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3. Provenance 5. Inventory 6. Subjects |
Newman Congregational Church Records Church of Rehoboth / Seekonk / East Providence, R.I. Records, 1681-1978 Size: 3.5 linear feet Catalog number: MSS 584 Processed by: Rick Stattler, June 1998 ©Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts Division |
Historical note:
In 1641, the Rev. Samuel Newman (1602-1663) of Weymouth, Massachusetts and most of his congregation purchased a tract of land called Seacunk in Plymouth Colony just east of Providence, Rhode Island. He named his new town Rehoboth, and soon afterwards established a Congregational church there. In 1643, he also published the first full Concordance of the Bible in the English language, with expanded editions appearing in 1650 and 1658.
In 1791, the church was shaken by a controversial take-over attempt by local Baptists. "The Congregational Society in the First Precinct of the Town of Rehoboth" was incorporated in 1792 to ensure continued Congregational control of the meeting house. In 1812, the town of Rehoboth was divided into two parts, and the Congregational Church became located in the new town of Seekonk.
The Church began a Sunday school in the 1820s, and a Society for the Aid of Foreign Missions was formed in 1840. In 1862, the western part of the town of Seekonk was set off to the state of Rhode Island, and renamed East Providence. Thus the church, without moving any great distance, was located in three towns during its long lifetime: Rehoboth, Seekonk and East Providence. The Congregational Society was renamed "The Congregational Society of the Town of Seekonk" after it became part of East Providence. The name "Newman Congregational Church of East Providence and Seekonk" was officially adopted for the church itself in 1886. The Congregational society remained a distinct body and took care of most financial matters.
Bibliography:
Newman Congregational Church, U.C.C. of Seekonk and East Providence (Published by the church, 1993)
Scope and content:
The collection is divided into the following series: early records dating before 1792; minutes from 1792 to 1969; only a few membership records, scattered from 1803 to 1968; committee records from 1860, and 1900 to 1972; Sunday School records from 1887 to 1952; financial records from 1818 to 1952; printed material such as newsletters and programs, from 1848 to 1975; notes on building renovations, 1890 and 1953 to 1975; and a small quantity of miscellaneous papers from 1801 to 1978.
The "Church Clerk's Record Book" with vital records from 1690 to 1915 was returned to the Church in 1980.
Provenance:
These records were deposited at the R.I.H.S.L. by the Church on August 4, 1976, and were made a gift in 1991. The Congregational Society receipt book dated 1792-1859 was purchased by Nancy S. Wolfe from Gately Brothers Books in 2000, and then donated by her to the R.I.H.S. in the same year.
Processing note:
These records were initially processed by Cindy Bendroth in May of 1991. Items were removed from binders and placed in archival folders, and an inventory was prepared. The records were boxed in a series arrangement in 1998. Some material was transferred to the printed collection.
Inventory:
Early records. Includes all original pre-1792 documents in the collection.
Box 1, folder 1. Clerk's book, 1693-1783. Minutes, vital records, etc.
Box 1, folder 2. Clerk's book, 1739-1759. In poor condition.
Box 1, folder 3. Act to incorporate Congregational Society, 1792
Box 1, folder 4. Carnes, Rev. John. Deed, 1764; complaint against, 1759; apology to Carnes.
Box 1, folder 5. Ellis, James. Letter to Daniel Carpenter re loans, August 10, 1795.
Box 1, folder 6. Greenwood, Rev. John. Letters, bills, notes on pay, etc., 1720-1767.
Including 1742 letter from Ward Cotton.
Box 1, folder 7. "Letter from Several Ministers of Christ" (broadside), 1726.
Box 1, folder 8. List of owners of wheel carriages in Rehoboth, 1782
Box 1, folder 9. List of subscribers who have not paid, undated, circa 1790s.
Box 1, folder 10. Members, 1736
Box 1, folder 11. Petition re land, 1761; with note on ministry land, 1763
Box 1, folder 12. Pew plans for new church, 1751-1752. 3 items.
