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 4
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than what the College can pay, and what the General Assem- bly in October last granted ; wherefore we make our humble address to this Honorable Assembly to assist the College, which will be in danger of sinking without it. We therefore humbly pray that this Honorable Assembly would according to your usual bounty, and from their good will to the support of the College, grant to the trustees for the use of the College, the impost settled by law on the importation of rum, from the beginning of last May, to be continued till the May next com- ing, which possibly may reach to what is due to the people of Newington, to repair the rector's house, and fit it to dwell in. And we hope and desire that the Divine Goodness will gra- ciously accept your offering. And we obliged ever to pray as in duty bound, &c.
T. WOODBRIDGE, SAMUEL WHITMAN.
The General Court received the application graciously, and responded by voting to pay one half of the money out of the Colonial treasury, as follows :
" Upon the memorial of the Rev. Mr. Timothy Woodbridge, and Mr. Samuel Whitman, Trustees of Yale College, inform- ing this Assembly that they had prevailed with the Rev. Mr. Elisha Williams to remove from his parish at Newington to Yale College, and to undertake the trust and service of rector of said college, and that the people of Newington ought to be considered with respect to the disbursements they have made in settling Mr. Williams amongst them. It is, therefore, con- sidered by this Assembly, that the Treasurer pay out of the public treasury to the inhabitants of Newington, the sum of one hundred pounds and sixteen shillings, in satisfaction of part of the sum the trustees agreed the said inhabitants should have as a recompense for their said disbursements ; provided the said Mr. Williams be settled in the trust of rector of the said college." 7 Conn. Col. Rec., 24.
The record also shows an act of courtesy to Mr. Williams which proves the high estimation in which he was held personally :-
At a meeting of the Governor and Council in Hartford on April 13, 1726 :
" A letter to Mr. Williams, elect rector of Yale College, was read and approved at this board, and ordered that the same be signed by the secretary ; and his Honor is desired to have it transmitted to Mr. Williams." 6 Conn. Col. Rec., 380.
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The Trustees of the College were now enabled to comply with the terms of the adjustment, and they did so. The money was paid to the committee of the parish, as shown by the following receipt :-
" November 4, 1726.
" The money received from the Reverend Trustees was thus disposed :
" John Camp, 13 five-pound bills.
" Joseph Hurlbut, 13 five-pound bills.
" Of the society money received by me,
JOSEPH HURLBUT.
" Jabez Whittelsey, 14 five-pound bills and sixteen shil- lings.
" Witness our hands,
" JOHN CAMP.
" JABEZ WHITTELSEY."
The grant of the General Court in May, 1726, settled the question of Mr. Williams' removal. He probably dis- solved his connection with the Newington parish and church at once. The society meeting of May 25, 1726, voted to call Rev. Simon Backus on probation.
The Society lost a revered pastor, the College gained an able rector.
Mr. Williams was a man of ability and culture. He had represented the town of Wethersfield in the General Assem- bly, at its sessions held in October, 1717 ; May, 1718 ; May and October, 1719 ; and May, 1720. He had been appointed Clerk of the House at all these sessions, except that of May, 1719, when he held the office of auditor of public accounts. He had also acted as tutor to some of the students of Yale College, at Wethersfield, in 1719. His ability had been tried and approved in all these positions. He acted as rector of the College for thirteen years, till Oct., 1739, when he resigned on account of ill health. Soon after, in May, 1740, we find him again representing the town of Wethersfield, in the Gen- eral Assembly, and Speaker of the House during that session. He continued to be a deputy from. Wethersfield and speaker of the House for several sessions thereafter. He was judge of the Superior Court in 1740, and for some years following.
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He was also a Justice of the Peace for Wethersfield, in 1740, and for a number of years after that time. He held the office of Town Clerk for the same town. He was appointed by the General Assembly held in March, 1745, chaplain to the State forces sent in April in the expedition against Cape Breton. He was chaplain during that spring and summer, and wit- nessed the capture of Louisburg, June 17, 1745. In August he had probably resigned, as we find a vote of the General Assembly passed in that month requesting him to continue as chaplain.
In May, 1746, he was again a Deputy from Wethersfield to the General Assembly. That session determined that another expedition should be sent to Canada, and Mr. Williams was appointed its colonel. The regiment, however, did not go. It was raised and expenses were incurred. Mr. Wil- liams was sent as special agent of the colony to Great Britain to negotiate for the payment of these expenses, by the General Government. Without following his career further, the fore- going incidents of his life, prove his great versatility of talent. He was a prominent character in theology, education, law, legislation, diplomacy, war and military affairs. He died in Wethersfield, July 24, 1755 .*
His removal from Newington to Yale College properly closes the first epoch in the history of that parish.
