 to become the president of Harvard although his ties to New Hampshire remained strong. It was stated that Langdon “was to the last held in highest estimation for his learning, eloquence, and earnest, humble piety.” He died in 1797 in York, Maine. Source: Sibley’s Harvard Graduates Vol. 5 (page 508) David McClure - Offered and declined minister position in Portsmouth 1775-1776. David McClure was born in Newport, Rhode Island in 1748 and graduated from Yale in 1769. He was ordained at Dartmouth College in 1772 and after declining the position as minister at the North Church became the minister of the Church in North Hampton, New Hampshire in 1776. Source: Appleton’s Cyclopedia of American Biography Ezra Stiles - Minister at the North Church 1777-1778. Ezra Stiles was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1727. Stiles graduated from Yale in 1746 where he also served as University president from 1778 to 1795. Stiles preached in Portsmouth for a short time as an interim pastor from 1777 to 1778. Joseph Buckminster - Minister at the North Church 1779-1812. Joseph Buckminster was born in Rutland, Massachusetts in 1751 and graduated from Yale in 1770. In 1779 Buckminster was ordained in Portsmouth. Buckminster was described as being an “earnest preacher, distinguished for fervent eloquence…adhering to conservative and orthodox principles…” Buckminster died in Vermont in 1812. Source: Appleton’s Cyclopedia of American Biography Israel Putnam - Minister at the North Church 1815-1835. Israel Putnam was born in Danvers, Massachusetts in 1786. Putnam was educated at Harvard and later transferred, receiving his degree from Dartmouth. Although his initial pursuit was to study law he soon changed his focus to the ministry (while acquainted with Samuel Worcester). He graduated from the seminary at Andover in 1814 and shortly thereafter was called to preach in Portsmouth in 1815. Putnam was well liked by his congregation however at times he was caught in the controversy of the emerging Unitarian movement in Portsmouth. Putnam left Portsmouth in 1835 and died in 1868. Edwin Holt - Minister at the North Church 1836-1842. Edwin Holt was born in New London, Connecticut in 1805. Educated at Columbia, Holt came to Portsmouth in 1836 from Macon, Georgia. Correspondence suggests some sort of controversy surrounding Holt’s views concerning slavery and the circumstances under which he left the church in Georgia. Holt left his position at the North Church for a brief time in 1837 on account of ill health and then returned the same year to remain until 1842. Source: A Genealogical History of the Holt Family in the United States Lucius Thayer - Minister at the North Church 1891-1928. Lucius Thayer was born in 1857 in Westfield, Massachusetts. He was educated at Amherst College and later went to Yale Divinity School. He was ordained in Portsmouth in 1891 and in the same year married Helen Chadwick Rand. Thayer had three children, Dorothy, Lucius, and Sherman. Thayer was very much respected and loved by members of his church and members of the community of Portsmouth. At his memorial services he character was summarized: “He was a great teacher because he lived the religion he taught to others, not be definition, but as “a life hid with Christ in God.”” Thayer died in Portsmouth in 1931. Source: Memorial Service Lucius Harrison Thayer John Feaster - Minister at the North Church 1946-1973. John Feaster was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1908 and graduated from Bucknell University in 1949. Later he was a graduate of Andover Newton Theological Seminary. Before coming to Portsmouth in 1946 he was a pastor in Kennebunkport, Maine and Bangor, Maine. He married Eleanor Petherbridge and had two children, Lucinda and William (William was killed during the Vietnam War). Feaster was well respected in Portsmouth. His obituary stated, “Dr. Feaster expressed a concern for people in the pulpit and demonstrated it thousands of times through his unfailing visits to hospital patients of all denominations and his interest in the elderly and the needy.” Source: John Feaster’s Obituary (1980) Series List: II. Vital Records III. Financial IV. Meetings V. Ministers
VI. Glebe Land VII. Pew Deeds VIII. Membership
IX. Societies and Clubs
X. Sabbath School XI. Pleasant Street Church XII. Portsmouth Female Asylum XIII. Other churches
IV. General Church History
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I. Seventeenth Century Materials The Seventeenth materials in the North Church collection consist primarily of tax lists and assessments. There are also several accounts of meetings and several correspondences. For more specific information about individuals refer to “Index of Individuals: Seventeenth Century Materials “ found in Appendix A. Variant name spellings are abundant in the 17th Century materials. Standardization of names was attempted however it is likely that some misspellings still exist in the index. Every effort was made to include all names or discernable fragments of names, however at times possible names were left off of the list as they were simply indiscernible. Additional seventeenth century references can also be found in the bound volumes at the beginning of the Vital Records Series and the Meetings Series. Box 1 Folder 1 1640
Folder 2 1669-1680
Folder 3 1676
Folder 4 1678
Folder 5 1679
Folder 6 1680
Folder 7 1681
Folder 8 1682
Folder 9 1683
Folder 10 1684-1699
Folder 11 Undated Seventeenth Century
Oversize Materials
II. Vital Records In the North Church papers the category of vital records usually includes birth, marriage and death records. The exception to this rule can be found during the early periods of the church when such records were often combined in bound volumes with records of church membership, including those dismissed from the church and records of church ministers. For this reason the following list of “Vital Records” should also be consulted when seeking information about specific ministers, church membership and at times, current events. The Vital Records Series is arranged chronologically by the first date found in each bound volume. Some of the time periods covered in the bound volumes overlap slightly with others. Box 2 Folder 1 1671-1835 Vital Records (Bound Volume)
Folder 2 1704-1723 Vital Records (Bound Volume)
Folder 3 1704-1723 Vital Records (Nineteenth century transcript of bound volume) Folder 4 1853-1871 Vital Record Book
Folder 5 1890-1918 Vital Record Book (Rev. Lucius H. Thayer Vol. 1)
