USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 10
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PLAINFIELD, GENERAL TOWN AFFAIRS.
meeting-house was however, small, shabby and quite out of the main route of travel, while the old town meeting-house was ample and accessible, and it was thereupon voted that Mr. Miller should preach in the latter house until the pulpit should be otherwise supplied. Reinstated after so many years in this ancient house of worship, the town majority willingly voted its shingling, glazing and general repairing. Great pains were taken to bring back the whole congre- gation but it was found impracticable. Members of the old church objected to Mr. Miller, "because they did not deem the Separate mode of ordination valid." Others were unwilling to sacrifice their standing as an independent society and laid their grievances before the Assem- bly, Oct., 1767 :-
" Showing that Plainfield was made two societies; that the First society was in a deplorable condition and had been for several years destitute of a minister; that the Second society worshipped in their meeting-house, had not allowed the two-thirds rate and tried to break them up."
Hezekiah and Jabez Huntington and Zebulon West were thereupon appointed a committee to repair to Plainfield, investigate and advise, who decided that the people had better unite and agree in calling some learned and orthodox preacher-thereby intending to exclude Mr. Miller. Notwithstanding this judgment the town still clung to its old pastor. Messrs. Paine, Wheeler and Coit, Captain Bradford and Doctor Wells, after earnest conference with him and his church " to see how far they would condescend in regard to having the gospel preached, so that the whole of the town may unite and attend it," were unable to agree upon a satisfactory basis. Mr. Miller and his followers kept possession of the meeting-house according to the town vote, and thus the remnant of Plainfield's first church was shut ont from its ancient house of worship and deprived of religious privileges. Again the first society laid " its deplorable state" before the Assem- bly. "Second society would not pay rates according to agreement ; town had voted that the Separate preacher should preach in the
meeting-house, and they were obliged to go to other towns on Sunday, and therefore prayed that the old agreement might be maintained, and liberty still allowed them to lay taxes on two thirds of the inhabitants." Captain John Douglas, agent of the town to oppose this memorial, alleged the following. " reasons " for its dismissal :-
"1. This town has been unhappily divided for more than twenty years, to their great hurt and damage in their civil and religious interests, owing to the rigid exertion of the civil power in religious matters which has tended to divide and separate very friends and brothers, and we apprehend the grant- ing of said memorial would tend to augment and carry them to a greater hight; did not consider the agreement just or equable but it was the best they could do at the time; should say that more than two-thirds of the inhabitants upon a serious inquiry and deliberate consideration and con- 10
74
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
ference with each other upon the subject of religion, and the way and manner of worship, were unanimously agreed and united in the same; that but fifty- four appear on the memorial, representing £2.030, and against it were fifty- nine from the first and sixty-three from the second society, representing £7,123.
Whereupon we say, that it would be most unreasonable and unprecedented to grant the prayer of said memorialists, and instead of promoting religion and peace, throw us into the greatest confusion and most unhappy conten- tions. But as there seems to be a number who cannot join with ns, we are fully willing they should be released from paying anything for minister or meeting-honse, and be made a distinct society, and have such proportion of the old meeting-house on equitable terms, each person to belong to that society he chooses, but to join any person by coercive measures we are persuaded will directly tend to stir up contentions and dissensions. May 18, 1768."
The Assembly thereupon appointed Jonathan Trumbull, Hezekiah Huntington and Zebulon West to be a committee to endeavor to con- summate a union, and by their judicious efforts union was at last happily consummated. Few difficulties could withstand the concilia- tory mediation of Jonathan Trumbull. Concessions were made on both sides. The odious two-thirds tax was forever abolished. As the church party a few years previous dismissed an honored minister for the sake of peace, the Separates now reluctantly resigned Mr. Miller. Certain modifications were admitted in the church covenant, bringing it nearer the pattern of the Cambridge Platform, and both churches united in choice of Mr. John Fuller for their pastor, pro- vided he would publicly eschew certain Separate errors, and obtain a regular ministerial ordination. Mr. Fuller was a native of Lebanon, an earnest Christian laborer, then preaching acceptably to the Separate church of Bean Hill, Norwich. Willing to assist in healing the breach, Mr. Fuller accepted the call upon those terms and signed the following declaration :-
" I believe that some separations if they had been conducted in a regular manner might have been justified, but the separations in general are not justifiable, especially in the manner of them, as they have been attended by many spurious notions which excel in them and party spirit, as well as many irregular practices. And notwithstanding I have borne a public testimony against their rash and uncharitable dispositions and conduct; yet I am fully sensible that I have in several instances countenanced and encouraged them in their precipitant way and manner of separating-the which I ought not to have done; for which I hope lleaven's pardon and forgiveness, and the forgiveness of all God's people whom I have offended, and desire their prayers that I may have wisdom. And it is my desire to unite with the regular ministers and churches of Christ in anything wherein we are agreed, and to forbear one another in love in circumstantial matters wherein we can- not be perfectly united. JOHN FULLER.
