USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > A record and documentary history of Simsbury > Part 13
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"We the Inhabitants of simsbury in the County of Hart- ford, in ye Collony of Connecticutt, do by ourselves engage or by our Deligates be it engaged on our Behalfe, We do bynd ourSelvef Heirs executors adminiftrators and afsignes, to pay or caufe to be payed, to Thomas Barber the full and Just sume of thirty three pounds, all in good and Current pay, accord- ing to the law of the Country wheat, Peafe, Indian Corne, and Porke, vpon an equal proportion of ech the one halfe to be payd in corn & pork, according to ye kind above writte. By the laft of March 1682/3 the other half to be payd by the laft of Febbr 1683, according to ye specias and time above written. If there be a Faylure on our part in refpect of sd paymt on our part. we bind ourselves to pay in ye same specia above written. as a forfieture to be recovered by him on us Ten pounds this read and approved."
"Tho Barber Indenture."
S. T. R. B. I. P. 28
"This Indentre, made this 25th of Novembr 1682 Wit- tneffeth, yt I Thomas Barber Carpenter and Inhabitor of Simsbury in ye County of Hartford in ye Collony of Con- necticut in New england Do by thefe prefents bind my- selfe. and ftand by thefe presents Firmly Bound to the In- habitants of Simsbury. or inftead of them. to ye Selectmen of simsbury. as the Townes Agents. to set up a Frame for a metting houfe, for ye Towne of Simsbury at the place appoynted, and put vp Flue Boards at ech end, and piramides. alfo to
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S. T. R. B. I. P. 27
shingle, the faid Roofe. and Claboard ye the same Fraime. wholily. and make one doore to ye faid House, the Towne Finding Nails (for further explaination thus) the Articls and deminfions as to which I do engage, are as followeth (to Wit:) - Ist - to fall all ye said Timber and such as is firme sound good whit oack or building timber.
- 2dly - To Hewe the same wel and workman like.
- 3dly - To Draw Home all ye sd Timbr For ye work.
- 4 - To fraime ye said Timber Well and according to the Nature, Vse, and Neccessity of Such a Building puting in girts to sd fraime.
- 5tly - get Cart hue and lay ye lath and shingles of said Roofe.
- 6tly - get cart fit and clabbord all ye out fyd work of the faid Houfe, Wales and Gabble ends. and make one Doore: The Towne to Rais the faid Fraime when it is fitt and have Dew Warrning from me ye sd Thomas barber vpon yr owne propr charg. and I engage my selfe to be there personaly present at ye raising at which work. to be don by me. and at my own Cost and charg as falling, Hueing - Fraiming caring fiting clabboarding shingleing et. onely the Towne finding Nailes.
ye Demenfions of ye said Fraime (viz) 28 foot in length, 24 foot in Breadth. and 14tn Foot Betwen Joynts: to wch Articles et above written. I oblige to them shall be truely and faithfuly don & compleated by the laft of Jun 1683 if nott to Forfiet out of my pay that I ame to receive of the Towne the Full and Just sum of ten pounds, to the towne for their vse. To all and Singularly all the premifes above written I bind my selfe, Heyrs and estate this 25th of Nou 1682. this read and approved pag 15 afterward was Confirmed by ye partys on both sids Concerned:"
The formal approval and ratification of the foregoing contract and specifications is in these words:
"Whereas the Towne formerly have Covenanted and agreed with thomas Barber to Build a Metting houfe in manere According to the Indenture. made between the sd Barber & the Towne. having ben frusterated by the warre. have concluded with thomas barber this Twenty ninth of November 1682 to goe on with ye sd house. according to the
S. T. R. B. I. P. 15
1682.
15I
Modle specified. in ye Agrement with ye said Barber. and do engage the said thomas Barber. to pay for those charges. that thofe Formerly have expended in carting of Metting houfe Timber before the warre Further we leave with the Townfmen our Agentf, to Agree with and Consumate the faid Bargain according to Indenture. both in respect of Modle and tearmes now read. and agreed upon. and to allow the said Barber for getting the said Timber, Hueing carting fraiming shingling clabording and &c, 33 lb.
At a Towne metting of ye Inhabitants of Simsbury Nov 29th 1682. approved by said Inhabitants yr prefent and voted."
But though the town had thus decided to build and en- tered into a contract for building the meeting house, its loca- tion was not yet fixed upon. The frame was prepared; but the all important question - where shall it be placed? - was still undecided.
