A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 2

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 960

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Then from the west a soft breeze sprang up; a ripple ran across the lakes, the rivers, the tiny streamlets. The veil that hung in front of what had seemed a silvery water fall, but was in reality a huge ledge, fringed with yellowing ferns, which swayed but did not break, and all the green and scarlet and gold- tipped leaves of the trees stirred in response to the whisper of wind; and we repeated softly, "For ye shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace. The mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands."

Thus the fifty-fifth chapter of Isaiah was given as the Scripture lesson for the Woman's Mission meeting. Always in later years, as I have passed that way in the rapidly gliding car of my thoughtful friend, Miss Rosa O. Hall, state and also associational treasurer of the Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society, and a member of the State Baptist Board of Promotion, I have looked for the scene of that wonderful inspiration, the vivid impression of which has never grown less, and found a lesson in the path of improvement that has filled the valleys, reduced the impediment to speed of the hills, and given methods of conveyance that do not weary by the way.

That two-days associational meeting at Brooklyn is vividly remembered. Court was in session, bringing an unusual number of non-residents to the beau- tiful and interesting village. We were entertained by Miss Sarah Searls of blessed memory at her charming home, now the residence of her nieces, the Misses Bowles. I recall Pastor and Mrs. Bennett and their young son; Judge and Mrs. Pond, Mr. and Mrs. St. John and others of the church that always since wherever met have seemed like friends. Mrs. Isaacs, a summer resident, spoke interestingly at the woman's meeting of the work in her home church, Calvary Baptist, New York. There was a speaker whose name I do not recall and at dinner Rev. Wilson R. Terry, pastor of the Willington church, remarked : "I was disappointed in that address. It was merely a succession of stories setting forth the work of the Publication Society, no doubt, but seeming rather trivial among so much that was profound."

"To me they were enjoyable, like arrows well pointed, and no doubt, each one will reach its mark in some heart."

"I hope so, they made a variety at least."

Returning to the audience-room, I met in the vestibule a middle-aged woman who looked in my face with a half smile that impelled me to say, noticing her fresh white apron, "You must be tired, after assisting in serving dinner to such a company, I am glad you have come up for a rest."

"Awh, you mistake," she replied in broad Scotch, and went on to say that she was told that the lady for whom she sometimes worked was at the church, and as she waited on the steps to get speech with her, when she came out, she was attracted by the representative of the Publication Society, "Did ye hear

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that minister tell about his going to visit that eighty-three-years old Scotch- man, and the dear old mon brought out the Bible his mother had given him seventy-five years before, with his name written in it in her own hand, and how God's Book had been his guide, and how when he died shortly after, the Bible was placed on his coffin ? Now was'na that good? I never have heard anything like that since I came to America. I am Scotch myself, you see, and at home always went to kirk, but here I have not because everything has seemed strange, and not as if God and his Book were just the same here as in the old country ; but as I stood on the steps waiting, that preacher's voice seemed to reach out and to draw me in and I heard the prayer and it seems loike a bless- ing."

"And you will come again ?"

"Will you be here, and that preacher?"

"Neither of us, but many good people who will make you welcome."

"I'm not sure-no minister has been to see me and I have not been asked; I have been living alone here some time, you see."

When I told my pastor the little experience, he said, "The arrow went straight to the lonely stranger's heart and has hit mine in the rebound. I am not sure that there are not people in Willington who have never been in- vited to enter the church. Nice, useful people like your new friend, who hold themselves aloof waiting to be invited; and the pastor, instead of looking for the Master's sheep wandering aimlessly outside and questioning, it may be, that they are not invited to enter, limits his attention to those inside his fold and fancies he is doing his whole duty. Thank you for telling me, I will profit by the suggestion," and he did.

