USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Sharon > A history of the town of Sharon, Litchfield County, Conn., from its first settlement. > Part 2
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TOWN OF SHARON.
Captain Dunham, at the house of Nathaniel Skinner, Esquire, on the 11th day of December, 1739, old style, which is the same as the 22d day of December, new style, being the anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. The several town officers were appointed, and the town fully organized for mu- nicipal purposes. For the information of the present generation, and to show in what way the business of this meeting was conducted, its proceedings are here copied from the records, preserving accurately the orthography of the original.
" The Inhabitance of Sharon aplying Themselves to the Genral assembly in October Last Past for Town Priviledges, Cap Dunham was mad Choice of to Rep- resent the Town to the Assembly, and having obtain- ed the Desiar of the town he being ordered by the Assembly to Warn the Inhabitance in order To Chuse town officers which Being Dune the Inhabitance being met on the 11 day of December In ye yeare 1739 at the house of Nath Il. Skinner In Sharon And then opened the meeting as the Law Dricts
Cap Dunham Was Chosen moderator
Leu Jabez Creppen John Sprague and Cap Jona- than Dunham Was Chosen Select men for the year Insewing
Nath Skinner Was Chosen town Clark
James Smith was Chosen Constable and Sworn as the Law Directs
other towns in this colony and that said inhabitants shall have liberty to call and settle some orthodox minister of the gospel in the work of the ministry in that place, taking the advice of the ministers of the neighboring churches, and that the town hereafter be called by the name of Sharon. And captain Jonathan Dun- ham of said town, is hereby appointed and empowered to cause the inhabitants of said town to meet in said town on the second Wednesday of December next, to choose town officers in said town for the year ensuing.
2+
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HISTORY OF TITE
George Way was Chosen Granjuery and sworn as the Law Directs
Ebenezer Mudg William Tickner Ebenezer ffrisbie and Cornelus hamlin Was Chosen Surveys of high Ways and Sworn as the Law Directs
Jeremiah foster Samuel Mudg and Thomas Crep- pen Was Chosen fence vewers and sworn as the Law Directs
Samuel Comstock Was Chosen Colector
Nathl. Skinner Jun Was Chosen Leather Sealer
Nathl. Skinner Jonathan Dunham and John Sprague Was Chosen a Com'tt. to go after a Minister. Nathl. Skinner and Lew. Jabez Creppen chosen a Com'tt. to Lay out a Beuring Place
It was farther voted that a Note or Warning In wri- ting set up at The house of John Sprague and Nathl. Skinner and at Garrit winegars mill Six Days before a town meeting Given Reasons of Said Meeting, Shall be a Lawful Warning for a town meeting.
farther voted that Swin haven a Ring in their Noses Shall be accounted an orderly Creater."
We have seen that at the first town meeting mea- sures were taken to procure a minister to preach the gospel to the inhabitants. They evidently contem- plated the employment of a minister in the early set- tlement of the town, and such, too, it seems was the intention of the Assembly in sequestering two rights for the support of the gospel. This aid was afforded in order to assist a community which must necessarily have been weak and feeble in its infancy, in having a supply of the word of life, and the benefit of religious ordinances. Prompted by these encouragements, the first inhabitants of Sharon took early measures to settle a minister. The committee appointed at the first town meeting made application to Mr. Peter Pratt of Lebanon, a candidate for the ministry, and a graduate of Yale College, of the class of 1736, and on
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TOWN OF SHARON.
the Sth day of January, 1740, the town called him " upon trial for some convenient time," and laid a tax of fifteen shillings on a right for the payment of his services. His labors were acceptable to the people, and on the 14th day of March following, he was invi- ted to settle over the church and congregation in the work of the ministry. The town voted him a salary which would amount to about two hundred dollars per annum .* Mr. Goodrich and Mr. Sprague were appointed to treat with Mr. Pratt and to present to him the offers of the town. These were accepted by him, and the time fixed for the ordination was the last Wed- nesday in April. It is supposed that it took place at that time, and that the services were performed in a private dwelling, as no place of public worship had been provided at that time.
The ministry being thus established, the next busi- ness in order was to provide a place of public worship; and to this object the attention of the town was soon
* Town meeting, January 8, 1740.
Voted that Mr. Peter Pratt, shall be called by us upon trial for some convenient time.
