USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Norfolk > History of Norfolk, Litchfield County, Connecticut, 1744-1900 > Part 7
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"One-half of the proceeds of the land tax before men- tioned had furnished the means of building. This ceased by limitation in 1763, and the finishing, which was per- formed at intervals from 1766 to 1772, was provided for as follows: A vote would be passed in town meeting speci- fying what work should be done, and laying an extra tax on the grand list sufficient for that purpose, and made pay- able 'in good merchantable pine boards, or in good bar iron, to be delivered at the meeting-house' by a certain date; and sometime other 'species' were allowed. The appointment of a committee would follow to receive said boards and iron, and improve them for the above said use." He further says: "There is no record or tradition that any formal dedication of this building took place, and that it was first occupied for worship in the autumn of 1761 is only a prob- able inference. Yet there is no doubt that a house of this size, built by a young struggling town, and requiring about twelve years for its completion, received the Christian en- deavors and fervent prayers of all the members."
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
VII.
CUSTOMS AND HABITS OF THE FIRST SETTLERS - ORGANIZATION OF THE "CHURCH OF CHRIST" -EFFORTS AND FAILURE TO SECURE A SETTLED PASTOR-CALL, SETTLEMENT AND ORDINATION OF MR. AMMI RUHAMAH ROBBINS, FIRST PASTOR OF THE CHURCH.
It seems appropriate to speak briefly of the customs, manners and habits of our ancestors. I quote from Pal- frey's History of New England:
"In Connecticut in Colonial times the place for public worship was the 'meeting-house,' where assemblies for transacting the town's business were also held." All town meetings and elections were held in the "meeting-house" in Norfolk until 1846, when that house was repaired and im- proved, and the town bought the lower room of the Acad- emy for a town hall, which has since that date been used for elections, town meetings, and various gatherings.
"Men and women sat apart on their respective sides of the house; while boys had a separate place from both, with a tything-man to keep them in order."
Many persons still living remember that this custom was kept up in the old "Conference room" until probably less than twenty-five years ago; the seats in that room facing toward the centre; the women always sitting upon the north side of the room and the men upon the south side. A morning and an afternoon service was held each Sabbath, the morning service commencing, in accordance with a vote of the town, at ten o'clock, in the early history of the town, with an intermission of an hour and a half between the two services. "These services consisted of extemporaneous prayers, singing of the Psalms in a metrical version, with- out instrumental accompaniament, and a sermon, of which the approved length was an hour, measured by an hour glass which stood upon the pulpit," and this in a house
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
where there was no fire, only the little foot-stove carried by a part of the women.
"The public reading of the Bible without exposition was generally disapproved, being regarded as an unbecoming conformity to the hierarchical service. Children were bap- tized in the meeting-houses generally on the next Sabbath after their birth. Ministers did not officiate at marriages, the marriage contract being made before a magistrate. No religious service took place at the burial of the dead. Christmas, Good Friday, and other periodical festivities and fast days of the church were scrupulously disregarded and discountenanced."
Possibly some of these customs and practices of the earlier Colonial times mentioned by Palfrey were not in vogue in this town in the early years of its history.
As to other religious services in addition to the two preaching services on the Sabbath, in his Centennial Dis- course, Beach says: "Prayer meetings, as is well known, were once regarded with suspicion by Congregationalists. Mr. Robbins held occasional mid-week services either in the center or in the outside districts, but they were usually in the form of a lecture. Meetings for prayer and con- ference, in which laymen participated, were for the most part confined to seasons of special interest. . . . During the great revival of 1799, a Sunday night prayer-meeting was started, and he took advantage of that occasion to make it permanent. It is said there had at that time been no prayer-meeting for sixteen years. Since then it has been continued with very few interruptions."
In all New England towns in Colonial times, the institu- tion of first importance was felt to be the Church.
The record of the organization of the church in this town will be briefly given.
It was enacted in 1675 that a meeting-house must be erected in every town in the colony.
Organization of the "Church of Christ" at Norfolk, Conn. (From the original Church Record):
"The Church of Christ was gathered at Norfolk, by Rev.
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
Daniel Farrand (of South Canaan), Dec. 24, A. D. 1760, con- sisting of the following members, viz .:
Michael Humphrey and Mary his wife.
Joseph Dean and Sarah his wife.
Ebenezer Burr and Hephzibah his wife. Ezra Knap.
Abel Phelps and Mary his wife.
