USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
He led the old Whig party for many years in this town, and often made campaign addresses. After Alexander Hamilton was killed by Aaron Burr, he became an enthusiastic follower of this statesman, and
that knew him cannot remember his hearty laugh and twinkling eye, and his witty anecdotes. The distinctions that he would have made, we want should be maintained- to laugh heartily, but never at sin. That betokens an unhealthy state of the individual or of the public mind.
1 See Memoir of Rev. William Robinson, p. 120.
469
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
studied and wrote1 for the press upon his theories of finance and gov- ernment. So tenderly did he cherish Hamilton's memory, that until the day of his death he could scarcely hear the "duel " spoken of without shedding tears. He was also an early friend of the temperance reform, and in 1827 began to deliver addresses upon the subject in the several school districts of the town. For many years he was treasurer of the Congregational society, and when he surrendered the office on account of his growing infirmities, a special tribute was paid him in the form of a complimentary vote. Having never made a public pro- fession of religion, his more particular views were not known to the public. He dissented from the strong Calvinism of Mr. Robinson. Probably the Quakers had his sympathy as much as any Christian body, he having mingled with them in his early manhood, in Pennsyl- vania; but his family in many ways detected the deep religious feel- ings that controlled him. But few men, if any, during fifty years, exerted a wider and better influence than did he.
GAD ANDREWS.
Mr. Andrews stands in the history of the town as "a man of his own peculiar kind." In his particular pursuit of life, he is solitary. Like all youth of Southington he was taught to labor with his hands, and spent the first years of his life upon the farm and in the shop with his father. He also conducted the cement works of Anson Mer- riman. In 1813 he moved, with his father, on the farm he now occupies. It is neither as a farmer nor mechanic that Mr. Andrews is to be spoken of or remembered. When a boy he began a course of reading that quickened his desire for information and that finally ran into the line of antiquarian research. In some way an interest in the topography and genealogies of this town was awakened and he en- tered upon a diligent study of these subjects. He wouldl walk to Farmington in the morning, copy records all day, and return at night -a distance of eight or nine miles. This he did until he had exam- ined fully, and transcribed the parts of the records that threw light upon the settlement and growth of this parish and town. He then visited Wallingford, pursuing the same line of inquiry. By personal inspection, or by proxy, he became familiar with the ancient records of Hartford, Meriden, Wethersfield, and New Haven. He surround- ed himself with manuscripts, pamphlets, volumes, that would assist him in his studies. Nor did he confine his studies to this town or the limits of "antient ffarmington," but to other places, so that now he may be considered a Connecticut if not a New England Encyclo- pedia. Without him much of the history of Farmington, New Britain,
1 A labored article of his was printed in one of the Hartford papers.
470
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
Southington, and Kensington had perished. And also many of the old family names could not have been traced back farther than three or four generations, but for his investigation. Mr. Alfred Andrews, who has prepared a History of New Britain, and Genealogies of the Andrews and Hart families, acknowledges such a degree of indebted- ness to Mr. Gad Andrews, that he says he could not have perfected those works without his encouragement and aid. And the same is true of these sketches of Southington. But so quietly has he pursued his studies in his "quiet nook." that I have found several old families in the town that have known nothing of his line of study. He has visited all the old graveyards and copied inscriptions, and sometimes he seemed to be a modern "Gadarene dwelling among the tombs." He has on hand a large amount of material which at some future time will serve important ends.
I regard Mr. Andrews as one of the most remarkable men this town has produced, and if I should name the two men born here, whose influence has been and will be widest, I would record the names of Edward Robinson and Gad Andrews. In many respects they are alike. Both lack in certain popular gifts that command immediate popularity : both are reserved in purpose and quiet in execution; they have like tastes; in exhaustive, persistent inquiry they are alike, and also in the precision and confidence of their conclusions. Had Mr. Andrews the education and advantages of Mr. Robinson, he would doubtless have devoted himself to the writing as he has to the gathering of materials for history. This sketch is not in the least exaggerated, and the writer hopes that henceforth the town will appreciate and do honor to one of its most worthy sons.
HON. HENRY D. SMITH.
