Records of the Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House Lowell 1826 – 1852

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six,

An act to incorporate the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell

Sec. 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, that Artemas Young, William D. Mason, Nathan Oliver, and others who have associated or may hereafter associate with them for the purpose of building a meeting house, their successors and assigns be, and they are hereby made a Corporation and body politic by the name of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell and by that name may sue and be sued, and may have a common seal, and may also ordain and establish such bylaws and regulations as to them shall seem necessary and convenient for the government of said Corporation, provided such bylaws and regulations shall not be repugnant to the Constitution and laws of this Commonwealth, and may purchase and hold real estate, the annual increase of which shall not exceed two thousand dollars, and the shares of the Corporation shall not be less than fifty nor more than one hundred in numbers. Sec. 2 Be it further enacted that a meeting of said Corporation shall be holden annually on the second Monday of March, at which meeting the said proprietors shall by ballot elect five trustees, one of whom shall be president, and any three of whom shall constitute a quorum for transacting business, a treasurer who shall also be collector, and a clerk, who shall respectively be sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of their offices, and at all meeting of said Corporation each proprietor or his agent duly authorized in writing shall have a right to vote and be entitled to as many votes as he holds shares, provided no person shall be entitled to more than ten votes, and any justice of the peace in the County of Middlesex is hereby authorized to issue his warrant to some one of the said proprietors, for the purpose of calling their first meeting for the organization of said Corporation, at which meeting the said proprietors shall agree on the method of calling future meetings. Sec. 3 Be it further enacted that whenever any proprietor shall refuse or neglect to pay any tax assessment duly voted and agreed by said Corporation for the purposes thereof to the treasurer within sixty days after the same shall be made passable, the said treasurer being thereunto directed by the said trustees, may [illegible] the share or shares of each delinquent proprietor to defray said tax and necessary charges, after posting notice of the time and place and cause of such sale at two or more public places in said town, at least thirty days previous to such sale, and a certificate of the same under the hand of the president and clerk of said Corporation, shall transfer all the rights, title and interest of such delinquents in the share or shares then sold to the purchaser, and if the said share or shares so sold shall sell for more than the taxes or assessments thereon due and charges the overplus shall be paid over to such delinquent proprietors by the treasurer on demand or the said treasurer may, by the direction of the said trustees and in the name of said Corporation, sue and prosecute to final judgment and execution any such delinquent proprietor for any tax or assessment due on any share or shares of such delinquent proprietors.

In House of Representatives, March 4, 1826, this Bill having had three several readings passed to be enacted.

Timothy Fuller, Spkr

In Senate, March 4, 1826, this Bill having had two several readings passed to be enacted.

Nath Pilsbee, President

March 4, 1826

Approved

Levi Lincoln

A true copy

Edward D. Bangs, Secretary of the Commonwealth

To William D. Mason, one of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell,

By virtue of an act of the Legislature of this Commonwealth you are hereby required to notify the said proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell to meet at the hotel of Levi Carter in said Lowell on Thursday, the eleventh day of May next, at eight o’clock in the afternoon for the following purposes.

1^st To choose the offices required by the act incorporating said proprietors.

2^nd To agree upon the method of calling the future meetings of said proprietors.

Given under my hand and seal at said Lowell this twenty fifth day of April A.D. 1826.

Nathaniel Wright, J. Peace

Lowell May 11, 1826

Agreeably to the above warrant, I have notified the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell to meet at the time, place, and for the purposes therein specified according to the act of incorporation.

William D. Mason

Lowell, May 11, 1826

The proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell met at Levi Carter’s Hotel according to the above warrant and

1^st Chose Capt. Artemas Young moderator.

2^nd Chose J.C. Morrill clerk of the proprietors, who was sworn to office by J.R. Adams.

3^rd Chose Capt. A. Young, Wm D. Mason, Nathan Oliver, Lewis Fisk, and Jonathan Bachelder, trustees for the year ensuing.

4^th Chose Wm D. Mason treasurer and collector, who was sworn to office.

5^th Voted to adjourn to meet at this place on Thursday 18^th inst. at 7 ½ o’clock p.m.

J.C. Morrill, pro. clerk

May 18, 1826

The proprietors met according to adjournment and

1^st Voted that the future meetings of the proprietors shall be legally called by advertising a notice of three, severally, (specifying the purposes for which they are to meet) in the Christian Watchman, printed in Boston, and by posting up a notice of the same in the post office and meeting house in this town, at least ten days before said meeting.

2^nd Voted than an assessment of twenty-five dollars on each share shall be paid by the subscribers to stock on or before the 15^th of June next.

3^rd Voted that J.C. Morrill be employed to collect subscribers to the remaining shares which are not taken up.

4^th Voted that the deed of the land on which this meeting house is to be built shall be given to the deacon in trust for the First Baptist Church in Lowell.

5^th Voted that the trustees be and they are hereby instructed to contract for the building of said house, attend to its construction until finished, and that they examine all bills, and when approved draw orders for the payment of the same on the treasurer, which orders shall be the treasurer’s warrant for payment of the same.

6^th Voted to dissolve this meeting.

J.C. Morrill, pro. clerk

September 11, 1826

The proprietors met at the house of Levi Carter at 7 o’clock p.m. according to legal notice.

1^st Voted to assess twenty-five dollars on each share to be paid on or before the 25^th inst.

2^nd Voted that the salary for the clergyman who shall officiate in the F.B. Meeting House in Lowell for the first year shall be six hundred dollars.

3^rd Voted that a committee be appointed to obtain a deed of the land on which the meeting house is erected.

4^th Chose Capt. Artemas Young, Nathan Oliver, and Daniel Sanderson for the foregoing committee.

5^th Voted that the treasurer shall pay Mr. Carter’s bill for the use of room and stationary occupied by the proprietors.

6^th Voted that Abel Rugg be appointed to inform Rev. Mr. Cookson of the doings of this meeting in regard to a salary for the clergyman who shall officiate in this house.

7^th Dissolved the meeting.

J.C. Morrill, pro. clerk

March 12, 1827

The Proprietors met agreeably to legal notice at the house of Levi Carter, the president being absent.

1^st Chose J.C. Morrill moderator.

2^nd Chose J.C. Morrill clerk.

3^rd Voted to adjourn to meet in this place, (Carter’s Hotel) in one week at 6 o’clock p.m.

J.C. Morrill, clerk

March 19, 1827

The Corporation met by adjournment at Carter’s Hotel.

1^st The committee to obtain the deed for land on which the meeting house stands reported “that the deed was not quite completed but would probably be finished and executed this week.”

2^nd Chose J.C. Morrill to audit the account of the building committee and report.

3^rd Voted to accept the report of the building committee which was as follows.

Report

Your committee, appointed to build the house, caused the same to be completed, except the finish of the basement story, and have expended the sum of fifty five hundred dollars upon it. We have excluded the amount of cash provided by the sale of shares agreeable to the act of incorporation, by the sum of five hundred dollars, which together with six shares (value three hundred dollars) unsold, amounts to eight hundred dollars unprovided, and for which we are accountable. This sum, including the unsold shares, we request the proprietors to assume and discharge us from further responsibility as a building committee, provided our account shall be well vouched.

4^th Accepted the above report.

5^th Voted that the treasurer be, and he is hereby to authorized to hire in the name and on account of the proprietors the sum of eight hundred (800) dollars to pay the above deficiencies in the disbursements of the building committee.

6^th Voted that the money arising from the sale of the six unsold shares, together with the surplus revenue from the rent of pews, after paying the appropriate expense of the society, shall be appropriated to the payment of the above debt.

7^th Voted to present the thanks of the corporation to Gen. Leach for his present of the stove.

8^th Chose Capt. A. Young, Nathan Oliver, Lewis Fisk, Abel Rugg, and W.D. Mason trustees for the year ensuing.

9^th Chose W.D. Mason treasurer and collector

10^th Voted to dissolve the meeting.

J.C. Morrill, pro. clerk

April 28, 1828

The proprietors met at Levi Carter’s Hotel by legal notice and

1^st Chose Artemas Young, Nathan Oliver, Wm D. Mason, Lewis Fisk, and Abel Rugg trustees for the current year.

2^nd Chose W.D. Mason treasurer and collector.

3^rd Chose J.C. Morrill clerk.

4^th Voted that the treasurer be directed to pay five hundred dollars out of the money received for pew rents for the salary of the minister who shall supply the desk the year ensuing.

5^th Voted that the incidental expenses of the society shall be subject to the direction of the trustees.

6^th Voted that the trustees shall have power to make any contract in relation to renting the basement story of the meeting house for any term not exceeding ten years.

7^th Voted to dissolve the meeting.

J.C. Morrill, pro. clerk

March 29, 1829

By legal notice the proprietors met in the vestry and

1^st Chose Abel Rugg moderator.

2^nd Chose J.C. Morrill clerk.

3^rd Chose Artemas Young, Abel Rugg, Charles Holles, Wm D. Mason, and S.C. Oliver trustees for the year ensuing.

4^th Chose Lewis Fisk and Abel Rugg a committee to settle accounts with Benj. Mathis and J.C. Morrill collector of rents and W.D. Mason late treasurer.

5^th Chose Lewis Fisk treasurer for ensuing year and instructed him and A. Rugg to get the house insured.

(Dea. A. Rugg served as clerk pro. tem.)

Adjourned to April 14, 1829

J.C. Morrill, pro. clerk

April 14, 1829

The proprietors met in the vestry by adjournment and the committee reported in part viz.

In settlement with Mr. Mathis they found a balance in his hands of cash collected of five dollars and twenty cents $5.20.

Mr. Morrill’s year not having expired, a settlement with him was deferred.

Voted that the treasurer be and he is hereby authorized to pay out of the rents collected upon the pews of this house the sum of five hundred dollars to the clergyman who shall officiate and supply the desk for the current year.

Voted that the treasurer be authorized to settle the former treasurer’s account and pay the balance which may be found due him by note or otherwise.

Voted to choose Abel Rugg, J.C. Morrill, and Wm D. Mason a committee to meet a like committee from the society and to take measures for raising the price of pew rent so that it shall be more equal and satisfactory.

Adjourned to 28^th April inst.

J.C. Morrill, pro. clerk

April 28, 1829

Met at the vestry and

Voted that Lewis Fisk, the treasurer, be instructed to settle for the balance due the Copper Co for the [illegible] out of moneys collected for pew rent.

Voted to appropriate twenty-five dollars per quarter out of the pew rents to defray expenses of the singing choir so long as the trustees shall be satisfied with the public performances of that choir.

Middlesex SS. Commonwealth of Massachusetts

To the Sheriff of the county of Middlesex or his deputy, greetings.

Whereas Luther French of Lowell is the said county stable keeper for the consideration of our justices of our courts of common pleas holden at Concord for and within our county of Middlesex aforesaid on the second Monday of March instant and recorded judgment against Thomas Hurd of said Lowell Manufacturer for the sum of three hundred and forty eight dollars seventy eight cents cost of suit as to us appears of record whereof execution remains to be done.

We command you therefore that of the goods, chattels and lands of the said Hurd within your precinct you cause to be paid and satisfied unto the said French at the [illegible] thereof in money the aforesaid sums being $356.84 in the whole, with twenty five cents more for this writ and thereof also to satisfy yourself for your own fees and for want of goods, chattels or lands of the said Hurd, to be by him shown unto you or found within your precinct to the [illegible] of the said French to satisfy the sums aforesaid here command you to take the [illegible] of the said Hurd and him into our jail in Cambridge or Concord in our county of Middlesex aforesaid and detain in your custody within our said jail until he pay the full sums above mentioned with jail fees or that he be discharged by the said French the creditor or otherwise by order of law.

