USA > Connecticut > Contributions to the ecclesiastical history of Connecticut > Part 40
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SETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED.
James Wetmore,
Sept. 1718
Sept. 1722
1760
Isaac Stiles,*
Nov. 1724
May,
1760
Benjamin Trumbull, D. D , f
Dec. 1760
Feb. 1820
William J. Boardman,
Sept. 1820
Oct. 1833
Oct. 1849
.
454
History of the Churches.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED,
Leverett Griggs,
Oct. 1833
July, 1845
Ira H. Smith,
Feb. 1846
March, 1848
Theron G. Colton,
Sept. 1849
Aug. 1851
Silas W. Robbins,
June, 1853
Oct. 1856
Benjamin S. J. Page,
Oct. 1856
Mr. Wetmore, says Dr. Trumbull, " was one of the first ministers who declared for Episcopacy in the colony of Connecticut." At that time, there was but one Episcopal Church in the whole colony, and but few of that per- suasion. Mr. Cutler, the Rector of the College in New Haven, and Mr. Johnson, of West Haven, declared for Episcopacy at the same time, and may be considered the fathers of the Episcopalians in Connecticut. Dr. Trum- bull was the author of a celebrated " History of Connecticut," and of other valuable religious works.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Samuel Todd, Ezra Stiles, D. D.#
* Sp. An. 1, 470. Allen. + Sp. An. 1, 584. Allen. # Am. Qu. Reg. 8, 193.
-
THE CHURCH IN NORTH MADISON, (FORMERLY NORTH BRISTOL,) ORG. 1757.
John Rundle,
1753
Dec. 1754
Richard Ely,*
June, 1757
1785
Aug. 1814
Simon Backus,
Oct. 1790
April, 1801
1823
John Ely,
Oct. 1812
Nov. 1827
David Metcalf,
May, 1829
Sept. 1831
Jared Andrus,
June, 1832
Nov. 1832
Stephen Hayes,
June, 1833
June,
1838
Amos LeFavor,
Dec. 1838
Dec. 1840
Judson A. Root,
April, 1841
April, 1842
Sept. 1855
Lent S. Hough,
April, 1842
April, 1845
Martin Dudley,
April, 1845
April, 1846
William Case,
April, 1846
April, 1847
1857
James T. Terry,
April, 1847
April, 1848
Reuben Torrey,
April, 1848
Oct.
1852
Phineas Blakeman,
Jan. 1853
April, 1858
Samuel Howe,
Aug. 1858
A committee from the Church in North Bristol met Consociation at Guilford, when convened for the ordination of Rev. Amos Fowler, and presented the act of Assembly, making them a legal ecclesiastical society, and a certificate of the regular formation of the Church, requesting them to ordain their pas- tor. Rev. R. Ely was accordingly ordained at Guilford. The name of the Church and Society was changed from North Bristol to North Madison about 1830, soon after Madison became a town. Mr. Le Favor, the last pastor, was found guilty of scandalous and immoral conduct at New Berlin, N. Y., and upon the representations of the Chenango Presbytery, was deposed
455
History of the Churches.
by the Consociation, July 28, 1842. The Church has experienced several revivals ; is poor in the things of this world, and has recently been weaken- ed by the spirit of proselytism. Dr. Nettleton's Memoir, 135.
* Allen.
THE CHURCH IN NORTH MANSFIELD, ORG. OCT. 11, 1744.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED. DIED.