Isaac Pettibone and Hephzibah his wife.
John Turner and Abigail his wife.
William Barber and Abigail his wife.
Samuel Gaylord and Thankful his wife.
Jedediah Richards. Samuel Cole.
Asahel Case and Dorothy his wife.
Nehemiah Lawrence. Peter Cato.
Test, Daniel Farrand, Pastor of Church of Canaan."
The Church being formed, Michael Humphrey was chosen Moderator. The above named professors entered into the Covenant, which form is here set down as follows:
A COVENANT.
"You now in the presence of God, angels and men, sol- emnly choose God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to be your God; taking Jesus Christ to be your Redeemer and the Holy Spirit to be your Sanctifier, and give yourself, soul and body to be the Lord's, with yours, faithfully to serve him in the ways of his appointment; seriously promising by the assistance of Divine grace that, denying all ungodliness and every worldly lust, you will live soberly in this world; and renouncing Satan and the world to bind yourself to walk with this Church in all the ordinances of the gospel; and that you will watch over your fellow members in meekness and love, and that you will submit yourself to the govern- ment of Christ in this Church in the administrations and censures of it, so far as you are directed by the unerring Word of God. This you voluntarialy promise."
"August 30, 1761, taken into this Church by Rev. Mr.
DEA. ASAHEL G. PHELPS
DEA.JAMES HUMPHREY
DEA.AMOS. PETTIBONE
FRANKLIN ENGCO. BOSTON
DEA. WARREN CONE
"DEA.PHILIP E. CURTISS
THE DEACONS' PAGE.
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
Farrand: Cornelius Doud, Joseph Mills, Samuel Mills and Abigail Mills his wife.
Members in full communion, added by letters of recom- mendation from other churches:
James Richards and Annah his wife.
Brotherton Seaward and Abigail his wife.
Thankful Doud, wife of Cornelius Doud.
Noah Allen and Sarah his wife.
Elizabeth the wife of Joseph Seaward.
Mary, the wife of Samuel Comstalk.
Ruth, the wife of Jehiel Hall.
Cornelius Brown."
So the Church in this town was organized, having thirty- five members in full communion, in August, 1761.
Previous to this date they had occasionally enjoyed a preaching service in the town.
Roys says: "The first settlers attended public worship in Canaan. . . . December 20, 1758, an itinerant clergy- man by the name of Treat was procured and preached the first sermon ever delivered in this town. They had occa- sional preaching until January, 1759. They then hired Mr. Joseph Peck to preach a considerable time, and also agreed to commence building a meeting-house. . . . November, 1759, the people invited the Rev. Noah Wetmore to preach on probation, and . . . in March, 1760, a call was ex- tended to him to become their settled pastor, . . . but he was rejected by the council." Soon after an unsuccessful effort was made to settle Mr. Noah Benedict as pastor.
Quoting again from Roys, "In a meeting assembled June 24, 1760, they agreed to invite Rev. Jesse Ives, brother to Titus Ives, to preach on probation. He was obtained, and December 24th following they gave him a call to settle over them as their gospel minister. They proceeded so far toward settling Mr. Ives as to offer him the minister's lot, and to give him a salary of £62, 10s. annually, for three years, and after that time to give him a salary of £70 per annum statedly. The time was set for his ordination,-the third Wednesday of October, 1760. . . His ordination
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
for reasons not now known was postponed. In February, 1761, another committee was appointed to attend the ex- amination of Mr. Ives a second time; but soon after, an al- tercation took place between him and one of his expected parishioners, . . and the business respecting his settle- ment proceeded no farther. It seems the town had too hastily given him a deed or lease of the use of the par- sonage land, for he was afterwards required to quit his claim. His other claims against the town were not promptly liquidated and a law-suit was the result, which, after considerable delay, brought the business to a close."
"In June, 1761, they invited Mr. Ammi Ruhamah Rob- bins, a young candidate for the ministry, son of the Rev. Philemon Robbins of Branford in this state, to preach to us on probation. After taking suitable time to acquaint them- selves with his qualifications and to deliberate on the sub- ject, they on the 16th of September, 1761, gave him a unani- mous call to take the charge of them as their minister. The committee informed him of the result of their deliberations, and proposed to him the following stipend and terms, viz .: to give him the lot reserved for the first settled minister, and an annual salary of £62, 10s. for two years, and after that time agreed to pay him a stated salary of £70, payable annually, and in produce at the market price, and fixed by a committee to be appointed annually for said purpose. (This mode of payment was continued for 45 years, when a contract was made.) After due consideration Mr. Rob- bins accepted the terms proposed, and waited their time to receive him as their minister." From the Church records: "At a church meeting of the Church of Christ in Norfolk, September 28, 1761, Voted that we make choice of Mr. Ammi Ruhamah Robbins to be our gospel minister. Voted, that Michael Humphrey, Esq., and Mr. Ezra Knap be our committee to inform the rev'd. Association of this County of our choice, and desire their assistance in his ordination, and that said committee act for us in any other business in that affair that is meet."
