USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Durham > History of Durham, Connecticut, from the first grant of land in 1662 to 1866 > Part 5
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When an elderly man, Deacon Burritt, of his church, made application to him for permission to marry his daughter, who was much younger; he gave his permission, but remarked to his daughter, "I give my consent to Deacon Burritt to marry you. You will have a pleasant forenoon, but your afternoon will be rather dark and gloomy."
Such was the estimation in which he was held by the public generally, that he had great influence in the neighboring churches ; was a Fellow of Yale College; was in correspondence with dis- tinguished elergymen of his times; by appointment preached
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MINISTRY OF REV. NATH'L CHAUNCEY.
two election sermons, the first in 1719, the second in 1734; is mentioned by President Edwards as a successful minister, in the great revival in New England.
With some of the ablest and best men of New England, he was, in the time of Whitfield and Davenport, in sympathy with the Old Lights rather than the New Lights, especially in the latter years of his life, when he had become acquainted with the disastrous tendency of the new measures, adopted by some of the New Light preachers. As moderator of the Consociation of New Haven County, he took a decided stand with his brethren in respect to the matter at issue in the Branford Controversy, with respect to Mr. Robbins, of which Dr. Trumbull has given an account in his History of Connecticut, not entirely candid, being himself a partisan.
His immediate, as well as his permanent influence, was pow- erfully exerted in favor of learning as well as religion. As a fruit of his efforts education was prized, sought for, and promo- ted among his people, whether in primary schools or in Yale College. The celebrated missionary, David Brainard, dates his " frequent longing" after a liberal education from his year's resi- dence in Durham, and he commenced his classical studies while under the preaching of Mr. Chauncey, or immediately after re- turning home. The Town of Durham, in the great number of educated men which it sent forth, and in the high character of these men, bears testimony to the value of his influence.
The Rev. Timothy Mather Cooley, D. D., in his life of Haynes, alludes to the happy influence of Mr. Chauncey upon the emi- grants from Durham, who settled the town of Granville, Mass., and in an interesting letter to the present writer, more fully proves that that influence has been transmitted in successive generations in that town, in the intelligence of the people, and in their love of learning and religion.
The influence of Mr. Chauncey's preaching and counsels can be traced distinctly in Hartland, Connecticut, Greenfield, San- disfield and Granville, Massachusetts; Durham, New York, towns which received some of their early inhabitants from Dur- ham, and from under the pastoral care of Mr. Chauncey.
From many circumstances it is evident that he was greatly respected throughout the State. I have in my possession a let- 7
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
ter from the Governor of Connecticut, in the year 1734, in which he is requested to preach a Second Election Sermon. This request is couched in very respectful and flattering terms.
On the occasion of his death two sermons were preached by Rev. JONATHAN TODD, of East Guilford, of which the follow- ing is on the title page: "Public Mourning at the Death of Godly and Useful Men ; and solicitous enquiry after their God. Two sermons preached at Durham, Feb. 8, 1756, occasioned by the much lamented death of the venerable Mr. Nathaniel Chaun- cey, pastor of the Church there, who departed this life on the first instant, in the 75th year of his life, and the fifty first of his ministry ; by Jonathan Todd, A. M., pastor of the church at East Guilford."
Besides two "Election Sermons," Mr. Chauncey published a sermon on " Regular Singing;" and also a sermon on the death of the Rev. John Hart, of East Guilford.
Mr. Chauncey married Sarah Judson, daughter of Capt. James Judson of Stratford, Oct. 12, 1708. Their children were I, Elihu; II, Sarah, who married Israel Burritt; III, Catherine was married to Benjamin Stillman, of Wethersfield; IV, Abi- gail, who married Jabez Hamlin; V, Nathaniel ; VI, Elnathan.
