History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 108

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 108

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on a visit to Western New York, where his sons had settled. (See biographical sketch of Roswell and Lorenzo Burrows.)

Rev. Ira R. Steward was for some two or three years engaged as associate pastor with Elder Burrows, and was called to ordination. He was an indefatigable laborer, a good preacher, and was sole pastor from 1837 to 1844. His church was widely scattered, but after the organization of the Groton Bank and the Noank Baptist Churches the old church removed its place of meeting to the village of Mystic River, at first occupying the Mariners' Free church, in common with others, and then having nearly 400 members of its own, many of whom had been brought in during the great revival conducted by that distinguished re- vivalist, Rev. Jabez S. Swan, the Second Church built a commodious conference-house in the centre of the village, where they worshiped and held their Sun- day-school until they built a church edifice. Pastor Steward accepted a call to the First Baptist Mariners' Church of New York, where he continued for many years with great success, and until he was laid aside by his last sickness, which was followed by a triumph- ant death. The Rev. Augustus Bolles, of Colches- ter, was engaged as temporary pastor, and remained until April 1, 1845, when Rev. Henry R. Knapp en- tered his pastorate of five years. During that time the church dedicated its new house of worship at a cost of some four thousand dollars. A season of re- freshing was also enjoyed. Elder Knapp was sound in the faith and an acceptable preacher, but resigned, to take effect April 1, 1850.

Rev. Washington Munger was the next pastor, who promptly entered upon his work, and continued three years with the church, a good man and a faithful pastor, but his health prevented his doing much pas- toral work during the last year. In October, 1853, Rev. Harvey Silliman, of Western New York, be- came pastor, and continued to exercise the pastoral office for about two years.

Rev. J. M. Phillips, of East Haddam, received a call to the pastorship May 4, 1856, and began his labors in July following. During his four years' pas- toral service a pleasant revival occurred in Quiambog. He resigned in October, 1860, leaving many warm friends behind. The church was variously supplied with preaching from the date of the last resignation to the union with the Third Baptist Church in 1861. The other co-ordinate independent body forming the Union Church we introduce, as follows :

2. Third Baptist Church.1-This body arose as an outgrowth of the revival of 1831, at which time a number of brethren residing in Mystic River, then called Portersville, felt that the time had come for the organization of a separate body in the thriving village. But a difference arose between members of the First and Second Baptist Churches as to the neces-

sity of immediate action, which resulted in consti- tuting a branch of the First Church, leaving most of the resident members of the Second Church aloof and still adhering to its communion. But the little branch, within three years, grew to be the Third Baptist Church of Groton, and purchased a confer- ence-house, and then, after several adverse trials, was admitted into the Stonington Union Association, being cordially recognized by the Fort Hill brethren. Rev. Erastus Denison was its first pastor, a faithful servant of the church, but after two years he accepted a call to the Second Baptist Church of Waterford, and was succeeded by the Rev. John H. Baker, who served the church for two years. During that time there was a large accession by baptism. In April,

1839, Rev. E. Denison returned and occupied the field. In June, 1841, the Stonington Union Associa- tion met with this church. During the summer of 1842 the great revival under the preaching of Elder Jabez Swan was shared with the Second Church, the two pastors and their congregations cordially co-oper- ating. During its continuance more than five hun- dred conversions were believed to have taken place. The Third Church, as the result of this reformation, received one hundred and fifty to its communion.

Rev. Erastus Denison resigned the pastoral care of the church in April, 1848. He had devoted the best part of his life and ministerial labors to the care of this church, and he was justly regarded as its founder and father. The severance of the relation was deeply felt by many. Elder Denison served in the pastoral relation in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Long Island, though he continued to reside in the village, where he built a house during the latter part of his life. His successor was Rev. Simon B. Bailey, who entered upon his labors in April, 1848, and remained two years. He was regarded as a useful minister of Christ.

Upon his resignation, Mr. Franklin A. Slater was chosen to succeed him, and he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry on the 6th day of Novem- ber, 1850, and resigned in January, 1853. He was succeeded by Rev. J. L. Holman as a supply.

Brother Holman came as a Free-Will Baptist, but in October, 1853, he came before the church, asking admission as a member; and stating his change of sentiment, in accordance with the belief of the church. He received public recognition November 29th, but soon left for another field.

