USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 11
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1 This action was in existence as late as the time of his death, but like other papers cannot now be recovered.
CHAPTER VIII.
MINISTRY OF REV. BENJAMIN CHAPMAN.
Recommended by Dr. Bellamy; His Revival Spirit; Call and Settlement; His Homestead ; Parentage and Education ; Theological Course ; Licensure ; Preaches at New Preston ; First Appearance in Southington ; Acceptable to Friends of Mr. Curtiss; Early Success; Troubles; Ground of Complaint; Negative Traits of . Character ; Dismission ; Domestic Trials ; Loss of Estate ; Taxed by the Society ; Its Injustice ; Memorial to General Court ; Labors at Red Stone Hill; Estimate of his Character ; His Death.
IT was a favoring providence that so soon united the people upon the Rev. Benjamin Chapman. He is said to have been recommended by Dr. Bellamy. It has always been understood that he began supplying the pulpit in December 1755, and continued three months before his settlement, although there is no documentary proof of this.
The church and society had enjoyed the luxury of a fifteen year's war. A valiant minority had sustained Mr. Curtiss all this time, and now when finally the pastoral relation had been dissolved, there seemed to have been a general desire for a truce on both sides. More- over Mr. Chapman was just the man to satisfy both parties. The friends of the revival and of Whitfield, could not but be satisfied with him, for he was fresh from New Jersey, and thoroughly imbued with the revival spirit that prevailed in that state. When he graduated, Whitfield himself was present and at that time received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from the college. He had been in contact with men like Burr and the Tennents, whose moderation was well known. Mr. Chapman, from natural traits and from association, was of a more conservative type of revivalists. This fact doubtless had its effect both upon Mr. Curtiss and his friends. It was known that as a clear majority in the church and society were in favor of the revivals, that this party could elect and secure its favorite. Hence the presence of such a conservative as Mr. Chapman upon the ground was by the Curtiss party hailed as a good omen.
Mr. Chapman was called and settled March 17, 1756. Dr. Bellamy is supposed to have' preached the sermon on the occasion. The courts
1 This I first wrote as a mere tradition, but Dr. Tryon Edwards who has examined the Bellamy papers more thoroughly than any one else, and who wrote the biography prefixed to his works, confirms this tradition, and he also writes me that " several of his sermons were noted as preached at Southington."
13
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had settled the matter of the new church so that this project was car- ried forward to completion in 1757.
The town, as was then the custom, voted the new pastor a lot of six acres upon which he built, and which is now known as the " Chapman place." The house is a plain, commodious, and convenient building re- sembling somewhat that put up by Mr. Curtiss.
In addition to the land given Mr. Chapman for a homestead, the town1, Dec. 13, 1756, voted him an additional piece of ground, as fol- lows, "Granted to ye Rev. m' Benjamin Chapman about four acres of land in the Twenty Rod Highway Between the first and second Tier of lots in Southington Parish Butting against m' Joseph Gridley's Land in a place called the Walnut Swamp."
April 20, 1757, "The Town made choise of Capt Jared Lee, Jona- than Root; & Capt Eldad Lewis a commit to Lay out a grant of about four acres of Land made to the Rev. m' Benjamin Chapman out of Twenty Rod Highway at the west end of Joseph Gridley's Land in Southington Parish according to the grant of the Town in their meet- ing Dec 13, 1756."
This was a piece of land bordering on the old Twenty Rod highway, and just across from where the Curtiss farm touched the highway, and known as "Gridley's Old field " down to the time Mr. Robinson lived here. It was afterward absorbed in Mr. Robinson's land and its name has of late years been lost. Between Burying Ground Hill and where Mr. Lewis Woodruff now lives, was a stout forest of hickory and oak. This Walnut Swamp was somewhere in the highway between these two points, and taking the " Gridley field " as a guide must have been nearly East from where Mrs. Abby Lewis now lives [the Old Lewis Hotel].
