Ecclesiastical and Other Sketches of Southington, Conn.

Ecclesiastical and Other Sketches of Southington, Conn.
By Rev. Heman R. Timlow

Introduction

1. The reader will find this volume to be a mass of materials collected and printed for preservation, rather than a thoroughly digested history. I have felt myself to be a pioneer in the work. During the period of one hundred and eighty years, since the settlement of the town, no attempt has before been made to gather these materials. The Church Catalogue is all that has ever been published. It will be seen that very much must be incorporated in such a work as mine, that might have been omitted if preserved in some other form. But nothing like completeness could be secured unless I printed such matter, which oftentimes throws light on passing events. Such are some of the traditional and personal notices. And it is for the interest if not instruction of the present generation that such matter be placed before them. Some future historian will "draw" from these "Sketches" and prepare a more elaborate work. As a considerable portion of the volume was first put into the form of discourses, that style of writing has been retained.

2. It is only just to myself to state, that until within three years I knew nothing of the town, except its name; and the disadvantages arising from a recent and brief residence have appeared at every step. This entire work has really been performed within two years. Nor have I permitted this line of inquiry and study to interfere with my regular pulpit duties. Each week I have conscientiously prepared and preached sermons as if no other work was on hand. Adhering to a system, and economizing time, have done what otherwise would have been impossible.

3. My authorities have been the records of the Congregational church and Society, that during the earlier periods are only partial; records of the Baptist and Episcopal Churches; records of the towns of Southington (dating from 1779), Farmington, and Wallingford; Ecclesiastical records of Farmington; Colonial and Ecclesiastical records at Hartford; the records of both Hartford North Association and Consociation, and Hartford South Association and Consociation; diaries, memoranda, and various family papers of different periods; traditions in the oldest families of the town; old Bibles with records and marginal memoranda; manuscripts in the families of descendants of the earlier pastors; the "daily entries" of Rev. William Robinson, beginning with his ministry and continuing through his life; diary of the late Stephen Walkley, 1806-60; old documents placed in my hands by the late Joel Root, Jr.; Memoir of Rev. William Robinson, by his son; President Porter's Address, 1840; the local histories of various towns in New England; biographics, &c., &c. Thousands of...

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