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 15
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Lying by 24 hours for repairs, by using blankets for sails, favorable winds and hard rowing enabled them to reach the mouth of Grand River, June 7th, and the mouth of the Cuya- hoga on the 10th. Ten days were consumed in working the boats up that tortuous stream, its waters at that time being very low, the fleet reaching the mouth of Brandywine Creek, in the southerly portion of Northfield township, June 20th, one of the boats being plundered one night while its occupants were asleep, presumably by Indians, of quite a quantity of flour, pork, whiskey, and other supplies.
Six days were now spent by Mr. Hudson and his men in finding the west line of his township. The cattle having mean- time arrived overland, rude sleds were improvised, and on the hastily constructed roads through, over, and across the inter- vening woods, gulches, and swamps, their remaining goods were speedily transferred from the boats to the hurriedly built bark shanty, on the site at first selected by Mr. Hudson, on the northeast corner of what is now known as lot number eleven, in the southwest portion of the township -- just about 40 days having been consumed between their embarkation on Lake On- tario, and their final occupation of the rude shelter - hardly one-fourth as many hours now being required to cover the same distance.
Setting a portion of his men to surveying his township into lots, and others to building a more substantial cabin of logs, and clearing the ground for a small field of wheat, being greatly alarmed at the non-arrival of the Laceys and his boy, Mr. Hudson, in one of his boats, started on the back track in
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search of them. He fortunately met them at Cattaraugus Creek, it then transpiring that instead of proceeding overland as had been planned by Mr. Hudson, accompanied by several new men provided by Mr. Norton, they had leisurely fol- lowed the original party by boat, and with about the same varied experiences.
Returning with them to his new settlement, after mak- ing arrangements for the erection of a more commodious cabin a little north of the public square which had been laid out by his surveyors at the center of the township - near what is now the west end of Baldwin street - and seeing that his people were provided with an ample supply of provisions for the winter, after the loss of a portion of their own as stated, by purchasing a field of corn from a squatter on the present site of Cleveland, and borrowing some pork and flour from other settlers in the neighborhood (for then settlers within 40 or 50 miles of each other were neighbors), on the 12th day of October, Mr. Hudson, with his son Ira, and two of his hired men, started for Connecticut in one of the frail boats in which they made their outward journey.
After over a month of toil and peril, both on the water and on the land, the little party reached Bloomfield about the middle of November. Leaving his boy with his friends there, Mr. Hudson continued his journey on foot to Goshen, where he arrived November 19th, the entire journey consuming 39 days, and at a total cost of $9.75.
While arranging for the early removal of his own family to his new possessions, Mr. Hudson also secured quite a num- ber of recruits for permanent settlement thereon, and in the month of January, 1800, with his wife and their five remain- ing children - Samuel, William Norton, Milo Lee, Timothy, and Abigail Laura - accompanied by several of his own hired men, started in sleighs for Bloomfield to make arrangements for the embarkation of the party on the opening of naviga- tion in the spring.
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Five boats were provided by Mr. Hudson for the trans- portation of his own people and supplies - the latter con- sisting of clothing, provisions, mechanical and farming tools, fruit, field, and garden seeds, nails, glass, etc., the entire out- lay amounting to about $2,000 - a munificent sum for those early days.
Other members of the party, arriving meantime, sup- plied themselves with three additional boats, making eight boats in all. Leaving Bloomfield April 29th, the next day, the little party, 29 souls in all, in the language of Mr. Hudson, in his diary, " cheerfully launched out upon the great deep of Lake Ontario."
This party consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Hudson, and their six children, Heman Oviatt, Joel Gaylord, Allen Gaylord, Dr. Moses Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bishop and their four sons -- David, Luman, Reuben, and Joseph - Stephen Per- kins, Joseph and George Darrow, Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Noble and their infant son, Miss Ruth Gaylord, Miss Ruth Bishop and three Vermonters, named Safford, Williams, and Der- rick.
After almost incredible perils and hardships, and similar experiences to those which attended the journey of the pre- vious year, the party reached the mouth of the Brandywine, May 28, a gain of one day over the former trip - four of the party, Elijah Noble and Luman, David and Joseph G. Bishop, having brought through by land a horse, a yoke of oxen, a bull, 14 cows and some hogs, and arriving at about the same time.
