USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 18
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1 See Genealogical Tables for family connections.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
- DEA. THOMAS BARNES.
THOMAS BARNES, orre of the first two Deacons of the church, was the son of Thomas and Mary Barnes. Of the two cases of witchcraft that have occurred in this town, one was that of a Mary Barnes, in Jan., 1666-7 who "was convicted of entertaining familiarity with Satan," and this person is supposed to have been the mother of Dea. Thomas. Nothing is known of him, excepting that he lived at or near Newell Corners, in the north part of town. His son Samuel lived west of Joseph Gridley's, just across the bridge. He had seven children. From his brother Ebenezer, came that branch of the family now repre- sented by Dr. Augustus Barnes. He died in 1742. He was elected Deacon Nov. 27, 1728, two weeks after Mr. Curtiss was settled, and with his colleague Mr. Woodruff was ordained April 9, 1729.
DEA. SAMUEL WOODRUFF.
SAMUEL WOODRUFF, the oldest son of Samuel, the first settler within the present limits of the town, was Deacon from Nov. 27, 1728, to 1766. He lived just north of where the first house built in the town, stood. He was commissioned a Captain in 1729, by Joseph Talcott, governor of the colony. His commission is still in existence1 and ap- points him "Captain of the Parrish Company or Train-band at South- ington, in the town of Farmington."
He was a very stout man, and distinguished for wrestling. On one occasion he was matched with the most powerful of the neighboring Indians and thrown to the ground, but instantly threw off his antagonist and sprang to his feet.
He and his family were on excellent terms with the Indians and . often exchanged visits. The section of the Mattabesit tribe nearest was that located below Nashaway plains.2
Deacon Woodruff in his day was one of the most popular men of the town. In religious as in civil, or military, matters he commanded the most unqualified confidence of the public. In every excitement, awakened by the fear that the " terrible Mohawk " was approaching, he was' the leader of the band that gathered to resist the invader. It is said that the Indians also enlisted under his banner.
1 In the hands of his descendant, Lewis Woodruff.
2 This is the tribe referred to by Rev. G. W. Perkins, in his history of Meriden, but he, erroneously, locates them near Kensington.
3 It is a tradition that the Pike family who lived on West st., on the place known as Chauncey Merriman's, had this exciting midnight experience. All through this part of the valley the families were in dread of attacks from the Mohawk Indians. There is no instance of the murder [within the present limits of this Society or town] of a 21
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
DEA. THOMAS HART.
THOMAS HART, Deacon from March 31, 1742, to 1754, was the son of Sergeant Thomas and grandson of Deacon Stephen of Farming- ton. He lived on the road running north from the Town House, that Ebenezer Finch afterwards owned. The building1 is now used as a tobacco house. He was the father of Rev. Levi Hart, D.D., one of the most distinguished sons of the town. Dr. F. A. Hart is great-great- grandson. All the Harts of the town except Henry Hart under West Mountain are descendants of his.
He was a prominent man in civil and ecclesiastical affairs and was Justice of the peace for several years. . A son of his, Simeon,? was grandfather of Chester Hart, for many years a celebrated teacher of this town.
In connection with Jared Lee he led the opposition to Mr. Curtiss. He was a friend and correspondent of Dr. Bellamy, and the latter was a frequent guest at his house.
DEA. JAMES SMITH.
JAMES SMITHI was elected Deacon Sept. 18, 1754, and died Dec. 9, 1787. He was the son of William, and born Oct. 9, 1704. He lived just west of where the widow3 of his son James died in 1873, on
white man by Indians or of a house having been burned, but the scattered, lonely condition of the people would naturally awaken more or less fear.
In the month of June, (the story runs, ) and in the dead hour of night, the family was aroused from sleep by a noise in the adjacent woods west of the house. They listened and soon decided it was from approaching Indians. They hurriedly ยท dressed and started for the Woodruff settlement, two miles to the southeast. The Woodruff's were soon all in motion and gallantly marched to meet and punish the in- vaders. They expected to find the house in ruins and behold a seene of general deso- lation. But nothing of this met the eye. All was quiet and precisely as left. They went to the woods and instead of Indian tracks, they saw but the footsteps of cattle that somehow had strayed thither from some other farm.
) This is one of the oldest houses in the town, being certainly more than one hund- red and fifty years old.