Rev. William Cathcart received a call in Decem- ber, and entered upon his labors in June, 1854. His commanding talent as a preacher soon gave him a full house, and his success continued to the end of his pastorate. An accession by baptism was enjoyed in the spring of 1855. Brother Cathcart resigned early in January, 1857, to take effect April 1st. It was ac. cepted with much reluctance. Dr. Cathcart at once became pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Phil- adelphia, where he still officiates (1881).

1 By W. II. Potter.

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GROTON.

The Rev. Asa C. Bronson was called to the pastor- ate in May following, and at once entered upon his labors. The Mariners' Free church, where the church had worshiped mostly on the Sabbath, needing ex- tensive repairs, the trustees of that organization sur- rendered to the church the control of the house, and it was thoroughly repaired and renovated. It was re- opened for public worship in August following, and rededicated, and on the next day at two o'clock the pews were sold.

During the interval of repairs the Second Baptist Church shared with the Third their house of worship. A revival was enjoyed in 1858, which brought in some twenty members. But the time was approaching when the two churches, occupying nearly the same field, were to be one. Deacons James Gallup, Hora- tio Nelson Fish, and Nathan G. Fish took the lead, and were met by a committee of the Second Church. The union was cordially effected by the unanimous action of both churches, each acting separately, on the 11th day of August, 1861. We are now prepared to resume our sketch of the

The Union Baptist Church, Mystic River.1- The Union Church called Rev. A. C. Bronson, pastor of the Third Baptist Church, to be their pastor, and he entered upon the larger field at once under the most favorable auspices. Either house of worship being too straightened for the new body, the church for a time met alternately in each house. But after deliberation it was decided to unite the two houses, the Second Church edifice being comparatively new and the other in good repair. This was done during the year 1862, the enlarged building occupying the endeared site of the Mariners' church, where such wonderful displays of God's work in former years had been seen, and the house was dedicated Oct. 9, 1862, Rev. Henry G. Weston, D.D., preaching the dedica- tory sermon.

Previous to this time the union had been cordially recognized by neighboring churches in council, and the Stonington Union Association had held its annual session in the basement of the edifice.

During the spring of 1863 there was a season of revival, in which about forty members were added by baptism, besides many by letter, experience, and restoration. It was during this year that Deacon H. N. Fish passed away, much beloved, at the age of sixty-three years. Deacon Elisha Rathbun had pre- viously died, having been for over thirty years a bearer of the Lord's vessels. The Sunday-school Convention met with them in 1864. In 1865 the list of church-members was examined and thoroughly re- vised. It was on the 11th of June, this year, that the one hundredth anniversary of the Second Church, one of the co-ordinate bodies of the union, was cele- brated in a memorial discourse by the pastor.

In 1866 another revival was enjoyed, and on the

20th of September of the same year fell asleep in Jesus the Rev. Erastus Denison, full of years of use- fulness, both in the churches to which he ministered and in the cause of education, he having been for many years acting school visitor for the town of Groton. His age was nearly seventy-five. In 1867 there were seventy baptisms, Rev. Isaac Westcott, of New York, assisting the pastor.

Brother Lanman Lamb, a former officer in the Third Church, died in October, 1867. Deacons Nathan G. Fish and George N. Wright, with Deacons Albert Edgcomb and William H. Potter, had been continued from the constituent churches. Our beloved Deacon Wright soon passed away, aged forty-eight years. On the 11th of January, 1868, Brethren Horace Clift, William H. Smith, John Gallup, and Leander Wil- cox were chosen to the office of deacons. During this year, too, about fifty more were added by bap- tism, the venerable Dr. Westcott again assisting in reaping the harvest.

The meeting-house was enlarged, and thirty-six pews added, additional land having been purchased for the extension. Dr. Westcott preached on the occa- sion of the rededication, Dec. 20, 1868. Mr. Bronson, after a successful pastorate of eleven years, resigned April 1, 1869, and preached his farewell sermon the last Sunday in May.

During the interval of vacancy in the pastorate, viz., Aug. 7, 1869, Judge James Gallup passed away at the ripe age of nearly seventy-six years. He had been a constituent member, and for several years a deacon of the Third Church, and for a time acting deacon in the Union Church, of which organization he had been a warm advocate and a firm supporter. On the 28th of November, the same year, an invitation was extended to Rev. George L. Hunt, of Northamp- ton, to become the pastor of this church, which he accepted December 10th, and entered upon his labors Jan. 2, 1870.

Deacon N. G. Fish passed from earth during this year, having been justly regarded as a pillar in the church. Several very pleasant revivals occurred during Dr. Hunt's pastorate of eleven years, ending Jan. 2, 1881.

