USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 37
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Soon after, he introduced Baptist services into Berlin, and is sup- posed to have influenced several in that town to join this denomination. In 1792, he represented the Southington church in the Danbury Asso- ciation and was the clerk 2 of this body. At this meeting was pre- sented the question concerning the standing of those in the church who held to the final salvation of all men. The question was offered by the Southington church, and was answered that such a belief was heresy. The Rev. Mr. Hulburt was then the pastor here, and he had held a considerable correspondence with Mr. Hart on the subject.
Such was the latter's influence that the church refused to deal with the heresy, but Mr. Hulburt was not only thoroughly Calvinistic but thoroughly exclusive in his views upon the terms of communion. Up to this time the church had been tolerant of differences upon questions of doctrine and method. But Mr. Hulburt was determined to press the case against Deacon Hart, and so secured consent to submit the question to the Association. Almost immediately after, proceedings were instituted against him. Letters were interchanged. In fact it resulted in a controvesy that furnishes an important chapter in the ec- clesiastical history of this town. Mr. Hart was assailed from every point but he met the assaults with dignity and confidence. It should be borne in mind that the earlier Universalists accepted of the Evan-
1 A reason for this may be in the fact that the Rev. Stephen Gorton, the Baptist pastor, had himself adopted the doctrine of Universal Salvation.
2 It is worthy of note, that he spelled his own name in the records of the meeting, HIcart.
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gelical doctrines of sin, atonement, and regeneration, but rejected the eternity of punishment. Deacon Hart would have been the last man to discredit the Bible or reject those fundamental truths dear to all pious hearts. He was constituted like John Foster, and chiefly on moral grounds hoped for the salvation of all men.
But as the Baptist church had entered upon a more prosperous ca- reer, and having for pastor a man, while not learned, yet of earnest convictions; and moreover, as the Association had encouraged them to the step, it was easier to proceed to discipline. In October, 1793, they excluded him from the fellowship of the church. In the records, there is not a hint that he was in error upon any other doctrine. It was voted that they " reckon Dea. Hart's principle of Universal Salvation to be heresy," and then they proceed to withdraw fellowship from him.
The sincerity with which he held his views cannot be questioned. He was willing to suffer for his principles, and did suffer. Whatever he thought right he did. As a final test of the sincerity with which he adopted his particular views, we have preserved to us an interview1 between himself and Deacon Hosford of the Congregational church, and occurred just before his death, Aug. 31, 1813. Deacon Hosford, approaching his bed, said, "Capt. Hart, do you in the prospect of death, still hold to your Universalist belief? The dying man replied, " Deacon Hosford, what I have expressed to you in the full possession of my faculties, is my belief and consolation at this time when I can no longer argue or defend."
In a letter written to a son, and not long since found among his old manuscripts, upon " The Evidences of the Christian Faith, &c.," we have a key to his theological belief so far as the fundamental doctrines are concerned. In this letter he speaks of the guilt of sin, the impos- sibility of salvation by the deeds of the law, hope in the sovereign mercy of God, the way in which sinners are brought into a state of reconciliation and favor with God through the mediation of Jesus Christ, and emphasizes "The Doctrines of the Trinity, the Incarnation of the Son of God, the Efficiency of the Holy Spirit in applying the benefits of Christ's atonement, in changing and renewing the hearts of sinners, and in preparing them for the service of God and communion with him "-all of which seems to be very evangelical.
Deacon Hart was twice married, first, to Rebecca, daughter of Charles Norton, and second, to Lydia, daughter of Capt. John Hins- dale. Two of the children of the last marriage have distinguished themselves as educators and authors, viz., Mrs. Emma Willard, and Mrs. Almira Lincoln Phelps who still resides in Baltimore.
1 Communicated by Rev. Samuel Lee.
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DEA. EPHRAIM HOUGH (HUFF).
The family of Hough came into Wallingford from New London, about 1680-2. The first of the name was Samuel, who built the first mill of the town. His grandson was the subject of this sketch, who was born Jan. 6, 1746. Like his ancestors he was bred a me- chanic, and engaged in the milling business. He occupied the prem- ises now known as Hough's (Huff's) Mills, about a mile south of the Southington line. When the Baptist church of Wallingford was reorganized in 1786, it consisted of twelve persons-seven men and five women. They met at a private house and1 by "mutual agreement spent the day in fasting and solemn prayer to Almighty God to suc- ceed and bless their endeavor to build him a house, and that He would form them into a Gospel church." They drew up and signed a cov- enant, and the third name was that of Ephraim Hough. This little band was without a meeting house and held services in dwellings or school houses.
