USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 39
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" Mr. Richardson's ministry at Haverhill was not long. It was fol- lowed by brief settlement at Groveland and Kingston in Massachu- setts and at Williamsburgh and Rochester in New York. He was essentially a missionary. The excitement of interest which his first preaching in a place always created was apt after a while to die out, and a certain restlessness in his own temperament led him to seek change. So he came to be called "the flying prophet." The phrase calls up the picture of his tall slender figure clad in a long cloak, moving rapidly along, and with a mysterious light in his eye like " one Sent. "
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
" In 1856 Mr. Richardson was married to Miss Henrietta Harris, of Brooklyn, New York. Two or three years after, he withdrew from the active ministry and retired to a farm upon a hill-top near South- ington, whose seclusion and beautiful prospect had greatly attracted him. It was a characteristic incident that returning home one day he found that in his absence an old and beautiful tree which stood near the house, had been cut down by the man who worked on the place. Full of righteous indignation at the loss, he turned to the man and said, ' You have wickedly cut down in an hour, what the Almighty was eighty years in building up.'
" Into this seclusion the trumpet tones of the war penetrated, and in 1862 Mr. Richardson, whose patriotism and enthusiasm for Liberty could no longer resist the call, averse as was military service to all his habits and tastes, enlisted as a private in the 20th Conn. Infantry. Ile was not however called upon for military duty, but detailed for service in the hospitals, and in Feb., 1863, was transferred to the San- itary Commission service at Washington. Here he was in his element. This was his true ministry. And he devoted himself with unwearied labor, and with all the tenderness of his . sympathies,' and all the kindness of his heart, to the service of the weary, sick, and disabled soldiers, to whom he was at once chaplain, nurse, helper, and friend. 'Only give me work enough to fill up eighteen hours of every day,' he said, 'and I shall be satisfied.' In the words of Rev. W. H. Chan- ning:
" Up at dawn, and off through storms to camp or hospital, sitting up till after midnight completing his record, he never seemed to feel fatigue. He grew light-hearted, buoyant, bright and happy according to the measure of his disinterested service. In the 'Homes' he was father, brother, and friend to thousands, distributing food, refreshing drinks, clothing, money, or whatever might be needed, with a good sense, overflowing kindness and hearty cheerfulness which were beau- tiful to witness. And thus engaged through the heat of summer, month in, month out, without one day's rest or intermission, did our humane and heroic brother labor on, till he fell fainting and fever struck. A few days before he was called to come up higher he said, . I almost wish I was up yonder to help our poor boys who are put- ting off mortality and seeking a soldier's rest in heaven, I should so rejoice to welcome them there.' The prayer was heard.
" He died of fever, after a week's illness, on the tenth of November, 1863. No one of those who fell upon the battlefield, in those days of noble sacrifice, more truly gave his life for his country than did James Richardson."
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON. 361
Writing1 of himself he says, " I left Divinity college in the sum- mer of 1845; was soon settled in central Connecticut in the town of Southington, against my wishes, but from motives of benevolence and missionary duty I was ordained in June, 1846." This ordination was the first occasion on which several hundred Unitarians ever sat down at dinner together in Connecticut. Dr. Parkman of Boston was pres- ident of the day. At the collation after the ordination services, de- lightful speeches were made, by Messrs. Parkman, Dewey, Gray, Harrington, Hodges, Nightingale, Farley, Hale, Snow, &c., &c.
He was dismissed from Southington in Sept., 1847, and was after- wards settled in Haverhill, Mass.
REV. E. G. HOLLAND.
He was born Apr. 14th, 1817, in Solon, Cortland Co., N. Y. His parents were not only of good social standing, but intelligent. As a teacher, his father had gained influence and reputation, and the son enjoyed the advantages that naturally flowed from this source. Al- though as a boy, Mr. Holland had his attention turned to farming, he early indicated a taste for letters, and determined in his own mind to secure an education. As he prosecuted his studies his rapid attain- ments surprised his friends, and thus early he prepared them to ex- pect the literary results that have distinguished his career. At the age of fourteen he entered the Academy in Homer, N. Y., where he - studied the Ancient Languages, Mathematics, and Natural Science. While successful in each of these departments of study, he was par- ticularly fond of general literature. Although prepared for college, he did not seek admission, feeling unwilling to submit to a routine that in some respects would necessarily prove distasteful to one of his habits of thought and study. He entered the ministry of the Chris- tian Baptist Church, which in the question of the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ is in sympathy with the Unitarian body. Hence it was that this passage into the latter was without a struggle. He found, too, in the Unitarian ministry, a more congenial fellowship, and preached to congregations that could better appreciate his preach- ing. He was minister of the Unitarian Church, Meadville, Pa., in 1843-4, and was one of the founders of the Theological School in that place, of which he has always been a trustee.
