USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > Christ church, Hartford, Volume I > Part 25
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Subscriptions for Completing the Tower.
Whereas the Parish of Christ Church in this City at its late annual meeting, passed a vote pledging itself to complete the Tower of the Church, according to the original plan, when- ever the sum of four thousand dollars should be raised by subscription ; Therefore the undersigned hereby agree to pay the sums set against their names respectively, to aid in accomplishing this object, to be paid in three annual instal- ments, the first, on the Ist of April, 1839, the second on the 1st of April 1840, and the third on the Ist of April 1841. The money to be paid into the hands of a Committee duly appointed to receive the same.
319
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
Hartford, August 1838.
Wm. H. Imlay,
$333
Henry Waterman Jr., . . $50
Win. T. Lee,
200
Timothy M. Allyn, 50
Samuel Tuttle & Sons, .
100
John W. Bull,
50
Charles Davies,
100
Alexander H. Pomroy, 50
Samuel Tudor,
100
George C. Collins, 45
Charles H. Northam,
100
Junius S. Morgan, 50
Thomas Belknap, .
100
James Goodwin, Jr.,
50
Lucien B. Hanks, .
100
Zephaniah Preston, 50
Luther Smith,
150
Henry S. Humphrey,
45
Asa Farwell, . 150
Philemon F. Robbins, 50
Ebenezer Flower, . 150
Alexander Houston, 50
Denison Morgan,
100
George Sumner,
50
James M. Goodwin,
100
George Beach,
100
Walter Phelps,
100
Isaac Toucey, 100
J. & S. B. Beresford,
100
Hezekiah B. Chaffee,
50
Lemuel Humphrey,
150
Allyn S. Stillman,
36
Griffin Stedman,
100
L[ydia] Morgan,
50
Charles Brainard,
100 Daniel Goodwin,
25
Cyprian Nichols,
100
Cornelia Russ,
50
Dudley Buck,
100
George D. Morgan, 25
Charles A. Colton,
50
Alexander M. Gordon, . 25
John B. Eldredge,
50 Charles J. Gilbert,
50
Asahel Saunders & Son,
60 Horace Averill,
30
Hezekiah Brainard,
50 George Burgess, 150
$4024
.
None of these persons are now living.
Sep. 7, V. Voted, That the Clerk be directed to give legal notice of a Parish meeting to be holden on Saturday evening the 14th inst., at 7 o'clock, for the purpose of considering the expediency of providing a new Bell for the Church, and of transacting any other business which may be brought before the meeting.
Sep. 14, P. Voted, That the committee appointed to super- intend the building of the Tower, with the addition of Mr. Phillip Ripley, be authorized to procure a new Bell for this Parish,- provided that the cost shall be raised by a tax.
Voted, That the City Common Council have leave to use the water from the Church for filling a reservoir to be laid in Main Street.
Voted, That the City have liberty to sink a reservoir in
320
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
front of the Church, under the direction of the Wardens and Vestry.
Oct. 24, V. Voted, That a Committee be appointed to cause if possible the excavation in front of the Church de- signed for a City reservoir, to be filled up, and if it cannot be filled up, that the Committee be requested to superintend the construction of said reservoir, and take care that the same be built in the most substantial and secure manner.
There was for a short time quite an excitement about the building of this reservoir in front of the Church. In the process of construction it was found that the work was imperfectly done, and it was feared that it was not of sufficient strength to resist the pressure caused by the tower of the Church. During the progress of the excava- tion, the sides of it repeatedly fell in, and extended so far into the street that there was a partial justification for the suspicion. It is not surprising, therefore, that the Vestry passed the vote of October 24th.
The Council met on the 25th and was willing that the work should be suspended, provided the Parish would pay the contractor "the expenses that have already accrued, and will fill the excavation at their expense, and on their own responsibility," and a committee was appointed "to make an arrangement to carry the same into effect."
This proposition was not acceptable, and was protested against by the Vestry on the evening of the same day, and the Mayor was informed "that if the City authorities persist in constructing the proposed reservoir in front of the Church, it must be done upon the responsibility of the City, without the consent or approbation of this Parish."
