USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the Second church of Christ in Hartford > Part 11
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The accompanying map of the aforesaid property was kindly furnished by the Rev. John McCook of Hartford. It came through Dr. Daniel Butler to John Butler, his son, and from John Butler to Eliza S. Butler (McCook), his daughter. The great and protracted struggle of the colonies against
1 Town Rec., 121-233.
2 'T'he following is an abridgment of Mrs. Burnham's conveyance :
" Whereas it was the true intention and real purpose of my son, Joseph Bucking- ham, Esq., . . . to have given unto the South Congregational Church or Society
. . the house and homestead where I now dwell, . and while making his last will and testament to that purpose and before he had fully completed the same, was suddenly removed by death, and the said estate having thereby fallen to me, and being willing and desirous that the good intentions and purpose of my said son should take effect, and for the consideration of the love, good will, and re- gard which I have and do bear unto the said Church and Society; I do therefore . . . fully, freely, and absolutely give, grant, release, and confirm unto the said South Church or Society called Congregational, and to their successors forever, all the aforesaid House, Homestead, and premises . . without any manner of condition."
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History of the Church
the French and their Indian allies, which continued from 1755 to 1762, and terminated in the capture of Quebec, the conquest of Canada, and the cession of almost all the French possessions in America to the English, was one in which Connecticut bore a worthy part and incurred heavy burdens and losses. She sent forth many more than her quota of soldiers into the successive campaigns, and her expenses in this seven years' conflict were very great. The loss of many hardy men was severely felt. Both husbandry and trade were sorely crippled, and the financial burden pressed heavily upon the people for many years.
For manifold reasons the state of religion in the colony was such as to excite anxiety and alarm in the minds of godly men, and the declension continued even to the end of the century. A reaction from the revival of 1740-5 had set in, with strong tendencies towards the old ways of formal professions and covenants. The controversies and conten- tions growing out of attempts to enforce the discipline of the Saybrook Platform were bringing forth their bitter fruits of indifference in the public mind. The disturbed state of so- ciety during the seven years or more of war was unfavorable to spiritual increase, and in manifold ways the wars were an occasion of no little corruption of the people. The soldiers of the colony too easily imbibed the freer opinions and im- itated the looser practices of foreign comrades, and brought back with them habits and manners which savored of free- thinking and careless living. The ministers, in their associ- ated capacity, as in their personal labors, strove to check " the awful growth and spread of vice and immorality," be- wailed the "lamentable indifference in spiritual concerns," testified against " Socinianism, Arianism," and other heretical "isms," recommended days of humiliation and prayer, and even moved to secure a new edition of the book containing the Saybrook Platform, copies of which "had become scarce in the churches."
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The Ministry of Rev. Elnathan Whitman
The wars were no sooner ended than political feeling began to run high, crowding out, in some degree, religious concerns, as the British Parliament proceeded in its policy of taxation, of which the Stamp Act, in 1765, was a crowning measure. There were tumults in Hartford, as elsewhere, and the Sons of Liberty compelled the colonial stamp-master to read his recantation before the people who had assembled about the court-house. Amid the general rejoicing here at the news of the repeal of that act, a sad disaster occurred which furnished occasion for an exceedingly mournful ser- mon in the North Meeting-House, by Rev. John Devotion, who was "providentially present." A celebration had been ordered, and a considerable quantity of powder had been stored in the Brick Schoolhouse for distribution to the soldiers. A company of gentlemen had assembled in an upper chamber of the schoolhouse to prepare rockets for the evening. Some powder had been carelessly scattered along the ground outside, which was ignited by children playing about, and the schoolhouse was blown up, bury- ing thirty people in its ruins. Six men were fatally injured, among whom was Dr. Nathaniel, son of Mr. John Ledyard.
