USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > East Haven > Historical discourse delivered at the centennial celebration of the dedication of the Stone meeting house, 1774-1874 > Part 1
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CENTENNIAL DISCOURSE
Stone
EAST, HAVEN, CONN
1774-1874.
Tİ
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE,
DELIVERED AT THE
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
OF THE DEDICATION OF THE
Stone Meeting House
EAST HAVEN, CONN.,
Wednesday, September 16, 1874.
BY D. WILLIAM HAVENS.
PRINTED BY PUNDERSON & CRISAND, 12 CENTER STREET, NEW HAVEN.
1876.
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HE preliminary steps for the celebration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Dedication of the "Old Stone Meeting-house," in East Haven, was taken at the Annual Church Meeting, October 12, 1873, when Deacon Samuel T. Andrews, Deacon Thaddeus Street, Jeremiah Barnes, Capt. Samuel C. Thompson, and Isaac S. Pardee were appointed a Committee on the part of the Church, to co-operate with a similar Committee, to be appointed by the Society, to make arrangements for the appropriate celebration of the Centennial.
At the Annual Meeting of the Ecclesiastical Society, December 28, 1873, Lyman Hotchkiss, Samuel Chidsey, James Thompson, Lyman A. Granniss, and Henry Smith were appointed a Committee to co-operate with a similar Committee of the Church, previously appointed, in mak- ing the necessary preparations for the celebration. The Pastor was subsequently added to this Committee. These two committees composed the "General Centennial Com- mittee," from which the following sub-committees were appointed :
ON FINANCE:
JEREMIAH BARNES, THADDEUS STREET, JAMES THOMPSON.
ON PRINTING :
LYMAN A. GRANNISS, HENRY SMITH, LYMAN HOTCHKISS.
ON INVITATIONS:
D. WM. HAVENS, ISAAC S. PARDEE, THADDEUS STREET.
ON EXERCISES:
D. WM. HAVENS, SAMUEL T. ANDREWS, AUGUSTUS STREET, JOSEPH I. HOTCHKISS, JONATHAN DUDLEY.
.
ON RECEPTION :
SAMUEL CHIDSEY, NATHAN ANDREWS, EDWIN GRANNISS, TIMOTHY ANDREWS, ALBERT FORBES, HENRY SMITH, COLLIS B. GRANNISS, ALEXANDER W. FORBES, LEANDER F. RICHMOND, JULIUS H. MORRIS.
ON MUSIC :
Miss SARA C. UPSON, Mrs. HARRIET M. WALKER, Mrs. DELIA A. RICH- MOND, JOSEPH I. HOTCHKISS, LYMAN HOTCHKISS, ISAAC S. PARDEE. ON ENTERTAINMENTS:
WILLIAM A. WOODWARD, EDWARD J. UPSON, ABRAHAM B. CIIIDSEY, C. EDWIN WOODWARD, LEVI L. BRADLEY, F. FOOTE ANDREWS, LYMAN A. GRANNISS, LEONARD R. ANDREWS, THEODORE H. THOMPSON, S. W. F. ANDREWS, JOHN WM. THOMPSON, Mrs. OLIVE BLACK- STONE, Mrs. LAVINIA C. FRINK, Mrs. LYDIA B. DICKINSON, Mrs. ELIZA T. STREET, Mrs. HANNAII C. HURD, Mrs. MARION BRADLEY, Mrs. JANE E. TYLER, Mrs. LOIS M. WOODWARD, Mrs. MARTHA P. PARDEE, Mrs. LOUISA M. BRADLEY, Miss ELSIE A. PARDEE, Miss BERTHA M. HAVENS.
ON DECORATIONS:
SAMUEL F. BRADLEY, JAMES KING, E. DWIGHT STREET, HENRY T. THOMPSON, LYMAN C. THOMPSON, OLIVER KING, Mrs. LAURA A. R. WOODWARD, Mrs. GRACE E. CASEY, Mrs. JANE FORBES, Mrs. ELLA A. COWLES, Mrs. N. E. BARTHOLOMEW, Mrs. MARIA A. WALKER.
ON ANTIQUITIES :
SAMUEL T. ANDREWS, HIRAM JACOBS, C. S. PROUT.
The Order of Exercises, as arranged by the Committee for the Centennial Celebration, was as follows :
ORDER OF MEETINGS AND EXERCISES.
I.
10 o'clock A. M .- Meeting for Religious Services, and De- livery of the Historical Discourse.
