USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 5
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4. Whether or not it is the duty of the church to maintain their minister in such manner as that he, with his family, rise in proportion as the members in general do. as to their temporal estate? Answered in the affirmative.
After which queries the delegates from the aforesaid churches unanimously concluded to give fellowship to the church in Ashford, as a church of Christ in the order and fellowship of the gospel.
Signed in behalf of the whole.
ELIJAH CODDING, Moderator. THOMAS USTICK, Clerk. JOHN WESTON, Church Clerk.
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ASHFORD, GENERAL TOWN AFFAIRS, ETC.
Thus established and acknowledged with a new meeting-house and active young minister, it might have been hoped that this church would go prosperously onward, with increasing strength and influence, but it soon became involved in manifold difficulties. Its external relations were unfavorable to growth and harmony. A strong society organized independently of the church and taking the initiative in establishing public worship, was a troublesome factor in the case, and to add to the complication the meeting-house itself was owned by a third independent body, i. e., the proprietors who had borne the cost of its erection. Dissatisfaction was first manifested in a vote respecting the minister. It may be that the preaching of the young college graduate was distasteful to the plain, old-fashioned church members who cared so little for human learning, and occasioned the following action : " April 16, 1777, after some conversation the mind of the church was tried whether they would desire Mr. Ustick to preach any longer than the time which we had agreed with him for ; or whether they chose to hear some other man. Voted, to hear some other man, and then voted to send to Mr. Lamson to come and preach with us four Sabbaths if he can be obtained." The society thereupon voted that they did not conenr with the church in dismissing Mr. Us- tick, but showed its willingness to provide all needful temporalities by farther instructing a suitable person "to provide bread-corn for Mr. Lamson's family." Both ministers occupied the field for a season, Mr. Ustick employed by the society, Mr. Lamson by the church. The church attempted to exercise what it deemed its lawful prerogative by choosing " Brother Abraham Knowlton as a trustee to take a deed of a certain piece of land in behalf of said church, of Mr. Josiah Chaffee, on which the Baptist meeting-house now stands in Ashford," and also empowering Brother Samuel Johnson " to give a bond to Mr. Josiah Chaffee in behalf of the church for the delivery of the meeting-house spot to said Chaffee when not any longer wanted by said church for a meeting-house spot." These conflicting claims, ministers and services excited much ill-will and animosity. Many hard things were said on both sides, and certain remarks derogatory to the Christian and minis- terial character of Mr. Ustick so aroused the spirit of this young can- didate that he applied to his friends in the Warren Association, R. I., for advice and assistance, who delegated a committee for that service. Amos Babcock, Elnathan Brigham and Abraham Knowlton were there- upon appointed by the church, " to wait upon the honorable committee appointed by the honorable Baptist Association of Warren, to come and look into our difficult circumstances at Ashford, viz., the Honored Elder Manning, Honored Elder Backus and Honored Elder Ledoit." This meeting was held Nov. 6, 1777. Notwithstanding the high char-
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
acter of the assembly, the session was stormy. The society set forth its grievances touching meeting-house and minister ; the church main- tained its rights with equal firmness and persistence. Mr. Babcock, in his earnestness, even followed the Honorable Committee to their lodg- ings, "assuming very high ground in relation to church prerogative," taking, indeed, the position of the previous Separates, " that a religious society could not exist without a church. The committee did not relish such doctrine nor act upon it," and they exculpated Mr. Ustick from unfavorable charges. The church was greatly dissatisfied with the result of this investigation, and appointed a committee to treat with uneasy members of the society and see what they wanted of the church to make them easy. This they found to be that they should " sell their right to the meeting-house," or divide the improvement of it according to the proprietors' rights. The church after consultation "thought there was no propriety " in such relinquishment, and pro- ceeded to arrange affairs according to their own pleasure. Having given Mr. Lamson a call, they further desired him "to relate to them the work of grace upon his heart, and also his call to the work of the ministry," which proving satisfactory, they confirmed the call without apparent reference to the society. In February, 1778, committees were chosen to hire a place for the minister to live on, give certificates to those that desire to join with us in worship and in principles, and to settle with those proprietors of the meeting-house that manifest an un- easiness or submit the affair to indifferent men. Upon recommendation of the Baptist Church in Charlton, Mr. Lamson was received as a proper member of the church in Ashford, preparatory to ordination. Delegates from the Baptist churches in New London, Charlton, Wil- braham and Abington met in council June 9, 1778. After inquiring in- to the church's standing and calling their candidate to the work, they found it "scriptural to their satisfaction." They proceeded to inquire into his experience and call to the ministry, especially to this church, and were fully satisfied with it.
