USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Oxford > A history of Christ Church, Quaker Farms in Oxford, Connecticut > Part 9
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THE REV. GEORGE BUCK 1876
In the 1876 Convention Journal, Mr. Buck reports, - "Six months temporary charge of St. Peter's and Christ Church, end- ing the Sunday after Easter." In the Parish Register, he records Apr. 9, 1876 the baptism of two infants, John Jarvis Rider, and Cornelius Clark Rider, sons of Cornelius and Sarah B. Rider. This is of particular importance, as by this time Mr. Rider, (or Ryder, - sometimes recorded one way, sometimes the other) was taking a very active part in the life of Christ Church. In an historical sketch written by the Rev. W. Sturtevant Rafter, pub- lished in the Seymour Record Apr. 4, 1901, he states, - "In the year 1875, a marked improvement took place in church life at Quaker Farms, and early in the year 1876 Mr. Cornelius Clark Ryder organized a Sunday School, and was appointed superinten- dent and in the absence of the clergyman became Lay Reader. Both offices he performed very acceptably and his services in one form or another have met with sincere appreciation for a quarter of a century."
Another entry in the Parish Register in what is apparently Mr. Buck's handwriting, though unsigned, is the record of con- firmation March 27, 1876 by Bishop Williams, of the following persons, -
Charles Alling Davis Lillian Orinda Rider
Evalina Amelia Davis Ralph Wheeler Rider
This entry is of interest as it records the confirmation of Charles A. Davis, who served Christ Church long and faithfully, as will appear later. He was born June 13, 1857, so that at the time of his confirmation, he was not quite nineteen years old.
After 1876 the Parish Register of 1845 was not used regularly, as it was replaced by a new one, although there are entries in the list of communicants, such as "Died July 23, 1885".
The 1845 Register was lost for many years, until at the in- stance of the writer of this history, Miss J. Mabel Lum made a search in the attic of her house and found it in a box belonging to the late Stephen S. Mallett. Early in the summer of 1953, the 1845 Register was turned over to the Connecticut State Library, through the good offices of the Diocesan Archivist, the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Cameron.
The year 1876 was the Centennial of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, and while the chief celebration was of course in Phil- adelphia, nevertheless it was observed also in Oxford. An his- ยท torical address by Judge N. J. Wilcoxen was read, which is pub- lished in its entirety in "Oxford Sketches and Records, Part Two" by W. C. Sharpe. In it, the Judge gave a list of clergy which is
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far from correct, - apparently made from memory, and without access to the original sources which the present writer has consulted.
With the close of the 1845 Register, there came practically the end of an era, a new one being ushered in by the arrival on the scene of the Rev. Sheldon Davis.
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Rev. Sheldon Davis
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CHAPTER XV
THE REV. SHELDON DAVIS "Officiating" 1876-1882 AND MR. CORNELIUS C. RYDER, LAY READER
This was a new and interesting period, managed by two extra- ordinary men. Mr. Douglas in his historical sketch says, - "In the year 1876, the joint efforts of the Rev. Sheldon Davis and Mr. Cornelius C. Ryder, resulted in services being established again and the church building greatly improved without and with- in. Mr. Davis assumed charge of the services and set about to establish an endowment."
Mr. Davis was a son of Anson Riley Davis who, about the end of the War of 1812 moved from Chestnut Tree Hill in Oxford to the old Russel Tomlinson house which we have already spoken of, and which stood at the South East Corner of the Derby-Great Hill-Woodbury Road, and Botsford Road. Sheldon Davis was a great-grandson of the Joseph Davis, who in 1776 sold "Meeting House Lot" to "the professors of the Church of England in Oxford."