2 This Simeon married and removed to Burlington where his wife died and was to be buried on Sabbath. During the funeral services the husband felt unwell and was carried home while the procession went to the grave with his wife. After he reached the honse he told his domestic he felt very unwell, and soon swooned, dying in a few moments. A messenger overtook the funeral procession of the wife and it was an. nounced that he was dead. At first it was doubted, and a messenger sent back to inquire. It was proved to be true. The body of the wife was returned home. The funeral of both took place the following Tuesday, and both were buried in the same grave.
8 Mrs. Sally Smith, who died April 25, 1873, at the age of 96. She was the third wife.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHIINGTON.
the road leading from Clark's hills to Marion. Nothing is known of him beyond these facts.
DEA. JARED LEE.
JARED LEE, Deacon from March 27, 1751, to Aug. 2, 1780, was the son of Thomas and Mary (Camp) Lee; born Nov. 12, 1712, and died Aug. 2, 1780. He was Justice of the Peace and held in regard by the town. His name is appended to most of the official documents of that time. It is probable that all the Lees in this town are de- scended from him. He lived in the house now occupied by Dr. F. A. Hart.
As Justice of the Peace, he held a weekly Court for twenty-five years. A portion of his records are still preserved, and, although they indicate great lack of education, he was probably kept in office by his sound judgment. He seems to have been a man of decided opinions, and perhaps was not a little obstinate. In all the church troubles he was a prominent actor, and tradition says that he was never known to confess that he was wrong. He was the moderator of the first town meeting.
DEA. TIMOTHY CLARK.
TIMOTHY CLARK's election we have no knowledge of, but it was during Mr. Chapman's ministry, the records of which are lost. He died in 1812 aged seventy-nine. He was son of Moses Clark of New Haven. He married Sarah Peck and lived in West St., where Amon L. Ames now resides. He was treasurer of the town for many years and was highly respected. He had no children. His widow married John Carter, and died in 1828. From her many of the facts con- tained in these historical sketches were derived. Her memory went back through Chapman's ministry, and she was fond of recalling the events of that time.
DEA. JONATHAN WOODRUFF.
JONATHAN WOODRUFF was elected Deacon during Mr. Chapman's ministry. There is no record of the event. He died Aug. 13, 1782. He was born and lived near the firat Woodruff house. Among his descendants is the wife of Gad Andrews, who is his granddaughter.
DEA. JOHN CURTISS.
JOHN CURTISS was Deacon from May 19, 1782, to 1801. He was the son of the first pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Curtiss. In town and church affairs he took a prominent part, and was greatly respected. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for several years. During the Revo-
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lutionary war, he was an active patriot. At a town meeting held Ang. 5, 1779, it was voted "to give John Curtiss, Esq., $18.00, to be drawn of the Town Treasury, for his trouble in procuring tents." He lived in the old house adjoining that occupied now by his grandson, John Curtiss, Esq.
DEA. POMEROY NEWELL.
POMEROY NEWELL was Deacon from Sept. 3, 1795, to Oct. 22, 1831. He was born April 14, 1745, and was the son of Isaac and Rachel (Pomeroy) Newell. He lived at Newell Corners. It is enough to say of him that he was an eminent saint and sustained a spotless charac- ter. He was one of the few whom the world hesitates not to pro- nounce " a just and righteous man." Mr. Newell was a very intelligent man. He had possessed himself of leading New England writers as Edwards, Bellamy, and Hopkins, and carefully read them. From his early years he was quite a distinguished theologian for a layman. He loved to talk of the questions that then agitated the theological world.
In his later years he became quite deaf, and some now living re- member his occupying the pulpit with his pastor, and standing during sermon, listening to every word.
He was of a very pleasant disposition, and fond of a good story. On election day, he would sometimes keep " tally " for the boys during a game of ball.1 To all he was considerate, and from all he received the homage of affection and confidence.
DEA. BENJAMIN DUTTON.
BENJAMIN DUTTON, Deacon from May 5, 1801, to 1805, was born in 1754, and was the son of Benjamin and Abigail (Lewis) Dutton. He lived in West St., not far from where the old Canal crosses the road. His repute is that of an excellent, godly man, simple in manners and habits, and thoroughly trusted by the church and the world. He had no children.
DEA. JOHN BARNES.
