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LICENTIATES.
NAMES.
NAMES.
Elisha Fish,
1750
Joseph Hurlburt,
1822
Isaac Foster,
1761
Joseph Ayer,
1823
Levi Hart,
1762
Joseph Whiting,
1826
Ephraim Woodbridge,
1768
Joseph Tyler,
Charles Backus,
David B. Austin,
1830
Andrew Law,
1766
Stephen Ellis, Jr.,
1832
Eleazar Fairbanks,
Elisha C. Jones,
1834
Caleb Alexander,
1778
Joshua L. Maynard,
1840
William Patten,
Cyrus Brewster,
1841
John Wilder,
1784
Chester S. Lyman,
Aaron Woolworth,
1785
Frederick T. Perkins,
Christopher Page,
L. Porter,
Elijah Parish,
1786
Owen Street,
Thomas Andros,
John C. Avery,
Hezekiah Woodruff,
1789
William Barns,
Asahel Huntington,
William P. Avery,
John D. Perkins,
1793
Lansing Porter,
Elijah Waterman,
Wilford L. Wilson,
Daniel Hall,
1794
Edward Strong,
Eliphalet Nott,
1795
Buel M. Pearson,
Aaron Cleaveland,
1799
Giles M. Porter,
Asa Meech,
Abijah P. Marvin,
Hubbel Loomis,
1800
Lanson Cary,
Joshua Huntington.
1806
Zalmon B. Burr,
Jason Allen,
1808
Gould C. Judson,
1842
Nathaniel Dwight,
1810
Eliphalet Parker,
Daniel Huntington,
1811
Enoch F. Burr,
Nathaniel Hewit,
Myron N. Morris,
1845
Dudley Rossiter,
1814
John C. Downer,
Samuel Phinney,
1815
Orrin F. Otis,
John Ross,
Daniel W. Havens,
1845
Lavias Hyde,
1816
Elijah B. Huntington,
William Nevins,
1819
James T. Hyde,
1850
Elijah Hartshorn,
1820
Jacob Eaton,
1856
Jedediah L. Stark.
William F. Arms,
1859
Beriah Green,
1821
Micaiah Porter,
Asa J. Hinckley,
TOLLAND ASSOCIATION.
The ministers of the county met at Tolland, August 14, 1789, and unani- mously "voted to form an Association on the same footing with sister Associations in the state of Connecticut, professing their adherence to the public formulæ and the general plan of ecclesiastical polity adopted in the Saybrook Platform." Their meetings for a time were on the first Tuesday of June and October, at 11 o'clock, A. M. ; and there was a public lecture in the afternoon. Subsequently the meeting in October was discontinued. The Association appointed a standing committee, to examine candidates for the ministry, and to advise "vacant churches" in relation to the choice of a suitable individual to become pastor. At the organization of the Associa- tion, no constitution was framed, and no by-laws were adopted ; the members feeling competent to determine whether they would adhere to this or that particular feature of the platform or not, as occasion required. The Associ- ation has twice ordained Evangelists. From its existence, it has kept the rec- ords of all select councils within its limits in the same books in which its own doings are contained. Previous to the forming of this Association the ministers who first constituted it belonged either to the Association of Hart- ford North, or Hartford South. Besides attending to necessary business and holding a public religious service, this Association shows, in its records, that the great objects of the ministry have held a large place in its consul- tations and plans of doing good. Its action in regard to missions "in the new settlements;" its care for the instruction of youth in the Shorter Cat- echism of Dr. Watts; its interest in having tracts published before the for- mation of any society for the purpose; its early efforts for the education of pious young men for the ministry who needed aid; its monthly meetings for prayer, whenever there was a decline of religious interest ; and the early or- ganization (1812) of a County Missionary Society to aid the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions ; all manifest that the members of this Association have not been unmindful of the great work entrusted to them by the Lord. The Association has sometimes exercised its right in determining the question, with whom it would hold fellowship; but while it has done this, we can see that the respect it has shown for ministerial character and for a sincere faith in true religion, is every way becoming the ministers of Christ. In this particular their influence, we believe, has been of the right kind and conducive of good. "The Ministers' Meeting," which was established more than thirty years since, and, for the greater part of this period, held once in two months, has proved highly profitable, and was never more so than at present. The minutes of the Association do not show that the churches experienced previous to 1815, much religious prosperity. The decline of religion was very great in the latter part of the last century and the opening years of the present. The ministers were led more and more under this state of things to seek for a revival of religion, by means of
336
Tolland Association.
