USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Granby > History of Simsbury, Granby, and Canton : from 1642 to 1845 > Part 5
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > History of Simsbury, Granby, and Canton : from 1642 to 1845 > Part 5
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Canton > History of Simsbury, Granby, and Canton : from 1642 to 1845 > Part 5
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
ciate as minister. August 23, 1696, the call was renewed by an unanimous vote. Under date of September 20, of this year, is this record :-
" Whereas, there arises some demur, in refference to our pre- ceding actions, touching our gathering a church here in Simsbury, by some of the elders of the neighboring churches ;- presupposing that we lye under scandol, by reason of the minister's departing and leaving of us destitute-they desiring to be better informed of said mator. Ensign Thomas Barber is chosen, by the congregation, to go to Mr. Hooker ; and Serg't Samuel Wilcoxson, to go to Mr. Mather, for to inform them about ye said case, and the agitation thereof .*
"Further voted, by those persons that have subscribed to be admited to ye Lords super, that they are willing to be examined, and tried, as to their knowledge, and fitness, for such fellowship and ordinance, by the elders of other churches."
This matter seems to have been settled satisfactorily. Whether it ever had any weight with Mr. Woodbridge, in inducing a postponement of his ordination, is not known. The town having made grants of other lands, on condition of his settlement, he accepted the terms, and was ordained pastor of the church, Nov. 10, 1697.
Among the articles furnished at the ordination, are the following, which are here noted to show the prices of pro- visions at that period. Half a lamb of mutton, 2s. 6d .- butter, six pence per pound-four pounds of sugar, 2s. 6d .- half a bushel indian meal, Is. 3d .- two fowls, Sd .- eighty- four pounds of beef, 15s .- thirty pounds venison, 3s. 9d .- nineteen pounds of pork, 4s. 9d .- nine pounds of mutton, 2s .- two gills of rum, 9d.
Reduced to the present currency, the price of beef was three cents a pound-mutton, three and a half cents,-and venison two cents.
He was the first ordained minister in the town, and con- tinued here in the ministry, until his death, August 3, 1710, greatly beloved by his people, and, for aught that appears, having ever discharged the duties of his office with great
* Both Clergymen. Mr. Hooker preached at Farmington, and Mr. Mather at Windsor.
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
fidelity. He was son of the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge, of Wethersfield, a family distinguished for their attachment to the profession of the ministry. His wife's maiden name was Dorothy Lamb, of Roxbury, Massachusetts.
He resided on a lot, known for many years as the parson- age lot, on the east side of the road, nearly opposite the house of the late Gen. Noah Phelps, deceased. The well, belonging to the house, was discovered a few years since, covered over. In 1700, the town voted to fortify his house, by building a stockade or palisade around it. This was done, and the house continued, for many years, as the place of resort for all the inhabitants in that vicinity, when danger was threatened, or expected. His successor, the Rev. Tim- othy Woodbridge, occupied the same house many years, and until he removed to another, which he built, and which stood upon the same spot as the one now occupied by Doct. Augustus R. Case .*
From a manuscript church record kept by Mr. Wood- bridge, now in a mutilated condition, it appears, that at the time of his ordination, there were forty-three persons belong- ing to the church ;- seventeen women, and twenty-six men, including one Indian.
The form of church covenant used at this time was as follows :
" You do all here, solomnely here in the feare of God's all pres- ence of this congregation, avouch God in Jesus Christ to be your God ;- and you do give up yourselves and yours to be the Lord's, to submit to his rule and government in his church, to obey his commands, walke in all Religious duties towards God ; in love towards your neighbors ;- and that you will do your duty in bring- ing up your children in the knowledg and feare of God according to the scriptures."
* The Wyllis family of Hartford, with whom the Woodbridges were allied. were often visitors at the old mansion ; and in the spring season, came fre- quently to fish for salmon, which were then abundant in the river. Long after the decease of the last Mr. Woodbridge, and after the house had been demolished, some members of this family visited its site, and collected relics from the remains of its foundation walls.
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
" The names of those promising so to do, are as followeth :-
Thomas Barbur,
Nathaniel Holcomb,
Peter Buell,
Joseph Strickland,
Samuel Case,
Jeremiah Gillitt,
John Slater, Sen.
