USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Woodbury > History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut : from the first Indian dead in 1659 to 1854 > Part 39
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He felt a strong aversion to every offense against neatness, and in regard to food and drink, might have been called fastidious. It was annoying to him to see persons come to his well upon the Sabbath, and drink directly from the bucket, an act which he considered vul- gar and unkind. He therefore sunk a well on the opposite side of his house, for the use of those,ill-bred people, and forbade their com- ing to his family well.
Not only his conversation, but many other things, exhibited marks of eccentricity and originality. Even the staff on which he leaned in his advanced years, indicated his taste and character, being a bam- boo, some five feet in length, and of Herculean size. Similar to this in strength and dimensions, were various implements about his prem- ises, as also the stone wall which inclosed his dwelling. An unwieldy plow and crow-bar are recollected, and in connection with the latter, an anecdote which may be worth inserting. He applied to a careful neighbor for the loan of a flax-brake. The owner declined having it removed from his barn, but consented that the general should carry his flax there, and use the instrument. In process of time, this neigh- bor had occasion to move some heavy rocks, and applied to the gen- eral for the use of his crow-bar, as well adapted to the object. The general replied, that "he did not like to have the bar removed from
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his premises, but would be glad to have his neighbor bring to it all the rocks he pleased, and pry them up."
In regard to his political character, he was originally a stanch federalist of the old school. Such he continued until Gen. Jackson became a candidate for the presidency. He had a character, pos- sessed qualities, and had performed services, which secured the ad- miration and hearty support of Gen. Hinman. From that period, it is believed his politics were what were then known as of the Jackson stamp. IIe held some offices in the gift of the town. He was one of the principal agents appointed by the parish of Roxbury, to secure its incorporation as a town. In 1798, and in subsequent years, he represented it in the state legislature. It was, however, apparent to all who knew him, that military office, honors and services, were more congenial to his feelings, and better adapted to his genius, than those of a civil character. Here he uniformly shone to the best ad- vantage, and found full scope for his commanding powers. While he was yet young, and the post of corporal in the militia of the state was regarded as more honorable than that of colonel at the present day ; when men who obtained office in the higher ranks, ordinarily rose by a regular and protracted gradation ; the ascent of young Hin- man was more rapid and irregular. While he was yet a private in a military company in his native town, the captaincy became vacant. His father-in-law, by whom he was not very ardently beloved, was lieutenant. But instead of adhering to the ordinary routine of ele- vation, ITinman was taken from the ranks, and placed in command of those who were his seniors in age and oflice.
Although he was but thirty years of age when the war of the Rev- olution elosed, for four or five previous years, he had sustained vari- ous important and responsible offices, principally connected with the commissary department. That he faithfully and satisfactorily dis- charged the duties assigned him, is manifest from numerous letters still in existence, designating the service required, written by vari- ous officers of distinction in the army. That he enjoyed the confi- dence of the appointing power, is also manifest from the fact, that he was continued in office, with an occasional promotion, from the date of his appointment in 1778, until the close of the war rendered fur- ther service unnecessary. After the war, he received the office of major in the thirteenth regiment of Connecticut militia, and was soon advanced to the rank of a colonel of the same regiment. In May, 1805, he received the appointment of brigadier-general of the eighth brigade of Connecticut infantry. His jurisdiction at that time, ex-
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tended from Southington, in Hartford county, on the east, to the line of the state on the west ; and most of the time he was in office, inclu- ded the cavalry in that section of the state.
This office he held at a period when something more was required than merely to gain a military title and retire. He performed its duties annually, and we believe faithfully, for thirteen years. It may be truly said of him that he " magnified his office." The prosperity of the military cause under his long and successful administration, tells all that need be said in commendation of its presiding genius.
