USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Essex > History of the First Baptist Church, in Essex, Conn., during the first fifty years of its existence; read before the church, July 2d, 1861, with the declaration of faith, church covenant, and catalogue of members > Part 1
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Gc 974.602 Es75e 1847531
M.L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01148 6898
HISTORY
OF THE
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, let
IN ESSEX, CONN.
DURING THE
FIRST FIFTY YEARS OF ITS EXISTENCE,
Read before the Church, July 2d, 1861,
WITH THE
DECLARATION OF FAITH, CHURCH COVENANT,
AND
CATALOGUE OF MEMBERS.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICA .. hartford:
PRESS OF WILLIAMS, WILEY AND TURNER, 152 ASYLUM STREET.
1862.
D 284677 1.3. 1847531
HISTORY
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. IN ESSEX, CONN. FIRST FIFTY YEARS OF ITS EXISTENCE, Read before the Church, July 2d, 1861. DECLARATION OF FAITH, CHURCH COVENANT, AND .*
CATALOGUE OF MEMBERS.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyoffirstba00unse
. Y R 1366
НОЯСНА
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At a regular meeting of the Church, held March 4th, 1861, the pastor reminded the members that the 18th of June, would be the fiftieth anniversary of the constitution of the church, and proposed that it be observed. This proposition met the views of those who were present, and a committee was appointed to write a history of the church to be read on anniversary day. At a subsequent church meeting it was thought not best to observe the 18th of June, but that exercises appropriate to that day be had on the Sabbath following. Accordingly in the afternoon of Sunday, June 28d, the pastor preached a sermon appropriate to the occasion, and in the even- ing this history was read.
At a church meeting, August 4th, 1861, it was voted that the history of the church with the covenant and list of members be printed. The printing has been delayed in order to add something in regard to the lives of Elder Dickinson and Elder Miller, and some other facts, which though solicited before the history was read, were not received till some time after. To add this matter and prepare the manuscript for the press, required the whole to be rewritten, which it has not been convenient to do. till now.
In collecting the materials for this sketch the writer has carefully perused the- church and society records, and such papers pertaining to the church . as could be found. The constituent and other aged members of the church have been consulted. Much information has been obtained from books and papers left by Mrs. Elizabeth Glover. Most of the former pastors of the church and some other persons were writ- ten to, and from some of them valuable contributions have been obtained.
The list of constituent members as printed in 1841, was found to contain some er- rors, (the original church records having been lost.) That which is now given, except the members of the Killingworth branch, is taken from records kept by Mrs. Glover, and as they were written at the time the church was constituted is believed to be correct.
ESSEX, June, 1862.
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HISTORY.
Fifty years have passed away since the First Baptist Church in Essex was constituted. All the men who where active in its formation are dead, and but four of the women who where numbered among its constituent members are liv- ing among us, and nearly half of those who have ever been members have finished their labors in this world, and gone to their reward. But they ought to be remembered by us with gratitude, and the dealings of God with them be recorded for our benefit and the good of those who will soon take our places.
Dr. Benedict in his history of the Baptists says, "The first baptisms according to the Scripture mode, in this state, were in that part of New London, now Waterford; and the first Baptist Church was planted sometime afterward (in the year 1705) in Groton, by a minister from Rhode Island." But till near the beginning of the present century the increase of Bap- tists in Connecticut was slow, owing in part to laws unfavor- able to religious liberty, which were not wholly repealed till the adoption of the new constitution in 1818.
At the commencement of the present century, or about the time the Baptist interest commenced in this village, there were in the State about sixty churches with 3500 members. There were several churches in this vicinity ; but we do not know that there was a baptism in this village, or a Baptist living here till the year 1802, when Mrs. Jerusia Hayden was bap- tised by Elder Jason Lee of East Lyme, and united with the church in that place, where she retained her membership till her death in 1859. In 1805 Mr. Sala Post came out a de- cided Baptist, ( having before been a member of the Congre- gational church,) was baptised by Elder John Williams of New York, and joined a church in that city. The same year
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Mrs. Rebecca Lord, (now Hills) was baptised by Elder George Atwell, and united with the First Baptist Church in Saybrook, (now Winthrop, ) where she continued her membership till 1818, when she removed to this church.
