USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > Christ church, Hartford, Volume I > Part 23
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Will you, my dear Sir, have the goodness to lay this com- munication before those in whose behalf you wrote, and to ascertain from them, and to communicate to me, the farthest period, until which, they would be willing to dispense with my services. Your late Rector, the Bishop, and other of the Resident clergy, for whose kind aid I shall apply, will, no
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
doubt, take care that your Church shall not be closed, until it may be possible for me to arrive. It is now mid-winter and I should feel almost reluctant to bring on my family, consist- ing of a Wife and seven children, most of whom are small, until about the opening of spring. In addition to which it will take some time for me to arrange my domestic and pecuniary affairs, nor would I be willing to leave my beloved people here, without giving them some short period for pro- viding a successor. The reasonableness of these causes of delay, will, no doubt, be obvious to you all, and secure from you a little indulgence as to time.
I shall await the expression of opinion on the subject. With due acknowledgments to the Parishioners of Christ Church for their kind preferences, and earnest prayers that our future union may be productive of good to their eternal interests, and with considerations of personal respect for your family, I remain, Dear Sir,
Your friend and obedient Servant, in Christ,
HUGH SMITH.
1832.
Jan. I, V. Voted, That the Rt. Rev. Bishop Brownell, and the Rev. Mr. Wheaton, be requested to perform the duties of Rector of the Parish until the arrival of the Rev. Mr. Smith.
Copy of a letter sent to Mr. Smith, in reply to his of the 21st Dec. 1831.
Rev. Hugh Smith,
Dear Sir- Your letter of 21st ult. came in season for a New Years gift to the Parish, especially to the Wardens and Vestry, who rejoiced for its contents, and the prospect of set- tlement and happiness it opens to the Parish. They appointed a committee consisting of Mess. S. Tudor, C. Nichols, and myself, to communicate their sentiments in reply.
In parting from their late Rector the trial was severe; they had enjoyed his talents, remembered his worth, and called to mind with what diligence he had devoted the gifts of God to himself, in promoting the prosperity, happiness, and piety of the people of his immediate charge. As a Pastor we have
293
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
grown with his years, and have gained strength in his ex- perience; he had participated in our joys and sympathised with our sorrows, and you will be rejoiced rather than jeal- ous, to find us cheered by the thought that we shall still have the benefit of his presence and counsels.
On the subject of salary, no meeting of the Parish having been called since the receipt of your letter, the Wardens and Vestry cannot now speak with authority. They however are confident the Parish will always be careful that the provision for their Rector shall be found adequate for the comfortable support of his family. The generous confidence with which you propose to wait the experiment of living on the salary that has been established by the Parish, will not, they trust, fail to be met with corresponding equitable feeling, to the mutual satisfaction of the parties concerned.
On the 5th inst, the active duties of President will de- volve on Mr. Wheaton; from that period, therefore, no one until your arrival will be constantly charged with the care of the Parish. The services of the Church will however be per- formed by Mr. Wheaton, when the Bishop or other clergy are not able to relieve him. It was not expected that you would be able to leave Augusta immediately, or that you would be willing to remove your family during the severity of winter. The Parish indeeds desires your presence as early as possible, as soon as a due regard to the people you are to leave, the settlement of your affairs, and the safety, convenience and comfort of your family will permit.
Easter Monday, (16 April,) begins our Parish year; on that day the pews will be leased for the year, and your pres- ence sometime previous, will no doubt be of importance, es- pecially in respect to the leases.
The Wardens and Vestry desire a respectful remembrance to you and your family; the committee tender their respects; and for myself, impressed with pleasing anticipations, Dear Sir, I am, with great considerations of respect,
Your Obedient Servant,
ISAAC PERKINS.
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
N. B. I have just received enclosed from S. M. Laughlin, Sec., a copy from the minutes of a meeting, (holden Dec. 2Ist, 1831,) of the Wardens and Vestry of St. Paul's Church, Augusta, also a copy of address referred to in the minutes, which will be laid before the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church, when assembled.
A committee was subsequently appointed "to see that the house about to be occupied by Rev. Hugh Smith be cleaned, either by Wm. Ely, the owner, or at the expense of the Parish." And also, to procure "such assistance as may be necessary, for unpacking his furniture, and placing the same in order in his house."
Feb. 21, V. Voted, That N. Morgan, George Beach, and S. H. Huntington be a committee, to collect all information requisite to the erection of a Chapel, and to report to a future meeting of the Vestry.
