History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1725] JONATHAN EDWARDS AS COLLEAGUE PASTOR. 43
absent eiglit days, but seems to have accomplished noth-
ing. Whom he interviewed on his journey is not recorded.
In Ma3^ 1725, lie was paid 38s. " for going to Hartford for
a minister. '" Jonathan Edwards was at that time Tutor in
Yale College, living at New Haven. If application was
made to him, illness soon rendered it impossible for him to
entertain a proposition. In the fall of 1725, he was severely
ill, and did not fully recover till about the middle of the
following year. Soon after, Dea. Clark went again on the
same errand, and was paid 4s. " for going twice to Hadley."
Rev. Israel chaun- An engagement was made with Mr. Israel
cey Engaged Chauucey^ of Hadley, and he was employed
Temporarily. _ . it ^ i , ; /• i i i t j_-n
during the latter part ot that year, and till
August, 1726. Mr. Chauncej^ was paid £13 for assisting
Mr. Stoddard one quarter, which ended in February 172|.
From this it appears that about three months elapsed before
an assistant was procured. The town took no action rela-
tive to the employment of Mr. Chauncey. He was hired
by the committee evidently without thought of a permanent
engagement. It is possible that the community
already had Mr. Edwards in view as a suitable person for
colleague pastor, and while awaiting his decision, delayed
as it may have been by illness, Mr. Chauncey was employed
temporarily. It may be believed that the venerable pastor
himself suggested the name of his grandson for the position.
At all events Mr. Edwards came to Northampton
early in August, 1726, though he did not resign his tutorship
till September, after he had received a call from this
church and town. The last payment to Mr. Chauncey was
made on the 3'' of August, and the first to Mr. Edwards on
the 29"' of the same mouth. He then received £5 " for his
travel and one months assistance to Mr. Stoddard in the
ministry."
1 Israel Chauucey was the son of Rev. Isaac Chauncey, second minister at Hadley^
He was graduated at Harvard College in 1734, and taught school at Hadley, during a
portion of that year. After his services in this town, he preached at Housatonuuck,
but becoming delirious he returned to his father at Hadley. On account of his infirmity
he was confined in a small house near the parsonage. This building caught
fire in the night, and he was burned to death. He was accustomed to cry fire during
the night, and consequently no notice was taken of his cries at this time. He had
been invited to settle at Norwalk and Glastonbury, Ct., but declined.