The drive between Willington and Brooklyn had been a familiar one for generations. Miss Florinda Preston, one of the large family of Amos and Martha Taylor of "Willington Hollow," had married Davis Williams, a farmer in Brooklyn, and a deacon of the Unitarian Church there. He, however, as was often related, had been baptized by immersion, possibly out of respect to his wife and her family, but when this was suggested to a very intelligent old gentleman in the vicinity, he replied, "Oh, in those days there were Baptist Unitarians, more of them than there were Unitarian Baptists." A truly in- teresting paradox. Notwithstanding the farm known far and wide for its progressive methods had long since passed into other hands, the long drives across were always made interesting by reminiscences, and there were detours to remembered points of interest that inevitably included the "wolf den." This gave me an interesting acquaintance with old highways and by-ways of the country-side, everyone of which is enveloped in mystery and holds an untold story. Now that the descendants of that family are all or nearly all in Hart- ford, an auto party occasionally will call, having been to the o'd cemtery to visit the resting place of their ancestors, and are going on to the site of the old tannery at the Hollow, and eastward to beautiful Brooklyn and its points of traditional interest there.

During the long pastorate of Rev. George F. Genung the association circuit brought pleasant gatherings to Brooklyn. Mrs. Genung was for a time the much-loved president for the state of the Woman's Home Mission Society while her husband was pastor of the Huntington Avenue Church, New London, and again while their home was in Brooklyn, until failing healtlı made it imperative that she no longer carry the burden of the work. Mrs. Harriett Bronson Genung

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had many rare mental gifts and a soul striving ever for the triumph of right- eousness, and lives still in the hearts of many affectionate friends.

For the country churches which have been for generations combatting the growing irresponsibility of that element of society with whom a good time is the highest standard of living, and for their faithful consecrated workers, I have not only love and admiration but enthusiasm. Pastors come and go but there is ever the spirit of faith, zeal and patience that endures notwithstanding all handicaps, sometimes within and always without, "He that hatlı an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

Despite criticism it is this spirit that has been the moving influence, creat- ing and maintaining all that is best throughout our beloved New England, whose people community wise, as is attested by reliable tradition, gathered with those who followed The Faith (in their acts, to show that they did not deny it) into isolated groups about the primitive houses of worship that formed the nucleus of a settlement.

In the early days there was a large floating population moving from place to place, looking for something better before settling permanently; those from the Sound followed the streams inland, seeking tillable land; and there is little doubt that they brought with them the Baptist principles gained from those first seekers for religious liberty in and about Waterford where the first bap- tisms were solemnized, we are told, in 1674.

Protracted out-of-door meetings, later called camp-meetings, preceded the churches, as did those held in Moose Meadow in the north part of Willington, when Whitefield was present, and people came from great distances. These tra- ditions, as related by those who were the oldest inhabitants when I came to dwell among them, interested me greatly in the churches with which I have became so familiar as to be able to affirm that the early spirit of bravery and loyalty to the cause has never grown less.

The Eastford Baptist Church organized in 1794 on one of the many "meet- ing-house-hills" that dotted New England, on anniversary days becomes a shrine to which the faithful come for miles to pray, praise, plan and take account of progress, as they obediently "gather themselves together." The surround- ings, retaining all their natural picturesque beauty of grey rock, wonderful primeval oaks, fine close turf with a well-worn foot-path here and there, are most impressive.

Among the pastors of this church Rev. Asa Randlett, "Father Randlett," as he came to be affectionately known, with his lovely wife and talented family, left an impress. He had with rare mental ability great spiritual power. The beneficent effect of his sermons was ineffaceable, their truth remaining among the fundamentals. His presence was not only a promise, but a benediction.

The Woodstock churches also organized in 1794. With West Woodstock and the kindly people, there I first gained a pleasant impression from my intimate neighbor in Willington, Mrs. Elvira Barrows Taylor, whose father, Rev. Sylvester Barrows, was at one time a pastor there, as he was also of the Willington Church; and friends of hers in the pretty village, Congregationalists as well as Baptists, became mine. The associational meetings held here Sep- tember 7 and 8, 1887, when Rev. Mr. Graham was pastor, were memorable. How can the country-side community spirit of those days be more forcefully shown than by recording entirely from memory the harmonious atmosphere of that two days' gathering? I recall the pleasant, encouraging talk with Mrs.

