USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 61
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A second Dr. Joseph Palmer succeeded to the extensive medical practice of his father. His brother was equally well-known as general of the Fifth Brigade and proprietor of one of the popular Turnpike taverns.
A third Dr. Palmer practiced for a time in Ashford and then removed to Canterbury. After a long and useful pastorate, Rev. Philo Judson was released from his charge in Ashford in 1833. His immediate successor, Rev. Job Hall of Pomfret, remained but three years. Rev. Charles Hyde of Norwich was installed as pastor of Ash- ford's First church, February 21, 1838. Matthew Reed and Elisha Byles were chosen deacons in 1825. After the death of Deacon Kendall in 1829, his son of the same name was chosen to fill his place, the third Isaac Kendall who had occupied the deacon's seat, and the fifth of the name in direet succession to ocenpy the Kendall homestead. of 1714. A new meeting-house was erected on the previous site in 1830. Rev. William Storrs remained in charge of the Congregational church in Westford Parish till his lamented decease in 1827. after a pastorate of thirty-four years. His place was worthily filled by Rev. Luke Wood, a successful worker in varions Home Mission fields. After his dismissal in 1831, no stated pastor was ordained for several years, the great emigration from Ashford seriously affecting its numer ons churches.
The First Baptist church enjoyed a revival of its early prosperity under the pastoral care of Dr. Ezekiel Skinner of Lebanon, a man of varied ability and wide-reaching influence. Settling at first as a physi- cian in the little village, then known as Pomfret Hollow, he united the care of this church with professional practice.
" December 3, 1822 .- Then met with the church from other churches, Elders Frederic Wightman, Jonathan Goodwin, David Lillibridge, John Paine and Esek Brown, and ordained our brother Ezekiel Skinner to administer gospel ordinances."
Under such efficient leadership the Baptist interest was greatly strengthened. New members were received into the church and ab- sentees ent off. In 1824, Ashford Baptist Association was organized. A committee to make arrangements met at the house of Dr. Skinner, and its first meeting was held in the Knowlton meeting-house. Ten churches, viz: First and Second Ashford, First and Second Wood- stock. Thompson. Pomfret, Killingly, Tolland. Andover and Stafford- were dismissed from the Sturbridge Association. Sermons appropriate to the occasion were delivered by Elders Bloss and Cushman, and constitution adopted. Third Ashford, Mansfield and Hampton were admitted the following year. Dr. Skinner was a forcible and eloquent preacher, aggressive and radical, a leading Democrat. a co-worker in every progressive and reformatory movement. Under his stimulating
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influence other Ashford young men were roused to join in effort with those previously gone out to labor. November 17, 1825, the First Baptist church voted, "That Brother Justus HI. Vinton has a gift for public improvement as a preacher of the gospel, and that the church will give him a letter to enable him to improve his gift as such wherever there is a door open." A life of most successful missionary work among the Karens of Burmah was the door opened to this gra- ciously gifted youth. Brothers William Chaffee and Amos Babcock were also licensed to preach. Interest in mission work was hightened by the influence of the Bolles brothers, now actively connected with denominational agencies.
Dr. Skinner was much interested in the development of the African race, at home and abroad, and his son, Benjamin Rush Skinner, a most thoughtful and conscientious young man, who had early consecrated himself to mission work, sailed for Liberia in 1830, under appointment of the Baptist Board of Missions, but with wife and child soon fell a victim to the climate. His father, though nearly sixty years of age, felt impelled to occupy the place thus vacated, and in 1834 accom- plished his desire, and labored for four years with great efficiency in Liberia, tending the sick, preaching, and serving as colonial agent and finally as governor, when the whole administration of government rested upon his hands. "Nothing could exceed the energy and in- dustry with which he labored to promote the temporal and spiritual interests of the Colonists." A daughter of like spirit aided him in his labors, and engaged in teaching. Exhausted by such severe labors he returned to Ashford, resuming the charge of the Westford Baptist church, and his professional practice.
