USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Stratford > A history of the old town of Stratford and the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut > Part 32
USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > A history of the old town of Stratford and the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut > Part 32
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James Walker. Esgr .. Who de- parted this Life June 9th, 1796, In the Sist Year of his Age.
346
History of Stratford.
Mrs. Jerusha Walker, Relict of
James Walker, Esqr. Died July 8th, 1803, in the 87th year of her age.
In Memory of
Benjamin Wells, who died June 8, 1818, age 73 years.
In Memory of
Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Wells, who died Oct. 29, 1822, aged 71 years. In Memory of
Curtiss J. Wells, who died June 4, 1847, Æ. 77 years.
Ruth Hawley. the wife of Curtiss J. Wells, died April 24, 1863, Æ. 86 Years.
In Memory of
Legrand Wells, who died April 15, 1848, Æ. 84.
In Memory of
Phebe, wife of Legrand Wells, who died Oct. 23, 1810, Aged 76 Years.
In Memory of Two Children of Le- Grand & Cate Wells,
Susana, died Oct. 8th, 1803, aged 9 years.
Martha Carline, died August 29th, 1803, aged 2 Years.
In Memory of
Lewis Wells, 3rd, who died April 3rd, 1841, Æ. 41.
Julia, Wife of Lewis Wells, 3rd, Died Jan. 20, 1850, Æ. 50.
Reuben Wells, died June 12, 1859, Æ. 85.
In Memory of
Samuel W. Wells, who died June II, 1822, Aged 54. Also
Mary E. Wells, Wife of Samuel W. Wells, died July 1, 1850, aged 81.
Charles S. Whiting, Died Nov. 7, 1845, Æ. 65.
Sally, his wife, Died Nov. 20, 1842, Æ. 62.
Curtis J. Whiting, Died June 14, 1854, Æ. 76 yrs,
Fanny Mott, Wife of Curtis J. Whit- ing, Died Aug. 22, 1872, Æ. So Yrs., 6 Mo.
Catharine A., Daughter of Curtis J. & Fannie M. Whiting, Died Aug. 12, 1874. Æ. 65 Yrs., 6 Mo.
Here lyes Buried the Body of
Mrs. Sarah Wilcox, Wife to Mr. Elisha Wilcox, who died Feb. 10th, 1788, in the 43ª Year of her Age.
Sacred to the Memory of
Mrs. Sarah Ann, the wife of Mr. Daniel Worden, of Goshen, N. Y., who died August 4, 1825, aged 32. Here lyes Buried ye Body of Capt. Abram Wooster, Died Sept. ye I, 1741 (?), In ye 70 Year of his Age.
[TABLET.] Sacred to the Memory of
Colonel Joseph Wooster, who died December 30th. 1791, Aged 89 Years. Also of
Mrs. Lucy Wooster, Wife of Colo- nel Joseph Wooster, who died Octo- ber ISth, 1760, Aged 32 Years.
And I heard a voice from Heaven saying un- to me, Write Blessed are the dead who die in in the Lord.
CHAPTER XIV.
6
ECCLESIASTICAL PROGRESS.
N the great excitement and religious con- troversy following Whitefield's visit to Stratford, considerable changes occurred, some in favor of, and others against, the prosperity of the place. Those things which resulted in renewed religious activity by which two new houses of worship were erected, were in favor, and those which caused the removal from the town of a num- ber of first-class citizens were against the best interests of the place.
Whitefield's stay in Stratford extended to a few hours only. He preached in New Haven on Sunday, and on Monday morn- ing came to Stratford, preached at the meeting-house, probably outside, in the open air; dined with the Rev. Mr. Gold, then went to Fair- field, where he preached in the afternoon of the same day. 1
The idea of charging Whitefield with extravagancies and turning " the world upside down," in one sermon or in a few hours, is too simple, unless there was something more than human in his preaching, in which case it would be still more dishonorable to make the charge. There had been an unusual revival of religious interest in New England for sev- eral years, and Whitefield's preaching was in accord with that revival. After Mr. Whitefield's departure, unlettered, and unlearned men, as well as some who were learned, made vastly more trouble by extravagancies and unwise proceed- ings than Whitefield ever countenanced. or probably ever dreamed of.
