A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 57

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I > Part 57

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Rev. Harry Grimes was born at Brodhead, Wisconsin, March 11, 1882, grad- uated at Beloit College in 1905 and from Yale Divinity School in 1908. He was pastor at Windham from April 1, 1908 to April 1, 1912. In September of 1908 he was married at Madison, Wis., to Miss Nellie Jean Martin, and the following November he was ordained and installed at Windham. Since April 1, 1912, he has been pastor of the First Congregational Church at Brain- tree, Mass.

Rev. M. Raymond Plumb was born February 2, 1886, at Bridgeport, Conn., graduated at Carleton College in 1908, and from Yale University with the degrees of B. A., M. A., and B. D. in 1909 and 1911. He was pastor of the Congregational Church at Plymouth, Conn., during 1911 and 1912 until he came to Windham in June of the latter year. He was ordained and installed at Plymouth, October 27, 1911. On November 11, 1913, he married Miss Helen E. Larrabee, daughter of Charles Larrabee, of Windham.

The present pastor, Rev. Arthur W. Clifford began his ministry April, 1920.

RECORDS OF EAST WOODSTOCK CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH By Nellie H. Pratt

From the history of the Congregational Church in East Woodstock (written for the Bi-Centennial Celebration of Woodstock in 1886, by Deacon N. E. Morse), I glean many of the following items :

"This church was organized in 1760."

The reasons for a number of families leaving the mother church on Wood- stock Hill, are to be found, I suppose in Miss Larned's "History of Windham County."

"Rev. Abel Styles who had preached for the First Church of Woodstock twenty-three years, became the first minister in East Woodstock Congregational Church, where he remained for twenty-three years, ending his ministry with this church. He is spoken of as a 'learned and able man.' His death occurred July 25, 1783, and his remains rest in the cemetery in East Woodstock."

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"Rev. Joshua Johnson followed him with a pastorate of ten years," but little is recorded of him.

"The third pastor was Rev. William Graves who served the church twenty- two years from 1791 to his death in 1813. He was greatly beloved by his people, and highly respected by his brethren in the ministry."

"In his pastorate we first notice collections taken for missions. As a part of his salary he received thirty cords of wood annually. Price of a cord of wood being $1.34." His ministry closed with this church. Here he died and his remains were buried in the East Woodstock cemetery.

"The ministry of Rev. Samuel Backus (from 1815-1830) is marked by the first great revivals in the history of the church, and very remarkable in re- sults. It is recorded that eighty-eight converts were gathered into the church at one time. After another season of interest 200 persons made profession of faith. Mr. Backus went from this ministry to one in Palmer, Mass."

"The third ecclesiastical society was organized October 30, 1760, and the first society committee were Nathaniel Child, Nehemiah Lyon, and Caleb May. This society voted to build a church of the same size as the building on Wood- stock Hill. The building committee were Nathaniel Child, Esq., Lieut. Ephraim Child, Ensign Stephen May, Stephen Lyon and Ezra May. This church was so far completed as to be ready for divine worship, on the Sabbath of the 8th of August, 1762. For nearly two years before this house was ready for serv- ices, the people worshipped in the house of Mr. Benjamin Child, Jr., for which he received 3 pounds th first year and 5 pounds the second."

At the close of Rev. Mr. Backus' ministry it was deemed advisable to erect a new house of worship, and there was so much controversy over the matter of location of said church, it resulted in two buildings being erected about one mile apart. The membership was divided and part worshipped in the . church called North Woodstock, the other part remaining in East Woodstock. These two churches were built in 1831 and 1832. The church in East Wood- stock was built after the style of the Congregational Church in Oxford, Mass. On April 25, 1832, the new building was dedicated and the Rev. Orson Cowles was the same day ordained and installed pastor. The five years pastorate of Mr. Cowles seem to have been abundantly blessed in the addition of 139 con- verts added to the people of God, the result of some marked revivals. On August 28, 1837, at a regular church meeting Mr. Cowles requested that on account of ill health, his pastoral relation with this church be dissolved. The council met, granted his request, and this was recorded in the church records by Theophilus B. Chandler, clerk of the church. Rev. Thomas Boutelle suc- ceeded Rev. Orson Cowles and served this church from 1837-1849.

Dark and stormy days occurred in the history of his ministry, yet three special revivals are recorded, which added many members to the church. "In the twelve years of his ministry it is said the church and society contributed to benevolent objects $5,042.55 or an average of nearly $460 a year. In one year the amount was $622." We find in the records of this pastorate, the deaths of three aged and very worthy members of this church, "Nehemiah Child, Esq., aged eighty-six years, Deacon Theophilus B. Chandler, aged sev- enty-two years, Widow Susana Walker, ninety-four years, seven months."