Voted, That Nathan Morgan be a committee to call on Deacon Colton, and engage if he thinks best, the old Con- ference room, as a temporary accommodation for a Lecture Room.
Voted, That I. Perkins be a committee to negotiate for the Masonic Hall.
The " old Conference room " belonged to and had been used by the First Ecclesiastical Society for weekly meet- ings and lectures. It was a building of one story, and was in the rear of the house owned and occupied by Deacon Aaron Colton in Temple street. An occasional attendance there with a maiden aunt brings him clearly to mind, with his own peculiarities, and with the peculiarities of one of his brother deacons, Aaron Chapin. The pitch- pipe, which was used in the setting of the tune, was quite an attraction to a youngster, and the sounds were alto- gether more musical than the notes which came from the throats of either of the good deacons, that of Deacon Chapin in particular. Both of them were good, honest,
295
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
industrious, cheerful, Christian men, enjoying the univer- sal love and esteem of the community.
This Conference room was made vacant by the pur- chase of the building next north of the Center Church, by the First Society. It has been used for various pur- poses since that time, and was fitted up and occupied for one year by the Church City Missionary Society.
May 9. At a Vestry meeting held at the Church on Wednesday evening May 9th 1832.
Voted, That 50 dollars be offered as a reward for the ap- prehension of the person or persons, who committed depre- dations on the Church, by throwing stones and brickbats through the south window of the west end of said Church, and that the same be inserted in the Review, Mirror and Epis- copal Watchman.
Copy of the Advertisement. "50 Dollars reward."
will be given to any person who shall give information so that the perpetrators of the trespass committed in the night of Sunday 6th of May instant, by throwing stones and brick- bats through the South window of the West end of the Episcopal Church, may be brought to punishment. It is be- lieved our citizens generally will take an interest in discover- ing the perpetrators of so foul a deed, and that the vigilance of the City Watch will be increased, to prevent disorders, in the night season. By order of the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church, Hartford May 8th 1832.
M. A. TUTTLE, Clerk.
June 26, V. Voted, That Otis Cook be employed to ex- amine the timbers over the ceiling of the Church, and give his opinion, whether any, and if any, what measures are re- quired for ventilating the loft in question, to secure said timbers from decay by dry rot, or any other cause.
Dec" 19, V. Voted, That Messrs. Wm. H. Imlay, S. Tudor, and Geo. Beach, be a Committee to confer with Mr. J. Good- win Jr., with regard to the price of the Old Court House, and report to a future meeting of the vestry.
296
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
Hartford, December 26, 1832.
Subscriptions for purchasing and removing the Old Court House.
We the subscribers promise to pay to the Treasurer of Christ Church Parish the sums respectively annexed to our names, to be applied to the purchase of the Old Court House, on condition that when the requisite sum shall have been subscribed, the Vestry of the Parish cause said Building to be removed; the first payment to be made on the first day of February next. It is understood by the undersigned that the said purchase is to include the lease of the ground on which said Buildings stand, subject to the annual ground rent of ninety dollars.
Samuel Tudor $100 Horace W. Goodwin $10
Nath' S. Wheaton .
IO Aetna Insurance Company . 50
Nichols & Humphrey
50 James Rose & Sons 60
Dudley Buck
70 Edward B. Stedman 10
George Beach
50
A Gentleman .
25
John Butler
50
Griffin A. Stedman 5
Nathan Morgan
60
Horatio Alden
5
Hezh. Huntington jr
50
Walter Phelps
25
Ward Woodbridge
50
Isaac Toucey . 30
Samuel Tuttle & Sons
45
Cyprian Nichols 15
Thomas Belknap .
50
James Goodwin, jr. 30
Charles H. Northam
30 Hezh. Brainard
25
George Sumner
E. Goodrich, jr. 25
50
Francis J. Huntington .
35
Richard S. Kissam 20
Daniel Goodwin
IO Joseph Pratt . 25
Asahel Saunders
20
Daniel St. John
5
Miles A. Tuttle
5
Elisha Colt
50
Watson Adams
5
Leonard Bacon
20
James Chamberlain
15 Nathan Johnson
10
Wm. H. Hoadley
5 Pratt, Hart, & Newton . 100
Joseph Church
30 Charles A. Colton . IO
Samuel Ledlie
IO
Timothy M. Allyn .