William Throop,
Oct. 1744 Jan. 1746
Daniel Welch,*
Jan. 1752
April, 1782
Moses C. Welch, D. D., t
June, 1784
April, 1824
William Ely,#
Aug. 1825 May, 1841
Nov. 1850
Reuben Torrey,
June, 1841 April, 1843
A. R. Livermore,
Aug. 1843
Nov. 1858
Edward F. Brooks, Feb. 1860
The Society was incorporated in 1737. The second house of worship was built in 1793, would seat 700, and was generally filled. The third, built in 1848. The Church has been weakened by division, (as is true of many churches,) by the coming in of other denominations, by the great political ex- citement at the beginning of the present century, and by other canses since ; and so must they continue till such time as they again go up each Sabbath to one house of worship, one people. The first pastor was resettled in Southold, L. I., where he was highly successful. The second was taken ill in the pulpit and died the same night; a good man, a good preacher, respect- ed, beloved and lamented. The third, son of the second, "was an able de- fender of the faith ; in prayer devout; in preaching plain and pungent." The fourth " was a sound, faithful, discreet pastor, and appeared to have a hand, a head and a heart ready to every good work." There was a great awakening in 1822-3. Other seasons of special interest in 1798, 1810, '32, '41, '49, and '58. The humbling doctrines of the cross have been plainly preached with happy effect.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Abner Goodell, S. W. Hanks, Marcus Cross, Sam- uel R. Dimock, Edwin Dimock.
* Sp. An. 2, 234. + Sp. An. 2. 234. Allen. # Allen.
THE CHURCH IN NORTH STAMFORD, ORG. JUNE 4, 1782.
Samuel Hopkins, D. D.,
1782
1784
Dec. 1803
Solomon Wolcot,
March, 1784
June, 1785
John Shepherd,
June, 1787
June,
1794
Amzi Lewis,
June, 1795
April, 1819
Henry Fuller,
June, 1812
Jan.
1844
Nathaniel Pierson,
April, 1844
Jan. 1846
William H. Magie,
Jan. 1846
Jan. 1849
456
History of the Churches.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED.
William E. Catlin,
March, 1849
March, 1850
F. E. M. Bacheler,
July, 1851 ? Jan. 1852 ?
Livingston Willard,
March, 1852
June, 1856
John White,
May, 1857
Oct. 1858
W. Simpson Clarke,
April, 1859
This Church has been blessed with many precious revivals ; but has suf- fered much for want of a more permanent ministry. Rel. Intel. 16, 76, 156.
*Sp. An. 1, 428. + Sp. An. 4. 155.
THE CHURCH IN NORTH STONINGTON, ORG. FEB. 22, 1727.
William Worthington,
1720 ?
1722
Thomas Craghead,
1722 ?
1724
Jabez Wight,
1724 ?
1726
Ebenezer Russell,
Feb.
1727
May, 1731
Joseph Fish, *
Dec.
1732
May,
1781
Barnabas Lathrop,
May, 1783
Feb. 1785
Joseph Ayer,
June, 1825
March, 1837
Peter H. Shaw,
May, 1837
Feb. 1839
Philo Judson,
April, 1841
April, 1845
Myron N. Morris,
April, 1846
June, 1852
Stephen Hubbell,
Aug. 1853
The North Society in Stonington was incorporated in 1720, seven years before the organization of the Church, and 81 before the act incorporating the present town of North Stonington.
The earlier years of the ministry of Mr. Fish were marked by great suc- cess, but soon after that great religious movement in connection with the labors of Davenport, alienations and strifes began to spring up in the Church. About two-thirds of the members seceded, some to unite with the Baptists, and some to organize themselves into a new body under the name of "Sep- arates," or "Strict Congregationalists."
At the death of Mr. Fish, a long period commenced, during which the Church was without a settled minister and was at times nearly extinct. In August, 1791, the Church was reorganized with eighteen members, and a fresh effort made to secure a pastor. The attempt however failed, and a succession of persons, none of them remaining more than four months, sup- plied all the pulpit instruction which was given for the next thirty years.
The Separates kept up their organization about 70 years. At the expira- tion of that time, the old Society and the Separates so far united as to build a house of worship, to be occupied alternately, with certain limitations.
In 1824, the Rev. Joseph Ayer was employed by both Churches to supply their alternate worship, and at last the two Churches were formally and happily reunited on the 15th of March, 1827.
1
457
History of the Churches.
A fund, early commenced, helped to prolong the existence of the Church during its trials. See Mr. Morris's Historical Discourse, 1848,
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Joseph Ayer, Isaac P. Langworthy. * Sp. An. 1. 359. Allen.
