Records of the Society

First Baptist Church

Lowell, Mass

1826 Ð 1848

 

 

Civil and religious liberty are rights which distinguish our happy country; and while they are inseparably connected, they mutually conspire to increase the happiness of mankind.  Influenced by this opinion, and wishing to enjoy, cherish, defend, and perpetuate such inestimable blessings, we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, hereby agree to form ourselves into a religious society, by the name of the first Baptist Society in East Chelmsford.

 

East Chelmsford, Jan. 25, 1826

William D. Mason                                          Silas Dean

Artemas Young                                               Alvah Mansur

Samuel C. Oliver                                             Elisha Davis

Joseph Anthony                                             Cyrus Chambers

Cyrus Spalding                                               Ransom Reed

William Wyman                                              Elisha Hathaway

Loring French                                                  John R. Ludd

William P. Badger                                           Benjamin French

Theodore Carlisle                                            Asa B. Perkins

Samuel Slure                                                    William J. Hawes

Henry Goodnow                                             John Mead

Jonathan Priest                                               [illegible] Spaulding

N.S. Ramsay                                                   John Underwoode

John Houghton                                               Thomas Sprague

William B. Jones                                             Moses Hale

Joseph Butterfield                                          Johnson Davis

[illegible] Hull                                                 Charles Luther

Thomas Mayo                                                            Temple Parker

Nathan Wheeler                                              James Wright

James D. Mason                                             Ephraim Osgood

Jonas Kendall                                                  Brice Shepherd

[illegible] Derby                                              Joseph R. Coburn

William Burns                                                 John Hunt

Henry S. Smith

Ephraim Andrews                                           Samuel T. Snelps

David Woodbury                                            James Mitchell

Dawes Melvin                                                William J. Hawes

Jefferson Bancroft                                          Otis Tufts

Timothy Bailey

J.L. Haines                                                      Jesse Moors

James Chamberlin                                           Daniel Fox - Andover

Caleb M. Marvel                                            William Oliver

George Robinson                                            John Nichols

John Tripp                                                      Nathaniel Foster

Nathan Oliver                                                 William Wentworth

Daniel Balch                                                    Eliphalet M. Gates

George Puffer                                                  James H. Shepard

Lewis Fiske                                                     Jonathan Sanborn

J.C. Morrill                                                     George Wright

Levi Carter                                                      William Carter

Daniel Bowen                                                 Jonathan P. Hoit

Abel Rugg                                                       Charles Carter

Samuel Taylor Jr.                                            John Buntt

Thomas Newell                                               Paul Hills

Melton Moor                                                  William Caldwell    ap. 2, 1827

Russell Robinson                                            Sullivan [illegible]  ap. 2, 1827

Eleazar Davis                                                  Oliver R. Green

Jonathan Perkins                                             John Chase

Stephen Brown                                               Ebenezer Ellis

J.G. Kittredge                                                 Jonas Randall

H.J. Baxter                                                      Alfred Bolton

Stephen Whipple

 

To Nathaniel Wright Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the county of Middlesex,

            We, the subscribers, members of the first Baptist Society in East Chelmsford, hereby request you to issue a warrant for the calling of a meeting of the members of said society to be holden at the Schoolhouse of the M.M. Company on Wednesday the first day of Feb. next at eight oÕclock in the afternoon to act on the following articles viz.

1st  To choose a moderator.

2nd  To choose such officers as parishes are authorized by law to choose in the month of March and April annually.

3rd  To agree upon the mode of notifying all future meetings of said society.

Dated at Chelmsford the thirtieth day of January A.D. 1826.  Signed by Th. Newell, Nathan Oliver, Cyrus Spalding, William P. Badger, C.M. Marvel, Jonas Kendall, Nathan Wheeler Jr., Geo. Robinson, John Tripp, and Daniel Balch.

 

Middlesex SS.

