USA > Connecticut > New London County > History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 163
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The Rev. Ebenezer Rosseter was the next settled minister with the first church of Stonington. He was ordained Dec. 19, 1712, and immediately commenced his pastorate. The church and people were evidently united in the call to Mr. Rosseter, and his preaching was blessed to them. But the subsequent divisions in the society greatly embarrassed him and impaired his usefulness. The old meeting-house was too small to accommodate the people that usually attended them, and soon after the settlement of Mr. Rosseter a move- ment was set on foot to build a larger and a better meeting-house; but no definite action was taken until 1726, when a society-meeting was called to agitate the matter, which resulted most unhappily, nor did the trouble end there. Society and church meetings fol- lowed each other for several years, and all about the place to build their new meeting-house. This con- troversy divided the church and society in 1731, when each society erected a meeting-house of their own, and had the pleasure of locating them just where they pleased.
After the division of the society and church, the Rev. Nathaniel Eells was ordained over the east church (whose meeting-house had been erected at the Putnam Corners), June 14, 1733. Mr. Rosseter contin- ued his labors with the West Society until his death, which took place Oct. 11, 1762. It is worthy of note that Mr. Rosseter retained the confidence of the people in both churches during the whole controversy and as long as he lived. The preaching and pastorate of Mr. Eells with the East Society and church was most acceptable to them, and was productive of great good. After the death of Mr. Rosseter, Mr. Eells was called to preach with the west church and society, dividing his time between them. This arrangement was most happy, and led to a reunion of the two churches and societies in 1765.
Notwithstanding the reunion of the churches and so-
cieties on the basis of erecting and having but one meet- ing-house in the future on a certain lot of land therein agreed upon as a site, yet there was a growing feeling in some localities to abandon the agreement and erect the new meeting-house at Long Point. This plan was finally consummated, and a new house, or rather the old house at Putnam Corners, was taken down and re- built at the borough. Mr. Eells was greatly embar- rassed and perplexed in his old age by these divisions in his church. No man could have managed them any better than he did. He was a man of fine, genial presence, and his influence was exerted for the gen- eral good. Death found him at his post of duty, June 16, 1786. During his pastorate he baptized 747 per- sons ; admitted to the church, 115; marriages, 455.
The next settled pastor was the Rev. Hezekiah North Woodruff. He was called and ordained July 2, 1789. He was settled on condition that he would preach one-half of the time at the old meeting-house and the other half at the new meeting-house at Long Point. His salary was to be one hundred pounds, with firewood cut and delivered annually. He con- tinued to labor with the people of his charge for a number of years, and was finally dismissed by a mu- tual council in June, 1803. During his pastorate he baptized 88 persons ; 52 were admitted to the church ; and he celebrated 106 marriages.
For several years the church was without a settled pastor. In the mean time the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Jonathan Nigh, the Rev. Andrew Rawson, Rev. Roswell R. Swan, the Rev. Thomas Holt, and the Rev. Mr. Bingham. Sept. 6, 1809, a committee was appointed to wait on the Rev. Ira Hart and procure his services for a few Sabbaths. He came and labored with them for a short time, and his labors were so acceptable that he received a unanimous call from the church and society, and was installed Dec. 6, 1809. Mr. Hart was a native of Bristol, Conn., and graduated at Yale College in 1797. He was first set- tled at Middlebury, Conn., where he remained until 1808, when his relations to that church was dissolved by a mutual council, giving him the highest testimo- nials of ability, character, and usefulness. After he left Middlebury he preached at North Stonington as a supply for four months, and was there when he was called to this church. During the last war with England he was appointed chaplain of the Thirtieth Regiment of Connecticut Militia, Col. William Ran- dall, and served at New London and Stonington.
He was a man of superior talents, and was constant in season and out of season. His great energy drove him beyond his strength, his constitution gave way under the pressure of increasing labors; his health rapidly failed him after a pastorate of almost twenty years, and on the day fixed for the dedication of a new house of worship erected for him he breathed his last, dying Oct. 29, 1829. During his pastorate he bap- tized 288 persons; admitted to the church, 153; and celebrated 143 marriages.
