History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 100

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1317

USA > Connecticut > New London County > History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 100

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Mr. Lord was born in Saybrook, and was graduated at Yale College, 1717. His death occurred June 23, 1761.

The second pastor was Rev. Levi Hart, D.D., who was born in Southington. He was graduated at Yale College, 1760, and was ordained and installed pastor Nov. 4, 1762. He died Oct. 29, 1808.

Rev. Horatio Waldo was the third pastor. He was ordained and installed Feb. 14, 1810, and dismissed Sept. 2, 1828. Near the close of his ministry the Second Congregational Church was organized at Jewett City. Twenty members were dismissed from the First Church to form the Second. Thus what was originally one " became two bands."

The next pastor was Rev. Spofford D. Jewett, who was born in Barnstead, N. H. He was graduated at Dartmouth College, 1826, ordained and installed pas- tor Feb. 3, 1830, and dismissed June, 1836. He was afterwards settled in Windsor and Westchester.

Rev. William R. Jewett was ordained and installed pastor Jan. 13, 1837. Dismissed July 26, 1843.

Rev. Calvin Terry succeeded Mr. Jewett. He was ordained Dec. 23, 1846, and dismissed April 22, 1851.

Rev. B. F. Northrop was graduated at Yale College in 1824. For almost twenty-two years he held the pastorate of the First Congregational Church in Man- chester, which he resigned on account of failing health. After serving the American Sunday-School Union two years as its agent, he was installed pastor of the First Church in Griswold, July 6, 1853. He resigned during 1869, and in April, 1871, Rev. F. E. Fellows became pastor and remained about four years, and was succeeded by the present efficient pastor, Rev. Wm. B. Clarke.

Previous to the Revolutionary war a fund was raised for the support of the gospel in Griswold, which was added to early in the present century. This fund con- tinues to the present time, and amounts to about ten thousand dollars.

The church in its better days, from forty to a hundred years ago, was one of the strongest and the community one of the most intelligent in Eastern Con- necticut. The congregation came from a great dis-

tance in all directions, and ranked with that in Leb- anon and in Norwich.

Congregational Church, Jewett City .- On the 18th of February, 1825, a meeting of citizens was called to take measures for instituting a Congrega- tional society in Jewett City, to be known and called " The Second Ecclesiastical Society of Griswold." An adjourned meeting being held March 14th, the society was fully organized and the proper officers appointed.

At the request of the serious people of the Second Ecclesiastical Society in Griswold, Rev. Messrs. Sam- uel Nott, Levi Nelson, and Horatio Waldo met at Jewett City on the 14th day of April, 1825, to organ- ize a church in this place, if it should be thought expedient. Statements having been made by a com- mittee of the society, and certificates presented of the regular church membership of several persons who were desirous of being formed into a distinct church, with the consent of those churches to which they be- longed, the organization was effected in due form, in connection with public services at their house of wor- ship. The church at first consisted of the following twenty-three members, twenty of whom came by let- ter from the First Church in Griswold : Deacon Ste- phen Johnson, Mrs. Lydia Johnson, Daniel Wight, Mrs. Roxana Wight, Thomas H. Wilson, Mrs. Lucy E. Wilson, John Francis (2), Mrs. Esther Francis, Oliver Phillips, Sarah P. Phillips, Mrs. Lydia John- son, Mrs. Elizabeth Barstow, Mrs. Maria P. Morgan, Mrs. Abby C. Wilbur, Mrs. Eunice Cutler, Mrs. Mary W. Fanning, Mrs. Heppy Fanning, Alfred A. Young, Mrs. Lucy P. Young, Thomas Jackson, Mrs. Esther Jackson, Anson S. Cobb, Mrs. Mary Wilson.

Their place of worship was an unfinished stone structure in the upper part of the village, erected in 1814 for Episcopal uses. This organization becoming extinct at the end of four years, the building was then occupied by several other denominations until April, 1825, when it was bought by the Congregationalists. Afterwards it was remodeled and dedicated Sept. 3, 1828, and continued to be used by them for thirty- eight years. It was then sold to the Roman Catholics, the avails of which were appropriated towards build- ing a new and more spacious edifice.

Rev. Seth Bliss was the first pastor of this church and people. He was ordained June 15, 1825. The exercises were as follows :

Introductory prayer by Rev. Samuel Osgood, of Springfield.