"Between Rev. Boutelle and Rev. E. H. Pratt were three very short pas- torates, Rev. James A. Clark, Rev. Mr. Burdette and Rev. J. A. Roberts."

Rev. E. H. Pratt began his ministry in East Woodstock in December, 1855;

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, WOODSTOCK HILL, CONN.

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came here after graduating in Andover and East Windsor Seminary; was mar- ried to Martha A. Holden of Grafton in the spring of 1856. The officers of the church at that time were Mr. George A. Paine, clerk; Deacon Asa Lyon, treasurer ; Deacons William Child, Asa Lyon, and Halcey Bixby ; standing com- mittee, Deacon William Child, Deacon Lyon, Deacon Bixby, Mr. George A. Paine, and Mr. John Paine (two brothers). The Rev. Mr. Pratt was ordained but never installed. Later he said he "preferred to be ordained but not in- stalled, for permanence." It can truly be said that he entered into the ministry with his whole soul, and strove to discharge his duties in a most faithful man- ner. He loved the village in which he lived, and very much loved the church to which he ministered. The natural scenery of Woodstock, its hills, valleys and woods, were objects of beauty that his eye feasted upon, and so often awakened exclamations of delight. In one of his sermons he states that "about fifty-five families composed the congregation of his church, numbering in all some more than two hundred souls, and on the pleasant Sabbaths, three-fourths of the two hundred were to be found in the house of worship. A choir of per- haps twenty-five or thirty members sat in the galleries. The bass viol and two or more violins led the music. Some twenty-five brethren were found ready to participate in the social meetings." Certainly his ministry began under aus- picious circumstances, and would afford inspiration to a young preacher.

One important work in his early ministry was preparing a "church manual" containing confession of faith or creed, and a set of rules to govern the busi- ness transactions of church. Rev. E. H. Pratt, Hon. Ezra Dean, Deacon Bixby, were chosen the committee to perform this task. Through the dark and bloody days of the Civil war he was serving his church. Through correspondence he kept in touch with the young men who went from this church and community. They received from him sympathy and wise counsel, and he in return received letters of appreciation.

After the war, about the year 1866, he united with the Methodist minister in holding especial revival meetings. Great results followed and many young people joined themselves with God's people. It is recorded that seventy-two persons in all were added at times to the church. The young people enlisted his interest and efforts to a large degree. He tried to instill among them tem- perance principles, and toward this end formed a Young People's Temperance Alliance. For instruction and entertainment he held quarterly meetings, at which the children and young people recited temperance pieces, dialogues, and sang temperance songs. All this helped to promote a strong temperance senti- ment in the community, and no grog shops ever blotted this "fair land" or neighborhood. Admiring the beautiful in nature as he did, it was quite a natural consequence that he should be instrumental in improvements on the common near the church. He interested the people of the community to the extent that the men of the place turned out with their teams and drew hun- dreds of loads of soil, levelling off the grounds, and planting grass seed. In a year or two beautiful green turf took the place of sandy and very uneven grounds. Later evergreen trees and shrubs were given by Hon. Henry C. Bowen to adorn the grounds. Mr. Pratt was an ardent believer in systematic beneficence, giving one-tenth of his income to the Lord's work. He often brought the subject to the notice of his people, and his example no doubt enabled the people to give more generously. This was his first and only pastorate, after serving this church for twelve years, until 1867, he was called to the service of

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the "Connecticut Temperance Union." He was chosen secretary of the union and continued in that work for twelve years, when he was stricken with pneu- monia and died at the early age of fifty-two. He continued his residence in East Woodstock until his death, and his remains were buried in the cemetery, where he had laid so many of his parishioners and friends to rest.

Note: I think he was the last minister that preached two sermons on Sab- bath. His salary was small, $450 at first, then $500, but he was the recipient of the proverbial "donation party" two or three times when that was dropped.

