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 6
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HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
Sherman's army, near Atlanta, Georgia, obscures all the victories of the Revolution.
Though the times of the Revolution tried every man's courage, and every woman's heart, yet through these years this little Society and its ministerial captan, passed securely and prosperously, and came out into a "large place, beside still waters."
When a people are in the way of improvements, it is easy to continue the same. The added comforts of the Meeting house may have suggested the idea of building "Sabba Day" houses, for we find a vote passed in 1788 appointing a committee to direct where such houses should be built on the land near the church, owned by the Society. Some few were built, but soon went out of use,-for I have some suspicion that the hotel or tavern was the "Sabba Day" house many preferred to any other, between sermons. And I find, also, that many of the business meetings of the Society were held at Mr. Samuel Byington's house, which was the "tavern ;" and Samuel Byington was a member of the church, as were also many who came in to warm at his "fire."
MR. GILLET AT HOME.
Mr. Gillet recorded his own marriage in the Church book as occurring "Dec. 3, 1778." This fact is mentioned specially because in Sprague's Annals it is given as hav- ing taken place "December, 1779," which latter date would not look well along with the fact that his son, Timothy Phelps, was baptized in this church July 23, 1780. He married Adah Rogers, daughter of one of the deacons of his church, and a man very prominent in all the doings of the church and Society for many years. The marriage services were conducted by Rev. Samuel Newell, proba- bly in the church. Mr. Newell preached a sermon from the following text, John ii : 1, 2. " And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee ; and the mother of Je- sus was there. And both Jesus was called and his disci-
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DURING MR. GILLET'S MINISTRY.
ples to the marriage." Mr. Gillet's marriage was on the third day of the month and this made the text more literal to the occasion, and it is said that a minister once likened Wolcott to the land of Canaan ; possibly the audience at this time thought they were in that land, and if the au- dience did not, perhaps the bride and bridegroom did. Mr. Gillet and wife resided first about half a mile east of the church, in a house now entirely gone, part of the walls of the cellar only are remaining. He afterwards built a house on a farm, a quarter of a mile north of the church on the east side of the road. This house is still standing and is quite inhabitable, though no one resides in it ; and must have been a good home in those days when that street was inhabited by a number of the first families of the parish. It is not known at present what peculiar in- cident, if any, gave to this part of the community the elo- quent name of "Puddin' street," but it certainly has had this honor from beyond the memory of any persons liv- ing. In this house Mr. Gillet probably resided but a few years, for the recollections of some of his children are connected much more with the old house now gone than this one north of the Meeting house. Mr. Gillet had four children baptized while pastor here. Timothy Phelps, July 23, 1780, afterwards pastor in Branford, Conn., over fifty years ; Asaph, Nov. 24, 1782 ; Esther, July 17, 1785 ; Adah, Jan. 27, 1788.
MR. GILLET'S SALARY.
When Mr. Gillet settled here his salary was to be fifty pounds a year, for four years, and seventy-five pounds yearly after that. The Society was faithful to this agree- ment. The nominal amount varied during a very few years, but varied because of the diminished or increased price of wheat, for wheat seems to have been the standard of value. His salary for the first four years (£50 per year) was paid regularly, with one-quarter of the £175 settle- ment, on the Ist of March. In 1778 they promptly voted
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HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
him £75 for the ensuing year, according to agreement. In 1779 they voted him £75, " to be paid in wheat, at six shillings a bushel." In 1780 it was £50, "to be paid in wheat at four shillings a bushel." In 1781 it was the same, £50, "to be paid in wheat, at four shillings a bushel." After 1781 it was £75, with one exception, till he closed his labors here. In 1787 they paid him £75 and twenty- five cords of wood, and in 1788 it was £70 and twenty- five cords of wood.
This salary, though apparently small, was larger than Rev. Mr. Leavenworth, Congregational minister in Water- bury, was receiving at the same time *. "In 1755, Mr. Leavenworth's salary was £65 "proclamation money," or its equivalent in old tenor ; in 1759, 654; in 1761, £65; in 1762, £82 ; in 1781, £55 ; but on account of the burdens of the Society and the public taxes, Mr. L. agreed to accept £45. In 1782, the salary was £65, and £10 in wood ; in 1791, 670 ; but Mr. L. gave the Society £5 of it."
