USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 49
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414
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Young ; Horseshoe, Waldo Cary ; Badger's, Edmond Badger : Island Bridge, Joshua Smith. John Staniford, Hezekiah Ripley and John Fitch served as town clerks during these years : Elisha Abbe, Zacheus Waldo, John Baldwin, Ebenezer Bass, Jonah Lincoln, John Burnett, David Young, were among its selectmen ; George W. Webb, Andrew Baker, Ashael Kimball, Matthew Smith, grand-jurors. A captain elected to this office was excused from service "because he was afraid his company would swear training days." The Probate office was administered by Hezekiah Ripley, judge; Samuel Gray, clerk. Judge Swift as chief justice was much absorbed with the duties of his position and less prominent in town affairs. Jabez Clark served as state attorney. Samnel Perkins, David Young, John Baldwin, John Fitch and Philip Howard, were actively engaged in legal practice.
With all its cares and burdens the town maintained its jovial reputa- tion. Liquor drinking increased during the war. and Bacchus claimed more votaries than ever. Shad and salmon triumphed as yet over attempted obstructions and made fishing at Willimantic a most excit- ing pastime. The tavern was thronged during the fishery season, and fun and flip were as plentiful as shad and salmon. "What shad-ers we are, and what shadows we pursue," exclaimed a disappointed wit, who came too late to supper. A quick retort was never lost in Wind- ham. A most respectable citizen chanced to be once "overtaken " at a festive gathering, and was carried home to his wife, unconscious. Ordinary women give way to grief on such occasions; the lofty Windham dame only ejaculates-" Thank God, that he is not a blood relation !" A returned sea-captain on a visit to his early home indulged in such tremendous oaths that he was arrested by a justice and fined a small amount. Handing out a ten dollar bill he replies with astounding prefix, " By - - I'll swear that ont." As might be expected there was yet no improvement in morals. Not only did the old drinking club bring many a man to ruin, but a Quizzical Club formed among the young people had a most demoral- izing influence. A large number of young men associated in this society, had their pass signs and laws and met every week for enter- tainment. On one occasion they gave a public exhibition in the meeting-house, when the young West Point graduate, Henry Dyer, delivered an appropriate oration. Unfortunately their meetings were marred by such excessive use of liquor, that the more sober-minded youth themselves denounced it, declaring that they only " got together to make drunkards of themselves and encourage dissoluteness." Wind- ham Academy maintained a fair standing under the instruction of " Master Abbott," Roger Southworth, Socrates Balcom and others. The district schools were maintained with more or less efficiency. A
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CHURCH AFFAIRS, ETC.
down town school-teacher was reported to keep the boys in order by administering Mayweed tea as a punishment. "Manners and danc- ing " were taught by a gleeful succession of dancing-masters.
Religion was at a low ebb during the early part of this period. Rev. Mr. Andrews-ordained pastor of Windham's First Church, August 8, 1808-was distressed and discouraged by the lack of religious earnestness among his people. Himself a very serious and devont Christian, the general tone of society, the levity and Sabbath- breaking, so pained and grieved him that in 1812, he asked a dismis- sion, and though this was opposed on the very pertinent ground "that ministers were not to leave their people because they were wicked," his dismission was effected the following year. The modern term "incompatibility " sufficiently explains the withdrawal but the people were so annoyed by it as to stipnlate in calling a successor, that if either party wished to dissolve the relation the case should be referred to three judges of the Superior Court, or to such other referees as they should mutually choose. The ministry of Cornelius B. Everest, ordained November 22, 1815, happily allayed all storms and had a most invigo- rating and healthful influence. Many united with the church and the standard of christian character and obligation was greatly elevated.
