USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 38
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In care of its public schools Westminster vied with the older society. Alexander Gordon, Samuel Barstow and Asa Nowlen were appointed to oversee the schooling in 1787. Nine distriets were set out, and Sherebiah Butts, John Barstow, Isaac Backus, Roswell Parish, Joseph Raynsford, Joshua Raymond, Daniel Downing, Robert Herrick and Nathaniel Smith, made each collector and committee-man for his respective district. With increasing travel brought by turnpike, and improved business facilities, Westminster village became a place of more importance. Its first resident physician was Dr. Rufus Johnson, brother of Col. Jedidiah Johnson, who purchased a strip of the meeting-honse green in 1790, where after a time he built a dwelling-honse. Captain Stephen Butts entertained travelers in an old house adjoining. The old " Ford house" on the Norwich road, and the Parks tavern-house. were said to be the oldest houses in the vicinity.
Laek of endowment and suitable building accommodations com- pelled Canterbury in 1801 to yield her honored "master" to the older institution in Plainfield. Asa Bacon, Jun., had now crossed over to Litchfield. William P. Cleveland after a brief practice in Brooklyn had settled in New London. The emigration movement had broken out with renewed vigor, and many "Canterbury pilgrims " were wending their way to distant States. Captain Josiah Cleveland, of Bunker Hill fame, removed to Owego. N. Y. Dr. Azel, son of
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William Ensworth, settled sonthward in Palmyra, and was much respected "as an active, exemplary and influential citizen." A pleasant eminence in Rome called Canterbury Hill in honor of its first settlers, became the residence of Gideon, John, Elisha and Daniel Butts, Samuel and Asa Smith, Samuel Williams, Thomas Jewett, Daniel W. Knight, and other roving sons of Canterbury. Eliashib Adams, Jun., Elijah Herrick and William Bingham attempted settlement in Lewis County, near Lake Ontario, but Herrick was drowned in crossing Black River and Adams finally settled in Maine. Deacon Eliashib Adams, now far advanced in years, followed this son to a temporary home in Massachusetts. Alexander Gordon sought , fortune in the far Sonth : William Moore established himself in the snows of Canada. General Cleveland's connection with the Western Reserve Company may have led some emigrants to turn their thoughts to the Northwestern Territory, but no Canterbury names appear among the early settlers of New Connectient. His own name already marked the site of the beautiful city that now adorns the southern shore of Lake Erie. In 1796, he had gone out as commander of an expedition sent by the Connecticut Land Company to survey and settle the Western Reserve. After a wearisome journey through the State of New York, and a successful conference with the chief of the Six Nations at Buffalo, they " arrived at the confines of New Connecti- ent and gave three cheers, precisely at, 5 o'clock P. M., July 4." This auspicious arrival on the day memorable as the birthday of American Independence, and also " memorable as the day on which the settle- ment of this new country was commenced," seemed to demand "a just tribute" of respect. The men ranged themselves on the beach and fired a Federal salute of fifteen rounds, and then the sixteenth in honor of "New Connecticut." They gave three cheers and christened the place Fort Independence. Suitable toasts were drank :-
"4. May the Fort of Independence and the fifty sons and daughters who have entered it this day be successful and prosperous. 5. May their sons and daughters multiply in sixteen years, sixteen times fifty."
"Closed with three cheers. Drank severals pails of grog, supped and retired in remarkable good order."* July 7, General Cleveland held a conneil with the resident Indians, exchanged gifts and greetings, and smoked the pipe of peace and friendship. July 22, he coasted along Lake Erie and up the swampy banks of the Cuyahoga River till an Indian trail opened a path through the thicket, where he landed, and quickly mounting the bluff took possession of the site of Cleveland City. The "original plan of the
* Extracts from Journal of General Cleveland.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
town and village of Cleveland, Ohio." was completed October 1, 1796. General Cleveland's energy. decision and buoyancy of spirit, admirably fitted him to command in this important enterprise, which he accomplished to the apparent satisfaction of all concerned. He was very popular with the Indians, whom in person he strongly resembled. His complexion was very dark : his figure square and strong, and the Indian dress which he wore upon this expedition so completed the likeness that the Indians themselves were ready to claim him as a brother. His connection with the Ohio settlement brought him honor, but little pecuniary profit. He continued through life very prominent in public affairs. His popularity at home was shown by the length of time he was retained in his military command when scarce a year was allowed to ordinary incumbents. He was sent as representative of the town whenever at liberty to accept the office, and intrusted with many important services. Under his direction the lamented death of General Washington was properly observed by the Masonic brethren and other citizens of Windham Connty. The Windham Herald reports :-
" Feb. 27. 1800.
