USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut. Volume I, 1600-1760 > Part 29
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
viz., all south of old Greenwich Path, while all the land north of that path, together with Egunk Hill and the vacant country land, should be made one town and incorporated with civil, military and ecclesiastic powers, that so they might carry on the work of the gospel and have a gospel ministry. This proposal to leave the greater part of Voluntown out in the cold and establish church ordinances in the more attractive region northward, was rejected by both houses. A still more earnest petition signed by John and Samuel Gallup, John and Francis Smith, Thomas Cole, Joshua Jaffrey and others was sent in October, begging the Court to consider their deplorable condition, still destitute of public means of grace after so many years of settlement. Captain Daniel Brewster, Lieu- tenant Joseph Backus and Mr. John Sprague were then appointed a committee, to view the circumstances of Voluntown and the land lying eastward of Plainfield, and make report at the next Assembly. They found eleven families settled within the limits of Voluntown, numbering "about 119 souls," some of them in low circumstances, yet a considerable number more good inhabitants designed to be there soon and many more that would come if encouraged by Court ; in the country land north they found twelve houses and families, and reported to the Court, that neither the bounds of Voluntown as already granted, nor the lands north not annexed were sufficient alone to make a good parish, but that a good parish might be made consisting partly of both. The Assembly then ordered, May, 1719, that so much of the lands lying north of the present bounds of Voluntown and east of the bounds of Plainfield, as should be needful for the making a good parish there for comfortable carrying on the worship of God, should be annexed to Voluntown and forever after be accounted within the bounds of that town. The committee previously appointed were to perform this work and also to sell and dispose of the Government's right to said land to such good inhabitants as should be willing to settle upon them-the money so obtained to be appropriated towards building a state-house at Hartford. The addition thus granted included the territory of the present town of Sterling, save a mile in length at the northern extremity, which was left in the possession of the Colony.
The survey and annexation were accomplished as rapidly as possible by John Plumb, surveyor for New London County, and thirty lots laid out and made over to the following purchasers :-
James Welch. James Dean. Thomas Ross, two lots. William Harris. Joshua Jeffries. Samuel Butler.
Ebenezer Cooper. Ebenezer Dow. Josiah French.
Capt. Thomas Williams. Thomas Dow. Henry Cobb.
Robert Williams. John Smith. John Jordan. Robert Park. Miles Jordan. Ishmael Speek. John Park.
245
THE VOLUNTEERS' LAND, DIVISION, ETC.
One lot was reserved for the future minister. Some " laid out in woods," were probably unsalable. Some of the purchasers were well- known residents of Plainfield ; others were already settled in Volun- town on the addition ; a few were new inhabitants. Their purchases were confirmed to them by the Gen. Assembly, October, 1719, on con- dition, that each should "have a tenantable house and settle themselves within the space of three years and continue to live there three years after such settlement, upon the forfeiture of said purchase." The horse-brand assigned for the settlement was the figure U.
The residents in the former north part of Voluntown and the addi- tion, who had hoped to secure a snug little township by themselves, were not quite satisfied with this transfer to a poor, unsettled, rambling township, and would have even preferred absorption by Plainfield. Lands formerly used as commons were now distributed to private owners. Some of these dissatisfied settlers joined with Plainfield in agitation for a re-settlement. John Smith and John Stoyell thus told their own story to the Assembly :-
" Honored Gentlemen .- After the committee had well viewed land in Vol- untown and north of it-having a peculiar regard to Parish discipline and not willing to settle any too remote from the place of worship-said committee went to Plainfield's northeast corner and run the line south one mile . . and then run the line east to ye supposed line between the Colonies and began to lay out lots and dispose of them to such as they saw reason to admit inhabitants, six lots bounded north on said line, and continued laying out and granting and disposing southward from the above six lots, joining lot to lot to the number of twenty-two-whereupon, the inhabitants thereupon will not be well able to subsist without outlet and commonage. Southward, they can not well be accommodated by reason of ye barrenness of the land, and being so remote from most of them and also a river, and very steep land on each side, which is not convenient for cattle to travel up and down- wherefore, we are necessitated to pray your Honors to grant us the mile of land on the north . without which, we shall not be able to subsist, neither to pay our duty to church and commonwealth. We pray you to render compassion as fathers to their children, leaving it with you to do as you think best in behalf of purchase and inhabitants."
Twenty-seven inhabitants of Voluntown also petitioned for this strip of land and even offered fifty pounds for it, but all were denied and the mile north of Voluntown remained for several years in conten- tion between that township, Plainfield and Killingly.
