USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Woodbury > History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut : from the first Indian dead in 1659 to 1872, Vol. II > Part 17
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a powerful influence in the places of their residence. From the founding of the Lodge, for near forty years, he was one of its most active and efficient members.
Associated with Mr. Thompson, were several other leading spir- its of those early days, in the history of the Lodge. Among these was Dr. Joseph Perry, who, for nearly half a century, adorned the profession of Medicine, and for three-fourths of that time, greatly contributed to the prosperity of the Lodge, and the spreading of the benefits of Masonry. He was conspicuous in aiding the sol- diers in the Revolutionary struggle, and in curbing the impetuos- ity of the rampant tories in our midst. And in this place, I have the pleasure to say, that the name of no tory disgraces the fair historic pages of our ancient Lodge. He died an honored citizen, at a good old age, leaving his son, Dr. Nathaniel Perry, fit repre- sentative of his father's virtues, to follow with reverence in his footsteps, in every great and good work, Well did he bear up his father's reputation, as the kind and skillful physician, the firm, considerate, and effective friend, the friend of all, the Mason's champion, the friend of charity and all good works, and that no- blest of God's works, an honest man. For nearly fifty years did these worthy men labor with the workmen, and for half that time, directed them in their labors.
In the galaxy of talent, worth, and ability, which adorned the Lodge in these early days, was Hon. Ephraim Kirby, a native of Washington, and, for a long time, a resident of Litchfield; after- wards dying in Mississippi, while on his way to assume his duties as Judge of the territory of Orleans, by the appointment of Jeffer- son. He served during the whole of the Revolutionary war ; was present, and participated in, nineteen battles and skirmishes, among which was Bunker Hill, Brandywine, Monmouth, and German- town, and received thirteen wounds. In war, in civil and profes- sional life, he greatly distinguished himself. He had the high pro- fessional honor of being the author of the first volume of judicial decisions ever published in this country. He was a fit representa- tive of our Order,-a man of highest moral as well as physical courage, warm, generous, and faithful in his attachments, and of indomitable energy,
Associated with Past Masters Thompson and Perry, was Dr. Anthony Burritt, of Southbury, then a parish of Woodbury. He was a leading spirit in the Lodge, and in the events of his time. During a part of the period of the Revolution, he acted as Sur-
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geon's-mate, was taken a prisoner, and carried to Long-Island, but was afterwards liberated by the intercession of his friend, Jabez Bacon, of this town, the richest man that ever resided here. His son, Daniel Bacon, Esq., and General Chauncey Crafts, his son-in- law, were afterwards honored and acceptable members of the Lodge, generous friends, and useful citizens of the town.
The last of the Past Masters who assembled at the grand re- union Lodge Meeting in the Hollow, with those before mentioned, in 1982, was Hon. Nathan Preston. He was a soldier of the Rev- olution, serving in the ranks, and in the Commissary Department. He was a lawyer of ability, with a full practice. He was Town Clerk for thirty-nine years, a member of the General Assembly twelve Sessions, and Judge of Probate fourteen years. He was often Master of the Lodge, and thoroughly identified with its in- terests, as well as those of the town.
Among the " early lights," serving in the South and West, was Elijah Sherman, familiarly known as " Father Sherman," from the fact that he was the father and founder of the Methodist Church in this town. An Elder in his Church for twenty years, with some few companions, worshippers in his faith, he held religious services in his own house, but lived to see the erection of a Meth- odist Church on a part of his own homestead, and a devout com- pany of believers worshipping there. He was gathered to his fathers at the advanced age of ninety, in 1844 ; a useful citizen, an accepted Mason, and a Christian man, who adorned his pro- fession. In the very early history of the Lodge, was another dis- tinguished man and Mason, Col. Joel Hinman, who did much honor to the Lodge, by his earnest zeal and brotherly charity. Before 1800, Rutgers B. Marshall, Benjamin Stiles, Esq, an early lawyer in Southbury, Capt. Timothy Hinman, of Revolutionary fame, Dr. Samuel Orton, a physician of great eccentricity, but of rare ability as a physician, and an honest man ; Deacon Scovill Hinman, for many years the oldest member of the Lodge, and dying at the age of more than ninety years ; Jesse Minor, Esq., father of the respectable family that bears his name; Bartimeus Fabrique, and nearly thirty others of the best inhabitants of Woodbury, during the years of 1797 and 1798, were received as Apprentices, passed as Fellow Crafts, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.
