USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Newington > Early annals of Newington : comprising the first records of the Newington Ecclesiastical Society, and of the Congregational Church connected therewith : with documents and papers relating to the early history of the parish > Part 15
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" Communication from the Rev. Joab Brace.
Moderator and Brethren.
Solicitude for your welfare and desire for the prosperity of the gospel of Christ in your salvation, induce me to do whatever I can for your relief and encouragement in maintaining the institutions of divine worship. I am in debt about twelve hundred dollars, and of course pay a heavy inter- est. I have already anticipated and expended about three-fifths of my salary for the year which is to end on the first of December next, and must therefore run into another year for the current expenses of the pass- ing year. The expenses of my family have been every year much more than my salary, which I have supplied by other means. But my brethren and my beloved people, I seek not yours, but you, therefore, notwithstanding all these things, I will make a sacrifice for your accommodation. I know you are far from being a poor people, yet I consider the difficulties of the time, and I propose to make an abatement in your favor, and of my own accord I do hereby relinquish fifty dollars for one year, viz., the ecclesias- tical year, to commence on the first Monday of December next, and accordingly do authorize you to record this communication as a testimony of such abatement of my salary for the said year. Imploring the blessing
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of God upon your present meeting and upon all your best interests, and wishing that grace, mercy, and peace may ever abide with you, I subscribe myself, Yours with sincere affection,
J. BRACE .*
NEWINGTON, November 23d, 1820.
At a meeting held February 19, 1821, "The will of Rosanna Deming being read, On motion, Voted, 'That a committee of three be appointed to converse with Mr. Hubbard, to see if any and what arrangements can be made concerning the will of Rosanna Deming, and report at the next meeting.t Voted, That Absalom Wells, Amos Andrus, and Joseph Camp be the committee according to the above vote."
At a meeting held February 26, 1821, " The committee appointed the last meeting reported that they had called on Mr. Hubbard to consult with him on the business of their appointment, but were unable to make any arrangement with him whatever."
At a meeting held April 23, 1821. "The following statement was made to the meeting by Gen. Lusk, and voted.
At a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Society of Newington, being legally warned and holden on the 23d day of April, 1821, for the purpose of taking into consideration the subject of a donation purporting to be given partially or indirectly to said society by the last will and testament of Rosanna Deming, late of Wethersfield, deceased.
Having duly considered and examined into the case, we believe it is just and commendable, -that persons have an unquestionable right-to give and bequeath donations for charitable or public uses where it may be done legally and without injuring the lawful heirs, and none (more) laud- able than that of encouraging and supporting the preached gospel in reg- ular established societies, which we are zealous ever to support in a legal and christian manner, and shall ever be grateful to any who may be
* This communication was presented to an adjourned society meeting held November 23, 1820.
Rosanna Deming died January 27, 1821, aged 73; she by her last will and testament, bequeathed to Laura Dillings, her wearing apparel and household fur- niture, and a horse and three acres of land on the East side of the way, also-
" Item. Eight acres of land on the west side of the way, with the house and barn thereon, to be at her use during her life, then to revert to the use of the ministry, with the other land as hereinafter directed.
" Item. One acre of wood land in the Belden lot to be hers as in the last article.
" Item. One cow to be at her use and disposal.
" Item. I give and bequeath unto Rev. Joab Brace my other creatures and the farming materials, to be at his own proper use and disposal.
" Item. I give and bequeath unto the Ecclesiastical Society in Newington, all my other lands to remain as they are, the avails of them to be given to the Pres- byterian or Congregational minister of said society as a perquisite, aside from his stipulated salary, forever."
Executed October 2, 1809.
" Inventory of the estate of Rosanna Deming, deceased, taken by the subscri- bers, March 7, 1821.
Amount of personal property, per Inventory, - $170 82 House $25. Barn $100. 39 Acres, home lot, at $38, $1482, = $1,607.00 43 acres east side highway at $28, 7 do. Belden Lot, $50 .- $350 : $1,554.00 = 6 acres ledge lot at $30, $180.00
$3,511.82
MARTIN KELLOGG, JR.,
ROGER WELLES, - Appraisers.
