USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 51
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1 He began his Sabbath with sunset Saturday, and allowed nothing to interrupt the custom. He held his weekly services in the afternoon, remarking once, " I do not ap- prove of young people being out nights."
2 An old man in Preston was recently asked by Rev. Mr. Shipman, " What do you remember about Dr. Hart ?" His reply was, " I remember a good deal. I re- member one day when I was driving cows from Stone Hill Dr. Hart met me, and he talked with me, and asked me how many cows we had." The old man added, "Dr. Hart always talked of things that those he talked with knew about."
On one occasion a man came to him and said : "Dr. Hart, my neighbor, Mr. A., is so quarrelsome that I can't get along with him at all. What can I do ?" " Why," said Dr. H., "just tell him that if he wishes to quarrel he must do it all with himself, and in this way you'll heap coals of fire on his head." The man thought a moment, and exclaimed, " I'll do it if it burns his devilish brains up."
3 The Rev. Mr. Tyler was settled at South Preston, and Dr. Hart at the center of the town. One Esquire Brewster once told the latter "that to town was blessed with two such pastors as Preston, and yet the two men are utterly unlike." "Explain yourself," said Dr. H. "Why, sir," said Mr. B. " If I should go to Mr. Tyler's house and tell him I had come to fight him, he would pull off his coat, and say let us go at it, but Dr. Hart would ask me to take a seat, calm me down, show me that I was wrong, and send me away ashamed of myself."
A certain minister was charged by a Dr. - with some offense, and a council convened of which Dr. Hart was moderator. The charge was not sustained, which enraged the physician so much, that he attached the property of Dr. Hart to meet the expenses of the council. But even this did not move him ; he gave bonds to appear at court, and this was the end of the matter.
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spoke of visiting the school a few days before. 'Your children, Mr. Starkweather, are very good scholars.' Mr. S. excused himself for a moment. On opening the kitchen door his first word was: 'Wife, I'm going to ask Mr. Hart to stay to dinner, and we must give him our best." Mr. Hart staid and dined. On leaving he said, " Mr. S., take your wife and come up and make us a visit." From that time Mr. S. became friendly, and began to attend meeting."-Rev. T. L. Shipman's Sermon.
During the Revolutionary war Dr. Hart took decided ground for the Independence of the Colonies. In 1774 he preached by special re- quest in Farmington before the freemen of the town, upon the subject of Liberty. This was five years before Southington became a sepa- rate town. This invitation came through Jonathan Root and John Curtis, two influential and active advocates of Independence. He was zealous in soliciting men to enlist, and frequently preached upon the subject, setting forth the justice and claims of the conflict. Several times he rode on horseback to the New England camps, and always used the occasion to cheer and encourage the army. There is a record of his preaching in Aug., 1775, in the camp at Roxbury, Mass., before Col. Parsons' regiment, that embraced many men from his parish. In 1783, he delivered a discourse on occasion of the anniver- sary of the massacre of Col. Ledyard and his men, at Fort Griswold, Sept. 6, 1871. Dr. Hart married, Sept. 6, 1764, Rebecca, daughter of Dr. Bellamy, who was but seventeen years old, having been born at Bethlem, Sept. 11, 1747. But her youth and inexperience were more than counterbalanced by her womanly qualities and mature mind. Her name is warmly cherished by her descendants. She died Dec. 24, 1788, and on Jan. 4, 1789, Dr. Hart preached a sermon occasioned by the event, from Ezekiel 24: 15-18, in which he spoke of the duty of ministers to improve personal sorrows for the benefit of their people. He married the second time, Oct. 6, 1790, Lydia (Leffenwell), widow of Nathaniel Backus of Norwich-she being a descendant of Thomas Leffingwell, prominent in the early history of the State. She is said to have been " a precious woman, worthy to be the wife of the best of men."
Among Dr. Hart's theological students were several who became afterwards quite famous as preachers, Dr. Joseph Dana, Dr. Asa Burton, Dr. Charles Backus, Rev. Nathaniel Howe, Rev. Asahel Huntingdon, Rev. Amos Chase, Rev. David Bacon (father of Dr. Leonard), and others. He also prepared several young men for college. Among his ministerial associates and friends was Dr. Hop- kins, of Newport, R. I., whose funeral sermon he preached Dec. 23, 1803.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
Dr. Hart died 1 Oct. 27, 1808. At the funeral a sermon was preached by Joel Benedict, D.D., of Plainfield, and on the Sabbath following another was preached by Joseph Strong, D.D., of Norwich; both discourses were published, and reveal the high esteem in which the deceased was held by his cotemporaries. He published, while living, several sermons 2 and discourses.
