1668-1981
Guide to the Collection
Representative digitized documents from this collection:
Abstract
This collection consists of the records of the Watertown (Mass.) First Parish Church (Unitarian). It contains loose and bound vital records (births, marriages, deaths), warrants and votes, minutes, financial and property records, as well as records of church clubs and warrants and minutes of the Watertown Middle School District.
Chronological Timeline
1630 |
A company of early immigrants from England, whose principal leaders were Sir Richard
Saltonstall, Rev. George Phillips, and elder Richard Browne arrived in Watertown.
George Phillips ordained as pastor.
|
1635 |
New meeting house built. |
1644 |
John Knowles ordained as colleague. |
1650 |
John Sherman ordained as pastor. |
1654 |
Town residents voted for the building of a new meeting house, scheduled for completion
in September 1656. |
1686 |
John Bailey ordained as pastor. |
1692 |
Henry Gibbs ordained as pastor. |
1694 |
Committee appointed by town residents to settle placement of a new meeting
house. |
1696 |
Watertown residents agreed to support two meeting houses, one in the eastern part of
town, and the second, to be built, in the western part of town. Rev. Henry Gibbs continued as
minister of the eastern part of town; Rev. Samuel Angier hired as minister of the new meeting
house. |
1696/7 |
Meeting house in the western part of town completed. |
1697 |
Henry Gibbs ordained as pastor. |
1712 |
Farmers in the western end of town petitioned to form a new township. The town of Weston
was set off when granted. |
1719 |
Dividing line or boundary between the eastern and western parts of town discussed by
residents. |
1720 |
Watertown divided into two precincts by the Mass. General Court. |
1721 |
New meeting houses approved in both parts of town by the Mass. General Court. |
1722 |
Monies allocated by Watertown residents for the building of two new meeting houses. The
eastern precinct's (fourth) meeting house built on Schoolhouse Hill. Completion scheduled for
1723. |
1723 |
Seth Storer ordained as minister. |
1738 |
Western precinct incorporated as the town of Waltham. Its church became the First Parish
of Waltham. The eastern precinct retained the name and records of the First Parish Church of
Watertown. |
1754 |
Town voted to remove the fourth meeting house on Schoolhouse Hill and rebuild on land
(known as Common Street) given to the town by Nathaniel Harris.
Fourth structure destroyed before rebuilding completed.
|
1755 |
Fifth meeting house completed and dedicated on the same site as the previous meeting
house. |
1778 |
Daniel Adams ordained as pastor. |
1780 |
Richard Eliot ordained as pastor. |
1815 |
Trustees of the Ministerial Fund incorporated. |
1819 |
Convers Francis ordained as pastor. |
1835 |
Massachusetts General Court petitioned by leading members of the church for
incorporation as a parish. Charter granted. Land, known as the "Knoll," and funding secured
for the building of a new meeting house. |
1836 |
Sixth meeting house completed and dedicated on 7 September. |
1841 |
Sixth meeting house destroyed by fire on 21 July. |
1842 |
Seventh meeting house completed and dedicated on 3 August. |
1843 |
John Weiss ordained as pastor. |
1849 |
Hasbrouck Davis ordained as pastor. |
1856 |
George Bradford ordained as pastor. |
1860 |
Arthur Buckminster Fuller ordained as pastor. |
1862 |
John Weiss ordained as pastor. |
1870 |
James T. Bixby ordained as pastor. |
1875 |
Joseph F. Lovering ordained as pastor. |
1880 |
Arthur Knapp ordained as pastor. |
1886 |
William H. Savage ordained as pastor. |
1900 |
Walter F. Greenman ordained as pastor. |
1908 |
George G. Mills ordained as pastor. |
1916 |
Ernest S. Meredith ordained as pastor. |
1947 |
L. Wendell Hughes ordained as pastor. |
1953 |
E. Palmer Clarke ordained as pastor. |
1966 |
David O. Rankin ordained as pastor. |
1969 |
Rexford Styzens ordained as pastor. |
1973 |
Max L. Moss ordained as pastor. |
1975 |
Meeting house torn down. Congregation moved to a smaller, easier to maintain structure
on Church Street in Watertown. |
1978 |
Marc A. Salkin ordained as pastor. |
1991 |
John Papandrew ordained as pastor. |
1992 |
Andrea Greenwood ordained as pastor. |
Sources
The published Watertown Records were used to extract information for the timeline. Please note that there are conflicting dates within previously recorded histories.