Mr. Holland first visited Southington in the spring of 1847, and supplied the Unitarian pulpit, until near the close of 1848. He then left for a time, returning as pastor, in the fall of 1853, and closing his ministry in May, 1855. "My impressions," (writes Mr, H., in ą
1 Harvard Memorial, Vol. I. p. 42.
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private note,) "still very distinct of Southington Society in general, and of the Unitarian Society in particular, are, that Theology was kept in a lively state by much and various discussion not at all confined to the various pulpits of the respective churches. The Unitarian So- ciety was bold and of a radical tendency, putting great faith in the necessary progress of the human race, in the mental and moral capaci- ties of human nature for high doctrines, and in the certain triumph of goodness and truth. It was just the kind of a Society needed to modify and meliorate the rigid and intolerant views in many New Eng- land towns that held a long supremacy before the influence of men like Barnes and Bushnell was felt in the land. In the liberalization of religious society in Southington, the mission of the Unitarian church there had its providential purpose."
Mr. Holland was a popular preacher and pastor. His congrega- tion gave him a warm and generous support. And many are here of other denominations who, while disallowing his peculiar theological views, recall him as a delightful friend and companion.
In 1855 he visited Europe. He spent two months in Berlin, study- ing German literature, and works of art; making the acquaintance of Alexander Von Humboldt; Prof. Rauch, the famed sculptor; Dr. Karl Ritter, and other German celebrities, by whom he was most gen- erously treated. He spent a year at Heidelberg, and during his stud- ies in German literature he gave two courses of lectures to the citizens of Heidelberg-the first consisting of five and the second of seven lectures, in which the romance writers, the poets, historians, orators and eminent thinkers of the country were represented. In Bonn, he gave a course of nine lectures on American literature, landscape, and institutions. The press, without distinction, referred to his lectures in the most favorable terms. The Badishe Landeszeitung, of Apr. 3, 1856, said; "We have been much pleased with the lectures of Mr. Holland, from America, which he gave here on American literature. These lectures prove how much the Americans have advanced in the poetic art, and in philosophy, and that the saying of an important an- thor is true, viz., that the American literature, though a youth in years, is a giant in form and vigor." The Bonner Zeitung, of September, 1856, said, "The writings of Mr. Holland are highly important and instructive. In style it is not too much to say that they may be com- pared favorably to those of Wilhelm Von Humboldt. His present course of lectures furnishes a rare opportunity to those who can ap- preciate a discourse in English. " In July, 1858, Mr. Holland returned to New York after a three years' residence in Europe.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
REV. HENRY J. HUDSON.
Henry James Hudson, son of John Rogers and Hannah (Balch) Hudson, was born in Newburyport, Mass., June 29th, 1821.
The father and mother entertained what were then termed "liberal " views in theology, both having been, from their own childhood, regular at- tendants at the " First Religious Society " in that town. This society- known as Arminian in the earlier days of the great Theological Con- troversy in the New England Churches, became definitely "Unitarian " under the ministry of Rev. John Andrews, D. D., when the lines of separation were finally drawn between the Unitarian and Trinitarian Congregationalists in New England, about the year 1815. Brought up under the preaching of what might be called the Evangelical Uni- tarianism of that time when Channing, Professors Ware and Norton and other leaders in the new movement were attracting public atten- tion, the boy, by nature seriously inclined, became at a very early age a zealous " Unitarian." Partly educated at the public schools in that town, he finally fitted for college, studying with Rev. Thomas B. Fox, the successor of Dr. Andrews in the pastorate of the Unitarian Society. He graduated at Harvard College in the class of 1843, with fair "honors," and was a member and communicant with the College church, during his undergraduate years. The year after graduation he took a trip to Ohio, and at Akron, started the first "High School," or school of any pretension above the old primary or "district " charac- ter, in that place. He entered the Theological School at Cambridge, where Dr. Noyes and Dr. Francis were then the professors, in 1844, and passing through the regular course of theological study, received from the professors his license to preach as a Unitarian minister in 1847.