July 25, 1800, Dea. Hough and his wife joined the church in Southington. There is no record of his election to the office of Dea- con by this church, and it is probable that he served in this capacity in Wallingford, for almost as soon as he joined this church the title is affixed to his name. He died Nov. 1, 1815, and "devout men carried him to his burial." His pastor, Rev. David Wright, speaks of him as " the godly Dea. Hough."
DEA. EZRA CLARK.
He was the son of Silas and Thankful Clark, and born Oct. 13, 1765. He was a member of the Congregational Society, and with- drew from it Nov. 2, 1798. It is not known when he became a mem- ber of the Baptist church, and there is no record of his election to the office of Deacon. He lived at Clark Farms, near where he was born. Although a man of moderate intelligence he seems to have had con- siderable influence in the church. He was very warmly attached to his denomination. His death occurred Oct. 16, 1833.
The Rev. David Wright in speaking of his first communion season in Southington, says, that the occasion was one of so much spiritual quickening and elevation, that Dea. Clark exclaimed at its close, " If I know what communion is this is communion; and if it is so sweet here, what will it be above. "
1 History of Wallingford, p. 276.
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DEA. ROLLIN DICKINSON.
He was born in Southington, Apr. 15, 1799, and was the son of Daniel and Margaret (Lewis) Dickinson. As the only child, he in- herited his father's estate, which was considered large at the time. The homestead was on East street, near where the late Asahel Newell lived. Engaging in manufacturing interests, he lost the bulk of his property. He removed into the village, where he died June 26, 1841. He was baptized and received into the Baptist church Oct. 7, 1827, shortly after he was elected Deacon, which office he held until his death. His pastor, Rev. Mr. Atkins, speaks of him as "a most excel- lent christian man."
DEA. JOEL NEAL.
He was the son of Jeremiah and Anna (Fuller) Neal, and born on West street, Southington. He joined the Congregational Church, Aug. 3, 1823, and was esteemed a consistent member. About the year 1827, the "mode " of baptism was presented as a question to his mind. He consulted his pastor, Mr. Ogden, with respect to the subject, who seems not to have satisfied the inquirer. Mr. Neal finally said to him: " Mr. Ogden, if you can bring a single passage to convince me that my doubts are not well grounded, I will yield, for I am ready to be satisfied of what is right." The pastor thinking that his questioner was already settled in his convictions and further argument would do no good, replied: "You are blind as to the truth." Mr. Neal after- ward commenting on this interview remarked: "It did not seem to occur to Mr. Ogden that he himself might be blinded."
After his change of views he was baptized and received into the Baptist Church, June 24, 1827. Soon after, he was elected Deacon (date not given), and held this office until his death, which occurred Jan. 21, 1835. He was a brother of the Rev. Dr. Rollin H. Neal of Boston.
DEA. ALMON PLATT.
Of Mr. Platt's history I can learn nothing. He joined the Baptist Church of Southington by letter, March 28, 1841, and was elected Deacon, May 31 following. In 1842 he was dismissed, but the records do not state to what church.
DEA. LEWIS COOK.
He was a native of Wallingford, and from thence removed to Southington, locating at South End, where he followed his trade as a shoemaker. He became a member of the church here in 1845, and was chosen Deacon, Aug. 8, 1850, for the term of three years. He
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died Nov. 26, 1870. His life was that of a consistent christian, and in all respects he was held in high regard by those who knew him.
DEA. ALFRED HOTCHKISS.
He was baptized and received into the church March 25, 1838, and took an active part in what is known as the. Unitarian Controversy when the church was threatened with dissolution. While conceding to the "liberal" element of the church under the lead of Mr. Olney, the right of private judgment and personal preferences, he neverthe- less withstood this element in attempting to turn the church from the faith of its founders. In all his ways he was quiet and unobtrusive, but firm in his own convictions of truth and policy. His pastor, Rev. Mr. Freeman, says of him, that "while modest and unassuming, he was firm and courageous. In times of sorest trial and greatest weak- ness of the church, when many hearts fainted, and many hands hung down in idleness, he was strongest, most active and self-sacrificing. His evenness of temper, or rather the complete control of it .he had attained, was remarkable. In all the perplexities and vexations of business, and with many and varied kinds of men, it is said, he had not for years been heard to utter an angry or hasty word." It is the. testimony of those beyond his own church, that he was a burning and shining light. None doubted but that he was just what he professed to be-a man of God. He died very suddenly, May 2, 1870.
