USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Brimfield > Annals of the Church in Brimfield by the Pastor of the Church (with map) - Springfield, Mass: Samuel Bowles and Company , Printers, 1856. > Part 1
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ANNALS
OF THE
CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD,
WITH
Appendixes showing the Origin of the Churches in Holland, Wales, and Monson.
Å itlap indicating the Residentes of the Farlo Settlers.
BY THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD.
SPRINGFIELD : SAMUEL BOWLES & COMPANY. PRINTERS. 1856.
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ANNALS
OF THE
CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD.
BY THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH.
make Me Mnt 1.
" We have heard with our ears, O God: our fathers have told us what work Thou didst in their days, in the times of old." Psalm 44.
SPRINGFIELD : SAMUEL BOWLES & COMPANY, PRINTERS. 1856.
INTRODUCTION.
IN 1829 Rev. Joseph Vaill published a Sermon rela- ting to the civil and ecclesiastical history of Brimfield. The Sermon contains much valuable information, but being largely devoted to the incidents of his own minis- try, is necessarily brief in its account of earlier times. A year since an able and interesting paper upon the same subject was prepared by J. W. Foster Esq., and publish- ed in "Holland's Western Massachusetts." But the author of this paper, was appropriately led by the pur- pose he had in view, to give special prominence to the civil affairs of the town. The interest which he threw around these, awakened a desire in the mind of one reader, to bring out more distinctly the religious aspect of our history ; to gather up facts relating thereto, which live only in the memories of some who are pass- ing away, and to identify, as far as possible, the farms and dwelling places of those worthy men, whom as choice seed, God planted in this wilderness almost a century and a half ago. Hence, these " Annals," with the notes and accompanying map. The orthography and phraseology of the old records have been followed in the main, and only altered in some cases to secure a degree of uniformity.
J. M.
1
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/annalsofchurchin00unse
THE CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD.
THE Church of Christ includes all, of every name and age, who are united to him by a living faith. Its precise limits can be determined only by its Omniscient Head. We may regard as its members, some who at heart, are strangers to his grace, but he discerns the true from the false "He is the good shepherd and knows his sheep." Those who truly know him and are known of him, dwellers in heathen or civilized lands, now living, or long since departed, are "the church which He hath purchased with His own blood."
" All the servants of our king In Heaven and earth are one."
But this invisible church has its visible representa- tive in the world. The disciples of Christ, have ever counted it their duty and privilege to associate them- selves, for the better observance of his commands, and the extension of his kingdom. Like everything hu- man, these associations have been imperfect. Some have gained admission to them, who have added noth- ing to, but rather detracted from, their purity and pow- er. From them, some have been excluded who might have been their strength and ornament. Still, in es- sential respects, the visible church is a real exponent of the true Church of God. The main incidents in the history of the one, may be reasonably supposed to indicate the character and progress of the other. Wisely, therefore, may one attentively examine the . outward life of the visible church, since, when he has
6
THIE CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD.
fully acquainted himself with it, he has learned with onsiderable exactness the highest lessons which it is possible for man to learn, those derived from God's dealings with his redeemed people.
A complete history of the visible church, would re- quire a delineation of the aggregate christian life within its limits at successive periods of its existence, with a just description of those agencies on the one hand, which have ministered to this life, and on the other, of those influences, human or otherwise, which have opposed and retarded it. In its true and native character, the church is antagonistic to the world. Any just account of its progress must therefore, make large and accurate mention of the aid it has received in its conflicts, and of the nature and number of the forces it has met.
The history of a local church would hold to such an account of Christ's visible kingdom, the relation which an individual holds to its species. Incidents and char- acters would become prominent, which in a more gen- eral survey would not be deemed worthy of notice. The helps and the hindrances to a christian life would assume a "local habitation and a name." Just as in the description of a garden-a minute delineation of a shrub would be appropriate, while in a broader survey of the landscape, that shrub would wholly disappear from the sight.