" Then certain gentlemen cast in a written objection against the church for breach of covenant which the council closely inquired into, and find it was not the church only three of their members, which when we had closely ex- amined we conclude it was a misunderstanding in these gentlemen, &c., and we know not but that the church has been up to their agreement in every par- ticular, therefore we proceeded. June ye 10 met again, and according to before appointment we proceeded to ordain Brother Ebenezer Lamson. Elder Joshua Morse made the first prayer and preached a suitable discourse from 1st Peter, ye four first verses; then prayed and laid on hands. Elder Nathaniel Green made the prayer and gave the charge, and Elder William Grow gave the right hand of fellowship, then concluded with laying on of hands and prayer. Elder Clark made the prayer, all of which was done decently and in order. After which there were some exhortations that were to the comforting of saints, and we hope will prove convicting to sinners.
JOSHUA MORSE, Moderator."
33
EASTFORD SOCIETY.
Abraham Knowlton and John Hanks were now installed as deacons. Mr. Ustiek, who up to this date had remained in Ashford, preaching at times though " not statedly " to his particular adherents, was now satis- fied that it would not be best for him to continue there, and after his withdrawal the difficulties gradually subsided, and church and society resumed harmonious relations. Various cases of discipline claimed the attention of the church. Some of these might have been settled by an appeal to the dictionary, as for example that of Brother Ezekiel Sib- ley, who thus defines his position :-
" To the Baptist Church of Ashford : In answer why I withdrew from you is as followeth, relating to your fellowshiping the church at Willington in a corrupt faith, to wit, they believe they ought to contribute to the gospel ex- penses according to their abilities and Previledges, which word ' Previledges' is a corrupt faith and never was introduced by the commands of God. Neither do I think it ever was in any church since the world began it being full of so many evils. It not ouly brings contempt upon the divine authority, but would have broke up all churches.
And your tolerating and fellowshiping them in it, it brings divers from our professed faith. You have broke your faith with me, and got yourselves where I cannot follow you. By which unguarded proceedings you have offended your grieved brother."
The church out of consideration for such conscientious scruples and the possible heresies that might lurk in the inscrutable "previledges," discharged the brother with "a gentle admonition." The support of the minister occasioned much discussion and trouble. According to Baptist theory and practice he was to be supported by " free contribu- tions." No precise sum was specified, but he was " to rise in propor- tion as the members in general do as to their temporal estate." Any- thing like rate-paying was most abhorrent to the primitive Baptist, but freedom in supporting the minister was hardly compatible with the means adopted for making each brother pay his proportion, viz. :-
" Oct. 8, 1781, vote put whether the church mean to enspect each member respecting the support of the Gospel amongst us when it becomes necessary ? Voted in the affirmative."
Despite these various trials and hindrances the Ashford Baptist Church maintained a respectable standing in town and denomination, and gained a strong membership thongh weakened after a few years by withdrawals to Willington and Mansfield.
The eastern inhabitants delayed separate organization till October, 1777, when upon petition of Benjamin Sumner and others, showing that they were of ability to support the gospel in two societies, they were endowed with distinct society privileges, "according to a line previously agreed upon beginning at Bigelow River at Mansfield's north line, thence running up said river to the north line of the town." At a society meeting, Jan. 7, 1778, it was voted, "That Mr. Elisha Hutchin- son be our gospel minister." Failing to carry out this enactment, a 5
34
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
meeting was held. May 25. at the house of Lieut. John Russel. when Josiah Spalding. Benjamin Sumner and Jonathan Chapman were chosen a committee to hire preaching. with instructions " to employ Mr. An- drew Judson of Stratford. with a view of settling among us, provided be don't stay with us then to hire some other gentleman." Notwith- standing the heavy burden now laid upon all classes by the war. the number of absent citizens, and the many pressing public duties. the residents of Eastford Society manifested great spirit and readiness in establishing public worship. At this same meeting it was also voted, " To build a meeting-house in Eastford Society. about four or five rods northwest from where Captain Benjamin Russel's old shop used to stand." Abiel Simmons was chosen collector ; Ingoldsby Work. "agent to pray out a committee to set a stake for a meeting-honse spot : also, a committee to treat with such committee as the County Court should send to stick the stake aforesaidl." June 30. it was farther voted. " That the County Court's committee should stick stake on Lient. John Rus- sel's land." This being accomplished to the satisfaction of all a sub- seription was circulated. the society first agreeing. " That those that sub- scribe towards building a meeting-house have liberty to build it of equal bigness with Woodstock's West Society's meeting-house, i. e., 45×35."