[Illegible] fail not to make return of this writ with your doings thereon into our said court of common pleas to be holden at Concord for and within our county of Middlesex aforesaid on the second Monday of June next.

Witness Artemas Ward Esq. at Cambridge the twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine

Absent regular clerk

Copy attest J.B. French, D. Sheriff

Middlesex SS. June 8, 1829

By virtue of this execution and by order of the creditor I attached two shares in the corporate stock of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell on the fourteenth day of April last and on the same fourteenth of April I gave notice of the time and place of sale hereafter mentioned to the said Thomas Hurd the judgment debtor by having a written notice at his last and usual place of abode and also gave public notice of the same time and place of sale by posting up notifications thereof at the houses of Levi Carter and Ira Frye, innkeepers in said Lowell, where the said sale was made and also a notification at the public house kept by Harry Bachelder in Tewksbury and a notification at the store of John P. Cutter in Dracut, said Tewksbury and Dracut being two towns adjoining said town of Lowell, all of said notifications being posted thirty days and upwards previous to said sale and did also cause an advertisement expressing the time and place of sale and the debtor against whom the execution has issued and on which the said shares were taken to be published three weeks successively before the day of sale in the Lowell Journal, a public newspaper printed in Lowell in said county of Middlesex, did pursuant to said notice on the sixteenth day of May last, at two of the clock p.m. at the house of said Levi Carter in Lowell expose and offer said two shares for sale at public [illegible], but there being no purchaser present who would bid for the same I adjourned said sale for three days to be held again as aforesaid on the nineteenth day when there being again no person appearing to bid therefore I again adjourned said sale from time to time each adjournment being three days. The 28^th day of May aforesaid at four o’clock p.m. when I again exposed and offered said two shares for sale when Luther French the creditor aforesaid appeared and bid the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars and no person bidding more the said two shares were struck off and sold to said Luther French for the said sum of $150 from which sum I deducted all expenses of advertising, selling and my fees amounting to fourteen dollars and sixty four cents and then remains the sum of one hundred thirty four dollars and thirty six cents, which I apply towards satisfaction of this execution and I do therefore return this execution satisfied only in part to wit for the sum of one hundred and thirty five dollars and thirty six cents and no more. And within fourteen days after the completion of said sale I caused an attested copy of the execution and of my return thereon to be left with Jonathan C. Morrill and also a similar copy with Lewis Fisk, the said Morrill being clerk and the said Fisk being treasurer of said incorporation and paid to the said Morrill the sum of one dollar for recording the same.

Signed, J.B. French, D. Sheriff

Copy attest J.B. French, D Sheriff

J.C. Morrill, pro. clerk

March 8, 1830

The proprietors met at the vestry of the Bap. Meeting House at 8 o’clock p.m. and before proceeding to the business of the annual meeting

Voted that the clerk of year ending this day be and he is hereby directed to witness the certificates of shares made out to Luther French, which he purchased at a sale of J.B. French as Dep. Sheriff.

The proprietors then proceeded to the choice of officers for the year ensuing, Capt. Artemas Young in the chair.

1^st Chose J.C. Morrill clerk.

2^nd Chose Artemas Young, Wm D. Mason, Stephen Whipple, Abel Rugg, and Samuel C. Oliver trustees.

3^rd Chose Lewis Fisk treasurer and collector.

4^th Accepted the report of the treasurer which exhibited a balance due to him from the proprietors of one hundred and seventy nine dollars and 95/100, he becoming responsible as an individual for money hired at the bank to pay a debt to Nathan Oliver.

5^th Voted that nine unsold shares in the stock of the meeting house shall be transferred to Dea. Wm D. Mason in trust for the First Baptist Church in Lowell for their use and benefit forever.

6^th Voted that five hundred dollars from the pew rents be and it is hereby appropriated to pay the clergyman who may supply the desk for the year ensuing.

7^th Dissolved the meeting.

J.C. Morrill, pro. clerk

March 14, 1831

The proprietors met at the vestry of the Baptist Meeting House at 7 o’clock p.m.

Proceeded to business, A. Young in the chair.

1^st Chose Abel Rugg clerk

2^nd Capt. A. Young, W.D. Mason, S.C. Oliver, S. Whipple, J.B. French trustees.

3^rd Chose Lewis Fisk treasurer and collector.

4^th Voted that seven hundred dollars from the pew rents be and it is hereby appropriated to pay the clergyman who may supply the desk for the year ensuing.

5^th Voted to declare a dividend of six per ct.

6^th Voted and instructed the clerk to get the Meeting House insured according to his [illegible].

7^th Chose J.B. French, Capt. A. Young, Cyril French a committee to examine and audit the treasurer’s account.

8^th Voted that a notice of the dividend be given in the Lowell Journal and in the Christian Watchman.

9^th Voted to adjourn this meeting to the 1^st Monday in April next to [illegible] at 8 o’clock p.m. to hear the report of the above committee and receive the dividend.

April 4,1831

The proprietors met at the vestry agreeable to adjournment.

1^st Voted to accept the report of the auditing committee.

Report as follows

The committee chosen to examine the account of the treasurer and collector of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell have attended to their duty and upon examination of the account of the treasurer your committee are of the opinion that the account exhibited at the annual meeting on the 2^nd Monday of March last is correct as far as related to money received and paid out by him.

Your committee have also examined the book of the collector and are of the opinion that there has been great diligence as well as good skill in the management and manner of letting the pews and collecting the rents and that the amount so received has been promptly paid in to the treasurer.

Your committee are still unable to give any particular statement as to the amount received for the rent of the pews as it appears by the book of the collector that the year does not expire until July and therefore the amount could not accurately be calculated.

On behalf of your committee,

J.B. French

Voted to dissolve the meeting.

March 12, 1832

The proprietors met at the meeting house of the First Baptist Society in Lowell.

Proceeded to business, Wm D. Mason in the chair.

1^st Chose Abel Rugg clerk.

2^nd Chose S.C. Oliver, M. Tuxbury, Wm D. Mason, J.B. French, Stephen Whipple trustees.

3^rd Chose Joseph Tapley treasurer and collector.

4^th Voted that $700 of the income of the meeting be appropriated for the supplying of the desk in said meeting the ensuing year.

5^th Voted that a committee of three be chosen to audit the treasurer’s account and settle with the treasurer.

6^th Chose Abel Rugg, J.B. French, and Cyril French as a committee above mentioned.

7^th Voted that a notice of our future meetings shall be given in the Christian Watchman and the Lowell Journal.

8^th Voted that the trustees shall be and are hereby authorized to get the meeting house painted the ensuing year.

9^th Voted to give $100 per year for the space of five years to be paid toward the purchase of an organ which is to be considered as the property of the First Baptist Church and Society in Lowell and ever to remain as their property and that the choice money of pews shall be appropriated so far as its amount may be for that purpose.

10^th Voted that the clerk shall get the meeting house insured for the year ensuing.

11^th Voted to adjourn this meeting to the 2^nd Monday in July next at 8 o’clock p.m.

June 11, 1832

Trustees met at the meeting house per order of the chairman to regulate the price of the seats.

2^nd Voted that J. Tapley be and he is hereby authorized to rent the cellar under said meeting house for storage of such articles as shall not endanger said house or infringe on the policy of insurance.

3^rd Voted that J. Tapley make such necessary repairs as he may deem necessary about said house.

4^th Voted that the small bills of work done for the benefit of said house, also other small charges, be paid by the treasurer per order of the chairman.

5^th Voted to dissolve the meeting.

February 9, 1833

Trustees met at J. Tapley’s for business and voted to choose a committee to examine the treasurer’s accounts and settle the same before the annual meeting. Chose J.B. French, M.M Tuxbury, Wm D. Mason, committee. Chose J. Tapley clerk pro tem.

Joseph Tapley, clerk pro. tem.

March 11, 1833

Proprietors met at the vestry of the Baptist Meeting House at 7 o’clock p.m. and proceeded to choice of officers, S.C. Oliver in the chair.

1^st Chose Joseph Tapley clerk.

2^nd Chose J.B. French, M.M. Tuxbury, Lewis Fisk, Wm D. Mason, and Joseph Tapley trustees.

3^rd Chose Joseph Tapley collector and treasurer.

4^th Voted to adjourn the meeting to 25^th March 1833 at 7 o’clock p.m.

Joseph Tapley, clerk

March 25, 1833

Proprietors met at vestry at 7 o’clock according to adjournment.

1^st Voted that the trustees be a committee to meet a committee from the society to see if the society will agree to hire the meeting house and report at the next meeting.

2^nd Voted to adjourn the meeting to 16^th April 1833 at the vestry at 7 o’clock p.m.

J. Tapley, clerk

March 10, 1834

The proprietors met at the vestry at 7 o’clock, the president being absent.

1^st Chose M.M. Tuxbury moderator.

2^nd Voted to adjourn the meeting to March 17^th at the vestry at 2 o’clock p.m.

J. Tapley, clerk

March 17, 1833

The proprietors met at the vestry at 2 o’clock agreeable to adjournment.

1^st Chose five trustees J.B. French, M.M. Tuxbury, Lewis Fisk, Wm D. Mason, and Joseph Tapley.

2^nd Chose Joseph Tapley clerk.

3^rd Chose Joseph Tapley treasurer and collector.

4^th Chose J.B. French and Cyril French a committee to settle with the treasurer and report at the next meeting.

5^th Voted to adjourn the meeting to the 2^nd Monday in July 14^th, 1834 at 7 o’clock p.m.

Joseph Tapley, clerk

July 14, 1834

The proprietors met at vestry at 7 o’clock according to adjournment.

1^st Voted to choose a committee who shall be authorized to lease the meeting house to the Society at six per cent on the original cost of the house on condition the Society keep the house in repair or to negotiate in any way with the Society so that the proprietors shall receive annually six per cent on the cost of the house free from all expense.

2^nd Chose Capt. A. Young, J.B. French, and Stephen Brown for the foregoing committee.

3^rd Chose Dea. J.W. Graves to lay the two preceding votes before the Society for their discussion.

4^th Voted to adjourn the meeting to the 28 inst. at the vestry at 7 o’clock p.m.

Joseph Tapley, clerk

July 28, 1834

The proprietors met at the vestry at 7 o’clock.

1^st On motion of J.B. French, voted that the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell receive from the income of the pews for the present year six per cent on the stock, commencing March 10^th 1834, and the residue of the income after paying repairs and other necessary expenses be applied in such manner as the First Baptist Church and Society may think most proper.

2^nd On motion of J.W. Graves, voted that the above motion be taken by yeas and nays and that the names of the proprietors voting for or against the above motion be recorded in the records of the corporation.

Samuel C. Oliver yea

Joseph Tapley yea

M.M. Tuxbury yea

Benj. Blood yea

J.B. French yea

Cyril French yea

J.W. Graves nay

3^rd Voted to adjourn the meeting to 11^th August at the vestry at 7 o’clock p.m.

Joseph Tapley

Proprietors’ Clerk

August 11, 1834

The proprietors met at the vestry at 7 o’clock p.m.

