USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > A record and documentary history of Simsbury > Part 21
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In accordance with this vote, "Liut. samuel petibone and Sargt James Hillyer ware Chosen to act in ye towne behalf in Calling ye affociation together and to lay before them ye present Circumstances of our Town in Referante to Mr wood- bridges Continuance amongft us in ye work of ye miniftry in and at ye place formerly ftated and to take ye advice of ye Reverend affociation on that matter". The association was
S. T. R. B. 3. P. 48
1729.
S. T. R. B. 3. P. 48
S. T. R. B. 3. P. 49
251
convened March 3Ist and the matters of difficulty were laid before that body.
T. R. B. 3
P. 52
The result may be learned from the following resolu- tions of the town, passed in December 1731. "At a meeting of the Inhabitants of ye Town Simfbury Regularly Convened in faid Town on Thirdsday 16 of December 1731 and Continued by adiournment to ye 17th of said month, it being propofed to this meeting whither they would vote and order a Rate and thereby Raise a fallary for Mr Timothy woodbridg for ye year Last paft. This meeting Doth Refolve in ye Nagative that we will not Raife any such a Rate to pay him for ye year paft for Sundrey Reafons which to us feems fufficient. And more efpecially for that ye Affociation have given it as their oponion on march 31 1730, that mr woodbridg was not oblidged to Continue his miniftry in ye former place of pub- lique meeting or in any other feparate part of ye Town. There- fore he not being oblidged to us we cannot be oblidged to him and ye abovefaid affociation did at their meeting on Febry 4th 1730 advife that if m' woodbridg fee fufficient Incourage- ment from a number that feems to be agreed in ye west fociety, that he would Continue with them but the Inhabitants of our Town have maintained ye publique Worfhip in ye feparate parts of ye Town according to ye Town act and advice of ye Association thereon Therefore not Reasonable that a Rate fhould be made on ye whole Town to pay Mr Woodbridg". "The above written was voted in ye affirmative and voted to be Entered on Record".
1732.
Col. Rec. VII P. 396
At the session of the General Assembly in May 1732, Mr. Woodbridge represented that the town was indebted to him for one year and seven months' preaching, which the town had neglected and refused to grant a rate for, and that there was due him the sum of one Hundred and fifty-eight pounds, six shillings and eight pence. Whereupon the Assembly, passed the following order: "Whereas the Reverend Timothy Woodbridge hath shewn to this Assembly that althow he hath continued in his work of the ministry of said town, and is the only gospel minister of said town, yet the said town, for the space of one year and seven months now last past, have neg-
252
lected to grant any rate on the inhabitants of said town for raising the salary formerly granted by said town, to be paid yearly to said Mr. Woodbridge; and that there is justly due to him, for his services the said year and seven months, (from said town) the value and sum of one hundred and fifty eight pounds, six shillings and eight pence in bills of credit: This Assembly, do therefore, hereby order and enact that said Town of Symsbury shall, within twenty days after the end of the Sessions of this Court, at their publick town meeting, grant a tax or rate on all the polls and rateable estate in said town, sufficient for raising the said sum of £158., 6s. 8d. and chose and appoint a suitable collector or collectors, to collect the same and pay and deliver the said sum of £158. 6s. 8d., to said Mr. Woodbridge, on or before the first day of October next. And in case the said town shall neglect to grant such rate, or choose such collector, the Secretary of this Colony shall grant out execution, directed to the sheriff of the county of Hartford or his deputy, to levy the said sum of £158. 6s. 8d., out of the estates of any of the inhabitants of said Symsbury, by distress and sale of their goods. Or, if said town shall grant such rate and choose such collector or collectors, and such col- lector or collectors shall neglect to gather and collect such rate, or pay the said sum to Mr. Woodbridge, then the said Secretary shall grant out execution as aforesaid, to levy the said sum out of the estate of said collector or collectors, and pay and deliver the same to said Mr. Woodbridge.
"And whereas sundry of the inhabitants of said Syms- bury have moved to this Assembly that they may have liberty to repair and fit the old meeting house in said town, for the entertainment and accommodation of the inhabitants of said town, at their publick worship; This Assembly orders, that so many of said inhabitants as shall see cause, at their own cost and charge, by way of subscription or contribution, shall have free liberty to repair, add to, or fit said meeting house for the comfortable entertainment of the people at their publick worship".
The town at once obediently responded to this Order of the Assembly.
253
1732.
