Covenant Meeting 6th January 1849  - Dea J.R. Parker Moderator – Opened by prayer by Dea J. Hamilton. Present 8. Brn. & 12 Sisters when Clk read Ch. Covenant. After which 5 more Brn. & 3 Sisters came in – Remarks by each & a more than usually interesting season as all seemed desirous of maintaining a closer walk with God, & witnessing the Revival of God’s work among us – Prayer to close by Moderator.

After close of Cov. Meeting the brethren in church capacity considered the matter of procuring wood & lights & paying Bro. Morrison for taking care of house – a subscription having been partially circulated by Dea. Hamilton, Bro. Morrison consented to take it & circulate further & collect a while – he to have 6/hr week for service.

Several remarks made relative to Dea H as leader of conference meetings &c – on motion of Bro. Lewis 2nd by Br. H.A Brick, Resolved that we cordially request Dea Hamilton to continue to act as leader together with Dea. Parker as heretofore  (?). {Sab. Rev. H. Munger & AM Com}                      A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

(E. Bissell {Rev. Chas. Morton declines} Rev. Salem T. Griswold, candidate)

1849

Covenant Meeting 3rd Febry. 1849 opened by prayer by Dea. Hamilton, Moderator, and Ch. Covenant read by Clk Remarks made by most of the 13 Brn. &  10. Sis. Present. Br. Elisha Bissell presented a letter from the Ch. in Avon Conn. And desired membership in the Ch. On motion of Dea. J. Parker, seconded by A.Z. Madison Resolved that Br. Bissell be received on his letter as a member of this church – meeting closed by prayer by Dea. J. Parker.

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Covenant meeting 3rd March 1849 Dea. J. Hamilton Moderator- Opened by prayer – Covenant read by Br. D. Barrell in absence of Clk. – Remarks by members- closed by prayer.

 

At close of service Sab. P.M. 25 Mch. 1849 Sister Esther Apthorp by Dea J.R. Parker made request for a letter of dismission and commendation, as she was about to remove to Racine Wis. – On motion of Bro. J. Forbes seconded, Resolved to grant the request;

The above done in absence of Clk, but communicated

                           A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Covenant Meeting held 31 March 1849 – Dea. Jno. Hamilton Mod. Read 15th John & offered prayer, Clerk read Covenant – 13 Brn. & 21 Sisters present, most of whom remarked & the season was considerably interesting. At close Br. Russell Webster requested a letter of dismission & commendation for Sister Esther Webster, unite with the Bap. Ch. at Versailles – On motion of Dea. J.R. Parker. Resolved to grant the request. Closed by prayer by Bro. Frederick Hamilton

                            A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Sabbath April 29. 1849. Rev. Salem T. Griswold being present, he having arrived here Tuesday 24th from Buffalo, the same day that Eld. Chas. Morton’s letter was recd, declining our request – he preached as a candidate.

 

Monday 30. April 1849 A meeting of the Ch. & Society was held in the Meeting house at which the following were passed as they stand Recorded on the Society Book.

“Resolved, on motion of Jno. Forbes seconded by Jno. Hamilton, That the Trustees be requested to obtain the services of Rev. Salem T. Griswold, his name having been presented by the committee of the Church.

“Resolved That this Society will raise by subscription or contribution $400. to be placed in the hands of Trustees to be appropriated to pay Elder Griswold for one year’s salary – payable quarterly.

“Resolved That we raise $40. to pay Elder Griswold’s moving expenses.”

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Covenant Meeting May 5, 1849 Opened by prayer by Dea J. Hamilton Moderator. The weather very rainy so that but few were present.

Bro. Ira Hill presented a letter from the 2nd Bap. Church in Stockton & requested membership with us, and on Motion made & seconded, Resolved that his request be granted.

Closed by prayer by Bro. C. Batcheller

                             J. Hamilton Mod.

 

Rev. Salem T. Griswold having concluded an engagement with us as Pastor for one year when present 30th utt.(?) & having arrived with his family from Knowlesville Orleans Co. – he was present and commenced his labors Sabbath A.M. May 13, 1849 (Rev. David Bernard preached in P.M.)

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

1849

Covenant Meeting 2nd June 1849 – Present Rev. Salem T. Griswold & 19. Brn. & 34 Sisters – 1st Singing – 2 Reading of Scripture – 3. prayer by Eld. Griswold 4th Singing – 5th Remarks by Eld. G. & Dea Hamilton – 6th Covenant read by Clk. 7th Remarks by Brn. & Sisters after which Sister Harriet Morgan presented a letter from the Bap. Ch. at Long Grove and on motion of Br. Grant seconded by Br. D.A. Woodruff Resolved that Sister Morgan be recd as a member of this Church.

