Nove 8, 1808 The following draft of Excommunication was this day laid before the church and unanimously adopted. Sir, Having been a member of this church for more than 18 years, having been on of the first of male members hwo entered into covenant relation in this town, and having advanced to the boundries of life, which few pass, the idea of separating you from our number can but excite a painful sensation. But your conduct for some time past has been such a flagrant breach of your covenant obligations, and so strongly indicative of your having turned back to go no more after Christ, that we are hithuto constrained.
This is recorded in the First Congregational Church Records of Middlebury, VT; held in the Sheldon Museum of Middlebury.
The was written to my ancestor, Elijah Buttolph because he beat his wife and behaved with inhumanity toward his children.