USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 12
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Church affairs were wisely ordered by Rev. Aaron Brown. In com- pliance with that article of the church covenant which required two or more of the principal brethren to help the pastor in the manage- ment of prudential affairs, Ebenezer Larned was invested with advisory power and dignified by the title of Elder. Lieut. Benjamin Leavens succeeded Samuel Buck in the office of deacon, in 1765. Watts' version of the Psalms was now used in the afternoon service. Church and society were strengthened by the accession of new inhabit- ants. In 1763, Joseph Torrey, son of Dr. Joseph Torrey, South Kings-
12
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
ton, R. I., settled on part of the College Farm, east of Killingly Hill, marrying a daughter of Rev. John Fisk. He was soon followed by his brother, Dr. Samuel H. Torrey, a young man of much more thorough medical training than was common at that period, who soon gained an extensive practice. His young wife, Anna Gould of Bran- ford, brought with her four slaves as part of her marriage portion. These brothers identified themselves with church and town, and were active and influential. The sons of Rev. Perley Howe were now entering npon the stage and taking part in various affairs. Hezekiah Cntler,* who had removed from his farm on the eastern line of the town to the vicinity of the meeting house, was prominent in town and church. His nephew, Benoni Cutler, son of Timothy, was an active young man, much interested in military matters. Sons of Justice Joseph Leavens, Joseph Cady and Captain Isaac Cutler, were now in active life.
The mill privilege on the Five-Mile River, afterwards occupied by " the Iowe Factory," was now improved by Jared Talbot and David Perry, who accommodated the neighborhood with sawing and grind- ing. Noah Elliott purchased land of Nehemiah Clark, "removed from town."
The rage for emigration had not yet seriously affected Killingly, though some of her most gifted and promising young men were going out into the world. Manasseh, son of Hezekiah Cutler, and Joseph, youngest son of Rev. Perley Howe, were fitted for College by Rev. Aaron Brown and entered Yale in 1761. Although then but fourteen years old, Howe manifested uncommon force and maturity of mind, and was graduated " the first scholar in a class which had its full share of distinguished names." After teaching for a time with great success in Hartford, he accepted a tutorship at Yale College, "where his literary accomplishments, especially his remarkable powers of elocution, not less than his fine social and moral qualities, rendered him a general favorite. It is said to have been owing in no small degree to his influence that the standard of polite literature and especially of public speaking in Yale College about this time was very considerably ele- vated." Preaching during this interval at Norwich, Hartford and Wethersfield, he was everywhere welcomed, caressed and urged to settlement. Visiting Boston for the benefit of his health, the New South church, after twice hearing, invited him to become the successor of Rev. Penuel Bowen of Woodstock, "the character which Mr.
* Not the son of Isaac Cutler as erroneously stated in Volume I., but of John Cutler of Lexington, who purchased land on the Rhode Island line at a very early date but did not occupy it till about 1713 Mr. Cutler died in a few years after his removal to Killingly, leaving a widow and many children.
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Howe had received from the voice of mankind," explaining such unwonted precipitaney. After a year's delay Mr. Howe accepted this call and was ordained in Boston, May 19, 1773. It is not a little remarkable that this most honored position should have been filled successively by young men from Windham County.
Cutler was also " distinguished for diligence and proficiency, and graduated with high honor from college" to attain distinction in various departments. After practicing law for a time in Edgartown, he studied theology and was ordained pastor of the church at Ipswich Hamlet, Mass., Sept. 11, 1771. While performing his pastoral duties with great fidelity and acceptance, Mr. Cutler gave much time and thought to political and scientific investigations, fitting him to bear a most prominent and useful part in the development of the future Re- public.
