History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 89

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 89

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The Rev. Aaron Hovey was born at Mansfield, June 22d 1774, and entered Dartmouth College in 1794, gradua- ting in 1798. He was, from his youth, of a decidedly religious tendency, but did not decide to enter the ministry until he had taught school and studied law for a while. In 1801, he commenced the study of theology with Rev. Charles Backus, D.D., of Somers, and in the early part of the following year he was licensed to preach by the Association of Windham County. He be- gan preaching for the Second Society of Saybrook in the autumn of 1803, and was ordained colleague with Mr. Ely, September 5th 1804. Mr. Ely soon afterward re- moving to Chester, the entire pastoral labor devolved on Mr. Hovey. He was an earnest and indefatigable la- borer, and besides his ordinary pastoral labors he took

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ESSEX-CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

an active part in Sabbath school work, and found time and energy to instruct a large number of students in sci- ence and literature, preparing some for college and fitting others for the practice of navigation, a line of business interest which then was absorbing the attention of a large class of the people of this parish; nor were his energies confined to his own parish. For 34 years he was the register of the Middletown Association, to which body he belonged. During his pastorate of this church sev- eral revivals occurred, the most notable ones of which were in 1816, 1820-1, 1827, 1829, and 1835, which gave to the church, respectively, 20, 90, 71, 20, and 38 mem- bers.

At the time of his ordination, the membership of the church was 107, which number at the time of his death had reached 200. During his pastorate he had admitted 403 members, this augmentation having been counter- balanced by the withdrawal of the Deep River church, in addition to the ordinary diminution by removal and death. Soon after his settlement, Mr. Hovey married Huldah, the daughter of his predecessor, she being then the widow of Uriah Hayden 2d. He died September 9th 1843, thus closing a pastorate of 39 years, being the longest term of any minister that has ever served this church.

The Rev. Joseph D. Hull was employed as colleague with Mr. Hovey a few months in 1843. After the death of the latter, he was settled as pastor, January 31st 1844. He served the church in this capacity until October 16th 1848, when he was dismissed. A call was then given to Rev. John H. Pettengill, October 30th 1848, and he was settled April 25th 1849. He remained until December Ist 1852. Rev. Joseph W. Sessions preached here a few months from some time in 1853 to April 1854. Rev. William E. Bassett preached a short time in July to Sep- tember 1854, but declined a call to settle. The Rev. Elijah D. Murphy was a supply during the year $855. Other supplies were employed for a short time. The Rev. Henry Richard Hoisington was settled here April 22d 1857. The story of his life, as told on his tombstone in. the burying ground by the school house in Centerbrook, is in substance as follows: he was born at Vergennes, Vt., August 23d 1801; graduated at Williams College in 1828; was ordained pastor of the Presbyterian church in Aurora, N. Y., August 28th 1831; a missionary in Ceylon and the United States from March 1833, to Jan- uary 1854; stated minister to the Congregational church in Williamstown, Mass., from October 1853, to April 1856; installed here April 22d 1857, and died May 16th 1858. He was struck down with apoplexy while in the pulpit preaching from the text, "To-day, if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts." He died in the latter part of the same day.

The Rev. John G. Baird, after preaching a short time, was called, and was settled June 2d 1859, and continued pastor of the church until his dismissal, November ist 1865. Since that time the church has had no settled pastor. The pulpit has been occupied by temporary supplies much of the time, a few of whom have covered

terms of two or more years duration. Rev. Henry A. Russell served the church two years, beginning April Ist 1866. Rev. Judson B. Stoddard was a supply from Jan- uary 1869 to 1875, a term of six years. Rev. Henry C. Fay supplied from October 28th 1877, two years. Rev. Thomas D. Murphy preached here from June 6th 1880, to June Ist 1883. Rev. Thomas D. Barclay has supplied the church from November 4th 1883, to the present time.

At the beginning a committee of three was annually chosen to order the affairs of the society. This com- mittee was afterward called the "prudential commit- tee." It was decided that the eldest member of this committee should, from time to time, be the moderator of society meetings. Two collectors were also elected to collect the necessary rates. Tythingmen were first elected in 1724. Those chosen for that year were Abra- ham Andrus and Robert Pratt. Parish clerks were also chosen annually from the beginning. The annual meet- ing was in December, but within a few decades past it has been changed to November.