10
Wm. T. Lee
60
Thos. D. Gordon
25
Ebenezer Flower
25 Wm. H. Imlay
200
John W. Bull
20 Charles Sigourney
40
Isaac Perkins
30 Phillip Ripley
25
Roswell B. Ward .
10 Zephania Preston
20
James M. Goodwin
IO Edwin Taylor
20
Alexander H. Pomroy .
IO George C. Collins
12
Denison Morgan
20 H. E. Hale
12
297
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
Hezh. B. Chaffee
$IO Amos S. Collins
$12
Asa Farwell .
IO
Robert Buel
12
Saml. H. Huntington
50
William D. Eaton .
I2
Charles H. Brainard
IO Horace Loveland
8
Ralph Goodwin
10
$2,038
1833.
March 16, V. Voted, That hereafter in dressing the Church with Evergreens, no trees or wreaths shall be used, and that it shall be dressed with boughs only.
THE OLD COURT HOUSE.
April 15, P. At a meeting of the members of the Parish held at the Church this day at 7 o'clock P. M. agreeably to adjournment, Isaac Perkins being moderator stated that the object of the meeting was to devise some plan for the Parish to become in possession of the Old Court House property. It was now in the market at two thousand Dollars, subject to a ground rent of ninety-three dollars per annum, and that a considerable part of the requisite sum for its purchase had already been subscribed, mostly by individuals of the Parish.
After some conversation with regard to the propriety of taxing the members of the parish for the remainder of the purchase money it was finally Voted, That Samuel Tudor be a Committee to procure additional subscriptions for the pur- chase of the Old Court House.
It was voted July 8, that the Parish accept the subscrip- tion upon the terms upon which it has been, made, and also, that the sum not exceeding four hundred dollars be appro- priated for the purpose of removing the Old Court House, and the purchase of the land in accordance with the subscrip- tion.
August 15, V. Voted, That Isaac Perkins be a Committee to rent the Old Conference room occasionally, when it will not interfere with the wants of the Parish.
There was evidently some discontent in the parish concerning the Rector, the reason for which at this time is not very apparent. Some who had been instrumental
298
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
in bringing him here from the South, had now ceased to be his friends, and Mr. Smith addressed the following let- ter to the Wardens and Vestry, resigning his position.
Sept. 2. "To the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church Parish,
Gentlemen. Being disposed to enter upon another sphere of duty in which I have been invited to labor, I hereby re- spectfully present to you, and through you to the Parish, my resignation of the rectorship of Christ Church, in the duties of which I have been very happily engaged for more than a year past, - the resignation to take effect from the first of October next, or sooner should it be desired. With my best wishes for your individual happiness, and for the welfare of the Parish you represent, I remain, Gentlemen,
Your friend and servant in Christ,
HUGH SMITH.
Hartford, Sept. 2ª, 1833."
A parish meeting was held September 9th, when action was taken by ballot, whether the resignation should be re- ceived, and there were in the negative forty-five votes, in the affirmative twelve, and one blank. Mr. Samuel Tudor and Mr. George Beach were appointed a committee to communicate the above vote to Mr. Smith.
An adjourned meeting was held on the 12th of the same month, when the following communication was re- ceived from Mr. Smith.
Sept. 12. Hartford, Sept. 12, 1833. To the Wardens of Christ Church Parish, Hartford.
My Friends and Brethren, Through a Committee of the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church, I duly received an official statement of a vote passed at a parish meeting, held on the 9th inst. declining by a very large majority, to accept the resignation which I had tendered to the Vestry, and through them to the Parish. For the tacit approval of my past course, and the wish of my continuance among you, implied in that vote, and subsequently most frequently and most af-
,
299
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
fectingly expressed to me unofficially, and privately, permit me to return my sincere thanks. After allowing to that ex- pression of your feelings and wishes, its just weight, and after giving to the subject to which it referred the most serious, dispassionate, and full consideration, in the spirit of prayer for guidance from on High - I feel it my duty, once more to present to you my resignation of the Rectorship, accompanied by the earnest request that you will accept the same, and consider the present communication as definitive -the resignation to take effect at the time before proposed, viz., Oct. Ist, un- less an earlier date be desired.
To my reasons for this I need not advert. You will not, I am persuaded, impeach their purity. Suffice it to say, that they are such as convince my judgment, satisfy my con- science, and such as will, I trust, bear the inspection of the "Searcher of Hearts."
