USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Durham > History of Durham, Connecticut, from the first grant of land in 1662 to 1866 > Part 7
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" As an able and faithful minister, we cheerfully recommend him to the Churches, and to his brethren in the ministry.
" And while we deeply regret that any thing should have oc- curred in the society to render the above proceedings necessary ; we feel peculiarly solicitous for the future peace and harmony of the society, and devoutly hope that all existing difficulties, may from this time be settled, that no root of bitterness may be per-
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MINISTRY OF REV. DAVID SMITH, D. D.
mitted hereafter to spring up and occasion divisions; and that ere long, they may be united in resettling the gospel ministry.
Unanimously voted as the doings of this Council.
Test, MATTHEW NOYES, Moderator. AARON DUTTON, Scribe.
Durham, Jan., 1832."
LIFE AND DEATH OF REV. DAVID SMITH, D. D.
The Rev. David Smith was born in Bozrah, Connecticut, Dec. 13, 1767. He died at Fair Haven, in the house of his daughter, Mrs. Catherine Ellsworth, March 5, 1862, aged ninety- four years, two months and twenty days. He was the son of Ebenezer and Sarah Smith, who spent their last years in New Marlborough, Massachusetts. His father was a valuable officer in the Army of the Revolution, and at the close of the war, after a service of more than eight years, was the oldest captain in the Massachusetts line. Mr. Smith spent the years of his youth. and early manhood in laboring on a farm. After losing his wife, Mr. Smith commenced his preparation for college. While engaged in a school, he studied for a time without an instructor. In 1791 he placed himself under the care of Rev. Jacob Catlin, of New Marlborough, Mass. In 1792 he entered the Sophomore class in Yale College, where he enjoyed the confidence of his instructors and fellow students. Having as an excellent scholar, taken his first degree at the college in 1795, he taught school for a time in Sheffield, Mass. In June, 1796, he commenced the study of theology with Rev. Ephraim Judson of that place. At the meeting of the Association of Berkshire County in October, he was licensed to preach the Gospel. After preaching in several places, he came to Durham and preached for the first time Feb. 10, 1799, when he soon after received a call, and was settled August 15, 1799.
Dr. Smith was the pastor of the congregation and church in Durham thirty-three years, and was distinguished for zeal and activity, and ability in - the performance of his professional du- ties. During his ministry there were six revivals of religion.
For many years, like his predecessors, he received youth into his family and fitted them for college. Among his pupils were Hon. Samuel D. Hubbard, afterwards member of Congress, and 10
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Post Master General; Dr. James E. Dekay, a distinguished naturalist, and Commodore George Dekay. Between him and them there was always a continued friendship. Like his prede- cessors, he was a fellow of Yale College; and such were his habits of punctuality, that for forty years he was not absent a single time from the meetings of the Board. In 1830 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity, from Hamilton Col- lege.
Besides his professional and scholastic employments, he culti- vated a farm with good judgment and success, laboring with his own hands, rising at early dawn.
The strong features of his character he preserved to extreme old age, but mellowed and improved by time. His social feel- ings always fine, grew finer, more genial and attractive as he grew older, and as he became disengaged from the exciting cares and anxieties of life.
He could say, " My last days are my best days, and my last comforts my best comforts." He enjoyed eminently a green old age, and was able to preach in the Capitol at Washington with ease to himself, and with edification to his hearers, and to act as the Chaplain of the Cincinnati Society in Boston, when past ninety years of age.
His religion was of the type that became common, at the close of the last century, and the commencement of this, which was then called New Divinity. But he lived so long that what was then called New Divinity, was, when he became old, called Old Divinity. In the faith and practice of this religion he lived. In the consolations of this religion he died-to enjoy the re- wards promised to the faithful.
Dr. Smith was united in a second marriage to Catherine Goodrich, daughter of his predecessor. In this way the pulpit of Durham was in the possession of one family one hundred and twenty-six years. Mrs. Smith died on the thirty-first of July, 1845, in the 70th year of her age. The following is all extract from an obituary notice published soon after her death :
" With a natural disposition of uncommon tenderness and affection, a cultivated intellect, and a heart early sanctified by divine grace, she spent a long life in continued acts of kindness to those around her, which will be remembered with gratitude not only by the circle of her immediate friends, but by hun-
.
