USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 6
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 6
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Hence, before their organization into a church estate they built a log meeting house, and as early as October, 1644, had Mr. John Sher- man, one of the first settlers, preaching for them on a salary. He was a man of superior talents, and ministered to them until 1646, when the settlement of the Reverend Abraham Pierson left him free to go to Watertown, where he was settled in the ministry, and where he died at the age of seventy-two years.
The Reverend Abraham Pierson has been properly regarded as the first pastor of the church. Coming from South Hampton, L. I., with a part of his congregation from that place, and being a man of char- acter and influence, he was here also the controlling spirit in all the affairs of the town until his removal to Newark, as has been stated.
" Mr. Pierson preached in the log meeting house which stood in the old grave yard, near the willow tree now there. One of the orig- inal palisades which stood around that house is now to be seen on Mr. William Russell's place. The Sabbath services consisted of two ser- mons, each an hour long, timed by the hour glass standing on the pul- pit. There was also a prayer, and two or three hymns were sung, but there was no scripture reading nor any musical instruments.
" Men and women sat on opposite sides of the house, the boys sat by themselves, attended by a ' tithing man,' to keep order. Children were baptized in the meeting house, generally on the next Sabbath after their birth; sometimes on the day of their birth. Marriages were as often performed by some magistrate as by a minister. There were no public religious services at funerals; minister and people all
*Reverend Timothy P. Gillett.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
attended and assisted silently and solemnly until the remains were buried. The meeting house roof, and so, in fact, the roofs of all the houses, were thatched-sedgegrass was the material used.
" A little before the Newark removal Robert Rose died-April 4th, 1665. He gave by will, six pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence to the church. This was probably the first legacy ever left to the Congregational church of Branford. The example thus early fur- nished has been followed by several others since."*
When Mr. Pierson removed to Newark, in the summer of 1666, he employed John Bowers, of Guilford, to preach for those remaining until the end of the year, when the town engaged him, as is shown by the following record:
January 6th, 1667. "This certifieth that the inhabitants of the town of Branford did engage themselves unto Mr. Bowers for to allow and pay unto him the sum of thirty pounds and the cutting and cart- ing of wood, and to be rent free in the house and lands that are bought for a minister, and he is to be free from all town rates for himself and his estate, for and in consideration that the said Mr. Bowers is for to carry on the work of the ministry one whole year here in Branford. and his time is for to begin the 9th Dec., 1666, and the town doth promise to bear his charges of diet till he come with his family."
They renewed this arrangement from year to year until 1671, when he was invited to settle with them and carry on the work of the ministry. He accepted the invitation, but the call not being unani- mous, there was some trouble, which caused hin to leave and settle over the Derby church, in 1672.
" They now have ten years of candidating. March 12th, 1677, they call a Mr. Stowe, but he does not accept. October 24th, 1677, they wish a Mr. Wise to remain with them through the winter. He was a very large man and famous as a wrestler. They have a Reverend Daniel Russell for a few months. August 1st, 1678, they call Reverend John Harriman. A month later they call Reverend Samuel Mather, offer- ing him sixty pounds salary and the minister's house and lands. He stays a while; they build him a barn, paying for the work in land.
"In 1679 they consider the question of building a new meeting house. They conclude to enlarge the old one to twice its size. Mr. Mather serves them, off and on, till 168I. With the hope of keeping him they agree to petition the general court for liberty 'to embody in a church estate.' Men, not Christians, and those willing to support a religion that left them free to their chosen habits, had so far directed the policy of Branford since Pierson had left. Hence their difficulty in obtaining a minister. December 6th, 1681, they conclude to seek God's help; they invite the Reverend Mr. Eliot, of Guilford, to come and carry on 'a day of humiliation ' and prayer with them. April 1st, 1682, they call Reverend Jonah Fordham, but he refuses. Febru- *Reverend Elijah C. Baldwin.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
ary 13th, 1683, they call a Mr. Oakes. Being doubtful of his accept- ance they concluded to let the minister's house and lands, as they record it, ' at an outcry by a piece of candle.' By this is meant a short piece of candle was lighted, at the time of the sale, and the auctioneer cried up the property until the candle burned out. He that bid higli- est during that time obtained whatever was offered. Samuel Pond, for four pounds and six shillings, on this occasion, obtained the use of the property. He was to vacate it when they had a minister to need it; but that was not till three years later. Mr. Oakes proposing to go to ' the Bay,' that is to Massachusetts, the town ' agreed to sit still and not be in motion to look out for other help' until they hear from him. He never returns. November 7th, 1683, they call a Mr. Younglove. January 7th, 1684, they call Reverend John Wilson. April 29th, 1684, they call Mr. Mather again. Then they try Reverend John Cotton, Jr., and a Mr. Woodruff and a Mr. Emerson. February 1st, 1686, Rev- erend Samuel Russell is introduced to Branford people. The now sufficiently humbled people are drawn to him. He is called, and comes.
