USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Goshen > History of the town of Goshen, Connecticut, with genealogies and biographies based upon the records of Deacon Lewis Mills Norton, 1897 > Part 12
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
In March a committee was appointed to purchase clothing for the soldiers from the town who were in the Continental army.
TOWN MEETING, JUNE 29, 1780.
" The act of the General Assembly enabling each town to tax themselves, in order to fill up their quota of men to fill up the Con- tinental army; the question was put whether the town would do any- thing to encourage the enlisting of our quota of men, and it passed in the affirmative.
" Voted, to give to each able-bodied effective soldier, to the num- ber of 10, - (which is the quota of men now demanded of this town) who shall by the 29th day of July next enlist into the Continental battalion for three years, or during the war, so as to be allowed towards our quota now demanded, shall be entitled to a bounty (over and above all public bounties and wages) to be paid out of the treasury of this town, the sum of twelve pounds - silver money, or in other money equivalent thereto, for each six months they shall serve in said battalion, to be paid at the end of each six months; and in the same proportion for a lesser time in 40 shillings per month.
" At the same Voted to add to the aforesaid bounty ten shillings per month, to be paid in the same money, and at the same periods of payment as is written.
" Voted to give each non-commissioned officer and soldier who has been drafted or gone a volunteer since the first day of April last into the service of the battalion of this state, in the army or into the continental war six months; - or that shall be drafted to go into the service of this state before the first day of September next, be in- titled to receive a bounty of 40 shillings per month, to be paid in silver money, or the equivalent thereof in other money to be paid out of the treasury of this town at the end of their service; - but provided any person being drafted shall hire another person to take his place, - he who hires is to receive the bounty aforesaid."
In the October following, a tax of nine penee on a pound was levied to pay this bounty. In November a tax of six pence on the pound to be paid in pork, beef, or wheat flour, for the army. Any person refusing to pay this tax was compelled to pay double the sum it should cost the town to supply the articles.
At the same meeting the town was divided into classes,
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
as many in number as the quota called for, and when soldiers were to be furnished each class must furnish its proportion.
In January, 1781, five soldiers were called for, to go to Horse Neck, and other parts of this State, and a committee appointed and given power to raise the quota in the best man- ner they can, at the cost of the town, and if the treasurer has not sufficient money to pay the expense, he is instructed to bor- row the same on the credit of the town. It appears that some persons had not paid the 64 pence tax, and the collectors were empowered to distrain the goods and chattels of persons who had neglected, and to collect of them one shilling for every 64 pence assessed, and to lay out the money they shall so col- lect for purchasing such articles as are required to be pro- cured by the town by Act of Assembly.
In February, 1781, it was:
" Voted that any class neglecting to furnish men when called for should pay to the town double the sum it might cost them to obtain the men and any person in the class neglecting to pay such assessment should be obliged to pay double the sum assessed."
In 1781, Ensign Collins and Kettel were appointed a committee " to hire such soldiers or Light Horse as are re- quired to be raised in this town by a late Resolve of the Gen- eral Assembly of this state; to serve for one year; and to draw money out of the town treasury for that end."
The 23d of June, a tax of four pence on the pound was laid, to be paid in good, merchantable beef cattle, the prices having been determined at the session of the General Assem- bly the May previous. Daniel Miles was chosen to receive the 2-6 tax, to be paid in provisions, clothing or shoes.
Captains Hall and Wright and Lieutenant Miles were made a committee to hire two recruits to serve till the last day of December next, and to hire three soldiers to serve in the continental line until the first day of March next; and to borrow money if need be for that purpose, on the credit of the town.
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
In February, 1782, it was:
" Voted, that the commanding officers of the several military companies in this town be a committee to hire the recruits required to serve in the Connecticut line for the defence of the Western fron- tier, until the first of April, 1783, on the best terms they can: and to give such recruits the treasury notes of this town for the payment of such sums as they shall agree to give such recruits. And also in like manner to hire such recruits to serve in the continental army for three years or during the war, as shall be required of this town this spring."