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MINISTRY OF REV. DAVID SMITH, D. D.
dreds who have shared, at different times, in the hospitalities of the household over which she presided. In all the relations of the family, the neighborhood, and the parish, it was her constant aim to promote peace and mutual affection, and such was the force of her self denying consecration to the good of others, that she probably never had an enemy ; but enjoyed the spontaneous testimony of all, however they might differ from each other, to the purity of her motives, and the healing influence of her ex- ample. The close of such a life was, as might be expected, one of peace and spiritual consolation. During four months of suffering she enjoyed the presence of the Divine Comforter. Deeply sensible of her lost condition as a sinner, and the im- perfection of her best service, she cast herself on the merits of Christ alone for pardon and acceptance. She could say with humble confidence 'I know in whom I have believed.' And when the hand of death was upon her, she was enabled to whisper, as the last words she uttered ; 'In my father's house are many mansions.'" To this I would only add, that as there was a life-friendship between her and my mother, and in my childhood I was taught by her to call her " Aunt Caty," I en- tertained for her, from my earliest years strong affection and deep respect which time only increased. Her silent and uncon- scious influence was felt in the parish in the ties that kept it together.
Dr. Smith was married to Betsey Marsh before he went to col- lege. David Marsh, was a child of this union. The children of Rev. David, and Mrs. Catherine (Goodrich) Smith were, I. Catharine ; she married Hon. Henry L. Ellsworth, but is now a widow. II. Elizur Goodrich; III. Elizabeth Marsh; IV. Chauncey Goodrich, who was born October 17, 1807, and died September 27, 1825, an amiable and promising young man. He was in a store in Hartford preparing himself for mercantile life. V. Simeon Parsons, born July 31st, 1809, became a mer- chant in New York, had good business talents, and courteous manners, was a professor of religion. Married Hetty Hosford Smith, daughter of Walter D. Smith, Esq., who died Jan. 23d, 1840. She left one daughter, Hetty Hosford. He married for his second wife, Eliza Van Ness Lyle, June 27, 1842. He died after a short illness, Feb. 6, 1848. Their children were, I. Henry
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
Lyle, M. D., II. Catherine-deceased, III. Gertrude Van Ness. VI. Gustavus Walter, who was born June 16, 1815, and died at Lafayette, Indiana, August 8, 1840.
Mr. Smith on his settlement in Durham, showed more than common ability, enterprise and energy. And he brought with him the evident desire to consecrate himself to the duties of his office as a minister of Christ. And yet, it is well known, in Durham, that he did not enjoy the full measure of success in his professional labors which he desired.
Many causes over which he had no control, conspired to dis- turb the harmony which had hitherto existed in ecclesiastical matters in the town. The times had changed. The principles of the American Revolution and of the French Revolution, cir- culated in books and newspapers, and in conversation, were be- ginning to produce their legitimate effects in the minds of men in lessening a respect for constituted authority, whether civil or ecclesiastical. The right of private judgment in matters of faith and practice, became prominent in the minds and conver- sation of men ; as if they were disposed to do their own think- ing. And in order to show that they were thus independent, some would be tempted to oppose current opinions, both in politics and religion, merely because they were current. Some of the abstract doctrines of human rights in a state of nature, were beginning to agitate society in their application to existing civil and ecclesiastical organizations.
The puritan clergy, generally, while the colonies were subject to Great Britain, secretly or openly advocated the rights of the colonies against the Government of the mother country. They were in favor of local law in opposition to imperial law. In so doing they were in harmony with the great body of the people in the several colonies. But under the State Government formed at the Revolution, and under the Federal Government formed in 1788, differences of opinion grew up among the peo- ple themselves ; so that the position of the clergy became deli- cate in relation to different political parties in their parishes. In this difficult position, Mr. Smith found himself placed among a reading, thinking people ; both political parties being equally intelligent, and sincere.
