USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Stratford > A history of the old town of Stratford and the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut > Part 42
USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > A history of the old town of Stratford and the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut > Part 42
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ually paid our acknowledgements, taxes and charges, as we have from time to time been laid under such bonds and indisputable engagemts. But now since we are by the blessing and grace of Almighty God risen and advanced to somewhat more maturity and ripeness, and grown more populous than before, in capacity to stand within ourselves, without running for succor six or seven miles on one hand, and at least four on the other ; we doe make it our joynt ardent request and passionate petition to this honour'd esteem'd Court, that you would in the great- ness of your goodness, and out of your sincere zeal to the comfort of this part every way, so order it in your new convention that wee, every one of us, that are settled inhabitants of and steady dwellers in Poquonnock, may be exempted and relaxed from any minister's rate or rates and schooll mastours salerys, either in Fairfield or Stratford aforesd, purposing (God smiling on and favouring our enter- prises) to suit orselves in time convenient wth such meet instruints for ye pulpit and scholl, as may most and best serve the interest of our God, and do our souls and children most good ; such as shall bee most painfull pious and profitable for these ends to wch they were ordain'd, and are improv'd. And your humb. peti- tioners shall ever continue to pray for your long life and prosperity, subsigning this our address, dated 2ª May, 1690.
John Bardsle, Sr., Sam' Hubbell,
Richard Hobbell, Sr.,
Sam" Bardsley, Sr.,
Samuel Hall,
Matthew Sherwood, Sam" Wells, Isaac Wheeler,
David Sherman,
Samul Hubbell,
James Benitt,
Samuel Gregory,
Thomas Benit.
David Reynolds,
Sam" Tredwell,
Ed. Tredwell,
Nathn11 Knap,
John Odell, Sr.,
Jacob Joy, John Odell, Junr.,
Will Barsley, Matthew Sharwood, Jr., Isack Wheeler, Sr., Thomas Griffin,
Izhak Hall, John Wheller,
Thomas Wheller,
Thos. Morhous, Jr.,
John Sherwood,
Roburd Bishop,
Joseph Seely, Moses Jackson, Jr.,
Joseph Joy,
Sam" Morhous
Samuel Jackson,
Sam" Sumers.
Jacobe Wakelen,
Samuel Bardsle,
Matthew Sherwood, Jr., Moses Jackson, Sr ..
Ephraim Wheller, Daniel Bardsle, Samuel French,
Richard Hubell,
Timothy Wheller,
John Benitt, Jnr.,
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History of Stratford.
In May, 1691, the Court granted liberty to the inhabitants at Pequonnock " to procure and settle an orthodox minister among them if they find themselves able so to do, and pro- vided that those of Paquonnock that do belong to Fairfield township shall pay their just proportion of rate towards the maintenance of the ministry in Fairfield till they can obtain freedom of Fairfield or from this Court."
The next October they were released from paying to the support of the ministry at Fairfield while they supported a minister among themselves.
In May, 1694, permission was given to organize a church and the name Pequonnock was changed to Fairfield Village ; and this name was changed by the Court in May, 1701, to Stratfield.
The town of Stratford treated the Stratfield people with a good degree of friendship and favor.
" December 29, 1692. The neighbors at Paquonnock re- quested of the town liberty that in case the good people at Paquonnock should see cause to build a meeting house there at Paquonnock the liberty to set the said house part upon Stratford bounds, and said town by vote granted the same."
Therefore the probability is that the first meeting-house was located on the boundary line, half on Stratford, and halt on Fairfield territory.
In 1696,5 and 1697, and perhaps several years after, the town remitted to the society one-third part of their town taxes.
" In 1693, the foundation of a house of worship was laid on an eminence in the upper part of Division street [Park avenue] a few rods south of the King's highway [North ave- nue]. This height affords a pleasant view of the surrounding
5 " Jan. 13, 1696. Lt. John Beardsley with ye rest of our loving neighbors at Paquonnock, inhabitants of Stratford, requesting yt. ye town would be pleased to consider them in the present town rate and make them some abatement in consid- eration yt they apprehend themselves not equally privileged with ye rest of ye town in some causes of expense, and the town did by vote grant the request and give order to ye town treasurer to give to them our said neighbors credit one-third of their town rate respectively."
"Jan. 19, 1697. It was voted that our loving neighbors at ye Village should be allowed one-third part of their town rate for ye year past."