These figures show that Mr. Gillet's salary, on an average, was about ten pounds a year more than Mr. Leavenworth's, and therefore was very honorable for a ,new society, compared with one more than ninety years old. From the fact that the Society voted twenty-five cords of wood in 1787, we infer that Mr. Gillet was then residing in his new house, on his own farm, and that that farm included no woodland; and hence, also, that the farm was a small one, which we learn to have been about ten acres. It was in this house, probably, that the New Haven West Association held its first meeting. May 3Ist, 1787.+ "There were present, Messrs. Lea- venworth, Williston, Foot, Edwards, Wales, Gillet, Da- vid Fuller, Fowler, Perry, and Martin Fuller. Mr. Lea- venworth was moderator, and Dr. Jonathan Edwards was scribe."
* Bronson's History of Waterbury, p. 285.
+ Kingsley's Eccl. Hist. Conn., P. 327.
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DURING MR. GILLET'S MINISTRY.
The fact that this meeting was held at Mr. Gillet's house, indicates his interest in the neighboring ministers and churches ; for this being the first meeting, there must have been some preliminaries, and in these he must have taken considerable part, and hence the propriety of going to his house for this meeting. This was in accord- ance with his character, for though naturally reserved in his manner, he heartily gave all attention and effort to build up the churches and spread gospel light, and his home was a home of welcome to all who toiled as minis- ters in the Master's kingdom.
MR. GILLET CLOSES HIS LABORS IN WOLCOTT.
At the annual Society meeting, the 29th day of No- vember, 1790, it was "voted to send a committee to the Rev. Mr. Gillet, to discourse with him concerning the uneasiness there is in the Society with him as a teacher." The committee consisted of Mr. Jacob Carter, Captain Nathaniel Lewis, Deacon Peck, Capt. Samuel Upson, Mr. Amos Seward, Mr. Mark Harrison, Capt. Charles Upson, Mr. Calvin Cowles, and Mr. Jonathan Carter. No reasons are given as to the cause of this " uneasi- ness," except in the words " with him as a teacher," and afterwards it is said "with him as a pastor and teacher." This committee, doubtless, performed the work assigned it, and reported to the Society the information obtained, for from this time they held several adjourned meetings from week to week. On the 23d day of December, 1790, in a Society meeting, they "voted to have Mr. Gillet invited into the house." He probably came, and they had a conference together like brethren. About two weeks after this conference, the Society "voted that Mr. Leavenworth, Mr. Trumbull, Mr. Smalley, and Mr. Waterman, with their delegates, be an advisory Council respecting the uneasiness there is with Mr. Gillet as a public teacher," and that the Council meet on the "first Tuesday of February next, at nine o'clock in the morning,
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HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
at the house of Samuel Byington," and that Capt. Samuel Upson, Jacob Carter, Lieut. Richards, Deacon Atkins, Capt. Charles Upson, Jonathan Carter, Mark Harrison, Capt. Daniel Alcox, Calvin Cowles, Simeon Plumb, and Dr. Potter, be a committee to attend on the Council."
This Council met, but of its doings I find no record, yet from several items afterwards recorded, conclude that it advised against a dismissal. On the first day of next September, the Society "voted that all those that are easy with the Rev. Mr. Gillet as a pastor and teacher signify the same. Yeas, 40 ; nays, 19." "Voted that all those that are willing the Rev. Mr. Gillet be dis- missed, agreeable to his request, signify the same by lift- ing the hand. Yeas, 20; nays, 29." One week from this meeting they "voted to call the same Council that were here in February last, to meet at the house of Samuel Byington in said Farmingbury, on the fourth Tuesday of October next, at nine o'clock in the morning, then and there to hear, advise, and determine, on matters of difficulty between the Rev. Mr. Gillet and his peo- ple." Deacon Aaron Harrison, Deacon Peck, Deacon Atkins, Messrs. Amos Seward, Streat Richards, Jacob Carter, Jonathan Carter, Capt. Samuel Upson, Capt. Daniel Alcox, were chosen a committee to make pro- visions for the Council, and to represent the Society be- fore them."
DOINGS OF THE COUNCIL NOVEMBER 9, 1791.
The original copy of the proceedings of the Council is preserved, in Mr. Trumbull's hand-writing, and a splen- did hand-writing it is :
At an Ecclesiastical Council convened by letters missive, in Farmingbury, at the house of the Rev. Alexander Gillet, October 25, 1791, the Rev. John Smalley was chosen Moderator, and Mr. Trumbull, Scribe. The Council, considering the importance and difficulty of the matters to be laid before them and their own thinness, not half the members being present, judge it altogether
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DURING MR. GILLET'S MINISTRY.
inexpedient to proceed to business ; and therefore voted that this Council be adjourned till Wednesday, the 9th of November, to meet at Mr. Samuel Byington's at 9 o'clock in the morning.
