History of the Town of Wolcott (Connecticut) from 1731 to 1874, with an account of the Centenary Meeting, September 10th and 11th 1873; and with the Genealogies of the Families of the Town

By Rev. Samuel Orcutt

Waterbury, Conn: Press of the American Printing Company, 1874

[under construction, by Robert A. Kraft (September 2003); new materials added 21mr07; much reformatting and proofreading still needed ]

[[iii]]

PREFACE.

My acquaintance with the Town of Wolcott began in May, 1872. After preaching there a few Sabbaths, with no expectation of continuing in the place, I became interested in the history of the church by discovering that its Centenary would occur in 1873. I soon after accepted an invitation to supply the pulpit for one year. After a few months' labor in the parish, the idea of writing a brief history of the Congregational Church and Society was entertained, and the work was commenced with the expectation that it would not exceed two hundred pages. From that beginning the present volume has grown, and is, therefore, a little different in plan and style from what it would have been if the original design had included so large a field.

The work necessary to the making of this book has been performed with the greatest pleasure, though prosecuted, much of the time, under circumstances of disadvantage and discouragement. Now that it is done, I have no apologies to offer; nor have I any regrets to express, save that the people who form the subject of this volume have not received from my pen as high commendation as they deserve.

The labor has been performed within the space of two years, and has rather aided than hindered parish duties. In the commencement, it was as the Spring-time, full of [[iv]] buds and blossoms of hope; but in the closing it has seemed as Autumn. A shade of sadness has touched my mind as I have taken leave of one and another, individuals and families, when they passed from study and research; for, after so much thought expended upon them, it seemed as if they were friends and neighbors among whom I had spent my days, and I was at last attending their funeral services. The summing up of life, for each one of them, has seemed written in great characters before the mind. in the proverbial expression: "Born, lived, and died." And wherever the mind looks in review of the past, the epitome of history seems recorded in the repetition of this form. Yet in remembering the good of the past (and in fulfilling the responsive feelings of the heart), it is a comfort, if nothing more can be said, to repeat this form, and in it cherish the memory of those who have completed the routine of its
unchangeable decrees: -- "Born, lived, and died."

The style of the work is without ornament, because the times and the character of the persons forming the subject-matter of the history are better represented thus than otherwise. Of the times and circumstances through which the early settlers passed, there can be but one opinion: they were rigorously hard. Although the number who lived to be over three score and ten is large, yet to most of them, life meant hard work with many privations, plain food with scanty allowance at times, little clothing, and that of the plainest kind, restricted to the fashion of two seasons. Of the character of these ancestors, a good summary, in a few words, is given by Dr. Henry Bronson,in his History of Waterbury: "Individually, our Puritan ancestors were very much such men as [[v]] we are; little better, no worse. They were bred in a rigorous age, and were exposed to peculiar hardships, dangers, and temptations. Yet, on the whole, they, like us, were average men" (page 323). In one thing, however, it seems to me they have the pre-eminence, namely, in faithfulness to moral and religious convictions. Modesty, honesty, and integrity in the profession of the Christian religion, might have been written over nearly every man's door, to be read by all the world.

It will be observed that the genealogy of a few families is wanting. The cause of this, in every case, is the want of sufficient information to make a respectable represention of the family. The Blakeslee family was among the first in the parish, but no records could be obtained until it was too late to introduce them in their proper order. I have
hope of including them in the history of another town where their number is larger than in Wolcott. The Ponds and the Baileys were influential and leading families for some years. They are all now gone from the town, and no records have been obtained of them. A few families early in the parish, disappeared so soon that no connected account of them could be obtained. Also, a few came in about 1800, tarried a few years, then joined the grand army which for two or three generations has been steadily marching Westward.

The limited number of subscribers, and hence of copies printed, has compelled the laying aside of all illustrations, after considerable preparation had been made for their publication. This has been to myself and others a source of great regret.

In acknowledging my obligations to the very kind [[vi]] friends who have rendered special aid in this work, it is pleasant to say that all have cheerfully contributed information and encouragement as they were able, and have urged that the book be made as perfect as possible, even though the price of it should be increased. In fulfilling this last desire its publication has been delayed nearly six months. I am specially indebted to Rev. Joseph Anderson, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Waterbury, who has taken much interest in the work from the first, and has rendered very valuable assistance. Also, to Frederick B. Dakin, Esq., of the Waterbury American, a practical book-maker, under whose supervision the volume was printed. The following persons have also rendered special service to the work: Messrs. A. Bronson Alcott, Frank B. Sanborn, and William Ellery Channing, of Concord, Mass.; Judge William E. Curtiss, of New York; Hon. Leman W. Cutler, of Watertown; Hon. Birdsey G. Northrop, of New Haven; E. Bronson Cook, Esq., Editor of the Waterbury American; Hon. Elihu Burritt, of New Britain; Rev. William H. Moore, of Berlin; Rev. Heman R. Timlow, and Messrs. Gad Andrews, Simeon H. Norton, and Isaac Burritt, of Southington; Rev. William R. Eastman, of Plantsville; the late Ralph L. Smith, Esq., of Guilford; Mr. Aaron G. Atkins, of Chenango County, N. Y.; Mr. Lucas C. Hotchkiss, of Meriden; Mrs. Lucina Holmes and Mrs. Lucina Lindsley, of Waterbury.

WATERBURY, November 10th, 1874.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
FIRST SOCIETY IN WOLCOTT.
First Settlers - Formation of the First Society - Assembly Act - Warnings - First Meeting - Adjourned Meetings.

CHAPTER II.
BUILDING A MEETING HOUSE.
Committee to Stick the Stake -- Notification - Order of the Court - The Deed - The House Built - Officers Chosen in 1770, 1771, 1772, 1773, 1774

CHAPTER III.
OBTAINING A PASTOR.
Grant of a Tax - First Call, Mr. Jackson - Second Call, Mr. Gillet - Organization of the Church - Declarations - First Members - The Ordination of Mr. Gillet.

CHAPTER IV.
MR. GILLET'S MINISTRY.
Graduate of Yale - His Father - A Library - Church Discipline - Revival - Results, Repairs on Meeting House, Singing, Additions - Mr. Gillet at Home - His Salary - He closes his Labors - Doings of the Council.

CHAPTER V.
MR. WOODWARD'S MINISTRY.
The Call - Letter of Acceptance - Subscription - His Labors - Completion of the Meeting House - Dedication - Mr. Woodward's Salary - Rate Bill - His Death.

CHAPTER VI.
REV. MR. HART'S AND REV. MR. KEYS' MINISTRY.
The Call - His Ordination - The Ball - His Labors - His Death - Mr. [[viii]] Keys - Urgent Invitations - The Council - Dr. Beecher's Sermon - Sunday School - Efficiency of the Church - Mr. Keys' Resignation and Dismissal.

CHAPTER VII.
WITHOUT A PASTOR.
The Meeting House full - Payment of Debts - Improvement in Singing - Deacon Isaac Bronson - His Gratuitous Labors Five Years - Journal of Rev. Erastus Scranton - The Revival - Dr. Wm. A. Alcott - Sunday School - Procuring a Bell - Subscription - Improvement of the Meeting House - Rev. Nathan Shaw - Rev. Seth Sacket - Rev. W. F. Vail - Pew-holders according to Age.

CHAPTER VIII.
MINISTRY OF REVDS. J. D. CHAPMAN AND AARON C. BEACH.
Anti-slavery - Burning of the Meeting House - Second Society Organized - Efforts to Rebuild the Church - A Council Called, its Findings - Mr. Chapman Dismissed - Difficulties Settled - Rev. Zephaniah Swift - Rev. A. C. Beach - His Settlement - His Labors - His Dismissal.

CHAPTER IX.
REVDS. STEPHEN ROGERS, LENT S. HOUGH, W. C. FISKE.
Mr. Rogers' Settlement - His Illness - He Resigns - Rev. Lent S. Hough - Letter of Commendation - A Communion Service - Revised Articles of Faith - Mr. Hough Closes his Labors - Rev. Mr. Fiske - He Resigns after Three Years - Rev. S. Orcutt - The Home Missionary Society.

