USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 20
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CHAPTER XIV.
DIGNIFYING THE SEATS.
" Dignifying seats "; " Seating "; Struggle for rank ; Standard for seating; An old List; Seating in 1785; "Signing off"; Copies of certificates ; Singing; Defects ; Improvements after 1700 ; Tuft's Psalm Book; Chauncey's Pamphlet ; Trouble at Farmington; Action of Hartford North Association ; Mr. Curtiss and singing ; " Lining " the hymn ; Singing societies here ; Origin of choirs; Choristers in 1801 ; Chester Whittlesey ; Temperance ; Traet distribution ; Drinking customs; Adul- teration; First Temperance Society; Action of the Church ; Communion wine ; Stoves ; Furnace; Carpeting.
SOON after the settlement of New England the practice of " digni- fying " the seats, and "seating the meeting house," was adopted. It seems to have arisen from the fact that the more eligible seats were 1 contended for, and hence the occasion of much strife. To prevent trouble from this cause it was proposed to seat the house in order of age. At first it appears that age alone determined the matter, but after a time property was admitted as a consideration. In this town a committee was appointed each year to carefully examine and revise the roll of church attendants, and assign each one his place. By special vote certain seats were to be regarded as of special dignity. It is not known whether property was always a consideration in this church, but as at the beginning all were equally poor, it may be assumed that no attempt at distinction was made. And in the old meeting house there was probably nothing of the kind. It is supposed that the first move in this direction was made after the second meeting house was built. The custom had long prevailed when Mr. Robinson was settled.
The first difficulty of which we have any record was about 1782, when the struggle for pre-eminence in dignity assumed a triple aspect. Added to age and property, arose the claim of those having military titles. The man who had been an Ensign, Lieutenant, or Captain in the army, was not only proud of his rank but insisted upon its recog- nition in the society. After a somewhat angry and prolonged dis- cussion the claim was disallowed.
1 See Coffin's " Old Newbury," p. 54; and other local histories.
182
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
Scarcely was this difficulty settled when another sprung up to dis- turb the society. The war had affected the value of estates. Some had lost and others gained in property. The value of lands as well as currency was fluctuating. It can be seen at once that the "dignify- ing " or "rating committee " had on hand a delicate task. There was great complaint of injustice so that the society held frequent meetings. It was alleged that partiality had been shown those bearing military titles. At a meeting held April 1, 1783, it was " voted, that the com- mittee who last seated the meeting house be Instructed to make such alteration as they Judge Just and Right. And if upon Reconsidera- tion and a full Investigation they shall find they have seated some men Higher than their age and List carried them, and others Lower, to make such alterations as appear Just and Right."
After a time this matter was adjusted to the satisfaction of all par- ties, and there seems to have been no trouble of the kind afterward.
Before 1797, fifteen pounds had been voted as equal to one year of age in rank. For example, a young man of thirty who was rated at three hundred pounds in the list, would have twenty years added to his rank, and hence be seated among those fifty years old. In 1807 it was voted " that eighty Pounds in the List shall go against one year of age."
It sometimes happened that there were not seats enough for those of equal dignity, and then an additional one was voted, as for exam- ple, Dec. 2, 1793, "that the seat next north of the pulpit be esteemed equal in dignity with the fore seat."
The Sabbath following. this vote was solemnly announced from the pulpit so that none could be ignorant of the fact. And the occupants had their 1 "fill of honor " for that day.
The advantage of this system was in the fact that but few would underrate or conceal property, and "age " was respectable and greatly desired. But the custom perpetuated a " caste " feeling in the church, and gave undue prominence to the accidents of birth or estate. The minister held first rank, and he was closely followed by the Deacons. Then came the successive " dignities," at all of which we of to-day smile. We can hardly realize that our sturdy, sober fathers were so sensitive to social rank as they really were. In 1796 a member of the society lost most of his estate, and the following year found him pro- portionately lowered in position. So deeply 2 affected was he, that he withdrew from the society and never again entered the meeting house. But the ministers were in a measure responsible for preserving caste
1 The mother of the person giving me this fact said at the time " For once I have my fill of honor."
2 Communicated by his son.
183
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
and class distinctions, for a common form of public prayer was, for " superiors, inferiors, and equals."