There was great excitement in Stratford, unquestionably, and the one thought or doctrine that produced it, was the
348
History of Stratford.
question of a decided, definite, clear understanding, as to a personal experience, or " change of heart" in religious things. This was an old orthodox doctrine, then revived, especially in the Calvinistic form. In the Congregational churches some accepted this doctrine as the only assurance of heaven, while others held more to the efficiency of a careful, dutiful life of obedience to, and support of, Bible teachings, to secure the same end. Mr. Gold held to the former-which view has been termed in Congregational churches, as well as others, for over one hundred years, the evangelical- and some of Mr. Gold's leading men held to the latter ; and hence, desired and finally secured Mr. Gold's dismission.
In the midst of this controversy and excitement, which lasted ten years, the Rev. Richardson Miner of Unity, an acceptable Congregational minister, and a much esteemed practising physician, resigned his pastorate and joined the Church of England, in 1744. Several families in Stratford had made a like change previous to this, and some followed. The result is seen in the officers of the Episcopal Church.
From 1725, until 1737 or S, a few men had served in those offices, so far as the records show ; namely, John Benjamin, John Kee, Nehemiah Loring and Richard Rogers. In 1739, a much longer list is recorded,1 indicating, either the increase
1 "Easter Monday, 1739. Church Wardens chosen and appointed to gather the minister's rate and to give our account of it to the Commissary for the year were :
For Stratford § John Benjamin ( Zachary Clarke.
For Ripton § Joseph Shelton
John Beardsley.
William Smith. Samuel French. Samuel Blagge. William Beach. Joseph Brown. Gershom Edwards.
Vestry
Captain Hubbell.
Ephraim Curtiss. Lieutenant Fairchild. Doctor Laborie. Millar Frost. Thomas Lattin. Hugh Curland.
" The same day, Voted that we pay this year towards the support of our minis- ter 4 pence farthing upon the pound of our Ratable Estate." In 1748 the Vestry ' Voted the same Rate to Dr. Johnson that the Dissenters pay to Mr. Gold."
349
The Episcopal Church.
of numbers or a more complete organization and the keeping of a full record.
In 1741, others appear, as: "Edmund Lewis, Esq., Mr. Joseph Lewis, Mr. Jonathan Curtiss, Capt. James Lewis, Mr. Ebenezer Hurd and Dr. William Russell;" and in 1746, Capt. Theophilus Nichols; all but Dr. Russell were of the old Stratford families.
Several of these men had been members in full commun- ion in the Congregational Church from fifteen to twenty years-Edmund Lewis, Esq., and Capt. James Lewis, from fifteen to eighteen, and Capt. Theophilus Nichols and his wife over twenty years.
Hence, it appears that a number of persons of the old way of thinking or the conservative element, who were op- posed to the New Light movement, left the Congregational and joined the Episcopal Church, while Mr. Gold continued to preach, and when he was dismissed in 1752, a number of leading men in favor of his preaching, removed from the par- ish, to North Stratford, Ripton, New Haven; and others went further-to Waterbury, Newtown and New Milford ; thus affecting, decidedly, the strength and numbers of the old church and society.
But the increased interest in religion, soon led to new efforts to promote the cause, and hence, as has been recorded, in a previous chapter, the Congregational people built them a new house of worship in 1743, raising the money by a tax on the property held by the members of the society.
The Episcopal Society built a house also in 1743 ; but on the principle of stock ownership, and not by a public tax ; and so far as the author of this history has learned, it was the first house of worship built on this plan in this region of country.
The subscription? to secure the money to build this house
2 " We whose names are hereunto subscribed being convinced that it is our duty to contribute what we are able towards building a Church for ye Honour and Glory of God in this town to be set apart for his worship and service according to the excellent method of the Church of England Do hereby cheerfully and seriously devote to God the following sums (in the old tenor) annexed to our several names to be employed for the promoting of that pious undertaking.
Stratford February ye 2ª, 1742-3.
350
History of Stratford.
is dated in February, 1742-3, and gives the names, probably, of nearly all the contributors at that time.
