NOTE R. p. 43.

NOTICES OF THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY IN FARMINGTON.

(The Biographical Sketches in this Note, are copied from the manuscripts of Governor

Treadwell.)

On the day of July, A. D. 1812, in the 85th year of his age, departed this life the Rev. Timothy Pitkin, who for thirty three years had served the first society in this town in the work of the gospel ministry.

He had a vigorous constitution, and through the greater part of his life enjoyed a good state of health; and finally the lamp of life was extinguished, after he had attained to a good old age, not so much by the force of disease, as by a gradual but rapidly increasing decay, which, as the closing scene approached near, was attended with much pain, and at times with a mental weakness or partial derangement, yet so that he could recognize his friends, and his true situation, and could manifest his joy at the prospect of his speedy deliverance.

Mr. Pitkin was a good classic scholar, and had acquired by reading and extensive acquaintance with gentlemen of information and science, a general knowledge of men and things; particularly of passing events both at home and abroad. He was a gentleman of polished manners and of a communicative disposition, which assemblage of qualities together with a sprightly air and manner, made him very engaging and instructive in conversation; so that but few persons of taste ever left his company without having been entertained, and, if not owing to their own fault, improved. Besides being eminently pious, and knowing how to accommodate himself to the character and attainments of those with whom he conversed, he was able to speak a word in season that would please, and either edify, or reprove, and he was very happy in so shaping his remarks, as to leave a savor of religion, or at least, a serious impression on the mind.

When he commenced his ministry amongst us, he was received with open arms, and the people in their rapture did every thing but adore him, and for many years we thought ourselves, and all the societies far and near thought us, the happiest people in the world.

He found the people honest and sincere, but unpolished and uncourtly; and his influence over them did more, probably, than any other cause, to improve and refine their manners so far as they have been improved and refined. His ministerial visits were highly prized; his addresses and prayers at funerals were affectionate and edifying. His prayers with the sick were solemn and searching. His sermons were not elaborately composed; little more than the heads and leading thoughts were committed to writing. They were usually filled up in the delivery. His enunciation was prompt and animated, his manner highly popular, his doctrine correct, his zeal fervent, his affections warın and flowing, and his love to the Saviour and the souls of men conspicuous. He delighted not in metaphysical disquisition or in logical arrangement.

A popular address was his province. In this he delighted and in this he excelled. Hence there was want of variety in his sermons, which his many excellent qualities could not fully compensate. The reverse which took place some

years before he resigned his ministry, was painful to him, and his people. Another generation had arisen which knew not Joseph. They regarded him indeed with affection; still Mr. Pitkin saw or thought he saw, a wide difference between that affection and the admiration of the former generation. For a time he gave up his salary and continued his lahors. The voluntary contributions made him by the people were small. This confirmed him in opinion that a coldness had taken place, and that his usefulness among them was at an end. A council was called; he urged before them his want of health and that he had no further prospect of being useful here, and requested to be dismissed from his people. The society opposed, but the council complied with his request, and dismissed him. Since that time Mr. Pitkin preached occasionally in various places, but for the most part has lived retired. He has however, been very useful in praying with the congregation in the absence of a minister, in visiting and praying with the sick, in attending funerals, in praying and expounding the scriptures at conferences, in conversing with, and assisting and counselling such as were under religious concern, and in other pious endeavors to promote the interests of reli gion among us. On the whole his life was dignified and useful, his death was peaceful, and his memory will be blessed.

Mr. Pitkin was succeeded by the Rev. Allen Olcott, who was ordained, January, 1787, and dismissed August, 1791.