To William D. Mason, one of the members of the first Baptist Society in East Chelmsford,

            You are hereby required in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to notify the members of the First Baptist Society in East Chelmsford qualified to vote in town affairs to meet at the time and place and for the purpose mentioned in the foregoing application.

Given under my hand and seal this thirtieth day of January A.D. 1826.

                                                                        Signed, Nathaniel Wright, J. Peace

 

 

Middlesex SS.  February 1, 1826

In pursuance of the foregoing warrant, to me directed, I have notified the members of the First Baptist Society in East Chelmsford to meet at the time and place mentioned in the foregoing application and for the purposes therein expressed.

 

A true copy.                                                   Signed, William D. Mason

 

East Chelmsford Feb. 1, 1826

The first Baptist Society in East Chelmsford met agreeably to the foregoing warrant and notification and

1st  Chose Daniel Balch, moderator.

2nd  Chose J.C. Morrill, clerk, who was sworn into office by the mod.

3rd  Voted to choose five assessors.

4th  Chose Artemas Young, Nathan Oliver, Daniel Balch, Abel Rugg, and Stephen Brown, assessors.

5th  Chose Lewis Fisk, collector.

6th  Chose W.D. Mason, treasurer.

7th  Voted that all future meetings of this society shall be called by the assessors on the written application of any ten qualified voters, which application shall specify the purpose or purposes for which said meeting is required.  And a written notice as above signed by the clerk per order of assessors posted on the door or some conspicuous place in the entry of the meeting house in which this society shall worship at least ten days previous to the day of said meeting shall be the legal mode of notifying said future meetings.

8th  That the assessors be, and they are hereby constituted, an executive committee to transact all the minor business of this society.

9th  Voted that the assessors be authorized to publish in the Phenix the establishment of this society so that others may know the fact and have the privilege of becoming members before the first of March next.

10th  Voted that this meeting be dissolved.

 

Aug. 30, 1826

Pursuant to a warrant from the assessors, agreeably to the bylaws, the society met at the meeting house and

1st  Chose Daniel Balch, moderator.

2nd  Voted to ballot for the call of Rev. John Cookson by yea and nay.

3rd  Voted (30 to 3) that this society give Rev. John Cookson a call to become their minister.

4th  Voted to dispense with 3rd article.

5th  Voted to choose a committee to consult with a committee from the church to give a formal call to Rev. John Cookson.

6th  Chose D. Balch, A. Young, and C. Spalding.

7th  Voted to change the name of this society to the First Baptist Society in Lowell.

8th  Voted that in case of the absence of the clerk, the assessors shall have a right to call any future meeting of this society.

                                                                        Adj. [illegible]

 

Monday, April 9, 1827

Agreeable to a warrant from the assessors the society met at the meeting house at 6 oÕclock p.m. and the meeting having then adjourned to Tuesday 17th at 6 oÕclock p.m.

 

Tuesday, April 17, 1827

The Society met at 7 oÕclock and

1st  Chose Nathan Oliver, moderator.

2nd  Voted that the officers of this society shall be chosen by nomination and hand vote.

3rd  Chose Benj. Mather, clerk.

4th  Voted and chose Capt. A. Young, Nathan Oliver, and Daniel Balch, assessors.

5th  Voted and chose Lewis Fisk, collector and treasurer.

6th  Voted to adjourn.

J.C. Morrill, clerk for this meeting, Mr. Mather being absent.

 

August 17, 1827

At a meeting of the First Baptist Society agreeable to a warrant from the assessors August 17, 1827 to act on the request of the Rev. John Cookson, relative to his request to be discharged from further ministerial duties in said society, Henry Batchelder, Esq. was moderator.      

A motion was made that Mr. CooksonÕs request be granted.

Yeas 24, nays 23. 

Voted to choose a committee of three to join with a committee from the church to report to the Rev. John Cookson the proceeding of this meeting Ð Stephen Brown, James Wight, Levi Gurney, committee.

