USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > A record and documentary history of Simsbury > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
289
P. 66
1772.
Soc. Rec. B. 1. P. 67
deavor to Persuade him to Join with Said Committee & Society, to Chuse a mutual Ecclefiaftical Council to convene in this place and Dissolve the union between ye Said Minister & People:" - And further, that they should prefer to Mr Roots, that the Council so chosen, "should be impowered" to hear, "Consider and Determine all matters in Dispute between him & Said Society, refpecting Damages on Either Side, and to Join with Said Mr Roots in Entering into proper Obligations to stand to and abide Such award as by sd Council or other Arbitrators Chofen as aforesaid Shall make in Premifes."
The Society further voted, "that if no reasonable agree- ment can be made by them with ye sd Revd Mr Roots, to chuse a mutual Council and Arbitrators as aforesaid - to apply to the Revd Moderator of the Last North Consociation of the County of Hartford, and request of him speedily to Convene the said Consociation, to meet in this Society, to hear, con- fider, and Determine upon Such matters of Greivance & Complaint, as the said Society's Committee shall judge proper to exhibit and Lay before Said Consociation against and re- specting the Said Mr Roots, and Pray that the Union of Minister and people, now Subfifting between him & the Said Society may be Dissolved; And that John Owen Esqr, Capt Jonathan Humphrey, Jonathan Pettibone Esqr, Lievt Samuel Lawrence, Hezekiah Humphrey Esqr, Lievt Francis Barnard & Mr Elifha Cornish are chosen a Committee for the Purpose aforesaid.
"And that Said Committee are by Vote Impowered to make Suitable Provifion, on sd society's Cost, for the enter- tainment of Either the Council Confociation, Committee or Arbitrators that shall be convened, as aforesaid; and in all matters relating to the premifes aforesaid, the said Com- mittee are impowered to act according to their best Judgment and Difcretion therein".
"At a meeting held May 25th, 1772, the advice of the Revd Messrs. Hez. Bissell, Joseph Strong & Rufus Hawley, which, at the Request of Mr Roots and the Societies Com- mittee, they have lately given, which being Read, to the following import, viz: That Mr Roots, the Church and So-
290
1772. -
ciety mutually agree, and Call in an Ecclesiastical Council, to hear and Confider & Determine, whether, all things Con- fidered, it be not best that ye union of Pastor & Church & People of this Society, between said Mr Roots and sd Chh & Society shall be Dissolved, and if Said Council shall Judge best all things confidered, they shall proceed to Dissolve said Union".
The Society, by vote "concurred with the advice thus given"; - and "voted to concur with the Chh and Mr Roots in the Choice of the Council, viz: - The Revd Mefsrs Samuell Newel, Timothy Pitkin, Joseph ftrong, John Blifs, Isaac Fofter, and Theodore Hinfdale, and Sterling Graves, with their Delegates, to be a Council for the purpose aforesaid; and to be Convened as Soon as may be".
It was "also voted that John Owen, Jonathan Pettibone and Hezekiah Humphrey Esqrs and Capt Jonathan Humphrey be a Comtee to Join with the Revd Benajah Roots, In apply- ing to Said Council; and also to make Provision at ye Sd So- ciety's Cost to entertain said Council when Convened: and also In the name of said Society to appear before Said Coun- cil, and upon the Matters of Grievance and Difficulty Sub- fifting between said Mr Roots & some members of said Church & Society, before said Council; and, as agents to said Society, to Tranfact all matters before sd Council, & with Said Mr Roots relating to his Difmifsion."
The Council was soon afterwards convened and proceeded to dissolve the relation hitherto existing between the parties. There is some apology for Mr. Roots' unwillingness to be dis- missed. Not long after his settlement in Simsbury, he pur- chased a farm, as was the wont of country ministers in those days, married, built a house, (the house was occupied by Dr. L. I. Barber, the author.)
Here his children were born and some buried. He had lived and labored here about sixteen years. Attachments were formed which were hard to be broken, notwithstanding the bitter personal hostility of a few. His house and farm must be sold probably at a sacrifice, and a new home be sought among strangers.
1772.
291
From all that can be gathered, it is apparent that Mr. Roots was a man of superior natural abilities, a ripe scholar, orthodox in his religious belief; a man of deep-toned piety and a truly evangelical preacher; also, that he was of ardent temperament, a combative spirit, and strong convictions.