After Rev. E. H. Pratt, came several short supplies of one or two years by the following ministers : Rev. Francis Dyer, Rev. Wm. H. Phipps, Rev. Wm. A. Benedict, Rev. J. A. Hanna. Rev. J. A. Hanna was a young man of rare earnest qualities, and one who was much beloved by the young people of the parish. The evening prayer meetings conducted by him were of unusual in- terest, and very fully attended. Much interest was shown by the young people. Mr. Hanna came in 1873, was ordained in that year. On account of poor health he resigned from serving this church in 1875. Following him was Rev. Charles Cate who came from the seminary and was here ordained. During his ministry it was deemed advisable to unite the two churches (the one in North Woodstock, and the one in East Woodstock) under one pastor. In this way the preacher might receive a larger salary, and the people listen to a more able man. Rev. Mr. Cate served for two years during 1876-1877 at a salary of $900.

In 1878, Rev. John Parsons was ordained and became pastor over the two churches. He brought a bride to this community ; preached for five years, and resigned at his own request in November, 1883.

In 1884, came Rev. C. W. Thompson, an able and experienced preacher of the gospel. He served the two churches for two years, and resigned in 1886.

In the spring of 1887, Rev. Francis H. Viets took the pastorate over the two churches in East and North Woodstock, with a salary of $900. He was a very faithful preacher of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ." His influence in the community was of the best, and was for the uplift of the people in all good causes. One of his important efforts was revising the "Manual of the Church" in East and North Woodstock parishes; both churches using the same one. With the aid of the committee appointed he produced a new "Manual" which was very satisfactory to the churches. He spent much thought and labor on this work. During his ministry new hymn books for church use were pur- chased, viz .: "The New Laudes Domini." Mr. Viets and the church in East Woodstock were favored with a good "choir." Besides a chorus, a quartette of beautiful voices could be called on for any occasion desired. Under Mr. Viets' leadership a "Christian Endeavor Society" was formed in the two churches. The society in East Woodstock flourished for a number of years, before a large percentage of the members settled in other communities. This society at its best record numbered from thirty to fifty active members, and twenty or more associate. Much interest was manifested in this branch of the church. The Sunday school was also in a prosperous condition. Mr. Viets organized a "Home Department" in the Sunday school. While he was pastor in 1897, extensive repairs were made on the inside of the church. A new ceil- ing was put in, the walls were newly papered, new windows installed. Also a "chapel" was added onto the east side of the church, the generous gift of Deacon George T. Bixby in memory of his only son and child, who died at the

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early age of eighteen years of malignant scarlet fever. It is with pleasure that we look back upon Mr. Viets' pastorate, and most assuredly count it a suc- cessful ministry. After fourteen years of labor among us, he resigned in February, 1899, and removed to another parish.

In April, 1899, Rev. C. A. Jaquith, a young man, was called to be minister over the two churches. In July, 1899, he married Eliza Lord of North Thet- ford, Vt. On August 3, a council was called to ordain him to the ministry. Mr. Jaquith and his wife came to us with high ideals and anticipations and tried to serve us most faithfully. They were especially interested in Sunday school work and in missions. Mrs. Jaquith was instrumental in forming a ladies missionary society for both home and foreign work. This society is still alive and giving largely to missions. They remained with us three years, and in April, 1902, Mr. Jaquith resigned.

Resolutions were passed expressing appreciation of his Christian life and work among us, and most heartily recommend him to any church, to which he may be called as pastor; that we express to Mrs. Jaquith our gratitude for her generous giving of time and talents to every good work in the community.

In the fall of 1902, after hearing several candidates for the ministry, we asked Rev. T. A. Turner of Cambridge, Mass., to supply for us until April, 1903, living in Cambridge with his family through the week and coming on Saturday P. M. and remaining until Monday morning. This method was fol- lowed for three years, but in the spring of 1906 his family came to East Wood- stock and he was pastor of the two churches until 1914. Previous to his com- ing to this community, he served as chaplain in the Spanish war and wrote a book relating his experiences during that war. He was a talented preacher. He was socially inclined, and was a very frequent caller on his parishioners. His health would not allow of very strenuous work, as he had three long periods of sickness and recuperation during his ministry. He was much saddened as were all the people of the church by the death of three good deacons, Deacon George T. Bixby, Deacon E. K. Chamberlain, Deacon J. M. Paine, all of East Woodstock. Officers of church during his pastorate were :

Clerks, Mr. G. L. Upham, Miss Mabel Eddy, Mr. Chester E. May. Treas- urers, Deacon J. M. Paine, Mr. Arthur G. Morse.

Rev. Mr. Turner was instrumental in organizing a "Community Club" in East Woodstock. It also took in members from other parts of the town. This has been a very instructive and entertaining organization, and a good place for the young people to congregate.

Mrs. Turner was a very faithful worker in the church in East Woodstock where she lived, and was much beloved by the people. Three children graced their household, two daughters and one son. Mrs. Turner was much interested in Sunday school work, and taught the junior department for several years.