The death of Elder Benjamin Lathrop left the scattered Baptists withont pastor or stated worship, so that they were again exposed to the exactions of the rate collector. Old Andrew Robinson when in Windham town one day had his horse taken from under him for a " priest tax." The old man shouldered his saddle and trudged man- fully homeward, revolving relief from farther impost. The great kitchen in the new house he was building was made convenient for holding meetings, and thrown open for that purpose. It was an- nounced that every alternate Sabbath the people might assemble there and that any minister or exhorter, of any creed or denomination, race or color, could have the privilege of preaching to them. Whether this would satisfy legal requirements was a debatable question. The stanch old reformer abhorred society organization as nnseriptural and idolatrous, and would countenance no such movement, but those who wished to assure themselves of relief from parish assessment took hold of hands and marching around the room, solemnly pledged themselves to attend worship in this home sanctuary. Baptists, Methodists, and Separates of every shade of opinion, found refuge here, and as it became noised abroad the semi-monthly minister was never lacking.
In Scotland Parish the troubled ministry of Rev. Elijah G. Welles, was succeeded by that of Jesse Fisher, a graduate of Harvard. The ordaining sermon, May 22, 1811, was preached by Dr. Lathrop of
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Springfield, then eighty years of age, with whom Mr. Fisher had pur- sued his theological studies. Exhibiting as a preacher, " soundness of doctrine and manly strength of intellect," and laboring earnestly " for the conversion and salvation of his flock," Mr. Fisher had the satisfac- tion of seeing his church built up and strengthened, and the evil effects of long dissension gradually disappear. The Brunswick Church did not long survive the loss of Elder Palmer and Deacon Walden. Some members drifted away to the Baptists and Methodists. In 1812, an attempt was made to maintain worship-Enoch Allen being com- missioned to get the communion vessels, provide for sacrament and carry about the same. Failing in this effort, he makes this closing record :-
" May 24, 1813. Voted, That the church will join with and become a part of First Church in Canterbury, on condition we may meet by ourselves when expedient, except on communion days ; also, that Canterbury Church approve of improvement of gifts of the private members on the Sabbath, not inter- rupting common exercise. Each individual have liberty to unite with any regular church where they will best advance the interest of Christ's Kingdom. June 11, 1813, met at Canterbury meeting-house. A part joining with Canter- bury and a part did not.
ENOCII ALLEN, Clerk."
In public affairs Scotland maintained its interest. One-third of the town meetings were held in its well preserved meeting-house. The increasing burden of taxes raised the question of separation and local independence. Judge Devotion though advancing in years retained his interest in public questions nor did his lapse to Jeffersonianism impair his influence or popularity. His oldest son, Ebenezer, died early while on a voyage to the West Indies. John, a Yale graduate, a life-long invalid, held a Government position in Boston ; was distin- gnished for elegant penmanship and high talents. Jonathan, after embarking in various business enterprises, returned to Scotland in 1813. Lonis became a merchant in Boston. The mercantile establish- ment of the village fell into the hands of Philetus Perkins. Saw, grist and fulling-mills upon the various privileges, were carried on by the Devotions, Zacheus Waldo and others. Dr. Cheney was succeeded in medical practice by Dr. Hovey.
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TOWN AND CHURCH AFFAIRS IN HAMPTON, ETC.
III.
TOWN AND CHURCH AFFAIRS IN HAMPTON. CHAPLIN SOCIETY. CHURCH ORGANIZATION. MEETING-HOUSE AND MINISTER.
H TAMPTON as a farming town was little affected by war's alarm and manufacturing projects. The introduction of carding- machines so stimulated domestic industry that three fulling-machines were kept busily at work in dressing and dyeing the woven fabrics. Woolen and tow cloth still found a ready market. Cotton-yarn goods found little favor in the eyes of Hampton matrons. Colonel Mosely, the Taintors, Elijah Simons and others, still engaged in trade as far as practicable. A flourishing hat manufactory was established after the war by Luther D. Leach. Town affairs were administered with cus- tomary alertness. Dr. Brewster succeeded Colonel Mosely in the town clerk's office. Colonel Simons, Roger Clark, John Tweedy, Daniel Searls, John Loomis, served as selectmen ; Philip Pearl, James Burnett, Ebenezer Griffin, Joseph Prentice, as justices : Luther Bur- nett, constable ; James Utley and Jonathan Clark, collectors. Colonel Mosely, Ebenezer Griffin, Roger and Solomon Taintor, William Bur- nett and Joseph Prentice, were sent as representatives. The latter was now established as Hampton's first lawyer, and a young man in the east part of the town was making ready to compete with him. Captain Silas Cleveland, Mr. Amasa Clark and other wise men, were thought capable of giving legal advice though not formally initiated in the legal profession. Though Hampton was pre-eminently healthy it abounded in physicians. The Doctors Brewster had an extensive practice. Doctors Jacob Hovey and Charles Moulton, were also active in the profession.
