USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > East Granby > Records of the Congregational Church in Turkey Hills, now the town of East Granby, Connecticut, 1776-1858 > Part 10
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Aug. 18. Mrs Zeruiah Lewis a sister in this church was at her request recommended to membership with the South Congreg'1 church in Hartford.
Attest P. F. S. Pastor
Sept. 22. At a regular church meeting Deac. Skinner was chosen delegate to the Hartford North Consociation to be holden at Simsbury on the 26 & 27 Inst.
Attest P. F. Sanborne Pastor
[160] Oct. 13, 1848 At a regular church meeting this day Mr. Samuel A. Clark & Mrs Virgil H. Griswold presented thein- selves as candidates for church membership. After a brief examination of their religious views and hopes it was proposed that they be propounded for admission.
Oct. 15, 1848. Samuel A. Clark & Mrs. Virgil H. Griswold were this day propounded for admission to this church
Attest P. F. S. Pastor
Nov. 5, 1848 Samuel A. Clark & Mrs Virgil H. Griswold were this day received to full communion in this Church
Attest P. F. S. Pastor.
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April 13, 1849. At a regular church Meeting this day Mr. Virgil Griswold presented himself desiring to unite with the church. After an interesting examination as to his Christian experience and religious views it was deemed proper to propound him for admission.
[161] May 4, 1849 At a church Lecture this day held Bro. Chester Hamlin was appointed delegate to attend a council to be held in Bloomfield for the purpose of taking into consideration the expediency of dissolving the relation now existing between the Rev. A. C. Raymond & the Ch & people in that place.
Attest P. F. Sanborne Pastor.
May 6, 1849. Virgil H. Griswold was this day received into full communion in this church.
Attest, P. F. S. Pastor
Sept. 23, 1849. Church tarried after Divine Service and chose Br. Jas. R. Viets delegate to Consociation Hartford North to be holden in Bristol on the 25 & 26 of the present month
P. F. Sanborne
Oct. 5, 1849. This day a complaint was presented against Mrs. Betsey Stannard, a member of this church for intemperance, whereupon it was voted that a Committee be raised to visit the said Mrs. S. and confer on the subject and report to this church the result of their interview. Deac Cornish & Br Oliver Hayden were appointed on that Committee.
Attest P. F. Sanborne
[162] 1849 Nov. 2. After preparatory lecture this day held the church tarried for business. The committee on the case of Mrs. Stannard reported the result of their interview with her, in which she denied the complaint preferred against her. Whereupon it was voted that the same Committee be reappointed to investigate the subject still further, also to present to the church in writing the articles of complaint at their next meeting also to see that Mrs Stannard has a copy of the same and is cited to appear be- fore the church to answer to the articles of Complaint.
Attest P. F. Sanborne Pastor
Dec. 7. The Committee on the case of Mrs. Stannard pre- sented to the church in writing the articles of complaint against said Stannard (see paper on file), though the necessary absence of Mrs. S. the church voted to adjourn this meeting until a con- venient time for Mrs. S. to be present. also voted to add the Pastor to the above committee and that said Committee prepare [163] a confession and pledge for Mrs. S. to subscribe to against the time of next meeting. Attest P. F. Sanborne
1850 January 5. After preparatory lecture, the church tarried when the Committee on the case of Mrs. Stannard reported that they had prepared a confession and pledge for Mrs S. to sign, which paper (see paper on file) she signed on the 19th of Dec last. The paper was read to the church and it with the doings of the Committee was unanimously approved.
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Voted that this committee still be employed to request the presence of Mrs. S. to one of their meetings and there publicly attest her sincerity in signing the pledge to abstain from intoxi- cating drinks.
Attest P. F. Sanborne.
March 22. At a meeting of the church this held by regular appointment, the Committee on the case of Mrs. Stannard [164] reported that having repeatedly heard that Mrs. S. had broken her pledge by the use of intoxicating drinks and also one of said Committee had seen her at her own house greatly intoxicated. Said committee called upon Mrs. S. on Tuesday last and learned from her own lips that she had broken her pledge repeatedly and on being cited to appear before the church to answer for her offences, deliberately said that she should never come before them and was willing that the church should take such action as they pleased on her case. Whereupon after due deliberation the fol- lowing votes were passed
Ist that we are now ready for a final decision of the matter on hand.
