FIRST PARISH IN CONCORD RECORDS, 1695-1994
Vault A30, Unit A1
Late 19th century view of 3rd meetinghouse and Wright Tavern
EXTENT: ca. 30 linear feet.
ORGANIZATION: Organized into nineteen series: Series I. Early records, 1739-1857 (19th century transcription); Series II. Belief, 1738-[late 19th century]; Series III. General governance, 1837-1989; Series IV. Committees and associations within or including the Parish, 1832-1994; Series V. Membership records, 1840-1989; Series VI. Ministers and personnel, 1735-1992; Series VII. Separation of Parish from municipal government, 1855; Series VIII. Sunday school records, 1827-1901; Series IX. Marriage, death, christening, and related records, 1778-1974; Series X. Music in the church, 1812-1928; Series XI. Financial records, 1695-1991; Series XII. Church property, 1749-1974; Series XIII. Relations with other Concord churches, 1874-1932; Series XIV. Church, town, and related celebrations, social events, and special services, 1841-1982; Series XV. Informational publications (calendar, brochures, newsletter), 1915-1973; Series XVI. Photographs and other visuals, [16--?] (in reproduced form)-1985; XVII. Guest books, 1943-1952; XVIII. Artifacts, 18th-20th centuries; XIX. Non-record gifts to the First Parish (Bibles, manuscripts, photographs, etc.), 1767-1985.
HISTORY: Unitarian-Universalist church in Concord, Mass. Gathered in 1636 in Cambridge, Mass. First ministers Peter Bulkeley and John Jones were formally installed in 1637, in Cambridge.
The original meetinghouse was built on the hill on the opposite side of Lexington Road from the present location of the church. A second meetinghouse was built between 1667 and 1673, a third in 1711. The third meetinghouse, renovated in 1791 and again in 1841 (when it was turned 90 degrees to face Lexington Road), burned to the ground on 1900 Apr. 12. A fourth meetinghouse was built 1900-1901 to replace and (as much as possible) to reproduce the old building. Church school facilities and a chapel were added in 1955, kitchen renovations undertaken in 1974, and additional classroom space and handicapped accessibility created in 1984/85.
Ministers of the church: Peter Bulkeley, 1636-1659; John Jones, 1636-1644; Edward Bulkeley, 1659-1696; Joseph Estabrook, 1667-1711; John Whiting, 1712-1737; Daniel Bliss, 1739-1764; William Emerson (Ralph Waldo Emerson’s grandfather), 1765-1776; Ezra Ripley, 1778-1841; Hersey B. Goodwin, 1830-1836; Barzillai Frost, 1837-1857; Grindall Reynolds, 1858-1881; Benjamin R. Bulkeley, 1882-1893; Loren B. Macdonald, 1895-1924; Johannes A.C. Fagginger Auer, 1926-1930; Edward Perry Daniels, 1931-1956; Robert D. Richardson, 1956-1957; Arthur B. Jellis, 1957-1970; Dana McLean Greeley, 1970-1986; Gary E. Smith, 1988 to the present (2005). (Charles Wilson served as Interim Minister between the ministries of Dana Greeley and Gary Smith.)
During the evangelical ministry of Daniel Bliss, a group of parishioners left to form their own church, which met at the Black Horse Tavern. In 1774 and 1775, the meetinghouse of the First Parish was used for Provincial Congress meetings, in 1775 and 1776 for classes of Harvard College, which was temporarily moved from Cambridge to Concord for the safety of the students in wartime. During Ezra Ripley’s long ministry, the First Parish grew away from its original Congregational Calvinism toward Unitarianism. In 1826, a group desiring a more conservative form of worship broke away from the First Parish to establish Concord’s Trinitarian Congregational Church.
In 1961, the American Unitarian Association merged with the Universalist Church of America, forming the Unitarian Universalist Association. The First Parish has been Unitarian Universalist since that time. At the meeting which approved the merger, a constitution for the new church was adopted and Dana McLean Greeley—formerly president of the American Unitarian Association, later minister of the First Parish in Concord—was made the first president of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
The official separation of the First Parish from the municipal government of Concord did not take place until 1855/56. Before that time, Parish business was transacted at the annual Concord town meeting. The first annual Parish meeting was held in 1856.
In early times, those who accepted the covenant could become church members and communicants. In 1856, with the separation of the First Parish from town government and financial support, the Parish (distinct from the church) was formed to take the place of the municipal government in managing First Parish affairs, and the Standing Committee created to serve as its primary administrative body. Between 1856 and 1946, membership in the Parish—the ability to vote in Parish meetings—also required a financial contribution.
During the 19th century, those wanting to become members of the Parish affirmed their wish in writing, and those who chose not to do so also expressed their will in letter form. (The First Parish records include two famous examples of this practice—Henry David Thoreau’s 1841 Jan. 6 sign-off from membership, and Ralph Waldo Emerson’s 1865 Apr. 30 affirmation of membership.)
The Parish is governed by its membership at its annual meeting, and administered by the Standing Committee. The Trustees of Parish Donations manage the Parish’s invested funds and real estate. A variety of other committees perform Parish duties. The Women’s Parish Association (WPA), organized at the home of Caroline Downes Brooks Hoar (Mrs. Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar) in 1881, has since that time devoted particular attention to maintaining and furnishing the meetinghouse.
In addition to the meetinghouse and the land it occupies on Lexington Road, the church owns or has owned other real estate in the area, including: properties on the Church Green; the Wright Tavern; woodlots originally used for ministerial purposes (one of which was surveyed by Henry David Thoreau for the First Parish, the original 1851 manuscript survey for it forming part of the First Parish records); and the Stow House (92 Walden Street; used as the First Parish parsonage for much of the 20th century, and then sold).
SCOPE AND CONTENT: Records, 1695-1994, encompassing a wide range of materials: records of acts and votes; records of admissions into membership and of excommunications; records of baptisms; marriage and death records kept by several ministers; records of church councils; covenants, and records of those accepting the covenant; warrants for and minutes of Parish meetings; lists of qualified voters; Parish by-laws; printed annual Parish reports; listings of officers and committees, and listings of duties of committees; Standing Committee minutes, financial reports, and narrative reports; records of the Women’s Parish Association (act of incorporation; constitution; by-laws; membership lists; Presidents’ records and reports; lists of officers; Secretaries’ reports; correspondence; minutes; subcommittee reports; records of funds; Treasurer’s records; annual program listings; publications; and history of WPA by Bessie Keyes Hudson); Archives Committee records (minutes; reports; membership lists; guidelines and goals; communications regarding disposition and management of First Parish records; inventories; microfilm guide); reports, agenda, and minutes of other church committees; affirmations of desire for membership in the Parish, requests to sign off from membership, membership lists, and records of transfers of members into the First Parish; materials relating to ministers of the church (reports; eulogies; petition; correspondence; manuscript and printed sermons; records of Parish votes and resolutions; invitation list for, invitations to, and orders of exercises for installations; clippings; publications written by and historical materials about ministers); items relating to Parish Clerk, Collector of Taxes for the Parish, and Sexton; documents relating to separation of Parish from municipal government (petitions to Selectmen of Concord to call a town meeting for Parish purposes; list of issues raised by Selectmen’s refusal to do so; legal opinion on relationship between church and town; account of dispute at town meeting); Sunday school record book (including catalog of Sabbath School Library), reports, notes (in hand of Ellen Tucker Emerson), list of students, and texts; records of the Abigail Dudley Singing Fund, of payments relating to the church organ and organist (contract; receipts; committee records and reports; list of subscribers; financial account; and letters), and of payment for choir, choral music, and singing school expenses; printed hymnals and other church music; records of the Trustees of the Congregational Ministerial Fund (act of incorporation; recommendations for and several draft version of by-laws; reports; accounts; minutes; bills; receipts; promissory notes; authorizations of payments; correspondence); records of funds and investments (income and dispersements; history of funds and plate); records of the Trustees of Parish Donations (by-law; summary of decisions and recommendations; records of funds, stock, and real estate; report); bank passbooks; records of Committee on Domestic Charities (record books; memos; receipts; tax form; money order; correspondence); Parish Assessor’s records; Treasurer’s records (check stubs; records of pew rents and subscriptions, of income and dispersements, and of cash and bank accounts; orders to pay; subscription lists; promissory note; accounts; receipts; financial reports; records of tax abatements; insurance policies; obligation bonds; record of votes; contract; budgets); records of member contributions; records of First Parish real estate, including meetinghouse (deeds; rights of way; surveys; plans; financial records; history of meetinghouse; architectural drawings; minutes; specifications; reports; contracts; committee records; bond; estimate; account; correspondence; authorization to borrow money; agreement; subscription lists; long-term recommendations; brochure); materials relating to 1900 burning of third meetinghouse and building of fourth (printed items; clippings; dedication program and booklet; letter); documents relating to the horsesheds, and to the use of church facilities; material relating to non-real estate property of church (silver, artwork, bell, etc.); pew documents including pew deeds and layouts; receipts for payment on pews; appraisals and assessments; reports of referees in matters of pew appraisal; letters from pew owners wishing to divest themselves of pews; bills of sale); materials relating to proposed federation of First Parish and Trinitarian Congregational Church; materials relating to a range of church and town celebrations, social events, and special services (orders of worship; programs; handbills; correspondence; report; photographs); church calendar, informational brochures, and newsletter; photographs and other visuals (slides; camera-ready copy; card stereographs; engraved cut) showing meetinghouse, other church property, ministers, and members, and visuals gathered for use in The Meeting House on the Green (1985); guest books; artifacts (wood from third meetinghouse; keys to third meetinghouse; piece of metal from third meetinghouse bell; etc.); non-record gifts to the First Parish (Bibles; manuscripts; photographs). SEE ALSO SERIES OUTLINE, BELOW.
PROVENANCE: Most of the collection was maintained by the First Parish until transfer to the Concord Free Public Library. Over the centuries of First Parish history, some records migrated from church custody into private hands, whence they were passed on to the Library.
SOURCES OF ACQUISITION: Multiple. This collection represents an amalgamation of materials presented to the Concord Free Public Library over the years (singly or in small collections) by a number of individual donors, and of a large collection of records deposited by the First Parish in the Library Special Collections in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s and formally deeded to the Library Corporation in 2004.
ASSOCIATED MATERIALS: The records of the recent operation of the First Parish are maintained at the church. The original manuscript record book that served as the source of the 19th century transcribed volume in Series I of the CFPL’s First Parish records remains in possession of the First Parish, and is deposited at the Houghton Library at Harvard. The Andover-Newton Theological Library of Harvard Divinity School holds a collection of Ezra Ripley’s sermons (bMS 64). The Concord Town Records, deposited by the Town of Concord in the Concord Free Public Library, include records documenting the management of the First Parish up until its separation from municipal government in the 1850s. The Concord Free Public Library holds additional collections and materials (including Ezra Ripley Papers, Vault A30, Unit B4) that relate directly to the life and management of the First Parish in Concord.
PUBLICATION BASED ON USE OF RECORDS: The Meeting House on the Green: A History of the First Parish in Concord and Its Church. 350th Anniversary, 1635-1985. Edited by John Whittemore Teele (Concord: The Parish, 1985).
AVAILABILITY OF MICROFILM: Some of the records are available on microfilm (for in-house use only). However, the microfilm was prepared long before the records were processed. Because the order of materials on the microfilm does not follow a coherent organizational scheme, the microfilm is difficult to use and to cite.
NOTES/COMMENTS: More than fifty items were transferred in 1995 from the old CFPL Letter File and other CFPL collections into the First Parish records. Some of the bound annual Parish reports were accessioned. Several items were cleaned, deacidified, and conserved at NEDCC in 1977 and 1978.
PROCESSED BY: LPW, with the assistance of CFPL Reference Librarian Judith Gray and Simmons College intern Jessica Sims. Volunteers Reed Anthony and Sinéad Sinnott assisted with the labeling of folders and boxes. Finding aid completed by LPW, 07/05.
TO VIEW THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTENTS OF A SERIES, OR OF A COMPONENT UNIT OF A SERIES, CLICK ON THE LINE IN WHICH IT IS LISTED.
