USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 52
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An error has prevailed (and the "Ecclesiastical Contributions," p. 377, has perpetuated it) that Mr. Cowles adopted the tenets of Uni- versalism, and for this was suspended from the ministry in 1808. Fortunately for the truth of history, the records of his trial before a Consociation exist, and they show a widely different reason for ecclesi- astical discipline. He did not avow Universalism until after 1812, for up to this time he sought to be restored to membership in the Associa- tion.
Somewhere about 1806 there were rumors affecting his Christian character, but no specific charges were preferred until 1808, when some of the leading members of society' laid their case before the Consocia- tion. Mr. Cowles had utterly declined to pay any attention to the complaints made against him. He would neither resign nor submit to any examination by his church. A very bitter feud was the result.
The Consociation met in October, 1808, and examined all the charges preferred, eleven in number, and passed upon them. Nine were dis- missed, and upon two he was convicted. The Consociation dissolved
1 It is an important fact to remember that the church adhered to him and continued faith in his integrity.
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the pastoral relation, and also suspended him from the ministry "for a limited time." or until he should satisfy the Association that he was penitent. But this action was repudiated by him and his church-a portion only of the church being against him. He seems to have con- tinued his duties as before.
Feb. 6, 1810, Mr. Cowles laid his case before the Association, ex- plained his conduct with respect to the charges by which he had been condemned by the Consociation, and asked " forgiveness for his faults so far as he felt conscious of guilt." But his brethren considered his explanations not satisfactory. Two years later, Feb. 4, 1812, the church appeared before the Association, asking advice as to "the church standing of their late pastor, the Rev. Whitfield Cowles." To this it was replied " that a minister dismissed from his pastoral rela- tion ceases to be a member of the church of which he was the late pastor, and that a minister while under censure of the Consociation is disqualified for the privileges of church communion."
In regard to the subsequent history of Mr. Cowles, I am dependent upon the testimony of persons whose memories carry them back to this date, or who recall distinctly what was told them by parents and others. It cannot be ascertained just what year he avowed himself a believer in " final restoration." The tradition is that " he insisted on his rights as a communicant in his former church," and that about 1810 began to express himself loosely on such doctrinal points. But when it was decided he had no "church standing " at East Granby, he more boldly avowed his position. After the excitement attending his trial and suspension cooled down, there was a disposition to review his case in a more favorable light. It was found that while the charges had a real foundation in fact, yet the facts admitted of explanations that essentially modified them, and cleared him of the graver imputations made. The trouble1 was more political than religions. He was a Jef- fersonian in politics, and this fact arraved many of his society and ministerial brethren against him. Some who at first took ground against him afterward confessed that such was the fact, and affirmed that he was unjustly condemned. He lived in Granby thirty years after these events, and no one pretends to point to acts inconsistent with a high standard of morals. And had he not finally identified
1 The writer has read the proceedings of the trial ; corresponded and conversed with several who knew him personally, and who knew the members of the Consociation who voted to suspend him, and who from them received the assurance that there was political bias at the bottom of the prosecution ; and, judging the case in the light now shed upon it, the conclusion reached is, that while Mr. Cowles was imprudent, and gave occasion for the charges, yet his acts can be explained on grounds consistent with his innocence. He is by no means a solitary case where a political prejudice has injured a pastor.
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himself with the Universalists, it is probable that he would in time have been reinstated in the ministerial office.
Mr. Cowles was a large, fleshy man, full of life and much given to pleasantry. As a preacher he was popular, and was always heard gladly in his native town. He was emotional rather than logical. His kindred and companions in this town always warmly espoused his cause, and never lost faith in his integrity.
And that his church, as such, did not lose faith in him, is evident from the action taken in his case. The opposition came chiefly from the Society. The following is the action of the Church:
"Reva Nathan Perkins, D.D., moderator of the North consociation in the county of Hartford: you are hereby informd and certified and through you, said consociation, that their result of Nov. 5th, 1808, at the meeting hous in Turkey hills, which in Council assembled to hear and Determine the complaint of Asahel Holcomb and others against the Reverd Whitefield Cowles, is by the church of christ in Turkey- hills orderly convened at the meeting hous in on the 19 Day of Nov., 1808, Considered and voted as null and void before our divine Lord and master Jesus Christ for the following Reasons-
Trøt. The church of christ in Said Turkey hills had not a letter mis- sive requesting her to take a Seat in Said council by her messinger, which Right was hers, She not being a party.
