separation, and live as near the old house as the proposed new one. Besides they "have Lived under ye Ministry of the present Minister (Mr. Stoddard) with very Great Delight for nearly 30 years whom they chose and Stipulated with, and are of opinion they ought not to be forced to break off from and forsake their Minister."

4. The south society will not harmonize.

5. It would be a great "hardship to the ancient minister to pluck up stakes and move, or travel far."

6. The town, in the vote alluded to, did not contemplate a forcible separation.

The signers of this petition, who lived in the new society were William Preston, Peter Minor, Hezekiah Culver, Samuel Sherman, Adino Strong, Sen., Andrew Ward, Thomas Squire, Josiah Minor, David Squire, Isaac Knowles, Richard Peet, Ephraim Tuttle, Nathan Curtiss, Nathaniel Hurlbut, Samuel Waller, Lemuel Wheeler, John Curtiss, Jr., Caleb Wheeler, Thomas Knowles, John Crissy, Matthew Mitchell, Adino Strong, Jr., John Curtiss, Jr., Benjamin Wheeler, John Squire, Ezra Sherman, Joseph Tuttle, Sarah Wheeler, Sarah Curtiss, (widow,) David Carman.

The Woodbury signers were Joseph Minor, Zechariah Walker, Joseph Judson, Samuel Bull, Jonathan Atwood, Stephen Terrill, Valentine Prentice, Nathan Hurd, Samuel Galpin, Alexander Alehorn, Jonathan Mitchell, David Hurd, John Nichols, Caleb Martin, Robert Warner, Isaac Peet, Samuel Martin, Eliakim Stoddard, John Mitchell, Jr., Knell Mitchell, Roger Terrill, Timothy Minor, David Mitchell, Zadock Hurd, Ephraim Minor, Widow Sarah Judson, Peter Walker, Joseph Roots, John Roots, Elizabeth Squire, Samuel Minor, Thomas Minor, Joseph Martin.

The Assembly took the petition into consideration, but negatived its prayer. During the same session, however, it was proposed and passed in the "Upper House," that the dissatisfied members of the south society might return to the old society again, but the "Lower House" dissented. At the May session of next year, twenty-three persons in the south, and twenty-seven in the north renewed their petition for a reconsideration of the act of incorporation. Taking into consideration "the unhappy differences," the Assembly appointed James Wadsworth, Esq., Capt. Thomas Wells and Capt. Isaac Dikeman a committee to "view the circumstances," hear grievances, examine location, and report. This committee reported at the October session, 1732, that there was no hope of healing the differences in the south society. "On the whole" they say, "we are forced to look

upon Woodbury in two societies; and as to the northers society, we suppose them well agreed and at unity among themselves, but very much to the contrary in the southern society." Though there was more than one-half, there was nothing like two-thirds of them, who can agree to settle a minister, build a meeting-house, and carry on the other necessary business pertaining to a society. But they could not persuade them to go back to the old society. For these reasons they proposed a new division-line farther south, and that the first society should pay the south £200, and if the south society did not then agree to said proposals within five months, and "go forward as a society," then they should be united again and "meet in ye old Meeting House as formerly." The Assembly, on this report being made, raised the amount to be paid to £300, including £55, 10s. subscribed by individuals, and then passed the proposition into a law. At the same session, the two houses were informed that Southbury society had voted to build a meeting-house, and asked a committee to locate the same according to law. For some reason the houses disagreed as to the men to be appointed, and nothing was done in the premises. On the 29th of November, 1732, the society voted unanimously "except one man" to build a meeting-house, and asked a committee of location, upon which William Hicock, Joseph Lewis and Thomas Clark were appointed to perform that duty. Having examined the premises, the committee located the house May, 1733, "at a stake picht Down on a hill Between Lieut. Andrew Hinman's Heirs, and the house that was Elnathan Strong's," and reported the same, May 1733, to the Assembly, which accepted the report and established the location. The place thus established was the point of land between the two highways, nearly in front of the White Oak school-house.

