USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Oxford > A history of Christ Church, Quaker Farms in Oxford, Connecticut > Part 7
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CHAPTER X
BUSINESS CONDITIONS IN 1826
It must have been difficult for the people of the Quaker's Farm to make the decision to separate from St. Peter's and make Christ Church an independent parish. As we have already said, by 1807 Derby had begun to decline as a seaport, and by 1814 the commerce was nearly wiped out. It is known that Squire David Tomlinson had suffered heavily in the decline of this commerce. By 1826, this section was in a "betwixt and between" period, i.e. between the decline of the export trade and the growth of the New England factories.
In Quaker Farms, a clothiers shop, later a woolen mill was established in the north part of the town, where a dam was built across the Eight Mile Brook, to furnish the needed water power. (This was just south of where what is now O'Neill Road crosses Eight Mile Brook.)
"Isaac Rowe, Sr., had come from Brattleboro, Vt., with Gen. Humphreys to work in the woolen mill at Humphreys- ville, and Feb. 6, 1824 his twin sons, Isaac Jr., and Fred- erick, purchased the mill at Quaker Farms from the estate of Squire David Tomlinson (who had died in 1822). The property was described in the deed as a woolen factory situated in Quaker Farms, in ye eight mile brook, so called, about an hundred rods northerly from ye chapel, with all ye machinery and implements belonging thereto, with all ye water privileges heretofore claimed as belonging to said factory, also a dye shop with ye kettles and imple- ments thereunto belonging, also a small dwelling house standing near said factory, with ye land on which sd buildings stand."
In 1831 Frederick who had bought out his brother, sold the "woolen manufactory and dwelling house, with the water privi- lege and land", to Ira Sherman and Horace Candee, the specifi- cations in the deed showing what progress had been made in the machinery used in the manufacture of woolens, as "a patent shearing machine, spinning jenny, gigg mill for napping cloth, 1 broad loom, set press papers, roll of filleting cards, clothiers brushes, 4 shutters, 1000 seazles or more."
"In 1833 Sherman and Candee sold the property to
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Benjamin Hawley of Cherryfield, Maine, and Mary Burritt of Southbury. De Forest and Hine were for some years the proprietors of the mill, manufacturing satinet, and employing about a dozen hands. William De Forest was from Naugatuck. The factory was closed about 1850. The mill has long since disappeared, and of the dam, which held until some time after 1860, only the ruins of the abutments remain".
(Satinet was a twilled cloth, made of wool and cotton.)
"At this Quaker Farms Mill, broadcloth was manu - factured as early as 1824, and for many years thereafter".
THE MILL ON EIGHT MILE BROOK AT OLD MILL ROAD (NOW BARRY ROAD)
We have already made mention, in the account of Gen. Humphreys and his Merino sheep, of a grist mill and saw mill that had probably been operated from very early times, on Eight Mile Brook at Barry Road, just opposite the house now occupied by the writer, "The Miller's House".
It is not known just when the grist mill ceased to operate, although the mill stones remained until quite recent times, but the saw mill continued to run alone until H. E. Bidwell came from Amherst, Mass. and bought the site. A map of Oxford published in an atlas in 1868 shows the mill as that of H. E. Bidwell, and Mr. Bidwell living in the house at "Petticoat Farm", now occupied by Mr. Calvin Williams.
The photograph of the mill here shown was taken about 1895 by a cousin of Miss Clara Hawkins, formerly of Quaker Farms, and now of Derby. It shows the mill as being on the west side of the brook, with the Wooster house in the distance, (now occu- pied by Miss Werner). Seated in the carriage just across the bridge are Miss Hawkins' father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hawkins. In the foreground are Mr. Wooster and his two young sons, the younger of whom, Noyes, is still living on the old Wooster place.
Bidwell operated a sawmill upstairs and a screw factory downstairs. In the latter he manufactured metal wood screws of the old blunt end type, which required the boring of a hole for their insertion. Mr. Robert Z. Hawkins of Quaker Farms told the writer that Bidwell quit because the invention of the modern gimlet pointed screw put him out of business. In about 1926 Mr. Robert Z. Hawkins bought the site and operated the saw mill for about six years, 1926 to 1932. So ended the work - ing life of the old mill.
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Old Bidwell Mill
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OTHER MILLS
"Just across the Southford line, west of the Oxford- Southford road where it crosses the brook, a considerable water power development was undertaken requiring a long sluiceway to divert the waters of the Eight Mile Brook. This was for a paper mill. It ran only a short time."