Previous to 1787, Rev. John R. Marshall, the founder of the Episcopal Church (St. Paul's) in Woodbury, was received into
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the benevolent bosom of our honored Order, and well did he fulfill the sacred duties committed to his trust. He went to England in 1771 ; was ordained Deacon and Priest, returned to Woodbury the same year, entered upon his ministrations, and at a period between that and 1775, when the preserved records of the Lodge commence, he received the benevolent initiation of the " mystic tie." In the measures connected with the establishment of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America, after the war, Bro. Marshall bore a conspicuous and effective part. Nor was his influence less in the Lodge. Of him we may say, he " wrought well, and his works do follow him."
Of all the members of our venerated King Solomon's Lodge, now hoary with years, perhaps, all things considered, the most noted, revered and celebrated, by his works in the ministry as well as by his writings, was the Rev. Dr. Azel Backus, then of the Woodbury Parish of Bethlehem, celebrated as a theologian of great force and power, revered as a teacher of youth for the min- istry and the colleges, and a devout, undeviating Christian ; he was no less a decided and honored Mason. At the festival of St. John the Baptist, in 1794, he preached a sermon to the Lodge, in its private assembly, of great power, pathos and beauty, and the influence of this eminent man was ever felt in the honor, useful- ness and success of the craft. Sweet flowers of memory bloom over the graves of such immortal members of our beloved Lodge.
Near the beginning of the 19th century, other conspicuous names begin to greet our vision, of whom time fails me to speak. In 1812, among other noble men, were Hon. Curtiss Hinman, and the late Judge Charles B. Phelps. And there are many living members whose masonic modesty would not allow me to speak of their enduring merits. Judge Phelps has too lately passed to the spirit land to allow us to forget the great gifts and noble traits which he possessed. His eulogy has been fittingly spoken by the orator of the day-one who knew them well, and had the right to speak them. His kindly, genial and charitable acts are enshrined in many hearts.
In 1826, we find two respected members, father and son, occu- pying respectively the " East " and the " South " in the Lodge. They passed long ago to that "bourne whence no traveler re- turns," and have gone to join the numerous band of worthies who had passed before them into the spirit land. Need I mention the names of Dr. Samuel and Roderick C. Steele, to bring to the re-
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membrance of this presence the brothers to whom I refer ? They were lovely in their lives. Too soon for earth they passed to the mansions above. The father was, in his generous nature, a father to all whom he knew. The true hand of masonic charity was stretched forth to all who were in need, in the Order and out of it. Genial, social and benevolent to the core, he charmed all with- in the circle of his influence, and died beloved as he had lived re- spected, having gained the affections of all. An honest man, a true friend, an honored citizen, a sincere Christian, he has left be- hind him the grateful incense of an affectionate remembrance.
Such are a few of the names of which our ancient Lodge has the right to boast, and which will ever be held by the fraternity, in honorable and affectionate remembrance. Their characters and noble actions will rise to view when the memory of others will have sunk in oblivion. "The good never die; to them belongs a double immortality, they perish not on earth, and they exist forever in heaven. The good of the present live in the future, as the good of the past are now with us and in us to-day."
I close with the finale of the sentiment to which I am respond- ing : "The virtues of the Masonic dead are indellibly recorded upon living tablets, the hearts of their surviving brethren."
The next toast, " Harmony Lodge, No. 42, of Waterbury, the eldest daughter of King Solomon's Lodge. May she live to celebrate the ONE THOUSANDTH birth-day of her venerable mother," was well responded to by Bro. E. A. Judd, Worshipful Master of Harmony Lodge. Among other things he said :
" We are gathered here to-day, brethren, to celebrate the Cen- tennial Anniversary of King Solomon's Lodge; and I feel as if Harmony Lodge had a peculiar interest in the ceremonies. In the words of the toast, she is the 'eldest daughter of King Solo- mon's Lodge.' We are, therefore, but children, come home to the family gathering-come home to join in the festivities of the one hundredth birthday of our mother Lodge.
" We find by an examination of the records, that in October, 1797, ' permission was granted by King Solomon's Lodge to the brethren residing in Waterbury and Salem, to apply to the Grand Lodge for a charter for a Lodge to be located in Waterbury or Salem, as the Grand Lodge might direct.' A charter was accord- ingly granted for a lodge ' to be holden alternately in Waterbury
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and Salem,' and on the festival of St. John the Evangelist, on the 27th day of December, 1797, the first officers of Harmony Lodge were installed by Bro. Jesse Beach, of Derby, then Deputy G. Master. Harmony Lodge then and there commenced her work ; a work that she has carried on for 68 years, adding, we humbly trust, some good square 'ashlars' to the great temple of Masonry.
