Merrimac, Mass. Pilgrim Congregational Church records, 1725-1900.

Collection

Identifier: RG0123

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Merrimac Mass. Pilgrim Congregational Church records document the history, administration, and life of the church and the social life town residents. The types of records include membership lists and certificates of membership to religious societies, baptismal records, marriage records, death records, church and parish meeting minutes, financial documents, church publications, land deeds, a will, pew deeds, subscription lists, records related to the building and expansion of church property, and the diary of the first minister, Paine Wingate.

Dates

1725-1900

Creator

First Congregational Society of Merrimac (Organization)

Restrictions on Access

Access to this collection is unrestricted and open to the public.

Restrictions on Use

Items in this collection are subject to U.S. Copyright Law. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine the copyright status of collection items and to secure any permissions necessary for their reproduction and publication. Requests for permission to publish material must be discussed with the archivist or librarian.

Historical Note

The parish was first organized in 1725 and a year later the church itself was founded as the Second Church of Christ in Amesbury. The town of Merrimac separated from Amesbury in 1876 and in 1879 the church was renamed to the First Congregational Church, though it was popularly referred to as the Pilgrim Congregational Church. Also in 1879, the First Orthodox Congregational Society was incorporated, replacing the earlier West Parish Congregational Society. The First Orthodox Congregational Church of Merrimac was incorporated in 1894 and the First Orthodox Congregational Society was dissolved.

The church continues to serve the Merrimac community as the Pilgrim Congregational Church.

Extent

0.88 Cubic Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Parish organized in 1725; church founded in 1726 as Second Church of Christ in Amesbury, Mass. Merrimac separated from Amesbury in 1876 and in 1879 the church became the First Congregational Church, popularly known as Pilgrim Congregational Church. In 1879 the First Orthodox Congregational Society was incorporated, replacing the earlier West Parish Congregational Society. The First Orthodox Congregational Church of Merrimac was incorporated in 1894 and the First Orthodox Congregational Society was dissolved. Extant as Pilgrim Congregational UCC in 1996. This collection consists of church and parish records and miscellaneous papers, including deeds, ordination papers, and printed materials. Includes diary of Rev. Paine Wingate, minister from 1726-1782, with added vital statistics to 1789 and ecclesiastical functions of Amesbury, Mass. West Parish, Second Congregational Society.

Arrangement

The records are arranged by chronological order, when possible, and by topic.

Technical Requirements

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