1 15 4 https://digitalamherst.org/files/original/8be1b20104c9562133faffd3dbdb0239.pdf fa517d3c265386e0dcac3c94694e73d8 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Text Any textual data included in the document. To the Rev. Parsons and delegates from the several churches of Northampton, Hatfield, Southampton, Williamsburgh, Whately & Westhampton in council assembled at Amherst on Monday the 30th day of Septr A.D. 1782 Gentlemen In as much as it has been agreeable to your several churches to grant our request to them expressed in our ----? in appointing you to advise and assist us under our present [disa---?] greeable circumstances; we beg leave to lay before you for your consideration and advise thereon a more full and particular [account?] of the several matters of grievance subsisting in our minds with regard to the settlement of Mr. David Parsons as Pastor of the Church and Congregation in this town. And in the first place we consider ourselves as being treated in an unchristian like, and unfair manner by a majority of the Church, in that, they have proceeded in a hasty & unbecoming way to procure Mr. Parsons to preach here, in the first place Contrary to the authority of the town expressed by their vote of May 18th, 1781 which was that the -----? be a commentary to provide the town with a preacher, soon after which vote was passed in town meeting, a member of the church (uneasy as we suppose that the -----? by advice of the neighboring ministers were about to procure another gentleman in preference to Mr. Parsons to supply the pulpit in this town) procured a church meeting to be called to prevent the committee appointed by [ye?] aforesaid vote of the town from procuring any other person to supply the pulpit except Mr. Parsons. Accordingly a church meeting was immediately called, and the church without giving opportunity to said committee to pursue their -instructions; by their votes and influence procured a town meeting, which town meeting being called on the 25th day of June 1781, the following votes were passed, to wit, that as soon as convenient the town will be in a way for the ------? of the gospel ordinances among them, 2d that the town are willing to concur with the [chh?] in all pro----? measures for the settlement of the gospel ministry and ordinances. And after having [spoken?] a committee of the town to join with the committee of the chh to procure a [settlement?] of the gospel ordinances in this town. The following -----? was ----?, to wit, that the committee be directed to employ Mr. David Parsons to supply the pulpit for the --page 2-- by all which votes and proceedings of the chh and town we are of [opinion?] that it was the predeterminate resolution of the majority of the chh to have Mr. Parsons the sole candidate for settlement in the ministry in this town, altho' afterwards, after a general declaration that Mr. Parsons would not consider himself as a candidate for the ministry (which we suppose to be a feigned assertion by his friends; It was voted by the town December 17th, 1781 that the com mittee be directed as soon as may be to procure a candidate for the ministry to preach in this town in preference of which direction of the town the committee (by advice of a council of ministers assembled for the installment of Mr. Strong of Williamsburgh) applied to, and procured Mr. Henry Ely to supply the pulpit for a short term, which worthy gentleman had not long laboured in our service, before it was reported that Mr. Parsons would offer himself as a candidate for settlement in the ministry Whereupon a meeting was called and a majority of the town voted to invite Mr. David Parsons to preach here on probation for settlement.. who has supplied the pulpit ever since..by which proceedings of the chh and town we consider ourselves as injured in that when they knew that more than one third part of the town were opposed to Mr. Parsons they refused hearing any other candidate, which reasonable request if granted might have prevented the uneasiness and troubles now now prevailing in this town, the aforesaid request was often made & ----? for reasons hereafter to be be inserted, but always denied with an unbecoming ----? alleging that they were the majority, and it must be that the minority must be bound by their proceedings With regard to Mr. Parsons As there has been for many years past divers disputes and controversies between parties in this town relative to political principles in some of which his family have taken part, and been interested, we doubt not but the gentleman is prejudiced against many of the inhabitants of this town, and as these parties still -----? in town, we consider him as taking part with, and being unreasonably influenced by particular [Parsons?] of the one party, and prejudiced against [Parsons?] of the other party; Whereas we suppose a minister ought to be free from all kinds of prejudice towards the people or any part of them. As to his political principles although we are not absolutely acquainted with them, yet by his [reservedness?] & manner of expression in his public performances, as well as by --page 3-- some expressions in private conversation we are fully of opinion that he is not a friend to the independence of America, and of consequence not friendly to those who are opposed to the dominion of Great Britain over the United States. As to his principles with regard to church government and discipline we are at a loss to determine what they are and it appears to us by his own conversation that he hath not determined for himself what they may be. These matters we think, ought to be clearly understood, pointed out and agreed upon previous to the settlement of a minister, that we may know when we offend, and if an offence be committed, the we may know how and in what manner the offender shall be tried, convicted, and punished. As to ability of body we consider him by reason of infirmity to be incabable of [safe?] application to study, and thereby rendered unfit to perform the duties appertaining to the sacred office. Furthermore we consider him more general in his observations in public discourse than is profitable to enlighten the mind in the doctrines of faith, repentance and regeneration. Finally we consider him as unduly influ- enced by interest otherwise he would have left us and gone to some other parish where he might have settled in peace and harmony as it is given out by himself and friends that he hath had many such offers, and not have continued in this town contrary to the minds of more than a third part of it. The foregoing and such like considerations lying with weight on our mind hath so far alienated our affections and esteem from Mr. Parsons as to render him an unprofitable and disagreeable preacher to us = We therefore pray you to take the premises into your wise consideration and grant us your advice assistance and direction respecting the same = wishing you that wisdom that is profitable to direct, we are in behalf of a large number of the church and inhabitants of the town of Amherst, your friends in the fellowship of of the gospel John Billing Ebenr Mattoon Jr. Sept 30th, 1782 a true copy attest John Billing Hezekiah Belding --page 4-- to the settlement of Rev. David Parsons, by the aggreived members of the church Sept 30, 1782 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Objections to the settlement of David Parsons as minister Subject The topic of the resource Church controversies Tories English Political activists United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Influence Amherst (Mass.) Description An account of the resource Written communication listing the grievances of members of the First Congregational Church of Amherst to the settlement of the Rev. David Parsons, Jr. as minister for the parish. It is signed by Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr. and John Billings. One of the reasons listed is that "he is not a friend to the independence of America, and of consequence not friendly to those who are opposed to the dominion of Great Britain over the United States." This statement implies that political differences split the First Parish congregation and led to the organization of the Second Congregational Church. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Jones Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1782-09-30 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This digital file may be used for educational uses, as long as it is not altered in any way. Prior written permission is required for any other use of the digital files from the Jones Library. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource English Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Folder: Parsons, David, Jr. -- Settlement Type The nature or genre of the resource Manuscripts 1700s 1780s Revolutionary War War Peace and Human Rights https://digitalamherst.org/files/original/appealtowomen_78cbc9c910.jpg ba32d8a7d5dd254b1358ff0cd2f300cf Omeka Image File The metadata element set that was included in the `files_images` table in previous versions of Omeka. These elements are common to all image files. Bit Depth 8 Channels 3 Height 800 IPTC String Array ( ) Width 679 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Manuscript Text Any textual data included in the document. Amherst December 20th 1781 An address to the Ladys of this Town On consideration of the great and necessary charges arise Ing on the Inhabitants of this town. By reason of the expensive Defence made against our unnatural Enemies, together with the Debts demanded by our own Citizens at the Present day therefore it appears highly Reasonable that all Persons Receiving Benefits from the Defence of our Pleasant and fertile country and other ways should be touched by a warm & Benevolent Zeal to Lend their assistance to Encourage their over Burdened friends and Neighbors who are by the Laws of our Land taxed to fray the Charges thereof Publick & Domestick; the address is seriously to awaken the attention of the [female] virtuous and compassionate Womenkind Espeacially such as are yet in single Life to cashe into the treasury of amherst their volentary gifts for the Relief of those who no Doubt you wish well unto and in whose welfare you will? share? a part firmly Persuaded of Justice? In so Reasonable a Request to such Aprehensive Quick sighted sympathizing Matrons we shall Lend our hand to distinguish the Names and Carecters of such worthy deeds to their Lasting Honnour you the Ladys that come to the Knowledge of this ad [???] will be so good as to subscribe their Names and their gifts to the town treasury or the select men or other ways as they shall see Cause. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Appeal to Amherst women for funds Subject The topic of the resource United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783; Women -- Massachusetts -- Amherst Amherst (Mass.) Description An account of the resource Appeal for financial contributions addressed to the women of Amherst in order to help offset the heavy tax burden imposed on the town treasury by the Revolutionary War. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Jones Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1781-12-20 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This digital file may be used for educational uses, as long as it is not altered in any way. Prior written permission is required for any other use of the digital files from the Jones Library. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource English Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Folder: Amherst -- Women Type The nature or genre of the resource Photographs 1700s 1780s Revolutionary War War Peace and Human Rights https://digitalamherst.org/files/original/william_boltwood_letter_17750805_62b2a08374.jpg 3ec354da5fa10afa252663a88673ade2 Omeka Image File The metadata element set that was included in the `files_images` table in previous versions of Omeka. These elements are common to all image files. Width 636 Height 800 Bit Depth 8 Channels 3 IPTC Array a:1:{s:5:"2#000";a:1:{i:0;s:2:"��";}} Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Correspondence Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource William Boltwood letter, August 5, 1775 Subject The topic of the resource American loyalists United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 Amherst (Mass.) Description An account of the resource Letter from William Boltwood to the Amherst Committee of Correspondence asking to be restored to public favor and endorsing measures taken by the Continental Congress. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Boltwood, William Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Jones Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1775-08-05 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This digital file may be used for educational uses, as long as it is not altered in any way. Prior written permission is required for any other use of the digital files from the Jones Library. Language A language of the resource English Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Folder: Boltwood, William -- Letter Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Type The nature or genre of the resource Correspondence 1700s 1770s Revolutionary War War Peace and Human Rights https://digitalamherst.org/files/original/william_boltwood_bond_17760904_2c75e31f39.jpg 2c480ab5b6fed9752b39eb2cd6185cd7 Omeka Image File The metadata element set that was included in the `files_images` table in previous versions of Omeka. These elements are common to all image files. Width 686 Height 800 Bit Depth 8 Channels 3 IPTC Array a:1:{s:5:"2#000";a:1:{i:0;s:2:"��";}} Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource William Boltwood bond, September 4, 1776 Subject The topic of the resource American loyalists; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 Description An account of the resource Bond given by William Boltwood, Josiah Moody and Ebenezer Mattoon to Elisha Porter, sheriff of Hampshire County, for 100 pounds of lawful money guaranteeing Boltwood's continued imprisonment and safekeeping in the Northampton jail until lawfully discharged. Boltwood was a prominent Amherst Tory. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Jones Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1776-09-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This digital file may be used for educational uses, as long as it is not altered in any way. Prior written permission is required for any other use of the digital files from the Jones Library. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource English Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Folder: Boltwood, William -- Bond Type The nature or genre of the resource Manuscripts 1700s 1770s Revolutionary War War Peace and Human Rights