The following entry upon the church record of the ordi- nation of Mr. Robbins is of interest:
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
"October 28, 1761. The Rev'd. Ammi R. Robbins was set apart and solemnly ordained to the pastoral office over the Church of Christ in Norfolk, which solemnity may the great Head of the Church follow with his Divine blessing.
"The ordination council consisted of the following min- isters with their delegates, and a delegate from the church of Cornwall, viz .: Rev'ds. Philemon Robbins, Nathaniel Roberts, Joseph Bellamy, Jonathan Lee, Daniel Farrand, Judah Champion, Abel Newell, Cotton M. Smith, Sylvanus Osburn, Joel Bardwell, with their delegates, and a delegate from the church of Cornwall.
"The Rev'd. Mr. Bellamy was chosen Moderator and Rev'd. Mr. Lee, Scribe. Those who assisted in imposition of hands, and the parts of the solemnity were these, viz .: Rev'd. Mr. Lee made the first prayer. Rev'd. Mr. Robbins preached the sermon. Rev'd. Mr. Bellamy prayed and gave the charge. Rev'd. Mr. Champion gave the right hand of fellowship, and Rev'd. Mr. Roberts made the concluding prayer. The whole was performed with decorum and order.
'Test A. R. Robbins, Pastor.
"The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was first admin- istered to the Church of Christ in Norfolk, April 26th, 1761, by the Rev'd. Mr. Farrand. Next administered August 30th, 1761, by s'd Rev'd. Mr. Farrand.
"December 6, 1761, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to the Church of Christ in Norfolk the first time after said church had a pastor, per me Ammi R. Robbins, Pastor, and by a vote of the Church the Sacra- ment is to be administered five times a year."
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
VIII.
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR - PATRIOTIC "RESOLVES" ADOPTED IN TOWN-MEETING -NAMES OF MEN FROM NORFOLK WHO RESPONDED TO THE LEXINGTON ALARM -NAMES AND SERVICE OF MEN FROM NORFOLK IN THE ARMY - JOURNAL OF REV. A. R. ROBBINS WHILE CHAPLAIN IN THE ARMY, GIVING A MOST VIVID PICTURE OF THE HARDSHIPS OF ARMY LIFE IN THAT DAY.
It is to regretted that in Dr. Roys History of Norfolk there is not given a fuller and more detailed account of the action of the town and the names at least of some of those who were soldiers in the Continental Army from this town, with facts and interesting incidents that were well known at the time he wrote, but have now passed beyond recall. He says: "The troublous times which had for several years been anticipated, now arrived. Their recital as to detail is here omitted, and the reader referred to the official docu- ments published at large on the subject. It will be sufficient in this place to say, our fathers now began very sensibly to feel, in common with their fellow citizens throughout the country, the effects of British aggression, innovation, and unwarranted demands. Those impolitic measures on the side of the British, were the cause of their almost unani- mously and firmly imbibing that spirit of independence and freedom which actuated them in their subsequent and ar- duous struggles for the defence of their inalienable rights. The inhabitants of this town determined, in co-operation with their fellow-citizens, to withstand the torrent of abuse unmercifully poured upon them, and to emancipate them- selves from the now rude grasp of their mother-country, if blood as well as treasure must be the sacrifice. From the few public newspapers then in circulation the news of the day was obtained, and the public proceedings were made familiar to them, and they told them to their children.
THE ELDRIDGE RESIDENCE.