"Really below Quaker Farms proper, but on Eight Mile Brook, in the "Punkup" district, a short distance from the point where the brook flows into the Housatonic River, another woolen mill was built early in the nine- teenth century. James Dawson, in company with a man named Lees began business there about 1825, and manu- factured broadcloth and cassimeres."
Here it might be noted that the broadcloth spoken of here was the honest, old-fashioned, heavy woolen material that men's suits and coats were made of, and not the thin cotton material now used for shirting, etc. and given that name.
"There was in early days, a tannery located near the old Hillside Cemetery. Also, Horace Hinman ran a shoe shop, where shoes were made for city and southern trade."
The 1868 map of Oxford lists "Horace Hinman, Manufr of all kinds of Ladies Kid Button Boots, Balmorals, also Gaiters of Cloth, Morocco etc.", but how early this was established is uncertain.
The foregoing quotations are from Sharpe's "Oxford Sketches and Records", part Two.
During these years, Oxford was growing, as shown by the figures of the Grand Levy for the Episcopal churches in Oxford as reported at the Diocesan Conventions, -
1806 (the first year reported)
$6765.00
1807
6765.32
1809
6975.00
1810
6325.00
1812
8160.00
1813 (probably St. Peter's alone) 5000.00
1814
9000.00
1816 (the last year reported) 9000.00
The average for the first four years reported above was $6708, so the 1814 figure of $9000.00 showed an increase of $2292 or nearly 35 per cent. This may have been caused by an influx of population caused by the starting of the mills in Humphreysville
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etc. It is known that many of the citizens of Oxford of French descent were Canadian lumbermen drawn to this district by the lumber work attendant upon the building of the mills.
So, altogether, by 1826 the people of Quaker Farms looked forward with high hope, to busy, prosperous times, with farm- ing, sheep-raising and manufacturing, and they decided to shoulder the responsibility of an independent parish as we have already related.
THE FIRST CLERGYMAN TO OFFICIATE IN CHRIST CHURCH AFTER THE SEPARATION FROM ST. PETERS CHURCH IN 1826. THE REV. STURGES GILBERT
In the minutes of the Christ Church Meeting of Dec. 2nd, 1826 it is recorded that the Rev. Mr. Gilbert had been holding services in Christ Church during 1826 and that the committee be authorized to employ Mr. Gilbert to officiate 1/6th part of his time till Easter 1827.
In the Convention Journal of 1825, Mr. Gilbert is recorded as being rector of the churches in Woodbury, Roxbury and Bethlehem. If he continued in charge of these three churches, it is not to be wondered at that he could only give 1/6th time to Quaker Farms, which he apparently did during 1826 and until Easter 1827.
THE FIRST SETTLED RECTOR OF CHRIST CHURCH AFTER THE SEPARATION THE REV. WILLIAM A. CURTIS 1828-1829
In the 1828 Convention Journal, in the Bishop's address, he states that the Rev. Mr. Curtis "has presented to me letter dismissory from the diocese of New York and has accepted the pastoral charge of the Parishes of Oxford." In the same jour- nal, Mr. Curtis reported in June, "My connection with these parishes having only subsisted a few weeks, etc.," - hence he only came in the Spring of 1828.
In the 1829 Journal he is listed as rector of St. Peter's Church and Christ Church, Oxford, but in his parochial report in June he states, "At present the churches of Oxford are des- titute of the ministrations of the gospel, my connection having lately expired."
In the 1830 Journal in his parochial report, he speaks of himself as "late rector of the churches in Oxford." Judge Wilcoxson, in his 1876 address says, - "Mr. Curtis was a native of Coventry in this state and came to Oxford from New York.
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He was a preacher of considerable ability, but such was his imprudence and indiscretion that he was ever upsetting his own dish." The Judge says he came here in April 1829, but this is incorrect.
In 1830, Mr. Curtis reported to the convention, -
"The whole number of families, who may be considered as attached to the Episcopal Church in Oxford, (St. Peters and Christ) may be computed as 80, - having received an augmentation of 17 within the last two years Within a few months, a very liberal individual has made a donation (to the Society of St. Peters) of a house suit- able for a parsonage, and 20 acres of land annexed; from the avails of which the Society of Christ Church is to re- ceive a legacy of 200 dollars. The latter society (Christ Church) contemplate putting their house of worship in a state of complete repair, and new painting it, in the course of the summer. The church has received much benefit from the establishment of a Sunday School; as well from the religious knowledge acquired by the children, as by the salutary effect produced through their improvement and influence upon their parents. The books we have used have been those furnished for the "Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union".
