USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > New Canaan > Canaan parish, 1733-1933, being the story of the Congregational church of New Cannan, Connecticut > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
CANAAN PARISH 1733-1933
JUL L.
ROSY LIBR
NNECT
hbl, stx 1
BX 7255.N34C6
Canaan parish, 1733-1933,
3 9153 00440337 6
BX/7255/N34/C6/pt.1
H. S. Curtis New Canaan
Coun.
FIRST EDITION OF WHICH THIS COPY IS NO 264.
1 NEW CANAAN ADVERTISER NEW CANAAN, CONN. JANUARY 1935
PART I
Canaan Parish
1733-1933
Being the STORY of the CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
of New Canaan, Connecticut, Catena
Chất
As told by the observance of its Two Hundredth Anniversary, June 20 to December 20, 1933
FLOSSWG-PARRIT.MY.
Church Hill, showing the present Meeting House, the Academy and St. Mark's Church, 1850.
ALSO The History and Addresses of the Methodist Episcopal and St. Mark's Churches given upon the occasion of their 100th and 150th Anniversaries respectively.
"Thou didst confirm thine inheritance when it was weary. Thy congregation dwelt therein-Psalm 68. A vital characteristic of all world religions is a sense oftenest called 'the historic sense.' It is more than that-it is an awareness of God in the history of a people: like the children of Israel conscious of a divine hand in their life from generation to generation, their own purposes moulded by the inspiration of prophet and priest unfolding the sacred Word and marching on through time to meet the destiny in store for it.
"A time of anniversary permits a church to write its own Bible in this regard: we can reflect on the record of lives supported by God which were as near to us as the ancestors of the Psalmist were to him-a continuing testimony to the awareness of God, and a story which tells how God confirmed his inheritance when it was weary and how his congregation dwelt therein."-Rev. Merrill Fowler Clarke's Historical Sermon coincident with the Washington Bi-centenary, July 3, 1932.
[V.]
SOFIN
Server K Geerlings
"Thy Church, thrice set upon the hill A beacon light appears. Its rays undimmed, 'tis shining still Through twice a hundred years."
[VI.]
PREFACE
T HE long established custom of publishing the record of a church anni- versary observation prompted the undertaking of this book. Any study of the many church anniversary books must raise in the mind of the thought- ful reader a question whether they have not missed some of the possibilities of presenting the history of a community against a church background, and whether such a book is not quite the proper vehicle for that thesis.
In the case of Canaan Parish, like that of most early New England churches, the history of the church and that of the town are so closely interwoven that they can scarcely be told separately. We in New Canaan have grown to accept this as a fact up to 1801 when the church and town became separate identities. From then on, we have been inclined to think of their histories as entirely divorced from their former unity. To a degree this is perhaps true, but to a greater degree they have remained, if not organically united, certainly so closely involved in both their common and their respective aims and their sources of inspiration and guidance, that they remain the subject of a single story.
This book is not intended to be a history of Canaan Parish and her de- scendant, New Canaan, in the conventional manner beginning with geography, settlement, growth of institutions and industries, biography of outstanding men, and ending with the inevitable statistical data. That has all been done most ably by Professor Samuel St. John in 1876, and by Mrs. Charlotte Chase Fairley in 1932. It aims rather to invite the present generation, residents of an exceptionally favored small New England town, with a background rich in storied past, to reflect upon the values of simple lives-lives of the generations lived in orderly continuity and approaching ever nearer to our own day, and then to contemplate this picture into which we ourselves are adding line and color, form and perspective. There are no striking high lights in it-it is not that kind of a picture, but there is decided depth and tone-altogether a pic- ture to stimulate profitable reflection.
Part One is essentially the story of the Congregational Church of Canaan Parish and New Canaan. More especially it is the story of a celebration of its two hundredth anniversary preceded by the St. John Address, reprinted with illustrations. Whether one has active church affiliations or not, it must be admitted that the celebration of a two hundredth birthday is an impressive experience. A program extending over a period of six months is likewise some- what arresting. The quality of the effort may be judged by the reader. The serious interest in it is unmistakably reflected by the large number of people who participated in its creation and presentation.
