Hanover, Mass. First Congregational Church records, 1728-1818.

Collection Information
Title:

Hanover, Mass. First Congregational Church records, 1728-1818

Creator(s):

First Congregational Church (Hanover, Mass.)

Dates:

1728-1818

Extent:

3 Volumes in box (0.07 cubic feet)

3 reels 35mm microfilm: archival master, print master & service copy (0.06 cubic feet)

334 unique page images: archival TIFF, derivative JPEG & PDF

Collection ID #:

RG4290

Conditions Governing Access:

Original ledgers, archival master, and print master microfilm reels are unavailable for researcher use. Digital and service copy microfilm copies are open for access.

Technical Access:

A microfilm reader is required to access microfilm copies. To access the digital user’s copies via online-interface, a java-enabled web browser is required. Internet Explorer 8.x and later, Firefox 5.x and later, Opera 12 and later, Safari 5.x and later, or any version of Google Chrome are recommended. Digital copies may be accessed here: http://www.congregationallibrary.org/nehh/HanoverMA4920

Copyright:

Items in this collection are subject to U.S. Copyright Law. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine the copyright status of collection items and to secure any permissions necessary for their reproduction and publication.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of item], in the Hanover, Mass. First Congregational Church records, 1728-1818. RG4920. The Congregational Library & Archives, Boston, MA.

Additional Resources:

Item-level metadata for digital copies is available. Please contact the Library for more information.

Language:

English

Processing information:

Collection re-described by Sari Mauro in September 2013 in accordance with DACS 2013. Portions of description written by Robin Duckworth.

Abstract:

The Congregational Society at Hanover was established by act of the Massachusetts General Court in 1727 and met in parishioner’s homes until the completion of its first meetinghouse in 1728. The collection contains records of the original church covenant, meeting minutes, vital statistics, and records of the purchase of sacramental wine. Of particular note are lists of full members and half members admitted into fellowship in accordance with the half-way covenant.

Acquisition Information:

Collection placed on permanent loan by First Congregational Church of Hanover, Massachusetts, in August 2008.
 

Accruals:

Additional accruals are expected for this collection in the form of full-text transcription. There is no anticipated date for this accrual.

Description

Historical Note

The Congregational Society at Hanover was formed by an act of the Massachusetts General Court in 1727, and met in the homes of members until its first meetinghouse was built the following year. Notable founding members included Joseph Stockbridge and Elijah Cushing. The first minister, Rev. Benjamin Bass, also formed the town's earliest public library.

Over the past three centuries, the church has constructed three further buildings to accommodate the changing needs of its membership. It has sponsored the local Boy Scout troop, contributed funds to both home and foreign missions, and formed a Social Action Committee to increase community outreach. One of the congregation's original silver communion cups was donated to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in 1911.

 

Scope of Collection

This collection contains the early records of Frist Congregational Church in Hanover, Massachusetts. Included are records of church meetings, vital statistics, marriages, membership, and the original founding covenant. Also included are records of sacramental wine purchased.

 

Further Searches

Subject Headings

Church records and registers - Massachusetts - Hanover.

Baptism - Congregational churches.

Covenant (Church polity) - Congregational churches.

Marriage records - Massachusetts

Necrologies

Ordination.

Church membership.

Lord's Supper.

Marriage records - Massachusetts

Halfway Covenant

 

Related Materials

Hanover, MA : First Congregational Church. 17.11.1 H19.5 FIRCC

A copy of the records of births, marriages, and deaths and of intentions of marriage of the town of Hanover, Mass. 1727-1857. T H19.6

History and records of the First Congregational Church, Hanover, Mass., 1727-1865, and inscriptions from the headstones and tombs in the cemetery at Centre Hanover, Mass., 1727-1894. Being volume I of the church and cemetery records of Hanover, Mass. 17.11.1 H19.5 FIRCC HB 1895

History of the town of Hanover, Massachusetts, with family genealogies T H19.5 D

 

Arrangement

Records are contained in three volumes ordered by date. All three volumes are reproduced both digitally and onto one microfilm reel.

 

Contents

  Date Location
Church records 1728-1756 Volume 1
    Reel 1 of 1
    Online Interface
The records in this first volume include the original covenant, early church meeting minutes, and lists of births, deaths, and marriages.
Church records 1756-1818 Volume 2
    Reel 1 of 1
    Online Interface
The records in the second volume include church meeting minutes, membership records, and lists of births, deaths, and marriages.
Miscellaneious records 1785-1800 Volume 3
    Reel 1 of 1
    Online Interface
This brief volume mostly consists of records of sacramental wine purchased. It also includes a few vital statistics not listed in the church record books.

 

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