History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 7

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 1138

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 7
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 7

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ford, in a disorderly and offensive manner, as by said complaint is set forth and laid before this Consociation:

"' Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. Robbins so preaching was disor- derly.

". Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. Philemon Robbins should not sit as a member of this council for his disorderly preaching.'

"This judgment being read, Mr. Robbins took leave, went home and made this memorandum: 'The crime is preaching to the Bap- tists, and the punishment is being secluded from the Consociation.'

"But, unexpectedly, the punishment is turned into a crime, and becomes the burden of more serious complaints. At the next meet- ing of the association he found a complaint against him from some of his own people. Everything seemed to be managed in the greatest secrecy, for he only learned of it at the last moment. The association sent him this notice:

"' The Association of the County of New Haven convened at New Cheshire May 31st, 1743. To the Rev. Mr. Philemon Robbins, Pastor of the First Church in Branford. Reverend Sir, and dear Brother; By a paper, given into this association by one of the members of your church, and signed by six members of the same, we are given to un- derstand that there is an uneasiness among a number of your people, with your conduct and management in sundry particulars; and, hoping that it may be of good service, we have desired a number of our body, viz .: the Rev. Messrs. Jacob Hemingway, Samuel Russell, Samuel Hall, Isaac Stiles and Jonathan Merrick, to repair to Branford on the second Tuesday of June next, to make inquiry into the difficulties among your people, and shall rejoice if they may be instrumental of good and peace among you; and hoping you will take this in good part, and treat the motion candidly, we heartily wish you well.

' Test, THOMAS RUGGLES, Scribe. ' By order of Association.'

" When he found who of his people had petitioned for this, he was much surprised. One was an old non compos mentis man, unable to at- tend church; others were persons who had never given him any reason to believe they were uneasy. Three were persons who had annoyed him before, and who had evidently moved against him at the instiga- tion and advice of some of the ministers. He could never get a copy of the things complained of; but, as near as he could learn by diligent inquiry, they were these:

"1st. That Mr. Robbins has set up lectures, without a vote of the church for it.

"2d. That he denies the platform.

"3d. That he has baptized a child at New Haven.

" 4th. That he is a promoter of divisions and separations.

"5th. That he admits members of the separate church at New Haven to the Communion."

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

The number and nature of these charges showed very plainly that these members had been instigated by some of the ministers of the Consociation. Mr. Robbins soon quieted the apprehensions of his parishioners and even made everything satisfactory to the five mem- bers who had complained of him. But his opponents were not satis- fied. New complaints were lodged, at the instance of the opposing ministers, and nothing Mr. Robbins could say or do would satisfy them. After a protracted trial of two years and much agitation, the Con- sociation formally deposed him from the ministry.

" His church and people now took the case in their own hands. In- stead of using the liberty which the law of the legislature gave them, they paid their minister's salary with more cheerfulness and punctu- ality than before. Instead of admitting the charges of error filed against him before Consociation, the church, nem. con., met and rebut- ted them thus: 'We are of opinion that what is contained in the arti- cles against the pastor of this church, respecting doctrines and princi- ples, is very wrongfully and injuriously charged, and disagreeable,' contrary to 'the known course and tenor of his preaching. We think Mr. Robbins preaches the doctrines of grace more clearly than in some of the first years of his ministry among us; and yet we have too much reason to fear that our uneasy brethren and neighbours, especially some of the principal of them, are dissatisfied on account of those doc- trines: which doctrines, for our part, we think are clearly revealed in the word of God, and adhered to by the reformed churches, as appears by their confessions of faith and catechisms; and we trust God has and will implant them in our hearts, and enable us to maintain them as long as we live.' No very pleasant decision for such men as Whittle- sey and Stiles, who had ordained and given the right hand of fellow- ship to young Robbins, and whose new light was now so brilliant as to give pain to their visual organs. He was ecclesiastically silenced and deposed. His flock would not submit. They voluntarily with- drew from the compact into which they had entered with the neigh- boring churches about 38 years before. They retained their minister and loved him the more for his trials and his increased soundness in the faith. His opponents appealed to the assembly for aid to quell or to awe this rebellious spirit. . The assembly, in May, 1748, cited the society to appear before them and answer to the complaint. The soci- ety appointed John Russell, Esq., and Samuel Barker to be their agents or attorneys, to appear before the assembly and show reasons why the prayer of said petition should not be granted. The assembly, after hearing the parties, appointed a council of seven ministers from dif- ferent parts of the colony, requesting them to repair to Branford and hear the parties, and endeavor to make peace in the society. On hear- ing the decision of the assembly, the society here voted to request and entreat the ministers so appointed by the assembly, together with messengers from their respective churches, to meet at Branford, on