It may be asked, what were his religious principles ? And some who saw and heard him only in particular circumstances, as with his military associates, or when his peculiarly ardent temperament was under strong excitement, might conchide that he had little re- gard for religion, and but little fear of a supreme power. And al- though men of this stamp, men adopting liberal principles, might have claimed him as one of their class, such was not the fact. He was a member of no church, nor is it known to the writer that he laid any claim to experimental piety ; yet he was a believer in the essen- tial doctrines of the gospel, as they were believed and taught by the orthodox clergy of that period, in the Congregational church of New England. He believed in the entire native depravity of the human heart, in the necessity of a radical change in the affections and life. in order to enter heaven. He had great confidence in the efficacy of prayer, and sought the prayers of God's people when himself or fam- ily were in circumstances of danger. At one period when there was some special religious interest in the town, a morning prayer-meeting was held in a little factory in the village. This at first drew from the general some remarks of disapproval. Ere long, as the pastor was on his way to the meeting, he saw the general approaching him, and was fearful that something unpleasant might ensue. Judge of his surprise when he saw the tears coursing down the cheeks of the im- agined opposer, and learned from a choked utterance, that he had come out to ask that a little grandchild, which he supposed to be at the point of death, might be remembered in the prayers to be offered that morning.
He well understood the distinctive marks of Christian character, and abhorred hypocrisy in every form.
At one time when alone with his pastor, he was speaking of some individuals in the vicinity, and in terms of high commendation as to their morality, uprightness, kindness, &c. But said he in a subdued tone, laying his hand upon the pastor, " After all they are down-
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country Christians : the Holy Spirit never touched their hearts, any more than thunder has struck the birds of the air. What you can do I know not. It will not do to tell them what you know to be true. Oh! I tell you it's a dreadful thing to be a minister."
One who knew him well has said, " He made more practical, com- mon-sense remarks, than almost any man I ever knew." The follow- ing, illustrating an important principle in human conduct, are worthy of being preserved, and applied where they are needed.
Being at one time in a neighboring town, where the people were in- volved in a bitter contention about their minister, and meeting a number of individuals who were talking upon the subject, after hear- ing their various complaints and criminations, he said to them, " Gen- tlemen, your conduct is unreasonable and ridiculous. How can you expect one person to satisfy so many discordant minds ? In our town all is the reverse of this ; we are all united and harmonious. True we do not expect that everything our minister says and does will please every individual. Sometimes we have the doctrine of elec- tion, hot as we can bear it ; but Deacon T. wants all that and much more ; and Deacon T. has as good a right to his portion as I have to mine. If one sermon out of five suits my case, it is my portion ; I am bound to be satisfied." Who does not see that this principle, car- ried out, would prevent much evil speaking and unkind feeling ?
Gen. Hinman considered it the duty of all men to attend upon the public worship of God in his house ; and was himself a regular at- tendant in the Congregational church until age and infirmity some- times prevented. He then kept an account with his pastor, admit- ting that among other motives, respect to him demanded his attend- ance. If at any time, any preacher failed of pleasing him, he charged one day, or half a day, according to his estimation, claiming for him- self leave of absence on this ground. So also, if the preaching rose above his standard, he was careful to give credit.
He was quick-sighted to detect error in those who ministered at the altar, and ever abhorred the withholding, or letting down of truth from sinister motives.
A Congregational clergyman in a neighboring parish had become heretical, and had inculcated the doctrine of universal salvation ; but so smoothly and guardedly as to be suspected but by few of his hear- ers. He spent a Sabbath in Roxbury, and preached his favorite sentiments. After the service, the general invited him to his house. Ile might have felt bound to administer some reproof, or at least, that his own reputation was involved in letting the man know that
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he understood what he had heard. In his sarcastic, ironical style, he said to him, " Mr. G., this is the kind of preaching that meets my case. Mr. A. and Dr. B. come here, and make the gate of heaven so narrow that a humble-bee could not enter, but you have opened it wide enough for one as large as I am to walk in without difficulty." This entting reproof was felt by Mr. G., who was soon after deposed from the ministry for heresy.