Another Yale student fitted for college by Mr. Brown was Amasa, son of Deacon Ebenezer Larned, who after first studying and serving in the ministry turned his attention to the law and entered into political life, representing his adopted home, New London, in state and national councils .*
Justice Joseph Leavens, a founder and father of the town, the last survivor of the first settlers of Killingly, after having faithfully served God and his fellow-citizens for successive generations, "departed this life Nov. 5, 1773, aged ninety years." Ilis cotemporary and first pas- tor, Rev. John Fisk, died the same year. Deacon Ebenezer Larned, in 1779. His brother, James Larned, had now settled on Killingly Hill, ' near Felshaw's residence. Thomas Moffat and Capt. John Felshaw, though far advanced in years, were able to attend to public affairs. Tavern patronage increased with political agitation and disturbance, and Felshaw's tavern was one of the most noted. The growing military activity, the more frequent trainings and parades, demanded larger ac commodation. In January, 1775, a number of public-spirited citizens secured from Rev. Aaron Brown and Sampson Howe a deed of about three acres of land adjoining the meeting-house lot, "To have and hold the above-granted premises with all the profits and privileges thereof
*These brilliant yonng men were probably not so unlike other collegians. It is related of Amasa Larned that in the first flush of Freshman dignity he composed a very elaborate and ornate Latin epistle which he sent home to a younger brother destined to dig roots only from the parental homestead, with this condescending post-scriptum : " If you can't read this show it to Mr. Brown "-his revered and reverend preceptor. The young farmer was not as much overcome as may have been expected. In former boyish rencontres he had managed to hold his own. His brother's extremely dark complexion was a common subject for banter, and now he hastened to concoct a medley of " Hog Latin " and nonsensical lingo, which he dispatched to the Yale student with his vernacular postscript : " If you can't read this show it to some other Indian."
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
for the use and benefit of a common forever, and to be by them faith- fully appropriated to said use; to use, occupy and improve the said premises for the good of the publie as a common forever." The amount requisite for this public benefit which seeured a beautiful common for future generations was given by the subjoined subscribers, in sums ranging from £2, 8s. to six shillings :-
Aaron Brown, Perley Howe, Benjamin Joy, Benjamin Leavens, Asa Law- rence, Nathan Day, Hezekiah and Benoni Cutler, Benjamin, Jonathan, Nede- biah, Joseph, David and Isaac Cady, Penuel, Jolm. Jacob and Charles Leavens, Resolved Johnson, Stoughton Ricard, Eleazer Mighill, John Adams, David Perry, Joseph Wilder, Jonathan Buck, Thomas Smith, Samuel HI. Torrey, Noah Elliott, Ebenezer, Asa and James Larned, Sampson Howe, Jared Tal- bot, Simeon Lee.
The South Society of Killingly, though not inferior in size and natural advantages, was far less prosperous than the north and central societies. The "irreconcilable religious differences" that led to its erection increased in bitterness. Three churches widely opposed in sentiment struggled for life and ascendency. The established church centering on Breakneck Hill battled bravely for a few years. Under the faithful ministry of Rev. Eden Burroughs, it was somewhat strengthened for a time, and received some important accessions. Dan- iel Davis of Oxford, who settled in 1752 on a valley farm north of Whetstone Brook, and John Sprague, who removed to the south of Killingly at about the same date, united with this church and served usefully as deacons. Sanmel Danielson, Boaz Stearns and Ephraim Warren were still its earnest supporters. Mr. Burroughs was an able and active pastor, highly esteemed by his ministerial brethren. Yet with all their efforts they were unable to maintain their footing. As the older members passed away and neighboring churches increased it was found very difficult to provide for the support of the minister, and after many struggles and trials he was reluctantly dismissed in 1771. Mr. Burroughs then removed to East Hanover, Mass., was one of the first trustees of Dartmouth College, and served as pastor of the college church. The Breakneck Church did not succeed in settling another pastor, and gradually wasted and dissolved. Its few surviving mem- bers united with other churches; its records were burnt up, its meet- ing-house moved off the hill and devoted to secular purposes, and nothing left to tell the story of the vanished church aud its battles but a few mouldering gravestones on the rugged summit of Breakneck.
Substantial settlers from time to time purchased homesteads in Kil- lingly Centre. A valuable farm adjoining James Day's was purchased from Deacon Daniel Davis by William and Jonathan Dexter of Smith- field, R. I., in 1769. John Coller bought land eastward of Ephraim Warren; George Corliss of Providence purchased of Michael Hewlett.
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TOWN AFFAIRS IN KILLINGLY, ETC.
