History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 78

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 78

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Rev. Eleazer Sweetland was installed May 21st 1777. He was a native of Hebron, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1774. He died March 25th 1787, aged 36 years, much beloved and respected by all who knew him.

Rev. William Lyman, D.D., was ordained December 13th 1787. He maintained his pastoral relations with the church at Millington for 35 years, and was known as one of the most popular and eloquent preachers in this part of the country. He had a powerful voice, an easy flow of words, and all his writings were stamped with vigor and power. In the latter part of his ministry he became afflicted with hypochondria. This, with his in- dependent manner, finally aroused an opposition among his people, and at a society meeting held on the 23d of May, 1822, it was voted " that a committee of five be ap- pointed to consult the interests of the society, es- pecially as it respects our relations with Dr. Lyman as our minister." William Cone, Esq., N. B. Beckwith, Deacon Israel Cone, Russel Dutton, Esq., and Captain Hobart Esterbrook, were appointed as said committee. The committee reported against the doctor, and on the last Wednesday in August, at a meeting of the Ecclesi- astical Council, the relation between pastor and people was dissolved. His farewell sermon, replete with denun- ciations of the sins and shortcomings of his flock, was delivered with such vigor and eloquence that the long years which have intervened have failed to obliterate its impressions from the minds of those who heard him, and his hymn about the conspiracy of " Wicked men " was in keeping with his sermon. Many anecdotes are related of Dr. Lyman's dry humor and eccentricity, which he often carried to the pulpit.

In his day, the temperance agitation had scarcely commenced, and the indulgence of the social glass among the higher class was much more common than now. The clergy and the elders were wont to meet and discuss grave matters over their toddy with a freedom that would be quite scandalous in these days. Mr. Elijah Parsons used to call regularly upon an old lady of the same name who lived at the Landing and get his mug of " flip." The old lady, knowing his hours, used to have her " flip-iron " hot, and concoct his favorite beverage with dexterity and skill. Dr. Lyman and Rev. Mr. Vail, of Hadlyme, who were his cotemporaries, were wont at regular intervals to meet with him at the " Blacksmith's Arms " (the house north of Maplewood Seminary), and discuss grave matters belonging to their profession, over their "mugs of flip." So, too, in those days, the General Assembly used to open with an election sermon, which furnished an occasion for a general gathering of the clergy throughout the State. Great dinners were furnished at the expense of the State, and "Santa Cruz " was a prominent feature of the bill of fare. It is related of Dr. Lyman that at an Ecclesiastical Council held in Westchester, when the company, being invited to re- fresh themselves at the sideboard, one of his ministerial brethren suggested that their first refreshment should be to wash off the dust of travel, the Doctor decided the matter by the following epigram:

" Our fathers of old. First washed their eyes, And then their throats; But we, their sons, more wise, Will wash our throats, And thon our eyes."

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Dr. Lyman moved to Western New York, where he died several years ago. Soon after his dismission a won- derful revival of religion occurred in Millington under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Saxon, called to this day by the good people of Millington " The Great Revival.

Dr. Lyman was succeeded by the Rev. Hermon Vail, who was ordained, April 6th 1825. In September 1827, Mr. Vail asked for a dismission from his pastoral charge, which was granted by the Ecclesiastical Council soon after. For nearly three years afterward the society was without any regular pastor. In 1830, the Rev. Nathaniel Miner received a call from the society, which he declined, principally on account of the dilapidated condition of the old meeting house. He occupied the pulpit, how- ever, as a stated supply for three years, and was installed as their regular pastor, May 28th 1833, which was after the erection and dedication of the new meeting house.

Mr. Miner was born in Stonington, Connecticut, edu- cated at the "Literary and Theological Seminary," of Bangor, Maine, and received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Amherst College, in 1840. He was ordained at Chesterfield, Montville, in October 1826; went to Millington from Bozrahville in 1830. His salary was at first $375, then $450, and finally $500 per year. Near the close of his ministry in Millington a small farm was purchased, formerly owned by Rev. Hobart Ester- brook, and on it was erected what is now known as the Millington parsonage.

