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1800
Class F/04 Book B4505
3
BETHANY
4.46
SKETCHES AND RECORDS.
COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY
W. C. SHARPE, SEYMOUR, CONN.
RECORD PRINT, SEYMOUR. 1908.
F 45
.
PREFACE.
This book is intended to put in convenient form for handy reference sketches, transcripts of records and other data which have been collected for some years and which seemed worthy to be embodied in book form. The writer is especially indebted to Wallace D. Humiston for assistance in the work. While errors may be found in the names and dates it should be remembered that most of them are probably in the original records, as any who have had experience in similar research knows that names are variously spelled at different times, and dates are not always correctly entered, as for instance the writer has sometimes found on careful investigation that the date of a marriage license has been recorded in place of the date of a marriage, and a date of burial instead of death.
The writer has collected largely of genealogical data of many Bethany families but is unable at present to devote the time necessary to carry them to such a degree of completion as would warrant their insertion here, and the work is therefore of necessity brought to a close.
CONTENTS.
Andrew family, 123.
Deaths and Burials, 64, 94.
Baptisms, 55.
Beecher-Wheeler homestead 99.
Marriages, 49, 81.
Birtlis, 89.
Methodist Church, 33.
Carrington family, 122.
Representatives, 114.
Christ Church, 25.
Schools, 104.
Church Bells, 46.
The Hills of Bethany, a poem, 78.
Congregational Church, 2.
Hotchkiss Family, 126.
The Todd family, 85. Lounsbury Family, 129.
Doolittle Family, 132.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Floor Plan of first Cong'l Church, 5.
Present Congregational Church, 22. Interior of same, 23.
Christ Church and Rectory, 27.
Interior of Christ Church, 29,
Methodist Episcopal Church, 33.
Perkins Hotel, two views, 43. 45.
Carrington Cemetery, two views, 94,95. Portrait of Jerome A. Downs, 1st, 120.
Center Cemetery, 9%.
Beecher-Wheeler homestead, 99.
Downs Street Schoolhouse, 105.
Smith 107.
Beecher 109.
Center 110.
Gate 111.
Cemetery near res. of A. G. Sperry, 113. Original Dowas homestead, 119.
Portrait of Jerome A. Downs, 2d, 121.
Portrait of Abram E. Carrington, 122.
Downs Family, 115.
THE FIRST ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY.
Bethany was incorporated as a town in | chosen societies' committee. It was "vo- May, 1832, but as an ecclesiastical society ted that the meetings shall begin on the second Sabbath in December and hold until the last in April." it has an honorable record which ante. dates the Revolution by twelve years and contribu'ed liberally of men and means during that great epoch of history.
It was in May, 1762, that a petition was presented to the General Assembly, signed by "Joel Hotchkiss and others, inhabi- tants of the northern parts of the parish of Amity, in the town of New Haven, praying to be made a distinct ecclesiasti. cal society with proper limits and bounds;" and a committee was appointed to hear the parties interested and to report at the next session of the General Assembly.
At the October session ("on the second Thursday of October") a favorable report was made, and it was enacted that the "inhabitants of the parish of Amity living north of an east and west line drawn from the south end of the widow Hannah Sper- ry's dwelling house, as prayed for in said memorial, shall be a distinct ecclesiasti- cal society, with all the privileges and powers naturally belonging to such socie- ties in this Colony, and shall be called and known by the name of Bethany."
The first meeting of the new society was held Nov. 13, 1762. The record reads, "At a Lawful Society meeting of the inhabitants of bethany in newhaven and milford held at the schoolhouse in sd bethany," etc.
"Vo ed that a raight be laid of a penny halt-penny on the pound for defraying the charges of preaching the year ensuing "
The next winter the meetings were to begin on the second Sabbath in November and application was made "unto the Rev- erand Association for a minister to be set- tled among us." At the meeting of the Association of New Haven County, con- vened in Waterbury May 31st, 1763, Mr. Stephen Hawley was recommended. He was called on probation for the first Wed- nesday in June, 1763, for three months, and ou the 3d Wednesday in August it was voted "to settle him in the work of the ministry amongst us," and to allow him 200 pounds settlement, "100 pounds the first year after he is first settled, one- half of settlement, and 50 pounds yearly the next two years, with 50 pounds salary a year the first three years, then 65 pounds a year."
