USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > A record and documentary history of Simsbury > Part 14
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Of these several persons named, Mr. Edward Thompfon "was prevailed with" to come. The worshipful Major Talcot seems to have been active in bringing about this result.
"Propounded to the Towne by Major Talcot, June 27th 1687, at a general Towne metting of the Inhabitants of Sims- bury, - All you that are heartily and Really and affectionately desierous to give Mr Edward Thompson, that is now come up amongst you, to give him an Invitation to come here amongst you, in this plantation of Simsbury, & to carry on the worke of ye Ministry in this place, Manifest it by the lifting up of your hands." - "the above written was vnani- mously voted, according as it was propounded and put to vote."
MR. THOMPSON.
Mr. Thompson was from Newbury, Massachusetts. He signified his acceptance of the invitation to come and settle in the work of the ministry here. Whereupon the inhabitants, individually, entered into the following agreement with him, in writing:
"Where as Mr Edward Thompfon hath ben invited by the Inhabitants of the Townfhip of Simsbury to attend, the
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P. 51-2
work of the miniftry there, & the sd Mr Thompson - hath declared his acceptance. of their call - and his refolutions to come: and fetle with them - in the sd work of the miniftry - with all convenient speed that may bee - sometime be- twen the day of the date hereof and the midle of September next: if God will.
Encoragmt.
"for ye encoragment of the sayd Reverend m' Edward Thompson to fetle and Continue in ye work of the Miniftry in Simsbury aforesayd -We the Inhabitants of Simsbury - Doe for us and our fucceffors -- promife and enage, that we wil by - Affifftance of Divin grace - render that Hon- nour, love & obedience to him that is his due from us, as he is our Sheepherd and watchman - according to gofpell rules -
Salery
And we doe hereby promife and engage, that dureing the time Mr Edward Tompfon aforesayd - shall Continue in the work of the Miniftry - we will well and truely pay to him his heyrs or afsigns, the sume of Fifty pounds p. annum in good and Current pay - (viz). one third in good and Mer- chantable wheat at Foure shilling p. Bushell - - one third in peafe or rye at three shillings p. Bushell. & on third in Indian corne or pork, the Indian corn at two fhillings Sixpence per Bufhell 3d per pound the pork at three pounds. ten shillings p. Barrel Fullgaged et well repact: and alfo a fufficiency of wood shall be by us - provided and layd by his houfe, - for his necesfary ufes. at all times dureing his continuance amongft us in ye work of the miniftrey.
Wood
Use of personage.
Moreover we do further grant unto him the sayd mr Edward Tompfon the ufe and Improvement - of all the personage lands that are in this Townefhip: the whole tearm of his continuance in the worke of the miniftry amongft us - that is to say all the land that was. layd out or fequeftered by the Committee or the Towne of Simsbury, for the ufe of the miniftry of the sayd Townefhip of fimsbury/
House et.
Moreover we do fully Freely and abfolutely. give grant ratify and Confirm - to the sayd Reverend Mr. Edward Tompson his Heyrs and a signes forever - If he shall as above expreft. Come and fetle in the worke of the Miniftry
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amongft us. and Continue - therein Durreing his Naturall life = viz one houm Lot - conteining foure accres be it more or lefs. with the dweling houfe at prefent ftanding thereon - which we do promife to finifh at our owne cofts and charge - and to adde a New roome to it of about eighten foot square & Thirteen Foot bettwen joynts - compleatly Built & finished by vs - he the sayd Tompfon finding Nails Iron work and glaffe for the sayd new end with as much speed as they can.
And alfo eighten accres of Meadow land be it more or lefs - lyeing in a place commonly called HoppMeadow and alfo Twenty Acres of meadow at Salmon Brooke: the first piece is eight Accres be it more or lefs - and lyeth of the north fyde of the sayd Brooke. againft John Slaters lot - and twelve accres. lyeth in the fecond meadow on the great Branch of Salmon Brooke.
