^ 1 Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2008 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation littp://www.arcliive.org/details/earlyannalsofnewOOwellricli EARLY ANNALS J^EWINGTON COMPRISING^ THE FIRST RECORDS OF THE NEfl^NGTON ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY, AND OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CONNECTED THEREWITH ; WITH DOCUMENTS AND PAPERS RELATING TO THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE PARISH. TRANSCKIBED ^ND EDITED ROGER WELLES, K CLERK OF THE SOCIETY AND CHURCH. HARTFORD : PRESS OF THE CASE, LOCKWOOD & BRAINARD CO. 1874. I^O TE. The original manuscripts and records, which are transcribed and presented in the following pages, are written in the ancient style of writing and spelling, which renders them almost, if not quite, illegible to all eyes unused to read them. They are also fast perishing by reason of age and decay. It is fit that they should live, and in an accessible form yield up any treasures of historical and genealogical interest that they may contain. It is hoped that they may prove valuable for reference to individuals and families, and as a contribution towards a history of Newington. The aim has been to let them, so far as possible, tell in their own quaint language the story of the past, connecting and explaining them with only needed words of comment. The preservation of the records of a society, church, or any public body is a matter of such common concernment, that it might very fittingly be undertaken by the authority and at the expense of such body. In this case, however, the interest felt in the subject by three persons has dictated the present publication. Martin Robbins, Esq., and Henry M. Robbins, Esq., of Newington, have furnished the means for carrying the work through the press, while my part has been to select, transcribe, and arrange the materials. Most of the documents quoted have been copied from the originals in the state archives now in the oflSce of Mr. Charles J. Hoadly, the state libra- rian, who has very kindly given me his assistance in consulting them. R. WELLES. Newington, March 30, 1874. EARLY ANNALS OF NEWINGTOK. FIRST PERIOD,— 1700-1726. Wethersfield is the most ancient town in the Common- wealth of Connecticut. It was first settled about the year 1634, and called Watertown. Within twenty years after that time, the General Court of the Colony adopted a code of laws for the Colony, since called the " Code of 1650." This body of laws required among other things that all towns should set out their bounds and perambulate them every three years, and that " The most ancient town, which for the river is determined by the Court to be Wethersfield," should give notice of such perambulation. This official enactment, made by men highest in authority in the Colony, who were themselves probably among the first settlers of these towns, and knew whereof they spake, ought to settle the question that Wethersfield is the pioneer town. This provision of the law was retained in the printed revision of 1672-3 and in that of 1702, and was not omitted till the revision of 1750, one hundred years after it was originally passed (Conn. Col. Rec. 1636-1665, page 513, and note). The original domain of the town was ample. It extended from Hartford south, six miles to Middletown, and east from the river three miles, and west from the river six miles to Farmington. From its territory have been incorporated the town of Glastonbury, a portion of the town of Berlin, and the towns of Rocky Hill and Newington. The first settled towns were divided into tiers of land or plantations called divisions of lands. There were such divisions in Wethers- field. How early in its history they were made, might pos- sibly be disclosed by its ancient records. There was such a division of lands on its western border, running from Hart- ford, south to Middletown six niiles, and from Farmington east, about two miles and fifty rods, called "the west division" of lands.* It began to be settled probably about 1700. In the year 1708 its inhabitants had so increased in its fruitful valleys, that the spirit of liberty arose in their hearts, and they desired to break the ministerial tie that bound them to their brothers located at the other side of the town. They accordingly petitioned the town of Wethersfield to be allowed to be a distinct parish, as appears by the following vote, passed "at a town meeting held December 20, 1708. " Whereas the inhabitants, on the west part of this town do petition to be a distinct parish, the towij think it meet to refer the consideration thereof to the next town meeting, and for that purpose choose Mr. Stephen Mix, Lieut. James Treat, Capt. Joshua Bobbins, and John Chester, a committee to con- sider of what may be proper to offer concerning said petition of the west inhabitants, and make report thereof at the next meeting.'' This committee did not apparently " consider" the matter very attentively. At all events the result of the next meet- ing was to postpone the subject for another year, as appears by the following vote. " At a town meeting held in Weathersfield on the 14th day of December, 1709. This town do continue the power of the committee chosen in December, 1708, for the considering of the petition of the west inhabitants, and to consider a suit- able place for the setting a meeting house on, and to make return of their thoughts to the town meeting the next oppor- tunity." It is probable that the committee were still slow to grant the prayer of tlie petition, and that they did not favor the formation of a new parish, and the consequent release of the west farmers from paying ministerial charges to the Weth- ersfield parish, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Stephen Mix, the chairman of the committee. Undoubtedly the com- mittee reported the plan of compromise which received the sanction of the town, and is embodied in the following record. * This division of lands contained apparently four tiers of lots, called " East Tier," " Short Lots," " Sawmill Lots," and " Fifty Two Acre Lots." Some of the large land-owners, about 1720, were the Chester family, who held about 632 acres, of which 400 acres belonged to Major Chester and were by him entailed, 298 acres belonged to Capt. Wells' sons, 127 to Capt. Uobbins, about 109 to Ensign Kobbins, about 104 to Mr. i^ix, — also Governour Saltonstall, Jonathan Deming of Rocky Hill, and Thomas Wright each owned a " Fifty-two Acre Lot." " At a town meeting holden in Wethersfield on the 18th day of December, Anno Domini, 1710. Our brethren dwelling towards the west end of this town, viz. Ezekiel Buck, senior, and the rest hereunto subscribing, desiring liberty to be a distinct assembly for the public wor- ship of God, because of their being remote from the place of public worship in this town. In answer to their petition, the proprietors, inhabitants of the town of Wethersfield, return as followeth, viz. That they being many of them newly planted and settled where they now live, we can't see how they can honorably, and without apparent straightening them- selves to that degree as shall overbalance the toil of attend- ing the public worship where it is now carried on, set up and support the public worship of God amongst themselves : and that therefore the proprietors, inhabitants of this town, do consent and vote, as far as it is with tliem so to do, that the said petitioners, and any that shall inhabit within half a mile of any of their houses, shall have liberty of assembling separately from the rest of the town, and jointly and publicly to gather in the worship of God amongst themselves for four months of the year yearly, that is to say, December, January, February and March, until the lands about them being more peopled, and themselves and their labors blest to such a suffi- ciency as that they shall be able comfortably, and without distraction, decently and honorably to set up and maintain the ministry and ordinances amongst themselves, and that they shall be released from one-third part of the charge that shall yearly arise for the maintaining the ministry in the town where it now is." Thus the people of this hamlet, four or five miles distant from Wethersfield church, and separated from it by Cedar mountain and two or three ranges of high hills and interven- ing valleys, had liberty granted them, for a third part of the year, when the weather was most inclement and the traveling the worst, to assemble in neighborhood meetings to worsliip God among themselves ; and were released from a third part of the tax for the support of the ministry at Wethersfield. The two went together, freedom to worship God and the ne- cessity of paying for it. The vote shows how firmly linked were church and state in those days. Indeed the church was dominant, the civil power subsidary. Every man was held to his allegiance to his God, and it was considered right that his property which he held as the steward of his Master, 6 should pay its due proportion towards the Master's service. The sturdy men of that time saw no ecclesiastical despotism in these principles. They based their action upon the sure foundation of the written word of God. The words of our Saviour " Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's, and unto God the things that are God's" con- tained a short summary of their duty to their God and their King, an epitome of their religion and their loyalty. All compromises are apt to fail. This one lasted about two years, when the subject was again brought up in town meet- ing. The record tells the story as follows : — " At a town meeting lawfully assembled and lield in Weath- ersfield, December 24, 1712. To the inhabitants of the town of Weathersfield now met in town meeting. The petition of those that now inhabit in the west divis- ions of lands in the said Weathersfield, with others that are proprietors therein. The good Providence of God having cast our lot here in this place. And we being willing for our- selves and of ours to serve the Lord God of our fathers, and finding it very difficult in the best season of the year, with our families, to atfend the public worship of God at Weath- ersfield, and at many seasons very difficult. And being in- creased to such a number at present that we may in a toler- able manner be capable to maintain a minister amongst us, with the ordinances of the Gospel, do earnestly entreat of the said town that. they would compassionate us under our difficulties, (so far as to grant,) that we may be a distinct parish for the carrying on the worship of God amongst us. And that the town would please to set out our parish bounds as may include the west divisions of lands in Weathersfield, that all persons inhabiting within the said bounds, with the lands that are therein improved, may be obliged to pay their proportion to all charges for the setting up and maintaining the worship of God amongst us. And herein you, the said town, would be pleased to gratify our desire and oblige our persons to thankfulness to you. This is the earnest desire of us the subscribers, inhabitants and proprietors as above. Ezekil Buck, Nathaniel Churchel, Abraham Woren, Jona- tlian Buck, Richard Bordman, Enock Buck, Ephraim Wliaples, John Whaples, Joseph Andrus, Simon Willard, Benjamin Andrus, Jolm Stoddar, Joseph Camp, John Camp, Samuel Hun, Natlianiel Hun, Eliphilit Wliittlese, Jonathan Wright, Steven Buck, Jolm Keley, Steaven Keley, Daniel Andrus, Jonathan Hurlbut, Jonathan Buck, Thomas Molton, Richard Beckly, John Deming, Epliraim Deming, Jabez Whittlese, Benjamin Beckly." The action of tlie meeting was now favorable to the peti- tioners, as recited in the votes passed as follows : — " At this meeting, December 24th, 1712. This petition as above was by vote granted to the petitioners, that they should be a distinct parish by themselves for the carrying on the worship of God amongst themselves. And it was also by vote agreed and consented to, that the aforesaid petitioners should be discharged from paying their part of their minister's rate to the town of Weathersfield when once they have attained to those abilities that they can maintain the worship of God among themselves. It was at the same meeting voted and agreed, that Capt. Joshua Robbins, Lieut. Benjamin Churchel, Mr. Stillman, Nathaniel Stodder and Jacob Griswould, Sen., shall be a committee to look out a convenient place on the commons between the two last divisions, whereon the west farmers shall erect their meeting house for the carrying on the worship of (God) amongst them. And to make return thereof to the next town meeting." Thus after an agitation of the question for four years the town of Wethersfield granted, so far as they could, to the west farmers, their cherished desire of becoming a distinct parish. But this step involved the expense of building a meeting house and of settling a minister, necessarily a consid- erable tax upon the slender resources of the community. And the grant of the town must be confirmed by the General Assembly to enable them to become a corporate body, with power to lay and levy taxes within their geographical limits. The next session of the General Assembly was holden at Hartford, in May, 1713, and the following petition was presented to that body. " To the Honorable^ the Greneral Assemble/ now holden in Hart- ford, May 14, 1713. May it please this Honorable Court — Some of the inhabit- ants of Weathersfield, particularly those dwelling in the west- ern part of the said town, near the borders thereof, being allowed by the inhabitants thereof to be a distinct society for the public worship of God ; the dwellings of the said western inhabitants being remote from the place of public worship in Weathersfield. We, the subscribers, in the behalf of the ma- 8 jority of the said remote dwellers, pray the approbation of this honored court, that they sliould be such a distinct society for the end aforesaid, and that they may be furnished with powers for doing and performing what is or may be needful to the •aforesaid end of said society, particularly that they may be enabled to raise and levy in a due proportion and by an equal rule the necessary costs and charges for the said end on all persons inhabiting, now or hereafter, the westward part near the western border of Weathersfield, that is to say, two miles and fifty rods in width from Farmington township eastward, bounded on the north by Hartford and on the south by Mid- dletown, and on their ratable estates within this said tract, and also on the appropriated lands, improved and unimproved, lying in the said tract pertaining to others dwelling without the said limits, as well as on the improved and unimproved lands of those that dwell within the said tract, unless that right would that the improved lands of those which dwell not within the said tract should be taxed lower than the improved lands of those that inhabit within it, the latter receiving the greater advantage of the ministry for the present. All of which is humbly submitted. Jabez Whittlesey, ) Committee. In the name and . John Deming, ^^^'^^^ "fj^'^ ^^'* P'^P'^^" ' ) tors, petitioners. There were nine or ten families " dwelling towards the south-west corner" of the town, at the south end of the pro- posed society, who attended worship at the Great Swamp Society, located in the south-east part of what was then Farm- ington. These families bore their part of the ministerial charge in the town of Wethersfield, to the Rev. Mr. Mix, as by law they were obliged to do, being included in the limits of that town, but they did not wish to be put to the additional expense of helping to pay for the settlement of a new minister and the building of a meeting house, which would be the nat- ural result of the formation of a new society, within whose geographical limits they would be embraced. These families, then known as the Becklys, opposed the granting of a charter to the proposed society. They presented to the General Assembly their written declaration, dated May 15, 1713, signed by Benjamin Beckly, Stephen Kelsey, Thomas Morton, Jonathan Buck, Richard Beckly, and Jonathan Hurl- 9 but, in which they declare that they did not desire to be "joined or included in said society with those inhabitants towards the northwest part of said township of Weathersfield," stating that some of them were "twice so near to the meeting house in the south-east part of the township of Farmington" as to the place appointed by the committee for the meeting house in the new society, and preferring to remain as they were. They appointed Stephen Kelsey and Jonathan Hurl- but a committee to represent them before the Colonial Legis- lature. They also presented, a paper, entitled " An account of the case of those nine or ten families that inhabit toward the south-west corner of Weathersfield bounds, the Beckleys and those about them," which contained a statement in detail of the grounds of their opposition. But their labor was in vain. The General Assembly granted the charter by the fol- lowing resolution : — CHARTER. " Upon the petition of divers inhabitants of Wethersfield, dwelling in the west division of lands on the borders of said town, requesting that they may be allowed to be a distinct parish for setting up the public worship of God amongst them. This Assembly allows and grants the said petitioners to be a distinct parish, for the public worship of God, according to the grant of the town of Wethersfield. Which parish is contained within these following limits, that is to say : Two miles and fifty rods in width from Farmington township, eastward, bounded on the north by Hartford, and on the south by Mid- dletown. And that they shall be discharged from paying their dues to the minister of the town of Wethersfield, when and so long as they maintain the public worship of God amongst themselves." (Conn. Col. Rdc. 1706-1716, p. 374.) The society was now legally established, with the corporate powers of a parish, being the second ecclesiastical society in the town of Wethersfield. Its geographical limits formed a parallelogram, long and narrow, extending from Hartford to Middletown, between Farmington on the west and Cedar Mountain on the east, making a natural boundary between the new and old societies of Wethersfield. It contained two settlements, one comprising the great majority of inhabitants located towards its northern extremity, the other comprising 2 10 the Beckley quarter situated on its southern border. The latter community were dissatisfied with the alliance. They had opposed the granting of the charter. Now that the society was a fixed fact they turned their attention to bringing about their own separation from it, and their union with Great Swamp Society where they attended worship. For some years there had been more or less controversy between Wethersfield and Farmington in relation to the boundary line dividing these two towns. A new element was now introduced to still further complicate the matters of dis- pute. At last, after nearly two years had passed away, the conclusion arrived at between those in Farmington and the West Society who favored the Beckleys, was, that an exchange of territory would best heal the difficulty. At a meeting of the inhabitants of the West Society held April 4, 1715, a committee was appointed who favored the exchange policy, consisting of Benjamin Beckley, John Stod- dor, Jonathan Hurlbut, and Nathaniel Churchel. They immediately began to treat with their friends in Farmington who were to be annexed to the West Society in compensation for the annexation of the Beckleys to the Great Swamp Society. The terms were arranged and were put in writing in a paper which was signed by those proprietors in Farmington who consented to their proposition, as follows : — Consent of Farmington Proprietors. Whereas, on April 7, 1715, a committee from the Western- most Society in the Township of Weathersfield, and sundry inhabitants of the Southeastern Society in Farmington, have been treating with us, tlie subscribers, being part of the pro- prietors of lands lying westward of the divident line between said Farmington and Weathersfield, extending to the north- ward of the bounds of the Great Swamp Society, in order to our willingness to have our lands and estates in said place released from ministerial charge in the Northward Society in Farmington and annexed to the said Westernmost Society in Weathersfield, we, the said proprietors, do hereby signify our willingness to said motion, upon condition that we and our estates shall be excused from any rates for the building tlie 11 first meeting-house, and from all charge about settling the first minister, except our proportion according to law, with our neighbors in said Westernmost Society in said Weathers- field, of one hundred pounds, as money if needful, for the settlement of said first minister in said place, and also upon condition that the meeting-house in said Westernmost Society of Weathersfield be set upon the plain in the common land, about 20 or 30 rods to the northwestward from the house formerly belonging to Joseph Andrus, late of Weathersfield, deceased. Thomas Hart, Sen. Jonathan Smith, Sen. Henry Bird. John Thompson. Thomas Thompson. Daniel Judd. Anthony Judd. Jonathan Smith, Jun. John Eggt. The next step was to obtain the consent to this arrange- ment of the society in Farmington to which the above propri- etors belonged. A meeting of the First Society of Farming- ton was called, and was held April 11, 1715. To this meeting the Committee of the West Society made a formal request in writing that the above agreement might be ratified and carried out by the First Society. The docu- ment is as follows : Committee's Request to Farmington. Whereas, some of the proprietors of lands within the Town- ship of Farmington in a division against Weathersfield have signified their willingness that their lands in said place shall be released from ministerial charge in the Northward Society of Farmington and annexed to the Westernmost Society in the Township of Weathersfield, upon certain conditions men- tioned in an agreement bearing the same date with these pres- ents. The request of us, the subscribers, a committee from the Westernmost Society in Weathersfield to the Northward Society in Farmington, met April 11, 1715, is as followeth: Tliat the said Northward Society in Farmington will please to release all the lands in the division against Weathersfield, from the north bounds of the Society of the Great Swamp to the north side of the lot in said division which belongs to 12 the heirs of Thomas Stanley, late of Farmington, deceased, together with all ratable estate thereto belonging, from minis- terial charge in said Northward Society in Farmington, in order to their being annexed to the said Westernmost Society in said Weathersfield, upon the conditions mentioned in said agreement. Signed by us. Benjamin Beckley, ^ John Stoddor, I r< '^^.^^ T TT > Committee. Jonathan Hurlbut, f Nathaniel Churchel,J April 7, 1715. The request was favorably received and acted upon by the Northward Society. The meeting passed the following vote : " The Society granted a liberty to the proprietors of tlie several lots in the division of land butting upon Weathers- field Township, from the south side of John Norton's lot on West Plain to the north side of the bounds of the Great Swamp Society, to annex their lots and estates within the said bounds to the society granted in Weathersfield west bounds, provided all that part of Wethersfield West Society from the north side of Hurlbut's lot (and to include the Kelsys) to Middletown bounds, comprising the Beckley's farm, all said land and estates be annexed to the Great Swamp Society, and so to continue. Yet allowing a liberty to any such persons, when any other ministerial society[shall be erected nearer, to remove to said society. Upon the per- sons so doing, to be freed from all ministerial charge in the First Society in Farmington, arising after this time, for said lands and estates so annexed." The consent of the Society having been thus given to the exchange, nothing was now needed but the confirmation of the agreement by the General Assembly. Accordingly the following petition was presented to that body : Petition to the General Assembly. The Petition of some of the inhabitants of the Western Society of the Township of Weathersfield to the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut, begun on May 12, 1715, humbly showeth : That, whereas at a meeting of the inhabitants of the said Society, holden on April fourth, sundry persons were ap- 13 pointed by said Society a committee to endeavor an exchange of some part of the bounds of said Society to make it more compact together, and the North Society in the Township of Farmington have so far complied with the motion of said committee as to be willing that a certain tract of land in their bounds adjacent to the main bulk of the inhabitants of the said Western Society, together with all ratable estate thereto belonging (as by the act of said society may more fully appear), should be released from ministerial charge among them, upon condition that the southern part of said Western Society in Weathersfield be annexed to the Southeastern Soci- ety in Farmington. The desire and request of the subscrib- ers is that this Honored Court will please to perfect and confirm the above mentioned exchange. And your humble petitioners shall always pray. Benjamin Beckley, Richard Beckley, Stephen Kelsy, Daniel Andrus, Jolm Kellsy, Jona- than Hurlbut, John Andrus, Samuell Hun, Simon Willard, Heze. Deming, John Camp, John Stoddor, Nathaniel Church- ell, Mindwell Whaples, James Francis, Benjamin Andrus, Thomas Francis^ Josiah Willard, Samuel Churchell, Thomas Morton, Abigail Camp, Nathaniel Stodder^ Jonathan Stodder^ Isaac Buck, Joseph Andrus. (The names in italics stricken out.) But there was a large and very respectable number of per- sons in Wetherstield who did not approve of the policy pro- posed. A remonstrance headed by Rev. Stephen Mix and Rev. Elisha Williams, the latter the first minister of the parish some years later, was numerously signed, as follows : Remonstrance. We, the subscribers, proprietors, or intrusted with the rights of minors in the western tract of Weathersfield, al- lowed for a distinct parish or Ecclesiastical Society, expres- sive of our dissent from the project of uniting of a part of said tract to Farmington South Society, and of Farmington to the northward part of our Society, as subversive to the said Society, have hereto subjoined our names. Stephen Micks, Elisha Williams, James Treat, Thomas Wells, Joshua Robins, Joshua Robbins, 2d, Josiah Deming, Ebenezer Dick- inson, Jonathan Bolding, Daniel Warner, Joseph Hurlbutt, Michaell Griswould, David Wright, Samuel Wright, Jona- than Goodrich, Jacob Griswold, Joseph Killburn, John Rose, 14 Robert Wells, Bbenezer Deming, Gideon Wells, Benjamin Belding, Thomas Wright, Elizabeth Curtis, wid., Samuel Benton, Nathaniel Nott, Daniel Bordman, Richard Robbins, Hannah Chester, Mary Chester, Ephraim Goodrich, Sarah Kilborn, Sarah Chester, Mercy Chester, William Warner, Ehzabeth Warner, wid., Joseph Wells, Josiah Bellding, Sam- uel Dix, Samuel Bird, Jun., Abigail Lattimore, Thomas Stand- dish, John Deming, John Deming, Stephen Lusk, John Gris- wold, Abraham Woren, Ephraim Deming, Ezekel Crab (?) (an inhabitant not proprietor), Richard Boardman, Jona- than Buck, Jabez Whittelsey, Eliphelet Whittelsey, Jonathan Wright. But the Beckleys and those interested with them in secur- ing their annexation to the Great Swamp Society, for the encouragement of their project executed a bond, for the pay- ment of fifty pounds to the West Society in case the an- nexation should be granted by the Colonial Legislature. This bond was presented to the Assembly and lodged on file in the office of the Secretary of the Colony at Hartford. It is as follows : Bond Lodged in the Secretary's Office. Whereas, sometime in April last, at a meeting of the inhabitants of the Western Society in the Township of Weathersfield, in the County of Hartford, and Colony of Connecticut, in New England, a committee were appointed by said Society to endeavor an exchange of some part of the bounds of said Society; for the encouragement of said ex- change, and upon condition that all the lands in said West- ward Society in Weathersfield southward of the home lots of Stephen Kelsey and Jonathan Hurlbut inclusively (compre- hending said home lots and Beckley's farm), and all the per- sons and estate either now or hereafter belonging to the southward part of said Society within the limits above men- tioned, may be wholly released from ministerial charge in their own Township, and annexed to the Southeastern Soci- ety in the Township of Farmington, in the County aforesaid, by order of the General Assembly of this Colony ; we, the subscribers, inhabitants of the said Township of Weathers- field, do hereby covenant and promise to and with our neigh- bors in said Western Society in the Township of Weathers- field, in manner following : That is to say, that we will do our proportion with our neighbors there of building the first 16 meeting-house among them, except what is already done to said meeting-house, and also pay to the said Western Society, or to any that shall legally represent them, upon demand thereof, the full sum of fifty pounds in current money of New England, or bills of credit, or that which is equivalent thereto, in manner following: That is to say, twelve pounds and ten shillings witliin one year after the date of these pres- ents, also twelve pounds and ten shillings more within two years, and twelve pounds and ten shillings more within three years, and twelve pounds and ten shillings more within four years after the date of these presents, which above said fifty pounds is to be borne by us, the subscribers, according to the lists of our estates ; and to the faithful performance of the above written agreement we, the subscribers, do hereby bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators firmly by these presents, both jointly and severally. In witness whereof we have heremito set our hands and seals, this thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifteen. Benjamin Beckley. [l. s.] Daniel Andrus. [l. s.] Stephen Kelsy. [l. s.] Jonathan Hurlbut. [l. s.] Richard Beckley. [l. s.] John Kellsy. [l. s.] John Andrus. [l. s.] Daniel Beckley. [l. s.] Upon the presentation of these papers to the General Assembly they took no further action than to appoint Joseph Talcot, Esq., Col. William Whiting, and Capt. Aaron Cooke a committee to "go upon the place" to effect a settlement if possible between the parties ; if this were impossible, to fix upon a site for the meeting-house, consider the subject of the exchange, and report at the next October session of the Assembly (Conn. Col. Rec. 1706-1716, p. 499). Two of the Committee performed the duty assigned to them, and made the following report at the October session of the Assembly, 1715, held at New Haven. 16 Report of the Committee of the Assembly. We, the subscribers hereunto, being appointed by the Gen- eral Assembly, holden at Hartford, May 13, 1715, to go to the West Farms in Weathersfield, to endeavor to br^ng the people there to an agreement and accommodation between the peti- tioners and other the inhabitants of the said West Society in Weathersfield, in respect to an exchange of the south part or southwest corner of Weathersfield West Society to the Great Swamp Society in Farmington, and for an addition of a part of Farmington Old Society to the foresaid West Society in Weathersfield, and any other thing that the situation of the lands and convenience or inconvenience of the exchange aforesaid, and place of setting the meeting-house, and any other things that may conduce to the peace and good settle- ment of said society, and make report to this Assembly in October next. We have accordingly been upon the spot and called together before us said inhabitants, and have endeavored an agreement between them, which proved ineffectual, have also had a map of said lands laid before us, and upon the whole of our inquiry do conclude and report to this Assembly that we judge the best regulation of that affair, and that which will conduce most to the weal and convenience of said people that do or may inhabit there, that the exchange of land between Weath- ersfield West Society and Farmington, laid before the Assem- bly in May last, be confirmed, and that the meeting-house place for the West Society in Weathersfield be on the Com- mons or common land near Dea. Joseph Andros's house, within about twenty or thirty rods of said house, and that the southwest corner of Weathersfield help build the meeting- house at the said West Farms, and pay 50 pounds to the peo- ple of the West Society in Weathersfield, according to their agreement upon file in the Secretary's office, and that the lands, stocks and heads belonging to that part of Farmington now added to Weathersfield West Society shall be annexed to them, said Weathersfield West Farms, and be obliged to pay to the sujtport of all ministerial charges there in equal pro- portion with the rest of the said West Society. Joseph Tallcott. Aaron Cooke. The General Assembly accepted the report, and passed an act to carry it into efifect, annexing to the Great Swamp Soci- ety that part of the West Society " From the north side of 17 Hurlbut's lot and the north side of Stephen and John Kel- sey's lands to Middletown bounds, including the Beckley's land." And requiring them to pay the fifty pounds bond and help finish the meeting-house in the West Society. Also annexing to the West Society " All the land in the several lots in Farmington bounds from the south side of John Nor- ton's lot on Wolf Plain to the north side of the bounds of the Great Swamp." (Conn. Col. Rec. 1706-1716, p. 532.) The Great Swamp Society was in 1722 named Kensington. (Conn. Col. Rec. 1717-1725, p. 316.) And the territory taken from the West Society of Wethersfield in the manner detailed was wholly lost to Wethersfield, and now forms a part of the town of Berlin, which was incorporated May, 1785. The West Society of Wethersfield was now established in more compact form, so far as its geographical limits were concerned, than when it was first chartered. Those of its former inhabitants who had formed an element of discord had departed in peace. It was now ready to build a meeting- house preparatory to settle a minister, and to enter upon a career more favorable to its harmony and prosperity. The So- ciety became better organized. The next year, 1716, it began to keep a record of its Society meetings. The next ten years witnessed the building of the meeting-house, the formation of a church, the settlement of the first minister. Rev. Elisha Wil- liams, the naming of the parish Newingtou, and the close of Mr. Williams' ministry, in 1726, by reason of his being chosen Rector of Yale College. This record still exists, but in a state of decay ; it is worth preservation. It tells the story of the life of the parish during these years more truly than a brief condensation could do. THE FIRST BOOK OF RECOKDS FOR NEWmGTOI^ PARISH, OF WETITERSFIELl). April S, 1716. At a Society meeting lawfully assembled and held at the dwelling bouse of James Francis, in the westwardmost society in Wethei'sfield, upon the 5th day of April in the year 1716, it was voted and acted as followeth : We then chose Josiah Willard, clerk of the West Society. It was*voted to raise our meeting house in this instant month April, and also that the said meeting house should be raised within a few rods of the place where the timber now lies. John Stoddard, Saral. Hunn, Stephen Buck were chosen a committee to take care to raise, (and) provide for the raising of, the said meeting house : to act according to the best of their discretion for the public interest. May S, 1716. At a Society meeting lawfully assembled, and held upon May the 6th, 1716, at the dwelling house of James Francis in the westwardmost society of Weathersfield, it was voted and acted as followeth, viz. to say, John Stodderd and Samuel Hunn, Stephen Buck, chosen a committee to take care to cover the meeting house that was of late raised in the westward- most society in Wethersfield, to take care to provide all things necessary for said work that belongs to that meeting house, to act according to the best of their discretion for the public interest. It was voted that the same committee should underpin the said house. At the same meeting Josiah Willard was chosen and empowered to demand and receive the money that is due from our neighbors by the bond lodged in the Secretary's Office ;* from the persons concerned or so bound * That Mr. Willard eiitered upon the discharge of this duty appears from the following receipt given by him — " Whereas I, Josiah Willard, at a Society meet- ing lawfully assembled and held upon the 15th CStli ?) day of May, 1716, at the dwelling house of James Francis, in the Westwardmost Society of Wethersfield, was chosen and empowered to receive the money diie from several of our neigh- bors upon the account of the bond that is lodged in the Secretary's office. Received this 20 day of March, 1717, of Mr. Daniel Beckley, the just sum of twelve shillings due upon the account of the fifty pound bond lodged in the Secretary's Office, I say received by me Josiah Willard. 19 to the Society, the above said Josiah Willard is to demand, receive and keep and deliver to the society the said money at their demand. Dec. 2, 1717. At a meeting of the v?est society of Wethersfield December the 2nd day 1717, being lawfully warned : at this meeting it was. voted and agreed, that there should be a rate raised on all our polls and ratable estate to raise money to defray the charge of the General (2) Com-t to the obtain- ing our first grant for a society, and also to defray, all the charge already laid out about our meeting house ; always provided and to be understood, that all those that have done more work than their neighbors about the meeting house, shall stay for their pay for the space of one year, to or till others of their neighbors have come even with them in their labor, accord- ing as others that have already wrought at the meeting house, as to the price of their labor by the day or otherwise. At the same meeting it was also voted, that all men that labored at the meeting house shall have three shillings per day, from the first day of March till the first day of September for the time past, and so annually for the time to come, and from the 1st day of September till the 1st day of March, they shall have two shillings per day, and also a man and team that is good and well fitted shall have six shillings per day, from the first day of March till the first day of September, and from the 1st day of Sep- tember till the 1st day of March a man and team shall have four shillings per day. At the same (meeting) it was voted that Abraham Woring,* James Francis and Josiah Willard, or any two of them, shall be a committee to adjust and account with those that have laid out money or done any labor about our meeting house, or about the concerns of our society, and also to get a true list of our effects, and make a rate to defray the charge as above said : this is to be done upon the present list. At the same meeting Caleb Androus was chosen collector to gather the rates when made as above said. At the same meeting Jabezeth Whittelsey, Joseph Androus and John Deming were chosen a committee to manage the prudentials of our Society about our meeting house or other things needful for the year ensuing, with as full power as the selectmen in the town. At the same meeting Josiah Willard was chosen clerk and sworn. Dee. IS, 1718. At a society meeting of the inhabitants of Newingtonf parish lawfully assembled and held upon the 15th day of December 1718 (3) voted and agreed, Josiah Willard chosen clerk and sworn. Also voted, Jabezeth Whittelsey, Mr. James Patterson, James Francis a committee to order the prudentials of our Society about our meeting house or other things needful for the year ensuing, with as full power as selectmen of a town. Also voted that our committee for the year ensuing are impowered to receive and allow any further amounts that are just, and shall add them to the Society debts already brought in. Also voted, granted a rate on polls and all ratable estate in this Society * Woren was the way he spelled his name himself, now written Warren. The spelling of the original records as to names has been retained in all cases. t This is the first mention of the word Newington in any records. It is said to have been so called " out of regard to the place of Dr. Watts's residence near London." (See Dr. Brace's Dis., 65.) 