The Records of the Second Society from the beginning of 1767 have been preserved. The first entry is an inscrip- tion to the effect that "this book belongs to the South Ecclesiastical Society in Hartford by the donation of Miss Hannah and Caroline Seymour." The next entry is a "true copy " of the original agreement and covenant of the church, "taken from the original records of the above-men- tioned church of Christ, carefully compared with said origi- nal records," made by Mr. John Ledyard. How and when those "original records," existing in 1767, were lost is un- known. Mr. John Ledyard, whose name appears often in the records, was a man of wealth, distinction, and culture. He was born in Bristol, England, and, coming to.these shores, settled at Groton, and afterwards in Hartford, where he filled many responsible positions with credit. Col. Wm. Ledyard,
9
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History of the Church
the victim of Fort Griswold, was his son, and John Ledyard, the famous traveler, who, at the termination of his voyage down the Great River, planted the " Ledyard Elm," on Arch Street, was his grandson. The meetings of the Society in 1767 were held, sometimes at the Meeting House, sometimes at the Grammar Schoolhouse, and sometimes at private houses. Daniel Sheldon was Clerk of the Society, John Led- yard and Capt. Jonathan Seymour are mentioned as mod- erators. On the 29th of January, 1767, action was taken towards the settlement of a colleague pastor. Mr. Whit- man, after thirty-five years of hard service, was ill and weak, and had for some time been unable to preach, and there was little prospect of his "recovery to such a degree of health as to afford a constant supply of the pulpit in time to come." Rev. William Patten had been preaching for some time to general satisfaction, and it was therefore agreed and voted to call and settle him in the ministry with Mr. Whit- man. John Ledyard, Esq., Thomas Seymour, Esq., Capt. Jonathan Seymour, Capt. Daniel Bull, and Mr. Daniel Sheldon were appointed a committee to confer with Mr. Patten, and also with Mr. Whitman and the church. Mr. Isaac Sheldon and Mr. Thomas Seymour were soon after added to this committee.
On the favorable report of this committee, the Society at a meeting, March 30, 1767, took action as follows :
Voted, " That we will make and give to Rev. Mr. Patten, his heirs, etc., a lease for nine hundred ninety-nine years, at the rate of one pepper corn per annum rent, of one acre of land belonging to this Society given us by Mrs. Ann Burnham, mother of Joseph Buckingham, Esq., late of Hart- ford, deceased, situate in said Hartford, lying south of the Meeting-House of said Society ; and said acre of land is that which lies next adjoining land the Society have leased out to Capt. Jonathan Seymour ; and also, the sum of three hundred and fifty pounds, lawful money, as a settle- ment, to be paid in a reasonable time, provided he agree to settle in manner as abovesaid, and said sum we oblige ourselves to pay in labor and materials suitable to build a house, barn, etc., . . provided nevertheless, that if the said Mr. Patten should be called to any more public service, or shall of himself, or on his own account and default leave
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The Ministry of Rev. Elnathan Whitman
said society and cease from his work of the ministry among us, then, and in such case, he shall return to this society of the settlement we now agree to give him, in manner as follows, viz. : If said Mr. Patten continues with us thirty years, no part of his settlement is to be returned ; if he leaves us at the end of ten years, he is to return two-thirds ; if at the end of twenty years, one-third of his settlement, . . . and we do agree that Mr. Patten shall have one acre of land to improve during his ministry, next to his building lot."
It was voted to grant Mr. Patten for his salary one hun- dred pounds, lawful money, per annum, and "such further sum hereafter as his necessities may require and our abilities shall enable us to do."
It was voted, in June, "to continue the contributions on Sabbath days, as usual," and that the money so collected be paid to Mr. Patten in part of his salary.
Due care was taken to protect Mr. Whitman's position and privileges. It was voted to pay him eighty-five pounds per annum, and to give him the continued use of the parsonage land.
Mr. Patten accepted the call in a pleasing letter, which need not be quoted in full. He spoke humbly of himself, reverentially of Mr. Whitman, gratefully of the unanimity of the Church and Society, and delicately hinted that, as his family was a large and growing one, his expenses might need some further relief. " Permit me to indulge the pleas- ing belief that there is too much religion and generosity in Hartford, to suffer them to deny a comfortable support to the Gospel, or to reduce the Ambassador of Peace to dis- tressing circumstances."
Considering the hardness of the times and the fact that two ministers must needs be supported, and comparing what was thus provided with the settlements and salaries of neighboring ministers, the Society must be credited with generosity in its dealings, both with the old and the new minister. The record shows with what difficulty the engagements were kept. So long as he lived Mr. Whitman received his salary annually and enjoyed the parsonage,
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History of the Church
receiving from time to time tender assurances of the veneration of his people. In 1753, when the meeting-house was in process of erection, Nathaniel Stanley advanced a sum of money that was urgently needed, thirty pounds, for which Captain Jonathan Seymour had given his own note payable with interest. On the death of Mr. Stanley this note had become the property of Mr. Whitman (whose wife was Mr. Stanley's daughter), who for many years forbore to ask for any settlement thereof, knowing the diffi- culties in which the Society labored. But his kindness was warmly recognized, and the note, with lawful interest thereon, was accepted by the Society and, in due time, settled.