The church, after a supply of several months, in which it enjoyed the effective preaching of Rev. Ed- win Burnham, who had formerly labored for a few weeks here as an evangelist, and others, unanimously called to the pastorate the Rev. Charles H. Rowe, of Cambridgeport, Mass., and he entered upon his work on the first Sunday in October, 1881. Present mem- bership about seven hundred.

Noank Baptist Church.2-The Noank Baptist Church was constituted on the 11th of March, A.D. 1843, by the dismission of over two hundred members from the Second or Fort Hill Baptist Church, a pre- liminary meeting having been held January 5th of

1 By W. II. Potter.

2 By W. II. Potter.

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

that year. The next day after their recognition by neighboring churches the new church gave a call to the Rev. S. B. Bailey to be their pastor. He accepted, and commenced his labors April 1st. The church was admitted into the Stonington Union Association the June following.

Elder Bailey was ordained Nov. 29, 1843, sermon by Rev. L. Covill. A season of revival was enjoyed in the spring of 1846, the pastor being assisted by the Rev. John Green, of Hopkinton, R. I. Elder Bailey closed his labors after five years' pastorate, and Rev. David Avery received a call to take the pastoral care of the church, and entered upon his labors April 1, 1848, and remained one year. Rev. Wm. A. Smith succeeded to the pastorate, and closed his services April 1, 1850. Rev. James M. Phillips was then called to serve the church, which he did acceptably for four years. Another season of refreshing was enjoyed in 1851. In April, 1855, Rev. C. Havens was called as a pastoral supply, and closed his labors November 1st same year. The church had supplies from Rev. W. A. Smith (still a member) and others until June, 1856, when Rev. H. V. Jones, of New Jersey, having ac- cepted the call to the pastorate, entered upon his labors, with a salary of six hundred dollars and his house-rent, which was increased in 1857 to eight hun- dred dollars and house-rent. Brother Jones resigned, to take effect in September, 1859, but was indneed to remain until the following April, and then the Rev. Henry R. Knapp accepted the call of the church, and entered upon pastoral work April 1, 1860. Deacon John Palmer passed away July 16th of this year, aged seventy-two years, having been for more than fifty years a devoted Christian and a man truly mighty in God's word. Elder Knapp closed his labors with the church in November, 1860, when the church ex- tended a call to Rev. Charles S. Weaver, of Norwich, who accepted and began his labors in December. He continued with them until the 1st of April, 1865, when he resigned. Elders Curtis Keeney, Ira R. Steward, Smith, and Bailey supplied the pulpit until March, 1866, when Rev. H. V. Jones, a former pastor, again accepted their call.

The Stonington Union Association met with them this year. In their letter, in June, they say, "It is our grief that you find us in a divided state. Amid our trials God has appeared for our comfort, and for many weeks the revival went on, till fifty precious souls, chiefly among the young, were gathered into the church." This church was again revived in the early part of 1867, and thirty-five happy converts were buried with Christ in baptism, Rev. P. G. Wightman assisting in the good work. In their letter to the Association in June, 1868, they say, "Our new house of worship was completed and dedi- cated in December last, at a cost of twelve thousand dollars, of which sum two thousand dollars was con- tributed by our Ladies' Sewing Society."

Rev. Stephen Howell was called to the pastorate

in 1871, and continues until this day, being the longest pastorate on their records. During that time another of their deacons, John Palmer, Jr., an earnest Christian, has passed away. Their church clerks from the beginning have been Augustus Morgan and Rob- ert Palmer, the latter still in office ; their deacons, Ebenezer Morgan, Robert Palmer, Augustus Morgan, Levi Spicer, and Roswell P. Sawyer. Present num- ber of members, three hundred and forty-six.

American Union Baptist Church of Noank.1- This church was organized in May, 1865, with seventy- two members, mostly from the senior Baptist Church at Noank. Rev. Charles S. Weaver was their first pastor. They were publicly recognized as a church in their new meeting-house, Dec. 18, 1868, with eighty-nine mem- bers, the following churches being represented in the council, viz .: First, Waterford ; First, North Stoning- ton ; Second Richmond, Voluntown, and East Had- dam. Since Elder Weaver left they have had as sup- ply Rev. G. S. Bailey, now deceased, and Rev. S. B. Bailey and Rev. J. C. Foster. Their present number is fifty. R. Augustus Morgan, deacon and church clerk.