1^st Voted that the trustees be authorized to get the meeting house insured for one or more years as they may think proper.

2^nd Voted that the clerk be instructed to inform Rev. E.W. Freeman of the doings of their meeting of July 28^th and that the proprietors do not consider themselves under any obligations to him as regards his salary.

3^rd Voted to adjourn the meeting to 25^th August at 7 o’clock p.m. at the vestry.

Joseph Tapley

Proprietors’ Clerk

August 25, 1834

The proprietors met at the vestry at 7 o’clock p.m. and voted to adjourn the meeting to the 22^nd Sept. at 7 o’clock.

Joseph Tapley, clerk

March 9, 1835

At the annual meeting of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell holden at the vestry of said house the following persons were elected officers for the ensuing year

1^st Chose S.C. Oliver moderator.

2^nd Chose R.L. Hastings clerk.

3^rd Chose S.C. Oliver, J.W. Graves, J.M. Marston, Stephen Mansur, Samuel Weston trustees.

4^th Chose R.L. Hastings treasurer and collector.

5^th Voted to choose a committee to settle with the treasurer for the past year.

6^th Chose Stephen Mansur, Alva Mansur, T.S. Robinson committee.

7^th Voted that above committee be the auditing committee for the ensuing year.

8^th Voted that a committee of five be appointed to examine the meeting house to see what repairs and alterations are necessary and further what way money can be raised to make such improvements if deemed necessary and report at an adjourned meeting.

9^th Voted that the five trustees be the foregoing committee.

10^th Voted to adjourn the meeting to Monday 23^rd inst. at 8 o’clock p.m. at vestry.

Joseph Tapley

Proprietors’ Clerk

At the meeting of the Trustees of the First Baptist Meeting House, chose S.C. Oliver president.

Joseph Tapley, p. clerk

March 9, 1835

Middlesex SS. April 4, 1835

Then personally appeared Richard L. Hastings and made oath that he would faithfully discharge the duties of Clerk of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me,

Samuel Parker

March 23, 1835

The proprietors met at the vestry at 8 o’clock. The clerk, R.L. Hastings, was absent and John W. Graves was chosen clerk pro-tempore. The Auditing Committee made the following report and was accepted.

The trustees reported that they had examined the meeting house and considered it necessary to repair the same, but to what extent they were unprepared to report and desired more time to examine.

Voted that Joseph A.Tapley be excused from any further duty as collector and treasurer of the proprietors.

Voted that Joseph Tapley be authorized to pay to the treasurer Mr. Hastings, and deliver the papers in his hands, and report the names and amounts of the debt due the proprietors at an adjourned meeting.

Voted that R.L. Hastings as soon as he may be in funds be authorized to pay the dividend to the proprietors as voted as per records in July last.

Voted that Rev. Enoch W. Freeman be requested to officiate as pastor in their house the ensuing year if agreeable to the First Baptist Church and Society and that the treasurer be and is hereby authorized to pay out of the rents collected upon the pews of the house the sum of eight hundred dollars, as salary, per year from the 9^th of March 1835.

On motion of Josiah B. French voted that the vote be taken by yeas and nays and that their votes be recorded. Those in favor of the vote are recorded yea, those opposed, nay.

Stephen Mansur yea Stephen Brown yea

Alva Mansur yea Jon M. Marston yea

Levi W. Page yea John Jewett yea

T.L. Robinson yea Samuel C. Oliver yea

Josiah B. French nay Isaac Osgood yea

Henry Batchelder yea Samuel Weston yea

J.A. Brabrook yea David G. Hood yea

John W. Graves yea

Joseph Tapley declined voting.

Voted that the president and clerk transmit a copy of this vote to Rev. E.W. Freeman signed by them. Voted to adjourn to meet at the vestry the 26^th inst at 7 o’clock.

March 26, 1835

The proprietors met according to adjournment and John W. Graves was chosen clerk pro-tem. Voted that a committee of three be appointed to ascertain where and what terms money can be procured to repair the meeting house.

Voted that E.W. Freeman, Alva Mansur, and Jon M. Marston be that committee. Voted to adjourn this meeting to Wednesday evening April 1 at 7 o’clock at this place.

April 1, 1835

Met according to adjournment. John W. Graves was chosen clerk pro-tem. Voted that a committee of three be appointed to see if the sum of 1200 dollars can be loaned to the members of this corporation, or upon the property, secured by mortgage, and in case the money can be procured to ascertain if 24 individuals will sign a note and have their security upon the house. Chose Alva Mansur, Jon W. Marston, and John W. Graves.

Voted to adjourn this meeting to Saturday, April 4^th at 7 o’clock p.m.to meet in the body of the house.

John W. Graves, clerk pro-tem.

April 4, 1835

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment at the meeting house.

1^st Voted that the trustees of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are authorized to create a loan of a sum of money not exceeding $1200 and to expend the same in making such alterations and repairs on the said house as they may deem necessary and proper.

2^nd Voted that the trustees of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell be authorized to pledge the property of said corporation for the security of the loan created by the above vote.

3^rd Voted to adjourn this meeting to Monday the 13^th inst. at 7 o’clock p.m. at this place.

Richard L. Hastings, proprietors’ clerk

April 13, 1835

The proprietors met at the meeting house agreeable to adjournment.

1^st Voted that Mr. Alva Mansur be added to the repairing committee.

2^nd Voted that this meeting be adjourned to Tuesday, 12^th of May next, at 7 o’clock p.m. at this place.

Richard L. Hastings, clerk

May 12, 1835

The proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House met agreeable to adjournment. The Clerk R.L. Hastings being absent, chose Henry Batchelder clerk pro-tem.

1^st Voted that the trustees of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell be and they are hereby authorized to borrow on the credit of the proprietors the sum of three hundred dollars in addition to the sum of twelve hundred dollars which they were authorized to borrow by a vote passed April 4^th 1835 and they accordingly are authorized to borrow of John Pearsons or such other person or corporations as may lend the same, the sum of fifteen hundred dollars in all and to give such note or notes therefore as may be necessary, to be payable on demand or on time with interest annually and to sign, seal, execute, and deliver any mortgage or conveyance for the purpose of pledging the real estate of said proprietors as collateral security for the payments of such note or notes, and such note or notes, mortgage, or conveyance shall be considered as binding upon said proprietors, and as a further security for the loan to be effected as aforesaid, said trustees are hereby authorized to cause the meeting house including the bell and organ to be insured to such amount as said trustees may judge expedient for one year or more and to keep said insured during the continuance of said loan, for the benefit of the person or persons lending the aforesaid sum of fifteen hundred dollars.

2^nd Voted that the Trustees be and they are hereby authorized and directed to make such repairs and alterations upon and within the meeting house as they may think best for the interest and advantage of the proprietors provided the sum expended in such repairs and alterations shall not exceed fifteen hundred dollars.

3^rd Voted that the trustees be authorized to pay out of any money in the hands of the treasurer or trustees belonging to the proprietors for all such repairs and alterations as may be made agreeable to the preceding vote. The foregoing vote passes unanimously.

4^th Voted that this meeting be adjourned to the first Tuesday in June to meet at this place at 8 o’clock p.m.

Henry Batchelder, clerk pro-tem

June 2, 1835

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment. The President S.C.O. being absent, chose Mr. Stephen Mansur pro-tem.

1^st Voted to adjourn this meeting to Tuesday the 16^th at 6 o’clock p.m. at this place.

Richard L. Hastings, pro. clerk

June 16, 1835

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment.

1^st Voted that the trustees of the proprietors and the Assessor of the Society be a committee to appraise the pews in the First Baptist Meeting House.

2^nd Voted to adjourn this meeting to Saturday 27^th inst. at 4 o’clock p.m. to meet in the body of the meeting house.

R.L. Hastings, clerk

June 27, 1835

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment.

1^st Voted that the pews be left at public auction at their appraised value according to the plan in possession of the clerk on Monday next at 2 o’clock p.m.

2^nd Voted that the choir money thus raised be appropriated for the purchase of pulpit chairs, table, lamps and such other articles as are needed under the direction of the trustees.

3^rd Voted that all the seats let in the meeting house, payment shall be made quarterly in advance.

4^th Voted that this meeting stand adjourned to meet at this place on Monday next at 2 o’clock p.m.

R.L. Hastings, clerk

June 29, 1835

The Proprietors met agreeable to adjournment.

1^st Voted to adjourn this meeting to meet at the place the 3^rd Saturday in July next at 3 o’clock p.m.

R.L. Hastings, clerk

October 12, 1835

At a meeting of the trustees of the First Baptist Meeting House held at the Washington Hotel.

1^st Voted that the account rendered by Stephen Mansur created by repairs of the meeting house be accepted.

2^nd Voted that the treasurer record with his account with the proprietors of the meeting house the account of money received of Capt. John Pearsons for which the house was pledged to secure its payment and the manner of its expenditure.

3^rd Voted that the treasurer be authorized to collect the rents for storage in the meeting house cellar.

4^th Voted that a committee of two be appointed to procure an organist.

Stephen Mansur and John W. Graves committee

5^th Voted to dissolve this meeting.

Richard L. Hastings, clerk

March 14, 1836

At the annual meeting of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House holden at the vestry of said house in Lowell chose the following persons officers for the year 1836.

1^st Chose J.W. Graves moderator.

2^nd Chose Richard L. Hastings proprietor’s clerk

3^rd Chose S.C. Oliver, T.L. Robinson, J.W. Graves, S. Weston, and S. Bancroft trustees.

4^th Voted that the treasurer, by the order of the trustees, be authorized to pay out of the rents that may be collected from the pews eight hundred dollars for the support of pulpit during the year 1836.

5^th Voted that so much of the 3^rd articles as relates to reports of committees be referred to the adjourned meeting.

6^th Voted that pew no. 29 be appropriated to the use of the family of the Rev. J.W. Eaton.

7^th Voted that the pew formerly occupied by the Rev. Mr. F. family be appropriated to the use of Mr. Freeman and family.

8^th Voted to adopt the following resolutions (offered by Horatio C. Merriam Esq.).

Resolved that we feel the deepest sympathy with the church and members of the First Baptist Society in Lowell in the sudden death of their late beloved and faithful Pastor the Rev. E.W. Freeman and with them would express our highest regard for him as a christian minister, friend, and neighbor in whose ceaseless efforts to promote the happiness and spiritual interest of mankind the world will ever find a bright example.

Resolved that as a just tribute to the memory of the Rev. E.W. Freeman we will place on our records a short notice of his character published in the Lowell Patriot just after his death.

9^th Voted that this meeting stand adjourned to the 3^rd Monday in April next to meet in this place at 3 o’clock p.m. Richard L. Hastings, clerk

Died in this town on Tuesday Sept. 22, 1835 the Reverend Enoch W. Freeman, pastor of the First Baptist Society in Lowell. Mr. Freeman preached the preceding Sabbath in the forenoon in about his usual health, in the afternoon attempted to perform his usual duties but was obliged to desist on account of an attack of the cholera morbus during the intermission, though with high hopes that he should be able to meet his church and people at a meeting of the Baptist Association to be holden at his house the succeeding week.

How true it is, and yet how few realize the solemn truths, that in the midst of life, we are in the midst of death.

