USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > History of the Second church of Christ in Hartford > Part 23
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Your sorrowfull and disconsolate friends,
HARTFORD, Nov. 11th : 57.
JOHN WEBSTER, JOHN CULLICK, WILLIn GOODWIN.
[This letter - most of which we have given - mentions an "inclosed " paper containing "the ground of our withdrawing." That paper, unfor- tunately, has not been found.
This letter also, in a postscript, mentions " a former paper bearing date 26th October," which was probably the "remonstrance sent to the church at Hartford" (mentioned in the next paper), and which was afterwards " pub- lished and read in several churches," which has not been found. ]
270
History of the Church
XI
COMPLAINT OF NATHANIEL BARDING AND OTHERS OF THE CHURCH, AGAINST MR. WEBSTER AND OTHERS OF THE DIS- SENTING BRETHREN, PRESENTED TO THE GENERAL COURT.
The 4th of December, 1657 :
A Declaration of sevrall grievances and offenses given by Mr Webster, Capt. Cullick, Mr. Goodwin, and Andrew Bacon, and the other subscribers to a remonstrance sent to the Ch: of Christ at Hart- ford, now published and read in several churches, tending to the defamation of Mr. Stone and the Ch: at Hartford, and to the breach of the peace of the Chs. and commonwealth, which wee whose names are subscribed humbly present to this honored court for relief, helpe, and direction, desiring it may be duly considered. (See note to the pre- vious paper.)
Their offenses are these which follow :
I. Wee conceive that they have violated their covenant with us which they have not only made, but lately renewed in a solemn manner, and yet they repeat former [matters] which were all issued according to the Counsell of the late reverend Elders and Messengers sent from seven churches in Mattachusetts, whereby they make it appear that they refuse to stand to that determination, to which wee and the Ch: doe stand firmly according to our agreement and ingagement.
[But the withdrawers stood steadfastly by the result of the first Council - June, 1656 - which Mr. Stone condemned and publicly discredited. They affirmed (see next paper) that the Elders and Messengers from Massachusetts had never "been called or owned by us a Counsell"; and they charged Mr. Stone with breaking the Pacification made by those Elders and Messen- gers, and renewing the former offences.]
2. They have withdrawn themselves from all Ch: communion with us, not giving us any convincing reason out of the word of God for their withdrawing from us, &c., &c.
[The remainder of this specification is an amplification of the foregoing, charging the withdrawers with acting unreasonably both in their withdraw- ing and in their letters and papers, to the defamation of Mr. Stone, to the hurt of the Church, and the violation of the laws. And a third specification is added, which is given in our First Chapter, page 19, to the effect that the action of the withdrawers, if tolerated, will cause divisions of churches in other towns, &c.]
The reason why wee are necessitated to present these grievances and offences to the consideration of this honored court, is because these our brethren doe deny any Ch: relation to us; secondly, the Civill authority are by the appointment of God and by the lawes of this com-
271
Appendix I
monwealth to see that the peace, ordinances, and rules of Christ in every Ch: within this jurisdiction bee observed, &c.
NATHANIELL BARDING,
GEORGE STOCKING,
GEORGE GRAVE,
THOMAS SPENCER,
WILLIAM KELSY, JOSEPH EASON,
PAUL PECK,
JONIN BAYSY,
NATH. WILLETT.
[One, at least, of these signers afterward went over to the withdrawers. What fruit this complaint yielded may be seen by referring to Col. Records of Conn., vol. 1 : 311, 312, 318. See also our First Chapter, page 38.]
XII
LETTER FROM THE WITHDRAWERS TO GOVERNOR EATON AND REV. JOHN DAVENPORT OF NEW HAVEN.
[We give only certain sentences and a general account of this not very important letter. The writers affirm that they had never been a party to calling or owning the Elders and Messengers from Mass. as a Councell. They affirm the subscribers of the "remonstrance to the church at Hartford" were not allowed by Mr. Stone to speak to their paper before the church, and that these subscribers went to the Governor and Deputy, and offered in open court to make proof upon oath to the particulars in their remonstrance, but were not allowed to do so, because when'Governor Winthrop expressed willingness to hear them, Mr. Talcott and others vehemently objected on technical grounds, so that they were denied a hearing both in the church and in the court wherein they had been publicly accused. The entire paper may be read in second volume of Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll.]