[VII. ]
Part One also contains the historical papers of both the Episcopal and Methodist churches both of which celebrated anniversaries during the period. The Talmadge Hill Chapel, the Catholic, Christian Science, and the African M. E. churches also record their histories. The critical reader of Part One may find briefly there some matter that should be helpful in an orientation of the church as an institution of society in a small community during the years 1733 to 1933.
Part Two is a story of the land-or rather of its human associations for there is no other permanent tangible foundation upon which these associations accumulate. Houses, men, institutions, come and go, but the land remains to tell the story of the drama of life-life lived upon it from the earliest days on through the several acts and scenes until there comes upon the stage of this drama of the land, the present owner and speaks his lines in the never ending play. How the land of Canaan passed from "Commonage" into private owner- ship; who these people who first acquired it were; what they contributed to the story of the land; how it passed on to others and what their story was-in brief, Part Two is an effort to present the story of the generations with reference to the land we today occupy. Every hearthstone in New Canaan participates to some degree in these stories of the past. Into that story will be woven that of the present owner whose antecedents, though they may have lived their lives in other communities, nevertheless they and their descendants who have come here to live have enriched our story with theirs. And so the land goes on in its unending accumulation of human associations becoming ever richer for the next human beings who possess it.
If this conception of the book "Canaan Parish" proves worthy, then it would seem inevitable that the imaginary line sometimes appearing to our regret between the older families and the more recent comers must disappear for with the new story woven into the old, do we not become one? At least the historian of the future, seeking not age alone, but human values, must so record us. To him this line between the old and the new will be as difficult to recognize as are the "perambulation line" and the "sequester line" of the early days to us of the present.
New Canaan, Connecticut, 1934.
[VIII. ]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HISTORICAL
HISTORY OF CANAAN PARISH AND NEW CANAAN 7
An historical address by Professor Samuel St. John upon the occasion of the national centennial, July 4, 1876, at the Congregational church, reprinted here with illustrations.
METHODISM IN NEW CANAAN 215
An Historical Paper by Clifford Watson Hall.
ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 223
An Address by Bishop Stephen E. Keeler, given at the celebration of the One Hundredth Anniversary, May 13, 1934.
"A JOURNAL OF FAMILY VISITATIONS OF CANAAN" 77
By Rev. William Drummond, made December 7, 1772.
ECCLESIASTICAL
"WHY WE CELEBRATE" 1
The reason for, and the purpose of, the program-its scope and detail. Committees and organization. Calendar of events and services.
"CHOOSING THE SITE" 29
Pioneers of Canaan Parish-a prologue; "Choosing the Site"-a dramatic presentation of the selection of the site of the first meeting house by the founders.
ANNIVERSARY SERVICE PROGRAM 41
Sunday morning, June 25-"Through Retrospect to Today"-the anniversary sermon by the pastor, Rev. Merrill Fowler Clarke.
ANNIVERSARY SERVICE PROGRAM
50
Sunday afternoon, June 25-Recollections by Mrs. Emma Law Demeritt; by Mr. Gardner Heath; Greetings from the parent church, Norwalk, Rev. Dr. Beard; Greetings from the parent church, Stamford, Rev. W. H. McCance; Old hymns lined out by the precentor.
[IX.]
59
UNVEILING TABLET TO MINISTERS OF CHURCH
The Ministers from 1733 to 1853, by Stephen B. Hoyt; The Ministers from 1854 to 1890, by Mary Drummond Tunney; Rev. J. Howard Hoyt, D.D., by Darius A. St. John; Rev. Merrill Fowler Clarke, by Judge Stanley P. Mead.
UNVEILING TABLET TO THE SUPERINTENDENTS 77
The Church School-An historical study by Georgia Drummond Rae.