Sermon by Prof. Fitch, of Yale College : Col. i. 28. Consecrating prayer by Rev. Samuel Nott, of Franklin.

Charge to the pastor by Rev. Joseph Strong, D.D., of Norwich.

Right hand of fellowship by Rev. John Hyde, of Preston.

Charge to the people by Rev. Levi Nelson, of Lisbou.

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Mr. Bliss was dismissed April 23, 1832, after a pas- torate of nearly seven years, and subsequently entered the service of the American Tract Society. Fifty-six persons united with this church during his ministry, -thirty-seven by profession and nineteen by letter.

Rev. George Perkins, from Ashburnham, Mass., was installed as the next pastor, Aug. 8, 1832,-ser- mon by Rev. Dr. Nott, of Franklin, -and dismissed Sept. 4, 1838. During his ministry of six years there were fifteen additions,-eleven by profession and four by letter. After his dismission he removed to Nor- wich, where he died, Sept. 17, 1852, aged sixty-nine.

Rev. William Wright was ordained Nov. 8, 1838, -- sermon by Rev. Mr. Arnold, of Colehester,-and dis- missed April 28, 1842. Eighteen were added to the church during his ministry,-eight by profession and ten by letter.

IIe was succeeded by Rev. T. L. Shipman, who was installed April 5, 1843, having been previously pas- tor of the First Church in Southbury. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Child, of Norwich. During his pastorate of eleven years this church was increased by eighty- seven members,-thirty-six by profession and fifty- one by letter. Mr. Shipman was dismissed Sept. 6, 1854, but still continues to reside in the place, where he shares the confidence of a people who will ever remember him with a warm affection.

Rev. Henry T. Cheever was installed May 29, 1856, having been previously settled at Lodi, N. J., Christie Street, N. Y., and Greenport, L. I. Prof. Shepard, of Bangor Theological Seminary, preached the sermon. He was dismissed Aug. 12, 1861. Additions under his ministry, thirty-seven,-ten by letter and twenty- seven by profession.

For several years from this date the pulpit was sup- plied by different ministers, mainly by Rev. Messrs. Shipman, Boss, and Laird.

The present pastor, Rev. J. W. Tuck, was installed May 3, 1866, having been previously settled in Lud- low and Thorndike, Mass. For better convenience, the services were held in the Baptist meeting-house.

Invocation and reading of the Scriptures by Rev. N. T. Allen, of the Baptist Church, Jewett City.

Prayer by Rev. M. M. G. Dana, of Norwich.

Sermon by Rev. T. P. Field, D.D., of New London.

Installing prayer, Rev. William M. Birchard, of Collamer.

Charge to the pastor, Rev. T. L. Shipman, of Jewett City.

Right hand of fellowship, Rev. R. P. Stanton, of Greeneville.

Address to the people, Rev. B. F. Northrup, of Griswold.

Concluding prayer, Rev. J. Edgar, of Eagleville.

The deacons of the church have been as follows : Stephen Johnson, chosen April, 1825; Joel Hyde, September, 1848; Henry L. Johnson, September, 1854; Nehemiah T. Adams, September, 1854; John R. Tracy, January, 1867.

The venerable and talented Rev. T. L. Shipman, in an historical address, delivered April 25, 1875, in speaking of the pastors, says,-

" The first pastor, Mr. Seth Bliss, was installed June 25, 1825, and con- tinued in this, his first and last pastorate, nearly seven years. Soon after his dismission he was elected to the office of corresponding secretary of the American Tract Society, from which he retired several years since. Ho resides at present in Berlin, Conn. Now more than fourscore years, he came to this village young, and with a 'mind to work,' and finding in this new field work enough to do. Nor was he suffered to 'Inbor in vain and spend his strength for naught.' His pastorato included 1831, that year so remarkable for a wide-spread revival of religion, and this infant church shared largely in the ontpouring of the Spirit. Twenty- four were added to the church on profession the first Sabbath of July, the first fruits of tho work, four in September, and seven in November, making an aggregato of thirty-five. When Mr. Bliss revisits his old home, as he loves to, he meets few familiar faces, but he expresses an in- torest in this church which he feels in no other people. May ho still live to pray for us and to rejoice in our prosperity.

