USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut. Volume I, 1600-1760 > Part 44
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The first precinct meeting in the new parish, was held September 27, 1743, at the school-house. John Marcy was chosen moderator, Isaac Johnson, clerk ; Joseph Chaffee, Joseph Marcy and Ebenezer Lyon, committee ; Joseph Chaffee, Moses Lyon and Isaac Johnson, assessors ; John Marcy, treasurer. At the second meeting, November 7, other matters were considered. It was agreed that notices for meetings should be set up at Ebenezer Paine's and John Coats' shop. The site of the projected meeting-house was next discussed. Twenty- six voters favored " the side of Bungee Hill, a little south of Moses Lyon's house, northeast corner of Joshua Chandler's land," and two opposed it. Ebenezer Smith, John Child and Nathaniel Johnson were appointed a committee, to request the east or first precinct to free them from paying anything towards Mr. Stiles' support, and also to join with them in affixing the bounds between the precincts. The town assented and appointed Captain John May, Jabez Lyon and Daniel Paine for the latter service, with instructions to measure the east bounds of Woodstock, and the line between the north and south halves, and find the contents of the town. This point being settled, a north and south line was run and Woodstock divided into east and west parishes, the west parish retaining for a time the name of the town at its first settle- ment-New Roxbury.
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At a parish-meeting, December 8, John Marcy, John Child and Ebenezer Paine were requested to procure some suitable person to preach the present winter, and sixty pounds assessed for his support. It was also voted, "To build a meeting-honse," and a committee appointed, "To see that suitable stuff be provided." Of four candi- dates designated-Messrs. Throop, Barker, Adams and Strong-one was probably procured to preach through the winter. Services were held in the school-house or some convenient dwelling-house. February 13, 1744, it was voted, "To build the meeting-house forty-eight by thirty-eight, and there were fifteen yeas and ten no's." Three hundred pounds were also voted to carry on the work and it was agreed, " To begin to get out stuff next November, and to raise May after." John Marcy, Isaac Johnson and Thomas Child were appointed to request the proprietors of the north half to give them liberty to get stuff for the meeting-house from the old cedar swamp. March 12th, Moses Lyon was chosen clerk. It was voted, "To petition the Court to lay a tax for building meeting-house on unimproved land -- five shillings per acre for five years-Joseph Chaffee to present petition ;" also, "To hire preaching for one month, not to give over three pounds." Mr. Hobart Estabrook preached the month, and was then hired for two months more. In September it was voted, "That two more ministers should be hired on probation." Ebenezer Lyon, Isaac Johnson, Joseph Marcy, Joshua Chandler and Samuel Bugbee were appointed to examine a spot for a burying-ground. In response to the petition of Joseph Chaffee, the General Assembly granted a tax of two-pence a year for two years on all the unimproved lands in New Roxbury for building meeting-house and settling minister, the petitioners having first noti- fied non-resident proprietors by inserting the substance of their petition three several times in the Boston Gazette. The inhabitants of New Roxbury accepted the grant and made provision for its collection. The tax of £300, previously voted, had been already assessed and paid over.
The appointed time had now come for beginning "to get out stuff for the meeting-house," but no action was reported. The selected site was unsatisfactory. At a society-meeting, December 10, 1744, it was voted, "To set the meeting-house the southeast corner of Bartholo- mew's lot, belonging to Samuel Bugbee, north from Bugbee's house, he giving two acres of land to the parish." Ebenezer Lyon, Thomas Child, Benjamin Corbin, Benjamin Marcy, Edward Ainsworth, John Goodell, Roger Crary, Israel Marcy, Samuel Marcy, Ebenezer and Stephen Corbin, Moses Lyon, Edward Morris and John Marshcraft, dissented from this vote. The difference continuing, it was agreed, January 25, 1745, " To choose a committee from abroad to fix upon a decisive spot for meeting-house." Robert Knowlton of Ashford,
48
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Joseph Leavens of Killingly and Esquire Grosvenor of Pomfret were selected for this service, but Mr. Wolbridge of Stafford was substi- tuted for the latter, " because of his child's residence in the vicinity." Isaac Johnson, Joseph Chaffee, Ebenezer Haine, Thomas Child, Jonathan Bugbee and Ebenezer Corbin, were chosen to wait upon the committee, who met on the 18th of March and spent four days in viewing all parts of the precinct and hearing all parties, and decided, " That the most suitable spot to accommodate all was on on a dry knoll east of Bungee Hill "-the site of the present Congregational house of worship in West Woodstock. This decision was accepted and harmony restored. " Mr. Joshua Chandler agreed to give the precinct one acre of land to set the meeting-house where the decisive committee fixed it," and the work of building was at length begun.
