USA > Connecticut > The records of the General association of ye colony of Connecticut. Begun June 20th, 1738. Ending June 19th, 1799 > Part 1
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Go 974.6 C74r 1385652
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01149 3126
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/recordsofgeneral00gene_0
THE RECORDS
OF THE
GENERAL ASSOCIATION
OF Y"
COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
Begun June 20th, 1738. Ending June 19th, 1799. ·
HARTFORD. CONN .: PRESS OF THE CASE, LOCKWOOD & BRAINARD COMPANY. 1888.
PREFACE.
The General Association of Connecticut, at its meeting in Rock ville, June 21, 1887, appointed Messrs. E. B. Hillard, J. H. Twich ell, and F. S. Hatch a committee to ask the General Conference to publish the manuscript Minutes of the General Association, a copy of which is deposited in Memorial Hall.
At the suggestion of this committee, the General Conference, on the 9th of November following, passed this resolution at its meet. ing in Middletown :
1385652
" Resolved, That it is desirable that the unpublished records of the General Association of Connecticut be published ; and it is hereby ordered that they be published under the superintendence of a committee to be appointed by the General Conference, in such way as it shall provide ; and that a copy of the minutes so pub. lished be furnished to every Congregational minister, and every Congregational church in the State."
Messrs. Lavalette Perrin, William DeL. Love, Jr., and Charles H. Clark, were appointed a committee to execute this resolution.
This committee in consultation agreed upon a literal transcript of the records, retaining as much as possible the peculiarities of the times as indicated by the record book itself, and assigned the labor of preparing for the press, and executing the details of pub- lication, to their chairman.
The result is given in the volume now presented to the churches, and only a few words of explanation are called for in this connection.
Any one who has made the attempt will understand the difficulty of transcribing ancient documents, so as to retain the peculiarities of spelling, puuetnation, and capitals, with other unique items which give the flavor of antiquity to the text, and pay no defer. ence to modern grammatical rules.
As far as possible the editor has endeavored to retain the appear- ance of the old record book in this volume.
1
4
PREFACE.
The Notes, the Index of names, and the Index of topics, are the result of no little care and labor on the part of the editor, and of course are no part of the original Records as found in the Book, but are added to render the volume more available for reference.
While there will be found some errors and defects in the book, it is hoped they are not so numerous or serious as to hinder its usefulness, or provoke needless criticism.
The reader who has the candor to place himself in the circum- stances of the actors, will look in vain through these records for marks of such bigotry as some have attributed to our fathers. On the contrary, the circumstances being duly considered, a sincerity and nobility of character mark the doings here recorded, for which all candid readers will be thankful to God, who gave us such an ancestry.
The churches of the State are indebted to a few liberal individu- als and churches, for the means with which to place these records within the reach of all who desire to consult them. The money thus freely given may be regarded as a tribute to the memory of the fathers, and a boon to coming generations.
Torrington, Aug. 13, 1888.
LAVALETTE PERRIN.
1 738.
At a convention of the General Association of the Colony of Connecticut, at Stratford in the County of Fairfield on the 20th day of June 1738
Present
The Rev.d
(. Mr. William Burnham, Mode. ". Mr. Jacob Hemingway 3. Mr. Samuel Cook 4. Mr. Hezekiah Gold . Mr. Thomas Clap, Seribe 6. Mr. Thomas Ruggles . Mr. Ashbel Woodbridge . Mr. Elnathan Whitman
9. Mr. Ephraim Bostwick 10. Mr. William Hart.
Voted & Resolved, that there shall be a Convention of the General Association of this Colony, consisting of Two Del- egates from each Perticular Association, to meet in the sey- eral Counties successively in the following Order, viz: in the Counties of Fairfield, New Haven, Hartford, Windham & New London, & at such Towns in the said Counties as the Assorin- tion shall from time to time appoint ; on the Third Tuesday in June, annually at eleven of the clock in the forenoon : Whose Work & Business according to our Ancient Constitu- tion & Practice, is & shall be, To take care of & Inspect the General State of Religion, to Promote Unity & Order in our Ecclesiastical Affairs, & to Recommend to the Consider- ation of the Particular Associations such matters & things as they shall Apprehend to be for the General Good. And that the Particular Association in whose Bounds the General
6
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
Association shall be convened, shall appoint a Minister to Preach a Public Lecture upon that Occasion.
Voted, That the Delegates of each perticular Association shall take an Attested Copy of all the Acts which are Passed in each perticular Session of the General Association, & deliver it to cach perticular Association which sent them, to be Recorded or Kept on File. And that the Scribe of the General Association, after he has Entered the Acts of each Session in the Book, shall Convey the Book to the Place where the next General Association is Appointed to be Kept.