Regarding the religious life of a church as the prop- er subject of its history, and proceeding to speak first of the AIDS to this life, we should need to make promi- nent mention of the ministry with which that church had been favored. Doubtless there may be genuine piety, and for a time, rapid growth with a company of be- lievers while they have no teacher and pastor. Still, the ministry of the word is an important agency in the de- fence and progress of true religion. Christ himself ap- pointed it. It has always proved itself powerful in shaping the experience and practice of christians. They do not as much as they should, take God's truth from his own lips. They too often accept it, not ever
7
THE CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD.
fresh and glowing as they may find it in the lively or- acles, but as it comes to them through some human medium. They will tell you of their minister. They dwell with delight upon divine truth, but divine truth as they heard it from his mouth. Among the original appointments of our Lord, the ministry had a promi- nent place. In the actual experience of the church, it has become relatively yet more prominent. No justice could be done therefore, to the history of any church, if reference to its ministry were omitted. Its charac- ter is interwoven with the christian life of a people, and can no more be separated from it, than the woof can be separated from a web. Numberless experien- ces of mutual joy or grief on the part of the pastor and his flock, render the relation sacred, and invest it with a power peculiarly its own.
Next, proper account would need to be made of the permanent members of a church-those who in their childhood frequented its sanctuary-in their middle life, shared its trials and successes, and in their declining years, were solaced by its ministrations. These are the subjects upon which the ministry has chiefly wrought. It has to some extent made itself felt upon most, who though but for a limited time, have come within its reach. But its chief influence has been upon these who have for years been the objects of its care. These have been most influential. Others may have seemed for a time more efficient, but in the long course of events the power of these has been by far the greatest. Oth- ers have come and gone like ripples on the surface of a stream. These have been like its permanent and steady current. Moreover, aside from the relative im- portance of such permanent elements in a church, there is a singular interest in observing those who from child- hood to old age, have identified themselves with the religious welfare of a single people. We look upon such as having had but one home, and one place of worship, and as having given to these the undivided en- ergies and affections of their being.
Next in the line we have indicated, it would be in
8
THE CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD.
place to speak of transient members-those who for a time have held connection with a church, and made their influence felt in its deliberations and efforts. Of some churches, these constitute the more numerous part, adding greatly to their spirituality, or detracting from their power. An exact estimate of this element would be hardly possible, yet it could not be altogether over- looked.
Further, it would need to be 'borne in mind, that influences favorable to the progress of religion, may have emanated from some who have never been connected with the visible church. They have freely given of their substance, and influence, and perhaps of their prayers, to sustain the institutions of the Gospel.
Lastly, because of a different nature from the fore- going, we should need to speak of favoring and re- freshing influences from the Holy Spirit. Piety is an exotic in this world and at best, will not thrive without the care and training of a divine Hand. The agency of the Holy Spirit is vitally connected with the life and growth of every church. When His power is ex- erted, christians are quickened and sinners converted. When He withdraws His presence, the graces of the church languish, and effort and prayer for her exten- sion diminish. Separate and prominent mention of revi- vals with which a church has been favored, must there- fore make a part of its history.
Under the head of HINDRANCES, reference would need to be made to man's native aversion to the claims of the Gospel, and some account taken of the particular form in which that aversion had manifested itself ; whether in mere indifference, or in fierce and organ- ized opposition. Attention would also be required to the efforts of errorists and their success or failure, in enticing men from a love of the truth, and an experi- ence of its saving power.
Nor could the question be avoided, how far the er- rors of the church herself, had hindered her progress and quenched her life. Any want of fidelity on the part of her ministry ; any neglect of wholesome dis-
9
THE CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD.
cipline among her members; any unwarrantable excess of discipline in times of threatened defection, entail- ing its consequences upon succeeding generations ; any deficiency of earnest piety, leaving error and vice to revel unrestrained-these would be among the sad- dest and not least instructive items in her records.