Mr. Judson consenting to preach as a candidate. public services were held September 23. 1778. when " Andrew Judson. Benjamin Sumner, Samuel Snow, Jonathan Chapman, Elisha Wales and Simeon Deane entered into church covenant in presence of the Reverends Stephen Williams. John Storrs and Elisha Hutchinson, making a solemn and fresh dedication of themselves. and being formed into a church." Few in number. they were all the more zealons for doctrinal soundness and purity, desiring to embody " according to the word of God. and in par- ticular according to the light of the following texts, i. e .. Dent. 29 : 12, 13 : Jer. 50: 55 ; Second Cor. 8 : 5 ; Isaiah 44 : 5 ; Nehe. 9: 38 ; Isaiah 10: 28, 29. in an evangelical manner, and not in a legal frame of spirit." Oct. 13. the church unanimously voted Mr. Andrew Judson to be their gospel minister, the society concurring in the call, and offering £500 settlement. £70 salary. Ordination services were held Dec. 1, when " it being through kind Providence a very pleasant day, the solemnities were performed to the pleasure and satisfaction of a large concourse of people." Rev. Ephraim Judson of Norwich, a relative of the new pastor. preached the ordination sermon, and neighboring ministers as- sisted in the other exercises. Benjamin Sumner, Esq., and Jonathan Chapman were ere long appointed deacons. Various members were received by a dismissive and recommendatory letter from the First Church of Ashford.
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EASTFORD SOCIETY.
Work on the meeting-house was greatly impeded by scarcity of men and money. The frame was raised in the summer of 1779. and partly covered so that business meetings were held in it. but religious services were conducted " at the house of Mr. Aaron Tuffts. or Lieut. Russel's, or Captain Josiah Spalding's." It was voted. "To purchase about an acre of land of Lient. Russel, in addition to the two acres that the same has promised to give the society for a meeting-house spot." A commit- tee was appointed this summer to treat with Mr. Judson how he must have his salary paid in this paper money. which agreed upon " the rate of twenty pounds for one." In 1780, voted. "To sell the pew ground at vendue. and the money used in finishing the meeting-house-the tier of pews within the body of seats." These pew spots were purchased by Dea. Chapman, Ebenezer Eastman. Jonathan Hayward. John Russel, Jabez Ward. Simeon Deane, John Scarborough. John Work. Benj. Sumner. Joseph and Ingoldsby Work, Ebenezer Bosworth. James Sum- ner, Benjamin Cates. Stephen Foster. Benj. Hayward. Jonathan Bemis, John Frink. John Russel, Jun., Josiah Spalding, Noah Paine, Ensign Joseph Kendall, Peter Tuffts and Samuel Snow. showing it to be a strong society. It was voted. " To purchase half a box of glass to glaze the meeting-house, and hire it under-pinned in the cheapest and best way." Glass being found too expensive the order was countermanded, and the " windows boarded up" till times were more propitious. It was voted, "To abate the rates of all those Baptists that have brought a certificate and those that frequently attend the Baptist meeting." The following certificate procured exemption for two Quakers :--
"Jeremiah Mory belongs to the Friends' meeting, and so Daniel Bartlett doth sup of the same cup with me. and we own him to be one of our brethren, as I take care of my friends. In the presence of us, which we are ready to answer to, this :
1135524
Gloucester, March 16, 1774."