Vaughn, Mosetta I. The Meeting House of the First Congregational Society of Watertown, Massachusetts: Written for the Centennial of the Seventh House, September 20th 1942. Published by the Historical Society of Watertown, 1942.
Watertown, Mass. First Parish Church Records, 1668-1981. Deposited at the Massachusetts Historical Society
Watertown. Mass. Records, 1634-1829. Prepared for publication by the Watertown Historical Society, Watertown, Vols. 1-8, [1894-1939].
Worthley, Harold Field. An Inventory of the Records of the Particular (Congregational) Churches of Massachusetts Gathered 1620-1805. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1970.
Collection Description
The records of the First Parish Church of Watertown, Massachusetts are housed in one cased volume, 36 boxes, and 2 oversize boxes and document the history of the church from 1668-1981. The collection has been divided into two series: loose papers and bound volumes. Since the records consist primarily of church-related records, three sub-series have been introduced: church records; church financial and property records; and records of church club and organizations. Bound volumes, Series II, includes a fourth sub-series: Watertown Middle School District Records.
The bulk of the records are bound and contain records of baptisms, marriages, and deaths; financial and property records; warrants, votes and minutes. Dates occasionally overlap. There are no records before 1686 and the earliest records, 1686 to approximately 1815, are sparse. Records become more continuous and focused in the early nineteenth century.
Also of interest to the researcher are the clubs associated with the parish. Both First Parish Church organizations and branches of national organizations are represented in the records.
Watertown's Lend a Hand Club, 1904-1979, is a branch of the national Lend a Hand Society, begun by a Unitarian minister, Edward Everett Hale in 1891. The most sizeable segment of work of the national organization was sending books to schools and libraries in the rural South. Other work done by the Lend a Hand Society was done through other relief agencies providing aid to meet a need that might otherwise be unmet, such as the loaning of hospital equipment to those in need; layettes for new mothers; and convalescent care. According to the by-laws of the Lend a Hand Club of First Parish Church, its purpose was the promotion of the religious, charitable, and social welfare within the church. The records of the Lend a Hand Society are held by the Massachusetts Historical Society.
As the name suggests, the Watertown Female Society for the Relief of the Sick, 1816-1955, was founded in 1816 to give relief to poor and the sick. The society supplied clothing, blankets, food, and sickroom supplies to those in need.
The remaining parish clubs: Emerson Club, 1949-1952; Laymen's League, 1922-1949; the Social Club, 1944-1953; and the Unitarian Club, 1887-1955, were concerned with the support of the church and its membership principally through social means.
Acquisition Information
The records of the First Parish Church of Watertown were placed on deposit at the Massachusetts Historical Society by the church, February 1995.
Detailed Description of the Collection
The records of the First Parish Church of Watertown, Massachusetts are arranged in two series: loose papers and bound volumes. Within series, the materials have been divided into three sub-series: church records, church financial and property records, and records of church clubs and organizations. Bound volumes also include a fourth sub-series, Watertown Middle School District records. Users should consult both loose records and bound volumes for each subject.
I. Loose papers, 1690-1973
A. Church records, 1690-1954
Loose church records contain miscellaneous sporadic records including notes and writings of early pastors, i.e., Henry Gibbs, John Weiss, Solon Whitney, W. H. Savage, and G. G. Mills; some annual reports; and undated notes on church history and doctrine. See Series II. A. Bound church records for the bulk of the general records.