" Voted, that Eusign Daniel Miles and Capt. Hall be a committee to appear before the committee appointed by the Assembly, to ascer- tain the number of recruits to be raised in this town for the filling up the continental army, and to shew the number of men we have now in actual service."
It will be remembered by the reader that after the cam- paign of 1777, the seat of the war was changed to the South, and that there was but little fighting in New England. The surrender of Cornwallis took place October 19, 1781, and this practically ended the war. The independence of these states was acknowledged by Great Britain in 1782, and a formal treaty of peace was signed in 1783.
It may be of interest to make the record here that, the Grand List of Goshen, in 1779, was 13,194 pounds, 15 shil- lings, 3 pence.
The following are the names of the soldiers from Goshen, so far as I have been able to obtain them.
Thomas Converse, Ensign, Lieutenant, Captain, Adju- tant, Brigade Inspector.
Asa Francis, Ensign.
Stephen Goodwin, Captain.
Asaph Hall, Lieutenant and Captain.
Medad Hills, Captain and Lieutenant Colonel.
Jesse Judd, Ensign.
Aaron Norton, Ensign.
Miles Norton, Lieutenant. -
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
Theodore Parmelee, Lieutenant and Captain .* John Riley, Lieutenant.
Rev. Josiah Sherman, Chaplain. Doctor Elisha Sill, Surgeon.
Matthew Smith, Lieutenant-Colonel.
Timothy Stanley, Lieutenant.
James Thompson, Lieutenant. Jabez Wright, Ensign. Edmund Beach, Drummer.
Jonathan Buell, Jr., Corporal.
Ambrose Collins, Sergeant.
Stephen Goodwin, Jr., Fifer. Adino Hale, Sergeant.
Seth Lockwood, Sergeant.
Elisha Mix, Corporal.
Isaac Miles, Corporal.
Robert Morris, Sergeant.
Samuel Richmond, Sergeant.
Robert Rood, Sergeant.
William Starr, Corporal, Ensign in '77.
John Seeley, Sergeant. Jonathan Tuttle, Sergeant.
Charles Wright, Sergeant.
Theodore Andrews.
Ambrose Beach.
Brewen Baldwin.
John Beach.
Isaac Baldwin.
Israel Beach.
Samuel Baldwin.
Abraham Beach.
* Theodore Parmelee was captain of a company of horse in the time of the Revolution and had three or four tours of service. He was present when New York was taken by the British; also at the capture of Burgoyne. On one occasion he, with his company, had dismounted for a little breathing time, while in a battle with Bur- goyne. He was himself seated upon a fence, when a cannon ball shivered the rail upon which he sat. On another occasion he was sent with a scouting party of horse near the enemy's lines, when he was surprised and suddenly surrounded. Not being disposed to surrender, he drove through, and, warding off several blows of swords aimed at his head, escaped unhurt. He was never wounded.
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
Martin Beach.
Joseph Gaylord.
Amos Beach.
Titus Gaylord. Oliver Griswold.
Medad Beach.
Obed Beach.
Alexander Griswold.
Julius Beach.
Jeremiah Hurlbut.
Jonathan Beach.
John Hobbs.
Josiah Bartholomew.
Samuel Hayden.
Zobed Becklee.
Seth Hayden.
Asa Brooks.
Seth Hills.
Joseph Brooks.
Lewis Hinman.
Timothy Buell.
David Humphrey.
Jonathan Buell.
Simeon Humphrey.
Abel Butler.
David Holmes.
Joseph Butler.
Charles Humphrey.
James Brown.
David Hurlbut.
Isaac Butrick.
Jaazaniah Howe.
Nathan Carter.
Justus Hale.
Caleb Carr.
Uri Hill. John Hoy.
Ichabod Chapen. Philo Collins.
