USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I > Part 74
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110
The other Baptist Church was organized in the western part of the town in Goshen Parish, now called Clarks Corners. It enjoyed but a short church life for in 1816 a religious sect calling themselves Christians or Christ-yans . settled there and absorbed the Baptist faith under this new name. Their leaders were Elders Smith and Varnum. They enjoyed a rather extravagant mode of religion but failed to get much support from the good people of Hamp- ton. Finally, Elder Varnum with a number of families migrated to Ohio and then the remaining Baptists of Goshen Parish united with the church in Howard Valley which was an outgrowth of the Scotland Congregational Church.
Scotland, like Windham would not allow the Baptists to build a house of worship within her borders; so the wayward Baptists who thrived under per- secution, were compelled to erect their little one-story meeting-house three miles from Scotland Village on the town line between Scotland and Hampton, six miles from the mother town of Windham, on the top of Howard Hill over- looking peaceful Howard Valley that in years to come was to be the home of the Pilgrim Baptists. This little old building is still in good condition but for many years has been used as a dwelling house.
In 1843 just 100 years from the birth of the Baptist organization in Wind- ham the little church on Howard Hill moved down into Howard Valley and built their present meeting-house and organized what was known as the Burn- ham Baptist Church of Howard Valley; so called from their faithful pastor, Elder James Burnham, and also because thirty of the members were Burnhams.
A thriving village clustered around the church and for a long time it en- joyed years of prosperity. The members of the Grow church and also the Christians of Goshen Parish united with them, but it was owing to the coming in of the latter congregation that the Howard Valley church became known as the Christian Church; but at exactly what time we do not know as some of the records were lost ; but from an old record made over fifty years ago and signed by Elder James Burnham and fifty-one others we get the following account :
"Whereas, we, by examining the Word of God carefully have thought our articles of faith or covenant so called, were unnecessary, or what is not re- quired of us to adopt as a rule of faith or practice; but that the Word of God and particularly the New Testament was given us for that very purpose, to be our rule of faith and practice in all our church affairs, we have thought proper to lay aside all creeds or doctrines of our own forming and take the word as it was given us and square ourselves by, and call ourselves by the name of Christians which was given to the Disciples at Antioch." Acts 11:26.
597
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
In 1873 the church was presented with two Bibles; one large and one small ; also a bell and on each of these three is this inscription :
"Presented to the Burnham Baptist Church, Hampton, Conn., by Mrs. Gordon Burnham, N. Y. A. D. MDCCCLXXIII."
A cabinet organ was given about this time by Mr. David Clark of Hartford.
For about twenty years after this the pulpit was occupied by Rev. J. R. Nichols of Hampton a member of the Christian connection. For several years afterwards there was no regular service although at different times both Meth- odists and Congregationalists held services there. In 1906 a fund of $1,300 was left to the "Christian Church of Howard Valley, so called" by the will of one Sophia Jackson but even with this help the church was not kept open although needed repairs were made on the building and sheds.
We can now see the hand of God working in the history of this little church. "The prayers of the righteous man availeth much" and it was owing to the prayers of two old men that the church has at last been opened and come back into the fold of the Connecticut Baptist churches.
One of these men was Deacon William Anthony the oldest member of the church who prayed that it might again be opened and the other was the late : Rev. Ebenezer Jewett, a retired Baptist minister.
Born in Hampton in 1827, he became a Baptist minister in his early man- hood and preached for fifty years in New York State, New Jersey, Michigan. Returning to his native town in 1894 he was grieved to find that the old church was closed and what is more had lost its name as a Baptist Church. This weighed heavily upon his heart and was the burden of his prayers. In 1915 he saw Rev. Mr. Rowley of the Willimantic Baptist Church and told him of the situation. Mr. Rowley brought the subject to the attention of Doctor Coats of Hartford and December 15, 1915, Rev. Frank Nye was established as pastor of the Baptist Church and a glorious work has been done. The faithful Wil- liam Anthony was appointed deacon: he feels as if his prayers had been an- swered that he might worship in the old church again.
Mr. Jewett felt then that his life work was done. Often and often he had said, "I feel that I stand alone for the old church but with God's help I shall live to see it a Baptist Church again." And when in August, 1916, the church formally voted to unite itself with Baptist denomination he said, "My life's work is done. For twenty years I have labored to this end and now my prayers - are answered." And his work was done, for in less than a month he was called home at the age of eighty-nine years. He was a man of great mentality, a thorough Bible student and devoted heart and soul to the interests of his loved church and denomination. One of his grandsons, converted in the little church, expects to follow in his steps as a minister of the Baptist Church.