The money to build the church being secured, the next great question was where to locate it. Two deeds for sites were recorded ; one, of a lot on Watch-house hill, and the other near that of the present church, in both of which it is
Sm. Johnson, a bell, £300 00 00
Bemslee Peters
$10 00 00
Wm. Beach 250 00 00
Sam11 Preston
10 00 00
Wm. Russell
5 00 00
Sam11 Folsom 12 00 00
Abm. Savage
5 00 00
Eph. Osburn 10 00 00
Charles Curtiss
30 00 00
Edmond Lewis 70 00 00
Richd Salmon
3 00 00
Ephram Curtiss
50 00 00
Israel Curtiss
4 00 00
James Lewis
30 00 00
Joseph Lewis, Jr.
2 00 00
Abel Burdsey 60 00 00
Samuel Thompson
2 00 00
Daniel Hawley
40 00 00
Peter Foot
15 00 00
Joseph Lewis 40 00 00
Ephraim Fairchild
10 00 00
Ambrous Thompson 30 00 00
John Barly
5 00 00
Gershm Edwards 50 00 00
Jeremiah French
10 00 00
John Benjamin 50 00 00
George Tyley
10 00 00
Joseph Browne.
30 00 00
Joseph Lamson
2 00 00
James Dunlop
40 00 00
John Brooks
5 00 00
Benjamin Peirce
8 00 00
Daniel Munson
3 00 00
Paul Maverick
10 00 00
By a person unknown 10 00 00
Joseph Prince 20 00 00
John Kiely
2 00 00
Ebenezer Curtiss
15 00 00
David Lewis 20 00 00
Eliphelet Curtiss
60 00 00
Eliezer Newhall
20 00 00
Joseph Thompson
20 00 00
Timo. Bontecou
15 00 00
James Lewis, Jun.
15 00 00
Edmond Booth 10 00 00
Sam11 Jones 10 00 00
David Brooks 4 00 00
Timº Sherman 35 00 00
Ephraim Burrit 10 00 00
Hew Curland 3 00 00
Ebenezer Sherman 5 00 00
Ephraim Hawley 15 00 00
Ephraim Lewis 15 00 00
Ebenezer Hurd
30 00 00
David Fansher
5 00 00
Josh. Foot
00 10 00
John Arnold
00 10 00
James Frost
3 00 00
James Beach
5 00 00
Thos Stratton
4 02 00
Joseph Laine
5 00 00
Nehemiah Beardslee
7 00 00
Edmund Lewis
20 00 00
Sam11 Benjamin 20 00 00
William Wells. 10 00 00
Wm Leese
5 05 05
Joseph Gorham 5 00 00
Elnathan Peet
60 00 00
Daniel Foot
3 00 00
Nathan Peet
20 00 00
Natill Lamson
2 00 00
Edward Allen
25 00 00
William Beach - 750 00 00
A true copy. John Benjamin, Clerk." .
Joseph Burdsey 12 00 00
Abram Blackman
6 00 00
Wm. Lamson 40 00 00
351
Second Episcopal Church.
stated that the purpose was to erect a church upon them, and the latter one was retained and occupied, while the other was sold.
Tradition says, as well as the Rev. Samuel Peters, that there was much excitement about securing this site; that the Congregationalists opposed the proposition of locating it on the hill near the meeting-house. It is said, the site on the hill was secured first and afterwards the one on Main street, but the deeds are dated quite the reverse-the one on Main street, April 16, 1743, and the one on the hill, May 24, 1743.
The building committee were as follows :
" February ye 2, 1742-3. Unanimously chosen by ye members of the Church of England in Stratford Town a committee to take care for ye building a new church in Stratford.
Coll. Edmond Lewis. John Benjamin.
Capt. James Lewis.
Mr. Ephraim Curtiss.
Mr. Daniel Hawley.
Mr. Joseph Brown.
Mr. Ambrose Thompson.
Capt. Gershom Edwards.
Mr. Joseph Lewis. Mr. Thomas Lattin.
July, 1744. Voted that Theos. Nickols, Esqr., also be one of the committee, and Mr. Wm. Lamson.
" Voted the same time that whatsoever shall be done by the Church Wardens for ye time being, and any five of the Comt. shall be held valid by ye whole community."
The seating of the church was arranged according to the following : " It was unanimously voted ye Ist day of Jan- uary, 1744-5, that the proprietors of ye church should chuse their ground for their pews according to what they have given towards building the same."