Meetings for public worship were held during this year at the house of Joshua Chandler. Business meetings were still held in the school- house. All important votes were taken by going to opposite sides of the house. No minister was yet selected. Mr. Nehemiah Barker and a Mr. Newton were the favorite candidates. Advice was sought from the neighboring ministers-Mr. Stiles, Mr. Ebenezer Williams and Mr. Mosely of Canada. November 29, it was voted, "To get old Mr. Dwight to preach, the Sabbath before we come to the choice of a minister." This recognition from the children of his early pastorate must have been peculiarly grateful to the aged and superannuated pastor, but it is doubtful if he was able to accept the invitation. December 6, 1745, it was voted, " Before choosing a minister to keep a day of fasting and prayer to God for his direction and blessing in all our regular attempts to have the gospel settled among us : also, to apply to Mr. Stiles, Mr. Ebenezer Williams of Pomfret, Mr. Solomon Williams of Lebanon, Mr. Wheelock of the Crank and Mr. Mosely, for their advice in this important affair of settling a minister." On Decem- ber 20th, the fast was kept and advice received from the assembled ministers. It was agreed, "That the choice should be made by poll- ing-those in favor of Mr. Barker to go to the east side of the school- house ; in favor of Mr. Newton, to the west." Thirty went to the east side ; fourteen, to the west. Even this vote did not prove decisive ; Mr. Barker, if called, did not accept, and before long settled on Break- neck, in Killingly, while Mr. Stephen Williams appeared as a candidate in Woodstock. May 7, 1746, it was put to vote, "Whether they should continue to hear Mr. Williams preach," and answered unani- mously in the affirmative. June 23, a meeting was held, "To see it they would fix upon July 8, to try and make choice of Stephen Williams for a minister." The whole assembly signified their consent by moving to the east side the school-house. July 2, was observed
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as a day of preparatory fasting and prayer, Messrs. Williams and Mosely preaching, Messrs. Stiles and Bass of Ashford assisting in other parts of the service. July 8, the society again met, when thirty-four voted in favor of Mr. Williams, two against him. Four hundred pounds in settlement and two hundred pounds salary, were offered him. After some delay, Mr. Williams accepted the call, providing, "they would give fifty aeres of good land with a good title, a quarter of a mile from the meeting-house ; set up a frame of proper dimensions, cover it, dig and stone cellar, and get stones together for a chimney, and also sufficient cord wood yearly."
The society consenting, provision was soon made for ordination. The meeting-house was slowly progressing. May 7, 1746, a suitable workman was engaged to frame it, and soon after, Abraham Perrin, Amos Morse and others were appointed to provide for raising, and cover and enclose it as soon as possible. Joseph Chaffee was allowed ten shillings a day for work on meeting-house. In the winter follow- ing, timber was got out for body-seats. June 15, Samuel Bugbee was directed "to take care of meeting-house, provide a cloth and pillow to preach on, and lay down the floor before ordination, and not to make a breast-work in the gallery. The second Wednesday of June was observed as a day of fasting preparatory to ordination, on which day the church was probably organized. The friendly neighboring minis- ters, who had so often aided the infant society, assisted on this occasion. The members were probably received mostly from the first church of Woodstock. A committee from the church was now appointed to join with that of the society in making provision for Mr. Williams' "solemn ordination." The two Messrs. Williams, together with the Rev. Messrs. Stiles, Mosely and Cabot, were invited to officiate ; the unfinished meeting-house was made ready for temporary occupation, and on June 24, 1747, Mr. Stephen Williams was ordained pastor of the Second Church of Woodstock. No record is preserved of the number or condition of the church at this period. Its first dea- cons were Ebenezer Corbin and Ebenezer Child. Its pastor was grand-son of Rev. John Williams of Deerfield, and son of Rev. Stephen Williams, D. D. He was graduated from Yale College in 1741; studied theology with his father, and was twenty-five years of age at the time of his settlement. In the following year, he married Martha Hunt of Northampton, and settled in the pleasant homestead provided by his parishioners.
