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MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Maltby Gelston, Jr., Mills B. Gelston.
476
History of the Churches.
THE CHURCH IN SIMSBURY, ORG. 1682.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED.
Samuel Stone,
1682 ?
1687 ?
Edward Thompson,
1687
1691
Seth Shore,*
1691
1695 ?
Oct.
1735
Dudley Woodbridge,
Nov. 1697
Aug.
1710
Timothy Woodbridge, Jr.
Nov. 1712
Aug.
1742
Gideon Mills, t
Sept. 1744
Sept. 1754
1772
Benajah Roots,
Ang. 1757
1772
Samuel Stebbins,
Dec. 1777
Nov. 1806
Jan. 1820
Allen McLean,
Aug. 1809
Samuel T. Richards,
May, 1850
July,
1858
O. S. Taylor, Sept. 1859
The settlement of Simsbury commenced about 1661. A number of enter- prising farmers, from Windsor, were attracted there by the broad and fertile meadows on the river, and by the beautiful and rich forests on the plain. The first settlers took early measures to establish the ministry, and erect a house for public worship. The half-way covenant was in use till after Mr. McLean's settlement. In 1813-14 the Spirit of God descended with great power, and wrought a wonderful work of grace, in which the whole popu- lation were more or less affected. Since that time there has been a season of refreshing once in about seven years. For its very existence and pros- perity the Church has been dependent on revivals of religion ; a remarkable one occurred in 1858, 100 making a profession. Various forms of error, at- tempted to be introduced, have all failed. No individual for 50 years has been publicly arraigned for trial before the Church, but private admonition has uniformly reclaimed the wandering. Mr. McLean had been for eleven years before his 50th anniversary totally blind, after two years of impaired vision. See his Half Century Discourse, 1859.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Charles B. McLean, Amos A. Phelps, ; John W. Adams, D. D.§
* Sp. An. 1. 116. Allen. +Sp. An. 2. 229. Allen. # Mendon As. 184. Allen. § Sp. An. 4, 688.
THE CHURCH IN SOMERS, (FORMERLY EAST ENFIELD, ) ORG. MARCH 15, 1727.
Samuel Allis, Mar. 1727
1747 Dec. 1796
Freegrace Leavitt, July, 1748 1761
Charles Backus, D. D .* Aug. 1774
Dec. 1803
William L. Strong,
April, 1805
July, 1829
Rodney G. Dennis,
June, 1830
June, 1839
James P. Terry,
Dec. 1839 Aug. 1845
Joseph Vaill, D. D.,
Aug. 1845
Dec. 1854
George A. Oviatt, Dec. 1855
This church has been blessed with many interesting revivals of religion- three during the ministry of Mr. Allis ; and adding under the ministry of
477
History of the Churches.
Dr. Backus and his successors, severally, 280, 296, 143, 52, and 106. Me- moir of' Dr. Nettleton, 159; Er. Mag. 1. 19; Rel. Intel. 7. 170; 8. 60. The Society was at first called East Enfield. Its remoteness from the First Church (eight miles) led to the formation of the church, which was with nine members, all males,-the inhabitants being then less than 200. Mr. Allis, born at Hatfield, Mass., studied divinity with Mr. Stoddard of North- ampton ; he published an account of the revival of 1740-41, in Gillie's Hist. Coll. Mr. Leavitt, born in Suffield, was a superior scholar, and a strong, ear- nest, and faithful preacher, and died greatly lamented. Dr. Backus kept "a school of the prophets." . After the death of Mr. Leavitt, the church was without a pastor thirteen years, and became divided by the Separates, four or five years before the settlement of Dr. Backus, under whom both branches united in great harmony. The first meeting-house was built in 1739; the second in 1787 ; the third in 1842.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Alonzo B. Chapin, D. D., (Ep.) Reuben Chapin, Levi Collins, William H. Thompson, Seth Chapin, (Ep.) Giles Pease, Free- grace Reynolds,t Anson Sheldon, Epaphras Kibbe, (Meth.) Silas Billings, Luke Wood, Abiel Jones, Gideon Clark, Rollin Porter.