I should do injustice to my own feelings did I refrain from expressing my deep and lively gratitude for the many acts of kindness and favor which I have received, and which it is my regret that I cannot adequately repay-and also the affectionate feelings which so much undeserved kindness has caused me to entertain. Permit me further to add my earnest desire and request that all subjects of a painful or harrassing character may henceforth be dropped, both in public and private, and that the brief period of my remain- ing pastoral intercourse with you may be mutually improved to the best and holiest purposes of Christian edification.
And now, Brethren, that God may shed upon you and upon your counsels, the spirit of peace, harmony, and wis- dom -that he may enable you to "stand fast in one spirit, striving together for the faith of the Gospel "- that he may "send to you a Pastor after his own heart"-and that he may bless you individually and collectively with all needful bless- ings, temporal and spiritual, is the heart's desire and prayer of Your affect friend and servant in Christ,
HUGH SMITH.
After the reading of the above letter, the resignation of Mr. Smith was accepted, and the Bishop was requested
300
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
to dissolve the pastoral connection between him and the parish.
Voted, That upon thus separating from our Rector, we would express to him our grateful acknowledgments for his services while he has resided among us, and would also assure him of our earnest prayers that the Lord will keep him, and bless him with his most gracious favor in his person, in his family, and in his ministry.
Voted, That C. Sigourney, I. Toucey, and S. Tudor be a committee to respond to the communication just received from the Rev. Mr. Smith, and to make known to him the doings of this meeting.
It is difficult to ascertain why Mr. Smith did not longer remain in Hartford. There is a suspicion that the resig- nation came from some plain speaking which was regarded by a few as too personal. He followed Mr. Wheaton, and was unlike him, and, as I have said in another place, may have " suffered from the contrasts which unwise people are apt to draw, as often without reason as with it." He was devoutly religious, an excellent preacher, a fearless ex- pounder of the Word. Both before he came here and after he left, he was regarded as an able, faithful, and con- scientious clergyman. His last rectorship of eleven years at St. Peter's, New York, showed that he had found a people with whom he was in sympathy.
It is no part of the plan of this history to deal exten- sively with the lives of our rectors, or their ministry among us; and, besides, the memory of Dr. Smith has not been neglected by his many friends. He was brought ac -. tively to the front in 1843, when, with Rev. Dr. Anthon, he felt it to be his duty to "protest against the ordination of Mr. Arthur Carey, to the order of deacons." No one who reads what he said on his death bed to Dr. Anthon can fail to recognize the high sense of duty and the sincerity of the man. "My friend and brother," said he, "when you and I first began the ministry, I think we laid too
301
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
much stress upon the outward. You know what I mean, but since then, Anthon, both of us, thanks be to God, have been better taught, I trust, how to preach simply and fully Christ and him crucified." Looking at me very earnestly, as I was preparing to leave him, he observed, " And now remember that what I said four years ago, when I was so ill that I did not expect to live, I say again In many things which I have done, I believe that I did wrong ; but in that one matter," when you and I stood up to bear our testimony for Christ and the Church, I feel persuaded, now as ever, mark it well, that we did right."
It has been attempted to present as fair a representa- tion as could be obtained of the different Rectors of the Parish, and at a time when they were in Hartford. It was difficult to learn where a portrait of Dr. Smith could be found, but an advertisement in the Churchman, by Mr. James J. Goodwin, led to successful researches by him, and a fine copy of the portrait is presented in this volume. It brought with it, also, an abundance of material for a sketch of his life. Some of the particulars are presented in this brief condensation.
The Rev. Hugh Smith was born August 29, 1795, at the Narrows, Long Island. He was a graduate from Co- lumbia College in 1813, and pursued his studies for the ministry under Bishop Hobart, from whom he received Deacon's Orders in 1816, and Priest's Orders in 1819. After a short absence in Savannah he returned to New York, and was assistant to Rev. Dr. Bowen of Grace Church. In 1819 he became Rector of the Episcopal Church at Augusta, Georgia, where he remained until 1831. He was elected Rector of Christ Church in the same year, and resigned the same in September, 1833. After some time spent in missionary work in New York, he was chosen Rector of St. Peter's Church, where he re- mained until his death, March 25, 1849. He was for a short time engaged in the General Theological Seminary,
* Referring to the Protest.
302
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
and in 1838 received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity, from Columbia College.
