USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Woodbury > History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut : from the first Indian dead in 1659 to 1854 > Part 23
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"A destiny for us may be predicted far more glorious than ever the most illustrious days of Greece or Rome, or even the bright British Isles have gloried in. The day may not be distant, when America, compared with England, shall be as a fair and blooming daughter beside an old and decrepid mother." In the spirit of liberty lies the secret of the present aspect of mankind. Exalted indeed is the posi- tion of the men of the nineteenth century. They stand amid the mighty ruins of the past, while the clear light of liberty has just dawned in full effulgence upon the world. Every thing proceeds with the utmost velocity, and one must cast himself upon the rolling flood, and rule and direct the storm, or be overwhelmed by it. " For them has been reserved the glorious yet perilous task of remodelling society-for them a vital share in the final regeneration of mankind." Their trust is in the lofty patriotism and intelligence of the people, and they are cheered on by the hope that the perfection of humanity, having sought in vain throughout the whole world for a permanent resting place, may liere, in this western land, take up its final abode.
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CHAPTER XI.
HISTORY OF SOUTHBURY AND SOUTH BRITAIN ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETIES, AND THE TOWN OF SOUTHIBURY.
1731 To 1853; PETITION FOR A SOCIETY, 1730; INCORPORATED IN MAY, 1731; 63 REMONSTRATE AT THE NEXT SESSION ; FIRST MEETING HOUSE IN WHITE OAK, 1735; REV. JOHN GRAHAM SETTLED, 1732 ; LIST OF FIRST CHURCH MEMBERS ; CHARACTER OF MR. GRAHAM ; METHOD OF SINGING ; REV. BEN- JAMIN WILDMAN SETTLED IN 1766; SECOND CHURCH FINISHED, 1772; CHURCH BELL OBTAINED IN 1775; MR. WILDMAN'S CHARACTER AND DEATH; REV. ELIJAH WOOD SETTLED, 1813; REV. DANIEL A. CLARK SETTLED, 1816; REV. THOMAS L. SHIPMAN, 1826; REV. WILLIAMS II. WHITTEMORE SETTLED, 1836 ; PULPIT NOW SUPPLIED BY REV. GEORGE P. PRUDDEN ; LIST OF DEA- CONS ; SOUTH BRITAIN PETITIONS FOR WINTER PRIVILEGES, 1761, WHICH ARE GRANTED ; INCORPORATED AS A SOCIETY, MAY, 1766; FIRST MEETING HOUSE, 1770; REV. JEHU MINOR SETTLED AND CHURCHI GATHERED, 1769; SETTLE- MENT OF MINISTERS-REMARKS ; LIST OF FIRST CHURCH MEMBERS; REV MATTHIAS CAZIER SETTLED, 1799; REV. DR. TYLER SETTLED, 1SOS, AND DISMISSED, 1822; REV. NOAH SMITH SETTLED, 1822; REV. OLIVER B. BUT- TERFIELD SETTLED, 1S37; REV. AMOS E. LAWRENCE SETTLED, IS51; LIST OF DEACONS; TOWN OF SOUTHBURY INCORPORATED, 1787; PRESENT STATE OF THE TOWN; CENSUS.
FOR a period of more than fifty-seven years after the first settle- ment of Pomperaug, the inhabitants had formed but one ecclesiastical society. On the day of sacred rest and on other occasions, our fathers, the hardy pioneers in this forest town, had assembled at the old meeting-house of the "ancient society" in this lovely valley, and offered up their devotions to the ever-living God as an "undivided whole." For six or eight miles in all directions, these men of God descended from the breezy, life-invigorating hills, and emerged from their rural homes in the sweet vallies, hastening "to the temple" to worship the benign Ruler of the universe. In storm and in sunshine, in summer's heat and winter's cold, they paid this "debt of duty," and forgot not the " assembling of themselves together." Amidst the wilds they sung the high praises of the Great Creator, and the stars
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heard and the lea! Their affections during this long period had en- twined themselves around the "old sanctuary." They loved their aged pastor, and scarcely the great inconveniences of the remote parts of their town could induce them to think of forming new socie- ties, and new church relations.