Plainfield, Feb. 2, 1769."
A council of ministers chiefly from Massachusetts called by the uniting brethren accepted this declaration, and aided in the installment of Mr. Fuller. Its proceedings were thus reported by the New Lon- don Gazette :-
"On the 3d instant, Rev. John Fuller was ordained over the church in Plainfield. Rev. Mr. Hart of Preston, preached from Psalm cxxxiii., showing,
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PLAINFIELD, GENERAL TOWN AFFAIRS.
1, Nature of Christian union; 2, Wherein this union doth consist; 3. Fruit and effects of this union-all conducted in a decent and most solemn manner. N. B .- Occasion of Mr Hart's preaching from this text was on account of the happy Union come into by the two churches of this town, and the names Old and New swallowed up in most amicable union."
Peace was thus happily restored after more than thirty years of con- flict. While all parties were satisfied the Separates had especial cause for rejoicing. They had achieved the object for which they had sepa- rated. A minister of their own choice and persuasion preached to the town in the town meeting-house, and assessment for his support was positively prohibited. Far in advance of her generation Plainfield had soon the privilege of religious freedom, and her inhabitants were free to attend service where they pleased and support minister and meeting- house without legal coercion or interference. Among the many who welcomed this joyful reunion was our old friend, Mercy Wheeler, now Mrs. Case, reported from time to time by friendly visitors as "the same pious, thankful, humble woman," as in the days of her distressing infirmity and wonderful deliverance. Mr. Miller, when released from his charge, returned, it is believed, to his former home in the north part of Voluntown, and lived to a good old age in peace and happiness, respected by all who knew him.
As religions animosities and difficulties subsided the town resumed its efforts for secular improvement. The education of its youth had always enlisted the especial sympathy of its citizens. In 1766 a com mittee was appointed to lay ont school districts, which thus re- ported :-
"1, Flat Rock district, bounded south on Preston, east on Voluntown ; 2, Stone Hill district, north of Flat Rock; 3, Goshen, bounded north by Moosup River, south by Stone Hill; 4, Sonth, bordering south on Preston, west on Canterbury ; 5, Middle, extending from Mill Brook up Main street, butting east on Stone Hill; 6, Black Hill; 7, Moosup Pond, northeast corner; $, Moosup River ; 9, Shepard Hill ; 10, Green Hollow, beginning at Snake Meadow Brook or Killingly line."
Dr. Perkins, Daniel Clark, Stephen Kingsbury, Andrew Backus, John Howe, Jonathan Woodward, Philip Spalding, Samuel Warren, Samuel Hall and Isaac Allerton were appointed a committee, one for each district, to see that the schools were kept. Although the number of teachers and schools was increased by this arrangement, the leading . men of the town were not yet satisfied with their attainments, and in 1770 proceeded to form an association " for the purpose of providing improved facilities for the more complete education of the youth of the vicinity." They erected a brick school-house of respectable size, pro- cured teachers of a higher grade, and established a more thorough sys- tem of instruction in common English branches, but were unable to organize a classical department.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Roads and bridges required much attention. The " tedious " Quine- baug was still fractious and turbulent, necessitating continual bridge- building and repairing. In 1763, a project was set on foot for enlarg- ing the bed of this stream so as to make it passable for boats. A con- vention was held in Plainfield to consider this scheme, which was at- tended by most of the leading men of the county, who expressed their views and wishes in the subjoined memorial :-
" That the Quinebang River from Danielson's Falls until the Thames emp- ties itself into the cove at Norwich, thirty miles, is so flat and level that it may easily be made passable for boats to pass up and down at the expense of some four hundred pounds to be laid ont in cleaning, and pray for a lottery.
Ebenezer Grosvenor. William Robinson.
Nicholas Parker.
Willard Spalding.
Isaac Shepard.
Benjamin Wheeler.
Silas Hutchins.
Mason Cleveland.
John Smith.
Benj. Spalding.
John Tyler.
John Dyer.
Jabez Fitch, Jun.
Samuel Stewart.
Ezekiel Pierce.
John Fitch.
Jonathan Parkhurst.
Isaac Coit.
Samuel Adams, Jnn.
Benjamin Coit.
Hezekiah Lord.
Joseph Woodward.
Elisha Paine.
James Bradford.