Barzillai Fisher of Preston secured the farm and residence left vacant by Mr. Burroughs. These new-comers with the numerous Hutchins families and other descendants of first settlers were obliged to attend worship in the south part of the town, even if not in sympathy with those who conducted that worship. This Separate Church gained in strength and numbers, though still greatly burdened with questions of discipline, "dealing " even with its pastor " for ronging some of his nabors in putting off to them that which was not marchantable." A brother was publicly admonished for stripping a greatcoat from a dead soldier, and re-admonished " in that he held there was no wrong in the act, only that it grieved the brethren." Two sensitive sisters were un- able to travel with the church " because it held as a principill that it was a censorable eavill for a member of the church to marry with an onbeliever." A former act of the church in suspending a most exem- plary deacon upon this charge had probably subjected it to the imputa- tion of holding a principle, so inimical to the matrimonial aspirations of its sisterhood. Finding upon investigation that this distasteful " principill " had indeed been very much imbibed. the church "ex- ploded it on conviction," confessed its fault and graciously welcomed back the pacified sisters. Rate-paying being utterly tabooed the Gos- pel was supported by what was denominated " free contribution," viz. : " the church met together by legal warning at an appointed time and place to show their liberality, and those who wilfully or carelessly neglected their duty in that respect were to be looked upon as cove- nant breakers."
After the death of Rev. Samuel Wadsworth in 1762, the church, according to the practice of its order, proceeded to select a pastor from its own membership. The gifts of Deacon Stephen Spalding and brother Thomas Denison were found useful to the church. Mr. Deni- son had been prominent in the early days of the Separate movement, and, after embracing and renouncing " Anabaptism," had assisted in ordaining most of the Separate ministers, but had lost the confidence of his friends through weakness and infirmity of temper, and after many trials and difficulties had recently removed to Killingly. Ilis fluent prayers and exhortations were so acceptable to his hearers that without inquiring into his character and antecedents the church pro- ceeded to call him to the vacant pastorate, but soon found canse to re- gret their hasty action. Mr. Denison's principles were far less satis- factory than his preaching, and were in many respects " contrary to the travel of the church and brought a great division among them." A majority of the church went back from their call and declined to pro- ceed to installation, but a number persisted in holding him for their pastor, and he in holding himself to be sent of God to be the pastor of
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
the South Killingly Church. Great confusion and embroilment fol- lowed. Seven prominent members of the church brought specific, sus- tainable charges against Mr. Denison, whereupon they were sharply admonished and suspended from church privileges ; and they in turn admonished and suspended their admonishers. Mr. Denison, as clerk of the church, took possession of its records and refused copies of votes to his opponents, who had no resource but to " send their distressed cries " to other Separate churches to look into their deplorable case and give counsel and assistance ! ! John Fuller, Paul Parke, John Pal- mer, Joseph Marshall and Alexander Miller, ministers of Separate churches, and a brother from each church, accordingly met in council in the South Killingly meeting-house, May 2, 1764, and after due ex- amination gave in their judgment with refreshing plainness and im- partiality. That Mr. Denison had "intruded" in voting for himself with the minor part and opposing the major vote was evident, but " as to his being acensed with crowding," it appeared that the church had never regularly dismissed him from the call it gave him, and were presently divided among themselves. On the whole, they found the whole affair from first to last very imprudent. The hasty proceedings of the church in receiving Mr. Deuison into membership without fur- ther acquaintance with him or recommendation from some other church seeing he was a stranger, and being in such haste to call him for their minister was very censurable ; and they could not but think Mr. Denison entirely out of the way of his duty in insisting upon his being chosen by said church when he could not but see the irregularity of the whole affair and the lamentable divisions consequent upon the same ; and as for their admonishing one another, could they do it in a brotherly way it might in some instances be commendable and their duty, but for either side to assume the power of the church, they could not expect the same to have any good effect at all, and for Mr. Deni- son and those with him to admonish as reported was entirely wrong both as to matter and manner.
Whereupon the council proceeded to advise Mr. Denison-
"To desist his improvement entirely amongst them under the notion of his being their pastor, seeing the division is so grate and the consegnencis so contrary to the very designs of the Gosple of Peace, and although the said Mr. Denison did not send for our advice in particular yet as well-wishers to himself and the interest of religion we cannot avoid advising him as he ten- ders the glory of God his own comfort and peace, and the welfare of this people, and we cannot but hope and expect that he will comply with our advice, especially when it appears that none from no quarter abroad can join in said affair, and also seeing his ministry in other places hath been attended with difficulties of the same nature.
We likewise advise those brethren that appear so forward for settling Mr. Denison after all, to come to a deliberate consideration of the evil conse- quences which hath already attended said affair, and when this is done we shall hardly need to advise them to desist for we think they will do so of
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themselves, unless they design their own ruin with their brethren as to their church state. And as for those brethren that sent for us we advise you to lay aside all contention, and as new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby, and let the whole affair cease as to any more debate about the same."