Mr. Olcott was a gentleman of liberal education and good acquirements. He was an honest and sensible man, and a sincere and humble christian; but his first introduction here was under unfavorable auspices. No one at first looked upon him as Mr. Pitkin's successor. He had too long stood as a candidate for the ministry to enjoy a fresh reputation. On trial, however, he approved himself a workman that needed not to be ashamed, and exhibited a maturity in knowledge and grace that attracted general notice and respect. In fine he so far exceeded his public and vulgar reputation, that he enlisted even the prejudices of most of the people in his favour, and was ordained and settled here as a minister of the gospel, but amidst strong opposition,

As a preacher he was quite respectable in the view of discerning men. His prayers were comprehensive, concise and appropriate. His sermons were of the same character. They were carefully and neatly composed; each one had a unity in design and execution. He drew the attention to some prominent idea suggested by the text, which he unfolded and applied. His design was, to leave upon the mind the strongest impression, and not to weaken its force by saying all that might be said from the words. Accordingly he was always able to bring out of his treasures things new and old. But still he was in several respects the direct contrast to his immediate predecessor. He wanted dignity in his manners, he was diffident of himself; in mixed company, constrained in his behaviour, apparently oppressed with a sense of inferiority, unsociable and absent in mind. In select society he enjoyed himself, and pleased and instructed his friends. Hence he studiously shunned mixed company, and the society of his opposers, as far at least as his essential duties would permit; and attached himself too much to a

private and friendly circle. This was the result of his feelings, probably, rather than of his judgement, but it operated against him.

Under these feelings he could not assume an open and free behaviour towards all his parishioners as their spiritual father, but, on the contrary, laid himself too open to the charge of partiality, which his opposers brought against him. On the whole, though a friend to his people, and desirous of advancing their best good as their minister, his conduct, resulting from a natural rather than a moral defect, was so far from conciliating the opposition, that it exasperated it and rendered it formidable and incurable. Had there been more self-possession in him, and more candour in judging of real merit in them, the connection between Mr. Olcott and this people might have been lasting and a mutual blessing; but in the existing state of things his dismission was indispensable.

Mr. Olcott, on his dismission, retired to his family mansion at Orford, and spent the remainder of his days while health remained, in supplying the pulpits of the neighboring congregations as occasion presented, and in attending to the management of his farm, and waiting upon his numerous and respectable friends, whom he received with kindness and hospitality, until the month of August in the year 1806, when he received a severe paralytic shock, from which he never recovered. Enfeebled in body and mind, he spent the remainder of his days, looking out, and waiting for the messenger of death, which, in another similar shock approached and finished his course.

Mr. Olcott was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Washburn, who was ordained May 7, 1795, and died at sea Dec. 25, 1805.

Mr. Washburn was eminently qualified by nature, education and grace, for the work of the gospel ministry. His sermons were elaborated with careful study, and delivered with much solemnity and affection. His subjects were well adapted to the existing state of things. He judged accurately of the circumstances of time, place and occasion. His style was correct, and his manner of speaking graceful, but without studied ornament. His labours were incessant. What time he could redeem from severe study was applied in catechising the children, and visiting his people. His conversation was edifying and his manners easy and conciliating. The persons with whom he conversed, he generally found friendly or made them so. He was kind, open-hearted, liberal to the poor, and hospitable to strangers. He was meek under provocations, patient under sufferings, alive to his own imperfections, and as ready to confess his faults as to forgive others. He was disinterested in an uncommon degree, not regarding his worldly embarrassments. He loved his people and was beloved by them; he loved his work and was successful. Through God's blessing on it, great additions were made to the church during his ministry. He found a watery grave, but his memory is entombed in the hearts of his people. He rapidly declined with a pulmonary consumption, brought on him, as was supposed, by his intense labours in the service of his people, and being advised by his physicians to take a journey to the southward for the benefit of a milder air during the then approaching winter, died at sea on his passage from Norfolk to Charleston, on the 25th

day of December, A. D. 1805, and his remains were committed to the bosom of the deep.

Rev. Noah Porter was ordained the Pastor of this church, Nov. 5, 1806.

The church has at several periods of its history been favored with large accessions to its numbers as the fruits of a marked attention to the subject of religion, by the blessing of the Spirit of God. Not many years since, there were members of the church, who united with its communion, as fruits of the revival which prevailed throughout New-England, near the middle of the last century. Some are now living, who can speak of the revival in 1784, particularly on the Great Plains, near the close of Mr. Pitkin's ministry. Another such season commenced under the preaching of Dr. Griffin, and continued under that of Mr. Washburn, in 1794 and 5. One more general throughout the community, occurred in 1799, and blessed most of the churches in this vicinity. In 1821, there was a revival of uncommon power, and there were added to the church as fruits of it, upwards of two hundred and thirty persons. Since that time there have been revivals less general in their influence, in consequence of which there have been added to the church in 1827, twenty-seven persons: in 1829, thirty-seven; in 1831, thirty-six; in 1834, forty-one; in 1838, eighty-eight; and in 1840, twenty-two. Before 1795, no catalogue was made of the members of the church, that has been preserved. It appears from a memorandum made by Rev. Mr. Pitkin, that from 1752 to 1758, there were,

