History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 38

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 38

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"In ye name of ye Comittee, 4th of November 1662. At tho sam town ineating the town did agre that the hows for mr. Collins should bo 36 foot long 18 foot wid, ten foot hy betwean joints and stone chimneys in the middell, with silleradg by leantowing or otherwise as may be most convenient."

Afterward, in the same year, this record was made:

"At a towno meeting Septembear the ninteene, 1061, tho inhabytans of Midlletewno manifestod by a voet there desyers of mr. Colins coming amoingst them to cary one In the work of the ministry, uppon try all.

"At the same meeting it was vocated that the inhabytanes of Midlle- town manifested theare willingnes to allowe mr. Collins five and forty pewnds starleing a yeare, hise wages begining at the time when hee

shall come amongst theme, to carry one the work of the ministry, for a settelled tryall and acording to that proportyone for what pains he shall tacke amongst theme, betwen this and this spring."

The following records show the action of the town concerning the permanent settlement of Mr. Collins over this church:

" Mr. Nathanill Collins. Sir. you may be pleased to Remember wee wrote to you, a few linnes bearing date the 11th of December '63, whare- in we gave you an invitation unanimusly under our hands to the worke of the minestry amongst us, in order to farther and more sollem in- gagements, when god in his providene shall make way theirto, the Acceptance whereof you have hitherto manifested by your long con- tinuatyon amonge us, in that worke, our present state you now know, namly that God by his providene hath brought us hopefully nevere gathering into an ekelyasticall body, then formerly though some of our neighboures and brethren are wee would hope couscienciusly differing from us, respecting the maner of it, namly as you know some judging we are a church allredy, others that wee are not, however wee that thinke wee are allredy a church and we allso that thinke we are not but in some short time may be one both sencablle of the essentiall need of an officer to despene the sealles as well as the word amongst us. to such as shall be regulerly fitt. doe therefore by these presenc give you to know that our eyes are upon and our desires towards yourself for that worke as soon as we shall be in such a capasety and request your answer to this our motion as god shall direct and incline so desieriug god to guide you in this great motion we rest waiting your answer your loving frinds and neighbours, the inhabitants of

" Middletown."

" December 11 .- '65. the towne being met together did fully declare this above written to be their mind conserning mr. Collinsis being called to offis."

All doubts concerning the status of the society as an ecclesiastical body were finally set at rest, for on the 4th of November 1668 the First Congregational Church at Middletown was formed, and Rev. Na- thaniel Collins, a son of Deacon Collins of Cam- bridge and a graduate of Harvard College, was ordained as the first pastor, and by approval of the General Court he became the "settled minister of the town." His labors were abundantly blessed, and the church and people were united and happy under his ministrations which continued for sixteen years. At the end of that period his relations with the church were severed by his death, which occurred in 1684. His death was deeply lamented by the whole community, and Cotton Mather said of him: " More wounds were given by his death to the whole colony of Connecticut than the body of Cæsar did re- ceive when he fell wounded in the senate house-that the church of Middletown, upon the Connecticut River, was the golden candlestick from whence this excellent per- son illuminated more than the whole colony; and that all the qualities of most exemplary piety, extraordinary in- genuity, obliging affability, joined with the accomplish- ments of an extraordinary preacher, did render him truly excellent." During his pastorate seventy-six persons were admitted to the church.

"At a towne meeting in Midletowne Febuary 8th 1685-6, the towne by a unanemous voate declare that they did desier Mr. William Den- eson to continue with them for farther tryall in the worke of the min- istry in order to settelling amongst them."

"August 11, 1686. The inhabitants of Milletowne being meet to- gather did by a unanimus vont shew theire desier of Mr. Noadiah Rus- sell for the werk of the minestry among them on tryall in order to set- tling amongst them In that work of the ministry."

Mr. Russell was, on the 24th of October 1688, ordained as the second pastor of this church. He was a native of New Haven, and a graduate of Harvard College. Dur- ing his pastorate of twenty- five years, 18o person were admitted to the church. He was greatly beloved by his

*About $133.00.

134

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

people, and continued his connection with the church until his death, which occurred in 1713. He was one of of the founders and trustees of Yale College, and one of the framers of the " Saybrook Platform."