His first visit to Southington was made in October, 1848, at the in- stance of the American Unitarian Association. Here he preached for several Sundays, returning to Boston before the winter set in. Sub- sequently, in September, 1850, he visited Southington, and remained in charge of the Unitarian pulpit for more than three years, during which time he, with three unmarried sisters, " kept house." "The plain little cottage1 that was fitly named ' Hilly Nook,' by the kind hearted, enthusiastic, eccentric James Richardson (always a warm friend and welcome guest there), became for the time being a veritable parsonage, and is doubtless so remembered by many who there attended various ' donation ' parties, and other frequent social gatherings. 'Miss Doc- tor Lucy ' will not soon be forgotton by the inhabitants of Southing-
1 From private manuscript.
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ton and many adjacent towns in Hartford county. An earnest and de- voted believer in the homeopathic theory and practice of medicine, and with a heart that could not possibly at any time, or under any circumstan- ces, for one moment resist a call for help from any suffering son or daugh- ter of humanity,-she continued to visit, prescribe for, comfort and cure her numerous patients, 'without money and without price,' or ac- cepting only, and with no eye to 'filthy lucre,' whatever they might be freely disposed to give, in money or in various contributions to the comfort of the pastoral family. In all weathers and at all seasons of the year, at all hours of the day, and far into the darkness of the night, driving her diminutive, slow-paced 'pony' over roads often rough and lonely, and not infrequently 'missing the way,' every- where warmly welcomed and entertained, she fulfilled her 'mis- sion' with a zeal and enthusiasm that never for a moment flagged, and no doubt many were cured or relieved more by her ever ready sympa- thy and friendly help, than by even the diminutive, magical ' pellets' that were so strangely unlike the old "allopathic" pills, drugs and doses. People, everywhere, considered her a 'practitioner' of excel- lent judgment and remarkable success, though without a doctor's di- ploma or medical degree. Her name appeared in the Conn. State Register, as a regular homeopathic practitioner, and various circulars and other publications from the homeopathic medical societies, came to her address. The two remaining sisters, who have since passed on to higher scenes of life and duty, will still be kindly and pleasantly re- membered by many friends and visitors at 'Hilly Nook.'"
Mr. Hudson became a member, and also the chaplain, of "Friend- ship Lodge, No. 33," in February and March, 1853, and still retains that affiliation with them and the Masonic body.
After leaving Southington, he preached for nearly two years to the Unitarian Society in Chelsea, Mass., and was there married, July 25, 1854, to Hannah Elizabeth, daughter of John G. and Miriam B. Blake. She was a native of Massachusetts and a highly esteemed and remarka- bly successful teacher in the public schools of that State. Their first son, George Henry, was born in North Bangor, Franklin Co., N. Y., October 1, 1855, where his grandfather Blake was then residing. The second son, Charles Frederick, was born August 15th, 1859, in Fayal, Azores, where his parents were both teaching the children of the consular families and English and American residents in that island, Mr. Hudson instructing several boys who afterwards graduated at Harvard College. They resided there two years, returning to this country in November, 1859. Mr. Hudson has since preached over a year in North Chelsea, Mass., and by briefer "supplies " in various other places in New England, and in Northen New York; but his con-
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stitutional feebleness and slender health have made it impossible for him to endure the labors of a very active or responsible ministry.
Mr. Hudson retains his theological connection with the Unitarian body, though he has been unable to preach for nearly ten years, on account of infirm health. His last service in this capacity was in con- nection with an "Independent " Religious Society in N. Bangor, N. Y.
After Mr. Hudson left, there was no regular supply for the pulpit. Gradually the congregation dwindled, and finally it was thought best to close the church. Although the society has never been dissolved, it exists simply in name.
MARION CHAPEL.
In the spring of 1874, the subject of a Chapel was brought before the families of this part of the town. A Sabbath School had been held for several years, and occasional preaching services. The project was favorably received, and after a time pushed to completion. A sub- scription paper was circulated and a larger sum secured than was ex- pected. William C. Doolittle was appointed chairman of the building committee, and to him is largely due the success of the enterprise.
