Franklin County MA Archives Church Records.....Universalist Society of Bernardston Copyright Date 1821-1868 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ma/mafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Elaine Sunde elaine@sunde3.com July 16, 2006, 11:06 am UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY ACCOUNT BOOK NO. 1 Bernardston, Franklin County, Massachusetts This ledger is in the collection of the Bernardston Historical Society. The volume is stored in the vault below the Cushman Library, Bernardston. PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: This is an effort to record the names of individuals associated with the Universalist Society of Bernardston and the years in which they are mentioned in the Clerk/Treasurer’s record. No effort has been made to document individual transactions except in the rare instance that an occupation is indicated by the entry or family relationship is specified. Moreover, this ledger was used to record monies taken in and sums paid out but it is not a membership list. [Note: Enclosed in the ledger is a loose-leaf and handwritten copy of the Constitution of the Universalist Society that was adopted in April 1852. Article 12 states that anyone not already a member “may become a member by hereunto affixing his name.” Thirteen signatures follow, thus constituting a partial membership list. These are identified in the index as “1852*.”] Within that framework, it may be useful to those attempting to determine whether or not an ancestor lived in Bernardston or was affiliated with a church during a particular time period. A few additional historical facts of interest to the community are revealed in the ledger. For example, on 10 June 1844 the Universalist Society received $6.00 from the Methodist Society for use of the meeting house for six months, ending June 3, 1844. A subsequent entry (although dated earlier as 2 April 1843) on page 44 states that “the Methodists first occupied the Universalist church after engaging to pay 25 cents per day for its use, and to pay all past and future [illegible] regarding from their use of it.” A third entry (page 46), dated in 1846, records a payment of $6.00 from the Methodist Society for house rent. Period Covered The account book spans some four decades. The earliest entry is 24 September 1821; the latest is 1868 (no month or date specified). However, it seems evident that this was not the only ledger in use. Some years during the period 1821-1868 are not recorded, while other years contain entries for each of the 12 months. Thus, in attempting to verify residency of any individual, the old rule applies: “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” Looking at the first entry, for example, it is safe to conclude that George Alexander was affiliated with the Bernardston Universalist church in 1822 and again in 1828. However, he may have been affiliated (and presumably present) during the years 1823-1827 as well, even though no entry was located in this particular ledger. Organization of Ledger The clerks generally recorded transactions sequentially but there are frequent anomalies. For example, both receipts and payments were sometimes recorded long after the date for which they were obligated, eg. a subscription or