USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Norfolk > A brief history of the town of Norfolk [Conn.] from 1738 to 1844 collected from the public records of the town and other correct documents, with the dates accurately annexed. To which is added a description of the town, incidents, list of officers, and other interesting matter > Part 4
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Nov. 3d, the consociation having convened, and a prayer offered by the moderator for direction, on this interesting occasion, a public and frec discussion of the subject before them commenced carly in the afternoon, and continued until 9 o'clock in the evening.
They were addressed by the committees, both of the church and society, giving, by numerous and cogent ar-
36
HISTORY OF THE
guments, reasons why they could not consent to Mr. Emerson's dismission. On the other side, Mr. Banister, an agent sent from the Andover institution, being pre- sent, he, with our committees, each in their turn, ad- dressed the consociation with energy and pathos; pleading for and against his dismission; Mr. Banister pleading for liberty to place him in that institution, according to his appointment. After a patient attention to the several addresses mentioned, and to remarks made on the question before them, offered by the cler- gymen and laymen who composed the consociation, they found much embarrassment on the ground of legal right to dismiss Mr. Emerson, as a mutual contract was entered into, and still existing with his people, and in undisputed operation. At this stage of their proceed- ings, a motion was made to appoint a committee of overtures, to consist of three clergymen and two lay- men ; they were accordingly appointed and directed to draft a resolution on the subject before the meeting, and report the next day.
November 4th, they again met, and requested the committee of overtures to report; having the precau- tion to close the doors before the doings of said com- mittee were declared. The result of their deliberations was, a resolve in favor of dismissing Mr. Emerson. The consociation then entered on an animated discus- sion of the merits of the case; the result was a rejection or non-acceptance of their report. A second committee was then appointed, consisting of one clergyman and one layman; they were directed further to investigate the subject, and report to the consociation. The result was a resolve decidedly against Mr. Emerson's dismission, which report was accepted and approved of by the con- sociation, and decided accordingly.
The choir of singers were collected at the meeting- house for the purpose of practising, as were the people who assembled on this occasion, anxiously waiting the final result. They were notified that the consociation were ready publickly to declare their decision, and were on their way from the conference-room to the meeting-
37
TOWN OF NORFOLK.
house. The moment they began to walk up the broad aisle, the choir commenced singing, accompanied with the organ in its loftiest tone, the anthem, "Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel." The members of the consociation and the people who were collected on the occasion stood as thy entered their seats, and some continued in the aisle until the anthem closed ; they then took their seats, and the scribe read the proceedings of the consociation and the final result of their deliberations. The scribe then closed with prayer, after declaring their decision, that they could not dismiss Mr. Emerson from his people. The choir then rose, and with an elevated voice, chant- ed the doxology, " Praise God, from whom all bless- ings flow," at the close of which the congregation dis- persed and went to their homes to carry the joyful tidings.
The minds of this people were; for a few days, quiet, and Mr. Emerson, as on a former and similar occasion, cheerfully, as it appeared, continued to perform his pa- rochial duties. Hope, though, dashed with fear, was en- tertained that his recent call would be no further urged, and that we should for years enjoy his very acceptable labors. Nothing further was heard from Andover in- stitution by the people generally, but it was known by some that Mr. Emerson received frequent communica- tions from that board.
Sabbath, November 15th, at the close of divine service Mr. Emerson, addressing, with tender affection, the be- loved church and people of his charge, communicated the following : "I have just received a renewal of the application for my removal to the theological seminary at Andover. In view of it, the request which I feel bound in duty to make is extremely trying to my. heart, un- speakably more so than if I could truly say, you had become less the object of respect and affection than in days that are past. Gladly would I be delivered from this hour, but it cannot be. It is not that I regard you less, but that I regard the cause of Christ more, that I again disturb you on so delicate a question. My request is as brief as it is comprehensive, viz., that in a spirit of
38
HISTORY OF THE
Christian love, you would consent to the dissolution of my present pastoral relation, or at least to a reference of this question to the decision of the consociation ; some reasons were then given for urging this request.
A church and society-inceting was then warned to meet November 19th. The public mind was again agi- tated; but, by reason of this renewed claim to a further consideration of the subject, and Mr. Emerson's desires being, at this time, clearly and decidedly expressed re- specting it, the result of the subsequent meetings, both of the church and society, showed that they were not pre- pared, as on a similar occasion, to oppose him.