" The next pastor was Rev. George Perkins. Ho was a native of l'lain- field, a graduate of Yute College, and a lawyer in early public life. Soon after, changing his profession, he was settled for a few years at Ashburn- ham, Mass. Ile was installed as pastor of this church in Angust, 1832, and dismissed in September, 1838. I need not descant upon his ministry. Some of you remember in what manner he went in and out before you, serving you with all humility of mind, seeking not yours but you. IIe was never made to bo a popular speaker, but he preached seven days in tho week eloquently, by the power of a holy life. I mot him at Nor- wich not long before his death. I said to him as wo met, 'You seem to walk lame " Ile replied, 'I have had a slight paralytic shock.' 'An uncle of mine,' said I, 'callod it death knocking at the door,' and he added, writing to a friend, ' He does not generally knock many times.' 'I so rogard it.' 'It does not trouble you ?' ' Oh, no ; I long to be gone. That last blow crushed me,' referring to the death of his son, who was instantly killed while employed in capturing a whale, by a stroke from tho fluke of the monster.

" Mr. Perkins was succeeded by Mr. William Wright. Mr. Wright camo fresh from the theological seminary in New Inven, and after laboring less than three years asked for a dismission, giving as his rea- son inadequate support. Ile retired in the midst of a revival which added some twenty names to our small church. After leaving here he was employed for some time at Plainville; his last engagement was for ten years at South Windsor. He now resides near Middletown, farming, and, I believe, occasionally preaching. My owu ministry commencod on the Sabbath following Mr. Wright's dismission, the second Sabbath of May, 1842, and was protracted, either as stated supply or pastor, to the close of May, 1856,-fourteen years. I need not speak of my ministry, if it were becoming mo to speak of it, for it is fresh in your recollection. Suffice to say that whatever was good in it you appreciated boyond its value, and over its faults, many and great, you threw the mantle of charity. On the 29th of May, 1856, Rev. Henry T. Cheever was installed, the late Prof. Shepard, of Bangor, preaching on the occasion. Mr. Cheever was a native of Hallowell, Me., and a graduate of Bowdoin College, in that State. ITis ministry was fulfilled among us in stirring times, and his soul was stirred to its depths during all the time he was with us. The outrages in Kansas and the execution of John Brown, whom he often styled in prayer and preaching ' the martyr-hero,' called forth from his lips words of burning indignation, and from his pen de- nunciations couched in language having any element but tameness. Whatever may be thought of his modes of dealing with that 'sum of villanies,' American slavery, all will accord him the praise of sincerity ; and his gospel sermons, as distinguished from discourses on the times, all will agree were among the best that it was ever their privilege to listen to. During his ministry twenty-seven were added to the church on profession, the most of them the fruits of a precious revival in 1858. From the time of Mr. Cheever's dismission to the commencement of our present pastor's labors among us the pulpit was supplied by various per- sons, for periods longer or shorter, principally by Mr. Boss, Mr. Laird, and myself. Mr. Laird closed a brief but very faithful ministry at Ilollis, N. II., dying with consumption, August 20, 1874, aged forty-six years. 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.' Our present pastor, Rov. J. W. Tuck, commenced his labors with us as a temporary supply in the autumn of 1865, and was installed, in responso to a unanimous call, May 3, 18GG, Dr. Field, of Now London, preaching on the occasion. He has now been with us nearly nine years as a pas-

RES.OF DEACON H.L.JOHNSON, JEWITT CITY, CONN.

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GRISWOLD.

tor, during which he has Jabored diligently and faithfully. I shall not say what I certainly should were he at this moment absent, recreating in Colorado or California, but this much I may record to the praise of divine grace, that the church has been strengthened in numbers, and I trust in graces; also, under his pastoral care two revivals have been en- joyed, the first adding more than twenty, and the last more than forty to the church on profession."

Episcopal Church .- An Episcopal Church was organized in Jewett City in about the year 1814, and erected an unfinished house of worship, which stood in the upper part of the village. It soon after de- clined, and no other attempt to establish the Episco- pal service has been made. The first and only rector was Rev. Ammi Rogers.

Baptist Church, Jewett City.1-The first recorded steps towards the formation of a Baptist Church in this place were taken in the spring of 1783. As a result of these efforts a church was formally organized July 6, 1786, at the house of Amos Read, Lisbon. It took the name of the Preston and Canterbury Church. Subsequently Mr. Read united with the church, was chosen deacon, and in 1802 was ordained their first regular pastor. They united with the school district in building a school-house sufficiently large for meeting purposes. This house stood on the site of the old "Fenner store." In 1813 they united with the Episcopalians in building a regular house of wor- ship. They now numbered 162, and had as a pastor Rev. Caleb Read, a son of their former pastor. majority of the stock in this house was bought up by a single individual and the house closed against thein. Their subsequent history till 1840 is written out in quite a lively persecution.