"Previous to this time, many of the brethren had been com- pelled to go from ten to fifteen miles to attend Lodge; and per- mit me to say that their regular attendance, as it appears upon the records, should put to shame some of our modern Masons, who can not make it convenient to attend lodge, though living almost within the shadow of its portals.
" During the terrible convulsion through which our country has passed, churches have been rent in sunder, societies have been scattered to the four winds of heaven, social relations between the two sections have been destroyed; but Masonry has stood firm and immovable, repelling every attack that has been made upon her, like some vast New England rock which the waves buffet in vain ! While the strife lasted, Masonry could do but little. She can never gain laurels upon the tented field, or in the wild havoc of war. She can only protect the fallen, comfort and relieve the wounded, and gently bury the dead. Now that Peace once more waves her olive branch over the nation, it is for Masonry to do her work. The day of noble deeds and manly daring is not yet closed. There are still broad fields in which we can work and win crowns that shall never decay, laurels that shall bloom in fadeless beauty forever."
Rev. William T. Bacon, though not a member of the Order, was present as an invited guest, and being called on to reply to the toast "CHARITY," responded :-
" The speaker, en route to the east 't'other day Met his friend, " Master " Lewis-yes, right in his way ;
" You sir-all th' elite-have express invitation To be present with us at our grand celebration ; Where sermons, historic addresses, and toasts, And last, tho' not least, Mr. Kelly's good roasts, Are expected-believed too-if anything can, To fill full, and satisfy every man."
And he added, (you all know his genteel persuasion,)
" You'll give us a word, just to grace the occasion."
Now my friend Lewis knows mankind has its weak side ; Would he tickle my vanity, or touch my pride ?
12
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Or resort to that other power which so far reaches,
Would he snare me with dear Mrs. Kelly's good dishes
Well, whatever his motive, he caught me, that's certain, And he's got me here under this wide-spreading curtain,. And demands that I give, in response to his whim, This sentiment, song, or
MASONIC HYMN.
Beside the Galilean flood, With those He loved so well, The earnest Christ at evening stood, And words of blessing fell.
"Go forth,"-the voice rang loud, yet sweet --- " Go to earth's farthest bound, And where onc sorrowing soul ye meet, There let your love be found."
Upon this spot our sires have stood, One hundred years or so, And heard that voice roll down the flood Of ages long ago; Here their warm hearts were joined as one In holiest charities ; Commending thus from sire to son, This message from the skies.
Down the far future, stretching forth, We send our earnest gaze, Where children's children, in their worth Exalt their fathers' ways : O be they first upon the list, Earnest in heart and hand, To hold aloft this sign of Christ, Long as the world shall stand !
Rev. Jno. Churchill, Pastor of the North Congregational Church, Woodbury, replied to a call from the Brethren :
" OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF KING SOLOMON'S LODGE:
"It was the custom of Dr. Dwight, when lecturing to his classes, to inveigh in good set terms against the use of tobacco, somewhat in this wise:
" ' Young gentlemen, [taking a full pinch of ' rappee ' from his vest pocket] never be guilty of using [applying it to both aper- tures in his nasal organ] tobacco [repeating the dose] in any
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form. It is a very [applying pinch number three as aforesaid] deleterious practice !' [Finishing the balance between his thumb and two fingers]. So I am about to recommend to all the young men present to do what I have never done, which is to send in at once to King Solomon's Lodge their applications to be made Masons. Should any one here suggest that I ought to practice what I preach, I reply, that were I not somewhat advanced in life, I would most certainly petition, myself, for initation.
" In making this recommendation, I do it, I think, for good and sufficient reasons. As I remarked upon a former occasion,1 I saw the open Bible borne before you in procession. That act assured me that Masonry teaches a respect and reverence for the Scriptures. If there were nothing else to recommend the institution, that alone would be sufficient to convince me that the aims and objects of Masonry are good.
" But this is not the only argument which commends Masonry to the approval of my judgment and conscience. If I understand its cardinal principle, it is charity, which is declared by St. Paul to be the 'greatest of these three.' I cannot but conclude, there- fore, that an institution which inculcates a reverence for the Bible, as ' God's most inestimable gift to man,' and which is built upon charity as its chief corner-stone, is entitled to the esteem of every man who loves his race.
"There is yet another reason that makes me a friend to Free Masonry. An institution which has stood, as I am credibly in- formed, since the building of King Solomon's Temple, surviving the wreck of dynasties, and empires, and nations, must be estab- lished upon a good and worthy foundation-must be a promoter of good and worthy objects.