XIII
FROM THE WITHDRAWERS TO OTHER CHURCHES OF CONNECTICUT AND NEW HAVEN COLONIES.
REVEREND AND DEAR SIR : -
Wee being necessitated toe make a reply to Mr. Stone's papers (in way of answer to ours) which himself and the Ch: hath sent to severall churches, you may please to understand that wee have sent you a true coppie of what wee sent in to Mr. Stone upon the 29th of the last moneth. Our humble request is that this our reply may be read to your ch: and though wee are (as we conceive) inforced to withdraw from the perticular church wee did belong toe, which is a great grief to our hearts, yett
272
History of the Church
we desire to holde our comunion with the churches of Christ as formerly. And yett not being able to content ourselves with that, but earnestly longing and desiring that wee might again be under the wing and government of Christ in his church, to enjoy and meete with him in all the waies of his instituted worship, have propounded our selves to the Ch: of Christ at Wethersfield for comunion with them thearein. Now thearefore, having found all former means by a councill and otherwise fruitless as toe a thorough healing, and that thear is noe other meanes within our viewe left but only to apeale to the churches and crave their judgment and help in this our afflicted state and condition : - Wee earn- estly intreate that as speedily as you may you would afoarde us what help you shall judg wee neede, as our case requires : either in that way we have taken of prpounding ourselves, or in any other that you shall discerne to be more according to a rule of Christ. [The remainder of the letter is unimportant. ]
Yor deeply afflicted friends and brethren in the Lord, in the name of the rest withdrawne.
JOHN WEBSTER, JOHN CULLICK, WILL: GOODWIN, ANDREW BACON.
HARTFORD, February 12th, 1657.
XIV
REV. JOHN DAVENPORT OF NEW HAVEN TO THE CHURCH AT WETHERSFIELD.
[A digest of this long letter is here given, with quotations of the most important paragraphs.]
The church at New Haven had already answered the letter of the Wethersfield church, in which advice had been asked concerning the propriety of receiving the Hartford withdrawers. Moreover, says Davenport, several of the Elders of the late Council had met in New Haven to discuss the same question, and Davenport had, by courtesy, met with them. He proceeds to give a brief account of what he has done to inform himself of the facts in the case, and then to deliver his opinion. He finds
Ist, "That the whole church at Hartford unanimously consented to call a council of Elders of that colony, with whom were joined Mr. Prudden of this colony, to give advice for the ending of the differences between them ; by which act the church did put the whole power of judging one another about the matter so referred out of their own hands into the hands of the council, with submission to their judgment, &c."
24, "That council thus ealled left their final determination with them in writing, subscribed by them all . first, that mutual satisfaction should be given on both sides to each other, by acknowledg- ing their faults in the particulars mentioned in that writing ; second,
Appendix I 273
that if differences should again break forth or not be healed, the dissenting brethren should crave their dismission, and the church should give it them."
3ª, Mr. Davenport mentions Mr. Stone's opposition to the Council's Result, "published to their reproach," and the Council's defense against his strictures.
4th, The Elders of the said Council all testify that the dissenting brethren " have fully attended " both parts of the Council's advice, and, when no peaceful settlement was obtained, asked for letters of dis- mission.
He then mentions the failure of the Pacification attempted by the Elders from Mass., and the final withdrawal of the minority, who would either form a distinct church or join some other, but the Hartford church would not permit them to do either.
5th, " The Elders of said council do further testify that Mr. Stone and the church at Hartford have violated the determination of the Council in both parts of its advice, by their never giving the satisfaction prescribed for the healing of offenses, and now by their not giving the offended brethren their dismission."
As to what should be done, Mr. Davenport remarks that the with- drawers are well known to be godly people. "They are for their num- ber and qualities a party not be despised." They have fulfilled their duties as defined by a mutual council, and the church has violated that council's determination. Their proximity to Wethersfield is noted as reason why they should be admitted there. The injustice of requiring all churches to refuse them admission is pointed out, and it is further remarked that such injustice would also bring all councils into disrepute and the Congregational way of church government into reproach. Mr. Davenport earnestly wishes that Mr. Stone & the Hartford church would be pleased to give the dissenting brethren their dismissions with - out any conditions or delay, but if they are resolved not to do this, he thinks the Wethersfield church may receive said dissenting brethren. He advises cautious procedure and the advice of a council on this point, but distinctly says that if the Wethersfield church should receive them it would be virtually sustained not only by himself but by the church in New Haven.
