USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > A record and documentary history of Simsbury > Part 27
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The people of other towns of Connecticut were in sym- pathy with those of Symsbury and a Convention was called, to meet at Middletown to express their views on this exciting subject.
S. T. R. B. 4. P. 92
Another Town Meeting was held, in September, at which, after reiterating the Resolutions already passed, "Colº. Noah Phelps Capt: Daniel Humphrey Esq": Capt Hezy: Holcomb, Capt Abel Pettibone and Capt Lemuel Roberts" were appointed a Committee "to correspond with ye Several Committees from their Refpective (towns) that have or may be appointed to meet at Middletown in Convention on ye first Wendsday of Septr inftant to advife & adopt such Meafures as they Shall judge most Expedient and Effectual to Counteract and oppofe
326
1783.
said Commutation". "Ordered that this their Refolutions be inferted in ye Connecticut Papers".
The meeting, being adjourned to the first Monday in December, was opened and "proceeded to add to their former Committee Dea. Francis Barnard Capt Jono. Pettibone Thomas Barber 2nd and Elisha Cornish to correfpond with ye said Committees to meet at Middletown for ye purpofe as afore- said".
P. 93
And at an adjourned meeting, in February 1784, "it was voted that their Committee vigorously purfue every expedient Method to oppofe Commutation and any other Grievance and alfo appointed Capt Joseph Forward to be one of ye Com- mittee to attend on ye Convention at Middletown for that purpofe".
From the frequent meetings held, and the earnest discus- sions of the matter of Commutation, it is manifest that it was looked upon as involving important consequences.
1784.
At a Town Meeting held on the 3Ist day of March, 1784, "After deliberating on ye Matter of Commutation and Some other Grievances. It was voted that this Town will not comply to pay any Future Taxes or Rates, or thofe that may here- after be granted for the difcharge or payment of any Conti- nental Debt or Expenditure that may be granted until there is a Redrefs of ye Grievance of Commutation and any other Grievance of a Similar Nature and alfo our Committee to sd Convention be defired to lay & exhibit ye Same to sd Con- vention to meet at Middletown agreeable to their late ad- journment". ..
Ib.
P. 94.
"Voted to chufe a Committee to compofe & exhibit the Senti- ments of this Meeting to ye Freemen at yr next meeting".
For several years from 1781, the question was agitated of a division of the town. In that year a meeting of the inhabitants of Simsbury was held, at which, "taking into consideration the situation and large extent of sd town, and the difficulties attending the transacting of public business in consequence thereof, a Committee was appointed to prepare preliminaries for a division of the town". Several meetings were subsequently held, and votes passed and rescinded. Nothing effective was
1781.
S. T. R. B. 4. P. 81
1786.
327
P. 104.
accomplished till 1786, when it was voted to enforce these preliminaries, and to "divide the said town of Simfbury into Two Separate & Diftinct Towns", and a Committee was chosen "to prefer their Memorial to the General Assembly representing the present town to be of large extent, which, by the annexing of that tract of land formerly called 'the Wedge of land', is now more than sixteen miles in length, and about nine miles in breadth".
Col. Rec.
On the presentation of the Memorial, the Assembly "Resolved, That the sd Town of Simsbury be divided into two distinct Towns, and the Division Line of said Town shall be a line beginning in Windsor river, at the East bounds of said Town of Simsbury; from thence running westerly in the middle of said river to the Pickerel Cove (so called) to a White Oak tree marked, standing on the West bank of said Cove; from thence to the middle of the Western Boundary line of said Town".
The two towns were at first permitted to send but one Representative, each, to the General Assembly. Against this, the town of Simsbury, in 1787, remonstrated, and chose Daniel Humphrey, Esq., to be its second representative, and asked for his admission as such.
1786.
At the May Session of the Assembly, he was denied ad- mission; but at the October Session at New Haven, a resolu- tion was passed giving the town of Simsbury two representa- tives, and Mr. Humphrey was admitted a member of that body. The new town set off was named Granby.
At the outbreak of the War, in 1775, a Congress of dele- gates from the several Colonies met at Philadelphia to con- sult together for the common welfare. A Confederation of the States was formed, and, by a succession of delegates in Con- gress, was continued through the struggles of the war. In 1776, the Congress declared the United Colonies to be Free and Independent States. But the Confederation thus formed proved weak and imbecile. The need of a general government was plainly perceptible. A general Congress or Convention of delegates from all the Colonies was proposed and agreed upon, for the purpose of devising such a government.