S. T. R.
B. 3.
P. 54
"At a Town meeting of the Inhabitants of fimfbury convened June ye 13th 1732 The Town Granted a Rate of one hundred fifty eight pounds six fhillings and eight penc to pay m" woodbridg for his preaching one year and feven months past, according to ye Generall Court act."
Several of the former collectors, having neglected or refused to collect and make return of the ministers' rates, the Selectmen were advised and required to take out execu- tion against all who had not made up their accounts.
The unpleasantness continued. Mr. Woodbridge with his family had left the town.
In June 1733, at a Town meeting of the inhabitants, "Decon James Cornifh, Lieut Samuel Grifwold and Leut Samuel Pettibone ware Chofen a Commitee to Treat with the Reverend m' Timothy Woodbridge to enquire of him whether he intends to Continue with us in the work of the miniftry as formerly and whether he will Return with his family into the Town again". Voted in the affirmative. The answer of Mr. Woodbridge was cautious and non-committal. "The Com- mittee Chosen to Treat with the Reverend m' Timothy Wood- bridg brought from him the following anfwer, viz: mr wood- bridg Return to two queryes from the Town, I, whether he Intends to Continue with us in the work of the ministrey". Res. "In that matter I Intend to follow my Duty as I shall learn it from the word of God with the beft help I Can obtain from the wifeft and beft of men I Can". "2nd, Whether I fhall return with my family". Resp. "I have not determined that I will not but if the Diffeculties of the Town in what they Can remove be not removed it Looks as if I fhould not but am willing to refer myself to proper Judges for advice.
Timº Woodbridge."
In 1734, the town voted a salary to Mr. Woodbridge of seventy pounds for the past year; and also a like sum "for the prefent year provided he Continues to preach in Town until the year is up".
S. T. R. B. 3. P. 65
There was a difference and dispute respecting his accounts. Mr. Woodbridge brought suit against the town in the County Court.
254
1733. S. T. R. B. 3. P. 58
S. T. R. B. 3.
P. 59
1734.
S. T. R. B. 3. P. 66
"Mr Samuel Pettibone the second and Mr Joseph Phelps were chofen agents or attorneys for the Town of Simfbury to anfwer in the Towns behalf and defend the Town in the action that mr Timothy Woodbridge has Comminced against the Town to be anfwered at the County Court to be holden at Hartford in February Inftant".
"And Meffrf James Cornish Jun', John Case and John Humphrey were Chosen a Commitee and fully Impowered in the Town's behalf to adjust and Ballance all the Towns Ac- compts with the Reverend Mr Timothy Woodbridge Relating to all the ministerial Charges Rates or Salerys that have arifen in sd Town or are Due to the Estate of the Reverend mr Dudly Woodbridge Deceafed and to Mr Timothy Wood- bridge and in Case sd Committee and mr Woodbridge Cannot agree then the matters of Diferance to be referred to three Judicious, indiferent men Mutually chofen by sd Commitee and mr Woodbridge they to arbitrate and ballance sd accompts and to award thereupon and to make Morrall Equity the Rule of their Judgment".
At the October session, in 1736, Mr. Woodbridge again applied to the General Assembly, representing that his ac- counts and salary were unpaid. Whereupon the Assembly ordered and enacted: "Forasmuch as there are sundry ac- counts of the annual rates and payments made by the in- habitants of Symsbury to the Reverend Mr. Timothy Wood- bridge for his support in the ministry: It is thereupon resolved, that the inhabitants of Symsbury do forthwith make up and settle all such accounts with Mr. Woodbridge, and pay to him what shall be found in arrear of the sums granted to him, the ballance to be paid in current money as it now passeth, or bills of publick credit. And whereas the Reverend Mr. Timothy Woodbridge served the people of Symsbury in the work of the Gospel ministry for one whole year, now last past before the present sessions of this Assembly, and no allowance hath been made him for his service; This Assembly, in con- sideration thereof, do assess the inhabitants of the town of Symsbury (except the inhabitants of the two north societies, now set off) in the sum of One hundred pounds current money
Col. Rec. VIII. P. 75.
1736.
255
1737.
or bills of publick credit to be levyed on their polls and ratable estate according to their list of this current year, and do ap- point and fully impower John Case of Symsbury a collector, to gather said rate of said inhabitants, as it is by law in that case provided for the gathering ministers' rates, and pay in the same to the Reverend Mr. Woodbridge for his service aforesaid.
1737.
