History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 137

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 137

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In 1867, the old meeting house, erected in 1773, gave place to the present one. This, after having been used for several years by the Methodist society of Deep River, was removed to Winthrop and rebuilt under the super- intendence of Rev. William Denison. It was dedicated January 28th 1868, after which the church was supplied for a short time by Mr. R. E. Whittemore, a licentiate of the church in Essex.

In April 1869, Rev. William Denison again became pastor, and continued for about eighteen months. After the church had been supplied by Rev. M. A. Cummings and Rev. George W. Gorham, Rev. Fenner B. Dicken- son was called, in November 1872, to become pastor, and closed his labors November 1874. He was followed by Rev. William A. Bronson, in 1875, who remained nearly three years. Rev. Asa A. Robinson came in April 1879, and continued about three years. The present pastor, Rev. George H. Lester, began his labors in April 1883.

The present deacons of the church are George W.

Bushnell and Gideon K. Hall. The membership of the church is 86. Several members have aided the church by the gift of real or personal estate. The names of these donors are William Wilcox, Nathaniel Newbury, Stephen Utter, Jedediah Harris, and Wilbur F. Arnold. Rev. Russell Jennings, of Deep River, after, after having been for more than ten years a very efficient helper of the church in financial matters, has given them a fund of $5,000, which, with the munificent gift of Wilbur F. Arnold, recently deceased, has enabled the church to purchase a good parsonage, and places it in a better financial condition than at any former period in its history.

The church in Winthrop is not only the oldest in this town, but is believed to be the oldest Baptist church, with one exception, in the State of Connecticut.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN DEEP RIVER.

Previous to the year 1829 only two or three Baptist families had resided in the village of Deep River.

In the winter of 1829 and 1830, Rev. Russell Jennings, then pastor of the Baptist church in Winthrop, and Rev. N. E. Shailer held a series of evening meetings in the vil- lage, which resulted in an interesting revival, and the ad- dition of quite a number of converts to the membership of neighboring churches.

At the same time the question of organizing a Bap- tist church was agitated, and the way being open, it was decided to take measures for the accomplishment of this object. Accordingly, on the 22d of April 1830, an ecclesiastical council assembled at the house of Mr. George Read, and unanimously voted to constitute the church, consisting of 27 members, 13 male and 14 fe- male.

The public services of recognition were held in the afternoon of the same day, in a school house, which stood near the present location of the meeting house. They were as follows:

On the 6th of June, George Read and Gilbert Stevens were elected deacons. Until July, the church was sup- plied with preaching chiefly by Revs. S. Shailer and R. Jennings, the meetings being held regularly at the school house above mentioned.

In September following, Rev. Orson Spencer, of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, became, by unanimous re- quest of the church, its first pastor.

In the year 1831, the erection of a house of worship, 38 by 50 feet, was begun, and completed in the spring of 1832. Mr. Spencer continued his labors until November 1834. During his ministry, 26 were added to the church by baptism.

After the dismission of Mr. Spencer, the pulpit was supplied by Mr. Henry Wooster, a licentiate, who was then employed as a teacher in the village. He was born in Oxford, Connecticut, November 8th 1808, and had re- moved to Deep River from Hamilton, New York. On the 30th of April 1835, he was publicly ordained by council to the pastoral office. He continued as pastor of the church until the close of 1839, when failure of his

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health compelled his resignation. Thirty-three converts were added to the church during his ministry. He was succeeded, April Ist 1840, by Rev. Russell Jennings, who had previously been pastor of the Baptist church in Nor- wich. In this year the church erected a parsonage.

Mr. Jennings closed his pastorate April Ist 1844, dur- ing which 39 converts were received in the church.

In June 1844, Rev. Lawson Muzzy, of Williamsburgh, N. Y., assumed the pastoral care of the church.

The parsonage, erected in 1840, was this year sold to Rev. R. Jennings, who remained as a resident of the village; and a site, adjacent to the lot on which the meeting house stands, having been donated to the church by Deacon George Read, a new parsonage, with out- buildings, was completed in the following year. In the same year also (1845), the meeting house was en larged by the addition of 17 feet to its length, and in other respects much improved, at an expense of about $1,700.

In January 1847, Mr. Muzzy terminated his labors, and subsequently became the pastor of the Baptist church in Greenville. Twenty-five members were re- ceived into the church by baptism during his ministry.