November 19th, 1829, the ecclesiastical society met, and proceeded to act on the question of Mr. Emer- son's dismission. After suitable time was spent in con- versing freely on the subject, a memorial was read by Mr. Emerson, stating his reasons for urging his present claim, and other matter relating to the question under consideration ; a document full of interest, and calcula- ted to calm the mind as to the course pursued by him in this trying case. This was addressed to the church and society connected, and after deliberating for a short time, the society first, and then the church, voted with unanimity to accede to the request of their pastor in call- ing a council. A council was accordingly mutually cho- sen, consisting of five clergymen, all of whom were mem- bers of the late meeting of the consociation ; these were authorized to act definitively on the question of Mr. Emerson's dismissal from his pastoral relation to this people.
.
Tuesday, November 24th, 1829, the day fixed for the council to meet, four of the council appointed con- vened, the church and society were assembled, the neces- sary communications were laid before them by the pas- tor. After a serious and careful attention to the several documents relating to the subject, were presented, and to various facts related by the pastor and the several committees, the unanimity, both of the church and society in acceding to Mr. Emerson's request, was very evi-
٠٠٠ ٠٥ جده .٤
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TOWN OF NORFOLK.
dent. No opposition appearing, they proceeded formally to dismiss Mr. Emerson from his pastoral charge over this people, which was done by a unanimous vote.
Sabbath, November 29th, in the afternoon Mr. Emer- son delivered a very appropriate and pathetic farewell discourse. In the introductory part of it, he presented some statistical estimates regarding the church, which may be interesting to the reader. Some of them were taken from Mr. Robbins' records of the church du- ring his ministry, also in the interim from his death to Mr. Emerson's settlement, and down to the present time, 1829.
From Mr. Robbins' settlement, in 1761, to his death, in 1813 :
The number of baptisms was
- 1297
Admissions to the church,
- 553
Deaths, greater part infant children, 794
From Mr. Robbins' death, to the settlement of Mr. Emerson :
Baptisms, 29 adults, 34 children, -
63
Admissions, by letter and profession, - 101
Deaths, -
34
Since Mr. Emerson's settlement over this church and society :
Baptisms, 61 adults, 283 children, - 344
Admissions by letter and profession, 257
Deaths, aside from infants, 85 males, 85 females, 208, in all.
The whole number, since the church was organized, stands thus :
Baptisms,
1704
Members of the church,
- 913
Deaths, - - present number, - 350
1002
Mr. Emerson remarked, that, of the whole number who have joined this church by profession, nearly 3 to 1 were the fruit of revivals. He also remarked, that, during the period of his connection with this church, "We have enjoyed great harmony, in religious doctrines and practice, and there has been little to molest or to make us afraid."
After addressing, separately, the aged, the middle-
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HISTORY OF THE
aged, the youth and children, the church, the parisli. the choir of singers, and those persons he must leave in an impenitent state, he bade the whole congregation of his people an affectionate farewell. December 2d, 1829, he left Norfolk, to go and labor in another part of the vineyard of his Divine Master.
In 1829, a. temperance society was instituted and organized; a goodly number subscribed and submit- ted to its regulations. In the course of that year, several meetings of the society were held, and the number of subscribers greatly increased. In 1830, the society purchased, by subscription, tracts on the intemperate use of ardent spirits, a number sufficient to distribute to every family in town; they were well written, and calculated to promote the object of their publication.
1830, May 17th, the ecclesiastical society and church, having had the ministerial services of the Rev. John A. Albro for six Sabbaths, were allowed to consider him as a candidate for settlement, by permission of his people in Chelmsford. After he returned home, the society assembled for the purpose of giving him a call, to unite with this people in the capacity of a gospel minister. A very respectable majority appeared in the affirmative, and a salary of $600 annually was voted for his services, if he accepted the call. The church delayed acting in the case, until June 3d, at which time they voted, almost unanimously, to unite with the society in giving him a call. The result of the meeting was soon comunicated to Mr. Albro, and the people waited for his answer with anxiety. June 11th, we received a communication from him, stating his situation in relation to his people, whose exertions, during his absence, had been great, and they were likely to be able to render a good sup- port and respectable accommodations for their pastor. For those reasons he declined accepting a call from us. Thus the society was disappointed, and another candidate sought for.