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Wednesday, the 20th of June, 1748. But the council never met. Though requested again in July, that they would be pleased to come and attend to the business of their appointment, they came not. Being let alone, the difficulties died out. The days of Mr. Robbins were thenceforth spent in peace with his people-in the love and confidence of his church and of the whole community. Without any formal act of restoration, he was called gradually into the councils and associa- tions of his brethren."*

Being received into the Consociation and the association, Mr. Rob- bins remained an honored and trusted member until his death, August 13th, 1781. He preached the preceding day with unusual animation, closing his sermon with the words " Glory! glory!" After dinner, on the day of his death, he sat down in his arm chair and was soon ap- parently asleep, but, as it proved, went quietly out of this life into the next. Two of his sons became eminent as ministers. His later de- scendants, also, have honored the name.

Not long after the settlement of Mr. Robbins it was determined to build a new meeting house. "March 15th, 1738, the Society moves to build a new meeting house. October 11th, 1738, they decide to build it west of the old one, and 64 feet long by 44 feet wide, with 24 foot posts, but nearly two years pass away before they really get to work at the new house." It was occupied in 1744, and was in the style of that day, a two-story house without a spire. In 1803 a steeple was built to the house and a clock placed in the spire. With other repairs this meeting house was used until 1843, when it was removed and a part of the present brick edifice was occupied, in the pastorate of the Rev- erend T. P. Gillett. This house was practically rebuilt in 1868-9, in Mr. Baldwin's pastorate. A new front, with tower and steeple, was built, and the rear was lengthened 15 feet, making the building very commodious. It was also thoroughly refitted and a new organ pro- vided. The entire outlay was about $26,000. It has since been re- paired. In 1889 a very fine parsonage, costing $7,000, was erected on the old Frisbie lot, in the rear of the church edifice. All the property is in good condition.

After the death of Mr. Robbins the pulpit was vacant several years, when Reverend Jason Atwater was secured as the next pastor. He was a native of Hamden, Conn., and a graduate of Yale College. He was ordained by the Consociation, March 10th, 1784. He died of con- sumption, June 10th, 1794. His pastorate was ten years and three months. The society gave him £300 settlement, and £100 salary, with the privilege of cutting firewood from the society's lands. During his ministry 96 were added to the church; the baptisms were 187, of which number 19 were adults; marriages, 96.

The next pastor, Reverend Lynde Huntington, was a native of Norwich, and a graduate of Yale. He was ordained the 28th of Oc- * Reverend T. P. Gillett.

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

tober, 1795, and died of consumption, September 20th, 1804. The so- ciety gave him as a settlement £300, and £95 salary, "with the priv- ilege of cutting wood sufficient for his own fires from the Society's lands, so long as he shall continue to preach in said Society." The additions to the church under his ministry were 50; the baptisms 121, adults 2; marriages, 50.

Reverend Timothy P. Gillett, son of Reverend Alexander Gillett, of Torrington, was settled as the next pastor. He was ordained June 15th, 1808. The society gave him a " a salary of $500, to be paid an- nually, until from continued ill health and infirmity he is no longer able to perform the duties of the gospel ministry among them," with the privilege of cutting his firewood from the society's land. His salary was not increased, remaining as fixed until he ceased to be the active pastor. But so frugal was he, without being mean or miserly, that, without engaging in any speculations, his estate in 1881 amounted to $80,000, some of which was given to benevolent objects. During his pastorate many additions were made to the membership of the church, the last years of his life being the most fruitful. He continued as pastor emeritus until the fall of 1866. His health having failed, Reverend Jacob G. Miller was appointed colleague pastor in 1859, and so served until 1864. The following year Reverend Elijah C. Baldwin was settled in a like relation, and after Mr. Gillett's death became the pastor. He continued until 1878. He was an able and conscientious minister and the last to remain a term of years. Since his departure the acting pastors have been: 1878-80, Reverend C. W. Hill; 1880-84, Cyrus P.Osborne; 1885-88, Henry Pearson Bake; 1888, Thomas Bickford.

On the 1st of January, 1889, the latter was settled as the pastor. He was ordained to the ministry in 1875. His labors here the past year have been successful, about fifty members being added, making the present (1890) membership 340, contributed by 190 families in the parish. In addition to its labors at home the church has encouraged mission services at Short Beach, and aided in establishing the church at Stony Creek.

The church maintains a well equipped Sabbath school of several hundred members, having Horace B. Meigs as superintendent, and has also a number of aid societies connected with it.