COMMUNITY SUNDAY
99
Order of Service-Greetings from St. Mark's, by Rev. M. R. Barton. Greetings from the Methodist Episcopal Church, Clifford W. Hall. Greetings from St. Aloysius' Church, by Edward Kelly. Greetings from the Talmadge Hill Chapel, by Mrs. Margaret C. Merritt. Greetings from the African M. E. Church, by Mrs. Cora Scott.
THE CHURCH IN OUTSIDE FIELDS 107
Miss Caroline Silliman, missionary teacher in Asia Minor.
YOUTH SUNDAY
1 109
Presentation of the Council Fire, by Richard Weil; Echoes of the Conference, by Ernest Urban; Youth Answers the Call, by Elizabeth Piper.
CIVIC SUNDAY
11
The Borough, by S. B. Hoyt; The Court, Police, and Fire Department, by Archibald E. Stevenson; The Post Office, by Postmaster William B. Simon; The Welfare Department, by Miss Violet Babcock; The Schools, by Henry W. Saxe.
"THE CHURCH-THERE SHE STANDS" 129
A Play by Stephen B. Hoyt.
THE PROGRAM ENDS 133
Reception to Mr. and Mrs. Clarke; A Tribute to Merrill Fowler Clarke; A Sketch of Merrill Fowler and Mary Bradley Clarke.
REPORTS OF THE ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEES 139
Religious Education; Youth in the Church; Goals and Programs- the church with reference to the individual, community, society. modern world, membership, school, deacons, services, ushers, edu- cation, other churches; personnel of the anniversary organization.
[X.]
THE CHURCH IN 1934 153
"We Scrutinize the Spiritual Health of Our Church," by the Deacons. Evidences of Spiritual Value, "Christian Piety" at its best; A widening task for the church; losses and gains.
THE TRUSTEES
A Sketch by George E. Kellogg, clerk. 159
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR
163
Ending September 10, 1933. The Raymond Will.
GENEALOGICAL
PRESENT MEMBERS AND OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH 171a
PASTORS, DEACONS AND DEACONESSES 177
MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 179
Arranged in chronological order from 1733 to 1933 with genealogical notes.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ORIGINAL SOURCES 251
GENEALOGIES OF NEW ENGLAND FAMILIES 252
CATALOGUE OF BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS 255
Owned by the New Canaan Historical Society.
DOCUMENTS 259
[XI. ]
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Church Hill in 1850 title page
The Congregational Church frontispiece
PAGE
Indian deed to Roger Ludlow, 1640 5
Indian deed to Captain Patrick, 1640 6
Indian deed to Nathaniel Turner, 1640 10
Fac-simile of Town Record of Stamford, 1730
12
Grant of Church Hill to Canaan Parish, 1732 13
Fac-simile of letter by Theophilus Fitch to General Assembly, 1733 15
The Second Meeting House 17
Fac-simile of Stamford's Act on Incorporation of New Canaan, 1801 19
"God's Acre," 1837 23
The Indian Rocks 25
"Ancient Map" 28
"Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" 33
"Those Timbered Hills are like none hereabouts" 35
The Committee from the General Assembly 37 The Cast of "Choosing the Site" 38
"Slumber on O Grandparents of many greats" 39
High Pulpit of Second Meeting House 41
The Rev. Merrill Fowler Clarke, portrait 44
Old Music 52
Photostat of Sermon by Rev. Justus Mitchell, 1799 64
The Rev. J. Howard Hoyt, D.D., portrait 72
Memorial Tablet to the Ministers, 1733-1933 76
A page from the Drummond "Journal of Family Visitation" 84
Memorial Tablet to Superintendents 98
Methodist Episcopal Church 106a
St. Aloysius' Church 106b
[XIII.]