20 for the payment of all debts allowed by our committee, it is to be under- stood only the charges already passed. Also voted, Samuel Hunn collector to gather our society rates when made as above directed. January IS, 1719. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon 15th of January, 1719-20, it was voted and agreed as followeth : Voted, Jabezeth Whittlesey, John Deming, Samuel Hunn a committee to order the prudentials of our Society for the year ensuing. Also voted, to call a minister to preach with us until the last of March next ensuing. Also voted, John Stoddard, Abraham Woring a committee to treat with Mr. Nathanel Burnham to come and preach with us. May 6, 1719. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon sixth day of May, 1719, voted and agreed to petition to the General Assembly for a repeal of that act concerning an exchange between some part of the bounds of Farmington and Wethers- field. Also voted, Jabezeth Whittelsey, agent to go with a petition to the General Assembly.* April6, 1720. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfiiUy assembled and held upon the 6th day of April, 1720, it was voted as fol- loweth : Jabezeth Whittelsey, Abraham Woring, a committee to treat with Mr. Elisha Williams to come and be our minister in Newington. April 21, 1720. (4) At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish' lawfully assembled and held upon the 21st day of April, 1720, voted and agreed : To get hewed plank and lay a floor in our meeting-house, and to get window-frames and glass for the lower tier of windows, and also to make doors for our meeting-house. Also, Richard Borman, Isaac Buck, Abraham Woring, a committee to lay a floor in our meeting-house, and to make doors. Also voted, Jabez- eth Whittelsey, Samuel Hunn, a committee to get window-frames, glass, hooks, and hinges for our meeting-house doors. May 3, 1720. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, upon the 8d day of May, 1720, voted and agreed as followeth : Whereas, through defect of warning, our votes on the 21st day of April last are of no eflect, now voted, that all of the votes passed by us on the 21st day of April last be good and valuable respecting our meeting-house, except that of getting hewed planks to lay a floor ; also voted to get two summers f and joists, and to buy one thousand and half of pine boards for the floor of our meet- *This petition was not granted. (6 Conn. Col. Rec., 116.) t The summer is the technical name of the large central beam that supports the joists, seen in old buildings. 21 ing house. Also voted, Dea. Joseph Androus and James Francis a com- mittee to buy boards. Augusts, 1720. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, upon the 5th day of August, 1720, voted and agreed as foUoweth: We did make choice of the Rev. Mr. Elisha Williams (to) be our minister. Also voted and empowered Jabezeth Whittelsey and Abraham Woring our committee to go and treat with the Rev. Mr. Elisha Williams to be our minister, and agree with him as to a settlement and maintenance ac- cording to the best of their discretion, and make return to this society. September 18, 1720. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, upon 15th day of September, 1720, voted and agreed as followeth : To make hollow walls to our meeting-house. Samuel Hunn, John Stoddard, and Isaac Buck a committee to lath and plaster said walls. Also voted, Dea. Joseph Androus, James Francis a committee to lay a floor in our meeting-house. December 6, 1720. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, upon the sixth day of December, 1720, voted and agreed as followeth: Samuel Hunn, Abraham Woring, and John Deming, a committee to order the pru- dentials of our society for the year ensuing. Also voted, Samuel Hunn, John Camp, a committee to treat (5) with the Rev. Mr. Elisha AVilliams, in order to a settlement, and make return to this Society ; and endeavor with the town to get a piece of land for our minister, by gift, or by exchange, or by purchase, according as they shall be most likely to obtain it, to act according to the best of their discretion. December 21, 1720. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the 21st day of December, 1720, it was voted and agreed to give the Rev. Mr. Elisha Williams one hundred and seventy pounds for a settlement, for and in consideration that he will be our minis- ter, which is to be paid in money or labor done to building him a house, to be paid in two years after this present date, and he shall also have that money that is subscribed or shall be subscribed in the time.* Also voted, to give to him two days' work in a year of every man that is or shall be in this Society, from sixteen years old and upwards, capable of labor, for the space of five years ensuing this date, which labor is to be done half in the summer and half in the winter, yearly. Also voted, to give Mr. Williams, for his salary fifty pounds the two first years, and so to rise two pounds a year until we come to seventy pounds per year, and so to continue so long as he continues in the work of the ministry with us. Also voted, to raise a rate on polls and all ratable estate to pay Mr. Williams from the time of his first coming unto the last *Thi8 house was not the property of the Society, but belonged to Mr. Williams. It afterwards came into the possession of the Kellogg family, and so continued till it was destroyed by fire, in 1872. 22 of March, in proportion to a rate of fifty pounds a year, and then to begin the year with Mr. Williams.* Also voted, that a Society rate granted the i5th of December, 1718, shall stand in force and be collected. Also voted, to raise a rate on polls and all ratable estate to defray all the charge or debts raised in our society since. Also voted, that Samuel Hunn, John Deming, Abraham Woring to re- ceive, accept any just accounts that are behind and not yet brought in, and to make a rate to defray them. Also voted, Richard Borman and Abraham Woring collectors to gather our minister and society rates. January 4, 1721. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held by an adjournment from the 21st of December, 1720, to the 4th day of January, 1720-21. Voted and agreed as followeth : For a man to have 2s. 6d. per day from this time to the 1st of March, and for a man and team to have five shillings per day to work at Mr. Williams' house. Also voted, Isaac Buck, Hezekiah Deming and Abraham Woring a committee to take care of the building of Mr. Williams's house (6) to see who labors and who does not, and keep an account. Also voted, Samuel Hunn, John Camp a committee in behalf of the Society, to make demand of the fifty pounds due by bond from those persons included (in) the bond and annexed to Farmington : that is to say, Benjamin Beckley, Daniel Androus, Stephen Kellsey, Richard Beck- ley, John Androus, John Kellsey, Jonathan Hurlburt, Daniel Beckley ; this committee is also empowered upon neglect or refusal to sue for the money due by the above said bond from those persons that are bound, viz. Benjamin Beckley, &c. February 16, 1721. At a Society meeting (of) the inhabitants of Newington parish, upon 16th of February, 1720-21, it was voted and agreed as followeth : granted to Mr. Elisha Williams liberty to make a seat or pew for his family in our meeting house. Also voted, to pay Mr. Williams' rate in grain at the pi'ice as followeth, viz : Wheat at five shillings per bushel, rye at three shillings and four pence per bushel, Indian corn at two shillings four pence per bushel. Also voted, for the payment of the fifty pound bond due from Benjamin Beckley, Daniel Androus, Stephen Kellsey, Richard Beckley, John An- drous, John Kellsey, Jonathan Hurlburt, Daniel Beckley, that wheat should be five shillings per bushel, rye at 3s. 6d. per bushel, Indian corn at 2s. 6d. per bushel. May lO, 1721. At a Society meeting (of) the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the 10th day of May, 1721, it was voted and agreed as followeth, to petition to the General Assembly for some relief, that they would grant to us our country rate or grant a tax on all land un- improved, belonging to proprietors ; and that the Court would grant that * It would seem from this vote that Mr. Williams had preached for some time before this. (See the votes passed January 15, 1719, April 6, 1720, and August 5, 1720.) Mr. Nathaniel Burniiam had certainly preacliod before this time. (See Dr. Brace's Half Century Discourse, pp. 10, II.) our four public training days for some time might be improved in the public service of our society. Also voted, Jabezeth Whittelsey agent to go to the General Court with the above vote and manage it according to the best of his discretion.* June 26, 1721. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish lawfully assembled and held, upon the 26th of June 1721, voted and agreed as folio weth : Samuel Hunn, Jabezeth Whittelsey, Richard Borman, Samuel Churchel should undertake to make twenty thousand bricks for Mr. Elisha Wil- liams, to take the care, and provide hands and all things for said work. December 13, 1721. (7) At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, law- fully assembled and held upon the 13th day of December, 1721, it was voted and agreed as followeth : Mr. James Patterson, Ephraim Deming, Richard. Borman, a committee to order the prudentials of our Society for the year ensuing. Also voted Jebezeth Whittelsey, Caleb Androus collectors for the year ensuing. Also voted, for a man to have three shillings -per day from the first of March to the first of September, and from the first of September to the first of March two shillings and six pence per day, and for man and team shall have six shillings from the first of Majch to the first of September, and from the first of September to the first of March five shillings per day, for labor already done to Mr. Williams' house or yet to be done. Also voted. Granted a rate to be raised on polls and all ratable estate, of the present list of our Society, to pay the one hundred and seventy pounds granted to Mr. Elisha Williams for a settlement December 21, 1720. — . ♦ Mr. Whittelsey immediately attended to this duty, as appears by the fol- lowing petition : " To the Honorable, the present General Assembly at Hartford, May, A. D. 1721. 'Ihe prayer of the inhabitants of the West Society in Weathersfield implores the indulgence of the Court, that the said Society may be exempted from Country Kates by the space of four years as other new poor places have been. That a reasonable tax for a reasonable time may be laid on their unimproved lands. That their training days may be turned into days of public service of the Society, at the discretion of such officers as the Society shall from year to year for that end appoint ; and all training soldiers and officers obliged to attend the same imder suitable penalties by the space of the above said four years. And finally that the said society may be named and called Newington. And your poor petitioners, as in duty ^bound, shall ever pray. JABEZ WHITTELSEY, For the Society. The Assembly granted " That the said Society raise a tax annually on all the land in the said parish or society that by law is not ratable, of ten shillings per the hundred acres, and pro rata for greater or lesser parcels, for the term of four years next coming ; and that the said society or parish be called Newington." (6 Conn. Col. Rec, p. 246.) This was passed May 25, 1721. One hundred and fifty years afterwards (July 10, 1871) Newington was incorporated a town. 24 Also voted, Granted fifty pounds, to be raised on polls and all ratable estate in our Society, for Mr. Elisha Williams' salary, to be paid in money or grain, as followeth, viz. wheat at 5s. 4d. per bushel, and rye at Ss. 6d. per bushel, and Indian corn 2s. lOd. per bushel. Also voted, to build a "pulpit in our meeting house, as soon as we can in the spring. Also voted, twenty pounds money to defray the charge of a pulf)it. Also voted, Stephen Buck, Tho. Frances, Sam'l Churchel, Jonathan Stodderd, Joseph Benton should undertake to build a barn for Mr. Elisha Williams,* and to employ those men that are behind in their rate of 170 pounds above mentioned as him or them and they can agree, viz, Stephen Buck, Thos. Frances, &c. February 8, 1722. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish lawfully assembled and held on the 8th day of February, 1721-22, voted and agreed that Leonard Dix shall have two pounds out of the treasury or (the) fifty pounds due from the Beckleys. Also voted, that the remainder of the fifty pounds and the tax laid on the proprietors's unimproved land, to be laid out in our meeting house, to build a pulpit and deacon seat, and to prepare timber and nails for the finishing the lower part of our meeting house, and to proceed as far as we can with the money granted. Voted, Jabezeth Whittelsey, Samuel Hunn and Samuel Churchel a committee to take care and proceed- to do the work above mentioned in our meeting house, to proceed as fiist as they can with prudence, also voted, the tax put into our minister's rate should be laid out and improved as above, and the rate made on ratable estate. December 20, 1722. (8) December 20 Day, 1722. That the Society grant the money of the tax granted by the Genert^l Assembly on the unimproved land to the committee for the finishing the meeting house for the charge that is past, that is, so much of it as to answer the same, that is the proprietors' and not the inhabitants' land, the galleries is exempted, the charge of them for this year. It was voted this 20th day of December 1722.t September S, 1722. At a Society of Newington inhabitants lawfully assembled and held upon the fifth day of September, 1722, it was voted and agreed ; That Mr. Elisha Williams shall have sixty pounds money for his salary this year and next year, and next year he shall have sixty-two pounds, and so to raise two pounds a year for the space of ten years, which will make eighty pounds, and so to continue eighty pounds per year so long as he continues in the work of the ministry with us. Also voted, that Mr. Williams' rate should (be) paid by the last of March annually, so long as he continues to be our minister. (See page the 5th.) * Stephen Kellsy was paid for eight days work " framing Mr. Williams' barn." t Another record of the same meeting follows in its order. This seems to be inserted out of its chronological order. 25 Also voted, to find Mr. Williams his wood annually, so long as he con- tinues in the work of (the) ministry with us. Also voted, that a former vote bearing date the December 21, 1720, to give Mr. Williams two days works in a year of every male from sixteen to sixty years of age, shall be in full force and virtue, and if any man in our Society shall refuse or neglect to do the two days labor in the vote above mentioned (he) shall pay three shillings for the summer's day and two shillings six pence for a winter's day, and (it) shall be gathered by the collectors annually. Also voted Jabesh Whittelsey moderator for this meeting, and if any man shall presume to speak without liberty (he) shall forfeit the sum of ©ne shilling. Also it was voted that if Mr. May* would make window frames for the lower part of our meeting house, and Mr. Kelloug make the glass (?) for wood, then to take the windows that (are) now below and put them up in the upper part of our meeting house. Also voted, Richard Borman, Ebenezer Kilburn, James Francis, Isaac Buck, should keep a public house of entertainment on the day of the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Elisha Williams. September 12, 1722. (9.) At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish lawfully assembled and held upon 12th day of September, 1722, voted, and agreed as foUoweth : It was voted, having had some considerable experience of his life &c., we do make choice by a full vote of the Rev. Mr. Elisha Williams to be our minister and pastor. Also voted, to keep Wednesday the 3rd day of October next ensu- ing as a fast, to implore divine assistance of God in gathering a church of Christ here, and in the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Elisha Williams. Also voted and made choice of the Rev. Mr. Stephen Mix, of Wethersfield, and Mr. Samuel Whitman, of Farmington, to assist on the day of fasting as above mentioned, Mr. James Patterson and John Deming to go to the ministers above said and to intreat them to come and help us.f Also voted, that the third Wednesday the 1 7th day of October next ensuing to be the day of the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Elisha Wil- liams. Also voted, Dea. Joseph Androus, Jabezeth Wittelsey, Joseph Hurlbut, David Curtis and Samuel Churchel to take care and provide for the ministers and messengers on the day of the ordination. December 20, 1722. . At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington Parish, upon the 20th day of December, 1722, it was voted and agreed : John Camp, Hezekiah Deming and Samuel Churchel a committee to order the prudentials of our society for the year ensuing. Also voted, Joseph Hurlbut and Ebenezer Kilburn collectors for the year ensuing. * Mr. Hezekiah May, of Wethersfield, did " joining work " on the meeting house to the amount of fifty-five pounds, for which Jabez Whittelsey, Samuel Hun and Samuel Churchell gave their personal bond, dated Sept. .25, 1722, pay- able 12X. on or before the first day of October next, 31£. on or before the 15th of March next, and 12£. on or before the last day of May next thereafter. The office of committee was no sinecure in those days. t The church was then first organized. (See Dr. Brace's Discourse, p. 11.) 4 26 Also voted, Mr. James Patterson, Deacon John Deming, and Josiah Willard, a committee to seat om* meeting-house. Also voted, granted a rate to be raised on polls and all ratable estate to pay Mr. Williams' salary, according to our agreement. Also voted, Mr. Elisha Williams should have the parsonage at his dis- posal as long as he continues in the work of the ministry with us.* Also voted, £1 12s. to the widow Elizabeth Androus, for sweeping our meeting-house. Also voted, that the present committee should inspect the old rates, and all that can't be had or got by law, and to deduct it and add it to our min- ister's rate. (See page 12.) March 1, 1723. (10.) At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the 1st day of March, 1722-3, it was voted and agreed as followeth, viz. : Concerning our parsonage, lying so that there is a great inconveniency in the highway, we do consent and desire to remove it to a more convenient place, provided it be no damage to our Society, town, or to Mr. Williams, and that the land may be as good. We do appoint Mr. James Patterson, David Curtis, and William Smith, to use the circumstances thereof, and to discourse Mr. Williams, and to have his consent, and make report at the town meeting. Also voted, to fill the walls, and lath and plaster the lower part of our meeting-house. Also voted, that Joseph Hurlbut and Tho. Francis, a committe to see said work done. December 31, 1723. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the 31st day of December, 1723, it was voted and agreed as followeth : Hez. Deming, Eliphalet Whittelsey, and Josiah Willard, a committee to order the prudentials of our Society for the year ensuing. Also voted, Ebenezer Kilburn and Hezekiah Griswould, collectors to gather our minister and Society rates, and tax money granted by the Gen- eral Court. Also voted, that all former committees shall make up their accounts with the collectors chosen when they were, and to bring the arrearages to the present committee, and to be added to the present Society charge. Also voted, for the payment of our minister rate that wheat should be at 5s. 6d. per bushel, rye at 3s. 9d. per bushel, and Indian corn at 2s. 8d. per bushel. Also voted, that the present (lommittee to adjust all accounts in our Society about our meeting-house, from the laying of the floor and filling of the walls to this day ; all such accounts to be examined by the committee, and to allow or disallow as they find them to be just or unjust. Also voted, granted a rate to be raised on polls and all ratable estate to defray the necessary charge of our Society. Also voted, that our committee should purchase a drum, and add it to our present Society charge. Also voted, Jebezeth Whittelsey, Isaac Buck, a school committee, and the country money to them to defray part of the charge of a school.f * The parsonage was opposite the present residence of Martin Robbins, Esq. Mr. Williams lived in his own house. (Dr. Brace's Dis., 66.) t The first mention of the subject of schools. 27 February 8, 172B. At a Society meeting of the inliabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled ami held upon the 8th day of February, 1724-5, (11) it was voted and agreed as foUoweth : Mr. Josiah Deming, John Camp, and Josiah Willard, a committee for this year to order the prudentials of our Society according to the best of their discretion. Also voted, Nathaniel Stodderd and Jonathan Griswould, collectors for this year. Also voted, for the payment of our minister's rate, wheat should be at 6s. per bushel, rye at 4s. 6d. per bushel, Indian corn at 4s. per bushel. Also voted, one pound ten shillings to be added to our minister's rate. - Also voted, to carry Mr. Williams wood as heretofore we have done, and to cart it on the first Thursday of March. January 6, 1726. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the sixth day of January, 1725-6, voted and agreed : Deacon John Deming, Joseph Hurlbut, and Isaac Buck, com- mittee for the year ensuing to order the prudentials of our Society. Also voted, David Griswould, and Nathaniel Churchel, collectors to gather our minister and Society ratfes. Also voted, that the necessary charge of our Society for this year should be added to our minister's rate. Also voted, that grain for the payment of Mr. Williams' rate should be as foUoweth: — wheat at 6s. 6d. per bushel, rye at 4s. 6d. per bushel, and Indian corn at 3s. 6d. per bushel. Also voted and agreed, that our annual meeting for the choosing of Society officers in this Society for the future shall be on the third Monday of December, beginning at twelve of the clock of the day. Also voted, whereas this society are obliged by covenant to provide Mr. Williams his firewood so long as he continues in the work of the ministry among us, and the method heretofore practiced of warning all or most of the society in a day been found by experience to be troublesome, uncer- tain, and unequal, for remedy hereof it is now voted and agreed to grant a rate of twelve pounds to be raised on polls and all ratable estate apper- taining to all persons inhabiting within this Society, for providing Mr. Williams' wood ; and every person hath liberty to pay his proportion of the said 12 pounds in wood, provided, he doth it in season ; but if any per- son refuses or neglects to pay his proportion seasonably in wood, they shall pay it in money, or that which is equivalent, to the committee for the Society for the time being, to be by them improved for the providing of said wood ; and further, the committee for the Society for the time being (12) for the time shall order every person as to the time of his car- rying Mr. Williams his proportion of wood, and those that attend not this order as to time shall be deemed unseasonbly, always provided no person be hindered from carrying their proportion sooner than the committee orders ; and every load is to be reckoned at the price of three shillings. Also voted, to provide all joists and boards for the galleries' floor of our meeting-house, and to lath and plaster the walls of our meeting-house up to the plate, and the new windows to be put up below, and the present windows of our meeting-house to be put up above. Also voted, to have a school in our Society, and what the country money don't pay is to be raised on polls of the children that go to school, to defray the charge of the school. 28 Also voted, Dea. Joseph Androus and James Francis, a committee for the school. Also voted, that for the payment of our minister rate grain should be as foUoweth, viz : — Wheat at six shillings per bushel, rye at four shillings per bushel, and Indian corn at two shillings eight pence per bushel. Also voted, to have a school six months in this Society for the instruc- tion of children, and all the charge more than is allowed by the country to be raised on the polls of those children whom their parents send to school. Also voted, Jabezeth Whittelsey and Richard Borman a school com- mittee. To the Honorable Governor and Council : We, the inhabitants of Newington, having considered the weighty affair of tie removal of our Rev. pastor fi-om us to Yale College — * April IS, 1726. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the 15th day of April, 1726, voted and agreed as followeth : That we desire to be heard as to the removal of our Rev. pastor to Yale College by the honored Governor and Council. Also voted. Deacon Jabezeth Whittelsey, John Camp, and Joseph Hurl- but, a committee to represent our Society, if by any means our minis- ter may stay with us ; and if not, act according to the best of their discre- tion that we may have the charge returned that we have been at in set- tling our minister. May 28, 1726. At a Society meeting of the inhabitants of Newington parish, lawfully assembled and held upon the 25th day of May, 1726, it was voted and agreed to call the Rev. Mr. Simon Backus upon probation for our minister. Also voted, Jabezeth Whittelsey, to call Mr. Backus upon probation. Yale College had for some years been without a rector. The General Court had appointed a Committee to inquire into the reasons for the long delay in filling the vacant chair of president of that " school." At last the trustees of the Col- lege met at Hartford, May 22, 1724, and there presented a memorial to the General Assembly then in session at Hartford, stating among other things their action in attempting to fill the vacant rectorship as follows : " We have unanimously chosen the Rev. Mr. Wigglesworth, Professor of Divinity at Cambridge, to be the Rector of Yale College. And in case of a disappointment of our hope of obtaining him, we have chosen the Rev. Mr. William Russell, of Middletown, to that ofiice. And in case our expectations should there fail us also. * This is the beginning of a petition to the Governor and Council, inserted here perhaps by mistake. I do not find any such petition. — [R. W.] 29 in a farther attempt, the Rev. Mr. Elisha Williams, of New- iiigton, hath had the voice of the major part of the trustees here present." The memorial was signed by T. Woodbridge, as moderator, and Eliphalet Adams, as scribe. This memorial contains the following endorsement, " Upon consideration of the above address of the trustees of Yale Col- lege, and the extraordinary charge they will be at in settling a rector there, it is granted that the impost of rum for the present year be allowed and paid to them to enable them therein." During the following year the trustees of the College made unanimous choice of Mr. Williams as rector. Only two or three years before, he had been settled as pastor for life over the parish of Newington. A considerable sum of money had been paid to him and expended for him for his settlement. It was in part consideration of his entering into a life-long con- tract to labor with them and cultivate this long destitute por- tion of the Lord's vineyard. He was their first pastor, and had but just begun his appointed work with them ; had scarcely got his settlement money in his pocket. He could not now break this binding contract. He could not abandon it with- out the consent of the other party to it. This, fact was recog- nized by all. Negotiations therefore were commenced between the trustees of the College, Mr. Williams, and the people, to effect an amicable arrangement for his release and removal. The people were unwilling to part with him. They asked to be paid their disbursements' if he went away from them. This was certainly reasonable, for they were poor; so was the Col- lege. Recourse for help was had to the General Court. In October, 1725, the trustees of the College presented the following memorial to the General Assembly. " To the Honorable the Governor, Council and Representa- tives, in General Court assembled, at New Haven, October 14, 1725. The memorial of the trustees of Yale College humbly shew- eth, that the said trustees after many endeavors for the gain- ing a rector for Yale College, have at our late meeting in New Haven unanimously chosen the Rev. Mr. Elisha Williams, minister of Newington, a parish belonging to Wethersfield, 30 unto that service, and judge him a person well qualified for the work we have called him to, and in him have a fair prospect that he will be a repairer of the breach that has been made in that society ; and as that school has had its being from this Honorable Assembly, and testimonies of tlieir good will in supporting it hitherto, so we count it our duty not only to in- form this Honorable Assembly of the measures we have taken for the promoting the good thereof, but now pray that by your act you will give your public approbation of our choice, which we shall take as a favor. We (as appointed by the trustees) have made application, both to the Rev. Mr. Williams, and to the people of the parish, with him, and have a likely prospect of obtaining him, both from him and them ; but the parish being small, and generally new beginners, it will necessarily bring a considerable charge upon them in settling of another minister. The College, out of their small stock cannot fully answer the charge we shall put them to ; we therefore humbly pray this Honorable Assembly that as they have often done to divers places in this Government, that upon Mr. Williams' removal to the College, so you will please to allow them their country rates (which are but little,) for the space of four or five years, and by your act state it to be applied to the settling the next succeeding minister in their parish ; and we shall accept it as a token of the favor this Honorable Assembly bears to the College, and a manifestation of their delighting in its prosperity. Aijd your memorialists shall ever pray, &c. Timothy Woodbridge, Thomas Buckingham, Samuel Whitman. Upon the reception of this memorial the Assembly congrat- ulated the College, saying, " This Assembly rejoice in tlie good providence that con- ducted the Reverend Trustees to fill up the vacancy of a rector in said College with a gentleman so agreeable to the country, and so very acceptable to the Assembly ; and do enact that when the said Mr. Elisha Williams shall remove to New Haven into the service of rector in Yale College, according to appointment of the said reverend trustees, that Newington, or the inhabitants of said parish, shall be freed from paying their country tax for the space of four years next coming, on con- dition that the money be improved towards settling another minister in said parish." 6 Oonn. Col. Rec, 569. After this aid was extended to Newhigton by the General Court, negotiations were again renewed. The College, acting through its trustees, and the parish, acting through its com- 31 mittee, at last agreed that the terms of adjustment between the College and society should be settled by a committee. The College selected Mr. Nathaniel Stanley and Capt. Ozias Pitkin ; the society Mr. Nathaniel Burnham and Mr. Martin Kellogg, as a committee of arbitration, to adjust the accounts presented by Newington, for expenses incurred in settling Mr. Williams. The parish presented the following bill of particulars': " A true account of the settling of Mr. Williams, at New- ington. 1. Particular. The committee treating with Mr. Williams before his first coming out to Newington to undertake the work of the ministry with us, - - £1 4s. Od. 2. The charge of the several meetings about settling him, - - - - 00 3. Charge arising in bringing out his family, goods, and creatures, at his first coming out, and providing a supper, 4. Charges at his ordination, 5. Charges at the raising of Mr. Williams' house, . - - - - - To eight acres of land, To 170 pounds towards the building of Mr. Williams' house, More to days' works, that amount to These items amount to .£362 6s. Sd. The committee how- ever did not allow the whole of the bill. They rejected all but the sum of X200 16s. which they awarded should be paid by the College. A memorandum of the adjustment, which still exists, shows its terms in full. " A. D. 1726, May the 4th. It was concluded by Mr. Na- thaniel Stanley and Capt. Ozias Pitkin, chosen by the Rev. Trustees of Yale College, (Mr. Timothy Woodbridge, and Mr. Thomas Buckingham, and Mr. Samuel Whitman,) and also Mr. Nathaniel Burnham, and Mr. Martin Kellogg, chosen also by the committee of Newington, (Dea. Jabez Whittelsey, John Camp, and Joseph Hurlbut,) to adjust the accounts that the people of Newington were at in settling of the Reverend Mr. Elisha Williams amongst them as their pastor. It was con- cluded that there should be delivered to tlie committee the sum of two hundred pounds, sixteen shillings, in bills of credit, by the last day of October next ensuing the date of these pres- ents, and also to pay to them what the General Assembly 2 13 38 15 5 3 4 80 70 65 6 3 32 granted to them, also the releasing of their country rates for the term of four years." On the same day tlie committee drew up their report to the General Assembly in which they announced the conclusion to whicli they had arrived. This sum was higher than the Col- lege felt able to pay. Again recourse was had to the General Court. It would seem that even now the question of Mr. Williams leaving for the new field of labor at New Haven, depended upon the action of the General Court in affording their aid. The College^ was felt to be in danger of sinking unless the enterprise could be carried through. The following carefully drawn memorial for help gives a vivid picture of the situation. " To the Hon^'ie Governor, Council and Representatives in General Court assembled, in Hartford, May 12, 1726. The memorial of us the subscribers, in behalf of Yale College, humbly oifered. Whereas for public benefit the said College hath been erected, and hitherto supported in great measure, by the favor and beneficence of the Honorable Assembly of this Colony, so as our necessities have required, upon application to them by the trustees of said College, it has from time to time been sup- plied, wherefore make bold to inform this Honorable Assem- bly that it stands in great necessity of relief. It is well known that the sufferings of the College through the defection of the rector have been long and great, and will increase till there be ■ a rector settled in it. Through the good hand of God's provi- dence the trustees have been directed to make choice of the Rev. Mr. Blisha Williams, of Newington Parish, in Wethers- field, to supply that place, which this Honorable Assembly has well approved, and given a good token of their approba- tion. We, according to the instructions given us by the trus- tees, ha\^ "applied to the said Mr. Williams, and to the people of his parish, and have, though not without difficulty, obtained the consent of Mr. Williams and his people, that he shall remove to New Haven, and as it appears both just and reason- able, that the people should be made good in their temporal interests. We have agreed witli their committee to take the judgment of prudent and indifferent persons in stating their accounts, who have given their judgment in the case, and have determined what tliey judge to be just and reasonable for the people to receive, to make up wliat they have expended in set- tling Mr. Williams amongst them, which sum ariseth higher 33 than what the College can pay, and what the General Assem- bly in October last granted ; wherefore we make our liumble address to this Honorable Assembly to assist the College, which will be in danger of sinking witliDut it. We therefore humbly pray that this Honorable Assembly would according to your usual bounty, and from their good will to the support of the College, grant to the trustees for the use of the College, the impost settled by law on the importation of rum, from the beginning of last May, to be continued till the May next com- ing, which possibly may reach to what is due to the people of Newington, to repair the rector's house, and fit it to dwell in.. And we hope and desire that the Divine Goodness will gra- ciously accept your ofiering. And we obliged ever to pray as in duty bound, Committee. Daniel Willard, jr., ) "Dated at Newington, this 31st day of December, 1784." It does not appear that the town granted the prayer of the petition, but the land was " throv/n out to the highway" about 1806 by its owners, and now prob- ably belongs to the town. * Josiah Willard resigned his position as clerk of the society at a meeting held Dec. 19th, 1786, and Daniel Willaid, jr., was appointed in his place. t Extract from the will of Jedediah Deming, executed April 14th, 1787. His estate was inventoried May 22d, 1787. " Item. I give and bequeath unto the society of Newington a legacy of the sum of sixty pounds, lawful silver money, accounting Spanish milled dollars at six shillings each, to be raised and paid out of my personal or movable estate, for the purpose of procuring only a sufficient quantity of good orthodox books of divinity, at the care and direction of the two standing officiating deacons for the time being in said society, and from time to time by them and their successors in said office, to be improved as opportunity and occasion may require for procuring a suitable quantity of l)ooks of the aforesaid description, of Calvinistical princi- ples, for furnishing a suitable library for public use in said society, as far as the same may necessarily extend, forever : which legacy shall be paid by my executors 73 At a meeting held September 21st, 1789, '' Upon a motion of Deacon Stoddard to resign the trust reposed in him by Mr. Jedediah Deraing, late of Wethersfield, deceased, in his last will and testament, for applying a legacy given by said Deming to the society of Newington for procuring a public library for said society : Voted, That Messrs. David Lowrey, Roger Welles, John Goodrich, Simon Welles, and Daniel VVillard, Jun., be appointed to assist the deacons in the discharge of the trust reposed in them by said will, in applying said legacy, procuring books, and forming a constitution for said library, and to assist them in any other matters that shall be thought necessary respecting said legacy, agreeable to said will, accoi'ding to their best judgment and discretion, and to report from time to time, when called, their proceedings in the business aforesaid." * At a meeting held December 7th, 1789, ''Messrs. Unni Robbins, Elizur AndruH, and Daniel Willard, Jun., were appointed to consider the petition of the south end of the society resjiecting a school district, and to report to the society." At a meeting held December 22d, 1 789, " Voted, That the sum of one hundred and eighty pounds be raised on the list of this society for defray- ing the cost of the school houses already built in this society and for building a school house at the southern part of the society, the said sum to be equally divided to said houses, and that the south end, extending to one third part of the list of 1 788 as near as may be, be impowered to call a meeting and transact any matters respecting the building said house, and that the proprietors of the other houses be empowered to meet and make an average of the sums so voted to each house. (Carried, nineteen against twelve.) " At a meeting held March 2d, 1790, " Voted, To empower the committee who have the care of the public monies belonging to this society in the loan office, both interest and principal, to dispose of the same according to their best discretion for the benefit of said society." At a meeting held July 7th, 1791, "There was then laid before the meeting a written obligation, signed by Capt. Martin Kellogg, promising to give to the society ninety pounds in money to be laid out towards a frame for a meeting house in consideration that the society agree to erect and build said house on the west side of the old green and about five rods southward of the south-east corner of the burying yard, so as to enclose a stake set there by him." " There was also an obligation in writing, signed by Lt. Lemuel Whit- tlesey, laid before said meeting, promising to give one hundred pounds towards building a meeting house for said society, provided said society shall proceed to build said house near where the first committee set a stake therelbr."f " A division was then called for, and there were for accepting Capt. Kellogg's proposal, 24, for Lt. Whittlesey's proposal, 14, majority of 10 for Capt. Kellogg's proposal." " Messrs. David Lowrey and James Welles were then appointed to receive the said donation of Capt. Kellogg. Messrs. Roger Welles and within one year after my decease, and provided the said sum of sixty pounds sliall be more than sufficient for the purpose aforesaid, my will is that the sur- plusage shall be loaned and the annual interest applied and improved for the support of the school in the south district in said society of Newington, their heirs and successors forever." * This committee reported, September 14th, 1790, a cotistitution and regula- tions for a library, called " Charity Library.". t This was near the dwelling house of Luther Latimer. 