He was succeeded by his son William, a graduate of Yale College, June Ist 1715. The latter continued his pastorate for forty-six years, and during that period 305 persons were admitted to the church. He died at the age of 70 on the anniversary of his ordination.

The fourth pastor was Rev. Enoch Huntington, a native of Windham, who graduated at Yale College in 1759. His ordination as pastor took place January 6th 1762. He had a fine voice, and was an eloquent preacher; but on one occasion, while suffering from a severe cold he attempted to speak, which so injured his voice that he ever afterward spoke with a great effort, and at times he could scarcely be heard. He continued his labors, however, for forty-seven years, and endeared himself to his people. Three hundred and forty-six per- sons were added to the church during his ministry. He resigned his pastorate shortly before his death, which occurred in 1809.

The Rev. Daniel Huntington, a native of Lebanon, who had been previously settled in Litchfield, was in- stalled as the fifth pastor of this church, September 10th 1809, and dismissed at his own request, February 6th 1816. During this period of seven years 98 persons were admitted to the church.

In July of the same year, Rev. Chauncey A. Goodrich was ordained, being the sixth pastor of the church. He was dismissed, December 1817, in consequence of ill health.

Rev. John R. Crane, a native of Newark, N. J., and a graduate of Princeton College, was the seventh pastor of the church. He was ordained November 4th 1818, and remained thirty-five years, dying in office August 17th 1853. During his pastorate 539 persons were added to the church.

He was succeeded by his eldest son, Rev. James B. Crane, the eighth pastor, who remained but 2 years, resigning on account of ill health.

Rev. Jeremiah Taylor, the ninth pastor, a graduate of Amherst College, remained for twelve years, and was dis- missed at his own request in the autumn of 1868, his pastorate closing with the two hundredth year of the church.

Rev. Azel W. Hazen, the tenth pastor of the church, entered upon his labors on the ioth of March 1869. commencing in the 201st year of the church's history. Up to the present time 390 persons have been added to the church, making a total of 2378 since its organiza- tion. During this period there have been 37 deacons, commencing with 1670 and ending with 1879, as follows: Thomas Allen, Samuel Stocking, and John Hall jr. chosen 1670; Daniel Markham, 1690; William Sumner, 1695; Obadiah Allen and Joseph Rockwell, 1704; Boriah Wetmore, 1713; Solomon Atkins, 1735; John Hubbard, 1743; Jonathan Allen, 1743; William Rock- well, 1749; Jabez Hamlin, 1754; Joseph Clark, 1765;

John Earl Hubbard, 1765; Chauncey Whittlesey, 1778; Jacob Wetmore, 1782; Oliver Wetmore, 1784; Timothy Boardman, 1784; Matthew T. Russell, 1798; Thomas Hubbard, Joseph Boardman, and Samuel Eels 2d, 1812; Henry S. Ward and Richard Rand, 1828; Cyprian Galpin, 1840; John B. Woodford and Evan Davis, 1844; John H. Sumner, 1846; Robert P. Rand, 1850; Selah Goodrich, 1850; Henry E. Sawyer, 1869; Charles A. Boardman, 1870; Ralph J. Miner, 1873; Edwin P. Augur, 1875; Lucius R. Hazen, 1877; Frederic L. Glea- son, 1879.

The Sunday school of this church was organized in 1820. The present officers are: E. A. Gladwin, Miss Carrie T. E. Sill, superintendents; J. W. Bailey, clerk; and C. A. Boardman, treasurer.

"At a towne meeting March 19th 1665, or 66, it was voated that thair shall be a galery in the mecting hous, from the east end to the midle beame, and that the towns men shall have power to order the workeand to get it don."

"At a towne meeting desember 17th 66, wharas mr. Hamlinc this day gave a drum to the towne and train band, the towne voated to alowe Goodman Huberd fourtie shillings for sweeping the meeting hous and keeping the glas and for his son Josephes beating the drum for all comon meeting both on saboth days and all other meeting and to be beaten twis on fornouns and twis in afternouns on Saboth days and thanksgiving days and fast days, to be beatten from the meeting hous to against mr. Stow's to begine first with a preporatine and after a calle, this is for the year insuing, but the drum for futer to be beaten after the sam maner."

"November 11, 1669. The towne by a vooat agreed to builld a new meeting hous of thirtie two foote square & fifteen foote between joints, at the same meeting made choice of John Halle junior to be master workman for the building of this hous."