The society at the first quite vigorously opposed the separation of the people of Pattaconk as a distinct soci- ety. Efforts were made in that direction as early as 1729. October 6th, of that year, a committee was appointed to represent the parish at New Haven in the matter. Again, May 6th 1730, it was voted " that Patequonck shall not be sett of as a distinct parish;" and October 11th 1731, Charles Williams was chosen to go to New Haven to represent the parish in opposition to the petition of Pattaconk to be set off. In 1733, the Assembly made that part of the parish exempt from paying minister's rates here. But the scheme of withdrawal, which seemed to have been in almost constant agitation among the people of the northern part of the parish, reached its final culmination in 1739 and 1740. The line at first recommended by the Assembly was protested against in October 1739, but in the following year committees of

the two parts of the parish met and agreed on a line between Pattaconk and Potapaug, which was the Deep River from its mouth up to the bridge where the country road crosses it, and thence a direct line west to the Kil- lingworth line. The society now consented to the setting off the people of Pattaconk as a distinct society, and in January 1741, appointed a committee to "perambulate the line " and erect monuments on it. The name Ches- ter is at this time, for the first, applied to the new soci- ety. In 1756, an attempt was made to effect a union with Chester in the employment of a minister.

The line between this and the society of Pochaug, now Westbrook, was a source of considerable trouble for many years. From about 1733 to 1770, committees were frequently appointed to run this line.

Some idea of the fellow feeling that existed in the society in its infancy may be gathered from the fact that May 13th 1724, Ebenezer Parker was " freed by a vote of s'd parish from all Parish Charges for ye year past and for ye future so long as it shall be ye pleasure of God to continue his Blindness."

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Probably the first institution of the " penny collection " in this church was in 1738. An order of the parish at that time directed that on and after the first Sabbath in April a contribution should be gathered at the meeting house after public worship on the first Sabbath in every month, and by the junior deacon be paid to Mr. Nott, and an account kept of the same.

Considerable interest has been manifested by this so- ciety in regard to the music in its public worship. In 1818, the society appropriated $40 to psalmody, “in- cluding that which is already appropriated." In 1821, a singing school was maintained at the expense of the parish, to promote the singing in church. The same was done repeatedly in after years. In 1847, $50 was ap- propriated to the purchase of a double-bass-viol for the use of the choir.

November 30th 1852, 16 members withdrew to form the society of Essex. The present membership of the church is 107. The Sunday school, connected with it, numbers about 160. Services have been held at Ivory- ton on Sabbath evenings since April 23d 1877.

The successive clerks of this society have been as fol- lows: Samuel Pratt, 1722-25; Abner Parker, 1726-28; John Clarke, 1729-32; Jabez Pratt, 1733-42; John Pratt, 1743-53; Philip Kirtland jr., 1754-64; Edward Pratt, 1765-66; Josiah Nott, 1767-83; John Bull, 1784; Zephaniah Pratt, 1785-87; John Bull, 1788-1801; Josiah Nott, 1802-14; Joseph Platts, 1815-26; Heman Starkey, 1827-28; Josiah Nott, 1829; Joel M. Pratt, 1830-31; Henry C. Sanford, 1832-33; Tertius Nott, 1834; Aaron E. Hovey, 1835; Selden M. Pratt, 1836-39; Josiah E. Nott, 1840-43; H. C. Sanford, 1844-45; Ogden C. Pratt, 1846; William Denison 2d, 1847-76: R. N. Pratt, 1877; J. W. Bushnell, 1878 to the present time.

Eminent Divines .- The ecclesiastical parish of Pota- paug, now the town of Essex, has probably furnished a larger number of learned divines than any other parish of the same population in Middlesex county, among whom were the following:

Samuel Nott, D. D., grandson of Rev. Abraham Nott, first pastor of the Second Congregational Church, of the town of Saybrook. He was for a long time pastor of the Congregational church at Franklin, Conn. He was brother of Dr. Eliphalet Nott, president of Union Col- lege. The latter was born after the family removed to Ashford, Conn.

Rev. Edward Bull, pastor at Cheshire, Conn.

Rev. Horace S. Pratt, D. D., pastor at St. Mary's, Ga., and afterward professor of English Literature in the University of Alabama.

Rev. Nathaniel A. Pratt, D. D., pastor at Darien, Ga., afterward at Roswell, Ga.

Rev. Richard B. Bull, now pastor at Lamar, Mo.

Rev. Handel G. Nott, pastor in Maine, and afterward at Rochester, N. Y. He was father of Rev. Kingman Nott, successor of Dr. Cone in the First Baptist Church, New York, and also of Rev. Richard M. Nott, who re- cently died in Wakefield, Mass.

Rev. Edward Bull, a laborer among the Freedmen.

Rev. Austin H. Norris, now pastor in Newaygo, Mich.

