USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 33
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Sir, yours in good affections, JOHN MERRIMAN, Elder. Wallingford, Dec. 23, 1741.
3 Robbins' "Plain Narrative of the Proceedings, and Trumbull's History ; also Davis' Hist. of Wallingford.
4 Hist. Wallingford, p. 268.
5 " There is no evidence that (it)
continued in existence after 1750," Hist. of Wallingford, p. 275.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
As has already been stated, families from Wallingford had settled1 in and just north of this town. Other families, under the West mountain and scattered throughout this town, were in full sympathy with him on the revival question, and among them he was assured he would find a welcome.2
In 1750, he began to dispose of his property in Wallingford. The date of his coming to this town cannot be precisely given, but there is reasonable certainty as to the year. As late as April 17, 1750, his name appears in the Wallingford records, as "John Merriman of Wal- lingford." In Jan. 1752, he appears as "of Farmington " (Southing- ton). The deed in which he first appears as grantee, in this town, is dated March 1, 1751, and this latter year is probably the date of his coming here. He appears in a second deed dated March 31, of the same year.
The farm he first purchased consisted of 110 acres, and "was bounded west, by land of Stephen Barnes; north, by land of Hezekiah Gridley, Daniel Mix, and Josiah Cowles; east, by land of Nathan Lewis; south, partly by land of Nathan Lewis, and partly by highway. Two roads crossed the land. The house in which he lived stood on the north side of the highway near the junction of the West mountain, with the road leading from Plantsville to Marion. It was a large red house with a "lean-to." The same house was occupied for many years by Eliakim Morse. The first farm he bought of Stephen Smith, and the second of Hezekiah Gridley.
Upon this homestead Mr. Merriman settled with his wife and four children. He was married Feb. 25, 1726, to Jemima Wilcox. She died Oct. 11, 1764, in the 64th year of her age. All the children were born in Wallingford, and their names were, John, born Sept. 12, 1728; Thankful, born Aug. 2, 1731; Silas, born Jan. 30, 1734; and Eber,3 born April 26, 1736. (See Genealogies.)
All the circumstances are against the supposition that Mr. Merriman removed to Southington expecting to found a church of his order here. In view of the facts that there were no Baptist families within several miles of him (or if there were any, they must have been very few), and also that he was so weak4 in body, the supposition is incredible. More
1 Families of Mix and Dutton, old neighbors, had located on Wolf Hill and under the West mountain.
2 The Separates, as well as Mr. Chapman, would naturally receive him warmly.
3 As confirming the time of Mr. Merriman's settling here, is the fact that his son Eber told his children that he was about " sixteen years old at the time." This fixes the year as 1752, and this is the year in which he appears in deeds, as " I, John Mer- riman of Farmington."
4 He was dropsieal, and for many years could hardly move from his chair. Although of spare build he is said to have weighed over two hundred pounds when he died.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
reasonable is it to suppose that he sought rest and escape from the troubles that beset him in Wallingford.
Absolutely, nothing is known of the time when he began to hold religious service. He was living in the vicinity of the Separate fami- lies, and it is probable that at least social religious1 meetings were held. But all is conjecture concerning this matter for several years. It has already been stated that some miles to the north we discover the first traces of Baptist meetings. But it is not known whether Mr. Merriman ever preached there.
For many years before he died be was confined to his home. It was probably on account of his confinement that he had one of the rooms? in his house fitted up for religious worship. He may have sometimes preached, himself, but this must have been the extent of his labors. In none of the old letters and diaries that I have consulted, does his name appear in connection with regular preaching,3 but other names do. And family traditions convey nothing definite pertaining to his public labors. The Sacrament 4 of the Lord's Supper was occa- sionally administered, and to it members of the Congregational church were cordially admitted.
All that is known of Mr. Merriman, is to his honor. His deep piety and earnest consecration have been handed down to us. He was held in respect by good men, and by none more so than by Dr. Bellamy and Mr. Chapman. His personal opinions did not separate 5 him from
1 Mr. Chapman is said to have preached occasionally at his house, and also Dr. Bel- lamy when visiting this part of the country.