"For these and other reasons, which to me seem incontroverti- ble, I have no hesitation, here, in this public manner, and before this assembly, in giving your fraternity the humble endorsement of my honest esteem and confidence.
" Again, I recommend every young man who hears me to apply for initiation into the mysteries of the Order, who have celebrated this joyous anniversary in so decorous and becoming a manner, if it be good, to support and advance its interests; and if it be bad, to right or restrain the evil.
1 In an address at the funeral of Merritt Thompson, a member of King Solo- mon's Lodge.
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"I thank you, gentlemen of the Masonic society, for your flat- tering invitation to speak upon this pleasant occasion, and for your kind attention to the unpremeditated thoughts which I have offer- ed for your consideration."
Thus ended the celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of King Solomon's Lodge. More than five hundred Masons were present, from different parts of the State, and, according to esti- mates made by those accustomed to large gatherings, more than five thousand persons were in the streets to witness the imposing procession.
May the brethren who in 1965. celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of King Solomon's Lodge, have as pleasant an occa- sion as their forefathers, of this year of Grace, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and of Masonry, five thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
So MOTE IT BE !
E now come to the next, and, to this date, the last celebration in Woodbury, that of the First Congregational Church, held May 5th, 1870. Although the change between the old and new styles has made eleven days difference in dating, and so the celebration should have been on the 16th of May, to be accurate in the present mode, instead of the 5th, yet it was thought advisable for various reasons to hold the celebration on the 5th of May ; thus corresponding with the record, though the precession of the equinoxes, and " man's devices," had" made [a change in the way of dating. A succint report was made by the writer of the proceedings in said celebra- tion, and he has" carefully examined it to see if he could in any ยท way condense it for the purposes of this history, and yet do justice to the occasion. But he has been unable to see where it could be judiciously curtailed, and so it is here introduced almost entire :
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For several years past it had been a matter of consultation and agreement between the writer and Dea. Philo M. Trowbridge, that when the Bi.Centennial year of the existence of our Church approached, they would suggest to the brethren the desirability of a proper observance of its natal day. It was thought to be appro- priate to celebrate so joyous an anniversary. It was belived to be well to set up a monument to mark the passage of the ages. It was thought fitting that the Church, which had for two hundred years acknowledged the same confession of faith, and " owned the same covenant," written and adopted by the fathers by the shores of Long Island Sound, taken "from out the Word," should, with devout joy and thanksgiving, render praise to Almighty God for all His wonderful mercies toward it. We could do no less than to render thanks to the Lord. It seemed to redound to His glory and our great good.
In accordance with these views, the subject was brought before the Church, and the following action was taken by it and the Committee of its appointment :
" ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, SEPT. 16, 1869.
" Voted, That Deacons Trowbridge and Linsley, and Brother William Cothren be a Committee with power to make full arrange- ments for a public observance, on the 5th day of May next, of the Two-Hundredth Anniversary of the organizetion of this Church."
. The Committee held its first formal meeting February 22, 1870, and, after due consideration,
" Voted, That the Mother Church, at Stratford, and the six daughters of this, be invited to be present, and participate in the exercises.
Voted, That the Pastor be invited to deliver the sermon, and that he invite the Pastor of the Church at Stratford to assist him at the Communion.
Voted, That Brother Cothren be instructed to prepare senti- ments for responses from each of the churches invited."
At the same meeting, various sub-committees were appointed to carry on the work of preparation.
All the committees, under the inspiration of the general com- mittee, performed their several duties with alacrity, fidelity and
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ability, and every thing was " made ready " for the successful in- auguration of the interesting ceremonies of the approaching ju- bilee.
With the aid of the ready hands and executive ability of the ladies, the church was most beautifully decorated by Mr. Henry C. Curtis, a special artist, of Hartford. A more striking and ap- propriate mode of decoration could not have been devised, than that adopted by Mr. Curtis, whether considered historically or artisti- cally. It is a remarkable fact that the first four pastors of the church occupied the pulpit, in the aggregate, the long period of 172 years, out of the two hundred celebrated. We think this a length of time unparalleled in the history of the churches in this country. This fact was beautifully represented by introducing the four names; Walker, Stoddard, Benedict and Andrew, into a large cross composed of six circles, the names occupying four of the six circles, " 172 years " the center, and a cross and anchor, the lower cirele. This was placed in the recess behind the pulpit. Beneath the cross were two tablets, the one containing the " cove- nant of 1670," and the other the names of the original signers.
THE COVENANT OF 1670.
