Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn, Part 32

Author: Timlow, Heman Rowlee, 1831-1892. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Hartford, Press of the Case, Lockwood and Brainard co.
Number of Pages: 916

USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 32

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In Backus' History [p. 309] we have Southington reported vacant in 1784, and Farmington supplied by Rev. John Davis.3 By " Farming- ton " is without doubt meant Red Stone Hill, then in the south-west part of that town. Mr. Davis was settled at Burlington over the Seventh Day Baptist church, but supplied other points where Baptists of differing views lived. He came once a month and preached at Mr. Merriman's house.

There is another region where the Baptists seemed to have settled and which became quite a center for this denomination. At a period before 1790 (and perhaps as early as 1780, or even earlier) services were held in the vicinity of where Wolcott, Plymouth, and Bristol now join. And some came from Waterbury 4 to attend the meetings.

But the Baptists who lived in this town seem to have attended chiefly at Red Stone Hill. Among the last (if not the last) preachers here was Rev. Elisha Ransom 5 who had labored in Vermont, and also had

1 Old people still recall these names and perpetuate the traditions. And also from varions family memoranda we get confirmation. 2 Dec. 7th.

- ¿ It is clear to my own mind that the death of Mr. Merriman, which occurred Feb. 17, 1784, was the ground for stating that Southington was vacant. Rev. Stephen Gorton was then as he had been for three years, acting as "Elder " here, and was so received by the people. Either Backus refused to recognize Gorton's standing (which is likely) else he is misled by Merriman's death.

4 Bronson (Hist. of Waterbury, p. 553, note) says, that there were Baptists in that town as early as 1767.

5 Mss. of Chester Hart, Esq. An annt of his gave him information as to this There are also other sources of information.

293

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

preached in Watertown, Conn. Mr. Ransom held services in the school-house' close by, but as the Congregationalists from Farmington and Southington occupied this building quite frequently, there was occasionally a difficulty as to which denomination2 should occupy it at certain times. This led Mr. Ransom to open his own house for public worship.

But as the number of preaching places increased, the attendance at each center decreased. This was particularly noticeable at Mr. Ran- som's house. I cannot learn that stated services were held there or in that vicinity after 1800.

It will be seen that I have thus far attempted to trace this denomi- nation in an outlying but adjacent territory, to the north. I have deemed this necessary in order to correct historical errors, and also that the establishment of the body in this town may be accurately un- derstood. The history of the first religious services of the Baptists within the limits of Southington will appear more fully in the sketch of the Rev. John Merriman.

From what has been said, it appears that the origin of the church in this town as a distinct organization, is a question not easily settled. And testing the question as we do that of other church organiza- tions, we are led to the conclusion that the origin cannot date any further back than 1780. Certainly if organized, there would have been church officers and ordinances. But old people, whose memories go back clearly to the last century, and those whose ecclesiastical preju- dices would call up everything " for or against," do not give us facts or traditions of any officers earlier than Hawley, and Cornwall. Not a trace of church officers of any kind, not a trace of a baptism according to the forms of this denomination, can be found before 1781. The rite of baptism by immersion would naturally excite curiosity and con- troversy, and as it was always (in those days) performed in some stream, it would have drawn many to witness it. But it was not until after Mr. Robinson (1780) became pastor of the Congregational church, that any trace of this rite appears. For years before this, there had not been a known case of conversion 3 in the town. In 1828, " the widow Sarah Carter,"4 born in 1746, was still living, and was the sole

1 This Schoolhouse stood on the East side of the road a few rods north of Mr. Levi Curtiss' barn.

2 The district being in the hands of the standing order, as a majority they controlled of course the use of the building.

8 During the war of the Revolution, and for a few years before, there was an alarming declension in the whole town. Tradition says that scarcely a person joined the church during 1770-80.

4 Who was the widow of Deacon Timothy Clark of the Congregational church, be- fore marrying Mr. Carter.

294

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

survivor of all who had joined the Congregational church under Mr. Chapman. Her testimony establishes the fact that it was after 1780 1 when the first rite of immersion was performed in this town. If any had been baptized before this, it was in connection with the services at Red Stone Hill. But she remembered Mr. Merriman, as well as Mr. Wightman and Mr. Gorton. She herself had heard the last two preach, or, as she called it "exhort," at Mr. Merriman's house. Her testimony confirms that of Mrs. Smith,2 and also other traditions, that the congregations seldom filled the room at Mr. Merriman's, and that until about 1782, there was no special interest manifested in this band of worshipers. But as soon as Mr. Robinson publicly announced his purpose to abandon the half-way covenant, those parents who could not have their children baptized, gradually took the ground that the ordinance was unnecessary. Finding sympathy among their Baptist friends, it was but a step to unite with them in service.3 The course of Mr. Robinson offended some who withdrew from his society, but this was after 1780.