JOHN BARNES, elected Deacon May 5, 1801, and resigned 1805. He joined the church Dec. 18, 1785, the same year as Pomeroy Newell and wife. He came to this town about 1760, but whence is not known, nor is it- known whether he was connected with any of the families of this name in the society. He lived in Flanders, on the
1 In the days when it was no vice to " drink," he joined others at the close of the game in disposing of "flip." One now living remembers secing him leap a " five rail fence " and outstripping others in the race for Chauncey Dunham's tavern. Undigni- fied as some may think this to be, he was respected and loved by all.
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place now occupied by Mrs. Goodsell. He was dismissed Feb. 17, 1805, the record says to Deerfield; but in what state is not known. I have written to several towns of this name in the country, and can learn nothing of him.
DEA. ELI PRATT.
ELI PRATT was Deacon from Dec. 1, 1815, to 1858. He was born Nov. 3, 1781, in Wolcott. His parents moved into this town in 1784, and occupied the premises now owned by Reuben Jones. In 1787, the family removed to the South End, where Daniel Pratt now lives.
After having been chosen Deacon, he proved himself a most efficient helper in the work of bringing men to Christ. He visited the several School Districts where public services were held, and was faithful in conducting meetings appointed therein. He was several times a dele- gate to Councils and Conferences. When about seventy-five years of age he computed that he had attended church on over three thousand Sabbaths, and ridden over twenty-five thousand miles in attending divine service.
He was faithful in visiting the poor and sick. His children all be- came members of the church, and one son,' to-day, perpetuates his name in the Board of Deacons.
He was drafted in the war of 1812, but owing to an accidental ex- cess of two in the number called for, he was permitted to remain at home.
DEA. PHINEAS PARDEE.
PHINEAS PARDEE was elected Deacon Feb. 5, 1819, and resigned in 1838. He was the son of Noah and Mary (Woodruff) Pardee, born at East Haven in 1782 and died Nov. 6, 1853. He joined the church Feb. 2, 1816.
Dea. Pardee was a man of fair abilities, and started out in life with good prospects, but from some cause he succeeded neither as a me- chanie nor as a farmer. Becoming embarassed he was at times greatly depressed, which led him into the excessive use of stimulants. His irregular habits led to his resignation as Deacon, in 1838. He struggled hard to recover himself, but finally sank under his dis- couragements, and ceased to be a member of this church, Oct. 3, 1847.
" No farther seek his merits to disclose, Nor draw his frailties from their dread abode,
There they alike in trembling hope repose, The bosom of his father and his God."
1 Deacon George Pratt.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
DEA. OLIVER LEWIS.
OLIVER LEWIS was elected Deacon June 31, 1825, and resigned 1 in 1860. He was born March 31, 1793, baptized Oct. 19, 1794, and united with the church Dec. 14, 1814.
Deacon Lewis was permitted to sit under the later ministrations of Mr. Robinson, from whose lips he received the solid "meat " of the Word. He was active in securing Mr. Ogden as pastor, although afterward for many years there were matters that somewhat estranged him from his pastor. Yet he permitted no disagreement to keep him from active Christian work. He was very zealous in the revivals2 that distinguished Mr. Ogden's ministry. In all the reforms of the day, he was active. The temperance reformation had no warmer friend and champion. His daughter married Prof. J. J. Bushnell, of Beloit Col- lege, Wisconsin. After resigning his office in 1860, he removed to Beloit, but after a few years returned to Southington to spend his closing days. He died May 26, 1872.
DEA. THEODOSIUS CLARK.
THEODOSIUS CLARK was Deacon from Feb. 16, 1834, to 1865. He was born in Cheshire, 1789, and was the son of Amasa and Lydia (Hull) (Judson) Clark. His mother was the daughter3 of Dr. Zephe- niah Hull (and Hannah Cook) of Cheshire, and was born July 23, 1753. She married (1) Joseph Judson of Bethlehem, by whom she had four children; and (2) Amasa Clark who was the son of Stephen and Ruth Clark.
The early life of Deacon Clark was spent on a farm, but when eighteen years old he began teaching in a District school in his native town. In 1810, he came to Southington, and began teaching in the 4th, Plantsville, District. He taught at what is now Plainville in 1811-12, and in Farmington 1813-14. For several years following
1 The date not recorded, but he was dismissed from the church,. Dec. 16.
2 At one time, when Mr. Ogden was siek, and the religious interest scemed to de- mand special preaching services, he took upon himself the responsibility and expense of supplying the pulpit for a length of time.