A happy thought inspired some one of their number; it was communicated to others, and finally all were in harmony. A paper was drawn up and put in circulation for signature, as follows:
"May ye 7th 1683 Whereas ther has ben adifference arifing amongft us concerning. the fetling the place of the meting houfe. that a setled peace may be Obteyned. amongst us to ye glory of god. and comfort of our selves and ours we whofe names are underwritten do so agree and appoynt (as soon as may comfortably be attained,) a day solemnely to met to- gether in a solemne maner to caft lott for ye place wher the meting Houfe shal stand the places Nomineted are Two. at hoppe meadow at ye place where the major pitcht the stake. the other place on ye east syd ye rivr at ye nape at ye southerly end of terryes playne southerly syde of ye litle springy place where the spring Iffuing out of ye ground neer against Sam1 Pinnys Land. and where the providence of God Cast it; so to seet downe contented. and that the present Bargain and Building Indented with thomas barber shall stand. and the building at ye Towne charg to be tranfported and fet up at ye place where the providence of God by lot shall caft it.
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Jofhua Holcomb. John Cafe sen" Michall Humphry. Simon Mills. John Moses John Pettibone Sen™ John Terry Joseph Philps Nicholas Gozzard Nicholace Eveens Andrew Hillyer Jere Gyllet Eliezer Hill. Samuall Humphry.
Samuel Willson. Arthur Hanbery. John Slater. John Humphry. Luke Hill. Daniell Adams. John Griffin. Sam1 persons.
Edward Pearce. Ebenezer Persons Thomas Griffin Richard Segar. Joseph Persons. Elias Gyllett. Josiah owen.
John Williams
Georg Sanders
William Perfons.
These are believed to be the names of all, certainly nearly all, the voters then residing in the town.
The paper, after signing, was presented to Major Talcott and Capt. Allyn.
"To the Worshipfull Major Tallcott & Capt Allyn: We, the Inhabitants of simsbury. being mett May 7th 1683. Have concluded. as it is here Written. are desireous yt you would be pleased to give yore approbation of ye same."
S. T. R.
B. I. P. 23
It was returned with the following indorsement.
"The above written Agreement
of ye above sd is well approved by -
John Talcot John Allyn"
May 8th 1683"
The foregoing agreement, having been thus presented to, and received the approval of, their chosen advisors, a day was set for the solemn meeting. It was doubtless a day of deep humiliation and prayer.
Following is the record of their proceedings:
"At a solomne Meeting of May the 24th 1683
Whereas there is papers put into ye hat, the one east and B. I. the other for the weft syd of ye river. for the deciffion of the P. 23
S. T. R.
I53
Two places formerly nominated. it is now agreed. that the firft paper that is drawn shall be ye lott. this votted. the lot that came forth was for the weft syd the river.
"(memorandum) those papers that were written for ye lot were written by Joshua holcomb Ye lot drawn. which was the deciffion of the controverfcie, was drawn by William persons men liveing both one ye eaft fyde the river:"
This memorandum of the conscientious Town Clerk was doubtless made to show that there was no fraud or unfairness by the winning side.
Thus was amicably settled an unhappy controversy which had existed about twelve years, exciting the animosities, and disturbing the friendly relations of those who should have lived together in harmony. Having exhausted all human means, in their efforts to reach a settlement of their difficulties, not abiding by the decisions of the Courts, or of their chosen um- pires, they are last appealed to the Court of Heaven for a decision of the question at issue. They unanimously agreed to appoint a "solomne metting" to cast lots for the issue. It was looked upon as a religious act, and the result as the judg- ment of that Court, from which there is no appeal - the Will of God.
All cheerfully acquiesced in the decision and went forward and erected the house, which had been under contract for about twelve years. The meeting house was erected in that year, 1683, in front of the "Burrying Ground," in Hopmeadow. It was "28 Foot in length, 24 Foot in Breadth. and 14 Foot Between Joynts," and built according to specifications, "the Towne finding Nailes." This last item, however insignificant it may appear to us, was to them, when every nail was ham- mered out by hand, a matter of considerable importance.
As was the universal custom of those times, the building stood sidewise to the highway, with a single entrance in the side fronting the street, "with Flue Boards at ech end and piramides", complete. Its pulpit was at the west side of the building, opposite to the door. There were no pews, but simply rude boards or plank for seats.
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"May 7th 1683, Voted to give Thomas Barber IO s. yearly for beating of the drume on the Sabboth dayes."
"at a Towne Metting of the Inhabitants of Simsbury Defembr 17th 1684 for the Finishing of ye metting Houfe (Viz). pulpit. floor feats et. and ye finishng work that is to be don. about sd Houf: there if a committee chofen. by ye Inhabitants of sd Town." invested with power to do the work."