In the first society, church affairs were less harmonious. Mr. Stiles, though greatly respected for his learning and ability, was in some
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respects exceptionable to his people. Notwithstanding the pains they had taken to express their own sentiments respecting church govern- ment, and assure themselves of his sympathy, it was soon evident that he inclined to Saybrook form of discipline. Unlike their previous pastors, " who had been members of the Association of neighboring ministers in Massachusetts Bay, and had no right, nor vocation any- where else," Mr. Stiles asked leave to attend the meetings of the Wind- ham County Association in Connecticut, but before he could obtain liberty was obliged "to declare, in the presence of the church, that he had no meaning to sit among them as a member, nor to have any con- cern with them other than purely for his own information and satis- faction." Yet, notwithstanding the restriction he was under and "the assurance he had given the people of his innocent intentions," Mr. Stiles appeared before the Association at its meeting in Killingly, August, 1740, and " desired to be admitted a member," but as Wood- stock was in Massachusetts, and Association limits confined to the district of the county, he could not be received without any reserve, but " was admitted to such privileges and benefits as were consistent with our civil establishment." This ecclesiastic connection excited much jealousy and apprehension, and Mr. Stiles was suspected of attempting "to set up their method of administration and church government among his people."
Still greater uneasiness was occasioned by the question of salary. The town had agreed to give Mr. Stiles "the same as they gave Mr. Throop," but so unsettled was the currency that it was very difficult to ascertain the present worth of money. In less than six months after his settlement, Mr. Stiles was constrained to ask " the selectmen to call a town-meeting to reconsider their last vote respecting his salary and settlement, and concert and agree upon some measure for a just and honest fulfilment of what the town voted." At this meeting, December 5, 1737, Mr. Stiles sent the following letter :
" To the town of Woodstock, assembled :-
Brethren beloved. I have lately been made sensible that what you have promised is not equal to what you gave Mr. Throop; did not think that I should have so disagreeable task as to say anything about my support; did not wish to be diverted from my beloved studies to enter upon disputes and debates about my support which would much discourage and dishearten me, and entreat you to do by me as you did by Mr. Throop, viz., to choose some suitable person by whom we may know what silver is an ounce, that justice and equity might take place."
Judge Chandler, Captain Payson, John May, Edward Morris and Nath. Sanger were thereupon chosen to wait upon the Rev. Abel Stiles, and try and compromise with him. Mr. Stiles "had good evidence that silver was twenty-seven shillings an ounce, and that would satisfy him," and upon that basis their money affairs were adjusted.
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Mr. Stiles was married in 1739, to Alethea Robinson of Lebanon, and as family burdens increased, was again constrained to appeal to the town :--
" Dec. 25, 1741. I take this opportunity to give the town a public information of a personal difficulty, which perhaps you are not sufficiently acquainted with. In a word, the case is this, viz., what the town has been pleased to vote for my support I find to be not sufficient for that purpose. What I now inform you is not a matter of mere opinion or of guess, but a matter of real experience and certain knowledge. I have honestly endeavored to make it answer the end (in some tolerable degree at least), but I find it impossible to be done, and I am almost assured you cannot much wonder at this if you duly consider the following things, viz., my necessary large expense, the great dis- count made upon all bills, the extraordinary price of all the necessaries and comforts of life. Add to all these, the unreasonable, unhappy manner in which I have received what the town has voted ine from time to time. This one thing has contributed greatly to my disadvantage, not only the last year, but also every year since I have been settled. This, the past and present treasurer, the past and present constables, can easily witness to. I do assure you that nothing but great necessity could force me to give you information. I am the more sorry I am obliged to do this at a season in which I well know your burdens are very heavy, as you are part of a Province now groaning under very sore calamities. I am sure I am unwilling to make any needless addition to your present burden if I could avoid it. I had much rather make it less than greater if I were able. I will just observe one plain truth, viz. : Either I must be supported by the town, or some other way, or I must not be supported at all. But I doubt not there is goodness, compassion, honor and religion in Woodstock enough to incline you to consider what I have offered, and in a proper time to act upon it that which will be suitable in itself and abundantly satifactory to me, who begs your prayers that he may be more and more able and willing to spend and be spent for your souls' good.