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The Rev. Joseph Whittlesey, of New Preston, Conn., was next ordained and settled here, May 21, 1830, and remained with this people until December, 1832, when at his own request he was dismissed by a mutual council held Dec. 4, 1832. He was settled on the same conditions that Mr. Hart was. He baptized twenty persons, and admitted to the church one hun- dred and cight, celebrating twenty marriages. It was during his pastorate that the Second Congregational Church of this town was formed, by seceders from this church residing at Stonington Borough and vi- cinity. After him came the Rev. Peter H. Shaw, installed Jan. 3, 1835, who remained a little over two years; dismissed by a mutual council in May, 1837, and afterwards assumed the pastorate of the Congregational Church in North Stonington. After the Second Church was organized at the borough, Mr. Shaw preached in the morning at the Road meet- ing-house, and in the afternoon and evening at the Mariners' church at Mystic River. Mr. Shaw bap- tized seven persons, and admitted fourteen to the church. After his departure the Rev. Nehemiah B. Cook was called and settled by installation, March 7, 1838. Hc preached first at the Road mecting- house in the morning, and at the Mariners' church at Mystic River in the afternoon and evening.
This arrangement was continued up to 1847, when a proprietors' meeting-house was erected at Mystic Bridge, which was used by Mr. Cook and his congre- gation every Sabbath afternoon and evening. During the pastorate of Mr. Cook six members of this church, with sixteen members of the Second Church at the borough, residing in the vicinity of Pawcatuck Bridge, formed the Pawcatuck Congregational Church on the 14th day of February, 1848. In 1851 thirty-seven members of this church withdrew and formed the Mystic Bridge Congregational Church, Jan. 20, 1852. Previous to the secession of these members Mr. Cook had preached in the afternoon at the Mystic Bridge meeting-house ; subsequently the afternoon and even- ing services were held at the proprietors' meeting- house in the village of Mystic until 1859, when Mr. Cook resigned his charge and united with the church and society in calling a mutual council, which as- sembled May 31, 1859, and dissolved the relation that he sustained to this church and society.
During the pastorate of Mr. Cook he baptized sixty persons, and celebrated seventy marriages. There were admitted to the church one hundred and fifty-six persons.
The pulpit was then supplied by the Rev. Dr. Peters and others until the next year, when Mr. Pliny F. Warner was called, and ordained Oct. 31, 1861, which relation he sustained until Feb. 23, 1863, when a council which had been mutually convened dissolved the relation which he sustained to this church. He was succeeded by the Rev. Paul Couch, of Jewett City, Conn., a native of Newbury, Mass., which was the birthplace of Mr. Noyes, our first settled minister.
Mr. Couch was educated at Dartmouth College. He was invited to supply the pulpit at first for a single Sabbath, and was so well liked that he was invited to come and preach again. He came and supplied the pulpit for a few Sabbaths, and was then engaged to supply the pulpit without limit, which he has done with great acceptance until the present time, and will do so as long as he lives. Few abler and no better man than he is engaged in the work of the ministry. He is worthy of all praise and commendation for his unselfish devotion to the interest and welfare of his fellow-men. Long may it be before the sunset signal shall call him away from this church and people !
This church at present has a membership of one hundred and one. A Sunday-school has been con- nected with it since 1819, numbering seventy-five scholars, under the superintendence of Deacon B. F. Williams, who is also deacon of the church. Society committee, Richard A. Wheeler, Benjamin F. Stan- ton (2), Thomas W. Palmer, Benjamin F. Williams, and Avery W. D. Noyes.