Series I. Early records, 1739-1857 (19th century transcription)
Series II. Belief, 1738-[late 19th century]
Series III. General governance, 1837-1989
Series IV. Committees and associations within or including the Parish, 1832-1994:
· Standing Committee
· Women’s Parish Association
· Archives Committee
· Committee on Social and Religious Meetings
· Society Auxiliary to the American Unitarian Association
· Committee on Domestic Charities
· Committee on External Charities
· Committee on Nominations
· Committee on Ways and Means
· Membership Committee
· Property Improvement Planning Committee
· Sprinkler Committee
· Committee on Church Hospitality
· The King’s Daughters
· Guild of the First Parish
· First Parish Chapter of the Unitarian Laymen’s League
· American Unitarian Association
Series V. Membership records, 1840-1989
Series VI. Ministers and personnel, 1735-1992:
Tenure, ministries, and related activities of ministers of the First Parish:
· John Whiting
· Daniel Bliss
· William Emerson
· Ezra Ripley
· Hersey B. Goodwin
· Barzillai Frost
· Grindall Reynolds
· Benjamin Reynolds Bulkeley
· Loren B. Macdonald
· Johannes A.C. Fagginger Auer
· Edward Perry Daniels
· Arthur B. Jellis
· Dana McLean Greeley
· Gary E. Smith
Other ministry-related documents
Other personnel
Series VII. Separation of Parish from municipal government, 1855
Series VIII. Sunday school records, 1827-1901
Series IX. Marriage, death, christening, and related records, 1778-1974
Series X. Music in the church, 1812-1928:
· Abigail Dudley Singing Fund· Church organ and organist
· Choir, choral music, and singing school
· Hymnals and other church music
Series XI. Financial records, 1695-1991:
· Trustees of the Congregational Ministerial Fund· Funds and investments
· Trustees of Parish Donations
· Bank account and other records for special purpose funds and bequests
· Committee on Domestic Charities
· Assessor’s records
· Treasurer’s records
· Member contributions (subscription/canvass)
Series XII. Church property, 1749-1974:
· Meetinghouse
· 1900 burning of meetinghouse, and rebuilding
· Architectural plans for building of and renovations to fourth meetinghouse, and for church school
· Horsesheds
· Use of church facilities
· Non-real estate
· Pew documents
Series XIII. Relations with other Concord churches, 1874-1932
Series XIV. Church, town, and related celebrations, social events, and special services, 1841-1982:
· Tea party, 1873
· 100th anniversary of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s birth, 1903
· 150th anniversary of Concord Fight, 1925
· 300th anniversary of Concord’s incorporation, 1935
· 300th anniversary of First Parish, 1936
· Special World War II services, 1943-1945
· 50th anniversary of fourth meetinghouse of First Parish, 1951
· 150th anniversary of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s birth, 1953
· Acceptance and dedication of chapel and Sunday school wing, 1956
· 325th anniversary of First Parish, 1961
· Man from Monticello [performance, 1974]
· Walden [performance, 1974]
· Bicentennial of Concord Fight, and related events, 1974-1975
· 100th anniversary of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s death, 1982
· Flower Sunday (undated)
Series XV. Informational publications (calendar, brochures, newsletter), 1915-1973
Series XVI. Photographs and other visuals, [16--?] (in reproduced form)-1985:
· Exterior of meetinghouse
· Interior of meetinghouse
· Ruins of third meetinghouse after fire of 1900
· Church Green
· Wright Tavern
· Stow House (parsonage)
· Church silver
· Ministers (Bulkeley; Ripley; Daniels)
· Members
· Images considered for/used in The Meeting House on the Green (1985)
· Exhibition images and labels for Concord Free Public Library display on publication of The Meeting House on the Green (1985)
XVIII. Artifacts, 18th-20th centuries
XIX. Non-record gifts to the First Parish (Bibles, manuscripts, photographs, etc.), 1767-1985:
· Bibles
· Manuscripts
· Printed pamphlet
· Photographs (1890s) by Mathew Kohlrauch of No. Billerica, showing sites in Concord and possibly elsewhere
· Photographs of 350th anniversary celebration of Concord’s incorporation (1985 Sept.)
Burned ruins of 3rd meetinghouse
CONTAINER LIST
Series I. Early records, 1739-1857 (19th century transcription):
Shelved unboxed:
Bound manuscript volume of transcribed records (the original records 1739-1857), including acts and votes, admissions, membership, baptisms, deaths, councils, excommunications, funds, ordinations, pastors, persons owning covenant. The volume of original records from which the transcription was made is still owned by the First Parish in Concord and is deposited in the Houghton Library at Harvard.
Series II. Belief, 1738-[late 19th century]:
Box 1, Folder 1:
Manuscript covenant (1738) and profession of faith (“Mr. Willard’s confession of faith,” undated), and two printed (19th century) handbills including covenant.
Box 1, Folder 2:
Three printed 19th century leaflets regarding Unitarian beliefs (one of them printed in or after 1878).
Series III. General governance, 1837-1989:
Box 2 (unfoldered):
Warrants (printed and manuscript; 1855-1901, 1922, 1962, 1963).
Box 3, Folder 1:
Unbound minutes (manuscript and typescript) for meetings (1837-1961; very incomplete).
Box 3, Folder 2:
Bound record book (manuscript) containing minutes for Parish and Society meetings (1855-1901).
Box 3, Folder 3:
Bound record book (manuscript) containing minutes and warrants for Parish meetings (1894-1953). Also includes photograph of meetinghouse after 1900 fire, and some ephemeral material.
Box 3, Folder 4:
Bound record book (manuscript) containing minutes of Society meetings (1902-1934).
Box 3, Folder 5:
Lists (manuscript, printed, and typescript) of qualified voters of First Parish (1883-1891, with gaps; 1968).
Box 3, Folder 6:
By-laws (manuscript, printed, and typescript) of the First Parish (1856-1975).
Shelved unboxed:
Printed annual reports (1856-1985, 1988, 1989). Bound volumes containing multiple reports: Vol. 1 (1856-1897; some years lacking); Vol. 2 (1898-1908); Vol. 3 (1909-1913); Vol. 4 (1914-1927); Vol. 5 (1928-1937); Vol. 6 (1938-1947); Vol. 7 (1948-1956); Vol. 8 (1957-1966); Vol. 9 (1967-1975); Vol. 10 (1976-1985). Also: Prescott Keyes’s annotated copy of bound annual reports for 1877-1898, with additional material bound in. Unbound reports: 1988; 1989.
Series IV. Committees and associations within or including the Parish, 1832-1994:
Box 4, Folder 1:
Listings (printed and typescript) of First Parish officers and committees and of membership of committees (1868-1908, with gaps; 1925; 1928; 1991; 1992).
Box 4, Folder 2:
Vote (manuscript) to appoint a committee to “define and prepare a list of the duties of the Several committees” (1881).
Box 4, Folder 3:
Definitions (printed and typescript) of the duties of committees ([188-]-1937; 1971; 199-; 1994).
Box 4, Folder 4: Standing Committee:
Bound volume of manuscript Standing Committee records, including minutes (1928-1929), with additional materials (ephemera, letter) pasted in.
Box 4, Folder 5: Standing Committee:
Unbound typescript and manuscript Standing Committee minutes (1933-1959).
Box 4, Folder 6: Standing Committee:
Unbound typescript and manuscript Standing Committee minutes (1960-1963).
Box 4, Folder 7: Standing Committee:
Unbound typescript and manuscript Standing Committee minutes (1964-1993).
Box 4, Folder 8: Standing Committee:
Unbound Standing Committee manuscript and printed financial reports (1856-1877).
Box 4, Folder 9: Standing Committee:
Unbound Standing Committee typescript and printed narrative reports (1950-1963/64).
Box 5, Folder 1: Women’s Parish Association:
Agreement of association (1911 Mar. 22); receipt from Commonwealth of Massachusetts for recording fee for incorporation (1911 Mar. 30); act of incorporation (1911 Apr. 25); two TLS (from Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the Secretary of State and of the State Board of Charity) regarding incorporation (1911 Mar. 30 and 1911 Apr. 1, respectively).
Box 5, Folder 2: Women’s Parish Association:
Printed WPA by-laws (1933).
Box 5, Folder 3: Women’s Parish Association:
Notebook containing manuscript transcript of Mrs. E.R. Hoar’s original membership list (1881-1882; copied from the first President’s book—see Box 5, Folder 4) and list of members (1921/22).
Box 5, Folder 4: Women’s Parish Association:
WPA bound manuscript President’s books (two volumes, 1881-1901 and 1901-1911). Volumes include constitution, lists of officers, membership lists, and lists of meetings and entertainments.
Box 5, Folder 5: Women’s Parish Association:
President’s reports: 1941/42 (both in manuscript and typescript); [1947] (manuscript).
Box 5, Folder 6: Women’s Parish Association:
ALS, Ruth Serjeant, Oxford, England, to “The President, Concord Womens Alliance,” 1951 Jan. 14.
Box 5, Folder 7: Women’s Parish Association:
Manuscript Secretary’s report (1948).
Box 5, Folder 8: Women’s Parish Association:
Bound record book containing manuscript minutes of Executive Committee (1901-1921); typed report (1920 Nov. 10) by Dorothy D. Roberts (Chairman of the Cheerful Letter Committee) laid in.
Box 5, Folder 9: Women’s Parish Association:
Bound record book containing manuscript minutes of Executive Committee (1921-1940).
Box 5, Folder 10: Women’s Parish Association:
Bound record book containing manuscript minutes of Executive Board (1940-1952). Loose subcommittee reports (1951) removed from envelope pasted to inside front cover (filed in Folder 11).
Box 5, Folder 11: Women’s Parish Association:
Loose manuscript and typescript subcommittee reports (1951) removed from envelope pasted into Executive Board volume for 1940-1952 (filed in Folder 10); also, typescript list of WPA officers and subcommittees for 1951/52.
Box 5, Folder 12: Women’s Parish Association:
Bound volume of manuscript WPA meeting minutes (1881-1905).
Box 5, Folder 13: Women’s Parish Association:
Bound volume of manuscript WPA meeting minutes (1905—1923).
Box 6, Folder 1: Women’s Parish Association:
Bound volume of manuscript WPA meeting minutes (1923-1939).
Box 6, Folder 2: Women’s Parish Association:
Bound volume of manuscript WPA meeting minutes (1940-1951). Clippings and one set of typed minutes laid in.
Box 6, Folder 3: Women’s Parish Association:
Typed minutes (1973 Sept. 26) from luncheon meeting of the Extension Committee (a subcommittee of the WPA).
Box 6, Folder 4: Women’s Parish Association:
Mimeographed typescript materials (1950-1952) relating to resolutions submitted for consideration and action by the General Alliance of Unitarian and Other Liberal Christian Women. Also, manuscript note by Mrs. Berkeley Wheeler of the WPA Education Committee regarding resolutions.
Box 6, Folder 5: Women’s Parish Association:
WPA manuscript Memorial Fund record book (1903-1983). Laid in: manuscript “Report of the Trustees of the Memorial Fund of the Women’s Parish Association” (1947); also, manuscript report and recommendations ([1951]) of the Trustees, in envelope addressed to Mrs. Harold J. Ames.
Box 6, Folder 6: Women’s Parish Association:
Bound manuscript WPA Treasurer’s record book ( 1881-1901).
Box 6, Folder 7: Women’s Parish Association:
TLS (draft), Louise B. Bourquin to Mr. Holden (1949 Apr. 1) regarding the WPA’s annual financial gift to the First Parish; manuscript motions (undated) regarding WPA expenditures.
Box 6, Folder 8: Women’s Parish Association:
Printed annual WPA booklet (including lists of officers, committees, and programs, and—from the 1960s—membership directories, Treasurers’ reports, and lists of past Presidents): 1912/13; 1918/19; 1919/20; 1920/21; 1921/22; 1926/27; 1930/31; 1932/33; 1933/34; 1934/35; 1935/36; 1937/38; 1938/39; 1940/41; 1963/64; 1970/71; 1972/73; 1975/76; 1976/77; 1977/78; 1978/79; 1979/80.
Box 6, Folder 9: Women’s Parish Association:
The Meetinghouse Cookbook, published by the WPA. One copy of 1965 first edition, one of 1976 second printing of 1974 Bicentennial Edition.
Box 6, Folder 10: Women’s Parish Association:
Camera-ready copy for title page, acknowledgements, and order form of the Bicentennial Edition of The Meetinghouse Cookbook. Also, ALS, Marcia Goldstein to Mrs. Klinck (1974 Dec. 10) and TLS, Sue B. Huffman (Ladies’ Home Journal Food & Equipment Editor) to Mrs.George T. Goodspeed (1976 June 10), both regarding cookbook.
Box 6, Folder 11: Women’s Parish Association:
Fenn, Mary R. Tales of Old Concord. Illustrations by Mimi Aloian (Concord: Privately Printed for the Women’s Parish Association, 1973, Ó1965).
Box 6, Folder 12: Women’s Parish Association:
Fenn, Mary R. Tales of an Old Church. Graphics by Maryleen W. Boyce (Concord: Women’s Parish Association, 1975).
Box 6, Folder 13: Women’s Parish Association:
Greeley, Deborah Webster. Love is Enough: A Selection of Poems. Illustrations by Suzanne Altshuler and Carolyn Chapin King; photograph by Eleanor Motley Billings (Concord: [Privately printed by the Women’s Parish Association], 1981).
