USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 24
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from the church records of Plainfield, could probably have been paralleled in every other town had they taken care to inscribe the names of those who had fallen :-
" List of men killed and died in ye Army and Navy after April 1, 1775 :-
Samuel Gary, Roxbury; Roswell Spaulding, Asa Chapman, 1775; William Dunlap, 1776; John Kingsbury, New York-ward, 1777; Samuel Cole, Zerniah Shurtleff, New York-ward, 1776; four negroes by sickness; William Farnham, captivity ; Captain Daniel Clark, Paul Adams, killed at Stillwater, Sept. 19, 1777; Asa Kingsbury's son killed at Fort Mifflin, nigh Philadelphia; Dr. Nathaniel Spalding died at Halifax a prisoner, last of 1777; Dr. Phinehas Parkhurst, surgeon of brig Resistance, died at Portland, May, 1778; Daniel Parish died at Newport a prisoner; Simon Spalding at Martinique after being wounded; Enos Tew, New York, captivity, Dr. Ebenezer Robinson, Jr., at New York, prisoner, July, 1779."
And still despite these many losses the quota was kept up from year to year. The spirit evoked in " '76" outlived the sufferings and strng- gles of succeeding years. As fathers and older brothers were stricken down or disabled, younger sons, full of the same fire and enthusiasm, were only too ready to follow in their footsteps. A notable feature of the later years of the war was the number of very young men, lads of fourteen and onwards, who enlisted when permitted, or attached them- selves to some popular officer. Samuel Calvin Adams of Canterbury, not then quite fourteen years of age, waited upon Capt. Aaron Cleve- land at the time of Governor Tryon's assault upon Horse-Neck, and saw General Putnam plunge down the steep bluff, the bullets of the baffled dragoons whizzing around him and even passing through his hat. William Eaton of Woodstock, at sixteen ran away from home to join the army and prevailed upon Captain Dana to receive him as his ser- vant. John Pettengill of Windham, enlisted at fourteen, and served till the close of the war under the same popular leader. Levi Bingham of Windham, entered the service at fifteen. Daniel Waldo, at seven- teen served a month under Capt. William Howard, at New London, and then enlisted under Capt. Nathaniel Wales, for continental service. Many a household was forced reluctantly to part with even its Benja- min. Laban, the youngest son of Barzillai Fisher, appears at dawn of day with gun upon his shoulder. "O Laban, you are not going!" besought his distressed annt. "Yes," he cheerily answered, " but don't tell father," and so he went to his fate in the Jersey prison-ship. Undeterred by the hard experience of those who had gone before, young men were still eager to brave the perils and share the honors of military life. The surgeons' places vacated by the death or withdrawal of Spalding, Holmes, Lee, Gray, Waldo and others, were filled by Dr. Lord, Dr. David Adams, and Dr. Walter Hough of Canterbury, who had just completed his studies. The hearts of older veterans in the field were cheered by this continued infusion of new blood and muscle
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into the army. The patience and fortitude of these men, young and old alike, amid such depth of destitution and discomfort, excited the wondering admiration of Washington and sympathetic officers. Turning their very wants and woes into sportive song,* they faith- fully kept their posts and did their duty, trusting that their labors and sacrifices would at length meet fitting reward and help work out the freedom and prosperity of their country.
Though the carrying on of the war was the first and chief object during the Revolutionary period, Windham was not wholly absorbed by it. Amid all the distractions and perplexities of the time the daily routine of life flowed on-eating and sleeping, sowing and reap- ing, buying and selling, birth, marriage and death. Publie worship was statedly maintained, children taught in intermittent fashion, town affairs faithfully administered. In some respects there was decided growth and progress. Experience was widened ; ingenuity and inven- tion stimulated. Among the gains of the time were substantial fami- lies from sea-board settlements. These new comers interested them- selves in town affairs and engaged in various business operations. James Thurber and Lemnel Chandler opened a store in Pomfret, sell- ing groceries and liquors. Hannah Miller of Boston, obliged "to flee from the merciless troops of that town as from a nest of hornets," sought refuge in the happy and peaceful State of Connecticut with a hogshead of rum and a tierce of coffee which she "had brought to live upon," selling and bartering the same with the neighbors, in Pomfret. Jonathan Hale of Concord, engaged in the manufacture of hand-cards to great public convenience. The home production of salt, saltpetre and potash was very largely increased.