"Having the Reverend Samuel Russell now living with them, they move to reorganize the church. June 7th, 1687, ' Whereas motion hath been made to Reverend Samuel Russell respecting his settlement or taking office in a church way, and having also applyed and solicited to the general court for liberty to embody, and being granted, as also it being moved to Mr. Russell, by those that are members of churches,' the town agreed to reserve their motion and desire, leaving it to a committee to prosecute the work as they and Mr. Russell shall agree.
" March 7th, 1688, their affairs had so progressed they were ready for an organized church. They then entered into and signed the fol- lowing covenant:
"'It having pleased God of his grace to call up to the visible pro- fession of religion, and being now by his providence called to tinite together for the carrying on the ordinances of God amongst us, we do. therefore, with self-abasement and sorrow of our great unworthiness, yet in obedience to the gospel of our Lord Jesus, we do this day, be- fore God and his people, give up ourselves and ours first unto God and then one to another, to work together to attendance to all those duties and enjoyment of all those privileges of the covenant of grace that are to be attended and enjoyed in a particular visible church, mak- ing the' Scriptures to be our rule. We do declare it to be our pur- pose, as God shall assist, both in our principles and practice in all substantials to work in a consonance with the churches of Christ with whom we hold communion. Samuel Russell, John Frisby, Ebenezer Stent, Peter Tyler, Samuel Pond, Daniel Swaine, Aaron Blatchly, Samuel Betts. Thomas Sergeant, Elizabeth Barker, Hamot Maltby, Saroi Blatchley, Miriam Pond, Dorcas Taintor, Elizabeth Stent, Hamot Wheadon, Elizabeth Pamer, Hamot Frisbie, Deliver-
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
ance Rose, Mary Betts, Ruth Frisby, Saroi Page, Saroi Gutsil, Jane Tyler.'
" In April others signed, as: John Rose, Francis Tyler, Abigail Russell, Elizabeth Rose, Wid. Linsley, Wid. Nash, Esther Wheadon.
"In November others still, as: Jonathan Frisby, Jono. Maltby, Thomas Topping."*
This may be regarded as the beginning of the church organiza- tion proper. The town and the society thereafter became distinct, the latter managing, in a measure, its own affairs. They had begun, in 1685, the acquisition of the lands on Indian Neck for the support of the minister, and during this pastorate much of the land now owned was acquired.
Reverend Samuel Russell was a son of Reverend John Russell, of Hadley, and was a graduate of Cambridge College. His salary was £60 and the society gave him as a settlement the town house and lands connected with it, and he lived at that place as early as 1686.
" The years that follow show increase and prosperity in church and town. They soon add to the minister's salary and occasionally grant him more land, until he becomes about the largest land-holder in the place.
" January 2d, 1692, they give Mr. Russell a deed of the parsonage property which was built in 1690.
" April 5th, 1697, they grant to Mr. Russell and others the privilege of setting up a saw mill. The next year they grant Mr. Russell the use of the grass in the burying yard for ten years, if he will fence it in. Then it is probable the old cedar palisades were used by Mr. Rus- sell in making this fence, the first fence around the graveyard."
The Russell parsonage remained substantially as built until about 1825, when it was modernized. It became noted as being the building in which the meeting was held which led to the formation of Yale Col- lege. and for several years the library of the new institution was kept .there.