Mr. Patten was installed on the 23d of September, 1767. In the Connecticut Courant, Sept. 28, 1767, a letter was pub- lished, signed "J. C.," containing a particular account of the installation service, and the entire charge given by Mr. Whitman to his colleague. The Rev. Mr. Pitkin of Farm- ington made the first prayer on the occasion; Rev. Mr. Wheelock of Lebanon (whose daughter Mr. Patten had mar- ried) preached a suitable sermon to a numerous audience, from Philippians 2: 20-21 ; Rev. Mr. Pomroy of Hebron made the prayer before the charge, the Rev. Mr. Bissell of Wintonbury made that after it, and the Rev. Mr. Lock- wood of Wethersfield gave the right hand of fellowship. "The whole was conducted with decency and decorum." Nothing is said about the variety and superiority of the music on that occasion. It is, perhaps, a fair inference that it, also, was "decent and decorous." The charge delivered by Mr. Whitman was largely Scriptural, and yet the sacred sentences were lovingly interwoven, and the venerable pas- tor's own words were simple, tender, earnest, and impres- sive. One sentence of it may be quoted as containing a true but now neglected part of such a service :
"We, the ministers of Jesus Christ, convened in Council upon this occasion, do, in the name of Christ and with the concurrence of
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the messengers of the churches here present, commit to you the care of this church, as their colleague pastor."
The original and proper idea of the "charge to the Pastor," on his installation, is not that of charging, in the sense of loading him with all sorts of solemn exhortations, but in formally putting him in charge of the church over which he is installed. The exhortation is incidental. Mod- ern usage has dropped the main part altogether, and pain- fully developed the incidental. In the Courant for Sept. 30, 1767, are the following lines addressed to Mr. Whitman, and referring to his charge of the week previous :
" Behold the venerable seer began ! Strange the attention and the listening ear ! As when the dying father calls to his bed His children, bidding his last farewell. Solemn the charge, instructive every line, While flowing tears bedewed the hearers' cheeks. Blessed man ! for spotless sanctity renowned, Loved by the good and by the guilty feared, No railing pen can sully your deserts, Nor blot your name from the celestial roll. Unfading crowns and laurels evergreen, Immortal prizes, wait for you above."
While as yet the Society was arranging for conferences with Mr. Patten, the Chairman of the Committee appointed for that purpose, Thomas Seymour, Esq., was removed by death. From the "Memorandum Book " of his son, before referred to, it appears that "he was a Deacon in the South Church." He was great-grandson of Richard, who was among the early settlers of Hartford ; grandson of John, who died in 1712 ; and son of Capt. Thomas, who died in 1740, in the 72d year of his age, "a man much esteemed and em- ployed in public affairs." He graduated at Yale in 1724, married Hepzibah, daughter of Dea. Daniel Merrils, in 1730, was King's attorney in Hartford County, and was one of the strong men of the colony. He died, March 18, 1767, and the Second Church lost not only a faithful Deacon, but a stout
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History of the Church
support. He had eleven children, among whom were Caro- line and Hannah, whose names are inscribed in the earliest extant book of Society Records as the donors thereof, and Thomas, whose name continually appears on the Society Records of the ensuing years, who was also a Deacon of the Church, and who lived to a great age.
The following entry is copied from the "Memorandum Book " mentioned above: -
" A summary of the origin of my ancestors from their first coming from England and settlement in this Town, and of the time of their births and deaths, so far as appears from old Books and entries found and now in my possession, and the information of old people now deceased.
Richard Seymour, from England, was the first of the name, and amongst the early settlers of the Town [1639], and from whom the numer- ous families of that name (it is said) have descended in America, particu- larly in this Town and in Connecticut. He had several sons, one of which was named John, my great-grandfather, and settled in this Town [one of the founders of the Second Church]. Another of them [Thomas], settled in Norwalk, whose posterity remain there till this day. Capt. Thomas Seymour, the son of John, died August 30th, 1740, aged 72. His mother's name was Watson [daughter of John Watson. His wife was a Norton].
Thomas Seymour, Esq., my Father, died March, 1767, aged 62. He was a Deacon of the 2d Church, Justice of the Peace, King's attorney, &c., &c .: married in the year 1730 to Hepzibah Merrel, Daughter of Deacon Daniel Merrel. Their children were: -
Jared, born Jan. 7, 1731.
