The first inhabitants of this town, were thoroughly imbued
with a sense of the importance of education, virtue, and
religion, to the welfare of themselves, and their posterity.
The experience of their forefathers had taught them, that
perfect freedom of opinion and religion, could not be
enjoyed under the European Governments; and they were
satisfied that our peculiar Institutions could not long
survive the virtue and intelligence of the people. We
according find in the original conveyances of this
plantation, ample provision made for the perpetuation of
these blessings.
In carrying out their original designs, the first
settlers of this town brought with them from Lebanon, the
Rev. Timothy Collins, a candidate for the ministry, to
preach for them. And
Pg. 21 -
at the first Town Meeting of which we have a record, viz. on
the 6th of November 1721, he was "called to a settlement in
this place, in the work of the ministry." The town
then constituted but one Ecclesiastical Society, and for
many years all votes relative to Ecclesiastical affairs,
were passed in Town Meeting. In addition to the
provision made in the deed, giving him in fee one sixtieth
of the whole township, and also the use of another sixtieth
part, (which last was called the Parsonage Right,) the Town
then voted the following salary, viz:
£57 per annum for the first
four years, for the fifth £60, the sixth £70, the seventh
£80, and to continue at £80 a year so long as he continued
in the work of the ministry here. The Town also voted
to give him £100, to be paid by the 1st of July then next,
and his firewood so long as he continued here in said work.
The amount of his firewood for a series of years was by vote
to be eighty cords per annum. This provision
(very liberal for the times) was accepted by Mr. Collins
on the 12th of December 1721; he entered upon his labors,
was ordained on the 19th of June 1723, and continued to be
the minister of the Congregational Society till the 15th of
November 1752, when he was dismisssed. He afterwards
continued here, acting as a Justice of the Peace, and
in the practice Medicine, and died in 1776.
In January 1745-6, a committee was appointed to make
sale and give deeds or leases of the Parsonage Right.
And in March following the committee sold most or all of
that right which was not afterwards leased to Mr.
Champion, and conveyed it in fee simple to sundry
individuals. On the 9th of February 1746-7, the town
"Voted That the interest money arising upon the bonds for
which the Parsonage Right was sold, be towards the payment
of Mr. Collins' rate for the current year."
What disposition was made of the principal, does not appear
from the Records.
On the 26th of February 1753, the Town voted to give
the Rev. Judah Champion, a native of
East Haddam, a call to settle here in the work of the
ministry, and to give him £2000
in old tenor money, for his settlement. And
£800 per annum old tenor
money for his salary.
Pg. 22 -
Mr. Champion accepted the call, was ordained July 4th
1753, and continued in the ministry till 1798. His
salary was continued till his decease in 1810, in his 82d
year. For the purpose of paying the settlement of
Mr. Champion, it was, on the 14th of June 1753, voted,
to lease to him so much of the Parsonage Right as should be
necessary for that purpose, for the term of 999 years.
And on the 15th of January 1754, a lease of the home lot and
twenty acre division adjoining, was given to Mr. Champion,
in consideraton of said settlement.
The School Right was disposed of as follows. On
the 29th of December 1729, the Town voted, "That the School
Right in Litchfield, shall be leased out for the
maintainance maintenance of a School in said
Litchfield, for 999 years ensuing." And also voted, "
That the inhabitants of said Litchfield do oblige themselves
and their successors, in ye recognizance of Ten
Thousand Pounds lawful money, to give a new lease of said
right at the end of said term of 999 years, if there shall
be occasion."
In pursuance of these votes, the committee appointed
for that purpose, on the 15th of April 1730, leased to
sundry individuals the School right, being one sixtieth of
the Town, for 999 years. The grantees paying
twenty-seven pounds annually for eight years, for the
support of the School, and the 9th year, paying to the
selectmen four hundred and fifty pounds, to be forever kept
for the support of a school in Litchfield. To the
lease was annexed, the following "P. S. Before signing
and sealing, the above mentioned signers and sealers agreed,
that whoever occupies and improves all the above land or
lands, or any part of them, shall pay all rates and taxes
that shall arise upon them or any part of them, during the
whole term of the lease." And in the year 1767, it was
"voted, to divide the money for which the school right was
sold, between the old Society, the South Farms Society, and
the Church of England, in proportion to the list of each
part."
END OF CHAPTER IV. -
GO TO
CHAPTER V - |
