Putnam patriot., 1930-08-21
Mir. Dunning's Address


 1t is impossible to attempt any story of the events that happened in this part Of Connecticut without having a. feeling of grateful appreeia ton for the labors of Miss Ellen D. Larned. whose history of Windham County is an authority of unques- toned accuracy and from whose pag es are taken most of the facts which am giving you today.
 Miss Larned spent much time in patient searching of old records, and those who would learn of past events have the benefit of her untiring and painstaking research.
 In addition to her great work, the History of Windham County, she prepared many historical papers, and was ever willing to aid this church whenever information was needed about the oecurrances of the olden time. Fortunate is our town to have had her for a citizen and fortunate. indeed, is this church to have had her as a member.
 Let us now take up the not too easy task of giving a history of two hundred years in the space of time that may be allowed in this service.
 Petition for New Town
 After a good deal of controversy as to the ownership of the, land in this corner of the state. known as Quinnatisset. a petition was sent to the General Assembly of Connecti- cut in 1727. praying that a new town may be made, so that We may know what town we are in"
 There were obiectors to this most laudable desire. and the first attempt was unsuccessful. Later the petition was granted. and the first meeting of the citizens was held on July 9, l72s. At this meeting after the necessary officers were chosen. it was voted ''to hire minister to preach the gospel to Said Society,".
 Thus was taken the first step to- wards founding the new town, which was soon after named Thompson m honor of Robert Thompson, the Eng fish owner of large tract of the land The next thing to do was to build the meeting and it was voted to build it on a spot that is near the center of the present com mon. In the meantime preaching services were held at the house of Hezekiah Sabin. who incidentally, was the first resident on Thompson Hill.
 It is interesting to read in the old record how all the men in the parish were working with a right good will each one anxious to do his part in the manual labor connected with the new meeting house. the only objec- tors being few men who lived in the northwestern part of the parish, and who found it much more con venient to attend church in Wood stock. When we consider the con- dition of the roads in that new eoun- try we cannot find fault with them. It is pleasant to know, however, that the leaders in the new parish felt no ill-will towards Woodstock for prov ing so attractive to some who be- longed in Thompson, for we find it recorded, that the Committee shall make Woodstock meeting-house their pattern" thus beginning the neigh borly friendliness that has existed be t=aan these churches all these years
 In the fall of l729 the church was completed, and Rev. Marston Cabot was chosen as the first pastor. Mir. Cabot accepted the call with very few stipulations, one of them being, .That you always keep up the credit of the salary you have proposed in your call''. and another, That you bring me a sufiiciency of hard wood for my own use in the season of 1t. :"
 The Church Society was formed January 2s, i730 with twenty-eight signers of the covenant, and Mir. Cabot was ordained on February 25, 173O. A month later. March 25. 1730, Jonathan Eaton and Benjamin Bixby were chosen deacons.
 Mir. Csbot's age at that time was