USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > The history of Waterbury, Connecticut; the original township embracing present Watertown and Plymouth, and parts of Oxford, Wolcott, Middlebury, Prospect and Naugatuck. With an appendix of biography, genealogy and statistics > Part 39
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Late in 1802, or early in 1803, Mr. Hart commenced a course of study preparatory for college, under the direction of his pastor, Rev. Alexander Gillet ; and in September of the latter year, became a mem- ber of Yale College. He at once took a high rank as a scholar; and at his graduation in 1807, received one of the highest honors of the in- stitution, having the appointment of orator. The succeeding year, he spent in Litchfield, South Farms, as teacher of the Academy, and then commenced his theological studies with the Rev. Dr. Porter of Wash-
* For the materials of this sketch, I am indebted to a biographical notice in Goodwin's Gene- alogy of the Foote Family.
t See a sketch of the Life and Character of the Rev. Luther Hart, in the Quarterly Christian Spectator for September, 1834, which I have used freely in the preparation of this notice.
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ington, Conn. Soon after, however, he went to the seminary at Ando- ver, Mass., finished his preparatory course, and was of the first class of its graduates. A short interval passed, and he was invited to preach in Plymouth, where he was ordained and installed over the Congrega- tional church and society in September, 1810, and where he remained till his death. The society was somewhat distracted, at the time, in consequence of a difference of opinion as to the merits of different can- didates ; but all became united and harmonious, in a short period, under his ministry. The year after his settlement, he married Minerva, the only daughter of Gen. Daniel and Martha (Humaston) Potter. She still survives.
The following extract from the article in the Christian Spectator de- scribes graphically some of Mr. Hart's characteristic traits :
Together with rich and various learning, and habits strictly intellectual, he had an uncommon measure of native sagacity-a kind of intuitive discernment of character-and quick sense of propriety. He had also a lovely temper and a warm and generous heart. He called himself impetuous-he was really ardent- yet his self-government, for aught that appeared, was uniform and complete. The quality, however, which, more than almost any other, was prominent in him, and will most readily suggest itself to his acquaintances, with the mention of his name, was his sprightliness of fancy, his aptness for pleasant and humorous associations, and delicately keen and pithy satire. At the same time, he was not found in this respect, either transgressing the law of kindness, or sinking the dignity of the Christian or ministerial character. One would be often struck with the rapid and easy manner in which he would glide away from the happiest sallies of pleasant- ry into the most serious and tender strain of religious remark. There was often, too, a meaning in his tones and modulations of voice, in the cast of his eye, and the entire expression of his countenance, which words could not convey. In general it may be said of him, that his good sense, his pleasant wit, his fund of knowledge, his openness and benignity of heart, and his unaffected and consistent piety, made him a most engaging friend and companion, and his house an ever- loved, as it was an ever-welcome resort. One who was his companion in youth, and more intimately conversant with him in professional life than almost any other, has said of him-" I always found it impossible to be long with him, with- out feeling myself to be in the presence of a great and good man ; and yet with his friends, as is well known, he often manifested the playfulness and simplicity of a child."
Mr. Hart was an interesting and able preacher. Few in the part of the State in which he lived were so generally acceptable. The writer well remembers the lively pleasure with which his presence used to be greet- ed in the pulpit of his own parish, thirty-five years ago. He would fix the attention of all classes-a certain evidence of talent-and would utter sentences which penetrated the mind and burned in the heart. At the
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same time, he was dignified and decorous, resorting to no stratagems, practicing no deception. His sermons were thoroughly studied, but in the latter part of his life, not written at length. They were original in thought, compact and clear in argument, nervous in expression and simple in language.
In conversation, Mr. Hart was lively, easy and familiar, with an abundant flow of spirits, putting those in his company in the same frame of mind. His sallies of wit, his pleasantries, his piquancy and original- ity, his homely and often quaint expressions, combined with his artlessness and kindness of manner, made his society exceedingly agreeable.