There is nothing known of Mr. Chapman's parentage? or place of birth. None of his descendants have traditions of any kind with respect to his ancestry. His own children seem to have never been informed as to this. I have written over a hundred letters to genealogists, pas- tors or clerks of old churches, and parties who might be supposed to know about it if anybody did, but not a ray of light has been thrown upon the subject. The Rev. F. W. Chapman, author of the Chapman Genealogy. was unable to discover any clue to the mystery, although he says that his decendants believed that Saybrook was his native place.
It is singular that his children, if acquainted with the fact, did not communicate it to their children. The silence of all the family
1 Farmington Records.
2 Since this has been in type I have received additional information, for which see Gencalogical table.
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records as to this is also very strange. As this narrative proceeds it will be seen that the facts of his early life point to the western part of this State as most familiar to him.
He graduated at the College of New Jersey, then located at Newark, Sept. 25, 1754. Within two months after graduating, he in company with two classmates, applied to the Litchfield Association of this State for licensure. From the records of that body it appears that it met Nov. 20, 1754, "John Graham Moderator and Joseph Bellamy Scribe;" and the following is an extract-" Messrs Noah Waddams, Benajah Roots, and Benjamin Chapman B: of A: offered themselves to examina- tion in order to become licensed preachers, this association examined each of them according to our Standing Rules, and look upon them competently qualified to preach the Gospel, accordingly the said Noah Waddams B. A. Benajah Roots B. A. and Benjamin Chapman B. A. are each of them licensed to preach the Gospel under the direction and conduct of this association; heartily desiring that the great Lord of the Vineyard may dispose each of them to a life of studiousness and Prayerfullness, & to an humble walk with God and before man, and make each of them a great Blessing in the world."
It will be seen that only two months passed after leaving college be- fore his licensure. So brief a time elapsing led me to inquire as to the probability of his taking a theological course while in college. The Rev. Dr. Maclean, ex-president of the college of New Jersey, in a private note says of that time-"The students were instructed not only in the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, in the Mathematics, and in both Natural and Moral Philosophy, but also in the doctrines and precepts of the Holy Scriptures; it was a part of the President's duty to give this instruction, and to deliver lectures on Divinity to any who might be candidates for the holy ministry."
Of a class of sixteen that graduated in 1754, eleven became ministers of the Gospel, and it is not improbable that the President may have given a thorough course in Divinity.
It is a matter of tradition that Mr. Chapman studied for a time with Bellamy, and his name appears in some of the old Bellamy papers in such a way as to lead to the belief that he was not only a student of his but a kind of protégé. He may have been with Bellamy for the two months after graduation.
. In October, 1753, the ecclesiastical society of New Preston, Conn., was constituted, and Nov. 14, 1754, it voted to build a meeting house. At a meeting held Jan. 30th, 1755, it was " voted, that the ministerial com of New Preston Society shall give m' Benjamin Chapman a call upon probation to preach unto us in order for settlement amongst (us) in said New Preston"
L. of C.
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" Voted, that the ministerial com James Terrill & Jacob Kinne & John Bostwick shall aply themselves to m' Benjamin Chapman in order to represent said society in calling m' Chapman in upon probation to preach to us in order for settlement amongst us."
How long he preached there is not known, but his classmate Wad- dams was invited to preach on probation Sept. 16. 1756.
Mr. Chapman began his ministry here under favorable auspices in one respect-there was a general desire for peace. And this he was calculated to encourage.
By his unaffected piety and amiable manners, he won to himself the friends of Mr. Curtis, and at the same time satisfied those who had been anxious for more radical religious measures. And for several years everything went on smoothly.
