USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 34
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Noted, That Mr. Oliver Dodge be, and he is hereby excluded from the rites and privileges of this church till by his reformation and amendment of life he shall be ngain restored to our charity."
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No restoration was effected. Whatever efforts were made were wholly ineffectual. The unhappy young man seemed given over to evil and died miserably after a few wretched years. The Reformed Church vanished with its founder. Like Jonah's gourd it perished in a night. Its grieved and mortified brethren had no desire to perpetuate it, and welcomed the first conciliatory advances from the church they had deserted. At their last meeting, November 4, 1799, a committee was chosen "to join with the committee of the church in the first society to call in the assistance of the Rev. Messrs. Whitney, Hart and Day, to advise in the method and on what ground the two churches may join and become one church." No difficulty was found in arranging a satisfactory basis. Both parties rejoiced to unite and become again "one church," and "a most amicable and Christian" union was speedily effected. So serious a rupture was never more thoroughly and happily healed. The social and family fends that had grown out of it were also made up. This happy result is said to have been largely due to an opportune dancing school, that brought all the young people together upon a common footing, and had a most magical effect in restoring harmony and good fellow- ship-a not inappropriate finale to the famous Dodge episode, and very characteristic of the low tone of morality and religion evinced throughout the whole affair.
In view of the continued disability of Mr. Putnam, Mr. Asa King of Mansfield was engaged as his assistant, and after suitable probation invited to settle as colleague, but by the advice of the council called to ordain him in that capacity, a change of base was effected. Mr. Putnam was dismissed from the position he could no longer fill, and Mr. King duly installed as the pastor of the First Church of Pomfret, May 5, 1802. A great concourse of people filled the meeting-house on that occasion, and "the greatest regularity and decorum were observed throughout the day." The ordination ball in the evening was no doubt equally satisfactory. The anniversary of this auspicious event was observed, according to the Windham Herald, by a gathering of young ladies, who " met at the house of Rev. Mr. King, and presented his lady with more than two hundred double skeins of yarn, spun by their own skillful hands." The evening dance was doubtless not omitted. Winning the hearts of his young people by kindly sympathy and indulgence, Mr. King gradually led them to a higher sense of life and its responsibilities. Meetings for prayer and conference were cantionsly introduced. The older people at first trembled at this innovation, and feared it would lead to confusion and disorder, but the meetings grew in favor and finally held their own with the dancing-school. Secular improvements were also accom-
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
plished. The meeting-house was repaired, its back seats replaced by fashionable pews, and an additional sounding-board suspended under the massive canopy.
While the First Pomfret church was passing through such vicissi- tudes, a new religious interest had developed in the eastern part of the town. That wonderfully efficient Methodist organization with its one clear head guiding thousands of willing feet, had gained a foothold in the Quinebaug valley. It was during the year of the great rupture and secession when Dodge was dazzling the multitude with his spe- cious eloquence, that a young minister of very different stamp came to Cargill's Mills one evening and asked leave to hold a religious meeting. Kindly Captain Cargill granted the use of his press-room, and a few of his workmen and the neighboring young people went in to hear him. It was a very unpretentions gathering ; very unlike the fashionable assemblies then crowding the old Grosvenor House, but the resulting influences were far more dissimilar. The plain and pungent preaching of John Allen struck conviction to the hearts of his hearers. Allen came again, and other preachers-famous lights of Methodism. A number of young women* professed conversion, and early in 1793 were gathered into a class. Soon they were joined by three young men, Elijah Bugbee, William Gary and Noah Perrin. The latter was appointed class-leader and opened the fine old Perrin House for public religious service. Pomfret was included in New London Circuit, and made a regular preaching station. Its presiding elder, George Roberts, watched and cherished this young flock, preaching himself at stated intervals, and sending other flaming messengers. In a day when Infidelity and Universalism were openly proclaimed in every corner, and an eloquent Dodge drew hundreds of adherents with "his finely polished golden chain of equality and brotherly love," and the power of the orthodox clergy was almost nullified by theological absolutism and ecclesiastical assumption, vivid pictures of man's guilt and danger and earnest offers of free, unlimited salvation, had very great effect. More converts were brought in. A number of respectable families united with the Methodists. The young converts were full of zeal and devotion, eager to work and speak for the good of souls and the spread of Methodism. Lively meetings, filled up with song, prayer and fervid exhortation, were held in the Perrin House and Cargill's press-room, and a new religions life and impulse pervaded the Quine- bang valley. The old churches upon the hill-tops looked with much suspicion upon this Methodist invasion. They had heard most unfavor-
* Sarah Bacon-afterwards the wife of Elijah Bugbee, Lucy Perrin-after- wards Mrs. William Gary, Lucy Marcy, Sally White, Mrs. Sarah Sabin.