DEA. HENRY H. SUTLIFF.
He was the son of Hezekiah and Fanny (Hubbard) Sutliff, and born in Haddam, Mar. 6, 1814; married Clarissa, daughter of Ira and Lois (Ives) Atwater, May 25, 1837. Of four children, three are liv- ing. Mr. Sutliff, from the time he came to Southington, in 1841, held a high place in the confidence of the community; and after his baptism and profession of religion in January, 1842, he was equally esteemed and trusted in the church. In 1863, July 4th, he was elect- ed to the office of Deacon. The uniform judgment passed upon him since his death is that he was consistent and faithful in all relations of life. He shrunk from no responsibility that Providence laid upon him, and every summons to duty found him ready. In the prayer meetings and revivals he was a great help to his pastor. He died sud- denly, March 6, 1871. His pastor, Rev. Mr. Freeman, wrote of him after his death, "a good man, an affectionate husband and father, a faithful office-bearer in the church, has fallen. His family, the church, the community, deeply feel his loss."
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
DEA. A. P. PLANT.
He was the son of Ebenezer and Lydia (Neal) Plant and was born in Southington, - 1816. Very early in life he was dependent on his own exertions, but by industry, economy, and business tact, succeeded so far as to be finally at the head of a large manufacturing establishment in the town. Settling at what was known as the "corner," that part of the town rapidly gained in population, soon becoming a prosperous village that now bears the name of Plantsville in honor of himself and his brother, E. H. Plant, Esq. He made a profession of religion in 1833, and from this time was an influential member of the Baptist church. In 1850 he was elected Deacon of the church in Southington, and held the office until 1872, when he transferred his relations to the new enterprise started in his own village. To this enterprise he gave liberally, and left it a legacy in his will. Of the various benevolent societies of his denomination he was a warm and liberal supporter. One, writing of him after his death, which occurred July 21, 1874, says:
" As a professed Christian he aimed to lead a consistent life, and to discharge with fidelity every duty. He regarded the claims of the church as pre-eminent and sacred, and endeavored to so arrange his business as to be able to be present at all the appointments of the church. The prayer-meeting was his delight, and was ranked by him foremost among the means of grace afforded the Christian. By long training and constant exercise of his gifts, he gained unusual power in prayer and exhortation. He believed fully in experimental relig- . ion-in the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the true believer, working therein the " peaceful fruits of righteousness. " As an officer in the church, he was ready to co-operate with his pastor; a judicious counselor and a prudent manager. The prosperity and growth of Zion lay near his heart; for this he labored, and to pro- mote this he gave liberally for the support of the institutions of the gospel. "
He was once honored by his constituents with a seat in the State Senate, the duties of which office he discharged to public satisfaction.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.1
This church has been organized less than twenty years, but by immigration has grown to be the largest in the town. The foreign element of the town probably numbers now two thousand, and most of this element belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. About 1861 the corner-stone of the present church was laid, and the building
1 Particulars of its history have not been furnished.
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rapidly completed. It has since been greatly modified and enlarged. The priests who have ministered here thus far have been able and influential men; the present being Rev. P. J. Creighton.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.1
A "class " was organized in the north-east part of the town about the year 1818, but was soon disbanded. Only occasional preaching by the ministers of this denomination was had until about 1857-8. The first permanent services were held at Plantsville. In 1867 the present church building was completed. The pastors have been Revs. Messrs. Allen, Smith, and Loomis. The present pastor is the Rev. H. E. Burnes.
1 The meagre account of the Methodist and Roman Catholic Churches is owing to the neglect of parties who promised timely information. Sec Rev. Mr. Burnes' address, page 21.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Earliest documents relating to the church; First service in the town ; Rev. Samuel Andrews ; First Episcopalians ; Origin of the parish ; Rev. Reuben Ives ; The meet- ing house; Bishop Jarvis disregards the parish ; Parish appeals to the General Con- vention; First confirmations ; Rev. Mr. Cornwall; Number of members ; Building consecrated ; Theological opinion of the parish ; Decline, and attempts to revive it. The Universalist Society; Constitution; Creed ; Preaching; Extinction.
