MR. HARRIMAN, MR. STREET, MR. WHITTELSEY.
In the year 1672, Rev. Samuel Street, son of Rev. Nicholas Street, pastor of the church at New Haven,1
1 Nicholas Street was born in England, and received his education at one of the universities there; and about the year 1638 he was settled at Taunton, in the Plymouth Colony, as colleague with Mr. Hooker, at first organization of the church there. He removed to New Haven and was ordained, according to the church records, "the 26th of the 9th, 1659." Of the character of Mr. Nicholas Street, as of his life, we know but little. He appears to have been a pious, judicious, modest man. His Considerations upon the Seven Propositions concluded by the Synod," published as an appendix to Mr. Davenport's more elaborate
109
was invited to settle at Wallingford; and in April, 1673, he removed his family there, and in 1674 was installed as pastor of the church. After Mr. Street had consented to become their minister, two committees were appointed: one was to see that Mr. Street's goods were brought from New Haven and landed at some convenient place, the other to see that they were thence carted up to Wallingford. To us this seems to indicate a curious mode of intercourse between the two towns. But then owing to the state of the roads, it was no doubt easier to send the goods from New Haven harbor, up the Quinnipiac river, as far perhaps as North Haven, and from thence by land to Wallingford.
Mr. Street was graduated at Harvard College in 1664, and was forty years old when he came to Wallingford. He received an annual salary before any church was gathered there. It may serve to convey some idea of the character of the people, that in 1673, when their own poor dwellings were hardly erected, and they were struggling with all the untold difficulties of a wilderness, and when their whole number, men, women and children, hardly exceeded one hundred, they voted to build a house for their minister, and to pay him a salary of L50. If our western settlements now had as much courage and energy, we should have small need of Home Missionary Societies. February 24, 1673, "itt was ordered that Mr. Street's house be Raised at the Townes charge." At a Court of Election held at Hartford, May 12, 1681,
book on the same subject, shows great clearness of thought, and some pungency of style. That he was no inferior preacher, may be inferred from the fact that he was found worthy to succeed Mr. Hooker, and that he maintained his standing as the colleague of Mr. Davenport. The whole course of his ministry in New Haven was about sixteen years and a half.
110
"The Court for the encouragement of Mr. Samuel Streete grant him two hundred acres of land, provided he take it up where it may not prejudice any former grant to any person, or plantation."
This was laid out April 24, 1682, in Wallingford, and by him conveyed, June 27, 1686, to Mr. John Hulls, of Derby. Jan. 12, 1685, there was granted to Mr. Street,
"A house lott containing six acres as may appear by the act of the town in folio 5, also six acres of Land by exchange with the town in folio 30, being laid out by the town sur-veighor, and lying on the east side of the town being the sixth house lott in number, and bounded on the south by Abraham Dowlittle, Junr, on the North side and on the west and east end by the town street being fourty eight Rods long and 40 rods wide and so they lye for twelve acres more or less."1
At a town meeting held in Wallingford, April 28, 1696,
"The Town voted to allow Mr. Saml Street as A recompense of his labour in ye worke of ye ministry in ye year 1696 ye full & just sum of one hundred pounds in provision pay, only ye sd Mr. Street is to find himself firewood & he will set A week in ye forepart of ye sumer & A week in ye latter part of ye sumer yt each man may bring A load of wood or two if ye sd Mr. Street se Cause & yt Mr, Street will allow 2 & 6d P load to each man."
During Mr. Street's residence in Wallingford, he exerted a great influence in all the affairs of the town, and was much respected by all the inhabitants. He answered to a letter, Cowper's description of a preacher, such as Paul, were he on earth, would hear, approve and own:
l On the town records there are seven other grants of land to Mr. Street, amounting in all to one hundred and twenty acres.
111
"Simple, grave, sincere;
In doctrine uncorrupt, in language plain,
And plain in manner, decent, solemn, chaste,
And natural in gesture; much impressed
Himself, as conscious of his awful charge,
And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds
May feel it too; affectionate in looks,
And tender in address, as well becomes
A messenger of grace to guilty men."
Mr. Street died January 16, 1717, aged eighty-two years; a venerable man, to whom age had come "frostly but kindly," and whose last days were like those of an Indian summer, serene and beautiful, even till the stars appeared in heaven. He was pastor of the church for forty-two years.1 Time was when the location of a minister in any particular place, as pastor of a church, was regarded as a permanent establishment. Until near the close of the last century, the dismission of a pastor was an event of uncommon occurrence; a thing which gave occasion for much remark; and the cause of dismission was the subject of earnest inquiry. Councils, when called to act on the question of dissolving the connection between a pastor and his church, long hesitated before coming to a decision. It was long the custom in Connecticut, for the young men and women of a parish to celebrate the occasion of the settlement of a new minister by a ball on the evening following the day of his ordination or installation. This was termed the "ordination ball," and was sometimes conducted with
1 His youngest son, Nicholas, was settled in Groton; the eldest, Samuel, had three sons, Captain Elnathan, Samuel, and John. The eldest daughter was married to Deacon John Peck, and died before her father. One was married to Theophilus Yale, and another to Joshua Culver. The widow of Mr. Street died July 12, 1730.