ABEL STILES."
After long debate upon this communication, some seeming not to understand its meaning, the town voted to refer it to May meeting for consideration, and appointed a committee to desire Mr. Stiles to ex- plain his meaning, and whether he desired some addition to his salary, or what he would have. Mr. Stiles explained, May 17, 1742, " That he did not send a petition but remonstrance and information ; had not a gospel support from his salary, presents and land ; would not say what he did want, but what he would not have: 1. Unchristian warm debates. 2. Anything that would cause uneasiness." The town thought the law now standing the standard of the value of silver, and that they ought to govern themselves by it in paying Mr. Stiles' salary, but voted "forty pounds to make him easier," and asked, " if he were satisfied." Mr. Stiles replied, " That so far from being satisfied he was exceedingly dissatisfied." The town wished the matter might be "righted and the uneasiness removed," but was at a loss to know how to do it. Much unpleasant feeling was manifested ; gentle- men were sure that they could be heard elsewhere and the difficulty arranged. At a town-meeting, called September 5, to consider the matter, Mr. Stiles sent a message, begging them to act nothing till he had come into the meeting, and then desired that there might not be any warm debate, declared that he had no demands on the town and
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freely gave up all. The town ordered the salary made out "at 26s. 8d. per ounce," and made no farther grant or addition.
The insufficient accommodations of the meeting-house was another source of annoyance, thus portrayed in petition :-
" January 1, 1740. We, the inhabitants of Woodstock, being sensible- yea! by experience sufficiently so-that our meeting-house is usually, es- pecially when the whole town is assembled, so filled as renders it very difficult for many persons to get room, and would be more so were there not care taken by inviting many into pews, ask for liberty to build a pew over the men's stairs, large enough to hold eight or ten men, provided it be done without harm or injury to the meeting-house-charge borne by ourselves. If it is objected that this will disfigure the house, except by building over the women's stairs, then we pray this may be acted upon. We are your servants, not freeholders. Daniel Child, John May, Nehemiah Lyon, Timothy Hill, and others.'
The matter was referred to the committee of selectmen. After the formation of the New Roxbury society, this grievance was greatly abated, and sufficient room left in the meeting-house for the accommo- dation of the remaining inhabitants. The east part of the town now constituted its first society, and the secular affairs of the church were transferred to its management. Each society, also, assumed the charge of its schools. A fifth school had before this been allowed in the south of the town. The school-house granted the north inhabitants in 1735 was not erected for more than ten years-" the committee not succeeding in selecting a place that was liked." The "inhabitants at last agreed upon the spot, where the highways intersect east of Captain Child's house" (probably " Village Corners"), and their choice was con- firmed by the town, March, 1743. In 1746, Joseph Wright, Colonel Thomas Chandler, Edward Morris and Henry Bowen were appointed a committee to dispose of sundry pieces of land given to the inhabit- ants of the south half for public uses, for the benefit of their schools. Particular instructions were given them " to leave eight rods north of the burying-ground for an addition there if need be, and, also, all the common west of a strait north line with the front of the burial- place up to the brow of the hill, for the training-field." With the avails of this land they were able to build a new school-house on Woodstock Hill, twenty-four feet by twenty, with a stone chimney well covered on the outside and filled with bricks, and ceiled with boards, and smaller houses at South Woodstock and Wappaquasset corner. A committee was also appointed to take especial eare "that no person trespass on the ten acres left for hearth-stones."
Though Woodstock was not lacking in public spirit and enter- prise, she did not succeed in maintaining the grammar school, required by law in towas of her population, and was more than once presented before the Grand Jurors of Worcester County, for want of one. In 1743, she was also presented "for not keeping
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her pound in repair," and ordered to build a new one. Many of her residents were indicted before that body for "shooting buck," " being disguised with strong drink," and other flagrant offences, and punished by fines and whippings, but of one common in many towns- traveling on the Lord's day and absence from public worship-none were found guilty. In the notorious Land-Bank Scheme which agitated Massachusetts for many years, Woodstock was seriously impli- cated. Several of her citizens joined the company formed in Boston in 1739, for issuing bills of credit on land security, to be redeemed in twenty years, not in gold or silver but in manufactures of the Province. In the disturbed condition of financial affairs, the demorali- zation of the currency and the general prostration of business, this project was eagerly welcomed by many. The ranks of the company . were quickly filled, and a large number of notes issued like the subjoined specimen :-
" TWENTY SHILLINGS.