The North Windsor Church, Org. Sept. 2, 1761.
MINISTERS. SETTLED.
DISMISSED. DIED.
Theodore Ilinsdale, April, 1766 1795
In 1757 a contention arose about the location of a new nieeting house. It was built on the South side of the (Farmington) river. This change led to the organization of the North Windsor Church, by Consociation. In 1795 it was disbanded, and the members returned to the first Church.
MINISTER RAISED UP .- Nathaniel Gaylord.
THE CHURCH IN NORTH WOODSTOCK, ORG. 1756.
Foster Thayer,
July, 1831
Oct. 1836
Lent S. Hough,
Jan. 1837
May, 1841
Willard Child, D. D.,
1841
1842
D. C. Frost,
1843 1844
William H. Marsh,
Nov.
1844
Apr. 1851
O. D. Iline,
Jan.
1852
Oct. 1855
D. M. Elwood,
Apr. 1857
May, 1859
John White,
1859
This church claims to be the original North Woodstock church, organized in what is now East Woodstock, in 1756. A division having arisen as to the site of a new meeting-house, a church edifice was erected at " Village Corners," in 1830, and on " Feb. 25, 1831, votes were passed by a majority of said church removing their place of worship from the old meeting-house to the new," "and providing for the administration of the ordinances at the latter place." The church, or that portion of it remaining at East Wood- stock, also built a new meeting-house, and continued without a new church organization. The church at North Woodstock carried with it (after litiga- tion) the funds of the original church, amounting to some three or four thousand dollars. These funds it still retains-a portion having been ex- pended in the purchase of a parsonage. Rel. Intel. 16. 415.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Joseph Chandler, (h ) John E. Chandler, (f.) Au- gustus Chandler.
THE CHURCH IN NORWALK, ORG. 1652.
Thomas Hanford,* 1652, ord. 1654
1693
Stephen Buckingham, + Nov. 1697 Feb. 1726 Feb. 1745
59
458
History of the Churches.
.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED. May, 1778
Moses Dickinson, }
1727
William Tennent, #
1765
1772
Matthias Burnet, D. D., §
Nov. 1785
June, 1806
Roswell R. Swan, |
Jan.
1807
Mar. 1819
Sylvester Eaton,
Oct. 1820
Feb. 1827
Henry Benedict,
Aug. 1828
Feb. 1832
Edwin Hall. D. D.,
June, 1832
1855
William B. Weed,
June, 1855
A settlement was commenced in the town of Norwalk in 1650, and publie worship was undoubtedly established at that time. Without certain in- formation, it is believed that the first Congregational church was organized in 1652-the year in which the Rev. Thomas Hanford, the first minister, commenced his labors. Until the year 1726, the parish and the town were identical. In that year, in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly, the Congregational society was organized. The churches of Wilton, Ridge field, New Canaan, Norfield, Weston, Darien, Westport and South Nor- walk, are in whole, or in part, colonies from this church.
This church has enjoyed the labors of ten pastors, men devoted to their work, sound in the faith, and some of them distinguished in their profession. Many "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord" have blessed this church, and crowned the labors of her faithful ministers.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Samuel Lockwood, D. D., William Hanford, Ste- phen Saunders, James Lockwood, Nathaniel Bouton, D. D., Henry Benedict. Ebenezer Kellogg, Charles G. Selleck, S. 'B. S. Bissell, Melancthon Hoyt, Benjamin Lockwood, Charles A. Downs, Augustus F. Beard, Edwin Hall, Jr. * Allen. +Sp. An. 1. 261. # Sp. An. 1. 311. 3. 242. Allen. § Sp. An. 2. 92. | Sp. An. 2. 485. Allen. ^ Sp. An. 4. 405.
THE FIRST CHURCH IN NORWICH, (IN "NORWICH TOWN,") ORG. 1660.
James Fitch,*
1660
Nov. 1702
Jabez Fitch, (c.)
