USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 53
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WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Secretary. Pomfret, August 24, 1818."-Connecticut Courant.
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BUSINESS IN WOODSTOCK, ETC.
remarkable for high breeding and accomplishments. Miss Ann Hall had distinguished herself in drawing and portrait painting, and works of her execution compared favorably with the highest art that had been attained in America. Other family circles shone with scarcely inferior lustre. Distinguished visitors from abroad graced their social reunions. Hidden from vulgar gaze, these gatherings of Pomfret élite might easily have been rated beyond their deserts. but a discrimi- nating visitor who had seen much of the world gave this testimony :- " That the Pomfret assemblies were remarkable for elegance and dis- tinction, and that the dress and demeanor of Miss Ann Hall would have done credit to any court in Europe."
IX.
BUSINESS IN WOODSTOCK. CHURCH AFFAIRS. ACADEMY. THEFTS AND WHIPPING. LAND CASE.
66 'A GRICULTURE" reports the Gazetteer, "affords employment for most of the industry of this town excepting what is employed in domestic or household manufactures, which receive general attention, there being a loom in almost every house. Most of the primary and substantial fabrics of clothing are the product of domestic industry." Woodstock "shuttles merrily went flashing through the loom " in those days of weaving cloth for factories. The six mercantile stores of the town offered every variety of goods in exchange for weaving. " Asa Pierce and Co." carried on a very flourishing business in West Woodstock, keeping on hand "a large assortment of cotton yarn to be woven, for which the best encourage- ment would be given for good weavers;" having also a lumber yard with great variety of building stuff, wrought and cut nails, etc., and the general run of European and West India goods. Colonel Jonathan May was equally active in East Woodstock or Muddy Brook, running a store, slaughter house and distillery. Ralph Malbone of Pomfret opened a store at the junction of the Southbridge turnpike with the road leading to Muddy Brook, near the little shop occupied by Peregrine White in the making and repairing of fashionable six-feet clocks, adorned with full moons and other appropriate figure-heads. Theophilus Bradbury Chandler, surveyor and justice, had a store at the Muddy Brook bridge, a mile north of the Lake. A post-office added to the popularity of Bowen's store and tavern. These Wood- stock stores and hostelries must have been extremely attractive, as church members in Thompson were impeached and censured for
.
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HISTORY WINDHAM COUNTY.
intemperance in "Bowen's and Chandler's shops." Captain Judah Lyon built a large and convenient tavern house in Muddy Brook village in 1818, which was also popular and well sustained. Taverns were also kept by Rhodes Arnold, Thomas Lamson, Chauncey Kibbe, Abiel Fox and David Button. While agriculture was the leading interest, the farmers raising not only their own corn, rye, oats and barley, but sufficient spring wheat for the consumption of the town- manufactures were not neglected. The useful pottery works kept up the supply of domestic earthen ware. Two blacksmith shops and large trip-hammers, two wheel-wrights and one goldsmith, one carding- machine, one fulling-mill, one oil-mill, seven grain-mills, twelve saw- mills and two distilleries, found abundant patronage. In 1815, Chester, Willard and Rensellaer Child, Amasa and Judah Lyon were incor- porated as " the Woodstock Manufacturing Company for the purpose of manufacturing cloths and other fabrics of wool and cotton," which erected suitable buildings in the north part of the town. Walter and Royal Paine of Providence, Job Williams of Pomfret, Jonathan and William May, John Paine, William Lyon and others, were also incor- porated as the Muddy Brook Cotton Manufacturing Company, erect- ing a factory building a little north of the village. The Gazetteer reports them as both upon a large scale and doing business extensively. Moses Arnold, Thomas Hubbard, Benjamin Duick and William Bowen, were incorporated as " The Arnold Manufacturing Company in Wood- stock," in 1814, and were soon underway in what was known as Arnold-town or South Woodstock.