I. Organ Voluntary, with the Doxology- "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow."
2. Invocation. Rev. OWEN STREET.
3. Reading Scripture. Rev. BURDETT HART.
4. Singing. Original Hymn-By the PASTOR-
THE CENTURY.
A HUNDRED YEARS! 'mid calm and storm, These massive walls have silent stood, And busy life, in every form, Has round them breathed, and thought, and moved.
A HUNDRED YEARS! these scenes the same, The Rock, the Lake, the Hills, the Sea; But where are they, O God, who came To consecrate this house to Thee ?
A HUNDRED YEARS have swept away That flowing tide of life and thought ; We, on their graves, our tribute lay, And bless Thee for what they have wrought.
[A HUNDRED YEARS! and in their flood, A nation born has marched to fame ; Its starry flag, in storm and blood, God has kept pure in Freedom's name.
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A HUNDRED YEARS! the world has moved- The march of mind has onward sped- Dark slavery's chain has been removed From human forms that cringed and bled.
A HUNDRED YEARS ! Christ's parting word, Has sent the Gospel's joyful sound, 'Till earth's most distant nation's heard The "tiding glad," salvation found. ]
A HUNDRED YEARS! when they have flown, When life from us, now here, has fled, In the dark grave, so drear and lone, We've learned the secret of the dead.
A HUNDRED YEARS ! May they that then Shall gather here in gladsome guise- Worthy the name of Puritan- Lift praise' loud anthems to the skies.
5. Prayer. Rev. LEONARD BACON, D.D.
6. Singing. Original Hymn-By Rev. OWEN STREET-
From the glad present and its dreamings, Back to the past, great God, we turn ; O may we catch its brightest gleamings, And all its glorious lessons learn. Do Thou, the faded page renewing, Restore the distant and the dim ;
While we, our hundred years reviewing, Lift up to Thee our Century Hymn.
We praise Thee for th' inspiring story Of faith, that proved itself sublime ; That toiling in the hope of glory, Could look to wants of later time. We praise Thee for these firm foundations, Quarried from the enduring rock ; This home of buried congregations, This fold of the still gathering flock.
For words the holy dead have spoken Resounding still in memory's halls, Voices now still, and strings long broken, That woke the echoes of these walls; For deeper echoes that went thrilling Thro' waiting hearts that heard the word, Till they were warmed to heavenly feeling, Praise be to our all-glorious Lord !
For our inheritance of blessing, Descending through long ages down, We come, our wondrous debt confessing, And here thy faithful covenant own. We'll hold the truth the fathers taught us, We'll take the legacy bequeathed, We'll guard the heritage they bought us, And keep their memories brightly wreathed.
7. The Historical Discourse. First Part. By the PASTOR.
8. Singing. Original Hymn-By Rev. OWEN STREET-
O, Builder of the Church of God, Upon its own Eternal Rock, Who hast the gates of hell withstood, And all their rage and fury broke.
Thy grace has built thy temple here, And polished all its living stones ; Here listened to thy people's prayer, And saved thine own believing ones.
What victories hath thy spirit wrought ! What stubborn hearts to Thee have bowed What wayward souls have here been taught, And kept the pledge their lips have vowed !
What trials have thy people seen ? What conflicts met, what storms endured ? What darkness passed, what anguish keen ? What burdens cast upon the Lord ?
What graces hath thy spirit shed ! What holy virtues from above ! What memories of the sainted dead Remain to tell thy boundless love !
The past is sure ; but not more sure Than promised good for coming time ; Thy kingdom ever shall endure, Eternity is but its prime.
Then haste we on to toils to come, Trusting in God's all faithful care ; Looking above to heaven our home, And the sweet welcome waiting there.
9. The Historical Discourse. Second Part.
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10. Singing. Original Hymn-By the PASTOR-
THE CENTENNIAL.
To-day, let holy joy In every heart arise ; And every tongue employ The accents of the skies.
With music sweet Our voices raise, Till songs of praise The welkin greet.
Within these sacred walls, Reared by the fathers' hand,
Hearts yielding to God's call, Have full salvation found.
The Gospel's light, The spirit's power, In mercy's hour, Made all things bright.
" The fathers, where are they ?" Those men so tried and true ; Yonder, they slumb'ring lay, Beneath the spreading yew.
Their lives so brave, Their work well done, God's brightest sun Rest on their grave.
Their children's children here, In strong array have come, From dwellings far and near, To seek th' ancestral home. Now to record And give due meeds To noble deeds Of men of old.
