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 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
If we were building a church to-day, and should find a family with only such a capital in farming, we would be moved to pass by without asking a dollar, even for the church. Yet they taxed themselves toward building the church equal to six dollars a family. Several of these families were building houses for their own shelter from the cold and the storm .*
How could they, with all other expenses growing out of the forming of a new parish, build and pay for a meet- ing house ? Yet they did it, for the house was built at
* Quite a number of them were living in log houses.
24
HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
that time, and we hear nothing of debts for a meeting house afterward .*
On the 26th day of October, 1772, at a parish meeting, they voted to have "our meetings for the future in the Meeting house." Here was the Meeting house so far completed that they could hold meetings in it. What a day of gladness to all who loved the " Hill of Zion" must that have been when they first assembled in that house !
This Meeting house stood on the north side of the "Green," or "Square," facing the Green, and also facing the south. The principal door was in the front, and there was a door also in each end, east and west. It is said that the house stood on the line that divided the towns from which the parish was formed,- half in Waterbury and half in Farmington. The house at first was not finished inside. The floor was laid, the frame-work of the gallery was put in its place, and the stairs were built. The gallery may have been used some on special occasions, and for the singers, in which case a temporary flooring must have been laid, but ordinarily the singers sat below. The house was furnished in the simplest manner for some ten years, there being neither pews, stationary seats, nor per- manent pulpit.
There were probably but little if any dedicatory ser- vices, as they had no pastor, though they were trying to arrange with a Mr. Jackson to become their pastor ; but in this they did not succeed.
Rev. Mr. Keys said, in an obituary notice, that Deacon Aaron Harrison made the first public prayer that was made in this house. This is all we can learn of dedica- tory services.
At this time there were neither church organization nor church officers. The Society was organized, and had a Meeting house, and the parish had charge of many duties
* Since writing the above I have found that there was a small amount of indebtedness for the lumber, not paid till some ten to twelve years after.
25
BUILDING A MEETING HOUSE.
which were attended to by town officers in other parts. In Westbury and Waterbury the town managed ecclesi- astical matters for years, but in Farmingbury the Eccle- siastical Society conducted many interests belonging to the towns.
As illustrative of the many interests they attended to, we give a list of the officers chosen at some of the Society meetings for a few years after the organization :
OFFICERS CHOSEN NOV. 13, 1770.
Moderator, Capt. Aaron Harrison ; Clerk for the year, Daniel Byington, Sen .; Society Committee for the Year, Lieut. Josiah Rogers, Mr. John Alcox, Mr. Stephen Barnes, Mr. John Bronson, Mr. Amos Seward ; Collectors to collect the Society Rate, Curtiss Hall and Daniel Alcox; Treasurer, Lieut. Josiah Rogers ; School Committee for the year, David Norton, Seth Bartholomew, Daniel Alcox, Amos Beecher, Joseph Beecher, Justus Peck, Capt. Aaron Harrison, Stephen Barnes, and Samuel Upson ; Special Commit- tee to Divide the Society into Districts, David Warner, Wait Hotchkiss, Simeon Hopkins, Nathaniel Lewis, Capt. Aaron Har- rison, Joseph Beecher; To read the Psalms for the year, Capt. Aaron Harrison and Mr. Amos Seward; Grave-Digger, John Barrett.
Voted that the schooling should be by the poll, and that each School Committee shall collect their poll rate in his district.
In December of the same year, 1770, at the adjourned meeting, they again elected officers :
To take the marks of Stray Sheep, Daniel Johnson and Daniel Byington; Chainmen, to measure the Society, Sergt. Samuel Smith, James Warner, and David Bronson; County Surveyor, Lieut. Ashbel Potter ; To collect the Rate to pay for Surveying the Parish, Abel Curtiss and Curtiss Hall.
I771.
