USA > Connecticut > A complete history of Connecticut, civil and ecclesiastical, from the emigration of its first planters, from England, in the year 1630, to the year 1764; and to the close of the Indian wars > Part 3
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Com- Inence- ment at New-Ha- ven, Sept. 12, 1718.
ON the 12th of September, there was a splendid com- mencement at New-Haven. Exclusive of the trustees, there were present, the honourable Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq. Governor of Connecticut, the honourable William Taylor, Esq. as representing Governor Yale, the honourable Na- than Gould, Esq. deputy Governor, several of the Assist- 'ants and Judges of the circuit, a large body of the clergy, and numerous spectators.
The col- lege named in honor to
THE trustees impressed with a sense of Governor Yale's great generosity, called the collegiate school Y ALE COLLEGE, and entered a memorial of it upon record in the words fol- lowing : " GENEROSISSIMA, honoratissimi Domini ELINIU Gov. Yale. YALE Armigeri, donatione, vigilantes scholæ academicæ, in splendido Novi Portus Connecticutensis oppido constitutæ, Curatores, ædificium collegiale inceptum erectumque perfi- cere capaces redditi, honorem tali tantoque Mæcenati patro- noque debitum animo gratissimo meditantes, memoriamque tanti beneficii in hanc præcipue coloniam collati, in omne ævum modo optimo perducere studiosi : Nos Curatores, negotii tanti in commune præsertim hujus provincia populi bonum, momenti cura honorati, omothumadon consentimus, statuimus, et ordinamus, nostras ædes academicas patroni munificentissimi, nomine appellari, atque YALENSE COLLE- GIUM nominari : ut hæc provincia diuternum viri adeo gene- rosi, qui, tanta benevolentia tantaque nobilitate, in commo- dum illorum maseimum propriamque incolarum et in præ- senti et futuris sæçulis utilitatem consuluit, monumentum retineat et conservet."
It may berendered in English in the following manner, viz. THE trustees of the Collegiate school, constituted in the
29
CONNECTICUT.
CHAP. I.
splendid town of New-Haven, in Connecticut, being ena- Book II. bled by the most generous donation of the Honorable ELIHU YALE, Esq. to finish the college house already 1718. begun and erected, gratefully considering the honor due to such and so great a Benefactor and Patron, and being desirous, in the best manner, to perpetuate to all ages, the memory of so great a benefit, conferred chiefly on this colony : We the trustees having the honor of being intrust- ed with an affair of so great importance to the common good of the people, especially of this province, do with one consent agree, determine and ordain that our College House shall be called by the name of its munificent Pat- ron, and shall be named YALE COLLEGE : That this Pro- vince may keep and preserve a lasting monument of such a generous Gentleman, who by so great benevolence and generosity, has provided for their greatest good, and the peculiar advantage of the inhabitants, both in the present and future ages.
ON the morning of the commencement, this testimonial Transac- of generosity and gratitude was published with solemn tions at pomp, in the college hall, both in Latin and English. The mence- com- procession then moved to the meeting house, and attended ment. the public exercises of the day. In addition to the usual exercises at the commencement, the Rev. John Daven- port, one of the trustees, delivered a florid oration in cele- bration of the generosity of Governor Yale, and its happy influence on their infant school. The honorable Gov. Sal- tonstall, was pleased to crown the public exercises with an elegant Latin Oration, in which he expatiated upon the happy state of the college, as fixed at New-Haven, and en- dowed with so many noble benefactions. He particular- ly celebrated the generosity of Governor Yale, with pecu- liar respect and honor.
At this commencement eight young gentlemen received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and a number were admit- ted to the degree of Masters.
ON the same day on which the commencement was hol- Com- den with so much celebrity at New-Haven, a dissatisfied mence- party held a kind of commencement at Weathersfield, in the presence of a large number of spectators. Five scho- field. lars, who were originally of the same class with those who now received their degrees at New-Haven, performed pub- lic exercises. Mr. Woodbridge moderated, and he with Mr. Buckingham, and other ministers present, signed cer- tificates, expressing their opinion, that they were worthy of the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Mr. Woodbridge, in a formal manner, gave them these certificates in the meet-
ment at
Weathers -
30
HISTORY OF
CHAP. I.
Book II. ing house ; and this was commonly taken and represented as giving their degrees.
