USA > Connecticut > The records of the General association of ye colony of Connecticut. Begun June 20th, 1738. Ending June 19th, 1799 > Part 11
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2. Alexander Gillett - 66 Torrington -1792-1826.
3. David Huntington
Salem 1775-1796.
4. David Fuller
Milford -1784-1802.
s. Nchimiah Prudden Enfield - 1782-1815.
6. Enoch Pond Ashford -1789-1807.
7. Jonathan Miller
Burlington - 1783-1831.
". Standley Griswold
New Milford -1790-1802.
1 795.
At a General Association of the State of Connecticut, at the house of the Revd Achilles Mansfield, Killingworth June 16ª: 1795 Present
Cotton M. Smith Josiah Whitney ('.) Elizur Goodrich D.D. John Devotion (2.) Nathan Williams D.D.
Levi Hart Elisha Rexford
Aaron Church
Thomas W. Bray
Jonathan Edwards D.D.
Andrew Lee (3.)
Achilles Mansfield
The Revd Messrs
Matthias Bennet
William Lockwood
Nathan Fenn
Lemuel Tyler ('.)
Amas Chase (5.)
Stephen W. Stebbins Amos Basset (".)
Abel Flint (7.) Calvin Chapin ( *. ) Asahel Hooker (9.) William W. Tennant D.D. Ashbel Green D.D. John Gammil.
159
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
The last three Gentlemen were delegated to this Associa- tion, by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Chh.
Doctor Goodrich was chosen Moderator, and Doctor Ed- wards and Mr Fenn were chosen Scribes. - The Association was opened with prayer by the Moderator. The Association by vote, requested Doctors Tennant and Green to preach a sermon each; one of them this and the other tomorrow even- ing, as they shall agree between themselves.
Mess's Bray, Heart and Basset were appointed, with the Scribes, to make out a Docket of the business to be transacted by this Association. - The sermon was preached by Doctor Goodrich from 2 Peter iii: 14.
The report of the several Associations concerning a gen- eral convention, to be constituted in this State, according to the recommendation of the general Association & particular conventions in the Associational districts, were made, by which it appeared, that the majority of the Associations think it not expedient, that the said measures be at present adopted.
A motion was made from Windham Association, that a particular place be fixed upon, for the stated meeting of the general Association : and it was referred to the consideration of the particular Associations, who are requested to send their sense on this subject, to the next general Association.
Reports were brought in from the several associations, of their proceedings on the recommendation of the last general Association, concerning preaching on the evidences of chris- tianity - instructing youth -the state of their congrega- tions and associational Libraries; which reports contained many things agreeable to the wishes and recommendation of the general Association : and this Association wish the sev- eral particular Associations still to prosecute such measures, relative to those subjects, as their discretion and respective circumstances shall point out.
The question concerning seasons of prayer for the revival of religion, came under consideration; and after some delib- eration was for the present deferred; and Dr. Williams, Dr.
160
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
Green and Mr. Heart were appointed a committee to bring in a draft on that subject.
The accounts of the Committee to receive and disburse the contributions for the new settlements were exhibited, and Mr Lee, M' Chapin and Mr Tyler were appointed a committee to inspect them and make report. - Voted that five mis- sionaries to the new settlements be appointed for the ensuing year; and that Nine Dollars a week for the supply of their pulpits and for their services be paid to settled ministers, who shall go upon this service: and that pay to Candidates be six Dollars a week. - The Revd Mess" Kinne, A. R. Robbins, Knapp, Hart, and Justin Mitchel were appointed missionaries for this year. -- Dr. Williams, Dr. Dana, Dr. Edwards, Mr. Trumbull & Thomas W. Bray were appointed a committee to draw up a plan of the missions and an address to the people of the new settlements, and to fill up the places of those gentlemen who may fail of fulfilling their missions to which they are appointed : and three or more of them to act.
The Revd Mr Trumbull, sent a Letter of resignation of his office as Register of this Association, which was accepted : and the Association voted, that their thanks be returned by the scribe, for his services as Register of this Association.
The Revd Cyprian Strong was appointed Register of the General Association.
A Letter from his Excellency Governor Huntington in Answer to a Letter from this Association at their last session was received and read with much satisfaction. - A Letter from the sub-committee of correspondence of the convention of Massachusetts was received and read.
Dr. Green laid before this Association, certain papers, relating to the establishment of a Seminary of learning in the State of Kentucky, and a recommendation of that design, by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. This Association having duly considered the case, hereby declare their full confidence in those representations, and full con- currence with the recommendation of the general Assembly.