2 The room was not more than fifteen or sixteen feet square. This I learn from Mrs. Newell, sister of the wife of his grandson, Stillman Merriman. The way she ex- pressed was " the room would take about 30 or 35 yards of carpeting." Mrs. Eliakim Morse, who oeenpied the house for many years, confirms this view.
3 In a brief diary of one of his grand-sons, lately come to light, of date Apr. 17, 1777, is this entry : "went to meeting to-day, Grand father preacht." But this refers doubtless to his occasional labor, for it is allnded to as if it were unusnal.
4 A little table known as the " sacrament table," and used for this purpose, was for several years preserved by his descendants. The fact that neither Merriman, Wightman, nor Gorton opened the question of " terms of communion," is evident from varions and independent sources. It seems first to have been raised by Mr. Hulbut, about 1790, when he was opposed strongly by Dea. Samuel Hart. Deacons Cornwall and Ilawley reluctantly adopted Mr. Hulbut's views.
5 Having examined the records of the local court from 1750, onward, it is but just to the Congregational church to correct a great error in the Baptist Manual (pp. 42- 3). The author of the Manual is not in fault, since he but recorded traditions that had come down to him, and if they were well founded, I would be the last one to justify or conecal them. Any one reading the preceding pages will see that I have not spared the faults of the church but tried to state the truths even though " mine own people " suffered in repute for charity.
The Manual says (speaking of Mr. Merrriman) :
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
christian Brethren in the community. His house was for many years a center where God's children gathered for social worship. He died as he had lived, a faithful follower of Christ.
Upon his tombstone is the following inscription: " The REV. JOHN MERRIMAN Died on Feb. 17, 1784, in the 89th 1 year of his age.
Ile was a Calvanistie Anti-pedo Baptist minister.
Here lies the body death has bound Whose sonl with ministerial gifts was crown'd
His life his Master's doctrine did adorn
And waits his last reward till the auspicious morn."
REV. JOIN WIGHTMAN.
The last of that long and distinguished line of martyrs burned at the stake, in England, for heresy, was Edward Wightman. This was in
" It is evident that he did not escape the persecutions to which the Baptists of those days were subject. It has been handed down as an indisputable fact, that he was ar- rested by the civil authority, tried by a court of justice, and his feet made fast in the stocks, for no other crime than preaching those sentiments which distinguish ns as a denomination, and when released from prison, was charged not to preach any more in "this name," but, upon his liberation, he repaired to his own company, and con- tended " for the faith onee delivered to the saints."
And then again :
" As an illustration of the spirit which surrounded the Baptists of that day, in their struggles for religions liberty and the rights of conscience, we have reliable informa- tion that a woman, a member of the Presbyterian church, prevented by the condition of the roads and other circumstances beyond her control, from attending her usual place of worship, stopped at the house of Elder Merriman, where a few and feeble Baptists were gathered for the worship of God. For the heinons offence of attending a Baptist meeting, she was arrainged by her brethren, and required to walk the broad aisle before the congregation, on the Sabbath, and answer to a confession !"
The court records show that neither of these cases belong to this town. The fact is that perhaps no town in the State has been more tolerant of Baptists and Episcopa- lians than this. It is in proof, that both Mr. Merriman and Mr. Wightman were on excellent terms with the standing order. And Dr. Bellamy was frequently the guest of Mr. Merriman and Mr. Chapman (Congregational pastor) both, and this common friend of the latter two was the means of making them very intimate. From the time Mr. Chapman came here, in 1757, until the death of Mr. Merriman, in 1784, the most friendly relations were sustained, and at the funeral Mr. Chapman made an ad- dress. These and other facts show that cases of intolerance or persecution were im- possible. But it is easy to account for the rise of the stories above referred to, by sup- posing that similar cases occurring elsewhere (perhaps in Wallingford and North Ha- ven), were after the lapse of years located here. Having conversed with old people, whose memories run back to the last century, not one remembers to have heard these stories in their younger years; and although such instances are narrated of other places, they certainly have no history here.
