Dover, N.H. First Parish Church
Collection History
Gathered in 1633, the First Parish Church in Dover is the oldest church in New Hampshire. The lands that would eventually become Dover were initially settled by a pair of fishmongers from London. In 1633, the land was bought by a group of English Puritans. Over the next 150 years, with the arrival of mills and other infrastructure, the small settlement grew in population, size and prosperity. The settlement’s first church services were held on the last Sunday of October 1633 by Rev. Leverich at Dover Point; a year later the first meeting house was built on the same location. Little is known about the first meeting house except that it was made of mud and logs with a thatched roof and that it served the community’s purposes until 1654 when a new meeting house was erected on Dover Neck. The third meeting house was located on Pine Hill from 1710-1759. In 1758 the fourth meeting house, built out of wood, was constructed in Tuttle Square. Construction on the fifth, and final, meeting house, a new brick church building, was concluded with its dedication on December 31, 1829.
Rev. William Leverich was the first minister to hold church services in Dover in 1633 and is considered the founder of Mission and Action in Dover. Rev. Hanserd Knollys organized the First Parish Church as a religious organization in 1638. Rev. Jeremy Belknap, who wrote the three volume “History of New Hampshire” and founded the Massachusetts Historical Society in 1791, was the minister at the First Parish from 1769-1786. Rev. David Root was well-known for his opposition to slavery and his anti-slavery sermons, as was his successor Rev. Jeremiah S. Young. During his ministry in 1841, the church passed a resolution against slavery after Frederick Douglass addressed the New Hampshire Anti-Slavery Society there. The First Parish Church joined the United Church of Christ in 1961. It is a member of the New Hampshire Conference, UCC and of the Carroll-Strafford Association. First Parish Church Congregational, United Church of Christ continues to serve the community of Dover, New Hampshire, today.
The Dover, N.H. First Parish Church records consist of administrative church records and correspondence from 1614-1862. The scope includes records of births, marriages, deaths, meeting minutes, financial records, and pew plans; letters by Rev. Jeremy Belknap, Rev. Hubbard Winslow, and the church's clerk Asa A. Tufts, between congregations, and from parishioners wishing to leave the congregation.
The physical materials in this collection are held by the First Parish Church in Dover, New Hampshire. The Congregational Library & Archives maintains digital and microfilm surrogates for much of the collection. For additional information, please see the finding aid.
New England’s Hidden Histories wishes to thank First Parish Church in Dover for its financial contribution to our project, and especially wishes to recognize church member Diane Fiske for her skillful transcription efforts and her longtime dedication to our work.
Digital Materials
Letter of public assurance, 1639
This single-page document consists of a "letter of public assurance" addressed "to all public officers and others in this jurisdiction whom this may concern". The content relates to the case of Separatist minister "Mr. Hansard Knollys" (Rev. Hanserd Knollys, 1599–1691) who was subject to prosecution on charges brought against him by the high commission court in England. In the letter, the unsigned authors grant legal assurance of safe passage for Rev. Knollys during his trial.
Baptisms, marriages, and deaths, 1717-1829
This ledger volume records parishioner marriages from May 1767 - January 1829, and baptisms and deaths from October 1717 - December 1786. It is signed by the church's minister Rev. Jeremy Belknap.
This church record book contains committee reports, meeting minutes, correspondence drafts and copies, as well as some financial records. Between pages 122-123, three loose documents were found in and placed in their own folder (Tax documents, 1781-1784).
This church record book contains Rev. Jeremy Belknap's historical notes on the town and church of Dover from its foundation until 1789. The volume also contains records of marriages and baptisms, lists of members admitted to the church, a list of the children of Rev. Jonathan Cushing, and notes written by other clergymen.
These three loose documents were found in the church record book dating to 1762-1862, between pages 122-123, and placed in their own folder.
| 1781 April 10 | by Rev. Jeremy Belknap | notice of receipt for parish taxes levied | |
| 1784 May 1 | by Stephen Evans | to the parish wardens | request for payment of one pound, nine shilling and sixpence from the parish collection of 1782 |
| undated | list of payments received from various subscribers |
Jeremy Belknap correspondence, 1786
These six items of correspondence were all authored by the Rev. Jeremy Belknap, a Congregational minister better known for his contributions to the corpus of American historical works. After twenty years as minister to the Parish Church in Dover, Rev. Belknap resigned due to the church's failure to resolve his salary complaints. The letters ennumerated below correspond to this dispute, which reached a breaking point in the spring and summer of 1786 and resulted in Rev. Belknap's dissolution of his ministry.