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After a four months' session, with closed doors, in 1787, the result of their labors was the present Constitution of the United States. In the Convention there was a great dif- ference of opinion. It was a new and untried experiment. Men, equal in talents, equal in honesty and patriotism, widely differed in their views of proposed measures.
One party was anxious to enlarge, another to abridge, the powers of Government. Some were in favor of a mere Confederation; others of a Union of the States, and a strong central government. Some feared the centripetal; others, the centrifugal force. Here was the germ, - the origin of the two great parties which from that time existed in the country. When the Constitution was presented for adoption by the people of the several states, the same difference of opinion was found to exist. In all the towns and precincts of these States, the people ranged themselves in two great parties. Those in favor of its adoption were styled "Federalists"; those opposed to it, "Republicans" or "Anti-Federalists". These latter names were afterwards supplanted by that of "Democrat" and finally "Feds" and "Demos" were their distinctive appellations.
The question of the adoption of the Constitution was to be settled by Conventions of delegates, elected in the towns and precincts of the several States, by the people thereof. A Convention for this purpose was ordered to be held at Hartford, on the Ist of January, 1788.
On the 12th of November, 1787, a special town meeting of the inhabitants of Simsbury was held, and after electing Col. Noah Phelps and Daniel Humphrey, Esq., delegates to the State Convention, "It was propofed to and taken into Confideration by sd Meeting (Whether) it would be advan- tageous to this and ye other United States of America to adopt ye New Conftitution agreed upon by ye Federal Con- vention lately held at Philadelphia. and after deliberating on the Subject it was voted by said Meeting that it was the fence and Opinion of ye Same that to adopt sd propofed Con- ftitution would inftitute & erect an Ariftocracy which they fear would end in Defpotifm and Tyranny & Extinguish or
329
1787.
1788. S. T. R. B. 4 P. 112
nearly abforb our antient Charter Priveledges ever facred & Dear to us & that instead of lefsning our Taxes & Burdens it would greatly Increafe & Augment them and finally prove deftructive of our most invaluable Liberties and Priveledges therefore this meeting do instruct their sd Delegates to ye Convention of ye State of Connecticut to be convened at Hart- ford on ye Ist Thursday of January next to ufe their En- deavours to oppofe ye Adoption of said Conftitution as it is now propofed".
In obedience to the instructions from the town, both the delegates voted against its adoption, though Mr. Humphrey did so under protest, averring that he did so in obedience to instructions, but in opposition to his personal inclination and convictions. But notwithstanding the opposition of Sims- bury, happily the Constitution was adopted, and, for a century, its inhabitants have shared its benefits, without the dreaded loss of their "Liberties and Priveledges".
Federal money first came into use, to be officially recog- nized, in 1796. At that time it was voted in town meeting, "to raise a Tax of 3ª-14 on the pound of the (year) 1796 to defray the expences against the Town for the year past - to be made up in Dollars and Cents as near as may be". In 1797, it was voted to raise a tax of one cent, five mills on a Dollar, on the list of 1797, "to defray the expences of said Town the year past."
It was a long time, however, before the practice of count- ing by shillings and pence was discontinued. "Shillings and pence" remained many years after "pounds" had disappeared.
330
T. R. B. 4. P. 134.
Ib.
P. 139
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 1683
XXX
New Constitution War of 1812 and Miscellaneous
The Constitution adopted in 1639 by the inhabitants of Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield, in General Convention assembled, and recognized and approved by King Charles II, in 1662, was and continued to be the supreme law of the Colony for nearly two centuries. By this the "Supreme power of the State" was vested in a "General Court", to be composed of the Governor, Magistrates and Deputies from the several towns. The sovereignty of the commonwealth, recognized and declared as belonging to the people, was transferred by them to the General Court.
Thus constituted and empowered, its acts and decrees were recognized and obeyed as the laws of the Colony. Even when the Colonies severed themselves from Great Britain and their independence was established, there was no change in the government of Connecticut, or its fundamental laws. The General Court at that time simply declared: "That the form of Civil Government in this State shall continue to be as established by Charter received from Charles the Second, King of England", etc.