Augustus Hills.
Cyprian Collins.
Thomas Castle.
David Ives.
Ezra Caswell.
Abner Ingraham.
John Dear.
John Dear, Jr.
Timothy Knapp. Leverett Kellogg.
James Davis.
Bradford Kellogg.
Joel Davis. John Doud. Pat Downs.
Jonathan Kettle. Ebenezer Lewis. Thomas Lucas.
Thomas Dickerman.
David Francis ..
Joel Gaylord.
Matthew Lockwood. Nehemiah Lewis. Jacob Lair.
1
John Carr.
David Hart. .
William Hunt.
Jonathan Deming.
Samuel Kellogg.
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
Jonathan Mahn.
Seth Norton.
Lent Mott.
Seth North.
John Musson.
Martin Nash.
Thomas E. Munson.
Nathanael Newell.
J. Matthews.
Stephen North.
Jeptha Merrill.
Isaac Pratt.
Noah Merrill.
N. Stanley Parmelee.
Solomon Morse.
Elisha Peck.
Caleb Miles.
Stephen Peck.
Elisha Mayo.
Daniel Pickett.
Stephen Mix.
Thaddeus Potter.
Ephraim Merrills. Murray.
Aaron Merrills.
Noah Malbe.
John North, Jr .*
Asher Smith.
Nathan Norton.
Justus Squire.
John Norton.
Timothy Stanley, Jr.
Joseph Norton.
Medad Norton.
Oliver Norton.
. Abraham Smith. Jesse Stanley. Richard Sill.
Jabez Norton.
Eber Norton.
Scott. Charles Squire.
Ebenezer Norton, Jr.
Israel Smith.
Alexander Norton.
Ichabod Tuttle.
Nathanael Norton.
John Thompson.
* John North, son of John, was among the 1,100 men dispatched by Gen. Washington from Cambridge by the northern route under Col. Arnold to Quebec. It was not known what company he was in. He lived through that severe expedition and returned.
" Revolutionary services of Peter Richards of Goshen, aged 73: "That in the month of Dec., 1775, he enlisted as a private soldier in the Company of Capt. Nathaniel Tuttle, belonging to the regiment of Col. Charles Webb of the Connecticut Line for a term of one year. that soon after he joined the American army near Boston and that he continued to serve in said company and regiment during one year. He received on the 8th day of April, 1818, Pension Certifi- cate No. 5589." - From Pension Records.
Peter Richards .*
Ebenezer Shepard.
Jesse Roys ( ? Rice ).
Charles Richards.
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
Elijah Towner.
Jonathan Wheaton.
Timothy Tuttle.
John Walter.
Solomon Thompson.
Jacob Williams.
Joseph Thompson.
John Willoughby.
Thomas Wire.
Abraham Wadhams.
David Wright.
Job Wilcox .*
Freedom Wright.
Elijah Wilcox.
Jacob Williams; Jr.
TORIES.
Ashbel Humphrey, son of Samuel. His daughter stated that he was known to be in favor of the mother country. John Doud once snapped his gun at him with the intention, as is supposed, of killing him. His daughter Molly stated that it was because he refused to observe a public fast day, in Revo- lutionary times, and kept about his work. Fisk Beach, con- stable, and John Doud were sent to arrest him, and it was in the attempt to take him that Mr. Doud snapped his pistol at him. It was loaded, for when snapped afterwards it lodged a ball in the body of a tree. Mr. Humphrey was taken before a magistrate at the house of Fisk Beach. The greater part of his property was taken from him in the way of fines on differ- ent occasions.
Benjamin Ives, the son of Benjamin, was known as a tory.
David Ives, brother to the above, enlisted as a Continental soldier, but deserted to the British. After the war he took up his residence in Nova Scotia.
