USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Clinton > Two hundredth anniversary of the Clinton Congregational Church, held in Clinton, Conn., November 13th, 1867 > Part 2
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He very happily succeeded in reconciling the differences which existed in the Church, and soon gained both the confi- dence and love of his people. At this time there were efforts being made to establish a College in Connecticut, in which he took a great interest. In 1700 he was chosen as one of those ministers who were designated by public consent to act as Trustees "to found, erect and govern a College." At a session of the General Colonial Assembly at New Haven, in October, 1701, a petition was presented to that body, signed by many ministers and others, which stated,-
" That from a sincere regard to and zeal for upholding the Protestant religion, by a succession of learned and orthodox men, they had proposed that a Collegiate School should be erected in this Colony, wherein youth should be instructed in all parts of learning to qualify them for public employments in Church and Civil State; and that they had nominated ten ministers to be trustees, partners or undertakers for founding, endow- ing or ordering the said School, and thereupon desired that full liberty and privilege might be granted to the said undertakers for that end."
On the 9th of the same month, the Assembly granted the desired charter ; and at a meeting of the trustees on the 7th of November, 1701, Mr. Pierson was chosen to take charge of the College "in its instruction and government, with the title of Rector." Their choice was regarded as a happy one, as Mr. Pierson was both a fine scholar and took a deep interest in the cause of education. He had even then prepared a work on Natural Philosophy, which he introduced in the College, and which continued as a manual in that department for many years. The College building was established here in what was then Killingworth, near the edge of the Green, and a little south and east from the barn which stands on the Stanton Place, some of the beams of which are still to be seen in the " Stanton House." The building has been torn down within the memory of some of the older members of this congrega- tion ; so that the statement made by Dr. Sprague, that Mr. Pierson heard the recitations in his own house, is in part an error.
Not only did the Church prosper under his ministry, but the cause of education received an impulse which continues to be
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felt. It was during his pastorate that the old church building was torn down, and the second one was erected, (1700,) for which a bell-one of the first in Connecticut-was procured in 1703 ; in respect to which the following action of the town may be of interest :-
" At a meeting of the town held August 20th, 1703, * it was offered unto the town, by several of the neighbors which had by subscription purchased a Bell in order to be hung up in the meting houes, whether they would accept of said Bell and hang it at the town charge, which was consented unto and voted."*
The following action of the town, on the 14th of December, 1695, shows how closely at that time the town and church were united :-
" The town being. met together to consider of something to be done for the encouragement of Mr. Abraham Pierson, our present minister in his settlement with us-Do give the said Mr. Pierson the Town House and Orchard . . . upon the condition hereinafter named, that is to say, that the said Mr. Pierson shall plant an orchard of an hundred apple trees upon the parsonage land, where the town shall judge most conveni- ent, and the said trees to manure and secure."-(" T'own Records.")
But while the interests of both the Church and the College were in a most flourishing condition, the people of Saybrook felt anxious that the College should be removed to their town, which, as it would deprive them of a much loved pastor, the people of Killingworth bitterly opposed. Nay, more, they were unwilling that he should continue its Rector. At a town
At a town meetin in Killingworth, December ye 29th, 1724. *
"It was also voated that the town will be at the cost of haveing the bell belonging to the meeting house in Killingworth, new cast, or run with the adition of fifty pounds of Copper and one quarter so much puter, and that they will Imploy Mr. Liscome of Saybrook to Do the sd work, upon condition sd Liscome will do sd work for twelve pounds, if he will efect the same and that he will Demand nothing for his Labor if he fails in the well performanc of sd work." * * *
Also ye meeting was adjourned untel ye 11th Day of this Instant november at sun two Hours high at night.
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meeting held November 7th, 1706, he sent to them a request, in behalf of the trustees, that they would allow the College to remain in Killingworth, under his care. Even this they were unwilling to grant. It was while matters were in this dis- turbed state-his flock calling in one direction and the inter- ests of education in another-that he sickened and died, fall- ing asleep on the 5th of March, 1707, at the age of sixty-one.