This house was completed in 1670. Some differences of opinion as to the proper site for it arose between the people of the Lower and Upper Houses, but a com- promise was effected, as appears by the following extract from the town records.

"Midletowne 19th of the 2nd 1670.

"This witnesseth an agreement between the inhabitants off Midle- townie on each side of the rivulet relateing to ye placing of their pres- ent new meeting house, that they have mutually condescended for peace sake namely the inhabitants of the north side being present and the Committy chosen by the south side and impowered to act in their be- half. They have jointly agreed to set the meeting house in the midst of the highway neer against the corners of George Hubard & Thomas Wet- mer [on the east side] Robert Warner & Thomas Watts [on the west side] theyre lotts and inasmuch as the highway is too streight on each side ye proprietoures Thomas Watts excepted whoe was not prsent have granted to allow half a rod of each side, that is to say Thomas Wetmer half a rod at ye north corner from thence to hould as wide as the p'es't apple trees will allow the fence to stand nigh to them a rod in length at ye south corner to come of to nothing.

"George Hubard half a rod wide three rod in length agaiust ye body of ye mecting house from thence to come out into an angle thre or four rod further.

"Robert Warners to begin at Thomas Watts, his divideing lyne (now in the use of Jasper Clements) half a rod in width to come out at nothing at ye north end twelve rod in.length.

"The inhabitants jointly (ye proprieters of ye foresaid land excepted) removing the fence belonging to the forementiond land and setting it in as good state as it is at present. This alteration during ye time of ye duration of this present meeting house, when that is altered then the land to return to ye proprietors again.

"To the truth of ye present above mentioned agreement we under written do witness by subscribing our hands the day and yeer above written and yt after interlining.

In presence of us JAMES RICHARDS SAM HOOKER. THO. WETMER GEORGE HUBERT S'R his X marke

ROBERT WARNER for themselvs & theires in reference to the land J

WILLIAM HARRISS WILLIAM CHENY & WILLIAM WARD SAM'LL COLLINS NATH WHITE

JOHN WILCOCK

ye Committee chosen by and im- poured to act in ye behalf of ye inhab- itants of ye south side of ye litle river.

At ye desire & with ye consent

( of ye north side.

135

MIDDLETOWN-CHURCHES.

This house stood on the east side but within the limits of Main street, about opposite what is now Liberty street. Tradition says that it was like its predecessor, a log structure; and that it was, at first if not afterward, . surrounded by palisades.

The following extracts from the town records, relating to the maintenance of proper decorum in meeting, and to the formation of other societies from this parish are given in their chronological order:

" Desember 29, 1685. At the same time the towne made choye of Josiah Adkins to looke after the boys below in the meeting hous, to keep them from playing or disorder in the meetin time on the Saboth in the time of exercise and John Blake & Jolin Wetmor ware chosen for the like servic in the gallery.

" January 18, 1702-3. At the same meting it was proposed by the in- habitants on the north side the rivelet for a liberty to provide a minis- ter and a meeting house seperate from this side and maintain it upon there one charg, which proposition was granted on these conditions, that they do in halfe a yeare or one whole yeare at farthest procucr and settle an orthadox & aproved minister orderly amongst them that being accomplished then to be free from the charg of the ministy on this side the rivelet, they paying equally with us here til that be accomplished, but if this be not accomplished within said time, all the above is to be null and voyde.

" Desember 28, 1708. The town also past a voat that no inhabitant should interrupt the meeting by disorderly speaking without liberty from the modderator, upon the penalty of six pence pr. time.

" March 22, 1708-9. At the same meeting the town granted to Mr. David Deming twenty acres of land on the north side the riverlet in one or two placis if it may be found tbear & and not predaguissing any highways nor outletts, provided he setteleth and continueth in the work of the ministry there, then it shall be his owu land.

" Leut. John Savig, Sargt. Daniell White & John Warner junior ware chosen a comitty to see after and lay it out upon his charg if it may be found.

" Whereas at a town meeting March 22th 1708-9, the town by a voate granted to Mr. David Deming about twenty acres of land, provided he settled there with our neighbours on the north side the riverett in the work of the ministry, but m. Deming failing, by the request of the neighbours on the north side the riverett att this town meeting January 13th 1712-13, the town by voate grant the same priviledge or quantaty of land to m. Joseph Smith upon the same tearms provided he settle there in the work of the ministry and do impower the same comtte. formerly chosen to lay it out on the same tearmes as before specified.