prayer, for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Hence, arose the monthly meetings of the Association for prayer with a "lecture," which were con- tinued for several years. The blessing sought was found. The Spirit de- scended-the present era of revivals dawned upon these churches, while yet many of the fathers of the Association had not fallen asleep. This Associ- ation, as early as 1824, took action in favor of total abstinence from ardent spirits. It has been very decided in its testimony against slavery, re- garding it to be a violation of the most sacred rights of man, as deter- mined by reason and Scripture. One of the early "Schools of the Proph . ets" was within the limits of this Association-that of Dr. Backus, of So- mers, who was a "bright and shining light " in the ministry. The pastors of this Association are much united in their views of the doctrines of the Gospel, and co-operate very heartily in the great responsibilities and duties of their work. They have been wont to use special means for promoting the great interests of religion, such as seasons of special prayer, and conferences of from two to four churches, which have proved means of much good.
LICENTIATES.
NAME.
DATE.
NAME.
DATE.
Azel Backus,
June 1, 1790
John Lord,
Oet. 6, 1801
Freegrace Reynolds,
Ezekiel J. Chapman,
Alvan Ilyde,
Isaac Knapp,
June 1, 1802
Salmon Cone,
James Eells,
June 1, 1802
Uri Tracy,
June 7, 1791
William Boies,
Oet. 5, 1802
Silas Long Bingham,
Henry Bigelow, June 7, 1803
Titus Theodore Barton,
Ebenezer Kellogg,
June 6, 1815
Asa Lyon,
Oct. 4, 1792
Hart Taleott,
June 4, 1816
Joseph Field,
June 4, 1793
William B. Sprague,
Aug. 28, 1818
Marshfield Steele,
June 3, 1794
Ebenezer Churchill,
June 5, 1821
Seth Williston,
Oct. 7, 1794
Ambrose Edson,
Sep. 3 1823
Thomas Snell,
Oct. 3, 1797
John Goddard,
Dec. 28, 1835
Sylvester Dana.
June 5, 1798
M. S. Goodale, John Haven,
66
Salmon King,
Apr. 10, 1798
John C. Paine,
66
John H. Church,
Josiah W. Turner,
Henry Davis,
Aug. 7, 1798
Anson T. Tuttle,
Dec. 28, 1835
Josiah B. Andrews,
June 4, 1799
John E. Tyler,
Vincent Gould,
Hiram Bell,
Oct. 9, 1838
Amasa Jerome,
Benjamin Howe,
Nov. 10, 1840
Israel Braynard,
Oct. 1, 1799
John A. Mckinstry,
Ephraim T. Woodruff,
June 3, 1800
Isaac H. Bassett,
Gideon Burt, Jr.,
David N. Coburn,
Humphrey Moore,
66
Charles Hammond,
June 4, 1844
Jabez Munsell,
June 2. 1901
Thomas C. P. Hyde,
June 1, 1852
David B. Ripley,
Samuel R. Dimoek,
Nov. 7, 1854
William Patrick,
Joel T. Bingham,
June 12, 1855
Caleb Knight,
Louis E. Charpiot,
June 1, 1858
Claudius Herrick,
Oct. 5, 1790 66 Elihu Smith,
Jesse Townsend,
Robert Porter,
WINDHAM COUNTY ASSOCIATION.
At the time when Saybrook Platform was adopted, most of the present territory of Windham county was included in New London county. The settlements in this quarter of the state were comparatively new and feeble, having advanced very little before the close of the 17th century. Such pro- gress did they make, however, that in 1723, the ministers in Franklin, Lis- bon, Plainfield, and towns north, formed the North Association of New Lon- don county. But in 1725 the General Assembly erected the county of Wind- ham, and in 1726 the name of this Association was changed to Windham As- sociation.
MEMBERSHIP .- According to Saybrook Platform every pastor of a church within the limits of an Association was, of course, to be a member of it. All the pastors in this county (and only they) seem for a time to have been members of this Association. There appears to have been no vote of admis- sion, with few exceptions in unusual cases, for seventy years, and in case of discharge from the pastoral office, no vote of dismission passed in this body.