2nd. Said council voting to dispence with the Law of Christ in the 18th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, did Deny the first and Second Steps therein written to be necessary in reclaiming an offending Brother, which Steps are by the Great head of the church made necessary, yea, and the law itself and therefore fundamental to Holy and Christian Discapline.
3ª. Said council did practically go on the Ground of Receiving an accusation against an Elder, of the mouth of or Before one witness, in Direct Violation of God's holy Word-
4th. council, altho our beloved Pastor did turn to them, saying, I repent, Brethren, of all in which you Shall find me guilty, did not for- give him as christ Jesus commands.
5th. Said council did Invade the rights of the church of Christ in Turkey hills by Taking their pastor Violently from them without their consent and against their will formally expressd in Particular address to said Consociation. Great was this Violence, Trampling the unalien- able Rights of the church of Christ Beneath their feet.
6th. Said council Denouncing Judgement on Pasture, church, and society, was asked by Said pastar to Shew the chapter in Gods holy word or the Passage Leaf or page in Sea Brook platform Justifying Sutch Judgement, but Would not while it was their duty to give rea- 62
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sons of Their Hope that they had done right and shew their warrant in the Exercise of Sutch Power.
7th. Said council did not regard the constitution between Said pas- tor and church and society which is altogether congregational, one article of which is that if any difficulty arise between minister and people it Shall be adjusted and settled by mutual council, another article is that in case any member of the church be agrieved and can- not receive redress in the church a mutual council Shall be called from the consociated Churches.
8th. Said council did not regard the manner of the settlement and ordination of Said Pastor which ordination took place by a mutual call of Elders and Delegates from any of the churches of christ without reference to the north consociation in Hartford county.
We the church of Christ in Turkey hills do therefore for the above reasons in the name of our divine lord and master withdraw our fel- lowship from and Sollemnly dissolve all connection with Said Conso- ciation as an unchristian boddy, an engine of Tiranny and oppression. Come ye out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins and plagues. She may no mor invade our holy rights. Jesus Christ is our only head and the word of God our only Rule of Christian faith and Disscipline.
Seriously and sollemnly done and Unanimously voted by the church of christ in Turkey hills, this 19th day of November, A. D. 1808.
attested by WHITFIELD COWLES, Moderator.
The above Doings of the Church of Christ in Turkey Hills.
Aprovded by the Society in a Legal Meeting.
attested by OLIVER OWEN, Clerk."
REV. PITKIN COWLES.
He was born in Southington, April 7, 1777, and was the son of Ashbel and Rhoda (Lee) Cowles. He was born in the old red house until lately standing just beyond the Plantsville burying ground. and on the opposite side. While yet a boy he developed a very strong desire for knowledge, and pursued his studies with a marked enthu- siasm. After deciding to prepare for college, he spent some time with his relative, Rev. Whitfield Cowles, of East Granby, and studied under his direction. He entered Yale College, and graduated in 1800. While in college he stood in the front rank, and was a candidate for the honors of his class. It is said that he had an unusual fondness for the various branches of Natural Science, and it is the testimony of his contemporaries in the ministry that he was on all subjects well informed. In 1800, the town of Southington held a service in the church com- memorative of Gen. Washington, and Mr. Cowles, then fresh from
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college, was the orator. He acquitted himself so well as to receive general commendation for the effort.
Before entering college it was his intention, and the expectation of his friends, that he would enter the legal profession. But during the last year of his college course he became a disciple of Christ, and at once consecrated himself to the work of the ministry. He went to New Britain after his graduation, connected himself with the Congre- gational church in that town, and began the study of theology with the Rev. Dr. Smalley. But the greater portion of his theological course was with the Rev. Charles Backus, D.D., of Somers. From his family, I learn that his licensure occurred at Berlin, and if so, it must have been by the Hartford South Association.
