History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 92

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 92
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 92

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Since that time select schools have been taught in the town by Miss E. L. Townsend and others.

The Union Church edifice was in process of construction in 1825. It was built for the purpose of having a house of worship that could be used by one and all. The contributors were Moses Wheeler, Aaron Bron- son, Austin Hine, Adin Johnson, Samuel Candee, Jervis Sommers, the Joel Wheeler family and others. It was used occasionally by the Episco- palians, Congregationalists and Baptists. From 1830 to 1845, or to the time the Methodist church was built in Southbury, the Methodists had a flourishing society here, holding regular service, supplied by local and circuit preachers. Of the local men there were Wooster and Treat from Middlebury. The celebrated circuit preacher, Fuller, was one time located here. Many dated their conversion from the great revival of the decade of 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Shelden Bristol, Joseph Wheeler, Burton Hinman, Daniel Abbott, Lugrand Sharp and Moses Tuttle, were members of that church.

The house was repaired, in 1863, as before in an undenominational way. More recent repairs made at the instance of Episcopal ladies of this locality have made the house fairly comfortable. Church ser- vices have been held with considerable regularity since 1880, first in connection with the Church of the Epiphany, of Southbury, and later under the auspices of the parishes of St. Peter and Christ in Ox- ford.

In 1882 the place became a part of regular church work as the " Mission of the Good Shepherd," and since 1886 the rector of the Ox- ford parishes has here held a regular Sunday ministration. The re- moval of many persons, consequent upon the suspension of work at the paper mill in 1888, has left the number of communicants very small.

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The old Southford burying ground was the gift of Captain Samuel Candee. The first interment was 1821. The Southford Burying Ground Association was subsequently organized and the ground en- larged and fenced. Samuel Candee, son of the captain, was sexton and treasurer, and Jason Curtiss clerk for a number of years. The ground is kept clean; is on an elevation from the road, and a hedge of evergreens lines the front. While there is nothing ostentatious, it shows the respect of the people for the place of their dead. It is lo- cated in the town of Oxford about three hundred feet from the line, and serves as a burial place for the adjacent parts of Oxford and Southbury.

Among the physicians who have practiced in town, one of the first was Doctor Andrew Graham, a son of the first minister. He began about 1750, living in the White Oak section, and continued in town until his death in 1785, aged 57 years. Contemporary with him was Doctor Lemuel Wheeler, who was a surgeon in the revolution, and died in 1782.

Doctor Anthony Burritt, born in 1752, in Newtown, studied with Doctor Perry, of Woodbury, and located in the northern part of South- bury before the revolution, in which he did duty as a surgeon. He was taken prisoner on Long Island, but was released through the ef- forts of his friend, Jabez Bacon, of Woodbury. In Southbury he had a large and successful practice. He died April 12th, 1839. Before his death his son, Anthony B. Burritt, born June 12th, 1810, and gradu- ated from Yale Medical school in 1832, was here in practice, which was continued more than half a century. He lived on Southbury Main street and was eminent in his profession until his deathı April 4th, 1886,

In 1866 Doctor A. E. Winchell began a practice which was soon after ended with his removal to New Haven. Earlier by 30 years was the professional life in the town, of Doctor Abraham L. Smith, who died in Southbury soon after.

Doctor Myron Lucius Cooley, the present physician, was born in Cheshire December 23d, 1859, and is a son of George WV. Cooley. He graduated from the Buffalo Medical College in February, 1886, after having also studied in Yale Medical School, and the same year located in Southbury, having offices at the Center and at South Britain. His practice is large and growing. At the latter place is also Doctor Rankin.

At South Britain have been, among others, as physicians, Doctors Joseph Tomlinson, who removed to Milford ; Joseph Trowbridge, Doctor Northrup and Doctor Nathan C. Baldwin, who died there after many years' practice.

Benjamin Stiles was probably the first attorney in the town, where he was born in 1720. He graduated from Yale in 1740, studied law and was successful in his profession. His son, Benjamin Stiles, Jr., born in Southbury in 1756, also graduated from Vale at the age of 20

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and became a lawyer. He had a large practice until his death in 1817.

Edward Hinman, born in 1744, and usually known as “Lawyer Ned," was an attorney at White Oak. He was a plain man, very corp- ulent, terse in his speech, but successful in his profession. His son, Simeon, commenced to practice in 1793, but discontinued in 1809. He died on the old homestead in 1825. His grandson, Edward Hinman, was also an attorney and became a county judge.