1694
1695
Henry Flint (c.)
Joseph Coit, (c.)
John Woodward,* Dec. 1699 Sept. 1716 1746
Benjamin Lord,*
Nov. 1717
Mar. 1784
Joseph Strong, D. D., t
Mar. 1778
Dec. 1834
Cornelius B. Everest,
Nov. 1829
Apr. 1836
Hiram P. Arms, Aug. 1836
The church, with their pastor, removed from Saybrook. Mr. Fitch was a native of Bocking, in Essex, England. In 1646, he was ordained and in- stalled pastor of the church in Old Saybrook. Rev. Mr. Stone, of Hartford, and other ministers assisted in the ordination services ; but so jealous was the church of any ecclesiastical power out of themselves, that the imposition of hands was by a "presbytery " chosen from the church for this purpose.
459
History of the Churches.
Mr. Fitch being disabled by palsy, retired to Lebanon in 1694, where he spent the evening of his life with his children. He was distinguished for the penetration of his mind, the energy of his preaching, and the sanctity of his life. Soon after coming to Norwich, he received a call to settle in Hartford. His laconic reply was : "With whom shall I leave these few sheep in the wilderness ?" He preached to the Mohegans in their native tongue, and gave them of his own lands to induce them to adopt the habits of civilized life. Mr. Woodward (Assistant Scribe of Saybrook Synod, 1708, see p. 3,) was in favor of consociation. The church insisted on their independence, in accordance with the Cambridge Platform, and this caused controversies and dissensions, during his ministry, respecting "the order and exercise of church discipline." At the time of Dr. Lord's ordi- nation, the church, by a formal vote, renounced the Saybrook Platform, and adopted the Cambridge Platform, and has ever since maintained its indepen- dence. Dr. Lord was an earnest friend of revivals of religion, and had the satisfaction of witnessing several in connection with his labors. IIe lived to see eight religious societies grow out of the one of which he had charge. During Dr. Strong's ministry, two seceding congregations became extinet, and a considerable portion of their members returned to his church.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Jabez Fitch, # Isaac Backus, (Bap. )§ Charles Back- us, D. D., Azel Backus, D. D., Aaron Cleaveland, Ebenezer Fitch, D. D .!! Charles Cleaveland, (h.) Richard F. Cleaveland, (h.) Simon Huntington, Daniel W. Lathrop, (h.) Miron Winslow, (f.) William Nevins, D. D., ". Thomas L. Shipman, (h.) Simeon Ilyde, David R. Austin, Charles Hyde, James T. Hyde, Erastus Wentworth, D. D., (f. Meth.) Gilbert Beebe, Zed- ediah HI Mansfield, (Ep.) Henry Case, (h.) George Strong, (Ep.) Charles Porter, William F. Arms, (f.) D. W. Havens, Lynde Huntington, Fred. Charlton, (Bap.) David Wright, Thomas Baldwin, ** D. D., (Bap.) John Huntington, Stephen Tracy, Joseph Lathrop, D. D. tt John Lathrop, D. D.## Nathan Perkins, D. D.
* Sp. An. 1. 297. Allen. +Sp. An. 2. 41. Allen. ¿ Sp. An. 1. 180. § Memoir by Prof. Ilovey, 1859. | Sp. An. 3. 511. T Sp. An. 4. 629. ** Allen. ++ Sp. An. 1. 52S. Allen. ## Allen.
THE SECOND CHURCH IN NORWICH, ORG. 1760
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED.