Voted to dissolve the meeting.

                                                                        Benj. Mather, clerk

 

November 12, 1827

Agreeable to a warrant from the assessors of the First Baptist Society in Lowell the Society met at the meeting house the 12 of November at 8 oÕclock p.m.

1st  N.S. Ramsay was chosen clerk protem.

2nd  Henry Batchelder was chosen chairman.

3rd  Voted to see if the parish would unite in inviting the Rev. N.W. Williams to become their pastor.  Ballot  9 yeas, 10 nays.

4th  Voted to chose a committee of three from the society to wait on N.W. Williams Ð Henry Batchelder, W. Shepard, and M.G. Brackett, committee.

5th  Voted that a committee of two be chosen from the society to join a committee from the church to supply the desk Ð Levi Gurney and Henry Batchelder, committee.

6th  Voted that this meeting be dissolved.

                                                                        N.S. Ramsay, clerk protem.

                                                                        Nov. 12, 1827

 

 

 

 

April 12, 1828

In pursuance to a warrant from the assessors the society met at 6 oÕclock in the meeting house.

1st  Chose Nathan Oliver moderator.

2nd  Chose J.C. Morrill clerk.

3rd  Voted unanimously by ballot that the society do give Rev. Enoch M. Freeman a call to become their minister.       

4th  Chose Levi Gurney, James Wright, and Ephraim Osgood a committee to join a like committee from the church for the purpose of presenting said call to Rev. E.M. Freeman.

5th  Chose J.G. Wood, Mr. Alvah Mansur, and Mr. Joseph Parker assessors for the year ensuing.

                                                            Bylaws

6th  Resolved that in all future meetings of this society all male persons of sixteen years of age and over, usually worshipping in this house, and whose names are for the time being inserted in the societyÕs book as members shall be considered legal voters.

7th  Voted that the society will order a collection from the congregation quarterly for the support of the singing.

8th  Dissolved the meeting.

 

Below are the additional names of the members of said society Ð

William Graves                                               Isaac Osgood

Richard L. Hastings                                        Goodwin Wood

James S. Bradburn                                          John H. Batchelder

Willard Brown                                    Joseph S. Stiles

Joseph Parker                                                 Elisha Davis

John Jewitt                                                     David G. Hood

John Mulliken                                                 Jonathan Cram

William H. Sheefe                                           Samuel Howard

                                                                        Seth Hatch

Artemas Hodgeman                                        Joseph H. Bryant

William C. Martain                                         Parker Flanders

Daniel S. Rice                                                 

Abun White                                                    Edmund Cummings

Samuel D. Prescott                                         Benjamin Watson

Amos Wetherbee                                            Ebenezer T. Elliot

Josiah F. Nelson                                             George Choate

J.M. Marston                                                 Luther Emerson

John Russ                                                       Benjamin P. Brown

? Vining                                                           J.A. Brabrook

Henry Batchelder                                            Samuel Dearborn

Samuel Weston                                               John H. Chase

Caleb Crosby                                                  Columbus Greene

Levi W. Page                                                   John W. Graves

Joseph Whitteman                                          Timothy Gray

Augustus Butterfield                                      Jonas Reed, Jr.

Moody Mansur                                              Joseph S. Stiles

John Levi                                                        John O. Livingston

Silas Dean                                                       Eldridge Livingston

[illegible]                                                         Charles Knapp

William C. Gray                                              Graham Sitton

Warren S. Thomas                                          William H. Goding

James Wilson                                                  Edward Beals

Joseph S. Getchell                                          James Mitchell

J.W. Graves                                                    Stephen Mansur

John S. Jaques                                                 William Goding

Timothy Gray Jr.                                           Justin Cochran

Isaac Austin                                                    James A. Lawrence