161
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
Certain communications were received from the committee of the Convention of Ministers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and Dr. Tennant, Mr. Bray, and Mr. Whit- ney were appointed to make report on those communications.
Voted That the Moderator of this Association at any session, shall remain to be the Moderator, until the subse- quent session.
Voted ; That the Money contributed before the war and sent by Mr Trumbull, by the hand of Dr. Edwards to this Association, be received by Mr. Bray, at its present value ; and that Mr Bray, with the advice of the Committee to superintend the missions be impowered to settle, in the best manner with the heirs of the late Revd Warham Williams, with respect to the Money contributed for missions before the war, and now in the hands of the heirs of said Mr Williams, and the said money be applied by him, to the sup- port of the missionaries sent or to be sent into the new settlements.
The committee formerly appointed to revise Mr. Trumbull's history, was continued.
The committee appointed as above to report on the accounts of the Committee to receive & disburse the con- tributions for the new settlements, made report, which was accepted by the general Association, and ordered to be recorded by the register.
Messrs Cotton Mather Smith, Wm Lockwood and Nathan Fenn, were appointed delegates to the next General Assem- bly of the Presbyterian Church. - The same committee to certify the good character of traveling preachers, was reappointed .- Mr Mansfield was appointed to preach the Conscio ad Clerum at the next Commencement, Dr. Edwards was appointed to preach the next sermon on the evidences of Christianity and Mr. Hart was appointed the second. Dr. Goodrich, Dr. Lewis and Mr. Burnet were appointed a Committee to look up the papers relative to the Convention formerly holden, between the Churches in Connecticut, and
21
162
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
the presbyterian Church; and to lay the same before this association at their next session.
Voted That Mr. Cotton M. Smith be allowed his wages as a missionary, during a week that he was sick on his last mission : and that the committee to superintend missions are impowered to make such compensation as they shall judge reasonable, to missionaries that may be taken sick, or be disabled during their mission.
The motion for widows funds laid over to this meeting, was further laid over to the meeting of the next General Association. The List of Candidates is as followeth,
Western Association of New Haven County.
Benjamin Wooster, Platt Buffet and Maltby Gelston.
Eastern Association of the same County.
Caleb Johnson, Roger Harrison and Timothy M. Cooley.
Association in Windham County.
Stephen Williams, Timothy Williams, Ezra Witter, Solomon Spalding, Amasa Porter, Lynde Huntington, Joseph Russell, Daniel Dow.
Association in Tolland County.
Silas L. Brigham, Marshfield Steel, - Fields, Sethi Williston.
Association in New London County.
John D. Perkins, Daniel Hall.
South Association in Hartford County.
Silas Churchill, Ebenezer Porter, Beza Pineo.
Western District in Fairfield County.
Jonathan Bartlit, - Hill.
163
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
As Dr. Edwards has closed his accounts as receiver and disburser of the money contributed for the missions to the new settlements, and his accounts have been examined and approved by the committee of this Association, therefore, the moderator is requested to give a certificate of this to Dr. Edwards.
The report of the committee concerning seasons of prayer was brought in, debated and finally adopted, and is on file. Voted that the communications from the convention of Massachusetts be committed to the Committee of correspond- ence, & that they return a proper Answer.
The next general Association was appointed to be at the Revd Mr. Strong's at Norwich.
Voted to be true minutes of the General Association.
Test JONATHAN EDWARDS NATHAN FENN
Scribes
NOTES.
1. Josiah Whitney - Pastor - Pomfret - 1756-1813.
2. John Devotion
Westbrook -- 1757-1802.
3 . Andrew Lee 66 Hanover - 1768-1830.
4
. Lemuel Tyler
Preston -1789-1808.
5
. Amos Chase 66
Morris -1787-1814.
6 Amos Bassett 66 ·
Hebron -1794-1824.
. Abel Flint 7
66 Hartford 2ª -1791-1824.
. Calvin Chapin 66 Rocky Hill -1794-1850.
3. Asahel Hooker
Goshen
-1791-1810.
164
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
1 796.
At a general Association of the State of Connecticut, at the house of the Rev." M' Strong in Norwich 21" June 1796.
Were Present
James Cogswell D. D. ('.)
Nathan1. Taylor
Josiah Whitney
Nathan Williams D. D.
Cyprian Strong
Jonathan Edwards D. D.
The Revd
1
David Ely
Matthias Burnet
Joseph Strong
David Tuller
Abraham Fowler (".)
Samuel Mills (3.)
Ozias Eells ('.)
Lemuel Tyler
Stephen W. Stebbins Amos Chase
James Noyes
John Willard
William Lyman
Henry A. Rowland (5.)