JEREMIAH MORY, THOMAS SMITH, JOHN BARTLETT,
During these years of sectarian and political agitation. Ashford was also implicated in a prolonged litigation growing out of the ancient "Corbin land claims," and carried on by Benjamin and Ashael Marcy as legal representatives of James Corbin. Elijah Whiton. Ezra Smith, Elisha Wales. Benjamin Clark and Ebenezer Byles were appointed in 1769, " To search the book of records with respect to the town's com- mons and Corbin's land." who reported that 2500 acres were allowed to Corbin in 1719, and that over 4000 acres had been laid out to him. The Mareys carried their claim to the Assembly, who appointed Joseph Spencer, Benjamin Lowe and Captain Jonathan Welles a committee of investigation. A meeting was held at Clark's tavern, in Ashford. May
36
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
4, 1774, Elijah Whiton and Ezra Smith appearing as agents for the town. Full details of the original purchase and subsequent agreements were presented, and a formidable array of deeds and figures showing plainly that Corbin had received some hundred acres more than his due, while the petitioners demonstrated with equal certainty that a still larger number was lacking. The committee in due time reported, " That Corbin's land had not been taken up, that, 910 acres still remained due to his heirs : also, that Corbin's partners had failed to pay taxes, and their shares should revert to him." The Assembly, after consideration of the report, was of opinion that 910 acres were due to Corbin under the settlement of 1719, and 375 acres under the patent of 1725, and granted that the petitioners should take them up in the town's com- mons. They also affirmed, that the patent granted to Corbin in 1725, should be considered as an addition to the claim of 1719. The town refused to accept this decision so contrary to the common understand ing of the case, and to the facts addnced by Captain Chandler and others when the patent was granted, and when the Mareys entered upon land proceeded " to prosecute those who had got our common land into their possession." The Superior Court gave verdict in favor of the town. Marcy again appealed to the Assembly, complaining of error in the judgment of the Superior Court, whereupon it was resolved by that body :-
" That the said Superior Court in taking cognizance of said petition mani- festly erred, and mistook the law, and that the said judgment is hereby re- versed and set aside, and the petitioner restored to the cost, and the petition remain as before entered in the docket of said Superior Court."
The town debarred from farther action at court was compelled to yield up its commons. So far as regards the right of jurisdiction in this case the decision may have been legal, but with regard to the owner- ship of the land a careful study of all the facts would give it to the town. That the settlement of 1725 granted Corbin an addition to his immense original claim seems especially untenable, and in view of all the circumstances of the case, suggests the query, if the art of lobby- ing be strictly a modern invention. One result of this controversy was the copying of the original "town book " by the faithful town clerk, Ebenezer Byles, in 1770.
In 1771, Ashford appointed a committee to pray for county recon- struction on the following basis: Ashford with Woodstock, Killingly, Pomfret, Union, Stafford, Tolland and Willington to form a new north- ern county, and " Colchester and Hebron to be added to the remains of Windham."
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CANTERBURY, WHITEFIELD'S VISIT, ETC.
III.
AFFAIRS IN CANTERBURY. WHITEFIELD'S VISIT. SEPARATES. BAPTISTS. ORGANIZATION OF WESTMINSTER SOCIETY.
CANTERBURY was much occupied at this date in resettling her parishes and repairing her bridges. In 1760, her peace was greatly disturbed by the attempted secession of a number of her southeast residents, who asked to be incorporated with residents of adjoining towns into a new religions society. John Hebard, appointed to oppose this petition, remonstrated :-
" I. That Canterbury had already parted with a mile or two of land on the north to help form Brooklyn parish, leaving first society in Canterbury eight miles by five in extent -- wisely and cautiously done to accommodate two parishes within herself when planters should be multiplied.
2. Inhabitants were settled all over said parish from east to west, north to south bounds; that the distribution of said parish into two parishes within themselves has been the governing motive to many planters to settle and build there; that winter preaching was allowed to the north and northwest quarter, and division to be made when public charges were less heavy; that dividing parishes into such small ones weakens the whole colony and is hurtful to its eivil and religious interests."
Even this last consideration, usually deemed so weighty, was ineffect- ual in this instance. The Assembly taking time for deliberation, Mr. Hebard farther urged, that the scheme would "destroy one society in Canterbury, destroy the well-being of one in Newent, and wound and weaken a third in Scotland." In spite of these dismal prognos- tications, the petitioners carried the day, and seenred in 1761, the erection of the new society of Hanover from parts of Canterbury, Scotland Parish and Newent.