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able reports of that body. Representatives serving at Hartford and New Haven, had brought back alarming stories of their excesses and heresies. They were worse than Baptists, worse than the old-fashioned Separates, worse than anything that had yet afflicted Connecticut ! Rev. Mr. Atkins of Killingly Ilill, though but a moderate Calvinist, . pronounced them a very dangerous people, and warned his congrega- tion against attending their meetings. This prohibition and opposi- tion but increased the activity of the Methodists and made people more anxious to hear them, and so they gained in influence and numbers. In 1795, Pomfret Cirenit was formed, embracing the northeast section of Connectient, and 169 professed Methodists. Jesse Lee was its presiding eller : Daniel Ostrander and Nathaniel Chapin, preachers. In 1801, this Circuit was included in New London District, and in the following year in New York Conference. Two years later it was joined to New England Conference-Daniel Ostran- der, presiding elder; John Nichols and Samuel Garsline, preachers. Though meeting much opposition from the standing churches and drawing few adherents from families of old Puritan stock and careful religions training, the Pomfret Methodists increased slowly and steadily, and gained a strong foothold in different sections of the town, especially in neighborhoods aloof from other religions influences.
The Baptist society formed under the auspieces of President Man ning maintained its organization and held occasional services, but was much straitened by the loss of Benjamin Thurber and the lack of minister and house of worship. The " great religions stir " among the Baptists of Hampton in 1788-9, extended into Abington, and several residents of this society united with the new church. Others became connected with the Baptist church in South Woodstock. In 1803, brethren that lived in Pomfret and Killingly having asked the privilege of receiving communion in their own neighborhood, were "legally constituted a branch of the Woodstock church." Under the preach- ing and influence of Brother James Grow of Hampton, their numbers were multiplied. Regular services were held in the Gary school- house and at Pomfret Landing. The propriety of setting apart this young brother to the work of the ministry was considered and recognized, and on September 18, 1805, "a number of brethren from the following churches convened at the Gary school-house in Pomfret, and formed into a council." viz. :-
" Second church of Woodstock, Elder Amos Wells, Deacons Robert Baxter and William H. Manning; Brethren Henry Wells, James Wheaton, Elisha Sabin. First Woodstock, Elder Abiel Ledoyt, Deacon Samuel Crawford, Joel Gage. Hampton, Deacon William Elliott, Frederick Curtis, Jeremiah Field. Sturbridge, Elder Zenas S. Leonard. Stephen Haskel, Renben Howe, Joseph Barret. Thompson, Elder Pearson Crosby, Deacons Samuel Knap and
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Thomas Day, Joseph Town, Joseph Bates. 1. Chose Elder Crosby, modera- tor; Elder Leonard, clerk. 2. Deacons Thomas Grow of Hampton, and Jonathan Harrington of Killingly churches, being providentially present, were invited to sit with the council. 3. After prayer proceeded to hear Brother James Grow's relation of the work of grace on his heart, his call to the ministry and system of doctrine. 4. The council manifesting individually their satisfaction in the candidate's relation on the points above-named, con- cluded to proceed to ordination. Accordingly appointed Elder A. Ledoyt to preach the sermon, Elder P. Crosby to make the consecrating prayer, Eller A. Wells to give the charge, and Elder Z. Leonard to give the right hand of fellowship. 5. Met September 19, according to adjournment, and the several parts were performed agreeably to appointment. 6. Brother James Grow, being thus set apart by ordination according as we understand Apostolic order, we recommend him to God, and the word of his grace to build him up . in the most holy faith, and make him faithful and successful till his death."