Publius V. Booge (6.)
Lynde Huntington (".)
Dan' Smith ( *. )
John M.Night D. D. Azel Roe. ;
The two last gentlemen were delegated to this Association, by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Williams was appointed Moderator -D' Edwards Scribe.
165
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
The Association was opened by prayer, and a Sermon was preached, by the Rev.ª Cyprian Strong, from Acts 17: 11 - Mr. Rowland was chosen assistant Scribe. Messrs Whitney, C. Strong & Fuller, with the Scribes, were appointed a Com- mittee to draw up a docket of the business proper to be done by this Association.
Whereas it was, by the last general Association, referred to the associations of this State, to express their opinion to this general Association, concerning the expediency of having a fixed place of session for the general association - And, whereas many of the associations have sent only verbal answers to the question - therefore, resolved, that the same question be again referred, and it is hereby referred to the several associations : and they are requested to return their answers in writing, to the next gen' Association, together with the reasons of their decisions .- Also resolved, gener- ally, that whenever any matter is referred from the general Association to the particular Associations, unless the result of any Association be returned in writing, it shall not be considered as any result at all.
The Committee of correspondence, viz : D." Dwight, D.r Goodrich, M." Huntington and M." Eliot were reappointed.
M." Benedict of Plainfield was appointed to preach the Concio ad Clerum.
The Committee to certify the good character & standing of travelling preachers, viz : M." Taylor, D.' N. Williams, M.r Bray, M." Trumbull, D." E. Williams, M." Robinson, Mr. Devo- tion, M." Hart, M." Stone, D." Lewis, M." David Ely, were re- appointed.
M. Burnet, M." Whitney & M. C. Strong were appointed a Committee to inspect the accounts of those gentlemen who hold the money contributed for the missions to the new settlements.
D.r N. Williams, D.r Dana, D.r Edwards, M." Trumbull & Mr T. W. Bray were re-appointed a Committee to superintend the missions to the new settlements.
166
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
Voted - That the sum remaining of the contributions for the missions to the new settlements be nearly expended this year.
Resolved generally, That this Association think it advisable that settled ministers be sent on the mission.
Resolved : That the delegates from this Association to the General Assembly of the presbyterian Chh shall always make a written report to the next General Association of the fulfill- ment of their appointment ; and of such things in particular as concern the Churches represented in this Association.
M' Morgan was appointed to a Mission to the new settle- ments for four months ; And M' Joel Benedict, M' Nott, M- Rexford, Mr. Vaile, Mr Mitchel, M.' M Clure, Mr William Lyman and M.r Prudden, were appointed each to a mission of two months; provided those who are appointed for two months shall consent to compute the time and expense of their journey to the new settlements and not those of their return from thence.
The compensation to the missionaries was voted, as was voted the last year.
M' Tyler was added to the Committee to superintend the mission 'to the new settlements.
On motion that the general association would devise some measures to perpetuate the missions to the new settlements, resolved, that as there is now a considerable sum remaining of the late contributions, the proposal be laid over for further consideration to the next general Association.
The proposal of a Widows' fund was laid over to the next general association.
M' Charles Backus was appointed second to the preacher on the Evidences of Christianity, the day previous to the next commencement.
LIST OF CANDIDATES.
Western Association in New Haven County.
Benjamin Wooster, Maltby Gelston, Abraham Allyn. Eastern Association in D" Roger Harrison.
167
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
Windham Association.
Stephen Williams, Timothy Williams, Ezra Witter, Solomon Spalding, Amasa Porter.
Tolland Association.
Marshfield Steel, Zach. More, Joseph Field, Seth Williston.
New London Association.
John D. Perkins, Daniel Hall, Eliphalet Nott.
Hartford South.
Ebenezer Porter, Beza Pineo.
Western District Fairfield County. Hall.
M.' Tuller, M.' Stebbins, and M." Hart were appointed dele- gates to the next general Assembly of the presbyterian Church.
The next general Association was appointed to meet at the House of the Rev.ª M.r Waterman in Windham on the third tuesday of June next.
Voted -That it be recommended to the several Associa- tions to take measures to procure regular bills of Mortality in the several societies and towns of this State; and that these bills be annually sent to the general Association.
Voted That the delegates from the Eastern Association of New Haven County are hereby directed to inform M." Bray, that the association expects, that he do what he can toward procuring the money contributed before the war, and supposed to be in the hands of the heirs of the late Rev.d Warham Williams, and make report to the next general Association.
The committee to superintend the missions are directed to publish a further narrative of the missions at furtherest at the close of this year.
