USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I > Part 45
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Col. Elisha Sheldon's Light Dragoons, 1777-83, of the Continental Army -served generally on the East side of the Hudson River, although detached companies served occasionally elsewhere, as at Germantown, with Gates, after Burgoyne's sur- render, etc. It generally mustered in Connecticut.
C'ol. Webb's Regiment, 1771-81-served on the Hudson; 1778 in Rhode Island; in '79 had winter quarters at Morristown, N. J .: were in battle of Springfield, N. J., in 1780.
Col. Bradley's Fifth Connecticut Line-raised for the war, 1777; went into camp at Peekskill, N. Y., spring of 77; in Sept. sent to Penn .; was engaged in battle of Germantown 4 Oct., '77, and suffered losses; wintered at Valley Forge '77-78; June 28 of '78, battle of Monmouth, N. J., then camped at White Plains; wintered at Redding, '78-79; acted under Gen. Heath on E. side of lludson River, '79; wintered at Morristown Huts, N. J., 79-80; following summer on the lindson; wintered, '80-'81, near West Point; were then consoli- dated for the formation of $1-'83.
CHAPTER XVIII.
ECCLESIASTICAAL HISTORY. - FIRST SOCIETY OF WINDSOR.
1776-1890.
O N the 27th of March, 1776, the Rev. DAVID SHERMAN ROWLAND was installed as pastor of this church and society. He was a native of Fairfield, Conn., where he was born in 1719: graduated at Yale College, 1743, studied theology for a brief season. and was licensed by the " New Light " Fairfield Association August 12, 1744, and began preaching in the N. W. Society of Simsbury ( now Granby ). Con. The society was about to settle him as pastor in September following. but delayed matters in obedience to the advice of the Hartford North Association, which was suspicions of his New-Lightism. In June, 1746, the subject was again before the Association, which confided his examin- ation to a committee for the purpose of seeing if he would be loyal to the Saybrook Platform and would repudiate the excesses of Whitfield and other revivalists. By this means his permanent settlement in that local- ity was prevented, although he continued to preach there until August, 1747. He next began preaching at Plainfield, Conn., where, according to Pres. Stiles ( Mx. Itinerary, Yale Coll. Library), he " installed himself in the presence of two or three ministers." The majority of the town were Separatists, and it was only by stratagem that a vote was obtained for his settlement. He entered upon his charge there March 17. 1747-8, but, owing to difficulties which had arisen during the time of his prede- cessor, the Rev. Joseph Coit. the church had become so divided and affected as to throw obstacles in the way of Mr. Rowland's support and usefulness, and to necessitate his removal. He parted on excellent terms with his people, from whom he took a dismissal May 6, 1761, and we next find him settled, without installation, in October, 1762, over the "Presbyterian or Congregational Church" in Providence, R. I., where he ranked very high among the clergymen of that day, and was equally admired for his talents, and beloved for his amiability of temper. At an early day he became recognized as a firm and zealous defender of the colo- nial liberties against foreign oppression. So obnoxious did he make him- self by his boll and patriotic defense of these liberties from the pulpit that, when the town of Providence was invested, he was obliged to flee, with his family, in a sloop, and, during the darkness of the night, he escaped through the midst of the enemy's fleet, and went up the Connecticut
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David Rowland
REV. DAVID S. ROWLAND. From a miniature in the possession of Mrs. Mary (. Willcox of Lowell, Ma --. |
377
ECCLESIASTICAL, 1776 -- 1890.
River. He not only impaired his fortune in the cause of our comitry. but equipped a son and sent him into the field, where he continued in service during the whole war.
When heame to Windsor he was past the meridian of life and in full vigor of his powers. " He was a powerful and eloquent preacher, of commanding presence in the pulpit, and of fine elocution," and his influ- "ner in Windsor was widespread and beneficially exerted.'
From Ecclesiastica Smitty's Rec. - August 14, 1775, voted - .. That this Society give the Rev. Mr. David Sherman Rowland, for his encouragement in taking the Pas total care and charge of this Church and Society, the full and sole use of the Church Lands and Town Lot so called, according to the design of the Donor, and in addition thereto, the sum of Sixty pounds Lawful money and Thirty-five cords of wood for his annual Salary so long as he continues his pastoral relation to this Church and Society."