"A church is the hardest thing in the world to kill," said Doctor Coats at the recognition meeting held in November, 1916, when the church was legally recognized as a member of the Connecticut Baptist Association, and so it would seem. In 1743 the Baptists were driven from Windham. In 1843 the Howard Valley church was organized. In 1816 it lost its name to the Christians; in 1916 it regained its name as a Baptist Church. After 100 years it has come back to its name in the fold. Members of the Burnham family are still its members. May its prospects be glorious in 1943!
598
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY THE SOUTH CENTER BAPTIST CHURCH IN WARRENVILLE, ASHFORD
By George C. Chappell
On January 22, 1848, at a meeting convened at the house of Elder Nathaniel Sheffield, in Warrenville, the expediency of organizing a Baptist Church in what was known as Pompey Hollow was considered. Elder Washington Munger was chosen moderator, and Elder D. D. Lyon of Pomfret offered prayer. Hiram Cady was clerk. Elder Nathaniel Sheffield, Polly Sheffield, his wife, Celia A. Coats, Sapphira Hammond, John Church, James Kent, Hiram Cady and Miriam Cady, his wife, then related their experience.
A constitution was unanimously adopted at this meeting. Five days later, January 27th, Articles of Faith and the Church Covenant were adopted. Hiram Cady was chosen secretary and treasurer, Elder Sheffield, John Church and James Kent were chosen a committee to manage the temporal affairs of the church the ensuing year. The first trustees were Hiram Cady, John Church and James Kent, and the first deacon was Hiram Cady.
Wednesday, May 23, 1849, a Council of Recognition was held at their house of worship, Central Valley (Warrenville). After the reading of their con- stitution, articles of faith and covenant, it was resolved "that we see no reason why the South Center Church (Central Valley), Ashford, should not be rec- ognized as a regular gospel church, and that we now proceed to a public recog- nition of the church by appropriate religious exercises."
The present house of worship was built in the year 1848. Washington Munger was the first pastor. During the two years of his ministry sixteen were added by baptism and six by experience and letter. His salary was $175 a year and seventeen cords of wood standing. The church was received into the Ashford Baptist Association with a membership of thirty-one. The last one of the charter members, Mrs. Miriam Cady, passed away August 28, 1895.
It was voted to hold the covenant meeting the last Saturday in every two months at 1 o'clock, and that the communion service follow the next Sabbath. In 1849, Nathaniel Sheffield was chosen key-keeper, and Luther Hall to attend to opening and closing the window-blinds. Rev. Percival Mathewson was the second pastor. His salary was $190 and fire-wood. During his four years' pastorate eleven were added to the church. In 1853 the First Ashford Baptist Church was dropped from the Ashford Baptist Association. In 1850 eight horse-sheds were built. Elder Sheffield died in 1852, leaving a fund of $1,000 to the church, the interest of which was to be used for the support of the gospel.
Rev. I. B. Maryott became pastor in 1854, and was ordained in September that year. Three were added to the church during the four years of his ministry.
Rev. Tubal Wakefield served the church two years, and there was one ac- cession by letter. Three hundred dollars was received from the estate of John Warren, for the support of the gospel. October 20, 1859, was resolved that this religious society should henceforth be known as the South Center Baptist Church at Warrenville in Ashford.
Rev. Hugh Fulton followed with a brief pastorate in 1860. Jabez Swan and Nathan Emery Shailer, evangelists, held special meetings, and the church received a few useful members as Ebenezer Chaffee, Delia A. Gifford, Eliza A. Gifford, Frank L. Durkee, Ebenezer James, Joseph Jones, Jared Lanphear.
599
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
In 1864 Rev. Lucian Burleigh accepted the call to the pastorate. Twenty- seven united with the church during the three and a half years of his ministry.
The eighth pastor was Courtland B. Rockwell. Two were added to the church by baptism. He was ordained by the church December 3, 1868. John W. Holman served the church three months in the year 1870. Rev. David Avery spent four years as pastor in which four were added to the roll. The Ashford Baptist Association met at Warrenville in 1874. Jared Lanphear and Charles D. Eager were chosen tithing-men, and the latter was engaged as sexton for $25 a year. The house of worship was repaired and painted, also the parsonage, and an organ and bell were purchased.
Everett P. Mathewson began to supply the pulpit in 1875, and January 31, 1878, he was ordained to the gospel ministry. The house of worship was remodeled, and the present parsonage was built. During his five years' pas- torate, the longest up to this time, the church prospered to a large degree.