That Gen. H. was no friend to the doctrine of universal salvation, is farther shown by the following fact. When the " Grand Erie Ca- nal" was completed, he made a tour to the then far west. On his re- turn, a Universalist preacher was found on board the same boat, bois- terously advocating his doctrines. His boasting in regard to the prosperity of his eause in various places, became quite annoying to many of the passengers, and especially to some good old ladies, as the general regarded them. He therefore felt it incumbent on some one to endeavor to silence the intruder. Looking about he saw none much older than himself, and concluded that the duty might devolve upon him. Hence he entered into conversation with the individual, and soon secured his confidence as he had the power to do. IIe then remarked to him, that the facts he had stated in regard to the pros- perity of his cause were very cheering ; but added, that in his travels he had known of a place where a much greater number of its friends had been gathered in, within a very brief period. " Where ? where ?" said the man in apparent ecstacy. " In hell," responded the general. The poor wight was thus unexpectedly brought to a dead pause, and the company relieved from further annoyance.
Gen. H. uniformly adhered to the denomination which he had chosen, while he was willing that others should enjoy their appropri- ate rights. Still he believed that the multiplication of seets, as well as the propagation of error, might in a small community tend to weaken and destroy the whole. This he repeatedly took measures of his own devising to prevent.
At one time a small number of unquiet spirits procured a Univer- salist minister to preach in the publie house, in the center of the town. The general, for a specific reason, felt himself impelled to attend the meeting. According to his own account, he stopped by the way and said to himself, "Gen. H., you are too much of a man to go there." But on he went and entered the meeting. "There," said he, naming certain individuals, " were seven devils to begin with, to make up the congregation. And there was the preacher ridienling the doctrine of eternal punishment, and those who taught it." "That, he said, "he
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could not endure,"and soon retired from the audience chamber to the bar-room, where in little time he was followed by the preacher, and most of his hearers. "Then," said he, " I felt that my turn had come." With his most stern and imposing countenance, he stood before the preacher and said to him, "Sir, we can not endure such doctrine as you have been advocating. It might have answered forty years ago, when we were better men, but if as you teach, there is no place of future punishment, there will be hell upon earth ; hell everywhere. If this be so, old F. and old G. will come back, and H. will never go, and where can a good man live ?" Thus by pouring upon him a shower of scathing sarcasm, sustained by unanswerable argument, the hearers were mortified, truth was triumphant, and the disconcerted preacher, mounting his horse, made good his retreat and never re- turned.
On another occasion, the town was visited by two preachers be- longing to a denomination which had no existence there, at the time. Gen. H. soon found them, invited them to his house, and treated them with marked politeness and attention, requesting them to make his house their home while they remained in the town. After a more intimate acquaintance, and the gentlemen began to feel at home, he remarked that he supposed they had some object in view in visit- ing the place, and if it was not impertinent he would beg leave to ask what this object was ? They replied, that they had in view what they regarded as a very important object, and that was, the salvation of souls. "True," said the general, "a very important object ; but allow me to say I think you have entirely mistaken it in coming here ; the people in Roxbury have no souls." The preachers found them- selves in the wrong spot to prosecute their object, and soon left the town.
A year or two before his death, Gen. II. was brought low by pain- ful and protracted disease. Himself and his friends believed that the hour of his departure was at hand. During this sickness, his mind at times was strongly exercised in view of the prospect before him. It seemed for a time, that the prayers of a sainted mother, and a pious companion, were about to receive an answer in his saving conversion to Christ. He sought the daily counsels and prayers of his pastor, and sent a public request for the prayers of all his Christian friends. His pastor said to him, " I suppose that I have understood your views, although for certain reasons, I have said but little on this great sub- ject. I have supposed that your conscience was on the side of truth, though you have not told me so." " Yes," said he, " you are right,
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perfectly right. I have known my Master's will, but have been such a hardened wretch, I would not do it."
Some of the liberal and skeptical in the vicinity, were much troub- led that such a man as Gen. H. should manifest any solicitude in view of death. For if a man of his courage and fortitude trembled, why should not they ? At one time his pastor was absent a few days, and calling on his return, he found him much distressed both in body and mind. "Oh !" said he, "I have had a man here to com- fort me since you left, who supposed he could administer the consola- tion I needed. He told me he expected I must die, but this was the common lot of mortals, and it was of little consequence when the event took place. There was nothing to fear after death, nothing in all the blue-skin stuff about future and eternal punishment." "Oh," said he, "my very blood ran cold to think that any wretch could talk thus to a dying man." " But," added he, in his characteristic style, " I determined to give him old shillelah, live or die. So when he had finished his discourse, I told him plainly, I had no expectation of being saved without a new heart. I had no hope of heaven, without obedience to that Great Being who made me; and if there was no hell, there ought to be one made for such a wretch as he was."
