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 5
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Also voted and granted, a rate to be raised, five pence half-penny on the pound, on polls and all ratable estate, to the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus, for his salary for the year past.
Also voted, to raise a rate of ten pounds on polls and all ratable estate, for Mr. Backus wood, at four shillings per load, to be raised accord- ing to our vote January the 6th, 1725-6.
Also voted, one pound ten shillings to the widow Sarah Whaples, for sweeping our meeting house, to be raised on polls and all ratable estate.
March 20, 1732.
At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish law- fully assembled and held upon the 20th day of March, 173}, it was voted and agreed as followeth :
It was voted and agreed to put up a prayer to the General Assembly in May next ensuing, for some relief under our present circumstance relating to our minister.
Also voted Samuel Hunn, sen., and John Patterson, a committee to go to the Assembly with a prayer, and to act according to the best of their discretion .*
* The committee went to the Assembly with the following prayer :
To the Honorable General Assembly of Connecticut, in New England, holden at Hartford, May 11th, A. D. 1732.
The memorial of Samuel Hunn, and John Patterson, agents for the parish of Newington, in behalf of said parish, humbly showeth-
That little more than nine years ago the said parish were at the cost and ex- pense of settling a minister amongst them, who, after a few years continuance in the ministry with us, was elected Rector of Yale College, and being approved of by your Honors, accepted said office, and left us, and undertook to serve in that
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Voted and agreed, That Samuel Hunn, sen. (be a committee) to treat with the Rev. Mr. Elisha Williams, to see if he will give some relief relat- ting to Mr. Backus's bonds, if we should attain to a prospect of elearing up the said bonds with Mr. Williams.
Voted and agreed, To have a school as the law directs.
Also voted, Isaac Buck and David Wright a school committee.
Also voted, To adjourn this meeting until the last Monday in May next ensuing at three o'clock in the afternoon.
December 18, 1732.
At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, law- fully assembled and held upon the 18th day of December, 1732, voted and agreed as followeth :
It was voted, John Patterson, Ebenezer Killburn and Joseph Benton, a
office a more public benefit for the whole government, and left the poor parish of Newington, who were then but about three thousand 700 pounds in their public list, to seek for and settle another minister, the burden of which was great upon our small parish, though favored with some relief from this Honorable Assembly, which was just about what was given by the said parish to the Rev. Mr. Wil- liams, which, we make bold to inform your Honors, did not make up our loss, because Mr. Williams, his having a good and large estate of his own, and that being principally in lands in and near our parish, could and did serve us much cheaper in the ministry than any other would, or, indeed, could, and we being poor, &c., and having proceeded to settle another minister with us, and we not being able to purchase him a settlement, nor able to do much for him, he pur- chased a settlement for himself, and that but a small one, whereby our present rev'd minister did run himself considerably into debt in the purchase aforesaid, whereof there remains yet unpaid about three hundred pounds, and the time that it should have been paid is some considerable time agone, and our minister is un- able to pay that debt, neither is the parish able to pay it for him, being still poor and having now but about three thousand nine hundred (pounds) in the public list.
And our said minister is daily exposed to be sued for the money, by reason whereof he informs us that he must be obliged to make sale of what he hath amongst us, for the payment of the debt and so leave us, if some other way be not found, speedily found, for the payment thereof, which would be attended with many inconveniences and consequences hurtful to our parish and threaten its dis- solution.
We, therefore, pray your Honors would compassionate us under our distressed circumstances, and, according to your wonted goodness, afford us some relief, and if you, in your great wisdom, think meet to grant us liberty to take out of your public treasury as much money as our country rates will pay in, in four years. And if your Honors should think it not proper to do that, you would be pleased to grant us our country rates for four years, and although that would not half pay the debt, yet we hope that with the contributions of some generously disposed gentlemen, and with what we shall be able to obtain in some other ways, we shall then be able to pay the debt, and relieve our rev'd pastor of the difficulties he is involved in by reason thereof, and that we may yet enjoy and be blest with the continuance of his ministry among us. And your memorialists, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.
Dated in Newington, May 16, 1732.
SAMUEL HUNN, Agents. JOHN PATTERSON,
In the Lower House,
The question was put whether anything should be granted on this memorial, Resolved in the negative.
Test.,
JNO. RUSSELL, Clerk.
In the Upper House, Read and concurred, Test., HEZ. WYLLYS, Secretary.
.