In 1691, the town voted to erect a gallery in the meeting house, but the vote was not carried into effect, and in 1696, another vote was passed as follows:
"Voted to build Galleries in Simsbury meting house, as speedily as may be, and that the Meathod be, one Gallery on the East side of sayd house, and two galleries on the end of sd house, to be don in a decent and comly maner, and the walls to be ceiled; the Townsmen to provide materials, - al to be on the Towns cost."
The Burying ground was at first higher up the hill, but in May 1688, it was "Voted by ye Inhabitants of Simsbury, that the Burrying place at Hopp Meadow shall be removed lower down the hill. and yt it shall be layd by ye Towne. meaffurer. to ye quantity of two Accres, at the South west end of ye Meating House. or neer ther about as he may Judg Convenient."
When the house lots on the west side of Hopmeadow street were laid out in Feb. 1688/9, to accommodate the Salmon Brook men, the land reserved for the burying place and meet- ing house was fourteen rods in width. This lay southerly and westerly from the meeting house.
Subsequently, we find the following record:
"There is a parcel of land belonging to the Town of Simsbury, which is fcituate on the weft fide the river at hop meadow, where the meeting houfe now stand and the Burriing yard is of Two accres. and is thus bounded four rods Northeasterly of the meeting houfe and is eighten rodds fquar. there is a piece of common land between Stephen Pettibones and this of ten rod wide."
From these records we are enabled to fix upon the precise location of the first meeting house. It was "upon that nape
S. T. R. B. I. P. 34
P. 89
S. T. R.
B. 2
S. T. R. B. I. P. 66
S. T. R. B. I. P. 73
S. T. R. Red Book P. 14
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against Thomas Rowell's." Its particular site was at the present central entrance of the cemetery. Here, in those days, was a considerable eminence, which is remembered by persons now living. The Farmington Canal was constructed in 1826, crossing the street diagonally from the northeast corner of the burying ground, in a southeasterly direction. When the Canal was abandoned and filled up, this hillock or prominence was removed, and the surface graded to its present condition.
I56
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 1683
XIX
Ministers Previous to the Organization of the Church
MR. STONE
Mr. Samuel Stone, son of the eminent colleague of Mr. Hooker of Hartford, was the first minister of Simsbury. He was engaged in the work of the ministry here as early as May 1673; and in the winter following, the town invited him to settle with them in the ministerial office. The invitation was declined "by reason of his disabilitie and weakness of body." He continued to preach there, however, with some interrup- tions, till June Ist, 1679.
He was highly educated and possessed of superior natural endowments and advantages, but, unfortunately, like many in similar circumstances, though he could preach to others, he could not practice what he preached. He was a victim of intemperance. The following extract from a letter of Mr. Whiting of Hartford, colleague of Mr. Stone's father, dated Hartford 17th Sept 1683, shows the nature of his "disabilitie," with a sketch of his character, life and sorrowful death.
"Since my last, here is another dreadfully tremendous providence fallen out in the death of poore Mr Stone; the short of whose sinfull life and sorrowful death is this. Sam11 Stone (the son and heire of Mr Sam1] Stone, the first Teacher of the Church in Hartford) whose abilities, naturall and acquired, were so considerably raised, that he preached some years in severall places, with a general acceptation among those
Mass. Historical Society Vol. 8 P. 469
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that heard him, as to the gift part of his work, therein: He long since fell into a course of notorious drunkenes, pretending a certaine infirmity of body with an innocent and necessary use of Strong drink, to relieve him against it, so as no en- deavours of magistrates, ministers &c could reach him to any conviction, but he continued an habituall drunkard, for sundry yeares; - yet still professing and defending him- selfe to be as faultles therein as the child unborne. His precious, godly mother, (whose life was sometimes hazarded, before she dyed, through the griefe she received by hard words and wretched carriages she met with from him, on the foremen- tioned account; whence some that had occasion to observe it, feared an untimely end would overtake him, vnless an eminent repentance were given). His mother, disiring the churches forbearance of censure, till a solemne day were kept for him: which it was accordingly done (May '81) by sundry ministers and other faithful. - himselfe refusing to be there, because (as he said) he would not dally with God in desiring conviction about a matter, wherein he knew himselfe fully cleare. Where- upon, after much patience and pains used, the Church pro- ceeded to an excommunication, in which state he continued without any repentance, or reformation manifested to his dying hower. He wasted his whole estate, (lying in a very com- fortable house, a considerable quantity of land, and a good Library, left him by his worthy father,) to satisfy and serve that sordid lust, and so dyed in debt: - : Vpon the 8th of Sber 1683, he went from the house where he lived, about noone: was among his companions first at one, and then at another Taverne, and thence went in the evening, to a friends house, where his discourse was bitter and offensive to some present: but going thence, the night being very dark, was found the next morning dead in the little River that runs through the town of Hartford; having missed the bridge. He fell down upon the Rocks, and thence rowled, or some way gott into the water at a little distance and there lay dead at brake of day." "J .. Whiting."