10 74 Jonathan Stoddard were then appointed to apply to the court to establish the above vote for the acceptance of Capt. Kellogg's proposal." * At a meeting held March 13th, 1792, "Voted and agreed, That this society will apply to the honorable General Assembly in May next, to obtain, if may be, the place already agreed upon by this society at their meeting in July last, to be affixed and established for the purpose of building a new meeting house upon. 20 for the vote, 14 against it." " Voted, That Messrs. David Lowrey and Roger Welles be and they are hereby appointed agents in behalf of this society to apply to the honorable General Assembly in May for the purpose expressed in the above vote. (19 for the vote, 14 against it.) " At a meeting held October 8th 1792, "Voted, That this society will confine their petition, now pending in the honorable General Assembly, respecting a meeting house, to a committee to view the society, hear all parties, and determine where a meeting house shall be erected in said society." At a meeting held October 23d, 1792, " Voted, That Col. Roger Welles be appointed to make provision for the committee from the Assembly. Charles Churchill, Esq., Col. Roger Welles, Martin Kellogg, and Capt. Robert Welles were appointed to wait on said committee expected I'rom the Assembly, and show them the society. Daniel Willard, Jun., and David Lowrey were appointed by said meeting to make a statement to said committee." At a meeting held December 31st, 1792, " Voted, That a committee be appointed to look into the state of the public law books and Kirby's re- ports belonging to this society, and report to the next meeting. Also, that Messrs. James Welles and David Lowrey be appointed for said pur- pose." " Voted, That this meeting approve of the following report and resolve of the honorable General Assembly, laid before the meeting. And the numbers taken were 39 against 3. At a General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, holden at New Haven on the second Thursday of October, Anno Dom., 1792. Upon the memorial of the inhabitants of the society of Newington, in the town of Wethersfield, and county of Hartford, by their agents, David Lowrey and Roger Welles, of said society, shewing to this Assembly that their old meeting house in said society is much decayed and unfit to re])air, and that the attempts to erect a new one have hitherto proved ineffectual : praying for the appointment of a conmiittee to view the vari- ous places in said society mentioned for the building a meeting house, and report what place is most convenient, as per petition on file. And this petition came to the General Assembly of this state, holden at Hartford in May last, and by continuance to this Assembly ; when this Assembly appointed a committee to examine into the facts stated in said petition, which committee having viewed the various places mentioned as suitable to erect a meeting house, at this Assembly have reported that at a stake by the said committee set, about six rods south east from the public burying ground in said society, is the most proper place whereon to ertict a meeting house in said society, which report hath been accepted by this Assembly, all which appears on file. Resolved hy this Assembly, That a meeting house may be erected at the said place reported by s^id committee, viz. : at a stake set about six rods south-east from the public burying ground in said society; and said society * The county court, in January, -1792, decided in favor of the site near Luther Latimer's house. Tlie society, at a meeting held Feh. 6th, 1 792, disapproved of this judgment of the county court by a vote of 49 to 20. 75 . are hereby authorized to erect a meeting house in said society at said place. A true copy of record. Examined by George Wyllys, Secretary." At a meeting held May 13th, 1793, "Voted, That this society will oppose the petition of certain memorialists who have petitioned the Hon. General Assembly, at their present session, to annex sundry persons belonging to this society, together with their estates, and also to annex a certain tract of land at the south end of this society, to the society of Worthington, relative to society and school charges." " Voted, That Col. Roger 'Welles and Charles Churchill, Esq., be appointed agents in behalf of this society to oppose said petition." * At a meeting held May 20, 1 793, " Voted, That Messrs. James Lusk and Martin Kellogg be employed to repair the fence around the burying yard, and that the expense be paid out of the rate-bill in the hand of Mr. Simon Wells." At a meeting held March 31, 1794, " Voted, To General Roger Welles, three pounds ten shillings, which he paid to Chauncey Goodrich, for memorial for meeting house and attendance on the Court, Nov. 25, 1791, and January, 17'.I2, and for petition to the Assembly in May, 1792." At a meeting held April 14, 1795, "It was then voted. To raise three shillings on pound on the list of this society for the year 1794, one shilling of the same to be paid annually for the purpose of building a meeting house at the stake set by the Assembly's Committee. 13 for it; 11 against it. " Voted, That Messrs. Unni Robbins, Elizur Andrus and Joshua Bel- den, jun., be a committee to procure materials and build a meeting house, agreeable to the above votes. " Voted, " That Mr. Solomon Stoddard be appointed sheep master, to take care of the sheep in this society the coming summer." At a meeting held April 27, 1795, "Voted, That General Rower Welles and Deacon James Welles be appointed to procure subscriptions to ease the burdens of the south-western people in this society, on condi- tion that a meeting house be built at the stake set by the Assembly's Com- mittee." At a meeting held May 18, 1795, " Voted, To General Roger Welles, two pounds eight shillings, to enable him to settle with Mr. Wm. Mosely, and one pound ten, to enable him to settle with Mr. Thomas Y. Seymor, for services to the Assembly, on the petition of Theodore Beckley and others against this society, being in the whole £3, 18."f *The petition of Theodore Beckley and others, dated April 22d, 1793, prays that they, with their ratable estate, " may be annexed unto the said society of Worthington, in said Berlin, relative to society and schooling charges." The society of Worthington, at a meeting held May 13th, 1793, voted that they were "cordially willing" the annexation of the petiuoners to that society should be granted by the Assembly, and that they esteemed it " not only expedi- ent, but just and reasonable that this union be made." The petition was granted by the lower house May 20th, 1794. In the upper house, it was granted so far as to annex a part of Stepney (now Rocky Hill) to Worthington. Afterwards, the upper house reconsidered their action and concurred with the lower house. f General Roger Welles died May 27, 179.5, in the 41st year of his age. He was a graduate of Yale College, Class of 1775. After his graduation he taught school in Wethersfiold till the Revolutionary War broke out, when lie entered the service and continued to the close of the war. He was captain of a company of picked men, under the command of Gen. Lafayette, at the siege of Yorktown, and his company, under his command, led the storming party on the redoubt taken by assault by the Americans. He was the second man in the fort. Col. Alex. Hamilton being the first. He was afterwards presented with a sword bv . T6 At a meeting held October 3, 1796, " Voted, To keep five months' school at each district in this society the year coming. " Voted, Eight pounds to each school, to be raised on the list of this society. " Voted, That half a cord of wood to a scholar be carried to the schools, and that those who carry the same be allowed at the same rate it shall be set to Mr. Belden. " Voted, That Messrs. Martin Kellogg, Levi Wells and Jonathan Blinn be appointed a school committee for said schools, and that they collect the poll tax. " Voted, That Capt. Levi Lusk draw the country money for the schools."* At a meeting held June 12, 1797, "Voted, That this Society will build a meeting house at the stake set by the Assembly's Committee, agreeable to a resolve of said Assembly. 22 for, 17 against." At a meeting held August 7, 1797, " Voted, That the north-west corner of the meeting house be set at a stake now set on the green, and that the sills be ranged due north and south, east and west, with the porch or steeple at the east end." At a meeting held August 28, 1797, " Voted, That this Society direct the present committee of superintendence for building a meeting house in this society proceed to erect and finish a meeting house at the stake set by the Assembly's Committee where the foundation now lies. 33 for, 21 against." At a meeting held August 30, 1798, " Voted, To proceed to finish the lower part of the meeting house, now erecting, with the breastwork of the gallery, as soon as may be, lathing and plastering excepted." At a meeting held September, 24, 1798, "Voted, That the Committee appointed to superintend the building a meeting house in this society, be directed to engage some suitable person to finish the same as they shall judge will be best for the society." At a meeting held October 15, 1798, " Voted, To build pews in all the lower part of the meeting house instead of seats." At a meeting held November 12, 1798, " Voted, To sell and dispose of the old meeting house in this society, and apply the avails of it towards defraying the charges of the new meeting house now building in said society, according to the discretion of a committee hereafter to be ap- pointed for that purpose." At a meeting held March 23, 1801, " Voted, That we will raise one cent on a dollar, for the purpose of painting the meeting house, on the list of 1800." At a meeting held December 6, 1802, " Voted, That James "Wells, jun., be a society clerk in the room of Daniel Willard who has resigned said office." At a meeting held March 8, 1803, to take into consideration " Mr. Bel- den's proposals to the society." Gen. Lafayette. He married Jemima Kellogg, March 27, 1785, and settled in Ncwington. In May, 178S, lie was appointed colonel of the Sixth Keg' t of State Militia. In May, 1793, lie was appointed brigadier-general of the Seventh Brigade of Militia. He was a member of the House of Representatives at the sessions held in May, October and December, 1790, May, 1791, May, 1792, May and October, 1793, May, 1794, and May, 1795, being a member when he died. In personal appearance ho was tall and commanding, being over six feet high, and by his training and martial bearing was well fitted to be a general in reality as well as in name. ♦ These are the last votes of the Society on the subject of schools. The school society was probably soon organized. 77 " Voted, To comply with Mr. Beklen's first proposal." " Voted, To appoint a committee to hire a candidate if there should be need." At a meeting held December 5, 1803, " Voted, To pay the Rev. Joshua Belden the salary due to him to the present time, $290, to be raised on the list of" 1803."* " Voted, To raise 8200, on the list of 1803, for the purpose of supply- ing the pulpit the year ensuing, and that one half be collected and paid by the first day of March next, and the remainder by the last day of June next." " Voted, Tliat Col. Levi Lusk, Dea. James Wells, Dea. Daniel Wil- lard and Mr. Abel Andrus be a committee to supply the pulpit the ensuing year, according to the best of their discretion." At a meeting held JTovember 19, 1804, *' Voted, That this society will give Mr. Joab Brace a call to settle with us in the gospel ministry, (51 for O.) " Voted, That Col. Levi Lusk, Dea. James Wells, Dea. Daniel Willard, Mr. Abel Andrus, Mr. Martin Kellogg, Maj. Justus Francis, and Mr. David Lowrey, be a committee to confer with Mr. Brace on said subject, and to obtain his mind with respect to settling in this society, and make report to the next meeting." At a meeting held December 3, 1804, " Voted that this society agree to the report made to this meeting by the committee appointed to confer with Mr. Joab Brace with respect to his settling in this society." At a meeting held Dec. 1 7, 1804, " Voted, That this society agree to the proposals made by the Committee appointed to confer with Mr. Joab Brace, and his agreement thereto be agreed to, and that the day appointed for his being ordained be on the third Wednesday of January next. (45 for, 2 against.) " Voted, That the society's committee be appointed, in concurrence with the committee to be appointed by the church, to grant letters missive and to transact all business relative to the ordination. " Voted, That the aforesaid committee be appointed to seat the counsel and strangers that shall attend on the day of prdination, and that they confer with Mr. Brace on what day he wishes to have a fast, and make public proclamation on the Sabbath."f At a meeting held January 7, 1805, "Voted, That Abel Andrus, David Lowrey, Martin Kellogg, Unni Robbins, jun., Simon Kilbourn, Lemuel Holmes, Widow Honor Blinn, and Widow Jemima Welles be appointed to keep houses of entertainment on the day of ordination." At a meeting held February 11, 1805, " Voted, $39.83 to Joshua Bel- den, Esq., for entertaining the counsel." ' " Voted, Widow Jemima Welles $25.50 for boarding Mr. Brace and keeping his horse." Mr. Joab Brace's Call from the Society. "Newington, December 3d, 1804. " Whereas Joab Brace, candidate, has been preaching for a length of time among us, and given universal satisfaction, we hereby give him a call to settle among us, in the work of the Gospel ministry ; and for his encouragement in the same we engage with him on the following terms, viz : That we will give him a permanent salary of three hundred and * Mr. Belden did the actnal service of the ministry during fifty-six years. Dr. Brace's Dis., 17. t The fast was January 9, 1805, and the ordination January 16, 1805. 78 seventy dollars a year so long as he shall continue to officiate with us in the ministry of the gospel. Provided, however, that his salary shall not cease for any temporary interruption from any providential ill- ness or inability. Also in addition to the above we will give him, for the four first years successively, one hundred dollars a year, out of the interest of the public moneys belonging to this society, for his present assistance. And, further, we will fetch and deliver to him yearly the wood he shall provide, not exceeding twenty loads a year, from a lot lying about two miles south-west of West Hartford meeting house. Signed, in behalf of the society, Abel Andrus, David Lowrey, Martin Kellogg, James Wells, Justus Francis, Levi Lusk, Daniel Willard, committee. Mr. Brace\i answer io the Societ)/. The people of this society having given me a regular call to settle among them in the work of the gospel ministry, and having proposed their engagement with me on the following terms, viz. :• Tliat they will give me a permanent salai'y of three hundred and seventy dollars a year so long as I shall continue to officiate with them in the ministry of the Gospel. Pro- vided, however, that my salary shall not cease in case of any temporary interruption by any Providential illness or inability. That in addition to the above permanent salary, they will give me, for the four first years successively, one hundred dollars a year out of the interest of the public monies belonging to this society, for my present assistance. And further, that they will fetch and deliver to me yearly the fire wood which 1 shall provide, not exceeding twenty loads a year, from a lot lying about two miles south-west of West Hartford meeting house. And I, also, having turned my attention to this great and solemn subject, with mature delib- eration, with much prayer to God, and with consultation of those friends whom I judged capable of advising. These are therefore to signify my acceptance of their proposals and agreement stated above, and my will- ingness to comply with their call, depending on divine aid, to be their minister in the Gospel of Christ, devoutly praying to Almighty God that by His sovereign grace I may be the humble instrument in His hands of awakening and converting sinners, and of building up saints in holiness and comfort, through faith unto salvation, and that this solemn connection may be for the everlasting peace and happiness both of this people and myself. Newington, December 17th, A. D. 1804. JoAij Brace. Addition to Mr. Brace's answer. That there may be no objection in the minds of any person, I am content that the donation for the tour first years should be paid on the following conditions, viz. : If I should be dismissed from this people at my own request, at the end of four years, that only half the four years donation be retained by me, if at the end of six years, three fourths of th« four years donation be retained, and if I continue eight years that the whole be retained ; but if I am dismissed at the people's request, no refunding shall be made. Newington, December 17th, 1804. J. Brace. Rev. Joshua Bclden was born July 19, 1724. He was a graduate of Yale College in the class of 1748. He began to preach in Newington in May, 1747, and was ordained as pas- 79 tor Nov. 11, 1747, when he was twenty-three years of age. He actively discharged the duties of the pastoral office from that time till Nov. 1803, a period of fifty-six years, when the infirmities of age compelled him to relinquish them. The pulpit was then supplied by Rev. Aaron Cleveland, and per- haps others, till October 7, 1804, when Rev. Joab Brace began to preach. Mr. Brace was ordained January 16, 1805, enter- tering this "•solemn connection'' at the same age as his imme- diate predecessor had done, when he was but twenty-three years old. He continued the pastor of the church till he also resigned, after a service of fifty years. He preached his last discourse as pastor, January 16, l8oo. This discourse, which was of an liistorical character, was published by vote of the society. Dr. Brace died at Pittsfield, Mass., at the residence of Rev. John Todd, his son-in-law, April 20, 1861, aged 80. The history of the society to the close of Mr. Belden's pastorate is virtually the history of Newington. For nearly the first century of its existence it was the only organization within its geographical limits. Even the church, during the time of Mr. Williams and Mr. Backus, has left no traces to show that it was in any sense separate from the society. Either no church records were then kept, or if kept they have been lost. The ecclesiastical society appointed the days for the ordination of the three first ministers and the days for fasting and prayer. No reference is made to any concurrent action on the part of the church. The society voted September 12, 1722, '' to keep Wednes- day, the 3d day of October, next ensuing, as a fast, to implore divine assistance of God, in gathering a church of Christ here, and in the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Elisha Williams," yet Mr. Williams had already preached two years, the meet- ing house had been raised in April, 1716, and January 15, 1719, the society voted to call a minister, and appointed a committee to treat with Mr. Nathaniel Burnham. Tlie meet- ing house was located by the Legislative Committee, " near Dca. Joseph Andrus' house," so that there was a deacon at that time, Mliy 13, 1715. He was undoubtedly the first dea- con, and the only one before the ordination of Mr. Williams; 80 whenever his name occurs he is uniformly given the title of Deacon. The second was Dea. John Deming, who is given the title for the first time in the record of the next meeting held after the ordination of Mr. Williams. He was probably appointed deacon at the fast, when the church was organized. These two were the deacons during nearly the whole of the ministry of Mr. Williams. Tiie name of Dea. Andrus appears for the last time in the record of tlie meeting held January 6, 1726. He was succeeded by Dea. Jabez Whittelsey, who first receives that title in the record of the meeting held April 15, 1726. Dea. Whittelsey continued to act till he removed from the place in 1745. He was probably succeeded by Dea. Josiah Willard, whose name next appears with that title in the records. Dea. Willard died March 10, 1757, and was succeeded by Dea. Joshua Andrus. Dea. John Deming died May 1, 1761, and was succeeded by Dea. John Camp, who was appointed July 2, 1761. Dea. John Camp was suc- ceeded by Dea. Elisha Stoddard, who was chosen August 14, 1782. Dea. Joshua Andrus was succeeded by Dea. Charles Churchill who was chosen August 81, 1786, Dea. Elisha Stoddard was succeeded by Dea. James Wells, who was chosen August 5, 1790. Dea. Charles Churchill was suc- ceeded by Dea. Daniel Willard, chosen Feb. 24, 1803. Dea. Wells and Dea. Willard were the two deacons of the church when Mr. Brace was ordained. The first church records kept, separate from the society records, are those of Mr. Belden. These records are quite defective as to church votes and proceedings. All the records of cases of discipline were purposely destroyed by him. His record of Baptisms, Marriages, and those who owned the Half- way Covenant, appears to be complete. The others are more or less defective. These records are appended, and together with the society records, form the treasury to which we must go for accurate information during the period of Mr. Belden's ministry. Only a selection from the society records could be admitted within the compass of this work, the aim has been to present those votes wliich best illustrate the History of the parish. They show that the powers of the society in its early 81 days embraced many subjects now within other jurisdictions, such as schools, pounds and pound-keepers, the flocking of sheep, appointment of sheep-masters, the burying yard, &g. The minister's salary and the other society expenses were paid by "minister and society rates" or taxes which were assessed each year upon the list of all the inhabitants within the geographical limits of the parish. The Collector of these rates was armed with a warrant which authorized and required him, " in liis Majesty's name," to collect the sums named in his rate bill, of the several persons therein named, and in default of payment, to distrain their goods and chattels, and for want of goods or chattels, to seize the bodies of the de- linquents and them to commit to the common jail, tliere to remain till they paid and satisfied the sums assessed upon them, unless upon application to the County Court, their rates were abated. With this formidable power it is pre- sumed the Collector was generally successful in raising the minister's salary and the society expenses. Rates were quite commonly paid in wheat, rye, or Indian corn, at standard prices, varied from year to year, and fixed by votes of the society, a medium of exchange more stable and certain often- times, than the fluctuating currency of tlie Colonies, especially when inflated in times of war or great necessities for money. The seats in church were not sold, neither were they free, but they were assigned by a committee duly appointed for that purpose, called " seaters," who, in seating the inhabit- ants, paid due regard to tlieir list, age, parentage and useful- ness. During the time of Mr. Williams and Mr. Backus, the male and female portions of the audience were separated, but afterwards men and tlieir wives were permitted to worship together. Wlien the second meeting house was built, the then modern invention of pews was substituted for seats, in the lower part of the house. In the first meeting house, though its walls were not lathed and plastered for some years, no artificial heat ever warmed the hearers in their devotions. Not till after Mr. Brace's settlement was this innovation made. The zeal of the worshipers more than supplied the want of luxuries. The long doctrinal sermons of the day enabled 11 82 them to become well grounded in the tenets of their religion, and better qualified to give reasons for the faith that was in them, than the worshipers of the present day, who, in more luxurious churches, listen to less exhaustive sermons. Cases of discipline were more common then than now, probably be- cause the watch and care of the church over its members were more strict and constant, the church members fewer in number, and the church more accustomed, from the union of the church and State, to wield the arm of power than at present ; then there was also one prolific source of evils, the sin of intem- perance, far more common in the church than to-day. The circumstances of the times in which they lived in the last century, tended to make our fathers and mothers rugged in body, and strong in mind and character. They were trained amid privations and necessities, contest succeeded contest with Indians, French, and lastly with the English. They had to grapple with nature itself, and turn the wild wilderness into the cultivated field, to build roads and bridges, meeting houses and school houses, causing endless disputes between conflicting interests. The first settlers had to fight against the adverse influences of a new climate, diseases laid them low, and death consigned them to the "place of silence." Educated in such a school they were taught, first, reliance on God, second, reliance on themselves, and they became valiant soldiers, whether battling for their spiritual or temporal inter- ests. They laid the foundation of religion and education, broad and deep. They builded better than they knew. Let their descendants, while they reap the benefits of their toil, also cherish and honor their memory. " Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation." . THE FIRST RECORDS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN NEWIXGTON, CONTADflNO Admissions to Communion, Baptisms, Those AA^ho Acknowledged the Baptismal Covenant, Church Votes and Proceedings, Marriages and Deaths, From November 11, 1747, to January 16, 1805, AS KEPT BY Eev. JOSHUA BELDEN, Pastor. Admissions to Communion. Feb. 9, 1752. Stephen Deming and his wife .were admitted to fuU communion. April 26. Louis (Lois), the wife of Phinehas Andrus, being recom- mended from Stepney, was accepted to communion with this church. At the same time Abigail, the wife of John Frary, recommended from East Guilford, was accepted to communion. June 28. Mary, the wife of Daniel Kilborn, recommended from Kil- lingworth, was accepted to communion. Nov. 26. Penelope, the wife of John Camp, was admitted to full communion. April 1, 1753. David Goodrich was admitted to full communion. At the same time Henry Kircura, with his wife, recommended from New Cambridge, were received again to communion. 84 June 1, 1755. Prudence, the wife of Timothy Kilborn, and Happy Kilborn were admitted to full com. At the same time Mr. David Webster, with his wife, recommended from Glassenbury, were admitted to church privileges. Aug. 3. Peletiah Buck, jr., and his wife, were admitted to full communion. Dec. 4. Mercy Lamb was admitted to full communion. June 6, 1756. Jemima Lamb " " Jan. 16, 1757. Abigail, the wife of David Woolcut, recommended from Guilford, was accepted to church privileges. Dec. 3, 1758. Sarah, the wife of Thomas Francis, recommended from East Middletown, was accepted to (tljurch privileges. April 6, 17C0. Sarah Wells, admitted to fuU communion. May 3, 1761. Mr. Simon Backus " « July 4, 1762. Thomas Francis " « March 6, 1763. Thomas Wright " " May 1. Henry Kircum, jun., " " July 3. Martha, the wife of Ensign Chas. Hurlbut, admitted to full communion. May 6, 1764. Caleb Andrus admitted to full communion. July 5, 1767. Mr. Zadock Hun " " " May 7, 1769. Eunice Woolcot " « " Sept. 3. Dorothy, the wife of Luther Latimer, received to commu- nion. At the same time Hannah, wife of David Woolcut, jun., recommended from Windsor, was accepted, to stated com. Nov. 5. Joseph Churchil and his wife were admitted to full com- munion. At the same time James Wells was admitted to communion. April 29, 1770. Martha Wells aud Eunice Lusk admitted into com- munion. July 1. Elijah Wells and Mary Lusk were admitted to full com- munion. Nov. 1. Gamaliel Deming and Rebecca, his wife, Cloe Wells and Absalom Wells were admitted to communion. July 28, 1771. Ashbel Seymour was admitted to full communion. Jan. 6, 1772. Elias Francis and his wife were received to full com- munion. March 1. Capt. Charles Churchill and his wife received to full communion. At the same time Lucy Camp was admitted to full communion. Nov. 1. Jessie Churchill and Sarah, his wife, recommended from New Cambridge, admitted to communion. Dec. 13, 1772. Hannah Fairchild, admitted to communion and baptised. Jan. 3, 1773. Louis Latimer, received to full communion. April, 1774. Fitch Hurlbut and Jemima, his wife, received to communion. June 25. Mary, wife of Joseph Stoddord, and Dinah, wife of Enoch Stoddord, received into the church. 85 March 5, 1775. Honor Belden, recommeaded from the first church in Norwich, was accepted to stated com. July 7, 1776. Hannah, wife of Martin Kellogg, jr., recommended from Caanan, received to stated communion. Sept. 1. Lydia Fox andLydia Buck, admitted to communion. April 20, 1777. Robert Welles, jr., and Abigail, his wife, Mary Belden and Martha Belden were admitted to full communion. May 4. Elisha Stoddord and Hannah, wife of Jonathan Curtis, were received to communion. June 22. Daniel Willard, jun., renewed covenant and was received into full com. June 29. Lemuel Hurlbut and Tabitha, his wife, received to full communion. Feb. 15, 1778. William Richards renewed covenant and was received to full com. Aug. 9. Sarah, wife of Jedediah Mills was admitted to church communion. April 2, 1780. Levi Hurlbut and Martha, his wife, and Mercy, the wife of 8aml. Clmrchill, were admitted to church com. May 7. Elizabeth, wife of Bernard Romans, admitted to church com. The same day Love, the wife of James Lusk, recommended from vSuffield, received to communion. July 2. Jemima Kellogg, admitted to full com. " 23. Amos Buck, and Abigail, his wife, admitted to church com. Oct. 29. Justus Francis, received to church com. Feb. 25, 1781. Thankfull Seymour, admitted to church com. May 6. Tabitha, wife of Elias Andrus received to communion, re- commended from East Windsor. Oct. 14. Mable, wife of Amos Andrus Webster, recommended from Worthington Church, received to stated communion. May 4, 1783. Capt. Robert Welles, received to church com. Oct. 5. Elizabeth, wife of George Woolcutt, received to church com. Jan. 4, 1 784. Anne Deming was admitted to church communion. Feb. 20, 1785. Ephraim Peterson and his wife, recommended from the church at Piermont, were admitted to church communion, and privately. May 1. Octaviaand Rhoda Belden admitted to church communion. Sept. 4. Abel Andrus admitted to full communion. Feb. 19, 1786. Sarah, wife of Oswell Rockwell, admitted to church com. March 5. Abigail, wife of James Welles, recommended from Bristol, was received to stated com. At the same time, also, Elizabeth, wife of Simon Welles, recommended from East Guilford. June 25. Obediah Smith admitted to church com. 1781 or 1782. Dorothy, the wife of Elisha Stoddord, was admitted 86 to full communion, but not being entered at the time the exact date is forgotten. March 4, 1787. Lois, wife of Justus Francis, recommended from N. Britain, admitted to stated communion. Sept. 2. Rhoda, wife of Abel Andrus, recommended from West Hartford, received to stated com. Sept. 16. Mary, wife of David Stoddord, admitted to church com- munion. Nov. 4. Isabel Comwell, recommended from New Britain, received to communion. Nov. 1, 1789. Silas Churchill, admitted to church com. Jan. 24, 1790. Judith, wife of John Hurlbut, and Hannah, wife of Abijah Wright, admitted to church com. Nov. 7. Eleazur Merrill and his wife recommended from West Hartford, were received to com. Sept. 4, 1791. Elizabeth, wife of Roger Francis, recommended from New Britain, was received to stated com. Oct. 1 6. Lt. Sam'l Hurlbut was admitted to church com. Jan. 8, 1792. Waitstill Dickinson and his wife admitted to full com. At the same time Elizabeth, wife of Ephraim Deming, was admitted etc. Feb. 26. Simon Welles was admitted to church com. Aug. 26. Jerusha Seymour, admitted to full c(>m. May 4, 1794. Rose, negro woman, recommended from Durham, ad- mitted to church com. Sept. 6, 1795. Elizabeth, wife of Elias Seymour, Honor, wife of Ashbel Seymour, and Abigail Hubbard were admitted to full com. Oct. 25. Admitted to church communion, Martha Fox and Mary Atwood, the last baptized at the same time. July 3, 1796. Janna Deming and his wife, and Josiah Francis and his wife were received to full com. Nov. 6. Widow Mercy Griswold and Abigail, the wife of Josiah Griswold, recommended from West Hartford, were admitted to church com. May 7, 1797. Levi Welles and his wife and Alma Welles were re- ceived to full com. And Sarah, the wife of Lemuel Holmes admitted (on a letter received from Stepney). July 2. Honor, wife of Jonathan Blin, Lucy Welles and Lucy Gay- lord were admitted to full communion. July 1, 1798. Eleazur Brown and Anne, his wife, recommended from the Church in New London, were received to com. July 14, 1799. Hannah Andrus and Clary Welles were admitted to full communion with the church. Also Eleazur Merrill and his wife received again, recommended from New liritain, where they have resided some time. Sept. 1. Erasfus S^^ymour, admitted to com. Nov. 3. Mary Kellogg, 2d, admitted to com. 8T March 2, 1800. Silva, wife of Michel Wright and Anne Camp were admitted to full com. Sept. 7. Levi Deming. Ashbel Seymour, jr., Mary Lowry and Jemima Kellogg were admitted to full com. Nov. 2. Prudence Merril admitted to full communion. March 1, 1801. Joshua Belden, jur., and Dorothy, his wife, admitted to full communion. May 3. Francis Coslet was admitted to full com. Dec. 20. Oledine Andrus admitted to com., and baptized. Same time, Eimice Seymour received to church com. March 14, 1802, David Lowry and his wife received to com. April 17, 1803. Roger Hurlbut received to com. Oct. 30. Anne Andrus admitted to com. and baptized. Nov. 6. Lydia Andius received to com. Nov. 4, 1804. Esther Latimer admitted to com. Dec. 23. Anne, tlie wife of Elizur Andrus, and Louis, wife of Fitch Andrus, were admitted to communion. Admissions, total, - - - - 169 Feb. 17, 1805. Absalom Welles and Lorania, his wife, were rece'ed I to church com. January 16, 1805: Members, - - - - - 51 IL Baptisms. Nov. 15, 1747. Elizabeth, d. of Josiah Kilborn. D( c. 6th. Abigail, d. of Stephen Deming. Dec. 13. Abraham, s. of Elisha Warren. Dec. 27. Bela, s. of Benj. Good- rich, and Elizur, s. of Benajah Andrus. Jan. 24, 1747-8. Epaphras, s. of Thomas Stoddord. Jan. 31. Ashbel, son of Beavil Seymore, Theodore, s. of Israel Bordman, and Rhoda, d. of Sol- omon Deming. Feb. 14. Jeames, s. of William Wells, and Oliver, son of Jona- than Churchil. Mar. 6. Cloe, d. of Wm. Andrus. At same time, John, s. of John Lusk, and Daniel, son of Heze- kiah Deming. May 1. Hannah, d. of Samuel Hun, and Elias, son of Josiah Francis. May 29. Eunice, d. of David Woolcot. July 10. Eliphalet, s. of Elipha- let Whittlesey, jr., and Abigail, d. of Zebulon Robbins, per Mr. William Burnham. Nov. 2. Solomon, son of Amos Hurlbut. Nov. 27, 1748. Timothy, son of Timothy Kilborn, and Patience, d. of Mary Barns, once Mary Woolcot. Dec. 4. Asa, s. of Solomon Dem- ing. Dec. 18. Benjamin, s. of George Kilborn. Dec. 25. Hannah, d. of Daniel Willard, and Lucy, d. of Phin- eas Cole. Jan. 1, 1748-9. Honor, daugh. of Wid. Hannah Whaples. Jan. 12. Hannah, d. of Charles Churchil. Jan. 15. Sarah, d. of Sam'l Hun. Feb. 19. Elizabeth, d. of Joseph Hurlbut. Mar. 6. Jeames, s. of Thos. Stan- ley, jr., in the mother's right. April 2. Lucy, d. of John Camp. April 9. Abigail, dau. of Capt. Robert Wells, and Amos, s. of Samuel Buck, per Mr. James Lockwood. April 23. Anne, dau. of Martin Kellogg, jr. May 21. Josiah, son of Elijah Andrus, Benajah, son of Israel Bordman, and Aron, s. of Sam'l Richards, all per Mr. Daniel Russell. May 28. Esther, d. of Stedman Young. June 18, 1749. Thankfull, d. of Gideon Hun. July 9. Reuben, son of Judah Wright. Oct. 8. Sarah, d. of Robt. Wood- ruff. Oct. 29. Martha, d. of William Wells. At the same time, baptized, Elias, son of Josiah Wright, and Timothy, son of Timothy Goodrich. Dec. 3. Hannah, dau. of Ehsha Warren. Jan. 17, 1749-50. Louis, dau. of Timothy Judd. Mar. 25, 1750. Rhoda, dau. of Benjamin Goodrich. April 22. Thankful, d. of Beavil Seymore. May 20. Silas, son of Benajah Andrus. At the same time, baptized, Eunice, dau. of John Lusk. June 24. Abel, s. of Josiah Hinsdil. July 8. Elizabeth, d. of Joseph Deming. Aug. 12. Lydia, d. of Thomas Stoddord. Aug. 19. David, s. of Eliphelet Whittlesey. At the same time, baptized, Martha, d. of Phineas Cole. Aug. 26. Elijah, son of Oliver Atwood. At the same time, baptized, Lemuel, s. of Amos Hurlbut. Nov. 11. Justus, son of Josiah Francis, per James Lockvrood. Nov. 25. William, s. of Daniel Willard. Dec. 9. Rosannah Deming, d. of Stephen Deming. ' Dec. 16. William, son of Elijah Burnham. Dec. 23. Sarah, d. of Stephen Kellogg. Jan. 20, 1751. Martha, dau. of Joshua Belding. At the same time, baptized, Jonathan, s. of Ezra Balding. Feb. 3. Hannah, d. of Ephraim Blin. Mar. 3. Eliphalet, s. of Samuel Richards. Mar. 17. Hannah, d. of Thomas Robbins. Mar. 24. Seth, s. of Noah Stan- ley. At the same time, baptiz- ed, Elizur, s. of Janna Deming. Mar. 31. Ruth, d. of Jos. Andrus. April 10. John, son of Charles Hurlbut. April 14. Ruth, dau. of Robert Woodruff. Aug. 18. Elisha, s. of Ebenezer Smith, jr. 89 Sept. 22. Asel, son of Judah Wright. At the same time, bap- tized, Mary, d. of John Peirce. Nov. 24. Ann, dau. of Zebulon Goodrich. At the same time, baptized, Kate, d. of Stephen Lee. Dec. 15. Mary, d. of Sam'l Hun. Dec. 29. Abigail, d. of Zebulon Stoddord. Jan. 5, 1752. Hannah, d. of Eli- sha Warren. Jan. 12. Justice, son of Josiah Wright. Jan. 26. Anne, d. of Joshua Bel- ding. At the same time, bap- tized, Melicent, d. of Zebulon Goodrich. Feb. 2. Samuel, s. of Jno. Lusk. Feb. 16. William, s. of Joseph Hinsdil. Mar. 29. Robert, s. of William Lusk. April 5. Lot, s. of Thos. Stanley, jun. April 12. Elias, son of Janna Deming, per Mr. Dan'l Russell. May 3. Eunice, dau. of Gideon Hunn. May 10. Levi, s. of Oliver At- wood, Hannah, dau. of Amos Hurlbut, and Timothy, son of Timothy Kilborn. June 7. Levi, s. of Chas. Chur- chill. July 5. Nathaniel, s. of Stedman Youngs. July 12. Elizabeth, d. of Steph. Kellogg. July 26. Rosil, s. of Bevil Sey- more. Aug. 2. Elijah, sou of Gideon Griswould. Aug. 23. Joseph, s. of Joseph Hurlbut. September, N. S. begins. Oct. 7. Mary, dau. of Gamaliel Deming. 