All which parcells of land and houfing shall be to him ye sd Edward Tompfon and to his heyrs and afsignes Forever: If the sayd Edward Tompfon continue in the worke of the Miniftry But in case: the sayd Tompfon: shall not fetle - or not continue: in ye work of the Miniftry there: But remove from thence for his own advantage or will - - Not being forced thereto: through any default of the Inhabitants of Simfbury - or any other power then this gift to be void and of no effect - Elfe to ftand in full force and vertue: in witnefs where of we set to our hands this Twenty feventh of June 1687.
I. John Case Sen™
12. Nicholas Gozard
13. John Moses
3. Sam1 Wilcoxsun. 14. Nathaniel Holcomb.
4. Joshua Holcomb. 15. Eliezer Hill.
5. John Higley. 16. Sam1 Humphrey
6. John Williams 17. John Matson.
7. Thomas Barber
18. John Case Jun™
8. Peter Buell
19. John Griffin.
20. Edward Pierce.
21. Nicholas Evans.
II. Luke Hill
22. John Tuler.
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Land
2. John Terry
9. James Miles
IO. John Drake.
23. James Hillyer.
36. Thomas Bacon
24. Joseph Owen.
25. Sam1 Adams.
38. George Sanders
26. Jere. Gyllyt.
39. John Eno
27. Daniel Adams.
40. William Alderman
28. Jno. Mills.
29. John Clark
42. Humphrey Prior.
43. Thomas Griffin.
31. Elias Gillit.
44. Sam1 Parsons.
32. Josiah Owen.
45. John Slater.
33. Andrew Hillyer. 46. John Robberts.
34. John Saxton. 47. Sam1 Brooks
35. John Pettibon Sr
48. William Smith
49. Thomas Kellsey.
The Inhabitants of Simsbury this 27th of Jun: who are subfcribers on this syde and in the foregoing Fol. acknowledged the sayd writting. on the other syd to be their act and deed before us.
John Talcot. John Alyn. Afsiftants. Benjamin Newbery.
this is a true coppy extracted from the originall and here recorded verbatum: word by word: this 28 of Jun 1687.
p. John Slater, Regefter."
The foregoing is believed to be a full and perfect list of all the voters residing in Simsbury at the date of the transaction, and is here inserted, not only to show how many and who they were, but also to show with what care they called their minister, and provided for his support.
In addition to the before-mentioned liberal gifts and grants the people of the town showed him many acts of courtesy and kindness, as manifested by the following recorded votes and acts, from which it is apparent that there was a unanimous and strong desire to make it pleasant for the new coming minister.
"At a Genr11 Towne metting of the Inhabitants of Sims- bury auguft ye 9th, 1687 Sergant Willcoxfune and John Petibon Senor has engaged to ye Towne to goe and Fetch
166
37. William Persons
41. Ebenser Parsons
30. Richard Segar
Mr Tompfons catle and fheep from Newbery to Simsbury, for Five pounds. they to bear their owne charges forth & home againe. it was alfo voted to mow mak & carte home to Mr Tompsons house at hopemeadow ten Load of Hay: and thofe that do it to be payd in a Towne rate: this Hay to be well made and carted in feafon. & the Towne for a load of or- dinary grafs mowd well made and carted will alow Twelve Shillings: if it be English grafe: or better hay than ordinarily is got in our playn meadows then to alow fomwhat more: the quantity & quality of said Loads to be judged by John Drak and Petter Buell. James Hillyard & Andrew hillyard engag to get and cart one Load of Hay Jofhua Holcombe one Load. to get and cart: peter Buell one Load, Luk Hill and Eliez" Hill one Load apiece. thefe to bring sayd loads to ye Houf. Sam1 Humphries and John Tuller enages to Mow Mr Tompsons lott and they are to have to fhilling Sixpence per accre. And Luk hill Senor enages to make the fayd grafs into good hay order. and is to have 2 s. p. load Sam1 perfons and Nicholace Evens engages to find grafs in hop meadow and mow and mak each of them a load of 10 s. ye load."
Evidently the people were extremely desirous of enjoying the blessings of a settled ministry and the institution of Church ordinances, and were disposed to hold out to him strong in- ducements to settle among them, and it is pleasant to witness these evidences of good will towards him, but there were addi- tional courtesies extended to him.