In March 1847, Rev. Elisha Cushman began his min- istry, which continued for 12 years, and resulted in the addition to the church of 125 converts. He resigned, in the spring of 1859, to become the pastor of a new church in West Hartford; subsequently, he assumed the editorship of the Christian Secretary, which he retained until his death.

His ministry was followed, October ist 1858, by that of Rev. John N. Chase, of the Rochester Theological Seminary, who was ordained on the 30th of November following. The closing month of this year was rendered memorable by the death of the beloved senior deacon, George Read. From the organization of the church, during a period of 30 years, his means and influence had been most freely and conscientiously devoted to its wel- fare. His life, replete with acts of benevolence, was marked for its childlike simplicity. His death, at the age of 72, occasioned deep lamentation. Mr. Gideon Parker was subsequently chosen as his successor in the office of deacon.

In 1864, the meeting house was thoroughly repaired and newly furnished, at an expense of about $3,000. The year 1866 was sadly eventful to the church by the death of an unusual number of its members, among whom was Rev. Henry Wooster, formerly a pastor, and always a faithful servant of the church, till he was sud- denly called away, in the 58th year of his age. During the pastorate of Mr. Chase, which closed November 26th 1871, 72 converts were received into the church.

During the pastorate of Rev. Robert McGonegal, from May 1872 to November 1873, 27 were added by baptism, and during that of Rev. William Gilkes, from December 1873 to July 1875, four were received.

Rev. William H. Pendleton, D.D., became the pastor in December 1875, and continued until April 1879, in which period 19 were received by baptism.

Rev. Robert M. Martin, of Providence, Rhode Island, a graduate of Brown University, and of the Rochester Theological Seminary, began his labors July 1879, and closed them December 1881. Four were added to the church by baptism during his pastorate.

The present pastor is Rev. A. F. Perry, who was set- tled in June 1882. Thirty-six have been added to the church since he began his labors.

Four members of this church have been licensed as preachers of the Gospel, viz., Amos D. Watrous, Wil- liam H. Shailer, Joseph H. Mather jr. (deceased), and Fenner B. Dickenson.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The residents of Deep River who united in forming the Congregational church were previously connected with the adjoining parishes of Saybrook Second (at Cen- terbrook) and Chester, chiefly the former. They loved the mother church at Centerbrook, venerable as it was for its age and sacred associations, and for having a his- tory which extended back into the ante-Revolutionary period; and they could give no better evidence of their affection than to organize and build anew, when the re- ligious wants of themselves and their children required, after the pattern of the fathers.

Early in the year 1833, steps were accordingly taken toward the realization of this object. A house of wor- ship was completed in December of the same year, on land which was donated for the purpose by Captain John Platt. On the 12th of the same month, the ecclesiastical society was legally formed, four months before the or- ganization of the church.

Worship was held in the meeting house as soon as it was completed; it was not publicly dedicated until it was entirely paid for.

"On Sabbath, the 30th of March following (1834) a meeting was called for the organization of the church, and at an adjourned meeting, the confession and cove- nant were adopted, and have continued unchanged to the present time.

"At this meeting members of neighboring churches present wishing to be formed into a church in this place, signed letters requesting dismission and recommendation from their respective churches with a view of having their design accomplished.

" The organization of the church was completed at a meeting held on the afternoon of Sabbath, April 13th 1834.'

Mr. George Spencer was chosen deacon. As such he acted alone until November 6th 1836, when Mr. Ezra Southworth was chosen as his colleague.

Deacon Spencer, who on his election was in the prime of life and vigor, served the church with wisdom and fidelity for 44 years, until his death, July 24th 1878, in the 91st year of his age.

Deacon Ezra Southworth, about 31 years old when elected, served the church 23 years, until his death, August 22d 1859, aged 56.

Mr. John Marvin, elected to fill his place, November

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6th 1859, served as deacon about 14 years, until his death, September 26th 1873, aged 80.

The election of these members as office bearers in the church falls within the first half of its history.

The constituent members of the church numbered 49. The majority of them came by letter from the mother church in Centerbrook, known as the Second Congrega- tional Church in Saybrook, and a few from the church in Chester, or the Fourth Congregational Church of Say- brook. Of the original 49 members, 34 are now, Sep- tember Ist 1884, dead. Additions to the church on confession of faith began to be made soon after its or- ganization. Two weeks thereafter, three converts were received. During the first year of its history, 19 in all were added, of which 17 were by confession.

