USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > Christ church, Hartford, Volume I > Part 27
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345
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
earnestness of his discourse, rattled the kneeling stool in the pulpit, so that the noise could be heard all over the church. "Why do you kick that stool so much," said he one day, very bluntly. Poor Mr. Burgess hardly knew what was meant, but wisely took no notice of the inquiry ; the temper was not malicious, but was the natural outcome of a dominant spirit, which without reflection, relieved it- self with direct and plain-spoken words.
He was an exceedingly useful man, admirably fitted for certain duties, which would be executed with promptness and efficiency. He was often appointed upon committees and was frequently one of the delegates to the Diocesan Convention. He was the first Superintendent of the Sun- day-school, and occupied that position for many years ; the Vestry presented to him their "thanks for his inde- fatigable exertions in directing the School." He was also interested in the affairs of the city, and was Chief of the Fire Department. A new fire engine having been purchased, it was displayed on the sidewalk, in front of his store. Mr. John Morgan was Street Inspector, and saw the obstruction to public travel. "Take it off," he said, "Take it off," and would not be quieted. A bystander, noticing the disturbance, suggested to Mr. Goodwin that he should invite Mr. Morgan into his store, and offer him a glass of wine. Mr. Morgan was perfectly willing to accept of the hospitality, and as he came out, said, " now take it off the walk; put it into the street," and it went into the street.
Mr. Goodwin was one of those who left Christ Church to organize the Parish of St. John's. He died March 30, 1870.
Dec. 16, V. Voted, That Messrs. Nichols, Beach, and Ripley, be a committee to take into consideration the subject of tax- ation as now existing in the Parish, and report on the same at the next parish meeting.
346
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
1842.
Jan. 11. An application in behalf of Mr. Braham having been made, for the use of the Church for a concert of sacred music, was withdrawn.
April 2. Voted, That the Rector and Wardens be author- ized to give to St. John's Parish, such use of the Chapel during the present year, as they may think proper.
The large indebtedness of the Parish doubtless appeared as a serious burden, when so many of its former members left to establish the Parish of St. John's. Though consent had been given, and a reasonableness for it had been shown, yet still there was considerable sore- ness remaining, which was natural enough when the matter of the debt was considered, and which in truth too often attends such emigrations. This had taken away a large number of its wealthy and efficient members, mostly young and enterprising, some of whom perhaps wished another field for developing their churchly instincts, or special views. The desire for leaving, and the desire for retaining, were illustrations again of what frequently occurs in different religious bodies, and was shown pre- eminently when Thomas Hooker and his associates desired to remove from Newtown to Hartford. The honorable course of Mr. Burgess carried the Parish with him, and quieted, if it did not convince, all members. There is no reason, however, to believe that any very serious objec- tion existed, except the fear of the inability of the Parish to maintain its former position. It would seem as if they had been left in a dazed condition, resembling somewhat that which has fallen upon an individual after serious injury, or upon a family suffering from severe affliction.
Nevertheless, it was a necessary and judicious move- ment, which came to be justified soon afterwards, and sanctioned by approval, as such matters generally are in the end; for time happily cures disappointments, and lessens the force of arguments which were considered to be invincible.
347
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
Then there came into the minds of the members a consciousness of their strength, and a desire to accommo- date themselves to their new position. They felt the pressure of their indebtedness and began forthwith to consider it. A prudent course for a state, or parish, or an individual, yea, a righteous course also, is to reduce expenses, when unable to meet them by receipts.
ABOUT ST. JOHN'S PARISH.
It may be well to insert here the following extracts from the records of St. John's Parish, which I have been kindly permitted to copy. It belongs in part to the his- tory of the Episcopal Church in Hartford, and in part to Christ Church in particular. The permission to use the Chapel for public worship was not accepted by the mem- bers of St. John's, as far as known, but they did occupy it for several parish meetings ; the Vestry meetings appear to have been held at the residences of its members. It is supposed that they continued to worship in the mother Church until their own was completed in 1842. [ From the Records of St. John's Parish.
Whereas, the Divine Head of the Church in his gracious Providence, has so greatly prospered the Parish of Christ Church in the City of Hartford, that its house of Worship is insufficient to accommodate all who would desire to unite in its Holy Offices - and Whereas, it is believed that the cause of true religion would be promoted by the establishment of another Parish in said City, in union with the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Now, therefore, be it known that we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do hereby unite and associate ourselves, as a Parish, or body corporate, by the name of
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, HARTFORD,
and do hereby adopt the Constitution and Canons of the Pro- testant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and also the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Epis- copal Church in the Diocese of Connecticut.