Shortly after his settlement here, he married Elizabeth Guernsey, of Woodbury. Soon after his dismission from the ministry in Simsbury, he removed to Rutland, Vermont, whither a large number of the early inhabitants of this town and towns adjoining had emigrated. He gathered a church there - the first in the place - and remained its pastor till the time of his death, March 16, 1787, in the 62d year of his age.
1772.
Having thus after years of difficulty and struggle re- lieved themselves of the incumbrance of a pastor, so unac- ceptable to many of them, the society, on the 7th of September, immediately after the dismissal of Mr. Roots, held a meeting, "to Chuse a Committee with full powers to procure Preach- ing in this Society, in the best and most Easy way they can, until the first monday of December next; That is, by inviting in any Orthodox Minister or Licensed Candidate, to Preach here; but said Committee are not to burthen the Society with any cost, either for paying any preacher, or themselves for their Trouble". It seems from this proviso, that, though willing to hear preaching provided, it was a free Gospel, the majority were in sympathy with Mr. Barnard, one of their number, who, tradition says, arose in the meeting and thus freed his mind: "Mr. Moderator, for my part, I think we've had preaching a pretty good spell, and now I think we'd better have a little respite". Though the society did not fully concur, they adopted, as above, a modification of his views. They even "voted that it is the mind of the Society that Said Comtee may invite Mr Benajah Roots to preach here on ye Terms aforesaid, as well as any other minister".
P. 70
Mr. Abel Forward, Mr. Allyn Mather, and Mr. Jonathan Murdock were then successively applied to, for the purpose of supplies, or "as probationers, to settle in the work of the ministry". These not accepting, the committee were "directed
292
to apply to the Revd Mr Patton." He "consented to preach till sometime in August next". (Mr. Patton had lately been dismissed from the 2d Church in Hartford, on account of intemperance). He continued to supply till January, 1774. In February, by advice of the Association, Rev. William Plum was applied to, and "it was voted to hire him to preach with us one month".
In June, 1774, application was made by vote of the So- ciety, to Revd David Parsons of Amherst, Mass., and in No- vember of that year he was "invited to preach the Gospel with said Society for three months next coming". At a meet- ing in February following it was "voted that this society Invite, Defire and Call Mr. David Parsons Jun™ of Amherst, to preach the Gofpel in this Society for the future, as a Pro- bationer or candidate, in order to Settle in the work of the Gospel ministry here." Mr. Parsons was a young man whom the people of Simsbury were extremely anxious to settle. They "voted that he should have Opportunity, to Confult his friends, and take the advice of his Revd and Hond Father and other Friends; and also to See how the event of Providence, with refpect to this Country may Terminate."
Reference is here had to the disturbed state of the country at the outbreak of the Revolution. It was also "voted that the committee of the Society join with him in applying to the Revd Association and other Neighbouring ministers for ad- vice", in relation to the matter, "and that they were willing to await his convenience & till he 'Shall Judge Best', before giving his answer". But their efforts were unsuccessful. Other candidates were then applied to, among whom were Rev. Achilles Mansfield, and Mr. Caleb Hotchkiss, but without success. The Committee were then instructed "to supply the pulpit and procure preaching without further orders". Thus five years passed, after the dismission of Mr. Roots, in "in proving" a great number of candidates and probationers for settlement.
P. 71
1774.
P. 75
P. 76
P. 76
P. 78
P. 79
293
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 1683
XXVII
General History - Resumed from Chapter XXIII French and Indian Wars
During the first half of the 18th century, England and France were almost perpetually at war with each other. The English and French colonies in America became the theater in which the bloody scenes were enacted. The Colonists en- tered with alacrity upon the enterprise of conquering and subduing the military post and forces of France upon this continent. The New England Colonies especially were involved in the enterprise. They had suffered greatly from the interrup- tion of their commerce and fisheries by French privateers, fitted out under French authority at Louisburg, on Cape Breton. This was a strongly fortified post, and of vast im- portance. The British government determined to subdue it. Accordingly a powerful expedition was planned, and the New England Colonies were called upon to join in the enterprise. They promptly responded favorably to the call. In 1745 the General Assembly of Connecticut ordered that 500 "able bodied effective men" ... "be suitably encouraged to enlist themselves to joyn" ... "in the intended expedition against his Majesty's enemies at Cape Breton and parts adjacent."
Col. Rec. Vol. IX. P. 83 1745.