Mr. Freeman was a man of very uncommon character, generous almost to excess, endowed by nature with talents of a high order, and a heart peculiarly susceptible to the wants and suffering of others, he united with them all those Christian [illegible] and virtues which made him a beloved and successful Minister of the Gospel, and a pastor endeared to his flock by all those ties which the most amiable disposition, personal worth, and the religion of Christ can awaken in the bosom of the virtuous and good. The great charm of his character which bound his people to him as more than a brother was his power of deep Christian sympathy and of imparting Christian support and consolation to the sick and bereaved. With him the tearful eye became dry, and the anguished soul, composed and elevated to God. He lived for mankind.

Though in the course of a righteous providence he was taken away from us in the prime of life, with bright [illegible] hopes, in the midst of his usefulness, from a numerous united and happy society, many of whose breasts will ever glow with the exulted hopes his preaching has inspired, just entered on the full fruition of those philanthropic Christian efforts for which he was so peculiarly distinguished, without any previous admonitions, his death affords another triumphant proof of the reality of that religion of which he was so bright an ornament, and of the perfect adaptation of Christianity to all the varieties of our [illegible] nature and its power to [illegible] death of its sting, and the {illegible] of its victory.

He has left on the chosen companion of his life, for whose wounded heart there is no [illegible], in his bright example, the future reunion of kindred spirits and in those hopes that take hold of everlasting life. Collected and resigned, he took leave of his family, left his [illegible] message to his Church, thanked the physicians and friends in attendance for their kindness, and departed to rejoin those kindred spirits which have gone before him to the realms of everlasting rest.

April 18, 1836

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment.

1^st Voted to adjourn this meeting to meet at this place on Tuesday evening the 26^th instant at 8 o’clock p.m.

R.L. Hastings, clerk

April 26, 1836

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment, J.W. Graves chairman.

1^st Voted to accept the report of the committee chosen to settle with the treasurer. The following is a true copy of this report.

The committee approved to audit the account of the treasurer for the Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell for the year 1835 have attended to that duty, and ask leave to report that the whole amount of cash received by the treasury $1563.64 and that the treasury has paid out agreeable to the order of the trustees and by vote of proprietors $1395.30, leaving a balance in the treasury of $168.34.

For particulars and vouchers, reference may be had to the treasurer’s book and papers.

The committee will here state that there is due to the proprietors for the pew rents, which was due at the last annual meeting and now remains unsettled, the sum of $164. 34 and for pew rents which is unsettled and due for the year 1835 the sum of $74.58.

Total amount of pew rents due April 1^st 1836 $238.92.

The expenses for the coming year will be as follows:

Amount to be paid Rev. J.W. Eaton for one year’s salary $800.00

To be paid estate of E.W. Freeman, it being the amount

due him at his death 190.00

To John Pearsons for 1 year’s interest on mortgage 90.00

To installment and interest on trustees’ note for organ 112.00

To balance of trustees’ note at R.R. Bank 160.00

To Mansur and Childs bal. for flowers 124.00

Total $1476.00

The committee will further state that at the death of the Rev. E.W. Freeman, the Ministers of the Association offered to supply the pulpit for one quarter provided the proprietors would continue the Freeman’s salary to his widow for the same time, but the Ministers failing to do so, the Treasurer paid out during that quarter from the supply of the pulpit the sum of $110.14 and to Mrs. Freeman the sum of $109.91 making the total expenses for the quarter $220.05.

You will thus perceive that Mrs. Freeman has received above the balance of that quarter due to her $19.05 and your committee would recommend the proprietors vote to give Mrs. Freeman the $19.05 which she has received as above.

April 1, 1836 Auditing Committee: Stephen Mansur

Timothy L. Robinson

Alva Mansur

2^nd Voted that the treasurer be authorized to pay the installment on a note given for the organ.

3^rd Voted that the treasurer be authorized to pay the interest of John Pearson’s mortgage.

4^th Voted that the treasurer be authorized to pay the estate of the late Rev. E.W. Freeman the amount due him at his death, it being about $190.00.

5^th Voted that the treasurer be authorized to pay the debt due Mansur and Child.

6^th Voted to pay the note due R.R.Bank.

7^th Voted to give Mrs. Freeman $19.05 agreeable to report Auditing Committee.

8^th Voted that the treasurer be authorized to pay the person or persons a sum not exceeding $150.00 for playing the organ for one year from the 1^st day of April 1836.

9^th Voted that the treasurer be authorized to pay Miss Shaw a sum not exceeding $50.00 for her services singing for one year.

10^th Voted to pay the sexton a sum not exceeding $75.00 for taking care of the meeting house and ringing the bell for one year from the first day of April 1836, not otherwise appropriated.

11^th Chose Stephen Mansur treasurer.

12^th Voted that the treasurer be authorized to borrow a sum of money not exceeding $250.00 to enable him to carry the above votes into effect.

13^th Voted that the collector shall receive 5 per cent out of the treasury for collecting rents of pews.

14^th Voted to dissolve the meeting.

R.L. Hastings, clerk

Lowell, April 26^th 1836

June 29, 1836

At a meeting of the trustees of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House holden at the Washington House kept by Robinson and Gilman

1^st Chose Samuel Weston moderator.

2^nd Chose a committee to hire a sexton.

J.W. Graves

J. Bancroft

3^rd Chose Mr. Robinson a committee to engage Miss Shaw to sing the ensuing year

4^th Voted to adjourn this meeting to Wednesday evening next to meet at this place at 8 o’clock.

R.L. Hastings, clerk

September 20, 1836

At a meeting of the trustees of the proprietors of the First Baptist M.H. holden at the Washington House kept by Robinson and Gilman

1^st Voted that Mr. Robinson be a committee to hire a sexton for one quarter.

2^nd Voted to adjourn this meeting to meet at this place Saturday evening next at 7 o’clock.

R.L. Hastings, clerk

October 10, 1836

At a meeting of the proprietors’ trustees of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell holden at the Office of Jefferson Bancroft

1^st Voted that the treasurer be and is by this note authorized to pay the debt due the estate of the Rev. E.W. Freeman.

2^nd Voted that the treasurer is by this vote authorized to pay the installments as they become due on a note in the Rail Road Bank signed by John W. Graves and others.

3^rd Voted to dissolve this meeting.

Richard L. Hastings, clerk

February 15, 1837

At a meeting of the trustees of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell holden at the Office of Jefferson Bancroft

1^st Voted that the Collector Mr. R.L. Hastings is authorized to return from any moneys he may hereafter collect for the rents of pews forty dollars and interest paid by him to the Rail Road Bank, it being the lost installment due on a note signed by Samuel C. Oliver and others, and the treasurer is authorized to receive the note of the collector as cash.

2^nd Voted to dissolve the meeting.

R.L. Hastings, clerk

Notice

The Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified that the annual meeting of said corporation will be holden at the vestry of this house on Monday the 13^th of this month at 6 o’clock p.m. to elect officers for the present year. Also to take into consideration the propriety of altering the method of calling the future meetings of said proprietors and act on all other business that may [illegible] come before them.

Lowell March 3, 1837

R.L. Hastings, clerk

March 13, 1837

The proprietors met at the vestry of their house.

1^st Chose Alvah Mansur moderator.

2^nd Chose Edmund Cummings clerk.

R.L. Hastings, clerk

Middlesex SS.. March 13, 1837

Then personally appeared Edmund Cummings and made oath that he would faithfully discharge the duties of Clerk of the Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me, John W. Graves, Jus. Peace

2^nd Voted to authorize the clerk to procure a spit box for the pulpit and six scrapers to be placed at the doors of the house.

3^rd Voted that the clerk be authorized to act as treasurer and collector for the ensuing year.

4^th The proprietors then proceeded to choose the trustees for the ensuing year and John W. Graves, Ransom Reed, R.L. Hastings, Isaac Osgood, and William Mead were chosen unanimously.

5^th Voted that a committee of two be chosen to audit the accounts of the treasurer and make a report at the next meeting and Timothy L. Robinson and Edmund Cummings were chosen.

6^th Voted that the trustees be authorized to alter and repair the front pews in the gallery and to raise the rents of the pews in the body of the house any sum they may think expedient not exceeding twenty per cent.

Voted to adjourn to Friday evening, March 24^th 1837 at 7 o’clock.

Edmund Cummings, clerk

Friday, March 24, 1837

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment when

1^st Stephen Mansur was chosen moderator. John W. Graves then moved that something ought to be done in regard to the time and manner of calling future meetings. The following resolution was then presented and passed.

2^nd That the subject of the method of calling future meetings agreeably to notice given of the same in the warrant calling this meeting be referred to a committee of three to report such bylaws as they may think proper. After consultation the committee reported the following bylaws and advocated the passage of the same.

1^st All future meetings of the corporation shall be called by publishing the notice

thereof in one or more of the newspapers published in the city of Lowell and by

posting a copy of the same at the meeting house at least ten days before the time

fixed upon for the holding of the meeting.

2^nd A majority of the trustees shall have power to cause meetings to be called at

any time in manner aforesaid and shall be obliged to call a meeting on written

application therefore signed by the holder of twenty shares of the stock of said

corporation.

3^rd All business to be acted upon at the meeting shall be mentioned in the warrant

calling the same.

John W. Graves

Samuel C. Oliver Committee

Ransom Reed

3^rd Voted that all former bylaws inconsistent with the above report are hereby repealed.

4^th Voted that the treasurer be authorized to pay such installments as may become due on any notes which the trustees may give for the purpose of discharging any existing debts against the proprietors not exceeding three hundred dollars.

5^th Voted that the treasurer be authorized to pay one thousand dollars out of any money received from the rents of the pews not otherwise appropriated by the trustees for the supply of the pulpit.

6^th Voted that the treasurer be authorized to pay one hundred and six dollars being the amount due on the note given for the organ.

7^th Voted that the balance remaining in the treasurer’s hands after paying the above appropriations be at the disposal of the trustees for the benefit of the proprietors.

8^th Voted that the trustees be authorized to raise the rents of the pews in the gallery of the house as they may think proper.

9^th Voted that the treasurer be required to give bonds to the satisfaction of the trustees for the faithful performance of his duties as treasurer and collector.

10^th Voted to adjourn to Monday evening April 3^rd at 8 o’clock.

Edmund Cummings, clerk

Monday evening, April 3, 1837

Met agreeable to adjournment. The moderator being absent, Isaac Osgood was chosen chairman. As a quorum of the proprietors were not present, it was voted unanimously to adjourn this meeting to next Monday evening at 8 o’clock.

E. Cummings, clerk

Monday evening, April 10, 1837

Met agreeable to adjournment. Mr. Isaac Osgood was the chosen moderator. It was then voted unanimously to adjourn this meeting two weeks from this evening at 8 o’clock.

E. Cummings, clerk

Monday, May 20, 1837

The trustees met agreeable to previous notice to take measures to raise funds for the payment of a note given to Capt. John Pearsons by them for money [illegible] by him for the use of the proprietors. When it was voted that John W. Graves, chairman of the meeting, be authorized to make inquiry and ascertain if possible where the money can be obtained voted to adjourn this meeting without delay.

E. Cummings, clerk

December 1, 1837

At a meeting of the trustees of the F.B.M. House held this day at the office of Dr. John W. Graves, Richard L. Hastings moved that a meeting of the trustees be called for the purpose of raising funds to pay the bills now standing against the corporation. This motion was seconded by Mr. Osgood and passed unanimously. The clerk is therefore authorized and requested to call said meeting by causing a notice of the same to be inserted in two of the newspapers published in the city of Lowell, and also by posting a copy of the same on the door of the meeting house, agreeable to the bylaws of the Corporation.