Br. Edward Dudley likewise presented a letter from the Washington St. Bap. Ch. Buffalo, and on motion of Dea Parker seconded by Br. Barrell, Resolved that Br. Dudley be recd as a member of this Church. Br. L.B. Grant offered some remarks relative to the call given to Eld. S.T. Griswold as being thus far done by an act of the Society, and that he thought there should be an act of the Church on that point, and he made a motion to that effect which being seconded, the Clerk called the vote and it was unanimously Resolved that this church extend an invitation to Rev. Salem T. Griswold to become its Pastor. Closed by prayer offered by Br. D. Barrell

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Sabbath P.M. 3rd June 1849 Previous to communion the Clerk read a letter presented by Rev. S.T. Griswold from the Bap. Ch. at Knowlesville. On motion made and seconded, Resolved that Rev. Salem T. Griswold and Minerva Griswold, his wife be recd as members of this Church. Clerk also read a letter presented by Br. John Grant from 2nd Bap. Church in Stockton. On motion made & seconded, Resolved that Br. John Grant and Susan Grant, his wife, be received as members of this Church. Rev. Corwin being present, he extended the hand of fellowship to Rev. S.T. Griswold as the recognized pastor of the Church, immediately after which, Elder Griswold extended the hand of fellowship to Brn. Dudley & Grant and Sisters Grant & Morgan. Sr. Griswold not present.

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Covenant Meeting 30th June 1849, Present Rev. S.T. Griswold, 20 Brn. & 31 Sisters – Singing – Reading – Prayer by Eld. G. Remarks by Eld. G. Brn. & Sisters – Relation of Christian experience by Anthony L. Hamilton and request for baptism & membership. Request of Mrs. Burritt to be recognized as a member of the Church as now organized and united, she having been a member previous to the division. Presentation of letter given by Niagara Square Ch. Buffalo to Sister Nancy H. Stedman and also of letter by Portland Ch. to Sister Esther Doolittle.

On the several motions made & seconded to receive & grant the foregoing requests, it was

Resolved that A.L. Hamilton be recd as a candidate for baptism & membership in Ch.

Resolved that the request of Mrs. Burritt be granted. Resolved that Sister N.H. Stedman be recd as a member on her letter. Resolved that Sister Doolittle be recd as a member on her letter. Br. L.B. Grant proposed that our covenant meetings be held on Friday instead of the busy Saturday and that they be held in the proper part of house – these changes were left for reflection.

Clerk read covenant & meeting closed by prayer by Elder Griswold.

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Sabbath 1st July 1849 between services, the administration of the rite of baptism in case of Anthony L. Hamilton as attended by Elder Griswold, and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper as also attended in P.M.

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Covenant Meeting 5 August 1849

Present Rev. S.T. Griswold & 22 Brn. & 34 Sisters 1st Singing 2nd Reading Scripture by Eld. G. – 3 Singing – 4th Prayer followed by Remarks form Eld. G. – 5th Covenant read by Clk. 6th Remarks by Brn. & Sisters generally in order. Sister Ann Rowe presented a letter of commendation and dismission from the North Baptist Ch. in the City of New York to the Bap. Ch. in Fredonia. On motion made and seconded, Resolved that Sister Ann Rowe be recd as a member of this Church.

Br. D. Barrell made a Statement as to a letter given by him as Clk of the Fredonia Ch. to Sister Sarah B. Tyler which she carried to New York City & then resolving to return to Fredonia retained the said letter, but on her journey here her trunk & contents including the letter were lost. He moved & A.Z.M. seconded that she be recd. on her request as a member with us, which Resolution passed.

Mrs. Wealthy Bond (formerly Webster) being present expressed a desire to have or keep her place with the Ch.

Some remarks as to change of time from Sat. P.M. to Sab. P.M. & to Friday P.M. also as to a place for all the members of the Ch. to be visited in order that the entire membership may be ascertained & known, after which prayer by Elder Griswold & singing Doxology.

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Sabbath Augt. 6, 1849 P.M. After a short sermon by Elder G. & previous to communion, Opportunity was given to such members present & others, who were absent from Cov. Meeting, to give a brief relation of their exercises & Resolutions, when 15 Brn. & Sisters embraced the opportunity (others neglecting).

Among those who spoke was a Br. James Thomas who presented a letter from the Ch. of Christ of the Bap. Denomination at Caxton Cambridgeshire England. He said it was a freewill B. Ch. but he wished to have a  home with us &c on motion of Br. G.W Lewis seconded by Br. T. Sweet, Resolved to receive Br. Thomas as a member of this Ch. Sister Maryette Morrison desired to keep her place in the Ch.