There is one fact that, to my mind, is decisive as to the origin of any distinct organization before 1780. Neither in the records nor in any contemporaneons documents do we find names of members of this de- nomination of an earlier date. Excluding the Merriman and Wight- man families, I know not of a single name, that afterward appears as a Baptist professor, that was not in the society of the standing order before 1780. If there had been members before, why do they not ap- pear on the earliest records of church and society ? Some may have indeed died, or moved away; but still it seems incredible that no one survived the organization (if there was one) before 1781. How does it happen that deacons and members all disappear ? The Separates withdrew some years before, and held distinct services, leaving the Baptists with little or no congregation. And Mr. Gorton, after Mr. Wightman's death, enters the work as if it were a new one.

Neither Mr. Merriman nor Mr. Wightman appear in any way upon any certificate or document bearing upon this subject. But Mr. Gorton's name does, in connection with the first man baptized-John Neal. In this first baptism in 1781, both traditional and documentary evidence centers. But it was not until about four years after that the deacons appear, and these from another section.

1 Just how long after is not certain, but the person baptized is supposed to have been John Neal.

2 Who married a grandson of Mr. Merriman.

$ It was only necessary to pay a " minister's rate," or salary, or help in the support of preaching, to escape taxation. Hence a formal Baptist organization was not neces- sary at this time to avoid assessment by the standing order.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY.

The First Baptist Society ; Separates; Society organized ; The Mecting-house ; Sub- scriptions ; Deed of land ; Style of building ; Second Meeting-house ; Rev. John Merriman ; Rev. John Wightman; Rev. Stephen Gorton; Rev. Calvin Hulburt ; Rev. Daniel Wildman ; Rev. Nehemiah Dodge; Rev. Eliada Blakesley; Rev. Samuel Miller; Rev. David Wright; Rev. Irenus Atkins; Rev. E. C. Rogers; Unitarian controversy ; Rev. S. W. Palmer ; Rev. Andrew Hopper ; Rev. Samue Richards; Rev. W. P. Pattison ; Rev. G. W. Dorrance; Rev. Daniel Robinson ; Rev. N. J. Clark ; Rev. E. J. Avery and Rev. J. Bond ; Rev. J. Fletcher; Rev. Joseph Barber ; Rev. A. L. Freeman ; Rev. A. P. Buell ; Deacons Cornwall, Haw- ley, Hart, Huff, Clark, Dickinson, Neal, Platt, Plant, Cook, Hotchkiss, and Sutliff; Second (Plantsville) Baptist Church.

THIS body of Christians had no corporate existence as a society in this town until the close of 1793. There were various reasons for this. For several years after the families holding these distinctive tenets settled here, they were both few in number and poor in means. To the north a few miles, Seventh Day and Freewill Baptists had or- ganizations with which they could be identified, and to which they could contribute of their scanty resources. And then too, those fami- lies known as Separates, sympathized with them and attended their services, but who would hardly consent to help constitute a body that might levy a compulsory tax. In fact, both Baptists and Separates were opposed to subjecting a church to civil regulations.

But after 1770, the Separates began to hold services of their own, and at various points extending from what is now the Mt. Vernon dis- trict, to West Cheshire and Prospect. Then came in 1774, the dismis- sion of Mr. Chapman from the Congregational Church, that gave of- fense to some who seemed to have taken the place of the Separates in supporting Baptist preaching. The fact that the standing order had no pastor from 1774 to 1780, led some to grow indifferent to the church, and those in the south-west part of the town would naturally give occasional attendance to Baptist services held near by. After this came the Half-way Covenant controversy, and this furnished strength enough to justify a movement for a more perfect organiza- tion. But still there was opposition to compliance with civil forms, and the meeting house was built before the act of incorporation was

296

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

adopted. This act was under the general law, and in the form of a voluntary compact. The paper is as follows with the spelling and punctuation preserved as in the original, and is supposed to have been written by Capt. Abraham Clark.

