USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > The memorial history of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1884, Vol. II > Part 40
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Here the " Worshipful Major Talcott " opportunely comes in and proposes as follows: -
"A Coppy of y' Major Talcott's tearmes.
" Gentlm and Friends : in ye mean time let not anything I signify here pre- vent yourselves making saile of any or all that land lyeing west upon ye river : for the Truth is, I have no desire nor temptation by all that I have seen or heard, to spur me one to gain it, having fully consulted myselfe in reference to ye grounds of that matter, in all the circumstances thereof, both good and bade, and do find no one place, where anything considerable can be taken up ; the most of that which some call meadow is full of small brush and vines, through which y' is no passing; or full of trees, small and great, which will be very chargeable subduing : and in ye place where the best land of that sort is, there is no accommodation of vpland to it, saving onely mighty Tall mountaynes and Rockes, and the way bade to it, and a great way to all of it, and will be dis- mally obscure & solitary to any that shall live vpon it, and very hard coming at the market, not onely because of ve remoteness, but badness of the passage, and the society of Neighbourhood will be very thin, all which will be discour- aging. Yourselves may Improve yor most Judicious, to take view if you see good for yor further satisfaction : for my designe is not to bring up an evill report concerning the badness of any part of yor bounds. Neither shall any wayes disadvantage yor market, by putting a low esteme upon the lands, let the wheells turne which way they will. And yet, notwithstanding all that I have inserted in these lynes, setting asyde all difficultyes mentioned, if you can in a joynt way, with freedom of spirit and serenity of mynde se cause to grant three Hundred Acres in any place or places, not exceeding three places, where I shall take it up, upon said West River towards the West end of yor Bounds, I shall accept you giving deeds for the same ; whether it shall be worth a penny to me or no. And that shall be an Issue of ye Debt matter depending. " Your friend and serve,
John Callcost.
In response to these magnanimous "tearmes " the town returned the following : -
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" A Coppy of a Letter sent to Major Talcott.
" These are to informe the Worshipfull Major Talcott, y' in answer to his letter received (June, ye 9th 1682), the Inhabitants of Simsbury being met to hear and consider ye same, vpon July ye 4th 1682, Voted and agreed to give the Worshipfull Major John Talcott, of Hartford, Three Hundred acres of land vpon the River lying towards the westward end of our Town Bounds, & have granted him that liberty to take it up in Three places, according to his desire ; this granted vpon the account of the Major defraying of the charges of the whole Indian purchase."
Thus ended a long-pending, unsettled claim of the Indians, so as to give them satisfaction and still their " acclaymations."
From a very carly period difficulties in relation to and arising from unsettled boundaries between Simsbury and Windsor existed, but they were amicably settled in 1691. The people living in the northeastern part of the town were for a long time subjected to great annoyance and loss by a claim set up by Suffield that they were within its limits, and were liable to pay taxes in that town. Suffield was organized under and by authority of the General Court of Massachu- setts in 1682, and claimed by that colony. For a long time the line between the colonies was in dispute ; but at length a new survey showed that not only these border settlers of Simsbury but the whole of the town of Suffield belonged to Connectient.
In 1786 the town was divided by act of the legislature, - the north- ern half, taking with it half the population as well as territory, being set off and incorporated as the town of Granby. Again, in 1806, Simsbury was divided by a north and south line, west of which the territory for- merly called West Simsbury was incorporated as a town, to be called Canton. By this division the population of Simsbury was again re- duced by nearly one half ; so that in 1810 the census showed a popula- tion of abont 1,900. But even this did not suffice ; in 1843, by an act of the legislature, all that part of Simsbury lying cast of Talcott Monn- tain, comprising " a tract of land about five miles from north to south, and one mile wide, containing about three hundred and fifty persons, was annexed to the town of Bloomfield." Thus again was the popu- lation of Simsbury materially diminished and its area reduced, so that from being one of the largest it has become one of the smallest towns of the State. Its area now covers only the original Massaco which Mana- hannoose and his friends conveyed to John Griffin. It is bounded on the north by Granby and East Granby ; on the east is Talcott Moun- tain, whose crest line separates it from Bloomfield ; and Mount Philip is in the extreme southeast. These mountains present toward the west a mural front, with only three passes over them within the limits of the town : the first is at Wetaug, between Mount Philip and Talcott Moun- tain ; the second, at Terry's Plain, two or three miles north of the first, through which passes the old county road from Granville, Mass., to Hartford ; the third and only remaining pass is at the Falls, between Simsbury and Granby, where the Farmington River breaks through the mountain ridge on its way to the Connecticut at Windsor. Here passes not only the common or carriage road, but also the Hartford and Connecticut Western Railroad, from Hartford to the northwestern part of the State and the great West. Here too is the beautiful and
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF HARTFORD COUNTY.