General records
Undated miscellaneous notes on church doctrine and the history of the church
Sermon notes of Rev. Henry Gibbs, 1690-1695
Printed record of the First Parish, 1861; letter from John Weiss accepting pastoral renewal, 18[63]
Letters from Solon F. Whitney, 1893, 1911, and W. H. Savage, 1895
Reports of Rev. G. G. Mills, 1910-1913
Annual reports, 1911, 1913-1917, 1922-1928
Certificate of appreciation for aid in restoration of the Old North Church, 1954; transcribed notes from parish records, 1819-1833
Seating plan of the church, reproduction, 1842
B. Church financial and property records, 1725-1973
This sub-series is arranged chronologically within five broad categories: general financial records, Anne Mills fund records, ministerial fund records, perpetuity fund records, and property records. Of interest are the original 1725 will of Anne Mills, and a copy of the will of Frank M. Bailey, 1945. These records are extremely sparse. See Series II. B. for the bulk of the financial and property records.
General financial records
Correspondence, 1904-1905; expenditures, 1891-1914
Cancelled checks, 1908-1909
Receipts, cancelled checks, 1870-1874; 1908-1909
Cancelled bank books, 1947-1973
Anne Mills Fund records
Will of Anne Mills, 1725
Anne Mills Fund, correspondence, 1909; cancelled bank book, 1925-1942
Ministerial Fund records
Ministerial fund legal documents, 1812, 1922-1939
Ministerial fund treasurer reports, 1895-1958
Ministerial fund receipts, 1924, 1936-1938, 1947-1948
Ministerial fund cancelled bank books, 1932-1943 and 1949-1951
Ministerial fund miscellaneous papers, 1924, 1930, 1932, 1942
Perpetuity Fund records
Perpetuity fund, Indenture of Trust, 1919 (copy), 1948
Perpetuity fund, Supplemental Indenture, 1938, 1949, 1951
Will (copy) of Frank M. Bailey, 1945
Perpetuity fund, miscellaneous financial records, 1928-1949
Perpetuity fund, minutes and reports, 1933, 1935-1958
Property records
Committee on ownership of pews, 1913
Lists, deeds, releases, transfers, valuation and taxes of pews, 1836-1905
Inventory of movable property, ca. 1970
Land agreement to Fitchburg Railroad Co., 1872 (copy); land assessments, 1951, 1961
Property mortgage documents for addition to Unitarian building, 1949
Property agreement with Mary E. Masters for permission to attach wires to poles located on parish land, 1923
Insurance policies, 1895-1905
C. Records of church clubs and organizations, 1817-1957
Records of church clubs and organization are arranged alphabetically by organization. Within each organization, materials are arranged chronologically. Organizations included in Series I. C. are the Evening Alliance, 1940-1957; Lend a Hand Club, 1913-1943; and the Watertown Female Society for the Relief of the Sick, 1817-1940. The records for the Watertown Female Society of the Relief of the Sick make up the bulk of these records, and include receipts, bills, orders, and an occasional piece of correspondence.
i. Evening Alliance, 1940-1957
Undated material; printed programs, 1940-1947
Minutes, 1940-1947, 1955-1957
ii. Lend a Hand Club, 1913-1943
Lend a Hand undated organizational reports, by-laws
Lend a Hand undated correspondence
Lend a Hand general records, 1913-1943
iii. Watertown Female Society for the Relief of the Sick, 1817-1940
1817-1828
1830-1850
1851-1859
1860-1890
1891-1940
Insurance policies, 1886-1897
Financial reports, 1938, but includes information from 1916-1917
D. Photographs, 1922
(2) Interior photographs of the renovation of First Parish Church, 1922
Taken by A. A. Greenlaw, Boston, Mass.II. Bound volumes, 1668-1981Digital Content
A. Church records, 1668-1971Digital Content
Official church records are chronologically arranged, although some overlapping of dates occurs. Early church volumes contain records of marriages, baptisms, and deaths, as well as warrants, votes, reports, and financial records. Other parish-related volumes include by-laws, gift and memorials, attendance records, cradle rolls, and Parish Committee minutes.