In the year 1818, Mr. Hart was associated with Dr. Tyler, Dr. Tay- lor, Professor Goodrich and one or two others, as a committee for the publication of certain doctrinal tracts. He wrote the third of the series, a tract of forty-three pages, entitled, " Plain Reasons for relying on Presbyterian Ordination," in a letter to a friend, of which one compe- tent to judge, remarks-" We doubt whether the language affords a better manual for common Christians, on this much agitated subject." This enterprise led, in another year, to the establishment of the Christ- ian Spectator, to some of the early volumes of which he was an import- ant contributor. When this periodical, a few years later, became the Quarterly Christian Spectator, he continued his connection with it, and furnished for it several able and interesting articles. For the June num- ber of 1830, he prepared the " Review on the Early history of the Con- gregational Churches in New England." In the next number, appeared his review of Bellamy, entitled "Review of True Religion Delineated." In June, 1833, he furnished the paper called "View of the Religious Declension in New England during the latter half of the Eighteenth Century ;" and in September of the same year, the article on the " Char- acter and Writings of Dr. Strong." These four articles, making over one hundred pages, are consecutive portions of a complete history of the religious declensions and revivals in New England during the eight- eenth century, and present, it has been said, a more clear and authentic, and more comprehensive and complete account than is to be found else- where in the same compass. The whole was the result of a very laborious and thorough investigation.
Mr. Hart was a Fellow of Yale College, and died, leaving no child- ren, April 25, 1834. His funeral was attended, on the 28th, "amidst the bursting grief of a large concourse of ministers, and other friends, from the adjoining towns, together with the bereaved church and people of his charge. Few persons have ever witnessed a more deep and gen-
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eral expression of sorrow, than was manifested by that people when, for the last time, they hung upon those lips that were to speak no more."
DAVID HOADLEY
Was the second son of Lemuel and Urania (Mallory) Hoadley, and was born in Waterbury (old society) April 29, 1774. He learned the trade of house-carpenter, and soon became distinguished as a builder. He was employed upon the Congregational meeting house, in 1795, and erected the dwelling of the late Judge Kingsbury. He afterwards constructed a Congregational house in Milford. The reputation he thus obtained was the occasion of his being invited to superintend the construction of the North Congregational church in New Haven, to which place he removed with his family, in 1814. He afterwards erected the " Don DeForest " house on the corner of Elm and Church streets, in New Haven, and the house next adjoining on the west, then owned by Hon. Nathan Smith. He also built the Tontine, so called, and a large man- sion house in Middletown, owned by Samuel Russel, Esq.
As a self taught architect, Mr. Hoadley had few superiors. He broke down, however, while still in the vigor of manhood, and returned to Waterbury late in life to spend the remnant of his days. He had a sound judgment, a well balanced mind, a generous and honest heart, and died about 1840. His remains were deposited in the old burying yard, over which a monument was erected, on which there is only the brief inscription " Hoadley." His widow, Rachel Hoadley, died at the house of her son-in-law, John C. Palmer, in Hartford, April 12, 1857, aged 77.
CAPT. REUBEN HOLMES,
Son of Israel and Sarah (Judd) Holmes, was born at Waterbury, Feb. 11th, 1798. While a boy he was distinguished for great activity of body and mind. Few of his youthful companions were able to com- pete with him, either in his studies or in boyish and athletic sports. He entered the Military Academy at West Point, in June, 1819. He sus- tained a very high standing there, never having been numbered lower than fourth on the merit roll of his class at its annual examinations. He was assistant professor of Drawing one year, and of Mathematics one year, while at the Academy; and when he graduated in June, 1823, he delivered the valedictory address. He was immediately commis- sioned as second lieut. in the 6th infantry U. S. army, and ordered to
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join his regiment, then stationed at Council Bluffs. The route lay through the lakes to Green Bay ; thence up the Fox River, and down the Wis- consin to the Mississippi River, thence across the country, then a wilderness, to Council Bluffs. On the Fox River, the Indians were some- what troublesome. One night, after the party had camped, the Indians gathered in large numbers about them and commenced the war dance. The men were terribly frightened, expecting a bloody skirmish, if not a general massacre; but Holmes, taking a sergeant and file of men, start- ed for their camp. He left the men a short distance in the rear, out of sight, with orders to come up if any difficulty ensued, and then pro- ceeded to the chief and demanded the reason of their dancing the war dance. The chief answered in a insolent strain, when Holmes caught the chief's rifle and tried to discharge it. The savage seized him, but Holmes discharged the rifle, and after a short scuffle, tied the savage's hands behind him, and returned to his men with his prisoner. The cowardly soldiers had not dared to show themselves. The Indians were then informed that any hostile demonstration would be followed by the immediate death of their chief. There was no more trouble from the Indians on this route. When crossing the country from the Mississippi to the Missouri River, the party lost the trail, wandered about until out of provisions, and were compelled to eat their dogs. After enduring all the hardships incident to such a situation, they finally reached the fort at Council Bluffs.