Rev. Lewellyn Pratt, D. D., professor of theology in Hartford Theological Seminary, the second son of Selden M. and Rebecca C. (Nott) Pratt, both of Essex, Conn. He was born in that part of the town of Essex now known as Centerbrook-formerly a part of the town of Saybrook-on the 8th of August 1832.

His early education was received at the district school and afterward at Hill's Academy, of Essex, which he attended for some years. He subsequently entered Williams College, from which he graduated in the class of 1852.

After leaving college he taught and studied theology in Philadelphia. He was ordained by the Philadelphia Presbytery in 1864, was professor of natural sciences in the National College for Deaf Mutes at Washington, D. C., from 1865 to 1869; was professor of Latin language and literature at Knox College, Ill., from 1869 to 1871; was appointed trustee of Northwest Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1870; was pastor of Congrega- tional Church, at North Adams, Mass., from 1871 to 1876; was professor of rhetoric at Williams College from 1876 to 1881.

He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Williams College in 1877, was chosen trustee of the same college in 1884, became professor of practical theology in Hartford Theological Seminary in 1880, which posi- tion he still holds.

On the 17th of October 1855, he married Sarah P. Gulliver, of Philadelphia, by whom he has had two chil- dren, only one of whom, Waldo Selden, is now living, and is at present associate professor in Hartford Theo- logical Seminary.

ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

From about the year 1780, the principles of the Church of England were held by individuals here, who were under the care of Rev. Bela Hubbard, of New Haven, but no society existed until about 1790. Mr. Solomon Blakes- ley, of East Haddam, and others, occasionally conducted services here during the last years of the last century and the first years of the present one. He served the church previous to August 2d 1794. In 1793, he offi- ciated occasionally at £1, 8s., 5d. a Sabbath.

The church edifice was erected in 1790 and 1791. It stood on the old road west of Muddy River, in the neighborhood of the present railroad station, and on land now owned by Edgar Griswold. About 10 years later, it was taken down and moved to Pound Hill, where it now stands. It has since been enlarged. The building was consecrated July 12th 1821. A subscrip- tion " to finish the leanto," containing names, with sums aggregating £11, 6s., is dated July 13th 1792, and is still preserved.

The following record tells a story that sounds queer to the ears of the present generation, but was not so strange a thing at that time:

" MAY 5th 1794. " We the Subscribers Due promis to pay unto Uriah

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ESSEX-CHURCHES.

Hayden the sums affixed to our names to be Laid out in Tickets in the hartford State house Lotery by said Hay- den, which Tickets if they Should Draw a prize or prizes shall be appropriated for the ues of finishing the Church by him ye sd Hayden.

s. d.

" Uriah Hayden 6-0

" Timothy Starkey 4-6

" David Williams 6-0

" Elisha Mather 6-0

" John Griffin .6-0

" By Desire William Trip. 12-0

" Ebenezer Hayden 2d. 6-0

" Samuel Hayden 6-0

" Asa Williams 4-4

" N. Scovell.

6-0."

The following names, with the respective sums at- tached, which appear on a subscription paper to hire the Rev. William Green six months from the second Sunday in April 1799, will show who were the supporters of this church in its infancy: Elisha Mather, $3; Noah Scovell, $5; David Williams, $3; Israel Doan, $5; Joseph Bell, $4; Uriah Hayden, $2; John G. Hayden, $1; Samuel Hayden, $2; David Williams jr., $1; Noah Scovell jr., $2; Peter Clarke, $1; Ebenezer Hayden 2d, $4; Rich- ard Hayden, $1.50; Richard Powers, $1; Judea Pratt, $2; Henry Hayden, $1.

The early records of the church are scanty and frag- mentary. Rev. William Green was its rector from 1797 to 1799, at least, but following the latter date for several years the records are silent. At the last mentioned date there were 21 communicants. The Rev. Peter G. Clark was here in July 1822, and continued till April 1827, and perhaps a little while longer. Thirteen communicants were admitted by him, between those two dates. The Rev. William Jarvis was rector for a while, about 1828. The church is at this time reported as comprehending 51 fam- ilies, 46 communicants, a Sunday school of 44 scholars and six teachers, and as having contributed to the Church Scholarship Society, during the previous year, $500.