At the annual meeting held in November, 1771, they elected the following officers :
Moderator, Isaac Hopkins ; Clerk for the year, Daniel Bying-
26
HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
ton ; Treasurer, Lieut. Josiah Rogers ; Society Committee for the year, Mr. David Norton, Mr. Amos Seward, Sergt. Stephen Barnes, Mr. Daniel Alcox, and Mr. Joseph Beecher. Collectors, Heman Hall and Joseph Atkins, Jr .; To Collect the Churchmen's Rate, Ensign Oliver Welton; School Committee, Joseph Sutliff, Jr., Jo- seph Atkins, Jr., Ensign John Alcox, Amos Seward, Capt. Aaron Harrison, Jedediah Minor, Nathaniel Lewis, Samuel Plumb, and Daniel Finch.
Voted that each School Committee shall collect the poll rate.
I772.
At a meeting in March, 1772, a committee was appointed to "Fix a place or places for burying grounds, consisting of Ensign Welton, Capt. Harrison, Sergt. Barnes, Mr. Joseph Beecher, Mr. Israel Clark."
In November, 1772 : Moderator, Capt. Isaac Hopkins ; Clerk for the year, Daniel Byington; Society Committee, Mr. David Norton, Mr. Amos Seward, Lieut. John Alcox, Mr. Joseph Beecher, Mr. John Bronson, Mr. Stephen Barnes, and Daniel Alcox ; Treasurer, Lieut. Josiah Rogers; School Committee, Mr. Simeon Hopkins, Jacob Carter, Capt. Aaron Harrison, Eliakim Welton, Jr., Joseph Beecher, Justus Peck, Daniel Bying- ton, John Bronson, Samuel Upson.
Voted that the school shall be by poll, and that each School Committee shall collect the poll rate.
Special Collectors, Ensign Oliver Welton and Eliakim Welton, Jr .; Collectors for the year, Levi Gaylord and Justus Peck ; Special Committee to try to secure Mr. Jackson as Pastor, Capt. Harrison, Mr. Hotchkiss, Lieut. Rogers, Sergt. Barnes, and Mr. Amos Seward.
1773.
Officers chosen in Society meeting, November, 1773 :
Moderator, Capt. Hopkins; Clerk, Daniel Byington ; Treas- urer, Simeon Hopkins; Society Committee, Mr. Amos Seward, Mr. Joseph Beecher, and Sergt. Stephen Barnes ; Collector, Justus Peck ; School Committee, Stephen Barnes, Capt. Harrison, Joseph Beecher, John Bronson, Daniel Byington, Nathaniel Sutliff, Amos Seward, and Daniel Alcox; Grave Digger, John Barrett ; To take
27
BUILDING A MEETING HOUSE.
the marks of Stray Sheep, Daniel Johnson and Daniel Byington ; Extra School Committee, Lieut. Rogers, Capt. Harrison, Na- thaniel Lewis, Samuel Upson, and Capt. Hopkins were chosen a Committee to "view the School Districts and alter them as they see fit."
The list of offices filled for the next year includes some in addition to those already given, and nearly completes the list of those appointed by the Society.
NOVEMBER 28, 1774.
Moderator, Deacon Aaron Harrison ; Clerk, Daniel Byington ; Treasurer, Simeon Hopkins; Society Committee, Mr. Amos Sew- ard, Sergt. Stephen Barnes, Mr. Samuel Upson; Collectors, Mark Harrison and James Thomas ; Grave Digger, John Barrett ; Key Keeper, Daniel Alcox ; School Committee, Justus Peck, Jessie Alcox, Deacon Harrison, Sergt. Stephen Barnes, Daniel Johnson, Amos Seward, Simeon Hopkins, Daniel Alcox, Eliakim Wel- ton, Jr.
At the same meeting, "Voted, that we would try the affair respecting the land belonging in Southington." Here was a resolution to enter into a suit at law with Southington.
