Scope and Contents This collection includes records maintained by the Town Clerk’s Office which relate to the First Church of Southborough (Congregational), and the Pilgrim Evangelical Society of Southborough. Since there was no separation of church and state in Massachusetts until 1806, the majority of records pertain to the First Congregational Church where the pastor was an employee of the town. The congregation was supported through public taxation in the form of a mandatory “Minister Tax''. Surviving...