DIVISION .- In October 1799, James Cogswell, Josiah Whitney, and An- drew Lee, had leave to form the " Eastern Association of Windham County," and it was voted that any other member might join them who should signify his purpose within one year. In accordance with this vote, Messrs. Staples Atkins, and Putnam joined the three above named, as also Messrs. George Leonard, Luther Wilson and Abiel Williams, (of Dudley, Mass.,) who were never members of the " Original Association," as it came to be called. There was a theological difference at the foundation of this division ; the new Asso- ciation inclining to Arminianism, while the leading minds in the "Original Association " were Hopkinsian in their bias. The Eastern Association was represented for some years in the meetings of the General Association, but withdrew on account of objections made by the Original Association against the reception of new members by it, an objection sustained by the General Association on the ground of the fundamental agreement. It finally became extinct by the removal of its younger members and the death of its fathers. The book containing its records is now in the hands of Windham County As- sociation. Since then there have been other proposals for a division of the Association, one of which was voted, but finally abandoned.
MEETINGS .- There were originally three meetings in a year ; of late years but two; on the first Tuesday of June and November. On these occasions there is usually publie worship with a sermon, besides more private devo- tional and literary exercises. Questions for advice are propounded. The decisions on some of these questions in the early meetings are curious as illustrating the methods of discipline and guidance then in vogue. Churches apply for recommendation of candidates, pastors for solution of cases of conscience or counsel in trouble. In later times agents of benevo- lent societies appear, asking approval and commendation-resolutions and
44
338
Windham Association.
plans of effort are adopted-the affairs of the nation and the condition of the world are considered and discussed. The examination of candidates for li- censure, or approbation, (as it was more properly called at first,) was some- times entrusted, with other business, to a committee ad interim. Indeed, for many years the Association divided its members into an eastern and a western committee. Rules as to such examination have been adopted at various times, the tendency being to greater stringency in the requisitions.
1729 .- Voted, that a church member who turns Anabaptist is to be argued and labored with ; but if obstinate, " the minister is publicly to bear testi- mony against his error, and declare the church discharged from any partic- ular relation to him."
1730 .- Confessions of public scandal should be made before the congre- gation.
1730 .- Candidates elect to pastoral offices are to be called by the modera- tor before the Association to give satisfaction of their abilities, &c.
1744 .- Baptism by a Popish priest is not to be held valid.
1744 .- Voted, that a woman divorced from her husband on account of his absence for three years unheard of, has a lawful right to marry.
1744 .- A letter to the several societies in Windham county on the Sepa- ratist movement was prepared and signed by the members.
1746 .- Committee "to draw a narrative of the affair of a number of men at Mansfield, pretending to form themselves into a church state and to ordain officers."
1747 .- Resolved, that baptism by unauthorized persons, such as Sol. Paine, Thomas Marsh, &c., is not valid.
1748 .- Committee to represent the case of Sampson Occum to the Com- missioners of Indian Affairs at Boston,-he having been ill-treated and dis- couraged while teaching last winter at Mohegan.
1752 .- Committee to prepare a history of the Episcopal separation, in reply to the Bishop of London.
1756 .- Monthly hours of prayer agreed upon, on account of earthquakes and war.
1757 .- Mr. Devotion to reply to the misrepresentations of Willoughby and Morse in England, about the support of the clergy here and their con- duct towards the Separatists.
1757 .- Consented that a messenger have equal voice with pastor in council.
1767 .- In case of a young man baptized by Solomon Paine, recomend- ed re-baptism.
1778 .- Voted, that a minister dismissed from his charge is not a member without restriction.
1778 .- Proposed to General Association to consider expediency of reprint- ing, by subscription, books of piety, and of forming societies for promoting knowledge and special reformation of manners.
1780 .- Renewal of covenant recommended.
A day of fasting to be observed by the Association, and an address to the people to be distributed.
1789 .- Messrs. Welch and Lyon missionaries to Vermont, for seven months.
339
Windham Association.
1799 .- Inexpedient, without urgent necessity, to travel on the Sabbath for exchange.
Deacons to be ordained by prayer and the laying on of hands.
Rev. Israel Day voted a regular minister and admitted to Association, he having been ordained a pastor among the Separatists.
1800 .- A volume of sermons proposed.
1802 -Voted to print 1500 copies of the address of Westminster Associa- tion on family religion.
1804 .- Association cannot hold fellowship with one who denies the Trinity. Approved a proposal for Association with delegates.
1814 .- Resolved, that belief in the Divine Trinity is a fundamental point. 1827 .- Acknowledged a donation of books from Mr. Phillips.