Box 3 Folder 1 1890-1901 Vital Records and Sunday School (Lucius Thayer Vol. 1) Marriage records include names, ages, number of marriages, residence, witnesses, time of marriage, and location of marriage ceremony Funeral records include name, age, and cause of death, some records also include notes about character, place of death, and place of birth Sunday School Records include “Graduates from the Primary Department” who received Bibles and Diplomas, entries include names of children, address, teacher, age, and grade in school Folder 2 1902-1915 Vital Records (Lucius Thayer Vol. 2) Marriage records include names, ages, number of marriages, residence, witnesses, time of marriage, and location of marriage ceremony Funeral records include name, age, and cause of death, some records also include notes about character, place of death, and place of birth Folder 3 1915-1925 Vital Records and Sunday School (Lucius Thayer Vol. 3) Marriage records include names, ages, number of marriages, residence, witnesses, time of marriage, and location of marriage ceremony Funeral records include name, age, and cause of death, some records also include notes about character, place of death, and place of birth Folder 4 1919-1928 Vital Record Book (Lucius Thayer Vol. 2) Deacons and Church Officers under Thayer Baptisms, new members and marriages under Thayer (1919-1928) For additional Vital Records see also: 1757-1801 Church Meetings (Bound Volume) 1803-1828 Church Meetings (Bound Volume) III. Financial Many aspects of the life of the town, parish and church can be found in the North Church financial material. The daily operations of the church can be seen, by fuel costs, maintenance, etc. Records of those receiving financial assistance from the church, including widows, orphans, the elderly are found in these records. The costs of celebrations and ceremonies can be found, such as the installation of a new minister and funerals. The Series begins with bound volumes (arranged chronologically). The bound volumes include numerous records including tax assessments, pew tax rates, and church accounts and expenditures. Manuscript materials follow the bound volumes. Manuscript materials are also chronological (with few exceptions) according to the earliest date recorded on the document. Dates are not always obvious. Manuscript account slips and receipts often span many years. The term accounts refers to anything paid out by the wardens: bills and receipts, salary for the minister and sexton, maintenance, workers’ payments, building projects, tax abatements, etc. Tax abatements were listed regularly and may include the reason for abatement, e.g. sickness, widowhood, dead, drowned, or moved to another town or church (sometimes specified). Additional notes: Contracts with the minister and sexton covered one year. Receipts include rental fees for the glebe lands. In the 1740s- 1760s: “Old Tenor,” specified on some accounts, refers to paper money issued by the American colonial government at various times. Increase in the amount of material usually reflects a building project. (1762) Box 3 Folder 5 1695-1812 Account Book belonging to the “First Church in Portsmouth” Folder 6 1717-1736 Parish Book Box 4 Folder 1 1736-1766 Account Book Folder 2 1763-1812 Account Book Box 5 Folder 1 1813-1845 Account Book Folder 2 1817-1851 Account Book and Poor Fund Records Folder 3 1867-1936 Account Book and Poor Fund Records Box 6 Folder 1 1700-1748 Small Notebook by Samuel Sherburne: Folder 2 1701 Accounts of Selectmen, includes schoolmaster, constable, and Folder 3 1702-1705 Samuel Penhallow (Treasurer) to Selectmen and Assessors re: Folder 4 1703 Bill from John Pickering to Town (detailed) Folder 5 1704 Account with Thomas Phipps, schoolmaster Folder 6 1704-1705 Two vouchers for John Pickering for serving in General Assembly Folder 9 1705 Note to Joshua Pierce and other Selectmen from Benjamin Folder 10 1705 Mar 20 TwoVouchers for serving in the General Assembly: to Samuel Folder 11 1705 July 16 Account of Tobias Langdon’s Estate Folder 12 1705 Lists (2) of Tax Abatements Folder 13 1705 Lists (2) of Contributors and amounts Folder 14 1705 Tax rate of George Snell Folder 15 1705 Voucher for William Cotton for serving in the General Assembly Folder 16 c. 1705 Account of Charles Story to Selectmen Folder 17 c. 1705 “Price of House Lots in the Town or Minister’s Field” (glebe) Folder 18 1705 Bill from T. (?) Phipps for “5 days with the Assembly in Folder 19 1715 Town Account Folder 20 c. 1717 List of names, to Mr. Rust (?) Folder 21 c. 1723-1726 Accounts, including Town Account (1724), Lists (2) of Folder 22 1727-1730 Accounts Folder 23 1727 Town Account Folder 24 1728 Feb 19 Voucher for Ephrim Denit to pay Benja Rust, signed by Thomas Folder 25 1731-1738 Includes Town Accounts, 1731, 1736. The latter notes payments to Folder 27 1746-1749 Includes funeral expenses for Rev Jabez Fitch 1748 Aug 24: Auction notice for new pews; held at James Stoodley’s tavern. 1749 Jun 1: “Vollintine Nutter & company for making a Cribe for a well in the upper Glebe” Folder 28 1750 Accounts 1750 Aug 23: “6000 Shingle Nailes,” plus other materials, workers names, and “Liquor Allowed the Men that Workt on the Meeting house” Folder 29 1751-1753 Accounts Folder 30 1754-1755 Accounts Folder 31 1759-1760 Accounts Includes 3 items re: Rev. Langdon’s clothes for mourning KingGeorge III Folder 33 1761-1762 Construction account with Nathaniel Adams includes hauling Folder 35 1762 Apr 26 Account (12 p) Folder 36 1762 Jun Accounts Folder 38 1762 Aug-Sep Accounts re: public auction of items from old meeting house. Folder 39 1762 Alcohol for workmen is reflected in the following accounts: Folder 40 1762-1765 Accounts re: church bell made in London, England Folder 42 1763 Accounts Folder 43 1764 Accounts Folder 44 1765-1766 Accounts Folder 45 1767-1769 Accounts Box 7 Folder 1 1770-1772 Accounts Folder 2 1773-1776 Includes expenses of interim minister David McClure Folder 3 1777 Includes Rev. Ezra Stiles’s transportation: 1777 May 31: “Passage for himself & four grown Children, from Boston to Portsm, for three small Children Equal to 2 grown ones, for servant” (Stiles owned a slave named “Newport” and his son. He freed them when he left Portsmouth; they remained his paid servants.) Folder 4 1778 Rev. Ezra Stiles- related material continues: 1778 Feb 17: “Making a velvet Waistcoat & Breeches” plus silk, twist, thread Folder 5 1779-1780 Accounts 1780( n.m.): ”An Account of what I sell” includes cups and saucers, tobacco, shoes; the verso “An Account of what I buy”- cod fish; includes dollars, Continental Certificates, and State Notes; “Mis Fitz” for making shoes is noted. Folder 6 1781 Accounts Folder 7 1782 Accounts 1782 Nov 20: Winthrop Bennet, potter (?), to collect NH state tax from Folder 8 1783 Accounts Folder 9 1784 Accounts of Rev. Buckminster’s include furniture making: 1784 Jun: “Cribe for Childe” Folder 10 1785 Accounts 1785 Aug 11: Receipt Printed- “Portsmouth, This Load of Hay, drove by (Widow Dame) of (Newington) weighs 19;1: 0 Clement March, Hay-Weigher.” Folder 11 1786 Accounts 1786 Apr: Printed Notice: “Your Continental, State, County, and Town Tax is… Folder 12 1787 Accounts Folder 13 1788 Accounts Folder 14 1789 Accounts, Includes a list of delinquent tax payers Folder 15 1790 Accounts 1790: Samuel Langdon receives three years rent from Wardens for house occupied by Rev. Buckminster Folder 16 1790 House deed, Buck St, Portsmouth, NH; from Joshua Pike Folder 17 1791 Accounts 1791 May 26: “Capt John Parriot” noted in account Folder 18 1792 Accounts 1792 Jun: John Melcher to printing 200 pamphlets. “The Rev Dr Langdon in reply to Mr Ogden” (signed by Melcher); see xerox from Evans v 8; Ath lacks this pamphlet. Box 8 Folder 1 1793 Jan-Jun Accounts 1793 Apr 22: detailed account paid to carpenter/builder Benjamin Slade includes significant amounts of rum despite a temperance movement c1789. Folder 2 1793 Jul-Dec Accounts 1793 Jul 8: to Hunking and Ben Penhallow many Rolls of Room