Moreover, there was in the town a suspicion that some of the
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MINISTRY OF REV. DAVID SMITH, D. D.
young clergymen, near the close of the last century, and the be- ginning of this, differed from the fathers in the ministry, in their opinions on theological doctrines, and rites, and discipline, and measures. Mr. Smith was exposed to this suspicion from the circumstance that he had studied theology with the Rev. Ephraim Judson, of Sheffield, Massachusetts, who was a strong Hopkinsian. Hitherto in Durham the same confession of faith had been used from the first. Hitherto the ministers of Dur- ham, like most of the ministers of Connecticut, had baptized the children of those who had themselves been baptized, and who " owned the Covenant" into which their parents had entered for them, though they did not unite with the church at the table of the Lord. Having in a public manner "owned the covenant," into which their parents had entered, they were permitted to have their children baptized. This was a privilege earnestly coveted by many who had scruples about their fitness for full communion. This was what was called baptizing under the " half-way covenant." Hitherto extreme discipline in the church in Durham had been confined chiefly or entirely to those who . were guilty of admitted immoralities ; so that the offender and his friends, and the community would acknowledge its justice. Hitherto personal and family religion was chiefly urged upon the people, and evening meetings had not been greatly encour- aged.
It was alleged against, Mr. Smith that he had brought in a new confession of faith ; and refused to baptize under the " half way covenant," thus debarring some of a privilege ;- was in favor of discipline in cases in which there was no immorality, but only the violation of an arbitrary by-law recently enacted ; and had introduced conference meetings, at which unprofitable and ill-natured discussions took place. On the other hand, it was alleged against the opposers of Mr. Smith, that they did not love experimental religion, and were inclined to infidel opinions ; even though a considerable number of them were members of the church.
From these and other causes a large secession took place from the church and congregation, to other denominations, especially the Methodist and the Episcopal. Dr. Smith after going through these troubles, come out from them all, in his old age, as gold
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
tried in the fire. Few men have lived so long as he. Few have enjoyed so much, both of temporal and of spiritual good, and very, very few have exhibited such beautiful old age, “frosty but kindly," fresh with the remembrance of the past, bright with the hopes of the future.
CHAPTER V.
ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETIES.
SEPARATION OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY FROM THE TOWN.
Until November, 1804, the Town of Durham was an Ecclesias- tical parish. It, or to use the language of the Record, "they " had given a call to their ministers, had provided for their settlement and maintenance, had annually voted and paid them salaries, had felt competent to pass votes in order to settle Ecclesiastical diffi- culties, and preserve harmony. The following gives an account of the separation, between the Town and the Ecclesiastical So- ciety.
" Whereas, the Town of Durham from its origin has been one Ecclesiastical society, and done their Ministerial business in Town meetings, till of late there has been a number of the Inhabitants of said Town certificated themselves to other Denominations, whereby it becomes inconvenient to do said business in Town meetings : And as the General Assembly in their sessions in May, 1804, gave liberty to any Ecclesiastical society, which had hitherto exercised this power in town meetings, or through the agency of select men, to mect together and organize themselves into a Society, and do any other business proper to be done : And on the request of several of the Inhabitants of said town, to warn a meeting for said purpose, a warrant was granted signed by Gen'l JAMES WADSWORTH, Esq., SIMEON PARSONS, Justice of the peace, DAN PARMELEE, Esq., and Deacon JOHN JOHNSON, to warn all the Inhabitants of said Town, legal voters excepting
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ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETIES.
those that are exempted from paying Ministers taxes in said town, to meet at the school house near the Meeting-house, on the 19th day of Nov. 1804: And accordingly the Inhabitants met on said day, and the necessary officers were chosen according to Law in said Meeting for said society.
At the same meeting DAN. PARMELEE, Esq., was chosen Mod- erator; SIMEON PARSONS, Esq., was chosen society's clerk ; GUERNSEY BATES was chosen society's Treasurer ; JOSEPH TUT- TLE, Jun., was chosen society's collector ; General JAMES WADS- WORTH, DAN. PARMALEE, Esq, and Capt. JOHN JOHNSON were chosen society's committee."
SIMEON PARSONS, Society's Clerk.