Royal R. Hinman, a native of Southbury, became a prominent law- yer in New York city. Robinson S. Hinman, born at South Britain in 1801, was admitted to practice in 1825. Three years later he located at Naugatuck, where he was postmaster 1830-1, when he removed to New Haven, where he became one of its prominent citizens. Joel Hinman was born at Southbury in 1802 and died in Cheshire in 1870. He was an attorney of note, appointed a judge of the supreme court in 1842 and chief justice in 1861.

Warren W. Guthrie, who was born at South Britain, was admitted to the bar in 1855. In 1856 he removed to Seymour, and a year later to Atchison, Kansas, where he became a leading lawyer. William Edmond, born at the same place in 1755, became a judge in Fairfield county. Others, natives of the town, who became lawyers elsewhere, were: John A. Graham, LL.D., a son of Doctor Andrew Graham, be- came noted in New York city; Amos M. Johnson; John G. Mitchell, at Salisbury; Harris B. Munson, at Seymour; George R. Shelton, at Seymour; Benjamin Wheeler, at Salisbury; and Ralph D. Smith, at Guilford.

Reverend George E. Pierce, D.D., a native of Southbury, graduate of Yale in 1816, removed to Ohio, where he was elected president of the Western Reserve College, and became quite distinguished as an educator.

For more than half a century the settlers of Southbury worshipped in Woodbury church, and were tributary to the First Ecclesiastical Society of that town. In May, 1731, the Southbury parish was incor- porated, and November 29th, 1732, this society voted to build a meet- ing house, and asked the assembly for a committee to locate a site. In May, 1733, the committee selected a final place, "setting the stake down on the hill between Lt. Andrew Hinman's and the house that was Elnathan Strong's." This site was in the highway nearly in front · of the present White Oak school house. The building was a plain frame, 35 by 45 feet, with 23 foot posts, and was not fully completed for 20 years. At the end of two years, October, 1735, the society re- ported that two doors had been put in, the lower floor laid, and it was reasonably comfortable to attend "ye worship of God in." Three years later there were only 28 families in the parish, as formed by the new line, and in spite of the payment of the £300 by the First or

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Woodbury society, the means were so scant that there were no pulpit and proper seats.

In spite of this lack of comforts and conveniences the house had been regularly occupied for worship, and the ministration of a pastor called November 29th, 1732. On that date it was voted to settle Reverend John Graham, and to build a house for him on the orchard land of Captain Titus Hinman, and one acre of Wait Hinman's land adjoin- ing, " to be two stories high, 20 by 40 feet, and to provide the same with a chimney." His salary was fixed at £100 per year, to be paid in money or provisions, at market prices, exclusive of the use of the parsonage and lands. He accepted December 19th, 1732, and soon after entered upon his duties. His house was built on the site of tlie Mitchell Mansion, where he lived through a long and useful pastorate, terminated by his death, December 11th, 1774, in the 81st year of his age. Mr. Graham was a native of Scotland, and had been educated as a physician, but relinquished that profession to become a clergyman. It is claimed that he was a descendant of the duke of Montrose, and he certainly appears to have been a man of more than ordinary rank.

The organization of the church took place after the call of the minister, on January 17th, 1733, and the following were the original members: Reverend John Graham, Captain Titus Hinman, Deacon · Benjamin Hicock, Deacon Noah Hinman, John Pierce, Nathaniel San- ford, Sr., Ephraim Hinman, Ebenezer Squires, Joseph Hinman, Rich- ard Brownson, Lieutenant Andrew Hinman, Titus Hinman, Jr., Solo- mon Johnson, Stephen Hicock, Timothy Brownson, Thomas Drakely, Roger Carley, Ebenezer Down, Nathaniel Sanford, Jr., Abijah Brown- son, Harriet Hicock, Elizabeth Hinman, Abigail Graham, Mary Hin- man, Maney Hinman, Sarah Hinman, Hester Hinman, Ann Hinman, Eleanor Squire, Mary Brownson, Bethiah Sanford, Prudence Johnson, Comfort Pierce, Dinah Down, Bethiah Hicock, Maney Johnson, Eunice Drakely, Sarah Porter, Abigail Brownson, Lois Hicock.

In 1734 "Capt. Andrew Hinman or, in his stead, Joseph Hinman was appointed to set the psalms and to lead in the public praise of God, having liberty to use any tune on lecture days."