Resolved to abstain from ardent spirits at Association meetings.
LICENTIATES.
NAMES.
NAMES.
Seth Paine,
Aug. 29, 1727 Amasa Learned,
Oct. 12, 1773 Oet. 10, 1775
John Whiting,
Oct. 10, 1727
Enoch Hale, Joseph Strong, May 21, 1776
James Caulkin,
Aug. 1730
Ebenezer Williams,
Jonathan Truinble,
Oct. 13, 1730
Abrahamn Fowler,
Oct. 8, 1782
Joseph Lovett,
Nov. 16, 1731
Samuel Austin,
Oet. 12, 1784
Shubael Conant,
May 31, 1734
Riehard S. Storrs,
Benjamin Throop,
Aug. 31, 1736
Stephen Williams,
May 6, 1786
Abel Stiles,
Oct. 12, 1736
John Taylor,
Hobart Estabrook,
May 16, 1738
Jonathan Ellis,
May 15, 1787
Jacob Baker,
May 15, 1739
Solomon Spalding,
Oct. 9, 1787
Seth Dean, Peter Pratt,
Aug. 28, 1739
Hendrie Dow,
May 20, 1783
Thomas Lewis,
Oct. 12, 1742
Daniel Waldo,
Oct. 13 1789
James Cogswell,
May 15, 1744
William Storrs, Dyer Throop Hinckley, Amos Woodwortlı,
May 18, 1790
Nathaniel Draper, Daniel Welch,
May 15, 1750
Timothy Williams,
May 15, 1792 66
Joseph Strong,
May 21, 1751
Lathrop Rockwell,
David Ripley,
May 19, 1752
Lynde Huntington,
May, 1793
Samuel Cary,
Oet. 9, 1759
Daniel Dow,
May, 1795
Caleb Turner,
May 21, 1760 66
Joseph Russell, Asa Lyman,
May, 1799
Oet. 13, 1761
Aaron Hovey, Jr., Abiel Russell,
Oct. 12, 1802
Joseph Dennison,
May 15, 1764
Thomas Williams,
May 17, 1803
Eleazar Storrs,
Oct. 9, 1764 66
John G. Dorranee, Ezra Stiles Ely, John W. Judson,
June 20, 1803
Hezekiahı Ripley,
Dec. 12, 1804
May 21, 1765
May 21, 1805
Eleazar Wales, Simon Lane, Josiah Dana, Enoch White,
May 17, 1765
Joseph Howe,
May 17, 1769
Nathan Grosvenor,
May 19, 1809 Oct. 8, 1811
Joseph Lyman,
Oet. 10, 1769
Israel Ely,
Oct. 13, 1812
Joseph Pope,
May 19, 1772 George Payson,
May 17, 1815
Nehemiah Williams,
May 15, 1773 Jason Park,
Oct. 8, 1805
John Hough, Richard Williams, Hollis Sampson,
May 18, 1802
Benjamin Trumble, Ephraim Ilide, Andrew Storrs,
May 18, 1762
Gordon Dorrance,
Oct. 14, 1788
William Throope,
Oct. 14, 1746
66
William Metealfe,
Moses C. Welch,
Eleazar Wales,
340
Windham Association.
NAMES.
NAMES.
Stephen Crosby, Jr.,
Oet. 4, 1815 Charles P. Grosvenor, Orson Cowles,
May, 1831
Eliakim Phelps, Ludovieus Robbins,
Sept. 3, 1816 Harvey Gleason,
Ebenezer Halping,
Sept. 2, 1817
James M. Davis,
William Potter,
Jan. 20, 1820
William A. Larned,
Aug. 28, 1833
Aaron Putnam, Areliibald Burgess,
May 16, 1821
David E. Goodwin,
Charles Walker,
June 18, 1821
Asa F. Clark,
Nathaniel Kingsbury,
May 22, 1822
Thomas G. Clark,
Daniel G. Sprague,
James C. Houghton,
Samuel Porter Storrs,
Oct. 7, 1823
Ezra Gordon Johnson,
June 2, 1841 Sept. 1, 1841
David Metcalf, Jr.,
May 20, 1823 66 Sept. 6, 1$25
Luther H. Barber,
66
George Shepard,
May 16, 1827
Jonas B. Clark,
Charles Fitch,
Oet. 5, 1827
Henry C. Morse, Alden Southworth,
Mar. 4, 1846
Barnabas Phinney, .