Woodstock's First Society was much occupied in providing for Mr. Lyman's salary and discussing meeting house repairs. It was found very difficult to raise the nominal amount specified while its real value had greatly depreciated. Taxation had become so offensive to many that an attempt was made to raise the amount by subscription but it was probably found too unequal in its working. Money received from the State in 1818, was appropriated for the foundation of a permanent fund for the support of the ministry. In 1819, Mr. Lyman consented to accept an annual salary of $275, in lieu of the original contract, which provided £70, and twenty cords of firewood. The society received a bequest of land upon the demise of Mr. Samuel Dexter, to be improved for the use and benefit of Rev. Eliphalet Lyman and his successors in office, forever, upon the condition that no building should ever be erected nor tree suffered to grow thereon ; that it should be kept a separate piece by itself forever, and only be used for mowing, pasturage and tillage ; that he should be buried in the centre of the land, in such manner "as that not the smallest appearance of a grave may be visible after the earth shall be settled
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down." " Nor let any stone tell where I lie." A sum of money was also given by Mr. Dexter for the use of the poor of the society. Captain Frissell was appointed to receive and hold the same ; Amos Paine, to fulfill the conditions of the landed bequest. Hezekiah Palmer succeeded Amos Paine as society clerk in 1814. The latter with Samuel Mashcraft, David Frissell and Jedidiah Kimball, served as society committee. The service of William Flynn as chorister was so efficient that four substitutes (viz., Hezekiah Palmer, Amos Paine, Jacob Lyon and Abram Peake) were needed during his absence in New London. Deacon Jedidiah Morse survived till 1819. His declining years were greatly comforted by the consideration of the prosperity of his surviving children who were not only comfortably settled in this world, but "had devoted themselves and their children to God and walked in some good measure agreeable to their profes- sion."* William Lyon, 2nd, and Jedidiah Kimball now served in the deacon's office, reluctantly taking the place filled by such honored predecessors.
The church in East Woodstock was called in 1813, to part with its excellent pastor, Rev. William Graves, "a pious and faithful man of God, dear to his people while he lived and after death universally lamented." Mr. Lyman in his funeral discourse pronounced him "so distinguished for his prudence, modesty, candor and fidelity, that he might with great propriety be said to be an example to the flock ; " possessed to an uncommon degree of the requisite qualifications of a gospel bishop. " Wonderfully supported and comforted with the presence of Christ, he met death with a sweet and placid frame ; it seemed as if he had nothing to do but to die." He was succeeded in office by Samuel Backus of Canterbury, grandson of the Baptist church historian, Rev. Isaac Backus, ordained in East Woodstock, January 19, 1815. A powerful revival was soon after enjoyed by the church, enlarging and strengthening its membership. Nathaniel Briggs and William Child succeeded to the deacon's office.
The " Presbyterian church " in West Woodstock (as it was usually styled) enjoyed much peace and harmony under the ministrations of Mr. Underwood, who by evenness of temper and urbanity of manner greatly endeared himself to his people. It was said that while the East Woodstock church without a pastor Mr. Underwood was invited to attend all the weddings and Mr. Lyman the funerals-the former excelling in convivial and the latter in mortuary occasions. Even
* Piety would seem to be an inherent characteristic of this renowned branch of the Morse family if we may judge from the younger brother of Deacon Jedidiah, who, dying at the age of three years and four months, had "read the Bible twice through, committed many passages, led the devotions of the family and given satisfactory evidence of piety."
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
the singing question was harmoniously decided, and a bass-viol intro- duced without exciting discord. Benjamin Lyon, 3d, Abiel Fox and Abraham Paine, serving as committee to see that the new instrument be kept in order. Darius Barlow, Charles Skinner, Dolphus Child, Thomas Corbin, Benjamin Lyon, 3d, Benjamin Child, Danforth Lyon, Andrew and John F. Williams, Russel Stead and Stephen Johnson, were among the numerous choristers year by year appointed. An "instructor to teach singing" was frequently employed under the charge of a competent committee.
Elder Ledoyt continued in charge of the First Baptist Church till his death in 1813. While preaching a funeral sermon he was seized with malignant fever, and carried home to die, as he at onee fore- boded. The father of the Baptist church order in Windham county, his memory has ever been held in honor. The church soon united in choice of Nicholas Branch of Providence, a recent proselyte to the Baptist belief, who was ordained its pastor, June 25, 1815,-Elder Gano of Providence preaching the ordaining sermon. This pastorate was " successful and profitable in a very desirable degree :" being char- acterized by " peace, love, union and prosperity." With a strong and active intelleet and much native force of character, Elder Branch took a high position in the Baptist ministry, and was made instrumental in the conversion of many souls and the building up of churches. Many were added to the Woodstock church during his ministry. A minis- terial lot was also procured and a parsonage erected. Elder Amos Wells was dismissed from the charge of the Second Baptist church about 1811. The ordaining of his successor, Brother George Angell of Southbridge, in 1813, was a very interesting and solemn occasion, conducted by Elders Wells, Crosby, Grow and Dwinell. An earnest and devont Christian, much good was anticipated from his ministra- tions, but after three years he decided to remove to Sturbridge, when Elder Isaac Dwinell " came to take care of the church." One of the first Windham County Sunday schools was organized in this church in 1816.