The following have been the deacons and the years of their elec- tion: Lawrence Ward, uncertain: John Rose, uncertain; George Bald- win, uncertain; Samuel Harrington, after 1689; Samuel Rose, after 1689; John Russell, 1733; Edward Barker, 1757; Nathaniel Foot, 1763; El- nathan Beach, 1763; Stephen Smith, 1771; Daniel Maltbie, 1771; Samuel Rogers, 1777; Zaccheus Baldwin, 1795; Samuel Tyler, 1800; Samuel Frisbie, 1809; Eli Fowler, 1816; Harvey Page. 1851; Jeremiah Russell, 1852; * William Linsley, 1857; John Plant, -; * Austin M. Babcock, 1869.

Of the foregoing, John Russell, who was a son of Reverend Samuel Russell, was, in his day, one of the most distinguished civilians in town. *Now in office.

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

The following Congregational ministers have been raised up in the town of Branford: Reverends Joseph Barker, John Tyler Benedict, Thomas Wells Bray, Andrew Bartholomew, Samuel Barker, Thomas Canfield, John Cornwall, John Foote, Levi Frisbie, Josiah Frisbie, Dana Goodsell, George Justus Harrison, Jared Harrison, Roger Har- rison, L. I. Hoadley, Lewis F. Morris, Solomon Palmer, Abraham Pier- son, Ammi R. Robbins, Chandler Robbins, D.D., Samuel Russell, Ebenezer Russell. Lemuel Tyler and Samuel Whiting.

Trinity Church ( Protestant Episcopal)# had its origin in the dissent- ing minority of the First Society, or those who were avowed opponents of Mr. Robbins after he had become a "new light." In 1748 these opponents of Mr. Robbins petitioned the general court for aid in car- rying into effect the decree of the New Haven Consociation, debarring him from ministerial duties, and to the obeyance of which he paid no heed. The petitioners were Nathaniel Harrison, Nathaniel Johnson, Joseph Frisbie, Noah Rogers, John Rogers, John Rogers, Jr., John Linsley, Jonathan Hoadley, Jolin Hoadley, Nathaniel Hoadley, Benjamin Palmer, Demetrius Cook, Ebeneser Frisbie, Orchard Guy, Daniel Palmer, Samuel Maltby, Nathaniel Butler, Joseph Bishop, Samuel Frisbie, Micha Palmer, Jr., Noalı Baldwin, Abraham Palmer, Ebenezer Linsley, Uzal Cook, Nathan- iel Frisbie, Isaac Cook, Abijah Hobart. Daniel Frisbie, Jonathan Good- sell.

The names in italics represent the families which probably em- braced Episcopacy, though it is by no means certain that every per- son so indicated became a churchman. Many of the foregoing remained Congregationalists, forgetting, in the course of a few years, their dis- affection with the " new light " doctrines.

In September, 1748, Reverend Matthew Graves, missionary from New London, and Doctor Samuel Johnson, from Stratford, held Epis- copal services in the town, and thereafter they were continued with some regularity, so that the church properly had its beginning in that year. A few years later the society was more fully organized and un- der its direction regular missionaries served it : Reverend Matthew Graves in 1748; Samuel Johnson, D.D., in 1748, 1752 and 1766; Eben- ezer Punderson, 1752-61; Solomon Palmer, 1763-6; Bela Hubbard, D. D., 1767-84. During the revolution the feeling against the Episcopal church was very strong and but little advance was made. The society had, in these latter years, only a nominal existence, and in June, 1784, steps were taken to reorganize and to found the present parish. This act was consummated November 29th, 1784, when the following were elected as the first parish officers: Mr. Ebenezer Linsley and Captain Samuel Russell, church wardens; Captain John Russell, Obed Linsley, Thomas Frisbie, John Rogers, Jr., Papillian Barker, Captain Ebenezer Barker and Edward Barker, vestrymen; William Monro, clerk of the church and society.

* From data by Reverend M. K. Bailey, Eli F. Rogers, Esq., and others.

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

At the same meeting a vote was passed with the intention of pro- curing Mr. Sayre as their minister, and he probably was in charge while the church was building.