At an adjourned meeting held the week afte the above action, it was " Voted to reconsider the vote by which Samuel Upson was nominated Constable, and also that by which Eliakim Welton was nominated Surveyor."
By these votes it seems that the Parish sometimes nominated such officers ; or that having done so once, it seemed wise to withdraw the nomination.
The energy and correctness with which these men en- tered upon this work indicates more than an ordinary business talent and spirit in the community, for I venture that few ecclesiastical societies and towns in this or any other State have kept as full records and attended to all items of public interest with greater care than has been the case herc.
CHAPTER III.
OBTAINING A PASTOR.
At the first Society meeting, Nov. 13, 1770, the follow- ing record was made: "Capt. Aaron Harrison was cho- sen to read the psalms for the year ensuing. At the same meeting Amos Seward was chosen for the same purpose." At the same meeting five choiristers were appointed, and it was voted to " give Mr. Joseph Atkins £1 5s od for the use of his house to meet in on the Sabbath, for the year ensuing until the first of May next."
In the adjourned meeting held in December, about a month later, it was "Voted to lay a rate of one penny half penny on the pound to procure preaching."
At the meeting, the next April 22d, 1771, they " Voted to have preaching this summer," and, to sustain this, they voted to lay a "half penny rate in addition to the penny half penny" voted in December previous. As the tax list of the Parish amounted to about three thousand five hun- dred pounds, this tax brought them only one hundred and fifty dollars, and at five dollars a Sabbath, this would give them preaching thirty Sabbaths, or a little over two Sabbaths in the month during the year. Hence, because of this small sum with which to maintain public worship, they at this same meeting, April, 1771, "Voted to have all the land in this Society taxed," and appointed Captain Aaron Harrison and Mr. Stephen Barnes agents to pro- cure a grant from the Assembly to this effect ; but it was so late in the session that the application was not made till the next meeting of the Assembly in the Autumn. Hence at an adjourned meeting held on the last Monday of the following September they "voted to have the said
29
OBTAINING A PASTOR.
memorial for said land tax to be carried into the next Assembly ; giving the agents leave to alter in respect to the Churchmen as they think best." Mr. Samuel Upson, Daniel Alcox, and Joseph Atkins were appointed agents to carry the Memorial to the Assembly. It was carried and the result appears in the following
GRANT OF THE ASSEMBLY.
At a General Assembly of the Governor and company of the Colony of Con- necticut, holden at New Haven, on the 2d Thursday of October, Anno Domini, 1771 :
Upon a memorial of the Society of Farmingbury presented by Joseph Atkins, Samuel Upson, and Daniel Alcox, agents for said Society, representing to this Assembly that the list of said Society is small, and they unable to set up and maintain the Worship of God among them without some further help, praying for a tax on all the lands within said Society, &c., as per memorial on file :
Resolved by this Assembly, that a tax of three pence on the acre for the term of four years, to be annually collected, be laid on all the lands within said Society which belong to the Inhabitants living within the limits of said Society, not being professors of the Church of England, and also on that part of the lands of the non- resident Proprietors, which land is not put into the General list of such non-resident proprietors, and not holden to pay taxes in other Societies or towns : and Stephen Barnes, of Farmington, and Daniel Alcox, of Waterbury, are hereby appointed and fully empowered to collect the said tax of the Proprietors of such lands as aforesaid, and the same to pay to the Committee of said Society to be improved to set up and maintain a Gospel ministry in said Society ; and that the Secretary of the Colony shall issue and sign warrants for the collecting of said tax in form of law.
A true copy of record,
Examined By GEORGE WYLLYS, Sec.
By this tax the Society raised, probably, four hundred and fifty dollars. If it had received a tax on all the lands within its bounds, at three pence per acre, it would have received about six hundred dollars, but the Episcopalians and some others were exempt.
30
HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
Several persons were paying taxes for church support in Bristol and Waterbury and perhaps Southington. The Society, also, released every year quite a number of persons from paying their rate.
