USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Wolcott > History of the town of Wolcott (Connecticut) from 1731 to 1874, with an account of the centenary meeting, September 10th and 11th, 1873 and with the genealogies of the families of the town > Part 25
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ary during that period. He resumed his labors after hav- ing devoted a few months to rest and relaxation, and thenceforward continued to supply his pulpit, with few exceptions, as long as he lived. He officiated on the last Sabbath of his life with his usual correctness and fervor. On the following Tuesday, January 19, 1826, he entered into rest. During the greater part of the day there was nothing to indicate to himself or others the approaching change ; for though he complained, about noon, of a shooting pain in his breast, it was supposed to be only a rheumatic affection, to which he had before occasionally been subject. About four o'clock in the afternoon, his wife, having occasion to go into his study to ask him a question, observed that he made no reply. Upon her re- peating the question, and still receiving no answer, she hastened to him and found him unable to speak. He was immediately laid upon the bed, and after uttering, with difficulty, a few broken sentences, ceased to breathe, be- ing in the seventy-second year of his age, and the fifty- third of his ministry. His funeral was attended on the succeeding Sabbath, and an appropriate sermon preached by the Rev. Luther Hart, of Plymouth, which was pub- lished.
Mr. Gillet was married, in December, 1779, to Adah, third daughter of Deacon Josiah Rogers, of Farming- bury, a descendant of John Rogers, the martyr. They had six children, one of whom, Timothy Phelps, was graduated at Williams College, in 1804, and has been for many years pastor of the Congregational church in Branford, Conn. Mrs. Gillet died in May, 1839, aged seventy-seven.
Mr. Gillet published a sermon in a volume entitled " Sermons on Important Subjects," 1797, and a sermon at the ordination of his son, 1808. He was a contributor to the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine, and to the Christian Spectator.
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REV. ALEXANDER GILLET.
FROM THE REV. FREDERICK MARSH.
WINCHESTER, CONN., May 27th, 1856.
DEAR SIR :- My first knowledge of the Rev. Alexander Gillet was in New Hartford, during the great revival, 1798 and 1799, when he occasionally came there with Mr. Mills, Mr. Miller, and others, to assist Dr. Griffin. My particular acquaintance with him commenced soon after coming to this place, in 1808. From that time (as our parishes were contiguous) till his decease in 1826, our relations became more and more intimate, and I can truly say that he ever treated me with paternal kindness. Besides the ordinary ministerial exchanges and intercourse, he used to visit us and preach in seasons of special religious interest.
In his person, Mr. Gillet was rather above the medium stature and size, of a full habit, broad shoulders, short neck, and large head. His position was erect, except a slight forward inclination of the head. His face was broad, and unusually square and full, illumined by large, prominent blue eyes, the whole indicating more of intellect than vivacity. His ordinary movements were grave and thoughtful. In his manner he was plain, unosten- tatious, and at the greatest possible distance from all that is ob- trusive. He was courteous and kind, swift to hear and slow to speak, apparently esteeming others better than himself, and in all his intercourse exhibiting a delicate sense of propriety.
As a man of intellect he held a decidedly high rank. He had an aversion to everything superficial. Ever fond of study, he went thoroughly and deeply into the investigation of his subject, whatever it might be. He was an admirable linguist, and above all excelled in the knowledge of the Bible,-not merely in his own language, but in the original. As a scholar, he was characterized ~ by great accuracy. I have heard an eminent minister, who fitted for college under his instructions, say that he never found any tutor so accurate and thorough in the languages as Mr. Gillet. He was also very familiarly and extensively acquainted with history ; and he studied history especially as an exposition of prophecy.
But the crowning attribute of his character was his devoted piety and high moral excellence. While great simplicity and godly sincerity characterized his habitual deportment, it was still
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only by an intimate and extended acquaintance with him, and by observing his spirit and conduct in trying circumstances, that one could gain anything like a full view of this part of his character. During seventeen years of familiar intercourse with him, my mind became constantly more impressed with the depth of his piety,- his unreserved consecration to God, his self-sacrificing devoted- ness to the cause of Christ and the highest interests of his fellow men. Among the most striking elements of his religious character were meekness, humility, and a conscientious and apparently immutable regard to truth and duty.