When Durham was first settled, as religion was acknowledged to be a public benefit for all, it seemed reasonable that all should be taxed for the support of it, just as all were taxed by the town for the support of schools, which are for the benefit of all. But when after the experience of a hundred years, men came to dif- fer as to what religion is ; what are its articles of faith ; to whom should baptism be administered ; what are the measures for pro- moting religion ; for what shall members of the church be disci- plined-the case was changed. In March, 1800, as many as twenty men, most of them men of property, made an application to the town, to have their ministerial tax abated; which applica- tion was granted. These applications continued year after year. In the Town Record for Dec. 27, 1803, is the following entry : " Whereas sundry persons have represented to the Town that they are dissatisfied with the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Smith, and request some measures may be adopted by the town respecting the same to give satisfaction ; Voted, that Messrs. Stephen Nor- ton, Jun., Eliphas Parmelee and Charles Coe, be a committee to apply to Jonathan Bull, Roger Newton, and Nathaniel Rosseter, Esq. to hear all persons, who are dissatisfied and advise those persons what measures are best to be adopted, to preserve the peace and harmony of the town ; and to be done as soon as may be convenient."
After the action mentioned above, the Town was relieved from those embarrassments ; but the breaking up of the old systems, and the introduction of the new, was attended in Durham as elsewhere in the State, with a good deal of sadness, and discour-
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
agement and irritation. The new system was opposed very gen- erally by the Congregational clergy, and churches of Connecti- cut, and was never finally consummated until the election of Gov- ernor Wolcott in 1817, and the adoption of the State constitution in 1818. The vote of Durham on that constitution will be given elsewhere.
MINISTRY OF REV. HENRY GLEASON.
RE V. HENRY GLEASON'S STATEMENT.
" I commenced preaching in Durham, on the first Sabbath in April, 1832, and continued until June 20th. I subsequently re- ceived the following communications :
DURHAM, July 3d, 1832.
" At a meeting of the Church of Christ in Durham voted unani- mously that we give the Rev. Henry Gleason a call to take the pastoral charge of this church.
" Voted a committee; Miles Merwin, Jun., Dea. Samuel New- ton, Alfred Camp. Attest, SETH SEWARD, Clerk."
" At a meeting of the Society held July 17th, 1832, voted that this society unite with the Church in giving the Rev. Henry Glea- son a call to take the pastoral charge of this Church and Socie- ty; and the hireing committee are hereby authorized to offer him the sum of five hundred dollars per annum so long as he shall continue our minister.
A true copy.
Attest,
JOHN WHITE, Society's Clerk."
" Voted, That the conditions of the above call be such, that whereas a subscription of five hundred dollars has been received, for the purpose of paying the Rev. Henry Gleason for one year, ending on the 20th of June, 1833.
" Now if either the society or the Rev. Henry Gleason, at that time, viz. on the 20th of June, 1833, or at any time subsequent to that period, shall wish to discontinue the relation existing be- tween them as minister and people, and shall have given ninety days previous notice of the same, then the said relation shall cease, by mutual consent, and no further obligation shall rest on
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ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETIES.
either party, or further demands be made; and the hiring com- mittee are hereby authorized to treat with the Rev. Henry Glea- son accordingly.
Attest,
JOHN WHITE, Society's Clerk.
Rev. Henry Gleason,
Dear Sir,
We the undersigned, a committee of the Church and first Ecclesiastical Society in Durham, being on sufficient grounds well satisfied of your ministerial qualifications, and having good hopes from our past experiences of your labors, that your ministrations in the gospel will be profitable to our spir- itual interests, do earnestly call and desire you to undertake the pastoral office in said Church and society; and that you may be free from the worldly cares and avocations we do hereby promise to pay you the sum of five hundred dollars per annum by the first of May annually so long as you shall continue our minister.
Durham, July 18th, 1832.
Miles Merwin, Jun. ) John White,
John S. Camp, Samuel Newton,
Committee of Society.
Miles Merwin, Jun. ) Samuel Newton,
Committee
Alfred Camp,
of Church.
To which I returned the following answer.
To the Church and Society in Durham.
I have received from your committee a communication dated July 18th, 1832, inviting me to take the "pastoral charge of your church and society." Influenced as I trust by a desire for the advancement of Christ's kingdom among men, and after a prayerful examination of the question, " What is duty ?" I have concluded to comply with your request, should the authorized council approve the call by granting ordination. On these con- ditions I accept your invitation on the terms specified in the com- munication of your committee.
With the highest regard for the best interest of your Church and Society,
I remain yours, HENRY GLEASON.
Thompson, July 24th, 1832.
The Consociation met in Durham August 21st, 1832, at 11 11
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
o'clock A. M. for the purpose of ordaining Rev. Henry Gleason. See Records of Consociation.