" Whereas Christianity in the morning of her Excellency like some Delihtfull garden Subsisting Soley by the Sun was Supported alone by the Rays of the Sun of Righteousnes She then found whilst uncor- rupted and Directed by the best of precepts that Salvation had the Lord appointed for walls and bull works and that when opposed by Envy it was but a pore alternative to fly to human authority for Es- tablishment altho Scurged from Cuntry to Cuntry for her faith and Doctrin yet She used no Coersive force by Civil law to gether her Suport or defend her laws but with a Heavenly Simplicity Declared the Simple glorious truths of the gospel and left Every individual to make what use of it he pleased at his pleasure But on his peril She neither had nor Claimed any pow'r to make men profess or Suport any worship or act in any Religious matters Diferent from what they chuse for Religion is that which Subsists alone betwixt God and the Soules of men.

therefore we who have hereunto Subscribed believing that that Soci- ety of Christans Generally known by the Baptist Society their faith and practis are most agreeable to the above Sentiment and divine Rules of any denomination of Christans amongst us we therefore by vollun- tary Consent Subscribe our names to these lines as a token that we be- long to the Baptist Society in Southington County of Hartford State of Connecticut and mean to assist Sª Society in the Suport of a preached Gospel in Sd Society Expecting Sa meeting will Generally be held at the baptist meeting house in Sª Southington Ac- ording to the principles of free Contributions as before Described meaning however to comply with the approved method Said Society Shall adopt for Equaling the Expenses of Sa Society as afore Sa

NB This agreement is to be considered as our in corporation and those whose names are here unto Subscribed are considered as members of our Society and furthermore those who may here unto Subscribe alter his or their Sentiments may have their names taken from this agreement by applying to the Society's Clerk whose Duty it Shall be to make afore Reckard of the Desire of any Such persons or person at their Request meaning however that all ingagements made by Such persons as afore Sa prior to S" Dismision Shall be puntually fullfilled"

Dated Southington Decem 2d A D 1793

EBER MERRIMAN, JAMES BRADLY, JOHN MERRIMAN,

ELNATHAN JUDD, SAMUEL ATKINS, EBENEZER NORTON,

297

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

VALLUNTINE WIGHTMAN,

JAMES PLANT,

STODDARD WIGHTMAN,

DAVID NEAL,

JOHN NEAL,

DANIEL NEAL,

NATHANIEL BRADLY,

ASAHIEL THORP,

ISAAC BRUNSON,

RICHARD PORTER,

CALVIN SMITH,

WILLIAM CHURCHILL,

PHINEAS BRUNSON,

SAMUEL LOURY,

SIMMEON UPSON,

JOHN SMITHE,

PERIS MERRIMAN,

JOTHAM JUDD.

JEREMIAH NEAL,

THE BAPTIST MEETING HOUSES.

The first definite action taken with respect to building a meeting house was not until Dec. 26th, 1791. I extract from the records as follows- "then met a Committee from the Baptist society in sd Town and Red Stone Hill at the house of Seth Clarks in sd Town. sª committee being appointed to consult upon building a baptist meeting house in sª town at sd meet- ing made choice of Mr. Ebenezer Hawly moderator to lead in sd meeting and made choice of Mr. Stoddard Whitman Clark at sd meet- ing two places was proposed one near the house of Cornelius Dunham the other near the standing order meetinghouse both in sd town at sd meeting Voted that there should be a subscription paper drawn up for the purpose of knowing the minds of the people with regard to the two places and that place that Should have the most Signed for should regulate the matter then adjourned sd meeting to the house of Elizur Andrus in sd town on the 16th day of January then next met pursuant to adjournment made choice of Eber Merriman moderator Ebenezer Hawly being absent sd Subscription paper being produsª it was found that the gratest Sum was in favour of the spot near the standing order meeting house at sd meeting chose Missers Eber Merri- man Sylvanus Dunham Sam" Atkins as a committee for to ingage a spot of ground near the old standing meeting house then adjourned sd meeting to the -of March at the School house in the west Destrict met pursuant to adjournment and found that there was a spot of land to be obtained of Timothy Lee at sd meeting Eber Merriman Stod- dard Wightman John Neal was appointed to agree with Sam1 Church and he the sd Church Did together with Timothy Lee agree to build sd house for one Hundred and four pounds." "The following is an ac- count of the donations for the building sd meeting House by the fol- lowing gentlemen

Eber Merriman £19:11:0

Sylvanus Dunham £ 8:3:3 V & Stoddard Wight-

Hannah Merriman the

wife of Eber Merriman 4 : 10 : 0 man 12 : 10:0

James Bradley in cash 10 : 10 : 0

Nathaniel Jones 3: 0:0

Nathaniel Bradly Jr. 4 : 15 : 0 Peris Merriman 4 : 0:0

298

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

Harmon Merriman £3 : 0:0 James Plant

£2 : 0:0

Samuel Atkins

John Merriman 2: 0:0

Chauncey Merriman

4 : 12 : 0 Elnathan Judd 1: 6:0

John Neal 6: 6:0 Nathan Beacher 1:10:0

Doct. Joshua Porter 7 : 1 :3

Ebenezer Norton 3 : 10 : 0"

Thus had they subscribed within five pounds of the sum needful to complete the building. The lot was purchased within a few days of this last meeting, for the deed 1 is dated the 13th of March. The deed, which like the deeds given the Congregational society, confines the use of the land to "meeting house " purposes.