Talmadge Hill Chapel 106c
African Methodist Episcopal Church 106c
Christian Science Society 106d
Caroline Silliman, portrait 107
The Church Hymn 108
The Council Fire 109
The Cast of "There She Stands - The Church" 130
Mr. and Mrs. Clarke before the Parsonage 136
158
Fac-simile of page of the Raymond Will, 1833
Youth Group 169
Old Methodist Episcopal Church 218
James Hait's Grant to Professors of the Church of England 227
St. Mark's Church 240
Captain Stephen Betts' grave 249
[XIV.]
1
WHY WE CELEBRATE
The Reason for, and Purpose of the Program - Its Scope and Detail.
T HE history of the Congregational Church of New Canaan dates from the ordination and settlement of its first minister, Rev. John Eells, which took place on June 20, 1733. The ceremony was held in the first meet- ing house, erected the previous year near the site occupied by our present church.
From those days to the present, men and women have looked to this hill- top as their meeting place with God. We are today on holy ground. Three church structures which our fathers erected here one after the other have attested the vitality of their faith and the sincerity of their search after God's leading for themselves and for their children. Sacrifices which we of these times cannot fully comprehend they made willingly. By their lives and their prayers, as well as by that formal dedication of two centuries ago, every foot of this ground is hallowed.
In recognition of the stalwart courage and valiant faith of the men and women of the eariler days the church of today is challenged to take account of its past. Let us survey the rich contributions which through it have been made to the religious life and to the wholesome atmosphere of our community. Let us also consider the part this congregation plays in the life of today, and let us plan most carefully how we may build now and in the future in order that our children may inherit the spiritual wealth of the past not only undiminished. but rather enhanced by our own endeavors.
No one day would suffice for a suitable commemoration of this long and noteworthy history. Therefore we propose that the activities of the church and of its several societies and organizations for the next six months give large place to a carefully planned program of celebration. Let us help our children to appreciate the heritage which is theirs. Let us visualize for ourselves anew the benefits we have received from the founders and from all those who have here labored and worshiped and sacrificed in the name of their God and ours. Let us plan wisely for the future as God gives us to foresee the needs of the future. And let us rekindle our own spiritual zeal that we, in our genera- tion, may add a worthy chapter to the history already written.
The program outlined here represents the work of a special Bi-Centennial Celebration Committee appointed by the church and charged with leading the congregation in this observance. We believe this program is worthy. We be-
1
lieve also that it is practical, and merits our best efforts to realize its aims. We invite and urge every member and friend of the church to unite whole-heartedly in our praise and rejoicing over what has been accomplished in 200 years'and in helping our church attain the objectives set forth in the following program.
We feel we should not merely rejoice over the past, but in consecration plan for the future; and therefore offer the following objectives which should grow naturally out of our celebration.
OBJECTIVES
1. To deepen and enrich spiritual life - in the church and community, in families and individuals.
2. To vitalize for our children and young people the history of the church.
3. To increase the membership of the Church and of its active societies and organizations with a share of work for all.
4. To bring added financial strength to the church, and so increase the service which it can render.
5. To adapt our present church building more suitably for the service it should render.
6. To consider what, because of its past history and present blessings, this church owes to the future, and to plan how that obligation may best be met.
7. To enable the church out of its spiritual heritage from the past to strengthen and increase its service to its members, to the community, and to the world-wide cause of Christ.
How MEET THESE OBJECTIVES
1. Enlist every member in active endorsement and support of these aims.
2. Assign specific committees to undertake specific projects looking toward achievement of these ends.
3. Strive to enlist more men and women of the church in specific volunteer service tasks and responsibilities.
4. Provide for every member charged with specific responsibility an opportunity for practical training.
5. Provide adequate and proper publicity for all church activities.
6. Seek to promote more general and more regular attendance and partici- pation in Sunday Morning services and other meetings of the church, such attendance and participation to be regarded as means of spiritual sus- tenance.
7. Help the members of the church and congregation to become better neighbors and friends, so they may better serve together.
2
S. Make real to every member and friend of the church the rich legacy bequeathed to us by the former men and women of this parish and by the Congregational Church as a world movement.