Voted that Deacon Nathaniel Skinner, Capt. Dunham and John Sprague, shall be a committee to call Mr. Peter Pratt for some convenient time of probation for the settling in the work of the ministry, and that said committee is authorized to agree with him for his wages.
March 14, 1740. Voted to call Mr. Peter Pratt to the work of the ministry among us in order to ordination.
March 20, 1740. Voted to Mr. Pratt for his stated salary 210 pounds a year in money which is as silver at 29 shillings per ounce, and for this year 140 pounds, and to rise ten pounds a year until it comes to the 210 pounds, and there to stand during the time of his ministry amongst us.
Voted, that if Mr. Pratt's necessity calls, and the ability of the town will allow it, then to give him more.
March 25, 1740. Voted that the day for the ordination of Rev. Mr. Pratt shall be the last Wednesday of April next.
Voted that Capt. Dunham, Nath. Skinner, Mr. Goodrich, Mr. Sprague, Mr. Way, are a committee to order the affairs for the ordination of Mr. Pratt.
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HISTORY OF THE
turned. On the 23d of June, 1740, the town voted to build a meeting house at some convenient time 55 feet by 45, and 22 feet posts. This would have been a large house for those times, and as it was probably found to be more expensive than the circumstances of the town would authorize, it was abandoned for that year. In the mean time the inhabitants met alter- nately on the Sabbath, for public worship, at the house of Captain Dunham, and at the house of Mr. Pardee, and in the milder season of the year, the meetings were held in Mr. Pardee's barn. For temporary ac- commodation, and until a better house could be pro- vided, it was voted, in the spring of 1741, to build a meeting house of logs or poles, 36 feet by 20. Where this temporary log meeting house stood, is not now known. It was used but a short time, as while it was building, measures were taking by the town to build a house, which should be of sufficient dimensions to accommodate all the worshippers. It was voted that the new house should be 45 feet by 35, and 20 feet posts, and Captain Dunham, Ensign Sprague, and Sergeant Pardee were appointed a committee to su- perintend its erection. A committee,* appointed by
* This committee consisted of John Bostwick of New Milford, and Samuel Lewis and John Mills of Kent.
June 23, 1740. Voted that we will proceed to build a meeting house at some convenient time.
Voted that the bigness of said meeting house shall be as fol- loweth, that is to say, fifty-five feet in length and forty-five feet wide, and twenty-two feet between joints.
Voted that Mr. Sprague, Mr. Jackson, and Mr. Chapman are a committee to call the government's committee to fix a place for the setting of a meeting house on.
July 22, 1740. Voted that John Sprague, Samuel Hutchinson, Ebenezer Jackson, Capt. Dunham and Nath. Skinner, shall be a committee to attend the government's committee when they shall come to fix a place for the meeting house.
March 21, 1741. Voted that there shall be a house builded in this town for to meet in, on Sabbath, at present, of logs or poles, thirty-six feet long, and twenty-four feet wide. Mr. Winegar,
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TOWN OF SHARON.
the government were called upon to fix its location, and it was determined that it should be erected in the middle of the street, directly opposite the tavern now kept by Mr. St. John. The building was commenced early in the spring of 1742, and in the course of the season it was so far completed, as that public meet- ings were held in it in the following October. But it was five or six years before it was finished and glazed. The Hon. Philip Livingston* who had become a large owner of real estate in the town, generously offered to give a bell for the use of the meeting house, provided the town would build a steeple. It was voted that this should be done at the north end of the meeting house, and Messrs. Dunham, Pardec and Hutchinson were appointed a committee to return the thanks of the town to Mr. Livingston for his munifi- cent offer.t For some reason the bell was never pro- cured, nor the steeple erected. The meeting house stood about twenty-five years, when it was found too small for public accommodation.
Lieu. Hutchinson and Mr. Pardee was chosen a committee to go on with the building, and to have the same fit to meet in by the last of May next.
* This gentleman was the lord and proprietor of the manor of Livingston, in the counties of Columbia and Renselaer, N. Y. and one of his Majesty's Privy Counsellors for the Province of New York. He was the father of Governor William Livings- ton of New Jersey, and grand father of the Rev. John H. Liv. ingston, President of the college at New Brunswick.
t Town meeting, June 6, 1743. Voted that we, the town of Sharon, accept of Mr. Livingston's offer of a bell. Voted to build a belfry or steeple at the north end of our meeting house, for the hanging of a bell. Capt. Dunham, Mr. Pardee and Lieut. Hutchinson, was chosen a committee to return thanks to Mr. Livingston for his offer, and carry on the building of a belfry or steeple to hang a bell in. Voted that Lieut. Hutchinson and Deacon Jackson shall be added to the meeting committee to go forward with the finishing of our meeting house.