An interesting account of the life of the Rev. Sheldon Davis is given in the history, "Seymour Past and Present" by Sharpe, from which we quote, -
"He was a son of Anson and Sally Prudden Davis, graduated at Washington College, now Trinity College, in 1837, and re- ceived the degree of M.A. in 1840. His first pastorate was at Patterson, Putnam County, New York, - afterward at Pleasant Valley and Hobart. For many years he labored as missionary among the Indians of New York State, and he was the author of a historical volume on the Indians and the work of the Moravians among them. From '63 to '66 he was warden of the Episcopal Church Charities Foundation, in Brooklyn, N.Y. and from '66 to '72 Rector of St. Andrews Church of Northford. He was a mem- ber of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, of the Moravian His- torical Society of Nazareth, Pa., of the New Haven Colony His- torical Society, and was a corresponding member of the New- York Historical Society".
After 1872, when he was 59 years old, he made his home in Seymour, Connecticut, "officiating in different parishes".
As the son of Anson Davis he was also the brother of Anson Riley Davis who lived on Bowers Hill in Quaker Farms. Having
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been born in 1813, Sheldon Davis was thirteen years old by the time Christ Church became an independent parish and in the succeeding years before he left for college he must have become pretty familiar with the Quaker Farms community and church.
It is to be noted that Mr. Davis is recorded as living in Sey- mour and "officiating" in various churches, - this term being always used to designate some one not "in charge" but rather, supplying without formal settled status. This seems to have been his relationship to Christ Church, Quaker Farms. The Con- vention Journal for 1877 records him as "officiating in Christ Church, Quaker Farms and St. Peter's Oxford". The 1879 Jour- nal says, - "The Rev. Sheldon Davis reports he has officiated as temporary supply in the vacant parish of Quaker Farms." The 1880 Journal says, - "The Rev. Sheldon Davis continues to offi- ciate when not otherwise occupied. The Senior Warden (Mr. Ryder) always acts as a Lay Reader in the absence of a clergy- man". The 1881 Journal says, - "The Rev. Sheldon Davis is in temporary charge." The 1882 Journal says, - "The Rev. Sheldon Davis has rendered frequent service".
One gathers that there was a combination of the missionary zeal of the Rev. Sheldon Davis and the driving force of the Senior Warden and Lay Reader, Mr. Cornelius C. Ryder.
According to Miss Lum, Mr. Davis, while "never having a penny of his own," was always able to "dig up" money for special projects. Thus in 1879, with the Hon. Stephen S. Mallett he es- tablished the Davis-Mallett Fund which has been of such great help to the parish. Each of these men gave $1000.00 to the fund, placing same in trust for Christ Church Parish, in keeping with the Trustees of Donations and Bequests for Church Purposes of the Diocese of Connecticut. These gifts were supplemented later by a gift from Mrs. Marietta Church Davis (Mrs. Sheldon Davis).
An interesting condition of this fund is that the income is pay- able only to a regularly qualified, ordained, resident minister, and only upon receipt from him of a signed certificate from him stating that for the period claimed he has given at least one service each Sunday in Christ Church. This certificate has to be countersigned by the Parish Clerk and endorsed by the Bishop. Income not used is to be added to the principal. In the period of over fifty years during which the fund has been in operation, there have been several times when there was no resident min- ister, and in consequence the unused income has increased the fund to over $7,000.00
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CHURCH REPAIRS IN 1876-1878
In his book, Kelly states that "in 1876 repairs were com- menced and continued for several years. Seats were removed and remodelled". This information was probably taken from the "History" by the Rev. Mr. Davis (given in full a few pages further on).
Miss Mary Meigs told me that she could remember the old pews which were like those still remaining in the balcony, with straight backs and narrow seats. Some of them had doors. She thought the old pews were more comfortable than the present ones, the backs of which are sloped. She said that many of the old pews were taken by various people for use as benches, and that there were a number of them stored for some years in her father's barn.
Looking back, therefore, there seem to have been three styles of pew in the church, -
First, the old, original, high, box pews, which were removed, apparently in 1858.
Second, the straight backed slips installed in 1858, the change having been made by the Rev. C. T. Woodruff.
Third, the present, sloping back pews which were installed during the ministry of the Rev. Sheldon Davis, 1876 -1882, when the older slips were "removed and remodeled".
Kelly adds that "in 1876, the interior was painted white and walls and ceiling kalsomined." During the redecoration now under way (January 1954) it was discovered that at least some of the wood- work was painted green, under the white coat.