Box 1, folder 13. Receipts from various ministers, 1685-1701
Box 1, folder 14. Resolutions, 1783, 1784, 1819 (on one sheet)
Box 1, folder 15. Stables - Act authorizing purchase of land, 1737/8
Box 1, folder 16. Subscription list for new meeting house, 1715
Box 1, folder 17. Warrants for meetings of Rehoboth Proprietors, 1766-1793
Oversized storage. 1681 deed from Margaret Flint; two early undated pew charts
(see copies in box 4, folders 10 and 20)
Minutes and clerk's books
Box 1, folder 18. Congregational Society, 1792-1826
Box 1, folder 19. Congregational Society, 1826-1880
Box 1, folder 20. Congregational Society trustees, 1902-1948
Box 1, folder 21. Clerk's book:
Minutes, 1823-1850
List of baptized children, 1823-1847
Inventory of communion silver, 1828
List of ministers, 1678-1766
Box 1, folder 22. Clerk's book:
Minutes, 1855-1930
Articles of Faith, 1848
List of baptized children, 1851-1899
Statistical membership summaries, 1870-1888
Furnace subscription, 1884
Box 1, folder 23. Clerk's book:
Minutes, 1930-1969
Membership
Box 1, folder 24. Marriage record book, 1803-1816
Box 1, folder 25. Membership notes, 1802-1816 and 1809-1815; list, 1815
Box 1, folder 26. Officers and members book, 1917-1948
Box 2, folder 1. Directories, 1959-1963, 1968
Box 2, folder 2. Letters of dismission, 1958-1967
Societies and committees
Box 2, folder 3. Builders - Minute book, 1925-1936 (junior missionary society)
Box 2, folder 4. Church Committee - Minutes, 1966-1969
Box 2, folder 5. Congregational Women of Rhode Island - Annual report, 1944-1945
Box 2, folder 6. Cradle Roll - Report, 1969
Box 2, folder 7. Ferris Guild - By-laws and constitution, 1919
Box 2, folder 8. Ferris Guild - Secretary's book, 1927-1938
Box 2, folder 9. Ferris Guild - Secretary's book, 1939-1950
Box 2, folder 10. Ferris Guild - Secretary's book, 1950-1959
Box 2, folder 11. Ferris Guild - Secretary's minutes (loose), 1959-1968
Box 2, folder 12. Ferris Guild - Treasurer's book, 1903-1937 (Helping Hand Society until 1919)
Box 2, folder 13. Ferris Guild - Treasurer's book, 1936-1968
Box 2, folder 14. Ferris Guild - Correspondence and loose reports, 1947-1968
Box 2, folder 15. Good Cheer Committee - Secretary's book, 1931-1941
Box 2, folder 16. Good Cheer Committee - Cash book, 1926-1939
Box 2, folder 17. Good Cheer Committee - Loose reports, etc., 1943-1946
Box 2, folder 18. Men's Club - Miscellaneous, 1962-1965
Box 2, folder 19. Men's Club - Miscellaneous, 1965-1972
Box 2, folder 20. Newman Guild - Treasurer's books, 1939-1944 and 1945-1947
Box 2, folder 21. Newman Guild - Miscellaneous papers, 1940-1947
Box 2, folder 22. Northfield Club - Minutes, 1929-1932
Box 2, folder 23. Religious Education Committee - Minutes, 1940-1943
Box 2, folder 24. Religious Education Committee - Minutes, 1954-1960; papers, 1941-1942
Box 2, folder 25. Seekonk Monument - Subscription book, 1860
Box 2, folder 26. Women's Home Missionary Society - Treasurer's Book, 1900-1927
Box 2, folder 27. Women's Home Missionary Society - Treasurer's Book, 1928-1949
Box 2, folder 28. Women's Missionary Society - Minute book, 1949-1966
Box 2, folder 29. Women's Missionary Society - Articles of Association, 1927; report, 1969
Box 2, folder 30. Women's Missionary Society - Missionary materials, 1887-1914
Sunday School
Box 3, folder 1. Minute book, 1916-1952
Box 4, folder 1. Attendance, 1887-1891
Box 3, folder 2. Attendance and reports, 1891
Box 3, folder 3. Attendance and reports, 1892
Box 3, folder 4. Attendance and reports, 1894
Box 3, folder 5. Attendance and reports, 1896
Box 3, folder 6. Attendance and reports, 1900
Box 3, folder 7. Library register, 1897-1902
Box 3, folder 8. Library register, 1902-1908