Farmingbury, November 9th, the Council met according to ad- journment, and adjourned to the Meeting house. In the recess of this Council the Society of Farmingbury, at the desire of Mr. Gillet and a number of the disaffected members, voted their will- ingness, that the Rev. Noah Benedict and Dr. Jonathan Edwards, with delegates from their respective churches, should be called to sit with the former Council, to advise with them relative to the matters of difficulty subsisting among them ; in consequence of which vote, and letters missive to said gentlemen, predicated upon it, the Rev. Mr. Benedict and Dr. Edwards, Deacon Daniel Sherman from the First Church in Woodbury, and Mr. Jeremiah Atwater from the Church in White Haven, joined the Council.
The Council thus formed consisted of the gentlemen above mentioned (Benedict, Edwards, Sherman and Atwater), the Rev. Messrs. Mark Leavenworth, John Smalley, Simon Waterman, and Benjamin Trumbull, and of delegates Joseph Hopkins, Esq., from the church in Waterbury, Colonel Isaac Lee from the church in New Britain, Mr. Elijah Warner from the church in Northbury, and Joseph Darling, Esq., from the church in North Haven.
The Council was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Leaven- worth.
The Rev. Mr. Gillet, a committee of the Society in Farming- bury, and a committee of the members of said Society who were dissatisfied with Mr. Gillet, appeared before the Council, and after considerable conversation a question arose between the parties, whether the Society had properly submitted the matters of diffi- culty to the decision of the Council. Some time was taken up in the discussion of that point, and the parties disagreeing on the subject, the Council adjourned till two o'clock, P. M.
Met according to adjournment, and found the Society in regular meeting, and that the question stated above had been largely debated in said meeting, but without any determination. However, towards evening, said Society "voted that the Council of ministers and delegates from the several neighboring churches, present, be a mutual Council, to hear and determine respecting
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HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
any matters of difficulty between the Rev. Mr. Gillet, the said Society, or any disaffected persons."
The Council adjourned to Dr. Potter's. Met according to ad- journment, and the parties appeared before the Council and began to make a statement of their difficulties. Adjourned to the Meet- ing house, to meet at 8 o'clock to-morrow morning.
Farmingbury, November 10th, the Council met according to ad- journment.
The Rev. Mr. Gillet delivered to the council a paper, in which he submitted all matters of difficulty, and declared, that if this Council shall judge that there is not a prospect for his future use- fulness and comfort in this Church and Society as their pastor, it is his honest wish to be liberated from their pastoral charge; and they continued the hearing.
Voted that this Council be adjourned to Deacon Harrison's. Met according to adjournment ; continued and finished the hear- ing ; in which it appeared to this Council, that though the Rev. Mr. Gillet has done nothing inconsistent with the Christian or min- isterial character, and has through a long scene of controversy acted with great prudence, patience, and gentleness, yet there is about a third of the church and Society dissatisfied with his min- istrations ; that this dissatisfaction appears to be of long continu- ance and deeply rooted ; that, therefore, on the most thorough consideration of the whole matter, in all its circumstances, there is not a prospect of his continuing in his present pastoral relation, with either usefulness to the cause of religion or comfort to him- self ; that he and some individuals have settled his temporal af- fairs to his satisfaction ; and that if he should be advised to con- tinue in his present situation, his continuance would, probably, be but temporary, and for which he would be removed with greater loss of property, with greater disadvantage as to his settlement in the ministry, and equal if not greater disadvantage to this Society. For these reasons this Council think it necessary for the interests of religion in general, and especially in this church and Society, and for the usefulness and comfort of Mr. Gillet and his family, that he be dismissed from his pastoral relation to this church and Society, and accordingly he is hereby dismissed, though we feel very tenderly for Mr. Gillet, for his family, and for those of this
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DURING MR. GILLET'S MINISTRY.
Society who wish him to be continued as their minister ; yet we are satisfied that they are called, in Providence, to the patient ex- ercise of self denial in this instance; and we wish them to rest assured, that we advise to this dismission of Mr. Gillet in a full persuasion that it is necessary for their respective interests and spiritual prosperity as well as for the interests of true religion in general.
