Abington, Windham County, Connecticut History
The Society of Abington, comprising the western part of Pomfret, was
chartered and described by the assembly May 2d, 1749, the act, in part
being as follows: " Resolved by the Assembly that an ecclesiastical
society be, and is hereby, erected in the west part of said township, and
that the bounds thereof be as follows: Bounded north on Woodstock,
westerly on the line dividing between said town of Pomfret and Windham, so
far south as to the parish already made partly out of said Pomfret, and
partly out of Canterbury and partly out of Mortlake; thence by said parish
eastwardly to Mortlake west side; thence by Mortlake to the southwesterly
of the Rev. Ebenezer Williams' farm-saving also all the lands and persons
that are west of said Mortlake to said parish, that hath been made as
aforesaid, that are already granted to said parish; and from said Williams
his said corner, the line to run northerly to the southwest corner of
Jonathan Dresser's land; from thence to run between J. Dresser's land and
the land of Benjamin Allen to Mashamoquet Brook; from thence to run
northerly, so as to include the dwelling house of Ebenezer Holbrook, Jun.,
on the west; from thence to run northwesterly until it comes to the road
which crosses the Mill Brook at one hundred and fifty-five rods distance,
as the road runs easterly from said brook; from thence to run north nine
degrees easterly to Woodstock line, including those families that live
within said town of Pomfret, which were heretofore allowed by Act of
Assembly to take parish privileges in the second society of Windham, and
that the limits aforesaid be limits of one ecclesiastic society, with all
the powers and privileges of the other ecclesiastic societies in this
Colony. And that the said parish be called and known by the name of
Abington."
Abington then numbered about fifty families. The inhabitants met June
19th, 1749, at the house of James Ingalls " to form themselves into a
society." Captain Joseph Craft was chosen moderator; Edward Goodell,
collector. It was voted "to accept of the house of James Ingalls to have
preaching in;" also, " that the committee shall provide a good minister."
Apparently no minister was engaged for the winter, as a rate was granted
to pay the schoolmaster and other necessary expenses, but none for
preaching. Services were probably held in James Ingall's house, a little
south of the present Abington village. In April it was voted to hire a
school dame three months. The minister at last provided was Mr. Daniel
Welch, afterward pastor of the church in North Mansfield. January 14th,
1751, John and James Ingalls, William Osgood, Daniel Trowbridge and Edward
Paine were chosen a committee " for setting up and building and finishing
a meeting house forty-eight feet by thirty-nine." Twenty pounds, old
tenor, were allowed to Zachariah Goodell for one-half an acre of land for
a building site, and a rate was ordered to pay the minister and
schoolmaster. In the summer of 1751 the meeting house was raised and
covered, and though still very incomplete, made ready for occupation. A
three months' school was ordered at Solomon Howe's, in the south, and
another at John Sharpe's, in the north of the society. Mr. Jabez Whitmore
preached through the winter, and made himself so acceptable that he was
invited to settle April 23d, 1752. Failing in this attempt, the society
next secured the services of Mr. David Ripley, of Windham, a graduate of
Yale College, and he was ordained February 21st, 1753, Mr. Devotion, of
Scotland, Mr. Ripley's early pastor, preaching the sermon. March 14th the
church chose, as suitable persons to serve as deacons, Samuel Craft and
Samuel Ruggles. The interior of the meeting house was now made more
complete. The heavy land owners were allowed to build pews for themselves,
to be done within one year. The pew spots were drawn or distributed to
different ones in the following order, after Mr. Ripley and his family had
been granted -the pew by the pulpit stairs: Caleb Grosvenor, John Shaw,
James Ingalls, Edward Paine, John Ingalls, William Osgood, John Sharpe,
Daniel Trowbridge, Captain Craft, Captain Goodell, Nathaniel Stowell,
Richard Peabody, Jonathan Dana, Edward Goodell, Ebenezer Goodell.
Schools received continually more attention. In 1752 three schools were
allowed, two months in each part, each part to provide a house; middle
school at Mr. Howe's. In the following year two school houses were
voted-Goodell, Paine and Grosvenor to fix spots. Spots were assigned the
succeeding year, but the houses were not provided. In December, 1775, it
was ordered, " That the centre school be kept in -the old school house;
north school at Caleb Grosvenor's, and south school at Edward Goodell's,
if he is willing." In 1757 four school houses were ordered, and two were
actually built in 1760. In town and public affairs Abington parish bore
her full share, her citizens filling a just proportion of needful town
offices. Ebenezer Holbrook, Joseph Craft, William Osgood and John
Grosvenor were sent successively as representatives to the general
assembly. An excellent house of entertainment was kept by James Ingalls,
one of its most prominent and respected citizens.