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Bridgeport.
country and is still called Meetinghouse Hill. The building, though small, was not completed until 1695, and in the mean time it is probable that the people gathered upon the Sabbath in a private house, having already provided themselves with a pastor.®
The Stratfield Ecclesiastical Society was the first one in the Colony, not being a town, fully organized as independent of all other societies, and hence it was necessary for the Gen- eral Assembly to define its privileges and powers. This was done as follows :
" August 1, 1699. Liberties granted to Fairfield Village by the Assembly :
" I Impr. To make choice annually of two or three per- sons who shall have power to order meetings of the society, their ministers' rates, and what concerns may be about their meeting house.
" 2d. To choose collectors of the rates, and that they shall have power by virtue of a writ from lawful authority of non-payment to distrain.
"3d. To choose a constable whose power shall reach from west side of Pequonnock River unto the utmost bounds of the village, westward according to the limitations granted Commission officers : the village consisting partly of Fairfield and of Stratford.
" 4th. That they shall have liberty to choose annually a society recorder to be sworn to that work."
In 1717, the privileges and powers of ecclesiastical socie- ties were further defined ; and in 1723, still further.7
In the case of the second society organized by law in Stratford village, to which Mr. Zachariah Walker ministered, it was in part under the officers and control of the first society, or the town, for so far as seen it had no officers elected by the town ; but the Stratfield society was granted several offices to be filled by its own election, in 1699. Pre- vious to this, a part of the time at least if not all, its recorder was that of the town of Fairfield ; and its own special officers, if it had any, had not civil authority.
Historical Notes, by Major W. B. Hincks, 35.
" See foot note on pages 302 and 303 of this book.
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History of Stratford.
The boundaries of the Fairfield Village on the western side were not particularly specified as became necessary, and on petition the General Assembly in May, 1701, established them definitely, and changed the name from Fairfield Village to that of Stratfield, a name formed from the first part of the words Stratford and the last part of Fairfield.
In May, 1702, this society received its part of the State money for schools according to the following act :9
"Ordered by this Assembly, that the constable or con- stables of Fairfield and Stratford, or those to whom orders shall be sent annually for the payment of the schools there, shall pay to the schoolmaster of Stratfield, so much as ariseth upon their part of the list at forty shillings upon every thou- sand pounds, according to the late law for Schools."
The ecclesiastical Society being fully organized, it thereby became the territory for a military company, and hence in October, 1703, " David Sherman was appointed Ensign of the train band in Stratfield."1
The next spring the complement of officers was made more complete by the appointment of " Lieut. John Beards- ley to be Captain of the train band of Stratfield, and Lieut. James Bennet to be their Lieutenant.11 Capt. John Beardsley
8 " May 1701. This Assembly having heard and considered the petition or request of the inhabitants of Fairfield Village presented to them by Lieut. James Bennett, desiring that the Court would state and settle for them a line for the west boundary to their plantation, &c., do order and enact : That the line to be the west boundary of the said plantation shall run so that it may take in and in- clude within their bounds, one Moses Jackson, miller, his housing and lands, and run on the west side of old Jackson's lotts (viz) : pasture, building lot, and long lot, upwards or northwards to the upward or northern end of the bounds of the town of Fairfield, and that all such person or persons as have built or shall build and inhabit on the east side of the abovesaid line, and on the west side of Poquan- ack River, shall pay to all public charges that shall arise in the said plantation his ratable part thereof.
" Provided always: That this act shall in no wise hinder or abridge the inhab- itants of said plantation, of using and holding the priviledge of feeding sheep to the westward of the abovesaid line, as it was granted to them formerly by the in- habitants of the town of Fairfield.
" And further it is enacted by the authority aforesaid : That the said planta- tion (formerly called Poquannuck and Fairfield village) shall for the future be called by the name of Stratfield."-Col. Rec., iv. 356.
9 Col. Rec., iv. 384. 10 Col. Rec., iv. 445. 11 Col. Rec., iv. 476.
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Bridgeport.
had been lieutenant at Stratford many years, and James Bennett the same at Fairfield.
The following is a copy of the first page of the Stratfield earliest church record book.
" The Church of Christ in Stratfield (formerly called Poquannuck) was gathered, and Charles Chauncey was or- dained the Pastor thereof, June 13, 1695.
" The Names of those that at that time were embodied into Church estate were as followeth :
" CHARLES CHAUNCEY, Pastr.
" Richard Hubble, sen", Isaac Wheeler, sen', James Bennit, sen', Samu" Beardsley,
Mathew Sherman, Richª Hubble, jun',
David Sherman,
Samuel Gregory, sent,
Jnº Odill, jun'.