The religious interests of the county suffered severely by loss of men, diminished means, publie distractions and increasing skepticism.
* A lady in Chaplin sends this fragment, sung to her in childhood by Mr. Joseph Martin, a fine singer and prominent person in the community and church, who used to take her on his knee and sing to her many of the old Revolutionary songs, sung in camp by the soldiers :-
" O once I could eat of that bread, that bread, That was made of the finest of wheat; But now I am glad of an Indian cake, And glad if I can get it to eat.
O once I could lie on that bed, that bed, That was made of the softest of down; But now 1 glad of a bundle of straw To keep my head off from the ground.
O once I could drink of that beer, that beer, That was made of the berry so brown; But now I am glad of a cup of cold water That runs through an Indian town."
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The Baptists alone gained ground. Their bold and carnest champion- ship of civil and religious freedom was in unison with the spirit of the age, and brought them into public favor. Their growth in Windham County was greatly aided by the influence of President Manning of Brown University, who after the shutting up of the college devoted himself to missionary labors. Many of the new comers to the county were earnest Baptists. A Baptist Church was organized in the east- ern part of Killingly in May, 1776. In June, Baptists in Canada and Abington parishes united in church fellowship, electing one of their number, William Grow, for their pastor. Mr. Manning was present, and preached the ordination sermon. During this busy summer of 1776, a Baptist society was also organized in Pomfret. Public religious services were held by Mr. Manning at the houses of the Thurbers and other friends, which excited much interest. The Rev. Mr. Putnam was considerably annoyed by this invasion upon his parochial bounds and the increasing predilection for Baptist principles and preaching, and attempted to meet it by inviting Mr. Manning to a public discus- sion of the the points at issue between them. The result was pre- cisely contrary to what was intended. Mr. Manning had greatly the advantage of his opponent in vigor and eloquence if not in argument, public interest was heightened, and Baptist sentiments far more widely disseminated and embraced. The Baptist residents of the Quinebaug Valley in Pomfret and Killingly organized as a distinct religious society, and instituted regular worship. The Rev. Mr. Kelly labored with them for a time, holding services at convenient residences, which were "attended by a large gathering of people, and the prospect was encouraging of great good to be done." After his departure Mr. Manning very earnestly urged Mr. Thomas Ustiek of Ashford, to enter upon this field, with the view of settling in it for life. Hitherto the Baptists of Windham County had been mostly of the lower classes of society, and their ministers had been men of little or no education. Now, men of higher standing were entering the Baptist ranks and a different ministry was demanded. Mr. Manning besought Mr. Ustick to visit Pomfret and help the people under their disappoint- ment, and should he decide to settle there he wished him immediately " to engage in a Latin school as a nursery for the college," and " enden- vor to influence his people to educate their children, as the present state of the Baptist society must convince all of the importance of having men of education in all parts of the country." Mr. Ustick did not think best to occupy this field, and no permanent pastor was secured, nor church organization effected at that date. President Manning looked after its interests as long as he was at liberty, and often visited his friends in Windham County, confirming and encourag-
25
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ing the churches, and preaching " to crowded andiences, very attentive and affected."
The only Congregational churches formed during this period was that of Eastford, and one in the north part of Windham. Several of the churches were weakened by the loss of their pastors. The church on Woodstock Ilill was very seriously affected by the long absence and sorrowful death of Rev. Abiel Leonard. The services of Eliphalet Lyman of Lebanon, proved acceptable to church society, but their hereditary dread of Saybrook Platform and Connectient derelictions obliged them to make a searching inquiry into his views and principles respecting church government and discipline before venturing to invite him to settlement. The investigating committee reported his doctrinal sentiments to be Calvinistic : as to government, he thought a minister ought ever to call church meetings when desired by a majority ; that the voice of the majority ought to be decisive, and denied the right of the moderator to a negative vote. This giving satisfaction, a " call " was given and accepted, and Mr. Lyman ordained September 2, 1779. He proved himself " worthy of the high and im- portant office," and aided in restoring the church to its former standing. Upon his reiterated assertion " that he desired not the name of hold- ing to a negative in the church," that body " made no objection " to his joining the Windham County Association.