REV. BENONI UPSON, D.D.
He was the son of Thomas and Hannah (Hopkins) Upson, and born in Southington, (that part afterward known as Farmningbury parish, and now Wolcott town, ) Feb. 14, 1750. His father joined the Con- gregational church here under Mr. Chapman, but the Chapman records being lost, the date is unknown; but that he joined this church is evident from the fact that he was dismissed by letter from this church at the formation of the church in Farmingbury, in 1773. He grad- uated at Yale college in 1776, and in 1809 was elected a trustee, an office he held until 1823. He was installed pastor 3 at Kensington, Apr. 21, 1779, and here he remained until Nov. 13, 1826.
His reputation as handed down is that of a man of solid rather than brilliant parts, clear discernment, sound judgment, earnest but cahn in purpose, dignified in his intercourse with men, prudent in action. His manner in the pulpit was quiet. In every way he was a man of whom no evil could be spoken. But he lacked in positive qualities that fit men for trying times, or to lead in great emergencies. All his traits qualified him for a very even ministry. He was married, August, 1778, to Livia, daughter of Joseph Hopkins, of Waterbury, and had eight children. He died Nov. 13, 1826, and was buried at Kensington, in the east cemetery.
REV. JOHN LEWIS.
He was the son of Eldad and Jerusha (Cowles) Lewis, and was born 1746, and baptized April 20, 1746. His father, like Jared Lee, was opposed to Mr. Curtiss, and a warm friend of Mr. Chapman. It is probable that his preparatory studies were with Mr. Chapman. He graduated at Yale College in 1770. That he held a good rank as a scholar, appears from the fact that he was tutor from Nov., 1773, to May, 1778.
1 When told that he must die and leave his people, he burst into tears.
2 Dr. Sprague in his Annals omits one from the list, -" The Importance of Pa- rental Fidelity &c.," delivered at his 30th anniversary of' settlement.
3 I can find no account of his licensure. But it was probably by the Hartford Sonth Association. His name appears as meeting with that body, Feb. 1, 1780. The records of meetings for Oct., 1777, and Jan., 1778, are wanting. He may have been examined at one of these meetings.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
He was licensed to preach by the East Haven Association, May 26, 1772, at a meeting held at the house of Rev. Andrew Storrs in North- bury (Plymouth). The records read-" John Lewis A B of Yale College, having been examined, approved, and recommended by the Committee of the Association as a suitable candidate for preaching the Gospel- Voted, that the Association relying upon the Fidelity of their com- mittee do continue to him the Recommendation of the committee which according to the Rules of the Association is to be in force for the space of four years." The Rev. Nathan Strong, afterward of Hartford, was licensed at the same time.
Nothing is known of the place or places at which he preached before 1780. His duties as tutor closed in 1778, and for two years after we get no trace of him, but a part of the time he was probably supplying at Stepney (Rocky Hill), where he was subsequently called in 1780. The extracts from the Stepney records herewith given, seem to indicate that he was on the ground at the time the call was given. At this time this parish was known as the 3d parish of Wethersfield.
Society meeting held July 3ª 1780-" at sª meeting Capt Jolm Warner, Thomas Curtiss, Capt John Robbins, Capt Elias Williams, and Capt Moses Williams, was chosen a committee to apply themselves to Mr. John Lewis of Southington, now resident in Wethersfield, to confer with and try his mind wheather he will be willing to settle with us in ye work and office of the Gospel Ministry provided we give him suitable encouragement for his support, and make report to the next adjourned meeting."
" September 4th 1780-Voted that ye Comtee that was appointed last meeting should apply themselves in behalf of the society to Mr. John Lewis now preaching with us and give him a call and interest him to settle with us in ye work and office of ye Gospel Ministry, and confer with him on matters pertaining thereto, also draw up some proposal relating to his settlement and salary and lay it before sa Society for their consideration at the next adjourned meeting."