Town meeting, July 28, 1747. Voted, that the vacancy left un- clapboarded at the north end of the meeting house, in order to build a steeple for a bell be clapboarded.
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HISTORY OF THE
The first death recorded is that of Miriam, the wife of William Goodrich, Jun. which occurred on the 22d of April, 1740.
The following persons also departed this life during the same season, viz. Asa Rood, David Skinner, Mary, wife of Nath. Skinner, Esq. Deacon Hezekiah King, Benjamin Fuller, Jonathan Dunham, Jun. Daniel Bouton, Daniel Bouton, Jun. in all nine persons.
The first person born in the town after Jehiel Jackson, before mentioned, was Sarah Bates, daugh- ter to John and Anna Bates. She was afterwards the wife of John Randall, and lived to a very advanced age. The first marriage in the town was that of El- nathan Goodrich to Elizabeth Showers. It was cele- brated on New Year's day, January 1, 1740.
The records of the church in Sharon for the first fifteen years, are lost. It is supposed that Nathaniel Skinner and Ilezekiah King were the first deacons. Deacon King, however, died during the first year, and was probably succeeded by Jonathan Elmer. The first pound was erected where Mr. Jay S. Canfield now lives. It would seem from the votes on this sub- ject, and also in relation to the location of the meet- ing house, that there was some strife between the in- habitants, as to where the centre should be established. Some were for having it fixed half a mile south of the place finally established, but the decision of the gov- ernment's committee seems to have quieted all difficul- ty on the subject.
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TOWN OF SHARON.
CHAPTER V.
Deposition of the Rev. Peter Pratt.
WE have seen that Rev. Peter Pratt was ordained in April, 1740, as the first minister of Sharon. The people were well united in him, and he settled under fair prospects of a long and useful ministry. He was married soon after his settlement to Mrs. Mary Met- calf, of Lebanon, and had several children. It would seem that the town showed him several acts of kind- ness, such as furnishing him with his fire-wood, paying the expenses of hiring a horse for a journey to Leba- non, and in various other ways showing him marks of their respect and confidence. But a dark cloud soon obscured the cheering prospects of Mr. Pratt, and his ministry soon terminated in disgrace. It was soon found that he was addicted to intemperate drinking, and the most painful sensations were produced, as this fact, at first only suspected, was verified by indubita- ble indications. It is probable that his conduct was borne with for some time after it became evident that this habit was growing upon him, in the hope that the admonitions of his friends and his own sense of pro- priety might reform him. The first intimation of dis- pleasure on the part of the town, which appears on record, is a vote passed on the 9th day of January, 1746, when it was solemnly voted that they would not abide by the agreement with him in relation to fur- nishing him with fire-wood. His conduct was borne with, however, for about two years longer, when his intemperance became so notorious as to forbid further tolerance. A committee appointed by the town for that purpose, made a complaint to the association of New Haven county, accusing Mr. Pratt of habitual and incurable intemperance, offering to prove the
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HISTORY OF TIIE
charges preferred, and requesting an investigation by the Rev. body to whom the complaint was made. Mr. Pratt was cited to appear before the association at a place then called Westbury, now Watertown, on the 13th day of October, 1747, to answer to the charges preferred against him, and the town were notified to appear and prosecute the complaint. The particulars of the trial are not known, but it resulted in a decree by the association, that the pastoral relation between Mr. Pratt and the people of Sharon should be dis- solved, and that he should be prohibited from the fur- ther exercise of ministerial functions .* 'Thus ended the ministry of the Rev. Peter Pratt. Like others
* Town meeting, January 9, 1746. Further it was put to vote whether the town would abide by the original agreement with Mr. Peter Pratt, as to the article of fire-wood, that is to say, whether they will annually procure, cut and draw home for him his fire- wood, voted in the negative.
Town meeting, Sept. 17, 1747. Voted, that we will choose a committee to send to the moderator of the association : at the same meeting, Matthew St. John, John Gay, Lieut. John Pardee, Dea- con Ebenezer Jackson, Jonathan Davis, Deacon Ebenezer Fris- bie, Jacob Bacon are chosen our committee to apply themselves to the moderator of the association for a council to consider our ag- grievances, and said committee to make all proof they can of Mr. Pratt's misconduct from the time he has been settled in the town until the council sits, in order to be laid before the council, and also to lay the same before the council when it comes.