XXXVI.
TOWN ORGANIZATION. SELECTION OF MEETING-HOUSE. CALL OF MINISTER. CHURCH ORGANIZATION. ORDINATION OF MR. DORRANCE.
THE Proprietors of Voluntown were greatly pleased with the addition secured to them and encouraged to hope that after so long delay they might carry out " their intended purpose of settling a
246
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
plantation accommodable for a christian society." Many of the original owners were now deceased, but their children or representatives main- tained their interest in the grant. At a meeting of proprietors, April 26, 1720, it was voted, That five thousand acres lying near the pond at the head of Pawcatuck River, shall be disposed of at the discretion of the committee to such gentlemen as may best serve the interests of Volunteers. In modern phrase, the lands were to be placed " where they would do the most good." The continued encroachments of Rhode Island made them anxious to secure favor in high places. In accordance with this vote, a thousand acres of land were presented to Governor Saltonstall; another thousand to Jeremiah Dummer, agent for Connecticut in Great Britain ; five hundred, each, to William Pit- kin, Richard Christophers, Samuel Eels, Joseph Talcott and Roger Wolcott ; two hundred, each, to Jonathan Law and James Wads- worth ; one hundred to Caleb Bushnell and fifty to John Stoyell-but whether the interests of the Volunteers were promoted by this disposi- tion, is not apparent. In response to a request from the agents of Voluntown, a deed of release and quit-claim to all the lands within the grants was confirmed to the proprietors by the Assembly.
The inhabitants of Voluntown, encouraged by the addition of terri- tory and the arrival of new settlers, began to take some preliminary steps towards organization as a township. In the autumn of 1720, the Reverend Mr. Wilson was secured for a minister and the first recorded public act of the inhabitants, March 14, 1721, was the choice of Robert Park and Jacob Bacon, " to go to treat with ye Reverend Mr. Wilson of ye reason, of his inclining to depart from us, and whether we can possibly keep him." John and Francis Smith were chosen as assistants. April 25, Nathaniel Deane and Jacob Bacon were ordered, " to draw up something in writing to send up to ye General Assembly in May, relating to our present circumstances." This writing, asking for power to lay a tax, and town privileges, was carried to the Assembly by Francis Smith and called out the following enactment :-
" That all the Volunteers rights or lots (whether greater or lesser) in number of acres, within the original grants in said town, is hereby taxed at eight shillings per year for the term of five years next ensuing, for the sup- port of a minister and building a meeting-house in said town; and the one thousand acres that Mr. Thomas Banister, deceased, bought of the proprietors of said town is hereby taxed at three pounds per year for the term and use aforesaid ; and the addition that was added in 1719, to said town is likewise taxed at ten shillings per hundred acres, and so likewise in lesser or greater quantities for the terms and use aforesaid."
>Lieutenant Christopher Avery, Mr. John Gallup, Mr. Robert Parke, Samuel Whalley and Ebenezer Dow were appointed a committee to set up notification of this tax with power to distrain upon the personal estate of any neglecting or refusing to pay his proportion-the money
247
TOWN AND CHURCH ORGANIZATION.
to be paid to Captain Williams of Plainfield, treasurer to receive and disburse it. The committee was empowered to act jointly with the committee for the proprietors of old Voluntown, in settling a minister's salary out of this present tax and to improve all the residue of the money for building a meeting house. And it was farther provided that if the tax thus raised should not be sufficient for the ends specified, inhabitants and proprietors should have power to levy a rate upon all the ratable estate so far as might be needful.
The Assembly also granted unto the inhabitants of Voluntown, the power and privilege of choosing their own town officers, and carrying on their own town affairs, and if any difficulty should arise among the inhabitants and proprietors about placing the meeting-house, the mnat- ter should be determined by a committee from the Assembly. Owners of lands sold for rates were allowed liberty of redemption on payment of necessary charges.