John Willoughby, 3d. His grandfather came to Goshen soon after the settlement of the town. He was in Captain Good-
# Job Willcox was in service the last three years of the Revolu- tionary War, was a promising young man and unmarried. He went South for his health and took some goods to trade with the Cherokee Indians. He was murdered by them where he was at noon-day. The Indians refused to give up the murderers but offered to restore the goods. His brother, Heman, went down, but finally abandoned the enterprise and the goods were lost. Heman's courage failed. (Test. Francis Beach.)
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win's company at New York, in 1776, and returned. He was in service a second time, enlisting April 16, 1777, and de- serted January 8, 1778. He went to Maine and there resided. He returned to Goshen after the war and made a short visit.
Isaac Butrick, who was in the army in 1777, and at New York, from whence he deserted to the British. His wife was a worthy woman, but after his desertion she suffered some indignities from the younger people because he was a tory.
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
CHAPTER X.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Allusion has been made to the fact that there were a few persons in the town who favored the Church of England, al- though it is not probable that they had strong convictions as churchmen. Subsequent events indicate that there was an increasing influence in this direction down to the time of the Revolution. Ensign Samuel Humphrey, who called himself an Episcopalian, died in 1759. A building was erected for a church in the summer of 1767, at the south end of the East street graveyard. Nathaniel Stanley, Jr., Walter Cook, John Thompson, and Ashbel Humphrey, each gave ten pounds; Captain Timothy Stanley, Jacob Beach, Isaac Humphrey, and Joseph Bailey each gave six pounds; and five others gave two pounds each, making 74 pounds. The building was framed by Nathaniel Hart. It was about 30 x 40 feet, of suitable height, never painted, the door at the south end, a floor laid, and benches made of slabs for seats. Nothing more was done to the inside except a little something to serve for a pulpit.
The Rev. Solomon Palmer, then of Litchfield, continued for several years to hold service and preach there once a month. The other clergymen who preached at different times were the Rev. John Nichols of Waterbury, another by the name of Nichols and one by the name of Wood.
The society declined during the War of the Revolution, so that by the year 1788, very little remained but the name. The house was ultimately given to the northeast winter parish, and drawn there at the beginning of winter, 1792. Lewis M. Norton says, " It was a great drawing as I can well remember." It was left on the spot where it was expected to remain, and
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remained an open building and unrepaired until the great storm in March, 1796, when it was blown down and destroyed.
The following humorous, but characteristic lines were writ- ten by Nathaniel Baldwin, a grandson of Deacon Nathaniel Baldwin.
OLD EPISCOPAL CHURCH, GOSHEN.
" Contentious broils and party zeal, subside, Hence from my base on whirlwinds let me ride; Ungrateful Churchmen! view my fallen state; Religion barterers, you shall share my fate. Conscience convicts you, glaring recollection! How ill your conduct bears a retrospection."
It should be recorded that, from the first appearance of Episcopalians here, the town manifested a spirit of liberality towards them and appointed annually for many years, a col- lector to collect the "Churchmen's rate; " that is, the same ministerial tax was laid on all, but the part collected from those who called themselves Episcopalians was by a special col- lector, and by him paid over to support their minister.
THE METHODIST-EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Freeborn Garrettson, who entered the Methodist min- istry in 1775, traveled in several States and introduced Meth- odism into Litchfield County in 1790. In the year 1797 Eze- kiel Canfield and William Thatcher were appointed to labor on what was called Litchfield Circuit. To "ride the circuit," as it was called, required about 300 miles travel every four weeks. There was no church formed, but the members were organized in classes with a leader. In December of the same year, Mr. Canfield was on his way to attend a quarterly meet- ing at Cornwall, in company with David Miller, and stopped for the night at the house of Helmont Kellogg. During their stay here it was arranged that there should be preaching in the neighborhood the next Sunday evening, and on that evening,
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
December 31, 1797, the first sermon by a Methodist minister was preached in Goshen. The meeting was held in the lower room of the house now (1894) occupied by the great-grand- son, Henry G. Wright, of the then owner, Captain Jabez Wright. William Thateher, Mr. Canfield's colleague, was present and gave an exhortation, which produced a stronger impression than the sermon, and which one who was present has described " as a rouser."