Woodstock Academy retained its place in publie favor. Liberty to erect a boarding-house on the common near the powder-house was granted in 1807. In 1810, the town gave bonds to the proprietors for some twelve hundred dollars, the interest to be applied in supporting the school, entitling any resident to six weeks' tuition annually. Mr. Burleigh's two years' administration was efficient and profitable, bring- ing the institution to the culmination of its early prosperity. Succeed- ing teachers did not succeed in keeping up its standard, though the Messrs. Burgess of Canterbury are believed to have been fully com- petent for the position. The yearly exhibitions were maintained with
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ACADEMY, THEFTS AND WHIPPING, LAND CASE, ETC.
accustomed spirit. The brilliant exploits of a former pupil, Lient. Charles Morris, excited much martial enthusiasm among the boys, which found vent in sounding declamations and pistol-shooting trage- dies. The military parades upon Woodstock's famous common were greatly enjoyed by these youthful patriots. A mock fight was carried on at company-training in Muddy Brook village, in 1818, when a party dressed like Indians seized upon astonished children and tri- umphantly bore them to their rock fortress. These performances were more enjoyable than some others to which the academieians were treated. Notwithstanding the vigilance of the Thief Detectives, thefts were occasionally committed. A poor family emigrating from Ash- ford, crossing Woodstock Hill at dusk, was tempted by the universal " Monday washing," left out for spring whitening. It took but a few moments for two stout pair of maseuline arms to strip the lines, and stow away the stolen clothes, and on they went rejoicing ; but their joy was soon turned to monruing. Awakening in the morning to a sense of its loss, all Woodstock Hill arose in indignation. The " pursners " were quickly routed out, and following the tracks they soon came up with the slowly moving teams, and brought thieves and booty in tri- umph back to the village. There is no doubt that the rogues richly deserved the legal penalty-a public whipping-but the judgment of the Trustees or teachers in making it serve as an "object lesson " to the Academy pupils is a little questionable. That the moral influence of such exemplary punishment for misdemeanors might not be lost upon the youthful mind, the scholars-girls and boys-were marshalled up to the whipping-post and made to look on while Constable Flynn administered the stripes with vim and vigor proportioned to the enor- mity of the offence, and deluged the bleeding backs with cider brandy immediately after the infliction. It is to be feared that abhorrence of theft was less stimulated than sympathy for the sufferers and hatred of vindictive justice. A youth found guilty of abstraeting money and eloth in East Woodstoek under somewhat peculiar circumstances, escaped his doom by forfeiture of bail and precipitate flight. With such proofs of its being needed, Woodstock Thief Detecting Society was kept up with unbated interest, its members being sure of having a good time if they did not always forestall theft or recover stolen property. The oyster supper provided from the general fund for their annual meeting served as an additional attraction, and most of the active men of the town gave their names and patronage to this society. The Pomfret Agricultural Society was encouraged by leading farmers, Amos Paine and James MeClellan serving among its early officers.
Among the excitements of this period was a legal controversy in- volving the homes and farms of a number of Windham County resi-
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
dents. Governor Joseph Dudley of Massachusetts owned extensive farms in Woodstock and Thompson, which he had entailed upon his oldest son, to descend according to the English law of primogeniture. Joseph Dudley, the legal representative of Governor Dudley at this date, conveyed these farms by deed to previous tenants. His brothers, and other representatives of the family claimed that this sale was ille- gal, and brought suit for their recovery. The defendants, Obadiah Child, Captain John Chandler, Chester Brown, Captain Ephraim May, Captains William, Chester and Jonathan May, Stephen, Nehemiah and Charles Child of Woodstock, Peter Reccard, David Nichols, Jason Phipps and Simeon Buxton, of Thompson, associated together for the defence of their claim as "The Woodstock and Thompson Land Con- pany," engaging for their counsel, John McClellan, George Larned and William Perkins, Esquires. Sylvanus Backus served in behalf of the plaintiffs. Trials were held before the Superior Court at Windham and before the United States District Court at Hartford, without gaining a satisfactory verdict. The magnitude of the interests involved, and the intricacies of the legal points at issue, made this suit the most exciting and important ever brought before the Courts of Windham County, and its long delayed decision was waited with eager interest. John F. Williams of West Woodstock was now enrolled among the lawyers of the town. Its list of physicians embraced Doctors Haviland Mor- ris, Ebenezer Bishop, Joseph Seagrave, Thomas Morse, Daniel Lyman, Amasa and Amos Carrol. Dr. Lyman gave his attention more particu- larly to surgery. Dr. Thomas Morse, now settled in West Woodstock, was noted as the third Dr. Morse who had practiced within the town. His grandfather, Dr. Parker Morse, Sen., was graduated from Harvard College about 1735, and settled in East Woodstock immediately after acquiring his profession, and was succeeded by his son of the same name. The grandson maintained the medical reputation of the family, and served many years as clerk of the County Medical Society.