He was born in Hartford, Dec. 9, 1820, and is the son of Asaph and Betsey (Abbey) Smith. He entered Yale College, and graduated in 1844. Speaking of himself to his class, at the third decennial reun- ion: "At a tender age I found myself possessed of a valuable estate, viz., broad acres of poverty and a praying mother. The first made me industrious, the second made me a Christian." At the age of nineteen he became a professed Christian, and with the ministry in view began a preparation for college. The solid and practical make-up of the man will appear in what he again says of himself: "Immediately on grad- uating I hired out to a farmer at mowing to earn money enough to pay for the good clothes I graduated in. My next study was, to learn how a graduate could earn money enough to support his parents, pay his college debts, and prepare for the ministry before he was gray. I studied that problem five years, and gave it up."
Hamry , smith.
471
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
He came to Southington and took charge of the select school that in part was supported by the Sally Lewis Fund, and that was the foundation or beginning of the present Lewis Academy. Remaining here two years, he removed to Meriden, and founded the Meriden Institute, where he taught for three years.
He says, "I began teaching with a strong determination to succeed or die, but at the end of five years, I found that I had neither suc- ceeded nor died, and so turned my attention to what I was better fitted for. I invented a new industry-the manufacture of carriage hardware. In 1850 irons used on carriages were forged by hand; my invention was to make the same iron by power applied to special ma- chinery, dies and tools, so that the goods could be produced at a lower price than they could be made by hand, and so much lower as to leave a good margin of profit. I succeeded in this and for ten years held the industry in my own hands. There are now some twenty manu- facturers in the United States engaged in this business, with an investment of some millions of capital."
Mr. Smith, since his residence in Southington, has exhibited great public spirit and is foremost in whatever advances the interests of his adopted town. Early in life he became decidedly anti-slavery in conviction, and a consistent advocate of total abstinence. He boldly avowed his sentiments and maintained them in the face of opposition. In 1873 he was selected as the Prohibition candidate for governor of the state, and has for three successive years led the party as its nom- inee. However much men disagree with him in opinion as to this reform, none withhold confidence in his sincerity and zeal. In the church he is active, and often represents it in councils and confer- ences. Probably no one in the town is a more decided and intelligent friend of education.
CHAPTER XXX.
MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL RAISED UP.
Elisha Webster; Samnel Newell; Seth Lee; Levi Hart; John Lewis; Benoni Upson ; Levi Lankton; Gad Newell; Whitfield Cowles; Pitkin Cowles; Asa Tal- mage; Josiah B. Andrews; Elisha D. Andrews; Jesse Frost; Fosdick Harrison ; William Robinson;1 Edward Robinson; Jeremiah Barnes; Rollin H. Neale; Rod- ney Curtiss; Anson I Upson; Henry Clark ; Robert P. Stanton; Josiah Upson ; Henry A. Russell; Orson W. Stowe; Henry E. Hart; Henry Upson; Incius H. Higgins; Henry E. Barnes; Samuel Dunham; Franklin Jones; Joseph H. Twichell ; Edward Y Gould ; Other Graduates of Yale before 1800, Aaron Day, John Hart, Oliver Lewis, Jonathan Barnes, Simeon Newell, Seth Lewis, Gideon Woodruff, Ichabod E. Fisk.
THE following sketches are of those who have been connected in some way with the First Congregational Society and Church. Three -Asa Talmage, Jesse Frost, and Rollin H. Neale-became ministers of the Baptist Church, and one-Josiah Upson-became a Universalist. So far as I know no one else from any of the churches of the town have entered the ministry. During the last century there were several whe expected to become ministers, and were a short time in Yale Col- lege, but who, from poor health or poverty, were compelled to abandon the purpose.
REV. ELISHA WEBSTER.
He was the son of John and Abial (Steele) Webster, who removed to Southington2 from Hartford about 1730. He was the first one from within the limits of this town to enter Yale College, which he did in 1734, one year before the Rev. Samuel Newell entered, and graduated in 1738. He studied theology, and was settled at Canaan in 1740, where he remained until 1752. With whom he studied and by what body he was licensed are unknown.
It is not known 3 at what time he returned to Southington, but he
1 He had the ministry in view, and is classed, for convenience, under this head, as are also Rodney Curtiss and Orson W. Stowe, who pursued a course of theological study.
