USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 12
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Resolved by this Assembly that ye memorialist be and is hereby ex- empted from payment of all such taxes as are now lying against him and unpaid, and that all such taxes be and are hereby abated. And
1 The law on this subject was "that all the Ministers of the Gospel that now are, or hereafter shall be settled in the Colony, during the continuance of their public ser- vice in the Gospel Ministry shall have all their estates lying in the same town where they dwell and all the Polls belonging to their several Families Exempted."
2 Having lost it in the war.
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that ye memorialist be and he is hereby excused from giving in his List in future during the pleasure of this Assembly."
Passed Oct 1782.
In the memorial of Mr. Chapman he speaks of having almost con- tinuously engaged in preaching. After he was dismissed he spent sev- eral weeks in visiting friends in the western part of the State. And afterwards, for three or four years, when not supplying at Southington, he preached to vacant churches in Litchfield and New Haven counties. With this part of the State he was very familiar, and here he renewed the associations of his early life. He also preached on week-day even- ings frequently in portions of this town somewhat remote from the church. The families about Red Stone Hill, and along the line of the West mountain were nominally under Baptist preaching, but a large part of the time were supplied by him. Mr. Merriman was old, and Mr. Wightman1 was feeble, and both were seldom able to preach, but a ready and efficient helper they always found in Mr. Chapman. The facts of their co-operation and intimacy will appear in connection with the history of the founding of the Baptist church. He also took care of his former flock in cases that demanded pastoral attention. In sickness and death he was still a friend and counsellor. His kindness and sympathy were warmly remembered in families long after his death. The treatment bestowed upon him by his people did not pre- vent his responding quickly and effectively to the calls their sorrows and trials made upon him.
A glimpse of Mr. Chapman's later years is had in a series of religious meetings held on Red Stone Hill. The late Dr. Porter, of Farmington, in a sermon on the death of Deacon Selah Richards, alludes to these meetings and the presence of Mr. Chapman, which fact confirms the tradition. 2A woman had become deranged upon the subject of religion. Through bodily ailments her mind became greatly depressed, and she lost all hope of forgiveness. It was her wont to condemn self in ex- treme measure, and this would be followed by experiences that con- vulsed her with terror. In this condition she was visited by Deacon Manross of Bristol, who spent much time in conversation and prayer with her. But she continued to give way to passionate expressions of her hopeless condition. Her strange words and experiences drew about her the young people of the neighborhood. This curiosity to see and hear her, brought many thoughtless persons there, who were led to serious thought and purpose. God overruled the words and acts of this woman bereft of reason, to awaken and convict the most indiffer-
1 The first Baptist ministers in the town.
2 This information was first given me by Chester Hart, Esq., of Plainville, but sub- sequently I found it corroborated in many ways.
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ent and heedless. A revival followed, and Mr. Pitkin of Farmington, and 'Mr. Chapman, alternated in conducting the meetings. There were many conversions, among which was that of \sahel Hooker, who be- came a minister of the Gospel, and whose kindred remain with us to this day.
Here Mr. Chapman found himself again in his element. The fire of his earlier ministry was rekindled. It was his great privilege to end his active life as he began it, in a revival. This was in 1783, and from this time until his death he was seldom from his home. He gradually declined until June 22, 1786, when he quietly passed away.
In estimating the character of Mr. Chapman, it will appear from what has been said, that he was a preacher of the emotional rather than logical type. He was not born to achieve great things as a leader. He shone neither in controversy nor where executive ability was needed. His largeness of benevolence, and quickness of sympathy drew him closely to those in trouble, or under religious conviction. While in natural endowments and culture he was the cqual of his generation of preachers, yet in those emergencies where prompt counsel and skillful leadership were required, he could furnish neither. Mr. Curtiss and Mr. Chapman seemed both to lack in administrative ability, and in this respect Mr. Robinson excelled.
The sermons of Mr. Chapman were usually from a brief, and were not much elaborated. So far as is known he published nothing. The judgment thus passed upon him is based upon what was said of him two or three generations ago. I have followed strictly the traditions of independent families, and those slight hints that appear in contem- poraneous documents. Every source of information reveals the fact that he was a good man, a guileless Israelite. That the treatment he received from this people prematurely brought him to his grave can hardly be questioned. He died June 26, 1786. The church records have it that he was sixty-one, but his tombstone sixty-two years of age. The following is his simple epitaph:
This stone is erected In memory of REV. BENJAMIN CHAPMAN Who died June 26, 1786, Aged 62 years.
