USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > North Branford > The early history of the Congregational Church and Society, of North Branford : delivered in the Congregational Church, Jan. 6, 1850 > Part 2
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* See Appendix, C.
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worship God in peace-" seeking his kingdom" as it should be sought by every emigrant, " first" of all, first for them- selves, and first for their posterity. In their thoughts, Eter- nity was first and greatest, and Time, to them, derived all its significance from its bearings on that Eternity. These Col- onies were, for the greatest part, self-supporting Missions. Such men as these are not to be forgotten. These " days of old and these years of many generations," ought to considered by us and by every succeeding generation ; and the spirit of these men should be kept alive as long as their blood and their names descend among men.
The immediate successor of Mr. Merick was the REV. SAMUEL EELLS, son of Rev. Edward Eells of Middletown. He was born in that place, Jan 13, 1745, and was ordained over this church on the 29th day of March, 1769. The 8th of March had been observed as a day of Fasting and Prayer with reference to the ordination, and two sermons were preached on the occasion ; one by the Rev. Philemon Robbins of Branford, and the other by the Rev. Warham Williams of Northford. An ordination in those days of old was an occa- sion of great solemnity and importance, and one for which our fathers endeavored to make suitable preparation by spend- ing a whole day in Fasting and Prayer. The sermon at the ordination was preached by the father of Mr. Eells.
Mr. Eells had a "settlement " at the time of his ordination, of two hundred pounds, besides materials for building a house and barn.
He was a man of much native humor and vivacity, and had a faculty of easily adapting himself to those with whom he came in contact ; being always a welcome guest at every fire-side. He succeeded better than many in interesting the children and youth in his flock in himself and his instructions. His services on funeral occasions, especially, both his pray- ers and his remarks, were always happy, being well adapted to the circumstances of each case ; his native susceptibility and sympathy enabling him to weep with those who wept, as well as to rejoice with those who rejoiced. Being a man of much versatility of talent, he practiced to some extent among his own people as a physician for the body as well as a watchman for souls. From one incident in his life which has been preserved in the memories of his people, it would seem that he was likewise capable, as necessity required, of wield- ing either carnal or spiritual weapons. His ministry em- braced the trying and eventful period of our revolutionary struggle. On one occasion in the early part of the year 1777, when Washington was in the vicinity of New York, his whole force not amounting to more than fifteen hundred men, he
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called upon the people of Connecticut to send down, with all dispatch, their quota of troops. The intelligence of this re- quisition arrived in this place on the Sabbath, while the people were engaged in public worship. Considering this to be one of those works of necessity which might properly receive the attention of his people on the Sabbath, Mr. Eells communicated the important intelligence from the pulpit, and requested at once that those who were willing and ready to go forth on this important misssion, should parade on the green in front of the meeting house, immediately after service. The able bod- ied men of this society made a ready response to this unexpect- ed summons. At the conclusion of service, a line was promptly formed on the green, and principally through the agency and energy of Lieut. Samuel Baldwin, a company was organized. This company, including its officers, consist- ed finally of 60 men, a portion of whom belonged to the so- cieties of Branford and of Northford. The command of it be- longed of right to Lieut. Baldwin, who with great expedition had succeded in gathering it together in a short time. But Lieut. B. courteously waved his right in favor of his own minister, and the Rev. Samuel Eells was accordingly chosen to the Captaincy (not Chaplaincy !) of the body. Mr. Eells seemed to prefer being in a position in which he could say to his people " come, follow," instead of standing at a safer post in which he could only exhort them to "go." * Whether it would or would not have been better on all accounts had Mr. Eells declined this evidence of the confidence and respect of the company, and continued to wield his spiritual weapons in behalf of his country, whether he acted rightly in this or not, is a question I am not required to decide.
The moral aspect of war, in his day, was contemplated from a very different stand-point from that in which the min- isters of the Prince of Peace have since begun to contemplate the same subject. That war besides was a war of defense and not of conquest ; it was a war to preserve what was dear to our fathers, and not a war to destroy the liberties or infringe the just rights of another people ; it was a war that had gen- erally the prayers and the countenance of the Congregational ministry, and why, thought Mr. Eells, should it not have my agency in a time of need ?