3 Doctor Hull was a very intimate friend of Dr. Bellamy and was by the latter in- dneed to remove from Cheshire to Bethlehem. In 1760, there was what is called the "Great Sickness" in that town, and of this epidemie he and his wife died the same day and were buried in the same grave. Altogether eight of the household died. Soon after the death of Dr. Hull, Deacon Strong was passing the house where he saw a flock of eleven quails fly over and drop into the garden. Three of the quails rose again and flew into the bushes. The eight had dropped dead and in an hour became so putrid and offensive that they had to be buried. This event has always been spoken of in the family as really occurring .- Cothren's Hist. of Woodbury, Vol. 1, p. 366.
Chiedoseus Clark
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he taught in the districts in the south part of this town. In 1824, he was teacher of the South End district. This was the first year in which Grammar was taught in the town; the School Committee requir- ing it. Mr. Ogden, with a higher scholarship and better standard of education, had been led to advance on his predecessors in the School Board, and insisted on this study. Mr. Clark was entirely ignorant of grammar, but he took the study in hand, and with much labor was enabled to carry his class through the book.
In the seasons of 1826 and '27, he was Commissary at Suffield while constructing the Canal around Enfield Falls. In 1819, he united with this church by letter from the church in Cheshire. Although not educated in any of our higher schools, Mr. Clark from the first im. pressed this community as thoroughly trained in the school of Christ. He, at once, put himself forward as a worker in the vineyard. No man, in his part of the town, more intelligently and acceptably con- ducted local meetings. Dea. Sam'l Holmes1 has told me that among his earliest and strongest religious impressions were those awakened under the exhortations and prayers of Dea. Clark. Nor did he confine himself to his own district, but often rode, after a hard day's work, three or four miles to attend " a school-house service." I have it from the lips of those who were much with him from 1830 to 1835, that no one in the church was more faithful, edifying, and quickening, than he. His pastor, Mr. Ogden, leaned upon him, and when himself too wearied to attend a service felt that Dea. Clark would surely be there and lead the people.
In 1834, he was elected a Deacon of the church with but two dis- senting votes, and Mr. Jones thought that one of these was his own. He was reluctant to accept of the office, but finally assumed the place as a matter of duty. He at once planted himself at his pastor's side, ready with words of cheer and by zealous work to uphold his hands. When two years later Mr. Ogden resigned, it was a severe blow to Mr. Clark. In the great revival work of the preceding few years he had been so intimately associated with his pastor, that the warmest at- tachment had sprung up between them. The separation was painful, He labored hard to heal the breach a half dozen dissentients seemed bent on making, but in vain.
The blow was so heavy that he had not recovered from it when Mr. Jones was called to be the pastor, and this fact probably explains his apparent indifference toward the new pastor at the time. But in this appears the excellent spirit of the man, for although the choice of the church was not his choice, he at once gave in to the action of the ma-
1 Of Montclair, N. J., and widely known in the denomination.
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jority. Whatever his own feelings at the time, he yielded fully to " the accomplished fact," and proved himself as faithful an ally to Mr. Jones as he had to Mr. Ogden. Although then and in later years, he disa- greed with his pastor upon some questions of reform, as temperance and slavery, I believe no one ever heard him say a single word against his minister. The members of his own family, from his own lips, never could have learned of any disagreement. And Mr. Jones felt his reputation to be absolutely safe in the hands of this Deacon.
Dea. Clark was among the first to advocate the establishment of the Sabbath School in this church, which was the first school of the kind in this town. For some years, he was Superintendent, or even while holding this office, as ever after, he was a teacher.
In common with Deacons Lewis and Woodruff, he was faithful in the temperance work, although he could not adopt the extreme views or methods of his colleagues. But in whatever way open to him he gave the cause his help. And equally deep and positive were his anti- slavery convictions. Whatever he felt to be a want or woe of humanity enlisted his attention. Nor until he laid "his armor down" at the bidding of disease and death, did he relax his energy in every good work.
"On the whole," said Mr. Jones in his funeral sermon, "Dea. Clark will be remembered as a good man and a just, faithful according to the measure of the gifts bestowed upon him, interested in every good word and work, having used the office of a deacon well, and purchased to himself a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Jesus Christ. As might be expected, his last days were days of peace. Gradually borne down by a slow and lingering disease, he patiently waited for the coming of the Lord, willing to live, but choosing rather to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. He saw his end ap- proaching, but he had no dread of death. He felt that Christ was everything to his soul, and that there remained for him a rest in those mansions which the Lord had gone to prepare for his followers."