In 1687 "the town agreed to white-lime the meeting house, but September 28th, 1699. it was unanimously agreed to build a new meet- ing house, 'the form of it to be about forty foot square, an upright wall from the ground to the plate.' Appointed Mr. William Maltbie, Mr. Edward Barker and Mr. William Hoadley, Eleazur Stent, Lt. Sam- uel Pond, Ensign Thomas Harrison, Jr., and Searg. John Rose, or any five of them, to be a committee to manage the work from time to time.
"November 30th, 1699. ' Whereas it hath been agreed upon by the town to build a new meeting house, and there being different notions respecting the form-some being for a square house and others for a long brick house with lean-to-it is agreed by the town that a lott shall be drawn to decide the matter, and it is agreed that Benj. Harrington * Reverend E. C. Baldwin.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
shall draw the lott.' The lot being drawn fell for a square meeting house. The form of the tower and turret was left to the committee. The inhabitants agreed to work out their proportions of expense as near as they can in such work as the committee judge them capable. The committee were to deduct from wages of those who come late or are negligent. They sell the new part of the old house to help pay joiners for work on the new house. They sell the old part of the old house to Richard Wilford for teaching school. This new house stood on the common, about in front of the town hall.
"June 27th, 1701. 'It is agreed that the congregation in Branford. do meet together to worship in the old meeting house next Lord's Day, and that the next following we meet in the new house.'
" They gave several men liberty to put pews for themselves in the church there, to be for their families ever after, for a reasonable rent .. This house stood till 1744. In 1738 they voted to build a new meeting house, just west of the old one. When it was done, they pulled down the old one."
Mr. Russell's ministry closed with his life, June 25th, 1731, when he was 71 years of age. His pastorate was continued a little more than 43 years, but in the last six years he was not able, on account of bodily ailments, to preach much, and by mutual arrangement the pulpit was supplied by Reverend Samuel Sherman and others.
Until 1725 the entire original town attended services at the ineet- ing house on Branford green, but this year the inhabitants were divided into two parishes, those living on the North Farms becoming the North Branford Society, and the original society became the old or South Society. The church was also divided, and the town assisted in building the two meeting houses required.
Mr. Russell has been styled " the second father of Branford." He- was a talented man, and by the ministers of his time was looked upon as a leader. Including those who joined when the church was or- ganized, he added 300 to the membership of the church. He was a warm friend of Yale College, serving as a trustee from 1701 to 1731. He contributed to its support liberally himself, and induced his people to do the same. Four of his sons were graduated from that institu- tion, viz .: John, Samuel, Daniel and Ebenezer. His other sons were Jonathan and Ithiel, and their descendants became worthy and hon- orable citizens,
Efforts were made after the death of Mr. Russell to secure Rev- erends Samuel Sherman and Ebenezer Silliman as pastors. Both had preached on calls, but failed to settle. The church was now without a pastor until 1733, when Reverend Philemon Robbins was secured. In the summer of 1732 he came with a classmate of Harvard, from which college they had just graduated, to attend the commencement of Yale.
" While Mr. Robbins was at New Haven a person came from Bran-
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
ford to procure some one to preach as a candidate; and he, being recommended as a suitable person, consented to go in that capacity. The people are pleased with him, and, September 18th, 1732, ask him to come four weeks on probation. October 9th, 1732, they give him a call to settle, offering $400 as a settlement, to be paid in two years; also £130 per annum for the first four years, and after that £140 per year and his firewood."
He accepted the call, and began his ministry with the following: "October 9th, 1732. I had an invitation to settle in the work of the ministry in the South Society in Branford, Connecticut, Dec. 27th, 1732. I accepted the call. Feb. 7th, 1733, I was ordained to the pas- toral office in Branford South Society. PHILEMON ROBBINS."
"Mr. Robbins found here a church of 125 members-43 males and 82 females. There were 218 additions during his ministry of 47 years. In the first years the gains were numerous. In the years of opposition and trouble the gains were few. In the first year the church chose Captain John Russell as deacon.
" December 24th, 1736, Mr. Robbins married Hannah Foot, the daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Foot, of Branford. Then the people helped their minister to build a house. That house is still standing, perhaps the second oldest house in Branford. It is owned and occu- pied by Mr. Michael Harding. The original house has been added to and much improved by the present owner. Mr. Robbins spent his married life in it, and his nine children were born there."