We may discern in this incident, something of the same spirit which dictated the advice once given by Cromwell to his praying soldiery on the eve of an important battle waged in the same general cause. The weather was damp and rainy, and much depended on the care that should be taken by his
* See Appendix, D.
16
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men to preserve their powder in a dry and serviceable state. Cromwell's charge to his men on that occasion was brief and comprehensive. "Pray," said he, " and mind and keep your powder dry !" Be sure and seek God's help-but do all you can to help yourselves. Prayer and wet powder can not be expected to be of much avail. Mr. Eells doubtless prayed for his country, and then did what he could to help her. To his own Master he standeth or falleth. Fortunately, he and his company had no occasion to proceed to the extremities of war, and he returned without having killed anybody.
From what I have been able to learn from his own people and their immediate descendants, to whom I am indebted for no small portion of what I have to communicate respecting him, he appears to have been a man who, while not deficient in grace, (certainly not destitute of it, we hope,) retained a good share of nature, and that not of the worst, nor of an un- interesting character. Grace did not impair his own individ- uality. He was natural and true to himself in all he did and said. In the words of the concluding portion of the inscrip- tion upon his grave stone, he was likewise "a lover of good men, given to hospitality, gentle towards all ;" in which re- spects all his successors may well imitate his example.
During his ministry, this church, in common with many others, adopted what was called "the half-way covenant;" a regulation by which individuals in the congregation, who had arrived at adult years without the seal of baptism, were per- mitted to be baptized upon their professing the faith of the gospel and being free from public scandal, without coming to full communion with the church ; that is, without participa- ting in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper ; and by which like- wise they were permitted to have baptism administered to their children. This practice, I should judge, grew out of a lingering Popish and superstitious regard for the ordinance of baptism, which had not entirely vanished from the minds of that generation. It was a measure which proved, in the end, a fruitful source of corruption and of contention in the church, and was at length universally abandoned. Whether, however, this superstitious regard for the ordinance of baptism was worse in its consequences than the prevailing disregard and low es- timate of this ordinance among the church members of this generation, is a question that can not yet be very well de- termined. Mr. Eells, I am informed, was never satisfied of the propriety nor expediency of this measure. His own convic- tions were against it.
We noticed, that during the ministry of Mr. Merick, an in- dividual was annually appointed by the society, whose office it was to "read and tune the Psalm." It is a matter of some
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interest to trace the progress made in this branch of worship under the ministry of Mr. Eells.
In 1770, we have a notice of the appointment of " two chor- isters," William Wheadon and Ithiel Russell being appointed to this office. Five years after this, we have the first notice of a " singing master " and a "singing school"-an evidence of a rising appreciation of this part of worship. Nine years after this, in 1784, we find a body of " singers" in existence, who are seated by vote in "the front seats of the gallery." This vote was regularly renewed from year to year for a number of years. In 1792, we learn of "the Musical Society of North Branford," and a sum of money is appropriated from the Society's treasury to procure books for that Society. In 1799, the singers are allowed to receive ten dollars a year, as the vote stands, "in case they sing."
The generation that may be found here fifty years hence, will probably find by looking back to our times, notice of an "organ," and that in 1849-50, the singers here felt sufficient in- terest in sacred music to sustain a singing school and pur- chase books at their own expense; and they will observe too, that the art of singing began to be sufficiently appreciated in our day to be introduced into some of the High and Common Schools of our State. This branch of worship, I will take the liberty to add, will not have reached its highest perfection in our churches, until the congregation, as a body, qualify them- selves to unite vocally in this part of our worship, under the lead and guidance, of course, of a well-trained choir.