Voted to adjourn this meeting without delay.

E. Cummings, clerk

Notice

The Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified that there will be a meeting of said corporation at their vestry on Thursday the 14^th inst. at 7 o’clock in the evening to act on the following business.

To see if the proprietors will make any alteration in their vestry, to see if they will raise money for that and other purposes, and to act on any other business that may come before them.

By order of the Trustees,

E. Cummings, clerk

Lowell, Dec. 1, 1837

Thursday, December 14, 1837

The proprietors met agreeable to the previous notice and chose John W. Graves moderator and Richard L. Hastings clerk pro-tempore. It was then

Voted that the Church and Society be allowed to enlarge and attend the vestry without charge to the proprietors under the direction of the trustees.

Voted to adjourn this meeting to Thursday evening next at 8 o’clock in the evening to meet in this place.

R. L. Hastings, clerk pro-tem.

Thursday evening, December 21, 1837

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment. The meeting was called to order by John W. Graves, chairman of the trustees, and Richard L. Hastings was chosen clerk pro-tempore.

It was then voted to adjourn this meeting to Thursday evening next to meet at 8 o’clock in the vestry.

Richard L. Hastings, clerk pro-tem.

Thursday evening, December 28, 1837

The trustees met agreeable to the above adjournment and organized by choosing Joseph A. Brabrook chairman pro-tem. As there was no business of importance before the meeting, voted to adjourn to Thursday, January 18^th to meeting in the vestry at 8 o’clock in the evening.

Edmund Cummings, clerk

Thursday, January 18, 1838

The proprietors met this evening. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman of the Trustees John W. Graves.

As there was no business before the meeting, it was voted unanimously that we adjourn to Tuesday evening, February 6^th to meet in this place at 8 o’clock in the evening.

E. Cummings, clerk

Notice

The Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified that the annual meeting of said corporation will be holden in the vestry of their house on Monday, March 11^th at 8 o’clock in the evening, for the purpose of choosing the officers for the ensuing year, and to act on all other business which may legally come before them.

Edmund Cummings, clerk

The Proprietors met agreeable to the above notice and chose John W. Graves chairman, chose Edmund Cummings proprietors’ clerk.

Chose John W. Graves, William Mead, Ransom Reed, R.L. Hastings, and Isaac Osgood as trustees for the ensuing year.

Middlesex SS. March 11, 1838

Then personally appeared Edmund Cummings and made oath that he would faithfully discharge the duties of Clerk of the Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me, John W. Graves, Jus. Peace

Chose Joseph A. Brabrook, Joseph Tapley, and Stephen Mansur a committee to audit the treasurer’s account.

As there was no other business of importance before the meeting, voted to adjourn one week to meet March 18^th in this place at 7 o’clock in the evening to hear the report of the auditing committee.

Edmund Cummings, Clerk

March 18, 1838

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment. Then the report of the auditing committee was read, which is as follows

The committee appointed to audit the account of the collector and treasurer of the Proprietors of the F.B.M. House in Lowell have attended to that duty and ask leave to report that they find on examining the treasurer’s books that he has received for pew rent for the year ending April 1^st 1838 the sum of $1331.39, for rents due April 1, 1837 $27.37, Stephen Mansur as former Treasurer $8.84, whole account received $1367.60.

He has paid out to different orders $1394.81, leaving a balance due him $27.21.

The committee find due to the proprietors for pew rent for the year 1836 $41.20

for pew rent for the year 1837 $49.19

for pew rent for April 1838 $15.76

$106.15

J.A. Brabrook

Stephen Mansur Auditing Comm.

Lowell, March 18, 1838

The report was then accepted and ordered to be recorded in the records of the Corporation.

The following appropriations were then made for the ensuing year.

Voted to pay for the supply of the pulpit this year, one thousand dollars.

Voted to pay the sexton, fifty-two dollars.

Voted to pay the choir, one hundred dollars.

Voted to pay the organist, one hundred dollars.

Voted that the treasurer be authorized to pay the amount of appropriations to whom due quarterly without an order from the trustees.

Voted that all money remaining in the hands of the treasurer after paying the quarterly appropriations shall be applied to liquidate the debts of the corporation.

Voted that the trustees be authorized to raise three hundred dollars to pay the debts due April first 1838.

Voted that William Mead be authorized to employ a sexton for the ensuing year.

Mr. R.L. Hastings was authorized to see the organist and leading singers and inform them of the votes passed at this meeting so far as it relates to their salary.

Voted that we adjourn this meeting to Saturday, March 31^st to meet in this place at 7 o’clock in the evening.

E. Cummings, clerk

Saturday, March 31, 1838

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment and organized by choosing John W. Graves chairman of the meeting and William Mead secretary pro-tempore.

As there was no business of importance before the meeting, voted to adjourn to Saturday evening, April 7^th to meet in this place at 7 o’clock.

William Mead, secretary pro-tem.

Saturday evening, April 7, 1838

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment, J.W. Graves in the chair.

Voted to adjourn to Monday evening, April 9^th.

E. Cummings, clerk

Monday evening, April 9, 1838

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment, Dr. J.W. Graves in the chair.

Voted that the trustees be a committee to cause suitable gutters and spouts to be fixed on the house to prevent the water from falling in its usual way.

Voted that Stephen Mansur, Joseph Tapley, and Alvah Mansur be a committee to see if the proprietors have a right to fence in the vacant land around the meeting house and to ascertain what the expense of building a suitable fence around the house will be, together with side walks for the same.

Voted also that the above committee be requested to see the Middlesex Company and see what proposals they will make in regard to the fence aforesaid.

Voted to adjourn to next Monday evening, April 16^th to meet in this place at ½ past 7 o’clock to hear the report of the committee.

Edmund Cummings, clerk

April 16, 1838

The proprietors met by adjournment to hear the report of the committee appointed at the last meeting. Chose Joseph Tapley chairman.

It was then thought best not to report at this meeting as other business would soon come before the proprietors which would require another meeting.

It was then voted to adjourn to Thursday evening, April 19^th to meet in this place at ½ past 7 o’clock.

Edmund Cummings, clerk

July 31, 1838

At a meeting of the Trustees of the Proprietors of the F.B. Meeting House in Lowell holden this day at the house of John W. Graves, it was

1^st Voted to accept the account of Elisha Fuller Esqr. for attending the suit of Pearsons against said proprietors.

2^nd Voted that John W. Graves be a committee to ascertain the expense of laying a side walk on Church Street past the meeting house.

3^rd Voted that R.L. Hastings be a committee to ascertain the expense of eave troughs and conductors on their house. Both committees to report at a future meeting.

4^th Voted to adjourn the meeting.

Edmund Cummings, clerk

October 12, 1838

Notice

The Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified that there will be a meeting of said proprietors on Thursday, October 25^th at 7 o’clock in the evening at their committee room on Church Street to act on the following business.

First, to choose a chairman of the meeting.

Second, to see what measures said proprietors will adopt to discharge the debts existing against them, and to act on said subject as they may think proper and on such other business as may come before them.

By order of the Trustees,

E. Cummings, proprietors’ clerk

Agreeable to the above notice the proprietors met and organized by choosing John W. Graves chairman of the meeting. After consulting on the best method of obtaining money to discharge the debts existing against them as a corporation, voted to adjourn to Monday, November 1^st to meet in their committee room at 7 o’clock in the evening.

E. Cummings, proprietors’ clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Middlesex SS. October 29, 1838

Then Edmund Cummings, having been duly elected Treasurer and Collector of the Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell, appeared and made oath that he would faithfully discharge the said offices of treasurer and collector of said proprietors.

Before me,

Elisha Fuller, Justice of the Peace

Middlesex SS. October 29, 1838

Then John Wheelock Graves, Richard L. Hastings, William Mead, and Isaac Osgood, having been duly elected Trustees of the Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell, appeared and made oath that they would faithfully discharge the office of trustees of said proprietors.

Before me,

Elisha Fuller, Justice of the Peace

Monday evening, November 1, 1838

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment and chose John W. Graves chairman of the meeting. After mature deliberation, it was voted unanimously to adjourn to Wednesday, Nov. 14^th to meet in this place at ½ past 6 o’clock in the evening.

E. Cummings, clerk

Wednesday evening, November 14, 1838

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment when the chairman, John W. Graves, offered the following resolution. Voted that the treasurer be authorized to give note or notes in his official capacity as Treasurer of the Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell for the sum of eighteen hundred dollars at an interest not exceeding six percent per annum to discharge the debt and mortgage now existing against the corporation in favor of John.Pearsons The above resolution was passed unanimously. It was then voted to adjourn to Saturday, November 17^th to meet in this place at 8 o’clock in the evening.

Edmund Cummings, clerk

Saturday evening, November 17, 1838

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment and voted to accept the following note as the one which should be used by the treasurer by him in raising the money voted by the proprietors Nov. 14^th 1838.

For value received, we, the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell, promise to pay [blank] on his order [blank] dollars on demand with interest.

By order of the proprietors

Edmund Cummings, treasurer

Voted to adjourn this meeting to Monday, November 19^th to meet in this place at 6 o’clock in the evening.

Edmund Cummings, clerk

Memorandum of the notes given by the treasurer. Voted November 17, 1838.

William Mead for 100.00 paid

Edward A. Webb 100.00 paid

Joseph A. Brabrook 100.00 paid

Cyrus Chambers 50.00 paid

Samuel D. Prescott 50.00 paid

John P. Whidden 50.00 paid

Luther Emerson 50.00 paid

Hiram Parker 100.00 paid

Joseph Tapley 200.00 paid

Stephen Mansur 75.00 paid

Ransom Reed 100.00 paid

Alvah Mansur 100.00 paid

Goodwin Wood 50.00 paid

John W. Graves 100.00 paid

Edmund Cummings 50.00 paid

Isaac Osgood 100.00 paid

James Fraser 50.00 paid

$1425.00

Mary J. Dearborn 100.00

$1525.00

Asa Farr 50.00

$1575.00

Monday evening, November 19, 1838

The proprietors met in the committee room at 6 o’clock in the evening. As there was not any business of importance laid before the meeting it was voted to adjourn to Wednesday evening, Nov. 21^st to meet in this place at 6 o’clock.

Edmund Cummings, clerk

Wednesday evening, November 21, 1838

Met agreeable to adjournment. The chairman being absent, Goodwin Wood was chosen chairman. As there was no business of importance before the meeting voted to adjourn to Wednesday, December 15^th to meet in this place at 6 o’clock in the evening.

E. Cumming, clerk

Amount of notes continued

Benjamin Brown paid 50.00

Sarah Ann Deviness paid 30.00

Lathusa Robbinson paid 20.00

Sylvia Bartlett paid 50.00

Betsey T. Allen paid 25.00

Elisa Farrar paid 50.00

Notice

The Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified that the annual meeting of said corporation will be held in their committee room, Church Street, Monday, March 11^th at 6 o’clock p.m. for the purpose of choosing the officers for the ensuing year and to act on all other business which may come before them.

Edmund Cummings, clerk

March 1^st 1839

Monday evening, March 11, 1839

The proprietors met agreeable to the foregoing notice and chose J.W. Graves chairman of the meeting and Goodwin Wood clerk for the ensuing year.

E. Cummings, clerk

1^st Chose Goodwin Wood treasurer and collector for the ensuing year.