About the time of the election of Thomas Jefferson as President, the party which supported him began to agitate the question of a new Constitution. It was claimed that by dissolving our connection with Great Britain, the Charter of King Charles was abrogated, and that we were without a
331
T. R. B. 4.
P. 406.
Constitution; that we had no Organic Law, but simply the Arbitrary Acts of the General Assembly. These views were strongly contested by the Federal Party, but, from year to year, the party supporting them gradually increased, till in 1818, a Convention was called and a New Constitution of Government formed.
The delegates to this Convention from Simsbury were Hon. Elisha Phelps and Jonathan Pettibone Jun"; Mr. Phelps was on the Committee appointed to draft the Constitution. When the question of its adoption came before the people, there was a division of sentiment and great excitement. Party spirit ran high; many towns were nearly equally divided. In Simsbury, the two parties were nearly evenly balanced. When the vote of the town was announced, Yeas III, Nays, 116, great was the joy of the Federalists. But when, after some days, the returns came in from the several towns of the State, the rejoicing was on the other side. The Constitution was adopted by a majority of 1,554 votes, and was declared to be the Supreme Law of the State. Ever since that time Simsbury, in all elections, has been one of the doubtful towns. It has oscillated between the two parties, according to the influences brought to bear upon it. Party names have changed, but not principles. On nearly all great national questions, the people have divided, and ranged themselves in opposite ranks. To a great extent this result is owing to heredity, rather than to other causes.
In the War of 1812, the spirit of Party was particularly manifest, - the one party naturally favoring it, whilst the other bitterly opposed it and the administration which carried it on. Still there was no enthusiasm, no voluntary enlistment and rushing to the front by the young men. The military force in the field was supplied and sustained by Drafts from the Militia from time to time as needed. The 18th Regiment of Connecticut Militia was included in the towns of Simsbury, Canton and Granby. It was commanded by Col. Calvin Barber. The quota of this regiment subject to draft was 230. These were detached from time to time, principally for the defense of New London. On the 5th of July, 1813, Col. Barber was required
332
to detach from his regiment 50 men, including officers, "for the defence of the harbor of New London, and the squadron of United States ships near that port".
On the 24th of the same month another Draft was ordered, of 26 men, including officers, "for the defence of the United States Squadron in our waters, and the protection of the in- habitants of New London and Groton".
Another detachment was ordered, on the 7th Sept. of the same year, "for the relief of those now in service, at the posts of New London and Groton, of I Sarg't 13 privates". On the 8th of August 1814, a detail of 93 men was ordered, as the quota of this regiment, and on the 10th, a detachment of 12 men, including officers for the "relief of the Guard at Say- brook", and on the same day an order was made for detaching 9 men "to march to Stonington Point".
The reluctance with which these orders were obeyed is manifested by the great number of Physician's and Surgeon's Certificates of physical disability and ill health, of those liable to duty at that time, found among the old papers of Col. Barber. From their number we could easily imagine the pre- valence of an epidemic, or some contagious disease. A beauti- fully equipped Artillery Company had been formed previously. These were called into service at New London, under command of Capt. Sereno Pettibone, of Simsbury. It is well remembered with what rejoicing and enthusiastic tokens of gladness the close of the war was hailed by the people of Simsbury, of all ages, classes and conditions. The only bell in town - the school- bell at Hopmeadow - rang out through the day the glad tidings of "Peace." Men greeted and congratulated each other on the welcome news of "Peace", and boys ran through the street, wearing upon their hats a frontispiece of paper or tin, inscribed in large characters "PEACE" and yelling at the top of their voices, "Peace!", "Peace!".
In 1822 the construction of a canal, connecting the waters of New Haven harbour and the Connecticut River at North- ampton, was proposed. The town of Simsbury took favorable action and by a formal vote "gave its assent to the construction of it through this town, believing that the laying out of said
B. 4. P. 447
333
canal will be highly honourable to this State and greatly beneficial to a large proportion of the people in this State". High hopes were entertained by the people of the several towns through which it passed, of the great benefit to result from its construction, but these hopes were destined to be blasted. The Canal was well constructed and opened for busi- ness, but the business did not come. The chief benefit accrued to those engaged in its construction from the money put into circulation along its route, in payment for its cost. After a lingering existence of about 20 years, it was superseded by a railroad. The canal was dug through the town from north to south, passing on the West side of the street at Hopmeadow, as far as the cemetery, where, crossing the street diagonally, it was spanned by a high unseemly bridge, in the middle of the highway, interrupting the view and greatly marring the beauty of the Street. When the railroad was constructed, this bridge was removed, and the embankment levelled by order of the town, and the canal itself in many places filled up.