In the ministry of Mr. Robbins occurred some of the most import- ant and stirring events in the history of the town. About 1740 here, as well as elsewhere in the New England states, much attention was paid to the subject of religion, the minds of the people being espec- ially awakened by the preaching of evangelists, who went from town to town on this mission. Mr. Robbins believed in these special efforts to quicken the spiritual life of the church, and insisted on " spiritual growth as evidence of conversion. He adopted measures to promote such life. In addition to the usual meetings he encouraged prayer and conference meetings. He at times had extra preaching services. He was ready to encourage revival efforts everywhere. It seems strange to Christians now that any one should object. Yet many did, even ministers. So much objection was made, in a number of towns, divisions occurred, and new churches were formed. The more actively inclined felt compelled to the step by the opposition they met in the old church. Of course Mr. Robbins and those like him were jealously regarded by such as differed from them. Perhaps he, rather more than others, because he had come in froin Massachusetts, where they did not so highly esteem the Saybrook Platform.
" At thistime Reverend Jonathan Merick was the minister at North Branford, and Reverend Warham Williams was minister at Northford," Reverend Thomas Ruggles, Jr., was at Guilford, and Reverend Samuel
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Whittlesey at Wallingford, Jacob Hemingway at East Haven, and Reverend Isaac Stiles at North Haven, and young Samuel Russell at North Guilford."*
At this time the "great revival preacher, George Whitfield, had been making his remarkable tour through our country. He met great op- position in New England. Many Connecticut ministers were espec- ially hostile. Mr. Robbins favored him, and so, with a few others, bore the stigma of 'new lights.' They were looked upon with great dis- favor by the other pastors.
' One special cause of complaint grew up from the desire of many people in various towns to have the ' new lights' ministers preach for them. Some of the earnest preachers were willing to do so. Rever- end Mr. Humphreys, of Derby, consented to preach to a Baptist church; he was expelled for it. Reverend Timothy Allen, of West Haven, was also expelled. IIe had been heard to say, ' That the read- ing of the Scriptures, without the Spirit's aid, will no more convert a sinner than reading an old almanack.' He was a devoted minister, but he was too spiritual for his church. Mr. Lee, of Salisbury; Leaven- worth, of Waterbury, and Todd, of Northbury, were also expelled for similar faults. Mr. Robbins' turn came next."
The opportunity for prosecuting him presented itself very soon in the violation of the rules of the Consociation, adopted at Guilford, the latter part of 1741. One of its acts was to vote " That for a minister to enter into another minister's parish, and preach or administer the Seals of the Covenant, without the consent of or in opposition to the settled minister of the parish is disorderly. Notwithstanding, if a considerable number of people in the parish are desirous to hear an- other minister preach, provided the same be orthodox and sound in the Faith, and not notoriously faulty in censuring other persons, or guilty of any other scandal. We think it ordinarily advisable for the minister of the parish to gratify them by giving his consent upon their suitable application to him for it, unless neighboring ministers should advise against it." "Not satisfied with this, these ministers went to the general assembly and got a law passed which was an outrage to every principle of justice. One provision was this: '3. If any minis- ter, or ministers, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act, shall presume to preach in any parish, not under his immediate care and charge, the minister of the parish where he shall so offend, or the civil authority, or any of the committee of said parisli, shall give in- formation thereof, in meeting, under their hands to the clerk of the society or parish where such offending minister doth belong, which clerk shall receive such information and lodge and keep the same on file in his office, and no assistant or justice of the peace in this colony, shall sign any warrant for collecting any minister's rate, without first receiving a certificate from the clerk of the society or parish where
*Reverend Elijah Baldwin.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
such rate is to be collected, that no such information as is above men- tioned, hath been received by him or lodged in his office.' This was an example of what cruel wrongs may be done by professed good men in the name of religion. In their eager desire to carry certain ends they deemed for the good of Zion, they violated every principle of justice, and forgot every Christian virtue. Of course their efforts only increased the evils they hoped to destroy. The records of them are another monument of the folly of doing evil that good may come.
