Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn, Part 5

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 5

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FOR twenty years and more after the settlement of the present town of Southington, all the families attended public worship at Farming- ton, and were included in that ancient parish. The most distant fami- lies traveled eleven miles each Sabbath to enjoy the privileges of God's house. This was no small undertaking, even in the best of weather and traveling, but in cold and stormy seasons, and when the paths or roads were bad, it was a matter of great self-denial. While the Sabbath profited, the profit was at great cost.

In those days, it must be borne in mind, that the roads were chiefly bridle-paths. The best class of vehicles were ox carts and sleds. The easiest mode of traveling was on horseback. The "pillion " was the most common method of conveyance. This was a saddle with padding in front and behind, and could carry three persons. A family of five members has been known to ride thus to Farmington-man, wife, and three children. How they could manage it, is more than we can tell. Probably a single horse has carried three as often as one. The cart and sled were inconvenient, for as yet, the stumps had not been re- moved. Rather than to ride at the slow pace of oxen, many families preferred walking. And from the South End, it was no uncommon thing for whole families to walk to Farmington in pleasant weather-a distance of eleven miles. Somehow, even the children tripped over the ground, and did not think they were performing any great feat. It was not until long after this society was formed that the one-horse cart was introduced, and this was regarded a real luxury. In the box were

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

placed chairs, and when the family was duly seated no "coach and four " could awaken a greater consciousness of dignity and ease. The felloes were without tire, and the spokes were fastened into the hub by wooden pins.

Stories have come down to us of the young people who esteemed these walks to Farmington a pleasure. It was a privilege the lads ap- preciated and improved, to help the girls over brooks and stones ; and the lasses relished the privilege of being helped. The tedium of the way was relieved sometimes by the profane act of incipient courting. It was very easy to keep ahead, or lag in the rear, as the mind disposed. Not a few of the ancient marriages arose from flirtations begun in these "Sabbath day journeys." Of course. all follies of this kind were kept from the eyes of the tithing man. No doubt parents winked at certain irregularities of children. The law of the Colony did not wittingly tolerate any such levity as was common to these trips to church ; but who was the wiser for such youthful improprieties ? And certainly, none of us will be disposed to judge severely the motives and acts of those who were compelled to take these long journeys, and who whiled away the time by attending to some "levities." Some of the grand- mothers have amused the little ones, by telling of their sly wooings on the way to church. They have told of their turning into by-ways, and making "short cuts," to avoid the more staid and solemn conversation of the "elders."

But while there were pleasant experiences in such long journeys, there was far more that taxed the patience and strength of the people. Think of the exhausting heat of summer, and the freezing cold of win- ter-the infirmities of age, the weakness of childhood-the long miles and poor thoroughfares-the scanty conveyances, and large households! Who of us would brave and overcome the obstacles that perpetually opposed them !

But they patiently endured every trial, until able to sustain pub- lic service in the "winter season " among themselves. And even before being able to maintain services a portion of the year they ap- plied to the Farmington church for " winter privileges," and to have their "minister's rate " abated in part. The first application as ap- pears from the Farmington society records was in 1721. It was de- sired to have a Mr. Buck preach during the winter. Upon this re- quest, action was taken December 21st, and was as follows : " Ye society for consideration of the ffarmers South and of ye town theyer having of mr Buck to preach among them this winter season do agree and manifest ye same by voat to abate ye sd ffarmers one third part of each of theyer proportions towerd the payment m' Whitman's rates."

This privilege was gladly accepted, and the success of the first win-

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

ter was so gratifying as to encourage a petition to become a distinct society. It shows that there was a bold, enterprising, independent spirit in the people. They were as yet very poor. The section of the town they occupied was known as Panthorn, and " poor as Panthorn " was a proverb in Farmington and Wallingford. But poverty was not to interfere. The choice was indeed between two objects that involved sacrifice. The question was, as to whether it were better to undergo the self-denial of each Sabbath, and remain connected with Farming- ton, or by heroic effort sustain a separate existence as a society. The latter alternative was adopted as the wiser. Hence when they peti- tioned for " winter privileges " in 1722, they also asked for a separa- tion ecclesiastically.

The following is the vote of the parent society Dec. 19th of this year : "it was *voated that y" Inhabitants of ffarmers South from ye Town shall be abated one half part of theyer ministers Rate for this present year, provided they do hire A minister to preach amongs them Selves this winter season Three Months-always provided that such of them as shall Refuse to pay theyer proportionate parts to ye minister so hired shall not take any Benefit by this act."