CALENDAR FOR THE CELEBRATION
Sunday, June 4-Children's Day and baptism of children.
Sunday, June 11-High School Baccalaureate service.
Monday, June 12-Congregational Business Meeting, in which the program of the anniversary celebration was approved.
Sunday, June 18-Anniversary Prayer and Thanksgiving Service.
Tuesday, June 20-Anniversary Garden Party and Historical Play.
Sunday, June 25-Anniversary Services, with former members and members of the parent congregations in Stamford and Norwalk as guests of honor. An address was delivered by Rev. Augustus Beard, whose life has spanned more than half that of the church here. In the morning Rev. Merrill F. Clarke preached the historical sermon.
Friday, June 30-Preparation for Communion.
Sunday, July 2-Communion Service and reception of new members.
Sunday, July 9-Community Sunday, honoring the ministers and members of the other churches of New Canaan.
Wednesday, July 19-Church Night, with a hymn sing and musical program in charge of the choir.
Sunday, August 12-Aged and shut-in members of the church were guests of honor at the unveiling and dedication of a marble tablet in the church nave on which were engraved the names of the fourteen ministers who have served the church since its founding. Miss Adria Kellogg, descendant of the second minister, Rev. Robert Silliman, and also of the fourth minister, Rev. Justus Mitchell, unveiled the tablet.
Wednesday, August 23-Church Night, with the program in charge of the trustees. Because of a severe storm the church was in darkness, and the meeting, planned for outdoors, was held by candle light inside.
Friday, September 1-Preparation for Communion.
Sunday, September 3-Communion Service and reception of new members. The Church School resumed its work after the Summer vacation, meeting in the church. The morning service was a memorial marking a quarter- century of missionary service in the Near East by Miss Caroline Silliman, a member of the church.
3
Sunday, September 10-Church Youth Day, with two young people speaking from the pulpit on the ideals and aspirations which youth hopes to find realized through the leadership of the church. In the afternoon the lay- men of the church conducted the annual every-member financial canvass. Wednesday, October 18-Annual meeting of the church, with a supper in the parish house.
Sunday, October 22-Community Sunday, honoring the civic and community leaders and organizations of New Canaan.
Sunday, October 29-Religious Education Day, with a review of the history of the Sunday School by Mrs. Georgia Drummond Rae, a special sermon from Rev. Merrill F. Clarke, and the rededication of the parish hall follow- ing the completion of alterations. A marble tablet commemorating the service of the men who have served as Sunday School superintendent was unveiled in the new vestibule of the parish hall. In the evening the Young People's Department kindled a symbolic fire on the hearth of the Council Fire and dedicated it to the Light of the Great Ideal.
Friday, November 2-Preparation for Communion.
Sunday, November 5-Communion Service and Reception of Members.
Sunday, November 12-Armistice Sunday, with members of Howard M. Bossa Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, New Canaan Post of the American Legion, and the auxiliaries of these organizations, and the New Canaan Girl Scouts as honor guests in the morning congregation.
Wednesday, November 22-Presentation of "There She Stands-The Church," a five-act drama written and presented by Stephen B. Hoyt, with the assistance in coaching of Miss Grace Isabel Colbron and Mrs. George Strathie. A cast of more than fifty participated in this propaganda play, which prepared the way for the presentation of the far-reaching report and recommendations of the Committee on Goals and Program. The lecture room was packed to its capacity.
Thursday, November 30-Thanksgiving Day, with union service.
Sunday, December 3-Official end of the celebration with sermon by Rev. Merrill F. Clarke.
Wednesday, December 6-Surprise program and reception in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Clarke. The surprise feature was the showing of moving pictures of the play given on June 20 in the parsonage gardens.