The corner stone was laid Sept. 2, 1874, and the chapel dedicated Feb. 10, 1875. The cost has been $3,500.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The first German families moved into Southington about twenty-five years ago. In 1865, they had increased to twenty in number, embrac- ing about one hundred persons. Some of their children were baptized, and their funerals mainly attended, by the resident pastors. In 1867, the Rev. G. A. Schmidt of Meriden was led to visit these families, and he found among them a desire to have religious services in their own language and form. At once a society was organized, and services were held by him once in a fortnight, alternating between Southington and Plantsville. In 1871, it was proposed to build a Chapel, and to this enterprise the German population gave generously of their sub- stance. A lot of ground was donated by Mr. William Hahrmann. Aid to the extent of a thousand dollars was granted by the English speaking people. The chapel was finished in February, 1872.
This church has had two pastors. The first was Rev. G. A. Schmidt, who was chiefly instrumental in founding it, but who resigned, June 15, 1869, to accept a call from St. Mark's church, Brooklyn, N. Y. Here he remained until Feb., 1871, when he was appointed chaplain of the Commissioners of Emigration of the State of New York, in their buildings on Ward's Island.
Mr. Schmidt studied in Germany at the University of Halle. He came to this country in Oct., 1863, and after teaching sometime in
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
parochial schools in New York and elsewhere, he received a call from St. John's church, Meriden, Conn., and was here ordained by the Evan- gelical Lutheran Ministerium of New York, Oct., 1863. He married Augusta Agatha Wetzel, a native of Verona, N. Y. Her father is a distinguished minister settled in Utica.
In Aug., 1869, Rev. Charles A. Graeber accepted a call to Meriden, and also took charge of the Southington church. He is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and was born June 27, 1841. His father was a na- tive of Poland (Russia), and his mother of Saxony, Germany.
Having passed a preparatory course in the parochial school of Trinity church, he entered Concordia College of St. Louis, in April, 1853. Health failing, he temporarily acted as clerk to an apothecary, but soon again was able to resume study and complete his course. In the spring of 1864, he was ordained pastor at Pilot Knob, Iron Co., Mo. Aug. 7, 1864, he was married to Christina Elizabeth Hoepplar of St. Louis. Through her mother she was a descendant of the French Hu- guenots.
They have six children, Carolina Louise Elizabeth, born May 14, 1865; Charles Augustus Louis, born Feb. 20, 1867; Chistina Maria Eliz- abeth, born Oct. 29, 1868; John Frederick Louis, born June 23, 1870; Herman Theodore, born 1872; Antonia Dorothea Maria, born Dec. 2, 1873.
Mr. Graeber has been a laborious and successful pastor. At present he supplies Meriden, New Britain, and Southington.
CIVIL HISTORY
OF
SOUTHINGTON.
CHAPTER XXI.
CIVIL HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
Southington a part of Farmington ; Farmington Bi-centennial ; Dr. Porter's Address ; Discovery of the Valley; Settlement; Indians; Lots for Dwellings; Division of Land; Patent granted ; Great Swamp (Kensington) settled; Fort; Waterbury settled ; Treaty with the Indians; Indian Plot; Church; First Pastor; Second Pastor; Schools; Town Meetings; Sabbath ; Great Swamp Society ; New Britain ; Worthington (Berlin) ; Southington settled.
ALL the territory now constituting the town of Southington, was originally a part of Farmington. Although organized into a separate parish in 1724, it did not become a separate municipality until 1779. A brief sketch of the settlement and occupation of Farmington is a necessary introduction to the history of this town.
In 1840, the two hundreth anniversary of the settlement of Farm- ington was celebrated, on which occasion the Rev. Noah Porter, (now President Porter of Yale College,) gave a historical address. By his permission I am able to furnish1 such extracts as will enable the reader to learn of the discovery and occupation of this beautiful valley that now is divided into so many towns.