X.
TOWN AND CHURCH AFFAIRS IN ASHFORD.
A SIIFORD kept pace with the times in internal improvements. The Woodstock and Somers Turnpike was now completed, and the Tolland County Turnpike intersected with Boston and Hartford two miles west of Ashford village. Travel on these thoroughfares was stimulated by the war and manufacturing ; stages were daily pass- ing to and fro over the various roads, and at the junction of the Bos- ton and Providence Turnpikes, a continuous line of vehicles as far as
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TOWN AND CHURCH AFFAIRS IN ASHFORD, ETC.
the eye could reach, was frequently seen. The numerous taverns kept by Clark, Richmond, Palmer, Preston, Burnham, Howe, Wood- ward and others, had abundant patronage. Four carding-machines were set up in different parts of the town. Rufus Sprague, Edward Keyes, John N. Sumner, Benjamin and Mason Palmer were incorpo- rated in 1815 as the Sprague Manufacturing Company for the manu- facture of cotton wool into yarn or cloth. Read, Stebbins & Co., en- gaged in a woolen factory, advertising the same year "for eight or ten young men (to whom good encouragement would be given) for the purpose of learning to card, spin and weave." Benjamin Palmer also engaged in the novel manufacture of tin ware, and offered tin ware of any description, plain and Japan, as low as any one in the State.
Eight mercantile stores, six grain-mills, nine saw-mills and five tan- neries were reported in 1818. Josias Byles continued in the office of town clerk : David Bolles and his son had charge of the post-office. The former was made judge and the latter clerk of the County Court in 1817. William Perkins, Esq., served as State attorney and councillor.
The "seven churches" of Ashford were more or less prosperous. The First Congregational church was severely afflicted in the death of its honored pastor, Rev. Enoch Pond, August 6, 1807. His epi- taph, composed by Rev. David Avery, gives a just estimate of his character : -
"Generous in temper, correct in science andl liberal in sentiment, the gen- tleman, the scholar, and the minister of the sanctuary, appeared with advan- tage in Mr. Pond. The church and society in Ashford were favored with his Gospel ministry eighteen years."
Rev. Philo Judson of Woodbury was ordained and installed as his successor, September 26, 1811, and enjoyed a successful ministry for a still longer period.
The Eastford church, after five years' vacancy, made choice of Mr. Hollis Sampson, a former " deacon of the Methodist Episcopal church." After a candid conference with Mr. Sampson at the house of Esquire Bosworth, upon Christian doctrines and discipline, and the relative duties of pastor and church, the Church expressed its satisfaction with his sentiments and preaching, and invited him to settlement-the Society offering three hundred dollars salary and making suitable pro- vision for the entertainment of the Council. Ordination took place December, 1809, in the presence of a numerous and attentive assembly. Rev. Mr. Lyman made the opening prayer. Mr. Dow gave one of his characteristic sermons from Malachi i : 1-4. Dr. Welch of Mansfield, . Messrs. Storrs and Weld, assisted in other services. Though the pulpit had a new incumbent, the society thoughtfully provided " That 58
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Mary Judson may have the ministerial pew so long as she remain Mr. Judson's widow." The number of choristers was now greatly re- duced and a singing-master employed. Mr. Sampson's pastorate was unhappy. Shrewd, witty and eloquent, he was deficient in steadiness and moral principle, and after much unpleasantness was dismissed from his charge at his own request, May 13, 1816-the council withholding recommendation. This omission led to a more thorough investigation. in which part of the charges were owned by Mr. Sampson, "who blamed himself and made satisfactory confession," but did not succeed in gaining the desired approbation. With characteristic aptness he chose for his parting text :- " For with me it is a very small thing that I be judged according to man's judgment." During the vacancy fol- lowing his dismissal, Rev. Asahel Nettleton labored for a time with great effect in Eastford and its sister churches, and very many pro- fessed conversion. More than fifty were added to the membership of the Westford church, which still enjoyed the ministrations of Mr. Storrs. The list of pew-holders* in 1815 indicated a steady growth and material prosperity. The meeting-house was faithfully repaired and made comfortable, and furnished with one of the first stores in the County, the society in 1820 allowing one to be set up and " a fire in the same, provided the expense can be raised by free donation."