John G. Moore                                               Abel Leonard

Theodore Morse                                             Troi  Bishee

George Webster                                              Samuel G. Cressy

Thomas J. Caldwell                                        Zenas Herrick

Edwin B. Merrill                                             George W. Walker

Benjamin Floyd                                              Richard Tipp

William Mead                                                 John G. Wood

Joseph Bright                                                  John Shed

Stephen Puffer                                                            Benjamin N. Stuart

Jefferson [illegible]                                          James N. Pinkham

Phanuel Flanders                                             Asa Fairbanks

A.D. Dearborn                                                            James G. Morrison

Asa Farr                                                          William H. Morse

Joseph Tapley                                                            Richard Dennis

A.W. Whittredge                                             William [illegible]

S.D. Leavitt                                                     John C. Dow

                                                                        Hiram A. Cole

 

1834

To Nathaniel Wright Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the county of Middlesex,

            We, the subscribers and members of the First Baptist Society in Lowell, there being no assessors of said Society, hereby apply to you to issue a warrant for the calling of a meeting of the members of the said society to be holden at the vestry of the meeting house now occupied by said society in Church Street in said Lowell on Wednesday, the fifth day of November next, at seven oÕclock in the afternoon to act on the following articles viz.

1st  To choose a moderator.

2nd  To choose all such officers as parishes are authorized by law to choose in the months of March and April annually.

3rd  To agree upon the mode of notifying all future meetings of said society.

Signed by the following members Ð

Joseph Parker                                                 W. Graves

John W. Graves                                              Ransom Reed

Jonathan M. Marston                                     Alvah Mansur

Joel Sanders                                                    Moody Mansur

Jefferson Bancroft                                          Samuel Houraide

 

 

Middlesex SS. 

To Alvah Mansur, one of the members of the First Baptist Society in Lowell,

You are hereby required in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to notify the members of the First Baptist Society in Lowell qualified to vote in town affairs to meet at the vestry of the meeting house now occupied by said society, in Church Street in said Lowell, on Wednesday, the fifth day of November next, at seven oÕclock in the afternoon to act on the following articles viz.

1st  To choose a moderator.

2nd  To choose all such officers as parishes are by law authorized to choose in the months of March and April annually.

3rd  To agree upon the manner of notifying all future meetings of said Society.

Given under my hand and seal, this twenty second day of October A.D. 1834,

                                                                        Nathaniel Wright

                                                                        Justice of the Peace

 

Wednesday, November 5, 1834

At a meeting held by members of the First Baptist Society in Lowell at their meeting house in Church Street in said Lowell agreeable to the foregoing warrant,

Nathaniel Wright present,

Chose Alvah Mansur clerk.

 

Middlesex SS. November 5, 1834

Then personally appeared Alvah Mansur and made oath that he would faithfully discharge the duties of clerk of the First Baptist Society in Lowell until another person shall be chosen and sworn in his stead.

                                                                        Nathaniel Wright

                                                                        Justice of the Peace

 

Chose Spaulding Esq. moderator.

Chose R.L. Hastings collector and treasurer.

Chose Stephen Mansur, Jefferson Bancroft, John W. Graves, Elisha Davis, Jonathan M. Marston assessors.

 

Voted that the mode of notifying all future meetings shall be conformable to all bylaws.

Voted to dissolve the meeting.

 

A true copy.                                                   Alvah Mansur, clerk

 

 

 

 

 

The following notice was posted to notify of foregoing meeting.

 

                                    Notice 

As hereby given by virtue of a warrant duly issued to the members of the First Baptist Society in Lowell to meet at the vestry of the meeting house now occupied by said society in Church Street in said Lowell on Wednesday the fifth day of November next at seven oÕclock in the afternoon then and there to act on the following articles viz.

1st  To choose a moderator.

2nd  To choose all such officers as parishes are by law authorized to choose in the months of March and April annually.

3rd  To agree upon the mode of notifying all future meetings of said society.