112
such propriety and decorum that church members and even the new pastor would honor the ball with their presence. They ultimately came to be regarded as a scandal, and were at last suppressed by public sentiment.1
As Mr. Street became unable to perform the duties of his office, it became necessary to provide a colleague and successor. The forethought and action of the people in the matter are set forth in the following votes:
"July 26, 1708. The town voted that they apprehended it was their duty to take care and Look out to geat another
jpeg
113
minister. .... The town voted that they would chouse a commetie to Seeke out and to take the advice for the procuring and bring in a minister to seatle in the place."
Five men were chosen as a committee, who invited Mr. Whittelsey to preach; and on the 20th of September,
"The town by a unanimous vot did confiearme the com-mities agreement with mr. Sam1. Whittelsey in order to his Seatelment in the work of the minestry in our town."
After preaching some time, the people being satisfied with his labors, invited him to become their pastor. The following is the letter in which the call was communicated:
"MR. WHITTELSEY, SUR:-The subscribers hereof being a committee appointed and empowered by the town of Wallingford as may appear by their record bearing date April 4, 1789; to treat with yourself in order to a settlement with us in the ministry, and for your incouragement to comply with us therein, doe propose to make such grants of Lands and other incouragements following-first we doe give and grant to you the said Mr. Samuel Whittelsey, a six acar lott of land lying neare the meting house; and one acar and a half of the west end Deaken John Hall's home lott for a building lott, to be bought for you: also a peace Land at south ward side the Leatel quarter on the hill on which the town stands fifteen acars; and seaven acars of pasture land on the north side of Nath'l Ives home lott: also a meadow lott of land in the common field on the west side of the river of twenty acars and known by the name of the parsonage; and fore acars of plaine in the same field called town lott, also a farm of one hundred and fifty acars of Land att Pilgrim's Harbor called the town farm with all the un laid outt land adjoining, and one hundred pound right in common-age and in all undivided land, all
114
which shall be to the said Mr. Sam'1 Whittlesey, his heirs, executors and administrators and assigns for ever, as an estate of inheritance in fee simple: Likewise the said committee do agree to build a house for the s'd Mr. Sam'll Whittlesey of forty-two feets in Length and twenty feets in breadth, tow stories hye, with a porch and a back kitching and finish it deasantly the said Mr. Samuel Whittlesey to provide glass and nales: which house is to be soe built within tow years: the s'd committee doth farther agree that the said Mr. Whittlesey shall have a Sallery of Seaventy pound a year for the tow first years and the thurd yeare eighty pound and One hundred pound a yeare ever after, soe long as he carrieth on the work of the ministry: which Sallery shall be paid in wheat at five shillings par bushel, rye at three shillings sixpence par bushel, indian corne at two shillings sixpence par bushel, pork at threepence farding par pound, and if it soe fell out that there doth not come a supply of fire, wood yearly to the s'd Mr. Whittlesey by parsons appearing to do it gratis, then the town are obliged to take the care, and find him his wood in some other way -but if the providence of God should so order that the said Mr. Sam'11 Whittlesey dye leaving no male Hare that is a natural issue of his bodye, then the six acar lott by the meeting house, and the meadow lott called the parsonage to returne to the town againe, to the true and honest intent and parformans of the preameses we the before named committee have sett our names.
"thomas yale, john hall, sr., samuel hall, john meariman, thomas curtis, john hall, john parker."
Mr, Whittelsey accepted this call, and in September," 1709, "The town voted and Laid a Rait of eight pence upon the pound for the caring on of the work mr.. Sam'll Whittelsey hous fore pence upon the pound to be
115
paid upon this year's List and fore pence to be paid upon the next year's List." He was installed May, 1710.
Rev. Samuel Whittelsey was born at Saybrook, Conn., in 1686. He was the youngest son of John Whittelsey, who was the emigrant ancestor of all who bear the name, and Ruth (Dudley Whittelsey). He was graduated at Yale College in 1705, and five years afterwards was installed as colleague with Mr. Street. Here he continued until his death, which took place on the 15th of August, 1752, just as he was entering his sixty-seventh year. He was a fellow of Yale College from 1732 to 1752. Mr. Whittelsey married July 1, 1712, Sarah, the youngest daughter of Rev. Nathaniel Chauncey of Hatfield, Mass., and granddaughter of President Chauncey of Harvard College. She was born in 1683, She was a woman of active mind and energy of character. For the accomodation of the parish, which at that time included all the inhabitants of the town, she kept a store of goods. Her house was the abode of hospitality, even after the death of her husband. The Governor of the State had been in the habit of taking dinner at Mr. Whittelsey's, when on the way to meet the legislature at New Haven. After the death of Mr. Whittelsey, he passed on one occasion without stopping, very much to her dissatisfaction. "To think," said she, "that he should come to see us so often that his horse refused to go by without stopping until he was whipped; and now that he should refuse to stop and see me in my affliction!" She died October 20, or 23, 1767, aged eighty-four years.