August 29th, 1805, he was ordained, and installed pastor of the church in North Canaan. And here he spent his entire active service in the ministry. When he entered upon his duties at North Canaan, the church had but eleven members. He began an effective system of instruction and visitation, which he carried out through his whole life. He bestowed especial care upon the young, and labored much through the Sabbath School to reach them. As a result of his systematic and laborious efforts, the church was blessed with several revivals of relig- ion. Thus he toiled on through more than a quarter of a century, doing good service for Christ. But his end was to be through trials that break many a pastor's heart. Contentions sprang up in the church and divided the hearts of the people. More than human wisdom, and more than human guilelessness, are needful to carry a pastor through such an ordeal without in some way involving him in the troubles. And it is the uniform testimony of those acquainted with all the cir- cumstances, that he deported himself with singular Christian dignity and meekness. He endured the strain upon his mind and heart so long as he could, and finally feeling that he could not live amid such divisions, sought and secured his dismission. The church of North Canaan was dear to his heart, and he would gladly have given his life for their harmony and prosperity. But he felt that he had neither the tact nor strength to continue with them, nor did he feel it his duty to suffer more in their behalf. He left them in the autumn of 1832, broken down in health and spirits. In January, 1833, he visited New Haven, and from thence proceeded to Southington to visit friends. He had been seriously ill for several days, but still refused to take to his bed. When he reached the old homestead in Southington, he entered the house and the room in which he was born, and said to one standing by, " I was born in this room, and here I may die." What seemed to him probable, became a fact. His body gradually yielded to disease and the influences of the severe struggles of mind and heart at
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North Canaan. Mr. Ogden was then the pastor of the church here, and at once visited him. He found him with clear mind, and fully persuaded that his end was nigh. His thoughts were much upon his former people, and he sent them a special message by Mr. Ogden. The following is the language in which the message was communicated to them in a letter sent them after Mr. Cowles' death, and dated Feb. 8th. Mr. Ogden says:
" He declared to me about ten days before his death that he fully believed the doctrines he had preached, and that he humbly hoped he was a sincere disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. He now thought that he probably should soon die. He wished to communicate some things to me which he deemed of importance to be said to the people of Canaan. If he lived, he intended to say them himself; but if he did not live, his desire was that I would say them. 'That dear people,' said he, and here his voice failed him, and he was obliged to stop for some time and weep-' That dear people,' he resumed, 'have had a great deal of division, which has finally eventuated in my dismission. I am afraid they will be scattered. I wish to tell them that what- ever ill treatment I have received from any of them, I freely forgive it ; and I am desirous above all things that they should live together in penee and enjoy the ordinances of the Gospel. Tell them they must not let me stand in the way of this blessed result. Tell them, that I wish to be considered as nothing in comparison to the interests of our divine Redeemer's kingdom. Let nothing that pertains to my memory, serve to alienate their affections from one another or to draw off their support from the institu- tions of the Gospel. These are my dying words. I wish the church of Christ to prosper, and my own affairs are nothing in comparison to this."
Mr. Ogden in the same letter says : "Never was I more deeply impressed with the nature of a minister's affection for his people than on this occasion. His soul was full, and the emotions which he had were too big for utterance. He loved his people with that pure affec- tion, which perhaps it is difficult if not impossible for them to realize. It seems something like the parental feeling, so much stronger than the feeling of children, that the latter can never fully conceive of it till they are parents themselves. Throughout the whole of Mr. Cowles' sickness, he has manifested no anxiety about himself or his family. He knew in whom he had believed, and he left both himself and then in the hands of the Redeemer. The great burden of his anxiety was the flock which he ardently loved, and for which he said he had ' labored beyond his strength.'"
He was preserved in consciousness until the last. He said when dying, "I know these doctrines are true," referring to the truths he had preached. His last words were, "Glory, glory to God."
Mr. Cowles was a stout built man; of commanding. person, and benignant face which was also full and florid; attractive in manner, and in all his actions indicated strength of character and deep sincerity. In theology he was strictly evangelical, and in the pulpit emotional.
