USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > History of Litchfield county, Connecticut > Part 156
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649
WARREN.
are mouldering in the dust, may our words be held in grateful remem- brance by those who are next called upon to rebuild the house of the Lord.
"'M. C. STRONG,
"'In behalf of the Ladies of the Church and Society of Warren. "'Oct. Ist, '59.'
" At the time spoken of in the last paper, eight hundred dollars were raised by subscription for re- pairs upon the church. The pulpit and the pews were brought nearer to a level by putting the new pulpit lower, and also by raising the floor of the sanc- tuary. The house was new-seated.
" Other expenses to be spoken of are the purchase of the parsonage, in 1864, by a subseription of one thousand eight hundred dollars, and the organ, in 1872, for nearly one thousand three hundred dollars. 'Liberty' was given by the society 'to put up stoves' in 1833. Previous to that time people had kept warm as they could.
"The fund of the society was raised by subscrip- tion in 1790, amounting to three thousand eight hun- dred and eighty dollars, from one hundred and two subscribers. Miss Miriam Buek left to the society, by will, one hundred and ten dollars and ninety cents, which was received July 15, 1840. Mr. John Eyles and Mr. Abner Welch added to the fund. In 1875 it amounted to four thousand six hundred and sixty- five dollars and seventy-nine cents.
"Nineteen persons have served here in the office of deacon, including those now in office. Of the two first, Deacons Smalley and Lee, I have been able to learn nothing except the date of their appointment. Dea- cons Abel Comstock and Jonathan Hitchcock prob- ably removed to Vermont, as Mr. Starr spoke of visiting persons of those names there in one of his missionary tours. Deacon Salmon Sackett removed to Talmadge, Ohio, and Deaeon Joseph A. Tanner to Waverly, Ill. Deacons Justus Sackett, Ebenezer Tanner, Amos Fowler, John Talmadge, Jonathan Reynolds, and Gustavus Rouse lived and died among us.
" Besides these deacons at home, Warren has raised up deacons for other churches not a few. I am able to name Deacons Ralph C. and Theodore Curtiss, Waverly, Ill. ; Eldred, of Janesville, Wis. ; Myron and Moses Sackett, Canfield; Ephraim M. Sturte- vant, Cleveland ; Benjamin Carter and Etheil Strong, Edinburgh ; Bradford and Isaac Sturtevant, and Har- vey Sackett, Ruggles; Clarke Saekett, Talmadge, Ohio; George Saekett, Cuyahoga Falls; Rufus C. Swift, Cooperstown, N. Y .; George Starr, LL.D., Middlebury, Vt .; and George Starr Humphrey, New Preston, Conn .; besides Elders Frederick Starr, Rochester; Myron P. Hopkins, Medina, N. Y .; and Wm. H. Swift, Vineland, N. J.
" This is also the mother-church of many clergy- men, some of whom are as distinguished as any in the country. Their names are Revs. Josiah and Princo Hawes, Reuben Taylor, Nathaniel Swift, Urban Palmer, Charles G. Finney, D.D., Seth Sack-
ett, Alanson Saunders, Julian M. Sturtevant, D.D., John S. Griffin, Lucius S. Rouse, Julius Reynolds, John L. Taylor, D.D., Myron N. Morris, and George Edward Stone. Two of these, in their positions as presidents of colleges and preachers of great power, have had influence second to very few of this day. It will ever be a marked thing in the history of this town that it was the birthplace of a Finney and a Sturtevant. This may well be a stimulus to the young.
" And here I am reminded of one thing of which this church and community have reason to be proud, and that is the character of the people raised up here. Whatever Warren has failed to do, it has not failed to give birth and training to men and women. Not to speak of those now among us, concurrent testimony assures us that the men of the last and former gen- erations were, many of them, of marked excellence. The late Dr. McEwen, of New London, related the following incident in an address at Litchfield in 1852:
"'A Dr. Thompson, of New London, was traveling, and spent a Sab- bath in Warren, at the public-house. He attended church. aud, without making himself known, observed what occurred. A well-dressed, dig- nified person ascended the pulpit, and in good style performed the ordi- nary servico of that place. Prayers, sermon, and psalmus camo forth as from a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. The stranger observed that prayer was offered for the aged pastor of the church in his absence for his health. In the afternoon the pulpit was occupied by another," who, liko the former occupant of the desk, was happy in the perform- anco of all the duties, ho also remembering the absent pastor. Dr. Thompson, upon returning to his lodgings, remarked to his host, "You have an abundance of clergy in this town,-two present to-day and one absent." " Olu" was the reply, "those whom you have heard to-duy are our two deacons.""