Town meeting, Oct. 8, 1747. Whereas a complaint and charge has, by Messrs. Matthew St.John, Ebenezer Jackson, John Gay and John Pardee, been carried to the Rev. association of the county of New Haven, and thereupon the moderator of the consociation of New Haven county has cited the said Matthew St. John, Eben- ezer Jackson, John Gay and John Pardee, to appear at Westbu- ry, in the town of Waterbury, before said consociation, upon the 13th day of October instant, at 12 o'clock, at the house of Mr. Samuel Heacock, Jun. then and there to prosecute said charge and complaint. Voted, that the said Matthew St. John, Ebenezer Jackson, John Gay and John Pardee be our committee to appear according to said citation, and to prosecute said charge and com- plaint at said Westbury and elsewhere, if needful, till the matter be finished.
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TOWN OF SHARON.
who have been the subjects of ecclesiastical censure, he seems to have been dissatisfied with the result, and to have made an effort to procure another hearing, in the hope of being restored to his former standing in the ministry. He invited the town to join him in calling the association together for that purpose, and himself offered to bear the expense of the meeting ; but the proposition was rejected .* Mr. Pratt contin- ued to reside in the town for many years after his sus- pension. He had become the proprietor of a large and valuable real estate in virtue of his being the first minister of the town, an estate which at this time would probably be worth twenty thousand dollars. It contained some of the best land in the town. His home lot contained more than eighty acres, and in- cluded all the land on the east side of the town street owned by the heirs of the late Mr. Perry, and on the west side of the street all owned by Mr. St. John and most of that owned by Mr. Berry, extending half a mile each way from the street. He owned other large and valuable tracts of land, in the whole more than six hundred acres. It appears, however, that he was embarrassed in his circumstances, and that all his real estate was mortgaged at an early day to secure debts in which he had involved himself, and to some of his more importunate creditors he mortgaged his negro wench.t In 1750 he sold his home lot to Sam-
* Town meeting, Dec. 16, 1747. Put to vote whether the town will join Mr. Pratt in calling together the consociation of New Haven county, upon Mr. Pratt's cost and charge, to see whether they will take off the suspension and prohibition laid upon Mr. Pratt by the consociation convened at Westbury in Waterbury, in October last past. This vote passed in the negative.
t The following bill of sale executed by Mr. Pratt is copied from the first volume of Sharon records.
" To all people to whom these presents shall come, greeting : Know ye that J, Peter Pratt of Sharon, in the county of New Haven, in the colony of Connecticut, in New England, for the consideration of two hundred pounds in Bills of Public Credit of 3
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HISTORY OF THE
uel Hutchinson, Esq. and it is not now known where he afterwards lived during his stay in town. His wife died on the 10th day of December, 1755. It ap- pears that he was the first clerk of the court of pro- bate for the district of Sharon, which was established in 1755. He held the office but a short time, and he then returned to Lebanon where he died. He was undoubtedly a man of superior talents, and would probably have attained a high standing in the minis- try had it not been for his unfortunate propensity. He left one son, who was a shoe-maker and tanner,
the Old tenor, received to my full satisfaction of Messrs. Isaac De La Matter, and Benjamin Hollister, both of Duchess county, in the Province of New York, do sell and convey to them, the said Isaac De La Matter and Benjamin Hollister, their and each of their heirs and assigns, my negro wench, called by the name of Pegg, to be to their use and service, and to the use and service of their and each of their heirs and assigns forever, that is, during the life of said negro wench. However, it is to be understood and is hereby provided, that whereas the said Isaac De La Matter and Benjamin Hollister have, by an obligatory bond under their hands and seals, well executed, dated May the 24th, 1748, with the said Peter Pratt, and at the desire and for the debt of the said Peter Pratt, jointly and severally, bound themselves to Major Martin Hoffman of Duchess county, aforesaid, in the penal sum of two hundred pounds, current money of the Province of New York, conditioned for the payment of one hundred pounds, money of New York, upon the 21st day of May, which will be A. D. 1750, with the lawful interest of the Province of New York, which is seven pounds per cent. from the date of said bond till paid ; if therefore, the said Peter Pratt, or his heirs shall procure good and sufficient security, and deliver to the said Isaac De La Matter and Benjamin Hollister, or their heirs, so as to indemnify and save harmless the said De La Matter and Hollister, their heirs, &c. from the aforesaid obligation, upon or before the said 21 st day of May, which will be A. D. 1750, then the above conveyance to be void, otherwise to be a good and ample bill of sale of said negro wench, to all intents and purposes in the law. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 25th of May, A. D. 1748.
