USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > Christ church, Hartford, Volume I > Part 37
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It will be noticed that the history of the Parish for the last dozen years has been but briefly sketched. It be- longs to a future historian to develop it more minutely than is proper at the present time. It only remains to impress upon all those who are transacting the business of the Parish a more careful preservation of all docu- ments, papers, bills, subscription papers, or whatever may relate to its history ; and, further, that these should be immediately passed over to the proper keeper of the same for preservation. Clearly kept accounts, faithful records, and complete files of papers are as essential materials of history, in a minor degree, for a parish, as well as for a town or nation.
In bringing to a conclusion this contribution to a his-
478
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
tory of the Parish, one cannot avoid considering the differences which exist between its past and present con- dition. These are due to the influences which have ex- isted in many other places, which have either driven the churches out of existence, or have much impaired their usefulness. This must ever be the case when the popu- lation has removed to a distance by the pressure of busi- ness interests, which has left no proper clientage for sup- port or continuance. It is a dumb show for Christian worship when there are no worshipers in attendance. Whatever claims may be made, however, for the continu- ance of consecrated houses, it should be remembered that the holy spirit of reverence which we entertain for them is violated not alone by their closure, but by allowing them to fall into decay by our neglect. They were erected for our religious instruction, and for the public worship of Almighty God. When these conditions no longer exist, and their influence can no longer be exerted, it is a question whether they add to the increase of true religion, but do not, on the contrary, give the unbeliever cause for reproach.
But our Parish is in no such despairing state. Its early beginnings were in the hands of a few earnest men, who labored and spent for many years under great diffi- culties, sacrifices, and oppositions. The Congregational, or " orthodox " body, was supreme in the land, and those outside of it were not regarded with much consideration. It was only by a union of these latter with a political party that a more liberal sentiment was established, and the Episcopal Church was allowed ån opportunity for an abundant increase. The cause of true religion has suf- fered nothing thereby, and it is a matter of congratula- tion that so much of our Liturgy and of special services in our Book of Common Prayer have now become famil- iar, and been adopted by the religious bodies around us. We ought not to complain of a partial use of our services,
479
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
but rather thank God that other worshipers are willing to accept so much. When we think of the wonderful changes which have taken place since the first Episcopal Church was built in Hartford, now just one hundred years, we may justly look for still greater and more ex- tended ones in the century to come, and pray for a more perfect unity of all Christian men in religious belief and work.
Anyone who reads carefully this record will see how this Parish has labored under pecuniary difficulties, and how much is due to the generous consideration of com- paratively a few individuals. In saying this, the aggre- gate of the smaller sums given by the many should not be overlooked ; the earnest zeal and the willing hand of the possessors of a few talents have had their full share in bringing this Parish to whatever of position and use- fulness it has attained. The spirit which has animated all must still be continued, and we must show to the world that our Church is the Church for the poor, as well as for the rich.
During the one hundred years of the existence of this Parish we have had an unusual number of able men as its Rectors. Though the longest period of service of any one has been only thirteen years, yet there were causes for their removal which in no manner affected their efficiency or the love and esteem of the parishioners. Five of them have been or are now Bishops in the Church, enterprising. pious, and devoted successors of the Apostles. Of the fifteen Rectors we may truthfully say, that all have labored to do their duty faithfully, and in the fear of God. If any of them found it convenient to leave us, under a "gentle pressure," the cause has been quite as much due to the temper of the Parish as it has been to themselves ; not one of all these gentlemen has failed in remaining faithful to the Church, with the exception of the first Rector, who left it of his own accord.
480
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
The Churchmanship of the Parish has been a fair rep- resentative of the Churchmanship of the Diocese. It loves the Book of Common Prayer, and adheres to the "doctrine, discipline, and worship" of the Protestant Episcopal Church. It has carefully avoided the extremes which have characterized some parishes ; it has had, in all the hundred years of its existence, no serious dissensions in regard to doctrine or ceremonies, but has pursued its middle way in peace and quietness. It is not boasted that its service to God and its duty to man has been larger or more faithful than that of other Christian bodies in the city, but it is charitably hoped that it can give a good account of its stewardship to the Divine Master at last.