348
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names this eighteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord, 1841.
Jeremy Hoadley,
James M. Goodwin,
William T. Lee,
Erastus Goodwin,
Zephaniah Preston,
Ralph Saunders,
Edward Goodman,
William H. Hoadley,
Asahel Saunders,
David S. Porter,
Charles Davies,
Edwin Taylor,
Henry A. Mitchell,
Lemuel Humphrey,
Thomas Belknap,
I. S. Hewlett,
P[hilo] Dickenson,
Charles Brainard,
Samuel Taylor,
Silas Totten,
Chs. H. Brainard,
D. L. Stewart,
F. J. Huntington,
Henry S. Humphrey,
Charles T. Bull,
George M. Bartholomew,
John Brocklesby, Jr.,
Hezekiah Huntington, Jr.,
Virgil Cornish,
Abner Jackson,
Enos Rice,
Sally I. Bartholomew .*
Oliver M. Wells,
A request was made April 13, 1841, to Nathan Johnson, Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace for Hartford County.
Wm. D. Eaton,
Charles H. Northam,
Walter Winship,
George Humphrey,
The subscribers, members of the new Episcopal Parish formed in the City of Hartford, and called St. John's Parish, do respectfully request you to warn a meeting of said Parish, who are legal voters, to be holden at the Chapel of Christ Church, in said City of Hartford, on Monday, the 19th of April, A. D. 1841, at 7 o'clock P. M., for the purpose of choos- ing a Clerk and other Officers of said Society, and also to take into consideration and decide upon the question of building a Church, to agree upon a site, and locate the same; to provide for the purchase of a site, and the expenses of building a Church by subscription, tax, or borrowing money and creating Stock to pay for the same hereafter, payable and redeemable by Taxes, or otherwise, and to receive prop- ositions for creating Stock, and acting upon them, and to transacting all other necessary business.
WILLIAM T. LEE, LEMUEL HUMPHREY.
* Of this number Messrs. Preston, Northam, H. Huntington, and Brocklesby returned to Christ Church within a few years.
349
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
In consequence of and in pursuance of said application, the meeting was warned by Nathan Johnson, Justice of the Peace, and William H. Hoadley was appointed to give the legal notice.
At a meeting of the members of St. John's Church holden in the Chapel of Christ Church, on the 19th of April, 1841, William T. Lee was appointed Moderator, and Edward Good- man, Clerk, and the following officers were chosen :
WILLIAM T. LEE, - Wardens.
LEMUEL HUMPHREY,
HEZEKIAH HUNTINGTON, JR., CHARLES DAVIES,
THOMAS BELKNAP,
HENRY A. MITCHELL,
ZEPHANIAH PRESTON,
RALPHI SAUNDERS,
CHARLES H. NORTHAM,
GEORGE M. BARTHOLOMEW,
FRANCIS J. HUNTINGTON,
Vestrymen.
JOHN BROCKLESBY, JR.
The following resolution was passed unanimously, and a copy was directed to be sent to Rev. George Burgess, Rector of Christ Church.
Resolved, That though we now separate from the Parish of Christ Church, we feel a lively interest in the prosperity and harmony of the same, and that we cherish the most af- fectionate attachment and respect for its faithful and beloved Rector.
Charles Davies and James M. Goodwin were appointed "to draw an appeal to members of Christ Church for aid."
1841. June II. It having been stated to this meeting that the Vestry of Christ Church had appointed a Committee from their body to meet a committee from the Vestry of this Church, to confer upon the subject of taxing those persons who have withdrawn from Christ Church, and become mem- bers of St. John's Church, and that they invited the appoint- ment of a similar committee,
Voted, That William T. Lee and Hezekiah Huntington, Jr. be and they hereby are appointed a committee from this body, in pursuance of said request.
350
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
Members of Christ Church who subscribed for the building of St. John's Church.
George Beach,
$200 Denison Morgan,
$100
Phillip Ripley,
100
Dudley Buck, 100
John W. Bull,
150
Miles A. Tuttle, 50
Isaac Toucey,
100 James Goodwin, Jr., 100
Alexander H. Pomroy,
100 Chester Adams, 20
Charles Sigourney and Son,
100
Henry Perkins,
20
Hezekiah Brainard,
100
George Sumner, .
60
George Burgess,
200
George C. Collins,
20
Lucien B. Hanks,
100
1842. Feb. 24. Rev. George Burgess was unanimously requested to preach the Sermon at the Consecration of the Church.
Feb. 28. A Parish meeting was called at the Chapel to consider the subject of calling a Rector.