The meeting house that was built was a plain structure, in size 2 about forty by thirty feet. There were galleries all about, and ordin- ary slips. The interior was never painted, and retained the color of the pine finish. There were two tiers of windows. The building never had a steeple.

For a number of years before Mr. Atkins became pastor, there had been no services held in it. It was utterly deserted. The windows had been the target for boys, and the whole exterior gave evidences of decay. It was afterwards repaired and used for a time as an acad- emy.

The second building was put up in 1832-3, and dedicated Oct. 31, 1833; Rev. Rollin H. Neale, D. D., preaching the sermon. It has been remodeled, and received the additions of a Lecture Room and Ladies' Parlors. This was done in 1868-9 at an expense of about $9,000.

REV. JOHN MERRIMAN.

Among the original settlers in Wallingford was Capt. Nathaniel Merriman, who removed there in 1670. He had nine children, the fifth of whom was John. The first child of this John (by a third marriage) was the subject of this sketch.

The Rev. John Merriman was born 3 Oct. 16, 1691. No traditions remain of his youth beyond the fact that he passed the usual time in a New England common school. It has been handed down, that he was of a "weakly constitution, " and hence enjoyed larger facilities for education than the rest of the family so that he might teach. For some years he conducted the school in what is now a south-east district of Cheshire (but then in Wallingford). It was the district in which the parents of Dr. Bellamy lived, and he had this distinguished

1 Town Records, Vol. III, p. 332.

2 So estimated by Rev. Mr. Atkins.

8 This is from the Wallingford records, and is correct. But his tombstone errone- ously makes him 89 at death, which should have been 93.

299

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

son for a pupil.1 It is evident from the penmanship and orthography of Mr. Merriman that his advantages were not great. But that he had a good mind and excellent traits of character is very evident. And some circumstances indicate that he was a young man of consid- erable influence in the community.

In 1729 a few families in Wallingford adopted Baptist sentiments, and in 17312 they were received as members of the church in New London (Waterford) under the care of Rev. Stephen Gorton. Mr. Merriman was the leader in this movement, at least his leadership appears so undeniably two or three years later, that the probability that he was is great. By marriage he was closely connected with New London families, and perhaps these families were members of Gorton's congregation. Fifty years later, when Gorton became an exile from New London, he found asylum in the home of Mr. Merriman. The reason assigned for thus receiving Gorton, and continuing faith in his character, was this very fact, that he (Merriman) had known, trusted, and loved him fifty years before; and he never did lose faith in the man. He always attributed to Mr. Gorton the influence or counsel that led him into the light upon the question of baptism.3

After the admission of these families to the church at New London occasional services were held in private houses. But that only slight headway was made in extending their new sentiments, appears from the fact that when,4 Oct. 10, 1739, the church was formally organized only about ten 5 families joined in the enterprise.

A Rev. Timothy Waters is said to have been the first pastor, but of his history I can learn nothing. His ministry must have been very brief, for a few months later, in 1740, Mr. Merriman was the pastor. It is probable that he had from the beginning led the public exercises when no minister was present. But his health seems always to have been very poor, and this fact seriously interfered with his subsequent labors.

He was fifty years old when he appears as the pastor of that church. Without a liberal education he was set to maintain and ex-

1 That he had Bellamy for a pupil is too well founded for doubt. Not only do the traditions point to this, but the fact explains the great intimacy of the two men in later years.

2 It is a tradition that Mr. Gorton had visited Wallingford before this, and held meetings at a private house, probably Mr. Merriman's. The question as to whether they were baptized at Wallingford or New London cannot be settled by records or tradition.

3 Benedict says (p. 472) that the reading of Delanne's Plea led the Wallingford fam- ilies to change their views, but I am not sure but that the personal persuasions of Mr. Merriman had more to do with it.

4 This date is furnished me by W. H. Potter, from records. 5 Davis' History.

300

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

tend his distinctive views in a community where the people had always sat under a highly educated ministry. At his time of life and in his state of health he could not hope to add much to his store of knowl- edge or power in the pulpit.