The church by formal vote now dismissed Mr. Denison from his call, and with solemn prayer and fasting invited Eliphalet Wright of Mansfield, to become their pastor, whose ordination was speedily effected, May 16, 1764,-the most noted Separate ministers of the day assisting in the services. Mr. Wright was a man of good sense as well as of fervent piety, and soon restored good order and harmony. Working with his own hands at his trade of saddle and harness- making, he required so little pecuniary aid, that his church was released from compulsory contributions, and enabled to give more care to its spiritual edification. Having suffered much for lack of some defi- nite form, it now adopted the Articles of Faith and Covenant used by the Separate church of Plainfield, "as a good and wholesome system of faith and practice by which it would walk in future, still looking for more light." John Eaton and Jonathan Day were chosen deacons. Oct. 4, 1765, Abraham and Hannah Spafford, Nathaniel Ben- net and Hannah Wright-the only remaining members of the once flourishing Separate church in Mansfield-were received into church fellowship. A powerful work of grace began ere long which brought some fifty persons into the church and greatly strengthened and refreshed it. In 1768, Abraham Carpenter was ordained into the office of deacon by the laying on of hands, and dismissed after five years service, to become the pastor of the church of Plainfield, New Hampshire.
As years passed on this church lost some of its distinctive Separate features. In 1774, Wyman Hutchins and Joseph Bennet were chosen to assist the pastor in the government of the church, to inspect into the conduet of the church both with respect to their attendance on public worship and their daily walk. Greater secular privileges had now been obtained. Exemption from paying rates to the south society had been restricted solely to those who first petitioned the Assembly, so that their children and later members of the church were still compelled to pay tribute, but as public opinion became more enlightened, " the said society were themselves convinced that this was a hardship and injustice," and agreed unanimously "that some- thing ought to be done about it." Samuel Danielson, Boaz Stearns and Deacon Sprague were accordingly appointed a committee on behalf of the south society to meet in conference with Deacons Stephen Spalding, Wyman Hutchins and Jonathan Day, and consented that the Separates should be incorporated into a distinct ecclesiastical
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
society-" division to begin at the Quinebaug River, run east to Joshua Whitney's dwelling-house, and so to Rhode Island line." A petition to this effect was thereupon preferred to the General Assembly and society privileges granted, October, 1770.
The "Separate brothers and sisters" at Chestnut Hill, received liberty from the main body to meet occasionally by themselves on the Sabbath for public worship, and had the sacrament administered to them once in three months. Mr. Denison remained in Killingly after " being dismissed from his call," and there is some evidence that he served as pastor to this diminishing "branch." The Baptists of this vicinity had no church organization at this period, but remained faithful to their principles and even gained adherents, laying the foun- dation for the future establishment of their order. As the Revolu- tionary troubles came on many residents of the seaboard sought security in Windham County. Among these emigrants were several earnest Baptists, filled with missionary zeal, who went about preaching the word, and building up and strengthening Baptist churches. The scattered Baptists in Chestnut Hill and its vicinity gladly welcomed the call to unite as a distinct body. Agreeable to a request from a number of baptized believers, desiring to unite in a visible church state, Elder Joseph Winsor of Gloucester, Elder James Manning of Providence and Elder Job Seamans of Attleborough, with delegates from their respective churches and from the Baptist church in Thomp- son Parish, convened in East Killingly, May 22, 1776. President Manning was chosen moderator. Articles expressing the sentiments of those desiring to embody touching both doctrine and practice received the approbation of the council, and were signed by nearly sixty baptized believers, male and female, mutually covenanting and agreeing to unite together as a church. Others were soon added both by letter and profession. Eber Moffat was chosen clerk. July 26, the church unanimously agreed to give Mr. George Robinson, of Attle- borough, a call to settle with them as their elder. On the same day a Baptist society was organized-its members voluntarily agreeing "to attend on divine service on every first day of the week, Extrodinarys being excepted, and also to contribute to the support of the Gospiil ministery with our Christian friends, the breatheren of the church in this place, as necessity my require." Eber Moffat was elected clerk of the society, and the call to Mr. Robinson confirmed. Mr. Robinson desiring time for consideration, in October church and society renewed their request and he gave answer in the affirmative. Robert Baxter, David Law, Joseph Smith, William Givens, Ezekiel Blackmar and Ephraim Fisk, were chosen by both bodies, To buy a settlement and take a deed of the same for a ministerial lot for the use of the Elders.