When it is stated that, at the erection of the present Church building in 1829, a majority of the parishioners lived upon Main street, or between Main street and the Connecticut river, and that comparatively a few only now reside in these localities, we can easily understand how much has been effected by a change of population. A different class of people, largely of foreign origin, occupy their places ; trade, occupations, and habits are entirely different. Much remains to be done before the assimila- tion is complete, and the energetic, thrifty, and intelligent American citizen is formed. This work calls loudly upon us, and needs our most serious consideration. Though reduced in numbers, yet with its endowments, and a faith- ful band of intelligent and zealous members, the Parish can still be successfully sustained, and enabled to do its full share of duty. There is no need for sensational devices, or extravagances in worship, either for sustaining it or extending its work. This is altogether outside of its traditions, or of any necessity, nor is it complimentary to men of sense that the undertaken work should be so covered up by secular devices, or alluring amusements, that it is difficult to see where the religious part of it comes in. It is possible that the linking of the world
CHRIST CHURCH, INTERIOR,
WEST END, 1892
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS. 48 1
and religion together has had something to do with the absence of so many from the public worship of God.
There was never a time when the truths of the Bible should be more forcibly presented than the present. If Christians are in earnest they should be more aggressive and confident in their work ; it is folly to waste our ener- gies in refuting the arguments or sayings of idle men, who have nothing new to say, and only repeat what has already been repeated. It is well to consider that some things have been established, and that the religion of Christ is one of them.
The old, old story is still interesting to men, and will draw them together in crowds, if it is presented with faithfulness and energy. It is not given to every one to do this work successfully, for there are diversities of gifts in this as in other occupations. While some are drawn to a serious consideration of their duty by the mild pleadings of a St. John, there are others who need the vigorous teachings of a Paul; the quiet example of a holy life will bear its fruit with some, while line upon line and pre- cept upon precept are needed for the conviction of others.
There was never a time in this bustling world when the whole truth could be better presented than the pres- ent. There was never a better time when the command to PREACH THE WORD was more obligatory or more hopeful than now. The wonderful changes in the condi- tions of men, which have given us more excitements and wordly desires, surely need the healthful restraint which can only come from an acknowledgment of a Divine Master, and of our responsibility to him. For this all Christians must pray, and that we may be One, in thought and action; which may the Good Lord grant, for his dear Son's sake.
31
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
No. I.
Memoranda respecting the old Church Lot.
October 6, 1762. Charles Caldwell, in consideration of £80 con- veyed to John Keith, William Tiley, William Jepson, Hezekiah Marsh, and Thomas Burr, as a committee of the brethren of the Episcopal Church in the town of Hartford, a piece of land 99 ft. 3 in. on Main St., extending westerly, the North and South lines being parallel, so as to make exactly half an acre. - [Town Records, X, 584.
July 12, 1765. John Keith and William Tiley quitclaimed their interest in the aforesaid land to Doct. William Jepson. - [Town Records, XI, 52.
July 16, 1768. William Jepson, in consideration of £100 con- veyed said land by Warrantee deed to Robert Sanford with the stone lying thereon. - [Town Records, XII, 3.
Oct. 8, 1769. Robert Sanford sold to Samuel Talcott Jr. for £16 the northern part of the Lot, containing 16 rods or 1 acre. - [Town Records, XII, 244.
In June, 1770. Thomas Burr and the rest of the members of the Episcopal Church sued Samuel Talcott Jr. for tresspass in entering upon the plaintiffs land, breaking down and destroying the foundation of a Church, and carrying away 140 loads of stone. The case went up to the Superior Court held at Hartford by adjournment on the last Tuesday in December 1771, when the plaintiffs recovered £35 damages and £11, 15-6. costs. - [Records Sup. Court.
In January, 1772. Thomas Burr, etc. brought suits in the County Court to recover possession of the land from Robert San- ford and Sam1 Talcott Jr. The cases went up to the Superior Court held at Hartford, by adjournment, on the fourth Tuesday of December 1772, when the plaintiffs recovered seizin and pos- session of the land etc. - [Records County and Superior Courts.
January 2, 1778. Sam1 Talcott Jr. quit claimed to Robert San- ford the 16 rods he had bought of him. - [Town Records, XIV, 250.
486
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
January 15, 1785. Robert Sanford referring to Charles Cald- well and William Jepson's deeds, the suits at law, and the decision of the General Assembly in Chancery that Jepson had an equitable lien of £60 on the land which ought to inure to Sanford's benefit, and this having been paid, quitclaims the land to William Adams, John Morgan, and John Thomas and the rest of the associates and professors of the Church of England in Hartford. - [Town Records, XVI, 359.
No. 2.