The Rev. Ashbel Steele appears as rector October Ist I829. The first confirmation by the bishop was under his ministry, September 26th 1830. He continued here until July Ist 1832, or later. The Rev. Stephen Beach, from Salisbury, entered upon the duties of rector, June 20th 1833. He appears as rector of both this and the church at East Haddam. He resigned in 1836; the lat- est record found of him being August 27th. The Rev. James M. Tappan began his ministry here, July 7th 1837, and continued until his death. His memorial tablet in the Little Point Burying Ground states that he was a "Presbyter of Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, born in Gloucester, Mass., Jan. 12, 1802, died in Essex, Conn., March 24, 1839." The Rev. Thomas H. Vail began his ministry here at Easter 1839, and his lat- est record bears date August 11th 1844. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Solomon G. Hitchcock, about September 16th 1844. He probably remained but a few months, as it appears Rev. Joseph Scott began his ministry

June Ist 1845, and resigned April 5th 1846. The Sunday school in the latter year had 45 scholars and nine teachers. An organ was placed in the church the same year. The Rev. Joseph S. Covell took charge the third Sunday after Easter, 1846, and continued till July 1848. The Rev. Sylvester Nash followed him in September 1848, and continued in charge until his resignation, March 28th 1853. The Rev. Hiram Stone became minister and took charge April 16th 1854. He was ordained and became rector November 19th fol- lowing. His ministry continued till May 1856, and a month later Rev. Thomas F. Davis jr., took charge as minister. He was in charge until April 1858. Rev. Delancy D. Rice had charge from June 1858, to Easter Monday 1860. Rev. J. M. Bartlett entered upon his duties May 25th 1862, and continued till August 14th 1881. Rev. Henry C. Randall, the present rector, entered upon his duties November 22d 1881. The present parsonage was purchased in 1833. The present number of communicants is 53.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF ESSEX.

This denomination appears to have gained an exist- ence here in 1805. A society had been organized in the western part of the parish, now Winthrop, as early as about 1745, and it was joined by a few families from neighboring parishes. "Asplundo represents a church having been organized among them in 1788; but it was probably organized previously to that time."

The records of the North Parish of Saybrook contain the following entry:

" To all Persons to whome these Presents may Come, Greeting:

" Know ye that James Baly of Saybrook is this 19th Day of March, 1765 Received into the Baptis Church of Christ in Saybrook and was this Day Baptized by me. Signd With my hand Paster of the Baptis Church of Christ in New London North Parrish."

" JOSHUA MORSE."

The first preaching by a Baptist minister, of which there is any account, was in 1804, when Elder Simon Dickinson, of East Haddam, held meetings here a few times, and baptized several persons, who became members of the East Haddam church. Up to July Ist 1809, the number of persons from this vicinity who had joined the East Haddam church was 22. By June 18th ISII, as the fruits of a revival, 31 others had been added to that number. At the date last mentioned, a council of neigh- boring churches convened here and organized an inde- pendent church, with 64 members, by the title of the Sec- ond Baptist Church of Saybrook. Mr. Sala Post was one of the most zealous advocates of the peculiar prin- ciples of this church, and from the year 1805, for several years, his house was made the meeting place for those who listened to the teachings of the Baptist preachers who visited this field. Meetings were also held at other private houses, and at the "great school house," which building was finally purchased by Mr. Samuel Williams and presented to the society as a meeting house. It was

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

used for this purpose until 1817. The use of the Episco- pal meeting house also had been obtained occasionally. The house of Mr. Sala Post, where some of the first meetings were held, was bought by Mrs. Irene Williams, in 1822, and presented to the Baptists for a parsonage. It was occupied as such until 1840, and was afterward used as a Methodist parsonage. It is still standing on the north side of New City street, being the next house east of the store of C. O. Spencer. Another parsonage was occupied, which is now the dwelling of William Smith, at the foot and on the south side of New street. Still later, a parsonage has been obtained on the lot next north of the church.

The first pastor of the church was the Rev. Oliver Wilson, who was ordained August 12th 1812, the services of thus inducting him being held at the Second Society's meeting house, now the Congregational church at Cen- terbrook. He continued with the church until October 23d 1814. During the latter year the church received by the bequest of Mr. Jared Hayden, who died on the 3d of April, a fund of $6,443. A church was soon afterward erected on land given for the purpose by Mr. Samuel Williams on the hill just north of the present town hall. This building was long known as the " Brick Meeting House." It stood on the rock on the east side of Church street, overlooking the present school house. It was dedicated in the autumn of 1817, having been erected at a cost of about $3,500, about one half of which had been raised by subscriptions. It was 38 by 50 feet and was supplied with a tower and bell.

From the close of the first pastorate to the year 1818 there was no settled pastor. Among those who supplied the pulpit during that time were Elders Hubbard and Gustavus F. Davis. The Rev. Asa Wilcox began his labors here April 24th 1818. An act of incorporation was obtained in May 1819, and another, in conformity with later legislative enactments, was established in 1826. The pastorate of Elder Wilcox closed in April 1828, and he was followed in August by the Rev. Pier- pont Brocket. The latter resigned in August 1835, after which the church was for a while without a pastor. In April 1836, Elder Henry R. Knapp commenced his labors, which continued until April 1840.