PETER PRATT.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Samuel Hutchinson,
Nathaniel Richards."
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TOWN OF SHARON.
and who resided in different parts of the town, but there are none of his descendants remaining among us .*
CHAPTER VI.
Rev. John Searl-Seating the meeting house-County of Litchfield-Society of Ellsworth-Oblong-Dismission of Mr. Searl.
AFTER Mr. Pratt was dismissed, a considerable time elapsed before the town was again supplied with an ordained minister. Various committees were em- ployed and different candidates were applied to, but much difficulty was experienced in obtaining a suita- ble man. A Mr. Camp was first employed, and after- wards a Mr. Richards, and on the 25th day of July, 1748, it was voted "that Jonathan Elmer, t Daniel Brinsmade,¿ Aaron Hutchinson and Elijah Mason be the candidates to be applied to in the order in which they stand. Neither of the candidates above named could be procured, but in the early part of the year 1749, Mr. John Searl of Simsbury, was employed as
* Since the foregoing was written, Capt. John Wilson, an aged and respectable citizen of the town has informed the author, that in the year 1770, he wentto school to Mr. Pratt, at Greenwich, in Fairfield county. He remembers hearing him speak of his minis- try in Sharon, and the reason which he gave for his dismission was, that the people complained of his being engaged in specula- tions. He was then somewhat advanced in life, and somewhat addicted to intemperate drinking.
t Mr. Elmer was a son of Deacon Jonathan Elmer of Sharon, and was afterwards a distinguished minister at Elizabethtown, New Jersey.
# Mr. Brinsmade was afterwards minister at Washington, Conn. and was grandfather to General Daniel B. Brinsmade of that place.
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TOWN OF SHARON.
a candidate. Mr. Searl was a graduate of Yale Col- lege, of the class of 1745, and it seems that his minis- trations were acceptable to the people of Sharon. On the 3d day of April, he was formally invited to become the minister of the town, and an offer made of 220 ounces of silver as a salary, and 420 ounces of silver for a settlement. The ecclesiastical constitution of the colony required, that before a minister could be settled, he must be examined and approved of by the association of the county, touching his qualifications for the ministry, and as a meeting of that reverend body was soon to be holden at Old Milford, it was voted that Mr. Searl should be sent there at the ex- pense of the town, and John Gay was appointed to accompany him. The first Wednesday in August, 1749, was fixed upon for the ordination, and a large committee was appointed to make provision for the ordaining council, which met at Mr. Pardee's. Mr. Searl purchased the 23d home-lot, being the place now occupied by Dr. Robert W. Smith, and lived upon it during his ministry in the town.
The first vote on the subject of seating the meeting house was passed soon after the settlement of Mr. Searl. The ancient method of constructing churches was, to build pews around by the walls, and slips in the centre, and in all cases the gentlemen sat on the right hand of the minister, and the ladies on the left. An innovation was made upon this manner of seating by a vote passed on the 19th day of December, 1749. A committee was appointed who were directed to seat the meeting house by dignity, age and list, and it was further ordered that men and their wives should be seated together. Similar votes were passed from time to time, as changes in the condition of the society rendered a new seating necessary. In one instance the committee were directed to seat the meeting house according to age, list and quality.
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TOWN OF SHARON.
Up to the year 1751, the towns on the west side of the Ousatonic river had belonged to the county of New Haven. About this time measures were taken to form a new county in this part of the colony, and much contention was had in respect to its extent, and in respect to the location of the county seat. The people of this town were in favor of a small county, with a view to bring the court house nearer to them than they could expect if a large county were formed. Many town meetings were had on the subject* and much zeal was manifested. All contention ceased, however, upon the formation of the county of Litch- field, with its present limits.
After it was determined, in 1739, to establish the town plot, at a place so far distant from the centre of the township, it was foreseen that those living in the south-east part of the town would be taking early measures to enjoy the benefit of religious institutions among themselves. At one of the earliest meetings of the proprietors, a vote was passed, directing their committee to lay out highways and lots in that part of
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