Box 6, Folder 14: Women’s Parish Association:
Hudson, Bessie Keyes (Mrs. Woodward). “Women’s Parish Association of the First Parish in Concord, Massachusetts.” Typescript history, 1931 (draft and final versions).
Box 6, Folder 15: Women’s Parish Association:
Program-related materials: typed script (undated) for dramatic presentation relating to early history of WPA; typed, mimeographed outline (undated) of and text of one paper for “The Early Harvest—The Transcendentalists,” a series given by the WPA.
Box 6, Folder 16: Women’s Parish Association:
Ephemeral items, including invitation to the 1906 twenty-fifth anniversary celebration of the organization of the WPA.
Box 7, Folder 1: Archives Committee:
Minutes of Archives Committee meetings ([198-?]-1993; three sets only).
Box 7, Folder 2: Archives Committee:
Archives committee reports (1964, 1993; two reports only).
Box 7, Folder 3: Archives Committee:
Archives Committee membership ([198-?]-1995).
Box 7, Folder 4: Archives Committee:
Archives Committee guidelines and goals (1987-1992).
Box 7, Folder 5: Archives Committee:
Standing Committee, Town Records and Archives Committee, and First Parish Archives Committee communications regarding disposition, processing, microfilming, and housing of First Parish records (1979-1994). Includes Mary R. Fenn’s undated typescript “The Story of Our Archives” (stating the case that the records of the First Parish should be donated to, rather than deposited in, the Concord Free Public Library).
Box 7, Folder 6: Archives Committee:
Blank First Parish archival records inventory form, and blank Harvard Divinity School/Andover-Harvard Theological Library/Unitarian Universalist Association Collections form.
Box 7, Folder 7: Archives Committee:
Inventories (partial) of First Parish records maintained on church pemises, deposited at the Concord Free Public Library, and deposited at the Houghton Library (1979-[199-]).
Box 7, Folder 8: Archives Committee:
Concord (Mass.). Records and Archives Committee. First Parish, Concord, Massachusetts Microfilm Guide to the Records 1695-1979 (1981).
Box 7, Folder 9: Archives Committee:
Locations of records remaining on First Parish premises ([1989?]).
Box 7, Folder 10: Archives Committee:
Inventory of 1996 gift to church by Mrs. John Parker. Items from the Parker gift were dispersed throughout the First Parish records during their processing, Spring 2005.
Box 7, Folder 11: Committee on Social and Religious Meetings:
Manuscript report by E.R. Hoar, Washington (1869 Apr. 10).
Bound manuscript record volume (1832-1841).
Box 7, Folder 13: Committee on Domestic Charities:
Manuscript reports: by E.R. Hoar (1873 Apr. 15); by J.B. (draft; 1877). (The financial records of the Committee on Domestic Charities are found in Series XI, Box 14, Folders 1-4.)
Box 7, Folder 14: Committee on External Charities:
Manuscript report by E.R. Hoar (1878 Apr. 9).
Box 7, Folder 15: Committee on Nominations:
Manuscript report (undated).
Box 7, Folder 16: Committee on Ways and Means:
Manuscript and typescript records (1935).
Box 7, Folder 17: Membership Committee:
Typed minutes (1973 Feb. 6).
Box 7, Folder 18: Property Improvement Planning Committee:
Typed report (undated).
Box 7, Folder 19: Sprinkler Committee:
Typed agendas, minutes, and operational plan (1962).
Box 7, Folder 20: Committee on Church Hospitality:
Typed “Guidelines for Sunday Morning Greeters” (undated).
Box 7, Folder 21: The King’s Daughters:
Printed program for fundraising event (1891 Dec. 12).
Box 7, Folder 22: Guild of the First Parish:
Printed program cards (1896/97-1913/14, plus one undated; some gaps).
Box 7, Folder 23: First Parish Chapter of the Unitarian Laymen’s League:
Bound record volume (1919-1929). Includes manuscript, typescript, and printed materials (constitution, membership information, minutes, correspondence, printed ephemera).
Box 7, Folder 24: American Unitarian Association:
Life membership certificate for Lorenzo Eaton (1885 Nov. 9).
Series V. Membership records, 1840-1989:
Henry David Thoreau's First Parish sign-off
Box 8, Folder 1:
Unbound manuscript membership documents (1840-1848, plus two undated). Documents include requests for membership in First Parish, membership lists, list of non-member attendees, and Henry David Thoreau’s sign-off from membership (1841 Jan. 6).
Box 8, Folder 2:
Unbound manuscript membership documents (1855). Documents include lists of those affirming membership in First Parish in response to questions that “have arisen as to the right of membership in the First Parish in Concord, and as to the right of voting and acting in town meetings of the said Town of Concord legally held for the transacting of parochial affairs … ,” and full alphabetical membership list.
Box 8, Folder 3:
Unbound manuscript and printed membership documents (1856-1862). Documents include manuscript sign-offs from and affirmations of membership in the First Parish, and printed circular (1862 Apr. 15) regarding membership and financial support of the Parish.
Box 8, Folder 4:
Unbound manuscript membership documents (1863-1876). Documents include sign-offs from and affirmations of membership in the First Parish (among them Ralph Waldo Emerson’s 1865 Apr. 30 affirmation), and ALS, T. Quincy Browne to John Brown (Clerk of the First Parish), inquiring about responsibilities and conditions of membership (1874 Dec. 18).
Box 8, Folder 5:
Unbound manuscript and typescript membership documents (1881, 1883, 1972, undated). Documents include list of those affirming financial responsibilities associated with membership (1881), sign-off from membership (1883), membership list (1972), and undated list of new members (at end of “Services at Which Our Ministers Have Officiated”—listings of marriages, memorial services, and christenings).
Box 8, Folder 6:
Unbound records (1973, 1980) of transfers to First Parish.
Box 8, Folder 7:
Softcover manuscript volume containing membership list (1868-1872).
Box 8, Folder 8:
Bound manuscript volume containing membership list (1878-1970).
Shelved unboxed:
Bound manuscript volume containing membership list (1970-1988) and lists of marriages (1970-1988), funerals (1970-1988), and christenings (1972-1988).
Box 8, Folder 9:
Printed Parish Biography, 1988-1989 ([1989]). Entries identify members among those listed.
Series VI. Ministers and personnel, 1735-1992:
Tenure, ministries, and related activities of ministers of the First Parish:
Box 9, Folder 1: John Whiting:
Manuscript report of “A Council of Churches … at Concord … to hear … grievances relating to the misconduct of their pastor the Reverand Mr. John Whiting … ”(1735 Nov. 19).
Petition (1746) of Job Brooks to be freed from paying taxes to support minister Daniel Bliss.
Manuscript “On the Death of the Reverend Daniel Bliss” (1764 May 12).
Box 9, Folder 3: William Emerson:
Manuscript report of council of churches at Concord convened to hear grievances raised by Joseph Lee (1769 Apr. 11), including charges against William Emerson of “many Imprudences, gross Blunders, & Breach of Promise.”
Manuscript report of council of churches convened to help William Emerson resolve discord in the church at Concord (1770 Aug. 28).
Box 9, Folder 4: Ezra Ripley:
ALS, Ezra Ripley to Deacon Samuel Farrar (of Lincoln), Concord (1780 July 21), authorizing transfer of John and Abigail Wheat from Concord church to that of Lincoln. (Letter was found by Laurence W. Polson, proprietor of Wright Tavern Antique Shop, among the papers of Edward R. Farrar, who died at his family homestead in South Lincoln in 1951. Mr. and Mrs. Polson presented it to the First Parish 1951 Dec. 14, in celebration of fifty years of use of the meetinghouse dedicated in 1901.)
Printed sermons:
Ripley, Ezra. The Design and Blessedness of the Gospel. A Sermon, Delivered, May 23, 1792, at the Ordination of the Rev. William Emerson, to the Care of the Congregational Church and Society in Harvard … (Boston: Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews, 1712 [i.e. 1792]).
Ripley, Ezra. The Obligations of Parents to give their children a virtuous education, and to provide Schools for this purpose, with Advice to Scholars, illustrated and urged in a Sermon, Delivered, September 7, 1820, at the Opening of Three New School Houses, Which Were Religiously Appropriated to the Interests of Learning and Virtue, and Directed to the Honour of God; and Which Sermon is Now Affectionately Inscribed to the Children and Youth in Concord, Who Usually Attend the Schools … (Cambridge: Hilliard and Metcalf, 1820). Two copies.
Ripley, Ezra. Half Century Discourse, Delivered November 16, 1828, at Concord, Massachusetts … Published at the request of the Hearers (Concord: Herman Atwill, 1829).
Frost, Barzillai. A Sermon Delivered at the Funeral of the Rev. Ezra Ripley, D.D. … (Published by request of the Parish) (Boston: James Munroe and Company, 1841). Inscribed: “Wm. H. Knight / With the regards of / B. Frost.”
Box 9, Folder 5: Hersey B. Goodwin:
Minutes of Concord Town Meeting (1830 Jan. 20) at which it was voted to invite Hersey B. Goodwin to serve as Ezra Ripley’s colleague.
Commission of H.B. Goodwin to serve as chaplain of the Concord Light Infantry (1835 Sept. 30). Presented by Helen H. Moore (1944 June 26).
Manuscript copy of letter of sympathy (1836 July 11) sent by the First Parish to Mrs. Goodwin on the death of her husband.
Box 9, Folder 6: Barzillai Frost:
[Frost, Barzillai]. Manuscript sermon, “Written Cambridge Jan. 1837. Preached at Concord first Sunday after ordination, Feb. 1st 1837.” From the 1996 gift of Mrs. John Parker to the church.
Frost, Barzillai. The Church. A Discourse Delivered at the Dedication of the New Church of the First Parish in Concord, Mass., December 29, 1841 … Published by Request (Boston: James Munroe and Company, 1842). Two copies.
Two manuscript bills (1845 Apr. 1 and 1846 Apr. 1), receipted, for payments by Town of Concord to Barzillai Frost for services on the School Committee.
Concord (Mass.). The Annual Report of the School Committee, of Concord, for the Year Ending April 1st, 1846 (Concord: The Freeman Office, 1846). School Committee for the year: Barzillai Frost; Wm. L. Mather; A.G. Fay. Two copies.
Concord (Mass.). The Annual Report of the School Committee, of Concord, for the Year Ending April 1st, 1848 (Concord: Daniel H. Adams, 1848). School Committee for the year: B. Frost; Wm. L. Mather; A.G. Fay.
Manuscript bill (1848 Nov. 18), receipted, for Town of Concord payment authorized by Barzillai Frost as Chairman of the School Committee.
Concord (Mass.). Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Concord, for the Year Ending April 1, 1854 (Concord: Silas B. Wilde, 1854). School Committee for the year: Barzillai Frost; Samuel Hoar; Luther H. Angier. Inscribed: “B. Frost.”
Box 9, Folder 7: Barzillai Frost:
Frost, Barzillai. A Sermon, Preached in the First Church, Concord, November 9th, 1856, Being the Sunday Succeeding the Death of Hon. Samuel Hoar, L.L.D. … Published by Request (Concord: Benjamin Tolman, 1856). Three copies.
Manuscript record of Parish vote (1856 Jan. 14) authorizing Parish Committee to “pay the expense of supplying the pulpit from the first of December 1855 to the time of the next annual meeting,” in response to Barzillai Frost’s poor health.
ALS (announcement of leave of absence due to poor health), Barzillai Frost “To the members of the First Parish of Concord” (1856 Nov. 23).
Manuscript resolutions to permit Barzillai Frost’s leave of absence (rather than requiring his resignation) and to continue paying to supply the pulpit during his leave, passed at Parish meeting (1856 Nov.).
ALS (letter of resignation), Barzillai Frost “To the First Church & Parish in Concord” (1857 Sept. 13).
Printed version of B. Frost’s letter of resignation, 1857 Sept. 13. Three copies (one of them singed by fire).
ALS, E.R. Hoar, Josiah Bartlett, and Nehemiah Ball (for the Parish) to Barzillai Frost (1857 Oct. 3), accepting Frost’s resignation.
Printed version of Parish acceptance of Frost’s resignation, 1857 Oct. 3. Two copies.
Miles, Henry A. A Sermon Preached in the First Parish Church, Concord, December 10, 1858, at the Burial of Rev. Barzillai Frost … (Cambridge: Metcalf and Company, 1859). Three copies (one inscribed by Mrs Frost for Josiah Bartlett, one inscribed by Mrs. Frost for Mrs. Adolphus Bates, one inscribed by S. Frances Holden)
Box 9, Folder 8: Grindall Reynolds:
ALS (copy of letter of resignation), Grindall Reynolds “To the Proprietors of the Congregational Society in the Third Parish, West Roxbury,” Jamaica Plain (1858 Apr. 19).
Manuscript record of votes (1858 May 4) by West Roxbury church regarding resignation of Grindall Reynolds.
