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Thomas Weld commonplace book, 1723.

 Collection
Identifier: MS0997

Scope and Contents

This collection contain a commonplace book that was created during Thomas Weld’s time at Harvard University. The front half of the book contains notes on various subjects and topics, mostly of a religious nature. The back half is a small glossary of terms in alphabetical order. Of note is that different handwriting appears in the latter half of the book; it is presumed that the first half is written in Weld’s handwriting. It is unknown who else may have written in this book. Most of the text within the volume is English, however, there are also some notes written in modern Greek.

Dates

  • 1723

Creator

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.

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Biographical Note

Thomas Weld was born in November, 1702, in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard University in 1723. Weld first became a teacher at the Roxbury Latin School before moving to Southborough to preach. In 1735 he was invited to preach at the newly gathered Congregational Church in Upton, Massachusetts and he was ordained as the first minister of the church on January 4, 1738. He was dismissed from his position in December, 1743 due to theological differences between himself and his parish. In addition, there were rumors that Rev. Weld had had an extramarital relationship with the daughter of his landlord, Ms. Wheeler.

In 1744, Weld was called to preach in Middleboro, Massachusetts following the death of Rev. Peter Thatcher, Jr. His appointment as the minister in 1745 followed a split in the church, between revivalists and traditionalist, with the majority of the congregation staying with Rev. Weld and the minority forming a break-away church with Rev. Sylvanus Conant as their minister. During Rev. Weld’s ministry, the congregation shrank significantly, with most leaving to join Rev. Conant’s church. In 1749 Weld was dismissed; following Weld’s dismissal the church reformed with Conant’s.

Weld returned to Roxbury and pursued a suit against Middleboro for salary. He evidentially won that suit. In the following years Ward likely became an itinerant preacher before joining the British Army as a chaplain during the French and Indian War (1754-1763). He died during the war, probably in the range of 1756-1758.

Extent

1 Volume

Language of Materials

English

Greek, Modern (1453-)

Abstract

Thomas Weld was born in November, 1702, in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard University in 1723. Weld became the minister in Upton, Massachusetts, in 1735 and was later dismissed in 1743. In 1745 he became one of two ministers in Middleboro, Massachusetts, and was later dismissed in 1743. During the French and Indian War Weld joined the army as a chaplain; he died during the war. This collection contain a commonplace book that was created during Thomas Weld's time at Harvard University. The front half contains personal notes and the back half contains a glossary.

Technical Requirements

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Custodial History

This common-place book, as recorded on two inscriptions on the volume's verso, was gifted to John Fairfield (1797-1847, U.S. House of Representatives 1835-1838, Governor of Maine, 1839-1841, 1842-1843, U.S. Senator, 1843-1847) who later gifted it to his nephew, J. Wingate Thornton (1818-1878).

Acquisition Information

This document was given to the Congregational Library & Archives by John Wingate Thorton in 1853. It was one of the 56 items that made the CLA's inaugural collection.

Accruals

Additional accruals are expected for this collection in the form of full-text transcription. There is no anticipated date for this accrual.

Processing Information

Processed by Anderson Boone, September 2014, using DACS Second Edition. Reprocessed by Zachary Bodnar, June 2019, using DACS Second Edition.

Title
Thomas Weld commonplace book, 1723.
Status
Completed
Author
Zachary Bodnar, Anderson Boone
Date
2019-06-14
Description rules
Dacs2 2013
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Congregational Library & Archives Repository

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