1830, October 11th. Mr. John Mitchel, having preach- ed to this congregation several Sabbaths, the church and society met for the purpose of eliciting the minds
---
.
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TOWN OF NORFOLK.
of the people, respecting giving him a call. The society exhibited a large majority in the affirmative, and voted a salary of $650. The church, when called to act by themselves, voted unanimously to concur with the society in giving him a call permanently to reside with them as their gospel minister. The result of our proceedings was, after some delay, communicated to Mr. Mitchel. The society was again disappointed. During this interval, this congregation was destitute even of a supply for the pulpit, several weeks having elapsed before Mr. Mitchel received an official communication from us. In the meantime, the people of Fair-Haven, (where he preached previous to his coming here,) anxious to procure him, met, and unanimously voted to give him a call to settle with. them. Our communi- cation not having reached him in due season, he accept- ed their invitation ; and, November 14th, Mr. Mitchel's answer was read to the congregation, declining to accept our call.
1831, April 26th, the ecclesiastical society, by a unanimous vote, counting 103, gave Mr. Theophilus Smithi a call to settle over this church and society as their gospel minister, offering him an annual salary of $650, should he accept our call. The people waited with anxiety for a decided answer from him. Mean- while a correspondence took place, respecting the practicability of obtaining a convenient place where he might accommodate a family, choosing rather to hire than to purchase; no place was found to meet his wishes. June 18th, 1831, a letter was received from him, declining an acceptance of our invitation. This . was the third attempt we had made to procure the stated ministration of gospel ordinances, since Mr. Emerson's dismission.
August 16th, a four-days' meeting for religious ser- vices commenced, performed by neighboring minis- ters. They were peculiarly interesting and solemn. A very small proportion of the exercises were new, and calculated to excite curiosity, but might be said to be an extraordinary use of ordinary means. The
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HISTORY OF THE
assembly was numerous, attentive and solemn. Four or five weeks previous to this meeting, a revival of religion had commenced, and was progressing, in the north-west part of the town ; several persons were hope- fully converted. And at this time there were some favorable appearances in several parts of the town ; some few drops of the approaching shower were no- ticed. We were soon blessed with a copious effusion of divine grace, which, though of short continuance, resulted in the hopeful conversion of quite a number of persons of various ages. Sabbath, Nov. 6th, fifty-seven were added to the church by profession, twenty-seven of them were baptized. Sabbath, February 12, six more united, one of them was baptized. The protracted meet- ing was considered blessed by the great Head of the church, as a means of good to the people of this place, and future happy results were anticipated. The number of communicants gradually decreased by emigration. There were at this time 349 resident members in this church, and 31 abroad, who were not as yet dismissed.
1831, November 8th, the temperance society in this town met, and were favored by Esquire Frost with an animated and appropriate address, calculated to rouse the attention of his audience to his favorite subject : 81 subscribers were at this time added to the society, making in the whole, at this time, about 340 members ; the number was considerably increas- ed by subsequent exertion. All the venders of spirits in this town, except one, refused to replenish their stores, and the taps, through which hogsheads of it had run, were now dry. The distillers suffered their fires to go out. Cider was made only, to supply the table and for a few domestic uses.
1831, December 11th, Mr. Joseph Eldridge preached his first sermon to us, he continued with us several Sabbaths, preaching on probation. 1832, January 23d, the ecclesiastical society met, and voted to give Mr. Eldridge a call to settle over this society as their gos- pel minister : yeas, 87 ; nays, 2. They also voted to give him a salary of $650 annually, for his services. The
43
TOWN OF NORFOLK.
church met immediately after, and voted unanimously to concur with the society in giving Mr. Eldridge a call. The doings of the church and society were communi- cated to him. February 12th, his letter of acceptance was read to the congregation. The society anticipated, with anxiety and deep interest, the arrival of our ex- pected pastor, and of the time agreed upon by the par- ties for his ordination, when the stated ministration of gospel ordinances should again be established. April 25th, Mr. Eldridge was ordained ; sermon by the Rev. Dr. Taylor, of New Haven. An important era in the history of this town.
