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‘The Rev. Mr. Samuel Cooke, Pastor of this Church, in whom were united the social friend, the man of science, the eminent and faithful clergyman whose praise was in all the churches, died 4th June, 1783, in the 44th year of his ministry, et. 75.’His will, with two codicils, and other papers relating to the settlement of his estate, are on file at the probate office in East Cambridge. He mentions property in Hadley and neighboring towns in Hampshire Co., and in Newton and Cambridge. In this year a committee was chosen to complete wall about burying place, and also empowered to procure gates and hang the same, so that said burying-place may be sufficiently enclosed. Twenty-four shillings were granted the present Precinct clerk for his last year's services in that office. Also, in 1783, voted to make repairs to the meeting-house by building a belfry at the northeast end of the same, for the bell to stand upon; and also a porch at the southwest part; also to cut up two of the hind-body seats on the men's and women's side for pews, and one pew at the northeast door and southwest door, and one pew at each stairway, and as many pews in the galleries as the inhabitants shall think proper; also to new glaze the meeting-house with sash-lights and new window-frames; also new doors, and to new clap-board said meeting-house, and to make such other repairs as may be necessary. The said pews to be disposed of to the highest bidder, and the money arising from the sale to be appropriated toward repairing the meeting-house.