But the time at length came, when it seemed necessary to many to separate from the "ancient society," and attempt the formation of a new one, so that a place of worship might be obtained in a location which would better accommodate them. By a petition sent to the May session of the General Assembly, 1730, we learn that early in 1718, upon the question arising whether the first meeting-house "should be added to, or a new one built," it was agreed after consid- erable discussion, that all should unite in repairing the old house, and that at the end of twelve years, the inhabitants of the south part of the town should have liberty with the consent of the legislature, to become a distinct ecclesiastical society, and the inhabitants of the north part by a previous agreement, were to have a like liberty in twelve years from 1716. They therefore say that having complied with the terms of the agreement on their side, and the time having expired they wish to be incorporated into a society accordingly, es- pecially " the old meeting-house being gone to decay and now not big enough to accommodate the inhabitants of sd Town." They also desire " that the line to divide them may be the same that divides their Train Bands." This petition was signed by "Titus Hinman, Sen, Benjamin Hicock, and Andrew Hinman in behalf of the Rest."! A committee was appointed to "view the circumstances and report." This committee having attended to the duties of their ap- pointment, reported favorably, and the second ecclesiastical society in Woodbury was incorporated and called Southbury, May, 1731.
This act was displeasing to many in both societies. Accordingly a petition signed by thirty-three persons in the north, or " ancient soci- ety," and thirty in Southbury society, was preferred to the October session of the Assembly, in 1731, asking for a reconsideration of the vote incorporating the new society. They assign as reasons,
1. The north society is left very narrow.
2. Mr. Toucey, one of the committee, is interested, "having a large farm near the center of the new society."
3. They allege, among other things, that those of the south society who must bear half of the burden and expenses, are averse to the
1 State Archives; Ecclesiastical, vol. 5, p. 193, et seq.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT .WOODBURY.
separation, and live as near the old house as the proposed new one. Besides they " have Lived under ye Ministry of the present Minister " (Mr. Stoddard) with very Great Delight for nearly 30 years whom they chose and Stipulated with, and are of opinion they ought not to be forced to break off from and forsake their Minister."
4. The south society will not harmonize.
5. It would be a great " hardship to the ancient minister to pluck up stakes and move, or travel far."
6. The town, in the vote alluded to, did not contemplate a forcible separation.
The signers of this petition, who lived in the new society were William Preston, Peter Minor, Hezekiah Culver, Samuel Sherman, Adino Strong, Sen., Andrew Ward, Thomas Squire, Josiah Minor, David Squire, Isaac Knowles, Richard Peet, Ephraim Tuttle, Na- than Curtiss, Nathaniel Hurlbut, Samuel Waller, Lemuel Wheeler, John Curtiss, Jr., Caleb Wheeler, Thomas Knowles, John Crissy, Matthew Mitchell, Adino Strong, Jr., John Curtiss, Jr., Benjamin Wheeler, John Squire, Ezra Sherman, Joseph Tuttle, Sarah Wheel- er, Sarah Curtiss, (widow,) David Carman.
The Woodbury signers were Joseph Minor, Zechariah Walker, Joseph Judson, Samuel Bull, Jonathan Atwood, Stephen Terrill, Valentine Prentice, Nathan Hurd, Samuel Galpin, Alexander Ale- horn, Jonathan Mitchell, David Hurd, John Nichols, Caleb Martin, Robert Warner, Isaac Peet, Samnel Martin, Eliakim Stoddard, John Mitchell, Jr., Knell Mitchell, Roger Terrill, Timothy Minor, David Mitchell, Zadock IIurd, Ephraim Minor, Widow Sarah Judson, Pe- ter Walker, Joseph Roots, John Roots, Elizabeth Squire, Samuel Minor, Thomas Minor, Joseph Martin.
The Assembly took the petition into consideration, but negatived its prayer. During the same session, however, it was proposed and passed in the " Upper House," that the dissatisfied members of the south society might return to the old society again, but the "Lower House" dissented. At the May session of next year, twenty-three persons in the south, and twenty-seven in the north renewed their petition for a reconsideration of the act of incorporation. Taking into consideration " the unhappy differences," the Assembly appointed James Wadsworth, Esq., Capt. Thomas Wells and Capt. Isaac Dike- man a committee to " view the circumstances," hear grievances, ex- amine location, and report. This committee reported at the October session, 1732, that there was no hope of healing the differences in the south society. "On the whole" they say, "we are forced to look
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
upon Woodbury in two societies : and as to the northers society, we suppose them well agreed and at unity among themselves, but very much to the contrary in the southern society." Though there was more than one-half, there was nothing like two-thirds of them, who can agree to settle a minister, build a meeting-house, and carry on the other necessary business pertaining to a society. But they could not persuade them to go back to the old society. For these reasons they . proposed a new division-line farther south, and that the first society should pay the south £200, and if the south society did not then agree to said proposals within five months, and " go forward as a society," then they should be united again and " meet in ye old Meet- ing House as formerly." The Assembly, on this report being made, raised the amount to be paid to £300, including £55, 10s. subscribed by individuals, and then passed the proposition into a law. At the same session, the two honses were informed that Southbury society had voted to build a meeting-house, and asked a committee to locate the same according to law. For some reason the houses disagreed as to the men to be appointed, and nothing was done in the premises.