1836, the general association of Connecticut met in this town. Delegates from other associations and agents from various benevolent societies attended with them. They assembled June 21st, at 11 o'clock, A. M., at the church and organized. 2 o'clock, P. M., Rev. Mr. Cal- houn, of Coventry, (the moderator,) preached the sermon for the occasion ; he presided in most of the meetings. In the evening, the Connecticut education society, auxili- ary to the American education society, was called to act. The treasurer reported, and read the general re- port. They were addressed by Rev. Mr. Bacon, of New Haven, Rev. Mr. Kirk, of Albany, and Rev. Dr. Beecher, of Lane seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio. June 22d, 2 o'clock, P. M., met for divine worship ; Mr. Kirk offered the first prayer; Dr. Beecher delivered a very animated and appropriate discourse ; after which, the Lord's supper was administered. In the evening, the Connec- ticut home missionary society, auxiliary to the A. H. M. society, met ; the reports were read, the society was addressed by Rev. Mr. Lathrop, of Salisbury, and by Dr. Beecher. June 23d, 10 o'clock, A. M., the children belonging to the Sunday school assembled, and were seated together each side of the broad aisle-an interesting scene. Prayer by Rev. F. L. Robbins ; the church and parents were addressed by Rev. Mr. Beckwith, and the scholars by Mr. Kirk, in a manner peculiarly calculated to gain their attention, impress their minds, give instruction, and excite them to
! i i
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HISTORY OF THE
persevere in learning the scriptures, which they have the privilege of possessing at a cheap rate, and without fear. At half-past 1 o'clock, P. M., Mr. Pinney, gover- nor of Liberia, Africa, addressed a crowded audience, stating their situation, circumstances, and claims ; their future prospects, should suitable aid be afforded them and native missionaries and teachers be raised up to in- struct them. In the evening, the Norfolk temperance so- ciety met, and were addressed by Rev. Mr. Kirk, in his most animated and luminous style. The association had closed their session at 5 o'clock, P. M. The association of Connecticut met here for the first time, June, 1800.
In 1839, an academical school was instituted, by form- ing a company and organizing it for the purpose of its future regulation. Their first teacher was Rev. John F. Norten. In 1840, they proceeded to erect a building for the purpose, which was completed and dedicated August 31st, 1840 ; cost $2000. The school commenced operation in the new building with encouraging pros- pects.
In 1841, the members of the methodist episcopal church, residing in this town and its vicinity, erected a house east of the centre burying-ground, and dedicated it to the worship of God, where they might enjoy the institutions and ordinances of religion. Its form and size is well proportioned and convenient, its finishing is neat, and calculated suitably to impress the mind of the devout worshipper.
In 1844, which was calculated, as near as could be, as the centennial year of the town,* Dr. Thomas Robbins gave us a centennial address on the occasion. He intro- duced his address by saving, that the very recent notice he had received, and the short time for examining records relating to the history of Norfolk, was his apology for not being better prepared for the occasion. He, how- ever, addressed us in his usual energetic and interesting manner.
* N.B. In 1744, the settlement began near the Ives place, towards Canaan.
:
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TOWN OF NORFOLK.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
AFTER reading with attention the foregoing history of the past transactions of the inhabitants of this town, if we were to give a general character of our pre- decessors, would it be too much to say :-
That union of sentiment, civil, political, and ecclesias- tical, has been a characteristic and predominant fea- ture in their proceedings. Firm friends of liberty and good order ; ardent in petitioning for redress or favor, but not clamorous ; very tenacious of their rights, but not litigious,-if drawn into it, it was with reluctance, but, when engaged in it, inflexible and persevering. They were economical, but not penurious ; frugal, but not mi- serly ; free to declare their sentiments on any subject, but not dogmatical ; firm, yet open to conviction ; religious, but not superstitious ; conscious of their general know- ledge and information, but not pedantic ; industrious, but ever ready to drop the implements of labor and resort to the scenes of amusement, of collections for public busi- ness, or the more interesting seasons of social divine worship on the days designed for labor ; and devoutly assembling on the Sabbath. They were zealously en- gaged in establishing useful and religious institutions, and laying a foundation for the improvement and happiness of their posterity.
46
HISTORY OF THIE
ROMANTIC AND EXTENSIVE VIEWS.