Society Meeting held Oct. 2ª 1780-"Voted that these proposals should be made to Mr John Lewis provided he settles with us in ye work and office of the Gospel Ministry (viz) to give him for his encouragement 200 pounds lawful silver money settlement, or other pay equivalent to silver money at the time of payment-to give him 80 pounds lawful silver money salary annually so long as he continues in ye work and office of the Gospel Ministry to be paid in silver money or other pay equivalent at the time of payment-to give him 16 cords of good green wood for the four first years, and after that 20 cords of good green wood a year annually so long as he continues in ye work and office of the Gospel Ministry-also ye sole use and improvement of
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ye 20 acres of parsonage land, so long as he continues in ye work and office of ye Gospel Ministry as foresd."
Meeting Oct. 16, 1780, " Voted to add 20 pounds lawful money a year to Mr. John Lewis sallary to be paid annually so long as ye present war between Britain and North America continues, and after that ceases his salary to stand at 80 pounds a year as aforesd, also to add four cords of good green wood a year for the first four years."
To this call of the society Mr. Lewis replied Dec. 20, 1780-" Brethren and friends : I have had communicated to me by your committee your votes requesting me to settle with you in ye work of the Gospel Ministry. and also your votes to return ye same answer or a similar one I therefore as before observe that I have considered the matter and advised and in Result am Really of oppinion that the encouragement is Inadequate to ye necessities of a family, however as I hope I seak not yours but your salvation I do accept your invitation relying upon the Divine mercy and your good will and kindness. I hope I shall not fail of support so as to be comfortable if upon reasonable experiment it should be otherwise, you will I trust, my brethren and friends, be as ready to assent to my dismission as to receive my acceptance, asking your earnest prayers for me and wishing you grace mercy and peace, I am &c., JOHN LEWIS."
A month later he sent the following communication to the Society- " Whereas ye 34 society in Wethersfield have voted and granted to me the subscriber the sum of 200 pounds lawful silver money or other pay equivalent to silver money at ye time of payment for my settlement in s" society, I do hereby consent and agree to lay myself under the fol- lowing obligations relative thereto (viz) if by my embracing and holding any Erroneous Doctrine or tenet or by any unlawful practice should render myself in the judgement of ye ministers of ye Association to which I shall belong unfit for a Gospel Minister to sd society within ye space of ten years, I being in falt, in all which I do consent and agree that it shall be submitted to the determination of Indifferent Judges wheather I shall return ye whole settlement or wheather a part of the whole shall be returned back again, and after ye sa ten years my title to sd settlement to be Indisputable, only in case of death within ye sa ten years my Heirs to be Intituled to sd settlement."
Wethersfield, Jan. ye 234 1781. JOHN LEWIS.
He was ordained pastor June 28, 1781. His wife was Mary, daughter of Col. Leverett Hubbard of New Haven, and she was born April 13, 1752; died Aug. 11, 1786. Mr. Lewis died April 28, 1792.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
REV. LEVI LANKTON.
" I' was born in Southington, in the county of Hartford and state of Connecticut, A. D. 1754, Dec. 31. My father's name was Giles Lank- ton; he was a plain farmer, to which business I was brought up, and in which I have been more or less employed almost all my life. * * I suppose I have been much more moral from my earliest childhood than is common among children and youth. It was rare that I diso- beyed my parents, and in but few instances have had a frown from a school master. I have no remembrance of using a word that I thought to be profane, in my life. I have always attempted to be strictly honest. The same attention to morality attended me in college. I was strictly obedient to the laws. The Freshman laws were an occasion of much lying, and the general feeling of the scholars was that it was wrong."
Thus he speaks of himself, and these extracts disclose the spirit and principles that controlled him through his long life. He was the son of Giles and Ruth (Andrews) Langdon,2 who then lived on Queen Street. The scanty opportunities of the common school did not satisfy his mind, and he secured and read whatever books he could for his entertainment and instruction. Mr. Chapman, his pastor, became inter- ested in him, and urged his preparation for college. offering at the same time to be his teacher. He entered Yale College in 1773, and gradu- ated in 1777. While in college he, with other students, entered the continental army, and he seems to have been in the commissary3 depart- ment. After a few months he returned to New Haven and graduated, and thence came to Southington, where he began theological studies with Mr. Chapman. It is said that through his influence Mr. Robinson was invited to preach as a candidate. After Mr. Robinson removed here he completed his theological course with him, although for a little time he seems to have been in New Haven, and was licensed by the East Haven Association in 1781. For several years he can not be traced in his labors as a preacher, but there is reason to believe that he received an appointment as home missionary, and supplied in various localities. He has recorded of himself that in 1788 he "became a Mis- sionary in New Hampshire."