Bridges were built at an early day over the river at Weataug and Terry's Plain, which, from time to time, have been rebuilt, and have been sustained by the town for more than a hundred years, but the town hesitated long before assuming the bridge at the mouth of Hop-brook, for which application was repeatedly made. In 1820, it was voted by the Town "that Calvin Barber Esqr be directed to Cause a peti- tion to be drafted & to be sent to the General Afsembly by the Representatives of the town praying for a grant of a Lottery for to raise money Sufficient to Build a Bridge acrofs the river near the Meeting house and a Cofeway near the Same". The application was unsuccessful and the bridge was built by dona- tions and subscriptions of individuals, and has since been rebuilt and sustained by the town. In 1833, the town assumed the building of a bridge at that place. Whilst the old meeting house stood, all public meetings of the town were held there; but when, in 1830, the Ecclesiastical Society built the present meeting house, they voted that it should not be used for town meetings, as requested and applied for by the town. After being refused the use of the meeting house, or the privilege of con-
334
structing a basement hall under the same, the town took measures to erect a Town Hall for this purpose, and in 1839 erected the present Town House. It was at first situated on the summit of the hill in the rear of the meeting house. In 1843, it was removed, by vote of the town, "down the hill" to a point near the highway, westerly from the meeting house, and subsequently when the Connecticut Western Railroad was constructed in 1869, it was again removed to its present location, north of the meeting house.
335
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 168 2
XXXI
War of the Rebellion
When the existence of the Government was put in peril by the great rebellion, the young men of Simsbury rushed to the front. On the 12th day of April, 1861, at half past four in the morning the Rebel batteries opened upon Fort Sumter. The report was heard all over the land, and ere its echoes had died away, among the hills of New England her young men were on the march. Lincoln called for 75,000 men, and they were ready, and at once young patriots with enthusiasm went forth to do battle in defense of the Union, whilst the older ones, who remained at home, took steps to provide for their wants and the support of their families.
Pursuant to a call dated April 22d, only ten days after the first gun was fired at Charleston, "A meeting of the citi- zens of Simsbury and its vicinity, without regard to previous political opinions, who were in favor of upholding the present Government and Constitution of the United States, at all hazards", was held at the Town Hall in Simsbury, "to con- sult with reference to the present crisis in our National af- fairs". Having organized, the meeting at once appointed a Committee of five gentlemen "to receive and distribute such funds as may be subscribed for the benefit of those who have enlisted, or may hereafter enlist, in defence of the Government; or for the support or assistance of the families of such as have families". On that day nine of her citizens were mustered into the service of the United States, by vol- untary enlistment. About $1,100. was immediately subscribed
336
1862.
and the distribution commenced. It was a beautiful manifesta- tion of patriotic feeling and sympathy. Then the town took up the beneficent work, and voted bounties to its volunteer soldiers.
At a town meeting in July, 1862, it was voted "to pay the sum of ($100.) .... to each and every man who shall enlist on or before the 20th day of August, 1862, from the town of Simsbury".
In August, a town meeting was held, and the town voted "to pay a bounty of $100. to each man who shall enlist for the term of nine months."
When the draft became necessary, in August 1863, it was voted to raise "a sufficient sum of money. .... by tax, to pay to each person who may be drafted from this Town and held in the service of the United States under the Con- scription act the sum of three hundred dollars".
Again, August 27, 1863, the town appropriated the sum of ten thousand dollars "to defray the expenses under the provisions of this series of votes". At the same meeting the town voted "to pay to such persons as have been drafted from this town under the present call, the sum of $200. each."
And again, in October of the same year, it was "voted to pay $200. to each and every man from this town, who has been or may be drafted and accepted into the service of the United States".