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Covenant Meeting 1st Sept. 1849 – Present Rev. S.T. Griswold and 17 Brn. & 25 Sisters & 2 Strangers. Meeting opened by Singing, Reading & prayer & Remx by Moderator. Remarks by Brn. & Sisters, and closed by singing & prayer by Mod.

Resolved into Ch. Meeting for business. On motion of Br. Grant seconded by Br. Batcheller Resolved that this Church send delegates to the Erie Baptist Association at its coming session. On motion seconded, Resolved to appoint as such delegates Rev. S.T. Griswold & Brn. Jno. Hamilton, C. Batcheller, D. Barrell and Russell Webster, and in case of failure to attend on the part of any delegate such delegate to appoint any brother who will attend as his substitute to fill the vacancy. Resolved to raise three Dollars to send for printing minutes. Resolved that the Clk. prepare a letter to send to the association.

After sundry inquiries & remarks the Clk read a skeleton of a letter which he had hastily prepared. Resolved that our Pastor be associated with the Clk in the Revision of said letter. Br. L.B. Grant presented request for letter of dismission for Br. Phineas Baldwin & Sr. Lucy Baldwin, his wife, which request after sundry remarks and explanations, on motion made & seconded, it was Resolved to grant. Dea. E. Webster through Clk presented request of Br. Jotham Winchester & Sr. Mary Winchester and Sidney C. Belden & Mary Ann Belden for letters of dismission which on motion made & seconded, likewise, Resolved to grant. On motion of Br. Madison seconded by Br. Hamilton Resolved to appoint a committee of three to visit delinquent members & Report to Ch. as far as practicable in one month. Resolved to appoint Brn. L.B. Grant, C. Batcheller and Jno. Hamilton such committee.

Resolved to adjourn.

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Sabbath P.M. 2 Sept. 1849 When church was seated for communion – Heard Clk. read letter to the Erie Bap. Asso. as Revised.

On motion of Br. L.B. Grant seconded by Br. Barrell, Resolved to add the name of Bro. Joel R. Parker as a delegate to the association. On motion of Br. Barrell seconded by Br. J. Hamilton Resolved that we adopt the letter, as read, to the association. On nomination, Resolved that Br. Barrell receive contributions for the N.Y. Bap State Convention between this time and the meeting of association. Remarks by a Sister, and a Stranger brother from Clymer – the latter on Slavery – Communion service

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Sabbath P.M. Sept. 9 1849 Clerk read a letter from South East Stockton Bap. Ch. requesting our Pastor & brethren as delegates to a council for ordination of a Br. Waterman & to attend the dedication of their Meeting House. On motion, seconded, Resolved that Brn. Dea E. Webster & J.R. Parker and Brn. C. Batcheller & D.A. Woodruff be delegates to answer the above call.

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Sab. P.M. Sept. 23rd 1849 Elder Griswold stated the request of Mother Handy for a letter of dismission & commendation, she being soon to leave for the west. On motion of Br. J. Hamilton seconded, Resolved that her request be granted.

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Covenant Meeting 5th Oct. 1849 Present Rev. Salem T. Griswold and eleven Brn. & fifteen Sisters. Opened by singing “Rock of Ages” – Elder G. read a Psalm, offered prayer & remarks, which were followed with remarks of Brn. & sisters interspersed with singing. The Clerk then read the Covenant. Prayer by Elder Griswold. Dea. Parker stated the request of a sister Margaret Jay for a letter of dismission and commendation. Dea. Hamilton inquired as to her walk with the Church since the Union. Elder Griswold said he had visited her near Omar – that she expressed a desire to travel with the Ch. & that she had been with Ch. at a communion since the union, but her residence being remote & her husband a freewill Baptist she could not often be present, & that her husband proposed to go with her & unite with Forestville Bap. Ch. if she would procure a letter & do so. On motion of Dea. Hamilton seconded by Br. Morgan Resolved to grant the request. Adjourned.

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Covenant Meeting 3rd Nov. 1849 Present Rev. S.T. Griswold & others – number not known – the Clk absent in Ohio – Dr. Chas Parker & his wife Sr. Elizabeth Parker presented letters of commendation from the Bap. Ch. in Ashville and requested membership with us, on motion made and seconded, Resolved that they be received. Sr. Aurelia Phillips at communion Nov. 4. 1849 requested a letter of commendation and dismission to unite with ch. at Forestville where she is about to remove – deferred to next Cov. Meeting.

