The history of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts, By a committee of the Dorchester antiquarian and historical society ...

HISTORY OF DORCHESTER. 327
likewise said, on the part of Mr. Bowman, that there
were misstatements in relation to his proceedings at
the meetings of the Church; that at some of the
meetings he was unwell, and not able to attend, and
at another was absent at a funeral. His health was
also said to be feeble, and he was not able to preach
long sermons; besides, he was cautioned by his predecessor, Mr. Danforth, at his ordination, not to be
too long and tedious in his sermons; likewise, that
he spoke fast, and would deliver as much in fifteen
minutes as some would in half an hour.
The principal persons in the Church who were
engaged in this controversy, were Deacons Abijah
White, Richard Hall and Samuel Topliff; Noah
Clap, William Holden, Esq., Capt. Lemuel Robinson, Abraham Wheeler, Samuel How, Ezekiel Tolman, Roger Clap, Bernard Capen, Edward Preston,
John Humphrey, Timothy Wales, Jonathan Leeds,
John Pierce, Jr., Abraham Howe and others. Mr.
Noah Clap was chosen to sign the documents in behalf of the Church; an office which he would gladly
have declined, but they refused to excuse him. His
character for mildness, discretion, and undeviating
justice, perhaps led him to believe that the pastor
was too severely dealt with. Mr. Bowman was a
friend of his; he often preached in Mr. B.'s pulpit,
and desired to live with him in the bonds of Christian fellowship. The Church, on the other hand,
knowing Mr. Clap's acquaintance with all the people concerned, his knowledge of their whole history,
his accuracy in keeping records, his standing among
the neighboring clergy, a number of whom were his