USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > A record and documentary history of Simsbury > Part 22
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John Phelps
Josiah Case.
Rany Cossett.
Jacob Tuller.
John Morphy
John Tollar.
265
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 23
Damaras Tollar James Tollar
Daniel Toller Maskel Bacon
Abraham Pinney."
These men lived mostly on the east side of the river and of the mountain, and their secession was doubtless owing to the distance and the difficulty of attending meetings in the First Society, in crossing the river.
It has been sometimes supposed that our ancestors were somewhat bigoted and narrow in their treatment of other denominations, but the following vote of the first Society, passed in 1741, indicates a spirit of liberality, not always manifested by Churches and Societies of the present day.
Voted, December Ist, 1741, "Whereas it hath been dif- courfed in this meeting whether any orthodox minifters Shall not have liberty to preach ye word of God in ye new meeting houfe now building in this Societye
Voated that fo often as there fhall be occasion any orthodox minifter yt has a Right to preach ye Gospel fhall upon the Defire of any Confiderable number of ye Inhabitants of this Society with ye Confent of any two of ye Societys Committee Shall have a Liberty to preach in fd meeting houfe on any Day not Difturbing any other Religious meet- ings otherwife orderly eftablifhed."
This, however, was opening the door a little too wide; and as a measure of safety, the next year this vote was more clearly defined and modified as follows:
1742.
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 12
"Voated yt whereas in a voat which gave Liberty for all Regularly ordained minifters or Regularly Lycenced Candidates for ye miniftry, to come into this Society to Teach preach and exhort yt It is Resolved by this meeting, yt papist priests Shall be excluded." Several years passed before the meeting house was finished.
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 9
At a meeting of the Society, Oct. 1742, it was voted to raise "a Tax of 4d on ye pound on ye Rateable eftate of ye lift of faid Society made in ye year 174I to Defray ye Charge of ye meeting houfe and if There fhall be any overplush to Lay it out in laying a meeting houfe flour."
Mr. Woodbridge died in August of this year, and a Com-
266
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 7 1741.
mittee was appointed "to hire a minifter for ye Space of Three months" The Society by vote "nominated Mr Sam11 Newel for fd Comtee to hire for sd Time of three months" But as he could not be hired, it was "voated yt this firft Society will Chufe a. comtee to Treat with & hire Mr Sam11 hopkins to preach with us as a probationer in order for a settlement amongft us."
Mr. Hopkins was the afterwards distinguished Dr. Hop- kins, whose name in connection with a System of Theology is known throughout the Christian world. His writings were published both in England and in this country, and exerted a powerful influence in moulding religious belief. At the time of his call to preach in Simsbury, he was but just out of his studies, and just licensed to preach. He was but twenty-one years of age. "It is evident," says his biographer, "that this young candidate was regarded as a man of promise, for he had an uncommon number of invitations to preach in view of settlement. Five of these he declined at once. He thus describes his services at one place where, perhaps he ought to have remained. 'In the beginning of 1742, I was invited to preach at Symsbury in Connecticut to a considerable congrega- tion, who had lately lost their minister; where I continued preaching most of the time till next May. The greater part of the people appeared attentive and, in some measure en- gaged in religion; but there were some opposers of the late revival of religion, and of the doctrines which were preached, and were much insisted upon by the friends of the revival.
'Though I refused to preach as a candidate, having no inclination to settle in the ministry at present, yet the town insisted upon having a meeting to see if they would give me a call to settle in the work of the ministry among them. When they met, it appeared that one hundred voted to give me a call and that thirty voted against it. I told them that I had no thought of settling in the ministry at present: but if I had, I thought their want of unanimity and the number of op- posers, was a sufficient reason for not complying with their request. I therefore left them and went to Northampton with a
267
1742.
Feb. 1742-3
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 12
1742.
Soc. Rec B. I. P. 15
view to pursue my studies for a longer time with Mr. Edwards.'"
Although the doctrine preached by Mr. Hopkins was not a new doctrine, having been preached a hundred years before by Mr. Hooker at Hartford, still it was so fully and distinctly set forth in the writings of Dr. Hopkins as to receive the name of "Hopkinsianism." In these days of smooth preaching, the teachings of Dr. Hopkins would not be well received, how- ever much of truth they may have contained. To convey an idea of his doctrine, one or two extracts from his writings are here given.
"There is no way to escape damnation but by being will- ing to be damned, on supposition it is the Will of God to cast you off; as there is no other way to submit to his will, and acquiesce in it, choosing his will should be done; without which submission it is impossible a man should be saved." Again: "To be a Christian, a man must be willing to be damned for the glory of God."