The Council, however, had voted, or did vote (for I suspect that both bodies were in session at the same time, and that there was a hurrying to and fro between them, to adjust details satisfactorily), "to increase the thickness of the walls of said Reservoir, and to make use of other materials at their discretion." And it was also
321
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
" voted that if the work should be abandoned that the city will pay the sum of fifty dollars toward the expenses that have already accrued."
No more complaint was made, and the work was completed and remains to this day. It never was supplied with water from the roof of the Church, but from the building on the north corner of Main and Church streets. The original cistern or well made in 1796 was on this corner, or near it, and the little contention about it has already been described. I do not know that the parish has ever had any other disputes with the public authorities, but it is a little singular that both of them should have been upon the subject of obtaining or preservation of water.
As I often passed this work while the excavation was in progress, it was noticed how extensive was the caving in of its sides. This occurred mostly if not wholly in the night-time, and was often the subject of remark. The ground had evidently been filled in to the depth of several feet, which was a cause of insecurity and danger ; the parishioners were justly supicious. In all probability the roadway is now considerably above the original surface. When the sewer extending from the City Hall to Pleasant street was built, great logs, many in number, were found far below the surface at the corner, opposite the head of Village street. The sewer was twelve feet in depth, and two and one-half feet in diameter. These logs were of pine and in a good state of preservation. They doubtless had been placed there sometime in the early history of the town, for the purpose of obtaining a firm foundation, at the bottom of one of the numerous ponds known to have existed in this neighborhood. The surface along this roadway to the north was by no means perfectly level or regular. In the immediate neighborhood, at the Tuttle corner, it was firm clay, while a few rods to the west it was pure sand. In this vicinity was Centincl Hill, from which, in early days, an unobstructed view could be
21
322
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
had as far south as the South Green. From this hill large quantities of sand were taken by the early inhabitants, so large that its 11se was forbidden unless authorized. From this point northwest there must have been a grad- ual rise in the ground as far west certainly as the house occupied by the late Nathaniel Goodwin, who once told me that his house stood upon the highest ground in the then limits of the city, excepting Asylum Hill. Hartford originally was by no means located on level ground ; the hills have been made low, and the valleys have been filled up. Brick-kiln Hill has been erased, and the land south of it has been much elevated. That portion of Asylum street lying west of Ann street as far as Ford street (called within my remembrance Pleasant Valley), has been filled in as many as ten or twelve feet, probably, and some of the small houses upon the south side of it have been raised twice.
In excavating for the above sewer, at the head of Village street the contractor found considerable obstruction from the logs, and some time was spent in endeavoring to cut them apart, but as it was difficult to work in such a limited space it was given up. By depressing the bottom of the sewer a little, the logs were worked into the top of it, and no serious injury so far has been sustained. It may be some years before it caves in. I know that the bottom of the sewer was clean, and no water standing in it, a few years after its construction, about six rods or so west of the locality of the logs.
Here is another instance in which the use of pegs has been found convenient.
I840.
Feb. II, V. Voted, Unanimously, that the thanks of the Vestry be presented to Mrs. Elizabeth Hart, for the elegant Episcopal Chair presented by her to this Parish.
Voted, Unanimously, that the thanks of the Vestry be pre- sented to Miss Hetty B. Hart, for the beautiful Baptismal Font presented by her for the use of this Church.
323
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
Voted, That while the Vestry would express their grateful sense of the generosity of the donors, they would also place upon record their devout trust that these offerings for the glory of God, and the endowment of this Sanctuary, will always be regarded and employed in the same spirit of reverence for His service, and love for His Church, in which they doubt not they have been given.
The Chair presented by Mrs. Hart, usually called the Bishop's Chair, is the one now used by him, in the Chancel. The Baptismal Font, given by her daughter, was of white marble, and was in continued use until 1891. It was made in several pieces, which were movable ; as a consequence, the edges became more or less chipped, in changing it from one place to another, and it was finally placed in the present Chapel. The new Font, which is larger and a fine piece of workmanship, stands in the southwest corner of the Church, a portion of the gallery, and several of the pews having been removed. It has been ventured to call this place the Baptistery. The Font was presented to the parish by the children of the Sunday-school, in 1891, and cost five hundred and ten dollars.