Paper” and borders Folder 3 1794 Jan-Jul Accounts 1794 Feb: Rent of house for Rev. Buckminster is paid to Richard Langdon. Folder 4 1794 Aug-Dec Accounts 1794 Dec: Printed form from Joseph Akerman, Jr. Collector for pew, poll & estate tax lists hearing times at the Union- Hall for those appealing their taxes. Folder 5 1795 Accounts 1795 Nov 30: Receipt from Charles Peirce for paper & printing tax bills, and for advertising pews in the “Oracle” ( dated 1796 Apr 28- on same document) Folder 6 1796 Accounts Folder 7 1797 Accounts Folder 8 1798 Accounts Folder 9 1799 Accounts Folder 10 1800 Accounts: re George Washington (d. 1799 Dec 14) 1800 Jan 1 “On the Present melancholy occasion in the Death of that most Excellent man, the Late Genl Washington We the subscribers agree to give the Sum against our names, to Folder 11 1801 Accounts Folder 12 1802 Accounts Folder 13 1802-1821 “Collections Account Book” kept by Samuel Penhallow Folder 14 1803 Accounts 1803 May: $2 to Peirce for printing 200 parish tax bills Folder 15 1804 Accounts 1804 Jan 4: printed form: Rev. Buckminister receipt for in rent of Aqueduct for his House in Pleasant St, 6 months payment, signed by Tho Thompson Treasurer Folder 16 1805 Accounts 1805 Jan 26: Portsmouth Aqueduct Corporation- contract between Elipt. Ladd and Richard Hart (warden) Folder 17 1806 Accounts 1806 May 24 Early order of the Firewards- printed form To Richard Hart “hereby directed to Repair the Store (stove?) on your Wharf adjoining Mr Wm Sheafe’s, it being represented as dangerous to the Firewards” signed by Daniel Austin, Chairman and William Boyd, Secretary Folder 18 1807 Accounts 1807 May 30: “To Winding Regulating and taking care of Time piece” by John Gains Folder 19 1808 Accounts 1808 Feb: to Timothy Ham “to making a sink for Mr Buckminster $2.50” Folder 20 1809 Accounts 1809 Apr 3: to Timothy Ham for “laying a drane” Folder 22 1810-1814 Account Book (dual purpose) for church accounts “Expense for Table” and accounts widows and the poor. Folder 24 1811 Accounts Folder 25 1812 Accounts 1812 Mar 6: $63.64 voted at annual meeting “for the use of the poor of the church & congregation” Box 9 Folder 1 1813-1819 Accounts 1813 – 1819: Elizabeth Yeaton receipts; 9 for rental housing; 1 unspecified. Folder 2 1813 Accounts 1813 Feb: re mourning Rev. Buckminster; payment to his daughters Lucy Maria and Eliza $42.17 each. Folder 3 1814 Accounts 1814 Apr 9 Deborah Sparhawk’s bill for care of Elizabeth Adams $11. Folder 4 1814-1815 Accounts Two receipts re funeral expenses of the Widow (Elizabeth) Jackson: Folder 5 1815 Accounts Accounts pertain to Rev. Israel Putnam’s ordination reception, include: Folder 6 1816 General accounts 1816 Jan 10: To Moses Piper for “a pair of Buckets with painting” Folder 7 1816 “Vouchers of repairing roof” of meeting house Folder 8 1816 Accounts: Vestry construction (located at State & Chestnut sts.) Folder 9 1817 Accounts 1817 Jun 6: Music- “Silver rim round clarionet” (there are a total of 3), a new mouth piece, postage from Boston, reeds at Sundry times. Folder 10 1817 Accounts re: vestry construction Folder 11 1818 Accounts 1818 Mar 13: Borrowing $100. from Henry Goddard Folder 12 1819 Accounts 1819 Nov 19: “For 1 violincello A String to Mr. Gilman”- lists 7 strings Folder 13 1820 Accounts 1820 Aug 7: Dinah Whipple pd $2.00; Mrs. Barnard pd. $3.00 Folder 14 1821 Accounts 1821 Feb 17: “To a pair of shoes for Mrs Kennison $1.75” Folder 15 1822 Accounts 1822: Music- related accounts continue Folder 16 1823 Accounts 1823 Feb: Beginning of Edward Cutts’s accounts for various legal actions. Folder 17 1823-1828 Book of Check Stubs Includes funds distributed to the poor: Folder 18 1824 Accounts 1824 Apr: “Recipients of Parish Charity Collections” – Rev. Putnam lists individual recipients of the Fast Collection, Apr 1824 ($28.41); Thanksgiving Collection, 1824 ($38.32). Of the 24 people listed, 2 are men, 1 is “Miss”, others probably widows. Folder 19 1825 Accounts 1825 Feb 29: “To instruction in Sacred Musick” for one quarter $5.00 to S. Aiken Box 10 Folder 1 1826 Accounts 1826 Apr 17: Stephen Pearse’s account for alcohol- probably for construction workers. Folder 2 1827 Accounts 1827 Jan 2: Seth Walker, Record examiner, Exeter NH. Legally clears estate formerly property of Ephraim Ham to Robert Smith for $1000. Conveyed to Smith by Ham’s heirs. Folder 3 1828 Accounts 1828 Feb 18: Receipt for pew advertisements in the “Portsmouth Journal” and “Rockingham Gazette”- T. H. Miller and C. W. Brewster Folder 4 1828-1831 Book of Check Stubs No.12 -to Eben Lord for a coffin for Mrs. Whipple (Dinah ?) (1830 Jan 9) Folder 5 1829 Accounts 1829 May 22: Eben Lord’s detailed bill for Mrs. Whipple’s coffin Folder 6 1830 Accounts Folder 7 1831 Accounts Fire damage to some material Folder 8 1832 Accounts Fire damage to some material Folder 9 1833 Accounts Decrease in material noticeable. Folder 10 1834 Accounts 1834 Mar 27: “Statement of Debts and Resources of the North Church” lists “Due Piscataqua Bank, Principal-- $200.00” Folder 11 c. 1834 Bequest of Samuel Hill (one unproductive share in the NH Bank); seeking legal way to reverse it but share was still held in 1844. Folder 12 1835-1836 Accounts Folder 13 1839, 1841-1846 Accounts 1839: Poor Fund list includes African- Americans Mrs. Whipple, Mrs. “Mulnax” (probably Mullineaux); of the 20 persons listed, there is one man’s name. Folders 14-22 1851-1857 Construction- related material for the present church on Market Sq. Superintendent: James Moses III Folder 14 1851-1852 List of pew holders (they needed to transfer their pews before work could begin). Folder 15 1853 Preliminary documents, estimate. Folder 16 1854Jan-May Accounts 1854 Jan 10: Agreement with city re land for tower & city clock; signed by N(H?)orton Walker, mayor. With a note “Do this as cheap as you can, & it will be passed to your credit in heaven, W H Hachett” Folder 17 1854 Jun-Sep Accounts 1854 Sep 16: to James Moses 3rd from Allen Treat- “As I have a bill against you for labor & stock which is over due for more than one month, And it is high time the same was paid. This is to inform you that I find it almost impossible to see you… P.S. An answer to the above is expected this day.” Folder 18 1854 Oct-Dec, n.m. Accounts 1854 Oct 10: Contract with painter Marcellus Bufford; painting the spire will cost $.24/sq yd. Folder 19 1855 Jan-Jun Accounts Folder 20 1855 Jul-Dec Accounts Folder 21 1856-1857 Accounts 1856 Mar 3: Notice from the auditor in the case of Jonathan Barker vs James Moses III, William W Stickney (Exeter) auditor, will hear the parties on Mar 25, 1856 in Portsmouth; attendance required w/ accounts and vouchers. Folder 22 1854-1856 Typescript: “Record of Sub Committee for Building North Church Box 11 Folder 1 1860- 1879, 1901 Accounts 1862 Mar: Treasurer’s Account lists ten recipients of the Thanksgiving offering (all women) including African- American “Ester Mullinaux” (sic), city mission, home missions and foreign mission accounts noted; monthly concerts held, evidently for the foreign missions. “Sanitary purposes” also an account- Miss Pickett. Folder 2 1906 Accounts re: parish house construction and chapel repairs Folder 5 1912-1918 Repair Fund (1912); Wardens’ Report (1913) Folder 6 1920s Accounts