Eunice,
May I732.
David,
Oct. I733. [died 1770.]
Thomas,
March 17, 1735.
Hepzibah, “
May, 1738.
Ruth, Feb. 7, 1740.
Hannah, 66 March, 1742.
George, Nov. 1743.
Caroline,
Aug. 1745. Jane,
June, 1750.
George, died young, in 1738. He was the 5th child, born in 1736.
All my Brothers and Sisters are now dead, except Caroline. My mother survived my father about 20 years. [she died, 1788.]
Attest, Sept. 2d, 1816. T. Seymour, aged 81 years, & 6 months, the 17th day of this month."
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The Ministry of Rev. Elnathan Whitman
The writer of the foregoing entry graduated at Yale College in 1755, married a daughter of John Ledyard, Esq., succeeded his father as King's Attorney, served in the war for Independence, was Hartford's first mayor, 1784, and died July 30, 1829, in the 95th year of his age. Three of his sons, Thomas Y., Ledyard, and William, graduated from Yale. Two of them, Thomas Y. and William, were Revolutionary soldiers. His son Henry was for many years Treasurer of the Second Society. Col. Thomas H. Seymour was the son of Henry, and a daughter of Henry, Mary, not long since died in the com- munion of this Church. For more than two hundred years this Seymour family maintained an unbroken continuity of membership in this Church or Society which John Seamer helped to found, and for the greater part of that time exer- cised a commanding influence in its affairs.
Several items of interest may be mentioned here. Steps were taken to secure Capt. Chalker's house and home- stead for Mr. Patten's temporary use.
In the absence of Capt. Jonathan Seymour, Mr. Thomas Seymour was appointed to "read the Psalm." Mr. James Bunce was added to the Committee for "seating the meet- ing-house."
A company of singing-masters, organized at Walling- ford for the encouragement of psalmody in the government, arranged to come to Hartford, in October, 1769, and hold a meeting or convention in the South Church. They tried " several new pieces of music with instruments," and a ser- mon was preached on the occasion. The new style of sing- ing was evidently making progress.
An advertisement of theological significance appeared in the Courant of the same year, viz., of two discourses by the Rev. John Smalley, a minister in Farmington, " wherein the sinner's inability to comply with the gospel is stated and confirmed ; and the propriety of exhorting men to do, and blaming them for not doing what no man, in their circumstances can do, is particularly considered." The in-
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consistency of giving up the half-way covenant and keeping up the half-way practice is one of Rev. Joseph Bellamy's topics. Advocates of the old ways printed articles con- demning all tendencies to toleration, and urging the elec- tion of only such men to office as would unflinchingly sup- port the Saybrook Platform.
The following notification is breezy with a local spirit :
" Hartford May 30th 1767.
" whereas a challenge was given by fifteen men south of the great bridge in Hartford to an equal number north of said bridge, to play a game of cricket the day after the last election ; the Public are hereby in- formed that the challenged beat the challengers by a great majority. Now said North do hereby acquaint the South side, that they are not afraid to meet them with any number they shall choose, and give them the liberty of picking their men among themselves, and also the best players both in the West Division and Wethersfield. Witness our hands (in the name of the whole company).
" WILLIAM PRATT, " NIELL MCLEAN JR."
One reads a description of an escaped convict, and among the marks given is a large letter B, branded on the forehead, for burglary. Another poor wretch is described whose back has been repeatedly lacerated by scourgings, and he must endure several whippings yet, when his flesh shall have healed. He was a thief and tramp, and was also branded.
In 1770 the Society voted, that "whereas the late method of Contribution " appears to be unequal, for the future the contributors shall "inclose and wrap up the money they shall deliver into the contribution-box, in a piece of paper or otherwise, with their names fairly written and noted thereon, so that it may be known whose and how much it is, that each person may have the credit of the same toward his proportion of the annual salary." All "loose, uncovered money " contributed was to be kept separate, and used for the poor, or as the Committee should think best.
The Society, as distinct from the Church, seems to have managed all such matters.
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The Ministry of Rev. Elnathan Whitman
A curious way of paying the Pastor's salary is disclosed in action taken, as follows: The Society, being in arrears about forty pounds, and wishing to pay not only that sum but the salary for the ensuing year as well, appointed a Committee to make out a rate-bill for the sum of one hun- dred and forty pounds, shewing each person's proportion, and this rate-bill was put into Mr. Patten's hands. The people were expected "and strongly recommended " to call and pay their assessments during the year. If any should remain unpaid at the end of the year, a collector would pro- ceed by law to collect them.
