USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Farmington > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 13
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Berlin > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 13
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > New Britain > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 13
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In a few years this action of the society began to create uneasiness, for at the annual meeting held in December, 1767, a committee was appointed as follows :
"To confer with Rev. Mr. Smalley Relitive to his saliry and the un- easiness of the Parish about the same and inquier into his Circumstances with Respect to his Living and make report to the Society at their next meeting."
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FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, NEW BRITAIN.
The salary was reduced to seventy-five pounds, but in 1768 it was raised to ninety pounds. In 1776 it was fixed at eighty pounds, with the stipulation that it should "be paid up soon after it became due," and lawful interest be allowed from two months after it was due till paid.
The salary was paid some years according to these terms, but the depreciation of currency during the revolutionary war was so great that new arrangements were made which are fully expressed in the following vote passed at a society meeting held Feb. 1, 1779:
" Whereas, by Reason of the Depreciation of the paper currency and the Rev'd Mr. Smalley's saliry being chiefly paid in the same, by which means his support for three years last past has been greatly Diminished from ye Real Desire of and Intrest of the Covenant subsisting between us, and which prevented him from giving Discharges to the Parish for the Last 3 years, and the Society by their Comtt. having applied to him for a settlement in such an amicable manner as may obtain the discharge above, and the Rev'd Mr. Smalley in his answer of the 25th of January, 1779, having taken the Mater into Consideration and for sake of Peace and in consideration of the Extraordinary publict expenses and Troubles of the times has made such generous proposals as have done Honor to himself and Advantageous to us, and if complied with Seems Likely to Maintain that Love and mutual affection so necessary to be cultivated in such a Re- lation ; We therefore, cordially comply with his proposals and by our vote ingage to give to the Rev'd Mr. John Smalley for his Saliry for the present year, and to make up for the Defalcation the three years last past, One Hundred and Forty Pound, and to be paid in Wheat at six shillings, Rie, at four, or Indian Corn at three shillings the Bushel, or a just equiva- lent in currency, to be computed from time to time (as often as Mr. Smalley shall desier) by a Comtt. of the Society agreeing with Rev. Mr. Smalley, or in Silver, Reckoning one Dolar equal to one bushel of Wheat, or so much of it in labour as he shall want to hier at the rate of three shillings per day in the Summer season, and in a just proportion at other Seasons of the year. And the time of Payment and maner of Collecting to be agreeable to the former Covenant subsisting between us."
Committees were appointed from time to time to deter- mine the price of grain offered for Dr. Smalley's salary and other matters of detail, but no special change in the amount paid seems to have been made until 1783, when on account of the stringency of the times, he made another concession as shown by the following communication sent to the annual meeting in December of that year :
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" To the Moderator of the Parish Meeting in New Britain: I will ac- cept of 65 pounds Salery for the Courant year, provided the one-half be paid by the Time it is due, and the other half secured by a Note of hand on a very Responsible Man, payable with Interest within six months after said time, namely by ye 19th of October next. Provided also that if any Individual need further favour by abating, lowering of Rates and the like, they shall look to the Society for it, not to me.
John Smalley."
Dr. Smalley, in his intercourse with his brethren in the ministry, had often expressed an opinion that a pastor should retire from active service at the age of seventy, and when he arrived at that age he proposed the matter to his people. But they were not inclined to part with a pastor who had . served them so well and so long, and urged him to continue his ministry. He remained for a time, though often unfit for active duty. When, however, he had reached his seventy- fifth year, or in 1808, it became evident that he could not long continue to perform the work required of a pastor, or fulfil his duties as a minister. In the latter part of the year the question took more definite form, and at last a call was extended to Rev. Horatio Waldo to become the minister. For a time it seemed that he would settle over the parish ; the matter came up for discussion and vote at several meet- ings of the society, and a long and carefully prepared contract was written, adopted, and placed upon the society records. While the matter was under consideration the question arose whether Mr. Waldo should be settled as a colleague with Dr. Smalley, or whether the latter should resign and be dismissed, and Mr. Waldo be installed in his place. A committee was appointed to call upon Dr. Smalley with the question. Instead of giving his reply to the com- mittee, he wrote a letter to the society, stating his views, as follows :
LETTER OF REV. JOHN SMALLEY, D.D.
