1792 Octavo Pamphlet Sermon Delivered At The Ordination Of Reed Paige By Thomas Holt-Likely Owned By Rev. Thomas Moore The First Minister Of The First Congregational Church Of Wiscasset

Importance: Reverend Thomas Holt (November 9, 1762-February 21, 1836) was born in Wallingford, New Haven, Connecticut. He was the son of Captain Daniel Holt (1729-1806) and Mary Barnes (1731-1821). He served as pastor of a church in Hardwick, and died in Hardwick, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Binding: Disbound Octavo Pamphlet.

Provenance: Recto of the title page is inscribed Mr. Thomas Moore-Fro[m] [his] friend and…the…A…

Likely owned by the following: Reverend Thomas Moore was born in Bolton, Massachusetts on June 21, 1746. The Reverend Mr. Moore was not a very powerful or popular preacher, and he was felt by many to be an unfortunate choice as the church’s first minister. For a number of years, the question of discharging him came up at the town’s annual meeting.

“One of the great problems with the ministry of the Reverend Thomas Moore was the fact that he did not keep any records concerning the formation of the church. At least none got into the book kept for that purpose by the town clerk. The names of the first members received into the fellowship as well as the records of marriages, baptisms, and deaths are non-existent.” Record keeping was not always a priority to ministers. 

“On Jan. 26, 1791, Thomas Moore was finally dismissed as pastor by the parish and the church. He was never again settled in any other community as a minister. Reverend Thomas Moore died on May 13, 1795 at the age of 49 and was buried in the Ancient Cemetery on Federal Street in Wiscasset.”

Taken from Harold W. Tucker’s self-published book, “Ye Olde First Parish, History of the First Congregational Church.” Part of Hal Tucker’s book was taken from Fannie S. Chase’s book entitled “Wiscasset in Pownalborough,” published in 1941.

Source: *Wiscasset Newspaper.

Collation & Notes: A4 ([A1r] G.T.P.), B4, C4, D4, E4, F2 (ends F2v). [22] ff. (44 pages).

Complete, with an original title page. Vertical chain lines. WorldCat & OCLC records 18 copies. Evans 24405.

Condition: Leaves (7.875” x 4.875”). A1-4 gutter old repairs. Browned.