The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-07-08
J.F. MCCLELLAN, Printer.

Ihe IdSC Vi JdnuaTy ueslIlHS 10 WulC upon
God in his providence, to see how matters
may concord between us, the sd inhabitants
of Simsbury, and Mr.. Stone"
AT another meeting, held January IA,
1915, they say:
Considering how that on the Lords day
we are, and have been disappointed of the
publick preaching of the word Of God; and
considering our present state and condition III
this juncture of time, and how that God calls
upon US, by our piouS and Cody rulers, who
have exerted and put forth good and whole
some laws for peoples converting and netting
togather in a consciencuss maner,to serve the
lord in his worship, on We Lords day; and
further, that in solemn and general MEETINGS,
on yc lords day, vt so there might be the bet
ter be notice taken in what manor our socie-
ty keeps the Lords day, and also an account
given to such as may ask or enquire after ye
same of our order &c 1T is now ordered, that
there be a general converting and gathering
together Of our people, in this plantation Of
appointed for the netting together on the
Lords day; yet if any of us, our peopl, can
repair to any other place, where there is bet
ter means to be had, this order, according to
the intent hereof, is not to abridge such :
otherwise, this order to be attended, and duly
observed, by all such as do not repare, every
SABBATH, where there is the publyquick preach
ing Of ye word Of God, unlesse som imminent
providence Of God binders"
On the 28th of January 1875, the follow!
ing agreement" as it is called, was entered
into with Mr. Stone.
"At q General town netting of the inhab-
itans Of Simsbury; Having received an An
a., L. 4 ,,oLc
amongst us, in the work of the ministry, by
reason of his Disabiltie, and weakness Of
body: We the said Mr. Stone, and the in
habitants of Simsbury, then parted without
any spirit of grudging; also it was agreed, by
the inhabitants,to pay MI. Stone forty pounds
for this last year, Mr.. Stone making up the
last quarter in preaching at such times as God
shall enable him"
In January, 1856 Mr.. Stone was employ
ed for another half year, for which he was to
have twenty pounds. Public service was in
terrupted by the war. He was afterwards
hired for one year from June /, 1877 and SUBJ
scquently still another year. He died soon
after leaving Simsbury, by a fall from the
bridge in Hartford.
In 1851 application was made to the Rev.
Mr.. Samuel Stow, of Middletown, to preach
in this place. He supplied the pulpit four
years though not as settled pastor. During
his ministry, the church was formed, and reg
ularly organized. In those days, the Gener-
al Court had jurisdiction over all matters of
this kind. The following is copy Of the APP
plication made for liberty {" to put the church
in gospel order"
"The Humble Motion Of Simsbury men,t0
the much Honor'd ye Governor, and Deputy,
with the rest of We worshipful Assistants, and
worthy Members Of this Honord assembly, is
as followeth.
We, whose names are underwritten, having
knowlcdg and tryal Of Mr.. Samuel Stow,in We
labors Of we word and Doctrine of we gospel,
do hereby manifest, so far as we know our
own hearts, our hearty desires of his continu-
ance to be a Pastor ard Waterman over our
soules and the soulcs Of ours And that there
fore for his and our encouragements, an adj
dresse might be made to the General Court vt
is to set this Instant Of May, or that We pre-
sentation of this may be, instead of an adj
dresse, (by formal petition,) to their honours,
That we might have their countenance to
settle ourselves in gospel order, with the APP
probation and hepe of approved Elders Of
Churches among us; That so we might, ac-
cording to We obligation vt God hath layd up
on US, through ye application Of ye reprcscn-
tative blood of his Son, walk mour orderly to
his prase, and the Salvation of our Soules, in
observance of whatsoever he hath commando
I'd US in his Holy worde, having we means
md helps that he hath appointed tLercun-
Silnsbury We 9TH of May, 1882"
TSigned by Simon Mills, and 81 others.
May 18th, 1852.
Mr.. Samuel Stow, and NIichall Hum.
'hrey are chosen to present this present mo-
ion above written, to this Honored General
ssembly at Hartford, chosen by the inhabi-
ants Of Simsbury,-as adoptcd
pr JOHN SLATER, Register
The Assembly granted the application of
he petitioners, on condition which, at that
ime, was always required in matters of this
ind This assent was obtained and a church
vas regularly constituted here, it is supposed,
uring that year. ......
From this period until 1887, it does not ar
ear that any person otliciated in the minis
ry In June of this year, Mr. Edward Thomp-
On, of Ncwbury, Massachusetts, was employ
d the inhabitants agreeing to remove his
.mily and effects to Smsbury,-to pay him
fly pounds per annum, " in good and cur
emit pay, to wit, one third in good and mer4
hantable wheat at four shillingS per bushel,
third in poasc or rye at shillings a bushel,
nd a third in Indian corn or pork, the corn
t two shillings siXpcncc per bushcl, and the
ork at three pounds ten shillings per barrel,
allowing him also fire wood and the use Of
rc parsonage property; and in case of his
,ttlement with them, certain lands in fee
his agreement is signed by forty-ninc per-
ms containing, it is believed, nearly all the
zen legal inhabitants of the place; the inyi-
ltion to Mr.. Thompson was adopted unani-
lously at a general town meeting held at the
me time. Mr.. Thompson continued insthe
linistry, though not, it is believed, as SET
ed pastor, until the summer Of 1901, when
G left the place
Tho neyt minister was Mr. Seth Shore WHO