The property was secured to the church by the following :
" January ye 14, 1744-5. It was unanimously voted by ye minister and Church Wardens and committee of ye new church in Stratford, called Christ's Church, that if any per- sons that have or ever hereafter shall have Rights in pews in sd. Church, that if they shall leave sd. Church, they and their heirs ; that in that case ye Rights they have in said Church shall be Resigned for the Benefit of sd. Church ; to be dis-
Titherton and
Wm. Smith.
Nathaniel Lamson.
Mrs. Allen.
Thomas Selby and
Capt. Elnan. Peet.
Minister's Pew.
Doct. Munson.
Capt. Coldwell.
Hawley.
Wm. Willcockson
David Lewis.
Ephm.
Burrit.
Wm. Smith. Mr. French. Richd. Blackleach. Both Blaggs. Capt. Hubbil. M. Porter.
Paul Maverick.
Capt. Joseph Prince. Mrs. Serles.
Mr. Wm.
Ebenr. Hurd.
Eliph.
Rev. Dr. S. Johnson.
John Benjamin.
Peet. Mr. Ephm.
Woster.
Mr. Joseph Lewis.
Charles
Capt. Gershom
Edwards. SamIl.
Benjamin.
Abrm.
Thomas Lattin.
Mrs. Tree.
Mr. Pryn.
Peter Foot. Samuel Folsom.
Thompson. Neh. Beardslee. Jos. Nichols.
John Brooks. David Brooks.
Sam'll Jones.
Samuel
Preston.
Mr. Joseph Shelton.
Thos. Salmon C. Burroughs
Mrs. Loring and family.
Stephen Frost
Abraham Blackman.
John Barley.
John Hurd. Thos. Lake. Benj. Pierce.
Thos. Stratton.
Abraham Patterson.
Samuel Fairchild.
William Watkins.
George Tyley. Curtiss.
Doct. Russell.
Timo. Bountecou.
James Frost.
Doct. Benjm. Warner.
Mrs. Laborie.
Benjm. Arnold.
Capt. Theos. Nickols.
Mrs. Whitnee.
Sold to Henry Davis.
Wm. Beach.
I797.
Rented May 10,
John Lewis.
Eph. Lewis.
Capt. James
Dunlop.
Edw. Allen.
Mr. John Keys.
Abm. Curtiss.
James Lewis. Wm. Wells.
Joseph Browne.
Eplı. Osburn.
Eph. Hawley.
Benjm. Peirce.
Ricd. Burton.
Ambs. Thompson.
Mr, Daniel
Coll. Lewis and Capt. Lewis.
Mr. Abel and Joseph Burdsey,
Lamson.
Curtiss.
Curtiss.
Mr. Newhall.
Timothy Sherman.
Mr. Nathan Pect. Capt. Elnath'n
Coll. Joseph
Jos.
Savage.
Curtiss.
Benjm. Lewis Jerh. French.
Ebenr. Sherman.
Capt. Jos. Wooster.
Thos. Daskem
Jeremiah Judson
PEWS AND OCCUPANTS IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, STRATFORD, IN 1745.
Wm. Beach.
353
Second Episcopal Church.
posed of as ye minister, Church Wardens and vestry then in being shall think most for the advantage of the same Church."
Some of the material for this church may have been, brought from England, but it was only a small proportion if any (the pulpit, and perhaps the chancel ornaments), as the Warden's record book now shows. A credit to Colonel Edmund Lewis stands: " about 12 loads of timber got in his land, 34 trees, £03-08." Lieut. Joseph Wooster furnished in " July, 1743, 12,000 feet of pine siding at ten pounds per thous- and, and 2,000 feet of sash plank at $14 per thousand ; 244 feet of pine boards at 20 s. per thousand ; and "iron for ye spindle for ye weathercock." In August, 1744, Capt. James Lewis is credited, by "John rending 3400 lath for the church, ¥4-05 :" and soon after to 1250 more lath ; which shows that the edifice was not completed until the autumn of 1744.
Several items of credit on the account book show that the workmen were engaged nine days in raising the frame of this church ; and from many items recorded it is certain that the amount of timber in it was very great.