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SECOND PERIOD, 1726-1746.
The parish of Newington being left without a pastor, by the removal of Mr. Williams, immediately took the necessary steps to supply the vacancy. Mr. Simon Backus, of Norwich, was called to preach on probation. His pastoral ministrations appear to have been satisfactory, for, after a short probation- ary term of service, he was called to be a settled pastor. This was voted in society meeting, Aug. 24, 1726. The terms of
See Dr. Brace's Discourse, for a sketch of his life and character.
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his settlement were agreed upon, and embodied in a vote of the society passed September 5, 1726. On account of the poverty of the parish he received but a meagre sum for a set- tlement, " One hundred and seventy-five pounds of the money given by the country and college, and all the money granted us in our country taxes, be it more or less." Mr. Backus, however, accepted these terms in his formal answer to the society, dated Sept. 7, 1726. He was ordained Wednesday, the 25th day of January, 1727. Dr. Brace says of him :- " From all the testimony which I have found, I am convinced that Mr. Backus was a substantial, orthodox, pious minister, that gave good satisfaction to the people during his ministry, which continued about twenty years. His wife was one of the ten daughters (every one of whom has been said to be six feet tall, making the sixty feet daughters, and all of them strong in mind,) children of Rev. Timothy Edwards, of East Windsor. Mr. Belden used to tell me of Madame Backus, as living here in his time, and of her brother, Rev. Jonathan Edwards, of Northampton, as visiting his sister, and favoring Mr. Belden by preaching to the congregation of Newington. I suppose she closed her life at Bridgeport, with her son, Rev. Simon Backus, who was the minister of that place. Mr. Backus himself died in 1745, at Cape Breton, whither he had gone as chaplain in the colonial service, aged about forty-five years. He was a good minister, and lived in great harmony with his people."*
The following is the record of the society during the term of his service as pastor.
THE FIRST VOTES FOR THE SECOND MINISTER.
June 1, 1726.
At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, upon the first day of June, 1726, it was voted and agreed as followeth :
It was voted and agreed, that all the votes preceding the 25th day of May, 1726, however weak and insufficient they be, they shall be accepted to be good, and are hereby made good and valuable.
* Dr. Brace's Dis., pp. 14 and 15.
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It was also voted, to proceed to get some suitable person upon probation to be our minister.
It was also voted, that Dea. Jolin Deming and John Stodderd do, in behalf of the Society, apply to Mr. Russel, junior, of Middletown, to come and preach here upon probation ; and if he shall decline it, then Dea. John Deming is to proceed to make application to Simon Backus, of Norwich, to come here on the aforesaid purpose.
August 24, 1726.
At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held on the twenty-fourth day of August, 1726, it was voted and agreed as followeth, viz. :
It was voted and agreed to call Mr. Simon Backus to be our minister. Dea. John Deming, Samuel Hunn, a committee to treat with Mr. Backus in order to a settlement.
It was voted and agreed to give Mr. Backus seventy pounds salary the first year, and to rise two pounds per year until we come to eighty pounds a year. It was voted to give Mr. Backus for a settlement one hundred pounds money when we receive it of the country or college, and sixty . pounds as it is gathered in our country rates, and sixty pounds in labor towards building.
The meeting is adjourned until the next Monday come sennight, at sun one hour high at night.
September 5, 1726.
At a Society meeting continued by adjournment from August the 24th, 1726, to September the 5th, 1726, it was voted and agreed as followeth : Making void those two votes relating to a settlement and salary passed the 24th of August last. It was voted (17) and agreed, to give Mr. Simon Backus for a settlement one hundred and seventy-five pounds of the money given by the country and college, and all the money granted us in our country taxes, be it more or less.
It was also voted, to give Mr. Simon Backus for a salary seventy pounds the first year, and so to rise as we rise in our lists until we come to ninety pounds per year, so to continue as long as he continues in the ministry with us.
It was voted, to give Mr. Simon Backus his yearly wood, and the use of the parsonage, so long as he continues in the work of the ministry witlı us. This meeting is adjourned to the next Friday, at sun one hour high at night. We then received Mr. Backus' answer, which is as followeth :
MR. BACKUS' ANSWER TO THE SOCIETY OF NEWINGTON.