March 26. Voted, That the seats in the South Gallery of the Church be appropriated to the use of the Students of Washington College, free of charge, provided one of the Of- ficers of the College will sit with them.
The following persons, members of the Parish of St. John's, were warned by Edward Goodman, Clerk, to attend a meeting at the Church, March 28, 1842.
Jeremy Hoadley, James M. Goodwin, Wm. T. Lee,
Zephaniah Preston,
Erastus Goodwin,
Samuel Taylor,
Edward Goodman,
David S. Porter,
Charles Brainard,
Asahel Saunders,
Wm. H. Hoadley,
Charles H. Brainard,
Charles Davies,
Edwin Taylor,
Silas Totten,
Henry A. Mitchell,
Lemuel Humphrey,
Duncan L. Stewart,
Thomas Belknap,
I. S. Hewlett,
F. J. Huntington,
Ralph Saunders,
P. Dickinson,
Charles T. Bull,
Henry S. Humphrey,
Geo. M. Bartliolomew, Charles H. Northam,
W. D. Eaton,
J. Brocklesby, Jr.,
Walter Winship,
H. Huntington, Jr.,
George Humphrey, Enos Royce,
Virgil Cornish,
Abner Jackson,
S. I. Bartholomew,
Oliver M. Wells,
James A. Canfield,
Walter Phelps,
Geo. Ranisey,
Wm. H. Gilbert,
H. Tudor Brownell.]
At the Consecration of the Church, April 20, 1842, the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church were invited to join in the procession on said day.
351
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
Though four at least, and perhaps more, of those who connected themselves with this movement in forming a new parish, returned to Christ Church in a short time, there is no reason to believe that any very serious cause existed except a strong attachment to the old place and the old associations. It is only true, however, to say that a somewhat advanced Churchmanship was developed in St. John's, under the active and able administration of Mr. Coxe, which led to more or less comment and expres- sions of surprise. But there was only a friendly differ- ence of opinion, and no more firm defender of the Protestant Episcopal Church has been found than the Bishop of Western New York. It often takes a little time to get things fairly settled in the minds of the best of us.
1843.
April 17, P. Voted, That Wm. H. Imlay, Cyprian Nichols, Ebenezer Flower, Samuel Tudor, and Denison Morgan, com- pose a committee, with discretionary power to reduce the ex- penses of this Parish, and that this committee report thereon at an adjourned meeting to be holden at the Chapel, on Monday the Ist of May, at 7 o'clock, P. M.
April 22. V. Voted, That Denison Morgan be added to the Committee to treat with the heirs of Leonard Bacon con- cerning the boundary lines of the land on which the Church stands abutting the estate of said Bacon.
The record of May Ist, is as follows :
The report of the committee on retrenchment having been read, after much discussion, it was
Voted, That one thousand dollars be raised by the Parish annually, for four years to come, by a subscription in each successive year, to be applied towards the extinction of the parish debt.
The force of this vote, however, is somewhat dimin- ished by the one which followed, directing the Wardens
352
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
and Vestry " to reduce the expenses of the parish for the ensuing year, to the extent of two hundred dollars "; but it was a beginning.
The two following votes are quoted, as showing the struggle of the Parish to avoid an increase of its indebted- ness.
May 13, V. Voted, That two subscriptions be prepared on opposite pages of the same book, and for the purpose of raising the sum of one thousand dollars in the present year ; and not to be collected unless that sum be subscribed. The other for the purpose of raising the sum of Five thousand dollars, either at once or in four annual payments, at the choice of each subscriber ; only one of these subscriptions being liable to be collected.
V. July 3. The subject of cleaning the organ having been discussed, it was
Voted, That the business be left with the Senior Warden, with the understanding that if the organ is cleaned it must be done free of expense to the Parish.
1844.
April 8. P. The Treasurer having stated that he had received from Saml. H. Huntington, Executor of the last will of Mrs. Emily Phillips, formerly a communicant of this Parish, the sum of one hundred dollars in full of a legacy bequeathed by her to be expended in the purchase of Com- munion Plate, it was Voted, That the Parish hold in grateful recollection the pious liberality and affectionate regard for its parochial Altar, to which they are indebted, for this token of dying remembrance.
Voted, That the Wardens and Vestry be authorized to superintend the expenditure of the said sum, in accordance with the provisions of the Legacy.
The discussions during the year concerning the debt of the parish were frequent, and various propositions were considered, but nothing decisive was accomplished.
353
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
1845
April 14, P. Voted, That the Parish, regarding with great satisfaction the success which has attended the circulation of the subscription prepared by the Vestry for paying fifteen thousand dollars of the debt of the Parish, recommend to the committee to prosecute their efforts to the desired issue, and express the earnest hope that those members of the Parish who have not yet subscribed will not suffer this work to be done without their aid.