Mascalin, (Indian,)
Jonah Westover,
Ruth Holcomb,
John Pettibon, Sen.
Sarah Pettibone
Andrew Hillyard,
Elizabeth Holcomb,
John Pettibone, Jun.
Deborah Moses,
Thomas Holcomb,
Mary Humphris,
Samuel Humphries,
Mary Bisel,
Thomas Griffin,
Elizabeth Tullor,
Sam'l Willcockson, Sen.
Abigall Backon,
John Case,
Sarah Hill,
Sam'! Willcockson, Jun.
Elizabeth Gozzard, Sen.
Joseph Case,
Sarah Mills,
Eliezer Hill,
Elizabeth Gozard,
John Mills,
Deborah Addams,
James Hillyard,
Sarah Hill,
John Tullor,
Hannah Holcomb,
William Case,
Marey Barbur,
John Slater, Jun.
Elizabeth Strickland.
These are the names of those men and women that were accepted for full communion in Simsbury at the Lord's table, by the Elders of the Church signing their names."
It would seem that all the old members of the church renewed their covenants, according to this form, after Mr. Woodbridge's ordination.
After the death of the Rev. Dudley Woodbridge, the pulpit was supplied by his kinsman, Mr. Timothy Wood- bridge, Jr. of Hartford, on probation. His services being acceptable, the inhabitants at a town meeting, held January 3, 1712, invited him, by a unanimous vote, to become their settled pastor. The invitation was accepted. The terms of settlement, as agreed upon, were-the payment of ninety pounds in lands-one hundred and ten pounds, in provision pay, one half thereof payable in 1715, and the residue in 1716,-a yearly salary for the first four years, of seventy pounds, and his fire wood, and thereafter, one hundred pounds annually, payable, in both cases, in provision pay, according to the price of provisions, as stated by the Gene-
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
ral Court, yearly. Those who paid their rates in money, were to be allowed a discount of one third of the amount of such rates. *
Mr. Woodbridge was ordained November 13, 1712, and continued in the ministry until his decease, August 28, 1742. He was a gentlemen of education, piety and good talents ; but, as will appear in other parts of this history, he was extensively engaged in worldly avocations, and specu- lations-a fault, if it be such, which was not uncommon, at that period, among his brethren in the ministry. He mar- ried the relict of the former Mr. Woodbridge, by whom he had several children. The Woodbridges, now residing in this town, are among his descendants. His widow, who survived him a few years, dwelt and died here.
*" Provision pay"-a term in common use for a long series of years-was adopted by reason of the scarcity of specie in circulation. Our foreign trade, which was confined chiefly to the mother country and subjected to her control, was so restricted that the balance of trade was turned against us, and conse- quently the importation of specie prevented. From the first settlement of the Colony, to the French war of 1745, when the war expenses were paid by England in coin, there was hardly any specie in circulation, and but little in the country.
" Provision pay" was thus from necessity adopted. Until the first issue of paper money by the Colony in 1709, nearly all payments were made in provisions. All taxes too were paid in produce, at prices for the different articles established from time to time by the General Court. And contracts between individuals, unless expressly stipulated to be paid in specie, were payable in the same manner, and at the same prices. Much of the traffic between individuals however, was carried on by barter or exchange of goods.
In 1709, and at various times subsequently, the Colony issued paper money, or " bills of credit," as this species of money was then called, which, being receivable for all taxes and public dues, became the general circulating medium, though after a few years, it passed at aconsiderable discount below the par value of specie. These bills of credit, issued by Connecticut, con- tinued in circulation until after the commencement of the war of the Revo- lution, when they were supplanted by the " Continental money."
After the peace in 1783, when trade with foreign countries was, in general, unrestricted and in a thriving condition, specie was imported and thrown into general circulation. So that, from the first settlement of the Colony, to the peace of 1783, a period of one hundred and forty-eight years, with the exception of two short terms during the French wars of 1745 and 1756, specie was not in circulation to any considerable extent.
CHAPTER V.
Location and Erection of the Second Meeting-House. Other Ecclesiastical Affairs. 1725-1845.
