USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Durham > History of Durham, Connecticut, from the first grant of land in 1662 to 1866 > Part 6
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The death of Dr. Goodrich occurred in November, 1797, and was sudden and unexpected. On the 17th of that month, he left home for the purpose of examining some lands, which belonged to Yale College, in the county of Litchfield. On the Sabbath following he preached at Litchfield, and on Monday proceeded to Norfolk, where he was entertained by the hospita- ble family of Captain Titus Ives. At this time he was in the enjoyment of good health. The evening was spent in pleasant conversation. On the following morning he rose early, as was
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MINISTRY OF REV. E. GOODRICH, D. D.
his custom ; had dressed himself, with the exception of putting on his coat, which he was evidently in the act of doing, pro- ceeding during the same time towards the door, when he fell in an apoplectic fit, and expired in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and the forty-second year of his ministry. His remains were car- ried to Durham, on the succeeding Saturday, and were followed to the grave by his family, the Church, and the congregation and a numerous concourse of strangers. President Dwight of Yale College delivered a solemn and affecting discourse from Ecclesiastes ii. 1: "The righteous and the wise and their works are in the hands of God."
In addressing the clergy present, he used the following lan- guage :
" My beloved brethren, a great man has fallen in our Israel to day; a man of distinguished learning and understanding, of unusual prudence, and of singular skill and experience in the councils of congregations, churches and ministers. Recom- mended by tried wisdom, he was, you well know, very exten- sively employed, and confided in by both ministers and people throughout the State. By both were his useful labors acknowl- edged in composing their differences and directing their interests. To you, to me, to all with whom he was connected, the loss was great and affecting. In the Congregations, in the Churches, and especially in the University of this State, every weighty con- cern will remind us of his important services and force us to feel what we have lost. His talents were not only great and distin- guished, but they were also of that most useful kind which we call practical. Such talents are eminently fitted for the service of God, and for usefulness to mankind. In whatsoever he was called to judge or act, he made it his first business thoroughly to examine, and fully to understand. This he accomplished by diligent scrutiny, close attention to both sides of disputable points, a careful investigation of principles, and a cautious consideration of consequences. For this important business, his thorough knowledge of the human character qualified him in an eminent degree, as did also his strong powers of judging, and his peculiar coolness and self possession. Not less impor- tant were his attention, patience and perseverance in investiga- tion. In these most useful things he was at once an eminent blessing to mankind, and a most profitable example to us. No
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
man living so well understood the interests of our university, or for more than twenty years took so active and important a part in its concerns. Few so well knew the interests of our churches, or so ably and extensively served them."
To this I would add that he left on the minds of the people of Durham a deep impression of his prudence, wisdom, and sagacity. For years after his deccase his remarks were treasured up and repeated as the lessons of wisdom. Some of these re- marks I have often heard and admired in my boyhood.
As already mentioned, Dr. Goodrich being a man of great wisdom and prudence, he was eminently successful in retaining in harmony the congregation which his predecessor, Mr. Chaun- cey had gathered. He adhered to the same doctrines, and the same measures which that able, cloquent and venerable man had taught, and employed during the fifty years of his ministry. If he was not as earnest and eloquent, if he was not as zealous and impressive, he equalled him in devotedness to study, and surpassed him in general scholarship. Among his people he was dignified yet affable and bland in his manners.
By his candor and impartiality, he was able to reconcile con- flicting opinions, and settle dangerous disputes in his congrega- tion. On one occasion a parishioner brought to him grievous complaints and heavy charges against a neighbor, and then asked Dr. Goodrich for his opinion in the case. In his reply, he said to him, "I have two ears. One of them I have lent to you, the other I must keep for your neighbor." The parishioner went away satisfied with the answer.
In the year 1774, there were only six "Dissenters " in the town of Durham, in a population of a thousand and thirty-one. This was about the number when he died.
The published works of Dr. Goodrich are, A Sermon at the Ordination of Rev. Roger Newton ; A Sermon at the Ordination of Rev. Benjamin Boardman; A Sermon at the Ordination of his Son, Rev. Samuel Goodrich; An Election Sermon, at Hartford, 1787. A Sermon at the Ordination of Rev. Mathew Noyes.
February 1, 1759, Dr. Goodrich married Catherine Chauncey, the grand daughter of his predecessor, who was born April 11th, 1741.
Mrs. Goodrich survived her husband for many years, honored
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MINISTRY OF REV. DAVID SMITH, D. D.
and beloved by a large circle of friends and relations. For the church and congregation of Durham, she cherished the highest regard, and continued to receive from them the respect and affection to which by her character, her love for them and her example among them, she was eminently entitled. Her death occurred April 8th, 1830.