The first settlers of Durham came, some of them from Guil- ford where Thomas Ruggles was pastor, some of them from Stratford where Israel Chauncey was pastor, some of them from Milford where Samuel Andrew was pastor, some of them from Northampton where Solomon Stoddard was pastor, some of them from Saybrook where Thomas Buckingham was pastor, some of them from Killingworth where Abraham Pierson was pastor. These clergymen were above the common level of min- isters. Three of them were appointed President of Yale College, and one of them accepted of the appointment. Coming together from under the ministrations of such men, they were not willing to leave their religion behind them. Deeply imbued with the Spirit of the Bible they wished to have their own Pisgah, their own sacred tabernacle in the wilderness, their own ark of the Covenant, their own Shekinah, their own priest to minister at the altar.
They were strongly attached to Mr. Chauncey, as he was to them. But difficulties arose which delayed his settlement.
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MINISTRY OF REV. NATH'L CHAUNCEY.
These difficulties grew out of the old question among Congrega- tionalists, namely : What is the power of the pastor in his rela- tions to his people? Mr. Chauncey in his remarks heretofore quoted, shows what were his opinions on the subject. His grand- father, President Chauncey, came to this country to escape the domination of the "Lords Bishops," and he was not willing to place himself under the domination of the "Lords Breth- ren." He insisted upon retaining some substantive power as a pastor. He refused to surrender everything to the church as some few of the people wished him to do. He was willing to come into the wilderness to preach the gospel, but not into the " wilderness of Congregational principles."
This difficulty was settled by the " Saybrook Platform" which had been recently adopted by the Synod of Connecticut. His people were willing to take that as a religious constitution, to be interpreted if need be by the "Consociation," a permanent body. He too, was willing to do the same. In giving his as- sent to this constitution he says, " they had little reason to think that he should stand out against the whole country." In this re- markable expression he signifies that there was a general satis- faction with the Saybrook Platform throughout the colony, which was equivalent to "the country." Difficulties generally existed before the Platform was adopted. That Platform was adopted in order to remove those difficulties. It had that effect in this case. It may be added that the Congregational Church in Durham has ever since clung to that standard of faith and practice.
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
CHAPTER III.
MINISTRY OF REV. ELIZUR GOODRICH, D. D.
STATEMENT BY REV. ELIZUR GOODRICH, D.D.
" A short account of the Proceedings of the Town, and Church of Christ, in Durham, in Relation to my Settlement in the Work of the Ministry with them, taken either from the original Papers or Attested Copies.
At a Town Meeting held in Durham on the second Tuesday of June or the 8th in 1756, it was voted and resolved to apply to the Committee of the Reverend Association to ask their Counsel and Advice with respect to the obtaining a candidate for the Ministry to preach with them on Probation for a settlement, and for that purpose appointed Col. Elihu Chauncey, Deacon Joseph Tibbals, Deacon Ezra Baldwin, Mr. Nathan Camp and Mr. Caleb Seward, as a committee, who, upon application, received the following advice Verbatim, (viz.)
We the subscribers being Members of the Committee, of New Haven Association being applyed to, by two of the Committee of Durham to Advise to a suitable person to apply to, and preach among them, as a Probationer in order to settle among them in the work of the Gospel Ministry, do advise them to apply unto Mr. Elizur Goodrich for that purpose, as witness our hands.
Joseph Noyes, Jonathan Merick, Isaac Stiles, Sam'l Whittlesy. N. H., June 9th 1756.