pledge made for 1826 might be collected (and thus recorded) a year or more later. Similarly, a church debt (for firewood, preaching, meeting house repair, etc) might be paid months, sometimes a year or more, after the service was performed. In such cases the clerk usually noted both date of obligation and date of transaction. When it is clear that the individual was present and involved with the church in both years, then both years are noted after their indexed name below. Sometimes, as well, a clerk appeared to devote a page to “catching up,” perhaps making entries from separate receipts. In such instances the page may be headed, for example, “1832” but contain a series of entries which appear to cover several years, both earlier and later than 1832. In such instances, I have ignored the heading on the page and used only the dated individual entry. Finally, some (but not all) of the clerks observed the practice of recording receipts on the left side of the ledger and payments on the right; they did not, however, attempt to align the dates so that one side of the ledger might record six months of receipts in one year while the opposing side of the ledger recorded an entire year’s worth of payments and some into the following year! Identification of Names As in most older documents, the ledger displays some interesting spelling variants. One of my favorite examples is the alternate spelling of Horace and Horris Atherton. While that seems, almost certainly, to signify the same man, it is sometimes not as certain; for example are “Rev. John Allen” and “John S. Allen” references to one man or two? Finally, the hand-writing, particularly from the earlier clerks, is very difficult. I have attempted a reading in most cases but indicated when I felt uncertain (for example: Ballan, Ballon, Ballow, Bullon?). A few entries were beyond me; these are listed at the end of the index, with page references. It is almost certain, as well, that some names I transcribed with confidence are, in fact, wrong. I’m hopeful that someone more familiar with Bernardston history -- or a greater facility to read early penmanship -- will see and correct errors. [NOTE: Mrs. Lou Atherton, director of the Bernardston Historical Museum, has reviewed my initial transcription and supplied correction for eight names that I had found completely illegible. These corrections have been made to the index above.] ALEXANDER, George 1822, 1828 ALLEN, Albert 1824 ALLEN, E. H. 1852 ALLEN, Rev. John 1843 ALLEN, John S. (may be same as above) 1852 ALLEN, Simon 1829 ATHERTON, Allen 1824, 1826-29,1829 ATHERTON, Alonzo 1861-62 ATHERTON, Horace (also Horris) 1822-23, 1827, 1829, 1845, 1848, 1851 ATHERTON Jonas 1824, 1826 ATHERTON, Ralph C. 1824 ATHERTON, S.H. 1868 ATHERTON, Zora. (Also Zoora) 1845, 1847, 1848, 1852, 1853 BALLAN, Rev. Levi (or BALLON, BALLOW, BULLON?) 1843 BALLAN, Moses 1837 BALLAN, Rev. William S. 1843, 1845, 1853 BARSTOW, Dr. Noyes 1852*, 1860-62 BARTLET, W.L. 1829 (for one Sunday preaching) BASCOM, A.N. 1852* BASCOM, Sheldon 1829 BASCOM, C. Shelman or Spelman (Son of Dorus) 1854, 1855, 1860-62 BASCOM, Chester# (also CAPT. Chester Bascom) 1822-23, 1826-30, 1834-36, 1839 Chosen Clerk and Treasurer of First Universalist Society on 11 April 1827 BASCOM, Dorus 1826, 1828, 1831, 1837, 1839, 1845-48, 1852-57, 1859-62 BASCOM, Elijah L. 1847, 1848, 1852, 1854-57, 1859-61 BASCOM, Frank N. 1852* BASCOM, George 1829 BASCOMB, Joseph 1822, 1828 BASCOM, Henry 1824, 1828, 1837, 1839, 1845, 1853, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1859-60 BASCOM, Moses. 