President Stiles, in an obituary of Mr. Whittelsey, published shortly after his death, in the Boston "Post Boy," speaks of him as follows: "He was a gentleman of penetrating genius, solid judgment and extensive
116
understanding; indefatigable and unwearied in his application to study and liberal inquiry, by which his acquaintance with the sciences became extensive, his knowledge universal, and in moral wisdom he had few equals. Under the influence of Christian principles, his soul flowed to diffusive benevolence; he lived the religion he inculcated, and recommended it by the powerful charms of a virtuous example. His talents as a preacher were singular, being master of an engaging elocution and address, and in composition judicious and instructive. He ministered intellectual food, and entertained his audience with the beaten oil of the sanctuary. He labored with delight in word and doctrine. The services and devotions of the sanctuary were his supreme pleasure. In many ways, by his extensive influence, he served the church of Christ, and the public glory of his kingdom. Happy in offspring and a well educated family, his sons under the advantage of a liberal education, survived him in his genius, improvements and Christian character. As a private Christian, he was exemplary, virtuous and pious; had a natural reservedness of mind which rendered him singular in bearing injuries which the best can't escape; and when reviled, he reviled not again, but retaliated in gratitude with that meekness and goodness which extorted veneration from the partial, as well as obtained a cheerful tribute from the candid judge of merit. Not less eminent was his patience, especially in the lengthened illness which finished his life. The supports of religion and a well regulated life, shone in the steady calmness and composure of his temper during his illness; while a mortification in his legs and feet, arising from an ill state of blood and disorder of body, preyed upon him,
117
and in a gradual decline extinguished his life. Thus died Samuel the prophet, full of days and the Holy Ghost; after he had long and faithfully served his generation, he 'fell on sleep, was gathered to his fathers, and all Israel lamented him.' "
Dr. Chauncey of Boston said of him, that he was one of the greatest men in Connecticut. He had not only a clear, strong head, but the clearest way of expressing his thoughts upon any difficult subject, of any one he was acquainted with. "I have heard him say, that when he had clear ideas of any subject he could communicate with the same clearness, and do it with ease."1 He was one of the most eminent preachers in the colony in his day, a laborious, faithful minister of Christ, applying his whole time to his work, and shone with distinction in intellectual and moral attainments. One of the old writers says: "He was esteemed an heavenly man."2
1 Chauncey Memorials, p. 203. Mr. Whittelsey published an Election Sermon, 1730; a Sermon on the death of John Hall, 1730; a Sermon on the woful condition of impenitent souls in their separate state, 1731; a Sermon on the ordination of his son, 1737.
2 Samuel, the eldest son of Rev. Samuel Whittelsey, was born November, 1714, was graduated in 1729, and held the office of tutor in Yale College from 1732 till 1738. It was during the period of his tutorship that he was invited by the church in Milford to settle as colleague pastor with the Rev. Samuel Andrews. He accepted the call, but a large minority in the parish remonstrated against his ordination, on the alleged ground that he was an Arminian in his theology, and that his preaching savored too little of Christian experience. The council called to ordain him were divided in their judgment of the case; and his ordination was finally the result of a compromise, which resulted, after all, in the formation of a second society. He was ordained November 8, 1738, and continued in the discharge of his official duties till his death, which took place October 22, 1768. His widow, who was a lady of high intellectual and moral qualities, afterwards became the wife of the Hon. Jabez Ham-lin, of Middletown, who was, for many years, distinguished in civil life.
118
The old house with its "two pues" and "gallers," could not well contain the growing population, for some of the hearers had to put up with rather inconvenient church accommodations. But of these they were cut short by the following peremptory and rather uncour- teous vote of the town in 1716: "ordered that the alleys in the meeting house be cleared of chairs and stools, and the constable see that it be done." Where the occupants of these "chairs and stools" bestowed them selves after this unceremonious ejectment we do not know; but it is quite probable that they agitated effect- ually the project of a new and better house; for in a few months we find a new church edifice in progress. In September 23, 1717,
"The town by their voat signified that they thought it was there Duty to begin about a new meeting house & chose capt. john Hall, en curtis, ser. Hart, Gideon ives, william ward, joseph parker, Robert Hall, & Satt Hall a committee to manage the affairs & carri on the work about the new meeting house. .... And the forms of the house to be like gilford meeting house and be left to ye committee to make sum little alteration if they see cause; And layed a rate of eight pence on the pounde for the careing on the metting hous."