now flourishing village of Tariffville, within the limits of Simsbury, pos- sessing one of the largest and best water-powers of the State.
Simsbury is bounded on the south by Avon, the north line of which runs diagonally across Mount Philip. From the Connecticut valley, Mount Philip is scarcely distinguishable from Talcott Mountain, but from any stand-point in the Farmington Valley it is a distinct and prominent mountain peak. From its summit the view is enchanting. There stand the Tower and the Summer-house, the former in Avon, the latter in Simsbury. Mount Philip received its name from the first settlers on their return from their sad exodus at the burning of Sims- bury. By that name only it has been known by their descendants for more than two hundred years. Every rood of land upon it is and has many times been recorded in the Simsbury records as "lying and being on Mount Philip."
TARIFFVILLE GORGE.
In railroad facilities Simsbury is not surpassed by any other country town. In 1850 the New Haven and Northampton Company constructed a railroad, passing through the centre of the town from New Haven to the north line of the State, and subsequently to Northampton, on or near the line of the canal which had been constructed between those points, and which, proving unsuccessful, was abandoned. By this road direct communication is had with New York. In 1871 the Connecticut Western Railroad, now reorganized as the Hartford and Connecticut Western, was opened for use from Hartford to the west line of the State, and is now extended to the Hudson River. These two railroads intersect each other at Simsbury Centre, and give business and postal communication with all parts of the country.
In 1868 the Simsbury Water Company was chartered, for the pur- pose of supplying the families in Centre and Hopmeadow districts with pure running water. In this it is eminently successful.
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In the early history of the town its ecclesiastical as well as its civil affairs were managed in town-meetings. As early as 1671, only a year after its organization, the town made a contract with Mr. Thomas Barber to erect, according to specifications, a meeting- house for public worship. As has been stated, the first settle- ments of the town were on both sides of the river, on roads running parallel with it through the length of the valley. The river not being fordable, and there being no bridge or ferry, it was a matter of the greatest importance on which side the meeting-house should be placed.
To settle this question meeting after meeting was held; votes were passed at one, to be reversed at the next. Bitter feelings arose. A majority voted to place it on the east side ; at the next meeting, on the west side. At length it was agreed to leave the matter to Major Tal- cott and Captain Allyn, of Hartford, who after a full hearing decided that the house should be built on the west side, in front of the burying- ground, at Hopmeadow, - giving at the same time some friendly ad- vice. Again the town held a meeting : -
" Feb. 13, 1682, put to vote ye above written, to see whether it would be accepted, respecting the whole advise, of the Worshipfull Major Talcott and Cap- tain Allyn; it by y vote was accepted by 12 persons, and not acepted by 17 or 18 persons."
Finally, to put an end to the contest which had continued so many years, an agreement was drawn up, and signed by all the legal voters of the town, " to appoynt a day solemly to met together, in a solemne maner, to cast lott for ye place where ye meeting house shall stand ; . . . and where the Providence of God cast it, so to seat down contented." This was submitted to Major Talcott and Captain Allyn, and by them was " well approved " May 8, 1683. Accordingly, " At a solemne met- ting on May 24, 1683, two papers were put into ye hat, the one east, and the other for the west syd of ye river, - and it was agreed that the first paper that is drawn shall be ye lott; this voted : the lot that came forth was for the west syd the river." Thus was amicably settled an unhappy controversy which had so long existed, exciting the ani- mosities and disturbing the friendly relations of those who should have lived in harmony. Having exhausted all human means to effect a settlement, they appealed to the court of Heaven for a decision of the question at issue. Without doubt they considered it a religions act, and the result as the judgment and will of God. All cheerfully acquiesced in the decision, and went forward and erected the house that had been under contract twelve years.