Andrew Spalding.
Ebenezer Cady.
Joseph Eaton.
Jonas Shepard.
Ebenezer Robinson.
Benjamin Backus.
Nathan Waldo.
Jeremiah Cady.
John Larrabe.
Daniel Kee.
Theophilus Clark.
James Cleveland.
Edward Wheeler.
Samuel Danielson.
Samuel Huntington.
William Danielson.
John Grosvenor.
May 9, 1763."
Though urged by men of such position and influence this request was denied. In 1767, the bridge over the Quinebang was again swept away by a freshet, when the town voted a reward to the Widow Wil- liams for heroically saving twenty planks of the same. Captain Eaton, Robert Kinne and Isaac Coit were appointed to oversee its rebuilding, and others were employed after its completion "to take care of the new bridge, and cut away ice round the anchor." The constant travel over this bridge made its preservation very important. The great country road passing through Voluntown and Plainfield connected Providence and the north part of Rhode Island with Hartford and the opening regions westward, and many emigrants were now toiling over it en route for the new countries. Special orders relative to the re- newal and maintenance of " the Plainfield road " were issued from time to time by the Governments of Connecticut and Rhode Island. A road laid out from this highway to Butts Bridge now accommodated Nor- wich travel. In the summer of 1768 a weekly stage-coach was run over it from Providence to Norwich, exciting much wonder and ad- miration and greatly promoting the business interests of Plainfield. A spacious tavern house for the accommodation of the great throng of travelers was now built and opened in Plainfield Village by Captain Eaton, which became a very noted and popular resort. Taverns were
Jabez Fitch.
Benjamin Spalding.
Robert Jameson.
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PLAINFIELD, GENERAL TOWN AFFAIRS.
also kept in other parts of the town by Thomas Stevens, Israel Under- wood, and others. In 1771, the town voted to provide a house for the poor and a proper overseer. The few Indians still left in town were properly cared for by town authorities or benevolent individuals .*
The great exodus to the new countries took from Plainfield some valned citizens. A number of respectable families joined the first emi- grants to Oblong and Nine Partners. Major Ezekiel Pierce and Cap- tain Simon Spalding were prominent among the bold men who took possession of Wyoming. Elisha Paine, so active in professional and public affairs, removed in 1767 to Lebanon, New Hampshire. The township of Sharon, Vermont, was purchased and settled. by a Plain- field colony. Isaac Marsh, Willard Shepard and others went on in advance, selected land, built hnts, sowed grass and prepared for the main body of emigrants. William, son of Captain John Douglas, though but a lad of sixteen, served valiantly in the French war, and after the return of peace took command of a merchant ship sailing be- tween New Haven and the West Indies, making his residence in Northford. These losses were in some degree made up by occasional new settlers. Timothy Lester of Shepard Hill, Isaac Knight of Black Hill, were among its acquisitions. John Aplin, an Englishman, a man of much learning and address, who had gained a handsome estate by the practice of law in Providence, became involved in political and personal controversies, and removed to Plainfield abont 1766. John Pierce succeeded to the position of town clerk for a few years, and was in turn succeeded by William Robinson in 1772.
VII.
TOWN AFFAIRS IN KILLINGLY. THOMPSON PARISH. PROGRESS IN FIRST SOCIETY. SOUTH KILLINGLY CHURCH. BAP- TIST CHURCHES IN THOMPSON AND CHESTNUT HILL.
K ILLINGLY during this period was in the main peaceful and pros- perous. Despite the size of the town and its various society divisions its general affairs were carried on without apparent jealousy or collision. Town offices were equitably distributed ; general town
*The provision made by Mr. Joshua Whitney for his negro servants at his decease in 1761 shows the conscientious scrupolousness with which some good men of that day fulfilled the responsibility of ownership. Not only did he make Sandy, Caesar, Judith with their children absolutely free, but bequeathed to each household six acres of land, stock and farming tools; gave to one his "oldest little Bible," and to the other several good books ; enjoined Sandy to take care of Bess, his wife, and give her decent burial, and directed Cæsar and Judith " to see that their children were in no ways left to perish."