While Mr. Sala Post was a member of the church in New York, he did what he could to forward the interest of the Bap- tist's here. His dwelling was their first place of meeting, and he often brought Baptist ministers here to preach. But in introducing Baptist preaching here another was before him. Mr. Jared Hayden on his conversion in 1804, invited Elder Simeon Dickinson of East Haddam to preach in Essex. His preaching was blessed not only to those who heard him, but to us; for to that good man's humble labors we refer the visible origin of our church. Some souls were soon converted, and some persons who had been members of the Second Congre- gational church were dissatisfied with their baptism, and on his third visit Elder Dickinson baptised eight persons. On his next visit he baptised seven,
These persons became members of the East Haddam church. Only seven more were added to this number previous to July. 1st, 1809.
In records kept by Mrs. Elizabeth Glover, under date of July 1st, 1809, are "the names of members belonging to the Saybrook Branch of the East Haddam Baptist Church. " In this list are the names of five males and seventeen females.
About this time there was quite a revival, and during the next two years, or to June 18th, 1811, thirty-one were added to the number mentioned above. All of this number except two were added by baptisın.
March 24th, Saturday, five persons were baptised. One of these was Jared Hayden, who, though he dated his conversion in 1804, did not follow his Savior in baptism till this time. The following Sabbath four more persons were baptised. This is mentioned by one who then united with the people of God as an occasion of deep interest, Elder William Parkinson of New York, preached in the forenoon at New City, under a ship there building, and in the afternoon in the Episcopalian meeting- house, and gave the right hand of fellowship to nine persons. This seems to have been the largest number of persons re- ceived at any one time, till some years after the church was constituted.
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Elder Dickinson preached here as often as he could. Among others who preached here previous to the organization of the church, are mentioned, Elder William Parkinson and Elder John Williams of New York, Elder Anderson of R. I., and Elder William Hubbard.
The place of meeting as before mentioned was at first the house* of Mr. Sala Post. Meetings were also held in other d well- ings; but they soon began to occupy the " great school house," the building now used as a slaughter house. At the period we refer to, it stood near the present site of Mr. Asahel Hay- den's residence. There was some inconvenience from singing schools appointed at the school house at the same time the Baptists appointed meetings there. To avoid this Mr. Samuel Williams bought the "great school house," and gave it to the Baptists for a meeting house. This continued to be their usual place of worship till 1817. But they on some occasions ob- tained the Episcopalian meeting house, which was then unfin- isfied, though it had then stood where it now stands for more than ten years.
Religious intolerance in Connecticut, at the beginning of the present century, was not what it was fifty or a hundred years before that time; yet the Baptists of this place in sep- arating from another denomination, as many of them did, and establishing a church within the limits of what others called their parish, met with opposition. They were called igno- rant and fanatic. It is true that at that time the Baptist min- isters of Connecticut were not men of literary culture; but many of them were men of strong mind, and remarkable for their knowledge of the Bible. And it is the plain simple teaching of the New Testament that makes people Baptists. Soon after Elder Dickinson commenced preaching here a con- sociation met with the Second Congregational Church. In the afternoon when there was preaching the house was crowd- ed; a member of that church who was afterward one of the constituent members of this Baptist Church, said, she heard the text-"Search the Scriptures,"-went out and sat on the door steps, and thought of the text, and it made her a Baptist ;
*This house is now owned by Brother Spencer, and was recently the Methodist parsonage. In 1822 it was bought by Mrs. Irene Williams, and presented to the Baptists for a parsonage, and was used for that purpose till 1840.
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for according to its command she "searched the scriptures." It is reported that seven members of the same church, were affected in the same manner.
Not only were hard speeches and hard sermons made against the Baptists, but dissenters were made to feel the force of civil law. Sala Post, Rueben Post, and some others re- fused to pay the parish taxes required by the statute; and the officer attempted to carry them to jail. But through his care- lessness or ignorance they escaped and returned to their homes. Mr. Samuel Williams afterward paid the taxes for them, and so that trouble ended. Probably the Baptists here encoun- tered less opposition than those in many other places, and with those who suffered, the account of most of their trials has passed away.