This Association having Read & Considered the Rev. Mr. Holmes' Proposals respecting Ecclesiastical affairs, do Recommend the same to the Consideration of the several perticular Associations, & do Desire them to send their Opin- ion upon the said Proposals to the next General Association - Whether would be convenient for the Churches to come into some one or more of them.
A Question Proposed - Whether the Infant Slaves of Christian Masters may be Baptized in their Master's Right : Provided they Suitably Promise and Engage to bring them up in the Ways of Religion ?
Resolved in the Affirmative.
Another Question Proposed - Whether it is the Duty of such Masters to offer such Children & to Promise as afore- said ? Resolved in the Affirmative.
Voted -that it be Recommended to the several perticular Associations to come into a Resolve, That every Candidate for the Ministry, shall pass the Examination & Approbation of the Association after he has had a Call to Settle in any perticular Place within their Bounds, & some suitable time before the Fast previous to the Ordination, & that no Minister shall assist in any Ordination without a Certificate That he has Passed such Examination & Approbation. Unless they have come into such a Resolve already.
Voted That the next General Association shall be at the Rev. Mr. Samuel Whittlesey's of Wallingford in the County of New Haven.
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
NOTES.
1. Rev. William Burnham was pastor of the church in Kensington from 1712 to 1750. Mod' in 1788 at Stratford.
". Rev. Jacob Hemingway was pastor of the church in East Haven from 1711 to 1754. Mod' in 1743 at Fairfield.
3. Rev. Samuel Cook was pastor of the First Church in Bridgeport from 1715 to 1747.
'. Rev. Hezekiah Gold was pastor of the church in Strat- ford from 1720 to 1752.
6. Rev. Thomas Clap was pastor of the church in Wind- ham from 1726 to 1739. He was called from this church to the Presidency of Yale College.
. Rev. Thomas Ruggles was pastor of the First Church in Guilford from 1695 to 1728. & Rev. Thomas Ruggles Jr. from 1729 to 1770. Mod' in 1766 at Guilford & 1767 at Mid."".
1. Rev. Ashbel Woodbridge was pastor of the First Church in Glastenbury from 1728 to 1758.
". Rev. Elnathan Whitman was pastor of the 264, or South Church in Hartford from 1733 to 1777. Mod' in 1772 at Waterbury.
. Rev. Ephraim Bostwick was pastor of the First Church in Greenwich from 1730 to 1746.
10. Rev. William Hart was pastor of the church in Say- brook from 1736 to 1783.
1 740.
Att a Convention of the General Association of the Colony of Connecticut att Hartford June 17th 1740
Present - Mr. Tim Edwards Mod' '
Mr. Sam" Woodbridge ' Mr. Isaac Stiles" Ashb' Woodbridge. Scribe '
The Rev.ª
Mr. Ephr" Little &
Mr. Jonath' Parsons"
Mr. Elisha Kent
(Mr. Will" Gaylord
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
Upon the consideration of y" Importance of Duly qualified Persons being recommended to Preach y" Gospel & put into y" Ministry, and y" dangerous consequence of y" contrary - Voted (for the present) To Recommend to Such particular Associations as do not practice them, the Rules for Examin- ing Candidates for the Ministry agreed upon by ye General Association att their Convention att Fairfield Sept. 4th 1712.
Voted y' for ye preventing of Such Disorders & Difficulties as have already arisen in Some of our Churches, or in case of neglects may hereafter arise - It be earnestly recom- mended to y" partienlar Associations that have not yet come into the practice To Keep close to ye Platform in calling Ecclesiastical Decisive Conneils according to ye 7th Article of the same.
Voted yt the next General Association be att ye Rev. Mr Solomon Williams's at Lebanon on ye 34 Tuesday of June Next att 11 of ye clock A. M.
NOTES.
1. Rev. Timothy Edwards was the pastor of the church in South Windsor from 1695 to 1755. He was the father of Jonathan Edwards, & married the daughter of the Rev. Solo- mon Stoddard. Modr in 1740 at Hartford.
2. Rev. Samuel Woodbridge was pastor of the church in East Hartford from 1705 to 1746.
3. Rev. Isaac Stiles was pastor of the church in North Haven from 1724 to 1760.
4. Rev. Ashbel Woodbridge was pastor of the church in Glastenbury from 1728 to 1758.
6. Rev. Ephraim Little was pastor of the church in Col- chester from 1732 to 1787. He was Modr in 1763 at Lyme.
". Rev. Jonathan Parsons was pastor of the church in Lyme, now Old Lyme, from 1730 to 1745.