On the 29th of November, 1732, the society voted unanimously " except one man" to build a meeting-house, and asked a committee of location, upon which William Hicock, Joseph Lewis and Thomas Clark were appointed to perform that duty. Having examined the premises, the committee located the house May, 1733, " at a stake picht Down on a hill Between Lient. Andrew Hinman's Heirs, and the house that was Elnathan Strong's," and reported the same, May. 1733, to the Assembly, which accepted the report and established the location. The place thus established was the point of land between the two highways, nearly in front of the White Oak school-house.
The society voted to build a house forty-six feet in length by thir- ty-five in width, with twenty-three feet posts. Deacon Benjamin Hicock, Richard Brownson, Moses Johnson, Solomon Johnson and Noah Hinman were appointed a committee " for carrying on the building of the Meeting House." The committee represented to the General Assembly that the new line established by it, in accordance with the report of the committee appointed to determine the bounda- ries, cut off half of the grand list of the society, as at first established leaving it a list of but £2,000, and that they had laid two taxes of Is. and 2 s., which were inadequate to defray the expenses. Besides, the north society claimed the " Parsonage Lands" lying in Southbury, and liad leased them. They therefore asked a " comtee and liberty to lay a land tax," but the motion was denied. October 19th, 1733, the
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
clerk of the society reported to the Assembly that the house was raised, and the materials procured for completing the same. The committee, at the same session, petitioned for a land tax of one penny on the acre, which was granted. In October, 1735, the clerk reported that the house was covered, some of the glass and two doors put in, and " most of the under floors" had been laid, "So that it is in some measure comfortable to attend ye worship of God in." Three years later, October 1738, he again reports that little progress had been - made in completing the house, which he said was to be attributed "not to the want of a willing mind, but to the smallness of numbers and other burdens." The committee stated, that by the last line established for their society, they were left with only twenty-eight families, and they were unable to finish their meeting-house, which had no pulpit, or proper seats, and that their minister's rate was very heavy. They asked the "benefit of the County rate," but it was de- nied them. At what precise time the house was entirely finished is not now known-probably not till several years after this date. It was used as a church more than forty years. It will be noted that the clerk reported the house to the Assembly as "comfortable" when it had only been covered, and had a part of the ground floor laid. A very good idea of what our fathers denominated " comfortable," may be gained, when we consider that the idea of warming a meeting- louse had at that day never entered the minds of men. It would have been a difficult task, as stoves were then unknown. In the state it was then in, it could not have been as comfortable as an ordinary barn. It is difficult for us of the present day to obtain a just conception of the extreme trials, difficulties and privations of those early times.
Notwithstanding these difficult circumstances, as soon as remon- strances to the establishment of the society ceased, they proceeded at once, November 29th, 1732, to call and settle a minister. They voted him a respectable salary for the times, and made other provis- ions for his comfortable maintenance, as will be seen by the follow- , ing votes :
" Nov. 29, 1732. Votes Respecting the calling and settling a Minister in Southbury.
" 1. Voted to give the Reverend Mr John Graham now present amongst us a call to the work of the ministry amongst us, and to take the pastorall charge of the church in Southbury, with the approbation of the Reverend association in Farefield County.
" 2ly. Voted that we will give the Reverend Mr Graham for his incourage- ment to settle amongst us that orchard of capt titus Hinman's which was for-
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
merly the orchard of Samuel Hinman of Woodbury Deet with one acre of that land of Wait Hinman's next adjoining to it, also a building on sd land, a dwelling house two stories high forty foots long and twenty foots wide, and to finish ye out side complete, and to finish the inclosing fences with the chimneys. " 3.ly. Voted to give the Reverend Mr Graham as a yearly salary one hundred Pounds, pr year to be payed in money or provissions at the markitt price.
" 4;ly. Voted that the Rend Mr Graham shall have the use of the parsonage lands within this parish during his life, or ministry amongst us."
