59 School Street, Box 1310, Edgartown MA 02539 - 508.627.4441
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A Finding Aid to the Church Records, Sermons, and Church Related Collections, 1661, 1783-circa 1981, undated

Descriptive Summary

Repository Martha's Vineyard Museum Gale Huntington Research Library
59 School Street
P.O. Box 1310
Edgartown, MA 02539
(508) 627-4441
Call Number RU 539
Title Church Records, Sermons, and Church Related Collections
Date [inclusive] 1661, 1783-circa 1981, undated
Extent 1.5 boxes (0.756 cubic feet)
Language The materials are in English.
Abstract The artificial collection contains materials related to the establishment and practice of Christianity on Martha's Vineyard, predominately during the 19th century.

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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use and Reproduction Restrictions

Requests to reproduce material from this collection should be directed to the library's staff. Reproduction fees may apply.

Preferred Citation

Martha's Vineyard Museum, RU 539, Church Records, Sermons, and Church Related Collections

Acquisition Information

  • Gift of Daniel Mante in 1952 (Accession no. 1952.004).
  • Gift of M. A. Kapp in 1974 (Accession no. 1974.017).
  • Gift of Gwendolyn S. McCarthy in 1983 (Accession no. 1983.031).
  • Gift of Linda Voluckas in 1984 (Accession no. 1984.055).
  • Gift of Hollis Burton Engley in 1985 (Accession no. 1985.003).
  • Gift of Harold Tinker in 1986 (Accession no. 1986.003).
  • Gift of Thurston Tilton in 1990 (Accession no. 1990.045).
  • Gift of Jane Newhall in 1990 (Accession no. 1990.082).
  • Gift of Marjory (Hancock) Phillips in 1997 (Accession no. 1997.001).
  • Gift of Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust in 2000 (Accession no. 2000.042).

Individual folders are labeled with accession numbers when known. The immediate source of acquisition and date of accession for the rest of the material is unknown.

Publication Information

Martha's Vineyard Museum

Gale Huntington Research Library
59 School Street
P.O. Box 1310
Edgartown, MA 02539
(508) 627-4441

Processing Information

Finding aid prepared and machine-encoded by Clint Johnson in July 2015. Collection inventory and survey prepared by Lara J. Ullman in 2015.

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Related Materials

Related Materials

  • See also, RU 141, Congregational Church of Edgartown, 1761-1925.
  • See also, RU 143, Edgartown Federated Church, 1895-2005.
  • See also, RU 201, Chilmark Congregational Church Records, and Holmes Hole and West Tisbury, 1696-1987.
  • See also, RU 448, Bradley Memorial Church Records and Denniston Family Papers, 1833-1989, undated.

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Controlled Access Headings

Genre(s)

  • Advertisements
  • Bibles
  • Brochures
  • Certification
  • Charters
  • Church bulletins
  • Church records
  • Concert programs
  • Correspondence
  • Declarations
  • Envelopes
  • Financial records
  • Pamphlets
  • Sermons

Geographic Name(s)

  • Chappaquiddick Island (Mass.)
  • Chilmark (Mass.)
  • Dukes County (Mass.)
  • Edgartown (Mass.)
  • Homes Hole (Mass.)
  • Martha's Vineyard (Mass.)
  • Tisbury (Mass. : Town)

Personal Name(s)

  • Burder, George, 1752-1832
  • Eliot, John
  • Fay, Joseph Story, 1847-1912
  • French, Henry
  • Hancock, Herbert C.
  • Keeney, Elder
  • Lincoln, Henry, 1765-1857
  • Mayhew, Jonathan
  • Porter, Ebenezer, 1772-1834
  • Stillman, Samuel, 1738-1807

Subject(s)

  • Baptist Churches
  • Dukes County (Mass.)--History
  • Methodist Episcopal Church--History
  • Martha's Vineyard (Mass.)--History
  • Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association--History.
  • Martha's Vineyard (Mass.)--Social life and customs
  • Oak Bluffs (Mass.)--History

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Scope and Content of Collection

The artificial collection contains materials related to Christian churches on Martha's Vineyard including the Tisbury Congregational, the Chilmark Methodist, the Methodist of Edgartown, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Vineyard Haven, the Second Baptist Church of Tisbury, and others. The collection is predominately sermons written during the 19th century by Vineyard preachers.

Arrangement

  • Series I: Church Records
  • Series II: Sermons

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Contents of Collection

Church Records, 1661-circa 1981 

Scope and Content

The series contains advertisements, bibles, brochures, certifications, charters, church bulletins, church records, concert programs, correspondence, declarations, envelopes, financial records, and pamphlets from Christian churches on Martha's Vineyard.

Arrangement

The series is arranged chronologically, with any undated material following.
Box Folder

Indian Language Bible excerpt, 1661 
Author/Creator:  Eliot, John

Note

Possibly from a first edition.

 1 1

Tisbury Congregational Church records, 1785-1811 

Note

Contains quotations of Memoranda from John Weemse.

 1 2

Chilmark church record transcriptions, 1787-1820 

 1 3

Adonijah Luce Declaration of faith, circa 1780 

 1 4

Chilmark Church records, 1788-1820 

Note

Includes marriages and births records.

 1 5

Chilmark Methodist church correspondence, 1810-1815 

 1 6

Methodist Church of Edgartown Charter, 1811 

 1 7

Joseph Vincent Methodist Church of Edgartown membership certification, 1824 April 29 
 2000.042.001

 1 8

Edgartown Methodist Church financial records, 1841 September 8 
 2000.042.002

Note

Fragile.