Marriages,

Baptisms, 485 males, 436 females,

247

921

Deaths, males, adult, 123; youth, 36; children, 23; infants, 85;

66

females, adult, 119; youth, 19; children, 37; infants, 71-total, 513 In 1795, there were 115 members of the church. From that time to Jan. 1, 1841, there have been added to the church, 1010 members, of whom 390 remain. In March, 1840, forty-two were dismissed to constitute the second Congregational church in Farmington, or the first church in Plainville.

The present town had till 1825, been one Ecclesiastical Society or Parish, with no house of worship, church or religious teacher besides the Congregational. In that year a Methodist society was formed, and in 1834 their house of worship was erected in the center of the town. For a number of years, Congregational worship has been maintained in the North-west part of the town, now called Unionville; but no church has as yet been organized.

In 1810, Mr. Solomon Langdon gave two thousand dollars to the Ecclesiastical Society, as a fund for the support of the gospel. In 1820, he gave in addition, five hundred dollars, on condition that the society would increase the amount to ten thousand dollars; which was accomplished. In March, 1823, he made another subscription of three hundred dollars, to increase the fund to twelve thousand dollars. In his will, after certain bequests, he left to the society the residue of his estate, amounting to some thousands of dollars. These bequests were the fruits of his own industry. He died May 10, 1835.

The church and society have both been harmonious and peaceful in their

1

movements, and have been to an unusual degree, exempt from painful and distracting division. Two periods of less than ten years each, have been periods of division; the one at the commencement, the other near the close of the last century. Besides these seasons, the history of the church and society, is a history of peace and union, under pastors honored and beloved. During the distraction that attended the revivals of 1740, rending so many churches and societies, there was little or no disturbance in this town. One family alone became New Lights, and severed themselves from the church as not standing on the foundation of the gospel. The practice of " the Half-way Covenant" was disused about 1770, with no serious difficulty, and no painful results. The causes of this singular peace and union among the people have been two. They have generally confided in the good judgement and honesty of those who were prominent in the society and the church, and this class of men among them have generally been worthy to be trusted.

NOTE S.-p. 46.

(Copied from Manuscripts of Gov. Treadwell, prepared in 1802 or 3.)

This town, as its name imports, was at first, and indeed till a late period, wholly agricultural. Labour in the field was almost the only employment. Industry and economy have characterized the inhabitants; labour has been held in reputation; none, however elevated by office, or profession, have considered themselves above it. Magistrates and ministers, when their appropriate business would permit, have laboured in the field. Indeed our magistrates have always been farmers; have been as laborious on their farms as others, and have derived their support from labour as much, almost, as the meanest citizen. They have been content to eat their bread in the sweat of their brow; and it was honour enough to be esteemed the first among equals. But a very little of the labour on farms has been performed by slaves, and if a farmer had a slave, he constantly laboured with him, and taught him the habits of industry by his own example, as well as by his authority. Labour having been thus reputable among all classes of citizens, industry has been almost universal; and very few through idleness have become chargeable to the public. The master of the household has gone before his sons and domestics into the field in their daily labour, and if too remote, as usually happened, to return at noon, they dined together on their plain fare, under the covert of some thick shade, where on the green grass they might enjoy the luxury of the free air, with more sincere delight than the greatest modern epicure at a civic feast. While the men have been thus employed in the field, in raising the materials for food and clothing, the women have been no less industrious in the domestic circle, in rearing the tender branches of the family, and in dressing food for the table. The careful matron has been accustomed to "seek wool and flax and work willingly with her hands; she layeth her hands to the spindle and her hands hold the distaff." On Monday they have been employed in perfect dishabille, in washing their linen in their houses, and when this is done,