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
meetings were held in the great meeting-house on Killingly ITill. At the annual meeting in 1760, Samuel Danielson was chosen moderator ; Thomas Moffat, town clerk and treasurer ; Pain Converse, Deacon Dan- iel Davis, Ebenezer Larned, Lient. Benjamin Leavens, James Dike, selectmen ; Hezekiah Cutler, collector of country rates ; Benjamin Mer- riam and Lient. William Danielson, constables : John Jacobs, John Whitmore, Phinehas Lee, Benjamin Joslin, Daniel Alton, John Corbin, Francis Carroll, Nathaniel Daniels, Ensign Benjamin Cady, Nell Alex- ander, Joseph Ilutchins, Jaazaniah Whitmore, John Sprague, highway surveyors; Enoch Leonard, Ephraim Cady, fence-viewers; Hezekiah Cutler, Benjamin Merriam, William Danielson, collectors of town rates ; Zebediah Sabin, Moses Winter, Eliezer Warren. Joseph Bate- man, key-keepers of the several meeting-houses; Enoch Leonard, leather-sealer ; David Barrett, Ensign Joseph Cutler, Wyman HIntch- ins. grand jurors ; Jacob Bixby, Ensign Benj. Cady, Daniel Winter, Ezekiel Little, Joseph Newell, tithing-men ; Samuel Watson, Richard Child, John Johnson, Benjamin Joy, Daniel Winter, Abijah Adams, listers ; Joseph Cady, sealer of weights and measures; Ensign Ed- ward Converse, Joseph Leavens, Jun., James Day, horse-branders ; Captain Michael Adams, collector of excise. Ezekiel Little, Richard Bloss and Benajah Spalding were admitted inhabitants. John Sprague and Simeon Spalding, residents of the south parish, had liberty granted to build a town pound to accommodate themselves, and also keep the same in repair at their own cost. Money for "doctoring Charite Priest " was granted Dr. Freeman.
The charge of its poor was always a heavy burden upon this town- ship. Parts of its territory afforded but a seanty support for its inhab- itants, and its border position exposed it to incursions of vagrants and foreigners. In addition to its own poor it was obliged to support its quota of Acadian refugees, paying sundry sums for services and sup- plies to the French people. In 1765, it was voted, "To raise one penny a pound for the support of the poor of said town ; also, that the persons supporting the poor take their pay in speey, i. e., Indian corn, at two and sixpence per bushel; rye at three and sixpence; wheat, four and sixpence; beans, the same : salt pork without bone, one shil- ling per pound ; flax, eightpence. These poor people were then scat- tered about the town in the charge of the lowest bidder. In 1770, a movement was made for improving their condition by providing a per- manent habitation under the care of responsible persons. It was voted by the town, " That Samuel Watson and James Dike provide a work- house for the parish of Thompson, and be masters of the same; also, Capt. Warren to provide a work-house and be master of the same in like manner in Killingly."
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TOWN AFFAIRS IN KILLINGLY, ETC.
Bridges and highways also required much care and legislation. In 1767, Briant and Nathaniel Brown and Benjamin Leaveus were ap- pointed "to join with Pomfret gentlemen in repairing the bridge called Danielson's." However well repaired it was soon carried away by a freshet, and a new committee appointed in 1770, "to rebuild our. part of the bridge at Cargill's Mills, and view the Quinebaug above and below where Danielson's bridge stood, and see where they could set a bridge." William Danielson was allowed twenty-nine pounds for build- ing half the latter bridge, and a new road was laid out from it to Vol- untown. In 1774, the Quinebang was bridged between Cargill's and Danielson's, near the residence of Deacon Simon Cotton. Various new roads were granted from time to time in Thompson Parish, and so much space in the town book was occupied by returns of highway sur- veyors that after an unsuccessful attempt in 1759 to proeure a new record book these returns were left on file, and were finally scattered or destroyed so that the laying out of many important roads cannot now be determined. The travel upon these numerous ways was accommo- dated in various noted taverns kept by John Jacobs, Benjamin Wilkin- son, Edward Converse, Zebediah Sabin, John Felshaw, Ebenezer Lar- ned, William Danielson, Nathaniel Stone and others. Medical praeti- tioners at this date were Doctors Freeman, Gleason and Cheney in the centre and south parishes, and Dr. Joseph Coit in Thompson. Four hundred families were reported in the town in 1767.