His grave is in the north-western part of the cemetery, sur- rounded by the remains of those he loved, and may the day be not far distant, when a monument more worthy of his mem- ory and record, shall mark the place where lived and labored Abraham Pierson, the second pastor of this Church, and first President of Yale College .*
* Knowing that all lovers of Yale College feel a deep interest in what- ever pertains to its early history, has prompted to a careful searching of the early Town Records, wherein the following letters and votes have been found recorded :-
" To the Inhabitants of Killingworth :
Sirs,-Whareas I perceive that there is a misapprehention of my Answer at New Haven to the Reverend trustees of the Collegiate School, which was latly published, in part among you, I do declare as followith, viz, that in their motion to me there ware two things; 1: their Desire that I should take the care and conduct of the said school. 2, that I should remove with the school to the place by them appointed for it. to the 1st of these I Answered as you have heard ; the true meaning whereof was, that I Durst not Deny a Divine call to attend that work so far as was consistent with my ministerial work among you : and accordingly I have endeavoured to practise ever since. To the 2nd of them, not Dis- carning a present call thereunto; after much perswasion and pressing to it, my Answer was to act therein as god should open my way : in which opening of my way, I ever included, your consent to my removal and never obliged myself to Remov without it, and by your consent I mean your General and Joyant consent, and not mearly a major part of you consenting ; that as through Divine favour I have lived among you in peace, now about a : 11 : years, so if I be removed from you, which is not at all of my seeking, I may leave you in peace, and have hope that the god of peace will be with you, and as a testimony of your general and joynt consent to my Removal, (if I do remove,) I expect your ingagement by sufficient sureties to Reimburse and according to a gree- ment, without which I shall not part with the house, and with out this
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In regard to his person Dr. Field thus speaks : "He was above a middling stature, was fleshy and well favored. As a Christian he was charitable and pious ; in preaching he excelled, and by his character and talents was excellently qualified for the station to which he was advanced." Pres. Clapp says : " He was a hard student, a good scholar, a great divine, and a wise, steady and judicious man in all his conduct.
ingagement I shall not think I have a sufficient expression of your consent to my removal.
September 21: 1705."
ABRAHAM PIERSON.
To this letter the town made reply that, "We do declare that it is our opinion that it is not, or like to be consistent with your ministerial work amongst us to attend sd school as heitherto." They also made reply to his request, in case of their consenting to his removal, that they should reimburse him for his house, "that we shall not endeavor to act in that matter any firther than we have allready Don.
This voted in town meting November 25th 1705."
" At the above meeting (November 7th, 1706) it was proposed to the town by the Desire of Mr. Pierson in the behalf of the trustees, for the town's allowance for the Collegiate Scool to be & remain here under the care & conduct of the Reverend Mr. Pierson : the town have Declared by their vote that they are not willing to allowe that the School be keept hear as it has been."
At a town Meting in Kenillworth, December the 24th, 1706. * * *
Also the town Did make Choyce of Decon Griswold, Robert Lane, Sarjt John Shether, Sarjt Sam. Stevens, and Sarjt John Crane, as a Com- ity to consider of, and draw up sum terms or proposalls for the town to consider of with Respect to the allowance of the Collegiate School Being here under the care and conduct of Mr. Pierson, and to make return thear of to the next town meting."
What action would have been taken is uncertain. Mr. Pierson dying in March after, put a stop to all further proceedings. There can be no doubt that Mr. Pierson exerted a great influence in arousing the people of this town to a higher regard to the demands of Education. This is indicated by the fact that in 1696, two years after his settlement, " the town concluded by their voat to hire mr. Brown to keep skoul for one quarter of a year, and for his pains there in to give him nine pounds : the one half of it to be paid by the skollers and the other halfe by the town," this being the first school of which we have any record, and the first school house was built in 1703.
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About fifty-four were gathered in during his ministry of about thirteen years ; a number, without doubt, equal to the whole membership at his coming.
The third pastor was the Rev. Jared Eliot, D.D. and M. D., a grandson of the Apostle Eliot and son of the Rev. Joseph Eliot, of Guilford, where he was born on the 7th of Nov., 1685. He graduated at Yale College in 1706, under President Pierson, by whom he was recommended to this Church as one in every respect worthy to become his successor and their pastor. Accordingly, in June following Mr. Pierson's death, a call was extended to Mr. Eliot ; but doubting his ability to fulfill so great a trust, he was not ordained till Oct. 26th, 1709." The following will give you a glimpse of the times in which he lived :
" At a Town Meeting held in Killingworth Nov. 25th, 1608 : The Town do agree to give to Mr. Jared Eliot when he, the said Jared Eliot, shall marry, or have a family, sixty loads of good fire wood a year."