The First Baptist church steadily declined after the loss of Dr. Skinner. Elder David Bennet served as pastor for two years-the church manifesting its wonted independence of judgment by voting, "That we disapprove of unscriptural titles to ministers of the Gospel ; also, of the practice of Baptist ministers reading their sermons instead of preaching." Brother Amos Babcock took the place left vacant by Elder Bennet and maintained worship and ordinances. The Westford Baptist church gained ground under the charge of Dr. Skinner, though somewhat reduced by the increasing lapse to the Christ-ian order. A new meeting-house was built in 1840, chiefly by the efforts of Messrs. Michael and Ichabod Richmond, now engaged in a flourishing busi- ness in Westford village. The North Ashford Baptist church after a period of depression was revived through the faithful labors of Elder Leonard Gage. A Sabbath-school was organized, services made more attractive, and soon many were added to the church. The first con- vert baptized by Elder Gage, Isaiah C. Carpenter, became a successful
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minister. Two other young men from the same class in Sabbath-school went ont as evangelists and ministers. Illness and loss of voice com- pelled Elder Gage to retire from active service. but under the charge of faithful men the church maintained standing and influence. A new house of worship was completed in 1843.
Eastford Parish was now agitating the question of local independ- ence, but its aspirations were thwarted through-the influence of Mr. Bulkley and other leading men. Business was thriving and villages building up in this section. Captain Jonathan Skinner's cotton fac- tory gave life to Eastford village ; the Sprague mills were maintained on the site of Phenixville. Tannery works and wagon-making were also carried on, giving employment to many young men, who were less inclined to roving than those in the western section. Eastford was especially noted for its lively and agreeable society, its balls, par- ties and sleigh-rides, and frequent hilarious festivities. This gayety was not incompatible with desire for mental improvement. The school maintained year after year by " Master John Griggs " never lacked intelligent pupils. Nathaniel Lyon and other future notabilities were among the three thousand scholars instructed by this Eastford pedagogue, who is reported to have taught over fifty terms in Ashford and neighboring towns. The temperance cause gained a good stand- ing here. notwithstanding the "strike " in moving the meeting-house. Esq. Bosworth, Mr. Torrey, Captain Nichols, were strong temperance men and used their influence in its behalf. The Congregational church was so fortunate as to retain Rev. Reuben Torrey as their pastor for twenty years. A new house of worship was erected in 1829, after arduous effort. Benjamin Bosworth, John N. Sumner, Calvin Whit- ney and Esek Preston, served as building committee. Claims with dissenters holding rights in the previous honse were peaceably settled and sufficient money subscribed for the new edifice, which was dedi- cated Dec. 23, 1829. The unlucky old meeting-house, left by Tem- perance volunteers at the foot of the hill, was caught by a storm and ice-bound through the winter, obstructing travel till people talked of petitioning for an Act of Legislature "forbidding meeting-houses to ran the roads." A legacy of a thousand dollars was left by Esq. Bos- worth to help support a settled orthodox minister approved by Conso- ciation. Methodists had become so numerous that Ashford cirenit was instituted in 1826. The refusal of the Congregationalists to allow their new church edifice to a distinguished Universalist minister, in- cited his followers to nite with the Methodists in building a house for their joint accommodation. A Methodist society was located in East- ford village in 1831, and a chapel built the same year, nsed alternately by Methodists and Universalists.
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VII.
WOODSTOCK. THOMPSON.
W OODSTOCK was chiefly occupied these years in building meeting-houses and carrying forward religions and secular controversies. The Dudley-land Claim was happily settled in her favor by the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1822-the first case carried up from Windham Courts to this tribunal. The defendants secured the services of a rising Boston lawyer, Daniel Webster, to plead their canse. promising him a thousand dollars if they gained a favorable verdict. The trial was not only memorable for the magnitude of interests involved in it, but for its connection with the death of the " distinguished orator, lawyer and statesman," William Pinkney of Baltimore, who argued against Webster. While "exerting himself in the discussion of a great cause before the Supreme Court," he was stricken down by sudden illness and lived but a few days. Woodstock was also deeply interested in the long delayed settlement of the boundary line between Connecticut and Massachusetts, accomplished in 1826. Ebenezer Stoddard, Moses Warren and Andrew T. Judson served as commissioners for Connec- tient. Jonathan Nichols of Thompson, surveyor. The bound estab- lished in 1834, was maintained as far as practicable.
