History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 38

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506

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During the second decade of the present century some atten- tion was given to manufacturing projects, though this town has never been aroused to conspicuous movements in that direction. 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. After the war of 1812, which by the way had but little effect on this town, a flour- ishing hat manufactory was established here by Luther D. Leach. During this period the men who were conspicuous in town af- fairs, holding different offices of honor and responsibility, were Doctor Brewster, who succeeded Colonel Moseley as town clerk ; Colonel Simons, Roger Clark, John Tweedy, Daniel Searls and John Loomis, serving as selectmen; Philip Pearl, James Burnett, Ebenezer Griffin and Joseph Prentice, as justices; Luther Bur- nett as constable; James Utley and Jonathan Clark, as collectors; Colonel Moseley, Ebenezer Griffin, Roger and Solomon Taintor, William Burnett and Joseph Prentice, as representatives. Mason Cleveland was chosen town clerk in 1825. William Durkee, Ed- mond Badger and Hezekiah Hammond were then selectmen,

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and N. F. Martin, C. Moulton, C. F. Cleveland, Roger Taintor, Daniel Searls and Jonathan Clark, justices of the peace. Later conspicuous men in town offices were Elijah and Lucius Green- slit, William Brown, Harvey Fuller, William Durkee, Alonzo Martin, Charles Griffin, Charles C. Button and William Bennett. Hampton was made a distinct probate district in 1836, and its first probate judge was Edward S. Moseley.

When the era of railroads opened upon the country Hampton was for many years left in the background, other towns more advantageously situated attracting population from towns re- motely situated as this town was. By this means it suffered a decline in business and population. But it was at last brought back again to a favorable standing in the world of modern ac- tivity through the agency of a railroad thoroughfare, the New York & New England, for which auspicious turn in the tide of destiny the town is largely indebted to the untiring energies of its distinguished and influential citizen, Governor Cleveland. This has been the means of giving to the people a business of some importance in the entertainment of summer boarders from the cities. Vicinity to a great railroad which communicates directly with two of the great cities of the country, brings each year a larger number to enjoy the fine air and outlook of Hamp- ton hill, and cordial hospitality of its many agreeable residents.

As early as 1763 a committee was appointed to divide the so- ciety into school districts. Though this body was slow in fulfill- ing its mission, yet in the course of two years the work was done. The First, or Central district, very properly began by "taking in the Reverend Mr. Moseley and ranging so as to take in Mr. Joseph Sessions, and from thence west to . Burnt Cedar swamp, and then following the main stream of Cedar Swamp brook till it comes to the road below Benjamin Burgess', and from thence to said Moseley's." Number Two extended "from old Mr. John Perkins' to Mr. Joseph Burnham's, and all east and south of Cedar Swamp brook." Number Three ran "from Jonathan Holt's, taking in Holt's house, and north, taking in all the in- habitants situated on the road to Mr. Joseph Marsh's, taking in said Marsh's house, and from thence taking in Mr. William Alworth's and James Alworth's house, and ranging north to the easternmost extent of the society." Number Four took in " Mr. Stephen Clark's house, and then south all the inhabitants west of Cedar swamp, and so far as to take in Mr. Jonathan Fish's

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and Mr. David Canada's houses, and so south and west to the ex- tent of the society." School house sites were affixed by William Osgood and Seth Paine of Pomfret, and Benajah Cary of Wind- ham, viz., one in the northeast district near Deacon Griffin's house, and two in the northwest or Fourth district, one nine rods south of William Holt's, another eight rods west of John Ful- ler's. "Eleven months schooling by a master, to be kept in each district according to its list," was thought sufficient for the whole society, and this was supplemented by " school dames" in the summer time for the instruction of the smaller children. A fifth district was set off in 1774 in the northeast section, known as Appaquage. The number of districts was afterward still further increased, so that by 1790 there were eight districts in the town.

When Canada parish was first invested with society privileges it was stipulated that the people of this section should raise a tax among themselves for the support of the ministry of the town equal to the rate of taxation for that purpose in other parts of the town, until they should have a minister of their own. Great difficulty was experienced in enforcing the stipulation, and the subject was repeatedly brought by petitions before the general assembly. As soon as it became practicable a minister was secured, and religious services were held for a time in pri- vate houses, until the erection of a meeting house could be con- summated. In 1722 the services of Reverend William Billings were obtained. He came from Preston, and was a graduate of Yale two years previous. He was formally ordained and in- stalled in June, 1723. A meeting house had been begun and was at this time probably completed sufficiently to be used for public gatherings.

