Freeman's congregation into a Unitarian church, which, as Mr. Freeman acknowledged, could never have been done without the labors of this gentleman." [49] American Unitarianism, from Belsham's Life of Lindsey, 12, _note_. [50] American Unitarianism, 16. [51] American Unitarianism, note. [52] Ibid., 20. [53] American Unitarianism, 17. [54] "Oxnard was a merchant, born in Boston in 1740, but settled in Portland, where he married the daughter of General Preble, in 1787. He was a loyalist, and fled from the country at the outbreak of the war. He returned to Portland in 1787. A few years later, 1792, the Episcopal church being destitute of a minister, he was engaged as lay reader, with the intention of taking orders. His Unitarianism put a sudden end to his Episcopacy, but not to his preaching. He gathered a small congregation in the school-house, and preached sometimes sermons of his own, but more often of other men. He died in 1799." John C. Perkins, How the First Parish became Unitarian,--historical sermon preached in Portland. [55] American Unitarianism, 18. [56] Ibid., 17, 20. [57] American Unitarianism, 24. [58] American Unitarianism, 22. [59] Church Records, in MS., II. 7. [60] Rev. Thomas Robbins, Diary for October 13, 1799, I. 97, heard Mr. Kendall, and said: "He appears to be an Arminian in full. I fear he will lead many souls astray." See John Cuckson, A Brief History of the First Church in Plymouth, eighth chapter. [61] Chauncy against Chandler, 152. [62] These particulars are taken from the Debates and Proceedings in the Convention of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts held in the year 1788, and which finally ratified the Constitution of the United States, Boston, 1856. V. THE PERIOD OF CONTROVERSY.