USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > East Granby > Records of the Congregational Church in Turkey Hills, now the town of East Granby, Connecticut, 1776-1858 > Part 8
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Bro. Thrall not being present and having made no communi- cation to the church, after appointing Brothers A. Robbins, J. Cornish and A. Hillyer a committee to see certain individuals and request their attendance as witnifses before the chh or in case of their refusal, to take their testimony, having first notified Bro Thrall of the time & place of doing it, voted to defer the further consideration of this subject to Thursday the 20th day of April.
[80] Church appointed Dea H. Skinner a committee to in- vestigate the origin of certain reports affecting the christian character of Betsey Clark as sister in this chh and to take such measures in reference thereto as the gospel dictates.
Adjourned the meeting to the 20th day of April at 2 0 clk. P. M. at the same place. D. Hemenway Past.
April 16 Church appointed Bro. A Robbins a delegate to attend a council to be convened in Suffield for the purpose of difolving the pastoral relation between the Rev. H. Robinson and the Ist Cong. chh in that place if deemed expedient.
D. Hemenway Past
April 20. Chh met According to Adjournment. After the meeting was opened by prayer, Capt. Thrall not being present chh voted to proceed to investigate the truth of the charges [81] alledged against him. At this stage a communication was recd from Capt. Thrall, complaining of a want of information in respect to proceedings of the chh in his case. Where upon chh voted to adjourn one week and that a recefs of half an hour be now had, to enable the pastor to draft an answer to the communication named above. After recefs a letter was read in answer to Capt Thrall's. (See copy on file)
Voted that said letter be accepted and forwarded to morrow
Allen N. M Lean was recd to the fellowship of this chh by letter from chh in Simsbury.
Meeting closed with Prayer by Dea Skinner
Attest D Hemenway Past.
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[82] 1837 April 27 Church met this day according to ad- journment to consider the complaint made against Bro. Thrall. He was present and pleaded not guilty to the charge of intemper- ance Whereupon Church proceeded to hear testimony in support of this charge.
The first specification under this general charge was that on the 4th of June 1836 he was so much under the influence of intoxicating drink as to lose his self control and disgrace his christian profession. Bro. A Robbins, testified that he saw Bro Thrall that day at the meeting house. There was a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Society for the purpose of deliberating on the subject of selling the slips. Bro Thrall was greatly excited from some cause. Could not say that he had been drinking. Doct. Hamlin testified that he saw Bro Thrall at the meeting house and that he was much excited. He had occasion to do businefs with brother Thrall on that day. Saw him [83] attempt to compute the contents of a load of wood in which he failed and requested him to compute it. Came in contact with his breath and was confident he had been drinking spirit of some kind. Thinks he could not be mistaken in this. Bro. Cornish testified that he saw Bro Thrall and noticed that he was unusually excited thot, at the time, that it was occasioned by Spirit of some kind.
Bro. Hillyer testified that he was at the store after Society's meeting. Saw the contest between Bro. Thrall and Alderman in which Bro Thrall seized him by the collar.
The second specification under this general charge was that on the 19, or 20, of Jany 1837 he was again so much under the influence of intoxicating drinks as to be disqualified for businefs.
Doct Hamlin testified that he was visiting Jane daily at the time specified, [84] that he saw brother Thrall in a condition that it was very difficult for him to communicate his ideas. Could not articulate distinctly, was very dull and sleepy. Appeared very different from what he usually does. Mrs. Joab Owen was present. Thinks his appearance was the consequence of drinking intoxicating drinks.
Mr. Hemenway testified that he saw brother Thrall in the early part of the day, Thursday 19th Jany, he was excited evidently then. He saw him again a little after noon and after Doct. Hamlin had left, when he was extremely incoherent in his conversation, had no control over his feelings. Wept much in talking about his situation, was very different in his appearance from what he generally is. Had seen him in a similar situation before. His whole manner and conversation showed unnatural excitement.