"On the second Wednesday of Decem- ber, 1767, it was voted that it is necessary to build a meetingbouse." It was also voted to make it 50 ft. long and 40 ft. wide and a rate of four pence on the pound was laid to defray the expense, "the rate to be laid in flax seed or some other spee- she that will answer at New York."
At a meeting of the society held on the last Wednesday of April, 1768, "it was voted that this society will make applyca-
Deacon Joel Hotchkiss was elected moderator, James Sherman clerk, and Timothy Peck, John White, Isaae Beech- er, Daniel Toles and Joel Hotelikiss were | tion to the honourable general assembly
3
BETHANY
for the one bit purchis in milford bound that lyeth south of the top of beacon hill and also for that part of Darby that lyeth between bethany and nawgetuck river to be annexed to sd. Bethany." The peti- tion was granted at the Jannary session of the General Assembly, 1769, in the fol- lowing words:
"Resolved by this assembly, that the said lands belonging to the first society of Milford which lies north of said Beth- any south line extending westward un il it came 10 said Derby east line be, and they hereby are, annexed unto the said society of Bethany and made part thereof."
At a meeting in December, 1763, it was "voted that we will get timber this winter and set up the meetinghous next spring and cover it as fast as we conveniently can. Dea. Hotchkiss, Dea. White, Capt. Hitchcock, Capt. Lines, Mr. Jesse Brad- ley, Mr. Hez. Clark and Mr. Timothy Peck shall be a committee to carry on the building abovesaid."
"Voted, that those that skoar timber for the meetinghous shall have two shil- ling and sixpence pr day."
"Voted that those that hew shall have three shillings and sixpence pr day."
"Voted that we will apply to the county court for a new committee to stait a plase for the me tinghous."
The location finally decided upon was on the hill a little south of where the church now stands. There the church was erected in 1769, and enclosed 80 that services were held in it, though not completed until some years later.
"The sum total of Bethany rate book in the year 1776 is 07524-8-1. Then take out ye Churchmen's list, and there re- mains on the list 6720:11:0, at 2d half pen- ny on ye pound makes 69:17:5, then take out one penny on New Haven side which makes 23:9:3; then remains on ye book 46:8:2.""
Ensign JOEL HOTCHKIS, Collector.
Timothy Ball was one of the committee in 1766 and two years later is referred to as Lient. Ball. The use of military terms had become more common in 1778 as shown in the record of the choice of the society's committee, Capt. Ball, Capt. E. Sperry, Ensign Jacob Hotchkiss, Jared Sherman and Ensign Joel Hotchkis. A rate of two pence on the pound was then voted. At this mee ing it was also "vo- ted yt ye Society shall pay Mr. Hawley's Sallery in Provisions, Labor & other Spe- cies according to ye first stateing of pro- visions by ye general assembly, wheet at 3-6 & other things in Proportion. & those yt Doant pay in ye afforsd Species of Pro- visions &c., shall pay money equivalent."
"Voted yt Deacon Peck, Capt. Ball & Ensign Jacob Hotchkiss should be a com- mittee to seat ye meetinghouse."
"Voted yt ye Committee shall have re- gard to age & what each one has paid to ye building of sd house & according to their discression with all."
A diagram of the church with names of pewholders as assigned in 1791 has been preserved and trom it the illustration giv- en herewith has been made. The original drawing is 13 3-16x18 inches, on hand made paper 15gx182, with two water- marks, one a crown over G R, (Georgius Rex) and the other the name TAYLOR. In it the pews are not numbered, the names being written in the space representing each pew, but in the reduced copy given herewith numbers have been inserted and the names are given below.
1. Deacons.
2. Widow Ruth Brisco, Lydia Peck, Ilannah Sperry.
3 and 4. No names given.