" The Names of those that were afterwards received by vertue of Letters Dissmissory or Recommendatory from other Churches were as followeth :
From Fairfield Church.
Mary Sherwood, Anne Wheeler, Mary Odill, Rebecca Gregory, Ruth Tredwell,
From Stratford Church.
Temperance Hubble. Mercy Sherman,
Their letter was read and
accepted, July 10, 1695.
Sarah Odill. Their letter was read and accepted Anno 1695.
"Concord. Joseph Wheeler and his wife. Their letter was read and accepted.
" From the Church of Christ, Norwalk; Mary Jackson, her letter was read December 20, 1697, and accepted.
" Stratford. Hannah Fairchild ; her letter was read and accepted by the Church September 10, 1699.
" Thomas Hawley, his letter was read and accepted.
" Fairfield Church ; Mary Beardsley, Jno's wife ; her letter was read and accepted, July 26, 1702.
" Woodbury ; Abegaill Tredwell's letter was read and accepted, Nov. 24, 1704.
[ Abigaill Ilubble, Mary Bennit, Abigaill Beardsley, Abigaill Wakely,
Mercy Wheeler, Abigaill Wells, Elizabeth Sherwood,
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History of Stratford.
" Concord; Sarah Whitacus, her letter was read and accepted June 17, 1705.
" Charlestown ; Zachariah Ferris, sent, his letter was read and accepted, Sept. 9, 1705."
Besides the above there were added to this Church by profession, in full communion, during Mr. Chauncey's labors, to the end of the year 1714, the time of his death, 64 persons, making 97 in all.
During the same time there were 133 who united under the Halfway Covenant.
As to the meaning of this latter relation, Mr. Chauncey says, in heading the list with a prefatory statement :
" The Names of those who have renewed their Covenant, and personally subjected themselves to the government of Christ in his Church, and particularly in this Church, to- gether with the time of their doing it."
This indicates that the relationship of the Halfway Cove- nant church members, was not regarded as of less seriousness or solemn obligation than that of full membership. The re- quirements in the Covenant itself were nearly the same as those of full communion ; and it was not a trifling matter as it has so often been represented. Many persons at the present day are received to full membership in evangelical Churches without placing themselves under anything like the solemn promises that the Halfway Covenant imposed," in those days of strict religious principle.
12 The following is a copy of the Halfway Covenant which stands upon the records of the Church of Ripton at the date of 1773, the use of which was discon- tinued in 1817 :
" You do now, before God and these witnesses, avouch the Lord Jehovah to be your covenant God and Father, viewing yourself under solemn bonds and obli- gations to be the Lord's by your baptismal vows. You do, so far as you know your own heart, make choice of Jesus Christ to be your only Saviour and Redeemer, and. the Holy Ghost to be your Sanctifier, solemnly engaging to serve the Lord and him only, as he shall by his grace enable you ; that you will deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts ; that you will be careful to keep a conscience void of offence, so as to do honor to God and the religion you profess ; that you will endeavor by strength from God to walk in all his commandments and ordi- nances blameless, desiring to put yourself under the watch and care of this Church, to be trained up in the school of Christ for his heavenly kingdom ; prom- ising also that you will give up your children to God in baptism, and to bring
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Bridgeport.
The part which this Church had in the establishment of the Saybrook Platform is seen in the resolution and action recorded :
" July 27, 1708. Voted on the Sabbath that Leut. Bennet or Ensigne Sherman or both, be the messengers of this Church at the meeting of the elders at Fairfield on the 28th of the same month by the appointment of the General Assembly at Hartford in May last, the end of which meeting of elders and messengers to Consider the matter of Church discipline."
When the result of the Saybrook convention had been confirmed by the General Assembly, Mr. Chauncey made the following entry in the Church book :
"February 16, 1708-9. I published the Confession of Faith, the Articles of union between the united Presbyte- rians and Congregational men in England, also read the regu- lations for Church discipline agreed upon by said Colony, and confirmed by authority ; None among the brethren ob- jecting."13
The Rev. Charles Chauncey44 was the first pastor of the Stratfield Congregational Church. He was a son of the Rev. Israel Chauncey, of Stratford, and grandson of President Chauncey of Harvard College, and was born at Stratford, September 3, 1668. He was graduated at Harvard in 1686, and married at Pequonnock, June 29, 1692, Sarah, daughter of Major John Burr, and great-granddaughter of Mr. Jehu Burr, one of the original settlers of Fairfield.
