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 manuscript sermon written by an unknown author. A note found on the back of the booklet, in a separate hand, notes that the sermon was "prepared soon after the Boston Massacre, March, 5, 1770." The sermon cites Psalms 85:6. The sermon contains the author’s account of the history of Massachusetts Bay Colony leading up to the massacre. The sermon further includes discussions about the causes of colonial strife, namely the younger generation, and advice for...

Scope and Contents

This short autobiography by Timothy Dickinson starts with his birth in 1761 before providing a brief history of Dickinson's time in the Continental Army between 1777 and 1779. The autobiography ends with his returning home in November of 1779.

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This commonplace book contains a collection of writings, primarily of a religious nature. Most of the various writings begin with passages from the Bible. Some appear to be lists of ideas or thoughts, such as one about youths. It’s possible this commonplace book was used to write down ideas and thoughts to be used in sermons.

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This collection contains a single manuscript pamphlet that records information about various sermons delivered at the New North Church between August and November of 1722. Peter Thacher, John Webb, Mr. Prince, and Mr. Cooper are each identified as authors of some of the sermons present in the document.

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This collection contains a single letter written by Johnathan Edwards, and dated February 12, 1757, for Joseph Bellamy. The letter contains personal correspondence and covers topics such as book collecting, future trips, and events in Stockbridge.

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

This collection contains a single letter written by Isaac Watts to a Mrs. Sewell on the occasion of the death of her infant. The letter was written in response to “the favor of several letters from my friends in New England”. The letter contains religious allusions and advice for Mrs. Sewell.

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This volume contains the earliest records of South Church in Salem, Massachusetts. It includes records of meeting minutes and votes, pew assignments, and pew tax records.

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This single document is a petition by six signatories requesting reconciliation with disaffected members of the church. The dispute arose over differences of opinion regarding the administration of the Lord's Supper (Communion). The document is dated May 4, 1747.