Guide to the First Baptist Church Of Williamson Records,
1821-1878.

Collection Number: 6035

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
B.D.
Date completed:
Feb. 1979
EAD encoding:
Andrea Hektor, June 2004

© 2004 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
First Baptist Church of Williamson records, 1821-1878.
Collection Number:
6035
Creator:
First Baptist Church of Williamson (Willaimson, N.Y.)
Quantity:
1 reel microfilm.
Forms of Material:
Microfilm
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Three volumes of records (1826-1878) include minutes of church covenant meetings, membership lists, church covenants and articles of faith. Minutes include discussions of church policy regarding Masonry and slavery, a vote to hold protracted meetings, a decision that male members should have closed prayer meetings, and documentation of the trial of the church pastor.
Language:
Collection material in English

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

The First Baptist Church of Williamson was formed December 12, 1826, by Rev. Marvin Alien, vith thirty members, and the early meetings vere held in the Moody and Russel schoolhouses. The first church edifice was built in 1827, by subscription, payable in grain or money. The house was of the "Galleried" type, and stood on the site of the present church. It vas dedicated by Rev. Alien the same year, and used until burned, in 1842. Another church was completed in 1843, and was dedicated in 1846, by Rev. Seth Ever. See The History of Wayne County for a list of pastors.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

The First Baptist Church of Williamson records (1826-1878) in 3 vols., document church covenant meetings and annual meetings. All records received have been microfilmed and the originals returned to the church.
Included are minutes of church covenant meetings, membership lists, Church Covenants and Articles of Faith. The minutes include: discussions of church policy regarding masonry; a decision that male church members should have special closed prayer meetings; discussions of church policy regarding slavery including an anti-slavery resolution; vote of the church membership to hold protracted meetings; documentation of the trial of the church pastor.
SUBJECTS

Names:
First Baptist Church of Williamson (Willaimson, N.Y.)
Allen, Marvin.
Ewer, Seth.
Second Baptist Church of Williamson (Williamson, N.Y.)

Subjects:
Baptists--Societies.
Freemasonry--Religious aspects--Baptists.
Baptists--New York (State)--Williamson.
Antislavery movements.
Baptist church buildings.

Places:
Wayne County (N.Y.)--Religious life and customs.
Williamson (N.Y.)--Religious life and customs.

Form and Genre Terms:
Minutes.
INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
First Baptist Church of Williamson records, #6035. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
CONTAINER LIST

Description
Container
Records of the Baptist Society of Williamson, December 12, 1826 - January 7, 1872
Item 1
Minutes of annual meetings, minutes contain: names of persons elected trustees; discussion concerning the construction of the meeting house (October 1827); names of persons chosen moderators; names of persons chosen clerks; record of the burning of the meeting house (February 1843) and consequent arrangements for the building of a new one.
Records of the Second Baptist Church of Williamson, February 24, 1821 - June 18, 1842
Item 2
Contains: list of original members in front of volume; minutes of covenant meetings containing names of persons admitted to the church; examples of the church acting as a disciplinary body; names of persons baptised; names of persons elected deacons; decision of church members stating that male members have special closed prayer meetings; minutes of a special meeting held vith sister churches to ordain pastors; discussion of church policy regarding Masons; names of persons suspended from the church for intemperance, adultery, neglect of church duties; use of profane language; vote of church membership to hold protracted meetings (January 1839 and April l84l); trial of Daniel Pappino, a church deacon in disagreement vith the church doctrine (September 1839 - November 30, 1839); record of a council meeting (December 29, 1840) called to settle personal disputes betveen the pastor and one of the elders.
Also included in the rear of the volume: Confession of Faith; Church Covenant; membership list. (Including dates of admission).
Records of the Baptist Church of Williamson, June 1842 - October 1872
Item 3
Volume contains: Confession of Faith, Church Covenant (front of volume); and minutes of covenant meetings.
Minutes contain: names of persons suspended from the church and the reasons why (intemperance, neglect of church, adultery, use of profane language, immoral conduct, unification with another church); names of persons given letters of dismission; names of persons admitted to the church; record of the burning of the meetinghouse (February 1843); record of a resolution passed regarding slavery (August, 1843); documentation of the trial of the Pastor (Elder Green-field) on churges including preaching the Second Advent doctrine, denial of church organization on the gospel plan, pursuing an unchristian course regarding slavery, influencing members to subscribe to resolutions that would divide the church (1845); resolution requesting the services of a missionary (1846); record of a Presbyterian becoming baptized and joining the church (June 1851 ); notations of names and dates of death of church members; record of an ordination service (1869).
Rear of the volume contains: membership lists (noting dates of admission, baptism, death and dismission); various letters of recommendation and dismission; copy of a certificate of fellowship; handbill announcing a church anniversary dinner; letters to the editor of a local newspaper.