When all were together, Mr. Hudson led his people in a public service of Thanksgiving and Praise to Almighty God, who had brought them through "perils seen and unseen " safely to their destination, and took immediate measures to re- sume public worship on the Sabbath, which had been sus- pended during his absence, and which, I presume, has never since been intermitted for a single Sabbath during the inter- vening nine-tenths of a century.
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The new settlers speedily and pluckily began the subju- gation of the forest, and by indefatigable industry in the clear- ing and cultivation of their lands, and providing themselves with shelter, with the aid of such game as the woods and streams afforded, soon became self-supporting, with an ever- cheerful welcome and generous hospitality to new-comers, and the stranger sojourning in their midst.
But a full history of Hudson would require vastly more space than can be given here. It may properly be said, how- ever, that in point of pioneer energy, agricultural progress, business enterprise, educational development, and religious zeal and activity, Hudson has not only been the peer, but the exemplar, of her exceptionally enlightened and progressive sister townships of the Western Reserve.
Among the most active promoters of those elements of an enlightened civilization, were Deacon David Hudson and his two wives. In all early movements for the betterment and en- lightenment of his people, Deacon Hudson's heart, hand, and purse were earliest and oftenest open. Even as early as 1801, when the entire population of the Western Reserve could hardly have numbered more than 1,000 souls, his name is found at the head of a petition to the Territorial Legislature for a college charter, and again, at the first session of the State Legislature, in 1803, his name heads the list of successful peti- tioners, resulting in the establishment of the "Erie Literary Institute," at Burton, in 1805, and, eventually, the establish- ment of the Western Reserve College - the fifth college charter granted in the State.
To secure the location of the college at Hudson, the people contributed the then munificent sum of $7,150. Mr. Hudson heading the list with the sum of $2,000, besides donating 160 acres of land, on which to erect the necessary collegiate and residence buildings, and for campus and other purposes. Very properly his name heads the list of the first trustees.
In early life David Hudson was known as an infidel, but
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was converted during a revival in Goshen in 1799, under the ministry of the Rev. Asahel Hooker. At a public meeting held in his neighborhood, during that revival, he took occa- sion to recani his infidelity and confess his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He set himself at once to the work of undoing his influence in opposition to Christ and His religion. He be- lieved that he could accomplish the greatest good by helping to plant Christian homes and churches in one of the new towns then just being settled in the Western Reserve. To do this he sold his farm in Goshen and purchased one-fourth of the town- ship, which, under his leadership, was later organized as the town of Hudson. He conducted worship on the Sabbath, with- out any intermission, until the church was organized, Septem- ber 4, 1802, when he was made one of its deacons. During his life he labored, made willing sacrifices and liberal gifts of time, money, and lands, not only for that church, but for others in neighboring towns. His influence is still felt, his name is still honored and will continue a power for good while time lasts and eternity endures. He died at Hudson, March 17, 1836. On his tombstone is the following inscription: " A poor sinner, saved by grace."
We are unable to obtain the names of all the persons who removed to Hudson from Goshen, but have the names of eleven, who were dismissed from the church to form the church in Hudson. They were: David Hudson, Heman Oviatt and wife, Stephen Thompson and wife, Abraham Thompson and wife, Stephen Thompson, Jr., and wife, George Kilbourn and wife. In addition to these, we have the other names of Titus Gaylord and wife, Joel Gaylord, Allen Gay- lord, Miss Ruth Gaylord, Miss Ruth Bishop and eleven minor children. It is believed that there were at least thirty persons from Goshen.
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CHAPTER XIII.
MINISTERS BORN IN GOSHEN; MINISTER'S WIVES.