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Corbin regarding the necessity for the home mission movement; the delightful social spirit that made everyone feel welcome and at home; the pretty, roomy parsonage where everyone was in and out, and acquaintanceship budded to bloom later into the flower of friendship. It was a very largely attended meet- ing. Rev. Mr. Knapp, the Danielson pastor, known by his admirers as the St. John of the association, was moderator; D. A. Smith representing the Foreign Mission Society, "Missionary to the Karens of Burma since 1863," as I find in his own writing in my autograph book, said he fancied he was better known as the son of the author of "America" than for his work in Burma, and seem- ingly enjoyed his chat at dinner with the Willington delegates about the Vintons and the Karen youths who had accompanied him to this country to assist in the translating of the Bible into the Karen. When Mr. Preston sang the first verse of "Rock of Ages," commencing "La pa ta i-o i-o" in the monosyllabic, Mr. Smith was much amused and said on his return he should inform Kone-louk. then president of the Baptist college at Maulmain, that he had met one of his pupils in America. This was the beginning of a pleasant correspondence.

At sunset a heavy thunder shower prevented the arrival of the speaker for the evening, who was driving from a distance, Willimantic I think, and the Rev. Mr. Gunn from Franklin County, Mass., a guest of his son-in-law, Rev. Mr. Brigham, pastor of the Spring Hill church, spoke most impressively upon the reality and power of the Holy Spirit, a sermon so effective that several who drove to their homes in the darkness and humidity of the late evening drove back in the morning in time for a meeting for prayer at the parsonage pre- ceding the opening of the association at the church. Among these were Deacon Manning and Rev. Mr. Stubbert, pastor of the Putnam church, his father-in- law; Rev. Asa Randlett from Eastford, Rev. Frederick Bachelder and Deacon Wightman from Stafford. The tone of this meeting, showing vital interest in the church and all that it stood for in the early days, was something to treasure in memory as was the testimony and experience meeting with which the two days association closed. This followed a spirited discussion upon tithing. Just before the benediction the voice of Miss Sarah Searls in an appealing tone said, "Pray for Brooklyn." Many recalled this when during the following winter there was a notable revival at the Brooklyn church, followed by several addi- tions to its membership.

Another resultant episode of the day commenced by the scattering of the small seed of an invitation or request that a Windham County pastor's wife should read a poem at the home mission meeting. She declined on the score of inexperience, although admitting that she regretted her inability to do any- thing of the kind. This led to a serious talk regarding lost opportunities as a pastor's wife. She was then asked to read the poem to Mr. Preston and to abide by his decision. As she lacked the confidence, he said, "Will you allow me to read it to you for your criticism?" At this she laughed merrily, but complied and the result was that she read effectively at the meeting. An .oc- casional correspondence continued until they left the state for another and larger field.

Several years later at the annual meeting of the New England branch of the Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society, held in the First Baptist Church of Cambridge, Mass., I met Rev. James McWhinnie of Connecticut, pastor and the guest of the Misses Georgianna and Harriett Leonard of the Colonial Leonard and Topliff families of Willington, as they are still among the

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leading members of the church; this for me added interest to the occasion. At tea on the first day, the delegates were delightfully entertained by the ladies of the church. As we were finding our seats at the tables, a sweet-faced lady asked if she might exchange her place card with the delegate next me, a stranger, as she had something in particular to say to me. As I consented she continued, "You do not recognize me, yet doubtless recall that Ashford association, held at West Woodstock in September, 1887. I am the self-conscious reader who made her first attempt at doing what she could in a helpful way before the public. That episode changed the whole tenor of my life. Since that day I have never shirked an opportunity and have been happy and contented ac- cordingly. After Mr. Preston had read the poem to me that day, he said 'My dear lady, you have taken a fancy that you are unattractive and are making no effort to help the matter.' It dawned upon me when you laughed just now; beauty is of expression. It is every woman's privilege as well as her duty to be beautiful. After the meeting he said 'Bravo! Nothing could have been better!' Will you convey to him my gratitude for his plain speaking ?"

"With pleasure, and will add that I am gratified that he made himself so 'convarsable' on that eventful day, as he has never forgoten to remind me on occasion that the elder Mr. Graham, father of the pastor, said to him with his fascinating Scotch accent, 'Your wife is a very convarsable woman.' "

Since that time Pastor and Mrs. Atherton, Mrs. Byron Bates, Mrs. Chamber- lain and other are among those pleasantly remembered there.