The next step was the formal notice of organization given to the First Society, so as to secure exemption from paying rates. This no- tice was signed by the following:

"Ebenezer Linsley

Barnabas Palmer

Jonathan Hoadley

Obed Linsley

Ralph Isaacs

William Monro

Isaac Rogers

John Russell

Jonathan Hoadley jur

Allen Smith

Samuel Russell

George Cook

Thomas Frisbie

Oliver Landfair jur

Ebenezer Barker

Roswell Chidsey

Abraham Rogers

George Friend

Ebenezer Frisbie

Sarah Johnson

John Garrett

Martha Olds

Nathaniel Palmer

John Cory

Thomas Barker

Jacob Rogers

Peter Grant

Thomas Rose

Samuel Whedon

John Potter jur

John Rogers jur

Daniel Jones

Pennock Houd

Abel Frisbie

Stewart Gaylord

Jonathan Barker

Ebenezer Frisbie jur

Benjamin Barker

Timothy Barker

Obediah Tyler

Elias Pond

Ebenezer Linsley 3d

Richard Spink

John Butler

Andrew Morris

Samuel Russell jur

Edmund Morris

Moses Stork

Papillian Barker

Samuel Palmer jur

Archelaus Barker

John Rogers

Daniel Frisbie jur

Ebenezer Linsley jur-

" By order of said Episcopal Church or Congregation in legal meet- ing assembled, holden in said Branford first society on the 11th day of December A.D. 1784.

WVILLM MONRO Clerk-

Ebenezer Linsley Samuel Russell Samuel Whedon John Russell Obed Linsley Thomas Frisbie Papillian Barker John Rogers jur

Committee-

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

"We whose names are in the foregoing. beg leave to address the first society, and to assure them that we wish them peace in Jesus Christ; and they with us may enjoy every blessing this world can afford, and eternal happiness in the World to come-By Order of the Episco- pal Church or Congregation in the first society in Branford."

After some little delay and consideration the matter was settled by a decision that the Episcopal society should be exempt from the payment of all rates for the benefit of the First society, after Decem- ber 13th, 1784, since which time Trinity parish has had a recognized independent existence.

The next step was to build a church, but here, as in many other places in the county, the selection of a site was attended with some difficulties.

" It was voted, December 28th, 1784, to build a church not to ex- ceed 50 feet by 38, and John Russell, William Monro, Captain Samuel Russell, Obed Linsley, Abraham Rogers, Papillian Barker and Eben- ezer Barker were appointed a committee to receive subscriptions, transact all business of building, and to search the First society's rec- ords to see whether liberty had formerly been granted to build a church, and in case it had not, to inake application for it. William Monro and Captain John Russell were also appointed to see an attor- ney about the rates, and to petition the county court for liberty to build a church. Neither of these committees seem to have gotten much satisfaction, for March 7th, 1785, Samuel Russell, John Russell, Ebenezer Barker, John Rogers, Jr., Abraham Rogers, Obed Linsley and William Monro were appointed to determine where the church should be built. This committee examined two sites- the hill where the timber now lies, likewise the ground near the school house hol- low.' March 25th, it was voted to build on this hill, which was called Baldwin's hill, if a title could be had. Where Baldwin's hill was can- not be decided, but probabilities indicate a site near the residence of Mr. Philander Hopson. This did not prove satisfactory, and the place selected was the ground near the school house hollow.' The de- cision was referred to Jonathan Ingersoll, Esq., of New Haven, and he fixed it.

" Meanwhile the subscription paper had been started. The first copy was drawn up December 28th, 1784, without doubt at the parish meeting. In this list several names appear which are not among the founders, one of them being Cambrig Primus, probably a slave or freed- man, who subscribed six shillings. A second list, showing amounts subscribed, paid and due, gives the sum total as £300-10-0. The tax list of forty-three members of the parish in 1786 aggregated £1,533-10-3. A part of the subscriptions were paid in labor and goods.

" The timber was drawn in February of 1785, the work on the frame was probably done in June and July. August 12th a contract

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

was given to Jacob Tyler, of Southington, to complete the church which was then raised. It was for £50, one-third to be paid in cattle · and cash, and two-thirds in West India rum and dry goods, the rum being valued at three shillings or fifty cents per gallon. In December men were still working at the pillars. The first parish meeting in the church was warned for the first Monday in May, 1786. In the period between December and May, then, the church was occupied.

" Three names appear in the documents of the time as most promi- nent-those of Samuel Russell. Ebenezer Linsley and Ralph Isaacs. They did a great deal of work for the parish, and were liberal in their contributions. The parish meetings were frequently held at the houses of the former two. Captain Russell and Ralph Isaacs made frequent journeys on parish business. The latter lived in the old farm house at Cherry hill. He entertained the clergy, and his contributions in money were larger than those of anyone else.