After preaching a few months in Simsbury, he soon afterwards settled in Great Barrington, Mass., whence he afterwards removed to Newport, R. I.
After the departure of Mr. Hopkins, a meeting of the Society was held Aug. 5th, 1743, and a Committee appointed to ask the "Revd North Affociation" ..... for their advice "as to Some sutable Candidate for ye miniftry for us to Im- prove as a probationer in order for settlement in ye miniftry amongft us"; at the same time it was voted "to hire Mr Gideon Mills to preach amongft us untill they can obtain ye Revd Affociations advice for a Candidate in order for Settle- ment." And further, that if the Association advise that Mr. Mills be improved as a probationer for settlement, that the Committee be impowered "to treat with and hire ye sd Mr mills in manner as abovesaid."
In December following, it was voted "that Sd Society would Improve Mr Gideon Mills Some Time longer in order for Settlement." In January 1744, the Society formally in- vited Mr. Mills "to Settle amongft us" .... "in the work of the Gofpel miniftry." It was further voted, that in case
268
Hopkins Works. Vol. 3 1743.
of his acceptance of their call, the Society would give by way of settlement, "Six hundred pounds to be paid in three yearly payments;" and for his salary for the first three years, "a hundred & fifty pounds money of ye old Tenor pr year," and "after ye settlement rates are paid" they will give him "ye Sum of one hundred and eighty pounds". . "yearly." And the Committee were ordered "to pay Mr Gideon mills for his good Service in preaching amongst us, to his Satisfaction alfo to Requeft him to preach fome time longer amongft us."
At a subsequent meeting in April, it was "voated that in leu of our former propofals in order for Mr Gideon mills Sallery Rates Provided he fhall settle amongft us in ye work of ye Gofpel miniftry that for ye firft three years we will give unto him for his Service one hundred and fifty pounds mony of ye old Tenor yearly During sd time of three years and on ye fourth year we will give unto him ye Sum of one hundred & eighty pounds mony of sd old Tenor for his service and for ye fifth year of his Service we will give him ye Sum of one hundred & ninety pounds mony of Sd old Tenor on ye Sixth year of his Service fª Society (will) give unto him ye Sum of two hundred pounds mony of sd old Tenor which fhall be his yearly Sallery During ye time of his Continuance amongft us in ye miniftry", also "yt: according to our former propofals," for a settlement, "the sum of Six hundred pounds" .... "in three yearly payments to be Reconed from ye Time of his ordination."
On the question of settling Mr. Mills, according to these proposals, "there appeared for his Settlement forty eight perfons;" - and "whereas it hath been fcrupled by fome whether Mr Gidion mills is now in a ftate of probation for Settlement amongft us it is Refolved by voat yt we think him in a State of probation."
Mr. Mills accepted the call on the terms proposed, and the Society at a meeting in August 1744, "Appointed by voat to ordain Mr Gidion mills to ye work of ye Gofpel miniftry in this Society on ye firft Wednefday of Septr next." At the same meeting the Society "Chofe Mefrs Capt James Cornish
1744.
ib. P. 18
ib.
P. 18
ib. P. 20
1744.
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 21
269
- Michael humphrey & Jonathan Cafe a Comtee to make pro- vifion for ye minifters & others yt may be defired to Come into this Society to ordain M' Gidion Mills."
The acting Deacons at this time were Deacon Joseph Case and Deacon Michael Humphrey.
ib. P. 26
In 1746, the Society ordered "ye Standing Committee to Caufe ye Drum to be beat on Sabath days to notifie ye parifh when to begin meeting." It was also "voated yt all perfons in this Society yt pay Rates Should be Seated;" and a Committee was appointed "to Seat our meeting houfe." As yet, the meeting house was not finished. The Society in December 1748, voted "Two hundred pounds mony of The old Tenor to be laid out Towards finifhing the meet- ing houfe" and ordered the Building Committee to build "four pews in the two hind Seats on ye mens & womens Side of ye body of seats below in sd houfe, two on Each fide ye broad alley."
Burying grounds at that time were under the control and management of the Ecclesiastical Societies. The Society voted and "gave liberty yt any perfons yt belong to this Society may fence in our burying yard and have ye benefitt of feeding the fame provided that they Shall fence in ye whole of faid burying place and not elfe." It would seem, however, that no one availed himself of the privilege; for in 1752, it was "voted that this Society will be at ye Cost to fence the Burying place or yard in said Society," and further, "voted to Raife a Rate of eighty pounds old tenor Bills to be Improved in fenceing Said Burying yard."