" New Britain, Jan. 17, 1809.
To the moderator and members of this day's Society meeting :
Worthy Sir and Dear Brethren.
I have had your question proposed to me by one of your Committee, whether I am willing to be dismissed previously to the ordination of another pastor. Being somewhat surprised and very unwell, perhaps I
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spoke unadvisedly concerning the very low estimation in which I thought myself held, for, after the many things done and said to humble me, I have not yet been cured of all pride : to save the Committee from the disagreeable business of making an ill report, and from the hard task of giving a good one, I have concluded to return a reply myself in writing, after more mature deliberation, and shall endeavor to do it with calmness. My answer, however, must still be in the negative. I have taken it to have been almost the Invariable custom, in such cases, to Ordain a second Pastor as Colleague with the former and I know of no good reason for a deviation from that custom. In this case, I am informed, it was said by some out of doors, though not in the house, that were I dismissed my property would go into the list for taxation, but this motive for desiring my dismission appears to me not very generous, nor very reasonable all things considered ; and let it be thought by my adversaries, ever so rea- sonable, or ever so generous, it must be a motive of no great consequence if it be considered that certainly I must die very soon, and may probably enough before the commencement of another year.
But the principal cause of the appointment of a Committee, for the purpose of such an uncommon question, I understand was this : some who professed to be well pleased with Mr. Waldo appeared determined not to vote for his settlement unless it should be preceded by my dismissal. How many of these there are, I know not ; that there are very many who wish, on their own account, that I should be cast down and trodden foot on, or who care much about it one way or the other, I can hardly believe. Nor can I think that many will make a point of it merely to gratify the tender mercies of one or two, or to conciliate them that there may be a universal vote. One thing I had like to have forgotten. It has been told me that considerable number are much disaffected, on account of the pro- posal and agreement made last spring concerning my salary, that it should be continued until the settlement of another minister and then cease, and it seems nearly half the parish do not mean to fulfill it, for I under- stand that twenty-five, out of a little more than fifty, at your last meeting, voted against getting any wood for the present year, and that, respecting the salary, no mention has been made. If it will give general satisfaction I am willing, and it is my wish, to have that proposal and agreement mutually given up that matters between us may stand as they before stood.
The settlement of a minister is a matter of great importance, and unanimity in it is much to be desired. It ought, however, to be consid- ered that, should you persuade all to vote for him you now have, if he should be a faithful servant of Christ, his pleasing all men very long is far from being certain. Of your present candidate, I have a very good opinion. His settlement among you is, doubtless, an object for the attainment of which great sacrifice of feeling and of interest ought to be made on all sides. If it should fall through I am much afraid you will not get another that is equal to him. Doubtless I ought willingly to be further abased that he may abound in votes, were there no other way, and
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were this likely on the whole, to be for the best ; but for me to be dis- missed because you refuse to settle a successor on any other conditions, I am apprehensive would be a story to go abroad not very honorable to either of us, and that such an event would not be of happy consequences among ourselves. Still, however, wishing you wisdom, grace, mercy and peace, I subscribe myself,
Your obedient servant,
J. Smalley."
Several meetings were held by the society to consider the matter, but Mr. Waldo was not settled.
The pastorate of Dr. Smalley was a long and fruitful one, and extended through an eventful period of history. It included the latter part of the French and Indian war, the. whole period of the American revolution, the time of the French revolution, and of other political changes, which affected nearly all European countries, and cast their shadow over the United States. The leading men of the parish were intelligent, and were well acquainted with the political history and development of thought in the times in which they lived. They sometimes differed from their minister on questions of policy, and they did not hesitate to express their opinions frankly and sometimes emphatically, but with kind- ness and courtesy. The relation of pastor and people was kind and affectionate. Dr. Smalley's ministry resulted in important gains to the church, in increasing strength to the society, and in the growth of intellectual power and influence in New Britain. There were several seasons of special religious interest in the place during his ministry, that of 1784-5 being the most remarkable.
