Scope and Contents From the Collection: The Berkley, Mass. Congregational Church records document the early history, administration, and life of the church and its members, as well as a major split that occured within the community. The collection includes financial records, church and parish records, including meeting minutes, committee reports, records of votes, sermons, and certificates of membership, disciplinary cases, and vital statistics, such as marriage and baptismal records. Also present in the collection are record...

Scope and Contents

There are two cases of church discipline, the first dating from May 4, 1799 and the second dating from April 6, 1814. The first is a letter written to Israel French, from Thomas Andros, suspending him from the church for stealing apples. The second is a deposition from the employer of Isaac Sanford in defense of his conduct while at work in Taunton.

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

This collection consists of a single record book. The records in this volume were kept by the church's first minister, Rev. Daniel Putnam, and his successor, Rev. Eliab Stone. Included are vital records of membership, baptisms, marriages, and disciplinary matters, as well as meeting minutes and the church's covenants from 1720 and 1781.

Scope and Contents From the Collection: This collection contains two booklets of sermon notes and scriptural references for sermons preached by Bidwell at Tyringham, Massachusetts. Sermons are dated with multiple years, most likely indicating that many sermons were preached multiple times. In some cases, it is difficult to infer the original date of creation versus a date of re-use. The booklets contain notes on their covers with dates and locational information, though it is difficult to determine if this is original or added at...

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

This collection contains a single letter written by Rev. Jonathan Edwards that was sent from Stockbridge, Massachusetts on November 20, 1757 to his daughter, Mrs. Esther Burr in Princeton, New Jersey. In the letter Edwards speaks of religious faith and provides an update on his invitation to the presidency of Princeton University.

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

This collection contains four letters written by Samuel Hopkins. Two are written to Ebenezer Little, a family friend, thanking Little and his family for their hospitality during Hopkins travels. The third letter is written to British minister Andrew Fuller (1754-1815) and includes some of Hopkins' theological arguments. The fourth letter is written to Stephen West in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and mostly discusses Hopkins's poor health.

Scope and Contents

This letter written by Rev. Samuel Hopkins was addressed to Ebenezer Little in Newbury, Massachusetts. Hopkins thanked Little for hosting Hopkins and his family during his travels. Hopkins also stated that he would like to live in Newbury were it not for his family obligations. People mentioned in the letter include, Ebenezer Little, his wife, their daughter, and a "Miss E. West" who was entrusted with delivery of the letter.

Scope and Contents

This letter written by Rev. Samuel Hopkins was addressed to Ebenezer Little in Newbury, Massachusetts. Hopkins thanks Little again for his hospitality after another visit to Newbury. Rev. Hopkins mentioned Ebenezer Little, his wife, their daughter, and Rev. Jonathan Parsons, a mutual acquaintance, within the letter.

Scope and Contents

This letter, likely dictated by Rev Samuel Hopkins to a scribe, was likely addressed to Andrew Fuller (1754-1815) of Britain. The letter opens with a statement about Hopkins declining health. The majority of the letter is a theological argument on how to determine what a true Christian is, how to think about faith, and how an individual may go to heaven. The letter includes notes and edits and is unsigned indicating this was likely a draft letter.

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

This collection contains the original manuscript covenant and confession of faith for the Second North Housatonic Parish of Sheffield. Both are written and signed by Samuel Hopkins.