The First Baptist church, in the Knowlton neighborhood, after im- proving for two years the gifts of Frederic Wightman, voted to call a council for his ordination :-
" Ashford. First Wednesday in October, 1807. Then met with the church from other churches-Elders Biel Ledoyt, Abel Palmer, Amos Wells, James Grow, David Lillibridge, and ordained our brother, Frederic Wightman, to administer Gospel ordinances. Elder Palmer preached from these words :- ' Hokling forth the word of life ;' Elder Grow offered the consecrating prayer; Elder Wells gave the charge and Elder Lillibridge the right hand of fellow- ship. December 1. The church met according to appointment. Voted, To call Elder Frederic Wightman to administer the ordinances of the Gospel in this church for the future. Even while the fellowship continues between the church and said Wightman."
Elder Wightinan cordially accepted this call. John Weston was chosen to the office of deacon ; Dracon Abraham Weston, church clerk. It was agreed to have four church meetings a year and a com- mittee appointed to look up brothers and sisters that are delinquent In 1813, the Deacons Weston and Amos Knowlton were appointed a
* Dr. Andrew Huntington, Abner Chaffee, Ashael Kendall, David Sears, Amos and Elias Kendall, Ezra Smith, Stephen and Elijah Whiton, Eli Hawes, John Bosworth, Calvin Warren, William Bicknell, Rufus Pearl, Joab Cush- man, Shubael Preston, Joel Ward, Caleb Seagrave, Gurdon Robinson, Phine- has Burchard, Medinah Preston, Peleg Russel, John Loomis, Allen Bosworth, Joseph Woodward, Harvey Preston, Timothy Walker, Johnson Amidon, Boaz Whiton, John Whitmore, Nathan Lamb, Jedidiah Amidon, Josiah and Amos Chaffee.
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committee to sell or exchange the farm that belonged to the society, which was accomplished to general satisfaction. Elder Wightman " continued with this lovely church eleven years. All this time few churches prospered more. A state of perfect harmony the whole time." Justus H. Vinton, afterward missionary in Burmah, was bap- tized by Elder Wightman ; Matthew, son of David Bolles, a useful and honored Baptist minister, received the following certificate from his hand :-
" ASHFORD, May 10, A. D. 1811.
The First Baptist church in Ashford to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bothynia :- These lines may certify that our beloved brother, Matthew Bolles, is in good standing with us, and we recommend him to any church of the same faith and order. And we shall consider him dismissed when joined with you. Also believing to have a public gift that ought to be improved."
Matthew Bolles began to preach at Lyme the following year, and was afterwards widely known as an eloquent and effective preacher. His brother Augustus was ordained pastor of the Baptist church in Tolland in 1814: was afterward for a time editor of The Christian Secretary. Lucins Bolles was early identified with the Foreign Mis- sion work, and served most faithfully and efficiently as the Corres- ponding Secretary of the Baptist General Convention for Foreign Mis- sions. The father of this remarkable ministerial triad-Elder David Bolles-so widely known and honored in Connecticut, rested from his labors in 1807.
In 1816, the First Ashford Baptist church reluctantly resigned Elder Wightman to the church in Upper Middletown, and was not able to in- duce him to return to this field. The Westford Baptist church con- tinued in charge of Elder Rathburn. The North Ashford church was favored for three years with the ministrations of a gifted young brother, William Palner of Hampton, whose winning eloquence at- tracted large and delighted congregations. The society was now able to complete its meeting-honse, adding fourteen new pews to the gal- lery. After an interval of supplies Mr. Stephen Haskel was ordained pastor, "a man of fine personal appearance with a voice of great har- mony and power," when the house was again filled with delighted hearers. Twelve were baptized during the first year of his ministry.
The Methodist society in Eastford gained in strength and popular- ity, and enjoyed the usnal succession of earnest and faithful ministers.
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