The stated church enjoyed peace and privileges under the wise administration of Mr. Weld, a man of culture and fine abilities. His wife, a daughter of Dr. John Clark, was a very intelligent and accom- plished woman. though somewhat distinguished for eccentricities as well as " excellencies of character." Four sons of much promise grew up in the Hampton parsonage. Lewis graduated from Yale College in 1818, became the principal of the American Asylum for Deaf and Dumb ; Theodore D. Weld won a name among the early anti-slavery agitators. The Baptist Church on Grow Hill suffered from the lack of stated ministry, and the developing of a new religious order. A sect of Christian reformers under the leadership of Elders Smith and Varnum obtained a strong foothold in this section of Windham County. For a time they followed in the footsteps of the 53
418
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
previous Abbe-ites, washing each other's feet and rolling on the floor to express their humility and lowliness, but after the removal of Varnum and his more ardent proselytes to Ohio, they renounced these excesses and adopted ordinary forms of worship. Elder Roger Bingham was ordained as a Christ-ian minister, and officiated in the Goshen and Burnham meeting-houses which were built for the accom- modation of these Christ-ians. William Burnham served as deacon of the church in his neighborhood. After several years of irregular service under the occasional ministrations of Elders Rogers, Palmer, Bennett and Davis, the Baptist church was greatly revived by the preaching of Elder John Paine, a native of Abington. Uniting with this church in his youth, he now came back in maturity to labor with it. "Ordained at the Baptist meeting-house in Hampton, October 28, 1819, Mr. John Paine, to the work of the gospel ministry in that place : and also at the same time brethren Asahel Elliott and Gurdon Robinson, to the office of deacons. Rev. William Palmer, delivered a discourse, founded on 1 Timothy, iii: 1. Rev. James Grow, offered the consecrating prayer ; Rev. Jonathan Goodwin, gave the charge ; Rev. Esek Brown, presented the right hand of fellowship : Rev. John Nichols, prayed at the ordination of the deacons."
Residents of the western part of Hampton with those of Mansfield and Windham, who by local position were entitled to the privileges of Deacon Benjamin Chaplin's bequest, after an ineffectual effort to obtain immediate possession, delayed farther action till October, 1809, when in response to a petition from Matthew Smith and others, they were incorporated as "an Ecclesiastie Society by the name of Chaplin." William Perkins, Esq., of Ashford, grandson of the legator, was appointed to enroll the names of all the persons within the prescribed limits who should elect to become members of said new society, and to act as moderator at its first meeting to be held Decem- ber 4, at the dwelling-house of the late Benjamin Chaplin. In com- pliance with this act, a goodly number assembled at " the old Chaplin House " to organize as a religious society. Rev. David Avery opened the meeting with prayer. The names of Israel, John, Thomas and Francis Clark, James Clark, Sen., and Jun., Ebenezer Cary, Jared and Joseph Huntington, Joseph and Elisha Martin, Roswell Bill, Chester Storrs, Matthew Smith, Daniel, Nathaniel and Joseph Mosely, Jun., Rufus Butler, John Rindge, William Moulton, Elkanah Barton and Nathaniel Cutler, residents in the east of Mansfield, west of Hampton and north of Windham, were enrolled by Esquire Perkins members of the Chaplin society. John Clark, Esq., was chosen clerk and treasurer; Joseph Martin, Matthew Smith and Francis Clark, society committee. Notices for society meetings were to be set up
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CHAPLIN SOCIETY, CHURCH ORGANIZATION, ETC.