Mr. Rowland's reply -" To the First Society in Windsor, Gent. - Your vote rela tive to the stipulated sum and other considerations particularly expressed in said vote as encouragement for my taking the pastoral care and charge of your Church and Society. I have endeavored maturely to consider and must think them inadequate for the proposed purpose. But relying upon it that you mean and intend a Decent and com- fortable support and considering your professed unanimity, I do hereby accept of your invitation and close with your proposals, Cheerfully taking upon me the pastoral rela- tion of your Church and Society depending upon the power of Divine Grace, the aid and assistance of the Blessed Spirit of God, to enable me- faithfully and impartially to discharge the respective duties of a minister of the New Testament to which office I have solemnly been set apart according to Apostolic direction and am yours in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel.
Dated Windsor, Oct. 16th, A. D. 1775. DAVID ROWLAND."
Oct., 1776, Voted -" That Elisha More and Austin Phelps, or either of them, inspect the Wood brought to Mr. Rowland the ensuing year and see that its good wood and good measure." October, 1278, Voted -- " That the Rev. Mr. Rowland's Salary for the year should one-half be paid in Provisions, or other necessarys, viz: Wheat at 5x. per bushel ; Rye 3x,-Gd. per bushel ; Indian Corn at 2x,-6/2. per bushel ; Pork at 3d. per pound. Bref at two pence half-penny per pound, and other things in proportion." Nov. 11, 1729, Voted -"To pay unto the Rev. Mr. David Rowland the sum of Ten Hundred pounds, Continental Money as it now passes, for his Salary for the year 1779, in lieu of the Sixty pounds money due to him for his Salary 1279, or to be paid on the 20th day of Jan. next, Provided nevertheless that if any person shall choose to pay his proportion of said Sixty Pounds in Wheat, Rye, or Indian Corn by said 20th of Jan. next, at the price as stated by law by the General Assembly at their session at Middletown ; or in any other articles of food or clothing that Mr. Rowland shall want, to be computed at said stated price and to be paid by said time, such payments shall be in lieu of all the moneys voted before this time, for the payment of said Sixty Pounds that shall be due to Mr. Rowland for his Salary for the year 1:79." At the same Society Meeting, Voted. - " That the Society Treasurer shall not receive in, any more of the principal of the money due for the support of Schooling in this Society, or any other use ; and that the Society will bear what loss shall be, on account of any part of said moneys due to said Society that has been or shall be tendered and not received." This vote indicates that some of the holders of greenbacks, in those days, did not antici pate their permanent use and value, and were anxious to pay their loans speedily.
In Oct. 1780. Voted -- "To raise Sixty Pounds, hard money, for Mr. Rowland's Salary." From this time onward to the date of his death, Jan. 13, 1794, the Society voted sixty pounds annually for Mr. Rowland's salary.
VOL. I. - 18
378
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
After the close of the Revolutionary war, and mainly by the exer- tions of Oliver Ellsworth, Roger Newberry, James Hooker, and others of those noble-minded citizens of Windsor, who had been so strongly iden- tified with that patriotic struggle, a union was effected beseen the two societies. That under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Hinsdale had, by the separation of East Windsor From the old town, become the Fourth Soci- ety of Windsor, and the plan of union proposed ( May, 1792), between it and the First Society, contained the following propositions :
1st. That the property of both should be united in a common stock.
2. That a bridge and causeway should be built and kept in good repair " in the new highway lately laid out from the dwelling of Dr. Alexander Wolcott to Capt. Na- thaniel Howard's barn."
3d. That the center of travel for all the inhabitants within the limits of the Jer Society should be ascertained and considered as the location for the new meeting-house; with this proviso, that it should be no farther south than the location of the First Society's meeting-house, nor farther north than " the first suitable ground" on the north side of the Rivulet.
4th. That the New Society should assume all contracts between the said two societies and their pastors, except debts.
5th. That the lands given to the First Society for the support of schooling should be applied to the support of a good school on the opposite side of the Rivulet to that on which the new meeting-house should be built; and that the said school should be free to the inhabitants on either side of the stream, and in an equally accommodating position.
These propositions united all parties: the meeting-house and the academy were balanced one against another; and a committee (Capt. James Hooker of the 4th Society, and Gen. Roger Newberry of the First Society ) was appointed to apply to the General Assembly for an act of incorporation as one society. This was granted under date of 16 May, 1792, and its provisions fully complied with by 24 Sept., 1793.
In January following Mr. Oliver Mather and Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth, as Building Committee, entered into contract with Ebenezer Clark, architect, for the erection of the new meeting-honse, which was located just north of the Rivulet, near the old burying-ground, where - with some modifications and repairs -it still remains, in constant use. The steps of the old meeting-house were used for the new, and the date of erection of both, 1757 and 1794, are to be seen on the underpinning stones.