Such arrangements were almost necessary when rates were paid in wood, grain, labor, or whatsoever one could best furnish.
In the summer of 1771 the meeting-house was struck by lightning and considerably damaged, and it was voted to raise the sum of ninety pounds to be laid out for repairing the meeting-house and steeple. Messrs. William Stanley, Joseph Barrett, and Jairus Church were appointed a Com- mittee to prosecute and effect the work, and Mr. Jonathan Bull and Epaphras Bull were made collectors.
The names of Capt. Aaron Bull, Jos. Sheldon, Edward Dod, Thos. Clap, Aaron Cambell, Isaac Tucker, Barnabas Hinsdale, Enoch Crosby, Samuel Waters, Jonathan Brown, Asa Benton, Charles Seymour, George Nichols, John Gurney, and Elisha Egleston are some of those which appear in the records of that time. Several names of negroes appear in the rate-lists : "Cato Toby," "Cato who belonged to Esq. Buckingham," " Prince negro," and "Cato negro." Their rates were commonly abated.
In the Record of a meeting of the Society held August 6, 1772, the following significant entry appears : "Whereas there is an uneasiness in this Society respecting the Rev. Wm. Patten, the question being put whether this Society are willing an inquiry should be made into said uneasiness,- voted in the affirmative."
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History of the Church
Nothing more concerning this matter appears in the records of the next four months, and then the allusion to it is brief and guarded.
In June, 1772, unpleasant reports concerning Mr. Patten's too free use of intoxicating liquors were rife in the town. Not only his own church, but the First or North Church, as well, was affected by these reports ; for, owing to the illness of Mr. Dorr and his inability to perform his duties without assistance, the ministers of the South Church had been so- licited to supply his pulpit "as occasion may be." Certain memoranda by J. Lawrence, who belonged to the First So- ciety, beginning with June 17th and ending with June 28, 1772, clearly indicate that the South Church ministers had been in the way of supplying the First Church pulpit, as they were from time to time invited to do so. These "minutes with respect to Mr. Patten," in Mr. Lawrence's handwriting, show that on hearing the unfavorable reports, the com- mittee of the First Society were "warned to consider what was best to be done." It was wisely agreed by them to "keep ourselves and the Society clear, if possible, and, in or- der for that, to higher no minister nor invite them unless providentially here." An effort was made by Capt. Keith to get signatures to a memorial requesting the committee to in- vite Mr. Patten to preach,-" what put it into the head of this man to undertake this service, God only knows,"-but the memorial was not presented. The Sabbath following, June 2Ist, Mr. Howe (whom the First Church had endeavored to secure) was to preach in Wethersfield, and "Mr. Whitman and he changed, and Mr. How supplied Mr. Dorr's pulpit in the forenoon, which the committee did not know about be- fore,"-which shows that Mr. Whitman was supplying the First Church pulpit that day. "Betwixt meetings, Capt. Olcott, of his own head, without any advice from the com- mittee, informs Mr. Patten that he and Capt. Wadsworth had children to christen, and desired him to come to the North Meeting House in the afternoon, letting him know he was
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The Ministry of Rev. Elnathan Whitman
one of the committee. Accordingly he preached to us to good satisfaction and to a very full congregation."
Mr Lawrence adds, "there appears something very ex- traordinary in all this, beyond my accounting for-hope it will turn out to the glory of God." The next Sabbath, June 28th, Mr. Lawrence attended public worship at the South Meeting House, and witnessed a singular scene. There was no one to direct the meeting. Capt. Daniel Bull (a godly Deacon of the South Church), made some attempt to speak, " but did not," for what reason Lawrence "could not tell, no authority there, nor constable." He thought it "something extraordinary - how came it about cannot say."
A complete account of the proceedings against Mr. Patten, and of the doings of both councils held to consider the case, is in the possession of the writer. The general charge against Mr. Patten was that of intemperance, "in the unseasonable and excessive use of spirituous liquors." It was formally drawn and presented to the church by Daniel Steele, Jonathan Wells, and James Bunce, "for ourselves and for the rest of the members of said church." There were some twenty distinct specifications, naming times and places, and many of these specified charges were accompanied by the signatures of two or more witnesses. From one of these specifications it appears that the corporation of Dartmouth College was convened at Mr. Patten's house. There were also minor charges of prevarication, but these were declared "not sustained " by the council.
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