Upon this advise and Counsel from the Committee of the Rev. Association, the Town by a Vote resolved, on the third Tuesday the 17th of June, 1756, to choose, and did choose a Comittee, namely, Col. Elihu Chauncey, Dea. Jos. Tilbals, Dea. Ezra Bald- win, Mr. Nathan Camp and Mr. Caleb Seward to apply to and desire me to preach with them as a Probationer for Settlement in the Ministry, until the 13th day of the September following, with which Invitation I complyed, and accordingly preached with them till that time. On the second Monday or the 13th day of September, A D. 1756, the Town having met, voted and resolved
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MINISTRY OF REV. E. GOODRICH, D. D.
to give me a Call to settle in the Ministry with them, and ap- pointed James Wadsworth Esq., Col. Elihu Chauncey, Mr. Silas Crane, Dea. Joseph Tibbalds, Dea. Ezra Baldwin, Mr. Caleb Seward, and Capt. Timothy Parsons, as a Committee to inform me of their Votes, and desire my Complyance as also to consider and confer with me, about Terms of Settlement, which Committee having made such proposals* to me, which appeared reasonable, and layed them before the Town, who voted the same, I complyed with and accepted their Call, and wrote to them in the following words :
" To the Inhabitants of Durham assembled in Town Meeting held by adjournment this 8th day of October, A D. 1756.
Gentlemen :
I take this opportunity to acknowledge with gratitude, your kind and generous treatment sinee I have preach- ed with you as a Candidate for settling in the work of the Minis- try with you, and having taken into serious consideration your Invitation to a Settlement with you in the Gospel Ministry, I do hereby signify my thankful acceptance of the encouragement proposed by your Note, and my Complyance (provided nothing discouraging should hereafter appear) to settle with you in the work of the Gospel Ministry.
That abundance of spiritual blessings in heavenly things, through Christ Jesus our Lord, may rest on you and your chil- . dren, is the sincere prayer of
Gentlemen,
Your obliged Servant
ELIZUR GOODRICH.
" Upon which the Town chose, fully empowered and authorized, Col. Chauncey, Dea. Joseph Tibbals, Dea. Ezra Baldwin,
*The Committee reported on the 17th of Sept., " that after having taken into our consideration the matter referred to in our appointment have thought proper to sub- mit to the consideration of Mr. Goodrich whether the sum of £70 lawful money for settlement to be paid in three years in three equal and annual payments, one third part of said sum paid each year, and the sum of £72 lawful money for his sal- ary yearly and the use and improvements of the five lots called parsonage land in Durham. Said £72 to be paid in lawful money or produce at the ready money market price, equivalent to said sum, will be sufficient encouragement to him to comply with the call of the Town to settle in the work of the Ministry here; in an- swer to which Mr. Goodrich has signified to us that he does not object against said proposals, all of which is submitted by your humble servants." Elihu Chauncey, Joseph Tibbalds, Caleb Seward, James Wadsworth, Timothy Parsons, Silas Crane, Ezra Baldwin.
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
James Wadsworth Esq., Mr. Henry Crane, Capt. Abraham Bartlett, and Mr. Nathan Camp, as a Committee in behalf of the Town, to take all proper measures, and make suitable provision for the ordination.
The proceedings of the Church of Christ in Durham in rela- tion to my settlement was as follows :
At a meeting of the Church of Christ in Durham held in Dur- ham the 30th day of September, A. D. 1756.
Elihu Chauncey was chosen Moderator.
The Church voted (nemine Contradicente) to give Mr. Elizur Goodrich a call, to settle in the work of the Gospel Ministry in this Church, and take the charge and oversight thereof as their Pastor, and Messrs. Elihu Chauncey, Dea. Joseph Tibbals, Dea. Ezra Baldwin were by a major vote chosen a Committee to wait on Mr. Goodrich, with this vote of the Church, and request his acceptance and compliance therewith, and lay his answer thereto before the Church at their next meeting, then by a Ma- jor vote this meeting was adjourned to Friday, the eighth day of October next at 3 o'clock P. M.
Test, ELIHU CHAUNCEY, Moderator.
A true Record.
Test,
E. GOODRICH.
DURHAM, Friday, 8th of Oct., A. D. 1756.
