[70] The fift Day of August 1696:
At A Generall meeting of The Inhabitants of Salem village It was Agreed and voted by a Generall
Concurrance that wee make choice of Liuet Nathaniell putnam Joshua Rea senr and Thomas preston and
Joseph Holton Junr: to go to Boston to the Reverend Elders There to take Their Advise and Counsell
about gitting a minister for us: and also to signifie to them that we Dissire mr : pemerton : If He
may be attained But If not then to Dissire them to be Helpfull to us in some other man that may be
suetable For us