Mr. Rafter, in his account in the Seymour Record in 1901, says, - "In 1878 the church was repaired and painted at the ex- pense of the Ladies Society. The chimney was re-built and stove pipes furnished at the expense of the Ladies Aid Society."
Miss Mary L. Meigs told the writer that the chancel wall, (until recently covered by the paintings of biblical scenes), she remembered having a deep blue background with the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments on it in gold letters.
THE WINDOW SHUTTERS OR BLINDS
The church windows originally had no blinds or shutters. They were applied in 1877. Mr. Douglas says that "the blinds were bought at a cost of $130.00, Mr. S. S. Mallett and Mr. Ben- jamin Nichols each giving $50.00; the balance was raised by subscription. Miss Lum says that her father, Mr. Charles A.
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Davis told her that they had been made down in the section of Derby known as Turkey Hill for some other church and that the Rev. Sheldon Davis had picked them up at a bargain price. They were made in one piece and were nailed fast to the window case- ments, thus closing the windows permanently. In 1951 they were cut in half, hinged and opened. The work was aided by gifts from a fund set up some years ago by a Mr. Clark, of Brooklyn, N.Y. for the aid of "outlying churches." One of the trustees of the fund being in our neighborhood, noticed how badly the closed shutters looked, and obtained a grant from the fund, and suggest- ed that the blinds be opened.
THE CHANCEL WINDOW
The triple, stained glass window was installed in 1878 as a memorial to David and Lorena Tomlinson. The central window portrays the figure of Christ, with the Heavenly Dove descend- ing upon him and the window on either side has a conventional design of Christian symbols, such as Cross and Crown, etc. It was purchased for $225.00 from Henry C. Sharp & Son, "Manu- facturers of Stained Glass, 147 East 22nd St., New York City. The bill is dated Jan. 15, 1878 and it is billed to Mr. C. F. De Forest, Agent, 18 Murray St., N.Y. On the back of the bill is a list of contributors, -
E. E. Lewis & family, Louisa Candee, Albert Tomlinson, Mr. & Mrs. George Montague, Jane Tomlinson, Antoinette Glover, The Meigs Family, Wm. C. De Forest, Eliza C. Hotchkiss, Mary & David Hotchkiss, Edwin A. Hotchkiss, Jane C. DeForest, Chas. T. De Forest, Wm. A. Tomlinson, Sarah Bunnell, Alice Tomlinson.
At the bottom of this list is a note, - "I think we have money enough to pay for the wire covering". Signed C. T. De Forest.
The window is billed as "Rich Triplet window" 225.00. Mr. Sheldon's account of it says it cost 265.00. It was a stock win- dow and is known to have been used in at least one other church.
OTHER GIFTS
The marble baptismal font was presented by Mrs. Henry Wheeler, of Seymour. A rather curious item mentioned by Mr. Davis in his "History" is a gift by Mrs. Sarah Dick of plush let- ters to form the text "King of Kings and Lord of Lords," on the chancel wall. No one seems to know when these plush letters were replaced by the present metal letters.
According to Mr. Douglas, the two chancel chairs were given by Miss Jane Tomlinson; Mr. Davis says it was Mrs. Ellen
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Tomlinson. No specific date is given when they were presented, but it was apparently around 1880. Miss Jane Tomlinson was Mrs. Ellen Tomlinson's daughter, and Mrs. Tomlinson was the second wife of George A. Tomlinson, Sr., whom he married in 1842. According to Mr. Clarke's 1858 parish list, Jane Caroline Tomlinson was born March 16, 1845, so she was about 35 years old when the chairs were given to the church. In the redecoration of the church now under way, (1954) the chairs are being refin- ished, and Mr. Eugene Jenkins, who has had the matter in hand, says they are of apple wood and cherry. They are of the Chip- pendale type of design and are said to have come originally from the house of David and Lorena Tomlinson.
The crystal chandelier, given in 1881, we have already spoken of in the description of the building. In the same year, Trinity Church, Seymour, gave carpets.