THE old meeting-house being out of repair, and too small to accommodate the inhabitants, measures were taken, in 1725, to erect a new onc. And here commenced a contro- versy upon this subject, which continued for a period of over thirteen years, and which, before the question was finally settled, had become so acrimonious as to separate friends and family connections, and so general, as to per- vade all ranks and conditions of the people. And it had so extended itself amongst the members of the church, that the Ministerial Association was induced to recommend to the pastor to discontinue the administration of the sacrament of the Lord's supper.
In order to understand correctly the various influences which bore upon this question, a view should be taken of the condition of the town at that time. Its geographical center was nearly two miles north of the old meeting-house, and there were no settlements west of the main road leading from Meadow plain to Salmon brook. The principal vil- lages were then, as now, at Weatauge, (east and west,) Hop meadow, Westover's plain, &c .;- each of which was desirous of having the house in its immediate vicinity. And, as there were then no bridges across the river, it was of some consequence that the building should be placed near that stream, that those who had to pass it, might leave their horses on its bank, and have but a short distance to walk after crossing it.
After various meetings, held by the town, in 1725, to establish the site for the new house, all of which were un- successful, the town, on the 7th of October, 1725, made a
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
formal application to the General Assembly, for the appoint- ment of a committee, " to come to Simsbury, and take a view of the situation of it," and "to give their advice where the meeting-house should be set, for the greatest conveni- ency, of the whole town, and to make report to the General Assembly, in May next, in order to a confirmation."
The application was granted, and a committee appointed, consisting of Governor Talcott, Matthew Allyn, an Assistant, and Roger Wolcott, also an Assistant, and subsequently Governor of the Colony, who reported to the May session of the Assembly, 1726, that, in their opinion, the meeting- house should be placed at Bissell's landing, on the west side of the river, and advised the inhabitants of the town "to proceed and set up their meeting-house, at that place, in a christian and peacable manner becoming such a work." " Bissell's landing," a name now obsolete, was near the present bridge at Westover's plain. This report was ac- cepted by both Houses ; thus the question was apparently settled.
But, at the same session, a petition was presented signed by all the inhabitants residing in the southerly part of the town, including a few persons belonging to the north part of Farmington, praying for a distinct society, with liberty to place their meeting-house at west Weatauge; the north boundary thereof; to be a line runing easterly and westerly from the month of Hop brook. The petitioners state, that Bissell's landing place " is distant. from the nearest of us, (excepting about three or four families.) four miles, and that we are in number about three hundred persons, and the difficulty of transporting ourselves, and families, to the worship of God, is a burden almost insupportable,"-and that " the list of our estate is about three thousand pounds." This petition was granted in the lower House, but rejected in the Council.
There was another petition presented, at the same ses- sion, signed by seventy-six persons, evincing their concur- rence in the report of the committee, establishing the site of the meeting-house at Bissell's landing; and protesting
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
against the formation of a new society, in the south part of the town, for " if so," as they say, " it destroys the whole community, because the travells of the north society will not be eased, and the charge (will be) almost iusupport- able."
At a town meeting, held August 7, 1726, the town voted that they " will not build a meeting-house at ye place where the Court's committee ordered, viz., at Bissell's landing place."
In September, 1726, the town voted to divide into two societies ; and appointed Mr. James Ensign, of Hartford, Deacon John Hart, of Farmington, and Joseph Barnard, of Windsor, a committee to establish the divisional line be- tween the two societies.
At the October session, 1726, a large number of the inhab- itants presented to the General Assembly a petition, in which they state, that " there has been great difficulties in our town concerning the building a meeting-house, and our dificulties are still remaining ; and we are in no way likely to suite ourselves ; therefore, we humbly pray this Honor- able Assembly, that they would not move us from the place where the meeting-house now stands, (being near the an- cient settlements of our town,) at present, or until we are in some way (better able) to suite ourselves."