CHAPTER X.
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS, OF THE CHURCH.
The List of Ministers - List of Deacons - Clerks of the Church - Moderators - Clerks of the Society - Treasurers - Prudential Committees - School Committes - Members of the Church.

PART II.-- THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

CHAPTER I.
ORGANIZATION OF THE SOCIETY.
Episcopalians Early in Wolcott - Withdrawal from the First Society - Call for the First Meeting - Minutes of the First Meeting - Officers - Building a House of Worship - A Site Given by the Town - The House Built. [[ix]]

CHAPTER II.
ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH.
Early Records - A List of Ministers - Clerks - Society Committees - Wardens - Vestry Men.

PART III.- CIVIL HISTORY.

CHAPTER I.
THE TOWN INCORPORATED.
Votes of the Society - A Memorial-Act of the Assembly - The Poor - First Town Meeting - Hills of Wolcott - Streams in Wolcott.

CHAPTER II.
THE FIRST SETTLERS.
Farmington Part - Waterbury, Part - Wolcott Center in 1800 - The Public Green - The Will Place - Atkins' Will - Woodtick - Hotels - Highways.

CHAPTER III.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The Districts - Expenses - Will of Addin Lewis - Whipping Post - Law - Small Pox - Burying Grounds - Yankee Peddlers - Taxes.

CHAPTER IV.
ROLL OF HONOR.
List of Freemen - Town Officers - State Officers - Revolutionary Soldiers - Soldiers in the Late War.

PART IV.-- BIOGRAPHY.

John Alcock,
Capt. John Alcox,
A. Bronson Alcott,
Dr. Wm. A. Alcott,
Rev. Wm. P. Alcott,
Joseph Atkins, Senr.,
Dea. Joseph Atkins,
Rev. A. C. Beach,
Rev. J. W. Beach,
Dea. Isaac Bronson,
Timothy Bradley,
Rev. James D. Chapman,
Rev. W. C. Fiske,
Judah Frisbie,
Rev. Alexander Gillet,
Rev. Timothy Gillet,
Dea. Aaron Harrison,
Rev. Lucas Hart,
Lucas C. Hotchkiss,
Rev. Lent S. Hough, [[x]]
Capt. Heman Hall,
Ephraim Hall,
Dr. Ambrose Ives,
Rev. John Keys,
Simeon H. Norton,
Dr. John Potter,
Rev. Nathan Shaw,
Seth Thomas,
Rev. Benoni Upson, D. D.,
Rev. Henry E. L. Upson,
Rev. Israel B. Woodward,

PART V.-- THE CENTENARY MEETING.
Opening of the Meeting,
Remarks by Rev. A. C. Beach,
" " A. Bronson Alcott,
" " Editor E. B. Cook,
" " Hon. B. G. Northrop,
" " Rev. W. H. Moore
" " Simeon H. Norton.
List of Aged Persons,
The Centenary Poem,
Wolcott People removed to Meriden,
Isaac Burritt's remarks,
Hon. Elihu Burritt's remarks,
Antiquities,
Judge W. E. Curtiss' remarks,
George W. Seward's "
Dea. Samuel Holmes' "
Rev. Mr. Hillard's "

PART VI.-- GENEALOGIES OF FAMILIES.
Alcott, 425
Atkins, 439
Barnes, 446
Bartbolomew, 449
Beecher, 450
Bradley, 453
Brockett, 456
Brooks, 457
Bronson, 458
Brown, 464
Byington, 465
Carter, 467
Churchill, 471
Curtiss, 472
Fairclough, 473
Finch, 475
Frisbie, 477
Frost, 480
Gillet, 482
Hall, 485
Harrison, 490
Higgins, 497
Hitchcock, 499
Hopkins, 500 [[xi]]
Hotchkiss, 502
Hough, 506
Johnson, 508
Kenea, 509
Lane, 511
Lewis, 513
Lindsley, 5119
Merrill, 520
Minor, 521
Moulthrop, 525
Munson, 528
Nichols, 529
Norton, 531
Pardee, 536
Parker, 538
Peck, 540
Plumb, 541
Potter, 544
Pritchard, 545
Richards, 548
Rogers, 550
Root, 552
Rose, 553
Scarritt, 555
Seward, 556
Slater, 556
Smith, 557
Somers, 558
Sperry, 559
Sperry, 559
Stevens, 560
Sutliff, 561,
Thomas, 563
Todd, 564
Tuttle, 570
Twitchell, 575
Upson, 578
Wakelee, 592
Warner, 594
Welton, 598
Wiard 607

[[xii]]

INTRODUCTION

Amidst the rugged hills in the northernmost corner of New Haven County, just on the edge of the extensive granite district which spreads through the western part of Connecticut, lies the town of Wolcott.  It covers an area measuring six miles from north to south, by about three front east to west, and contains within its limits higher ground than any that lies south of it in the State.  In its external features it is a good representative of those rural towns of New England which have failed, for whatever reason, to keep abreast of the age in its rapid onward movement.  On the plateau at the center of the town stand two churches of that nondescript style of architecture so often seen amidst New England bills ; one of them in good repair, through the kindness of out­side friends, the other closed and going to decay.  The Green which lies between these edifices is skirted by dwelling-houses, which have the look of having seen bet­ter times,-amongst these the remains of a flourishing country store, and of an equally flourishing tavern.  There is the same look of incipient decay upon many of the houses of the town, some of which are still waiting for their first coat of paint.  To one who wanders up and down these hills, on a sunless Autumn afternoon, the ef­fect is monotonous and depressing, and even in the pleas­antest Summer days there is but little that is interesting in these remnants of a farm life which must, at its best, have been unusually prosaic and dreary.

         Not alone in its external appearance, but also in its [[xiii]] history, is Wolcott a fair specimen of the rural towns of Connecticut, There are the same noteworthy features in its earlier period ; there is the same steady growth up to a certain point ; and then, after the transition from agri­culture to manufactures has fully set in the State at large, there is the same gradual decline.  The hills of Wolcott, although lying midway between Farmington and the Manhan or Meadows of the Naugatuck, received scarcely a passing thought from the pioneers who settled Waterbury, and whose chief attraction in this quarter consisted in the open meadow-land which they had here discovered stretching along both sides of the river.  The first permanent settlement by the Farmington colonists was made in the valley, and it was only by slow degrees that the population spread backward from the central basin, and extended up the hills.  In course of time, however, as more land for farming purposes was required, the hill country came to be occupied, and the territory lying between Farmington and Waterbury (and there­fore called Farming-bury, according to the old Connecti­cut method of constructing place-names), naturally took the providence in this respect.  As early as 1731, there were residents within the limits of what is now called Wolcott, but it was not until eighty-two years after the First Church in Waterbury was organized that a separate church was established in Farmingbury; and not until 1796 was Farmingbury incorporated as a town, and named Wolcott (after the Lieutenant-Governor, who, as Speaker of the Assembly, gave it the benefit of his casting vote).

Attaining to the dignity of a separate existence so shortly before the great transition which has been referred to began, the period during which Wolcott could be con­sidered a flourishing town was necessarily brief.  As ap­pears from several statements in the following pages, it attained its highest prosperity during the first decade of the present century.  The parish was then one of the strong­est in the county; the Society had over two hundred tax-payers [[xiv]] on its list, and the attendance at public worship was so large that the meeting-house was habitually crowded.  But the population of the town, which num­bered nine hundred and fifty-two in 1810, diminished steadily from decade to decade, until, in 1870, it num­bered only four hundred and ninety-one ; so that at the last census Wolcott was in respect of population one of the three smallest towns in Connecticut.  The population of Waterbury, on the other hand, which in 1800 numbered 3256, but which in 1810 had been reduced to 2784, or less than three times that of Wolcott, received within the next ten years a fresh impulse from the development of new industries within the limits of the town, and has continued to increase from year to year, until it now numbers over fifteen thousand, and is therefore thirty times as great as that of Wolcott.  In comparison, then, with its sister town, not only, but in comparison with most of the towns in the State, Wolcott seems, even to its own inhabitants, insignificant,- so much so that the author of this volume was, in the course of his inquiries, frequently greeted with the remark, "What can you find here of which to make a history?  What can you say of Wolcott-the last place on earth that will interest anybody ?" It was dif­ficult, indeed, to make people feel that such a place could have a history which any practical person would care to hear about.  But this goodly volume, with its varied con­tents, proves not only that the old town upon the hills, now in its decadence, has a history, but that its history is of great interest and value,-partly because of the exam­ple its people have set of quiet, heroic living, and partly because of the impress it has made on the character and career of the nation by the men it has sent forth into other parts of the land.