Amid these scenes so fair, O, bow before the Lord ; And in our songs declare The goodness of our God. Our fathers' God, Whose power and love They oft did prove, And kept his word.
The PAST forever gone, Its deeds, its joys, its tears ; The FUTURE now alone Inwraps our hopes and fears. Let us be strong, Let us be true, Then for us, too, The victor's song.
11. Benediction. Rev. O. EVANS SHANNON.
II.
1 o'clock P. M .- Collation.
III.
2 o'clock P. M .- Meeting for Reunion, Addresses, Etc. Chairman, SAMUEL T. ANDREWS, Esq.
IV.
7 o'clock P. M .- Old Folks Concert.
V.
8:30 o'clock P. M .- Reception at the Parsonage.
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Notwithstanding the day of the Centennial Celebration was stormy, the Meeting-house was crowded with a large, attentive, and interested audience, composed for the most part of persons from abroad-descendents and connections of its ancient families. The services and intercourse of the occasion were peculiarly interesting, and left in the minds of all who participated in them the most pleasant impres- sions and associations.
The interior of the Meeting-house was profusely and beautifully decorated with flags and flowers. In the rear of the platform which had been erected at the east end of the audience room, the American and British ensigns were draped together, significant of the fact that the ancient sanctuary had stood under two national sovereignties. Between these flags were hung the portraits of all the for- mer pastors of the Church, excepting Mr. Heminway, and under them were announced the dates of the com- mencement and termination of their respective pastorates. The names of the building committee appointed in 1772 were placed upon the panels of the galleries. Altogether, the occasion was one that will long be remembered by those who were present ; and the influences and effects of its services will be felt for many years by the congregation that worships within the walls of the "OLD STONE MEET- ING-HOUSE."
٩
THE HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
" See, what manner of stones, and what buildings are here ?"
These words were originally spoken in very different circumstances than those in which we are gathered to-day, and had another application than that which will be given them on the present occasion. We would search in vain for a better comment upon them : one that would suggest more appropriate sentiments and emotions in contemplating these massive walls which have withstood unharmed the storms of a century, than can be found in one of Shakes- peare's most familiar dramas. "There are sermons in stones." Under the influences from, and the associations that cluster upon this sacred edifice, and the memories that crowd upon our minds, these silent stones preach to us a sermon more solemn and impressive than was ever uttered by a Chrysostom, or the most eloquent of human orators.
An unusual interest attaches to the occasion upon which we are assembled. Rarely does it occur, in these days of frequent changes, especially in this country, that a Church celebrates the centennial of the dedication of its house of worship. Owing to differences in the cost of construction, quite as much as to the habits of the people, Church edifices are generally built of materials unadapted to stand the wear of time and the power of the elements. Conse- quently, every few years they require to be replaced by new structures. The men who erected this building were wiser than the most of their contemporaries. So far as I have been able to learn, this was the first stone meeting- house erected in the Colony of Connecticut. There are but two of any kind now standing in the State, older than this
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-the brick meeting-house in Wethersfield, and the wooden edifice at Farmington. The former antedates it by four years, and the centennial of the latter was celebrated in September, 1872. This is now the oldest stone meeting- house standing in New England. It was, therefore, deemed most fitting, by those who now worship within its walls, that the completion of a century since its dedication to the worship of God, should be marked by some demonstration which would be a memorial to those who erected it, and at the same time, a testimonial of gratitude to the divine goodness in the past. May it also prove the earnest of the continuance of that goodness to all the coming generations who shall worship the God of their fathers within these sacred walls.
What is that sentiment, that feeling, that influence which has been effective in bringing together, like particles drawn towards a central magnet, so large a number of persons who feel an interest in East Haven ? It is the sentiment of patriotism, the feeling of reverence for the past, the influence of mental and heart associations, which lift into importance and invest with a peculiar interest the place of birth, the homes of ancestors, and the sanctuary of childhood, such as does not attach itself to any other spot on earth. After an unselfish patriotism, pride of ancestry is the noblest natural sentiment of the human heart. When based simply on birth, or wealth, or social position, it often becomes a mean, selfish feeling-food for personal vanity and arrogance, and is usually all that one who cherishes it CAN boast. But when founded on piety and moral worth, or upon what a former generation has done for the promotion of the higher welfare of posterity, "whose works do follow them," and through them, though "being dead, they yet speak ;" then, no richer legacy have they left to their descendents, and in honoring their memory they do a high honor to themselves, unless, indeed, the character of the latter presents a striking contrast to theirs. Those, therefore, who are here to-day, inspired by the spirit of the occasion, have reason for cherishing a just pride in that ancestry, who, amid difficulties with which
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few communities now have to contend, and with means so limited as to be scarcely conceivable, entered upon and carried to a successful completion, such an enterprise as the erection of this enduring edifice; and, by the celebra- tion of the termination of a full century of years since its dedication to the purposes of divine worship, we honor ourselves as much as we honor them, and shall catch some- thing of that reverent and joyful spirit by which they were animated, when, with grateful piety and devout thanks- giving, they consecrated this house to the worship of Al- mighty God.