THE REV. ASHBEL BALDWIN M.A. 1831-1834
We have already told that for a short time in the year 1825, "the Rector of the church in Oxford" as reported in the Conven- tion Journal was the Rev. Ashbel Baldwin.
Six years later in 1831 the Rev. Mr. Baldwin came back to Oxford and Quaker Farms from North Haven and Wallingford. The Convention Journals of 1831 and 1832 record him as rector of St. Peter's and Christ Church. In 1831 he was a man 74 years old, and had had a distinguished career in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. He retired in 1834 because of failing eyesight at the age of 77.
His biography as given in the records of Convocation is of such interest that we quote it as follows,
"The Reverend Ashbel Baldwin was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, on March 7, 1757. He was graduated from Yale in 1776 at the age of nineteen.
"It was in the early days of the Revolution and Litchfield County was thoroughly patriotic. The young graduate with several of his classmates was eager to enter the army.
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Circumstances, however, compelled him to accept a private tutorship in a delightful home in Dutchess County, New York, near the Hudson River. The family were mem- bers of the Church of England. It was at that time cus- tomary for the tutors in the old colonial families to conduct the family worship, and when the house was remote from church to read the service and a sermon to the household and neighbors. When called upon for this duty, Mr. Baldwin, who had been brought up a strict Congregation- alist, was perplexed, for his ignorance of the Prayer Book was profound. A friendly gardener on the place, whom he consulted, made him familiar with the Book. He then read the service with fervor and intelligence. From admiration of the pure English and devotional fervor of the prayers he advanced to a belief in the doctrines expressed in the Prayer Book.
"At the close of his tutorship, about 1778, he secured a position as quartermaster in the commissary department of the Connecticut line of the Continental army, and was stationed at Litchfield in charge of a large depot of stores, many of which had been surrendered at Saratoga by General Burgoyne. Much to his regret, he could not engage in active service, as imprudence in swimming had brought on a per- manent lameness and shortening of one of his legs. (Prob- ably polio!)
"His studies for the ministry were probably pursued by himself with the advice of his friend and neighbor, the Rev. Richard Clarke of New Milford. At the first ordin- ation by Bishop Seabury in Christ Church, Middletown, Aug. 3, 1785 he was made deacon, and ordained priest in Trinity Church, New Haven, Sep. 16, 1785. He immedi- ately entered a post of rectorship of St. Michael's, Litchfield.
"In 1793 he became Rector of Christ Church, Stratford, and spent thirty years of faithful service in that parish, till 1824, when at the age of 67 he felt that the work of the parish needed a younger man, and he resigned.
"But to one still full of energy, idleness was impossible, and Mr. Baldwin began to officiate at Southington and Meriden.
"In 1827, he took charge of St. Johns, North Haven, and St. Paul's, Wallingford. After five years here, he in 1832 accepted temporarily the rectorship of St. Peters Oxford and Christ Church, Quaker Farms. Here amid rural and pleasant surroundings he spent two years, when, in 1834,
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at the age of 77 he found his eye sight failing and he resigned.
"For a few years after his resignation he lived in New Haven, Bridgeport and Stratford. His closing years were spent in the family of an old friend who had removed from Connecticut to Rochester, N. Y. He died Feb. 8, 1846, having nearly reached the age of eighty-nine years.
"He had a clear and logical mind. He was a ready speaker and could put into writing important papers, resolutions, or debates, with accurate rapidity.
"This made his service as secretary of the Convocation, as secretary of the Convention of the Diocese for thirty years, and as secretary of the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies of the General Convention for twelve years, invaluable."
Mr. Baldwin held nearly every position in the gift of the Diocese and filled each with efficiency and dignity. He was present at the Convocations of the clergy of Connecticut, - June 2, 1790 at Middletown, Age 33; Oct. 5, 1791 at Watertown, Age 34; Feb. 15, 1792, Age 35.
Mr. Baldwin was present at Middletown, June 5th, 1793 and at New Haven, June 5th, 1794. A further record of him is given in "Records of Convocation, Diocese of Connecticut, A.D. 1790- A.D. 1848", page 22, as follows, -
"It is stated that when the new St. James' Church, New London, was to be consecrated, Bishop Seabury 'ordered his clergy to be present'. The deed of consecration gives the date as September 1787. A letter from the Rev. Ashbel Baldwin to his friend the Rev. Tillotson Bronson, then in Vermont, says, 'I mentioned in the enclosed of the 14th. instant, of our convening at New London. The clergy were not in general present. The Bishop preached the consecra- tion sermon and was universally applauded; he has a most excellent talent at sermonizing."