The first meeting-house stood in front of the burying-ground at Hopmeadow. It was erected in 1683. It was used for public worship about sixty years. Mr. Samuel Stone, son of the eminent colleague of Mr. Hooker, of Hartford, was the first min- Samuell Stone ister of Simsbury. He was employed during the whole period from 1673 to 1679, only interrupted by the destruction of the town in 1676.
After Mr. Stone, the next minister was Mr. Samuel Stow, then lately dismissed from Middletown by a committee of the General Court. He
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF HARTFORD COUNTY.
continued in the work of the ministry here from 1681 to 1685, and was invited to settle, but declined. In May, 1682, Mr. Stow and Michael Samuel Store. Humphrey were appointed by the town to present a petition to the General Court asking leave "to sette [them]selves in Gospel order," and form a church. The petition was at once granted, but the church was not organized till fifteen years later.
The next candidate for settlement was Mr. Edward Thomson. He was from Newbury, Mass. He supplied the pulpit from 1687 to 1691. The town gave him a call to settle ; but not agreeing on the terms, he suddenly returned to Newbury.
After Mr. Thomson came Mr. Seth Shove, who preached here from 1691 till 1695. His labors were so acceptable that the town gave him a unanimous call to settle, and he signified his acceptance, but soon afterwards settled at Danbury. His character was that of a pious, godly man, and he was known as a peacemaker.
In October, 1695, the town voted a call to Mr. Dudley Woodbridge, and in August, 1696, renewed the call. A difference existed as to the terms of settlement, and hence, delay. In July, 1697, increased in- ducements were held out to him. and the invitation repeated. After some further delay Mr. Woodbridge accepted the invitation ; and on the 10th of November, 1697, the church was organized, and he was ordained and installed as its pastor. At the ordination of Mr. Wood- bridge, forty-three persons -twenty-six men and seventeen women - were admitted members of the church. He died Aug. 3, 1710, and was buried in the burying-ground at Hopmeadow. He continued in the work of the ministry here upwards of fourteen years. Imme- diately after his death the inhabitants held a town-meeting, and ap- pointed a day of fasting and praver, "to seek to God for his conduct and guidance in refference to the procuring a faithful minister in this place, and to advise with the Reverend Elders of the neighboring Churches." In accordance with their advice the town by a unanimous vote invited Mr. Timothy Woodbridge, Jr., a son of the Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, of Hartford, to settle in the ministry here, and again in 1712 the invitation was renewed, with an increase of salary offered. This was accepted, and on the 13th of November of that year he was ordained. He died Ang. 28, 1742, having continued in the work of the ministry here about thirty years. His remains lie buried near those of his kinsman and predecessor.
The term of Mr. Timothy Woodbridge was a stormy period. The congregation had so increased that the old meeting-house was too small for their accommodation. In 1725 steps were taken by the town to erect a new one. Then re-arose the question of location, and with it the old feelings of jealousy and strife. Meetings were held, and votes without num- ber were passed and rescinded. The General Court " Ordered His Honour ye Governour and Nathaniel Stanley to meet the inhabitants." A meeting of the town was held. "His Honour Joseph Talcott, Esq., Governour, was chosen moderator of the meeting. Sundry
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votes were passed, and a site agreed on." This again was rescinded. Thus it went on from year to year. The strife continued and waxed more fierce, till in 1736 the General Assembly appointed a committee to report "how they find the state of the matters." Upon their report and recommendation the General Court arbitrarily divided the terri- tory of the town into three societies, besides the portion east of the mountain, which they annexed to Wintonbury. In 1739 the Assembly ordered that the meeting-house of the First Society should be located on Drake's Hill, where it has ever since remained. Thus was termi- nated a fourteen-years bitter controversy. When, subsequently, the town was divided, the other two societies were included in Granby. Afterward, in 1780, the First Society was divided, and the society of West Simsbury was constituted.