" An aged friend of mine remembers being specially interested in the remarks of the Warren delegate at a conference of churches held in another county nearly fifty years ago. If Deacon Talmadge was that dele- gate, as he doubtless was one of the deacons just re- ferred to, no one who knew him will be surprised at the testimony. If it was not he, there were others who could meet the case."
The following is a list of the pastors from the or- ganization of the church to the present time : Silvanus Osborn, installed June 20, 1757 ; died May 7, 1771. Peter Starr, installed March 18, 1772; died July 17, 1829. Hart Talcott, installed May 11, 1825; died March 27, 1836. Harley Goodwin, installed June 27, 1838; dismissed Dec. 12, 1843; died January, 1855. John R. Keep, installed June 12, 1844; dismissed Nov. 5, 1852. Montgomery M. Wakeman, installed Sept. 27, 1854; dismissed June 24, 1856. Francis Lobdell, installed Nov. 3, 1859; dismissed April 7, 1863. Wm. Elliott Bassett, installed Oct. 12, 1864; dismissed Nov. 15, 1875. Willis S. Colton, present pastor.
The list of deacons were as follows : Joseph Smal- ley, Daniel Lee, Abel Comstock, Justus Sackett, Jonathan Hitchcock, Ebenezer Tanner, Salmon Sack- ett, Amos Fowler, John Talmadge, Joseph A. Tanner, Jonathan Reynolds, Gustavus Rouse, John Taylor,
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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
Clark S. Swift, William Hopkins, Benjamin E. Carter, Franklin A. Curtiss.
There is a Methodist church also in this town, but we have been unable to secure data for its history.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1786 TO 1881.
1786-87, Nathaniel Swift, Jr .; 1788, Samuel Carter ; 1789-91, Nathaniel Swift, Jr. ; 1792, Nathaniel Swift, Jr., Justus Sackett; 1793, Nathaniel Swift, John Talmadge; 1794, Nathaniel Swift, Ebenezer Tanner; 1795, John Talmadge; 1796, Nathaniel Swift; 1797, Samuel Carter; 1798, John Talmadge, Judah Eldred; 1799, Judah Eldred, Ebenezer Tanner; 1800, Ebenezer Tanner; 1801, Nathaniel Swift, Homer Sackett ; 1802, John Talmadge; 1803, John Talmadge, Nathaniel Swift; 1804, John Talmadge; 1805, Nathaniel Swift, John Talmadge; 1806, Jolın Talmadge, Ebenezer Tanner; 1807, John Talmadge, Ben- jamin Carter; 1808, Nathaniel Swift, Ebenezer Tannor; 1809, Eben- ezer Tanner, Benjamin Carter; 1810, Nathaniel Swift, Orrin Sacket ; 1811, Benjamin Carter; 1812, John Talmadge, Eben Tanner; 1813, Homer Sackett, Solomon Bronson ; 1814, Benjamin Carter, Homer Sackett; 1815, Judah Eldred ; 1816-17, Judah Eldred, Homer Sackett ; 1818, Ilomer Sackett, Augustus Curtis; 1819, Judalı Eldred; 1820, Benjamin Carter; 1821, Ilomer Sackett ; 1822, Sherman Ilartwell; 1823, George Starr; 1824, Sherman Hartwell; 1825, George Starr; 1826, Samnel Weston; 1827, Daniel Carter; 1828-29, George Starr; 1830, Elijah Hayes; 1831, Justus Snckett ; 1832, William Battell, Daniel Carter; 1833-34, Elijah Hayes; 1835, Daniel Curter; 1836, Elijab Ilayes; 1837-38, Rupell Carter; 1839, Elijah Hayes; 1840, Lamin Chapman; 1841, George P. Talmadge; 1842, Laurin Chap- man; 1843-44, Ilenry W. Carter; 1845, Benajal Mallory ; 1846, Charles Everett; 1847-48, Clark S. Swift; 1849, Benajah Mallory ; 1850, Myron S. Iline; 1851, Jarvis C. Howard ; 1852, George Ilayes; 1853-54, E. M. Kellogg; 1855, Elijah Hayes ; 1856-57, E. P. Mon]- thronp; 1858, G. P. Talmadge; 1859-60, T. L. Jennings; 1861-62, Augustine T. Peck ; 1863, Elijah Hayes; 1864, George W. Grannis; 1865, Noble B. Strong ; 1866, Elijalı Hlayes: 1867, Josiah Jennings ; 1868, John E. Graunis; 1860, Angustine T. Peck ; 1870, Beecher Per- kins; 1871, C. E. Beeman; 1872-73, M. B. Strong; 1874, Edwin R. Beeman; 1875, George Wells; 1876, Austin R. Humphrey ; 1877, Miner A. Strong; 1878, Erastus Bates; 1879, Henry E. Shove; 1880, Buel Carter ; 1881, William F. Curtiss.