The earliest complete record of members of the society as seated in the meeting house, dates no farther back than 1783, although there are fragments of the lists before this period.
At first all over eighteen were seated, and afterward as the congre- gation increased all over twenty years of age.
The property returned for taxation averaged from six to seven per cent. of the whole valuation, so that a hundred pounds or dollars in the " list " would be about one-sixteenth of the whole. The accom" panying tables will illustrate this ancient practice.
Names, List, and Age of the Inhabitants of the Society of Southington
(1786).
Names.
List.
Age.
Names.
List.
Age.
Obediah Andrus,
£130
71
Lt. Silas Clark,
Lt. Jonathan Andrus,
98
73
Josiah Cole, Esq.,
Thos. Andrus,
121
62
Timothy Clark, Esq.,
£263
54
Josiah Andrus,
121
33
JJacob Carter,
167
70
Daniel Allen,
173
54
Abel Carter,
322
65
Josiah Andrus,
251
45
John Curtis, Esq.,
228
40
Thos. Adkins,
79
70
David Cogswell,
146
61
Sam'l Adkins,
79
39
Sam'l Curtis,
315
48
Ezekiel Andrus,
268
30
Nath'I Cook,
155
50
Jonathan Andrus,
95
29
Aslıbel Cowles,
227
45
Joel Allen,
123
31
Sam'l Carrington, junr.,
90
38
Sam'l Andrus,
120
29
Sam'l Carrington,
90
65
Heman Atwater,
107
33
David Cogswell, jr.,
103
28
Charles Adkins,
123
24
Elihu Carter,
$54
24
John Arial,
73
40
Gamaliel Cowles,
240
43
Seth Andrus,
54
24
Silas Clark, jr.,
172
42
James Bradley,
232
56
Ezekiel Curtis,
94
48
Asa Bray,
509
44
Ephraim Clark,
75
38
Nathan Barns,
172
60
Sam'l Church,
155
30
Dan Bradley,
233
59
Solomon Curtis,
206
44
Elisha Bill,
213
42
Abel Carter, jr.,
212
39
Nathaniel Barns,
117
40
John Carter,
206
45
William Barns,
177
47 ! Daniel Carter,
206
41
Asa Barns,
395
40
Lemuel Clark,
127
36
Martin Beckwith,
75
50
Enos Clark,
151
38
Thos. Barns,
261
34
Nath'l Critendon,
67
38
Joseph Bunnel,
86
62
Amos Critendon,
84
39
Nathan Barns 2d,
152
43
Capt. John Clark,
154
50
Jonathan Barns,
84
55
Elisha Clark,
70
28
Joel Bronson,
93
26 Thos. Cowles,
Benjamin Bradley,
108
30
Abraham Critendon,
William Baret,
167
42
Ithuriel Clark,
63
25
Joel Bracket,
Moses Clark,
113
24
Nath'l Bradley,
Obed Clark,
33
36
Nathan Barns 3d,
84
26
Crissey,
74
26
John Barns,
83
28
Sam'l Cowles,
56
30
Silas Bronson,
26
24
Benjamin Chapman, jr.,
37
22
David Beckwith,
44
25
Salmon Clark,
27
21
Benjamin Barns,
94
24
Wickliffe Cowles,
20
25
Susannah Bates,
5
50
George Cowles,
24
23
Rev. Jeremiah Curtis,
Solomon Curtis,
18
23
Robert Cook,
Joseph Dutton,
199
66
117
32
Sam'l Baldwin,
68
28
Lewis Clark,
184
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
Names.
List.
Age.
Names.
List.
Age.