While 'these meeting-house difficulties were in progress, others arose in relation to the payment of Mr. Woodbridge's salary. At the session of the General Court in May, 1732, Mr. Woodbridge rep- resented that the town was in arrears to him for one year and seven months' preaching, which the town had refused to grant a rate for. The court ordered the town, within twenty days, to lay a tax sufficient to raise the sum required ; and, in case of failure, the secretary of the colony was directed to grant execution against the estates of any of the inhabitants. In 1736 Mr. Woodbridge again applied to the Assem- bly, representing that his accounts and salary were still unpaid. Where- upon it was ordered that the inhabitants of the town " do forthwith pay to him what shall be found in arrear ; and as Mr. Woodbridge has served the town in the work of the ministry for a year past, the Assembly do assess the inhabitants of Simsbury in the sum of £100, and appoint and empower John Case, collector, to gather said rate and pay it over to said Woodbridge."
At the May session following, in 1737. Mr. Woodbridge having shown to the Assembly that, notwithstanding the order of the last session, nothing had been done in the premises, it was resolved by the Assembly " that the inhabitants of Simsbury shall forthwith settle and adjust their accounts, and make payment of arrears due to Mr. Wood- bridge "; and anditors were appointed to hear and adjust the accounts, and report to the Assembly next after doing the same. " And further Ordered that the listers of Simsbury within ten days next after the rising of the Assembly make a rate upon the inhabitants, except the two north parishes, amounting t > £110 on List of 1736 ; which list to be delivered to James Cornish, Jr., who is fully authorized, appointed, and com- manded, forthwith to gather and pay the same to Mr. Woodbridge, for his service from October, 1735, to October, 1736: and if the said listers neglect or refuse to make said Rate and deliver the same to sª Cornish, within the time limited, they shall forfeit and pay a fine of £20 cach, -one half to Mr. Woodbridge, and one half to the county treasurer ; and if the sd Collector fail in his duty, the Secretary of the Colony shall make a writ of distress, to distrain the sd sum out of the goods of sd Cornish." By these rigid measures the good minister was enabled to recover his dues for services rendered.
As before stated, the first Ecclesiastical Society of Simsbury was constituted by the General Assembly at its session in October, 1736. The first meeting was held, and the society organized, on the second
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF HARTFORD COUNTY.
Tuesday of October, 1737. In December, 1739, the society voted to build the meeting-house, and to place it on Drake's Hill, as ordered by the General Court, where the present meeting-house stands. It was not completed and fit for occupancy till 1743. Mr. Samuel Hopkins was the first minister employed by the society. Mr. Hopkins after- ward became known and distinguished by his theological writings, being the founder of what is known as Hopkinsianism. He preached here about six months, and afterward settled in Great Barrington, Mass. In 1743 the society " voted to improve Mr. Gideon Mills in order for settlement." He was ordained in September of that year. After about ten years many of his hearers began to be dissatisfied. " At a meeting of the inhabitants of the First Society in Simsbury, July, 1754, it was proposed Whether there is any considerable number who are not suted & easy, under the ministry of Reva Mr. Gideon Mills, in this society, and it was tryed by vote : and there appeared twenty- nine that voted that they were easy under Mr. Mills' ministry, and twenty-five that were not easy." This resulted in his dismissal in September of that year.
In December, 1756, Mr. Benajah Roots was called to settle in the ministry here, and on the 10th of August, 1757, was ordained and set- tled. He was a man of rare ability and piety. He differed from many of his brethren in the ministry, and after a time from a majority of his own people, on the subjects then uppermost in their minds ; namely, infant baptism, the qualifications for admission to the church, the half- way covenant, etc., - on some of which he would, in later times, have been pronounced orthodox. These opinions, freely and clearly ex- pressed, led to his dismissal in September, 1772. Mr. Roots built and resided in the house now occupied by Dr. Lucius I. Barber. It was built in 1762. From the time of the dismission of Mr. Roots till 1777 the pulpit was supplied by Mr. Patton, of Hartford, Mr. David Parsons, of Amherst, Mass., and others.
The Rev. Samuel Stebbins was ordained Dec. 10, 1777. During his ministry a great degree of harmony prevailed, with no disturbing element. He was a man of marked intelligence and sagacity, and of great shrewdness of character ; and his fellow-citizens reposed great confidence in his judgment and business capacity. In 1806 he ten- dered his resignation of the pastoral office, and was dismissed at his own request. He died Jan. 20, 1821.