Thus a quarter of a century after the grant to the Volunteers, the tract then assigned them was invested with town privileges. Town government was organized June 20, 1721. Justice Williams of Plainfield served as moderator and administered the oath to public officers. Jacob Bacon was chosen town-clerk ; John Gallup, John Safford, Ebenezer Cooper, Samuel Whalley and Nathaniel French, selectmen ; Thomas Cole, constable ; Francis Smith, toller. Thirty- seven persons were admitted inhabitants, showing a large increase It was voted to call a minister to since the addition of territory.
settle among us here-Joseph Watson. Mr. Watson declined and >Mr. Billings was secured-afterwards settled over Canada Society. Meetings were held on the Sabbath for divine service at Thomas Cole's in the south, and John Smith's in the north of the town, alternately. In December, it was voted, To call Mr. Billings to preach Sabbath days through the winter. John Tyler, Obadiah Rhodes and Ebenezer Dow were added to the selectmen. A pound for the town was ordered at Francis Smith's house. Three men were chosen "to lay out highways least to ye damage of ye owners of land and ye best advantage for the neighborhood." It was voted, "That those admitted by ye Colony's committee to be proprietors in Volunto:vn should not act with ye present inhabitants in the prudential affairs of ye town." As none but " wholesome inhabitants" were desirable, Jethro Jeffard was required forthwith to depart out of town on penalty of transportation, and Joseph Tiffany received soon after a similar summary sentence of banish- ment. John Smith, at the crossing of Moosup's River, received liberty from the selectmen and grand jurors to keep a house of entertainment.
The location of the meeting-house already excited discussion and differences-the awkward shape of the town, eighteen or twenty miles
248
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
in length and only three or four in width, making it extremely difficult to accommodate its scattered inhabitants. In March, 1722, "it was voted clearly" :-
" That we shall begin on the south side of Thomas Bannister's land and so measure a north line to ye north end of Voluntown and then to make a centre upon said line, by running one east and west, and to begin at Rhode Is- land's pretended line and so to ye west line of Voluntown and so to make a centre on ye said north and south, east and west lines, and not to vary more than one-fourth of a mile from the centre. John Safford and Samuel Butler were chosen to carry the chain, John Gallup and John Tyler as selectinen to see that the chain be truly carried and John Smith to carry ye compass, and to begin said work April 24, and proceed until it be completed, and all were sworn to a faithful discharge of ye work."
The work was faithfully discharged according to instructions and on April 27, the committee reported, "That they found the centre of Voluntown westerly of the west clump of pines on Pine Hill, a place not suitable, and had selected a spot one-fourth of a mile north-west from it"-a site two miles northeast of the present Line-meeting-house. The town accepted the report, and in October following, voted, "To build a meeting-house thirty feet by twenty-six and sixteen stud." Thomas Cole, John Gallup and Ebenezer Dow were chosen to take care of building meeting-house until it be built, and to find a suitable burying-place, and to secure not less than three acres of land for both purposes. Meetings were to be held alternately at John Smith's and Ebenezer Dow's till the meeting-house be fit to meet in.
As sheep and swine as well as cattle were allowed to go at large, a large number of pounds was found needful. People north of Moosup's River were allowed to build a pound by the house of Samuel Butler ; those south of Eunk Swamp, the privilege of one by Samuel Whalley's. Twelve persons protested against this vote, " the town not being bound and the Colony line not run and it being doubtful if these people could be claimed as inhabitants." A pound was also built near Jacob Bacon's. Efforts were made to secure a permanent minister, Mr. Billings having declined a call. It was stated that Robert Campbell sent for "Mr. Boyd, reported to be an orthodox minister, to preach the gospel to us," but his success is not reported. Samuel Dorrance next appeared and gave such good satisfaction that he was invited in December to preach till the following May. Mr. Dorrance was a Scotch Presby- terian, lately arrived from Ireland, a graduate of Glasgow University, licensed to preach in 1711, by the Presbytery of Dumbarton and bringing with him satisfactory testimonials of his ministerial character and standing from several Associations in Scotland and Ireland. Far- ther acquaintance confirmed the favorable impression first made by him, and April 17, 1725, the Voluntown people met together to give him a formal call. They decided, first, to give him a call in writing, and give in their votes by subscription, "every man that was for ye
249
CHURCH AND TOWN ORGANIZATION.
settlement" desiring to have their names entered to the following document :-
" We, the inhabitants and proprietors of Voluntown, having by ye provi- dence of God had for some considerable time ye opportunity to experience your ministerial gifts and qualifications, by which we have received such satisfaction and are so well contented that it has pleased God to incline us to give you a call to settle with us in ye work of the gospel ministry, and in case of acceptance, agree to give you sixty pounds a year for the present, and also fifty pounds in such species as shall be suitable to promote your building or settlement.
3. Ye town does give their free vote that you shall have that lot laid out by the committee for the minister that should settle with us :--
John Smith. Daniel Dill.
John Ashcraft.
Thomas Cole.
Robert Parke.
William Thomas.
John Keigwin.
Benjamin Williams. William Deane.
Richard Williams.