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disposed to contribute to aid us in the important work; but finding in the present case now in question that there appears many embarrassments in accepting and supporting the donation alluded to, however pure the motive of the donor might be, we with regret are under the necessity of declining the acceptance of the donation, for the following reasons.
It is believed that through age and infirmnity of body and mind she did not duly consider the natural obligation she was under to hier nephew, the only heir by law, who has ever lent her all the possible aid and assistance in his power to render her life comfortable in her declining years,* who is by said will wholly cut off from any share in the property which in justice would and ought to have descended to him as the only natural heir of his grandfather.
Under all these circumstances we are led to believe that it is for the interest of the society, and will most conduce to the harmony among the people in said society, to relinquish all claims by virtue of said will, so far as this society is concerned as a corporate body. Believing that by attempting to support a claim by virtue of said will we shall be embar- rassed in many expensive and vexatious law-suits, which will tend to dis- unite the people in said society.
Therefore we consider that it is for the interest of the society, and strictly just to the heir in law. that we, as the society, should relinquish all claim, as, in the capacity of the society of Newington, we might claim by virtue of said will. And it is our wish that the property may be vested in the hands of the heir in law, and we will trust to his liberality to make such donation to said society as he may think proper for the support of the preaching of the gospel in said society, believing that he will so far carry the views and wishes of his deceased aunt into execution, as will satisfy the feelings of the people in said society, and will still, remain a useful member in said society as he ever has been."
" Voted, That the foregoing vote be binding on the society, if Mr. Leonard C. Hubbard will give, or be obligated to pay to this society, the sum of 500 dollars." t
At a meeting held November 11, 1822, " Voted, That for the purpose of raising the sum of 400 dollars to defray the expenses of this society the year ensuing, a committee be appointed to receive subscriptions, and if the sums amount to 400 dollars the clerk shall request the subscribers to give their note to the treasurer, payable in six months from date and on interest after nine months. After the notes are executed, as many as wish to sit in one pew shall inform the clerk, who shall find the amount of their subscriptions, and the company whose subscription shall exceed that of any other shall have the first choice of the pews, and the next highest the second, and so on till all are supplied with seats.
In case two or more companies are equal in their subscriptions the choice shall belong to the one who shall raise his more than the other, or the choice may be determined by lot. The pews to be taken possession of and to be held one year from the first day of December next."
" Voted, That Koger Welles, Jedediah Deming, Josiah W. Griswold, Lester Luce, William Wells, Allen Stoddard, and Martin Robbins be a committee to receive subscriptions."
At a meeting held November 26, 1822, " The sum of 400 dollars having been raised by subscription, the members of this society proceeded to class themselves and choose their pews, according to the vote of a former meet- ing."
* The will was executed twelve years before her death, when she was about 60 years of age.
+ Mr. Hubbard gave his note to the Society for $500.
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At a meeting held Nov. 10, 1824, " Voted, That Messrs. Amos Andrus, Daniel Willard and Lowrey Robbins be a committee to devise together upon the best method of raising the sum necessary to meet the expenses of this society the ensuing year, and report to the next meeting."
At a meeting held Nov. 18, 1824, " Report of a committee appointed the last meeting to devise some plan, &c., received and acted upon.
REPORT.
The committee appointed by the society to devise a plan to raise the sum of 375 dollars, to defray the expenses of the society the ensuing year, having investigated the subject according to the best of their abilities, and availed themselves of such information and advice as they have had opportunity to obtain, beg leave to submit the following report.
Although no plan has been suggested to your committee entirely free from objection, the following measures appear to them the best adapted to accomplish the desired object. Let the pews in the meeting house be sold at auction for one year, the highest bidder being entitled to a choice of pews, with one exception, viz., that when the purchaser has chosen his pew the auctioneer shall make known to the meeting which pew has been chosen, and shall proceed to offer said pew for sale to any person or com- pany who will bid more, and if no person shall offer more for the pew, it shall belong to the person or company to whom it was struck off; and when two or more persons shall purchase the same pew they shall inform the clerk of the meeting of the names and the sum each individual is to pay for the pew. If a less sum than 375 dollars should be raised from the sale of the pews, your committee would recommend that the deficiency be made up by a tax on the property of such persons as are willing to be taxed for that purpose.