Folder 7 1925 Renovations to church and steeple, includes contracts, engineer’s Folder 8 1929-1943 Statistical material Folder 9 1930s Includes ALS from Harry Cochrane, re: church murals (1935) Folder 11 1938-1944 Statements of North Church Corporation Folder 12 1939-1940s Wardens’ Minutes, includes Portsmouth Council of Defense Folder 13 1947-1953 Wardens’ Minutes Folder 14 1949 Every Member Canvas Folder 15 1954-1956 Wardens’ Minutes Folder 16 1954-1956 Reports Folder 17 1957-1959 Wardens’ Minutes Folder 18 1985 Report of Parsonage Committee IV. Meetings This series begins with bound volumes of meeting materials. These bound volumes are arranged chronologically and provide a rather complete history of church activities including hiring ministers, construction projects, theological debate, and daily operations of the town and church. The bound volumes are followed be manuscript materials pertaining to meetings. Manuscript materials are arranged chronologically and follow a predictable pattern. This pattern begins with notices of meetings. These notices were posted in the town, probably in two locations and informed the public of the date and time of the meeting. (The pinholes created by posting these notices are obvious.) Meetings were held at least annually. Meeting notices are followed by minutes (or “votes”) of meetings. These manuscripts record the votes taken on issues presented at the meetings, recorded by the clerk. Selection of the moderator, clerk, wardens and officers, form the first part of the meetings. Financial matters frequently considered include: the minister’s salary, pew sales, rental of the glebe lands, and building maintenance. In 1755, Samuel Penhallow began his tenure as clerk, a position he held for about fifty years. (His bound soft cover notebook includes duplicates of the Minutes, in large part.) Occasionally a committee was formed to carry out a task or follow up on business. Their reports may be recorded on the same page as the minutes. Box 12 Folder 1 1744-1837 Parish Meeting Book (Bound Volume) Annual meeting minutes, discussion of financial matters, pew deeds, tax collection, Folder 2 1744 Parish Book Index (Bound Volume) Folder 3 1757-1801 Church Meetings (Bound Volume) P. Meeting minutes and some vital records Folder 4 1803-1828 Church Meetings (Bound Volume) Meeting minutes and some vital records (at front of volume) Folder 5 1819-1836 Annual Meeting Minutes (Bound Volume) Includes articles of incorporation and records of meetings. Box 13 Folder 1 1826-1838 Church Meetings (Bound Volume) Volume “No. 4” Sept. 16, 1828 – Vote concerning the formation of the “Pleasant Street Church;” list of members – February 1835 – Called Rev. Parsons Cooker of Ware, Mass. to be pastor of the Pleasant Street Church. Rev. Mr. Holt was former minister of PSC. Folder 2 1838-1929 Annual Meeting Minutes (Bound Volume) Records of meetings, including votes taken, and setting of annual budgets. Folder 3 1836-1842 Church Meetings (Bound Volume) Act of incorporation including by laws Folder 4 1842-1946 Church Meetings (Bound Volume) Act of incorporation of North Church, including bylaws and financial matters (especially discussion of Church trusts and funds for the poor), excommunications, dismissals, and hiring new pastors. Box 14 Folder 1 1860-1928 Annual Ecclesiastical Meeting Minutes (Bound Volume) Folder 2 1936-1953 Annual Meeting Records (Bound Volume) Folder 3 1947-1953 Annual Meeting Records (Bound Volume) Folder 4 1951-1953 Annual Meeting Records (Bound Volume) Box 15 Folder 1 1703 May 22 Note from John Pickering to Selectmen re: Rocky Hill Agreement Folder 2 1704 Mar 26 Note from John Pickering to Selectmen re: rates Folder 3 1704 Mar 27 Minutes, re: hiring a grammar school teacher Folder 4 1704 Nov 20 Minutes, re: building a house for the minister Folder 5 1705 Apr 23 Note from John Pickering to Selectmen re: highway Folder 6 1705 Jun 4 Minutes, re: concerns of Greenland residents Folder 7 1713 Note (anonymous) calling Rev. Emerson a “sham appointment” Folder 8 1714 Order of Council and General Assembly “settling” Rev. Rogers, Folder 9 1714-1717 Notices and Minutes Folder 10 1716/1717 Documents (3) re: new schools Folder 11 1718 Notices and Minutes 1718 Jul18: re: raise for Rev. Rogers, finishing the belfry, building a porch Folder 12 1719 Minutes, includes laying out of six sq. mi. at head of Oyster River Folder 13 c. 1719 Agreement re “way from Dover”, noting property boundaries Folder 14 1724 Notices and Minutes, re: Rev. Hancock’s selection process 1724 Mar 25: re: establishing a burying ground, bidding for ferry Folder 15 1726 Mar 26 Minutes of “Anniversary Meeting” Folder 16 1729-1730 Notices and Minutes, re: steeple repairs Folder 17 1731-1732 Notices and Minutes 1731 Jun 5: Persons living with residents of the town longer than one week and not acquainted with the selectmen become the financial responsibility of their hosts; any master or mistress who admits or consents to the marriage of “any negro or Indians” assumes financially responsibility; building a bridge. Folder 18 1735, 1737 Notices and Minutes 1737 May 2: Courts not allowed to use meeting house, committee established to answer petition of South Parish Folder 19 1738 Vote of House of Representatives in response to petition from Folder 20 1740-1743 Notices and Minutes 1742 May 17: Burial ground committee continues, glebe land rentals noted Folder 21 1744 Notices and Minutes 1744 May 20: Continuing rental of glebe land to Church of England Folder 22 1745-1746 Minutes 1745 Nov 20:Agreement with Rev. Samuel Langdon Folder 23 1747-1749 Notices and Minutes 1748 May 13: re: Disposal of the women’s foreseat and other modifications to the church; Folder 24 1750-1754 Notices and Minutes Folder 25 1755-1759 Notices and Meetings, Samuel Penhallow’s keeps his first Minutes 1756 Jul 17: request for a “Singing Seat in Said meeting House” Folder 26 1760-1762 Notices and Meetings, enlargement of meeting house discussed. 1760 Feb 28: “Brethern being somewhat divided” over the new Psalm book Folder 27 1763-1765 Notices and Minutes 1763 Aug 22: Voted That the Wardens of this Parish be & hereby are appointed a Committee to join with the Selectmen of this Town in Petition the General Court for Liberty to hold the Public Town meetings for the Civil affairs of the Town in the State House” Folder 28 1766-1769 Notices and Minutes 1767 Nov 24: Voted “to appoint a person in the upper & another in the Lower Gallery to prevent the disordering of the Boys upon the Sabbath, their said services to be paid by the Parish” Folder 29 1770-1773 Notices and Minutes 1771 May 8: Angry petition to church wardens for a meeting because of unsettled accounts and unpaid minister. Situation blamed on lack of a fixed date for the annual meeting. Signed by prominent members, including William Whipple, Joseph Whipple and Samuel Penhallow. Folder 30 1774-1775 Notices and Minutes 1774 Aug 11: Negative vote re prison on lot owned by parish, near work house Folder 31 1775-1777 Negotiations, offers, meetings re Rev. David McClure appointment 1775 Feb 16: Rev. Macclure unanimously chosen as pastor Folder 32 1778-1779 Notices and Minutes 1778 Jan 14: Rev. Stiles leaving to become President, Yale College Folder 33 1780-1789 Notices and