12 Oct. 21. Elijah, s. of Elijah An- drus. Oct. 29. Hanna, d. of Ephraim •Blin. Nov. 1 2. Keturah, d. of Phineas Andrus. Dec. 10. John, s. of Jno. Peirce, and Mary, d. of John Frary, upon his wife's right. Feb. 18, 1753. Elias, s. of Jos. Andrus. Mar. 4. Frances, d. of Ebenezer Smith, jun. April 8. Daniel, son of Daniel Willard. At the same time, baptized, Lucina, d. of Josiah Francis. April 29. John, son of Elijah Stoddord. May 20. Asaph, s. of Eliphelet Whittlesey. June 17. Appleton, s. of Capt. Robert Wells, per Mr. James Lockwood. Aug. 12. Abigail, d. of Joshua Belding. Sept. 21. Abigail, dau. of Caleb Webster. Sept. 23. Mary, dau. of Charles Churchil. Oct. 14. Martha, dau. of Elijah Kircum. Oct. 21. Louis, d. of Bevil Sey- mour. Oct. 28. Sylvia, dau. of Noah Stanley. Jan. 6, 1854. Daniel, s. of Janna Deming. Jan. 20. Samuel, s. of Zebulon Stoddord. Jan. 27. Sylvia, dau. of Stephen Deming. At the same time, baptized, Samuel, s. of Gideon Griswould. Mar. 3. Mary, d. of Mr. David Webster. Mar. 24. Hulda, dau. of Josiah Atwood, jr. 90 April 21. Lydia, dau. of John Richards. May 5. Samuel, s. of Jonathan Whaples. June 23. Simon, son of William Wells, and Solomon, s. of Jo- siah Wright, per Mr. J. Lock- wood. June 28. Mable, dau. of Darius Stevens, privately. Aug. 25. John, s. of Benjamin Goodrich. Sept. 29. Abigail, d. of Solomon Deming. Nov. 10. Rhoda, d. of Thomas Stoddord, Seth, s. of Timothy Kiiborn, Rebecca, d. of Gama- liel Deming, and Rosil, son of Ephraim Blin. Dec. 22. Elijah, son of William Lusk. Jan. 26, 1755. Samuel, son of Israel Bordman. Feb. 2. Josiah, s. of Amos Hurl- but. Feb. 23. Eunice, dau. of Caleb Woolcott. Mar. 2. Solomon, son of Joel Jones, in the mother's right. Mar. 16. Eleanor, d. of Martin Kellogg. Mar. 30. Abigail, d. of Eben- ezur Smith, jr. April 20. John, s. of Oliver At- wood. May 4. Charles, son of Charles Churchil, and Chester, son of Stephen Kellogg. July 13. Elijah, son of Zebulon Goodrich. Aug. 31. Mary, dau. of Elijah Stoddord. Sept. 6. Seth, s. of David Lusk. Sept. 18. Dorothy, d. of P^lipha- let Whittle-sey. At the same time, baptized, Jonathan, s. of Nathaniel Kircum. Sept. 21. Rose, d. of Elijah An- drus, and Lydia, d. of Peletiah Buck, jr. Nov. 2. Thomas, son of Janna Deming. Nov. 13. William, s. of Samuel Riciiards. Dec. 7. James, son of Josiah Francis, and Sarah, d. of James Lusk. Dec. 14. Mary, dau. of Joshua Belding. Dec. 28. Elizur, s. of Jonathan Whaples. Jan. 9, 1756. George, s. of Jo- siah Atwood. Jan. 25. Sarah, dau. of Joseph Andrus. Feb. 22. Josiah, son of Josiah Kiiborn. April 4. Eli, s- of Jos. Hurlbut. April 25. Joseph, s of Jonathan Curtice, in the mother's right. July 18. Ruth, d. of Noah Stan- ley, and Elijah, son of John Richards. Aug. 1. Rhoda, d. of Capt. Rob- ert Wells. Sept. 19. Leonard, s. of Steph. Deming. Nov. 7. Sarah, dau. of Zebulon Stoddord. Nov. 21. Elizabeth, d. of Josiah Wright, and Isaac, son of Joel Jones, in the mother's right. Jan. 23, 1757. Silas, s. of Eph. Blin. Feb. 6. David, s. of Mr. David Webster, Asa, s. of Beli Blin, and Rhoda, d. of Mary Hurl- but. Mar. 20. David, s. of Benjamin Goodrich, and Louis, d. of Jas. Blin. April 3. Levi, s. of Wm. Lusk. April 10. Samuel, s. of Charles Churchil. May 22. Cloe, d. of Nathaniel Kircum. June 5. Lydia, d. of Dan'l Wil- lard. Aug. 1. Cloe, dau. of Peletiah Buck, jr. 91 Aug. 14. Appleton, s. of Phine- has Andrus. All":. 28. Happy, dau. of Louis Kilborn. Sept. 4. Jemima, d. of Martin Kellogg. Oct. 2. Sarah, d. of Joshua Bel- ding. Oct. 9. Rhoda, d. of Josiah At- wood, jr. Nov. 6. Sarah, dau. of Thomas Wright. Nov. 13. Asa, s. of Josiah Fran- cis. Jan. 1, 1758. Mable, d. of Elijah Stoddord. Jan. 15. EHsha, s. of Capt. Ele- phelet Whittlesey. Mar. 5. Anne, d. of Janna Dem- ing, and Sarah, d. of Gamaliel Deming. Mar. 2Q. Hannah, d. of Jonathan Curtis, in the mother's right. April 9. Stephen, s. of Stephen Kellogg, per Mr. Clark. June 18. Uli, s. of Jos. Hurlbut. Oct. 8. William, s. of Beli Blin. Oct. 22. Amos, s. of Amos Hurl- but. Dec. 31. Hannah, d. of Charles Churchil. Jan. 7, 1759. Abigail, d. of Jo- siah Wright, per Mr. Smalley. Feb. 10. Sarah, d. of Jonathan Blin, and Abijah, s. of Thomas Wright. 200 Mar. 18. Samuel, son of Henry Kircura, jr. April 15. Samuel, s. of Samuel Buck. May 20. Elizabeth, d. of Wait- still Deming. June 3. Rebecca, dau. of Israel Bordman. July 8. Anne, d. of Joshua Bel- ding, the 2d of that name, and Sylvia, d. of Stephen Deming, his 2d of the same name. July 15. William, son of Joel Jones, in the mother's right. Aug. 19. Esther, d. of Zebulon Stoddord. Oct. 21. Miles, s. of Miles An- drus, in the mother's right. Nov. 11. Anne, dau. of Amos Hurlbut. Nov. 25. Sarah, dau. of William Andrus, and Simon, s. of Tim- othy Kilborn. Jan. 20, 1760. Anne, d. of Solo- mon Stoddord. Mar. 6. Titus, s. of Jos. Deming. April 13. Eunice, dau. of Janna Deming. May 11. Rhoda, dau. of Josiah Atwood, per Mr. Russell. May 18. James, s. of Jas. Blin. May 25. Simeon, son of Stephen Kellogg. July 6. Esther, dau. of Joseph Hurlbut. July 20. Nathaniel, s. of Elijah Kircum. Oct. 5. Ehzabeth, d. of Elijah Stoddord, per Mr. Smally. Oct. 12. Roger, s. of Capt. Ele- phalet Whittlesey. Oct. 26. Allin, s. of Josiah Fran- cis, and Hannah, dau. of John Russel. Nov. 23. Sarah, Olive, and Ste- phen Churchil, grand children to Ensign Sam'l Churchil, and on his and his wife's account, and John, s. of Henry Kircum, jun. Dec. 28. Stephen, son of Amos Hurlbut. Jan. 25, 1761. Irene, d. of Miles Andrus. Feb. 15. Asa, s. of Thos. Wright. Mar. 1. Ephraim, s. of Waitstill Deming, and Jonathan, son of Bela Blin. April 5. Joseph, son of Justus Woolcutt. 92 April 19. Miles, s. of Jonathan Curtis, in the mother's right. May 3. Isaac, s. of Sam'l Buck. July 19. Simeon, "s. of Stephen Kellogg. July 26. My seventh daughter, afterwards called Martha. Sept. 27. Robert, s. of Robert Wells, jr. Oct. 11. Hannah, d. of Ebenezer Dickinson. Dec. 2. Privately, Orrin, son of Elijah Kircum, being like to die. Jan. 3, 1762. Louis, d. of John Squires, in the mother's right. Jan. 10. Hannah, dau. of Justus Woolcut, per Mr. Smalley. Jan. 17. Ruth, d. of Amos Hurl- but. Feb. 28. Martin, s. of Gamaliel Deming. Mar. 28. Sarah, dau. of Martin Whittlesey. April 18. Silvia, d. of William Andrus. May 16. John, s. of Janna Dem- ing. May 23. Mehitable, d. of Miles Andrus. Aug. 29. Jonathan, s. of Jona- than Wright. Sept. 19. Anne, d. of Benjamin Andrus. Oct. 3. Jonathan, s. of Jonathan Blin. Dec. 12. Nancy, d. of Frances Deming. Jan. 16, 1763. John, s. of Thos. Wright. Jan. 30. Ruth, d. of Joseph An- drus, jr., per Mr. Smally. Mar. 27. Elisha, s. of Jas. Blin, and Mary, d. of Wm, Wells, jr. April 6. Fast Day. Ezekiel, s. of Waitstill Deming, and Rosil, . s. of Hezekiah Francis. April 24. Prudence, d. of Sam'l Woolcut. May 1. Roger, son of Josiah Francis. June 12. Martin, son of Amos Hurlbut. July 3. Elizabeth, d. of Elijah Stoddord, and Anne, d. of Jona- than Stoddord. July 24. Phinehas, s. of Phine- has Andrus, and Justus, son of Justus Woolcutt. Sept. 11. Leonard, s. of Stephen Deming. Oct. 30. Octavia, dau. of Joshua Belding. Dec. 25. Robert, son of Francis Deming. Jan. 8, 1764. Abigail, dau. of Robert Wells, jr. April 8. Seth, s. of Bela Blin. April 22. Luther Latimer and Levi Steel. May 20. John, s. of Sherman Bordman, Eunice, d. of Henry Kircum, and Lavinia, dau. of William Wells, jr. May 27. Cinthia, d. of Stephen Kellogg. June 3. Samuel Johnson, son of Samuel Andrus, in tlie mother's right. July 1. Clorinda, dau. of Miles Andrus. Aug. 5. Solomon, son of Capt. Charles Churchil. Aug. 19. Mary, d. of Jonathan Wright, per Mr. Smalley. Sept. 9. Pamela, d. of Joseph Aiidrus, jr., and Mehitable, d. of P^lias Hurlbut. Sept. 30. Nabby, d. of Timothy Kilborn. Oct. 7. Hezekiah, s. of Hez. At- wood. Oct. 21. Hosea, s. of Hez. Fran- cis. Jan. 13, 1765. Seabury, dau. of Justus Woolcutt. Jan. 27. Lorania, d. of Benja- min Andrus. 93 Feb. 27. Sylvester, s. of Gama- liel Deming;. Mar. 17. Nathan Wright. Mar. 31. Uni, s. of James Blin. April 14. Phinehas, s. of Chris- topher Hurlbut, and Lydia, d. of Nathan Wright. April 28. Cloe, dau. of Janna Doming, and Barzillai, son of Mary Welles. May 12. Amos, s. of Abel An- driis. May 19. Frederick, s. of Wait- still Deming. June 23. Michael, s. of Thomas Wright. July 28. Seabury, d. of Jonathan Stoddord. Aug. '2o. Hannah, d. of Lemuel Whittlesey. 300 Oct. 20. Cinthia, d. of William Andrus. Dec. 1. Unni, s. of Unni Rob- bins. Jan. 19, 1766. Lucy, d. of Jona- than Blin. Mar. 2. Abigail, dau. of Henry Kircum. Mar. 16, Absolom, s. of Robert Wells, jr. Mar. 30. Barzillai, s. of Francis Deming. May 18. Hannah, dau. of Bela Blin. June 1. Rhoda, dau. of Joshua Belding. July 6. Rosetia, dau. of John Squires, in the moiher's right. July 20. Christopher, s. of Chris- topher Hurlbut. Aug. 17. Elijah, son of Elijah Stoddord, Pliebe, dau. of Miles Andrus, and Thomas and Selah, twin sons of Hez. Francis. Sept. 14. Pvlenor, dau. of Elias Hurlbut. Sept. 28. Phinehas, s. of Hez. Atwood, and Orrin, s, of Eben- ezer Dickinson. Oct. 12. Ruth, dau. of Abel An- drus. Oct. 1 9. Timothy, son of Samuel Andrus. Nov. 2. Norman, son of Justus Woolcut. Dec. 7. Joseph, son of Joseph Andrus, jr. Feb. 1, 1767. Prudence, dau. of Unni Robbins. Feb. 2 2. Enos, s. of Wm. Welles, jun. Mar. 22. Lucretia, d. of Wait- still Deming. Mar. 29. Tbankfull, d. of Benj. Andrus. April 19. Joseph, s. of Stephen Kellogg, per Mr. May 10. Honour, dau. of Janna Deming. July 26. Lucina, d. of Gamaliel Deming. Sept. 6. Jeny, dau. of Jonathan Stoddord, and Step., Lieut. Kel- logg's Negro man. Sept. 20 Selah, s. of Dr. Sam'l Richards. Nov. 1. Sarah, dau. of Thomas Wright. Dec, 13. Roger, s. of Lemuel Whittlesy. Dec. 27. Roger, s. of Levi Hurl- but, Mar. 18, 1768. Gemaliel, son of Sherman Bordman, privately. Mar. 27. Sarah, twin d. of Sher- man Bordman. April 3. My tenth child, Joshua. May 8. Jason, son of Miles An- drus. July 17. Simon, s. of Bela Blin. Aug. 14. Rosetta, dau. of John Squires, and Rosetta, his wife. Sept. 11. Gideon, son of Chris- topher Hurlbut, and Whitely Hun, s. Samuel Andrus. Oct. 2. John, s. of Elijah Stod- dord. 94 Feb. 19. Rhoda, d. of William Andrus. April 16. Silas, s. of Capt. Chas. Churchil, Sarah, dau. of Josiah Francis, and Jared, s. of Abel Andrus. May 7. Selah, son of Waitstill Deming. June 4. Hannah, dau. of Robert Welles, jr. June 29. , dau. of Jemima Hun, privately. Aug. 20. Mary, d. of Margaret Kelly, alias Kilb— Sept. 10. Joseph, s. of Francis Deming. Oct. 1. Amanda, d. of Hezekiah Francis. Nov. 5. Uzziel, son of Luther Latimer, and Charles, son of Justus Woolcutt, in the moth- er's right. Mar. 11, 1770. Rhoda, dau. of Gamaliel Deming. Mar. 25. Dorothy, d. of Lemuel Whittlesey, and Frederick, s. of Asa Audrus, on the mother's account. April 15. Sarah, dau. of Henry Kircum, Benajah, s. of Miles Andrus, and Martha, dau. of Elias Hurlbut. April 29. Anne, d. of Mr. Jos. Camp. May 13. Hannah, d. of David Woolcut, jr., in the mother's right, and Gideon, s. of Eunice Lusk. July 29. Honor, d. of Jonathan Stoddord. Aug. 6. Gad, s. of Janna Dem- ing. Oct. 21. Mary, dau. of Francis Deming. Oct. 28. Rhoda, d. of Sherman Bordman. Dec. 2. Roger, son of Justus Woolcut, in the mother's right. Dec. 5. An infant of Asa An- drus, privately, in the mother's right. Dec. 30. Martin, s. of iTnni Rob- bins. Mar. 29, 1771. Thode, son of Samuel Andrus* May 19. William, s. of Christo- pher Hurlbut. May 26. Levi, son of Eli Stod- dord, and John, s. of Jas. Camp. June 16. John, s. of Jno. Squires, in the mother's right. July 21. Elizabeth, d. of .Tohn Kelley, in the mother's right. July 28. AUin, son of Abel An- drus. Aug. 4. Ebenezur, s. of Ebene- zur Dickinson. Sept. 22. Roger, s. of Waitstill Deming, and Jerusha, dau. of Elias Seymour. Oct. 27. Louis Latimer. Rec'd to full communion. Feb. 9, 1772. Samuel, s. of Bela Blin. Mar. 29. Esther, dau. of Luther Latimer. May 17. Lydia, dau. of David Woolcutt, jr., in the mother's right. May 24. Lydia, dau. of Thomas Wright. May 31. David, s. of Elias Sey- mour. June 28. Lemuel, s. of William Andrus, and Rachel, twin dau. of Elias Francis ; his twin son, Elias, baptized privately June 2-1, died the 25th. July 5. Lemuel, son of Lemuel Whittlesey. July 26. Jonathan, s. of Jona- than Stoddord, per Mr. Clark. Aug. 9. Adonijah, son of Heze- kiah Francis. Aug. 16. Samuel, son of John Graham, and Lucy, d. of David and Lucy Lowry. Sept. 6. Samuel, s. of Jas. Camp. 95 Sept. 20. James, son of James Welles. Oct. 4. Levi, s. of Janna Dem- ing. Nov. 1. Ithamer, son of Jesse Cliurchil, and Lucy, his wife. Nov. 22. Levi, s. of Levi Hurl- but. 400 Dec. 13. Hannah Fairchild, re- ceived to full communion. At the same time, baptized, Roxil- lana, d. of Eli Stoddord. Jan. 31,1773. Phebe, d. of Elias Hurlbut. April 1 1 . Dorothy, d. of Gama- liel Deming. ^lay 2. Peorg, d. of Step., Negro of Lieut. Kellogg. May 9. Anne, d. of Mr. Joseph Camp. June 13. Lyman, s. of Waitstill Deming, and Clara, d. of John Graham. June 20. Martin Blin, s. of Ben- ajah Bordman. June 27. Elizabeth, d. of Levi Churchil. July 25. Jemima, d. of Samuel Andrus. Feb. 6, 1774. Hannah, dau. of Abel Andrus, and Elizabeth, d of David Woolcutt, jr. Feb. 20. Hannah, d. of Martin Kellogg, jr. April 24. Nancy, dau. of Elias Seymour. June 12. Hannah, dau. of Hez. Francis. June 26. Mary, vpife of Joseph Stoddord, and Dinah, wife of Enoch Stoddord, and received into the church, and Solomon, s. of Enoch Stoddord, in the mother's right. July 26. Elizur, son of Elizur Deming, privately, died the night after. Oct. 2. Lucy, d. of Jas. Welles. Oct. 23. Hannah, dau. of Bela Blin of Canaan. Nov. 6. Abigail, dau. of James Camp. Dec. 11. Seth Hun, s. of Elias Francis. Jan. 22, 1775. Seth, s. of Levi Hurlbut, per Mr. Marvin. April 16. Cloe, dau. of Asa An- drus, in the mother's right. April 30. Chauncey, s. of Lem'l Whittlesey, and Abigail, dau. of Uni Robbins. May 28. Chester, son of Elijah Welles. June 18. Absalom, son of Elias Hurlbut, and Elishaba, dau. of Enos Hun. June 25. Titus, s. of Miles An- drus, and Mary, dau. of John Graham. July 23. Joseph and Zebulon, sons of Joseph Stoddord. in the mother's right, per Mr, Perkins. July 30. Eleanor, d. of Mr. Jos. Camp. Aug. 13. Mary, d. of Eli Stod- dord. Sept. 24. Olive, d. of Jonathan Stoddord. Dec. 3. Elizabeth, dau. of Elias Seymour. Jan. 7, 1776. David, s. of David Woolcutt, jun. Jan. 14. Lydia, dau. of Lemuel Churchil. April 22. D. of Luther Latime*, privately, being sick. June 30. Mary, dau. of Martin Kellogg, jr. Sept. 1. Cloe, d. of Lydia Buck. Sept. 28. Hannah, d. of Lemuel Hurlbut, at the point of death. Oct. 20. Nathaniel Caily, son of Jesse Churchill. Nov. 10. Son of Elias Francis, per Mr. Sm alley. Feb. 16, 1777. Hezekiah, s. of Hez. Francis. April 6. Clary, d. of Jas. Welles. April 27. James, son of Elizur Deming, per Mr. Perkins. 96 July 6. Cloe, d. of Elisha Stod- dord. Aujr. 3. Hannah, dau. of John Gijihani. Sepr. 7. Abigail, d. of Jas. Blin, and Hannah, d. of Lem'l Hurl- but. Sept. 14. Sarah, dau. of Elijah Welles, and Moses, s. of James Camp. Nov, 2. Levi, s. of Levi Hurl- but. Dec;. 28. Ashbel, son of Ashbel Seymour. Jan. 4, 1778. Chauncey, son of Lemuel Whittlesey. Feb. 22. Hezekiah, s. of Joshua Belding. May 18. Leonard Chester Hub- bard, grandson of Steph. Dera- ing, per Mr. iSmiilley. Aug. 2. Adonijah, son of Hez. Francis, and Sarah, d. of Jos. Camp. Sept. 13. Betsy and Sally, ds. of Jedediah Mills, and Sarah, his wife, in the mother's right, per Mr. Smalley. Dec. 6. Mary, dau. of David Lowry, and Austin, s. of James Welles. Jan. 17, 1779. Lemuel, son of Lemuel Hurlbut, and Noble, s. of Levi Churchil. April 4. Theode, s. of Elias Sey- mour. May 2. David, s. of Euos Hun, and Jemima, d. of Martin Kel- logg, jr. May 23. Sarah, d. of John Gra- ham. June 6. Nancy, d. of Jas. Blin. July 18. Erastus, son of Ashbel Seymour. Sept. 12. Jemima, dau. of Elias Hurlbut. Sept. 19. Orin, s. of P^benezer Dickinson. Sept. 26. Mary, dau. of James Camp. Oct. 10. William, son of James Mitchell, in the mother's right, and Juliet, d. of Jedediah Mills, in the mother's right. Oct. 17. Asaph, son of Lemuel Whittlesey. Oct. 31. Enos, s. of Elias Dem- ing, in the mother's right. Dec. ] 7. Chester, son of Samuel Churchil, privately, in the moth- er's right. Feb. 13, 1780. Elisha, son of Elisha Stoddord. Feb. 27. Samuel, s. of Benajah Bordman. May 28. Hubert, s. of Bernard Romans, in the mother's right. July 21. A child of Justus Fran- cis, privately, on profession and promise of public covenant. Oct. 1 Alma, d. of Elijah Welles. Oct. 22. Mary and Persis, ds. of Joseph Stoddord, in the moth- er's right, and William, son of Lemuel Hurlbut, and Tabitha, his wife. Dec. 24. Appleton Andrus, s. of Justus Francis. Feb. 25, 1781. Dolle, dau. of Amous Buck. April 8. Beulah, child of James Welles April 22. Lydia, d. of Samuel Prat, in the mother's right. May 6. Anne, d. of Elizur Darn- ing. May 13. William, son of Elias Deming, in the mother's right. May 20. Lydia, d. of Abel An- drus, per Mr. Perkins. May 27. Rebecca, dau. of Enos Hun, and Eunice, dau. of Elias Seymour. June 17. Wealthy, dau. of John Graham. July 8. Joseph, s. of Jos. Camp, and Candace, d. of Jos. Stod- dord, in the mother's right. 500 Aug. 5. Barzillai, sou of Levi Hurlbut. 97 Aug. 26. Martin, son of Martin Kellogg, jr. Sept. 2. Stephen, son of James Mitchell, in the mother's right. Sept. 16. Abigail Belden, dau. of James Lusk, per Mr. Smalley, in the mother's right. Oct. 14. Amos Andrus, son of Amos Webster, in the mother's right. Oct. 28. Mercy, dau. of Lemuel Hurlbut. Nov. 20. Clarissa, dau. of Elias Andrus, privately, in the moth- er's right. April 1 4, 1 782. Jedediah Welles, son of Jedediah Mills, in the mother's right. April 21. Asaph, s. of Lemuel Whittlesy, per Mr. Perkins. May 5. Trueman, s. of Hezekiah Francis. July 4. Elizabeth, dau. of Eliza- beth, widow of James Camp. Sept. 22. Naomi, d. of William Andrus. Oct. 20. Bevil, son of Ashbel Seymour, and Abigail, his wife, and Elizur, s. of Elizur Dem- ing. Nov. 24. Simeon, son of Elisha Stoddord. Jan. 19, 1783. Mary Anne, d. of Samuel Churchill, in the moth- er's right. April 6. A child of Amos Buck, privately, b=;ing sick. July 6. Lydia, dau. of Elijah Welles. July 27. Origen, son of James Welles. Aug. 31. Prudence, d. of Lem'l Hurlbut. Oct. 5. Samuel, son of Samuel Pratt, and Hannah, his wife, on her account. Oct. 26. George, William Nott, Elizabeth, and Sarah, children of Geo. Woolcut, in the moth- er's right. 13 Nov. 2. Daniel, sou of Amos Webster, in the mother's right. Jan. 10, 1784. An infant of Elias Hurlbut, privately, being like to die. Jan. 11. Rachel, dau. of Elias Seymour. Feb. 15. Daniel, son of Daniel Willard, jr. Feb. 22. Daniel, son of James Mitchel. per Mr. Fen, in the mother's right. March 28. Keturah Andrus, d. of Justus Francis. May 9. Larena, d. of Martin Kel- logg, jr., in the mother's right. June 20. James, son of Joseph Camp, and Joseph, s. of Joseph Stoddord, in the mother's right. Oct. 17. Sylvester, son of Levi Hurlbut, and Leister-Chaun- cey, son of Enos Hun. Oct. 24. Polly, d. of Unni Rob- bins. Feb. 6, 1785. John Churchil and Rebecca Mekins, children of Benajah Bordman, bro't down from Arlington Feb. 20. Betty, d. of Ephraim Paterson. Feb. 27. Harriet, d. of Lemuel Hurlbut, and Harriet, dau. of Jedediah Mills, in the mother's right. April 3. John Atwood, son of Amos Buck. May 1. Olive, d. of Capt. Jona- than Stoddord. June 12. John, son of Samuel Churchill, in the mother's right. Aug. 21. Silvester, s. of James Lusk, in the mother's right, per Mr. Fenn. Nov. 6. Erastus, son of Amos Webster, in the mother's right. Jan. 29, 1786. Martlia, dau. of Elias Deming, on the mother's account. Feb. 19. Joseph, son of Oswell Rockwell, in the mother's right. 98 William, s. of James Hannah, d. of Ephraim Mar. 5. Charles Belden, son of Levi Churchill. April 16. Elias, s. of Elias Sey- mour. May 21. Prudence, d.of Sam'l Pratt, on the mother's account, and Samuel, s. of Joseph Stod- dord, in the mother's right. June 11. Samuel, s. of Lemuel Hurlbut, per Mr. Fen. July 2. Polly, Harry Blin, and Sarah, 3 children of Obadiah Smith. July 30. Welles Aug. 13. Paterson. Aug. 27. Nancy, dau. of Elizur Doming. Oct. 15. AUin, s. of Dea. Elisha Stoddord and Dorothy, his wife. Dec. 22. Mathew, s. of Icliabod Patterson, privately, being dan- gerously sick. Mar. 4, ] 787. Asaph, s. of Dan- iel Willard, jr. Mar. 11. Octavia, twin dau. of Levi Churchill. May 20. Alma, d. of Jos. Camp, and Rachel, d. of Elijah Welles. Sept. 23. Charles, son of Levi Hurlbut, and at the same time, Thadeus, s., and Olive and Sal- ly, ds., of David Stoddord, on the mother's account. Oct. 7. Hezekiah, son of Elias Seymour, and Chancy, son of Amos Buck, presented by the mother. Nov. 11. Archibald, s. of Simon Welles, in the mother's right. Dec. 9. Sarah, dau. of Lemuel Hurlbut. Dec. 30. Josiah Belden, son of Samuel Churchill, in the moth- er's right. Jan. 27, 1788. Martin, s. of Capt Roger Welles, in the mother's right, and Daniel, s. of Ozwell Rockwell, in the mother's right. April 27. Rachel, dau. of Zadok Hindale, in the mother's right. May 8. Gaylord, son of James Welles. July 20. Lydia, dau. of David Stoddord, offered by the mother. Aug. 10. Lucy, d. of Elias Dem- ing, in the mother's right. Sept. 21. Love, d. of Jas. Lusk, in the mother's right. Sept. 28. Leonard, son of Amos Webster, in the mothnr's right. Dec. 14. Ebenezur, son of Obe- diah Smith. April 5, 1789. Mary, d. of Col. Roger Welles, in the mother's right. May 3. Harvy, son of Justus Francis. Aug. 1(3. Martin, s. of Lemuel Hurlbut, per Mr. Marsh. Oct. 25. Martin, son of Ashbel Seymour, per Mr. Fenn. Dec. 18. An infant of Abijah Wright, privately, on the moth- er's engagement. Feb. 28, 1790. Fanny, dau. of Simon Welles, in the mother's right. May 9. Lucy, Mary, Billy and John, children of Jno. Hurlbut, in the mother's right, per Mr. Marsh. May 23. Alma, dau. of Oswell Rockwell, in the mother's right. June 6. Charlotte, Lucy, and Kate, ds. of Abijah Wright, on his wife's account. July 25. Lucy, dau. of Obediah Smith. Aug. 1. Lucy, d. of Jos. Camp. Sept. 26. Roger, s. of Col. Roger Welles, in the mother's right. Nov. 7. Allen, s. of John Hurl- but. in the mother's right. Nov. 21. Jedediah, s. of Elias Deming. per Mr. Marsh, in the mother's right. Jan. 16, 1701. Charles, son of Levi Hurlbut, and Anson, s. of 99 Justus Francis, per Mr. Srnal- Feb. 6. Thankful, dau. of Elias Seymour. May 8. Prudence, d. of Martin Kellogg, jr. May 22. Charles, s. of Samuel Churchill. Nov. 24. Fanny, dau. of Simon Welles. Jan. 29, 1792. Ira, Hannah and Alva, child'n of Waitstill Dick- inson. Feb. 5. Oliver, son of Ephraim Deming. Feb. 26. Honor, dau. of Ashbel Seymour, and Lydia, dau. of Amos Webster. June 10. Justus, son of Ozwell Rockwell. July 29. Anne and Cinthia, twin ds. of Elijah Welles. Aug. 26. Rhoda, dau. of Daniel Willard. Sept. 2. Sophronia, dau. of Dea. James Welles. Sept. 23. Jesse and Octavia, chil- dren of Widow Mary Stoddord. Sept. 30. Charles, son of Roger Francis. Nov. 15. Privately, Samuel and Mercy, twin children of Sam'l Churchill, one ill, not like to live. Feb. 3, 1793. Laura, d. of Eph. Deming. April 21. George Whitfield, s. of Simon Welles, per Mr. Smalley. May 12. Esther, dau. of David Stoddord. July 14. Charlotte, dau. of Col. Welles, per Mr. Fen. Aug. 11. Newman, s. of Justus Francis. Oct. 6. Chauncy, son of John Hurlbut. Mar. 9. Mable, d. of Amos A. Webster. June 1. Lecta, dau. of Martin Kellogg. Aug. 31. Lydia, dau. of Elias Deming. Sept. 21. Amzi, son of Roger Francis. Aug. 19, 1795. Jerusha, dau. of Ephraim Deming. Oct. 25. Mary At wood, adult person. Nov. 15. Lucy and Susana, ds. of Roswell Fox. Jan. 11, 1796. Alfred, son of Justus Francis. Feb. 15. Sarah, dau. of Jemima Welles, relict of Gen. Roger Welles ; posthumous child. May 22. Cloe, dau. of Amos A. Webster, and Mary, d. of Ros- well Fox, presented by his wife. July 10. Charlotte, d. of Sam'l Churchill, and Robert, son of Ozwell Rockwell, per Mr. Fen. Nov. 13. Florella, d. of Josiah Griswold. May 7, 1797. Hiram, s. of John Hurlbut. May 7. Eleazur and Mary, s. and d. of Lem'l Holmes, privately, the mother, in whose right they were baptized, not able to pre- sent them publicly. June 4. Mary, dau. of Ephraim Deming. June 11. Lydia, Levi, and Hor- ace, children of Levi Welles, and Hannah, his wife. July 30. Sally, Lucy, Erastus, and Polly, children of Jonathan Blin, in the mother's right, per Mr. Smalley. Nov. 4. Privately, Betsy, dau. of Roger Francis ; died a few hours after. Mar. 4, 1798. Cyrus, son of Justus Francis. May 27. Hannah, dau. of Levi Welles, per Mr. Smalley. June 3. Hannah, d. of Samuel ChurchiU. Sept. 23. A child of Roswell Fox, per Mr. Perkins. 100 Nov. 29. Jonathan, s. of Jona- than Blin. May 19, 1799. Nathan, son of Oswell Rockwell. Oct. 6. Cyrus, son of Amos A. Webster. Jan. 5, 1800. Silas, Caroline, Benjamin, Hannah, Sophia, and Mary, children of Levi Chur- chill. 600 Jan. 31. Mary, dau. of Michael Wright, privately, dangerously ill. Mar. 15. Laura, dau. of Justus Francis. April 11. Salome, dau. of Lucy Gaylord. June 8. Cinthia and Thomas, child'n of Michael Wright, and Silvia, his wife. June 15. Fanny, d. of Josiah Griswold. Mar. 1, 1801. Lemuel Whittlesy, son of Joshua Belden, jr., and Dorothy, his wife. June 28. Sarah, Rachel, Mary Goodrich, and Smith, children of Frances Coslet. July 26. Lucy, dau. of Samuel Churchill. Oct. 11. Joseph, son of Dr. Jos. Linde, and Martha, his wife and my daughter, of Hartford. Dec. 20. Oledine Andrus, rec'd into the church. Aug. 1, 1802. Thomas, son of Michael Wright. Aus. 8. Sabra, dau. of Jonathan Blin. Aug. '22. Robert, son of Josiah Griswold. Feb. 27, 1803. Erastus, son of Justus Francis. July 31. Mary, Cinthia, and Samuel Smith, child'n of Roger Hurlbut. Dec. 10. Privately, the first child of Aslibel Seymour, jr., it be- ing dangerously sick, per Mr. Cleaveland. Nov. 25, 1804. Chancy, son of Jo>hua Belden, jr. From Nov. 11, 1747, to Jan. 16, 1805: Baptisms, . . . 622 Admissions to Communion, 1 69 Deaths, . . .443 Marriages, . . 326 III. Baptismal Covenant Acknowlkdged. Nov. 22, 1747. Stephen Deming owned the covenant. Dec. 6. Benijah Andrus " " " 13. Elisha Warren, with his wife and Israel Bordman, owned the covenant. Jan. 31, 1747-8. Solomon Deming, with his wife, owned the covenant. Feb. 14. Josiah Francis, with his wife, and Jonathan Churchil, with his wife, and Lydia Francis, owned the covenant. July 24. Sarah Kircum " '* Nov. 27. Mary, the wife of Moses Barnes, owned the covenant Dec. 18. Charles Churchill and widow Hannah Whaples owned the covenant. 101 Feb. 7, 1750. Ann, the wife of Samuel Steel, owned the covenant. *' 7. Mary Smith and Mary Goodrich " " Dec. 1 6. Stephen Kellojrg and his wife *' " March 24, 1751. Anne, the wife of Janna Deming, owned the covenant. April 14. Ebenezur Smith, jun., with his wife and Pelatiah Buck, owned the covenant. * May 26. Joseph Crowfoot owned the covenant at Kensington. Sept. 22. John Peirce owned the covenant. Feb. 2, 1752. Mary, the wife of John Peirce, owned the covenant. Aug. 2. Gamaliel Deming and his wife '' " March 4, 1753. Elijah Stoddord and his wife " ''• Oct. 14. Elijah Kircum « " Jan. 27, 1754. Gideon Griswould " " May 5. Jonathan "Whaples and his wife " " Sept. 15. Elias Hart and his wife owned the covenant at N. Britain. May 18, 1755. Sarah Kellogg owned the covenant. " 25. Jemima Lamb " " July 6. Cloe Rylie " " July 27. Elijah Smith and Jacob Brandigee owned the covenant at N. Britain. At the same time and place, William Horton entered into covenant and was baptized. Aug. 3. Nathaniel Kircum and Rosetta, his wife, owned the covenant. Aug. 17. David Lusk and Prudencp, his wife, owned the covenant. Sept. 14. Appleton Burnham and his wife, and John Coleman and his wife, owned the covenant at Kensington. Oct. 19. James Lusk and Sarah, his wife, owned the covenant. Dec. 7. Josiah Kilborn and his wife " " April 25, 1756. Sarah Welles " " May 2. Lydia Deming " " Jan. 30, 1757. Beli Blin and his wife, and Mary Hurlbut owned the covenant. Feb. 13. James Blin and his wife owned the covenant. April 10. Hannah Deming " ** July 24. Thomas Wright and his wife " " Jan. 15, 1758. Josiah WiUard " « March 12. Elisha Stoddord " " April 16. Mary Wells and Seabury Andrus owned the covenant. " 23. Rebecca and Jemima Hun " " May 14. Theode Seymour " " " 21. Jonathan Wright and Jonathan Stoddord owned the covenant. " 28. Sarah Deming and Mary Camp owned the covenant. June 4. Ginea, negro, owned his baptismal covenant. Dec. 24. Sarah the wife of Amos Hurlbut, Sarah, the wife of Jonathan Blin, and Mary Whaples owned the covenant. Feb. 25, 1759. Henry ffircum, jr., and his wife owned the cov- enant. 102 April 29, Waitstill Deming and his wife owned the covenant. June 17. Silence Wright " « July 15. Mary Seymour and Mercy Stoddord owned the covenant. Aug. 12. Rebecca Stoddord ^ " " Oct. 21. Phebe, wife of Miles Andrus, " « Dec. 9. John Russell and his wife " " Jan. 20, 17tiO. Solomon Stoddord * " April 6. Margaret Kilborn .^ " " May 25. Miles Andrus " " Aug. 3. Robert Wells, jr., and his wife " " March 29, 1761. Justus Woolcut and his wife " " Feb. 28, 1762. Martin Whittlesy " " July 18. Benjamin Andrus and his wife " " Nov. 21, Francis Deming " " Jan. 9, 1763. Joseph Andrus, jr., and Asenath (?) his wife owned the covenant. March 13. William Wells, jr, owned the covenant. " 20. Hez. Francis and his wife " " April 10. Samuel Woolcut and his wife " " April 8, 1764. Sherman Bordman and his wife " " " 22. Luther Latimer and Levi Steel entered into covenant and were baptized. June 3. Mary the wife of Sam'l Andrus, '* " Aug. 26. Hez. Atwood *' " Sept. 9. Elias Hurlbut and Patience, his wife " " March .31, 1765. Christopher Hurlbut and Mary, his wife, owned the covenant. April 28. Mary Andrus, Elias Wells owned the covenant. May 12. Abel Andrus and his wife " " Aug. 25. Lemuel Whittlesy and his wife " '' Nov. 17. Unni Robbing and his wife " " Sept. 28, 1766. Sam'l Andrus « « Dec. 27, 1767, Levi Hurlbut and his wife " " May 8, 1768, Levi Andrus " " July 24, John Squire " " Feb. 4, 1770. Cloe, wife of Asa Andrus " *' April 15. Mr. Joseph Camp and his wife " " May 19, 1771. James Camp and his wife " " Some time in the winter past Eli Stoddord and his wife owned the covenant. Sept, 8. Ellas Seymour and his wife owned the covenant. Oct. 27. Louis Latimer entered into covenant and was baptized. April 12, 1772. Levi Churchill and his wife owned the covenant. July 19. John Graham and his wife " " At the same time David Lowry and his wife " " March 21, 1773. Benajah Bordman and his wife " " Jan, 9, 1774. Martin Kellogg, jr., " " May 22. Elizur Deming and his wife " " Feb. 5, 1775. Enos Hunn and his wife " " 103 IV. Chdkch Votks and Proceedings.* At a meeting of the pastor and brethren of the church in Newington, March 31, 1757: Whereas, through the prevalence of corruption and the abounding of iniquity in this evil day, many scandals are committed by such as are under the bond of the covenant and ought to be watched over by the church, too many of which, by the neglect of a proper brotherly dealing, according to the rules of God's word, pass without due notice being taken of them, Therefore, {'or the more eifectual preventing or remedying such evils, and towards the revival of a more strict and regular discipline in this church, it is agreed and voted hy this church, That Samuel Churchill, Peletiah Buck, and David Webster be added to the standing committee heretofore chosen, to advise with and assist the pastor in cases of difficulty which may arise, and particularly, to look into the propriety and regular- ity of any charge offered to be laid before the church, and prepare matters, if need be, lor their hearing ; and that the said committee be further desired and empowered to take notice of and deal with any members of the church who, by common report, are guilty of scandal, — when private brethren, who are knowing to the scandal, neglect their duty of attending the rules of the gospel, — and to endeavor to heal and remove public scan- dal, or if they see it necessary, to bring them to a regular public hearing before the church. Aho voted, That if any member of this church, who is knowing to any scandal committed by another member, and shall spread it abroad or make it public, without first taking the steps of dealing with an offending brother, prescribed Math. 18, 15, &c., shall be accounted an offender, and upon conviction thereof shall make gospel satislaction, or otherwise be dealt with as in other cases of scandal. At a meeting of the pastor and brethren of the church in Newington, July 2, 1761, the question was put, — Whether this church would now pro- ceed to make choice of a deacon, to supply the place of Deacon John Deming, late deceased. Voted in the affirmative, Whereupon John Camp was chosen to the office of a deacon, and accepted it. At the same meeting, Deacon John Camp was appointed one of the standing church committee. At a meeting of the pastor and brethren of the church in Newington, October 29, 1761, The church proceeded to make choice of Joseph Andrus to be one of the standing church committee, in place of Mr. Josiah Deming, lately rem(jved by death. January 4, 1770, At a church meeting, &c.. Voted, That William Welles, Joseph Hurlbut, and Dr. Samuel Richards be added to the standing church committee, to fill up the vacancies made by death or removal. Sometime in the year 1775 : At a meeting of the pastor and brethren of the church in Newington, On motion of the pastor, the brethren of this church manifested their opinion that the practice of this, and of many other churches in New Eng- * Six leaves of the records are cut out of the book as originally written, which is explained as follows : " N. J3. — The leaves cut out in the preceding part, contained minutes of trans- actions, in way of discipline, of some disorderly members of the churcli, who are long since dead, and for obvious reasons, especially respecting their descendants, it was thought best (they) should he buried in oblivion till the day of the final ac- count, when God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Except the following votes of the church." 104 land, called the "half-way covenant," i. e., admitting^ persons to own the covenant and to have their children baptized, while yet they absented from the Lord's table, was unwarrantable, not authorised by any scrip- tural precept or example, and therefore consented and a<;reed that said practice should, for the future, be discontinued and laid aside in this church. Attest, Joshua Belden, Pastor. The above vote having been lost, yet being well remembered by the pastor, is now inserted among the church records.