It is further recommended that a committee of three, that is, one in each district, be appointed to inquire of all the persons who are possessed of taxable property, whether they will or will not be taxed to make up said deficiency, then the committee shall proceed to find the amount bid for pews by those persons who did not consent to be taxed, which sum shall be deducted from the 375 dollars, and the remaining part shall be the sum to be raised by a tax on the property of those persons who give their consent to be taxed, and whatever sum any person has bid for his pew shall be applied towards the payment of his tax.
The above report is respectfully submitted,
(Signed)
AMOS ANDRUS, DANIEL WILLARD, LOWREY ROBBINS.
" Voted, That Roger Welles, Allen Stoddard, and Jedediah Deming, be a committee to obtain the names of those who are willing to be taxed."
" Voted, That the pews in the meeting house be sold according to a report of a committee, on the 24th of instant Nov., at 1 o'clock P. M."
" Voted, That Gen. Martin Kellogg be auctioneer on the day of the sale of the pews."
At a meeting held April 3d, 1826, " Voted, That this society receive with gratitude the very generous donation lately made them by Mr. Amos. Andrus, deceased, and comply with the requisitions of his will."*
" Voted, That the society's committee be directed to borrow 400 dollars, and that they pay to Mrs. Lydia, the wife of Horace Goodwin, 300 dollars,
* Amos Andrus died Feb. 21, 1826, he was treasurer of the society at the time, the vacancy was supplied at this meeting by the election of Roger Welles to that office, who was annually re-appointed till he resigned in 1845, when John M. Belden was appointed, who was continued till 1873.
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and to Mrs. Hannah, the wife of Phineas Hurlbut, 100 dollars, and take receipts therefor as a legacy from Mr. Amos Andrus deceased."
" Voted, That Messrs. Levi Deming, Martin Kellogg, Jr., and Joseph Camp, be appointed to superintend the erecting a fence to enclose a piece of wood land lately given to this society by Mr. Amos Andrus deceased, and to see that it is kept in repair." *
At a meeting held Nov. 6, 1827, Voted, That the society's committee with the agent be directed to devise some plan for the payment of the debts the society owes, and report at the next meeting."
At a meeting held Nov. 20,1827. The committee presented the follow- ing report.
" The committee appointed by the Ecclesiastical Society of Newington to devise measures for the extinguishment of said society's debts beg leave to report. That they have examined the wood lot belonging to the soci- ety, to ascertain whether it would be policy to sell the wood to pay said debts, and they find that most of the wood is thrifty growing timber. There is about two acres at the east end of said lot that is rather on the decay, your committee would recommend to have sold as soon as it can be disposed of to advantage. There are a few trees about the woods that are growing worse, they think it best to sell, and the money applied to extinguish said debt. They would also recommend that all the avails of the land over one hundred dollars a year be applied for the same purpose, and that whenever the sale of wood and the extra avails of the land shall not amount to one hundred dollars, there be taken from the avails so much as shall enable the society to pay 100 dollars a year until they shall extinguish their debt."
" Voted, That the report of a committee appointed the last meeting to to devise some plan for the extinguishment of the debts of this society be accepted."
" Voted, Mr. Uzziel Lattimer, with the agent, be appointed to dispose of the wood, according to the report of a committeee in the best manner they can.
At a meeting held Nov. 4, 1828, " Voted, That the society's committee
Extract from will of Amos Andrus.
*" Item 5th, I give and bequeath to the Ecclesiastical society of Newington in connection with the Congregational Church of the Calvinistic or orthodox sen- timents, a farm situate in said town of Wethersfield, known by the name of the Wright lot, together with a piece of land containing about four acres situate at the east end of said Wright farm, the rent of which, if unsold, to be appropri- ated to the use and benefit of said society, either in building or repairing a place for the worship of God, or for the support of the gospel. And provided that three fourths of the members of said society shall be in favor of selling said pro- perty, the avails shall be added to the funds of said society, and the interest only be appropriated to the above said objects. And also I give and bequeath to said ecclesiastical society one piece of land situate in said town, known by the name of Vexation lot, containing about forty-two acres, partly wood land and partly clear, on the following conditions, to wit : that said society enclose the wood land within fifteen months from and after the day in which the society shall be put in possession of said lot, and ever keep it enclosed under the inspection of a com- mittee appointed for that purpose. And that said society pay to my sister Lydia Goodwin three hundred dollars, and to my sister Hannah Hurlbut one hundred dollars. If the said society comply with the above mentioned conditions, the said lot is to be for their use with liberty to sell the clear land if three-fourths of said society judge best. If said society do not comply with said terms then the land will revert to my heirs according to law."
