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

“ [282] much in the time of our vacancy; and he gave his to Mrs. Hannah Gookin, widow, and it was paid her and for entertaining the minister that preached with us.” ¹ The generosity of the parish ought also to be held in remembrance. The expense of Mr. Mitchell's funeral was defrayed by the parish, and donations were made to his widow (who was also widow of the former pastor, Mr. Shepard), as long as she lived. Mr. Oakes left no widow, and the College assumed the charge of his funeral, as in the case of their former President, Mr. Chauncy. The town (which was the parish) voted, Nov. 14, 1692, “to pay the expense and defray the charge of our Pastor Gookin's funeral charges, which amounted to about eighteen pounds in money:” and the continuance of the same benevolence is indicated by a vote, March 10, 1700-1, “that Mrs. Hannah Gookin should be paid three pounds, to pay the rent of her house this present year.” The account is fittingly closed by the record under date of May 15, 1702: “Voted, that the selectmen take care that Mrs. Hannah Gookin be decently buried at the charge of the inhabitants belonging to this meeting-house, and the charge of said funeral be added to the town rate granted this year.”

Rev. William Brattle, born at Boston, November, 1662, H. C. 1680, Tutor and Fellow of the College 1692, one of the first two on whom the College conferred the degree of Bachelor of Divinity, 1692, who had supplied the pulpit occasionally since Mr. Gookin's death and constantly since March 25, 1696, was ordained pastor of the church Nov. 25, 1696. From this time a regular church record was made, which has been preserved in good condition. At the commencement of this record, Mr. Brattle says he “succeeded the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Gookin, and was ordained a minister of Jesus Christ and a pastor to the flock at Cambridge, Nov. 25, 1696, per the Rev. Mr. Inc. Mather. The Rev. Mr. Morton, Mr. Allin, and Mr. Willard laid on hands. The Rev. Mr. Saml. Willard gave the right hand of fellowship. . . . . Deo sit gloria. Amen.” The proceedings at this ordination seem to have been misapprehended by some historians. President Quincy says that Brattle “gave immediate evidence of his disposition to set himself free from some customs of the established Congregational Church. He preached at his own ordination, and forbade an elder, because he was a layman, to lay his hand upon his head during the ceremony. Both were deviations from the established practice of the early Congregational Churches.” ²