1 The error here is noted on a preceding page.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
1611, April 11. The warrant for this last martyrdom, and which has the kingly signature, is as follows:
" Whereas' the reverend father in God, Kichard, Bishop of Coven- try and Lichfield, having judicially proceeded in the examination, hearing, and determining of a cause of heresie against Edward Wigh- man, of the parish of Burton upon Trent, in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, concerning the wicked heresies of the Ebinites, Ceren- thians, * * and Anabaptists, and of other heretical ex- cerable, and unheard of opinion, by the instinct of Satan, by him ex- cogitated and holden, &c." [Then follows sixteen articles of which the last three, except the 15th, are as follows] "13. That the baptiz- ing of infants is an abominable custon. 14. That there ought not in the church, the use of the Lord's Supper to be celebrated in the elements of bread and wine, and the use of baptism to be celebrated in the element of water, as they are now practiced in the church of Eng- land; but the use of baptism is to be administered in water, only to con- verts of sufficient age and understanding, converted from infidelity to the faith. 16. That Christianity is not wholly professed and preached in the church of England, but only in part."
Of the family of this martyr, there were five brothers, all of whom came to this country,? and all espoused and avowed Baptist senti- ments. Of these brothers, two were preachers, two were deacons, and one a pious layman. The names of three are known; George, Daniel, and Valentine. Daniel settled in Newport, R. I., and was one of the twenty constituent members of the second Baptist church of that city, formed in 1656, in which he was long a preacher and assistant pastor. Valentine settled in Warwich, R. I., but afterwards removed to Provi- dence, and represented that town in the General Assembly. George resided in North Kingston, R. I., and there died in 1692, leaving eight children. The youngest of these children was Valentine, who was born in 1681, and who removed to Groton, Conn., in 1705. He had received license to preach, and in Groton he founded the first Baptist church within the limits of this commonwealth. At the time of this writing (1875), a lineal descendant, Rev. P. G. Wightman, is pastor of the same church.
.
Valentine Wightman married Susanna Holmes, Feb. 10, 1703, and among his sons was Timothy, who succeeded him in the pastoral office, in 1736. Another son was John,3 the subject of this sketch, who was
1 As quoted by Backus, Vol. 1, p. 322.
2 Denison in Sprague's Annals. MSS. from William H. Potter, Mystic, Conn.
3 Several important facts and dates have been furnished me by William H. Potter, Esq., of Mystic, Conn. He has been very generous in replying to all inquiries. His great kindness saved me from the expense and labor of examining personally the an- cient records of Groton and New London.
39
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
born in Groton, June 8, 1723. At an early age he is found enrolled among the members of his father's church, but the date of his admis- sion is not known. Two months after his brother Timothy had suc- ceeded the father in the pastoral office, an effort was made to induce John to accept the office of deacon. I give a full extract from the records of the church of that date, which will reveal a somewhat singu- lar mode of proceeding. "Groton July ye 29 1756.
A meeting was appointed to see if the gift of a deacon was in ye church, ye church being come together att ye day appointed, ye matter being pro- posed, it was asked ye members one by one how their minds were, as they had had several meetings before on this same work. Ye churches minds were then pointing to Brother John Wightman. Now when they were again asked how their minds were, they still thought Brother John had ye gifts of a deacon; and ye church wanted God should bring him into ye improvement of them in his church. And now it was put to Brother John, how his mind was, he having on former occasions held he was called to another work, and had persisted saying, it was not meet to leave the word and serve tables; but he now replied yt what had laid in the way was removed. So he did not know but what he was free to serve ye church with what gift God had bestowed upon him."
A final result of the action of the church in thus pressing him to ac- cept the office of deacon, was a firm persuasion in his own mind, "that the mantle of his father was to fall upon him," and that he should give himself to the work of the ministry. It seems that Timothy was not at once inclined to take his father's place, but John agitated the question as to whether the church had not erred in overlooking the man whom God had called and inwardly moved to the work-himself being that man. This question seemed to trouble John more than it did the church, and he frankly told his brethren that he believed he was called to "a larger gift." And when the appointed day (April 7, 1757) came for the ordination of the (two) designated deacons-John Wightman and Peter Avery-in the presence of the assembled Council the former asked for more time in which to consider the matter, which was granted, and Mr. Avery was alone ordained. It was during this delay that his gifts as a preacher were satisfactorily tested, so that in process of time he was licensed to preach. The date of licensure is not known.