Elisha Parmelee, son of Abraham, born at Goshen, Feb- ruary 22, 1755. He became a Christian early in life, and de- cided to enter upon the work of the ministry. He prepared for college under the instruction of the Rev. Mr. Robbins, of Norfolk. He entered Yale College, and remained there until the college was interrupted in its work by the War of the Revolution, when he went to Harvard, where he was gradu- ated. As he had constitutional tendency to consumption he went to Virginia, where he was engaged in teaching two years. Returning, with health improved, he studied for two years with Dr. West, of Stockbridge, Mass. He was called to the church at Lee, Mass., where he was installed the pastor and married Miss Mary Hutchinson, of Salisbury. After two years his health failed, and he was compelled by his weakness to resign his pastorate, and accompanied by his wife, his brother, and his brother's wife they started for the South, hoping that he might regain his health. When they reached Shenandoah County, Virginia, he became so weak that they were unable to proceed on their journey, and he died there August 2, 1784. He was greatly beloved by all who knew him, was a scholar of a high order, with great ability as a linguist.
Luther Hart was born in Goshen, July 27, 1783. He was a son of David and Hannah Hart, both of them the possessors of lovely characters, and his mother noted for a mind of more than common vigor. Luther made a public profession of his faith in Christ in his sixteenth year. From this time he felt an earnest desire to enter the Gospel ministry, but devotion to his parents led him to remain at home and labor for them,
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working with his father as a carpenter. He commenced to pre- pare for college in 1802, and in the autumn of 1803 was ad- mitted a freshman at Yale, where he was graduated in 1807 with one of the highest honors.
After his graduation he taught for one year, and at its close commenced his studies in theology under the direction of the Rev. Ebenezer Porter, then of Washington, Conn., and later studied with Mr. Hooker, of Goshen, but when the seminary at Andover was opened, he entered there and was one of its first graduates. He was licensed to preach in September, 1809. He received a call to settle from the Congregational Church at Plymouth, Conn., and was ordained the pastor of that church in September, 1810; the sermon on that occasion being preached by the Rev. Mr. Porter, his first theological in- structor.
He was married in 1811, to Minerva, only daughter of General Potter, of Plymouth,- a connection from which fol- lowed great comfort and usefulness. He died at Plymouth, April 25, 1834. For several weeks previous to the com- mencement of his last illness, he had performed much extra labor, both in his own parish and elsewhere, notwithstanding he was oppressed by a deeply seated cold. On the 18th, he was seized with a lung fever, which, in its earlier stages was not deemed alarming. It soon assumed a threatening aspect which banished all hopes of recovery. In the prospect of his depar- ture he evinced a serene triumph, and passed away in the transports of a lively faith. The sermon at his funeral was preached by the Rev. Noah Porter, D.D., of Farmington.
Among his publications we find a tract, entitled, "Plain reasons for relying on Presbyterian ordination, in a letter to a friend." "Salvation for lost men." " A sermon at the in- stallation of the Rev. D. O. Griswold, in Watertown, Conn." 1825. "A sermon at the funeral of the Rev. Alexander Gillett, of Torrington, together with a Memoir of his life and charac- ter," 1826. " A Memoir of the Rev. Amos Pettengill, pastor
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of the Congregational church in Waterbury, (Salem,) Conn.", 1834.
He possessed much more than the average ability, and by his wise methods and faithfulness in both instruction and re- proof was greatly useful. His sermons were said to be " ex- ceedingly rich in condensed, sententious thought and concise declaration, so applied as to give what might have been the summary conclusion of a long discussion." Professor Hickok has said, " I think his habitual preaching quite as profitable in the manner of instruction and impression as that of any brother I have known."
His figure was a familiar one in the whole town and his intercourse with his people was at once frank and kindly. He was greatly beloved by his people, and they gave him un- limited confidence and welcomed him to their homes as they would welcome a long absent brother. There was no resisting his candor and manly sincerity, which gave evidence not only of his Christian principle, but of the frankness and honesty of his heart.
The epitaph upon his tombstone tells the story of his life and character.
REV. LUTHER HART, BORN AT GOSHEN, JULY 27, 1783 ; ORDAINED AT PLYMOUTH, SEPT. 5, 1810, DIED APRIL 25, 1834. AS A PREACHER HE WAS DISCRIMINATING IN DOCTRINE, VIVID IN ILLUSTRATION, PUNGENT IN APPLICATION : AS A PASTOR, WATCHFUL, ACTIVE, AND FAITHFUL IN REPROOF ; YET REJOICING RATHER TO BIND UP THE BROKEN-HEARTED. AMONG THE CLERGY, WISE IN COUNSEL, EFFICIENT IN ACTION ;
IN THE COMMON RELATIONS OF LIFE AFFECTIONATE AND MODEST, RESPECTED AND BELOVED.