Their children were, I. Chauncey, II. Elizur, III. Samuel, V. Charles Augustus, VI. Catherine, who married Rev. David Smith, his successor.
CHAPTER IV.
MINISTRY OF . REV. DAVID SMITH, D. D.
STATEMENT OF MR. SMITH RESPECTING HIS SETTLEMENT.
"ON ye application of ye Committee of the Town, namely, Deacon Dan. Parmelee, Deacon John Johnson, General James Wadsworth, Simeon Parsons, and Elnathan Camp, I came here and began to preach as a candidate, Feb. 10th, 1799. I tarried three Sabbaths. I was then absent four Sabbaths, and returned as a Candidate for settlement.
" The following are ye proceedings of ye Town and Church, respecting my call and settlement here, copied from ye Town records and votes of ye Church :
" At a Town meeting legally warned and holden in Durham on ye 20th day of May, 1799.
" At ye same meeting, ye Town voted to give Mr. David Smith a call to settle in ye work of ye Ministry in this Town. Then voted that Gen. James Wadsworth, Simcon Parsons, Esq., Mr. Elnathan Camp, Dan. Parmelee, Esq., and Dea. John John- son, be a Committee to inform Mr. Smith of ye preceding vote, and request his compliance with ye same, and treat with him on terms of settlement, and make report to this meeting. And also to engage him to continue preaching in ye Town for a sea- son. Then ye Town adjourned ye meeting to ye second Mon-
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
day in June next, at 3 o'clock in ye afternoon. Then ye Town met according to adjournment, and ye Committee made report in ye following words, viz. :
" To ye Inhabitants of Durham, in Town meeting assembled, the subscribers, a Committee appointed to confer with Mr. Da- vid Smith on the terms of his settlement in ye work of ye Min- istry in this Town, and make report to this meeting, take leave to report, that we waited on sd Mr. Smith, made him acquainted with ye votes of ye Town, at their last meeting, respecting his settlement in ye work of the Gospel Ministry among us, and have conferred with him on ye subject matter of said votes. That Mr. Smith, on his part, manifests a willingness to comply with ye request of this Town; but conceived that there was an impropriety in his setting a price on his services previous to any offer that might be made by the Town-that he wished only a decent and comfortable support-that he had no desire for agri- cultural pursuits-that his wish is to be placed in such a situa- tion as that he might devote his time and attention to the dis- charge of ye office and duties of a Gospel Minister.
" The Committee beg leave further to report, that they have taken into consideration ye advanced prices of provisions, and other necessary articles of subsistence, beyond what they were forty years ago; also ye great difference in ye style and manner of living in this State, and ye consequent increased expense- also ye situation of this Town, whereby a minister will unavoid- ably be liable to more expense to support a decent character, than in many other places ; and also to accommodate Mr. Smith it will be very convenient and necessary that a greater sum should be paid him, in a short time after his settlement, than may be necessary afterward. The Committee, therefore, take liberty to recommend to ye Town that, as an encouragement to Mr. Smith to settle in ye work of ye Gospel Ministry in this Town, and for his support, they should pay him annually, the first three years of his Ministry here, 500 dollars; and after ye expiration of said three years, to pay him annually 400 dollars, so long as he should continue to be their Minister; and that he shall have ye use and improvements of ye parsonage lot, adjoin- ing Col. Camp's home lot-also, ye parsonage lot opposite the dwelling house of Robert Smithson ; and that ye Town improve
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MINISTRY OF REV. DAVID SMITH, D. D.
ye other parsonage lands, and apply ye annual avails thereof in part payment of ye annual sums above mentioned ; all of which is hereby submitted by your most obedient humble servants,
James Wadsworth, Simeon Parsons, Elnathan Camp,
Dan. Parmelee, John Johnson, Committee.
" The Town voted to accept and approve the above report, and voted ye same.
" At ye same meeting :- Whereas, ye Town, by their vote, have requested Mr. David Smith to settle in ye work of ye Gos- pel Ministry in this Town, and have voted to pay to him annu- ally, for the first three years of his Ministry, 500 dollars, and after ye expiration of three years, to pay him annually 400 dol- lars, so long as he shall continue to be their Minister ; and that he shall have ye use and improvements of ye parsonage lot ad- joining Col. Camp's home lot, and also ye parsonage lot oppo- site ye dwelling house of Robert Smithson, during said term, provided he shall settle in said work.