New Haven Colony was settled in 1638. The tract of land purchased of the Indians extended about half a mile east of the "Great Pond," now "Lake Saltonstall " and "Stoney River." The first allotment of land made on the east side of Quinnipiac River, was in 1640, when six hun- dred acres were given to Rev. John Davenport. A portion of this tract was in possession of his descendents till 1830, a period of nearly two hundred years. It is still called the "Davenport Farm." No settlement was made within the present boundaries of the town of East Haven till 1644, when Thomas Gregson built a house at "Solitary," now "Morris Cove," and brought his family to reside there. He was lost in the ill-fated ship that sailed from New Haven, in January, 1646, the account of whose spectral appearance, given by Rev. James Pierrepont of New Haven, is found in "Mather's Magnalia." His farm was purchased by George Pardee, the first teacher of the "Hopkins Grammar School," and the ancestor of all of that name in the vicinity of New Haven. The principal settlement, however, was made at what was known, for the first half century, as "Stoney River Farms," at the southern extremity of the "Great Pond." Here, extensive iron works were established in 1650, by parties in Boston, Mass., and London, England, which, for fifty years, and until the ore beds in North Haven were exhausted, called in quite a numerous population. The other sections of the town were settled very slowly, and only for agricultural pur- poses.
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At a very early date measures were taken for establish- ing religious worship in this little village. The nearest point for the people to attend divine service was New Haven. This required a long walk, or journey on horse- back, through an almost unbroken swamp and forest to "Ferry Point," now known as " Red Rock ;" then the pas- sage of a tedious and often dangerous ferry across the broadest part of the river, and then another long travel, of a mile or more, to the solitary meeting-house on New Haven common. It is evident that those who attended worship on the Sabbath from East Haven-and this meant all not providentially prevented-must rise betimes in the morning, and it would be far into the night when they returned. If women and children were among the number, they probably went over on Saturday and remained till Monday. For the first twenty or thirty years after the settlement of the village, the dead were carried to New Haven for burial.
With that high appreciation of attending the services of divine worship, which characterized the Puritans of New England, the distance from New Haven, the difficulty of the journey thither, especially as their infant children were obliged to be carried there for baptism-an ordinance that had for them a deeper significance than it has for many of their descendents-were felt by the early settlers, not only to be a serious inconvenience, but a deprivation and injury to their spiritual life ; therefore, as early as 1677, a petition was presented to the General Court of the Colony for "liberty to set up separate worship" in the village. The petition was granted the following year. It was also neces- sary to obtain the consent of the town of New Haven, application for which was made the same year, but was peremptorily refused. It was renewed the following year, 1679, with better success .* It was not, however, till 1681,
* At a Towne Meeting held in New Haven, 24 December, 1679, and for the village on ye East Side, those inhabitants gave in their propositions to the Committee, which they desired might be granted, which was :
1. That they might have liberty to get a minister amongst them, for their minister, and keep the Sabbath in a way as they ought.
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that the necessary arrangements were completed for hold- ing worship on the Sabbath. Rev. James Alling was engaged, who ministered to them acceptably for two years. The people desired him to remain with them, but as the town would not grant permission to organize a church, and as he was desirous of becoming a settled pastor, he declined their invitation. The society was fortunate in immediately obtaining the services of Rev. John Harriman, of New Haven, who remained till November, 1685, when, owing to the decline of business at the iron works, and consequent decrease of population, the stipulated salary of £50 could not be raised, and he was compelled to leave. He subse- quently ministered, for a short time, to the Church in New Haven. The people became disheartened, and their relig- ious services were intermitted for eighteen years.