Mr. Miner married Emeline S. Ransom, of Salem, by whom he had five children. Three of them are living, "two are not and yet are." He was dismissed from his pastoral charge in Millington at his own request by the Middlesex Consociation at their annual meeting held at Essex, in October 1858. Since that time he has resided in Salem, and has retired from active service.

Mr. Miner was succeeded by Rev. A. C. Beach from Wolcott. He was a graduate of Yale College, and was installed as pastor of the church in Millington in 1859. He was dismissed in 1875, and was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Griswold, who is still in charge.

The deacons of the Congregational church in Milling- ton since its organization have been as follows:

NAME.

ELECTED.

DIED.

AGE.

Samuel Emmons.

October 1736.

Daniel Gates.

October 1736

Gen. Jos. Spencer ..

November 20th 1767 ..

Samuel Dutton

July 4th 1771.

January 13th 1789 .. December 30th 1790

Ebenezer Dutton

Benjamin Fuller.

February 26th 1778 ... February 26th 1778 ... May 1789.

April 15th 1790 ..

Barzillai Beckwith

June 4th 1790 ..

February 22d 1818. .

Isaac Spencer. Diodate Lord.

April Ist 1796 ..

Moved away.

Israel Cone jr.

April 17th 1818 ...

1858 ..

con in 1st Cong'l church. Now in office .. .

August 27th 1858.

Now in office ...

EAST HADDAM LANDING.

The first dwelling house in East Haddam Landing was erected in 1743. A market for produce was opened|

about the same time, and a store house, which stood on the spot now occupied by Dr. Harris's barn, in front of Tyler's store, was built. A large store house stood on the site of the store, and just back of it, on the ledge of rocks, stood a hotel with a piazza on the river front. During the Revolutionary war many soldiers, on their way from the eastern part of the State to the North River forces, made this a favorite route, and stopped at this public house. Later, the house in which Ashbel Ray now lives was the principal public house, and was called " The . Blacksmith's Arms." The name was painted in rude letters upon a swinging sign suspended high between two posts. It was further illustrated by a bent, muscular arm wielding a blacksmith's hammer. The present generation remember the Landing as a beau- tiful village, with a row of fine houses at the summit of a gently rising green, and two neat white fences mark- ing two parallel roads and terraces, which, in contrast with the bold, abrupt mountain behind, presented one of the most attractive and picturesque scenes on that most charming of rivers.

The most central, perhaps, of the dwellings was the one alluded to above. It was then the residence of Captain James Green, and its high stone stoop, facing both ways, spoke hospitality almost as plainly as its gaily painted sign. The brick house next north of this is a fine build- ing of more recent date, and belonged to the Captain's son, Timothy. Next beyond stands the former resi- dence of his daughter, Nancy (Mrs. Jared Spencer, Esq.), and further on (the site of the bank build- ing) was the forge and then the residence of Oliver Green. The next house to the "Arms" on the south side, was the residence of Captain Green's brother-in-law, Mr. Thomas Marshall. Next south lived his son Richard; next to that, his daughter, Hannah, Mrs. Joseph Hungerford. These buildings have been metamorphosed into the Maple Wood Music Seminary. Here, then, in the midst of his children, lived Captain James Green, and just over the way, as first post-master of East Haddam, he presided over that event in New England-the mail arrival and distribution. His de- scendants have nearly all left their native town, and have prospered and maintained the honor of the family name in the busy world of trade and progress, but they have never forgotten the old town, to which they return every summer like pilgrims to their native shrine. Down near the steamboat dock, Noah Buckley erected a large store, and built up quite a large wholesale and importing trade with the West Indies. He owned a large farm in Mill- ington, where he raised mules which he used to send out in his vessels, and exchange for molasses, sugar, etc. He bought the brick hotel built by Samuel Lord, where the Champion House stands, and accumulated considerable money. Like many others, he was wooed and won by the tempter, in the person of Roswell C. Peck, who in- duced him to invest in a banking speculation in New York. He lost his property and went to Chicago, then in its infancy, and again became rich and well known as the " miser money lender."