Subscription to reduce the debt.
Whereas, it is proposed to reduce the debt of the Parish of Christ Church, Hartford, Fifteen Thousand Dollars, by a subscription for that purpose, we the undersigned, each for himself, in consideration that others subscribe for that object and on condition that the said sum be raised, do hereby promise to pay to said Parish, the sums annexed to our names respectively, in three yearly equal payments to be made on the Ist day of July 1845, 1846, and 1847 (the interest may be deducted if the payment be anticipated). And the said Parish shall receive the sums aforesaid, and apply the same to ex- tinguish so much of the principal of said debt, as shall be paid on the subscription, unless a tax be laid by said Parish for the same object, before the last of said installments shall become payable ; in which case it shall be the right of each subscriber to apply the amount of his subscription to any such tax against him, or so much thereof as shall be necessary to cancel such tax ; and the balance remaining shall be paid into the treasury of the Parish, for the object aforesaid.
Dated at Hartford, this 17th day of March, 1845.
George Burgess $600 Wm. Isham. $100
Cyprian Nichols
600 C. Sigourney 150
Samuel Tudor
600 A. H. Pomroy 150
George Beach
600 Luther Smith 100
Phillip Ripley 600 Mary S. Merrill 100
Griffin Stedman
600 G. A. Stedman 100
James Goodwin
600 S. W. Goodridge . 100
John Butler .
600 Newton Carter 75
Samuel Tuttle & Sons
600 Allyn S. Stillman
50
23
354
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
Hetty B. Hart
$1000 T. J. Work
$50
Wm. H. Imlay
1000 Hez. Brainard
50
J. W. Bull
450
Charles Benton
50
Dudley Buck
400 Daniel Buck, jr. .
50
Ebenezer Flower .
400 Daniel Goodwin
50
Denison Morgan .
400
Mrs. Simeon Griswold 30
Thomas D. Gordon
400
Edmd. B. Hull 30
Walter Keney 300
H. B. Beach .
30
L. B. Hanks
300
George Brinley, jr. 30
R. Watkinson
300
Wm. E. Imlay
30
J. S. Morgan
300 S. G. Chaffee
30
Chs. H. Northam
300 Eliza Draper
30
H. Huntington
300
Chester Adams
25
Chs. F. Pond
300
S. G. Boughton
25
I. Toucey
200
Benning Mann
25
S. H. Huntington
200
Thos. Skinner
25
Cash
200
Mrs. Strong Mather
20
P. F. Robbins
150
Win. Conner, jr. .
15
J. B. Eldredge
I50
E. B. Pratt
15
George Sumner
150
H. Perkins
15
S. B. Beresford
100
L. H. Perkins
15
H. B. Chaffee
100
Samuel Mather
15
Lydia Morgan
100 Ralph Goodwin
15
Thos. T. Fisher
100
F. A. Brown
15
William Mather
100
Sidney Pinney
IO
William R. Phelps
100
J. V. B. Butler
5
Emma R. Hall
100
Wm. Conner
15
Leonard Kip
150
$15,040
The subject of obtaining a passageway from the inu- tual gangway upon the lot in the rear of the Chapel hav- ing been discussed, it was,
Nov. 22, V. Voted, That the Wardens be empowered to negotiate with the heirs of the estate of Leonard Bacon, for a passway from the mutual gangway upon the lot rear of the Chapel, for fifty years, and if possible for nine hundred ninety-nine years.
The matter of warming the church sufficiently had always been a serious trouble; various patterns of stoves had been tried, but none of them were satisfactory. After iron sash had been placed in the windows, and the glass
355
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
had been reset, and were made "as tight as paint and putty " could make them, as observed by Mr. Ripley, it was hoped that the result would be more satisfactory. Still there was disappointment. There were various meetings in the autumn of 1843, for the purpose of considering other plans. On the 28th of October it was
V. Voted, That furnaces be procured for warming the Church, provided the sum of three hundred dollars be raised by subscription, and that Mess. Taintor, Eldredge, Beach, and Huntington, be a committee to raise the said sum, and to put up the furnaces.
The committee reported that the sum of three hundred dollars could not be raised for the purchase of the furnaces.
It is probable that the furnaces were not obtained, for the subject was recurred to Sept. 25, 1845, when it was
Sept. 25, 1". Toted, That George Beach be, and he is hereby, appointed a committee to examine the subject of warming the Church the ensuing winter, and report thereon to the Vestry.