at Howard's and Mosely's mills, Chaplin and Tower Hill school-houses. At its second meeting, December 11, the Chaplin Society proved itself in advance of the age by voting, that Mrs. Lois Robbins be admitted member by enrollment. The widow thus honored had shown great wisdom and executive ability in training up a large family and administering an encumbered estate, and as she expected to share the burdens of the society was wisely allowed a voice in its counsels. It was also voted, to open our meetings by prayer. Meas- ures were promptly initiated for securing and taking care of the funds. According to the terms of Deacon Chaplin's will, when " there should be a corporate society for the support of the public worship of God, according to the faith and practice of the churches now known and distinguished by the denomination of Congregational churches in New England, the place of public worship within one mile and a quarter of my dwelling-house in what is now Mans- field before the first day of January, 1812, there shall be given to such Incorporation, delivered by executor the amount of three hundred pounds . . . and my will is that such Incorporation fund said estate so that it may be safe and permanent, and apply the annual interest of it toward the support of a learned minister, professing and preach- ing the doctrines of the Gospel according as they are explained in the Westminster Confession of Faith in such society. . . . Provided also, that such preaching shall be kept up steadily, that is to say, there shall be at least forty Sabbaths such preaching in a year in order to be deemed steady preaching." The will farther provided that if preaching should cease for seven successive years this sum should revert to the heirs, and should the heirs oppose or discourage setting up such preaching, they should forfeit all rights to the legacies in case of reversion. In the Act of Incorporation it was also provided " That the interest on all moneys heretofore or hereafter subscribed to a fund for the support of the Gospel should be inalienably applied to the support of such minister upon the plan said Benjamin Chaplin of Mansfield, deceased."
"To set up steady preaching" was therefore the first object of the society. Rev. David Avery, who with his family then occupied the Old Chaplin residence, was the first supply secured. The school-honse in Chaplin District was selected as the place of public worship till a meeting-house could be erected. Mr. Avery, Captain Erastus Hough, recently removed from Canterbury, Josiah Hendee, John Hovey, Enoch Pond, Jun., Jonathan Ashley, Perley Butler, Hosea and Charles Clark, Stephen and William Ford, were soon enrolled as members of the society. Five hundred dollars were added to the fund by volun- tary subscription. May 31, 1810, a council convened at the house of
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Rev. Mr. Avery. Reverends Nathan Williams, Moses C. Welch, D. D., and Hollis Sampson, were present with delegates from their respective churches, and after the usual religions services, David and Hannah Avery, Israel, James, Hosea, Francis, Jerusha, Zerviah and Sally Clark, Ebenezer and Sarah Cary, Elkanah Barton, Nathaniel and Esther Mosely, subscribed a confession of faith and were recognized as the church in Chaplin Society. This body almost immediately proceeded to make choice of Rev. David Avery for their pastor, the privileged "sisters affectionately and sentimentally uniting with the brethren" in a unanimous call, but the more worldly-wise society "fearing that it might injure them essentially," refused to conenr. The stringent provisions of Deacon Chaplin's bequest made great caution necessary. Mr. Avery, though a brilliant and powerful preacher, was somewhat unsteady and erratic. In previous pastorates at Bennington and Wrentham, he had been accused "of a leaning towards Socinianism," and though this charge had not been sustained it behooved the Chaplin legatees to be on their guard and not incur the risk of losing their legacy by any sentimental preference for the testator's son-in-law. After mature deliberation the society voted, June 3, 1812, "not to concur with the church in the vote for giving the Rev. David Avery a call," and, to make assurance doubly sure, they farther enacted, that the trustees be directed not to pay over any money to any minister until they obtain to their satisfaction the opinion of Windham Association, respecting his answering the requirements of Deacon Chaplin's will. With these precautions Mr. Avery was allowed to remain in charge.