* " At a Town Meeting held in Killingworth, September ye 26 : 1709, the Town did by their vote conclude to Indever that Mr. Jared Eliot be settled a monst us in office, (or ordayed) on ye Last Wednesday of october next insueing.
" Also the Town do agree that the Charge of the Ordaination of Mr. Eliot shall be boren or paid by a Rate Levied upon the Estates of ye subscribers to the Covenant in the Town, allwaye provided yt any other person is not bared from doing what they shall see cause.
" Also that there shall be a foundation Laied for the Galleries on ye South Side in the Meeting House before the ordination of Mr. Eliot.
" At a Town Meeting, March ye 7th, 1712, The town have agreed to finish ye for part of the Gallery in the meeting house, both stairs seats & banesters.
" Also at the same meeting the town granted liberty to those persons that will appear to make or build the foundation of the galery on ye East & West Sides of ye meeting house and put up ye banesters, pro- vided they doe it upon their own cost and charg : not claiming perticuler right in the account thereof : The Town made choice of Leftt : Samuel Buel, Sargtt Josiah Stevens & Gersiam Palmer as a Comete to cary on the work of finishing fore gallery in the meeting house.
" March ye 12th 1712 * * * The Comite for finishing the frunt galery are appaynted to manag the other part of building & finish- ing sd Galiryes."
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Two inferences readily suggest themselves. Either the peo- ple were anxious that he should fulfill the Scriptures by becoming the husband of one wife, or they thought he spent too much of his time in Guilford in the winning and enchant- ing society of Miss Elizabeth Smithson, to whom he was mar- ried Oct 26th, 1710. That the amount of wood first promised was insufficient is shown by the fact that on the 17th of Nov., 1741-
"&40 were appropriated to procure Mr. Eliot 80 loads of wood, at ten shillings per load, for the year ensuing; and, if any person neglect his just proportion of wood to Mr. Eliot, as aforesaid, at or by ye first day of Jan. next coming, they shall pay their proportion to ye Minister's Collector to procure wood for Mr. Eliot." There was also, on the 14th of Dec. of the same year, a vote of " &120 to pay ye Rev. Mr. Eliot's Salary for ye year past, to be paid in Bills of publick credit, or in provis- ion, at the Current market price, exclusive of ye use of parsonage and his wood."
It is stated that his early progress in letters was not rapid, but that what he once gained he never lost. The further he advanced in knowledge the stronger his mind became, and increased also in quickness of apprehension, and, at length, he acquired a greatness and excellence rarely surpassed in this country.
Rev. Thomas Ruggles, who preached his funeral sermon, said : " His person was well proportioned. The dignity, and gravity, and openness of his countenance were plain indications of the penetration of his mind, and the agreeable turn of his conversation. He was favored with an excellent bodily con- stitution. Idleness was his abhorrence, and every moment of time was filled with action by him. Perhaps no man slept so little in his day and did so much in so great a variety. His endowments of mind were no less superior than his bodily vigor. A sound mind in a sound body was what he was blest with ; and his great soul shined like the sun in the firmament with radiant luster. Always active, always bright and pleas- ant. He had a mind peculiarly adapted for conversation and happily accommodated to the pleasures of social life. Nothing
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affected, nothing assumed. It was all nature. Divinity he made his chief study. He understood what he preached to others in a very large compass of knowledge, in the theory of Theology. He was truly a good preacher in a proper sense. Though he never studied to shine in rhetoric, and the enticing words of men's wisdom, yet his discourses were always instruc- tive and entertaining. Differences as to religious principles, were no obstruction to the hearty practice of the great law of love-true benevolence and true goodness to man-to every man. He abhorred narrowness and the mean contractedness of party spirit. As he claimed the right to think and act for himself, so was he more than free to accord the same privilege to others. As a physician, he was quick to determine the nature of the disease, and to apply the proper remedy. He was especially successful in his treatment of that dread dis- ( ase-dropsy. His practice becoming extensive, he was called inany miles from home ; and, that he might not lose time, he acquired the habit of reading on horseback. Here, also, he thought out many of his sermons," He would, while traveling along, become so absorbed in thought, as to be entirely obliv- ious to what was taking place around him ; and his horse, taking advantage of this, was wont to stop and graze by the roadside, or turning into the field would pursue his own course, till Mr. Eliot, arousing up, would find himself-not as he hoped-many miles nearer his journey's end, but facing a hay- stack .* He possessed the power of losing himself in his subject.