Methodist Episcopal Church, Noank.1-This so- ciety was organized on the evening of April 9, 1878, and consisted of four brethren and three sisters. At the same time Rev. A. N. Bodfish, of Mystic Bridge Methodist Episcopal Church, presided at the first Quarterly Conference, at which the organization was completed by the appointment of stewards.

At the Quarterly Conference, May 4, 1879, the pre- sidling elder, Rev. D. A. Wheeden, was present, when it was found there were fourteen members in full standing, and seven probationers; Mr. H. N. Brown, preacher in charge ; new chapel completed ; and real estate of the church valued at thirteen hundred dol- lars. At the close of the Conference year 1881, Mr. H. N. Brown was recommended for admission into the traveling connection. Rev. James A. Dean, D.D., pastor in 1881.

The Centre Groton Mission Chapel' was built a few years ago as a mission chapel, to accommodate the Centre Groton Sunday-school, which school was established by Deacon Coddington Culver (now de- ceased), A.D. 1851, and also as a place for holding religious meetings. It was paid for by subscriptions, but Capt. Ebenezer Morgan, of Groton Bank, was prominent in liquidating the debt of the association, which has official charge of the house and lot, of which association Prof. J. K. Bucklyn, of Mystic Bridge, is president. Each of the Baptist Churches of the town eleets a trustee.

Poquonoc Baptist Church.1-The history of this church as such begins with the year 1856. But the history of Christian work on this field reaches back to its early settlement. Here Elder Park Avery es- tablished a New Light Congregational Church in the days of Whitefield and his zealous coadjutors. That

1 By W. H. Potter.

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GROTON.

church flourished while the pastor was in his prime, but declined as he grew old. He died in 1797, aged eighty-seven years. The church at Fort Hill ab- sorbed most of Elder Avery's members, and so it be- came extinct. But religious efforts were continued. The school-house was witness of powerful religious meetings in the days of Deacon Jabez Smith and others. Later, Deacon Robert Austin Avery, of the Fort Hill Church, took an interest in their Sunday evening meetings. Deacon Albert Edgcomb, of the same church, followed, and established and there maintained a Sunday-school, which has continued through all vicissitudes to the present day. Revs. Silas and Roswell Burrows and Rev. Ira R. Steward held preaching services when present, and in one way and another this community, notwithstanding an ele- ment of opposition, were never destitute of religious privileges of their own, besides those enjoyed by their near proximity to the Fort Hill Church, whose mem- bership, until it removed its meetings to Mystic River, were ever numerous in Poquonoc.

The church, which grew out of the Sunday-school, was constituted Aug. 18, 1856. It had twenty-five constituent members. David C. Westcott was chosen its first deacon, and Gen. James Roath, clerk. Rev. S. B. Bailey, who was instrumental in its organiza- tion, became its first pastor. They were received into the Stonington Union Association at its June session following. Their first pastor continued liis acceptable ministry among them for about eighteen months. He was succeeded by the Rev. George Mixter, an elderly servant, who continued his pastoral labors one year, during which a revival prevailed. This year death for the first time visited the church, removing Brother William T. Burrows, a valuable member. At this time a division of opinion arose in the church-going com- munity, and a Separate meeting was established. It did not long, however, affect the membership or at- tendance of the church. Rev. Alfred Gates com- menced pastoral labor with them in April, 1859, and was succeeded in February, 1861, by the Rev. John E. Wood. Their first deacon, who had been so essen- tial a pillar, removed soon after to another field. Their pastor raised a company of volunteers and went with them to the war. Rev. Thomas Dowling having ac- cepted a call to the pastorate began his labors in April, 1863. Mr. Dowling's ministry was doctrinally sound and spiritual, and he was not lacking in fluency. The letter of the church to the Association in 1866 says, " Elder Thomas Dowling left the 1st of May, after nearly three years of faithful pastoral labor, sowing much good seed." Mr. Dowling would have been as acceptable as he was able had he been willing to ab- breviate the length of his services of prayer and preaching to the demands of the times. Few minis- ters in Connecticut surpassed him in natural or ac- quired abilities.

The Rev. Curtis Keeney labored the five months following with great success, in connection with Rev.