" At ye same meeting, ye Town voted that ye same Commit- tee, that made report to this meeting, should wait on Mr. Smith and lay before him ye votes of ye Town, and request his answer to the same.
" The following are the doings of the Church : At an adjourned Church meeting, holden in Durham, on the 3rd of July, 1799.
"It appearing to this Church that the Town of Durham have called and invited Mr. David Smith of New Marlborough, Com- monwealth of Massachusetts, to settle with them in the Gospel Ministry, and have made provision for his settlement and sub- sistence during his continuance with them. This Church do now approve of said choice, and do now, by their Major vote, invite ye said Mr. David Smith to take ye pastoral care and charge of this Church, to teach, guide, and direct us according to ye rules and directions given by Jesus Christ, ye great Head of ye Church, and his Apostles, revealed to us in ye Gospel.
" Then ye Church, by a very full vote, voted ye same in ye affirmative.
" A true copy,
Test, SIMEON PARSONS,
Moderator."
9
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
" At ye same meeting of the Church, I presented a confession of faith and covenant, which wholly excludes the practice of what is called the half-way covenant, for their acceptance, with- out which I could not answer them in ye affirmative."
" The following is my answer to ye call I received from ye Church and Town of Durham to be their Minister:
" DURHAM, July 3rd, 1799.
" Beloved brethren of the Church of Christ, and the members of ye Congregation in ye Town of Durham :-
" I have received and taken into consideration the call which you have given me, to settle with you in the important and arduous work of the Gospel Ministry. I have, also, seriously and attentively considered your situation, and the proposals you. have made me, to become your Minister ; and have deliberately weighed the matter, I hope, with a real and prayerful desire of complying with duty. And, after much painful anxiety and serious deliberation, I have come to the following determination, viz .: That considering the situation of the Town, and the pres- ent prospect of union and harmony, which now subsists, I think it my duty to accept your proposals and settle with you. And depending on Divine Providence for assistance, direction, and support, I am willing to take upon me the sacred and solemn office of a Gospel Minister in this place.
" The connection, my friends, which is now contemplated be- tween you and me, is solemn and interesting. It is connected with eternity, and will come up to view, should it take place, in the solemn day of retribution.
" Let us, in all these transactions, go to God and seek direc- tion from Him. Let us seek His glory as our supreme object ; trust in His providence, and rely on His promises. Earnestly beseeching the great Head of the Church to direct us all into the path of duty, and dispose us to walk therein.
" I subscribe myself your sincere friend, and fellow-traveller to Eternity, DAVID SMITH."
" Having received and heard ye above answer to their call, ye Church and Town, with my consent, appointed Thursday, ye
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MINISTRY OF REV. DAVID SMITH, D. D.
13th of August, for ye day ordination, and made arrangements accordingly.
" The following are ye doings of ye Council :- At an Ecclesi- astical Council, convened by letters missive, in Durham, at ye house of Mr. Elnathan Camp, August 14, 1799. Present, Rev. Messrs. Enoch Huntington, Benjamin Trumble, D. D., Ephraim Judson, Thomas W. Bray, John Foot, David Huntington, James Noyes, Jacob Catlin, and Matthew Noyes.
" And ye following Delegates from ye respective Churches which they represent, viz. :
"Capt. Seth Wetmore, from ye 1st Chh. of Cht. in Middle- town. Dr. Elisha Chapman, from ye Chh. of Cht. in North Haven. Capt. Amos Porter, from ye Chh. of Cht. in Sheffield. Deacon Joel Rose, from ye 3rd Chh. of Cht. in Guilford. Dea. Israel Bunnel, from ye 1st Chh. of Cht. in Cheshire. Rev. Wait Cornwell, from ye 3rd Chh. of Cht. in Middletown. Dea. Oliver Stanley, Esq., from ye 1st Chh. of Cht. in Wallingford. Dea. Samuel Shelden, from ye 1st Chh. of Cht. in New Marlborough. Dea. Phinneas Baldwin, from ye 3rd Chh. of Cht. in Branford. Rev. Enoch Huntington was chosen Moderator, and ye Rev. Matthew Noyes, Scribe."
" The Council was opened with prayer, by ye Moderator ; after which ye letter missive was read, specifying ye design for which this Council was called, viz. : to set apart, consecrate and ordain Mr. David Smith to ye pastoral office of ye Church and Congre- gation in this Town.
" The Committee from ye Church and Congregation then ap- peared, and laid before ye Council their votes and transactions relative to their call of Mr. Smith, to settle with them, as their Gospel Minister, and his acceptance of the same.
