First Baptist Church of Williamson records, 1821-1878.
Collection Number: 6035
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
First Baptist Church of Williamson records, 1821-1878.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
6035
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.
Creator:
First Baptist Church of Williamson (Williamson, N.Y.)
Quanitities:
1 microfilm reels.
Language:
Collection material in English
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.
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.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
First Baptist Church of Williamson records, #6035. Division of Rare and Manuscript
Collections, Cornell University Library.
Names:
Allen, Marvin.
Ewer, Seth.
Second Baptist Church of Williamson (Williamson, N.Y.)
Places:
Williamson (N.Y.) -- Religious life and customs.
Wayne County (N.Y.) -- Religious life and customs.
Subjects:
Churches, Baptist -- New York (State)
Antislavery movements.
Baptists -- New York (State) -- Williamson.
Freemasonry -- Religious aspects -- Baptists.
Baptists -- Societies.
Form and Genre Terms:
Minutes.
CONTAINER LIST
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Container
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Description
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Date
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| Item 1 |
Records of the Baptist Society of Williamson,
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December 12, 1826 - January 7, 1872 | |
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Scope and Contents
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.
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| Item 2 |
Records of the Second Baptist Church of Williamson,
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February 24, 1821 - June 18, 1842 | |
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Scope and Contents
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).
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| Item 3 |
Records of the Baptist Church of Williamson,
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June 1842 - October 1872 | |
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Scope and Contents
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.
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