April 25, 1727, the town adopted a petition to the General Assembly, asking for a division of the town into two socie- ties; and for the appointment of a committee to fix the dividing line, and the sites of the two meeting-houses. The prayer of the petition was granted, and Capt. Willianı Wadsworth, Capt. John Sheldon, and Mr. James Church, were appointed, who reported in favor of a division into two societies ;- the dividing line to run westerly from a point commencing some forty rods north of the present school- house at Westover's plain, and easterly until it intersects the river, which it follows to Windsor bounds ;- that the site of the meeting-house, for the south society, should be on the east side of the river, a little south of the bend of the river, (this place is perhaps eighty rods north of the present
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
dwelling house of Mr. Oliver Bradley ;)-and that the meeting-house, for the north society, should be erected abont sixty rods west of Higley's marsh, on the road leading from the Falls to Turkey hills. This report was accepted at the May session, 1727, and a resolution passed in accord- ance therewith.
But, this division, and especially the location of the two meeting-houses, were unsatisfactory to a large portion of the inhabitants.
The first, or sonth society, held a meeting on the 27th of December 1727, and resolved that they would not build a meeting-house at the place designated by the committee. And, at a subsequent meeting, held March 26, 1728, they voted to meet for public worship at the old meeting-house ; also, to build a new one at the same place ; and appointed Joseph Case senior, and Jonathan Westover, a committee to petition the legislature for permission to do so. The Assembly, however, refused to grant the prayer of the petition.
At the same session, a petition, signed by fifty-six per- sons, was preferred, complaining that the south society had, by a vote, refused to build a house for public worship at the place approved of by the legislature, and asking for a special act to enable them to raise money, by assessments, to build the house as ordered by the Assembly. It does not appear that any action was had upon this petition.
Another town meeting was held, October 10, 1728, when agents were appointed to present a petition, then adopted by the town, to the General Assembly, asking, "as a last remedy," for the appointment of " one more committee," clothed with full authority to decide whether one, or more, meeting-houses should be built, and to fix the location of such as they should order to be erected. 'The petition was granted, and a committee appointed, consisting of Messrs. Matthew Allyn, John Hooker, James Ensign and Joseph Barnard, with full authority to decide the controversy. Instead of reporting their decision to the Assembly, as was usual in such cases, they were directed to return it to the Secretary
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
for record, and, when so recorded, the proceedings were to be decisive and conclusive upon the town, and, in the lan- guage of the resolution, " an utter end of the controversy." The committee decided, that the town should continue undi- vided, and united in one ministerial society, as heretofore ; and " further, that ye place, wheir they shall erect theyer meeting house, shall be on ye west side of ye river, on ye south side of ye way or road leading up from ye river, where they ordinarily pass with ye boat, and so up ye hill, com- monly called Drake's hill." This place is about forty rods east of the present meeting-house in Simsbury. The com- mittee directed that the house should be forty-five feet square. They also made ont a rate bill, and appointed col- lectors, to collect the taxes to meet the expenses of the building, and a committee to superintend its construction. At the same time, to wit, November 21, 1728, the town voted " to unite into one society as formerly."
It would seem that, after these proceedings, the question would be considered as settled, and the controversy at an end. The building committee had provided timber for the house, and carried it to the place. But the end of the con- troversy was not yet. A large number, though probably not a majority, of the inhabitants, were strongly opposed to this decision. The two persons, appointed collectors, refused to act ; and the town not only refused to take any efficient measure in aid of the project, but, at a meeting held April 29, 1729, it voted " to set off a society, from ye dug way to ye north, and to run a west north west point from ye river, westward, and ye river to be ye dividing line, northward."
In consequence of these proceedings, numerous petitions were presented to the next session of the General Assembly, held in May, 1729, complaining that the place designated by the last committee, for the site of the meeting-house, " is miry," and subject to be overflown by the floods ; " that it is not convenient for the whole town, nor for one society, when the town is divided into two societies ;"-and asking that the committee may be again sent to the town, and another
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
hearing be had. The request was granted, and the commit- tee directed to review their proceedings.
The committee met on the 25th of June, 1729, and, on reconsideration, reversed and set aside their former proceed- ings ; and decided that the town should be divided into two distinct societies,-the dividing line being the one crossing at the " dug way," before mentioned,-that the site for the meeting-house in the first, or south, society, should be on the east side of the river, opposite Deac. James Cornish's dwelling-house, (then standing where Mr. John Tuller's house now stands,) -that the timber provided for the build- ing at Drake's hill, should belong to this society, and be used for this house ; and that the meeting-house of the north society should be erected at Bridge hill,* on the north side of the river, at the " falls." They also appointed a build- ing committee for each society.