Minutes Folder 34 1790-1793 Notices and Minutes 1790 Letter of John Pike, parish tax collector, to the wardens, appealing for them to comply with their “verbal agreement.” Pike was to receive 5% of amount collected in taxes. Folder 35 1794-1799 Notices and Minutes Box 16 Folder 1 1800-1810 Notices and Minutes 1804 Mar adjourns until Apr; mentions sickness in Rev. Buckminster’s family. Folder 2 1812- 1816 Notices and Minutes 1813 Mar 27: Rev Jacob Ide invited to be minister, per vote. Folder 3 1818- 1839 Notices and Minutes 1829 Nov 23: “On a representation of the urgent demands on the brethren of the Pleasant Street Church and their application, for assistance it was Voted that the Wards be authorised to give such security as they think proper to brother John Knowton (sic) for the payment of Three Hundred Dollars to be loaned by him for the relief of the Pleasant Street Church and this in return, they take an obligation from the Wardens of the Pleasant Street Society to refund the same at such time as they be agreed on by the parties Jno Shepard Secretary” Folder 4 1840- 1842, 1859, 1863, n.d. Notices and Minutes Folder 5 1812-1818 Committee Reports Removing the remains of Rev. Buckminster (1812); Right to Vote (1814) Folder 6 1820s-1830s Committee Reports c1833: re: legacies and “peculiar and embarrassing circumstances…” Folder 7 c1830, 1843, 1828 Library Reports (2) Print Fragment: “North Parish Library, 1828” Folder 8 1834-1837, 1841 Building projects Folder 9 1840s Committee reports Folder 10 1852, 1861, 1862, 1871 Committee Reports include re City Mission (1852), V. Ministers The Minister Materials series is arranged chronologically by the years that the minister served at the North Church. The years that a minister was at the North Church (or in Portsmouth for the earlier period) appear after their names in parenthesis in the folder listing. Ministers included in this finding aid are only those that left written record in the archives of the North Church. The amount of materials left by the various ministers varies considerably. For some ministers there are only a few scattered correspondence while for others (such as Buckminster) there are extensive holdings including correspondence, sermons, and estate materials. Biographical sketches are at the beginning of the finding aid for those ministers who were at the church for long periods. For additional information about specific ministers also reference the Meeting Materials (especially bound volumes) for the period of the minister’s service. The Financial Materials series also provides information about the financial support of ministers. A. Joshua Moodey (1658-1697) Box 17 Folder 1 c. 1859 Biographical sketch by Tobias Ham Miller B. Nathaniel Rogers (1699-1723) Box 17 Folder 2 c. 1900 Biographical sketch C. John Hancock (1723 declined) Box 17 Folder 3 c. 1723 Correspondence c. 1723 John Hancock to “the Gentlemen of the Committee for the first Parish in Portsmouth,” declining the position offered to him by the church to be pastor D. Jabez Fitch (1725-1746) Box 17 Folder 4 c. 1725 Sermon notes (Bound Volume) Folder 5 1724-1748 Correspondence and Receipts 1724, Aug. 31 Jabez Fitch to “the Lieutenant Governor, S. E. Penhallow, Col. Plaisted, M. E. Jaffrey, Capt. Hart and Capt. Pierce” (for the Parish of Portsmouth), acceptance of the call to ministry in Portsmouth with some description of the difficulty he had had in receiving dismissal from his previous parish in Ipswich 1743, April 27 Jabez Fitch to “the Inhabitants of the first Parish in Portsmouth,” requesting that his salary be paid in two parts during the year 1740-1748 Receipts for various expenditures including Fitch’s salary, funeral expenses, and house rent E. Samuel Langdon (1747-1774) Box 17 Folder 6 1748-1755 Correspondence ca. 1748 Samuel Langdon to North Parish, request for a recall of the vote that determined his salary before he began, also a request for different payment terms 1752, May 25 Samuel Langdon to the Parishioners of the first Parish of Portsmouth, requesting that his salary be paid on a more regular basis 1755, April Samuel Langdon to first Parish in Portsmouth, request for lease of land in lower glebe Folder 7 1757 Correspondence 1757 John Ayers, Thomas Wibird, Thomas Pierce, Daniel Rogers, John Sherburne, Samuel Penhallow, and Samuel Sherburne (Committee of the North Church) with additional comments by Samuel Langdon responding to complaints against the North Church, alleging violations of the Cambridge Platform brought about by Joseph Cotton, Susannah Cotton, and Hannah Elliot. The North Church has been accused of violating the Cambridge Platform. The Church argues that by elevating the Cambridge Platform as the ultimate authority over the church the accuser is “attempting to add to the Word of God.” “There is nothing absolutely necessary as to Doctrine or Discipline but what Christ has plainly commanded either in so many express Words or by the clearest Consequences drawn from the Scriptures & he that makes anything which Christ has not required necessary in order to the Being of a true Church or Admission into christian Fellowship, is guilty of attempting to add to the Word of God, & to tyrannize over God’s people, & is really setting himself up above Christ & so becomes the anti-Christ.” Page 3 Writer also disagrees with the accuser’s view on public profession of faith as a requirement of membership. “For a Church to insist upon public Relations of particular Experiences, might prove a great stumbling Block to many sincere Christians, & to others be only a Temptation to greater Hypocrisy.” Page 9 Writer also takes on the accuser’s allegation that they are allowing “Greedy ungodly ministers.” The writer disagrees with the accuser about the qualifications of ministers. Folder 8 1767-1776 Correspondence 1767, March 20 North Church to Joseph Walton and the widow Hannah Shapley, inquiry into absence from church 1767, March 20 North Church to Thomas Landell, inquiry into absence from church 1767, March 20 North Church to William Ham, inquiry into absence from church 1774, Aug. 4 Samuel Langdon to North Parish, notice of his acceptance of a call to take the position of President at Harvard’s Seminary 1774, Oct. 9 Church of Christ in Cambridge to the first Church of Christ in Portsmouth, regarding Samuel Langdon 1776, Aug. 15 Samuel Langdon to Henry Sherburne, regarding Henry Sherburne’s son’s desire to pursue a degree under Samuel Langdon and discussion of Parish of Portsmouth’s long wait for a new minister Folder 9 1780-1789 Correspondence, Meeting Minutes and Notes 1780, Dec. 11 Minutes of the Parish of Hampton Fall, related to the installation of Samuel Langdon as pastor 1780, Dec. 18 Minutes of the Church of Christ in Hampton Falls, related to the installation of Samuel Langdon as pastor 1780, Dec. 18 M. Weare, Richard Nason, Caleb Sanborn, A. Sanborn, Obadiah Worth, H. Shaw, and Wm. Blasdell to Parish at Hampton Falls, discussion of disagreement concerning the hiring of Samuel Langdon and to possible relocation of the church ca. 1780, Dec. Minutes of the Church of Christ in Hampton Falls council meeting, address to those in the church who objected to the installation of Samuel Langdon as pastor ca. 1780 To members of the church in Hampton Falls from the Church in Hampton Falls, regarding the members of the church who dissented the installation of Samuel Langdon as pastor 1781, Jan. 1 Minutes of the Parish of Hampton Fall, regarding the installation of Samuel Langdon as pastor 1781, Jan. 7 Samuel Langdon to Parish of Hampton Falls, acceptance of minister position, including terms of payment and some discussion of dissention amongst two groups within the church 1781, Jan. 7 Samuel Langdon’s acceptance of the call to pastor the church at Hampton Falls 1781, Jan. 17 Ebenezer Thayer to Capt. Jonathan Tilton and members of the Parish at Hampton Falls, addresses the dissention amongst members of the church and Thayer’s desire not to become involved with the disagreement 1781, Jan. 18 Meeting of the Ecclesiastical Council at Hampton Falls, including Rev. Mr. Fogg of the Church at Kensington, Rev. Mr. Thayer of the Church at Hampton, Rv. Dr. Haven of the South Church at Portsmouth, Rev. Mr. MacClintock of the Church at Greenland, Rev. Mr. Maclure, Rev. Mr. Buckminster of the North Church at Portsmouth. 