The church in East Woodstock was greatly afflicted by the increas- ing infirmities and disabilities of Mr. Stiles. This good minister, once so full of life and controversial zeal, had fallen into deep religious depression, " his soul wading in clouds and temptations," aggravated by family afflietions and public anxieties. Unable to perform the duties of his office, Mr. Joshua Johnson, a graduate of Yale College, was ordained colleague pastor, December 27, 1780. The West Wood- stock Church was chiefly exercised by the difficulty of keeping up the credit of the minister's salary, which so depreciated in valne that Mr. Williams was obliged to ask for help. This deficiency labored much in the minds of his people, but after suitable discussion it was thought pru- dent not to make any further grant. Mr. Williams meekly acquiescing and expressing a hope that they would not see him suffer, each mem- ber present in society meeting voluntarily promised to do something for their pastor's support, as in duty they found themselves inclined.
Plainfield was unable to fill the place of her lamented Fuller. That excellent minister had wrought a great work, binding up old wounds and healing animosities. The terse and touching inscription on a gravestone on Burial Hill, best tells the story of his life and ministerial service :- " John Fuller, after watching for the souls of his people as those who must give account. fell asleep, October 3, 1777, Æ 55."
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In attempting to supply the loss of Rev. Aaron Brown, the First Church of Killingly was involved in great difficulties, unhappily mak- ing choice of Emerson Foster, son of the somewhat notorious Isaac Foster of West Stafford. In face of an earnest remonstrance from Deacon Ebenezer Larned and other prominent brethren who mistrusted the doctrinal soundness of the candidate, the council of reverend ministers and delegates meeting at Capt. Felshaw's tavern, January 21, 1778, thought it their duty to proceed to his ordination. The County Association represented by its Eastern committee, concurred in this judgment, and Mr. Foster was ordained with the usual formalities. The result was most unhappy. Mr. Foster's aberrations became more pronounced and manifest, and so many withdrew from church and society, that it was found very difficult to fulfill pecuniary obligations. In the fervor of their eagerness to secure Mr. Foster, the society had offered him two hundred pounds settlement, and twenty pounds salary, -the latter to be made as good as the same sum in 1776, and the former to be paid within six months after his settling. The friends of Mr. Foster labored vainly to collect this sum. Times were now very hard, public demands urgent, and enrrency so depreciated that the former salary of a minister would scarcely suffice " for keeping the key and sweeping the meeting-house." People refused to pay and took certificates from the new Baptist Society. A committee was appointed to assist the society committee "to examine certificates of people called Baptists," and reported that "such as produce proper certificates ought to be exempt from taxes." Disaffection rapidly increased. Captain Ilowe resigned the office of clerk. J. Cady Howe, S. H. Torrey and Jacob Leavens refused to serve as collectors. Mr. Foster remonstrated with the society respecting encouragement for support prior to ordination. A committee was appointed to treat with him " about depreciation of currency, and what will make him easy." Mr. Foster not only insisted upon all that was his due " but wished the society to amend or rectify the vote passed previous to ordination." The society most positively declined to alter the vote, but strictly adhere to the same and regard it as the foundation on which the superstructure was reared. Church, society and pastor agreed to sub- mit all matters of difficulty to a council, July 27, 1779. That body dismissed Mr. Foster from his pastorate, but did not adjudicate the pecuniary question. Amasa Learned, now entering upon the practice of law in New London, was deputized to treat with Mr. Foster " but was unable to come to terms," whereupon the ex-pastor resorted to legal process, bringing a suit against the society for lawful arrearage and damage. Eleazer Moffat, Capt. Cady and Sampson Howe were chosen to carry on a correspondence with the plaintiff, and after much
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delay and bickering it was agreed to submit all matters of difficulty between them to the arbitration of Esquire Wales of Windham, Capt. Nehemiah Lyon of Woodstock, and Capt. Carpenter of Lebanon, meeting to be held at Felshaw's tavern ; the previous committee to attend on behalf of the society and employ an attorney to plead. The result of the arbitration was less favorable than had been hoped, and the society was obliged to make good its promise. No baptisms or observance of communion were reported during this unhappy contro- versy. Publie worship was maintained with some degree of regular- ity, Russell Cook and others supplying the pulpit. An unsuccessful attempt was made to unite with some of the inhabitants of the middle society in supporting the gospel.