In social life, Mr. Gillet's constitutional reserve, and defect of conversational powers, rendered him less interesting and useful than might have been expected from such resources of mind and heart as he possessed. Ordinarily he -said little in ecclesiastical meetings. Patiently listening to all the younger members choose to say, he would remain silent, unless some gordian knot was to be untied, or some latent error to be detected; and then he would show his opinion to good purpose. With individuals and in private circles, where religious or other important topics became matter of conversation, he would often talk with much freedom and interest.
In his ministeral character and relations there was much to be admired and loved, and some things to be regretted. It may readily be inferred from what I have already said in respect to his intellectual powers and attainments, his piety, his studious habits and devotedness to his appropriate work, that his sermons were of no ordinary stamp. And thus it really was. He presented Divine truth with great clearness and point. Hence his preaching took strong hold of congregations in times of revival. Often in closing his discourse by an extemporary effusion, he would turn to some one class of hearers, and urge upon them his subject in its practical bearings with a tenderness and earnestness that were quite over- powering.
But as his delivery was rendered laborious and difficult by an impediment in his speech, he could not be called a popular preacher. Those who regarded the manner more than the matter of a discourse would pronounce him dull. But he was a skillful and faithful guide to souls; and his labors were abundantly
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REV. ALEXANDER GILLET.
blessed not only to the people to whom he ministered but to others.
Of pastoral labor Mr. Gillet performed less than many of his brethren. His constitutional diffidence, his incapacity for entering into free and familiar intercourse with people generally, and his love for study, probably all combined to produce in him a convic- tion that he could accomplish the greatest good by making thorough preparation for the pulpit, for occasional meetings, and seasons of prayer, rather than devoting much of his time to pastoral visits.
On the whole, he was an able, laborious, faithful and successful minister - ever bringing out of his treasure things new and old, edifying the body of Christ, enjoying the confidence and affection- ate regard of his brethren, and exhibiting uniformly such an example of consistency with his profession as to leave no room to doubt either his sincerity or his piety.
I remain, dear sir, fraternally and truly yours,
FREDERICK MARSH.
GLOOM OF AUTUMN. [Said to have been composed by Alex. Gillet.] Hail! ye sighing sons of sorrow, View with me the Autumnal gloom ; Learn from hence your fate to-morrow - Dead perhaps - laid in the tomb.
See all nature, fading, dying ! Silent all things seem to mourn ;
Life from vegetation flying, Calls to mind my mouldering urn.
Oft an Autumn's tempest rising, Makes the lofty forest nod;
Scenes of nature, how surprising ! Read in nature, nature's God.
See our Sovereign, sole Creator, Lives eternal in the skies ; While we mortals yield to nature, Bloom awhile, then fade and die.
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HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
Nations die by dread Belona, Through the tyranny of kings; Just like plants by pale Pamona Fall to rise in future springs.
Mournful scenes, when vegetation Dies by frost, or worms devour ; Doubly mournful when a nation Falls by neighboring nation's power.
Death my anxious mind depresses, Autumn shows me my decay ; Calls to mind my past distresses, Warns me of my dying day.
Autumn makes me melancholy, Strikes dejection through my soul; While I mourn my former folly Waves of sorrow o'er me roll.
Lo! I hear the air resounding With expiring insect cries : Ah ! to me their moans how wounding - Emblem of my own demise,
Hollow winds about me roaring ; Noisy waters round me rise ; While I sit my fate deploring, Tears are flowing from my eyes.
What to me are Autumn's treasures, Since I know no earthly joy ? Long I've lost all youthful pleasure'- Time must youth and health destroy.
Pleasure once I fondly courted, Shared each bliss that youth bestows; But to see where then I sported Now embitters all my woes.
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REV. ALEXANDER GILLET.
Age and sorrow since have blasted Every youthful, pleasing dream ; Quivering age with youth contrasted : Oh, how short their glories seem.
As the annual frosts are cropping Leaves and tendrils from the trees, So my friends are yearly dropping Through old age or dire desease.
Former friends, oh, how I've sought them ! Just to cheer my drooping mind ; But they're gone, like leaves in Autumn, Driven before the dreary wind.
Spring and Summer, Fall and Winter, Each in swift succession roll - So my friends in death do enter Bringing sadness to my soul.
Death has laid them down to slumber ; Solemn thought -to think that I Soon must be one of their number- Soon, so soon with them to lie.