Abington society was obliged to seek the dismissal of its honored pastor,
Reverend David Ripley, in consequence of disease, by which he was disabled
from efficient service. He consented to be dismissed from his office in
March, 1778. This dismission in nowise effected Mr. Ripley's ministerial
standing, and he officiated in the pulpit at home and abroad whenever his
health permitted. He was able to preach occasionally to his former charge,
and no other minister was settled for several years. Reverend Walter Lyon,
a native of Woodstock and graduate of Dartmouth College, was ordained as
pastor January 7th, 1783. The first pastor of the church, Reverend David
Ripley, after long infirmity and suffering, died in 1785. Mr. Lyon was a
faithful and conscientious pastor, devoted to the work of preaching the
gospel. Improvements in schools and house of worship, the libraries and
missionary efforts, enjoyed his countenance and support. A bell was given
by Mr. Samuel Summer in 1800, and leave voted to certain individuals to
build a steeple. In 1802 the society voted to pay the expense of hanging
and raising the bell and a rope to hang it. Further repairs were soon
accomplished and the house brought into good condition. The ecclesiastic
society continued its care of the schools, allowing sixteen months
schooling a year for the whole society-schools kept at the usual
places-and voting that the schoolmasters have no more than forty shillings
per month, they boarding themselves. In 1798 four school districts were
formally set off and established, and suitable school houses erected.
Fifteen were added to the membership of the church in 1809, and the same
number in 1819. William Osgood and Wyllis Goodell were chosen deacons in
1811. Captain Elisha Lord continued to lead the singing. Mr. Abishai
Sharpe was excused from paying his assessment for meeting house repairs on
condition that he teach a singing school two evenings a week through the
season.
Reverend Walter Lyon remained in charge of the Abington church till his
death in 1826. His habits of order, discipline and exactness continued
through life; his clock and desk were never moved from the spot selected
for them on his first occupation of the ministerial homestead. He left a
generous bequest to the society, and gave liberally to benevolent objects.
Reverend Charles Fitch, a noted revivalist, was installed pastor in 1828.
A very powerful revival was experienced in 1831, in connection with" a
four days' meeting." Thirty-three persons united with the church the
following January; fifty-nine during the pastorate. He was followed in
1834 by Reverend Nathan S. Hunt, who retained the charge eleven years.
Abington's usual placidity was greatly disturbed during his ministry by a
controversy about building a new meeting house. After the heat of the
controversy had passed away, a compromise was effected, and the society
voted to repair the old meeting house thoroughly. Repairs were
accomplished to general satisfaction, and the renovated house has since
been maintained in excellent condition, the oldest church edifice now
occupied in Windham county. George Sharpe succeeded to the position of
chorister. Elisha Lord and William Osgood, Jr., were chosen deacons in
1831. A Sabbath school was organized in 1826, Deacon Wyllis Goodell,
superintendent.
Nathan S. Hunt was installed pastor of this church, February 11th, 1834,
and was dismissed April 30th, 1845. Following that time Reverend Edward
Pratt supplied the pulpit about four years. He was followed by Reverend
Sylvester Hine, who supplied for a time about 1850. Reverend Henry B.
Smith was installed January 13th, 1852, and after a considerable pastoral
ser-vice was dismissed August 26th, 1863. Reverend George H. Morss was
ordained and installed May 11th, 1864, and was dismissed November 1st,
1866. An interval of supply then occurred. David Breed, of Windham, began
preaching about 1868, and continued until June, 1872. Daniel Frost, of
Dayville, supplied the vacancy at this and other times, when the church
was without a pastor. Andrew Sharpe also supplied for a time. Andrew
Montgomery followed, from the early part of 1875 to the spring of 1880.
Reverend H. M. Bartlett, of Pomfret, supplied the pulpit in 1880, and
Reverend Stephen Carter, of Westminster, supplied at a later date.
Reverend Daniel J. Bliss came to the church in June, 1884, and remains at
the present time. A parsonage was built in 1852. The present house of
worship claims the honor of being the oldest one in the state, having been
built in the year 1751, and is still in a good state of preservation. The
membership of the church at the present time is about ninety.
Meetings were held here by the Second Advent people about the year 1844.
In that year they were held in a school house. They were begun and for
several years conducted under the leadership of Doctor Huntington, of
Brooklyn. A vacant store was obtained and fitted up with seats, and this
was used until about 1864, when a chapel was built in the neighborhood.