The First Baptist Church in what is now the town of Stonington was organized in the year 1775, and located at Long Point, where most all the members resided. This was the year in which Sir James Wal- lace bombarded the place, which, with other scenes of the Revolutionary war, doubtless retarded the progress of the church. From 1777 onward the church had its regular meetings. It is not known how many were embodied in its organization, nor certainly who they were, but Mr. Sands Niles and Mr. Nathaniel Palmer and wife were among the number. This church was gathered under the pastorate of the Rev. John Rath- bone, and in 1781 reported to the Association a mem- bership of thirty-two, and at the close of the first half- century numbered fifty. The first meeting·house was built after the close of the Revolution, and was a plain substantial building some forty feet square, with box pews, deep, slanting galleries, double doors on the south, with a tower outside the body of the house on the west, and steel triangle for a bell. It was a homely structure, of the Puritan style, and was one of the first meeting-houses erected in the village, and holds an important place in its religious culture and history. It was the scene of many revivals, and the birthplace of many a new life. From this small beginning the church grew to be a strong body, reaching a member- ship at one time of three hundred and fifty. It has had eleven pastorates, the most very brief. Rev. Elihu Chambers' twenty years; that of the Rev. Mr. Anderson the same length of time ; that of the Rev. A. G. Palmer, D.D., including two settlements, thirty years. At present the church is not numerically as strong as at some former periods, owing to the death- roll and the changes incident to the fluctuations of business. It reports a membership of three hundred, with a flourishing Sunday-school of great and increas- ing promise. The present house of worship was erected under the ministry of the Rev. J. S. Anderson,
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and subsequently enlarged. It is a fine building of modern architecture, tastefully furnished, and admi- rably arranged. The property of the church, includ- ing a fine parsonage, is controlled and managed by a board of trustees, elected annually. The pastor of the church is Rev. N. G. Palmer, D.D. Deacons, Simeon Palmer, O. B. Grant, F. D. Chambers, E. H. Smith, Albert Gates.
The Rev. A. G. Palmer, D.D., the present incum- bent, was born on Pung-hung-we-nuck Hill, in North Stonington, Conn., on the 11th day of May, 1813. His father, Luther Palmer, Esq., was an enterprising and successful farmer, and a prominent man in the community where he lived. The early life of the son was devoted to farming in the summer, and to study during the winter in the public schools.
At the age of nine years he experienced religion, and became so interested in the cause that it changed and shaped the purpose of his life. Working his way on, he devoted all of his spare time to the study of such books as he could command. In 1829 he was baptized, after which he became all the more inter- ested in the cause of religion, studying now for the ministry. Coming up to manhood self-educated, he began to preach the gospel, and at the age of twenty- two years he was ordained, and was settled at West- erly, R. I., in 1837, where he continued to preach for six years most successfully, the membership at the church increasing during his pastorate there from thirty to three hundred. In 1843 he was settled at Stonington Borough, where he continued to labor for nine years, when he accepted a call from the First Baptist Church of Syracuse, N. Y., where he re- mained until 1855, when he received and accepted a call from the Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Conn. He labored with this people for three years, and in 1858 accepted a call from the Baptist Church at Wake- field, R. I., and in 1861 returned to Stonington in re- sponse to a call from the First Baptist Church, where he had formerly labored. His pastorates have all been productive of great good, and have left their impress upon the churches with which he has labored. Dr. Palmer stands deservedly high in his profession, both as to character and ability. His action in speak- ing is easy, fervent, and impressive, moving others by the intensity of his own convictions, thereby exert- ing a powerful influence over his audience. In all of his intercourse with his fellow-citizens he sustains the character of a Christian gentleman, favoring every reform with unflinching devotion for the right. His pastoral ministrations reach all classes of society, especially the poor, the sick, and sorrowing, lighting up the dark shadow of the valley of death with as- suring hope and sustaining grace. Cheerfully bear- ing every burden that falls to his lot, he strengthens others to sustain theirs, giving to every passing event its sunny side. On bridal occasions he is most happy, imparting the influence of his own genial disposition to enliven and make more assuring their plighted
faith. When called to the home of mourning he is sympathetic and impressive, often solacing the sor- rowing of the afflicted by some sacred song, sung by him with thrilling pathos and surpassing beauty. Though not a graduate of any college, his ability and culture were recognized by Madison University of New York, which conferred upon him the honorary title of D.D.
Dr. Palmer has become distinguished as a poet, writing some very fine poems. In his bi-centennial at the Old Road church, in 1874, alluding to the place and scenes of his childhood, he speaks with match- less beauty of his old, old home thus :
" Hail, old Pung-hung-we-nuck, land of my birth, Thy airy heights o'ersweeping wide the sea, To me thou art the dearest spot of earth,
Home of a proud and noble ancestry : I never may forget, where'er I roam, The beauties of my childhood's Highland home."
Dr. Palmer descends from the Puritan Walter Pal- mer, as follows: Walter Palmer and wife, Rebecca Short; Gershom Palmer and wife, Anna Denison; Ichabod Palmer and wife, Hannah Palmer; Ichabud Palmer and wife, Elizabeth Noyes; Elias Sanford Palmer and wife, Phebe Palmer; Luther Palmer and wife, Sarah Kenyon.