2. It is the opinion of this church that the charges preferred against [165] Mrs. Stannard have been fully sustained.
3. That as a church we now withdraw our watch and fellow- ship from her and no longer consider her as one of our number.
4. That the pastor furnish Mrs. S. with a copy of our doings this day. Attest P. F. Sanborne
May 3rd 1850. After Preparatory Lecture this day Br. Joel Clark was chosen to attend (ad delegate from this church together with the pastor) a council to be convened in Simsbury on the 14 & 15 Inst. for the purpose of ordaining and installing Mr. Sam'1 T. Richards as colleage pastor with the Rev. Allen McLean over the church in that place.
Attest P. F. Sanborne Pastor
[166] 1850 June 9. Church tarried after Divine Service and appointed Br. Jas. Rollin Viets to attend as delegate with the pastor a council to be convened in West Hartland on the 13 Inst for the purpose of setting apart Mr. Charles G. Goddard to the work of the gospel ministry in that place.
Attest P. F. Sanborne, Pastor
July 26. At a Church Meeting this day held Mrs Lewis Hills was present as candidate for Church membership. After an ex- amination of her religious views and Christian experience, the church expressed themselves satisfied.
P. F. Sanborne
Aug. 4. Mrs. Lewis Hills was this day propounded for ad- mission to the church. P. F. S.
Aug. 18. Mrs. Lewis Hills was this day baptised and admitted to the privileges and fellowship of this church.
Attest, P. F. S.
[167] Sept. 8. The church this day appointed Br Cornish as
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their delegate to Hartford North Consociation to be holden in Canton the 24th Inst. Attest P. F. Sanborne
Oct. 13, 1850 Church stayed after worship and chose Br Justus R. Stevens as delegate to a council to be convened in Granby on the 16 Inst, for the purpose of Installing Rev Caleb J. Page over the church in that place.
P. F. Sanborne Pastor
Oct. 25, 1850 At a Church meeting this day held, Br. Abra- ham Tenant (concerning whom various ill reports of the nature of trespass have for several weeks been in circulation ) was present and being questioned with regard to them made the following statements. "That some six weeks since being in want of a stick of timber for building purposes, went with his boy on to his wood- lot [168] on the plain to obtain one but not finding a suitable tree returned upon land owned by Mr. Pomroy of Suffield and there seeing a fit tree, cut it, and conveyed it to his home with the express intention of soon seeing Mr P. and settling with him for it. He also stated (in harmony with the ill reports) that he drew the top of said tree to a hollow at a distance and conveyed the "butt stick " onto his own land a few rods distant, and withal attempted to conceal the stump with leaves and brush- wood. The motive assigned by Mr. Tenant for thus doing was a concealment from enemies whom he feared would discover his doings before he should have opportunity to see Mr. Pomroy. Three weeks elapsed after he had taken the stick without having seen Mr. P. (reason assigned was the pressure of other business) when Mr. P. came to his house and charged him with trespass &c, he invited him in [169] and settled the matter with Mr. Pomroy. He expressed the sentiment that he should never have done as he did, had he known the trouble it has caused. also that he intended no wrong in the matter but surely proposed to make it right with Mr. P. Another reason offered by Mr. T. was nearly as follows. "Some three years since I cut a Chestnut tree, nearly on the bounds between my land & Mr. Pomroy's supposing it clearly mine, and carried the same home with the exception of the butt stick, and on going a day or two afterward for said "butt" found that Mr. P. had been and taken it claiming it as his own. I have felt since that time wronged by Mr. P. and took the liberty I have lately taken sooner on Mr. P.'s land than I should on any other mans."
The brethren questioned him minutely and endeavored to as- certain all the facts in the [170] case. Among the inquiries it was asked. Did you (as has been reported) deny cutting said tree on Mr. Pomroy's land, when Mr. P. first came to your house charging you with the same? I did not. Several of my enemies were present and I evaded their assertions by saying "there are other trees on the plain beside Mr. P.'s and other language to that effect. I did not deny it." At this period the church wished
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to be by themselves and Mr. Tennant left. It was then voted after some remarks by the brethren present
That we are not prepared to justify Br. Tennants conduct but desire further investigation.
Br. Oliver Hayden was then chosen to ascertain more in rela- tion to the matter and report at a future meeting
Attest P. F. Sanborn Pastor
[171] Nov. 15, 1850 At a church meeting regularly called and this day held for business, it was announced by the pastor that the first item of business would be a choice of Deacon to supply the place of Deac Skinner who died 18 mos. since.
After prayer for the Divine Guidance and aid offered by Deac. Cornish. A balloting was taken. The result of which was nearly an equal division of votes for three of the brethren, when it was thought best that a farther balloting be deferred four weeks.