Mr. Nathan Starkweather has furnished the following memoranda and the maps :
Oct. 6, 1762, the Episcopal society procured a lot for a church site from Charles Caldwell upon a lease of 999 years (which was equivalent to a purchase), bounded east by highway, south partly by land of Samuel Olcott and partly by land of said Caldwell, and west and north by land of said Caldwell, being 99 feet, 3 inches on highway, the same width in the rear, the north and south lines being parallel and extending west so far as to make exactly half an acre.
The parish erected this church in 1792, and retained their lot until Aug. 27, 1794, when they conveyed Section A to David Goodwin, containing one rod and -32
Church street seems to have been laid out from Main to Trum- bull streets in 1794, but the land required for it was not conveyed to the city until 1798. On Dec. 19, 1795, the parish conveyed Sec- tion B to Simon Clark, "beginning at a bound at the southwest corner where the said land adjoins the new opened street called Church street," etc.
Oct. 4, 1796, the parish conveyed Section C to Simon Clark.
Previous to 1807, Joseph Lynde had acquired the property north of the church lot, also Section C of the estate of Simon Clark.
Dec. 8, 1807, the parish conveyed to Joseph Lynde the north portion of their lot, bounded south by a line parallel with the foundation of their church and eight feet distant therefrom, and west and north by land of said Lynde.
In April, 1810, Samuel Tudor purchased the Lynde property north of the church, and on July 31, 1810, the parish conveyed to him the gore D E, 48% feet in length and three feet wide at the west end.
487
APPENDIX.
Episcopal Church to Simon Clark, Dec. 19, 1795. (Vol. 20, P. 541.)
Beginning at southwest corner of the church lot at the corner agreed upon as the divisional corner between the church lot and land of Oliver Ellsworth, Esq., where the said land adjoins the new opened street called Church street, thence running in the line of said land northerly to the northeast corner of Ellsworth's land, thence in the same direction to the land of David Goodwin, thence easterly 44 feet in line of said land of Goodwin, thence southerly to the said street to a stone, thence west on line of said street to the first-mentioned corner.
Christ Church to David Goodwin, Aug. 27, 1794.
A certain piece or parcel of land, being part Episcopal lot 1-32% rods, beginning from the north line of said lot setting off from said Goodwin's fence as it now stands, south 183º, west 24} links, thence running south 652º, east 64 links, until it intersects said Goodwin's house lot, thence to place of beginning.
Episcopal Church to Simon Clark, Oct. 4, 1796. (Vol. 21, p. 643.)
Beginning on the north line of Church street, 25 feet, 6 inches west of the southwest corner of the church, and running north 17º, east at right angles with said Church street, 76 feet, thence north 66°, west 512 feet, thence north 17º, east 33 feet to land of David Goodwin, thence on a line between said Goodwin and the premises to land before leased by said society to said Clark, thence south 17º west to said Church street, thence east 56 feet to the first-mentioned corner. Bounded south on Church street, east on church lot, north partly on land of said society and partly on D. Goodwin's, and west on land of said Clark.
Episcopal Society to Joseph Lynde, Dec. 8, 1807. (Vol. 26, P. 370.)
Beginning at stake 8 feet north of northeast corner of church and running west parallel with north line of church 8 feet distant to land of said Lynde lot, thence north in line of said lot to the northwest corner of the present church lot, thence in a southeast- erly direction to the first-mentioned corner, being a triangular piece, bounded east by Main street, south on land of said parish, and west on said Lynde's.
488
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
Christ Church to Samuel Tudor, July 31, 1810. (Vol. 29, p. 268.)
Beginning on Main street on line of church lot, thence running westerly 48 feet, 6 inches on said line, thence southerly 3 feet, thence running easterly on straight line 48 feet, six inches to place of beginning. Bounded east on Main street, south and west on land of said parish, north on land of said Tudor.
Christ Church to O. D. Cook, 1829. (Vol. 46. p. 171.)
On the corner of Main and Church streets, bounded east on Main street, 53 feet. 5 inches ; south on Church street, 119 feet, 5 inches ; west on Nathan Johnson's land, 52 feet, 7 inches ; north on Samuel Tudor's land -north line is as follows : Beginning on Main street, 53 feet, 5 inches north of south line of said lot, thence running west 47 feet, 2 inches to a point 49 feet, 9 inches north of the said line of said lot, thence northerly 2 feet, 9 inches, thence westerly 62 feet 9 inches to said Johnson's land at a point 52 feet, 7 inches north of said south line of said lot.
C. CALDWELL.
SAMUEL OLCOTT.
219 FEET, 5 INCHES.
MAIN STREET. 99 FEET, 3 INCHES.