In the year 1789, I find on the society records, a phrase which I did not at once fully comprehend. Mention is made of a committee appointed to " dignify the pews." As this was the day when the congregation were seated by vote accor- ding to their "dignity" or rank, I conclude that the office of this committee was to determine the degree of dignity or im- portance which should be attached to each pew ; so that the higher and lower dignitaries, civil, military and musical, might all be accommodated according to the degree of dignity which they might possess-a matter, we should suppose, of some delicacy and difficulty, at least it might be found so in these republican days, when every man has become a " sove- reign," not only in the eyes of the law, but in his own esti- mation.
Mr. Eells closed a ministry of 39 years in this place, by death, April 3d, 1808, at the age of 63. His remains sleep in the dust by the side of his immediate predecessor, and in the midst of most of the generation which constituted his flock. The church at the time of his settlement consisted of seventy seven members. The number received to "full communion"
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during his ministry was 104; the largest number received in any one year was twelve. I may add here, that I have suc- ceeded in obtaining possession of the most legible of his ser- mons, together with a few of his books, and his commission as Captain of the military company, signed by Jonathan Trum- bull, and dated at Middletown, Jan 14, 1777, and likewise his " muster roll," and have appropriated to their preservation, a closet in the Parsonage.
Closing here my account of the life and times of Mr. Eells, we come next to the confines of more modern times, the days of his immediate successor in the pastoral office, the REV. CHARLES ATWATER.
Mr. Atwater, son of Jeremiah Atwater, a merchant in New Haven, was born in that city on the 18th of Aug., 1786. He was graduated at Yale College in 1805, studied theology un- der Pres. Dwight, and was ordained over this church March 1st, 1809. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. Samuel Merwin, of New Haven. Mr. Atwater was a man of rather a commanding figure, erect and portly, and as a speaker, had a clear and powerful voice. The impression he left of himself in the minds of his people, was that of a man of sincere piety and truly devoted to his work. He was accept- able and successful as a preacher. His ministry, and espec- ially the year 1821, was signalized by a very extensive relig- ious awakening, such as this people had never before experi- enced ; the fruits of which appear on our records, in the ad- dition of 45 members to the church. The whole number of members received during his ministry was 96. He is still re- membered by many with that peculiar affection which is al- ways felt and always will be, by a new-born soul toward its own spiritual father. His pastorship of 16 years terminated in death, Feb. 21, 1825, at the vigorous age of 39 ; and his re- mains repose by the side of those of his predecessors in the pastoral office .* Thus, as we have seen, the first three Pas- tors of this church, whose united labors filled a century, died at their first post of duty, and among their own people-a privilege, and I may say an honor, of rare enjoyment in these later days of change.
* During the ministry of Mr. Atwater, an Episcopal church was organized in this society, which afterwards erected a neat and substantial church edi- fice.
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It was my original intention to close this historical sketch at the period we have now reached, confining it strictly to the earlier period of our history, and leaving the history of this church during the ministry of its still surviving Pastors, to be traced by some other hand, after a sufficient time had elapsed to surround the events of this subsequent period with more historic interest. „This intention I have been induced to change only so far as to present the names of succeeding Pastors and the important dates in their period of labor, with a few of the important events in their ministry. I may here, however, briefly premise, that we have now reached, in the course of our narrative, the confines of an era in the history of our churches and ministers, differing essentially from the times we have been contemplating. Up to this period, the ministry of our churches was generally a permanent ministry; and the ties which bound Pastors to their people, were ordi- narily dissolved only by death and physical or mental disabil- ity. The ministry of later days has been generally of a more, transient and itinerant character. Few of us remain long enough in the first field of our labors, to be overtaken by death. We can remember the place where we were born, but where we belong, and where we shall die, and who will follow us to the grave, is, in many cases, beyond our conjecture. In this matter, however, as it seems to me, it poorly becomes either party, either the church or the ministry, to lay upon each other the entire responsibility for the change that has evidently come over us. We need not be surprised, then, to find a more rapid succession of ministers here, as we reach the era of general agitation and change in our churches.
The next Pastor of this church was the REV. JUDSON A. Roor, who was ordained Oct. 15, 1828. Until the year 1831, Mr. Root preached in the old church, which was erected, as already noticed, in 1724. By a vote of the society, that building began to be taken down and removed February 28, 1831, and was succeeded by the present edifice, which was erected mainly through the influence of Mr. Root. This building, which began to be erected on the 26th of May, 1830, was dedicated to the worship of God on the last Thursday of April, 1831. Its position is 6 feet north of the site occupied by the old church.