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Darius Oliver Griswold was born in 1787, in Goshen, Conn. At the age of seventeen he entered Yale, and began his course of study preparatory to the ministry. After remaining two years at Yale, he went to Williams College, whence he graduated in 1808, at the age of twenty-one, taking the vale- dictory. This was remarkable when it is remembered that part of his education was obtained by teaching in a neighboring academy in the day time, and a singing school in the evening -keeping up with his class, meanwhile, by severe night study. That he was highly regarded as a scholar is evident from the fact, that he was afterwards invited to deliver before one of the literary societies of his Alma Mater an oration, which he performed very much to the acceptance of his friends. After . leaving college he taught an academy at Ballston one year; then pursued a regular course of theological study at Andover Seminary for three years. Upon the expiration of this course of study, being licensed to preach, he began his labors in Bloomfield, Ontario County, N. Y., in 1812, where he spent three years. To this field he took with him his bride - hav- ing married Miss Abigail Wakeman, of Ballston, N. Y., on September 17, 1811 - who throughout all the trials and labors of his ministry proved herself, by self-denying and devotional conduct, worthy of his choice. He then came to Saratoga Springs, and began preaching in a dilapidated old schoolhouse near the present Baptist Church on Washington street. For one year he preached on alternate Sabbaths in Saratoga and Glens Falls, and made himself so useful in win- ning souls to Christ, that the Presbyterian society -- then a very feeble one and scarcely deserving the name - sent him out to collect funds for building a house of worship.
His efforts were so successful that, in 1817, the church, composed of nine members, was organized in his study. This study was in the south end of Washington Hall, and is room No. 30. (Still a boarding house in 1897.) In 1822 (August 17, 1823) he was dismissed from the pastorate at his own re-
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quest, and settled at Watertown, Conn., where he remained ten years. He did not leave Saratoga, however, without great remonstrance. The Presbytery showed their appreciation of his peculiar fitness for the place by refusing to dismiss him until his third request, made on the ground that he absolutely could not live on his salary. It was soon found, (i. e. about 1830), however, that it was necessary to the prosperity of the church that he should return. A subscription paper was accordingly started, and every dollar thus raised was on the express condition that he should come back. With this paper, a letter was sent to him, stating that many were so discouraged as to propose letting the church - for the erection of which he had labored so assidu- ously - to the Episcopal society. This determined him, and. in 1833 (he resumed his work here early in 1834) he returned to Saratoga, where, after laboring zealously and actively for six years, he was laid aside by the paralysis which, on the 28th of December, 1841, terminated his existence. (The subscrip- tion was for the building of a parsonage for him, together with reasonable support.) (A blessing came with the old pastor. At the first communion eleven joined by confession and four by letter, and during the five years which immediately followed his return about 100 were admitted to church fellowship.) A funeral sermon was delivered on the Sabbath after his death by Rev. A. T. Chester, from II Timothy iv, 6-8, to the united congregations of the place, in which, among other things, he said of Mr. Griswold: " As a man he commanded the love and respect of all who knew him. He was affable and social, had a sensitive heart and a generous spirit. To the cry of dis- tress he ever lent a listening ear, offering cheerful assistance. His was a spirit with which it was impossible to associate any- thing ungenerous or mean or base, a pure minded Christian, whose character may be truly expressed in the term, Christian gentleman.
" As a scholar, his standing and attainments were elevated.
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His success as a teacher and as a writer proves this. His ser- mons are of a high order, exhibiting great purity of language with great classical elegance of expression, and much energy and vivacity. He was held very high as a preacher by many of those who hear sermons with the greatest interest and intelli- gence. His simple and yet elegant statements of gospel truth, his solemn manner and powerful voice, have made impressions upon many minds which can never be lost.