Mr. Chapman was married? Jan. 8, 1756, to Abigail Riggs of Derby. She died Oct. 10, 1782, aged fifty-four years. Of eight children six survived them both. [See Genealogical table.]
1 This ground had been occupied by the Baptists, but Mr. Wightman had died and Mr. Merriman was ninety years old. There was however nothing of a denominational nature present.
2 Derby Town Records.
CHAPTER IX.
MINISTRY OF REV. WILLIAM ROBINSON.
Effects of the War; Pulpit supplied by Mr. Robinson in 1777; Call-to settle de- clined ; Reasons; Call renewed ; Accepts; Letters of acceptance; Church Rules modified ; Confession of Faith and Covenant; Ordination ; Diary of Pres. Stiles ; Auspicious settlement; Salary; Marriage ; Homestead ; Theological standing ; Farming; Complaint of Society ; Business enterprise; Success; Helping the poor ; Pastoral fidelity ; Infirmities of age; Accessions to the Church ; Asks for a colleague; Votes of Church and Society ; Request denied; Letter of resignation ; Council and dismissal ; Kindness to his successor; Bodily weakness; Last sickness and death ; Trials of his ministry ; Doctrinal Views; Personal appearance; Man- ner of preaching ; Rank as theologian ; General estimate of character.
After the dismission of Mr. Chapman, there were years of coldness, division, and decline. The effects of the Revolutionary war were plainly visible, but sadder than all, was the spiritual condition of the church. Well might the people of God mourn. The few who "remem- bered Zion " wept, fasted,1 and prayed.
In the early part of 1777, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. William Robinson,? then residing at Lebanon. How often he preached3 is not known, but he must have made a good impression on the people, for in March, 1778, the Society voted to "apply to Rev. Mr. Robinson to continue to preach with us." This invitation he complied with at intervals until December 7, when the Society authorized its committee to " apply to Mr. William Robinson, Tutor at Yale College, to come and settle with us in the work of the Gospel ministry." This invita- tion was not accepted, and February 1, 1779, the Society instructed its committee " to inform him that we still continue our call to him." And still the " Yale tutor " hesitated-declined. Finally, however, he accepted.
And why this repeated refusal to receive favorably these overtures of the Society ?
1 A tradition that frequent " fasts " were held but attended by very few.
2 A classmate of Mr. Robinson, Rev. William Lockwood, supplied several months in years 1777-8.
3 The first two sermons he wrote, and which also he preached here, March 3, 1778, are preserved. The text, Prov. 30, 8. They were preached first in New Haven, March 1, 1776,
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Although years of fruitless controversy had terminated in a kind of peace, and Mr. Robinson was the harmonizing agent, he evidently felt reluctant to assume the position that must exact the largest measures of discretion and forbearance. And then, too, other and pleasanter fields were open to him. It is certain that almost at any time during the two years preceding his acceptance of the call to Southing- ton, he could have located in some of the best parishes in the state. He seems to have been in no hurry to settle anywhere, much less here.
But the more he declined the more determined the Society was to secure him.
It was again voted, September 6, 1779, by the Society "to continue the call to Mr. Robinson, and a committee was appointed to confer together and agree upon a sum that shall be thought proper to propose to Mr. R. for a settlement and salary." On the 10th this committee reported, the report was adopted, and "Jonathan Root, Capt. Timothy Clark and John Curtiss were constituted a committee to wait on Mr. R. and acquaint him with the above vote, and request of him an answer."
The Society, in this whole matter, had acted independently of the Church. But as Mr. R. was satisfactory to the Society, the Church did nothing to disturb the promise of harmony. And yet, some in the Church felt that the Society should not act first in the matter. They thought it placed the temporal before the spiritual power. But all finally surrendered personal opinions, and voted to call Mr. R., and appointed Dea. Timothy Clark, Dea. Jonathan Woodruff, and Lieut. Aaron Webster, to inform Mr. Robinson of the vote.