The next business was the case of Br. Tennant. Br. Hayden was called upon to report. He stated that he had called on Mr. Pomroy and questioned him at length. Mr. P. said that Mr. Tennant denied at first having cut the tree on his land (at the time he, said Pomroy called on hin) but after going into his house confessed [172] it and settled with him for the damage. An hour was now spent in conference discussing the matter in its various bearings and ascertaining all the light on the subject, to discover if possible the moral character of Br. T. taking the facts in the case and his interpretation of his conduct into consideration and also to learn the duty of the church towards him.
The church were not satisfied with his doings and voted to choose two of their number as a Committee to visit Br. Tennant and confer with him on his wrong doing, and if possible convict him of his sin and lead him to repentance for the same. Brethren J. Cornish & O. Hayden were appointed that committee. Meet- ing adjourned to Friday [173] evening Nov. 29 to hear the report of their committee. Attest P. F. Sanborne Pastor
Nov. 29 Church met as adjourned. The committee on the case of Br. Tenant reported, and stated that Br. T. acknowledged that he had done wrong and they had the impression he felt dif- ferently on the subject and was ready to seek the forgiveness of the Church. Br. Tenant being present, the meeting took a social turn. Various questions were put by the church to him which he answered (touching the evil of his transactions) and many things were said in a kind spirit showing the heinousness of his sin in the eyes of wicked men as well as in the sight of God. Br. Tenant while he confessed that he had done wrong, still main- tained that it was unintentional. He desired the church to for- give him and left himself in their hands. After he left. The church expressed themselves unanimously that his conduct and his interpretation of it appeared inconsistent, [174] fears were
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expressed that he had not told the whole truth, but as we cannot judge of motives and Br. T. confesses that all his transactions in the matter carry the appearance of evil and asks our forgiveness, we are bound to exercise charity in his case. It was voted that the Pastor prepare in writing such a confession as Br. Tenant ought to subscribe to in the case and seek his signature and pre- sent such writing before the church for their acceptance. Voted to adjourn two weeks from this time & place.
Attest P. F. S. Pastor.
Dec. 13, 1850 Church met as adjourned. The pastor reported his preparation of a confession and that after showing it to several members of the church he presented it to Br. Tenant for his sig- nature and Br. Tenant readily subscribed his name to the sanie. [175] Said paper (which see on file) was called for and read. A unaminous vote was passed by those present accepting the report and also Br. T.s Confession and that Br. T. now is in good & regular standing with this church. The meeting was changed to one of prayer. Attest. P. F. Sanborne
1851 January 17. At a Church meeting this day held by regular appointment Bro. Virgil H. Griswold was unaminously chosen Deacon in the room of Deac. Skinner deceased.
Br. Joel Clark was chosen delegate to a Council to be convened in Enfield on the 22nd Inst. for the purpose of ordaining and in- stalling Mr C. A. G. Brigham over the church and Society in that place. Attest P. F. S. Pastor.
Feb. 28. In accordance with a vote of this church passed at their last meeting Brother Virgil H. Griswold was this evening set [176] apart to the office of Deacon by prayer and the laying on of hands. The exercises of the occasion were as follows
Sermon by the Pastor on Acts vi, 3 & 4
Prayer of Consecration with imposition of hands by the Pastor & deacons.
Hand of Fellowship extended by Dea. J. Cornish
The meeting was one of deep interest and solemnity.
Attest. P. F. Sanborne
June 29, 1851 Alfred E. Brown, Mrs. Alfred E. Brown and Lucy P. Gay were this day propounded for admission to this church.
P. F. S. Pastor.
July 3. Church voted to dispense with the vote requiring can- didates to be propounded two weeks in the case of the three per- sons above named. Attest. P. F. Sanborne
[177] July 6. 1851 Mr. & Mrs. Alfred E. Brown and Lucy P. Gay were received to the fellowship and privileges of this church. P. F. Sanborne Pastor
July 20. 1851. Church tarried after Divine Service and made choice of Bro. Joel Clark as delegate to a council to be held in Suffield for the purpose of considering the expediency of dissolv-
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ing the relation now existing between Rev. A. C. Washburn & the ch & people in that place
Attest P. F. S. Pastor
Aug. 3. Melissa Harger a member of this church was at her request this day commended to the watch & fellowship of the 2nd Church, Windsor P. F. Sanborne Pastor
Sept. 28. Church tarried after Divine Service and Chose Bro Joel Clark as their delegate to Consociation to be held in Collins- ville the 30th Inst. Deac. Griswold was chosen as substitute.