" At the same meeting the society made choyce of m' Jolm Hooker, Left Samel Wadsworth, and Ens" Same! Newel for theyer committe to Consider and make theyer Reply or draw up what they Judg Reas- onable concerning a motion made by ye Southern ffarmers moueing this Society for theyer consent that they might become A ministerial Society amongs themselves-and make theyer Report to this Society for theyer meeting the Next opportunity."

The following December a like petition for " winter privileges " was presented, and the report of the committee on the question of a separ- ate organization was made three months afterwards. The minutes of the Farmington record, read thus, "Decemb' ye 26 Ano don 1723. It was voated that ye Inhabitant ffarmers South from the Town shall be abated one halfe part of theyer ministers Rate for this present year, provided they do hire a minister to preach amongs themselves this winter season three months allwayes provided that such of them as shall Refuse to pay theyer proportionable part to ye minister so hired shall not take any benefit by this act."

The committee's report is as follows : " whereas the South westerly ffarmers for Farmington have moved the first society for sd Town for theyer consent that they may be A distinct ministerial Society by themselves-and ye sª first society having by theyer vote on Record desired us ye underwriters to draw up what we Judg Reasonable by way of Reply to sd motion, &c-we haveing Considered sd case do make

* The spelling, punctuation, &c., are left as in the records.

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

our Reply in the words following-viz-our opinions are that consider- ing y" weekness and Inability of ye sd ffarmers at ye present it is Near- est theyer duty to content themselves for y" way they are Now In for another year or years-yett are we very willing to give them all Reas- onable Encouragement so soon as they are able. But if nothing else will content them Butt being such a Society Now, and the major part of this first Society Incline to gratify them with theyer consent-these our opinions are-first that ye s New Society for theyer Bounds shall Include the whole of yª Division of Land South Westerly from ye Re- served Lands Between the mountains and no more, Butt be theyer Limited. 2ly that all those families that do or shall Border Northard from sª division of Land so farr as to Include Jonathan Houghs shall be allowed to pay theyer ministerial Charge to ye sd New Society and not to be compelled to pay any more by the Lists of theyer estates than theyer Neighbours In ye First Society pay to ye minister there- and this to continue so long as untill ye first Society shall pass theyer act to the contrary. 3ly that ye sd New Society for theyer proportion of Highway work shall make and maintain what Highways there Now is or they shall have ocasion for within ye sd Limmits of their society without Involving any other part of ye Town therewith. 4'y that ye sd New Society shall at No time hereafter claim any Intrest for ye par- sonage Land or that called Town Land In Paquabuk meadow. 5ly that all Lands in sd New Society after four years Improvement shall pay theyer proportions to sa society whether ye owners of sd Land per- sonally Inhabit within sd society or Not. 6ly, that provided and upon Condition that y" major part of ye propriators of sª division of Land that shall be present at A certain meeting regularly warned may de- termine whereabouts the first meeting House In sd Society shall be erected-that then there be a Tax or Taxes Raised upon all ye Lands within the Limmits of sd Society to ye sum of one hundred and fifty pounds Currant money which shall be lawfully Layd out for ye Build- ing of sd first meeting House. 7ly that ye sd New Society shall at No time hereafter surprise ye s1 first society by moueing ye general Assem- bly for further allowances or priveledges to themselves that may any- ways effect ye sd Society or any particular person thereto belonging without first acquainting or Notifying y" sª first society therewith-all which is submitted, &c., March 18, Anº don 1722-3.

JOHN HOOKER, SAMUEL WADSWORTHI, SAMUEL NEWEL."

" At the same meeting ye question being put to ye Society if they consented that ye Southern Farmers above mentioned might be a min-

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

isterial Society of or by themselves according to ye tenour of ye above written Instrument-ye answer thereunto was for ye affirmative by a clear major vote."

It has been a tradition here, that seems to be authentically connected with statements of Mr. Curtis, that the purpose of organizing a new society met with strong opposition at Farmington. The ground of this opposition is not clear. The poverty of the proposed parish is alluded to in the vote, and seems to have awakened commiseration. As late as the time Mr. Robinson came here, the "old people" spoke of the very strong resistance made to the movement by the parent society. There was probably a good deal of personal feeling exhibited, for Mr. Curtis used to speak of the alienation that subsisted between the "mother " and " daughter," for a number of years after he was settled. Whether true or false, the sixth condition was for generations regarded as fixed for the purpose of interposing an obstacle too great to be over- come. It certainly was a great sum for the poor people of Panthorn to raise.