ALS, E.R. Hoar, Nathan Barrett, and Charles L. Heywood (“on behalf of the Parish”) to Grindall Reynolds (1858 May 25), inviting Reynolds to settle as minister of the First Parish.
ALS, Grindall Reynolds to Hoar, Barrett, and Heywood, Jamaica Plain (1858 June 4), accepting the ministry of the First Parish.
ALS, Grindall Reynolds “To the Members of the First Parish in Concord,” Jamaica Plain (1858 June 4), regarding his acceptance of the ministry.
Manuscript report of Reynold’s acceptance of the ministry by E.R. Hoar on behalf of the committee chosen to invite Reynolds (1858 June 5).
Printed invitation (1858 June 28), to installation of G. Reynolds as minister of First Parish.
Order of Exercises at the Installation of Rev. G. Reynolds, over the First Parish in Concord, 1858 July 8 (printed program). Three copies.
Robbins, Chandler. The Central Power of the Gospel: A Sermon Preached at the Installation of Rev. Grindall Reynolds, as Pastor of the First Church in Concord, Mass., July 8, 1858 … With the Charge, Right Hand of Fellowship, and Address to the Society (Boston: John Wilson and Son, 1858).
ALS (letter of resignation), Grindall Reynolds to Samuel Hoar, Edwin S. Barrett, and Richard F. Barrett, Concord (1881 June 6).
ALS, “This association of Women of your congregation” to Grindall Reynolds, Concord (1881 June 15), in response to Reynolds’s resignation.
ALS, First Parish in Concord to Grindall Reynolds (1881 July 19), expressing good wishes to Reynolds upon his retirement and asking him to continue as “honorary pastor.”
AL, to Grindall Reynolds (1881 July 19)—cover letter to accompany the item to Grindall Reynolds listed above.
ALS, Grindall Reynolds to Charles E. Brown—“Clerk pro tem”—(1881 July 21), expressing gratitude for letter of 1881 July 19.
Typed poem (carbon copy) by George Bradford Bartlett, on the death of Grindall Reynolds ([1894]).
Box 9, Folder 9: Benjamin Reynolds Bulkeley:
ALS, E.R. Hoar, W.S. Blanchard, and Henry J. Hosmer to Benjamin Reynolds Bulkeley (1881 Dec. 5), inviting Bulkeley to the ministry of the First Parish.
ALS, Benjamin Reynolds Bulkeley to E.R. Hoar, W.S. Blanchard, and Henry J. Hosmer, Cambridge, 1881 Dec. 15, accepting call to ministry of First Parish.
Manuscript copy of same; in hand of E.R. Hoar?.
ALS, Benjamin Reynolds Bulkeley to E.R. Hoar, Cambridge (1882 May 26), regarding invitees to his ordination.
Manuscript list of churches to which invitations to ordination of B.R. Bulkeley were sent (undated).
Printed invitation (1882 June 12) to ordination of B.R. Bulkeley (1882 July 12). Eight copies.
Letters of response to invitation to B.R. Bulkeley’s ordination (Ten items; 1882 June 24-July 18).
Manuscript approval by council of churches (1882 July 12) of B.R. Bulkeley to serve as pastor of First Parish in Concord. Consists of letter by Cyrus A. Roys (“Scribe of the Council”).
Ordination Services of Benjamin Reynolds Bulkeley, as Minister of the First Parish at Concord, Wednesday, July 12, 1882 (printed program; two copies).
Box 9, Folder 10: Loren B. Macdonald:
Manuscript letter, deacons of First Parish (on behalf of membership) to Charles E. Brown (Parish Clerk), Concord (1895 Sept. 15), approving invitation of Loren Macdonald to ministry of the Parish.
TLS (copy), Edwin S. Barrett (Chairman, First Parish Standing Committee) to Loren B. Macdonald, Concord (1895 Sept. 16), offering ministry of the Parish to Macdonald.
ALS, Loren B. Macdonald to Edwin S. Barrett, Boston (1895 Sept. 20), accepting ministry of the Parish.
Printed invitation (1895 Sept. 26) to ordination of Loren B. Macdonald as minister of First Parish (1895 Oct. 3).
Macdonald, Loren B. Easter Sermon … After the Burning of the Meeting House of the First Parish in Concord, Massachusetts. The Passing of the Old Meeting House: A Poem by Edward Waldo Emerson ([Concord]: Privately Printed, 1900).
Macdonald, Loren B. Emerson’s Service to Religion. Sermon delivered in the Meeting House of the First Parish in Concord Massachusetts on May 24th 1903 … (Concord: The Erudite Press, 1903).
Box 9, Folder 11: Loren B. Macdonald:
Macdonald, Loren B. Ten Years in Concord … October 1st, 1905 ([Concord]: Privately Printed by a Member of the Parish; Boston: Thomas Todd, Printer, [1905]).
Macdonald, Loren B. Harvey Wheeler: A Memorial Sermon Preached in the Meeting House of the First Parish, Concord, Massachusetts, January 6, 1918 … ([Concord: First Parish, 1918]).
Macdonald, Loren B. Twenty Five Years in Concord (printed four-page leaflet; [1920]).
First Parish in Concord. Memorial to the Reverend Loren B. Macdonald, 1857-1924 (Boston: Anchor Linotype Printing Co., [1925?]).
Box 9, Folder 12: Johannes A.C. Fagginger Auer:
Installation of Rev. Johannes A.C. Fagginger Auer, Ph.D. as Minister of the First Parish, Concord Massachusetts (printed program, four pages; two copies).
Box 9, Folder 13: Edward Perry Daniels:
TL (draft?), Allen French to the Standing Committee of the First Parish, Concord (1933 Apr. 3), recommending that Standing Committee invite E.P. Daniels to write a report reviewing the year’s activities.
Daniels, Edward Perry. Rediscovery: A Sermon Preached Sunday, September 15, 1935, in the First Parish Meeting House, Concord, Massachusetts (printed leaflet, four pages).
TLS, Louis C. Cornish (President of American Unitarian Association) to Elmer J. Joslyn, Boston (1937 May 4), regarding reimbursement to Edward Perry Daniels for ministerial supplies.
Order of Service for the Ordination of John Winthrop Brigham in the First Parish Meeting House, Concord, at Eight O’Clock, Thursday, October Twentieth, Nineteen Hundred and Thirty-Eight (printed program, four pages; sentences read by Edward Perry Daniels; sermon by Johannes A.C. Fagginger Auer).
Daniels, Edward Perry. Shallows and Depths … Sermon preached in the First Parish in Concord, Sunday, February 7, 1943 ([Concord]: Published by the Women’s Parish Association, [1943]).
Daniels, Edward Perry. Memorial Day … Remarks made in Sleepy Hollow, Concord, Massachusetts, May 30, 1947 (printed handbill, one page on single sheet).
First Parish in Concord. The First Parish Church in Concord. Gathered 1636. Edward Perry Daniels … Minister ([Concord: First Parish, 1954]). “The First Parish Church in Concord. Gathered 1636” (pages 2-[3]) signed “E.P.D.”
Newspaper clipping (photocopy; 1954 Dec. 16): photograph of Edward Perry Daniels fighting fire in basement of church vestry.
Daniels, Edward Perry. Manuscript of sermon delivered at King’s Chapel, Boston (1958 Sept. 17).
Daniels, Edward Perry. William Bradford Bartlett, November 11, 1960 (typescript of tribute delivered at Bartlett’s funeral).
Newspaper clipping (photocopy; [1962]): “On Edward Perry Daniels” (obituary tribute).
Box 9, Folder 14: Arthur B. Jellis:
TL (copy), Standing Committee of the First Parish in Concord to Arthur B. Jellis (1957 May 20), inviting him to the ministry of the Parish.
TL (copy), Standing Committee to Arthur B. Jellis (1957 May 20), stating terms and conditions of invitation to ministry.
TL (copy), Arthur B. Jellis to Standing Committee (1957 May 22), accepting call to the ministry.
Engraved invitation to installation ceremony (1957 Oct. 20) for Arthur B. Jellis as minister of First Parish.
Service of Installation of Arthur Boyd Jellis as the Sixteenth Minister of the First Parish in Concord, Sunday, October 20, 1957, 7:30 in the Evening, Concord, Massachusetts (printed program, three pages).
TL (copy), Secretary of Standing Committee, to Mrs. Chamberlin ([1958 Jan.]), thanking her for her generosity in making “the parsonage a pleasant, comfortable home for our new minister and his family.”
Order of service (program, four pages) for service 1958 Jan. 12. Includes note by Arthur Jellis to “Dear Unitarians” (page [4]) urging the signing of a petition banning nuclear testing in the Pacific.
TL (copy), Myron T. Smith, Chairman of Standing Committee, to Mr. [Robert] Moore (1958 Oct. 2), regarding objections to some topics “to which publicity has been given in the church.”
TLS, Leon C. Fay, Director, Department of the Ministry, American Unitarian Association, to Mrs. Prescott Smith, Boston (1959 Oct. 28), regarding possibility of forming a Minister’s Advisory Committee, plus enclosure (typed plan for a Ministerial Relations Committee).
Jellis, Arthur B. Where Thy Treasure Is … (typescript sermon; 1959 Nov. 8).
TL (copy), Arthur F. March, Jr., Chairman of Standing Committee , to Berkeley Wheeler (1960 Jan. 12), regarding concerns about the minister and his relations with the Standing Committee and Parish.
TLS, John Hoar to Arthur F. March, Jr., Epping, N.H. (1960 Feb. 4), complaining of the minister’s response to his concerns and asking to be removed from mailing list.
TL (copy), Arthur F. March, Jr. to John Hoar (1960 Feb. 5), responding to Hoar’s letter of 1960 Feb. 4.
ALS, Charles G. Edgarton to the E.M.C. Committee of the First Parish, Concord (1961 Mar. 30), regarding decision to decrease pledge.
TL (copy), Sinclair Weeks, Jr. to Miss Mary Chamberlin (1961 Apr. 11), regarding his willingness to accept nomination for Standing Committee of the First Parish and his interest in remedying discontent within the church with its minister.
ALS, Berkeley Wheeler to Dr. [Arthur F.] March, Concord (1961 Apr. 11), inquiring about results of a confidential meeting, with enclosure (clipping regarding FBI), and response (TL, copy) from March to Wheeler (1961 Apr. 12).
ALS, Arthur [Jellis] to Fred [Klinck] ([1962] Jan. 16, accompanying a form letter “To Members and Friends of the UUA” (1962 Jan. 5) requesting donations to finance a private college preparatory school on Cape Cod.
TL (copy), Arthur Jellis to Fred [Klinck] (1963 Feb. 4), declaring his intention to remain long-term as minister of the First Parish and outlining his thoughts on the administration of the church.
Jellis, Arthur B. Invocation at the Bridge, April 19, 1964 (typescript).
TL (photocopy), draft, [William O. Faxon for] Standing Committee to Arthur Jellis (1965 Mar. 1), regarding the strengths and weaknesses of his ministry.
Manuscript notice on yellow lined paper, Patricia B. Smith for the Standing Committee ([1966 Apr.]), requesting attendance at “an informal meeting on Tuesday, April 4th, at 8 P.M., in the Vestry Parlor, for the purpose of discussing and assessing pastoral relations in our Parish.”
Typescript report by Frederick Klinck (former Chairman of Standing Committee requested by Harold Cabot, Chairman of Standing Committee (1966 Apr.), regarding the minister.
TL (photocopy), Frederick C. Klinck to Robert C. Butman (1968 May 12), explaining decrease in his pledge to the church.
Two ALS, “Pooh” [Davis] to Sylvia and Fred [Klinck] ([1968 June 25]), regarding dissatisfaction with minister.
TLS, Arthur B. Jellis to Sylvia Klinck (1968 Nov. 19), regarding meeting held to air grievances against the minister (in his absence) and requesting to meet with those who attended it.
TLS (photocopy), Arthur B. Jellis to “Members and Friends of the First Parish” (1969 Jan. 13), announcing his intention of seeking another ministry elsewhere.
ALS, Adele [Campbell] to Libby [Miss Elizabeth Alexander] (1969 Mar. 16), defending the conduct of the minister.
TLS (copy), Janice S. Banwell to Roger Duncan, Concord (1969 May 5), regarding her reasons for resigning from her position as secretary of the First Parish.
Box 9, Folder 15: Dana McLean Greeley:
Dana McLean Greeley and the First Parish silver
Clipping (photocopy) of article by Louis Garinger, “Unitarian Universalist split avoided over funds-for-blacks controversy” (1969 July 17), referring to candidates vying “to win the hotly contested election to succeed Dr. Dana McLean Greeley as UUA president.”
First Parish in Concord, Massachusetts. Installation of The Reverend Dana McLean Greeley, D.D. as the eighteenth minister, at eight o’clock on Sunday evening, November twenty-ninth, 1970 (printed program, four pages). Two copies.