At a society meeting held May 29, 1809, Dr. Smalley sent the following communication to the society :
"To the members of the New Britain Ecclesiastical Society.
Dear Brethren. Not expecting to be able to preach much if any longer, I have concluded to relinquish my salary ; and I do hereby dis- charge the society of New Britain from all claim to the payment of it, by me and my heirs forever except what was due at or before the nineteenth day of April last.
As witness my hand this 29th day of May A.D. 1809.
John Smalley."
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FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, NEW BRITAIN.
The date fixed by Dr. Smalley for relinquishing his salary was just fifty-one years from the date of his settlement. He continued, however, to preach and perform pastoral duties during the summer and autumn, and until the settlement of Mr. Newton Skinner as colleague pastor. He preached occa- sionally some two years longer, his last sermon being delivered September 26, 1813, nearly fifty-six years after he began to preach in New Britain .*
The church, December 2, 1809, by a unanimous vote, in- vited Mr. Newton Skinner to become pastor and teacher, as colleague with Dr. Smalley. The call was accepted, and Mr. Skinner was ordained and installed February 14,1810. The Ecclesiastical Council which was convened on the 13th at the house of Dr. Smalley, had Rev. John Smalley, D.D., as mod- erator, and Rev. Israel B. Woodward, scribe. During the ministry of Mr. Skinner, the changes which had begun in the latter part of Dr. Smalley's pastorate became more marked .. The center of the parish was gradually changing from a: sparsely populated farming district into a stirring business. hamlet, with numerous small shops in which the beginnings. of a manufacturing village were already noticeable. Thought was quickened ; new enterprises were planned ; the propor- tion of young people was increased, and society was percep- tibly changing. Through the efforts of Rev. Mr. Skinner and a few others, the first Sunday-school society in Hartford County was organized in this parish, in 1816, and Mr. Skin- ner became its president.
The great awakening which in 1819 and 1820 had pro- duced so great results in Saratoga and Albany counties, N. Y., and in the latter year in New Haven County and some other parts of Connecticut, in the winter of 1820-21 extended to New Britain. There was more than usual attention of the whole community to the subject of religion. The revival continued during the spring and summer of 1821, especially reaching many in active life. At the communion, August 5th, eighty-six, including many business men and
* For more extended account of Dr. Smalley see biographical notice.
II
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HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.
heads of families, united with the church ; October 7th, twenty-six more, and December 2d, eight others, or one hundred and twenty in less than four months .*
The question of repairs of the meeting-house, then stand- ing nearly opposite the head of Smalley Street, was presented in society meeting several times. A portion of the society were in favor of general repairs and alterations, while others believed it to be wiser to build a new edifice. The increase of farms and buildings west of Main Street caused the center of population to be removed some distance from the meeting-house. After some discussion, at a society meeting held Dec. 24, 1817, it was voted to make some small- repairs on the old house, and a committee of ten, named the " Measuring Committee," was appointed "to measure from every house in the society, in order to find a center to deter- mine the place to build a new meeting-house."
It had been more than sixty years since the first meeting- house was raised and covered, and the need of a new and better building was, by some of the society, believed to be urgent. Very little was done, however, until after the revival of 1821, when the gains to the church and the increase in the congregation led to more decided action. The center of the society, as determined by measuring from the houses in the parish, was found to be near the intersec- tion of East Main Street with Main Street. A new site was selected on the farm of Isaac Lee, who gave the land to the society. The location, though more central than that of the old meeting-house, was upon a lot partly marshy and uneven. As the rough site needed much alteration and grading to pre- pare it for a building place, the farmers came from different parts of the parish, and with willing hearts and with teams and tools prepared the site for the meeting-house erected in 1822 .;
* Of those uniting with the church at this time, more than thirty were heads of families. There were, over fifty years of age, seven ; between forty and fifty, eighteen ; between thirty and forty, twenty-five; between twenty and thirty, thirty-eight ; and under twenty, thirty-one.
+ Amos R. Eno of New York, then a boy living in New Britain, with his grandfather's team brought the first load of stone for the foundation of the new meeting-house.