November 14th, Mr. Robinson visited this place and preached, and on the following day there were adjourned meetings of both the Society and Church, when a letter was laid before them announcing Mr. R.'s acceptance. This letter is worthy of note in some particulars. At the outset, it confirms the various traditions that have come down to us with respect to the troubles that prevailed during the years since Mr. Chapman's dismission. It also betrays the caution and frankness that subsequently distinguished his ministry. Then he proceeds to de- nounce what he calls "a gross fraud " in churches not punctually meeting their engagements with a pastor. He insists that the condi- tions of settlement should be promptly met.
" To the Church and Society in Southington.
" Brethren and Beloved,-
" He who is King in Zion, having put it into your hearts earnestly to desire the re-settlement of the Gospel ministry among you; having
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in the course of his providence caused a remarkable1 union to take place; and having also caused that this union should centre upon me as its object; I have thought it my duty to take your call into serious and careful consideration.
"Notwithstanding my own unworthiness and the great importance of the undertaking, relying on the favour and assistance of Him, whose grace I humbly hope will be sufficient for me, I had determined in early life, to spend and be spent in the service of my Master, in the character of a Minister. Being sent for by you, therefore, I made no hesitation in coming unto you. I have laboured with you for several months; in which time you have had opportunity to become acquainted with my manner of life and preaching.
" As a people, you have ever appeared disposed to lend me an atten- tive ear, while explaining the great things of the Kingdom; and now, in a deliberate manner, have kindly desired me to take the immediate charge and oversight of you as a Church and people. You have fur- ther evidenced the sincerity of your desires and affection, by engaging, according to Gospel rule, to furnish me with a handsome and generous subsistence during my continuance with you in. the important work. From such favourable beginnings, I have been induced to hope for happy consequences.
" Having taken the matter into serious consideration, and having endeavored to make use of every proper help for rightly determining my judgment, I do now therefore signify my acceptance of your call; rely- ing upon you for every proper encouragement; and promising, by Divine assistance, to be a steady and faithful Pastor to your souls.
" I have said, ' I do now signify my acceptance of your call.' Upon this give me leave to observe, that although there has been nothing in your conduct which gives me the least ground to suspect your sin- cerity; yet, when I observe the manner in which the best, the most faithful and respectable ministers in the country are treated at the present day, I feel myself necessitated to proceed with the utmost care and circumspection. I feel myself necessitated to bear public testi- mony against the gross fraud, which is now almost universally prac- tised in the payment of salaries; and to assure you, that as I mean to devote my life to your service, I shall depend upon your punctually complying, at all times, with the full spirit and intention of your pro- posals. While this is the case, (and I flatter myself it will always be so,) you may rest assured that the main object of my attention shall be the interests of your precious and immortal souls.
1 The allusion here is to peaceful termination of the shameful bickerings and strifes that had existed for several years. It is unquestioned that the fact that Mr. Robinson could harmonize conflicting elements, led Pres. Stiles to advise his settlement.
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" Now that grace and mercy may so abound among us, as that your minister may come to you in the spirit of the Master, in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of peace; and that you, by your Christian conduct, may encourage his heart and strengthen his hands in the performance of his work, is the sincere desire and prayer to God of him who subscribes himself
" Your friend and servant in the Lord,
"WILLIAM ROBINSON.
" SOUTHINGTON, November 15, 1779."
After this acceptance of the call, a committee of the Society was appointed to unite with a committee from the Church to consult " with Mr. R. and appoint the time for his ordination."
The Church, no less than the Society, was satisfied with this answer, but was called upon to consider a question 1 of great importance, inas- much as its government and discipline were sought to be modified. The church was probably organized upon the basis of the Saybrook-Plat- form and submitted to its principles until now. Mr. Robinson was not content to abide absolutely by these principles. He had been chiefly under influences at New Haven, where this Platform had not been affectionately cherished. Moreover, his ideas of genuine Congregation- alisin could ally with nothing that invaded in the least the authority and privileges of the local church. Mr. Robinson was unwilling to run any risks. He wished to have a definite understanding with the Church. This he sought and secured. And in this meeting of the Church that received his acceptance of the call, his desire to modify existing usages was complied with so far as to appoint a committee to confer with him " upon a plan of church discipline and exhibit the same at the next church meeting."
November 30th this committee reported a Confession of Faith and Covenant, which were unanimously adopted. It was also voted to- adopt Articles of Church Discipline, in which certain exceptions to the Saybrook Platform were adopted.
While the vote upon the Confession and Covenant was unanimous, that upon the Rules of Church Discipline seems not to have been.