93 78 79

Nathaniel Beckwith. . . . William E. Cone, moved Samuel Arnold.

to Moodus. Now dea April 30th 1841

Epaphroditus Gates ... Charles Miner.

August 26th 1816 .. April 17th 1818

Moved to Lebanon November 10th 1815

Nathaniel Conc ..

301

EAST HADDAM-THE LANDING.

SHIP BUILDING.

Ship building was begun at the Landing sometime during the Revolutionary war, and formed quite an im- portant branch of business till within a few years. Sev- eral coasting and generally two or three sea vessels were owned here. In the year 1815, there were launched from this yard two brigs, and three schooners. One of these brigs soon after sailed on her first voyage bound for the West Indies, but was never heard of more.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The inhabitants of the town of Haddam on the east side of Connecticut River, and south of Salmon River, began to act as an ecclesiastical society in 1700. The first meeting house was completed in about five years; it stood in the street, near where the dwelling house of Isaac C. Ackley now stands, and was 32 feet square. This continued to be the place for worship for about 23 years.

The second meeting house in this ecclesiastical society was finished in June 1728. It stood a little north of the first, on the rising ground about 80 rods south of the present meeting house. It was 55 by 40 feet in size. The last Sabbath in June 1828, was the last time public worship was attended in the first house, and the first Sabbath in July of the same year, the first Sabbath in which it was attended in the second house. This house was occupied till November 24th 1784, a period of a little more than 56 years.

The third meeting house, which is now standing, and is a commodious, and at the time it was built, was an elegant house, was finished, and opened for public wor- ship on Thanksgiving day, November 27th 1794. This house cost about $4,000. It is 64 feet long and 44 feet broad, with a projection 18 by 4 feet.

LIST OF DEACONS .- Thomas Gates, 1704, died 1734, aged 70 years; Daniel Cone, 1704, died 1725, aged 60 years; Daniel Brainerd, 1725, died 1743, aged 77 years; Isaac Spencer, 1734, died 1751, aged 72 years; Jeremiah Gates, 1741, died 1761, aged 65 years; Noadiah Brainerd, 1743, died 1746, aged 50 years; Daniel Cone Esq., 1746, died 1776, aged 83 years; James Gates, 1762, removed to Richmond, Mass .; Samuel Huntington 1770, died 1797, aged 74 years; Thomas Fuller, 1770, removed to Hart- ford; John Percival Esq., 1782, died 1813, aged 80 years; Caleb Gates, 1795, died 1822, aged 73 years; Ephraim Gates, 1806, removed to State of New York; John Per- cival, 1814, died 1848, aged 66 years; Gordon Fowler, 1824, died 1854, aged 82 years; Jeremiah Hutchins, 1824, died 1871, aged 81 years; William E. Cone, 1848; William O. Brainerd, 1871; Miner H. Gillett, 1871.

PASTORS .- Ist. Rev. Stephen Hosmer, came from Hartford. Educated at Cambridge, Mass., graduated in 1699. Chosen pastor January 6th 1704; married Mrs. Sarah Long, of Boston. He died June 16th 1749, having served this people for 45 years. He was buried in the Cone burying yard.

2d. Rev. Joseph Foster, who became pastor May 15th

1751; died June 10th 1771, in the 49th year of his age and the 21st year of his ministry.

3d. Rev. Elijah Parsons; ordained at East Haddam, 1772. Pastor 54 years, 3 months; died at East Had- dam January 17th 1827, in the 80th year of his age.

4th. Rev. Isaac Parsons, born August 28th 1790. Studied at Williams College, also at Yale and graduated from that institution in 1811. Ordained October 23d 1816. He was dismissed April 23d 1855.

5th. Silvanus W. Rollum, installed October 1856, con- tinued till May 1871.

6th. S. M. McCall; installed January 3d 1872. Rev. Mr. McCall is a native of Lebanon, Conn. He graduated from Yale College in 1851; and was pastor of the Con- gregational church at Old Saybrook, Conn., from De- cember 1853 to November 1871.

ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH.

The Episcopal society was formed April 27th 1791, in consequence of a division among the people of the First Congregational Society respecting the location of their present meeting house.

" A Register of the Original Formation and subse- quent Proceedings of the Episcopal Church in East Had- dam, Begun the 26th day of April, A. D., 1791-

" We the Subscribers, inhabitants of East Haddam conscious of the propriety and sensible of the utility of the method of worshipping almighty God, agreeable to the Episcopalian method of worship, do hereby avow that it is our wish, desire, and principle to pay our de- votion to the Almighty after the Episcopalian mode of worship, and consider ourselves in the situation of the other Episcopalians in this State. Dated "at East Had- dam this 16th day of March, A. D., 1791-

" Elias Worthington, Ebenezer Cone, Timothy Cone, William Gelston, Joshua Brainard, Amasa Brainard, David Brainard, Daniel Lyan, Daniel Chapman jr., Jona- than Spencer, John Brainard, John Warner 3d, Chevers Brainard, Andrew Champion, Phineas Cone, Robert Cone, Ruben Champion, Oliver Warner, Jesse Winslow, Fran- cis Beckwith, Joseph Andrews, Mathew Sears, Joel Spencer, Brainard Cone, Jabez Chapman, Abraham Annable, Humphrey Lyan, Oliver Attwood, Daniel War- ner, Ephraim Warner, Stephen Belding.

" The persons whose names are as follows, Viz. Elias Worthington, Ebenezer Cone, Timothy Cone, William Gelston, Joshua Brainard, Amasa Brainard, David Brainard, Daniel Lyan, Daniel Chapman, Jr., Jonathan Spencer, John Brainard, John Warner 3d, Chivers Brainard, Andrew Champion, Pheneas Cone, Robert Cone, Reuben Champion, Oliver Warner, Jesse Winslow, Francis Beckwith, Joseph Andrews, Mathew Sears, Joel Spencer, Brainard Cone, Jabez Chapman, Abraham Annabel, Humphry Lyan, Oliver Attwood, Daniel War- ner, Ephraim [Warner, Stephen Belding, all inhabitants of the town of East Haddam, have declared themselves to be conformists to the Episcopal Church as designated and known by the Laws of this State.

" This therefore is to certify whom it may concern

302

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

according to the tenor and direction of sd. Law that all the above named persons are professors and members of the sd Episcopal Church, and that they attend divine worship agreeable to the form prescribed and directed by the same, and also do contribute to the support thereof.

" March 23, 1791. ABRAHAM JARVIS, " Rector of Christ's Church, " Middletown.

"East Haddam, April 26, 1792 (evidently it should be 1791.)

"We Inhabitants of the Town of East Haddam and places adjacent, professors of the Episcopal church, whose names here follow:

" Elias Worthington, Jesse Winslow, Ebenezer Cone, Francis Beckwith, Timothy Cone, Joseph Andrews, William Gelston, Mathew Sears, Joshua Brainard, Joel Spencer, Amasa Brainard, Brainard Cone, David Brain- ard, Jabas Chapman, David Lyan, Abraham Annable, Daniel Chapman jr., Humphry Lyan, Jonathan Spencer, Oliver Attwood, John Brainard, Daniel Warner, John Warner 3d, Ephriam Warner, Chivers Brainard, Stephen Belding, Andrew Champion, Jeremiah Selby, Phineas Cone, Gibbons Jewett, Robert Cone, George Jewett, Reuben Champion, Zacheus Spencer, Oliver Warner, Gersham Rawley, John Chapman jr., Elijah Attwood jr., Selden Chapman, Samuel Crawell, Ebenezer Raw- ley, having met together for the purpose of forming our- selves into an Ecclesiastical Parish and choosing the proper officers requisite to constitute a regular Episcopal Parish, agreeable to the appointment and established usage of s'd Church, and being led to a choice by the Rev. Abraham Jarvis, do accordingly choose the follow- ing persons to be the Clerk, Wardens, and Vestry Men for the Current year :--

" DANIEL CHAPMAN JR., Clerk;

JABES CHAPMAN, Wardens. TIMOTHY CONE, AMASA BRAINARD, WILLIAM GELSTON, Vestry Men;

REUBEN CHAMPION, REUBEN CHAMPION, JONATHAN SPENCER, Choristers.