MILITARY RECORD.#
Charles N. Beeman, 8th Regt .; enl. Sept. 25, 1861; disch. Nov. 16, 1862. B. G. Page, 8th Regt. ; enl' Sept. 25, 1864; disch. May 31, 1865. George Brown, 8th Regt .; enl. Aug. 10, 1864; disch. July 16, 1865. E. F. Prague, 10th Regt .; enl. Oct. 1, 1861 ; disch. Feb. 7, 1863. W. D. Collios, 11th Regt .; en]. Dec. 9, 1864; disch. Dec. 21, 1865. J. N. Lyman, 13th Regt., second lieutenant ; com. Nov. 27, 1861; disch. June 6, 1865.
William Beeman, 13th Regt .; enl. Dec. 30, 1861 ; disch. Nov. 20, 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
DEACON WILLIAM HOPKINS.
William Hopkins was born Sept. 10, 1803. His father, Anthony P. Hopkins, was a victim of the ter- rible epidemic of 1813, leaving William, at the age of ten years, the oldest son of a family of five children. From his earliest years his Christian mother instilled into his heart steadily, constantly, and successfully the principles of fidelity to right and of a broad Chris- tian charity. She lived to see the germ she had planted come to perfection and its fullest growth, and had the satisfaction of knowing that he was known and hon- ored by his townsmen for his tender sympathy for the
suffering, benevolence towards all worthy objects, and his sterling Christian integrity. In the fullness of years, like a shock of corn fully ripe, she passed away to the better land, April 18, 1865, aged ninety-seven years.
Mr. Hopkins early joined the Congregational Church, and while yet a young man was appointed deacon, and for over half a century he walked among the peo- ple of Warren, and malice and suspicion never dared whisper aught against his honor or his Christian char- acter. By the death of his father he was, while yet a child, withdrawn from the advantages of school, and this loss he always deplored. It may have been a valuable discipline for him to have thrown upon him so early the headship of the family, for if it was his lot to pass but a very few years in school buildings, he was always a student, never idle. He read much and thought more, and as he grew in years, and the circle of his acquaintance became larger, his mind became more and more enriched by his close associa- tion with many cultivated people, and as he received it he assimilated the knowledge by the very act of im- parting it to others. He used what he had, and more was given him. The richness of his instructions to his Bible-class never tired of listening, his conversa- tions on any and all subjects, and the easy illustrations to point a moral, testified to a well-furnished mind unusually acute and vigorous. He was never an idler. Possessed of a healthy and vigorous physical nature through youth and middle life, he enjoyed labor, and could and did begin his work before the sun appeared in the morning, and yet, untired, be busy long after it had sunk behind the western hills. Rev. Mr. Bassett, in his memorial sermon, preached June 15, 1879, says, " Nor can I leave this part of my subject withont saying a word as to the beauty of Deacon Hopkins' physique. I know not how it was with him in the early period of life, but he had a charming beauty in his old age,-his abundant sil- very hair, lying in graceful curls ; his large forehead, overhanging his bright, sparkling eyes, which could not have been brighter when the fires of youth shone through them; a mouth holding the impress of the kind words it had uttered; his whole countenance lighted up with kindliness and cheer, radiated very frequently by intelligent smiles, preceding and fol- lowing the sharp witticisms which were as natural to him as his very breath. Altogether, he presented a look that charmed us all. Such was he among us physically." He was an earnest and a willing worker. On the farm, in society, or the church, where anything reasonable and right was to be done, there was no fear of his failing to respond. Social gatherings of a benev- olent character were sure to be enlivened by his pres- ence. A subscription-paper for a good object would always bear his name with a generous sum affixed. If work was to be done about the grounds of the church, he would be among the first to come, and stayed until the last. He was in the world for work,
* For list of Nineteenth Regiment, see Chapter V.
