History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 137

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572

USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 137

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"July 20, 1727. Tho society receiving from ye Revd. Elders associated, an answer to ye foregoing matter of scruple, and it was read off as followeth :

" A Quorum of Fairfield Association Occasionnly convened in Nor- walk July 19th, 1727.

" Whereas it is Signifyed to ns from ye records of ye Society that there are severall persons of this Society under Scruples respecting the rela- tion they stand in to ye Revd, Mr. Buckingham. That is to say whether ye said Gentleman be Regularly Discharged from his pastorall Relation to ye Church and people of this place ; and that our opinion in this case is desired.

" In answer wherennto we Declare this to be our Opinion that the Revd, Mr. Buckingham hath been regularly Discharged from his pas- torall Relation to ye Church and people of this place ; And offer npon it as followeth ; viz. (1) The Condition of this Church and people hath been for a considerable time greviously perplexd & Divided; whereof a very great part have been so distaneed in affection from their Late pastor, that thio Cure of it after a Considerable time of Tryall, hath appeared even to be Dispaired of ; Whereas also it appeared to us, that Saveing Ends of ye Gospel Ministry here may not generally be attained, which in ye Judgment of late Counsel and in our Opinion is Canse Justifying ye pas- tor's Resigning his pastorall Office, as to ye Exercise of it in ye place of his Improvement ; We propose the following Scriptures to be well Consid- cred. Ephe. 4: 11, 12, Our ascended Lord gave ye gifts of ye Ministry to men for ye Edifying yo Body of Christ : Where ye Edifying ye Body is expressly Set down as a main End of Gospel Ministry. Now the prin- ciple End being Generally Obstructed, and that after a Convenient Timo of Waiting, may bo well interpreted as a call from above to ye Minister that hath been improved, Humbly to yield himself to - that Christ our Lord and ye interest of immortal Souls may increase and flourish ; John 3d, 30th. We have also considered James 3d, 16th, Where envying and strife is, there Confusion and every evil work. Now this we have thought ye Malancholly Condition of this Place; & have been Ready to account the Method of ye Council in their late Doings accepting ye Revd. Gentleman's Resignation, & supplying the Sanction of their authority thereunto to be a proper and probable Remedy of ye unhappy Distemper of this place. (2) The Revd. Mr. Buckingham, as we understand, appear- ing in the late Council, affected with ye Sorrowful state of ye place and ye improbability of his future service here, Did Seriously, Solemnly, & willingly resign his pastorall Relation to ye Church and people of the place ; which was in his power to Do so far as Concerns an act of his, And the sd Resignation being willingly mado by him, we apprehend no injury Done him, Because an injury to a willing mind cannot be Done. We propose John 3d, 30th, he must increase, but I must Decrease. Which example of that Great man, than whom a greater was not Born of Women, We do understand presidential even to ye ministers of ye Gospel in our Times, when this continuing in the exercise the Gospel ministry may be justly thought to interfere with the Generall Spirituall good of Precious Souls.

"3. The Resignation of yo Revd. Mr. Buckingham in yo presence of ye society's com'tee, before ye council, ye authority whereof we suppose not proper for ye good people of this place to question, who have come into our ecclesiastical constitution and accepted our articles of administering Chh, discipline; yet for ye satisfaction of any of our people of this place, wo mention ye fifteenth Chapter of ye Acts; and thenee observe, that ye council at Jerusalem (ye pattern for Chh, councils in Gospel times) in the difficulties that had arisen, in ye church of Antioch, &c., did undertako to determine that difference, in authoritative way. Acts 15: 2. 'To whom we gave no such commandment.' Now commandment is a word necessarily implying authority-see also vorse 28. 'It seemed good to ye Holy Ghost & to us to lay no greater burden,' &c., which expression to ns implies authority, carrying an obligation in it on yo Chh. and people that applyd to ye council, seo also verse 29; 'From which if ye keep yourselves ye shall do well;' whence followeth yt ye Chh., which applied to the council at Jerusalem, if they did not observo the order of council, they should not do well, for that ye conclusion of council were ye highest authority, not to be controlled or disputed.

"4. The Resignation of ye Revd. Mr. Bnekingham being authorized by his proper judges, that is to say, ye council of ye elders & Chhs. of this county, the bond of his relation to this socioty, as pastor, is dis- solved & ceaseth (wheronpon it followethi that ye bond of ye relation of this Clh, and every member thereof to ye sd Mr. Buckingham, their lato pastor, is also dissolved and ceaseth).