It was not until a year after its confirmation that the church was supplied with a settled pastor.

Rev. Darius Mead, the first pastor, was born in Green- wich, Connecticut, and graduated at Yale College in 1828. He was installed pastor, May 27th 1835, and was dismissed on account of his ill health, October 3d 1837. His brief pastorate was memorable for a remarkable re- ligious interest, as the result of which, 79 were received into the church by confession, May Ist 1836.

The ministry of Mr. Mead was speedily followed by that of Rev. Zabdiel R. Ely, a native of Lyme, Conn., and a graduate, in 1833, of Yale College, who was or- dained as pastor, December Ist 1837. He was dismissed, on account of ill health, May 29th 1839, and died in November, of the same year, at Watertown, N. Y. On the same day that Mr. Ely was dismissed Rev. Frederick W. Chapman, a native of Canfield, Ohio, and a graduate of Yale College, in 1828, and the Theological Seminary, in New Haven, in 1832, was installed as the third pastor. He continued with the church about 12 years, and was dismissed, September 14th 1850. During his ministry there were several seasons of special ingathering, the aggregate result of which was an addition to the church membership of 82 on confession of faith. Mr. Chapman died of paralysis, July 2Ist 1876, at Rocky Hill, Conn., in the 70th year of his age. For a number of years be- fore his decease, he was widely and favorably known throughout this and other States, as a family historian and genealogist. He was a member of the New Eng- land Historical and Genealogical Society, the Connecti- cut Historical Society, and other similar bodies. His remains repose in the Fountain Hill Cemetery, of Deep River, among the people whom he never ceased to love.

More than four years elapsed after Mr. Chapman's resignation, before the church was favored with a settled ministry. On the 24th of December 1854, Rev. George W. Connitt was ordained as the fourth pastor. His brief ministry was terminated July Ist 1856, and was signal- ized by the immediate withdrawal from the church of twenty-one members, who were in sympathy with the stalwart Calvinism of the dismissed pastor. This event, involving the loss of some of the most] prominent and influential members of the church, had special import- ance as the first division in its history, and the first se-

rious check to its almost continuous growth. The sece- ders immediately organized themselves into a Presbyte- rian church, with Mr. Connitt as their pastor, and continued to hold worship in the town hall for some years, when adverse circumstances compelled the re- moval of Mr. Connitt, and ultimately, the disbandment of his weakened flock; most of whom, eventually, re- turned to the fellowship of the Congregational church. For nearly two years after Mr. Connitt's dismission, the church was pastorless, but on the Ist of December 1858, Rev. Henry Wickes, of Guilford, Conn., already favor- ably known among the churches and ministers of the" State, was installed as pastor. By this time, the condi- tion and prospects of the church had begun to improve; a revival in the early months of 1858, had strengthed and encouraged it by the accession, April Ist 1858, of 30 converts.

From time to time, during the ministry of Mr. Wickes, additional converts were received. In 1865 fifteen were admitted, and in 1868 as many more.

After nearly eleven years of faithful and fruitful work, Mr. Wickes felt constrained, largely by impaired health, to tender his resignation October 6th 1869, and removed to another field in Western New York. He was suc- ceeded by the present pastor, Rev. William H. Knouse, a graduate of New York University, and of the Union Theological Seminary in the same city, who was in- stalled pastor July 27th 1870.

Previous to the beginning of Mr. Knouse's ministry the interior of the meeting house was reseated, re- furnished, and otherwise improved, at an expenditure of $2,000. During the past fourteen years of the present pastorate, 131 have been added to the church, including 80 converts. The membership is now 205. The Sunday school has about 200 members. Mr. Felix A. Denison for two years past has been its efficient superintendent.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

In addition to the foregoing account of the churches now existing in the town, it is proper to notice, as form- ing no unimportant part of its ecclesiastical history, the Methodist Episcopal society; which, though now ex. tinct, contributed effectively throughout the 12 years of its existence to the religious and moral character of the community. For several years before its organization, a few residents of Deep River, belonging to the Metho- dist Episcopal church in Essex, were formed into a class, and were favored with the occasional ministrations of the preacher in charge at Essex. In 1850, the New York East Conference appointed Rev. Samuel H. Smith to have the pastoral care of Saybrook Ferry, Chester, and Deep River; and subsequently Rev. W. W. Hurd, a local preacher, received the same appointment. In 1856, the Methodists in Deep River, then numbering 23, with one probationer, were organized into a church, and by ap- pointment of the conference Rev. Joseph Vinton became the first regular pastor. At this time the meetings were held in the North District school house. In 1857-8, a small but neat meeting house was erected on the east