It deserves to be recorded as one of the events which oc- curred during Mr. Root's ministry, (though not, I suppose, connected with it,) that this society, together with that of Northford, were set off from the town of Branford in the year 1831, and were constituted the Town of North Branford. After a ministry of six years, during which 58 members were
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added to his church, Mr. Root was dismissed at his own re- quest, some time time in the year 1834.
In the year 1835, he was succeded by the REV. HENRY B. CAMP, who was ordained in July 30, of that year. In conse- quence of a threatened pulmonary disease, Mr Camp was obliged to relinquish preaching and retire from the ministry, and was accordingly dismissed Oct. 9, 1836. After his dis- mission, the pulpit was supplied by a variety of preachers, un- til, in Jan. 17, 1838, the REV. JOHN D. BALDWIN Was installed, who was the last Pastor of this church. During his ministry, of six years, 60 members were added to this church, of whom 25 were added in Sept. 1840, as the fruit of an awakened and general interest in religious things. Mr. Baldwin was dis- missed at his own request, July 3, 1844. My own labors among you commenced Dec. 1st of the same year. *
Thus one soweth and another reapeth, each performing a work equally honorable and important ; and whether we reap that whereon we bestowed no labor, or sow that which we are not permitted to reap, both he that soweth and he that reapeth should rejoice together as the fruit of their united labors is gath- ered unto life eternal.
We have thus traced the history of this church, and to some extent, of this community, from the time of the first settlement of this region, about 170 years ago, to the time when our fathers began to meet in this place for religious worship, and thence to the organization of this church and society in 1724 ; and from that period through the successive ministration of its six Pastors. The task has been one, in the execution of which I have especially attempted to gather together all the well authenticated unwritten traditions of interest which have come down from "the days of old." If by means of this sketch of early times I may assist the present generation in North Branford in "remembering the days of old," and in "considering the years of many genera- tions," I shall feel requited for the task I have undertaken.
* See Appendix, A.
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APPENDIX.
A.
Names of the Ministers of this church from the beginning, with the year of the commencement and of the close of their ministry. The first six commenced their ministry here, either by ordination or installation ; the last without installation.
A. D.
A. D.
REV. JONATHAN MERICK,
1726
1769
SAMUEL EELLS,
1769
1808
CHARLES ATWATER,
1809
1825
JUDSON A. ROOT,
1828
1834
66
HENRY B. CAMP, .
1835
1836
JOHN D. BALDWIN,
1838
1844
GEORGE I. WOOD, .
1844
B.
Names of all who have held the office of Deacon in this church, with the year, so far as can be ascertained, in which they were elected to office.
A. D.
Benjamin Barnes,
1724
Daniel Page, some time before
1734
Israel Baldwin, some time before
1744
Ithiel Russell,
1754
Barnabas Mulford, some time before
1769
Ensign Ebenezer Russell,
1772
Aaron Baldwin,
1778
Israel Baldwin,
1798
Daniel Russell,
1808
Daniel Wheadon,
1822
Sydney Alden,
1822
Thomas Plant,
1838
Samuel F. Russell,
1846
Luther Chidsey,
1846
C.
·
A list of the names of those who constituted this church, at the time of Mr. Eell's ordination, in 1769 ; 45 years after the church was organized. The names are given as they stand in Mr. Eell's record.
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Deacons Ithiel Russell, Barnabas Mulford,
and yª wives Jerusha Russell.
The Rev. Jonathan Merick and his wife Jerusha Merick.
Esq. Jonathan Russell.
Capt. Samuel Harrison, and his wife Rebecca Harrison.
Capt. Josiah Harrison.
Ensign Jacob Rose.
Ensign Ebenezer Russell, and his wife Mable Russell.
David Rose,
66
Hannah Rose.
Daniel Barker,
66
66
Patience Barker.