* J. Belden. May 2, 17 76. At a church meeting, &c. Voted, This church taking into consideration the usual practice of persons owning the covenant and enjoying some privileges in the church, and afterwards renewing the covenant again when they would come into full counnunion with the church, and that this practice is misconstrued by some as if there were two convenants, one not so strict and solemn as the other. To prevent such mistakes. Voted, That this church are of opinion. That the public renewing the covenant is not to be held a necessary service of full communion for those persons, who have once understandingly given their public and personal consent to the covenant, but that such persons, leading regular lives, if they desire it (and if their desire being publicly notified, no objection be made,) may be admitted without being required publicly to renew the covenant again. Although we look upon the public renewing the coven- ant when persons come into ftdl communion, even for those who have owned the covenant before, as a thing lawful and ])roper in itself, and what may be advantageous and to edification and ordinarily expedient to be done, yet as the usual practice has been, it is liable to misconstruction, and may lead the ignorant and inattentive into mistakes, it is not to be esteeuied absolutely necessary, but may be dispensed with, when declined on this account. At a meeting of the pastor and brethren of the church in Newington, August 14, 1 782 : The question being put whether this church will make choice of a deacon to supply the place of Dea. John Camp, late deceased, Voted in the affirmative, Whereupon Elisha Stoddord was chosen to the office of a deacon, and accepted. At the same meeting Dea. Elisha Stoddord was appointed to be one of the standinir church committee. At a meeting of the pastor and I)rethren of the church in Newington, August 17, 1786, The question was put whether the church will proceed to choose a deacon to succeed Deacon Andrus, late deceased. Voted in the affirmative, but upon trial no choice- was made, and several members being absent the meeting was adjourned to the 31st day of instant August. August 31, 1786, The church met according to adjournment, and Charles Churchill, Esq., was chosen to the office of a deacon. May 31, 1787, At a meeting of the pastor and brethren of the church in Newington, Voted, That the deacons of this church, for the time lieing, be appointed to receive and improve a legacy given to this church by the last will and testament of deacon John Deming for (he lasting use and benefit of the church, agreeable to the design of said vvill.f * This vote is inserted in Dr. Brace's church records under date of March, 1806. t Dea. John Deming, in his last will and testament, aftor giving a legacy to " Catherine, my heloved wife, during the time of lier remaining my widow," makes one other legacy, as follows : " Item. I give to my son, Jedediah Deming, all the remaining part of my 105 Also voted, 5s. out of the church treasury to Deacon Elisha Stoddord, for a box, to secure the vessels for the communion table in. August 5, 1 790. At a meeting of the pastor and brethren of the church, Capt. James Wells was chosen to the office of a deacon in the church (to succeed Deacon Stoddord) and accepted it. Feb. 24, 1803. At a meeting of the pastor and brethren of the church, by adjournment from instant Feb. 1 7, Daniel Willard was chosen to the office of a deacon in this church, to succeed Deacon Churchill, late deceased, and accepted the office. At a meeting of the church of Christ in Newington, December 19, 1804, the following vote was passed by the brethren of the church, viz : Whereas the aged pastor of this church, through age and infirmities, being rendered unable to perform the public labors of the ministry, and has for some time desisted therefrom, desiring another pastor may be sought to supply his lack of service, accordingly, after trial, with his appro- bation and in concurrence with the voice of the society, we make choice of and do now call and invite Mr. Joab Brace to take the pastoral charge of this church and society, and settle in the gospel ministry with us. Unani- mously voted in church meeting. Test, Joshua Beldex, Pastor. At the same meeting. Voted, That the deacons James Wells and Daniel Willard, and Joshua Belden, jun., be a committee to act in concurrence with the committee appointed by the Society, in all matters thnt may be found necessary to effect the ordination of Mr. Joab Brace, among us in the ministry of the gospel. Test, J. B. Mr. Joab Brace's answer to the Church. The church of Christ, in Newington, having invited me to the pastoral charge of the said church, this is, therefore, in reliance on Divine aid, to signify my acceptance of their invitation. Newington, December 26th, 1804. Joab Brace. estate, both real and personal, that I have not already disposed of in this instru- ment, after my just debts are paid, with this only reserve, that in case he, the said Jedediah, die childless or without any heir bejjotten of his own body, then I will twenty pounds, lawful money, to the church of Christ, in Newington, to be improved for the lasting nse and benefit of said church." Executed March 31, 1761. " N. B. Tliat by the church of Christ, mentioned in the last legacy of the foreiroing testament, is to be understood a church in the parish of Newington, in Wethersfield, regulated according to the Religious Constitution of the Colony of Connecticut, owned and establislied by the authority of the same. This explan- ation made before signing." Dr. Brace, in his church records, has the following entry in relation to this legacy, " How the church fund was directed from 1761 to 1787, I do not find. (Probably it was not received till 1787. R. VV.) The fund itself consisted of two ten pound notes. The interest has not been quite sufficient to defray the expense of the communion table. In 1805 there was a contribution to supply the deficiency of several years. In 1814 there was a contribution for the same purpose. In 1818 there was a contribution. In 1819, Jan- uary 1, Deacon Origen Wells began to furnish the table, and after 21 years called for a contribution to supply the deficiency, about SIO in the whole 21 years. Sabbath, Jan. 5, 1840, the church contributed about $16 to repay Dea. Wells, and to furnish an advance for several years. The whole fund is now in the hands of Dea. Origen Wells, $66.66.6 for which Dea. Wells is accountable, and for which he pays the interest yearly. March 17, 1846." Dea. Wells resigned Nov. 29, 1849, on account of the loss of sight, when Jeremiah Seymour was chosen deacon in bis place. This fund still remains in the hands of the deacons of the church. 14 106 V. Marriages. Nov. 19, 1747. Was married Charles Churchill and Lydia Belding. Dec. 3. At evening, Joseph Cur- tis and Mary Kilborn. March 10,1748. At evening Phin- ehas Cole and Martha Hurlbut. April 28. Mr. Josiah Jones and Sarah Whittlesy. June 16. John Steel and Lydia Francis. Sept. 7. Joseph Clark and Sarah Curtis. The same evening, Moses Barnes and Mary Woolcott. Oct. 6. Jonathan Griswould and Experience Warren. May 4, 1749. Samuel Steel and Honor Doming. June 15. Timothy Andrus and Sarah Hurlbut. July 16. Thomas Clap and Eu- nice Wells. Nov. 14. Samuel Steel and Anne Francis. June 14, 1750. Janna Deming and Anne Kilborn. June 20. Mr. David Webster and Lydia Andrus. Sept. 12. Mr. — Lothrop and Cloe Backus. Oct. 18. Ebenezer Smith, jr., and Mehitable Buck. Nov. 26. John Frany and Abi- gail Stoddord. April 4, 1751. Capt. Sam'l But- ler and Naomi Kilborn. April 18. John Peirce and Mary Patterson. June 13. William Lusk and Hannah Arnold. July 18. Gemaliel Deming and Rebecca Kellogg. | Aug. 16. Timothy Kilborn andj Prudence Deming. | Oct. 10. Daniel Kilborn and Mary Cushing alias Steve — . Nov. 7. David Sage and Louis Harris. Nov. 20. Dan Bradly and Sarah Judd. Nov. 28. Edward Patterson and Elizabeth Hills. Dec. 5. Elisha Booth and Es- ther Hollister. April 9, 1752. Darius Stevens and Louis Whaples. Oct. 26. TimothyMix and Eliza- beth Headsdill. Nov. 9. David Williams and Anne Deming. Dec. 5. Elijah Stoddord and Mable Gillett. Jan. 11, 1753. John Kellogg and Union Stoddord. May 29. David Lusk and Pru- dence Hurlbut. Oct. 11. Jacob Brandigat and Abigail Dunnum. Oct. 17. Elias Hart and Hope Whaples. Dec. 30, 1754. James Lusk and Sarah Paterson. Feb. 12, 1755. David Dewey and Esther Dunnum. March 20. Job Hart and Eunice Beckley. March 27. At evening, Jonathan Curtis and wid. H. Whaples. April 20. At evening, Nathaniel Kircum and Rosetta Blin. July 21. At evening, Isaac Prat and Mary Beckly. Aug. 11, 1756. Mr. Josiah De- nying and Experience Smith. Dec. 14. Eli.sha Baxter and Honor Woolcut. Dec. 16. Beli Blin and Hannah Hurlbut. 107 Dec. 31. Thomas Wright and Esther Andrus. Feb. 4, 1757. Uriah Goodwin and Mable Francis. March 3. Amos Hurlbut and Sarah Hills. April 5. Eli?ha Wells and Lydia Darning. June 3. Noah Fuller and Ellis Brown. July 1. Solomon Stoddord and Ann Andrus. Oct. 13. Elizur Hollister and Mary Belding. Nov. 17. Peter Burnham and Hannah Deming. May 12, 1758. Ephraim Wool- cut and Mary Kellogg. June 14. Thomas Francis and Sarah Smith. Sept. 1. Waitstill Deming and Hannah Lusk. Oct. 3] . Henry Kircum, jr., and Eunice Butler. Nov. 17. Timothy Wads worth and Happy Kilborn. Dec. 28. Jonathan Gillett and Elizabeth Steel. Jan. 4, 1759. Stephen De Wolf and Mary Whaples. March 15. William Andrus and wid. Louis Stephens. March 22. My brother Jonathan Belding and Sarah Belding. Aug. 3 1 . Samuel Woolcutt and Sarah Bordman. Jan. 24, 1760. Robert Wells and Abigail Hurlbut. March 24. Justus Woolcutt and Rachel Bidwell. April 17. Jonathan Wright and Mary Wells. Aug. 18. Josiah Wright, jr., and Hope Hart. Aug. 28. Jonathan Stoddord and Seabury Andrus. Oct. 9. Quash, negro, and Tabi- tha Willoughby, negro. Oct. 30. Benjamin Andrus and Anne Churchil. Nov. 27. Martin Whittlesey and Sarah Deming. March 22, 1762. William An- drus, jr., and Silence Wright. May 20. Sam'l Woolcut, jr., and Prudence Robbins. Julv 13. Francis Deming and Mary Camp. Oct. 7. Hez. Francis and Debo- rah Blin. Nov. 25, 1762. William Wells, jr., and Rebecca Stoddord. April 28, 1763. Hez. Atwood and wid. Abigail Stoddord. June 15. H^nry Kircum and Mary Hurlbut. Sept. 5. Nathan Wright and Lydia Wright. Jan. 25, 1764. Joseph Churchil and Elizabeth Andrus. April 4. Elias Hurlbut and Pa- tience Blin. April 1 2. Levi Warner and Ros- annah Woolcutt. May 23. Jabesh Ryly and Han- nah Goodrich, of Stepney. July 26. Fitch Andrus and Mary Wells. Aug. 23. Phinehas Griswould and Louis Hurlbut. Oct. 23. John Tucker and Abi- gail Dickinson. Nov. 23. Giles Deming and Hannah Wright, of Stepney. Nov. 15. Leonard Whittlesey and Hannah Welles. Dec. 2. Abel Andrus and Eu- nince Stoddord. Feb. 14, 1765. Unni Robbins and Mary Kellogg. May 23. Amos Lee and Anne Camp. Dec. 12. David Deming and Dorcas Beckly, Kensington. March 10, 1766. Amos Hurlbut and Sarah Latimer. March 25. Simeon Wright and Anne Whaples. April 6. Nathaniel Coply and Mary Treat. 108 Aug. 25. Ebenezer Goodrich and Abigail Collier. Dec. 18. Charles Morgan and Mehitable Seymour. April 6, 1767. Luther Latimer and Dorothy Smith. June 1. Levi Hurlbut and Mar- tha Hurlbut. March 16, 1768. Asa Andrus and Cloe Andrus. March 24. Abel Fuller and Hannah Rhodes, Wd.* April 21. John Graham and Hannah Hun. June 23. Joseph Stoddord and Mary Fuller. Nov. 24. Abraham Harris and Ruth Beckly, wid., Kensing- ton. Dec. 5. Mr. Joseph Camp and Anne Kellogg. Jan. 9, 1769. Elias Seymour and Elizabeth Woolcutt. June 7. Enock Stoddord and Dinah Fuller. Nov. 2. — Sage and Patience Dickinson, of Kensington. Nov. 29. Jesse Churchill and Sarah Cady, wid.. Stepney. Dec. 4. James Camp and Eliza- beth Kilborn. Jan. 31, 1770. William Steel and Hannah "Webster, Kensing- ton. July 8. Eli Stoddord and Abi- gail Atwood. The same evening, Eli Tryon and Sybil Hurlbut. March 8. David Clark of B'n, and Louis Andrus, of Wethers- field. March 22. William Warner, jr., and Abigail Robbins. May 9. John Kelsey and Agnis Bowls, Kensington. Aug. 15. Judah Wright and Zu- roiah Crowfoot, Kensington. Dec. 20. Levi Andrus and Cloe Welles. Jan. 17, 1771. David Welles and Eunice Clapp. Ebent^zer Wyman and Sarah Brigden. And Edward Brown and Elizabeth Graham, alias Dil- lings. April 21. David Lowry and Lucy Cole. May 1. Elias Francis and Thank- full Hun. May 2. Lemuel Woodhouse and Cloe Woolcot. June 27. Ephraira Deming and Martha Deming. July 11. William Smith and Mary Welles, wid., at Wd. Oct. 30. Levi Churchill and Elizabeth Hurlbut. Nov. 14. Aron Deming and Ly- dia Stoddord, and James Wells and Lucy Wells. Jan. 30, 1772. Levi Wright and Abigail Woolcut, Wd. Feb. 6. Seth Bordman and Abi- gail Forsdich, Wd. April 16. Seth Wells and Judith Robbins, Wd. April 23. Timothy Lee and Lucy Camp. April 30. Ashbel Lee and Sarah Hun. May 21. Elisha Woodruff, of Farmington, and Anne Gris- would, of Wethersfield. Oct. 1. Timothy Hubbard and Abigail Deming. Nov. 12. Elijah Welles and Sarah Balch of W'd. Nov. 19. Asa Talcot, of Glassen- bury, and Hannah Stillman, of Wd. Jan. 18, 1773. Perez Swift and Hannah Fairchild. Feb. 4. Martin Kellogg, jr., and Ilannah Robbins. April 14. ^ Fitch Hurlbut and Jemima Hun. * W'd, an abbreviation of Wethersfield. 109 May 5. Deliverance Deming and Sarah Smith, of Wethersfield. The same evening, John Goodrich and Jerusha Deming, Wd. May 6. Justus Francis and Ke- turah Andrus. And Elizur Deming and Lucina Francis. Oct. 7. Charles Bulkly and Eu nice Wells, Wd. Nov. 25. Epaphras Stoddord and Mary Wells, Wd. Dec. 8. Elias Griswould and Rhoda Flowers, Wd. Jan. 13, 1774. Elijah Welles and Sarah Kellogg. Jan. 27. John Lusk and Eliza- beth Kellogg. Feb. 28. Enos Hun and Esther Smith. May 11. Jonathan Beckly and Mary Webster, Worthington. Aug. 24. Theode Bordman and Eunice Lusk, Wd. Oct. 10. Gershom Woolcut and Rhoda Robbins. Oct. 27. Joseph Steel and Olive Churchill. Dec. 22. Benajah Bordman and Martha Churchill. Jan. 5, 1775. Timothy Kilborn, jr., and Maiy Deming. Jan. 26. Thomas Stedman and Hannah Ati Committee under oath, Samuel Pitkin, ) The court accept said report of Committee whereupon it is considered by the court that the highways, as by said Committee laid out or widened, be and the same are established public highways, and that the same be opened by the 20th day of June next, and that said town of Wethersfield pay to the individuals the damages assessed to them by said Committee in said report by the 20th day of June next, and that the Petitioners recover of said town of Wethersfield, Cost taxed at 28 Dollars 13 cents. Execution granted for said Cost August 22d, 1807." The above is copied from the Records of the County Court, in the book of records from August, 1803 to December, 1809, in that part of the book containing 126 has greater facilities of access to the capital of the state; midway between the two great emporiums Boston and New York, an hour's ride to New Haven, it is an eligible location for speedy egress and ingress and for quiet residence. There have been four public libraries in Newington, "The Newington Library," "The Charity Library," "The Social Library," and "The Young Men's Library." 1. The Newington Library is the most ancient, and is sup- posed to have been purchased by the Ecclesiastical Society in its early days. There was formerly a small tax levied on those who used the books. 2. The Charity Library was a gift to tlie Society from Jedediah Doming, as has already appeared. It consisted of religious works almost entirely. It was free to all. The books were usually exchanged on lecture days. Simon Wells was for many years the librarian. Some books of these two libraries still remain. 3. The Social Library was of much later date. It belonged to individuals, and was destroyed by fire with the house of the late Roger Welles in October, 1855. 4. The Young Men's Library was also the fruit of indi- vidual enterprise, instituted by the young men of the genera- tion of Gen. Martin Kellogg and Capt. Daniel Willard. That library is supposed no longer to exist as a library. The books are probably dispersed or lost. When Dr. Brace was settled there was in Connecticut a union of church and state. Every ecclesiastical society hav- ing territorial limits was considered to be, and was in fact, a municipal and public corporation. And every individual the record of the doings of the County Court for Hartford County at the August term, 1807, Iteing a little past the middle of the book, there being no paging. It is quite probable that the green taken from Mi-s. Jemima Welles' land was to make it conform to the green opened cast of the Burying ground not long before. The following vote which appears to have i)cen passed at a town meeting held December 26, 1798, apparently authorizes the opening this green. " At this meeting the selectmen who were appointed in Ai)ril last to view the ground near the meeting hou.se in the society of Newington, Reported, that in their opinion it would be ])roper to lay out a highway four rods wide across the west end of Unni Kobbins's lot adjoining the burying ground, — Voted, that this meeting do accept the report. Voted, that the selectmen be directed to view the road to Newington, and to straighten it by crossing the corners of certain lots, which they are hereby authorized to purchase of individuals and so open the road." 127 residing within the limits of any such society was considered by the law as much a member of it, as each resident of a town was deemed its inhabitant. When the State Constitu- tion was adopted in 1818, it was ordained in that instrument that every person then belonging to any religious association should remain a member thereof until he should have sepa- rated therefrom by leaving a written notice thereof with the clerk of such society, after which time he should be no longer liable for any future expenses incurred by such society. Our ecclesiastical society was established with local limits more than a hundred years before the adoption of the state consti- tution, and was not by that instrument or by subsequent leg- islation divested of its local character. It still has its local limits the same as in the days of our fathers. Consequently all the residents of Newington, who have not formally sepa- rated themselves from the society, who were residents at the time of the adoption of the constitution in 1818, are now members of the society. The members of this class formerly constituted almost the entire body of the society, but time has thinned their ranks, a few only are left, and soon they too will have passed away forever. The society consists now almost wholly of those who have been voted in as members, whose previous voluntary assent thereto would be implied ; and those also who have accepted office in the society, their assent would be implied, they treat themselves as members and so hold themselves out to the world ; probably also those who vote and participate in the meetings of the society, their vol- untary association would be implied. Memberships, being no longer coercive but voluntary, must be determined in the light of these principles. The school society of Newington was organized as early as 1797 ; it was continued as an organization during the entire ministry of Dr. Brace, but did not long survive it: in July, 1856, the General Assembly passed an act abolishing school societies, and vesting their property in the towns. As early as May, 1799, an act was passed providing — " That each school society shall have full power to divide itself into proper and necessary districts, for keeping their schools." 128 (Rev. Stat. 1808, p. 581; sec. 1.) Under this authority the school society of Newington, in 1835, passed a vote creating a new district, called the South East School District, as follows : " Voted, That there be a new district formed from the present South district in Newington, to be called the South- east district. The nortii line of said district to run an east and west course from the Southwest district, ten rods north of the house in which Reuben Wliaplcs now lives ; thence east to the Wethersfield line, and to include all the inhabi- tants living south of said north line, in Newington school society." This made the fourth school district in Newington, three having been previously created by authority of the ecclesiasti- cal society, as already related.* In 1829 an association Avas formed by twenty-five of the prominent men of the society, called " the Newington Educa- tion Company," for the purpose of building an academy for a * When tlie school society was abolished in 1856, the record took disap- peared. This is much to be regretted, as it contained valuable records which can not be replaced. The vote e^ivcn in the text, however, was fortunately pre- served, as also the following document establishing the lines between the socie- ties of Newington and Worthington : "We, the school society's committee of Worthington and Newington, with the assistance of Loton Porter, County Surveyor, have run out and established the lines betwixt said societies in the following manner, to wit : Beginning at the northwest corner of David Kclsey's farm, on town line betwixt Wethersfit^ld and Berlin, near his dwelling-house, we ran a lino on the north side of said Kelsey's farm, north 89^" east, to a highway, where we found a stone placed in the ground betwixt Amon Richards and Oliver Richards, thence continuing the same course to the Hartford and New Haven turnpike, where we erected a stone monument l)etwixt Oliver Richards and Samuel Steele, thence continuing the same course (to) the highway leading from Newington, and erected a stone mon- ument, marked on one side W. and on the other N. ; thence southerly by the said last highway one liundred and forty -one rods to the Berlin corner. JOSEPH SAVAGE, > Committee for HENRY BOOTH, ) Worthinijton Society. WILLIS P. DAVIS, Committee for Neivlnr/ton. Dated at Bkrlin, this 6th day of Nov., 1849." At a town meeeting held Nov. 4, 1856, the north lino of the district was estab- lished as follows : " Voted, That the north line of the Soutiicast school district of Newington shall commence on the west, at the northwest corner of Amon Richards' home farm, where it intersects with New Britain town line, and run easterly on the said Richard's north line to a highway, thence in the same direction on the line of the said Amon and Oliver Richards to the jtresent west line of said district, including all the property south of the above described line not included in other districts. " 129 school of a " higher order " than the district schools. Tlie building was erected, and a school flourished there for a quarter of a century. It was the means of giving a higher education to many who would otherwise have finished their studies at the common schools. Nothing has since taken its place. The enterprise being a wholly private one, and the children of those who started the enterprise having been educated, the school was dropped, and the building has been suffered to go to decay.* EXTRACTS FROM SOCIETY RECORDS. At a meeting held Dec. 2, 1805, "Voted, That this society agree to have the burying ground fenced with stone that are at present there, with posts and two boards above nailed on the sides of the posts, with a gate upon the north side." At a meeting held Feb. 3, 1806, " Voted, That no vote hereafter taken in the Ecclesiastical Society in Newington after sunset shall be considered as legal unless by a special vote to the contrary." " Voted, That the society's committee be empowered to appoint a sexton yearly for this society." At a meeting held Dec. 5, 1808, " Voted, To allow Mr. Brace $100 out of the interest of the public money belonging to this society for one year only, in addition to his stated salary." " Voted, To allow Mr. Brace $24 in lieu of fetching his wood the ensu- ing year." At a meeting held Dec. 29, 1808, "Voted, That this society appoint a special committee to confer with Mr. Brace on account of his salary." " Voted, That Dea. James Wells, Col. Levi Lusk, Major Justus Francis, ♦The Newington Education Company, at a meeting held January 6, 1829, adopted a constitution, beginning as follows : " We, the subscribers, believing that a school of a higher order will be beneficial to the youth of this place, do agree to associate ourselves into a company for the purpose of erecting a suitable building for this purpose." The sum of five dollars constituted a share, Martin Kellogg, Jeremiah Seymour, and Dositheus Hubbard were appointed a building committee. The annual meeting was held on the first Monday in September. The officers were a chairman, clerk, treasurer, collector, and three trustees. The duty of the trustees was to employ the teacher, and, with the chairman, to con- stitute a visiting committee. The first officers were. Gen. M. KellogG-, chairman ; William Deming, clerk; Dositheus Hubbard, treasurer; Daniel Willard, Joseph Camp, and Roger Welles, trustees. The stockholders, with the amounts of money they subscribed, are as follows: Martin Kellogg, $45; Mary Kellogg, $10; Electa Whittlesey, $10; Laura Whittlesey, $5 ; Erastus Francis, $10; Lathrop Richardson, $5; Daniel Willard, $22.75 ; Joseph Camp, $15; Elisha Stoddard, $5 ; Simeon Stoddard, $5 ; Allen Stoddard, $13; Jeremiah Seymour, $25; Josiah W. Griswould, $12; Roger Welles, $22.75; Dositheus Hubbard, $11; William Deming, $13; Jedediah Deming, $2.50; Elisha Whaples, Jr., $11 ; Origin Wells, $5 ; Catherine Wells, $5 ; James Churchill, $5 ; Ralph Wells, $5; Charles Hubbard, $5 ; David Hunn, $5 ; Josiah Atwood, $5. The last meeting recorded was held in November, 1854, 17 180 Dea. Daniel Willard, Timothy Stanley, Hezekiah Belden, Esq., Asaph Whittlesey, Martin Kellogg, .Tun., and Capt. Jonathan Stoddard, Jua., be appointed a committee for that purpose." To the Ecclesiastical Society in Newinglon : The committee appointed to confer with the Rev. Mr. Brace upon the subject of his request made to them at their last meeting, beg leave to report. That agreeably to their appointment they have waited upon the Rev. Mr. Brace and conferred with him upon the subject of bis request that the society should join with him in the call of a Council to dissolve his relation as pastor over them. That your committee find upon enquiry that Mr. Brace has no other reason operating upon his mind in assigning this except the want of an adequate and decent support, and that he was fearful, (judging from the uneasiness expressed by some with the late vote adding a' hundred dollars to his salary for the current year,) that if he should make known the sum Avhich he sliould think a sufficient salary, although it might be voted, yet that it would cause so much dissatisfaction that it might tend to divide and lessen the Society, which, in its present undivided situation, is not large, that he thought it his duty rather to leave than by asking for an addition to his salary to be the cause of divid- ing the people. Your committee further report, that they conferred with Mr. Brace re- specting the sum which he should think an adequate and honorable com- pensation for his services, and which if granted as a permanent salary would be satisfactory, and that the sum named by him as such was five hundred dollars, and fifteen cords of wood. Your committee further report, that by an estimate made by them of the expense of maintaining a family in the decent and respectable manner in which a minister of the Gospel is entitled to live, the expense falls very little short of the sum proposed by Mr. Brace, and this without allowing anything for sickness in the family, or for incidental expenses for journeying or for the purchase of books. Your committee grant that this calculation is theory- merely, and that a single fact is worth a thousand paper calculations, they there- fore requested Mr. Brace to keep an accurate account of all his expend- itures for the current year, to be exhibited to a committee appointed to examine it at the close of the year ; to this Mr. Brace cheerfully assented. Your committee report further, that Mr. Brace accepts the salary voted him for the current year, but expects if he continues your minister, that the salary above named of five hundred dollars and fifteen cords of wood yearly will be granted him as his permanent salary. All which is submitted. Levi Lusk, Justus Francis, Daniel Willard, Timothy Stanley, Jun., Martin Kellogg, Jun., Hezekiah Belden, Jonathan Stoddard, Jun., Asaph Whittlesey — Special Committee. At a meeting held January 9, 1809, " Voted, Tliat this society accept of the report of the committee appointed to confer with Mr. Brace on account of his salary." " Voted, That the society's committee be appointed to receive the ac- count of Mr. Brace's expenses for the current year, and make report to the next annual meeting." " To the Prudential Committee of Newington, a parish of Wethersfield, Gentlemen. You are hereby requested to warn, according to law, the Ecclesiastical Society of Newington to meet forthwith that they may choose one of these two alternatives, viz : either to render permanent the sum stated in the report of their special committee in the last society meeting, as the salary 131 of Joab Brace, or to comply with his request made sometime in December last to be dismissed from his pastoral relation to the church and people in said parish, and further to transact whatever business may be brought be- fore the meeting. Signed, JOAB BRACE, Pastor. Newington, March 29th, 1809." At a meeting held April 4, 1809, " Voted, That this society waive, for the present, the alternative contained in the report of their select commit- tee, (but which may if necessary be taken up afterwards,) and attend to Mr. Brace's third proposal." " Voted, That this society give Mr. Joab Brace five hundred dollars a year as a permanent salary so long as he continues to officiate with us in the Ministry of the Gospel." "Wethersfield, April 12th, 1809. "Whereas the Ecclesiastical Society of Newington did in their last meeting, by a very unanimous vote, make an offer to me of five hundred dollars as a permanent salary during my ministerial labors with them, and whereas divers individuals did very generously oflfer their assistance in the article of wood, these are therefore to show that withdrawing my motion for a dismission, I accept the offer and ratify the stipulation. JOAB BRACE." At a meeting held November 7, 1810, " Voted, To appoint a committee to draw a petition to present to the next town meeting for liberty to sell lands belonj^ing to the highways in this society, to raise a fund, the annual interest of which shall be appropriated for the support of the ministry in this society."* " Voted, That Levi Lusk, Hezekiah Belden, and Martin Kellogg, Jr., be a committee for said purpose." At a meeting held December .S, 1810, " Voted, That the annual meeting of this society shall be held on the first Monday in November instead of the first Monday in December." At a meeting held December 2, 1811, " Voted, That the trustees of the public moneys belonging to this society be directed to call in the same as soon as convenient, also to dispose of the money in the Loan Office of the United States, and to vest the whole in bank stock in the Hartford Bank." At a meeting held November 20, 1815, " Voted, That the society do agree to paint the meeting house as far as has been painted before, and that Amos Andrus and Roger Welles be a committee to purchase oil, paints, &c., also engage some suitable person to do the work and superin- tend the painting, " Voted, That this society lay a tax of one cent on the dollar on the list of 1815, for the above purpose, also that the committee be directed to borrow a sum sufficient to complete the painting of the meeting house if the tax should be insufficient. " Voted, That in future when a society meeting is to be warned the Society Committee shall put notifications on the several school houses." " Voted, That the Society's Committee be directed to purchase a pall for this society." At a meeting held November 3, 1817, " Voted, That the trustee call in the amount of the notes he now holds against individuals by the first of March next, and deposit the same in the Phoenix Bank, also that he receive and deposit in the same bank the money to be received from the Treasurer of the State of Connecticut on account of the Appropriation act." *At a town meeting held December .31, 1810, "The petition of the inhabitants of the society of Newington praying for a grant of the highways that may be sold ill said society was read, and upon the question whether this meeting will do anything upon the petition, it passed in the negative." 182 At a meeting held November 1, 1819, " Voted, That this meeting take measures to sell the pews in the meeting house to pay the expenses of this society the year ensuing, provided a sum of four hundred dollars or more be raised from the sale of the pews, these sales to be valid, if not, to be null and void." " Voted, That Levi Deming, Origen Wells, Gen. Martin Kellogg, Jr., Elisha Stoddard, Joseph Camp, Gen. Levi Lusk, and Uzziel Lattimer be a committee to obtain information and devise the best method of carrying into effect the above vote respecting the selling of the pews in the meeting house, &c., and report to the next meeting." At a meeting held November 16, 1819, " Voted, That the report of the committee as amended be accepted." " Report of Committee, To the members of the Ecclesiastical Society of Newington. Gentlemen. The committee appointed to devise the most probable means of carrying into effect a vote of this meeting (society ?) for a sale of the pews in the meeting house, for the purpose of raising funds for the support of the Gospel in this place respectfully report, That after having attentively examined the subject, and having taken advantage of such information as they could obtain from other places where similar measures have been pursued for similar purposes, they at an adjourned meeting unanimously adopted the following resolutions. (1) Voted, That the 23d day of November instant be recommended to be appointed for the commencement of the sales, at 9 o'clock A. M., and to be continued by adjournment if necessary until the business be completed, and that the pews be set up by pews and struck off to the highest bidder, and the person or persons who purchase them shall hold them for one year from the 1st day of December next. (2) Voted, That every such person or persons who shall purchase a pew shall be required to execute his or their note payable to the society's treasurer or his order in 6 months from the first day of February next, with interest after nine months. (3) Voted, That this Committee recommend to reserve the Northeast and Southeast corner pews and not offer them for sale, also a pew or share of a pew, such as the Rev. Mr. Brace shall choose for the accommodation of his family. (4) Voted, That it be recommended to appoint an auctioneer and clerk to transact the business respecting the sales, that it shall be the duty of the auctioneer to expose the pews for sale, and when sold he shall inform the Clerk to whom they belong, and the price for which they are sold : that it shall be the duty of the Clerk to provide himself with a suitable number of blank notes which he shall fill up with the amount and require them to be signed by the purchaser. (5) Voted, That it be recommended to offer two or three pews for sale in the south gallery, and also the high pew in the gallery, on the same terms as those on the lower floor. Your couimittee would beg leave further to remark that it is a duty incumbent on every citizen to do something in support of the institutions of religion, that in addition to the weighty concerns of Paternity and the solemnities of an hereafter, the advantages resulting from these institutions are not trifling, for should they be suflered to fall, our respectability as a people would dwindle to insignificance and contempt, that by it the value of property is enhanced, that it contributes to order, peace, and good regulations' in society, promotes cleanliness in our persons and apparel, points us to the paths of virtue and morality, restrains the licentious and 133 profane, adds weight to parental authority, recommends our youth to the passing stranger and the wayfaring man, and nerves the arm of govern- ment without which our persons and our families would be insecure. Your committee further believe that the time has come when those who are determined to support the preaching of the Gospel, (whatever means are taken for the purpose,) must make greater exertions than they have hitherto been required to do, that the votes of your last meeting demon- strated the impracticability of raising funds sufficient by a tax,' and that they know no other way so likely to succeed as that which you have adopted. Your committee are aware that some of your most respectable and worthy citizens, fearful of the consequences of innovations, would have preferred the ancient mode of raising their necessary funds by a tax on property, yet, as all communities must be governed by a majority of such community, and when they reflect on the difficulties in the way of taxation, it is believed they will support the measures which the majority have adopted. There are others alike respectable, who conscientiously believe that coercive measures in matters of religion are not warranted by scrip- tural precepts, to such there is now an opportunity for the exercise of that liberality ibr which they are accountable to none but their conscience and their God. With regard to the pews, there is undoubtedly a choice, fancy will prefer one seat to that of another, but the liberal contributor will be actu- ated by higher motives, he will doubtless reflect that the primary object is to support the everlasting gospel. All which is respectfully submitted. By order of your committee LEVI LUSK, Chairman. At a meeting held November 6, 1820, " Voted, That the clerk of this society be requested to make an estimate of the sum neceesary to raise to complete the Rev. Joab Brace's salary, after deducting the amount arising from the sale of the pews the last year, and make report to this or a future meeting." " Voted, That a committee be appointed to converse with Mr. Brace, and see if he will be willing to relinquish a part of his salary." " Voted, That Amos Andrus be a committee to converse with Mr. Brace as above." " Communication fj-om the Rev. Jodb Brace. Moderator and Brethren. Solicitude for your welfare and desire for the prosperity of the gospel of Christ in your salvation, induce me to do whatever I can for your relief and encouragement in maintaining the institutions of divine worship. I am in debt about twelve hundred dollars, and of course pay a heavy inter- est. I have already anticipated and expended about three-fifths of my salary for the year which is to end on the first of December next, and must therefore run into another year for the current expenses of the pass- ing year. The expenses of my family have been every year much more than my salary, which I have supplied by other means. But my brethren and my beloved people, / seek not yours, but you, therefore, notwithstanding all these things, I will make a sacrifice for your accommodation. I know you are far from being a poor people, yet I consider the difficulties of the time, and 1 propose to make an abatement in your favor, and of my own accord I do hereby relinquish fifty dollars for one year, viz., the ecclesias- tical year, to commence on the first Monday of December next, and accordingly do authorize you to record this communication as a testimony of such abatement of my salary for the said year. Imploring the blessing 134 of God upon your present meeting and upon all your best interests, and wishing that grace, mercy, and peace may ever abide with you, I subscribe myself, Yours with sincere afi'ection, J. Bkace.* Newington, November 23d, 1820. At a meeting held February 19, 1821, "The will of Rosanna Deming being read, On motion, Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to converse with Mr. Hubbard, to see if any and what arrangements can be made concerning the will of Rosanna Deming, and report at the next meeting.! Voted, That Absalom Wells, Amos Andrus, and Joseph Camp be the committee according to the above vote." At a meeting held February 26, 1821, "The committee appointed the last meeting reported that they had called on Mr. Hubbard to consult with him on the business of their appointment, but were unable to make any arrangement with him whatever." At a meeting held April 23, 1821. " The following statement was made to the meeting by Gen. Lusk, and voted. At a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Society of Newington, being legally warned and holden on the 23d day of April, 1821, for the purpose of taking into consideration the subject of a donation purporting to be given partially or indirectly to said society by the last will and testament of Rosann I Deming, late of Wethersfield, deceased. Having duly considered and examined into the case, we believe it is just and commendable,. — that persons have an unquestionable right — to give and bequeath donations for charitable or public uses where it may be done legally and without injuring the lawful heirs, and none (more) laud- able than that of encouraging and supporting the preached gospel in reg- ular established societies, which we are zealous ever to support in a legal and christian manner, and shall ever be grateful to any who may- be * This communication was presented to an adjourned society meeting held November 23, 1820. t Rosanna Deming died January 27, 1821, aged 73; she by her last will and testament, bequeathed to Laura Dillings, her wearing apparel and household fur- niture, and a horse and three acres of land on the East side of the way, also — "Item. Eight acres of land on the west side of the way, with the house and barn thereon, to be at her use during her life, then to revert to the use of the ministry, with the other land as hereinafter directed. " Item. One acre of wood land in the Birlden lot to be hers as in the last article. "Item. One cow to be at her use and disposal. " Item. I give and ijequcath unto Hcv. Joab Brace my other creatures and the farming materials, to ho at his own proper use and disposal. " Item. I give and bequeath unto the Ecclesiastical Society in Newington, all my other lands to remain as they are, the avails of them to be fjiven to the Pres- byterian or Congregational minister of said society as a perquisite, aside from his stipulated salary, forever." Executed October 2, 1809. " Inventory of the estate of Rosanna Deming, deceased, taken by the subscri- bers, March 7, 1821. Amount of personal property, per Inventory, - - - - $170 82 House $25. Barn $100. 