Hence it was no light undertaking to assume the charge of this new church under the circumstances. At that time the Rev. Samuel Whit- telsey was the congregational pastor at Wallingford, and as President Stiles says, he was "master of an engaging Elocution:" and in many other respects he surpassed as a preacher. The Congregational church, by preoccupation and prestige, had command of the field. The Baptist enterprise had to contend against the wealth, intelligence, social posi- tion,1 prejudices, and traditional religion of the place. Although Mr. Merriman was of respectable family connections, as also were his asso. ciates in the new movement, he does not seem to have carried many of his friends with him.

Only one thing seemed to favor him in his attempt to establish a new church. This was the apathy, if not opposition, of the "standing order" to the revivals. Mr. Merriman was a warm hearted and earnest christian, sincere, and devoted to his work. His piety and zeal secured for him the respect of those even who opposed his views. With his whole heart he entered into co-operation with any who sym- pathized with the revival measures. Mr. Whittelsey 2 became opposed to these measures, and probably one reason was from the fact that the services of Mr. Merriman drew away some of. his congregation. In a place like that, where the people have been trained according to orderly methods, and where the preaching has been more instructive than ex- citing, it is natural that services partaking more of the emotional, should attract certain temperaments. It was probably so at Walling- ford. And then too, Mr. Bellamy had accepted an invitation from Mr. Merriman to preach for him. This was Bellamy's native town. As he revisited his home and found increased religious interest among old neighbors and friends, how natural that he should mingle with them in more public services. Tradition 3 says, that the first services that Mr. Bellamy held with Mr. Merriman were in a school house in the south-east part of what is now Cheshire. It is clear that Mr. Whittel- sey did not countenance these proceedings, and was offended at Mr. Bellamy. It is not known how long the latter labored here, but after he left, there was a general desire "to hear other Congregational minis- ters of similar views and spirit."4

1 See Davis' History.

2 Mr. Whittelsey "in the beginning received Mr. Whitfield with open arms." Davis' Hist. Wallingford, p. 304.

3 Handed down through the family of Aaron Bellamy.

4 Great Awakening, p. 303.

301

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

"John Merriman 1 in behalf of himself and people had desired some of the standing order to preach for them, observing that as to the in- ternals of religion they could heartily join with them, but not as to their mode. Some of the standing ministers had accepted their invitations and preached to them. In Dec., 1741, Mr. Merriman in behalf of him- self and people ? wrote to Mr. Robbins, desiring him to come and give them a sermon or two. Mr. Merriman observed in his letter that Mr. Bellamy had lately preached to them to good satisfaction, and with suc. cess as to several of the people."

This invitation Mr. Robbins accepted, and preached in Wallingford, Jan. 6, 1742. Before he preached, a request was sent him, signed by forty-two men of the town, that he would not preach, but this he did not heed. Mr. Robbins was arraigned before the Consociation, and troubles followed that make up a disagreeable chapter of ecclesiastical history.8

These troubles resulted in shutting off Mr. Merriman altogether from sympathy and help in this part of the State. The nearest Baptist church was at New London. His health was failing and his defects of education placed him in unfavorable contrast with the surrounding ministry. With the families he had gathered about him he struggled to maintain himself, but the task began to seem hopeless. Some who had left the standing order became tired of the preaching, and re- turned to the fold they had left. The social standing+ of the Baptists was also operating against the church. Many left the church, and but few were added to it. Mr. Merriman became utterly disheartened, and about5 1750, the church ceased to exist.

It was doubtless a severe blow to the pastor to see his church dis- solved. To remain there could not but be very unpleasant. But whither could he go? A kind Providence opened the way for him.

1 Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. II, p. 197.

2 The following is the text of the letter : Sir. After suitable respects to yourself, this note is to inform you that Mr. Bellamy has been with us at Wallingford, and preached in our Baptist Society, to very good satisfaction and success on several per- sons, both of our people and those of your denomination with whom we desire to join h'artily in the interests of religion, though we cannot in the form ; so that it seems to be the desire of both denominations, here, that yourself would oblige us with a sermon or two, as soon as yon can, after next week ; and please to send me, when. This is also my desire for the good of souls and the glory of God.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn, Part 32

Author: Timlow, Heman Rowlee, 1831-1892. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1875 Publisher: Hartford, Press of the Case, Lockwood and Brainard co. Number of Pages: 916

Author: Timlow, Heman Rowlee, 1831-1892. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Hartford, Press of the Case, Lockwood and Brainard co.
Number of Pages: 916