1781, Jan. 18 Notes relating to the Ecclesiastical Council meeting at Hampton Falls 1781, Jan. 18 Notes relating to the Ecclesiastical Council meeting at Hampton Falls 1781, Jan. 18 Note related to the individuals attending the Ecclesiastical Council meeting at Hampton Falls 1787, Nov. 27 Samuel Langdon to Samuel Penhallow, collection of rent from Vere Royse for Langdon’s house in Portsmouth, Langdon requests that the rent due be paid to the North Church 1789, Feb. 25 Receipt for sugar provided to Samuel Langdon by Benjamin Sanborn undated Samuel Langdon to area parishes, announcement of the vote of the North Parish to “a change of the old version of Psalms which have been long in common use for Dr. Watts version” F. David McClure (1775-1776) Box 17 Folder 10 1775-1776 Correspondence 1775, June 6 David Maclure to Deacon Samuel Penhallow, discusses the difficulties of the times and the reactions of seacoast towns to the war 1775, June 16 David Maclure to Deacon Samuel Penhallow, discusses Maclure’s desire to visit Portsmouth and the difficulties of the time (the American Revolution) 1775, June 21 David Maclure to Deacon Samuel Penhallow, regarding his consideration of the offer to take on the position of pastor at the North Church, requesting additional time to consider the offer 1775, June 23 David Maclure to Deacon Samuel Penhallow, regarding his decision to decline the position as pastor at Portsmouth, due to disagreement about his hiring amongst the members of the congregation 1775, June 24 David Maclure to Deacon Samuel Penhallow, regarding reconsideration of decision to accept position at Portsmouth and continued discussion of the state of the country (the Revolution) 1776, July 13 David Maclure to the first Congregational Church and Parish in Portsmouth, decision to reject the pastor position in Portsmouth Box 17 Folder 11 1777-1778 Correspondence and Sermon 1777, Feb. 14 Samuel Penhallow to Ezra Stiles, requesting that Stiles accept the position in Portsmouth for one year 1777, April 20 Samuel Penhallow to Ezra Stiles, regarding accommodations being prepared for him in Portsmouth, including household goods 1777, July 5 Joseph Adams, Pastor of the Church at Newington to Ezra Stiles, transferring membership of Mr. Theodore Dam and wife 1778, Feb. 17 Ezra Stiles to North Parish, regarding uncertainty as to whether or not he will accept pastor position in Portsmouth 1778, March 18 Ezra Stiles to North Parish, regarding Stiles’ decision to accept the presidency of Yale over the pastor position in Portsmouth 1778, May 10 Ezra Stiles, Samuel Penhallow, and William Parker (First Church in Portsmouth) to the First Church of Christ in Boston 1778, May 18 John Clarke to the first Church in Portsmouth, regarding his decision to decline the position as pastor 1778, June 7 Ezra Stiles farewell sermon, includes brief history of the church from founding through 1778 See also Vital Records Bound Volume 1671-1835 for a Memoir by Ezra Stiles (Box 2, Folder 1). H. Joseph Buckminster (1779-1812) Box 17 Folder 12 1778 May-Aug Correspondence 1778, May 23 Samuel Penhallow to Joseph Buckminster, announcement of Ezra Stiles decision to leave the position as pastor in Portsmouth and the need for the church to fill the position 1778, June 15 Joseph Buckminster to Samuel Penhallow, regarding his consideration of the offer of the position of pastor in Portsmouth 1778, June 22 Samuel Penhallow to Joseph Buckminster, request that Buckminster come to Portsmouth following the corporation of Yale College 1778, July 17 Joseph Buckminster to Samuel Penhallow, regarding his uncertainty about what position he would select, Portsmouth or Hartford 1778, July 23 Joseph Buckminster to the Second Church and Society in Hartford, regarding his decision to accept position upon further consideration. 1778, July 27 Joseph Buckminster to Samuel Penhallow, regarding his continued consideration of the offer of the position of pastor in Portsmouth 1778, Aug. 3 Samuel Penhallow to Joseph Buckminster, discussion of his decision to decline the position at Hartford and offering him the position of pastor in Portsmouth Folder 13 1778 Sept-Dec Correspondence 1778, Sept. 30 Church Committee to the Parishioners of the First Parish in Portsmouth, announcement concerning the hiring of Joseph Buckminster 1778, Nov. 24 Joseph Buckminster to the First Society at Portsmouth, regarding his consideration of the position offered at Portsmouth with discussion of the details of his salary 1778, Dec. 11 Joseph Buckminster to the first Society at Portsmouth, acceptance of the position of pastor at Portsmouth 1778, Dec. 14 Joseph Buckminster to the first Church of Christ at Portsmouth, acceptance of the position of pastor at Portsmouth 1778, Dec. 21 Letter announcing the invitation made to Joseph Buckminster for the position of pastor at the Church of Christ at Portsmouth ca. 1778 Joseph Buckminster to the First Church and Society in Portsmouth, regarding his consideration of the position offered at Portsmouth ca. 1778 Joseph Buckminster to the first Church of Christ at Portsmouth, acceptance of position offered at Portsmouth Folder 14 1779-1789 Correspondence 1779, Jan 10 Church of Christ in Rutland (Vermont) to Church of Christ in Portsmouth, dismisses Buckminster from his previous position 1780, Jan. 7 J. M. Sewell to ?Joseph Buckminster, regarding theological issues 1780, Jan. 7 Joseph Buckminster to J. M. Sewall, response to Sewell’s discussion of theological issues 1780, May 1 To the Committee of the first Church of Christ in Portsmouth from Samuel Penhallow, Samuel Cutts, John Penhallow, report regarding members who had been absent, including Doctor Daniel Rogers who had views contrary to church practice concerning the baptism of children of non-members, the church’s lack of a settled pastor, and an offense committed by Samuel Penhallow. Sarah Appleton, wife of William Appleton, who stated that her “Testaments on Religion were altered.” Peter Pearse had “many reasons to offer” many of which were “imprudent” ca. 1780 J. M. Sewell to Joseph Buckminster, regarding theological issues, whether or not Satan was a man 1781, Jan. 8 The Second Church in Hampton to Joseph