No one can fail to see the strain put upon the Church at this time. For five years it had been without a head, and at times greatly dis- tracted, and now it had united upon a pastor, and seemed to be sailing in calm waters. But an organic change is proposed. Well may some start and tremble! Not a few would question its propriety. Yet a large majority are led to see the wisdom of the step, and vote for the
1 This whole subject will be more fully treated hereafter.
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change. We know not how far the pastor-elect influenced the vote by previous explanation of its wisdom, but it is plain that "the more part " agreed with him, and thereby put the Church upon a truer Con- gregational ground. The Confession and Covenant Mr. R. constructed remain to-day in use by this Church, while from his day until the autumn of 1873, there were no Rules and Regulations adopted by the Church other than the Saybrook Platform as it was modified at that time.
Mr. Robinson was ordained January 13, 1780. The day appointed was the 12th, but the Council could not convene on that day owing to a great snow storm that had occurred, followed by high winds that heaped the snow in the highways so as to make them impassable. The churches invited to sit on the Council were Farmington, Bristol, Wol- cott, Cheshire, and Kensington. Pres. Stiles of Yale College was a member of the Council by special invitation. The letter sent to him is still preserved, and is in the hand-writing of Mr. Robinson, and reads as follows-
"The Church of Christ in Southington, to the Rev. Ezra Stiles, D.D., President of Yale College, sendeth greeting:
It having pleased God in his providence to unite the hearts of this Church in the choice of Mr. William Robinson for our Gospel Minister, this is to desire your presence on the twelfth day of January next, to assist in setting him apart to that important work, according to the directions of the Gospel.
Wishing that grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied unto you, we subscribe ourselves in the name and at the request of the Church,
Your brethren in the Lord,
JOSIAH COWLES, TIMOTHY CLARK. Committee AARON WEBSTER, JOHN CURTISS, of the Church.
SOUTHINGTON, December 20, 1779.
N. B. The Council is desired to meet at 12 o'clock the preceding day, at the house 1 of Mr. Jonathan Root, a little north of the meeting- house."
Neither Mr. Curtiss nor Mr. Chapman, the ex-pastors, seem to have been invited upon the Council. From President Stiles' diary it appears that Mr. Curtiss dined with the Council, but Mr. Chapman (probably sick) was at his home.
1 The house still stands, but moved a little to the rear, on the corner of Dr. Bying ton's lane and Main street, and is probably the third oldest house in the town. Mr. Root kopt a hotel and store in it.
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The winter of 1779-80' is still remembered as the celebrated Hard Winter; when the inner bay of New York was frozen over from the city to Staten Island, and the roads in all parts of the country were blocked up by immense masses of snow. In consequence of the heavy snows, the Council was unable to convene at the time appointed; and the ordination was deferred till the day following. No record2 of the proceedings of the Council is known to exist, except that preserved by Pres. Stiles in his remarkable manuscript Diary. The following ex- tract comprises the whole of his entry relative to the subject:
" 1780, January 12. This was to have been the day of ordination, according to the letters missive which I received from the church of Sonthington. But through the severity of the day, and high winds, blowing the snow and filling up the paths, only two churches and three ministers were convened to-day, and it was deferred till to-morrow. This afternoon, however, we formed and examined Mr. Robinson, the Pastor elect; and the church committee laid before us their transactions and votes respecting his call. In the evening Mr. Newell arrived, hav- ing been all day in coming seven miles, and forty men employed in opening the ways. Next day arrived Mr. Pitkin and Mr. Gillet ; the latter came part of the way on snow-shoes. The Council this evening allotted the parts, and voted to proceed to ordination to-morrow.
" January 13. This day the ordination of the Rev. William Robin- son, late Senior Tutor of Yale College, was attended; a very large con- gregation assembled on the occasion.
" Extract of Result of Council.
" At a meeting of an Ecclesiastical Council of Elders and Delegates of the Churches of Christ, convened at Southington, January 12, 1780: " Elders present: Rev. Dr. Stiles, President of Yale College; Rev. Samuel Nowell, Pastor of the Church in New Cambridge; Rev. Timo- thy Pitkin, Pastor of the Church in Farmington; Rev. John Foot, Pastor of the Church in N. Cheshire; Rev. Alexander Gillet, Pastor of the Church in Farmingbury; Rev. Benoni Upson, Pastor of the Church in Kensington.