In view of this last-mentioned fact, it is eminently proper that so large a part of this volume should be occu­pied with biographical sketches of men born and reared on the Wolcott hills.  These sketches constitute one of [[xv]]  the most interesting and valuable portions of the book.  In the biographies of such men as the Rev. Messrs.  Gillette and Woodwind, Deacons Aaron Harridan and Isaac Brandon, Dr. Ambrosia Vies, Seth Thomas, Judas Frisbie-a soldier of the Revolution -and, especially, Dr. William A. Alcott and Mr. A. Bronson Alcott, we find represent­ed the utmost diversity of experiences and the most varied types of character.  Some of these were remark­able for their intellectual ability, others for their enter­prise, others for their philanthropic spirit or their piety ; but, in the case of most of them, their broad and fruitful lives were in striking contrast with the sterile country and the contracted sphere in which they had their birth and training.  In none of these men is the contrast more marked than in him whose biography fills the largest space in the following pages, but who still lingers amongst us, Mr. Bronson Alcott of Concord.  It is a strange transformation, that by which the farmer boy of Spindle Hill, having served his time as a peddler of Yan­kee notions in eastern Virginia, becomes the father of ed­ucational reform in America, a leader of the Transcend­ental school of New England philosophers, the intimate friend of Thoreau and Emerson, and the silver-tongued conversationalist, whose monologues on lofty themes at­tract and charm the selectest spirits of the East and the West. The biographical portion of the book, though large, is not the largest.  Of its six hundred pages, a hundred and fifty-four are devoted to the history of the Congregation­al church and society ; and this is the natural result not simply of the plan according to which the work was put together, but of the prominent position held by church and religion in the life of the people.  In this, as in almost every old town in New England, the history of the commu­nity is to a large extent the history of the church, its meeting-houses and its ministers; and we are thus taught, more impressively than by any deliberate presentation of [[xvi]] the subject, how the fathers of four score years ago de­voted their thought to theology and their lives to religion.

Besides the history of the two churches, and the bio­graphical sketches, we have in the volume an account of the civil history of the town, a full report of the varied exercises of the Centennial Meeting, and a hundred and eighty pages of genealogies.  In each of these divis­ions of the work there is evidence of the industrious research and faithful labors of the author.  He has brought to this work, not indeed a facile pen, but a great fondness for antiquarian investigation and a warm sym­pathy with old-time phases of life and thought ; and the result is a book which is readable not because of its pol­ished periods, but because of its pictures of the past, so full of local coloring, and for a certain simplicity and quaintness of style, imparting to the Fage that flavor so well known to all readers of town and county histories.  Among such histories this volume is destined to hold a creditable place.  The extent of the class of books to which it belongs, no one can apprehend until he exam­ines the work of Ludewig on the "Literature of Ameri­can Local History" (published in 1946), and considers how many local histories have appeared since that bibli­ography was compiled.  To this extensive and steadily increasing literature the present volume constitutes a substantial addition.  It calls attention once more to the minutest details of the old Connecticut life; it increases the store of available materials from which the future his­tories of America must draw their most valuable facts and illustrations.

In scanning these pages, the reader is impressed not only with the prominence of the ecclesiastical element in the life. of this old community, but also with the influence upon the people of the ecclesiastical system to which they adhered.  The period most fully portrayed was one in which church councils, and the consociations which [[xvii]] they represented, were recognized as possessing power. Their advisory function had all the force of authority, as may be seen in the declaration recorded on pages 120-122, and its reception by the Wolcott church and society.  It was a time in which the fellowship of the churches was something more than a name and a formality.  In all acts of fellowship between the Wolcott church and its neighbors, the church in Waterbury took part; for this old parish held to the other the relation of mother and sister at once, and made its influence felt in a beneficent way.  It is to the writer of this a gratifying fact that the pleasant relations so long existing have suffered no real interruption, and that he is permitted as the representa­tive of the older organization, which still seems young and vigorous, to bespeak for the younger, as it seems to grow weak with age, the attention and sympathy of this new and busy generation.  As pastor of the "First Church" of this whole region, I have a special interest in this his­tory of the church and people of Wolcott; and I take pleasure in bidding this volume, in which a precious frag­ment of the past is treasured up, God speed on its useful errand.  Its mission is not alone to the households scat­tered over the Wolcott hills; it should find a place in homes and public libraries throughout our broad country.  Whatever hands it may fall into, may it do a good work in reviving pleasant memories of other days, and render­ing vivid to young eyes the sober pictures of the ances­tral time.  May it incline us to do honor to those New England fathers to whom honor is so largely due ; and may it deepen our reverence for the nation by showing us how its foundations were laid with toil and sweat and patience on New England hills.

Waterbury, Conn., Dec. 16th, 1874.     JOSEPH ANDERSON.

[[xvii]]
[[001]] 


CHAPTER I.

First Society in Wolcott.

FIRST SETTLERS,

In the settlement of Connecticut, and other New Eng­land States, the settlers made their homes first in the valleys and along the rivers and streams of water.  After fifty to seventy years' experience of decimation from fevers and sicknesses, caused by the fogs and mala­ria in these low lands, they began to climb the hills and mountains, and to make their homes where the sun rose before ten o'clock in the morning, and set after four o'clock in the afternoon; so that the first settlers came into Wolcott, upon the hills, fifty-seven years after the settlement of Waterbury, and ninety-one years after the set­tlement of Farmington.

The first settlers of Hartford reached that place in 1635, and "in 1640 the people of Hartford commenced a settle­ment at Farmington, it being the first made in Connecti­cut away from navigable waters.  From this time to 1673, small beginnings were made at Norwich, Derby, Walling­ford, Simsbury, Woodbury, and Plainfield." In the year 1674, "Articles of Association and Agreement" were signed by some of the people of Farmington for a set­tlement in Waterbury, but the first houses were not erected until the summer of 1678.  The Indian " trail " or path by which the people of Farmington reached Mat­tatuck, now Waterbury, lay across the northwest corner of what is now Wolcott, and became, probably, the first "traveled" road in this town.  It is the road that now [[002]] passes Mr. Levi Atkins’ dwelling house, and it is said that the millstones for the first Grist Mill in Woodbury were carried from Farmington on this road, on the back of a horse, the stones being in a sack balancing on each side of the horse, and the horse led by a footman.  In 1731 Mr. John Alcock, of New Haven, settled in the west part of what is now Wolcott, he being the first settler there.  In less than thirty years (in 1760) the people bad become so numerous within this territory as to desire parish privileges, and so petitioned the General Assem­bly to make them a " Distinct Society." They stated that they "occupied a tract of land five miles square, were £2,000 in the list, and lived an inconvenient dis­tance from places of public worship." Waterbury First Society remonstrated with arguments, and the petition was rejected, as was another with forty-three signers, in May, 1762.  In October, 1762, the people, numbering thirty-eight, renewed their petition, and the old Society remonstrated, the chief reason given being the difficulty of supporting the First Society, if Farmingbury, West Farms, and South Farms, should be granted society privileges.  Notwithstanding the cogency of this reason­ing, the people of Farmingbury (so called at this time) were allowed to hire preaching five months in the year, and to set tip a school, and in the meantime to be ex­empt from other society and school taxes.  In the spring Of 1767, thirty-one petitioners of the Winter parish re­quested society privileges, and asked that the limits of the society might be extended into New Cambridge (now Bristol).  They said they numbered seventy-one families, and had a list of £3,8728s.  The petition was denied, as was also another in October, 1768.*

*see History of Waterbury page 279-81


FORMATION OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY.