Executed Feb. 20, 1826. His estate was appraised March 8, 1826, at $11,- 938.43.
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be authorized to receive proposals from some persons for ringing the bell and to officiate as sexton the year ensuing."
At a meeting held Nov. 21, 1828, " Voted, That William Deming and Dositheus Hubbard be a committee to settle with Mr. Roger Welles, an agent appointed to purchase a bell, and apply the balance if there may be any to repairs and ringing the bell as they think best.t
" Voted, That the society's committee be directed to employ some suita- ble person to ring the bell the year ensuing at 12 o'clock and at 9, and on the Sabbath.
" Voted, That Col. Joseph Camp, Roger Welles, and Dea. Levi Deming, be a committee to view the Wright farmi, so called, and receive proposals from any person, who would wish to buy said farm, and report at some future meeting."
At a meeting held Nov. 2, 1830, " Voted, That Col. Joseph Camp, Capt. Daniel Willard, and Dea. Levi Deming be a committee to confer with a committee of the school society of Newington, to make some arrangement about the division of the public moneys belonging to the two societies."
At a meeting held Nov. 16, 1830, " Voted, That a report of a committee on the public moneys be accepted."
" REPORT.
" The committee appointed by this society to confer with a similar com- mittee of the school society for the purpose of investigating the situ- ation of the funds belonging to the two societies, and to ascertain in what manner a division of said funds can be best effected, beg leave to report
" That they have carefully attended to the duties of their appointment, and find that the sources from which our Ecclesiastical and school funds are derived are as follows :
" 1. The parsonage money, received from the sale of 50 acres of land granted by the town of Wethersfield to the society of Newington for the benefit of the Ecclesiastical society in said place. This part of the fund we find to be $1,718.66.
" 2. The loan money, derived from the sales of land in certain townships in the western part of the state, done by authority of the Legislature, and appropriated exclusively for the benefit of schools. This part of the fund we find to be $279.23.
" 3. The excise money, accruing from certain imposts or duties paid on the importation of goods, which was appropriated by the legislature for the support of schools. This part of the fund amounts to $168.58.
" 4. The Kensington money, This was paid by the town (society) of Ken- sington to the society of Newington, as a compensation for that portion of said society which was annexed to Kensington, and now belongs to the society of Worthington. This part of the fund amounts to $195.40.
" 5. After the termination of the late war with Great Britain, Connecti- cut received of the United States - dollars as a remuneration in part for expenses incurred by the State during the war, which sum the Legis- lature apportioned among the several religious societies in the State. Of this money the Ecclesiastical Society of Newington received $70.33.
" 6. The sum of $500.00, which the Ecclesiastical society received for the relinquishment of its claim to the estate of Rosanna Deming, deceased.
" 7. The bequest of the late Mr. Amos Andrus, deceased. As this pro- perty consists wholly of real estate, no estimation of its worth has been made by your committee.
* This is the first mention of a church bell. See Dr. Brace's Dis., p. 42.
t The agent went to Albany for the bell and transported it from there to New- ington with his own team. That was before the time of railroads.
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" With regard to the several items which compose our funds, the in- quiry next arises which of these belongs to the school society.
" Your committee are not yet satisfied that the school society has a legal claim to any except the Loan and the Excise moneys. No difficulty arises with regard to any except the Kensington money. Your committee can- not find any record or document which shows conclusively for what pur- pose it was to be applied. It was simply given to the society of New- ington.
" Athough your committee are unanimous in the opinion that the Eccle- siastical society has the best claim to the Kensington money, yet consider- ing that there is some diversity of opinion on the subject, and also that our fathers usually applied a part of the interest of the Kensington money for the support of schools, your committee would beg leave to recommend that a vote be passed authorizing your trustee to transfer to the treasurer of the school society one half of the Kensington money, * together with the Loan and Excise moneys, the whole amounting to $545.51, to be paid in notes or cash as shall hereafter be determined.