"At a town meting of the Inhabitants of Simfbury Auguft 9th 1687 Enfign John Terry and Daniell Adams en- gaged to the town Inhabitants of Simsbury, yt upon their owne coft and proper charge to goe to Newbery and Fetch up Mr Edward Tompson & his Family, to provid a fpare Horfe for Mr Tompfons ufe & to tak care of and to Tranfport Mr Thompson's goods from ye place he appoynts to his dweling houfe at fimfbury. upon their own proper coft and charge. and for their reward the Towne of fimfbury is to alow them Five pounds: and they engage. to be at the coft et. as above written & to difcharge the towne of any Further Trouble.
S. T. R. B. I. P. 53
167
about Transporting of ye sayd Reverend M' Tompson and his family and goods."
"John Griffin and William Smith engages May 88 to help peter Buell to clear up Mr. Thompfons well forthwith: and yt to ye lowr Curbe and in cafe they can not fully clear sd well. then. to do it at an other feafon. and alfo to make a curb for ye top of ye well and to help to finifh ye wel. and for fo doing they are to have Ten Shillings apiece."
It is interesting to observe with what an eye to economy, all public affairs, even the most minute, were conducted. All money expended for the public was first voted and appropriated by the town, with very little room for the discretion of their agents. The town was then almost a pure democracy.
But though Mr. Thompson accepted the call by the in- habitants to settle with them in the pastoral office, he was never settled here; but, after preaching about four years, he abruptly broke off his engagement and returned to Newbery. "Aug. ye 2ª 1691. prepounded to sd Simsbury Inhabitants on ye Sabboth daye evening after exercife and after yt Mr Edward Tompfon had declared his removing away from Sims- bury to Newbery. with his Family and goods wch was in a great meafure put forth into action: it was then propounded to Simsbury Inhabitant whether they were willing and would fek out for another minifter: to difpence ye word of God to us et. it propofition being put to vote. Anfwered in ye Af- firmative.
- 2dly - propounded whether they would be pleafed to ap- poynt and choofe some perfons amongst ourfelves to take Advice with some Judiciall perfons amongft us. here in the neighbor plantation or plantations. about fome futable perfon for ye work of ye miniftery. and alfo to Invest thof chofen as amongft our felves with power fet forth and to procur on for the work of the miniftery Voted in ye affirmitive. thof chofen a commite for this work. are Levt John Higley Sergt Samell Wilcoxfun John Slater Senor."
MR. SHOVE "January 25, 1691, at a Generall Towne metting, -
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S. T. R. B. I. P. 72
propounded to the Towne Inhabitants whether they were willing to setle Mr. Shove in the work of the ministry, -
This was answered unanimously in the affirmation, voted they were willing." At the same meeting the following pro- ceedings were had: "whereas. this Towne being fenfible yt it is the duety of all christian people to be Industrioufe in promoting the worship and ordinances of God in the places where they Live. and the carelefse remifnefs therein may Juftly bringe downe Gods plagues and Judgements vpon all such places and people, the Which we the Inhabitants aforesd Willing to do our Deuty there in, & it having pleafed God by his Good Providence to bring the Reverend Mr Shoves amongft us: & we being willing, &, by taking care to encorage him for his Comfortable abode & subfiftance and fetlement amongft us -
I) do give as followeth Firftly - we engage to give and pay to him in a way of Rate 501b yearly, in good current pay in grain and Pork as God fhall enable us: for the faid Reverend Mr Shoves his sallery.
2.) That Mr Shove shall have the ufe of the pefonage land while he Continues here in Simsbury in the worke of the miniftry.
3.) That we will give him that houfe and home lot. that was Built for a minifter & finifh it: (onely) he the said Mr Shove finding or aloweing for ye Nayles and Glafse, (which said houfe) & Houfe lot shall be to him & his Heyrs for- ever (provided he fetle amongft us in office and continue in the worke of the miniftry here amongft in fimsbury.
4.) We give unto the Reverend Mr Shoves ye alottment of land lying in hoppe meadow commonly called by the Name of Filly lott being about Eighten Accres, as here lyeth Bounded.