When a few more years are wasted ; When a few more suns are o'er ; When a few more griefs I've tasted I shall fall to rise no more.
Fast my sun of life's declining, Soon 'twill set in endless night ; But my hopes are past repining ; Rest in future life and light.
Cease this fearing, trembling, sighing ; Death will break the awful gloom - Soon my spirit fluttering, flying, Must be borne beyond the tomb. 22
REV. TIMOTHY P. GILLET.
The following biographical sketch is taken from the funeral sermon of Rev. T. P. Gillet, preached by Rev. W. P. Eustis, jr., pastor of Chapel Street church, New Ha- ven, at Branford, November 7th, 1866 :
Timothy Phelps Gillet was born June 15, 1780, in Farming- bury, now Wolcott, being the eldest child of Alexander and Adah Gillet. His father was, at the time of his birth, pastor of the church in Farmingbury, and after a settlement of eighteen years, was dismissed November, 1791, and in the following May was installed pastor of the First Church in Torrington, where he died, January 19, 1826, in the seventy-seventh year of his age, and the fifty-third of his ministry. His wife was the third daughter of Deacon Josiah Rogers, of Farmingbury, Conn., and a descendant of the famous John Rogers .* Rev. Alexander Gillet was the child of pious parents, who lived in a part of Simsbury, Conn., now Granby, and was trained in the knowledge of divine truth by his devout grandmother.
The father of Timothy was a man of uncommon ability, and was, in his day, among the leading preachers in Connecticut. Graduating at Yale College, in 1770, he retained his familiarity with classical literature, and after the meridian of life commenced the study of Hebrew, and modestly acknowledged, in later years, that he had read through the Hebrew bible three times. He had a large library for that day, and in theology claimed to be a disciple of Edwards. His ministry was abundantly blessed, and one of the early volumes of the "Connecticut Evangelical
* Deacon Rogers belonged to the family of Thomas Rogers, who came over in the Mayflower.
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REV. TIMOTHY P. GILLET.
Magazine" contains his narrative of a great revival of religion in Torrington, where his son Timothy was hopefully converted. This son, the eldest of six children, two of whom survive, inherited many of his father's characteristics, and we trace a family likeness between the pastor at Torringford and the pastor at Branford, in the portrait of the former, by his friend, Rev. Luther Hart.
The following sentences of this brief memoir might be applied to the venerable son, as well as to the honored father : "It was one of the most prominent traits of his character that he made all of his literary pursuits sub- servient to the momentous business of his holy calling. He daily consecrated his time and talents to the service of Christ. Scarcely has any person, in any station, ut- tered fewer words at random. Possessing a wonderful command over his passions, provocations rarely betrayed him into expressions which demanded regret ; and care- fully guarding against all undue animal excitement, even if others in his company were facetious, it is not recol- lected that he ever uttered a sentence inconsistent with the dignity and sobriety becoming the gospel. His eldest son has observed, 'Though he frequently smiled, I never heard him laugh.'"
Alluding to his personal habits and characteristics, the writer adds :
Upon him whose character is attempted to be delineated in these pages, no defect, on the score of economy, could be charged. Without patrimony, and receiving, till within a few years of his death, a small salary, he yet, by the assistance of his frugal and industrious companion, brought up six children ; assisted one of them in procuring a collegiate education, and left his family in possession of a valuable farm.
Another leading trait in his character was, that he did every- thing methodically, and in season. At a particular hour he retired at night, and at a particular hour he rose in the morning. He was distinguished for his punctuality in the fulfillment of his public and private engagements.
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HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
These quotations indicate the origin of those charac- teristics in which the son closely resembled the father, whom he revered. Timothy P. Gillet entered Williams College in 1800, when he was twenty years of age, and graduated in 1804. After graduation, Mr. Gillet taught for one year at Cornwall, and then in the academy at Williamstown, until, in 1806, he was appointed tutor, and retained that office for a year and a half. Gordon Hall, Samuel J. Mills, and James Richards, were then under-graduates in that college, and Mr. Gillet has stated to members of his congregation that they were accus- tomed to hold a prayer-meeting in his room, and to con- sult in regard to the duty of carrying the gospel to the heathen. He never lost the interest thus awakened in foreign missions, but was an earnest advocate of the cause, and a warm friend of the American Board. During his tutorship he studied theology under President Fitch, and was licensed as a candidate for the gospel ministry, by the Litchfield North Association, September 30th, 1806. In the winter of 1807-8, having resigned his tutorship, Mr. Gillet supplied the pulpit, for two Sundays, at East Haven, and was then invited to preach in the va- cant pulpit of the church at Branford. He received, shortly after, a call to settle with them in the gospel ministry, on a salary of five hundred dollars, and the privilege of cutting fire-wood on the Society's lands, until, from continued ill health or infirmity, he should be no longer able to perform the duties of a gospel minister among them. This invitation was accepted, and June 15th, 1808, on his twenty-eighth birth-day, he was or- dained to the work of the gospel ministry as pastor of this church.