" Although so actively engaged, he was seldom absent from his charge on the Sabbath ; and for more than forty years of the latter part of his life, he never missed of preaching some part of every Sabbath, either at home or abroad."
" He had a scientific turn of mind, and for discovering the fact that black sand might be wrought into iron, he received a
* The following incident will illustrate another phase of his character : One Sabbath morning just before starting for Church, he discovered a rent in his long black silk stocking, which he repaired, not by calling in the aid of Mrs. Eliot, but by applying with his pen, ink to the exposed part, and with the rent thus concealed, he gave himself to the duties of the Sabbath. .
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gold medal from the society instituted in London for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce,-an honor seldom conferred on a citizen of this country. He was fond of society ; and by a pleasant and sociable temper con- nected with his talents, he was eminently qualified to secure and entertain friends. His acquaintances and correspondents were numerous, among whom were Dr. Franklin and Bishop Berkley. He was liberal. As a physician he did much with- out charge. But while he scattered, he increased ; and being a man of fine business talent, he acquired a large amount of land which proved a source of wealth to a large family."
As might be supposed, the Church was greatly prospered, as is clearly shown by the fact that during his ministry of fifty- six years, some five hundred and twenty-seven were gathered in.
For the last thirty-two years of his life he was a member of the Corporation of Yale College.
His home was just across the street in front of the Church, and stood where the cottage occupied by the widow Dee now stands,-before which Nature has reared up a beautiful and graceful Elm-a living monument, and fit emblem of him, who, while he lived, was a joy to the sorrowing, a health-giver to the sick, a promoter of the sciences, a true lover of his country, a devoted follower of Christ, and a rich and lasting blessing to this Church.
He died April 22d, 1763, aged 77 years and 5 months.
The fourth pastor was the Rev. Eliphalet Huntington, who was born in Lebanon, Conn., in 1737, graduated at Yale Col- lege in 1759, and was licensed by the Hartford South Asso- ciation, Oct., 1761.
On the 22d of May, 1763, just one month after the death of Dr. Eliot, he preached for the first time to this people, being hen in his twenty-sixth year. At a meeting of the Church, held on the 20th of December of the same year, it was voted, " That Mr. Eliphalet Huntington be desired to accept the united call of the First Society of Killingworth, and also to take the pastoral charge of this Church." He accepted, and was ordained and installed January 11th, 1764.
There were two votes passed some two weeks after Mr. Huntington first preached here, which may be of interest :
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" 1st. Voted that ye Committee are Desired to engage Mr. Hunting- ton for a longer term of time to supply ye pulpit.
2d. Voted that ye Society are desireous of having the Funeral Sermon of ye Dr. Eliot printed and that ye Society are desired to apply to Revd Mr. Ruggles for a copy of the same, to be done at ye expense of ye Society."
At a meeting held Jan. 17th, 1764, it was voted
" That the Society's Committee take care and see that the Rev. Mr. Huntington be supplied with necessary fire wood for the current year, at the expense of the Society.
He was voted £200 for settlement, to be paid in annual payments of £50. His salary was ;
1st. ¿ 40 per year, for four years, after which it should be &£50.
2d. The use of parsonage land, calculated to be worth a yearly rent of &25.
4th. The Society likewise vote and grant for the further encourage- ment & support of sd Mr. Huntington necessary fire wood, during his continu in sd work, as aforesaid, according as he may stand in need of for his own use, not exceeding sixty cart loads annually, to be provided sumtime in the month of November annually."
This was recorded Jan. 25, 1764. He was married April 24th, 1766, being then about twenty-nine years of age, to Miss Sarah Eliot, grand-daughter of Rev. Dr. Eliot, who was not at that time quite fifteen,-almost if not quite justifying a remark she is said to have made, that " Mr. Huntington was old enough to be her father." He died of small-pox, Feb. 8, 1777, having been pastor of this Church a little more than thirteen years.