Lieut. Holmes was stationed at Council Bluffs for four years. Mean- time the Indians on the Yellow Stone were threatening hostilities, and Gen. Atkinson with a body of troops was sent up the river to quiet them. On this trip, Holines was attached to the corps of topographical engineers, with the command of the artillery. Having encountered a large body of hostile Indians, Holmes with three others was detached to hold a talk with them. At first unarmed Indians met them in council, but soon armed Indians gathered around, and those unarmed began to drop off and returned with their arms, until they were surrounded by four or five hundred well armed savages. The General now learning their situation immediately beat to arms. This made their situation much more critical ; as they must either disobey the order of their general and run the risk of a massacre where they were, or proceed through a gang of armed hostile savages with no means of defending themselves if attacked. Holmes decided the dilemma instantly ; and in obedience to orders, deliberately arose and walked out of the Council ring, not a savage laying a hand on him. He immediately headed his artillery, but Gen. Atkinson gave orders for no firing, and after a long parley,
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finally concluded a treaty with them, thus consummating the object of the trip without bloodshed.
On returning to Council Bluffs, Holmes was transferred to the com- missary department, where he remained until the Black Hawk war broke out, in 1852, when he obtained leave of absence and went up the Missis- sippi River with the troops as a volunteer. Soon after his arrival in the enemy's country, he was elected and served as colonel of a regiment of Illinois volunteers. He was subsequently appointed one of Gen. Dodge's aids, by whom he was spoken of in the highest terms. Gen. Dodge sent him down the river for supplies for the army, and on his return on the steamboat Warrior, forty miles above Prairie Du Chien, the party fell in with the savages, with whom they had a severe con- flict. Holmes was the senior officer, but the troops were under the immediate command of Lieut. Kingsbury. Their little force, consisting of fifteen soldiers, six volunteers, three passengers, two discharged sol- diers and the crew of the steamboat, had to contend with at least three hundred Indians. After the Indians had had twenty-five killed and more than fifty wounded, they retreated. The battle lasted two hours. Gen. Atkinson, in his official despatch to Gen. Scott, made honorable mention of Holmes for his conduct in the affair.
On his return from this expedition, Holmes was immediately promo- ted to a captaincy in the dragoon service, when he went to Louisville, opened a recruiting office, and raised a company of dragoons. While in Louisville, he was attacked with cholera, but after a partial recovery, he took his company to Jefferson Barracks, ten miles from St. Louis. Here he had a relapse, and died Nov. 4th, 1833.
Capt. Holmes was a man of undoubted genius ; bold, enterprising and chivalrously brave. Had he lived, he would have acquired a brilliant reputation. He was buried in St. Louis, "and there awaits the last review." A monument was erected by his " companions in arms."
REV. SAMUEL HOPKINS
Was the fifth son of John Hopkins, the miller, and was born in 1693. He was graduated at Yale College, in 1718, and was ordained at West Springfield, Mass., June 1, 1720, being the second minister of that town. His wife was Esther Edwards, a sister of President Edwards, a woman of superior intellect and great moral excellence, whom he married, June 28, 1727, and by whom he had four children. One of these was Dr. Samuel Hopkins, a distinguished clergyman, who was the minister of Hadley from 1755 to 1811. A daughter, Hannah, married
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Jan. 10, 1759, John Worthington, LL. D., an eminent lawyer of Springfield. Their daughter married Fisher Ames, the orator and statesman.
Mr. Hopkins is spoken of as a prudent, benevolent, devout man and faithful minister. Dr. Sprague says of him, in his Annals of the American Pulpit, " I have read Mr. Hopkins' diary, as well as a number of his manuscript sermons; and have conversed with several persons whose early years were spent under his ministry ; and from all I have been able to gather, I conclude he must have been a man of excellent judgment ; of fine moral qualities ; an evangelical and instructive, but not very popular preacher ; a faithful pastor ; and held in high estima- tion by his brethren in the ministry, and by the community at large." IIe must have been an industrious man, for it is said he wrote 1500 sermons. In 1753, he published a small, but interesting and valuable book, entitled " Historical Memoirs relating to the Housatunnuk Indi- ans ; or an account of the methods used for the propagation of the Gospel among that heathenish tribe under the ministry of the Rev. John Sergeant," &c., &c. These Indians were Mohegans, and resided in the IIousatonic Valley, chiefly at Stockbridge.