In the following April the branch became a distinct body and was received into the fellowship of its sister churches as the Pomfret Baptist church, Woodstock dismissing thereto the following mein- bers :- Elisha Sabin, Artemas Bruce, James Grow, Pardon Kingsley, Smith Johnson, Thomas Bowen, Charles Robbins, Guy Kingsley, Stephen Chapman, Alvin Easting, Lucretia Cady, Mary Brown, Han- nah Sabin, Patty Bruce, Phebe and Sarah Stone, Azubah Bowen, Polly M. Spalding, Orpah Easting, Susanna Kingsley, Katharine Ashcraft, Sabra Withey, Hannah Kent, Betsey Leavens, Hannah Fling, Celinda Copp, Lucy Goodell. No meeting-house was erected for several years, but services were still held in the Gary school-house and other convenient centres. A few Quaker families were now resident in the town, and a plain house of worship had been erected for them by the Smithfield Conference.
Abington Society enjoyed much harmony and prosperity. Mr. Lyon was a faithful and conscientious pastor, devoted to the work of preaching the Gospel. Dignified in bearing, strict in discipline, remarkably exact and methodical in all his affairs, he was also pro- gressive and liberal in spirit, ready to engage in every enterprise for the extension of Christianity or the development of the community. Improvements in schools and house of worship, the libraries and missionary efforts, enjoyed his countenance and support. A committee was chosen in 1800 to estimate the expense of repairing the meeting- house, and in the following year Joshua and Thomas Grosvenor, and Lemuel Ingalls, were authorized to accomplish repairs. A bell was promised by Mr. Samuel Sumner, and leave voted to certain individ- uals to build a steeple, leaving " it discretionary with the committee as to repairing and painting." In 1802, the society voted to pay the expense of hanging and raising the bell, and a rope to hang it. This being procured and the bell successfully elevated, Daniel Goodell and Thomas Grosvenor were appointed a committee to return thanks to Mr. Samuel Sumner for his generous present. Farther repairs were
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soon accomplished and the house brought into good condition. Im- provements were also made in singing-Watts' Psalms taking the place of the earlier version, and singers ranged into a choir under the leadership of Mr. Ephraim Ingalls, a change " much against the feelings and prejudices of some of the old fathers." The government of the church was less absolute than that of Pomfret. It was voted in 1783, "that there be four of the brethren of this church chosen annually as a committee to join with the pastor in exercising discipline. The discipline of this church is that the negative power is lodged with the pastor and four brethren." An earlier vote prescribed, "that no offending member of said church should be dealt with in ye method of procedure against offending brethren till a regular and written complaint be exhibited against said member by some of ye brethren of ye church." The child of an irresponsible person was " admitted to baptism, on the account of its natural and religions relation to its grand-parents."
Schools were distributed about to suit the public convenience. In 1784, it was voted to divide the parish into four districts by an east and west line crossing the meeting-house, north and south parts to be equally divided thereafter, each district placing their own school- house and building the same, but several years passed before the district system was carried into execution. The ecclesiastic society continued its care of the schools, allowing sixteen months schooling a year for the whole society-schools kept at the usual places-and voting that the schoolmasters have no more than forty shillings per month, they boarding themselves. Notwithstanding this scanty pay there was no lack of good teachers. No crop in Abington was more sure than its schoolmasters. Young men who toiled on farms through the summer were glad to recreate in a school-room for the winter. Samnel Craft was one of the early teachers. Mr. Samuel Sumner, the generous donor of Abington's first bell, taught school many winters, and was especially noted for the excellence of his penmanship. In 1795, a district school society was organized- Joshua Grosvenor, clerk. John Trowbridge, William Field and Squire Sessions were the first committee. In 1798, four school dis- tricts were formally set off and established, and suitable school-houses erected.