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
"In 1774, having learned that the harbor of Boston was blockaded by the British, in the true spirit of Christian benevolence and of patriotism, they resolved in legal meet- ing to send relief to the inhabitants who were in distressing circumstances. It was timely, and though like the widow's mite when compared with their necessities, it was un- doubtedly an acceptable offering. At the same meeting they levied a tax of one half penny on the pound for the purpose of procuring powder and other ammunition for the use of the town, that they might be ready for any emer- gency calling for its use. For the same reason they estab- lished a pest-house for the small pox,-a disease then dreaded, especially if taken the natural way, almost as much as the hydrophobia is now. In 1774, the 30th of June, they received the resolves of the representatives convened at Hartford, and immediately called a special meeting of the people, who voted to approve, adopt and copy them. The import of the resolves was very similar to those passed in Philadelphia, which are copied below.
"It is an indispensable duty which we owe to our king, our colony, ourselves and our posterity, by all lawful meas- ures and means in our power, to maintain, defend and pre- serve inviolate, those our rights and liberties, and to trans- mit them entire and inviolate to the latest generation; and that it is our fixed determination and unalterable resolu- tion faithfully to discharge this our duty."
The (Philadelphia) resolves above referred to, ten in num- ber, are for substance as follows:
"We are entitled to life, liberty and property, and no foreign power has a right to dispose of either without our consent. We are entitled to all the rights, liberties and immunities of free and natural-born subjects. By our emi- gration we have not forfeited, surrendered or lost any of those rights, nor our allegiance to our rightful sovereign.
"As we are not represented in the British parliament, we are entitled to a free and exclusive power of legislation in our several provincial legislatures, subject only to the negative of our sovereign. The respective colonies are en-
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
titled to the common law of England, and the inestimable privilege of being tried by their peers of the vicinage, ac- cording to the course of that law. That we are entitled to the benefit of such of the English statutes as existed at the time of our colonization. That we are entitled to all the immunities and privileges confirmed to us by royal charters, or the several codes of provincial laws. We have a right peaceably to assemble, consider of our grievances, and petition the king for redress.
"Keeping a standing army in any of our colonies without our consent is illegal. It is rendered essential by the Eng- lish constitution, that the constituent branches of the leg- islature be independent of each other.
"December 26, 1774. Our people received the fourteen ar- ticles of agreement drawn up and signed by all the repre- sentatives present, in their own names and in behalf of their constituents, to continue until their grievances were re- dressed. A special (town) meeting was called, and a unani- mous vote given to approve of and abide by these resolves. They proceeded to appoint a committee of nine, whose duty it should be to enforce the observance of them, and a com- mittee of three to correspond with the other colonies on the subject. Appointed for said committee, Giles Pettibone, Esq., Dudley Humphrey, Esq., and Titus Ives."
The resolves or articles of agreement referred to above were passed in Philadelphia in September preceding by the continental congress then convened. The articles follow: "Agreed not to import any articles from Great Britain or any of its colonies, or of any concerned in trade with them. Not to export any article to those places either directly or indirectly. Not to use or consume any article procured from those places. Not to purchase any slave imported, but wholly discontinue the slave trade, and not assist in any way to carry it on. Not to purchase any tea on which a duty has been or shall be paid. We will use our utmost en- deavors to improve the breed of sheep and increase the number of them.
"We will encourage frugality, economy and industry, and
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
promote agriculture, arts and manufactures, especially of wool. We will discourage every species of extravagance, and if we lose a friend or relative we will use no more ex- pensive dress than a piece of crape or ribbon on the arm or hat, and our ladies a black ribbon or necklace.
"That the manufactures of this country shall be sold at reasonable prices. That we will have no intercourse with any colony which shall not accede to or which shall violate this association. That a committee shall be appointed in every town, whose duty it shall be to enforce the observance of these resolves and agreements.
"The committee appointed for the above purpose in this town were faithful in the discharge of their duty. They were Giles Pettibone, Dudley Humphrey, Titus Watson, Samuel Mills and Andrew Moore."
As has been well said: "The attitude assumed by the colonists at the beginning of the struggle was that of vigi- lance and self-defence. * The crisis culminated on April 19, 1775. A detachment of British troops marching out from Boston to seize military stores alleged to have been collected at Concord for hostile purposes, was met upon the road by the Provincials, and a bloody encounter took place. The since famous skirmishes of Lexington and Concord were fought, which precipitated the Revolutionary war. An alarm was immediately spread in every direction."
The news quickly reached this distant town, and a most creditable response was made, twenty-four men being found ready to march at scarcely more than a moment's notice, for the assistance of the Massachusetts colonists. The names of the men found in the official "List of the men who marched from the Connecticut towns for the relief of Bos- ton in the Lexington alarm, April, 1775, from the town of Norfolk," are as follows: Timothy Gaylord, captain; Ser- geants, Samuel Cowles, Titus Watson, Brotherton Seward; Clerk, William Hewett.