On Saturday last, in compliance with the recommendation enjoined in the Proclamation of the President of the United States, the inhabitants of this, and many from adjoining towns, together with a number of the brethren of Moriah and Eastern Star Lodges, met at Mr. Staniford's, according to pre- vious notice ; from whence they walk'd in procession to the meeting-house, preceded by a military escort in miform, and a band of music, where they united to offer their undissembled tribute of respect to the memory of General GEORGE WASHINGTON, the Father, Friend, and Protector of his country. The solemn services were appropriate, well performed, and very much contributed to awaken the feelings of a great assemblage of mourners. The Address of Gen. WASHINGTON, to the people of the United States, on his retiring from office, and declining their future suffrages, was read; the estimation of its worth and excellence by the people present, could not have been better expressed, than by the decorum and silence observed while it was reading ; after which, an oration, by Gen. Cleveland, Master of Moriah Lodge, called to mind the great sacrifice of blood and treasure which the struggle for independence cost us, and impressed the mind with gratitude for the invaluable gift of Providence, in the Man, who finally led us thro' the perils of war, to the Ark of Safety.
After the exercises were over, the procession returned, and soon after dispersed, leaving, we believe, not a single trait of indecorum, to cast a shade on the good order which had been observed thro' the day."
General Cleveland's death in 1806, at the age of fifty-two, was greatly lamented at home and throughout the State, and his obsequies surpassed in dignified ceremony anything ever before seen in Canterbury.
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PLAINFIELD CHURCH IN PURSUIT OF A PASTOR, ETC.
IX.
PLAINFIELD CHURCHI IN PURSUIT OF A PASTOR. NEW MEETING-
HOUSE. DR. BENEDICT. FLOURISHING ACADEMY.
DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS. TOWN AFFAIRS.
united church of Plainfield met with many trials and dis- appointments in re-settling the ministry after the loss of Mr. Fuller. Having voted "to proceed upon principles of Christianity without being directed by rules of civil law," they appointed a committee to supply the pulpit and agreed to raise money for its support by subscription. But to raise money by free contributions at a time of so much searceness proved so arduous an enterprise that they decided to resort to the expedient of a fund, and appointed General John Douglass, James Bradford, Esq., Wilham Robinson, Dr. Perkins, Captain Joseph Eaton, Perry Clark, John Cady, Ephraim Wheeler, Capt. Samuel Hall, Elias Woodward, committee to draw up subscriptions for that purpose. Several subscriptions had been attained, and the project seemed likely to be successful, when it was discovered " that the people had proceeded in a manner that the law would not own." The world was not sufficiently advanced to allow Christians to carry on business affairs without recognition of "rules of civil law," and the church was obliged to retrace its steps and appoint "Stephen Kingsbury, who had been a legal society clerk, to assist and direct to warn a legal society meeting." This being accomplished, and legal requirements satisfied, the subscription went forward and a few hundred dollars were secured for the foundation of a fund. To this was added in 1782, the sum of two hundred pounds procured by the lease for 999 years of the old cedar swamp. No stated minister was yet procured. Mr. Upson preached five months ; Mr. Alexander five weeks. The congregation met during the winter seasons at the Brick school-house, "read sermons and prayed." A conference was held on the first Monday of every month in the meeting-honse. The eyes of the church were very much upon Mr. Job Swift, who had made himself very popular while preaching at Canterbury, and Captain Eaton took a journey across the State to Nine Partners to confer with this favorite, and had a " prospect of getting him, but a remarkable unanimity in the church where he was prevented his eoming." Joshua Spalding of Killingly preached to publie acceptance. Ephraim Judson was invited to preach but preferred to settle in Tannton : Micaiah Porter declined overtures in favor of Voluntown. Again Mr. Swift appeared on the scene, but after a long interval of suspense decided against them. Conferences
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