Resolutions adopted by the East Woodstock church, "Whereas this church and society wish to recognize the work of Rev. T. A. Turner and wife during the past fourteen years among us be it Resolved, That this church and society extend to them our most hearty thanks for the work done, and for their efforts to make our village a better place in which to live. To our pastor, teacher, friend, and neighbor and to his most worthy helpmate we extend our hearty good will and godspeed, wherever they go, and we wish them to take our heart- felt appreciation for their efforts with us."

Committee : N. T. White, Mrs. F. A. Jordan, Dr. E. R. Pike.

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This history will not be complete without mention of the "Ladies Benevolent Society" which has existed more than seventy years. The society is spoken of in church records, as contributing money for some repairs in church as far back as 1852. In the early years they met to sew for the poor of the church, or to fit out barrels to send to needy places. Social functions of the church have been under their jurisdiction. They have helped most liberally toward the finances of the church, and when special repairs were made. In addition to their gifts for the good of this church and community, they give liberally to "home missions" abroad and to "foreign missions." Or in other words they have joined as an auxiliary the "Connecticut Home Mission Union," and the "Eastern Connecticut Branch of Foreign Missions." This society is doing good work at the present time.

Some of the past officers of the church indicate names of families frequent and influential in the life of this community :

Clerks, Deacon George A. Paine, 1853-1872; Deacon Nathan E. Morse, 1872- 1898; Mr. Gilbert L. Upham, 1898-1914; Mr. Chester E. May, 1916.

Treasurers, Deacon Asa Lyon, 1855-1861, Mr. E. L. May, 1861-1862; Deacon Nathan E. Morse, 1863-1873; Mr. N. S. Child, 1874-1875; Deacon George A. Paine, 1875-1877 ; Deacon J. M. Paine, 1877-1916; Mr. Arthur G. Morse, 1916.

In 1917, this church was somewhat disheartened at having to run alone in these expensive days. The number of church attendants had diminished most perceptably in the last twenty years. We felt weak in numbers and weak in purse. We thought we could not give a preacher on the field a comfortable support. The Lord did not forsake us, but came to our rescue. A wealthy per- son, Mr. Lewis Morse (not a member of church), came to our relief and fur- nished $300 for a starter. Fortunately we procured the services of Rev. Harvey Lawson who has ministered to us on the Sabbath since Rev. Mr. Turner left in 1917. Although we are not satisfied with just having a pastor on the Sab- bath, it seems to be the best way of doing for the present. We feel that we are "holding the fort" and things are moving on harmoniously. Our Sunday school is flourishing under an able superintendent and the Christian Endeavor Society maintains the Sunday evening prayer meetings. Rev. Mr. Lawson is a good and consecrated preacher, and it is our good fortune to have his min- istry on the Sabbath.

EKONK CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, STERLING By John E. Tanner

After much contention as to location a Presbyterian church was organized in the town of Voluntown, December 12, 1723. The church was built near the cemetery on the Oneco road, so called. The first schoolhouse in the town was built near it. Rev. Samuel Dorrance was the first pastor and served the church until 1770, when he was dismissed March 1st, 1724. Mr. Jabez Bacon and Ebenezer Dow were elected deacons. The beginning of Mr. Dorrance's pas- torate was stormy and there were many church quarrels through his long pastorate. Many times his salary was withheld and in order to get a settlement he had to resort to court proceedings. His death was on November 12, 1775, aged ninety years. He is buried in the cemetery at Oneco.

There is a break in the church records from May 1, 1764, until June 24, 1779, when a meeting of the inhabitants of the first Society of Voluntown was

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held to form a church. There is no record to show whether this meeting was held in the church near the cemetery, or in the one that stood on the site of the present Line meeting house; nor is there any record to show when the first church that stood on the line was built.

At an adjourned meeting, organization was perfected and a form of a Covenant agreed to. At a meeting held at the house of Deacon Thomas Douglass, it was voted to give Miciah Porter of Braintree, Mass., a call and an Ecclesiastical Council convened November 21, 1781, composed of the following members: Rev. Levi Hart, D. D., Hon. Samuel Coit, and Deacon Joseph Tyler from a church in Preston, now Griswold; Rev. Solomon Morgan, Deacon Moses Kinne and Mr. Daniel Kennedy from a church in Nazareth, in Voluntown ; Rev. Joel Benedict, Hon. Elisha Lathrop and Deacon Andrew Tracy from the Newent church, town of Lisbon. After an examination of Mr. Porter by the council, they agreed that he should be ordained and installed the next day. The Cambridge Platform and Westminister Catechisms was to be the guide of the church and fellowship with Presbyterian and Congregational churches enjoyed.