                                                                        Lowell, October 22, 1834

                                                                        Alvah Mansur, a member of said society

 

                                   

                                    Notice

This is to notify and warn all the members of the First Baptist Society in Lowell who are legal voters to meet at their vestry on Church Street on the 22nd inst. at 7 ½ oÕclock p.m. to choose such parish officers as the law directs for the year ensuing and to act on any other business which may come before them per order of the assessors.

                                                                        Alvah Mansur, clerk

                                                                        Lowell, April 11, 1835

 

 

Lowell, April 22, 1835

At a meeting held agreeable to the above notice at the society vestry

1st  Chose Horatio C. Merriam moderator.

2nd  Chose Alvah Mansur clerk.

 

Lowell, April 22, 1835

Middlesex SS.

Then personally appeared Alvah Mansur and made oath that he would faithfully discharge the duties of clerk of the First Baptist Society in Lowell until another person shall be chosen to serve in his stead.

                                                                        Horatio C. Merriam, moderator

 

3rd  Chose R.L. Hastings collector and treasurer.

4th  Chose Henry Batchelder, Jefferson Bancroft, Ransom Reed, James Bradburn, Timothy Robinson assessors.

5th  Voted that in future all annual meetings shall be called by the clerk in the months of March or April and for a special meeting an application of three members who are legal  voters to the clerk shall be necessary, anything voted heretofore to the contrary notwithstanding.

Chose Joseph Parker, Amos Weatherbee, Isaac Osgood to keep order in the gallery during the seasons of public worship.

 

Voted to dissolve the meeting.

A true copy.                                                   Alvah Mansur, clerk

 

 

Lowell, January 4, 1836

To Alvah Mansur, clerk of the First Baptist Society in Lowell,

You are hereby requested to notify and warn a meeting of the First Baptist Society in Lowell for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of giving the Rev. Joseph W. Eaton, who is now preaching with us, a call to become our pastor, or to act thereon as they may think proper, and to act on any other business which may come before them.

                                                                        Jefferson Bancroft

                                                                        Timothy S. Robinson

                                                                        George W. Gilman

                                                                        Joseph Parker

A true copy                                                    Alvah Mansur, clerk

 

                                   

 

                                    Notice

This is to notify and warn all the male members of the First Baptist Society in Lowell who are legal voters to meet on the floor of their meeting house on Church Street on Saturday the 16th inst. at 7 oÕclock p.m. for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of giving the Rev. Joseph W. Eaton, who is now preaching with us, a call to become our pastor, or to act thereon as they may think proper, and to transact any other business which may come before them.

                                                                        Lowell, January 5, 1836

                                                                        Alvah Mansur, clerk

 

Saturday, January 16, 1836

At a meeting of the First Baptist Society in Lowell held the 16th day of January 1836 at their meeting house in Lowell agreeable to notice, Stephen Mansur, moderator.

Voted to give the Rev. Joseph W. Eaton a call to become their pastor.

                                                 Yeas twenty-one                    21

                                                 Blank one                                 1

                                                 Nays not one

Voted to choose a committee of three to wait on the Rev. Joseph W. Eaton and to inform him of the doings of the meeting and to present him with a copy of said meeting.

Chose Doctor William Graves, Jefferson Bancroft, Richard L. Hastings a committee.

Voted to instruct the committee to inform the Rev. Joseph W. Eaton that the proprietors of this house voted at their last annual meeting eight hundred dollars for the support of the pulpit in their meeting house.

Voted to dissolve the meeting.

A true copy                                                    Alvah Mansur, clerk

 

 

The following notice was posted on the doors of the meeting house.

 

                                    Notice

This is to notify and warn all the members of the First Baptist Society in Lowell who are legal voters to meet in their meeting house on Church Street in said Lowell on the 25th inst. at 7 ½ oÕclock p.m. for the purpose of choosing such parish officers as the law directs for the year ensuing and to act on any other business which may come before them.