1718. Soon after the commencement, the trustees sent a com- Letters of plaisant letter of thanks to Governor Yale, expressing the thanks to benefac- tors. deep sense which they had of his generosity, and certify- ing him of all the transactions at the commencement. They also sent a letter of thanks to their great friend and bene- factor, Jeremiah Dummer, Esq. for his late donation of books ; they also forwarded another to General Nichol- son, for his donation of books in Mr. Dummer's collec- tion.
Remarks on the transac- tions at THE conduct of the two trustees, Woodbridge and Buck- ingham, in holding a commencement and giving degrees at Weathersfield, could be considered in no other point oflight, Weathers- than that of a great misdemeanour, and highly reprehen- sible. It was a direct violation of the acts of the trustees and the resolutions of the General Assembly, totally in- consistent with their duty as trustees, and calculated in its whole tendency, to keep up division and disorder in the college and in the colony. The scholars, by withdraw- ing themselves from the government and instruction of the college, had little claim to its honors. This transaction, indeed was such, in the whole view of it, as at once strik- ingly to exhibit the weakness and fallibility of wise and good men, and how greatly they may fall in an hour of temptation. But whatever was the criminality of this transaction, or whatever opinions the trustees or legislature might form concerning it, such were the divisions in the colony, such the heat and agitation of men's spirits, that it was judged expedient to let it pass without public repre- hension, and to adopt the most condescending and con- ciliatory measures. Mr. Woodbridge and Mr. Bucking- ham, were men of important characters,.and their influence in the colony was very considerable.
IT was the desire of the legislature and trustees, as far as possible to conciliate their friendship towards the college, and towards themselves, and to quiet the minds of their party.
WHEN the General Assembly came together, in October, they therefore passed the following resolutions, to compose the difficulties which had arisen on account of the es- tablishment of the college at New-Haven, and to effect a good agreement among the trustees, and in the colony in general.
1. " That the annual salary allowed out of the public treasury to the collegiate school, for the year past, shall be distributed to the tutors at New-Haven, Weathersa
Oct. 9, 1718. Resolu- tions of the As- sembly.
feld.
31
CONNECTICUT.
CHAP. I.
field and Saybrook, in proportion to the scholars under Book II. their tuition."
2. " That the scholars who performed their exercises at 1718. Weathersfield, shall have their degrees at New-Haven, without further examination ; and that all scholars entered at the school in Weathersfield, shall be admitted to the same standing in the school at New-Haven."
3. " That there shall be 500 pounds allowed for the building of a State House at Hartford, which money shall be procured by the sale of land belonging to this colony, and shall be put into the hands of such committee as the Assembly shall appoint for that use : and it is ordered, that the scholars at Weathersfield, shall come down to New-Haven."
4. " That 50 pounds be procured by the sale of such lands as above said, and given to the town of Saybrook, for the use of the school in said town."
5. " That the Governor and council, at the desire of the trustees of said college, shall give such orders as they shall think proper, for the removing of the books, belonging to the said college, left at Saybrook, to the library provided for the placing of them at New-Haven."
6. " That the several particulars above mentioned, that relate to the said college, be recommended by the Govern- or and Council, to the trustees of the said school, for their observation : and that said college be carried on, promoted and encouraged at New-Haven, and all due care taken for its flourishing."*
THE trustees came fully into the measures recommend- Vote of ed by the General Assembly. They ordered, " that if the trus- any of those five scholars should produce to the rector, a tees. testimony under the hands of any two of the trustees, of their having been approved as qualified for a degree, the rectoi', upon easy and reasonable terms, should give them a Diploma in the usual form, and that their names should be inserted in the class as they were at first placed."t This was finally accomplished, and the consequences were happy.
UPON the previous desire of the trustees, the Governor The books and Council met at Saybrook, in December following, and removed granted a warrant to the sheriff, authorising him to deliver from Say- the books to the trustees : But notwithstanding the pacific brook, to New-Ha- measures which the legislature had adopted, there was op- ven. position to the removal of them. The sheriff when he came to the house where they had been kept, found it filled and surrounded with men, determined to resist him. He, with
* Records of Connecticut, vol. v. Oct. 1718.
President Clay's History of Yale College, p. 27, 28
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HISTORY OF
CHAP. 1.