Volunteers from all part of the Colony answered the call and promptly enlisted in the service. Hon. Roger Wolcott of Windsor was appointed the Commander-in-Chief.
Col. Rec. ib.
At the same time "This Assembly do appoint Mr. Samuel Pettibone of Symsbury, to be Ensign of a company in the regiment of foot to be raised and sent from this government
294
on the expedition against his Majesty's enemies at Cape Breton, &c., and order that he be commissioned accordingly."
The expedition was successful and Louisburg was cap- tured. From this time the war was vigorously prosecuted. On both sides it was carried on in a savage and ferocious manner. The French had secured the alliance of the Indians. These made frequent raids and incursions upon the colonial frontier towns. The French, by offering premiums for scalps of their enemies, encouraged the savages in their bloody work. The Colonies followed this shocking example. In 1746, the General Assembly of Connecticut enacted, that "for the en- couragement of such as shall voluntarily and at their own proper cost and charge go out against our Indian enemies" ... 'if any persons shall offer themselves to the said Committee of War, for said purpose," ... they "shall have for every male prisoner of the enemy Indians sixteen years old and upwards the sum of four hundred pounds old tenor and for every scalp of male Indian the sum of three hundred and fifty pounds old tenor, and for every female or child under sixteen years, of age, of such enemy Indians taken captive, the sum of two hundred pounds old tenor and for every scalp of such female or child, killed in fight, the sum of one hundred and seventy five pounds old tenor. And to the inhabitants of this Colony attacked by Indian enemies, and to such souldiers as may be employed by this Colony issuing out upon any party or parties of Indians, shall be given for each enemy Indian killed and scalp produced, or taken prisoner by such inhabitant or souldiers, the sum of one hundred pounds old tenor." In 1748 hostilities ceased for a time. A treaty was signed, by the terms of which both governments were to restore the fruits of their conquests, and peace reigned for a few years. This, however, was of short duration.
In 1756 commenced the bloody war known as the "French and Indian War," which was waged to a great extent upon this continent. Expeditions were again planned and fitted out for the recapture of Louisburg and the reduction of Canada. In this war, Simsbury contributed its full proportion of troops. Among the first to enlist from this town were two young men,
1756.
295
Col. Rec. Vol. IX. P. 229
sons of John Humphrey Esq., Elihu and Nathaniel. The former was Ensign, and the latter Clerk in "General Lyman's Company." This Company was made up mostly of Windsor and Suffield men, with a few from adjoining towns. These names are taken from "A muster-roll of Gen11 Lyman's. Company," "Camp at Montreal, Sept. 4th, 1760." "This Company was formed and the men enlisted in the spring of 1760." Previously to this, however, Noah Humphrey of Simsbury had raised a Company in and about this town, of which he was commissioned Captain, and John Chick Ist Lieutenant in 1759. Elihu and Nathaniel Humphrey were members of this Company in 1759, in camp at Montreal, as appears by a letter from their father, John Humphrey, now in possession of one of his descendants. The letter is super- scribed and directed as follows:
"To, Elihu Humphrey, - at the Camp. in Capt. Noah Humphrey's Company, in General Lyman's Regiment.
These."
It is dated July 2Ist 1759.
There is also a letter from Nathaniel Humphrey to his father, dated - "Camp. Fort Ontario - 3rd October 1760." graphically describing the situation and the final surrender at Montreal, by which, after years of struggle, the power of France upon this continent was annihilated.