Three were added to the membership in the one year pastorate of Rev. J. J. Bronson. In April, 1881, Rev. Charles N. Nichols began a three years' pastorate, receiving two members. In 1884, Rev. L. S. Brown became pastor of the church and of the Westford Baptist Church, with his residence at West- ford the greater part of the time. He served these churches one and one-half years. Rev. Nathaniel Kingsbury, pastor of the Congregational Church at Ashford Center, supplied three years, and six were added to the church by baptism. Rev. Samuel Thatcher began a pastorate of five years on these two fields in the year 1889. The church edifice was repaired in 1893 at an expense of $1,000. Eleven new members were received. Rev. George C. Chappell began his pastorate May 20, 1894, and was ordained September 4th the same year. Six societies were organized-the Christian Endeavor, Ladies' Mission Circle, Club of Twenty-seven, The Gleaners, Young Men's Minute Class, and The Sunbeams. The Christian Endeavor Society became one of the largest and strongest in the Willimantic Christian Endeavor Union. Good results were ac- complished in each new society. Many improvements were made on the church property, and a large number united with the church. A new organ, a Sunday school library, and other modern church equipment were purchased. The Ashford Baptist Association was entertained twice, and the Sunday School Convention once. Mr. Chappell was moderator of the association one year, and served that body six years as clerk and treasurer, and was secretary of the Ashford Bible Society. He was also pastor of the Westford Baptist Church for three years, and the supply of the Westford Congregational Church for the same period. Rev. B. C. Bugbee was ordained at Warrenville November, 1909, and is the present pastor of the church. New pews and stained windows have been installed, and rededicatory services were held. Along with the ma- terial progress the fires of religion have been kept warmly glowing. While the membership has not been increased, it has not been reduced to any great extent. The Ashford Baptist Association was entertained in September, 1917. Mr. Bugbee has been the pastor of the Ashford Town Congregational Church for eight years.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN DANIELSONVILLE
In April, 1873, Rev. R. Trumbull, D. D., superintendent of the missionary work in the Connecticut Baptist State Convention, accompanied by Rev. Charles
600
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
Willett, late pastor of the Baptist Church in Putnam, paid a visit to this place, to confer with resident Baptists and others, as to the expediency of establish- ing regular Sabbath services under the auspices of the convention.
A convenient room known as Liberty Hall, pleasantly located on Oak Street, was secured and the first service was held May 11th, Rev. Dr. Trumbull offi- ciating.
The number in attendance was sufficiently large to greatly encourage the friends of the movement, and in response to the question, "How many of those present desire the establishment of a Baptist Church and congregation in the place ?" nearly all present arose; whereupon a provisional committee to secure the use of the hall, etc., was appointed, consisting of Henry Westcott, Daniel G. Sherman, Wm. M. Johnson and W. W. Woodward.
This committee with others interested met subsequently, and chose Wm. M. Johnson chairman, Henry E. Tillinghast clerk, and Henry A. Wheaton treasurer. Mr. Wheaton afterwards declining to act, W. W. Woodward was chosen as treasurer until the regular formation of the Baptist Ecclesiastical Society in March, 1874.
Arrangements were also made to secure a choir to lead in the songs of Zion ; Mr. Henry A. Westcott, a veteran in that department volunteering to take the oversight, and Mrs. Geo. I. Ross to play the organ. Mr. William Gleason also volunteered to act as sexton, and thus the movement was fairly inaugurated.
A melodeon which was secured for temporary use mysteriously disappeared before the second Sabbath, whereupon Mr. Westcott purchased and placed in the hall for the use of the choir a good sized and excellent toned cabinet organ.
Doctor Trumbull was present the second Sabbath and preached in the morn- ing, and Rev. Charles Willett delivered a soldiers' memorial discourse to a large audience at 5 P. M.
From that time, though the mission was under the general supervision of Rev. Dr. Trumbull, and favored with occasional visits from him, the immediate care of it devolved upon Mr. Willett, who preached on the Sabbath, searched out the resident Baptists during the week, obtained letters of dismission for them from other churches and thus gradually he prepared the way for formal organization, which was effected March 5, 1874. The following church covenant was adopted :
"As we trust we have been brought by divine grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the influence of His Spirit to give ourselves up to Him, so we do now solemnly covenant with each other, that, God enabling us, we will walk together in brotherly love; that we will exercise a Christian care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully warn, rebuke and admonish one another, as the case shall require. That we will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor omit the great duty of prayer, both for ourselves and for others; that we will participate in each other's joys, and endeavor, with tenderness and sympathy, to bear each other's burdens and sorrows; that we will earnestly endeavor such as may be under our care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; that we will seek divine aid to enable us to walk cir- cumspectly and watchfully in the world ; denying ungodliness and every worldly lust; and seeking to promote righteousness, temperance and every Christian virtue; that we will strive together for the support of a faithful evangelical ministry among us; that we will endeavor, by example and effort to win souls
601
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
to Christ; and through life, amidst evil report and good report, seek to live to the glory of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light."