"It is further provided, that if the inhabitants of Syms- bury shall not, within two months, pay to Mr. Woodbridge the arrearages of his former account, as aforesaid, that then Messrs. Henry Allyn and Roger Newberry, of Windsor, upon the motion of Mr. Woodbridge, repair to Symsbury, hear what the parties shall offer in the case, and adjust the ac- counts, and report to this Assembly in May next what the ballance on said accounts is; all to be done at the cost of the inhabitants of Symsbury".
Once more Mr. Woodbridge found it necessary to apply to the General Assembly. At their next Session in May 1737, he memorialized the Assembly, complaining that nothing had been done in the premises, notwithstanding the stringent order of the last session. Then came the final and decisive action of the Legislature: "Upon the Memorial of the Reverend Mr. Timothy Woodbridge of Symsbury, Shewing this Assembly that, notwithstanding the act of this Assembly in October last, ordering the inhabitants of Symsbury should forthwith make up and settle all accounts with the memorialist for his rates, Salarys &c., and pay to him the balance due, in cur- rent money, &c .; and that this Assembly assessed the in- habitants of Symsbury, except the inhabitants of the two north societies then set off, in the sum of one hundred pounds money, to be levied, &c., and appointed John Case to collect the same and pay the same to the memorialist, and further appointed auditors, &c., to adjust the accounts aforesaid, between the said memorialist and the said inhabitants, &c .; and informing this Assembly that nothing had been done in the premises, and thereupon praying for a redress of said grievances: Whereupon this Assembly have resolved, that the inhabitants of Simsbury shall forthwith settle and ad-
256
Col. Rec. VIII. P. 105
just their accounts, and make payment of the ballance they shall be found in arrears due to the said Mr. Woodbridge for his service in the ministry, from the beginning until the sitting of this Assembly in October 1735. And this Assembly do appoint Ozias Pitkin, Esqr., Capt. John Whiting and Capt. John Chester, to be auditors, in due form of law, as in other cases, to hear the parties, settle and adjust the aforesaid accounts, and make report of what they shall find and award in the premises, to the General Assembly next after their doing the same; all at the cost of said inhabitants.
"And this Assembly do further order and enact, that the listers of said Symsbury for this present year, do and shall within ten days next after the rising of this Assembly, proceed and make a rate upon the inhabitants of said Syms- bury, excepting the inhabitants of the two north parishes aforesaid; which rate shall, in the whole, amount to one hundred and ten pounds money, and shall be made upon the list of the polls and rateable estate of the said inhabitants for the year 1736. And the said listers are directed, imme( )diately upon making said rate, to deliver the same to Mr. James Cornish jun", of said Symsbury, whom this Assembly do fully authorize, appoint and command, forthwith to gather and pay the same to the said memorialist, for his service in the ministry from October, 1735, to October, 1736. And it is further enacted and resolved, that if the said listers shall neglect or refuse to make the aforesaid rate and deliver the same to the said Cornish, within the time above limited, they shall forfeit and pay a fine of twenty pounds each, one half to the said memorialist, and the other half to the county treasurer of the county of Hartford, to be recovered by the bill or plaint of the memorialist to the county court Hartford county.
"And if the said collector shall neglect his duty in col- lecting said rate, within three months after his receiving the same, the Secretary shall, upon notice thereof given him, make out a writ of distress, directed to the sheriff of Hartford county, to distrain the said sum out of the money, goods or chattels of the said Cornish, &c., as is already provided by law against collectors, and make payment of said sum to the memorialist."
257
1737.
S. T. R. B. 3.
P. 76
It is now evident to the town that the patience of the As- sembly had become exhausted, and that this decree meant business, - that it was not to be disobeyed or evaded. In the following month they held a meeting. "Messrs. Joseph Phelps Samuel Griswold & John Humphrey were Chofen a Commitee or attorneys in the towns behalf to appear before the auditors appointed by the General Assembly in May Last to audit the accompts between the Town & m' Woodbridge, & fd Comtee to Defend the Towns Caufe before fd Auditors".
1742.
By these stringent measures the good minister was en- abled to collect what was due him for services rendered.
S. T. R. B. 3. P. 208
From this time nothing appears to have occurred to interrupt or disturb the cordial relations between the people of Simsbury and Mr. Woodbridge. He continued to labor in the ministerial office till the time of his death, of which event the following is a copy of the record:
"The Reverend Mr Timothy Woodbridge, pastor of the first Church of Christ in simsbury, Departed this Life August 28th 1742."