Here was testimony given in circumstances when all men are said to be honest.
When his last sickness came, his vigorous mind failed with his body. Near the close of his life, his pastor was sitting by, preparing the way to ask some plain questions in regard to his views in that trying hour. This he at once perceived, and to relieve him of all embarrassment, began a dialogue with himself, asking such questions as he might suppose a faithful friend would wish to ask, commencing thus : Gen. Hinman, are you willing to die? Sir, I am not. When le came to answer the question which related to his prospects after death, though he expressed some hope in the merey of God, his voice faltered, and his mind seemed to wander. Shortly after his spirit departed to God who gave it.
He died December 11th, 1829, aged seventy-six years and eight months. His remains, according to his own request, were interred in the north cemetery of his native parish, Southbury.
Though he has long been buried, the remembrance of him is yet fresh in the vicinity where he lived. Many of his anecdotes and re- marks are still quoted, and will not be forgotten when the present generation has passed away. ITis manner of uttering them, which
1
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added much to their impression, can not be written. Yet only by inserting some of them, could we begin to show him as he was .!
DOCTOR SETH HASTINGS,
Came to Judea society in Woodbury, from Hatfield, Mass. ; re- mained there many years, and then removed to Paris, near Roches- ter, N. Y. Ile was a respectable and approved physician. Ilis children were Seth, M. D., distinguished in his profession, and father of sixteen children, Betsey, who married Dr. Judd, Thomas, professor of music in New York, Orlando, a distinguished lawyer in Rochester, N. Y., Eurotus, president of a bank in Detroit, Michigan, and Charles.
JAMES D. KEESE, ESQ.,
Was born in the city of New York ; entered Yale College, but did not finish his course of studies there ; studied law with Hon. Origen S. Seymour ; was admitted to the bar of Litchfield county, in April, 1852; immediately set up for practice in Woodbury, but the location not proving favorable, after a sojourn of a little less than a year, he removed to Birmingham, Conn. He has now gone to Europe.
DOCTOR THOMAS KNOWLES,
Was early a physician in the territory, certainly as early as 1730, and probably several years earlier than that date. Neither authen- tie records, nor tradition, inform us in regard to his excellence as a physician, nor his character in the various relations in life. The entire extent of his history, so far as we can glean it is, that here he lived and died, and was returned to the "elods of the valley." Such is the brief record that will be made of most of us, if indeed our names survive at all.
HION. INCREASE MOSELEY,
Was born in Norwich, Conn., May 18th, 1712, removed to Wood- bury, society of Judea, about 1740, certainly after 1738, as his son
1 For the foregoing sketch the author is indebted to Rev. Fosdick Harrison, of North Guilford, Conn., who was for many years pastor of the church Gen. Hinman attended.
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Abner was born at Norwich, in May of that year. He removed to Clarendon, Vt., in 1781. He was one of the first representatives of the town of Washington, in 1779, and had previously been repre- sentative of Woodbury, thirty sessions. He was the first deacon, first justice, and first militia captain in Washington. He was justice of the quorum from 1755 to 1780. After his removal to Vermont. he was a judge of the court in Rutland county. He died May 2d, 1795.
