In
addition to baptisms, marriages, deaths and church
memberships, Deacon Abraham Pierson (1756-1823) also
recorded "acknowledgements" made before the
congregation of the Killingworth church. These public
admissions of sin were seen as an act of repentance.
After all, no one wanted to be among the sinners in God's
eyes.
The most common admittance before
friends, family and townsfolk? Fornication! Sometimes by
one spouse, but usually by married couples. And most
often they were newlyweds; dates of their marriages --
taken from the same notebook -- are included below. The
public soul-baring wasn't about adultery, but an
acknowledgement that they were just enjoying too much of
the pleasures of their intimate life.
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1787 |
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April 29 -- Samuel Pierson 2d (1750-1801) for
Intemperance [husband of Rebecca Parmele
(1752-1813) Josiah, Nathaniel, Nathaniel,
John, John]. |
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| 1790 |
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| Dec. 5 -- Capt.
Daniel Parmele [(1739-1800) Ezra, Nathaniel,
Nathaniel, John, John] for Intemperance by
Drinking. |
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1791 |
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May 15 -- Nathaniel Davis & his wife [Electa
Parmelee (1770-1826) Ozias, Nathaniel,
Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John, John, who were
married Aug. 15, 1790] for fornication.
Sept. 25 -- Capt. Daniel Parmele
[(1739-1800) Ezra, Nathaniel, Nathaniel,
John, John] for Drunkenness.
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| 1792 |
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April 29 -- Solomon Parmele [Roswell,
Nehemiah, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John, John]
& his wife [Hannah Howd (1770-1799), who were
married Dec. 12, 1791] for fornication. |
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[none] |
1793 |
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| 1794 |
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| Nov.
2 -- Ebenezer Parmele [(1772-1847) Roswell,
Nehemiah, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John, John]
& wife [Cynthia Griswold, (ca1773-1813), who
were married April 9, 1794] for fornication. |
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1795 |
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Nov.
15 -- Roswell Parmele 2d
(1775-aft 1810) Roswell, Nehemiah, Nathaniel,
Nathaniel, John, John] & his wife
[Melinda Redfield, (1776-aft 1820), who were
married May 6, 1795] for fornication. |
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| 1796 |
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| June
19 -- Billy Griswold (1796-?) & wife [Lovice
Parmele (1774-?) Amos, Nehemiah, Nathaniel,
Nathaniel, John, John, who were married Oct.
28, 1795], for fornication. July 31 -- Elias Stevens & wife
[Mercy Parmele (1775-?) Cornelius, Josiah,
Nathaniel, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John, John,
who were married Jan. 10, 1796], for fornication.
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1797 |
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Nov.
12 -- Abel Nettleton 2d
(ca1774-?) & wife
[Barbara Parmele (1778-?) Elias Harvey, Ezra,
Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John John, who were
married February 1797] for fornication. |
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