Relation of Edmund Brigham, [April 16, 1786]1

Introduction

Edmund Brigham was born in Marlborough on November 15, 1724, the son of Jotham and Abigail Brigham.2 His first wife, Sarai Lyscom, whom he married in Southborough on November 2, 1757,3 died on May 27, 1769, eight days after the birth of their seventh child, Lyscom.4

On May 7, 1780, Brigham recorded his intention to marry Betty Bevel (1740–1825), four months before the birth of their first child, Pairpoint.5 On December 22, Parkman noted in his diary, “Capt. Edmund Brigham here, on his Humiliation.” Five months later, on May 21, 1781, Parkman “went to Capt. Edmund Brighams and discoursed with him and his Wife of their Guilt etc. Alas! with too little success!” On September 5, 1781, Brigham came to Parkman “to talk with me about his making a Confession: his Wife was here also: But there was So much Company till it was late, and they had far to go, that he did not go so far into the Affair as was necessary—yet he manifested unwillingness to have it before the Congregation.” Five days later, Brigham and his wife were again with Parkman, with Brigham insisting that “according to Information Deacon Wood and his Wife did not make Confession before the Congregation. Parkman produced the church records that showed that the confession had been made before the congregation. He then “examined” Betty Brigham. On October 5, Brigham was again at Parkman’s home, “but refuses to make Confession before the Congregation.” Parkman loaned him “Mr. Cottons way of Life, in which is contained Sins deadly Wound.” Wounded or not, Edmund and Elizabeth Brigham did not confess to their fornication.

Parkman died in 1782, and on April 16, 1786, in the absence of a settled minister, the Reverend Asa Packard of Marlborough baptized Edmund and Elizabeth Brigham’s three children, and the couple was admitted into the church.6 There was no mention of fornication or a confession. On August 11, 1790, sixty-five-year-old Edmund Brigham was elected as a deacon in the Westborough church.7

The Relation

I Belive there is one God Consisting of three persons the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifyer: who alone is to be adoared and worshiped as God: who made man in his Primetive State: after his own Image in Holiness and righteousness and plast him in honer at the head of this lower Creation: But man rebeled against God and plungd himself into a State of Sin and misary: But Glory be to his name that he has given his Son to be a Saviour who I desire to take as my Prophet Prist and King and desire to be Governd by his Laws: I beleev the Scripturs to be givon by Divine Inspiration: and would rely on the Promisses Contained in them; wherein is offerd Pardon and life throw the atonement of the Great Redeemer—I think it to be my duty to Com and portake of the Lords Supper which ordinance Christ Instuted and Command to be Keept in remembrance of his Death and Sufferings—I ask the forgivness of all I have offended; and desire to be admited into full Commuinon with the Church of Christ in this place—Beging your Prayers to God for me that I may walk in all the ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Edmund Brigham