In 1793, a number of residents of Abington formed themselves into a Propriety for the purpose of establishing a library in their parish. It was agreed that this should be called The Social Library in Abington. At a meeting held March 14, at the house of Capt. Benjamin Ruggles, Rev. Walter Lyon was chosen moderator, Lemuel Ingalls, clerk. March 21, Rev. Walter Lyon was chosen librarian ;
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Joshua Grosvenor, Jun., Elisha Lord, Jun., Samnel Craft, standing committee ; Rev. Walter Lyon, Lemuel Stowell, Lemuel Ingalls, Elisha Lord, Jun., Griggs Goffe, special committee to procure books ; Captain Thomas Grosvenor, collector : Lemuel Ingalls, treasurer. The price of a share was stated at twelve shillings. Amasa Storrs, Daniel and Lemuel Goodell, William and Robert Sharpe, William Field, Samuel Sumner, Jun .. Ebenezer Ashley, Amos Stoddard, Zechariah Osgood, John Holbrook, Philip Pearl, Edward Paine, Squire Sessions, Aaron Stevens, Nathl. Ayer, were early members of this association, which soon enrolled the prominent residents of the parish. Thomas Williams of Hampton was elected to the privilege of membership. A hundred volumes or more were soon procured, and a suitable ease provided for them, together with "good, substantial wrapping paper or sheepskin sufficient to cover them." Still the public was not satisfied. Many excellent standard works had been brought into their families: histories, travels, poetry, scientific treatises : but there was still a great preponderance of the theological element. "Too much Stackhouse," was the verdict of one critical subscriber, and so a "Junior Library " was organized. " At a meeting holden at Amasa Goodell's, November, 1804, Voted, That John Holbrook be librarian, Solomon Gilbert clerk, John Holbrook collector and treasurer." Joshua Grosvenor, John . Holbrook, Artemas Osgood, William Goodell, Darius Hutchins, committee. Some ninety volumes were soon collected, whose range must have satisfied the most progressive readers, enabling them to expatiate with Tom Jones, Ilumphrey Clinker, Gil Blas, Roderic Random and other popular favorites. The circulation of these volumes was apparently much more limited than those pertaining to the senior institution. The librarian of the Junior Library, John Holbrook, Esq., was now established in legal practice in his native parish, occupying the homestead built many years previous by his grandfather, Ebenezer Ilolbrook. Dr. Darius Hutchins had succeeded to the practice of Dr. Lord. Captain Lord, removed for a time to Brooklyn after marrying for his second wife a daughter of Dr. Whitney, but afterward returned to his old home. One of the most active and useful of Abington's citizens at this date was Lemuel Ingalls, Esq., who after filling many lesser offices with great credit was made county surveyor and associate judge in 1806.
Pomfret was greatly agitated at this date by the proposed construc- tion of various turnpike roads through her territory. Progressive spirits favored these enterprises, but the heavy outlay and prospective imposts terrified a majority of the tax-payers. At the first proposal "to lay a road from Hartford towards Boston to the Massachusetts or
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Rhode Island line," the town appointed Colonel Lemuel Grosvenor, Lemnel Ingalls, Esq., and Captain Josiah Sabin, to make such preparations for surveying as would be necessary for information, and to wait upon the committee sent by General Court. In December, the town deferred acting upon raising money to pay assessments to individuals for road laid out by State committee, and appointed Peter Chandler, Seth and Joshua Grosvenor to confer with neighboring towns respecting laying out road from Hartford to Douglas, and for preparing a memorial for alteration of road or repeal of Act. In the following year the town refused to raise money to pay assessments on the road laid ont by the State committee, or allow accounts to the persons who waited upon them. When in spite of their grumbling and resistance the Boston and Hartford Turupike was actually completed through the whole length of the town, Lemuel Ingalls and Seth Grosvenor were appointed to have it altered in certain points and the expense lessened. All efforts proving unsuccessful, the town was reluctantly compelled to levy a tax of three and a half cents to meet expenses and pay assessments, but declined to accept shares in the company or to allow Captain Sabin for attendance upon committee. Projects for a new road in the west part of the town through Joseph Sharpe's land to Brooklyn, and for two other turnpikes, increased the town's ill humor. It would not view the different routes through Killingly nor do anything about it, and appointed agents to oppose the memorial of Sampson Howe and others, and also acceptance of a road laid out through Pomfret from Norwich to Massachusetts line, but were again obliged "to raise money to pay assessments made by State committee for said road." The Pomfret and Killingly turnpike was also carried through after much opposition and refusing to pay the cost of the jury that laid it, and in 1803 it agreed to build a bridge in company with the town of Killingly over Quinebang River, south of Noah Perrin's-Caleb Trowbridge, Benjamin Durkee and Freeman James, committee to build said bridge. It also voted, To build a bridge across the stream near the burying-ground, and also one on Mashamoqnet " where the turnpike crosseth it where old road is discontinued." So great was the ontlay caused by all these turnpikes and bridges that it was proposed to sell the newly constructed town house. Before accounts were settled another turnpike was demanded- a direct road from Providence to meet the Boston and Hartford Turnpike in Ashford. Oliver Grosvenor and Sylvanus Backus were at once empowered to oppose this farther imposition. Surveys were however made, and two routes offered for consideration. In 1806, the town voted, that the north route by Samuel White's to Cotton's bridge would best accommodate town and publie, and to oppose the
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route from said White's to the Landing, but again as in previous eases they were forced to give up their way and submit to road and taxes.