The meeting-house made slow progress. The selection of a suitable site occasioned as much discussion as the requirements of the minister. Matthew Smith was appointed agent to apply to the County Court for a committee to affix a spot, but the vote was rescinded and a vote passed that the meeting-house be placed on the spot contemplated by Mr. Howard, called Wells' Hill. Also, to build a meeting-house upon the plan of that of the North Society of Mansfield, excepting the steeple. Still the work did not go forward. Money was lacking and the society was debarred from making the needful assessments by the terms of its incorporation. April 11, 1813, it was voted, " to petition the General Assembly for the privileges of other located societies, provided there can be money enough raised by subscription to defray expenses," but whether the needful sum was raised or not further privileges were not then obtained. The delay in building a house of worship made it a little doubtful whether the society could lawfully appropriate the interest of the fund for the hiring of a minister, and its committee was directed to lay its condition before Windham Asso-
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MEETING-HOUSE AND MINISTER, ETC.
ciation, and to consult with Judge Root. September, 1812, another effort was made to go on with the meeting-house. Captain Hongh, Matthew Smith, William and John Clark and Joseph Martin, were deputized to superintend the getting out of timber. In January a committee was appointed to contract for building, and for the use of Mrs. Howard's saw-mill. Logs were cut down and sawed during the summer, stuff at the mill being placed in charge of Captain Bill. October, 1813, the committee was directed to make a contract to build as soon as may be, but it was not till the following Jannary that the work began in earnest. Daniel Martin was then appointed agent to superintend the getting of materials, collect and apply all subscrip- tions for that purpose-receiving a compensation of ten cents an hour for his services. Chaplin now again manifested its progressive spirit by enacting, that seven hours should constitute a day's work, pay for a man's labor, ten cents an hour ; oxen, six cents ; for use of cart, six cents : sled, three cents. May 9, 1814, " voted unanimously to apply to County Court for alteration of meeting-house spot-James Utley, agent : Angust 1, to raise the meeting-house as soon as possible after the 21st-Daniel Martin, Enoch Pond, David Avery, Jun., Chester Storrs and Samuel Traey, committee of arrangements." Even then the site had not been affixed, and on the 15th, the committee was directed, "To apply to the County Court, Tuesday next, to afhx a spot thirty-five rods north of that now established, west side of road, west of the gate letting into Captain Hough's north pasture, on the rise of ground called Chaplin's Hill." This being effected, the meeting-house frame was formally raised, Thursday, August 25, amid great public rejoicings. Another year passed before it was ready for occupation. September 14, 1815, the society voted, to accept the meeting-house as finished, and to apply to their honored friend and father, Mr. Jonathan Clark of the First Society, to appoint a day for dedication and to choose a minister to preach. Rev. Samuel P. Williams of Mansfield's First Church, was appropriately chosen, who preached a suitable sermon from Genesis xxviii: 17, and all the exercises were conducted with the solemnity and ceremony befitting the occasion.
Though Mr. Avery had now ceased to supply, preaching was statedly maintained though it might be doubtful whether it attained the requisite standard of steadiness. Rumors having reached the society that the church had become Soeinian, the church addressed the society a letter, asking for a good understanding between them, and solemnly averring, " that they were constituted a regular Congrega- tional church upon the foundation of the Westminster Confession of Faith, and have never one of us departed or deviated therefrom."
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HISTORY WINDHAM COUNTY.