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committee for the year ensuing to order the prudentials of our society according to their best discretion.
It was voted, Joshua Androus and William Smith, collectors.
Also voted and granted, To raise a rate of five pence half-penny on the pound on polls and all ratable estate, for the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus's salary for the year past.
Also voted, To the widow Sarah Whaples, one pound ten shillings, to be raised on polls and all ratable estate, for sweeping our meeting house.
(25) Also voted, To raise sixteen pounds on polls and all ratable estate, according to our vote January 6th, 1725-6.
"Also voted, Each man to have four shillings per load for Mr. Backus' wood
Also voted, To adjourn this meeting from our meeting house to the dwelling house of the widow Elizabeth Androus.
Also voted and granted, To Joseph Hurlbut, jun., three pounds, eight shillings, six pence, to be raised on polls and all ratable estate.
Also voted, To have a new seating of our meeting house.
Also voted, Isaac Buck, Samuel Churchel and Pelatiah Buck, a com- mittee to seat our meeting house.
April 30, 1733.
At a society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held, upon the 30th day of April, 1733, voted and agreed as followeth ;
Voted and agreed, Captain John Camp, moderator for this meeting.
Also voted and agreed, Samuel Hunn, sen., and Joseph Hurlbut, sen., both of Newington, a committee to order the prudentials of the parsonage belonging to Newington parish, to sue or dispossess any person or persons that has, do, or shall enter on the said parsonage as trespassers, at the charge of the society.
December 17, 1733.
At a society (meeting) of the inhabitants of Newington parish, upon the 17th day of December, 1733, lawfully assembled and held, voted and agreed as followeth :
Voted and agreed, Joseph Benton, Dea. John Deming and Nathaniel Churchel, a committee for the year ensuing, with as much power as to the prudentials of our society, as the selectmen in the town.
Also voted and agreed, Josiah Killburn and Pelatiah Buck, collectors to gather our minister and society rates.
Voted and granted, To the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus for his salary, five pence half penny on the pound, to be raised on polls and all ratable estate.
Also voted, To raise a half penny on the pound on polls and all ratable estate, to be added to Mr. Backus' salary this year.
Also voted, To raise a rate of sixteen pounds on polls and all ratable estate for Mr. Backus' wood, and each man shall be allowed four shillings per load if he bring good loads. Samuel Hunn, Sen., and Eliphalet Whit- tlesey a Committee to inspect the loads. And our Society's committee for the year ensuing to appoint and warn suitable days for the carrying of Mr. Backus' wood, and whomsoever don't carry his proportion of wood on the said days appointed by the Committee, shall pay according to our vote January the 6th, 1725-6.
(26). Voted and granted, To the widow Sarah Whaples one pound, five shillings for sweeping our meeting house.
Also voted, Joseph Hurlbut, twelve shillings.
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Also voted, To Samuel Hunn, Sen., and Joseph Hurlbut, Sen., the sum of four pounds, eleven shillings six pence.
Also voted, To Ebenezer Killburn and Joseph Benton for charges past sixteen shillings : all to be raised on polls and all other ratable estate.
March 20, 1734.
At a society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish lawfully assembled and held upon the 20th day of March, 1733-4, voted and agreed as followeth :
Voted and agreed, Samuel Hunn, Sen., and Joseph Hurlbut, Sen., both of Newington, a Committee, to order the prudentials of the parsonage . belonging to Newington parish, to defend said parsonage from any person or persons that has or shall illegally enter thereon, to sue or dispossess all such persons that shall enter thereon to cultivate or improve said land without liberty of our society, or of the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus, at the charge of the society.
December 16, 1734.
At a society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parisli lawfully assembled and held upon the 16th day of December, 1734, voted and agreed as followeth :
Also voted, Lt. Martin Kellogg moderator for this meeting .*
Also voted, To adjourn this meeting from our meeting house to the dwelling house of Lt. Martin Kellogg, and there to hold our meeting.t
Also voted, Nathaniel Churchel, Samuel Hunn, Sen., and Ensign Rich- ard Borman, a Committee for the year ensuing.
Also voted, William Androus, Collector for our minister's rate, also voted Ebenezer Killburn, Collector, to collect our society rate.
Also voted and granted, To the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus, for his salary, one hundred pounds for this year, to be raised on polls and all other ratable estate.
Also voted, To raise eighteen pounds on polls and all other ratable estate, for Mr. Baekus' wood : and each man shall be allowed 4s. per load, to be raised according to our vote and act, January the 6th, 1725-6, for the getting our minister's wood.