Nathaniel Whitaker, D. D.,* Feb. 1761
Mar. 1769
Mar. 1795
Ephraim Judson, t
Oct. 1771 Dec. 1778
Feb. 1813
July, 1811 Jan. 1812 Walter King, # May, 1778
Asahel Hooker,§
Jan. 1812
Apr. 1813
Alfred Mitchel, I
Oct. 1814
Dec. 1831
James T. Diekinson,
April, 1832
Aug. 1834
Alvan Bond, D. D., May, 1835
It was one hundred years subsequent to the settlement of the town, before a church was organized in what was called "Norwich Landing," now
460
History of the Churches.
the city of Norwich. As this part of the town gradually increased in population, in consequence of facilities for commercial pursuits, the few res- ident members of churches became organized into a Congregational church, and immediately provided for the support of the ministry. For want of ac- commodations for the increased number of attendants, a colony from the church formed a new ecclesiastical organization in the year 1842. In 1844, the house was so much damaged by fire, that it was taken down. The pres- ent building, which is of stone, was dedicated Jan. 1, 1846, and has seats for about eight hundred persons. Rel. Intel. 18. 731, 747.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Silas H. Hazzard, Albert T. Chester, D. D., Charles H. Chester, William Tracy, (f.) Elijah B. Huntington, Henry L. Carey, Giles B. Wilcox, Henry D. Woodworth.
* Sp. An. 1. 299. Allen. +Sp. An. 2.20. # Sp. An. 2. 319. Allen. § Sp. An. 2. 317. Allen. |Sp. An. 2. 601. Allen.
The Church at Norwich Falls, Norwich, Org. Aug. 29, 1827.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED. DIED.
Benson C. Baldwin, Jan. 1828
Aug. 1829
Charles Hyde, June, 1830 Oct. 1834
Joel W. Newton, Oct. 1834 Jan. 1837
Thomas K. Fessenden, Oct. 1839 Feb. 1841
The pastors were all respected and beloved by the people. This church had a brief, but blessed history. A Sabbath school was formed in the year 1816. At the organization of the church in 1827, there were only ten mem- bers, two of whom presented letters from the Second Congregational Church in Norwich, seven came from churches in other towns, and one was received on profession. The church was much united ; was blessed with seasons of revival ; did not forsake the assembling of themselves together, when with- out a minister, and reached the number of 167 in all. Disbanded May 23, 1842.
THE BROADWAY (FORMERLY MAIN ST. ) CHURCH IN NORWICH, ORG. JUNE, 1842.
Willard Child, D. D.,
Aug. 1842 Aug 1845
John P. Gulliver, Oct. 1846
This church was originally organized with 112 members, under the name of the Fifth Congregational Church in Norwich. On the completion of its first house of worship on Main street, one of the Congregational churches of the town having meanwhile become extinct, the name was changed to Main St. Church. Their house of worship was completed and dedicated Oct. 1, 1845. It was destroyed by fire Sept. 1854. The site having been found too contracted for the erection of a house of sufficient size, a removal to the cor- ner of Broadway and Bath streets was determined upon. This removal ren- dered necessary another change of name, and the present title was accor- dingly given.
461
History of the Churches.
THE CHURCH IN OLD LYME, (FORMERLY LYME, ) ORG. 1693.
MINISTERS.
RETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED.
Moses Noyes, *
1666, inst. 1693
Nov. 1729
Samuel Pierpont,*
Dec. 1722
March, 1723
Jonathan Parsons, +
1730
1745
Stephen Johnson,* Dec. 1746
Nov. 1786
Edward Porter,
Feb. 1790 Sept. 1792
Lathrop Rockwell,+
Jan. 1794
March, 1828
Chester Colton,
Feb. 1829
1840
Davis S. Brainerd,
June, 1841
Mr. Noyes, for some unexplained cause, was minister at Lyme 27 years before the formation of the Church, though he was a man of mark and without reproach. He was also a member of the Saybrook Synod, 1708. See Dr. Bacon's Discourse, p. 4.
Mr. Parsons was one of the most efficient promoters of the revival of 1740. His account of the revival in Lyme and his labors in the vicinity, dated April, 1744, is one of the most valuable documents of the time, espec- ially when read with his sermon of the same date entitled " A needful cau- tion in a critical day." See Tracy's Great Awakening, pp. 133-150, and Christian Hist., 2, 118. About 180 were reckoned as hopeful converts, and 150 were added to the Church in nine months. The purity of the revival was very much owing to the above named sermon, of which sec an outline in Tracy, pp. 146-150. Parsons' account of his itinerating, pp. 152-5.