* Sp. An. 2. 61. Allen. t Cong. Y. Book, 2. 100.
THE CHURCH IN SOUTH BRITAIN, IN SOUTHBURY, ORG. 1769.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED.
Ichabod Lewis,
Nov. 1767
Samuel Camp,
Dec. 1766
Jehu Minor,
April, 1768
1790
Benjamin Wooster,
May, 1794
Ebenezer Porter, D. D.,
Aug. 1795
April, 1834
Lathrop Thompson,
May, 1796
1798
Matthias Cazier,
Aug. 1799
Jan. 1804
Thaddeus Osgood,
1807
1808
Bennet Tyler, D. D.,
June, 1808
Mar. 1822
May, 1858
Noah Smith,*
Oct.
1822
Oct. 1830
Seth Sackett,
May,
1831
1832
Darius Mead,
Feb. 1832
July, 1834
Seth Sackett,
Aug.
1834
1835
Benoni Y. Messenger,
Sept.
1835
June, 1837
Oliver B. Butterfield,*
June, 1837
Nov. 1849
William T. Bacon,
Jan.
1850
1851 ?
Amos E. Lawrence,
Dec. 1851
July, 1860
The church in South Britain came off' from the church in Southbury, about the year 1769, and were allowed what was called winter privileges. A committee was appointed to confer with the General Association's Com- mittee in regard to the matter, and a rate bill allowed for the payment of the minister, and other expenses. In 1807, a fund of $7,000 was raised by subscription for a permanent fund ; but they realized the truth, that riches take to themselves wings and fly away,-and the wisdom of having every
i
478
History of the Churches.
generation support the institutions of the gospel for itself ; for they lost $4,500 of the fund by the failure of the Eagle Bank of New Haven. The sale of the slips, and the balance of the fund, support them now. Dr. Net- tleton labored here in a revival in 1812. See his Memoir. p. 63.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- George E. Pierce, Asa Bennet, Cyrus Downs. * Litchf. Centen. 117.
THE CHURCH IN SOUTHBURY, ORG. 1732.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED.
John Graham, *
1732
Benjamin Wildman, t
1766
Dec. 1774 1812
Elijah Wood,
1813
1815
Daniel A. Clark, +
1816
1819
Mar. 1840
Thomas L. Shipman,
1826
1836
William H. Whittemore,
1836
1850
George P. Prudden,
1852
1856
Jason Atwater,
1856
July, 1859
April, 1860
A. B. Smith,
Jan. 1860
The first house of worship was erected in 1732; the second in 1772 ; the third and present house in 1844. The years of the largest accessions to this church were 1813, 1821, 1831, and 1842.
MINISTER RAISED UP .- John W. Beecher.
* Sp. An. 1. 314. Allen. Litehf. Centen. 75 -- 7. + Litchf. Centen. 75-7 1Sp. An. 4. 460. Litchf. Centen. 119.
THE CHURCH IN SOUTH GLASTENBURY, ORG. DEC. 22, 1836.
Warren G. Jones,
July, 1837
Aug. 1850
Frederick W. Chapman,
Oct. 1850 Oct. 1854
Lewis Jesup,
Dec. 1854
April, 1856
John A. Seymour,
Oct. 1857
This church and that in the north part of the town were originally one. The house of worship stood midway between the two villages. In the course of time, this arrangement was found inconvenient. Each part of the town needed a church of its own. The division was effected in a happy way. Harmony was undisturbed, and brotherly love was quickened. This part of the town derived much of its importance from manufacturing inter- ests. Fire consumed the property, and scattered a large portion of the in- habitants. The church and society were much affected.