Also voted, one pound to the widow. Sarah Whaples for sweeping the meeting house.
(27) Also voted, To finish the galleries in our meeting house, and lath and plaster the walls up to the plates and beams, and to glass the lower windows of our meeting house.
Also voted, To raise fifty pounds on polls and all ratable estate to defray the charge of finishing our meeting house, that is to say, twenty and five pounds to be raised on the present list of our society, and to be paid to our Committee for that work by the last of March next ensuing, and twenty and five pounds to be raised on the next list, for the year 1735, and to be paid by the last of December next ensuing.
Also voted, Lt. Martin Kellogg, Jonathan Whaples and Samuel Churchel, a Committee to finish our meeting house.
Also voted, Lt. Martin Kellogg and David Wright, a school committee for the year ensuing, also voted to keep a school two months at the nortli- ern part of our society, and four months in the middle of our society, and two months at the southern part of our soci. ty.
* He was appointed a Captain by the General Assembly at their October Session, 1735.
t This was probably the Williams house, which became his residence and in which he died Nov. 13, 1753, aged 68.
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Also voted, Five pounds to the school if it be kept according to our votes.
Also voted, Ensign Richard Borman and Mr. Abraham Woring to inspect the loads carried to Mr. Backus, and to allow four shillings per load, if good loads, if not, according to their judgment, they shall allow each one for his load or loads.
December 15, 1735.
At a society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the 15th day of December, 1735, voted and agreed as followeth :
Voted, Capt. Martin Kellogg, moderator for this meeting.
Also voted, Samuel Hunn, Sen., David Wright, and David Griswould, a Committee to order the prudentials of our society for the year ensuing.
Also voted, Gamaliel Borman, Collector to collect our minister's rate, also voted, Mr. Joseph Woodbridge, Collector to collect our society rate.
Also voted, Caleb Androus, and Pelatiah Buck, a Committee for the school, also voted, Charles Hurlbut, Collector for the school.
Also voted, That our Committee, viz : Capt. Martin Kellogg, Samuel Churchel, and Jonathan Whaples, shall have power to repair our meeting house, mend the roof, clapboarding, and underpinning.
(28) Also voted, That the overplus money in our last minister's rate, now in William Androus' hand, two pounds seventeen shillings, to be given to the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus.
Also voted and granted, To Mr. Simon Backus, one hundred and twenty pounds, to be raised on polls and all ratable estate for his salary this year.
Also voted, To raise eighteen pounds on polls and all ratable estate, according to our vote January the 6th, 1725-6. Each man to have four shillings per load if he carries good loads. Also voted, Samuel Hunn, Sen. and Mr. Eliphalet Whittelsey to inspect the loads carried on the day appointed by our Committee.
Also voted, To widow Sarah Whaples, one pound ten shillings : also voted, to Mr. Elisha Mix, one pound : all to be raised on polls and all other ratable estate.
December 20, 1736.
At a society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the 20th day of December, 1736, voted and agreed as followeth :
Voted and agreed, Capt. Martin Kellogg, moderator for this meeting.
Also voted, Joseph Hurlbut, Sen., John Patterson, Sen. and Caleb Androus, a Committee to order the prudentials of our society for the year ensuing, with as much power as the select men in the town.
Also voted, Jabezeth Whittlesey, Jun., Collector to collect our minister's rate and society rate.
Also voted and granted, To the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus, to raise a rate of sixpence on the pound on polls and all ratable estate, for his salary for this year.
Also voted, Joseph Hurlbut, Sen., Caleb Androus, and John Patterson, rate-makers for this year.
Also voted, To raise a rate of three farthings on the pound, on polls and all ratable estate to defray the charge already arisen in our meeting house, and for glass, and for mending the roof of our meeting house.
Voted, to raise eighteen pounds on polls and all ratable estate for Mr. Backus' wood, and each man shall have four shillings per load, to be raised according to our vote January the 6th, 1725-6.
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Also voted, To seat our meeting house : also voted, Et. Ephraim Deming Capt. Martin Kellogg and David Curtis, a Committee to seat our meeting house.
(29) Also voted, To Caleb Androus one pound ten shillings for sweeping our meeting house.
Voted, To Ephraim Whaples three shillings six pence.
Voted, To Charles Hurlbut three shillings six pence.