" All which respectfully submitted,
LEVI DEMING, JOSEPH CAMP, DANIEL WILLARD,
Committee."
NEWINGTON, Nov. 16, 1830.
At a meeting held Nov. 30, 1830, "Voted, That a committee of three be appointed and directed to sell the farm owned by this society called the Wright farm, as soon as practicable, provided that a sum shall be offered which, in the opinion of the committee, shall be a fair price for it. Also that this committee be authorized to give, in the name of the society, to the purchaser a good and lawful deed of the same. (In the affirmative the votes were thirty one, Neg. none.) Voted, that Gen. Martin Kellogg, Col. Joseph Camp, Dea. Levi Deming, be the committee for the object as above stated."
At a meeting held Nov. 4, 1834, "Voted, That Gen. M. Kellogg, Levi Deming, and Col. Joseph Camp, be a committee to give and receive deeds in exchange of some land to straighten the line on the society's lot. Also to sell the Clear lot, if an offer shall be made that they shall consider reasonable."
At a meeting held April 5, 1837, "Voted, That Messrs. Roger Welles, Jeremiah Seymour and Martin Robbins be a committee to draw a plan of such alterations as this society propose to have made to the meeting house and report at the next meeting."
At a meeting held April 12, 1837, "Voted, That the committee appointed
* This division of the Kensington money was certainly liberal to the school society. In 1715 when the original annexation of the Beckleys to the Great Swamp Society took place, the main consideration urged by them was their near- ness to the meeting house in the Great Swamp Society where they attended wor- ship and their distance from the Newington meeting house, the subject of schools was not mentioned and probably had no influence in the matter. In 1754, when
. the annexation was confirmed to Kensington society, apparently the same con- sideration governed. The people annexed were incorporated a school district by themselves in 1757, so that their school privileges were very little affected by their annexation. The Kensington money was paid for the loss to Newington society of the territory annexed to Kensington, this teritory would have fur- nished a revenue to the Newington society by way of taxes, had it not been set off, these taxes were in 1754 almost wholly for the support of the ministry, and even in 1830 the cost of schools did not probably equal the cost of supporting the ministry.
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the last meeting be directed to apply the sum of 800 dollars now raised by subscriptions, and whatever more may hereafter be raised, in making such alterations in the meeting house as they shall think expedient."
At a meeting held Nov. 7, 1837, " Resolved, That (this) meeting pre- sent their thanks to the Rev. Mr. Todd and wife for the prompt and lively interest they have manifested in fitting up and adorning our church, and also for their very liberal donations presented for said purpose.
"Voted, That the thanks of this meeting be given to the Rev. Joab Brace, our pastor, and his family, for the aid they have given and the interest manifested in repairing the church, and fitting it for the public worship of God." *
At a meeting held Sept. 1, 1841, " Voted, To purchase a bell for the Ecclesiastical society of Newington of from 700 to 800 lbs.
"Voted, That a committee of two be directed to dispose of the old bell and to purchase a new one.
"Voted, That Roger Welles and Homer Camp be that committee."
At a meeting held Nov. 2, 1841, " Voted, That the society's committee be directed to set out trees about the meeting house for public convenience, according to their judgment, at the expense of the society."
At a meeting held Oct. 1, 1842, " Voted, That a committee be appointed to sell a part of the society's land, Roger Welles, Martin Robbins, Erastus Latimer, committee."
At a meeting held June 2, 1845, " Voted, That the society's committee be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding two hundred dollars, to be expended in painting, blinds, repairs, &c., on the meeting house of said society. Voted, That J. M. Belden, M. W. Stoddard, and Levi S. Dem- ing be a special committee to carry the above vote into effect."
At a meeting held Nov. 21, 1845, " Voted, That Jeremiah Seymour, Mar- tin Robbins, H. E. Stoddard, L. S. Deming, and Henry Luce be appointed a committee to view and stake out the ground in the vicinity of the Con- gregational Church where in their opinion it would be expedient to plant shade or ornamental trees, and to invite individuals of the society to select their spot, and plant and maintain a tree or trees on said spot. Voted, that the secretary be invited to take the names of those who will volunteer to set out trees.
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