P. 38
During the time of the ecclesiastical difficulties in Simsbury in relation to the location of the meeting house, and other causes of disturbance, a number of the inhabitants began a settlement west of the west mountain. The first settler there was Richard Case, who removed thither in 1737. He was fol- lowed the next year by several persons of the name of Barber, who settled on the "West River", now "Cherry's Brook". From this time the country west of the east or first ledge of the west mountain rapidly increased in population, so that the people began to hold religious services on the Sabbath
270
1748.
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 28
among themselves, and the inhabitants of Simsbury by vote freed them from paying rates for settling a minister or build- ing a meeting house. But in 1746, they made complaint to the General Assembly, setting forth these facts, and complaining that the First Society, notwithstanding its former action, had rated them on their list of 1744. Whereupon the assembly at its May session in 1746, passed the following order:
"Upon the memorial of Joseph Mills, Samuel Wilcox and others, inhabitants of the first society in Symsbury living west of the first ledge of the west mountain, representing that said first society by their vote had freed said inhabitants from paying any rates or future charges towards the settling a minister or building a meeting house in said first society, and that notwithstanding said society had rated them on their list of the year 1744, to the amount of £ 32 14 s. 4d. in the whole, toward the settling of their minister, &c .; also praying for liberty to hire an orthodox minister to preach among them, &c .; Resolved and decreed by this Assembly, that no person whatsoever appointed to collect said rate of said inhabitants shall collect the same, but they are hereby expressly inhibited collecting said rate. And it is further granted to said inhabitants living on the west side of said ledge, that they have liberty to hire an orthodox minister to preach among them, and during such time they shall so hire and improve an orthodox minister to preach, as aforesaid, they shall be freed from paying any rates to the first society in Symsbury aforesaid."
In 1750, this portion of the town of Simsbury was, by vote of the First Society, and by act of the General Assembly, set off as a distinct Society.
Following is the action of the First Society of Simsbury:
"Att a meeting of ye Inhabitants of ye firft or South Society of Simfbury Lawfully convened on this 2nd monday of May A:D: 1750 att ye meeting houfe.
On ye Request of ye Inhabitants living weft of ye firft Ledge with in ye weft mountains in this Society - voated that they fhould be Set of a diftinct Ecclefiaftical Society as prayed for to ye Afsembly in ye prefant Sefsion."
By the following resolution of the Assembly at its May
27I
Col. Rec. Vol. IX. P. 221
1750.
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 32
session, in 1750, this part of Simsbury was made a distinct Society.
"Upon the memorial of Joseph Wilcoxson, Samuel Hum- phrey, and the rest of the inhabitants living in that part of the town of Symsbury in the county of Hartford that lies west of the eastermost ledge of the West Mountain (so called) praying to be made a distinct ecclesiastical society: Resolved by this Assembly, that all the inhabitants that now do or here- after shall live west of the aforesaid east ledge of the west mountains in said Symsbury, within the limits following, viz: bounding east on the aforesaid ledge, south on Farmington bounds, and from the southwest corner bounds of the said town of Symsbury to run northerly on the line dividing be- tween the town of Symsbury and New Hartford seven miles, and then turns east-south-east and runs to the aforesaid east ledge of the west mountains, be and they are hereby made to be a distinct ecclesiastical society, with powers and privileges as other ecclesiastical societies in this Colony do enjoy; and that said society shall be called and known by the name West Symsbury."
1750.
Although there appears to have been, for the most part, a mutual good feeling between the first Society and Mr. Mills, yet, as in the case of his predecessor, Mr. Woodbridge, and as has occurred to some of his successors, his salary was not always promptly paid. In order to collect his dues, he was compelled to bring suit and take out execution against the Society. This state of things began to create uneasiness in the minds of some members. They began to talk of his dismissal.
At a meeting called in August 1750, "to See if Said Society will Continue ye Revd Mr gideon mills in ye work of ye gofpel miniftry in This Society or whether he fhall be Regularly difmifed from his paftoral Care of sd Society."
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 33
The Society voted to pay him, in addition to his salary of four hundred pounds, the sum of two hundred pounds, in full satisfaction of his demands for arrearages, and to get him his firewood. But it is evident there was much opposition to his continuance in office.