At a meeting of the church held at the home of Joseph Wylie, Esq., August 29, 1794, Capt. John Wylie and Capt. Isaac Gallup were elected deacons. At the division of the town of Voluntown into the towns of Voluntown and Sterling in May, 1794, the church became known as the First Ecclesiastical Society or First Congregational Church of Voluntown and Sterling. It remained under the charge of Rev. Mr. Porter until the 27th of August, 1805, when he was dis- missed by council. For some time after his dismissal there was no pastor, the pulpit being occupied by supplies or sermons were read by some member. In 1828 Rev. Otis Lane of Sturbridge, Mass., preached for a while and was in- stalled by council as pastor, October 28th of that year. Owing to ill health Mr. Lane felt compelled to resign and accordingly a council of dismissal was called for September 10, 1834. From this time until the latter part of 1837, there was the reading of sermons by the brethren with occasional supplies.

In 1837 Rev. Jacob Allen of Glastonbury preached and accepted a call to become pastor. A council of the neighboring churches convened at the home of Stephen S. Keigwin to examine the candidate as to his qualifications. They found them correct and he was installed the next day.

At a meeting of the church held April 27, 1838, a Confession of Faith and Covenant was adopted and is still in use. Rev. Mr. Allen was released from his pastorate by council, November 15, 1849. Sermons were read by Henry Wylie, Stephen S. Keigwin and other brethren, and for seven Sabbaths Mr. William A. Benedict, principal of Plainfield Academy, preached. Rev. Thomas L. Shipman occupied the pulpit twenty Sabbaths. April 6, 1851, Rev. Jacob Allen who was beloved by all, returned and acted as pastor until the time of his death, March 13, 1856, aged seventy-four years. He was buried in the "New Yard."

In June, 1858, Charles L. Ayer, a licentiate, who had been preaching at Wauregan, began to preach here. He lived in the house now occupied by Alvin P. Corey. He and his wife were instrumental in the building of the present church, completed January 1, 1859. A call had been given previously to Mr. Ayer to become the pastor, and he was ordained and installed January 6th, with the following program; including a dedication of the new church: Invocation and scripture reading, Rev. Mr. Northrup of Griswold; dedicatory prayer, Rev.

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T. L. Shipman, Jewett City; sermon, Rev. George Soule of Hampton; ordain- ing prayer, Rev. Roswell Whitmore, West Killingly; charge to the pastor, Rev. Joseph Ayer, East Lyme, father of the pastor; right hand of fellowship, Rev. W. E. Bassett, Central Village; address to the people, Rev. Thomas T. Waterman, West Killingly ; concluding prayer, Rev. W. A. Benedict, Plainfield; benediction by the pastor, Rev. C. L. Ayer.

LINE CHURCH, EKONK HILL

On March 10, 1859, Henry Wylie and Stephen S. Keigwin were elected dea- cons. Since that time Joseph C. Tanner, John R. Gallup, Herbert Tarbox and Henry E. Young have been elected to that office. At a meeting of the Ecclesi- astical Society held June 10, 1859, a committee was appointed to solicit funds and ascertain prices of different lots of land for the purpose of building a parsonage. Ralph S. Gordan was named as that committee. The lot where the parsonage now stands was bought of Jacob Servis for one hundred dollars, August 4th. A building committee consisting of S. T. Dow, R. S. Gordan, and Henry Wylie was appointed and between that time and March, 1861, a dwelling house of two stories and ell, a barn twenty feet by twenty-four feet and other out buildings were erected. Rev. Mr. Ayer was dismissed by council October 27,1863.

Rev. William Burchard of Hartford began preaching in January, 1864, and was installed by council May 4, 1864. He was dismissed by council March 25, 1868. There were supplies until November, 1868, when Rev. Joseph Ayer, father of Rev. Charles L. Ayer, of East Lyme, began to supply the pulpit and was in- stalled pastor May 11, 1870. He was dismissed by council May 19, 1875. There were supplies until January 1st, 1876, when Stephen B. Carter of Westminister, Conn., a licentiate, began as stated supply. He supplied until August 13, 1879, when he was ordained and acted as pastor until December 31st, 1880, when he concluded his pastorate. Rev. John Elderkin of Salem, Conn., began to

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 57

Author: Lincoln, Allen B Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 930