-Benjamin Dutton,
£259
60
Natha'l Jones,
£136
30
Timothy Dutton,
54
23
Stephen Johnson,
124
31
Wm. Dickinson,
172
49
Emer Judd, jr.,
101
31
Cornelins Dunham,
391
43 William Jones,
51
25
Martha Deming,
69
33
Wd. Sarah Lewis,
Capt. Daniel Lankton,
318
57
Silas Deming,
132
24
Ens. Job Lewis,
546
54
Sam'l Daton,
69
35
Nath'n Lewis, jr.,
649
50
Benjamin Dutton, jr.,
110
32
Lemuel Lewis,
338
49
Timothy Da(w)son,
54
36
Wm. Lewis,
116
48
Salthiel Dunham,
59
30
Timothy Lewis,
287
40
Joseph Dutton, jr.,
130
25
Wd. Levi Lankton,
75
33
Stephen Dorchester,
37
35
Giles Lankton,
84
23
Sylvanus Dunham,
277
42
Wd. Ruth Lankton,
75
Thos. Stanley Day,
53
31
Timothy Lee,
253
45
Capt. Ebenezer Fisk,
359
65
Noah Liman,
96
33
Simeon Fuller,
70
55
Ashbil Lewis,
283
41
Robert Foot,
87
33
Jabez Lewis,
65
35
Culpeper Frisbie,
95
28
Salina Hart,
John Fisk,
75
26
Daniel Lankton, jr.,
21
26
Zechariah Gillet,
124
65
Seth Lankton,
21
23
Joseph Gridley,
254
69
Isaac Lewis,
75
23
Noah Gridley,
221
63
Roswell More,
160
57
Joel Grannis,
190
42
Waitstill Munson,
86
26
Stephen Grannis,
199
38
Roswell More, jr.,
70
24
Elisha Gridley,
72
33
Moses Mathews,
65
55
Sam'l Gotsill,
72
20
Moses Mathews, jr.,
60
28
Ashbill Gridley,
110
27
Moses Moss,
55
31
Elijah
Lt. Josiah Newell,
175
64
Stephen Hitchcock,
180
62
Pomeroy Newell,
147
41
Amos Hart,
218
63
Isaac Newell, jr.,
169
33
Sam'l Hitchcock,
214
55
Ashbill Newell,
111
27
John Hart,
136
54
John Newell,
119
33
Hawkins Hart,
143
49
Capt. Simeon Newell,
102
38
David Hitchcock,
278
42 | Daniel Neal,
114
37
Luke Hart,
112
47
Timothy Neal,
104
31
Whitehead Howd,
80
43
Charles Newell,
38
24
Reuben Hart,
165
57
Sam'l Newell,
36
22
Amos Hitchcock,
59
47
Dr. Mark Newell,
60
28
Samuel Hitchcock, jr.,
123
28 :
Dr. Porter,
169
64
Stuart Hazard,
74
40 | Capt. David Peck,
146
37
Elisha Hotehkiss,
1019
30 Joel Peck,
138
35
Lyman Hotchkiss,
85
27
David Pardy,
140
45
Levi Hart,
113
27
Palmas Potter,
69
22
Caleb Hitchcock,
147
25
Sam'l Pardy,
81
34
Rice Holly,
83
27
Tho's Peck,
97
35
Daniel Hudson,
69
43 Isaac Peck,
90
24
David Hart,
63
39 Rannard Page, .
124
38
John Hungerford,
85
23
Eliakim Peek, jr.,
62
25
John Hitchcock,
62
26
Daniel Pardy,
47
22
Ambros Hitchcock,
54
20
Amos Root,
219
45
Jacob Hall,
55
35 James Root,
208
40
Aaron How,
41
45 Capt. Hez'h Root,
170
39
Daniel Hitchcock,
25
24 Jonath'n Root, jr.,
189
32
Elijah Hollister,
50
Dr. Josiah Root,
69
33
Samuel Ives,
153
37 Mathew Rice,
73
28
Wd. Eunice Judd,
Dr. Smith,
Emer Judd,
123
69
Capt. Daniel Sloper,
James Horsington,
104
64 | Eliakim Peck,
John Ilart, jr.,
36
30
Eliazer Peck,
140
55
James Horsington, jr.,
96
28
Wd. Roda Potter,
Lt. Isaac Newell,
John Hungerford,
187
69
Hart Lewis,
Elam Finch,
66
George Dickinson,
Natlı'n Lewis,
Wd. Deming,
185
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
Names.
List.
Age.
Names.
List.
Age.