These first services were so acceptable that other appoint- ments were made. On one occasion after preaching at Mr. Wright's, two preachers were entertained for the night. After they had retired to the room they were to occupy, Mr. Wright, supposing they had no further use for their candle, went into their room for it, that he might use it to retire, and found them praying that God would bless their labors and save souls. As they continued for a long time to pray, Mr. Wright con- eluded to go to bed in the dark. This circumstance was re- lated by a son of Jabez Wright, in later years.
Their prayers were answered, and in a short time Asaph Wright and wife, Helmont Kellogg and wife, Melzar Howe and wife, Sarah Ives, Pamelia Norton, Clarinda Howe, Ida Landon, and Anna Carr were converted and organized into a class, with Melzar Howe as leader.
Preaching was continued during the winter, onee in two weeks, in private houses, but with the coming of summer the serviees were held in the old red schoolhouse. Additions were being constantly made, among them Truman Norton and wife, Joseph Norton, Betsey Orton, and Benjamin Roberts and wife. The first quarterly meeting was held in the barn of Jabez Wright, near his house, in July, 1798.
In 1798 Ebenezer Stevens and Freeman Bishop were ap- pointed to the cireuit and Sylvester Hutchinson was the pre- siding Elder. In 1799, Augustus Joycelin was the preacher in charge, and the next year Aaron Hunt and Elijah Batchelor
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RESIDENCE OF HENRY G. WRIGIIT. House where first Methodist sermon was preached in Goshen.
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were appointed to the circuit, and Freeborn Garretson, pre- siding Elder. In 1801, Peter Moriarity and John Sweet were the preachers. The former was so highly appreciated by Ben- jamin Roberts that he named a son Peter Moriarity Roberts. The account of his conversion is interesting. He was violently opposed to the Methodists, and forbade his wife attending their meetings. She was a woman of thorough religious principle, of firm purpose, and of fine intellect, and persevered in follow- ing her convictions of duty. Leaving her young children asleep, she would steal away to the prayer meetings. He finally went to hear what the babblers would say, and was converted. The holy life and triumphant death of Mrs. Roberts left a benediction upon her race. They resided several miles from the place of Sabbath worship, on Roberts Hill, near Cornwall Hollow. Prayer meetings were commenced in the neighbor- hood, and a society of Methodists sprang up around them.
The preachers in 1802, were James Campbell and Luman Andrus, in 1803, Caleb Morris and John Sweet, in 1804, Zalmon Lyon and Eben Smith, in 1805, Lyon alone, followed in 1806 by Nathan Emory and Samuel Cochran; with Peter Moriarity, presiding Elder. At this time the numbers had been reduced to nine members by removals and expulsions.
These were times when the camp meetings were meetings of great power, and a camp meeting meant a revival and many conversions. At the camp meeting in Sharon this year there were many conversions, and the interest awakened at that time was communicated to this and other churches. At this meet- ing Thomas Munson, Ruth Munson, Diantha Orris, Mrs. Sybil Upson and daughter, and others from Goshen were converted. Thomas Munson went to the camp-meeting to " have a good time." He dressed to make sport, wearing a hat with a very broad brim. One of the preachers asked him if he had a tent on the ground. He replied that he carried his tent on his head. He boasted that the Methodist preachers could not bring him
11
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down. But one of the preachers in referring to the incident, some years later, said, " The Lord did it," for before the close of the meeting he was soundly converted and went to his home rejoicing. In addition to the converts at this meeting the church soon received many others, among them Ethan Walter, Abram Depew, Nancy and Sally Thompson. So many were their accessions and so large were the congregations at this time that the little schoolhouse could not accommodate them, and a removal was had to the second story of the house of Ethan Walter. As there were no partitions it made a large and pleasant audience-room.