The organization of the First Ecclesiastical Society took place at the house of Mr. Joseph Atkins, on the 13th [[003]]  day of November, 1770.  This house stood south of the highway that now runs westward from the meeting-house, and stood about two hundred rods west from the present meeting-house, in what was then the town of Waterbury. The site may be recognized by a small part of the cellar­wall which still remains.

The preliminaries to this meeting were very carefully attended to according to the Colonial Law of that time, by a grant from the General Assembly, and by orders from the Courts, and legal warnings to the people.  This grant formed the parish from the towns of Waterbury and Farmington, and gave it the name Farmingbury.

            Several efforts had been made between the years 1760-69 to form such Society, but without success.  In the Spring of 1770 a petition, signed by forty-none persons, was presented to the General Assembly, and was laid over until the next October, when the petition was granted.

The territory taken from Waterbury had been settled but a short time,- the first settler, Mr. John Alcock, of New Haven, having taken his residence on Spindle Hill, in March, 1731.  So far as known all other settlers had come into this territory during the thirty-nine years intervening; and so far as known all the settlers in Farmington part of Farmingbury had come in after 1732.*

*Mr. Thomas Upson, moved into the Southeast corner, in 1732-3.

        All the original papers issued for the purpose of form­ing the Society are preserved, though much changed by use, and are of such peculiar character that their insertion here will be particularly interesting.  They are follows:

ASSEMBLY ACT.

At a General Assembly if the Governor and Company of the Colony of Connecticut, holden at New Haven, on the Second Thursday of October, AD, 1770;

Upon the Memorial of Joseph Atkins, of Waterbury, in the county of New Haven, and others living within the following lim­its and boundaries, viz.: Beginning half a mile, west from the [[004]] northeast corner of the first "Long Lot" in said Farmington, next to said Waterbury; thence west about two miles and a half by the limits of Cambridge Parish to Northbury Society; thence south ward to the middle of the dwelling-house of Caleb Barnes, of said Waterbury; thence to extend west to a line that is two miles west from the southwest corner of said Cambridge; thence south two degrees east, about three miles to a place two hundred rods north, two degrees from the four mile tree ; thence southward to the mid­dle of the dwelling house of Elijah Frisbie; thence a straight line to a line drawn west from the southwest corner of said Farmington three quarters of a mile ; thence to said corner of Farmington ; thence east on said Farmington south line to the east side of the original twenty rod highway; thence northward to the top of the mountain west of John Merriman's; thence a straight line to the first Station, -praying for society privileges, a committee was ap­pointed [by] this assembly, who having reported in favor of the memorialists, which is approved of by this Assembly and accepted:

Resolved, by this Assembly, that the said Inhabitants living with­in said limits and boundaries as above described be and they are hereby made and constituted a distinct Ecclesiastical Society, and shall be called and known by the name of Farmingbury, with all the privileges and immunities to such societies usually belonging in the Colony, and the said Caleb Barnes hereby has liberty granted him of choosing whether he will be of said New Society or remain and belong to the First Society in Waterbury, and the same liberty is hereby given unto said Elijah Frisbie.

A true Copy of Record,

Examined by

GEORGE WYLLIS, Secretary.

Upon the reception of this grant, application was made to the officers in Farmington and Waterbury, and the ex­ecution of the several papers was attended to as follows:

To Jared Lee, Esq., one of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace in Farmington, in the County of Hartford:

The Honorable Assembly Having Constituted Part of Farm­ington and Part of Waterbury, to be a Distinct Ecclesiastical So­ciety, In October, A. D., 1770, we the Subscribers, Principle [[005]] inhabitants of said Society, Do as the Law Directs make applica­tion to the said Jared Lee, Esq., for a warning to the Inhabitants of said Society for a Society Meeting on Tuesday, the 13th day of November, inst., at 12 of the Clock, at the house of Mr. Joseph Atkins, in said Society.

Principle Inhabitants:

        JOSEPH ATKINS

        AARON HARRISON

        DANIEL BYINGTON

On the above said application of Mr. Joseph Atkins, Capt.  Aaron Harrison, and Daniel Byington- these are therefore to command Capt.  Aaron Harrison in His Majesty's name, to give lawful warning to all the Inhabitants in said Society In Farming too Part allowed by law to vote, to meet at the Dwelling house of Mr. Joseph Atkins on the 13th Day of November, Instant, in said Society, at I2 o'clock of said day to Choose a Moderator and Society Clerk, and to do all other business Proper to be Done at said meeting.

Dated at Farmington, the 5th Day of November, A. D., 1770, and in the 11th year of his Majesty's Reign.

                                                                                                JARED LEE, Just. Peace

Pursuant to this warrant, I have proceeded and given Legal warning to the Inhabitants of Farmingbury, in Farmington Part, for a Society Meeting at the house of Mr. Joseph Atkins, on Tues­day the 13th of November, inst., at 12 of the Clock on said Day.

AARON HARRISON, Inhabitant of said Society.

WARNING FOR WATERBURY PART.

To Mr. Daniel Byington of the Society of Farmington, in the Town of Waterbury, in New Haven County, Greeting:

Whereas, The Honorable General Assembly, in their Session n New Haven, on the 2nd Thursday of October last made and constitiited the said Farmingbury, consisting part of the Town of Farmington, in Hartford County, and part of the Town of Waterb­ury, in New Haven County, a Distinct Ecclesiastical Society, as appears of Record, and it is now necessary that the said Society be convened in Society Meeting for the Lawfull Purposes thereof,­-

These are therefore in His Majesty's name, to Require you to [[006]] warn all the inhabitants of said Waterbury, within the Limits of said Society of Farmingbury, to meet at the Dwelling House of Mr. Joseph Atkins, in said Waterbury, on Tuesday, the 13th Day of Instant Nov., at twelve of the Clock on said Day, then and there to choose a Moderator, Society's Clerk, and other proper Officers, and to do and transact all other Business proper for said meeting according to law.

Dated at Waterbury the 6th day of Nov., 1770, and in the sixth year of His Majesty's Reign.

JOSEPH HOPKINS, Justice Peace.

Inhabitants of said Society:

JOSEPH ATKINS,

AARON HARRISON,

DANIEL BYINGTON

Pursuant to this Warrant, I have Proceeded and given Legal warning to the Inhabitants of Farmingbury, in Waterbury Part, for Society Meeting at the house of Mr. Joseph Atkins, on Tuesday the I3th of Nov. inst., at 12 o'clock on said Day.

DANIEL BYINGTON, Inhabitant of said Society.

The foregoing Instruments are true copies of the warrants granted for the warning of the First Society Meeting in Farming­bury.

Certified by,

DANIEI, BYINGTON, Society Clerk.

FIRST SOCIETY MEETING.

At a Society meeting holden in Farmingbury, the inhabitants being lawfully assembled on the 13th day of November, A. D., 1770, the following votes were, taken.  Capt.  Aaron Harrison was chosen Moderator, Daniel Byington was chosen Society Clerk, Lieut.  Josiah Rogers, Mr. John Alcox, Mr. Stephen Barnes, Mr. John Bronson, and Mr. Amos Seward, were chosen Society Com­mittee for the year ensuing.

Voted, that we will procure preaching the year ensuing-

Voted, to lay a rate of two pence on the pound to be paid on the list of August, 1770, and that the said rate should be paid by the first day of September next.  Curtiss Hall and Daniel Al­cox were chosen to collect said rate.

At the same meeting Lieut. Josiah Rogers was chosen Society [[007]] Treasurer for the year ensuing.  David Norton, Seth Bartholo­mew, Daniel Alcox, Amos Beecher, Joseph Beecber, Justus Peck, Capt.  Aaron Harrison, and Stephen Barnes were chosen School Committee for the year ensuing.