Following is an extract from this letter. After speaking of his brother Elihu, who was just recovering from an attack of small-pox he says:
"I have Nothing very Remarkable to write but of our march and Success: on Monday morning the 11th Augt we saild from fort Ontario. Saterday the 16th Do. Landed within 9 mile of Swagochay, on Sunday morn they sent out their vessel to meet us and to take and Destroy our battoes, we had no vessels with us bigger than a Roe Galley, that Carried one 12 pounder, of which we had four. They went out to meet the french Sloop, and ingaged her, and after firing sum Con- siderable Guns, they struck to our Roe-Galleys. They had IOI men on bord and 10 Guns: they had no more vessels then
296
but one that was Run aground, which they Could not get off, except one that was not finished, as soon as we was master of the Sloop we were ordered to Sail in our battoes Down to the fort, it being on a Island in the middle of the River. We Landed on each side of it above swaigochy, Swagochy being a small Place on the east Side of the River about 3 miles above the Island, there we made our Batteries on each side and sent the Sloop' down to Lie against the fort, to Draw their fire; that way they kept a Considerable fire from one to the other, the 23rd our Batteries was Ready and fired on the fort and continued firing and Throwing Shells till the 25th at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, then they beat a parley in the fort and surrendered the fort to us on the General's own terms, to Lay Down their arms and march out Prisoners, and were sent to Oswago. The 3Ist Augt we Sailed for Montreal, the 5th Sept. we came to Seader Pint and Landed where we found a fine street of houses - but the inhabitance were all fled into the woods for shelter, whom the General sent word to, that if they would Come in and Take the oath of Leagance to his britanack majesty which they very Readily accepted and then Came flocking in and went every man to his work giting in their Harvest and other Things. The Indians also Came in and made Peace with us and histed inglish Colors in their fort. The 6th Dy we came within a mile and half of the City of Montreal without any Resistance. That night we Lay on our armes and the next Day they Desired a Sessation of arms till 12 o'clock which the General granted: but they Could not agree upon terms that Day. in the morning the General sent them word he Could not wait any Longer, for his Troops were a Great way from home, and they Did not intend to wait Long to have them Conclude what would be best for them. they then Capitulated on the Gin11s own Terms on the 8th dy; the Garrison of Regular Troops to be sent to france and all Took the Oath of Not taking up arms against his britanick majesty During the war, or against any of his aleyes. The inhabitance seemed Glad that we had Taken montreal. But the Gentlemen that owned Great farmes seemed much Cast down. But they could not help themselves, for Col Havelons
297
1760.
1760
army Lay Below them and Boston and Rod Island Provincials and the Ranges Lay on the East side of the River and our army above the City, so they was surrounded on every side. This is a very Fine City, tis said by them that have seen it, Equal to the City of New York. The walls are about 3 miles in Length and there is eleven Steaples to be seen in the City be side some out of the City. I see I shall not be able to Give you so full account as I would, for want of Paper, so must Conclude with my Sencear Desires of your Prayers to God for us, that he would Restore my brother to Helth and Return us home if it be his will and Plesure.
No more, at present but Remain your Dutifull Son.
Nath11 Humphrey."
"For John Humphrey Esq., at Simsbury in Connecticut. These with Care."
But though the war with France was thus brought to a close, by the surrender of all her military posts and forces in America to the English, the latter government was still involved in war with Spain - an ally of France. A formal declaration of war was made and a large fleet with 15 or 16,000 troops were sent out for the reduction of the Spanish West Indies, in 1762.
1762.
A large provincial force was sent out by the Colonies of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, under command of General Phineas Lyman of Suffield. For this expedition Capt. Noah Humphrey raised a Company of 47 men in and about Simsbury of which he was commissioned Captain in March 1762, which formed a part of General Lyman's force, in that ill-fated expedition. Of this Company, Elihu Humphrey went out as 2d Lieutenant, and three days after their arrival at Havana was appointed Adjutant of the regiment. His brother, Nathaniel, also enlisted as a private, but was appointed ensign of the Company immediately after his arrival there.
"At the disembarkation, August 10th, the Simsbury company consisted of 47 men, of whom twenty-two died be- fore leaving this island, and some others deceased on the passage home. There were fourteen men in this Company belonging to that part of Simsbury which lies within the
298
present limits of Granby, all but two of whom lost their lives. These were Andrew Hillyer and Dudley Hays. There had been preserved 'a Weekly Return' of this Regiment, in the hand writing of Major Elihu Humphrey. This return shows a melancholy picture of the condition of the forces after their arrival at Havana and during their stay upon the Island from August 10th to October 16th. The expedition comprised eleven Companies, numbering 802 men. On the 14th of August the number of troops returned as such was 140; the next week, 343; Sept. 18th, 540. By Oct. 2d only thirty-four men were returned as fit for duty; and at the last return, Oct. 16th, the whole number was forty; in Capt. Humphrey's Company but four. Up to this time, 342 deaths had occurred in the regi- ment; some died on the passage home, and some were captured or shipwrecked."
There is in the possession of his grandson, the writer of this, an old pocket-book which belonged to Major Elihu Humphrey, which he carried with him and on which he wrote, doubtless at that time and on the spot, "Havana capitulated. 14th Aug 1762."