The Rev. Samuel Peters, in connection with his account of the Indian powwow on Stratford point, makes the follow- ing record in reference to the building of this church, or the one preceding it, for it is difficult to determine which he in- tended :
" When the Episcopalians had collected timber for a church, they found the devils had not left the town, but only changed their habitations-had left the savages and entered into fanatics and wood. In the night before the church was to be begun, the timber set up a country dance, skipping about, and flying in the air, with as much agility and sul- phurous stench as ever the devils had exhibited around the camp of the Indian pawwawers. This alarming circumstance would have ruined the credit of the church, had not the Epis- copalians ventured to look into the phenomenon, and found the timber to have been bored with augurs, charged with gun powder, and fired off by matches :- a discovery, however, of bad consequence in one respect-it has prevented the annal- ists of New England from publishing this among the rest of their miracles."3
' History of Connecticut by the Rev. Samuel Peters.
354
History of Stratford.
This sketch, with many others in Mr. Peters' book, might easily be taken for a moderately good burlesque but for the fact that some historians quote the book seriously as authentic history.
The following record concerning the clock is of interest, although it is unfortunate that they did not write more par- ticulars about it :
" An agreement made this 25th day of Feby, 1750-51, be- tween the Church Wardens of Christ Church in Stratford, and John Davis, clock maker, a stranger, and is as followeth :
" That the said Davis is to keep the clock of said church in good repair for two years from the date hereof and to have for his labour five pounds for each year, provided the said clock goes well the said time; if not, he is to have nothing for his labor, and the first five pounds to be paid at the end of the first year, and the other five pounds at the second year ; and that the Church Wardens are not to be put to more trouble about paying the money than to pay it either in Strat- ford or Fairfield ; and to be paid in old tenor money."
Two full years were occupied, apparently, in building and finishing this church edifice; for much, if not all the lathing and plastering were done in the summer of 1744, and the regulations for seating the church were not made until January, 1744-5. The work for obtaining lime, is indicated by charges for drawing loads of wood for burning loads of shells, and was no small item in the finishing of such an edifice.
When the church was completed and the clock placed in the tower, there was one thing lacking, the privation of which they endured until the beginning of the year 1756, when they undertook the enterprise of securing an organ for their house of worship. A subscription4 was raised for annual payments
" Stratford, February 16th, 1756.
4 " The following proposals for the purchase of an organ for the use of Christ Church in this town are offered by Mr. Gilbert Deblois of Boston, Merchant.
"That the price of the said organ is to be fixed at Sixty pounds sterling.
" That the time allowed for the payment of the said sum be six years from the time of its being delivered, and this to be made in the six equal payments of ten pounds sterling per annum, without any demand of interest. That the said organ be delivered at Stratford by the last of April next, if it can be completed by that
355
Second Episcopal Church.
during six successive years, at ten pound a year, and by it the instrument was obtained, and was in its place in the " organ loft," March 27, 1758, when the officers of the church appointed Mr. John Benjamin, organist, and from that time he was yearly elected by the same authority to the same office until 1773 ; serving the church in that capacity sixteen years,
time and there should be a convenient opportunity for shipping it. That the said Mr. Gilbert Doblois do take upon himself all the risque in transporting the sd organ round from Boston to Stratford.
"We the subscribers do hereby accept the above mentioned proposals, and do hereby oblige ourselves and our heirs to the just payment of the respective sums yearly which are with our names herein expressed, to continue during the term of the six next succeeding years.
" Witness our hands. The money to be collected above, we also agree to pay into the hands of Mr. John Benjamin.
Lawful Money.
Edmund Lewis two dollars and a
half .£o-15 num £o- 6
David Lewis five dollars a year -I-IO David Brooks three dollars a year_0-18 James Willoughby one dollar a year o- 6 Nathaniel Curtis of N. Stratford one
dollar pr. year .0- 6 Charles Curtis two dollars pr. year 0-12 Jere Judson Curtiss two dollars pr.
year .0-12
Win Samuel Johnson 20/ per ann ._ 1-00 John Benjamin twelve shillings pr.
year 0-12 Gershom Edwards one dollar and half 0- 9
Madam Beach a sett of Curtains and fringes for the Organ loft ..
Edward Winslow two dollars pr. annum .0-12
Joseph Lewis two dollars pr. annum 0-12 Joseph Lewis, Jr. one dollar pr.
annum
o- 6
Watman Duncan one dollar pr.
0- 6
Timothy Sherman three dollars pr.
num
.0-12
Harpin Jr. one dollar pr. an-
annum
.0-18
Joseph Nickols three dollars pr.