P. 34
In December of that year several meetings of the Society
272
Col. Rec. Vol. IX. P. 530
were held, one of which was for the purpose of agreeing with Mr. Mills "on Some Sutable Terms in order for his being Difmifed from his paftoral care of this Society."
Still he was retained and sustained by a majority vote. In 1752, it was "voted, That it is the mind of this Society that the pew on the North End of this meeting Houfe next to the pulpit, has been ever Since the Revd: Mr: Gideon Mills Married looked upon as properly belonging to the Revd: Mr: Mills's wife & family, and that the Society do now defire Mrs Elifabeth Mills with the Rest of Mr Mills's family to take Said pew as their proper place to Sit in, in this meeting Houfe dureing m' Mills's Ministry in this place."
"And the Society defire that m' Mills's Family be not de- fturbed by others." He married Elizabeth, daughter of Brewster Higley. The meeting house not being yet finished internally, the Society voted at this meeting "a Rate of Six- pence on the pound on the List A.D: 1751". . "to be im- proved by the meeting Houfe Comtee: to Defray former arrearges, and also to proceed further in finishing the meet- ing Houfe plaiftering and white wafhing the walls in the Lower part of the meeting Houfe." Also "that ye Committee that are to Build the meeting Houfe Shall forthwith make four pews where the two Lowermost long Seats are on ye men & womens Sides and that when sd: pews are made the Committee that are now Chofen to seat the meeting Houfe shall forthwith proceed to Seat ye meeting Houfe" It was further "voted that the Committee now Chofen for Seaters Shall Dignify the pews and Seats in this meeting Houfe as they think fit."
This practice of "seating the meeting house" was con- tinued into the present (19th) century. It was often attended by, or gave rise to ill feeling on the part of the seated. Usually congenial and friendly families were seated together; but some- times their feelings and wishes were disregarded and persons of about equal age, without regard to their wishes, were thrust together into the same pew, bringing together mutually dis- agreeable pew-mates. At times, too, the process of "dignifying
1752.
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 37
1752.
1753.
273
the pews" interfered with the self-supposed dignity of the . occupants.
In Dec. 1753, it was "Voted to give the Reverend Mr: Gideon Mills the Sum of Five Hundred pounds money old Tenor Bills for his Service the year past in ye work of ye Min- iftry in this Society, for his Salary from December 1752: to December A:D: 1753." Also "35 Cord of good Sound wood to be Cut 4 feet in length & Corded up at M' Mills's Door for the year Enfueing." This apparent increase of salary was not real. The currency of the Colony had depreciated in value more than one-half since he was settled.
These acts and votes of the Society, though indicating a good state of feeling towards the minister, are not a true expression of that feeling. There was a strong party opposed to him who determined that Mr. Mills must go.
1754.
At a meeting of the Society in July 1754, "it was propofed whether there is any Confiderable number who are not Suted & Eafy, undr the miniftry of the Revd: Mr: Gideon Mills in this Society, and it was Tryed by vote and there appeared Twenty Nine that voted that they were Eafy with Mr: Mills's Miniftry and Twenty five that Voted that they were not Eafy under ye miniftry of ye sd Mr: Mills."
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 41
Then it was "voted to Chufe a Committee to Reprefent ye prefent State & Circumstances of this Society relating to ye Revd: Mr: Gideon Mills, before ye Revd: North Con- fociation of the County of Hartford at their propofed meeting to be held at the Dwelling House of Mr: Jonathan Humphrey, in Simfbury on ye Laft Tuefday of Agust next." The Con- sociation probably recommended his dismissal, as in September 1754, it was "voted to Chufe a Committee to endeavour to procure preaching in this Society for the Future" and that said Committee "apply themfelves to the Revd: North Con- fociation" ..... "for their advice who to Imploy as a Candi- date to preach the Gofpel with us in this Society." It was further "voted, that the Society are willing that the Revd: Mr: Gideon Mills preach with us when he has opportunity in our vacancy."
1
Mr. Mills was settled in the ministry here about ten years.
274
Soc. Rec. B. I. P. 39
He continued to preach, after his dismissal in September, by successive votes of the Society, most of the time during . the six months following. He evidently had a large number of friends and supporters who clung to him, even after his dis- missal. The Society voted him his salary in full to December 1754, and the Committee appointed to procure preaching, were directed "to Imploy Mr: Gideon Mills to preach with us Some time untill the Sd Society Shall order otherwife." And at a meeting in January 1755, "It was Tryed by Vote how many there were in Said meeting that were Defirious to Continue ye Revd: Mr: Gideon Mills in the Miniftry in this Society". ... "and there appeared forty five Voters in ye affirmative and Thirty One voters in the Negative."