It is interesting to note this broad foundation of the Christian faith, as adopted by the Danielson Baptist Church forty-six years ago, and forshadow- ing the best of modern liberalism in Christian interpretation. Without doubt when this "Covenant" was adopted, it was still interpreted as expressing the orthodox "Trinitarian" faith, and the words "Christian" and "Evangelical" were still given denominational significance; and yet every word here expressed can be interpreted, as undoubtedly it is by present-day members of this church, in the later-day meaning as expressing no narrow sectarianism, but sufficiently defining "Christian" as "the Fatherhood of God" and "the Brotherhood of Man" and "Evangelical" as meaning the spiritual message of "the gospel" for time and eternity, through the church-and really, what more did the mes- sage of Christ himself mean than this, for "Jew and Gentile," "Greek and Barbarian."
Following is the present organization of the church: Pastor, Rev. J. T. Edwards; clerk, F. T. Stinson ; treasurer, W. L. Dixon; trustees, F. T. Preston, E. H. Hammett, J. W. Gallup; deacons, F. T. Preston, E. H. Hammett, Wil- fred L'heureux, W. J. Craig, C. H. Starkweather, R. E. Allen, E. B. Wilbur ; finance committee, C. H. Starkweather, Chairman R. E. Allen, Lillian Bailey, H. J. Burbank, W. J. Craig, W. L. Dixon, J. T. Edwards, J. W. Gallup, E. H. Hammett, F. T. Preston, Frank Stinson, Grace Spalding, E. T. Tillinghast, E. R. Warren, Rosa Warren, E. B. Wilbur.
Church school: Superintendent, R. E. Allen; assistant superintendent, Amasa Pierce; general secretary, Henry Burton; school secretary, Marjorie Gaffney ; treasurer, Lillian Bailey.
Pastors of church: Rev. R. Trumbull, organizer; Rev. Charles Willett, supply ; Rev. W. C. Carr, 1874-1881; Rev. F. L. Knapp, 1884-1892; Rev. Geo. Guiry, 1893-1895 ; Rev. B. U. Hatfield, 1896-1900; Rev. F. S. Bacon, 1901-1903; Rev. W. J. Twomey, 1903-1905; Rev. D. J. Neily, 1905-1910; Rev. W. D. Swof- field, 1910-1917; Rev. J. T. Edwards, 1917-1920.
Woman's Missionary Society : Mrs. John Morgan, president; Mrs. George I. Eaton, vice president ; Miss Grace Spalding, leader; Mrs. C. A. Frost, secre- tary ; Mrs. W. J. Craig, treasurer.
Ladies' Aid Society : Mrs. Rosa Warren, president; Mrs. G. O. Thomas, vice president ; Mrs. E. T. Tillinghast, secretary ; Mrs. B. C. Conklin, treasurer.
Crusaders (young people) : Lorimer Dixon, president; Amasa Pierce, vice president ; Mrs. H. J. Barnett, secretary ; Clinton `Cleveland, treasurer.
The majority of the Sunday school classes are organized and have regular monthly meetings and socials.
Honor roll-World war: In honor of their willingness to sacrifice. Walter Adams, Wellington Bitgood, Louis Ballington, Howard Call, Lester Craig, Howard Dixon, Homer Dixon, Lorimer Dixon, Elmer Gallup, Henry Gallup. Earl Geer, Harold Green, Harold Hutchins, George Jordan, Roy Keach, Tru- man Lyon, George Nuttall, William Nuttall, Charles Pierce, John Preston, Ray- mond Preston, Prescott Smith, Charles Stone, Albert Vachon, Young Men's Christian Association.