and deacon's meetings became at length so thinly attended that the church closed the dilapidated meeting-house for a season and let the people go where they fancied. Mr. Morgan was then secured for a time, but yielded to more urgent appeals from Canterbury. David Avery was next invited to settlement, "answer long delayed and dubious at last." Wearied and discouraged, the church remitted its efforts to procure a pastor, and joined with the town in attempts to secure a more eligible and attractive house of worship. May 10, 1784, a large number of prominent citizens, viz. :- Captain Joshua Dunlap, Joseph Shepard, Timothy Lester, Dr. Ebene- zer Robinson, Major Andrew Backus, Captain Abraham Shepard, James Bradford, General John Douglas, William Dixon, Esq., Stephen Clark, Dr. Elisha Perkins, Nathaniel Parks, Elias Woodward, Jabez Traey, Samuel Fox and Ephraim Wheeler, were appointed committee by the town to deliberate upon the very important question "of a proper place for erecting a new meeting-house about to be built in this town." Population was now gravitating towards the Academy and turnpike, and it was decided to build in this vicinity upon land purchased of Messrs. Jesse and Ezekiel Fox. Upon memorial of William Dixon the County Court confirmed this decision, and affixed the site of Plainfield meeting-house " on a lot of land belonging to Esquire Fox, west side of country road that leads north and south through the town, and west of Proprietor's Hall." According to previous agreement no tax could be levied for religions purposes, and the meeting-house was built by subscription and contribution. In October, Rev. Joel Benedict, already favorably known as pastor at Newent, came to preach on probation. At a church meeting held at Mr. William Robinson's, Deacon Samuel Warren served as moderator, Dr. Elisha Perkins, clerk ; - voted with- out one dissenting vote to call Mr. Benedict " if it be agreeable to the society and support be obtained in a gospel way." This call was accepted, and December 22, 1784-"having examined his orthodoxy in sentiment, spiritual acquaintance with divine things, his ability to teach and defend the doctrines of Christianity," and being fully satis- fied therewith-Mr. Benedict was happily installed into office by a proper ministerial council. The new meeting-house was ready for the reception of the new pastor, and public religious worship so long interrupted was established to general satisfaction.
Plainfield Academy so prosperously opened during the war con- tinued to flourish "beyond the most sanguine expectation," of its projectors, numbering " one hundred and upwards of youth from abroad," together with a large number from their own town. A petition laid before the General Assembly, January 13, 1783, repre-
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DR. BENEDICT, ETC.
sented that the petitioners had erected suitable buildings for the reception and accommodation of youth, namely, one good and con- venient brick house, and an elegant new hall or house, and were preparing to erect another house, for the use and benefit of said academy, and begged to be made a body corporate and politic. After a year's delay the request was granted, and Ebenezer Pemberton, IIon. Samuel Huntington, Hon. Eliphalet Dyer, Rev. Levi IIart, Preston ; Rev. Joseph Huntington, Coventry ; and General John Douglas, Major Andrew Backus, Dr. Elisha Perkins, Captain Joseph Dunlap, William Robinson, Samuel Fox, Ebenezer Eaton and IIeze- kiah Spalding of Plainfield, with such others as the proprietors shall elect (not exceeding thirteen in the whole), were made a body cor- porate and politic by the name of "The Trustees of the Academic School in Plainfield," and invested with ample powers for managing the affairs of the school. Only two schools had then been incorpo- rated in Connecticut-the Union School, New London, and Staples School, Weston-and Plainfield Academy held a high position in popular favor. Its rector was one of the most accomplished teachers of the day, and its patrons and directors were among the leading men of the State. The village was pleasant and healthful, and its most respectable residents were prond of the school, and ready to open their homes and hearts to the stranger students. Dr. Perkins though now so much engrossed with the duties of his profession was alive to the interests of the Academy, receiving even scores of lads into his own family when boarding-places were scanty. A prudential com- mittee of three was chosen annually from the directors, who had charge of the buildings and supervision of the financial department, while a stringent code of by-laws regulated the department of the pupils. These laws provided :-
" That no scholar shall go to the tavern for purpose of entertainment without leave from his father, guardian or rector.
No scholar from abroad and boarding in any family shall remove to any other family unless so directed by his or her parents or guardian, or liberty from the rector.
No scholar shall keep a gun, or go on a shooting party, or ride out, or leave the town, or absent himself at any time from the school without leave from the rector.
No scholar shall purchase anything at any store on credit without a written order from his parent or guardian, or leave from the rector.
No scholar shall appear in the Academy or in public in extravagant, slovenly or indecent dress.