-
Um Hopkins
LOOKING TO THE SOUTH EAST.
LOOKING TO THE SOUTH WEST.
e
ist
" LAKE SIDE.'' RESIDENCE OF GEO. C. HOPKINS WARREN CONN .
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WASHINGTON.
and that he did nobly and well all through the years of his life of seventy-five years, until his death at his life-long home, "Lakeside," March 17, 1879. We can no better conelude this sketch than to take the following from the discourse already alluded to : "Deacon Hopkins was what he was because of his connection with Christ. His 'life was hid with Christ in God.' It was in connection with this that he had his grandest thoughts, his noblest impulses, his most manly purposes and achievements. Not only did his life blossom in his religion, it was rooted in his re- ligion. So he lived and so he died : a man among us. Nature was liberal in her outfit of him, equip- ping him well for a manly career ; and by grace he was led to a manly use of his powers in a life charac- terized by honesty, helpfulness, self-control, forti- tude, willing to bear a man's part in life's burdens, and in the service and love of God. As such we knew him, as such we loved him, as such we will cherish and honor his memory."
CHAPTER LXV.
WASHINGTON.
Geographical-Topographical-Jndea and New Preston Societies-The First Settlements-Names of Pioneers-Organization of Judea Society -Ecclesiastical History-The Congregational Church, Washington- Congregational Church, New Preston-Congregational Church, New Preston Ilill-St. John's Church-St. Andrew's Church-Rising Sun Lodge, No. 27, F. and A. M .- Physicians-Revolutionary Incident- Gunn's Seminary-The Shepaug Railroad-Lake Weroamang-Civil and Military History-Organization of the Town-The First Town- Meeting-Officers Elected-Documentary History-List of Selectmen from 1786 to 1881 -- List of Representatives-Probate Judges-Military Record.
THE town of Washington is located south of the centre of the county, and is bounded as follows: on the north by Kent, Warren, and Litchfield, on the east by Morris and Bethlehem, on the south by Wood- bury and Roxbury, and on the west by New Milford and Kent. Its surface is rolling and soil fertile.
The town consists of two ceelesiastical societies, Judea and New Preston. The former embraces the territory taken from Woodbury and Litchfield, and the latter that from Kent and New Milford.
The first settlement in the town was made in Judea society, by Joseph Hurlbut, in 1736. Among the other early settlers were Inerease Moseley, Nathaniel Durkee, John Barker, Friend Weeks, Joseph Gillett, and Samuel Titeher.
ORGANIZATION OF JUDEA SOCIETY.
The little settlement increased in numbers, and five years later twenty persons presented a petition to the General Assembly for " winter privileges,"-that is, the privilege of supporting a minister of their own distinet from the old society. They also asked that they might be relieved " from paying taxes for a new school-house just built in the First society, and also
from parish taxes, that they may build a school-house of their own." The petition was granted, to continue two years, and they were released from one-half of the parish taxes, and from taxes to build a new meeting- house, provided they were "in no ways Active in the Affairs of Building a new Meeting-House in said first Society."
In October, 1741, a petition was presented, signed by twenty-six persons, praying to be organized into an ecclesiastieal society, and appointed "Our Trusty and well-beloved friend, Friend Weeks, agent and attorney to prosecute our petition." The signers of this petition were Nathaniel Durkee, John Baker, Joseph Gillett, Joseph Chittenden, Elisha Stone, Samuel Pitcher, Jr., James Piteher, Inerease Moseley, Lemuel Barker, Daniel Castle, Samuel Branton, Ezra Tyrrill, Jr., Ebenezer Allen, Zadoek Clark, Elijah Hurd, Joseph Hurd, Joseph Hurlbut, Benjamin In- grahams, John Royee, John Hurd, Jr., Jedediah Hurd, and Benjamin Hinman.