Mr. Chauncey was made freeman in Fairfield, March 18, 1683, which indicates his residence there either as a school
them up in the fear of the Lord ; and to attend upon all the ordinances of Christ as administered in this place ; also that it is your full purpose to obey God in the ordinance of the Holy Supper as God shail give you light, and show you his will herein. And you covenant, and you promise, relying for help, strength and abii- ity on the blood of the everlasting covenant, to perform all and every duty to the praise and glory of God."-See Ecclesiastical Contributions, 411.
13 This account of the action of this Church, as to the Saybrook platform. and the record of the meeting of the first Consociation of Fairfield County, printed on pages 310 to 313 of this book, in foot note, are taken from the Stratfield Church Record book.
14 See sermon by the Rev. Charles Ray Palmer, pub. 1376.
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History of Stratford.
teacher-which is probable-or serving as a minister under his father in lectures on week day evenings. It is evident that he served as a preacher, soon after, from the fact that in 1692, the town of Fairfield gave him land to descend to his heirs "if he shall die in the work of his ministry at Poquonnock."
The privileges of a society were granted in 1691, and the Church was organized and Mr. Chauncey ordained, as seen above, June 13, 1695.
On the corner of Major Burr's farm, in what has since been known as Cooke's Lane, a house was built, and in it, in 1693, Mr. Chauncey and his wife took up their abode, and he commenced his regular ministerial labors.
In 1697, his wife Sarah died, and he married 2d, Sarah, daughter of Henry Wolcott, of Windsor, March 16, 1698. She died Jan. 5, 1702, and he married, 3d, Elizabeth Sherwood, March 14, 1710.
Mr. Chauncey was a member of the Council at Saybrook, and one of the founders of the Fairfield Consociation. Under his ministry both the church and the settlement steadily in- creased in numbers. His salary was at first £60 per annum, payable in produce at market rates, but afterwards it was in- creased to £80. He had, independently of his support, prop- erty in Stratford and in England, and left an estate valued at £743.
Mr. Chauncey died December 31, 1714, leaving a widow and several children.
The first Deacon of Mr. Chauncey's Church was David Sherman, a large farmer, and one of the first settlers in Pequonnock. He was born in Stratford in 1665 ; was a man of good abilities, gifted in prayer, and much esteemed. In the absence of the minister he took the lead of religious ser- vices.
The Second Meeting-house in Stratfield.
Mr. Samuel Cooke commenced preaching for this people soon after July 11, 1715, and was ordained pastor February 14, 1715-16.
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Bridgeport.
In December, 1715, the Society proceeded to the election of officers in which they called their most prominent officers " Selectmen," it being probable that they intended by that term simply the society's committee. They also voted, " that the drum shall bee beaten round the meeting house on Sab- bath days;" and Richard Hubbell, Thomas Hawley, James Seeley, were chosen a committee to consult some carpenters about the enlargement of the meeting-house.
In July, 1716, further action was taken : " Voted, that they will inlarge and repair the meeting-house ;" and a large committee was appointed to have the work done as soon as convenient, at the charge of the society."
In the progress of events, the work being delayed, another plan seems to have come under discussion, and probably was brought up at the next annual meeting, which meeting was adjourned several days, and when they came together in December, 1716, they voted, "that the place for the setting of the new meeting-house, if they shall afterward agree to build one, shall be near the corner of Joseph Trowbridge's orchard, late deceased, on the norwest side of the road be- tween that and the widow Sharman's, deceased. Also voted at the same time, that they will build a new meeting-house, of these following dimensions: twenty-four feet between joints ; forty-eight feet long : thirty-eight feet wide and a long roof. Major John Burr, Capt. David Sharman, Left. Richard Hubbell, Jr., Samuel Sherwood, Mr. Benjamin Fairwether, were chosen a committee to build the above said house, on the charge of the abovesaid inhabitants; and what the major part of the committee agree to, shall be binding, not exceed- ing four hundred and fifty pounds, besides the charge of rais- ing said house."
At another meeting, on December 31, 1716, they "granted by a major vote a Rate of one hundred pounds money to be raised on them according to their lists the last year, to be laid out towards the building of the new meeting-house."
In March, 1714 the following request was received by the meeting of the society : "Your petitioner requests your favour so far as to grant me the liberty of making a pew for my wife and children at my own charge in the new meeting-
482
History of Stratford.
house, on the women's side up by the pulpit. Pray be so kind as to gratify ine in this instance, both with respect to the thing itself and the situation of it. I remain your s. in all things I may. SAMLL COOKE.
Passed in the affirmative at the abovesaid meeting."
" May 23ª, 1717, then voted and agreed that the com- mittee shall hire men to raise the meeting-house and give them 38 per day, they finding themselves."
