Papers, 1755-1851
MC 198
1 box (0.2 cu. ft.)
About the Stearn Family Papers:
The Stearns Family papers collection primarily contains the papers of Reverend Josiah Stearns, 1732-1788, pastor of the church in Epping, N.H. for thirty-one years. There are a few items each of Jonathan Stearns of Andover, Massachusetts; Sarah Stearns; the Rev. Samuel Stearns, Josiah’s son and pastor of the church in Bedford, Massachusetts, and Ebenezer S. Stearns. Of particular note is the 1757 journal of Jonathan French from the French and Indian War (f.1).
Folder Listing:
Jonathan French Papers
| f.1 | Jonathan French, journal from the French and Indian War, 1757. |
| f.2 | Jonathan French, sermons used at the baptism of his first child, and his nineteenth child, 1798 and 1819. |
Josiah Stearns Papers
| f.3 | Minutes of a meeting of churches in Ipswich, Cambridge, and Gloucester, to come together in reconciliation and restoration, Exeter, NH, August 1, 1755. |
| f.4 | Minutes of a meeting of the Church of Christ, regarding the appointment of Rev. Josiah Stearns as pastor, Epping, NH, August 23, 1756 (2 versions). |
| f.5 | Letter of invitation from the Church of Christ, signed by members of the church, Epping, NH, May 18, 1757. |
| f.6 | Minutes of a meeting, regarding the hiring of Rev. Josiah Stearns as pastor, Boxford, MA, October 15, 1757. |
| f.7 | Minutes of a meeting of the Church of Christ, regarding the appointment of Rev. Josiah Stearns as pastor, Epping, NH, November 7, 1757 (2 versions). |
| f.8 | Minutes of a meeting of the Church of Christ, Epping, NH, December 7, 1757. |
| f.9 | Articles of the Ecclesiastical Council, signed by John Moody, reverend, and Josiah Stearns, scribe, August 13, 1765. |
| f.10 | Confirmation of the formation of the Ecclesiastical Council, and its officers, August 13, 1765. |
| f.11 | Statement of regret of conduct, from David Lawrence, Epping, NH, March 8, 1769. Statement of regret of conduct, from Benjamin Baker, Epping, NH, March 8, 1769. |
| f.12 | Minutes of a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Council, signed by Peter Coffin, moderator of Council, and Josiah Stearns, scribe, Nottingham, NH, June 7, 1770. |
| f.13 | Minutes of a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Council, regarding a case between the minister and the people, and the dismissal of Rev. Butler, signed by Peter Coffin, moderator of the Council, and Josiah Stearns, scribe, Nottingham, NH, August 1, 1770. |
| f.14 | Letter from the brethren in the Gospel Ministry, to Rev. Doctor Langdon, Greenland, NH, August 7, 1770. |
| f.15 | Minutes of a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Council, regarding the conduct of Rev. Thomas Niles, signed by Timothy Walker, moderator, and Josiah Stearns, scribe, August 18, 1773. |
| f.16 | Minutes of a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Council, signed by Timothy Walker, moderator, and Josiah Stearns, scribe, Pembroke, March 23, 1775. |
| f.17 | Settlement of Contention between churches, Greenland, NH, March 29-30, 1775. |
| f.18 | Minutes of a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Council, signed by Joseph Adams, moderator, and Josiah Stearns, scribe, Greenland, NH, March 30, 1775. |
| f.19 | New Hampshire scale, 1777-1781. |
| f.20 | Account left by Samuel Lawrence, attested by Josiah Stearns and Simon Peirce, ca. September 1779. |
| f.21 | Financial record, Josiah Stearns, Epping, NH, February 28, 1783-1787. |
| f.22 | Correspondence to Rev. Josiah Stearns, Epping, NH, March 11, 1784; and July 8, 1784. |
| f.23 | List of individuals that helped Rev. Josiah Stearns procure a horse, Epping, NH, February 17, 1786 (2 versions); and February 28, 1786. |
| f.24 | Correspondence from Epping, NH, August 25, 1783; March 9, 1784; April 19, 1784; and March 14, 1785. |
| f.25 | Will and testament of Josiah Stearns, Epping, NH, April 21, 1788. |
| f.26 | Inventory of the estate of Rev. Josiah Stearns, Epping, NH, August 22, 1788. |
| f.27 | List of donators and their donations to help Rev. Josiah Stearns procure a horse, undated. |
| f.28 | Sermons. Undated and unknown author. “A Right Hand of Fellowship,” ca. mid-1770s (2 versions). “A Charge.” |
Sarah Stearns Papers
| f.29 | Fragment of will, and other agreements, signed by Sarah Stearns, July 24, 1784. |
Samuel Stearns Papers
| f.30 | Sermon at the ordination of Rev. Samuel Stearns, April 27, 1796. |
Ebenezer S. Stearns Papers
| f.31 | Eben S. Stearns, admittance to Phillips Academy, December 16, 1834. |
| f.32 | Valedictory address of Eben S. Stearns, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA, August 1837. |
| f.33 | Receipt for two burial plots for Ebenezer S. Stearns, Bedford, MA, November 1, 1851. |
| f.34 | Eben S. Stearns, “Reward of Merit” certificate, undated. |
| f.35 | Obituary for Phineus, written by E.S. Stearns, and “The Fallen,” an undated poem. |
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