Lawful Money. Andrew Hurd one dollar pr. an-
Alexander Zuill o- S Abijah Beach twenty shillings pr. annum I-00
John Backus one and a half dollars pr. annum 0- 9
John Robertson three dollars pr. annum 0-18 Abraham Patterson one dollar pr. year .0- 6
Abel Beach four dollars pr. annum I- 4 Samuel Jones two dollars pr. an- num .0-12
LeGrand Cannon [wo dollars and half. 0-12*
Edward Hawley one dollar and half pr. annum .0- 9
Theophilus Niculls three dollars pr. year 0-IS Edmund Burritt half a dollar .0-03 Ambrose Thompson two dollars pr. annum 0-12
Edward Allen two dollars pr. an-
annum
num 0- 6 Jean Harpin two dollars. .0-12 annum 0-18
* This is so carried out on the record.
356
History of Stratford.
and perhaps several years longer, since the records make no mention of an organist from 1773 to 1779, when Capt. George Benjamin is appointed to that service. So far as seen, no mention is made of remuneration to the organist until 1786. In 1780 Philip Benjamin was appointed organist; and in 1783, Asa Benjamin was elected to that place. In 1786 they voted to give the organist twenty dollars per year for his services.
On the 8th of July, 1744, the new church was opened with a sermon by Dr. Johnson, although it was not then plastered, and probably the pews were not then made.
Ten years he preached in this church, seeing large and encouraging results from his own labors and those of his brethren, and then he accepted the presidency of the college at New York. He neither resigned his parish at Stratford nor removed his family. The parish continued to raise his salary and when he could not hold service with them he secured one to do it. After some years this course secured the following entry in the Warden's record book :
" Stratford April 8, 1765.
" To prevent misunderstanding what I propose with regard to the money rates is this; not to take any of it to myself but after crossing out the names of such as I think subjects of Charity, to order the Church wardens to see that it be punctually collected and let out at interest and pre- served to the sole purpose of establishing a fund towards the better support of my successor excepting only so much as from time to time shall be found needful to use in rewarding any gentleman whom I shall need to call to assist me in cases of infirmity.
Samuel Johnson."
The Episcopal Church. 357
Judging from the history of one hundred and forty years, the sudden and rapid progress of the Episcopal Church in Stratford, for about ten years, resulting in the completion of a new Church about 1750, was of very great importance to the success of that denomination in America. The accession of a few prominent citizens of Stratford to this church added greatly to the prominence of Dr. Johnson and his people in the Colonies, and the more than ordinary elegance of the new church edifice contributed also to the same result.
Dr. Johnson seems to have appreciated these facts in his letter to the Society, September 29, 1748, when he says :
" As to the Church in this town, it is in a flourishing con- dition, one family having been added, and more looking for- ward, and thirty-one have been baptized, and eight added to the communion, since my last; our new Church is almost fin- ished, in a very neat and elegant manner, the architecture being allowed in some things to exceed anything done before in New England. We have had some valuable contributions, and my people have done as well as could be expected from their circumstances, which are generally but slender; but there is one of them who deserves to be mentioned in partic- ular for his generosity,-Mr. Beach, brother of the Reverend Mr. Beach, who, though he has a considerable family, has contributed above three thousand pounds, our currency, to it already, and is daily doing more, and designs to leave an annuity, in perpetuum, toward keeping it in repair."®
This edifice was not only remarkable in its architecture and finish, but also returned a full compensation for all the expense put upon it, in its durability, for it continued in use until the present Church was opened on the 29th of July, 1858, having served the purpose of its construction one hundred and fourteen years.
The height of the progress of this Church, for many years, seems to have been attained about the time Dr. John- son became president of the College at New York. Having attained a good degree of strength and numbers it did well until the opening of the Revolutionary War, when all out-
6 History of the Church in Conn., i. 157.
24
358
History of Stratford.
ward circumstances were against its progress, yet it continued its services probably until July, 1776.
Dr. Johnson remained the Rector until his decease in 1772 ; but his strength failed him somewhat so that an assistant became necessary and was secured, as shown by the parish vote, January 6, 1768, when "it was unanimously voted that the Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Kneeland be an assistant to the Rev. Doct' Johnson our pastor, and also our missionary during his natural life."
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