                                                                        Alvah Mansur, clerk

                                                                        Lowell, April 13, 1836

 

April 25, 1836

At a meeting held this 25th day of April 1836 agreeable to the foregoing notice,

Voted and chose Doctor William Graves moderator.

Chose Alvah Mansur clerk.

Chose Jefferson Bancroft collector and treasurer.

Chose Henry Batchelder, Jefferson Bancroft, Ransom Reed, James Bradburn, Timothy S. Robinson assessors.

Chose Joseph Parker, Amos Weatherbee, Isaac Osgood, Silas Dean, Joseph Bryant to keep order in galleries during divine service.

Chose Isaac Osgood, Stephen Mansur, James Bradburn a committee to raise funds for the benefit of the singing.

Voted to dissolve the meeting.

 

A true copy                                                    Alvah Mansur, clerk

 

 

 

                                    Application for a meeting

To the assessors and clerk of the First Baptist Society in Lowell, Mass,

You are hereby requested to call a meeting of the members of the First Baptist Society in Lowell agreeable to the laws of this Commonwealth on Thursday evening December 29th inst. at 8 oÕclock at their meeting house on Church Street in said Lowell, to act the following articles viz.

1st  To choose a moderator to govern said meeting.

2nd  To see if the members of said society are satisfied with Rev. Joseph W. Eaton as pastor.

3rd  To see whether the society will request Rev. Joseph W. Eaton to dissolve his connection with them as pastor, and to act on such other business as may come legally before them.

                                                                        Lowell, December 19, 1836

 

 

 

 

 

The foregoing application was signed by the following members.

Josiah F. Webson                                            Willard Brown

Samuel Weston                                               Samuel C. Oliver

David Hood                                                    Benjamin Watson

W. Graves                                                       Joseph P. Stiles

Jonas Reed, Jr.                                                            Ebenezer T. Elliot

Benjamin T. Brown                                        Joseph H. Bryant

J.A. Brabrook                                                 Samuel Dearborn

John Mulliken                                                 John O. Livingston

Hiram Watson                                                 Eldridge Livingston

Charles Knapp                                                            Abraham Titlon

Columbus Green                                             J.W. Graves

 

A true copy                                                    Alvah Mansur, clerk

 

 

December 19, 1836

To Alvah Mansur, clerk of the First Baptist Society in Lowell,

Sir, you are directed to call a meeting of the members of the First Baptist Society in Lowell agreeable to the written application.

Timothy Robinson, James Bradburn, Ransom Reed, assessors.

 

                                   

                                    Notice

This is to notify and warn all the members of the First Baptist Society in Lowell who are legal voters to meet in their meeting house on Church Street in said Lowell on Thursday evening, December 29th at 8 oÕclock p.m. to take into consideration and act on the following articles viz.

1st  To choose a moderator to govern said meeting.

2nd  To see if the members of said society are satisfied with the Rev. Joseph W. Eaton as their pastor.

3rd  To see whether the society will vote to request the Rev. Joseph W. Eaton to dissolve his connection with them as pastor and to act on such other business as may legally come before them.

                                                                        Lowell, December 19, 1836

                                                                        Alvah Mansur, clerk

 

Thursday, December 29, 1836

At a meeting held agreeable to the foregoing notice

Voted and chose Willard Brown moderator.

Voted that the second article of the warrant be acted on by yea and nays.

Voted and cast 24 nays and 1 yea.

Voted to request the Rev. Joseph W. Eaton to dissolve his connection with them as pastor.

Voted that the clerk and moderator be a committee to inform the Rev. Joseph W. Eaton of the doings of this meeting.

Voted to choose a committee of three to meet the council.

Chose Col. Batchelder, James S. Bradburn, Columbus Green a committee.

Voted to adjourn to January 7th 1837 at 6 oÕclock p.m. at this place.

                                                                        Alvah Mansur, clerk

 

January 7, 1837

The society met agreeable to the above adjournment.

Voted to choose a committee of five to supply the desk.