In 1704, the subject of re-establishing public worship began to be discussed. Their number was small, and not one of them all could be called wealthy, even for those times. They could present no great inducements to a minister to settle with them, and the burden of his support would press heavily upon them. Providence always helps those churches, as well as individuals, who endeavor to help themselves. At this juncture one came to them, every way adapted to their needs, and whose circumstances were such as to render him an eligible candidate. Samuel Hem- inway, Esq., the first of that name who settled in East Haven, was, probably, the wealthiest and most influential man in the village. His youngest son, Jacob, was about to graduate from the new college located at Saybrook, and not yet dignified with the historic name of "Yale." He
2. That boundary might be granted to them as high -i. e., north-as Muddy River.
3. That they have liberty of admitting inhabitants among them for their help in the work and maintenance of a minister.
4. That they may have liberty to purchase some lands of the Indians, near Mr. Gregson's-i. e., at the Cove-if the Indians are willing to part with it.
5. That what land of the Quinnipiac is within Branford stated bounds, the right of the purchase may be given them.
6. Lastly, That they may be freed from rates to the Towne, when they shall have procured a Minister.
-.
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was intending to enter the Christian ministry, and was one of the class of three which was the first to enter the newly- founded institution in 1701, under the presidency of Rev. Abraham Pierson, a man of extensive learning and great influence in the Colony. Jacob Heminway graduated in the summer of 1704, when in the twenty-first year of his age. The attention of his fellow townsmen was turned to him, and they cherished the hope that he might be induced to become their minister ; for once disproving the popular proverb, "a prophet has no honor in his own country."
In November following, a meeting of the people of the village was held, when they " Voted, to seek Sir Hemin- way, that he would give us a taste of his gifts, in order to settlement, in the work of the ministry."* The answer was favorable. "Sir Heminway" gave them "a taste of his gifts," which they relished so well he was invited to preach to them statedly ; and when, after much tribulation, the Church was organized in 1711, he became its pastor, and remained with this people till his death in 1754. Very little is known concerning Mr. Heminway, his personal appearance, manner of preaching, or his abilities. That he was a prudent, wise, and faithful pastor, winning and holding the confidence and affection of his people, is evi- dent from his continuance with them for half a century.
When Mr. Heminway commenced his ministry there was no church or meeting-house. During all the time Mr. Alling and Mr. Harriman preached in the village, the Sab- bath services were held either in the school-house or in private dwellings-almost any farm-house kitchen would have accommodated the congregation. It was, probably, for this reason, they declined remaining, and that public
* A meeting of the inhabitants of the village was held the following No- vember, when they
"Voted, To seek Sir Heminway, that he would give us a taste of his gifte, in order to settlement in the work of the Ministry. And
2. " Voted, To desire John Potter, Sen., Caleb Chidsey, and Ebenezer Chid- sey, to treat with Sir Heminway, to get him, if they could, to give them a taste of his gifts, in preaching the word."
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worship was discontinued for so long a period prior to the engagement of Mr. Heminway. Before the departure of Mr. Harriman, in 1685, the subject of building a meeting- house was agitated, and an effort made to raise funds for the purpose ; but, failing to secure a minister to succeed him, the people lost heart, abandoned the enterprise, and resumed their former ecclesiastical connection with New Haven.
It was not till Mr. Heminway had labored among them nearly two years that any movement was made for supply- ing so great a need. June 10, 1706, the society " Voted, to build a meeting-house twenty feet long, sixteen feet wide, and seventeen feet between joints, and set it across the East End of the School-house." From these dimensions it is evident that the population of the village was quite small. The house could not have accommodated comfortably more than fifty persons, and seventy-five would have crowded it to suffocation. And yet it was in this little building the services were held at the organization of the Church, and the ordination of the first pastor, in October, 1711. It suf- ficed for the accommodation of the people of the village, until replaced by a larger structure in 1719.
For the location of the first meeting-house we are de- pendent entirely upon tradition. The village records give no further information on the subject than that it was placed "across the east end of the school-house." The location of the latter is known. It stood in the rear of the ground now occupied by the residence of the late John M. Finch, and a considerable distance back from the highway. The meeting-house was erected in front and adjoining it. A small burying-ground was in the rear, where a few per- sons were interred previous to the donation by the proprie- tors of the ground occupied by the present cemetery.
The people, with their accustomed energy and resolu- tion, entered at once upon the work, and before the close of the year the meeting-house was completed and dedicated, with appropriate services, to the worship of God. Doubt- less those poor and simple people looked upon it, as it stood complete in all its appointments, with a pride and
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satisfaction such as are rarely elicited by the completion of the most splendid temples of modern times. If the secret history of the undertaking was known, it would unques- tionably be found that many a long-hoarded piece of coin was brought forth, many an extra task of knitting, and carding, and spinning, and weaving performed, the avails of which were consecrated to this sacred object.
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