-- > ¿ N.
99 FEET, 3 INCHES. C. CALDWELL.
219 FEET, 5 INCHES.
C. CALDWELL.
.
A
D. G.
44 FEET.
B
SIMON CLARK, 1795.
DAVID GOODWIN.
C
56 FEET.
SIMON CLARK, 1796. JOSEPH LYNDE, 1807.
52 FEET, 7 INCHES.
N.
119 FEET, 5 INCHES.
CHURCH.
D
JOSEPH LYNDE, 1807.
S. T.
JOSEPH LYNDE.
53 FEET, 5 INCHES.
E
MAIN STREET.
CHURCH STREET.
491
APPENDIX.
No. 3.
When the Report of the Committee on the Funds was presented, no copy of the Penal Bond, referred to in that re- port, had been found, but since that time it has been dis- covered, and is printed below.
Copy of Penal Bond.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that we whose names are hereunto subscribed, are severally bound and holden, unto the Parish of Christ Church, located in the City of Hartford, in the penal sum of two thousand dollars, well and truly to be paid, we severally bind ourselves, our heirs, etc., unto the said parish of Christ Church. In witness whereof we have hereunto signed and sealed this sixteenth day of December, 1828.
Provided that the condition of this bond is, that each sub- scriber hereunto complete and perform respectively the provisions following according to their true intent and meaning, and the tenor and effect thereof.
For that, whereas the said parish of Christ Church has pur- chased a site, and erected thereon in part, a new church, now therefore for the sole and only purpose of completing said new church for the use of said Parish, and to procure a new and better Organ for said Church, this bond and conditions are made and executed, and that these objects may be effected subscriptions may be made hereunto for raising and creating stock, and may be paid to the Parish at any time ; and shall be paid at any time after the first day of February, 1829, in such instalments, and at such times as the Wardens and Vestry of the Parish may require, upon their giving by the Clerk of the Parish, fifteen days notice of the day and the amount of payment required by them; but said instal- ments shall be on the whole subscription by equal per cent. on each subscription, provided said instalments shall not be greater than to be equal to twenty-five per cent., once in four months on the whole subscription, commencing with and for the first instal- ment on the second day of February 1829. And when any sub- scriber shall have paid his whole subscription, and not before, the said Parish of Christ Church shall become bound and holden for the repayment thereof, with interest, to be computed from the payment of the said instalments severally, to the first of May annually. And the claim of each subscriber upon, and the obliga- tion of the Parish to redeem said Stock, and pay the interest
·
492
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
thereon, shall be by a Scrip, in the words and figures following, viz. -
Scrip No. $.
This certifies that the Parish of Christ Church, in the City of Hartford, is indebted to in the sum of Dollars, value received, towards building a Church and procuring a new Organ, for the use of said Parish, which said sum of Dollars the said Parish of Christ Church promises to pay to said
or order, the first day of May 1837, with interest on the first day of April next, and interest annually thereafter payable at the Treasury of said Parish, reserving to said Parish the right of pay- ing the same or any part thereof at any time after the first day of May 1832, upon giving by their Clerk six months notice of the time and sum to be paid, and thereupon at said time said sum shall be paid by the said Parish.
Witness, the Wardens and Treasurer of the said Parish of Christ Church, this . . day of
Provided this bond shall be void unless the said Parish of Christ Church shall on or before the second day of February 1829, ratify and confirin all the provisions in this condition implying an obligation on said Parish and unless fifteen thousand dollars shall have been subscribed hereto and a further pledge of the Rents of the Pews and Slips in said new Church be by vote of the Parish specially made as security for the interest on the aforesaid Stock also. Each subscriber shall set against his name the sum of his subscription.
On the back of said Stock scrip shall be printed the vote of the Parish to build and locate said church, and to ratify and confirm this instrument, and to pledge the rents of the Pews and Slips as aforesaid.
No. 4. Copy of Church Scrip.
$200. " Scrip No. 11.
" This certifies that the Parish of Christ Church, in the city of Hart- ford, is indebted to Jeremy Hoadley, Esq., in the sum of Two Hundred Dollars value received, toward purchasing a site, building a Church, and to procuring a new organ for the use of said Parish; which said sum of Two Hundred Dollars, the said parish of Christ Church promises to pay to said Jeremy Hoadley or order, the first day of May, 1837, with interest, on the first day of April next, and interest annually thereafter, payable at Treasury of said Parish, reserving to said Parish the right of paying
493
APPENDIX.
the same, or any part thereof, at any time after the first day of May, 1832, upon giving by their clerk, six months' notice of the time and sum to be paid, and thereupon, at said time, such sum shall be paid by said Parish.