" The Council, by vote, expressed their approbation of their proceedings. Mr. Smith then appeared, and produced a certifi- cate of his being an approved candidate for the Gospel Minis- try, and suitable testimony of his regular standing, as a Church member, in ye 1st Chh. of Cht. in New Marlborough.
" The Council then proceeded to examine him in his knowl- edge in divinity, soundness in ye faith, and qualifications for ye work of ye Ministry ; together with his views of entering upon the same. Voted, that he is approved, and that ye Council
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
proceed to ordain him, on ye morrow, at half past ten o'clock, A. M.
" The Council then arranged ye several parts of his ordination in ye following order: and voted that ye Rev. Mr. Catlin make ye introductory prayer, previous to the sermon to be delivered by ye Rev. Mr. Judson ; that ye Rev. Dr. Trumbull make ye ordaining prayer, and that Rev. Messrs. Huntington, Judson and Bray join with him in ye imposition of hands ; that ye Rev. Moderator give ye charge; that ye Rev. Mr. Foot give ye right hand of fellowship; and that Rev. Mr. Bray make the conclud- ing prayer. In ye foregoing votes and arrangements, ye Coun- cil were unanimous.
Test, MATTHEW NOYES, Scribe.
" The Council then adjourned until to-morrow morning, then to meet again at this place at nine o'clock.
"August 15th, 1799. Met according to adjournment, and proceeded to ye house of God, where, after ye sermon delivered by Rev. Mr. Judson, from Jonah 3rd, 2,-' Preach unto it ye preaching that I bid thee,'-Mr. Smith was ordained according to ye foregoing arrangements.
Test, MATTHEW NOYES."
In the settlement of Mr. Smith, as in that of Dr. Goodrich, the Town or Congregation took the lead, and the Church fol- lowed that lead.
With what feelings he entered on his work, may be seen from the following record, penned by him on the day of his ordina- tion :-
" This day I have been consecrated by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, and by prayer, to the solemn and im- portant work of the Gospel Ministry. How great the work! How inadequate am I to perform it! I feel my own insuffi- ciency, and I pray for Divine assistance. O that God would make me faithful, and use me as an instrument, though unworthy, of promoting the cause of the Gracious Redeemer, and of saving the souls of some of my fellow-men."
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MINISTRY OF REV. DAVID SMITH, D. D.
STATEMENT OF REV. DAVID SMITH WITH RESPECT TO HIS SALARY.
" A brief statement of faets in relation to my salary, in Dur- ham :-
"My salary was originally, for ye first three years, $500, and after three years, to be $400, and also the use of the parsonage lots, one seven aeres and ye other five aeres. In 1811 I requested some addition to my salary, as ye expenses of supporting a family had much increased. A subscription of about $30 was raised, and was to be as permanent as the life, or the residence of the subscribers should be.
" In 1816, I proposed to give up the subseription, as it opera- ted unequally, and also the five-aere lot, from which, by selling it, the society could realize $102 a year, and have my salary fixed at a definite sum. Accordingly the society voted that my salary should be in future, $550, and ye use of the seven-acre lot. But in 1824, the society requested me to relinquish $50 a year, with which I complied, to aid and encourage the society.
"In 1827, the society requested me to relinquish another $50, making my salary $450. With this request, by the advice of some of the principal members of the Church and society, I did not feel it my duty to comply.
"In 1828, the subject of salary was again brought up, and ye request that I would relinquish another $50 was repeated. With this request, I finally complied, on condition that it should be punctually paid, and the subject should be no more agitated.
"In Autumn, 1831, a few individuals, who had secretly en- deavoured to create uneasiness in the society appeared more bold, and manifested a desire for a dissolution of the connection be- tween me and my people.
" At no time could a greater number than eighteen be found to vote their consent that I should be dismissed; and most of them professed to be satisfied with my labors.
" A Committee was finally chosen to confer with me on he subject. The Committee came, and after a free conversation, I communicated the following answer :-
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
" To the Church and First Ecclesiastical Society in Durham. Gentlemen :
In consequence of your vote presented to me by your Committee, bearing date Oct. 7th, 1831, I feel myself under the painful necessity of addressing you on a subject deeply interesting, both to you and myself. More than thirty-two years I have labored here in the work of the Ministry, and with what fidelity and desire for the spiritual good of my people, the day of judgment will show. I know I am far from being perfect, and have to acknowledge my deficiency in many respects. But I am conscious that I have sought the best interests of the Church and society for whom I have so long labored and prayed. And I would acknowledge with gratitude, the goodness of God, in so far blessing my labors, however unworthy of such a bless- ing, that five special revivals of religion have been enjoyed among my people, besides some special drops of mercy experi- enced since the year commenced. (Thirteen were added to the Church, and several others entertained a hope that they have embraced the Saviour, this year.) And during my Ministry, two hundred and seventy-three have been added to the Church. For this object, I have labored both by night and by day ; and have spent the greatest part of my life in your service.