In the spring of 1840, Rev. Benajah Cook came among them to labor. He found the church disor- ganized and dispirited. However, le succeeded in gathering a band of thirty-seven, who on Sept. 13, 1840, were organized into what is still known as the Jewett City Baptist Church. They elected Reuben Barber and Rufus Williams to be deacons. They built and dedicated a house of worship Nov. 30, 1841. This same house, twice enlarged and remodeled, is still used. Its estimated value, with its surroundings, is eleven thousand dollars.

The church has had seven regular pastors,-Revs. B. Cook, 1840-49 ; D. D. Lyon, 1850-53 ; N. T. Allen, 1855-63; N. T. Allen, 1865-67; C. W. Ray, 1868-70; S. Latham, 1872-73; R. H. Bowles, 1873-76; O. C. Sargent, 1878.

The following have served as deacons : Rufus Wil- liams, Reuben Barber, B. A. Smith, F. S. Howe, and T. G. Read.

The present membership is two hundred and twenty. The present officers are as follows : O. C. Sargent, pas- tor ; B. A. Smith, T. G. Read, deacons ; E. Bennett, clerk; D. K. Prior, treasurer.

The following is a list of the constituent members as they were recorded: Benajah Cook, Rufus Wil- liams, Reuben Barber, Stephen Tift, Albert Wilson,

Nathan B. Peckham, Rufus Bennett, Arnold Bowen, Nancy P. Cook, Olive Wilson, Lydia Park, Margaret Peckham, Nancy Bennett, Thankful Law, Zilphia Ann Howe, Almy L. More, Charlotte Stillman, Mary Ann Brown, Susan Phillips, Maria Olin, Joanna Phillips, Rosanna Ecclestone, Olive Corey, Elijah D. Foster, Loinda Foster, Adah Smith, Cynthia Brooks, Ursula Hawkins, Susan Tift, Adah Bowen, Martha Ecclestone, Jane Street, Susan L. Street, Betsey Pratt, Elizabeth Fry, Margaret Barber, Amy .Davis Wright.

Catholic Church.2-In past years the Catholics of Jewett City were few and scattered, their spiritual wants being occasionally attended to by Rev. Father McCabe, of Danielsonville, whose mission then in- cluded several counties in Eastern Connecticut.

In 1861, Rev. James Quin was stationed at Morsup, and at the same time was given by his bishop juris- diction over the Catholics of the town of Griswold. In April, 1866, he purchased of the Second Congrega- tional Society their church property for seventeen hundred dollars. He continued to watch carefully over the interests of his flock till 1870, when he was removed to Rockville, where he died, November, 1872, He was succeeded by the Rev. Ferdinand Bolenger, who from Morsup still continued the work so well begun by his predecessor. He in turn was succeeded in October, 1872, by the Rev. James B. Reynolds. He was the first resident pastor. Of a delicate con- stitution, he soon succumbed to the hardships of his extensive missionary field, and died of pneumonia after a short pastorate, December, 1874. In the January fol- lowing Rev. John Russell, of Minden, assumed charge. Meanwhile the Catholics had increased in numbers; the church proving too small for their accommodation, it was enlarged and embellished at the cost of several thousand dollars by Rev. J. Russell. For three years and a half he worked incessantly for the good of his people. In June, 1878, he was removed to Norwalk, and the Rev. Thomas P. Joynt was chosen his suc- cessor. Since his advent he has built the new beauti- ful parsonage. The Catholics of Jewett City number about one thousand, of whom one-third are French Canadians.

Methodism in Griswold.3-There are three Methi- odist Episcopal Churches in the town of Griswold. The Bethel Church is the mother-church in this town. A Methodist class was formed there over seventy-five years ago, and for a number of years held their meet- ings in dwelling-houses and school-houses. It is over fifty years since the church was built.