Attest P. F. Sanborne Pastor
[178] January 3. 1852 Anne B. Crane a member of this church was, at her own request recommended to the watch & fel- lowship of the church of Christ in Collinsville.
Attest P. F. S. Pastor
June 20. Mrs. Oliver Clark (having been previously exani- ined) was this day propounded for admission to this church.
P. F. S. Pastor
July 4. Mrs. Oliver Clark was this day received to the fellow- ship & privileges of this church
P. F. S. Pastor
Sept. 5. Mrs. Mary Merrow a member of this church was at her own request reccommended to the watch and fellowship of the Chapel Street Cong'l Church in New Haven.
Sept. 26. Church tarried after Devine Service and made choice of Br. Samuel A. Clark as their delegate to Consociation to be convened in West Hartford the 28 Inst.
[179] 1852 Nov. 5. By Vote, Mrs. Milton Owen was this day received in to Church fellowship from the Cong'l Ch. in West Suffield Also Mrs. John Jay Viets from the Cong'l Church in Farmington
P. F. Sanborne, Pastor
Nov. 21. Church made choice of Deac. Cornish as delegate to a Council to be held in West Suffield the 23 Inst. for the purpose of dissolving the relation now existing between Rev. J. W. Ses- sions and the church and people in that place.
Attest P. F. Sanborne Pastor
1853. January 23. After Divine Service the church and Con- gregation tarried by request of the pastor and the following com- munication was presented and read.
To the Congregational Church of Christ and members of the Ecclesiastical Society, Turkey Hills
Brethren and friends
Your Pastor respectfully [180] and affectionately re- quests you to unite with him in calling a Council to advise in the circumstances and if thought best dissolve the ministerial relation existing between us, and he makes this request for the following reasons.
I. The salary which you have been accustomed to give (and which has ever been promptly paid) he now finds by the in-
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creased prices of the materials of living to be inadequate to a just and liberal support. With the practice of a close economy it poorly carries his family through the year without leaving any provisions for the future. Your Pastor deems it but justice to himself in the morning of life to lay by a little in store against the time of sickness and old age. With his present support it is impossible to do this and moreover he is unable to furnish his library with such books and periodicals as are indispensable for the demands made upon him in the preaching of the day.
II. He is fully persuaded that a change of [181] field would add to his usefulness as a servant of Christ, and consequently his personal happiness. He has lived pleasantly and harmoniously in this field now more than seven years but be believes the time has come that his labors will be more serviceable in some other part of the Lord's vineyard.
III. God in his Providence has opened to him a new field which he is disposed to enter, should a Council so advice.
Christian friends-These are my reasons for the above request. You have hitherto dealt faithfully and kindly with me and mine and it is painful on many accounts to ask leave to break the cords that bind us to you. We have no personal complaints towards any of this church and parish. My prayers and labors for your spiritual good hitherto, are known to you, and here after you will have my prayers and best wishes for your happiness in this life, and your final [182] blessedness individually in that life which is to come. Hoping that you will acquiesce in this request I am yours In gospel bonds
Pliny F. Sanborne
East Granby Jan'y 22, 1853.
Feb. 2. At a meeting of the church regularly appointed and this day held to consider the communication from the Pastor, after much consultation, it was voted to accede to the pastor's request and to act in the matter Brs. Joel Clark, Oliver Hayden & V. H. Griswold were appointed as a Committee.
Feb. 8. In pursuance of letters missive from the Cong'1 church of Christ in East Granby an Ecclesiastical Council met at the Congregational Meetinghouse in that place Feb. 8, 1853. There were present from the church in
[183] Windsor, Pastor Rev. T. A. Leete, Del. Bro. E. M'Call Granby Rev. C. F. Page Windsor Locks Rev. S. H. Allen Del. Bro. M. S. Webb
Simsbury Rev.S. T. Richards, " Bro. M. Ensign Council was called to order by Bro. Page. Bro. Page was chosen moderator. Bro. Richards Scribe.
Council was opened with prayer by Moderator.
Communications from Rev. P. F. Sanborne to the church and to the society, requesting their concurrence with him in calling this council to consider the propriety of dissolving the ministerial
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connection subsisting between them & statements representing their concurrence were presented.
Explanations were heard from the Pastor, from the church & from the society.