D.r Goodrich, D." Lewis, & M." Burnet are continued as a
1
168
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
Committee to look up the papers relating to the Convention holden before the war, between the Churches in this State and the presbyterian Church.
Voted to be true minutes of the proceedings of the general association.
Test? JONATHAN EDWARDS HENRY A. ROWLAND
Scribes.
NOTES.
1. James Cogeswell - Pastor - Scotland -1772-1804.
2. Abraham Fowler - 66 - Naugatuck -1785-1799.
3. Samuel Mills - - Chester - 1786-1814.
4. Ozias Eells Barkhamsted 1784-1813.
5. Henry A. Roland Windsor 14 -1790-1835.
". Publius V. Booge Winchester - 1791-1800.
7. Lynde Huntington
Brandford -1795-1804.
. Daniel Smith Stamford -1793-1842.
169
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
1 797.
At a General Association of the State of Connecticut at the house of the Revd Mr Waterman of Windham June 20th 1797
Were Present
Rev.ª Mess.'s Josiah Whitney,
Nathaniel Williams, D. D., John Smalley, Simon Waterman, Levi Hart,
Hezekiah Ripley,
Samuel J. Mills,
John Foot,
Jonathan Edwards, D. D.,
Achilles Mansfield,
Nathan Perkins,
Joseph Strong,
David Tuller,
Abraham Fowler,
Fredric Wm Hotchkiss,
Timothy Langdon,
Uriel Gridley, ('.)
Lynde Huntington,
Daniel Waldo, (2.)
Giles H. Cowles, (3.) Daniel Smith, Elijah Waterman, (4.)
Ichabod L. Skinner, (".) James F. Armstrong, Samuel Miller, and James Richards.
The three last mentioned gentlemen were delegated to this general Association, by the General Assembly of the Presby- terian Church in the United States.
22
170
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
Mr Smalley was appointed Moderator, and Dr Edwards, Seribe. The general Association was opened with prayer by the Moderator. The Revd Mess" Whitney, Williams, Hart and Miller were appointed a Committee to draw up a docket of the business.
The sermon was preached by the Reve Achilles Mansfield, from Psalm CXI verse 10. The Revª Charles Backus was appointed to preach the sermon on the evidences of Chris- tianity, on the day preceeding the next Commencement ; and the Revd Nathan Strong was appointed his second.
The Revd Mr Brockway was appointed to preach the next concio ad Clerum.
Mr. Smith was appointed assistant seribe. The subject of the widow's fund was laid over to the next general association.
The committee of correspondence viz : D.r Dwight, D.r Good- rich, M. Enoch Huntington, and M.r Eliot were reappointed.
The committee to certify the good character and standing of travelling preachers, viz : M.r Taylor, D. N. Williams, M.r Bray, D.' Trumbull, D. E. Williams, M.r Robinson, M.r Devo- tion, M. Hart, M.r E. Waterman, D.r Lewis, M.' David Ely were reappointed.
M.r Whitney, M.' Hart and M.' Perkins, were appointed a committee, to inspect the accounts of those gentlemen who hold the money contributed for the missions to the new settlements.
Dr N. Williams, Dr Dana, D' Edwards, D' Trumbull, and M' T. W. Bray were reappointed a committee to superintend the Missions to the new settlements.
Messrs Joseph Strong, Cyprian Strong, & Timothy Lang- don were appointed delegates, to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church to meet in Philadelphia on the third Thursday of May next.
The particular Associations having made their returns on the question, whether the session of the general association should be circular, it appeared, that a majority of said asso- ciations were in favor of the present circular mode; and therefore, Voted, That the general Association shall, in future, as heretofore, sit circularly in the several associations.
171
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
The next general association was appointed to be holden at Mr Bassetts' in Hebron on the third Tuesday of June A. D. 1798.
Mr Strong, Mr Foot, and Mr E. Waterman were appointed a committee to bring in a report concerning the Bills of mortality.
Drs Goodrich and Lewis and Mr Burnett were continued a committee to look up the papers relating to the convention which was holden before the war.
LIST OF CANDIDATES.
New Haven West Association - Abraham Allyn, John Sherman and Isaac James.
New Haven East Do- Roger Harrison, & Erastus Ripley.
Windham Association - Stephen Williams, Timothy Wil- liams, Ezra Witter, Solomon Spalding, & Amasa Porter.
New London Association - John D. Perkins, Daniel Hall, & Eliphalet Nott.
Tolland Association - Marshfield Steel, Zachh More, Joseph Fields.