William A. Smith, of Groton Bank, who was then called to exercise the pastoral office. Their letter to the Association in June says of Elder Smith's labors, "We are instructed, reproved, and rebuked with all long suffering and doctrine." Sixty were added to the church during this time. Albert Kingsley and Cyrus Avery were chosen to the deaconship. Gen. Roath, a constituent member and their church clerk, died lamented, and Deacon Sanford A. Morgan re- moved West, much to the regret of the church. Deacon Kingsley also removed for the benefit of a change of climate, but his health continued to fail, and he passed away Oct. 17, 1870. A new and larger church edifice was dedicated Nov. 8, 1871. Youngs Avery, their very efficient Sunday-school superin- tendent, also died about this time. After Mr. Smith, Rev. J. C. Foster filled the pulpit for several months. Mr. Louis C. Sands was called to the pastoral office in May, 1871, and ordained at Mystic River, by a council, July 5th. His pastorate lasted a little over a year. Rev. William A. Smith was again called to the pastorship, which lasted till December, 1873. During the interval they were supplied by various ministers.

Rev. Stephen Perkins was called to the pastoral office March 4, 1876, and was ordained on the 15th of the following May. He was a very acceptable preacher, but closed his labors with this church in December, 1877. During this time Brother Osmar G. Buddington was licensed to preach. He after- wards graduated at Crozier Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania, and is now exercising the pastoral office over the Baptist Church of Florence, N. J., where he was ordained in 1880. Rev. E. C. Miller was called to the pastorate Oct. 5, 1879, and entered at once upon his duties. He is regarded as a faithful servant of the Most High. The present number of members is one hundred and twenty, and the follow- ing constitute the officers, viz. : Benjamin Gardner, Cyrus Avery, and W. T. Burrows, deacons ; Daniel Morgan, church clerk.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Mystic River.1 -Church services were first held in this place in Washington Hall, by Mr. John C. Middleton, B.A., of New London, a candidate for holy orders in this diocese, in July, 1859.

A Sunday-school was organized at the same time. Services were continued until March, 1860, when Mr. Middleton was ordained to the deaconry, and entered upon his duties as assistant minister in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Brooklyn, N. Y., in June, 1864. Two or three services were held previous to June, 1864, when the Rev. Mr. Middleton, then of Calvary Church, Stonington, again held services in Washington Hall Sunday evenings. These were continued until the 1st of October the same year. On the 9th of the same month the Rev. Lorenzo Sears, by arrangement with

1 By H. G. Beebe, Jr.

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

the Eastern Convocation of this diocese, began to hold full services. On the 11th of February, 1865, a parish was organized, under the title of St. Mark's, Mystic, when about thirty names were signed to the articles of organization. The first officers of the parish were Daniel W. Denison, senior warden ; Roswell Brown, junior warden; W. W. Kellogg, John Lee, F. T. Mercer, T. J. Griffing, George Philpot, C. A. Jones, and Amos Watrous were elected vestrymen, and F. S. Bidwell parish clerk. The first confirmation was held on the first Sunday after Trinity, 1865, when six persons were added to the number of communicants.

Rev. Mr. Sears tendered his resignation to the East- ern Convocation, and closed his labors in the parish on the first Sunday after Easter, April 8, 1866.

During his rectorship eighteen hundred dollars was raised for building a church edifice, a lot purchased, and the foundations begun. The number of commu- nieants had now increased from fifteen to thirty-one by admission and confirmation.

The Rev. W. Ingram Magill, late assistant minister in St. John's Church, Stamford, Conn., entered upon his duties as rector of the parish July 14, 1866.

The corner-stone was laid in the "Sacred Name" Dec. 3, 1866, by the Rev. Dr. Robert A. Hallam, rector of St. James' Church, New London. The clergymen present were Rev. J. C. Middleton, S. Upjohn, Dr. Robert A. Hallam, and the rector of the parish.

It was purposed at that time to make this a memorial church to Bishop Seabury, who was a native of Gro- ton. The first services in the new church were held Christmas morning, 1867,-a joyous day for all the parish. The Rev. W. Ingram Magill resigned, and accepted an election to Christ Church, Harlem, Ill., Oct. 14, 1869. The Rev. O. F. Starkey, of Niagara Falls, N. Y., commenced his labors with the parish in December, 1869.

During his rectorship the church paid up their debt and purchased a large organ from the First Congrega- tional Church, New London. The church and Sun- day-school were well kept up, and a deep interest taken in the parish. Mr. Starkey resigned his rector- ship in December, 1872, and the church was supplied until Jan. 5, 1873, when the Rev. J. D. S. Pardee be- came its rector. During his rectorship the church, being free from debt, was consecrated by Bishop Wil- liams, April 25, 1873, it being St. Mark's day.

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History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 108

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