" Dea. Clark has taught us how to live and how to die; and now we shall behold his face and hear his voice and share his Christian society and fellowship no more. He has left us an example, which in most respects we may follow with safety and advantage, by which, though dead, he speaketh. Whosoever liveth as he lived, may hope to die as he died-in favor with God and man. 'The righteous hath hope in his death.' 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.' "
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
DEA. WILLIAM WOODRUFF.
WILLIAM WOODRUFF, Deacon from Feb. 16, 1834, to 1851, was born Oct. 21, 1808, in the house nearly opposite the one which he subsequently built and in which he lived. His parents were Jotham Woodruff and Esther Lewis. He was of the sixth generation from Samuel, the first settler, and through his mother the fifth from Rev. Jeremiah Curtis.
He learned the trade of a carpenter with Lucius Sutliff. His tastes led him away from his farm to mechanical pursuits.
He became a member of this church, Aug. 2, 1829, under the ministry of Mr. Ogden. Feb. 16, 1834, when but twenty-six years old, he was elected Deacon by a vote of twenty-eight to nine. He hesitated to accept on account of his age and inexperience, but was persuaded to do so by his pastor.
He was married Oct. 18, 1832, to Laura Miller, a native of Mid- dletown, but whose parents had removed to this town.
Mr. Ogden, in speaking of him, says " the natural traits of his char- acter were fairness, decision, energy, ardor. These traits sanctified by Divine grace, shone out in great usefulness in a series of revivals with which Southington has been favored.
He was one of the foremost in the Temperance cause, and was always ready to take hold of any enterprise which he judged condu- cive to the welfare of men. He was an accepted and useful teacher in the Sabbath School, and has left a good impression in many youth- ful minds. "
He was of robust body, and seldom sick until he was prostrated in his last illness by lung fever. It was soon apparent that the disease must terminate fatally. Says Mr. Ogden, "the announcement of the fact to him created no terror. He had been in daily communion with God, and he felt that by Divine grace, he was ready for any event." " Repeat to me," he said, "some of those precious promises in the Psalms." This having been done, he exclaimed, "How precious they are. " His mind remained tranquil. In Christ, he rested and waited. To his family he said, " I know God will take care of you, He will take care of me also, and conduct me through the dark valley. The faithful Saviour whom I have trusted, will not desert me now." His last words were, "How precious the Saviour-I want to say more, but can't." He died Feb. 15, 1851. His funeral services were conduct- ed by Rev. Mr. Ogden, to whom he was warmly and affectionately attached.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
DEA. EDWARD TWICHELL.
EDWARD TWICHELL was born in Wolcott, Sept. 5, 1810, and was a son of Joseph and Phebe (Atkins) Twichell. His father was a mer- chant of the town, in company with Stoddard Whitman. In 1820, the firm failed, and from this time the health of the senior Mr. Twich- ell began to decline. The sou, Edward, was now ten years old, and spent the following summer with a farmer in Avon, a Mr. Lewis. Returning to Wolcott for the winter, he spent the next summer upon a farm, and for three months, in the evening, attended school.
At sixteen, he came to Southington, and entered upon an appren- ticeship to the tanning business, under Timothy Higgins. In due time he became a partner, and continued in this business the remain- der of his life. In later years he was connected with the manufact- uring interests of H. D. Smith & Co., where he is still represented by a son.
He was a subject of deep religious feeling in 1833-34, during the great revival that resulted in giving this church over one hundred and thirty members. At first, his heart resisted the mighty influence at work in the town, but gradually he was won to Christ, and joined the church, April 6, 1834.
He entered actively and vigorously upon that christian career, which now we trace as a bright track of piety. In 1851, it became neces- sary to fill the office of Deacon, vacated by the death of Deacon Wil- liam Woodruff. At once, his brethren, as well as the pastor, turned to him, and in one of the largest church meetings of which we have a record, he was chosen to the office. Out of fifty votes cast, he had forty-six. "His qualifications, " said Mr. Jones, in his funeral ser- mon, "were of the first order-sterling piety, soundness in faith and doctrine, good common sense, and a quiet, pleasant, unobtrusive manner." This estimate of his pastor, I have never heard questioned. He seems to have impressed himself upon those in the church, and those out, as a good man-loyal to his convictions-faithful in every department of service. As a private member, his character was un- stained-as teacher or superintendent in the Sabbath School, he was ever at his post-from the prayer-meeting he was seldom absent-as a Deacon, he was the peer of the very best New England has ever produced.
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