The society voted to build a house forty-six feet in length by thirty-five in width, with twenty-three feet posts. Deacon Benjamin Hicock, Richard Brownson, Moses Johnson, Solomon Johnson and Noah Hinman were appointed a committee "for carrying on the building of the Meeting House." The committee represented to the General Assembly that the new line established by it, in accordance with the report of the committee appointed to determine the boundaries, cut off half of the grand list of the society, as at first established leaving it a list of but £2,000, and that they had laid two taxes of 18. and 2 s., which were inadequate to defray the expenses. Besides, the north society claimed the "Parsonage Lands" lying in Southbury, and had leased them. They therefore asked a com tee and liberty to lay a land tax," but the motion was denied. October 19th, 1733, the

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clerk of the society reported to the Assembly that the house was raised, and the materials procured for completing the same. The committee, at the same session, petitioned for a land tax of one penny on the acre, which was granted. In October, 1735, the clerk reported that the house was covered, some of the glass and two doors put in, and "most of the under floors" had been laid, "So that it is in some measure comfortable to attend ye worship of God in." Three years later, October 1738, he again reports that little progress had been made in completing the house, which he said was to be attributed "not to the want of a willing mind, but to the smallness of numbers and other burdens." The committee stated, that by the last line established for their society, they were left with only twenty-eight families, and they were unable to finish their meeting-house, which had no pulpit, or proper seats, and that their minister's rate was very heavy. They asked the "benefit of the County rate," but it was denied them. At what precise time the house was entirely finished is not now known-probably not till several years after this date. It was used as a church more than forty years. It will be noted that the clerk reported the house to the Assembly as comfortable" when it had only been covered, and had a part of the ground floor laid. A very good idea of what our fathers denominated "comfortable," may be gained, when we consider that the idea of warming a meetinghouse had at that day never entered the minds of men. It would have been a difficult task, as stoves were then unknown. In the state it was then in, it could not have been as comfortable as an ordinary barn. It is difficult for us of the present day to obtain a just conception of the extreme trials, difficulties and privations of those early times.

Notwithstanding these difficult circumstances, as soon as remonstrances to the establishment of the society ceased, they proceeded at once, November 29th, 1732, to call and settle a minister. They voted him a respectable salary for the times, and made other provisions for his comfortable maintenance, as will be seen by the following votes:

"Nov. 29, 1732. Votes Respecting the calling and settling a Minister in Southbury.

"1. Voted to give the Reverend Mr John Graham now present amongst us a call to the work of the ministry amongst us, and to take the pastorall charge of the church in Southbury, with the approbation of the Reverend association in Farefield County.

"2ly. Voted that we will give the Reverend Mr Graham for his incouragement to settle amongst us that orchard of capt titus Hinman's which was for

merly the orchard of Samuel Hinman of Woodbury Dect with one acre of that land of Wait Hinman's next adjoining to it, also a building on sd land, a dwelling house two stories high forty foots long and twenty foots wide, and to finish ye out side complete, and to finish the inclosing fences with the chimneys. "3.ly. Voted to give the Reverend Mr Graham as a yearly salary one hundred Pounds, pr year to be payed in money or provissions at the markitt price. "4;ly. Voted that the Reud Mr Graham shall have the use of the parsonage lands within this parish during his life, or ministry amongst us.”