Buckminster, invitation to the installation of Samuel Langdon at Hampton 1783, May 1 Paine Wingate, Stratham to John Sherburne, regarding payment of debt, discussion of the depreciation of paper money 1785, July 20 Samuel Langdon to the Wardens of the first Parish in Portsmouth, agreement for the rental of Langdon’s house in Portsmouth to Buckminster 1785, Oct. 25 Joseph Buckminster to the Wardens of the First Parish in Portsmouth, request that his salary be paid punctually; because of late payments of salary, Buckminster was forced to take on “instruction of a few youth” to make ends meet, however this took away from the time he should have been devoting to his ministry; discussion of concern about individuals leaving the church 1786, Feb. 20 William Langdon to the Wardens of the first Parish, regarding payment of pew taxes, only purchased one pew seat, his family attended church one member at a time 1787, Feb. 7 John Sherburne, Samuel Penhallow, and William Brewster to the Overseer of the Poor, regarding the Town’s request for reimbursement for expenses from the church, the church responds with a list of items already given to the town including, “…the Parish gave the Town the Ground for the Negro Burying Ground” 1787, Feb. 13 Daniel Rindge (for the Overseer of the Poor) to the first Parish in Portsmouth, agreeing to pay rent owed [Modern note in pencil on letter refers to the “Negro Burying Ground”] 1787, Feb. 28 William Langdon to the Wardens of the first Parish, requesting abatement of pew tax as he has been “expelled” from the church 1788, March 7 Joel Bartow to Joseph Buckminster, regarding a volume of poetry being sent by Bartow 1789, March 18 John Foye, Mary Davis, Joseph White, and Joshua Pike Jr. regarding pew taxes Folder 15 1790-1799 Correspondence 1791, Feb. 28 Joseph Buckminster to the first Parish in Portsmouth, regarding his declining an offer to be Professor of Divinity at Phillips Exeter Academy, in order to remain with his parish in Portsmouth 1791, March 15 Parish of Portsmouth to Joseph Buckminster, regarding Buckminster’s declining another pastoral offer to remain in Portsmouth 1793, Sept. 13 Joseph Buckminster to John Langdon and the committee of the first Parish in Portsmouth, regarding his contract and salary requirements 1793, Sept. 13 Joseph Buckminster to John Langdon and the committee of the first Parish in Portsmouth, regarding his contract and salary requirements 1794, July 30 Jno. Simpson, George Frost [?], and Henry Prescott (members of the Church in Newcastle) to Joseph Buckminster (the first Church in Portsmouth), requesting restoration of Mrs. Nabby Chase’s membership 1795, Aug. 8 John Wight (minister Dunagore, Antrim County, Ireland) to the North Church, Margaret Neil (or Margaret Brown) recommendation for membership 1796, Sept. 16 Moses Odiorne, Pelatiah Lakeman, and John W. Gilman, representing the Second Church in Exeter to the Church of Christ in Portsmouth under the Pastoral care of Joseph Buckminster, request for assistance “to look into our situation…and all matters relative to the difficulties between the pastor the church and the suspended brethren” 1798, June 2 Jacob Abbot to the Church at Hampton Fall, acceptance of pastor position 1799, Sept. 7 Elihu Thayer, Joseph Buckminster, and William F. Rowland to the Home Mission Plan Circular, call for individuals to act as missionary ministers to the new towns being set up in New Hampshire Folder 16 1800-1812 Correspondence 1800, Feb. 24 “One of the Parish” to Richard Hart, Senior Warden of the first Church in Portsmouth, request that the collection box be passed to those “respectful men” seated in the gallery, cites that other churches in the area have begun this practice ca. 1800 Peyton R. Freeman, Henry Ladd, and John Langdon to the North Church, regarding methods of assessing taxes on parishioners 1805, Dec. 19 Joseph Hicks to Joseph Buckminster, indemnification in the amount of $500 for Buckminster to marry Joseph Hicks of Madbury and Deborah Hill of Barrington 1807, Feb. 11 John Langdon to Joseph Bloomfield, discussion of amendments to the United States Constitution 1807, Aug. 12 Joseph Buckminster and James Miltmore to Joshua Lane, regarding Lane’s request for recommendation into the church in New York following his “unhappy domestic difficulty” while living in New Hampshire 1809, Jan. 1 Hosea Ballou to Joseph Buckminster, discussion of theological issues 1810, March 28 Charles Peirce to Rev. Dr. Buckminster and the Committee of the First Church of Christ in Portsmouth, request for forgiveness of “offense I have given” 1810, March 30 Charles Peirce to Joseph Buckminster, request for prayer for the “distress on my mind, and on that of my companion,” and “to have the breach healed on the next Lord’s day.” ca. 1810 Charles Peirce to the First Church of Christ in Portsmouth, confession that he was repeatedly denied that he was “the author of a certain piece in the newspaper” and that he did “falsify the truth” 1812, Feb. 13 Joseph Buckminter to Mr. Kellogg (Portland, Maine), regarding dissention amongst the members of Mr. Kellogg’s church Folder 17 Undated Correspondence undated Joseph Buckminster to -----, discussion of theology including views on the Universalist beliefs undated Joseph Buckminster to “churches in this vicinity,” regarding the varying beliefs about infant baptism undated ?Joseph Buckminster to unknown, regarding the beliefs of the Universalist Church undated ?Joseph Buckminster to unknown, regarding the beliefs of the Universalist Church undated Hosea Ballou to Joseph Buckminster, theological discussion undated Thomas Cary, the first Church in Newburyport to Joseph Buckminster, Daniel Lunt’s recommendation for membership Folder 18 c. 1772-1778 Sermons Ca. 1772 In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth. Genesis 16:1. No. 3 1772, Dec. 20 Untitled. Acts 13:36. No. 6 1772, Dec. 27 Untitled. Romans 5:12. [no No.] 1773, Apr. 15 Untitled. Isaiah 1:19-20. No. 16 1774, Sept. 18 This do in remembrance of me. 1st Corinthians 11:24. No. 43 1776, May 17 Untitled. Psalm 50:15. No. 50 1778, Apr. 22 The ability and readiness of God to deliver his people. Isaiah 59:1-2. No. 76 1778, Apr. 22 The inequities of a people separated between God and them. Isaiah 59:1-2. No. 77 Folder 19 1780 Sermons 1780, Feb. 27 Hypocrisy in worship. Matthew 15:7-8. No. 147 1780, Apr. 26 Untitled. Exodus 16:3. No. 159 & 160 1780, Oct. 29 All objects of charity but especially those of the ---- of faith. Galatians 6:10. No. 185 1780, Oct. 23 The future glory of America. No. 187 1780, Dec. 17 Fearing God our duty and happiness. Ecclesiastics 12:13. No. 199 1780, Dec. 24 The Wisemen of the East seeking Jesus. Matthew 2:2. No. 200 Folder 20 1781-1783 Sermons 1781, May 3 Untitled. Jeremiah 18:7-10. No. 46 & 223 1781, June 24 Christ the author of eternal salvation to all that obey him. Hebrews 5:9. No. 194 1781, Sept. 2 God lays in Lion a fierce foundation. Isaiah 28:16. No. 229 1782, Apr. 7 The gift of Christ an encouragement for every other gift. Romans 8:32. No. 272 1782, May 26 Gods ways are Judgement. Deuteronomy 32:4. No. 276 1783, March 23 Prayer to be in Faith. James 1:6. No. 320 1783, May 18 The Kingdom of your stone and mountains. Daniel 2:44-45. No. 329 1783, Nov. 23 Jesus Christ properly the Lord. Jeremiah 23:6. No. 354 Folder 21 1785 Sermons 1785, Jan. 23 Baptism not abrogated. 