 

Sab. 18 Nov 1849. Dea. Jno. Hamilton resigned as Superintendent of the Sabbath School, and at his request several Brn. & Sisters met with the School at intermission, when after few remarks, it was Resolved that Br. L.B. Grant act as Supt. Of the School for a few Sabbaths – he consenting.

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Covenant Meeting Dec 1st 1849

Present Rev. S.T. Griswold – 20 Brn. & 23 Srs – opened by reading scripture, singing & prayer followed by remarks from Brn. & Sisters. As brethren were speaking, a Mr. Quackenbush spoke in turn in which he gave a brief relation of his Christian experience and of his recently entertained hope of salvation through Christ, and requested baptism & membership in the Church.

Elder Griswold stated his conversations with Mr. Quackenbush and the understanding which he appeared to have of Baptist sentiment, &c, and then gave opportunity for any to propose inquiries – On motion of Br. Grant 2nd by Dea. Parker, Resolved that Mr. Quackenbush be received as a candidate for baptism and when baptized  to membership in the Church.

Dea. Jno. Hamilton being present, also spoke in his turn and in the course of his remarks he said he had been apprized that some members were dissatisfied their feelings injured if they were not offended because of the belief he now indulged and conversed about, of the second advent of Christ being speedily to come. Added that he did, under the influence of his peculiar feelings & that circumstances at Laona, commune with the people called second Adventists and that under same circumstances & same feelings he should do so again. He did think at the time of partaking of the sacrament with them that it might aggrieve some of his Baptist Brn. – He regretted it – That if any felt to object to his officiating as deacon, they, of course, could not commune with him, as the one would be equally inconsistent as the other. That if the members felt thus in relation to him, he asked a letter, for himself & wife, of dismission. – not to use to connect with any other church, as he did not regard such letter necessary for that purpose, nor expect to even use it in that way – said he had been a Baptist, and is now a Baptist, unless believing in the speedy coming of Christ, makes him not a Baptist. Several remarks were made.

The Sisters offered remarks in customary order, after which Eld. G. stated the case of Sr. F. Rossiter and after explanation by Bro. Grant as to her situation relative to the Ch. on his motion 2nd by Br. Barrell, Resolved that the Clerk be instructed to add her name to the record as a member of the Church. Sister Aurelia Phillips having at last communion requested a letter as she was about removing to Forestville, the case was called up, & on Motion seconded, Resolved that her request be granted. The name of Sr. Gates being mentioned & her standing explained, on motion seconded, Resolved that the Clerk add her name as a member. Likewise the name of Sr. May was given & explained & on motion 2nd Resolved that Clerk also enter her name as a member of the Church. Mrs. Elizabeth Wheeler presented a letter from Sinclairville Ch. with request to unite with us. On motion made & seconded, Resolved to grant request. Mrs. Mary Williams also presented a letter from the Church at Niles Mich. with request to unite with us, which request it was duly Resolved to grant. Clerk read a letter of commendation Sr. Jane Bennett              Ch. Elder G. remarked in reference to the matter of Dea J. Hamilton that it was not for his believing in “the speedy coming of Christ” that we as a Ch. were aggrieved with him, but for partaking of the Lords Supper with an unorganized body of persons of different views, some baptized & some not, and holding sentiments in other respects conflicting with Baptists. Several remarks were made on this subject by different Brn. & finally closed by Br. Hamilton saying he would abstain from officiating as deacon & from communion for the present, & thus it was deferred. Meeting closed by prayer by Elder Griswold.

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk

 

Sabbath Dec. 2nd 1849 – At Intermission the ordinance of baptism was attended in case of Chauncey L. Quackenbush. Before communion after remarks of some bren. (absent from Cov. M.) the Clerk read a letter of commendation of Sr. Susan C. Barrell from the Bap. Ch. at Evans – Also a letter of dism & com of Sr. Clarinda Barrell from Fredonia B. Ch. & on motion 2nd Resolved that she be received a member of this Ch.

                            A.Z.M. Ch Clk

 

1849-50

At monthly concert Sab. Evening 2 Dec. 1849 after sundry remarks relative to the cause of Missions, & the Bible cause, and the necessity of efforts to procure contribution for the support of each, in anticipation of the anniversary meetings of the Miss’y. So. & the Bible So. To be held with this Church in February next, On motion made and seconded, Resolved that our Pastor, Rev. Salem T. Griswold, and brethren Geo. W. Lewis and A.Z. Madison be a committee to circulate a subscription to raise funds for the Am. & For. Bible Society, through the channel of the Chau. Bible Society.

                             A.Z. Madison Ch Clk