Oct. 6, 1829
George Soule,
June 4, 1850
Mason Grosvenor,
May 19, 1830
John R. Freeman, Charles L. Ayer, 1855
Nov. 4, 1852
John J. Clute,
May 16, 1820
Andrew Sharpe,
Aug. 28, 1839
Nehemiah Brown,
Hiram Day,
Melzar Parker,
George Marsh, John Storrs,
May 17, 1826
Francis L. Fuller,
Ang. 28, 1844
William Fuller,
Ang. 30, 1831
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES
IN
CONNECTICUT.
IN the preparation of these Historical Sketches of the Congregational Churches in Connecticut, it has been found necessary to abbreviate and con- dense the reports which have been provided for the use of the committee. It is believed, however, that every fact of importance has been retained. It will be seen that frequent references are made to Dr. Sprague's "Annals," and to Dr. Allen's "Biographical Dictionary," wherever those volumes fur- nish more elaborate notices of the lives of the ministers of Connecticut than it was possible to insert in this work. Dr. Emerson Davis's "Sketches of the Ministers of New England," which is soon to be published, will also un- doubtedly give much valuable information. It may be well, perhaps, to men- tion for the benefit of those who are making inquiries on this subject, that much may be learned by consulting the American Quarterly Register of the Education Society, particularly the volume for the year 1832, pp. 307-322 ; also the lists of ministers in Trumbull's History of Connecticut, vol. I, pp. 492-494; and vol. IT. pp. 527-533; and the Associational and Church Manuals.
It was intended that the accounts of the Revivals of Religion in the state should be more complete than has been practicable. For everything addi- tional respecting them, reference must be made to the "Christian History," Boston, 1743-44. The Connecticut Evangelical Magazine, Hartford, 1800- 1814 ; and the Religious Intelligencer, New Haven, 1817-1834.
In the following pages (h) designates a Home Missionary; (f) a For- eign Missionary; (c) denotes that a minister received a "call to settle," which he did not accept. The names of Stated Supplies are printed in italics. Extinct churches have been designated by printing their titles in " Antique letter."
THE CHURCH IN ABINGTON, (IN POMFRET, ) ORGANIZED JAN. 31st, 1753.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED.
David Ripley,*
Feb. 1753
1778 Sept. 1785
Walter Lyon,
Jan. 1783
Feb. 1826
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History of the Churches.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED. DISMISSED. DIED.
David B. Ripley, Charles Fitch,
1827-28
April, 1828 May, 1832 1843
William H Whittemore,
1833-34
Nathan S. Hunt,
Feb. 1834 April, 1845
Edward Pratt,
1847-48
Sylvester Hine,
H. B. Smith,
1850-51 Jan. 1852
At the organization of the Church in Abington, it numbered 63 members, who were dismissed from the Church in Pomfret. Mr. Lyon left several hundred dollars as a fund to the society. The Church has enjoyed many revivals of religion. As the fruits of one in 1858, thirty-one were added.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Joseph Dana, Eleazer Craft, Jesse Goodell, Asa Lyon, Calvin Ingalls, Erastus Spaulding, David B. Ripley, Thomas Williams, John Paine, Andrew Sharpe, William Grow.
* Sp. An. 1. 648. Allen.
THE CHURCH IN ANDOVER, ORG. FEB. 14, 1749.
Samuel Lockwood, D. D,* Feb. 1749
June, 1791
Royal Tyler, t July, 1792 May, 1817
Augustus B. Collins, Sept. 1818 Oct. 1827
Alpha Miller,
June, 1829 June, 1851
Levi Smith, April, 1852 April, 1853 1853
Eliphalet Birchard, lic., 1853 1854
Samuel Griswold, Sept. 1854
Sept. 1855
1855
John R Freeman, June, 1856
The Society was incorporated May, 1747. Dr. Lockwood " was a firm ad- vocate of the doctrines of grace, and of evangelical purity in religion. He fulfilled the work of the ministry with ability, zeal and faithfulness."
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Jesse Townsend;, Silas L. Bingham, William B Sprague, D. D., Milton Badger, D.D., Ebenezer Loomis, (Bap.,) Charles C. Townsend, (Ep.,) Joel F. Bingham.
* Sp. An.1, 465, Allen. t Mendon Assoc. 240. # Sp. An. 4, 572.