David Warner, Wait Hotchkiss, Simeon Hopkins, Nathaniel Lewis, Capt Aaron Harrison, and Joseph Beecher, were chosen a committee to divide the Society into Districts.  Voted to give Mr. Joseph Atkins £15 sod for the use of his house to meet in on the Sabbath for the year ensuing, till the first of May next.

Jacob Carter, Levi Bronson, Jared Harrison, Stephen Eames, and David Alcox were chosen Choristers for the year ensuing.  Capt.  Aaron Harrison and Mr. Amos Seward were chosen to read the Psalms for the year ensuing.

John Barrett was chosen grave Digger.  At the same meet­ing, voted to build a Meeting house.  Joseph Atkins was chosen Agent to go to the County Court for a committee to stick the stake for said Meeting house.  Capt.  Enos Brooks, Capt.  Enos Atwater, and Col.  Hall were nominated a committee to stick the stake of said Meeting house.  Voted to lay a rate Half Penny on the Pound to defray the Society Charges, and to pay the said half penny rate by the first day of February next, and Joseph Atkins and Jared Hauison were chosen to collect said half penny rate.  Voted to adjourn said meeting to the last Thursday of Inst.  No­vember, at one o'clock in the afternoon.

ADJOURNED MEETING.

At the adjournment the Inhabitants did meet and voted as fol­lows, viz. : To accept the doings of the committee in dividing the Society into Districts.  Voted that the Schooling should be by the poll.  Mr. Samuel Upson was chosen School Committee.  Voted that each School committee shall collect their poll rate each one in his own District.  Adjourned for one hour.  At the adjournment the inhabitants did meet and voted to procure a Book for Records.  Voted to adiourn the meeting to the Third Monday in December next at one o'clock in the afternoon.

Met according to adjournment.  Daniel Johnson and Daniel Byington were chosen to take the marks of stray sheep the year ensuing. [[008]]

Voted to have the Society measured by a County surveyor, and to reconsider the vote taken to lay a rate two pence on the pound in order to procure preaching.  Voted to lay a half penny rate to pay for measuring the Society, and that said half penny rate be paid by the first Day of February next.  Joseph Atkins and Jared Harrison were chosen to collect said half penny rate.  Sergeant Samuel Smith and James Warner and Daniel Bronson were cho­sen chairmen, and Lieut.  Ashbel Potter, County surveyor.  Voted to lay a rate of one penny half penny on the pound to procure preaching, and to pay said rate by the first day of September next, and Abel Curtiss and Curtiss Hall were chosen to collect said rate.  Voted to adjourn the meeting to the last Monday in Inst.  December, at one o'clock in the afternoon.

Met according to adjournment and adjourned to the Second Wednesday of January next at one o'clock in the afternoon.

At the adjournment voted to adjourn half an hour, and then met and voted to confide in what the committee did in fixing a place for the Meeting house.  Voted to have Society meetings on the first Monday of December annually.  Voted to dissolve said meeting.

At a Society meeting holden in Farmingbury, on the 21st day of January, A. D., 1771, the inhabitants being lawfully assembled ,on said day, the following votes were taken.  Capt.  Aaron Har­rison was chosen Moderator to lead the meeting.  Voted to ad­journ the meeting one hour, their met and voted to confide in what the late committee did in fixing a place for a Meeting house and dissolved said meeting.

At a Society meeting holders in Farmingbury, on the 22d day of April, A. D., 1771, the inhabitants being lawfully assembled on said (lay the following votes were taken.  Capt.  Aaron Harrison was chosen Moderator.  Lieut. Josiah Rogers, Mr. Samuel Up son, Mr. Stephen Barnes, Mr. Joseph Beecher, and Mr. Daniel Alcox were chosen a Meeting house Committee.  Voted to have all the land in the Society taxed.  Voted to have the tax three pence per acre for four years.  At the same meeting Capt. Aaron Harrison was chosen agent to apply to the Assembly to procure the said tax.  Mr. Stephen Barnes was chosen for the same purpose.  Voted to give Mr. Jacob Richmond his rate; also [[009]] to give Mr. Jedediah Minor his two half penny rates, and also to give Mr. Joseph Talmage his two half penny rates.  Voted to have preaching this summer, and to lay a half penny rate in ad­dition to the penny half penny to be paid the first of September next.  Adjourned to first Tuesday of June next at three o'clock in the afternoon.

At the time, met and adjourned to last Monday in September next, at one o'clock in the afternoon.

Met according to adjournment, and voted to have the said me­morial for said land tax carried into the next Assembly, giving the agents leave to alter in respect to the Churchmen as they shall find best, and Mr. Samuel Upson and Mr. Daniel Alcox were chosen agents to apply to the Assembly to procure said tax.  Mr. Joseph Atkins was chosen for the same purpose.  Daniel Alcox and Stephen Barnes were chosen to collect said tax.  Voted to have our meeting on the last Monday of November, annu­ally, and to warn said meeting by setting up Notifications at these places, viz. : John Barrett's, Isaac Hopkins', Dan Tuttle’s Shop, Cur­tiss Hall's, and Ensign Welton’s.  Voted to dissolve said meeting.  

These several meetings, as recorded, show the effort and labor and patience expended in forming a new Socie­ty and bringing it into working order, and the manner of attending to such duties in those days.  They also bring forward names that are prominent in these records foi­many years afterward, and names which will appear in va­rious relations, and frequently, in the progress of this Historv.

            Farmingbury did not become a town till 1796. Hence many interests were attended to by the Parish Society which belonged properly to township authority, and not to the Church. In those days it was a principle of Christian duty to take special care of political matters and not to leave them in the hands of the neglecters of piety.  This was supposed to be right and righteous, and human experience concurs with the supposition ; for what would the unprincipled man like better than that lie should take care of politics, while men of principle [[10]] should sit at home to be governed like slaves, and then pay the expenses of government ? What would the thief like better than that he should be left to make the laws and execute them at his own pleasure This is not Church and State united, but church men in the state, acting.  To demand that when a man embraces, personally, the benefits of the gospel, he shall forsake the polit­ical interests of his community and nation, leads only to the revival of the days of the Inquisition, that is, in­fliction of punishment for obedience to the Gospel.

From the first, Farmingbury Parish took supervision of the public schools; appointed the committees; voted how much " schooling " they should have each year ; laid taxes for the support of schools, and directed how these should be collected, and appointed the collectors of these taxes.  They appointed the "grave digger" and the keeper of the "key," and persons to take the "marks of stray sheep." In one instance only did they go to the Assembly for power to lay a tax, and that was for a church rate on all the lands "for maintaining the worship of God."*

* At a General Assembly of the Governor and Company of the Colony of Connecticut holden at New Haven, on the 2nd Thursday of October, Anno Domini, 1771:

Upon the memorial of the Society of Farmingbury, prepared by Joseph Atkins, Samual Espon, and Daniel Alcox, agents for said Society, representing to this Assembly that the list of said society is small and they unable to set up and maintain the worship of God among them without some further help, praying for a tax on all the lands within said Society, &c., as per memorial on file:

Resolved by the Assembly, that a tax of three pence on the acre for the term of four years, to be annually collected, be laid on all the lands within said Society which belong to inhabitants living within said Society not being professors of the Church of England, and also on that part of the non-resident professors, which land is not put on the general list of such non-resident persons and subject to pay taxes in other societies and Towns; and Stephen Barnes of Farmington and Daniel Alcox of Waterbury, are hereby appointed fully empowered to collect the said tax of the proprietors of such lands as aforesaid and the same to pay to the [[011]] committee of said Society, to be improved to set up and maintain a Gospel ministry in said Society, and that the Secretary of the Colony shall issue and sign warrants for collecting of said tax in due form of law.

A true copy of Record,

Examined,

By GEORGE WYLLIS, Secetary.