Aaron Hunt and Jonathan Lyon were on the circuit in 1807, Henry Ames and Andrew Prindle in 1808, Laban Clark and Reuben Morris in 1809 and 1810. A camp-meeting was held during both these years on ground south of the West Goshen Cemetery, and on the same side of the road. But few of the trees that then constituted the grove are now remain- ing.
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING.
In the year 1809 the society commenced to build their first house of worship. It stood nearly on the spot occupied by the present church, a little nearer the road and a little farther to the west. The lot contained about nine square rods, and was leased to the trustees for 999 years, by Alfred Wal- ter. It was commenced in 1809, but probably not finished until the next year. Chauncey Kellogg (son of Helmont), says, " It was built by Benjamin Roberts, assisted by Israel Stoddard. Two coarser workmen, that bore the name of me- chanics, never nailed two boards together; and an awkward thing they made of it. But I suppose the worship of God was just as acceptable from that as from a well-constructed house. No wonder it was stigmatized as the " Methodist barn." Just think of those box seats, the backs almost perpendicular, capped with a three-inch rail to rest the back against. As I
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
look back on them and feel them too, I should not wonder if every amen came out with a grunt. And then what a pulpit! Well, I have heard good sermons from it. Then the gallery, where they put the boys to keep them out of sight." The building was painted red on the outside and unpainted within. There were times of great interest during the twenty-six years it was occupied. When the present edifice was built, it was sold for $102, taken down and removed to a lot opposite the Goshen Cemetery, where it was rebuilt in its original size, and shape, and, with the addition of an ell, constitutes the present residence of Mr. George Herald.
The circuit was supplied during the years 1811-1816 by James Coleman, Arnold Schofield, James Coleman, Benja- min Griffin, William Swayne, Gad Smith, J. Reynolds, Thomas Thorp, Samuel Cochran, a second time, and the eccen- tric Billy Hibbard.
Among the early members whose names have been men- tioned, there are those to whom the church was largely in- debted, both in the way of personal Christian influence, and a spirit of self-sacrificing liberality. On the occasion of quar- terly meetings, a large number came from quite a distance, and a generous hospitality was called for. Upon such an occasion one of the brethren was asked, how many he could entertain, and replied, " As many as I have boards upon my floors." Happily that was not a day of floor boards six inches wide. Helmont Kellogg was a blacksmith, and had nine chil- dren grown up to manhood and womanhood, all of whom became members of the church, and when they removed from here to Wisconsin, at an early day, almost their first work was the organization of a society, and the building of a church edifice. Father Kellogg, as he was called, never permitted any ordinary thing to detain him from meetings. Once on a cold, blustering night, his family protested against his going to a distant schoolhouse to attend a prayer meeting. Upon his
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return, in answer to the inquiry, " Did you have a good meet- ing? Who was there? " replied, "O, yes, Jesus and I were there." Jonathan Thompson was another saintly man, a great lover of camp-meetings, and was never so long from home during fifty years, as when attending these meetings. His wife spun and wove, from flax raised by him, one hundred yards of linen cloth, which was made into a tent always car- ried to these meetings, and a table and chest for provisions was always kept for the same purpose. He died in 1838. David Wooster, who moved to Goshen in 1811, was a class leader, an exhorter, and a leader of the singing. Rev. Elbert Osborn has written of him, "The fervor that glowed in his countenance, beamed in his eye, and sounded in his voice while singing God's praises, is vividly recollected by me." William Silkrigg was one of his most efficient helpers, and they held services at times, on the Sabbath, three and four miles from home, in the southwestern part of town, and the southeastern part of Cornwall, and some of the people came through the woods to these meetings by foot paths and guided by marked trees. Mr. Wooster was largely instrumental in securing the repeal of the law which required the taxation of all property for the support of the Congregational Church.
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