The first record on the church book of the transactions of " That branch of the Baptist Church of East Haddam, meet- ing in Saybrook, Petapague Society," is dated May 25th, 1810, at which meeting Elder Dickinson presided, and Gur. don Smith was clerk. A method of receiving members was adopted, which was the same as that now practiced in this and other Baptist churches, Elder Dickinson, Reuben Post, and Lemuel Dickinson, were appointed standing committee. It was also voted to have "a church meeting on Saturday next preceding the third Sabbath in every month."
December 16th, 1810, " This branch of the East.Haddam Church" voted to send pastor Elder Dickinson and delegates to assist in ordaining Elder William Witter, over the First Baptist Church in Saybrook. June 9th, 1811, they sent pas- tor and delegates to assist in constituting a Baptist Church in North Haven.
The first record of any movement on the part of the Bap- tists in this place toward being constituted an independent church, is dated Friday evening, June 14th, 1811, when it was voted to call a council for that purpose. Another meet- ing was held on the 17th, to make preparations, and the coun- cil met agreeable to request on the 18th. It was composed of the following members, viz: from the First Church in Groton, Elder John G. Wightman, Dea. Samuel Lamb and Sands Fish ; from New London Church, Elder Samuel West and Dea. Jonathan Sizer; from East Haddam Church, Elder Simeon Dickinson and Josiah Hungerford; from Haddam
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Church, David Warner and John Warner; from Saybrook Church, Timothy Warner. Elder West was moderator. "A. request was received from the Killingworth branch,* signed by three males and eleven females, that in case a church is constituted in this place, to be received as members, which re- quest was agreed to."
The report of the council was as follows : "This council are unanimously of opinion that there is a church of Christ in this place, and, being certified by Elder Simeon Dickinson and Josiah Hungerford of East Haddam, that the members of that church in this place have their fellowship to unite in church state by themselves, and when united and constituted a church, they are dismissed from East Haddam church,-we do hereby signify our fellowship with them by the name of the Second Baptist Church in Saybrook, and direct the mode- rator to give them the right-hand of fellowship."
In the evening a sermon was preached by Elder John G. Wightman and the right-hand of fellowship given by the mod- erator.
Thus a church was organized with. sixty four members. (About twenty of these had been members of the Congrega- tional church.) But they had no pastor. They invited Elder Dickinson to continue with them as usual, but his labors else- where prevented his spending much, if any, time in this place, and the church was without a pastor till August 12th, 1812.
Here then Elder Dickinson's labors with this people end. If he was not the first pastor of the Baptist Church in this place, he was the first pastor of the Baptist here; he planted the church which we love and whose interests we ought to cherish, and it is becoming us to pay at least a passing tribute to his memory. The following sketch of his life has been kindly furnished by his daughter now residing in Salem.
" Rev Simeon Dickinson was born in Wethersfield, Decem- ber 25th, 1757. His parents Jonathan and Hannah Dickin- son, were devout and conscientious members of the Presbyte- rian church, of which Rev. Mr. Lookwood, was pastor and all their children were carefully instructed in the principles of re- ligion. His close application to his studies was remarkable,
*There was a branch of the East Haddam Baptist Church at Killing- worth, now Clinton, as early as the year 1806.
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and in such branches as were taught in the school, he was con- sidered quite a proficient. At the age of fifteen he entered his father's shop as an apprentice to the business of boot and shoe making, and was soon considered a first class workman."
Of his early religious experience I copy the following from a record made by himself in the last years of his life, after a protracted and very painful illness, in which at intervals of severe suffering, his mind was often appalled by distressing doubts of his adoption into the family of the children of God.
