Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/262

208 THE HISTOEY OF BARRESTOTON. Rev. Mr. Heath was both pastor and clerk of the Church, and the only records of the Church until the year 1800 are in Mr. Heath's hand-writing, and are contained within the compass of fifteen pages of a sheep-bound record book, which has been handed down through his son Nathaniel, his grand- son VVilmarth, and is now in the possession of his grand- daughter, Mrs. William Carter, of Barrington, The heading of the first page reads as follows: The Records of the Church of Christ in Barrington, kept by me Pelcg Heath, Pastor, begiimifig November 13, 1728. Feby 21, 1728-9. "At a church meeting for the choice of a Deacon, Lt. Nathaniel Peck was chosen by a unanimous vote : " "At said meeting voted also with respect to mem- bers — that all persons that cohabit and dwell with us here in the town, being members in full communion in other Churches, shall be obliged to produce their letters of recom- mendation or dismission from those chhs before we admit them to partake with us in our Sacred Communion ; first allowing them time convenient to produce them." March 6, 17289. Lieut. Adams "employed and empow- ered to arrest and levy " to obtain a bequest made to the church by Mr. Jolin Allen of Bristol alias Swansea, deceased. On Feby 9, 1723, Mr. Adams was instructed to deliver to Mr. Heath the sum of twenty pounds, obtained by judgment of the Court, the proceeds of the legacy of Mr. John Allen. It is further recorded that Mr. Hugh Cole of Swansea, the executor of Mr. Allen's estate, neglected or refused to pay the bequest to the church, and that Mr. Adams received of the church the sum of twenty-one pounds one shilling and eleven pence for his charges and services as agent of the church in obtaining the Allen legacy of twenty pounds. It was voted, " that the Church is satisfied, having received of Mr. Adams the sum of five pounds, being the full of all debts due from said Adams to the Church." The following named persons gave ten shillings each addi- tional to pay the costs of the Court for obtaining the legacy: Deacon Samuel Humphrey, Deacon Nathaniel Peck, Tim-