"Two 2 hundred years ago the soil on which we stand first passed into English hands. Five years before the valley of the Connecticut at the East had first been occupied, and the three towns that lay along our ancient borders, viz .: Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor, had now become important settlements. The year previous (1639) they had formed themselves into a commonwealth, and elected their magis- trates and governor. It was natural that this infant state should seek to enlarge its borders, that it might invite to its green abode far off in the western wilderness, the emigrants who were then crowding the eastern plantations. With their accustomed enterprise, the planters had explored the country around. Some daring men from Hartford, incited by vague reports of the natives, or led by a desire to know what lay beyond the hills which they saw to the west, had wandered
1 As the excellent address of Dr. Porter's is out of print, and copies are rare, I am sure the copious extracts I give will be all the more grateful to the reader.
2 Porter's Discourse, pp. 24-39.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
to their brow, and emerging from the forest had descried the green valley which stretched itself at their feet; an open country through which the Tunxis led its silvery line, from the borders of which as- cended the smokes of the Indian settlements. In eager excitement they returned to tell of a newly discovered meadow, the richest prize to those early colonists. It was the fame of the fertile low land upon the Connecticut, which had first led them from Newtown, because 'it was well stored with meadow,' which in the words of a chronicler of those days, 'is in great esteem with the people of New England, by reason their winters are very long.' Cattle, ever in a new country of the highest value, were then scarce, and high in price, and it was only upon the natural meadows upon the streams, that their winter stores could be readily gathered. For Connecticut therefore, they came with a large herd of cattle, intending to devote themselves to the breeding of cattle as their chief occupation. It was natural that they should fix their eye upon this new valley as soon as it was known, and take measures to possess its meadow. In January, 1639, a committee from the three towns was appointed to . view those parts by Uncas (Tunxis) Sepos, for some enlargement of accommodation there.' In 1640, the conditions for the planting of Tunxis are concluded, and the settlement began. A few families from Hartford lead the way, construct their dwellings on the upland, and select or purchase large portions of the meadow. Many also who did not change their residence, possessed themselves of valuable farms in the new plantation. It was the first or only off-shoot or colony from the church of Thomas Hooker, and from the first enjoyed his fostering care, as it was afterwards matured under the ministry of his sons.
"The number of actual settlers at first was small, but it gradually increased until in 1645,1 Timxis received its present name, and became
1 CHARTER OF 1645.
John Haynes, Esq., Gov.
Edward Hopkins, Esq., Dep. December ye first, 1645, its ordered that ye plantation called Tunxis shall be called ffarmington, and that the Capt. Mason.
Mr Wolcot. Bonnds thereoff shall be as followeth: The eastern Mr Webster. Bounds shall meet with the western of these plantations Mr Whiting. which are to be five miles on this sed ye Great River, Mr Wells. and the Northern Bounds shall be five miles from ye Mr Trott. Hill in ye Great meadow towards Masseco; and the Mr Ollister. Southern Bounds from ye sd Hill shall be five miles ; James Boosey. and they shall have liberty to improve ten miles further then ye sd five, Juo Demon. and to hinder others from the like, untill ye court see fitt otherwise to
Mr Hull. dispose of it : and ye sd plantation are to attend the General Orders, Mr Stoughton. formerly made by this court; settled by ye Committee to whom the
Mr Steel.
same was referred ; and other ocations; as the rest of ye Plantations
Mr Talcot. npon the River do : and Mr. Steel is entreated for the present to be Recorder there, until ye Town have onne fitt among themselves ; they
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
a taxable town, with 'the like liberties as the other towns upon the river for making orders among themselves.' Its first tax in 1645 was £10. We can more readily describe than realize the scene that pre- sented itself to the few settlers who separated themselves from the flourishing towns on the Connecticut, and had come here to dwell alone. Between them and their homes lay a continuous forest. They were in the midst of a large and warlike tribe of Indians, the largest of any of the tribes who bordered the Connecticut.1 The huts of the natives are scattered here and there, while a large and central settle- ment appeared on the east bank of the river, where stands their monu- ment,? the silent and the only witness that they were ever here. Across the hills upon the southeast, there was encamped upon the Mattabeset a portion of another tribe, from which this river had its name. Much of the descending slope from the mountain, along which the street now runs, was more or less densely wooded; in some places it was moist
also are to have ye like Libertyes as ye other Towns upon ye River for makeing orders among themselves: provided they alter not any fundamental agreements settled by ye sd Committee hitherto attended.
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