SAMUEL HOPKINS, D. D.
Was the eldest son of Timothy and Mary (Judd) Hopkins, and was born on the old Hopkins' place, Sept. 17, 1721. Coming of good stock on both sides, it behooved him to give a good account of himself. He did not dis- appoint expectation. In his Autobiography, he congratulated himself for having been born of Christian parents and that his ancestors, on both sides, had " been professors of religion, without interruption, during the course of two hundred years or more ; and many of them, if not all, real Christians." At the time of his birth, his father determined to give him a public education, and to make a minister or Sabbath-day man of him, he being born on the Sabbath. Of himself, in childhood, he re- marks in his Autobiography :
I have considered it a great favor of God that I was born and educated in a religious family, and among a people in a country town, where a regard to reli- gion and morality was common and prevalent, and the education of children and youth was generally practiced in such a degree that young people were generally orderly in their behavior, and abstained from those open vices which were then too common in seaport and populous places. I do not recolleet that I ever heard a profane word from the children and youth with whom I was conversant, while I lived with my parents, which was till I was in my fifteenth year .* I from my
* I suspect he did not associate much with the boys of the village; or, that the boys of that day were a good deal better than the generations which followed them.
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youth was not volatile and wild, but rather of a sober and steady make, and was not guilty of external irregularities, such as disobedience to parents, profanation of the Sabbath, lying, foolish jesting, quarreling, passion and anger, or rash and profane words, and was disposed to be diligent and faithful in whatever business I was employed ; so that as I advanced in age, I gained the notice, esteem and respect of the neighborhood.
At an early period of his life, young Hopkins manifested no particu- jar inclination for study. He worked on his father's farm, liked the oc- cupation, made proficiency and was contented. At the age of fourteen, however, his mind underwent some change. Farm work became less attractive, and learning more so. His father perceived this, encouraged him to study, and told him he might go to college. He was put under the care of the Rev. John Graham of Woodbury, and in September, 1737, was examined and admitted a member of Yale College. While thus connected he made a public profession of religion in Waterbury, and embraced the Calvinistic doctrines. He led a retired, sober and studious life, and had the name of being, in his own language, " a better scholar than the bigger half of the members." According to President Stiles, he was " a good classical scholar, well versed in logic, metaphys- ies and ethics, and in rhetoric and oratory." In a word, " he was a man of splendor !" Logic was the most important college study in those days, and in this Hopkins particularly excelled.
While Mr. Hopkins was a member of college, Mr. Whitfield appear- ed in New Haven, and in October, 1740, preached to crowded assem- blies. Hopkins* heard him " and was somewhat impressed," and "jus- tified him with those who were disposed to condemn him." The next spring, Gilbert Tennant, the famous itinerant, made his appearance and stayed about a week, preaching seventeen sermons. He was, says Hopkins in his Autobiography, " a remarkably plain and rousing preach- er," " and every person in the college appeared to be under a degree of awakening and conviction." Hopkins admired his preaching, thought him the greatest and best man he had ever seen or heard, and deter- mined, when he should leave college, to go and live with him wherever he might be found. But, on the seventeenth day of September, just be- fore he was to take his degree, Jonathan Edwards, of Northampton, (whose sister his uncle Samuel had married,) visited New Haven, and preached his celebrated sermon on The Trial of the Spirits. The young man heard it, and such was the effect upon him, that he changed his mind in respect to Mr. Tennant, and resolved to go and reside with Mr. Edwards when he should have an opportunity.
* Autobiography.