It was very soon after this grant of tax from the As- sembly that this Society voted to "go about building a Meeting house forthwith," and it is possible that some of this tax money was used in building the Meeting house, which would be "setting up and maintaining the worship of God."
At the annual meeting, November, 1771, they "Voted to give John Atkins, Jr., ten shillings for the use of his house the summer past," and also to "Give Mr. Atkins and his son five shillings per month" for the future. And at the same meeting they "Voted to lay a rate of two pence on the pound, to be laid out for preaching the ensuing year."
Thus had they passed through the first year of ecclesi- astical society work. That they had had preaching much of the time is quite evident from the fact of the use of the money raised for that special purpose ; and, also, from the fact of laying another tax for the same purpose, besides that which was to come by the Assembly tax. To read the psalms the ensuing year, they had appointed Mr. Isaac Hopkins, Capt. Aaron Harrison, and Mr. Amos Seward. They meant "progress," and began to look more cheerfully for a minister who should become their pastor. In January, 1772, they met and made further arrangements for a Meeting house. In March they met again, and decided as to the laying of the foundation of the Meeting house. In April they held another meeting, and arranged further concerning the foundation.
THE FIRST CALL.
On the first day of June, 1772, in a Society meeting they " Voted to give Mr. Jackson a call on probation." He
3I
OBTAINING A PASTOR.
had probably been preaching to them a few Sabbaths be- fore this meeting was held, and he accepted this call on probation. On the second Monday of the next August they voted "to meet on the Sabbath at Mr. Upson's new house." Hitherto they had met at Mr. Atkins' house, but now they go to the new house, probably because it was larger and more commodious. Where this house was we cannot learn definitely, but the Upson families resided near the center on the north road, and it was doubtless on that road .*
The Society met again on the last Monday in the fol- lowing September and voted to have Mr. Jackson on probation one month longer, and also that the Society's Committee should "go and treat with Mr. Jackson whether he will stay one month longer on probation, and likewise to ask him whether he will settle with us if we can agree on terms." At the end of the month, 26th of October, they came together and voted to settle Mr. Jackson if they could agree, and adjourned the meeting one hour. When they met, at the end of the hour, they agreed to give Mr. Jackson as a settlement 175 pounds and to be "four years paying said settlement," and to " give 50 pounds salary, to be paid yearly, four years," and then to raise it to 75 pounds ; "to be continued dur- ing his continuing with us."
And it was at this meeting that it was voted to hold their meetings for the future in the Meeting house. Mr. Jackson did not accept this call, but appears to have con- tinued to preach to the Society several weeks, for on the last day of November, 1772, a month later, they ap- pointed a special committee to prevail with him to settle with them ; and this committee did not succeed. In the next meeting, in January, 1773, they voted to " apply to some man to preach with us on probation a few Sabbaths."
* Since writing the above, we have learned that this house was that of Mr. Thomas Upson, and was the house where Charles Upson, Esquire, after- wards resided, and where Mr. Joseph H. Somers now resides.
32
HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
Thus were they all " at sea" again concerning a Minister and Pastor.
A PASTOR OBTAINED.
On the second day of August, 1773, the record says : " Voted to continue Mr. Gillet with us as a preacher longer." "Voted to improve Mr. Gillet ten Sabbaths more, and on probation." On the second Monday of October next, before the ten weeks were ended, they gave Mr. Gillet a call, agreeing to give him as a settle- ment 175 pounds, and to be four years paying the settle- ment, and to pay him 50 pounds salary yearly for four years, and then raise it to 75 pounds yearly, which was $250 a year for four years, and after that $375 a year.
Mr. Gillet accepted this invitation, as appears from the fact that the Society held another meeting about six weeks after the invitation was given (Nov. 29th), and voted to have the "ordination on the 29th day of De- cember next," and voted also that " All that is due to Mr. Gillet shall be paid the first of March next ; and all that shall become due between this time and the first of said March, together with one-quarter of the settlement proposed by the Society."