John Gallup. Ephraim Dow.
Samuel Church. Nath. Ayers.
Thomas Welch.
Robert Campbell. Johnı Ayers.
Jonathan Roberts.
John Campbell. Samuel Gallup.
Nath. Deane.
Robert Jackson.
Thomas Dow. Joseph Bowditch.
Robert Miller. Ebenezer Dow. Noah Rogers. Jacob Bacon."
Thomas Gallup. Joseph Marsh.
A negative was called for, but not one answered. On the same day, a number of those present, as a special token of their love and good- will for their prospective minister, offered the following free gifts over and above their equal proportion raised by vote of the town :-
John Smith, five thousand shingles. Thomas Cole, three pounds money, in shingle nails.
John Gallup, five pounds, in work.
Robert Parke, three pounds, in boards and plank.
Daniel Church, carting.
Samuel Gallup, five pounds, money.
Thomas Gallup, breaking up two acres of land.
James Marsh, money.
Robert Campbell, work. William Thomas, two hundred of clab-boards.
William Gallup, ten shillings.
Nath. Deane, one pound, money. Jonathan Roberts, work.
John Campbell, two hundred clab- boards.
Robert Miller, work.
Samuel Church, work. Robert Jackson, one thousand
shiagles. Wmn. Parke, work.
John Ashcraft, work.
Samuel Gallup, a cow and calf.
Daniel Dill, work.
Jacob Bacon, work.
Stephen Richardson, two pounds, money. Deacon Jacob Warren, Plainfield, two pounds ten, money. Jolın Butler, one pound ten, money. William Deane, one pound, money.
After due deliberation, Mr. Dorrance, with humble thanks, accepted the call. August 16, Samuel Day, Robert Parke, John Smith, Samuel Church, Nath. Deane, Jacob Bacon, Thomas Cole and John Gallup were appointed a committee to apply themselves to the Association next at Groton, and take their advice about the ordination of Mr. Dorrance and to act according to their direction and to take care of what is needful to be done. The Association having examined the credentials of Mr. Dorrance, signified to the committee their approval of their choice and readiness to assist in his regular and orderly settle- ment ; the Assembly granted the usual liberty, and on October 15, 1723, a fast was kept preparatory to ordination. The Rev. Mr. Coit
32
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
of Plainfield preached in the morning, Mr. Lord of Preston in the afternoon, after which, "such as were in full communion and clothed with satisfactory testimonials-in order that they might distinguish themselves from heretics and other erroneous persons "-subscribed the following confession and obligations :-
" We believe that the Word of God is a perfect rule of faith and obedience, and acknowledge and believe that confession of faith composed by the Rev. Assembly of divines, sitting at Westminster :-
Samuel Dorrance. John Smith.
Samuel Church.
Robert Gordon.
Daniel Dill
Adam Kasson.
Thomas Cole.
Thomas Welch.
William Kasson.
Jolmı Kasson.
Jacob Bacon.
David Hopkins.
John Campbell. .
Daniel Cass.
Charles Campbell.
Robert Campbell.
John Dorrance.
Nath. French.
Samuel Campbell.
George Dorrance.
John Gibsonl.
Jolın Gordon.
Samuel Church, Jun.
James Hopkins.
Ebenezer Dow.
Nathaniel Deane.
William Rogers.
John Keigwin.
Vincent Patterson.
John Gallup."
William Hamilton.
Robert Miller.
Robert Hopkin.
Patrick Parke.
Alexander Gordon.
John Dorrance, Jun.
John and Robert Parke.
This Voluntown church, thus adopting the Westminster Confession of Faith, was the first, and long the only Presbyterian church in Connecticut. It is not probable that all whose names are affixed to this Confession signed it on the day of organization, though it was evidently a strong and vigorous church at the outset.
Letters were sent to the ministers in New London, Canterbury, Preston new society, Plainfield and Killingly, inviting them to join in the ordination of Mr. Dorrance, October 23. Up to this date, the proceedings of town and people had been marked by entire harmony and unanimity, but on the day appointed for ordination a violent oppo- sition was manifested. Various conflicting elements were working among the people. A large number of new inhabitants had arrived during the summer. Mr. Dorrance had been accompanied to New England by several families of Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, who had followed him to Voluntown and settled there, buying land in various localities. His brothers, John and George Dorrance, Gordons, Camp- bells, Kassons, Hopkins, Keigwin, Hamilton and Gibson were already admitted as inhabitants, and had assisted in organizing the church. The advent of these foreigners, though men of good position and excellent character, was looked upon with great suspicion by the older settlers. A somewhat loose and disorderly population had pre- viously gathered in this border township, inclined like their Rhode Island neighbors to Baptist sentiments, averse to religious restraints, and especially jealous of Popery and Presbyterianism. The adoption of the Westminster Confession by the new church caused immediate outbreak and rebellion. The Council met according to appointment-
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TOWN AND CHURCH ORGANIZATION.