West Woodstock was first in the field in securing its meeting-house. At a meeting held at the tavern of Abiel Fox, November 29, 1819, John Austin. Andrew Williams. Ebenezer Stoddard, Jacob Child. Elias Child, 2d, Eleazer Litchfield, Lathrop Clark, Benjamin Lyon, 2d, John Chandler, were chosen to fix a place for meeting-house : Darius Barlow, John Fox, Abram W. Paine, Elias Child, 2d. Benjamin Lyon. 2d, to circulate subscriptions. A site between the elm tree and house of Abram W. Paine, was designated and accepted, and some twenty-four hundred dollars promptly subscribed. Benjamin E. Palmer, Brooklyn, agreeing to build the house for $3.100. farther sub- scriptions were obtained. The good, genial minister. Mr. Underwood, appropriated his year's salary for the meeting-house. To Ebenezer Skinner, Benjamin E. Palmer, William Lyon was assigned the responsible duty " to stick the corner stakes for the foundation." The building committee " having taken upon them the burden " of viewing the site. were constrained to make it front more easterly. This being accepted the work went on rapidly. marred only by an unfortunate casualty and loss of life at the raising, and the new house was ready for dedication in the autumn of 1821. The number of choristers was now reduced to five; treble singers seated in the north half of
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
the front gallery : tithing-men to eject boys from side gallery seats east of the separation. . In the following year a new bell was procured by subscription. and Gordon Marcy appointed to ring bell. unlock meeting-house and sweep once a month for $4.80 a year, taking twenty-five cents tollage for each mortuary tolling. The First church began its work with equal harmony and spirit, May 21, 1821. voted to accept of the plan for a new meeting-house-Captain William Lyon, General David Holmes and William K. Greene, committee to superin- tend the building : Rhodes Arnold and James Lyon, to take down the old house in a prudent manner. so that everything valuable may be saved : Jedidiah Kimball, to procure subscriptions to defray expenses of building. Four June days were devoted by the society to gratuit- ous labor upon the foundation. Pausing through haying. in August they proceeded to prepare for the raising, voted to have a dinner on the common for those who assist and for spectators. to be furnished by donation, and to accept Mr. William Bowen's proposal to give a supper the first day and a dinner the second to the workers ; also. to give eighty-nine cents a gallon for the necessary spirit and eighteen cents a pound for loaf sugar. Provision was made for transporting Captain Babcock and an assistant with blocks and ropes from Norwich and back. Punctually. at 7 A. M .. August. 1821, the citizens assembled from all parts of the town. and after an opening prayer from Mr. Lyman. proceeded to business. Again the second day they assembled with equal alaerity. food and spirits holding out with the workmen, "and finished raising about noon-and in view of the goodness of God in preserving the lives and limbs of all those who were engaged in this perilous business the meeting was closed by prayer and an anthem of thanksgiving." Gratuitous service was again rendered in November, when the society met several times at a place called the Ilearthstone Lot for the purpose of getting out door-stones for the meeting-house. Notwithstanding this auspicious inauguration the work was delayed. Money and patience gave out. In December. 1821, " the vote was unanimous in favor of Mr. Lyman's continuance among this people as a gospel minister," and his contribution, and promised deductions from his salary were received with thanks. Difficulties, however. almost immediately followed. A back debt was due hin as well as heavy bills for the meeting-house. the bell purchased of the academy was to be recast, disaffected members withdrew names and help. and the society fairly broke down under its burdens. Feeling unable to fulfill the contract with Mr. Lyman, they desired him now to ask his dismission that he might be employed in a place more profitable to himself. Some time passed before these difficulties were surmounted. Mr. Lyman declined to desert the post to which the
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Great Head of the church had assigned him, choosing to remain at least till another minister or colleague had been engaged. The defi- ciency of $1.300 was made up in part by the liberality of members of the society and a committee appointed to make arrangements for dedicating the meeting-house. Toted, "That Mr. Flynn be requested to select such tunes as he may think proper. and with the rest of the singers learn and sing them on the day of dedication." Thursday, July 11, 1822, was selected for this interesting service. James Lyon, Dr. Daniel Lyman, John McClellan, Esq., Spalding Barstow and Rhodes Arnold, had charge of seating the congregation. The thanks of the society were formally tended to Mr. William Flynn and his asso- ciates for their good performance on the day of dedication and at other times ; also to Major George Holbrook, for his liberality in casting the bell and making gratuitons addition. A communion table was given by Jedidiah Kimball : ladies of the society with their accustomed public spirit had assumed " dressing the pulpit." Mr. Lyman was dismissed from his charge, December 15, 1824, after some farther unpleasantness concerning remuneration for his closing years of service. William W. Hunt and Tertius S. Clarke supplied the pulpit for a time, and each declined to assume the pastorate. Ralph S. Crampton of Madison, was ordained and installed pastor, May 23, 1827.