[[011]]

FIRST SOCIETY IN WOLCOTT


Thus was formed, organized, and put into effectual op­eration the First Ecclesiastical Society in Wolcott, which was as a tree in the wilderness and proved to be "a fruitful vine in the tops of the mountains." The fami­lies of the parish were very much scattered amidst the forests that then covered most of these hills and the small patches of low lands.

It is not certain that at the time of the formation of the parish, there was more than one house at Wolcott Center, that of Abraham Woster, all traces of whose family have disappeared from Wolcott long ago.  He was a carpenter, and was "foreman " or "boss" carpenter at the building of the first Meeting house.  His wife, Rebecca, united with the church on the 12th of January 1777, and on the igth of the same month their son Lyman was baptized.

Mr. Joseph Atkins and his son Joseph lived in one house, a quarter of a mile west of Abraham Woster's house, or of the Center.  Deacon Rogers lived half a mile west of the Center.  Daniel Byington and his son Daniel lived at the "Mill Place." West of this were Mr. John Alcock and several of his children, settled on nearly one thousand acres of land.  North of the Center on the "Bound Line" road there were no residents, except Mr. Talmage, nearer than Thomas Upson, the father bf Charles, Esquire, and where Chartes afterward resided.  The Peck families lived further north-northeast.  East of the Center less than half a mile lived Aaron Harrison (the first Deacon) with his father if then living.  South­west was David Norton ; then Wait Hotchkiss, Isaac Hop­kins, the Sutliff family and Parker family.  In Woodtick [[012]] Judah Frisbie and others; and further east and south, on Bound Line, Amos Seward, and south of him Capt.  Sam­uel Upson on the Turnpike.  On the road from Wolcott to Cheshire were the Halls and Lewises, and east of this on Southington Mountain, the Carters; and further north the Beechers, Brockets, Plumbs, and others. John Bron­son lived in the hollow half a mile directly east of the Cen­ter, and west of Southington Mountain.  It is said that at that time Southington Mountain was the best cultiva­ted part of what is now Wolcott.  And as the forests then consisted of "mighty trees" and the inhabitants were widely separated, it was in reality, "a church in the wil­derness." The wild beasts made night hideous with their he ' ivlings, and it is told as a true story that the mother of the halls used to relate, many years after, how care­ful she was at first, before putting her children to bed, to go to the bed and feel over the top of it, and under the blankets to see if, during the day, the "big snakes" had crept into the children's places.

Another difficulty at this time and for some years after was in the fact that there was not sufficient land cleared to produce food to supply the people, and hence many went to Southington, in summer time, and worked to earn provisions which they carried up the mountain on their backs, so as not to "starve in winter." Much is said at the present day about farming being hard work, but if we were to walk three miles down a mountain, and work from sunrise to sunset and then carry up the mountain three-fourths of a bushel of rye as the reward of such a day's labor we might think farming harder than it now is.  Now, a man laboring by the day earns between two and three bushels of rye, but a hundred years ago he received only three-fourths of a bushel.  The necessity for suidnier work was increased by the fact that very little could be done in the winter by which to get money or provisions.  If they cut down the forests to clear the land, there was no demand for the wood ; this [[013]] must be burned in great heaps where it was cut.  No mechanical work of any extent was required.  The first wag­on in Wolcott was brought in, in 1800, by Lucius Tuttle, and it marked a period of wonder and improvement.  A little could be done by way of getting " logs to the mill " for lumber, but no great amount of work of this kind could be done, for there were but two "sawmills" in the town, one where Mr. Pritchard's mill now is, and one at Woodtick,-and there was but little demand for lumber.  In the house, the women were always at work.  In the fall and beginning of winter they must make the clothes for the family for the year.  As soon as "New Year's Day" was past they prepared to sit down at the “little wheel" to spin the "flax," and from New Year until April the "little wheel " occupied all the leisure time the mother and elder daughters could find.  And in the latter part of spring and on into summer the "big wheel" usurped authority over the "little wheel " and the spin­ning of wool was the great extra work of the house.'

Thus began the church in Wolcott.

[[014]]

CHAPTER 11.

BUILDING A MEETING HOUSE.

At the first meeting of the Society, Nov. 13, 1770, ac­tion was taken in regard to a Meeting house. We find the following votes:

Voted to Build a Meting House.  At the same meeting Joseph Atkins was chosen Agent to go to the County Court for a Committee to stick the stake for said Meeting House.  At the same meeting, Capt. Enos Brooks, Capt. Enos Atwater, and Col. Hall were nominated a committee to stick the stake for said House.  At the same meeting voted to lay a rate Half Penny on the Pound to defray the Society Charges [in this matter].  At the same meeting voted to pay the said Half Penny rate by the first Day of February next, and Joseph Atkins and Jared Harrison were chosen Collectors to collect said rate.”

The energy with which Mr. Joseph Atkins moved in this matter is seen in the fact that the next day after this meeting and after his appointi-nent as agent, he pre­sented his memorial to the Court in Hartford, as appears from the following paper:

APPOINTMENT 11 OF THE COMMITTEE.

"At a County Court held at Hartford, in and for the County of Hartford, on the first Tuesday of November, AD, 1770:

Upon the Memorial of Joseph Atkins of Farmingbury and the Rest of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Farmingbury in said County showing to this Court that at a Society Meeting held in said Society on the 13th day of November, instant, it was voted (wherein more than two thirds of the Inhabitants were in the [[015]] affirmative), to Build a Meeting House in said Parish, and there­upon appointed the said Joseph Atkins their Agent to apply to this Court, for the appointment of a Committee to repair to said Society to affix a stake in said Society, for said Inhabitants to Build a Meeting House upon, for Divine Worship, as per Memo­rial on file, dated the 4th day of November, 1770:

Whereupon this Court appoint Col.  Benjamin Hall, Capt.  Enos Brooks, and Capt.  Enos Atwater, all of Wallingford, in New Haven County, a Committee with full power to repair to the Said Parish of Farmingbury, Notify the Inhabitants of said Parish, View all circumstances, and hear all Parties, and affix a stake upon some convenient spot of ground in said Society, for the Inhabitants thereof to Build a meeting House upon for the Purpose of Divine Worship, and make report of their doings herein to us at the next Court.

A true copy of Record,

Examined By GEORGE WYILYS, Clerk.

NOTIFICATION OF THE COMMITTEE.

To the Inhabitants of the Society if Farmingbury, Greeting:

Whereas, The Honorable County Court at Hartford in Their Session s In November, Instant, appointed us subscribers a Committee with instructions to, repair to Said Society, Give warning to the Inhabitants, view their circumstances, Hear the Parties, &c., and affix a Place for said Inhabitants to build a meeting house upon:

These are Therefore to Notify said Inhabitants to Attend on said Committee on The Last Tuesday of Instant November by Their Agents, Committees, or otherwise as They Shall Think fit in order to Enable said Committee to Do The business assigned Them by Said Court, and Mr. Joseph Atkins of Sd Society is hereby Desired to Notify said Inhabitants accordingly.  Dated at Wallingford the 23rd of November, Anno 1770.

Committee:

                               BENJAMIN HALL,

                               ENOS BROOKS,

                               ENOS ATWATER,

[[016]]

ORDER OF THE COURT

At a adjourned County Court holden at Hartford, in and for the County of Hartford, on the fourth Tuesday of January, Anno Domini, 1771

Whereas, upon the Memorial of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Farmingbury by their agent Joseph Atkins praying for a Com­mittee to affix a place in said Society for the Inhabitants thereof to Build a Meeting House upon, for Divine Worship, the County Court at their sessions at Hartford within and for Hartford Coun­ty on the first Tuesday of November, A.D., 1770, appointed Ben­jamin Hall, Esq., Capt.  Enos Brooks, Capt.  Enos Atwater a Com­mittee to repair to said Society of Farmingbury- hear all parties and view all circumstances, and affix a place for the Inhabitants thereof to Build a Meeting House upon, for Divine Worship as by the records of said County Court fully appears.