ON Colebrook road, cast of the Wilcox pond, look east- erly-scattered dwellings, extensive; cultivated fields. The view meets the horizon. On old Goshen road, hill south of. Thomas Moses', look north-west-a distant view into Sheffield, see surrounding mountains and hills ; look to the right and left ; near Capt. Renben Brown's, look south, south-west, and south-east ; a distant and wild view ; the scenery is specked with remote habitations of busy men. Near Asa Dutton's, look north and north-west, west to south-west ; ascend the mountain east of Mr. Dutton's, and you will have an extended and sublime view. Forty or fifty rods west of Eber Burr's, look north-west, west and south-west ; the view is beautiful and sublime. A little cast of Samuel S. Camp's, look north-west, a distant view into Sheffield, with mountains on each side of the range of sight, and lofty ones inter- cepting the view to the north-west ; look east, the centre of the town, with buildings and church spire rising above the surrounding trees. On the hill westerly of the Akins house, look north-west ; an extensive view into Canaan, Sheffield and Egremont, the Housatonic mountains tow- ering west of Sheffield; look casterly, you have a plea- sant view of the centre and parts contiguous. On what is called the Burr mountain, in various places, the pros- pect is very sublime, beautiful and extensive; walk to the rock, called by some the Meteoric rock, near the height south of James Swift's, see it resting on the sur- face of a smooth rock, having crushed loose stones lying between them, leaving a space under it sufficient to shel- ter several sheep.
.
47
TOWN OF NORFOLK.
SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND TRANSACTIONS.
The town of Norfolk was first sold at Middletown, 1742
The settlement first began, on the road towards Canaan, 1744
The road opened from Torringford to Canaan, - 1745
First child born in Norfolk, son of Cornelius Brown,
Second sale of Norfolk at Middletown, 1745
The town was incorporated, seventeen families had settled,
1758
The first town-meeting held, forty-four legal voters,
1758
Rev. Mr. Treat preached the first sermon in Norfolk,
1758
Rev. Mr. Peck was hired to preach,
1759
Agreed to build a meeting-house, 1759 Applied to the assembly for a land-tax, for preaching, 1759
A book procured for recording deeds, 1759
First grand list made out, a tax of £50 laid, 1759
Applied for a land-tax, to the assembly, for meeting-house, etc., 1759
Rev. Mr. Wetmore hired to preach, -
1759
A meeting-house, 40 by 50, erected and covered, Robert Grundy, architect, 1759
Voted to call Mr. Wetmore for our pastor-failed,
1760
Invited Mr. Ives to preach, and gave him a call, 1760
The church first gathered, twenty-three members,
Rescinded the vote respecting the call of Mr. Ives, 1760
1761
Invited Mr. A. R. Robbins to preach to us on probation, -
1761
First church-meeting -gave Mr. Robbins a call,
1761
The Lord's supper first administered to this church,
1761
Number of families in town sixty, and soon seventy,
1761
Mr. Robbins ordained .- A public library collected, -
1751
Agreed to pay Mr. Robbins in produce, appraised, 1767
A revival of religion occurred, ten were added, 1767
1768
Selectmen empowered to sell school-lands, 1770
1769
Parsonage-land sold -Meeting-house dignified and seated, Centre burying-ground purchased,
1774
Road opened from meeting-house to Beech flats, Highway districts located, 1774
1774
Mr. Robbins absent as chaplain in the army,
1776
Fifty-six persons died of camp distemper-next year thirty-eight died, 1777
Voted to provide for the families of the three-years' men, 1777
Town first represented in the general assembly, 1777
Burgoyne's army passed through this town, as prisoners of war, - 1777
Committee appointed to fix a price for all dealing, 1778
Probate district of Norfolk established, - - 1779
If ten, or even three families, set up a school, town will pay, -
1754
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HISTORY OF THE
Town clerk ordered to publish intentions of marriage, - 1779
The smallpox in town-a pest-house established, - 1780
Parsonage and school lands leased for 999 years, secured, 1780
First constable ordered to publish intentions of marriage, - 1782 Militia of this town divided into three companies, 1782
Mr. Robbins went on a mission, eight months, 1783
A revival of religion occurred, fifty-two members added, 1783
Highway districts established-surveyors appointed, 1784
Five wolves were killed on Haystack mountain, 1787
Shade-trees set around the centre green, 1791
Mr. Robbins' salary set at €90 .- Went on a mission, - 1795
School society organized, and business transferred, - 1796
Legacy of £45 given by Isaac HI olt, jun., interest for schooling, 1798
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