Enfeebled by old age, Mr. Graham had the service of a colleague pastor eight years before his death, in the person of Reverend Benja- min Wildman, who was appointed August 18th, 1766. He entered upon this office October 22d, 1766, and here served in the pastorate un- til his death in 1812. He had graduated from Yale in 1753, and was well qualified to succeed Mr. Graham. In disposition he was jovial, but was nevertheless a sincere Christian, and succeeded in keeping up the standard of the church, even through the troublous times of the revolution and the controversy attending the building of a new meet- ing house. He lived in a residence which is still standing as the home of John J. Hinman.

It was not many years before the first meeting house was too small

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to accommodate the congregation, and a new house was demanded. As in the first instance, the question of site proved troublesome, and it was several years before an agreement could be reached. Finally, after four years' effort, a site was selected on Southbury street, south of the old site, on which was begun in 1764 one of the largest and finest meeting houses in this part of the state. It was twelve years before it was fully completed and was a noteworthy object many miles around, with its high spire, in which was a good bell and also a clock. These were purchased by general subscriptions of the citizens of the town, which were secured in December, 1773.

The meeting house stood at the head of the lane leading to the middle cemetery, which it fronted, and was used until the present house was occupied in 1844, when it was taken down and the material removed.

The location of the present meeting house, still further south, on the main street, also disaffected a number of members, some of whom withdrew in consequence and connected themselves with other churches. The site is, however, very central, and no doubt was ju- diciously selected. The building committee, appointed in February, 1844, consisted of Sherman Tuttle, Ira Strong, Benjamin J. Hinman, Jedediah Hall and Thomas Brown, and the house was fully completed in the fall of 1845, when a new assignment of pews was made. It has since been kept in good condition by repairs and has been renovated, so as to have a very attractive interior. Externally it is a frame of pleasing proportions.

In 1813 Reverend Elijah Wood became the pastor and remained until his death in June, 1815. He was a good man and was much es- teemed by his parishioners. Reverend Daniel A. Clark was the pastor from 1816 to 1819, when a vacancy of about seven years occurred, in which the pulpit was supplied by Reverends Smith, Wilcox, Payson and others.

In the fall of 1815 a permanent church fund was established by members contributing from $10 to $300 each, and in the spring of 1818 a parsonage fund of $1,200 was raised in the same manner, the largest contributor being Nathan Curtiss, who gave $200. A home- like parsonage in the lower part of the street was later secured, which is still the property of the society. To the church fund have been added bequests from time to time until in 1890 it amounted to $4,480 .- 95. This included a legacy of $500 by Miss Eliza Hinman, in 1855, and a bequest of $1,000 by B. T. Brown, of Columbus, Ohio, in 1872. The Sunday school has also a sustaining fund, $500 of which was be- queathed by Henry W. Scott, Jr., who died December 6th, 1871, just as he was entering upon a period of great usefulness, for which he had been fitted by a thorough education at home and abroad.

While there was such a commendable interest displayed in pro- viding permanent support for the church from 1815 until 1825, the

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same period was characterized by quite a defection of members, a num- ber signing off to free themselves from the society rates.

In 1826 Reverend Thomas L. Shipman became the pastor, and his ministry of ten years is still remembered for its substantial effects. In 1831 especially, the church had a revival of unusual interest, re- sulting from a four days' meeting, following closely upon the sad drowning of Miss Hinman, whose untimely death caused a serious feeling which led to reflection upon religious matters. Many were added to the church. whose interest in its work has continued unabated until this day.

In November, 1836, Reverend W. H. Whittemore became the pastor and continued until 1850. Since that time the pastors have been: April, 1850, to 1856, Reverend George P. Prudden, stated sup- ply; May, 1856, to July, 1859, Reverend Jason Atwater, stated supply; January, 1860, until the fall of 1871, Reverend A. B. Smith, acting pastor. In October, 1871, Reverend John Hartwell began his labors and a year later he was installed to a pastorate which was terminated by his death December 18th, 1879. From May, 1880, until January, 1882, the stated supply was Reverend Howard Billman, who was fol- lowed by Reverend William Miller, acting in the same capacity, until March, 1884. Since that time the pulpit has been supplied by Rever- end David F. Pierce.

In recent years the membership of the church has been very small, owing to deaths, removals and changes in population, being at present only 45.

The deacons of the church were elected as follows: 1732, Benjamin Hicock, Noah Hinman, Benjamin Hicock and Daniel Curtiss; 1775, Timothy Osborne and Samuel Strong; 1783, Jonathan Mitchell; 1813, Adin Wheeler; 1818, Marcus D. Mallory; 1823, Noah Kelsey; 1830, Nathan Mitchell; 1833, Frederick Perry; 1833, Jason Curtiss; 1847, Ira Strong; 1861, Cyrus G. Bostwick and Sherman Tuttle ;* 1868, David M. Wheeler; 1884, Andrew A. Stone; 1887, Gidney A. Stiles .*

The clerks of the society for many years were the following: Wil- liam Hinman, William Mitchell, Edward Hinman, Nathan Mitchell; from 1842 to 1884, Sherman Tuttle, Gidney A. Stiles and Charles A. Stone. The treasurer of the society and fund agent is Charles S. Brown.