2 He is supposed to have lived in a house that stood nearly opposite the Town House.
3 Ile was made a freeman here in 1783.
-
473
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
died here January 29, 1788, at the house of Captain Samuel Pardee, then on the site of the present home of Mrs. Laura Smith, in Plantsville.
REV. SAMUEL NEWELL.
He was born in Southington, March 1, 1714, and was the son of Samuel and Sarah (Norton) Newell.
He was "admitted to full communion" with this church, October 24, 1736. Nothing is known of his early life. Graduating at Yale College in 1739, we again lose sight of him until he is a licentiate, and appears as a candidate before the new society of New Cambridge (now Bristol) in the autumn of 1744. A little later (December 3d) a vote was passed to hire him, but with some opposition. Declining, he had overtures repeatedly made to him during the following three years, but the local difficulties prevented his acceptance. Finally,1 however, he accepted a call, and was ordained August 12, 1747. Mr. Curtis, the first pastor of this church, assisted in the services.
Here Mr. Newell labored during his active ministry. He was a decided Calvinist, and sympathized with the Whitfield revivals, while Mr. Curtiss and other clerical neighbors did not. For several years he held to the half-way covenant, but toward the latter part of his ministry abandoned the principle as unscriptural.
Mr. Newell was an ardent loyalist 2 during the "Old French War," and preached several times upon the duty of obedience to rightful civil anthority. And he was no less opposed to the king and warmly attached to the cause of the colonies during the revolutionary war. For brief periods he acted as chaplain 3 to the patriot armies.
In 1783 he was afflicted with paralysis, and feeling that "his time had come," he requested a colleague, offering to relinquish his salary. After a year or two he had so far recovered as to be able to resume his duties in a measure, and being without a colleague, supplied the church till within a short time of his death, February 10, 1789. The sermon at his funeral was delivered by Rev. Timothy Pitkin, and was published.
The Hon. Tracy Peck, in his historical address, thus speaks of him: "Mr. Newell's connexion with this church and people seems to have
1 During the interval he was probably in Windham County, Conn. Sce Miss Lar- ned's Hist., p. 452.
2 He served as chaplain for a time.
3 This story is told of him, but perhaps may be told of some one else. While acting as chaplain complaints were made that the soldiers plundered adjacent hen-roosts. On one occasion, after a complaint of this kind, Mr. Newell told the officer in com- mand he could discover the culprit if he would call the men into rank. "There," said Mr. Newell, "is the man-he who has a little feather on his nose." Quickly a hand was raised, which proved to be the guilty party.
60
474
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
been harmonious and prosperous, and one would suppose he was the great centre and head of the community. His word had power, and his advice was often sought in worldly as well as in spiritual matters, and when given it was conclusive. He acquired much landed estate, on which he often employed many of his parishioners. He had the ability, and seemed willing to assist others in procuring homes and the means of living. He adhered to his Calvanistic doctrines, while many clergymen in the vicinity favored and adopted the Arminian, or those of the Episcopal Church. These as preached by Mr. Newell gave him a name abroad, and induced many to leave their homes in other towns and remove here to enjoy his preaching."
He was buried at Bristol, and is the only minister of the Congrega- tional body that is entombed there. The following is the epitaph upon his stone:
" Here lieth interred the body of ye Rev. Samuel Newell, A. M., late pastor of the church in New Cambridge. A gentleman of good genius; solid judgement; sound in the faith; a fervent, experimental preacher; of unaffected piety; kindest of husbands; tenderest of fathers; the best of friends; and an ornament of the ministry: and having served his generation faithfully, by the will of God, with serenety and calm- ness fell on sleep, Feb. 10th, 1789, in the 75th year of his age and the 42d of his ministry. Death the great proprietor of all 'tis thine 'To tread out Empires and to quench the stars.'"
Mr. Newell married May 4, 1749, Mary Hart, widow of Timothy Root, of Farmington, who died November 28, 1797, aged 81 years. Two of his sons entered Yale College, one dying in 1771 before grad- uating, and the other graduating in 1781.
REV. SETH LEE.