" But to build the causeway was looked upon as a great work, too great for the town to build : so the State was asked for a charter for a Grand Lottery, which was granted; and it was then considered the duty of every good citizen to work out the price of as many tickets in the lot- tery as there were members in his family."-J. H. Hayden : who also says, " My grandfather came down here day after day with his team and his negro slave, Tom, and earned enough to buy one ticket for each of his household - all of whom drew blanks."
379
ECCLESIASTICAL, 1776-1890.
In the same year ( 1794) Mr. Hinsdale, pastor of the Fourth (old Tth or North ) Society, was bought off for $300, in three annual pay- ments, by the New Society,' who retained the Rev. Mr. Rowland as their pastor. In the Baptismal Records of the Windsor Church occurs the following entry by Mr. Rowland : " 1795 - Baptisms in new meeting- house and united parishes ;" the first baptism following is that (Janu- ary 4) of a daughter of Samuel Allen.
Perhaps no one act of compromise ever secured to a town so many real advantages as this union plan of Windsor. A new church edifice, a commodious academy, two new and convenient roads, with a bridge and causeway, were among its visible results. In addition to this was a very appreciable economy which resulted from the union of the two parishes, and which was grateful to a people who had just emerged from a long and exhausting war. But, more than this, and above all earthly estimate. was that serene and happy influence which pervades a com- mumity who have agreed to forget their former animosities and live together as brethren.
About the same time (February 3, 1794), the principal citizens of Windsor subscribed the sum of $1,220 for the support of the gospel min- istry in the New Society, while the funds already in the treasurer's hands were to be used for the support of a good school on the south side of the Rivulet.
Mr. Rowland, whose strength had been failing for some years past, from a shock of paralysis, died on the 13th of January, 1794, aged 75. His ministry had been faithful and profitable to this community. Dur- ing his pastorate 207 had been baptized and 6 admitted to the fellowship of the church. His gravestone in the old cemetery of Windsor bears the following :
"REV. DAVID S. ROWLAND, O B. 13 Jan. 1294, JE. 75, minister 47. His deep knowledge of the Scriptures and the hinabke fervor which be preached the Oracles of God were manifested in the consciences of all who beard him. A natural sweetness of temper, improved by a pore christian affection, made him dear to the people of God, and to a numerous surviving family.
" They that turn many to Righteousness shall shine as the stars forever."
At a meeting of the first Society, March 3, 1790, Voted -" To invite Mr. HENRY AUGUSTUS ROWLAND to settle in the work of the ministry in this Society as Colleague with the Rev. Mr. Rowland our present Pastor, provided the Church shall desire the same and agree with him upon the plan of Church Government and Discipline, and in
1 The 4th Society bad now existed for thirty three years under his pastorale, and we may fairly presume that it would have existed longer if there had been, during that Lime, a sufficient increase of population to sustain two congregations. The history of the Society, under Mr. Hinsdale's charge, will be found in Appendix E.
380
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
ease he shall accept of this invitation and be regularly ordained, Minister and pastor of this Church and Society, we by this vote covenant and agree to give him, during the lifetime of his father, our present Reverend Pastor, Fifty Pounds. Lawful Money, per annum, and Twenty Pounds per annum for the term of ten years, to commence on the death of our present Reverend Pastor, for, and in lieu of settlement, and we further covenant and agree with him that after the death of his said father his annual Salary from this Society shall be Eighty Pounds, Lawful Money, (exclusive of his settlement and the use of the Parsonage Lands, to wit : the lloit's Meadow and the Town Lot so called, ) during his relation as Pastor and Minister of said Church and Society."
The following are the titles of Mr. Rowland's published sermons :
1. MINISTERS OF CHRIST freed from Blood Guiltiness, by dispensing all the Coun- sel of Gon A Farewell Sermon [from Acts xx. 25-27], preached at Plainfield. May 3. 1761. Occasioned by the long differences that have there subsided. Published at the Desire of many that heard it. By David S. Rowland, A. M. "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the Truth. "- Paul. "They who oppose the Attempts of some, to introduce Corruption and Confusion in the Church, will have many an unkind Reflection thrown upon them, and experience the Severity of Censure, for a conduct which merits the justest Approbation. - They fondly mistake the voice of Prejudice for that of Conscience. - While some, with a pitiable Mixture of Arrogance and Ignorance judge one another, and us, we are concerned rather to secure that Praise of Gon, which will be heard and felt, by the Soul, with the highest Rapture, and silence every Echo of human Applause or Censure." DOODRIDGE - BOSTON; Printed by Benja- min Mecom, at the New Printing Office, near the Town House, So, p. 43.