Important changes were now going forward in the Quinebang valley. The Cargill Mills had passed into other hands. Advertise- ments in the Providence Gazette had made known to the public the superior business advantages of this locality, as follows :-
" Being stricken in years and past labor, and having a desire to lead a more peaceable and retired life, is now to be sold and entered upon the ensuing spring, THE NOTED INHERITANCE OF BENJAMIN CARGILL of Pomfret, situated on Quinebaug River, containing five hundred acres of land, much of which is of the most valuable kind; sixty acres of it are mowing land, and watered by canals from said river, so that the drier the season the more hay will it produce; together with houses and barns; a smith shop, with two trip-hammers for seythe-making ; a saw-mill, fulling-mill, malt-honse and gin distillery ; also a grist-mill having three pairs of stones under one roof, with water sufficient to grind three hundred bushels the driest day ever kuown, and has ground nearly five hundred bushels, nearly all by day-light, which now can be proved. The above works are all built in the best manner, almost all new, and go with great force and rapidity, and well situated for custom. Paper and oil mills would be of great advantage. It is and must be a place of great trade. Those inclined to purchase may chance to enquire of some people who perhaps may tell them that it is impossible that the Owner can have any real idea of selling such a situation : but they are cautioned to mind no such elamors until they really find it so by the activity of the Owner, who is fully determined to sell at a very low estimate, and fully convinced of meeting with success. Two gentlemen in company in the mercantile line might perhaps be suitable purchasers. One half of the money in hand would be agreeable. For further particulars, inquire of
BENJAMIN CARGILL.
Pomfret, September 26, 1793."
In spite of these inducements the Cargill " inheritance " remained in market till 1798, when it was purchased by Moses Arnold an i John Harris of Rhode Island. The latter soon sold his right to the Messrs. Knight of Providence, and the various mills were run by " Knight and Harris" under the superintendence of Rhode Island's future governor, young Mr. Nehemiah Knight. The "churning-mill " had now given place to a popular distillery, made needful by the increased demand for spirituous and distilled liquors. A store was opened in one of the Cargill houses. Some local improvements were effected by Mr. Knight, who beguiled his lonely hours in this isolated valley by laying out a " solitary walk " on the tongue of land between the Quinebang and Mill Rivers. The romantic beauty of this sequestered pathway was recognized by the few residents of the vicinity, and "Solitaire," as it was named. became a favorite place of resort for merry girls and youthful lovers, as well as for lovers of nature. Captain Cargill removed to Palmer, Mass., with his widowed daughter, Mrs. Waldo, and the remnant of their families, but his name was long associated with the mills and waterfall.
Pomfret's interest in military matters was quickened in 1804 by the promotion of Lemuel Grosvenor to the command of the Fifth Brigade,
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and of John Wilkes Chandler to that of the accompanying regiment of cavalry. Major Chandler was a very popular officer, entertaining military friends and his whole company at his own house. He was also a leader of the Republican party in Pomfret, and delegate to Pierpont Edwards' constitutional convention. - A large majority of the town were still Federalists. Judge Grosvenor held his place in the Probate office and Governor's Council. The Representatives sent during this period were Ebenezer Kingsbury, Lemnel Grosvenor, Evan Malbone, Josiah Sabin, Sylvanus Backus, Benjamin Durkee and Lemuel Ingalls.
Dr. Waldo had passed away in the prime of life and height of professional eminence, and was greatly mourned "as a man endowed by the God of nature with the most brilliant and distinguished abilities, and with a heart susceptible of all those amiable and benevolent virtues which adorn the human breast." He was borne to the grave by his brethren of the medical profession, in the presence of his Masonic brethren and a great concourse of weeping friends and admirers. " A serious and sentimental discourse" was delivered by Mr. Dodge, and an "ingenious and pathetic enlogy " pronounced by General MeClellan in behalf of the Masons.
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