THE THIRD CHURCH BELL
The original bell, purchased in 1817 was replaced in 1835 by a second bell. The latter cracked, and in 1878 arrangements were made for its replacement by the Farrell Foundry Co. of Ansonia, who allowed $25.00 for the old bell. $61.00 was placed in the Ansonia Savings Bank, "for a bell fund to accumulate." This did not take long, for the Seymour "Record" of July 18, 1878 reports for Quaker Farms, "The Fourth passed very quietly, the raising of the new church bell to the tower being one of the fea- tures of the day".
THE STERLING ORGAN
Mr. Davis says "In 1879 a new Sterling Organ was given by Mrs. Benjamin Nichols." It was made in Derby and was of the parlor organ variety, with one bank of keys, a few stops, and no pedals other than those used for pumping the air.
A NEW PARISH REGISTER "Presented to Christ Church Quaker Farms Jan. 1st 1878 by Mrs. Marietta Davis"
The Register was gotten out by Rev. Charles W. Hayes and published by the Gen. P. E. S. S. Union and Church Book Society, 713 Bway. N.Y. 1874, Ninth Edition, Revised.
(The presentation inscription is in handwriting, possibly that of Mrs. Davis, wife of the Rev. Sheldon Davis.)
The bill for the register is pasted in the fly leaf, and shows it to have been bought from Pott, Young & Co. of Cooper Union,
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4th Ave., near Eighth Street, through Mr. G. A. Tomlinson, Ansonia, Conn. for 5.95 plus 40 lettering 6.35. Written in on page 6, under the caption "History" is the following, -
HISTORY
"In 1875, Christ Church, Quakers Farms having become dilapidated, and the congregation scattered in consequence of the long vacancy since the resignation of the Rev. H. A. Welton in 1872, a formal proposition was made by the Parish of St. Peter's Oxford through the Rev. Mr. Anketell to merge the church in the Farms, in that of Oxford, which was summarily rejected.
"In the spring of 1876, a Sunday School was organized under the direction of Mr. C. C. Rider, who also acted very acceptably as Lay Reader in the absence of clerical services. A Ladies Aid Society was also organized. About the same time, a move- ment was made to repair the church. The pews were removed and remodeled, the wood work inside painted and the walls kal- somined. In 1876 a handsome altar cloth was presented by the Rev. H. Olmstead D. D. through the Rev. Sheldon Davis. Christ- mas 1876 design (sic) were presented by Mr. Warren of Water- town, value $12. In the Spring of 1877 the Rev. Sheldon Davis commenced to hold temporary services which were continued (about three morning services in four) until July 1882, one serv- ice a day, Mr. C. C. Rider always acting as Lay Reader on the vacant Sundays.
"In 1877 Blinds were furnished for the church at the cost of $130, Mr. S. S. Mallett and the Hon. Benjamin Nichols paying each $50, others paying the balance $30-
"Jan. 1st 1878 this new Parish Register was presented by Mrs. Marietta Davis. June 1878 the. old bell which had been cracked several years before was broken up, taken down and exchanged with the Farrell Foundry of Ansonia, $25 being al- lowed for their second hand bell and the balance $61 being placed in the Ansonia Savings Bank for a Bell Fund to accumulate and perhaps receive additions in the future.
"In 1878 The Chancel Window, a Memorial to David Tomlinson, Esquire, and his wife Lorena, chief founders of the church was erected by members of the Tomlinson family, cost $265.
"In the summer of 1878 a handsome marble font was present- ed to the church by Mrs. Henry Wheeler of Seymour. This font was originally provided for Trinity Church Seymour by Mrs. John C. Wheeler of New York, formerly of Seymour.
"In the fall of 1878 the church was thoroughly repaired and painted outside at the expense of the Ladies Society. A set of
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Hutchins Sunday School Liturgy and hymns chiefly at the ex- pense of the Rev. S. Davis. Caco matting for the church porch by Mrs. Marietta Davis. A large number of Second Hand S. S. Books from St. James Ch. Birmingham and Rev. S. Davis. Also cushions and a few books from Christ Church Ansonia were re- ceived. A new chimney was also built and stove pipes readjusted by the Ladies Society cost $80.