Among the very useful organizations within the parish should be mentioned the Ladies' Benevolent Society, which was organized in 1829. Its Constitution is submitted below, though it may have been changed in some particu- lars. The Society is still in active existence; and generally meets once in a fortnight, and is fruitful in good works. Occasionally a supper is served, and then the gentlemen are permitted to attend, and add their contributions to the general fund. These meetings are held in the Parish Room, are numerously attended, and are productive of much good ; the social element is added to that of industry; and to the work of helping the poor is added that the members of the parish become more acquainted with one another.
For a long time the meetings of the Society were held
324
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
at the residences of the members, and a light refreshment was served. For fear of disturbing the work in which they were engaged, perhaps, no gentleman was expected to appear until 8 o'clock in the evening, when the young people felt a necessity for relief after their steady work, though some of their elders continued it for an hour longer. These social gatherings were extremely pleasant, and yet linger in the minds of the very few who are left. The rector was accustomed to call at this time also, and it was supposed that his presence did not seriously interfere with any conversation, though it might have diverted it. somewhat.
Several other societies now exist, for teaching young girls to sew, and encouraging in them habits of industry, prudence, and good behavior ; nor are the boys neglected in the division of the parish work. There is plenty to do in helping the old, the infirm, and the needy, and this necessity is likely to be increased in the future. The changing character of our population, and the death and removal of many members of our Parish brings to those who remain a work far more extensive than was necessary some years since. It is not probable that we shall see again such an event as happened in Dr. Wheaton's time, when the alms were several hundred dollars in excess of the needs of the parish.
Constitution of the Ladies Benevolent Society of Christ Church, Hartford, Conn., Organized Nov. 18, 1829.
The object of this Society is to furnish comfortable gar- ments for the sick and suffering poor, and to assist when in its power, young men intended for the Ministry.
Relief is first afforded to those of our own denomination, and afterwards, should our funds permit, aid will be extended to others.
Each member of this Institution shall pay one dollar annually, to be expended in the purchase of necessary materials.
325
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
Once a fortnight, on Thursday afternoon, such of the mem- bers as find it convenient, shall meet at the house of one of their number, and devote the hours from two till nine, to the making of suitable garments for the objects of their charity.
The officers of this Society shall be a President, Vice-Presi- dent, Secretary, and eight Directresses.
It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meet- ings, and to convene an annual meeting for the choice of officers.
The Vice-President shall attend to the distribution of the articles made, assist the President, and preside when she is absent.
The Secretary shall keep a copy of the Constitution, a list of the members, a statement of the articles made, and of the per- sons to whom they are given ; likewise an accurate account of all monies received and expended, and of any donations which may be presented, and read her report at the annual meeting of the Society.
It shall be the duty of the Directresses to search for, and recommend proper objects of bounty, and to exercise a general care over the welfare of the Institution.
The first president was Mrs. Mary Morgan, long and well remembered by many in the Parish. There is a tablet to her memory in the hall of the Chapel, on which is the following inscription :
MRS. MARY MORGAN the wife of DR TITUS MORGAN was a native of Upper Middletown, and died in Hartford on Whitsunday May 11, 1845, at the age of 60 years. Amiable and courteous, and self denying, she solaced a long and childless widowhood
326
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
by the active duties of BENEVOLENCE, making with Christian sympathy the poor and sorrowful, her children. She was annually chosen for a period of seventeen years the PRESIDENT of the Episcopal FEMALE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, by some of whose members, this stone is erected to her memory, with a grateful trust that she hath in Heaven, a better and more enduring record.
This stone, which had been placed over her grave, was removed to the present Chapel upon its completion.
April 27, P. Voted, That the Wardens and Vestry be requested to ascertain what seats are required in the South Gallery for the Students, and whether any additional room can be appropriated for members of the Parish.
May I, V. Voted, That the Clerk of the Parish be author- ized to make necessary arrangements to accommodate those members of the Parish who are unprovided with seats.
July 18, V. Voted, That Mess. Lee and Ripley be a com- mittee to take into consideration the repairing of the Church windows, and report at a future Vestry meeting.