Woodstock's Third or North Society indulged in two new meeting- honses. Its northern and southern residents favored different locations, and the ensuing "contention was so sharp between them" that like Paul and Barnabas they parted company. It is said that the original disagreement concerning its site had never been forgotten. and that the children had been trained to hold fast to the traditions and feuds of their ancestors. The northern residents took the initiative in building a new church edifice upon their own responsibility at Village Corners, in 1830, and by most urgent efforts secured from the society and church a vote to occupy this house, and took posses- sion of the same with church and society records. The Muddy Brook residents claimed that these votes were unlawfully obtained. and the pretended transfer a fraud and usurpation. A meeting of the County Association was called, April 19, 1831. The Rev. Messrs. Dow, Lane, Underwood, Whitmore, Sprague. Rose, Platt, Fitch, Torrey and Atwood were present. Denison Wattles served as counsel for the plaintiff's ; Asa Child, recently admitted to the bar, defended the claims of North Woodstock. Question before the council :-
" Which part of the church that choosing to remain at the East or old meeting-house, or that choosing to assemble at the West or new meeting- house habitually for worship and ordinances, is, or shall remain the church ?
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HISTORY OF WINDIIAM COUNTY.
After due hearing the council decided :- Whereas it appears that at the meeting when the vote was taken to remove to the new meeting-house three of those who voted in favor of removing were minors, and two others were non-residents, and whereas in our opinion a church ought not to be moved by a bare majority-therefore, Resolved, That the Congregational church in North Woodstock has not been divided nor removed."
Committees appointed to attempt to effect a union were wholly unsuccessful. The North Woodstock branch retained the records and gained a legal verdict. A council called to ordain Foster Thayer as their pastor. June 29, 1831, recognized it as a distinet church. and its delegate. Mr. Peleg Child, was admitted to a seat in Consociation the same year. One unhappy result of this "ever-to-be-lamented difficulty " was the loss of an excellent minister, Rev. Samuel Backus, dismissed in 1830. The ninety-four church members left in Muddy Brook met the situation with much spirit, proceeding to erect another edifice on the site for which they had so bravely battled. The ordin- ary dedication services, April 25, 1832, were made more impressive by the ordination of Orson Cowles to the vacant pastorate. '
The Baptists during this period erected a house of worship in South Woodstock, removing their church organization from Qnasset. Brother John Sanger, chosen to take the place of Deacon Wheaton on account of his advanced age and infirmities, was approbated as a lincentiate in 1831, the church manifesting that they were edified under his improve- ment. Elder Albert Cole, served as pastor for some years. Previous to its removal the church was greatly redneed in numbers, having suffered much from the lapse of its members "to the sentiments and practices of a people called Millerites." West Woodstock Baptist church suffered a period of depression after the removal of Elder Branch, but enjoyed a remarkable revival season in 1824. when sixty were added to its membership. Among these converts was one most useful and honored in after life. Calista Holman, who as the wife of the Ashford licentiate. Justus H. Vinton, accomplished a most efficient missionary work in Burmah. Continued prosperity was enjoyed during the nine years' pastorate of Rev. George B. Atwell. Another powerful revival was experienced in 1834. under his successor, Rev. Nathan D. Benedict. The pastorate of Rev. Bela Hicks, 1840-43, " was also one of prosperity and success." Universalists in Wood- stock, long connected with the Oxford Society, insisted in a local organization in 1839. Charles Wood, George Sumner, John G. Marey, John Fox, John Weaver, committee. A house of worship was soon erected and public services maintained. A Methodist class formed in East Woodstock, in 1827, prepared the way for a located society in 1846.