"At this point of the parish history we find the old church stand- ing northwest of the present edifice, where a line of the foundation stones still appears through the turf. It was unpretentious, being built somewhat after the school house model. But it represented much perseverance and toil. There was no recessed chancel, but a semi-circular rail enclosed the altar and the chancel space. The whole Sunday school used to gather about the rail to be catechised at the visit of the bishop. The pulpit was very high and stood against the wall, having a small dark robing room under it. It was afterward moved forward, and a convenient robing room placed behind it, the chancel was made square, reduced in size, and pews were added. The altar at first stood directly in front of the pulpit-afterward near the chancel rail, with a space behind it. Over the entrance was a semi- circular gallery, the ends extending about half the length of the church. The pillars were a conspicuous feature of the interior, and seem to have cost considerable labor. At one time it was intended to erect a spire, and the timber was drawn to the church. It was, how- ever, sold, and formed the spire of the Congregational church preced- ing the present one. It was pulled over, at the demolition of that edi- fice, and people who saw it fall remember how it quivered in the air like a serpent before it came down.

"For about forty years there was no way of heating the old church. A stove for burning wood was put in about 1825, the pipe being put through a window. Another was added a dozen years later. The seats were free, and the men and boys sat on one side, the women and children on the other."

With some minor repairs the church was used as built until 1840, when the old gallery was replaced by a new one. In 1845 the rectory property, which had been secured by a stock company after 1840, was transferred to the parish, and near the same time a pipe organ was placed in the church. A new church edifice being deemed necessary,

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

funds were raised in 1850, and Harry Barker, Isaac H. Palmer, Levi S. Parsons, David Averill and Benjamin Rogers were appointed a building committee. A plan which was deemed quite advanced for the times was selected, and the corner stone of the building was laid in April, 1851. The church was consecrated by Bishop Brownell Jan- uary 27th, 1852. Four years later the improved parsonage and the church were fully paid, leaving the parish free from debt.

The parish has been the recipient of a number of generous gifts, among them being, in 1859, the sum of $524 froin Abraham Rogers; in 1867, bonds from General Schuyler Hamilton, who was for a num- ber of years a devoted member of the church, to the amount of $1,000; in 1867, $404 from Captain David Barker, to provide free sittings in the church; in 1872. $500 from the estate of Mrs. Mary Daniels; in 1880, the Chapel of Grace, from Isaac H. Brown and his friends; in 1882, a bequest from Eli Goodrich, amounting to about $9,500.

The parish is prosperous financially and in numbers of members, having 140 families and 213 registered communicants. Its total yearly contributions are about $2,000.

The senior wardens of the church have been as follows: 1784-6, Ebenezer Linsley; 1787-1804, Samuel Russell; 1805, Isaac Hoadley; 1806-7, Samuel Russell; 1808-12, Andrew Morris; 1813-14, Ebenezer Linsley, Jr .; 1815, Timothy Johnson: 1816-18, Ebenezer Linsley; 1819, Timothy Johnson; 1820, Ebenezer Linsley; 1821-2, Timothy Johnson; 1823-4, Ebenezer Linsley; 1825-8, Abraham Rogers, Jr .; 1829-30, Tim- othy Johnson; 1831-2, Abraham Rogers; 1833. Timothy Johnson; 1834, Abraham Rogers: 1835, Timothy Johnson; 1836, Edward Linsley; 1837-43, Timothy Johnson; 1844 8, Edward Linsley; 1849-54, Isaac H. Palmer; 1855, Orrin Hoadley; 1856-7, Isaac H. Palmer; 1858-63, Orrin Hoadley; 1864-88, Isaac H. Palmer: 1889-, Walter E. Fowler.

The clergymen who have served the parish have been the follow- ing: Reverend Samuel Johnson, D.D., 1748, occasional services; Mat- thew Graves, 1748, occasional services; Ebenezer Punderson, 1752-61, stated services part of the time; Solomon Palmer, 1763-6, stated serv- ices part of the time; Bela Hubbard, D.D., 1767-83, probably occasional services; James Sayre, 1784-6, probably resident minister, church built; John Bowden, D.D .. 1785, one visit known; Jeremiah Leaming, D.D., 1787, one visit known; Edward Blakeslee, 1788-90, probably stated services part of the time; Tillotson Bronson, D.D., 1789, one visit known; Ambrose Hull, 1790-91, resident minister; Manoah Smith Miles, 1795-7, resident minister; Ammi Rogers, 1801-04, stated serv- ices part of the time; Virgil H. Barber, 1806, one visit known: Charles Seabury, 1808, one visit known; Benjamin Benham, 1809, two visits known, probably in charge; J. D. Jones, 1809-11, without doubt in charge of cure; Elijah G. Plimb, 1811-18, resident minister; Ashbel Baldwin, 1816, one visit recorded; Origen P. Holcomb, 1820-3, resi- dent minister; Joseph Perry, 1821, also in 1819; John M. Garfield,.

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 7

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.) Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York : W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 1138

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 1138