No immoral, indecent or profane language, or improper conduct shall be allowed in any scholar at any time, but all such breaches of good morals shall be exemplarily punished.
No scholar shall be allowed to stroll the street or fields on Sunday, but it shall be required of every one to attend on public worship, and to behave with becoming decency and propriety."
41
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
It was voted that the Regulations of the Academy should be read in open school at the commencement of each quarter, and an official inspector was maintained to note and report infractions.
The third Academic building known as " The White Hall." about a mile south of the others, was soon completed and occupied by the English department under the charge of Mr. Alpheus Hatch, a faith- ful and competent instructor. The Mathematical department in the brick school-house was assigned to Mr. Nathan Daboll, the author of the "Schoolmaster's Assistant, being a plain, practical System of Arithmetic "-a work highly commended by competent authority and recommended to public patronage. The principal academie building, known as " The New Hall," was devoted to classical instruction under the immediate charge of Dr. Pemberton. Many aspiring youth were here fitted for a longer residence in wider and more famous halls of learning. Calvin Goddard, who came on foot from Shrewsbury, seek- ing a chance to gain an education, Nicholas Brown of Providence, James Lanman of Norwich, Elijah and Ariel Parish of Lebanon, James L. Kingsley of Scotland, Ebenezer Fitch of Canterbury, William Danielson of Killingly, Alfred Johnson, Simon and Sylvanus Backus of Plainfield, were among the distinguished pupils of Dr. Pemberton. Kingsley of Scotland, already noticed at home as "a very forward, likely lad," won fresh laurels in this new field, surpass- ing older competitors in the translation of an elaborate Latin epitaph composed by Dr. Benedict. So excellent was the translation that it was inscribed upon the tombstone-a lasting monument to Yale's distinguished professor as well as to Plainfield's honored citizen :-
" In memory of Captain John Cady of Plainfield. He was of an engaging aspect and deportment : his genius naturally elevated was cultivated by read- ing and intercourse with mankind. He had a happy faculty in the dispatch of business; was exemplary in the discharge of every social duty, civil or domestic. A professor of the Christian faith, a blessing to mankind. He rests not here; he was drowned returning from New York, November 23, 1783, in the 40th year of his age. The glory of man is as the flower of the field."
After making an effort to secure Dr. Pemberton as " rector for life." the trustees were forced to resign him in the fall of 1784, and after a short sojourn in Windham, he became the principal of Phillips Academy at Andover. Mr. Miles Merwin filled his place in Plainfield, to great acceptance, but gave way for another college graduate as soon as he had completed his legal studies. The most serious obstacle to the prosperity of the Academy was the constant change of teachers. The reetorship was administered by a series of young graduates, who only engaged in teaching while fitting for other professions. Timothy Pitkin, Calvin Goddard, Sylvanus Backus, Lynde Huntington, Eliphalet Nott and Tower Whiton, followed Mr. Merwin, each averaging less
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FLOURISHING ACADEMY, ETC.
than two years of service. John and Daniel Shepard, John D. Per- kins, Joseph Eaton, James Gordon, Nathan F. Dixon, David Bolles of Ashford, Jedidiah Johnson of Canterbury, were students during this period. The death of Mr. Hatch, who had very ably sustained the English department for many years, was followed by a temporary depression when the main building was closed for a season, but with the advent of Mr. Benjamin Allen in 1798, the Academy quickly regained its standing and popularity, and "students came from the Carolinas, the Indies and the neighboring States." Mr. Allen employed for assistants Virgil Maxcy, afterwards Chargé d'affaires at Belgium, and Levi Tower, the author of a system of penmanship that was ornamental and useful. His successors, Zachariah Eddy and Master John Adams, were equally successful in the management of the school. attracting pupils from some of the best families in the country. The annual public exhibition held in the meeting-house excited hardly less interest than a College " commence- ment." Mr. Eddy's exhibition in 1800 was especially remarkable for the large number of "good speakers, well drilled, with good parts. Among the speakers were Henry R. Storrs, George Perkins, George Hall, William and Thomas Williams (afterward of Norwich and New London), Samuel and Alexander H. Stevens, John Reed, Epaphroditus Champion, Wilkins Updike." Storrs, afterward member of Congress, was called the best debater. These exhibitions so agreeable to speakers and hearers, and adding such eclat to the Academy, were not a little burdensome to the trustees who paid the bills and had charge of fitting up the meeting-house. A committee was chosen each year to build the stage and a tax levied to meet expenses. A trusteeship in Plainfield Academy was not a merely honorary office, but involved a good deal of responsibility and outlay. Buildings were to be kept in repair ; a bell and belfry, a set of globes, fences, &c. to be provided, and any deficiency in funds was to be made up by this honorable body. . The place of older patrons from abroad was gradually filled by Plainfield's own citizens, viz .: Roger Olmstead, Phinehas Pierce, John Douglas, Jun., Doctors Daniel Gordon, Josiah and Jared Fuller, Calvin Goddard, Luther Smith, -
Farlan and others-who administered Academic affairs with great wisdom and liberality. That their onerous duties were alleviated by good-humored fun and banter is manifested in the following vote, called out by some long-forgotten conjuncture :-
"At a meeting of the Trustees of Plainfield Academy at Capt. Elkanah Eaton's, in the eve, October 9, Voted, That each Trustee shall appear with his broom at the meeting-house, 15th instant, at 2 P. M., to sweep the meeting-house, and should he or they not appear, he or they should pay twenty-five cents."