The minister thus found by the Society could not be installed over a church until a church should be organ- ized, and to this work Mr. Gillet gave his attention. Here were scattered sheep in the wilderness, and duty was laid on him to look till he should find them, and gather them into one fold. Some were members in Waterbury, some in Southington, and other places. Of this there is no specific record, only that they were " members of several churches."
The only ceremony at the organization was the signing of "The Covenant of Confederation," in a meeting held for that purpose on the 18th of November, 1773. The original paper which they signed is not preserved ; that which we have is the record which Mr. Gillet wrote in
33
OBTAINING A PASTOR.
the Church Book five years after he was installed. This book, the first used for church records, is a paper-covered, foolscap-size, unruled book of twenty-four sheets. It is literally "crammed " with writing, except parts of a few pages. The last record made was in 1830, by Deacon Isaac Bronson. On the first page of this book Mr. Gillet wrote the following statement, in an elegant handwriting: "A Book of Church Records from the year 1774, or De- cember 29th, 1773, for Farmingbury Church. Alexander Gillet, Pastor."
The third page of this book contains the record of the formation of the church, and we give it just as Mr. Gillet wrote it, excepting the ornamental part :
"THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH AT FARMINGBURY.
Their Covenant of confederation, assented to at Farmingbury, November 18th, 1773.
We, who are members of several churches, desiring to be built up a spiritual house on the foundation of the Apostles and Proph- ets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone, in order to offer spiritual gifts and sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ, and being united in the bonds of Christian love, and in the faith of the gospel of Christ, do this day renewedly dedicate ourselves to God, acknowledging our great obligation to walk in all the com- mandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless,-and in the presence of God, angels, and men, do enter into covenant obli- gation with each other, as members in particular of one distinct and entire church, for all the purposes of Christian edification ; promising, by the grace of God, to treat each other with all the tenderness, faithfulness, and watchfulness, which become members of the same body of Christ, humbly depending on, and begging grace from God, that we may find so much favor in His sight as to be found faithful to these our solemn obligations, through Jesus Christ our Lord. In confirmation of which we here subscribe our names. November, &c.
Aaron Harrison, Deacon, and Jerusha his wife.
Josiah Rogers, Deacon, and Sarah his wife.
Isaac Hopkins, and Mary his wife.
4
34
HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
Joseph Atkins, and Abigail his wife.
Thomas Upson.
Joseph Sutliff.
Amos Seward, and Ruth his wife.
David Norton.
John Alcox, and Mary his wife.
Samuel Upson.
Wait Hotchkiss, and Lydia his wife.
Nathaniel Butler, and Rebecca his wife.
Elizabeth Porter.
Daniel Alcox, and Elizabeth his wife.
Joseph Hotchkiss and Hannah his wife.
Judah Frisbie.
Israel Clark, and Mahetable his wife.
Daniel Lane, and Jemima his wife.
Stephen Miles.
Stephen Barnes, and Sarah his wife.
Zadoc Bronson, and Eunice his wife.
Lucy Peck, the wife of Justus Peck.
Rebecca, wife of Nathaniel Hitchcock.
Esther Barrett.
Joseph Benham, and Elizabeth his wife. Josiah Barnes.
Admitted by letter, &c., December 22d, 1773,-William Smith, Anne, wife of James Bailey ; John Bronson, David Frost.
January 2d, 1774, Samuel Bradley.
By letter, Ephraim Pratt and his wife.
Elizabeth, wife of Ebenezer Wakelee.
Admitted January 16th, 1774, Sarah, wife of Isaac Clark, Martha, wife of Aaron Howe.
January 30th, Daniel Byington.
These names, with the above "covenant," fill the third page of the book. They are given entire, as an illus- tration of Mr. Gillet's method of church work.
Of these persons, there were forty-one who united in organizing the church; four united with the church one month later, in December, and seven united during Jan- uary following.