Mr. Gillet was married, November 29th, 1808, to Sallie Hodges, who, after nearly sixty years of a happy and peaceful wedlock, survives him to mourn his absence, tarrying for the summons which will reunite them in the heavenly society.
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REV. TIMOTHY P. GILLET.
He died at his residence in Branford, November 5th, 1866, in the eighty-seventh year of his age, and the fifty- ninth of his ministry.
DEACON AARON. HARRISON.
Aaron Harrison was born May 3d, 1726, in East Ha- ven, where his great-grandfather settled after emigrating from England. His father, Benjamin, removed from East Haven to Wolcott, in 1738, and settled on Benson Hill, now Wolcott Center, where Aaron resided until near the close of life, when he removed half a mile south-east, where he died. Coming to Wolcott at the age of twelve years, where there were no schools within six miles, he in some way attained to a proficiency of scholarship more than ordinary, under the circumstances, as appears in his writings and the prominent relations to the community which he sustained through life.
He married, October 26th, 1748, Jerusha, daughter of Obadiah Warner. His brother Benjamin and sister Abi- gail married a daughter and son of Dr. Benjamin Warner, the brother of Obadiah.
In the organization of the Ecclesiastical Society and Church of Farmingbury, Aaron bore a responsible and honorable part, and on the fourth of January, 1774, he was chosen first deacon of the church, when in his forty -. eighth year. He was chosen moderator of the first So- ciety meeting, a position of special honor at that time, and served in many offices of the society and church many years thereafter. He was the first captain of the military company of Farmingbury Winter parish,-Isaac Hop- kins, probably, being the second, and John Alcox the third. The deacon's kindly disposition, his intelligence and faithfulness to the public good, were such that the
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DEACON AARON HARRISON.
people reposed in him the fullest confidence and trust, as indicated by Deacon Isaac Bronson, who felt at liberty to talk with "that good man, Deacon Aaron Harrison," when he was afraid to speak to any one else on the sub- ject of religion. He was, indeed, the under shepherd in the church during the labors of Revs. Gillet, Woodward, Hart, and Keys,-a term of nearly fifty years, being at the time of his death a father to all "Israel " in this parish. The first public prayer offered in the first Meet- ing house was by Deacon Aaron Harrison, and in that house he worshiped forty-seven years, hearing in his latter days the remarkable voice of his grand-son, Ste- phen, leading the hosts of Israel in the songs of the sanctuary.
The following extracts are taken from that part of his journal which is still preserved :
OCTOBER 21, 1797, IN THE SEVENTY-SECOND YEAR OF MY AGE.
When I look upon a life of sin and iniquity, through the course of the age of man, it seemeth impossible that such a creature should ever be saved. I am a stupid creature and dead in sin, and a faithless hypocrite, but not in utter despair, because the grace of God is infinite. But O that I could overcome my lusts and get into the liberty of Christ Jesus. O that I could act and conduct right towards God and men! O that I could keep a conscience void of offense towards God and men !
October 14 .- Melancholy apprehensions concerning my state and situation, looking on myself to be on the brink of eternity and so unconcerned and unmoved that I wonder at my own stupidity.
May 29, 1798 .- I have lived to see seventy-two years this present month. There has not been a sermon preached in Wolcott Meeting house since Mr. Woodward preached his first sermon on probation, but that I have heard, except a few Sabbaths when I was sick with the pere-pneumonia, which I look upon as strange, considering my age and infirmities.
It is a poor sign for people to rejoice more in their good frames and good feelings than in the perfections of the blessed God.
Man lives a fool, a fool he cannot die.