The next church was in Hopeville. A class was formed there in June, 1830, of twelve members, by Rev. R. Ransom, from England, who, with two or three other ministers, formed classes and circuits in many of the adjoining towns. The church at Hope- ville was built in 1851, the parsonage in 1847. Their

1 Contributed by Rev. O. C. Sargent.

2 Contributed by Rev. Thomas P. Joynt.

3 Contributed by Rev. S. Mckeown.

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

first pastor was Rev. Mr. H. Robinson. About twenty ministers have occupied the pulpit since; over one hundred and fifty have been baptized and joined on probation. Owing to deaths and removals, the church is now small. The pulpit is supplied by the pastor at Jewett City, Rev. Mr. MeKeown.

The church at Jewett City is young but prosperous. Services were first held in Liberty Hall, April 12, 1874, when a class was formed, church and Sabbath-school organized. In April, 1875, the Providence Confer- ence met at New Bedford, Mass., when Bishop James appointed Rev. James Tregaskis to Jewett City. He was their first pastor. A church edifice was com- menced in May, 1875, and on Jan. 27, 1876, was dedi- cated. The next pastor was D. G. Griffin, for one year, then Rev. George W. Brewster, for three years. Mr. Brewster was succeeded in 1881 by the present pastor, Rev. S. Mckeown.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1816 TO 1882.

1816, John Tyler, James Lord; 1817, Daniel Huntington, Bishop Tyler; 1818, Nathan Geer, William Cogswell; 1819, E. J. Abel : 1820, G. Billings; 182), A. Stewart, Jr .; 1822, Elijah Lester; 1823-24, Wil- liam Lord; 1825, S. C. Morgan; 1826, Charles Fanning; 1827, E. Partridge; 1828, W. A. Browning; 1829, Nathan Stanton; 1830, S. C. Morgan ; 1831-32, William Tucker; 1833, W. A. Browning ; 1834, S. C. Morgan ; 1835, D. Huntington; 1836, William Lord; 1837, F. Brewster; 1838, James Averill ; 1839, William F. Clarke; 1810, J. Tyler, Jr .; 1841, Oliver Coit; 1842, A. Fry; 1813, II. L. Morgan ; 1844, Joseph Leonard; 1845, 11. L. Morgan ; 1846, B. F. Billings; 1847, Russel Rix ; 1848, II. L. Johnson; 1849, II. A. Lathrop; 1850, D. L. Campbell; 1851, II. L. Johnson ; 1852, B. F. Billings; 1853, L. A. Stuart; 1854, Joseph Boardman; 1855, M. D. Cole; 1856, B. Campbell ; 1857, B. M. Gay ; 1858, N. Prentice; 1859, A. P. Brown; 1860, F. S. Young; 1861, E. Lathrop; 1862, E. C. Kegwin; 1865, Joseph Leonard; 1864, Daniel Vanghn; 1865, George Weatherhead; 1866, N. T. Adams ; 1867, J. R. Tracy ; 1868, A. R. Campbell; 1869, Paul Couch ; 1870, J. G. Bill ; 1871, A. M. Learned; 1872, George W. Brown ; 1873, B. II. Browning; 1874, Joseph Rood ; 1875, I. Mathew- son ; 1876, J. O. Sweet; 1877, J. E. Leonard; 1878, George Board- man; 1879, Frank Hawkins; 1880, A. B. Campbell; 1881, F'. Il. Fanning.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

GRISWOLD -- (Continued). BIOGRAPHIICAL SKETCHIES.

Thomas Leffingwell Shipman, son of Judge Na- thaniel Shipman and Abigail Coit, his wife, was born in Norwich, Conn., in a house situated almost directly across the street from the Benedict Arnold house, Aug. 28, 1798. His ancestors on both sides were very reputable, and of consequence in early colonial days. R. D. Smith, the famous antiquarian and genealogical student, says, "In a list of the passengers for Virginia embarked in the 'Speedwell,' of Lon- don, was William Shipman, aged twenty-two, May 28, 1635." This William was probably the first American ancestor of this line, but it is not clearly shown.

Nathaniel Shipman, grandfather of Thomas L., was one of the first settlers of Norwich, coming thither

from Saybrook at a very carly day. He married twice : first, Ruth Reynolds, by whom he had three children, Nathaniel, Lucretia (married Rev. Daniel Hall), and Elizabeth (married Andrew Frank, of Canaan, Conn., and has descendants in Warsaw, N. Y., and Corning, Iowa) ; second, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Leffingwell (4), and granddaughter of Rev. Benjamin Lord, and a lineal descendant of the famous colonial Lieut. Leffingwell (see Miss Caulkins' “ His- tory of Norwich"). Her children were Lizzie (mar- ried Peabody Clement, and had two children, Betsy, -Mrs. Charles Bliss,-and Mary Ann,-Mrs. Gilbert Huntington), Nathaniel, and Lydia (married first Asa Spaulding, second Capt. Bela Peck).