In May, 1769, the General Assembly erected in the north- west corner of the District of Hartford, in the territory em- bracing "the towns of Symsbury, Barkhampstead, Hartland, Winchester and Colebrook" ... a Court of Probate, which "shall be called and known by the name of the District of Symsbury," and enacted "that in said district there shall be a court of probate held by one judge, to be appointed and com- missioned for that purpose according to law, who shall have a clerk by him to be appointed and sworn to that office; which court shall have and exercise the same powers, authorities, and privileges that the other courts of probate in the Colony by law have and are respectively vested with."
At the same Session, the General Assembly appointed ib. P. 172
"John Owen, Esqr, to be Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Simsbury for the year ensuing."
1762. Phelps' History of Simsbury.
Col. Rec. XIII. P. 186
299
...
...
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 1683
XXVIII
The War of the Revolution
Few, if any, of the towns of the Colony furnished a larger number of enlisted men for the army of the Revolution than Simsbury. With great unanimity, the inhabitants of this town espoused the cause of Liberty, and rendered essential aid in the great struggle for National Independence. In the pre- liminary proceedings which led to that struggle they were in full sympathy with the patriots of that time in all parts of the country. At an early period of the French War, it had been proposed by the British ministry that the several Governors of the American Colonies should meet and adopt such measures as the common safety might demand in carrying on the war; and that they might draw upon the British Treasury for all necessary sums to defray expenses, which sums Parliament would undertake to repay by imposing a general tax upon the colonies. This was strenuously opposed by the colonies. They at once and unanimously declared that an attempt to impose taxes by a parliament where they were not represented would never be submitted to by the American people. Here was the origin of the contest which terminated in the separation of the Colonies from their dependence upon the British Crown, and their establishment as an independent nation.
1774.
The proposition to tax the colonies was followed up, from time to time, by various oppressive measures on the part of the British Government, such as restrictions on commerce, prohibition of manufacturers, the Stamp Act, etc. All these led to a general discontent and dissatisfaction. But when on
300
the 7th of March 1774, the "Boston Port Bill" was passed, as soon as the news of its passage reached America, the public excitement was intense. By that Act, the Port of Boston was precluded from the privilege of landing, of discharging, or of loading and shipping goods, wares and merchandise. Rapidly the news passed from city to city, from town to town. Public meetings were immediately called and resolutions adopted, expressive of indignation at the arbitrary and oppressive acts of the British Parliament and of sympathy for the inhabitants of Boston.
Such a meeting was held in Simsbury on the receipt of the news here. It was nearly a year before the outbreak of the war. The following is a transcript of the patriotic votes and acts of that meeting: ,
"At a Special Town Meeting held in Simfbury warned by Order of the Select men, at the ufual Place of holding Public meetings in Said Town on Thurfday the IIth Day of Auguft Anno Domini 1774.
Hezekiah Humphry Esq: was Chofen Moderator for Said Meeting.
"This Meeting taking into Confideration the unhappy Difference, and Contention arifen Between the Britifh Miniftry and the Province of the Mafsachufetts Bay, efpecially the Arbitrary Proceedings againft the Town of Bofton by the Act called the 'Bofton Port Bill' and an Armed Force blocking up their Harbour, Stoping their Trade &c. and confidering our Near connections with Said Province, and how much our Trade and Intereft is affected thereby, do Judge ourSelves loudly called upon to make the following Declarations and Resolves, Viz.
"That the Charter Priviledges Granted to this Colony by King Charles II, and Tranfmitted to us by our Virtuous Predicessors, who ventured their Lives and Fortunes and every defirable enjoyment to acquire, we Esteem as our birth Right, Sacred to ourSelves, and our Pofterity, and that none has right to difturb us in the enjoyment of them; which Priviledges we are determined to hold, and tranfmit to the Generations to come againft all oppofition whatfoever ....
30I
S. T. R. B. 4 P. 31
1774.
1774.
"That as faithful and Loyal Subjects of His Britanick Majefty King George the III, we are ready to contribute Constitutionally, for the Support of his Royal Perfon, and Government, according to our ability; Yet, neverthelefs, we Judge the Parliament of Great Britain has no Legal right to lay Taxes or Duties on our Perfons or Properties without our confent. Therefore We Refolve that our Brethren and Friends, at Bofton, are now Suffering under the cruel hand of opprefsion and arbitrary Government, in having been con- demned unheard, contrary to Magna Charta, and the Royal Charter, that had been granted to Said Province. We therefore from a tender feeling for the Poor Inhabitants of that Great Town of Bofton, do Judge it our duty to contribute of our Subftance for their relief under their prefent Sufferings.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.