" We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, being (by y e all- disposing providence of God, who determines ye bounds of men's habitations) east into co-habitation on wth another, and being sen- sible of o'duty unto God, and one to another, and of orliableness to be forgetfull, and neglective of ye one and ye other, do hereby (for ye further incitent of o'selves unto duty in either respect) solemnly give up o'selves & ours unto ye lord, engaging o'selves by his assisting grace to walk before him, in ye religious observance of his revealed will, as far as it is or shall be made known unto us. We do also in ye presence of God solemnly ingage orselves each to other to walk together in church-society, according to the rule of ye gospell, jointly attending all ye holy ordinances of God, as far as it shall please him to make way thereunto, and give opportunity yz of: and walking on wth another in brotherly love, & chtian watchfullness for o'mutual edification, and furtherance in ye way to salvation. And jointly submitting orselves & ours to ye govern- ment of Cht in his church, in ye hand of such church governours, or officers as shall be set over us, according to gospell institution. The good lord make us faithfull in covenant with him & one wth another, to walk as becomes a people near unto himself, accept of
1670
1870.
JUDEA 1741
INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST CHURCH, WOODBURY, CONN.
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ye offering up of o'selves, & ours unto him and establish both us and ym to be a people unto himself in his abundant mercy through cht jesus, who is o' only mediator in whom alone we expect ac- ceptance, justification and salvation : to him be glory & praise through all ages. Amen."
"The names of ye persons yt subscribed this covenant, & again publickly owned it, May 5th, viz : ye day of my ordination were as followeth :
Zechariah Walker,
Hope Washborn,
Samuel Sherman, Sen-,
Hugh Griffin,
Joseph Judson, Sen',
Ephraim Stiles,
John Hurd, Sen',
John Thompson, Junr,
Nicholas Kuell,
Theophilus Sherman,
Robert Clark,
Matthew Sherman,
John Minor,
John Judson,
Samuel Sherman, Jun'.,
Samuel Mils,
John Wheeler,
Benjamin Stiles,
Samuel Stiles,
Edward Shermond.
Persons since added :
John Skeeles,
Israel Curtiss,
Thomas Fairechilde,
Richard Butler, Robert Lane, Moses Johnson,
Richard Harvy.
Between the tablets was the name of the present pastor, Rev. Gurdon W. Noyes, in golden letters. At the apex of the recess above the pulpit was an elegant golden cross and crown. At the top of the pillars on either side of the pulpit, was a large golden " C," on which appeared the years 1670-1870, under which, res- pectively, was a list of the deacons of the first and second centu- ries, on tablets upon the pillars :
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hands, guarded by Thy power, guided by Thy wisdom and against which Thou hast said the gates of hell shall never prevail. We especially praise Thee at this time for Thy guidance and care of our ancestors in planting a branch thereof in this place. Thou didst cause them to go forth like a flock. Thou didst cast out the heathen before them and divided them an inheritance by line. The wilder- ness and solitary place soon became glad for them, and the desert rejoiced and blossomed as the rose. They trused in Thee and Thou didst deliver them from fears and foes; didst prosper the work of their hands. Yea, Thou didst cause the little one to become a thousand and the small one a strong nation. In conse- quence of their faith, forecast, labor, the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places, and we have a goodly heritage. We have pleas- ant and fruitful fields, quiet and happy homes, rich and rare, civil, educational and religious privileges. Gathered here in Thy Sanc- tuary after the lapse of centuries to review the history of Thy deal- ings, we find that goodness and mercy followed our fathers and have followed us. We would therefore recall their virtues and catch a new impulse from all that was noble and Christ-like in their example and strive to perfect and perpetuate their work. We know O Lord that it is Thy will, that one generation should praise Thy works to another and abundantly utter the memory of Thy great goodness that men may set their hope in Thee. We praise Thee for our free government and beneficent institutions, with the righteous peace vouchsafed unto us. We entreat Thy blessing upon our President and all in authority in State and Nation, that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. We pray Thee to bless our Colleges, Schools, Churches, that the Gospel may permeate the land and drive out from it, all ignorance, error, vice, irreligion, and make us a people to Thy praise. And we beseech Thee to send the disenthralling life-giving Gospel over the Globe, that Jesus may speedily have the heathen for his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for his posessions- And now, O Lord, we humbly invoke Thy presence and blessing during this sacred Jubilee, Smile upon the associated Churches here represented, and those who are to take part in these exercises, that they may utter fitting and forceful words, for our profit and Thy Glory. O Lord, shine Thou upon us from Thy throne of light and love. Yea, grant us the favor which Thou bearest unto Thy people, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Redeemer. Amen.
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