Voted, To Jonathan Whaples three shillings.
Also voted, to erect a new pound in the place where the pound,
Also voted, Pelatiah Buck, Charles Hurlbut, and Robert Wells, a Com- mittee for the school.
Also voted and agreed, Dea. Jabczeth Whittelsey, Lt. Richard Borman, a Committee in behalf of our society, to act with the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus about that part of our parsonage that is not yet fenced, to let ont said land to such person or persons as shall fence said land, as they shall think fit until the fence be paid for.
December 19, 1737.
At a society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the 19th day of December, 1737, voted and agreed as followeth :
Also voted, Capt. Martin Kellogg moderator for this meeting.
Also voted, Lt. Ephraim Deming, James Francis and Ebenezer Smith, a Committee for the year ensuing, to order the prudentials of our society.
Also voted, That our Committee, Lt. Ephraim Deming, Mr. James Franeis and Ebenezer Smith, (be) rate-makers for the year ensuing.
Also voted, Joseph Deming, Collector, to collect our minister and society rates.
Also voted and granted, one hundred and thirty pounds to be raised on polls and all ratable estate for the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus' salary for the year past.
Also voted, Jonathan Whaples, Joshua Androus, a Committee for the school, for the year ensuing.
Also voted and granted, Twenty-two pounds for Mr. Backus' wood, to be raised on polls and all ratable estate, according to our act in the year 1726, and each man shall be allowed four shillings per load.
Also voted, That our Committee for the time being shall watch on (?) the loads or part of loads that are carried to Mr. Backus, and said Com- mittee shall appoint three several days for carrying said wood, between this time and the (30) first of March next ensuing, and whosoever doth not carry his proportion of wood by the first of March, shall pay their wood rate in money, and to be collected by the Collector.
Also voted, Seven pounds ten shillings for the school.
Also voted and granted, To raise a rate of three farthings on the pound, on polls and all ratable estate, to defray our society charges.
December 18, 1738.
At a society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the 18th day of December, 1738, voted and agreed as followeth, viz :
Voted and agreed, Capt. Martin Kellogg, moderator for this meeting. Also voted, Ebenezer Smith, Thomas Franeis and Mr. Josiah Deming.
a Committee for the year ensuing, to order the prudentials of our society.
Also voted, John Gillit, Collector, to collect our minister's rate and society rate.
Also voted, That our Committee, Ebenezer Smith, Thomas Francis, and Mr. Josiah Deming shall be ratemakers for the year ensuing.
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Also voted, Mr. James Francis, Pelatiah Buck, and David Wright a school committee, and said David Wright a school collector.
Also voted and granted, One pound ten shillings to Caleb Androus for sweeping our meeting house.
Voted and granted, 4s. 6d. to Ephraim Deming, four shillings to Joseph Deming, for service done.
Also voted, To raise twenty pounds on polls and all ratable estate for Mr. Backus' wood, and each man to be allowed four shillings per load, and our Committee to act according as we voted December the 19th, 1737.
Also voted and granted, To the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus, for his salary for the year past, ninety pounds, to be paid in grain at the price that grain went at on the first of March, that year that ninety pounds became due to him, said Backus, by our contract or covenant in his first settling with us.
Also voted, That the Rev. Mr. Backus, Mr. Josiah Deming, Ebenezer Smith and Thomas Francis, that they search and find out what the price of grain was on the first of March, the year above referred to.
(31) Also voted, To raise a half farthing on the pound on polls and all ratable estate to defray our society charges.
Also voted, To give or discharge the widow Beecraft (?) of her two last society rates.
Also voted and granted, To the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus 8s. 5d. already in his hands.
December 17, 1739.
At a society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish upon the seventeenth day of December, 1739, voted and agreed as followeth :
Capt. John Camp, moderator for this meeting.
Also voted, Thomas Francis, Caleb Androus and Josiah Killburn, a Committee for the year ensuing to order the prudentials of our society.
Also voted, Abraham Woring, Jun., Collector to collect our minister's rate and society rate.
Also voted and granted, To the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus, for his salary for the year past, one hundred and forty pounds, to be raised on polls and all ratable estate, to be paid in money or grain at the market price.
Also voted, That the fourteen loads of wood already carried to Mr. Backus, shall be allowed and paid, four shillings per load to them that carried it.
Also voted and granted, To our last committee, Josiah Deming, Thomas Francis, and Ebenezer Smith, three pounds, eight shillings, two pence.