5. Also Twenty Accres in the Sammon Brook meadows being in to Divifions; thif Land we give to him on the affore sd
6. conditions, also a fsoficiency of fire wood for his family vfe, yearly whilft he abides in ye work of the miniftry amongft vs.
Ist - the above written propounded to the Towne at a
169
S. T. R. B. I. P. 87
A pro- position to Mr Shove
1691.
Generall Towne metting of ye inhabitants of Simsbry Jan. 25th. 91 & was unanimoufly voted in the Affirmitive no man gainfaying.
2nd. On the Same day the second time voted in the prefence of Mr Shoves: and was a unanimoufe vote: to him. in giving him the above written premifes, according to the Tenor thereoff in ech partielr."
"Mr. Shov his Anwer."
"Friends & Neighbours: I have ben defired by the Com- mitee to make Anfwer to what hath ben propofed to me for my encoragement to continue with you & setle among you thefe therefore are to certifie you that vpon Matuer Deliberation I am willing to spend my dayes with you in ye work you called me to & in convenient time to fetle in office (God willing) in ye work of the miniftry, thus far pray- ing and desiring your prayers that God would fit us for such a relation.
I fubscribe myself your Servant - Seth Shove. February 27 1692/3."
But though Mr. Shove thus accepted the call of the people of Simsbury and expressed his willingness "to spend his days" with them, he was never installed in office. He con- tinued to preach there, however, till 1695.
In 1693, he purchased of John Moses, his share, being one fourth part of the Grist Mill and Saw Mill on Hop Brook.
For some unexplained reason, he left Simsbury in 1695, without being ordained and settled there, after preaching about four years.
In the following year Mr. Shove accepted a call from Danbury, where he was ordained in 1696, and continued to preach till the time of his death, - a period of thirty nine years.
He was the first minister of that town, and was an emi- nently pious and Godly man, bearing the name and character of a "Peace-maker", in which character his services were repeatedly called in requisition by the Colonial authorities.
Thus far Simsbury seems to have been peculiarly un- fortunate in regard to the settlement of a minister. Its people
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S. T. R. Red Book. P. 238
had enjoyed the preaching of the gospel for eighteen years by four successive ministers, to each of whom an invitation was extended to settle in office, and by all of whom the call was accepted, save by Mr. Stone, but their contracts were never fulfilled. They seemed to be of those,
"That keep the word of promise to our ear, And break it to our hope."
There was, therefore, no "gathering of a Church" or church organization during all this period.
In June, 1695, "the town voted unanimously to send for Mr. Thompson to come here again to Simsbury", "offering him
S. T. R.
B. 2 additional inducements, but without effect. He could not P. 20 be prevailed on to return."
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1
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 1683
XX
Settlement of Rev. Dudley Woodbridge and Gathering the Church
S. T. R. B. 2
P. 20
"On the 2nd of October, 1695, the town voted a unani- mous call to Mr Dudley Woodbridge, offering him sixty pounds, in good Mrchantabl corent pay, annually, and thof other particularf, and on the fame condition as for Land, Houfe et. as is expreft in the vote that had refference to Mr Thompson, in his invitation." And on the 25th October, it was voted to allow Mr. Woodbridge sixty pounds annually, as above, "Where of 20 lbs is to be payd in Silver money." Here was a remarkable and special inducement, held out to a candidate for settlement. Prior to this time, "Provision Pay" was the common medium of exchange, and the recognized currency of the country. Wheat, rye, Indian Corn, pork, etc., passed at so much per bushel or pound, in payment for all debts or contracts. Their price was fixed by a law of the Colony, or by the agreement of parties. This state of things continued till 1709. But lo! An innovation! Twenty pounds in silver!
But Mr. Woodbridge was a remarkable young man. He was at the time only twenty years old, but possessed of superior talents and ministerial qualifications. He was the son of Mr. John Woodbridge of "Weathersfield".
Evidently the people of Simsbury were extremely anxious to secure his services. They had been so long and so often disappointed in regard to the settlement of a minister, that
172
they now manifested a special interest. A settled minister they must have.