Lt. David Smith,
210
66
Phin's Woodruff,
167
52
Lt. Sam'l Smith,
238
55
Sam'l Woodruff,
25;
52
Capt. Ambrose Sloper,
189
52
Isaac Woodruff,
256
49
Sam'l Shepard,
110
57
Capt. Tho's Wheton,
236
39
David Smith, jr.,
138
41
Lt. Elisha Woodruff,
185
40
Sam'l Squier,
90
52
John Woodruff,
137
45
Isaac Smith,
87
38
Asa Woodruff,
258
50
James Smith, jr.,
112
32
Noalı Woodruff,
129
50
Simeon Smith,
110
34
Wd. Roda Webster,
Wd. Ellen Stanley,
Isaac White,
228
31
Sam'l Shepard, jr.,
85
30
Rob't Webster,
119
33
Dan'I Sloper, jr.,
68
29
Dr. Theod. Woodruff,
109
33
Whiton Stanley, jr.,
71
29
Hezekiah Woodruff,
119
50
Ezekiel Sloper,
19
23
Hiram Whitcomb,
78
27
Oliver Thorp,
121
67
Levi Woodruff,
90
30
Jacob Tyler,
112
32
Ephriam Winston,
54
43
William Tisdale,
83
35
Philo Webster,
129
27
John Thorp,
86
34
Obed Woodruff,
68
24
Nathan Tomson,
54
24
Jason Woodruff,
84.
27
Josiah Upson,
187
61
Amos Woodruff,
131
36
Timothy Upson,
255
54
Jonathan Woodruff,
106
30
Amos Upson,
254
50
Ashbill Woodruff,
106
39
John Upson,
194
40
Asa Webster,
45
22
Simeon Upson, John Woodruff,
63
20 Ezekiel Winchel,
42
25
Robert Woodruff,
113
54 | Chancy Winchell,
18
20
SEATING THE MEETING HOUSE.
"We, the subscribers, being chosen and apointed by the first Society of Southing- ton, at their anual meeting on the first monday of December, 1785, mnet, and agree- able to instructions have seated the house as specified below, viz:"
No. 1 .- The Fore Seat.
Rev. Jeremiah Curtis,
Mr. Joshua Porter,
Dea. James Smith,
Mr. John Woodruff,
Capt. Abraham Clark,
Mr. Joseph Gridley,
Mr. Hezekiah Woodruff,
Mr. David Clark,
Mr. John Upson,
Capt. Ebenezer Fisk,
Mr. Robert Cook,
Capt. John Hungerford,
Mr. Nathan Lewis,
Lt. Jonathan Andrus,
Mr. Jonathan Root,
Mr. Jacob Carter,
Lt. Silas Clark,
Mr. Abel Carter and wives,
Rev. Benjamin Chapman,
Wd. Sarah Lewis,
Josiah Cowles, Esq.,
Wd. Eunis Judd,
Miss Patience Barns.
No. 2 .- Right and left of the midle ally next the fore seat, and first right of the pulpit, and on the right of the alley.
Lt. Isaac Newell,
Capt. Obadiah Andrus,
Lt. David Smith,
Capt. Daniel Sloper's wife,
On the Left. Mr. Zecheriah Gillet,
Mr. Abraham Critindon,
Lt. Josiah Newell,
Ensign Job Lewis,
Mr. Benjamin Dutton,
Mr. Emer Judd,
Mr. Amos Hart, 24
Mr. Noah Gridley, Mr. Joseph Dutton,
Mr. Thos. Atkins,
Elisha Warren,
186
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
Mr. Eliakim Peck,
First on the Right of the pulpit.
Mr. Oliver Thorp,
David Cogswell,
Nathan Burns,
Mr. Nathan Lewis, Jun'r, Captain Daniel Lankton,
Thomas Andrus,
Mr. Josiah Upson and wives,
Dan Bradley,
Wd. Lucy Deming,
Stephen Hitchcock,
Wd. Keziah Hawley,
James Hosington and wives,
Wd. Rachel Lewis,
Wife of Stephen Granuis,
Wd. Abigail Adkins.
Wd. Ruth Lankton,
Wd. Munzon.
No. 3 .- Second pews from fore seat on the right and left of the middle alley, and Second pew on the right of the pulpit.
On the Right.
Sam'l Hitchcock,
Lemuel Lewis, Timothy Clark,
Sam'l Smith,
Asa Woodruff,
Reuben Hart,
James Bradley,
Amos Upson,
Timothy Upson,
Sam'l Woodruff and wives,
Wd. Roda Webster,
Wd. Lydia Woodruff.
