A. 9.

The Rev. Willard Holbrook's children are three sons and three daughters, viz. 1. Amory, born August 15, 1820, an undergraduate at Bowdoin College; 2. John Crocker, born August 27, 1822, died July 26, 1829; 3. Willard Rogers, born March 1, 1824, preparing for college; 4. Mary Elvira, born May 29, 1826; 5. Mary Crocker, born June 23, 1829; 6. Sarah Elizabeth, born June 7, 1831. The three last died in infancy.

An Ecclesiastical Council was convened at Rowley on the 21st of April, 1840, at the invitation of the Rev. Willard Holbrook, and the church under his pastoral care, "to consider and give advice in relation to some existing difficulties between the church and their pastor." The following extract is taken from the result of that Council. "The Council are aware, that cases may exist in which the bands between a minister and people must be dissolved, without any criminality on either side, which forfeits confidence in Christian character. Sometimes a measure may be expedient, for which, in theory, no good reason can be given. But such cases are rare, and in the present instance they must say, that no reasons have been assigned, that should impair our confidence in the picty, the prudence, the ability, or the ministerial demeanor of our beloved brother in any respect. If, therefore, we advise a dismission from the church, it must be in compliance with his own wishes, and in acquiescence to a sad necessity. There is a single consideration we would here suggest. It has appeared before the Council, that, from time to time, Mr. Holbrook has, at the request of the parish, relinquished a part of his salary. It has appeared also, that, at different times, the parish have withheld a portion of his stipulated salary, without consulting him. The Council are of opinion,

that such parts, at least, of his salary, as have been withheld without consulting him, and obtaining his relinquishment, the parish are bound, in honor and justice, to make up to their minister about to leave them. With this recommendation, and in view of the whole subject, we hereby advise his dismission, because imperious circumstances, over which his conduct had little or no control, say that we must, and we further advise, that it take place from the present day. And we most cordially and affectionately recommend him to the acceptance and esteem of the churches and people, wherever he may be called to labor in the vineyard of our common Lord."

The following is the number of persons received into the first church, during the ministry of each clergyman, as nearly as can be ascertained.

The Rev. Mr. Chandler lived upon the same spot where Stephen M. Nelson's house now stands, and near where the first meeting-house stood.

July 17, 1733. The parish voted, they would be at the expense of raising Mr. Chandler's house and barn, and agreed to give Mr. Joseph Nelson £ 12, to make provision for the same. The house was burnt, April 4, 1825.

The second parish (now in Georgetown) was incorporated October 1, 1731. The first meeting was held October 5, when Jonathan Boynton was chosen clerk, Lieutenant John Spofford, Jeremiah Chaplin, Ensign Benjamin Plumer, William Searle, and Aaron Pingree, assessors.

Jonathan Thurston and Samuel Johnson, collectors. October 25. The parish gave Mr. Daniel Rogers a call to settle in the ministry.

1731-2, January 4. They gave Mr. James Chandler, of Andover, a call; every man in the meeting voted for it. The church, at its organization, (October 4, 1732,) consisted of, viz. James Chandler,

Richard Boynton,

William Fisk,
William Searle,

Samuel Harriman,

William Adams,

John Adams,

Thomas Plumer,

Thomas Burpee, Richard Thurston,
Daniel Woodberry, Jeremiah Chaplin,

Jonathan Boynton, Jonathan Thurston, Job Pingree,
John Brocklebank, David Pearson, Ebenezer Burpee.

The Rev. Mr. Hale, of Byfield, and the Rev. Mr. Balch, of Bradford, assisted at the organization of the church. It is said Mr. Balch preached on the occasion.

"The churches of Byfield, Bradford, Boxford, Andover, Cambridge, the first in Rowley, and second in Newbury, were invited to assist, by their reverend pastors and delegates, at the ordination of Mr. Chandler, and were all present, except from Cambridge. The Rev. Mr. Barnard, of Andover, began with prayer; the Rev. Mr. Rogers, of Boxford, preached from John xxi. 15, 16, 17; the Rev. Mr. Hale, of Byfield, gave the charge; the Rev. Mr. Phillips, of Andover, gave the right hand of fellowship; the Rev. Mr. Jewett, of Rowley, offered the last prayer. The congregation then sang Psalm cxxxii. and were dismissed, the blessing being pronounced upon them by him whose ordination they had witnessed."

The church in Byfield gave to this church one flagon and six cups. Ensign Coleman and Gershom Frazier, of Byfield, gave each a platter for the communion table. Various other individuals belonging to Byfield parish gave divers sums of money, amounting in all to more than £9, lawful money; for all which the church, at their first communion season (January 7, 1732 -3,) passed a vote of thanks.

The first meeting-house in this parish was raised, June 5, 1729, and stood upon the southwesterly corner of what is now David Brocklebank's field.

1742. The meeting-house was enlarged by an addition of thirteen feet, four inches, to its length.

1744. The parish voted to red the outside of their meeting-house, and to paint the pulpit.

The second, or present meeting-house was raised July 5, 1769.

The parish made a grant of £ 21 13 10, to defray the expense of procuring provision for the men engaged in raising the house. The provision was ordered to be kept, and distributed to the workmen, at the school-house, which stood near where the town pound now is.

In 1816, the house was repaired at an expense of $717-02 To procure a bell for the meeting-house, seventy

nine individuals subscribed and gave

Forty-three ladies, to dress the pulpit

Making (besides the salary, &c.) a total of

454.57

39.60

$1,211.19

In 1822, a stove for warming the meeting-house was first placed therein.

In 1828, the old stove was sold, and a better one (given by Paul Spofford, of New York,) put in its place.

In 1832, the inside of the meeting-house was entirely changed, the old square pews taken out, the pulpit placed at the easterly end of the house, and new slip pews built, according to the modern style.

In 1836, the meeting-house was enlarged by opening the easterly end, and adding thereto fifteen feet in length. The additional number of pews gained, paid the expense.

Church Psalmody.

1762. The parish voted, that those who had learned the art of singing, may have liberty to sit in the front gallery. (They did not take the liberty.)

1780. The parish requested Jonathan Chaplin, Jr. and Lieutenant Moody Spofford, to assist Deacon Daniel Spofford in Raising the Tune in the meeting-house.

1785. The parish desire the singers, both male and female, to sit in the gallery, and will allow them to sing once, upon each Lord's day, without reading by the deacon.