"Voted, upon a Traying day, by the towne Inhabitants of Simsbury, to give Mr. Dudley Woodbridge a call to the work of the ministry": and the Townsmen, Ensign Thomas Barber, Sergt Holcomb & Sergt Samuell Humphries, - with Sergt Wilcocksun, and Sergt Buell, were directed, in case Mr. Woodbridge cannot be procured "to make further esseys, by the good advice of Judicious gentlemen abroad."
But Mr. Woodbridge was the people's choice. They unanimously invited him; they offered him a handsome salary; of which one third was to be paid in Silver; they offered him the Parsonage house and house-lot, with other grants of land by way of settlement. He hesitated for some reason, but con- tinued to preach to them through the year. The next year they renewed the call.
"August 23rd. 1696. Unanimously voted, and manifefted by the congregation and inhabitants of Simsbury, ye ac- ceptance of, and wilingneff to setle Mr. Dudley Woodbridge, and that he should be setled in ye minifteriall office in Sims- bury."
It seems that the abrupt departures of Mr. Thompson and Mr. Shove, after having signified their acceptance of the invitations extended to them, left an unfavorable impression upon the minds of neighboring ministers, and perhaps upon Mr. Woodbridge, that the people were at fault, and hence, perhaps, his hesitation. They took measures to remove the cloud, "Sept. 20, 1696," "Whereas there arifes some demur, in refference to our preceding actions touching our gathering a Church here in Simsbury, by some, of the elders of the Neigh- bouring Churchef, prefuppofing that we lye under fcandol, by reafon of ye minfters departing and leaveing of us deftitute; they defiring to be beter informed of sd mater. Enfign Thomas Barber is chofen by the congregation, to go to Mr hooker, and Sergt Samuel Wilcoxsun to go to Mr Mather, for to inform them about ye sd cafe, and the agitations there of." (Mr Hooker was the minister of Farmington and Mr Mather the minister of Windsor).
S. T. R. B. 2 P. 21
S. T. R. B. 2 P. 22
S. T. R. B. 2 P. 22
I73
"Further voted by thofe perfons, that have subffribed to be admited to ye Lords Super, that they are willing to be examined and tryed, as to their knowledg and fitneff for fuch fellofhip and ordinance by the elders of other Churches."
As further inducements held out to Mr. Woodbridge to settle, the town voted to give him "tenn accres of land upon the playn, at Hopmeadow," "as allfo that foureteen accres that was given him over the Mill brooke, against Mil-pond for a pasture lott." These grants were to him and his heirs if he remained; but if he deserted the Town after Ordina- tion, without just cause, these lands were to revert to the town; and the justice of the cause of his removal to be left to indif- ferent men mutually chosen.
They also voted "July 8th 1697 to Build the Minifter a barn, sd Minifter finding Nails sd barn is to be in length 30 foot in breadth 20 fot, with alantoe to it built the whole length of sd barne." Also it was agreed to give him, by sub- scription, annually for four years, three days' work by each subscriber, which subscription was signed by 57 persons, from 16 years old and upwards; also to furnish him necessary fire- wood.
And it was "further voted, that thofe charges arifering, for the providing for the Ministers & Churches reprefentation, and their Afociats, at the time of the reverend Mr Dudleye Woodbridges ordination, the coft and charges thereof, fhall be payd by the Towne."
The proposals and call were accepted, and on the 10th of November, 1697, Mr. Woodbridge was ordained - the first pastor and teacher of the "First Church of Christ in Simsbury", which was gathered and organized at the same time.
It has been heretofore represented and believed that the Church was founded and organized in 1682, immediately after the passage of the Act authorizing it, but, manifestly, this is an error, as shown by the foregoing records and the following facts:
I. There is no record of or reference to any prior church organization.
2. No minister was ever ordained here, prior to the ordina-
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S. T. R. B. 2
P. 28
tion of Mr. Woodbridge. Dr. Trumbull, the Historian, says, "The gathering, or forming of the Churches, as far as can be found, was universally on the day of Ordination."