" The Church met according to adjournment. The Commit- tee laid before this meeting Mr. Elizur Goodrich's answer to the call of the Church, contained in a letter from him (viz.) :
" To the Church of Christ in Durham, assembled this eighth day of October, A. D. 1756," which was read as follows : " Beloved :
"Having seriously considered your invitation and call to settle in the work of the ministry in, and take the pastoral charge of this Church, I do hereby thankfully acknowl- edge your unanimity of choice, and, provided nothing hereafter discouraging should arise, am willing to devote myself to your service in the Gospel, and comply with and accept of your call and invitation.
That grace, mercy and peace may be multiplied unto you from our Lord, Jesus Christ, the great King, Head, and Rc- deemer of his Church is the sincere desire and prayer of, breth- ren, your devoted servant,
ELIZUR GOODRICH."
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MINISTRY OF REV. E. GOODRICH, D. D.
" Then the Church by their major vote made choice of Messrs. Elihu Chauncey, Dea. Joseph Tibbalds, Dea. Ezra Baldwin, Mr. Nathaniel Seward, Mr. Silas Crane, Captain Timothy Parsons, and Mr. Caleb Seward, to be a Committee with full power in behalf of the Church to proceed to take all proper and necessary measures, in order to have Mr. Elizur Goodrich ordained Pastor in and over this Church, and the meeting was dismissed.
Test, ELIHU CHAUNCEY, Moderator.
" At a meeting of the Church of Christ, in Durham, held in Durham, the 19th day of November, 1756.
The Committee of the Church laid before this meeting a letter from Mr. Elizur Goodrich as follows ; (viz) :
To the Church of Christ in Durham, assembled this 19th day of Nov., A. D. 1756.
Beloved :
According to the Motion and Desire of the Committees of both Church and Town, I do hereby signify my approbation and willingness to be settled upon the Ecclesiastical Constitution of the Churches of this COLONY which I look upon to be consistent with and agreeable to the Gospel of our Lord, and therefore, according to said Constitution that in all Church Acts, there shall be the joint act and consent of the Pastor and Church, and that all Differences, Difficulties, or Grievances, shall be finally issued and Determined according to the Rules pre- scribed in said Constitution, and desire the Church to signify their minds hereupon. I desire and pray that every one may study the Things which make for Peace, and the Edification of the Body of Christ in love, and am Beloved, your souls' well wisher.
ELIZUR GOODRICH."
" The Church, after taking the Subject Matter of the above Letter into their serious Consideration, unanimously voted their approbation of and Willingness that Mr. Goodrich should be settled in the work of the Gospel Ministry to which he is called in this place upon the Ecclesiastical Constitution of the Churches of this Colony, and consent that Mr. Elizur Goodrich, be settled in the work of the Ministry in this Church according to sd Con stitution as expressed in his letter.
Test, ELIHU CHAUNCEY, Moderator.
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
ORDINATION OF REV. ELIZUR GOODRICH.
"In consequence of the foregoing Votes and Resolutions of this Church and Town, and my Complyance therewith, the Committees of the Town and Church often met to consider proper Measures, in order to finish the matter by Ordination, and appointed Wednesday the of November to be observed as a day of Fasting, by the Church and People preparatory thereto, which was accordingly observed. The Rev. Mr. Jona- than Merick of North Branford preached.
Matters being thus far concluded, the Committees of both Town and Church joined in writing Letters to the Rev. Elders and Churches, near, desiring their assistance in the solemn trans- action of Ordination, which they appointed to be. on Wednes- day, the 24th day of Nov., A. D. 1756, desiring the Council to meet the day before.
The Council accordingly met at Durham, Nov. 23rd, 1756, at the House of Col. Elihu Chauncey, before whom the Commit- tees of the Church and Town laid their Proceedings, and desir- ing me to appear before them, they required a Certificate of my License to Preach, which I gave them as follows :
These may certify that the associated Ministers of the south- ern part of the County of Hampshire having examined Mr. Elizur Goodrich, as to his Qualifications to preach the Gospel, do approve of him, on that Regard, and accordingly recommend him to that work, wherever divine Providence shall open a door for his Improvement.