But the "Southern ffarmers" accepted the condition, feeling no doubt that in the end it would be no more burdensome than to remain under the great inconveniences of attending service at Farmington. At any rate they did assume the responsibility of fulfilling the condi- tion.

In the Spring of 1724 the following petition was sent to the General Assembly of the Colony :

" To the Honorable the General Assembly, sitting at Hartford, May the 14th, 1724.

The memorial of Benjamin Denton, and the rest of the inhabitants of a place called Panthorn, in the southwesterly part of Farmington ; humbly sheweth, that the first Society in Farmington, (to which we at present belong,) at their meeting the 26th of December, 1723, solemn- ly reflecting upon our extreme remoteness from the place of God's pub- . lic worship, &c., granted us their consent to be a Society of ourselves.

Whereupon we entreat your Honars to grant us the privilege of a parish, within the following bounds, that is, all that division of land called and known by the name of the Division South from the town, between the mountains ; to abut on the east and west bounds of said division, east and west ; south to the extent of the bounds of said Farmington ; northward so far as said division extends, including those three families, Samuel Stanley, Joseph Andrus, and John And- rus, eastward of that called the Pond river, on that called reserved land, at the northeast corner of said division.

BENJ. DENTON, for himself and the rest. Hartford, May the 16th, 1724."

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

To this petition the legislative answer was given, Saturday morning, May 30th, 1724. The act constituting the society is as follows :

" Upon the petition of Benjamin Denton and others of the South- west part of Farmington ; Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Representatives. in General Court Assembled, and by the authority of the same, that the petitioners and their neighbours within the follow- ing bounds be a parish, and they are hereby made so ; and the powers and privileges of a parish are hereby granted them, and their bounds shall include all that division of land called the division south of the reserved land, and the farms of Samel Stanley, Joseph Andrews, and of John Andrews son of Abraham, are hereby annexed thereunto; which farms lye on the north side thereof and on the south side of the said parish. There is also annexed thereunto by the authority afore- said, that tract of land between Farmington and Wallingford, that is to say, so much of it as lyes east of the road between those two towns and not to extend east further than the east end of the said division."

Thus was completed the separation. The new society began vigor- ously to carry forward its work. To lay the tax to raise one hund- red and fifty pounds for a meeting house, and to select a site, no doubt first occupied the attention and time. Of these acts we have no record. But the site selected was in " the twenty rod highway " that had been laid out in 1722. This accounts for the fact that no deed of the land is found recorded. This highway as surveyed, ran over Burying Ground Hill, but was not opened south of the hill. Here it abruptly terminated, and the traveled way turned directly west for a few rods and entered the old Indian trail between Wallingford and Farmington, on either side of which is now the flourishing borough of Southington. The church was built on the rise of ground just north of where the highway ended, and southeast of the church the first graves were opened.

While thus engaged in locating and building the church, the ques- tion of supporting a minister was not forgotten. Whether any par- ticular person was in view for this office is not known, but at a meet- ing of the Society, Daniel Andrus had been appointed an agent to act in behalf of the society in buying a " homestead for ye use of a minister when settled." The result of this action appears in the following deed:

Know all men by thes presents that I, Stephen Buck of Farmington In ye County of Hartford In ye Colony of Conecticot. In New Eng- land for ye Consideration of eighty pounds Currant mony, Receivd at ye hands of Daniel Andrus, In Behalfe of himselfe and ye Rest of ye propriator Inhabitants, of y Villiage or Sociaty called, Panthorn within ye Township of Farmington aforesd have Given, Granted, Bar- gained, Sold & Confirmed, unto him ye sª Daniel Andrus, Son to Benj