"Christmas 1878 a Portable Furnace was provided by Mrs. Marietta Davis. June 1879 a new Sterling organ cost $90 was presented by Mrs. Benjamin Nichols. Aug. 1879 the beginning of a New Permanent Fund for the support of the Minister in Charge was made by the Rev. Sheldon Davis and Mr. Stephen S. Mallett who paid over each $1000 to the Trustees of Donations and Bequests of the Diocese of Conn. A condition of this Fund is that the Interest is only payable upon the certificate of the Minister in Charge that for the period claimed he has given one service at least each Sunday to Christ Church Quakers Farms. Otherwise the Interest is always to be added to the Principal and the principal is always to remain entire.
"The old fund at this time ($160.00 note of hand of Marcus Hyde, $795,00 in Derby Savings Bank) was originally derived from the original Fund of St. Peter's Oxford, one third (or) $660.00, estate of Mrs. Ruth Tyrrel, 1846 $200.00, estate of Ira Hawkins $100.00. In 1880 this fund was increased to $1000:00, Mr. Benjamin Nichols paying $25.00 and Mr. S. S. Mallett $20.00.
"Mrs. Sarah Dick furnished Plush Letters (King of Kings and Lord of Lords) to be placed over the chancel window.
"Mrs. S. S. Mallett furnished organ stool.
"Mrs. Ellen Tomlinson furnished chairs for the chancel. Rev. S. Davis furnished Hutchins Hymnals for the Choir.
"In 1880 Mrs. Marietta Davis paid over $500.00 to the Perma- nent Fund.
"In 1881 carpets to complete the covering of the church floor were furnished by Trinity Church, Seymour. Also the large chandelier originally belonging to the St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn, N. Y. and cushions by Mrs. Marietta Davis.
"The Rev. Sheldon Davis officiated without fixed salary, but virtually received about $200.00 a year."
(The foregoing history is in the handwriting of the Rev. Shel- don Davis. A somewhat shortened form of it was published in the Seymour Record for Apr. 4, 1901 over the name of the Rev. Mr. Rafter.)
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1879-1880
The 1879 Convention Journal reported the Rev. H. T. Widde- mer as in temporary charge of St. Peter's, and that the Rev. Sheldon Davis reports "he has officiated as temporary supply in the vacant parish of Quaker Farms." In 1880 "The Rev. Sheldon Davis continues to officiate when not otherwise occupied, and the Senior Warden always acts as lay reader in the absence of a clergyman."
So, these two devoted men, Sheldon Davis, and Cornelius Ryder carried on in a difficult period and preserved the church in Quaker Farms for coming generations.
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CHAPTER XVI 1882-1900
THE REV. S. R. BAILEY 1882-1885
In 1883 the Diocesan Journal records the Rev. Samuel R. Bailey as Rector of both St. Peter's, Oxford and Christ Church, Quaker Farms, - also in 1884 and 1885. The lay delegate was George D. Skidmore. Quaker Farms is recorded as having 22 families and 26 communicants.
In 1883 the Trustees of Donations and Bequests for Church Purposes made their first report of funds held for and belonging to Christ Church, Quaker Farms, - $10.00 in cash and $3,182.00 in securities. In 1885, $213.17 in cash and $3,140.00 in securi- ties, market value (par value $2,100.00).
PARISH VACANT 1886-1887
The 1886 Journal reports both parishes vacant, stating that the Rev. Mr. Bailey had resigned and accepted the parish of Huntington. "The Parish (Christ) has been without a rector dur- ing the year, but the services and Sunday School have been kept up by a lay reader. The Rev. Sheldon Davis has officiated on six Sundays and the Rev. Mr. Proctor on 17 Sundays."
The lay reader was undoubtedly, Mr. C. C. Ryder.
In 1887 the parish still vacant, but "The church has been kept open by lay reading. The Rev. Sheldon Davis has officiated at Sunday afternoon services ten times and the Rev. Mr. Pardee six times". The Rev. James D. S. Pardee was Rector of Trinity Church, Seymour.