THE first documentary evidence of any kind pertaining to Episcopacy in Southington, appears in the following certificates of withdrawal from the Congregational society :
SOUTIIINGTON, Jan. 3d, 1783.
This may certify whom it may concern that Capt Daniel Sloper of S' Town Professed for the chh of England in my Pastoral Care on the 12th day of March A D 1781, and has paid his full and Just Propor- tion of my ministerial Rate upon the List given in A D 1781 and paya- ble 1782.
Test SAMLL ANDREWS missy Wald & parts adjacent.
CHESHIRE, Feb. 5th 1785
This may certify whom it may concern that M' Joel Brockett of Southington declared himself a professor of the chh of England in my Care on the 15th Day of October last
Test SAMLL ANDREWS missy at Wald
The first service of the Episcopal church within this town was held in the south-east part, at the house of Capt. Daniel Sloper, who then lived on the place now occupied by David Ackart. The first certifi- cate shows that in 1781, he contributed to the "minister's rate" in Wallingford, so that as early as that year he had left the Congrega- tional Society. It is a tradition that he was offended at the treatment bestowed upon Mr. Chapman, and did not attend service with the stand- ing order at the time Mr. Robinson was settled. He had been absent in the army a part of the time, and probably his paying rates at Wal- lingford was to relieve him from tax here, after his return from the war. That Mr. Andrews held service at his house and baptized some
.
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44
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infants, is a tradition that seems well founded. And all evidence points to his house as the place where service of this order was first held.
The second certificate quoted above, gives us the name of Joel Brockett as joining the Episcopal church in 1785. He was from Wal- lingford, or at least connected with the Brocketts there, who were very decided Episcopalians. He lived at the "corner" (Plantsville), and kept the hotel there for many years. Occasionally service was held at his house.
As in the case of the Baptist church, an impulse was given to the Episcopal movement by the controversy in the Congregational church upon the baptism of children under the Half-way covenant. All who desired baptism of their children and were denied the rite by Mr. Rob- inson, applied to Mr. Andrews.1 It is said that for several years this rite was administered to one or more at each service, which was then monthly, and continued until 1787 or 8. And these parents becoming disaffected toward the Congregational church, and being compelled to pay ministers' rates somewhere, naturally transferred their con- nection.
1 He was born, April 27, 1737, in Wallingford, and was the son of Samuel and Abigail (Tyler) Andrews. Graduating at Yale College, in 1759, he embarked for England, in 1761, in company with two others, to receive Holy Orders, carrying let- ters from the clergy of Connecticut, "in testimony learning, good character and fitness for the sacred ministry," receiving his ordination at the hands of Bishop Sherlock. Returning to this country, he was appointed "missionary at Wallingford and adjacent parts." In 1767, he undertook a long journey into "different towns and governments to the northward," preaching and lecturing, and administering the sacrament as he passed from village to village. He penetrated to Allington, in New Hampshire, one hundred and fifty miles from his home ; and though he was the first clergyman who had appeared among the settlers, he found that a layman from Connecticut had been there before him, with the services of the church of England. When on the fourth of July, 1776, the Thirteen Colonies, through the Congress at Philadelphia, declared themselves independent of Great Britain, all connection with the mother country was solemnly dissolved, and the American people were released from any allegiance to the sovereignty of the King. The Declaration involved the Episcopal clergy in new trouble. As faithful Missionaries of the Venerable Society, from which came their chief support, they honestly believed themselves bound by their oaths of allegiance, taken at the time of their ordination, to pray for the Sovereign whose dominion the colonies had thrown off ; and guided by the forms of the Liturgy, they could omit no part in conducting public worship, without doing violence to their own consciences.