Chose Doctor J.W. Graves, Benjamin P. Brown, Ransom Reed, Willard Brown, Deacon Brown a committee.

Voted to add two to the committee for raising funds for the benefit of the singing.

Chose B.P. Brown, David G. Hood.

Voted that the singing committee be a committee to procure a chorister and to compensate him.

Voted the singing committee wait upon T.S. Robinson and present him the thanks of the society for his past services.

Voted that Dea. Stephen Brown be a committee to inform the church that the society has chosen a committee of 5 to act in concert with a committee from the church for the purpose of supplying the desk.

Voted to dissolve the meeting.

                                                                        Alvah Mansur, clerk

 

 

 

Lowell, January 1, 1837

To Alvah Mansur, clerk of the First Baptist Society in Lowell,

            Sir, agreeable to the statute of this Commonwealth, I hereby notify you that from and after this date I shall not consider myself a member of the First Baptist Society and therefore request that my name be stricken from the roll of the members.

                                                                        Respectfully, Timothy S. Robinson

 

 

To the assessors of the First Baptist Society in Lowell,

            You are hereby requested to direct the clerk of this society to call a meeting of the society on Thursday evening, March 23rd 1837, agreeably to the laws of the Commonwealth, to see if the society will vote to request the Rev. Joel S. Bacon to become their pastor or act in relation thereto.

                                                                        Lowell, March 13, 1837

                                                                        Samuel C. Oliver

                                                                        William Graves

                                                                        R.L. Hastings

                                                                        John W. Graves

                                                                        Isaac Osgood

                                                                        Edmund Cummings

                                                                        Stephen Brown

 

To the clerk of the First Baptist Society in Lowell,

            You are hereby directed to notify and warn the members of the First Baptist Society to assemble in their vestry on Thursday evening, March 23rd 1837, then and there to act on the following articles viz.

1st  To choose a moderator of said meeting.

2nd  To see if the society will vote to invite the Rev. Joel S. Bacon to become their pastor or act anything thereon.

Given under our hands at Lowell this thirteenth day of March A.D. 1837,

                                                                        James S. Bradburn

                                                                        Ransom Reed

                                                                        Assessors of First Baptist Society Lowell

 

                                    Notice

The members of the First Baptist Society in Lowell are hereby notified to meet in their vestry on Thursday, the 23rd of March, at 7 oÕclock p.m. to act on the following articles viz.

1st  To choose a moderator of said meeting.

2nd  To choose the officers for the year ensuing.

3rd  To see if the society will vote to invite the Rev. Joel S. Bacon to become their pastor or act anything thereon.

                                                                        By order of the assessors of said society,

                                                                        Alvah Mansur, clerk

                                                                        Lowell, March 14, 1837

 

Thursday, March 23, 1837

Agreeably to the foregoing warrant the First Baptist Society of Lowell met and

1st  Chose Dr. William Graves moderator.

2nd  Chose Benjamin P. Brown clerk, who was sworn into office by the moderator.

3rd  Chose Jefferson Bancroft collector and treasurer.

4th  Chose Col. Henry Batchelder, Doctor J.W. Graves, James S. Bradburn, Ransom Reed, Dea. Timothy Gray assessors, who were sworn into office by the clerk.

5th  Voted to decide the third article by yeas and nays.

6th  Voted to invite the Rev. Joel S. Bacon to become their pastor, 40 votes in the affirmative.

7th  Voted to choose a committee of three persons to wait on the Rev. Joel S. Bacon and inform him of the proceedings of the society and request his answer.

8th  Chose Doctor William Graves, Benjamin P. Brown, Willard Brown said committee.

9th  Voted that the clerk inform the Rev. Joel S. Bacon so far as relates to him of the proceedings of this meeting.

10th  Voted that the society offer the Rev. Joel S. Bacon the sum of one thousand dollars per year for his services as pastor.

11th  Voted to dissolve the meeting.

