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

“ [297] pastor respecting measures to promote a reformation, proposed and recommended to the church, as what they ‘apprehended might be serviceable for reviving religion and suppressing growing disorders,’ that there be a number of wise, prudent, and blameless Christians chosen among themselves, whose special care it should be to inspect and observe the manners of professing Christians, and such as were under the care and watch of the church. The proposal was adopted, and a committee was appointed, for the purpose expressed in the recommendation. This committee, which was a kind of privy council to the minister, though without authority, appears to have been very serviceable to the interests of religion; and it was renewed annually, for the space of about fifty years.” ¹ It was provided that this committee should consist of “three in the body of the town, one upon the common, one in Charlestown End, two at Menotomy, and two on the south side of the River.” The members first elected were Samuel Danforth, Esq., Andrew Bordman, Esq., John Bradish, Deacon Samuel Bowman, Benjamin Goddard, John Cutter, Ephraim Frost, Daniel Dana, and Deacon Samuel Sparhawk.

The faithful and useful services of Dr. Appleton were recognized by the College in the bestowment of a degree, which, however common it may have since become, had never before been conferred by that corporation, except upon Rev. Increase Mather in 1692, and which was therefore a notable mark of honor. The record bears date July 9, 1771: “The Rev. Mr. Nathanael Appleton having been long an ornament to the pastoral character and eminently distinguished for his knowledge, wisdom, and sanctity of manners and usefulness to the churches, and having for more than fifty years exerted himself in promoting the interests of piety and learning in this society, both as a Minister and as a Fellow of the corporation, therefore, Voted, that the Degree of Doctor in Divinity be conferred on the said Rev. Mr. Nathanael Appleton, and that a Diploma for that purpose be presented to him.”

The longest human life has an end. On the verge of ninety years Dr. Appleton on account of his “very advanced age and growing infirmities” requested that a colleague might aid him in the pastoral office. Accordingly, Rev. Timothy Hilliard was elected by the church and congregation and was duly installed. Dr. Appleton survived this event less than four months. “His public usefulness, though diminished, for a few of his last ”