In another letter written in the same month, Mr. Baldwin says, - "Convocation agreed there might a Christian agreement take place so far as to establish the Church in America, (even) if they could not agree on the particular mode of exercising the rite of that Church. I forgot, when speaking of the Convocation to say anything of their church in New London, - it is a pretty, I think the neatest building in the state, elegantly finished. The Bishop had on his royal attire. The Crown and Mitre were refulgent."
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In the Bishop's address to the Diocesan Convention in 1834, he states, - "The Rev. Ashbel Baldwin has resigned his charge of the parishes of Oxford and Quaker Farms, and has been suc- ceeded by the Rev. Charles Smith."
Mr. Douglas records, in his Historical Address, that Mr. Baldwin presented Christ Church with its first stove. As we have already pointed out, church buildings were without heating arrangements in the early days.
THE REV. CHARLES SMITH, 1834-35
The 1834 Convention Journal in November reports the Rev. Charles Smith as Rector of St. Peters Church and Christ Church, Oxford, - the same in 1835.
The name of the Rev. Charles Smith is given with date 1837 in the pencil list in the Christ Church register of 1845, an ob- vious error.
THE LADIES SOCIETY FORMED 1835
During 1835 a very important event took place, namely the formation of the Ladies Society. A little note book has been preserved, in the first page of which is written -- "July 30, 1835. This day met and formed a society called the Ladies Society, Christ's Church, Oxford.
"The following officers were chosen, viz: Mrs. Lorena Tomlinson, President, Mrs. George A. Tomlinson, Treas- urer, Secretary
Mrs. Ira Hawkins, Mrs. Clark Beardslee, Miss Eunice Dutton, Miss Delia Skeels, Miss Mariette Sanford, Managers."
All honor to these brave ladies! An account of their work is given by Dr. Burhans later in this history.
The notebook continues on the second page:
"This association shall be called the Ladies Society, Christs Church, Oxford.
"The officers shall consist of a President, Managers, Secretary and Treasurer Any person by contribu - ting such a sum as may be deemed expedient shall be con- sidered a member of the Society. There shall be a regular meeting of the Society once in two weeks for the purpose of attending to any business that may present. The funds which may be raised by the operation of this Society shall
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--
-
in 1838.
---
St. Peter's Church and Oxford Center
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be appropriated for the benefit of the Congregation of Christs Church in such a manner as a majority of the members present at any regular meeting may direct. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive the monies of the Society and to pay it over to the order of the Man- agers or to a majority of the members at any regular meeting. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to record all proceedings and to keep a regular account of the funds of the Society. Any of the above articles may be amended and others added by a vote of the members present at any regular meeting."
MR. SMITH'S REPORT TO THE 1835 DIOCESAN CONVENTION
In the 1835 Convention Journal Mr. Smith is recorded as Rector of St. Peter's Church, Oxford, and Christ Church, Oxford. He reported for Christ Church, - "It is said by some of the principal members, that the condition of the parish has much improved during the past year. Within that period, a suitable bell has been provided for their large and beautiful church, at the expense of $200.00. A Ladies Society has been organized. A Missionary association has been formed in this parish, having for its permanent objects, the payment of the assessment for the Bishop's salary, the Convention dues, and the residue of its proceeds to be divided between the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, in this Diocese, and the Foreign and Domestic Missions. Families 45."
ST. PETER'S MOVES TO ITS NEW LOCATION
In the 1835 Convention Journal it is also reported that St. Peter's moved from its old location in the cemetery on Gover- nor's Hill Road to its present location on the Oxford road, in the following words, - "A new and handsome edifice for public worship is now just completed in the parish of Oxford."
THE REV. JAMES SUNDERLAND 1836-37
The 1836 and 1837 Convention Journals list Mr. Sunderland from the diocese of New York as rector of Christ Church, Oxford, (not St. Peters).
In October, 1836 he reported "My labours commenced in the Parish on the 6th day of last July (1836) The congre - gation, though small, is on a gradual increase, I have reorganized a Sunday School which contains about thirty
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scholars and ten teachers, We also have a small library in connection with the Sunday School. The Society are making an effort to build a parsonage for the Rector (in Quaker Farms), which will probably be completed in the Spring. The collections have all been made, though the amount for each object is small in consequence of other expenses. We have a Ladies Society here, which is exerting a good influence throughout the parish, and has in the past year paid an old debt against the Society of more than $100. Families 45."