Greeley, Dana M. 25 Beacon Street and other recollections (Boston: Beacon Press, 1971). Inscribed by Dana M. Greeley.
Greeley, Dana M. Three Sermons: “Our Christian Heritage and Emphasis”; “Our Humanistic Heritage and Emphasis”; “Our Universalist Heritage and Emphasis” … ([Concord: First Parish, 1981?]). Two copies, both inscribed by Dana M. Greeley.
“Now and Then” (clipping—original and photocopy—showing photographs of Dana and Deborah Greeley in 1981 and in 1931, with caption), in Unitarian Universalist World, Vol. 13, No. 11, 1982 Nov. 15, p. [1].
Service of Celebration for the Reverend Dr. Dana McLean Greeley in the 50th year of his ministry, First Parish Meeting House, Concord, Massachusetts, Sunday, December Twelfth, Nineteen Hundred Eighty-Two, Four-thirty p.m.(printed program, four pages). Two copies, both inscribed by Dana M. Greeley.
Box 9, Folder 16: Gary E. Smith:
Smith, Gary E. Stage Left (five undated columns by Gary Smith, photocopied from First Parish newsletters).
Smith, Gary E. Talking Trash: A Sermon for Social Responsibility Sunday, The First Parish in Concord, November 8, 1992 (photocopied typescript).
Historical item relating to ministers:
Box 9, Folder 17:
Smith, Eric Parkman. The Church in Concord and Its Ministers (Concord: Publications Committee of the First Parish in Concord, 1971).
Other ministry-related documents:
Box 9, Folder 18:
Three ALS relating to offer of ministry to, and decline by, Edwin Bradford Leavitt (1894 Nov. 18-Dec. 10).
Box 9, Folder 19:
ALS, Charles G. Ames to W.L. Eaton, Boston (1895 Feb. 1), agreeing to supply the pulpit in Concord on the Sunday following Easter (Apr. 20, 1895).
Box 9, Folder 20:
First Parish in Concord, Massachusetts. A Meeting for the Ordination of Patrick Garland Green and His Installation as Assistant Minister, at 7:30 o’clock on Sunday evening, November fifth, 1972 (printed program, four pages).
Box 9, Folder 21:
Manuscript oaths taken by John Brown, Jr. as Parish Clerk (1856, 1857).
Box 9, Folder 22:
Manuscript appointment by Parish Committee of Jonas Melvin to serve as Collector of Taxes for the Parish in 1861 (1861 Aug. 14) in place of G.L. Prescott, who had declined the appointment.
Typescript obituary tribute (1959) to Gordon MacDonald, Sexton of the First Parish.
Series VII. Separation of Parish from municipal government, 1855:
Box 10, Folder 1:
Seven documents (1855 Apr. and May) relating to the question of whether the Town of Concord was obliged to enact Parish business, plus later typescript summary of Parish-related proceedings at three town meetings (1855 Apr. 26, May 23, Nov. 6). Series (contained in one folder) includes manuscript petitions by qualified voters of Concord to the Selectmen to call a town meeting to consider Parish matters; manuscript listing of specific issues raised by the Selectmen’s refusal to call a meeting for Parish purposes, with notes on the subject in the hand of John Shepard Keyes (Chairman of the Board of Selectmen) on the reverse; manuscript legal opinion on the relationship between town and church; and manuscript account of a dispute at town meeting between John Shepard Keyes and Samuel Hoar regarding the town’s obligations in regard to the church.
Series VIII. Sunday school records, 1827-1901:
Box 10, Folder 2:
Manuscript Sunday school record book (1827-1832). Includes catalog of books in Sabbath School Library.
Box 10, Folder 3:
Manuscript Sunday school reports (1840, 1841, 1845, 1847, 1848, 1850, [185-], 1852/53, 1867/68, [undated]).
Box 10, Folder 4:
Ellen Tucker Emerson manuscript Sunday school notes and questions (1898-1901). Includes one letter (to Julia and Sarah; 1898 Sept. 8).
Box 10, Folder 5:
First Parish Church School Magazine, no. 3 (1959 May).
Box 10, Folder 6:
Typed, mimeographed Sunday school list (1973 Spring).
Box 10, Folder 7:
Printed reports of Middlesex Sunday School Society (1843-1848): First Report … (Concord: Hazewell & Simonds, Printers, 1843); Second Report … (Concord: Charles C. Hazewell, Printer, 1844); Fourth Report … (Boston: James Munroe and Company, 1846); Fifth Report … (Boston: Printed by Coolidge & Wiley, 1847); Sixth Report … (Boston: Printed by Dutton and Wentworth, 1848).
Box 10, Folder 8:
Unitarian Sunday School Society. Annual Meeting, Wednesday and Thursday, October 24 & 25, 1877. Order of Exercises … (printed handbill).
Box 10, Folder 9:
Sunday school curricula/texts ([189-?]-1946):
[Horton, Edward A. Intermediate Sunday school curriculum book, 189- or 190-; lacks cover and title page. Gift of Esther W. Anderson to the First Parish, 1962.]
Horton, Edward A. Great Thoughts of Israel. Twenty Lessons for Intermediate Classes … Third Edition (Boston: Unitarian Sunday-School Society, 1901). Inscribed “Esther Howe Wheeler.” Gift of Esther W. Anderson to the First Parish, 1962.
Lyon, W.H. Early Old Testament Narratives. Thirty-Six Lessons … Twenty-Fifth Edition (Boston; Chicago: Unitarian Sunday-School Society, 1905). Inscribed “Esther Wheeler.” Gift of Esther W. Anderson to the First Parish, 1962.
These We Learn. From verso of title page: Second edition (Concord: First Parish Sunday School, 1953). First printed 1946.
Series IX. Marriage, death, christening, and related records, 1778-1974:
Box 10, Folder 10:
Bound volume of manuscript marriage records (1778-1851) kept by Ezra Ripley, Hersey Bradford Goodwin, and Barzillai Frost.
Box 10, Folder 11:
Unbound manuscript marriage records from ministry of Ezra Ripley: listing of marriages kept by Ripley (1788-1795; one sheet, recto and verso); marriage certificate (1798 Mar. 26) for Isaiah Green of Carlisle and Hannah Chandler of Concord, signed by Ripley on verso.
Box 10, Folder 12:
Bound volume of manuscript marriage records (1852-1857) kept by Barzillai Frost.
Box 10, Folder 13:
Bound volume of manuscript marriage records (1883-1894) kept by Grindall Reynolds as “honorary pastor” (after his retirement from the ministry of the First Parish).
Box 10, Folder 14:
Bound volume of manuscript death records (1778-1857) kept by Ezra Ripley, Hersey Bradford Goodwin, and Barzillai Frost.
Box 10, Folder 15:
“Services at Which Our Ministers Have Officiated” (typed listing of marriages, memorial services, christenings, and new members, 1973-1974).
Series X. Music in the church, 1812-1928:
Box 11, Folder 1: Abigail Dudley Singing Fund:
Bound manuscript record book (1832-1925) for the Abigail Dudley Singing Fund (established in 1814 to promote sacred music in public worship).
Box 11, Folders 2 and 3: Church organ and organist:
Seventy-four documents (manuscript and typescript, primarily manuscript; 1841-1928) relating to purchase, maintenance, and repair of church organ, and to payment of organists. Includes: manuscript contract for purchase of organ from James P. Whitney (1841), and receipt for same; receipts for organ blowing by D.B. Hosmer, Charles M. Hosmer, and Wallace (“W. Th.”) McDonald; receipts for payment to organists Abner Ball, George C. Mann, Elizabeth Hunt, Allen King, Marcella A. Hurd, William H. Nash, Mrs. James A. Walker, Theodore Hunt, and Mrs. Lucy C. Myrick; receipts for organ tuning and repairs (one of them—1889 Oct. 2 to Thomas Whitney Surette—“for repairs to bellows &c.”); records (1871-1872) of the committee formed to consider and select a new organ, including reports, list of subscribers, and full financial account for alterations undertaken to accommodate the new organ; ALS, Eleanor G. Crandall to William L. Eaton, Concord, 1894 Aug. 12, resigning from position of organist; and TLS, Paul F.C. Mias to Mrs. Henry Smith, Belmont, 1928 May 1, outlining recommended repairs to organ. Folder 2 contains items dated 1841-1871, Folder 3 1872-1928.
Box 11, Folder 4: Choir, choral music, and singing school:
Twenty-six manuscript receipts (1841-1891) relating to: expenses for sheet music and music books; for other choir-related expenses; for Allen King and H.L. Whitcomb for leading the choir; for A.B. Warren for running a singing school and for hymn books; for Marion A. Jones for singing in church; and for Thomas Whitney Surette for services of organ blower for choir rehearsals, music for the choir, and Easter music.
Shelved unboxed: Hymnals and other church music:
American Unitarian Association. Hymn and Tune Book for the Church and the Home … (Boston: The Association, 1871). Inscribed on title page “S R Bartlett, 1871”; and on front paste-down endpaper “Memorial Services for Father, Unitarian Church, Concord, Mass., Jan 13th 1878. Hymns Nos 325 = 524 = 676.” Pencil notes on verso of final printed leaf.
American Unitarian Association. Hymn, Tune and Service Book for Sunday Schools (Boston: The Association, 1882). Stamp of First Parish Sunday School Library on front free endpaper. Pencil note laid in: “This book went through the fire which destroyed the First Parish Meeting House in 1900. Concord, Massachusetts.” Burn marks throughout the book.
Baker, B. F., and J.F. Fargo. The New Haydn: A Collection. Hymn Tunes, Chants, Sentences and Anthems. Adapted for All the Wants of Public and Private Worship. And for the Use of Choirs, Singing Schools, Musical Societies and Conventions (Boston: Ticknor and Fields; Chicago: Lyon and Healey, 1866). Inscribed on front free endpaper: “Mrs. J. M. Smith, Concord, Mass., Jan. 1867.”
Belknap, Jeremy. Sacred Poetry: Consisting of Psalms and Hymns, Adapted to Christian Devotion in Publick and Private. Selected from the Best Authors, with Variations and Additions (Boston: Thomas and Andrews and West and Blake, 1812). Inscribed on title page: “Abigail D. Prescott.”
Cheshire Pastoral Association. Christian Hymns for Public and Private Worship. A Collection Compiled by a Committee of the Cheshire Pastoral Association. Forty-Seventh Edition (Boston: Crosby, Nichols, and Company, 1857). Two copies, both inscribed by S.M. Holden (one also inscribed by Carrie P. Holden).
Hitchcock, Roswell D., Zachary Eddy, and Philip Schaff. Hymns and Songs for Social and Sabbath Worship (New York: Anson D.F. Randolph and Company, 1875). Inscription on front free endpaper: “Mr. Eugene Conant … ”
Mason, Lowell. The New Carmina Sacra: or Boston Collection of Church Music … (New York: Mason Brothers, 1860). At head of title: Published under the Sanction of the Boston Academy of Music. Inscribed on front cover: “Not to taken from the Seats Choir 1st Parish.”
Selection of Hymns and Psalms, for Social and Private Worship. Ninth Edition (Boston: Published by Thomas Wells, 1828). Gold-stamped on leather strip affixed to front cover: “T. Prescott.” Inscribed in pencil on front free endpaper: “Timothy Prescott, Concord Mass., April 20 1833.” Pencil notes on front lining leaf (events of note in the life of the Parish, and record of Timothy Prescott’s death), back lining leaf, and back paste-down endpaper.
Taylor, Virgil Corydon. Taylor’s Choral Anthems:A New Collection of Choruses, Anthems, Quartetts, Trios, Duets, and Solos, Original and Selected, for Singing Societies, Choirs, and Social Musical Circles (Utica: Hawley, Fuller and Co.; New York: D. Appleton and Co.; Hartford: O.D. Case and Co.; Boston: Gould, Kendall and Lincoln; Philadelphia: Thomas Cowperthwaite and Co., 1849).
The University Hymn Book. Altered by Permission for Use in the First Parish of Concord … (Cambridge: John Wilson and Son, University Press, 1896). Two copies: one inscribed “W.L. Smith, Pew 13, Gal.”; the other inscribed “Mrs. Sarah E. Staples with best regards of James S. Garland, Sept. 1901” and also “This volume was saved from the fire which destroyed the old meeting house in Concord on April 12, 1900, and has been rebound for J.S. Garland.” Half-bound in leather (gold-stamped “S.E. Staples”), marbled paper boards.
Wendté, Charles W., and H.S. Perkins. The Sunny Side: A Book of Religious Songs for the Sunday School and the Home … (New York: William A. Pond and Co., 1875). Inscribed on front cover: “First Parish S.S.”
Whittemore, Thomas. Conference Hymns and Tunes. Second Book (Boston: Thomas Whittemore, 1843). Damaged; title page lacking.