The Rev. Allen McLean was the next pastor. He was ordained and settled in August, 1809, and remained in the pastoral office till 1850, when, on account of the infirmities of age, at his request a colleague was settled. Mr. McLean, however, was continued as pastor, and occa- sionally preached, though during the last eleven years of his life he was totally blind. In 1859 the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination was celebrated by hosts of friends, who gathered from this and adjoin- ing towns, and even from other States whither they had emigrated, returning to congratulate their old pastor and one another on so inter- esting an occasion. It was a day of friendly greetings and congratu- lations, of present joys and sunny memories. His interesting historical discourse, adapted to the occasion, was published. He was a graduate of Yale in the class of 1806. He died in 1861. Mr. Samuel T. Rich- ards was settled as colleague pastor with Mr. McLean in 1850, and
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continued in office, to the ac- ceptance of the people, till July, 1858, when, at his own request, he was dismissed. He was followed in the office by Mr. Oliver S. Taylor, as colleague pastor, who was in- stalled Sept. 21, 1859. In 1865 he offered his resigna- tion and was dismissed, the relation ceasing after the 1st of August of that year. The Rev. Newell A. Prince suc- ceeded him, and was installed Nov. 8, 1865. In 1868 lie ten- dered his resignation, which was accepted, and his dis- mission took place on the 1st of June of that year.
From 1868 to 1871 several persons successively occupied the pulpit, and, on the 1st of January, 1871, the church and society gave a unanimous call to the Rev. J. Logan Tomlin- son, who for several months previous had supplied the pulpit. This invitation was accepted, and Mr. Tomlinson was installed pastor on the 6th of December, 1871. On the 24th of February, 1878, Mr. Tomlinson communicated to the church and society his resignation of the pastoral office " on account of the in- firmities of ill health," with the request that they would unite with him in calling a council for his dismission. This request the society de- clined to grant, but " voted to give Mr. Tomlinson leave of absence for one year." At a subsequent meeting the so- ciety reluctantly yielded, and united with the church in call- ing a council for the purpose named. On the 27th of March, 1878, the council convened, and after expressing " their high and growing esteem of VOL. II .- 23.
RECEIPT OF SAMUEL STEBBINS.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF HARTFORD COUNTY.
the retiring pastor's ministerial abilities and scholarly attainments, and their confidence in him as a true man, sincere Christian, and servant of Jesus Christ," declared the pastoral relations between him and the church and society to be dissolved from the 1st of April, 1878. Mr. Tomlinson was a man of rare abilities, and greatly respected and beloved by the people of his charge; and the attachment was mutual. His failing health alone caused the separation.
From May, 1878, Mr. William McFarland officiated two years. In January, 1881, the Rev. C. L. Tomblen was employed to preach for a year, at the expiration of which the arrangement was renewed, to con- tinue indefinitely, so long as agreeable to both parties. He continued in this relation till February, 1884.
On the 1st of April, 1884, the Rev. Asahel L. Clark was employed to discharge the duties of pastor; and on the 10th of June, 1885, he was regularly installed as such.
After standing ninety years, the old meeting-house erected in 1740 was replaced by the present one, built in 1830 on the same site. The church and society have received valuable gifts and bequests from several benevolent individuals, natives of the town. Anson G. Phelps, Esq., late of New York, bequeathed to the church $1,000 for the poor of the town. In 1850 Mr. Thomas Case instituted a Johny & Chips fund of about $4,500, called the Thomas Case Fund, for the support of the gospel ministry. John J. Phelps, Esq., of New York, in 1870 beqneathed to the church the sum of $3,000; and in 1883 Mr. George D. Phelps bequeathed to it the sum of $1,000.
Amos R. Eno, Esq., of New York, has repeatedly shown his liber- ality by frequent beneficent acts. In 1880 it was represented to him that the society owed $1,000; he forthwith drew his cheek for that amount and sent it to the treas- urer. At the beginning of the year 1883 he purchased the "old Simon Wolcott farm," fitted up and put in repair its buildings, and stocked it, and as a new year's gift presented it to his native town for a "home for the poor of the town."
In 1883 about $3,000 was raised by subscription, largely by the efforts and munificence of Horace Belden, Esq., which was appropri- ated to the decoration of the meeting-house, including beautiful cathe- dral windows, together with a memorial window to perpetuate the names and memory of the deceased pastors, - the Rev's Dudley and Timothy Woodbridge, Samuel Stebbins, and Allen MeLean.
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