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

side of Main street, in the northern part of the village, where the society continued to worship for about 10 years. Mr. Vinton remained for two years, and was fol- lowed by Rev. Wilfred Dean, who labored for one year, and was the last pastor. The church, never strong in membership and means, now began to decline, and . finally becoming unable to bear the expense of self-sup- port, were obliged, in 1868, to disband, and sell their house. It was bought by the Baptist church of Win- throp, and in 1870 was removed to that place.

At the time of the dissolution the members were trans- ferred to the Methodist Episcopal church in Essex; sub- sequently some of them united, by letters from Essex, with the Congregational church in Deep River, and have added materially to its strength and prosperity.

CEMETERIES.

In the remoter periods of the history of the town, and in fact up to a comparatively recent time, provision was made for the interment of the dead in grounds that were connected with the original parishes, and located not far from the meeting houses.

The oldest cemetery within the present limits of the town is that in Winthrop, which dates as far back as the year 1750. The land was donated by Mr. Jeremiah Kelsey, one of the earliest settlers in that vicinity. The first interment was that of Mr. Job Bulkeley. The recent erection of a neat and substantial gateway to the cem- etery was largely the result of the efforts of the public spirited ladies in that part of the town.

When the churches in the eastern part of the town were organized, two small inclosures were set apart for the burial of the dead, and these continued to be used until the year 1851. By that time it was apparent that additional ground would ere long be required, and the expediency of securing a single cemetery large enough for the needs of the village and its vicinity began to be seriously considered. The agitation of the subject re- sulted in the opening, during the year 1851, of the

FOUNTAIN HILL CEMETERY.

A joint stock company was formed, June 17th 1851, with the corporate name of the Fountain Hill Cemetery Association, and with a capital stock of $3,000, divided into shares of $25.00 each. In 1874, the stock of the company was increased to $6,000. The original direc- tors were: Sedley Snow, Ezra S. Williams, Ulysses Pratt, Niles P. Starkey, Calvin B. Rogers, Arba H. Banning, and Henry Wooster. The president was Alpheus Stark- ey, and the treasurer was Henry Wooster.

The land, which was purchased of Mr. Harry South- worth, is admirably located on a gently sloping elevation, a little to the east of the village, and it consisted origi- nally of 40 acres. The stock was soon sold, and measures were taken to inclose and lay out the ground. As the work of improvement proceeded it became evident that by careful and liberal management the town would have a cemetery, which, for the convenience of its location, the extent and diversity of its surface, its capability of

adornment, and the varied beauty of its own and the surrounding scenery, would be unsurpassed outside the cities of the State. That this expectation has been fully realized is due to the liberality and taste of its origina- tors; especially Deacon George Read and Ulysses Pratt, who, until they found a resting place within its pleasant grounds, gave freely of their time and means to its im- provement. Rev. Russell Jennings has also been a gen- erous friend and donor.

In 1882, he caused to be erected, at his own expense, a substantial and ornamental gate at the main entrance; and, in the following year, enlarged the cemetery by the free gift of eight acres of land adjoining it on the east, thereby securing an unobstructed and beautiful prospect of Connecticut River.

The first interment in the cemetery was that of Mrs. Mary Towner, who was buried December 14th 1851, aged 75 years at her death. The remains of the dead who were previously interred in the village church yards have nearly all been transferred to the new cemetery. Its reputation for extent and beauty has attracted not a few residents of neighboring towns and elsewhere, who have bought family plots, and, in several instances, have erected costly monuments. But the special attractive- ness of Fountain Hill Cemetery consists not in its mon- uments, but in itself, in its own natural beauty as heightened by art. Its park-like spaces, shaded with a variety of deciduous and evergreen trees; its umbrageous ravines; its soft and graceful slopes, broken here and there with picturesque masses of rock, and the frequent glimpses of diversified scenery that everywhere gratify the eye, unite in making a scene of summer or autumnal beauty that is rarely found in association with the dead, and cannot fail to have an elevating and refining in- fluence upon the living.

