Stearns Family Papers, 1755-1851

Collection number: MC 198
Size: 1 box (0.20 cu.ft.)

About the Stearns Family

The Stearns Family Papers mostly originate from the Rev. Josiah Stearns (1732-1788), who served as Congregational pastor in Epping, N.H. for 31 years until his death in 1788. His wife was Sarah (Ruggles) Stearns (1731-1808), daughter of Rev. William Ruggles III and Elizabeth Williams. Their first son (second child) was Rev. Samuel Stearns (Epping NH 1770 - Middlesex MA 1834), who became pastor of the church in Bedford, Massachusetts. (Another son, William, served as deacon in Epping for over fifty years, and his son Josiah Howe Stearns served there as a pastor.) Rev. Jonathan French Stearns (1808-1880) of Andover MA was the son of Rev. Samuel Stearns (see above) and Abigail French. Presumably it is through Abigail's family that Jonathan French (1690 Concord MA - 1760 Hollis NH), son of Joseph French and Elizabeth Knight, is related. Also included is Ebenezer S. Stearns (possibly 1708-1800), although it is unclear exactly how or to whom he was related.

About the Stearns Family papers

The Stearns Family papers collection primarily contains the papers of Reverend Josiah Stearns. There are a few items each of Jonathan Stearns of Andover, Massachusetts; Sarah Stearns; the Rev. Samuel Stearns, Josiah’s son, and Ebenezer S. Stearns. Of particular note is the 1757 journal of Jonathan French from the French and Indian War

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

This collection is open

Copyright Notice

Contents of this collection are governed by U.S. copyright law. For questions about publication or reproduction rights, contact Special Collections staff

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], [Folder], [Box], Stearns Family Papers, 1755-1851, MC 198, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA

Acquisitions Information

Purchased: Rebecca Anderson, 2007

Collection Contents

Series 1: Jonathan French Papers

Box 1
Box 1, Folder 1Jonathan French, journal from the French and Indian War, 1757
Box 1, Folder 2Jonathan French, sermons used at the baptism of his first child, and his nineteenth child, 1798 and 1819

Series 2: Josiah Stearns Papers

Box 1, Folder 3Minutes of a meeting of churches in Ipswich, Cambridge, and Gloucester, to come together in reconciliation and restoration, Exeter, NH, August 1, 1755
Box 1, Folder 4Minutes of a meeting of the Church of Christ, regarding the appointment of Rev. Josiah Stearns as pastor, Epping, NH, August 23, 1756 (2 versions)
Box 1, Folder 5Letter of invitation from the Church of Christ, signed by members of the church, Epping, NH, May 18, 1757
Box 1, Folder 6Minutes of a meeting, regarding the hiring of Rev. Josiah Stearns as pastor, Boxford, MA, October 15, 1757
Box 1, Folder 7Minutes of a meeting of the Church of Christ, regarding the appointment of Rev. Josiah Stearns as pastor, Epping, NH, November 7, 1757 (2 versions)
Box 1, Folder 8Minutes of a meeting of the Church of Christ, Epping, NH, December 7, 1757
Box 1, Folder 9Articles of the Ecclesiastical Council, signed by John Moody, reverend, and Josiah Stearns, scribe, August 13, 1765
Box 1, Folder 10Confirmation of the formation of the Ecclesiastical Council, and its officers, August 13, 1765
Box 1, Folder 11Statement of regret of conduct, from David Lawrence, Epping, NH, and Statement of regret of conduct, from Benjamin Baker, Epping, NH, March 8, 1769
Box 1, Folder 12Minutes of a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Council, signed by Peter Coffin, moderator of Council, and Josiah Stearns, scribe, Nottingham, NH, June 7, 1770
Box 1, Folder 13Minutes of a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Council, regarding a case between the minister and the people, and the dismissal of Rev. Butler, signed by Peter Coffin, moderator of the Council, and Josiah Stearns, scribe, Nottingham, NH, August 1, 1770
Box 1, Folder 14Letter from the brethren in the Gospel Ministry, to Rev. Doctor Langdon, Greenland, NH, August 7, 1770
Box 1, Folder 15Minutes of a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Council, regarding the conduct of Rev. Thomas Niles, signed by Timothy Walker, moderator, and Josiah Stearns, scribe, August 18, 1773
Box 1, Folder 16Minutes of a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Council, signed by Timothy Walker, moderator, and Josiah Stearns, scribe, Pembroke, March 23, 1775
Box 1, Folder 17Settlement of Contention between churches, Greenland, NH, March 29-30, 1775
Box 1, Folder 18Minutes of a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Council, signed by Joseph Adams, moderator, and Josiah Stearns, scribe, Greenland, NH, March 30, 1775
Box 1, Folder 19New Hampshire scale, Greenland, NH, 1777-1781
Box 1, Folder 20Account left by Samuel Lawrence, attested by Josiah Stearns and Simon Peirce, ca. September 1779
Box 1, Folder 21Financial record, Josiah Stearns, Epping, NH, Feb. 28, 1783-1787
Box 1, Folder 22Correspondence to Rev. Josiah Stearns, Epping, NH, March 11, 1784 and July 8, 1784
Box 1, Folder 23List of individuals that helped Rev. Josiah Stearns procure a horse, Epping, NH, February 17, 1786 (2 versions); and February 28, 1786
Box 1, Folder 24Correspondence from Epping, NH, August 25, 1783; March 9, 1784; April 19, 1784; and March 14, 1785
Box 1, Folder 25Will and testament of Josiah Stearns, Epping, NH, April 21, 1788
Box 1, Folder 26Inventory of the estate of Rev. Josiah Stearns, Epping, NH, August 22, 1788
Box 1, Folder 27List of donators and their donations to help Rev. Josiah Stearns procure a horse, undated
Box 1, Folder 28Sermons. Undated and unknown author. "A Right Hand of Fellowship," ca. mid-1770s (2 versions), "A Charge"

Series 3: Sarah Ruggles Stearns Papers

Box 1, Folder 29Fragment of will, and other agreements, signed by Sarah Stearns, July 24, 1784

Series 4: Samual Stearns Papers

Box 1, Folder 30Sermon at the ordination of Rev. Samuel Stearns, April 27, 1796

Series 5: Ebenezer S. Stearns Papers

Box 1, Folder 31Eben S. Stearns, admittance to Phillips Academy, December 16, 1834
Box 1, Folder 32Valedictory address of Eben S. Stearns, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA, August 1837
Box 1, Folder 33Receipt for two burial plots for Ebenezer S. Stearns, Bedford, MA, November 1, 1851
Box 1, Folder 34Eben S. Stearns, “Reward of Merit” certificate, undated
Box 1, Folder 35Obituary for Phineus, written by E.S. Stearns, and "The Fallen," an undated poem
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