THE CHURCH IN SOUTHINGTON, ORG. NOV. 19, 1728. Jeremiah Curtiss, Nov. 1728 1755 Mar. 1795
479
History of the Churches.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED. DISMISSED.
DIED.
Benjamin Chapman,
Mar. 1756
Sept. 1774 June, 1786
William Robinson,*
Jan. 1780
April, 1821
May, 1825
David S. Ogden,
Oct. 1821
Sept. 1836
Elisha C. Jones,
June, 1837
Prior to 1721, the present town of Southington was included within the limits of the town and parish of Farmington ; and there its few families at- tended upon religious worship, and paid their taxes for its support. They were called "The Farmers, South of the Town," and sometimes "The South- ern Farmers." In 1721, on account of the great inconvenience of going so far on the Sabbath, especially in cold weather, they were allowed the priv- ilege of setting up a meeting among themselves a part of the year ; and their ecclesiastical tax, payable at Farmington, was abated to them, at first one-third, and afterwards one-half, on condition that they should hire a min- ister to preach among them three months in the winter season; and in 1723, their petition was granted to become a ministerial society by them- selves, on condition that at their first meeting they should fix upon a place for a meeting-house, and should lay a tax sufficient to raise the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, current money, which should be carefully ex- pended in building it. The society was incorporated in 1724. The first meeting-house was built about the year 1726 ; the second in 1757; and the third in 1830. The whole number connected with the church (there being no record from 1756 to 1780,) is 1535. The church has been blessed from time to time with revivals of religion. The years most distinguished for these seasons were 1831, when 68 were added to the church ; in 1834, 136; in 1838, 128 ; and 1858, 80. Rel. Intel. 18. 713. The church and soci- ety have generally been very harmonious and united, no difficulty having ever arisen that called for the interposition of a Council or Consociation. The Confession of Faith, and the Church Covenant, now used by the church, are essentially the same that were adopted in 1779, about the commence- ment of Mr. Robinson's ministry, and, in sentiment, are highly Calvin- istic.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Jeremiah Curtiss, Samuel Newell, Levi Lankton, Levi Hart, D. D., Whitfield Cowles, Gad Newell, t Josiah B. Andrews, Pitkin Cowles, Elisha D. Andrews, Fosdick Harrison, Edward Robinson, D. D., Jer- emiah R. Barnes, Henry Clark.
* Sp. An. 2. 131. Allen. Memoir by his son, Prof. Edward Robinson, D. D. t Cong. Qu. 1. 314.
THE CHURCH IN SOUTH KILLINGLY, ORG. 1746
Samuel Wadsworth, June, 1747 1762
Eliphalet Wright,
May 1765
784
Israel Day,
June, 1785
May, 1826
Dec. 1831
John N. Whipple,
1531
1834
George Langdon,
1842 1844
480
History of the Churches.
MINISTERS. SETTLED. DISMISSED. DIED,
Israel C. Day,
1846 1848
Joseph Ayer, Mar. 1849, inst. Jan. 1851
Mar. 1856
This was originally a Separate church, and after a few years, returned to the faith and practice of the churches from which it separated. The church has been blessed with revivals. In 1776-7, there was one which brought about 50 into the church ; in 1788, about 49; in 1800, 64; and in 1832, 40. Ev. Mag. 3. 225. It has long been feeble, depending on Home Mis- sionary aid, and is now virtually extinct.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Joshua Spalding, Daniel G. Sprague.
THE CHURCH IN SOUTH NORWALK, ORG. JAN. 3, 1836.
James Knox,
1836 April, 1839
John B. Shaw,
1839 1841
Francis C. Woodworth,
Feb. 1842 Feb. 1844 1859
Z. K. Hawley,
April, 1844 May, 1848
Sylvanus Haight, July, 1848 Sept. 1851
D. R. Austin, Oct. 1851, inst. May, 1853
The church originally consisted of sixty-four members, dismissed from the First Church, and was called the Second Church in Norwalk, till 1852. Pub- lic worship and a Sabbath school were commenced Feb. 14th, and the house of worship opened on the last Sabbath of March, 1836.