Abington Society was obliged to seek the dismissal of its honored pastor, Rev. David Ripley, in consequence of a distressing and incura ble disease brought on, he averred, by elose application to ministerial labors, by which he was every year confined to his bed for weeks with excruciating pains, and disabled from efficient service, whereby many became uneasy that his salary and support should be continued. "For the sake of peace and to avoid contention," Mr. Ripley consented to be dismissed from his office, March, 1778. The question of arrearages and equivalent was referred to "four judicious and distinguished gentlemen, viz., Reverends James Cogswell and Josiah Whitney, Col. Levi Nott and Hon. Charles Church Chandler," and satisfactorily settled by the payment of three hundred pounds. This dismission in no wise effected Mr. Ripley's ministerial standing, and he officiated in the pulpit at home and abroad whenever his health permitted, and supposed himself still entitled to all the privileges and immunities of his office. The " listers " of Pomfret were, however, of a contrary opinion, and being greatly burdened with publie demands, they made out a list of his real and personal estate and came upon him for town and state taxes, nor would the town anthorities consent to any release or abate- ment. Having neither " ways, means, ability or income," to discharge the same, Mr. Ripley was compelled to carry his "distresses " to the Assembly, and fight it out with his fellow-citizens before that body. Pomfret insisted that the petitioner was much better able than the major part of the inhabitants to pay his proportion of taxes, "con- sidering the profits of his farm and having a grammar school, together with sums of money in the loan office and other sums at interest," supporting her position by specific enumeration of acres of land and heads of cattle. Dr. Lord of Abington, the church committee, and influential members of the society, testified on the other hand to the past usefulness of their superannuated pastor, his excruciating suffer- ings by which he was made incapable of bodily labor ; that his circum-
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stances were never affluent, and that he had a family of children, young and unsettled, to educate and support from the profits of his farm. It appeared upon cross-examination that the grammar school consisted of one pupil, and the three hundred pounds in the loan office had been paid in paper money at the nominal sum. An attempt to show that Mr. Ripley's disease had been aggravated by "taking the bark " was equally unsuccessful. The Assembly ordered the collection of the taxes to be suspended and deferred decision from session to session, and thus the matter ended. Mr. Ripley was able to preach occasionally to his former charge, and no other minister was settled for several years.
The Episcopal worship so prosperously established in Brooklyn Parish fell into great disfavor after the breaking out of the war. The King's headship in the church could no longer be recognized by revolted subjects. All good patriots fell away and only avowed royalists remained in the church connection. Prayers for the king and royal family were no longer in order, and, as Mr. Fogg like other churchmen thought it inconsistent with his ordination vows to omit them, public service was suspended. Trinity church was closed and its congregation scattered. Mr. Fogg remained quietly at his post of duty, ministering to his few faithful followers, conducting himself " in so peaceable and quiet a manner," as to retain the confidence and respect of the community. Col. Malbone was also allowed to pursue his way unmolested. Though open and outspoken in his attachment to the royal cause, he did nothing to promote it, and by his ready wit and cool assurance managed to evade demands and disarm opposition. A pert little official once called to warn him to a "train- ing," or some such public service. Malbone-a cultured gentleman of much presence and dignity-scanned scornfully his insignificant figure, and taking him by the coat collar to a mirror, glanced at the images so strikingly contrasted and quenched him with the query :- "Do you think God Almighty made you to give me orders ?" The negro force that caused so much alarm in Thompson and distant neigh- borhoods, gave no great uneasiness to the people of Pomfret, who had better means of judging its efficiency. The church service held in Col. Malbone's dwelling-house excited some dissatisfaction but it was not thought best to interfere with it. Dr. Walton continued faithful in his adherence to the Church and King, and as a renegade and pervert was far more obnoxious than Malbone. Ilis son was an officer in the British army, and wounded fellow-officers were said to have been secreted by him in Dr. Walton's dwelling-house.
One of the most remarkable of Windham County achieve- ments during the war was the opening of the Plainfield Academy.