39 Acres, home lot, at $38, $1482, = $1,607.00 43 acres cast side liighway at $28, 7 do. Belden Lot, $50. — $350 = $1,554.00 6 acres ledge lot at $30, ...... $180.00 $3,511.82 Martin Kellogg, Jr., / a „_-„:„„ Roger Welles, J Appraisers. 136 disposed to contribute to aid us in the important work ; but finding in the present case now in question that there appears many embarrassments in accepting and supporting the donation alluded to, however pure the motive of the donor might be, we with regret are under the necessity of declining the acceptance of the donation, for the following reasons. It is believed that through age and infirmity of body and mind she did not duly consider the natural obligation she was under to her nephew, the only heir by law, who has ever lent her all the possible aid and assistance in his power to render her life comfortable in her declining years,* who is by said will wholly cut off from any share in the property which in justice would and ought to have descended to him as the only natural heir of his grandfather. Under all these circumstances we are led to believe that it is for the interest of the society, and will most conduce to the harmony among the people in said society, to relinquish all claims by virtue of said will, so far as this society is concerned as a corporate body. Believing that by attempting to support a claim by virtue of said will we shall be embar- rassed in many expensive and vexatious law-suits, which will tend to dis- unite the people in said society. Therefore we consider that it is for the interest of the society, and strictly just to the heir in law. that we, as the society, should relinquish all claim, as, in the capacity of the society of Newington, we might claim by virtue of said will. And it is our wish that the property may be vested in the hands of the heir in law, and we will trust to his liberality to make such donation to said society as he may think proper for the support of the preaching of the gospel in said society, believing that he will so fVir carry the views and wishes of his deceased aunt into execution, as will satisfy the feelings of the people in said society, and will still remain a useful member in said society as he ever has been." " Voted, That the foregoing vote be binding on the society, if Mr. Leonard C. Hubbard will give, or be obligated to pay to this society, the sum of 500 dollars." f At a meeting held November 11, 1822, " Voted, That for the purpose of raising the sum of 400 dollars to defray the expenses of this society the year ensuing, a committee be appointed to receive subscriptions, and if the sums amount to 400 dollars the clerk shall request the subscribers to give their note to the treasurer, payable in six months from date and on interest after nine months. After the notes are executed, as many as wish to sit in one pew shall inform the clerk, who shall find the amount of their subscriptions, and the company whose subscription shall exceed that of any other shall have the first choice of the pews, and the next highest the second, and so on till all are supplied with seats. In case two or more companies are equal in their subscriptions the choice shall belong to the one who shall raise his more than the other, or the choice may be determined by lot. The pews to be taken possession of and to be held one year from the first day of December next." " Voted, That Roger Welles, Jedediah Deming, Josiah W. Griswold, Lester Luce, William Wells, Allen Stoddard, and Martin Robbins be a committee to receive subscriptions." At a meeting held November 26, 1822, " The sum of 400 dollars having been raised by subscription, the members of this society proceeded to class themselves and choose their pews, according to the vote of a former meet- ing. * The will was executed twelve years before her death, when she was about 60 years of age. tMr. Hubbard gave his note to the Society for 8500. 186 At a meeting held Nov. 10, 1824, " Voted, That Messrs. Amos Andrus* Daniel ,Willard and Lowrey Robbins be a committee to devise tocethe'' upon the best method of raising the sum necessary to meet the expense^ of this society the ensuing year, and report to the next meeting." At a meeting held Nov. 18, 1824, "Report of a committee appointed the last meeting to devise some plan, &c., received and acted upon. RKPORT. The committee appointed by the society to devise a plan to raise the sum of 375 dollars, to defray the expenses of the society the ensuing year, having investigated the subject according to the best of their abilities, and availed themselves of such information and advice as they have had opportunity to obtain, beg leave to submit the following report. Although no plan has been suggested to your committee entirely free from objection, the following measures appear to them the best adapted to accomplish the desired object. Let the pews in the meeting house be sold at auction for one year, the highest bidder being entitled to a choice of pews, with one exception, viz., that when the purchaser has chosen his pew the auctioneer shall make known to the meeting which pew has been chosen, and shall proceed to offer said pew for sale to any person or com- pany who will bid more, and if no person shall offer more for the pew, it shall belong to the person or company to whom it was struck off; and when two or more persons shiU purchase the same pew they shall inform the clerk of the meeting of the names and the sum each individual is to pay for the pew. If a less sum than 375 dollars should be raised from the sale of the pews, your committee would recommend that the deficiency be made up by a tax on the property of such persons as are willing to be taxed for thai purpose. It is further recommended that a committee of three, that is, one in each district, be appointed to inquire of all the persons who are possessed of taxable property, whether they will or will not be taxed to make up said deficiency, then the committee shall proceed to find the amount bid for pews by those persons who did not consent to be taxed, which sum shall be deducted from the 375 dollars, and the remaining part shall be the sum to be raised by a tax on the property of tbose persons who give their consent to be taxed, and whatever sum any person has bid for his pew shall be applied towards the payment of his tax. The above report is respectfully submitted, (Signed) AMOS ANDRUS, DANIEL WILLARD, LOWREY ROBBINS. " Voted, That Roger Welles, Allen Stoddard, and Jedediah Deming, be a committee to obtain the names of those who are willing to be taxed." " Voted, That the pews in the meeting house be sold according to a report of a committee, on the 24th of instant Nov., at 1 o'clock P. M." " Voted, That Gen. Martin Kellogg be auctioneer on the day of the sale of the pews." At a meeting held April 3d, 1826, " Voted, That this society receive with "•ratitude the very generous donation lately made them by Mr. Amos Andrus, deceased, and comply with the requisitions of his will."* " Voted, That the society's committee be directed to borrow 400 dollars, and that they pay to Mrs. Lydia, the wife of Horace Goodwin, 300 dollars, * Amos Andrus died Feb. 21, 1826, he was treasurer of the society at the time, the vacancy was supplied at this meetinf? by the election of Roger Welles to that office, who was annually re-appointed till ho resigned in 1845, when John M. Belden was appointed, who was continued till 1873. 137 and to Mrs. Hannah, the wife of Phineas Hurlbut, 100 dollars, and take receipts therefor as a legacy from Mr. Amos Antlrus deceased." " Voted, That Messrs. Levi Deming, Martin Kellogg, Jr., and Joseph Camp, be appointed to superintend the erecting a fence to enclose a piece of wood land lately given to this society by Mr. Amos Andrus deceased, and to see that it is kept in repair." * At a meeting held Nov. 6, 1827, Voted, Tliat the society's committee with the agent be directed to devise some plan for the payment of the debts the society owes, and report at the next meeting." At a meeting held Nov. 20,1827. The committee presented the follow- ing report. " The committee appointed by the Ecclesiastical Society of Newington to devise measures for the extinguishment of said society's debts beg leave to report. That they have examined the wood lot belonging to the soci- ety, to ascertain whether it would be policy to sell the wood to p;iy said debts, and they find that most of the wood is thrifty growing timber. There is about two acres at the east end of said lot that is rather on the decay, your committee would recommend to have sold as soon as it can be disposed of to advantage. There are a few trees about the woods that are growing worse, they think it best to sell, and the money applied to extinguish said debt. They would also recommend that all the avails of the land over one hundred dollars a year be applied for the same purpose, and that whenever the sale of wood and the extra avails of the land shall not amount to one hundred dollars, there be taken from the avails so much as shall enable the society to pay 100 dollars a year until they shall extinguish their debt." " Voted, That the report of a committee appointed the last meeting to to devise some plan for the extinguishment of the debts of this society be accepted." " Voted, Mr. Uzziel Lattimer, with the agent, be appointed to dispose of the wood, according to the report of a committeee in the best manner they can. At a meeting held Nov. 4, 1828, " Voted, That the society's committee Extract from will of Amos Andrus. *"Item 5th, I give and bequeath to the Ecclesiastical society of Newington in connection with the Congregational Church of the Calvini?tic or orthodox sen- timents, a farm situate in said town of Wethersfield, known by the name of the Wright lot, together with a piece of land containing about four acres situate at the east end of said Wright farm, the rent of which, if unsold, to be appropri- ated to the use and benefit of said society, either in building or repairing a place for the worship of God, or for the sup[X)rt of the gospel. And provided that three fourths of the members of said society shall be in favor of selling said pro- perty, the avails shall be added to the funds of said society, and the interest only be appropriated to the above said objects. And also I give and bequeath to said ecclesiastical society one piece of land situate in said town, known by the name of Vexation lot, containing about forty-two acres, partly wood land and partly clear, on the following conditions, to wit : that said society enclose the wood land within fifteen months from and after the day in which the society shall be put in possession of said lot, and ever keep it enclosed under the inspection of a com- mittee appointed for that purpose. And that said society pay to my sister Lydia Goodwin three hundred dollars, and to my sister Hannah Hurlbut one hundred dollars. If the said society comply with the above mentioned conditions, the said lot is to be for their use with liberty to sell the clear land if three fourths of said s'jcicty judge best. If said society do not comply with said terms then the land will revert to my heirs according to law." Executed Feb. 20, 1826. His estate was appraised March 8, 1826, at $11,- 938.43. 18 138 be authorized to receive proposals from some persons for ringing the bell and to officiate as sexton the year ensuing." * At a meeting held Nov. 21, '1828, " Voter/, That William Deming and Dositheus Hubbard be a committee to settle with Mr. Roger Welles, an agent appointed to purchase a bell, and apply the balance if there may be any to repairs and ringing the bell as they think best.f " Voted, That the society's committee be directed to eujploy some suita- ble person to ring the bell the year ensuing at 12 o'clock and at 9, and on the Sabbath. " Voted, That Col. Joseph Camp, Roger Welles, and Dea. Levi Deming, be a committee to view the Wright farm, so called, and receive proposals from any person, who would wish to buy said farm, and report at some future meeting." At a meeting held Nov. 2, 1830, " Voted, That Col. Joseph Camp, Capt Daniel Willard, and Dea. Levi Deming be a committee to confer with a committee of the school society of Newington, to make some arrangement about the division of the public moneys belonjring to the two societies." At a meeting held Nov. 16, 1830, " Voted, That a report of a committee on the public moneys be accepted." " REPORT. " The committee appointed by this society to confer with a similar com- mittee of the school society for the purpose of investigating the situ- ation of the funds belonging to the two societies, and to ascertain in what manner a division of said funds can be best effected, beg leave to report " That they have carefully attended to the duties of their appointment, and find that the sources from which our Ecclesiastical and school funds are derived are as follows : " 1. The parsonage money, received from the sale of 50 acres of land granted by the town of Wethersfield to the society of Newington for the benefit of the Ecclesiastical society in said place. This part of the fund we find to be $1,718.66. " 2. The loan moneif, derived from the sales of land in certain townships in the western part of the state, done by authority of the Legislature, and appropriated exclusively for the benefit of schools. This part of the fund we find to be $279.23. " 3. The excise money, accruing from certain imposts or duties paid on the importation of goods, which was appropriated by the legislature for the support of schools. This part of the fund amounts to S168.58. " 4. The Kensington money. This was paid by the town (society) of Ken- sington to the society of Newington, as a compensation for that portion of said society which was annexed to Kensington, and now belongs to the society of Worthington. This part of the fund amounts to $195.40. " 5. After the termination of the late war with Great Britain, Connecti- cut I'eceived of the United States dollars as a remuneration in part for expenses incurred by the State during the war, which sum the Legis- lature apportioned among the several religious societies in the State. Of this money the Ecclesiastical Society of Newington received $70.33. " 6. The sum of $500.00, which the Ecclesiastical society received for the relinquishment of its claim to the estate of Rosanna Deming, deceased. " 7. The bequest of the late Mr. Amos Andrus, deceased. As this pro- perty consists wholly of real estate, no estimation of its worth has been made by your committee. * This is the first mention of a church bell. See Dr. Brace's Dis., p. 42. tThe agent went to Albany for the bell and transported it from there to New- ington with his own team. That was before the time of railroads. 139 " With regard to the several items which compose our funds, the in- quiry next arises which of these belongs to the school society. " Your committee are not yet satisfied that the school society has a legal claim to any except the Loan and the Excise moneys. No difficulty arises with regard to any except the Kensington money. Your committee can- not find any record or document which shows conclusively for what pur- pose it was to be applied. It was simply given to the society of New- ington. " Athough your committee are unanimous in the opinion that the Eccle- siastical society has the best claim to the Kensington money, yet consider- ing that there is some diversity of opinion on the subject, and also that our fathers usually applied a part of the interest of the Kensington money for the support of schools, your committee would beg leave to recommend that a vote be passed authorizing your trustee to transfer to the treasurer of the school society one half of the Kensington money, * together with the Loan and Excise moneys, the whole amounting to $545.51, to be paid in notes or cash as shall hereafter be determined. " AU which respectfully submitted, LEVI DEMING," ) JOSEPH CAMP, y Committee." DANIEL WILLARD,) Newington, Nov. 16, 1830. , At a meeting held Nov. 30, 1830, "Voted, That a committee of three be appointed and directed to sell the farm owned by this society called the Wright farm, as soon as practicable, provided that a sum shall be offered which, in the opinion of the committee, shall be a fair price for it. Also that this committee be authorized to give, in the name of the society, to the purchaser a good and lawful deed of the same. (In the afHrinative the votes were thirty-one, Neg. none.) Voted, that Gen. Martin Kellogg, Col. Joseph Camp, Dea. Levi Deming, be the committee for the object as above stated." At a meeting held Nov. 4, 1834, ''Voted, That Gen. M. Kellogg, Levi Deming, and Col. Joseph Camp, be a committee to give and receive deeds in exchange of some land to straighten the line on the society's lot. Also to sell the Clear lot, If an offer shall be made that they shall consider reasonable." At a meeting held April 5, 1837, ''Voted, That Messrs. Roger Welles, Jeremiah Seymour and Martin Robbins be a committee to draw a plan of such alterations as this society propose to have made to the meeting house and report at the next meeting." At a meeting held April 12, 1837, "Voted, That the committee appointed * This division of the Kensington money was certainly liberal to the school society. In 1715 when the original annexation of the Beckleys to the Great Swamp Society took place, the main consideration urged by them was their near- ness to the meeting house in the Great Swamp Society where they attended wor- ship and their distance from the Newington meeting house, the subject of schools was not mentioned and probably had no influence in the matter. In 1754, when the annexation was confirmed to Kensington society, apparently the same con- sideration governed. The people annexed were incorporated a school district by themselves in 1757, so that their school privileges were very little affected by their annexation. The Kensington money was paid for the loss to Newington society of the territory annexed to Kensington, this teritory would have fur- nished a revenue to the Newington society by way of taxes, had it not been set off, these taxes were in 1754 almost wholly for the support of the ministry, and even in 1830 the cost of schools did not probably equal the cost of supporting the ministry. 140 the last meeting be directed to apply the sum of 800 dollars now raised by subscriptions, and whatever more may hereafter be raised, in making such alterations in the meeting house as they shall think expedient." At a meeting held Nov. 7, 1837, ^'■Resolved, That (this) meeting pre- sent their thanks to the Rev. Mr. Todd and wife for the prompt and lively interest they have manifested in fitting up and adorning our church, and also for their very liberal donations presented for said purpose. "Fo/ec/, That the thanks of this meeting be given to the Rev. Joab Brace, our pastor, and his family, for the aid they have given and the interest manifested in repairing the church, and fitting it for the public worship of God." * At a meeting held Sept. 1, 1841, " Voted, To purchase a bell for the Ecclesiastical society of Newington of from 700 to 800 lbs. " Voted, That a committee of two be directed to dispose of the old bell and to purchase a new one. " Voted, That Roger Welles and Homer Camp be that committee." At a meeting held Nov. 2, 1841, " Voted, That the society's committee be directed to set out trees about the meeting house for public convenience, according to their judgment, at the expense of the society." At a meeting held Oct. 1, 1842, " Voted, That a committee be appointed to sell a part of the society's land, Roger Welles, Martin Robbins, Erastus Latimer, committee." At a meeting held June 2, 1845, " Voted, That the society's committee be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding two hundred dollars, to be expended in painting, blinds, repairs, &c., on the meeting house of said society. Voted, That J. M. Belden, M. W. Stoddard, and Levi S. Dem- ing be a special committee to carry the above vote into effect." At a meeting held Nov. 21, 1845, " Voted, That Jeremiah Seymour, Mar- tin Robbins, H. E. Stoddard, L. S. Deming, and Henry Luce be appointed a committee to view and stake out the ground in the vicinity of the Con- gregational Church where in their opinion it would be expedient to plant shade or ornamental trees, and to invite individuals of the society to select their spot, and plant and maintain a tree or trees on said spot. Voted, that the secretary be invited to take the names of those who will volunteer to set out trees. Volunteers. M. W. Stoddard, D. H. Willard, Erastus Latimer, E. Whaples, Jr., S. J. M. Kellogg, R. W. Kellogg, William Wells, Newman Huntly, William Kirkham, Martin Brown, Henry S. Kilbourn, L. S. Deming, Henry Luce. At a meeting held November 5, 1851, " Voted, That Mr. Brace be invited to remain as pastor until he shall have completed the term of fifty years." At a meeting held November 9, 1852, " Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the enlargement of the church. That M. W. Stoddard, Levi S. Deming, and D. H. Willard be that committee. At a meeting held November 16, 1852, " Voted, That the report of the committee on enlargement be accepted." At a meeting held December 7, 1852, " Voted, That a committee be appointed to take into consideration the enlargement of the church, said committee to consist of one. That Dea. Jedediah Deming be that com- mittee." At a meeting held January 4, 1853, " Voted, That the special committee *Among other changes the pe^vs were altered into slips. 141 be directed to procure the opinions and estimates of some other architect. Dea. Jedediah Deming be that committee." At a meeting held eJanuary 18, 1853, " Voted, That the committee report on or before the first Tuesday in March, " Voted, That Homer Camp, Erastus Latimer, John M. Belden, and M. W. Stoddard be added to the committee." At a meeting held February 15, 1853, " Report of committee on enlarge- ment accepted. " Voted, That a committee be appointed and instructed to obtain a side and front elevation, with a view of the steeple raised and improved, with estimates of costs. " Voted, Edwin Wells and L. S. Deming be that committee." At a meeting held February 23, 1853, " Voted, That the sum of One Thousand Dollars be raised by subscription. That Levi S. Deming be agent to obtain subscriptions. That subscriptions shall be paid on or before the first of October next. That the agent be authorized to take notes in payment of subscriptions, to be paid with interest on or before the first of June, 1856. That a committee of seven be appointed as a building committee. That Albert S. Hunn, J. Deming, jr., Charles K. Atwood, John M. Belden, Willis P. Davis, Daniel H. Willard, H. L. Kel- logg be that committee." At a meeting held March 14, 1853, "That a building committee be appointed and authorized to enlarge and improve tbe meeting house in accordance with a general plan presented, (called White's plan,) said plan to be subject to alterations and amendments, as to the committee shall appear best. " Voted, That Levi S, Deming, Edwin Welles, and Albert S. Hunn be a building committee. " Voted, That a resolution appointing a committee of seven as a building committee, at a former meeting, be rescinded." At a meeting held December 13, 1853, " Voted, That the report of the building committee be accepted, and that the society assume the debt by them contracted. " Voted, That this society present a vote of thanks to the building com- mittee. " Voted, That this society present to Mr. Eliphalet Richards, (and his subordinates,) building contractor on their meeting house, a vote of thanks for the acceptable manner in which he has fulfilled his contract." At a meeting held November 7, 1854, " Whereas Rev. Joab Brace notified this society three years since of his readiness to discontinue his active duties as pastor with us, and at the request of the society, by a committee appointed for the purpose, agreed to continue as pastor for three years more, and this period having nearly expired. Therefore, Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to confer with Mr. Brace, and ascertain his views and wishes on the subject, and report to the next meeting. " Voted, That Homer Camp, Charles K. Atwood, and Marcus W. Stod- dard be that committee." At a meeting held November 13, 1854, " Voted, That the report of the committee to confer with Rev. Mr. Brace be accepted, and that their report and his communication be recorded." " Committee report that they met Mr. Brace at his house on the even- ing following their appointment, and after a very pleasant and somewhat lengthy interview, Mr. Brace, at our request, agreed to put his views in writing, which is herewith submitted." 142 Communication from Mr. Brace. Newington, November 9, 1854. To the Ecclesiastical Society of Newington. Your committee called on me last evening to converse on the question of my resigning my pastoral services among you. and now, through that committee I have to say, (1.) I thank you for the respect shown to me herein, by you and by the committee. (2.) I was ordained January 16, 1805, as the minister of this people. In the year 1851, I offered to cease from my labors, if my people wished it, as that was the year of my three score and ten, otherwise I would go on and complete, if God would give me strength and grace, the half-century of my ordination. The society voted that a committee be appointed to signify to me their pleasure that I should continue my ministry during those three years. I rejoice that having obtained help of God I continue to thvi time. (3.) I now propose, with your approbation and concurrence, to resign, not to be formally dis- missed, but to resign, all the active services of the pastor and minister, to the charge of my colleague, (as soon as he shall be settled,) at the close of the fifty years. (4.) I design, (if God be willing,) to preach my last pastoral sermon on Tuesday, the sixteenth day of January, 1855, at two of the clock, P. M. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. J. BRACE. To H. Camp, ^ M. AV. Stoddard, > Special Committee. Ch. K. Atwood, ) At a meeting held March 10, 1856, " Voted, That we concur with the church in extending a call to Mr. William P. Aiken to settle with us in the gospel ministry. " Voted, That we will pay Mr. Aiken the annual salary of Nine Hun- dred Dollars. " Voted, That Henry L. Kellogg, Albert S. Hunn, and John M. Belden be a committee to carry into effect the votes of this meeting. " Voted, That the committee express to him the desire of this society that he come as soon as convenient to him." TRADITIONS .AND REMINISENCES OF NEWINGTON, COMPILED BY THE LATE CAPT. DANIEL WILLARD.* For quite a number of years, perhaps some thirty or forty years after the first settlers came to Wethersfield, in 1G34, that part of the town lying west of Cedar Mountain, since called Newington, was a wilderness, " Where nothnig dwelt but beasts of prey, Or men as fierce and wild as they." The Indians were somewhat numerous, many of them lived around a pond near the center of the place, where they h:id a little village of wigwams. From the pond they obtained an abundance of fish. Sequin was then Sachem, they were tributary to the Saehera at Middletown. ♦Mr. Willard was cf.n temporary with Ur. Brace, and lived to an advanced age. In the latter years of his life he gathered and compiled a mass of materials about "Newington, its family genealogies, with historical and bion:rapliical sketches, incidents, reminiscences, anecdotes, traditions, &c.," from which the following account has been condensed, retaining as far as possible his own ]anc June 17. Unni Robbins, aged 68. \/ J " 19. Benjamin Hopkins, aged 58. Aug. 25. Two infants of Origen Wells. Sept. 2. Olive, wife of Asa Fox, aged 50. Oct. 11. Child of Daniel Willard, jr., aged 14 months. Feb. 20, 1811. Lifant of Thomas Deming. Mar. 13. Capt. Jonathan Stoddard, aged 74. April 12. Infant of Thomas Drinkwater. " 16. EH Andrews, aged 75. " 17. Infant of Uzziel Latimer. May 15. Abel Andrews, aged 76. " 25. Elijah Wells, aged 67. July 2. Elizabeth, wife of Abner Roberts, aged 29. Nov. 21. Lucretia, wife oC Solomon Churchill, aged 47. " 26. Sarah Kellogg, widow of S. Kellogg, aged 41. Dec. 10. Esther Wright, aged 79. April 15, 1812. Joseph Camp, aged 68. " 26. Joseph Churchill, aged 62. July' 3. Capt. Robert Wells, aged 72. Aug. 23. Josiah Griswold, aged 52. Jan. 30, 1813., Zilpah, wife of Pomp Green, aged 50. Feb. 8. John Squire, aged 75. Mar. 24. Pomp Freeman, aged about 60. April 1 2. Anna Deming, aged 85. July 20. Lois, wife of Justus Francis, aged 49. " 23. Rev. Joshua Belden, aged 89. Aug. 5. Martha, wife of Elias Deming, aged 63. Sept. 2. Child of George Hale's, aged 14 months. Nov. 11. Oswell Rockwell, aged 58. Feb. 4, 1814. Mary, wife of Oliver Crocker, aged 47. 169 Feb. 16. Prince Miranda, aged 47. Mar. 21. Rebecca, wife of Sion Wentworth, aged 55. April 27. Mulatto woman, aged 20, and child. May 13. Ellas Deming, aged 62. June 21. Ezekiel Deming, aged 51. '• 27. Abigail Wells, widow of Capt. Robert Wells, aged 74. Aug. 5. Thomas , black man, aged about 90. Nov. 20. Martha, d. of Lemuel Henry, aged 2 years and 9 months. Dec. 9. Rebekah Boardman, aged 91. " 19. Robert Deming, aged 51. « 25. Thomas Clark, aged 38. Jan. 7, 1815. Robert Wells, s. of Capt. Robert W., aged 53. Feb. 23. Dorothy Clark, aged about 80. June 8. John Kirkham, aged 54. Aug. 13. Martha, d. of Levi Hurlburt, aged 3^. " 15. Tabitha, wife of Elias Andrus, aged 69. Oct. 25. Nancy Hooper's child, aged 1. " 26. Orra Deraing's child, aged 2. Nov. 8. Mehitabel, wife of Isaac Clark, aged 61. Dec. 29. Twin infants of Ansel Fox and Prudence his wife. Jan. 22, 1816. Mary Robbins, aged 73. Mar. 27. Mary Atwood, aged 88. Jan. 1, 1817. Infant of Jeremiah Seymour, aged 2 days. " 16. Dea. Daniel Willard, aged 63. Mar. 17. Levi Hurlburt, aged 74. April 23. Elizabeth Smith, aged 88. May 3. Eleanor, wife of James Wells, jr., aged 42. June 6. Esther Hunn, aged 64. Oct. 26. Laura Dillings, aged 16. Nov. 15. Chauncey L. Hunn, s. of Lester C. Hunn, aged 9. April 1, 1818. Josiah Willard, aged 78. June 8. Jennette Kirkham, wife of John K., aged 51. July 7. Unni Robbins, aged 52. Aug. 6. Catherine , black woman, aged 80. " 10. Lucius Caes, aged 20. Oct. 20. Elisha Blinn, aged 55. Dec. 7. Jane, d. of William Kirkham, aged about 2. " 9. Lucina, wife of Elizur Deming, aged 65. " 10. Lucretia, wife of Elijah Warner, aged 47. " 23. Child of , tramps, aged 4 months. Jan. 7, 1819. Elizabeth Whaples, aged 79. April 15. Sidney, s. of Allen Stoddard, aged 7^ months. June 15. Child of Giles Smith, aged 8 months. " 25. Horace Kilbourn, aged 15. " 27. A man — unknown. July 10. Luther Lattimer, aged 75. Aug. 4. Eliza, d. of Lester C. Hunn, aged 6. Oct. 15. John Wright, aged 56. Dec. 7. David Lowrey, aged 79^. 22 170 Dec .19. Francis Deming, aged 81. Jan. 22, 1820. Harriet E. Judd, wife of Allen Judd, aged 20. Mar. 12. Lois Blinn, widow of James Blinn, aged 78. " 28. Infant of Lester Hunn. June 30. Nathan Rockwell, aged 21. Oct. 6. Julia Norton, d. of Martin Welles and Frances his wife, aged 1. Dec. 26. Elisha Squire, aged 40. Jan. 7, 1821. Rosanna Deming, aged 73. " 7. Rev. R. Emery, aged 26. Feb. 26. Child of Robert Wells. Mar. 3. Twin infants of James Wells, jr., aged 2 months. April 16. Silas Andrus, aged 75. " 21. Lucy Dtming, d. of widow R. Deming, aged 18. May 4. Jeruhha, wife of Thomas Deming, aged 48. " 8. Samuel Whaples, aged 41. Oct. 22. Chauncey Whittlesey, aged 44. Nov. 6. Elisha Squire, aged 78. Jan. 15, 1822. Sarah Roberts, aged 40. " 19. Eunice Wolcott, aged 74. Mar. 5. Chester Wells, aged 47. May 20. Lucy, wife of Simeon Stoddard, aged 36. June 22. Henry Blannot, jr., aged 10. Aug. 22. David Goodrich, aged 66. Sept. 16. Julia Churchill, aged 30. " 19. Elizabeth Emery, d. of R. Rockwell, aged 13 months. " 22. Maria, child of Thomas Curtis, aged 2^. Oct. 4, 5. Twin children of Levi Hubbard, aged 2. Nov. 25. Benjamin Hendrick, aged 25. Dec. 20. Cynthia Wells, aged 30. Feb. 2, 1823. Thomas S. Curtis, aged 37. " 25. Prudence, d. of Enos Deming, and Prudence his wife, aged 4. April 18. Sion Wentworth, aged 69. May 20. Henry Brown, aged 64. July 22. Anne, wife of Joseph Churchill, aged 42. Aug. 24. Lemuel Whittlesey, aged 83, Sept. 4. Abigail, wife of Asahel Case, aged 40. " 17. John Churchill, aged 38. " 21. Frederick Deming, aged 57. Mar. 1, 1824. Infant of Jedidiah Deming. May 24. Asaph Whittlesey, aged 42. July 5. Sabra, wife of Cyrus Francis, aged 22. " 6. Hendric , an Indian, aged 70. " 28. Hannah, wife of Benjamin Hart, aged 50. Aug. 4. Elizabeth, wife of Leonard C. Flubbard, aged 51. Sept. 16. Levi Lusk, aged 67. Oct. 16. Jonathan Hubbard, aged 14. " Martin Hooper, s. of Philip, aged 22. Nov. 4. Abigail, wife of Dea. James Wells, aged 75. 171 Hapsebath, d. of Jedidiah Deming, aged 9 months. 1825. Infant of Roswell Hnnter, aged 3 months. Infant of Simeon Harrington, aged 7 months. William Wells, s. of Dea. James, aged 39. Lydia Willard, aged 68. Deacon James Wells, aged 77. Jeruslia Hartshorn, aged 78. Lorrain, wife of Absalom Wells, aged 56. John Fox, aged 24. Gardiner, child of Simeon Harrington, aged 5. Heman Francis, s. of Robert, aged 21. Martha Graham, aged 70. Harriet Churchill, d. of Samuel, aged 27. Child of Alanson Colton, aged 1. Lois Andrus, aged 95. Arta Stevens, wife of Ichabod S., aged 34. Abigail Whaples, aged 47. Chauncey Lattimer, aged 22. Asahel Case, aged 49. 2, 1826. Lucy Lowrey, aged 77. Amos Andrus, aged 63. Dorothy Stoddard, aged 84. Henry, s. of George Tucker, aged 2. Charles Corning, aged 47. Joseph Francis, aged 26. Candace, wife of Jonathan Stoddard, aged 55. Jonathan Stoddard, jr., aged 33. Abigail, infant of J. W. Griswold, aged 4 weeks. 1827. Rhoda Willard, aged 70. Justus Francis, aged 76. Amos A. Webster, aged 74. Rhoda Churchill, aged 76. Mary, wife of Jedidiah Deming, aged 37. Elias Andrews, aged 74. Infant of Ansel Fox, aged 6 months. Sally, wife of Dea. Levi Deming, aged 47. Thomas Deming, aged 72. Orra Fuller, aged 20. Mary Beckwith, aged 28. Samuel, s. of John C. and Laura Dow, aged 1. Hannah, wife of Martin Kellogg, aged 77. Marietta, d. of Enos and Prudence Deming, aged 14. Grin Hubbard, s. of D. and E. Hubbard, aged 9. Elizur Deming, aged 77. 1828. Rhoda Willard, widow of Josiah Willard, aged 75. Child of Alanson Colton, aged 4 months. " 27. Jane Kirkham, d. of William and Sophia K., aged 9. Aug. 19. Martin Kellogg, aged 82. '' 21. Justus Riley, aged 4, and Maria Clark, aged 2, children of William Blinn. Nov. 20. Jan. 13, (( 13. Mar. 4. n 21. (( 25. 11 31. April 12. 30. May 6. 8. 4( 19. July Aug. Sept. Oct. 12. 23. 19. 28. u 29. Nov. 1. Dec. 8. Feb. 2, <( 21. April May 11. 1. 6. Aug. 21. (( 27. Dec. 30. Jan. 8, (( 9. u 10. Feb. 24. Mar. 18. April May 15. 18. 24. Sept. Nov. 29. 1. (( 8. « 10. (( 13. a 22. li 29. Dec. 5. May June 1, 8. 172 Aug. 29. Lucy Lowrey, d. of Unni and Sarah Robbins, aged 1. Sept. 5. Wait Griswold, aged 41. " 17. Child of Lot and Mary Ann Beckwith, aged 1. " 21. Child of Abigail Blinn, aged 2. Oct. 6. Elias Seymour, aged 82. Nov. 7. Alfred Deraing, aged 24. " 8. Ichabod Stevens, aged 44. Dec. 8. Elizabeth Griswold, aged 37. " 10. Whiting, s. of Orin and Sarah Chapman, aged 2. " 24. Infant of Winthrop and Elizabeth Cinnamon. Jan. 24, 1829. Hannah Goodrich, aged 68. Feb. 10. Laura K. Whittlesey, d. of Asaph W., aged 13. " 28. Joseph Churchill, aged 49. April 17. Sylvia, wife of Lemuel Holmes, aged 67. " 19. Jemima Welles, widow ot Roger, aged 72. May 2. Infant of Lot and Mary Ann Beckwith. " 12. Sarah Wells, widow of Elijah, aged 78. June 26. Lemuel Whittlesey, s. of Asaph, aged 18. Oct. 27. Infant of Barzillai Deming, aged 7 hours. Dec. 4. Elizur Andrews, aged 82. " 6. Hannah Crocker, aged 78. April 29, 1830. Lucy, wife of Uzziel Lattimer, aged 58. " 27. Laura, wife of John C. Dow, aged 27. July 9. Child of Woodward, aged 2 weeks. Aug. 28. Charles Mitchell, aged 19. Sept. Infant of John 0. Dow. Feb. 25, 1831. Seth Boardman, aged 89. April 8. Mary Kellogg, d. of Martin Kellogg, aged 56. Aug. 15. Child of William Blinn, aged 6 months. Sept. 10. James Barnaby, aged 76. Nov. 25. Infant of Seth Kilbourn. Dec. 3. Martha, wife of Seth Kilbourn, aged 30. " 24. Mabel Webster, widow of Amos A. Webster, aged 77. « 31. Elisha Stoddard, aged 52. Jan. 13, 1832. Solomon Welles, aged 85. Feb. 4. Elizabeth Seymour, widow of Elias, aged 85. April 8. Eunice, d. of Anson and Sarah Whaples, aged 2. " 20. Nancy Whaples, aged 53. Dec. 30. Samuel, infant of Henry and Huldah Kilbourn. Feb. 16, 1833. Child of Miles Peck, aged 1. April 8. James Wells, aged 61. Nov. 22. Hannah, wife of Ezekiel Atwood, aged 64. Dec. 29. Lois Hurlbut Woodruff, aged 51. Jan. 24, 1834. Mercy, wife of Samuel Churchill, aged 76. " 24. Francis, s. of Chester and Lucretia Churchill, aged 2. April 6. Kasson, s. of Leo C. and Nancy Hubbard, aged 2. " 19. Martha, d. of Enos and Prudence Deming, aged 18. May 6. Benjamin Hopkins, aged 41. " 19. Samuel Wheelock, aged 35. Aug. 10. Jane Amelia, d. of Erastus and Seviah Lattimer, aged 6. 173 Sept. 4. James Wells, s. of James W., at West Hartford, aged 35. " 6. Frederick Sage, aged 11. " 29. Candace, d. of widow Candace Howard, aged 8. Nov. 14. Timothy Woodford, s. of Henry and Huldah Kilbourn, aged 10 months. Dec. 10. Samuel Churchill, aged 78. " 11. Heman F. Stoddard, s. of Hiram E. and Fanny Stoddard, aged 5. " 1 9. Manning Wells, aged 42. " 23. Enos Deming, aged 55. Jan. 1, 1835. James Hooper, aged 38. Feb. 8. Child of Chauncey Hart, of Farmington, aged 15 months. Mar. 8. Lydia Churchill Smith, aged" 62. " 24. Lester C. Hunn, aged 51. April 10. Child of William Clark, aged 2. May 18. Jason Porter, aged 26. June 7. Simeon Stoddard, aged 53. July 17. Huldah B. Kilbourn, wife of Henry, aged 29. Sept. 3. George Seymour, deaf and dumb, aged 93. Oct. 1. Isaac Bell, aged 51. " 19. Eieazar Holmes, s. of Lemuel, aged 44. " 19. Ruggles Austin, aged 13. Feb. 16, 1836. Anna Andrus, wife of EHzur, aged 81. Mar. 1. Sarah Camp, d. of Joseph, aged 58. " 28. Beulah Stoddard, aged 55. April 5. Lucy Wells, always blind, aged 61. " 24. Wilson, aged 61. May 7. Caty, widow of Lester C. Hunn, aged 51. July 10. Laura, wife of Daniel Willard, aged 53. Feb. 9, 1837. Laura K. W. Lee, wife of Thomas Lee, aged 53. April 25. Lydia F. wife of Joseph Camp, aged 31. Sept. 12. Child of Mary Stowe, aged 3. '' 18. Child of William Jackman, aged 3. Oct. 14. Child of Ralph Wells, aged 1. " 21. Catherine, d. of Rebekah Stevens, aged 11. Oct. 22. Julia, wife of Ralph Wells, aged 36. Nov. 7. Chester Churchill, aged 39. Mar. 7, 1838. Mary At wood, aged 75. July 10. John Grimshaw, suddenly, (heat 99°) aged 23. Aug. 24. Sarah Jane, d. of Jesse and Lucy M. HoUister, aged 1. " 29. Stanley W. Griswold, s. of Hezekiah, jr., and Frances N. W. Griswold, aged 1. Oct. 19. Ralph Wells, s. of Absalom, aged 39. Nov. 3. Chloe, wife of Solomon Churchill, aged 74. " 23. Thankful , a black woman, aged 91. Dec. 6. Electa Whittlesey, widow of Heman Whittlesey, aged 45. Feb. 5, 1839. Almira Day, d. of Henry and Emeline G. Kilbourn, aged 2. " 26. William Henry, s. of William and Martha Hubbard, aged 2. 