Series XI. Financial records, 1695-1991:
Box 12, Folder 1: Trustees of the Congregational Ministerial Fund:
Act of incorporation for the Trustees (1812/13; later manuscript transcriptions only).
Box 12, Folder 2: Trustees of the Congregational Ministerial Fund:
Typescript recommendation by John W. Clarkson for drawing up by-laws for the Trustees (read before the annual Parish meeting, May 12, 1969) and several undated draft versions of by-laws. Also, historical notes [by Clarkson] relating to the Trustees, culled ([ca. 1969]) from town and church records and from Shattuck’s A History of the Town of Concord in preparation for recommendations on by-laws. The by-laws were adopted June 10, 1971.
Box 12, Folder 3: Trustees of the Congregational Ministerial Fund:
Manuscript annual reports of the Trustees (1855-1859, 1861-1864, 1871-1872, 1874-1875—that for 1875 in both manuscript and printed forms, 1877-1878, 1931).
Box 12, Folder 4: Trustees of the Congregational Ministerial Fund:
Bound manuscript Trustees’ record book (1791-1900), including: records of “Town Donations” (John Cuming, Abel Barrett, John Beatton, Peter Wright, Humphrey Barrett, Ephraim Meriam, Perez Blood, Jonathan Wheeler); appointments of Trustees; dispersements. Entries made from both ends of the volume. Inscribed on front cover: “Receipts.”
Box 12, Folder 5: Trustees of the Congregational Ministerial Fund:
Softcover manuscript Trustees’ record volume (1836-1889), including: records of sale of wood on ministerial lots; schedules of notes and property held by Trustees; records of income (including interest, mortgage income, stock dividends, etc.) and dispersements; some minutes (1879 and 1880s); and records of Town Donations (Cuming, Beatton, etc.).
Box 12, Folder 6: Trustees of the Congregational Ministerial Fund:
Bound manuscript record volume (1890-1931), including accounts and minutes.
Box 12, Folders 7 and 8: Trustees of the Congregational Ministerial Fund:
Unbound Trustees’ financial records (1826-1899), including: statements; receipted bills; tax bills; promissory notes; authorizations of payments; letters regarding loans, payments, donations, etc. Folder 7 contains items dated 1826-1894, Folder 8 1895-1899 (plus one undated).
Box 12, Folder 9: Trustees of the Congregational Ministerial Fund:
Correspondence (1883, 1945, 1947—the 1945 and 1947 items both notarized 1948, 1962, [1971]), relating to membership of Trustees, by-laws, special Minister’s Discretionary Fund, etc.
Box 13, Folder 1: Funds and investments:
Bound manuscript volume of records (1793-1867) of funds and investments, including: extract of John Cuming’s will; records (dispersements and income) of Cuming donation; records (dispersements and income) of Beulah Minot Fund; list of members of the church, 1815 Jan. 1.
Box 13, Folder 2: Funds and investments:
Bound manuscript volume of records of funds (1788-1938; the early records transcribed from the original). Includes copy of 1788 vote authorizing deacons to receive and manage money, and financial records of the following funds: Beulah Minot; John Cuming; Abigail Dudley; Mary Adams.
Box 13, Folder 3: Funds and investments:
Bound volume containing manuscript records (income and dispersements) of funds, legacies, and gifts (1925-1961, with the bulk of information dating 1934-1945); one manuscript account sheet laid in. Volume includes information relating to: Nancy Holden Fund; Anna M. Holland Fund; general funds; real estate (White Cottage, Wright Tavern, Thayer and Ball property, Stow house and land, etc.); stocks (including railroad stock); and bonds.
Box 13, Folder 4: Funds and investments:
Printed report (1901)—“History of the Funds and Plate of the First Church in Concord.”
Box 13, Folder 5: Trustees of Parish Donations:
Records, including printed by-law ([1909]) regarding formation of the Trustees, and undated mimeographed typescript summary of Trustee-related decisions and recommendations.
Box 13 (unfoldered): Trustees of Parish Donations:
Bound manuscript volume (1910-1961, with the bulk of information dating 1910-1945), containing records of funds, stock, and real estate.
Box 13, Folder 6: Trustees of Parish Donations:
Mimeographed typescript report (1930) of the Bondholders’ Committee of the Edna Worsted Company.
Box 13, Folder 7: Bank account and other records for special purpose funds and bequests:
Bank passbooks (1954-1971) for First Parish Building Fund, Sprinkler Fund, Edith Robb Bequest, Fire Insurance Premium Reserve Fund, Mary Upson Bequest Fund, Organ Improvement Fund.
Box 13, Folder 8: Bank account and other records for special purpose funds and bequests:
Bank passbook and other materials (1966, 1970) relating to a loan connected with the Mary Upson Fund.
Box 13, Folder 9: Bank account and other records for special purpose funds and bequests:
Printed Building Fund brochure (undated).
Box 14, Folder 1: Committee on Domestic Charities:
Three manuscript financial record books: 1867-1889; 1890-1943 (the first book tucked into a pocket in the second; material relating to Ellen Tucker Emerson Bequest removed from pocket to Box 14, Folder 3); 1943-1964. Two narrative reports (1873, 1877) of the Committee on Domestic Charities are found in Series IV, Box 7, Folder 13.
Box 14, Folder 2: Committee on Domestic Charities:
Unbound financial records (1907-1979), including memos, receipts, tax form, copy of money order.
Box 14, Folder 3: Committee on Domestic Charities:
Correspondence and other materials (1902-1930) relating to bequests: letter of bequest from Ellen Tucker Emerson, extracts from E.T.E.’s will, and printed biography of E.T.E. by Elizabeth Hoar Storer; typed, undated summary relating to the bequest of Anna M. Holland.
Box 14, Folder 4: Committee on Domestic Charities:
Correspondence (1932-1980) regarding gifts to individuals.
Box 15, Folder 1: Assessor’s records:
Bound manuscript volume of assessments (1856-1860, 1867).
Box 15, Folder 2: Assessor’s records:
Typed transcript of assessments (1856-1860, 1867), the original manuscript volume containing which is found in the previous folder. Transcript by Mrs. Hans Miller; typed by Barbara Loughlin.
Box 15, Folder 3: Assessor’s records:
Bound manuscript volume of assessments (1868-1872). Volume singed by fire.
Box 15, Folder 4: Assessor’s records:
Bound manuscript volume of assessments (1873).
Box 15, Folder 5: Assessor’s records:
Bound manuscript volume of assessments (1875).
Box 16, Folder 1: Treasurer’s records:
Bound manuscript account book (1789-1860, 1866-1891, 1929).
Box 16, Folder 2: Treasurer’s records:
Bound volume of check stubs (1880-1895).
Box 16, Folder 3: Treasurer’s records:
Bound manuscript record book (1911-1927), containing pew rents and subscriptions.
Box 16, Folder 4: Treasurer’s records:
Bound manuscript record book (1926-1932), containing income and dispersements.
Box 16 oversize, shelved unboxed: Treasurer’s records:
Bound manuscript record volume (1932-1944) of cash and bank accounts, Concord National Bank.
Box 16 oversize, shelved unboxed: Treasurer’s records:
Bound manuscript record volume (1944-1954) of cash and bank accounts, Concord National Bank. Pasted on back lining leaf: clippings and memo about fire at First Parish (1954 Dec.).
Box 16, Folder 5-9: Treasurer’s records:
Unbound Treasurer’s records (1695-1959), among them: orders to pay; petition; subscription lists; promissory note; accounts; receipts and receipted bills for goods and services provided to the church; oaths of office taken by Assessors and Treasurers; financial reports; records of tax abatements; insurance policies; obligation bonds; record of votes regarding expenditures; contract. Highlights: order (1695) to pay the salary of Edward Bulkley (Bulkeley); records of payments (1788) of ministerial tax; subscription lists (1804) of contributors to a gratuity for Ezra Ripley; subscription list (1816) for contributors to the purchase of a horse for Ezra Ripley; statement ([182-]) of sexton’s fees for digging graves; lists of contributions for the elements (1832, 1835); mulltiple orders to pay (1841-1842) to Timothy Prescott as Treasurer of the First Parish, including for funeral and burial expenses for Ezra Ripley (1841); subscription list (1864) for financial gift to N.H. Warren; printed circular (1867) from South Middlesex Local Conference of Unitarian and Other Liberal Christian Churches, requesting parish contributions; subscription list (1869) of contributors to supply of pulpit during vacation of minister (Grindall Reynolds); subscription list (1872) for contributions to “a testimonial of regard” for Grindall Reynolds; receipt (1874) for four vases from Daniel Chester French; subscription list (1876/77) for contributions to pay Parish tax for those unable to do so; subscription list (1882) for contributors to additions to meetinghouse; printed form (189-) requesting payment of taxes, rents, and subscriptions; letters (1928-1929) relating to Thomas Whitney Surette’s renting organ and space for his music school. Folder 5 contains items dated 1695-1849, Folder 6 1850-1865, Folder 7 1866-1869, Folder 8 1870-1872, Folder 9 1873-1959.
Box 16, Folder 10: Treasurer’s records:
Typescript reports and budgets (1950-1965, 1991, plus undated).
Box 17, Folder 1: Member contributions (subscription/canvass):
Printed solicitations (handbills and brochures; 1879, 1932-1983) for financial support from parishioners.
Box 17, Folder 2: Member contributions (subscription/canvass):
Subscription list (corrected to 1929).
Box 17, Folders 3-6: Member contributions (subscription/canvass):
Alphabetical card file (1966-1979) of contributors. Folder 3 contains cards for contributors A-D, Folder 4 E-L, Folder 5 M-R, Folder 6 S-Y.
Series XII. Church property, 1749-1974:
Plan of Wright Tavern property
Box 18, Folder 1: Real estate:
Unbound real estate documents (1793-1961), including: deeds for church property (incl. Wright Tavern); rights of way; surveys and plans (one by Cyrus Hubbard—for “Wood Land lately belonging to Nathaniel & Ephraim Hosmer Situated in the South-Westerly part of Concord”—dated 1819 July 9); manuscript list (1829) of subscribers agreeing to help defray cost of “a stone & gravel walk from the store of Phineas How to the road which leads to the new meeting house”; authorization (1892) of Treasurer of Parish to borrow money for repair of Wright Tavern; typescript history of the meetinghouse; photocopied clipping; and telegram (1961 Jan. 21) from Leverett Saltonstall to “Society of the First Parish, Concord, Mass.,” regarding designation of the Wright Tavern as a historic site, and its consequent eligibility for National Historic Landmark status.
Oversize Folder 1: Real estate:
Plan of The Ministerial Lot (so called), in the south-west part of Concord. Surveyed by Henry D. Thoreau, Nov. 14th to 25th 1851. Original manuscript survey in Thoreau’s hand (final version).
Oversize Folder 2: Real estate:
Draft or traced version of Thoreau survey in Oversize Folder 1.
Oversize Folder 3: Real estate:
Manuscript plan of First Parish property (1896) by Albert E. Wood.
Oversize Folder 4: Real estate:
Real Estate of the First Parish in Concord, Massachusetts … May 23, 1900. Leonard Metcalf, Engr. 14 Beacon St. Boston. Plan shows footprint of meetinghouse that burned 1900 Apr. 12.
Box 18, Folders 2-3: Meetinghouse:
Unbound manuscript, typescript, and printed items (exclusive of receipts) relating to repairs and alterations to the meetinghouse (1841-1895, 1955-1974), including: minutes of 1841 Jan. 21 Parish meeting at which the repair or rebuilding of the meetinghouse was discussed; specifications for work to be done on the meetinghouse ([1841]); appointment of committee to oversee alterations; a variety of other documents relating to the 1841 renovations (reports; contracts between Nathan Hosmer and the First Parish, J.W. Wilkins and the First Parish, Stafford & Brown and Nathan Hosmer, Nathan Hosmer and Sylvester Hayward; bond; estimate; account; letter from the Trinitarian Congregational Church regarding First Parish use of the Trinitarian building during the 1841 renovations; correspondence, including 1842 letter of recommendation by John M. Cheney for Thomas Coleman of Salem, who “painted in fresco, the interior of the church of the First Parish”); reports regarding later 19th century repairs; agreement between First Parish and contractor Moses Hobson (1858); authorization of Treasurer of Parish to borrow money to purchase organ and make repairs within the church, (1871); subscription lists for alterations, the amounts pledged to be paid before 1882 June 1 (one list including the signatures of Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Daniel Chester French, and William Henry Hunt); agreement (1885) between John J. Flannery and First Parish, and note by Albert E. Wood acknowledging Flannery’s satisfactory completion of a retaining wall; TLS, 1895 Feb. 5, Sherman Hoar to the Chairman of the Parish Committee, regarding E.R. Hoar bequest to pay for meetinghouse improvements; contract (1955) between Custance Brothers and the First Parish for chapel and Sunday school; 1955 plan of proposed additions; undated typescript list of long-term recommendations ([196-?]) for work on building and grounds; undated typescript minutes of discussion of proposed work; The Meetinghouse in Concord: Crucible of History (a 1974 brochure outlining the history of the meetinghouse, presenting the case for refurbishment, and urging pledging to the Renovation Fund). (Receipts for work on meetinghouse are found in Series XI; see Box 16, Folders 5-9). Folder 2 contains items dated 1841-1895, Folder 3 1955-1974.