Box 3, folder 9. Library register, 1909-1916
Box 3, folder 10. History
Financial
Box 1, folder 27. Congregational Society receipt and account book, 1792-1859
Box 3, folder 11. Treasurer's list of funds, 1818-1822
Box 3, folder 12. Treasurer's list of funds, 1822-1825
Box 3, folder 13. Treasurer's book, 1826-1836
Box 3, folder 14. Treasurer's book, 1837-1843
Box 3, folder 15. Treasurer's book, 1844-1858
Box 3, folder 16. Treasurer's book, 1859-1907
Box 3, folder 17. Treasurer's book, 1908-1945
Box 3, folder 18. Reports and correspondence, 1946-1952
Box 3, folder 19. Congregational Society cash and receipt book, 1844-1877
Box 3, folder 20. Paid bills, 1852-1931
Printed material
Box 3, folder 21. "The Newman Calendar" (newsletter), 1918-1923
Box 3, folder 22. "Newman News" (newsletter), 1959-1963
Box 3, folder 23. "Newman News" (newsletter), 1964-1967, 1969
Box 3, folder 24. Orders of worship, 1940, 1945, 1962, 1/1964 - 5/1965 (near complete), 1966
Box 3, folder 25. Annual reports, 1960-1963
Box 3, folder 26. Annual reports, 1964-1966
Box 3, folder 27. Annual reports, 1973, 1974
Box 3, folder 28. Annual reports, for U.C.C. yearbooks, 1968-1975
Box 3, folder 29. 325th anniversary program, memorabilia, etc., 1968
Box 3, folder 30. 325th anniversary banquet tickets, 1968
Box 3, folder 31. Various celebration programmes, 1860-1968
Box 3, folder 32. Church calendars, 1944-1959
Box 3, folder 33. Newspaper clippings
Box 3, folder 34. Miscellaneous:
Articles of Faith..., 1848
Manual..., 1889
Manual..., 1902
By-laws of the Congregational Society..., 1950
Sermon Delivered...by Rev. Isaac R. Prior, 1874
A Manual for Deacons and Deaconesses, undated
Duty of Church Members..., 1880
Miscellaneous ephemera
Buildings
Box 4, folder 2. Specifications for alterations, by William Walker & Sons, 1890 (copy)
Box 4, folder 3. Specifications for addition and alterations, Oct. 21, 1953
Box 4, folder 4. Second parish hall, correspondence and bills, 1954
Box 4, folder 5. Furnishings, 1954
Box 4, folder 6. Building information, 1955
Box 4, folder 7. Insurance policies, 1972-1975
Miscellaneous
Box 4, folder 8. Memoirs of William Johnson and Samuel Evans, undated, ca. 1900
Box 4, folder 9. Act changing the name of the Congregational Society of Seekonk, 1864
Box 4, folder 10. Deeds, 1809-1921, with copy of 1681 deed
Box 4, folder 11. "250 Years Old", in Providence Journal, June 8, 1893 (copy)
Box 4, folder 12. Yale University - Sale of Chattels, 1937
Box 4, folder 13. Monument, 1846; poem by Joseph Brown on dedication of monument, 1863
Box 4, folder 14. Warrant to consider Rev. Woodbridge, April 19, 1821
Box 4, folder 15. Meeting notice, October 23, 1803
Box 4, folder 16. Hill, Rev. John. Meeting to call Hill, 1801; receipt for pay, 1806
Box 4, folder 17. Barney, Rev. James O. - Recommendation of, February 2, 1824
Box 4, folder 18. Barney, Rev. James O. - Sermons and correspondence, 1823-1876
Box 4, folder 19. Barney, Rev. James O. - Wallet and notebook cover
Box 4, folder 20. Pew bills of sale and valuation, 1913-1922; copies of early undated pew charts
Box 4, folder 21. Peirce, Fales. Notes on parsonage land, and history of Church, ca. 1971
Box 4, folder 22. Testimony of faith, Anna Oldfield, 1831
Box 4, folder 23. Visitors list, 290th anniversary, 1933
Box 4, folder 24. Weekly offering envelopes, undated (and empty...)
Box 4, folder 25. Auction - Poster, 1978
Subjects:
Barney, Rev. James O. (d.1869)
Churches - Rhode Island - East Providence
Congregationalists - Rhode Island - East Providence
East Providence, R.I. - Churches
Flint, Margaret
Greenwood, Rev. John (1697-1766)
Rehoboth, Mass. - Churches
Seekonk, Mass. - Churches
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RIHS1822