174 April 30. James, s. of Stephen and Sophronia Saunders, aged 2. June 17. Absalom Wells, aged 74. Aug. 18. Infant of Jesse and Lucy M. Hollister. " 29. Sarah Rockwell, widow of Oswell Rockwell, aged 77. '« 29. Child of John Cro^slee, aged 1. Sept. 7. Lemuel Holmes, aged 75. « 13. William S. Deming, aged 25. Oct. 19. John Mitchell, aged 60. Nov. 5. Simon Kilbourn, aged 80. Dec. 11. Elisheba Hunn, aged 66. " 31. Elizabeth Deming, widow of Francis Deming, aged 85. Jan. 11, 1840. Mary P. Smith, wife of Samuel Smith, aged 34. Feb. 1. Infant of Erastus Kilbourn. " 14. John Green, aged 62. " 15. Unni Blinn, aged 75. April 6. Ellen, d. of William and Sophia Kirkham, aged 6 months. " 28. Jonathan Stoddard, aged 68. May 29. Hepzibah Lusk, wife of Gen. Levi Lusk, aged 83. Sept. 1. Abigail Forbes Kellogg, a2;ed 62. Oct. 30. Sarah Ann C. Roberts, wife of William Roberts, aged 23. Feb. 2, 1841. Infant of Seth Purrington, aged 3 weeks. July 2. Almira, d. of John L. Apgar, aged 6. " 29. Mary Lusk Deming, d. of Jedidiah Deming, aged 23. Jan. 2, 1842. Martha H. wife of William Hubbard, aged 2G. Mar. 18. Sarah Naomi Loveland, d. of James and Candace Love- land, aged 3. " 23. Caroline Deming, d. of Dea. Levi Deming, aged 32. April 6. Theodore Seymour, aged 64. " 18. Eunice Seymour, deranged 30 years, aged 61. May 3. Amelia Andrus, widow of Amos Andrus, aged 75. " 9. Lucy Dee, wife of William Dee, aged 34. " 10. Benajah Roberts, s. of Benajah Roberts, aged 3 weeks. " 16. Serviah Whaples, wife of Reuben Whaples, aged 73. " 23. William Henry Deming, s. of Henry and Martha Dem- ing, aged 2. June 2. Lucy Frances, d. of James and Anna Blinn, aged 2. " 16. Solomon Churchill, aged 78. " 1 6. Orin Chapman, aged 45. July 27. Joseph Dee, s. of William Dee, aged 1. Sept. 5. Martin, s. of Chester and Nancy Griswold, aged 2. '* 11. Julius Dee, s. of William Dee, aged 11. Oct. 11. Elizabeth Atwood, aged 84. Jan. 13, 1843. Octavia S., wife of Newman Francis, aged 34. " 28. Martha Green, d. of Phillis, aged 24. Dec. 1. Child of Joshua Dean, a^ed 3 months. June 29, 1844. Cynthia Holmes, aged 44. Aug. 21. Walter Lowrey, s. of Lowrey and Emily F. Robbing, aged 4. " 23. Jemima Filley, aged 88. 176 Oct. 7. Theresa Ilibbard, d. of Isaac and Martha Bosworth, aged 1 year. Nov. 21. Philena S., wife of William Wells, aged 25. Mar. 20, 1845. Infant of Homer Camp, aged 2 days. April 3. Alma Camp, aged 58. " 20. Nathaniel Hillhouse, aged 53. Sept. 20. Horace Whaples, aged 26. " 22. Rev. E. Joab Brace, at Pittsfield, aged 31. Oct. 15. Agnes W., d. of John M. and M. E. H. Belden, aged 2^. Nov. 13. Allen Stoddard, aged 59. " 18. Cornelia F., wife of Chauncey Deming, aged 26. " 22. Dr. Chauncey Belden, aged 41. Dec. 12. William Deming, aged 63. Jan. 2, 1846. John Whitman Brace, aged 21|. Feb. 4. Joseph Huntley, s. of Newman and Caroline H., aged 2. Sept. 10, Dorothy Belden, aged 76. Dec. 3. Edward Brainerd, aged 5. Jan. 1, 1847. Dea. Levi Deming, aged 74. Feb. 28. Richard Smart, aged 75. April 3. Mary S. Smith, d. of Dea. Jeremiah Seymour, aged 22. May 12. Eunice Kilbourn, aged 83. July 7. Mary L., wife of Ashbel Seymour, aged 69. Dec. 11. Elizur Deming, aged 66. Feb. 18, 1848. Mary A. Churchill, aged 65. " 23. Child of Seth Purrington, aged 3 months. " 29. Alice, d. of Truman Wiers, aged 10 months. Mar. 14. Charles Clark, aged 47. " 21. James Churchill, aged 66. " 28. Stephen P. Lamberton, aged 36. April 24. Laura Wells, d. of Ralph, aged 22. May 19. Lucy Ann Gaylord, ased 31. Aug. 4. Fanny Eliza, d. of Hiram E. Stoddard, aged 9. Nov. 4. Lucy Mullen, aged 1 6. Dec. 30. Eliza G. Cinnamon, aged 46. Feb. 15, 1849. Uzziel Lattimer, aged 79^. Aug. 15. Chester Griswold, aged 48. Oct. 1. Charity Tr) on, aged 94^. " 30. Sarah M. Goodrich, d. of William Blinn, aged 20. Dec. 13. Robert R. Rockwell, aged 23. Jan. 31, 1850. Laura F., d. of William F. and Frances G. Willard, aged 6. April 20. Child of John L. Apgar, aged 6 months. May 0. Sarah Deming, wife of William, aged 66. " 23. Phillis Green, widow of John Green, aged 72. June 30. Joseph Rockwell, s. of Robert Rockwell, aged 21. July 23. Nancy Francis, widow of Cyrus, aged 48. Aug. 30. Newel, s. of Reuben Osborn, a^ed 3. Nov. 7. Amanda, wife of Ehsha Whaples, jr., aged 44. " 30. Nelson Dillings, s. of Elias, aged 38. Jan. 29, 1851. Mary, wife of Otis Huntley, aged 45. 176 \ Feb. 22. Nancy Wells, aged 77. Mar. 31. Michael Gunning, aged 23. May 28. Mary Blinn, widow of P^lisha, aged 80. July 17. Alice Augusta, d. of Elisha and Esther Blinn, aged 2. Aug. 9. Joel Huntley, aged 64. Sept. 21. John Cady, s, of Walter G. Cady, aged 5. Oct. 2. Julia A. 8. Cady, wife of Walter G. Cady, aged 32. " 4. Levi Welles, s. of Elisha and Esther Blinn, aged 7. " 30. Irene Andrus, aged 82. Jan. 13, 1852. Lucy Robbins, aged 80. Feb. 17. Joseph Camp, aged 71. Mar. 9. Bertha B., wife of Erastus Francis, aged 44. April 9. Harriet Hopkins, widow of Benjamin, aged 57. May 7. Nancy, d. of widow Nancy Griswold, aged 22. " 14. Mary K. Camp, wife of Samuel Camp, aged 33. " 29. Child of John G. Wells, aged 1. Sept. />. Child of Hezekiah Griswold, aged 2. " 17. Julia A. Hull, aged 16. " 1 8. Lucy Deraing, widow of Robert, aged 87. Oct. 8. Harriet, wife of William Dee, aged 26. Nov. 2. James B. Griswold, aged 36. " 1 4. Oliver Pomeroy Bulkley, many years deranged, aged 65. Feb. 3, 1853. Dositheus Hubbard, aged 66. Mar. 20. Laura C. Dow, d. of John C and Martha Dow, aged 19. " 24. Mary Ann Cady, d. of Waltel- G. Cady, aged 2. April 1. Marcus Lent, s. of Henry and Emeline Kilbourn, aged 10. May 11. Anna Camp, aged 80. Oct. 26. Reuben Whaples, blind, aged 86. '• 29. Ezekiel Atwood, aged 90. Dec. 18. Abigail, wife of Linus Gilbert, d. of Unni Blinn, aged 48. April 5,1854. Elisha Whaples, jr., aged 53. May 9. James H. Dix, s. of Roswell Dix, aged 11. July 2. Eliza Wells, d. of Dea. Origen Wells, aged 44. Aug. 23. Sarah Dow, wife of Samuel Dow, aged 76. Sept. 18. Gennette. wife of Martin Whaples, aged 24. Oct. 23. Lucinda Gaylord, aged 84. Oct. 28. Daniel Whaples, aged 54. Nov. 1 6. Child of George F. and Mary A. Davis, aged 1. " 16. Child of Carlos and Frances M. Huntley, aged 2. '' 16. Lucy Collins Brace, wife of the Pastor, aged 72^. " 24. Martha Carter Dow, wife of John C. Dow, aged 41. Dec. 14. Esther Latimer, aged 83.* Feb. IS, 1855. Robert Francis, aged 92. Mar. 1. Lydia Smith, wife of Giles Smith, aged 71. " 4. Elizabeth Hollister, wife of Horace Kilbourn, aged 22. " 10. Sally Deming, widow of Dea. Levi, aged 72. " 14. Child of Dumont Carey, aged 1^. Mary Abilene Dow, d. of John C. and Martha Dow. Jan. 25, 1856. David Hunn, aged 77. * The last entry by Dr. Brace. 177 May 29. Harriet R. Dillings, aged 36. June 7. Fanny Deming, widow of Brazil, aged 68. " 12. Child of Benjamin Benstead, aged 8 months. " 29. Carlos Gottlieb Wagner, aged 36. Aug. 30. Stephen Dwiglit Lamberton, aged 12. Nov. 28. Maria Lamberton, aged 43. April 20, 1861. Rev. Joab Brace, D. D., at Pittsfield, aged 90. V. CHURCH VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS. Feb. 28, 1805. Church meeting after lecture, " Voted, a tax on the communicants to supply the deficiency of the fund given by Deacon Dem- ing, for the support of the Communion table." Appointed David Lowrey and Levi Deniing a committee to direct this business, also to purchase a record book for the church. Attest, J. Brace, Col. Pastor. Oct. 29, 1818. A special meeting of the church was held for the choice of two deacons, one in the place of the late deacon Willard, and the other in the room of deacon Wells, resigned. Levi Deming, 2d, and Origen Wells were chosen, and commended to God in prayer. Attest, J. Brace, Pastor. Jan. 4, 1830. The church resolved to appoint a committee to aid in the exercise of church discipline, and to renew the appointment annually, to consist of the two deacons, and three additional members. The two dea- cons were appointed by nomination, and the other three were chosen by ballot. The whole committee are Dea. Levi Deming, Dea. Origen Wells, Brother Josiah W. Griswold, Brother William Deming, and Brother Jedi- diah Deming, to hold their office until the sacramental lecture preceding the first Sabbath in January, 1831. After prayer, the meeting was adjourned. Dec. 30, 1830. At the time of sacramental lecture, the same persons were re-appointed church committee. Dec. 2y, 1831. After lecture the church re-appointed the same persons committee for the year ensuing. Jan. 3, 1833. At lecture, the same church committee was re-appointed. Jan. 2, 1834. At lecture, the same church committee was re-appointed. Jan. I, 1835. At lecture, the same were re-appointed except J. W. Griswold. Mar. 2, 1837. The church held a meeting after the sacramental lecture for receiving the communication of six members, (who had in a disorderly manner left the communion and ordinances of this church,) wishing to be dismissed, without naming any church to which they wish to go. . . . The church deferred the.se petitions for consideration on the next lecture day. In the meantime, the church committee were especially appointed to attend to these members, and report to the next meeting. The committee appointed were Dea. Deming, Dea. Wells, William Deming, Jedidiah Deming, and Josiah Atwood. The meeting was adjourned to the time of the next sacramental lecture. May 4, 1837. The church held a meeting by adjournment, after the sacramental lecture, for receiving the report of the committee, when it appeared that they had Avith christian kindness and patience admonished the delinquent members, but without any effect in reclaiming them. 23 178 Whereupon, after mature deliberation, the church came unanimously to the following decision. " Voted, That whereas .... have for a long time, contrary to their covenant engaffements, separated themselves from the communion of this church, and have refused to listen to the admonitions of the church committee who were especially appointed to reclaim them, this church does by this act, (2 Thess. Ill, 6.) withdraw from them, and considers itself as discharged from the covenant obligation to watch over them." Jan. 4, 1838. At lecture, Church Committee were appointed, viz : Dea. Levi Deming, Dea. Origen Wells, Br. William Deming, Br. Jedidiah Deming, Br. Josiah Atwood. Jan. 28. Voted by the church unanimously, that the pleasure and the thanks of this church be expressed to Lucy L. Robbins and Mary L. Sey- mour for the mahogany table this day presented by those two sisters for the possession and use of this church in the sacramental communion. Jan. 1, 1839. Voted by the church and people in general meeting to drop Dwight's edition of the Psalms, and adopt Watts' entire^ with select hymns. Jan. 3, 1839. Lecture. "Voted, That Wm. Deming, Lester Luce, and Jeremiah Seymour, with Dea. Deming and Dea. Wells, be the standing committee of the church for this year." July 7, 1839. Church furniture this day presented and consecrated, viz: two flagons, six cups, four platters, and a baptizing bason, j)rocured by a read;/ subsc7-iption, bought of Thomas Wiggins, of Philadelphia, (by whose favor, $20. were deducted from the price,) to be the property of the church, (gathered Oct. 3, 1722, whose covenant is written in this book and in the Pulpit Bible,) to be used in the administration of the Lord's supper so long as the church shall choose. Whole cost of furniture and trunk $119. J. Brack, Pastor. Dec. 31, 1840. The same church committee were appointed. Dec. 30, 1841. The same were re-appointed as the committee of the church. Dec. 29, 1842. Jan. 4, 1844. Jan. 2, 1845. The same were re-ap- pointed committee of the church. April 30, 184(j. Joseph Camp was chosen by ballot committee in place of William Deming, deceased. The others re-appointed. Dec. 31, 1846. The same re-appointed. July 1, 1847. Jedidiah Deming was chosen deacon in the place of Dea. Levi Deming. Dec. 30, 1847. Church Committee. Two deacons, Joseph Camp, Lester Luce, and Jeremiah Seymour. Jan. 4, 1849. The same were re-appointed. Nov. 29, 1849. Dea. Origen Wells, having served the church ever since 1818, resigned his work as deacon, on account of the loss of sight, and brother Jeremiah Seymour was chosen deacon in his place. Jan. 3, 18.50. Church Committee, two deacons, Joseph Camp, Lester Luce, Roger Welles. Jan. 2, 18.51, and Jan. 1, 1852. The same were re-appointed. Dec. 30, 1852. Two deacons, (ex-oflicio) of the standing committee. Josiah Atwood chosen by ballot in the place of Joseph Camp, deceased, for the year ensuing. Roger Welles and Lester Luce re-appointed. Dec. 29, 1853. Same Committee re-appoiated. Widow Dorothy Stod- dard re-admitted to the church. Jan. 4, 1855. Dea. Deming, Dea. Seymour, Roger Welles, Josiah Atwood, and Lester Luce re-appointed church Committee. Dea. Deining's account reported, and a contributioa directed for paying the account.* *The la.st entry by Dr. Brace. 179 May 4, 1855. Charles K. Atwoocl was appointed Clerk. Jan. 5, I85(j. Deacons J. Demingand J. Seymour, and brethren Roger Welles, .Josiah Atwood, and Erastus Latimer were appointed committee for the year. Mar. 3, " Voted, That we make choice of and invite Mr. William P. Aikin to become colleague pastor with Rev. Dr. Brace. " Voted, That Erastus Latimer be a committee to inform the society of our action ami request their concurrence. " Voted, That Charles K. Atwood, Marcus W. Stoddard, and Levi S. Deming be a committee of the church to inform Mr. Aikin of our call, and to take measures necessary to his settlement." 1857. Mr. Aikin having accepted the call, Friday, January 9, was appointed as a day of fasting and prayer. Public exercises in the after- noon were conducted by Rev. Samuel J. Andrews, assisted by Rev. Fred- erick Gridley. Charles K. Atwood, Clerk of Church. Note. — The records kept by Dr. Brace are written in a very plain hand, and are still in a very good state of preservation. They contain the church Covenant, Ordinations, Admissions to Communion, Baptisms, Confessions, Publishments, Marriaj^es, Funerals or Deaths, Church Proceedings, Those dismissed and recom- mended to other churches, and the Delegates to Councils. A large portion of these records is omitted, and that portion printed has been abridged to some extent ; as an instance of this abridgment may be mentioned the fact that Dr. Brace records not only the deaths of his people and their ages, but also the diseases which carried them oif ; the latter have been omitted. A single case of discipline has been given where certain persons were excluded for absenting themselves from the communion and ordinances of the church, in whose case the action of the church was the reverse of that taken recently by a distinguished church in Brooklyn. Only two other cases of discipline occur in Dr. Brace's ministrv. The resignation of Dr. Brace, January 16, 1855, closed a ministry of fifty years ; and although he had passed the age of threescore years and ten, it could almost be said of him that "his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." The affection of his people towards him was certainly una- bated. In his valedictory discourse he said : " The great body of this congregation can not look back to the time when I was not here. They have known no other minister." He was as a father to them all. Under these circumstances his with- drawal from his life work was, in the language of a brother minister, " a fitting close of a favored ministry. This termi- nation of the pastoral office, and laying down the commission borne for more than half a century, while yet conscious of the possession of vigorous powers, and of the active confidence 180 and affection of a grateful people, was a delightful exhibition of the power of the gospel." He himself has left on record the following remarkable testimony of his devotion to his chosen work and people: "Now, my people, if you should rise up in a body here to-day, and propose this one question to me, viz: 'If we should all go back to our youth again, would you, with all your experience, come and be our minister again?' what would I say ? If I were to go back and begin my life anew I would choose the Christian ministry for my work, and for the joy of my life, Lord Jesus accept me. 'Would I come and be the minister of Newington again?' Yes, yes, my brethren, I think I can say that I ivould, and spend the half century with youT And his people would, in response, also have taken him anew to their hearts, as their minister for the half century over again. A portion of his work appears in the preceding records, but the whole will never be made man- ifest until the final books of account shall be opened at the holding of the Great Assizes. After his resignation he left the scene of his life-long labors, and took up his residence with his son-in-law. Rev. Dr. John Todd, at Pittsfield, Mass., where he ended his earthly pilgrimage in peace with all men and with his Maker, having length of days, and honor, and " riches incorruptible and that fadeth not away." During the season following the resignation of Dr. Brace the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Jno. Whittlesey, of New Brit- ain. A revival followed his preaching, which resulted in the addition to the church of about thirty persons. In Decem- ber, 1855, a call was extended to Rev. David H. Thayer, then settled at Mount Carmel. Mr. Thayei' declined. In March, 1856, Mr. William P. Aiken, then a tutor in Yale College, received a call, which he accepted with the understanding that his ordination should not take place until January, 1857. During the interval between his call and ordination the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Samuel J. Andrews, of Hartford. SECOND PERIOD, 18S7-1874. Mr. Aiken was ordained Tuesday, January 15, 1857. The churches represented on the occasion were the following: Hartford Ist, Rev. Joel HaweSj^D. D., Samuel Ward; Farm- 181 ington, Dea. Thomas Treadwell ; West Hartford, Rev. M. N. Morris, Dea. Josiah W, Griswold; Berlin, Josiali Webster; Rocky Hill, Rev. L. B. Rockwood, Dea. Thomas D. Williams; Wethersfield, Rev. W. S. Colton, Dea. Galpin; Pittsfield 1st, John E. Todd; Hamden, Rev. David H. Thayer, Joshua Carpenter; church in Yale College, Rev. George P. Fisher, Rev. Theodore D. Woolsey, president of Yale College; Rev. Frederick Gridley, Rev. Samuel J. Andrews, Rev. Joab Brace, senior pastor of the church. Dr. Hawes was appointed mod- erator, and Rev. Mr. Colton scribe. The several parts of the public service were performed as follows: Invocation and reading of the Scriptures, Rev. Mr. Morris; sermon. Rev. Pres. Woolsey; ordaining prayer. Rev. Dr. Brace; charge to the pastor, Rev. Royal Robbins; right hand of fellowship, Rev. Prof. Fisher; address to the people, Rev. S. J. Andrews; concluding prayer. Rev. D. H. Thayer; benediction by the pastor. Rev. Mr. Aiken continued to discharge the duties of the pastoral office for ten years, most acceptably to his people, who with great reluctance yielded to his departure to another field of labor in the summer of 1867. He resigned, and a mutual council was called which severed the tie which had so happily bound pastor and people together. He became principal of the Lawrence Academy at Groton, Mass. He is at this time settled at Vergennes, Yt. In February, 1868, Mr. Sandford S. Martyn received a call, which he accepted March 12, 1868, and was ordained April 29, 1868. He continued pastor two years, when he resigned to take charge of the church in New Hartford, where he is still settled. On the second Sabbath in June, 1870, Rev. Robert G. Yer- milye, then professor in the Hartford Theological'Seminary, began to supply tlie pulpit. July 3d, 1870, on invitation of the Society's Committee, he became stated preacher, and so continued until November 2d, 1873, when he ceased his serv- ices on account of failing health. He is now living in Hart- ford. He continued to discharge his duties as professor while acting as preacher in Newington. This ends the catalogue of 182 worthy men who have for nearly a century and three-quarters proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation to hungry souls in Newington. Most of them have gone to their reward, but their influence has left its impress upon the character of the people, who are pre-eminently moral, intelligent, temperate, and industrious, and who from the first have been engaged almost wiiolly in the peaceful cultivation of the soil. Like the Acadian farmers, they have been — "Men whose lives glided on like rivers that water the woodlands, Darkened by shadows of earth, but reflecting an image of heaven. Living in a fruitful valley, formerly " Distant, secluded, and still, the description of the poet might be very truthfully applied to the homes of our fathers. " There, in the midst of its farms, reposed the Acadian village. Strongly built were the houses, with frames of oak and of chestnut, There in the tranquil evenings of summer, when brightly the sunset Lighted the village street, and gilded the vanes on the chimneys. Matrons and maidens sat in snow white caps and in kirtles Scarlet, and blue, and green, with distaffs spinning the golden Flax for the gossiping looms, whose noisy shuttles within doors Mingled their sound with the whir of the wheels and the songs of the maidens. Then came the laborers home from the fields, and serenely the sun sank Down to his rest, and twilight prevailed, Columns of pale blue smoke like clouds of incense ascending. Rose from a hundred hearths, the homes of peace and contentment. Thus dwelt together in love these simple Acadian farmers — Dwelt in the love of God and of man. Newington has an honored past. May her sons ever prove worthy descendants of those noble sires who originally ob- tained the liberty to be a distinct parish from the parent soci- ety, for the high purpose of " carrying on the worship of God amongst themselves." " Sweet Auburn ! loveliest village of the plain, ■ Where health and plenty cheered the laboring swain, Where smiling spring its earliest visit paid. And parting summer's lingering blooms delayed — Dear lovely bowers of innocence and ease. Seats of my youth, when every sport could please, How often have I loitered o'er thy green, Where humble hapj)iness endeared each scene; How often have I paused on every charm — The sheltered cot, the cultivated tiirra. The never foiling brook, the busy mill, The decent church that topped the neighboring hill." 183 EXTRACTS FROM SOCIETY RECORDS. 18S7— 1874. LEA&E OF PARSONAGE TO REV. WM. P. AlKIN. Know all men, That the Newinjrton Ecclesiastical Society, for the con- sideration hereinafter mentioned, have leased to Rev. William T. Aikin the house, barn, and land lately purchased by them for a parsonage,* to occupy and use the same, with the appurtenances thereof, so long as he shall remain ministerially connected with said society ; the said William P. Aikin paying therefor the yearly rt nt of one hundred and fifty dollars, to be deducted from his salary. And the said William P. Aikin agrees with said society, to keep the fences and buildings in good repair, and to paint such parts of the house and fences, as are now, or ought to be painted, so often as shall be necessary or proper ; the society to provide timber for repairing the fences, and whenever it shall be necessary to renew the roof of any building, or replace any timber by reason of decay, the said society will do it at their own proper cost. This agreement is to be of force for one year, and then from year to year, unless annulled by the society at their next annual meeting, or at some other meeting called for the purpose. William P. Aikin. Newingtox, January 14, A. D. 1857. It is not to be understood by the above agreement that I am to paint the fences now needing it until they have been once painted by the society. W. P. A. J. Deming, Jr., ^ A. S. HuNN, V Society's Committee. Chas. K. Atwood, ) At a society meeting held April 19, 1858, " Voted, That the society committee he authorized to put a new roof on the parsonage house ; that the society committee be authorized to remove the present front fence south of the parsonage, and build a slat fence, and to bring it out so as to correspond with the line in front of the house of Miss Prudence Hall." At a society meeting held Nov. 2, 1858, " Voted, That Dea. Jeremiah Seymour, Erastus Latimer, and Charles K. Atwood be appointed to inquire as to the expediency of this society giving a bond or making ta covenant with the occupant or owner of certain property formerly given by Roxanna Deming, to remain for the use of the Congregational minister of Newington." At a society meeting held Nov. 16, 1858, The committee' appointed to inquire concerning the property bequeathed by Roxanna Deminvj, reported adversely to any claim on the part of the minister or society of Newington, because said claim was relinquished years ago, and said report is on file. " Voted, That the report of our committee appointed to inquire con- cerning the property bequeathed by Roxanna Deu)ing be accepted." At a society meeting held Nov. 1, 1859, '■''Voted, That all money received by the agents of this society shall be paid to the treasurer, and that the treasurer shall pay no money out without an order from the society's com- mittee." At a special society meeting held June 11, 1860, in consideration of the request of Rev. William P. Aikin that his connection with this people as junior pastor be dissolved. Resolved, That we believe the labors of the * This was the late residence of Rev. Dr. Brace, sold by him to Mile Doty, formerly of Hartford, of whom it was purchased by the society. 184 junior pastor of this people have been in a high degree acceptable and profitable to us, ami we desire in this manner to testify to our confidence in his ability to continue to minister unto us to our edification and satisfac- ti(jn ; and we feel that the severing of the ties existing between the pastor and people will be highly detrimental to the spiritual and temporal wel- fare of this church and society. We, therefore, earnestly and affection- ately invite him to withdraw the request in compliance with which this meeting was called. At a society meeting held Nov. 3, 1863, " Voted, That the society's committee with the treasurer be authorized to obtain an iron safe for the society." At a society meeting held March 9, 1864, " Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire and report in regard to an organ or other instrunent of music to be used in the church. H. L. Kellogg, Kufus Stoddard, Edwin Welles, committee." At a society meeting held March 16, 1864, " Voted, That whereas Rev. William P. Aikin, our pastor, has expressed a desire to purchase the real estate known as the parsonage, and whereas it is our desire to encourage his labors, and efforts to procure for himself a permanent residence with us, therefore, " Voted, That the society's committee be instructed to offer to him the above named property for the sum of $2250."* At a special society meeting held Jan. 31, 1865, for the purpose of taking action upon a notice given to the society's committee by the presi- dent of the Ph(x;nix Bank of Hartford that said Bank has voted to effect a new organization, as a national banking association under the national currency act, and that said society should surrender up its certificate of stock in said bank, and withdraw its stock from said bank at its par value, Resolved, That this society elects to continue to hold its shares of stock in the Ph(Enix Bank of Hartford, consisting of seven shares, as transferable stock ; and to hold the same as stock of the proposed national banking association. The action of the society's committee in giving notice to such effect, to the said bank, is hereby ratified and confirmed. At a special society meeting held March 1, 1865, " Voted, That we appropriate the sum of $375, to increase the salary of our pastor, Rev. William P. Aikin, for the present year." At a society meeting held Nov. 14, 1865, " Voted, That the society's committee be directed to employ a sexton, and stipulate with him in regard to digging graves and attending funerals. " Voted, That the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars be added to the salary of our pastor. Rev. \V. P. Aikin, for the ensuing year. Whereas Rufus Stoddard has expended for musical instruments the sum of S27.85 more than he has received. Voted, That the above sum be paid to him from the treasury of the ecclesiastical society, if it is not raised for him in some other way, in three months from the present time." At a society meeting held Nov. 6, 1866, " Voted, That the society accept the lot known as lot No. 11, in the new part of the old burying ground, donated by the Nevvington School Society for the use of the pastor of the Congregational Church." f *Mr. Aikin did not purchase. t The school societies of the State were abolished by public act in 1856. In 18t)2 the Ncwin<;ton iSchool Society was rccstabiislied. At the annual meetinfi: of the voters of the Newington School Society held Oct. 15, 1860, '^ Voted, That this society iierel)y donate the north lialf of the Burial lot, No. 11, in the old f,n-ound, to the Eeelesiasucal Soci(!ty, jus a parson- ajje lot, for the use of the pastor of the Conyregatioual Church; and the treas- 186 At a society meetinfi; held Dec. 4, 1866, " Voted, That the sum of three hundred dollars be added to the salary of William P. Aikin, for the year ensuing." At a society meeting held July 13, 1867, " Voted, That from and after January 1st, 1868, the salary of our pastor. Rev. William P. Aikin, shall be thirteen hundred and fifty dollars a year and the parsonage." At a special society meeting held July 20, 1867, " Voted, That the mem- bers of this society deeply regret the action of our pastor. Rev. William P. Aikin, in tendering his resignation of the pastoral ofBce in this place ; that the ties which have, for the last ten years, so happily bound pastor and people together are not willingly sundered on our part; but acqui- escing in his decision that to change his fielii of labor would be more con- sistent with his sense of duty, and give him a wider opportunity to use his influence for good, we hereby accept his resignation, tendering him our heartfelt thanks for his faithfulness to us in the past, and assuring him that our benedictions will go with him into his new sphere of action. " Voted, That the society's committee are hereby instructed to unite with the committee ol the church, and with Mr. Aikin, in calling a council for his dismission. ^^ Voted, That the society's committee be authorized to act as agents for the society, to represent the society before the council. "Voted, That Edwin Welles and H. A. Whittlesey be and they are hereby appointed a committee to comnnmicate to Mr. Aikin the action of this meeting, and present to him a copy ot the foregoing vote." At a special society meeting held Feb. 10, 1868, to give a call, if deemed expedient, to the Rev. S. S. Martyn to become the settled pastor in the gospel ministry over the congregational church and people in this place, and to arrange terms of his settlement as such pastor. urer is hereby authorized to issue the usual certificate, upon being notified that the Ecclesiastical Society have accepted the donation for the use specified." In 1865, the school society purchased additional land for burial purposes adjoining the old burying ground on tlie west, and employed Mr. Scott of New Britain to lay out the ground into suitable lots, and make a plan, which was deposited with the clerk of the society for reference. Unoccupied lots in the old ground were also examined and numbered and assessed. At a meeting of the School Society held Dec. 18, 1865, " Voted, That the society's committee is hereby instructed to sell, subject to all rules and regulations which, from time to time, may be made by the society, only the exclusive right of burial in the lots offered for sale in the new buryinfr ground, reserving to the society the title in fee simple to the lots, and the society hereby guarantee to all who shall become purchasers thereof and to their heirs and assigns forever, upon receipt of tlie I>urchase money for said lots sold, the exclusive right and title of burying their dead in said lots, and all other rights and privileges necessary to the full enjoy- ment of said right of burial." " Voted, That the terms of sale be cash or approved notes on interest for three months." At a meeting held Dec. 25, 1865, " Voted, That no person shall plant or retain on his lot on the new ground any tree, or set or retain around his lot any fence or hedge without the approbation of the society's committee." It was afterwards voted to sell lots in the new ground to members of the society only. By the action of the legislature in 1872, the school society was again abolished, and its property vested in the town of Xewlngton, which now therefore owns the burying ground, and holds it upon the same terms and subject to the same rules and regulations as did the school society. The last meeting of the school society was held Sept. 28, 1871. In the fall of 1 872, the town by vote authorized the town clerk to sell the lots in the bury- ing ground, subject to the same conditions as before. It is believed most if not all of these conditions are enumerated above. 24 186 Whereas a communication has been received from the church, inform- ing us that they have chosen Mr. S. S. Martyn for their pastor, and desire our concurrence. Therefore, Voled, That we concur with the church in the choice of Mr. Martyn, and direct the committee, to be appointed for the purpose, to request his acceptance of the offer.* At a special society meeting held April 22, 1870, " to take into consider- ation the resignation of Rev. S. S. Martyn." 1'he moderator, as committee of the church, reported that the church had passed a vote to unite with the pastor and society in calling a council to take action upon Mr. Mar- tyn's resignation, "■Voted, That this society unite with our pastor and the church in calling a council to act upon his resignation. Roger Welles, Charles K. Atwood, and John M. Beldenwere then appointed a committee to represent the society belore the council." At a society meeting held Nov. 8, 1870, " Voted, That the society's committee be authorized to employ Rev. Dr. Vermilye to supply the pulpit for the ensuing year." At a special society meeting held April 12, 1871, "to take into con- sideration the expediency of celebrating the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the existence of Newington." The clerk read by request a report of a committee of the " Farmers Club," recommending that a celebration be held on the 25th day of May next, as the 25th day of May, 1 721, was the date of ihe passage by the Gen- eral Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut of the resolution which gave the name of Newington to this parish. " Voled, That Charles K. Atwood, Henry M. Robbins, Joshua Belden, and David L. Robbins be a committee to take into consideration the ex- pediency of celebrating the 150th anniversary of Newington, and if deemed expedient by them, to make the necessary arrangements for such cele- bration."! At a society meeting held Nov, 7, 1871. " Highly appreciating the past services of Rev. Dr. Vermilye, and desiring to enjoy them still further, it is Voted, That the society's committee be instructed to engage him ibr another year. Passed unanimously. At a special society meeting held Feb. 24, 1873, "to take action upon the acceptance of the devise of Miss Prudence Hall of certain land with conditions attached." " Whereas Prudence Hall, late of Newington, deceased, has, by her * The society voted to give him $1,200 a year in addition to the parsonage, which he accepted March 12, 1870. Previous to this time the pulpit had been supplied partly by Rev Mr. Winslow, then of Newington, also Kev. Mr. Riggs of West Hartford had held many meetings which resulted in a revival which was in progress at this time. t A majority of the committee were of the opinion that the best mode of cele- brating this anniversary, was to obtain another grant from the General Assembly making Newington a new town. It was accordingly done. The history of that transaction is too long for insertion here. It marks an epoch in the annals of Newington, which will be long remembered by those who participated in it. The statute book gives one result of the action that was taken, other results are unfolding and will continue to unfold so long as Newington stands firm on its foundations. Let us cherish the hope that these results will always ]irove con- ducive to the permanent prosperity and advancement of the ])lace. The " Far- mer's Club," is also one of the institutions of Newington which deserves more than a passing notice, social in its character, it has brought the i)eople together for their mutual pleasure and improvement, in agricultural, literary, and salta- tory pursuits. Its chronicles may be found written in the hook of records kept by its clerk, which, being at once instructive and amusing, will repay perusal. Its meetings will ever remain green in the memories of those who attended them. 187 last will and testament, given and devised all her real estate unto this soci- ety, to be and remain to the use and benefit of this society and their suc- cessors forever, as and tor parsonage property, for the maintenance of the ministry of the gospel in the Congregational church or society in said Newington, subject however to the condition that this society shall pay the expenses of her last sickness, her funeral expenses, the expenses of settling her estate, and shall erect a suitable monument to her memory, as appears by said will duly proved and appi-oved by the Probate Court in and for the Hartford Probate District. Now, therefore, — " Voted, That this society accepts said gift and devise of said real estate above mentioned for the purpose and upon the condition named in said will as aforesaid. " Voted, That the society's committee be and they are hereby authorized and instructed to draw an order or orders on the treasurer of this society in favor of the executor of said will for the payment of the expenses of the last sickness of said Prudence Hall, her iuneral expenses, and the expenses of settling her estate, whenever bills for the same shall be duly presented to them by said executor, taking his receipt therefor, and that they cause a suitable monument to be erected to her memory at her grave, satisfactory to her said executor. " Voted, That a true and attested copy of the above votes be furnished to said executor by the clerk, also a like copy together with a copy of the will be furnished to the town clerk to be recorded in the land records of the town." * Voted, That John D. Seymour, Joshua Belden, Henry M, Robbins, and Samuel N. Kockwell be a committee to take into consideration the subject of heating and repairing the meeting house, and report to the next meeting. At a meeting held ^larch 3, 1873. Voted, That Mrs. Marcus Stoddard, Miss ]\Iary Robbins, Miss Agnes W. Belden, and Mrs. Charles Stoddard be added to the committee of gentlemen appointed at the last meeting to estimate expenses and recommend alterations and improvements inside the church. At a meeting held Aug. 11, 1873. Voted, That the special committee be authorized to make repairs on the inside of the church to the amount of three thousand dollars, to be raised by subscription in such manner as they think best, also such other repairs as future contributions may pro- vide for.f At a meeting held January 15, 1874. Voted, That the rent of all slips shall be due and payable on the first day of November, 1874. * Extract from the will of Prudence Hall. "I give and devjse all of ray real estate unto the Ecclesiastical Society of Newington afore.