The South Britain Congregational church is an offshoot of the First society. The purchase of the Indian reservation in 1734 induced many people to locate in what is now the western part of the town, and these soon longed for church privileges more convenient than Sonthbury street. Accordingly, in 1761, a request was made for four months winter preaching in each year, at some central place, in the new or south purchase. Three years later 38 persons united in a pe- tition for a separate parish, and prayed for a division line along the

* Deacons in 1890.

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mountains separating the east and west sections. Against this movement was presented a counter petition, signed by 69 per- sons and the matter was deferred. In May, 1765, the petition was renewed and the matter very effectively presented by the following petitioners: Wait Hinman, James Edmond, Ebene- zer Hinman, Samuel Hinman, Ebenezer Squires, John Garrett, Ebenezer Down, Samuel Wheeler, John Pearce, Eleazer Mitchell, Benjamin Allen, Aaron Down, Zebulon Norton, Robert Edmond, Moses Jolinson, Gideon Curtiss, Samuel Curtiss, Ichabod Tuttle, Tim- othy Allen, Matthew Hubbell, Comfort Hubbell, Thomas Tousey, John Hobart, Solomon Johnson, Silas Hubbell, James Stanclift, Joseph Bald- win, Ebenezer Down, David Pearce, John Mallory, Abraham Pearce, Michael Hau, Joseph Darling, John Park, Gideon Booth, Amos Brown- son, Samuel Hicock, Moses Down, John Johnson, James Edmonds, Jr., Russell Franklin, Joseph Baldwin, Jr., Elijah Hinman, Bethuel Hin- man, Samuel Pearce.

In addition to praying for a separate society, they asked to be re- lieved from the payment of a tax of 12 pence on the pound, which had been levied to build a meeting house in the old society. This petition availed, and in May, 1766, the South Britain society was incorporated and those within its bounds were released from paying taxes to the old society.

The South Britain society was organized June 5th, 1766, at the house of Moses Downs (used in 1890 as the Methodist parsonage), Wait Hinman moderating and Matthew Hubbell acting as clerk. It was here voted to hold meetings for two months at the house of Moses. Downs. In September, 1766, the movement to build a meeting house was begun, but three years elapsed before there was an agreement as to the site, which was in the present village of South Britain and in front of the present church edifice. In December, 1770, the society reported the house enclosed, and a debt of £90 resting upon it. A number of years elapsed before it was fully completed and repairs were soon after necessary. In January, 1825, it was voted to build a new meeting house, a short distance north of the old one, and after some effort, that was accomplished. This house had a high pulpit be- tween the doors, box pews and other features common in that day. In May, 1869, the work of remodeling and modernizing the meeting house was begun, the services now being held in the Methodist church. There was an outlay of $4,600, and on the 25th of November, 1869, the house was rededicated by Reverend Amos E. Lawrence. In 1890 the house was supplied with new carpets and made attractive in other ways, being now in good condition throughout.

After the incorporation of the parish winter meetings were held several years before the formal organization of the church, which took place at the house of Moses Downs, June 29th, 1769, when 36 per- sons united in fellowship. John Pearce was chosen deacon ; Captain

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Downs was appointed to read the psalms ; and John Garrett. Andrew Dunning, Captain Bassett and John Skeel were chosen choristers. Reverend Jehu Minor had already been installed (May 24th, 1769, after preaching for the society several months) and was now continued as the first pastor, on a settlement of £200 and an annual salary of £70. He was dismissed June 1st, 1790, after some little difficulty aris- ing from a charge that he had neglected the interests of his parish- ioners in paying too much attention to his own affairs as a farmer, he having become a large landowner. In his pastorate 109 persons were added to the church.

Reverend Matthias Cazier was the acting pastor from August, 1799, till 1804, and Reverend Thomas Osgood served in the same relation, in parts of 1806 and 1807. In the fall of the latter year Reverend Ben- nett Tyler preached. He was called to the pastorate in April, 1808, and ordained and installed June 1st, 1808. In his ministry in 1812 there was a notable revival, which resulted in an addition of 50 mem- bers. He was dismissed March 6th, 1822, to become the president of Dartmouth College. He was born in Middlebury, near Quassepaug lake, in 1783, and graduated from Yale in 1804. In 1834 he became the president of the Theological Institute of Connecticut, and was one of the most distinguished scholars of his time.