4
ng Sor
cigrdmalfattiid intians of normal is for and inton puration of wine laten via inprom ficatoates dann nattRetts connicole contrifos, in sissata den,. "mais en fettarmof manyun " ofrecfurther forts .; of suce par second donde. J'aises face crested alitos ends menores profeciago drica rofel son orlando " Journ's felwrong &hairun' Rivers the one racked nosquale the othescalating Sta the mince of the same Rovers from the Sauce logos for che futprecisitre taip. i dagis (lot de) hishairsein) assignes forever andthat noinicio or . then it als charles as or ( jaimesang ground tuition Ih sa you Rivers originiy. spisethe sacos Dunorrisher to brassones within the sort contenfor fair In scottnesse infirstof the cities theirmento hause infourmangiato Sculliving
+ Romania
Stillness Thomas j.a. thatnaotrop. Dam
thomastrop
Trice fuchstro y's + Ramario comporte
trois monos.
Arexero of this & gresmontas Particelle mado bathroomest Rogendenis cher.
Articolosofi goverment made betoosont Rogergarlow of friarfors & Crudo fithen.
€2 : is !
things the Saus noti fican) With com. 160 20
wasthere will tell want is wlandings of pourrons martian starke stone siu por the says nossoal fo this pointor tetnerwith. frits may on the springs sort of fis further Groups up some ground fra l'altro
ishibabl & usranidiand to nulla an orthodoxes and approssimavon mir convenient Spedito that they may Go , and that the plan foten in 2 sch estate tider fairfit/ appsous- damitich on a fost firms to 69 sousle a thousand site).
mithat flow fo obnoxious toffe publique good of the . simon scharf 1. neculadeiyon that ronsind adven thousands Roger rusdieses s & willing
finans of this sale grossouses some fourth Simon where to 8 the same clarice lislying veriet frit rounds como gooiros sinto, as bigthe xintel.
hair cutdon't or nes assigns by the são Elian's ofmen Andin assic. .. after the first planting's thoseofsushi in procation for the says fant ass. winfriedofficesings thou of into that inhos agall sothis the savo forthe auto ounominal Collefait out for one of his sonnes according to, unless road unthis question of doing thisyear lythem soll rand that it hass. into forthe shopactions chasse Gaine bland by the says Soit of Is. imaging bychom gonfle and that it phase coone of the fire fallethat rocks!
In+nuran um freies a Country art of the ativos +) ruzitten Arfictives ifestment and Suf (muito o) Getnachkesi and 'Fit) Olmasade 8 convicto Cherassignment de consultorianach male Subforos volto novoualle Infinityale .... FromourJum skal who Sayos Re
ino xiantution of normally and buary rain , troop and : 00 .... "Look " me: orge satisfied for no Sameto, soillesssorry har dis)
PHOTOGRAPH BY HOYT CATIIN
INDIAN DEED OF THE EASTERN PART OF NORWALK TO ROGER LUDLOW, 1640.
5
ch
.
.
nasto of them seems and hithe webb nothe Dicho is mathsun as iste Rich Sommin
twixl Janas is. pour
Domaniale Howmanyom
shin raclo Ent . . !!!
Sun es fango to Sien Sothing 08
Tanken Lunch,ale Guen.
Tnhan
for summer mams lyssagor
theimento Colony
Latham. Newhale in
trincia dolori
as face sulisfaction
of Harit's all
Krill 1 640.
Interchangeably As unto sil
E
.
3m 'marti
noriuiii . Sales
an) foi
&
ssaxel
m'IRM
+4
Free
malo
Captains 19
issianse, At
alfio sagor msley
& Dillnesss . house of the
Fairly Soll any have
LARomas &"
1
PHOTOGRAPH BY HOYT CATLIN
INDIAN DEED OF THE WESTERN PART OF NORWALK TO CAPTAIN PATRICK, 1640.
6
Scrivinas
A HISTORY OF CANAAN PARISH AND OF NEW CANAAN
On July 4, 1876, Prof. Samuel St. John, a citizen whose erudition and personality made him an outstanding figure among all those who have been prominent in New Canaan's history, delivered the following address in the Congregational Church in connection with the nation's centenary celebration of its Independence.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.