5. Capt. Ezra Sperry, Mr. Daniel Tolles, Mr. John Thomas, Capt. Joel Hotch- kiss, Widow Mary Ball.
6. Mr. Roger Peck, Lieut. Medad HIotch- kiss, Mr. Valentine Willmott, Widow Sarah Andrews.
4
18
-1
1G
34
1
L
19
30
15
2
14
3
20
29
13
4
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
11
12
6
21
10
9
8
7
23
26
27
DIAGRAM OF PEWS.
28
Pulpit
31
6
BETHANY.
7. Mr. Timothy Bronson, Mr. Benjamin Hotchkiss, Mr. Elam Sperry, Mr. Tim- othy Lounsbury, Jr., Mr. Jesse Terrel. 8. Widow Hannah Beecher, Mr. Lam- berton Tolles, Mr. Timothy Ball, Mr. Jared To'les. Widow Perkins.
9. Lient. Jesse Beecher, Mr. Jared Beecher, Mr. II. zekiah Beecher.
10. Mr. Samuel Hotchkiss, Mr. John Russell, Mr. Elias Hotchkiss, Mr. Eber Lines.
11. Mr. Buckingham, Mr Hezekiah Johnson, Mr. Joseph Bishop, Mr. Eden Johnson.
12. Ensign Jacob Hotchkiss, Mr. Heze- kiah Sperry, Mr. Nathaniel Tuttle, Mr. Joseph Hotchkiss.
13. Messrs. Ezekial Smith, Abraham Pain, Jacob Barnes, David Beers, Jona- than Sackett, Silas Nelson.
14. Messrs. Stephen Lounsbury, Abel Ives, Joseph Collins, Reuben Bradley, Elihu Sauford, Joseph Woolcott, Ste, h- en Sanford.
15. Messrs. Isaac Beecher, Valentine Willmott, Amos Hitchcock, John Lines, Sam'll Downs, Abijah Buckingham. John Wooding, Jonathan Atwater, Es- quire French.
16. Rev. Stephen Hawley's family.
17. Mr. Timothy Lounsbury, Mr David Thomas, Mr. Oliver Buckingham, Capr. Elijah Sperty.
18. Cart. Lazarus Tolles, David Sanford, John Alsop Talmadge, Mr. Amos At- water, Mr. Amasa Tuttle, Elihu San- ford, Jr.
19. Mr. Reuben Sperry, Mr Lucas Lines, Widow Phebe Tirrel, Mr. Caleb An- drus, Mr. Demas Sperry.
20. Ensign Garshom Thomas, Mr. Amos Thomas, Mr. Ebenezer Hitchcock, Mr. Isaac Foot, Mr. John Nettleton, Mr. Isaac Sperry.
21. Mr. Lemuel Alling, Mr. Joel Collins, Mr. Joseph Hitchcock, Mr. David At- water, Mr. Medad Sperry, Mr. Joseph
Collins, Mehetibal Sanford.
22. Mr. Linus Lounsbury, Mr. Noah AI- ling, Mr. Nathan Beer-, John Russell. 23. Mr. Joel Hotchkiss, Jr., Mr. Joseph Downs, Mr. Felix Downs, Mr. Jonathan Sanfor i.
24. Mr. Joel Wheeler, Mr. Isaac Ilotch- kiss, Mr. Aaron Clark, Mr. Timothy Hitchcock, Widow Mary Brisco.
25. Lieut. Abraham Tolles, Mr. Noah Thomas, Mr. Saml. Peck, Mr. Edward Warren, Widow Sarah Nettleton.
26. Mr. Justus Beecher, Mr. Wheler Beecher, Mr. Nathaniel Warren, Mr. Elias Lounsbury, Mr. John Tirrel, Mr. Thomas Kimbal.
27. No names entered.
28. Mr. Jonathan Smith, Mr. David Will- mott, Mr Walter Willmott, Mr. Matthew Baldwin, Mr. William Hitchcock, Mr. David E. Hotchkiss.
29. Mr. Ebenezer Lines, Mr. Uri Sperry, Mr. Amos Hitchcock Mr. Robert Rus- sell, Mr. James I. Hotchkiss, Mr. Ben- jamin Collins.