But there were troubles in store for the second as for the first pastor; and the occasion in each case was widely different; but in both cases, the beginning was in the religious condition of the church. Mr. Cur- tis suffered from those who would press him on to extreme theories and measures, and who failing in this, opposed him in other matters. Mr. Chapman suffered from the reaction that followed extreme meas- ures in various portions of New England. The demon of declension had gained a strong foot-hold here as elsewhere, and well might the prophets of God be alarmed. Churches that had favored, and those that had opposed the revivals. alike were suffering-the one class, because they had been too conservative, and the other, because they had been too radical. This church was smitten by a spiritual chill. Mr. Chap- man had for about ten years been able to satisfy the people, and there were numerous additions to the church. But after this time a general apathy prevailed. Many attempted to abstain from attendance upon public worship, but the laws were rigidly enforced. The records of the local court indicate that there was no falling off in the fidelity of tithing-men. This compulsory attendance under the circumstances could work only evil. And the members of the church were more in- terested in the principles than practice of Christian doctrine. The more intelligent were watching the current theological discussions going on in New England. Bellamy, so well known here, was preach- ing and writing, and exciting a vast influence in the church. Smalley, in the nearest parish on the east, was rising in favor as a thinker, and was giving his views upon " Natural and Moral Inability," to the world. Hopkins also had penetrated the town by what he had pub- lished.1
1 Some of the earliest editions of the sermons and volumes of these writers, are still in the old families. Mr. Robinson found many of his hearers so well furnished with theological knowledge that he often alluded to it during his ministry as quite remarka ble.
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I have been led to believe that Mr. Chapman had but little interest in such discussions. After a few years lis warm revival spirit did not please the "world's folk," and his want of logic and learning in the pulpit did not please the church. He probably suffered greatly from comparison with Smalley. One of his leading families living on the mountain toward New Britain, sought to be set off to Dr. Smalley's parish. The people were more chiarmed with the names of Bellamy and Smalley than with the name of Chapman. Mr. Chapman con- tented himself with preaching plain, practical sermons-never attempt- ing to make straight what seemed crooked in God's Moral Government. His mind was not constructed for controversy. He is spoken of as a good-natured man, benevolent, and overflowing with pleasantry.' His piety was unquestioned, but he lacked in qualities to meet such a crisis as had fallen upon his people. He was wanting in positive traits. Both the Society and church became dissatisfied with him. So far as I have been able to learn the fault was not in what he said as in what he did not say-not in what he did, as in what he failed to do. With the church suffering from the prevailing declension-with a people fond of men like Bellamy and Smalley, and disposed to enjoy theological discussion, he found himself unable to make his public ser- vices acceptable. Not a hint has come down that he was not spiritual and faithful. The fact is, he was too spiritual for the times, in his preaching. Finally, the dissatisfaction led to a rupture of the pastoral relation. But it should not be overlooked that the disturbed state of the country had its effect on the people. One of the "old men of the church who died about forty years ago, was wont to say, that when he was twenty-five years old, " the conversation on Sunday among church members, was divided between disputed points in theology, and the state of the country." To sum up the whole matter, it seems that during the latter third of Mr. Chapman's ministry the church itself was spiritually lifeless, and the society totally indifferent to religious matters. The condition of the church came before a council for con-
1 As an instance of his humor and kindness of heart, it is said that one night he heard some one in his cellar. Descending thither with a candle, he saw a man tying up a bag that contained all the pork that had been stored in a barrel. He remarked, " Friend, it is'nt fair that you take all the pork-you should at least leave me half! Here now, I'll divide it, and you take half and leave half for me." The man ashamed at being caught refused to touch it, but Mr. Chapman good naturedly persisting, he trudged off with his share. The next day was "militia training" upon the green north of the burying ground, and Mr. Chapman officiated as chaplain. After the prayer he ran his eye along the ranks, and saw that the culprit was there, then turning to the captain exclaimed, " Captain Woodruff, one of your men stole my pork last night and ought to be punished." But he refused to tell who it was, and walked rapidly off leav- ing the guilty party fearing a punishment he was never to receive.
2 Deacon Pomeroy Newell.
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sideration, which body advised the dissolution of the pastoral relation. But the records of this council are lost, and nothing remains to us of the action of the church. But the story of those days has been trans- mitted through several families, and preserves such a unity that it is worthy of credit. It points to Mr. Chapman's negative methods as the secret of his loss of influence. He was unable to hold the reins and control the elements that warred against unity and pros- perity. His easy nature could not cope with such a crisis. Holding up under the troubles as well as he could for several years, he finally yielded to what seemed to be the inevitable, and ceased to be pastor Sept. 28, 1774.