3. As quoted above, the town record shows a "Demur" in reference to their preceding action touching their "gather- ing a church here", which was to be explained to neighboring Elders.
4. It was voted by those persons that had subscribed to be admitted to the Lord's Supper, "that they were willing to be examined and tried by the elders of other churches," showing that they were not already members.
5. Up to the time of the Ordination of Mr. Woodbridge, there is no record of the Ordinance of Baptism having ever been administered in the town; but immediately afterwards it was a thing of frequent occurrence.
6. It was the uniform practice of those times to address, or speak of or to a man by his official title, whatever it might be, civil, military or ecclesiastical. Prior to the Ordination of Mr. Woodbridge, the town records speak of no man as "Deacon", after that time it is applied to every one who held the office.
Thus it appears, conclusively, that, though some pre- liminary steps may have been taken to gather a church, its organization was not effected till the time of the Ordination of Mr. Woodbridge, Nov. 10th, 1697.
The form of the Church Covenant used at this time, and subscribed by forty-two persons, twenty five men, one of whom was an Indian, and seventeen women, was as follows:
"You do all here, Solemnely here in the feare of God all prefonce of this Congregation, avouch God in Jefus Chrift to be your God; and you do give up your felves and yours to be the Lords to fubmit to his rule and gouernment in his church, to obey his commands walke in all Religious duties towards God; in love towards your Neighbours; and that you will do your duty in bringing up your children in the knowledg and feare of God According to the Scriptures."
"The names of thofe promifing fo to do are as followeth:"
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Thomas Barbur. Peter Buell. Sam11 Case.
Jofeph Strickland. Jeremiah Gillitt. (Mafcalin)
Ruth Holcomb.
John Weftover.|
Sarah Pettibon.
John Pettibone Sen™
Elizabeth Holcomb
Andrew Hillyard
Deborah Mofes.
John Pettibone Jun™
Deborah Addams.
Sam11 Humphries.
Mercy Barbur.
Thomas Griffin.
Mary Humphries
Thomas Holcomb.
Mary Bifel.
Sam1 Wilcoksun Sen™
Elizabeth Tullor.
John Cafe
Abigall Backon.
Joseph Cafe
Sarah Hill.
Eliezr Hill
Elizabeth Strickland.
Jnº Mills
Sarah Hill.
James Hillyard
Elizabeth Gozzard Senr
John Slater Jun™
Sarah Mills.
Nathaniel Holcomb.
Elizabeth Gozard.
Jnº Tullor.
William Cafe.
Hannah Holcomb. (Femi)
Thefe are the N(ames) of thofe me(n and women) that ware A(ccepted for) full co(mmunion in) Sim(fbury at the Lords table) by (the elders of the Church signing their names)."
The Ordination of a minister in early times was an im- portant event, involving great preparation and expense.
The public expenses attending the Ordination of Mr. Dudley Woodbridge, and inserted in the Rate Bill, and col- lected like and with other town charges, were as follows:
"Ordination charges, 1697, which come to Twelve pounds and fiften shilling in money. L. S. D.
I2
I5 0
To peter buell 41b of sugar.
O
2 O
12 Bufell indian Meall - 11b of butter. two fouls.
O 00
8
Widow Biffell 31b of cheefe 11b 1/2 of butter.
02 O
To joseph Phelps due for 51b 1/2 Butter, 416 1/3 chef, and by wheat I$ 4d - all C
5 IO
176
I 9
T. R. B. 2 P. 6
John Slater Sen™
To Joseph Strickland for half a lamb mutton To Jonas Weftover for 84 lb of Bief 15f - for 3 lb of butter I.f 6ª - all To berthe cafe in money
o
I6
6
To Jnº Clark If. of money & two fouls.
I
OI 8
To Nathan11 Holcomb Sent for 30 lb of venifon
03 9
To John Cafe Jun' 2 lb butter 11b1/2 of chefe.
OI
9
To Luk Hill for 191b 3ª pound of pork.
04
9
To Tho. Holcomb.
02
2
To William Wilcoxfun. in money.
02
To joseph wilcoxsun in money.
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