In June of 1837 he reported, "I have performed service in the Church twice every Sunday. For the Society for the Promo- tion of Christian Knowledge, I have been unable to obtain from the congregation any more than $3."
Alas for Mr. Sunderland's hopes for a rectory and for the parish having a full time rector, - they apparently came to nought. St. Peters' Church was also finding it difficult to maintain a full time minister, for in 1837, the Rev. Dr. Burhans, who listed himself as "Officiating Minister" at St. Peters, reported to the Convention that conditions would be improved if "they could be re-united with Quaker Farms".
In the 1838 Journal, Mr. Sunderland is listed among the clergy of the diocese, but no church is mentioned. Dr. Burhans is listed as serving St. Peters only.
The old note book of the Ladies Society has the following entry in 1838, -
"At a meeting of the Ladies Society of Christs' Church, Quaker's Farm, July 25, 1838, The following renewed their pledge as members of the above society:
Charity Wooster, President Ruth Judson, Vice President
Eliza Tomlinson, Treasurer
Sally Hawkins, Secretary Mrs. Ira Hyde :
Polly Oatman . .
Managers
Jenette Hotchkiss .
Eunice Dutton
Alvira Fairchild
Sarah Twitchel Sophia Dutton Lucinda Dutton Hariet Waters
Susan Tomlinson Esther Tomlinson Cynthia Hendrix
(Continued) Ruth A. Candee Ellen Candee
Betsy Ann Waters Sarah M. Waters Sarah Tomlinson Eliza Osborne Louisa Hotchkiss Augusta Fairchild Daniel Burhans.
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THE REV. DANIEL BURHANS D.D. 1839-1840
It will be remembered that in 1837, Dr. Burhans listed him- self in the Convention Journal as "Officiating Minister" at St. Peter's, and reported that conditions would be improved in that parish if they could be re-united with Quaker Farms. His hope was fulfilled in 1839, for in the Journal for that year he is listed as Rector of both parishes. His name is also given in the pencil list of clergy on the first page of the 1845 Parish Register, immediately following those of Messrs. Sutherland and Smith. He was born in 1763, so that when he came to Quaker Farms in 1839 he was a man of 75 years of age. He had had a distin- guished career in the Diocese, and had been rector of Trinity Church, Newtown, for 31 years, resigning that post in 1830. He was rector of St. Peter's Church, Plymouth from 1831 to 1837, according to his biography, but the Convention Journal for 1831 says "The Rev. Daniel Burhans, who has for 30 years labored faithfully and successfully as Rector of Trinity Church, Newtown, has accepted the rectorship of St. James Church, Zoar."
At any rate, it is clear that Dr. Burhans was at St. Peter's, Oxford in 1837-1838 and in charge of both St. Peter's and Christ Church in 1839-1840. The History of Derby, in speaking of the difficulties at Quaker Farms says, "Temporary services were supplied by various clergymen, but perhaps more efficiently by Rev. Dr. Burhans."
The "Records of Convocation of the Diocese of Connecticut 1790-1848" gives a biography of him which is of such interest that we quote the following from it.
"Born on a small farm in Sherman, Conn., the only opportunity he had for education was in the district school during the brief winter terms. When seventeen he com- menced his preparation for college, combining with it work upon the farm in summer and teaching in winter. He went to Lanesborough, Mass. where at first working for his board he attended a school of high grade and finally was made principal.
"During a revival in the Congregational Church, which he attended, he found his views were widely different from those of his fellow-worshippers. While his mind was puzzled with the problems, the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion (given in the Prayer Book of the Episcopal Church) were put into his hands by a friend without his knowing with what body of Christians they originated. Their statements seemed to him forcible, just, and true. When informed of their origin, he immediately sought out the Rev. Gideon
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Bostwick, and soon became a communicant of St. Luke's Church. He determined to study for the ministry but it was ten years before his intention was carried out and he was ordained priest by Bishop Seabury June 8, 1794.
"In August 1799 he became rector of Trinity Church, Newtown and became very active in Diocesan affairs and was honored with many offices. He was especially ener- getic as an agent in securing funds for the General Theo- logical Seminary. He died at Poughkeepsie N.Y. in 1853 in the ninety-first year of his age.
"He was a man of commanding personal appearance, of a large and well built frame, of a healthy and ruddy coun- tenance, of a nervous temperament and somewhat quick in his movements. His manners, though not highly polished, were simple and natural, and evinced what he actually possessed, a fine genial spirit."
DR. BURHANS' REPORT ON CONDITIONS IN QUAKER FARMS
In the 1839 Convention Journal, Dr. Burhans reported, -
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