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

& ye Rest of ye Inhabitants of sª Sociaty, Designed for the use of A minester, when settled In sª Sociaty one Certaine piece or parcell of Land within ye Township of Farmington aforesd and within ye sª So- ciaty, Limmits Containing by estimation eighty Two acres & an halfe acre be ye Same more or Less. Bounded East & West wth Highway South with Land of Capt Thomas Hart, and North wth Land firstly, mr Wyllyses, or Drawn In his Right, or however ye sd parcell of Land is or ought to be Bounded, To have, & To hold ye above Granted & Bargained parcell of Land wth ye appurtenances thereof unto him ye sª Daniel Andrus & ye Rest of ye Inhabitants of sa Punthorn Sociaty, his and theyer heirs & assignes forever, to his & theyer own proper use & Behoofe, & allso I ye sd Stephen Buck Do for my Selfe my heirs exe- cutrs & admini's Covenant wth ye sª Daniel Andrus, and ye Rest of ye In- habitants of sd Panthorn Sociaty theyer heirs, Successors & assignes that at & untill ye ensealing of these presents, I am Seized of ye Sa Granted p'mises, as a Good Indefeasable estate, In Fee Simple, & have Good Right to Bargain & Sell ye Same In maner & Form as is above written, & that ye same is free of all Incumbrances of Title whatsoever, & Furthermore 1 ye sª Stephen Buck Do by these presents, Bind my Selfe & my heirs forever, To warrant & Defend ye above Granted & Bargained premises to him ye sª Daniel Andrus & ye Rest of ye Inhabi- tants, of sª Panthorn Sociaty, theyer heirs, Sucessors & assignes, against all Laufull Claimes & Demands whatsoever, In witness whereof I ye said Stephen Buck, have hereunto Sett my hand & Seale, this Sixt Day of July, In ye eleventh year of his Majesties Reign, & In ye year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred Twenty & five .- STEPHEN BUCK. [a seal] : Signed Sealed & Delivered In presence of us: JOHN HOOKER Sen'-BENJAMIN ANDRUS Sen'-Farmington, ye 6th Day of July Anº Dom: 1725 STEPHEN BUCK. ye Subscriber to this foregoing In- strumen then Came personally, & acknowledged ye Same, to be his own free act & Deed ---

Before me JOHN HOOKER, Assist'.

A True Coppy of ye original Deed of Sale Received to be Recorded this 6th day of July 1725.

p' JOHN HOOKER Regist".

We are left in ignorance of details as to the progress made by the new society, but we know the general fact that it was slow.

Ata meeting of the Society held in 1726, Samuel Andrus being Clerk, a vote was taken, appointing James Pike as their agent, on be- half of himself and the rest of said Society, to petition the Legisla- ture for liberty to lay a tax of two pence on the acre, on non-residents' lands. In compliance with his instructions, he presented his petition

HISTORY OF SOUTHIINGTON.

to the General Assembly in 1726, in which it is stated, "that through the great indulgence of the Assembly, they have laid the foundation of a new Society for their attendance on public worship, that they have al- ready been in considerable advance towards accommodating a Gospel Minister in this settlement, and that much now must of necessity be ad- vanced, in building a meeting-house, minister's house, and other things requisite for a Society ; that as it is the common fate of new begin- ning Societies, so we wanting money to carry on those affairs ; from your Honors wonted goodness in such cases, are emboldened to make this address, that is, to lay a tax of two pence on the acre, on non-resi- dents' lands."

In October, 1726, the General Assembly passed the following act- " Upon the petition of the third or South Society of Farmington de- siring this Assembly that a tax upon the lands of said society be grant- ed; this Assembly do hereby grant a tax of one penny per acre per an- mum upon all the unimproved lands within the precincts of the said so- ciety, for the space of four years ensuing ; the first years tax money to he paid before or at the first day of next April, and so annually every year until said four years is expired ; the collector hereafter mentioned giving timely notice annually to said proprietor before said time of pay- ment. And this Assembly do hereby fully impower Samuel Wood- ruff Junior, of said society to collect or gather said tax ; and if any person or persons shall neglect or refuse to pay said tax as herein set and ordered to be paid, that then the said Samuel Woodruff shall get a lawful writ from the authority and distrain upon the goods or real es- tate of such person or persons so neglecting or refusing, and the said collector shall dispose of the money so raised as the said society by their major vote from time to time shall order. And this Assembly do order that for the future the said society be called and known by the name of "Southington."

Such is the history of the origin and establishment of this society. It existed four years before the organization of the church, which is sup- posed to have been on the day that Mr. Curtis was settled as pastor.

The next important step taken of which we have any authentic or documentary evidence, is the calling of "ye minister." But whether there had been more than one candidate is unknown. The society met July 18, 1728, and made choice of Jeremiah Curtis for pastor. He sent his letter of acceptance August 8th, and was ordained November 13th of the same year.