Oct. 2, P. Voted, That the Wardens and Vestry be authorized to take up and from time to time reissue scrip, in the same form and subscribed by the same officers hereto- fore prescribed for any sum or sums, of the funded debt of the Parish, as occasion may require. And also from time to time to cause security to be made for any debt of the Parish, by note or notes, by the Treasurer thereof, for the time being and in the form following, with such additions and variations as to time, place, interest, and names, as occasion may require, to wit:
The parish of Christ Church, of Hartford, hereby promises to pay to or order, the sum of for value received. City of Hartford,
$
Witness the Treasurer of said Parish, A. B.
Oct. 15, V. Voted, That the Treasurer be directed to issue a note for the sum of three thousand, five hundred and eighty three 72/100 dollars, with interest from the Ist of Oct. instant, being on account of the balance due to the late building committee, to such persons as they may direct, in conformity to the vote of the parish passed at their meeting held Oct 2ª IS33.
As I understand it, after all the money which had been paid in for the building of the church had been spent, there was still due to the building committee, either for sums advanced, or for which they were responsible, the sum specified above.
Nov. 6, V. Voted, That Mr. Chamberlain be directed to examine and make the necessary repairs on the Pillars of the Church; and that Mess. Tudor and Perkins be a committee to superintend the work.
It was found that the dry rot was affecting the wood
303
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
work about the pillars; the fitting being so tight that there could be no circulation of air. The remedy was found by making augur holes at the top and bottom, and it proved an effectual remedy. No young wife was ever more careful of her new house than were these men of the building which they had recently erected, and of which they were justly proud.
Dec. 5, V. Voted, (Subject to the approbation of the Parish at its next Easter meeting) that the Treasurer of this Parish be, and hereby is, authorized, and directed to pay to the Treasurer of the Bishop's Fund, for the purpose of mak- ing up the deficiency in the Bishop's salary, as the sum was fixed in a resolution of the Convention, passed June 2nd 1831, the sum of Fifty Dollars, on the first day of August next, and the same sum on the first day of August annually, there- after, for the term of five years, or till the increase of the Bishop's permanent Fund shall equal the amount of the salary fixed by the Vote aforesaid, Provided however that this vote shall not be obligatory unless the deficiency of the Bishop's salary is made up by the other parishes in the Diocese.
Whereas, the requisite sum of Two thousand Dollars, for the purchase of the Old Court House * and lease, has been subscribed agreeably to the vote of the Parish, July 8th, 1833.
Voted, That Nathan Morgan, Cyprian Nichols, and Thos. Lloyd, be a Committee to dispose of the Old Court House, and cause the same to be demolished, and do all other things in conformity with the conditions of said subscription, and to carry the same into effect.
Voted, That Thomas Belknap be, and hereby is, appointed to collect said subscriptions.
* The Old Court House was built by order of the Colony of Connecticut in 1719, and was occupied by the Colonial Assembly, and by the General Assem- bly of the State until 1796. It stood on State House Square, near the present City Hall, and was removed to Church Street at about the above date. It had been occupied for various purposes, lastly as a wagon shop and plough manufactory. The close proximity was considered dangerous to the Church in case of a fire, and so it was purchased. Rev. Roger Viets administered the Communion " in Hartford Court House March 2nd, 1766, to 6 Communicants."
304
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
Voted, That George Beach, Samuel Tudor, and W. H. Imlay be a Committee to obtain a draft for a tower to the Church, make an estimate of the expense, and report.
1834.
Jan. 6. In October last a committee of the Vestry had been appointed "to enquire for some person suitable for Rector." They reported favorably on two names, Jan. 6, 1834, and George Beach, Wm. H. Imlay, Samuel Tudor, and Isaac Toucey, were appointed "to proceed to New York and further if expedient, and obtain information with regard to Rev. Dr. Ducachet, of Norfolk, Virginia, and also Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Alexandria."
Jan. 21. At a Parish meeting the committee of the Vestry reported favorably on the Rev. Dr. Ducachet, and it was
Voted, That the Rev. Henry W. Ducachet, of Norfolk, Virginia, having the approbation of the Bishop of this Diocese, is requested to accept of the Rectorship of this Parish.
The Rev. Dr. Wheaton was requested to proceed to Norfolk and present the communication of the Bishop to Dr. Ducachet, informing him of his election. But all the efforts were futile. The record is brief.
Feb. 21. At a meeting of the Wardens and Vestry, Feb. 21st, at the house of S. Tudor, Esq., a communication from the Rev. Henry W. Ducachet, declining the call of the Parish was read.
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