THE CHURCH IN SOUTHPORT, IN FAIRFIELD, ORG. MARCH 7, 1843.
S. J. M. Merwin,
Dec. 1844
May, 1859
Charles E. Linsley,
Feb. 1860
THE CHURCH IN SOUTH WINDSOR, ORG. 1690.
Timothy Edwards,*
March, 1695
Jan. 1758
Joseph Perry,*
April, 1755
April, 1783
David McClure, D. D., +
June, 1786
June, 1820
Thomas Robbins, D. D., #
1808 1827
1857
Samuel Whelply,
April, 1828
Dec. 1830
Chauncey G. Lee,
Aug. 1832
1836
Levi Smith,
May, 1840
1849
1852
Edward W. Hooker, D. D.,
1849
1856
J. B. Stoddard, 1856
South Windsor is a part of the former town of East Windsor.
The first settlers of East Windsor came from Windsor, and for many years attended public worship on the West side of the river, and belonged to the Church and congregation there. But finding it inconvenient to cross the river, and being grown sufficiently numerous and able to support public worship among themselves, they proceeded to build a meeting-house, which
481
History of the Churches.
stood near the north burying yard, and invited Mr. Timothy Edwards, son of Richard Edwards, Esq., of Hartford, to preach to them, who was ordained in March, 1695. He studied under the Rev. Mr. Glover, of Springfield; and received the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts in one day at the Col- lege in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which was an uncommon mark of respect paid to his extraordinary proficiency in learning. He married the daughter of the Rev. Solomon Stoddard, of Northampton, Mass., who was a divine of eminence in his day. By her he had ten daughters and one son-the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, President of New Jersey College, whose writings rank him high among the first geniuses and divines of that or any other age.
The second meeting house was built in 1709, near the north burying yard. The third meeting house was built in 1761; and in 1804, ground was purchased near it for a burying place. This building was taken down in 1845, and a new one erected on nearly the same ground.
This Church early adopted the Cambridge Platform of Church govern- ment and worship, and the Westminster Confession of Faith ; as the Church in West Windsor, from which they originated, had also done ; but has ever united in associations and ecclesiastical councils, with the neighboring churches, who are generally settled on what is called the Saybrook Platform.
South Windsor partook, with the neighboring towns and churches, in the great and general revival of religion through New England and America, in the years 1741-2.
The practice of admitting persons into the Church on what was called the half-way-covenant plan, continued here until March 27, 1808, when it was quietly abolished. A relation of Christian experience was required of all candidates for full communion, from an early period.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Jonathan Edwards, Pres. of New Jersey College, Julius Read, Amasa Loomis, Samuel Wolcott.
* Sp. An. 1, 230. Allen. +Sp. An. 2, 7. Allen. # Allen.
THE SECOND CHURCH IN SOUTH WINDSOR, ORG. FEB. 2, 1830.
MINISTERS. SETTLED. DISMISSED. DIED.
Henry Morris, July, 1826
July, 1829
David L. Hunn, July, 1832 May, 1835
Marvin Root, July, 1835 April, 1840 Augustus Pomeroy, 1840 1841
O. F. Parker, Jan. '43, ord. Jan.
1844 Oct. 1848
William Wright, Ang. 1854
The inhabitants within the limits of this Society formerly worshiped with the First Church of South Windsor, originally East Windsor. This portion of the town was settled about the year 1700. In 1826, the people concluded that it was best to secure religious privileges among themselves, when Rev. Mr. Brinsmade of the "Asylum," Hartford, labored here six months, and sev- eral others for short periods after, till 1829. By Mr. Brinsinade's labors
62
482
History of the Churches.
about 20 indulged hope ; 28 at first composed the Church ; in August, 1831, a protracted meeting resulted in about 50 hopeful converts ; and good num- bers were added at other times. Pres. Tyler and others from the Seminary supplied for some years before the settlement of Mr. Wright. The members of the Church and Society gave him $1000, on condition that he would not seek and obtain a dismission in ten years. The congregation is more than a quarter larger than formerly ; all pertaining to it is seemingly prosperous by the Divine blessing ; and the effect of the permanency given to the min- istry by the terms of settlement is eminently desirable.