We take the liberty here to refer it to the consideration of this whole Society, whether this whole calamity has not, in a great measure, come upon them in consequence of the want of due care to supply Mr. Gillet and his family with the conveniences of life ; and whether if he had been duly supplied in this respect, he would not have been free from those cares, embarrassments and labors which have been inconsistent with that habitual study and improvement which would have rendered him more respected both to his own and neighboring Societies.
With respect to Mr. Gillet, from all that has appeared concern- ing him in the course of the hearing, and from our acquaintance with him, we believe him to be a man of strict morality and sin- cere piety ; and of such ministerial accomplishments, natural and acquired, as may, if Divine Providence open the way, render him useful in the ministry; and as such we recommend him to all churches and to all Christians wherever God may cast his future lot. Passed unanimously in Council.
Test. BENJAMIN TRUMBULL, Scribe.
Thus closed on the 10th day of November, 1791, the ministerial labors of the Rev. Alexander Gillet as an am- bassador of the court of heaven over this his first parish,- a pastorate which continued nearly eighteen years.
The "finding " of this council is very plain and very suggestive. They say that "the Rev. Mr. Gillet has through a long scene of controversy acted with great prudence, patience, and gentleness ;" and as a reason for this they say, "that this dissatisfaction appears to be of long continuance and deeply rooted," and the explana- tion to this is, a difficulty in the church in the first year of Mr. Gillet's labors here, and another in 1781, in regard
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HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
to which the church called a Council. The first was a case in which the parties, a husband and wife of influen- tial family connections, had been prosecuted in Court for " scandal" and were acquitted, and soon after applied to be received as members of the church. This difficulty continued over six months, and then the whole matter was dropped and the persons admitted. The other case was concerning parties also of influence who had been before "Esquire Baldwin " and then came into the church, which was settled once by a council and came up again a year after, in another form, and caused considerable trouble in the church and community, and as a result the minister was thought to be prejudiced against these parties. Be- cause the minister valued the honor of the church he was censured and a prejudice was entertained against him to strengthen in the years to come in proportion to his faith- fulness to God and the church.
From several things mentioned in the records I am persuaded that these were the beginning of difficulties that finally secured the dismissal of Mr. Gillet. But there were other things which would not be worthy of mention but for the lessons we are to learn from them ; the prin- cipal of which is stated thus by the Council : "We take the liberty here to refer it to the consideration of this whole Society, whether this whole calamity has not, in a great measure, come upon them, in consequence of the want of due care to supply Mr. Gillet and his family with the conveniences of life ;" and the supplying of which would have saved him from embarrassment and made him "more respected, both to his own and neighboring Societies." The secret is this : Mr. Gillet received his salary at the end of the year, only, according to agree- ment, and that on the first of March, and seldom re- ceived it promptly at that time. In 1787 he sent word to the parish meeting that if he could have his money at the first of May, he would give five pounds for twenty- five cords of wood, and accept sixty pounds in place of
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DURING MR. GILLET'S MINISTRY.
the seventy due him. In one case, at the annual meeting, he had not received his money, due nearly a year.
These are the things that made trouble in the home of the minister, and because of which we are told Mr. Gil- let was not respected as he would have been, although he was not in fault. These things are suggestive and we leave them.
The last entries made by Mr. Gillet, in the church book were, " A marriage, Thanksgiving day, November 24, 1791 ; a baptism of a child, November 27, 1791, and the death of James Bailey, December 8, 1791.
His house and farm he sold to some individuals, who transferred it afterwards to the Society, it being valued at £250, and the Society gave two hundred pounds of it to Mr. Woodward, as we shall see, as his " settlement " in the parish.
Mr. Gillet was settled in Torrington, Conn., May, 1792, where he labored as pastor thirty-four years, till his death.
CHAPTER V.
REV. MR. WOODWARD'S MINISTRY : FROM 1792 TO 1810.
Mr. Woodward began to preach for this Society as a candidate about the first of February, 1792,-that is, two months and a half after Mr. Gillet left. On the 13th of February the Society voted : "That we would wish to continue Mr. Woodward with us as a preacher till the first of May next," which would, probably, make three months' service. This was the only business done at this meeting, and it then adjourned until the first Monday in April. Hence it is probable that the meeting was called for this one purpose, and that it was held soon after his first service among them.