[85] The third Specification under this complaint was that at various other times he has indulged himself so immoderately in the use of intoxicating drinks as to discredit his christian pro- fefsion and impair his health and usefulnefs.
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Submit Gay testified that she spent 3 weeks at Bro Thralls last winter, that she saw him drink no distilled spirit, but that he drank cider freely, that she took pains to notice how many times the mug was filled on a certain day which was 6 or 8 times, that there was no company on that day, that his appearance was very different morning and eve". In the morning when he rose was exceedingly feeble and said he could not talk. But after some time, he would becom talkative and loud and exceedingly troublesome. She has no doubt that it was the effect of cider She took particular notice, and thinks she could not be mistaken.
Mifs Polly Johnson testified that she lived at Capt Thralls several months a year or more since [86] She saw Capt Thrall drink 10 distilled spirit & does not know that there was any in the house except as she saw a tumbler one day that had had some in it. He drank cider some times and when this was the case he was very troublesome and noisy. When he did not drink cider he was very pleasant. She was knowing to his having drinked cider on the day of preparatory lecture in Dec. 1835 and that he was the worse for it.
Bro. Hillyer testified that he had seen Bro Thrall when lie carried the appearance of intoxication. Saw him one even last winter and thot something was the matter, was at his house 34 of an hour. Mr Owen and Mrs Clark were present, told Mr. Owen after we left the house that something was the matter and was afraid it was excefsive drinking. Saw him drink cider that eve“.
Bro Robbins testified that Bro Thrall knew his views upon this subject. He had often talked with him and told him what he thot [87] Bro Cornish testified that he had bin at Bro. T. several times within a year or two past when he appeared to be under the influence of stimulating drink.
The charge of neglecting family duties Bro Thrall admitted to be true.
The charge of delinquency in attending public worship he ad- mitted so far as the fact of absence from the house of God is concerned, but plead that there was no delinquency on the ground that ill health prevented his attendance.
The fourth charge, is in the following terms, I complain that he has been guilty of falsifying or making statements at variance with truth (See page 100) To this charge he pleaded not guilty.
The ground of this charge was stated by the complainant to be Ist That Bro Thrall had told him he had drinked no spirit since August of 1835, when uncle Moses inowed for him. Bro Thrall denied having said this and as Bro Clark had no testimony to substantiate [88] this but his own recollection it was decided that it could not be sustained.
90
The second ground upon which the charge of falsifying was rested was that Capt Thrall had said he had drunk no ardent spirit since June of last year. This Bro Thrall affirmed to be true. Whereupon Gaylord Thrall was called upon who testified that last September Capt Thrall stopped at his house as he came from pigeoning on the plain and said to me. Come let us have some Whipporwill. I went and got some brandy and Mr Jefse and he drank. Are you certain it was last Sept? "I am."
Bro. Clark here adduced the testimony of William Andrus taken in the presence of Bro Cornish. But as Bro Thrall had not been notified of the time and place of taking the testimony it was decided that it was not admifsible unlefs Bro Thrall would waive his objiction, on that score. He said if he had been noti- fied he should not have gone, and if the testimony was now set aside with a view to his being present and crofs [89] examining witnefs, he should not go to see him that he was a worthlefs fellow, that he turned him out of his employment because lie would get drunk that he could not keep him away from Spirit.
It was decided upon this declaration of Bro Thrall to hear the testimony.
Chh now Adjourned to Thursday May 11, 2. oclk P. M.
Attest. D. Hemenway, Past.
The testimony of William Andruss should have been inserted previous to the notice of adjournment, and is to this effect That he had seen Capt Thrall drink spirit frequently during the season of harvesting last year that he had himself drinked from the same bottle and that he had poured it into a glafs for him to drink.
Attest D Hemenway Past.
1837 May 11. Church met this day according to adjournment. After prayer pastor read the record of evidence given at the last meeting, Bro. Thrall not present.
Bro Clark stated the result of his enquiries as it respects the character of William Andros.