" Unto ye above we only add as ye Rev. Mr. Buckingham hath form- ally declared himself willing to be directed by ye ministers of this country; now then as we account It on his part a good observance of order, for the future to forbear the exercise of ye pastoral office, to say, preaching and adlıministering any sacraments in this place; so also, ye good & Chris- tian people of this place will, In our opinion, show themselves men of order to contribute their part to such a direction of our association,

" Our thoughts in relation to ye motion of this society to the Revd, Mr. Moses Dickinson, we offer as followeth, vixt :

" That we are all glad of an opportunity now to signify the great re- spect and valne we have for ye Revd. Mr. Moses Dickinson, and the watis- fying prospect we have of his well answering ye necessities of this derti- tuto society, and with all cheerfulness assure ye good people thereof, of our good approbation of this society's having their eyes npon the Revd. and valuable gentleman for ye work of ye ministry here, whensoever it appears to ns that ye condition or proviso of ye Presbytery releasing him from a pastoral relation to ye people of Maidenhead, &c., appears also- Intely & in fact to be by judgment of that Presbytery completed,

" A true copy.

" SAMUEL COOK, " Scribe."

" The society by a vote of Eighty eight, none appearing in the nega- tive, do invite and call ye Rovd. gentleman to ye work and labor of ye ministry among them.

" Agreed and concluded to defray the chargo of transportation of ye sd Mr. Dickinson and family, whensoever he may be obtuined to move unto ns."

A committee appointed for this purpose and to provide a house, etc.

". . . Appointed ye Worshipfull Joseph Platt, Esq. to attend ye Revd. Mr. Dickinson home into ye Jersies, and also to endeavour the obtaining from ye Revd. Presbytery there, the Revd. Mr. Dickinson's discharge from ye Chh. and people of Maidenlicad."

On the society book is recorded at length the min- utes of the Fairfield Association, in a meeting at Wil- ton, Aug. 29, 1727, in which they approve of the doings of the council at Norwalk; and, it appearing that Mr. Diekinson was now dismissed by his Presby- tery, the association advise the society of Norwalk to repeat their call, which they did in full form on Nov. 1,1727.

"Jan. 10, 1727-28. The society grants ten pounds to Mr. James Brown for his service at ye General Conrt, in answering ye memorial against the select men, preferred at New Haven in October last to the General Court by Mr. Stephen Buckingham. Also granted 20s, to Lient. Samuel Comstock, which he paid to Mr. Fowler, lawyer, to assist in ye canse above said.

" May 10, 1728. Made choice of Joseph Platt, Esq., to represent the inhabitants of ye snid society, to answer ye memorial of Mr. Stephen Buckingham. Made choice of Thomas Fitch, Esq., Mr. James Brown, and Jolin Copp, committee to prepare what is needful to be sent to Cupt. Platt, who is now at ye said Assembly, by a safe hand, if such can be obtained, or else to send a man directly from hence to Capt. P'latt.

" At a meeting of ye Prime ancient Society of ye Town of Norwalk, convened May 7, 1729. . . . Made choice of Mr. James Brown and Thos. Fitch, Esq., to appear in behalf of the society at the General Court, to be held ut Hartford this present month; there to answer a Petition exhibited to sd court against the town of Norwalk by the Revd. Mr. Stephen Buckingham,

"The society impowers Mr. James Brown (that if he finds ye above- named Mr. Fiteh engaged on ye petitioner's side) to employ or improve (if he see it needful) an attorney at Hartford to aid and assist him in ye premises."

" Dec. 22, 1729. The society, by major vote, determines that a receipt from under the hand of ye Revd. Mr Caner, brought by any of ye Church of England in this society (so deelaring themselves, and intending as ye law* in that case mentions), for so much paid him as he or they are

* At a General Assembly held in Hartford, May, 1727, it was enacted, . . . That, " If it so happen that there be a society of the Church of England where there is a person in orders according to the Canons of the Church of England settled and abiding among them, and performing divino service, so near to any person that hath declared himself of the

560

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

assest by this society in the minister's rate of said society; which receipt or receipts, so delivered to ye collector of the minister's rate, shall be a sufficient discharge to ye said collector as if gathered by said collector and paid the said Mr. Caner, and thereby obtained his receipt for the same."

" At a mecting of ye Prime Society* in Norwalk with the Professors of the Church of England inhabitants of said society, legally warned and being convened at ye old school-house in said society, Feb. 2, 1746- 47 . .. Grant a rate of one penny the pound on all polls and ratable estate of all the inhabitants within ye limits of said society, towards completing ye town-house ; said house to be improved for school society's meetings of ye inhabitants in said society, as pr grant of ye town at their last annual meeting."