It appears that John Wightman had several times heard Whitfield preach, and had imbibed not only his evangelical sentiments, but also partaken of his religious zeal. Under the influence of the Great Awakening there had been a secession from the Congregational body in various sections of New England, and this element was known by the name of Separates. Many of these Separates became Baptists, and
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
all of them avowed a more perfect standard of faith, religious feeling, and living, than had before prevailed. In this movement there was much enthusiasm, and no little extravagance. The feelings, and opin- ions, and actions of John Wightman will be understood only as that entire movement is kept in view. It will be remembered too that as a product of this revival, many itinerants and evangelists rose in the state. And probably Mr. Wightman itinerated for a number of years after his licensure and before ordination. Backus says (Vol. II, p. 516) John Wightman "was ordained by this (Groton) church June 15, 1774, and travelled and preached in various parts of the country." And the Groton church records furnish the particulars of this ordination. "At a General Council met according to appointment (June 15, 1774) at our Meeting-house, present, Elder Simeon Brown and church (dele- gates), Elder Eleazer Brown and church, and Elder Joshua Morse and church. After prayers and a sermon suitable to the occasion delivered by Elder Eleazer Brown, the Council proceeded to the ordination of Brother John Wightman, and after examination proceeded to set him apart to the office work of an Evangelist."
As there are traces of his preaching in this part of the state before ordination, Backus probably refers to simply preaching tours, and when finally he was desired to take charge of Baptist interests in this vicinity he sought ordination. The precise year of his removing here is un- known, but the first deed1 of which he was grantee bears date Sept. 26, 1770.
1 Farmington Town Record, Vol. XVIII, p. 172. The following is an extract of the deed:
" Know all men by these presents that I, Avery Hall, of Rochester in New Hamp- shire in New England for y consideration of ye sum of one hundred and ninety-five pounds lawful money already received of John Wightman of Norwich in ye county of New London. To full content and satisfaction the Receipt whereof I do Hereby ae- knowledge, do fully and absolutely give, sell, and make over unto ye sª John Wight- man His Heirs assigns forever two pieces of Land being in ye South west part of yo Township of Farmington. The one containing forty-nine aeres be ye same more or Less lying in ye Third tier of Lots so called being land my Honored father purchased of Daniel Mix Bounded south and west by Highway, East by Solomon Bull, and south by Elnathan Judds Land.
" The other piece being part of a west Division of Lotts, and is ye East part of yo Lott ealled Wadsworth's Farm purchased by my Honored Father of James Wads- worth and others containing one hundred and two acres be ye same more or Less Bounded East and West by Highways, south by Lands of Luther Atkins and North by Land of Elnathan Judd. To have and to hold &c., &c.
" In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 26th Day of Sept., in yº 10th year of his Majesty's Reign, Anno Dom 1770.
In presence of Aaron Lyman Samuel Hall 3d.
Avery Hall."
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
When Mr. Wightman came to Southington, Mr. Merriman was already nearly eighty years of age, and to this veteran Christian the presence of such a sympathizing friend and ally must have been the occasion of great joy. It is my own impression, but I cannot support it by documentary evidence, that Mr. Wightman had occasionally sup- plied preaching for the Baptist families in the vicinity of Bristol and Red Stone Hill, perhaps a few weeks at a time. When he came to settle permanently, he removed to the neighborhood1 of Mr. Merriman on what is now the west mountain road. His house was just north of the junction of the road leading from Wolf Hill.
A uniform tradition is that he was in poor health? and could endure but little exposure. But the families of his charge were few in num- ber, and there was but little pastoral work to do. During the last year or two of his life he was confined almost wholly to his house. He died of consumption, April 4, 1781. Before his death he had succeeded in having a burying ground laid out, not far from his house, on the Wolf Hill road, and he was the first to be placed therein. The inscription upon his tombstone is as follows:
" Here lies the remains of the Rev. John Wightman, who departed this life April ye 4th A. D. 1781, in the 55th year of his age.
The servant of the lord most high Sent with the gospel from the sky In dreary shades of lonesome night To spread the grace of heavenly light."