| 1786 April 30 | from Rev. Belknap | to the First Parish in Dover | letter regarding Rev. Belknap's effort to lobby for an increase in salary due to the depreciation of paper currency |
| 1786 June 12 | from Rev. Belknap | to the First Parish in Dover | letter declining the church committee's invitation to converse about the current "difficulties" |
| 1786 June 15 | from Rev. Belknap | to the First Parish in Dover | letter confirming Rev. Belknap's decision to resign from his former duties |
| 1786 June 16 | from Rev. Belknap | to the First Parish in Dover | letter with a further reiteration of Rev. Belknap's intentions |
| 1786 June 16 | from Rev. Belknap | to the First Parish in Dover | letter with request for an official dismissal or alternatively the convening of an Ecclesiastical Council to decide the matter |
| 1786 July 27 | from Rev. Belknap | to the First Parish in Dover | typewritten copy of an original letter elaborating on the reasons for Rev. Belknap's resignation, including objection to the practice of a general parish tax as a means to pay his salary |
Church records (loose), 1828-1855
These loose documents relate to the administration of the church, and include meeting minutes of the church and parish, articles of faith and covenants, and official correspondence between churches.
| undated | [used by] Rev. Clary | articles of faith | |
| 1828 August 6 | by Jonathan French [moderator] | result of ecclesiastical council dismissing Rev. Clary | |
| 1831 November 16 | from the Church of Christ at Meredeth Bridge | to the Church of Christ at Dover | invitation to ecclesiastical council for ordination |
| 1832 June 6 | from the Church of Christ in Pleasant Street, Portsmouth | to the Church of Christ in Dover | invitation to ecclesiastical council for ordination |
| 1833 February 6 | by John Smith [scribe] | result of ecclesiastical council to install Rev. Root | |
| 1833 January 25 | template letter for ordination invitation | ||
| 1834 July 15 | articles of faith and covenant | ||
| 1835 September 17 | from the Congregational Church in Rochester | to the Church in Dover | invitation to ecclesiastical council to dismiss pastor |
| 1845 May 11 | by E. J. Lane [clerk] | church and parish meeting minutes | |
| 1849 December 2 | by E. J. Lane [clerk] | church meeting minutes | |
| 1849 December 5 | by B. R. Allen [moderator] | ecclesiastical council meeting minutes | |
| 1852 July 6 | by Adam Jobey [moderator] | ecclesiastical council meeting minutes | |
| 1852 May 27 | meeting notice | ||
| 1853 December 16 | from the Mather Church and Society | to the First Church in Dover | invitation to ecclesiastical council for ordination |
| 1854 March 31 | list of subscribers for the American Sunday School Union | ||
| 1855 January 1 | reports of the church treasury committee |
Church correspondence 1828-1855, vol. 1
This material consists of official correspondence to and from the First Parish Church, including requests for preaching and responses, invitations to ecclesiastical councils, and official dismissals and parishioner transfer letters.
| 1828 September 13 | by Asa Tufts [secretary] | meeting minutes | |
| 1828 November 23 | from Hubbard Windlay | to the church and society of the first congregational parish of Dover | letter declining invitation to preach regularly |
| 1831 November 30 | from J. H. Keeler | to Asa Tufts | letter excusing himself from an ecclesiastical council |
| 1831 December 7 | from "L" | to [unknown] | letter requesting references for two potential ministers |
| 1832 May 28 | from A. D. Eddy | to William Woodman | letter with description of recent travels |
| 1832 October 23 | from Warren Fay | to the First Church in Dover | letter declining ministerial call |
| 1838 August 6 | from the Congregational Church in Great Falls | to the First Church in Dover | letter of recommendation for parishioner Oliver Carter |
| 1839 August 28 | from E. J. Lane | to Rev. Mr. Young | letter with request for pulpit supply |
| 1839 September 4 | from William J. Breed | to E. J. Lane | letter making arrangements for preaching |
| 1839 October 10 | from Rev. J. S. Young | to the committee of the First Church in Dover | letter declining offer to continue preaching |
| 1842 July 6 | from Rev. J. S. Young | to Charles Ricker | letter with summons to a disciplinary hearing |
| 1842 July 8 | from E. J. Lane | to Mr. Palfrey Downing | letter with summons to a disciplinary meeting |
| 1842 July 10 | from Elizabeth L. Fols | to the Congregational Church in Dover | letter asking for dismissal |
| 1845 June 14 | from Homer Barrow | to the First Congregational Church and Society in Dover | letter with acceptance of ministerial call |
| 1845 June 23 | from the First Congregational Church of Christ in Dover | to the Congregational Church of Christ in Rochester | invitation to ecclesiastical council for the ordination of Rev. Homer Barrow |
| 1848 September 4 | from the First Church in Dover | to the First Presbyterian Church in Newburyport | parishioner transfer of Hannah Coffin |
| undated | from the First Church in Dover | to the Baptist Church in Dover | parishioner transfer of "Miss A. B." |
| undated | from the First Church in Dover | to Daniel Gale | letter with summons to a disciplinary hearing |
| undated | from the First Church in Dover | to Samuel Prescott | letter with summons to a disciplinary hearing |
| 1849 March 1 | from Hayden K. Higby | to E. J. Lane | letter requesting letter of transfer to the Old South Church in Boston |
| 1853 December 22 | from the Congregational Church in Great Falls | to the Congregational Church in Dover | invitation to ecclesiastical council for dismission of Rev. McCollom |
| 1853 December 12 | from the Congregational Church in Epping | to the Congregational Church in Dover | invitation to ecclesiastical council for the ordination of Rev. Lyman White |
| 1855 October 31 | from the Congregational Church in Hampton | to the Congregational Church in Dover | invitation to ecclesiastical council for the ordination of Rev. John Colby |
| 1855 October 22 | from the North Church and Parish in Portsmouth, N.H. | to the Congregational Church in Dover | invitation to ecclesiastical council for the ordination of Rev. Lyman Whiting |
Church correspondence 1828-1855, vol. 2
This material consists of official correspondence to and from the First Parish Church, including requests for preaching and responses, invitations to ecclesiastical councils, and official dismissals and parishioner transfer letters.