Springfield, Jan. 9th, 1755.
STEPHEN WILLIAMS, Moderator.
A true copy of the original.
NOAH MERICK, Scribe.
" The Rev. Council also requiring a Certificate of my Church Membership, I presented one as follows :
To the Church of Christ in Durham.
Hon'd and Beloved :
This may certify you that Mr. Elizur Good- rich was admitted to full Communion with us. Ilis conversa- tion with us, was as becomes a Christian : upon his Desire is dismist from us, and recommended as meet for your Holy Fel-
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MINISTRY OF REV. E. GOODRICH, D. D.
lowship. We hope that in him, you will have a rich gift of our Ascended Lord.
Yours in the Faith and Fellowship of the gospel,
JOHN BALLANTINE, Pastor.
In the name of the Church of Christ in Westfield.
A true copy of the original.
Westfield, Oct. 19, A. D. 1756.
" Then the Council, having examined me, I retired and the Council drew up, and executed the following Result the next Day being Nov. 24th, 1756."
" At an Ecclesiastical Council convened at Durham by the Call of the Church and Town of Durham, Nov. 23rd, 1756, in order to ordain Mr. Elizur Goodrich to the pastoral office and work of the Ministry in said Church and Town.
"ELDERS PRESENT.
New Cheshire, Rev. Mr. SAMUEL HALL.
North Haven, 66 ISAAC STILES.
Guilford,
THOMAS RUGGLES.
North Branford, "
JOHNATHAN MERICK.
East Guilford,
JONATHAN TODD.
North Guilford, "
JOHN RICHARDS.
MESSENGERS OF CHURCHES.
New Cheshire, Dea. STEPHEN HOTCHKISS.
North Haven, Capt. SAMUEL BARNES. Guilford, Col. TIMOTHY STONE. North Branford, Dea. ITHIEL RUSSEL. East Guilford, Dea. JOSIAH MEIGGS.
North Guilford, Dea. THOMAS ROSSITER. Meriden, Capt. AARON LYMAN.
The Rev. Mr. Hall was chosen Moderator. Thomas Ruggles chosen Scribe.
The Council was opened with Prayer.
"The Committee of the Town and Church appeared before this Council, and layed before the Council, Records of their Pro- ceedings in inviting, and calling Mr. Goodrich, to the Pastoral Office and Work of the Ministry, which appearing to the Coun- cil, to be regular and unanimous, was accepted. Mr. Elizur Goodrich appeared before this Council, and was examined and 8
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
approved, and professed his assent to the Religious Constitution of this Government in Doctrine and Discipline to the acceptance of this Council."
" Voted that Mr. Elizur Goodrich be set apart to the work of the Ministry, and be ordained to the pastoral office over the Church in this Place to-morrow, Nov. 24th, at half an hour past Ten O'clock, before Noon.
" Voted that the ordination be carried on in the following order: (viz.) : The Rev. Mr. Merick to make the Prayer before sermon. Thomas Ruggles to lead in the affairs preparatory to the ordination. The Rev. Mr. Hall to make the prayer before and give the Charge. The Rev. Mr. Stiles to make the con- cluding Prayer, and the Rev. Mr. Todd to give the Right Hand of Fellowship, and the Ordination was attended and performed according to the above order of Council.
Test, THOMAS RUGGLES, Scribe, faithfully transcribed from a true Copy of the order of Council, by ELIZUR GOODRICH.
N. B .- The Rev. Mr. Edward Eells, of Middletown preached the Sermon."
The Town took the lead in the call given to Mr. Goodrich, and the Church followed the lead of the Town in its action.
Mr. Goodrich was in religious opinions much the same as his predecessor, a moderate Calvinist; using the same confession of faith, baptising the children of those who themselves had been baptised, and who owned the covenant into which their parents had entered for them. In his preaching his topics were justi- fication by faith, the evidences of Christianity, and the duties of the first and second table of the law. He was discrimin- ating in his statments and clear in argumentation, and impress- ive in his appeals.