TESTIMONY AND COUNSEL OF THE REV. JOHN HIGGINSON OF GUILFORD.
[Of this very long letter or document such portions are here given as are of chief importance.]
In the first outbreak of difference between Mr. Stone and Mr. Good- win, Mr. Higginson endeavored to effect a reconciliation without a council. This was before the church was divided into parties. After the council had delivered its opinions, both parties sent to Mr. Higgin-
IS
274
History of the Church
son and appealed to him for advice. The question whether Wethersfield church should receive the withdrawers was submitted to him and to the Guilford church.
He gives his opinion on the whole question :
(1) The Council called to adjust the differences was a mutual one.
(2) It was the duty of that Council to set down their definitive sentence & decisive judgment, which they did : - " Satisfaction mutual for offenses given, separation by dismission of the dissenting brethren, in case of non-satisfaction."
(3) It was the duty of both the parties of the church at Hartford to submit to the definitive sentence of the Council; - to give satisfac- tion, or in case of non-satisfaction, the dissenting brethren were to ask and receive dismission.
(4) " The dissenting brethren have submitted to the judgment of the Council, in both parts of it. They have given satisfaction as they were advised to do." That failing, " they have desired their, dismis- sion."
(5) " Mr. Stone and the church there hath not submitted to the judg- ment of the Council, in neither part of it." They have not given sat- isfaction as they were advised to do, nor have they given dismission when it was desired.
" But instead of submission, Mr. Stone hath risen up in opposition to the Council, setting up his own judgment in his own case against the judgment of the Council ; frequently calling for disputation after their definitive sentence, openly in the face of the country publishing a confuta- tion of the judgment of the Council, and by restless endeavor procuring other Elders to come up from the Bay." This opposition to the Council by Mr. Stone hath been the blameable cause of the continuance and increase and multiplying of those contentions and disorders that have been since the Council : as also it hath given . . such a wound to the Congregational way, that except Mr. Stone's repentence be as publicly known as his sin in so doing, his example in this and the consequences of it is like to have a destructive influence upon all the churches in New England."
Mr. Higginson says the Magistracy of the colony should have seen that respect & submission were given to the determination of the Coun- cil, but the Magistrates were interested in the case and divided among themselves, and allowed the Elders of the Council to be " discouraged and discountenanced by a prevailing party growing up under the shad- dow of Mr. Stone."
Mr. Higginson gives his opinion that "notwithstanding Mr. Stone's opposition to the Council, and notwithstanding the different apprehen- sions of the Elders of the Bay (who were not called by both parties, nor so advantaged to understand the state of things in Hartford as the neighboring Elders were) yet the definitive sentence of the Council stands in full power, as it did at first."
275
Appendix I
He further says that the Pacification procured through the Elders of the Bay was "through importunity yielded unto by the dissenting brethren."
It did not nullify the power of the sentence of the previous Council, or the duty of submission to it. "I see not wherein the dissenting brethren can be blamed for desiring their dismission but Mr. Stone and the church are to be blamed for not granting their dis- mission."
Mr. Higginson had some legal scruples about the act of withdrawal without regular letters of dismission, and he discusses at some length " the defects of order " in the Congregational system. Finally he bears witness concerning the dissenters that they are "persons sound in the faith and of unblameable life ; " and adds that in case the Elders of the Council judge that their withdrawal has been according to the scope of their sentence, the withdrawers " are fitt either to joyn in church fel- lowship amongst themselves, or to joyne to another church as God shall direct and give them opportunity to do."
[It will be seen by the reader of these documents how perfectly the testi- mony and opinion of Mr. Higginson agree with those of Mr. Davenport. The full text of these two documents may be found in the Hist. Society's Coll., vol. II. The other documents in the controversy may be found there, but they are not of sufficient importance to be printed here. We have given such papers, or digests of them, as pertain to the facts in the case, and show the status and the animus of both parties in the controversy. The whole matter is of interest and instruction, as showing the first marked case of dissent from the established church in Connecticut. Here in New England Dis- senters found their way almost as hard as their fathers had found it in old England.]