"Dee. 14, 1747. Voted, that Saml. Fitch, Esq., shall sit in ye pew next ye pulpit stairs, with the rest of ye authority."

" Dec. 17, 1750. Determine to glaze the meeting-house with sash-glass 7 & 9 inches -. . . A committee appointed to perform the same; and are impowered to sell and dispose of ye glass and lead belonging to ye windows, in order to purchase glass and other materials for ye same."

"At a meeting of the Prime Ancient Society in Norwalk, assembled Dec. 25, 1754, .. . The society by vote manifest their willingness that his Honor the Governor should choose any place in ye meeting-house to erect a pew for himself and family. Ye society send 3 men to treat with his Honor in the affair.

"At the same meeting, ye said society grants the head of two fore seats in the meeting-house, on ye women's side, to erect a pew for his Honor the Governor to sit in; which is left to the discretion of David Benedict, Doct. Uriah Rogers, and Mr. Joseph Platt, a committee ap- pointed to build said pew at ye society's charge."

" Dec. 10, 1755. The society by vote desire the Justices to remove aud sit in the pew with their wives."

At the same meeting the society desire the com- mittee appointed to erect the Governor's pew to do what they shall think proper to adorn the pew where the Governor now sits, in lieu of building a pew.

In February, 1764, the society, with the concurrence of Mr. Dickinson, voted to take measures to procure

Church of England, that he can conveniently and doth attend the public worship there, then the collector, having first indifferently levied the tax as aforesaid, shall deliver the taxes collected of such persons de- claring themselves, and attending as aforesaid, unto the minister of the Church of England living near unto such persons; which minister shall have full power to receive and recover the same, in order to his support in the place assigned to him."

The same act gave power to any society of the Church of England to. levy on themselves greater taxes at their own discretion for the support of their minister.

" And the parishiouers of the Church of England, attending as afore- said, are hereby excused from paying any taxes for the building meeting houses for the present established churches of this goverumeut."

The General Assembly held at Hartford, May 8, 1727, enacted "That where there are such dissenters as are commonly called Quakers, who do attend the worship of God in such way as is allowed by said act [in the 7th of Queeu Anne, A.D. 1708] within this colony, or are so situated that they may and do attend the service out of the limits of this gov- erment iu any such meeting aforesaid, and shall produce a certificate from snch a society of their having joined themselves to them, and that they do belong unto their socicty, that he or they shall be excused from contributing to the support of the established ministry, and from con- tributing or paying any tax levied for the building any meeting-house or honses in the society where they dwell."

The General Assembly held at New Haven, Oct. 9, 1729, also granted, "That for the future the samo privilege and exemption from the charges aforesaid as was granted by tbis Assembly in May last unto the people called Quakers is hereby allowed unto them [the people called Baptists] under the like regulations, any law, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding."

" At this time," says Prof. Kingsley, "there were in Connecticut but two or three congregations of Episcopalians and two of Baptists, all of which were small, and no congregation of Quakers."

* The schools were managed by the Prime Ancient Society ; their votes concerning districts, school-houses, &c., at their annual meetings being put on record from time to time.

a colleague; provided that means for the support of such colleague could be furnished by subscription, without laying any burden upon the society as such. In March report was made to the society that such subscriptions were furnished.

Mr. Tennent having preached some Sabbaths on probation, the society, by vote, unanimously invited him to settle as colleague with Mr. Dickinson, Nov. 13, 1764.

" Dec. 17, 1764. Thomas Hanford appointed to collect Mr. Leamiug's rate."

Mr. Tennent wished to retain his connection with the Presbytery, which the society, by mutual under- standing, allowed, provided Mr. Tennent should " unite with us and with the Association in the Ec- clesiastical constitution of the colony." The Pres- bytery, however, understood it otherwise, and ap- pointed a time and a committee of their own for the installation. Whereupon, June 12, 1765, after a suit- able preamble, the society voted thus :