| 1831 June 11 | from Rev. H. Winslow | to "the wardens of the First Parish in Dover" | letter describing his health concerns and need for a new pastor |
| 1831 June 11 | from Rev. H. Winslow | to "the wardens of the First Parish in Dover" | copy of above letter with reply from church wardens |
| 1831 November 13 | from Rev. H. Winslow | to Dr. Asa A. Tufts | letter describing his health concerns |
| 1831 November 30 | by Israel W. Putnam [moderator] | results of an ecclesiastical council dismissing Rev. Winslow | |
| 1831 December 11 | from H. Winslow | to Dr. Asa A. Tufts | letter suggesting replacement ministers |
| 1831 August 19 | from Allen Gannett | to William Woodman | recommendation of J. T. Backus as replacement minister |
| 1832 February 13 | from J. Turnbull Backus | to William Woodman | letter declining the ministerial call |
| 1831 October 31 | from J. Turnbull Backus | to William Woodman | letter reiterating his poor health and declining the ministerial call |
| 1831 August 24 | from J. Turnbull Backus | to William Woodman | letter with arrangements for preaching |
| undated | from Rev. David Root | to the First Parish in Dover | copy of letter declining preaching due to ill health |
| 1833 January 21 | from Rev. David Root | to the committee of the First Church and Parish in Dover | letter regarding his ministry |
| 1834 April 24 | from Charles Ricker | to Rev. David Root | letter regarding his dismission |
| 1835 March 25 | from J. H. Miller | to the First Church in Dover | invitation to an ecclesiastical council for the merging of the Pleasant Street Church in Portsmouth, N.H. and the North Church |
| 1835 May 28 | from Rev. David Root | to the First Parish of Dover | copy of resignation letter |
| 1837 June 10 | from Rev. David Root | to the First Congregational Church of Dover | letter calling for an ecclesiastical council regarding his resignation |
| 1834 February 10 | by T. E. Sawyer | copy of receipt by Richard McDuffee to Thomas Roberts, with elaboration of legal dispute | |
| 1835 March 17 | from John W. Hayes | to Daniel Norris [on behalf of the church] | letter with summons to a disciplinary hearing |
| 1835 March 23 | by Thomas Roberts | legal testimony | |
| 1835 March 26 | by John W. Hayes | report on disciplinary case of Daniel Norris | |
| 1835 January 19 | by Thomas Pickering, David Legro, and Richard McDuffee | legal testimony | |
| 1839 February 5 | from Daniel Norris | to the congregation of the First Church in Dover | confession and request for forgiveness |
| 1840 December 5 | by Francis Cogswell and others | committee report on Asa Farnsworth's behavior toward the widow Mrs. Benn | |
| 1841 April 9 | from Asa Farnsworth | to the Congregational Church of Dover | letter relating to his own disciplinary case |
| 1841 June 28 | from Asa Farnsworth | to the Congregational Church of Dover | letter relating to his own disciplinary case |
| undated | draft of ruling in Asa Farnsworth's disciplinary case | ||
| 1842 October 9 | from Abraham Folsom | to the First Congregational Church in Dover | letter regarding the abolition of slavery |
| 1842 October 9 | by the First Church in Dover | letter dismissing Abraham Folsom and other members | |
| 1852 December 28 | from Benjamin Parsons | to the Congregational Church and parish in Dover | letter with acceptance of ministerial call |
| 1852 December 29 | from Benjamin Parsons | to the Congregational Church and parish in Dover | addendum to acceptance of call with salary request |
| 1852 December 31 | from the Congregational Church in Dover | to S. L. Pomroy | invitation letter to the installation of Rev. Parsons |
| 1853 January 12 | by B. N. Allen [moderator] | results of ecclesiastical council for the settlement of Rev. Parsons |
This church record book contains names of church members, records of deaths and baptisms, notices of ministers, and prints of Rev. Hubbard Winslow, Rev. David Root, and Hanserd Knollys. There are printed church manual clippings as well as a photograph of Deacon Lane. The title leaf is signed by Asa A. Tufts in 1831.
Special Thanks
This digital resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this resource do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