The petition was granted in October, 1741, and the society ereeted with the following boundaries :
" Beginning ntt Col" Johnson's line at New Milford bounds, and from thence Running Eastward in sd line untill it Comes to the line Dividing Between Bethlehem and the West part of the North Purchase, and thence to Extend North to the north line of sd purchase, and thence Westward to New Milford Line, and thenco Southward to the first-men- tioned place, at the End of Coll. Jolinson's line nt New Milford bounds."
At the same session twenty-four persons petitioned for a land-tax of thirty shillings per lot, which was granted for four years.
The matter of the church was immediately pro- ceeded with, and in May, 1742, twenty-six petitioners stated that they had "Unanymously and Lovingly Agreed upon A Place for to set a Meeting-House." It was built during the same year.
WEROAMAUG.
The reservation of Weroamaug, or Raumaug, was in the parish of New Preston, adjacent to the reser- vation of the Bantam Indians, over whom his juris- diction extended. He was a true friend of the whites, and in his last years professed to have become a con- vert to Christianity. The Rev. Daniel Boardman, who was ordained as the minister at New Milford in 1716, became much interested in him. In a letter to a friend he calls him "that distinguished sachem, whose great abilities and eminent virtues, joined with his extensive dominion, rendered him the most po- tent prince of that or any other day in this colony; and his name ought to be remembered by the faithful historian as much as that of any crowned head since his was laid in the dust." During Raumaug's last illness Mr. Boardman constantly attended him, and endeav- ored to confirm his mind in the vital truths of the Christian faith. It was a sad place for the dying chieftain, for a majority of his people, and even his wife, were bitter opponents of the white man's relig- ion, and used all their influeneo against it. One day,
.
652
HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
when the good pastor was standing by the sachem's bedside, the latter asked him to pray, to which he as- sented. It happened that there was a sick child in the village, and a pow-wow was in attendance, who had undertaken to cure it with his superstitious rites. As soon as the clergyman commenced his prayer, Raumaug's wife sent for the medicine-man, and or- dered him to commence his exercises at the door of the lodge. The pow-wow at once set up a hideous shouting and howling, and Mr. Boardman prayed louder, so that the sick man might hear him above the uproar. Each raised his voice louder and louder as he went on, while the Indians gathered around, solicitous for the success of their prophet. The pow- wow was determined to tire out the minister ; and he, on the other hand, was quite as fully resolved not to be put to silence in the discharge of his duty by the blind worshiper of Satan. The invincible minister afterwards gave it as his belief that he prayed full three hours before he was permitted to come off con- queror. The pow-wow having completely exhausted himself with his efforts, gave one unearthly yell, and then, taking to his heels, never stopped till he was cooling himself up to his neck in the Housatonic. Raumaug died about the year 1735, or some fifteen years after the first settlement of Litchfield.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The history of the Congregational Church is really the continuation of that of the parish or society as re- lated above. The church was organized Sept. 1, 1742, with the following members: Rev. Reuben Judd, Joseph Gillett, Benjamin Hurd, Deacon In- crease Moseley, Allen Curtis, Timothy Hurd, Deacon Joseph Hurd, Joseph Chittenden, John Royce, John Baker, Elijah Hurd, and Samuel Bell. On the 5th of the following September the following females were received into the new church : Deborah Moseley, Ann Hurd, Rachel Weeks, Jerusha Baker, Abigail Hurd, Mary Hurd, Tabitha Hurd, Dorcas Royce, by subscription for the use of the society. November, Mary Durkee, and Esther Durkee.