When they met, according to adjournment, they voted, "That we are agreed in Mr. Woodward as a preacher ; that we are desirous to continue Mr. Woodward with us as our minister ;" also, "That we will give Mr. Wood- ward {80 salary and twenty-five cords of wood, yearly. Yeas 48, nays 7." Having passed these votes, the meet- ing adjourned for three or four days, then met and voted "That Capt. Walter Beecher, Dr. John Potter, Lieut. Joseph Beecher, Daniel Byington, Capt. Charles Upson, Capt. Isaac Hopkins, Mr. Simeon Plumb, and Jeremiah Scarritt be a committee to circulate the subscription pa- per in each school district for the purpose of raising a sum for Mr. Woodward's settlement." This meeting was adjourned from Friday to the next Tuesday, when they voted "to give Mr. Israel B. Woodward two hundred pounds as a settlement, as subscribed, to be paid accord- ing to the subscription," and appointed as a committee
a
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REV. MR. WOODWARD'S MINISTRY.
Deacon Atkins, Capt. Samuel Upson, Capt. Charles Up- son, Mr. Jacob Carter, and Capt. Daniel Alcox, to wait on Mr. Woodward and inform him what the meeting had done. The meeting adjourned to the "last Monday of inst. April," and then appointed a committee to receive Mr. Woodward's answer, after which it adjourned to the "second Monday of May next, at three o'clock in the afternoon."
When they met, according to adjournment, they voted "to give Mr. I. B. Woodward two hundred pounds, we heretofore voted as a settlement, out of the late farm of the Rev. Mr. Gillet, estimated at two hundred and fifty pounds." They then appointed a committee "to wait on Mr. Woodward to the meeting." At this meeting the whole matter of settlement was arranged, and they ap- pointed a committee to complete the work, as follows : " Voted that Capt. Samuel Upson, Capt. Charles Upson, Mr. Amos Seward, Mr. David Norton, Lieut. Joseph Beecher, Mr. Jonathan Carter, Mark Harrison, Esquire, Dr. John Potter, Deacon Joseph Atkins, be a commit- tee to agree with Mr. Woodward on the time of the ordination, and on the ordaining council, and to attend said business till the ordination is over."
Mr. Woodward's letter of acceptance is still preserved in his own hand-writing, and is as follows :
MAY 14, 1792.
To the Church of Christ, and to the inhabitants of the Society of Farming- bury :
Having some time since received from you a unanimous invi- tation to be your minister in the gospel of Christ, I have, as I hope, most seriously considered the subject, and asked of my God, in a matter of so great importance, that wisdom which is profitable to direct ; and after soberly viewing the circumstances which the subject involves, I have though it my duty, should the unanimity heretofore expressed in the Society be continued, to accept of your proposals, and submit myself to the doings of an
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HISTORY OF WOLCOTT.
ordaining council, hoping that it may issue in the salvation of those that are lost; in building up the Redeemer's kingdom on earth, and in displaying the nature and glorious perfections of God; and wishing that grace, mercy, and peace may be multi- plied among you through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, I subscribe myself your brother in the Christian faith.
ISRAEL BARD WOODWARD.
Near the end of May, 1792, the Society met and voted that " Mr. Woodward's salary should become due on the Ist day of March annually," also that Mr. Richard F. Welton, Wm. Stevens, Dr. John Potter, Aaron Harrison, Capt. Daniel Alcox, Selah Steadman, Nathan Gillet, Simeon Hopkins, and Joseph Miner be desired to make preparation to entertain the people on ordination day. No records of the installation have been preserved ; but we infer from these votes that some time in June, 1792, Mr. Woodward was ordained as pastor of this church and Society. On the fourth Tuesday of June the So- ciety made further provision for Mr. Woodward. Cer- tain persons had purchased Mr. Gillet's farm, apparently as a favor to Mr. Gillet. The Society at this meeting assumed the obligations of these persons, relieving them from further responsibility to Mr. Gillet, and ordered the treasurer to pay to Mr. Gillet the several sums collected on Mr. Woodward's settlement. The amount of the settle- ment was two hundred pounds ; the farm was estimated at two hundred and fifty pounds. Hence they "voted that the above said committee be empowered to put the Rev. Mr. Woodward into possession of said farm, taking surety of him for the fifty pounds overplus of said two hun- dred pounds settlement agreeably to an agreement now in the hands of Judge Hopkins." It is reported that the So- ciety lost the whole value of this farm, which must be a mistake. They may never have received the fifty pounds " overplus " but anything more they could not have lost. Mr. Woodward resided on this farm until 1799, when he
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