[90] He had seen several individuals who have known him well for the last two or three years and who agree in saying they have not known or heard of his being intemperate and that he is a young man of veracity. Doct Hamlin and the Pastor of the chih stated the same as the result of some inquiries they had made. Bros Skinner and Judd and Hillyer expressed their views to the same effect from knowledge they liad obtained.
Bro Clark introduced Doct Brown as a witnefs who gave it as his opinion that the symptoms of intemperance are as decisive and as little liable to be mistaken as those of any disease and that the ill health of Capt Thrall was the consequence of intemperate drinking, th he might enjoy good health if he would abstain entirely from all drinks that produce intoxication. Doct Hamlin concurred in this opinion.
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[91] The testimony being now gone thro with, the question was put upon the several specifications under the first general charge and also upon the fourth charge. "Are these charges sustained?" And answered in the Affirmative, not one brother dissenting from this opinion.
Voted that the pastor be requested to prepare a letter of Ad- inonition to Bro Thrall to be read to the Chh after meeting on the Sab. for their approval
Voted that this meeting stand adjourned to Thursday, June 1 st 5 oclk. P. M. Attest, D. Hemenway Past
Sah. May, 14, 1837. In accordance with the foregoing vote of the church the pastor read the form of a letter of Admonition to Bro. Thrall which was approved by vote
Attest D Hemenway Past.
[92] May 28 Church appointed Bro. Sam' Woodruff dele- gate to attend a council to be convened in Windsor on the 30th instant for the purpose of dissolving the connection between the Rev. Chas Walker and the I Congregational chili in that place
Attest D Hemenway Pastor
June Ist 1837. Chh met according to adjournment. Brother Thrall being present made sundry remarks in relation to tlie charges proved against him. The brethren exprefsed themselves not satisfied with his concefsions. Still deemed it expedient to delay giving a second admonition till after another chih meeting to be held on Thursday the 20th of July, at 5. o'clk P. M.
Church appointed Doct C Hamlin a delegate to attend an ad- journd Council to be held in Windsor on Fridy 2ª day of June for the purpose of acting on the request of Mr Walker to be dis- mifsed, Bro Woodruff having failed in consequence of indisposi- tion.
Attest D Hemenway P.
July 20 Chh met this day and adjourned to Friday August 4, 1837 Attest. D Hemenway.
[93] August 4. Church tarried after preparatory lecture agreeably to adjournment and voted that the pastor prepare a second letter of Admonition to Bro Thrall to be read for approval on Sabbath after divine service and that the meeting be adjourned to the 25 day of Aug present at 5 0 ck P M.
Attest D Hemenway Past
Aug. 6. Chli approved a second letter of admonition to Bro. Thrall See file.
Attest D Hemenway Past.
Aug. 25. Ch met and adjournd to Friday Sept 8 5. o clock, P. M. in consequence of a request of Capt Thrall, he being pre- vented to attend the meeting by ill health
Attest, D. Hemenway, Past.
Aug 27 Church voted a dismifsion and recommendation for Mifs Sarah H. Field, to the north chh in Hartford
Attest, D. Hemenway Past.
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Sept. 8. The church met this day agreeably to adjournment. After prayer a communication (See file) was read from Capt Thrall which was regarded as altogether unsatisfactory. After much consultation, the following order was taken. Voted That Bro Walter Thrall be and [94] that he is hereby excommunicated from the fellowship of this church.
The pastor was directed to prepare a letter of excommunication to be presented at a future Season for the Approval of the Church.
Chh appointed Dea. H. Skinner a delegate to attend the An- nual Meeting of the Hartford North Consociation at Manchester on the 4th Tuesday of the present Month.
Attest, D. Hemenway Past.
Sept 17. This day Mrs. Julia Ann Harger was recd to the fel- lowship of this church by letter from the Chh in Agawam, West Springfield Mafs.
Chh heard and adopted a letter of excommunication to Capt. Walter Thrall. (See file) Attest, D. Hemenway Past
Dec. 24 Church made choice of Dea J. Cornish as Delegate to attend a Council to be convened in Suffield on the 2ª day of Jany for the purpose of Installing Rev. Mr. Washburn as pastor of the Ist Church in Suffield
Attest D Hemenway Pastor.