" To the Society of Newington :
" That respect you have put upon me in the several votes your commit- tee appointed for that end have laid before me, calls for my particular acknowledgment, and to your votes of the 24th of Angust and of the 5th of this instant September, wherein you have manifested your desire of my settlement with you in the work of the ministry, and for that end have made proposals to me for my settlement and maintenance therein, as you desire (I) make this return by your committee. That in a due sense of my unworthiness to be employed in, and insufficiency for that great and solemn work of the ministry, I accept of your call to that work, and accept your proposal for my settlement and yearly maintenance. Desiring
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your earnest prayers with mine to the God of all grace that I may come to you in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of. Christ.
" SEPT. the 7, 1726. SIMON BACKUS."
November 21, 1726.
(18) At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, upon the 21st day of November, 1726, it was voted and agreed as follow- cth, viz .: We appoint by vote Wednesday, the 28th day of December next, for the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Backus.
It was voted, that the present committee is to agree with the man that boards Mr. Backus to provide for him on the ordination day for victuals and drink convenient.
It was voted and agreed, that Samuel Hunn, Joseph Hurlburt, Ebene- zer Killborn, Caleb Androus, Isaac Buck, James Frances, Ebenezer Smith, should keep a tavern on the ordination day.
It was voted that the present committee, Jabezeth Whittelscy, John Camp, Joseph Hurlbut, shall forthwith pay to Mr. Simon Backus the one hundred and seventy-five pounds money already voted to him on Sept. the 5th, 1726, taking his receipt, which shall be their discharge of said money .*
It was voted and agreed for the £23 10s. received for the Society, now in the hands of said Committee, Dea. Jabezeth Whittlesey, John Camp, Joseph Hurlbut, shall be distributed by them to the persons according to the charge they were at in the particulars following, to wit: the charge of bringing out Mr. Williams and his family, at his first coming, and charges of his ordination, and for raising of his house, and for his oven and well.
December 19, 1726.
At a society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington Parish upon the 19th day of December, 1726, lawfully assembled and held; it was voted and agreed as followeth :
It was voted and agreed that Dea. John Deming, Samuel Hunn, Senior, Caleb Androus, should be a committee for the year ensuing to order the prudentials of the society according to the best of their discretion.
It was voted, Daniel Curtis, Jonathan Whaples, Collectors, to gather the minister's rate and society rate.
It was voted, that the money overplus in our last minister's rate should be laid out in meeting house, by the present committee.
It was voted, to make a rate to defray the ministerial charge of the year past.
* The Committee paid the money the next day, as appears by the following receipt :
"NOVEMBER, the 22, 1726.
" Then received of the parish of Newington, the sum of one hundred and sev- enty-five pounds, money, by the hand of their committee. chosen to receive and dispose of said money, namely : Deacon Whittelsey, Capt. John Camp, and Mr. Joseph Hurlbut, which money became due to me, the subscriber, by virtue of a vote passed by said parish, September the first, 1726. I say received by me.
SIMON BACKUS.
The sum contained in the above receipt I, the subscriber, promise and oblige myself to return unto the above said Committee, in case I don't settle in the work of the ministry among them.
SIMON BACKUS."
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It was voted, That Wednesday, the 25th of January next ensuing to be the day of ordination of Mr. Simon Backus, and the day of humiliation to be on Wednesday the eleventh day.
(19) It was voted to have a pound near about Caleb Androus corner, and Isaae Buek, Ebenezur Killburn, to take care of said wo.k in erecting a pound, and Ebenezur Killburn to be pound keeper .*
It was also voted, That the society charge, two pounds, nine shillings, eight pence, should be added to our minister's rate.
It was voted, Dea. Jabezeth Wlittlesey, Ebenezur Killburn, a school committee.
December 18, 1727. ·
At a society meeting of the inliabitants of Newington parish lawfully assembled and held upon the eighteenthi day of December, 1727, it was voted and agreed as followeth, viz :
That those men, to wit : Dea. John Deming, Samuel Hunn, Sen'r, Caleb Androus, did agree with Ensign Richard Borman on the account of the ordination charge, we look upon that agreement to be good, and the levy made on that account to be good, and all those persons that are behind forthwith to pay their just dues. This agreement was voted.