"At a meeting of the Episcopal Society of East Haddam holden at the dwelling house of Mr. Wm. Gelston on the 13th day of May, A, D. 1791;

" Voted-that a tax of two pence on the Pound be laid on the Inhabitants of s'd Society, to be made out on the List of the year 1790 to defray the necessary expense of s'd Parish and to hire preaching in future.

" Voted-that the Wardens be a Committee to draw subscriptions for Building a Church and put them in cir- culation in Fifteen days from this time."

"We having examined the Claims of Andrew Champion, Gidian Spencer" and thirty-nine others, "who say they are Dissenters from the first Ecclesiastical Society in East Haddam, and have joined themselves to a Church or Congregation of the name of the Episcopalian Church or Congregation in East Haddam, and that they ordi-

narily attend upon the public worship of said Church or Congregation, and that they contribute their several Shares and proportions towards supporting the public worship, and ministry thereof, do, upon Examination, find that the above facts are true.

" Dated at East Haddam September 5th, 1791.

" ISRAEL SPENCER, { Justices of

ELIPHALET HOLMS, the Peace."

"At a meeting of the Episcopalian Society in East Haddam on the 10th day of October 1871;

" Voted That there be a committee of Six persons ap- pointed to collect the money and materials, subscribed for building a Church, and to superintendent the same.

"Voted that Col. Jabez Chapman, Col. David B. Spen- cer, Capt. Timothy Cone, Mr. Jeremiah Selby, Mr. Amasa Brainard, and Mr. Samuel P. Lord jr., be a com- mittee for the above mentioned purposes."

February 13th 1792, it was voted "That the commit- tee for building the church be directed to build it 54 ft. Long, 37 ft. wide and 21 ft. posts, with a steeple, agreeably to a plan made out and lodged with them this day."

Itappears from the record that the church was not finished until about the 16th of October 1795, for

" At a meeting of the Church wardens, vestrymen, and parishioners of St. Stephen's Church in the Town of East Haddam on the 16th Day of October 1795, it was unani- mously Voted that, as Almighty God had been pleased to put it into their hearts to build a new Church for the celebration of His worship, and had, in the course of His good providence, enabled them to complete it ac- cording to the best of their abilities, it was their full pur- pose and earnest desire that the sd new Church, to be called St. Stephens Church, be dedicated to the worship and service of Almighty God.

" We, therefore, the Church wardens vestrymen and parishioners of the sd Church do, for us and for our suc- cessors, dedicate, appropriate, give, and grant to Al- mighty God our heavenly King and Father, to be conse- crated and used to His worship and Service, accord- ing to the Liturgy of the Episcopal Church in North America, divesting ourselves of all rights and title, and disclaiming all authority to employ it hereafter to any common or prophane use; and we the church wardens Messrs. Jabez Chapman, Esq., and Capt. Timo- thy Cone, do in our name, and in behalf of the Society, Sign and Seal this Instrument of dedication, and Ac- quaint the Right Rev'd Doctor Seabury, our Diocesan Bishop, therewith, and request him to consecrate the same, and to Set it apart to be forever hereafter employed for the Service and worship of Almighty God. Promis- ing as far as in us lies to take care of the Repairs of S'd Church, that it may be kept together with its furniture and Sacred utensils and Books, in a decent State for the celebration of Divine Service, and also that we will, as God Shall enable us, endeavor always to procure and Support A Minister in priest orders to celebrate God's holy worship according to the liturgy aforesaid-in wit- ness whereof we, the s'd church wardens, have hereunto

3º3

EAST HADDAM-ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH.

set our hand and Seals the Day and year above written."