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WOODSTOCK'S THREE PARISHES, ETC.
William Givens was chosen treasurer for the church. Ordination ser- vices were held at the house of Mr. David Law, Nov. 12. Elders Isaac Backus, Abiel Ledoit, John Martin, Joseph Winsor and Charles Thompson were present. Elder Backus was chosen moderator, and Elder Thompson, clerk. Inquiring first into the constitution and articles of the church, they found them so consistent with the rules of the gospel, that they gave them fellowship as a sister church. The relation of the candidate's " call out of Nature into Grace and also his special call to the great work of the ministry," gave " such full satis- faction that we heartily agreed to answer the church's request in ordaining of him," and on the following day "the Elders met and separated Brother Robinson to the work whereunto God had called him by laying on of hands and prayers." Thus happily established the church went on its way rejoicing, as is shown by its records :-
" First day, January ye 5th, 1777. We had the sacrament administered to us by our Elder-a comfortable day it was.
First day, January ye 26. Mary Aldreig offered herself to this church and was received, and was baptized with decency by our Elder."
A building was soon built or procured which served for a place of worship. There is no evidence that the appointed committee suc- ceeded in buying a ministerial lot for Elder Robinson, but he himself for two hundred pounds purchased a hundred acres of land of Robert Baxter, who had recently removed from Scituate. Ephraim Fisk of Swanzey, and David Law, were newly-arrived residents. A committee was now appointed by the First society "to assist in examining the certificates of people called Baptist," which reported "that such as produce proper certificates ought to be exempt."
VIII.
WOODSTOCK'S THREE PARISHES. BAPTIST CHURCHI. TOWN AFFAIRS. TROUBLES WITH MASSACHUSETTS.
W FOODSTOCK in 1760 had just emerged from a bitter and pro- tracted controversy, resulting in church and society division. A new society had been erected in the north part of the first society. Three religious societies with each a distinct church organization were thus comprised within the township. The Rev. Stephen Williams was still the stated pastor of the New Roxbury or West Society. Rev. Abel Stiles was claimed by the North Society. The First or South Society was without a pastor. It had saved its meeting-house, but lost its minister, and some years passed before this loss was sup- plied. Much time and money were expended in " going after minis- ters." The young licentiates from Pomfret recently graduated from 13
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Yale College -- Chandler, Craft, Grosvenor and Weld-were heard suc- cessively and unsuccessfully. Worthy neighboring ministers labored with appropriate prayer and fasting to bring them to a decision. True to their Massachusetts proelivities, church and society at length united in choice of Abiel Leonard of Plymouth, a graduate from Harvard College in 1759. His fine personal appearance, agreeable manners and marked ability in the pulpit, won universal favor, and on June 23, 1763, he was inducted into the vacant pastorate. Eleven Massachu- setts churches were invited to participate in the installation services. The only Connecticut church thus honored was the First of Killingly, Rev. Aaron Brown, pastor. The sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Barnes of Seituate was so satisfactory that the brethren of the church mani- fested their desire to have it printed. Liquors, lemons and sugar pro- vided for this joyful occasion gave equal satisfaction. William Skinner and Jedidiah Morse were soon after installed in the office of deacons. It was also voted, " That a chapter in the Bible should be read pub- liely every Lord's day if agreeable to the congregation." Thus pro- vided with an acceptable pastor after so many years of strife and des- titution, the church on Woodstock Hill enjoyed a season of unwonted harmony and prosperity. At peace with itself it was ready to make peace with its neighbors. and passed the following aet of amnesty : " Dec. 8, 1766, pastor and brethren of ye church in ye first society vote to overlook and forgive all that has been offensive to us in ye church in North Woodstock, engaging to conduct towards them as be- comes a church in Christian fellowship." The question of singing was next brought under consideration. Hitherto the whole congregation had been accustomed to join promiscuously in this part of divine wor- ship, but in 1769, the psalm-tuner formally petitioned, " That some con- venient place in the gallery be appropriated to the use of the singers." The society responded, "That it would be exceedingly glad that the three forward seats in the front gallery might be sequestered to the use of the singers ; and also that the three seats on the women's side might be sequestered for the same use ; and further that those women both elder and younger that are favored with agreeable voices would occupy said seats is the society's desire." This proposition to limit the privi- lege of joining in sacred song to such as could sing agreeably met much opposition, and was not carried into execution for several years.
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