" When I was about seventeen years of age, having been long under conviction, and seen myself in danger of destruc- tion and ruin in hell, I had come to the determination to for- sake all for my soul's salvation ; but could not think the life of a christian a cheerful life, but rather a melancholy one. Not long after this a change took place in my mind, I did not then know what it meant, but I have no doubts now of it being conversion. I now began to think myself one of the happiest creatures in the world, I now looked on my fellow men and saw a great difference among them, not only between professors and profane, but between one professor and another; I saw some that looked like the excellent ones of the earth, as Da- vid said, in whom was my delight. I saw that they had an excellent spirit and an excellent way, and I delighted in them in their heavenly conversation, and in joining with them in prayer and praise, and I made choice of this people as my companions forever, whether rich or poor, and from that time to this I have had no more inclination to join with the gay and thoughtless, than I now have when almost eighty years old. It was about this time I made a public profession of religion, uniting with the Presbyterian church."
Soon after the commencement of the American Revolution, he entered the army as drummer. He continued in the ser- vice of his country six months, when his health failing he was discharged. He subsequently made a voyage in a. priva- teer. But life in the army and on board the privateer, al- though he acknowledged it unfavorable to the cultivation of religion, did not destroy or even dim the luster of that inner light, which the love of God shed abroad in the soul,-the light which illumined his pathway even down to old age. He was always ready to speak a word in season for Christ, both to old and young, and this united with the purity of his con-
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versation and the correctness of his life, always exerted a sal- utary influence on those about him.
When he returned to his home, he sought every means of mental culture within his reach. The books which particu- larly claimed his attention, were mostly the production of sev- eral eminent English theologians. These with a few histories he studied with avidity and being blessed with a retentive memory, they furnished him stores of mental wealth. He received assistance in his studies from an English lady of supe- rior education and elevated christian character.
Having spent some years in Massachusetts and New York, in 1783, he was married to Miss Deborah Ackley, and settled in East Haddam. Here he united with the Presbyterian church of which his wife was a member. With the pastor, Rev. Mr. Sweatland, he formed an intimate and life-long friend- ship. He continued, however, but a few years with the Pres- byterian denomination. Having been appointed to collect a minister's tax, he was made acquainted with some of the means by which the ministers of those days obtained their support. He found himself clothed with power to take the last mite from the hand of the poor, but his feelings of human- ity would not suffer him to exercise it, and he neglected to col- lect taxes of such persons, and was compelled by the society to pay the taxes from his own property. A religion that must be supported by sacrificing all the better feelings of the heart, had no charms for him. This with a spirit of intoler- ance and persecution which prevailed at that time, and a change in his views of baptism, caused him to join the Bap- tists.
About this time he was visited with a special measure of the spirit of grace and supplication, and soon a number of per- sons in his neighborhood began to inquire what they must do to be saved, and were soon rejoicing in hope.
At this time his mind was much exercised on the subject of preparing himself for the ministry of the Gospel, and in answer to prayer he was soon satisfied that to this he was called. Endowed with a clear and reflecting mind, and having an ardent desire to benefit his fellow men, he prepared himself as well as he could for the ministry, and was ordained when about thirty years of age. A Baptist church was soon form- ed in East Haddam. Covenant meetings were held on each
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Saturday preceding communion. These meetings were near his residence, and as many of the members were poor and came on foot a number of miles, he entertained them over night and on the Sabbath, frequently to the number of seven or eight at a time. Wealth and distinction were not the object of his .ambition. He had no salary, but received only what the people were pleased to give him, which was seldom half sufficient to defray the espense incurred by enter- taining so many persons : still this was his practice for many years. His efforts to do good were not confined to the com- munity in which he lived, he was often called to minister in other and distant towns in his native state, also in Rhode Island, in New York and in Boston. Thus he became ac- quainted with numerous churches and many of the most emi- nent ministers of his day. On these occasions when traveling from place to place, he never neglected to preach Christ and him crucified. At one time he removed with his family to Haddam, where his preaching was attended with a glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and large additions were made to the church. At Essex his labors were greatly blessed. He labored also at Killingworth, (now Clinton, ) as arduously, and in some respects as successfully as at Essex, although here as in some other places he met with considerable opposi- tion. But the mildness and gentleness of his manners towards his opponents frequently disarmed their antagonism and at- tached them to himself. One instance of this kind I have heard related. Several persons who had obtained hope and had presented themselves as candidates for baptism, were as- sembled for the purpose of relating their experience, and among them a Mrs. S-, whose husband was a violent opposer. Just as she was to relate her experience, Mr. S-, rushed into the room and in the most opprobrious and abusive language attacked Elder Dickinson, forbidding him to baptize his wife. Elder Dickinson raised his hand to his eyes and sat silent till the storm in a degree abated, when he withdrew his hand and with a countenance of the utmost sweetness, in a mild and gentle voice, replied, "For the King's commandment was answer him not." Mr. S-, looked disappointed and abashed, and soon left the room. The next day in a kind and gentlemanly manner he led his wife to the water-side, and from that day always manifested towards my father the warm- est friendship.