[95] 1838 Jany, 5. Dea Skinner reported the result of his labors with the widow Betsey Clark. Upon which church voted that she be continued in good standing.
Attest. D Hemenway Past.
Feby 25. Lavinia Abi Viets and Mary Adelia Viets were pro- pounded for admifsion to the communion of this chh. Sacrament deferred one Sab. in order that they may stand propounded the usual time before being received to church fellowship.
Attest, D Hemenway Pastor.
March 11. The persons propounded above were to day recd to the communion of the chh.
Attest D Hemenway Past
March 18. Allen N. McLean was dismifsed and recommended to the chh in Simsbury
D Hemenway Past
April 22. Melifsa Harger was propounded for admifsion to the communion of this church D Hemenway Past
May 1. The person propounded above was recd to the com-
mion of the chh
D Hemenway Past
June 17 Josiah Smith & wife were today recommended to this chh by letter from chh in Winsted
Mary Adams Hemenway & Sarah Elizabeth Hemenway were propounded for admifsion to this church.
D. Hemenway Past. July 1. The above named persons were admitted to the chh
D Hemenway Past
[96] Sept 14. Bro. Joel Clark was chosen delegate to attend the Hartford North Consociation at Enfield on Tuesday 25. Sept.
D. Hemenway Past
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Sep. 23. Mis Lydia Butler was dismifsed and recommended to the Presbyterian church in Savannah Geo.
D Hemenway Past
Oct. 21. James Rollin Viets was propounded a candidate for the fellowship of this chh. D Hemenway Past
Oct. 28. Caroline Maria Gould was propounded a candidate for the fellowship of this church.
D Hemenway Past
Nov. 2. Church voted to dispense with the requiring candi- dates to be propounded two Sab in the case of Mifs Gould D Hemenway Past
Nov The persons above propounded recd to the chli. D H. Past.
Dec. 9. Chih appointed Dea J. Cornish a delegate to attend a council at Salmon Brook on Tuesday IIth Inst for the purpose of deciding the expediency of dismifsing Mr Bently
D Hemenway P.
[97] 1839 Jany 4 Chh difmifsed and recommended Edward Y Gould to the chh in Vale College.
D Hemenway Past.
March Ist Chh. appointed Dea Joseph Cornish delegate to at- tend a Second council at Salmon Brook on the 5th Inst. for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of dismifsing Mr Bentley. D Hemenway Past
April 7 Church dismifsed and recommended Sarah Stevens to 4th Cong. chh in Hartford. D Hemenway Past
Sept 22. Chh appointed Dea H. Skinner a delegate to attend a council to be convened in Granby (Salmon Brook ) Oct Ist for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Chauncey D. Rice as Pastor of the chh in that place.
And Bro Joel Clark to attend as delegate the Hartford north Consociation, at E. Hartford on Tuesday the 24 Inst.
D Hemenway Past.
Nov 4 Abraham Tenant and wife were recd to the communion of this church by letter from the church in Manchester
D Hemenway P
[98] 1840. May 1. A letter from the chh in New Britain re- commending Erastus Hamlin to the care & fellowship of this chh was read. And also one from the chli in Burlington recommend- ing Maria B. Hamlin his wife.
June 7 The persons named above recd to the chh D Hemenway Past
Sept 28 Dea. J. Cornish was appointed delegate to attend An- nual meeting of Consociation at Salmon Brook Sept 30.
D Hemenway Past
Oct II. Dismifsed and recommended Mis Dorothy Cooley to Church in Salmon Brook. D Hemenway Past.
Oct 30. At a meeting of the chh this day upon an application of Mrs. Julia Ann Harger to be dismifsed & recommended the following letter was adopted.
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To the chh in Agawam.