At the close of the War, Simsbury had furnished about 200 of her choice young men, to maintain the integrity of the Union. These were not of the low and base; many of them were of the old families, and of the most respectable citizens, - worthy sons of worthy sires, bearing the old familiar names that have come down to us through successive generations of more than 200 years.
From some families more than one of their boys went forth - some never to return. At the commencement of the war, three brothers - sons of Capt. Job. Case, all his boys - enlisted in the service. Arial and Alonzo were promoted to Lieutenancies, served through the war, and were honorably discharged. Oliver laid down his life at Sharpsburg.
337
To omit the names of the other patriotic young men who perilled their lives in this whole cause may seem invidious, but want of space forbids the mention, individually, of all those who died on the battlefield or of those who died from disease contracted in the service. When the town shall erect an appropriate monument to the memory of these young men, to commemorate their patriotism and to preserve and hand down their names through coming centuries, it will have discharged a duty, alike due to them and creditable to itself.
338
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING . 1683
XXXII
Ecclesiastical- Rev. Samuel Stebbins
1777
Five years had passed since the dismissal of Mr. Roots, as related in Chapter 26, during which time the pulpit was supplied by the Society's Committee, or occupied by can- didates "improved as probationers". Among these was Samuel Stebbins. After hearing him for a time, "the Committee were directed to apply to Mr. Stebbins, and desire him to continue to Preach with us & Supply the pulpit for the future". This was in May, 1777. In July of that year, a committee was chosen "to Treat with Mr Samuel Stebbins, and invite him" ... "to preach the Gospel with us for the future as a Probationer in order to Settle with us in the work of the Gospel Miniftry". The Committee thus appointed were instructed to "Consult and Draw up in writing what will be a Suitable Incouragement for to propofe to sd Mr Stebbins for Settlement and Salary pro- vided he fhall Settle" . 'among us; and likewife con- trive Some way that Said Settlement & Salary May be so fixed, and certain yt it may remain ever the Same without alterations or Depreciations. & that sd Comtee advife and confult with said Mr Stebbins relating hereto and make report of their doing to this meeting hereafter". This course was deemed necessary, doubtless, by reason of the fluctuations in the currency, which at that time were great and sudden.
In September following, the Committee reported to the Society, and it was "Voted, to propofe to ye said Mr Stebbins as an Incouragement provided he shall accept Said Call to Settle with us, that ye sd Society Shall Give him Two hun-
Soc. Rec. B. 1. P. 80.
1777
P. 81.
339
dred Pounds Lawfull Money to be paid to him in four yearly payments" ... "and to be paid in Money that every four Shillings Shall purchafe one bufhall of good Merchantable wheat, and Every 38/ Shall purchafe one Bushall of good Mer- chantable Rye and every 28/ Shall purchafe one bushall of good Indian Corn, and Eighteen pence shall purchafe one bufhall of Oats, and every / 18ª Shall purchafe one pound of good Sheeps wool, and that other articles Shall be in the Same, or like proportion".
Likewise Voted "that ye Said M' Stebbins Shall have his annual or yearly Salary paid him in the Same Manner that is, in Money".
His annual salary, reduced to Federal Money, was Three Hundred and Thirty-three Dollars.
1777.
At a meeting of the Society in October the Committee appointed to confer with Mr. Stebbins "and prefer the Votes of this Society to him, refpecting his Call to Settle", made their Report, "Viz that they had conferred with Sd Mr Stebbins and that he returned them an anfwer in the affirmative." Then voted "to Chufe a Committee to make a Contract with said Mr Stebbins in writing" .. . . "in order for his Settlement in the work of the Miniftry in this Society". "Alfo Dea Joseph Cafe and Dea Jonathan Noble were appointed to attend the Revd North afsociation in ye County of Hart- ford," "and requeft their advice relative to the Calling and Settleing Mr Sam1 Stebbins in the work of the Gofpel Miniftry in this Society."
P. 82.
November 3d, 1777, it was voted to approve of the con- tract made by the Committee with Mr. Stebbins, and that they sign the same in the name of the Society. And on the 17th of November, "Voted that the agreement that ye Said Societies Comtee and Mr: Sam11: Stebbins have made and mutually Signed, is now accepted by this meeting, and ordered to be recorded and kept on file."
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