Mrs. Samuel Williston
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Mr. Luther Wright, Senior, which is now known as the "Pulpit Elm."
The first church was organized, November 17, 1785, also at the home of Captain Joseph Clapp. It consisted of 72 members, 45 from Northampton and 26 from Southampton. Mr. Stephen Wright was chosen moderator, and Mr. Philip Clark, Clerk. At this time, Rev. Aaron Walworth was hired to preach, and afterward invited to settle with them, but he declined the call, and April 16, 1789, it was voted in town meeting to call Rev. Payson Williston to be their pastor, the town fixing his salary at £65 per year, soon to be increased to £70 and thirty-five cords of wood, and he accepted the call. As was the custom of those times, a day of fasting and prayer preceded Mr. Williston's ordination, which took place August 13, 1789, and the settlement was a most fortunate one. Though only a youth at the time of enlistment, Mr. Williston had served in the war, was examined and admitted to Yale College on the day his term expired.
He had graduated at Yale College, where men distinguished in their respective lines had been his classmates, had taken a theological course, and had preached a year of two; so that he brought to this zealous, rather exacting parish a scholarly readiness and efficiency which contact with bright minds helps to give, coupled with a religious devotion which now seems remarkable.
He was settled for life at 25, but at 70 he thought best to resign. His resignation was reluctantly accepted, though he continued to be regarded as pastor and advisor during the rest of his life, which terminated at 92 on January 30, 1856.
The present First Church was built in 1836 on the present site of North Hall, and the whole parish, which then was the whole people were interested in the building of a new church.
A raising, back in the 30's was everywhere an event, and that of this church was a notable one. It began at noon of one day, continued through all the next day; and half the next. At noon of the second day, a great dinner was served to all the parish, the people sitting at tables spread out of doors and under the temporary shelters put up for the workmen. As remembered, it was a great dinner, a barbecue, and Mr. Hezekiah Wright furnished the baked meats. The beverage furnished was cider, a barrel being on the ground for the occasion, and Miss Frances Parsons and Miss Fidelia Graves served it. As there were only about 700 people in the town at the time, the structure was quite an ambitious one. The church was built out to the walk, moved
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