"Atta town meeting in Middletown May 11th 1714 then the petition to be prefered to the General Assembly by the inhabitants on the east side the great river belonging to sd. town, was read in the meeting in presence of the inhabitants of sd. town then mett. Att the same meeting the town by voat do appoint & impower the representatives belonging to sd. town, to attend the General Assembly in May 13th 1714, to answer sd. petition and to defend the town's privileges before the General Assembly if it be prosceded upon by the petitioners, if it betbe mind of the town to grant the neighbours on the east side the great river, to be a sosiaty of themselves and have liberty to call & settle a minister amongst themselves, provided they can be thought fitt & able by the honble general assembly to carry on such a work, and to do it with only there one estate and pay tbere proportion to the ministry on the west side the great river until they have an ortherdox minister setled orderly among themselves. This was voated, in the affermitive by considerable majority, and at the same time the neighbours on the east side declared they would withdraw there petition that they de- signed to prefer to the next assembly.

The third meeting house was built in 1715. Field says:

" When the subject of erceting the third house was agitated, it is said that different divisions of the inhabitants contended for its loca- tion at the east, north, and west corners of tho great square, lying be- tween Main and High streets; that it was agreed to have the point do- cided by lot; but as there were four corners to the square, it was suggested it would be well to draw for them all. This was done, and the south eorner was taken, where nono wished the house to be erceted. But as the lot was eousidered as expressing the divine will, tho people went forward and built there."

The following extract from the record of the pro ceedings of the General Court seems to indicate that if the location was determined by lot an authoritative sanction was required to satisfy all parties.

"This Assembly appoint Joseph Talcott, Esq'r, Mr. John Hooker aud Mr. James Wadsworth, a committee to endeavour to promote a good agreement in the south society in Midletown about the place for setling their meeting house; and in case such endeavours prove unsuccessful to that end, to state the place themselves according to their wisdom and discretion, at the charge of the said society.

"Upon the report made to this Assembly by Major Joseph Talcott, Capt. John Hooker, Capt. James Wadsworth, committee appointed by this Assembly in May, 1714, to consider of and endeavour to compro- mise a difference among the inhabitants of the South Society in Midle- town, referring to the place of erecting their new meeting house, being all upon the spot the first day of June anno Dom. 1714, and after using all their endeavours for an amicable agreement between the inhabitants of said society and could not bring the people then to that desired issue; and that the above-named committee declare they think the place where the said new meeting house is erected in said society is the most accomodable and most ruleable place that can be found for them under their circumstances: This Court well approves of their report and therefore do order and enact and it is hereby ordered and enacted, that all persons belonging to said society shall contribute and pay toward the building and finishing the said new meeting house lately erected for the use of the said society, according to their proportions in the pub- lick list; and that all the inhabitants of said society do attend the pub- lick worship of God in tbe said new meeting house, when it is made comfortable for their reception, and pay all dues and duties as above, till orderly dismissed therefrom."

The house was sixty by forty feet in size, and in 1740 it was enlarged by the addition of eighteen feet to its width.

A bell was procured, as is elsewhere shown, and it ap- pears from the following record that the meeting house had no tower in which to hang it:

" December 23, 1745 .- Voted & granted that the subscribers for mak- ing a building to hang the meeting bouse bell in, have liberty to erect the same in the high way either near the dwelling house of Capt. George Phillips or the dwelling house of Allin Ward."

The fourth church building was 68 by 51 feet in size, and was erected in 1799. It stood on the present site of the Bank Block. It was removed to near the head of Main street and converted into a hall.

The fifth was built in 1873. It covers an area of 135 by 80 feet, and its cost was between $90,000 and $100,- 000. The front and tower are of brown stone, and the body of the building is of brick. It stands on Court street, a short distance from Main.

SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Rev. Charles J. Hill, in an historical sketch of this church, delivered July 9th 1876, says:

"A hundred and forty years ago the Congregational was the estab- lished church of Connecticut, and, like all churches that depend upou State alliance for authority, power, influence, and support, it became cold, formal, and arrogant .- a State Church without much vital relig- ion. It had no Sabbath-sehool, uo prayer meeting, and allowed no lay- man to exhort or teach. To accommodate those who did not wish to become members of the church, and yet desired to have their children baptized, it adopted what was in derision called the 'half-way cove- nant,' which allowed them to secure the baptism of their children without assuming the obligations of church membership."