Privates-Ephraim Parker, Elijah Pettibone, Samuel Hotchkiss, Samuel Hotchkiss, Jr., Andrew Lester, Jeffery Murray, Caleb Aspinwall, Thomas Curtiss, Ebenezer Hoyt,
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
Jared Abernathy, Freedom Wright, Titus Brown, Timothy Gaylord, 2nd, Nathaniel Field, Phineas Norton, Amariah Plumb, David Orvis, Benjamin Tuttle, Abraham Beach.
No complete list was kept or has been preserved or dis- covered of the names of the men who served in the army during the Revolutionary War. By a resolution of the General Assembly of this state, approved March, 1886, and April, 1887, providing for a record of service of Connecticut men in the late civil war, it was also provided "That the Adjutant General be authorized to publish * * * a catalogue or roll, containing the names and records of those soldiers who served in Connecticut organizations * * * dur- ing the War of the Revolution, the war of 1812 with Great Britain, and the Mexican War." This most valuable work, compiled from the records, pay-rolls of Connecticut regi- ments, official manuscripts in the archives of the state, and in the departments of the General Government at Washing- ton, and papers in the hands of descendants of Revolution- ary soldiers contains 27,823 names of men from Connecti- cut; but in a large number of instances there is no means of ascertaining from what town the soldiers enlisted, or to learn who should be credited to Norfolk.
The following list of soldiers was published as an appen- dix to the historic sermon of Rev. J. W. Beach, which was delivered in this town July 9, 1876. A considerable part of this Revolutionary War material used by Mr. Beach is found in Dr. Eldridge's manuscripts:
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS FROM NORFOLK.
"This list has been gathered from a variety of sources, and is by no means complete. It does not follow that a given man served only during the term given below. Of some it is only known that they were afterwards pensioners.
"Rev. A. R. Robbins, chaplain in Burrell's regiment, from March 18, to October 31, 1776, in Canada.
Ozias Bingham, served in Canada May, 1775, to Sept. 3, 1775; was put in jail at Litchfield for debt the next winter, and in order to be released, enlisted in Col. Heman Swift's regiment, Feb. 2, 1776, and on application to the Legislature was permitted to leave jail and join the regiment, upon his giving a note for the debt.
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
Levi Barnum, in Canada in the campaign of 1775, was taken prisoner with Ethan Allen and sent to England in irons, and re- turned only after great hardships.
Peter Noble, enlisted in May, 1775, in John Watson's company, Hinman's regiment, and was taken prisoner with Allen, as above.
Ebenezer Mack, of same regiment, was also taken prisoner with Allen, and remained in close confinement 19 months, was sick much of the time, lost all his baggage, was carried to Quebec, to England and Ireland, thence to Cape Fear, S. C., Halifax, and finally New York, whence he escaped, and came home in April, 1777.
Jesse Tobey, Sergeant, Hinman's regiment, May, 1775, to Sept. 28, 1775.
Samuel Hotchkiss, private, Hinman's regiment, May, 1775, to Sept. 28, 1775.
Roger Orvis, private, Hinman's regiment, May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775.
Jasper Murray, private, Hinman's regiment, May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775.
Daniel Pettibone, private, Hinman's regiment, May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775.
Andrew Lester, private, Hinman's regiment, May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775, besides answering Lexington alarm.
Nathaniel Field, private, Hinman's regiment, May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775, and Lexington alarm.
Freedom Wright, private, Hinman's regiment, May, 1775, to Sept. 4, 1775, and Lexington alarm.
Abraham Beach, private, Hinman's regiment, May, 1775, to Sept. 6, 1775, and Lexington alarm.
Jehiel Hull, private, Hinman's regiment, May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775; also served five months in 1780, in Swift's regiment, Capt. Converse's company, at the Highlands.
Amariah Plumb, answered Lexington alarm, was private in Can- ada campaign, May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775, during which he was wounded at the siege of St. Johns, and his thigh bone broken, was captured and held as a prisoner there a few days, till the fortress surrendered, then made his way home with great difficulty, received £25 special grant from the State, and died March 1, 1778.
Jotham Parker, served under Hinman from May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775, as private. Re-enlisted as Captain of teams in 1777, in the Commissary Department, and served a long time.
Darius Phelps served May, 1775, to Sept. 7, 1775.
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