DURHAM, March 20, 1838.
To the first Ecclesiastical Society of Durham :
Beloved Friends-
It has become my duty to notify you that the relation existing between us as pastor and people should be dis- solved at the expiration of three months from this date, agreea- bly to the terms of my settlement. If the Society desire it, I will continue to supply them till the present year expires, which will be on the 20th of June next. If, however, they should pre- fer to have me discontinue my labors earlier, I will not stand in the way of the good of the Society, nor oppose their wishes in the matter. You will perhaps wish to know the reason of this step on my part. I would briefly say, therefore, that ill health and the necessity of being free from care and labor in order to my re- covery, constitute the principal reason at present for my wishing to leave you. I entertain a high regard for this people, and I trust I never shall cease to desire and to pray for your prosperity, temporal and eternal.
With sentiments of high esteem, I remain your friend, HENRY GLEASON.
SAMUEL NEWTON, Clerk.
LIFE OF REV. HENRY GLEASON.
" The Rev. HENRY GLEASON was born in Thompson, Connec- ticut, September 11, 1802. Soon after his conversion to Christ, his heart become fixed on the holy ministry as a profession. Un- der the instruction of the Rev. Dr. Dow, his pastor, he pursued a course of preparatory studies under formidable difficulties, em- ploying only a small portion of each day over his books, while most of the time he spent in assisting his father in the labors of the farm.
" He graduated at Yale College with honor in 1828. The fol- lowing year he passed in Sag Harbor as preceptor of the Acad- emy in that place.
" After pursuing his Theological studies in the Seminary of Yale College, at the close of his third year of study, he was ordained
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.ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETIES.
pastor of the Congregational Church and Society in Durham, August 22, 1832. He was united in marriage with Cynthia S. Vandervort, Sept. 29 of that year. During his ministry in Dur- ham one hundred and thirty-six were added to the church. In June, 1838, he was obliged to suspend preaching on account of ill health. . After spending the Summer and Autumn in journey- ing and relaxation, his health was so far restored, that he resumed his labors among his people, the following December. He preached his last sermons, on the second Sabbath of August, 1839. One of them was from the text, " Prepare to meet thy God." The following week he was attacked with a low sinking typhus fever which terminated his life on Monday morning, the 16th instant. He was very calm during his whole sickness, and met death with the composure of a true Christian.
" He was a consistent, earnest, devoted Christian. The follow- ing lines from his pen, enclosed in a letter to a friend a year be- fore his death, breathes his spirit :
Beyond the stormy sea of life, There is a land of glorious rest,
Where winds and waves in angry strife No more disturb the peaceful breast, Though clouds and darkness now attend My weary way across the sea,
These scenes of darkness soon will end In an eternal cloudless day.
On that far distant happy shore I soon shall stand forever bless'd,
Where sin and tears are known no more ; Of heavenly peace my soul possessed.
O thought transporting ! wondrous grace, That guides me safe through peril's way ! When shall I reach that happy place, And dwell in everlasting day ?
Come ! Jesus, come, and take me home, My spirit now would gladly rise, I long to stand before thy throne, And join the chorus of the skies.
"He was a faithful husband and father. The following is found among the written rules which he adopted with reference to his own conduct and habits, viz: 'No efforts should be spared to render a family happy in themselves. To this end there must be-1st. Subordination among its members to its divinely con- stituted head. 2d. There must be self-government among its members. 3d. There must be kindness and affection among its
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HISTORY OF DURHAM.
members and benevolence towards all ; for a contracted selfish ness is hostile to domestic happiness. 4th. There must be sub- ordination to God, or piety. If there is rebellion against God, there will be against all authority ; there can be no parental or self-government. All government depends on the Divine gov- ernment. 5th. There must be order and system, not too minute but definite. 6th. Home must be the most attractive place, and the society of each other the most desirable. The parent must be himself happy or he will not have a happy family.
" ' In order to this he must-1st. Maintain his station in the family as its head and governor. 2d. He must govern himself thoroughly. 3d. He must possess mingled dignity, gravity, cheer- fulness, and affection. He must make an exhibition of those tempers only which he would have his family cherish. 4th. He must be pious and consistently so. 5th. He must be at once the companion, the governor, and head of the family, and also the teacher and guide.' These are words of wisdom, from a wise teacher.
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