The First Settlers of Sandy Bay
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN HONOR OF
THE FIRST SETTLERS OF SANDY BAY
THE FIRST PARISH IN ROCKPORT WAS CONSTITUTED IN 1755.
THE CORNER STONE OF THIS MEETING HOUSE LAID IN 1803.
THE TOWER WAS SHATTERED BY A BRITISH BOMBARDMENT IN 1814.
REVEREND EBENEZER CLEAVELAND, THE FIRST MINISTER,
WAS WITH LORD DARTMOUTH,
A PROMOTER OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE AT ITS FOUNDATION.
HE SERVED FOUR YEARS WITH THE MEN OF HIS PARISH, IN
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR AND MADE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY
INTO CANADA, MARCHED WITH THE FIRST CONTINGENT TO THE
BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL, CHAPLAIN AND SURGEONS-MATE IN
THE COLONIAL ARMY THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
1775 - 1783 HE MINISTERED TO THIS PEOPLE FOR FIFTY YEARS.
EX-PRESIDENT FRANKLIN PIERCE IN 1865 STANDING UPON THIS
GREEN ADDRESSED RETURNING CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS.
THIS TABLET PLACED BY THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
AUGUST 1924