The church was in the condition of the church at Laodicea, to which John was commanded to write: " Be- cause thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth."

In 1741, all New England was electrified by the preaching of Edwards and Whitfield, and a great revival was the result. Whitfield came to Middletown, and on the South Green preached to an assembly of over 4,000 people. The effect was immediately felt in all the churches. A young man who had been converted com- menced exhorting others, and holding prayer meetings.

I36

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

This was contrary to the tenets of the Congregational Church, and the deacons and elders commanded him to desist; but he was in a condition of mind that if he were to hold his peace, the very stones would cry out. The officers of the church, failing in their efforts to suppress him, bound him out to a neighboring farmer, to whom they gave instructions not to permit the young man to hold any prayer meetings or exhort people. The farmer sent him to work in the field, but the young man refused, saying that he did not owe him anything, and would not work. The farmer was finally obliged to let him go. This system of persecution led to dissensions in the First Congregational Church, and several of the members commenced holding prayer meetings at private houses. They finally separated from the old and organized a new church. They were called "Separatists," or "Strict Congregationalists." Their numbers continued to in- crease, and on the 28th of October 1747, Rev. Ebenezer Frothingham, who had been pastor of the Strict Congre- gational Church at Wethersfield for several years, ceased his labors there and was formally ordained as pastor of this church. In 1767, Mr Frothingham published a de- fense of the principles of the Separatists, in which he de- clared:

"The maiu thing I have in view through the whole of this book is free liberty of conscience, the right of thinking, choosing, and acting for one's self in matters of religion, which respect God and conscience, and to contend earnestly for this important privilege, neither I nor any other person should be ashamed to do, cost what it will."

For a number of years the church had no meeting house, but held their services at the residence of their pastor, in the house still standing on the north side of Mill street, next to the corner of South Main, which went by the name of the " Separate Meeting House."

Under the ministrations of Mr.Frothingham, the church grew and prospered, and in 1774 a house of worship was erected on the east side of Main street near the south corner of Mill street. This building is still standing. Here, for fourteen years, Mr. Frothingham preached ear- nest, bold, and strong sermons, the result of which was evidenced by the fact that eighty persons signed the fol- lowing agreement:

" We, the subscribers of the Second Strict Congregational Church and Society in this town, believing it to be our duty to attend the public worship of God and support a gospel minister, do agree according to our several abilities, to raise such supplies as shall be necessary to ren- der the life of a minister comfortable, in order for his usefulness among us, and that we will attend a society meeting, annually, on the last Monday in September, in order for raising such supplies as shall be nec- essary for the comfortable support of a gospel minister. And we fur- ther agree that we will be accountable to this church and Society for any neglect of fulfilling this, our agreement; provided always that no force of civil law is to be used in collecting support for the gospel min- istry among us."

In those days $450 was considered a comfortable sup- port, and it is stated, that all the land on the south side of the highway from Mill street to Pameacha, was deeded by the town to the Strict Congregational Society.

In 1788, after a pastorate of 41 years, Mr. Frothing- ham, at the age of 71, resigned his charge to other hands, though he remained in Middletown until his death, which occurred ten years later. Following his resigna- tion the church voted to call Rev. Stephen Parsons, who,

after a pastorate of seven years, publicly announced that he had embraced the opinions of the Baptists. In Au- gust 1795, he was dismissed. In 1797, Rev. David Hunt- ington was called to the pastorate of the church, and continued for three years. Rev. Benjamin Graves was the next pastor, who continued for eight years, from 1804 to 1812. The financial distress of the country, brought about by the war of 1812, had its effects on this church, causing dissensions which resulted in the removal of Mr. Graves. The church was left without a pastor for four years, but in August 1816, Rev. Ahab Jinks was settled, receiving a salary of $450, together with the use of the parsonage, which was valued at $2,700. Under his ad- ministration 84 persons were added to the church. About this time, Mr. Elisha Sears organized a Sabbath-school, of which he was superintendent. This was one of the first Sabbath-schools in the country. Mr. Jinks remained as pastor of the church for three years, at the end of which time he was dismissed at his own request, and went west as a missionary.

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 38

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