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Immediately after leaving college, Mr. Hopkins returned to his father's in Waterbury, gloomy and dejected in mind, and lived a recluse. He considered himself a sinful and lost creature, and spent many days in fasting and prayer. In December, (1741,) being furnished with a horse, he set out for Northampton, " an utter stranger," with a view to live with Mr. Edwards. Mrs. E., in the absence of her husband, receiv- ed him kindly, and encouraged him to think he could spend the winter with them. Here, after a period of despondeney, his views became clearer and more satisfactory. He pursued his theological studies, and after a period of four months, returned to his father's, and received, April 29, 1742, " a permit to go forth and preach the gospel." He preached a few times in Waterbury and adjacent towns, and returned once more to Northampton. Here, he continued his theological studies with Mr. Edwards, and preached for him occasionally. Sometimes, he officiated in neighboring pulpits, once in Westfield. He spent, this time, over three months with Mr. Edwards, having the benefit of the instructions of the greatest metaphysician of America.
In the fall of 1742, Mr. Hopkins supplied Mr. Bellamy's pulpit. in Bethlem, for several sabbaths, while the latter took a "preaching tour " as far as Philadelphia. In December, he accepted an invitation to preach in Simsbury, where he continued till May, 1743. The last of May he was again in Northampton, where he opened a school, and at the same time prosecuted his studies. But in four weeks he was seized with a rheumatic affection, and felt compelled to change his residence. In June, he began, on invitation, to labor at Housatonnoc, then a parish of Sheffield, afterwards (1761) incorporated as a town, with the name of Great Barring- ton. In August, he had the fever and ague, and the pains made him think of the " everlasting pains." IIe was invited to settle, being offered £60, lawful money, settlement, and £35 salary, for the first year, and an annual increase of £1 each year, till he received £45 .* HIe accepted the offer in November, and was ordained December 28, 1743. His parish then contained but thirty families, several of them Dutch, and was situated on the frontiers of civilization-not a very inviting field, one would think, for the display of the kind of talent which Samuel Hopkins possessed.
Soon after Mr. Hopkins' ordination, (1744,) a French and Indian war broke ont, and the western frontier towns were kept in a state of almost perpetual alarm. He took much interest in the war, shouldered his
* Prof. Park, in commenting on the smallness of these sums, and comparing them with what other ministers received, forgets that Hopkins was paid in lawful money, while Mr. Judd with whom the comparison is made, and who received £130 per aunum, (to be increased annually £5,) was paid in old tenor [bills], a much depreciated currency.
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musket and joined scouting parties, in cases of emergency ; and in his correspondence, sometimes handled severely the conduct of the govern- ment and the military. In December, 1744, he received the news of the violent illness of his mother. He started for Waterbury about noon, and finished his journey at bed time. His mother died next day, Dec. 5, 1744, and was buried on the day following. After the funeral, Mr. Leavenworth preached a discourse on the duty of resignation to God's will, from 2 Kings, IV, 26. A few days later, Dec. 9th, a "young brother," aged three weeks, died. Four years afterwards the father was taken ill, and the son was again summoned to his house to witness the closing scene, which happened Feb. 5, 1749. Samuel was the executor. Upon him devolved the care and education of his three youngest brothers, James, Daniel and Mark. The two first, the father had provided with a farm and tools of husbandry, designing they should be farmers. But they became discouraged, when their brother Samuel sold the farm and undertook to educate the three, taking them all to his house. James made great proficiency and entered Yale College. "He was a promis- ing young man, much esteemed, especially by his classmates." But be- fore the close of his first year, he sickened of a fever and died in New IIaven. In three years more, two sisters, Hannah Upson and Sarah Clark, were removed by death.
Mr. Hopkins continued the minister of Great Barrington, under the most aggravated discouragements, for many years. The Indian wars, the smallness and poverty of his parish, his meagre support and the op- position he met with, would have made almost any other man discon- tented. His high toned Calvinism was distasteful to many. He oppos- ed the "half way covenant " system, and gave offense by the terms of church communion which he enforced. Many " unconverted " persons, particularly among the Dutch, wanted their children baptized ; and when he refused to administer the rite, an Episcopal minister was invit- ed to do it, and an Episcopal society was established. When the troubles with the mother country commenced, he espoused the cause of the colonists and became a warm Whig. His course was viewed with disap- probation by the Tories, who were numerous in the town and some- times in a majority. They threatened to stop his salary, and if possible, to drive him out of town. His church adhered to him, and adopted various expedients, without success, to raise his salary. At length, as his usefulness seemed to be at an end, they united with him in calling a council to decide the question of his continuance among them. A decision was made, and the connection which had lasted twenty-five years between a desponding pastor and an afflicted people was dissolved,
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