It was voted and agreed, That Ensign Richard Borman, Mr. Eliphalet Whittlesey, Joseph Hurlbut, a Committee for the year ensuing to order the prudentials of the society.
It was voted, That Joseph Benton, Samuel Hunn, Ju'r, Collectors, to colleet the minister's rate and society rate.
It was voted and agreed, to make a rate on polls and all ratable estate to pay Mr. Backus according to agreement by the last of March next ensuing, and we agree that wheat shall go at 6s. 6d., rye at 4s. 6d., indian eorn at 3s. per bushel, to pay Mr. Backus' rate.
It was voted, and agreed, to allow Jonathan Wright one pound, one shilling, for sweeping the meeting house, and to Jonathan Whaples eleven shillings ; and what money is wanting in the last rate, is to be brought to the present committee, and they to add it to the present society charge. This meeting is adjourned to the first Monday in January next.
January 1, 1727-8. The meeting was adjourned to the first Monday in May next ensuing.
May 6, 1728.
(20) At a society meeting of Newington parish lawfully assembled upon the 6th day of May, 1728, it was voted and agreed as followeth :
That whereas there is a certain piece or some part of the parsonage land in controversy between Abraham Woring and the Society, we agree
* The society not only managed the pounds and probably owned them, but also furnished the church edifice for meetings of military companies, as appears by the following warning. The meeting house was used as a Town Hall. Its sanctity was not considered profaned by such uses.
To Ebenezur Kilborn Constable of Newington, Greeting :
I, having received a special command from the Major Roger Wooleutt, Major of the County of Hartford, for a muster day of Newington parish, and also that part ealled the Beckleys. These are, therefore, in his Majesty's name, to require you to warn all the inrolled citizens there, that they appear on Tuesday, the eighteenth day of this instant October, at nine of the (clock) in the morning on said day, at Newington meeting house, and there to attend on the choice of your offieers. Hereof fail not. Dated in Wethersfield, October the 12th, 1726.
THOMAS WELLS, Capt.
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to leave it to the arbitration of two indifferent men, and if they cannot agree, the two to choose an umpire, or third man, and that the said Abraham Woring resign the said land to the society or to Mr. Backus at the time of said vote,-we vote and agree that Capt. John Camp, Ensign Richard Borman, Mr. Eliphalet Whittlesey a Committee to act in the Society's behalf, and are hereby impowered to choose one man, and Abra- ham Woring another, and to abide the award; and this society grants a rate on polls and all ratable estate to defray the charge if any ariseth, and to pay to said Abraham Woring what the arbitrators award to him said Woring.
It was voted, that Joseph Hurlbut, Ebenezur Killburn, Josiah Willard a Committee to examine or inspect Dea. Jabezeth Whittlesey's accounts concerning his collectorship and committeeship about the meeting house, and to make return of his disposing of the society money to the next meeting.
December 16, 1728.
(21) At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish law- fully assembled and held upon the 16th day of December, 1728, it was voted and agreed as followeth, viz :
It was voted and agreed that Mr. Eliphalet Whittelsey, Joseph Hurl- but, Jonathan Stodderd a committee for to order the prudentials of the society for the year ensuing.
It was voted and agreed John Patterson, Ephraim Whaples, collectors to gather the minister's rate and society rate.
It was voted and agreed that the society charge, for the year past, seven pounds two shillings and six pence, to be added to the minister's rate, and this (society) grants by vote twenty pounds to be added and gathered with our minister's rate ; and also to be laid out in our meeting house by the present committee.
It was voted and agreed, that to pay our minister's rate, wheat (should be) at 6s. 6d. per bushel, rye at 4s. 6d. per bushel, indian corn at 3s. per bushel.
It was voted and agreed, to have a school as the law directs as to time, and Samuel Churchel, Thomas Francis, a committee for the school, and what the country money don't do towards defraying the charge, the rest shall be raised on the polls of the children that go to school.
December 23, 1728.
At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the 23d of December, 1728, it was voted and agreed as followeth, viz :
It was voted and agreed to raise a rate on polls and all rateable estate to defray the ministerial charge arising in our society.
It was voted and agreed that all the votes made and passed on the 16th day of this instant shall be good and valuable, except the choice of John Paterson, a collector, because he is under age ; it was voted that Joseph Androus should be a collector.
It was voted and agreed to raise a rate of six pounds for Mr. Backus's wood, and to go on in the same method as we did for Mr. Williams.
December 15, 1729.