Western District of Fairfield County - David Hill, Zacha- riah Lewis and Isaac Lewis.
The missionaries to the new settlements appointed for this year are, Mr Solomon Morgan, David Huntington, Mr P. V. Booge, Mr Alexander Gillet, Mr Simon Waterman, and Mr Jesse Townsend.
The committee appointed to bring in a report, concerning the bills of mortality, brought in the following :
Whereas the general Association holden at Norwich June 21: 1796-did recommend to the several Associations, to take measures to procure regular bills of mortality in the several Societies and Towns in this State, and these bills be annually sent to the General Association - And as the said recommendation is not found sufficiently explicit Voted, that the proposed bills shall exhibit the number of deaths under one year, from one year to five, from five to ten, and then by tens to the greatest age - also the sex of the person and the particular disease, with which they die - said Bills com-
172
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
meneing on the first day of January 1799 and annually after- wards.
Mr Tullar brought in a report of his executing his commis- sion as a delegate to the General Assembly of the Presbyte- rian Church - Mr Hart was added to the Committee to superintend the missions to the new settlements - The com- pensation of the missionaries was voted to be the same as last year; yet if the committee to superintend the mission, find it necessary to add any thing to the sum granted for supplying the pulpits of the missionaries they were empowered to do it.
Messrs Hart, Strong and Miller were appointed to draught an address to the several Associations on the subject of a missionary Society.
Voted : That the Moderator of every general Association, if he be present at the meeting of the next General Associa- tion, shall continue Moderator, until a new Moderator shall have been appointed : if he shall not be present, the scribe of the former General Association, and if he shall not be pres- ent the oldest member present shall be Moderator until a new Moderator shall have been appointed.
Voted also That all communications from the General Association to the particular Associations shall be attested by the Scribe - Mr Huntington was appointed a Scribe for this purpose.
Mr Mansfield, M' Mills, Dr Edwards, & Mr E. Atwater were appointed, to bring in a report concerning Mr Barlow's altera- tion of Dr Watts' Psalms ; and they exhibited the following : Whereas in some of Dr Watts's translation of the Psalms, there are expressions confined to particular places or coun- tries ; and whereas Dr Watts did not translate some of David's Psalms, therefore resolved by this General Associa- tion, that application be made to President Dwight. that he would alter those passages which are confined as aforesaid : and translate those Psalms which Dr Watts did not translate ; and that a committee of this body be appointed to review, both the alteration, and translations, which president Dwight shall make, and to correct or approve the same.
173
OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT.
Dr N. Williams, Mr Smalley, and Mr Perkins were appoint- ed a committee to act agreeably to said resolve.
A motion being made that a compensation be made to the committee, to superintend the missions, it was laid over to next year.
The committee appointed to inspect the accounts of the committee to superintend the missions reported, that they had inspected the said accounts and found them correct.
The committee appointed to draught an address to the several associations on the subject of a Missionary Society, brought in one which was accepted & is on file .* And Mr Hart, Mr Joseph Strong and Mr King were appointed a com- mittee to make and publish such extracts and summaries as shall be sufficient to give a general view of the subject.
Drs. Dwight, Dana and Trumbull were appointed a commit- tee of correspondence on the subject of a Missionary Society.
Voted : That the committee of publication be directed to make such extracts and summaries from existing publications as will be sufficient to give a general view of the measures adopted in Great Britain and America, for the spread of the gospel in pagan countries, and publish 2000 Copies of their compilation with the address of this body, and distribute 1700 of them to some member or members of the particular asso- ciations in the State; so that each minister may have an equal number at or before the second wednesday in septem- ber next, that they may circulate through the associations, and by them be distributed to their congregations, in such manner and proportion as they shall judge proper : and the members of this association engage to pay to the committee their respective proportions of their constituents ; by the first day of December next; and the committee are directed to reserve 300 copies for the committee of correspondence with missionary societies, to distribute to the friends of Zion in this country and in Europe.
True Minutes
Test § JONATHAN EDWARDS Scribes
DANIEL SMITH
* No such report was among the papers on file as returned to the Register.
174
RECORDS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION
NOTES.
1. Uriel Gridley - Pastor - Watertown -1784-1820.
2. Daniel Waldo -
- W. Suffield -1792-1809.
3. Giles H. Cowles - - Bristol -1792-1810.
4. Elijah Waterman - 66 - Windham -1794-1805.
". Ichabod L. Skinner - - No. Coventry - 1794-1798.
1 798.
At a meeting of the general Association of the State of Connecticut on the 19th of June 1798 in Hebron at the House of the Reverend Amos Bassett.
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