Nathaniel, son of Elizabeth, was born in Norwich, May 17, 1764; died July 14, 1853. Early learned the goldsmith's trade ; became of great local importance ; was oftener called to preside at public meetings than any of his contemporaries ; many times represented Norwich in the Legislature; was a man of great and varied information, common sense, and good judg- ment ; often was called to administer estates and hold prominent official positions ; was judge of the County Court, and also judge of probate. He read much, and was a repository of local history, from which younger antiquarians drew their supplies. He possessed a rare fund of humor, tradition, and conversation, great so- ciability and warmth of friendship, and none stood higher than he in the community. Miss F. M. Caul- kins wrote thus of him : "Judge Shipman was a man of great simplicity of habits, of vigorous common sense, upright, honorable, and independent, both in his inward promptings and in his whole course of action. He was almost always in office, serving the town and State in a variety of ways,-municipal, legislative, judicial,-displaying more than common ability, and giving general satisfaction in all these departments. Affability and a taste for social en- joyment made him a delightful companion. His readiness to communicate his vivid appreciation of character, his richly-stored memory, and his abundant flow of traditionary and historic anecdote held the listening ear bound to his voice as by an invisible charm. A sentiment of gratitude leads me to speak of another trait,-his kindness and winning attentions to the young. He was indulgent of their presence, of their vivacity and their sports ; was ready to gratify them with some tale of the olden time; to make them happy with little gifts of flowers or fruit ; to compli- ment their self-respect by asking them to read to him, or leading them to converse on subjects rather above than below their standing. This is a rare character- istic in this hurrying, impetuous age. . . . Pleasant are all the memories connected with this honored and exemplary son of Norwich." He married Abigail, daughter of Judge Benjamin and Mary Boardman Coit. Their children were Lydia Leflingwell and Thomas Leffingwell.

Thomas L. was graduated from Yale in September,

'n Steel bu " In Surtam. Ihit"

Thomas L. Shipmand

Andrew Lester

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GRISWOLD.

1818, and Andover Theological Seminary in Septem- ber, 1821, and entered at once upon his life work,- the Christian ministry. He had been selected during the summer one of six graduates to be employed in missionary labor under the auspices of the "South Carolina Home Missionary Society," and sailed for Charleston carly in October, 1821. He engaged heartily in his work, remained there some months, ministering to various churches, but mainly at a rural place, Stony Creek. He has been for ycars the sole survivor of the little band of six. Returning, after a time, to the North, Mr. Shipman resumed study at Andover until the next November, when he was en- gaged to supply the pulpit of the society at Lebanon, Goshen, where his earnest labors were blessed by the accession of more than thirty names to the little church. In March following he for a few weeks was called to a new congregation in Brooklyn, N. Y., and from there went to Brooklyn, Conn., thence to Vernon, and soon after to Hartford, as a supply at the South Church. Through the winter he preached here and there, and in April, 1824, was tendered a unani- mous call to the First Congregational Church in Leb- anon, which, on account of his youth and short min- isterial experience, he declined. Shortly after he received a commission from the " United Domestic Society of New York," the predecessor of the Amer- ican Home Missionary Society, and went as a mis- sionary to Huron County, Ohio, a pioneer, where he remained one year, "sowing seed in new ground." In 1825, for seven months, he preached to a small con- gregation in Norwich Falls, Conn., and then was or- dained and installed pastor of the First Church of Southbury, Conn. Here he stayed ten years, laboring in season and out of season, and under his faithful services the church was greatly enlarged and strength- ened. Pastor and congregation had a strong mutual affection, and only protracted illness in his family caused his resignation. After brief periods of labor at divers places, in 1837 he began to fill the pulpit at Bozrah, and was there four years. In May, 1842, he was called to the church at Jewett City, and after a year's time became its settled pastor, remaining such for eleven years, when he asked dismissal on account of a shattered nervous system demanding rest, but supplied the pulpit for eighteen months thereafter, mostly by exchanges. Since then, an interval of twenty-five years, he has supplied, for periods ranging from two Sabbaths to eight months, thirty congrega- tions in New London and Windham Counties.

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History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 100

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1317

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1317