PORTSMOUTH OLD SOUTH CHURCH (continued)

On the 22d June, 1767, the following vote passed in a parish meeting, of which Daniel Jackson was moderator:

"Whereas a number of subscribers being desirous for their own convenience, and of being accommodated with pews, to have the meeting house cut and made twenty-four feet longer, and the broad alley, pulpit and fore door to be in the middle of the house as near as possible, and the addition proposed to be made to be all in readiness as soon as the house is cut and moved to the distance proposed, to be joined together immediately thro' frame and interlays to prevent the house being damaged or overset by any sudden gust of wind.

* * To be completed entirely at their own cost and charge, and they to have the benefit of the disposition of the pews to themselves.

* * * n Voted, that Mr. John Griffes, Mr. Thomas Hart, Deacon Mark Langdon, Capt. Titus Salter, and Capt. Samuel Langdon, be a committee for the proprietors of this Parish to receive the bond (L2,000) from the subscribers."

Turning over the parish records, we find the following interesting entry made at the time of the death of Rev. Mr. Strong, which we copy verbatim. It presents in itself a picture of the past.

October 1, 1751.
At a meeting of the parishoners of the South Parish, in Portsmo. assembled on the occasion of the decease of our Rev. Pasture, Mr. Job Strong, and to know the minds of the parishoners with respect to ye decent interm't of our

deceased pasture, they proceeded unanimously and made choice of Mathew Livemore, Esq. mod'r, and it was put to vote whether they would do any thing at all or not relating to the funeral, and it passed in the affirmative.

Voted, Neminie contra dicente, That there be a grave and decent coffin.

Voted, That the bearers have rings.

Voted, That the following persons have gloves, viz:

1st The Paul Holders and their wives.

2dly, The Under Bearers.

3dly, The Doc'r and his lady.

4thly, The Rev. Mr. Brown and his lady.

5thly, The Watchers.

6thly, That the Govern'r and his lady have gloves.

7thly, The Saxten of this Parish.

8thly, The other two Saxtens, if they or either of ym toll ye bell, shall be pd for ye service.

9thly, The Ministers that attend the funeral.

10thly, That Sam'l Hart Esq'r & his wife for the paul.

11thly, Coll. Gilman and lady and three sisters of Mr. Strong.

12thly, The Tenders.

Voted, That the widow of our deceased pasture have a suit of mourning.

Voted, That their be seventy pounds, old ten'r, given to Mad'm Strong to put herself in mourning.

Voted, That the grave be dug for the iterm't of the remains of the Rev. Mr.Strong, be as near to Mr. Shurtleff's coffin as may be.

Voted, That Mad'm Shurtleff have a pair of gloves.

Voted, That the church wardens be, and hereby are, empowered and authorized to put the above votes in execution, and raise money on the parishoners for effecting the same, together with ten or twelve pounds old ten'r, for unforseen contingences, if there be occasion for it.

Voted, That Mad'm Fitch have a pair of gloves.

Voted, That the Rev. Mr. Langdon of Portsmo., Mr. Addams of Newington, Mr.

Wise of Berwick, Mr. Rogers of Kittery, be four of the paul holders.

Voted, That the other two paul holders be left to the appointment of the

friends of the deceased, and in want thereof, to the church wardens.

Voted, That the church wardens be hereby desired to make provision to have a sermon preached the same day before the interm't of our deceased pasture.

MATHEW LIVEMORE, Mod'r.

CONTINUE to read about Portsmouth's OLD SOUTH CHURCH