30 Mr. Jabez Hotchkiss, Mr. Abraham Hotchkiss, Mr. Stephen Hotchkiss, Mr. Elmore Russel.
31. Mr. Reuben Perkins, Mr. Phenihas Tirrel, Mr. Ezekiel Hotchkiss, Mr. John Thomas, Jr , Mr. Israel Perkins, Mr. William Andrew.
32. Capt. Hine, Capt. Thomas, Lient. Atwater, Eliphalet Johnson.
33 Mr. Daniel Beecher, Deacons' wives, Capt. Sanford.
34. Widow Anne Russell, Widow Re- beckah Hitchcock, Widow Sarah Downs
We are told that the meetinghouse was partially surrounded by "Sabbath Day Houses" in which in cold weather fires were built on arrival in the morning. After the morning service all left the un- warmed church for these buildings, and ate their dinners in the cheering warmth of the fires in the stone "fireplaces."
7
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The location, of the church had been made by a committee appointed by the County Court. Difficulties seem to have arisen; a second application to the Court was made in 1768, and a third in 1769; and at length in May, 1769, it was voted "that we are willing to build a meetinghouse at the last stake set by the Honorable County Court's Committee." On this question there were 29 in the affirmative and 10 in the negative. A committee consisting of Isaac Beecher, Eusign Clark and Israel Thomas was appointed to purchase the land of Isaac Hotchkiss.
Of the votes taken while the preparations for building were in progress some were recorded which illustrate some customs of the times. In Decem- ber, 1767, it was voted "that we will provide the boards, clapboards shingles, nails and glass necessary for building a meetinghouse the year ensuing " A tax was laid, and it was decided that one half might be paid "in flax seed, or some other species that will answer at New York." The Society fixed the prices to be paid for the different kinds of lumber.
In December, 1768, a vote was passed, "that we will get timber this winter, and set up the meetinghouse as fast as we conveniently can." It was ordered " that those that score timber for the meetinghouse shall have two shillings and sixpence per day ; and those that hew shall have three shillings and sixpence per day." Deacon White and Deacon Hotchkiss were appointed "to cull the clap- boards and shingles for the meetinghouse."
In March, 1769, it was voted "that this Society give free liberty for a belfry to be built on the meetinghouse ;" but this liberty was not then used. In January, 1770, the Society meeting was held in the meetinghouse for the first time.
It was customary to appoint particular persons "to tune the psalm." In 1765, the choristers were Valentine Wilmot, Benajah Peck and Stephen Sanford. In 1770, on entering the new church, a larger number received this appointment, viz : Isaac Baldwin, Joel Hotchkiss, Thomas Beecher, Anan Ives, Lazarus Tolles, Timothy Lounsbury, Nathaniel Tuttle and Nehemiah Tolles. At this time it was voted "that the choristers sit together near the foot of the pulpit stairs."
In 1771 a committee was appointed "to give liberty to people to build pews in the meetinghouse, where they see cause." In 1773 a tax was laid "to color the meetinghouse and case the windows, and to provide boards for the inside of the house." In 1774 a vote was passed "that the meetinghouse be colored blue, and the windows white;" but soon a special meeting was called "for the purpose of altering the color of the meetinghouse;" and it was decided to color it white. In December, 1776 it was voted " to finish the lower part of the meetinghouse, and the front of the galleries."
In 1777 Nathanael Tuttle, Isaac Baldwin, Daniel Tolles and Joel Hine were chosen "to tune the psalm, and sit in the fore seat in the front gallery." In 1778 it was voted "that the Society shall pay Mr. Hawley's salary in provisions, labor, and other species, according to the first stating of provisions by the General As- sembly - wheat at six shillings, and other things in proportion ; and those that do not pay in the aforesaid species of provisions, &c , shall pay money equivalent."
At the same meeting a committee was appointed to seat the meetinghouse- viz : Deacon Peck, Capt. Ball, and Ensign Jacob Hotchkiss ; and it was ordered that "the committee shall have regard to age, and what each one has paid to the building of said house, and according to their discretion with all." In December,
8
BETHANY.
1779, a vote was passed "that the committee shall lay out the overplus money of finishing the meetinghouse, on the steps and other ways as they think best."
