Whereas many are dissatisfied respecting the conduct of Mrs Burpee for years past and especially of late and much having been said by the world against her christian character It was deemed best by the Church that an investigation should be had, of the things commonly reported against her. Mrs Burpee having been conversed with by two members of the Committee, as well as by other individuals, was requested to meet the Church that the subject might be conversed over. Mrs B not being satisfied with this course but desiring to have formal charges brought against her the committee proceed to specify the following,

 

            I Desception—

 

Spec—1. She told Mr A. Davis that she had let Dr Wood have money, she afterwards told him that Dr Wood had not any of her money and never had

2. When Mr Burpee was confined in jail to some of the neighbors she expressed a great desire that he should be kept there while at the same time she was making considerable exertion to get him liberated.

3. To some, she declared that she enjoyed herself far better than when Mr B had his liberty, to others, said that she had taken no comfort since he had been confined there.

4. Soon after she swore the peace against Mr B she said she was not influenced so to do by others had long had her mind made up to do it and was perfectly convinced that it was her duty. Afterwards said that she should not have done it, if she had not been advised to by others.

 

            II Unchristian Conduct—

 

            After solemnly swearing that she would never live with Mr B again and calling Jehovah to witness her intentions, yet before the time of his trial came on, she did live with him and that without any signs of reformation as she herself acknowledged.

                                                                        by Order of the Committee,

                                                                                                            E Palmer

                                                                                                                        Scribe /

 

[overleaf]

 

Charges against Mrs Burpee

 

[pencil notes]

 

Oct 26^th Meeting at wh Mrs Burpee was pres^t

Oct [faded] Lecture Dea Eaton's statement about Dr Carpenter

Nov 9 morning voted to prefer charges

            adjourned to first day Dec.

Postponed to

Dec 16^th

cold Wednesday no meeting

Jan 1^st Letter read Chh voted not to receive it

Jan 15^th Esq Winter present

Jan 19^th br [?] present

Jan 29 received confession [faded]

 

            voted to adjourn till March [faded] Carpenter

March 8^th meeting postponed

[faded] Carpenter said [faded]

 

June 22 voted to excommunicate Dr Carpenter

SOURCES