The building committee of the south society, in pursu- ance of this authority, removed the timber (and, as tradition says, in the night season,) from Drake's hill across the river to the new site for their house, and proceeded to frame and raise the building. But, as there was no collector "to gather the rates" which had been laid by the committee appointed by the Assembly, they applied to the legislature, to appoint a collector for this purpose, for the reason, as they state, that they "judge it impossible for said society, under their present circumstances, to chuse a collector." This timber was afterwards attached by William Bnel, which occasioned a cessation in the further construction of the building at that place.
The second society, July 22d, 1729, voted to raise a rate or tax of four pence on the pound, "to arect and build a meating hous at the bridge hill, as the commity ordered ; and that with the advise with some wise men, we will hire a minster to preach the gospel to the second sosiaty, at Dan- iel Holcomb's hons." The list of this society then amount- ed to £3636 12s. Od. At anothermeeting, held in August of
* Bridge hill, it is supposed, was near the residence of David Latham Esq.
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
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the same year, the society voted that the dimensions of their meeting-house should be forty-two by thirty-two feet.
Sixty-one persons, some of them belonging to the north society, addressed a letter, dated July 16, 1729, to the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge, in which they state, that "having met together to consider our difficulties, relating to the settle- ment of our meeting-house affairs, and things seemingly looking worse than ever, as if love and peace were likely to depart from us, in the way that we are in ;" they conclude by offering to pay him his salary, amounting to one hundred pounds yearly, " so long as he shall continue with them as their pastor," in case the General Court would sanction the measure. Jonathan Westover signs the letter, with this proviso, that he will pay his "equal part in a gospel way, but not in a forcible way."
At the October session, 1729, a number of petitions were presented to the Assembly, some in favor of, and the others against a confirmation of the doings of the last committee. But it does not appear that any notice was taken of these memorials.
Another town meeting was held in March, 1730, when it was voted to continue to maintain public worship, at the old meeting-house, and to request Mr. Woodbridge to con- tinue with them and officiate as formerly. It was also resolved to take the advice of the Association of Ministers, in relation to their difficulties, and in view of them, wheth- er or not, Mr. Woodbridge ought to continue in the work of the ministry.
The Association met at Simsbury on the 31st of March, and having heard the contending parties, and used their influence to bring about a reconciliation, but finding, as they say, " that nothing could be gained," they came to the conclusion that " under the present divided circumstances" of the town, the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge was " under no obli- gation to continue his ministry, either at the old meeting- house, or in any other separate part of the town."
The controversy, at no time distinguished for its mild- ness, assumed now an aspect dangerous to the welfare of
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HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
the community. It was deep rooted and wide spread. Even the church became infected. So warmly and gener- ally had its members entered into the quarrel, that the Asso- ciation felt compelled to decide, that the members of this church were so destitute "of a good and christian frame of spirit, as to be unfit for communion at the Lord's table."*
The north society, also, procured timber to build their meeting-house at Bridge hill, and laid a tax, as before sta- ted, to defray the expense of erecting the building. But, as the collector had received his appointment from the com- mittee appointed by the General Assembly, his authority was questioned, and the people refused to pay their taxes.
At the next session of the Assembly, May 1730, a large number of petitions were presented, in reference to this contested subject. Among them, was one signed by the Rev. Timothy Edwards, and five other distinguished cler- gymen, in which they state, that " the sorrowful state of the town of Simsbury" is such, that " the strictest bonds of charity oblige us, and all christians that come to the knowledge of it, to compassionate them." The legisla- ture did not directly grant the prayer of any of these peti- tions ;- but it appointed another committee, consisting of Gov. Talcott, and Nathaniel Stanley and Ozias Pitkin Esqrs. "to meet the inhabitants of Simsbury, in a legally warned town meeting, in order that the said meeting might consider, and agree amongst themselves, at what place, or places, and in what manner, to build for themselves a meeting-honse, or meeting-houses, for the worship of God as they, or the greater part of them, by their votes shall, in such meeting, agree, conclude, and determine ;" at which
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