Rev. Samuel Sumner, 1797 - 1798

File — Container: Archives Box #1003, Folder: 037

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Rev. Sumner, 1797-1798

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Scope and Contents

From the Sub-Series:

Being dissatisfied with Rev. Sumner for his unbecoming conduct on the lord's day, repeated refusal to meet when desired, and altering of the church covenant without consent, the town moved to remove him from office and seek a replacement. This series includes: 1) Ordination (1790). 2) Paystubs. 3) Receipts for payments made to Rev. Sumner. 4) Town meeting records and votes of the town relating to the removal of Rev. Sumner from his position as minister (1797-1798). 5) An address from Rev. Samuel Sumner to the townspeople in response to allegations made against him. 6) Records of church meetings during Rev. Sumner's stay as minister.

Dates

Creation: 1797 - 1798

Creator

From the Collection: First Church of Southborough (Congregational) (Organization)
From the Collection: Town of Southborough (Organization)
From the Collection: Pilgrim Evangelical Society of Southborough (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research. Whenever possible, digital surrogates must be consulted in lieu of the original documents to prevent unneccesary handling and mitigate wear. Research is accommodated by appointment only. Please call (508) 485-0710 x 3005 to make an appointment, or send an email to: [email protected]

Extent

11 Leaves (1 file folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Documents in this folder:

1. Receipt for one-hundred dollars received by Rev. Samuel Sumner from the Town in part towards his salary for the year ending June 1797 (2/28/1797). Folder: 1003-037.

2. Letter from Rev. Samuel Sumner to the Selectmen to be communicated to the “Freeholders, Voters, and other inhabitants of Southborough”. In his letter Rev. Sumner apologized for his actions and misconduct, and offered his resignation to the town stating that as a Pastor he neither expected to be forgiven or restored for his actions (3/1/1797). The nature of the misconduct is not mentioned, however Church Meeting Minutes suggest that Rev. Sumner’s dismissal was due to his “refusal to meet when repeatedly desired, and for altering the church covenant without consent”. Folder: 1003-037.

3. Proceedings from a town meeting called to “hear a letter from the Rev. Samuel Suimner, and [see] if the town think best [to] grant his request therein; which was that he might be dismissed from the office of a Gospel Minister in said town.” Voted to have Rev. Sumner continued in his duties until the second Monday in September, and then to reconsider the matter (5/20/1797). Folder: 1003-037.

4. Petition of the inhabitants for a town meeting to discuss “whether the town will continue our Rev. Pastor Samuel Sumner in his office or grant him his request made in March last past, or pass any vote relative to the gospel ministry in said town.” Signed by Jonathan Pierce, Jonathan Champney, Nathan Bridges, William Winchester, Samuel Hudson, Charles Angier, Reuben Fay, William Onthank, Mark Collins Jr., John Prentice, John Collins, Seth Newton, and Josiah Newton (11/10/1797). Folder: 1003-037.

5. Copy of the Town Vote to form committees to consider Rev. Sumner’s misconduct (10/2/1797). Folder: 1003-037.

6. Copy of the Town Vote to accept Rev. Sumner’s resignation and settle his salary (12/1/1797). Folder: 1003-037.

7. Receipt for one dollar received by Rev. Samuel Sumner from the Town as his full salary for the period from June 1st 1797 to December 1st 1797 when he was dismissed from the Town’s ministry (12/11/1797). Folder: 1003-037.

8. Receipt for one-hundred-and-eleven dollars and six cents in full for what remained of Rev. Sumner’s salary for the year ending in June 1797 (12/11/1797). Folder: 1003-037.

9. Payment of ten dollars from the Town of Southborough to Samuel Sumner for teaching a school in the West District of the town (2/19/1798). Folder: 1003-037.

10. Payment of ten dollars from the Town of Southborough to Ephraim Ward as his discharge for that sum; it being part of an order given to Samuel Sumner (3/26/1798). Folder: 1003-037.

11. Payment of ten dollars from the Town of Southborough to Samuel Sumner for teaching a school in the West District of the town (3/26/1798). Folder: 1003-037.