1. Rev. Elisha Kent was pastor of the church in Newtown from 1732 to 1743.
". Rev. William Gaylord was pastor of the church in Wil- ton from 1733 to 1765. He was Mod' at Windham in 1751.
9
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
1741.
Att a Convention of the General Association of the Colony of Connecticut at Lebanon in the County of Windham on the 3ª Tuesday of June 1741
Present
Mr. Eleazer Williams, Mod'
2
Mr. Stephen Steel
,
Mr. Solomon Williams
The Revd.
Mr. Thomas White Ephraim Little Scribe
Mr. George Beckwith
Mr. Jonathan Todd
7
Mr. Joseph Bellamy
This Association from what the particular members find among their own people, & from what they hear from Divers parts, being persuaded that there is great reason of thankful- ness to God for an Extraordinary revival of religion in this Land, and being sensible of the great necessity of union, Zeal d' Diligence in the ministry in order to further & carry on that great & good work, Voted to reccommend it to the partienlar Associations to keep up frequent Lectures in their respective parishes, and to interchange their Labors & help with one another for their mutual assistance and encouragement.
And it appearing to us of great Consequence to keep up & maintain a union in their Sentiments in the great Doctrines of Religion, in order to their living Charitably and with Brotherly affection and to prevent hard thoughts & hasty Censures one of another, Voted to Recommend it to the par- ticular Associations to be very free to enform each other of their Sentiments in the great doctrines of Religion, and to endeavor to know whether they are in the same way of thinking on the Calvinissticall Doctrines and particularly on the Doctrine of Justification, and the nature of Conversion 2
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
and Regeneration ; and that they be free in Conversing together on Experimentall Religion and be agreed how far the Christian law of mutual forbearance and Charity ought to extend with respect to these matters. And 'tis desired that the thoughts of each particular Association and the method they shall come into the practice of hereupon, be communicated to the next General Association, in order to a union as far as possible on these heads.
Voted to be recommended to the particular Associations to take it into their Serious Consideration whether there ought not to be more weight laid upon the matters transmitted to them from the General Association than has been usually done heretofore, and whether if due Care was taken about these matters and in attendance upon the meetings of the General Association that might not be more useful and Servicable to the great end of its agreement or Constitution.
Voted that the next General Association be at the Revd Mr. Eliphalet Adam's at New London on the 3d Tuesday of June next at eleven of the clock A.M., But if he cannot con- veniently Receive it, that it be at the Revd. Mr. William Worthington's of Saybrook at the time afore said.
NOTES.
1. Pastor at Mansfield from 1710 to 1742.
2 at Tolland from 1722 to 1758.
3 at Lebanon from 1722 to 1776. .
4
at Bolton from 1725 to 1763.
5
.
at Hamburg in Lyme from 1730 to 1772.
6
at East Guilford from 1733 to 1791.
.
7 at Bethlem from 1738 to 1789.
.
11
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
1 742.
Att a Convention of the General Association of the Colony of Connectientt at New London June 15: 1742
Present
1 Mr. Eliphalett Addams Moderator
3
Mr. Stephen Hosmer
n
Mr. Sam" Dorrance
.
Mr. Benja" Colton Seribe
The Rev. Messrs
Mr. Thomas Ruggles
Mr. Noah Hobart
Mr. Daniel Wadsworth
Mr. Theophilus Hall
Mr. Ephraim Little
The Meeting was opened with Prayer.
This Gen' Association after humble addressing ourselves to God for his blessing upon us, and Direction to be given us in all our Consultations, Being of opinion that the God of all grace has been mercifully pleased to Remember and visit his people by Stiring np Great Numbers among us to a con- cern for their Souls, and to be asking the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, Which we desire to take notice of with Great Thankfulness to God the Father of Mercies.
Being also of the opinion that the great Enemy of Souls who is ever ready with his Devices to Check Damp & Destroy if possible the Work of God, is very busy for that purpose, We think it our duty to advise & Entreat the Ministers & Churches of the Colony, and recommend it to the Severall Associations to Stand well upon their guard in Such a day as this is That no detriment do arise to the interests of our great Lord & Master Jesus Christ -
Particularly that no Errors in Doctrine whether from among ourselves or foreigners, nor disorders in practice do get in among us, or tares be sown in the Lord's Field.