Town affairs required much care and deliberation. Colonel John Dyer and others of the second generation of settlers were no longer in active life. At the town meeting, 1761, John Curtis was chosen moderator ; Captain Obediah Johnson, Stephen Frost, Josiah Butt, Captain Benjamin Price, selectmen; Stephen Frost, town clerk; Deacon Samuel Huntington, treasurer ; Simon Forbes, constable and collector of excise ; Timothy Cleveland, Obediah Johnson, Joseph Dyer, James Daley, William Bradford, Josiah Morse, Frederic Curtis, Gideon Cobb, Joseph Safford, John Hebard, Matthew Button, Zechariah Waldo, highway surveyors; Nathaniel Aspinwall, Samuel Adams, fence-viewers; Solomon Paine, Asa Cleveland, Ebenezer Spalding, Robert Herrick, Silas Cleveland, Jedidiah Dodge, listers ; Robert Herrick, Abijah Cady, leather sealers ; John Hebard, Nehemiah Ensworth, Ezekiel Spalding, Elisha Paine, Isaiah Williams, grand-jurymen ; Shubael Butts, IIezekiah Pellet, Daniel Paine,
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
William Bradford, tithingmen : Gideon Cobb, gauger and packer ; Ahaziah Adams, brander and toller; William Bond, Ezekiel Spald- ing, key-keepers. Ezra Ensworth, having managed at great, cost and labor to construct a dam across the Quinebang in the south part of the town, was granted liberty to mend and " keep in repair the same, for the benefit of his corn-mill where it now stands, the same highth and length as it now is." This unusual privilege was only obtained by very strenuous efforts. Anything that obstructed the annual ascent of shad and salmon on which they so much depended was most vigorously resisted by all the residents of the Quinebang valley-and in addition to this great damage and loss this mischievous dam was charged with undermining and greatly damaging Butts Bridge just below it. This most convenient bridge, erected by Samuel Butts in 1733, had been kept in repair by private subscription, and now in 1760, the neighbors had again rebuilt it, "supposing that Canterbury would order the dam removed." Their fears and fore- bodings were only too quickly realized. The very next winter, ice falling over the dam again carried off the bridge. The dam, it is believed, was also destroyed by the same flood and never rebuilt ; but none the less did the aggrieved neighbors refuse to rebuild the bridge. The town, compelled to join with Plainfield in maintaining Nevins Bridge on the great publie thoroughfare, and a fordway near Shepard's Hill in the north part of the town, and to keep up other bridges over Rowland's Brook and Little River, positively declined to assist in rebuilding Butts Bridge. So great were the inconveniences and difficulties resulting from this negligence, that a large number of petitioners from Plainfield, Preston and other towns represented the case to the Assembly, and prayed that Canterbury might be compelled to support said bridge, as a place of much travel. A special act of the assembly in 1763, thereupon provided that Canter- bury should build and keep in order a bridge at this place, under the direction of a county committee. Seth Paine of Brooklyn Parish, Nathaniel Webb of Windham, and Asa Smith of Woodstock, were accordingly placed in charge of the work.
The increasing travel through the. town made it needful to keep its highways in good order. Many of its own citizens were carried away by emigration. Abraham Paine, Elisha Cleveland, and others removed to Nine Partners, New York. Joshua Ilide and Joshua Parke were among the early settlers of Vermont. Captain James Bidlack. Samnel Ransom and many other families joined the great out-flow to Wyoming. A jury was ordered by the County Court to meet at the house of Timothy Backus, and lay out a highway from the dividing line between Windham and Canterbury, four-and-a-half
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CANTERBURY, WHITEFIELD'S VISIT, ETC.
miles east, to the highway leading from Norwich to Canterbury, and thence to the Great Bridge over the Quinebang. This highway, thus relaid and carefully maintained, accommodated a great part of the travel from Providence to Hartford and farther westward. In 1773, Colonel Jabez Fitch was chosen agent by the town to oppose the memorial of Colonel Israel Putnam and others "for an open and publie highway to be laid out through the towns of Killingly, Pomfret and Canter- bury, in order the better to accommodate traveling from Boston to New Haven and New York,"-a project which its renowned advocate failed apparently to accomplish. A damn was allowed over Rowland's Brook in the north part of the town, and various mills kept in opera- tion. Tannery works were also carried on by Benjamin Morse.
The various taverns needed upon the public roads and other parts of the town, were kept by Timothy Backus, John Park, Ebenezer Spalding, Robert Ransom and David Reed. Dr. Gideon Welles con- tinned his medical practice in Canterbury and Planfield. A son of Canterbury, Dr. John Spalding, also established himself in his native town. Dr. David Adams, son of David Adams, residing in Scotland and afterward in Preston, was often employed in his old home.
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