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He is remembered by his friends as a delightful companion and sympathetic friend.
He was married, May 25, 1808, to Fanny, daughter of Ebenezer and Sarah Smith, and sister of the Rev. Dr. David Smith, for many years pastor at Durham, Conn. One of his sons has been an honored judge In New York, and another, Col. David S. Cowles, greatly distinguished himself as a soldier in the last war. The latter was educated at Yale College, studied law, and had a successful practice at Hudson, N. Y. In 1862, he was appointed colonel of the 128th N. Y. Volunteers, which had been enlisted for the war. The last act before leaving for the field was a note to his mother which he closes thus, " Farewell, best of mothers; God bless you now and through eternity for the good and noble mother you have been to me." After various experiences, the regiment appeared at the front in the storming of Port Hudson. The senior officers had been taken from the field wounded or dead, and the command devolved on Col. Cowles. Gallantly he led the forces until himself wounded, but refused to be carried away. Failing rapidly from loss of blood, he looked towards the rebel works and exclaimed, "Oh, that I could have been spared for a few minutes longer, and I believe we should have carried those works." Soon after he said, " Tell my mother that I died with my face to the enemy." His last words were, "Christ Jesus, receive my spirit."
REV. ASA TALMAGE.
He was the son of Thomas William Talmage, and born Dec. 30, 1775, in that part of Southington now embraced in the town of Wolcott. When quite young he began to attend the preaching of the Baptists at the house of the Rev. John Merriman, and was soon led to adopt their views. Without much education or theological preparation he began to preach. For a short time he studied with Rev. Mr. Wildman of Bristol. He labored chiefly in Western Massachusetts, and the State of New York. He seems to have been a devout man, and in the pulpit of considerable power, and as the Rev. David Wright expresses it, "his standing was very respectable among his brethren."
He married, Oct. 17, 1801, Rachel, daughter of Justns Peck, who lived on Wolcott Mountain.
REV. JOSIAH BISHOP ANDREWS.
He was born in Southington, March 17, 1775, and was the son of Josiah and Rebecca (Bishop) Andrews. His father lived on the place in Flanders district now owned by Billings Lewis. Graduating al Yale College in 1797, he studied theology for a time with Mr. Robinson, and then privately, in the meantime teaching in Tolland county. He
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was licensed by the Tolland Association June 4, 1799, and was ordained and installed pastor at Killingworth April 12, 1802. Here he remained nine years, when in 1811 he removed to New York City where he opened a large school in Franklin street. In this part of the city he established a Sabbath School which was among the first organized. He also supplied a church at Hempstead, Long Island, and preached occasionally in New York. He also studied medicine, and graduated M. D. at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 11th March, 1816, but removed to Perth Amboy, N. J., where he was installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church in 1816, and where he also practiced medicine and surgery for some thirteen years, during which time he acted as health officer of that port. He was president of the Medical Society of Middlesex county, being an able and successful practitioner. In 1829, after the death of his father, he returned to Southington for the purpose of settling the estate; here he remained about ten years. In 1836, he represented the town in the general court. In 1839, he removed to New York and engaged in the general practice of medicine; but preach- ing as opportunity offered. He was considered a good scholar. He was a man of decided traits of character, energetic, but lacking in judgment. This defect led him into serious trouble while at Ainboy. By some means he aroused against himself the hostility of several ministers and physicians, which resulted in his arraignment before Presbytery. Rev. Abner Morse, of Boston, states' that he had a con- versation with the late distinguished Judge Kilpatrick of New Jersey, who was a member of Presbytery at the trial, who told him that there was no proof to sustain the charge. Mr. Morse " says, " I was never much acquainted with Dr. Andrews-knew not what became of him- but I do know that an ambitious and intriguing man had a personal difficulty with him and determined to crush him," &c. Dr. Andrews suffered for a time in his reputation, but he lived to recover it, and finally to be completely vindicated. Justice may seem sometimes to be tardy and even indifferent to character, but the decree of God is, that it will in the end triumph.