THE FIRST CHURCH IN STAFFORD, (EAST,) ORG. MAY 22, 1723.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED,
DISMISSED.
DIED.
John Graham, «
May, 1723
1731
Dec. 1774
Seth Payne,
June, 1734
July, 1740
Eli Colton,
Sept. 1744
June, 1756
John Willard, D. D., t
March, 1757
Feb.
1807
Cyrus W. Gray,
July, 1817
Aug. 1821
Hervey Smith,
Oct.
1822
1830
Moses B. Church,
Aug. 1831
Feb. 1837
George H. Woodward,
Jan. 1840
April, 1850
Allen Clark,
March, 1851
March, 1852
Merrick Knight,
1853
1854
Mr. Gardner,
1854
1855
Joseph Knight, May, 1855
This Church has passed through seasons of prosperity and adversity. Universalism has done much mischief. The apostasy of their pastor Moses B. Church, was a source of much affliction. The Church is but a feeble band, two churches, at Stafford Springs and Staffordville, having colonized from it, but the aid of funds renders it independent of foreign aid in the sup- port of the gospel.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- John Graham, Jr., Joseph Blodgett, Elisha Al- den.
* Sp. An. 1. 314. Allen. + Sp. An. 2, 30. Allen.
THE CHURCH IN STAFFORD SPRINGS, ORG. DEC. 10, 1850.
George HI. Woodward,
1850
1851
Hiram Day,
April, 1851
May, 1856
Alexis W. Ide, July, 1859
The Society was formed in March, 1850, and Mr. Woodward, who helped to commence the enterprise was obliged to abandon it in a few months through ill health. The old Society, two miles distant, contemplated moving their place of worship, to accommodate the growing population at
483
History of the Churches.
the "Springs," but a Council thought it more advisable to form a new church. It was thought wise to build a house of worship large enough for prospec- tive growth in the village ; but this led to the contracting of a debt of $4000, more than half the cost; and death, losses and other circumstances taking away some who were willing to help, the burdens came on a few. But the debt was cancelled in 1858, and every encouragement for future prosperity now appears, in enlarged Congregations, Sabbath School, and do- nations for benevolence.
THE CHURCH IN STAFFORDVILLE, ORG. DEC. 1853.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED.
Allen Clark,
April, 1852
Oct. 1852
Dec. 1852
John M. Francis,
Oct. 1852 April, 1853
George W. Connitt,
1853
1854
Charles Hyde,
Jan. 1855
April, 185 6
Hiram Day,
1859
House of worship, 40 by 54, erected in 1859, cost $4000. The church has been supplied when destitute of a resident minister, from East Windsor Seminary.
THE FIRST CHURCH IN STAMFORD, ORG. MAY, 1641.
Richard Denton,*
May, 1641 ?
1643 ?
1663 ?
John Bishop,
1644
1694
Mr. Jones,
1672
1676
John Davenport,
1694
Feb. 1731
Ebenezer Wright,
May,
1732
May, 1746
Noah Welles, D. D., t
Dec. 1746
Dec. 1776
John S. Avery,
Jan. 1779
Sept. 1791
Daniel Smith,#
June, 1793
June, 1846
John W. Alvord,
March, 1842 Oct. 1846
Isaac Jennings,
Sept. 1847
April, 1853
James Hoyt,
June, 1853
Jan. 1855
Henry B. Elliot,
Dec. 1855
July, 1858
Joseph Anderson,
March, 1860
The Church in Wethersfield fell into unhappy contentions and animosi- ties, and the minority, 30 or 40 families, removed to Stamford in 1641, with their minister, of whom Cotton Mather speaks in high terms. Mr. Denton from Wethersfield, went to Hempstead, L. I. Two brethren took a journey on foot, nearly to Boston, through the wilderness, to find Mr. Bishop, of whom they had heard, and were well repaid for their trouble, for he was long their faithful pastor. Mr. Davenport was the only son of the only son of Rev. John Davenport of New Haven. The records are fruitful of votes to
484
History of the Churches.