On being informed of these votes, while the society meeting was still in session, Mr. Graham suggested some verbal alterations in the second and fourth votes, which were adopted by the meeting, and Mr. Graham's answer to their call was immediately sent in, a copy of which follows :
" To the inhabitants of Southbury in their present meeting by adjournment December 19th, 1732: Grace and peace be multiplied : Dearly beloved foras- much as your Comtt have in your name and no doubt by your order, called and invited me to settle with you in the sacred work of the gospel minstry : I : must say that as our first coming together was wholly providential and your vote of the call clear and unanimous : and hoping ye sincerity of your aim att the glory of God and the spiritual and eternal good of yourselues and children : I : have Reason in these Regards to look upon it: as a call from the great Lord of the haruest and therefore : tho : I : must acknowledge myself weak and in- sufficient for ye great work whereunto: 1: am ealled yet through Christ strengthening me : (I know) : I: can do all things and therefore pray that his grace may be sufficient for me and his Divine strength be perfect in my weak- ness : (I hope) : your continual fervent prayer to the God of all grace for me :=: I: return you humble and hearty thanks for the generous offers you have made me of the severall good things for the support of me and my family, and do hereby accept the votes of your meeting November : 29th last past with ye limitation and alteration, which in your present adjourned meeting you have made of the second and fourth votes : upon my own request, and do hereby declare against accepting them otherwise than with such alterations : Now that ye God of all peace may be with you and succeed all your lawfull and landa- ble endeauers for the establishment of his gospel ministry and ordinances amongst you, that he may graciously fit you for and bountfully bestow upon you all those great and inestimable blessings and privileges which render you capable of gloryfying his name here and fitt you for the enjoyment of himself as your everlasting portion hereafter, is the hearty desire and shall be (I hope) : the constant prayer of your most affectionate friend and serut in the Lord : " Southbury : December : 19th : 1732."
John graham ..
The house thus furnished Mr. Graham stood on the site now oc- cupied by the residence of Mrs. Whitlock. The salary given to
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
him by the preceding vote was £100 per annum. Next year it was raised to £130, and it was gradually increased afterward, as the cur- rency varied in value till 1747, when it was £400. In 1748, it was again reduced to :£100. At a meeting of the society held January 22d, 1753, it was voted
" That they would give the Red Mr Graham, as a yearly salary for preaching the gospel among us so long as he shall remain our minister the full sum of one hundred and ten pounds to be paid in the following manner, viz : in good wheat at six shillings per bushel, in rie at four shillings per bushel, in indian corn at three shillings per bushel, or in Money Equivalent to the aforesaid spe- cies at the aforesaid prices ; and a sufficiency of firewood delivered at the said Mr Graham's Door."
On being informed of the vote of the society, Mr. Graham replied as follows :
" I thankfully accept the above agreement and vote, and take satisfaction therewith as witness my hand.
" John Graham."
On the 31st of December, 1764, it was by the society
" Voted, that whereas the Reverend Mr. Graham, by reason of age and In- firmity of body at present is incapable of supplying the pulpit, and likely never will be able for the future to supply the same," that certain persons named be a " Committee in behalf of this Society to confer with Mr. Graham, and see if they can agree with him upon a sutable support for him during his life."
The committee effected an arrangement with him, and immedi- ately proceeded to settle a colleague, as will presently be seen.
Immediately after the settlement of Mr. Graham, measures were taken to " embody into church estate," and take their proper position among sister churches. This was accomplished Jan. 17th, 1733, and the following is a list of the first members :- Rev. John Graham, Capt. Titus Hinman, Deac. Benjamin Hicock, John Pierce, Nathan- iel Sanford, Sen., Ephraim Hinman, Ebenezer Squire, Joseph Hin- man; Richard Brownson, Deac. Noah Hinman, Lieut. Andrew Hin- man, Titus Hinman, Jr., Solomon Johnson, Stephen Hicock, Timo- thy Brownson, Thomas Drakely, Roger Karby, Ebenezer Down, Nathaniel Sanford, Jr., Abigail Brownson, Hannah Hicock, Eliza- beth Hinman, Abigail Graham, Mary Hinman, Maney Hinman, Eleanor Squire, Mary Brownson, Hester Hinman, Bethia Sanford, Prudence Johnson, Comfort Pierce, Sarah Ilinman, Dinah Down, Bethiah Ilicock, Maney Johnson, Sarah Hinman, Eunice Drakely, Sarah Porter, Abigail Brownson, Ann Hinman, Lois Hicock.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
" The abovesaid Persons were the first members of the Church of Christ in Southbury. The males were embodied into Church estate on Wednesday ye 17th of Janry, 1731, being also ye Day whereon the Gospel ministry was settled in Southbury, and the females admitted on ye 25th of said month."