Mr. Andrews was placed, for a time, under heavy bonds, and was not allowed to visit even a parishioner withont special leave from the Selectmen of the town. In 1787, he removed to New Brunswick, and became the first Rector of St. Andrews Church, in the parish of St. Andrews. Here he lived in affluence, and died Sept. 26, 1818, after a ministry of fifty-eight years. He married in 1764, Hannah Shelton, of Huntington, Ct., who died at St. Andrews, Jan. 1, 1816, aged seventy-five." They had several children .- Davis' History of Wallingford, Beardsley's History, and An- drew's' Memorial.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
The Rev. Reuben Ives,1 after 1788, was Rector of St. Peters church, Cheshire, and a portion of his time was given to missionary work in " adjacent parts." How early he began to labor here is not known, but in 1789, his name is attached to several certificates of withdrawal from the Congregational church, among which are those of Levi Hart, John Heart, Itheriel Clark, and Capt. Thomas Wheaton. The next year were such names as Jonathan Barnes, Wells Hart, Elihu Morse, John Bray, Capt. Daniel Carter, John Webster, Daniel Pardee, Mat- thew Rice, Joseph Finch, and Isaac Peck. Most of these persons did not enter the communion of the church in Cheshire, but simply paid their rates there. Several of these persons were Universalists, and entered upon the work of establishing a new society, not because they were from principle Episcopalians, but from opposition to Mr. Robin- son. The Congregational pastor had entered upon the doctrinal stage of his preaching when he " failed not " in each sermon to bring to tlie front the Sovereignty of God. The strong meat he gave was in- digestible to many. And his thunderings of "penalty " were an offense.
It was a misfortune, and not the fault of the Episcopal society of this town, that at the first the larger part of its members were not thus from sympathy so much as from opposition to another body. It was a difficult work to build the house 2 of worship, but it was more difficult to sustain service after it was built.
It was a very plain building, and had Gothic 3 windows to distin- guish it from the "meeting house." It stood where David P. Wood- ruff's market now is. The original " proprietors " held possession of it, and for many years there were legal questions as to its rightful ownership. It was finally sold 4 and converted into a store. In 1860 it was burned.
Bishop Jarvis did not exhibit much interest in the organization of this church. The reason is stated to have been the fact that those who desired to be identified with it were unevangelical in their senti- ments, being for the most part in harmony with the Universalists. There may have been other causes, but this was one, and probably the chief. His refusal to visit the parish led to the following action, at a meeting held April 15, 1805.
1 Beardsley's History, Vol. 1, page 397. History of Wallingford, page 256.
2 It was raised June 3, 1791, and enclosed that summer, but it was not finished for several years. March 30, 1807, it was voted to apply to the General Assembly for " a grant for a lottery to finish of our meeting house."
3 MSS. Rev. A. N. Lewis.
This was in 1847, and the proceeds were given to the Christian Knowledge Soci- ety.
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" Voted-That this Society do utterly disapprove of the conduct of the Right Rev. Abraham Jarvis the Bishop, and think it a duty in- cumbent on them to make and enter complaint to the Rev. and hon- ourable convention respecting the Bishop. Ist, because he has totally disregarded the canons of the church especially in not performing Episcopal Visitations even when requested and urged. 2d, because his conduct has been such as to alienate the affections of many of our most valuable citizens from him and from the church.
" Voted-That Daniel Pardee and Daniel Lankton be and are hereby appointed a committee for, and in behalf of this society, to make and enter complaint to the Rev. and honourable Convention re- specting the Bishop. "
So far as I know, the first confirmations here were by Bishop Ho- bart, in 18161 when twenty-seven received the rite. At this time the Rector at Cheshire, Mr. Cornwall, reported thirty-seven families and twenty-seven communicants. The next year he reports thirty-five communicants, and his parish "small but prosperous. " In 1817 there were thirty-one communicants, and the parish small but in favorable condition; the public services well attended; and the people willing to contribute according to the ability God had given them." In 1819 there were forty-four families and thirty communicants. In 1820 the "Grand Levy " of the parish was reported to the General Convention as $2,840.00, which would make the property of the parish about $47,000.00. In 1828 the parish was united with that of St. Andrews, Meriden, then under the rectorship of Rev. James Keeler.2 Under the labors of this rector the parish gave signs of new life, it having thrown off entirely the Universalist element 3 and established itself upon the doctrines of the Prayer Book. In 1829 the building was consecrated by Bishop Brownell. For a year or two there followed prosperity and harmony, but another secession took place in 1831 dur- ing the revivals that visited the town that year, and several of the leading members of the congregation became members of the Con- gregational and Baptist churches. Services were occasionally held by Rectors of adjacent parishes, and in this way a nominal existence was preserved. In 1840 the Unitarian movement absorbed most of the parish so that scarcely a remnant remained.
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