1st Corinthians 1:14-17. No. 414 1785, Feb. 6 The invitation to mercy… Matthew 22:9. No. 417 1785, May 22 Untitled. 2nd Corinthians 28:10. No. 426 1785, July 3 The character of Christ. Solomon’s Song 5:16. No. 438 1785, Oct. 30 Man naturally flatters himself with long life and prosperity. Job 29:18. No. 452 1785, Nov. 6 Christ has taken away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:26. No. 454 1785, Dec. 25 Christmas Sermon – A child born given to us. Isaiah 9:6. No. 461. Folder 22 1786 Sermons 1786, Feb. 26 ------ bonds to temporal ruin. Ezekiel 18:30. No. 471 1786, Apr. 9 The Expressions of brotherly love. 1st John 4:7. No. 478 1786, Apr. 6 On political ways --- and condemned. Lamentations 3:40. No. 479 1786, July 2 Remission offers ---- -- Name of Christ. Acts 10:43. No. 492 1786, July 2 Faith in --- way to obtain pardon. Acts 10:43. No. 493 1786, Nov. 5 Eating and drinking the flesh and blood of Christ. John 6:56. No. 513 Folder 23 1787-1789 Sermons 1787, Apr. 15 Reformation the only way of deliverance and safety. Jeremiah 7:1-8. No. 538 1787, June 3 Christians should leave --- and dwell in Christ. Jeremiah 48:28. No. 543 1787, June 3 Christians should not only believe but dwell in Christ. Jeremiah 48:28. No. 544 1787, Dec. 2 The Gospel affords no just ground for Shame. Romans 1:16. No. 569 1788, Jan. 27 Ministers the Servants of God showing the way of Salvation. Acts 16:17. No. 584 1788, Feb. 10 They --- ----- will follow Jesus. Mark 10:52. No. 587 1789, Aug. 16 Motives to acquaintance ----. Job 22:21. No. 667 Folder 24 1794-1812 Sermons 1794, Jan. 5 To flesh and old --- of drink. John 6:53-55. No. 867 1800, May 11 Certain uncertain. Genesis 27:2. No. 1178 1801, Jan. 28 This – can yield no satisfy. Ecclesiastics 6:6. No. 1227 1802, July 25 [Illegible title]. Acts 4:2. No. 1284 1808, June 26 Sound doctrine. Titus 2:1. No. 1458 1808, March 13 The Advantage, baptism. Romans 3:1-2. No. 1539 1808, Oct. 2 [Illegible title]. Matthew 11:25. No. 1548 1811, April 21 Church and disciples. John 1:43-45. No. 1678 1812, Apr. 5 Anna the Prophetess. Luke 2:36-38. No. 1820 Folder 25 Undated Sermons Undated Universal salvation cannot be true. Matthew 26:24. No. 1703 Undated Fragments Folder 26 Undated Statement of beliefs Box 18 Folder 1 1793-1802 Account Book Folder 2 Receipts Folder 3 Will Folder 4 1798-1800 Ecclesiastical Council – Buckminster was the scribe for the 1798, Aug. 22 Minutes of the meeting Folder 5 c. 1797 Library Register including books being checked out by Prince and Folder 6 Miscellaneous 1772, Dec. 15 License to Preach, certification that he had passed an examination held in Rutland, Vermont 1812, June Account of Expenses paid on a Journey with Dr. Jos. Buckminster, kept by John Bowles undated Announcement concerning the organization of a prayer group; “Considering the present low state of religion manifest in the coldness and lukewarmness of Professors…” Folder 7 Miscellaneous fragments I. William Jenks (1812 declined) Box 18 Folder 8 1812-1814 Correspondence and meeting minutes 1812, Oct. 21 Meeting minutes concerning decision to offer pastoral position to William Jenks 1812, Nov. 9 Council meeting minutes from Bath, Maine regarding the dismissal of William Jenks to take position in Portsmouth 1812, Nov. 9 Parish meeting minutes from Bath, Maine regarding the William Jenks’ dismissal 1812, Nov. 10 William Jenks to “the First Church in Portsmouth,” asking for a delay concerning whether or not he will be taking the position of pastor in Portsmouth 1812, Nov. 20 William Jenks to the North Church, declining the position of pastor in Portsmouth 1812, Nov. 20 William Jenks to the North Church, declining the position of pastor in Portsmouth (different version from above) 1812, Nov. 20 William Jenks to the “Committee of the Parishioners of the first Parish in Portsmouth,” declining the position of pastor in Portsmouth (different version from both above) 1812, Nov. 21 John Stockbridge, William Haskell, and Nathan Coffin (Committee of the Church in the First Parish in Bath) to the Church of Christ in the First Parish in Portsmouth, regarding William Jenks’ decision to remain in Bath and at Bowdoin College and therefore decline the position offered to him in Portsmouth 1814, Sept. 20 William Jenks to the North Church, apparently declining the position as pastor in Portsmouth again Box 18 Folder 9 1814 Announcement 1814, June 28 Announcement concerning the possible appointment of Joseph Field as pastor K. Israel Putnam (1815-1835) Box 18 Folder 10 1816 Correspondence 1816, Feb. 6 Job Harris and Benjamin Akerman (Committee Members) to the North Church, committee report regarding members under suspension including Joseph Wilcot and Hannah Yeaton for use of “ardent spirits” Folder 11 1820 Correspondence 1820 [Letter copy book] Correspondence between Nathan Parker (Unitarian Society in Portsmouth) and Israel Putnam, theological discussions, including Putnam’s views on Unitarianism Folder 12 1822-1825 Correspondence 1822, Feb. 1 J. Binley [?] Hill, John Pearson, Benjamin Akerman to the Committee of the North Church, regarding the reinstatement of John Bowles following his “alleged breach of the seventh commandment” 1823, May 1 ?Timothy Farrar to Joseph Akerman, dispute concerning sale of glebe land 1823, May 6 Charles W. Cutter to Joseph Akerman Jr., regarding rent past due from John McClintock, John Melcher, and Abraham Shaw 1823, Aug. North Parish to John Melcher, collection of past rent for glebe land 1824, Apr. 3 Langley Boardman and Alexander Ladd (on behalf of the Town of Portsmouth) to the Wardens of the North Parish, regarding a “new system for the maintenance of the Poor” and the potential purchase of the lot where the alms house is located (former Glebe Land) 1824, April 5 North Church to Langley Boardman and Alexander Ladd, regarding the town’s lease for the alms house lot, including back rent due ca. 1825 G. G. Brewster to Rev. J. W. Putnam, returning papers to North Parish relative to lot 43 of the glebe land Folder 13 1826-1861 Correspondence 1826, June 12 John Blunt (Town Committee of Arrangements for celebrating the 50th Anniversary of American Independence) to North Church, request on behave of the town to use the North Church building. [same paper as above] James Ladd to Mr. Rundlett, Ladd does not want to allow the town to use the North Church building 1827, Jan. 26 William Chamberlain, treasurer of Dartmouth College, to Wardens of the North Church, the college is paying a debt owed to the church 1861, March 15 Israel Putnam to the North Church, expressing his feelings of love for the church and missing the church as he is no longer the pastor and is now in Middleboro Folder 14 1831 Job description for church sexton Folder 15 1831 Trust fund and will left by Mary Hale Folder 16 c. 1835 Putnam’s resignation Folder 17 Undated Putnam sermon L. Edwin Holt (1836-1842) Box 18 Folder 18 1836-1839 Correspondence 1836, March 21 Edwin Holt to Moses S. Parish, deferring offer of pastor position in Portsmouth because of uncertainty in his present congregation 1836, May 31 Edwin Holt to North Church, acceptance of position at Portsmouth as p |