John Hart,
Ambros Sloper, Timothy Lewis,
Cornelius Dunham,
Isaac Woodruff,
Sam'l Curtis,
Robert Hazard,
Daniel Allen.
Second pew right of the pulpit.
Elijah Gillet,
Azeriah Smith,
Roswell More,
Sam'l Shepard,
Ebenezer Barns,
Sol'n Munzon and wives,
Sam'l Carrington,
Wd. Bates,
Noah Woodruff,
Aby Clark,
Joseph Bunnel,
Wd. Johnson.
No. 4 .- Right and left Pillars next the fore Seat. On the Right.
Jonathan Barns, John Curtis, Josiah Andrus,
Timothy Lee, Asa Barns, Robert Woodruff,
Asahell Lewis, Ashbel Cowles and wives,
John Clark.
On the Left.
Amos Root, William Barns,
Gamaliel Cowles, Nathan Cook,
David Hitchcock, Sylvanus Dunham,
William Dickenson,
Wd. L. Clark,
Miss Azulah Smith.
John Upson, Jolin Carter and wives,
Left.
Eliazer Peck,
187
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
No. 5 .- Third pews right and left of the pulpit. On the Right.
Simeon
Daniel Carter, Hawkins Hart, John Woodruff,
Solomon Curtis, Ezekiel Andrus, Moses Matthew, Keziah Woodruff.
On the Left.
Nathan Barns,
Luke Hart,
Wm. Barret,
David Pardy,
Elisha Bell,
Wm. Lewis,
James Root,
David Smith, jr.,
Sam'l Squire and wives,
Wd. Stanley.
No. 6 .- Pews next the north and south doors between the pillars. Ist on the North.
Stephen Prat,
Silas Clark, Joel Grannis,
Pomeroy Newell,
Thos. Wheeton,
Ezekiel Curtis,
Hezekiah Root,
Marwin Beckwith,
Abel Carter,
Nathan Barns,
Amos Hitchcock,
Widow Camp.
Wd. Jerome,
2nd on the South.
Elisha Woodruff,
David Peck,
Simeon Newell,
Enos Clark, -
Stephen Grannis,
Sam'l Ives, Wd. Lucy Lankton.
No. 7 .- Right and left Pillar next the front door. Ist on the Right.
Jonathan Root, jr., Whitehead Howd,
Isaac Newell, jr., Ranard Page.
Theodore Wadsworth,
2nd on the South.
Sam'l Adkins, Simeon Smith, Heman Atwater,
Isaac Smith, Amos Woodruff.
No. 8 .- Pews Right and left of the pulpit next the corner. Ist on the Right.
John Ariel, Stuart Hazard, Daniel Hudson,
Ephriam Clark, Amos Critendon, Wife of Wm. Parsons,
Kaziah Woodruff. 2nd on the Left.
Robert Webster. Thomas Peck, Josiah Andrus, jr., Joel Bracket,
Samuel Church, George Dickinson, Samuel Clark's widow, Waitstill Munzon's wife,
Isaac White,
Joel Peck, Thos. Barns,
188
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
No. 9, right and left of front door. Ist on the Right.
John Newell, Jocl Allen, Obid Clark,
Nath'n Jones, Thos. Cowles, Aron How, Eunis Woodruff.
2nd on the Left.
Stanley Day, Robert Foot,
James Smith, jr.,
Sam'l Pardy, Jacob Tyler, John Thorp,
Eph'm Winston.
No. 10, right and left between the pillers next the east alley. Ist on the Right.
Jacob Hall, Elisha Gridley,
Stephen Johnson,
William Tisdale, Benj'm Dutton, jr., Ascnath Deming.
2nd on the Left.
Emer Judd, jr., Benjamin Bradley,
Noah Lyman, Elisha Hodskiss,
Martha Deming.
No. 11, right and left corner pews. On the Right.
Sam'l Daton,
Sam'l Hitchcock, jr.,
Lucy Woodruff,
Jonath'n Woodruff, Timothy Dorson,
John Hart, jr., Charles Adkins, Mindwell Dutton.
2nd on the Left.