Of that pleasant company who drove back to Tolland County in the late September afternoon over the picturesque and attractive North Ashford hill- top, where stands the Eastford church and the old "tavern-stand," where Joshua Preston, son of Amos of Willington, was once the landlord, and where the later Albert Preston of Hartford was born, always a family landmark and now espe- cially to Maj. Edward V. Preston of the Travelers, Harford, the only one re- maining of the family of Joshua, and on through the wonderful "Boston Hollow" where traditionally during the Revolution a detachment of Massa- chusetts troops marching from Boston to New London camped through a stren- uous winter, two only beside this scribe now remain to exchange reminiscences, Mrs. Clara Sharp Potter who has just completed a history of Willington for use in the schools, and Mrs. Alice Holman Hall (Mrs. Colonel W. H. Hall), who have been faithful to and are still fulfilling the beautiful promise of early girlhood.

As I was finishing the above paragraph, the R. F. D. brought a letter from Mrs. Henry Fryer of Willimantic, an indefatigable home mission worker, in which is this bit of relevant news:

"Our Associational Sunday School Convention was held in North Ashford in June despite the fact that they entertained the association last September, as it was the one hundreth anniversary of the organization of that school. Miss Grace Spaulding of Danielson writes me that it was a wonderful meeting; 280 delegates present. Those people certainly know how to entertain a crowd with the least confusion of any church I know." Miss Spaulding knows all our churches and both my fellow workers have my thanks for this timely tribute to this parish where in an exceptional way the community life still centers about the church life.

It was remarkable that in all the associational churches, some local interest promoted my acquaintanceship and assisted my efforts. They were such in-

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telligent people, the foreign-mission interest had made the way plain, and all were willing, some anxious, to "double the dollar and not divide." I do not recall a word of dissent. One of my helpers was Rev. William C. Walker, the convention's pastor at large, or state missionary, a family relative and former pastor of the Willington and of the Putnam churches, but well acquainted throughout the association.

Of Deacon Manning and family of Putnam he had spoken so affectionately that I looked forward to meeting them and have ever felt deep appreciation of their cordiality. The Putnam church has ever been remarkably dependable and responsive. They have been fortunate in their pastors and still are so. Mr. Stubbert was a wise leader, held in honor by the whole association, and he covered the field so long that the pastorships of Rev. Mr. Ashworth and Rev. Mr. Hand as much as they were esteemed seemed only an episode and all re- joiced at Mr. Stubbert's return. Mr. Ashworth was pastor when at our asso- ciational meeting, the last in the old church, Misses Packard and Giles of Spell- man were present, assisting in making the time and place memorable. With the gifted and efficient state and associational officers of the Woman's Baptist Foreign Mission Society, Mrs. Helen Manning Kent (Mrs. Dr. J. B. Kent), and Mrs. Luella Towne Burleson, my relations have been most helpful, pleasant and congenial. In all the churches there are so many distinctly remembered of whose names I am not sure, but their individuality is perfect in my mental panorama of the years and their works praise them. At first Mrs. Burleson was in South Woodstock and I associate her with that church as I do Mrs. Grace Chapman Harrington.

A native of "My Neighbor Windham" who is most worthy of mention is the late Mrs. DaLuka Leonard Holt, a native of Ashford, who married Joshua Holt of Willington, an early friend schoolmate and companion of Jared Sparks and also a genius. While Jared was making almanacs and globes and studying Latin, Joshua was studying music and at work upon divers ingenious inven- tions. Without having seen a piano he made a piano that for years gave ac- ceptable and useful service in church, school and in community singing classes. Mr. Holt was never strong and died when he and Miss Leonard had been mar- ried but a short time. At the beginning of the Civil war, when nurses were called for after the first battle of Bull Run, she volunteered and remained in service as long as a Union soldier remained in Virginia. On her return from the war to the town where her household effects were left, she found them scattered and the piano ruthlessly destroyed by irresponsible children. For years she lived in Killingly, Grosvenordale and Danielson and was active in promoting the work of the Baptist churches. Through her I became acquainted with Miss Wescott of the Danielson church who was her devoted friend. After years of failing strength, beloved and respected by all living, near the church of her youth in the little home she had purchased here with her savings, she passed away and was buried by the side of her young husband in the old Hill cemetery ; both remarkable for native ability, achievement, piety, patriotism. It is with thankfulness that I avail myself of this opportunity of perpetuating their names.