Revivals of religion have occurred in this Church and community at dif- ferent intervals, from the days of Mr. Parsons, who was contemporary with the elder Edwards down to the last year ; in which, perhaps, the revival then enjoyed more resembled the revival under the ministry of Mr. Parsons than any previous one.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Moses Mather, D. D., Edward Dow.
* Allen. + Sp. An. 3, 47. Am. Qr. Reg. 14, 109. #Sp. An. 1. 634. Allen.
THE CHURCH IN OLD SAYBROOK, (FORMERLY SAYBROOK, ) ORG. 1646.
John Higginson,*
1636
1640
Thomas Peters, t
1643
1646
James Fitch, t
1646
1660
Nov. 1702
Jeremiah Peck,
1660 ?
1670 ?
Thomas Buckingham, +
1670
April, 1709
Azariah Mather, t
1710
1732
William Hart, g
Nov. 1736
July, 1784
Frederick Wm. Hotchkiss, !! Sept. 1783
March, 1844
Ethan B. Crane,
June, 1838
Sept. 1851
James Beattie,
Feb. 1851
Nov. 1852
Salmon McCall,
Dec. 1853
462
History of the Churches.
There are no records till 1736, and nothing of importance till 1783. Yale College was first located here, and the noted Saybrook Platform was formed here in 1708. Mr. Buckingham being assistant Moderator, (p.3.) The min- istry of Mr. Hotchkiss was eminently successful, the increase being from 69 to 330, and more than 600 being added in all. Additions in the next pastorate 130; in the present 56. Sec Dr. Field's History of Middlesex Co., and Hotchkiss's Half Century Sermon.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Benjamin Lord, D D., Daniel Chapman, Hezekiah Chapman, Ezekiel J. Chapman, (h.) Chas. Chapman, Jedediah Bushnell, (h) Harvey Bushnell, Jackson J. Bushnell, Joseph A. Canfield, William Cham- plin, Elias Dudley .**
* Sp. An. 1, 91. + Allen. #Sp. An. 1, 200. §Sp. An. 2, 62. Allen. ĮSp. An. 1, 262. Allen. TSp. An. 2, 422. ** Mendon Assoc. 236.
-
THE CHURCH IN ORANGE, ORG. MARCH 13, 1805.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED. DIED.
Erastus Scranton,
July, 1805
Jan. 1827
Horatio A. Parsons,
Dec. 1829
April, 1832
Horace Woodruff,
Aug. 1832
June, 1836
B. Y. Messenger,
May, 1837 May, 1838
John Starkweather,
April, 1839
April, 1840
Anson Smyth,
Nov.
1840
Dec. 1842
Cyrus Brewster,
Aug.
1843
Aug. 1848
William W. Belden,
Aug.
1848
May, 1852
Dillon Williams,
Jan. 1853
April, 1855
Alfred C. Raymond,
June, 1855
The inhabitants of North Milford, (now called Orange,) attended meeting in Milford until 1805. They were incorporated as a Society in Oct., 1804, by request of 50 petitioners. The Church was begun with five members. The inhabitants of this parish, fourteen years before this, erected a meeting house, where they had preaching in the winter season, by the alternate la- bors of the ministers in Milford. While Mr. Scranton continued at North Milford, the Society greatly prospered.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Benjamin Fenn, George P. Prudden, Elias Clarke, (h.)
THE CHURCH IN OXFORD, ORG. JAN. 9, 1745.
Jonathan Lyman, Jan. 1745
Oct 1763
David Brownson,*
April, 1764
Nov. 1806
Nathaniel Freeman,
May, 1811
July, 1814
Saul Clark,
1816 ?
1817
Dec. 1849
Ephraim G. Swift,
Dec. 1818
June, 1822
Aug. 1858
463
History of the Churches.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED. DISMISSED. DIED.