(22) At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the 15th day of December, 1729, it was voted and agreed as followeth, viz :
It was voted and agreed, Joseph Hurlbut, Capt. John Camp Ensign
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Richard Borman (committee) for the year ensuing, with as full power as the selectmen in the towns, as to the business of our society.
It was voted and agreed, David Wright, William Wells collectors, to gather our minister's rate and society rate.
This society, by vote, grants a rate on polls and all ratable estate to de- fray the ministerial charge for the year past ; it was voted that wheat (should be) at 7s. per bushel, rye at 5s. 8d., per bushel, indian corn at 4s. per busbel, to pay our minister's rate.
This society, by vote, grants four pounds to be raised on polls and all ratable estate, to the last Committee Eliphalet Whittelsey, Joseph Hurl- but, Jonathan Stodderd, which they have already laid out on our meeting house.
This society, by vote, grants twenty pounds to be raised on polls and all ratable estate, and to be laid out on our ineeting house by Samuel Hunn, Senior and Josiah Willard, a committee appointed for that end, according to the best of their discretion.
This society grants, by vote, two pounds nineteen shillings eight pence, to be raised on polls and all ratable estate, to defray tlie charge aris- ing by a certain arbitration between Deacon John Deming and Samuel Hunn, senr., in the behalf of this society, and Abraham Woring, about some part of the parsonage, awarded to him, said Woring, by Capt. Tho. Seymore and Isaac Heart, arbitrators.
It was voted and agreed, Ebenezer Killburn and Nathaniel Churchel a committee to cover the school house .*
And we do grant four pounds, to be raised on polls and all other rat- able estate, and laid out on the school house by the above said committee.
It was voted and agreed to raise eight pounds on polls and all ratable estate for Mr. Backus' wood, in the method we did for Mr. Williams.
We do, by vote, grant to Jonathan Wright, for sweeping our meeting house, one pound and eight shillings, to be raised on polls and all rat- able estate.
It was voted, That, whereas there is a difference between the society of Newington and Dea. Jabezeth Whittelsey, we do agree by vote to leave said difference to the (23) North Association of the County of Hartford, on the first Thursday of February next ensuing, at the dwelling house of Mr. Thomas Buckingham ; and we agreed to abide their determination, pro- vided the above said Dea. Jabezeth Whittelsey will leave said difference to the North Association, and abide their determination. And the grand committee, Joseph Hurlbut, Capt. John Camp, and Ensign Richard Bor- man, to represent the society, and act in their behalf. Ebenezer Killburn, Josiah Willard and Samuel Hunn, sen., to act with the above said commit- tee.
It was voted to begin our annual meeting at nine of the clock in the morning.
December 21, 1730.
At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish lawfully assembled and held upon the 21st day of December, 1730, begun at our meeting house and adjourned to the house of Ephraim Whaples, by vote, voted and agreed :
Capt. John Camp, Mr. Josiah Deming and Daniel Curtis, a committee to order the prudentials of our society for the year ensuing.
Voted and agreed, Thomas Frances and David Hunn, collectors for the year ensuing.
* This is the first mention of a school house in the records.
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Also voted, to raise a rate of five pence half penny on polls and all ratable estate, to pay Mr. Backus' salary for the year past.
It was voted and agreed, to take three pounds, thirteen shillings, one penny, out of the twenty pounds granted last year, to be laid out in our meeting house, to pay what was wanting in a rate granted to the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus in the year 1726.
It was voted, to pay Mr. Backus' rate, wheat at 7s. per bushel, rye at 5s. per bushel, indian corn at 4s. per bushel.
We, by vote, grant ten pounds, to be raised on polls and all ratable estate, for Mr. Backus' wood, in the same method as we agreed on to carry it to the Rev. Mr. Williams, at 3s. per load.
It was voted to release Joseph Root his rate this year. .
Voted, Joseph Benton and Caleb Androus a school committee for this year.
Also voted, one pound ten shillings to Jonathan Wright for sweeping our meeting house, to be raised on polls and all ratable estate.
Also voted, to adjourn this meeting until next Monday, at twelve of clock.
December 20, 1731.
At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish lawfully assembled and held upon the 20th day of December, 1731, voted and agreed as followeth, viz :
(24) Voted and agreed, Sergeant Isaac Buck, David Wright and John Patterson, a committee for the year ensuing.
Voted and agreed, Thomas Stodderd and Daniel Willard, collectors.
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