A conference house was built in 1837, was sold in 1845, and has since been used as a school house, being known as the "Point school house." It still occupies its original site. Rev. William G. Miller began pas- toral labors with this church April Ist 1840, and con- tinued until his death, April 13th 1845. The corporate name of the church was changed by the Legislature in the spring of 1840, to the "First Baptist Church and Society of Essex." The Rev. William H. Card preached here from August 1845 to August 1846.

At that time the new meeting house, the present com- modious and imposing structure, was built. Begun in 1845, it was completed in the early part of the following year, and dedicated on the 23d of June. The Rev. Henry Bromly served this church from September 1846 to March 1847, when the Rev. William G. Howard en-

tered upon a pastorate that extended to September 1849. Rev. Marvin Eastwood was pastor one year, from De- cember 1849. In September 1851, Rev. Joseph A. Bailey began preaching here, and was ordained October 22d 1851. His labors closed in September 1855. Rev. Silas Ilsley occupied the pulpit from November 1855, to May 1859, and was followed by Rev. Bradford H. Lincoln, in July 1859. The pastorate of the latter closed March Ist 1862.

The pulpit was then supplied by Rev. Henry Bromly and others for several months, after which a ca'l was accepted by Rev. William I. Gill, and he entered upon his labors the first Sabbath in April 1863. He continued with the church three years, during which time he was absent for a while, engaged in the work of the Christian Commission on the field of the war. He was dismissed the last Sabbath of March 1866. The pulpit was sup- plied for a few months by Rev. Mark A. Cummings and others. Rev. Jerome B. Morse commenced his labors on the first Sabbath in December 1866, and continued until the first Sabbath in January 1870, when another season of irregular supply followed. The Rev. G. W. Nichol- son began on the second Sabbath in October following, and continued his labors until May Ist 1873. The Rev. John Duncan, D. D., began work here the first Sabbath in October 1873, and continued till the last Sabbath in June 1879. For nearly a year the pulpit was again filled with temporary supplies, until the Rev. Samuel J. Knapp began as a " resident supply," May Ist 1880. His labors closed in October 1882, and he was followed, in Janu- ary 1883, by Rev. S. Washington, who is the present pastor.

Other bequests than those already mentioned have been made to this church, the interest on which is to be applied to missions. These were: one by Capt. William Williams, who died in 1836, leaving $2,376, and another by Mrs. Irene Williams, who died in 1840, leaving $:,907 for the same purpose.

Drafts have been made on the membership of this church for the organization of others. In 1825, it dis- missed 25 to form a church at Killingworth, and in April 1830, it gave 15 to form the church at Deep River. De- spite the losses thus sustained the church has had a steady growth, which may be seen from the following numbers showing its membership at different dates: 1811, 64; 1817, 61; 1828, 101; 1835, 151; 1849, 198; 1855, 239; 1861,248; 1883, 249.

The Sunday school was organized about 1825. Asa Wilcox was the first superintendent. Joseph Hayden was superintendent for many years, and at his death, De- cember 24th 1844, left a legacy of $500, the interest of which was to be devoted to the purchase of books for its library.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Methodist society of Essex was formed in the fall of 1824, by Rev. Aaron Pierce and Rev. Smith Dayton, who were then acting as conference missionaries in this region. The first class was composed of eight members,

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ESSEX-CHURCHES-SCHOOLS.

some of whom are still living. The class was soon in- creased by the fruits of several revivals. The first church edifice was erected in 1826. It is now the town hall. Previous to 1835, this church was a part of the West- brook circuit, and its services were conducted by the preachers of that circuit. In the year last mentioned it was made a separate field, and supplied with a minister.

The pastoral service of this church for several years appears to have been irregular, and the records are de- ficient. The following ministers served it: James M. Bray, 1835; G. C. Creevy, 1849-51; Edwin E. Griswold, D. D., 1852, 1853; Hart F. Pease, 1854, 1855; E. S. Hebberd, 1856; J. W. Leek, 1857, 1858; W. Lawrence, 1859; S. J. Stebbins, 1860, 1861; H. D. Lathaw, 1862, 1863; Horatio N. Weed, 1864, 1865; Ira Abbott, 1866, 1867; Loren Webb, 1868, 1869; G. H. Goodsell, 1870- 72; G. B. Dusinberre, 1873, 1874; W. W. Elder, 1875, 1876; O. J. Range, 1877-79; A. Graham, 1880; E. L. Bray, 1881; F. Saunders, 1882, 1883; T. N. Laine, 1884.

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 89

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