Such in outline, would be a proper train of remark, should one attempt to sketch the history of any local church. For such a sketch, the church in Brimfield might furnish sufficient materials. It has for the most part, had an honored ministry. In some families it can count as members, five or six generations of ster- ling christian men. Some, temporarily connected with it, have left a good name and influence. It has lived and become venerable in the midst of an intelligent and well disposed community. It has been signally favored with refreshings from the presence of the Lord. It has sometimes encountered opposition from without, and experienced the perils of division and strife within. Perhaps it will not be denied that it has sometimes erred in its discipline, nor questioned, that such errors have to some extent, diminished its power. These facts judiciously treated, would be rich in in- struction to the church itself, and possibly might have some interest for others.
It is not proposed now, to attempt so arduous and delicate a task. It would require the free discussion of questions in the adjustment of which, the strongest feelings of some now living, were enlisted. Those feel- ings, laid to rest, ought to slumber until they are review- ed from a higher tribunal. We have no other purpose than the simple one, of transferring to these pages such records, and facts otherwise ascertained, relative to the church in Brimfield, as shall enable the reader to see for himself, what the main features of its history have been. These records are quoted as written, that it may be the more clearly seen how our fathers felt and talk- ed upon the great themes and duties of christianity. There is the greater propriety in now gathering up these records of the remote past, because, owing to the 2
10
THE CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD
loss or decay of manuscripts, the possibility of so doing, is every year becoming less. The points which have been indicated as most vital in the history of a church, will not receive separate mention, but each shall seem blended with every other, as in actual experience it was.
The first settlers in Brimfield, were for the most part, christian men. This is apparent, not so much in their so soon erecting a meeting house, since this was required by the terms of their grant, as in the fact, that though few in numbers, and scattered over an area of eight miles square, including Brimfield, Mon- son, Holland, Wales, and a part of Warren, they week- ly resorted to their sanctuary, and out of their limited means gave the institutions of religion a cordial sup- port. The settlement of the town was fairly begun as early as 1717. A house of worship was built on the spot where the present house stands in 1721-2.1
It is probable that the people did not remain with- out preaching long after the erection of their meeting house. One Mr. Fuller, is the first minister whose name we find anywhere mentioned in connection with Brimfield.2 Whether he labored here for a time, or was indebted for his connection with the place, to its being the residence of relatives, we have no means of deciding. The former is more probable. The Fuller family became residents in town, it is thought, at a little later period.
Rev. Richard Treate, or Treat, commenced his la- bors here sometime in 1723, or the early part of 1724. The organization of the church and his ordination as its Pastor, occurred both on the same day, Nov. 18th, 1724.3
1 See Historical sermon by Rev. Joseph Vaill, then Pastor of the church, 1823. The manuscript of the first settlers, from which this and some other facts were learned, was destroyed at the burning of the old Williams House, 1837.
2 " Rev. Mr. Fuller of Brimfield, was here and preached for me. I am glad of his help, and rejoice to observe ye spirit of ye man. August 25th, 1723." Dia- ry of Dr. Williams, Longmeadow.
3 From a subsequent record we find that Mr. Treat's year of service began November 18. This unquestionably indicates the date of his settlement. That it was November 18th, of 1724, rather than 1725, is shown by the following :
11
THE CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD.
The original members of the church, were probably fifteen or twenty in number. In the absence of early Church Records, it is impossible to designate them all. The names of such, as nearly as they can now be de- termined, are placed first in the list of members, upon the last pages of this pamphlet.
Respecting Mr. Treat's ministry, not much can be said with certainty. The first mention of him upon the records of the town, is prophetic of the shortness of his ministry, inasmuch as it shows that the people through inability or neglect, had failed to meet their engagements with him.
1 Nov. 1731. Voted, that a tax be raised on ye Inhabitants of £85, to pay Mr. Treat's sallery, which shall be Raised forthwith.