First Parish Record Book, 1668-1818
Also known as John Bailey's Book, it includes Rev. Bailey's records of his church in Limerick, Ireland and Biblical notes and writings until he left Watertown. The book was then passed on to his successors. Marriages, baptisms, and members covenanted with the Church are recorded, along with contributions and votes.
NOTE: Use of the original First Parish Record Book is restricted. Color digital facsimiles are available in the MHS Reading Room, DF-004.
First Parish Record Book, 1819-1907
Includes summaries of parish meetings, 1819-1875; deaths and marriages, 1886-1899; clippings and programs; and, annual reviews of the state of the Church, 1900-1907.
First Parish Record Book, 1819-1947
Record of church members, deaths, and marriages.
First Parish Record Book, 1835-1853
Includes warrants of meetings, reports, and resolutions adopted.
First Parish Record Book, 1853-1897
Includes warrants, records of actions. An index to important votes in volumes 1 and 2 is located in the front of the book.
First Parish Record Book, 1898-1916
Includes warrants, votes, and reports.
First Parish Record Book, 1916-1945
Includes warrants, votes, and reports.
First Parish Record Book, 1947-1969
Includes warrants and votes at annual meetings.
First Parish Church annual meeting minutes, 1929-1952
(disbound)First Parish Church, by-laws and membership, 1887; catalogue of he library, n.d.
First Parish Church, by-laws, 1949
First Parish Church, gifts and memorials, 1917-1970
First Parish Church, attendance records, 1949-1966
First Parish Church, Cradle Roll, 1930-1952
Cradle roll certificates, 1946, 1947, 1948
Parish Committee minutes, 1917-1933
Loose printed reports and correspondence found in Parish Committee minutes, 1917-1933
Parish Committee, minutes, warrants, correspondence 1927-1933, 1944-1971
(disbound)Scrapbook, 1923-ca. 1942
Started in May 1923. Includes: Record of expenses of communion table, 1833-1881; correspondence, clippings, notes, historian's reports, programs, and photographs, 1923-1942.
B. Church financial and property records, 1812-1977
Church financial and property records are arranged in four broad categories: general financial records, ministerial fund records, perpetuity fund records, and property records. Within each category materials are arranged first by subject and then chronologically. General financial records include treasurer's account books, cash books, and pledge and disbursement books. Property records generally consist of valuation, taxes, and pew ownership records.
Financial account book, 1820-1873
Includes accounts of Anne Mills Charity Fund.
Treasurer's account book, 1835-1877
Treasurer's account book, 1877-1895
Financial account book, 1896-1901
Includes pew rents and taxes.
Loose papers found in Account Book, 1896-1901
Cash book, 1903-1911
Financial records, 1911-1922
Cash book, 1911-1923
Cash book, 1923-1940
Cash book, 1940-1946
Treasurer's account book, 1960-1971
Pledges and disbursements, 1901-1911
Pledges and disbursements, 1914-1923
Pledges and disbursements, 1922-1932
Pledges and disbursements, 1939-1946
(disbound)Pledges and disbursements, 1971-1977
Ministerial Fund, minutes and reports, 1812-1883
Ministerial Fund, minutes and reports, 1883-1935
In the front is a brief historical account of the origin of the fund and photographs of the church building and parsonage, ca. 1885-1888.
Ministerial Fund, minutes and reports, 1936-1976
(disbound)Included in Folder 1 is a list of trustees from 1812- 1942.