" As a spiritual teacher and guide he was faithful and sin- cere in his efforts to lead sinners to Christ, and to keep those who professed attachment to Him in the performance of their covenant obligations; a firm believer in the plain doctrines of the Bible, he ever sought to make others acquainted with these truths, and to win them to the love and the acceptance of the truth. 'He fought the good fight,' for he used the weapons which God furnished, and continually carried on the contest with the enemies of the Cross of Christ. 'He finished his course,' for though it seemed to be abruptly terminated, yet so had infinite wisdom before appointed. His course was not extended like that of many others. The goal seemed to be in the middle of the race-ground; yet did he reach that. ' He has kept the faith.' "
Mr. Griswold's musical talent was also of the highest order. He had a voice alike remarkable for its power and sweetness, and led the choir from the pulpit for several years. It was his custom to meet his choir weekly for the purpose of practising, and to this is to be attributed the fact that during his ministry the choir of the Presbyterian Church at Saratoga was noted for its fine singing - many of the visitors often remarking " that they heard no such music at home."
Another characteristic of Rev. Mr. Griswold was his great moral courage. Although naturally of a retiring, shrinking disposition, and withal of a modesty which continually put self in the background, yet, when principle was involved, he was as firm as the everlasting hills. An instance of this is in
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point. Mr. Griswold had never thought it best for clergymen to meddle with politics; but, at an election held a few months before his retirement from the ministry, the issues were such that, on the night previous to the election, he stated in his family his intention of voting. His wife thereupon suggested her fears that he would repent it, to which he replied, " I shall do it if I have to follow my good brother Wayland's example - call for a Bible and swear in my vote; for I have made up my mind, deliberately and prayerfully, that it is my duty; and if it has come to this, that office-bearers in the church of Christ will put into office an openly irreligious man in preference to a man who helps to support the preaching of the Gospel and religious instructions, it is time for ministers to take a stand. I would vote if I knew that I should be turned out of house and home to-morrow night in consequence." The day fol- lowing he deposited his vote quietly, and the Whigs and Gris- wold's candidate was elected.
This Church is greatly indebted to the Rev. Mr. Gris- wold, who in his two pastorates gave it twelve years of the best of his life. He commenced the enterprise, and fostered it in its infancy; and when it was distracted, and depleted, and discouraged, he came again, and, taking the helm in his hand, guided the ship into calm and peaceful waters. He was a man of intellect, culture, earnestness, and piety. He was followed to his grave by those who loved him for him own and his work's sake, and over his remains in our cemetery is a monu- ment erected by his beloved and grateful people.
Rev. Mr. Griswold left three children: Burr W., a lawyer of New York city; William L .; and Helen, the wife of Mr. S. E. Bushnell. His widow survived until February 8, 1856.
Abraham Baldwin, son of Elisha, was born in Goshen, May 1, 1792. Hc entered Yale College in 1816, and was graduated in 1820. He studied theology with the Rev. Joseph
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Harvey, D.D., and was licensed to preach by the Litchfield North Association, in June, 1822.
His heart was drawn to the destitute fields in our own coun- try, and immediately after receiving license he went out not knowing whither he went, but with the firm purpose of occu- pying some destitute field in which he could declare the un- searchable riches of Christ. With feeble health, but with consecrated will, he entered the service of the Vermont Do- mestic Missionary Society and immediately commenced his work in the destitute portions of the state. He was ordained an Evangelist at Essex, Vt., January 21, 1824. He continued in this service for three full years. His preaching was direct and earnest. His sermons were generally short and to the point; he seemed to have one single aim in all his labors - the winning souls to Christ. He was a man of prayer, and one who so illustrated its power that he led others to pray, and hence it follows that he was successful in his work. His labors were blessed in every place where he spent any con- siderable time in his work. In the summer of 1826 he be- came greatly interested in the French population of Canada, and inspired by the promptings of his heart he visited Canada, arriving at Montreal about the first of June, 1826. He was soon stricken down with disease and, although he had the most careful and kind attention, he died, peaceful and happy, July 12, 1826. He was never married, but at the time of his death was engaged to Miss Caroline Wilder of Vermont. His grave is beside a broad alley in the old cemetery of Montreal, almost in the centre of that vast city of the living. His dust sleeps with strangers, a marble stone at the head of his grave, inscribed with some items of his history.
It is a simple story, a humble life, an inconspicuous station, but the life's work lives, and his memory lives in the hearts of many who were led by him into that life which is eternal.
Edward William Hooker, D.D., son of the Rev. Asahel Hooker, D.D., was born in Goshen, Nov. 24, 1794; married,
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