2^nd Chose the following as trustees for the ensuing year – Alvah Mansur, Stephen Mansur, Isaac Osgood, Joseph Tapley, and Benjamin T. Brown.

3^rd Chose Alvah Mansur and Stephen Mansur as Auditing Committee for the ensuing year.

Voted to adjourn to March 14^th ½ past seven o’clock p.m.

Middlesex SS. March 11, 1839

Then personally appeared Goodwin Wood and made oath that he would faithfully discharge the duties of clerk, treasurer, and collector of the Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me,

John W. Graves, Justice of the Peace

Middlesex SS. March 11, 1839

Then personally appeared Alvah Mansur, Isaac Osgood, Joseph Tapley, and Benjamin T. Brown and made oath that they would faithfully discharge the duties of trustees of the Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me,

John W. Graves, Justice of the Peace

March 14, 1839

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment and then chose Stephen Mansur chairman pro-tem.

After the reading of the proceedings of the last meeting the Auditing Committee made the following report.

The committee appointed to audit the account of the collector and treasurer of the Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell have attended to the duty assigned them and ask leave to report that they find on examining the books of the treasurer that he has received for pew rents for the year ending April 1, 1839 1617.56

for rents due April 1, 1838 5.37

Total $1622.93

from Rail Road Bank on 2 notes signed by sundry individuals

for $300.00 each dated April 20^th 1838 and December 11^th 1838

the sum of 596.85

2219.78

Also he has borrows of sundry individuals for which he has

given his note as treasurer of the Proprietors of the First

Baptist Meeting House in Lowell for the sum of 1800.00

By discount on his commission for collecting pew rents 25.00

Total accounts for the year ending April 1, 1839 $4044.78

The committee find the treasurer has paid out during the year

the following sums

to Rev. Joseph Ballard 1000.00

to Rail Road Bank on note 240.00

to John Pearsons on note and mortgage 1772.25

to Timothy Gray 108.50

to Miss Shaw 75.00

to William Mead 51.00

to Calvin Coburn as sexton last year 40.00

to S. Coburn as sexton the present year 39.00

$3325.75

to T.S. Robinson for singing 104.00

to G.A. Hodge as organist 80.00

to side walks (in part) 98.02

to altering the orchestry 45.96

to Edmund Cummings for money loaned 50.00

to Edmund Cummings for collecting rents 81.14

to sundry small bills 202.90

to cash on hand April 1^st 1839 57.01

$4044.78

The committee would further state that they find due to the

Proprietors for pew rents in the year 1836 41.20

for the year 1837 49.19

for the year 1838 10.37

for the year 1839 36.96

$137.72

Lowell, March 14, 1839

Alvah Mansur

Stephen Mansur

Auditing Committee

Voted to accept the above report.

Goodwin Wood, clerk

Voted that the treasurer be authorized to pay the Rev. Joseph Ballard the sum of $1000.00 out of the money received for pew rents for his salary as pastor for the ensuing year.

Voted that the balance of the money received for pew rents (after paying $1000.00 as above stated voted) be appropriated toward liquidating the debt now existing against the proprietors under the direction of the trustees.

Voted to dissolve the meeting.

Goodwin Wood, clerk

At a meeting of the trustees holden in the vestry March 14^th 1839 chose Alvah Mansur president.

Goodwin Wood, clerk

Notice

The Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified that the annual meeting of said corporation will be held in their committee room Church St. on Monday, March 9^th at 6 o’clock p.m. for the purpose of choosing the officers for the ensuing year and to act on all other business which may come legally before them.

Lowell, February 28, 1840

Monday evening, March 9, 1840

The proprietors met agreeable to the above notice and chose Alvah Mansur chairman and Goodwin Wood clerk.

2^nd Chose Goodwin Wood treasurer and collector for the ensuing year.

3^rd Chose the following as trustees for the ensuing year – Alvah Mansur, Stephen Mansur, Joseph Tapley, Isaac Osgood, and Benjamin Brown.

4^th Voted to appropriate one thousand dollars for the supply of the pulpit to be paid out of money collected for pew rents by the direction of the trustees.

5^th Chose Benjamin Brown and Alvah Mansur to audit the treasurer’s account

6^th Voted to adjourn to Monday, March 30^th at 7 o’clock p.m.

Goodwin Wood, clerk

Middlesex SS. March 9, 1840

Then personally appeared Goodwin Wood and made oath that he would faithfully discharge the duties of clerk, treasurer, and collector of the Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me,

John W. Graves, Jus. Peace

Monday evening, March 30, 1840

Met agreeable to the adjournment.

Heard the report of the auditing committee and voted to accept it.

The committee appointed to audit the account of the treasurer have attended to their duty and ask leave to report. The whole amount of pew rent the past year ending 1^st day of April 1840 is $1708.96 of which sum the treasurer has received $1528.49 leaving a balance to be collected of $181.47 from which deduct $20.16 as not collectable leaves $161.31.

We find in the treasurer’s hand at the close of Mr. Cumming’s service 57.01

cash collected for pew rents in 1839 1528.34

cash collected for pew rents in 1838 21.55

$1606.90

the treasury has paid out

to the Rev. Joseph Ballard 1000.00

to back outstanding debts due 1838 543.49

incidental expenses 41.40

commission for collecting 70.00

$1654.89

2^nd Voted the treasurer be authorized to pay Isaac Osgood’s claim against the proprietors for money advanced by him for side walk and cost of law suit.

3^rd Voted to authorize the treasurer to pay the interest on the treasury notes as called for if there be funds .

4^th Voted that the trustees be authorized to borrow money to pay debts if it be thought expedient.

5^th Voted to dissolve the meeting.

Goodwin Wood, proprietors’ clerk

Middlesex SS. April 11, 1840

Then personally appeared Alvah Mansur, Joseph Tapley, Isaac Osgood, and Benjamin P. Brown and made oath that they would faithfully discharge the duties of trustees of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me,

John W. Graves, Jus. Peace

Middlesex SS. April 29, 1840

Then personally appeared Stephen Mansur and made oath that as trustee of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell he would faithfully discharge the duties of his office.

Before me,

Albert Socke, Jus. Peace

Notice

The proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified that there will be a meeting of said proprietors on Monday, May 11 at 8 o’clock p.m. in their committee room on Church St. to act on the following business. First, to choose a chairman of the meeting. Second, to see what measures the proprietors will take in raising the pews in the gallery and to act on any other business which may come before them by order of the trustees.

Goodwin Wood, proprietors’ clerk

Lowell, April 29, 1840

April 29, 1840

At a meeting of the trustees voted that Stephen Mansur and Joseph Tapley be a committee to superintend the alteration of pews in the gallery.

Monday evening, May 11, 1840

The proprietors met agreeable to notice and chose Stephen Mansur chairman.

2^nd Voted the trustees be authorized to raise or alter the pews in the gallery provided that the expense shall not exceed one hundred and fifty dollars.

3^rd Voted that the treasury be authorized to pay for the same out of money that may be in the treasury.

4^th Voted that the clerk of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell get their house insured at the Lowell Mutual Insurance Office for four thousand dollars, the organ six hundred, and the bell for three hundred dollars for five years and voted that the clerk be authorized to sign the premium note.

5^th Voted that the meeting be dissolved.

Goodwin Wood, proprietors’ clerk

Notice

The Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified that their annual meeting of said corporation will be holden in their committee room on Church St. on Monday, March 8^th at 7 o’clock p.m. for the purpose of choosing the officers for the ensuing year and to act on all other business which may come legally before them.

Lowell, February 24, 1841

Goodwin Wood, proprietors’ clerk

Monday evening, March 8, 1841

Met agreeable to the above notice and chose

1^st Stephen Mansur chairman.

2^nd Chose Goodwin Wood clerk.

3^rd Chose Stephen Mansur, Joseph Tapley, Joseph A. Brabrook, Isaac Osgood, and Ransom Reed trustees for the ensuing year.

4^th Voted to appropriate one thousand dollars out of the proceeds of the pew rents for the supply of the pulpit.

5^th Voted that the treasurer be authorized to pay one year’s interest on the notes that are held against the proprietors.

6^th Chose Stephen Mansur and Joseph Tapley as auditing committee.

7^th Voted to adjourn this meeting to April 5^th to meet at this place at 8 o’clock in the evening.

G. Wood, proprietors’ clerk

Middlesex, March 10, 1841

Personally appeared Stephen Mansur, Isaac Osgood, Joseph A. Brabrook, and Joseph Tapley and made oath that they would faithfully discharge their duty as trustees of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me,

John A. Knowls, Jus. Peace

Middlesex, March 10, 1841

Personally appeared Goodwin Wood and made oath that he would faithfully discharge the duties of clerk, treasurer, and collector of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me,

John A. Knowles, Jus. Peace

April 5, 1841

The proprietors met agreeable to adjournment. The auditing committee made their report. Voted to accept the report.

2^nd Chose G. Wood treasurer for the ensuing year.

The committee appointed to audit the collector and treasurer’s account of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell have attended to that duty and ask leave to report that they find on examining his books that the following statement to be correct and properly vouched for.

2^nd Voted to dissolve the meeting . Goodwin Wood, proprietors’ clerk

Auditing Committee Report

Cash received for pew rent for the year 1840 we find to be 1496.47

Received for the year 1839 142.14

Whole amount received $1638.61

They also find that he has paid out during the year 1840 ending April 1^st 1841 the following sums

to Joseph Ballard for his salary for the year 1000.00

to Isaac Osgood to cash advance for side walk 88.25

to Isaac Osgood cash lost to E. Fuller 73.24

paid for insurance on the meeting house 35.30

paid for raising the gallery 98.42

paid treasury bill for last year 47.60

paid J.P. Whidden treasury note 54.75

paid Betsy T. Allen treasury note 27.00

paid Mary J. Dearborn treasury note 40.00

paid interest on sundry notes 75.50

cash refunded to sundry persons 11.89

cash paid sundry small bills 30.04

commission for collecting pew rents 75.00

All which is respectfully submitted $1656.99

Stephan Mansur

Joseph Tapley

Auditing Committee

July 15, 1841

The trustees met and voted to authorize the treasury to pay the sexton out of the proceeds of the pew rents amounting to fifty-two dollars per year from April 1^st 1841.

Voted to authorize the treasury to pay fifty dollars to the church to be endorsed for a note formerly held by Alvah Mansur.

Goodwin Wood, proprietors’ clerk

Notice

The Proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified that the annual meeting of said corporation will be held in their committee room Church St. on Monday, March 14^th at 7 o’clock p.m. for the purpose of choosing the officers for the ensuing year and to act on all other business which may come legally before them.

Lowell, March 2, 1842

Goodwin Wood, proprietors’ clerk

Monday, March 14, 1842

Met agreeable to the above notice.

Chose Stephen Mansur chairman and Goodwin Wood clerk.

2^nd Chose Stephen Mansur, Joseph Tapley, Joseph A. Brabrook, Isaac Osgood, and Ransom Reed trustees.

3^rd Chose Goodwin Wood treasurer and collector.

4^th Chose Stephen Mansur and Joseph Tapley auditing committee.

5^th Voted to appropriate one thousand dollars out of the proceeds of the pew rents to supply the pulpit for the ensuing year.

6^th Voted the treasury pay one year’s interest on the notes held against the proprietors.

Voted to adjourn this meeting to Monday April 10^th to meet at this place at 6 o’clock p.m.