From what has preceded and will follow, we perceive that Mr. Graham had preached to the people of Southbury from his ordina- tion early in 1733, to the month of August, 1766, or thirty-three years. He had previously preached some twenty-one years at other places before removing to Southbury. At the latter date, being borne down by severe bodily disease, it had become necessary to set- tle a colleague with him, which was accordingly done. Ile came to this field of labor ere it was fully a place for the laborer, but strength grew out of weakness. The new church prospered under his care. During his ministry, 300 members were received into its folds, and 827 persons were by him baptized. At its organization, Benjamin Hicock and Noah Hinman were appointed deacons. Whether there were changes in this office during the period of his labors, does not now appear, on account of the defectiveness of the church records. Ile ever maintained the affection of his parishioners, even after bod- ily infirmity rendered his further ministrations to them impossible. He lived with his people till 1774, when he was "gathered to his fathers," and slept in peace, after bearing the "glad tidings of the gospel" for the space of 54 years.
Mr. Graham was settled in Stafford, before his removal to South- bury, as we learn from an entry in his own hand-writing, the first passage of which is here inserted :
" On Tuesday, December ye isth 1722, Mr. John Graham, a candidate for ye ministry (from Ireland) in his travels from ye eastern parts of N. England (where he had preached some years) into this Colony of Connecticut, was prov- identially cast into this town of Stafford, where he tarried that night, and next morning being Invited by Mr. Josiah Standish (one of the committee) he preached there the next Sabbath."
His settlement over the church immediately followed. By the same minutes we learn, that he had preached at Exeter, N. H., " some years" before removing to Stafford. By his tombstone we are informed that he died in the eighty-first year of his age, and the fifty-fourth of his ministry.1 Ile preached in Stafford and Southbury
1 The whole inscription reads-" In truth at best-here lies the Rev. John Graham, who departed this life, December 11th, A. D. 1774 in the 81st year of his age and 54th of his ministry."
5
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
forty-five years, and by his own entry it appears, that he had preach- ed " some years" before coming to the former place. For more than eight years before his death, he was unable to perform pastoral la- bors. Before entering the ministry he had been educated in Scot- land, as a physician, and entered on the practice of that profession, but was induced to relinquish it and become a clergyman. It is not known whether this change occurred before, or after he came to this country. Mr. Graham was a descendant of the Duke of Montrose, as appears by the grave-stone erected to the memory of his son, Doct. Andrew Graham, one of the first physicians in Southbury society, by John A. Graham, LL. D., a lawyer in the city of New York. Hon. John Lorimer Graham, a lawyer of the same city, is a son of Doctor John A. Graham, here mentioned, and conse- quently great-grandson of the minister. Ile was a man of medium size, an intelligent and earnest preacher, an affectionate pastor, and an excellent man, exemplary and faithful in all the relations and du- ties of life. He was learned in the various branches of knowledge, and frequently engaged with great prudence and power in the po- lemic discussions of the day. In 1737, Yale College conferred on him the honorary degree of Master of Arts.
In these early days prevailed a custom, which has long since be- come obsolete in the Congregational churches, though it is still prac- ticed in the congregations of some bodies of professing Christians at the present day. The custom alluded to is the mode of singing, which was done in this manner. A person was appointed to act as chorister, or " to set the psalm," who selected and "pitched" the tunes ; then a line or two was read off, when the whole congregation joined in singing them, and thus proceeding alternately to read and sing the lines, in this manner, till the whole psalm had been sung. It seems, that soon after the formation of this society, it had been dis- cussed whether the church would adopt the new mode of having the singing conducted by a choir for that purpose, or carry it on by the congregation as before. The action taken' by the society on this oc- easion is somewhat interesting, and is here introduced :
" At a gent Church meeting December 19th 1731, appointed in order to agree upon the mode of Singing the praises of God in publick-and ye appointment of a Chorister, Voted and agreed, that we will continue to Sing the praises of God in the public worship on the Sabbath, in the common way wherein we have hitherto gone on, Leaving every one to their liberty of learning or not learning to Sing the Regular way, and that when persons have generally Learned to sing by Rule, yet that way of Singing shall not be introduced into the Congregation here, but upon farther agreement and in an orderly way.
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