Rev. Albert Gallatin Palmer descends maternally from some of the most eminent and distinguished families of Connecticut and Rhode Island,-from Capt. George Denison and wife, Lady Anna Boro- del ; Mr. Thomas Stanton, the interpreter-general of New England; the Rev. James Noyes; Governor William Brenton; and Governor Peleg Sanford.
Baptist Church at Anguilla .- During the year 1833 a subscription paper was circulated for the pur- pose of raising money to build a meeting-house at Anguilla, to be used as a branch of the Baptist Church in Stonington borough. The project was successful, the necessary funds were raised, and the house was built and dedicated in August of the same year. Rev. J. S. Anderson, then pastor of the borough church, gave up his afternoon services in the village and held them at Anguilla. In the autumn of 1834 the mem- bers of the borough church living at Wequetequoc and Anguilla were regularly set off as a branch church, and chose Gilbert Collins and Jedediah Randall deacons. Elder Anderson continued his afternoon services there until the year 1837, when, yielding to the wishes of the borough church, he labored with them all the time. The next pastor was Elder F. Bestor, who continued his labors about a year. In the course of the year the people worshiping at An- guilla receiving no ministrations from the borough church, felt it their duty to organize as an inde- pendent church. They were still members of other churches, and in order to associate they obtained let- ters of dismission, and then agreed upon articles of faith and a covenant, which were publicly recognized by a council of elders and brethren as the " Anguilla
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
Baptist Church of Stonington," with a membership of thirty-three. Elder Anderson succeeded Elder Bes- tor in 1838, and in June of that year this church was admitted into the Stonington Union Association, and on the 15th day of December, 1838, Charles M. Davis was chosen deacon of the church. Elder Anderson continued his labors there until 1829. He was suc- ceeded by Elder Chesebrough, Elder Erastus Denison, and Brother Harlam Hedden, a licentiate from the Second Church in Groton. On the 26th of May, 1844, the church invited him to accept of ordination and become their pastor. This invitation he accepted, and was ordained to the work of the ministry and the pastorate of this church on the 9th of June fol- lowing by a council of elders and brethren from sister churches. Elder Hedden continued his labors for a few years, but the centralizing influences that attract business and almost everything else to the villages and business centres reduced this membership, so that they all again sought a home in the surrounding Bap- tist Churches, and public services were no longer held at Anguilla, and the meeting-house, under the pro- visions of its deed, reverted to the original grantor, and is now used for a barn.
Second Baptist Church, Stonington Borough .- This church was gathered and organized in 1846. The first pastor was the Rev. Mr. Lewis, who has been succeeded by other ministers, laboring success- fully with this people down to the present time.
The present pastor is the Rev. Solomon Gale, who has labored very successfully with the people, and is highly estcemed by them. Membership, fifty-five; Sunday-school scholars, twenty-one. Deacons, Hor- ace Ross, Abraham Morrison.
Mystic Methodist Episcopal Church .- As early as 1816 several Methodist clergymen visited Mystic and preached occasionally. But no efforts were made to organize a class preparatory to the promotion of a church until 1824, when a class was organized con- sisting of seven persons. No minister was stationed at Mystic until 1826, when the Rev. Newell S. Spald- ing was assigned to that place. The first Quarterly Conference was held Ang. 13 and 14, 1828. The first house of worship erected by the Methodist Society was dedicated January, 1849. Prior to this time they had worshiped in the Union meeting-house, now used as a livery stable. The first house of worship (Meth- odist Episcopal) was forty-two by thirty-three feet, costing about eighteen hundred dollars. Unfortu- nately it was destroyed by fire Feb. 17, 1851. The loss was very severe, but undismayed, the church and society resolved to build another and a better church, which was completed before the close of the year, and the people were again worshiping God under their own vine and fig-tree. The present pastor, the Rev. D. L. Brown, is an able and interesting preacher, laboring very successfully with the people of his charge. The membership is ninety-two, with a flour- ishing Sunday-school. Trustees, Elijah A. Morgan,
William R. Targee, Horace O. Williams, Dr. A. T. Chapman, Dwight Gallup, and F. M. Manning.