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Stimulated doubtless by a legacy left by Isaac Coit, Esq., at his decease in 1776-"the annual interest of which was to be applied to the maintenance of a Latin or Grammar school in the new brick house in Plainfield : and more especially for the benefit of poor children of good genins, whose parents are not able to give them suitable learn- ing,"-the associated friends of education proceeded in 1778, to organize a classical department, securing for rector Mr. Ebenezer Pemberton of Newport, a gentleman of high scholarship and aecom- plishments, and unusual aptitude for teaching. His reputation and the favorable location of the school attracted at once a large number of pupils. Colleges and academies had been generally suspended. Seaboard towns were exposed to invasion, but this remote inland village offered a safe and pleasant refuge. Gentlemen in Providence, New London, and even New York, gladly availed themselves of its advan- tages, and many promising lads from the best families in the States were sent to Plainfield Academy. The good people of the town wel- comed these students to their homes and firesides. More teachers were demanded and the popularity of the school increased until it numbered more than a hundred foreign pupils, besides a large number from Plainfield and neighboring towns.
After the transference of the seat of war to the Southern States Windham was less actively participant, though still called to raise her quota of men and supplies for State protection and Continental service. The large number of men already sent ont made it more difficult to se- cure recruits. Windham's proportion of fifteen hundred men, raised by Connectieut for six months' Continental service in May, 1780, was thus distributed among the townships :- Ashford, 17: Canterbury, 9 ; Coventry, 18 : Killingly, 37 : Lebanon, 36 : Mansfield, 20 : Plainfield, 16 : Pomfret. 25 ; Union, 6; Voluntown, 17 : Windham. 34 : Wood- stoek. 20. The towns at once made provision for enlisting these men. but before it was accomplished a thousand men were called for three years' service. Colonel MeClellan thus instructs the officers of two Woodstock companies :-
" In consequence of orders received from General Douglas, I am authorized to acquaint you that you are appointed recruiting officers for your companies, and to be rewarded therefor -- you, and each of you, are hereby directed to en- list out of your said companies, Capt. Bowen, two, and Capt. Paine, four, able-bodied effective men to serve during the war three years, or until the last day of December next, unless sooner discharged . If said men are not enlisted on or before the 26th of June, instant, you are hereby directed to make a peremptory draft to make up your complement as above directed, to serve until the last day of December next, unless sooner discharged ; and you will apply to the selectmen of your town for blankets, if need be, in case the recruits or detached men should not furnish themselves-and see them marched to the house of Capt. Natha'l Clarke in Woodstock, on Monday, the third day of July next, by nine o'clock in the morning, in order to be mus-
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tered, receive their bonnty and march on emeaditly to the army withont re- turning to their respective homes. You will use your utmost endeavors to get the men by enlistment, taking the Act of Assembly for your direction. Make due return of your doings.
Given at Woodstock, June 19, 1780.
SAM'L MCCLELLAN, Col."
A town meeting was held June 26, when it was agreed to offer a bounty of forty shillings per month. Colonel McClellan, Captain Daniel Lyon, and Mr. Ebenezer Smith were appointed a committee to confer with the several militia companies then convened and had no difficulty in procuring the requisite number of soldiers ; and even at the succeeding call it was reported that they could get their men and double the number wanted at the price voted. Windham offered £20 money, equal to wheat at five shillings a bushel. In December, she of- fered £12 in silver money as a bounty for the first year and £9 silver for each succeeding year. Plainfield offered £100 to any five men who would enlist for three years ; and generous bounties promised by other towns procured recruits without resort to drafting. Requisitions for corn, wheat, beef and clothing were promptly met by all the towns. The raids upon New Haven, Fairfield and Danbury, the frequent alarms of invasion upon New London and Rhode Island, exposed the militia to continual eall and repeated service, and even while gathering these quotas for the general army, a sudden summons hurried a large force to Rhode Island. " Captain Timothy Backus with his troop of veterans from Canterbury," Captain Daniel Tyler's matross company from Brooklyn, the militia companies, under Captain Abner Adams and Captain William Frizzel, of Pomfret and Woodstock, were ordered to rendezvous in Greenwich, and the selectmen of the several towns to fur- nish the provisions to support them on their march.
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