"This society, by a copy from the minutes of the Presbytery, are in- formed that Mr. Tenneut declared his acceptance of the call of the soci- ety, upon condition that he shall still continue a member of the synod of New York and Philadelphia, and of New Brunswick Presbytery ; . . but at the same time professed his desire and intention to hold communion, and be in connection, with the Revd. association aforesaid, as far as is consistent with his continuing in his relation to said synod: and that thereupon the said Presbytery had presumed that this church and soci- ety complied with the condition annexed by Mr. Teunent, to his accept- ance of their call (which was made on very different terms); and accord- ingly have assumed to themselves a right to appoint and did appoint the time of installment, and a committee of their own to officiate therein. On consideration of all which, this society is of opinion, that the annex- ing the condition aforesaid to the acceptance of the call aforesaid, is a pro- posal subversive of the foundation on which the agreement and proceed- ings of the society were predicated; and the proceedings of the Presby- tery in consequence thereof is an attempt to draw the church and soci- ety off from the constitution in which they are united, and to lead them to renounce the relations they stand in, and esteem too sacred to be vio- lated ; and do also view such appointment of the time and persons for installment, as an imposition on the society ; and therefore is to be treated with neglect. Therefore, the society do declare, that they can- not comply with the abovesaid conditions and appointment; but are obliged to look on Mr. Tennent's annexing such embarrassment to his acceptance, tantamount to a denial of the invitation made him, etc., etc."

In consequence of this the society appointed a committee to rent the house and land which they had purchased as a parsonage for the colleague pastor. An explanation followed : Mr. Tennent declared that he never expected or intended that the society should be under the power of the Presbytery; and signified his readiness to accept the call, if this explanation should prove satisfactory. Whereupon the society voted their approval and desired his settlement, add- ing, in their votc, June 19, 1765, that "Nevertheless, it is expected, that before his installment, a certificate be produced from the Revd. Presbytery aforesaid, of Mr. Tennent's being released from them, agreeably to the tenor of the above proposals, in order to make way for a regular settlement here, and a full union with the association here, on the constitution of this colony."

" Dec. 16, 1765. Nathan Burwell, Jr., to collect Mr. Leaming's rate.

" Dec., 1766. Ebenezer Church to collect Mr. Leaming's rate.

561

NORWALK.

"Dee. 14, 1767. Goold Hoyt chosen collector of Mr. Loaming's last year's rate, likewiso for tho presont year's rate.

" Dec. 20, 1768. Asa Hoyt choson collector of ye Church of England professors.

" Dec. 11, 1769. Garner Olmsted to collect of tho Church of England professor8.

"Dec. 10, 1770. John Saunders to collect Mr. Leaming's rate.

"Dec. 15, 1771. Matthew Reed, collector of Mr. Leaming's rato.

" Doc. 21, 1772. Micajah Nash chosen to collect Mr. Leaming's rate (afterwards excused and Isaac Camp chosen in his room).

" Dec. 13, 1773. Garner Olmsted chosen colloctor of tax on yo profes- sors of ye Church of England.

"Dec. 14, 1774. Garner Olmsted colloctor of yo professors of yo Church of England.

" Dec. 11, 1775. Daniol Church collector of ye professors of ye Church of England.

"Dec. 9, 1776. Saml. White chosen collector of yo Church of England Professors.

"Dec. 8, 1777. Barnabas Merwino Collec. of ye Church of England professors.

"Dec. 14, 1778. John Saunders colloctor of Mr. Leaming's rate."

Before the next annual meeting the town was burnt by the British, and Rev. Mr. Leaming retired with the invaders to their fleet.

" Dec. 11, 1769. Putto vote, whether the society will repair tho meet- ing house according to tho report of those persons desired to view the same; that is to say, to put on a new roof, and new sido tho house, and to make new window frames, so far as should bo necessary. Passed in the affirmative."

" Dec. 15, 1771. The committee heretofore appointed to repair tho meeting honse, aro roquested to do the same in tho month of May next, etc., . . and then to colour ye sd honse."

" Jan. 8, 1772. Whereas tho Rev. Mr. Treat, of New York, applied to the committee of this society, desiring them to call tho society together, that he might inform them that a call is presented to the Rev. Mr. Ten- nent in Charles Town in South Carolina, and to acquaint the society with the reasons for the application made to Mr. Tennent, and also to know whether the society will concur with Mr. Tennent in calling a council to deliberate upon the affairs of tho call; and also further signi- fied that it was the carnest desire of the Rev'd Mr. Tennent that tho so- ciety should bo convened for the purpose aforesaid; and whereas the society being now convened in consequence of sd requests; and the Revd. Mr. Treat having informed this meeting of the call from sd church in Charles Town, &c.

" The question was put whether this society will concur with tho Revd. Mr. Tennent in calling a council for tho purposo aforesd. Tho so- ciety having taken theso matters into consideration, and seriously delib- erated upon them, are of opinion, that as there doth not appear any cause arising in the society, or any matter subsisting between Mr. Ten- nent and the society that makes it necessary or expedient for the society to desire a council, Therefore the society Resolvo the above question iu tho negative."