" We promise, for ourselves and Partners, to receive this Twenty Shilling Bill of Credit as so much Lawful Money in all payments, Trade and Business, and after ye expiration of twenty years to pay ye possessor ye value thereof in Manufactures of the Province. BOSTON."
The Government of Massachusetts at once denounced this scheme as unsafe and pernicious, and refused to incorporate the company. A proclamation was promptly issued by Governor Belcher, warning people not to receive or pass the notes, " because their circulation would tend to defraud men of their estates and disturb the peace and order of the people." This warning not apparently diminishing the circulation of the bills or the number of stock-holders, a second proclamation was issued, November, 1740, in which all officers of the militia were cautioned against giving currency in any way to this paper, under penalty of dismission from office. A circular was addressed to the Courts of General Sessions of the Peace, desiring them to caution all such as were taverners, victuallers, retailers, &c., against passing or receiving these bills. By a vote of the Council, no attorney or coun- cillor was to be permitted before them in that capacity, who should pass, receive or give encouragement to the circulation of Land-Bank money. These coercive measures excited strong opposition. A powerful party favored the Land- Bank and refused to submit to these restrictions. Many judicial and military officers were removed ; many resigned their offices and commissions. "Whole troops, nay, whole regiments resigned, or threatened to, rather than not encourage these manufactory bills." A kindred spirit animated many towns, which resolved that they would pay their rates in this money. Among those believing "that the interest of their native country required the utmost of their endeavour to promote this scheme," were many citizens
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
of Woodstock. At a town-meeting, May, 1741, it was voted, " That all town charges should be paid or defrayed by notes or bills of credit commonly called Land-Bank or Manufactory bills, and no person should be chosen to serve the town that would not accept them." The officers of the three military companies in Woodstock, forbidden by Government to aid in the circulation of these bills, thereupon resigned their commissions in a voluntary letter to Colonel Chandler. The participation of his son Samuel-captain of the first company-in this affair, was thus noticed in a Boston paper :-
" N. B. Captain Chandler is one of the sons of Hon. Colonel Chandler of Woodstock, that steady defender of the liberties of his country, which yields great comfort to that old patriot, who (like Mattathias, the last of the Macca- bees), has transmitted with his blood, his spirit and love to the true interest of his people, to one and perhaps all his sons."
An Act of Parliament, extending to America, Act 6 of George I., by which all raising of transferable stock without authority of a statute or charter was made unlawful-and confirmed by the Government of Massachusetts, April 7, 1742, was the death-blow of the Land-Bank scheme, but its pernicious effects were felt for many years.
The military spirit so early manifested in Woodstock was stimu- lated and strengthened by the influence of Colonel Chandler and his sons, and her quota was ever ready on all emergencies. When war with France and Spain was proclaimed in Boston, June 2, 1744, fifty men from Colonel Chandler's regiment were at once impressed to guard the frontier. This regiment, with Thomas Chandler for lieu- tenant-colonel, John Payson and Samuel Chandler for lieutenants and Nathan Payson for ensign, served with distinction throughout the war, and assisted in the siege and capture of Louisburg in 1745. The names of three Woodstock youth-Peter Perrin, Aaron Lyon and Joseph Marcy, Jun .- are inscribed on her town records, as " slain by an Indian enemy, Saturday, May 24, 1746, at town No. 4, New Hampshire."
Though the proclivities of Woodstock were so decidedly military and she did not succeed in maintaining a grammar school, she was far from indifferent to educational interests and literary culture. Many of her citizens united in that early English Library Association, whose formation has been previously detailed. Mr. Stiles, despite his "insuffi- cient salary" and pecuniary embarrassments, was its largest subscriber. The second meeting of the Company was held with Colonel Chandler, and several other Woodstock gentlemen signed the "triplicate covenant," and shared the privileges of the Library. The enthusiasm of Mr. Stiles for his " beloved studies" was communicated to some of his townsmen, so that several young men of Woodstock families were fitted for college under his supervision. Nathaniel Draper and Thomas
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