He was the son of Jared and Rhoda (Judd) Lee, and was born March 31, 1736; baptized April 4th. As his father was a very prominent man in the town, and possessed (for those days) of ample means, he no doubt had the best opportunities for improvement. But nothing is known of his youth, or preparatory studies. Graduating at Yale Col- lege, he began the study of theology, as is supposed with Mr. Chapman. This is rendered highly probable from the fact that Jared Lee, the father, was particularly partial to Mr. Chapman.
Oct. 6, 1761, he presented himself before the Hartford North Asso- ciation for licensure. The records read, "Mr. Seth Lee, A. B., apply- ing himself to this Association for examination in order for a license to preach the Gospel, was examined according to the Rules in such cases provided and approved of, and recommended accordingly."
During the years 1762-3, he was tutor at Yale College, which indi-
475
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
cates that he stood well with that institution. He seems to have early abandoned preaching and given himself to the study of Medicine. Lo- cating at Farmington 1 he had a drug store in connection with general practice. He became a deacon 2 of the church. "He3 bore the reputa- tion of a godly man, exemplary in his conduct, and of much dignity in mauner, and as an officer of the church was highly respected." Of a large frame and inclined to corpulency, having a rather stern counte- nance and stately walk, the boys stood in awe of him; but still his kindly ways and benevolence inspired confidence among the young. He re- moved to Ludlow, Vt., in 1796, for the purpose of securing to his children more real estate than could be had in Farmington. At this time there was quite an emigration to Vermont from various parts of New England, as land was cheap and considered more productive. At Ludlow Mr. Lee sustained a good reputation until his death, Feb. 17, 1803.
REV. LEVI HART, D. D.
He was the son of Dea. Thomas and Ann (Stanley) Hart, and was born in Southington, March 30, 1738, and was baptized 4 April 2, 1738. His father was a prominent man of the town, and his position secured for the son the best possible advantages. He was prepared for College by Mr. Chapman, and graduated at Yale in 1760. Dea. Hart was a personal friend of Dr. Bellamy, and frequently this distinguished divine was a guest at the house. It is a tradition, that from early life Levi was inclined to dissipation, and the anxiety of the father had called for the counsel and admonition of Dr. Bellamy. As early as twelve years of age this son awakened the solicitude of the parents. At six- teen his father died, but this providence did not seem to permanently affect the youth. With much trembling he was permitted to leave home for college, but the faith and prayers of a devout mother fol- lowed him. In an autobiography 5 he has detailed the experiences of this period of his life. He was led to serious thought, and finally to a complete surrender to Christ. While in college he gave attention to every branch of science, and received the highest honors of his class.
After his graduation he became a student of theology under Dr. Bel-
1 He lived near the meeting-house in a house he built himself, and which is still ยท standing. His sons afterwards occupied it as a tavern. Mss. of Elbert Cowles (aged 90).
2 Was serving as early as 1774.
3 Mss. of Mr. Elbert Cowles.
4 Most published accounts date his birth April 10th, but the date of baptism discloses the error.
5 This was in existence a few years ago, but can not now be found
476
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
lamy, and an inmate of his family. He was licensed to preach June 2, 1761, by the Hartford North Association. The record of licensure is as follows : " Mr. Levi Hart offered himself for examination in order to preach the gospel, and was examined and licensed." Under his distinguished teacher he received impressions and a training that had much to do in moulding his future life.
Of his experience in preaching for the first time before Dr. Bellamy, we have the following taken from Dr. McEwen's discourse in the published proceedings of the Litchfield County Centennial, (page 84.) "His criticisms," (says the author, referring to Dr. Bellamy,) "were characterized by sarcasm and severity." Dr. Levi Hart, who married his daughter, said that he observed that Dr. B. allowed himself great latitude in expressing the faults of the first sermon preached by a can- didate. When Hart's turn came, he said that he determined that his sermon should be faultless. A lecture was appointed for him at a school-house in a remote part of the parish; and the procession started horseback; the preacher at the doctor's right hand, and the sirs, two by two in due order, following. The sermon on delivery seemed better to Hart than he expected, and raised him above fear from remarks of his teacher. The troop remounted for the return. The whole body of rear riders pressed as closely as possible to the two leaders, to hear what might be said by the chief in wisdom and authority. The doctor talked on different subjects, and the orator of the day said that his fear of criticism diminished at every step until he triumphed in the convic- tion that he had silenced the wily remarker. When near home they passed a field of buckwheat; the straw was large, reaching to the top of the fence, but there was no seed. "Hart," the doctor exclaimed, " you see that buckwheat ? There is your sermon."