Reverend Noah Smith was installed October, 1822, and died Octo- ber 10th, 1830. Reverend Darius Mead was the acting pastor from February, 1833, till July, 1834. In his ministry 41 were added to the church. Reverend Oliver B. Butterfield was installed June 27th, 1837, and died November 14th, 1849. The next regular minister was the Reverend Amos E. Lawrence, installed December 10th, 1851, and dis- missed August 1st, 1860. Reverend John M. Wolcott supplied the pulpit from August, 1860, until his installation as pastor February 20th, 1861. He was dismissed July 1st, 1865. Reverend Homer S. Newcomb was the acting pastor from July 24th, 1865, until July 1st, 1872. Reverend Charles B. Curtiss was ordained and installed Octo- ber 29th, 1873, and dismissed November 20th, 1874. On the 14th of December, 1875, Reverend Samuel J. Bryant was called, ordained and installed August 30th, 1876, and dismissed by council July 1st, 1884. Reverend Seneca M. Keeler was called October 3d, 1884, and installed November 19th the same year. He was dismissed as pastor June 3d, 1890, but supplied the pulpit until Angust the same year.

The deacons of the church were appointed to that office as follows: 1769, John Pearce and Ebenezer Downs; years not given, Eleazer Mitchell, Stephen Platt, Solomon Seward and Joseph Bassett; 1798, Isaac Curtiss; 1801, Warren Mitchell; 1827, Simeon Platt; 1835, Anson Bradley and Elliott Beardsley; 1860, Nelson Warren Mitchell; and 1864, George A. Hoyt, the latter two still serving in 1890.

For a number of years Averill B. Canfield was clerk of the church, but after his death, in April, 1890, George W. Mitchell was appointed

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to that office; Henry P. Downes was the treasurer; Alfred Platt, clerk of the society; and the standing committee were E. A. Platt, William E. Mitchell and Sidney S. Platt.

The church has about 150 members, and a Sabbath school of about the same number of members is well supported and ably conducted. William E. Mitchell is the superintendent.

The early history of the Methodist Episcopal churches is somewhat obscure; but it is claimed that Methodist preachers visited the town and held meetings at private houses as early as 179S. Soon after a class was formed on George's hill, which had among its early mem- bers Newton Tuttle, Joseph Pierce, Daniel Clark and their wives; Eber Griswold, Anna French and a few others. Its meetings were held in the school house in that locality, which, after 1815, was en- larged and used for religious meetings only about 17 years. A small grave yard was opened near by, which is also disused. The increase of membership caused the society to erect a new house of worship in 1832, at South Britain, which afforded a more central location. This building was much enlarged and improved in 1851, and further trans- formed into a more beautiful place by more recent repairs, the last being done a few years ago. A comfortable parsonage has also been provided at South Britain.

At Southford * the Methodists were organized later than at South Britain, and the class at Southbury street was not formed until some time about 1840. Both were weak in numbers, and their efforts were united to hold meetings in the brick school house, which were the means of awakening considerable interest. About this time Reverend Sylvester Smith was the regular minister. A number of members joining after 1844, a neat frame meeting house was built in 1847, which has since been kept in good repair. The house cost about $3,000. It was completed October, 1847.

The church at South Britain has about 30 members, and there is a Sunday school of 25 members, which has S. L. Tuttle as its superin- tendent; the Southbury church has about the same number of mem- bers, and its Sunday school superintendent is Herman Perry.

The following have been the ministers who have served the circuit since 1847: 1848-9, Reverend S. W. Smith: 1850-1, S. D. Nickerson; 1852-3. C. P. Mallory: 1854-5, I. Sanford; 1856-7, S. J. Stebbins; 1858, Ira Abbott; 1860, S. Husted; 1861-2, W. T. Gilbert; 1863-4, J. W. Simpson; 1865, W. H. Stebbins; 1868, S. Johnson; 1869, W. T. Gil- bert; 1870-2, David Osborne; 1873-4, L. S. Stowe; 1875-6, F. F. Jordan; 1877, WV. A Munson; 1878-80, W. H. Barton; 1881, W. J. Robinson; 1882-4, H. Schofield; 1885-6. Otis J. Range; 1887-8, George L. Coburn; 1889-90, James Robinson.

From the town have gone as Methodist ministers Reverends New- ton Tuttle, Moses Osborne, Aaron Pierce and Stephen Bray.

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 92

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