Mr. Beach reported and the following was passed :
Nov. II. Whereas, Gurdon Fox having proposed to put up two furnaces, and to displace them without charge, if they do not answer the purpose of the Parish, it was
I'. Voted, That Mess. George Beach, and Dudley Buck, Wardens, and Samuel Tudor, Vestryman, be and they are hereby appointed a committee to direct that the furnaces be put up ; to dispose of the old stoves and pipe, to put up five baise covered doors, and to oversee the same.
The only other reference to this matter is the vote of the Vestry, May 2, 1846, when an inquiry was ordered, to ascertain " whether the contract in relation to the furnaces has been complied with." As no further record is found it is fair to conclude that the contract was complied with, and that the Church was made comfortable for the wor- shipers ; but according to my recollection there was still some grumbling, for when was there ever a temperature
356
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
found which was not either too hot or too cold for some. The subject had been a fruitful one for discussion, but the Parish had a far more important one under consideration, in 1845 ; this was a subscription of fifteen thousand dollars towards reducing the debt. For further particulars the reader is referred to the Report of the Committee on the Funds of the Parish, pp. 38, 39.
Dec. 13, V. Whereas, it having been stated that a prop- osition had been made for holding the weekly Lectures to the several Congregations of the city on the same evening, it was
Voted, That if such an arrangement should be agreed upon, it is the opinion of the Vestry that it is desirable that the Rector shall concur in such an arrangement.
1846.
June 27. The strong light from the south windows of the Church was considered objectionable, and a committee was appointed to procure curtains for the same, but this was afterwards changed to blinds for the whole church.
Dec. 14, V. Voted, That Dr. Beresford be allowed to make use of the west wall of the Chapel, for adjoining a small building, at a valuation by the Wardens.
1847.
April 27, P. Whereas the Rev. George Burgess com- menced the duties of Rector of this Parish in November, 1834, at a salary of one thousand dollars per annum, which continued at that rate until the fifth day of April, 1837, at which time the Parish voluntarily increased his salary to twelve hundred dollars per annum, and he has been paid at that rate until the first day of the present month, and Whereas the Rev. George Burgess has recently made arrangements that will of course increase his annual expenditures, it is
Resolved, That the sum of three hundred dollars be paid to the Rev. George Burgess for the year commencing on the
357
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
first day of April aforesaid, in addition to the regular salary hitherto paid to him in quarterly year payments.
The clerk adds, that " after much discussion of the pecuniary ability of the Parish to make a change for the present year, conducted with unanimous regard for the interests and feelings of the Rector, who was understood to be unacquainted with the proposition, it was
Voted, That the subject be indefinitely postponed."
Mr. Burgess had been recently married, and the pro- posed increase of his salary was due to him, and not beyond the ability of the Parish to pay. There was a very generous feeling of the people toward him, and it was not easy to see at the time why the proposition failed, nor is it any plainer now. A battle is not unfrequently lost from inconsiderateness or self-confidence, for which there is no excuse. Of one point, however, it may be decidedly spoken, that the failure was not due to any want of love or respect for him, nor from any desire that he should leave the Parish. He was not one of that number who have felt a "gentle pressure," which has been irresistible.
Oct. 16, V. It was known that the Rector had been chosen as the Bishop of the Diocese of Maine, and a com- munication was made by him to the Vestry, resigning his Rectorship. A Parish meeting was called, and it was
Voted, That Isaac Toucey, George Sumner, J. S. Morgan, and Dudley Buck, be appointed a committee to prepare the business to be brought before the appointed Parish meeting, on the 21st inst.
Resignation of Mr. Burgess.
Oct. 21, P. To the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church, Hartford.
Gentlemen, The informal interview between us a few weeks since together with the intelligence which has become public, will have prepared you for the communication which I am now, with a shrinking heart, compelled to present.
358
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
Having been elected with entire and cordial unanimity, to the office of Bishop of our Church in the Diocese of Maine, I have seen, after much meditation, and very anxious prayers, which preceded the event itself, no sufficient reason for refusing the nomination. The necessary testi- monials have even passed through both houses of the General Convention, and received the usual consent. It is with the sacrifice of the strongest feelings, which can attach a pastor to a delightful abode, and to the dearest friends, that I have come to this result. Had I felt myself at liberty to follow merely my own wishes, this election would never have been consummated. My ministry in the parish of Christ Church, a ministry of thirteen years, has been one of so much happi- ness, on my part, and of so much harmony and such uninter- rupted kindness on yours, and has been attended with so many tokens of the favour and blessings of God, that I can- not close without emotions more deep and tender, than in such a communication as this it might seem appropriate to express.
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