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FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, NEW BRITAIN.
The old meeting-house was torn down with a view to using some of the timber in the erection of the new one, but little of it was found suitable, and timber was cut from the woods and hewn at the foot of Dublin Hill. The new house cost about six thousand dollars in addition to what was received for the old one. It was a neat and commodious edifice,* occupying the site of the present Burritt school. The architecture was that of similar buildings erected at that time. When this house was completed, with its steeple and bell, it was admired for its attractive exterior, and for its convenient interior arrangements. After the present edifice of the First Church was erected, this second meeting-house of this society was sold, removed to the west side of Main Street, converted into a hall, and afterwards destroyed by fire.
The new church edifice had been erected with harmony and cheerfulness, and the church and society, with a pastor in whom they were united, seemed to have a prospect of growth and prosperity. Mr. Skinner was happy in his pas- torate, and his labors were being crowned with success, when, after a short illness, he was removed by death, March 31, 1825, in the forty-third year of his age, and the sixteenth of his pastorate.
A few months after Mr. Skinner's death, or Aug. 9, 1825, the church voted to invite Mr. Henry Jones of Hart- ford to become its pastor. Six days after, the Ecclesiastical Society passed a similar vote. In a letter dated at Hartford, Aug. 30, 1825, Mr. Jones accepted the call, and an Ecclesias- tical Council, convened at New Britain, Oct. 11, 1825, pro- ceeded with his examination ; and on the following day, Oct. 12th, he was ordained and installed. Rev. Nathan Perkins, D.D., for more than sixty-five years pastor of the church in West. Hartford, was moderator of the council, and Rev. Joab Brace, D.D., for fifty years pastor in Newington, was
* This meeting-house was built by Ira Atwater of New Haven. Elnathan Peck and Henry Whiting were then young men working for Mr. Atwater. They remained in the place after the church was completed and made New Britain their home.
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HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.
scribe. The sermon was preached by Rev. Noah Porter, D.D., for sixty years pastor of the church in Farmington. Rev. Leonard Bacon, D.D., then a young pastor, who had been settled but a few months over the First Church, New Haven, was also a member of the council. At the time of Mr. Jones's settlement, David Whittlesey and Elijah Francis were the deacons of the church, and James North, Alvin North, William Smith, Amon Stanley, and Alfred Andrews, were the other members of the standing committee.
Mr. Jones had three hundred dollars voted him as a settlement, and he received a salary of five hundred dollars a year. The unanimous vote of the church and society, inviting him "to take the oversight of the church and people in the work of the gospel ministry," was indicative of the cordial welcome extended to him as pastor and teacher. He entered upon his work with enthusiasm and found the people responsive to his wishes. In the spring of 1826 the system of Sunday-schools was introduced and adopted. An interesting revival of religion occurred during this year, and in the autumn and winter a large number of young people united with the church. But in a little over two years from the time of Mr. Jones's settlement, a mutual council was called to consider the question of the dissolution of the connection which was so hopefully made. The failing health of the pastor, and his conviction that he was not able to carry on the work so auspiciously commenced, led to his dismissal Dec. 19, 1827. During his ministry of two and a quarter years, sixty-three persons were admitted to the church, fifty-eight of whom united on the confession of their faith.
Soon after the dismissal of Mr. Jones, Mr. Jason Atwater, a member of the Theological Seminary of Yale College, was employed to supply the pulpit. He continued until Novem- ber, 1828. During his short ministry of a few months an interesting revival occurred, which resulted in the addi- tion of seventy-one to the church in the early part of 1829. The church and society believing it to be very desirable that
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a settled pastor should be secured, at a meeting of the church, held April 7, 1829, it was voted, unanimously, to extend a call to Rev. Jonathan Cogswell. Messrs. David Whittlesey, Thomas Lee, and Seth J. North, were appointed a committee to communicate with Mr. Cogswell, which they did, and in a few days received his letter of acceptance, as follows :
"To the Congregational Church of Christ in New Britain Society, Berlin:
Fathers and Brethren, your votes of the 7th inst. have been com- municated to me by your committee, and have been seriously and prayer- fully considered. The unusual harmony and unexpected unanimity which appear to prevail among you, connected with other circumstances which seem clearly to indicate the mind of God, fully convinces me that I ought to accept your invitation to settle among you in the ministry. The work before me appears to be great, but my dependence is on Him in whom is infinite fullness. Your assistance and prayers I most earnestly request. Looking to the great Head of the Church for all needed grace, your high- est happiness will be the chief object of my daily pursuit. Wishing you grace, mercy and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, permit me to subscribe myself yours in the fellowship of the gospel.