On being informed of these votes, while the society meeting was still in session, Mr. Graham suggested some verbal alterations in the second and fourth votes, which were adopted by the meeting, and Mr. Graham's answer to their call was immediately sent in, a copy of which follows:

"To the inhabitants of Southbury in their present meeting by adjournment December 19th, 1732: Grace and peace be multiplied: Dearly beloved forasmuch as your Com't have in your name and no doubt by your order, called and invited me to settle with you in the sacred work of the gospel minstry: I: must say that as our first coming together was wholly providential and your vote of the call clear and unanimous: and hoping ye sincerity of your aim att the glory of God and the spiritual and eternal good of yourselues and children: I have Reason in these Regards to look upon it: as a call from the great Lord of the haruest and therefore: tho: I: must acknowledge myself weak and insufficient for ye great work whereunto: I am called yet through Christ strengthening me: (I know): I can do all things and therefore pray that his grace may be sufficient for me and his Divine strength be perfect in my weakness (I hope): your continual fervent prayer to the God of all grace for me: I: return you humble and hearty thanks for the generous offers you have made me of the severall good things for the support of me and my family, and do hereby accept the votes of your meeting November: 29th last past with ye limitation and alteration, which in your present adjourned meeting you have made of the second and fourth votes: upon my own request, and do hereby declare against accepting them otherwise than with such alterations: Now that ye God of all peace may be with you and succeed all your lawful and laudable endeauers for the establishment of his gospel ministry and ordinances amongst you, that he may graciously fit you for and bountfully bestow upon you all those great and inestimable blessings and privileges which render you capable of gloryfying his name here and fitt you for the enjoyment of himself as your everlasting portion hereafter, is the hearty desire and shall be (I hope): the constant prayer of your most affectionate friend and serut in the Lord: "Southbury: December: 19th: 1732."

John Graham. –

The house thus furnished Mr. Graham stood on the site now occupied by the residence of Mrs. Whitlock. The salary given to

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him by the preceding vote was £100 per annum. Next year it was raised to £130, and it was gradually increased afterward, as the currency varied in value till 1747, when it was £400. In 1748, it was again reduced to £100. At a meeting of the society held January 22d, 1753, it was voted

"That they would give the Red Mr Graham, as a yearly salary for preaching the gospel among us so long as he shall remain our minister the full sum of one hundred and ten pounds to be paid in the following manner, viz: in good wheat at six shillings per bushel, in rie at four shillings per bushel, in indian corn at three shillings per bushel, or in Money Equivalent to the aforesaid species at the aforesaid prices; and a sufficiency of firewood delivered at the said Mr Graham's Door."

On being informed of the vote of the society, Mr. Graham replied as follows:

"I thankfully accept the above agreement and vote, and take satisfaction therewith as witness my hand.

"John Graham."

On the 31st of December, 1764, it was by the society

"Voted, that whereas the Reverend Mr. Graham, by reason of age and Infirmity of body at present is incapable of supplying the pulpit, and likely never will be able for the future to supply the same," that certain persons named be a "Committee in behalf of this Society to confer with Mr. Graham, and see if they can agree with him upon a sutable support for him during his life."

The committee effected an arrangement with him, and immediately proceeded to settle a colleague, as will presently be seen.

Immediately after the settlement of Mr. Graham, measures were taken to "embody into church estate," and take their proper position, among sister churches. This was accomplished Jan. 17th, 173}, and the following is a list of the first members :-Rev. John Graham, Capt. Titus Hinman, Deac. Benjamin Hicock, John Pierce, Nathaniel Sanford, Sen., Ephraim Hinman, Ebenezer Squire, Joseph Hinman, Richard Brownson, Deac. Noah Hinman, Lieut. Andrew Hinman, Titus Hinman, Jr., Solomon Johnson, Stephen Hicock, Timothy Brownson, Thomas Drakely, Roger Karby, Ebenezer Down, Nathaniel Sanford, Jr., Abigail Brownson, Hannah Hicock, Elizabeth Hinman, Abigail Graham, Mary Hinman, Maney Hinman, Eleanor Squire, Mary Brownson, Hester Hinman, Bethia Sanford, Prudence Johnson, Comfort Pierce, Sarah Hinman, Dinah Down, Bethiah Hicock, Maney Johnson, Sarah Hinman, Eunice Drakely, Sarah Porter, Abigail Brownson, Ann Hinman, Lois Hicock.