But the dissolution of the pastoral relation did not release Mr. Chapman from his ordinary duties. Practically the relation was not dissolved, for he still preached frequently, and was as before, the pastor of the flock. A large number of the congregation were absent in the army and he was the trusted friend of the families left behind. Al- though feeling himself the subject of ingratitude and unmerited neg- lect, he allowed nothing to interfere with christain duty. He was con- stant in his attentions upon the sick, and continued pleasant inter- course with his old parishioners. It was a frequent lamentation among the more devout of the people that they had permitted the dis- mission of their pastor. Whatever had been their former complaints seldom did they have their pulpit more satisfactorily supplied than by him. After he ceased to be their pastor then many saw and confessed their error.
Mr. Chapman had not been entirely dependent on his salary for his living. He seems to have been in comfortable circumstances, and gen- erously dispensed his hospitality. By his private fortune he was enabled to set a better table than any of his people, and this fact was often spoken of. Until he lost most of his property, and until his wife be- came an invalid, his home was the center of social attraction to the parish. He was interested in the young, and is said to have originated for their special benefit the plan of the library that survived until about 1790.
His two or three 2negro servants were 3fed so well that to " live like Chapman's niggers" became proverbial. and to this day, the proverb is current in the town. although its origin is unknown to many.
1 This much has come down to ns, that nothing in the character or life of the pastor was the ground for dissolving the relations. The sole reasons seem to have been in the chronic discords of the people.
2 The father and mother of Prince and Peter Duplex were his servants.
3 The following anecdotes illustrate this. Those now living remember Prince and Peter Duplex whose mother was Mr. Chapman's cook. Prinee said that when a little boy he and his brother were rather noisy and the mother gave each a big piece of gin-
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The servants seem to have had great respect for their master. After one thanksgiving dinner they were seated out doors, at the south end · of the house, when one exclaimed, "Pete, how big is God?" "Don't know, nobody knows dat." "I know dat." "Well den how big?" " Why he is just as big as Massa Chapman."
But the Revolutionary war came on, and in some way his estate be- came involved resulting in a large loss of property. His investments, whatever they were, were not in this town. A tradition in some branches of his family, is, that his income came from the western part of the state. There is reason to believe that his wife had quite a pat- rimony. But when Mr. Robinson came here Mr. Chapman's circum- stances were straightened. He added to his income somewhat by supplying vacant pulpits, but the compensation for such a service in those days was small.
In addition to loss of estate a great cloud began to gather about his home. He had hardly resigned his charge before his wife became physically prostrated under a painful disorder which lasted for years, and finally she was threatened with insanity. She seems to have been a very sensitive, modest, retiring woman, and the trials of her husband were no less sore to her than to him. Societies and churches with a thoughtlessness that must be pronounced criminal, often inflict needless and terrible suffering upon pastors and their families. Did they but consider the question of trial and sorrow as a possible result of method or action, they would not treat pastors2 so coarsely and rudely. It is perhaps well that we have not all the details of those proceedings that caused Mr. Chapman to retire from this pastorate. Even if all that is known were published it would cause the children to blush for their fathers.3
The society had been without a pastor more than five years when
gerbread, if they would go out and play. This they did, and while eating, Peter said, "Prince we live as well as God-we hab gingerbread and cider, and dar's nothing bet- ter dan dat " Prince replied, "we can't lib as well as God, for we hab gingerbread and cider only in de winter, and God can hab dem all de time."
1 From the Derby Records it appears that Mrs. Chapman had considerable property. There were several transactions in her name, and as late as 1770, her mother (Abigail Riggs) deeds her property.
2 It was such acts of injustice toward the preceding pastors of the church, and the traditional reputation of the society as disposed to harass the pastor, that led Mr. Robinson to say when he finally concluded to accept the call here, " If I am settled there I shall be settled over and not under them."
3 A brief antobiography of that day is in existence, that sketches the proceedings of the society at this time. The person in whose keeping it is, is old, and will not con- sent to its use at present. Some of the facts I have had permission to use. A partial promise is given me that the paper will, at the death of the present possessor, be handed over for public use.