Luey Hart, Caleb Hitchcock,
Samuel Shepard, Sam'l Carrington, jr.,
Jonathan Andrus, jr., Josiah Root, Philo Webster,
James Hossington, r., Sam'l Goodsell, Sarah Carter,
Rebeckah Hitchcock.
No. 12, right and left Pillers next the east alley.
Ist on the Right.
Jason Woodruff, David Hart,
Moses Morse, Whiting Stanley,
Timothy Neal. 2nd on the Left.
David Cogswell, jr., Isaac Peck,
Stephen Dorchester, Jabez Lewis,
Daniel Neal.
·
Sam'l Andrus, Nathaniel Critendon,
189
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
No. 13, 2nd pews right and left of the front door. Ist on the Right.
Ashbill Gridley. Daniel Sloper, Mark Newell,
Aslıbill Newell, Ashbill Woodruff, Elijah Holister,
Wd. White. 2nd on the Left.
Sam'I Baldwin, Moses Clark,
Elisha Clark, Samuel Cowles,
John Barns.
No. 14, next the corner pew, east. Ist on the Right.
Hiram Whitcomb, Salthiel Dunham,
Witmot Munson,
Joseph Dutton, jr., Elam Finch, Wd. Abeah Gillet.
2nd on the Left.
Nathan Barns the 3rd, Lyman Hodgkiss, Hawley,
Goal Crissee, Ithuriel Clark, Culpepper Frisbie.
No. 15, third right and left, of the front door. Ist on the Right.
Joel Bronson, Jacob Lewis, Moses Mathews,
Benj'm Barnes, Selah Deming, Daniel Lankton, jr.,
Fubila Woodruff. 2nd on the Left.
Mathew Rice, Taylor Hitchcock,
Daniel Pardy, Roswell More, jr.,
Palin Potter.
No. 16, pews next the north and south door west.
Simeon Upson, John Hungerford,
Ist on the Right. Wickliff Cowles, Giles Lankton,
Nolina Hart. 2nd on the Left.
Nath'n Thomson, Charles Newell,
Eliakim Peck, jr., Ezekiel Winchel,
Timothy Dutton.
No. 17, next the north and south door east. On the Right.
Silas Bronson, Ambros Hitchcock, Seth Lankton, Zachias Scott,
George Cowles, Hart Lewis, Obed Woodruff, Ezekiel Woodruff,
Sam'l Hart.
190
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
On the Left.
Seth Andrus,
David Beckwith,
Elihu Carter,
Benj'm Chapman, jr., Daniel Hitchcock,
Salmon Clark,
William Jones,
Sam'l Newell,
Ezekiel Sloper,
Asa Webster,
Elisha Warren,
Chaney Winchel.
Committee.
Samuel Smith,
Asa Bray, Wm. Barns, Timothy Lee,
Seaters. Timothy Clark, John Clark, Timothy Lewis, Ash'll Cowles.
SIGNING-OFF CERTIFICATES.
After the laws were so modified that Quakers, Baptists, and Episco- palians, could exist in separate and legal corporate bodies, there was at times a regular stampede from the " standing order." Under a sup- posed grievance or slight provocation, any party could "sign off " his legal connection with the old society by avowing his purpose to support some other. In this town there were frequent occasions for such changes. It was a favorite way of exhibiting displeasure at the methods or acts of the standing order. There are a great many in- stances of this signing off and then returning to the fold. Of this the following is a sample.
" To whom it may Consern 1 this may Certify that Silas Brunson is a member of the Baptist Society in Southington and Contributes to the Support of the Gospel Dated at Southington August ye 18th A D 1785. Test CHAUNEY MERRIMAN Society Clerk."
Having become reconciled, the party named sends in this request, which was "read in open meeting, Feb. 6, 1786."
"Sir I have Joined the baptist Sosiety but I have considered the Matter and I think I have gone out of the way thearefore I desire to come back again this from your humble Servant
SILAS BRUNSON."
Dr. Mark Newell thus retires-" The Subscriber does not believe in half a Saviour as the Prisbeterian Doctrine Teaches which is in part Deism. But Believes in a whole and complete Savior therefore thinks it not his Duty to support such absurd and unchristian like Doctrine any longer and shall Join the Episcopalian Church.
Southington Nov 5, 1799.
MARK NEWELL."