Brethren
This certefies that Mrs. Julia Ann Harger is a member of this chh in regular standing. With the exception of the fact of her leaving her husband two and one half [99] years since we know nothing whatever which would reflect un- favorably upon her Christian Character. Of the propriety of that step we have as a chh no means by which to judge. If in view of the facts in the case which are equally accefsible to you as to 11s, you esteem it a privilege to receive her again to your com- communion, her special relation to us will cease upon her being so recd. We request to be informed what action you take upon the subject. May wisdom & grace be multiplied unto you.
By vote of the ch. D Hemenway Past
Nov. 15 Church voted to dismifs Sarah E. Hemenway, she having connected herself with the Presbyterian chh Millidgeville, Georgia. D Hemenway Past
[100] 1841. Ap. 30. Church tarried after preparatory lecture and adopted unanimously the following order.
Whereas upon a review of the charges preferred against Walter Thrall and acted upon in 1837 the church are of opinion that their proceedings with respect to the 4th charge which is in these words: "I complain that he has been guilty of falsifying, or making statements at varience with truth," were unscriptural, inasmuch as he was not admonished according to the rule of the gospel with respect to that particular offense.
Therefore, Resolved that this charge and the proceedings there- on be and they are hereby withdrawn and annulled.
Attest D Hemenway Past
[Ior] 1841 May 14 Dismifsed & recommended Hannah Brown to the chh in Collinsville. Josiah Smith & wife and Mary Hathaway to become members of a chh in 2ª Soc Windsor
D Hemenway Past
May 30. Church Appointed Dea Hervey Skinner delegate to a council called to organize a church in 2ª Ecll Soc in Windsor on Wedy 2ª June. D Hemenway Past
June 13 Mrs Imlay B. Viets was recommended to the chh by letter from chh in N. Britain
June 27. Lester Griffin, Jane S. Thrall, Cynthia M. Thrall, Mary E. Gould & Miriam W. Hemenway were propounded for admifsion to this chh
D Hemenway Past.
July 11. The persons named above were recd to the com- munion of the chh.
D Hemenway Pas
[102] 1841 July 18. Chh. appointed Doct C. Hamlin Dele- gate to attend a council to be convened in Granby (Salmon Brook Soc) on the 20 inst for the purpose of dissolving, if deemed expe- dient, the pastoral relation between the chh in that place and Rev C. D. Rice. D. Hemenway Past.
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Aug. 29 Dwight T. Skinner and wife were propounded for admifsion to this chh. D Hemenway Past
Sept. 12. The persons propounded were recd to the communion of the chh. D Hemenway Past
Sept 26. Chh made choice of Dea J. Cornish to attend conso- D Hemenway ciation at Suffield on the 28 Inst.
Oct. 24 Chh dismifsed and recommended Roxana Tibbells to the chh in Simsbury D Hemenway P.
1842 Ap. 10 Chh made choice of Dea J. Cornish to attend as delegate a council to be convened in Salmon Brook Ap 19. for the purpose of ordaining Mr Warren as pastor of said chh in that place
D Hemenway Past
[103] 1842 May I Church voted to dismifs and recommend Mary Ann Wilcox to a chh recently constituted in Springfield Mafs. Also Sarah Jane Hillyer to the North chh in Hartford. Also Mrs Mary A., Mifs Mary A. and Miriam W. Hemenway to the chh in Suffield.
The Pastor having requested the chh to unite with him in calling a council to dissolve his pastoral relation, Dea. H. Skin- ner and Chester Hamlin were appointed for this purpose
D Hemenway Past
May 8 Church voted to dismifs and recommend James S Judd & wife to the chh in Southampton, Mafs.