Also voted, To raise two farthings on the pound on polls and all ratable estate, to pay charges past, and for repairing our meeting house, and for making two horse blocks ; to be done by our grand Committee.
Also voted, James Francis, David Wright, and Joseph Benton, a school committee, also Joseph Benton, Collector, to collect our school money.
Also voted, To hold our school, some part of the time, at the north end of our society, at some convenient place.
Also voted, That for the future our annual meeting be held on the first Monday in December, beginning at ten of the clock in the morning.
December 1, 1740.
(32) At a society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the first day of December, 1740, voted and agreed as followeth, viz :
Voted and agreed, Dea. Jabezeth Whittelsey, moderator for this meeting.
Also voted, Mr. Joseph Woodbridge, Ensign John Patterson and
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Abraham Woring, a Committee for to order the prudentials of our society for the year ensuing, and also rate-makers for the year ensuing.
Also voted, John Camp, Jun., Collector, for to collect our minister and society rate.
Also voted, granted, one hundred and fifty pounds, to be raised on polls and all other ratable estate for Mr. Simon Backus' salary for the year past.
Also voted, Twenty pounds to be raised on polls and all ratable estate, for Mr. Backus' wood, and each man shall have five shillings per load.
Also voted, That our Committee set each man his part or proportion of wood, and appoint suitable time or times for carrying said wood, every man neglecting or refusing shall pay the money. Also voted, That our Collector shall gather said money of such person or persons that neglect or refuse.
Also our Committee for the time being, shall inspect every man's load, and allow him five shillings for a good load, and so in proportion for a lesser quantity.
Also voted, To raise two farthings on the pound on polls and all ratable estate, to defray the charge of a school, as the law directs, and other society charge of the year past.
Also voted, Mr. James Francis, Ensign John Patterson, Joseph Benton, John Gillit and Samuel Churchel, a Committee for the school.
Also voted, To have a school kept in our society six months as the law directs, to be kept at the south end of our society, and in the middle, and at the north end, and at west side of our society : and each part to have their proportion of time and money.
Also voted, To erect a pound at or near Reuben Whaples' barn in our society.
(33) Also voted, Abraham Woring, Sen., Joseph Hurlbut, Sen., a Committee to erect a pound in said place. Also voted, Reuben Whaples pound keeper.
October 12, 1741.
At a society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the twelfth day of October, 1741, voted and agreed as followeth :
Voted and agreed, Capt. Martin Kellogg, moderator for this meeting.
Also voted, Twenty-five loads of wood to be forthwith carried to the Rev. Mr. Backus, and the charge of said wood at five shillings per load to be defrayed by our society.
> Also voted, Capt. Martin Kellogg, Lt. Ephraim Deming, Capt. John Camp, Josiah Killburn and John Gillit, a Committee to treat with the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus, relating to his wood : either to get it by the cord or for some certain sum of money, as may be sufficient.
December 7, 1741.
At a society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish lawfully assembled and held upon the seventh of December, 1741, voted and agreed as followeth :
Voted and agreed, Joseph Hurlbut, moderator for this meeting.
Also voted, Lt. John Patterson, Mr. Joseph Hurlbut, Sen., and Zebulon Robbins, a Committee for the year ensuing, to order the prudentials of our society.
Also voted, Gideon Hunn, a Collector to gather our minister rate and society rate.
Also voted and granted, one hundred and sixty pounds, to be raised on polls and all ratable estate, for Mr. Backus' salary for the year past.
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Also voted and granted, Twenty-four pounds to be raised on polls and all ratable estate for Mr. Backus' wood, and each man that carries wood to Mr. Backus, shall be allowed for a good load of wood, six shillings per load, and for lesser quantity in proportion, and our Committee for the time being, to inspect the loads, or part of loads so carried, and to allow in proportion of what we carry, and said Committee to appoint (a) suitable day for carrying said wood.
(34) Also voted and granted, To Ebenezer Killburn, one pound ten shillings.
Also voted and granted, Seven pounds twelve shillings to Capt. Martin Kellogg, for keeping school.
Also voted, Samuel Churchel, Joseph Benton, and Josiah Killburn, a Committee for the school *
December 3, 1744.
(35) At a meeting of the inhabitants of the society of Newington, legally assembled and held on the 3d day of December, 1744.
At said meeting, Peletiah Buck, David Wright and William Smith were chosen a society's committee for the year ensuing. .
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