1861 BATES, E.A. 1848, 1852, 1853 BELL, T. 1826, 1830 BELLOWS, Martha (organist) 1860 BELLOWS, Smith S. 1845, 1854-57, 1860 BENSON, L or S? 1847, 1848 BENTON, F. A. 1867 BERNEY?, Martin 1855 BOYLE, William 1852 BOYNTON, Frank 1852 BRITTON, Rev. Mr. 1839 His final payment of 1839, on Nov 11, was noted as sent by mail. Presumably, therefore, no longer in the community. BROOKS, Dr. John. Also “Rev. Brooks” 1821-36, 1845, 1847, 1848, 1851, 1853-62 Served as the first settled pastor of the Universalist Society and remained active in church affairs after he returned to medical practice. He served as Clerk/Treasurer from 1851-1855. BROOKS, Silas (Also S.N. Son of Dr. John Brooks) 1848, 1852, 1853, 1854-1862 Served as Clerk/Treasurer from 1855-1860, following the term of his father Dr. John Brooks BROWN, Jason (Carpenter) 1837, 1852 BUGBEY, Rev. Aurin (also BUGBEE)# 1834, 1836-39 His 1839 payments on June 17 and June 31 were noted as sent by mail. BULLOCK, Israel 1828-29 BURROWS, B.S. 1860 BURROWS, Edwin C. 1852*, 1860-62 BURROWS, George (son of Isaac) 1852 BURROWS, Isaac 1822-23, 1824, 1826-30, 1836-39, 1845, 1847, 1848, 1852-57, 1859- 61 BURROWS, Levi 1852*, 1862 BURROWS, Mrs. M. 1859 BURROWS, R. L. 1861 BURROWS, Salmon H. or N. 1852, 1854, 5 March 1855 (“Rec’d before his death.”) BURT, Enos 1845, 1851, 1859 BUTLER, Rev. Mr. H.B. 1853-1862, 1866, 1867 CARRIER, Amos (or CURRIER) 1824, 1827, 1833, 1837, 1839, 1847, 1848, 1852- 1856, 1858-60 CHAMBERLAIN, E. & M 1847 CHAMBERLAIN, Elizur 1821, 1827-29, 1834, 1836-39, 1843,1848, 1852-57 CHAMBERLAIN, Mary M. 1852, 1854, 1855, 1859, 1861-62 CHAPIN, Porter 1826 CHASE, Rufus 1844, 1852, 1854 CLARK, James H. 1859, 1861-62 CONNABLE, Ezra W. 1824, 1826-28, 1832, 1836-37 CUSHMAN, H.W. 1852 CUSHMAN, Lathrop 1836-37, 1839, 1847-48, 1854-55, 1857, 1859-60, 1862 DAVIS, MR. 1853 DAY, E. E. 1859-60 DEWEY, Joel N. (Carpenter) 1852 DICKINSON, Charles 1837 DICKINSON, Nathan 1829 DICKMAN, O. 1862 DOTY, James Jr.# 1822, 1824, 1826, 1831 Clerk and Treasurer of First Universalist Society prior to 1827. His term was followed by that of Chester Bascom. ELLIOTT, Mr. (of Greenfield) 1853 FAIRMAN, Ribby? (Also Z.R.) 1852 FERRY, Colonel 1852 FIELD, Jesse 1826 FLAGG, JR. Mr. 1834 FORD, (Rev?) Mr. 1853 FOSTER, T? J. 1855 FOX, Althea 1852 FOX, Eli C. 1852, 1859, 1861 GORE, Stephen 1853 GOULD, George W. 1852, 1854 GREEN, Ira 1829 HALE, Allen B. 1855, 1856, 1857, 1859-61 HALE, Blanford 1847, 1848, 1853, 1854 HALE, Cyrus W. 1852-55, 1857, 1859-62 HALE, Frances 1853, 1854 HALE, Horace 1852 HALE, Timothy 1837 HALE, William B. 1848, 1852 HAMILTON, Harrison J.P. 1852*, 1858, 1860-62 HASTINGS, Jonathan? 