The following is a list of the clergymen who have been employed by St. Stephen's Church, from 1793 to the present time:

Rev. Solomon Blakeslee took charge March Ist 1793, and remained until May roth 1815. He then removed to St. James' Church, New London. He returned and again became rector April 7th 1818, remaining till Octo- ber 8th 1821.

From 1815 to 1818, there was no settled minister, and only occasionally the services of any clergyman. During a part of the year 1822, Rev. Seth B. Paddock offici- ated.

Rev. William James took charge of the parish, together with St. Peter's, at Hebron, April 8th 1822, and left Jan- uary 29th 1827.

Rev. Peter G. Clark was then employed for two-thirds of the time, from November 8th 1827 until May 1833.

Rev. Stephen Beach was appointed rector June 20th 1833, having charge also of St. John's Church, Essex. In October 1836, he resigned the care of St. John's parish, and resided, with the care of the church, at East Haddam, until his death, January 14th 1838.

Rev. William G. Hayes officiated from June 1838, till November Ist 1838.

Rev. Charles W. Bradley was appointed rector Febru- ary 10th 1839, and continued in charge of the parish till August 2d 1840.

Rev. Albert D. Isaacs, deacon, officiated from August 1840 to November 1840.

Rev. Thomas G. Salter took charge of the parish March 2Ist 1841, and remained until November 20th 1842.

Rev. Alexander Burgess, deacon, was appointed min- ister November 28th 1842, and concluded his services December 11th 1842.

Rev. Henry DeKoven, deacon, was appointed minister October 29th 1843, and commenced his services at the parish the following Sunday. He resigned the parish September Ist 1844.

Rev. Alpeus Geer, by agreement with the vestry of the Parish of St. Stephens, took charge of the same, and en- tered upon his duties. September Ist 1844, He resigned the parish April 12th 1852.

Rev. George W. Nichols next took charge, commencing his duties on Sunday, May 19th 1852. He resigned the same April 1853.

The Rev. Benjamin Franklin followed on the IIth of December 1853, being the third Sunday in Advent; and resigned the parish on the first Sunday in July 1854.

Rev. George W. Nichols resumed the rectorship on Sunday, July 2d 1854. His health required him between the 16th and 17th Sundays after Trinity (September 23d and 30th 1855) to desist from the duties of his charge, and at the latter date the Rev. Gilbert B. Hayden as- sumned them temporarily. This arrangement continued till the 17th of September 1856, when the Rev. Michael Scofield took temporary charge of the parish. Rev. Mr. Scofield remained only till November 3d 1856.

The Rev. H. B. Hitchings, deacon, commenced his services the first Sunday after Trinity, June 14th 1857. He resigned the parish November Ist 1862, and became rector of St. John's Church, Denver, Colorado.

The Rev. Henry T. Gregory became rector and took charge of the parish immediately on the departure of Mr. Hitchings, November 1862. He resigned April 13th 1868.

He was succeeded by Rev. E. C. Gardner, in October 1868. He resigned about Christmas 1871. He was a graduate of Trinity College, Hartford, and the Berkeley Divinity School, Middletown.

Rev. George Rumney entered on the rectorship Feb- ruary 7th 1872, and is still rector of the parish. Rev. Mr. Rumney is a graduate of Hamilton College, N. Y., class of '49, also of the Theological Seminary of Alexan- dria, Va., class of '52.

Inscription on the bell of St. Stephen's church: "A. D. 815 Sorndo Prion E. J. V. P. Du Miguel Villa Mueva Procunador El V. Du Josef Estavana A. D. 815 Sorndo Prion E. J. V. P. Du Miguel Villa Mueva Procunador El V. Du Josef Estavana."

Translation-The Prior being the most Rev. Father Miguel Villa Mueva. The Procurator the most Rev. Father Josi F. Estevan.

Corrales has made me.

Made in the year A. D. 815.

This ancient bell hung for many years in a Spanish monastery. It was probably torn down in the time of Napoleon I., and subsequently brought to this country. It is said to be the oldest in the United States.

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 78

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