The Trustees of Donations & Bequests reported that "They hold in trust from Messrs. Davis and Mallett $2000.00 and from Mrs. Marietta Davis, $500.00.
THE REV. LEWIS F. MORRIS 1888-1897
In 1888 began the rectorate of the Rev. Lewis F. Morris, which continued for 9 years. The journal reported that Mr. Mor- ris had resigned the rectorship of the church in Bethany and taken charge of the two churches in Oxford. The wardens were Cornelius C. Ryder and George S. Skidmore and the Parish Clerk, Stephen S. Mallett.
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Morris
In 1890, in addition to the two Oxford parishes, Mr. Morn's is recorded as in charge of the Mission of the Good Shepherd in Southford.
Through 1891 the Wardens and Parish Clerk continued as be- fore, but in 1892 Mr. Ryder took up the duties of Parish Clerk in addition to those of Senior Warden. In 1893 however, Mr. Mal- lett resumed as Parish Clerk and the three men continued through 1894. In the latter year, Mr. Charles A. Davis was elected Parish Clerk and Treasurer in the place of Mr. Stephen S. Mallett, deceased. Mr. Mallett had been a member of Christ Church at least since 1845 as his name headed the list of com- municants in that year, so that he had served the church for nearly fifty years.
CHARLES ALLING DAVIS
In 1894, Mr. Davis was 36 years old, having been born June 13, 1858, in the house on Bowers Hill Road (opposite Good Hill Road) which his father, Anson Riley Davis had purchased from one of the Skeels, (now Mr. J. G. L. Molloy's Turkey Farm). His mother was Mary Alling Davis. He was a great- great-grandson of Capt. Joseph Davis of Chestnut Tree Hill who was active in the founding of St. Peter's Church, Oxford in 1764.
The "Commemorative Biography of New Haven County" says of them, - "Anson Riley Davis followed farming all his life, and his son Charles A. was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day and early acquired an excellent knowledge of all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturalist. He as- sisted in the operation of the home farm until his father's death in 1885."
He was confirmed March 27, 1877 at the age of 19. On Oct. 20, 1886, aged 28, he married Mrs. Mary Lum, widow of H. A. Lum and daughter of Mr. M. D. Northrup. Mrs. Lum's daughter is Miss J. Mabel Lum of Quaker Farms.
"In the spring of 1899 Charles A. Davis purchased the place of Stephen Mallett (originally a Tomlinson house), containing some 260 acres, and engaged extensively in the dairy business and general farming. He was one of the most enterprising and successful dairymen and farmers of Oxford, and as a citizen stood high in the esteem of his fellow men. His strict integrity and honorable dealing in business commended him to the confi- dence of all; his pleasant manner won him many friends and he was one of the popular and honored citizens of his community".
His son, Mr. Ralph Davis, now resides in Boston, Mass. but is a frequent visitor to his sister, Miss Mabel Lum, in Quaker Farms. He has ever been a good friend of Christ Church.
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The Davis Family descent is as follows, -
John Davis m 1st.
(Located in Derby
between 1685 and 1690)
John Davis, Jr. m Sarah Chatfield
July 15, 1706
Capt. Joseph Davis m Mary Wheeler
April 25, 1724
Col. John Davis m Mehitabel Thomas
April 10, 1782
Anson Davis m Sally Prudden
Rev. Sheldon Davis
Anson Riley Davis
m Marietta Church m Mary N. Alling
Charles Alling Davis m Mary Northrop, widow of Harpin Lum
Ralph Davis
Jessie Mabel Lum
LOCAL EVENTS IN QUAKER FARMS 1894-1896
The Seymour Record of March 8, 1894 gives the following in- teresting account of the doings of some of the church members, - "Mr. Charles Hawkins intends to make some repairs on the old red house. Mr. Theodore Hine intends to occupy it, while Robert Hawkins will commence housekeeping in the place now occupied by Mr. Hine. We shall expect an invite to the housewarming." The "old red house" is now occupied by Mrs. Flora Roberts Olson and her husband Mr. Albert M. Olson.
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