Goodwin Wood, proprietors’ clerk

Monday evening, April 10, 1842

Met agreeable to the adjournment and heard the report of the auditing committee. The committee appointed to audit the collector and treasurer’s accounts of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell have attended to their duty and ask leave to report that the whole amount received for pew rent

for the year ending April 1^st 1842 $1479.97

received for pew rent in 1840 108.29

received for pew rent in 1839 40.00

whole amount collected $1592.26

And he has paid out the following sums

Rev. Joseph Ballard 1000.00

balance due the treasury on settlement 18.38

for tuning the organ 3.00

for lamp glasses .59

for Samuel Coburn as sexton 52.40

for B.F. Hazelentine for singing 80.00

for Chase Cole 1.25

Harrill C. Oliver organist 50.00

paid Sylvia Bartlett note and interest 55.12

paid E. Webb note and interest 61.91

for advertising meeting 1.00

paid on Mary J. Dearborn’s note 50.00

paid assessment on insurance 17.15

paid church on A. Mansur’s note 50.00

paid A.W. Malton for setting glaze 2.25

$1443.05

paid interest on sundry notes 69.00

pew rent paid back 5.01

commission for collecting $1592.26 79.61

$1596.67

amount collected $1592.26

balance due the treasury 4.41

$1596.67

The committee find that there is the sum of $136.55 due to the proprietors for pew rent which is uncollected for the year 1841 and that all the charges are properly vouched.

Lowell, April 11, 1842

Stephen Mansur

Joseph Tapley

Committee

Voted that the treasury pay the sexton out of the money collected for pew rents and voted that all other money be paid out by order of the trustees.

Voted to dissolve the meeting.

Goodwin Wood, clerk

April 16, 1842

Personally appeared Goodwin Wood and made oath that he would faithfully discharge his duty as clerk of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell for the ensuing year.

Before me,

John A. Knowles, J.P.

April 16, 1842

Personally appeared Isaac Osgood – April 25, 1842, personally appeared Joseph A. Brabrook, May 18, 1842, personally appeared Stephen Mansur and [illegible] made oath that they would faithfully discharge their duty as trustees of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me,

J.A. Knowles, J.P.

Notice

The proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified that their annual meeting of said corporation will be holden in their committee room Church St. on Monday, March 13^th at 7 ½ o’clock p.m. for the purpose of choosing the officers for the ensuing year and to act on all other business which may come legally before them.

Goodwin Wood, clerk

Lowell, March 2, 1843

Monday, March 13, 1843

The proprietors met agreeable to the above notice and chose Stephen Mansur chairman.

2^nd Chose Goodwin Wood clerk.

3^rd Chose Joseph Tapley, J.A. Brabrook, Isaac Osgood, Ransom Reed, and Stephen Mansur trustees.

4^th Chose Stephen Mansur and Joseph Tapley auditing committee.

5^th Voted that the treasury pay J. Tapley’s bill for setting out trees before their house.

6^th Chose Stephen Mansur treasurer and collector for the ensuing year.

Voted to adjourn this meeting to the first Monday in April to meet in this place at 5 o’clock p.m.

Goodwin Wood, clerk

Monday, April 3, 1843

Met according to adjournment and heard the report of the auditing committee.

Committee report

That the whole amount collected for pew rent for the year

ending April 1^st 1843 is $1470.66

received for rent due in 1841 and 1842 115.89

whole amount collected $1586.55

The treasurer has paid the following sums

to Joseph Ballard 1 year’s salary 1000.00

to J. Holland for tuning organ 7.50

to Day Converse and Co. for repairing house 2.40

$1009.90

paid Samuel Coburn as sexton 39.00

paid A.B. Wright printing notices 4.00

paid Samuel Coburn setting glass 2.79

paid Miss E. Tilton playing organ 2 years 50.00

paid S.O. Dearborn advertising 1.00

paid S. Mansur for sundries 2.68

paid William Goding cash paid for singing 8.75

paid Samuel Macentine as chorister 37.50

paid Dearborn and Butterfield advertising 1.00

paid Nasan C. Martin on note 50.00

paid J.W. Graves note and interest 109.75

paid Mary J. Dearborn balance on note 16.57

paid S.A. Dwinnels note and interest 36.45

paid Luther P. Robertson note and interest 21.08

paid interest on sundry notes 120.37

paid balance due the treasury April 1842 4.41

$1515.25

collector 5 per cent on 1586.55 79.32

$1594.57

amount collected 1586.55

balance due the collector 8.02

Your committee find that there is the sum of $251.61 due the proprietors for pew rents which is uncollected for the year 1842 and all the charges are properly vouched.

Lowell, April 3, 1843

Stephen Mansur

Joseph Tapley

Committee

Voted to accept the report.

Voted to appropriate one thousand dollars out of the proceeds of the pew rents for the support of preaching.

Voted the treasury pay the interest on the proprietors’ notes.

Voted to pay the sexton.

Voted the remaining funds be at the disposal of the trustees.

Voted to dissolve the meeting.

Goodwin Wood, Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Middlesex, October 11, 1843

Then personally appeared Goodwin Wood who was duly elected clerk of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell at a meeting of said corporation on March 13 now last and made oath that he would faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of said clerk, for the term for which he was chosen.

Before me,

Elisha Fuller, Jus. Peace

Notice

The proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified that their annual meeting of said corporation will be holden in their committee room Church St. on Monday, March 11^th at 7 o’clock p.m. for the purpose of choosing the officers for the ensuing year and to act on all other business which may come before them.

Lowell, March 1, 1844

Goodwin Wood, proprietors’ clerk

March 11, 1844

The proprietors met in accordance of the foregoing notice and chose Stephen Mansur chairman.

2^nd Chose for a board of directors Josiah B. French, Stephen Mansur, Joseph Tapley, Ransum Reed, and Joseph A. Brabrook.

3^rd Chose Stephen Mansur treasurer and collector.

4^th Chose Goodwin Wood clerk.

5^th Chose Joseph Tapley and Joseph A. Brabrook a committee to audit the treasury account.

Voted to adjourn this meeting to the second Monday in April to meet in this place at ½ past 7 o’clock p.m.

G. Wood, clerk

Monday evening, April 8, 1844

Met according to adjournment.

The auditing committee made the following report which was accepted and adopted.

The committee appointed to audit the account of the treasury of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell for the year 1843 have attended to that duty and would make the following report.

That the whole amount collected for the year 1843 is 1294.54

Received for pew rent due in 1842 138.63

$1433.17

The amount that the treasurer has paid

out are the following sums

to Joseph Ballard 750.00

to Samuel Coburn as sexton 65.00

to Almira Tilton for organ playing 100.00

to Samuel McPintine as chorister 108.00

to Goodwin Wood, balance on settlement 8.02

to interest on props. notes 74.16

$1105.18

pd. B. Watson for mats 2.25

pd. Joseph Tapley on props. note 50.00

pd. Adams and Littlefield for stove 17.14

pd. H. Day for repairing bell frame 3.12

pd. J. Tapley for trees 5.42

pd. hack line ? 2.00

pd. Samuel Coburn setting glass 1.42

pd. C. Knapp for gravel .50

pd. for trunk 1.62

pd. Joseph A. Brabrook on props. note 4.75

pd. Joseph A. Brabrook for use of cushions 8.75

pd. John Page for lumber .76

pd. pew rent back 1.50

pd. commission for collecting rents 71.65

$1276.06

amount in the treasury 157.11

due for pew rent in 1843 uncollected 128.18

due for pew rent in 1842 which may be collected 30.00

amount on hand and uncollected $315.29

amount collected 1433.17

amount paid out 1276.06

amount on hand and uncollected 315.29

amount due J. Ballard 500.00

amount due Miss Tilton 25.00

$525.00

And all the accounts are properly rendered and correctly cast.

Joseph Tapley

J.A. Brabrook

Auditing committee

Voted that the trustees be authorized to let the house to the First Baptist Society for one year at three hundred dollars per year , the rent to be paid quarterly and the Society have the privilege of making such repairs and alterations as they may think necessary.

Voted that the income of the house be expended in liquidating the debts against the proprietors under the direction of the trustees.

Voted that the trustees, if they can obtain a loan of money, to pay the debts which the proprietors now owe and if they can to call a meeting of the proprietors.

Voted that the meeting be dissolved.

Goodwin Wood, props. clerk

Notice

The proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified that the annual meeting of said corporation will be held in their committee room Church St. Monday, March 10^th at ½ past 7 o’clock p.m. for the purpose of choosing the officers for the ensuing year and to act on all other business which may come before them.

G. Wood, clerk

Lowell, March 1, 1845

Monday evening, March 10, 1845

Met in accordance with the foregoing notice and chose Stephen Mansur moderator.

2^nd Chose Stephen Mansur, J.B. French, Joseph Tapley, Ransom Reed, Joseph A. Brabrook trustees.

3^rd Chose Benjamin Watson treasurer and collector.

4^th Chose William Goding clerk.

5^th Chose Joseph Tapley and Joseph A. Brabrook an auditing committee for the ensuing year.

6^th Voted that the trustees be authorized to let the house to the First Baptist Society on the same conditions as last year.

7^th Voted that the three hundred dollars paid by the society go towards liquidating the debts against the proprietors under the direction of the trustees.

8^th Voted that the trustees be instructed to see that the common around the house be kept clear from all encumbrances.

9^th Voted to adjourn to meet at this place on the second Monday in April next.

G. Wood, clerk

Monday evening, April 14, 1845

Proprietors met according to adjournment. Clerk absent. Chose Richard Dennis clerk pro-tem. The committee to audit the account of the treasury reported. Voted to accept the report.

Voted to adjourn.

R. Dennis, clerk pro-tem.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Middlesex SS.

June 2, 1845

Then personally appeared William Goding and made oath that he would faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of clerk of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell during the term for which he has been elected.

Before me,

R.G. Colby, Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Middlesex SS.

June 2, 1845

Than personally appeared Benjamin Watson and made oath that he would faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of treasurer of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell during the term for which he has been elected.

Before me,

R.G. Colby, Justice of the Peace

Notice

The proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified the annual meeting of said corporation will be held in their committee room Church Street Monday the 9^th day of March next at 7 ½ o’clock p.m. for the purpose of choosing the officers for the ensuing year and to act on all other business that may come before them.

William Goding, clerk

Lowell, Feb. 27, 1846

Monday evening, March 9, 1846

Proprietors met in accordance with the foregoing notice, J.W. Graves moderator.

Chose J.W. Graves

Joseph Tapley

William Goding

Joseph A. Brabrook

Stephen Mansur trustees

Benjamin Watson treasurer

William Goding clerk

J.A. Brabrook

Goodwin Wood auditing committee

for the ensuing year.

Voted that the trustees be authorized to rent the house to the First Baptist Society on the same conditions that it has been let the two previous years.

Voted to adjourn to meet the 2^nd Wednesday in April next at 8 o’clock p.m.

Middlesex SS. March 9, 1846

Then personally appeared William Goding and made oath that he would faithfully discharge the duties of clerk of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me,

John W. Graves, Jus. Peace

Middlesex SS. March 9, 1846

Then personally appeared Joseph Tapley, William Goding, and Joseph A. Brabrook and made oath that they would faithfully discharge the duties of trustees of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me,

John W. Graves, Jus. Peace

Middlesex SS. March 9, 1846

Then personally appeared Benjamin Watson and made oath that he would faithfully discharge the duties of treasurer of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me,

John W. Graves, Jus. Peace

Middlesex SS. August 12, 1846

Then personally appeared John W. Graves and made oath that he would faithfully discharge the duties of trustee of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me,

E.B. Patch, Justice of the Peace

Middlesex SS. August 12, 1846

Then personally appeared Stephen Mansur and made oath that he would faithfully discharge the duties of trustee of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell.