2. DIVINE PROVIDENCE illustrated and improved, A Thanksgiving Discourse, preached [from Ps. exxvi. 3] in the Presbyterian, or Congregational Church in Provi- dence, N. E., Wednesday, June 4, 1766, being His Majesty's Birth Day, and Day of Rejoicing, occasioned by the REPEAL of the Srsur- Mer (Published at the Desire of the learers), By David S. Rowland, M.A., Minister of said Church. The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice. - KING DAVID. As free, and not using your liberty for at cloak of Maliciousness, but as servants of God. - Fear God - Honor the King. - Ap. PETER. Providence (New England), printed by Sarah Goddard and Company. Svo., viii, 31. (Dedication " To the Right Honorable Henry S. Conway. Esq .; Principal Secretary of State and one of His Majesty's most Honorable Privy Counsellors: with all those who have distinguished themselves the Patrons of Liberty.
3. CATHOLICISM; Or. Christian Charity Ilustrated and Improved in a Discourse, from Eph. iv. 15, 16; Delivered before the Congregational Ministers of the Colony of Rhode Island, in New England, At their Convention in Bristol, May 20, 1772. By David S. Rowland. M.A .; Minister of the Presbyterian or Congregational Church in Providence.
Providence: Printed by John Carter, at Shakespeare's Head, mdeclxxii.
Published at the request of the Convention, and republished in Boston, the same year, 80, 75.
4. MINISTERIAL NECESSITY. in the Discharge of the Gospel Embassy. Ilustrated and Improved, in a Sermon, from I Corinthians, ix. 16- " Necessity is laid, &e.' Delivered, March 27, 1726, By David S. Rowland, M.A .; At his Installment, in the First Church and Society in Windsor.
Hartford: printed by Eben Watson, near the Great Bridge. mdeclxxvi.
381
ECCLESIASTICAL, 1776-1890.
5. The llonesdale (Pa.) Democrat, No. 31, vol. 3, date of 14 April, 1846, contains the following sermon :
DESPOTISM ILLUSTRATED AND IMPROVED FROM THE CHARACTER OF REHOBOAM; A Discourse delivered at Wrentham, the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, on a day of Fasting and Prayer, occasioned by the distressed situation of public affairs. July 14, 1224, by David S. Rowland. V. D. M., Pastor of the Presbyterian or Congrega tional Church, Providence, R. I. Text. " My little finger shall be thicker than my Father's loins."-1 Kings, xii. 10.
This is republished from the original manuscript in the possession of his grandson. Rev. Henry A. Rowland, of Newark, N. JJ., who says, in a letter accompanying it : " The time at which this discourse was preached was one of great political excitement. It was one year before the Battle of Bunker Hill. and about the time when the privi- leges of Boston were taken away on account of the destruction of the tea. The ques- tion of separation from Britain was not then determined on. It was hoped that lenient measures would yet prevail, and that Great Britain would still accord justice to her colonies. Those who are acquainted with the facts of history will find a close parallel drawn with a fearless and patriotic hand between Rehoboam and George the Third. The Hon. Judge Daggett, of New Haven, informed me that he was present when the discourse was delivered, and that it produced a very great excitement."
6. ILISTORICAL REMARKS, WITH MORAL REFLECTIONS. A Sermon [from Ps. exxiv. 2,3, 6] Preached at Providence, June 6, 1729. Wherein are represented The Remarkable Dispensations of Divine Providence to the People of these States, Particularly in the Rise and Progress of the present War. Prov. No, pp. 35. "A really valuable historical compilation." - Darter.
7. HERESY, DETECTED AND EXPOSED, in a brief Narration of the unhappy Dis- putes that have arisen in the second Society in Stafford, with the judgments of several Councils that have been called, Published by David S. Rowland and Theodore Hlins dale at the Desire and Request of the Association. Hartford. 181. 8º, pp. 63.
8. THE FAITHFUL SERVANT OF CHRIST CALL'D UP TO GLORY. A Discourse [from Rev. iv. 1], Delivered at Wintonbury, January 30, 1783, at the Funeral of the Rev. Mr. Hezekiah Bissell, N. London, 1783. 8º, pp. 38 (?)