That seasonable and due testimony be borne against such
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
Errors & Irregularities as doe already prevail among some persons, As Particularly the Depending upon & following Impulses & impressions made on the mind as th'o they were immediate Revelations of Some truth, or Duty that is not Reveald in the Word of God - Laying too much Weight upon bodily agitations, Raptures, Extacies, Visions &c - Ministers disorderly intruding into other Minister's parishes - Laymen taking it upon them in an unwarrantable manner publicly to teach and Exhort - Rash Censuring & Judging of others -
That the Elders be careful to take heed to themselves & Doctrine that they may save themselves and those that hear them ; That they Approve themselves in all things as the Ministers of God, by Honor & dishonor, by good Report & evil Report, that none be Lifted up by applause to a vain conceit, nor any be cast down by any contempt thrown upon them to the neglect of their work: And that they study Unity, Love and peace among themselves. - And farther that they Endeavour to heal the unhappy Divisions that are already made in Some churches : and that the like may in the future be prevented.
That a just defference be paid to the laws of the Christian Magistrate : lately made for the Suppression of Disorder
That no countenance be given to such as trouble the Churches, who are according to the Constitution of our Churches under Censure, Suspension or Deposition, Whiether for Errors in Doctrine or Life.
Humbly praying that our Great lord & Master, Jesus Christ who is head over all things to his Church will preserve it in purity & peace : That he will go on Conquoring & to Conquor Till not an Enemy to his Holy Truth & Ways shall be left among us, And that the Lord's Kingdom may come & his Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven -
Voted that the next Meeting of the General Association be at Fairfield At the Rev. Mr. Noah Hobarts on the Third Tuesday of June next at Eleven a Clock Before Noon.
Unanimously voted by the association,
Test Benja : Colton Scribe.
13
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
NOTES.
'. Pastor 1" Church New London from 1708 to 1753.
.. 1ª Church East Haddam from 1704 to 1749.
, at Voluntown & Sterling from 1723 to 1770.
at West Hartford from 1718 to 1754.
at Fairfield from 1733 to 1773.
.. 1ª Church Hartford from 1782 to 1747.
1st Church Meriden from 1729 to 1767.
1 743.
Att a Convention of the Gen" Association of the Colony of Connectientt att Fairfield Jume 21" 1743
Pres' - Mr. Jacob Hemingway Mod. Mr. Sam" Cook
1. Mr. William Russel Scribe
2. Mr. William Worthington
The Revd. 3. Mr. Moses Dickinson
. Mr. Timothy Collins
Mr. Thomas Ruggles
Mr. Noah Hobart
Mr. Ashbel Woodbridge.
The meeting was opened with Prayer. This General Asso- ciation are of opinion that altho'; as it was observed by the Gen" Association Last year that God hath been pleased graciously to visit his people &c Yet thro' the Subtle Devices of Satan and the great Corruption there is in the hearts of men and the Enmity there is in them against Relig- ion in the power & purity of it, there are diverse things w. have a threat'ning aspeet on the Interest of Religion in Gen" in the Land and in this Government in pertienlar for the Removing and preventing of which we Recommend it to the particular Associations that they be very careful
1. that the true and great Doctrines of the Gospel agree- able to our Confession of faith be maintained & preacht up.
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RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
against the Arminian Antinomian and other errors : and that special Care & pains be taken with our youth to Instruct them in the principles of our holy Religion and articles of our faith.
2. to maintain the credit of the ordinances of the Gospel Especially the word of God contained in the holy Scriptures as the outward and ordinary means of Salvation.
3. to maintain the order & Government that Christ hath Established in his visible C'h, and that they do not counte- nance any breaking in upon it: By persons Departing from or neglecting the Worship and Communion of the assemblies and churches to which they belong on a supposition of the ministers or many of the members being unconverted, or in cold dead frames
or by ministers and churches Receiving to Communion those that are under Censure in the Churches to which they belong,
or by ministers going into other minister's parishes and preaching or administering the Seals contrary to the mind of the settled minister of the place
But that they preserve a steady discipline and bear a proper testimony against all imorallities and Impieties yet with such patience & meekness as the nature and circumstances of the cases Require.
And we would Recomend it to our Brethren in the ministry as of great importance to the advancement of the Interest of Christ that they take heed to themselves that they be exam- ples to their flocks in all holy cenversation and godliness.
Voted.
Voted that the next annual meeting of the Gen" associa- tion be at the Rev. Mr. Chauncy's of Durham on the third tuesday of June next at eleven of the clock beforenoon.
NOTES.
1. Pastor 1st Middletown from 1715 to 1761.
2 Westbrook from 1726 to 1756.
3 Norwalk from 1727 to 1765. ·
1ª Litchfield from 1723 to 1752.
15
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
1 744.