Book II. his attendants, nevertheless forcibly entered the house, and delivered the books according to his orders, and they were 1718. conveyed to New-Haven : but such was the resistance and confusion attending the transaction, that about two hundred and fifty of the most valuable books and several important papers, were conveyed away by persons unknown, and no discovery could ever be made of them.
The oppo- AFTER this unhappy struggle, the heat of men's spirits sition sub- began to subside, and a general harmony was gradually in- sides. troduced among the trustees, and in the colony. Mr. Wood- bridge and Mr. Buckingham, became entirely friendly to the college at New-Haven, and exerted themselves to pro- mote its interests. The trustees, some time after, as a tes- timony of their esteem of Mr. Woodbridge, appointed him rector pro tempore, and in 1723, he moderated and gave the degrees.
increase.
The repu- tation and numbers of THE college, thus fixed at New-Haven, enriched with benefactions, and accommodated with a large and beauti- the college ful house, began to flourish, and was much more to be no- ticed in the learned world, than it had been in its former obscure and scattered condition. The number of students in- creased to about forty. These were under the tuition and gov~ ernment of twotutors; andas the college was now in the vicin- ity of Milford, was more frequently visited, and more under the eye of Mr. Andrew, than it had ever before been. It however, yet laboured under many inconveniences. In that state of disorder which had been in the colony, and espe- cially among the students of the college, they had very much lost a spirit of subordination, and contracted such dis- orderly and vicious habits, as could not, at once, be wholly. suppressed. The college greatly needed a resident rec- tor, by whose wisdom and experience, and a more uniform and energetic government, those irregularities might be eradicated, and better morals, and a greater degree of or- der and studiousness be introduced.
March, 1719. Mr. Cut- ler chosen Rector.
THE trustees wishing to remove all inconveniences and to put the college under the best advantages, convened the next year in March, and made choice of the Rev. Timothy Cutler of Stratford, to be the resident rector until their next meeting. He came almost directly to New-Haven, and en- tered on the instruction and government of the college. When the trustees met at the next commencement, they September voted, " That Mr. Cutler's service hitherto, in the place 1720. of a Rector, was to their good satisfaction, and therefore they desired him to continue in it."
WHILE the trustees were attempting to put the college upon the best establishment, the legislature had enacted for
CHAP. I.
CONNECTICUT.
33
their encouragement, that 300 pounds worth of new lands Book II. should be sold, and that 40 pounds annually should be paid to the instructors for the term of seven years.
1722.
To make compensation to the people of Stratford, for the removal of their minister, the trustees agreed to give them Mr. Cutler's house and home lot, which they purchased for 84 pounds sterling. To accommodate Mr. Cutler and his family, at New-Haven, they built the rector's house, which, with the lands on which it was erected, cost them 260 pounds sterling.
RECTOR CUTLER was popular, acceptable to the legisla- ture and the clergy, and the students were quiet under his instructions and government. The college appeared now to be firmly established, and in a flourishing and happy state. But, from a quarter entirely unexpected, it suffer- ed a sudden and great change. At the commencement, it was discovered, that the rector, and Mr. Brown, one of the Rector tutors, had embraced episcopacy, and that they and two hraces of the neighbouring ministers, Mr. Johnson of West-Ha- Episcopa- ven, and Mr. Wetmore of North-Haven, had agreed to re- cy. nounce the communion of the churches in Connecticut, and to take a voyage to England and receive episcopal ordi- nation. Scarcely any thing could have been more surpris- ing to the trustees, or the people in general, as they had no suspicions that the rector was inclining to episcopacy, as there was no episcopalian minister fixed in the colony, and as very few of the laity were inclined to that persua- sion.
GOVERNOR SALTONSTALL was a great man, and well vers- Governor ed in the episcopal controversy, and the tradition has been, Salton- that he judged it of such general importance, in the then circumstances of the colony, that the point should be well understood, that he publicly disputed it with Mr. Cutler, at the commencement, and that he was judged by the clergy and spectators in general, to have been superior to him as to argument, and gave them much satisfaction relative to the subject. It was supposed that several other gentlemen of considerable character among the clergy, were in the scheme of declaring for episcopacy, and of carrying over the people of Connecticut in general, to that persuasion. But as they had been more private in their measures, and had made no open profession of episcopacy, when they saw the consequences with respect to the rector and the other ministers, that the people would not hear them, but dis- missed them from their service, they were glad to conceal their former purposes, and to continue in their respective. places.
