New England's Hidden Histories.
Subject
Subject Source: Local sources
Found in 71 Collections and/or Records:
Sturbridge, Mass. Federated Church of Sturbridge and Fiskdale records, 1736-1999.
Collection
Identifier: RG5194
Abstract
The land that is modern Sturbridge, Massachusetts, was first visited by English Puritans in 1644. Sturbridge wasn’t settled by English colonists until 1729 by Medfield residents. Construction of the first meeting house was completed in 1734. The Congregational Church in Sturbridge was established on September 29, 1736. In 1747 members of the church withdrew to form a separatist church which later became the Fiskdale Baptist Church. Construction on the second meeting house was completed in...
Dates:
1736-1999
Sturbridge, Mass. Separatist Congregational Church personal records, 1749-1762.
Collection
Identifier: RG0971
Abstract
The Separatist Church in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, was formed in 1747 after 15 members of the Congregational Church in Sturbridge left the church. The separatists refused to pay ministerial taxes and in response the town aggressively attempted to collect the taxes by forcibly taking possessions, livestock, and imprisoning at least 5 of the separatists. In 1749 the Separatist Church was reformed as the Baptist Church in Fiskdale. This collection include personal records relating to the...
Dates:
1749-1762
Thomas Weld commonplace book, 1723.
Collection
Identifier: MS0997
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...
Dates:
1723
Watertown, Mass. West Precinct Church covenant, 1709.
Collection
Identifier: RG0994
Abstract
In 1696 the residents of the town of Watertown, Massachusetts, voted to support two meeting houses; the West Precinct Church, was established in 1696 to serve the western section of the town. The first meeting house, a repurposed building from Newton, was assembled in 1722. In 1738 the town of Waltham was incorporated from the West Precinct of Watertown and the church was renamed to the First Parish in Waltham. In 1838 the First Parish merged with the Second Religious Society. In 1958 the...
Dates:
1709
Wendell, Mass. Congregational Church records, 1783-1955.
Collection
Identifier: RG4890
Abstract
The Congregational Church of Wendell was formed in Wendell, Mass. on November 29, 1774. The Wendell, Mass. Congregational Church records document the history, administration, and life of the church and its members from its inception through the 1950s. Types of records present include extensive financial records, church and society meeting minutes, correspondence, and important earyy vital statistics for the church and its members.
Dates:
1783-1955
Wenham, Mass. First Church in Wenham Congregational records, 1643-1847.
Collection
Identifier: RG4929
Abstract
In 1642 the first meeting house was constructed in Wenham and the church was established in 1644 with the Rev. John Fiske as its first minister. The Congregational Parish and Society was established in 1833 and remained active until the church was incorporated in 1925. This collection includes meeting minutes, vital records, ecclesiastical council results, and early town records.
Dates:
1643-1847
West Brookfield, Mass. First Congregational Church records, 1754-1917.
Collection
Identifier: RG1179
Abstract
The town of Brookfield was first settled during the 1660s. The first meeting house in Brookfield was built atop Foster's Hill in Brookfield and shortly after construction began on the second meeting house, the First Church was officially organized in 1717. West Brookfield split from Brookfield in 1848 and the First Church became Congregational Church. The church joined the United Church of Christ in 1964. The records include membership lists, church correspondence, church and parish meeting...
Dates:
1754-1917
Westborough, Mass. Church of Christ records, 1724-1787.
Collection
Identifier: RG5367
Abstract
The Church of Christ was gathered on October 28, 1724 with Ebenezer Parkman, who served the church until his death, as its minister. In 1825 the church reformed as the First Congregational Society. This collection contains digital surrogates and a microfilm copy of the record book for the Church of Christ.
Dates:
1724-1787
Weston, Mass. First Parish Church records, 1709-1864.
Collection
Identifier: RG5342
Abstract
In 1698, the area of Watertown that would later be named Weston, was set off as the "Farmers' Precinct" based around the newly established Church of Christ. The first four ministers of the church were considered progressive and by the 1830s the theology of the church was beginning to shift towards Unitarianism. In 1867 a new church covenant was adopted that established the church as a Unitarian church. The collection includes vital records, meeting minutes, a daily ministerial journal, and...
Dates:
1709-1864
Weymouth, Mass. Old South Church records, 1723-1905.
Collection
Identifier: RG5273
Abstract
The Second Church in Weymouth, also known as the South Church, was gathered in 1723 with James Bayley ordained as the first minister. The first meeting house was constructed in 1722 and the second in 1785. The ordination of a Universalist minister in 1834 resulted in a rift in the church membership with the orthodox members eventually forming the Union Church in 1842. The third meeting house was constructed in 1854. In 1892 the Second Church was incorporated as the Old South Church in...
Dates:
1723-1905