-aid, to be and remain to the use and benefit of said society and their successors forever, as and for parsonage property, for the maintenance of the ministry of the gospel in the Congregational Church or society in said New- ington, this devise is however subject to -the condition that said Ecclesiastical Society shall pay the expenses of my last sickness, my funeral expenses, the expenses of settling my estate, and shall erect a suitable monument to my memory." After making certain bequests of personal property to other parties, the will pro- vides as follows. '"All tJie rest and residue of my estate both real and personal, I give and devise to said Ecclesiastical Society, to them and their successors for- ever." Executed October 22, 1870. Exhibited in Court Feb. 3, 1873. + The committee made extensive repairs, modernizing the whole interior, put- ting in new windows, and two furnaces instead of the old stoves, making the church look quite attractive. 188 Voted, That all persons who purchase slips and may choose to pay the rent thereof before it becomes due, shall be allowed a deduction on such rent of one per cent, for each full month between the time of payment and the first day of November. At a society meeting held May 9, 1874. Voted, That we concur with the church in extending a call to Mr. Greenwood to settle with us in tlie gospel ministry.* At a society meeting held May 30, 1874, Voted, That the Clerk have permission to print, at his own expense, and for his own use, such of the society records as he may desire. Mar. CHURCH RECORDS, 1857—1874. I. ADMISSIONS. 1. During l^e ministry of Rev. Wm. P. Aikin, 1, 1857. Joseph Francis. " Mary Ann Francis, his wife. " Jane E., wife of Jacob Dix, letter from East Hartford. " Nancy Francis. Mar. 21. Adeline, wife of Pratt Francis, letter from West Avon. April 12. Margaret Taylor, let- ter from Westfield, Mass. July 4. Electa Merrills. " Lucy Addison, wife of Woodford Kilbourn. " Reuben Canfiekl Osborn. " Olive Osborn, his wife. " John Deming Seymour. " Rufus Stoddard. « Abby Coffin Aikin. Nov. 4. George Scranton Dem- ing. " Julia Richards, letter from N. York. May 12, 1859. Charles K. At- wood, letter from the church, in Yale College. Aug. 21, 1860. Susan Curtis, wife of William P. Aikin, letter from Rutland, Vt. May , 1 8 G 1 . Mrs. Luce, wife of Joshua C. Luce, letter from East Hartford. July 1. Eliza A., wife of Joseph Camp, letter from Windsor Locks. July 22. Jerusha, wife of Josiah E. Atwood, letter from New Britain. Jan. 4, 1863. Rev. Frederick Gridley, letter from Yale College. " Mrs. Mary Gridley, his wife, letter from East Lyme. " Martha Lois Butler. May. Mrs. Charlotte Soper, let- ter from Poquonnock. Nov. 4. Henry Butler. " Mary Elizabeth Belden. Jan. 3, 1864. Agnes Whittlesey Belden. July 3. Mrs. Sarah C. W., wife of Robert Joyner, letter from Egremont, Mass. May 7, 1865. Elias Merwin Steele. " Ella Harriet Dillings. " Sarah Louisa Wiers. " Mrs. Maria Anna Bacon. " Jane Electa Whittlesey. " Coi'neli^i Hale Belden. " Mary Cornelia Francis. July 2. Mary Ellen Davis. " Elisha Burrit Bliuu. *Mr. Greenwood declined. The society offered him a salary of $1,000, and the use of the parsonage. 189 July 2. Harriet Lavinia Blinn. " Mrs. Mary Jane Churchill. " Ellen Agnes Merrills. « Charles Levi Willard. " Joshua Belden. " Julia Arabella Robbins. " David Lowrey Robbins. " Alexander McLean, letter from Bloomfield. Dec; 3L Mrs. Anna, wife of Seth Purrinton, letter from Colerain, Mass. Jan. 21, 1866. Mrs. Hepsebah Stoddard, letter from Weth- ersfield, III. July. Mary, wife of Shubael Whaples, letter from Day- ville. Conn. " Edward L. Demiug. " Eliza J. Deming, his wife. April 14, 1867. Mrs. Martha, wife of Hudson N. Stoddard, ■ letter from West Hartford, May 5. Luella Dow. July 1 2. Charlotte, wife of John S. Rowley, letter from Hart- ford. 2. After Mr. Aikin resigned. Mar. 22, 1868. Mrs. E. E. W. Camp, wife of L. W. Camp, letter from Berlin, 2d. 3. During the ministry of Rev. Sandford S. Martyn. May 3, 1868. Blinn Chester Griswold. " Mary Ann Griswold. " Lucy Emiline Whaples. " Agnes Elizabeth Whaples. " Sarah Hanmer Boardman. " Samuel Hart Kilboui'n. " Frances Louisa Camp. " Henry William Blinn. " Roger Welles. " Thomas Robbins Atwood. " John R. Bowen. " Isabella Bowen. " James Reed. " Erastus Kilbourn, jr. " Sarah Adalette Dillings. " Clarence Henry Rockwell. " Lewis Stephen Hubbard. " Martha Elizabeth Davis. " Ellen Amanda Deming. " Julia Belden. " James Blinn Griswold. " Lucy Lowrey Welles. " Ellen Maria Francis. " George Newton Downs. Sept. 6. Pratt Francis. " Flora Francis. Deming, d. of Sept. 6. Katie M Dea. Levi S. Deming. « Mrs. Volitia C. Goodrich. " Elizabeth L. Joiner. " Abby Osborn. " Lucy M. Robbins, d. of Mrs. Lowrey Robbins. " John S. Rowley. " George H. Rowley and Ed- ward R. Rowley, sons of J. S. R. " Abby F. Richards. " Mrs. Marilla R. Webster. " Mary Seymour, d. of John D. Seymour. " William G. Wells, Mary Wells, and Cornelia Augusta Wells, children of William Wt^Us. « Edward Wetherell. " George E. Whaples. Sept. 13. Mi's. Sarah E. Apple- bee, letter from M. E. Church in Bristol. Jan. 3, 1869. Ellis Jones. " Mrs. Martha Whaples, wife of Henry Whaples. 190 4. During the preaching of Dr. R. G. Vermilye. July 2, 1871. Fanny Augusta Welles. " Mary Robbins Welles. " Emily Welles Stoddard. Frances Harriet Kirkham. Liilie Frances McLean. Heman Charles Whittlesey. 11. BAPTISMS. 1. During the ministry of Rev. Wm. P. Aikin. Mar. 1, 1857. Joseph J. Francis, and Mary Ann, his wife. Mar. 29. Mary Dayton, d. of George and Mary Davis. " 29. Mary Robbins, d. of Edwin and Lucy L. VVelles. " 29. Catharine Maria, d. of Levi S. and Caroline S. Deming. April 26. Emily Welles, d. of Rufus and Sarah Stoddard. May. Nancy Francis, adult. July 19. Alice Cornelia, d. of Jedidiah and Nancy Deming. " 1 9. Heman Charles, s. of Heman and Eunice Whittlesey. Feb. 7, 1858. Charles Jedidiah, s. of William and Cornelia Welles. April 25. Alfred Osborn, s. of Patchett. May 30. Walter Baldwin, s. of John D. and Abby Seymour. July 1. Alice Robbins, d. of Nelson and Sarah Woodruff. " 4. Abby Coffin Aikin, and John Deming Seymour, adults. " 4. Abigail Barber Osboin, and Charlotte Gillett Osboru, children of Reuben C. and Olive Osborn. Nov. 7. Laura Louisa, d. of Benjamin Benstead. " 21. Charles Edwin, s. of Edwin and Lucy Welles. June 19, 1859. Edwin Edgerton, s. of William P. and Susan C. Aikin. Aug. 6. Henry. Laurens, s. of Henry L. and Julia A. Kellogg. Dec. 22. Georgeanua, d. of Heman A. and Eunice Whittlesey. " 25. Mary Maria, d. of Patchett. April 16, 1860. Fanny Liilie, d. of Benjamin and Eliza Benstead. Sept. 23. William, s. of John D. and Abby Seymour. " 30. Welles, s. of Coleman E. and Electa S. Wheeler. 1861. Henry Holmes, s. of Henry and Fanny Lumm. Martin, s. of Roger and Mercy D. VVelles. Frances Harriet, d. of John S. and Harriet P. Kirkham. Kate Mary, d. of Josiah E. and Jerusha Atwood. Susan Curtis, d. of William P. and Susan C. Aikin. Frank Rufus, s. of Rufus and Sarah Stoddard. Eliza Webster, d. of Lemuel W. and Eliza Camp. . A child of Patchett. Mary Crowell, d. of Roger and Mercy D. Welles. George Dayton, s. of George and Mary A. Davis. Thomas Atwood, s. of John S. and Harriet Kirkham. Julia Welles, d. of John D. and Abby Seymour. Jan. 2,] Feb. 10. July 21. 21. Aug. Sept. Oct. 18. 25. 31. 1862 May, July Sept. u 4. 3. 4. 4. (( 1. June 28, Aug. 5. Nov. 1. (( 1. 191 Nov. 26. Lillie, d. of Benjamin and Eliza Benstead. 1863. Martha Lois Butler, adult. June 21. Mary Elizabeth, d. of Henry and Fanny Lumm. " 21. Roger Welle-J, s. of Roger and Mercy D. Welles. Nov. 1. Henry Curtis Butler, adult. Oct. 30, 1864. Alice Louisa, d. of William P. and Susan C. Aikin. May 1865. Elias Merwin Steele, Sarah Louisa Wiers, Mary Cor- nelia Francis, and Maria Ann Bacon, adulis. June 4. George Sheldon, s. of Reuben C. and Olive Osborn. " 4. JSarah Aikin, d. of Roger and Mercy D. Welles. Sept. 10. John Henry, s. of John S. and Harriet Kirkhiim. April 1, 1866. Prudence Elizabeth and Levi Burritt, children of Burritt and Hannah Blinn. Mary Rebecca, d. of widow Mary Churchill. George Wolcott, s. of John D. and Abby Seymour. William Pope, s. of William P. and Susan C. Aikin. Isabel Ellis, d. of Josiah Elbert and Jerusha Atwood. Mary Atwood, d. of John S. and Harriet Kirkham. Jan. 4, 1867. Catharine and Laura, children of Lemuel W. and Eliza Camp. Mar. 10. Edwin Stanley, s. of Roger and Mercy D. Welles. May 5. Arthur Wiuthrop, s. of Dea. Rufus and Sarah Stoddard. July 7. James Levi, s. of Edward and Eliza L Deming. 2. After Mr. Aikin left. Jan. 4, 1868. Charles Levi, s. of Alex. D. and Mary J. McLean, 3. During the ministry of Rev. Sandford S. Martyn. May 3, 1868. James Blinn Griswold, adult. 3. Ellen Maria Francis, " " 3. George Newton Downs, " " 3. Blinu Chester Griswold, " " 3. Mary Ann Griswold, '• " 3. Agnes Elizabeth Whaples, " " 3. Sarah Hanmer Boardman, " *' 3. Frances Loui.>a Camp, " " 3. Henry William Blinn, July 6. Daughter of Blinn C. Griswold, and Mary Ann, his wife. Sept. 6. Pratt Francis, Flora Francis, and John S. Rowley, adults. " 6. George H. Rowley and Edward R. Rowley, sons of J. S. Rowley. " 6. Abby F. Richards, adult. " 6. Mrs. Marilla R. Webster. " 6. Edward Wetherell, immersed. " 6. George Whaples, " Jan. 3, 1869. Ellis Jones. " 3. Martha, wife of Henry Whaples. July 3. Elbert Webster, s. of Henry Whaples. 192 4. During the preaching of Dr. R. G; Vermilye. July 2, 1871. Lillie Frances McLean, on profession of faith. Mar. 26. Lemuel Aikin, s. of Roger and Mercy D. Welles. Child of Lemuel W. Camp. July, 1873. Alice Mary, d. of Franklin C. Latimer. 5. After Dr. Vermilye left. July 5, 1 874. Frank Clarence, s. of Clarence H. Rockwell. III. marriages. 1. During the ministry of Rev. William P. Aikin. March 9, 1857. William W. Clark and Mary L Stoddard. " 22. John Demino; and Mary Blake, both of Wethersfield. " 25. Henry W. Blinn, of Wethersfield and Harriet Redfield, of Killingsvvorth. John E. Whittlesey, Morris, HI., and Lydia F. Camp, of Wethersfield. May 5. Stephen B. Churchill and E. Amelia Blinn, both of Wethersfield. March 23, 1858. Samuel J. M. Kellogg and Harriet M. Rogers, of New London. April 13. Coleman E. Wheeler of Kansas City, Mo., and Electa S." Welles of Wethersfield. Edwin Williamson, of Broad Brook, N. Y., and Harriet Storer of West Hartford. May 3, 1859. Caleb J. Hanmer and Ellen M. Dix, both of Wethersfield. Nov. 23. Oliver Dart, Jr., of South Windsor, and Emily Gris- wold. Dec. 1. John S. Kirkham and Harriet P. Atwood, both of Wethersfield. March 13, 1860. John D. Griswold and Emeline Kilbourn. Oct. 3. Albert N. Hathaway, Poquonnock, and Emma S. Rob- * bins. Dec. 20. Edward M. Bailey and Harriet Treat (English). April 10, 1861. Levi Churchill and Mary I. Blinn, both of Weth- ersfield. Aug. 21. Henry D. Evans, Avon, and Mary A. Richards, of Weth- ersfield. Sept. 13. Frederic Jenks, Hartford, and Julia A. Richards, of Wethersfield. " 30. Charles Parsons, New Britain, and Mary Rought, of Wethersfield. April 29, 1863. Walter F. Brown and Elizabeth Seymour, both of Wethersfield. June 18. Charles S. Francis and Ellen Boyington, both of Weth- ersfield. 193 Aug. 12. Abraham Halsey, Bridgehampton, L. I., and Elizabeth I. Stowe, of West Hartford. Aug. 18, 1864 Unni P. Blinn and Ssirah Gilbert, both of Weth- ersfield. Oct. 25, 18i55. Walter B. Dorman and Abby I. Rockwell. Feb. 6, 1866. Henry L. Kellogg and Laura K. Camp, both of Wethersfield. Feb. 6. Charles H. Dillings and Eliza K. Richards, both of Weth- ersfield. May 1 6. Alexander McLean and Wid. Mary I. Churchill, both of Wethersfield. May 18. Frederic C Penfield and Mary E. Hale, both of New Britain. Oct. 3. Charles L. Willard and Julia Robbins. Dec. 5. Franklin C. Latimer and Mary N. Seymour. Jan. 4, 1867. George H. Grey and Sarah I. Whaples. April 18. John H. Boardraan, New Britain, and Sarah Dix. 2. During the Ministry of Rev. S. S. Marttn. Aug. 8, 1868. Joseph Whaples and Miss Keyes, both of New- ington. Oct. 21. George E. Gaylord, of Hadley, Mass., and Sarah L. Weir, of Newington. Dec. William Raynsford and Anna Smith, both of New Britain. " 31. George S. Deming and Jane E. Whittlesey. 3. Marriages taken from Town Registrar of Newington. July 27, 1871. Carrai Shurtliff, of Southwick, Mass., and Anne P. Hatch, of Newington. Dec. 25. William B. McKinney, of Richford, Vt., and Emma L. Joyner, of Newington. June 13, 1872. Thomas Tracy, of New Britain, and Sophia L. Kirkham, of Newington. Sept 16. William N. Sprague and Sarah I. Newton, both of Rock- ville, Ct. March 4, 1873. Marshall L. Wright, of Rocky Hill, and Mary E. Davis, of Newington. Feb. 20. Moses S. Ralph, of Berlin, and Jane M. Deming, of Newington. May 27, 1874. John P. Ball, of Middletown, and Hattie C. Smith, of Northfield. IV. DEATHS. 1. During the ministry of Rev. W. P. Aikin. March 19, 1857. Lucy Camp, wife of Edwin Gaylord, aged 67. June 20. Susanna, wife of Elisha Whaples, aged 80. 25 194 July 9. Cliii=lleu Churchill, aged 78. Sept. 21. Herbert, son of George A. and Jane S. Dickson, aged 2. Oct. 5. Elisha Whaples,aged 85. " 13. David, son of Seth and Betsey Purrinton, aged 19. Dec. 21. Betsey, wife of Seth Purrinton, aged 45. Jan. 27, 1858. Mathew, son of Benj. and Eliza Benstead, aged 1. March 6. William, son of Henry and Fanny Lum, aged 7. April 29. Roger Welles, son of John D. and Abby Seymour, aged 2. Aug. 20. Emiline, wife of David Root, aged 54. " 29. Erastus Francis, aged 56. Sept. 22. Aaron Davis, aged 78. Oct. 10. Eliza, widow of James B. Griswold, aged 37. " 23. Frank, son of Newman and Caroline Huntley, aged 1. « 29. Roswell Dix, ag<^d 51. Jan. 13, 1859. William Blinn, agpd 61. April. Martha Jane, daughter of William and Margaret Hub- bard, aged 1. July 2. John Deming, aged 35. Oct. 14. Mary, daughter of Samuel Camp, aged 9. Nov. 18. Roger Welles, Esq., aged 69. " 27. Martha Urania, daughter of John C. Dow, aged 23. Jan. 18, 1860. Bridget, wife of John Flaherty. March 2. Eleanor, daughter of Newman and Caroline Huntley, aged 5. " 16. Thomas Francis, aged 32. April 22. Levi, son of William Powers, aged 16. *' 26. Levi Adams, aged 37. May 6. William Martin, son of William Powers, aged 7. June. Riley? son of Wid. Electa Merrills, aged 10. July. Wife of William M. Powers. " 25. Rebecca Hunn, aged 78. " 27. Warren B. Crane, aged 28. Aug. 31. Flavel, son of Robert and Sarah Joyner, aged 7. Sept. 18. Abigail, wife of Hervey Francis, agfd 72. " 25. Sarah Gaylord, wife of Dea. Origen Wells, aged 77. " 29. Hart, son of John G. and Caroline Stoddard, aged 3 weeks. Oct. 15. Mary Tobey, wife of Robert Francis, aged 64. Dec. 25. Kate, daughter of John and Kate Ramsey, aged 1. Jan. 2, 1861. Hervey Francis, aged 70. " 3. Nathan Hale, aged 76. " 6. Charles, son of William Hubbard, aged 20. " 8. The aged widow of Oliver Richards, aged 87. Feb. b. Mary, daughter of the late Nelson and Harriet Dil- lings, aged is. March 10. Celinda, daughter of Wiers, aged 25. " 15. Edward, son of Seth and Betsey Purrinton, aged 24. July. The wife of Mr. Luther, aged 70. 195 April 20. Died at Pitt?field, Mass., Rev, Joab Brace, D. D., senior pastor of the church in this place. He was born in the year 1781, graduated at Yale College in 1804, and was ordained col- league pastor with the Rev. Joshua Belden over the church of Christ in Newington, Jan. 14, 1805, and continued to discharge the active duties of the ministry for a period of fifty years, aged 80. Nov. 4. George T. Davis, aged 31. " 18. Jane, wife of Steele, aged 29. " 22. Arden Whaples, aged 72. Dec. 6. Elizabeth Cogswell, aged 58. " 15. Child of John and Margaret Corrigan, aged 2. " 20. Zaccheus Brown, aged 80. " 31. Chester Webster, aged 36. Jan. 22, 1862. Edwin Gaylord, aged 75. March 5. Caroline Elizabeth, daughter of Levi S. and Caroline Deming, aged 10. April 2J. Henry Morris, only child of Henry and Hannah M. Luce, aged 17. May 4. Lillie, daughter of George and Ellen Tucker, aged 3^. " 19. Mary Ann, wife of Joseph Francis, aged 28. Aug. 5. The aged Jerusha Seymour, she was the last surviving member of the church, admitted to its communion by Mr. Belden, aged 92^'^. " 19. Lowrey Robbins, aged 69. Mrs. Hannah, wife of Stone, aged 51. Samuel Dow, aged 86. Samuel Smith, found dead in a barn, aged 52. Emma, daughter of Blinn Griswold. 1863. Abigail, widow of David Hunn, aged 75. Mary, widow of John Deraing, aged 23. Lauretta, daughter of Erastus Kilbourn, aged 33. Near Washington, D. C., Eugene, son of Daniel H. and Sarah M. Willand, and a private in Company B, 22d Reg. Conn. Vol., aged 20. July. Samuel Steele, son of Samuel Steele, aged 1. " Child of Edward Bailey, aged 1. " Child of Jared Starr, 3 months. Sept. 8. Josiah Atwood, Esq., aged 69. " Two children of O'Brien. Nov. 14. Mary Shepherd, aged 80. Some time in August died an infant child of Flaherty, and also one of O'Sullivan. Feb. 10, 1864. Julia, wife of Henry L. Kellogg, aged 45. Charles, son of John and Mary Deming, aged 4. Priscilla, wife of Frank Richards, aged 54. Infant of Iri.sh parents, at R. Francis', aged 1 mo. Charlotte Churchill, aged 68. Silvester Warner, aged 50. Dwight Dix, aged 18. Charlotte Soper, aged 75. Oct. 13. Dec. 16. u 23. n 26. Feb. 23. March 12. u 23. April 21. (( 16. March 1. a 7. April 7. May 28. Aug. 17. Sept. 25. 196 Feb. 28, April 24. 24. May July 6 3. 18. • mor li 20. (( 23. Sept. Oct. 6. 7. Nov. 27. Dec. 5. May 7, 8. Aug. (4 Oct. 16. Nov. 30. Dec. 13. March 4, u 12. April 1. 1. May Aug. 24. 9. March 20, April 4. 7. May 4, 24. Oct. 6. Sept. July Nov. 13. 22. 23. Dec. 23. 1869, Aug. Dec. Jan. 30. 1865. Seth, son of Seth and Betsey Purrinton, aged 22. Mary, wife of Gen. Martin Kellogg, aged 76. Frank, son of Blinn Griswold, aged 1^. Augusta, wife of Samuel Kilbourn, aged 22. Augustine, son of Samuel and Augusta Kilbourn, aged iths. Child of J. S. Rowley, aged 1. Seth Purrinton, aged 59. Hiram London, aged 60. Sophronia Tucker, aged 67. Widow of Chis.lieu Churchill, aged 77. Marcus W. Stoddard, aged 51. 1866. Mercy Churchill, aged 73. Child of Irwin, (Irish) aged 2 mo. Child of John and Kate Ramsey, aged 1. Child of Henry Carter, aged 3 mo. Peter Burns, aged 62. Infant child of Jared Starr, aged 2 mo. Mary E. wife of Rev. Frederic Gridley, aged 66. 1867. Emily, wife of Dea. Jeremiah Seymour, aged 79. Ettie, daughter of Henry C. and Abby Cadwell, aged 2. Dea. Jeremiah Seymour, aged 80. Marshall, son of Rufus and Sarah Stoddard, aged 12. Elliott W. Deming, son of Elizur Deming, aged 17. Luella, daughter of John C. Dow, aged 14. 2. After Mr. Aikin's resignation. 1868. Abner Simons, aged 83. Mary, widow of Allen Stoddard, aged 78. Daniel Willard, aged 84. 3. During Mr. Marttn's ministry. 1868. Dea. Jedediah Deming, aged 77. Prudence K., widow of Josiah Atwood, aged 77. William Kirkham, aged 80. Daughter of Lemuel W. Camp, aged 17 mo. Freddie, son of John S. Rowiey, aged 10. Gen. Martin Kellogg, aged 87. Dea. Origen Wells, aged 85. Chapman, aged 85. Henry Whaples. Mrs. Henry Blinn. Capt. Gilbert, aged 70. 1870. Amon Richards, aged 70. Dea. Rufns Stoddard, aged 47. July 4. During the preaching of Dr. R. G. Vermilte. 26. 1870. Sabbath, funeral of , child of Chas. L. Willard. 197 Sept. 8. Wednesday, funeral of the wife of Chas. Kellogg. Nov. 5. Saturday, funeral of Sarah Aikin, daughter [of Roger Welles, aged 6. Dec. 31. Carrie Qsborn, daughter of R. C. Osborn, aged 14. Jan. 16, 1872. Mary Kilbourn, wife of Oliver Richards, aged 66. May 16. E. E. Camp, wife of Lemuel W. Camp. Sept. 12. Milton, infant child of Dix, aged 5 weeks. 5. Deaths taken from the Town Registrar. 1871. Homer Camp, aged 74. 1872. Mary K. Richards, aged 65, Lydia D. Francis, aged 77. Elbert Blinn, son of Porter Blinn, aged 1^ mo. Eliza E. W. Camp, wife of Lemuel W. Camp, aged 40. Milton Dix, son of Jacob Dix, aged 12 days. Electa E. Merrills, aged 45. Frances M. D. McLean, aged 46. Flavel Weirs, aged 70. William L. Deraing, son of Selden Deming, aged 23. 1873, George Lovely, aged 27. Prudence Hall, aged 87. Harriet Adams, aged 53. Grace Camp, dau, of L, W, Camp, aged 1 1 mo. Katie A. Churchill, aged 26. Henry Kilbourn, aged 73. Mary Mulcahey, aged 3. Lizzie Finnegau, aged 2. Alice Camp, dau, of L. W. Camp, aged 3. Samuel Richards, aged 73. Willie Hoye, aged 2 rao. Oliver Warner, aged 37. George Harlow, aged 3. Edward Harlow, aged 4. Truman Weirs, aged 57. 1873. Wyllys Hopkins, aged 47. John Sweeney, tramp, aged 35. Minnie McGrath, aged 3. Ralph Childs, aged 52. Babie Childs, aged 7 rao. 1874, William French, aged 2. Mrs. Ellen Clayton, aged 57. Mrs. Hudson H. Stoddard, aged 42. Mrs, Clarence H, Rockwell, aged 26. Robert Rockwell, aged 78. John Squires, aged 74. Caroline A. Camp, aged 39. Edmund A. G. Nash, aged 61. ^ Mrs. Susanna McLean, aged 86. Oct. K Jan. 16, March 7. April May Sept. Oct. 10. 14. 13. 25. (( 27- Nov. 27. Dec. 20. Jan. 7, (( 31. Feb. 11. March 26. April 6. 18. a 25. May June 2. 15. t( 25. July 10. 28. Aug. 10, n 12. U 14. Aug. Sept. Oct. 27, 5. 3. Nov. 30. Dec. 12. Jan. 23, (( 17. a 25. Feb. 10. April 2. 19. May July July 21. 4. 14. 198 CHURCH VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS. Feb. 28, 1857. Voted, That letters recommending members of other churches to our care and fellowship, be twice read, — the first, two weeks before the vote be taken upon the question of their admission. June 7, 1857. Brethren lloger Welles, Josiah Atwood, and Erastus Latimer were chosen by ballot church committee for the ensuing year. Levi S. Deming, Superintendent of Sabbath School. Jan. 1, 1858. The church committee chosen last year were re-elected for another year. It was voted that the afternoon of the second Sabbath in each month be devoted to the catechetical instruction of the children. Sept. 3, 1858. Brethren Chas. K. Atwood, Daniel H. Willard, and Rufus Stoddard were appointed a committee to consider the expediency of changing the book of hymns now in use, and report at the next lecture. Levi S. Deming and Homer Camp to report upon the propriety of prepar- ing and publishing a catalogue of the members of the church. Dec. 30, 1858. Committee on Hymn Book reported in favor of a change, and recommended the collection prepared by direction of the General Association of Connecticut. Adopted. The committee on a catalogue reported in favor of preparing one, and the pastor to do it. Adopted. Dec, 1859. Brethren Marcus W. Stoddard, Homer Camp, and Erastus Latimer were chosen church committee for the year ensuing. June 10, 1860. The junior pastor of the church having resigned his pastoral care, a meeting of the church was held on this Monday evening to act upon his request. Dea. Jedidiah Deming was chosen Moderator, John D. Seymour, Clerk. Prayer having been oifered by the moderator, a resolution requesting each individual present to express his opinion was offered and adopted. The following preamble and resolutions were then presented. Whereas the Rev. William P. Aikin, the junior pastor of this church, has requested a dissolution of the pastoral relation which subsists between himself and this people — Resolved, 1st, He has in our view acted the part of a faithful minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, as we hope and trust to the salvation of many souls, which shall be seals of his ministry and crowns of his rejoicing in the day of the Ijord Jesus. Resolved, 2d, That we believe he has labored to the highest satisfaction and acceptance of this people, which has manifested itself in the peace and harmony which has at all times prevailed. Resolved, 3d, That we believe a dissolution of the relation which now subsists between us, would be disastrous to the prosperity of this church, and, we fear, would result in this people being scattered as sheep without a shepherd. Resolved, 4th, That he be invited to reconsider and withdraw his re- quest, pledging to him our cordial co-operation and support. Resolved, 5th, That a committee of three be appointed to confer with Mr. Aikin, and to present the foregoing resolutions. All of which were unanimously passed. Erastus Latimer, Hcman A. Whittlesey, and Marcus W. Stoddard were appointed said committee. Attest, John D. Seymour, Clerk. 199 Dec. 1860. The church committee of last year were re-elected. Dec. 1861. M. W. Stoddard, Homer Camp, and Levi S. Deming were chosen church committee. Oct. 19, 1862. A letter having heen received inviting this church to meet in consociation, — the meetings having been long discontinued — the expediency of continuing a connection was discussed, and finally laid over for consideration at the next meeting of the church on lecture day. Oct. 30, 1862. The subject discussed at the last meeting was again taken up. ^fter due deliberation it was voted unanimously to withdraw from that body. Jan. 1, 1863. Marcus W. Stoddard, Levi S. Deming, and Homer Camp were again chosen church committee for the coming year. Sept. 7, 1863. Brother Charles K. Atwood having resigned the office of Superintendent, resolutions thanking him for the fidelity and ability with which he had discharged its duties were unanimously passed, and Joseph J. Francis was chosen to take his place, Heman A. Whittlesey, assistant, and George S. Deming, secretary. Jan. 2, 1864. Levi S. Deming, Rufus Stoddard, and Erastus Latimer were chosen a committee of the church for the ensuing year. Dec. 1865. Rulus Stoddard, Levi S. Deming, and Homer Camp were appointed church committee for the ensuing year. Jan. 3, 1866. Voted, To take a collection for objects of Christian benevolence as often as once in two months, the cases to be presented to be left to the discretion of the pastor. Levi S. Deming, Rufus Stoddard, and Homer Camp were again chosen committee of the church. Jan. 4, 1867. Levi S. Deming, Joseph J. Francis, and Homer Camp were appointed church committee for the coming year. Joseph J. Francis was chosen superintt^ndent of the Sabbath School. Voted, To take collections once in two months the ensuing year. The American Board, Home Missionary Society, Bible and Tract Societies, the other two objects to be designated by the pastor and church commit- tee, the same persons may also bring other objects of benevolence before the church in the alternate months. May 3, 1867. Brethren Rufus Stoddard and Levi S. Deming were this day chosen to serve the church in the office of deacon, the former to fill the place made vacant by the death of Dea. Jeremiah Seymour. Nov. 1867. Charles K. Atwood appointed clerk* Jan. 4, 1868. Joseph J. Francis, Homer Camp, and Jedidiah Deming were chosen church committee for the year. Joseph J. Francis superin- tendent of the Sabbath School. Feb. 16, 1868. At a church meeting presided over by Rev. S. J. An- drews, Voted, That we invite Mr. Sandford S. Martyn to be our pastor. Voted, That the society be informed of our action and requested to concur. March 22, 1868. Voted, That Dea. Rufus Stoddard and Dea. Levi S. Deming be a committee to act with the committee of the society in procuring the settlement of Mr. Martyn. Feb. 9 or 16, 1868. The following was presented to the church, and on motion of Dea. J. Deming, ordered on record. C. K. A. To the church of Chritt in Newington. The undersigned respectfully represent, that though they have no vote in the church by reason of not being members thereof, they have a deep interest in tlie choice you shall make of a pastor. And though many of us are young in years, and all are young in the Christian lite, we hope it will not be thought improper for us to say that, should your choice fall on Mr. S. S. Martyn, he would be not only acceptable to us, but the one we earnestly desire for our guide and teacher in spiritual things. 200 Roger Welles, James B. Griswold, S. H. Kilbourn, Olin L. Wetherell, Lewis S. Hubbard, Walter F. Brown, John 0. Merrills, Josiah J. Russell, B. C. Griswold, Walter B. Dorman, J. H. Boardman, John Richards, N. Jacobs, John S. Rowley, Charles S. Francis, E. L. Wetherell, Alfred E. Boyington, Erastus Kilbourn, Jr., George N. Downs, James Reed, C. H. Rockwell, VV. B. Wier, George E. Whaples, T. F. Wier, A. H. Crittenden, Pratt Francis, Thomas R. Atwood. Mr. Martyn was ordained Api'il 29th, 18G8. The following persons were present. First church in New Haven, Rev. Leonard Bacon, D. D., pastor, Edward W. Bacon. First church in Pittsfield, Mass., Rev. John Todd, D. D., pastor, William B. Cooley. West Hartford, Rev. M. N. Morris, pastor, Dea. Josiah W. Griswold. Southington, Rev. E. C. Jones, pastor, Walter S. Merrills. Asylum Hill, Harttbrd, Rev. Joseph H. Twichell, pastor, R. P. Keep. First, New Britain, Charles Northend. New Britain, South, Rev. C. L. Goodell, pastor, Martin Brown. Berlin, Rev. L. H. Hallock, pastor, Leonard Hubbard. Wethersfield, Rev. A. C. Adams, pastor, Dea. George Stillman. Plantsville, Rev. W. R. Eastman, pastor, Henry D. Smith. Also, Rev. Samuel J. Andrews, Rev. C. B. McLean, Rev. Frederick Gridley, Rev. Seth C. Brace. Rev. L. H. Hallock was chosen scribe, and Rev. Dr. Leonard Bacon moderator. The several parts of the service were assigned and performed as fol- lows : Invocation and reading of scripture, Rev. L. H. Hallock. Introductory prayer, Rev. A. C. Adams. Sermon, Rev. Dr. Todd. Ordaining prayer, Rev. E. C. Jones. Charge to pastor. Rev. Dr. Bacon. Right hand of fellowship. Rev. J. H. Twichell. Address to people. Rev. C. L. Goodell. Mr. Martyn was ordained at this time by request of the church, that he might officiate as pastor at the next comnmnion season, (first Sabbath in May,) when some desire to be received into the church by profession, he having informed the church and society that he could not be ready to perform the duties of a resident pastor, before June 1st. C. K. A. Oct. 18, 1868. A circular having been received by the pastor from Revs. E. B. Hillard, E. C. Jones, and L. H. Hallock, as "committee of arrangements," inviting the church to be present by pastor and delegate at the Annual Convention of the Congregational Churches of the south part of Hartford, to be holden at Wcstfield the 20th and 21st instants, the aim of said meeting, as set forth by the circular mentioned and also in a letter from Mr. Hillard to the pastor, being " to realize a general confer- ence of the churches in their full membership," and it also being the intention of the meeting, as set forth in Mr. Hillard's letter, to supersede the old name of " Hartford South Consociation," by that of '' Conference," and this church being invited to union with this understanding : it was accordingly Voted, That the church unite with the churches thus assem bled in forming said conference. Brother Roger Welles on motion being chosen delegate. (S. S. M.) Dec. 31, 18G8. Voted, at close of preparatory lecture, that Roger Welles act as Superintendent in place of Brother Joseph J. Francis, whose term expires and who has handed in his resignation. Church committee for year following also elected as follows : Brethren C. K. Atwood, John D. Seymour, Jedidiah Deming. Dec. 30, 18(59. Voted, at close of preparatory lecture, that the same church committee and superintendent appointed last year, serve this. Feb. 6, 1870. Mr. Jedediah Deming was appointed deacon in this church. March 6, 1870. Mr. C. K. Atwood and Mr. H. A. Whittlesey were 201 appointed deacons in this church. The brethren named havin^ accepted the office, the board of deacons now consists of Messrs. iJedidiah Deming, Charles K. Atwood, and Heman A. Whittlesey. April 17, 1870. Sunday, Rev. S. S. Martyn read from the pulpit his letter of resignation as pastor to take effect April 29th. At a meeting of the church held Friday, April 22, 1870. Dea. Charles K. Atwood called the meeting to order. After prayer and reading of Scripture, on motion, Roger Welles was appointed Clerk, pro tern. The following resolution, after debate, was passed. " Whereas, Rev. Sandlbrd S. Martyn has tendered to this church the resignation of his pastorate without indicating to us the reasons therefor. .4nr/z(;Aerm.N', during his ministry he has satisfied the expectations with which we called him to the work, by a faithful performance of a pastor's varied duties. Therefore, Voted, That we will unite with him in calling a council, but do not accept his resignation till further advised. Voted, That the standing church committee be instructed to call the ■council. Voted, That Charles K. Atwood be appointed a committee to inform the Ecclesiastical Society of the action of the church. Voted, That Roger Welles be appointed a committee to represent the church before the council. The meeting then adjourned. Attest, RoGKR Welles, Clerk, pro tern." The council was called and convened at the church, April 27, 1870, and after investigation voted to dissolve the pastoral relation existing between Mr. Martyn and the church, from and after April 29th, 1870. May 1, 1870. Sunday, At a meeting of the church, Dea. Jedediah Deming called the meeting to order. Roger Welles was appointed Clerk of the church in the absence of a pastor. Dea. Charles K. Atwood offered the following resolution, which after some discussion was passed, to wit : " The council to which was referred the resignation of our late pastor, Rev. Sandford S. Martyn, having advised the severance of his relation to us, we accept it, deeply regretting the loss we sustain in the removal of an able, faithful, and devoted minister, who had endeared himself to us by his sympathy, his kindness, and his evident interest in whatever per- tained to our welfare." Voted, That the monthly collections taken up at the communions be hereafter approj)riated to the benefit of the Am. B. C. F. M. Voted, That John S. Kirkham be appointed Treasurer of the church. The meeting then adjourned. Attest, Roger Welles, Clerk of Church. July 3, 1870. On invitation of the Society's Committee, the Rev, R. G. Vermilye, professor in the Hartford Theological Seminary, became stated preacher in this church, and officiated at the communion this day, having supplied the ])ulpit from the 2d Sabbath in June, he occupied the parsonage, and continued his services until the annual meeting of the society in November. Sept. 13, 1870. The annual Sabbath School convention of the " union " of neighboring churches was held with this church to-day. Nov. 1870. By request of the society's committee Prof. Vermilye con- tinued to supply the pulpit, during the winter, residing in Hartford. Dec. 31, 1870. The annual church meeting was held this day, at the close of the preparatory lecture, Mr. J. J. Francis, Mr. J. D. Seymour, and Mr. J. S. Kirkham, were chosen by ballot to constitute, in connection with the three deacons, the church committee for the ensuing year. Mr. 26 202 Roger Welles was re-elected as superintendent of the Sabbath School for the ensuing year. The following is the report of the church for the year 1870, as pre- sented to the registrar of the general conference, viz., members, males, 60, females, 112, total 172, of whom are absent, 22; deaths, 2, dismissals 5 ; total loss 7; number in Sabbath School 160; number of families 85; amount of contributions $330.11. May 1, 1871. Rev. R. G. Vermilye resumed his residence at the par- sonage for six months, having continued to supply the pulpit during the past winter and spring. Jan. 6, 1872. The annual church meeting was held this day, at the close of the preparatory lecture, Mr. J. J. Francis, Mr. J. D. Seymour, and and Mr. J. S. Kirkham were chosen by ballot to constitute, in connection with the three deacons, the church committee for the ensuing year. Mr. Roger Welles was re-elected as superintendent of the Sabbath School for the ensuing year, and Mr. J. S. Kirkham was re-elected treasurer of the church funds. The following is the report of the church for the year 1871, as presented to the Registrar of the General Conference, viz., members, males, 57 ; females, 121 ; total, 178; absent 22; no death; dismissals, 5; added by pro- fession, 6 ; baptized, adult, 1 ; infants, 2 ; number in Sabbath School, 160 ; number of families, 85. Contributions S600. Jan. 4, 1873. The annual church meeting was held this day, at the close of the preparatory service, Mr. J. J. Francis, Mr. J. D. Seymour, and Mr J. S. Kirkham, were chosen church committee, Mr. J. S. Kirkham was elected Superintendent of the Sabbath School for the ensuing year,. Mr. Roger Welles having declined to serve any longer. The following is the report of the church for the year 1872, as sent to the Registrar of the General Conference, members, males, 58 ; females, 113 ; total, 171 ; absent 22 ; no additions to the church during the year; 5 members died, and one was dismissed; number in Sabbath School, 162; number of families, 85. Contributions S542.62. The pulpit was supplied during the year 1873, until the annual meeting of the society in November, by the Rev. R. G. Vermilye, either in person or by substitute, and the parsonage was occupied by him for three months after the first of July, during the latter part of the period Dr. Vermilye's health failed, so that he was unable to preach, but furnished supplies at the request of the society's committee. In the summer of this year the society resolved to make extensive repairs and improvements in their church building, service was omitted the first two Sabbaths in Septem- ber, and was then resumed in the new town hall, and continued there until the re-opening of the church. Nov. 2, 1873. On the first Sabbath in November the usual communioD service was held in the town hall. Dr. Vermilye officiated, and then ceased his services for the church and society. May 3, 1874. At a meeting of the church held Sunday, May 3, 1874. Voted, That we hereby extend a call to Rev. William Greenwood ta settle as pastor of this church and of the Ecclesiastical Society connected therewith. Voted, That Roger Welles be appointed a committee to inform the Ecclesiastical Society of our action, and to invite their concurrence. May 10, 1874. Voted, That Dea. Charles K. Atwood, Dea. Heman A. Whittlesey, and Joseph J. Francis be a committee to communicate to Rev. William Greenwood the action of this church in giving him a call to settle with us in the work of the ministry, and to invite his acceptance of the same. R. Welles. Clerk. 203 M pin <1 to CO 00 s t (0 (< « 3 > "O . •« g 2 o ^- s° •. •»;4 , "^ ^a -^ ^ g- ;z;«S ^ •^ * =« - tc d f 1 11^ 4 . « ed, July 31, 1861. ity, Dec. 5, 1862. 1, 1864 ; terra expired. lid Corps. Bc. 22, '63 ; must, out, 861. Hilton Head, S. C. !, New Orleans, La. disch. Oct. 29, 1864; 1864 ; term expired. 1864; term expired. 62, Sharpsburg, Md. ty, April 14, 1862, Ne\ uc. 14, '63 ; desertetl, J Q Reserve Corps, Marc 62, Sharpsburg. n. 1, '64 ; mustered out, ty, April 5, 1862. June 1, 1862. 1864. i2, Fredericksburg, Va Ity, Jan. 24, 1863. 13, 1865, Washington, 1 i fcC:^ ,-ic3/-N,-i ,1'j ..-—,00— '^eeaos*;:^ _„, — ^a? iischar disabi Sept. to Inv Vet, I 3V. 2, , 1862 [4, 18« Co. C. 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