Yet he found among the scattered families of the District many warm christian friends, who labored with commendable self-denial and zeal to sustain their Pas- tor, and complete their Meeting House. It would seem that for the first eight or ten years, the house had only loose boards for a floor, if it had any floor at all.
Nov. 9, 1731. Voted that ye floor of ye meeting house Be laid, and ye Body of Seates be Made, and allsoe ye gice of ye gallery Be put in, as soone as may be, and allsoe Bords to lay on ye gice be Pro- vided, and all soe materials suitable for ye Pulpit.
Efforts to finish the house were made from time to time, as the people had means. They were settlers in new homes, and dependant for subsistence, mainly up- on the proceeds of their imperfect and toilsome agri- culture. They procured lumber for building, with ex- treme difficulty. We cannot therefore attribute the long unfinished state of their house of worship, to in- tentional neglect. Their enterprise will compare fa- vorably with that of any later day.
" Voted to dismiss John Stebbins and wife, Sarah Nichols and Margaret Cooley, an i recommend them as suitable persons for the gathering of a church in Brim- field, September 15th, 1724." Church Records, Longmeadow. It can hardly be supposed that these persons, already resident in town, procured this letter and retained it more than a year before using it. Procuring the letter in September, they would naturally present it to a council in the following November.
1 These extracts are from the Records of the town, except such as are other- wise designated.
12
THE CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD.
Dec. ye 28th, 1731. Voted that there Be fifty pounds Raised for ye finishing of ye meeting house. All soe
Voted that ye women sitin ye west end of ye meeting house.
One reason why the work proceeded so slowly, was a want of "nailes." Repeatedly is the duty of provi- ding this necessary article, devolved upon the selectmen.
March 27th, 1732. Voted that ye select men take care, that there Be nailes provided to finish ye meeting house soe far as ye town formerly voted to finish s'd house.
Mr. Treat had now been settled about eight years. He probably found it difficult to support himself up- on his salary ; which, small as it was, must necessarily have sometimes been delayed. The following vote seems like a rallying of the people anew, as though they had suffered his dues to pass unpaid.
Oct 16, 1732. Voted that ye select men Make a rate to Pay Rev. Mr. Treat's salary of £85, for this year, which terminates ye 18th day of Nov. next. All soe,
Voted that ye pulpit & Ministry Pew, & Deacon's seate be Built when ye Body of seates are Built.
March 12, 1733. Voted that there Be no alley Made through ye middle of ye meeting house.
Up to this time, they were only "seates" for the ac- commodation of the people. But then, as now, men had a passion for new things. We do not see how it could ever have been pretended that the old square and high pews were an improvement upon seats. They were however, of one piece, with the high pulpit. Both were monstrous, either as matters of taste or comfort. Nevertheless, " Pews" were destined to have their day, in the place of " seates."
June 8, 1773. Voted that Joseph Blodgett, 1 William Nilson 2
1 Father of Lieut. Jonas Blodgett, who was the last clerk and surveyor of the Proprietors, of Brimfield, and died 1839, aged 95. The father resided a lit- tle south of Calvin Polley's, now in Holland.
2 Resided on the highway to Stafford, north of what is now the centre of Wales.
13
THE CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD.
Dea. John Stebbins, 1 be a Committee to make provisions for Pews in ye meeting house.
Either the vote of the previous year respecting Mr. Treat's salary, proved a promise unperformed, or the sum did not meet his necessities; for at this meeting it was,
Voted that Ebenezer Graves, 2 Dea. Stebbins, Wm. Nilson & John Russel, 3 goe and Discourse with our Minister concerning his uneasiness.
The " Discourse" of the Committee does not appear to have had the desired effect. Mr. Treat addressed a letter to the town, whereupon at their next meeting,
Sept. 19, 1733. Voted, to send for Mr. Treat to ye meeting.