In person he was large and portly, very pleasant and agree- able in his intercourse with all ; and won a place in the hearts of his people. "He was strongly attached to the doctrines of Grace,-a warm, zealous and eloquent preacher." He preached at the meeting of the General Association, which met in Nor- wich in 1775, from which I infer that he was regarded as " one of Connecticut's most able ministers." There were above sixty added to the Church during his pastorate. He lived in the house now occupied by Gen. E. A. Elliot.
Achillies Mansfield was the fifth pastor. He was born at New Haven in 1751. Graduated at Yale College in 1770. Licensed by the New Haven East Association in 1775. Began
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to preach for this people the 17th of August, 1777, being then twenty-six years of age. On the 17th of December, 1778, a call was given him to become pastor, which he accepted, and was ordained and installed January 6th, 1779. It was voted :
" Ist. That there be given to Mr. Achillies Mansfield, on condition of his settling amongst us in the work of the Gospel Ministry, the sum of 600 ounces of silver, or in bills of credit to the value thereof, to be improved by him at his discretion, towards providing himself with a con- venient tenement for his accommodation among us, to be collected & paid in four equal payments annually.
" 2d. That there be granted unto Mr. Mansfield as a yearly salary, for the four years first after his being regularly inducted into the work of the Gospel Ministry among us, the sum of 135 ounces of Silver or in Bills of Credit to the value thereof, to be paid Mr. Mansfield on the first day of January, annually, until the term of four years be completed ; and after the expiration of four years coming, this Society do hereby grant to Mr. Mansfield the sum of 180 ounces of Silver annually, during his con- tinuance in the office of the Gospel Ministry among us ; & to be com- puted and paid to him in Wheat at the rate of 5 shillings per bushel; or Rye at three shillings per bushel; or Indian Corn at 2 shillings per bushel ; or in Pork at four pence per pound ; or in Beef at two pence per pound ; or in other articles in like proportion ; or in Bills of Credit to the value thereof."
He was also allowed the use of the Parsonage or Society lands, and the sixty cart loads of good wood annually.
On March the 10th, 1779, he married the widow of the Rev. Eliphalet Huntington, by whom he had three children-Eliza- beth, who married Dr. Olcott ; Nathan, who graduated at Yale College in 1803, studied medicine, and died in 1813 ; and Susan, who married the Rev. Joshua Huntington, of Boston.
A gentlemen, who was a member of his congregation and knew him well, has kindly furnished me the following :
" The Rev. Achillies Mansfield was of medium height, of good form, and had a very pleasant countenance. He was courteous and affable in his manners, and upon all occasions gave good evidence of a sincere desire to promote the interest of his Master's Kingdom. His voice was good, being clear and full. In the delivery of his sermons he was lively and inter- esting and very punctual in the performance of all his duties
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as pastor. In extempore speaking, at funerals and like occa- sions, he had few equals ; for, possessing a tender and sympa- thetic heart, he felt keenly for those in affliction, and so, prompted by his own kindly nature, he was in an especial degree fitted to soothe and console the sorrowing.
It was during his ministry that evening meetings were estab- lished, being held in the Old Stone School House which then stood a little east of the Church. He conducted the meetings thus : After the preliminary exercises, such as prayer and singing, he would read the chapter selected for the occasion and then explain it verse by verse, remaining seated. All who attended these exercises well remember, how, after reading a verse or two, he would stop, sit back, raise his spectacles, and then explain and enforce the truths of the passage. Few, if any, surpassed him in like efforts ; and the meetings were well attended and appreciated."
He was six years a member of the Corporation of Yale Col- lege, being so at his death. He was faithful and attentive in the discharge of his duties to that Institution, and was ever desirous of promoting its interests. He was very popular with his associates, and his death was regarded as a severe loss to them and the flock which he loved.
Dr. Field says : " He was a man distinguished for mild and pleasant manners, for uniformity and sweetness of disposition, and for the patient endurance of affliction." Here for thirty- seven years he preached to this people, and for the whole time, lacking two years, their pastor,-and he had the joy of welcom- ing one hundred and eighty-two to the Sacramental Feast. On the Sabbath preceding his death he preached from the text, " His rest shall be glorious." He lived in the house now occupied by Esquire Taintor, where he died July 22d, 1814, aged sixty-three.
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