" Witness the Wardens and Treasurer of the said Parish of Christ Church, this 8th day of Sept., 1828.
" CHARLES SIGOURNEY, \ Wardens. " SAMUEL TUDOR, " CYPRIAN NICHOLS, Treasurer."
On the reverse of this scrip is printed the authority for issuing the same, as follows:
"Voted, That for the sole and only purpose of erecting a new Church for the use of this parish, and for procuring a new organ for said Church, this Parish do accept of a certain penal bond, dated the 16th day of Feb- ruary, 1827, executed to this Parish, by Nathaniel S. Wheaton, Wil- liam H. Imlay, and others, hereby ratifying and confirming all the pro- visions in the conditions of said bond, implying an obligation on this Parish. [Passed, March 20, 1827.]
"Voted, That the rents of the pews and slips of said new Church, when completed, be and they hereby are specially pledged to secure the payment of the interest on the stock created by the conditions of said bond. [Passed, March 20, 1827.]
"Voted, Two-thirds of the members present concurring, that this Parish do agree to build a new Church, and that the same be, and hereby is located on a lot owned by Aristarchus Champion, Esq., bordering on Main and Church streets, and on so much of Leonard Bacon's lot adjoin- ing as may be necessary for the purpose. [Passed, April 30, 1827.]
"The above recited votes are true copies as recorded in the book be- longing to the Parish of Christ Church in the city of Hartford.
" Attest,
WILLIAM T. LEE, Parish Clerk."
No. 5.
Subscribers for Stock for Purchasing a Site, the Erection of a new Church, and purchasing an Organ.
1827. May 16, To Scrip No. I, Isaac Perkins, . $100.00
Sept. 29, 2, Griffin Stedman, 2,000.00
1828. April I, 3, James M. Goodwin, 500.00
I, 6.
4, George Beach, 500.00
I, 5, Samuel Tudor, 1,500.00
June II,
6, Wm. H. Imlay, 2,500.00 July IO, -
7, Nathan Morgan, 2,000.00
494
CHRIST CHURCHI, HARTFORD.
1828. Aug.
8, To Scrip No.
8, Denison Morgan, .
$500.00
Sept. 6,
9, Hezekiah Huntington, Jr., 500.00
6,
8,
II, Jeremy Hoadley,
200.00
20,
12,
Dudley Buck,
500.00
20,
13,
Roswell Bartholomew,
200.00
Dec. II,
14,
Asa Farwell, .
200.00
George Sumner,
100.00
12,
60
15, 16,
Sam' H. Huntington, 100.00
66
12,
13,
66
1829.
April . 1,
66
20,
Lemuel Humphrey,
100.00
Cyprian Nichols,
300.00
66
18,
61
22,
Charles Brainard,
100.00
66
18,
23,
Walter Phelps,
5,000.00
June
16,
24,
Cha& N. Mills. .
100.00
July
I,
66
26, Sam1 Tuttle & Son, .
100.00
16,
4
27, Christopher Saunders,
100,00
1830.
March 3,
66
28, Trustees of Episcopal
Church Fund,
8,500.00
12,
. 6
18,
Wm. T. Lee,
200.00
19, Eben' Flower, .
500.00
I,
21,
25,
Elbridge G. Saunders,
100.00
Dec. 12,
$28,500.00
No. 6. List of Legal Members of the Parish.
It is unfortunate that no complete list of the legal members of the Parish can be found. That which is recorded in the second volume of the Records was commenced in 1839, and is believed to have comprised but a portion of those who were living at that time. Certainly some names were omitted of those who had been members for many years. Although the list is dated in 1839, yet it is difficult to state how many were entered in that year, but we know that many were signers during the years following. Not much care was exercised apparently until 1867, when requests were made at the annual parish meeting for the enrollment of new members. As the number present on these occasions was not very large, the opportunity was not embraced by many, who doubtless considered themselves as members, as much so as if legally connected.
17, Erastus Goodwin, 100.00
26,
10,
Nath1 S. Wheaton, . 1,900.00
495
APPENDIX.
In this list those marked d, are dead; those r, have joined another parish, or have removed from the town; of not a few no definite intelligence can be obtained. The names in italics are present members of the parish.
It is easy to determine most of the members of the parish in its early history by referring to the list of tax- payers, of which a few have been included in this volume.
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