The period of the ministry of the two Woodbridges, covering nearly half a century, was crowded with events. During their ministry, the "First Church of Christ" was gathered and organized; the "Old meeting house" was en- larged and finished; the town was divided into three separate ecclesiastical societies; and, after an unparalleled struggle and controversy, a new meeting house was erected.
1742.
Rev. Timothy was a cousin of Rev. Dudley Woodbridge. Very soon after the death of the latter, as has been before stated, he entered the ministry here, and about a year and a half after the death of his predecessor married his widow. These two men had much to do in moulding the character of the people of Simsbury. They were both men of eminent abilities, and exalted character; and though largely engaged in secular pursuits, associated with such men as Gov. Belcher and Col. Partridge of Boston, Elias Boudinot and other merchant princes, of New York, and men of wealth in Amster- dam and London, in mining operations, which at the present time would seem to be incompatible with the ministerial
258
office, they were men of Christian piety, and faithful preachers of the Gospel. Their engaging in worldly affairs so extensively must be set down to the manner of the times.
It may not be out of place to remark here, that, so far as is known, the Woodbridge family were the first to introduce into the town and to indulge in the luxury of double or middle names. From the time of the first settlement of the town to that of Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, - about fifty years, - no one of its inhabitants was the proprietor of more than a single name, and very few till the close of the last century. Before that time the families were large, so large it would seem that a single name was all that could be afforded; but afterwards, as the number of children in families decreased, they were supplemented by additional names.
Side by side in the ancient cemetery at Simsbury, directly in rear of the site of the first meeting house are two horizontal free-stone tablets, raised about three feet and resting re- spectively on brick and stone foundations, and bearing the following inscriptions:
259
Lege
Luge
et
Disce
Abaigail Woodbridge Obiit Anº. - 1710 Ye 15th of ye Aetalis 67
Mr. Dudley Woodbridge Obiit Anº 1710 Ye 20th of ye 8th M. Aetalis 35
Mercy Woodbridge Obiit july 23 Die Aetalis, 14 Anº 1707
Hic
Jacent
-
SACRED
The memory of the Reverend Timothy Woodbridge, Pastor of the First Church of Christ in Simsbury who departed this life A. Domine 1742 Aug. 26th in the 59th year of his age and the 31 of his Ministry.
He was born in Hartford in the year 1683. His Father was the Rev. Timothy Woodbridge of sd Hartford who left England for the sake o Religeon.
The memory of the just is Precious.
I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, while Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord even so saith the Spirit for they rest from their labors and their works do follow them.
Mortals be wise. Remember Judgment and learn to die.
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 1683
XXV
First Ecclesiastical Society - Organization Rev. Gideon Mills - Settlement and Dismissal
The town was now divided into three Ecclesiastical Societies, besides the portion on the East side of the mountain, forming with parts of Windsor and Farmington the parish of Wintonbury. In the management of their ecclesiastical affairs, each of these societies acted independently of the town and of each other. As the town was subsequently divided by lines corresponding with those of the societies forming three separate towns, the history of the Societies properly belongs to the towns in which they are situated.
These ecclesiastical societies were not at that time mere voluntary associations as at present; but they embraced all the inhabitants residing within their prescribed territorial limits, who, by virtue of their residence, were, willingly or unwillingly, members of the Society and shared its responsi- bilities and privileges.
1737.
The First or South Society was included in the south half of the original town, which embraced the present towns of Canton and Simsbury.
The first meeting of the society was held on the second Tuesday of October, 1737, and was organized by the election of Lieut. Samuel Pettibone, Senr., Moderator, and Andrew Robe, Clerk. Lieut. Sam11 Pettibon Sent, Capt. James Cornish & John Case were chosen the Society's Prudential Committee.
Hitherto the town had directed and controlled all the ecclesiastical affairs, - everything pertaining to the meeting
262
house, the employing and settling ministers, and making a rate for their salaries; but now all these were transferred to the Society. By this, the town was relieved of a large share of its public business. This now consisted mainly of the annual choice of officers.
The Ecclesiastical Society having organized as above, at their first meeting voted to "raife one hundred forty pounds money to ye Rev. Mr. Timº: Woodbridge for his Service since october Laft."
"Att a meeting of the first Society in Simfbury holden by ajurnment upon ye first Tuefday of January 1738-9 at the meeting Houfe in sd Society.
Ist. Propofed to be voted whether sd Society wanted a meeting Hou fe or not, and there appeared Thirty Three per- sons in the afirmative, and fifteen perfons in the negative of sd vote.
2. Voted that said Society's Committee should prefer a prayer to the affembly in may next, that they shod Send us a Comtee to State a place for Said Society to Build a Meeting House."