1826 HASTINGS, Otis 1843, 1845, 1847, 1848, 1853, 1855 HEMPHILL, Rev 1853 HILLMAN, Thomas 1847, 1852 HILLMAN, W. (Wass?) 1829, 1834 HILLS, S. R. 1856, 1857, 1859, 1862, 1864, 1866 HILLS, Russell L. 1848, 1852-56, 1859-61 HITCHCOCK, D.A. 1823 HOLMES, S. E. 1867 HOOPER, William 1867 HORSLEY, Rufus 1826, 1831 HOWLAND, Mrs. 1848 HULBERT, E. S. 1859-61 KIETH, Amos (or Keith) 1829 KINNY, E. & M 1847 KINNY, Stephen 1845, 1847 LAKE, Rev. E.H. 1852, 1853 LEVETT, H. 1826 LUNDGEN, Mister (for one Sunday preaching) 1829 LYON, John (also “Doctor”) 1824, 1829 LYON, Joel 1830 MELLEN, C. W 1838 MINER, E. W. 1852* NELSON, D. W. 1852* NEWCOMB, ? C. 1852 NEWELL, David 1829, 1836-37, 1847, 1848 NUNDSTON, Ben 1827-29 OAKS, James. 1836-37 OAKS, Mr. (His Daughter) 1839 OWENS, Mr. 1852 PARKER?, N. 1853 PERKINS, Rev Orrin 1847, 1848, 1853 PEYTON, Charles (or PEYTHER?) 1824 PHILLIPS, Carrie (Organist) 1860 PHILLIPS, George C. 1862 PHILLIPS, H.P. 1855 PHILLIPS, Israel 1852, 1853, 1855-1862 PHILLIPS, M. B. 1852* PHILLIPS, M. F. 1852* PHILLIPS, Noble P. or B. 1837-38, 1843, 1845, 1848, 1852-56, 1859-62 PHILLIPS, Rufus S. 1824, 1826, 1828, 1831-32, 1837, 1839, 1845, 1847-48, 1852, 1854-57, 1859-62 PHILLIPS, Simon C. 1845, 1847, 1848, 1852, 1853, 1855, 1859-62 PICKETT, Frank N. 1852* PICKETT, H. L. 1852* PICKETT, James 1823, 1868 PICKETT, Joseph 1824 PICKETT, J. G. 1852* PICKETT, Samuel 1822, 1826-27, 1829, 1833, 1835-36 PIERCE, George (Merchant) 1853 PURPLE, Russell 1827 PUTMAN, J OR I 1848, 1862 RYTHERS, Alexander 1829 RYTHERS, Charles 1829-30 RYTHERS, Chester 1829 SANDERSON, John 1852 SANDBORN, Rev. Mr. R. S. or B. S. (also SANBORN) 1842? 1843, Noted in ledger that Mr. Sandborn commenced on this day (17 April) to preach every fourth Sabbath for one year. The page (44) is headed A.D. 1842 but the entry appears to read 1843. SCOTT, Alva P. 1852, 1853 SCOTT, Joab 1826, 1828-29, 1837, 1847, 1848, 1852 SCOTT, John 1853 SHATTUCK, Abel 1837,1845, 1847, 1848, 1852 SHATTUCK, Mrs. A. 1853, 1855, 1857 SHATTUCK, Mrs. Nancy 1859-61 SHATTUCK, Park (Building Fires) 1857 SHELDON, Izatus 1822,1826, 1828, 1836-37, 1845, 1847, 1848, 1852, 1854-57, 1859- 62 SHELDON, Ora 1826 SLATE, Charles J. 1848, 1854, 1855 SLATE, Joel 1824, 1830 (administration of Estate of Stephen Webster) SMITH, Mister (Preaching Summer 1831) SMITH, Israel 1822, 1824 SMITH, Nathan 1848, 1851, 1852, 1854-1860, 1862 SNOW, Barnabas 1854 SPALDING, A. & J. 1827, 1828 SPRAGUE, L.H. 1859 STERNS, N. 1861-62 STRATTON, S.P. 1853 STRICKLAND, Lyman 1827-29 STRICKLAND, Russell F. 1828, 1830 TEMPLEMAN, Mr. 1861 THOMSON, Mr. (Wood Cutting) 1855 TILLOTSEN, O.H. 1852 TYLER, Edwin 1852, 1860 TYLER, H. H. 1862 TYLER, William E. 1853, 1855, 1856, 1858-9 TYLER, Mrs. Wm. E. 1861 WALLS, Charles B. 1862 WARNER, Phiny 1852, 1854 WARNER, Otis 1839, 1852 WARNER, Phiny 1824, 1839, 1848 WEBSTER, Major (may be same as below) 1827, 1829 WEBSTER, Stephen 1826, 1830 (funds received from administrator of his estate) WERDEN, Cyrus, Preacher 1845 WHEELER, E. G. 1852, 1854 WHITE, Rev. Edwin 1868-69 WILLARD, Lockhart D. Esq. 1853, 1854 WILLARD, S. W. 1827 WILLIS, J. H. 1867 WILSON, J. V. (or I.V.) 1838, 1867 WOOD, Horace (Also WOODS) 1852 WOOD, Jacob 1821 WOOD, Seth 1839, 1843-1845, 1847-48, 1851-1862 WRIGHT, Daniel 1829 WRIGHT, Samuel S. 1852 WYATH, Nathan (Also WYATT, WYART) (Carpenter) 1852 WYATT, Royal (or WYART) 1852, 1859 Illegible: Grunn______, George 1824 (page 15), 1827 (p 25), 1828 (p 27) J____, Cephas 1826 (page 20) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ma/franklin/churches/universa2bb.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/mafiles/ File size: 13.6 Kb