he preached the first sabbath after his arrival. In February, 1767, he first went to this town, where he died 28 May, 1803, aged 67. Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford, who graduated at Harvard College, 1803, was ordained his successor in office, 26 February, 1806. There is a Baptist church in this town, over which Rev. Isaiah Stone was ordained 8 January, 1806. WILTON. The first minister of the church in this town was Rev. Jonathan Livermore, who was born in Northborough, Mass. 7 December, 1729, O. S. He graduated at Harvard College in 1760, and was ordained 14 December, 1763. He was dismissed, on account of what was termed political heresy, in February, 1777, and died at Wilton, 20 July 1809, in his 80th year. Mr. Livermore was succeeded by Rev. Abel Fiske, who was born at Pepperell, Mass. 28 May 1752, and graduated at Harvard College in 1774. He was ordained in November, 1778, and died 21 April, 1802, aged 50. Mr. Fiske was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Beedè, a native of Sandwich, N. H. who graduated at Harvard College, 1798. He was ordained 2 March, 1803, and continues in the ministry. LYNDEBOROUGH. The early ecclesiastical records in this town are destroyed, and it is somewhat difficult to fix the exact date of the organization of the church. Rev. John Rand, who graduated at Harvard College, 1748, was the first minister, and was ordained 3 December, 175-. He was dismissed from the ministry previous to 1769, and died a few years since at Bedford, N. H. Rev. Sewall Goodridge, who graduated at Harvard College, 1764, succeeded him, and was ordained 7 September, 1769. He died 14 March, 1809. The present pastor, Rev. Nathaniel Merrill, who graduated at Dartmouth College, 1809, was ordained 30 October, 1811. SALISBURY. A Congregational church was organized in this town in November, 1773, and about the same time, Rev. Jonathan Searle, who graduated at Harvard College in 1765, was ordained to the pastoral care of it. He continued in the ministry about sixteen years and half, and was dismissed in 1790. Rev. Thomas Worcester, from Hollis, who received the honorary degree of A. M. at Dartmouth College in 1806, succeeded him, and was ordained 9 November, 1791. There is also a Baptist church in this place, formed about the time of Rev. Mr. Worcester's ordination, over which Rev. Otis Robinson presides. HOLLIS. It The church in this town was gathered in 1743. was then the west parish in Dunstable. Rev. Daniel Emerson, from Reading, Mass. who graduated at Harvard College, 1739, was ordained 20 April, 1743. The sermon at his ordination was delivered by Rev. Mr. Hobby of Reading, and was printed. Rev. Eli Smith, who graduated at Brown University, R. I. was ordained as colleague with Rev. Mr. Emerson, 27 November, 1793. Rev. Mr. Emerson died, 30 September, 1801, in the fifty-ninth year of his ministry, at the age of 85. MONTVERNON. The church in this place, at the time it was gathered, was the second church in Amherst. The first minister, Rev. John Bruce, born at Marlborough, Mass. 31 Aug. 1757, received his education at Dartmouth College, where he graduated 1781. He was ordained 22 November, 1785, and died 12 March, 1809, aged 52. His successor, Rev. Stephen Chapin, who graduated at Harvard College, 1804, was installed 26 November, 1809. Having espoused the sentiments of the Baptists, he requested and received a dismission in November, 1818. MERRIMACK. The church in Merrimack was organized 5 September, 1772. Rev. Jacob Burnap, from Reading, the first and present minister, was ordained 14 October, 1772. The sermon at his ordination was preached by Rev. Thomas Haven, of Reading, and was printed. Mr. Burnap graduated at Harvard College in 1770, and a few years since was honoured with the degree of doctor in divinity, which is the first honour of the kind bestowed upon a clergyman in the county of Hillsborough. ANDROS'S ADMINISTRATION. Letter from the Court to Joseph Dudley, Esq. and the rest of the Gentlemen named in his Majesty's Commission, May, 1686. Gentlemen, We have perused what you left us as a copy of his majesty's commission, shewed us the 17th instant, empowering you for the governing of his majesty's subjects, inhabiting this colony and other places therein. mentioned. You then applied yourselves to us, not as a Governour and Company, but, (as you were pleased to term us) some of the principal gentlemen and chief of the inhabitants of the several towns of the Massachusetts -amongst other discourse, saying, it concerned us to consider what therein might be thought hard and uneasy. Upon perusal whereof, we find, as we conceive; First, That there is no certain determinate rule for your administration of justice; and that which is seems to be too arbitrary. Secondly, That the subjects are abridged of their liberties as Englishmen, both in the matter of legislation and in the laying of taxes; and indeed the whole unquestioned privilege of the subject transferred upon yourselves; there being not the least mention of an assembly in the commission. And therefore we think it highly concerns you to consider whether such a commission be safe either for you or us. But if you are so satisfied therein, as that you hold yourselves obliged thereby, and do take upon you the government of this people, although we cannot give our assent thereto, yet hope we shall demean ourselves as true and loyal subjects of his majesty, and humbly make our address unto God, and in due time to our gracious prince, for our relief. Past by the whole Court, May 20, 1686, nemine contradicente. Attest, EDW RAWSON, Sec'ry.* AT the same Court, it was ordered, That Samuel Nowell, Esq. Mr. John Saffin, and Capt. Timothy Prout, be a committee for a repository of such papers on file with the secretary, as refer to our charter, and negotiations, from time to time, for the security thereof; with such as refer to our title of our lands by purchase of Indians or otherwise. And the secretary is ordered accordingly to deliver the same unto them. Letter from Sir E. Andros to W. Clark, Governour of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Sir, BOSTON, 22d December, 1686. THIS is to acquaint you that his majesty having been pleased to send me to the government of New England, of which you are a part, I arrived here the 20th instant, where I found all very well disposed to his majesty's service: And his majesty's letter patent to me for the said government, being then published, were received with suitable demonstrations. I am commanded and authorized by his majesty, at my arrival in these parts, to receive in his name the surrender of the charter, if tendered by you, and to take you into my present care and charge, as other parts of the government, assuring his majesty's good subjects * In 1685, James II. granted a commission to Joseph Dudley, as President, and to sixteen others, as a Council, who were to have the sole authority of governing Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Narraganset. of his countenance and protection in all things relating to his service and their welfare. I have only to add, that I shall be ready and glad to do my duty accordingly, and therefore desire to hear from you as soon as may be, and remain Your very affectionate friend, E. ANDROS. ORDERED, That copies of the declaration made by his excellency in Council be sent to the several clerks of the county courts for their direction; That summons be issued to the members of the Council in Rhode Island and New Plymouth, to be present on the 29th of this present December; That a letter be sent to Major Pincheon and all the members of the Council to attend; That Joseph Cowell be sent to Hartford with his excellency's letters. Minutes of the first Council summoned by Sir Edmund Andros. Ar a Council held in Boston, New England, on Thursday, December 30th, 1686. Present, His Excellency Sir Edmund Andros, |