An episode in the ecclesiastical history of this town during the pastorate of Mr. Billings furnishes an example of the im- portance which the people of that day attached to the rampages of the tongue. In 1729 the minister made complaint to the County Association that one of his parishioners had made slight- ing remarks about his preaching. A committee was accordingly appointed, and after successive and various action extending through two or three years the following confession was duly published before the congregation over the signature of the offender :

"I acknowledge before God and this church yt my saying ' I had

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

rather hear my dog bark than Mr. Billings preach,' was a vile and scandalous expression, tending to ye dishonor of our Lord Jesus Christ and his ambassadors, as also of religion in general. I do hereby declare before God and ye church my sorrow and repent- ance for it, humbly asking your forgiveness, and resolve to have a greater watch and guard over my tongue."

Similar confessions were often required of those who had been " overtaken with strong drink," though no censure appears to have been visited upon those old church members who sold or supplied the intoxicants by which the weaker victims were " overtaken."

The pastorate of Mr. Billings closed with his death, May 20th, 1733. One hundred and seventy-two persons had been ad- mitted to the church during his ten years term of service. His successor was Samuel Moseley, of Dorchester, a graduate of Har- vard in 1729, ordained here May 15th, 1734. Mr. Moseley was an able and earnest preacher, dignified in manner and strict in doc- trine and discipline. He was a member of the Windham County Association, though it appears evident that he was not at this time in full sympathy with the ecclesiastical constitution of Con- necticut. When the great revival swept over the county about 1742, he was very active in promoting the work, laboring with great earnestness at home and abroad, and receiving no less than one hundred and twenty-five persons into full communion with his church. He opposed the authority of Consociation and de- clared to the brethren that their church was not under Saybrook Platform and otherwise favored the Separatists' sentiments, but when he foresaw the disastrous consequences which might re- sult from the action of the extreme leaders he became more con- servative in policy, and by such a course doubtless maintained a greater degree of harmony and prosperity in his church than might have been felt had he opposed the revival at first, or kept pace with the extremists in the later stages. The secession from the church toward the Separate churches was much less than in many others. There were, however, a few. Its excel- lent deacon, Thomas Marsh, who for more than twenty years had served the Lord's table, John Hovey and some other promi- nent members were unable to remain in its fellowship and united with the Separate church of Mansfield, which was organ- ized by the Separatists of that town and Windham and vicinity, October 9th, 1745. Soon after this the erection of a new meet-

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

ing house received attention, and while it was under considera- tion the assembly annexed several families, who by location and choice belonged in this connection, to Abington. Vigorous re- monstrances and petitions prevailed with the assembly, however, and twenty-six families thus situated within the bounds of neighboring societies, but in more convenient proximity to this church, were allowed to join with Hampton Society in erecting a meeting house, and be exempted from taxation for similar objects in the societies with which they were legally associ- ated. Thus strengthened, the society was able to com-

plete its meeting house in 1754. It was a substantial struc- ture, fitted to abide for many generations. It was furnished with one of those ornaments peculiar to that time, a "sound- ing board," upon which was inscribed the motto, " Holiness unto the Lord." The seating of this meeting house a few years later gave rise to considerable disturbance. The seating com- mittee had unwisely ordered six persons to sit in one pew, which was regarded as great compressing of the corporal prop- erties and consequent personal dignity of church attendants. The committee had also offended in allowing "men of little or no estate to sit very forward and in high pews," while others of good estate and high in public esteem were com- pelled to take lower seats. Complaint was also made that the galleries were so given over to light-minded youth that the tithing-men were obliged to leave their seats below to pre- serve order in the galleries. Dissatisfaction existed until 1762, when it was voted to sell the pews at public vendue, and this vote, though stoutly opposed by many, was carried out. Twenty- five pews on the floor of the house were sold to the following persons at prices ranging from three up to fourteen pounds : Jeremiah Utley, John Fuller, Hezekiah Hammond, Stephen Durkee, Timothy Pearl, Zebediah Farnham, Ebenezer Hovey, Captain John Howard, Deacon Ebenezer Griffin, Henry Dur- kee, Daniel Farnham, Thomas Stedman, Jr., Isaac Bennett, Jephthah Utley, William Farnham, Joseph Burnham, John Hammond, Benjamin Cheddle, Stephen Arnold, John Sessions, Jonathan Clark, Samuel Fuller, John Smith, Gideon Martin, Isaac Clark. Notwithstanding the fact that many of these men were the leading, solid men of the community, a storm of opposition was aroused, subsequent meetings were held and the matter was finally appealed to the general assembly, and