They reported September 19th in favor of an iron sash involving an expense of several hundred dollars. The consideration of the report was referred to a special Parish meeting, and Mr. Denison Morgan was added to the com- mittee.
Sept. 25. The report was considered at a Parish meet- ing, and is printed in full, as follows :
That on a thorough examination we find the lead part of the sash so light in its construction as to be insufficient to sustain the glass in its proper place, and incapable of resist- ing the action of the wind and frost upon it. That in all the windows, some part of the sash is thrown out of its original
327
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
position, lights of the glass have fallen out, or are held by such frail fixtures as to be liable to drop out by any sudden movement of the sash, or to be blown out by the wind. That every movement of the sash tends to open the joints, many of which have become already quite large and appar- ent, and a close examination is only necessary to observe a free circulation of air through almost every sash in the Church.
During several weeks enquiry your Committee have been unable to find anyone who could suggest any practical method of efficient and permanent repairs of the present lead sash, and however unwilling to incur, or to recommend any new burden or additional tax on the Parish, we believe there is no alternative, as we consider it indispensable for the comfort of the Congregation during the winter season, and for the preservation of the Church, that something of an efficient character should be done at an early day, and as the results of our inquiries, and as a matter of permanence and ultimate economy, we respectfully recommend the adop- tion and use of Iron sash, a sample of which is herewith pre- sented for your consideration.
This sash weighs about 22 lbs., being a fraction more than 1 1/2 lbs. to the light, and can be furnished at 61/2 cents pr. 1b.
The committee then made an estimate of the number of the lights of glass, of the weight of the sash, and of the expense of fitting the sash, and setting of the glass, amounting to $359.83.
Whereupon it was l'oted, That the Parish do approve of the report, and that the Wardens and Vestry be impowered to carry the same into execution.
On motion of Mr. J. M. Goodwin, Voted, That the War- dens and Vestry be a Committee to consider the subject of persons purchasing seats in the Church, and refusing to pay taxes, and to recommend to the Parish some plan that will secure an equitable adjustment of raising money to defray the expenses of the Parish.
Sept. 28, V'. In consequence of some miscalculations in the
1
328
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
statement of the expense of providing iron sash, and setting glass, as contained in the report of the Committee submitted to the Parish meeting held on the 25th inst. it was Voted, That the subject of repairing the Windows of the Church, be referred back to the same Committee to report at a future Vestry meeting and that they also be requested to take into consideration the propriety of substituting cylinder or other stoves, in place of the Nott stoves now in use,- of altering the present position of any or all the stoves in the Church, and the subject of warming the Church generally.
With the increasing expenses of the Parish it was necessary that all proper and legal methods should be resorted to which would afford a sufficient income. The legal members of the Parish by no means corresponded with the number who annually purchased seats. There was a reluctance on the part of many to connect them- selves more closely with any ecclesiastical body, and so they escaped a just share of the burdens of the organiza- tion. Many of these were very respectable persons, and pecuniarily prosperous, but they wished for that kind of liberty which made them free; free to come and free to go ; free to remain and enjoy ; and free not to contribute. It is possible in some cases that a church may be so en- dowed, or supported by the contributions of a very few, that a large part of the attendants pay no proper share of the expenses. In the much-abused system of freedom in this country, men often resort to presumptions and eva- sions which cannot be justified by any proper sense of morals, or of their duty to support public religious wor- ship, which is one of the safeguards of the State.
Voted, That Mess. Imlay and Lee, be a committee to con- sider the subject of purchasing seats in the church and refusing to pay taxes, and report at a future Vestry meeting some plan adapted to the case of persons so refusing, and tending to equalize the present system of taxation in the Parish.
329
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
A very characteristic letter from one of these half-way covenanters, more disposed to take than to give, is here- with submitted. He was abundantly able to contribute pecuniarily ; had, with his family, long attended at the church, and demanded and received as much attention and consideration as if he had been a legal member. His case is a fair illustration of not a few in most religious bodies, and, perhaps, in many others also outside of them, who are more controlled by their selfishness than by their sense of duty.
Hartford, March 30, 1842. To the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church.