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In his life he was often called to drink deeply of the cup of affliction, being deprived by death not only of every mein- ber of his father's family, excepting one brother, but also of his beloved companion and four of his children. But what- ever of suffering was allotted as his share, whether of toil, privation, disappointment or sickness, he endured with a christian fortitude and patience, and was enabled in meekness to "kiss the rod." He continued his labors in the ministry and in the workshop, until the infirmities of age gathered thickly upon him, and poor human nature became exhausted.
During a long life, his influence, his counsels, and his kind- ness were felt and acknowledged by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. As he drew near the close of life, he seem- ed to breath the very atmosphere of Heaven, often expressing himself willing to wait his appointed time, yet longing to go home and be with his Jesus. On the 19th of April, 1837, he finished his work and his Father suddenly called him to his rest and his reward. He went down to his grave full of years, respected, beloved, and lamented by all who knew him."
Let us return to the history of the infant church. It had a goodly number of members, but only seventeen of them were males. Some of them were men of considerable means and influence, but with a small and unattractive place of worship, and no settled pastor, they must have felt that they had taken a great work upon them. But when we consider that these brethren and sisters had just come out in the face of opposi- tion, daring to do right for conscience, sake, we can not doubt that they were prepared to bear their crosses, and that it was their joy to sustain their meetings.
With the exception of two years the church had no settled pastor till 1818. Sometimes a minister was hired for six months or more. Among those who labored with the church in that way were Elder Gustavus F. Davis and Elder Hub- bard. Mr. Jared Hayden, often invited preachers here at liis own expense, and any one professing to be a servant of Christ and in fellowship with the Baptists, found a home with brother Sala Post, so that it does not seem that the church was for any long periods destitute of preaching.
July, 1811. The church agreeable to request of their brethren in Killingworth, joined them in setting John Water- house apart by ordination for the ministry, but he was never
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considered as pastor or minister of this church, though he sometimes preached here.
, The church joined the Stonington Association, October 15th, 1811, sending as delegates to the meeting at North Stoning- ton, Sala Post, Lemuel Dickinson, John Waterhouse, William Carter and Gurdon Smith. Number of members reported in the letter was sixty-two.
· The first pastor of the church, Oliver Wilson, was ordained August 12th, 1812. The services were held in the Second Congregational meeting house, and were as follows: Sermon by Elder Samuel West, ordaining prayer and charge by Elder Asa Wilcox. Right hand of fellowship by Elder Dickinson. Laying on of hands by all who took part in the ordination including Elder Willian Witter. Mr. Wilson continued with the church till October 23d, 1814.
During his ministry, three were added to the church by baptism, and three by letter. His ministry was not of a character to increase the outward influence or spiritual life of the church.
January 16th, 1814, Reuben Post was chosen deacon. There had been no deacons appointed before this time, but Reuben Post by general desire of the church had served them in that capacity. The reason for formally appointing a deacon at this time, seems to have been, that he might receive a leg- acy of fifty dollars, left by Miss Betsy Hayden, to the church, in care of the deacons, the interest to be given to their poor. It is still appropriated to this object.
During this year 1814, Mr. Jared Hayden died, and left all his property amounting to $6,443, to the church.
It is proper here that we should do something more than merely mention the name of this benefactor of the church.
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