9. AX EPITOME OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, By David S. Rowland, Late Minis- ter of the First Church in Windsor, Connecticut. Being "A Compendious representa tion of the Church; the body of Him who is the Head, even Christ; The Garden of Eden; The Adamical dispensation in a dark shade, also, the different dispensations till the Messiah came - the channel of the Church with the dark shades of errors which obscured its lustre; The running off of the Man of Siu: The several channels in which the more important truths were conveyed: - The various sectaries: - Events before and since the Christian Era; Prophetic Periods: - The most noted Councils; witnesses for the truth in every age: & a summary description of the leading svetaries." This was a Chart, 36% by 264 inches in size- " Entered according to Act of Congres the 5 Day of March A. D. 1806, by William F. Rowland. of the State of New Hamp shire, and Henry' A. Rowland, of the State of Connecticut, as Proprietors," and was " Engraved and Printed for the Proprietors by Amos Doolittle, New Haven. 1806."
Mr. Rowland was succeeded by his son, the Rev. HENRY A. Row- LAND, who had been ordained as colleague with his father, May 5, 1790. This gentleman was born in Providence, R. L., JJan, 13, 1764, graduated al Dartmouth College, 1785, and was pastor of the church of Windsor for forty-six years. He was dismissed in July, and died Nov. 28, 1835. aged 72 years. In his days, the number of admissions to the church
382
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
was 201, and 541 baptisms. His relations with the people of his charge were of the most friendly and happy nature ; and in all the relations of life he sustained the character of a true Christian pastor. Mr. Row- land's personal appearance was iusually prepossessing. Commanding in figure, and dignified and polished in manner, he carried in the expres- sive features of his face, the indications of a strong intellect and a sym- pathetic heart. In all the relations of social life he is remembered as a faithful pastor, and a sympathizing friend and counsellor. His preaching was plain, carnest, impressive, and, as a natural consequence. eloquent. Sin never passed him unrebuked, and repentance found in him a friend and guide. His salary was continued on the basis of his original call in 1790, until December, 1801, when a society vote is recorded, which gives evidence of some dissatisfaction. " If the Rev. Mr. Rowland will relin- quish his present contract with this Society, the Society will give him five hundred dollars a year in coin, during the term of his ministry with them; subject, however, to a dednetion of one-half for such part, or parts of said term, if any, as he shall not be able to supply the pulpit."
Whether, or not, he accepted this proposition, we are not informed. That financial affairs were not entirely satisfactory, appears from a vote at a society's meeting in December, 1803, as follows :
"Oliver Mather, Benjamin Allyn, James Hooker, and Levi Hayden, were chosen a Committee to consult with Rev. Mr. Rowland and see on what terms he will be satis- tied, and to see what the neighboring Clergy have for their Salaries and the amount the several Lists are in this Parish."
Since Mr. Rowland's ordination the parish had greatly changed, the demand upon his pastoral labors had multiplied, and the ability to pay a larger salary had increased. The revolt, after a growth of thirty years, had been lovingly subdued ; and the church and society north of the riv- ulet had returned and united with the first church and society. But this union had not been seured without money and taxation and pledged notes. A new meeting-house had been built and a union school-house provided. Rev. Mr. Hinsdale, who had been pastor of the church north of Little River, was bought off, and discharged the First Ecclesiastical Society from further obligations to him on the receipt of notes for $325. and an order on their treasurer for $55. A bridge and causeway had been built nominally by the town, but mostly at the expense of this first society ; as another bridge was built at Poquonock at the same time. In 1804, voted -" To give the Rev. H. A. Rowland Twenty Pounds in ad- dition to his permanent Salary. during the pleasure of said Society." '
1 " "The ladies of the first parish in Windsor assembled on the 15th inst. May, 1806. at the house of the Rev. Mr. Rowland, and presented Mrs. Rowland with 124 runs of linnen and tow yarn, and also provided a handsome entertainment."- Conn. Courant.
" January 20, 1808. A number of gentlemen of the first Society in Windsor, assembled at the house of the Rev. Mr. Rowland and made him the handsome and lib- eral present of twenty-five loads of wood. "- lbid.
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John warzam 1630 until death, 1670.
1642.
Ephraim 1642.
Huit 1639 until death, 1644.
John witchfield Elder
1642.
Nath Launay
BEN's woodbridge
Pastor of the new church, 1668 to 1681.
Ord. colleague 1667 ; pastor until 1679.
Samll Mather.
1682 to death in 1727.
Jonathan Mark
Ord. colleague '1709-10; pastor from 1727 to his death in 1747.
Willens Rusel
Ord. 1754; died 1775.
David Rowland
Installed 1776; died 1794 ..
Henry ot Rowland
Colleague pastor, 1790-1794 ; pastor until 1835.
Theodore Thingsale
Pastor of "4th," or "7th," or North Society, 1765-179-1.
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