APPENDIX II
PASTORS AND DEACONS OF THE CHURCH SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL COMMITTEE, CLERKS, AND TREASURERS OF THE SOCIETY
.
279
Appendix II
PASTORS OF THE CHURCH
JOHN WHITING,
1670-1689
THOMAS BUCKINGHAM,
1694-1731
ELNATHAN WHITMAN, D.D., .
1732-1777
WILLIAM PATTEN, Colleague of Mr. Whitman, 1767-1773
BENJAMIN BOARDMAN, 1784-ISO2
ABEL FLINT, D.D., . ·
1791-1824
JOEL HARVEY LINSLEY, D.D., 1824-1832
CORNELIUS VANARSDALEN, D.D., . 1832-IS36
OLIVER ELLSWORTH DAGGETT, D.D., 1837-IS43
WALTER CLARK, D.D.,
1845-1859
EDWIN POND PARKER, D.D.,
IS60-
280
History of the Church
DEACONS IN THE CHURCH, SO FAR AS KNOWN
George Grave,
in office 1670 ;
died
1673
Stephen Hosmer,
1687.
John Wilson,
I688.
Samuel Smith,
1707
John Eston, .
171I
John Merrolds,
1712
Thomas Bunce,
1714.
Thomas Richards,
I730.
Thomas Seymour, Esq.,
Daniel Bull,
1776
Thomas Hosmer, Esq.,
1777
Medad Webster,
1793
Ebenezer Crosby,
1791 ;
1795
Jonathan Wells,
1791 ;
1794
Matthew Webster,
born in 1720 ;
ISO7
Thomas Seymour, Esq.,
chosen
1794;
died
1829
John Babcock,
1794;
died
1796
Joshua Hempstead, .
I795;
resigned 1818
Thomas Tileston,
1809;
aged 95 yrs.
Russell Bunce,
1818;
resigned 1821
Michael Seymour,
1820;
1830
Elijah Knox, .
1820;
1847
Elijah Porter Barrows,
1830;
I831
J. Hubbard Wells,
1830;
died
1862
George Corning,
1831 ;
1840
Zephaniah Swift,
1831;
1836
Albert W. Butler,
1839;
resigned 1852
Seth Terry,
1847;
died
1865
Henry L. Bidwell,
1852;
resigned 1858
Lucius Barbour,
1858;
Ashbel W. Barrows, .
I858;
1873
Thomas H. Welles, .
1862 ;
died
1887
Charles T. Webster, .
IS64;
1878
Nelson Kingsbury, .
1866;
resigned 1874
William H. Sumner, .
1870;
1877
William L. Squire, .
66
1873;
ISSI
Peter D. Stillman,
1852;
1880
66
( died
1837
( resigned 1809
1712
Daniel Merrels,
1767
1865
Appendix II
281
Franklin Glazier,
chosen 1878;
died 1889
Elnathan B. Frisbie,
1878;
resigned 1881
George H. Woods,
1880.
Charles S. Goodwin, .
18SI.
Charles S. Gillette, .
66
ISSI ;
died
1887
Henry E. Harrington,
188I.
George F. Hills,
1887.
Joseph A. Graves,
1887.
Hosmer Griswold,
1888.
282
History of the Church
SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE SUNDAY- SCHOOL
J. Hubbard Wells,
1828-9, 1830-5-6
D. F. Robinson,
1831
Zephaniah Swift, .
1832
John H. Goodwin,
I833-4
Peter D. Stillman,
1837-8, 1845-6
Simeon L. Loomis,
1839-40
Charles P. Welles,
1841-2-7-9
John B. Corning, .
1843
A. W. Butler,
1844
Henry S. Bidwell, .
1850
James Goodman, .
1851 to 1860-62-64
Henry C. Robinson,
1861, 1866-7 to 1871
Rowland Swift,
1863
Nelson Kingsbury,
1865
James H. Tallman,
1876-7-8-9
Rev. E. P. Parker, D.D.,
1880 to 1883
Olin H. Clark,
1884
Frank E. Hyde,
1885-7
Joseph A. Graves,
1886
Lucius F. Robinson,
.
