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.