Oversize Folder 5: Meetinghouse:
Undated architectural drawings ([1841]). One drawing bears the inscription “Thomas Coleman, Salem.” See Box 18, Folder 2 for additional Coleman material.
Oversize Folder 6: Meetinghouse:
General Floor Plan, First Parish Meeting House, Concord, Massachusetts … Traced from old Blueprint. March 8, 1934. J.W. Ballou.
Oversize Folder 7: Meetinghouse:
First Parish in Concord, Mass. Cellar Layout. Steam and Hot Water Piping … JWB. August 1934.
Box 18, Folder 4: 1900 burning of meetinghouse, and rebuilding:
Unbound materials (1900-1902) relating to the fire that destroyed the First Parish meetinghouse 1900 Apr. 12, and to the dedication of the new meetinghouse in 1901, including: undated printed poem (“The Old Concord Church”) by Martha Perry Lowe; photocopied clippings about the fire and the dedication; dedication program and booklet for exercises and service 1901 Oct. 3; printed poem by Edward Waldo Emerson (The Old Church of Concord Restored, October 9th, 1901); TL (unsigned) to Sherman Hoar, 1902 Dec. 9, regarding the Restoration Account for replacing the meetinghouse.
Oversize Folder 8: 1900 burning of meetinghouse, and rebuilding:
Concord Enterprise, 1900 Apr. 12 (front page article: “Old First Church Destroyed”).
Oversize Folder 9: 1900 burning of meetinghouse, and rebuilding:
The Middlesex Patriot, 1901 Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 (front page pieces: “Dedication of the New First Parish Meetinghouse” and “Dedication Sermon. Rev. L.B. Macdonald’s First Sermon in the Restored First Parish Meetinghouse”).
Box 18a (oversize): Architectural plans for building of and renovations to fourth meetinghouse, and for church school:
Four sets of plans: sixteen blueprints (1900) by Cabot, Everett, & Mead of Boston for the fourth meetinghouse; thirteen plans (1955; photocopy) by Charles G. Loring of Boston for church school addition (plus extra photocopy of two of the plans), and one topographical survey for same; ten plans (1974; photocopy) by Paul Douglas Minor of Concord for renovations; eleven plans (1984; photocopy) by John H. Anderson of Concord for renovations.
Box 18, Folder 5: Horsesheds:
Unbound manuscript and printed documents relating to repairs to the First Parish horsesheds (1871, 1885; five items).
Oversize Folder 10: Horsesheds:
Undated manuscript plan of First Parish horsesheds ([188-?]).
Box 18, Folder 6: Use of church facilities:
Unbound manuscript documents relating to use of church facilities (all dated 1842), including: report of committee in charge of the meetinghouse and organ (Samuel Hoar, Chairman; two copies); list of subscribers consenting to use of the chapel by the Middlesex Husbandmen and Manufacturers during the Cattle Show in October (four versions).
Box 18, Folder 7: Non-real estate:
Unbound manuscript, typescript, and printed items (1891-1960) relating to church silver, painting (portrait of Benjamin Reynolds Bulkeley), bell, and items connected with the church in the Concord Antiquarian Society (now the Concord Museum),
Box 18, Folders 8-9: Pew documents:
Names of people who had seats in the Concord meetinghouse (1749; copied to index cards by Ina Mansur from original document in “Town Records Box”). Folder 8 contains cards for individuals A-H, Folder 9 J-W.
Shelved unboxed: Pew documents:
Bound manuscript volume, The Book of Records of Pews in the town of Concord (containing records 1791-1854).
Box 19, Folder 1: Pew documents:
Unbound manuscript and printed pew documents (1752-1876), including: pew deeds (two of them—1752 June 26, Munroe to Chandler, and 1791 Dec. 1, Lee, Bartlett, White, Brown, Ingraham, Barrett, and Wood to Chandler—the gift of the Westford Historical Society, via Marilyn Day, 06/05; accession number AMC 113); printed and manuscript plans of layout of pews with names of owners in manuscript; appraisal of pews; list of pew sales (1841); receipts for payment on sale of pews; two manuscript notebooks containing pew appraisals and assessments, [1871]-1874; valuation of pews (1876); printed handbill (1876) regarding pew tax; reports of referees in the matter of pew appraisals (1876).
Box 19, Folder 2: Pew documents:
Unbound pew documents (1877-1883), primarily manuscript, including: reports of referees in the matter of pew appraisals; letters from pew owners wishing to divest themselves of pews; receipts for payment on sale of pews (among them those of Harriette Moore and the Blood sisters); pew appraisal; receipt for payment on pew tax; notices of completion of 1879 and 1881 assessments, orders to Treasurer to collect 1879, 1880, and 1882 taxes, and 1879, 1880, and 1882 valuation of pews; pew deeds; ALS, Henry Flagg French to the Treasurer, First Parish (Unitarian), Washington, 1883 Oct. 8, stating French’s intention not to occupy or pay the tax on pew No. 77 in the future.
Box 19, Folder 3: Pew documents:
Unbound manuscript and printed documents (1884-[ca. 1955]), including: receipts for payment on sale of pews (among them those of Henry Flagg French and Maria King Prescott); ALS, L.M. Reynolds on behalf of the Women’s Parish Association to Charles E. Brown, Concord, 1885 Apr. 6, requesting that the Standing Committee grant the Association the old pew cushions which the Association had recently replaced; pew deeds; order to Treasurer to collect 1893 pew taxes; bills of sale for pews; printed handbill (1901) regarding changes in valuation of some gallery pews; printed plans, with valuations, of layout of numbered pews in the meetinghouse; manuscript plan ([ca. 1955]) of layout of pews, with names of owners.
Box 19, Folder 4: Pew documents:
Undated, unbound manuscript and printed pew documents, including manuscript and printed plans of layout of pews in the meetinghouse, some with valuations recorded, some with owners’ names; list of valuation and assessment of gallery pews; list of payments of assessments on gallery pews; bound leather portfolio labeled “Diagram of Pews, First Parish in Concord,” with typed slips inserted to indicate pew owners.
Box 19, Folder 5: Pew documents:
Printed pew deed for First Parish in Weston, unused—no manuscript additions (184-).
Series XIII. Relations with other Concord churches, 1874-1932:
Box 20, Folder 1:
ALS, Assessors of Second Parish, Concord (i.e. Trinitarian Congregational Church) to the “Prudential Com. Of the First Parish Concord,” Concord, 1874 Feb. 23, in response to First Parish offer of use of church building while the Trinitarian building was closed for repairs. The Trinitarians opted to hold services in the Town Hall instead of at the First Parish.
TLS, Alfred W. Birks to Mr. [Allen] French, Natick, 1924 Dec. 16, objecting to the idea of a federation of churches in Concord.
Typescript, “Tentative Plan for a Federation of the First Parish in Concord and the Trinitarian Congregational Church.” Annotation in pencil: “Drawn up by Prescott Keyes, January, 1925.”
Typescript, “Plan for a Federation of the First Parish in Concord and the Trinitarian Congregational Church.”
Records (1925) of proposed merger of First Parish and Trinitarian Congregational Church: correspondence; plan of joint organization; proposed agreement between churches; printed notice of formation of Liaison Committee of First Parish and of resolutions resulting from joint meeting of the Liaison Committee and the Church Committee of the Trinitarian Church.
Schedules and programs for joint (union) services of First Parish and Trinitarian Congregational Church (1925 Jan.-May).
TL, “Committee” to Rev. Smith Owen Dexter of Trinity Episcopal Church, Concord, 1932 June 20, expressing regret over Mr. Dexter’s retirement.
Series XIV. Church, town, and related celebrations, social events, and special services, 1841-1982:
Box 20, Folder 2: Dedication of renovated meetinghouse, 1841:
Frost, Barzillai. The Church. A Discourse Delivered at the Dedication of the New Church of the First Parish in Concord, Mass., December 29, 1841 … Published by Request (Boston: James Munroe and Company, 1842).
Box 20, Folder 3: Tea party, 1873:
<Printed handbill announcing tea party (1873 Feb. 14) in the vestry of the First Parish.
Box 20, Folder 4: 100th anniversary of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s birth, 1903:
Printed ticket, cover letter for ticket, and program for memorial exercises (1903 May 25) arranged by the Social Circle in Concord in celebration of the centennial of Emerson’s birth.
Box 20, Folder 5: 150th anniversary of Concord Fight, 1925:
Printed program for the “Citizens Vesper Service” (1925 Apr. 19) at the First Parish in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Concord Fight.
Box 20, Folder 6: 300th anniversary of Concord’s incorporation, 1935:
Printed program for the religious service (1935 Sept. 8) held by the Protestant churches of Concord at the First Parish in honor of the 300th anniversary of Concord’s incorporation.
Box 20, Folder 7: 300th anniversary of First Parish, 1936:
Materials relating to the 300th anniversary of the First Parish (1936), including newspaper article (1936 Oct. 24) from the Boston Evening Transcript and printed program for service of thanksgiving (1936 Oct. 25).
Box 20, Folder 8: Special World War II services, 1943-1945:
Printed programs (orders of worship) for special World War II services at the First Parish (1943-1945; three items, one for dedication of a service flag and honor roll, two for Remembrance Sundays).
Box 20, Folder 9: 50th anniversary of fourth meetinghouse of First Parish, 1951:
Printed program for the service (1951 Dec. 16) in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the fourth meetinghouse.
Box 20, Folder 10: 150th anniversary of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s birth, 1953:
Printed handbill relating to the 150th anniversary of Emerson’s birth (1953 May 25); and printed program for observance in First Parish on that occasion.
Box 20, Folder 11: Acceptance and dedication of chapel and Sunday school wing, 1956:
Letter of invitation to “Members and Friends of the First Parish in Concord” to the ceremony of acceptance and dedication of the chapel and Sunday school wing (1956 May 27), including acknowledgment of major donations; and printed program for service.
Box 20, Folder 12: 325th anniversary of First Parish, 1961:
TLS, Dwight D. Eisenhower to Rev. Arthur B. Jellis, Washington, 1961 Oct. 4, on White House letterhead, congratulating the congregation on the Parish’s 325th anniversary; and program for 325th anniversary service (1961 Oct. 8).
Box 20, Folder 13: Man from Monticello [performance, 1974]:
The Man from Monticello: A Celebration of Unitarian Universalist Values based on The Man from Monticello: An Intimate Life of Thomas Jefferson by Thomas Fleming. Arranged by Darrell Eubank [script] (Boston: Worship Arts Clearing House of the Department of Education and Social Concern, Unitarian Universalist Association, [1974?]; and program for [1974] production of celebration.
Box 20, Folder 14: Walden [performance, 1974]:
Walden: A Unitarian Universalist Celebration based on Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden, or Life in the Woods” and music of Franz Schubert—adapted, with visuals and dance, by Darrell Eubank [script] (Boston: Worship Arts Clearing House of the Department of Education and Social Concern, Unitarian Universalist Association, [1974?]); and program for [1974] production of celebration.
Box 20, Folders 15-16: Bicentennial of Concord Fight, and related events, 1974-1975:
Materials (1974-1975) include: correspondence between Dana McLean Greeley and various parties, among them Concord’s 1975 Celebrations Committee (Chairman, John B. Finigan); manuscript list of First Parish observances in 1974 and 1975; printed program and other items—including photographs—relating to the service (1974 Oct. 11) to commemorate the meeting of the First Provincial Congress in Concord (1774 Oct. 11); [1975] advertisement for commemorative bicentennial platter; “A Bicentennial Tune for a Bicentennial Hymn,” by Dana McLean Greeley (photocopy); Town of Concord purchase order; Youth Committee report on planned Bicentennial Youth Forum “200”; press release (1975 Apr. 17) about opening of Boston Public Library exhibition “Literary Boston”; 4” x 5” black and white negative for photograph of Dana M. Greeley and Gerald R. Ford at the North Bridge, Concord (1975 Apr. 19); Concord 1975 Celebrations Committee certificates of appreciation to First Parish and to Dana M. Greeley for participation in bicentennial celebration; The Concord Hymn: Song for High Voice and Piano or Organ. Music by: Greg Isaacs. Poem by: R.W. Emerson ([without place of publication or name of publisher], 1975), with First Day of Issue bicentennial stamp; photocopied map (“Historic Concord Massachusetts”); program (three copies) for bicentennial memorial and rededication service (1975 Apr. 20); photocopied typed proposal by Concord-Carlisle Social Studies Department for program (1975 Apr. 30) “Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and Where We’re Going”; printed program for and other items relating to bicentennial commemorative (1975 Oct. 5) in First Parish of Harvard College’s removal to Concord in 1775 (three copies of program, one signed by key participants); proofs of photographs of “Harvard Night”; draft and final typescript report, (1975 Dec. 12) “Concord Bicentennial Celebration 1975,” by Dana M. Greeley. (Although most photographs in the First Parish records have been filed in Series XVI, those relating to bicentennial events in 1974 and 1975 have been kept in Series XIV with other bicentennial materials.) Folder 15 contains items dated 1974 July 12-1975 Apr. 17, Folder 16 items dated 1975 Apr. 19-Dec. 12.