the Rev. Messrs. Lord, Coit, Estabrook and Fisk, with their messengers, and were proceeding regularly to business when, to their amazement, a number of people appeared, determined to obstruct the ordination of Mr. Dorrance, and, "in a riotous, disorderly and un christian way," without waiting for prayer or ceremony, presented the subjoined remonstrance :-
" We, whose names are under-written, do agree that one of our New Eng- land people may be settled in Voluntown to preach the gospel to us, and will oblige ourselves to pay him yearly, and will be satisfied, honored gentlemen, that you choose one for us to prevent unwholesome inhabitants, for we are afraid Popery and Heresy will be brought into the land; therefore, we protest against settling Mr. Dorrance, because he is a stranger, and we are informed he came out of Ireland, and we do observe that since he has been in town that the Irish do flock into town, and we are informed that the Irish are not wholesome inhabitants, and upon this account we are against settling Mr. Dorrance, for we are not such persons as you take us to be, but desire the gospel to be preached by one of our own and not by a stranger, for we can- not receive any benefit for neither soul nor body, and we would pray him to withdraw himself from us."
The names appended to this document were omitted by the scribe, "for prudential reasons," but some, he says, " were not inhabitants ; others, such as call themselves Baptists ; others, those who live without God." Great clamor and confusion followed. The Council passed the day in hearing these opposers repeat their reasons over and over, but the second day achieved the following "result" :-
" 1. We esteem the objections offered by the defending party against Mr. Dorrance's ordination, invalid.
2. We judge the people's call of Mr. Dorrance not sufficient.
3. We testify our firm persuasion that Mr. Dorrance's ministerial abilities are unexceptionable.
4. We advise Mr. Dorrance to continue to preach, and the people to endeavor a more regular and comfortable call."
This decision was received with great indignation by a majority of the town, conscious that a ininister seldom received a more regular, unanimous, hearty and every way "comfortable call," nor did they hesi- tate to accuse the ministers of Plainfield and Preston, of attempting for selfish and interested motives, to delay the settlement of the town. Plainfield and Preston cattle had hitherto enjoyed free forage on Voluntown commons and their owners were loth to resign this privilege. Report of these proceedings was at once dispatched to Governor Saltonstall, and several leading ministers, who all condemned the non- action of the Council and pronounced the "call " sufficient. The Governor ordered a very strong letter to be written, directing the Council to proceed with the ordination, but Mr. Lord refused to serve, because "some of his people had said they would not hear him any more if he did," and Mr. Coit, also, "lest his people should be offended at him in being accessory to deprive them of outgo for their creatures." A new Council was then summoned, from the churches of
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
old Preston, Windham and Canterbury, which met December 12, 1723. A full memorial was laid before them, showing, " That when Mr. Dorrance was called not one moved his tongue against him, but notwithstanding their unanimity, peace and concord, the Devil and wicked men raised such tumult, noise and confusion, to the scandal of religion, the shame of our nation and the violation of our laws and privileges, that ordination had been prevented. These persons, it was alleged, not only opposed the settlement of a minister, but protested against building a meeting-house, opposing not only the gospel but the civil magistracy ; as for their principles, some were Baptists, and some could not be said to be of any ; their arguments were made of unchristian aspersions, showing aversion to strangers, contrary to Ex. xxii :. 21 ; John xiii : 34. ; and pretending fear of heresy, Pres- byterianism and unwholesome inhabitants-but, if the truth was known, they were more afraid that men would see their actions; while their counsellors in adjoining towns had still another end in view- Voluntown lands for commons,-choosing rather to have outgo for their creatures than that Voluntown people should have the gospel of the Creator ; but it was hoped that neither noise, nor tumult, nor cunning dealing would hinder the Council from answering the expectation of the town." This memorial was signed by John Gallup, Thomas Cole, John Smith, Jacob Bacon, Robert Parke, Samuel Church and other leading men. The Councilpronounced call and reasons sufficient, and ordained Mr. Dorrance as minister of Voluntown church and township, by prayer and laying on of hands. Jacob Bacon and Ebenezer Dow were soon after elected deacons.
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