The said Committee having Returned their report in the Premises therein setting forth that on the 27th, 28th, and 29th Days of November, 1770, the Said Parish before being Notified to attend them, did repair to Said Parish of Farmingbury and there heard all parties and viewed all circumstances, and there affixed a Place in said Society, and erected a stake thereon, with stones about it, viz.: on a Beautiful Eminence and on the line Dividing between the Towns of Waterbury and Farmington, a little North­erly of Mr. Abraham Worster's Dwelling House in said Society, near where the North and South Highways cross each other in said Society as per Report on file, Dated the 30th Day of Novem­ber, 1770, which said report this Court accept and approve of, and thereupon this Court Order and Direct that the Place mentioned in the said report of the said Committee be and the same is here­by Established as the Place whereon the said Society Shall Erect and build a Meeting House, for the Purpose of Divine Worship accordingly.

A True Copy of Record,

Examined

By GEORGE WYLLYS, Clerk.

           The Papers containing the above action of the Court are still preserved, and are signed in the hand writing of George Wyllys, Clerk of Records.  After being folded, [[017]] on one is written: "Copy of record for Mr. Joseph Atkins.

Court Fees       9/3

5

and Copying fee 6/£o 15'3 "

Mr. Atkins' name in these papers, and frequently in the church Records, is spelled Adkins.  It is herein uni­formly written Atkins ; because when be signed the Deed to the Society, he wrote his name " Joseph Atkins."

This order of the court was given during the Court term which began on the fourth Tuesday of January, 1771; but before the order was received by the Society, and probably before the court made the order, the Society took the following action on the report of the committee, in a Society meeting held on the Second Wednesday of January, 1771 : "Voted to confide in what the late Committee did in fixing a place for the Meeting house." On the 21st day of the same month, in another Society meeting, they again " Voted to confide in what the late Committee did in fixing a place for a Meeting house."

In the next April, 22nd day, at a Society meeting, the following persons were chosen a "Meeting House Com­mittee :"Lieut.  Josiah Rogers, Mr. Samuel Upson, Mr. Stephen Barnes, Mr. Joseph Beecher, Mr. Daniel Alcox.

This was a choice committee.  These men were reli­able, good men; equal, under ordinary circumstances, to the work committed to them; but the difficulties around and before them were peculiarly numerous.  The Parish was new, not yet six months old, and had assumed nearly all the responsibilities of a Town, without the benefits.  They had the work of dividing the parish into school districts, laying taxes for the support of these schools, providing school houses in some parts, and the ordering of the number of months school should be kept.  They appointed a committee to survey the parish and fix the boundaries, and laid a tax to pay the expenses of sur­veying. [[018]]

The Society meetings had voted, besides school tax and surveying tax, a tax for the committee to fix the stake for the Meeting house ; a tax of "one penny half-penny" to procure preaching, and the tax of three pence per acre granted by the Assembly, for "Maintaining of Divine Worship." Besides this, the country was new.  Some of these men were born in Wolcott, but were the first gene­ration. Their fathers all, as near as we can learn, immi­grated to Wolcott.  How were they to build a meeting house?  If the house could be built at the cost of five hundred dollars, from whence was the money to come?  This committee doubtless consulted together, and with the people of the Parish, and much desired to see that Meeting house, but we hear nothing of it for six months.

There was but one thing unfortunate about that committee; the name of Joseph Atkins was not at its bead.  He never slept six months at a time; when he moved others moved also.  Whatever he touched seemed to rise to life, like the bones of the old prophet.  As far as the record shows, be never failed but once, and that when sent by this parish as agent to the General Assembly in 1787 to secure town privileges.  The united opposition of the adjoining towns of Waterbury and Southington was too strong for the energetic Joseph.  Had he been on the committee there would have been some work done somewhere, and a report made at the next meeting ; but as it was, they came to the meet­ing on the 22d day of next November, made Mr. Joseph Atkins moderator, and the first business done is recorded thus: "Voted to go about building a Meeting house forthwith." Voted to build said house 58 feet in length and 42, feet wide.  Voted to have said house 24 feet between joints.  Voted to face said house to the south.  Voted to board the body of said house.  Voted to shingle said house with chestnut shingles.  Voted to clapboard said house with ‘drent’ oak."

On the first Tuesday of the next December, about two [[019]] weeks after the above meeting, they met and "Voted to take 12 feet from the length of the house, and 8 feet from the width, and two feet from the height." Also, “Voted that Abraham Wester should be master builder on said house."

Another meeting was held on the first Tuesday of January, 1772, when it was "Voted to add to the length of said meeting house six feet, and four feet to the breadth." After these last votes there appears to have arisen some further discussion about the Meeting house, when they voted to "Reconsider half the votes taken in said meeting, respecting building a Meeting house, and dissolved said meeting."

This last vote seems to have referred to all the votes taken in all the previous meetings in regard to the build­ing of a Meeting house, for on the 2oth day of the same month (January, 1772), they held another meeting, in which the only business recorded was concerning the Meeting house, as follows: "Voted to build a Meeting house 48 feet long and 36 feet wide.  Voted to have the height of said house left with the carpenter.  Voted to cover said house as the first proposed house was voted to be covered.  Voted to give Mr. Abraham Wester 24 shil­lings for his services." From these records it appears that some work in making preparations, or estimates for building had been done by the master carpenter, and also by others, towards the building of the house.  We are not informed as to the method pursued in building, except it appears that the work was not let by the job, but done by the day, as to the master builder.  Whether work or lumber and materials were given by the parishioners, we are not directly informed, but the probability, from the facts mentioned, is that much was given in this way.*

 
*The frame of the Meeting house was, probably, raised about the first of April, 1772, lot no record is found concerning it, except the following, which written on the inside of the back cover of the Society Book, without date : " Capt.  Hopkins, Ensign Beecher, Daniel Byington, Isaac [[020]] Twitchell, Joseph Atkins, Jr., Abraham Woster, Isaac Cleveland, Elijah Gaylord, to sell liker and vitels During the time of Raising the meeting house, and any Body Else that is a mind to."
[[020]]

On the first Monday in March next a meeting was held and further action taken.  "Voted to lay the underpin­ning of the Meeting house in lyme mortar.  Voted to have the window frames made of chestnut, and to have 24 panes of 7 by 9 glass in each window."

            The next meeting was held on the first Monday of April, one month later, when they " Voted to lay a rate of two pence on the pound, to defray the Meeting house charges, and that said rate should be paid by the first of October next."

It is very probable that from the first Mr. Joseph Atkins agreed to give the land on which to build a Meeting house, but now that that house was in process of construc­tion, and probably the frame was standing in its place, and a tax was to be collected to pay for the building of the house, it was very proper that it should rest on a good title of land, so that no trouble should arise from this direction.  Therefore Mr. Atkins proceeded to execute the deed.  And here again is seen the character of Joseph Atkins. Instead of giving a plot of ground one hundred feet by fifty, he gave two acres.  This land was given, as is scen by the deed, from the noblest impulses and for the noblest ends.  And wben thus devoted to the publishing of " good tidings " to lost men, it is saddening to know that on one corner of this square was erected a " whipping post," and that at this post were whipped several persons, and among them one woman for stealing.

THE DEED.*

* The original deed is preserved.


"To all people to whom these presents shall come greeting.  Know ye that I, Joseph Atkins, of Waterbury, in the County of New Haven, in the Colony of Connecticut, in New England, for the Consideration of the love and good will which I have and do [[021]] bear to the Society of Farmingbury, part of which is in Waterbury aforesaid, and part in Farmington, in the County of Hartford, do give, grant, convey, & Confirm onto David Norton, Amos Seward, Daniel Alcox, Stephen Barnes, and Joseph Beecher, as they are Society's Committee for sd Society and their Successors in Quality of Society's Committee, and to the rest of the Inhab­itants of the Society of Farmingbury aforesaid, to be Used & im­proved for the only purpose of Building and continuing a Meeting House for the Public Worship of God thereon, and for needful and convenient accommodations around the same, Two acres of Land.  That is to say, one acre at the Southwest corner of the forty-first Long lot in the West Division in the Township of Farmington aforesaid, Eleven Rods & an half wide at the West end, and nine Rods & an half wide at the East End, Extending East from the Line between the Towns so far as to make one acre buting West on the Line of Waterbury aforesaid, South on High­way, East and North on the Remainder of the said 41st Lot.