"Some time in the early part of December, 1741, Mr. Robbins had an invitation to preach at the Baptist church in Wallingford. These Baptists lived within the bounds of the First Society or parish in Wal- lingford. They were formerly in the Congregational church, but had gone off. and professing Baptist principles had set up by themselves. Some years before Mr. Robbins came to Connecticut they had em- ployed a Separate minister, Mr. John Merriman, who was ordained their pastor. By the advice of the governor, no rates had been col- lected from them by the First Society for several years.
"Mr. Robbins returned no positive answer to the first overture. Soon after he received the following letter :
"' To Mr. Robbins, Branford.
" Sir :- After suitable respects to yourself, this note is to inform you that Mr. Bellamy has been with us at Wallingford, and preached in our Baptist's society to very good satisfaction and success on sev- eral persons both of our people, and also those of your denomination with whom we desire to join heartily in the internals of religion, though we can't in form; so that it seems to be the desire of both de- nominations here, that yourself would oblige us with a sermon or two as soon as you can after the next week; and please to send me when. This is also my desire for the good of souls and the glory of God.
"Sir, yours in good affection,
JOHN MERRIMAN, Elder. " Wallingford, Dec. 23d, 1741.'
"Mr. Robbins accepted the invitation and agreed to go on January 6th, 1742. The day before he was to preach he was handed a note from two of the members of the Congregational church of Walling- ford, requesting him not to preach for the Baptists. But he could see no reason why he should break his engagement. There were many reasons why he should keep it. He accordingly went and preached twice to full congregations.
"Mr. Robbins had preached in Wallingford on January 6th, 1742. The Consociation mnet at New Haven February 9th, 1742. Mr. The- ophilus Yale, a member of the Consociation, messenger from Walling- ford church, exhibited a complaint against Mr. Robbins in the form of
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTV.
an indictment. Mr. Robbins could never get a copy for himself, but it ran like this :
"'The subscriber, do certify, in way of complaint, to this reverend Consociation, that on the 6th day of January last past, the Rev. Mr. Philemon Robbins did enter into the First Society of Wallingford, and preached in a disorderly manner, in contempt of the authority of this Consociation, without the consent of the Rev. Mr. Whittlesey, pastor of said society; contrary to the act of the Guilford Council; contrary to an act of this Consociation, and contrary to the desire of his neigh- boring ministers, and a great number of church members in Walling- ford.
" THEOPHILUS YALE.'"
" Mr. Robbins, who was present, observed that there was nothing said in the complaint of its being contrary to the law of God. 'We know not how to answer for preaching any more than for praying, unless they would tell him wherein was the crime of it. They told him it was expressed in the complaint as contrary to the act of the Guilford Council, etc.' Mr. Robbins said he did not know what were the acts of the Guilford Council when he preached at Wallingford. Whatever they were they had not even then been read to or accepted by the Consociation. Where there was no law there could be no trans- gression. As it being contrary to the desire of two neighboring min- isters and a great many church members, there was no rule in the word of God or Saybrook Platform that obliged one to attend such desire in preaching. They referred him to the vote of the Consocia- tion to any act of that Consociation instructing their delegates to the Guilford Council. He answered that such a vote did not bind the Consociation to any act of that council ; that he was not guilty even under that vote, because he had not been into another man's parish to preach. The Baptists were a church gathered by themselves. They had a minister ordained over them. He had preached for them at their minister's desire. The collector of Mr. Whittlesey's society had been advised by the governor not to require taxes of these Baptists. He had, moreover, sent to them proclamation for fasts and thanksgiv- ings as to other churches. But they claimed that the Baptists were not by the letter of the law a legal society, so decided his preaching to be disorderly. They required him to make confession, and gave him over night to think of it. But he declined to do what they re- quired. They then passed judgment on him as follows: 'At a meet- ing of the Convocation of New Haven County, convened by and ac- cording to adjournment at New Haven, February 9th, 1741-2. A complaint being given in by Theophilus Yale, Esq., a member of the First church in Wallingford, against the Rev. Philemon Robbins, pas- tor of the First church in Branford, within this county, that the said Mr. Philemon Robbins has preached in said First society in Walling-
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
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