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Egremont Congregational     pg. 163

337     At church meeting holden at the meeting house in Egremont 16 July 1770 was considered whether Mr. Josiah Loomis should be admitted to member of this church. It was objected, that he had not yet, nor could obtain a Recommendatory letter from the church at Windsor where he once was a member, having withdrawn from that church himself and gave to the Church of England. Objected also that there were suspicions of unmoral conduct in said Loomis. These things were debated and the meeting adjourned to 30 July 1770, to the place aforesaid when it was again examined into the suspicion of immorality brought against said Loomis and also whether a confession he exhibited to the congregation some years ago, before there was any church gathered in this town, should be repeated publicly before the church and congregation. The meeting was then adjourned to the house of Mr. Ephraim Fitch when it was opened, and these things reconsidered. The Church after the most careful inquiry and search, not finding sufficient evidence to connect Mr. Loomis of what was alleged against him, at least no more than he makes known in his confession, it was voted, that if Mr. Loomis will make known in his confession before the church, as he had once done before the congregation: if he will make a public confession of his faith, and acknowledge that covenant used by this Church, before the Church and Congregation: and also that our proceedings with him in brief should be made known publicly to the congregation, with liberty for anyone to bring in objections, if any, they have, after he is proponented, sic before he is admitted with the church, we will accept him to this vote, in all three parts of it. Mr. Loomis has consented and immediately exhibited the following confession which had been read some years since, before the congregation.

Egremont

Whereas I have gone astray from Gods holy commandments, and have in many things erred from the right way, but especially the winter before last in keeping company with bad and wicked persons, by which I have sinned against God, and also have given just occasion of suspicion to all people of the sin of uncleanliness to have by me been committed, in that I was so much in company with a woman of bad character, for which conduct I am now heartily sorry, and I sincerely pray that God would pardon and remit my sin herein, and I heartily desire the forgiveness of all my fellow men who are hereby offended. I desire the prayers of all Gods people for me, that I may keep a conscience void of offense towards God my creator and towards my fellow men my fellow creatures: and humbly desire that his Church would receive me into their charity and not retain my faults any longer against me in love and charity continually.

Signed Josiah Loomis

This confession being read to the church 'twas moved whether the church did accept of it as sufficient, voted affectionately.  Signed   Ephraim Fitch, Clerk

At church meeting holden at the meeting house in Egremont 7 Nov 1770 a charge was brought against Josiah Loomis who stood propounded to join with this church. The sin of the charge was this:  viz that he changed his name calling himself Johnson. Also declared himself to be the husband of a certain woman he had with him and 'tis supposed he lodged with her, this at the house of Elias Reed in Salisbury.

Signed Benjamin Franklin

This charge was not fully supported at this time but so many circumstances appearing against him, the meeting was adjourned till Wednesday 5 Dec next.

pg. 164     5 Dec 1770. The Ch meeting was held according to adjournment, at the place aforesaid. The matter was opened, and then adjoined sic the house of Mr. Ephraim Fitch, the meeting being opened, Mr. Elias Reed and Mary, his wife, (the evidence), were called in for examination. The substance of their evidence:  In the first place, 'twas desired that they should find out Josiah Loomis, if he was then present, which they both did, one not knowing what the other had pitched upon to be the man as Mr. Reed was out of the room when Mrs. Reed declined her opinion. He then being called in, also pointed out the same man. Thus both agreed as to the man. After which they say that about 13 years since said Loomis was at their house, that about 3 years after that he was then with a certain woman, who by his conduct with her, they supposed to be his wife: lodged together as they supposed, both being directed to one bed. They describe the woman which 'tis well known said Loomis was about courting with at that time, viz about 10 years ago. His description was very exact. He was asked by them whether his name was Loomis which he denied. Mrs. Reed supposes he called himself Johnson. Mr. Reed uncertain about that. These things being considered by the church:

Voted 1.  That Josiah Loomis was at the house of Mr. Reed aforesaid, about 10 years since, with a certain woman, supposed to be the wife of Benjamin Franklin.  [Note:  Nothing in this record says she was the wife of Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia, framer of the Constitution.]

Voted 2.  That the evidence exhibited, they, i.e. Loomis and that woman lodged together.

Voted 3.  That said Loomis must be disbarred admission into this church until satisfaction be made for his misconduct.

Egremont Congregational     pg. 165

At a church meeting holden at the meeting house in Egremont 27 June 1771, The Church again taking into consideration the charge brought against Josiah Loomis, and comparing the evidence in support of it, supposed there was not sufficient evidence to debar said Loomis from the church.

Voted 1.  To throw out the charge as not being sustained.

Voted 2.  They are willing to receive him into the church.

Signed, Eliph Steele, Pastor

1770 at time of Josiah II trouble trying to get into the Cong Church, he would have been about 61 or 62, his friendship with Deborah Read Franklin had been years before.  Perhaps his wife Abigail was dead. (my opinion only here)

According to the Loomis Records, Josiah Loomis II joined the Episcopalian Church at Great Barrington, Mass. in 1770.  So after all that trouble with the Cong Church, he did not join, but became a member of the Episcopalian Church at Great Barrington.

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