Immediately after his settlement the society fulfilled its agreement with him, and conveved the "lot" to him that had been bought for the purpose two years before. The deed is as follows :

*Contracted from South Farmington-South(Farm)ington.

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

Whereas, Stephen Buck, of the Sociaty Called Southington, In ye Township of Farmington, In ye County of Hartford In ye Colony of Conecticott, In New England, Did by A Deed of Sale well executed, Bareing Date ye Sixth Day of July: one thousand Seven hundred & Twenty five, Sell Convay and Confirm, unto Daniel Andrus liveing In sd Sociaty, and the Rest of the Inhabitant propriators, of ye sd village or Society, one Certaine parcell of Land, Lying within ye Bounds of ye Township of sd Farmington, & within the Limmits of sd Society, and In the Division of Land Lying Southward from ye Reserved Land, Between ye mountains it being the fourty Seventh Lott In Number as ye Lotts were Drawn on sª Division of Land, which Lott lyeth In ye midle Teer of Lotts, the sª Lott was Drawn on ye Right of Zach Seamour, and it is In Bredth North & South, thirty Two Rods & one Quarter-and In Length, East & West foure hundred & Twelve Rods- containing 82 acres & an halfe Bounded East, West & North with Highway, South Capt Harts Lott which Lott In the buying of it, was Designed to accommodate A minister, that should be Settled In sd So- ciaty which by ye sª Deed of Sale, on Record In sª Farmington Records In Book 4th: & In pag: 284: may more at Larg appear-and the Revd m' Jeremiah Curtice, formerly, of Stratford, In ye County of Fayer- field, In ye Colony aforesd, Now of the same Farmington aforesd haveing Lately Settled, and Now is fixed In ye work of ye ministry, & in Gos- pel, order In sª Sociaty-the sd Sociaty hath In theyer meeting De- cembr third, 1728: by theyer act on Record, fully Impower the afore Named Daniel Andrus, In Behalfe of himselfe and the Rest of the propriator Inhabitants of sª Sociaty, by A Deed of Sale well exicuted, to Sell Grant Convay & Confirm the aforesd Lott of 82 acres & an halfe of Land unto ye sª Jeremiah Curtice his heirs & assigns forever.

Now Know all men by these presents, that I ye afore Named Dan- iel Andrus, for my selfe and Representing the Rest of ye proprietor Inhabitants of the aforesd Society Called Southington. for ye Consid- erations before In this Instrument premised-Do, Give, Grant, Bar- gain, Sell, pass over, Convay & Confirm unto him ye afore Named m' Jeremiah Curtice his heirs and assigns forever-the aforesd Tract of Land, Containing eighty Two acres & an halfe acre be ye Same more or Less, Described and Bounded as above sd To Have & To Hold all the above Granted and Bargained premises, with ye appurtenances thereof unto him ye aforesª m' Jeremiah Curtice his heirs & assigns forever, to his and theyer own proper, Sole, Benefit, use and Behoof- and allso I, ye sª Daniel Andrus, Do In Behalfe of my Selfe and the Rest of ye Inhabitants, of ye sª Sociaty, and our Successors, Covenant with ye sª m" Jeremiah Curtice his heirs and assigns, that at & untill ye ensealing of these presents we are Lawfully Seized of all ye above

HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.

Bargained premises, as A Good, Indefeasable estate In Fee Simple and that we have Good Right to Bargain and Sell ye Same In maner and form as is above written, and that ye Same is free of all Incumbrances of Title whatsoever-and Further more I, the sd Daniel Andrus Do by these presents Bind my Selfe and the Rest of ye Inhabitants of sd Society, and our succeesors forever to Warrant and Defend the above Granted and Bargained premises, to him ye said m' Jeremiah Curtice, his heirs and assigns, forever against all Lawfull Claims and Demands whatsoever .- In Wittness whereof I, ye sª Daniel Andrus In Behalf of my Selfe, and Representing ye Rest of ye Inhabitants of ye sd Society, have hereunto Sett my hand & Seale, this first-Day of Janur In ye Second year of ye Reign of our Sovereign Lord George ye Second King of Great Brittain &c .- & In ye year of or Lord Seventeen hun- dred Twenty & eight-9.

DANIEL ANDRUS.

Signed Sealed and Delivered In presence of us

ISAAC COLES Sen" DANIELL JUDD

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Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn, Part 5

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