The north parish of the town was prospering. In 1769, Jacob Dresser, Esq., served as elerk ; Deacon Lusher Gay, collector; Jacob Dresser, Deacon Simon Larned and Ephraim Guile, committee. The school committee were Jacob Dresser, Joseph Averill, Captain Henry Green, Daniel Russel, Solomon Bixby, Deacon Gay, Squier Hascall and James Fuller. The Rev. Mr. Russel was allowed four pounds ten shillings for getting his own wood for the year : Josiah Converse, eight shillings for sweeping the meeting-house. Additional pew accommo- dations were still found needful-Stephen Crosby, Nehemiah Merrill, John Ellithorpe, Solomon Ormsbee, Obadiah Clough, Asa Converse, Benjamin Joslin, Thomas Orinsbee, William Whittemore, Jun., Wil- liam Richards, Eleazer Child and Francis Elliott receiving liberty to build a pew " where the hind seat is in the men's side gallery," pro- vided it " be built no higher than the hind seat is now." A number of young women appeared at a subsequent meeting, viz. : Bathsheba Con- verse, Betta Town, Margaret Town, Dorothy Bixby, Susannah Bixby, Mary Haseall, Jane Crosby, Mary, Zerziah and Sarah Joslin, Sarah Por- ter, Elizabeth Knap and Susannah Hascall, desiring the privilege of building a pew upon the women's side gallery, which was at first granted, but upon reconsideration made over to Joseph Averill, " pro-
80
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
vided he let so many young women have it for their seat as can con- veniently set in it." In response to a petition from Theophilus and Samuel Chandler, Moses Marey, William Nelson, Edward Bugbee and Benjamin Wilkinson, residents west of the Quinebang, in the north- west corner of the society, these petitioners with their lands were an- nexed to the north society of Woodstock.
The renovation of the school districts next agitated the society. Stephen and Joseph Brown, Joseph Town, Samuel Fuller, Robert and Ebenezer Prince, Joseph and Francis Elliott were leaders in this move- ment, entering their dissent against the society's proceedings in regard to schools. Michael Adams, Pain Converse, Squier Hascall, James Dike and William Alton were appointed a committee to "vewe the districts " and see if they thought best to make any alterations. They recommended the setting off of ten school districts, and selected a suit- able site in each for a school house. Each district was designated by the name of some central or prominent inhabitant. The first district -Landlord Converse's-included Thompson Hill and vicinity ; school- house "to stand betwixt Landlord Converse's and the Widow Flint's, at the end of the lane where Samnel Converse comes out into the coun- try rhoad." The south neighborhood was designated "Capt. Adams' district." Captain Green's district embraced Quaddie and its vicinity ; school-house betwixt the houses of Ebenezer and Amos Green. Nathan Bixby's included Brandy Hill ; school-house near by Sergeant Timothy Cooper's : Sanmel Stone's occupied the northeast corner of the society, extending from Joseph Munyan's to Rhode Island line; thence to and upon the Bay line to Captain Cutler's ; thence south to John Jacobs'; school-house upon Isaac Burril's land near the river. Joseph Brown's district lay west of Stone's, including Porter's farm ; " school-house near the little Pond upon the rhoad." Squier Hascall's was still far- ther west upon the Bay line, with school-house " near where said Has- call crosses the mill-rhoad in coming to meeting." Nathaniel Crosby's embraced both sides of French River, from Nathaniel Mills' to Ebene- zer Prince's ; school-house about half-way between old Mr. Elliott's and Joseph Elliott's. John Hewlet's extended from John Younglove's north to the Bay line, thence west to the Quinebang, embracing a strip four or five miles in length east of that river ; school-house " to stand where it is." Lastly, Esq. Dresser's district was " bounded as follows : All upon the west side of Quinebang River, and including Joseph Nichols, Henry Merrill, John Russel, Jonathan Eaton, Marston Eaton, all upon the side of the said river, "and it was the opinion of the commit- tee, " that to have the school-house in the senter will not accommodate this district well, it lays so ilconveniant," but that it would be best to keep the school at two places ; oue at the Widow Hibbard's, or there-
81
TOWN AFFAIRS IN KILLINGLY, ETC.
abouts; and the other at the house where the Widow Commins did live, or thereabouts-two months at each place, and draw one-quarter more money than other districts."
This report was accepted, Sept. 23, 1762, and the lines established as soon as practicable, though some difficulty was found in carrying out the designs of the committee. Several of the designated sites were unsatisfactory. A pitiful petition was presented from "inhabitants in the northwest part of the district called Hewlet's," showing " that they have been overlooked by the committee, who supposed that no one lived northwest of a certain great hill but Clement Corbin, whereas there were twelve families there so remote from that school-house that they could not send their children there to school and had but little or no benefit (the most none at all) of the school kept there, and never had any of the loan money, and not so much of the tax money as they did pay." Captain Clement Corbin and his son Clement, Samuel Palmer, Elijah and Ezra Corbin, Benjamin Morris, John Whitmore, Joseph Winter, Mark Clawell, John Webster and Benja- min Fairbanks, inhabitants living northwest from the aforesaid " great hill," were accordingly set off as "Captain Corbin's distriet." School- house sites were changed to accommodate other districts and in time the new system was satisfactorily established. Esquire Dresser's district was divided in 1772, the south part retaining the old name ; the north to be known as Perrin's distriet.
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