At this time there was a division in the church at Alstead, Cheshire County, N. H., arising from distrust of the pastor. Mr. Lankton preached in the east part of that town, and organized a church out of the dissentients-eighteen in number-November 20, 1788. He con-
1 From a MS. Autobiography. But little is said of his general life in it, but it is so rich as a record of Christian experience that it is my purpose to publish it hereafter as a book for devotional reading.
2 He always insisted on spelling his name Lankton, instead of Langdon.
3 He was cook for three months.
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tinued to supply them until the following autumn, when he accepted a call to settle with them, and was ordained and installed' as pastor, Sep- tember 2, 1789, the sermon for the occasion having been preached by Rev. Samuel Whitman, of Goshen, Conn.
The Rev. Bezaleel Smith,? writing of him says: "And though, on account of feeble voice and slow delivery, his maner was not regarded as interesting, the matter of his sermons was always good." Practical, discriminating, biblical, his public discourses and private conversation ever seemed to flow from a heart overflowing with love to God and love to man. His holy example and godly conversation were ever an excellent comment on the doctrines he inculcated, and thus he became, what his people and their descendants denominated, un every day preacher."
His feeble health after a time compelled him to resign his charge, which he did reluctantly, and was dismissed, June, 1823. Considering the size of his parish, and the sparse population, his ministry may be considered as successful above the average. And surely no one could wish for a people whose sympathy was warmer and more lasting. An eminently pious woman exclaimed, as she saw him leave the place, "The glory is departed from Israel." And these words seemed pro- phetic, for influences that his presence was instrumental in repelling now swept over that part of the town, and wrought great evil.
Mr. Lankton married, for his first wife, Elizabeth Crane, of Berke- ley, Mass., who died October 8, 1791, when he married Eunice Fish, daughter of Rev. Elijah Fish, of Upton, Mass. Excepting one dying in infancy, his only child was Elizabeth, who became the wife of Wil- liam Fay, of Westboro, Mass. To the home of this daughter he retired after leaving Alstead, and in the later years of his life he went to Marietta, Ohio, whither his daughter removed. Here he died, No- vember 23, 1843, and was buried in the Marietta Mound Graveyard.
So kind and gentle was he in word and manner that not one of his eleven grandchildren who grew up around him, can recall a single impatient remark or act.
His autobiography reveals the inward life of the man, and was evi- dently written for his own eyes only. He was given to the habit of careful and constant introspection, and the manuscript is an evident device of keeping, in a compact form before him, the real exercises of his soul. The vein of feeling is that of intense self-distrust and humiliation.
1 His salary was only about ninety dollars, and he supplemented the salary by tak- ing students, and working his farm.
2 History of the New Hampshire Churches, p. 250.
3 He published one sermon on Baptism, in 1816, which is the extent of his venture in this direction.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
REV. GAD NEWELL.
He was the son of Isaac and Rachel (Pomeroy) Newell, and was born September 10, 1763. Of nine children he was the eighth, and was a younger brother of Deacon Pomeroy Newell. He was, as a boy, very frail, and yet he outlived all the other members of the family, who were supposed to be physically stronger. Until his sixteenth year he remained upon the farm, but his health then failing, and his parents regarding him as unfitted for agricultural life, apprenticed him to the trade of a saddler. While learning this trade his right hand became in some way injured, so that he was compelled to abandon it. He now began studying with Mr. Robinson, and entered Yale College in his 19th year. A revival was in progress in the college when he entered. He became interested in the subject of religion, and was hopefully con- verted, but he did not join the college church until his junior year. Graduating in 1785, he engaged for a year as teacher at Milford. At the close of this year he returned home, and began the study of the- ology with Mr. Robinson, and then with Rev. John Smalley. He was licensed by the Hartford South Association, in session at Marlborough, June 2, 1789, and preached his first sermon at Kensington, for Rev. Dr. Upson. His health was such that he could not undertake a pastoral charge, and in fact it seemed doubtful whether he ever could. He remained at his father's house in Southington, and February 26, 1790, his father deeded him six acres of land "in the North-west corner of his farm," and probably he expected to spend his days in this town.