. All the information that I can get concerning Mr. Wightman repre- sents him as a devout Christian man, and of amiable traits of charac- ter. Like all his family in the eastern part of the state he was on excellent terms with the "standing order." There is no evidence of any jar between him and Mr. Chapman who was pastor and ex-pastor of the Congregational church, while he was here.3 And the families of Congregationalists and Baptists were on the best of terms. There is no evidence of the least alienation until after 1780. Backus" says "Mr. Wightman was a shining example of uniform piety and benevolence, until death put an end to his useful life which he ended in the most joyful manner at Farmington " (Southington.)
1 There seems to have been some relationship between these two men. This is the opinion of the deseendants of each. Whether it was by marriage or blood I have not been able to trace.
2 Relatives of his by marriage, and some former friends from Norwich, had located in the west part of Farmington. Among these were the families of Marks and Bas- sett. This fact doubtless led to his removal, rather than the expectation of preaching. David Bassett of Norwich seems to have owned considerable land bordering on New Hartford.
3 Mr. Robinson settled in 1780; also visited him and was present at his funeral.
4 Vol. II, p. 516.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
Mr. Wightman was married (1) to Polly Stoddard and (2) to Con- tent Marks, and had four1 children.
The Baptist interests during the ministry of Mr. Wightman do not seem to have prospered much within the limits of this town. When he died there could not have been over a dozen families who were dis- tinctively of this order. This is evident from a comparison of records, deeds, and other papers that give us the names of families. The room at Mr. Merriman's would not contain many people, and no tradition in his family number the attendance above twenty-five. But another fact is decisive as to this. All the names that appear prominent among them when their records begin, and on until 1800, joined them by cer- tificate from the Congregational church after 1781.
MINISTRY OF REV. STEPHEN GORTON.
Mr. Merriman was disabled by age, and Mr. Wightman by sickness from any public service. In 1779 Mr. Gorton, who fifty years before had welcomed Mr. Merriman to New London as a convert to Baptist principles, appeared at the house of his former friend and was by him most kindly entertained. Although himself old, yet Mr. Gorton re- tained much of the vigor of earlier days. His presence was com- manding, and his manners very winning. The families then numbered with the Baptists were few and poor, and having been without special pastoral care for some time, were disheartened if not hopeless.
For nearly two years, Mr. Gorton quietly remained with Mr. Merri- man and conducted the meetings. Mr. Wightman was not favorably disposed to Gorton, being familiar with his former history, and while he lived he discountenanced Gorton's assumption of ministerial func- tions. But in the spring of 1781 Mr. Wightman died, and this fact together with Mr. Merriman's feebleness, opened the way for Mr. Gorton. The latter began at once a thorough visitation of the west part of the town, and in a few months had quite a " following." The first one to withdraw from the Congregational church, and join for- tunes with him, was John Neal, whose certificate of the date of Dec. 28, 1781, is as follows-"This may certify to whom it may concern that Mr. John Neal is a member of the Baptist Society in Southing- ton and contributes to the support of the Gospel and it is Desired that he may be Cleared Elsewhere From all Ecclesiastical Charges which is a Cording to law."
(Signed) Stephen Gorton, Elder."
The next accession was that of James Plant, July 29, 1782, and Dec. 10, 1782, Elijah Neal withdrew; both certificates are signed
1 See Genealogies.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
" Stephen Gorton, Elder. " The last certificate to which Mr. Gorton's name is appended is dated 1789. During these years, 1781-9, there were perhaps a dozen families along the west mountain road and on West st. who joined the Baptists. Mr. Gorton, it seems, never preached to the families lying north toward Red Stone Hill and Bris- tol. His antecedents were such that they refused to hear him.
"Elder Stephen Gorton 1 was born in Rhode Island, March 21st, 1703-4; consequently he was but twenty-two years of age when he was ordained. He married soon after his settlement, Sarah, relict of Jon- athan Haynes and daughter of James Rogers, 2d, a woman of piety and considerable estate, who was more than twenty years his senior, (born in 1682) and had twelve children by her first husband. Mr. Gorton was a man of good capacity and fluent oratory. It has been said that his knowledge was all self-acquired, except reading and writ- ing, which were taught him by his wife. His marriage with Mrs. Haynes gave him respectability and influence. She died in 1766, aged eighty-four; after which he married again and almost immedi- ately fell into disrepute. He is said to have imbibed Socinian princi- ciples and to have been low and irregular in his habits.
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