I. B. P. 41 1755
B. I. P. 42
On the first Friday of February it was "voted to improve Mr: Gideon Mills to preach in this Society the two next Lords Days." "In the vote for Mr: Mills to preach 32 in ye affirmative - Io in the negative."
At the next meeting of the Society, February 17th, 1755, a letter of advice from "Ye Revd: Afsociation", directed from Hartford was presented, after the reading of which, "It was tryed by vote how many were for, and how many were againft further improveing Mr: Gideon Mills in the ministry in this Society.
There appeared Thirty six Voters in the affirmative and Thirty One Votes in the negative."
After voting to improve Mr. Mills to preach two Sab- baths more, his friends again rallied to his support, and the main question was put to vote "whether the Society would Re-fettle Mr: Gideon Mills in the work of the Miniftry in this Society" and there were "five voters in ye affirmative, 32 in the negative". "Secondly, voted whether the Society would further improve Mr: Gideon Mills to preach with us in this Society, there were 15 in the affirmative and 32 in the Negative."
Thirdly, it was voted to apply again to the Consociation for advice and the Committee were directed to follow their advice in order to procure preaching in the Society.
275
No further effort was made to settle or "to improve" Mr. Mills in the ministry here.
In 1759 he was installed Pastor of the Church and Society in West Simsbury, where he continued till the time of his death, in 1772.
It is interesting to observe with what confiding trust the Society sought and followed the advice of the Consocia- tion and also with what exactness the Committees of the Society performed the duties of their office and followed the instruction of the Society. They assumed no responsi- bility which the Society had not imposed upon them, and never paid a penny, except it was first voted by the society.
At the annual meeting of the Society in 1755, Mr. John Searl who had been preaching with them about three months, was "Voted to be further improved to Preach the Gospell in this Society." "Allfo Voted yt the Committee hire Druming on Lords days."
In 1756, the Committee were directed "to invite Mr. John Searl to preach with us as a Candidate in order for his Setling with us in ye miniftry and to Take his Anfwer." As no further action was taken probably Mr. Searl gave a negative answer.
276
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 1683
XXVI
Rev. Benajah Roots and His Ministry
After receiving the answer of Mr. Searl, the Committee of the Society were directed to seek the advice of the associa- tion, "and to pursue and follow said advice, when it shall be obtained". During the summer of 1756, Mr. Benajah Roots was employed to preach, temporarily, in the Society. Mr. Roots was a young man recently graduated from Princeton College, and from the theological instructions of the distinguished Dr. Bellamy. He was endowed with superior natural abilities and scholarly attainments.
At the annual meeting, in 1756, the Society "Voted that the Committee in the name of the Society, Invite Mr Benajah Roots to Continue to preach with us as a Probationer, in order to Settle in the work of the Ministry in this Society". It was further "Voted to inform the Association of the So- cietys proceeding in calling Mr Roots, & to take further ad- vice and that the Committee persue such advice as they shall obtain."
At the same meeting it was also "Voted that Said Society will begin meeting on the Lords days at Ten of the Clock in the morning, and Tarry but one Hower at Noon, untill the first Sabbath of April; and then to Tarry Two Howers at noon, untill the first Sabbath in October, anually."
In Feb. 1757, Mr. Roots was again invited "to continue to preach as with us a probationer to settle in the work of the gospel miniftery in the Society, and the Committee were directed," "when they shall think a Convenient Time, shall
Church Soc. Rec. B. 1. P. 46
1757.
277
1757
warn a Society meeting for to Consult what method said Society will proceed in order to the agreeing with & settling Mr. Roots &c." And in May it was "voted to improve Mr Benajah Roots further as a probationer for to settle in the work of the Ministry in this Society; voters in the affirmative 61 - Negative 3." It was then "voted to invite Mr. Roots to settle in the work of the ministry in this Society: - Voters in the affirmative 60 - negative 3".
In June, 1757, specific proposals were made to Mr. Roots as follows - provided he agreed to settle here, "To give unto the said Mr Roots for his encouragement as aforesaid the sum of £180 Os Od Lawfull money for his Settlement, to be paid to him in Three yearly or anual equal payments, the first payment to be voted by said Society at ye annual Society meeting on the first Monday December next viz £60 Os Od and £60 Os Od upon the first Monday of December A.D.1758 and also £60 Os Od upon the first Monday of December A.D.1759".
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