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

268 HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
"Nov. 1st, 1696. Dea. Sumner's wife and family,
and his brother Samuel Sumner with his wife and
family, with Peter O'Kelly's wife and six children,
dismissed to the Church of Christ near Newington,
in South Carolina" (called Dorchester).
1697. Selectmen-Samuel Clap, Deacon Topliff,
Hiopestill Clap, James Foster and Samuel Capen.
The seating of people in the meeting-house was a
difficult and serious affair. The committee chosen
last year to perform this service, declined doing it
again, unless the Selectmen would promise that they
would accept of their seats appointed, "for order
sake," and not put others out of their places. The
town voted that the seats for boys should be removed,
and seats made for them in the gallery; also to make
a pew for the Hon. Lieut. Governor and one for
Rev. Mr. Danforth's family.
March 21st, 22d and 23d, a council set at Watertown. Rev. Mr. Danforth, Lt. Tileston and Dea.
Hopestill Clap, were members from Dorchester.
In April the Church chose their Pastor, Ruling
Elder, Capt. Clap and Deacon Topliff, to go to Medfield to assist at the ordination of Mr. Joseph Baxter,
no public opposition being made, although the old
quarrel was not entirely allayed.
1698. Selectmen-Capt. Clap, Dea. Clap, Dea.
Topliff, Samuel Wales and Samuel Capen.
This year was finished the laying out of the 12th
division of land, in the new grant.
The town voted that Rev. Mr. Danforth's salary
should be paid by a free contribution. This plan
was tried in 1697, and at the same time provision