Cutler em?
stall dis- putes him
3.4
HISTORY OF
CHAP. L
Oct. 17th, 1722.
Book I !. Tus trustees at the commencement, passed no resolve. relative to the rector, but gave themselves time to know the 1722. the general opinion of the people, and to consult the legis- lature on the subject. But, meeting in October, while the Assembly were in session at New-Haven, they came to the following resolutions ; " 'That the trustees, in faithfulness to " the trust reposed in them, do excuse the Rev. Mr. Cutler " from all further services as rector of Yale College : That " the trustees accept of the resignation which Mr. Brown " hath made as tutor." Voted, "That all such persons as " shall hereafter be elected to the office of rector or tutor in " this college, shall before they are accepted therein, before " the trustees, declare their assent to the confession of faitlı " owned and assented to by the elders and messengers of " the churches in this colony of Connecticut, assembled by " delegation at Saybrook, September 9, 1708 : and con- " firmed by act of the General Assembly : and shall par- "ticularly give satisfaction to them, of the soundness of " their faith, in opposition to Arminian and prelatical cor- "ruptions, or of any other of dangerous consequence to " the purity and peace of our churches : But if it cannot " he before the trustees, it shall be in the power of any two " trustees, with the rector, to examine a tutor, with respect " to the confession and soundness of his faith, in opposi- " tion to such corruptions." They also voted, " That up- " on just ground of suspicion of the rector's or tutor's in- " clination to Arminian or prelatic principles, a meeting of " the trustees shall be called, as soon as may be, to exam- " ine into the case."
MR. CUTLER and Mr. Brown, having been thus dismiss- rd from their services at the college ; and Mr. Johnson a- bout the same time, having been dismissed from his pasto- ral relation, soon after went to England, with a view to re- ceive episcopal ordination. They all receivedholy orders. While they were in England, they visited the universities, and were received by the vice chancellor of each and the heads of houses with peculiar marks of esteem. Mr. Cut- ler had the degree of Doctor in Divinity conferred upon him, and Mr. Johnson that of Master of Arts in both uni- versities .* Dr. Cutler returned in the character of a mis- sionary, from the society to the episcopal church in Boston. Mr. Johnson, upon his return, about the year 1724, be- came the fixed missionary of the church at Stratford. Mr. Brown died soon after he had received orders. Mr. Wet- more about this time, made a voyage to England, receiv- ed episcopal ordination, and was fixed as a missionary at * Dr. Humphrey's history of propagating the gospel in foreign parts.
1724.
-
35
CONNECTICUT.
CHAP. I.
Rye, in the province of New-York. He enjoyed a long Book II. ministry, and died at Rye, 1760. These were the first of the clergy who declared for episcopacy in Connecticut, and were very much the fathers of the episcopal church in Connecticut and in New-England. $1773
WHILE these things were transacting, Governor Yale, Death of the great benefactor of the college, died in England, July Governor. Sth, 1721. The governor was the son of Thomas Yale, Yale. Esq. and was born at New-Haven, April 5th, 1648. His father was of an ancient and wealthy family in Wales, which for many generations, inherited the manor of Plas Grannow, and several other Messuages near the city of Wrexham, of the yearly value of 500 pounds. But for the sake of religion, he came into America, in 1638, and was one of the first and principal settlers of New-Haven. At about ten years of age, he sent his son to England, where he completed his education. At about thirty, he went to the East Indies, where he resided nearly twenty years. He acquired a great estate in that country, was made gov- ernor of fort St. George, and married an Indian lady of for- tune, relict of governor Hinmers, his predecessor in the government. By her he had three daughters, Catherine, Anne, and Ursula. After his return to London, he was chosen governor of the East India company. His eldest daughter married Dudley North, Esq. commonly called Lord North ; his second married James Cavendish, uncle to the duke of Devonshire. Ursula died unmarried. The governor continued his friendship and generosity towards the college to the close of his life. A short time before his death, he wrote his will, in which it is said, that, in addi- tion to his other donations, he gave 500 pounds to Yale College. Afterwards judging it most expedient to execute that part of his will himself, he packed up goods to the a- mount of 500 pounds, ready to be sent ; but before they were shipped, he took a journey into Wales, and died at Wrexham, at or near the seat of his ancestors. The goods consequently were never sent. Governor Saltonstall took. great pains to obtain a probate for the will ; but found it impracticable. Governor Yale, by means of his birth and connections at New-Haven, became acquainted with Gov- ernor Saltonstall, Mr. Pierpont, and the state of the college, which was the occasion of his generous and repeated dona- tions. He has been celebrated as a gentleman, not only abundant in wealth, but in generosity and good humour. His name and memory will be perpetuated with honour and, gratitude in Yale College.