COL. INCREASE MOSELEY, JR.,
Was son of the preceding, and born in Judea society, October 13th, 1740. About the year 1768, he removed to Southbury, and resided there till his death in 1810, at the age of seventy years. He was appointed colonel of the thirteenth regiment of militia, in the latter part of 1776, on Col. Hinman's joining the continental army. He remained in this responsible position, being often called into actual service, till October, 1780, when he resigned his office. IIe was obliged to resign on account of ill health, and the embarrassed state of his financial affairs. He was a useful, brave and laborious officer. In his letter of resignation he says he was induced to accept the office
" Out of Affection to my Country, and an Ardent desire to render my best Services for promoting the Good of the Same; which Office I have Sustained for about three years & a half, during which time, I have devoted the greatest part of my time to the duties of said Office ; and have been often ordered out on Tours of duty, which I have Cheerfully Obeyed, being ever willing to Serve my Country to the utmost of my Power ; but being of an infirm Constitution ; not able to endure the Fatigues commonly incident to a Military Life : And my Worldly Circumstances far from being Opulent ; that attention to the duties of my said Office, and to those of my private affairs, which their several Exigen- cies require, is wholly incompatible."
DOCTOR JOHN MEIGS,
Was a physician in Bethlehem society, contemporary with Dr. Bellamy. He was a man of good reputation, skillful in his profes- sion, and was favored with an extensive practice. He died in 1770, leaving a widow, Rebecca, and children, Abner, Rebecca, Phineas, Jesse and Irene. In his will he gave his "medical and surgical books" to his son, Abner.
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DOCT. PHINEAS MEIGS,
Son of the above, was born in Bethlehem society, July 11, 1760. He commenced the study of medicine with his father, but finished it at Norwalk. He settled in his native parish, and became much es- teemed as a physician of skill and judgment.
REV. JOHN R. MARSHALL,
Was born in the city of New York, June 13, 1743, prepared for college under the tuition of Rev. Dr. Bellamy, of Bethlem, and hav- ing engaged for a time in business at Stratford, Conn., entered King's (now Columbia) College, where he graduated in 1770. He had prob- ably intended to have entered the ministry of the Dutch Reformed Church, but on account of a change in his religious sentiments, he joined the Church of England, and began to prepare for her ministry. Ile embarked for England, May 20, 1771; was ordained deacon, July 25, 1771, and priest, by the Rt. Rev. Richard Terrick, D. D., Bishop of London, on the 28th of the same month. On his return from England, he came to Woodbury, as a missionary of the " Soci- ety for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts," and commenced the organization of the parish of St. Paul's Church. He went on quietly in his labors till the period of the Revolution, when, on ac- count of the excited state of feeling among the people toward all who did not heartily fall in with all the movements projected for ob- taining our country's independence, his position became one of diffi- culty and danger, and even of personal violence, which more than once was offered him. Ile however remained with his people, while many other pastors of his denomination left the country during that struggle. At the close of the Revolution, the customary allowance by the society to the Episcopal ministers was withheld, and Mr. Mar- shall was obliged to preach in more places than one, both on this ac- count, and also on account of the scarcity of ministers. Accordingly, we find him officiating a part of the time at the churches in Redding, Newtown, Milford and West Haven. In this manner he continued to officiate in one or more of the surrounding parishes, in connection with his own, until the date of his death. He died January 21, 1789, and was buried near the Episcopal church in Woodbury. Ile was cut off' in the full vigor of his manhood, and in the midst of his use- fulness, having attained only the forty-sixth year of his age, and the
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eighteenth of his ministry, having lived during the whole of this pe- riod with his people, presenting a solitary instance in the history of his church, of a minister, who has lived and died with the people of his charge. Ilis autograph follows :
Join Rmarchalo
PHILO MURRAY, ESQ.,
Was born at Woodbury, in 1760, where he resided fifty-nine years. On his maternal side he was connected with the Orton family, his mother being the sister of Doet. Samuel Orton, of Woodbury. He was a man of a sound and sagacious mind, a great reader, and clear thinker. He was an active politician, being what was termed a re- publiean, and identified as one of the first founders and promoters of that party in town. He is celebrated as the first man, who under the " stand-up law" of Connecticut, rose up as a voter on that side of the question, and in process of time, (1815,) was chosen a member of the General Assembly by his constituents, as the successful and dominant party. Thus had it increased from one to a majority. In 1819, Mr. Murray removed to the Western Reserve, Ohio, where he soon died, honored and respected by all. His three sons, Jamieson, Philo and Abner, still reside there, and are respectable, thriving farmers.
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