Att a Convention of the Gen" Association of the Colony of Connecticutt att Durham June 19: 1744
Pres'
'. Mr. Nathaniel Chauncey Mod
. Mr. Jared Eliot
Mr. William Russell Scribe
Mr. Benjamin Colton
The Revd 3. Mr. Sam" Hall
'. Mr. John Goodsell
s. Mr. Simon Backus Mr. Daniel Wadsworth
Mr. George Beck with
8. Mr. Ebenezer Devotion
The Convention was open'd w'th prayer and the following Resolves and Conclusions were unanimously come into.
Viz : 1. That - Whereas at all times but more Especially at this time Sundry persons Unjustly disaffected to and prejudiced against Either the minister or Ch; or both to which they belong under the Influence of Such disaffection withdraw from their worship & Comunion : and allthough as yet they are under no Censure, Yet we think that other ministers & Che receiving such disaffected persons to privileges Serves to Incourage and Strengthen them in their unjust disaffection & unreasonable Separation w'ch to pre- vent it may be proper that the minister by himself or in Conjunction with some of the Brethren of such C'h from when there is such separation Write to the minister or ministers of such C'h or Ch' to w'h the afores" disaffected members repair for privileges and in a Brotherly & kind manner represent to them the true State of Such members & Che desiring them to discountenance & prevent Such Separations, and in case a minister or ministers so Informed and applied to shall still receive & incourage such persons that then the
16
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
Complainant Lay the matter before the Association to w'ch that minister doth belong that so the Association deal wth him as the nature and circumstances of the case doth require. And Inasnnich as we Judge that such Separations countenanced as abovesd is the source and original of much difficulty and a practice big wth many mischiefs we earnestly recomend the affair to the perticular Associations that in this or some other way they provide against so great an evil that may be by divine blessing soon & easily prevented or cured. And that ministers should be very cantions of enter- taining such dissaffected persons & of hearing & countenance- ing their reports of or against their ministers & Ch".
2. Whither a minister or a number of ministers Entring into any Established parish in this Government & there Gathering a Ch of members that had before disorderly separated themselves from the Ch to wch they belonged, and some of them actually under Ecclesiastical censure, be not matter of offence.
Voted in the Affirmative
3. Whither to require persons perticularly to promise to walk in comunion wth this Ch of Christ into w'ch they Seek admission conscienciously attending and up holding the Public worship of God in this place till regularly dismis' therefrom be a hard or unreasonable term of Comunion.
Resolve in the negative.
And we think it not Advisable to admit a person to Com- union that refuses to Submit to the abovementioned terms.
But Insists on being at Liberty to go to other places when and where he pleases to attend the public worship & ordinances
4. Whither Males in full Comunion being under the age of 21 years have right to vote in C'h affairs ?
Voted that this question be refer'd to the perticular Associations for their Resolves upon it, to be sent in to the next Gen" Association.
Voted that the next Gen" Association be at Newington in the County of Hartford at the Rev.ª Mr. Backus's on the
17
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
third Tuesday of June next at eleven of the clock in the forenoon.
NOTES.
'. Pastor 1" Durham from 1711 to 1756.
1
66 Clinton from 1709 to 1763.
3 Cheshire from 1724 to 1776.
Greenfield from 1726 to 1756.
יי Newington from 1725 to 1745.
.. Scotland from 1735 to 1771.
1 745.
Att a Convention of the General Association of the Colony of Connecticut at Newington in the County of Hartford on the 18th Day of June 1745
Present
The Rev.ª
,
Mr. Benjamin Colton, Mod' Mr. Abraham Nott. Mr. Jacob Eliot. Mr. Ashbel Woodbridge. Mr. Simon Bacchus. Elnathan Whitman, Scribe
Mr. William Gaylord. Mr. Ephraim Avery.
The Meeting was opened with Prayer and the following Resolves were come into.
Whereas there has of late years been many Errors in Doc- trine, and Disorders in Practice, prevailing in the Churches of this Land, which seem to have a threatening aspect upon these Churches ; and whereas Mr. George Whitefield has been the Promoter, or at least the Faulty occasion of many of these Errors and Disorders, this Association think it need- full for them to declare that if the said Mr. Whitefield should make his progress thro' this Goverment, it would by no 3
18.
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
means be advisable for any of our Ministers to admitt him into their Pulpits, or for any of our people to attend upon his Preaching and Administrations.
Voted in the affirmative.
This Association apprehending that Ecclesiastical Dis- cipline has been greatly neglected in our Churches and that the Revival of it, & keeping of it up, is of great Importance to the Welfare of the Churches, would Recommend it to the several particular Associations to consider whether it be not Needful for them to Endeavour to revive and keep up a strict discipline in our Churches according to the Order of the Gospel.
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