Dr. Joshua Porter after a controversy signed off thus; "I Hereby
1 In all cases the spelling of the original is retained.
191
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
Certify that I am a Member of the Baptist Society in farmington and Southington and attend Public worship there Certified by me Joshua Porter Southington Nov 18, A D. 1791."
Jonathan Barnes, who had been the first to avow Universalist senti- ments in the town, and who had held several controversies with Mr. Robinson, joined the Episcopal church and society at Cheshire. His withdrawal is as follows:
"Cheshire Aug 20 1790. This may certify all whom it may con- cern that Mr Jonathan Barnes hath this day proffessed himself a mem- ber of the Episcopal congregation in Cheshire and hath subscribed for its future maintenance
REUBEN IVES Clerk."
The orthography of the following will disclose something of the education of those days:
" to hom it may concarn this may cartifey that Mr is a mem- ber of the Sociatee knoun by the Name of Stricht Congregation or Sepperat and Doth pay to the soport of the Same. Cartifeyed by me Clerk.
Cheshier Dec 17th A D 1785."
The following are later than 1812:
"these Lines may Certifi that I have Jined the Baptis Cociety "
" this may Sertify that i will Not be long to the presbeterian Sosiety after this dat nether pay any tax Sis to the Sosiety."
" This may Certerfy that I hereby Sine of from the prysbeterian Society this first day of October given into the town Clerk of South- ington."
SINGING.
Scarcely anything has ministered more to dissension and quarrel than the question of conducting this part of divine service. This so- ciety began its existence when at Farmington there was an agitation of the subject. In fact there seems to have been a simultaneous excite- ment among all the adjacent churches. In no part of New England before 1720 had there been much attention given to the cultivation of music. There was a prevailing belief that the less art there was in singing the better. And so it was, as compared with the excesses of modern professionals in our choirs. Give us the barbarous discords of olden time rather than the heartless performances of this day. But there is need of neither.
The ancient idea was correct, viz., that the heart should move the
192
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
voice to praise God, and the sincerity of the impulse was more than the precision of the act.
But the real deficiency in musical culture one hundred and fifty years ago, can hardly be credited. "The congregations 1 throughout New England were rarely able to sing more than three or four tunes. The knowledge and use of notes. too, had so long been neglected that the few melodies sung became corrupted until no two individuals sang them alike. Every melody was " tortured and twisted " as every un- skillful throat saw fit, until their psalms were uttered in a medley of confused and disorderly noises, rather than a decorous song."
There were some esthetic and progressive natures who felt the neces- sity of improvement and had the courage to undertake a reform. As early as 1714, Rev. John Tufts of (West) Newbury, Mass., published and used in his parish, a little volume containing "twenty-eight psalm tunes." "It was ? at this time a great novelty, it being the first pub- lication of the kind in New England if not in America. As late as 1700 there were not more than four or five tunes known, in many of the congregations in this country; and in some, not more than two or three, and even these were sung altogether by rote. These tunes were York, Hackney, St. Mary's, Windsor, and Martyn." This attempt of Mr. Tufts to introduce order in singing was strongly resisted, and a writer in 17233 observes, "Truly I have a great jealousy that if we once begin to sing by rule, the next thing will be to pray by rule, and preach by rule, and then comes Popery."4
But the reform had begun and continued. Other manuals were prepared and adopted. In 1728, Rev. Nathaniel Chauncey of Durham, published a pamphlet with this title; " Regular singing defended and proved to be the only true way of singing the songs of the Lord." 5 By "regular singing " he meant singing by rule. Mr. Chauncey states the objections to the cultivation of singing to be: (1) This practice leads to the Church of England, and will bring in organs. (2) The very original of this way was from the papists. (3) The way of singing we use in this country is more solemn, and therefore much more suitable and becoming. (4) It looks very unlikely to be the right way because young people fall into it. (5) It is the cause of sore and bitter con- tentions."
There is evidence that after 1720, there was throughout the State a
1 Hood's History of Music, &c., p. 84.
2 Coffin's Newbury, p. 186.
3 Quoted in Coffin's Newbury, p. 186.
# As late as 1773, one Dea. Higley of Simsbury took his hat when the choir began to sing a new tune, and left the house exclaiming, "Popery ! Popery!"-Hist. of Sims- bury.
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