Daniel Foot.
Abraham Page, and his wife
Abigail Page.
Oliver Collins,
66
Collins.
John Foot, 66 66
Abigail Foot.
Samuel Buel, Sen. " 66
Buel.
Jonathan Russell, “ 66 66
Lydia Russell.
Solomon Rose, 66
Thankful Rose.
Stephen Palmer, .66 Lydia Palmer.
Daniel Baldwin, 66 66 Theodosia Baldwin.
Samuel Ford, .66 66 Martha Ford.
Timothy Harrison, " 66
Lydia Harrison.
Edward Petty, " 66 Elizabeth Petty.
Ensign Josiah Harrison and his wife
Harrison.
Aaron Baldwin
66
Sarah Baldwin.
Nathan Palmer.
James Harrison.
Daniel Linsley.
The widow Sarah Baldwin.
66 Hannah Whedon.
66 Martha Barker.
Dinah Baldwin.
Abigail Pond.
66 Thankful Palmer.
66
Lucy Rose.
66
66 Mary Palmer.
Mrs. Abigal Merick, wife of Minor Merick.
66 Martha Page, 66. " Lieut. Ephraim Page.
Sarah Wolcott, 66
" Doct. Jeremiah Wolcott.
Priscilla Linsley, "
Elizabeth Palmer,“
" Samuel Palmer.
Mary Scarritt, 66
" Jeremiah Scarritt. " Daniel Harrison.
Hannah Harrison,“
" Jehiel Whedon.
" Asahel Norton.
66 Submit Norton,
Rachel Rogers, 66
Rebecca Rogers, Martha Harrison, “
" Nathan Harrison.
- Darwin,
" Joseph Darwin.
66 Margaret Butler, " " John Butler. Thankful Rose, 66 " Nathan Rose.
" Israel. Linsley.
6€ Whedon,
" Nehemiah Rogers. " Thomas Rogers.
Hannah Mulford.
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Mrs. Lydia Barker, wife of Jacob Barker.
66 Zillah Page,
Nathaniel Page.
Hannah Baldwin,“
George Baldwin.
Lydia Tyler, 66 George Tyler.
Rebecca Hubbard, widow.
66 Mary Hoadley, wife of Daniel Hoadley.
Daniel Rose. Whole number of church members, 77.
D.
As a matter of interest to the people of North Branford, I have appended, for the sake of preservation, (what does not fall very le- gitimately in my province, as an ecclesiastical historian,) a list of officers and men of Mr. Eell's military company.
CAPT. SAMUEL EELLS.
Stephen Cook,
Hooker Frisbee,
Isaac Frisbee,
Samuel Ford,
Ebenezer Linsley,
Gideon Goodrich,
Isaac Foot,
Daniel Hoadley,
John White,
Samuel Hoadley,
Lud. Munson,
Ralph Hoadley,
Abraham Foot.
Jairus Harrison,
Corporals.
Rufus Harrison,
Uriah Collins,
Isaac Hanford,
Samuel Harrison,
Benjamin Harrison,
Samuel Brown,
Reuben Johnson,
Jacob Page. Musicians.
John Linsley,
Jonathan Munson,
James Pierpont,
Samuel Peck,
John Potter,
Solomon Rose, Billy Rose,
Samuel Augustus Barker, Ambrose Baldwin,
Jonathan Russell,
James Barker,
Ebenezer Rogers,
Benjamin Bartholomew,
Heman Rogers,
Samuel Bartholomew,
Joseph Smith,
Dow Smith,
Allen Smith,
Othniel Stent,
Ebenezer Trusdell,
Solomon Talmage,
Asa Todd,
Jonathan Tyler,
Medad Taintor.
Ist. LIEUT. SAMUEL BALDWIN, 2d. LIEUT. JACOB BUNNELL. Sergeants.
John Bunnell, Joseph Whedon, Moses Baldwin.
Daniel Baldwin, Jairus Bunnell, Phineas Baldwin, Jacob Barker, Gideon Bartholomew, Jonathan Byington, Aaron Cook, Titus Cook,
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