This was occupied until the fall of 1874, when it was disposed of, and a
new church built about a mile to the west of the former site. This is now
standing and in use, and is a very neat edifice. Doctor Huntington
continued to serve the church many years. Elder Carpenter preached here in
connection with his labors in the Second Advent church at Danielsonville
for a number of years. Elder Hezekiah Davis was settled as pastor of this
church from 1874 till about the year 1882. He was followed by Elder Albert
Johnson, who remained till about two years since, after which no settled
ed pastor has been in charge. Elder Card, from Rhode Island, and others
supplied for brief periods. The present membership of the church is about
fifty. A Sunday school has been in active working order most of the time
since the time of Elder Davis, and was in operation part of the year
previous to that.
The Church of the Messiah, an Episcopal branch from the church at Pomfret,
was erected in Abington in 1882 and 1883. Episcopal services were
commenced here in 1881. A lot was donated by Miss Sarah C. Howard, and the
church was erected upon it. Some of the timber and furniture. from the old
house at Pomfret were used in this new house, and funds for building were
largely obtained by contributions from the people of the diocese. The
house was consecrated November 20th, 1883. As far as church organization
and ministerial supply is concerned it is a part of the parish of Pomfret.
In 1793 a number of the inhabitants of Abington formed a "Propriety" for
the purpose of establishing a library here. This was called the Social
Library of Abington. Walter Lyon was the first librarian. A hundred
volumes were soon procured. The price of a share was stated at twelve
shillings. The instructive element here was too heavy for the palate of
the young, and in 1804 a "Junior Library " was formed, with John Holbrook,
librarian. This contained some ninety volumes of light literature of the
day. In 1813 the literary spirit of Abington organized a Ladies' Library
of which Alathea Lord was librarian. Seventy dollars were promptly raised
and invested in books. An admission fee of three dollars and an annual tax
of twenty-five cents was agreed upon to furnish funds. New members were
from time to time admitted, and many valuable books bought. In 1815 a
union of the Social and junior libraries was effected and these became the
United Library of Abington.
With the multiplication of newspapers and magazines these libraries were
less needed than they were at first, and in the course of the next quarter
of a century they had fallen into neglect. The Abington Ladies' Library
for many years retained its place and power as a factor of culture in the
town. The United Library of Abington also maintained its hold upon life
until a revival of interest in its cause came about and a few years since
the Ladies' Library was consolidated with it and the new Social Library
thus formed was endowed with some seven hundred volumes. This library has
been maintained to the present time, and is in a prosperous condition.
Some of the old books still remain in it. A building was erected for its
accommodation about 1886. It stands near the Congregational church, on the
Common. It has a library room and another room for meetings. The building
cost about $1,500, of which Mr. Sabin Chase, of Waterbury, contributed
$500. The library contains about one thousand volumes.
Some manufacturing is carried on in Abington, though not enough to make
that industry a prominent feature of the locality. Albert Smith carries on
the manufacture of brooms. Carriages are manufactured by William Brayton.
The manufacture of road machines was carried on here a few years since, by
George W. Taft. He began experimenting in these machines as early as 1873,
since which time he has taken out a number of patents, developing the "New
Model Champion." He began manufacturing in 1882. The growth of the
business for five years is shown by the number of machines manufactured
each year, which was 6, 100, 250, 400, 1,500. The number last mentioned
were produced in 1886, when Mr. Taft had become associated with a firm at
Kennett Square, Pa., and in the latter part of that year he removed his
works to that place.
Of one of the conspicuous representatives of this locality we have the
following mention to make Charles Osgood was born in Pomfret, Abington
Society, March 29th, 1811, and died December 5th, 1888. With the exception
of a residence of five years in Putnam, he lived on the homestead which
had been in possession of the Osgood family since the year 1747.
Mr. Osgood's ability and integrity recommended him to positions of trust
and responsibility. For five terms he represented the town of Pomfret in
the legislature, and was an influential member. He was chairman of the
state prison committee, and was the author of the bill he introduced,
which passed the legislature, giving to the prisoner a deduction of five
days from his term of sentence for each month of good behavior.
Previous to the Presidential election in 1864, Governor Buckingham sent
Mr. Osgood- south to receive the votes of the soldiers in some of the
Connecticut regiments.
He was one of the founders of the Windham County Agricultural Society in
1852, and for several years was its corresponding secretary and afterward
its president. For nearly twenty years he was acting school visitor. To
him were chiefly due the select schools that in successive years were of
benefit to the young people of Abington.
Mr. Osgood married in 1838, Lucy Holbrook, daughter of John Holbrook, of
Abington, a member of the Windham county bar. Mrs. Osgood died in 1885.
They have left two sons and three daughters.
Source: History of Windham County, Connecticut,
Bayles, Richard M.; New York: W.W. Preston, 1889