As related in the last Chapter (24) the Assembly at its May Session, in 1739, granted this petition and appointed John Chester, Joseph Talcott and Nathaniel Hooker, said Committee, who proceeded "to affix the place," where the meeting house should be built "at a place called Drakes Hill." The Society complied with this order, and in December 1739, "voted to Build a meeting House at where the Affem- blies Comtee Viz, Capt. Chester Capt Hooker Mr Joseph Talcott Jnr have Stated the place, Viz; at the place Called Drakes Hill - in Length Fifty feet, and forty foot, and of a Sutable heith."
During the controversy that had prevailed before the Societies were set off, timber for the meeting house had been collected on the west side of the river at Hopmeadow. In the heat of the quarrel, this timber was removed to the east side (tradition says in the night season) framed and raised, but not covered. The Society now voted, "that ye Timber of the meeting House, upon ye East Side of ye River in Sd Society shall be Sold to the Highest bider."
263
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 2
1739.
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 4
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 2
The site of the meeting house at that time established was nearly identical with that of the present meeting house, of the First Ecclesiastical Society, and has been occupied as a meeting-house site from that time to the present (1886), a period of 147 years.
1740.
At a meeting of the Society in December, it was voted to raise "a Tax or Rate on ye Inhabitants of Sd Society of Twelve pence upon ye pound to be collected of sd Inhabitants on ye lift made in ye year 1740 to be laid out att discreffion of ye Comtee Chofen to build ye meeting houfe for that affair to be paid in money or grain by ye Laft of march next enfuing viz wheat att 12s pr bufhel rye att 88 pr bufhel Indian Corn 68 pr bufhel" And the Committee were "ordered and Im- powered to pull down or fel & difpofe of ye old meeting houfe," and apply the proceeds towards the new building.
But before this tax was raised a serious defection in the resources, and secession of the inhabitants took place.
1740.
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 6
"Decbr ye 15 1740 Then recived into ye Clerks office ye following proteft to be Entered on Society Record before any Rate or Tax was Raifed in Society meeting att ye houfe of Elias Slater on Sd day either for ye Suport of ye minifter or building a meeting houfe.
"Thefe are to fignify to our brethren ye defenters of ye South Society in Simfbury yt we the Subfcribers hereto Doe belong to ye Church of England & doe as of long time we have done hereby publickly profeff ourSelves to be of yt Religion, & therefore defire the Privilege of law confern- ing ye Liberty of concience & brethren we would hereby In- form you yt we have been att much pains and Expence of Time & money in procureing a minister & to build a Church meeting houfe in which we have proceeded fo far as to get ye Timber for Sd houfe & have had for fome part of ye Time a minifter with us & we would hereby Signify to you yt being att fuch pain & coft as we are & muft be for ye Suporting ye Gofpel amongft us we expect ye we fhall be freed from build- ing your meeting houfe & paying your minifter & we would not have you have any Regard to us in your further proceed-
264
ing & doe hereby enter a proteft againft your proceeding any further as having any regard to us or Expecting any money from us for building ye meeting houfe or paying yr minifter for we will not pay any but defire & expect ye privilidge of ye law in yt Cafe made & provided dated in Simfbury Decbr ye 15 - 1740 Subfcribed hereto by us.
Ebr Loomis
Jofiah Loomis Jr. Daniel Tuller. John Enno Sanders Moore Sam11 Beaman Jr."
Here was the foundation of "St. Andrews Church" one of the oldest Episcopal Churches in the Colony. It had its origin in the ecclesiastical and meeting house difficulties and dissensions of the first Society. Having erected a Church edifice, in 1743, it received the following large accessions to its numbers:
"At a vestry or a meeting held in Simsbury at the dwell- ing house of William Eno in said Simsbury by the members of the Church of England, November the eaiteenth day 1743. We, whose names are hereto subscribed, are members of the Church of England, and do belong to said Church and do pay our ministerial dues to said Church.
Jo. Christian Muller.
Dan11 Morphy.
William Case.
Richard Roberts.
William Enos.
Richard Roberts Jun"
Andrew Moses.
Joseph Alderman.
James Case.
Joseph Adams.
John Eno.
Philip Rand.
Jedadiah Gilet.
Ephriam Stephens.
Nathaniel Bacon.
Ross Frazier.
Samuel Belman.
Reuben Slater.
Sanders Moore.
Abraham Sidervelt.
Timº Adams.
William Keebarts.
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