REV. ELISHA DEMING ANDREWS.
He was born in Southington Feb. 18, 1783, and was the son of Jonathan and Ruth (Deming) Andrews. His father lived on the place now occupied by Austin Gridley in the northeast part of the town. He graduated at Yale College in 1803, and began teaching in
1 Inquiry into this difficulty satisties me that he was the victim of the olden method of discipline when men for a slight offence might arraign others before an ecclesiasti- cal tribunal. In this case prejudice or spite seemed to be the moving eanse.
2 Andrews Memorial, page 264.
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West Springfield, Mass., at the same time studying theology with Rev. Dr. Lathrop of that place. After he was licensed to preach he sup- plied at Putney, Vt., and accepted a call to settle. He was ordained and installed pastor there June 25, 1807; the sermon having been preached by Dr. Lathrop, which was published. Sept. 13, 1808, he married Betsey, daughter of Seth and Anne Abbot Lathrop, of West Springfield, and grand-daughter of his theological preceptor. He re- mained at Putney twenty-two years, and was dismissed May 27, 1829. Subsequently he preached a year at West Bloomfield, N. Y., and two years at Mendon, N. Y .; and in 1833 removed to Pittsford, N. Y., and ceased to preach on account of some difficulty in voice. Purchasing a farm, he remained until 1840, when he sold his possessions and removed to Armada, Mich., where he purchased "a square mile of land." Here he resided until his death, Jan. 12, 1852. At Armada, his voice recovered so far as to enable him to preach again, and he supplied a destitute region by occupying a school-house as a church. He is said to have been "rather short, thick-set, and after middle life corpulent, with black eyes and hair; affable in manner, and a great lover of children."
REV. JESSE FROST.
He was the son of David Frost, who lived in the southwest part of Southington on Wolcott mountain. This David Frost became a Separate and utterly refused ' to support the Congregational church, of which he was a member. For a time he joined in the Baptist services until a Separate church was organized at Prospect. After a time he became a Baptist in sentiment, and was one of three to organ- ize the Baptist church of Waterbury.
HIis son Jesse, born Oct. 18, 1762, used to come down the mountain with Asa Talmage and attend the occasional Baptist and Separate services that were held at or in the vicinity of the Rev. John Merri- man's. After a time he was converted, and became an ardent church member at Waterbury. Hle felt himself called to the ministry, and was licensed to preach by the church. In 1815 he was ordained over the church in Waterbury as joint pastor with Samuel Potter. He seems to have been a successful pastor, and died greatly lamented in 1827. He supplied the Baptist church of Southington at various times when it was without a pastor.
1 It is said that when the collector called for the church tax he would reply, "Shan't pay,-there's my pigs, take one if you will." And when the pig had been sold and a surplus offered him, he refused to take the money; henec it would be applied to the next year.
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REV. FOSDICK HARRISON, A. M.
He was the son of Timothy and Clorinda (Fosdick) Harrison, and was born at North Branford Ang. 10. 1782. He was a mechanic (shoemaker until thirty years of age), but always fond of reading, and his spare hours were spent in improving and storing his mind. He removed to Southington in 1804. After his removal, he lived in the Chapman house, and afterward in the house close by where Mr. John Curtiss lives, and known as the " Lucas Curtiss house." He and his wife united with the Congregational church in Southington Feb. 23, 1806. He was "diligent in business," and commanded universal respect, and confidence. His intelligence attracted the attention of Mr. Robinson, who urged him to prosecute his studies in view of entering the ministry. He writes of himself :- " If I am or have been anything more than I appeared or promised to be when I first met your father in my youth, I attribute it more to his instrumentality than to that of any other man. Even from my carliest acquaintance, I found him to be a kind friend, a wise counsellor, and an efficient helper. While living near him I was often in circumstances in which I was constrained to seek his advice and his aid. * * While agitating the subject in regard to a change in my course of life, I saw many obstacles in my way that appeared almost insurmountable. AAfter much anxious deliberation, and I trust earnest prayer for direc- tion, I decided to seek a private interview with Mr. Robinson and lay the whole subject before him."
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