Woodstock's ecclesiastie harmony was seriously affected by the Ma-
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sonic excitement. which raged therein with nousnal violence. leading to the dismissal of Mr. Crampton from the First church, and the suspen- sion and censure of prominent church members. William K. Green, then engaged in business on Woodstock Hill, was a valiant champion of Anti-masonry. Interesting conventions were held upon the Hill, largely attended by Anti-masons from all parts of the County. Rev. Daniel Dow's sermon upon the text -" If ye will inquire. inquire ye "- a very temperate and logical plea for liberty of inquiry into the princi- ples and practice of Masonry. as of other popular organizations -was severely censured by Masons, while Masonic utterances were denounced with even greater bitterness by their opponents. The spirit with which belligerents carried on this most vituperative warfare is suf ficiently illustrated by the remark of a prominent Anti-mason-" That it was a question with him whether an adhering Mason should be al- lowed to draw water out of his well." Few controversies have called out deeper personal animosities or accomplished less obvious results, except in its connection with political changes and developments. The old Toleration Party, through which Ebenezer Stoddard. Esq .. had served four years in Congress, was now defunct and many of its former supporters were prominent Anti-masons and Democrats. Esq. Stoddard was elected Lieut .- governor in 1833-35. and subsequent years. John F. Williams, who still practiced his profession in West Wood- stock. was also a leader in the Democratic ranks. His brother, Jared W. Williams, who had settled in Lancaster, N. H .. gained much political influence. filling the offices of governor. congressional repre- sentative. and senator. Amasa, grandson of Capt. Phinehas Walker, after successfully engaging in business in West Brookfield and Boston, had turned his thoughts to questions of political economy and pro- gressive science. His cousins. Reverends Charles and Aldace Walker, had won a high position among the ministry of Vermont. Willard, son of Deacon Luther "Child. was also a successful pastor. Asa and Linus, sons of the much-respected Rensellaer Child. Esq .. after gradu ating from Yale College, engaged successfully in legal practice in Nor- wich and Southbridge. Their younger brother remaining in Wood- stock was an active Democrat. and so prominent in the Muddy Brook meeting-honse controversy that people thought his name must have been prophetically suggested .- " And they called his name Peleg : for in his days was the earth divided." Esquire Mcclellan. now advancing in years. was less prominent in politics, but continued his various pro fessional and public services, and by his courteous manners and tem- pered judgment exercised a healthful and beneficent influence, soften- ing the asperities that were wont to prevail in this town. John Paine. Sen., appointed judge of the Woodstock Probate Court in
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
1831, was much respected as one of the sterling men of the town. Amos Paine was an influential and public-spirited citizen. noted for "open-handed generosity." He was the especial friend and patron of Woodstock's few remaining Indians, who knew that food and shelter could always be found at his ample farm-house. The Nedson family still occupied their reservation near Hatchet Pond. swingling flax, chopping wood, weaving baskets and chair-bottoms, when not too full of liquor. It was perhaps one of the progenitors of this family who shouldered a barrel-full of cider and trudged home with it. A pail- full at a gulp was nothing for them. One by one they succumbed to drink or disaster. Jim Nedson was killed by a falling tree : his aged mother Meribah was thrown in the fire by a drunken savage. John, the last survivor, ended his days at the town poor-house, and the land they had so long oeenpied was sokl by the town authorities.
Cotton and woolen manufacturing enterprises were not particularly successful in Woodstock, suffering severely from stress of freshet or business panic. Other industries met with better fortune. A carriage manufactory was initiated at Village Corners in 1835 by L. M. Deane and Co., which became very celebrated. Occupying at first the former foundry building and batting-mill, it soon demanded especial accommodations. Messrs. Lane, Morse, Torrey and Ezra C. Deane, were successively partners in this establishment, which achieved a high reputation. supplying a large section with excellent wagons and carriages. Woodstock also engaged with much zeal in the shoe- manufacture, so popular for a time in rural New England. Lyman Sessions in West Woodstock, the brothers P. O. and Z. D. Wight in Woodstock Valley, employed very many masculine and feminine hands in closing and binding shoes. A great amount of leather was furnished from Mr. Elias Mason's extensive tannery, which flourished greatly for a time. The financial storm of 1837 prostrated Sessions and Wight, but the carriage factory and tannery managed to weather it, and continued to furnish employment. Amasa Carpenter and others engaged later in shoe business, which flourished to such an ex- tent that Woodstock in 1845 reported the manufacture of 5,651.580 pairs of shoes and fifty bushels of shoe pegs, accomplished by 4,918 males ; 4,907 females. Six thousand wooden pails were also reported. Sewing-silk and thread were manufactured. The little Baptist meet- ing-house in Quasset was transformed into a twine factory. Pottery- making was kept up until the death of Mr. Thomas Bugbee in 1843. William Bowen, Esq., died in 1837, his son George succeeding to his various business and public offices. Rev. Eliphalet Lyman died in 1836. Rev. John D. Baldwin, who succeeded Mr. Underwood at West Woodstock. did good service in collating and preserving the
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