Before me,

John W. Graves, Jus. of the Peace

Notice

The proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell are hereby notified that their annual meeting will be held in their vestry on Church Street Monday, March eighth at 8 o’clock p.m. for the choice of officers and to transact any other business that may come before them.

William Goding, clerk

Lowell, Feb. 26, 1847

Monday evening, March 8, 1847

The proprietors met according to the foregoing notice.

1^st Chose Stephen Mansur moderator.

2^nd Voted to adjourn to Thursday evening, March 11^th at 7 ½ o’clock.

B. Watson, clerk pro-tem.

Thursday evening, March 11, 1847

The proprietors met according to adjournment.

1^st Chose William Goding clerk.

2^nd Chose the following gentlemen trustees – J.W. Graves, J.A. Brabrook, Stephen Mansur, Richard Dennis, William Mead.

3^rd Chose for treasurer and collector Benjamin Watson.

4^th Chose for auditing committee Stephen Mansur, J.A. Brabrook.

5^th Voted to let the meeting house to the First Baptist Society on the same terms and conditions that it was let for the last three years.

Voted to adjourn to meet in the vestry 2 weeks from today at 7 ½ o’clock. The clerk to post a notice of the adjournment on the door of the house the Sunday previous.

William Goding, clerk

Thursday evening, March 25, 1847

Met according to adjournment. Chose Joseph Tapley moderator pro-tem.

Voted to receive the treasury report.

Voted to adjourn to Thurs. evening next at 7 ½ o’clock.

William Goding, clerk

Thursday evening, April 1, 1847

Met according to adjournment.

Chose J.A. Brabrook moderator pro-tem.

Voted to adjourn to Thursday, April 8^th at 7 o’clock p.m.

William Goding, clerk

Thursday evening, April 8, 1847

The proprietors met according to adjournment. The treasurer’s report was taken up and adopted.

The committee appointed to audit the account of the treasury of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell have attended to that duty and would make the following report.

That the treasurer had on hand April 1, 1846 $19.22

Received for rent of meeting house one year 300.00

Received of S.G. Cressy for pew rent 4.50

Total $323.72

And then he has paid the following sums

Interest on sundry notes 43.00

Assessment on insurance policy 20.58

On William Mead’s note 50.00

On Luther Emerson’s note 52.62

On note to the church 62.20

228.40

Balance in the treasurer’s hands April 1, 1847 95.32

All of which is correctly cast and properly vouched.

Stephen Mansur

J.A. Brabrook

Auditing committee

Voted to adjourn.

William Goding, clerk

To William Goding, clerk of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell,

You are hereby directed to call a meeting of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell at their vestry on Church Street on Wednesday evening, at half past seven o’clock, April 21^st 1847 to act on the following articles.

First, to choose a moderator to govern said meeting.

Second, to see if the proprietors will make any alterations in the tenure, title, or use of the house or lands connected therewith or any part thereof, and what alteration, and to see if they will authorize a release or sale of any part of the common land, held with the house or otherwise act thereon.

Third, to see if the proprietors will sell or lease their house and land to the First Baptist Church and Society or to either of them or otherwise act thereon, and upon such other business as may legally come before them.

Dated at Lowell this ninth day of April A.D. 1847.

John W. Graves

Stephen Mansur

William Mead

Richard Dennis

J.A. Brabrook

Trustees of the proprietors of the First

Baptist Meeting House in Lowell

William Goding, clerk

Wednesday evening, April 21, 1847

The proprietors met in pursuance with the foregoing notice.

Stephen Mansur was chosen moderator.

1^st Voted that the trustees be and they are hereby authorized to sign for and in behalf of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell such a deed, lease or conveyance as may be necessary to give a good title to twelve feet of land to be taken from the south side of the common and the said twelve is to be conveyed to Ransom Reed, John H. Mott, and David Dana for the sum of three hundred dollars with the restriction not to erect any buildings on said twelve feet of land more than twelve feet high.

2^nd Voted to pass over so much of the second articles as relates to the sale or release of the meeting house.

3^rd Voted that the treasurer is hereby directed to purchase nine shares of the First Baptist Meeting House stock for the sum of two hundred dollars to be paid for out of the money received for the land sold to said Reed, Mott, and Dana.

4^th Voted to adjourn to Wednesday, April 28^th 1847 at 8 o’clock p.m.

William Goding, clerk

Wednesday evening, April 28, 1847

Proprietors met according to adjournment. J.A. Brabrook was chosen moderator pro-tem.

Voted to adjourn to Thursday, May 6^th 1847 at 7 ½ o’clock p.m.

William Goding, clerk

Thursday evening, May 6, 1847

Proprietors met according to adjournment. J.A. Brabrook, moderator pro-tem.

Voted to adjourn to Saturday, May 8^th at 7 ½ o’clock.

William Goding, clerk

Saturday evening, May 8, 1847

Proprietors met agreeable to adjournment. J.A. Brabrook moderator.

Voted to adjourn to Tuesday, May 11^th at 1 o’clock p.m.

William Goding, clerk

Tuesday, May 11, 1847

Proprietors met according to adjournment. J.A. Brabrook moderator.

Chose Joseph Tapley clerk pro-tem.

Voted to adjourn to 7 ½ o’clock p.m.

William Goding, clerk

Met pursuant to adjournment.

Voted ? of the meeting house to the First Baptist Society for two thousand dollars provided the proprietors can procure the shares that remain outstanding for the sums they have not been offered.

Voted to adjourn to 7 ¼ o’clock p.m. tomorrow evening, May 12^th.

William Goding, clerk

Wednesday evening, May 12, 1847

Proprietors met according to adjournment. J.A. Brabrook moderator.

Voted that the treasurer be authorized to purchase nine shares of the stock in the meeting house, one held by Ransom Reed for the sum of two hundred dollars.

Voted to adjourn to May 17, 1847 at 7 ½ o’clock p.m.

William Goding, clerk

Monday evening, May 17, 1847

Proprietors met according to adjournment.

Voted that the proprietors offer the meeting house to the First Baptist Society for two thousand dollars provided the shares now outstanding can be secured for the sums they have now been offered.

Voted to adjourn to Wednesday evening next.

William Goding, clerk

To William A. Richardson of Lowell Esq., the Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex,

We, the subscribers, members of the corporation of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell, request you to issue a warrant in pursuance of the 4^th section of the 44^th chapter of the Revised Statute of the Commonwealth to either of said members directing him to call a meeting of the corporation by giving such notice as has previously been required by law to act upon the following articles.

1^st To choose all necessary officers.

2^nd To see if said proprietors will make any arrangement to sell their corporate property and to authorize a sale and conveyance thereof.

3^rd To transact any other business that may be brought up.

Joseph Tapley

John W. Graves

Benjamin Watson

William Goding

May 2, 1852

A true copy attest William Goding, clerk

To William Goding of Lowell, one of the members of the corporation aforesaid,

You are hereby directed to call a meeting of the corporation of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell to be held in the vestry of their meeting house on Monday, the seventeenth day of May instant, at eight o’clock p.m. by publishing a notice thereof in one or more of the newspapers in the city of Lowell and posting a copy of the same on the meeting house, at least ten days before the time fixed upon for holding of the meeting, to act upon the following articles.

1^st To chose all necessary officers.

2^nd To see if said proprietors will make any arrangements to sell their corporate property and to authorize a sale and conveyance thereof.

3^rd To transact any other business that may be brought up. And thereby direct you the said William Goding to preside at such meeting until clerk shall be duly chosen and qualified, if there shall be no officers present legally authorized to preside thereat.

Have you, at said meeting, this warrant with your doings thereon. Witness my hand and seal this sixth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and fifty two.

William A. Richardson

Justice of the Peace

A true copy attest William Goding, Clerk

To William Goding of Lowell,

You are hereby directed to call a meeting of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell to be held at the vestry of their meeting house on Monday, the seventeenth day of May instant, at 8 o’clock p.m. by publishing and posting a notice thereof as required by the laws and regulations of said proprietors to act upon the following articles.

1^st To choose all necessary officers.

2^nd To see if said proprietors will make any arrangements to sell their corporate property and to authorize a sale and conveyance thereof.

3^rd To transact any other business that may be brought up.

John W. Graves

J.A. Brabrook

Richard Dennis

Trustees of said Proprietors

Lowell, May 5^th 1852

A true copy attest William Goding, clerk

To the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell,

You are hereby notified that a meeting of the corporation of said proprietors will be held at the vestry of this meeting house on Monday, the 17^th day of May inst., at 8 o’clock p.m. to act upon the following articles.

1^st To choose all necessary officers.

2^nd To see if said proprietors will make any sale of their corporate property and to authorize a sale and conveyance thereof.

3^rd To transact any other business that may be brought up.

By order of the trustees and of William A. Richardson, a Justice of the Peace in his warrant of this date directed to me.

William Goding

Lowell, May 5, 1852

A true copy attest William Goding, clerk

Middlesex SS. May 17, 1852

Agreeable to the foregoing warrants I have notified the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell to meet at the time and place and for the purposes therein specified by giving public notice in the Lowell Journal and Courier and posting a notice thereof on the front door of their meeting house agreeable to their bylaws.

A true copy attest William Goding, clerk

May 17, 1852

The proprietors met in their vestry at 8 o’clock p.m. agreeable to the foregoing notice and William Goding was chosen clerk, who presided in the choice of moderator, chose J.W. Graves moderator. The clerk was sworn in as required by law before entering upon his duties.

2^nd Chose J.W. Graves, Richard Dennis, J.A. Brabrook, Paul Perkins, Benjamin Watson trustees.

3^rd Chose Stephen Mansur treasurer.

4^th The following votes were unanimously adopted.

Voted to sell and convey all the property of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell to the First Baptist Society in Lowell particularly the meeting house and land on Church Street, conveyed to said proprietors by Thomas Hurd. And the Middlesex Co. voted that the clerk of said proprietors make and acknowledge, seal and execute and deliver any deed of property and any other instrument of conveyance thereof in the name of said proprietors to said Society which said deed or instrument shall be approved by a majority of the trustees of said proprietors.

Voted that any conveyance of said property to said society executed by said clerk and approved by a majority of said trustees shall be binding upon said proprietors.

Voted to dissolve the meeting.

William Goding, clerk

Middlesex SS. May 17, 1852

Then personally appeared William Goding and made oath that he would faithfully perform the duty of clerk of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell during his continuance in office before me.

John W. Graves

Justice of the Peace

Middlesex SS. May 19, 1852

Then personally appeared J.A. Brabrook and J.W. Graves and made oath and Richard Dennis affirmed that they would faithfully perform the duty of trustee of the proprietors of the First Baptist Meeting House in Lowell during their continuance in office before me.

Stephen Mansur

Justice of the Peace

On the inside back cover

Lowell, May 15, 1835

The First Baptist Meeting House insured for 5 years from this date for $3500, organ $600, bell $300.

Insurance $22.00

Policy 1.00

$23.00