 

A true copy                                                    Benjamin P. Brown, clerk

                                                                        Lowell, March 23, 1837

 

 

To the assessors of the First Baptist Society in Lowell,

            You are hereby requested to direct the clerk of the society to call a meeting of said society at 8 oÕclock on Thursday evening, the 5th day of October next, agreeable to the laws of the Commonwealth, to see if the society will vote to request the Rev. Joseph Ballard to become their pastor or act in relation thereto, and attend to such other business as may come before this meeting.

                                                                        Lowell, September 26, 1837

                                                                        R.L. Hastings

                                                                        Benjamin P. Brown

                                                                        Edmund Cummings

                                                                        Hiram Watson

                                                                        Silas Dean

                                                                        William B. Oliver

                                                                        Goodwin Wood

                                                                        Ransom Reed

                                                                        Willard Brown

                                                                       

A true copy                                                    Benjamin P. Brown, clerk

 

 

Lowell, September 26, 1837

To the clerk of the First Baptist Society in Lowell,

            Please to notify a meeting of said society agreeable to the written petition.

                                                                        James S. Bradburn

                                                                        Ransom Reed

                                                                        Isaac Osgood

                                                                        Assessors

 

Attest a true copy                                          Benjamin P. Brown, clerk

 

 

Thursday, October 5, 1837

Agreeable to notice the society met and

Chose Dea. Stephen Brown moderator.

Voted to act on the first article.

Voted to adjourn the meeting to Monday evening, 9th inst. at 8 oÕclock.

 

Monday, October 9, 1837

The society met agreeable to the above adjournment and chose Alvah Mansur clerk protem.

Voted to consider the 2nd article and to decide it by yeas and nays and the votes stood thus viz. 36 votes in favor of giving the Rev. Joseph Ballard a call to become the pastor of the First Baptist Church and Society in Lowell and one blank.

Voted to offer the Rev. Joseph Ballard the sum of one thousand dollars for his services as pastor.

Voted to choose a committee of three to inform the Rev. Joseph Ballard of the proceedings of this meeting.

Voted that Joseph Parker, Ransom Reed, Luther Emerson comprise said committee.

Voted to choose a committee of three to settle with Mrs. Freeman the demand which she says is due the Rev. E.W. Freeman for his services as pastor for the year 1834.  Voted that Dea. Mead, Doctor J.W. Graves, and Mr. Isaac Osgood be said committee.

Voted to adjourn the meeting to Monday evening, 23rd October instant at 8 oÕclock.

 

Monday evening, October 23, 1837

The society met agreeable to adjournment and voted to adjourn to Monday evening, November 4th at the same time and place.

 

Monday evening, November 4, 1837

Agreeable to adjournment the society met and chose Dea. Mead moderator pro tem.

Voted to accept the Rev. Joseph BallardÕs proposals.

Voted that Dea. Mead be a committee to consult the trustees of the meeting house about the propriety of altering back the pulpit to its former height.

Voted that this meeting stand adjourned to Monday evening, 20th Nov. instant at 8 oÕclock.

 

Monday evening, November 20, 1837

Agreeable to adjournment, the society met and chose Dea. Mead moderator.

Voted to add Dea. Mead to the committee on singing.

Voted to choose a committee of three persons to confer with the church and with them make arrangements for the installation of the Rev. Joseph Ballard.

Voted that Dr. J.W. Graves, Alvah Mansur, Ransom Reed be said committee.

Voted to dissolve the meeting.

 

Attest a true record                                         Benjamin P. Brown, society clerk

 

 

To the clerk of the First Baptist Society in Lowell,

            You are hereby directed to notify and warn the members of the First Baptist Society to assemble in their vestry at 8 oÕclock on Thursday evening, 22nd day of March instant, for the purpose of acting on the following articles viz.

1st  To choose a moderator to govern said meeting.

2nd  To choose the officers for the year ensuing.

3rd  And to transact all other business that may then and there legally come before them.