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by that body the sale of pews was declared null and void. The society now resumed possession of its pews, and a com- mittee was appointed to seat the congregation therein with requisite order and formality. Some degree of harmony seems to have been restored by this action. Repairs were made on the building in 1768, and it was determined to keep pace with the times by giving the building a coat of paint. A commit- tee composed of Captain Kingsbury, Abiel Abbott and Thomas Fuller, was appointed to attend to the business, and they were ordered to "color the same something like the color of Pom- fret meeting house."

In 1769 a strong division of opinion arose between Mr. Moseley and his parishioners, resulting from his exercise of a dictatorial power over the church which he claimed by authority of the Saybrook platform. This platform was not in accord with the general sentiment of the society, but so ingeniously and effect- ually did Mr. Moseley exercise the powers in hand as moderator of all meetings that he defeated the purpose of the church to have a body of ruling elders elected to exercise some of the functions of government. In the contest which followed between pastor and people much bitterness was aroused, and much unchris- tian and discourteous language indulged in. In 1779 a church court before whom the matters were brought gave its verdict of advice, which seems to have been at least outwardly regarded- "never more to revive, nor suffer to be revived, any of those matters of difficulty which have been under the consideration of the council, but to bury this long unhappy contention in ever- lasting oblivion." After this the pastor gained somewhat in the affections of his people, and continued here to the end of life, though for several years he was confined to his bed by rheuma- tism and paralysis. He died July 26th, 1791, in the eighty-third year of his age and the fifty-eighth year of his pastorate. He left two sons and six daughters. During the long period of his incapacity to occupy the pulpit, his place had been often filled by his son-in-law, Reverend Joseph Steward, whose health, however, would not allow him to be inducted as colleague pas- tor. Other young ministers who had assisted during this period were Hendrick Dow, of Ashford, and Ebenezer Fitch, of Canter- bury. After the death of Mr. Moseley, a call was extended to Reverend Ludovicus Weld, of Braintree, and he was accordingly ordained October 17th, 1792. The compliment was paid him

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that he was "especially noted for his skill in composing ser- mons." In 1796 a bell was procured, through the instrumentality of Colonel Moseley, a son of the late pastor. It was ordered that the bell should be rung at noon every day, at nine o'clock every night, at eight o'clock on Saturday nights, and to be tolled for evening meetings and lectures, and to give the day of the month every evening. The deacons at this time were Isaac Bennett and Abijah Fuller, of revolutionary fame. Infirmities brought on by close application and sedentary habits compelled Mr. Weld to seek a dismissal from his charge in 1824. The church almost immediately united in a call to Reverend Daniel G. Sprague, of Killingly, who was installed May 26th of the same year. The interest which Mr. Sprague took in the reform questions which then agitated the public mind made him a valued acquisition to the county ministry. Through his influence a temperance so- ciety was promptly formed and efficiently maintained, although impeded in its growth by the convivialities for which the town had long been noted. In 1837 the meeting house needed re- building or repairing, and the question as to which should be done was in agitation for a long time, but it was decided at last to repair the old house. It was moved to a new site, remodeled and refurnished, and this being done it was dedicated anew May 9th, 1840.