Gentlemen, As I have never united myself to the Parish of Christ Church, so as to become in a legal sense a taxable member thereof, it cannot be necessary for me to present to the Clerk of the Parish a Certificate of my not being a legal member of the same. I have just hired a Pew in your Church and another also in St. John's, which I take a pleas- ure in doing, and shall be happy, most probably, to continue to do. But I am not willing to go beyond this, and decline to be taxed in either. I entertain the highest esteem for our most excellent Clergyman, and a respect for the gentlemen Wardens and Vestry.
With my best wishes for the success of both the Church Parishes in their praiseworthy efforts, and undertaking's,
I subscribe myself, Gentlemen, Very respectfully Yours,
This letter was probably the outcome of the efforts of the committee to procure a more equitable adjustment of the burdens of the Parish.
Oct. I. The committee reported, that, having discovered some errors in the report of the 19th September, they have gone over the subject again and find the Church to contain beside the Chancel 17 Windows as follows .
330
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
2 in front of 3 single sash of 438 equal to whole lights.
over front door, double sash, 252 lights.
2, West end, double sash, 468 .
10 in side with 12 sash each, 3,600
2 Vestry windows 4 sash each, So
4,838 lights.
Expense of setting the above quantity of glass, $83.45
Weight of Iron sash estimated 3,942 lbs. at 61% cts., . 256.23
Estimated expense of Joiner work, 58.67
398.35
Whereupon it was Voted, That Messrs. Lee, Ripley, and Morgan be appointed a Committee in behalf of the Parish, to contract for the casting and fitting of the Iron sash, the set- ting of the glass, and any other repairs of the windows, as referred to in the report of the Committee on repairing the windows of the Church.
Voted, Unanimously that the thanks of the Rector, War- dens and Vestry, be presented to Miss Hetty B. Hart for the generous gift of an elegant carpet for the Chancel within the rails.
Voted Unanimously, That the respectful acknowledgments of the Rector, Wardens and Vestry be presented to Mrs. Elizabeth Hart for her liberal contribution in aid of the dec- oration of the Chancel and other parts of the Church.
Isaac Perkins was born in Ashford, and was a lawyer by profession. He married Elizabeth Belden, daughter of Thomas Belden, September 7, 1806. He died August 18, 1840, aged sixty years, three months, and twenty days. She was born in Hartford, and died November 14, 1848, aged sixty-five years, ten months, and six days. I cannot ascertain when he came to Hartford, but he was here in 1816, when his wife and four children were baptized by Mr. Chase. He was chosen as secretary of the Ætna Fire Insurance Company upon its organization in 1819. The office was then located in the east room of the Exchange Coffee House on State street. This story is told of him,
331
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
that upon the arrival here of the news that the company had lost sixty thousand dollars by a fire in Mobile, he threw up his hands and rushed into the street, crying out, " we are ruined." As only ten dollars a share had then been actually paid upon the stock, the news was not altogether comforting. As the company has since become one of the largest and strongest in the United States, the officers are enabled to take their losses with more quietness and resig- nation. His name first appears upon our records as a contributor for paying a deficiency in the parish expenses in 1818.
The location of a church, like that of a schoolhouse, affords an opportunity for quite a difference in opinion. When, at a parish meeting, April 27, 1827, a vote was pro- posed that a lot on Pratt street should be chosen, the clerk records, "on this vote much animated discussion took place. William H. Imlay and S. H. Huntington in favor, and Isaac Perkins and James M. Goodwin against it. The resolution was negatived." He was Junior Warden in 1831, and senior warden, 1832-33. Attention is called to his letter to Rev. Mr. Smith. He died August 18, 1840.
1841.
March 15. At a special meeting of the Parishioners of the Episcopal Parish of Christ Church, legally warned and holden at the Chapel this day Monday at 7 o'clock P.M. Mr. Cyprian Nichols was chosen Moderator.
After much discussion on the subject of forming a new Parish, the subject was referred to a Committee, consisting of Messrs. Toucey, Lee, and Belknap, who were instructed to take two plans into consideration, viz., the plan of an inde- pendent parish, and the plan of two congregations associated under one parish, and report the same drawn up in legal form, at an adjourned Parish meeting, to be holden at the Chapel on Thursday, March 18th instant at 7 o'clock, P.M.
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