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
A dollar each was also levied for the expense of the forthcoming exhibition.
The cordial interest manifested in the students by the residents of the town and their intimate association with many hospitable homes, left an abiding impression npon many who enjoyed these privileges. Gen. Williams of Norwich gives pleasant reminiscences of his school days :-
" I recall the remembrance of many of the students of Plainfield Academy that have been distinguished in professional life, and others who have been practical business men. Among the former, Hon. Henry Wheaton, distin- guished as a scholar and editor, but more as the American Minister at the Court of Berlin ; Samuel Hubbard, LL. D., judge of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts; James Hamilton, governor of South Carolina; Henry R. Storrs, member of Congress from the State of New York : John P. Cushman, at one time United States District judge of New York; Wilkins Updyke, late attorney-general of Rhode Island: Walter Wheaton, M. D., surgeon of the U. S. Army; Samuel and Alexander Stevens, sons of Gen. Ebenezer Stevens of Revolutionary memory-the former associated with DeWitt Clinton in political life, and the other eminent as a practitioner in the medical department. In the mercantile profession (of which Gen Williams was himself an honored example) was my brother, Hon. Thomas W. Williams of New London, who has also been a member of Congress, besides many who became practical business men. Among these were Col. Increase 1. Wilson, Francis Allen, Ilenry Perkins, George Starr and Adam Frink, Esqrs., of New London. Capt. Allen resided for a long time in New London. His course as a ship-master and a merchant was distinguished. The honor of escorting as a guest and passenger the Marquis de LaFayette, in his memorable visit to this country in 1824, belongs to him. There were also at the Academy, the Messrs. Denison and Messrs. Palmer of Stonington. The school was organized for both sexes, and the arrangement was quite like the division in our evening conference meetings. It may not be irrelevant to notice among the young ladies, Miss Catherine Putuam, granddaughter of General Putnam of the Revolution, who married Francis Brinley, Esq., of Boston; the Misses Lester of Preston-one of whom married Hon. Lemuel Pomeroy of Pittsfield, Mass. ; Miss Betsey Sheldon, who married N. Howland, Esq., of Brooklyn, New York; Miss Harriet Bowen of Providence, who married Commodore Charles Morris of the U. S. Navy; Miss Nancy Allen, who married Thomas W. Williams of New London, with many others who have adorned society by their example and their influence.
In calling np these reminiscences of Plainfield, my remembrance has been revived of the many respectable families then living in Plainfield in many of which the scholars were received as boarders; namely : Rev. Joel Benedict, D.D., Gen. Gordon, Gen. Donglas, Dr. Perkins, Hon. Calvin Goddard, Messrs. Eaton, Bradford, Dixon, Shepard, Smith, &c. I cherish the memory of Dr. Benedict's family, with whom I boarded a part of the time, and I love to contemplate the goodness of Providence to that humble, pious and learned minister-in the allotments of the members of the family in their marriage and connections in life. The impressions received at Plainfield abide with me still, and never do I pass up those valleys or over those hills without recalling a period of life, as free from its ills, and marked by as even, happy and progressive a tenor as any part of it. I believe others share in the same feelings for rarely have I met in after life any of those early acquaint- anees without mutual gratification in speaking of those by-gone years."
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