Thus, at the end of ten years from its raising. the house seems to have been considered finished. In 1791 the Society voted "to take up three seats in the square body, and build pews on each side of the broad alley." In 1792 it was re- solved "That the Society may build a steeple to the meetinghouse, if they can get money enough signed to build said steeple." But the steeple and bell were not added until 1803.
There were three entrances, north, south and east, the latter being the prin- cipal one and facing the street, and opening into the central aisle. It will be noticed that the large pews had seats on four sides, except only at the place of entrance, so that some, it is said the children, sat with their backs to the minister. There were doors to each pew, as was common until within half a century.
Most of the old churches were not lathed or plastered, but we are told that this was the exception to the rule, but as churches were not warmed in those days, it was cold in winter, and even with the "Sabbaday houses" and their cheerful warmth to resort to before and after service, it must have often been a great trial to endure the cold during the services, notwithstanding the relief to some by means of box frames lined with perforated tin, which were filled with live coals from the fires in the Sabbaday houses and carried into the church for footwarmers.
The pulpit was very high, so that the minister could have a fair view of the galleries which extended across three sides of the church and were reached by stairways in the northeast and southeast corners of the church.
The "meetinghouse" of a century ago was often the only place in town suitable for a town meeting, and it was not thought inappropriate to hold within its walls the yearly meeting to arrange town affairs for the ensuing twelve months.
It is interesting to note that there were paid singers a hundred years ago, as we tind under date of 1793 an entry of £2 paid Isaac Foot for singing, as well as £1:5s to Eber Lines for sweeping the meetinghouse.
THE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.
BY W. D. HUMISTON.
Two centuries ago but very few set- tlers had sought homes in the vast and almost trackless forest which prevailed in the northern part of New Haven, and A few, however, had built rude cabins on the Mattatuck Turnpike, Straits Highway and Downs Street at base of Mad Mare's Hill. These localities are still sometimes called by the names which the early settlers gave them.
The first settlers found themselves far from any place of public worship, yet every Sabbath found them wend- ing their way fully armed against the dusky savages, who might lurk in the deep recesses of the forest, to the meet- inghouse on New Haven green.
A few years later Amity Parish was incorporated, and for over twenty years the inhabitants of the present towns of Bethany and Woodbridge formed but one ecclesiastical society. On the Lord's Day and on other occasions our fathers, the hardy pioneers of this for- est town, assembled at the meeting- house of the parish of Amity and offer- ed up their devotions as a united body. For seven or eight miles in all direc- tions thse men of God descended from the breezy, life-giving hills, to the tem- ple down in the valley, to pay this debt of duty to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe. Their affections during these years entwined themselves around the old sanctuary. They loved their kind pastor, Rev. Mr. Woodbridge, and the great inconvenience of the remote parts of their parish could scarcely in-
duce them to think of forming a new society and forming new church rela- tions.
But at length the time came when it what nowcomprisesthe townof Bethany. seemed necessary to many to separate
from the old society and attempt the formation of a new one. And accord- ingly a memorial was sent to the May session of the General Assembly in 1762. A committee was appointed to view the circumstances and report. This committee, having attended to the duties of their appointment, reported favorably and a distinct ecclesiastical society was incorporated and named Bethany. The following is a copy of the original charter:
"BETHANY MADE A DISTINOT EOOLESIAS- TIOAL AND CIVIL SOCIETY, SIMILAR TO OTHER PARISHES IN THIE COLONY, BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT."
"At a General Assembly of the Col - ny of Connecticut, held at New Haven, on the second Thursday of October, A. D. 1762, upon the memorial of Joel Hotchkiss and others, the Inbabitants of the Parish of Amity, living north of an east and west line drawn from the dwelling house of the Widow Hannah Sperry,
Preferred to this Assembly at their sessions in May last; representing the inconveniences they are under in attend- ing the public worship, &c., and pray- ing for said Privileges; a Committee was granted, &c., which Committee having made report to this Assembly
IO
BETHANY
of their Opinion, that said Memorialists and Inhabitants dwelling north of said east and west line should be made a So- ciety, &c., which report being accepted by this Assembly,
"Thereupon it is enacted and order- ed, That said Inhabitants of the Parish of Amity, living north of an east and west line drawn from south end of the Widow Hannah Sperry's dwelling House, as prayed for in said Memorial, shall be and they are hereby made a distinct Ecclesiastial Society, with all the Privileges and Powers usually be longing to such Societies in this Col- ony,. and shall be called and known by the name of Bethany, A true copy examined.
