Transcript

Marlborough Jan. 25th, 1832

Rev. an Dear Sir,

I write you in behalf of Mrs. Cummings, the afflicted widow of our lamented brother, the Rev. Isaac Cummings, late of Dover, decesed. [sic] During his preparitory course for the Ministry, he received some pecuniary assistance from the Education Society and if we understand it right, he exectured a note or notes, which are in the hands of Ira Stewarts Esq. Treas. of said day. If it can be consistent with the charity, the object and regulation of the society she wishes to have the demand remitted and the note or notes given up to her. As you are deeply interested in the concerns of that society I have thought it best to beg your assistance in laying the subject before the proper bard for a judicious decision on the request. The history of the case is briefly this. Our deceased brother was settled at Dover March 17th, 1827. e then became acquainted with Mrs. Chloe Jones whom he married on the 18th of August 1828. Her father had been dead one or two years and his estate settled. Her share with the interest to the time of her marriage was $400 - which she received in cash. A part of this same was expended in furniture and the balance appropriated for the necessaries of life and the payment of his debts. About the same time he purchased a small but convenient situation, which he mortgaged to secure payment. They were pleasantly situated: very industrious and economical in their business; and every year decreasing their debts.

The last summer there were a number of cases of Typhus fever in the place. Mrs. Cummings was one of that number. She was taken sick in July. Her sickness was severe and lingering. She received from him the strictest attention. He was with her by night and by day. As she began to amend he was taken with the same disorder. His last public labours were at Wilmington. He there preached the first sermon at the opening of a four days meeting - complained of being very unwell - went home the next day - was immediately confined to his chamber and his bed where he languished until Sept. 6th when we hope he exchanged a sinful world for a holy heaven - Aged 29 -

Soon after his decease the friends of Mrs. Cummings advised her to settle what little estate there was without carrying it through the expense of a probate court. With the assistance

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of her brother, she has sold the place for the payment of the mortgage and a trifle more. She has also disposed of the personal estate and the most valuable articles of her furniture to a good advantage. The avails she has appropriated to the discharge of debts. Their sickness was expensive. The payment of this with the funeral charges she has nearly completed, although there is a balance with the physicians unsettled. She has also paid the principal part of their other debts, of which she has any knowledge, excepting that to the Education soceity - She has sold herself out of house and home with a determination to pay her debts. At the invitation of a brother, she has removed the residue of her effects to his house, and has so far settled her concerns with exception of the debts as above that she thinks that she can pay all her debts with that exception and have about $280 left - From the investigation which I have made I should not be surprised if it should fall $40 or $50 shourt. - She is now a widow of 24yrs in deep affliction, without a home, lonely and solitary, with less money than when she married and altogether in a more unfavourable situation as it regards a home, r again to settle in life.

It may be further said that Mr. Cummings in early life consecrated himself, his talents, his possessions and his all to the cause of Jesus Christ: - that industriously, economically, and perseveringly he pursued his design until he was admitted to the great work of the ministry. In the commencement of his labours he was made the instrument f uniting a small Church and people in Dover, in their efforts to retain him as their minister. This had long been numbered among the feeble and destitute places in Vermont. All the pecuniary encouragement they could give him was the annual subscription of $250 .- and $50.- from the Windham County Domestic Missionary Society. The people were very much united in him and strongly attached to him; and it was evidently his duty to stay and labour with them. His short ministry was attended with such success as to give clear evidence that God did make him the instrument of good to that people. The Holy Spirit rested upon his instruction and many souls were hopefully given him as the seal of his ministry. Thus the funds which he received from the Education Society were expended

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for the very purpose for which they were given. And that he was faithful in pursuing, the very course and accomplishing the very work ffor which those funds were designed to assisst him.

I would again observe that Mr. Cummings was very much in debt when he went to Dover, and almost destitute of every thing excepting his clothes. Those demands against him which were pressed the hardest he paid first. They were necessarily contracted in his preparation for the ministry, nd he felt a solemn obligation to pay them as soon as God should give him te ability. I was knowing to his trying to borrow money last spring to pay the very debt now in question. Thus his intentions were to pay, but his death hasa prevented.

Thus I have imperfectly stated the case. If the society feel it duty to prep the payment of teir demans, The widow says, she will try and pay it, if it takes her all. Still she opes in their mercy, and begs relief. She would not thus plead if she did not feel that the little she has now is her own in this sense that is, she has less now than what she carried with hher when she united with Mr. Cummings, and that no creditor is injured by the union, if she retains what she now has. this debt, although an honest one, is considered different from private ones. The funds were given for a charitable use and expended accordingly, and the injury will be less, in the loss, to a publick society than to a ?? individual and that a poor widow. - You will perceive by my waiting that I am in favour of the remission. I acknowledge it. As one of the small contributors to that society. I must say I had rather attempt to sustain the operation of the Society without the aid of such relief then to insist upon it.

As soon as the discussion is made I hope you will have the kindness to communicate the result to me or to Mrs. Chloe Cummings Dover Vt. and you will

Very much oblige
Your friend
And humble servt.
E.H. Newton 1810

Rev. Joshua Bates D.D.