prepare a parsonage as a gift to him, and making grants of land, firewood, &c., during his ministry. He was a member of the Synod of Saybrook in 1708, (p. 11; ) and was held in high estimation for his piety and learning, and exer- cised a wide influence among the Churches. Mr. Wright is said to have been a powerful preacher. Dr. Welles was considered one of the most eminent scholars of his day, and was untiring in his zeal as a pastor. For years after his death, the country was in such an unsettled state that it was impossible to procure a pastor, and they had only temporary supplies.
The first meeting house, built in 1642, soon proved unfit for use, but not till 1672, after about 30 years discussion, did it yield to the second, the form of which was decided by lot, and stood till 1790. The present house was built in 1858.
The external history of the Church is a record of long continued peace and prosperity. It has at six different times parted with members who have withdrawn to form new Churches, some of which have become large and flourishing. It has at various times been greatly revived and blessed by large accessions of converts. Some of the most noted revivalists, George Whitfield among them, have labored among the people with great success.
* Mather's Magnalia, 1, 360. + Sp. An. 1, 461. Allen. ¿ Allen.
-
THE CHURCH OF STANWICH, IN GREENWICH, ORG. JUNE 17, 1735.
MINISTERS. SETTLED.
DISMISSED. DIED.
Benjamin Strong,
June, 1735
March, 1763
William Seward,
Feb. 1774.
Feb. 1794
Jonathan Edwards, D. D.,
1795
Platt Buffett,
May, 1796
June, 1835 May, 1850
Daniel B. Butts,
Oct. 1839
Dec. 1842
1851
Alonzo B. Rich,
April, 1848
Nov. 1852
Henry G. Jessup, April, 1854
Records burnt with the house of Mr. Buffett in 1821. Like many of the pastors of his day, Mr. Buffett was for many years an instructor of the young, and among his pupils were not a few who became ministers of the gospel, missionaries, or filled offices of trust and profit.
During the last 30 years, the Church in Stanwich has been favored with several powerful revivals of religion. Those of 1831, '39, '45, and '54 added very much to its members, life and strength. The last three occurred when there was no settled pastor.
In matters of reform this Church has always been active, oftentimes ta- king the lead among her sister churches, and in no case falling behind them. In short, despite the constant influence of emigration, the gathering of other churches in the neighborhood, and the comparatively stationary charac- ter of all agricultural communities, it continues steadily to maintain its po- sition as to numbers and influence among the older churches of the Com- monwealth.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- W. L. Buffett, F. H. Ayres, M. Palmer, M. D. (f.)
485
History of the Churches.
THE FIRST CHURCH IN STONINGTON, ORG. JUNE 3, 1674.
MINISTERS.
DISMISSED.
SETTLED. DIED.
Mr. Thompson,
1658
Mr. Chauncey,
1659
Zechariah Bridgden,
1660
1663
Mr. Fletcher,
1663
1664
James Noyes,* 1665, ord. Sept.
1674
Dec. 1719
Ebenezer Rossiter, t
Dec.
1722
Oct. 1762
Nathaniel Eells, #
1762
June, 1786
Hezekiah N. Woodruff, §
July,
1789
1803
1833
Ira Hart, |
Dec.
1809
Oct. 1829
Joseph Whittlesey,
May,
1830
Dec. 1832
Peter H. Shaw,
Jan.
1835
May, 1837
Nehemiah B. Cook,
Mar.