 1 9

The Early History of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Vineyard Haven, 1845 or after 
 1997.001.071
Author/Creator:  Hancock, Herbert C.

 1 10

Second Baptist Church of West Tisbury church records, 1852 
 1984.055.001

 1 11

New Baptist Church Edifice of Vineyard Haven dedication, 1885 August 30 

 1 12

M. Eugenia Baudoin Organ recital program, 1886 March 18 

Note

At Vineyard Haven Baptist Church.

 1 13

Lambert's Cove Methodist Episcopal Church offering envelope, 1898 

Note

Includes advertisement for Self-Denial Week Nov. 20-Nov. 26, 1898.

 1 14

Reception for Rev. and Mrs. William M. Thompson Jr. church bulletin, circa 1943 
 1990.082.012

Note

Held at the Federated Church in Edgartown, MA.

 1 15

The Tabernacle church bulletin, 1963 

 1 16

Martha's Vineyard Historical Preservation Society The Old Whaling Church project materials, circa 1981 

Note

Includes correspondence, pamphlet, and empty envelope.

 1 17

Oliver Tilton correspondence, undated 
 1952.004.002

Note

Fragile. Includes transcription of letter.

 1 18

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Sermons, 1783-1974 

Scope and Content

The series contains sermons written by Vineyard preachers, some of which were initially orated at Rhode Island and Connecticut congregations.

Arrangement

The series is arranged alphabetically by title.
Box Folder

Evangelistic Singers and Pasters' Assistants brochures, undated 
 1983.031.004

 1 19

Accountability, undated 

 1 20

An Address to Sinners of all descriptions, and Our Lord's Loud Call to One and All, undated 
 1986.003.008b
Author/Creator:  French, Henry

 1 21

Bible in Public Schools, 1844 June 19 

 1 22

Calling a Election, 1866 November 

 1 23

Christ the Life, 1865 March 

 1 24

Christ the Way, 1868 February 

 1 25

Christian Unity, undated 

 1 26

The Day Recommended by the President of the United States for a National Fast", 1799 
 1986.003.008h
Author/Creator:  Stillman, Samuel

 1 27

Dead to Sin, undated 

 1 28

The Difference, undated 

 1 29

The Gain of Godliness, 1864 July 

 1 30

Great effects result from little causes, 1815 September 13 
 1986.003.008c
Author/Creator:  Porter, Ebenezer

 1 31

Growth in Grace, 1870 May 

 1 32

The Hidden Life, undated 

 1 33

Hope, undated 

 1 34

Jewish History No. 9, undated 

 1 35

Joy, 1870 April 

 1 36

Keeping the Heart, 1870 July 

 1 37

Lord's Prayer No. 2 Heaven, 1870 November 

 1 38

The Love of God, undated 
 1985.003.008f
Author/Creator:  Burder, George

 1 39

Man, undated 

 1 40

The Man Who Deserves a Monument, 1974 July 7 
 1974.017
Author/Creator:  Mayhew, Jonathan

Note

Preached at Stevens Memorial Chapel. Typed Copy

 1 41

New years, 1871 

 1 42

Omnipresence and Omniscience, 1868 December 

 1 43

Omniscient Eye, undated 

 1 44

Onward to Perfection, 1865 May 

 1 45

Onward to Perfection, 1868 May 

 1 46

The Pasport, 1882 August 

 1 47

Path of the Just, 1870 September 

 1 48

The Pearl, 1868 March 

 2 1

Personality, undated 

 2 2

Philosophy, undated 

 2 3

The Praying Negro, 1818 
 1986.003.008a

 2 4

Purity of Heart, 1864 May 

 2 5

Seek first the Kingdom, undated 

 2 6

Self Knowledge, 1880 April 

 2 7

Sermon for the times, 1862 September 

 2 8

A Sermon Preached at the ordination of the Reverend Nymphas Hatch to the pastoral care of the First Church and Society in Tisbury, October 7, 1801, 1801 October 7 
Author/Creator:  Lincoln, Henry

 2 9

Sin and Death, or Grace and Life, undated 
 1986.003.008g
Author/Creator:  Burder, George

 2 10

Some Account of Lucy Careful, undated 
 1986.003.008e

 2 11

The Soul's Suicide, 1871 March 

 2 12

Soul Thirst, undated 

 2 13

Sound Mind, undated 

 2 14

Spirit, undated 

 2 15

Still Voice, undated 

 2 16

Things Invaluable, undated 

 2 17

Two Objections to the Right and Duty of Free Inquiry and Private Judgement Answered, undated 
Author/Creator:  Mayhew, Jonathan

Note

Includes a list of printed works by Jonathan Mayhew.

 2 18

The Well-Conducted Farm: Being a plain Narrative of Facts, undated 

 2 19

Witness of the Spirit, 1862 April 27 

Note

Preached in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Pawtucket, RI.

 2 20

What is that to them, 1877 May 

 2 21

Wrestling Jacob, 1868 October 

 2 22

Wood's Holl. The track of the Norseman. A Monograph, 1882 
 1990.045
Author/Creator:  Fay, Joseph Story

Note

First printed in 1873.

 2 23

Sermon, circa 1865 
Author/Creator:  Keeney, Elder

 2 24

Sermon, undated 

 2 25

Edgartown sermon, 1783-1809 

 2 26

Sermon, undated 

 2 27

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