IS88-93
Appendix II
283
COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIETY
[The first mention of a Committee in the Records of the Society is under date of Dec. 19, 1787, when Captain Aaron Bull and Mr. Joseph Church ask "to be excused from that office in which they have long served the Society."
The following list comprises the names of those who have served in that office.]
Thomas Seymour,
1787
Thomas Y. Seymour,
1787, 1798-1801
Jonathan Bull,
1787
Andrew Kingsbury,
1798-1801
Levi Robbins,
1798, 1801-4
Roderick Sheldon,
1799-1800
Zebulon Seymour,
1802-1806
Tim Barnard,
1802-1805
Richard Seymour,
1805-1806 1806
Reuben Wadsworth,
1807-1821
Elisha Shepard,
1807-1822
Elisha Williams, .
1807-1815
Sylvester Wells, .
IS22
Chauncey Barnard,
1823-1834
Charles Butler,
1823-1829
Henry Kilbourn, .
1823-1831
Horace Goodwin, .
1830-1831
Horace Goodwin 2nd,
1831-1835
George Putman,
1830-1831
D. F. Robinson,
1831-1837
Horace Seymour,
1832-1836
Freeman Seymour,
I835
William Johnson, .
IS36-1837
Horace Goodwin,
1837
James T. Hinsdale,
1837
Charles P. Wells, .
1837-1839
Samuel Dodd,
1838
Lewis Skinner,
1838
John H. Goodwin,
1839
Charles T. Webster,
1839
Simeon L. Loomis,
1840-1843
Samuel Dodd,
1840-1841
Between Dec. 19, 1787, and Jan. 11, 1798, no election of a committee is recorded.
Mack C. Webster,
1832-1835
Henry Seymour, .
1816-1822
James Wells,
284
History of the Church
Enoch C. Stanton,
1840-1841
Allen Porter,
1842-1843
Leander C. Burnham,
1842-1848
David F. Robinson,
1844-1849
Ellery Hills,
1844-1849
Charles T. Webster,
1849-1851
Peter D. Stillman,
1850-1860 1852
James H. Ashmead,
1853-1859
Lucius Barbour, .
1853-1864
Howell R. Hills,
1856-1859
Marshall Jewell, .
1856-1862
Edwin D. Tiffany,
1860-1862
George S. Gilman, Esq., .
1860-1862
William S. White,
1861-1864
Peter D. Stillman,
1863-1867
Henry A. Cooley, .
1864-1874
James H. Ashmead,
1864-1865
Nelson Kingsbury,
1865-1868
James Goodman, .
1865
George W. Moore,
1866-1872
Edward Kellogg, .
1866-1868
Frederick R. Foster,
1868-1874
Loren P. Waldo, Esq.,
1869
E. Palmer Tiffany,
1869-1874
Samuel C. Colt,
1870-1874
Charles H. Smith,
1873-1874
Nathaniel T. Pitkin,
1875-1879
Henry C. Dwight,
1875-1881
Albert L. Butler,
1875
Burdett Loomis, .
1875-1878
Alvan P. Hyde, Esq.,
1875-188I
Franklin Glazier, .
1876-188I
John R. Hills,
1879-1881
Charles S. Gillette,
1880-1883
William E. Baker,
1882-1893
Henry C. Robinson, Esq.,
1882-1889
George F. Hills, .
1884-1889
Henry E. Harrington,
1890-1893
Joseph A. Graves,
1890
Charles H. Northam,
1891-1893
H. F. Sumner,
1850-1852
Samuel Woodruff,
285
Appendix II
CLERKS OF THE SOCIETY.
[Such records of the Society as now exist are opened under date of Nov. 21, 1767, transcribed from "the original records" by John Ledyard. The first business meeting is recorded under date of Jan. 29, 1767 (copied from a former record), in the handwriting of the Society's Clerk, Daniel Shel- don. His handwriting continues until May 9, 1768. The record from Oct. 21, 1768, until Feb. 22, 1773, is made by some one person unknown, with the exception of meetings held April 12, 1769, and April 29, 1770, which are recorded by Thomas Seymour, clerk pro tempore ]
Daniel Sheldon,
1767-1768
Thomas Seymour, pro tempore,
1769-1770
Jonathan Buli,
1772-179S
William Whitman,
1798-1802
Henry Seymour,
ISO2-ISI4
James Babcock,
ISI4-1820
Charles Babcock,
IS20-IS24
Charles Shepard,
IS24-1829
Lewis Skinner,
1829-1843
John H. Goodwin,
1843-1847
Samuel Dodd.