Meanwhile Reverend Daniel G. Sprague was dismissed in 1838, and his successor was called. This was Reverend Daniel C. Frost, who served the church from 1840 to 1841. Reverend Wil- liam Barnes, the sixth pastor of the church, was installed in 1842 and dismissed in 1847. After that date Reverend Richard Woodruff supplied the church for several years. In 1853 Rever- end George Soule was engaged as a supply, and in 1855 he was installed as pastor. During the war he was absent one year as chaplain of the Eleventh Connecticut volunteers, but being dis- charged on account of ill health he returned to his charge here and died in the pastorate in 1867. The eighth pastor was Rev- erend G. J. Tillotson, who was installed in 1873 and dismissed in 1875. Reverend Daniel Denison, a son of this church, began labors here as a supply in August, 1885, and continues at the present time. Two other ministers have grown up from the pale of this church, and are now preaching. They are Reverends A. C. Denison, of Middlefield, Conn., and Sherrod Soule, of Bev- erly, Mass. Although the loss to the church by removal

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and death has been very great, yet its activity and usefulness are remarkably well preserved, as though indeed it was a branch of the true vine of God's own planting.

Several other churches have had more or less of a foothold in this town in past years. In June, 1776, a Baptist church was organized on the border between this town and Abington. One of their number, William Grow, was ordained as their pastor. This church for a time gained in numbers and influence until it included some forty families among its resident attendants. A great scandal is said to have involved its first pastor to such an extent that he was obliged to resign his office and remove to Vermont. Jordan Dodge, Dyer Hebard, and other exhorters, were in the habit of preaching to this flock. Abel Palmer, a brilliant young Baptist of Colchester, supplied the pulpit for a time with satisfaction to the people. In 1794 Peter Rogers was called and settled, and remained in charge for a number of years. The patriarch of this church was its worthy deacon, Thomas Grow, whose name was affixed to the meeting house on Grow hill, built mainly by his efforts. In later years it suffered decline from the lack of stated preaching and the uprising of another religious order in its vicinity. It was, however, much strengthened by the coming of a son of Abington, Elder John Paine, to its pastorate. He was ordained here October 28th, 1819, and at the same time Asahel Elliott and Gurdon Robinson were made deacons. Elder Paine continued in charge until 1827. After his dismissal the church lost ground rapidly, and became extinct about 1844.

The religious order which seemed to be making advance upon the Baptist church near the close of the last century were known as Abbe-ites. They were led by one Joshua Abbe. They were represented as a sect of Baptists, but having no association with any other churches of that name. Their meetings were said to be loud with disorder, men and women speaking two or three or more at the same time, while to complete the confusion, sobs, sighs and groans were thrown in without stint. After a few years this sect gradually gave place to another sect of Christian reformers under the leadership of Elders Smith and Varnum, who obtained a strong foothold here for a time. They at first followed in the footsteps of the 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

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ardent proselytes to Ohio, they renounced these excesses and adopted ordinary forms of worship. Elder Roger Bingham was ordained as a Christian minister (the sect being known by that peculiar hyphenated form of a common word), and offici- ated in the Goshen and Burnham meeting houses, which had been erected for the accommodation of this sect of worshippers. William Burnham served as deacon of the church in his neigh- borhood. Worship was for several years regularly maintained in these houses, but they met their period of decadence and were obliged to give place to others. The Christ-ian church at Howard's Valley, an outgrowth of those just mentioned, was built in 1844. Reverend Isaac Coe, now of New Bedford, Mass., was very active in establishing it, and was the first minister. There have generally been stated services there, though but a small number of worshippers. Not long ago they had a gift of a bell from Gordon W. Burnham, late of New York city, whose parents belonged here. They have also been presented with a cabinet organ by David Clark, of Hartford, whose parents were of the Goshen district. The present pastor of the church is Rev- erend R. H. Nichols.

A large and handsome Roman Catholic church occupies a com- manding position on the crown of the "Hill." It was built in the fall of 1877, and finished in the following spring. An acre of ground was given them for its site by Hon. E. S. Cleveland. The cost of the building was about $4,000. At the time the church was built there were thirty-four families belonging to it. They have lost six families by removals to localities more favor- able to the employment of younger members in factories. For a time there was a resident priest, but services are now con- ducted on alternate Sundays by the priest from Danielsonville. No cemetery has as yet been established here by the sect.

The Hampton Library was begun in 1827. After about three years it was given up and the books were sold. In 1856 an effort was made to revive it, and the books were bought back and a new association was formed. This has continued in tolerably healthy existence until the present time. The library now con- tains eleven hundred volumes, the greater part of which are valuable and solid books-history, biography, science and a healthy mixture of poetry and romance.