A question arose as to the place where the meeting-house should stand; whereupon it was decided that it should stand where "the timbers for the same now lies," which was almost in front of the present Congregational church, the steeple being at the north end of the house, which fronted east. Preparations were going forward during the whole of the year, and in 1718, the house was raised. The committee for raising the frame work of the house divided the inhabitants of the town into three
119
parts. Each division of the inhabitants was faithfully to attend to the raising of the house when called upon; and should this arrangement fail, then the committee were empowered to hire them. It was
"Voted that the metting hous floure shall be layed with good single Boards well Rabbited. .... The towne voated that the metting hous shall have pues maid all round it and ye rest of ye hous shall be long seats."
This last vote indicates the further increase of luxurious habits, inasmuch as the "two pews" of the old house were multiplied into a whole range of "pues," built all around the sides of the new house. The next vote was to raise funds for the building.
"April 28, 1719, the Town voated yt they would git so many staves as will load vessell and they chose Capt. Hall to make a bargain for ye town in ye Disposall of ye staves, they obliged themselves to git:-in buying glass1 and nales and promise to indemnifie hall from any damages thereby if he shall need to stand or give bonds."
The house was completed and occupied in 1720. It was a large house, three stories high, with two tiers of galleries, one above the other, somewhat in the manner
1 In January, 1719, Mr. John Russel proposed to furnish the glass for the new house, and his offer was accepted. The contract was as follows:
"Wallingford, January 5, 1719.
"John Russel of Wethersfield, Glazier, will oblige himself to make all the Glass for the New Meeting house workman like and to do it as cheap as ye Market price for such Glass, and will begin about May next; and take his pay in good Barrel staves by the last of June at current Market price. Only his necessary charge whilst he is about the work to be borne, he allowing it out of the price of the glass.
"In presence of: ebenezer brown, john russel, john winston, john hall, sam'l. hull."
120
of a theater, and of the "old South" church in Boston; a mode of building churches quite common during the last century. The upper gallery was of course very high, and as its occupants were almost entirely out of sight, it furnished an admirable place for boys to cluster together and play. Even in the old house it had been found necessary in 1677, to
"Vote that Eliazur Peck be desired to looke to ye boyes on ye saboth that they keep good order at meeting;" and again in 1713, "the town chos Sergtt Daniel Hall to look after boys on ye saboth day."
jpeg THIRD CHURCH.
In the new house they found it necessary to deny the boys admission altogether into so tempting a place as the upper gallery, for in
"April 25, 1721, voated that no young man shall go up
121
into the upper gallery to sett there on the Saboth day under eighteen yeare old. "September 16, 1716, the town voated and gave liberty that particular men may build a steeple to our meeting house."
But it was not until January 9, 1728, that a "belfree" was built, the top of which was crowned by a large brass rooster.
The present custom of renting the seats in churches was then unknown: and in the new house there would be quite a choice between the "pues" and the "long seats." In order to arrange or prevent all disputes for precedence in the matter, a committee was appointed "to dignify and seat the meeting-house." In assigning seats to the respective individuals and families, the committee were enjoined by vote "to respect the aged who had been serviceable to the town," and also "to have respect to those who had borne commissions." After giving the best seats to these dignitaries, they were instructed to have "this general rule for seating the meeting, viz.: the lists, on which the charges are raised." If a plan had been devised for creating and perpetuating envy, jealousy and pride, no more ingenious scheme could have been invented for that purpose, than this attempt to arrange people in the house of God, every Sabbath day, according to their wealth and supposed rank. Many an individual would probably form quite a different estimate of his "dignity," from the committee. What feelings were engendered have been forgotten, except in one instance we learn that one man to whom was assigned a position on the "long seats," having made known his grievance, had redress as follows:
"The town by their voat gave Capt. John Hall, liberty to
122
make him self a pew in the new metting hous, near the east Dore, on men's side on his own charge. .... December 18, 1716, the town voated that Robert Roys should sett in ye fore in ye meeting hous, and that Capt Hall senr set in the Deacons seat and capt Hall junr to set in ye first pue & Capt. Doolittle to set in ye second pue. December 20, 1720, the town gave Mrs Whittelsey liberty to choose her self a pew in the new metting hous. February 8, 1732; voated the ancient comitee shall find some sutable seat for Mr Studley where he may sett on Saboth Days."
The custom was maintained here until the occupation of the house which was built in 1831. In September, 1718, it was voted that a steeple should be built for the meeting-house, but it was not until 1728, that anything was done in regard to it; and in January of that year a belfry was built. This house was occupied until 1824, when it was taken down to make room for the fourth house of worship.