THE CHURCH IN ANSONIA, (IN DERBY,) ORG. APRIL 17, 1850. James R. Mershon,
April, 1850 April, 1851
Owen Street,
Sept. 1852
April, 1857
Alvah L. Frisbie, Mar. 1860
Permanent religious worship was commenced in the village in the winter of 1849-50, and the church was organized with 31 members. In 1859 the number had increased to 158. The Home Missionary Society granted aid
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History of the Churches.
one year, and after this the increase of members and means rendered the church self-sustaining. The winter of 1851 was marked by a very ex- tensive revival, adding 44 to the church ; another in 1858, adding about 20 ; and other refreshings have been enjoyed.
FIRST CHURCH IN ASHFORD, ORG. NOV. 26, 1718.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED.
James Hale,*
Nov. 1718
1742
' John Bass,
Sept. 1742
June, 1751
1751
Timothy Allen, t
Oct. 1757
Jan. 1764
1806
James Messenger,
Feb. 1769
Jan. 1782
Enoch Pond, #
Sept. 1789
Aug. 1807
Philo Judson,
Sept. 1811
Mar. 1833
Job Hall,
Jan. 1834
July, 1837
Charles Hyde,
Feb. 1838
June, 1845
Charles Peabody,
Jan. 1847
Sept. 1850
George Soule,
Jan. 1851
Jan. 1852
Charles Chamberlain,
June, 1854
Mar. 1858
Thomas Dutton,
May, 1859
According to the town records of Ashford, the church was formed about ten years after the first inhabitants came to the place. The society gave Mr. Hall as a salary at first £45, which they increased to £60. They voted also to give him one hundred acres of land, to build him a house, and to supply him with fire-wood during his ministry. The meeting-house, somewhat en- larged in after years, served the society from 1716 to 1830. During the pas- torate of Mr. Bass, the church was disquieted on account of his first ineli- ning to, and then adopting Arminian sentiments, which produced so great disaffection as to result in his dismission. Between several of the early pas- torates, there were long intervals, during which, several candidates were in- vited to become pastors, but because the calls were not sufficiently unani- mous, or for other reasons, they declined. The first "revival of religion" in Ashford, was in 1798-9; fifty-eight persons united with the church as the fruits of it. The labors of Mr. Judson and Mr. Hyde were especially blest with revivals ; eighty-three being added in 1819, and ninety-one in 1838 and 1845. The society was never, perhaps, weaker than it is at present. For the last seven or eight years, it has received aid from the Home Missionary Soci- ety ; whereas it had always before been self-sustaining. The reasons for this decline in strength are emigration, the coming in of but few religious families, and the territory being reduced to less than a fifth of its original extent.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Eliphalet Nott, D. D., Daniel Dow, D. D., John Newman Whipple, Sylvester Dana.
* Allen. + Allen. #Mendon Assoc. 229. Sp. An. 2. 370. Allen.
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History of the Churches.
THE FIRST CHURCH IN AVON, (WEST,) ORG. NOV. 20, 1751.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED.
Ebenezer Booge,.
Nov. 1751
Feb. 1767 1826
Rufus Hawley,*
1769
Ludovicus Robbins,
April, 1820
1822
Harvey Bushnell,
Jan. 1824 1834
John Bartlett,
Oct. 1835
Oct. 1847
Joel Grant,
June, 1848
Oct. 1852
William S. Wright,
Feb. 1853
In 1746, thirty-one individuals presented a petition to the General Assem- bly, praying that they would be pleased to grant them "winter privileges," i. e. the right to hire a minister to labor with them four months in a year, from December 1, to March 1, and exemption from taxes to the society of which they were members, during that period ; the petition was granted. When three winters had passed, they judged themselves "ripe for being a society among themselves," which was formed in 1750. In 1754 their first meeting-house was built amid the native forests, on the east side of the Farm- ington river, and about two miles east of the one now standing.
Mr. Hawley, in preaching, spoke from short notes, and made use of a con- versational style. Professor Silliman, in his volume of travels, speaks of him as a patriarchal teacher, not caring much for balanced nicety of phrase, but giving his flock wholesome food and sound doctrine in plain speech. His prayers had that detail of petition, that specific application both to public and private concerns, and that directness of allusion to the momentous polit- ical events of the day, and their apparent bearing upon his people, which was common among our ancestors, and especially among the first ministers who brought with them the fervor of the times, when they emigrated from England."
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