Dated at Berlin, April 13, 1829. Jonathan Cogswell."
In response to letters missive an Ecclesiastical Council was convened in New Britain, April 28, 1829, for the purpose of installing Mr. Cogswell as pastor. Rev. Nathan Perkins, D.D., was again moderator, and Rev. Joab Brace, D.D., scribe. Rev. Noah Porter, D.D., Rev. Samuel Goodrich, and Rev. Charles A. Goodrich were also members of the council. The examination took place the first day, and was pronounced satisfactory. On the following day, the installa- tion occurred, Rev. Caleb J. Tenney of Wethersfield and Rev. Royal Robbins of Kensington being present to partici- pate in the installation services. Mr. Tenney preached the sermon, and Mr. Robbins gave the right hand of fellowship. The church had never before settled a pastor with so much experience at the time of settlement, and much was hoped from Mr. Cogswell's ministry. On the 21st of January, 1834, he was appointed Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the Theological Institute at East Windsor. He accepted
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this position, and was dismissed from New Britain for that purpose, April 29, 1834, just five years after his settlement.
For more than a year after the dismissal of Mr. Cogs- well, the pulpit was supplied by different clergymen, among whom were Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, Rev. Asahel Nettle- ton, Rev. Horatio M. Brinsmade, Rev. Noah Porter,* and Rev. Thomas H. Gallaudet, superintendent of the American Asylum for Deaf Mutes. On the 7th of December, 1835, at a meeting of the church, it was voted unanimously to give Mr. Dwight M. Seward of Durham a call to settle; a similar vote was passed at a meeting of the society held the same day. The call was accepted in the following letter :
" Durham, Conn., Dec. 24, 1835.
Brethren and Friends, The question presented by your recent vote, I have made the subject of deep, prayerful reflection. The result is a determination to accept of the call you have given me to settle among you in the ministry. To this decision I have not come without anguish of feeling and deep solicitude for the future; the objection arising from my own conscious weakness, I could not easily dispose of; but the ardor of youth bids me to try; the love of souls prompted a wish to try; friends who had long prayed for my usefulness said, you may try; and a voice from Heaven seemed to add, 'I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.' And with the hope of such support, I am willing to make the desired effort. I have a motive for thus speaking to you of my fears. Methinks a people should know the state of feel- ing with which their servant enters into his new relations. I wish you not to expect too much. I desire you to remember that you will receive an untried and earthen vessel. I can adopt prospectively the sentiment of Paul, 'I shall be with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.' And now permit me to say, in conclusion, that I shall claim your sympathies, your prayers and your assistance. With these the office is one of fearful responsibility - without them, an angel might shrink from the work.
Yours affectionately, Dwight M. Seward."
Mr. Seward was ordained and installed as pastor of the church and people February 2d and 3d, 1836. Rev. Noah Porter, D.D., of Farmington was moderator of the
* Some members of the church and society desired that Dr. Porter be invited to settle as pastor, but he discouraged the effort, believing the parish was too near his own home, Farmington, and rode to Durham himself, and pur- suaded his classmate, Dwight M. Seward, to accept an invitation to preach in New Britain.
1
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FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, NEW BRITAIN.
council, and Rev. Joab Brace, scribe. The sermon was preached by Rev. Joel Hawes, D.D. Mr. Seward was pastor a little more than six years, when, at his own request, and by advice of a mutual council, he was dismissed June 15, 1842 .* During his ministry there were two revivals in the parish, and one hundred and ninety-four persons united with the church, of whom one hundred and thirty-six were on the confession of their faith.
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