And also one acre of land in the Township of Waterbury aforesaid, lying West from the above described land adjoining to the Highway between ad Waterbury & Farmington Twelve Rods wide, North and South, to extend West so far as to make one acre, Buting Northward on Highway, West and South on my own land, & East on Highway; which Land Described as aforesaid, I, the sd Atkins, make over to the Society of Farniingbury aforesd, for their use and benefit as above sd, & for the Church to be gathered, & which shall or may Worship in the said House to be Erected according to the Method, Doctrines, & Discipline now owned and practiced by the churches in the Colony, whither Called Presbyterian, Congregational, or Consociated by way of Distinction from Episcopalians, Baptists, Separatists, or other Secre­taries,- To have and to hold the above granted and given prem­ises, with all the Privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging, into them the act grantees and to their successors forever, to & for the use aforesaid.  And also I, the said Joseph Atkins, do for my­self and my Heirs, Executors, and administrators, Covenant with the said Grantees and their successors, that at & until the Ensealing of these presents I am well seized of the premises as a good indefeasible Estate in Fee simple, and have good Right to give [[022]] and Convey the same in manner and form as is above written, and that the Same is free of all Encumbrances whatever.  And fur­thermore, I, the sd Atkins, do by these presents Bind myself and my Heirs forever to warrant and Defend the above granted and given premises to them the sd Grantees and their successors against all Claims and Demands whatever.  In Witness, whereof, I have hereunto set my hand. and seal, the 8th Day of June, in the 12th year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, George the Third of Great Britain, &c., King, A.D., 1772.

JOSEPH ATKINS

Signed. sealed, and delivered in the presence of

JOSEPH ATKINS.

LAURA HOPKINS.

N.B. The words Eleven Rods & an half Interlined in the 16th line, and the words nine Rods and an half Interlined in the 17th line, and the word eleven, Interlined in the 23rd line, were wrote before the Deed was signed.

Waterbury, in New Haven County, the Day and Date above written, Personally appeared Mr. Joseph Atkins, Signer & Scaler of the foregoing Instrument, and acknowledged the same to be his Free act and Deed.

Before me JOSEPH HOPKINS, Justs.  Peace."

On the Deed, after being folded, is written:

<>" David Norton & others, Inhabitants of Farmingbury.  Deed of Gift of Joseph Atkins. Reed.  June 12th, A. D., 1772, & is Recorded in Farmington, 17th Book of Records, page 427.  Pr Sal. Whitman, Regr. Reed also to Record in Waterbury, July the 6tb, A. D., 1772.

And Recorded in Waterbury Land Records, Book 15th, Page 312. Pr Ezra Bronson, Recorder."

While Mr. Atkins was thus doing his part, the Meeting house was rising to perfectness in its - place, and the people seemed ready to do their part as the cause might need.  They were not only ready to pay the tax already assessed in behalf of the Meeting house, but they met [[023]] again on the "Third Monday of August, following, and voted to lay a rate of four pence on the pound, to be paid the first of December next, said rate being to defray the Meeting house charges."

In order to know what an effort it was for the people to build this church, we must take a little survey of the parish.  The territory was newly settled.  The older, active men in the Society, such as Joseph Atkins, Sen., Curtiss Hall, and Joan Bronson, were born elsewhere, and had come into the community and settled as farmers.  The younger men, like Aaron Harrison, Daniel Byington, Jr., Joseph Atkins, Jr., and many others who were active mem­bers in the Society, were born here, or a little time before their parents came here, and were just beginning in the world, having no fortune of money, or old homesteads left them.  The sixteen thousand acres of land in the parish, with all other taxable property, amounted in the assess­ment on the tax list to about two dollars and fifty cents per acre, or forty thousand dollars, or $8,ooo.  Some of this amount belonged to Episcopalians, and hence was not available to the parish.  The parish proper contained about seventy-five families, and the $40,000 divided equally among them, gives them about five hundred dol­lars of farming capital each, in the assessment list.

If we were building a church to-day, and should find a family with only such a capital in farming, we would be moved to pass by without asking a dollar, even for the church.  Yet they taxed themselves toward blinding the church equal to six dollars a family.  Several of these families were building houses for their own shelter from the cold and the storm.*

* Quite a number of them were living in log house.

How could they, with all other expenses growing out of the forming of a new parish, build and pay for a meeting house ? Yet they did it, for the house was built at [[024]] that time, and we hear nothing of debts for a meeting house afterward.*
* Since writing the above I have found that there was a small amount of indebtedness for the lumber, not paid till some ten to twelve years after.

On the 26th day of October, 1772, at a parish meeting, they voted to have "our meetings for the future in the Meeting house." Here was the Meeting house so far completed that they could hold meetings in it.  What a day of gladness to all who loved the "Hill of Zion" must that leave been when they first assembled in that house!

 This Meeting house stood on the north side of the "Green," or "Square," facing the Green, and also facing the south.  The principal door was in the front, and there was a door also in each end, east and west.  It is said that the house stood on the line that divided the towns from which the parish was formed,- half in Waterbury and Half in Farmington. The house at first was not finished inside.  The floor ",as laid, the frame-work of the gallery was put in its place, and the stairs were built, The gallery may have been used some on special occasions, and for the singers, in which case a temporary flooring must leave been laid, but ordinarily the singers sat below.  The house was furnished in the simplest manner for some ten years, there being neither pews, stationary seats, nor per­manent pulpit.

There were probably but little if any dedicatory ser­vices, as they had no pastor, though they were trying to arrange with a Mr. Jackson to become their pastor ; but in this they did not succeed.

Rev. Mr. Keys said, in an obituary notice, that Deacon Aaron Harrison made the first public prayer that was made in this house.  This is all we can learn of dedica­tory services.

At this time there were neither church organization nor church officers.  The Society was organized, and had a Meeting house, and the parish had charge of many duties [[025]] which were attended to by town officers in other parts.  In Westbury and Waterbury the town managed ecclesi­astical matters for years, but in Farmingbury the Eccle­siastical Society conducted many interests belonging to the towns.

As illustrative of the many interests they attended to, we give a list of the officers chosen at some of the Society meetings for a few years after the organization:

OFFICERS CHOSEN NOV. 13, 1770.

Moderator, Capt.  Aaron Harrison; Clerk for the year, Daniel Byington, Sen.; Society Committee for the Year, Lieut.  Josiah Rogers, Mr. John Alcox, Mr. Stephen Barnes, Mr. John Bronson, Mr. Amos Seward; Collectors to collect the Society Rate, Curtiss Hall and Daniel Alcox; Treasurer, Lieut.  Josiah Rogers; School Committee for the year, David Norton, Seth Bartholomew, Daniel Alcox, Amos Beecher, Joseph Beecher, Justus Peck, Capt.  Aaron Harrison, Stephen Barnes, and Samuel Upson; Special Commit­tee to Divide the Society into Districts, David Warner, Wait Hotchkiss, Simeon Hopkins, Nathaniel Lewis, Capt.  Aaron Har­rison, Joseph Beecher; To read the Psalms for the year, Capt.  Aaron Harrison and Mr. Amos Seward; Grave-Digger, John Barrett.

Voted that the schooling should be by the poll, and that each School Committee shall collect their poll rate in his district.

In December of the same year, 1770, at the adjourned meeting, they again elected officers:

To take the marks of Stray Sheep, Daniel Johnson and Daniel Byington; Chainmen, to measure the Society, Sergt.  Samuel Smith, James Warner, and David Bronson; County Surveyor, Lieut.  Ashbel Potter.  To collect the Rate to pay for Surveying the Parish, Abel Curtiss and Curtiss Hall.

1771.

At the annual meeting held in November, 1771, they

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