Ministerial Fund, account book, 1812-1921
Ministerial Fund, account book, 1921-1930
Ministerial Fund, Income Account Book, 1930-1951
Ministerial Fund, Principal Fund Account, 1930-1951
Ministerial and Perpetuity Fund, Trustees and Mortgage Records, 1918-1953
Perpetuity Fund, minutes and reports, 1929-1935
Perpetuity Fund, account book, 1929-1951
Inventories included.
Perpetuity Fund, account book, 1929-1951
Includes income and expenditures.
Perpetuity Fund, minutes and reports, 1950-1969
(disbound)Perpetuity Fund, minutes and reports, 1970-1976
(disbound)First Parish Church, Record of Deeds of Pews, 1836-1888
List of taxes assessed on pews, 1871-1881
Pew taxes and rents, 1872-1877
Pew taxes and rents, 1877-1885
Pew taxes and rents, 1885-1893
Pew valuation and assessed taxes, 1835-1868
C. Records of church clubs and organizations, 1816-1981
Records of clubs and organizations are arranged alphabetically and include records of First Parish Church organizations and branches of national organizations, among them the Emerson Club, 1949-1952; Laymen's League, 1922-1949; Social Club, 1944-1953; Unitarian Club, 1887-1955; and Watertown Female Society for the Relief of the Sick, 1816-1955; Lend a Hand Club, 1904-1979; and the Watertown Branch of the National Alliance of Unitarian and other Christian Women, 1896-1981. The sub-series also contains records of the Parish Sunday School, 1929-1936 and the Tercentenary Committee, 1929-1930. When possible, within each club or organization, like-materials were grouped and then chronologically arranged. Also see oversize box list and Series I.
i. Emerson Club, 1949-1952
Minutes, 1949-1952
ii. Laymen's League, 1922-1949
Reports, 1922-1945
Includes church attendance records, 1925-1949, and an undated, printed pamphlet, "The Chapter Officers Book".
iii. Lend a Hand Club, 1904-1979
Junior Lend a Hand, minutes, 1904-1912
Secretary's reports, 1909-1914
Secretary's reports, 1914-1918
Secretary's reports, 1918-1926
Executive committee reports, 1910-1918
Financial ledger, 1934-1979; cancelled bank book, 1973-1979
iv. Social Club, 1944-1953
Minutes, 1944-1953
Loose papers found in Minutes, 1944-1953
Financial ledger, 1945-1948
v. Sunday School, 1929-1936
Reports, attendance records, 1929-1936
vi. Tercentenary Committee, 1929-1930
Reports, 1929-1930
vii. Unitarian Club, 1887-1955
Minutes, 1887-1905
Minutes, 1905-1912
Minutes, 1912-1934
Minutes, 1934-1953
Loose materials found within minutes, 1934-1953
Contributions, 1916-1929
Financial accounts, 1892-1909
Financial accounts, 1909-1929
Financial accounts, 1929-1940
Financial accounts, 1929-1955
viii. Watertown Branch of the National Alliance of Unitarian and other Christian Women, 1896-1981
Reports, 1942-1952
Financial ledger, 1896-1903
Financial ledger, 1944-1977
Loose materials found in financial ledger: correspondence, 1981; cancelled bank book, 1966-1981.
ix. Watertown Female Society for the Relief of the Sick, 1816-1955
Rules & Regulations (printed pamphlets) 1817, 3 copies; 1848, 2 copies
Receipt book, membership lists, 1932-1940
Sewing society records, 1846-1909
4 pamphletsMinutes, 1816-1866
Includes rules and regulations.
Minutes, 1866-1901
Minutes, 1901-1942
Loose papers found in minutes, 1901-1942
Minutes, 1942-1955
Loose papers found in minutes, 1942-1955
Financial accounts, 1816-1936
Record of Benefits, 1817-1875
D. Watertown Middle School District records, 1816-1851
Contains warrants and minutes of meetings, one volume.
Preferred Citation
First Parish of Watertown (Watertown, Mass.) records, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.