Among Danielson friends, home-mission wise, have been Miss Westcott, Mrs. Burbank, Mrs. Knapp, Mrs. Sydney Crofut, a native of Willington, but now in Hartford, Mrs. Frank Preston, Miss Grace Spaulding and many others. Of the pastors of this church, all are recalled from Mr. Knapp to Mr. Twoomey's

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career, since that time at the state convention in Harford, when Dr. George M. Stone's introductory-"And here is Twoomey with the whole map of Ire- land on his face," have been followed with greatest interest, until now when an occasional post-card assures me that old friends are not forgotten.

At the thought of beautiful Thompson Street a picture of Rev. S. A. Ives and Mr. Foy among the pastors, of dear Miss Helen Cranska and her sister, of . Mr. and Mrs. Arnold and Miss Mary, float across the screen of memory and I am reminded of an associational meeting when the Arnolds entertained me at the Inn; and among pleasant people met there a type of gentlemen more common in those years than now; very agreeable and intelligent; and when a young college man asked "Where did you graduate?" after considerable con- versation regarding the curriculum of his alma mater, to the surprise of all present the gentleman replied, "At the little red schoolhouse in the Bald Moun- tain district where I was born."

"Excuse me, but you seemed so conversant with the classics, as well as with modern languages, that I, of course, supposed you to be a college man."

"I have been in business since I was a growing lad. I completed Green- leaf's Common School Arithmetic and was able to pass a fair examination in the other so-called common branches at the district school when my father died and it became necessary for me to go to work and our pastor who was on the town school board found a position for me in his brother's shoe store in a nearby city. Aside from this kindness he gave me an incentive to study, by telling me that if I chose to make a point of it, I could at forty be as good a scholar as my cousin who was to fit for college. He said if I kept my mind occupied, I would not be homesick and that if I retained the habit of study already formed at school, I would never be a squanderer of time. His kindly thought for my future helped me to a realization of the value of odd minutes, and by utilizing my spare time in useful study and reading I have attained what I have in the way of education."

All of which may hold a lesson, even now, for some young persons so eager to "get on" that they "cut" high school for a more or less lucrative position !

While placing these "casual" memory sketches upon paper, culling here and there from the abundance and leaving much just as worthy of preserva- tion, Warrenville has been in mind as my nearest neighbor over the sunrise hills, highly esteemed since when in response to my first timid attempt to in- troduce the home-mission idea to the favorable attention of the sisters of the church, Miss Delia Gifford sent a cordial letter of welcome to the new move- ment; until the present, when telephone chats with Mrs. Bugbee and Mrs. Mat- thewson regarding reading contests and loving cups take the place of long explanatory letters, and the officers of the new organization, and relieve the director of many details. This church stands for so much that is admirable that it is not easy to epitomize. So many pleasant occasions have taken me there; such a dear, well-kept, home-like church edifice, and always so much that expressed the loving interest of the people; the flowers and the pretty tasteful arrangement of details, the cordiality, for instance, when taking the wife of our new pastor Mrs. Darrow to Mr. Bugbee's ordination, Mr. Darrow having beeen one of the committee present at the examination, our reception as we drove up to the steps, so impressed her that she explained presently, "They seem so really pleased to see us that I no longer feel like a stranger."

Vol. II-2

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That is one of the ways in which Mr. David Matthewson, so recently called hence, will be pleasantly remembered.

The church has had able pastors, Rev. Samuel Thatcher and his interest- ing family ; Rev. Mr. Chappell and his accomplished wife; and Rev. and Mrs. Bugbee. These long pastorates attest to the charm of the environment. The community spirit was always evidenced here by the abundance provided when- ever the association was entertained, Judge and Mrs. Davis Baker for years . being foremost among the entertainers, and setting the standard for those who took up the work after them. And now a new community movement is coming to the aid of those who have so faithfully and bravely sustained the work of the church.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 2

Author: Lincoln, Allen B Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co. Number of Pages: 960

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 960