" Though I enjoy good health, and am as well able to dis- charge my parochial duties as I ever was, yet at my age, it can- not be expected that I should have the charge of another peo- ple. My desire would be to remain in peace, and sleep with my people.
" When I relinquished the last $50 from my salary, I had strong assurances that all would be satisfied and I should remain in peace. Nor did I know, until recently, that any discontent existed among my people. Nor am I now able to discover the ground of discontent which has been recently manifested.
" As I have ever felt, and I think, manifested an anxious con- cern for your spiritual good, and have made many sacrifices to promote it, I still feel disposed to pursue the same course.
" For the information of the younger part of the Church and society, and in justice to myself, I will make a brief statement of a few facts.
" When I accepted the call to become your Minister, I reser-
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MINISTRY OF REV. DAVID SMITH, D. D.
ved four Sabbaths in each year, to be absent on visits to my relatives and friends. But when I had labored here three years I had not left my people destitute, but one half day, giving them thirty-five and a half Sabbaths more than I was under obligation to do. Nor during the whole time since, have I left them more than one half as much as I had a right to do accord- ing to agreement. In 1811 I had an eligible offer to leave Dur- ham, and settle in another State, which I declined from the affection I had for my people and ye obligation I felt myself under to remain with them. A few years after, I had another offer, in this State of a situation with a salary of $700, paid semi-annually from a friend. This, also, I declined; I have also for several years past, relinquished $100 a year of salary, for the sake of peace and harmony, and of remaining in quiet. This, I had a strong assurance, should be the case. But as efforts are making by some, to dissolve the pastoral relation, between me and my people, or to have me give up my salary and labors, proposing to make me some remuneration, I am still disposed to do every thing which is reasonable, to gratify the feelings of the society. I will, therefore, make the follow- ing propositions, from which the Church and society may make their selection. 1
" If the society will secure to me $550, and let me retain the lot I occupy, the ensuing season, as the society had the avails of it the first season of my ministry, it having been previously let ; and will also pay me for my labors till a dissolution shall take place, I will unite in calling a council for the purpose. Or I will leave it with the association to say what I shall receive, and abide their decision.
" Had ye proposition been made to settle a collegue with me on condition of my giving up my salary and labors, I might have proposed some different terms. The terms I have proposed, I do not consider as a compensation, which I might in justice claim, considering my situation, and what I have already sacri- ficed. But I do not wish to burden the society, but shall ever rejoice in their prosperity.
"That you may have wisdom from above, to direct your delib- erations, and be prospered in your spiritual concerns is the de- sire and prayer of your afflicted pastor.
Nov. 1831.
D. SMITH."
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
DISMISSION OF DR. SMITH.
" The society having voted to comply with my proposal, I united with them in calling a council to dissolve the connection between me and them.
The following is a true copy of the result of council.
" At an Ecclesiastical council convened at the house of the Rev. David Smith, D. D., in Durham, Jan. 11th, 1832, by letters missive, from the pastor and the committee of the Church and society in said place, for the purpose of dissolving the pastoral relation, between him and them.
" Present, the Rev. Messrs. Matthew Noyes, from Northford ; Aaron Dutton, from Guilford ; Zolva Whitmore, from North Guilford ; Charles J. Hinsdale, from Meriden ; Samuel N. Shep- herd, from Madison ; James Noyes, Jun., from Middlefield.
" Mr. M. Noyes was chosen Moderator, and Mr. Dutton scribe. The council was opened with prayer. The committee of the Church and society presented to the council, documents of a correspondence between the society and the pastor relative to a dissolution of the pastoral relation, by which it appears that a mutual agreement has been entered into, between the parties on this subject. Therefore, voted unanimously, that we ratify the agreement between Rev. David Smith, D. D., and the Church and society of Durham, relative to his dismission ; and the pas- toral relation between him and them is hereby dissolved. At the same time the council would bear their united testimony, to the ministerial talents and qualifications of Dr. Smith-to his fidelity in the discharge of his pastoral duties, and to his success in his labors, witnessed in the repeated revivals of religion, as the fruit of which, more than two hundred and seventy have been added to his church.
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