The society responded, "That we view said church as standing on the gronnd required by Deacon Chaplin's will." Full society privileges were obtained in 1815, inhabitants residing on the lands owned by Nathaniel Linkon being at the same time restated to Windham. Pew ground was now sold to pay for building expenses and Joseph Martin engaged to sweep the meeting-house and keep the key for $2.32 a year. The Rev. Messrs. Treat, Finney, Nichols and Nathan Grosvenor were among the various supplies procured for the pulpit. In 1818, it was " voted to hire preaching for the year provided it can be done for six dollars a Sunday, including ministers board and horse-keeping." An effort was now made to complete the meeting-house, such super- fluities as pews and pulpit not having been included in the previous " finishing." In the following year Mr. Jared Andrus of Bolton, was called to the pastorate, the society offering a salary of $300 and twenty cords of wood for ten years. Mr. Andrus accepted the call with some addition to the salary. May 3, 1820, it was voted that the body of the house be finished by slips in lieu of pews-slips to be finished with banisters provided it costs no more. Painting the house was left to the judgment of the committee. In November, Abel Ross, Darins Knight and Erastus Hough were appointed to provide for the ordaining council ; Jonathan Ross, James Utley, Abel Ross and James Clarke, committee of arrangements, and on December 27, more than ten years after organization, a pastor was installed over Chaplin church and society. Among the many candidates none could have more fully answered the requirements of Deacon Chaplin. Mr. Andrus was a man of unusual sobriety and earnestness, who had entered the ministry when past his thirtieth year from a deep conviction of duty, and labored faithfully to discharge every obligation.
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IV.
ENTERPRISE IN CANTERBURY. FATAL ACCIDENT. CHURCH AFFAIRS IN FIRST AND WESTMINSTER SOCIETIES.
D' ESPITE its heavy losses by death and emigration, Canterbury maintained its buoyancy, hastening to take advantage of manufac- tnring and mechanical inventions, and yieldling its best water privileges to experimenter and capitalist. Carding-machines were soon busily at work on Little River, and cloth-dressing and hat-making carried on with increased vigor. Capt. Joseph Simms removed his business stand to Canterbury Green, and with the aid of four or five journeymen was
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ENTERPRISE IN CANTERBURY.
able to supply many business firms in Windham County, and even a distant Southern market, with heavy black woolen hats, made in three sizes, so firm and stocky that one might last a lifetime. James Burnet also engaged in the hatting business in Westminster society, and invented a process or forming hat bodies " by placing the material in a hollow sphere and subjecting the same to a revolving motion," by which it was evenly deposited on the form, but not succeeding, "kettles, basons, blocks and Irons" were advertised for sale, and he retired westward to experiment in other directions. Some six or eight stores were still needed to supply the wants of the town. Thomas Coit, Gad Buckley, Jedidiah Johnson, Luther Paine, Fenner and Harris occupied the block on the Green. Energetic young men took the places of those who had gone. Andrew T. Judson of Eastford had already gained a flourishing legal practice. The old class of physicians, which had attended to patients when nothing more important was on hand, was giving place to younger men, who had won by study the title prefixed to their names and devoted themselves to their profession with more singleness of purpose. Dr. Andrew Harris at Canterbury Green and Dr. Elijah Baldwin in South Canterbury, harmoniously occupied the field, the former practicing more especially with the knife and the latter carrying round the saddle-bags. Dr. Johnson con- tinued his daily rounds through Westminster Parish. Dr. Hough retained his dual office, administering pills and whippings with equal excess and alacrity. Dr. Gideon Welles, so long prominent in town affairs, died in 1811. Elisha Paine, Esq., (or Payne, as he wrote his name), died early. Rufns Adams and Daniel Frost continued in the practice of law, the latter serving as town clerk. These lawyers, with Isaac Backus, Asa Butts and Luther Paine, were often sent as repre- sentatives. Gad Bulkley administered the post-office and David Hyde served as mail-carrier, supplying the newspaper class that held its head-quarters at Samuel Barstow's much-frequented tavern. The tavern at the Green enjoyed its accustomed patronage and popularity- Jacob Bacon, Samuel Hutchins and Capt. Bicknell serving successively as landlords. Its previous incumbent, Jedidiah Johnson, was made general of the Fifth Brigade in 1809. His brief term of command was marked by great military activity. War rumors had re-kindled the flame of martial enthusiasm, for even those who disliked the war delighted in military parade. Mounted on a stately steed, and at- tended by a negro servant in appropriate uniform, General Johnson added great lustre to those popular pageants. Canterbury at this date furnished most of the officers for the Twenty-first Regiment, viz: Wil- liam Kinne, adjutant ; Samuel Hutchins, quartermaster ; Isaac Knight, pay-master ; Rev. Erastus Learned, chaplain. Its company of Light
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