" Delegates present: Dea. Stephen Hotchkiss, from Church in N. Cambridge; Dea. Seth Lee, from Church in Farmington; Dea. Samuel
1 See Memoir of Rev. William Robinson, p. 89. I incorporate in this sketch not only many of the facts but also the language of Dr. Edward Robinson. As we have consulted the same authorities, I have felt that where I could use his words, it would be a gain to the reader. As the Memoir is largely circulated in the town, the reader is referred to that for fuller information.
2 This I quoted from Dr. Robinson, but have found it erroneous. A copy is among the papers of Hartford South Consociation.
15
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Beach, from Church in N. Cheshire, Brig. Gen. Seth IIart, from Church in Kensington.
" Dr Stiles was chosen Moderator, and Mr. Foot and Gen. Hart were chosen Scribes.
" Mr. Upson made the first prayer; then I preached on 1 Tim. iv. 14- 16. Mr. Foot made the ordaining prayer, during the imposition of the hands of the Presbytery. Mr. Newell gave the charge. Mr. Pitkin made the concluding prayer; and Mr. Foot gave the right hand of fellowship. These, with Mr. Gillett, laid on hands. Hands were not laid on during the charge, according to custom lately in some of the Consociations; though this Council was not a consociated Council, but one elected at large. Three Psalms were sung in Dr. Watts' version. I was two hours in sermon. We began about eleven, and finished at three o'clock; nearly four hours in service. A very decent, crowded, and attentive auditory. The whole was performed with a serious solemnity.
" The Council dined at Mr. Root's. After dinner, as Moderator, I concluded, as I had begun the Council, with prayer; and dissolved it.
"Jan. 14. . Very blustering. Visited the venerable and aged, the Rev. Mr. Curtiss, Et 80 et supra, the first Pastor of the church in Southington, who resigned the ministry about twenty1 years ago. He attended the ordination with entire satisfaction, and dined with the Council .- Visited also Rev. Mr. Chapman, dismissed five or six years since from the pastoral charge of the church.
"Jan. 16. Lord's day. I preached all day for Mr. Robinson, A. M. Rom. v. 21; P.M. 1 Thess. ii. 19, 20. After sermon Mr. Robinson per- formed a baptism.2
"Jan. 18. Returned to New Haven. Snow very deep."
Thus was Mr. Robinson introduced to a sphere of active life and duty, in which he continued for more than forty-one years. He found a home, in which the whole of his after life was passed; and his ashes, with those of many3 members of his large family, now repose in the public cemetery upon the hill, surrounded by the numerous graves of his parishioners. The circumstances of his settlement were auspicious. He was now in the twenty-sixth year of his age; the people of his charge were united in their respect and affection for him; and they had
1 The dates of President Stiles are not correct. Compare sketches of Messrs. Cur- tiss and Chapman.
2 This was "Joseph Stevens infant of Silas Clark, jun." The first marriage was that of Samuel Hitchcock and Mary Munson, April 17th. The first funeral was that of Daniel Winston (Jan. 17th) aged 92 years.
3 The marriages, births, and deathis, in his family, will appear in the Genealogical table.
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pledged to him what he regarded as a "handsome and generous " sup- port. But the first ten years of his ministry were shrouded with heavy domestic afflictions; and the restoration of peace, and the conse- quent change of circumstances rendered his income 1 inadequate for the support of his family. Hence a new direction was given to his efforts; one which he himself had never foreseen. Instead of the habits of a secluded student, he acquired those of an active business life. As to his salary, however small it may now appear, (and it was never in- creased,) he was at the time probably at least on an equality with most of his brethren settled round about him. His grandfather had been settled on sixty pounds; and Dr. Bellamy, in 1769, had fixed the amount of his own salary at eighty pounds. In 1758, Dr. Smalley was installed in New Britain on a salary of fifty pounds and wood, with a settlement of one hundred and fifty pounds; but in 1763, his salary was increased to ninety pounds. Dr. Strong, of Hartford, had one hundred and thirty pounds. By the terms of his contract with the so- ciety, Mr. Robinson was to receive his dues mainly in various kinds of grain at fixed rates; and the exact accounts kept by him show, that he thus at first, in many instances, collected 2 his own salary, in produce from individuals.
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