D Hemenway Past
[104] At an Ecclesiastical council convened pursuant to letters missive from the Church and Society in East Granby, at the meeting house, June 14th 1842, to take into consideration the re- quest of their Pastor Rev. Daniel Hemenway, to be dissolved from his connection with this people and act as the facts in the case should render expedient; there were present
From the Church in Simsbury,
Rev Allen McClean
from church in Suffield
Rev A. C. Washburn
Deac. Chas. Sherman, del
From Ist Church Granby
Rev. Israel P. Warren
Broth S. W. Cornwell, del
Rev. A. McClean was chosen Moderator, & Broth I. P. War- ren, Scribe
[105] Bro. D. Hemenway laid before the Council his request for a dissolution of pastoral relation with this church. This re- quest was based on an alledged defficiency of pecuniary support. Committees of the Church & Society were present & signified their accquiescence in the proposed dissolution, testifying more over to his faithfulnefs & diligence in the discharge of his pastoral duties, & the reluctance of his people to part with him. The Council after hearing & considering the cause at length, resolved
96
after Mature deliberation that it is expedient that the pastoral re- lation be dissolved & do therefore hereby declare that Rev. Dan1 Hemenway is releavd from his connection with this Church & Society & is recommended [106] to the Churches of Christ as a Minister in good standing & possessing in a high degree the es- teem & affection of the Council. They would also, on this occa- sion, tender their sympathies to this Church & people; commend- ing them for the fidelity & zeal which they have manifested in sustaining the institutions of the gospel among them and praying that the Great Head of the Church may continue to smile upon them, & in his own time grant them a pastor after his own heart.
By order of the Council I. P. Warren Scribe
A true copy C. Hamlin clerk
[III] At a meeting of the Congregational Church in Turkey Hills Aug. 7th 1842. Hervey Skinner was chosen Moderator Chester Hamlin Clerk. Meeting opened with prayer by the Moderator.
Voted, unanimously that we unite with the Society in giving a Call to the Mr. Jonas B. Clark to the Pastoral Charge of the Church of Christ in this place
Voted That Deac Joseph Cornish & Bro Appleton Robbins be a Committee to present the Call to the Mr. J. B Clark & confer with him upon the subject.
[112] Voted, To adjourn to the 19th inst. 6. P. M. C. Hamlin Clerk
Mr Clark, having signified his acceptance of the above call by letter, which letter is on file among Socs Reccords-
An Ecclesiastical Council was called, for the purpose of exam- ining the Candidate, and if found expedient, to ordain and insti- tute him as Pastor over this Church & People.
Such Council convened Nov 1, 1742, and here follows the Minutes of said Council.
At an Ecclesiastical Council convened pursuant to letters mis- sive from the Chh & Soc. in E. Granby at their meeting house Nov: 1, to consider a call given by them to Mr J. Bowen Clarke, to become their pastor & if found expedient to ordain him accord- ingly. There were present-
From the Ch. in the Teolog:Instute of Conn:
[113] Rev: Bennet Tyler D.D. Pastor
Bro: W H. Karner Del:
Simsbury Rev: Allen McLean Pastor
Bro: Calvin Barber Del:
Enfield Rev. Francis L. Robbins Pastor
Bro: Jos: P. Converse Del:
E. Windsor Rev: Levi Smith
Pastor
Bro: E. M. Olcott Del:
Suffield Rev: A. C. Washburn Pastor
Dea Chas Sherman Del:
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Windsor Rev. S. D. Jewett Pastor
Bro: Jos: H. Hayden Del:
Salem St. Ch. } Rev: Jos: H. Towne Pastor
Boston § Dea: Henry Clarke Del:
Rev: I. P. Warren Pastor
Granby 66 Bro: S. W. Cornwall Del:
Rev: Dan: Hemenway of Suffield
Rev: Dr. Tyler was chosen Moderator & Rev. I. P. Warren Scribe. Prayer by the moderator. Rev Isaac Porter of Granby was invited to sit with the council as corresponding Member Con- inunications were presentd to the council from the Ch: & Soc: certifying the unanimous invitation of each to Mr Clark, to settle in the ministry [114] and also his acceptance of the same.
Testimonials of his Ch'h membership being given & licenshate to preach the Gospel, & completion of the regular course of studies in the Theo: Institute of Connecticut, the Council pro- ceeded to examine him as to his acquaintance with the doctrinal, experimental & historical parts of the Christian religion, & also as to his own piety & motives in desiring an admission to the sacred office
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