THE controversy relative to the removal of the college,
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HISTORY OF
CHAP. I.
Book II. had occasioned various questions relative to its charter, which induced the General Assembly to make an addition- Act of the al and explanatory act. In this it was declared, "That Assembly relative to the col- lege. "any trustee might resign his office when he should see " canse : That seven trustees convened at any meeting, " properly warned, should be a quorum ; and have power " to act by a majority then present ; and to appoint a clerk " to register their acts : That a minister of thirty years of "age, might be chosen a trustee : and that the rector " should be a trustee ex officio." For a time, there was some hesitation with regard to the reception of this act ; but it was finally accepted, and the trustees acted in conformi- ty to it, until the grant of the second charter in 1745.
AFTER the removal of Mr. Cutler, the trustees agreed that each of them would reside at the college, by turns, for the term of about a month, at a time, with the authority of a rector : This form of government continued nearly four years. But at the commencements in 1724, 1725 and 1726, Mr. Andrew moderated and gave the degrees.
By this time it was found, by experience, that the college could not be instructed and governed in the best manner by monthly rectors. No person in so short a time, could acquaint himself with the genius and character of the scho- lars, nor obtain any considerable experience with respect to the best mode of instruction and government. A per- son who instructed by turns, and for so short a time only, could not be so ready a teacher as one who made it his constant employment. It was not possible, under such a constant change of teachers, that the instruction and gov- ernment should be so uniform, and energetic, as when un- der the steady conduct of one superintendant. The trus- tees therefore found themselves under a pressing necessity of obtaining a rector who should fix his residence at the college, and make the instruction and government of it his constant employment.
Mr. Wil- liams cho- 1725. Installed 1726. ON the 29th of September, 1725, they made choice of the Rev. Elisha Williams, ininister at Newington, in Weath- sen rector, ersfield, to be the rector of the college. He accepted the appointment, but the circumstances of his removal, were not settled until the next commencement. In September, 1726, Mr. Williams was installed. In the presence of the trustees, he gave his consent to the confession of faith and articles of discipline, agreed upon by the churches of this colony in 1708. After this he made an oration in the col- lege hall. When he had concluded this, the trustees, com- ing in succession, saluted him as rector of the college.
To compensate the people of Newington for the removal
37
CONNECTICUT.
CHAP. I.
of their minister, the General Assembly granted them an Book Il. hundred pounds ; and, it seems, for several years released them from their country tax. 1726.
No sooner was Mr. Williams established in his office, than he began effectually to suppress vice and disorder a- mong the students. He introduced and established a nun- ber of good customs. A taste for study, and for useful and polite literature increased, and the college flourished and was happy under his administration.
WHILE the college was thus endowed and settled, spe- cial attention was given to the instruction of the people in general ; schools were encouraged, their number increas- ed, and their state ameliorated. The inhabitants increas- ed, new societies were constantly making, and new church- es forming. To encourage the new towns and parishes, and that all the inhabitants might fully enjoy the gospel and its ordinances, the legislature, for a certain time released them from public taxes, and enabled them to tax all the lands within their respective limits, in such a manner, and for so long a time, as they should judge necessary for their assistance, while they were settling ministers, and building houses for public worship among them.
Bur though the churches were multiplying and generally enjoying peace, yet sectaries were creeping in, and began to make their appearance in the colony. Episcopacy made some advances, and in several instances there was a separation from the standing churches. The Rogerencs and a few Baptists made their appearance among the in- habitants; meetings were held in private houses, and lay- men undertook to administer the sacraments. This occa- sioned the following act of the General Assembly, at their sessions in May, 1723.
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