STRATFIELD SECOND MEETING-HOUSE ERECTED IN 1717.
On December 30, 1717, they proceeded to make the rules for seating the meeting-house: "Voted that the meeting- house shall be seated by dignity, age, and estate by the pres- ent list ; and also that David Sharman, Richard Hubbell, John Odell, Samuel Sherwood and John Burr be a committee to seat the meeting-house, and have power to seat from time to time as they see occasion.
" At a meeting of the society, March 7, 1713, then voted that Major John Burr sit with his family in the pew that he
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Bridgeport.
has built in the meetinghouse during the pleasure of the society."
In 1718, an appropriation of sixteen pound and six shill- ings was made by the society for building a gallery in the meeting-house, and Capt. David Sherman, Thomas Hawley, and Samuel Gregory, were appointed the committee to build it.
This meeting-house was considerably altered as shown by the vote, December 17, 1765 : "Liberty was granted to the following persons, each, to build a pew at the east end of the meetinghouse where the short seats are, they building at their own cost and paying the several sums affixed to each of their names, to the treasurer of this society in three months from this time ; for them and to be for their benefit during their pleasure to sit in :
Nehemiah Smith Odell, 138 2ª
Seth Gregory, 138 2ª
Hezekiah Hubbell,
Benjamin Hubbell, Jr., 128 6ª
Edward Rowland, 138 3ª Jabez Hubbell, 128 2ª
Wolcott Hawley, 138 od Gideon Hubbell, I28 Id Aaron Hawley, 128 8ª Thomas Hawley, 128 od
Isaac Hunt, 138 1d , Elnathan Sherman, II8 4ª
" December 20, 1769. Voted that the society are willing to build a steeple at the west end of the Presbyterian meeting house."
The committee to do the work consisted of " John Burr, Esq., Lieut. Benjamin Fayerweather, Lieut. Abel Seelve, Mr. Stephen Starling, and Mr. Benjamin Wheeler," and they were to do the work by subscription.
The subscription, however, was not sufficient to complete the work, for on September 19, 1770, the society voted that they were " willing to tax themselves to finish the steeple ;" but changing their minds somewhat, they voted to make fur- ther efforts with the subscription, and it is probable that it was finished without a tax.
The steeple was not finished, when on the 28th of July, 1771, it was struck with lightning while the people were wor- shiping in the house, but was not greatly injured, although two men, John Burr, Esq., and Mr. David Sherman, being in
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History of Stratford.
the house at worship, were killed. No other persons were seriously injured by the shock.
On August 5th, 1771, they voted to repair and finish the steeple ; and the next April they voted "that there may be an iron rod put up at the steple by subscription."
Another improvement was secured by the following so- ciety act : " Mar. 8, 1774. Voted that they will have a bell ; also that the society will get a bell by subscription, and Joseph Strong, Gideon Hubbell, and Edward Boroughs shall be the committee to get the bell."
"September 12, 1774. Voted that ye Society are willing to have the bell ringed at ye usual time on Sabbath days, and other days at 12 of ye clock in ye day and at 9 o'clock at night, and also on lecture day ; and whereas Mr. Wolcott Hawley offers to ring ye Bell at ye rate of £4 108 by ye year for ye first three months, it was agreed to by ye meeting."
There seems to have been some failure in the bell, for in November the society voted that they were " willing to run the bell over again and pay for it by subscription." This was probably done, since they continued afterwards to appoint a person to ring the bell from year to year.
Rev. Samuel Cooke," son of Thomas Cooke, Jr., and Sarah (Mason) Cook, of Guilford, Conn., was born in Guil- ford, November 22, 1687. His father died suddenly in 1701, before the son entered college, and the General Court granted, in May, 1703, a petition from the boy and his guardian (John Parmelee) for the sale of a house and lot to gain funds to carry out " the great desire of Thomas Cooke, deceased, to bring up this his son in learning." He graduated at Yale College in 1705.
He perhaps studied divinity immediately after gradua- tion. In January, 1707, he became the rector of the Hopkins Grammar School in New Haven, and held that position at a salary of £60 a year, also occasionally preaching, until the close of the year 1715. He was also a deputy to the General Assembly from New Haven, for the six sessions from October,
15 This sketch is taken from "Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College," by F. B. Dexter, M.A.
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Bridgeport.
1712, to May, 1715, serving as Clerk of the House for the last five. He married, November 30, 1708, Anne, only daughter of John Trowbridge, of New Haven, and granddaughter of Governor Leete, of Guilford.
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