MR. STOW
After Mr. Stone, the next minister was Mr. Samuel Stow,
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who, several years before, had been dismissed, by act of the General Court, from the ministry in Middletown, where in 1660 he was employed as its first minister. According to Dr. Trumbull he was dismissed "on the account of the evil temper of the people towards him," but from the records of the General Court, we are led to infer that this "evil temper" was not con- fined entirely to the people; there was evidently such an incompatibility between them, as in modern times would justify a decree of divorce.
At the Session of the General Court in October 1660, "Its ordered by ye Court respecting Mr. Stow of Middle- Town, that appeareing such vnsutablenes in their spirits, that Middle Town shal haue free liberty to provide for them- selues another able, or orthodox and pious minister, as soon as they can, who is to be approoued by Mr Warham, Mr Stone, Mr. Whiting, takeing in ye help of ye Wor11 Gou'n' and Mr Willis, wch being done, Mr Stow is to lay downe his preaching there."
In June, 1680, the people of Simsbury, in Town meet- ing assembled, invited Mr. Stow to come and labor with them in the work of the ministry. The record of this invita- tion, with the other records of the town, having been destroyed by fire between June 1680 and October 1681, at the latter date the vote was renewed, and Mr. John Case was appointed "to go to Mr Stow. and to aquint him with their defires. which was that he would be pleafed to come and preach to us the next Sabboth day: if it might sut with his conveniency if it suted not then then as soon as poffibly he could. further ye sd Cafe is to aquint ye said Mr Stow with the Townes In- tendment. which is that if it pleafe god to encline his heart to us and our hearts to him. and the providence of god con- curring. with our endeavours then to proced with him to fettlement in ye work of the miniftry. further in cafe that ye said Mr Stow comes et: then for his yearly ftippend Hyers. to allow him 501b, the ufe of the perfonage lands. so much as he fes caufe to make ufe off durring his abode amongft us in the work of the miniftry.
Col. Rec. I. P. 356
T. R. B. I. P. 14
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At another metting. agreed to find him fire wood for his neccefsary ufes."
"At a town meting of the Inhabitants of Simsbury, Apr11 the Fourt 1682. voted to continue m' Stow in ye work of the miniftry. as to setlement & and to give him fifty fix pound a year he finding himfelf firewood."
In May 1862, Mr. Stow and Michael Humphrey were ap- pointed by the town to present their petition to the General Court asking leave to form a Church and settle themselves in Gospel order, with their reasons therefor. By a law of the Colony, "no ministry or Church administration was per- mitted to be entertained, or attended, by the inhabitants of any plantation, except it be by the appropriation of the General Court, & neighbour Churches." Hence the necessity for applying for leave to organize a church here. Their petition was in these words:
"The Humble Motion of Simsbury men, to ye Governor and Deputy, with the rest of the Worshipful Assistants and worthy members of this Honored Assembly, is as followeth:
We, whose names are underwritten, having knowledge and tryal of Mr Samuel Stowe in ye labors of ye word and doctrines of the Gospel, do hereby manifest, so far as we know our own hearts, our hearty desires of his continuance to be a Pastor and Watchman over our Soules, and the Soules of ours: And that, therefore, for his and our encouragements, an Addresse might be made to the General Court, yt is to set this Instant May, - or that ye presentation of this may be instead of an Addresse, (by formal petition) to their Honers. That we might have their countenance to settle ourselves in Gospel order, with the approbation and helpe of approved elders of Churches among us; - That so we might according to ye obligation yt God hath layd upon us, through ye application of ye representative blood of his Son, walk more orderly to his prase and the salvation of our Soules, in observance of whatsoever he hath commanded us in his Holy Worde, having the means and helps that he hath appointed thereunto."
(Signed by Simon Mills and 21 others) "Simsbury ye 7th of May, 1682."
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Col. Rec. "Ecclesias- tical" B. I. P. 80
"May 14th 1682, Mr Samuel Stow and Michall Humphrey are chosen to present this present motion abovewritten, to this Honored General Assembly at Hartford; chosen by the Inhabitants of Simsbury, as adopted.
Pr John Slater, Register."