"By George Wyllis, Secretary."
The parish of Bethany is one of the oldest in this vicinity, and at the time of its incorporation was bounded on the north by the parish of Waterbury, west by Oxford and Derby, south by Amity and east by North Haven. The society began at once to exercise its power by levying a tax "at a penny halfpenny for defsaying the charges of preaching the year ensewing." The parsonage lands lying in Bethany, hav- ing been sold by Amity, action was ta ken at once to recover them. A com- mitthe was appointed to receive from the A nity committee the bonds for "the three publick lots that they have sold in s'd Bethany and which was a parsonage for s'd Society."
The church now deemed it necessary to settle a suitable minister over the parish, and accordingly, on April 20, 1763, Deacon Joel Hotchkiss and Tin- thy Peck were appointed to confer with the Reverend Association in order to obtain their advice concerning a candidate. At a meeting of this asso- cirtion convened at Waterbury Ste- phen Hawley was strongly recommend- ed to the Society. Isaac Beecher and
Samuel Downs were appointed to be a Comtt. to apply unto Mr. Stephen Haw- ley to call him upou three months' pro- bation in order for settlement." Two hundred pounds settlement was voted. This was to be paid in thres years; one hundred pounds the first year and fifty the two remaining years. Mr. Hawley was to receive fifty pounds salary the first year, and this was to increase with the parish lists to seventyfive. On being informed of these votes, the Rev. Stephen Hawley sent this reply: "To the people of Bethany:
"Hoping that love and unanimity and the grace of our common Lord Jesus Christ may be multiplied among you, I have taken into consideration your public votes and desires that I would settle among you in the arduous employment of the gospell ministry, and also the settlement you have offer ed me, together with the salary for my yearly maintainance, and I think that what you have done for me is both generous and honorable, and I return my hearty thanks for your Christian good will. I firmly rely upon it that you will not see me in indigent circum- stances and turn off your bowels of tenderness and relief. I depend upon it that you will conduct towards me as an em bassador and servant of Christ, and yet as a treasure in an earthern vessel and subject to many infirmities.
"Upon these conditions I accept of your propositions, and am willing to settle among you unless something very material happens before the ordi- nation.
"May the God of Truth guide our hearts into all truth, and by the grace of God may we so behave as that our neighbor societys may see how beauti- ful it is to dwell together in unity.
"STEPHEN HAWLEY.
"Bethany, Sept. 12, 1763."
II
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The ordination of Rev. Stephen Haw- | Downs, French, Foot, Grinnel, Hine, ley took place on Oct. 12, 1663. The Hitchcock, Hooker, Hotchkiss, Ives, Johnson, Kimball, Lines, Lounsbury, Nelson, Nettleton, Pain, Peck, Perkins, Russell, Sackett, Sanford, Sherman, Smith. Sperry, Talmadge, Terrel, Thomas, Todd, Tolles, Turner, Tuttle, Warren, Wheeler, Wilmott, White, Wolcott and Wooding. ordination services were performed in a field about one mile south of the present church, near the first Bethany meeting house, a small building erect- ed on the corner opposite the home of William Smith, for public worship, but never entirely finished. Several min isters of other parishes were present, among whom was the Rev. Dr. Trum bull of North Haven, the famous histo- rian of Connecticut.
In the early days of which we are speaking the singing was done in the following manner: A person was ap pointed to act as chorister or "to set the psalm," who selected and "pitched" the tunes; then a line or two was read off, when the whole congregation joined in singing them, and thus proceeding al- ternately to read and sing the lines un- til the whole psalm had been sung. By an action taken by the society Valen tine Willmott and Stephen Sanford were appointed to tune the psalm.
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