602
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
PUTNAM BAPTIST CHURCH
The Baptists were the first on the field in Putnam. Preaching services by Baptist ministers in what is now the City of Putnam were occasionally held during the period from 1807 to 1813. During the latter and following year a revival swept over this vicinity and about thirty persons were baptized and united with the Pomfret Baptist Church, of which Rev. James Grow was pastor. For a few years immediately prior to 1845, by the residents of Pomfret Factory (sometimes styled "Pomfret Depot"), there was conducted religious services of the various denominations; the Baptists usually going on foot to Pomfret. Early in that year, however, encouraged by Rev. Benjamin Congdon, pastor, these members "humbly petitioned" the mother church to delegate to them by vote full authority and privileges of a branch of their body. This petition was favored and on January 17, 1847, the branch was formed. Three days later, at a called meeting, Harrison Johnson was chosen clerk and Elliott Carpenter and William Johnson elected to assist at communion. At the same meeting David Clark, Joseph Wheaton, Jr., and Rev. Lucius Holmes (then pastoral supply), were appointed a committee to consult the membership concerning the "advisability of erecting a house of worship, to ascertain the probable cost, and select a site." The committee not agreeing and were discharged. After a prolonged discussion, by a majority vote of one, it was decided to locate and erect the building on the western side of Quinebaug River. The sum of $1,500 having been subscribed for building, the church committee (David Clark, Jared Chollar and Joseph Wheaton, Jr.), summoned the subscribers on August 23, 1847, to "locate the meeting-house." A lot having been donated by Smith and Edmund Wilkinson, owners of the property now known as the Putnam Woolen Company, it was decided to erect a building thereon. A building com- mittee was appointed, and the following day the branch voted to "organize themselves into an independent church." The council for perfecting the or- ganization was deferred until May 30, 1848, when after a sermon preached by Rev. Charles Willett, the "Wilkinson Baptist Church," with twenty-four con- stituent members was organized. This name was retained until in 1855, when it was changed to the "First Baptist Church of Putnam." The departure of these members sealed the fate of the declining interest in Pomfret's and the mother church closed its doors a few years later.
The first constituent members of the Putnam church were: Elliott Car- penter, George W. Wheaton, Reuben F. Harvey, Rhodes G. Allen, William Johnson, Harrison Johnson, Jasen Johnson, Joseph Wheaton, Jr., Mrs. Lydia Robinson, Mrs. Almira A. Johnson, Miss Fanny Chaffee, Mrs. Mariah Car- penter, Miss Eliza H. Harvey, Mrs. Sally Wheaton, Mrs. Mary Leach, Miss Sarah C. Carpenter, Mrs. Almira Allen, Mrs. Hulda S. Underwood, Miss Eme- line Whipple, Miss Julia A. Whipple, Mrs. Abigail Wheaton, Mrs. Louisa A. Badger, and Mrs. Sally Robinson.
Rev. Solomon Gale was the first settled pastor of the new church and David Clark and Elliott Carpenter the first deacons. The subjoined is a list of the various pastors serving this church : Rev. Solomon Gale, served one year and was succeeded by Rev. Allen Darrow. He was followed by Rev. Charles Willett from 1854 to 1857. The next was Rev. William C. Walker, who remained till 1864, when he resigned to become a chaplain in the Eighteenth Connecticut Regiment in the Civil war. Next pastor was Rev. Charles Willett, 1864 to 1872,
603
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
then came Rev. Benjamin F. Bronson, D. D. He was a man of exceptional ability with a gracious personality which won for him a legion of friends; his pastorate continued until 1881. It was under this pastorate that, on February 22, 1873, the house of worship was burned, but this did not hinder the cause, for the records show that a beautiful church edifice was immediately erected and dedicated May 16, 1874, free of all debts.
Doctor Bronson resigned March, 1881, and was succeeded by Rev. John R. Stubbert April 1, 1882. The church provided the new pastor with a parsonage. Rev. Mr. Stubbert remained till March, 1891. During one year of this pastorate 123 members were received into communion. From December, 1891, until January, 1897, Rev. John W. Ashworth had charge of the church; he was fol- lowed by Rev. A. W. Hand in March, 1897, who remained pastor until July, 1902.
In 1897 it was found that the French people who had located at Putnam in great numbers, needed the care of a missionary for this church, hence Rev. Timothy Tetreault was placed in the field and many were added to the church as a result; others doing work among the French, were Rev. B. F. Benoit who labored most successfully.
Following Rev. Mr. Hand, Rev. John R. Stubbert returned in November, 1902, and remained until his health failed him in April, 1916, when a call was extended and accepted by Rev. Albert E. Stone, a young man of unusual at- tainments, who proved his loyalty to his country by becoming naval chaplain in the present World war, his resignation taking place February 10, 1918.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.