| Notes |
- He may be the Elder Joseph Hastings who witnessed the affadavit of Jabez Remington, 12 June 1776. Rev. Joseph Hastings founded the First Baptist Church of Suffield. Hastings Hill, part of Hill St. historic district, is named after the family.
"The establishment here of the earliest Baptist Church in Hartford County, and one of the earliest in the state, gives added significance to the site. The continuing rural circumambience and complete lack of intrusions give a sense of authenticity to this stretch of country road.
"Joseph Hastings spoke out against certain practices of the established Congregational Church in Suffield as early as 1740. He advocated greater freedom of thought and worship, and more involvement by men and women of the congregation in church affairs, with the result that in 1748 he and his group were formally considered no longer to be members of the Congregational Church. Hastings became an ordained Baptist minister and continued to provide leadership for his followers until, in 1769, they were able to erect their first church building on the triangular plot at the intersection of Hill Street, Spruce Street, and Russell Avenue, a comfortable distance of three miles from the town center, where they were not welcome. Settlers had lived along this ridge from the 17th century, calling the area Kent Hill. With the arrival of the church and the Hastings influence, the name was changed to Zion Hill and then to Hastings Hill. The first church in the triangle was built of wood. The second church, built across the street on the present site in 1793, was brick, and the present wood Greek Revival structure followed in 1846." (source: http://www.livingplaces.com/CT/Hartford_County/Suffield_Town/Hastings_Hill _Historic_District.html)
|
1703 - 1785 (81 years)