1838
May, 1859
Pliny F. Warner,
Jan.
1860
Mr. Blinman, minister at New London, preached here a part of the time between 1648 and 1658, and received from this people a part of his sup- port. Mr. Noyes was the moderator of the Synod that formed the Saybrook Platform in 1708, p. 7. The East Society was formed from this in 1733. Within the last twenty-five years, three Congregational churches have been organized in this town, two of which were composed, at their organization, almost entirely of members belonging to the First Church ; and it furnished at its commencement, a substantial part of the strength of the other. Ad- missions to the church from the beginning, to Aug. 1858, 1037.
MINISTERS RAISED UP .- Asa Burton, D. D., T Joseph Noyes, Jonathan Copp, B. F. Stanton, ** Roswell Swan, Dudley Rossiter, Zabdiel Rogers, Clark Brown, Hezekiah Woodruff, Nathaniel Miner, Amos S. Chesebrough, Joshua B. Brown, Gurdon W. Noyes.
* Sp. An. 1. 234. Allen. t Allen. + Sp. An. 1. 362. Allen. § Sp. An. 2. 485. Allen. | Rel. Intel. 14. 460. Allen. TAm. Qu. Reg. 10. 321. Sp. An. 2. 140. ** Sp. An. 4. 524.
The Church in the East Society, in Stonington, Org. 1733. Nathaniel Eells, 1733 1762
During Mr. Rossiter's pastorate in the First Church, a part of the people left, formed the East Society, erected a house of worship, and settled Mr. Eells as their pastor. At the death of Mr. Rossiter in 1762, Mr. Eells suc- ceeded him, and his society gave up their separate worship and united with the First Society.
THE SECOND CHURCH IN STONINGTON, ORG. NOV. 14, 1833.
John C. Nichols,
May, 1834
April, 1839
J. Erskine Edwards,
April, 1840 April, 1843
William Clift,
Dec. 1844
486
History of the Churches.
This church enterprise was projected by members of the First Church re- siding at Stonington Borough, where meetings had been held for half of the time for many years. It was the result of the increasing population and wealth of the place. Eighteen hundred dollars of the fund of the first par- ish were given to the new society, and their present house of worship was immediately erected. The parish expenses are paid by the annual sale of slips. A noticeable feature in these expenses is one hundred dollars, annu- ally, devoted to a pastor's library. The church has been blest with frequent revivals of religion, and more than one-third of the population are now members.
THE CHURCH IN STRATFORD, ORG. 1640.
MINISTERS.
SETTLED.
DISMISSED.
DIED.
Adam Blackman, *
1640
1665
Israel Chauncey, t
1665 ?
Mar. 1703
Zechariah Walker, }
1667 ?
1674
Jan. 1700
Timothy Cutler, D. D., §
1709
1719
Aug. 1765
Hezekiah Gold, |
1720
July, 1752
May, 1790
Izrahiah Wetmore, T
May,
1753
1780
1798
Stephen W. Stebbins, **
1784
Aug. 1813
1843
Matthew R. Dutton, tt
Sept. 1814
Oct.
1822
July, 1825
Joshua Leavitt, D. D.,
Feb.
1825
1828
Thomas Robbins, D. D., ##
Feb.
1830
Sept. 1831
1857
Frederick W. Chapman,
Sept.
1832
April, 1839
William B. Weed,
Dee.
1839
May, 1855
Joseph R. Page,
Feb.
1857
Sept. 1858
Benjamin L. Swan,
Oet. 1858
Mr. Chauncey was the youngest son of President Chauncey, of Harvard, born in Scituate, Mass., in 1644, and graduated at Harvard in 1661. With his profession as a clergyman, he united the practice of medicine, and had a high reputation for medical skill, as well as pastoral fidelity. Mr. Cutler was the second President of Yale College ; he became an Episcopalian, and was dismissed from his office. Trumbull, 2. 32-4.
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