LIFE AND DEATH OF REV. ELIZUR GOODRICH, D. D.
Rev. Elizur Goodrich, D. D., was born the 26th of October, O. S. 1734, in Rocky Hill, the south part of Wethersfield, Conn. He was placed at an early age with the Rev. James Lockwood of Wethersfield, one of the best scholars in the colony. Here he was taught the languages with that peculiar thoroughness which came down from the first ministry of New England, from men who had been trained in the school of Erasmus. He was made
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MINISTRY OF REV. E. GOODRICH, D. D.
to speak Latin from childhood much like a mother tongue. Having entered College at the age of fourteen, he took his de- gree of Bachelor of Arts at the age of eighteen, 1752.
He now studied Theology and began to preach, but was called back to the tutorship, 1755. This office he held only a year, being invited to the pastoral charge of the church in Durham.
Being amply provided with books which came from the libra- ry of his predecessor, on his settlement, he devoted himself with great diligence to study, that he might qualify himself to meet the large congregation that every Sabbath assembled in the house of God. He had become familiar with the Hebrew while in college; and was accustomed during most of his life to read directly from the original of the Old or New Testament, giving a translation in his own language, with such comments as the case required. Most of his labor was spent for the first ten years of his ministry, upon difficult passages of the Seriptures. There were two physicians in adjoining towns, of a skeptical turn of mind. Both of them had an extensive practice through the country, and wherever they went, they were throwing out insinuations against religion, on the ground of alleged difficul- ties and contradictions in the Bible. This led him to study the passages referred to with the closest attention. This he was enabled to do on a broad scale by means of his ample library. The conelusions he reached were drawn out in extended dispu- tations, of which there were said to be more than two hundred.
After spending ten years in patient study, he found a young family growing up without adequate means for their support. He had received from his people what is called a " settlement," that is, a sufficient sum of money to procure a convenient house and homestead. But his salary was only $333 34, with the use of the parsonage lands. He lived on one of the great thorough- fares of New England, at a time when clergymen always trav- elled at the expense of their brethren along the road; and his house was every where known for its generous hospitality. He was compelled, therefore, to seek more ample means of support, and now began to prepare students for College. His thorough scholarship made him a highly successful teacher. Among the great number of his pupils were the celebrated Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin, and William Botsford, Chief Justice
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
of New Brunswick. In this way he was enabled to educate five sons at College, and prepare them for public life ; in addi- tion to which he left an estate of six or seven thousand dollars.
In the exact sciences as well as in mental and moral philoso- phy he was distinguished. No exercise gave him more pleasure, than to sit down to the solution of some difficult problem, as he was wont to do in his hours of leisure. Having the use of the valuable library of his predecessor, many of the works in which library were written in Latin, he read extensively in that language. Divinity, however, was the great study of his Life. He took large, comprehensive views of the doctrines of Christi- anity. He loved the Bible, and especially those truths which go to exalt and illustrate the grace of God. Salvation by a crucified Redeemer, without merit on the part of the sinner, and the duties of the moral law were the burden of his preaching. At the same time he exerted a commanding influence in the churches of Connecticut, as a friend and a counsellor.
In 1776 he was elected into the corporation of Yale College. The next year a President was appointed. The votes were equally divided between him and Dr. Stiles. He then magnan- imously used his influence in favor of Dr. Stiles, who received the appointment. Like his predecessor he exerted a powerful influence in favor of education. His five sons were all educated at Yale College. He was devoted to the interests of common schools ; was for many years clerk of the Durham Book Company. There was a young farmer in Durham, who had heard so much about the study of the Hebrew that he was eager to undertake it. He asked assistance, which was freely given him for two or three winters, so that he was able to read the Old Testament in that language.
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