In the summer of 1793 he took a journey into New Hampshire, it is supposed at the invitation of the Rev. Levi Lankton, a native of South- ington, but then settled at East Alstead, in that state. He was invited to supply the church at Nelson. The following spring he received and accepted a call to that place, and was ordained and installed, June 11, 1794. According to a usage of that time and town, he was settled by the town, and by it supported until 1814. Mr. Newell entered upon his work with energy and zeal. He visited the schools, and habitually heard the pupils on Saturdays in the Assembly's Catechism. He was one of the earliest advocates of temperance in that state. His entire ministry covered a period of forty-two years, and was one of unusual fruitfulness. If we take into account the population of the town, his ministry, relatively, stands above the average. Three hundred and one·were added to the church, of which number two hundred and forty- five were on profession. Of one hundred and thirty-eight baptisms, fifty were adults, and eighty-eight infants. He united in marriage three hundred couples, and attended five hundred and twenty-two funerals.
In 1836 he had an assistant, Rev. Josiah Bullard, and he remained
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senior pastor until Sept. 3, 1841, when he was dismissed by council. from the charge.
Mr. Newell married, June 11. 1795, Sophia Clapp (daughter of Ben- jamin Clapp and Sophia Boynton. Easthampton, Mass.), who died Sept. 12, 1840. They had four children, the first two living but a few weeks. A son, Oliver Pomeroy Newell, is a physician, and has been a deacon of the church in Nelson, but now resides in Winchester, N. H. He was born Dec. 7, 1796, and married Betsey Greenwood, Feb. 16, 1832. They have no children. A daughter, Ursula Newell, was born Sept. 27, 1806, and married Rev. J. S. Emerson, with whom she went as a missionary to the Sandwich Islands. At the time of her marriage her parents gave her the additional name of Sophia. Mrs. Emerson revis- ited this country in 1860. Her husband died March 11, 1867, but she remains at the Islands. They have had eight children, seven sons and one danghter.
The death of Mr. Newell occurred Feb. 25, 1859, at the age of 95 years. 5 months, and 15 days. His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Barstow, of Keene, N. H. In speaking of the deceased, Dr. Barstow said: "His doctrines were those laid down in the West minster Assembly's Confession of Faith. He was plain and direct in preaching these truths, endeavoring to connnend them to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And God owned his ministry in a signal manner by keeping you (his people) more united than almost any other parish in the country, and in granting pleasing revivals of religion under his ministry. * * He preached occasionally with animation, till he was ninety years of age. * * * The very last time he visited me, just as he was entering his 96th year, I inquired, ' Do you see any ground to change your views of religious truth ?' He answered most emphatically, 'No; I am more and more confirmed in these as the faith once delivered to the saints.' "
The Manual of the church of which he was pastor, published in 1858, thus speaks of him: " Mr. Newell is still living, and although in his 95th year, he regularly attends divine worship upon the Sabbath, and up to the present winter has hardly ever failed to be present at the weekly prayer-meeting of the church, and frequently leads in prayer, and uniformly conducts the exercises when the officiating clergy- man is absent; and until the present winter he has frequently offered one of the prayers during public worship on the Sabbath, and statedly taken a part in the administration of the Sacrament. Age has com- paratively done little yet to impair his physical abilities. His coun- tenance is as fresh, and he walks as spry as a man of sixty; and his voice is as loud and free from trembling as any minister of my acquaint- ance. His interest in the welfare of Zion is unabated, and his earnest
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prayers and exhortations evince a mind deeply sensible of the worth of souls, and the importance of their salvation."
In person, Mr. Newell was of medium size, with a small round face, very pleasing in manner, and of dignified bearing. In the pulpit, he was simple in expression, free from all mannerism, and without display of voice or gesture. His power was in what he said, and in the deep con- victions of his soul.
REV. WHITFIELD COWLES.
Mr. Cowles was the son of Capt. Josiah and Mary (Scott) Cowles, and was baptized by Mr. Chapman, Aug. 5, 1764.
His youth was spent in labor, but when about sixteen he began studying with his pastor, Mr. Robinson. Entering Yale College, he graduated in 1788. A part (at least) of his theological course was with Mr. Robinson. He was licensed by the Hartford North Association, Oct. 5, 1790. The records read: " Mr. Whitfield Cowles of Southing- ton, and Mr. James K. Guernsey of Castleton, in Vermont, were ap- probated to preach the Gospel." His history for the following three years is unknown. About 1794 he is found preaching in Granby, Turkey Hills society, and was here ordained and installed. The Hart- ford North Association records, Oct. 7, 1794, " The Rev. Mr. Whitfield Cowles and Isaac Porter were, upon their desire, admitted as members of the Association." His name appears as quite a constant attendant upon the meetings of this body.
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