Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

[273] “Disbursed for Mr. Oakes transportation from Old England with his family 73l.” Also a gratuity was given to the messenger. Out of the legacy of £ 20 bequeathed to the church by Hezekiah Usher, who died in 1676, there was given “to John Taylor five pound, hee being in sume streights by reason of a dept in England he goeing to accompany our pastor to New England it was the ocation of it.”

An additional glimpse of the customs of that period is obtained from the following

Account of the disbursements for the ordination of Mr. Urian Oakes pastor of the church of Cambrigd, being the 8 of November, 1671.

It. 3 bushells of wheate	0l.	15s.	0d
It. 2 bushells 1/2 of malt	0.	10.	0
It. 4 gallons of wine	0.	18.	0
It. for beefe	1.	10.	0
It. for mutton	1.	4.	0
It. for 30l of butter	0.	15.	0
It. for foules	0.	14.	9
It. for suger, spice, and frute, and other small things	1.	0.	0
It. for labour	1.	8.	6
It. for washing the table lining	0.	6.	0
It. for woode 7s	0.	7.	0
It. suit 7lb 3s bread 6s	0.	9.	0
	—	—	—
	9.	17.	3

Gathered by contribution of the church the saboth before the ordination for the sayde occasion	4l	7s.	1d.
And the remainder of the charge was defrayed out of the weekly contribution	5.	10.	2
	—	—	—
	9.	17.	3

As a further illustration of the customs, the following items are inserted:—

Eldar Frost liing a longe time weake with others of his familly alsoe having the ague at the same time the church see meete to make a contribution for his relefe upon June 16, 1672. The sume gathered was in cash 7. 4. 9 and in other pay 2. 5. 8.

1675.

For a new hour-glass for the meeting-house, 0. 1. 0

October the 22, 1676. The contribution was for Ensigne Samuell Green in the time of his sicknes and his family alsoe being sicke there was contributed in cash 10. 5. 7 and in bills 3. 7. 6.

November 2d 1679. The contribution upon the saboth day