He was settled at Griswold, Conn., Nov. 4, 1762, and here began a ministry that continued through a long life. It began with a revival, and all through its history it was distinguished for frequent outpour- ings of the Spirit. At first he was disposed to metaphysical study and speculation, but soon came to the conclusion that " the proper way to preach the Word was to state and apply its great truths in the simplest manner ;" and upon this theory he based his subsequent labors.
Dr. Hart was celebrated as a theological instructor, and prepared quite a large number for the ministry. The late Dr. Nott, of Franklin, Conn., says1 of him, "He was eminent for his qualifications as a theo- logical teacher. He was not only very clear in his expositions of the Christian system, but very keen to detect error and sophistry. His
I Sprague's Annals.
477
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
pupils looked upon him almost as an oracle. Few ministers in New England, previous to the establishment of theological seminaries, had so much to do as he in training young men for the ministry."
Dr. Hart was concerned in founding the Connecticut Home Mission- ary Society, of which he was a life-long friend. He was Trustee of Dartmouth College, and also a member of the Yale corporation. He also took an active part in forming the celebrated Plan of Union that for many years was a bond between the Congregational Churches of this State and the Presbyterians.
He received the degree of D. D. from the College of New Jersey in 1800, in company with the Rev. John Smalley, of New Britain. As a preacher he ranked with the first. He frequently occupied Mr. Rob- inson's pulpit on the way to pay his annual visit to his father-in-law, Dr. Bellamy, and was always1 heard with enthusiasm by the people of his native town.
Dr. Hart was a man who thoroughly understood himself and what- ever subject he handled. The Bible was his text-book, and he read it continually in the original 2 tongues. But few ministers were as devo ted to the work as he. He was ready to preach anywhere and at all times. This zeal doubtless led him in 1769 to take a Home Mission- ary tour through Maine. As a member of councils his judgment was held in supreme respect, particularly when subjects affecting the purity and peace of a church were under consideration. And he served the church also for many years by his pen in contributing to the Evangelical Magazine, and was one of its editors; but it is now impossible to select all his articles.
It is said that when he began preaching his style was "flowery " rather than solid, but by rigid discipline he subdued this tendency, as appears from his published discourses. All his pulpit services were conducted with great solemnity, and his prayers 3 particularly are remembered. The dignity and soberness of the pulpit he carried into every day life.4 He was methodical in all his work, and tena- .
1 One Marshall Clark, being a little intoxicated, heard him preach, and criticised hin thus : " I have measured Levi Hart and found him within a very few inches of being a Universalist." At that time many in this town held to a strictly vicarious Atonement, and that all men were elected. Dr. Hart was preaching on the extent of the Atonement at this time.
2 When he died it was said "that half the Hebrew of Eastern Connecticut died with him." One Manasseh Prentice used to call upon him frequently, and often asked him to read from his Hebrew Bible, saying, " I don't understand a word, but I love to hear the good book in the language in which it was first written."
3 One expression he invariably used-" We are in God's hands."
4 One writes of him-" He suppressed any temptation to be facetious ; he was con- stitutionally grave."
478
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
ciously 1 adhered to customs he had adopted. His pastoral visits were made on horseback, and these visits were not few. So familiar was he with his people, and so carefully did he notice them, that if any were absent from church, they were straightway questioned as to the reason. In his intercourse with men he was very practical.2
His kindly disposition won for him fast friends among all classes, and none more than among children and the poor. He had great tact in meeting difficult cases in his parish, and giving advice; and excelled most men in the success with which he conquered opposition 3 to himself.
" At one time there lived in the south part of the parish a man who had suffered himself, for some reason or other, to feel bitter towards everything connected with religion. He forbade the schoolmaster to teach his children the catechism; he did not attend public worship, and threatened, if the minister attempted to enter his house, to turn him out. Not long after, visiting the school in his district, Mr. Hart took his horse one pleasant morning, and rode down to call upon this pugnacious spirit. He was out in the field; and -his wife sent for him tremblingly, not knowing how he would meet the min- ister. As he came in Mr. Hart accosted him very pleasantly, and
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.