Sayres Gazley, July, 1827
Jan. 1829
Abraham Brown, June, 1830 Ang. 1838
Stephen Topliff, Sept. 1841 July, 1860
The early records are lost, and some of the later are defective ; other "sup- plies" unrecorded. The Church has been limited in numbers and strength, (there having been for many years, four other places of worship in town, ) and was for a time aided by the Missionary Society. It has been repeatedly blessed with revivals. In 1842, 30, and in 1851, 33 were added to the Church, and a less number in several other years of revival.
* Sp. An. 1, 468.
THE CHURCH IN PLAINFIELD, ORG. JAN. 3, 1705.
Joseph Coit,* 1699 ? ord. Jan. 1705
March, 1748 July, 1750
David S. Rowland,
March, 1748 April, 1761
Jan. 1794
John Fuller, Feb. 1769
Oct. 1777
Joel Benedict, D. D.t, Dec. 1784
Feb. 1816
Orin Fowler, +
March, 1820 Jan. 1831
Sept. 1852
Samuel Rockwell,
April, 1832
April, 1841
Andrew Dunning, May, 1842 Jan. 1847
Henry Robinson, April, 1847
April, 1856
William A. Benedict, Oct. 1857 ?
Mr. Coit declined a call to Norwich before 1799, then went to Plainfield. He ranked high among the ministers of his time. Mr. Rowland's ministry was in troublous times, on account of the Separatist movement, and after passing through many discouragements he took a dismission. Ile was after- wards settled in Providence and Windsor, and sustained the character of a faithful minister of Christ. Mr. Fuller had previously preached to the Separate Churches at Lyme and Bean Hill, and had the reputation of a godly and ex- cellent minister. The Separate Church formed soon after Mr. Rowland's settlement having declined, and the old Church being also in a feeble state after his dismission, a desire for reunion was felt in both Churches, which was effected at Mr. Fuller's settlement. After Mr. Fuller's death, the people were again as sheep without a shepherd, being supplied only a part of the time. Dr. Benedict was a fine scholar, an able divine, a devoted pastor, and will be long held in cherished remembrance by the people of Plainfield. During the vacancy after his death, the Church was in very unfavorable circumstan- ces, and had but four male members. Their house of worship, which had stood about 30 years, was entirely prostrated by the gale of Sept. 23, 1815. The present stone house was begun soon after, but not finished till the spring of 1819; the place of worship in the mean time being ill suited to the purpose. There was unusual religious interest in 1810-11, adding 30 to the Church ; a powerful revival in 1821, adding 71, and also in 1831, ad- ding 28; in 1838, adding 28, and in 1843, adding 30. In 1846, 50, or half the resident members, were dismissed to form the Church at Central Village.
464
History of the Churches.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Thomas Stevens, Josiah Whitney, D. D., Josiah Spalding, § Elijah Parish, D. D., | Alfred Johnson, Jonathan Kinne, Thomas Andros,* William F. Rowland, T Ariel Parish, ** John D. Perkins, George Perkins, Richard H. Benedict, Evan M. Johnson, George Shepard, D. D., Ed- ward J. Fuller, Elderkin R. Johnson, Cyrus Marsh.
* Allen. + Sp. An. 1. 682. Allen. # Sp. An. 2. 648. Allen. § Mendon. As. 119. I Sp. An.2. 268. TSp. An. 2, 722. Allen. ** Sp. An. 2. 269.
THE CHURCH IN PLAINVILLE, IN FARMINGTON, ORG. MARCH 16, 1840.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED,
DISMISSED. DIED.
Chauncey D. Cowles,
June, 1841
April, 1843
William Wright, Nov. 1843
Sept. 1851
Joel L. Dickinson, June, 1852
1858
Edward L. Wells,
Aug. 1858
Aug. 1859
Moses Smith,
Sept. 1859
March 5th, 1840, eighteen individuals petitioned to be set off as a distinct church from the first Congregational Church in Farmington, and were, in accordance with that petition, formed into a Church by an Ecclesiastical Council.
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