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May 1, [or 3] 1799 .- I have lived seventy-three years this day, but am dead while I live.
May 23, 1799 .- Yesterday Mr. Curtiss Hall fell from a tree that was already down, as he was standing upon the body of the tree, about six feet from the ground, was immediately struck senseless and died the next morning, without speaking a word.
July 24, 1802 .- Mr. David Norton, aged seventy-one, sitting near the fire, was struck with lightning which came down the chimney, and instantly expired. He was a constant attendant on public worship and religious conferences; improved in church, and was approved in society as a useful member; frequently visiting and helping and praying with the sick. Labor and care, misfortune and wearisomeness were his constant attendants through life, and he has left an infirm and almost helpless widow to mourn her loss in briny tears.
January 20, 1803 .- Departed this life, by the fall of a tree, which instantly killed him, Mr. Nathan Johnson, a man of profes- sion and example, and in the prime of life, leaving a widow and a young child.
Take the alarm, O my soul !
July 8, 1812 .- Taken into church-Esther Harrison, Freelove Upson, Maria Wakelee, and Lydia Alcox, in younger life. May they live and adorn the Christian profession.
He died Sept. 5, 1819, aged 93, and his wife died eight days later, Sept. 13, 1819, aged 92 ; they having been mar- ried more than seventy years. The following record was made by Rev. Mr. Keys, concerning the funeral : "He had been a man highly useful and highly esteemed in this place. He was one of those through whose exertions a located society was first established in this place. He aided in procuring the town charter ; moderated the first town meeting ; was the first captain of a military company ; was the first deacon of the church, and offered up the first public prayer in the first Meeting-house. He was buried on the sixth, and his bier was followed by a large concourse of people. It being the day of a semi-annual military review,-the militia being then under arms,-
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the procession was met by the company and escorted to the Meeting house where the Throne of Grace was ad- dressed, and a short address made to the congregation ; thence to the grave-yard, where the remains were depos- ited in the tomb, followed by the tender sympathies of many relatives and friends."
Some of the people now living remember that funeral procession ; the long concourse of people ; the military men with their reversed arms ; the slow, solemn tread of the company, while the band played the funeral dirge (Pleyel's Hymn), thrilling every heart with sadness by the peculiar strains of minor music, as rendered by the old style instruments.
Well might the people sorrow, for a good man of Israel had fallen. Not many men live so long and do as much public service, and go down to their last sleep so gen- erally respected, loved, and honored as he. His life is a worthy pattern for the church for ages to come. The church had trials and difficulties severe, but in the midst of them stood, always, Deacon Harrison, firm to justice, full of mercy, true to God, and large-hearted towards all men. He had seen the wilderness give place to a pros- perous, fruitful land. The church from a feeble band had become numerous and strong, though many had gone before him to the church triumphant. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, had grown up around him, to give him only honor and gladness in the closing years of life,
Eight days after his departure his wife Jerusha followed him to that land for which they had been striving for many years, and where he was scarcely introduced to the angelic throng before she joined him in the melody and harmony in that land of life.
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REV. LUCAS HART.
Rev. Lucas Hart was a descendant of Deacon Simeon Hart, one of the pioneers of what is now Burlington, then Farming West Woods, and subsequently West Briton. Deacon Hart was the first deacon of the church organized at the ordination of its first pastor, Rev. Jonathan Miller. The father of Lucas was the third son of Deacon Simeon, and was a prominent man in the town in civil, military, and ecclesiastical matters. His name was Simeon. Lu- cas was born at West Briton, June 5th, 1784. When quite young he was employed as a school teacher in the winter season, studying at the same time, until he com- menced fitting for college. When nineteen years old he united with the church in his native place, under the pas- toral care of the Rev. Jonathan Miller. From this time he bent all his energies to get an education, teaching in the winter, and working on the farm with his father in the summer, until the spring previous to his arriving at the age of twenty-one. At this time he commenced in earnest to fit for college. He went to Morris Academy, then in South Farms, now the town of Morris, in Litch- field county, to prosecute his studies, and by too close application to study, injured his health, which he never afterwards regained. Unwilling to give up the idea of becoming a minister, he applied himself, as he was able, to theological studies, his pastor being his instructor ; at the same time writing largely on theological subjects, as he had been accustomed to do for several years. When twenty-six years old he was licensed by the Litchfield
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