gether again, when such satisfaction was given, that Mr. John Ward was ordained pastor of the church of Haverhill, on the north side of said Merrimack, and Mr. John Woodbridge was ordained pastor of the church of Andover, on the south side of the same."* These two churches were the 23d and 24th organized in Massachusetts.

Ten male members, including the pastor, composed the church gathered at this time; viz. Mr. John Woodbridge teacher, John Osgood, Robert Barnard, John Frye, Nicholas Holt, Richard Barker, Joseph Parker, Nathan Parker, Richard Blake, Edmond Faulkner. To these a number of others were soon added. John Barnard was probably the

first child baptized in Andover.

Mr. Woodbridge, in 1647, resigned his charge and returned to England, and was succeeded by Mr. Francis Dane, who took charge of the Society. Both of these gentlemen were born in England; neither of them received the honors of a university there; but their education for the ministry was completed in this country.

The first meeting house was built near the old burying ground, unless there was a temporary one, of which we have no account, and was furnished with a bell, which was used till about the year 1755. It cannot now be ascertained when this house was built, what were its dimensions, or how the bell was obtained. It had two galleries, one above the other, and stood till 1711, when a new one was erected.

From the town being early and constantly supplied with regular religious instruction, and from the ability of the people to maintain a religious teacher, it may be concluded that the settlement was prosperous, and that there were some men of wealth, who were able and willing to sustain the burdens incident to a new town. It also appears, that

* Hubbard.

they steadily kept in view, the object for which they left the mother country, the enjoyment of the worship of God and of religious ordinances, according to their understanding and the dictates of conscience.

Mr. Dane's ministry was long and useful. No records are transmitted respecting the church. From the town book, it appears that he was respected, that harmony prevailed, that the worship and ordinances of religion were well attended. He died 17 Feb. 1697, in the 82d year of his age, having been an officer in the church 48 years. .*

In 1682, Jan. 13, "It was universally voted, that the Committee abovesaid, should give Mr. Barnard a call to settle here in Andover, for the carrying on of the work of the ministry amongst us." In March following; "Voted and passed, that the town shall give Mr. Barnard fifty pounds per annum, the one quarter of it in money, the use of the parsonage, and all his firewood, during the time Mr. Dane shall carry on part of the work; then Mr. B. shall have eighty pounds per annum, one quarter part of it in money, together with the use of the parsonage, and all his firewood, during the time he shall carry on the whole work of the ministry."* In 1683, "Voted and passed, that five pounds of Mr. Dane's salary shall be paid in silver, during his abode in the ministry." Before this time, one half of his salary was paid in wheat, and the other half in Indian corn, at the current price. Money is always scarce in new settlements. The settlers have little to sell, and much to buy.

Mr. Barnard was colleague with Mr. Dane about fifteen years, with whom harmony was maintained, and the interest of Christianity and of the town was promoted. His ministry to the whole town was about twenty eight years, and was satisfactory and successful.

About the year 1707, the parsonage house was destroy

*Town Records,

ed by fire, and the town provided a house for Mr. B. and fortified it against the Indians. After a few years, the town made a grant to Mr. B. to enable him to procure a house for himself. There has been no parsonage house since in

the North parish.

In 1707, it was thought necessary to build a new meeting house; but there was much disagreement concerning the place where it should be erected. There were several town meetings on the subject; and after much discussion and examination, a petition was sent to the General Court, for a committee to determine the place. Upon examination by the Court's committee, the town was judged able to support two ministers; and in May 1709, the town, by an act of the General Court, was divided into two parishes. The South parish was required to build a meeting house and a parsonage house; and the town to set off parsonage land from the common land equal to the North Parish; and Mr. Barnard had his election of the parishes. He remained in the North Parish.

The North Parish, Oct. 1710, Voted to build a new meeting house, 50 feet long; 45 feet wide, and 24 feet between joints; and that Samuel Snow of Woburn be the chief workman.

1711. The new meeting house was raised and finished, so as to be occupied at the close of the year. It stood near the place of the present house.--Mr. Barnard proposed that his salary be paid in money £42 instead of £60 in corn, which makes the price of corn 2s. 14d. a bushel; his proposal was accepted. 1713. Difficulty, as is usual, attended the seating of the meeting house.

1714. Seven families from Haverhill had seats in the meeting house and contributed to the support of the minis

ter.

Mr. Barnard continued to minister with great accep

tance and success till Oct. 1718, when he died suddenly, much lamented. Oct. 20th was appointed a day of humiliation and prayer, on account of the sudden death of Rev. Mr. Barnard, and of being destitute.*

Nov. 3. Granted £24, 10s, to pay Mr. Barnard's funeral charges.

During his ministry 275 members were admitted to the church.

1718, Dec. 16. "Voted and passed, that the Precinct would call the Rev. Mr. John. Barnard to be their settled gospel minister." Voted £80 salary and the use of the parsonage lands. On the 29th, Voted to add £10 yearly to the above sum, and £60 settlement. The Rev. Mr. Barnard began to preach as settled minister on the first Sabbath in Jan. 1719; and was ordained the eighth day of April following.*

In 1727, the year of the great earthquake, 71, a larger number than usual, were added to the Church; and 87, in the year following. In 1736, 38 united with the church.

In March 1740, "It was voted and passed, that the petitioners, viz. Ephraim Foster, Joseph Robinson, John Foster, David Foster, Moses Foster, Joseph Robinson jr., Timothy Sessions, be set off from the North Parish, in Andover to the North parish in Boxford, to all intents and purposes; they the said petitioners paying their equal proportion for maintaining the gospel there, and all parish charges; the said petitioners relinquishing all their rights, privileges and interest in the parsonage lands and meeting house in the said North Parish in Andover, and that the petitioners obtain a confirmation of the General Court, and not be dismissed till then."+

In 1746, June, John Barker, John Barker jr. Nathan Bar

*Parish Records.

† Church Records.

ker, with their wives, Nathan Barker 3d and widow Lacy, were dismissed to the second church of Boxford, on conditions of the forenamed petitioners.

1752, Oct. 17. It was voted to build a new meeting house and to raise £400. The price of labor for a man a day was 1s. 03. and; for a pair of oxen 8d. a day till 1 March.

1753. June, the meeting house was raised; Oct. Voted to raise £300 for the meeting house. 1754. Jan. 1. Pews were sold for £667 15s 8d; the highest pew at £17 Os 8d --the lowest at £6 13s 4d.

1754, Jan. 15. Voted that S. Phillips Esq., Joshua Frye, and Capt. James Frye be a committee to purchase a bell for the new meeting house.

1755, March 1. Voted, "that Samuel Phillips Esq. give the thanks of this parish to Mr. William Phillips, merchant in Boston, for his great favor and bounty to the parish in giving them the purchase of a bell for their meeting house." The purchase money was given by Capt. Nathaniel Frye. Rev. John Barnard died 14 June 1757, in the 39th year of a faithful and successful ministry, in which 506 were admitted to the church; 1200 baptisms.

1757, June 29, "Voted that twenty pounds lawful money be paid by the parish toward defraying the funeral charge of Rev. John Barnard, who departed this life the 14th instant, in the 68th year of his age.'

There is sufficient evidence from the records of the church, that good order and discipline were maintained, that there was good fellowship with the neighbouring churches and ministers, and that peace and harmony prevailed in the parish. Upon the delinquency of any member, much pains with the spirit of meekness were taken to restore him to duty, and to promote the edification of the church.

*Parish Records.