This conference was no more satisfactory, for at the same time it was
Voted to call a Counsel to hear ye Difficulties betwixt Mr. Treat & ye town, & act thereon.
Voted that Mr. Williams of Hatfield with two messengers, Mr. Chauncey of Hadley with two Messengers, Mr. Williams of Springfield, Mr. Hopkins of said Springfield, & Mr. Ball of West- field with two Messengers from each of ye churches, & if anye one of said ministers failes, then Mr. Reynolds with two Messengers be ye Counsel.
Voted that ye time of ye Counsel's setting at Brimfield, be ye 3d Tuesday of October next.
Meanwhile the people endeavored to render their minister " easy," at least while occupying his place in the meeting house.
Voted to raise £25 for schooling, and for a cushoon for ye pulpit.
The result of the "Counsel" can only be inferred from a vote of the town taken soon after.
1 Grandfather of Abijah Stebbins and his sisters, who within the memory of some now living, resided on the old place half a mile north of Simeon Coy's.
2 Lived on the road leading north from the town street somewhere near Abi- shai Townsley's ; his house lot joining Dea. David Morgan on its south side, and Wm. Warriner on its north line.
3 Assignee and probably son-in-law of Daniel Hubbard, early deceased. He occupied the house lot and other lands first granted to Mr. Hubbard, on Hub- bard's Hill, west of the road, where Harvey Fenton now resides.
14
THE CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD.
Dec. 31, 1733. Voted to give Mr. Treat £20 for ye year ensu- ing towards his support in ye ministry, more than his stated sallery. Then sent Wm. Nilson & David Shaw 1 to Inform Mr. Treat what was granted. Wm. Nilson returned answer from Mr. Treat, that he accepted of what ye town had granted him, Provided ye People were easy & Contented.
But the people now became dissatisfied. Whether they had any cause for disaffection aside from the above addition to their expenses, does not appear. Mr. Treat was dismissed on the 27th of March, 1734; but no record exists, of the doings of the Council called at the time. How long he remained here after his dis- mission, is not known. In the following year he was living in Glastenbury, his native place. He was the oldest of a family of eight children, of " Thomas Treat,
of Nayaug." He was born May 14th, 1694, and grad- uated at Yale, in 1719.2 He was ordained in Brimfield
at the age of 30 years. Beginning his ministry with the settlement of the town, he shared with the settlers in the division of the land. His house stood where Calvin Ward now resides, in the midst of a home lot of 47 acres.3 He received five other lots in different Zelen parts of the town-making in all, a seventieth part of the proprietors' land, as agreed upon in the grant of the town. His ministry of nine years and a half, was attended with the trials incident to a new settlement. How much, and precisely what he accomplished, can- not now be determined. The records of his ministry (if any were kept) with most of those of his successor, were burned in 1748. But he was the author of a good work, even if he did no more than gather the people of God into a church and prepare them for the long and prosperous ministry of his successor. One son, Thomas, was born to him while he lived here. Of his subsequent history nothing is known.
1 His residence was on the north side of the old Springfield road, not far from Mr. Noyes, as nearly as I can determine.
2 Centennial Discourse and appendix, relative to the history of Glastenbury, published 1854, pp. 185, 216.
3 He conveyed this lot to Benj. Morgan in 1735, and he to his son Noah, in 1756, and Noah to Timothy and Nathaniel Danielson.
15
THE CHURCH IN BRIMFIELD.
For about two years after the dismission of Mr. Treat, the church was destitute of a pastor ; though they had not a few candidates for the place. As we read their names, and guess at the results of their preaching here, we are reminded of the experience of many churches now-a-days. Only we observe this no- ticable difference ; that in the " olden time" candidates were sought for and procured at no little cost of time and labor, of which fact, the following votes will be deemed sufficient proof.
April 18, 1734. Voted to Provide a minister to Preach ye word of God unto ye people in Brimfield, for one quarter of a year.
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