Upon the presentation of this petition, the General Court took this favorable action:
"Vpon the presentation of an address by Mr. Stowe and Michaell Humpheries, on behalfe of the inhabitants of Sims- bury, for liberty to gather a church and settlement of a pastor there, with the approbation of this Gen11 Court, according to gospell order, after the usuall maner in this colony, we see no cause to discourage but to alow them so to doe, it being done with the observation and approbation of three or foure of the elders and messengers of the neighbouring churches, adviseing that their inhabitants doe choose a competent number of the most sober and godly persons to begin that church and call the officer, as is desired by them."
Were members of the church now chosen by town meeting the places occupied by some might be vacant.
But though the General Court gave its assent, the church was not gathered and organized until fifteen years afterwards. Mr. Stow, however, continued to preach from year to year, till 1685.
In the latter year it appears that he offered some proposi- tions to the town regarding a continuance and settlement in the ministerial office:
"At a Genr11 Towne Metting of the Inhabitants of Sims- bury Auguft 14th 1685 ye reverent Mr. Sam1 Stow. defiring an anfwer of the Inhabitants of Simsbury: whether they would continue him in the work of the Miniftry and fetle him in office amongft them. A meting being warnned August 14. 1685:) Mr Stowes propofition prefented to the Towne: the Towne not feing caufe to accept of fd propofition. as to his setlment & calling to office. but voted the contray ... upon which vote the Towne made choice of a Committee to declair their said vote to Mr Stow. and to mak returne of his anfwr to this faid prefent meting. anfwer from Mr Stow.
Col. Rec. B. 2 P. 101
S. T. R. B. I. P. 35
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to the Towne. that he, ye sd Mr Stow did rejoyce that he had received the Townes pleafure. respecting himfelfe: heaveing bin with God by earneft prayr. to give him adetirmination of his mynd. concerning his Setlment in this place) in the work of the miniftry. further according to the Towns order. it being referred. to ye reverend Mr Stow, whether he would continue any longer in ye worke of ateaching Minifter: his reply that he would ftay no longer than to mak up his four years. which wil terminat faid he in the Midle of october. further fd that he should rejoyce to hear of our welfare. and that he would be helpful in the procuring of an other Minifter to ye place."
S. T. R. B. I.
P. 35
Having received this answer from Mr. Stow, the people made choice of a Committee whom they "Invefted with full power to make an effay after an other minifter - (that so the preaching of the word and other of ye ordinances and Institutions of Jefus Chrift might be fetled amongft us: according to gofpell order:) and procure fuch a one. who is a futabl person. fittly qualified for ye work of ye miniftry and they are to alow him fuch futabl maintainance. for his Incoragment: as the town is capabl to alow: the Names of the Comitte thus chosen. are. Enfign John Terry. Sergant willcoxsun. John Higley Jofhua Holcomb. John Cafe Senor. Michall Humphries Peter Buell John Humphries John Slater."
These were all influential, solid men.
For a considerable time they were unsuccessful. In Novem- ber, 1686, "ye same full powers for the procureing of a Min- ifter," were renewed to them, and they were instructed to offer Mr Bayly, "in cafe he comes and fetle amongft us. or any other Minifter that fhall come and fetle in office amongft us," the "Filly lot" in Hop Meadow, and "the Twenty Accres on Salmon Brook: which was Referved for a Minifter."
S. T. R. B. I. P. 42
At the same meeting, Nov. 2nd, 1686, "propounded at a towne meting by ye Committe. In cafe our Meffenger John higley can procure m' Emerfon. or any other: but they com to a debat and Treaty respecting yearly salary for his ye sd Emerfon Maintainance. or any other that he can procur in cafe he prevails not with the Reverend Mr Emerfon whether
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S. T. R. B. I.
P. 42
that ye said Mefsenger may at ye Firft prefent 401b Annualy. in cafe. ye sd GentIm et. cannot procur him upon fuch tearmes. whether he may not prefent them to him or any fuch other that he can prevail with to com and fetle amongft us 501b; - Annualy: for his ftipend and whether he shall prefent to him the lands Referved for a minifter in cafe of fetlment: and the ufe of the perfonag houfe and land: this being prefented at a town Meting: on the day above sd: was unanimofly confented too and voted: and farther voted and aded that in cafe the sd GentIm or fuch other futable perfon for the right difcharge of the minifteriall Fanction: could not be prevailed with: upon the tendery of 401b or 501b - then to make a tender of sixty pound for his yearly fallery."
These long extracts from the Records are here presented not merely to show what our fathers did in these matters, - but their manner of doing business. We get from them a clearer idea of this from these records, than words of ours could convey.
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