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Mr. Robinson came, and in order to raise his salary the usual tax was laid, and Mr. Chapman's little estate was included in the lists. It seemed to be forgotton that he had lost much of his property, that his domestic sorrows were overwhelming, and that he was, as providence opened the way Sabbath after Sabbath, still preaching. The collector of the society, the first year, made no attempt to collect the tax from Mr. Chapman. This is said to have been by the influence of Mr. Robinson who saw the injustice of the tax, and who forty years after was to en- counter the same smallness and harshness at the hands of the same peo- ple. But at the end of the second year the matter was pressed in such a way that Mr. Chapman was advised to appeal for relief to the legis- lature or General Assembly. This he did' and the following is the text of his appeal.
"To the Honorable the Gen" Assembly of the Governor and com- pany of the state of Connecticut to be held at Hartford on the 2ª Thurs- day of Octobr instant.
The memorial of Benjamin Chapman of Southington in said state sheweth-that in Early Life he engaged in the work of the Gospel Ministry and was regularly ordained over the church of Christ in South- ington where he continued to administer the Word and Ordinances for many years-that a disaffection finally arose in the Minds of some of the People of his charge, as he is confident without any just Founda- tion, which eventually rendered his Dismission from the people neces- sary in the Judgment of an Ecclesiastical Council convened for that purpose of which took place accordingly; this proceeding was grounded on principles of general Expediency and not on anything in the Me- morialist that savoured of either Scandal or Heresy-that he has ever since that time continued his Ministerial labours in various Places as opportunity presented, which have been with very little Intermission- that he is prompted by a sense of Duty as well as by Inclination to con- tinue diligent and faithful in that important work-that he is now pretty far advanced in Life and has no other Business on which to de- pend for the support of himself and a very numerous Family-that he has lately suffered exceedingly by the small-pox in his Family which has created a prodigious Expense-that his Wife who suffered greatly under the operation of that Disease hath languished ever since under a complication of Disorders which have finally terminated in a total Loss of Reason from which deplorable condition there is little Hope of Re- covery. The Memorialist would further observe that he is possessed of a small Freehold and Personal Estate in sª Southington, while in the opinion of the Listers of sd town under his present circumstances he is liable to Taxation and has been for two years past compelled to give in
1 Ecclesiastical Records, Vol XIV, p. 138.
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his List of Polls and rateable estate on which Taxes of various kinds have arisen to such an amount that he cannot pay them without reduc- ing himself and needy family to perishing Distress, nor has he as yet been pressed by the Collector as the Memorialist had applied to the Honorable Assembly by Memorial for Relief which unfortunately has been neglected and is finally lost. Whereupon the Memorialist humbly prays your Honours to take his case into consideration & order and de- cree that the Taxes that have already arisen upon his Lists given in aforesd be abated, and that in Future he be excused from Payment of Taxes so long as he continues1 constant in his ministerial labours, in the same manner as other ministers of the Gospel are who are immediately con- nected with a particular people. The peculiar circumstances of the Memorialist and the general Reason upon which settled Ministers of the Gospel are excused from Payment of Taxes which operates in his case equally as in theirs, will he hopes and believes induce your Honours to comply with his Request or to grant him Relief in some other way as the Wisdom of the Honor"b Assembly shall direct."
Southington Oct 5, 1782 BENJAMIN CHAPMAN.
This memorial was granted, as will be seen by the following act of the General Court, Oct., 1782.
"Upon ye memorial of Benjamin Chapman of Southington in ye County of Hartford shewing to this Assembly that in early life he was engaged in ye work of ye Gospel ministry and was regularly ordained over ye Church of Christ in sd Southington where he continued for many years, that some few years past he was without any fault of his own dismissed from that people, and has ever since with but very little Intermission continued his ministerial Labours, that he has but a small estate2 and has been at great expense by reason of sicknes in his family by means whereof his wife is totally deprived of ye use of her Reason which she is never like to recover ; that he has for two years past been obliged to give in his List on which Taxes have been granted which he is wholly unable to pay without reducing him to Distress, Praying for Relief &c as per memorial on file-
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