Shelved unboxed: Bicentennial of Concord Fight, and related events, 1974-1975:
Printed recognition (1975 Oct. 5) by the President, Fellows, and Board of Overseers of Harvard College of the “many kindnesses of the Town of Concord” (with particular reference to Harvard College’s stay in Concord in 1775 and 1776). In red portfolio with Harvard seal stamped in gold.
Box 20, Folder 17: 100th anniversary of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s death, 1982:
Programs for Boston, Cambridge, and Concord observances (1982 Apr. 25-May 2) of the centennial anniversary of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s death and for commemorative service (1982 Apr. 27) in the First Parish in Concord.
Box 20, Folder 18: Flower Sunday (undated):
Printed program (undated; [early 20th century?]) for Flower Sunday service.
Series XV. Informational publications (calendar, brochures, newsletter), 1915-1973:
Box 20, Folder 19:
Calendar (1915 Mar.); brochure (undated) welcoming newcomers; brochure (1941) containing order of worship, list of summer preachers, and historical information about First Parish and Concord; booklet ([1954]) by Edward Perry Daniels on First Parish, its history, government, religious education, Sunday school, music, and committees and associations; brochure (1971 May) by Roger Duncan on First Parish committees and associations and on membership.
Box 20, Folder 20:
From the Meetinghouse [newsletter], 1970 July 24-1971 Dec. 15 (Vol. 5, Nos. 1-22; Vol. 6, Nos. 1-8).
Box 20, Folder 21:
From the Meetinghouse [newsletter], 1972 Jan. 5-1973 Sept. 6 (Vol. 6, Nos. 9-20; Vol. 7, Nos. 11-12, 16-17; Vol. 8, No. 1).
Series XVI. Photographs and other visuals, [16--?] (in reproduced form)-1985:
Box 20, Folder 22: Exterior of meetinghouse:
Photograph of sketch (original in Concord Museum) of third meetinghouse before 1841 remodeling; two mounted late 19th century photographs of remodeled third meetinghouse (see also Oversize Folder 11); one late 19th century photograph (printed on card stock) and two postcards (one color) of third meetinghouse, and one copy print from late 19th century photograph; assortment of photographs, postcards, and calendar with color illustration showing fourth meetinghouse (dedicated 1901), including two prints by Anderson & Wood; six 8” x 10” black and white photographs of fourth meetinghouse, and one mounted 5” x 7” print.
Oversize Folder 11: Exterior of meetinghouse:
Large mounted late 19th century photograph of third meetinghouse.
Box 20, Folder 23: Exterior of meetinghouse:
Four mounted 8” x 10” black and white prints of fourth meetinghouse (one of them also in 5” x 7” mounted form), all dated 1955, and one 8” x 10” mounted 1955 aerial photograph of meetinghouse and vicinity; one color slide showing meetinghouse in 1955, before Sunday school addition, and one snapshot showing construction of Sunday school addition; one matted, undated 8” x 10” black and white print of fourth meetinghouse; assortment of photographs of fourth meetinghouse (including three 8” x 10” black and white prints, one 8” x 10” negative, and one color print of First Parish at the time of the 1975 bicentennial of the Concord Fight).
Box 20, Folder 24: Exterior of meetinghouse:
Engraved cut of exterior of fourth meetinghouse.
Box 20, Folder 25: Exterior of meetinghouse:
Camera-ready copy for First Parish letterhead, including cut of exterior of fourth meetinghouse.
Box 20, Folder 26: Interior of meetinghouse:
A selection of photographs, including: two late 19th century card stereographs; snapshot of organ; two color slides and print from one of them; black and white 8” x 10” photographs of sanctuary, organ, kitchen, chapel, parlor, stage, etc.; four 8” x 10” negatives of sanctuary and organ.
Box 20, Folder 27: Ruins of third meetinghouse after fire of 1900:
One 4” x 5” mounted photograph of ruins and bystanders.
Box 20, Folder 28: Church Green:
Four mounted 8” x 10” black and white prints of buildings on Church Green, all dated 1955.
Box 20, Folder 29: Wright Tavern:
One late 19th century sepia print showing Wright Tavern and third meetinghouse, and one 20th century black and white 8” x 10” photograph of Wright Tavern, stamped on back “Arthur F. March Jr., D.D.”
Box 20, Folder 30: Stow House (parsonage):
One mounted late 19th century photograph of the Stow House (92 Walden Street; used as First Parish parsonage) (see also Oversize Folder 12).
Oversize Folder 12: Stow House (parsonage):
One mounted late 19th century photograph of the Stow House (side view).
Box 20, Folder 31: Church silver:
One 8” x 10” black and white photograph of church silver, taken by William W. Anderson (1955); three undated 8” x 10” black and white photographs of church silver, one of them including Rev. Dana M. Greeley; four color snapshots of silver articles ([197-?]).
Box 20, Folder 32: Ministers (Bulkeley; Ripley; Daniels):
Color snapshot of 17th century (?) portrait of Peter Bulkeley, founder and first minister of Concord, postcards of locations in Odell (England) associated with Bulkeley, and mounted photograph of portrait of Peter Bulkeley, grandson of founder and first minister of Concord; TLS (copy), Gertrude H. Rideout to “My dear Lord Luke,” Concord, 1967 May 26, regarding the two Bulkeley portraits, and typescript account, “The Quest for the Missing Portrait,” by Miss Rideout; mounted cabinet card photograph by Alfred Munroe of silhouette of Ezra Ripley; printed photograph of Edward Perry Daniels.
Box 20, Folder 33: Members:
Elliott & Fry carte de visite photograph of Ellen Tucker Emerson ([187-?]); snapshots of Frederick Klinck, Charles Dee, and Robert and Lucile Needham, and negatives for same (1981); 5” x 7” photograph of three unidentified men.
Box 21, Folder 1: Images considered for/used in The Meeting House on the Green (1985):
Photographs of paintings of Rev. Peter Bulkeley and Rev. Dana M. Greeley; slide and photograph of Elizabeth Wentworth Roberts painting (1913), Concord Women Sewing for the Belgian Refugees; photographs and negatives of church record book; photographs, transparencies, and slide of Wright Tavern painting; 5” x 7” black and white photograph of Dana and Deborah Greeley; color photographs of flowers in the church; color photographs of bell, belfry, and weathervane; masked color photograph of weathervane; slide of 19th century photograph of Ralph Waldo Emerson in lecture stance; copy print of 19th century photograph of Humphrey Barrett house on Monument Street. Materials in this and the following folders were presented to the CFPL by John Teele, 09/05/85.
Box 21, Folder 2: Images considered for/used in The Meeting House on the Green (1985):
Photographs of Peter Bulkeley portrait, including negatives; photograph and transparencies of Edward Waldo Emerson painting of Rev. William Emerson departing from the Old Manse in 1776; photographs of Church of All Saints, Odell, England, and proof of plate from The Meeting House on the Green incorporating one of them; mixed photocopy and photographs for illustrative and reference purposes.
Box 21, Folder 3: Images considered for/used in The Meeting House on the Green (1985):
Miscellaneous photographs (some color, some black and white); Meeting House on the Green: Interludes, postlude, miscellaneous pages [mock-up]; engraved presentation note for copy of The Meeting House on the Green presented to Linda Woodford (1985 July); photostats of several images, and proofs of images used as endpaper illustrations.
Box 21, Folder 4: Images considered for/used in The Meeting House on the Green (1985):
Laminated rubbings (in red and blue) from Hill Burying Ground, with label of Dr. Marilyn Nicosin.
Box 21, Folder 5: Exhibition images and labels for Concord Free Public Library display on publication of The Meeting House on the Green (1985):
Some images duplicate items in previous folders, some are not included there. Folder includes notice announcing the publication of the book.
Box 21, Folder 6:
Guest book (1943-1949).
Box 21, Folder 7:
Guest book 1950-1952).
XVIII. Artifacts, 18th-20th centuries:
Box 22:
Two blocks of wood (oak) salvaged from the third meetinghouse of the First Parish (burned 1900 Apr. 12).
Piece of wood from third meetinghouse, formerly mounted on cardboard along with two photographs of Fitchburg Turnpike house to which the porch of the third meetinghouse was removed after the fire of 1900 Apr. 12. (Wood no longer mounted to cardboard.) Gift of Esther Anderson.
Two skeleton keys to the third meetinghouse door.
Piece of metal from bell (destroyed by fire in 1900) of third meetinghouse.
Two nails from third meetinghouse, picked up after 1900 fire.
Vestry key, hanging from brass medallion stamped “First Parish Concord. Vestry.”
King’s Daughters pendant (formée cross), hanging from green cloth tape marked “Frank Wheeler Farm, Concord, Mass.” Gift of Esther Anderson.
XIX. Non-record gifts to the First Parish (Bibles, manuscripts, photographs, etc.), 1767-1985:
Shelved unboxed: Bibles:
The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: Newly Translated out of the Original Tongues: And with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised, By His Majesty’s Special Command. Appointed to be Read in Churches (London: Printed by Mark Baskett, Printer to the King’s most Excellent Majesty; and by the Assigns of Robert Baskett, 1767). Two volumes. Presented to the First Parish in 1792 by Azor G. Archibald (inscriptions of presentation on front lining leaves).
The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated Out of the Original Tongues, and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised (Boston: Printed by Greenough and Stebbins, for Hastings, Etheridge and Bliss, E. Larkin, Thomas and Andrews, D. West, Andrews and Cummings, Manning and Loring, J. West and Co. and O.C. Greenleaf, 1809). Inscribed in ink on front lining leaf: “(1815.) For the use of the Deacons of / the Church in Concord, / Given by / A friend.” Inscribed in pencil below this: “Deacon Parkman.” Presented by Mary R. Fenn.
Die Bibel oder die ganze Heilige Schrift des Alten und Neuen Testaments, nach der deutschen Uebersetzung Dr. Martin Luthers (Frankfurt am Mein: Gedrucht für die britische und ausländische Bibelgesellschaft, 1882). Inscribed on front paste-down endpaper: Anna Riemey / … 1883.” ALS (1891 July 10) laid in.
Box 23, Folder 1: Manuscripts:
Manuscript lecture “Phrenology in 1832.” Probable author: William Whiting, who delivered a lecture on phrenology before the Concord Lyceum in late 1832 (1832 Dec. 26; see records of the Concord Lyceum, CFPL). From the 1996 gift of Mrs. John Parker to the church. Items from the Parker gift were dispersed throughout the First Parish records during their processing, Spring 2005. Only those items that could not be considered records of the church—even under a loose interpretation of that term—were included in Series XIX. For a complete listing of the Parker gift as it came to the First Parish, see Box 7, Folder 10 (Series IV. Committees and associations within or including the Parish, 1832-1994: Archives Committee).
Box 23, Folder 2: Manuscripts:
Manuscript diary (1838 Sept. 9-1840 Jan. 12; incomplete); author unidentified. Diary describes spiritual concerns of a student at Brown University. From the 1996 gift of Mrs. John Parker to the church.
Box 23, Folder 3: Printed pamphlet:
Schulman, J. Frank. Ralph Waldo Emerson. His Life; His Work; His Theology (Houston, Texas: Emerson Unitarian Church, 1965). Inscribed by the author.
Box 23, Folders 4-6: Photographs (1890s) by Mathew Kohlrauch of No. Billerica, showing sites in Concord and possibly elsewhere:
Items include one mounted sepia print, eleven 4” x 5” glass plate negatives, copy negatives and copy prints from original photograph and glass negatives. Sites represented: Hunt/Hosmer House; Minot House (Lexington Road; no longer standing); Orchard House; Emerson House; Concord School of Philosophy; Old Manse; Wright Tavern; North Bridge; four unidentified. Original mounted photograph and eleven glass plate negatives from the 1996 gift of Mrs. John Parker to the church.
Box 23, Folder 7: Photographs of 350th anniversary celebration of Concord’s incorporation (1985 Sept.):
Twenty-seven 3 ½” x 5”color snapshots. Presented by Priscilla Caiger.
Pew plan
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