"Jan. 14, 1772. Whereas the Consociation of tho Western District of Fairfield County, now met in this society to consider and determino a case of no less importanco than the expediency of the Rev. Mr. Tennent's dismission from the pastoral relation to this church and society, in con- seqnenco of a call, etc. . . . havo notified this society of sd meeting, so that they may have an opportunity to bo heard if they havo anything to offer in the case. . . . Voted and agreed by this society that the reasons offered for Mr. Tennent's dismission are altogether insufficient, etc., . . . and that they aro entirely against Mr. Tennent's being dismissed, and do not consent to the sd Mr. Tennent's dismission from ns; and that a copy of this voto bo presented to sd council speedily, to signify our minds in ye aforesaid case."

"Jan. 22, 1772. [The society considering at lcugth the reasons offered by the Consociation : and] Having seriously weighod the soveral matters aud proceedings with the effects and consequences which may probably follow a non-compliance, are of opinion that considering the same, and the steps taken to effect it, has rondered Mr. Tonnont's usefulness in this society much less than it otherwise might have been, if not altogether at an end, Therefore, in compliance with his carnest request, and in defer- ence to tho opiniou and advico of the venerable Council, etc., . . . do sig- nify that if he desires the council to be convened, or shall conveno the same for their approbation thereof, or for his dischargo from any other relatiou or counexions, this society has nothing to object."

In October, 1773, Mr. Cotton was employed to preaeb till the next annual meeting, and on Dec. 13, 1773, "the committee appointed to look out for an- other minister to preach on probation are desired to return the society's thanks to Mr. Cotton for his good service here, and to pay him honorably for the same."

Dec. 6, 1776, Mr. Kittletass was preaching here. May 11, 1778, the society voted to invite Mr. Fenn to preach ; in December, 1778, to invite Mr. Robin- son. April, 1780, the committee were directed to hire Mr. Mourdock; Aug. 27, 1782, to invite Mr. Tullar; Dec. 9, 1782, voted that Mr. Tullar shall be invited to settle here as a minister in this society ; but Dec. 26, 1782, this vote was reconsidered and made void, " by reason there were but few people at the former meeting."

Sept. 5, 1783, desired the committee to invite Mr. William Lockwood to preach in the society. June 17, 1784, Mr. Spalding had been employed, and was desired to preach two or three months longer. Dee. 13, 1784, the committee were directed to invite Mr. Sherman to preach on probation.

Second Tuesday in October, 1785, the society called Rev. Mr. Burnet to be their minister, to be installed "on the second day of November next."

MINISTERS.

Thomas Hanford began to preach in 1652; or- dained in 1654, and died in 1693, after laboring in the ministry here forty-one years.

Stephen Buckingham was ordained Nov. 17, 1697 ; resigned Feb. 24, 1727, having labored in the minis- try here about thirty years.

Moses Diekinson was installed in 1727, and died May 1, 1778, in the eighity-third year of his age, having been pastor nearly fifty-one years.

William Tennent was installed colleague pastor with Mr. Diekinson in 1765. Having been called to Charleston, S. C., he was dismissed in 1772, after a ministry of seven years.

Matthias Burnet, D.D., was installed Nov. 2, 1785, and died June 30, 1806, in the twenty-first year of his ministry in this church, and in the fifty-eighth year of his age.

Roswell R. Swan was ordained Jan. 14, 1807, and died March 22, 1819, in the thirteenth year of his ministry, and the forty-first year of his age.

Sylvester Eaton was ordained Oct. 4, 1820, and dis- missed Feb. 28, 1827, in the seventh year of his min- istry.

Henry Benedict was installed Aug. 13, 1828, and dismissed Feb. 22, 1832, in the fourth year of his ministry.

Edwin Hall, D.D., was installed June 14, 1832, and after a ministry of twenty-three years was dismissed April 24, 1855, to accept the professorship of system- atic theology in the seminary at Auburn, N. Y.

William B. Weed was installed June 27, 1855, and died Dec. 13, 1860, in the sixth year of his ministry.

562

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Joseph Anderson was installed April 3, 1861, and dismissed Oct. 12, 1864, in the fourth year of his ministry.

Thomas S. Childs, D.D., was installed Feb. 6, 1866.

Rev. Mr. Dunham. Rev. John A. Hamilton, in- stalled April 8, 1874 ; present pastor.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 137

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1572

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572