Second Congregational Church .- The first Con- gregational Society of Stonington, after several un- successful attempts to divide itself into two societies by metes and bounds, called a meeting to assemble on the 28th day of September, 1833, and after mature de- liberation took a new departure and adopted a plan for organizing a new church and society in Stoning- ton, as follows : " that whenever forty members of the First Society should withdraw and organize a new Con- gregational Society at the borough, and elect society officers, and shall give notice to the old society of their doings within thirty days from the day of the meeting, the new society shall then be regarded as organized and receive $1825 of the old society's fund."
The conditions were immediately complied with at the meeting. Forty-five members of the society withdrew, formed a new society, and took their money and invested it in a new meeting-house. As soon as the new society was formed ninety-three members of the First Church seceded and organized the Second Church in connection with said society, Nov. 13, 1833.
Their first settled minister was the Rev. John C. Nichols, who was called and installed May 15, 1834. After laboring with that people for about five years, he was dismissed by a mutual council. Since then that church has had a succession of pastors whose labors have been blessed to them. At present the church is under the pastoral care of the Rev. Henry B. Mead, an able, searching preacher, with a member- ship of one hundred and eighty-four. Sunday-school scholars, one hundred and twelve.
Methodist Episcopal Church at Mystic Bridge. -- This church was organized in 1835, under the labors of a circuit preacher, the Rev. Hermon Perry. The first house of worship was built, and the Rev. Wm. S. Simmons was the first pastor. In 1867 their present house was built, the other having been sold to the Roman Catholics. The present membership is 150, with a Sunday-school numbering 100 scholars. The church is now under the pastoral care of the Rev. George C. King, whose labors have been most suc- cessful and acceptable to the people of his charge. Trustees, George W. Mallory, Ebenezer Morgan, John E. Williams, A. C. Teft, Charles Grinnell, J. B. Sut- ton, D. D. Mallory, D. L. Weems, M. C. Hill.
Pawcatuck Congregational Church .- During the year 1843 six members of the First, with sixteen members of the Second Congregational Church of Stonington residing in the vicinity of Pawcatuck Bridge united, with the advice and consent of a coun- cil of neighboring churches with them assembled, and formed a new church there, Feb. 14, 1843, under the name and title of the Pawcatuck Congregational Church. Their first public religious services were held at the old Union meeting-house and in the hall of the Academy until 1849, when they erected their new meeting-house, which, to accommodate their in-
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creasing congregation, has since been enlarged. The first settled minister was the Rev. S. B. Goodenow, who was called and settled April 1, 1844. He remained but one year. The next pastor was the Rev. Joshua Brown, settled May 12, 1844, and after two months' labor terminated his connection with the church. Rev. James D. Moore commenced his labors July 21, 1844, and remained until 1846, when Mr. Whitmore came and remained for one year. Rev. A. L. Whit- man was settled in 1847, and continued to labor with the church until 1866, when he resigned, and was dis- missed by a mutual council that year. Mr. Whitman was followed by the Rev. E. W. Root, who came in 1867 and remained until 1870. Then came the Rev. A. H. Wilcox, who was settled in 1872, but whose failing health compelled him to resign. He was succeeded by the Rev. D. N. Brush, who in turn was followed by the Rev. John P. Hawley, the present pastor, whose services commenced April 1, 1881. Mr. Haw- ley's pastorate has been very successful thus far, and his known character and ability promise the best results. Deacons, James G. Eells, Millon S. Green ; Society Committee, Harvey Campbell, Nathan F. Dixon, Millon S. Green, John E. Brown.
Calvary Episcopal Church .- The Calvary parish, under the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States, diocese of Connecticut, was formed May 31, 1847. The corner-stone of this beautiful little stone church (built from plans by Upjohn, the celebrated architect) was laid Sept. 3, 1847. This church went forward to completion, and was consecrated May 31, 1849. The Rev. Junius Marshall Willey was the first rector, and has been succeeded by others, whose labors have been productive of the best results.
The Rev. Alfred Goldsborongh is the present rec- tor, officiating very acceptably and successfully.
Officers of the parish are Alexander S. Palmer, senior warden; Ephraim Williams, junior warden ; Vestrymen, B. F. States, R. F. Loper, R. H. Taylor, E. P. Hubbard, I. R. Stevens, Thomas Wilkinson, George W. Burtch, George Taylor, George Heydecker; Collector and Treasurer, George Taylor ; Parish Clerk, R. F. Loper. Parish members, one hundred and twenty-five; communicants, eighty-five.
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