The following is a list of the pastors of this church from its organization to the present time: Rev. Reu- ben Judd, a graduate of Yale, was ordained the same day the church was organized, and the ceremonies took place in a grove near the residence of the late Daniel N. Brinsmade. He was dismissed May 6, 1747. Rev. Daniel Brinsmade, a graduate of Yale, was ordained March 9, 1749. He died April 23, 1793. Rev. Noah Merwin was installed as colleague with Rev. Mr. Brinsmade in March, 1785. He died April 12, 1795. For a number of months after the death of Mr. Merwin the church was supplied by the neigh- boring ministers, and by Mr. Platt Bassett and Amasa Porter, candidates for settlement. Rev. Eben- ezer Porter began preaching in 1795, and in the fol- lowing year was ordained. He was dismissed Dec. 18, 1811, having been elected professor of Andover Theological Seminary. He died in 1834. Rev. Cy-
rus W. Gray was installed in April, 1813, and dis- missed Aug. 18, 1815. He was succeeded by Rev. Stephen Mason, who was installed in February, 1818, and was dismissed Dec. 17, 1823. Rev. Gordon Hayes served from Oct. 28, 1829, to June 1, 1852. He was followed by Rev. Ephraim Lyman, who was installed June 30, 1852, and was dismissed June 3, 1863. Rev. Willis S. Colton was installed Aug. 21, 1866, and was dismissed in 1876, since which time Rev. George L. Thrall has been its minister.
During the interval between the pastorates of Revs. Lyman and Colton, Rev. William H. H. Murray for some time supplied the pulpit.
THE FIRST CHURCHI IN NEW PRESTON.
In October, 1748, twenty persons obtained leave of the General Assembly to hire a minister for six months in the year, on the ground of their living from seven to ten miles from their places of worship in Kent and New Milford. In May, 1752, the following persons petitioned the General Assembly for a new ecclesiastical society : Samuel Averill, Caleb Rude, Samuel Lake, Moses Averill, Henry Davis, Jehial Murray, Isaac Averill, Joseph Carey, John Guthrie, Daniel Averill, Zebulon Palmer, Jacob Rinney, Sam- uel Cogswell, Thomas Hodgship, Thos. Morse, Benj. Darling, Samuel Waller, Nathaniel Dewine, Enoch Whittlesey, Jolmjah Jons, Stephen Bosworth, Thos. Beeman, John Benedict, Stephen Noble, Gillead Sperry, Elnathan Curtis, John Bostwick, Benajah Bostwick, Nathan Beale, John Cogswell, Zepheniah Branch, Edward Cogswell, Josiah Cogswell, James Terrill, Jos. Miles, Nathan Hawley, Samuel Cogswell, John Cobb, and Benjamin Capuen. The societies of East Greewich (now Warren), Kent, and New Milford opposed the application mentioned above, and it failed, but was granted in October. In December, 1753, it was voted to lay a tax of twelvepence on the pound to hire a minister for a season, and to build two school-houses
1754, it was voted to build a meeting-house, thirty-six by twenty-six feet, with five windows of twelve lights each, one hundred rods west of the present stone meeting-house. December, 1766, it was voted to build another meeting-house, fifty by forty feet. This house was inclosed three years later, but was not entirely finished until 1798. In 1806 a permanent fund of five thousand dollars was raised. In 1824 a third meeting-house was built of stone, fifty-four by forty- four feet. In 1853 a majority of the church, with a minority of the society, upon their own responsibility, built a fonrth meeting-house in the village of Wara- maug, sixty by thirty-nine feet, at an expense of about six thousand dollars, and the church, by a majority vote, on the 27th of January, 1854, voted to remove their place of worship to this house.
The pastors of the church have been as follows : Noah Wadhams, 1757-68; Jeremiah Day, 1770, died in 1806; Samuel Whitlesey, 1807-17 ; Chas. A. Board-
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WASHINGTON.
man, 1818-30 ; Robt. B. Campfield, 1831-34; Columbus Shumway, 1834-35; Merit S. Platt, 1836-37; Benj. B. Parsons, 1839-42; Hollis Read, 1845-51 ; Samuel F. Bacon, 1851-53; Chas. S. Smith, 1853-55; Jacob H. Strong. The only installed pastor since Mr. Strong was the Rev. H. Upson. Rev. D. Moses supplied the church one year, and Rev. Henry Lancashire has been acting pastor since 1877.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT NEW PRESTON HILL.
An unhappy division arose in New Preston in 1853-54, on account of a disagreement about the place of worship. The majority of the society and the minority of the church claim the original organiza- tion, though the Consociation decided that the major- ity of the church, who removed, are to be considered the original church, while the minority retain the records and communion service, and the society with them have the funds for the support of the gospel. The old house has since been extensively repaired.
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