Little River Grange, No. 36, was organized at the house of Mr. George M. Holt, in Hampton, December 29th, 1885, with twenty-

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two charter members .. The following officers were chosen at that time: George M. Holt, master; James A. Burnham, over- seer; Mrs. Joseph W. Clark, lecturer; Chester B. Jewett, stew- ard; George H. Kimball, assistant steward; Joseph W. Clark, chaplain; Nathan J. Holt, treasurer ; David P. Weaver, secre- tary ; Jirah F. Hyde, gate-keeper; Mrs. Allen Jewett, Pomona ; Miss Louise Jewett, Flora; Miss May A. Weaver, Ceres : Miss Iola M. Clark, lady assistant. The office of master has been held by George M. Holt, 1886 and 1887; William H. Hammond for 1888; and Nathan J. Holt for 1889. The grange has a member- ship of fifty-four, and holds fortnightly meetings in the town hall, with a good attendance. The membership embraces some of the best farmers of the town and their families. The meet- ings are interesting and their numbers increasing. The present officers are : Nathan J. Holt, master ; Austin E. Pearl, overseer ; Mrs. N. C. Cleveland, lecturer ; Everett O. Elliott, steward ; Jirah F. Hyde, assistant steward ; Albert E. Guild, chaplain ; Horatio Martin, treasurer; Henry Clapp, secretary ; Elmer Jewett, gate- keeper ; Mrs. William H. Hammond, Pomona ; Mrs. George R. Burroughs, Flora ; Mrs. D. P. Weaver, Ceres; Mrs. Leroy Pearl, lady assistant.

Little river in its course through this town has for many gen- erations afforded power for saw mills and other works of mod- erate capacity. Some of these it may be interesting to notice. The saw mill owned by Mr. Andrew M. Litchfield was formerly owned by Mr. Ebenezer Stedman, then by Deacon Thomas Wil- liams, from whom it was purchased by the present owner in 1825. It is located in the Bigelow district. Three men are employed much of the time. About 30,000 feet of lumber are sawed per year. Shingles, shuttles, boards, plank and all kinds of build- ing timber are produced. A grist mill in connection grinds about 1,200 bushels a year. In 1835 a clover mill was also built, in which about 4,000 pounds of seed per annum were hulled and cleaned. This clover mill was carried away by the great freshet of 1877. The business at the present time appears to be in a condition of decline, and the above remarks in regard to its capacity and business apply rather to the past than to the present. Below this mill, near the south line of the town, stood a satinet factory which was run by Moseley & Rocking. The mill was burned several years since, and the site is now occupied by Theodore L. Fuller with a grist mill and, cidér

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mill. Further up the stream, and before we get to Litchfield's mill site, once stood a cotton factory and a saw mill and a grist mill. These were owned by Samuel and Lodowick Wol- cott, and were burned several years since, the site then being abandoned. Above Litchfield's mills we come to the former site of a bark mill, a grist mill and a tannery. This was known as Rockwell's mills. The grist mill is still running, but the other enterprises were destroyed by fire some years since. The next enterprise on the stream above was a com- bination of shingle mill, clover mill, pin manufactory and man- ufactory of German silver spoons. A freshet, probably that of 1877, swept the whole concern away and it has not since been rebuilt. Another saw mill stood next in order up the stream, but has been abandoned. Farther still was once the site of a clover mill owned by Walter Lyon, but that has long since passed away. Another saw mill stands in the south part of the town on Cedar Swamp brook. It is owned by Mr. Joseph Clark.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

EDWARD SPICER CLEVELAND .- The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Hampton, in Windham county, Connecti- cut, on the 22d of May, A. D. 1825. He was the son of the Hon. Mason Cleveland, who was a man of much influence, and uni- versally respected throughout the state, having been both a rep- resentative from his town and a senator from his district, also comptroller of the state and subsequently school fund commis- sioner. He died in the year 1855, soon after the expiration of his term as school fund commissioner. E. S. Cleveland was a nephew of Hon. Chauncey F. Cleveland, also of Hampton, who was repeatedly elected to the legislature and served several terms as speaker of the house, and was governor of the state for two terms, from 1842 to 1844, and subsequently served two terms in congress from the Third congressional district.

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 38

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: New York, Preston Number of Pages: 1506

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506