The interments, to date, number 803, but the capacity of the cemetery is sufficient to provide ample room for burial for an indefinite length of time.

The present officers of the Cemetery Association are: Richard P. Spencer, president; Felix A. Denison, vice- president; James A. Jones, secretary and treasurer. The directors are H. G. Loomis, C. B. Rogers, Russell Jennings, Joseph Banning, Samuel F. Snow, Henry R. Wooster, James A. Jones.

· The town owns a hearse of modern style and con- struction for the free use of all interments that occur within its limits. Mr. Charles D. Smith, undertaker, has had, by authority of the town, the charge of it since 1856.

PROMINENT MEN.

GEORGE SPENCER.

Mr. George Spencer was born in Westbrook, October 6th 1787, where his more immediate ancestors had lived for several generations. The progenitor of the family, Ensign Gerard Spencer, originally came from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Hartford, Connecticut, in 1632, and.

RET WEESELL JENNINGS.

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SAYBROOK-BIOGRAPHIES.

removed in 1662 to Haddam. The Spencers have con- sequently been residents of Middlesex county for 222 years. Mr. George Spencer settled in Deep River in 1818. He was one of the " old comb makers," having in his early manhood wrought at the business in the em- ploy of Mr. David Williams, in Essex, and he continued in connection with the ivory business during all its earlier history in this town. He was a man of robust mind, incorruptible integrity, and strong religious con- victions, and though nearly 91 years old when he died, his mental faculties were preserved in a good degree of vigor until the last.

GEORGE READ.

Mr. George Read was born March 22d 1787. His father, Cornelius Read, came from Antrim, in the north of Ireland, to Centerbrook, in Potapaug Parish, in 1769, where he settled. Subsequently he lived for several years in Deep River, and finally returned to Center- brook. The active temperament, energetic mind, and public spirit of Mr. George Read fitted him to take a prominent position in all public affairs; and he was heartily interested in all that concerned the material, moral, and religious advancement of the town. Engaged in the ivory business in Deep River from its infancy, he lived to contribute much to its success and enlargement.

Mr. John Marvin came to Deep River in 1837, from Lyme, where he was born in 1793. During his resi- dence in the town he won universal esteem, and for 20 consecutive years from 1853 to his death in 1873, he was honored with the appointment of town clerk.

Mr. Sedley Snow, for many years a popular and suc- cessful merchant in Deep River, occupied several re- sponsible positions, and for 19 consecutive years, from 1834 until his death in 1873, efficiently filled the posi- tion of town treasurer.

By unanimous vote of the town in October 1873, its appreciation of the ability, integrity, and uprightness with which these faithful servants had discharged their official duties was publicly given and ordered to be per- manently recorded.

DR. EDWIN BIDWELL.

Dr. Edwin Bidwell, the only resident physician in the town, became the successor of Dr. Rufus Baker in 1830, and for nearly 20 years of faithful and successful service has endeared himself alike to all classes as "the beloved physician."

Not less is he esteemed for his warm interest in all that is conducive to the general good of the town, especially its sanitary well-being, and its educational progress.

REV. RUSSELL JENNINGS.

Among the thousands of Christians, both rich and poor, who profess to believe in the Word of God, there are comparatively few who ever experienced the real pleasure of giving, or know the meaning of the declaration, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Many give

from impulse; others from habit; others from a stern sense of duty; but the great philanthropists, like Peter Cooper, Peabody, and a few others, whose names are in- delibly inscribed on the hearts of the American people, are actuated by higher, nobler motives. They delighted in doing good, and while their riches increased by mil- lions their enjoyment consisted in giving it away to pro- mote the happiness of others.

Elder Jennings, as he is familiarly called, the subject of this sketch, is one of those exceptional Christians whose use of acquired wealth has been like the bubbling spring, which rises from the unseen depths to the sur- face, and pours forth its sweet, cooling water to refresh the thirsty and weary traveller. Reared in the school of adversity, by which he contracted the habit of strict economy, Elder Jennings learned from following the teachings of God's Word, that the real source of happi- ness is found in doing good to others, and early in life he formed the habit of giving, even from his scanty ineans, and when, after reaching the age of 65 years, he began to acquire wealth, the greatest pleasure he experienced was in the increased opportunities thus afforded for do- ing good, and of extending the Kingdom of God here on earth.

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 137

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 818

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818