The church being organized, their next step was the ordination of a pastor. There is no record of any action of the Church separate from that of the Society, yet it is evident that the Church united cordially with the So- ciety in calling an ordaining Council.
35
OBTAINING A PASTOR.
The record of the ordination is as follows :
At an Ecclesiastical Council at Farmingbury, on Wednesday, the 29th of December, 1773, invited by the church in said Farming- bury for the purpose of the solemn separation of Mr. Alexander Gillet to the pastoral charge of said Church, and to the work of the gospel ministry in said Society,-convened according to let- ters missive : Present, Elders,-John Trumbull, Mark Leaven- worth, Samuel Newell, Timothy Pitkin, Joseph Strong, Andrew Stores, Rufus Hawley. Messengers,- Thomas Matthews, Esq., Deacon Andrew Bronson, Deacon Stephen Hotchkiss, Deacon Seth Lee, Judah Holcomb, Esq., Deacon John Warner, Joseph Hart, Esq.
Rev. John Trumbull was chosen Moderator, and Timothy Pit- kin chosen Scribe. This Council, having been certified by attested copies from records, both of this Church and Society, of their re- spective united invitations of Mr. Alexander Gillet to be their pastor, and his acceptance of their invitation, proceeded to ex- amine Mr. Gillet as to his regular church membership, and his views and ends in entering into the sacred work of the gospel ministry, and qualifications therefor, are of opinion that the way is clear for this Council to proceed to the solemn separation of Mr. Alexander Gillet to the work of the gospel ministry and pas- toral office in this place.
1120571
The Rev. Mr. Stores to make the prayer before the sermon, Rev. Mr. Strong to preach the sermon, Rev. Mr. Leavenworth to make the prayer before the charge, and Rev. Mr. Trumbull to give the charge; the Rev. Mr. Newell to make the prayer after the charge, and Rev. Mr. Hawley to give the right hand of fellowship. Passed in Council,
Test. TIMOTHY PITKIN, Scribe.
On the same day that the Council was convened the Church held a meeting, and adopted some statements
CONCERNING CHURCH DISCIPLINE .*
At a church meeting held in Farmingbury December 29th, 1773, after mature consideration, the church agreed and voted in ye
* Two or three samples only of the spelling and literal methods of writ- ing in olden times are given in this book ; all else is put into modern style as nearly as possible.
0
e
36
HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
following plan of chh discipline : That this chh takes ye word of God to be the only sure and unerring rule of chh Discipline ; neither do we think that any platform of human composure, with- out just exceptions. However, we agree that ye platform drawn up by ye Elders & Messengers of ye chhs of Connecticut, con- vened at Saybrook, A. D., 1808, in ye main is agreeable to ye Word of God & a good Directory. But,
Ist. We are not well satisfied that ye 7th article in ye heads of agreement, drawn up by ye Elders & Messengers aforesaid, and ye first article in ye administration of chh discipline are without just exceptions ; but we are of opinion yt ye administration of chh discipline is communicated jointly to Pastor & church. How- ever, as Pastors or Elders are worthy of double honor, so we be- lieve they ought to have and be allowed a double vote in all acts and votes of ye chh.
2ly. We are not satisfied with ye 7th article, that a chh in ye calling of a council, ought to be confined to ye consociated chhs of ye circuit to which they belong; but we believe that ye chhs when they so agree, have a right to call in a promiscuous Council.
3rd. With respect to ye 8th article we are not satisfied. But we think an offending brother has no liberty of appealing to a Council, either before or after excommunication from ye chh, un- less ye Pastor & church judge that ye nature of ye case require it, and will join in calling a Council.
4thly. With respect likewise to ye 4th article, we are not very well satisfied, for we believe that whenever a Council is called, nothing ought to be deemed an act of it which hath not ye major part of ye Elders separate, and likewise of ye Messengers present.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.