IS47-IS52
Caleb L. Packard,
1852-1853
William Blatchley,
IS53-IS73
William L. Squire,
IS73-ISSI
John E. Morris,*
ISSI
* Still in office.
286
History of the Church
TREASURERS OF THE SOCIETY.
[Each of the following persons held the office until the election of his successor as recorded below.]
Jonathan Bull,
elected 1775
Barzillai Hudson,
I798
Consider Burt,
I802
Henry Seymour, .
. € 1805
George Burr,
IS2I
Daniel Hinsdale, .
IS24
Charles Shepard,
I828
Horace Goodwin 2d,
1829
D. F. Robinson, .
66
I83I
Charles P. Wells,
1834
James T. Hinsdale,
66
1836
F. A. Brown,
1837
John B. Corning, .
1841
John H. Goodwin,
1847
H. L. Bidwell,
I853
John H. Goodwin,
1854
Rowland Swift,
1856
Edwin D. Tiffany,
1864
George F. Hills, .
I868
Charles F. Gillette,
1875
James H. Knight,* * Still in office.
1880
Charles Shepard,
I832
IS35
Henry Francis,
APPENDIX III
[This appendix is a partial copy of the records of the Second Church of Christ in Hartford. The records up to 1860 are contained in three vol- umnes. The earliest now in existence was prepared by the Reverend Thomas Buckingham, and comprises the records of the church from the beginning, inclusive of those presumably kept by the Reverend John Whiting, the first pastor, the original of which has probably ceased to exist. This little book is six and one-half by six inches in size, and contains sixty-four pages. It is seemingly complete. Two leaves which are missing from the body of the book evidently contained no portion of the record, as its continuity is perfect.
The volume or volumes succeeding Mr. Buckingham's record, and prior to the pastorate of Reverend Dr. Flint (1730-1791), are missing and have probably been destroyed.
The second existing volume contains the record kept by the Reverend Dr. Flint, and covers not only the acts of the church, but a very full list of baptisms, marriages, and deaths.
The third volume covers the period from 1824 to 1860, and in it are found the baptisms administered by the Reverend Doctors Linsley, Vanarsdalen, Daggett, and Clark.
Mr. Buckingham's record is given in this appendix almost in its entirety, as is also the record of baptisms, marriages, and deaths kept by Dr. Flint, it having been thought best to present them in this way in order to preserve the quaintness of the phraseology and spelling. This is followed by an index, by means of which any name may be readily found. The baptisms recorded in the third volume are here arranged alphabetically, and require no index.]
288
History of the Church
REV. MR. BUCKINGHAM'S RECORD.
" Some Acts Done by the Second Church in Hartford after their Settlement in a Distinct State, ffebry 12 : 1669-
" March 28, 1677. The church having before chosen Mr. John White to the office of a Ruling Elder and He accepted it, He was accordingly this day ordained to and in that office in the presence and with the aprobation of the Elders and messengers of some neighbour churches.
" This Holy man having faithfully served the Lord in his place and that also with good success through grace (He was a good man and god was with him) fell asleap in Christ and went to receive his reward Janry 1683.
March 24, 1685, the church and children of it renewed the covenant as may be seen in the forme as it is written in a loose Sheete among the papers belonging to ye church."
[Here follows a record (commenced in the margin of the page) and very badly torn and defaced, continuing through the first and occupying also the whole of the second page, relating to matters of discipline, of which it is im- possible to make a complete copy, on account of the mutilated condition of the margin. The church rules and covenant begin at the top of the third page, which is also somewhat mutilated.]
" Having had the consent and countenance of the General Court and the advice of an ecclesiasticall councill to incourage us in imbodying as a church by ourselves, Accordingly, upon the day of compleating our distinct state (viz. ffebry 12, 1669), This paper was read before the messengers of the churches, and consented to by ourselves, viz .:
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