The council having long and carefully considered the various statements made, it was unanimously
Resolved, that the Pastoral relation now existing between Rev. P. F. Sanborne [184] and the church and Society of E. Granby be and hereby is dissolved. While announcing this result the council would say, that they have come to such a decision with exceeding reluctance. We sympathize truly and deeply with this people in their attachment to their Pastor and their earnest desire to retain him among them. As ministers and brethren we are grateful to them for the lovely Christian temper manifested by them with reference to the proposed removal of a minister so much beloved. But though we could have wished to retain him with them, we have felt compelled by a sense of duty to accede to his request and dissolve the existing connection. We gladly record the testimony of their Pastor to the kindness with which they have ever treated him and their testimony to his faithfulness and efficiency as a minister of Christ among them. We do earn- estly pray that the Great Head of the church who [185] has watched over them heretofore, will still guide and support them, give them a good and faithful minister in place of him who is now taken from them and strengthen them in all the work of the gospel.
To our brother in Christ we tender our warm regard, our sym- pathy in the pain of parting with a people whom he loves and by whom he is beloved-we pray for his success in the field of his future labors; and most cordially and affectionately commend him as a Christian and a Gospel minister to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. Caleb F. Page Moderator
Attest S. T. Richards, Scribe
Prayer was offered by Br. Leete and the Council dissolved.
A true copy. P. F. Sanborne
Ma 24th 1854 Meeting of the Church
Walter Thrall Moderator
Meeting opened by Prayer [186] by the Moderator.
Voted unanimously,
To invite Rev. J. Ballard of New Ipswich N. Hampshire to settle with us in the Gospel Ministry as Pastor over this Church & People.
Meeting dissolved
C. Hamlin, Clerk
1855 Feb. 4th Made choice of Deacon Joseph Cornish as Dele- gate & Joel Clark substitute to the Consociation to be convened at Enfield on the 20th inst for the purpose of healing the difficul- ties existing among the Church & Pastor. C. Hamlin, Clerk
[187] June 15th 1855. At a meeting of Church Joel Clark Modtr
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Voted, To give Rev. S. Bryant of Mittenegue Mass a call to settle with us in the Gospel Ministry as Pastor over this Church & people.
C. Hamlin M. D.
C. Hamlin, Clk
Dear Sir,
The communications from you contain the action both of the Church [188] & Society in this place, in reference to extending to me a call to settle with you as Pastor have been re- ceived and seriously & prayerfully considered. It gives me great pleasure to learn that you were unanimous in this action
In these times of various sentiment, it is a decided evidence of your harmony as a people. Please inform the Church & Society that I accept the call hoping for a continuance of that kindness & forbearance of which I have already experienced so much, trust- ing that by our united prayers & [189] efforts, with the blessing of the Supreme Head of the Church, the relation will be one of mutual pleasure & profit. The time for the installation services may be fixed by yourselves to suit your own convenience.
Yours in the bonds of the Gospel
East Granby June 16th 1855.
S. Bryant
Attest C. Hamlin, Clk
[190] 1855 Aug. 31. At a meeting of the Church this day called to choose a Committee to unite with a Comtee of the Soc. to call an Ecclesiastical Council to convene liere for the Installa- tion of the Rev. S. Bryant, the following brethren were chosen, viz. Dea. Joseph Cornish Samuel A. Clark & Chester Hamlin, M. D.
Oct. 3ª The ecclesiastical council called by letters missive from the Cong! Church in East Granby to consider the expe- diency of installing Rev. Sidney Bryant over said church, con- vened at the meeting house Oct. 3ª 1855 & was organized by the election of Rev. Allen M"Lean Moderator & Rev. T. H. Rouse scribe. There were present from the Church in
Suffield Rev. J. R. Miller Pastor Bro. A. Child Delegate
[191] West Suffield Rev. H. J. Lamb Pastor
Dea. V. Stephens Delegate
Windsor Locks Rev. S. H. Allen Pas. Bro. Sam' S. Hayden Del. Springfield South Rev. S. G. Buckingham Pas. Bro. Edwin Bigelow Del.
Poquonock Simsbury
Rev. T. H. Rouse Pas. Rev. Allen M Lean Pas.
By special Letter Rev. D. Heminway of Suffield
After prayer by the moderator, communications were read from the records of the Church & Soc. extending a call to Rev. S. Bryant & his acceptance thereof, & also communications
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showing his regular dismission from his former pastorate these papers being deemed satisfactory, the council voted to proceed with the examination, After a clear & full statement by the pastor elect, of his doctrinal belief, & religious experience, it was voted unanimously that the examination is satisfactory
[192] The council then assigned the parts as follows
Reading the minutes by the Scribe
Invocation & reading the Scriptures Rev. Mr. Allen
Prayer Rev. Mr. Hemingway
Sermon
Buckingham
Installing prayer & charge
MeLean
Right hand of fellowship
66 Rouse
Address to the people
Lamb
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